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grendel
0:19:10 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion

The shift in Aziz's balance was enough to telegraph the warning, and Legion's hand automatically went to the hilt of his sword, his own weight coming forward onto the balls of his feet. He watched as Shade interceded, some whispered conversation taking place between the two of them. Apparently the ghouls had done Aziz wrong. This was useful information to have, especially considering that Legion had been planning a sit down with the ghouls at some point. It was still worth considering, but perhaps if he let the Ravens beat on them for a little while they'd be more inclined to agree to his terms. He grinned in the darkness, a vicious expression. Instead of answering, though, he followed Thumper into the shadows.
Fresno Bob
0:19:13 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Aziz

Aziz unclenched his fists at Shade's words, relaxing and exhaling.

"Alright..." he whispered back. "If you say so. But if he isn't cool with it..." he trails off, letting his stare into Shade's eyes finish the sentence. He glanced back up at Legion, already moving out.

"Come on... they're leaving.", he says. He gestures over at Twiggs. "Guess you're coming too. Don't think you've got a choice anyway. What's your name anyway?"


Meriss
0:19:16 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Ink

Ink shrugged lightly as the group began to move out. Ayrab boy and Shade were clearly less than happy about dealing with the 162s. What the fuck had happened to the Crash? Carlos had said that the Crash was more like a familia than a proper gang. Ink got familia; familia est todos, family is everything as Nona often said.

The Cubano shifted towards the new kid with the motor mouth, he lifted his pistola out of the waistband of his pants. The gesture was a simple ritual practiced by bangers everywhere. It meant one thing, are you packing heat? Not that he was about to offer the chatterbox a gun. Kid would prolly shoot himself. He turned away from the Ayrab and the kid.

He jogged up lightly and spoke behind Legion. Not too close lest his newfound leader thought him a threat. "Hefe jou want the wizkid fer something special? Or we just need some mojo? Cause I tink I know where to get some wiz juice."
Dantic
0:19:13 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Twiggs

Aziz seemed to relax some, coming to acceptance of what was being said in his exchange with the “peacekeeper�. He spoke, "Come on... they're leaving.", Then gesturing at Twiggs, "Guess you're coming too. Don't think you've got a choice anyway. What's your name anyway?"

The question struck Twiggs as odd.

'Is he trying to suck up to Legion, by speaking to me now?'

Shrugging, he answers, “Twiggs�.

In the darkness, the group moved, not only following the path of Thumper and Legion, but amongst themselves too, a constantly changing formation. One of the gangers came closer and flashed a pistol, before moving off. He still thought of them as gangers, and himself as something different, like a stray that has been allowed to follow, until it got to large to be cute, and ate to much. Not knowing where to fit into this group, and feeling nervous, he felt himself beginning to fall into his usual prattle, addressing the tall man who had asked his name.

“Got the name while in juvie detention center, ya know? While still small, like thirteen, was the runt, ya know? I tripped up, somebody said looked like a bunch of twigs trying ta walk, it stuck. Juvie was my life ya know? In and out, in and out.�
grendel
0:19:50 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion

Legion glanced over his shoulder as he searched his pockets for another cigarette.

"Eh? No, I just wanted more than one to stand watch at basecamp. But you think there's more talent available around here? Where?"

It would be useful to have another spell-slinger on board, especially given the proximity of the UVN. He had yet to broach the topic of his scarification with Ink. Hopefully once this little trip finished up he'd have time to sit down and sketch out the details. Maybe even get started. Finding the pack of smokes Nevada brought him, he tapped one out and lit up.
Fresno Bob
0:19:55 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Aziz

Aziz was lost in reflection on the 162 attack he had barely survived, only just two days ago.

Can't believe its just down to Me, Shade, and Felix... JJ, Neo, Toy Robot, Tao Fighter with his fat fucking girlfriend... they're all dead. He absently reached into his pocket and slid a cigarette into his mouth, lighting it on his old zippo.

New meat's talking about something...

"That's nice." he replied in his best uninterested tone, eyes staring forward. He swivels his head around to look Twiggs over.

"You ever killed anyone, Twiggs?"
Vegas
00:25:42 Sunday, November 2, 2070 – 8-Balls turf, Baby's Doss
Nevada

Baby's description of the infiltrators was dissolving into jibberish as Nevada's brain struggled to keep up. She was able to catch the really important stuff and the rest she just left to be filled in or cleared up later. The six women were hardly in any shape to make a move up to Raven's turf at that very moment without opening themselves up to trouble, and she knew it. She spoke softly and her words came out in a drowsy slur.

"Between the two of us we can get up there fine. Legion isn't expecting us till tomorrow right? If not, we rest till we're not such easy targets. If he changes his mind and wants us there, we roll.. carefully. If the Plague get involved we can always go around them. Makes for a longer trip and we skirt the Breakers' turf along with the flesh eaters, but might be safer than walking up the fucking corridor of tension."

She closed her eyes momentarily which wasn't such a great idea because she nearly fell back asleep. Some movement or some sound snapped her back to semi-alertness and she looked at Baby.

"Keep shifting the girls through watch rotations, Frankie first." She unclipped her commlink from her side and clumsily handed it to the girl, there was no way she'd be able to accurately use her shotgun to defend them in her current state. "Make sure whoever is awake has one of our comms just in case something comes through from the boys up north and we have to move. Now, it's back to sleep unless more shit hits the fan."
Dantic
0:20:00 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - Just south of Kirkland City Park, at the bend in NE 142nd Ln
Twiggs

"rolled solo, most of the..."

The question, almost a comment, breaks into the middle of the rambling Twiggs' thoughts."

"Huh? Killed?"

He stops talking for a few moments.

'If I could go back, I'd fucking shank...'

A simple reply, "No"
Whipstitch
00:17:52, Sunday, November 2, 2070 - NE 142nd Ln, just outside the Heights' entrance
Cuervo

Cuervo grinned as he moved through the darkness, then paused a moment before subvocalizing to his commlink.
<<@Ink>>: "So ka, omae. Nos vemos pronto."
Fresno Bob
0:20:15 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - Just south of Kirkland City Park, at the bend in NE 142nd Ln
Aziz

Aziz snorts a little, jetting some smoke out his nostrils.

"Thought so."

rob
11:00:00 Saturday, November 1 2070 - Temporary HQ
Bockscar

I wake up feeling as miserable and lonely and scared as I ever had - day after pops died, on the bus to basic training; first day in the joint. The exhaustion is so deep as to feel like a part of me; even though my body responds well to the command to get up, get the gun, armor up, ruck up my brain screams that I can't do it. I shut it out as much I can. Going to some meet. It'll be nice to see Tommie again; but he won't see me. I tell the others I'll take rear and take the opportunity to puke twice into the corner, after they've passed. Grab a bottle of water and catch up.

13:45:00 Saturday, November 1 2070 - Pool hall
Bockscar

The meet passed by in a blur. I recorded the whole thing through the smartlink camera on the pistol and my earbuds, saved it in my skull for review later, but at the time I didn't give two squirts of piss about anything but staying awake and watching my sector; covering the Heartbreakers close' bodyguards and ready to swing to cover the table. The pizzas sat in my gut like a rock, begging to come out. I coughed a couple times, and it was a new and exciting experience, it hurt so bad. I just followed along for our little jaunt, playing it cool, stuck in myself more than I should be. Hit the ground like a rock right after we clear the pool hall and snooze straight through to move out.

18:00:00 Saturday, November 1 2070 - Walking towards Kirkland City Park
Bockscar

Getting back towards the park starts to wake me up. We hit 128th and I can't help but think about the firefight of the other night. I don't even think about Leon till we get to the intersection with the alley and I see the burnt out car they died behind. Snort a bit with self mockery as we turn to the park admin office; I'd been so self absorbed I hadn't even thought of it. Used to sell coke in that park when I was 12. My hackles rise a bit in the process, simply because the memories are so vivid. I look up the road as we pass down the alley, registered where Badmarsh died and the raiders tried to jack us. Queue all my guns for a status report just in case and smile when they blink red. Thinking about it puts a little life back into me, and I jog forward to take point as we approach the buidling. I'm first man, Thumper's break man; the rest take a second to catch on and I'm already through the door. Pretend to be peeved, but it's actually pretty good for a no-rehearsal clearing. Feel a bit more content about the world, the flesh, and the devil as we roll through the yard.

Basketball court and the gym make my day. Hoops are bent and broken; the plates that the outlanders haven't stolen are rusted through, but it's better than nothing. Dump ruck in a nice little room, only a few rat turds, near the roof access ladder. A month's worth of hustle will have this place looking nice. We get the order to stand fast for the rest of the folks, and I smile and peace out towards the roof. Lean down in the doorway of the access hatch; don't want to be silhouetted against the roof and setting sun; relax, light up a joint, and bullshit about life on my lonesome. Snooze out after the other people arrive and the meets, greets, bullshits. Put a little bit of tin roof up here to patch the ceiling holes and I've got a nice little roost.

00:00:00 Saturday, November 2 2070 - Park admin office
Bockscar

I woke up around 11 and took it easy. Gave myself another whore's bath. Started thinking about how to get my living quarters back over here. Maybe I could rent a conex mover from the Kings and have them drop off my pad on the yard out there. Come up with other ridiculous notions as others spin their wheels about other plans. Start searching for my inner give-a-fuck; know it's in here somewhere. Fly on the wall as Legion starts talking about reconning the plague's turf; fine with me that he wants me to hold down the fort here. As they start talking about it, I remember Badmarsh and compose a brief heads-up:

<<@Legion, Thumper, Aziz, Shade (Bockscar) - Gentlemen - as you pass down the road you'll see where Marsh died. Intersection of 141st and the double-lane alley due west of your position. I booby-trapped his body in case the Raiders wanted to pick through it. I can't remember if it's sitting on a live grenade or I trapped the door near it; whatever you do, go in a window if you want to check out the building. If his body's still there, give me a call and I'll try to disarm the grenade; otherwise, either there's bits of Badmarsh and bad guy all over the room or somebody has gotten wise. Attached to this message is a placemarker for the building and a line diagram of what portion of the inside I saw... And what the fuck is that noise?>>

Don't care much for the noise and the lights that have appeared, and I shimmy full bore onto the roof. Low crawl to the corner, cover the line of advance with my rifle. Hit my commlink on full bore scan mode, looking for their 'links or their bikes; turn on the sniffer to try and find their comms. And to think I was just worried about that Raiders sniper tonight.
pragma
00:21:00, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Thumper

"Lay off the kid, Aziz. Not everyone's lucky enough to be a grade-A fucking badass."

Thumper had spent some time carefully picking a route. He decided, as usual, that simple was good.

"Figure we swing down 124th on our side of the street, got good sightlines and the hunters will wind up there eventually if they want to hit or run from the Plague."

He was definitely a lieutenant now ... he fought to keep his game face on, to look tough and angry.

Ink was chattering about some badass mage, Thumper felt the need to respond: "Where is this guy?"

It felt like something was missing from the war party, he knew what it was as soon as he thought about it:

<<@Grack: Skraacha! we're taking the djoto to some ujnort motherfuckers. Going to 124th, then South.>>

He led the crew South, towards the screaming mass in the night.
Dantic
00:21:20 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - Just south of Kirkland City Park, at the bend in NE 142nd Ln
Twiggs

'Wow it talks!'

Stepping up closer to Thumper, "S'okay gabby, I'm used to it, ya know?"

Twiggs continues to walk along with the group, keeping his board tucked under his arm for now, scanning the night with an obvious nervousness, hoping to spot any signs of trouble, before getting caught up in it.
adamu
00:22:30 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - My World
Grack

Like a torporous reptile roused willy-nilly from slumber, the fledgling deity opened his eyes to baleful slits, unwilling to betray his newly wakeful state to lurking foes.

Something had disturbed the staccato rhythms of Crime Time. Playing back the last thirty seconds of the Magic Box's output, he heard a joyful message. The Duke of Drink, Master of Libations, had sent him a glorious call to war.

Now was his Time. These were the days of Fell Deeds. The Making of Legend.

HIS Legend.

Within moments, Toy in hand, he had left his new home and was racing south down the primary main that paralleled 124th, thankful that the water line was so low this time of night.

The stale sewer air was sweet in his nostrils and whistling throught the triple orifices of his mouth. Soon his heavy Uruk Hai jacket was sticky with sweat against his otherwise bare torso.
Meriss
00:21:25, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Ink

Ink looked over at Thumper "He's around homes, all I gotta do is get him." The Cubano leaned over his link for a second. <<@Cuervo: Hurry up muchacho. Moving south towards Plague turf. Just follow the screaming biggrin.gif>>

Ink grinned at the ork broadly "Cuervo's on his way, mano."
Slipshade
00:25:42 Sunday, November 2, 2070 – 8-Balls turf, Baby's Doss
Baby

It was readily apparent that Nevada had only heard about half of what Baby said, if that. Call it fatigue or just plain bitchiness, but having the girl order her on how to set watch when she had already done so really rubbed Baby wrong. To make matters worse Nevada's suggestion about the comms was a good one that Baby hadn't thought of. That annoyed her even more.

Sure it wasn't like Nevada even knew half of what she said and would probably remember even less, but Baby's last nerve had been frayed a long time ago now and she wasn't thinking straight. Even the slightest perceived suggestion that she didn't know what to do was aggravating to say the least. To top that the girl was acting like Baby didn't know her way around the 'Gate. Now that was really galling.

She took the Nevada's commlink from her. "Like I said. We're goin' noon at the latest." Her words were short and clipped. "Get some sleep, I already have this shit covered."

Baby stood up from the mattress and left the room to see who was on watch. "Who's Frankie?" She asked and one of the girl's turned towards her, but before she could speak up Baby tossed Nevada's comm to the girl. "Let us know if anyone calls." She tossed hers to her sister before returning to her room and crawling into bed next to Nevada. Normally she hated sleeping in her jumpsuit. It was tight and confining, but tonight it felt like a warm winter blanket. It was the first unsoiled clothing she had been in in days and it was armored. Deep inside it was the feeling of protection that she sorely needed right now.
WinterRat1
23:45:25, Saturday, November 1st - 119th PL, North of 144th
Rico

"No ma. I'm full. I'm gonna be burping Jeuvos Rancheros for a week. I've got to get back out there and find some work."

Rico hadn't wanted to come home, but with his comm-link trashed, and the Brickhouse Boys gone, he needed to ditch his Pea-coat, get his old armored jacket and his old comm-link, and see if he can scrape together a decent tool box from his dad's old shit.

"Stay here hito, there's plenty of work in your papa's shop. You don't need to go out there and get shot
again."

"I'm not going to get shot again ma. There was a war on, and the war is over. Now it's back to biz. And we both know there's not even enough honest work for ONE wrench on this side of the 405. Who's gonna pay for Oscar's school, or buy you fresh eggs, or keep dad's shop from getting trashed? And who says I WANT to be an honest wrench? I gotta go, now." Without listening to another word, Rico heads out the door and into the night.

He sits on his bike and checks his comm. None of the Pea-coats show up. He knows there are at least a few left, 'cause they made a last charge on the Asphalt Kings last night. Hopefully they'll contact him. In the mean time, a little fast moving recon should give him a feel for the new lay of the land. The ability to move fast and not flying any colors should keep him mostly safe, as long as he sticks to the borderlands.

He fires up his hog and takes off down 119th to 140th. Left to 124th and up to 144th. Right on 144th thenhe gets an idea. Evergreen Heights. Everyone knows they're protected, so it's probably still a safe place. Maybe some of the boys are there. South of here was all unclaimed last week. Let's see if it still is.

South on 126th and left into the parking lot. As he looks for a space, he sees movement at the edge of the park and stops quick, before he gets within handgun range. This could be suicide, but he's gotten by on balls and bullshit before. Besides, he thought one of them was an orc.

00:22:25, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion, Thumper, Grack, Shade, Ink, Aziz, Twiggs, Rico

The October Ravens rolled out into Black Plague turf on Legion's command. Thumper led the way, the others fanned out in a rough fan around him. Sticking to the shadows, they were shadowed on a parallel course by He-Who-Walks-Beneath (a.k.a. Lord Grack).

Although the unnatural shrieks and sounds were still coming from the west, the Plague's turf seemed oddly quiet. At least the north side of it. No residents showed their faces, probably still lying low. And the Plague itself was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly Thumper stopped. Movement. Holding up a hand, he pointed in the direction he'd heard the sound coming from. As the others fanned out, another ork stepped out of the shadows. He wasn't wearing colors, and he had his palms opened in front of him, spread wide to show he wasn't carrying any weapon. At least not in his hands. Spotting the group coming towards him, the other ork smiled a friendly smile at Thumper.

"Skraa cerri."
adamu
00:22:25, Sunday, November 2nd - Crossing the line into Black Plague turf
Grack

The lad had caught site of his subjects right where their fief bordered that of the Plague Filth Zakhan. Moving quickly, he had emerged from His World and moved south of their position, calling to the forces of the Scintillating One as he did so.

Soon, the lizard-man-beast he had conjured before was beside him, surly and taciturn. He ordered it to watch over himself and the others, and then extended his godlike senses into the ether in search of danger. The process was becoming much easier, and this time it not only left him altogether unfatigued, it seemed to require no effort at all to maintain.

Confident in his precautions, he stole rapidly ahead through the shadows, making no sound.

Indeed, so assured was he in the safety of his double layer of mystical precaution that he broke his usual rule of hunting with his music off. He stalked onward through the night, paralleling the others while reveling in the triumphant chords of CrimeTime, and even indulging in routing the video version of the opus to his contacts as a thin overlay to the real world.
pragma
00:22:45, Sunday, November 2nd - 119th PL, North of 144th
Thumper

"Skraacha," Thumper said cautiously. The other ork didn't look wired, and he didn't look that familiar (at least to Thumper's limited repertoire of faces). But no one was out at night alone if they weren't a ganger, and this was Plague Turf.

"Where are your colors Plague boy?" Thumper hefted the club in a only mildly threatening fashion. "Or are you just in the wrong place at the really wrong time?"
Bearclaw
00:23:00, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Rico

"No colors, bro. Not any more. I see you're not wearing any either, but if I'm on your turf, I'm not looking for any more trouble. I'm just a Cerri looking for Ereth. I used to wear a Pea Coat, but now all I've got is this old jacket. I was hoping maybe a few old friends might be holed up here at the Heights."
pragma
00:23:05, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Thumper

"Yeah, we used to wear a lot of things." Thumper let his hand stray to his waist where his sash had lived for so many years. "Haven't seen any of your crew, but if no one's wearing coats all bets are off. What are you doing now."

Legion seemed to be in a recruiting mood tonight. Thumper cast a glance at his leader while he waited for the reply.
Bearclaw
00:23:10, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Rico

"That's a good question. I've been living the life since I was a kid. I'm probably looking for a crew that's looking for new blood. Looks like you've got the start of something yourselves," Rico says.
One of the shadows glows for a second as Legion takes a drag from his smoke. Rico stares for a second. Rico knows who most of the important players in Kingsgate are, but even his mom knows who Legion is. The guy's a legend.
"Shit, how's it going Legion. If you're recruiting, I'm in. If not, I never saw you guys."
pragma
00:23:15, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Thumper

Thumper received a quick nod from the gang's leader.

"I guess we're in the market for gangers. We're looking for the guys making all the noise." He jerked his head west.

He want to make this stranger prove himself, he knew nothing about the orc on the street, or had forgotten it, he wasn't sure.

"Why don't you lead the way -- show us what you've got."
Bearclaw
00:23:30, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Rico

"Sure, I'll take point. But you got an HQ I can stash my bike at?"
grendel
00:25:53, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion

Legion drew from his cigarette again, listening to the exchange between Thumper and the newcomer. It seemed that they would be adding him to the ranks as well. He knew his lieutenant well enough to know that Thumper would want to see the kid in action before he gave him an approved stamp. The way things were headed tonight, that might just be possible. At the kid's question, he jerked his thumb back towards the park.

"Park Admin building is where we're roosting now. Pull up slow, we've got watchers out. Just tell 'em I sent you and they won't be a hassle."

Legion let the cigarette dangle from his mouth while he sent a message back to Bockscar.

@Bockscar<<"Fresh meat coming in on a hog, don't shoot.">>
Bearclaw
00:26:30, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Rico

With a nod, Rico Revs the chopper once and takes off across the parking lot and heads up to 144th and then down into the Park slowly. Waving to who-ever is watching he rolls to the HQ building and leaves his bike parked next to it. He jogs back across the park and calls out quietly as he approaches their previous location, "It's me, Rico, don't shoot".
As he moves up to his point position, he gives a nod to everyone he sees. His comm-link searches for a network and finds it. "Hey, where are we headed?"
Meriss
00:26:35, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Ink

Ink grins like a maniac at the newbie. He glances over at Legion and Thumper to make sure that he won't be stepping on anyone's toes.

"I theenk we going down into Plague turf and scrapping with them go boys. Merda, just thought of someting hombres. We gonnna be sitting fuck ducks if we can't get those nutjobs offa their bikes. Whatjou all theenk?"
Spark
17:45:00 Saturday, November 1, 2070 - The casa, Just off the corner
of 126th Place NE and NE 133rd Place.

X

The wars had sucked... sucked major nalgas ese... and that was to put it lightly. The thought had been pretty much constant in X's mind throughout the month of October as first one then another problems reared its ugly head. First the dope had been in short supply; after that the customers for his Doves had been more reluctant than ever to open a door or spare the cash for the carnal pleasures...and even worse, last came the casualties; one by one X had seen his LoCoS friends mowed down by the constant warfare. The fighting in a gang war is always bad... but this shit was off the hook ese. It's like noone either knew (or just didn't give a fuck) about the rules of street life...everyone trying to get their gun off and geek the other meta before they did. That mano, is scary shit, but unfortunately a man's gotta live right? So it seemed liked X was sitting on velvet when his main man Ramon called him up and asked him if he wanted to get his hands on some beaut product to use in his corner of the world. This was awesome for 2 reasons, 1) the constant fighting and absolute attrition on production facilities meant that the price of any of the dope, even the normal cheap shit like Bliss, would be off da hook... and X wasn't a fool, he knew that the first man to bring shit in was either gonna be rich, or very dead; and 2) because he had never officially gone in with the whole gang gig, X had a minute amount of neutrality that had allowed him to deal extensively up and down the 'Gate...thought that neutrality had faded to nothing more than imagination with the bombing of the 8 Balls. Even so X had decided to risk the trip over to hollywood and grab up "supplies" for what was turning out to be a very long and very nasty war.

He had made off from Ramon's with a very nice cache of product and even some real food for Felana and himself stowed in various
pouches, pockets and the duffelbag. As he sat and counted his product; making sure he had all of it he reflected on his good
fortune and risked the hope that maybe things would get better soon.

00:00:00 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - The casa, Just off the corner
of 126th Place NE and NE 133rd Place.

X

"Magic.... Blue Magic... the stuffs like gold ese, I swear by it, here vato take a hit! Even better than Bliss eh cabron? Si por supuesto amigo, cuantos quieres? Kk ese heres what Ima do for you, Uncle X always got ya back. Es cierto no? Kk you toss me that there cred mano and ill hit you with my super amigo discount right ese?" Ink was always a good vato to have around, always a good hombre to throw down and better yet, he had a knack for finding customers. When you have friends that find you other friends what else do you need right? Today was no different and the muchacho Ink had just finished working his magia on was as much a customer as anyone X had ever seen...desperate enough to plead for the dose, too out of it to realize that the price X was charging was really about quadruple what the market value was and... completely happy...until of course the dazed vacant look changed to a wilting skull, pockmarked with disease, bullet holes and oozing blood...for a split second it just stared at him and then the screaming started...

X woke up with a jerk, hand already moving for Reason and persuasion when he realized two things... first, the fact that it had been a dream...and second, and much more ominously, that the screaming was continuing....

As he scrambled to grab his gear X looked frantically for Felana, spotting her a second later over on the beat up old couch that was the only really decent piece of furniture in the place, barring of course the gigantic freezer pressed up against the opposite wall...he ran to her and shook her awake. "Ey muchacha less you wanna be lunch for the fuckin ghoulies wake up... and since i dont want that fucking wake up quicker kk mujer?" In the seemingly immense amount of time it took X and Felana to pack all their shit up and toss it in the dufflebag X reflected that whoever played with the fates of the 'Gate had pulled a fast one on him... for the 3rd time.

00:26:45, Sunday, November 2nd - The casa, Just off the corner of
126th Place NE and NE 133rd Place.

X

So fucking peachy eh ese? I thought everything was lost went the LoCoS went down since they had the last shipment but then Ramon
called me and said he had some extra product... would i like some he said... fuckin hell yes vato I said...Damn if i didnt think i was gonna make a killin here in the 'Gate with this damned war the way its been....Well fuck me ese Las Parcas gonna prove you can only make a killin if you aint fuckin dead ese...
As these thoughts and many others like it plowed through X's head like a maglev he finished making his last preparations to either fight or flee. He realized that he needed to do one more thing before going out into the night with Felana.

He needed vatos to help protect his sorry nalgas...to do that hed have to get in contact with 'em first, pausing a moment to check his friends list for networks he only found one person active and relatively close by: his vato Ink... Oh fuck yes... as he gets ready to send his message a single thought flashes through his mind... what if its not Ink? What if some fucker looted his 'link? Deciding either way it didnt matter,
X popped off a quick message to Ink.

<<@Ink>>: "Hola muchacho, estas viviendoway? Donde estas vato? Necesito hombres fuertes este noche,algunos mierda espeluznante se está ejecutando en torno al 'Gate ese..."

As X sends the message his last thought before doing a thorough sweep of the flat is this: Por lo menos un amigo sobrevivido a la noche ... si no me voy a matar al cabron que tiene su commlink
rob
00:26:30, Sunday, November 2nd - Neww gang HQ
Bockscar

Message pops in from Legion talking about some new dude - send a quick <<Roger.>> with a thought. Some ork on a bike waves somewhere near where he thinks I am, I do not return the wave and let him pass.

Lights in the distance, and that stupid fucking siren sound, but I'm not too worried about it. Not working thier way towards me, and wherever they are I'm certainly outside of range of their commlinks. Don't tell me much in and of itself, but I'm confident that I'll get something once they move closer. Don't none of the gangs 'round here roll with heavy comsec, simply because there ain't much point. Or so they think.

Shimmy cross the roof in a comfortable crawl towards the Raider's side, catch some activity out of the corner of my eye. Zoom in, take a look at... even in the Barrens, the spill-over light from the rest of the city makes the sky glow well enough to let my eyes do great things. I pop in and out of thermo from my sunglasses, just to see if there's something in the nooks and crannies out there. Reorient the sniffer and the scan programs to check to see if the Raiders are talking. This building is too big for me to defend solo if they try to fuck with us; best to know what else is up.

Pissed because I can't all-call the other bangers and see if the rest are coming back - need some time to get to my hooch and get the satcom.
pragma
00:26:40, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Thumper

"Like where you're head's at muchacho," he followed the address with an exaggerated glance, "but we don't have the tools to take folks off bikes and everyone else is going to be out and ready to fight because of these fuckers. We should stay on our turf for now."

He prodded Rico, "Let's get moving buddy."
Bearclaw
00:26:50, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Rico

Rico ziped his armored jacket up the rest of the way, then freed his pistol from under it. After a quick cross-draw he opened the cylinder and checked his load, snapped it closed with a flick of his wrist and drew a beed on a neaby trashcan to make sure the laser sight was working before he put the pistol back.
He thinks, I wasn't looking for a fight tonight, but what the hell. Live free, fight hard, die gloriously.
Out loud he says, "I'm good. Let's go fuck some one up."
Dantic
00:26:50, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Twiggs

The latest addition to the "crew" whips out a gonzo wheel gun and checks the cylinder, like something out of an old flat-vid. Everyone seems to be anxious for a fight, looking to release frustration from their personal losses in the "Kingsgate War", on anyone who makes themselves an available target. Twiggs had lost too, but the idea of more fighting was the last thing he had expected to get involved in.

He wanders back closer to Thumper, "Hoy, gabby, what's the turf lines look like now? We really gunna fight? I mean, we looking right? Maybe if someone steps up, but what if they just making noise, ya know? I mean, you know the big dog right? Good as anybody, right?"
WinterRat1
00:35:10, Sunday, November 2nd - Skirting the North Border of the Black Plague's turf along NE 140th St, slightly East of the intersection of NE 140th St. & 124th Ave NE
Legion, Thumper, Grack, Shade, Ink, Aziz, Twiggs, Rico

Rico took point, following Thumper's directions, heading southwest on 128th Ave NE, then turning west on NE 141st Way before heading south on 124th Ave NE and finally moving east on NE 140th St. The new lieutenant's plan (at least, Thumper was almost sure he was a new lieutenant) was to intercept action along the Black Plague's border, when the Night Hunters rolled across it to rumble.

Standing at the north edge of the Plague's turf though, the shrieks and sirens stayed west of their position, with no indication it was getting closer nor were there any signs of any Night Hunters crossing 124th Ave NE. It was almost as if they hadn't come to rumble with the Black Plague after all.
Bearclaw
00:45:10, Sunday, November 2nd - Skirting the North Border of the Black Plague's turf along NE 140th St, slightly East of the intersection of NE 140th St. & 124th Ave NE
Rico

After standing still and listening for about a half a minute, Rico said, "Well, it looks like no rumble tonight, unless we want to head on to some ones turf looking for it. Do we have a tag yet? Maybe we should let everyone know this is our ereth'cerri, you know, our turf. Or I could just piss on that pole over there?"
Meriss
00:45:55, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Ink

"I dunno hombre we ain't got no taggers or shit with us."

Ink looks down to his beeping link. "Oh sure, now the pendejo peice of shit works. Scuse me, homes gotta take this"

The cubano leans over his link for a few seconds. X who the fuck is X? Riiiiiight Ramon's sketchy little white boy. Used to try and get Carlos to deal Bliss besides the Nova. Coolio more espanol!

"Hefe, we need some more bodies? Got a muchacho looking for some homies."
grendel
00:46:19, Sunday, November 2nd - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion

Legion stopped at the entrance to an alleyway, glancing down the sidestreet to make sure it was clear before resting his shoulder against the cracked brick of the building and lighting a cigarette. Vague disappointment chased itself across his face as he assessed the dwindling likelihood of finding the Hunters involved in a brawl with the Black Plague. He wondered, though, if they weren't here to rumble, why were they on the move at all? Why risk the exposure if there was nothing to gain?

He pulled at his cigarette and blew a stream of smoke into the night sky, motioning an affirmative to Ink's question. They needed all the bodies they could get now. Now and for the forseeable future. Tossing the remains of his cig into the gutter, he called out to his lieutenant.

"Thumper! Round 'em up and let's head home. I don't want to get too deep into Plague territory tonight."

He pointed the group back they way they came.
adamu
00:46:30, Sunday, November 2nd - a block south of the main group
Grack

Creeping along bravely amongst the shadows of a burnt out shop, Our Hero suddenly became aware that his subjects had reversed course. To his continuing delight, he realized that he knew this because his slave knew it. Apparently the creature's beauty was matched indeed by utility.

Snatching up a large rat that scurried cheekily past his boots, he sucked out both its eyes for a snack before sending it scampering away in pain and crippled terror. Growing boys need their nourishment! Then he headed back north, keeping about a block to the rear of his children, sweeping right and left back and forth across their wake.
adamu
01:10:00 Sunday, November 2 - New HQ
Grack

Having nobly taken up the rear screening position, Our Hero was probably the last to return to the group's new headquarters. "Probably" because he had not bothered to watch and confirm whether the entire party had gone in - what trouble the weaklings went off and got themselves into was nowhere on his list of concerns. His job was to provide security for the main action, and that he had done (as had his minion, whom he released upon his return), though he'd been disappointed by the probe's tentative implementation.

But that, too, was nowhere on his list of concerns. What was of some importance was the fact that their little band of boylovers had apparently absorbed yet another layer of metahumanity's dregs during the short time they had been out and about. The lad sighed inwardly, and tried to measure the potential caloric value of the skateboarder (the skateboarder!!!) against whatever other use the apparent eunuch could be to them. The calories won, and Our Hero shook his head in resignation, turned up his music, and slid down a wall until he was seated comfortably on the floor in an out-of-the-way corner with a good view of the entire atrium. Thinking of calories had made him hungry, and he broke out another protein bar.

But then chewing it made him tired, and he wondered if he could finish it without falling asleep. He certainly hadn't the attention to spare on his mystical concentrations, so he withdrew his senses from the ether and focused his mortal senses on the activity around him, hoping there would be something interesting enough to keep him awake.

For instance, women? Where were all their whores? And where, indeed, was his Queen?
Bearclaw
01:15:00 Sunday, November 2 - New HQ
Rico

Rico walked around for a few minutes and took stock of the new base. His new home.
He shouted out "Hey, if no one minds, I'll crash in the store room in the garage, and start getting the place cleaned up. Time to get back in business."
Looking at Legion, he said, "Legion. We should have a sit down. I'm a gettin' shit done kind of guy. I like having cred in my pocket and real chicken in my mom's pot. Soy chicken makes shitty enchiladas bro, so I gotta earn. But you're the Egrand, the boss. You'll get your respect and your cut."
pragma
01:15:30 Sunday, November 2 - New HQ
Thumper

Thumper was not a thinker. He was a fighter. Each conversation he entered into, every tense meeting, every date and every meal was a battle to be won. Even though some part of him knew that he shouldn't be speaking for Legion, he had to respond to the newcomer.

The wires may have had something to do with it. They made him pretty edgy and they'd been on for a while.

"The fuck man, we met you half and hour ago. I don't know how you rolled before but Cerri need to earn their fucking respect around here."

He snorted and reared up to his full height.
adamu
01:15:30 Sunday, November 2 - New HQ
Grack

The young lord had sat down in hopes of observing something entertaining, but this was truly beyond his wildest hopes! First, the newcomers included a member of his own Exalted bloodline. That, of course, did not by itself prove worth, but it was better than more whores and weaklings.

But then, as an unexpected treat, it appeared that the Duke of Drink - the one true cerri in the lot, and the sole survivor of the Hammerpack as far as the fledgling god was concerned - was about to take the arrogant young pup down a notch.

It occurred to Our Hero that, as a situation with which he was so accustomed he could almost prophecy the outcome, this might be an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into the hidden meanings of the Color World - a Rosetta Stone, if you will, a chance to compare expected responses with fluctuations in the color patterns.

He was just sure that there were, indeed, patterns.

Retreating further into the shadows of his vantage point, he refocused his perception, now observing the upcoming exchange through an altogether unearthly medium.
Bearclaw
01:15:35 Sunday, November 2 - New HQ
Rico

The last time Rico backed down was when he was 12. Gave up his new pack of Combat Biker trading cards before he'd even opened it to avoid getting beaten up. Then, he got beat up anyway.
"I don't remember asking you a goddamned thing. Do you have a problem with where I want to sleep, that I want to make some money, or I'm not lazy?
Fuck it, I don't care. You wanna go outside, so we don't fuck up our new home?"
Rico turned around and walked toward the door, unbuckling his gunbelt on the way. Once out in the middle of the park, he dropped his armor jacket, then dropped the pistol and shades on top of that, turned and waited.
pragma
01:15:40 Sunday, November 2 - New HQ
Thumper

"You're real fucking quick to say 'we' and 'our,' cerri. I don't even know who the fuck you are."

Thumper dropped the rebar, it echoed off the concrete interior of the Kirkland Park Administrative Building.

"Yeah, let's go outside. I'm fucking fine with outside."

Thumper rolled his neck side to side, producing loud pops as he followed Rico. The two orks squared off across a frigid puddle of mud. The few streetlights that were still intact cast long shadows.

"I'm warning you, I'm going to kick your fucking ass for no good reason if you don't back down. You just roll in here and ask for a goddamn garage. Earn your shit. Get smart and earn it somewhere else or earn it right the fuck here with me."

Thumper's eyes narrowed and he popped a single knuckle. The wires were on and his blood was pumping. Stray leaves, long dead, blew across the park and in the distance a 16-wheeler leaned on its horn.
grendel
01:17:08 Sunday, November 2 - New October Ravens HQ, Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion

For a moment, Legion entertained the thought of intervening in the fight. But with the retreat from the Night Hunters and Plague territory, the gang needed the violence to let off some steam. Lighting up another cigarette, he motioned to Thumper.

"Do what you've got to do," he said, "but try not to kill him."

Leaning back, he blew a stream of smoke into the sky and waited for the festivities to begin.
WinterRat1
01:17:08 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - New HQ
Shade

Shade didn't try to stop the fight. At this point, it would be stupid to get between Rico and Thumper, especially when to do so could be perceived as a direct contradiction of Legion's orders. He did however move to a position where he could move quickly to intervene if it looked like things were getting out of hand. Just in case.
Fresno Bob
01:17:08 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - New HQ
Aziz

Aziz couldn't help but laugh, lips stretching back as he anticipated the fight. He looked over at Shade, who was obviously cautious about the fight.

"Care to take odds? I'll bet you my next meal Thumper comes out on top." he says quietly.
WinterRat1
01:17:22 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - New HQ
Shade

Shade scowls at Aziz’s offer, which only drew a grin from the Arabian ganger. He knew Shade preferred to avoid violence where possible, especially between members of their own gang. The Asian ganger saw it as pointless and counterproductive, not to mention potentially dangerous, both in the short and long term. Hence, the offer was both a genuine wager and a friendly needling from one ganger to another.

Without looking over at his friend, Shade answers quietly, “If you get Thumper for a meal, then my next two meals are on Rico.� Personally, he agreed with Aziz that Thumper would likely end up on top of this little dustup. But if they both backed the same guy there wouldn’t be much of a bet, so in exchange for the weaker candidate (in their eyes at least), he figured he may as well make a play for some 2 to 1 odds.

Yeah, he preferred to avoid intra-gang violence whenever possible, but if it was going to happen no matter what he did, he may as well get some enjoyment out of it somewhere. A bet was a good way to add some personal interest to the event, and besides, morality and personal qualms didn’t feed you come chow time. Everyone has to eat, after all.
Bearclaw
01:17:22 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - New HQ
Rico

Rico shouts, "I'm quick with "we" and "our" 'cause this is a new gang. You don't have any more position than anyone else, 'til the boss tells me different.
My name is Rico, and I've been fighting and dealing and bleeding in Kingsgate for seven years, minus a couple in the can. Just like you, my gang got wiped out over the last couple of weeks.
I live the life cause I don't like taking shit. I'm still alive, and I'm still not taking any shit from some one who maybe used to be in some gang that doesn't exist any more. Who am I? Who the fuck are you?!?!?"
And then Rico does his best to flatten Thumpers nose.
Meriss
01:17:10 Sunday, November 2 - New HQ
Ink

Ink had caught the subtle scent of testosterone and macho from halfway across the room. The two orks were both itching for a fight, and neither would give any ground. The Cubano knew what was coming next. He glanced over at Legion to see how el hefe would rule.

"Do what you've got to do," said the boss man, "but try not to kill him." Fight Night! About, fucking, time!

01:17:23 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - New HQ
Ink

Ink stood casually against the wall and watched the two orks square up. The newbie threw the first punch and the fun was on. Where the infierno is X or Cuervo? My homies are making me look like an idiota, and I don't like looking estupidez.
adamu
01:17:23 Sunday, November 2, 2070 - New HQ
Grack

Once all the other spectators had followed the duelists out of doors, Our Hero (with great effort, indeed, greatly annoyed at having to move at all) quietly slipped out as well, finding a dark corner from which he could observe unobserved.

The knight's primary purpose, of course, was to be ready to kill anyone that might dare attempt any sort of treachery on The Duke. He would, naturally, also react with prejudice against any other sort of interference - most especially any attempt by one of the innumerable weaklings to mediate or otherwise put an untimely halt to this noble contest.

And it went without saying that if the newcomer won, the Young Lord would take the ethical high road and murder the upstart in his sleep.

But aside from filling his unofficial role as The Duke's second, he was very interested in seeing how a contest of this sort played out in the Color World.
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