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westwhere2022-09-03 10:17 pm
groundrules) wrote in westwhere2022-09-03 10:17 pm
plot roll | lights out
/throw-pillows-cyborg-man-standing-on-cogs-gears-wheels-steampunk-elements-backgound-digital-art-style-illustration-painting.jpg.jpg){kind=link}
LIGHTS OUT | MINARAS
Critical systems at various military, academic and medical institutes in Minaras malfunction, suffering anything from brief but recurring glitches to complete breakdowns. They require urgent, expensive and sophisticated repairs linked to gears: cogs, wires, keys, grease and steampunk microsystems. Corrosion appears to be the main culprit.
Unfortunately, the industrial barons of Minaras are unenthusiastic to donate the necessary repair resources. In a public message, high councillor Arabella and other government officials subtly encourage good citizens to liberate the supplies, alluding that light crimes committed in the process will be pardoned.
Careful: the barons didn’t make their wealth by leaving their assets unprotected…
✘ OBJECTIVE: Barter, win or steal parts from reluctant industrialists and study the repair areas.
- ■ Characters working at Minaras public institutions notice a sudden spate of operational errors: lights go out completely or temporarily, while watch ship communication systems are frequently disrupted. Civilian clockwork droids stop moving or fleetingly refuse to acknowledge citizens (this does not apply to droids assigned to the party). Several factories suspend work.
■ Brief light outages strike residences and public areas. Citizens stumble or drift on unlit roads — a few approach you mutely with unshed tears in their eyes, catching your hand to drag you to their homes. If you go, you will find nothing amiss beyond the eerie quiet, while your hosts pointedly stare at you as they enter their beds and silently weep. This stops once lights come back on. Citizens cannot explain what they were doing and remembering their own actions in a haze.
■ Characters with access to the military may overhear that basic production services have not been performed in Minaras for some time. Some say the current outages were inevitable: lubricants, routine parts and processed coal are in short supply, with the army considering whether to requisition.
■ Eager to turn distress into dance, the wealthy aristocracy hold several candle-lit parties. Here, characters can overhear Minaras’ industrial elite has long felt the brunt of the government’s fixation with medical progress. Much of the processes that keep the city running have been relegated to private suppliers, and the barons feel pressured to sustain Minaras. Some favour rebelling against the high council, with a few admitting they have been contacted by Remembrance terror group leader Chrichter.
■ Those affiliated with medical units make dark discoveries: in the absence of light to support cryogenic conditions, several living and dead subjects seem to rapidly deteriorate. The dead show signs of internal rot, while the living cough blood and develop high fevers. They are swiftly isolated.
■ At the government’s behest, public service buildings, formal bounty hunter abodes and several taverns offer pamphlets, maps and instructions to steal repair parts. The government will not pursue this theft. Read the fine print: this pardon does not extend to major crimes (permanent injury, murder, the annihilation of a baron’s home or factory). You can trade parts in for a handsome 30,000 governmental coins.
■ The pieces needed are: specialty factory cogs, pipes, high-density fuel — a precious handful of which can power an entire watchtower — and product or recipes for efficient lubricants.
■ If you enlist to hunt parts, shady bounty hunters will share loose maps and observations on the basic daily patterns of the barons’ factories or households, to help you infiltrate. You will also receive basic weapons and a stiff drink.
■ Some of the items you seek sleep in safehouses, others in the barons’ own homes, while some are in factory warehouses. Most parts are secured with codes you can learn by following your targets, or receive from government sources. You may need to pretend to be a factory worker to enter work spaces, or a servant to infiltrate a baron’s home.
■ Beware droids, guards and berserk watch ships. You’re safe if you’re trapped and turned in with public authorities, who will furtively release you — but you may need to break yourself out, if barons take justice in their own hands.
■ Those with technical ability can also offer to conduct repairs once parts are secured, gaining access to one institute of their choice: a watch tower, a medical unit (pick between academy or care centre) or a factory. Pair up for this one, and ask up to three specific questions!
■ Report in with your liberated goods. No pressure, but we will need at least three parts recovered by 20 September to return Minaras online.
NPC ACCESS: ARABELLA
no subject
Of course, she'd jump in to help; they don't know what they're looking for, really, but sometimes he's found his best clues that way. And they make a good team. They have from the beginning. There's a piece of paper on top of the dresser with a few random notes scribbled on it. Nothing worth noting. He quietly shuts another drawer, but then glances back to Red over his shoulder. He is genuinely very glad to see her, to know she's safe.
Leaning back against the dresser now, he crosses his arms loosely over his chest. ]
It's happening to others at the same time; how many, I'm not sure, but a fair few. There are other strange things going on here in Minaras. Shortages of supplies and parts. The outages would make sense given all that, it's the crying that's more troubling. For many reasons.
[ The fact that River is a renowned military hero here in Minaras has been helpful with various intel, things he wouldn't know otherwise, being in Eidris. ]
Things are breaking down so badly here, the government's just put out a message encouraging people to steal supplies. It might be the only way to help these poor things.
[ A quick nod over to the crying couple. It's unsettling, to not be able to help. The first time he saw it happen, he tried to influence their dreams a bit, take away the terror that's seized them, but it's beyond him. ]
Feel like an adventure when they wake up? I'm not sure where we're going, but that's never stopped me before.
[ Even seeing this before he's still reluctant to leave until he knows they're okay. It could be that one time something different happens, and they need help. ]
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It seems like this place is a lot worse than Eidris. I mean, forgetting's not a good thing either, but I wouldn't like being watched like this place is, and we definitely don't have... this.
( The Minaras people remember, but they also forget? She frowns, because obviously if they knew what happened to them when they snapped out of these crying fits, they would have told the Doctor what was going on. So obviously, they just-
They have no idea. She tenses at the thought of not knowing. )
Oh. Uh, speaking of that and the adventure which I do feel like accompanying you on. I may have gotten my hands on a map and information.
( By doing some strong arming of Cotton Eye Joe, but y'know. A girl's gotta do what she's gotta do.
A moment or two later, the weepers snap out of it, wiping at their faces, looking confused at having two strangers in their rooms. )
We... come in peace? That shouldn't have been a question. More like an enthusiastic proclamation to reassure you. ( "What happened? I- I can't remember," they croak as they wipe at their faces and stare at their beds. )
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He notes the way she stands like him, and he smiles over at her softly, a silent acknowledgment without calling attention to it. He is quite thrilled to hear she's got a map and some information, though. That's all they need, really. Just put their heads together and they'll be on their way.
Before he can say anything else, the strangers are waking up and the Doctor naturally and easily picks up where Red left off. ]
My partner's right, we do come in the name of peace and reassurance. We're here to help, in fact, and we will. Power went out - unpleasant business - and you got a bit lost out there wandering, but you're safe now, promise. Try and rest! We're on patrol tonight so if anything else happens, we are on it. [ Those white lies come so easily sometimes. But, with good intentions in this case, at least.
He starts to move towards the door, right on the threshold, but he'll make sure Red is out first. With a smile that always holds a little bit of madness in it, he looks back at the strangers. ] And please, if you appreciated our guardian services tonight, leave a five star review! We get a bonus at the end of the year.
[ The door is closed quickly after that, and he smiles at Red. ]
You're brilliant, you know that? Absolutely brilliant. Okay, a map and information - let's see it!
[ His mind is always going, already on to the next thing. ]
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She only smiles and nods her agreement to all he says. They're her to help. The power went out. There's nothing else to see here - nothing at all.
She does helplessly snort at his mention of a five-star review. Yeah, they'll definitely do that on the non-existent yelp page for the two of them. She shakes her head at his compliment. )
I don't know about brilliant, but-
( Red pulls out the map and the instructions, handing them both to the Doctor. She's already looked over them. )
Looks like we've got a baron's factory to sneak into. Sounds like night's the best time, which we're about there-
But there's multiple droids on watch.
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[ He can't help himself, he's utterly delighted, and that shows on his face. Sneaking in somewhere under the cover of night, dodging droids, recovering parts in the hopes of - well, at least doing some kind of good in all of this chaos. He doesn't seem at all worried, which either comes across as reassuring or absolutely insane, he's never quite sure.
The Doctor first reads through the information in the pamphlet, which takes him all of two seconds. Holding the map, then, he squints a little, taps his index finger briefly to his tongue, holds his finger up in the air, and then turns in a semi-circle and points ahead. ]
We'll need to go that way.
[ By the time they get there, he reasons, they'll have the cover of darkness that they need. If they walk slow. Folding everything back up in a somewhat messy fashion, he hands it all back to Red and then conversationally asks, as they walk. ]
How'd you find this information, by the way?
no subject
Lead the way.
( She's not got much experience reading and navigating maps though she was able to mostly figure out the one she got. The Underworld was a place she knew so well that it didn't require map reading - it was a part of her. )
The Bounty Hunter's places were just like giving them out. They didn't take me entirely seriously for obvious reasons so I used a move Fei showed me to demonstrate that I could handle it.
( And also, a psychic Cerberus growl but pfft. Details. )
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Oh, you can handle anything.
[ Doesn't miss a beat on that one. Completely sure of that. ]
You've been okay? Well, of course you have, you're here, tracking down maps. You're safe. Good. The tutoring - I don't even need to ask, naturally you'll have that handled. You've got a good place to stay in Eidris, good people? You need people, we all do, especially here. And you've got me, of course, but you know that already. [ He's rambling, just doing a mental tally, making sure he's covered everything important. A lot's happened recently and he needs to be sure she really is good. ]
Don't mind me, silly old Doctor. I worry, that's what I do. You'll get used to it.
[ The factory is close by, and so he turns back around, looking ahead, relieved to find his keen eyesight seems to still be intact, at least. He can see quite a distance ahead, even as the darkness settles. ]
no subject
Peachy keen.
And you've been working towards bettering things for the Mouse House, huh? That's good. My housemate wants to do that too, and Fei.
( They should all work together towards that at some point when they're not in the middle of their current adventure into a factory to steal some parts. Everything should be totally fine, but for now, he turns back around to focus on ahead at their path, and so she focuses in on what they're doing too. Her gaze narrows, and her voice grows quiet: )
So.. you got a plan? The instructions say the droids go to those different spots marked on the map in shifts, but we'll still need to sneak probably... and find the best way in.
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Peachy keen. And yes! Working on it. Too slow for my liking. I've been very direct about what's needed in my talks with all the money people. Someone suggested I try a more subtle approach to make progress. [ He's still not sure about that, though the idea has merit. It's not to say he's never been subtle in his life or doesn't understand the concept, he's just far more used to the opposite. Get straight to the point. There's no time to waste when people are suffering. But he does need help, he recognizes that. It can't be done alone. So, he'd definitely welcome a team. ] I could do with some help. After we sort this out. Top of my priority list. The group of us? Perfect team.
And one thing to know about me, I always have a plan. Well, most of the time. But you'll know when I don't, promise. This time, I absolutely do.
[ There's still a fair distance from the factory, though they're close enough for the Doctor to make out details about the building, the droids on guard. It gives them some safety, perched back here as they are. ]
I can see a long distance ahead. I'll watch how often the droids move about. Stay here a moment.
[ If she'll stay there, the Doctor will move just a few steps closer, crouching down, narrowing his eyes. He'd assume the droids stay for hours in one spot, being mechanical. They don't need to move about the way a human or humanoid guard would need to. But as he watches, it does appear to be timed. Rhythmic. Following a pattern, almost. That makes more sense; too long between moving about, and it would invite anyone to sneak in. Which they're about to. Depending on where Red is positioned, the Doctor turns again to speak to her. ]
Every five minutes. There are a few gaps we'll be able to take advantage of, if we move carefully. Create a diversion when we're close enough.
What have we got between us?
[ Reaching into his cavernous pockets, the Doctor begins to pull assorted things out: a few long strands of yarn, an autographed baseball, a pair of round reading glasses (which he quickly tucks back into his pocket), his sonic-less screwdriver, scissors, and a carrot. Everything gets dumped on the ground, except for the carrot, which he holds carefully, as though he'll plan to eat it at some point. ]
no subject
( Red raises an eyebrow at him, but her arms fold loosely across her chest as she nods her agreement. She'll stay. She is a being who was made to follow instructions, and now she has none. Sometimes it is a comfort to have a few instructions in her life again. She watches as he moves over and then returns to her side, and so he nods, biting down on her lip. )
Okay, diversion. Yeah, we can do that.
( Except before she's even had a chance to look through her own pockets, she sees all he's pulled out and then snorts laughter. She picks up the autographed baseball and then shakes her head setting it down again. ) So who signed this thing?
( It's asked even as from her own pockets, she pulls out: a flask of alcohol, a lighter, and a mostly finished pack of cigarettes. )
...so we can throw a ball through a window, set a fire, both?
no subject
Oh, that old thing. Forgot I had it 'til now. Babe Ruth signed it! Always keep a baseball in your pocket, you never know. [ He actually meant to give that to someone a while back. Oops. Well, it’ll come in handy now, and time traveler that he is, it's easily replaced. He stuffs the carrot back into his pocket and raises an amused, curious, and just slightly worried eyebrow at the contents of her pockets. ]
You’ll be careful with all this, eh? [ It’s gentler, not as blunt and intrusive as he can and has been, somewhat influenced by knowing more of who she is, but he’ll still worry and not quite be able to restrain himself from expressing his opinions. ]
Break a window, yes. Fire, no. Let’s avoid that. We won’t need it. [ They seem to be isolated out here, but he doesn’t want to take any chances on a fire spreading and causing harm. The government here won’t look kindly on the property destruction either, he’s sure. ]
Okay! Here’s what we know. I saw just one worker left in the building, doing final rounds from the looks of it. We at least know where in the factory we need to go, thank you bounty hunters, thank you, Red. We’d have better odds if I intercept that worker before he leaves, come up with a cover story- oh. I’m slow. I am, I really am sometimes, but I get there. I have, haven’t I? [ Reaching deep into another interior pocket, he pulls out his psychic paper, grinning, flashing the blank white page to her. ]
Psychic paper! [ No need to mention that this doesn’t always work…] I’ll say I’m an inspector auditing the closing procedures. Have to make sure they’re not getting complacent. Can’t have parts going missing, all that. And you’ll be my assistant, an intern in training. [ Though, if their cover story is too unbelievable, the psychic paper won’t work, so… ]
Or, it’s just me and we find a way to sneak you in behind me. [ He reaches into his pocket to pull out Amelia’s reading glasses again, his touch just a little reverent as he holds the glasses steady for a second longer than he really needs to before putting them on. Just a little flourish to sell the act. Then, he shrugs his coat off, draping it over his arm. ] All the parts we need to steal should more than fit in my pockets. If you sneak behind me, you can use this to cover yourself and create a diversion with the baseball when we need to leave.
[ His coat is a longer, very dark purple color, adding a bit of camouflage. ]
no subject
( Red sends him some finger guns with a little smirk. In truth, if she could just transform into the three-headed-dog version of herself then that would be a worthy distraction all on its own, but she still hasn't figured out if she can even do that anymore. Or how.
It's useless to offer that up then. ) You're totally welcome, Doc.
( She blinks and then looks over at the blank white page that he holds out to her, and oh- That's really cool? It changes as he explains what it means to her, and she believes it even if she knows better. Her nose wrinkles, but then she takes his offered coat and uses it to cover over her head. )
...yep.
That sounds like a plan. I'll sneak in behind you, and you do all the talking and the stealing. Just send me a text when you need me to throw the baseball into a window, and I'll do it, okay?
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Perfect. Of course you will. [ Yep. Total confidence in her. He walks with her until it's time to split up, and the Doctor is completely at ease when stopped by a guard droid.
"Inspector Smith. Grab the night foreman, he'll know why I'm here. I'll wait."
He doesn't hesitate or falter, speaking with complete ease. It's only when the foreman is called to the door that the Doctor now flashes his psychic paper, explaining his purpose. "Harold! Lovely to meet you! Inspector John Smith, just here doing a night audit. All the parts shortages lately, the government practically mandating theft. You can't be too careful. Neither can our mutual overseer." A brief back and forth question and answer session ensues, with the Doctor easily explaining, "Why would he have warned you ahead of time? And give you the chance to make sure closing procedures were perfect for the sole purpose of passing an audit? You should be triple-checking everything each night, regardless of the threat of an audit. That's why I'm here. Listen, I want you to do well, my friend. Neither of us wants to see any parts stolen."
The Doctor is already thinking ahead there, too. They need these parts for many reasons, but this young man is just doing his job tonight, and the Doctor will do everything in his power to ensure he can't be seen as having been complicit or derelict in his duties; nothing that would make the baron take any disciplinary action against him. Perhaps because it's late and the man would like to leave within the next hour, he does relent rather easily, letting him inside, not questioning the "credentials" on paper. He's relieved, because it's a gamble sometimes. Though, it's rare that it doesn't work. Just before stepping inside, the Doctor glances back over his shoulder where he knows Red will be waiting, just to make sure she's still okay.
Once inside, the Doctor shadows Harold, watching his closing routine, taking note of and memorizing the code to the vault where the repair parts are sealed up. They do a circle around the building after that, checking windows and door latches for about ten minutes before the Doctor encourages Harold back to his office, and he follows him. "Don't mind me, just taking notes for the inspection. You're doing brilliantly, by the way."
In reality, he's texting Red as quickly as possible:
New plan. Front door propped. Droids circle 5 min. Sneak in. Vault on right. 22681. Stuff coat pockets w parts. Tell me green light. ]
[ He just trusts her to pick up the details from there. ]
no subject
She's waiting in the shadows, reads his text, makes relative sense with it. It sounds so simple when it's written all out like that. )
Got it.
( She waits the appropriate amount of time and then does as he says. She stays near the shadows, uses her senses to be sure she stays away from anything that might pick up the sound of her. She vaults over and then heads to the safe that's waiting there. 22681.
Got it.
Red presses the code in, and the safe opens. She doesn't know what she's reaching in for, but she does, shoving the parts into her pockets, making sure she gets the thing that they were especially told to get when given the bounty-hunter-contract. The pockets are heavy with parts, and she keeps in mind: 5 minutes.
She heads back the way she came, out into the night again, and texts him once more once she's sufficiently out in the dark, away from where she can be detected. )
Green light. Get out of there.
no subject
[ Picture a delighted Doctor on the other end rapid-firing words that all mean the exact same thing. More seriously, though: ]
Meet me at bounty hunters.
[ She's done it, of course she has. Never a doubt. Now, one last thing. Well, two last things. Getting out of here, and making sure Harold can't be blamed for this. To the Doctor, getting out of here without being captured matters less than making sure Harold is okay. He's a good man with a family, just trying to get by. He doesn't deserve to be collateral damage here. In these types of high stakes situations, the Doctor doesn't always have the benefit of being able to make sure every single person affected by his actions is okay in the end, though he tries. He always tries. Sometimes he has to make the hard choices, though, for the greater good. In this case, there's far more flexibility, and time.
"It's getting late now, my friend. Nearly time to go home, eh? Get a good night's rest. You've done incredibly well, high marks all around. I do hope we meet again soon, and I'll see myself out."
He turns to go, but over his shoulder, very casually, he says, "Before you leave, don't forget to call your boss. Tell him that Inspector John Smith was here for the audit and that you passed with flying colors. Also, Harold, being candid, you deserve better than this place. You're clever and dedicated, they'd be lucky to have you, well, anywhere but here."
He leaves him with a cheerful smile, a handshake, and an awkwardly doled out hug with a pat on the back. Of course, his intention in saying that is the moment the phone call is made - if it's made - the baron will realize that Harold was duped. He didn't steal anything himself, and he was manipulated. Nothing was his fault. But he did the right thing, in the end, by calling to alert his supervisor and "sounding the alarm," essentially. Or, perhaps, Harold will find a better job, one that's deserving of him.
As the Doctor leaves, he doesn't turn to look behind him; Harold's fate is in his own hands now, but the Doctor has done his best to help either way. The choice is his.
Once he's safely out of the building, the Doctor texts Red to find out where she is and meet her there. ]
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Then she sees him, and she steps out of the shadows with a wave. )
Hi.
How'd it go?
( She has no idea what he was up to while she was doing all of the rest. )
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I've just realized, when I texted 'meet me at bounty hunters' I must have sent that to a different friend entirely. My mistake!
[ Though he's been stroppy at times when those around him haven't done what he's said, it's different this time. There's no actual frustration in his voice because there was no imminent danger. He would have been more on edge about her safety if that had been the case.
When he gets closer, he'll reach out to lightly tap her nose, if she'll allow it, accompanying it with a soft smile. ]
All told, that was some of our best work yet! It'll go a long way to helping fix what's been going wrong here. Hopefully, in any case.
[ He slips his round, red glasses off, tucking them into his top pocket. It hasn't occurred to him to ask for his coat back yet, as they walk. Whoops. ]
no subject
I wasn't sure if you knew which bounty hunter's place. There are like several of them. I went to a couple before finding one that would even talk to me.
( And she starts after him when he goes, leading the way so they can make it back to the right one. She'll just keep wearing the coat until he notices or realizes. It's heavy with parts, but she is part Cerberus so she doesn't really notice. )
Definitely less emotional than the first time.
How'd it go inside?
no subject
Oh, he passed the audit with flying colors! Harold – that was his name – good fellow. Don’t think he deserves that place. I mean, they don’t deserve him. He deserves better. Told him he should think of going somewhere else. He said he’s wanted to for a long time, I think he just needed some encouragement. [ Yes, he did in fact, have a long and in depth conversation. To the Doctor, sometimes, things like this are more simple, and black and white than they can actually be in reality. Harold deserves better so he should, naturally, just go out and get something better. He’s not oblivious to the reality of their surroundings here, and it would be particularly challenging in Minaras, but life should be lived, not just survived. ]
I did mention he should ring his superior to tell him he’d passed the night audit. Would have clued the baron in on something amiss and then Harold looks the hero.
[ If he did actually do that, they’ll be far enough away shortly for it not to matter. And his face was the only one actually seen. Red should be safe from any potential retribution if it comes.
His glasses slip from his top pocket suddenly, and he catches them, moving to stuff them into his coat pocket, only to at last realize that he doesn’t have his coat. ]
Oh! Yes. Forgot. Sorry, sorry. You should yell at me next time. Yell anything really. Silly Old Doctor, Oi! You!, Bowtie, Pickled Peppers, something of the sort.
[ That said, he reaches out to take the coat now. ]
no subject
How does your brain even work like that?
( Picking up every little detail, thinking of all the potential angles, she's- Well, she's more likely to run straight forward into a wall than anything without thought .
Then she snorts laughter as she pulls the coat off and holds it out to him. )
Just wanted to see how long it'd take you to realize. It's a damned, nice coat. ( And now they've made it to the bounty hunters. She leans against the wall as she reaches down for the handle behind her, ready to turn it and open it. )
Ready, Doc?
no subject
Comes in handy, too. The busy brain and the coat!
[ Would that he could give her a coat like this. The TARDIS could provide. Of course, if the TARDIS were here at all, they'd not be standing here now.
He slips the coat back on, adjusting it, fixing his collar and bowtie, then rubbing his hands together just briefly, clearly enthused. They've done well! Lots to be proud of. ]
Let's rock and roll, as the kids say!
no subject
Rock and roll. ( Red sounds lightly amused though. She's fond of him. She's likely ultimately older than him though she's forced into this mentality of a teenager. It's all complicated, but they're both really messy individuals.
And it feels like that is shared.
So it helps.
She eases the door open, and they go in to deliver their goods, and save a portion of Minaras in the process. )