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Arc 15 - Killhand

Antioch_Orontes
May 26th, 2016
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  1. [2016-04-20 16:28:46] <Antioch|GM> -------------------------
  2. [2016-04-20 16:29:53] <Antioch|GM> You get back to Malcolm's apartment an hour or two past midnight, barely getting a quarter of the way through the sheaf of data purchased from HPIA before crashing.
  3. [2016-04-20 16:29:58] <Antioch|GM> Been a rough, long day.
  4. [2016-04-20 16:30:27] <Antioch|GM> Your sleep gets interrupted about fifteen 'til nine, phone buzzing, muffled by the carpet.
  5. [2016-04-20 16:30:41] <Antioch|GM> Bastards. ||
  6. [2016-04-20 16:32:25] <Saff|Kill> Ugh. Being a supervillain is taxing. Somehow I have to juggle my men, my boss, a relationship and now... maybe a coup? And now someone's buzzing my phone. I frown and roll over, groaning as I go to reach my phone. "What now?"||
  7. [2016-04-20 16:33:45] <Antioch|GM> Wink again, according to the contact number, but when you pick up, the voice on the other end is distinctly not his.
  8. [2016-04-20 16:33:52] <Antioch|GM> You know this, because he sounds /tired/.
  9. [2016-04-20 16:34:05] <Antioch|GM> "Killhand. It's Mortal Lock."
  10. [2016-04-20 16:34:26] <Antioch|GM> "Blackjack emergency meeting."
  11. [2016-04-20 16:35:28] <Antioch|GM> "Find your way to the clinic by ten AM, roger?" ||
  12. [2016-04-20 16:37:49] <Saff|Kill> Wink? Again? Fuck, I don't want to deal with--Oh. "Yeah... Yeah, I'll be there, Lock. Let me just find my pants..." I stand up, pressing the phone between my ear and my shoulder and frown at the stack of papers on the coffee table. "What's going on?" I'm suspicious, and worried to be honest. What if Wink found out what I was doing? What if this meeting is
  13. [2016-04-20 16:37:49] <Saff|Kill> just my execution and I walk in on Doubledown shooting lasers at my head?
  14. [2016-04-20 16:38:34] <Saff|Kill> I shove all the papers into an empty pizza box and slide it under the couch to hide it from sight. Malcolm doesn't clean anyway, it should be fine.||
  15. [2016-04-20 16:39:06] <Antioch|GM> The sheaf is thick enough that the box doesn't close all the way, up until you wedge it into the couch.
  16. [2016-04-20 16:39:54] <Antioch|GM> Costume half-on, you realize you'll need to wake Malcolm for a ride to get there on time, let alone get there without being gawked at, black smoke still streaming off your body.
  17. [2016-04-20 16:39:57] → Lurks|GM joined (LurksGM@net-d2vdf5.mn.comcast.net)
  18. [2016-04-20 16:39:58] <Antioch|GM> ((Social roll, if you would))
  19. [2016-04-20 16:40:09] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6-1
  20. [2016-04-20 16:40:09] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [5] -1 = 4
  21. [2016-04-20 16:41:00] <Antioch|GM> Mortal Lock's tone doesn't sound angered, which eases your nervousness somewhat. Rather, he sounds... worried.
  22. [2016-04-20 16:41:05] <Antioch|GM> Maybe that's worse. ||
  23. [2016-04-20 16:44:39] <Saff|Kill> "I'll be there soon. See you in a few, Lock." I hang up and go shuffling into the bedroom with the top half of my costume still dangling around my waist. "Mal, rise and shine." It's too goddamn early for supervillain shit. But I guess crime never sleeps. Whatever. I walk over to him and start poking his sides. If he doesn't want to wake up I could always
  24. [2016-04-20 16:44:39] <Saff|Kill> just promise him boobs. That seems to typically work. "Got BlackJack stuff. Hopefully it's not a setup to get us both capped."||
  25. [2016-04-20 16:46:14] <Antioch|GM> He groans, peeling himself out of bed, but obliges, pulling on clothes haphazardly, choosing at random from the mess discarded on the floor.
  26. [2016-04-20 16:46:19] <Antioch|GM> "How soon do you need to be there?"
  27. [2016-04-20 16:46:35] <Antioch|GM> "Because I could really fucking use some shitty fast food coffee." ||
  28. [2016-04-20 16:49:30] <Saff|Kill> "Get me an egg McMuffin and a hashbrown and you've got yourself a deal." I take a second to look him up and down, nodding slightly as I take a second to admire his ass. "Got to be at the clinic by ten. Shit, where the fuck did I leave my gun?" I start pulling up my costume, wandering around the clothes on the floor to try to remember where I put it. "Don't
  29. [2016-04-20 16:49:30] <Saff|Kill> want to die today. Ugh. This whole thing is weird, Mal. Mortal Lock called on Wink's number. Sounded weird. Maybe Duck bitch struck without us?"||
  30. [2016-04-20 16:50:37] → Dolyn joined (Dolyn@net-9pf5lr.mo.charter.com)
  31. [2016-04-20 16:50:57] <Antioch|GM> Flying in the face of the minimal firearm safety you've learned, the gun is in the laundry basket.
  32. [2016-04-20 16:51:21] <Antioch|GM> Malcolm staggers to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face, not bothering to shave.
  33. [2016-04-20 16:51:47] <Antioch|GM> "The fuck could she have done? Peck his ass to death?"
  34. [2016-04-20 16:52:34] <Antioch|GM> "I still think that bitch is cracked," he mutters, shooting a nasty glare at a lump on the dining room table - the clockwork duck, with a leather jacket tossed over it. ||
  35. [2016-04-20 16:54:49] → Flitter joined (Flitter@net-nla9km.champlain.edu)
  36. [2016-04-20 16:54:56] → Fur joined (Fur@net-67ce4g.cable.virginm.net)
  37. [2016-04-20 16:55:33] <Saff|Kill> "She probably is. I honestly... I don't know what the right choice is. The shit... Look. I'm no saint, but Mal. You've got to read this shit on who Wink REALLY is." I frown at Mal, trying to fix my hair in the mirror behind his head. "Hm. I like you with stubble. Anyway. I just don't want to get butt fucked because of Wink and I don't want to get butt fucked
  38. [2016-04-20 16:55:33] <Saff|Kill> by Duck Queen either." ||
  39. [2016-04-20 16:55:52] → Lid|Raptor joined (Ilidirim@net-0njhuo.fios.verizon.net)
  40. [2016-04-20 17:00:20] <Antioch|GM> He's apparently not in the mood to make a sleazy retort, still half-awake despite the cold water.
  41. [2016-04-20 17:00:20] <Antioch|GM> "Wink's a shitbag, I admit," he concedes, snatching the keys from the coffee table, "but fuckheads like him make the world go 'round."
  42. [2016-04-20 17:00:20] <Antioch|GM> He opens the door, and a gust of wind coming down from Lake Erie passes through the apartment, scattering loose junk mail onto the floor. Only gonna get colder. ||
  43. [2016-04-20 17:03:25] <Saff|Kill> "I hate this time of year." I mumble as I bounce to try to keep the heat in. "But even if she's whacked, she did ask for my help. I guess I have to at least hear her out. Anyway. Breakfast before business. You look like a zombie, and I probably look twice as bad."||
  44. [2016-04-20 17:08:39] <Antioch|GM> The two of you get into the car. Not much conversation passes, each of you shivering while the car's heating system takes apparent centuries to heat up. The silence is only broken by the stereo, a female singer that sounds vaguely familiar - pop hit, probably - barely audible above the blasting heat.
  45. [2016-04-20 17:09:21] <Antioch|GM> After food is acquired, Malcolm finally takes the opportunity to speak up, mouth still full of cheap breakfast food.
  46. [2016-04-20 17:09:21] <Antioch|GM> "Sho, you wanf me to dropf you off or whaf?" ||
  47. [2016-04-20 17:11:51] <Saff|Kill> "Oh no. You're coming with. If they're trying to murder me, I want backup." Ugh. Sometimes I really wish that Mal were a cape. That would make him absolutely perfect. "I really hope they're not trying to murder me. I can't fucking deal with that today." ||
  48. [2016-04-20 17:13:34] <Antioch|GM> "Ffffffuck." He draws it out. Crumbs get on the dashboard. "Maybe I should have actually thought about what I was wearing."
  49. [2016-04-20 17:13:34] <Antioch|GM> "Fine," he says, sounding uncomfortable. "Dunno if I'll actually be worth anything, but fine."
  50. [2016-04-20 17:15:18] <Antioch|GM> The two of you park at one of the rear entrances of the clinic, now looking better than ever. A slouching teen stands next to the door, cupping his hands to the tip of his cigarette for warmth, standing guard while attempting to remain inconspicuous.
  51. [2016-04-20 17:15:50] <Antioch|GM> He makes no move to stop the two of you - the black smoke coming off of your skin is telling enough. ||
  52. [2016-04-20 17:17:48] <Saff|Kill> "I probably should have warned you. That shirt doesn't particularly go well with the socks, but I'll let it slide." I chuckle and push his shoulder, before putting on my serious face. "Here it goes. Hopefully... Hopefully this goes okay." I walk past the kid, barely giving him notice before entering the building. It's too damn cold...||
  53. [2016-04-20 17:23:08] ← Fur left (Fur@net-67ce4g.cable.virginm.net)
  54. [2016-04-20 17:31:03] <Antioch|GM> The interior of the clinic is much warmer, thankfully, and you're directed to a downstairs area by one of the underlings in the building.
  55. [2016-04-20 17:31:03] <Antioch|GM> Heading down the stairs and then a hallway, you find Mortal Lock, Doubledown, and Gutshot gathered, along with a handful of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Veterans or specialists under Wink's employ.
  56. [2016-04-20 17:31:03] <Antioch|GM> "Killhand," Lock said. "You made it."
  57. [2016-04-20 17:31:03] <Antioch|GM> Despite the situation, the Tinker is outfitted in power armor, and you could swear the wood floorboards are faintly caving inward due to his weight.
  58. [2016-04-20 17:32:51] <Antioch|GM> Taking in the entirety of the room, you realize the gravity of the situation, given that it seems that anyone with a meaningful stake in Blackjack is present.
  59. [2016-04-20 17:32:51] <Antioch|GM> Doubledown, who you hadn't seen since Behemoth, looks like he's been dragged facefirst through a parking lot lined with shattered glass, angry red lacerations along his face and an eyepatch over his right eye.
  60. [2016-04-20 17:32:51] <Antioch|GM> "Who's the crony?" he asks. Malcolm bristles. ||
  61. [2016-04-20 17:36:14] <Saff|Kill> "My right hand. You don't get me without him." I say with a growl. That sounds better than 'I don't want to be alone because I'm doing bad things that make all of you really scary.' "Anyway. I'd really like to know why I got dragged out of bed. Where's Wink? I figured he would be front and center..." ||
  62. [2016-04-20 17:38:52] <Antioch|GM> "Part of why I called this meeting," Lock replies, sounding haggard. "Looks like you haven't heard, yet."
  63. [2016-04-20 17:39:45] <Antioch|GM> "Yesterday night, a few hours past midnight, someone blew up a huge, fuck-off black hole Tinker bomb the size of a fucking truck in the middle of Fairfax."
  64. [2016-04-20 17:40:15] <Antioch|GM> "Not a legit bomb, to clarify," he continues, "but a medium-range portal that got reconfigured and overloaded. I'm sure you don't care about the specifics."
  65. [2016-04-20 17:41:16] <Antioch|GM> "I can explain that situation later, but here's the thing, right? Me and Wink were there, dealing with it, and he got fucked up. Out of commission for a while. This is a problem." ||
  66. [2016-04-20 17:46:43] <Saff|Kill> "I. I don't mean to be rude, but I don't really care about the tinker shit. Let's slow down here. Wink... Out of commission? How bad?" I look over at Malcolm, and I feel my palms starting to sweat. This doesn't sound like Duck Queen, but maybe she finally tinkered something that worked? Even if it wasn't her, shit this is big. I hope they can't see how many
  67. [2016-04-20 17:46:43] <Saff|Kill> knots my stomach is in right now. ||
  68. [2016-04-20 17:49:03] <Antioch|GM> "Bad enough that the gang is in deep shit while he's recovering," Lock growls. "I can't say for sure how long he'll be out, I won't bother you with the medical shit, but as far as getting him back up to par? Two weeks, maybe one if my side project ends up making a meaningful difference."
  69. [2016-04-20 17:50:39] <Antioch|GM> "But here's the bad shit, right? While he's out fucking cold, which I pray to fucking god is two days, tops, we're fucking crippled. We used to be getting continuous energy from him, working at peak efficiency and not needing to sleep. With him out of commission? Our productivity, the shit that's let us control all this fucking turf?"
  70. [2016-04-20 17:50:57] <Antioch|GM> "It's going down the shitter." ||
  71. [2016-04-20 17:53:53] <Saff|Kill> "We can't let this get out." The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. "If any of the other gangs in town catch a whiff of this, we're all dead. Like, super dead." Or, I could just leak all the info to Duck Queen and use this time to stage a coup. If I'm going to beat anyone in this room, I'd have to do it while they're not hopped up on Wink
  72. [2016-04-20 17:53:53] <Saff|Kill> Juice. "And Wink never got a vial from that Good King guy? Is there any way we can get him back up and running sooner?"
  73. [2016-04-20 17:54:34] <Saff|Kill> Fuck, fuck, fuck. If the other gangs in town start trying to edge in on us, I'm as good as dead. ||
  74. [2016-04-20 17:55:04] <Antioch|GM> "King's not a moron," Mortal Lock cuts in. "He fucking hates Blackjack, basically said it to our face, and I double-checked the vial. He programmed in an expiration date."
  75. [2016-04-20 17:55:54] <Antioch|GM> He pauses, thinking for a moment. "I'd bet that show of good faith, for you helping with Auswahlen, healing your arm?"
  76. [2016-04-20 17:55:54] <Antioch|GM> He gestures at Gutshot. "It's been how long since he regrew it? I'm basically 100% sure at this point, he fixed you up with a gimp arm."
  77. [2016-04-20 17:56:11] <Antioch|GM> Gutshot doesn't say anything, expression on his face simply growing grimmer.
  78. [2016-04-20 17:56:45] <Antioch|GM> "So we're changing tacks for the time being. It's not about winning, taking turf, now. How can we get out of this without /losing/?" ||
  79. [2016-04-20 17:59:25] <Saff|Kill> "Of course King would do some bullshit like that. Fuck that guy." Now I'm pissed, though I'm not really sure why. My stomach is doing flips and god, killing a hobo would be really fucking nice right now. "Fuck. Shit. First we got to keep this on the DL. Second... Can we somehow push the heat onto someone else? Get the dicks trying to bite at our turf
  80. [2016-04-20 17:59:25] <Saff|Kill> fighting with each other? I don't know. Shit." ||
  81. [2016-04-20 18:09:30] <Antioch|GM> "As far as the PRT goes, the heat is off, yeah. For now."
  82. [2016-04-20 18:09:52] <Antioch|GM> "They're focusing on Lilith, the blood bitch who's been on the news, and Longinus, the asshole who set the bomb off."
  83. [2016-04-20 18:09:53] → Stoic joined (Stoic@net-n3k0uk.nj.comcast.net)
  84. [2016-04-20 18:11:46] <Antioch|GM> "But shit is bad, right now. Capes not from Cleveland are probably gonna come and try to pull some shit, with the Borgata's shit and the PRT being distracted. Some of 'em will probably try to fuck with us, even if they don't know what's going on. And if we end up showing weakness, word's gonna get out, and more fuckers are gonna come."
  85. [2016-04-20 18:11:48] <Antioch|GM> "You get me?" ||
  86. [2016-04-20 18:15:14] <Saff|Kill> "Longinus? Okay. So he's the fuck who fucked the boss. Is he still going to be a problem? And... The Borgata... Didn't their boss get fucked by Behemoth?" I pause for a moment, then frown. "Sorry if that's... a sensitive topic, Doubledown. I mean you look good. Not. Like. I. You know what I mean." Fuck, I must be the world's most awkward supervillain. I give
  87. [2016-04-20 18:15:14] <Saff|Kill> a small look to Mal, hoping that he didn't interpret my rambling the wrong way, then look back at Lock. "Cleveland's in fucking shambles. Someone needs to step up and grab it by the balls." Now I guess I'm starting to see what Wink actually did around here. Not having him is... bad.||
  88. [2016-04-20 18:19:41] <Antioch|GM> "As soon as this meeting is over, I'm taking my van and my drones and hunting his ass down. He's range-limited, needed to drive his truck into our turf to fuck with us, with a longer-range portal inside the truck - the one he blew up."
  89. [2016-04-20 18:19:41] <Antioch|GM> "Mhm," Doubledown adds, not looking offended by your verbal fumbling. Maybe? Hard to tell, with his face. "The Don bit it." ||
  90. [2016-04-20 18:24:14] <Saff|Kill> "That's fucked up." I say, my eyes locked on the ground. "I hope you fuck him up, Lock. If you need help smearing his ass on the pavement, I'm only a call away." And by that, I mean 'please don't fucking call me I have shit to take care of.' "So what's our game plan? Lay low? If anyone tries to get us while Wink's down... We should probably all gang up on
  91. [2016-04-20 18:24:14] <Saff|Kill> that spot. Though that leaves the other territories open... Fuck. Let's hope things go smoothly and Wink wakes up soon. Are we done here?" I've got business of my own to tend to.||
  92. [2016-04-20 18:25:03] ⇐ Stoic quit (Stoic@net-n3k0uk.nj.comcast.net): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  93. [2016-04-20 18:33:15] → Stoic joined (Stoic@net-n3k0uk.nj.comcast.net)
  94. [2016-04-20 18:33:23] ⇐ Stoic quit (Stoic@net-n3k0uk.nj.comcast.net): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  95. [2016-04-20 18:35:00] <Antioch|GM> "More or less. Few things before we wrap up," Lock says.
  96. [2016-04-20 18:35:00] <Antioch|GM> "People are gonna start shit, and we need to have good response times. You see someone start shit? You call this number."
  97. [2016-04-20 18:35:00] <Antioch|GM> On cue, the phone in your pocket buzzes.
  98. [2016-04-20 18:35:00] <Antioch|GM> "Someone's starting shit? That number's gonna text you, and you damn well better be there. All call, and we kick their asses so hard every motherfucker thinks twice about fucking with us."
  99. [2016-04-20 18:35:37] <Antioch|GM> Gutshot nods, while Doubledown and a few others in the group smile, happy for an excuse to fight without holding back.
  100. [2016-04-20 18:35:46] <Antioch|GM> "And Killhand?"
  101. [2016-04-20 18:36:06] <Antioch|GM> "When Longinus and Lilith are out of the way, the PRT's heat is gonna be right fuckin' back on us."
  102. [2016-04-20 18:36:58] <Antioch|GM> "That's on you. Attacking people in the streets? Threatening to murder people live? It's getting out that you're with us, and I don't expect we'll be able to keep it quiet for any length of time."
  103. [2016-04-20 18:37:24] <Antioch|GM> "So when this all blows over, you better damn well have convinced us you're more an asset than a liability."
  104. [2016-04-20 18:37:26] <Antioch|GM> "Get me?" ||
  105. [2016-04-20 18:40:44] <Saff|Kill> "I fuck up one time, and it just happens to be on the internet. I've got less blood on my hands then all of you, but I'M the big scary murderer." I cross my arms over my chest and try my hardest not to pout. God, now I'm pissed. "Fuck. I'm out. Buzz if you need me, fuck off if you don't. Come on, Mal. We got places to be." Places. And by that I mean sitting
  106. [2016-04-20 18:40:44] <Saff|Kill> in the apartment and reading papers out of a moldy pizza box. ||
  107. [2016-04-20 18:50:46] <Antioch|GM> "When we kill people," Doubledown retorts, now looking irritated (insofar as you can tell), "we're not fuckin' 'tards about it."
  108. [2016-04-20 18:50:46] <Antioch|GM> "The difference is that people are scared of me because they know what happens if they fuck with me."
  109. [2016-04-20 18:50:46] <Antioch|GM> "You? They're scared of you because you might flip and murder someone for no reason. Am I wrong?"
  110. [2016-04-20 18:50:46] <Antioch|GM> "Shit like that gets you put away." ||
  111. [2016-04-20 18:57:10] <Saff|Kill> "At least I have both of my eyes." I mumble under my breath as I turn away. "The difference between you and me is that You all chose this life. I didn't have a choice. So I'm here, I'm doing my damn job, and I'm dealing with it. I don't have to explain myself to you when the boss already kicked my ass. It's been dealt with. Now I'm going to go fuck off until
  112. [2016-04-20 18:57:10] <Saff|Kill> someone decides to fuck with us." ||
  113. [2016-04-20 18:58:14] * soulpelt|ecgc is now known as soulpelt|
  114. [2016-04-20 18:58:51] <Antioch|GM> "Not a hundred percent sure I like how you're handling this, Killhand," Lock says, but it's clear by his tone that he rather vehemently dislikes it.
  115. [2016-04-20 18:59:24] <Antioch|GM> "I need assurances that you're not going to start shit, make things worse for us, while we're in this precarious of a situation."
  116. [2016-04-20 19:00:56] ⇐ ThalAI quit (ThalAI@net-stg.hv9.246.50.IP): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  117. [2016-04-20 19:01:09] <Antioch|GM> He nods at one of the non-capes attending the meeting, a milquetoast-looking geek-ass motherfucker who looks like he should be in a cubicle, eating plain bran cereal from nine to five, and not in the inner circle of hardened criminals. Kind of jarring, particularly since you paid him no mind before Lock pointed him out.
  118. [2016-04-20 19:01:49] <Antioch|GM> "Scrip? You know the men here. Killhand needs a minder, and not Mister Scraggleface here. Any suggestions?"
  119. [2016-04-20 19:02:32] <Antioch|GM> "I don't like it, at first thought," Scrip replies, "since looking over her shoulder makes her more likely to butt heads with us further down the line."
  120. [2016-04-20 19:02:37] <Antioch|GM> A pause, then an afterthought.
  121. [2016-04-20 19:03:28] <Antioch|GM> "But it is an unstable situation right now, and I think it's better to be secure in the short term."
  122. [2016-04-20 19:05:00] <Antioch|GM> "Mason? I think you're the best fit for this job." He singles out someone from the crowd, a kid who looks about your age, if not slightly younger, chestnut bangs getting to the point where they're obscuring his eyes.
  123. [2016-04-20 19:05:18] <Antioch|GM> "Sure," he replies, flatly. Neither enthused nor terrified. ||
  124. [2016-04-20 19:06:41] <Saff|Kill> "I don't need a babysitter!" I say, clenching my fists. "I've got the scars on my back to prove that I'm with you!"||
  125. [2016-04-20 19:07:29] <Antioch|GM> ((Social roll, please.))
  126. [2016-04-20 19:07:39] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6-1
  127. [2016-04-20 19:07:39] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [2] -1 = 1
  128. [2016-04-20 19:07:45] <Saff|Kill> ((Fuck))
  129. [2016-04-20 19:09:17] <Antioch|GM> "Better safe than sorry, I think," Lock replies. "You'll be glad to have the extra firepower when someone tries to start shit, anyways."
  130. [2016-04-20 19:09:17] <Antioch|GM> He walks over to Mason, handing him a silver attache briefcase. ||
  131. [2016-04-20 19:11:57] → Stoic joined (Stoic@net-n3k0uk.nj.comcast.net)
  132. [2016-04-20 19:13:27] <Saff|Kill> "I swear to god." Fuck all of this. But now... Maybe I should come clean about the Duck Bitch. Maybe I should let them know that she's trying to start shit... Maybe I should stab her in the back to get a leg up with the others. My stomach is doing flips, and I think my brain is going to fall out of my ass. I don't know what the right answer is. Wink's
  133. [2016-04-20 19:13:27] <Saff|Kill> unconscious and this woman... she just wants to avenge her kid. "Wait. Before I go... DD? Look, I know I'm being a megabitch, but I have a question. You and Guts... you were both around for Auswahlen, right?"||
  134. [2016-04-20 19:14:29] <Antioch|GM> "Yeh," Doubledown replies, Gutshot murmuring assent as well. "Why you askin'?" ||
  135. [2016-04-20 19:14:48] <Saff|Kill> "Did you know a girl named Rush?"||
  136. [2016-04-20 19:15:35] <Antioch|GM> "Not well," he says. "Or long."
  137. [2016-04-20 19:15:45] <Antioch|GM> Whatever happened to her, reminiscing about it doesn't seem to affect him. ||
  138. [2016-04-20 19:16:24] <Saff|Kill> "Could you tell me what she looked like?" I lock eyes--er. Eye. With Doubledown.||
  139. [2016-04-20 19:17:41] <Antioch|GM> He gives a noncommittal shrug, and it's Mason who speaks up after the brief silence.
  140. [2016-04-20 19:18:13] <Antioch|GM> "Yeah. Short hair, kinda curly. Blond-ish. Younger than you." ||
  141. [2016-04-20 19:27:20] <Saff|Kill> "Damn." Well, now I'm going to have to either come clean or back off. "Thanks though." ||
  142. [2016-04-20 19:27:47] <Antioch|GM> Mason gets up, briefcase in hand, ready to follow you.
  143. [2016-04-20 19:27:50] <Antioch|GM> "Why do you ask?" ||
  144. [2016-04-20 19:30:05] → Zaits joined (kvirc@net-41f.e4e.21.213.IP)
  145. [2016-04-20 19:34:17] <Saff|Kill> Fuck. "Look. I was going to save this straight for Wink, but seeing as he's incapacitated." It's my hide or hers. "Some two bit Tinker by the name of Duck Queen, and yeah it's as stupid as it sounds, was snooping around and trying to get info on Wink. She said that she hated him because she missed being a mom. Wondered if she was related to the kid. I'll
  146. [2016-04-20 19:34:17] <Saff|Kill> tell you now, she's not an immediate threat. Her tinkerings are pretty shit." I frown and cross my arms over my chest again. "I was going to let Wink handle it. I figured he would have more of an idea of why she was upset than me. But he's out. We can keep an eye out if it won't strain us too much. I just think it would be something the boss would like to
  147. [2016-04-20 19:34:17] <Saff|Kill> know about." ||
  148. [2016-04-20 19:35:34] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2d6-1!
  149. [2016-04-20 19:35:34] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [5]-1 [6]-1 = 4, 5
  150. [2016-04-20 19:36:01] <Saff|Kill> ((I AM SO DEAD))
  151. [2016-04-20 19:36:42] <Antioch|GM> "What is it with this town and Tinkers?" Lock mutters. "I'm aware of the irony."
  152. [2016-04-20 19:38:19] * Thaliaway is now known as Thalia
  153. [2016-04-20 19:38:29] <Antioch|GM> "I'm sure she's just another worthless, run-of-the-mill failure like Quickfix or Player One, but I'll take it under advisement, keep an eye out. Keep us aware, if she ends up contacting you again."
  154. [2016-04-20 19:38:49] <Antioch|GM> You're sweating bullets, waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he seems to leave it at that, leaving you more confused and concerned than relieved.
  155. [2016-04-20 19:39:09] <Antioch|GM> "Either way, you're free to go. I have another Tinker to hunt down." ||
  156. [2016-04-20 19:41:23] <Saff|Kill> "I'll let you know. Come on. Mal. Mason?" That's his name, yeah. "Sorry you're not coming along for anything more exciting." I say to the new kid. "I kind of operate on opposite hours, so unless something interesting comes up, I'm normally sleeping. But I guess I should stay up and keep tabs on my territory, yeah?" ||
  157. [2016-04-20 19:42:15] <Antioch|GM> Lock's head turns so quickly you think he might snap it.
  158. [2016-04-20 19:42:23] <Antioch|GM> "Wait. Your territory. Shit. Fuck."
  159. [2016-04-20 19:42:50] <Antioch|GM> "The average fuck on the street, especially from out of town, still thinks DMH is by themselves."
  160. [2016-04-20 19:43:09] <Antioch|GM> "And you just got fucked over by Silver Bullet, lost one of your guys and your base."
  161. [2016-04-20 19:43:22] <Antioch|GM> He facepalms with both hands, gauntlets impacting face mask with a resounding clang.
  162. [2016-04-20 19:43:33] <Antioch|GM> "You're the easiest fucking pickings in Cleveland right now."
  163. [2016-04-20 19:43:38] <Antioch|GM> "Goddamnit, goddamnit, goddamnit."
  164. [2016-04-20 19:43:55] <Antioch|GM> He kicks the table, sending part of it flying and splintering the rest.
  165. [2016-04-20 19:44:09] <Antioch|GM> "FUCK!"
  166. [2016-04-20 19:45:13] <Antioch|GM> "We help you, we play our hand early, let the whole city know that we're supporting this unstable murderer, and if we don't we lose footholds, control, end up getting flanked by a vulture gang."
  167. [2016-04-20 19:45:25] <Antioch|GM> "Fuck," he repeats, not looking too concerned about calling you an unstable murderer. ||
  168. [2016-04-20 19:45:27] → Baker joined (Baker@net-gqb23k.as13285.net)
  169. [2016-04-20 19:45:42] <Antioch|GM> -||
  170. [2016-04-20 19:45:59] <Antioch|GM> You can't help but notice that in Lock's hypothetical scenario, he's assuming you lose unquestioningly. ||
  171. [2016-04-20 19:48:23] <Saff|Kill> "I am NOT unstable. And not really a murderer. I've only killed one guy. And he deserved it. But that's beside the point. I agree that my territory is vulnerable. But what if we... Is there any way we can make it look like Blackjack took it from me by force?" I look between the men, my knees starting to go weak. I'm no tactical genius, that's for sure. "Come
  172. [2016-04-20 19:48:23] <Saff|Kill> drag me out, knock me around a bit. If you have to, make it seem like you're taking me hostage. That way they don't think you're with me."||
  173. [2016-04-20 19:51:09] <Antioch|GM> ((Soc roll, +1 bonus))
  174. [2016-04-20 19:51:35] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6
  175. [2016-04-20 19:51:35] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [5] = 5
  176. [2016-04-20 19:58:24] <Antioch|GM> "Mmm, that's a compelling argument, actually," Lock muses. "If you're willing to take that for the team, it does help cement your position in the group, makes your loyalty less of a question."
  177. [2016-04-20 19:59:03] <Antioch|GM> "I'm for it," he says, then turns to address the other members in the room. "You?"
  178. [2016-04-20 19:59:26] <Antioch|GM> Many nod, some say 'yeah'.
  179. [2016-04-20 19:59:38] <Antioch|GM> "Hm. When?" the Tinker asks. ||
  180. [2016-04-20 20:02:11] <Saff|Kill> "As soon as we need to, I guess." It's a good thing I'm wearing a mask, because I'm pretty sure my entire face is white. "Just... try not to beat me up too bad. I'm not into that. You can tie me up or whatever, but I've already almost lost a kidney in the past few months... I really don't want to lose anything else." I probably shouldn't have given these
  181. [2016-04-20 20:02:11] <Saff|Kill> clowns free reign to kick my shit in, but I'm in no place to argue. "I can probably find somewhere in the area to 'hide out in' within the hour. If everyone's down, you can kick my ass before dinnertime."||
  182. [2016-04-20 20:02:13] ⇐ Flitter quit (Flitter@net-nla9km.champlain.edu): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  183. [2016-04-20 20:05:02] <Antioch|GM> "Alright. I'm still going after Longinus first. I dunno that I feel too confident about finding that slippery, teleporting jackass, but it is what it is. We'll let you know, an hour or two in advance, yeah?"
  184. [2016-04-20 20:05:45] <Antioch|GM> "Before sundown, middle of the street, near Case Western Uni? We get a crowd."
  185. [2016-04-20 20:06:12] <Antioch|GM> ||
  186. [2016-04-20 20:08:32] <Saff|Kill> "Sounds good to me. I... I guess I should get ready then." I take a deep breath and turn to Mal again. "Before sundown." Oh man, I might have made a mistake.||
  187. [2016-04-20 20:09:03] <Antioch|GM> "See you then," Lock says. There's no particular malice to his tone, but given the context, he can't help but sound ominous.
  188. [2016-04-20 20:09:18] <Antioch|GM> The two of you step out of the room, heading upstairs, Mason following you. ||
  189. [2016-04-20 20:12:33] <Saff|Kill> "Well. Looks like I'm going to need some aspirin for tonight." I let out a nervous laugh and look at the two men. I'm not fucking Mason. I'm putting my foot down. "Or some lube. Or both. Anyway. Mason, we already ate... but if you're hungry we can swing by somewhere. It probably sucks to be stuck babysitting. I guess I should probably make it comfortable for
  190. [2016-04-20 20:12:33] <Saff|Kill> you."||
  191. [2016-04-20 20:13:11] <Antioch|GM> "It's fine," he replies. "I can wait 'til lunch."
  192. [2016-04-20 20:13:40] <Antioch|GM> He's silent for a moment, speaking up when the three of you step out into the biting cold.
  193. [2016-04-20 20:13:54] <Antioch|GM> "About Rush... don't think she was the kid of that duck Tinker, or whatever."
  194. [2016-04-20 20:14:03] <Antioch|GM> "Rush's parents? They probably don't miss her." ||
  195. [2016-04-20 20:14:57] <Saff|Kill> "They don't... They wouldn't miss her?" I ask, cocking my head to the side. I guess. I mean my parents probably don't miss me after the shit that I've done. "Why would you say that? Wasn't she just a kid?"||
  196. [2016-04-20 20:15:29] <Antioch|GM> "We talked, some, back then. I was close to her age, you know?"
  197. [2016-04-20 20:16:19] <Antioch|GM> "She told me how she got her powers."
  198. [2016-04-20 20:16:19] <Antioch|GM> He pauses for a moment, and you find the time to reflect on your own trigger event. ||
  199. [2016-04-20 20:16:55] → Camtist joined (uid157531@charlton.irccloud.com)
  200. [2016-04-20 20:17:19] <Saff|Kill> I try to get the feeling of teeth scraping bone out of my head, but pushing the thoughts away is harder than it should be. "Did... Did they hurt her?"||
  201. [2016-04-20 20:19:34] <Antioch|GM> He nods.
  202. [2016-04-20 20:19:34] <Antioch|GM> "Started out, where you'd put a kid in time-out, right, they'd put her in the garage?"
  203. [2016-04-20 20:19:34] <Antioch|GM> "It got worse for her, growing up, leaving her in there longer, locking the door, shit like that."
  204. [2016-04-20 20:20:15] <Antioch|GM> "For, like, the pettiest shit, you know? Grades, chores."
  205. [2016-04-20 20:21:03] <Antioch|GM> "They started leaving the car running, after awhile."
  206. [2016-04-20 20:21:21] <Antioch|GM> He pauses again.
  207. [2016-04-20 20:21:21] <Antioch|GM> "Like I said, doubt they miss her." ||
  208. [2016-04-20 20:24:14] <Saff|Kill> "That's... That's horrible." I swallow hard. Suddenly breakfast isn't sitting so well, especially with the motion of the car. "I. I got my powers because I was stupid. I went on a camping trip in the woods. Alone. And I overestimated my abilities. I should have died out there. But that... That's all on me. They... They did that to her?" And now she's dead.
  209. [2016-04-20 20:24:14] <Saff|Kill> "I... I can tell you what her mother's name is. I don't know if you're the impulsive avenging type. But... That boils my blood."
  210. [2016-04-20 20:24:59] <Saff|Kill> I close my eyes for a second, but the uncomfortable feeling of teeth against bone comes back strong. They're open again before I even have a moment to think. "I'm sorry. Really."||
  211. [2016-04-20 20:26:39] <Antioch|GM> He raises an eyebrow. "How'd you get that info, before you even asked us about her?"
  212. [2016-04-20 20:26:39] <Antioch|GM> "Maybe," he says, mulling it over. "After this is all done and over with." ||
  213. [2016-04-20 20:30:13] <Saff|Kill> "I wanted to know what the Duck lady was going on about. I vaguely knew about Rush, wondered if there was a connection. I went to the HPIA to try to get info, because I have a first name that Duck Lady was using. It's probably not her real name, unless she's really stupid. But I wanted to see if there was a connection. I guess not though." My stomach is in
  214. [2016-04-20 20:30:13] <Saff|Kill> so many knots that it's probably looking like a crochet piece. "That's... God that sucks. I'm sorry. You probably expected a lot more screaming and stabbing from me, didn't you?||
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  217. [2016-04-20 20:37:05] <Antioch|GM> "I won't say I'm expecting it," he says quietly, "but I'm not going to be caught off-guard, either."
  218. [2016-04-20 20:37:30] <Antioch|GM> There's not much hostility in his response as you'd expect, perhaps due to the brief discussion about Rush beforehand.
  219. [2016-04-20 20:37:48] <Antioch|GM> The three of you drive towards DMH territory. ||
  220. [2016-04-20 20:40:48] → lope joined (lope@net-46vevc.res.rr.com)
  221. [2016-04-20 20:41:27] ⇐ Lurks|GM quit (LurksGM@net-d2vdf5.mn.comcast.net): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  222. [2016-04-20 20:41:52] <Saff|Kill> It seems like the flashbacks of the night I got my powers are slipping away, but I still feel uneasy. It would be so easy for one of the other Jacks to 'accidentally' execute me. Especially if someone is already suspecting me because of the Duck Queen business. If Lock gets to her... and she talks... I could be in a lot of trouble. After all, it doesn't seem
  223. [2016-04-20 20:41:52] <Saff|Kill> like they really trust me... Gah. I'm probably thinking about things too hard. "Mal, what do you think about all of this?"||
  224. [2016-04-20 20:42:07] → Lurks|Gm joined (LurksGm@net-d2vdf5.mn.comcast.net)
  225. [2016-04-20 20:43:31] <Antioch|GM> "Can't believe you asked an entire gang of people to beat your ass before you asked me," he cracks, diverting his attention from driving for a moment.
  226. [2016-04-20 20:43:58] <Antioch|GM> Mason looks between the two of you, not saying much of anything.
  227. [2016-04-20 20:44:12] * Lurks|Gm is now known as Lurks|GM
  228. [2016-04-20 20:44:32] <Antioch|GM> "Not really sure I like it," Malcolm says, more seriously. "But it's not as bad as getting our turf trashed." ||
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  231. [2016-04-20 20:48:24] <Saff|Kill> "I... I know. I should have asked you. I'd be upset if you volunteered to get your shit kicked in. I'm... I'm sorry. But there weren't many... many other options." I look down at my gloved hands for a moment, tracing the seams on the leather with my index finger. "I'll try not to get hurt too bad. But if I do... Please don't do anything stupid. I kind of...
  232. [2016-04-20 20:48:24] <Saff|Kill> I care about you, okay?"||
  233. [2016-04-20 20:49:15] <Antioch|GM> Mason sits there and keeps his damn mouth shut.
  234. [2016-04-20 20:49:40] <Antioch|GM> "Uh. Right. Boss." Malcolm replies.
  235. [2016-04-20 20:49:55] <Antioch|GM> "You, uh, said something about lunch, earlier, Mason?" he deflects lamely. ||
  236. [2016-04-20 20:52:56] → Prothean joined (RichardButt@net-lumhum.ca.charter.com)
  237. [2016-04-20 20:58:35] <Saff|Kill> ((oh fuck it was my turn to reply))
  238. [2016-04-20 21:00:07] <Saff|Kill> Lunch. Right. "Sorry." I mumble under my breath, hoping that maybe I'll get a message from the other Jacks, something that'll keep me from wallowing in the awkwardness of this car ride.||
  239. [2016-04-20 21:01:06] <Antioch|GM> "I'm... fine with whatever," Mason replies, also seeming to want the conversation to move elsewhere. "Dunno what's good, on this side of town."
  240. [2016-04-20 21:03:09] <Antioch|GM> The three of you end up pulling through the drive-thru of a fried chicken place, splitting a bucket and several sides betwixt you after getting back to Malcolm's apartment. Mason doesn't seem to mind the mess.
  241. [2016-04-20 21:03:09] <Antioch|GM> You take the chance to glance at your phone. Sundown is early, this time of year, as the days tick closer to Christmas. You grimace. ||
  242. [2016-04-20 21:04:59] <Saff|Kill> It's... It's the first Christmas I won't be spending with my family. I wonder... I wonder what they would say if I called them. I'm... I won't. They have their own lives now. But, still there's a nagging feeling in the back of my head. I can barely pick at the food, as my stomach is still rolling with anxiety. "Mal, can I talk to you for a moment?" I ask, my
  243. [2016-04-20 21:04:59] <Saff|Kill> voice quivering. The time is ticking closer and closer...||
  244. [2016-04-20 21:05:49] <Antioch|GM> "Sure," he says. As he passes by the kitchen, as an afterthought, he takes the jacket-bundled clockwork duck and jams it in the freezer.
  245. [2016-04-20 21:06:45] <Antioch|GM> Mason sits on the couch and seems to be alright, letting the two of you have a private conversation. He's fiddling with some gadget in the briefcase, a skintight silver glove with fingerpads and circuitry. ||
  246. [2016-04-20 21:08:38] <Saff|Kill> "I don't want you at the fight tonight. Look. It's okay if they beat the shit out of me but... I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want you to go." I look over at the freezer, then back to whatever Mason's doing. I never asked about the briefcase. Whatever he has... Why did he have to bring it with him to babysit? ||
  247. [2016-04-20 21:11:35] <Antioch|GM> More concerning than whatever Tinkertech Mason is fucking with is the fact that his ass is roughly two feet away from a shitload of incriminating blackmail on Wink.
  248. [2016-04-20 21:11:35] <Antioch|GM> Mal thinks about it, and nods. "I'll be back at Blackjack, after the fact then."
  249. [2016-04-20 21:11:35] <Antioch|GM> "Makes sense, for the scene you're trying to sell, I think, but I'm still not too happy about it." ||
  250. [2016-04-20 21:14:01] <Saff|Kill> "I know. To be honest, I'm scared shitless." I peer over a bit, my heart racing when I remember the pizza box shoved under the couch. Hopefully Mason won't be doing an inspection. "But if this is what I have to do to protect the gang and show everyone they can trust me..." My hands are shaking so hard now. How on earth did I get myself into this mess.
  251. [2016-04-20 21:14:01] <Saff|Kill> "You're pretty okay. Thank you for being my right hand."||
  252. [2016-04-20 21:15:34] <Antioch|GM> ((Pause for today, take care of the staged fight tomorrow or Friday?))
  253. [2016-04-20 21:15:55] ⇐ Prothean quit (RichardButt@net-lumhum.ca.charter.com): Ping timeout: 181 seconds
  254. [2016-04-20 21:15:58] <Saff|Kill> ((aiight captain))
  255. [2016-04-20 21:16:12] <Antioch|GM> |||
  256. [2016-04-20 21:16:13] * Antioch|GM → Antioch
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  260. [2016-04-20 22:21:19] * Saff|Kill is now known as Saff
  261. [2016-04-20 22:26:49] * soulpelt| is now known as soulpelt|sleep
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  264. [2016-04-20 22:44:25] * CG|Enzyme is now known as ColdGold
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  272. [2016-04-20 23:51:06] * Empy is now known as Empzzz
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  275. [2016-04-21 01:11:44] * Thalia is now known as Thaliaway
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  280. [2016-04-21 02:51:38] * ChanServ set +q Antioch
  281. [2016-04-21 02:51:38] * ChanServ set +o Antioch
  282. [2016-04-21 02:51:42] * Channel mode is +nrt
  283. [2016-04-21 02:51:42] * Channel timestamp is 1444948904
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  296. [2016-04-21 11:25:54] * Antioch → Antioch|GM
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  303. [2016-04-21 13:17:14] * soulpelt|lunch is now known as soulpelt|
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  305. [2016-04-21 13:40:36] * Saff is now known as Saff|Kill
  306. [2016-04-21 13:41:16] <Antioch|GM> Around 2:30 or so, your phone buzzes with a text.
  307. [2016-04-21 13:42:01] <Antioch|GM> Bearing Mortal Lock's standing orders in mind, you dig it out in the event that your presence is needed for trouble brewing, but, rather, it's from Duck Queen.
  308. [2016-04-21 13:42:40] <Antioch|GM> "Hey Gwyn, this is Anna. I know you want a friend, but it's hard to hang out while you're all smokey. So I found a fix! Can you meet up today, despite the sun?"
  309. [2016-04-21 13:42:44] <Antioch|GM> What timing. ||
  310. [2016-04-21 13:46:24] <Saff|Kill> Oh FUCK. Aw shit. Dicks and tits. "No can do today. Have plans, I'm sorry." I send off the text and then delete all evidence of the conversation. I shouldn't trust the half assed tinker to make something to keep me from looking the way I do, but... It's what I've been searching for. And to top it all of I sold her out. Shit, I'm a horrible person. And
  311. [2016-04-21 13:46:24] <Saff|Kill> hopefully Mason didn't see anything. I'll need to talk to Mal at some point but. I'm being babysat until I can get my ass kicked. Fuck. ||
  312. [2016-04-21 13:46:24] → Dol|Gaming joined (Dolyn@net-9pf5lr.mo.charter.com)
  313. [2016-04-21 13:50:31] ← Dol|Gaming left (Dolyn@net-9pf5lr.mo.charter.com)
  314. [2016-04-21 13:52:26] <Antioch|GM> While you agonize over your response and await the reply, you find you need something to put your nervous energy towards, pacing fruitlessly about the kitchen. Mason's presence severely curtails your options, and you find yourself perversely wishing that you can get your ass kicked sooner, if only to escape the awkward atmosphere. ||
  315. [2016-04-21 13:55:42] <Saff|Kill> Maybe Mal has some liquor stored around here. A shot or two won't do much other than keeping me from peeling all my skin off. I can't even do my /normal/ stress relief because of Mason walking around. Seducing him too isn't an option. "Fuckin shit."||
  316. [2016-04-21 13:57:26] <Antioch|GM> You're digging around in the cabinets over the sink - standing on your tiptoes to do so - in search of hard liquor. Mal doesn't do anything to stop you, physically, but he does comment on it.
  317. [2016-04-21 13:57:26] <Antioch|GM> "Dunno you should be getting sloshed, so soon to the fight." He emphasizes 'fight' with airquotes.
  318. [2016-04-21 13:57:26] <Antioch|GM> "You're gonna get hurt, worse than it might go otherwise." ||
  319. [2016-04-21 13:57:38] <Antioch|GM> -||
  320. [2016-04-21 13:58:52] <Antioch|GM> ((Mm, nevermind. Carry on.)) ||
  321. [2016-04-21 14:02:43] <Saff|Kill> "I know you're right." I say, stopping to turn away from the cabinets. "I just feel like shit right now. I don't know what the right answers are, Mal." I stop for a moment, realizing I'm still wearing my mask, and carefully remove it and set it down on the counter. I drop my voice down low. "Especially with the pizza situation." Pizza. Yes. That's a great
  322. [2016-04-21 14:02:43] <Saff|Kill> code for Duck Queen.||
  323. [2016-04-21 14:02:58] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1
  324. [2016-04-21 14:02:58] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [1] +1 = 2
  325. [2016-04-21 14:03:18] <Antioch|GM> Malcolm tilts his head. "Pizza? We just had lunch."
  326. [2016-04-21 14:03:30] <Antioch|GM> Your phone buzzes again. Duck Queen's response.
  327. [2016-04-21 14:03:37] <Antioch|GM> Another distraction, more unpleasant feelings.
  328. [2016-04-21 14:03:50] <Antioch|GM> "Oh, too bad. Try to be safe, alright? Blackjack was in the news and seemed upset as a group. And good luck! :)" ||
  329. [2016-04-21 14:05:03] <Saff|Kill> Blackjack? In the news? "Hey, Mason! Turn on the TV quick." I shout from the kitchen, my heart racing. ||
  330. [2016-04-21 14:07:09] <Antioch|GM> He flips on the TV, goes through a few channels. Shitty cartoons, midday garbage cape drama Lifetime flick, pop culture news. News feature might've been a bit ago. Dammit. ||
  331. [2016-04-21 14:07:57] <Saff|Kill> "Have you heard anything from Lock yet?" I look to Mal and walk into the room with Mason, a deep frown on my face. "It's been too quiet."||
  332. [2016-04-21 14:08:27] <Antioch|GM> "Nah. He said he'd give us an hour or two warning, right?" ||
  333. [2016-04-21 14:10:43] <Saff|Kill> "I guess." I say with a sigh. "You know, I've been meaning to ask. What's the deal with the glove?" Now that I think about it, is Mason his given name, or is he another fucking tinker? ||
  334. [2016-04-21 14:12:10] <Antioch|GM> "Lock gave it to me. So I can operate one of these drones," he explains. He turns the case over, showing a small helicopter-esque device, roughly the size of a laptop. ||
  335. [2016-04-21 14:14:07] <Saff|Kill> "Drones? God, not more of those." I had enough of drones when I dealt with Player One. "What does it do, if I may ask?" I'm still feeling antsy. Sure it's only the afternoon but... it is getting close to sundown...||
  336. [2016-04-21 14:15:05] <Antioch|GM> "Figuring it out," he says. "Keeps an eye on things, probably. Can't imagine something this small having that much firepower."
  337. [2016-04-21 14:16:23] <Antioch|GM> The phone buzzes again. Mortal Lock, this time. "4:30, corner of Adelbert and Euclid, on the Case Western campus."
  338. [2016-04-21 14:16:23] <Antioch|GM> Mason's phone buzzes too, sitting on the coffee table. He probably received a duplicate. ||
  339. [2016-04-21 14:17:40] <Saff|Kill> "Well. Now at least I have a time." Hopefully they won't kick my ass too hard. Until then, I'm going to check the PHO forums and clean my gun, I guess.||
  340. [2016-04-21 14:22:16] <Antioch|GM> ((Investigate or Street Smarts, your pick))
  341. [2016-04-21 14:22:44] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6 street smarts
  342. [2016-04-21 14:22:44] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill "street smarts" [5] = 5
  343. [2016-04-21 14:25:48] <Antioch|GM> You're able to dig up the news clip regarding Blackjack from this morning, doing a measure of research on the forums.
  344. [2016-04-21 14:27:15] <Antioch|GM> It's linked as an annotation in one of ViceroyVector's speculation threads about Longinus.
  345. [2016-04-21 14:27:30] <Antioch|GM> You double-click on the video, watch as it loads - doesn't look especially long of a clip.
  346. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "... the upcoming Broadway musical, with a controversial decision to cast the rogue parahuman Canary in the role of Orpheus, debuting December 22nd."
  347. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> The news anchor pauses. "And I've just gotten word from Laura that we've got our team on-site in the Fairfax borough of Cleveland, at the site of what appears to be a very... strange explosion. Laura, to you."
  348. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> The video changes over to a Cleveland street, the epicenter of a massive, strangely smooth crater, as if someone had taken an ice-cream scoop to the ground and some of the adjacent buildings.
  349. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "No word from the PRT or police about this incident yet, but tune in around an hour from now, where our team at WVUC-8 will be there, providing coverage of the press conference."
  350. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "As you can see, it's almost absolutely certain that parahuman involvement caused this detonation in the heart of local gang Blackjack's territory." The camera zooms in, focusing on the interior of the crater, piping on the sides visible.
  351. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "What could have provoked this attack, who's responsible, and how will Blackjack retalia—"
  352. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> An aerial drone the size of a small dog swoops down from the sky, directly towards the camera, which shakes, bobbing up and down, as the cameraman flinches, stumbling back.
  353. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> It projects, after a few moments, a life-size hologram of Mortal Lock.
  354. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "I don't recall giving you permission to enter our territory," the hologram says drily.
  355. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> The reporter doesn't show any shock at the snub, but instead turns to the camera, continuing to speak.
  356. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "And here we have Mortal Lock, one of Blackjack's Tinkers. Good morning, Mortal Lock, you're on the air."
  357. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> He looks like he wants to deck the reporter, but instead begins explaining.
  358. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "Blackjack was attacked by a Tinker known as Longinus," he says without preamble, "and the explosion was a last-ditch attempt at spite when he fled through a portal set up in a truck, overloading the generator and detonating it. No civilians in the territory suffered casualties."
  359. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "We'll see how that lines up with what the PRT has to say later today," she says, more to the audience than the Tinker's projection, though the latter doesn't look concerned.
  360. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "And does Wink have anything to say about this? Any particular reason you're serving as his proxy, when it's the first time you've been in the public eye?"
  361. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> "He's a busy man," Lock replies, looking irritated. "Driving off some newscasters off of our turf is a waste of his time, and frankly, mine."
  362. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> The 'get out' is implied, but the reporter continues. "While you're on th—"
  363. [2016-04-21 14:30:03] <Antioch|GM> There's a brief flash of light, and an uncomfortable burst of static, and the interview concludes. ||
  364. [2016-04-21 14:33:32] <Saff|Kill> Honestly, today was really the only time I've talked to Mortal Lock, and now it seemed like he was all over. Was he the one that Wink appointed to take his place if he had bit it against Behemoth? I frown and go back to cleaning my gun, though I probably won't be using it. I need to appear like I'm fighting back, but I'm a crap shot. I could just very well
  365. [2016-04-21 14:33:32] <Saff|Kill> end up putting a bullet through one of the Jacks by accident. ||
  366. [2016-04-21 14:34:57] <Antioch|GM> It's slow going, cleaning the gun, and you end up needing to refer to online sites as you go through the process. It's been a month or so since you triggered, less since the first day you handled a gun. Even now, you don't trust yourself to aim properly.
  367. [2016-04-21 14:36:08] <Antioch|GM> It's likely for the best - your power is better suited for theatrics, tearing up the street and the air, leaving trails of smoke.
  368. [2016-04-21 14:36:08] <Antioch|GM> Shame, that they're making you fight while the sun is still out, but it is meant to be a show. ||
  369. [2016-04-21 14:39:35] <Saff|Kill> I stop for a moment and put my face in my hands. I still... I still don't know how I managed to get to this point. Maybe I should have gone to the PRT when I triggered, or at least when I got out of the hospital. Maybe that would have made things easier for me, but... I try to push back the incoming flood of thoughts, but it's not working well. My stomach
  370. [2016-04-21 14:39:35] <Saff|Kill> feels awful and I just can't wait until I can finally get out. I probably deserve this ass kicking.||
  371. [2016-04-21 14:41:37] <Antioch|GM> The laborious rate at which you clean your gun means that the aforementioned ass-kicking is nigh.
  372. [2016-04-21 14:41:37] <Antioch|GM> Mason stands up at 4:15, closing the briefcase but leaving the silvery glove on.
  373. [2016-04-21 14:41:37] <Antioch|GM> "Better head out now. Malcolm, we drop her off, circle around, meet up with Blackjack?"
  374. [2016-04-21 14:41:37] <Antioch|GM> "First aid after it's all over."
  375. [2016-04-21 14:41:37] <Antioch|GM> Mal nods, albeit while frowning. ||
  376. [2016-04-21 14:44:30] <Saff|Kill> "Try not to kick my ass too hard." I say with a forced smile, before tucking my gun into its holster. I walk between the two of them and lean in a little closer to Malcolm. "I'll try not to let myself get too bloodied up, okay?"||
  377. [2016-04-21 14:52:05] → Teruzi joined (uid43982@tooting.irccloud.com)
  378. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> He nods again, still silent, as the three of you get in his car.
  379. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> Once you're on the road, you start pulling your costume on, the stereo providing a backdrop to the silence in the car.
  380. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> With nothing better to do, you focus on the lyrics. A different singer from this morning, three women singing in harmony.
  381. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> "Aim for the heart, shoot to kill,
  382. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> If you don’t do it then the other one will -
  383. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> What're you gonna do when the chips are down?
  384. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> Now that the chips are down, now that the chips are down,
  385. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> And the first shall be first,
  386. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> And the last shall be last,
  387. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> Cast your eyes to heaven, you get a knife in the back..."
  388. [2016-04-21 14:54:18] <Antioch|GM> It doesn't leave you with much of a good feeling or mindset, as Malcolm and Mason drop you off in a more secluded spot on the university campus. ||
  389. [2016-04-21 14:57:49] <Saff|Kill> So, this is the other university in town. The one that didn't close after Auswahlen. My hands shake as I slink into an area with as much cover from the light as I can find. If this were a real fight, I'd be setting up rend traps and knocking down trees and doing everything and anything that I can to keep them from reaching me. But, this isn't a real fight
  390. [2016-04-21 14:57:49] <Saff|Kill> and I honestly don't know what to expect. So instead I wait, pulling my shadow armor over me.||
  391. [2016-04-21 15:01:05] <Antioch|GM> People who do catch sight of you as you walk to the more populated areas of campus run off, some pulling out their phones, either to call for help or to videorecord you from a distance.
  392. [2016-04-21 15:01:05] <Antioch|GM> Even with the impending fight, it's grating, being made to feel like a freak. ||
  393. [2016-04-21 15:03:44] <Saff|Kill> I'd like to scream. Scream and fight and rip their throats open. Rend their limbs until they're the real freaks. Break their bones and pull out their eyes and blame them for everything that happened to me. But, I won't. It won't solve anything. Instead I look down at my phone, hoping that maybe I'd see something from Lock. ||
  394. [2016-04-21 15:05:56] <Antioch|GM> The phone buzzes. Lock.
  395. [2016-04-21 15:05:56] <Antioch|GM> "Make a scene, give as an excuse to step in."
  396. [2016-04-21 15:05:56] <Antioch|GM> A second text, almost immediately afterwards.
  397. [2016-04-21 15:05:56] <Antioch|GM> "Don't kill anyone." ||
  398. [2016-04-21 15:10:18] <Saff|Kill> "hurr hurr, so funny." I say with a frown, trying to think of something to do. Taking hostages... No. That'll only get the PRT involved. Property damage? It's petty, but could work. Honestly, everything I think of leans more towards comic book villain than something that actually works in the real world. My power is really only useful for slaughter. I step
  399. [2016-04-21 15:10:18] <Saff|Kill> out of the shadows, claws bared as I glare at any passersbys. "Nobody move!"||
  400. [2016-04-21 15:12:41] <Antioch|GM> The streets are largely empty, people scattering as you approach, but the assholes hiding behind cars and streetlights with their phones out freeze in their tracks. A few of the idiots bolt for it. ||
  401. [2016-04-21 15:14:13] <Saff|Kill> "I said, don't MOVE." I scream, bolting forward to chase down one of the stragglers. I won't actually hurt him, well. I won't kill him. He might end up a little bloody, as I reach for him, but I don't want him dead. "Don't you know who I am? It would be wise to listen to me, Jackass."||
  402. [2016-04-21 15:14:34] <Antioch|GM> ((Ath check))
  403. [2016-04-21 15:14:40] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6 Running asshole
  404. [2016-04-21 15:14:40] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Running asshole" [5] = 5
  405. [2016-04-21 15:15:04] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6
  406. [2016-04-21 15:15:04] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [3] = 3
  407. [2016-04-21 15:15:10] <Saff|Kill> ((fuckin hell))
  408. [2016-04-21 15:16:29] <Antioch|GM> You lunge for the closest one, but he's faster than you'd expect, sprinting off into the distance. His phone slips out of his hand, cracking on the pavement. He doesn't look back. ||
  409. [2016-04-21 15:19:39] <Saff|Kill> "What a fuckhead. Now, does anyone else want to leave?" I look around, a horrid scowl plastered on my face. I don't want to keep this up... I need the boys to come... "Because I said, Don't. Move."||
  410. [2016-04-21 15:21:29] → Dol|Gaming joined (Dolyn@net-9pf5lr.mo.charter.com)
  411. [2016-04-21 15:21:30] <Antioch|GM> One of the nearer passerby manages to stammer something out, wide-eyed in terror.
  412. [2016-04-21 15:21:30] <Antioch|GM> "Wh-what do you want?" ||
  413. [2016-04-21 15:25:42] <Saff|Kill> "What do I want? Jesus Christ. You're really asking me that? You're risking pissing me off? I haven't even done anything to you yet." Why did they have to ask that. Because I don't know what I want. I want Lock and his crew to come here and kick my ass so they don't think I'm trying to betray them, that's what I want. "Do you REALLY want to piss me off?"||
  414. [2016-04-21 15:25:54] → Megafire joined (Megafire@net-56lide.dynamic.ziggo.nl)
  415. [2016-04-21 15:31:35] <Antioch|GM> They can't formulate a good response to your crazed ranting, so they shut their mouth and try not to cry.
  416. [2016-04-21 15:32:14] <Antioch|GM> Your phone buzzes again.
  417. [2016-04-21 15:32:14] <Antioch|GM> "You can trash it," it says without context. "The small drones are expendable."
  418. [2016-04-21 15:33:17] <Antioch|GM> A small drone swoops down from the sky, smaller than the one from the news report, and it projects Mortal Lock.
  419. [2016-04-21 15:33:17] <Antioch|GM> "We deal on this turf, Killhand," he says. "Effective now, these guys are under our protection." ||
  420. [2016-04-21 15:35:14] <Saff|Kill> "Oh for fuck's sake." I snap, pulling my gun to attempt to shoot the drone out of the air. "Mortal Lock, you don't want to fight me."||
  421. [2016-04-21 15:35:35] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Dodge
  422. [2016-04-21 15:35:35] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Dodge" [5] +1 = 6
  423. [2016-04-21 15:35:56] <Antioch|GM> ((Feel free to roll when you think you should roll, tagging it appropriately. You know how it goes.))
  424. [2016-04-21 15:36:25] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6-1 shooty shoot
  425. [2016-04-21 15:36:25] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill "shooty shoot" [1] -1 = 0
  426. [2016-04-21 15:38:56] <Antioch|GM> The projection of Lock just kind of hovers oddly through the sky, as the drone banks to the side to avoid the gunshot.
  427. [2016-04-21 15:38:56] <Antioch|GM> "On the contrary," he says. "You're a nuisance, Killhand. You're unpredictable, a psychopath, a pain in our ass, and you need to be put down." ||
  428. [2016-04-21 15:40:11] * soulpelt| is now known as soulpelt|nap
  429. [2016-04-21 15:42:14] <Saff|Kill> "Whoa whoa whoa. Psychopath? I'll agree to a few of those, but Psychopath? I've only killed one person. How much blood is on your hands, Lock?" I laugh, stepping forward to close the space between myself and the drone. "Protecting these people my ass. You sell them all sorts of shit, get them hooked on whatever poison you're peddling." Oh god oh god I hope
  430. [2016-04-21 15:42:14] <Saff|Kill> he knows I'm just playing up the drama.||
  431. [2016-04-21 15:43:06] → JustLurking joined (JustLurking@net-d2vdf5.mn.comcast.net)
  432. [2016-04-21 15:43:59] <Antioch|GM> "A little Adderall never hurt anyone," the projection replies, chuckling. "Hell, a lot of people who go here are nursing, law students - they'd hold a riot if we stopped doing business."
  433. [2016-04-21 15:44:59] <Antioch|GM> "Besides, I think they'd prefer to fool around with some illegal substances over getting mauled by a crazy like you."
  434. [2016-04-21 15:45:08] <Antioch|GM> ||
  435. [2016-04-21 15:46:47] <Saff|Kill> "That makes me feel really good. Yeah, most of the future medical professionals in this town are cracked out on your Junk." I take a swipe at the drone with my claws, my heart racing even though I was given permission to demolish it.
  436. [2016-04-21 15:47:23] <Saff|Kill> "And I'm not crazy."||
  437. [2016-04-21 15:47:40] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Dodge
  438. [2016-04-21 15:47:40] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Dodge" [2] +1 = 3
  439. [2016-04-21 15:47:50] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6
  440. [2016-04-21 15:47:50] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [5] = 5
  441. [2016-04-21 15:49:12] <Antioch|GM> You take a running jump, leaping up at the drone with claws out. It's low to the ground to sufficiently project Lock, and even as it tries to ascend it still falls under your reach. You drag your shadows through the device, and it offers no resistance - fragments of twisted, warped metal fall to the ground.
  442. [2016-04-21 15:50:31] <Antioch|GM> As the remains of the drone sputter beneath the gash in the air, you hear the creaking of metal a good distance behind you. ||
  443. [2016-04-21 15:51:55] <Saff|Kill> "Fuck." I mumble, turning around to try to see where the source of the noise is. "Mortal Lock, Come out. I know you're hiding somewhere. Stop trying to play hero like you care about all these people."||
  444. [2016-04-21 15:54:00] <Antioch|GM> You turn around, finding that the source of the sound is Gutshot hefting a hatchback overhead, winding up to hurl it at you.
  445. [2016-04-21 15:54:00] <Antioch|GM> Geez, they're not pulling their punches. ||
  446. [2016-04-21 15:55:45] <Saff|Kill> "Fuck." This time I don't mumble it, but scream it as I start running in away from Guts. Fuck, fuck fuck. They better not kill me. Not today, Satan.||
  447. [2016-04-21 15:56:13] <Antioch|GM> ((Know roll))
  448. [2016-04-21 15:56:26] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6
  449. [2016-04-21 15:56:26] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [4] = 4
  450. [2016-04-21 15:57:39] <Antioch|GM> As the initial panic fades, you can see him exaggerating, telegraphing. There's no way a projectile that big could possibly harm you, not when you could interpose a spatial tear between you and him.
  451. [2016-04-21 15:57:39] <Antioch|GM> The car soars overhead, students taking the opportunity to scatter. ||
  452. [2016-04-21 15:58:58] <Saff|Kill> I leave a tear behind me, pulling it over my head with a swoop before continuing to run. Doubledown is probably somewhere close, so I should stay vigilant. ||
  453. [2016-04-21 16:03:02] <Antioch|GM> As you dash, you look behind, seeing the car get shorn in half, metal screaming and messily torn. No idea where Lock himself is, nor Doubledown.
  454. [2016-04-21 16:03:28] <Antioch|GM> "Just gonna run?" Gutshot calls out. It's meant to be taunting, but he sounds more like a playground bully than a supervillain. ||
  455. [2016-04-21 16:06:05] <Saff|Kill> "Would you rather I gut you right here on the pavement?" I call back, my mouth curled in a snarl. "I didn't come here to mess around, Gutshot." No, I came here to prove my loyalty to you and the rest of BlackJack.||
  456. [2016-04-21 16:10:02] <Antioch|GM> "You can try it," he retorts. Poor guy should work on some better comebacks. He grabs another car, hoisting it overhead - there are three more parked next to him. ||
  457. [2016-04-21 16:14:37] <Saff|Kill> Come on, that's enough of the cars, Guts. "Is that a challenge? Because I'll fucking MAIM you." I plant my feet firmly on the ground and frown, ready to make another ribbon of tears if needed. ||
  458. [2016-04-21 16:16:11] <Antioch|GM> ((Attack roll))
  459. [2016-04-21 16:16:22] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6-1 Beep beep
  460. [2016-04-21 16:16:22] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Beep beep" [3] (1) -1 = 2
  461. [2016-04-21 16:19:19] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6
  462. [2016-04-21 16:19:19] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [2] = 2
  463. [2016-04-21 16:19:26] <Saff|Kill> ((NO NO NO NO))
  464. [2016-04-21 16:20:10] <Antioch|GM> The car is too close for comfort, and you frantically slash at the air in front of you, cowering behind your impromptu cover.
  465. [2016-04-21 16:20:39] <Antioch|GM> The scream of metal is far louder this time, but after you open your eyes, you find yourself unscathed.
  466. [2016-04-21 16:21:32] <Antioch|GM> "If you're not even gonna fight back," the Striker says, "I'm just gonna keep throwing cars."
  467. [2016-04-21 16:21:32] <Antioch|GM> He leans over, grabbing another one by its undercarriage. ||
  468. [2016-04-21 16:23:21] <Saff|Kill> My heart is racing, the adrenaline pumping through my veins feeling more like poison than a help. I'm going to run over to Gutshot, get in his face before he can chuck another car at me. Go for his legs or for the ground under him, keep him from moving. Oh god though what if I really hurt him?||
  469. [2016-04-21 16:24:28] <Antioch|GM> ((Ath roll))
  470. [2016-04-21 16:24:37] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6
  471. [2016-04-21 16:24:37] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [3] = 3
  472. [2016-04-21 16:24:47] <Antioch|GM> ((Atk roll))
  473. [2016-04-21 16:24:53] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6
  474. [2016-04-21 16:24:53] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [1] = 1
  475. [2016-04-21 16:24:59] <Saff|Kill> ((WHY CAN'T I ROLL TONIGHT ))
  476. [2016-04-21 16:27:55] <Antioch|GM> You sprint over to Gutshot, hoping to bowl him over before he's able to hurl or swing the vehicle at you. Too slow.
  477. [2016-04-21 16:27:55] <Antioch|GM> He brings the car overhead, and you flinch reflexively, clawing above you, and the car crashes down on you.
  478. [2016-04-21 16:27:55] <Antioch|GM> You find yourself standing through the car, in a hole in the floorboard torn by your flailing - not perfectly. A scrap of jagged metal caught your arm on the car's way down, leaving a nasty, bleeding cut, tearing through your costume. ||
  479. [2016-04-21 16:31:03] <Saff|Kill> Fuck, that HURT. Holy shit, holy shit I should be dead right now. Is there any way I can get out of the car without hitting the rend hole? "Fuck you, Gutshot." ||
  480. [2016-04-21 16:31:38] <Antioch|GM> Either of the rear doors are available, or you could tear your way out. It's uncertain whether he heard your expletive. ||
  481. [2016-04-21 16:33:04] <Saff|Kill> I reach my arms out, tearing through the side of the door to get back to Gutshot before he can throw another car at me. ||
  482. [2016-04-21 16:34:35] ⇐ Cxaxakluth quit (uid126610@brockwell.irccloud.com): Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
  483. [2016-04-21 16:35:11] <Antioch|GM> You claw through the chassis of the car and it shears like butter, damaged safety glass littering the ground. Gutshot, on the other side, backs away.
  484. [2016-04-21 16:36:31] <Antioch|GM> "I really doubt you can take us," Mortal Lock says. This time, he's in the flesh, ensconced in heavy power armor. He sheds some weight as two drones detach themselves from his upper arms, darting at you.
  485. [2016-04-21 16:36:49] → Baker joined (Baker@net-gqb23k.as13285.net)
  486. [2016-04-21 16:37:02] <Antioch|GM> When they approach, they spit out a handful of darts.
  487. [2016-04-21 16:37:03] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2d6
  488. [2016-04-21 16:37:03] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [1] [1] = 2
  489. [2016-04-21 16:37:22] <Antioch|GM> They impact the car behind you, and you can hear a faint crackle of electricity. ||
  490. [2016-04-21 16:40:20] <Saff|Kill> "Not you again." I roll my eyes and slam myself onto the ground, trying to avoid the rain of fire. I slash at the air between me and Lock, trying my hardest to not throw up. "I don't need to take you. I just need to hurt you enough." ||
  491. [2016-04-21 16:42:11] <Antioch|GM> "Can't hurt what you can't touch," he says, leveling his right arm at you. The barrel of some cannon is mounted on the forearm, and it glows yellowish-green.
  492. [2016-04-21 16:42:24] <Antioch|GM> "I wonder, can those tears you leave block this?" ||
  493. [2016-04-21 16:44:32] <Saff|Kill> "Well Uh. Maybe but. Look, I don't really want to test that right now, Lock." I swallow hard, my hands shaking. I want to hurt him. I want to reach out and tear him to bits and then run home and cry. But they're /supposed/ to beat me. They're supposed to win. I just don't want to end up dead in the process. Hitting the power armor will probably make him mad.
  494. [2016-04-21 16:44:32] <Saff|Kill> I wasn't given a go ahead to destroy that. Instead I leave more tears in the way and run. ||
  495. [2016-04-21 16:45:25] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Bzzt.
  496. [2016-04-21 16:45:25] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Bzzt." [5] +1 = 6
  497. [2016-04-21 16:45:30] <Antioch|GM> ((Dodge))
  498. [2016-04-21 16:45:42] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6
  499. [2016-04-21 16:45:42] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [4] = 4
  500. [2016-04-21 16:45:48] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d4
  501. [2016-04-21 16:45:48] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [1] = 1
  502. [2016-04-21 16:47:21] <Antioch|GM> The light envelops you, leaving you on the ground, muscles twitching. You imagine it's what being tazed is like, but in the back of your mind, you're well aware that Lock wouldn't build something that weak. He's softballing you, and you're still lying on the pavement, convulsing. ||
  503. [2016-04-21 16:48:54] <Saff|Kill> "Lock, please. Don't." My mouth feels dry. The combination of light and whatever Lock is packing makes me feel like I'm going to vomit. "Please, I don't want to do this. I'll leave. I surrender. Please...."||
  504. [2016-04-21 16:49:25] <Antioch|GM> "Oh? Surrender? So quickly?"
  505. [2016-04-21 16:49:33] <Antioch|GM> "I'm... disappointed."
  506. [2016-04-21 16:50:10] <Antioch|GM> "I'd thought, maybe, if you impressed me, we could take you. Give you the guidance you've been so sorely lacking."
  507. [2016-04-21 16:50:46] <Antioch|GM> "A firm hand, a direction that isn't senseless killing."
  508. [2016-04-21 16:51:34] <Antioch|GM> "I wouldn't mind researching your powers in more depth, either - the spatial rifts? Something that might be able to hunt down Longinus."
  509. [2016-04-21 16:51:43] <Antioch|GM> As he speaks, the two drones fly closer to you. ||
  510. [2016-04-21 16:53:19] <Saff|Kill> I've only killed one person. Come on. I think as I try to push myself up to a sit on the pavement. "I Don't want to die for a stupid stunt, Lock. I won't keep fighting if... If I'm not going to win." I cough a few times, still sore from whatever he shot at me. "If you sp--spare me. I'll help you hunt him down." ||
  511. [2016-04-21 16:53:29] → Stoic joined (Stoic@net-n3k0uk.nj.comcast.net)
  512. [2016-04-21 16:54:35] ⇐ Stoic quit (Stoic@net-n3k0uk.nj.comcast.net): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  513. [2016-04-21 16:54:39] <Antioch|GM> The two drones sweep over you with light, orbiting you slightly. Scanning you, no doubt.
  514. [2016-04-21 16:55:06] <Antioch|GM> "You take one shot from me, you're on the floor groveling?'
  515. [2016-04-21 16:55:19] <Antioch|GM> "Doesn't sell the idea you'd be a worthwhile subordinate." ||
  516. [2016-04-21 16:56:27] <Saff|Kill> Lock, you ass. "Hit me again, then." I spit, avoiding eye contact. I'm supposed to lose this fight, but this is taking it far. This is petty. "I can take it. Kinky bastard."||
  517. [2016-04-21 16:59:29] <Antioch|GM> "It's not about pain tolerance, you idiot. It's about how you handle yourself in a fight. You Strikers are all the same," he spits, and Gutshot turns to him, looking offended. "Unadaptive, linear, no imagination. You cut things with your claws and you cower behind your distortions."
  518. [2016-04-21 16:59:47] <Antioch|GM> ||
  519. [2016-04-21 17:00:11] → lope joined (lope@net-n8c4rp.res.rr.com)
  520. [2016-04-21 17:02:24] <Saff|Kill> "Not everyone can hide behind mountains of metal, Mortal Lock." I say, finally looking up to meet his eyes. "I could say you tinkers are all the same. Hiding in your workshops and looking down at everyone else. You only take interest in others of your kind. Most people in this town had never seen you, not until Longinus showed his face." I try to stand up
  521. [2016-04-21 17:02:24] <Saff|Kill> now, letting Lock know that I'm not backing down. "I could tear through your armor like butter and then you'd be weak and defenseless, like a snail without a shell."||
  522. [2016-04-21 17:02:58] <Antioch|GM> "That's better," he says, actually sounding pleased. "Try it." ||
  523. [2016-04-21 17:05:40] <Saff|Kill> Is that an invitation to rip up his power armor? I raise an eyebrow, because I know how expensive and hard to produce that shit is. "I could kill you, Lock. And you're inviting me to try?" I push forward, hoping that the blast of light didn't weaken me at all, and lunge for Lock's legs, claws out. ||
  524. [2016-04-21 17:06:49] <Antioch|GM> Your time spent on the ground has given you a chance to regain your bearings, muscles no longer twinging like a bad charlie horse.
  525. [2016-04-21 17:07:02] <Antioch|GM> ((Ath, atk))
  526. [2016-04-21 17:07:51] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6 ath
  527. [2016-04-21 17:07:51] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill "ath" [1] = 1
  528. [2016-04-21 17:07:59] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6 attack
  529. [2016-04-21 17:07:59] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill "attack" [3] = 3
  530. [2016-04-21 17:09:36] <Antioch|GM> You stumble over weakly towards Lock, building up speed, but he sidesteps you as you lunge, and you can't even maintain your balance as you skid palms-first into the pavement.
  531. [2016-04-21 17:10:17] <Antioch|GM> "Mmm. Run at the person and hit them with your dangerous claws. You're a visionary. Combat will never be the same." ||
  532. [2016-04-21 17:11:03] * Empzzz is now known as Empy
  533. [2016-04-21 17:14:26] <Saff|Kill> "Fuck you, Lock." I spit, pulling myself back up. "I'm not exactly a tactical genius. I was a fucking environmental science major." I look him in the eye again, trying not to focus on the pain--oh fuck. Mal is going to be pissed--and frown. "That's why I need you to teach me."||
  534. [2016-04-21 17:16:53] <Antioch|GM> ((Soc))
  535. [2016-04-21 17:17:00] <Saff|Kill> $roll 1d6
  536. [2016-04-21 17:17:00] <[ATM]> Saff|Kill [2] = 2
  537. [2016-04-21 17:17:05] <Saff|Kill> ((FUCK))
  538. [2016-04-21 17:17:06] <Antioch|GM> "Not sure that I'm seeing the potential, here. I've half a mind to leave you for the PRT. They should be here, soon -- you did make quite a scene, after all. ||
  539. [2016-04-21 17:18:35] <Saff|Kill> "Mortal Lock, you are pissing me the fuck off." I go charging at him again, this time aiming for his neck and torso. "Take away that armor and you're nothing but a brat with a machine fetish."||
  540. [2016-04-21 17:19:14] * Saff|Kill is now known as Saff|Hand
  541. [2016-04-21 17:19:26] → Lid joined (Lid@net-0njhuo.fios.verizon.net)
  542. [2016-04-21 17:20:37] <Antioch|GM> You're interrupted by the sound of flesh impacting the ground, hard.
  543. [2016-04-21 17:20:44] <Antioch|GM> The crackle of bone is audible.
  544. [2016-04-21 17:21:41] <Antioch|GM> You turn to see a body, crumpled in the street barely five feet from you, legs twisted and shattered at odd angles.
  545. [2016-04-21 17:22:01] <Antioch|GM> It drags itself upright, grinning widely through a mouth of broken teeth.
  546. [2016-04-21 17:22:35] <Antioch|GM> "Soon?" Feral smiles. "Darling, we're already here."
  547. [2016-04-21 17:22:39] <Antioch|GM> ||PAUSE||
  548. [2016-04-21 17:22:46] * Antioch|GM → Antioch
  549. [2016-04-21 17:22:51] * Saff|Hand is now known as Saff
  550. [2016-04-21 17:41:19] → Firlz joined (Firlz@net-t8c.vq8.12.24.IP)
  551. [2016-04-21 17:54:59] * Saff is now known as sAFfK
  552. [2016-04-21 17:58:45] * Dol|Gaming is now known as Dol|AFK
  553. [2016-04-21 18:03:10] * soulpelt|nap is now known as soulpelt|
  554. [2016-04-21 18:10:26] * Lid is now known as AFKLid
  555. [2016-04-21 18:16:57] * sAFfK is now known as Saff
  556. [2016-04-21 18:23:02] ⇐ lope quit (lope@net-n8c4rp.res.rr.com): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  557. [2016-04-21 18:23:24] → lope joined (lope@net-n8c4rp.res.rr.com)
  558. [2016-04-21 18:25:16] → Zaits joined (kvirc@net-41f.e4e.21.213.IP)
  559. [2016-04-21 18:26:00] → Camtist joined (uid157531@charlton.irccloud.com)
  560. [2016-04-21 18:35:14] ⇐ Belaris quit (uid83463@charlton.irccloud.com): Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
  561. [2016-04-21 18:48:42] ⇐ Baker quit (Baker@net-gqb23k.as13285.net): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  562. [2016-04-21 18:59:45] ⇐ ThalAI quit (ThalAI@net-stg.hv9.246.50.IP): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  563. [2016-04-21 19:01:59] ⇐ Megafire quit (Megafire@net-56lide.dynamic.ziggo.nl): Ping timeout: 181 seconds
  564. [2016-04-21 19:05:51] → Baker joined (Baker@net-gqb23k.as13285.net)
  565. [2016-04-21 19:19:23] ⇐ Zaits quit (kvirc@net-41f.e4e.21.213.IP): Quit: KVIrc 4.2.0 Equilibrium http://www.kvirc.net/
  566. [2016-04-21 19:27:46] ⇐ Baker quit (Baker@net-gqb23k.as13285.net): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  567. [2016-04-21 19:37:43] * Thaliaway is now known as Thalia
  568. [2016-04-21 19:38:35] * AFKLid is now known as Ilidirim
  569. [2016-04-21 19:50:20] → Belaris joined (uid83463@charlton.irccloud.com)
  570. [2016-04-21 19:50:24] → Baker joined (Baker@net-gqb23k.as13285.net)
  571. [2016-04-21 19:50:38] ⇐ Teruzi quit (uid43982@tooting.irccloud.com): Quit:
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  573. [2016-04-21 20:11:17] * Dol|AFK is now known as Dolyn
  574. [2016-04-21 20:28:18] → SOMA joined (uid136321@highgate.irccloud.com)
  575. [2016-04-21 20:28:44] ⇐ JustLurking quit (JustLurking@net-d2vdf5.mn.comcast.net): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  576. [2016-04-21 20:29:09] ⇐ lope quit (lope@net-n8c4rp.res.rr.com): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  577. [2016-04-21 20:37:35] → JustLurking joined (JustLurking@net-d2vdf5.mn.comcast.net)
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  579. [2016-04-21 21:09:33] ⇐ Firlz quit (Firlz@net-t8c.vq8.12.24.IP): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  580. [2016-04-21 21:10:09] → Firlz joined (Firlz@net-t8c.vq8.12.24.IP)
  581. [2016-04-21 21:10:22] * soulpelt| is now known as soulpelt|CR
  582. [2016-04-21 21:51:12] * Saff is now known as Saff|kill
  583. [2016-04-21 21:51:21] * Dolyn is now known as Dol|Gaming
  584. [2016-04-21 21:51:42] <Antioch> ||UNPAUSE||
  585. [2016-04-21 21:51:47] <Antioch> ((Your move, Saff.))
  586. [2016-04-21 21:54:55] <Saff|kill> "That is FUCKED. UP." I shout, taking a few steps backward with my eyes wide. Feral. She's the one that just keeps coming back. Hopefully she can survive rends, because I really don't want to kill a member of the Protectorate. That would... really not win me points. If I can avoid getting foamed and brought in... Though, there's something bothering me.
  587. [2016-04-21 21:54:55] <Saff|kill> There's a nagging thought in the back of my head. It feels like Lock... Lock was trying to stall. This whole thing was staged. He should have just brought me in. But instead he had me on the ground groveling to him. Why.... Did he bring in the Protectorate? Was he so gung ho about making everyone think I was a traitor... because he was really the one they
  588. [2016-04-21 21:54:55] <Saff|kill> were looking for? I'm probably just being crazy but... I can't get the thought out of my head. "I don't want to fight, Feral. This is between me and him. I haven't hurt anyone."||
  589. [2016-04-21 21:54:57] * Antioch → Antioch|GM
  590. [2016-04-21 22:02:56] → JustLurking joined (JustLurking@net-d2vdf5.mn.comcast.net)
  591. [2016-04-21 22:05:14] ⇐ Belaris quit (uid83463@charlton.irccloud.com): Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
  592. [2016-04-21 22:05:21] <Antioch|GM> "Shit," Lock hisses under his breath, "fuck! How did you get past my surveillance?"
  593. [2016-04-21 22:05:21] <Antioch|GM> His cussing doesn't seem staged, at the very least.
  594. [2016-04-21 22:05:21] <Antioch|GM> "Valiant flew me in with one of his ghosts, hon, decided to do a little impromptu skydiving," Feral explains, picking herself up.
  595. [2016-04-21 22:05:21] <Antioch|GM> She grows new teeth in to replace the shattered ones, bits and pieces clattering to the ground, while her legs straighten themselves. She stands upright, good as new, save that the lower portion of her costume is mangled where bad fractures caused the bone to protrude. Rust red and black color scheme - almost villainous, in aesthetic, but necessary, to hide
  596. [2016-04-21 22:05:21] <Antioch|GM> the bloodstains.
  597. [2016-04-21 22:09:15] <Antioch|GM> "Killhand," Lock hisses, "if you want in, I'm willing to give you the chance now. She has backup, and we need to make ourselves scarce."
  598. [2016-04-21 22:09:59] <Antioch|GM> He levels the armament at Feral, yellow-green light dancing and crackling, a charge built over the course of the conversation washing over her body.
  599. [2016-04-21 22:10:06] <Antioch|GM> She doesn't make any attempt to dodge.
  600. [2016-04-21 22:11:04] <Antioch|GM> "Are you fuckin' joking, son? I just fell twenty stories from the air, and you think that's gonna faze me?" ||
  601. [2016-04-21 22:13:05] <Saff|kill> "I'm in. I really don't want to be taken in. We slow her down, we get out." I peer over to Feral, and my stomach drops again. She just... keeps getting back up. "I'm going to make a few rend fields. Keep her down while I do it, and don't fall in them." I say before slashing the air in front of us.||
  602. [2016-04-21 22:14:27] → revenant joined (revenant@net-a9o.0bi.253.125.IP)
  603. [2016-04-21 22:23:18] <Antioch|GM> The distance between you and her now blocked by spatial distortions, she doesn't even bother sidestepping, lunging through the tears like there's nothing blocking her.
  604. [2016-04-21 22:23:18] <Antioch|GM> It gouges and tears at her flesh, mangling her face, tearing off one arm, and she persists, using the remainder of her body to tackle you.
  605. [2016-04-21 22:23:41] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+1 Feral
  606. [2016-04-21 22:23:41] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Feral" [5] (2) +1 = 6
  607. [2016-04-21 22:23:45] <Antioch|GM> ((Dodge or withstand))
  608. [2016-04-21 22:24:17] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6 Withstand this bitch
  609. [2016-04-21 22:24:17] <[ATM]> Saff|kill "Withstand this bitch" [5] = 5
  610. [2016-04-21 22:25:11] <Saff|kill> ((Wait does withstand roll off of guts? If so I think I have a plus one there))
  611. [2016-04-21 22:25:25] <Antioch|GM> ((Ye, does))
  612. [2016-04-21 22:30:24] <Antioch|GM> The relentless superhero plows into your body, one arm already reaching behind you, pinning your left arm to your torso, while you get to witness the unpleasant visuals of Feral's trademark rapid regeneration, a small, fleshy arm bursting from her damaged shoulder, rapidly swelling back to its usual size.
  613. [2016-04-21 22:31:10] <Antioch|GM> Neither of you are on the ground, but you're locked in a pretty vicious grapple, one arm unable to move.
  614. [2016-04-21 22:31:49] <Antioch|GM> One of Lock's drones swoops down on her as she clings to you, clamping onto her back like a flying, mechanical spider, but otherwise seems to do nothing. ||
  615. [2016-04-21 22:33:53] <Saff|kill> "I Said I didn't want to fight, you stupid, miserable /cunt/." I shout, pushing against her to try to get her on the ground. "I really don't want to tear you to pieces, mainly because you're grossing me the fuck out. But I will if I have to." This whole thing is so fucked up. And if I get brought in... This isn't a phone call that I want to make to Mal. ||
  616. [2016-04-21 22:35:18] <Antioch|GM> ((Brawn roll))
  617. [2016-04-21 22:36:03] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6
  618. [2016-04-21 22:36:03] <[ATM]> Saff|kill [2] = 2
  619. [2016-04-21 22:36:30] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6-1 Feral, Brawn
  620. [2016-04-21 22:36:30] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Feral, Brawn" [2] -1 = 1
  621. [2016-04-21 22:39:02] <Antioch|GM> As much of a fucking monster Feral is, she's a fucking monster trapped in the body of an emaciated, seventeen-year-old girl. You're able to break out of her grip, sending her staggering back.
  622. [2016-04-21 22:39:02] <Antioch|GM> "You can't stop me, missy, nor are you capable of dishin' out anything that can hurt me. Give up now, 'fore my teammates get here."
  623. [2016-04-21 22:39:29] <Antioch|GM> She jumps back, intentionally backing into your tear, mangling the impromptu backpack that's Mortal Lock's drone.
  624. [2016-04-21 22:40:23] <Antioch|GM> "For the record, kiddo, whatever you were tryin'a drill into my spine got spat out by my power. Wouldn'ta worked."
  625. [2016-04-21 22:40:23] <Antioch|GM> She flashes him a wide smile. "Just wanted t'break your fancy toy." ||
  626. [2016-04-21 22:42:56] <Saff|kill> "Can I maim her, Lock? At least maybe enough to shut her up for a bit? What do we do? We can't get brought in. If the--Your boss gets ahold of this we're all going to be dead, yeah?" Fuck, fuck fuck. Feral isn't hard to beat down but she just... comes back up. I don't know who else she's brought with her, but I sure as hell don't want to fight them. I aim my
  627. [2016-04-21 22:42:56] <Saff|kill> next swipes at her neck and chest, if I take out her vocal chords it'll keep her quiet for a moment.||
  628. [2016-04-21 22:44:18] <Antioch|GM> ((Attack roll))
  629. [2016-04-21 22:44:30] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6
  630. [2016-04-21 22:44:30] <[ATM]> Saff|kill [3] = 3
  631. [2016-04-21 22:44:53] ⇐ revenant quit (revenant@net-a9o.0bi.253.125.IP): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  632. [2016-04-21 22:46:07] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+1
  633. [2016-04-21 22:46:07] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [2] (2) +1 = 3
  634. [2016-04-21 22:46:41] ⇐ JustLurking quit (JustLurking@net-d2vdf5.mn.comcast.net): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  635. [2016-04-21 22:47:16] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+1
  636. [2016-04-21 22:47:16] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [5] (1) +1 = 6
  637. [2016-04-21 22:49:34] <Antioch|GM> You're unsurprised when your next chain of attacks effectively decapitates Feral, but what takes you off guard is how it doesn't mitigate her assault whatsoever. Even as your claws gouge her throat, her own hands strike you in the larynx, sending you coughing, and she wraps her hands around you, going in for the throttle.
  638. [2016-04-21 22:49:56] <Antioch|GM> Mortal Lock seems low on options, choosing instead to swear violently again, shouting "Gutshot! Do something!"
  639. [2016-04-21 22:50:22] <Antioch|GM> His drones spread out, encircling the area, on guard for whatever reinforcements will arrive. ||
  640. [2016-04-21 22:52:06] <Saff|kill> This bitch. "Stop..." I say, but cough a few more times. I didn't even do anything, really. Telling a bunch of people to stop does not a villain make. My next set of blows go for her torso, maybe if I can pull out her heart it'll slow her down? ||
  641. [2016-04-21 22:53:39] <Antioch|GM> ((Attack roll))
  642. [2016-04-21 22:53:41] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6 Slashy fiction
  643. [2016-04-21 22:53:41] <[ATM]> Saff|kill "Slashy fiction" [2] = 2
  644. [2016-04-21 22:54:10] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6-1 Throttle
  645. [2016-04-21 22:54:10] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Throttle" [4] -1 = 3
  646. [2016-04-21 22:54:34] <Antioch|GM> Despite the fact that you drive your arm through her fucking heart, this bitch just will not quit.
  647. [2016-04-21 22:55:32] <Antioch|GM> You choke and sputter, unable to get air - and worse, she's savvy enough to be applying pressure to the veins on the side of the neck. You can see your vision going grey at the edges, and you can't tell what your teammates - well, "teammates", perhaps - are doing. ||
  648. [2016-04-21 22:57:27] <Saff|kill> Talking is useless. Feral's a good guy though. She won't... Kill me. I don't have to worry about dying at her hands. But, god I feel sick and my arm still hurts from Guts throwing a fucking car at me and god, this bitch won't quit. "Help..." I try to choke out, clawing at the arms attacking me in one last-ditch attempt.||
  649. [2016-04-21 23:00:40] <Antioch|GM> ((Attack roll))
  650. [2016-04-21 23:00:52] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6
  651. [2016-04-21 23:00:52] <[ATM]> Saff|kill [4] = 4
  652. [2016-04-21 23:02:37] <Antioch|GM> A swipe of your hands shears off both of her arms, which you tear off your neck more easily.
  653. [2016-04-21 23:02:37] <Antioch|GM> It's at that point in time that Gutshot swings a traffic pole much like a twenty-foot-long baseball bat, sending Feral flying through the second-floor window of the library overlooking the fight.
  654. [2016-04-21 23:02:43] → revenant joined (revenant@net-a9o.0bi.253.125.IP)
  655. [2016-04-21 23:03:11] <Antioch|GM> "Stay sharp," Lock says, "reinforcements inbound. Well done, Guts."
  656. [2016-04-21 23:03:11] <Antioch|GM> You wheeze a little, trying to regain your breath. ||
  657. [2016-04-21 23:04:46] <Saff|kill> "Thanks, Guts." I say in between coughs. "I owe you one." Doesn't make up for the fact that he chucked cars at me but.... "reinforcements? Who did they send?"||
  658. [2016-04-21 23:07:54] <Antioch|GM> "Valiant and some new cape. A transfer? No fuckin' clue. Be ready for anything, but more than that, be ready to haul ass. We got a ride coming." ||
  659. [2016-04-21 23:10:26] <Saff|kill> "Haul ass." I repeat with a nod. "Got it. I can still run." His uncertainty doesn't make me feel great. And I'm still not sure I trust everyone. I can't go against Lock right now, but I'm still wary of the guy. If one thing is for sure though, it's that this whole fiasco is making me appreciate Wink a lot more. ||
  660. [2016-04-21 23:14:50] <Antioch|GM> "Shit, they're taking down my drones. Eyes open," Lock says, recalling the nearer ones back to him. Gutshot looks nervous, still hefting the traffic pole. ||
  661. [2016-04-21 23:18:27] <Saff|kill> "We're so fuuuucckked." I hiss under my breath. I try to run through my small knowledge of Cleveland Protectorate members. Feral... Already seen what she does. Valiant.... Is he the one with the ghosts? I don't know what else he does.... Who else is on the team? Think, Gwyn. Who are they and how do you fight them? "That power armor doesn't fly, right?"||
  662. [2016-04-21 23:20:39] <Antioch|GM> "Nah," Lock replies. "Three drones could pick a person up, but with whatever's out there that's shooting them down? Don't wanna risk it." ||
  663. [2016-04-21 23:22:10] <Saff|kill> "I don't want to be shot down. But what if we pick them up? Unless it's Feral, if they fall they're going to fall Hard." I bite my lip and look back to Lock, my heart racing. "I Really just wanted this night to end with pizza and I'm pretty sure it's going to end with us all in prison."||
  664. [2016-04-21 23:23:22] <Antioch|GM> "Sucks to waste three drones like that, but if Feral comes back, I can just keep her in the air."
  665. [2016-04-21 23:28:00] <Antioch|GM> Valiant arrives on the scene, clad in his spectral armor, two of his ghostly constructs flanking him, while the other cape, dressed in a costume more like a PRT standard-issue uniform, all grey and kevlar, no hair peeking out from her silver half-masked helmet. Wrought metal bolts of lightning decorate her mask's eyeholes, and she's curvy enough to clearly
  666. [2016-04-21 23:28:00] <Antioch|GM> be a woman, despite the plain uniform. The sleeves are a combination of burned and torn off, and her bare arms are lined with cracks and fissures, arcs of electricity writhing along their surface.
  667. [2016-04-21 23:28:00] <Antioch|GM> It's pretty obvious what her shtick is. ||
  668. [2016-04-21 23:29:23] <Saff|kill> "Fuck. I really don't want to be tazed again tonight." I bite my lip and frown. "There's four of them and three of us. No matter how we split up, they're going to get us."||
  669. [2016-04-21 23:29:59] <Antioch|GM> "We hit them hard, leave them reeling, slip away. You know what those ghosts do?" ||
  670. [2016-04-21 23:31:55] <Saff|kill> "No clue. Haven't tangled with them enough to really know. I don't... I don't really want to find out, though." It's cold out, but honestly I feel like I'm sweating my nonexistent ballsack off. "Hit em heard, eh? Where do you want me, coach?" ||
  671. [2016-04-21 23:36:04] <Antioch|GM> "If they're not solid, they freeze shit that passes through them. If they are, they're floating assholes with swords. They can pass through people, then turn solid - you don't want that to happen. Got that? We'll both focus his ass before Feral gets back - Gutshot, you take thunderbitch." ||
  672. [2016-04-21 23:38:15] <Saff|kill> "Don't touch the ghosts. Got it. Wonder how they'd take to my slashes, though." I don't have time to stop and muse though, we need to fuck them up before we can get out. Before I can return home with pizza and Mal and a whole lotta ice packs. "You shoot at him, I'll slice before he can get to us?"||
  673. [2016-04-21 23:38:59] <Antioch|GM> "Yep. Wide spread, so the ghosts can't block it, flank from the side so you don't get caught in it. Go, go, go!"
  674. [2016-04-21 23:39:14] <Antioch|GM> The two Protectorate heroes seem to be taking their time, giving Feral an opportunity to rejoin the fray - not something you want to happen.
  675. [2016-04-21 23:40:59] <Antioch|GM> Gutshot runs forward, taking a wide swing at electric cape - the pole scraping the side of a building, making a horrific screech as it hurtles towards the new face.
  676. [2016-04-21 23:41:09] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+3 Gattsu
  677. [2016-04-21 23:41:09] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Gattsu" [1] +3 = 4
  678. [2016-04-21 23:41:29] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+2
  679. [2016-04-21 23:41:29] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [6] (5) +2 = 8
  680. [2016-04-21 23:42:17] <Antioch|GM> Gigawatt runs towards the pole, leaping over - then atop it, arms crackling with electricity as she discharges her power along the pole, sending lightning arcing towards Gutshot.
  681. [2016-04-21 23:42:18] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d4
  682. [2016-04-21 23:42:18] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [2] = 2
  683. [2016-04-21 23:42:46] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Guts Gattsu
  684. [2016-04-21 23:42:46] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Guts Gattsu" [5] +1 = 6
  685. [2016-04-21 23:43:11] <Antioch|GM> ((-2 Brawn, -1 Dex, -1 Ath))
  686. [2016-04-21 23:43:28] <Antioch|GM> Gutshot howls, convulsing, letting the pole clatter to the ground, but manages to stay upright.
  687. [2016-04-21 23:46:18] <Antioch|GM> Still perched atop the the pole, you can see the woman's lips move as she crows, "Fuck with me? Are you serious? The name's Gigawatt, and you're all going down."
  688. [2016-04-21 23:46:18] <Antioch|GM> She levels a finger towards Mortal Lock, the finger still alive and electric, barely any flesh visible, as if in challenge.
  689. [2016-04-21 23:46:18] <Antioch|GM> "Shit," Lock swears. ||
  690. [2016-04-21 23:48:19] <Saff|kill> She's cocky, isn't she. But all I can manage to do is echo Lock's sentiment. "Shit is right. Maybe.... Maybe we should just run?" My heart is racing. I wasn't... I didn't expect this. This whole thing was supposed to be between me and Blackjack and the PRT had to stick their noses in it. Fuck. ||
  691. [2016-04-21 23:49:44] <Antioch|GM> "Stay on this street. We got a ride comin', just need to stick it out. Guts, you still upright?"
  692. [2016-04-21 23:50:16] <Antioch|GM> The debacle distracted you from your dash towards Valiant, and he and his soldiers draw ever closer, not in a hurry, but not dragging their feet, either.
  693. [2016-04-21 23:51:00] <Antioch|GM> "Nnnrrgh," Gutshot replies. He flexes his arms, trying to regain the feeling in them, before grabbing a nearby car and hoisting it, once again, overhead.
  694. [2016-04-21 23:51:11] <Antioch|GM> ((Brawn debuff removed))
  695. [2016-04-21 23:52:27] <Antioch|GM> Mortal Lock fires a spread shot at Valiant regardless - an even wider torrent of seemingly-electrical energy washes over the cape.
  696. [2016-04-21 23:52:37] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+1 Bzztttt.
  697. [2016-04-21 23:52:37] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Bzztttt." (2) [4] +1 = 5
  698. [2016-04-21 23:52:53] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2d6+1!
  699. [2016-04-21 23:52:53] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [5]+1 [1]+1 = 6, 2
  700. [2016-04-21 23:53:28] → Baker joined (Baker@net-b6ta9r.as13285.net)
  701. [2016-04-21 23:53:30] <Antioch|GM> The two soldiers step forward, shields out, intercepting the blast. One flickers, vanishes from existence. ||
  702. [2016-04-21 23:55:03] <Saff|kill> "You can pop them?" I say before even really thinking. I decide to attempt to complete the charge, sticking just out of their range so that I don't get hit. I need to make as big of a rift as possible to hopefully trap them in.|||
  703. [2016-04-21 23:55:18] <Antioch|GM> ((Ath roll))
  704. [2016-04-21 23:55:24] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6
  705. [2016-04-21 23:55:24] <[ATM]> Saff|kill [3] = 3
  706. [2016-04-21 23:56:20] <Antioch|GM> You sprint towards Valiant, claws out, dragging them along the air and plotting out a path to corral Valiant in. As you approach, one of the ghosts lunges at you, one of the swords morphing into a spear, taking you off guard.
  707. [2016-04-21 23:56:22] ⇐ revenant quit (revenant@net-a9o.0bi.253.125.IP): Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client
  708. [2016-04-21 23:56:30] <Antioch|GM> ((Dodge / counterattack / withstand, your choice))
  709. [2016-04-21 23:57:01] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6+1 Withstand oh god oh god this is my best stat
  710. [2016-04-21 23:57:01] <[ATM]> Saff|kill "Withstand oh god oh god this is my best stat" [1] +1 = 2
  711. [2016-04-21 23:58:03] <Antioch|GM> You brace yourself for the incoming blow, but it's intangible - you can't block it.
  712. [2016-04-21 23:58:04] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6
  713. [2016-04-21 23:58:04] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [5] = 5
  714. [2016-04-21 23:58:29] <Antioch|GM> It's skewering your left arm, and you absolutely don't want to tear it away, knowing Valiant's capabilities.
  715. [2016-04-21 23:58:34] <Antioch|GM> He's close enough that you can hear him.
  716. [2016-04-21 23:58:58] <Antioch|GM> "I'd advise you not to move," his words echoing your own thoughts, "if you feel like keeping that arm." ||
  717. [2016-04-22 00:01:50] <Saff|kill> "I..." I freeze up, and instead I just nod. "Why are you here?" It doesn't come out the way I want it to. Instead it just sounds like a toddler throwing a tantrum. "No one was in any real danger."||
  718. [2016-04-22 00:03:36] <Antioch|GM> "We just happened to be in the area," he says, almost nonchalantly. "You were causing a disturbance."
  719. [2016-04-22 00:03:52] <Antioch|GM> "KILLHAND!" Mortal Lock roars out. "GRIT YOUR TEETH!"
  720. [2016-04-22 00:04:07] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+1 Bzztttt.
  721. [2016-04-22 00:04:07] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Bzztttt." [6] (3) +1 = 7
  722. [2016-04-22 00:04:14] <Antioch|GM> ((Withstand roll))
  723. [2016-04-22 00:04:21] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 goast
  724. [2016-04-22 00:04:21] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "goast" [4] +1 = 5
  725. [2016-04-22 00:04:29] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6+1 come on cashy i swear
  726. [2016-04-22 00:04:29] <[ATM]> Saff|kill "come on cashy i swear" [5] +1 = 6
  727. [2016-04-22 00:04:41] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d4
  728. [2016-04-22 00:04:41] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [4] = 4
  729. [2016-04-22 00:05:39] <Antioch|GM> Electricity rips through your body again, and you can't hold back the scream. You find yourself blacking out for brief moments, then you're on the pavement, knocked flat on your ass, panting desperately for breath. The ghost pinning you down, however, is gone.
  730. [2016-04-22 00:05:44] <Antioch|GM> You're not sure if it was particularly worth it. ||
  731. [2016-04-22 00:08:54] → Dolyn joined (Dolyn@net-9pf5lr.mo.charter.com)
  732. [2016-04-22 00:09:24] <Saff|kill> I feel sick, so incredibly, desperately sick. For a moment I wonder if I should just give in--just go with them so that this'll stop. Gigawatt... I don't want her to hit me again. It feels like every cell in my body exploded several times over. "Lock... Lock, Please get me out of here." I'm desperate; everything is crashing down around me and I don't know
  733. [2016-04-22 00:09:24] <Saff|kill> what to do. If I make any more distortions, I could just be sent convulsing in to them. I don't... I don't want that. "Valiant... Please. I didn't want to hurt anyone."||
  734. [2016-04-22 00:10:15] <Antioch|GM> ((It wasn't Gigawatt, Lock was shooting you and the ghost to blow up the ghost))
  735. [2016-04-22 00:10:33] <Saff|kill> (Oh. redact all of that then
  736. [2016-04-22 00:12:24] ⇐ Dol|Gaming quit (Dolyn@net-9pf5lr.mo.charter.com): Ping timeout: 181 seconds
  737. [2016-04-22 00:12:47] <Saff|kill> "The fuck, Lock?" I groan. Every cell of my being feels like it exploded several times over... but once I notice that the ghost is gone. "Thanks. God though, that fucking, HURTS." I try to get back up and swipe at Valiant's legs. I don't want to hurt him, I just want him to stop moving.||
  738. [2016-04-22 00:13:09] <Antioch|GM> ((Attack roll, -1))
  739. [2016-04-22 00:13:14] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6 Valiant, dodge
  740. [2016-04-22 00:13:14] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Valiant, dodge" [3] = 3
  741. [2016-04-22 00:13:26] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6-1 I pray to the simurgh
  742. [2016-04-22 00:13:26] <[ATM]> Saff|kill "I pray to the simurgh" [6] -1 = 5
  743. [2016-04-22 00:14:09] <Antioch|GM> You claw at his legs - not only do your claws destroy his armor - functionally a ghost overlaid atop his body - but they gouge his legs.
  744. [2016-04-22 00:14:13] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d4
  745. [2016-04-22 00:14:13] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [2] = 2
  746. [2016-04-22 00:15:37] <Antioch|GM> "Nrrrrgh," he growls out, as you take chunks of flesh out of his left calf. He jumps back, the wound making him stagger and stumble, and another ghost manifests itself between you and him. ||
  747. [2016-04-22 00:17:46] <Saff|kill> "I'm really sorry about that. I am." I stumble back a bit, scraping at the air as I move. I keep my teeth gritted, just in case Lock tries his stunt again, and try to resume normal breathing.||
  748. [2016-04-22 00:18:04] <Antioch|GM> ((Awareness))
  749. [2016-04-22 00:18:20] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6
  750. [2016-04-22 00:18:20] <[ATM]> Saff|kill [5] = 5
  751. [2016-04-22 00:20:35] <Antioch|GM> A shattering of glass above you gives you a split second to react as Feral leaps out of the window, plunging directly towards you, arms outstretched.
  752. [2016-04-22 00:20:40] <Antioch|GM> ((Dodge or counterattack))
  753. [2016-04-22 00:21:01] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6 counterattack oh god help me
  754. [2016-04-22 00:21:01] <[ATM]> Saff|kill "counterattack oh god help me" [2] = 2
  755. [2016-04-22 00:21:13] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Banzai
  756. [2016-04-22 00:21:13] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Banzai" [1] +1 = 2
  757. [2016-04-22 00:22:52] <Antioch|GM> Feral ends up impaling herself on your outstretched hand, but she sinks down even further the arm, leaving you with the weird and entirely unpleasant sensation of feeling her innards on your forearm. The sheer weight and force of her fall pushes you off balance, but you're able to stay upright.
  758. [2016-04-22 00:23:41] <Antioch|GM> "I'm ba-aack," she wheezes, in what would be a sing-song voice if one of your hands wasn't inside her lung. ||
  759. [2016-04-22 00:26:42] <Saff|kill> "I take back everything I ever said about wanting to bathe in someone's blood. This is gross. I hope you don't have hepatitis. Because your blood is mixing with my blood and that can't be healthy for either of us." I fling her towards the side, and try to cut her up as badly as I can. She'll bounce back. Actually, I wonder if she feels pain? I want to get
  760. [2016-04-22 00:26:42] <Saff|kill> her limbs the most, or cut her in half. I just need her off of me. "Lock, help me out?"||
  761. [2016-04-22 00:32:16] <Antioch|GM> You withdraw your hand enough to rip through her body like tissue paper, freeing yourself. Valiant makes another ghost, and the first one advances on you.
  762. [2016-04-22 00:32:39] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 gost stab
  763. [2016-04-22 00:32:39] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "gost stab" [5] +1 = 6
  764. [2016-04-22 00:32:50] <Antioch|GM> ((dodge/counterattack/block))
  765. [2016-04-22 00:33:20] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6 didge it
  766. [2016-04-22 00:33:20] <[ATM]> Saff|kill "didge it" [2] = 2
  767. [2016-04-22 00:37:00] <Antioch|GM> Roll 1d6
  768. [2016-04-22 00:37:02] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6
  769. [2016-04-22 00:37:02] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [5] = 5
  770. [2016-04-22 00:37:40] <Antioch|GM> You end up in much the same situation as before, a spectral blade in your arm and paralyzed in fear. If Lock blasts you with lightning again, you might puke.
  771. [2016-04-22 00:37:45] <Antioch|GM> Scratch that, you'll definitely puke. ||
  772. [2016-04-22 00:39:50] <Saff|kill> Don't move, don't move, don't move... God, this night went from bad to worse. If I make it out of this without being arrested, I'm probably going to end up in the clinic and hopped up on painkillers. "Please, Valiant. Don't do this." I don't know why I'm begging. It just makes me sound more desperate. ||
  773. [2016-04-22 00:41:23] <Antioch|GM> "I'll admit, I feel partially guilty about your situation," Valiant says. The wound at his leg is frozen, seemingly crystallized in time, as he hovers a foot above the ground, partially cloaked within one of his constructs.
  774. [2016-04-22 00:41:55] <Antioch|GM> "The PRT should have reached out to you, earlier rather than not at all. Circumstances shouldn't have pushed you into the situation you're in now."
  775. [2016-04-22 00:42:24] <Antioch|GM> "If you come with us, I'll make sure you get a fair hearing, another chance to make things right."
  776. [2016-04-22 00:42:47] <Antioch|GM> The words are comforting, Feral's power putting her mangled body together in the background is not. ||
  777. [2016-04-22 00:45:38] <Saff|kill> "Why should I believe you?" I yell, biting back tears under my mask. "Why would you want me? I'm a freak! I'm dangerous! I'm stupid and impulsive and... You wouldn't have wanted me then. How am I supposed to believe that you would treat me fairly now?" I let out a sob, then another, while trying to keep my arm from moving. I don't even care about Feral at
  778. [2016-04-22 00:45:38] <Saff|kill> the moment. Valiant managed to fuck me up with words, and that feels shittier than being tazed ten times.||
  779. [2016-04-22 00:46:46] <Antioch|GM> He can't help but laugh slightly at that. He pauses to gesture at Feral, now fully regenerated - physically pristine, though your repeated assaults have all but demolished her costume.
  780. [2016-04-22 00:47:32] <Antioch|GM> "I think those words fit my colleague to a T," he says, "and I mean that in the kindest way possible." ||
  781. [2016-04-22 00:50:02] <Saff|kill> "I mean we both have the 'running around with our tops off' thing in common." I say, side eyeing Feral's bloodied and exposed rack. "But if I go with you, and you're not just feeding me lies to get me tied up... I'll end up with the rest of Blackjack trying to kill me." I swallow hard, hoping to god that Lock doesn't shoot me with another pulse. "And even
  782. [2016-04-22 00:50:02] <Saff|kill> though my life is shit, I don't want to die."||
  783. [2016-04-22 00:51:23] <Antioch|GM> "Blackjack wouldn't be able to tou--"
  784. [2016-04-22 00:51:57] <Antioch|GM> Sure enough, Mortal Lock is blasting the shit out of your general area with his huge, fuck-off beam of his again.
  785. [2016-04-22 00:52:27] <Antioch|GM> Surprisingly, you find yourself untouched by the lightning, and when you regain your sight again, you see why.
  786. [2016-04-22 00:53:00] <Antioch|GM> Feral's interposed herself between you and Lock - the sole casualty of the attack was the specter pinning you to the ground.
  787. [2016-04-22 00:53:21] <Antioch|GM> "Hm," Valiant says. "That... proved my point a lot better than I could have planned for. Thank you, Feral." ||
  788. [2016-04-22 00:56:10] <Saff|kill> "I... I want to trust you, Valiant. But I don't... I'm not cut out to be a hero. I didn't... I didn't want to be a villain either but I can't just... be me. Not when I'm like this." I gesture towards the smoke, a frown on my face. "I have a feeling that I'm coming with you whether I want to or not. And if it has to be that way, I'd rather go willingly."||
  789. [2016-04-22 00:56:23] → Megafire joined (Megafire@net-56lide.dynamic.ziggo.nl)
  790. [2016-04-22 01:01:01] <Antioch|GM> ((Ath check))
  791. [2016-04-22 01:02:13] <Saff|kill> $roll 1d6
  792. [2016-04-22 01:02:13] <[ATM]> Saff|kill [1] = 1
  793. [2016-04-22 01:02:19] <Saff|kill> ((WHYYY))
  794. [2016-04-22 01:03:02] ⇐ Megafire quit (Megafire@net-56lide.dynamic.ziggo.nl): Ping timeout: 181 seconds
  795. [2016-04-22 01:03:02] <Antioch|GM> There's a rumbling of earth, growing more intense by the second. Dazed and sore as you are, you can't keep your balance - it knocks you on your ass, and Valiant and Feral turn to look elsewhere, concerned at the sounds.
  796. [2016-04-22 01:03:43] ⇐ Camtist quit (uid157531@charlton.irccloud.com): Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
  797. [2016-04-22 01:04:25] <Antioch|GM> You see a veritable tsunami of debris and rubble, cresting the street, a cape standing proudly above it. Mortal Lock leaps atop the roiling wave of earth, a dazed and potentially unconscious Gutshot draped over his shoulder.
  798. [2016-04-22 01:04:59] <Antioch|GM> It rumbles towards you and the Protectorate capes, and as it approaches, you hear Gigawatt shriek, "You're not getting away, you fucks!"
  799. [2016-04-22 01:05:28] <Antioch|GM> Lightning arcs from both her palms, dancing towards the three capes atop the wave, but one of Mortal Lock's drones flies out, intercepting it - detonating in midair.
  800. [2016-04-22 01:06:41] <Antioch|GM> As it passes by, Mortal Lock leans over, hand outstretched -- Feral is knocked on her ass as well, and none of Valiant's ghosts are in range to pin you down -- but you'll have to reach out, take his hand.
  801. [2016-04-22 01:08:42] <Antioch|GM> In the end, it seems, the choice is yours, weighing the potential of Valiant's offer with the life you know. Shitty but familiar, with its good points and bad. Malcolm, missing your parents. Late night Taco Bell runs, supervillains trashing your restaurant-slash-secret-base. Dean and Dave and their shitty band, the hellish weeks spent recuperating after
  802. [2016-04-22 01:08:42] <Antioch|GM> getting shot in the kidney.
  803. [2016-04-22 01:09:04] <Antioch|GM> All of that flashes before you in a matter of milliseconds. ||
  804. [2016-04-22 01:14:28] <Saff|kill> I don't know what to do, but I don't have long to react. The first thought that pops into my head is Malcolm. Will I still be able.... I don't want to lose him. I can't deny that I've developed feelings towards him. But I wouldn't be able to associate with him if I became a hero... right? I don't know if I can handle the bureaucracy of the Protectorate. And
  805. [2016-04-22 01:14:28] <Saff|kill> even if I did go... there's no guarantee that they won't just shove me in some jail cell to rot. But Valiant... The way that he spoke to me... It seemed like he was sincere.
  806. [2016-04-22 01:20:34] <Saff|kill> If I take Lock's hand, I lose everything that could be... but if I don't... I could lose Mal. There's not enough time, not enough time to think this through. I reach toward Lock's hand, but pull away at the last second, claws grasping at his glove. "I'm sorry, Mortal Lock. I'm so sorry. But I need to make things right." ||
  807. [2016-04-22 01:22:22] → Flitter joined (Flitter@net-nla9km.champlain.edu)
  808. [2016-04-22 01:24:09] <Antioch|GM> Even amidst the churning of the rubble, you can hear Lock's hissing voice.
  809. [2016-04-22 01:24:31] <Antioch|GM> "You - you fucking IDIOT," he spits -- and then the wave carries him out and away.
  810. [2016-04-22 01:24:32] * Thalia is now known as Thaliaway
  811. [2016-04-22 01:24:48] <Antioch|GM> After the rumbling subsides, Valiant floats over, helping you up from the ground.
  812. [2016-04-22 01:25:20] <Antioch|GM> "I saw that," he says, "turning him down even though you could've escaped."
  813. [2016-04-22 01:25:48] <Antioch|GM> "It's a huge mark in your favor, for the books." ||
  814. [2016-04-22 01:29:44] <Saff|kill> I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. Instead I just burst into tears. I don't know if I made the right choice. I don't know if I can trust Valiant, even though he sounds so sincere. I'm scared--terrified, actually. "Do... Do I get one phone call?" I reach up and pull off my mask... it's not really useful for anything more than facial protection
  815. [2016-04-22 01:29:44] <Saff|kill> anyway. The tears were making it uncomfortable, but now all I can do is stare at it, sitting there in my hands. "I need to tell someone.... that I won't be coming home tonight."||
  816. [2016-04-22 01:31:03] <Antioch|GM> "I'm not making a formal arrest," he says, looking askance at Feral. "Are you?"
  817. [2016-04-22 01:31:17] <Antioch|GM> "Whaat?" she says, stretching and yawning. "Nah. Yo, Giga, toss me my spare?"
  818. [2016-04-22 01:31:38] <Antioch|GM> Gigawatt lobs a spare outfit Feral's way.
  819. [2016-04-22 01:32:08] <Antioch|GM> Valiant turns back to you, looking calm and in control, smiling slightly.
  820. [2016-04-22 01:32:19] <Antioch|GM> "Looks like you can call whomever you'd like." ||
  821. [2016-04-22 01:33:08] <Saff|kill> "Oh... Okay." I say, swallowing hard. I pull out my phone, hands shaking and caked in blood, and dial Malcolm's number. ||
  822. [2016-04-22 01:34:34] <Antioch|GM> He picks up on the first ring. "Gwyn, are you okay? Is it over? What happened?" ||
  823. [2016-04-22 01:36:04] <Saff|kill> "I'm... I'm mostly okay." I let out another choked sob. "I... I'm not... coming home tonight. I... I'm trying to make things right. Mal..." I don't know how to say it. I don't know WHAT to say.||
  824. [2016-04-22 01:42:13] <Antioch|GM> "What? Explain?" He sounds alarmed, concerned. ||
  825. [2016-04-22 01:43:51] <Saff|kill> "I went with the Protectorate, Mal. And..." God, I'm blubbering like a baby and he probably can't even understand me. "I don't know if I did the right thing. I don't want to lose you, but..." I cough a few times, sputtering and spitting and feeling completely embarrassed to be breaking down in front of Valiant and Feral and Gigawatt.||
  826. [2016-04-22 01:44:48] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1
  827. [2016-04-22 01:44:48] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [3] +1 = 4
  828. [2016-04-22 01:45:00] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+1
  829. [2016-04-22 01:45:00] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [1] (1) +1 = 2
  830. [2016-04-22 01:45:16] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1
  831. [2016-04-22 01:45:16] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [1] +1 = 2
  832. [2016-04-22 01:45:29] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+1
  833. [2016-04-22 01:45:29] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [4] (3) +1 = 5
  834. [2016-04-22 01:45:38] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1
  835. [2016-04-22 01:45:38] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [6] +1 = 7
  836. [2016-04-22 01:46:33] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+1
  837. [2016-04-22 01:46:33] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [3] (1) +1 = 4
  838. [2016-04-22 01:46:36] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1
  839. [2016-04-22 01:46:36] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [1] +1 = 2
  840. [2016-04-22 01:46:38] <Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+1
  841. [2016-04-22 01:46:38] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM (2) [4] +1 = 5
  842. [2016-04-22 01:46:39] <Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1
  843. [2016-04-22 01:46:39] <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [3] +1 = 4
  844. [2016-04-22 01:46:49] ⇐ Firlz quit (Firlz@net-t8c.vq8.12.24.IP): Connection closed
  845. [2016-04-22 01:46:49] ⇐ Baker quit (Baker@net-b6ta9r.as13285.net): Connection closed
  846. [2016-04-22 01:46:49] ⇐ Flitter quit (Flitter@net-nla9km.champlain.edu): Connection closed
  847. [2016-04-22 01:46:49] ⇐ Ilidirim quit (Lid@net-0njhuo.fios.verizon.net): Connection closed
  848. [2016-04-22 01:47:49] <Antioch|GM> "You wha--?" Malcolm says.
  849. [2016-04-22 01:47:49] <Antioch|GM> "Sssssshit," he says, and the sound is immediately accompanied by thrashing, the squealing of tires.
  850. [2016-04-22 01:48:16] <Antioch|GM> What follows is nearly half a minute of nail-biting, indiscernible commotion, cussing and grunting and cries of pain, car doors slamming and car alarms going off.
  851. [2016-04-22 01:49:30] → Firlz joined (Firlz@net-49knug.clients.kiwiirc.com)
  852. [2016-04-22 01:49:34] <Antioch|GM> He gets back on the line, and you hear the sound of his car peeling out. "Sorry," he says, "figured Blackjack'd try to use me to get back at you, so I ditched Mason."
  853. [2016-04-22 01:50:16] <Antioch|GM> He sounds out of breath, worse for the wear, but very much alive. ||
  854. [2016-04-22 01:50:59] → Cxaxakluth joined (uid126610@brockwell.irccloud.com)
  855. [2016-04-22 01:52:23] <Saff|kill> "Mal... Shit, are you okay?" Is he okay? I'm the one who got tazed and stabbed and... I probably should get stitches for my arm... "I... I just wanted to tell you... I'm alive... and I'm... I still... really like you, I guess. And if I get this all worked out," I pause again, putting my bloody hand on my face, "I still want to be around you. And with you.
  856. [2016-04-22 01:52:23] <Saff|kill> But I... I understand if you hate me now."||
  857. [2016-04-22 01:52:50] <Antioch|GM> "Fuck, hate you? Don't be stupid."
  858. [2016-04-22 01:53:00] * soulpelt|CR is now known as soulpelt|sleep
  859. [2016-04-22 01:53:42] <Antioch|GM> "Told you, back then, we do what we can to get by. You made a smart move, there. Jeopardized my ass," he says with a slight laugh, "but I can handle myself."
  860. [2016-04-22 01:54:16] ⇐ SOMA quit (uid136321@highgate.irccloud.com): Quit:
  861. [2016-04-22 01:54:29] <Antioch|GM> "You're not taking orders from the guy that branded you with a hot gun anymore, so it's cool, right?" ||
  862. [2016-04-22 01:54:42] → Ilidirim joined (Ilidirim@net-0njhuo.fios.verizon.net)
  863. [2016-04-22 01:56:15] <Saff|kill> "That... That is a relief. But." This is hard, harder than anything I've ever done. "I want to see you as soon as I can. Lay low until then. Please don't get hurt. I... I care about you." I feel bad that the Protectorate squad has to listen to my soap opera, but... I needed to get the words out. "I have to go... I'll talk to you soon, Mal."||
  864. [2016-04-22 01:58:21] <Antioch|GM> "Okay," he says. "Stay safe, alright? I'll talk to you soon."
  865. [2016-04-22 01:58:23] <Antioch|GM> ||||
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