Violet had kept her sidearm on her person as they approached the large tent that they were invited to. She felt uneasy to begin with, they were at a disadvantage and nothing about the place felt exactly right as they headed in.
It was setup almost like out of a bad clown horror movie. There were jugglers and clowns at the side as they walked in to where the table was set in the center ring, where the lion tamer normally sat. She glanced around and at those that were with her on this endeavor.
The woman was in a new outfit, though just as robust but this time in a red, the same color as her hair, like she were about to introduce the show. "Its good to see you again. I apologize. I didn't ask your names last time," she said as she gave a deep bow. As she stood up she continued to grin. "I'm Mordria! Ringmaster of this place," she explained. "Inherited it from my parents," she explained.
"My name is Violet and this is Red," she said. "Major Marcianus and his wife Chuck and a few of our own guards," she said.
"Don't know why you brought guards. You are very safe here," she said to them.
@Dragon
Red and Dagonet joined Violet in the empty engine room for a seemingly long bu short discussion about what to do. They couldn't leave, they couldn't even back out at this point though they did argue that they could try to sneak out but that was unlikely. The train would alarm anyone in the carnival that they were trying to escape within seconds of it firing up, just like it had when they had been leaving.
It was with annoyed acceptance that they finally decided who was going to the dinner and who which guards would be staying on the train before Violet went to make an announcement to the cars that had people in it. She gave the same speech to each of the 3 passenger cars with adults in it.
"This Carnival has graciously allowed us to stay here for the evening and invited us all to enjoy its games and shows. Please feel free to exit the train and enjoy the stay here while we get ready to depart and move on," she would say though she didn't know how long they would be there or what the woman wanted until the upcoming dinner.
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Please feel free to exit the train and enjoy the carnival. If you would like someone to RP against within the carnival then please tag me either in a thread here or on discord and I will be happy to play with you as a carnie or one of my characters.
Please be aware of the following:
The carnival will charge you for games and shows, what you pay will depend on the game or the show.
Most things are paid with in time or labor if you don't have something worth the carnies time to trade for.
Getting something back from a carnie will be difficult so trade at your own risk.
Rewards are few and far between but possible so consider your risk.
There is the possibility that you can join the carnival if that is your desire just poke me in the discord #plotting channel.
Violet took her husband's hand and re-entered the train. She was just happy that they weren't in the main cars where most of the people would be asking questions. She looked up to Dagonet and Charlotte and went to go into the most private room on the train, the engine to think and wait for the others to join her.
@Dragon
Violet had comforted Charlotte in the front for all the lives lost or people injured before she finally took her leave to check on passengers and see how many accepted were on board and how many stowaways so she could determine what they would need to do next.
Violet, Red and Dagonet were the three leaders of the train as they were the ones that orchestrated its departure which meant they had a heavy weight on their soldiers as they searched for something new for their future in what everyone believed was just a barren wasteland.
Violet wasn't one to sit on the sidelines but Charlotte needed the moral support at the moment, especially as they heard the piercing scream as someone was caught under the weight of the train. She rubbed the woman's back. "Keep going," she whispered to the woman as they continued forward and those at the doors manned them and started to try to shut them.
Violet was near the front with Charlotte and Red leaving the security to the rangers and soldiers that were coming with them. They had already verified that the engine would fire but they didn't want to start it too soon as they thought it would cause a panic with those boarding, but the tension could be felt throughout Polis and they would need to leave as soon as they could.
You could see those surrounding the large vehicle pacing around it, as if waiting for them to do something.
Finally they started the engine, smoke began to billow out of the the stack pipe and that's when the surge began to happen.
Violet looked to Red with a frown as she watched people rush the train.
"We are going to have to leave fast," Violet said as she turned to call down the lane toward the soldiers.
@Dragon
Violet had kept her sidearm on her person as they approached the large tent that they were invited to. She felt uneasy to begin with, they were at a disadvantage and nothing about the place felt exactly right as they headed in.
It was setup almost like out of a bad clown horror movie. There were jugglers and clowns at the side as they walked in to where the table was set in the center ring, where the lion tamer normally sat. She glanced around and at those that were with her on this endeavor.
The woman was in a new outfit, though just as robust but this time in a red, the same color as her hair, like she were about to introduce the show. "Its good to see you again. I apologize. I didn't ask your names last time," she said as she gave a deep bow. As she stood up she continued to grin. "I'm Mordria! Ringmaster of this place," she explained. "Inherited it from my parents," she explained.
"My name is Violet and this is Red," she said. "Major Marcianus and his wife Chuck and a few of our own guards," she said.
"Don't know why you brought guards. You are very safe here," she said to them.
@Dragon
There was a tension in the air at Polis that was thick enough that it felt like you could cut through it with a knife. Everyone knew the train was expected to leave the station that day. Those that were approved to be on it were packed and ready to go, while others that wished to go but were denied were preparing in other means. You could see in the eyes of the people the anticipation of what was to come.
Those that were chosen filled the train as much as Violet and Red believed they could handle on the long and arduous journey and those they felt could help them, those they believed they could actually help their futures if there was something out there.
Though, they could have been equally dooming it.
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The chosen boarded the train and got settled with their meager amounts of belongings before the rush would happen and the rangers and soldiers that had decided to come with, were having to protect the entrances to the train.
It was like a ripple in the crowd as the last few were starting to board, there was a surge of disgruntled Polis citizens that wanted to strike out and try as well.
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This event is a GMed event. I will wait one day before adding on the next parts that happen which gives you 24 hours to respond how your character reacts in this situation (whether they are leaving, staying or one of the people trying to get onto the train that was denied).
I will react and provide story or difficulties for anyone that is involved.
It would be nearly 2 days down the track on the rail line that they had chosen that they finally would stop at what appeared to be a large settlement, the first of many on their travels. They were, in fact, forced to stop here as there were barricades up that, even at full throttle, would damage the train enough that it would be difficult to repair and they didn't want to take the chance.
The place was bustling like a city. There were many people.... and things... that could be seen through the windows of the train. Games, creaky rides that didn't appear to work, entertainers, a large Ferris wheel that looks to be there just for decoration next to the large striped tent. Some of the older in the crowd would recognize it as what it was. A Carnival or a Circus, those that were younger would just be excited by the sounds and the lights.
As the train came to a full stop there was a hushed awe and a curiosity that spanned the train as they wondered what they were going to be able to do there, if they would at all.
It was as they all stared out the window that the woman that looked to be in charge started to saunter out. She was a buxom woman that was dressed in a striped outfit, that almost looked like a smaller version of the tent (close to this) but it was lined with lace. Her skirt was black to accent the jacket that flowed behind her. She was wearing torn fishnet stockings and had a cane in one hand that she didn't look like she needed.
The voluptuous red head came sauntering forward with two rather large men behind her. One on the older side with an aging face and the other more youthful with similar red hair.
As she got up to the train she smiled as she saw all the faces and looked down the train. "Greetings," she said to the men and women in the train as she stopped and popped a hip out, holding her cane arm out to the side. "You can come on out... most of us don't bite," she said.
Violet sat at the table for what felt like hours. She was on her second cigarette and tapping her jagged fingernails on the metal table. She knew this was an inconvenience but couldn’t they make their decision any faster?
Blowing out a huff of another breath of smoke she heard more boots pass the door as her nails tapped against the metal in a rhythm with the feet. She glanced toward the door, finally getting up to pace.
When the door did finally open it was a familiar face. “Finally someone I do know,” she said looking to Dagonet as she snubbed out her depleted cigarette.
@Dragon
It wasn't often that Dusty got special assignments. The Reich liked him, but he was an American in a Russian nationalist, anti-mutant gang. He was never gonna be at the top of the pecking order- at least, that's what he'd told himself when this all started. Post-recent events, they started making themselves less pro-Russian, more anti-mutant, which meant that good Dusty was getting a lot more respect than he figured he even aught to. Just as well- he was working hard for his MGRs.
Today's assignment, though? Didn't involve shooting anyone. At least, not yet.
"So, Hauptmann," a Reich officer stated, pointing at the map of the Metro laid out before him, "in order for us to continue our expansion unabated, we must be rid of the occupants of Oberon station. However, there is much we don't know- strength, weapons, fortification. We need someone that isn't often in our front line, someone who can pass for another wanderer through the tunnels, or a Stalker, perhaps. Can you do this?"
"Not for free," Dusty said, the cigarette between his lips shifting slightly with every syllable. "If I get caught out in hostile territory, I'm a suspicious bastard. I may be good at Russian, but they'll know I'm an American just by looking at me."
"Do you plan on going in your gear, Hauptmann? There should be no way for them to discern you from the common subhumans infesting their station."
"You can tell a lot about the person just from the way they walk, sir." Dusty took a long drag off his cigarette, tapping the ashes on the edge of the table. "I'll do it. But I want my usual rate plus half for the trouble."
"Done," the officer replied. "We will hold onto your belongings until you return. Your mission is to gather any sort of military intelligence you deem notable- troop numbers, movements, positions, armored vehicles, fortified positions, leadership, the works. Should you be compromised, I will have a panzer ready to move down the line, but it will likely not be able to reach Oberon. You will have to meet it somewhere else on the line."
"Got it," Dusty agreed. "Shouldn't need evac anyhow. This kind of thing's not too difficult. I'll report back in ASAP, but don't expect me for at least a few days."
"Very well, Hauptmann. Dismissed."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The trip to Oberon was uneventful. No longer was Dusty in his military fatigues- he looked like a stalker now, with baggy surplus gear and a tac mask that covered everything below the eyes. Made him a little bit harder to identify, ideally, although he doubted he'd meet anyone from the Reich or the USMC in Oberon. He didn't know much about the station- some of the boys dismissed it with chuckles as 'Polis Junior', and if that was the case, then hell, this would be easy as shit.
He made sure his Shambler was unloaded and safe, intent on making a decent first impression, before setting off. It wasn't an easy trek to get to Oberon while not looking like a Nazi, but he'd make do.
And indeed, he made do. Didn't take him long, longer than it honestly should have, but still not terribly fucking up his timetable. He had no trouble infiltrating the station. Not suspicious enough to warrant too many glances.
Now he just had to make sure to stay inconspicuous. The intelligence he needed was sensitive, and someone spying on the barracks or mechanics wouldn't be viewed favorably. He had to get as much information with passing glances as he could, only taking risks when he knew the coast was clear.
It was gonna be a long couple of days.
@Dragon @Grimscythe @Morrigan
Damian had his time with Asche but before long Violet was feeling better and it was time to make their way back to Oberon. If they were gone too long people would notice which wasn't a good thing for the station overall so they were packing up and making arrangements to trade for the treatment they had given Violet so she wouldn't die.
She was still limping but a lot more mobile than she had been before and she had both Damian and Red to help her along when needed.
"You both ready to go?"
@Dragon
Violet watched as Seth picked up his pace and she looked over her shoulder for whatever it was that felt like it was following them. She was pretty sure that it would get her while he got away, which was why he made him move on. She took in a breath through the almost clogged filter on her mask before she started to move again.
She knew her leg wasn't broken, at least it didn't feel broken, but it felt sprained and like she had something in it that she needed to get out but couldn't sit down and do it yet.
She kept moving well into the late afternoon, she figured Seth would be getting back to the station soon and she was almost far enough away from the main part of the city that she could take off the mask, which was good as she had started to move so slow she was almost out of filters.
As she leaned against a building that seemed secure, it was on the right route she reached down to her leg and used the refreshed blood and marked a crescent on it. It took a few moments longer than she would have liked before she tucked inside and found a safe corner to hole up in and try to triage herself while she rested hoping someone would come back for her. If not, she'd have to get moving again.
@Dragon
Seth was no stranger to the remnant bones of Moscow. He'd spent many days and nights slinking through, avoiding the mutants that now held dominion over the surface. Even so, they seemed larger, darker, and more imposing than ever as he and Violet emerged into the cold. This wasn't like any mission he'd ever taken on as a Reich soldier. The stakes were higher.
"We're going to have to cut as direct a path as possible," Seth looked over to his mother as they started out, "the doc said three days. Means we have to get there and back before then."
@Morrigan
Once she was released from the infirmary Tonka began to connect more with her father. It felt good to her. She didn't remember him particularly well because she was so young but the things she did remember made her feel good to be around him.
So, to keep herself occupied and to not get mugged again she went to visit him instead of the market every day. On this particular day, when he escorted her back to her quarters Richie was waiting and he was packed with his stuff to leave. He glanced to Red and tightened his jaw. "Tatonka we need to talk," he glanced to Red again. "Alone," he said as he wrung his hands together.
@Dragon
In the middle of the night after the breakfast with their family Alice woke up feeling sick to her stomach. The open wound on the surface combined with the fact that Alice hadn't been on the surface for years had gotten her sick. She pulled almost violently away from Seth as they slept retching onto the floor re-opening the wound on her face from opening her mouth too wide in the process.
It smelled immediately of blood and vomit as she rolled to the floor and retched again. She was burning up, her face was throbbing and she felt like the room was spinning, like she had just had far too much vodka and tried to stand up too quickly.
@Dragon