[Nexus] Inside 26

[Darkcomet]

Current events:
-The Empire has banned LANTERN from acting within its territory, including Inside.
-The Imperial Army has moved into the Red Zone in the face of extreme unrest in the area, along with the vampire problem. The NPC vampire population has dropped sharply.

Rules and locations in the spoiler. Please Spoiler any fan service written in this thread. Thank you.

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All standard forum rules apply here, as do the godmodding rules generally agreed upon on this sub-forum.

Locations
PM Darkcomet to have a new location placed in this registry.

A note on the 'Zones'.

The Blue Zone is the area of the greatest Imperial presence, housing the Imperial Army and ISF HQs and boasting the greatest concentration of Imperial influence. Physically, it's located in the center of the city.

The Yellow Zone has some Imperial influence, but it's not as significant, so crime rates there are higher than in the Blue Zone. The Yellow Zone is physically located at the outskirts of the city, with the justification of having to keep an eye on what's coming in and out of the city, and thus the main concentrations of Imperial influence in the Yellow Zone are at the docks and city gates.

The Null Zone is around midway between Yellow and Blue, and lacks much Imperial influence, with a similar patrolling situation to the Red Zone below. Despite this, it's largely a quiet environment.

Perhaps it is because the Red Zone, a blemish on the otherwise neatly-organized Zones, is essentially a fancy term for the crime infested slums? Who knows! The Red Zone is essentially just the slums, independent of the neat physical arrangement of the others, though DC imagines it's around Null/Yellow, physically, since it wouldn't make all that much sense for the Red Zone to be right on top of ISF HQ of all things. The Empire's influence here is light, but not completely nonexistent, with occasional speeder patrols.

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Imperial Bases

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Acro-Imperial Army HQ (Blue Zone)

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The Imperial Army HQ itself is a massive dome-like structure in the center of the city. The building itself is fairly standard at ground level, but going up from there is when you reach the dome. The dome is the focus of the visible structure, and is capable of housing one of the Empire's oh-so-loved airships.

The main building itself also has underground portions, as it's not like the rest could contain everything a building of this purpose needs.

This building, however, has concrete walls surrounding it at a sizable distance in a square shape, with gates in the center of each segment. The walls have rapid-fire laser turrets mounted at corners and on each side of each gate. Interlopers beware!

ISF HQ (Blue Zone)

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Go here!

Acro-Imperial Civil Government Complex (Blue Zone)

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The main center of the Empire's central government is an odd complex composed of five main structures.

The more notable four are a group of futuristic, utopian-looking towers arranged in the shape of a Y, with the tower taking the position of the center joint being significantly taller than the outer three towers, by about 40% of the other towers' height. This is harder to make out than it seems, however, due to the odd nature of the fifth 'structure'.

This one is actually surrounding the lower two-thirds of the outer three towers, with all four appearing to be coming out of it from the outside. It resembles an odd set of walls, following along the Y-arrangement of the towers. These 'walls' are in the shape of a highly irregular hexagon. The top side, with the two points of the top of the Y within, is fairly long, with two shorter segments heading downward at an obtuse angle from them. These are very short, and two more long wall segments soon move downward and inwards, speaking from a bird's-eye view, ending a bit after the edge of the bottom tower in the Y-arrangement. A final long segment links these two ends.

However, the 'walls' are not merely walls, but actually enclose the area around the towers, with their own roof. The four towers seemingly erupt out of the top of this structure, while they do actually have the rest of them beneath it. The wall-like structure is built around the towers, linking to them at certain points. The structure is not merely that shape described previously with a flat roof, however-the walls reach to a certain point, then slant upwards and inwards, again from a bird's-eye view. The upward slant stops at the edges of the outer three towers, and from there now forms a flat area, this flatness marred only by the towers.

There are three main entrances to the odd complex, each at the center and bottom of one of the longer wall segments. These are oversized sliding doors, essentially. Each is a long, dull metal slab in appearance. When the entrance is open, these are drawn upward into the wall-structure, and when closed, they drop back down like blast doors.

The complex is guarded by normal military and ISF elements alike, landspeeders patrolling the ground outside with the silent gunships patrolling the skies above. The main soldiers guarding the area are ISF troopers, as they are more specialized for urban warfare. Several rapid-fire pulse laser turrets (laser chaingun turrets, essentially) are mounted on the slanted portions of the outer structure, with a single heavy turbolaser turret mounted at the upper central area of each slanted area of the longer sides.

There are two enclosed bridge-like structures linking each of the three outer towers to the main building. The lower one is within the wall-esque structure, and the upper one is visible from the outside, linking the upper areas of the outer towers with the main, central one. To avoid confusion, there are two of these per outer tower, putting the total count at six.

Imperial Docks (Yellow Zone)

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These rather typical drydocks hold the Imperial naval fleet. Due to its relative lack of size, the Imperial Navy falls under the Imperial Army's authority.

Evolution Industries Headquarters + Factories (Player: Darkcomet, Blue Zone)

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The headquarters of the company known as Evolution Electronics and Power is a fairly standard-looking modern-day tower in appearance, not quite reaching the level of skyscraper.

The company owns a large factory nearby, used in production of its MACE units, and potentially other products, should it be desired.

The company also possesses a number of other factories around the city, used for production of weaponry and other military materiel.

Retail outlets for Evolution's products are scattered around the city.

Trader's Trove (Player: EleventhHour, Null Zone)

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A large, crashed starship lies in what was once a park, now ruined by its crash.

The ship is very strange to most, resembling Gothic architecture, particularly cathedrals, in appearance, while at the same time being a spacefaring craft. Or, rather, a former spacefaring craft.

The ship remains in use, however. The owner is a Rogue Trader, and is currently using the ship as a shop.

Erin's Emporium (Player: The Bushranger, Yellow Zone)

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Construction Gnomes have been hard at work renovating a small store along one of the various merchantile roads. Well, it was small. Now it's bigger on the inside.

And filled with every sort of weaponry imaginable, from across the multiverse. From blaster carbines to P-90s, surface-to-air missiles to ballistas, zats to nunchucks, they're all here.

Is that a siege crossbow sitting in the corner?

The Misspelled Cemetary (Null Zone)

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It's the rain that makes for the perfect atmosphere.

Since the party left the well lit cobbles lanes of the Market Streets the sky has opened up upon our intrepid band of adventurers with a vengeance. The wind howls through barren trees as the rain descends in sheets. The heavens are split by a ribbon of lightning and a roar of thunder.

A massive cast iron gate surrounds this place of once hallowed ground. Yes, hallowed once but no longer. The earth appears dead. Rotten. A phosphorescent green fog creeping along the ground. Misshapen fungus and molds clinging to crumbling monuments. Corpses exposed on the surface, half-eaten with decay.

The gate creeks open of its own accord as the party nears.

And above the gate, in rusted iron letters, reads:

The Misspelled Cemetary

The Misspelled Cemetary is largely ruins now, due to the battle against Ebon Mirror, an evil Exalt that used it as his base of operations.

MagMart (Player: Lord Magtok, Blue Zone)

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An absurd mash-up of K-Mart, Wall-Mart, Target, and every other vile retail chain, MagMart is staffed by an unswervingly loyal Magbots, lobotomized talking cats that are too brain-dead to know any better, several voodoo spirits, and a pickle jar that everyone insists is a sentient being that only communes with those who truly believe in it.

Here you can find everything from curtains to carpets, macaroni to monkeys on motorcycles, groceries to zombies. The staff is always happy to help (or else), and if you aren't entirely satisfied with your shopping experience, you can pay a small fee to watch the MagMart employee of your choosing get fired out the MagMart complimentary employee morale cannon.

Pontius' Custom Constructs (Player: Earl of Purple, Null Zone)

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The caravan of 6 wagons (I never said 3! Well, I did, but still.) arrives at a warehouse, previously for sale. The gnomes lead the golems and other constructs inside, and get to work. The warehouse has an open yard at the main entrance, and several golems, like crude figures of worked stone or wood, stand in the yard. A gnome wearing an apron over smart-yet-practical artesan's clothes and puts a sign up.


Pontius's Custom Constructs
Golems of Any Material* at Unbelievably Low Prices!!!**
You Won't Find a Golem, Gargoyle, Guardian or Homonculus Cheaper!!***
Come Now and Buy 1 Get 1 Full Price!!!****



*Flesh has an additional charge. **Define 'low'. ***Except at our competitors. ****Terms and conditions apply.

Sanctuary Fortress of Zoemaytare (Player: Rebonack, Red Zone)

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Like so many other prominent buildings in Town, or not so prominent buildings for that matter, this place seemed to pop up out of nowhere over night.

Buildings are like mushrooms in Town. Probably spread via spores, too.

Regardless, here it is. A rather sizable campus marble hewn from the mountains some distance away. Carved and hauled here near the edge of the slums where they were no doubt assembled. Though... no one can quite place a finger on when this happened.

Though the buildings aren't of only cold hard stone, no. There are timbers as well. Not what one might expect, however. They seem almost organic. As though they had grown into place rather than being hewn.

Oddness aside, the temple is arranged in a rather interesting fashion. Several concentric wall and courtyards ending in a central temple.

The outer wall is lower than the rest, each tier of the temple built onto higher ground like a wedding cake. Each wall is topped with a roof supported on the inside by pillars, creating a sheltered walkway. The exact use of these porches depends on the section of the temple one happens to be in.

Anyone is allowed entry through the first wall and into the first court, the Court of Meeting. Beyond the second wall only worshipers of Zoemaytare are allowed admittance to the second court, the Court of the Blessed. Beyond the third wall only the priests are allowed, where they carry out holy rituals within the temple itself.

The Court of Meeting is dedicated to service of those the worshipers of Zoemaytare dwell among. Food is prepared for the hungry here and given out without expectation of recompense. Those without a place to lay their head are allowed to sleep within the porch. The grounds beyond the porch are devoted to a wondrous garden boasting vibrancy and spectacular color. This are is always comfortably warm and brimming with life. Wounds heal faster as the body is refreshed. Undead creatures will find that remaining here is decidedly uncomfortable.

The sky above the temple seems to be perpetually clear, filled with pleasant sunlight in the day and cloaked with gossamer stars at night. Benches are set up here and there, under trees with hanging branches and above fragrant shrubbery. A lively stream flows endlessly in a circuit about the Court, spilling into several larger pools and meandering up a small outcrop of stone before cascading back down the other side.

This section of the temple is tended by members of the faith. Not priests, though devote. They can be found tending the garden and serving warm food. When in service to the temple these devotees wear a white linen ephod bearing the symbol of a willow tree, ornately rendered in blue thread. They'll be more than happen to answer any questions. Priests tend to have stricter ceremonial garb, including a blue tunic and white robe in addition to the ephod.

Welcome, traveler. May you be more blessed when you leave than when you came.

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New information that isn't readily noticeable at first glance at the temple will be added here.

The temple grounds are protected by a dampening field that blocks unauthorized teleporation and dimensional shifting. The place is something of a fortress after all. Being able to pop in and out at will would defeat the purpose.

Zoemaytare isn't a god of (fill in the black) but rather the patron and protector of her people. As such, her domain, if she even has one, is over all that her people do. The people in question are collectively known as the Zoeos, and this particular temple is their first major venture into Town. At present their stated goal is to set up trade relations and aid the city. This is ministered through the temple on account of the Zoeos government being a theocracy.

It just so happens that there's a dungeon under the temple, though the entrance to it is well hidden.

NPCs thus far:

Potentate of the temple: the head priest and administrator. He has yet to be seen 'on screen' though he has been referred to.

Regent Zachius: And elderly human with a coppery complexion and deep-set wrinkles, the sort of face one expects of a person who has spent a great deal of time in the sun smiling. He's a kind old fellow who is in charge of the Court of Meeting.

Regent Stephen: A younger human who smells rather distinctly of wolf. He's in charge of the dungeons of the temple and seems to be a rather caring and compassionate fellow. It's his job to bring the cases of prisoners before the Potentate.

Regent Thadeus: One of the priests who aids in minor upkeep in the temple proper. He usually isn't seen outside the temple and since his position doesn't put him in much contact with the common folk he tends to be somewhat aloof and judgmental. Also happens to be an elf. Those snooty elves!

Bognus Thundershield: a lay dwarf that operates the temple's teleporter, primarily from Trog's. Though people can be 'ported in from elsewhere as well. While it isn't commonly known, this device can send people over rather long distances, though it's somewhat inaccurate when doing so. Bognus is a bit gruff, though generally good natured. He speaks with a thick Scottish Dwarven accent.

Trollfinger, Ironpick & Greencheek, Mining & Engineering (Player: Morty, Blue Zone)

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A run-down building near Trog's Tavern was bought by three goblin enterpreneurs with a large crew and now houses their mining and engineering company. Everyone who needs something dug, built, repaired or blown up is welcome.

The Temple of Dalachrech (Player: Earl of Purple, location pending)

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The first room entered is a foyer. On the walls are red drapes with silver, two-tailed scorpions embroidered on to them, and next to the door is an ornate font. The granite font stands about waist height, and is a plinth with a bowl of unholy water. Winding around the font are carved centipedes. A door away from this chamber leads to the main prayer hall. This room also has drapes with the two-tailed scorpion device on the walls, and a red velvet carpet flanked by wooden pews leads to an altar at the far end. The altar is covered with red velvet, with a gold statue and red candles placed upon it. The statue depicts a demon with a centipede's body, a scorpion's tail with spinnerets next to the sting, a stag beetle's head and the claws of a praying mantis.

Warwick Works (player: happyturtle, Yellow Zone)

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In the industrial area, a building is rented and has a new sign put out front.

W
Warwick Works

The building itself consists of a small office area in front and warehouses in back. There is no indication of what sort of business this is, but a certain cyborg with a satellite might recognize the logo and name.

Eternal Library - Across from Trog's (player-Eternal Drifter)

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The First floor has bookshelf after bookshelf of various books, and a few tables in three corners, and a checkout counter. There is a fireplace leading upwards at the side opposite the door. All the books are stamped "Property of the Eternal Library," and have security devices on them. There is a security bar at the entrance of the building. In one corner is a stairwell leading upwards.

The Second Floor is a hallway with three rooms. One of them is a bathroom for public use. The other two are rooms with chairs and a large table in each, mainly for meetings. The larger of the two meeting rooms, "Space," has a fireplace.

The Third Floor is Drifter's personal residence, with all the necisities. This floor is private, officially only open to Drifter and those who have recived and invitation from him.

Drifter (played by Eternal Drifter) is the librarian. You are free to check out books as you wish, but be sure to actually have the books checked out before you leave... those who forget quite often find themselves at the receiving end of Drifter's glare and Magic Missile spell.

Emergency Bunkers

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Eight bunker-like structures in a ring-like arrangement at about the midpoint between the walls (or the docks) and the center of the city have been completed.

The interior of each is rather dull, rather befitting a bunker, but there are underground areas beneath the visible bunkers. These are similarly dull and military-styled, but they also act as hospitals.

These are mostly designed with emergencies such as shelling in mind, and are usually closed.

Hastings and Sons Mortuary (player: Kid Kris, Yellow Zone)

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Near one of the older parts of the city sits a large and somewhat dour building of brick and mortar, built in the traditional sense, with a metal plaque by the door that reads (predictably enough):

Hastings and Sons
MORTUARY
For the preparation of the dearly departed.

And indeed, should one go in one should find all the trappings of a conventional mortuary, including several large visitation rooms, run by this guy:

Though of course, usually without the zombie there.
In recent times however, the true business of the resident Mortician has branched into a more heretical bent, offering certain services to the living impaired (more commonly known as the foul Undead). These start at simple healings and flesh grafts (the flesh occasionally obtained 'legitimately', when a body comes in for cremation and the Mortician gives them an urn full of wood-ash, but usually corpses are obtained through donations from customers or good old fashioned grave-robbing). But services can also range into body part replacement and augmentation for the undead who wishes his creator had seen fight to give him a giant lobster claw or retractable venomous spines, or even full body/flesh reconstruction for the self-conscious lich (or lich in disguise, though making your new flesh look like someone else usually costs extra) or the zombie in his golden years. These customers usually come in through the back door, where there is a plaque listing the full list of services. Though of course some are brazen enough to come through the front door anyway.

((PM if you wish to interact with the Mortician, as Kid Kris may not always check the thread.))

Emergency Clinic (Null/Yellow Zone border)

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Funded by the empire, this clinic provides the care you would get in a modern emergency room. This is the place to come for getting bones set, wounds stitched, normal illnesses treated, etc. They can't handle magical ailments, nor do they provide magical healing, and the further a being is from being human, the less likely they are to have the necessary expertise to help.

This is an NPC facility. Please godmod your own care.

Witch Which's Wish Shop (Yellow Zone, Player: Haruki-kun)

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Welcome. If you have stepped into this store, it is because you have a wish.

The store is big, ancient and beautiful. It has a large garden with colorful flowers, a pond with fish and running water, and chirping birds. This is the outside of the store. The inside, however, is, to put it simply, gloomy. There’s burning candles and incense everywhere. From the hall where you enter you are led off into a side room with a low table and cushions around it. A tall, masked and unnamed stranger brings tea and snacks to the guests. The Witch sits opposite and rarely ever moves.

RULES (OOC):

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This is a Wish shop. Your character will only enter this shop if he has a wish. Whether the wish is granted or not is a different issue.
Witch Which is in charge of the shop and will grant wishes to everyone who asks, regardless of intent or alignment, as long as the appropriate price is paid. Under certain conditions:

Condition one: Witch Which will not haggle. She couldn’t lower a price or overcharge even if she wanted to. A balance must be kept in order for the wish to be granted.

Condition two: When a Wish directly affects another player’s character in a way that would be considered godmodding, the other player must agree first.

Condition three: The Witch may not reject any wish unless the price is too high to be paid. Wishes to take a life or to destroy the world, for example, carry a price higher than anyone can pay. ANYONE.

Condition Four: The Witch will never engage in battle. Be glad. The Witch is the very definition of True Neutral.

Condition Five: The store is not hard to access; in fact, there’s a big sign outside and everything. However, the store’s grounds exist in a special separate dimension, protecting it from anything that could destroy it, up to and including plot.

Condition Six: Haruki-kun reserves the right to alter the conditions if he feels they’re causing problems such as godmodding or similar issues.

NOIR (Red Zone, Players: Moff Chumley and Project_Mayhem)

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In a rather seedy building, off of a rather seedy hall, is a door. It's not a pretty door, but it does its job admirably. It's got an eye painted on it, rather sloppily. Under the eye, is the word "NOIR". Inside, is a small, cramped, rather dusty reception room. Coffee machine, secretary's desk, several chairs, the like. The desk looks like it's never been touched; the coffee machine, like it's survived several wars. Three doors lead off the room: Raz's office, Ilyena's office, and a closet. Word to the wise: don't open that door.

Between the two of them, Ilyena and Raz are capable of everything from fairly standard PI fair to more complicated contracts using Ilyena's ability to write spells.

Needle and Thread (Blue Zone, Player: Artemis97)

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On one side of a wide cobblestoned street is a small shop. The sign hanging over the door depicts a simple spool of thread, pierced by a needle. No words were included, as a courtesy to those who could not read, nor were they needed. It was clear from the merchandise displayed in the two large windows on either side of the door that this was a clothing boutique. The right side displayed the latest in women's fashions, dresses and skirts in unique designs, all detailed by hand with beading and emboidery. The left window showed men's clothing, from a beautifully tailored three piece suit, cut from expensive fabrics, to the very best in adventuring style, rugged and sturdy, clearly built to last.

Inside, racks and manequins display more clothing, split down the middle between men's and women's fashions. The back wall held rolls of fabric, some plain, others with obviously magical porperties. A large, three-sided mirror sits in the back corner, next to a small changing stall. On the other side is a small counter holding a cash register, behind that the door that led to a small workroom.

The Needle and Thread is a clothing shop specializing in custom tailoring and specialty designs. It is owned and operated by Lillith Rock, and the kindly fiendish woman can usually be found behind the counter, or working on orders in the back workroom.

On the City's government

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As the capital city of the Acronymian Empire, Inside is subject to its laws. They largely resemble modern-day laws*, with the exception of weapons control and small-scale vigilantism, as those would be extremely difficult to enforce. Vigilantism, however, once again becomes problematic when it causes more problems than it fixes.

Slavery is illegal in the Empire. This would be treated as a given (see above), but it has come up many times.

The Empire has also imposed a light tax on arms sales and a light-moderate one on imports. The latter grants much more funding than it normally would, thanks to the Empire's location in a nexus of realities-many goods, mundane and exotic, often pour into Inside and the greater Empire.

*DC may experiment with punishments, though, as he's aware that being unable to play a criminal character because they're stuck in jail for a realistic amount of time is no fun.

On Apocalypses

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When determining apocalyptic effects that threaten Inside, please keep the bottom of this post in mind.

The title is a misnomer, of course. No doubt the moniker of this place was settled on after a brief conversation that started with, 'Wouldn't it be funny if...?'. But now the name has stuck.

But what is this place, you ask?

The city of Inside is the capital city of the nation known as the Acronymian Empire. The city was once the center of the Nexus, the dimensional anomaly that acts as a crossroads between any number of radically different worlds. Now, it is no longer the center, but still shows the influence of the Nexus.

Thanks to the Nexus, the cityscape is high in variety of architectural styles, varying tech levels factoring in to the myriad designs. Though the city is now relatively stable, it's still possible to find buildings of any number of architectural styles within it. Shopping malls lie beside medieval architecture, and futuristic towers rise alongside old cathedrals.

The city is surrounded by defensive walls, with an artificially and accidentally created moat outside the walls. A gap in the walls and a bridge allow for entrance into the city proper, the main gate opening up to welcome newcomers Inside.

[Artemis97]

Atoya blushes.

"Yes, that would be fine, thank you.
Erm... will it fit?" She asks awkwardly.

[Needle and Thread]

"Oh yes, it should fit just fine." Lillith assures her with a nod. Measurements were useful for knowing such things.

[The Bushranger]

[Alien Slums]

Zamira follows her, turning into a bird in order to fly down.
Let's see if we can't capture one of the troops first!"

"You can do that," Shrike says after she lands, surprisingly dexterously. "I'll be doing...other work."
She grins, drawing her Daiklave.

[V'icternus]

[Needle and Thread]

"Oh yes, it should fit just fine." Lillith assures her with a nod. Measurements were useful for knowing such things.

"Well, good."
She smiles, pulling out her bag of (stolen) coins.
"Um, how much for the fancy dress, the top, the sweater, the jeans and the, um, undertop?
...And could I have a bag to put all of this in?"

[TechnoScrabble]

Onboard the UFO
Keith looks around the cell.
"Dis plaze iz niiiize. I should get a home like diz!"
He pulls out one of his knives and throws it at the energy 'shield'.

[Gullara]

And from the last thread.

[Onboard the UFO]

"What in the Hells?" Kirk looks around his cell. "Please don't tell me they finally got me and this is the Abyss."

He reaches out and touches the wall.

[Darkcomet]

[Inside-General]

IA forces in the Red Zone/slums could not have been there at a better time, it seems. Though they take some casualties in the initial bombardment, the IA starts to fight back against the alien invaders on the ground, EvAV-1 gunships, EvTV-1 IFVs, and IA Medium soldiers with EvR-1 blaster rifles coming to battle the extraterrestrials.

Elsewhere in the city as a whole, ISF forces quickly deploy to stomp down on the fewer alien landings outside the slums, mainly in high-speed landspeeders armed with rapid-fire laser turrets. They're mainly performing high-speed drive-by attacks in order to keep the aliens from taking hold of the area, swiftly moving from one group to the next without bothering to make sure all of each is dead.

The Imperial Navy also deploys, beginning to point a grand total of 12 rapid-fire AA laser turrets and 11 missile launchers at alien aircraft going after the dock area.

In the Yellow Zone as a whole, ISF forces on foot, mainly equipped with the same blasters as the IA and with lighter armor, move to secure the area against the aliens.

In the Null Zone, there is less Imperial action, though the raiding speeders likely still help there.

It is in the Blue Zone that the strongest resistance will be found.

The shield generators on the IA and ISF HQs also activate, along with that of the Govt Complex. The defensive turrets of the first and last Imperial structures (described in the first post) are pointed at any alien ground troops that come near, and will fire on the UFOs if possible.

The near-full force of the IA comes from the IA HQ, including IA Light, Medium and Heavy Soldiers armed with anything from EvR-1 blaster rifles for the former two to EvAT-2 heavy sweeper-beam cannons and EvHW-1 rapid-fire heavy assault blasters for the last. These also include EvAT-1 precision laser cannons (Medium soldiers) and older K-Corp beam sniper rifles (Lights).

Vehicular IA forces deployed once again include EvTV-1 IFVs and EvAV-1 gunships. EvCV-1 Assault Hovertanks are pointedly not deployed, the IA not opting to deploy railgun-bearing tanks on infantry targets within the city itself. Talk about unnecessary collateral damage. Some older

ISF HQ also gets its fair share of force coming from it, ISF troopers (equivalent to IA Lights) moving out to secure the area around it.

The Blue Zone seems like it's probably in pretty good shape, given the IA and ISF forces around there and how the aliens didn't deploy as much outside the Red Zone. Should the Blue Zone be basically secured, the Imperial forces there will move out into the Null Zone.

Meanwhile, on Imperial comm channels...

The IA's General Noir is not exactly pleased. "Get the Supremacy here now!"

Off in the distance, away from the city, a large, ominous silhouette is visible.

[Abductees' UFO]

DC blinks as he takes in his new surroundings, not particularly liking the lighting very much. "...well, damn."

He looks around, taking note of giant the disk at the top of the room and the energy field. "Maybe..."

He raises a hand at the disk, a dark reddish aura appearing around said hand, and he starts attempting to telekinetically tug at the disk. He's not trying to rip it off, though. Just to test its resistance at this point.

[horngeek]

[Alien Slums]



"You can do that," Shrike says after she lands, surprisingly dexterously. "I'll be doing...other work."
She grins, drawing her Daiklave.

Zamira nods. "All right."

She flies off, towards the alien troops!

[The Bushranger]

And Shrike heads in the direction of a different group of aliens, a grin on her face and her long, shining blade held high.

"Hey, boys! Welcome to Town, I think you'll have a great time here! Or at least I will..."

[Artemis97]

"Well, good."
She smiles, pulling out her bag of (stolen) coins.
"Um, how much for the fancy dress, the top, the sweater, the jeans and the, um, undertop?
...And could I have a bag to put all of this in?"

[Needle and Thread]

"All together that will be [slightly expensive price]" Lillith replies, after tallying up the total in her head. "I'll have to hold onto the dress for a day or two, to make the proper adjustments, but everything else should fit you just fine." The fiend finds a bag behind the counter and begins folding the clothes and carefully placing them inside.

[V'icternus]

[Needle and Thread]

"All together that will be [slightly expensive price]" Lillith replies, after tallying up the total in her head. "I'll have to hold onto the dress for a day or two, to make the proper adjustments, but everything else should fit you just fine." The fiend finds a bag behind the counter and begins folding the clothes and carefully placing them inside.

Atoya hands over the money.

"Thank you." She beams, happy.

"I'll just wait for my friend Rebecca to be finished.
I want to find her something sexy to wear." She grins, almost evilly. "Forcibly, if I must."

[Artemis97]

[Needle and Thread]

Lillith laughs at that. "Alright, then. Take your time." She says, placing the cash in the register. She then picks up the fancy dress. "I'm going to put this in the back and start working. Just call if you need anything." The fiend then turns to go through the door that led to the back room.

[V'icternus]

[Needle and Thread]

Lillith laughs at that. "Alright, then. Take your time." She says, placing the cash in the register. She then picks up the fancy dress. "I'm going to put this in the back and start working. Just call if you need anything." The fiend then turns to go through the door that led to the back room.

"Alright!" She smiles and keeps browsing through the clothes, sometimes appalled at the clothes, sometimes in awe of the fabrics, sometimes just interested in the design.

[Terumitsu]

[Up in the air! ....And other places!]

There was suddenly a lot of chatter on the air waves. The invaders were not expecting this kind of resistance. Really, when most of the place looked medieval in some way, one tended to make assumptions... Then again, the 'static' from all the inter-planar/dimensional/worldy crossover would mess up quite a few sensors not built for a place like the Nexus.

One of the ships aimed a laser blast at the Gov't Complex HQ only for it to bounce off with a magnificent flash of light, sending the beam flying off towards the mountains. There was a brief pause before several other blasts followed. These too landed in the face of the mountainsides. What resulted was a pockmarked series of holes that looked oddly like a smiley face if looked at from the right angle. Normally this would be impossible but the Nexus tends to allow such things like that.

At the least there were no more laser strikes from the ships at the moment. Probably due to shock, really.

The Blue Zone might find the very few aliens there about as difficult as a speed bump. Well, they did have a few tricks with them though.. One of which was an orb of green plasma that quickly ran along the ground, leaving a shallow divot in the ground before leaping up and detonating in the faces of whatever it was aimed at. Might be a problem for ground vehicles..

That aside, their armaments and armor were comparable to the Empire's standard issue gear but having a tactically unsound location combined with fewer numbers would mean they probably were in for a world of hurt. Green alien blood would paint the walls soon... Not acidic though. That would be bad.

The Yellow Zone would find a bit more resistance as these troupes had more advanced powered armor. Stuff could deflect laser blasts moderately well even. But apparently, focused fire would overheat the suits.. Rapid-fire turrets made that easy as well..

The Null Zone seemed to have lucked out as there were very few aliens there at all. This might be puzzling at first but it is quite possible that the 'static' mentioned before made them overlook this area entirely. At least, at first..

The Red Zone seemed to be the busiest place, having a large step up of extra-terrestrial activity. Not to mention the brunt of their forces seemed to be here as well. Green lasers were scoring burn marks in various buildings as stray shots flew this way and that. More of that 'jumping fire' plasma was seen here than elsewhere, setting several places alight with the superheated explosions. It would be fierce and bloody for a while here...

And Shrike would find several green laser beams coming her way for a moment before going back to focus on the battle with the IA. Apparently they were more important than some nut-job with a blade and a gun. Besides, facing a well armed troupe of trained alien soldiers, even though they were at a disadvantage to the forces brought to bare, was rather... Idiotic.

***

Sadly, there were no new snacks to be found in the holding cells. Shame really. Alien food was supposed to be really weird. Like, more weird than jello with brain-shaped fruit chunks in it.

The walls would feel like the inside of a sea-shell. Smooth and a little cool. They wouldn't zap anyone either. Not to say sea-shells zap people, though. That would just be strange.

If someone put an ear to the wall, they might just hear someone calling for help. Apparently, the abductees were in adjacent cells... Maybe one of them knew Morse code?

The axe, being made of some sort of blue adamantine-like material, made a nice hole in the wall, which wasn't made of a blue adamantine-like material. More of a gash, really. Apparently Rebonack had severed the power supply to his energy field but not the others. They ran in parallel after all. He was free to go and rescue people though! Or cause havoc. Havoc might be fun too.

The knife thrown at the energy field? Well, it bounced off at the same angle it was thrown with a loud 'SPANG!' Apparently that wouldn't work too well..

The disk up top gave up as much resistance as an object would if it was being held up by a circular wall. That is to say, it probably wasn't going to come down unless the walls began crumpling as well. And that might be messy.. Or not, depending.

[TechnoScrabble]

[Streets]
Ember is walking down the streets on an unauthorized 'vacation' taking in the sights. Being an old god buried in a temple for thousands of years can cause a bit of a culture shock, but she seems to be adjusting quite well.
It might help that she's usually completely out of it, and doesn't really care about anything but fun. Ah, fire elemental type-things.

[UFO]
As his knife apparently did no damage whatsoever to the energy field, Keith this time tries shooting it with one of his pistols. Unfortunately, he's watched way too many movies, and his pistols are loaded with incendiary rounds...

[Rebonack]

[Abducted!]

Rebonack?

Save other people?

Ahahahahahaha! Oh man, that's great.

Hoo...

Anyway, he instantly notices that the annoying crackly sound coming from the barrier is gone. What's more, that particular spot isn't distorting sound coming through it any longer and thus distorting Rebonack's echo-vision. Score!

The Cobalt Knight yanks his weapon out of the wall and moves to tromp on out of the chamber. "There are few problems I've yet to run across that don't cease to be problems after getting an axe in the face."

With any luck he'll get a chance to further test this philosophy of his today!

[Gullara]

[Abducted!]

After the wall doesn't shock Kirk he decides he wants out. He whips out his pen and a contract appears in front of him. When he signs it a bolt of hellfire blasts his prison.

[The Bushranger]

[Alien Nation]

And Shrike would find several green laser beams coming her way for a moment before going back to focus on the battle with the IA. Apparently they were more important than some nut-job with a blade and a gun. Besides, facing a well armed troupe of trained alien soldiers, even though they were at a disadvantage to the forces brought to bare, was rather... Idiotic.

A gun? Shrike is rather surprised to hear she has a gun.
But regardless, she spins her Daiklave in front of her the moment the aliens turn her way...

...the laser beams seem to bounce right off it.

"Oh, you're ignoring me. Big mistake. Really huge mistake. Didn't anyone ever tell you there's one thing you never do if you're smart?"

And she doesn't tell them what that thing is, as she leaps forwards, four-foot-long blade slashing.

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

[blackouttwo]

The Needle and Thread

Arthur, after a good long time out of action, decides to rush inside the shop from the nearby city streets. He doesn't look hurt at all, and he isn't, but he's definitely freaking out more than can be considered healthy. OK, note to self! Stay the hell out of the yellow zone from now on! He most likely just passed through one of the last pockets of ongoing fighting in that area. Some of his clothes look torn, but that appears to be the extent of anything wrong with him.

[V'icternus]

The Needle and Thread

Arthur, after a good long time out of action, decides to rush inside the shop from the nearby city streets. He doesn't look hurt at all, and he isn't, but he's definitely freaking out more than can be considered healthy. OK, note to self! Stay the hell out of the yellow zone from now on! He most likely just passed through one of the last pockets of ongoing fighting in that area. Some of his clothes look torn, but that appears to be the extent of anything wrong with him.

"Are you alright?" Atoya asks, concerned. She puts down a silk scarf she had been admiring and walks up to Arthur.

[Darkcomet]

[Inside-General]

The Blue Zone is likely pretty much secure, though a few IFVs get blasted by the plasma.

The bulk of the IA forces move to assist the rest of their comrades in the Red Zone, which are taking heavy casualties.

The Blue Zone ISF forces, meanwhile, go to assist their fellow paramilitary-ish law enforcement in mopping up in the Yellow Zone.

That dark silhouette in the distance continues to approach the city.

[Abductees' UFO]

DC frowns, ceasing his telekinetic testing. "Hrm. Oh well." He calmly reaches into his suit, pulling out a baseball-sized black orb. "When lacking an exit, create one."

The psychic tightly grips the orb for a moment, and a rather large weapon appears in front of him-this weapon being similar to this in appearance, albeit upgraded, less bulky, and silvery instead of dark red.

He hefts the cannon, which starts to emit a low-pitched ominous hum. He's...grinning? "It's been too long..."

He points it at the wall right near the edge of the energy field, and then-THOOM! DC fires, a white-colored, white-hot and deadly energy blast coming out of the weapon.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[UFO]

Hmmm...nobody answering...great.

She gets a small energy sphere ready in her hand, and tosses it at the wall opposite her. It will explode on impact with fiery/chaotic energy.

[blackouttwo]

The Needle and Thread

Looking up at Atoya, the teenage half-fiend seems to simmer with barely-controlled frustration, giving her an 'I'm surrounded by idiots and you're not helping' look. Yes, just fine, totally peachy. Everyone knows passing through a ****ing warzone is completely healthy for you. I just went for a nice brisk walk through walls of oncoming plasmafire. Good for your skin. Had to drop half the stuff I had looted in the Yellow Zone on my way to the Red Zone, then turned back when I saw that the fighting in the Red Zone was worse. So I just put my life in danger for the sake of some spare parts, and have nothing to show for it. Yeah, I'm completely fine. The young half-fiend is calmer now and takes a few deep breaths, actually taking the time to relax and mentally take stock of his situation.

Then he realizes he's just cursed twice in his mother's store. Uh-oh.

[V'icternus]

The Needle and Thread

Looking up at Atoya, the teenage half-fiend seems to simmer with barely-controlled frustration, giving her an 'I'm surrounded by idiots and you're not helping' look. Yes, just fine, totally peachy. Everyone knows passing through a ****ing warzone is completely healthy for you. I just went for a nice brisk walk through walls of oncoming plasmafire. Good for your skin. Had to drop half the stuff I had looted in the Yellow Zone on my way to the Red Zone, then turned back when I saw that the fighting in the Red Zone was worse. So I just put my life in danger for the sake of some spare parts, and have nothing to show for it. Yeah, I'm completely fine. The young half-fiend is calmer now and takes a few deep breaths, actually taking the time to relax and mentally take stock of his situation.

Then he realizes he's just cursed twice in his mother's store. Uh-oh.

"..."

Atoya is taken aback by the half-fiend, taking a step away.

"I... was just asking."

[ApeofLight]

[Streets outside Trog's]

Al is leading Delta down the streets holding her hand.

[Artemis97]

[Needle and Thread]

"Arthur Leonard Rock!" Lillith's voice boomed from the back room. The fiend appeared in the doorway and stormed across the room to stand in front of her son. "You do not use that sort of language. Especially in front of the customers! I am so sorry for this." She says quickly to Atoya. "Somehow, my son never learned any manners. And where in the world have you been? Your father and I have been worried sick!" Lillith reaches to grab Arthur by the arm and pull him towards the back of the store.

[blackouttwo]

The Needle and Thread

Arthur's not about to argue with his mother. The only recourse he can take is to let out a weak Sorry? in Atoya's direction as he's dragged to the back of the story. He definitely had some explaining to do as to where he's been the last few months. Considering his excuse amounted to 'working', he doubted his mother would be particularly satisfied.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Streets outside Trog's]

Al is leading Delta down the streets holding her hand.

Delta follows with no resistance at all.

[TechnoScrabble]

Delta follows with no resistance at all.

((poor delta ))

[billtodamax]

Rebecca looks up at Arthur and Atoya in puzzlement.

What was he saying to you? She asks. Must have missed it through the deadtime. It didn't look very nice.