Viral Dispute
| Viral Dispute | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Factions Involved | |||||||||
| ShadowHaven | Major Corp | ||||||||
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Black Sabbath Blackhawk |
Character1 Character2 | ||||||||
Summary
Wacky adventures in the sewers emerge for the better.
Background
A conflict has been growing in the ork underground between the natural residents and a new up and coming ghoul settlement. The settlement encroaching on Skraacha territory so seeking a solution to the predicament they reach out to Ghaz who may have a solution to the problem at hand.
The Meet
Relaxing at his home Blackhawk was called upon by Ghaz stating it was time to repay the debt he owed. That his presence was needed to evacuate a colony of ghouls forming in the ork underground, proving a problem for the Skraacha and the denizens that contacted them for help. Agreeing rather quickly Blackhawk hopped atop his Nodachi and headed out towards the meet informed a medic would meet him there. Meanwhile resting atop a cardboard box in the streets of Redmond Foreman was awoken by an oh so familiar spirit in the form of Adeptus. After being informed karma was not the goal of hers for once, Foreman was informed of a job opportunity provided by the Skraacha. Needing little convincing for a potential payday, Foreman walked for miles through the streets of Seattle towards the meet.
Waiting for about an hour or two at the meet, a run down motel near the edge of Touristville, Blackhawk was eventually greeted by the presence of the giant figure wearing a nice trenchcoat whose odor could be smelt from across the room. Despite that Blackhawk greeted the stranger after realizing they were the doctor he was waiting for. After their brief introductions a kind yet slightly concerned woman gave the pair a map to where they were supposed to go and evict the ghoul community. With the map in hand and the runners in agreement of seeking a peaceful solution they headed off towards the sewers to begin their venture.
The Plan
With Blackhawk taking the lead reading the physical map and navigating the sewers therein, the pair eventually found themselves heading down to the second layer of the underground. A stable steel ladder leading the way as they headed to a massive opening. Dozens of bats hanging atop the ceiling with one bat in particular gazing down with its wings outstretched. Concerned by the sights the pair of runners noticed a thing and cheap looking rope ladder descending down that threatened to break at any moment. With Foreman using his natural infected abilities to descend the cliffside with Blackhawk using his gecko grip and natural reflexes to repel down the side the pair found themselves at a small cheap town that seemed almost abandoned. A rope bridge connecting to another ramshackle settlement across it belonging to the ghouls. The pair of runners decided sticking together would likely prove best and investigating the human side first would be the most affective. An aroma of authentic beef hitting their noses raising red flags as to what may be going on down here.
The first character they ran across was a man muttering near incomprehensible thoughts to himself about lights and how they surrounded them, bits of alphaware infused into their body. Despite efforts to communicate most proved ineffective so the two runners continued working for other leads. Only to upon looking for said lead nearly get hit with a potentially lethal can being hurled at Blackhawk from an unknown source. Foreman absorbing most of the impact via his special abilities. The figure revealing themselves to be a dwarven female with the mannerisms of a child, also with decent quality alphaware imbedded into their body. Weirded out by this the runners asked questions only to be met with a paywall in the form of explosives. Not wanting to give the very lethal and questionable woman even more means to destroy and harm others the pair decided to seek out help once more. This time however luck would strike as a relatively sane individual revealed themselves and introduced their name as Caravan. After informing Caravan of their goal the figure lead them to their leader Leon who had a tendency to associate people with numbers. Also informing them the man mumbling about numbers was named Andi and the dwarf throwing the can at alarming speeds was named EXI. Though upon arriving at the office of the individual in charge of the encampment, the runners were greeted with great distain and questioning. But thankfully after explaining Ghaz had sent them Leon was far more willing to talk. One disturbing fact being that the ghoul population had been rising leading to less food all around where as it turned out the human side had also been engorging on metahuman flesh. Disturbing Blackhawk to a slight degree. Leon however noted the figure in charge was one named Shoelace and the one Shoelace sent to the surface to get food was named Edward Collins. Thanking the man for the information the runners headed towards the infected side. Hoping to resolve this once and for all.
The Run
Heading over to the Infected side of the settlement the pair of runners were met with near immediate hostility as several firearms were aimed against them both. Blackhawk able to talk the infected into at least letting him cross the bridge as it threatened to break under his weight. Foreman seemingly being met with less hostility as the pair walked through the settlement as they sought information on Edward. Though as it seemed only half of the settlements weapons seemed to possess any ammunition. Blackhawk even tossing a piece or two of ammo to the inhabitants stating if they were to threaten them at least do so properly. Only to be met by their leader shoelace. A figure seemingly not... all there yet commanding the obedience of all in the settlement. Some brief discussions later and Edward was brought out for the pair of runners to talk to. Edward was a GLL associate who founded this place to help with the mentally deranged and had a stable supply line of resources lined up. However after Shoelace usurped control and continued to grow the number oh ghouls down here, food became more scarce for everyone involved as the GLL could not keep up the supply line running for much longer. The situation becoming far harder to manage after Shoelace usurped control of the ghoul community. Foreman resisting his mentor's spirit... darker solution to the problem he came up with a solution that may benefit everyone and result in little to no bloodshed on either part. The surrounding area however made calls next to impossible so a brief trip back up would be required. Blackhawk agreed to stay behind and keep the denizens in check while this happened.
As Foreman headed back up towards the surface, they were stopped by a ghoul that did not trust what Foreman was saying. Despite Foreman's best efforts to convince the ghoul he had their interests at heart they were attacked. Unfortunately for the ghoul Foreman reacted only slightly to their attack. The ghoul backing off not too long after, allowing Foreman to climb the steel ladder again to make a call. A suit at EVO picked up the call by the name of Chantal Houellebecq. Foreman made their case to help the communities down there. Offering that the mentally damaged people down there may be worth studying to figure out what had gone wrong and it would honestly not damage profits in any meaningful way. Agreeing on the condition that Foreman owe them a favor later the deal was struck and Foreman returned informing Blackhawk and the others of the good news. With a job well done the runners headed back up to the surface.
Aftermath
Disappointed the ghouls were not evicted like asked the payment was not received nor was Blackhawk's debt repaid. However things seemed to end well for those below, with the potential for peace and even help for those damaged mentally or physically. As to what drove them insane or what EVO may do with the headcases now that they were extracted... who may know? Only the future may tell.
Rewards
8 Karma, you saved the most lives! (8 RVP) 4 CDP (1 RVP)
Optional Quality for Foreman: Toughness! (9 RVP subtracted from run rewards), owes Chantal a chip, needs medical attention for the gaping wound in his back
Blackhawk, despite ensuring Foreman isn't shot to death by ghouls and resulting in a number of saved lives, does not pay back the chip on Ghaz, as he failed to evict the ghouls. The Skraacha continues to look for a diplomatic solution but grow fed up with Ghaz's slowness, may be hospital to the gabaghouls in the future.
Black Sabbath is on the EVO records as part of an official report when the Headcases are extracted. He does not get the full Records on File quality but his name is on the EVO books.
A number of Headcases are extracted by EVO and a thriving ghoul population is established within Skraacha territory, now fully led by Shoelace. This may have future ramifications.
FEEDback (get it, because they're ghouls and cannibals)
Game Quotes
Player After Action Reports (AARs)
Blackhawk: "To be honest... I do not know how to feel about what I had done. If they get out of control I will likely be checking in to ensure that the community does not grow out of control. They already seemed scared of me enough. Maybe that'll be enough to stay their hands from trying anything. If it doesn't well... I'll be ready. Hopefully those others get some help though... still have no idea how the can hurt as much as it did."