Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Oct 25, 2016 16:42:15 GMT
"It's... roughly thirty blocks away. Give or take a few meters. If you could find a third probable point, or possibly a fourth, that would aid in any pattern recognition. As for warning the Warehouse, I," there's a pause, "just did so."
Entering the dwelling, it seems to be an odd dichotomy. On the one hand, most of the surroundings - of which wouldn't be out of place in any house - are all (more or less) all tidy and normal. On the other hand, The door was knocked inwards, and there's clearly a path of stuff being knocked over, or slightly goop-splattered, all leading to a few people in various places along the floor. Sadly, they seemed to have caught a terminal case of 'being dead,' and all of them have some amount of the goop on them somewhere. There don't seem to be any large puddles, around, though, not like the ones you got when defeating the others.
|
|
Member
|
Post by ThRevanchist on Oct 26, 2016 2:53:40 GMT
That answers whether this residence was broken into, at least, Thoron thought as he regarded the carnage. Of course, that raised several pertinent questions of its own... and failed to solve most others. Rather frustrating, that. Did it mean they had just dispatched the Pokemon that did this?
Turning back to face Lowe, Thoron asks curtly, "Well? Obviously they didn't start from here, so what were you trying to show us?"
Addressing the people (and program) who could respond intelligently, he says, "It appears the former occupants failed to put up a fight; perhaps they alerted our mysterious target and were less successful at escape than the group we intervened to rescue?" While waiting for a response from either group (the lost Tracker and everyone else, that is), Thoron looks around the room, looking to see if anything structural was damaged (perhaps a wall, or the floor), or else for signs that they forced their way into an adjoining room.
|
|
|
571 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 23, 2023 4:13:40 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Moriya on Oct 26, 2016 3:57:35 GMT
"We tracked the Pokemon that attacked the warehouse here, so they were probably 'created' here. It's anyone's guess if this transparent blue woman even leaves a normal scent." Silas looks around at the area for any anomalies in the psychic energy, including edges for some sort of trail. Keeping yourself blue has to leave some residue, right? "We could always just head to the other address from here. We might come across similar areas along the way. Two points and a direction should be enough to make a straight line guess at her destination though."Examining that Psychic Residue Occult Ed: 8
|
|
Member
|
Post by Major on Oct 26, 2016 4:31:42 GMT
"Perhaps they were weak?" Soleil says at Thoron's comment about the people not putting up a fight. "Doesn't even look like they put up a fight. Pathetic..." She mumbled as she moved over toward a body and poked it with a foot. She shrugged, "Well, survival of the fittest I guess. These guys aren't getting saved anytime soon. Guess we could check the other place." She said turning away from the bodies and toward the door.
|
|
|
571 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 23, 2023 4:13:40 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Moriya on Oct 27, 2016 3:04:10 GMT
Soleils "analysis" of the scene doesn't sit right with Silas. Her words sound like they should come from the mouth of a common thug, trying to justify his bullying and petty crimes. That, and blaming the victim for a random, unexpected attack just seems wrong. Silas's face hardens slightly as he tries to correct Soleil. "There are probably weaker people who lived and stronger who died. This scene seems like 'survival of the lucky' more than anything else. And you can't blame people for bad luck."
|
|
Member
|
Post by Gear Skitty on Oct 27, 2016 16:13:50 GMT
"Soley, don't be ruuuuuude. It's not like they woke up today expecting a life or death struggle against gooooooop." Of course, she is chastising the remark while hunched over a body, trying to find a wallet as Meowspunny watches. "You need to have mooooore respect for the deadddd." Leslie moves to another body, rifling through a handbag.
"Or maybe it's sludge. What do you think??"
Mmerrrrrow. The bunny-cat stares at a TV screen.
"You're right Meowspunny, it coullld be ooze too. Further analysis is required." Leslie moves to a third body if no one stops her. As far as her reality is concerned, she still has no money. Even with a paycheck, money is useless unless you can spend it, and she hasn't had that chance since officially becoming a Technician.
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Oct 27, 2016 18:24:35 GMT
Thoron
It seems as if there's no real structural damage (beyond the door). Some property damage, but not to the degree of 'smash everything,' so that's more than likely collateral.
Silas
You can't really tell anything about the residue - and, sadly, unlike the goo, you can't really bottle this stuff. There does almost seem to be a trail, though, leading off in one direction, but it gradually fades away, as it gets further away from the large swathe of residue.
"Who knows if she'll stay on this level, though?" Omega asks, as Leslie searches near the bodies for... something. "There is somewhat of a probability, given that the only Warehouse entrances are on this level, but more data is required to ascertain. I am afraid that I am not permitted to make any possible assessments without a greater likelihood of accuracy."
Leslie
You don't find any sources of money on the people - likely because this is probably their home, and thus they are not likely to have such things on them.
Also, who knows what 'Meowspunny' is staring at. Apparently it's interested in a blank screen. Or maybe just expects it to turn on if it stares hard enough...
|
|
Member
|
Post by ThRevanchist on Oct 28, 2016 4:56:52 GMT
Thoron had been prepared to weigh in to the "weak versus unlucky" argument (he figured they must have been both), but was distracted by some very... peculiar behavior from Leslie. Commenting there instead, he says, "Given their methods of attack and weaknesses, 'sludge' seems most appropriate. But please, Kincaid, are you implying that respect for the dead need not apply to their belongings?"
As interesting as the debates over dead civilians relative combat abilities, or the exact composition of (similarly) dead sludge-based Pokemon were, they still had a mission to accomplish. Perhaps they could indulge in some idle conversation when that was done? At any rate, there was no reason to stay here. As such, and in the absence of better alternatives, Thoron orders, "Peter... Omega? Plot the quickest route to the address Silas referred to previously. If the Warehouses were in jeopardy, no doubt we would be called back, so until such a time we should continue searching for the source of this sludge."
|
|
|
571 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 23, 2023 4:13:40 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Moriya on Oct 29, 2016 1:15:09 GMT
"Yes, that seems like the best plan. Of course, we don't have any other leads anyway." Silas briefly considers taking a sample of the sludge left behind and a chunk of damaged tissue, but decides against it. It would be best to keep moving, and the sludge left here was probably the same as the acidic stuff used on the man earlier. Also, the damaged tissue sample might raise other concerns.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Major on Oct 30, 2016 1:36:13 GMT
Soleil looks genuinely confused at the comment about respect for the dead. "Huh? Why? They won't care what is said about them." She said. She tried to figure out why it mattered but couldn't think of anything. Once someone was dead they were gone. They were unable to protect or care for people they left behind.
She then looked back at Silas. "Meh, unlucky can still fight back or try to survive. I don't see any dead blobs soooooo couldn't even take out one with them. Weak. Maybe unlucky too, but still pathetic." She said with a shrug. "Why do you care? You recognize a friend?" She asked looking back over the bodies.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Gear Skitty on Oct 31, 2016 0:07:09 GMT
"Corpses don't owwwwn anything, duh. Besides, if you must know, I was trying to get IDs from them." Slacker-ette stands and stretches; Meowspunny mimics the pose. "Anyone else feel how weird these things are? I mean, thiiink. It's obvious someone or something is spawning and-or controlling these sludges. If they wanted something in the Warehouse, they'd be more focused on it and not be wasting resources on wholesale slaughter. If a high body count is the goal, it'd be easier at this point to form a line with available resources and sweep from street to street. All that makes sense right now is if their aim was just to make as much chaos as possible. Pro'lly to keep us stumbling over ourselves and our own resources stretched and ill-placed. And you know, general fear. Fear is always good."
She, she wasn't actually checking IDs. Anyone watching would be able to tell. But she had been stewing over this theory for a bit.
"Considering the number of bodies, they - whoever they are - have already hit their finish line if it is Chaos for Chaos's sake. If they're smart they'd be striking base and exiting the theater of engagement, if there's anything or anyone to actually leave and this isn't some passively running Pokemon spawning machine. The former, we'll never find them before they escape. The latter and it'd be wise to backtrack the creatures' movements."
Leslie shuffles over to the door, continuing her theorizing. "We can check this other place just fine, but if it's a dead end, I'm thinkin' we pull back to the Warehouse. It's better to secure what you have before expanding for more, and that elevator is too important a resource to lose access to. It goes, and so does any speedy resupplies and reinforcements."
|
|
Member
|
Post by ThRevanchist on Oct 31, 2016 1:29:10 GMT
"Right, and then as a righteous citizen of Arcadia, you would rush to the nearest Technician hub and report the casualties.", Thoron retorted absently, as he mulled over the much more serious portion of their slacker's insight. It was... worrying, her analysis.
"...Yes, that seems the most prudent course of action. Although if, as you deduced, they've already accomplished their objective, or are preparing for one final strike on the Warehouse, one wonders if we shouldn't return there immediately. We can agree that losing it is unacceptable, and if 'they' can bring even the same forces to bear as the last wave, it seems unlikely that our Technicians can hold out."
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Oct 31, 2016 4:14:38 GMT
After the discussions on precisely how much looting is permitted are concluded, you all head out towards the next location, following the path laid out on Leslie's databracer. Of course, that does mean that Leslie gets to set the pace... After a short time time of this, with no more obvious signs of any blobs or psychic residue, you all come to a four-way intersection that seems like it could very well be along the path that the civilians were chased along, judging by the small amounts of goop that you can see. Luckily, there doesn't seem to be any blobs here. The small amount of goop seems to lead forwards. Judging by Leslie's bracer, to the left would also be a valid, if slightly longer, route. Right would require a much more significant increase in time in order to reach your destination. ȂȓȔȗȐNjȒȗȌșȎȔșȒNjȏȚȢșNjȟȓȐNjȎȚȝȝȔȏȚȝNjȟȚNjȤȚȠȝNjȝȔȒȓȟǗNjȤȚȠNjȟȓȔșȖNjȤȚȠNjȘȔȒȓȟNjȓȌȡȐNjȞȐȐșNjȌNjȓȠȘȌșȚȔȏNjȑȔȒȠȝȐNjȑȠȝȟȓȐȝNjȌȢȌȤǗNjȌȍȚȠȟNjȢȓȐȝȐNjȟȓȐNjșȐȣȟNjȔșȟȐȝȞȐȎȟȔȚșNjȌțțȐȌȝȞNjȟȚNjȍȐǙNjǭȠȟǗNjȠțȚșNjȗȚȚȖȔșȒNjȍȌȎȖǗNjȔȟNjȏȚȐȞșǒȟNjȞȐȐȘNjȟȚNjȍȐNjȟȓȐȝȐǙØ
|
|
Member
|
Post by ThRevanchist on Oct 31, 2016 16:37:47 GMT
Giving an intent but brief stare down the right corridor, Thoron moves up to their... guide, to consult the map. Once that was done, he declares, with much less volume than might be expected from him, "We should reconvene at the target location. For now, two of us straight to the destination, and the others taking the path to the right."
|
|
|
571 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 23, 2023 4:13:40 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Moriya on Nov 1, 2016 3:26:33 GMT
Silas looks at the two available options. There's a decent chance that they'll run into a fight if they go down the goo-filled path, as there's no guarantee that all of the Pokemon chased the civilians from before. The dangerous path also has the best chance of finding more clues, but that may not be worth the time investment. Having the full team on board with any fight would make it go faster, so Silas just needs one more data point to make his decision. "Splitting up seems like a bad idea. If one groups runs into a fight, they'd be slowed down significantly. Omega, which path would be faster if we assume a fight and of the same duration as before occurs on the center path? I propose we take that one."
After making this suggestion, the change in Thoron's behavior registers in Slias's mind, and he starts to second guess himself. "Unless... is there a reason we might want to take the long path?"
|
|
Member
|
Post by ThRevanchist on Nov 1, 2016 3:36:12 GMT
With another sidelong glance down the right corridor, Thoron confides, "...Indeed. Something noticed us moments ago, and is either fleeing at this moment, or in hiding at the intersection."
|
|
Member
|
Post by Major on Nov 1, 2016 4:50:07 GMT
Soleil's eyes seemed narrowed and focused on the way to the right as she drew her rifle and tried to use the scope for a moment.
However, she eventually lowered her rifle and looked back at Thoron. "Dibs on going to the right!" Soleil said.
|
|
|
571 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 23, 2023 4:13:40 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Moriya on Nov 2, 2016 3:39:16 GMT
Silas glances toward Soleil, then looks at the team as a whole. "All of us should go right. We need to capture this guy for information, and that could change our destination." His teammate's eagerness to hurt remains problematic, but she can probably be trusted to go for a crippling shot.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Gear Skitty on Nov 2, 2016 9:22:25 GMT
Why. Why would anyone bother suggesting taking a longer route in her presence. It's not a question, Leslie understands the reasoning, she is merely lamenting the possibility of wasted time and increased physical activity, not to mention taking longer to get back to the elev-.... Warehouse, the Warehouse is what's important. She gives the group a sidelong glance, especially Silas. He knows psychic stuff, maybe he could read her thoughts. She tests this by envisioning a cavalcade of naughty thoughts while watching him for a reflexive response. Hats shouldn't be worn there, that's not what bouncy balls are for, and those noodles are probably no longer safe for consumption.
She SIGHS LOUDLY and turns to the new route. Meowspunny mews softly in mimicry. The slacker will take the rear. A giggle escapes.
|
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Nov 2, 2016 17:06:22 GMT
You all trudge make your way down the corridor, but nothing seems out of the ordinary. No slime, no blobs, no people. Well, okay, the 'no people' just isn't unusual for these circumstances. But, at least there's no dead people. Carefully (or potentially not-so-carefully) rounding the corner, a figure is revealed. Standing maybe twenty meters away down the left bend, is a semi-transparent blue woman. Who, other than that fact, and the glowing red eyes she's staring at you with... looks like Requiem. She doesn't make any immediate move, though, merely keeps scanning her gaze over your group. ƯǃǀŻǒNJLjƼljŻǎǀǀLjǎŻǏNJŻƽǀŻǂLJNJǒDŽljǂƉŻƩNJǏŻnjǐDŽǏǀŻƼǎŻƽǍDŽǂǃǏLJǔŻƼǎŻǏǃǀŻƽLJNJƽǎƇŻƽǐǏŻljNJǏDŽƾǀƼƽLJǔƉŻƯǃǀǍǀƂǎŻǎNJLjǀŻNjǎǔƾǃDŽƾŻƼƾǏDŽǑDŽǏǔŻǂNJDŽljǂŻNJljŻǒDŽǏǃŻǃǀǍƉØ
|
|