And so they arrived outside the equally large city that was...Vault City.
They could see the defensive parameter as they approached, gun turrets lining the city walls. This wasn't a place you snuck into.
Dracos
Darx eyes the turrets with a bit of disdain.
"Tsk, did some sort of war rage through this place at one time? Or are they just overly careful?"
"Xenophobic to the extreme. Just look at what we had to go through to get here."
"Well, let's not give them a reason to be trigger happy then," Leets said, eyeing Ryda and Darx warningly. He focused on being noticed as the group approached the gates, continuing to practice his talents.
"G'day, gents," he greeted the guards in a way that made him appear harmless and not worth bringing their guns to bear.
They looked at the kid. "Yes? Do you have business in the city?"
Dracos
"We're here on the behalf of the Mayor of New Brunswick," he answered politely and gestured to Jan. "Mister Jan Smith knows more of the details then I do."
They turned to eye Mr. Jan Smith. "Your passports?"
Dracos
"Here you go." He handed them over.
He checked the paperwork. "Okay, it all looks in order. Remember, only the outer city. Do not attempt to enter the vault under any circumstances. If you are found to be in violation of the law while within vault city you will be promptly expelled. There is to be no active use or drawing of weapons while within vault city. All weapons on your person must be unloaded and the safety turned on before entering. Understood?"
Dracos
Jan took out his two six shooters, and in front of their eyes unloaded the bullets. "Done. Think you could direct me to where I can buy the parts?"
"Yes, the outer city maintainance guild." He rattled off some directions.
Dracos
"Thanks for your assistance, sir." Jan smiled as he lead the group inside the city.
And so they stepped inside. The place was peaceful, almost a sort of urban utopia. The streets clean, the people seemingly friendly and clean, no sign of beggers or poor anywhere.
Dracos
"I don't like it."
Darx takes a look around.
"I've got a bad feeling about this.."
"It's probably because it's so fundamentally different than what you've seen in the Wasteland so far. Either that, or the giant guns outside. Anyway, no need to worry much now that we're in." Jan lead them to the maintenance guild.
And so they headed to the maintainance shop, where they heard a young lady swearing a bit inside.
Dracos
Jan blinked, pausing a second before he led the way inside the guild.
There was one young woman inside, messing with some machine which looked kind of troublesome. She was wearing a vault uniform.
Dracos
"Excuse me? We're here to buy some parts for a water filter."
"What kind?" She turned to them.
Dracos
He handed over the list. "So, what are you working on?"
"An airconditioner." She looked over the list. "Yeah, I can get all these things, though I'll have to order a few of them in. Will take a day or two."
Dracos
"Fine with me. Do you happen to know where we could stay for the time being?"
Ryda looked around the shop, boredly mentioning to Darx.
"Gee, feels like a prison in this place, doesn't it?"
"I've been in prison girl, and trust me....this is no prison."
"I did too... wasn't very pleasant. This guy kept calling it Hell and himself the Devil... meh, I still kicked his ass though."
"Yeah, just go to Alex's hotel." She rattled off directions.
Dracos
"I have a question. How do you guys keep things so clean? In the desert and everything, I imagine it'd be a full time job." Jan asked the woman.
"Hum? The walls keep the desert out mostly and the public works staff keeps the rest clean."
Dracos
"...You've been to hell?"
"Oh, I see. Do you know the directions to the nearest pub? I feel like having myself a drink and a sandwich or something after that long walk."
"Yeah, but I'm not talking about that... there was this prison, and this prisoner fancied himself as The Devil. Had tattoos all over his body, and piercings wherever there weren't tattoos. I beat him in poker once, and he proceeded to attempt to kick my ass for the 3 months I was there."
"huh? Didn't the guard tell you at the gates? You can get drinks, but there's no alcohol in 'em."
Dracos
"A better question.....why were you in prison?"
"Meh... I was doin' some time for stealing some electronics... I think, the memories of that event are just a little fuzzy. Doesn't matter really, they let me go pretty easily."
"A thief.....I'll have to watch you close, girl."
"I only did it because I was in with some bad people in the worst way... anyway, it was fun beating the shit out prisoners every day. I think the most fun I had was when 20 people ganged up on me and the guards had to break the fight up for THEIR protection..."
"um..." The woman looked at them and went to her phone, speaking into it rapidly.
Dracos
"What? What's wrong?" Jan blinked at the woman. Then turned to look at Darx and Ryder. "What the heck did you two say that set her off?!"
He could hear her saying something about an announced criminal in the city.
Dracos
Ryda leaned over and whispered into Jan's ear... "Hey, I'll meet you guys later..."
And with that, she ran outside, into an alley... and was gone in a whoosh of static.
A few seconds later, two large guards entered, heavily armored, their faces obscured. "Where is the criminal?" They blocked the entrance to the shop.
"I'm sorry, she ran off." The woman answered, giving a description of Ryder. "I think these folks knew her?"
Dracos
Jan mentally weighed the pros and cons before coming to a quick decision. "We don't know her. Sorry."
"Anything you can tell us about the disruption? We have on record that you entered with her."
Dracos
"She was sort of babbling to Darx here about something I couldn't quite hear. Anyway, she came in with us, sure. But beyond that, we don't really know her very well."
They looked over him. "Okay, but if you hear anything, let us know." The two walked off.
Dracos
"Oh hey, wait!" Jan ran up to the guards. "How do I call you if something happens?"
"Huh? New in town, right. Just ask any civil worker or yell. We'll hear you."
Dracos
"Okay. Have a good day, officers." Jan waved as they left. Turning back to the group, he shrugged. ""Let's go get ourselves a room."
He left the guild and started towards the inn.
Leets followed quickly, avoiding the guards' scrutiny and glad he kept his old profession a secret.
"So what do we do about this mess?" he questioned the group.
"We can't do anything about it. He's gotten himself labeled, and by their reaction they don't want him here at all. All we can do is wait at the hotel nearby until they get the parts, then leave."
In another hour, the group, the four that remained, were holed up in a pair of nice hotel rooms. The place was small, but livably nice and kept clean and quiet.
Dracos
"What will you all do? I think I'm going to go out for a bit and see the local sights."
"I think I'll do the same," Leets shrugged, dropping his stuff off and pocketing some money. "Not like we have much else to do until those parts arrive."
After getting answers equalvalent to 'slack around' from the others, Jan nodded and headed out.
Leets wandered in the direction opposite of Jan's.
Leets:
Heading out, Leets went west, the place primarily residential along the outer city, a few small businesses here and there. He spotted what appeared to be some sort of club.
Dracos
Jan:
Heading off to the east, he found himself traveling through similar residential area, a doctor's office, some small science buildings, a nice park with some folks playing various sports, before a bit of a small mountain that bordered the east side of the city, a huge sort of metal door swung wide open against it, built as if some kind of machinary.
Dracos
"Hey, what's that door lead to?" Jan asked of one of the random passer bys playing.
Leets approached the club curiously, glancing at the sign and peering inside.
The "Daughter's Tavern" was pretty peaceful, of course it was also early.
Dracos
"Maybe we can avoid getting hit by drunks this time around?" Leets muttered quietly to himself as he walked into the club.
THe place was quiet, a friendly young lady tending the bar. No one really in there. There was a juke box in the corner.
Dracos
"Good mornin'," Leets greeted amiably as he took a seat at the empty bar. "Don't suppose you have a menu?"
"Yup, check beside you."
There was a menu on the table. Lots of american food. No alcohol anywhere on there though.
Dracos
"...right," Leets muttered, face flushed in embarrassment. He wordlessly picked up the menu and looked over the unfamiliar items.
"What's today's special?" he aksed calmly, as if his earlier slip didn't happen.
Ryder:
You're in the city. You realize a couple of issues, mainly that there's not a lot of places to hide around here and you do have a pretty darn distinctive look.
Dracos
Leets:
"Clam chowder." She answered.
Dracos
"I'll have a bowl of that then, and a glass of cola, if you have any." Leets handed back the menu.
The waitress brought the young leets a bowl of clam chowder and a coke with a straw.
Dracos
Leets untied his scarf as he prepared to eat, revealing his embarrassingly boyish face. He tasted the chowder carefully to avoid burning his tongue.
With a flourish, the doors of the "Daughter's Tavern" flew open and in stepped a man in a black sleeveless t-shirt, familiar looking cargo jean shorts, and a pair of combat boots.
With a manic looking grin on his face, the boy with a midnight blue ponytail and red bangs took a seat at the bar. The hair looked rather wet...
Snapping up a menu, Ryder calmly ordered... "I want a Cheeseburger, hold the pickles, with an order of fries and a Sprite. Please..."
The soup isn't too hot, or too bad. It's actually quite a treat after some of the travel fare.
Dracos
Leets couldn't hide his startled gaze at Ryder's rather dramatic entrance.
"What do you think you're doing?" he hissed quietly. "Aren't you supposed to be keeping a low profile?"
With a grin, Ryder leaned over and whispered into Leets' ear...
"Low profiles are for those without water-based curses."
Leets turns back to his chowder, grumbling as he resumed eating. "Just don't go shooting your mouth again."
The waitress looked over at the rather flamboyant fellow. "Coming up soon." She responded.
Dracos
Ryder smirked and leaned forward onto the bar.
"Of course, I'm only usually an idiot once..."
"That one time might just be your neck," Leets muttered tiredly down into his bowl. "I'm guessing you got the address of the inn already, right?"
He sipped his cola, giving Ryder a level stare.
"No, of course I don't... I found it to be too risky to try being a super leet ninja like you to find out."
Leets groaned at the bad pun, glaring dourly at Ryder. "Yeah, laugh it up, femmeboy."
He finished his chowder and relaxed, leisurely drinking his cola.
With the continued grin of someone who was a little loopy, which may or may not be true knowing Ryder, he said, "Gee... the way you're talking, it's almost like you don't even like me... I'm so hurt..."
A knock was heard as one of those large armored soldiers entered.
Dracos
Leets steadied his features and tried to act casual without triggering his abilities. Wouldn't do to scare the waitress and cast more suspicion on the party just yet.
Ryder casually looked at the guard that walked in and nodded.
"Is ther' somethin' we can do for you?"
The man looked about to greet the waitress/bartender before he glanced at Ryder. "No...huh." He looked over Ryder and pulled out some computer on his side, checking it, looking up at ryder. "Actually, yes, you could. You're coming with me to the presinct."
Dracos
"Hrm? Did I do something wrong sir?"
"We'll see about that. Now get up and get moving."
Dracos
Ryder calmly stands up and places his arms behind his head...
"I don't see what the problem is, but oh well..."
The man gestured for Ryder to walk in front of him, and lead him out to the presinct, leaving Leets alone in the bar.
At the presinct, Ryder was taken to a small room and told to sit down.
Dracos
Leets considered his options carefully as he watched them take Ryder away, all the while he was leisurely sipping his soda. After a long moments thought, he sighed and twisted his chair back to face the bar. 'They're looking for a girl anyway, so Ryder should be able to look after himself,' he reasoned.
"Excuse me, miss? May I have my bill?" He waved towards the waitress and continued. "I'm also sort of new in town and was wondering if there's anything interesting to visit here?"
"Well, there's the park and city hall. We don't really have much touristy stuff here." She gave him his bill.
Dracos
"Got any directions to both?" he smiled politely as he payed up with tip.
"Sure." She gave him directions, though noted that the city hall was only open to travelers during some hours.
Dracos
"Thanks."
Leets wrapped his scarf back around himself and left for the park.
Ryder calmly sat down into the chair, looking over the officials.
"So, what is this all about officer?"
Leets:
Arriving at the park, it looked really relaxing. Lots of kids running about in it, some tennis courts. A soccer game going on.
Dracos
Ryder:
Two sat down with him.
"We've had reports of a dangerous criminal roaming the streets, you matched enough of the description to be brought in. What is your business here in Vault City?"
Dracos
"I came to Vault City in search of some parts... but I tought saw someone I recognized and decided to say hi. Wasn't them though..."
"Looks like football survived the fall of civilization," Leets chuckled as he lay back on the grass and enjoyed the cool feel of it brushing his back. Definately an improvement to sleeping on desert sands.
"At least there's no damn wolves around here," he yawned, watching the people with nostalgia.
Ryder:
"Huh, friends here? What if we ask Ana. Will she collaborate that you weren't planning things there with others?"
Dracos
Time passed as eventually it started getting late, leets having fallen asleep in the comfortable peaceful park.
Dracos
"Like I said... I thought I saw someone I knew from my travels around, but it wasn't them."
"Are you sure about that? You wouldn't mind undergoing a standard dna analysis, would you?"
Dracos
"Of course I wouldn't mind..."
The man nodded, coming over and grabbing Ryder's arm, sticking him with some device that promptly drew an ounce of blood.
The other one sat there as he stepped out.
His eyes narrowed as he leaned over. "Now, do you want to tell us the truth this time?"
Dracos
"I was telling the truth... I came into town looking for some parts, and thought I saw someone I knew."
"So you were at the maintanance center." He said it matter of factly.
Dracos
"No, I wasn't... I figured it was closed for the night, so I went to the bar for a bite to eat."
"Right, it was closed for the night in the middle of the day. You know, maybe we should just lock you up for a month, see if you feel like playing ball then, huh?"
Dracos
Leets woke up, startled. "Huh, wha... oh crap!" he quickly checked himself over to make sure nothing was missing.
Leets:
Nope. Odd, nobody had robbed him.
Dracos
Leets sighed with relief as he stood up, looking for an indication of the time.
"Wonder if there's time to visit city hall?" he murmured to himself.
"Rules are different in every city I go sir... Places operate differently, and I wanted to spend a full day here just to get used to what is what. Anyway, I saw someone that looked like a friend of mine, like I said..."
Leets:
Nothing answered him directly but given the hour, probably not.
Dracos
Ryder:
The man leaned back. Not saying a word. Just watching Ryder from his chair.
Leets sighed and started back for the inn, taking a slow pace to enjoy what was left of the day.
Ryder calmly waited, staring the other policeman down.
"How long do these tests usually take?"
"Oh, not too long." He responded. "So what parts were you coming to get?"
Dracos
"Came to have my gun serviced... heard 'round the grapevine that Vault City has some of the best gun stores around."
"Mmmhmm." He folded his arms. "You have your license with you of course?"
Dracos
"Frankly, I woke up here with it... I've had it with me in all the places I've been to in my time here and this is the first time I've been asked about licensing and registration."
"Mmm, hmm. And this is the first place you've come to?"
Dracos
"No, far from it... like I said, I've been traveling for a while, been to a few cities like New Brunswick, and this is the first time anyone has asked me for a licence. I didn't even know there WERE licences..."
The man nodded. "Likely story."
The other officer came back in, talking quickly then sitting down, letting the first speak.
"Thought you could pull a fast one, didn't you?"
Dracos
Clyde/Leets/Darx/Jan:
And so you guys have a reasonably restful evening in the two rooms acquired, the night passing as you are awoken by the chirping of birds in the morning.
Dracos
Jan went down to the maintanence guild after leaving the others a note. Time to check up on the progress, and to see if he could do that favor for Wright.
Dropping by the maintainance guild, he found it just opening.
"Heya. Here for those parts? They should be in this afternoon."
Dracos
"Oh great. Thanks. I was here for something else, though. Can I come in, please?"
"Sure." The door was open.
Dracos
Jan entered the maintenance guild. "I'd like to know if your guild is interested in doing business for raw materials?"
Later, after reading Jan's note and freshening up, Leets wandered once more around the city, taking in the sights as he explored the streets.
"Well, that generally doesn't come through us. What kinds of materials though?"
Dracos
Jan began listing the kinds of materials that he knew could make weapons, but could be used to make other stuff.
"huh, you are representing a supplier?"
Dracos
"Light Progressive Incorated."
"Hum, well, maybe the boss will like to talk to you. He tends to be in during the evenings. If you want, I can mention it to him."
Dracos
Darx, still in the room in the inn, slowly removes the bandages from his wing, smiling as he slowly opens and closes it.
"Hmm, still a bit weak, but for the most part healed. Good, very good."
Leets:
Wandering around, you spot an older man in one of those blue vault suits walking by.
Dracos
"Thanks for your assistance, ma'am." Jan nodded.
"is there anything else I can do for you?" The woman was apt on the whole customer service thing.
Dracos
"G'day, sir," Leets greeted the older man politely. "Isn't it a bit hot to be wearing that?"
"Hm. No, nothing more, thanks. Have a good day." Jan stepped outside the maintenance guild, and began wandering around, probably get a bite to eat.
The man turned blinking and looking around before noticing Leets. "oh, you must be a tourist here. This isn't hot at all. In fact it's very comfortable."
Dracos
Jan:
Jan now has the rest of the day to waste. Damn this place is boring.
Maybe he can check out the park?
Dracos
"Yeah, you could say I'm a tourist," he said, studying the man intently.
"So what is it you do that makes you have to dress like that then?" Leets asked curiously.
"Pull a fast one? I haven't told you a lie yet..."
He decided to go to the park again, maybe he could find out some more about the inner city. Or ask them why they were so ...strange in this town.
Jan:
Well, asking around indicated that the route to city hall and city hall in the inner city was fair game.
Dracos
"Your blood tells tales, Mr. Hakubi, if that's your real name."
Dracos
"And... what kind of tales do my blood tell?"
Darx leaves the room and heads outside, curious as to what this city has to offer.
He turns left after leaving the inn, looking around the city as he goes, making sure to keep his wings folded up.
Ryder:
"You're a shapeshifter. Your genetics show it. Now, you can come clean or be tossed out."
Dracos
Darx:
It is a very peaceful city, the place almost completely devoid of litter, of signs of fighting, or of anything like that. Plenty of humans going about their business here.
Dracos
Leets:
The man laughed a bit. "It was standard uniform. Been so for so long, no one really remembers. Anyhow, I have to get moving." He continued on towards city hall.
Dracos
"Hm, this is a nice change from the Reno's streets...let's just hope the others are wise enough to stay out of trouble."
He notices the park in the distance, and makes his way towards it.
Darx:
Darx arrived at the park. It was pretty empty at this time of day but was a very nice and large park with plenty of facilities.
Dracos
"Shapeshifter... yeah, I guess you could call it that. Anyway, if you don't want me here, then I'll leave. That's not an issue..."
Darx takes seat in the grass under a tall tree, letting his sword lie beside him.
If there's one thing he had in common with his arch-enemy, it was his pure love and respect for Nature and plants.
The lean figure closed his eyes as he relaxed under the shade of the tree, enjoying the warm day.
"Mmm, I suppose I'll just wait here and meet up with the others later."
With the others out and about on their own errands, Clyde decides to head out in search of any libraries - this place certainly looks like it should have at least one good repository of knowledge.
OOC: Skipped around in the interest of ease.
IC:
In short order Ryder finds himself on the outside of the walls of vault city, his gear in hand and night fallen.
Dracos
It did indeed have a public library in the outer city. It was kind of smallish though. Entering, he saw an older man monitering the room and plenty of weird glass screens in frames and machinery.
Dracos
Clyde entered a bit slowly, removing his hat as he does so.
"Ah, excuse me, sir - the sign outside said that this is a library? Could you direct me to the stacks?"
Hal:
"Yes, this is the external library. I take it you're not familiar with reading off the screens?"
Dracos
Leets shrugged and prepared to continue his own wanderings before he remembered he had wanted to check out city hall the other day.
After a moment's thought, he started following the oddly (to him at least) dressed older gentleman towards the heart of town.
Leets:
Leets arrived a large functional looking facility towards the back of town which appeared, at least according to the signs, to be city hall.
Dracos
"Off the screens?" Clyde looked around, a bit puzzled. "No, I'm afraid not. What exactly do you mean?"
Clyde:
The man lead over and introduced poor clyde to the concept of a modern touch-screen computer system.
Dracos
In the interest of not going back and forth for fifty posts =P
"Huh, wonder what it was before it became city hall," Leets mused as he walked up to the building's entrance.
Clyde thanked the attendant, a bit awed at the technology displayed, and started in on his reading - starting with scientific theory from his own time working forward.
Leets:
The door was not locked, sliding itself open as he walked up to let him into the place.
Dracos
Leets walked in, gazing around the interior curiously and wondering which way a tourist would be allowed to go.
Clyde:
Clyde quickly got up to date. Well, as much as he could. The resources here were almost intentionally slim on technical detail of any kind and more history, literature, etc, leading up to the year twenty thirty.
It was evening when he finished.
Dracos
Leets:
There's a fair bit of open pathway and offices. Doesn't seem very sealed up. There's the first citizen's office (according to signs), the second citizens office, the citizenship office, the agricultural department, the technology department, economy... it kept going with many many offices.
Dracos
Leets glanced around, pondering for a moment before heading to the agricultural department.
He found a small group of people working at various computers inside.
Dracos
Clyde headed over to the attendant after finishing his historical researches - the world had come and gone a long way between his time and now.
"Pardon me, but would there be anywhere for me to learn more on scientific theory? It seemed that your screens here were a bit slim on the specifics of technology, and I'd like to keep myself up to date if at all possible."
"Mmm? You'd have to be a citizen for that kind of stuff. We keep that in the vault. You can apply at city hall."
Dracos
"Ah, much obliged, sir," Clyde said with a smile, tipping his hat to the man. "I shall inquire... tomorrow," he replied, sounding a bit surprised. Time really does fly, it seems...
With a simple farewell, Clyde begins his journey back to the inn for the evening.
"Hello? Is it alright if I ask a few questions?" Leets interupted politely.
"huh?" A secretary turned. "Oh, hello there. Didn't see you come in. Are you here for a permit?"
Dracos
Darx looks at the setting sun and sighs.
"Suppose the others will be waiting on me."
He gathers his sword and stands, heading back towards the inn.
"I was actually curious on how you get anything to grow in this desert."
"Do you have your citizen papers?" She checked first.
Dracos
Leets blinked owlishly, processing that question. "No, I don't," he admitted, frowning. "My travel visas aren't enough?"
"That information is classified." She answered succinctly.
Dracos
"Hm, I see."
"I guess I better take my questions to the citizinship office then," Leets shrugged. "Thanks for your time."
He left, feeling a bit annoyed at being stonewalled.
Heading in, he found that older man from earlier in the citizenship office.
Dracos
"Uhh... Hello again. Didn't think you meant that was an executive uniform," Leets greeted the man with an uncertain chuckle. What kind of messed up policy was that?
"Well, of course. Hello again there." He said genially.
Dracos
"Yeah, uhm, do you mind if I ask a few questions? Or do I have to be a citizin first?" Leets asked warily.
"Not at all, this is where you ask such questions."
Dracos
"What are the full benefits of becoming a citizen here? Are there any differences between being a citizen and noncitizen other then not being able to access certain information?"
The man laughed. "So sure you can acquire citizens, young man? We don't just hand them out. Anyhow, this is the safest city in the region."
Dracos
Jan:
And so it was evening.
Dracos
Leets coughed, a bit flustered at the old man's openess. At least he was more polite then some of the other people so far. "I'm not arguing it isn't safe. I'm just wondering what there is that would motivate someone to apply for citizenship."
"Well, um, I don't usually argue for people to apply for citizenship." The older man looked a bit confused.
Dracos
"Then can you answer a few questions that have been bothering me about this city?" Leets prodded, "Such as why some of the people here are seem so paranoid with us tourists?"
"We don't get many tourists. Too many raiders about and really many of the other cities are sort of unclean."
Dracos
"I guess that explains a bit about the guns," Leets muttered, though he was in agreement with the sentiment. "We, the group I'm in, ran into a raider camp once and it certainly isn't an experience we would want to repeat."
"Anyway, what would someone have to go through to apply for citizenship?"
"Well, Usually the only ways are to be born in or to pass a test to show you're physically, mentally, and socially up to spec."
Dracos
Jan made his way towards the maintenance guild to see about picking up those parts.
An older man was behind the counter this time as he stepped in. The owner perhaps?
Dracos
"Do I take the test here then?" Leets asked after some thought.
'You can. Would you like to try?"
Dracos
"Excuse me, sir. I've come to pick up some replacement parts for New Brunswick's water filter. I was told they'd be in by now." He made his way up to the owner.
"Yes, please."
Jan:
"Ah, yes." He went under the desk and pulled out a large box. "Here you go. Be careful with 'em."
Dracos
The man nodded, administering the test...
"We'll have your results tomorrow morning."
Dracos
"Thank you, sir," Leets nodded graciously. "I'll be back for the results then."
He left city hall, taking a look at the sky to see what time it was.
It was evening. Already? So much time had passed.
Dracos
Darx comes upon Leets as he makes his way back to the inn.
He nods towards the man and smiles. "I trust your day went well?"
Jan took the box. "While we're at it, I was wondering if I could offer you a business proposition? I was told that I had to speak to you since you were in charge of the guild."
"Quite well, yes," Leets nodded amiably to the swordsman as they returned to the inn.
Jan:
"What kind of business proposition?" He sounded curious.
Dracos
"I can't even hazard a guess as to what your current situation is, but a company I represent is interesting in forming ties with Vault City. They could get you gunpowder and iron fairly easily."
"Gunpowder I don't have that much of a use for. Good iron though is always in demand. What kind of company?"
Dracos
"The company's name is Light Progressive in New Reno, they specialize in importing and exporting, so they're always on the look out for more partners to trade with."
"Well, I don't see a problem with establishing a new trading partner." He nodded.
Dracos
"Do you know any place in town that's looking for gunpowder?"
"Well, the citizen's guard has some but that's home produced."
Dracos
"Where is the citizen's guard stationed?"
"You're not a citizen so, I guess you can talk to the guards at the guardhouse near the front entrance."
Dracos
"Okay. Well then, for now I'll have to check in with Light Industry, but are you amiable towards a partnership? I'll need the amounts of iron you'd need, and that sort of stuff."
"Well, I'd need prices before I put down any order. We do a fair bit so if the price is fair, we'll order enough."
Dracos
"I really can't speak for the company, but I'll bring you some figures. Does a week or so sound good?"
"That works fine." He nodded in agreement.
Dracos
"Alright then. Have a good night." Jan carried the parts off to the hotel. He'd talk to the guards tomorrow morning.
The night passed as the group exchanged a bit of information on what had happened during their day.
The sun rose as they awoke early in the morning.
Dracos
Darx stands and stretches, looking out the window.
"Ah, another day of relaxation."
"I'll be back later, guys," Leets said as he left and headed towards City Hall.
Leets headed over to city hall, which was just opening.
Dracos
Leets slowed down his pace, trying to catch his breath after the brisk walk to make it early. "I hope I'm not too early," he murmured, heading to the citizenship office.
There was another younger man there, setting up.
Dracos
"Hello? I'm here for the results of my citizenship exam?"
"Ah, name?" He asked.
Dracos
Leets gave the man the name he registered under, waiting patiently for his results.
"Hum, it appears you failed the physical. You have some genetic oddity in your blood."
Dracos
"Really? What kind of oddity?" Leets questioned casually, not really surprised but still curious on what they found.
"unstable genetic mutation. Possibly intentional eugenics work."
Dracos
"Eugenic? ...what do you mean unstable?!" Leets demanded, a hint of panic on his face.
"As in likely to produce further genetic mutations within two generations." He shrugged.
Dracos
"Ohh... so what does that mean for my chances of registering as a citizen?"
Clyde took his time about breakfast, leaving after a short time - unknowingly following Leets towards the city hall.
"It means you fail the test. Unless you are granted citizenship through other means you will not be allowed to enter the main parts of the city."
Dracos
"I see... All right then, thank you for your time," Leets said politely and left the office.
"Great, now what?" he sighed to himself as he considered his once more limited options.
Clyde:
You arrive at city hall.
Leets:
You spot Clyde as he strolls in.
Dracos
Clyde removed his hat as he approached the man behind the counter.
"Pardon me, sir, but I was informed by the gentleman at the library that there are more scientific stores of knowledge inside the city, and that I would need to apply for citizenship to access them. What would I need to do in order to do so?"
"Professor Hornsby!" Leets called, waving to gain the older man's attention as he jogged up to him. "What are you doing here?"
"Yes, go to the citzenship office." He pointed in the right direction. "You can't miss it."
Dracos
"Thank you kindly, sir," Clyde replied, heading off in the direction indicated and looking for the citizenship office.
Halfway out the door, he finally hears his name, and stops to wait for Leets. "Hmm? I was just looking for the citizenship office - I've been informed that most of the scientific knowledge is inside the city, so I thought I might at least attempt to gain access."
"I just came back from there myself," Leets said, gesturing to the direction of the office.
"Failed though," he grumbled sulkily as he gave Clyde a heads up on what they're looking for.
"Well, let's see if I have any better luck," Clyde replied. "Perhaps if I pass, they'll allow me to bring you in as a guest."
Entering the citizenship office, he heads over to the counter and makes the arrangements for taking the test.
Clyde:
Starting the test, it takes most the day, it being late afternoon when you finish.
Dracos
Clyde exits the testing center, stretching his back as he emerges into the late afternoon sunlight.
"Haven't done any serious testing since I graduated college," he mutters. "I'd rather administer tests than take them."
"Don't we all," Leets chuckled, feeling a bit better after having relaxed away from the other citizens.
"You going anywhere now that you're done?"
"Somewhere quiet, I think," Clyde said with a grimace. "I could use a rest after that ordeal."
"I got a few other things I'd like to see," Leets confessed as he stood up and brushed his clothes off. "I'll see you back at the inn later."
He then wandered around for the day.
Night falls, the party reconvening at the inn.
They have the parts they need to repair the ailing water problem.
What will they do?
Dracos
"Okay, now that we're all done here, we should get back and finish our job. I'll pay you all the rest of the fee when we get back." Jan made his way about securing the parts into his pack as he finished getting ready.
Turning, he started out the door. "It's a good thing you stayed relatively low key after what happened to Ryder, Darx."
"Hmph, I like to think I'm a bit more intelligent than that fool."
Darx follows out the door.
"Well, hopefully we'll figure out why he was talking like that when we meet up with him again. Someone here mind sharing some supplies with him, since he'll probably need a bit of them by now?"
"I say we let him suffer. He was foolish enough to make the mistakes, he should pay for them."
"And listen to his whining on the way back? I think not."
"He can have some of my stuff," Leets sighed. "I don't need very much and I can always get more."
"So what did you all do today when I was out?" Jan curiously asked.
"Tried to get registered as a citizen."
"Same," Clyde replied. "Unless we're leaving too early in the morning, I'd like to try stopping by to get my results tomorrow before we leave. It may not be much use for the moment, but getting access to the citizens' libraries would be a great help to me."
"Well, since you and Leets have to get the results, we'll leave in the morning, then. How well do you two think you did?" Jan set his pack down after he finished tying it secure.
Darx lies onto his bed and sighs.
"I can't wait to leave this place..."
"I haven't the faintest clue," Clyde replied, shaking his head a bit. "That was the first test I've taken in probably ten or fifteen years. I suppose tomorrow will tell."
"I already checked this morning. Failed due to genetic defect."
Leets frowned, giving the general impression that he was pouting under his scarf.
"Huh? They even check for that? What rat bastards." He frowned. "Was it something that might be dangerous to you, though?"
"No, it had something to do with possible complications in future generations." Leets jokingly added, "Guess that means I won't be having kids."
"Heh, most children are brats, anyway."
Leets shot Darx with a flat glare. "I resent that remark."
Darx grins.
"Can't blame me for speaking the truth, ne?"
"At least it won't do anything to you, Leets..." Jan tried.
"At least that's what they say, though they could have been hiding it for some reason."
"I doubt it, this city is too full of holier than thou people. They wouldn't sugarcoat what they'd see as faults in you." Jan frowned. "Regardless, even if you're not allowed here, I'll arrange something for you back in New Brunswick."
"But they would if something threatens they're perfect society, wouldn't they?" Leets pointed out with a tired sigh, though he perked up at Jan's offer.
"Really? That'd be great."
"Yeah, in fact, I'll extend the other to you all. I can see that you would work hard, and once caught up on this world's inner workings, you'd probably be a great help to New Brunswick."
Darx nods..
"Alright, sounds good to me."
"Hm. I have a question, back in the raider's camp, were you the one that started the fire? Or did it happen to be a convenient cow I didn't see back there?"
A wide grin creeps across Darx's face, a creepy sight indeed.
"Illusions are a wonderful thing, are they not? Perfect for making a distraction as you're trying to make a getaway..."
"So you know magic too, huh? Well, that'll be useful, considering how strange things are getting lately." Jan shook his head. "The wolves from before, and that strange tower, now magic. I'm just waiting for a dragon to show up, now."
"Bah, dragons are easy prey and tast--wait.....Tower? You saw the tower as well?"
"There's a tower here, yes." Jan blinked at the sudden question. "I don't like getting near it, so on the way to New Reno we swung wide around it and wound up in that damnable forest. So much for a shortcut."
He sighed, remembering the old drunk at New Brunswick's bar. "I know someone who went there, but they came back changed."
Darx pauses to think again, then suddenly perks up.
"Where is this tower, exactly? Have we got any maps or anything?"
"I'm not even sure you should go in there. No one's ever come back from there."
"Do I look like just anyone to you? I do not fear this tower...."
Darx flutters his wings before continuing.
"As I was dropped in this world, I saw the tower. It sent an omnious chill through me, and for the first time in my two-thousand years of wandering, I felt fear. I must go back there...I must see what it is that lurks within it's walls."
"Fine, but it'll have to wait until we get these parts back to New Brunswick. Agreed?"
"....fair enough. Agreed."
"Alright then, let's all get to bed now. We'll get Cylde's results, and leave during the day, then."
Darx looks out the window..
"I....shall return in a bit. Staying inside all day has made me hyper, I think I'll go for a walk to burn this energy off."
He turned and headed to leave.
The night passed as they awoke.
Dracos
Darx is already awake, quietly waiting on the others.
After getting ready, the group left Vault City and picked up a rather weatherbeaten Ryder on the way out.
On the way back, they saw it, blending slightly into the sands. Taller than a man, maybe then two or three. It was hard to tell as it kept slouched, sniffing the air from time to time. It was broad across its shoulders and had a fierce muzzle. It's claws dragged slightly in the sand, almost lazily as it traveled north...
And sniffed, turning in their direction with a graceful yet bestial motion.
Dracos
"Mutant teddybear at ten o'clock. This is why I hate traveling during the day." Jan sighed. "Swing far from it, and start running."
"It's only a bear, not that big a threat."
Darx listens to Jan anyway, though, flaring open his wings and taking a small hop into the air, floating away from it and to the left, trying to pass as quickly as he can.
"Trust me, people don't travel during the day hardly ever for a reason!" Jan led the others in their quick escape from the mutant.
The creature sped up into a rambling lumber towards them, slowly starting to close on them.
Dracos
Darx does a midair spin, floating backwards as he watches the bear lumber towards them.
"Curses, this doesn't look good..."
He hesitates for a moment, then draws his sword, grinning, the light sparking off it. He slowly closes his wings and lands in the sand, thinking to himself.
Hopefully the others will run while I try to hold him off...
Ryder, waiting a cloak almost billowing in the hot wind, sighs at yet another beast. He had to deal with one or six of them while the others relaxed in the city... And he was tired. Too tired to care about running... this time.
"Best to leave the idiot to fight the teddy bear..."
And with that nice staticy effect, BAM! Ryder's a good distance off from the group...
"Leets, take these guns and stay behind me. Take your time aiming, just make sure they count. Don't panic." Jan dashed a bit aways from the others and focused.
"Guess the guns will come in handy now. Lock and load, fellahs!" Smashing his fist into the ground, a pillar of sand erupted out from underneath him to obscure him from sight, light bleeding out from within for a few moments before a gleaming golem stepped out.
It smashed its fists together as it took a few steps forwards.
Leets nodded to Big-Jan, taking his position and trying to aim the unfamiliar feeling weapon at the lumbering behemoth until he was sure that the gun was centered on the target.
The bear rose slowly as it approached, it's paws rising up as it looked at them, its massive tongue brushing against its large fangs. It sized them up, even as they did the same to it. It was bigger than Jan's other form, more massive. Muscular, the fur thick on it.
Dracos
The golem took a few steps to the side and reared back, slamming its fist into the desert sand. With a loud hiss, the piston in the right arm came down and lauanched a blast of hot air, sand, and rocks towards the giant bear.
The bear looked on, almost with a kind of hungry grin on it's fearsome face, a long arm lifting up almost lazily...before swinging across just in time with devestating power, sending the rocks flying to the side. It seemed to blast into action at that, rushing forward towards him, it's feet pounding against the ground with tremendous force.
Dracos
Leets fired off a shot in response to the charging bear, hoping that his aim wasn't too badly off.
The golem stepped into the bear's path, hoping to keep it at bay as the others fired. It reached with its hands to grapple with the beast.
Leets:
Leets gets off his shot before the bear closes. It's tight, his hands are kind of shakey at seeing the fercious beast charging at them. The gun isn't precisely familiar to him either as the shot goes wide...
But there's a good thing about the bear being quite that big, is that it is really hard to miss.
The bullet smashed into his shoulder, leaving a small but bloody furrow as it got stuck in the bone and muscle.
Then the bear hit Jan, it's clawed paws grabbing onto him and squeeezing, metal groaning in protest as it struck and roared angrily.
Dracos
Leets flinched, feeling the numbness spreading in his hand as the bear grabbled Big-Jan. He quickly retreated out of sight and relaxed his arm after the first shot before taking aim with the second gun and firing again.
Leets felt a whoosh as air suddenly hit a vaccum, and he saw another, familiar ivory gun pointed at the bear right next to his head.
"Don't panic... aim and fire. Focus on where you want to shoot."
"R-right," Leets swallowed his nervousness and fired another shot when he was lined up.
Ryder smiled, unbeknownst to Leets, and started to pour plasmic energy into the gun, the ivory turning a red tint...
Clyde drops to one knee, carefully drawing a bead on the bear. Rather than try for a difficult shot he doubts he can make, he aims for the heart, waiting for a clear shot with Big and Darx out of the way before firing.
Darx dived down on the bear from behind, slashing deeply into the back of its neck before darting back.
Taking advantage of the attack, Jan landed a vicious blow into the bear's midsection as he moved away from the bear enough to get some breathing room.
Leaving the bear open to the other's attacks.
Leet's shot hammered into the beast's arm as it swung around to try and hit the moving big, it's claws leaving furrows in the sand by the near miss. Clyde's shot aimed close smashing through it's back as it turned and leaving a larger bloody hole behind than Leet's smaller shots. It still focused on Jan though, charging towards him and smashing into him with a powerful blow, the wounds not seeming yet to slow it down even if they must surely be pretty painful.
Dracos
Leets frowned, lowering his smoking gun as he muttered to himself, "We might need a bigger gun."
He raised his other hand, which was still tingling but no longer numb and aimed, trying to keep his gun centered to keep his shots from going wild and pulled the trigger again.
The piston slowly drew back with a continous screech as the golem moved about, rushing forth with a series of controlled jabs at the bear even as it moved back and forth like a boxer.
To Jan's boxing strikes, the bear was fierce storm of motion, not efficient, not hitting every time, but leaving dents, creaks, and slashes with each fierce blow. The fur was stained crimson as Leets slung in another bullet, the bear continuing to bear down tirelessly on jan.
Dracos
Leets quickly raised his other gun, aimed a little more towards the bear's snarling head, and fired again.
The piston continued to slowly rise as pressure was rebuilt, the golem going on the defensive as it brought up the shield in its forearm to block a few blows.
Darx dived in once again, coming in at a fast dive from the right and leaving a arc of blood in his wake as he slashed across the bear's back.
Clyde muttered to himself, chambering another round as he tried to line up another decent shot on the beast. Knowing himself to be no great marksman, he takes a deep breath to steady his nerves before snapping off another shot at the bear.
Leets shot went high, scrapping it's ear as it drew back a paw and slammed it with an earth shaking clang against Jan's arms, leaving dents in them as it roared loudly, Clyde's next shot passing through its shoulder.
Dracos
Leets glared at his miss, ignoring the pain in his arm as he raised his gun, aimed at the bear's torso and fired again.
Ryder grinned as an audible click was heard...
"Alright... I've got enough in here for 3 bullets. TIME TO DIE!"
And Ryder dived out from behind Leets and fired off a screeching red bullet aimed right at the bear's heart... of course, the recoil sent him flying in the other direction.
The bullet went through the bear's chest. Given that it didn't fall over, it probably didn't hit the heart.
On the upside, the bear whirled around, practically flinging jan away as it roared in pain and anger.
Dracos
The golem slowly rose to its feet, the piston on the right arm at its limit as the pressure finally collected. It rushed the bear and reared back before launching its right fist at it, releasing the collected steam out in a mighty blast upon contact.
The fist impacted with a neat sound you don't hear too often. The type of sound that occurs with ribs break from a blow from behind. If the bear wasn't hurting before, it certainly was now as it stumbled, moving towards the pink fleshy things.
Dracos
The golem quickly reached over the beast and held it with all its strength, digging its feet into the desert sand to keep it from moving towards his more vunerable comrades.
Ryder, still flung from the recoil of the first shot, springs into the air using a handstand and grins once more.
"Time to make a fur rug out of this thing..."
Ryder then teleports to the side of the bear, the momentum still flinging him towards it... and with a spin, a gun pointed right at it's head.
"ANNIHILATING... OH FUCK THIS! DIE BITCH!"
And with a great degree of action movie coolness, Ryder shot another plasmic bullet at the bear's ear, the recoil sending him flying back once more...
The blast traveled through, searing a bit of Jan's head as it nearly missed getting him too. The beast, headless, fell back against jan.
Dracos
The golem let the headless bear drop from its grasp as it began thudding towards the others, stopping halfway between them and the dead beast in a crouch. As before, the bolts along its arms and backs fell off its body as it released a thick cloud of steam to obscure its form.
A haggard Jan shook his head as he took one last glance at the bear. "And this is the kind of thing that'll be waiting for you near the tower most likely, Darx."
Darx neatly lands, folding his wings and sheathing his sword.
"We took it down, did we not? If anything at the tower attacks us, we'll finish it off, too."
"I can't afford to go to the tower quite yet. I have to find out what's going on in that village with the wolves..." Jan trailed off as he continued to lead the way back to New Brunswick.
Days past and they arrived at New Brunswick, the dusty little town not having changed much.
Dracos
"Hmph, I hate this town..."
"You don't have to worry about being shot here. Anyway, thanks for your help, everyone. And here's the map to the tower. I'd recommend waiting for a while though, Darx."
Jan went off to drop off the parts as the others scattered about to relax.
And so the act ended, the adventurers having arrived at the wasteland.
Join us next week as we see how they survive in the horrors as we begin Act 2: Survival.
Dracos