Fen 2016/01/17(Sun)12:09 No. 694781 ID: 2067a4
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oh...right. I sit up on my ratty mattress and stretch out my aching back. I spent the whole night outside, hiding in a back street from Guard patrols. "Blossoming Utopia", yeah right. More like "Bloody Mess". I hate this city. I can't believe I agreed to come here, even if it was to help a friend.

So what's your mission here?

how'd that turn out?

Fen 2016/01/17(Sun)12:16 No. 694786 ID: 2067a4
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My mission. Yeah. Rose Oasis was sent into lockdown after a series of crimes apparently serious enough to worry the government. Not really my trouble...except Lucky, a close friend of mine lives here. And she's been arrested under suspicion of involvement in this whole mess. Kind of a problem. As much as our government claims to care about us, "arrested" rarely means they'll ever let you out, and I'm not about to let anything happen to my friend. She's innocent, at least in this case. I hope.

What's she under arrest for? You trying to clear her name or break her out?

Fen 2016/01/17(Sun)12:28 No. 694793 ID: 2067a4
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I pull my shirt over my head, glad it doesn't smell too weird after a night in an abandoned apartment. A swipe of my hand pulls up the news, updated over a nearby open network. I scroll through it quickly, hoping to figure out why there were so many patrols out earlier. To my disappointment, the only reports are of fires in the northern quarter...dammit, they keep covering up the truth. I'd try logging onto an underground news site, but there's no way to do that undetected right now. At least I'm not wanted by name yet... My only real crime so far is being outside past curfew last night. So. I get up and make a mental list of my options. The online clock tells me it's just past 6 AM, so curfew's over in a couple minutes. I could try finding a secure network, or maybe look for something to eat. My stomach rumbles at the thought. What I'd really like to be doing is looking for Lucky,but I don't even know where the local Guard station is...or if she's even there. I try to brush away the thought for now.

Search online for a secure network, and find a search engine for local restaurants.

Fen 2016/01/17(Sun)12:57 No. 694802 ID: 2067a4
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Sounds good. I fire up my trusty smart-phone, a relic by today's standards, and run a quick search for hotspots and available networks.
...
...nothing I can reach from here. Guess I'll need to find a better part of the city for something like that. Figures. Well, I can at least look for a bar or something along the way.

Stay far away from the prison while wandering. These guys don't know you exist, but when you start the jailbreak they'll do a thorough investigation and any glimpse of you on the security camera could be the final brushstroke on the prosecutor's case.

Go to a bar or find somewhere you can get into those underground news websites safely.

Fen 2016/01/17(Sun)13:20 No. 694808 ID: 7860c8
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As soon as 6:30 signals the end of curfew I dash, leaving the apartament once again empty as I push open the door, dry paint flaking onto my hands. Even from here, the city is impressive. The rising sun reflects off hundreds of dizzyingly tall buildings, and Rose Oasis proves to have earned its name. Skyscraper windows shimmer a thousand shades of pink and blue, mirroring the sky is the last night-time purples bleed away into the west. For a moment, it almost lets me forget how much I hate this place.
Reaching the end of the street pulls me back to reality, and I'm met with a set of signs that mark the intersecting roads. I squint slightly, trying to recall the shape of the city. It looks like I can go in two directions from here- continue north to the Market district, or turn east towards the city center.

>>694808
Market district

Market district. We can get you something to eat and vendors might be more likely to rat on who took where when. (for finding your friend) You do have some cash right?

Let's go shopping.

Fen 2016/01/20(Wed)03:21 No. 695782 ID: 2067a4
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Market district it is, then. I do a quick inventory as I walk- a couple payment cards I'd rather not use, an ordinary pen, a first-aid kit, and about $20 in cash. Despite predictions, most people still use physical money: it's safer, surer, and much harder to trace. In this case, that's some pretty good news.
Even at this hour, the market street is already bustling with life. Neon mixes with lantern-light, and, watching the merchants set out their wares, it seems that selling digital content is just as common as offering physical items. I take a moment to browse, scouting out the more useful-looking stalls. No healthy food so far, though I'm not exactly one to eat salads or...uh...bagels? What even counts as healthy anyway? Probably not pizza.
A table of shiny baubles and knick-knacks looks tempting, though it's unlikely I'll find anything useful. Hm...I wonder if I can buy a map?

lmao haha it took me a while to realise providing an email adress isn't 100% necessary..whoops

Fen 2016/01/20(Wed)05:34 No. 695805 ID: 2067a4
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I notice someone waving me over out of the corner of my eye and turn around. They're a salesperson a few shops down the street, but they don't look familiar at all. I consider ignoring them, but there's really no good reason to do that- and I'm gonna have to talk to someone eventually anyway.
They practically beam when I walk over, making weird crackly noises as their face stretches into a smile...truth be told, they look almost like they're made out of coral...
"Goood morning!" they shake my hand brightly, almost breaking my bones. "I'm Chop- and this is my shop! What can I do for you?"
"Uh..." I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed by their cheerfulness. Guess they didn't actually want anything from me after all...
"I was...um..." I take a quick look at their wares. Plants and garden decorations, mostly, along with some blown-glass ornaments. Nothing I need. "Just browsing, actually." I try to return their wide smile.
"Oh, it's no problem dear!" They lean in conspirationally. "I must say I enjoy a bit of window-shopping myself, you know. Now, can I get you anything, lovely? A nice aloe plant for your kitchen...oh! Or maybe a pretty brooch for your partner or girlfriend?" They trail off, digging through a box of windchimes, and I take a moment to check their profile sheet... unfortunately, they don't even have their pronouns or ID code listed. Well, I guess not everyone uses the GOV network after all... It looks like I'm not gonna learn much from them unless I'm interested in pinwheels and cacti, and I should probably go. Though...maybe they are genuinely friendly, if a bit odd. I feel kinda guilty just leaving... I've never been good with people.

>>695805
Just humor him. You don't have to buy anything.

List of Pronouns? Do people around here get offended about that kind of stuff or...?

Unlisted shopkeep selling knickknacks? Sounds like a front. They might have something you need after all.

Fen 2016/01/21(Thu)01:43 No. 696129 ID: 2ef4b1
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Well, most people don't feel insulted per se, but it makes things easier for everyone when you can just check what the person you're talking to identifies as. 'Lot less awkward for everyone involved.

And as to this being a front...well, that I hadn't considered. I can't exactly ask up front, but maybe...
"Speaking of, have you by chance seen my friend around here? Her name's Lucky, about this tall, long droopy ears...We got separated a while ago, and I haven't been able to find her.." It's about as close to the truth as I can get without saying anything suspicious.
"Hm..." they rub their nose pensively. "Can't say I have." If my description reminds them of the girl on the news, the don't say anything. "But if there's anyone who knows, that'll be the Spacesuits."
Wait, who? Am I supposed to know? Shit, asking flat out might give away that I'm not from Oasis...but then again, I might be oversensitive. There's no harm in asking, right?

We've got an facade to keep up. Try to learn more about the Spacesuits without seeming too out of the loop. Maybe something along the lines of "where am I going to find them at this hour?"

>>696129
just say "the spacesuits?" like thoughtfully to yourself or something idunno
why would it be bad that youre not from oasis?

Fen 2016/01/22(Fri)03:43 No. 696383 ID: 425a5a
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"Uh...right." I make an expression I hope looks knowing, not confused. "Actually, I've just returned to the city- y'know, with the lockdown and everything, I got kinda worried- so I'm not sure how much has changed. Do you know where I can..uh..find them?" I don't really like lying, but this mission is hardly legal in the first place. I just hope I sound convincing.
"Oh, I understand completely!" They give me a sympathetic smile. "I have family outside the city too, I know balancing things can be tough. You should find the 'Suits hanging around the gardens area, if you're lucky. Otherwise, they'll probably be in the industrial part of the city, somewhere out of GOV net range," They look at me warmly. "Good luck finding your friend!"

Fen 2016/01/22(Fri)04:08 No. 696384 ID: 425a5a
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I'm not actually sure these "Spacesuits" are a lead, but it might be worth a try. It sounds like they're a group of some sort, but hopefully not a gang or anything. Well, the shopkeeper had spoken about them pretty casually, so I doubt it. The street's filling up with people now, so I mingle easily with the chattering, colorful crowd. I should probably find something to eat before I decide what to do next...hm... What should I get?

>>696384
Grab something cheap, maybe some fast food.

whats the cheapest most filling thing they got?
also hey, if it was on lockdown howd you sneak in?

Fen 2016/01/23(Sat)05:55 No. 696602 ID: 2067a4
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Cheapest, most filling food? Mystery meat on a stick, of course. Surprisingly enough, it's actually pretty good.
I didn't actually need to sneak in- there was a break between lockdowns where I managed to get in. I suppose they thought that with things calming down for a moment, it'd be safe to let people evacuate- at least that's my theory.
Now that I'm no longer hungry, it's time to get to work. I have a few options now:
- stay here and look for supplies,
- search for a secure network connection,
- try to learn more about the Space Suits,
- or try to find where Lucky is being held on my own.
I could always try something else, but I'm fresh out of ideas. Either way, I'm gonna need a map.

Keep looking for that network.

>>696602
Finding a map should be priority number one.

secure networks important!

Supplies for now.

Secure network to *find* a map. If theyre any place, then there's likely one in the market district.(for a fee maybe)

keep poking around for that secure network - and hey, can you look the spacesuits up on there?

Fen 2016/01/26(Tue)05:25 No. 697288 ID: 2067a4
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Yeah, a secure network should have something on the Spacesuits- at least I hope so.
The fox at the counter barely looks up when I come in, obviously already bored to hell and back. "Hi I'm Lucy and welcome to Tolstoy's Casino and Network Café, what can I do for you," she recites, and it sounds irritated despite how monotone she tries to make her voice sound.
"Uh." I rub the back of my neck. "I was looking to use a secure network, preferably anonymous if that's okay."
Lucy nods absently reaching behind the counter for a stack of papers. "Sure thing. That'll be the usual fee, plus an extra twelve points per security level..." She pauses mid-sentence. "Heeey. I haven't seen your face 'round here before..."
"Yeah, first time here." I decide saying as little as possible is the safest bet. "The sign out front didn't say anything about needing a personal invitation, sorry if I missed that."
"Nah, you're good," she shrugs. "Tolstoy just doesn't get new clients often, and I've had a long night. Surprised me, 's all."
Now that she's said it, I realise she does look tired- her eyeliner is smudged, and the shadows under her eyes are visible despite the low light.
"Anyway," Lucy shakes herself off, "You'll be wanting a points card- safe, anonymous payment over the 'net. Your station is over there, payment is $2 per half-hour. Call me if you need anything, k?"
And with that, I'm on my own.

Fen 2016/01/26(Tue)06:25 No. 697295 ID: 2067a4
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The results are...surprisingly underwhelming. Downloading a map onto my phone is a success, but finding any information about these Spacesuits, whoever they are...no luck. Apart from the self-help article on going going to space, there isn't even anything interesting. I try every single keyword combination that could possibly yeild results, but...the closest thing I can find is a junior girls' baseball team. Honestly, I'm not even sure what I'm looking for. I tab away to check the news.
I immediately regret it.

what does that say?

Fen 2016/02/05(Fri)07:27 No. 699207 ID: 2067a4
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Shitshitshitshitshit shit. The fires I heard about this morning are real enough...but nobody said what had caused them. Someone..is spreading a- a virus, I guess- through the city, the lockdown is just an excuse for a fullblown quarantine. Whatever it is, it's bad enough for the government to be willing to burn down a quarter of the city without so much as announcing an evacuation. There's complete chaos.
As far as I can tell, the people being arrested are either taken in for testing or brought down to the containment center, not the jail. That's...weird. I'm liking this whole situation less and less, and it's not just the obvious problems- none of this makes any sense! A virus? Like, a bioweapon? A computer virus? There's speculation, but it looks like nobody actually knows anything.
I shut off the computer and stare blankly into space. What the hell is going on?

Calm down. You need to get out of this quadrant as fast as possible.

Steal anything that the evacuees won't miss, you'll need anything you can get your hands on for the jailbreak.

You also need to find out if Rose is infected, that could complicate things.

Your first priority is escaping the lockdown. Second priority is stealing assets from a soon-to-be-quarantined area.

Sounds like you should hurry up and bust your friend out before it's too late. Either that or it's time to get a move on and leave this place.

Okay so...this quest was terribly planned out. I'm gonna leave it for the time being, and run the newer version which actually has a chance at a decent plot and writing! Sorry!

Make the protagonist stranger but better skilled!

It's alright. I enjoyed what I saw, even if it didn't work out.

Keep up the good work.