EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

Where old RPGs go when they die and move on to the afterlife.
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SNT1
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EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

--Barstow--

It was Year 30, The Era of the Empire.

The Imperial Army, after having brought the entire world down to its knees in the name of the King, has since brought the world into an era of stability. Former countries and allied supernations were able to retain their sense of identity, but can only do so as a province of The World Empire. Gone were the fanatical and religious zealotry that plagued the world shortly after The Empire's declaration. Gone were the demands from every citizen of the world to bow down to the King.

Because, who needs some cheap bows and false worships, when the only thing that matters in the end is money. Yes, the Empire, these recent years, have instead opted for an equally appalling stranglehold on the people: Massive, massive taxes. The World Empire has started a worldwide campaign to suck the citizens dry off their money. They were preparing for yet another war, one that will put the last Great War to shame. Space Colony Liberty has begun patrolling more ships, and it won't be long until they started their offensive on an increasingly lax empire...


...and it's the perfect time for the Firebrand Revolution to strike. But unlike so many others, they won't start with MS combat. That's dumb, engaging open fire to a massively superior-numbered military. No, Firebrand's folks have thought up ways to cripple the Lancaster Base, their first target.

Taylor Reese was the chief inspector from the Imperial Capital that travels to Lancaster to check up on their progress. "Mercurius and Vayeate," as they call the project. Reese is only required to check their schedule, and it seems to be right on time. But Reese has had other ideas, stealing their data slowly, as an actual insider of Firebrand.

Firebrand doesn't know much, but when Sammy Firebrand comes back from being chief inspector Taylor Reese and reports to an underground mineshaft, they know what the project is all about---developing beam weapons' offense and defense capabilities AND unmanned mobile suits. This is some major news, because if they get a hold of that information, they can develop their own---as they have their own R&D lab. Not as elaborate as Las Vegas', but they can make their own beam weapons.

The last roadblock to getting the last piece of the puzzle is a roadblock---as Taylor Reese she does not have access to the actual data. Imperialists were smart enough to provide the schematics... on paper. No computer data to hack safely from home. It's locked inside the base... which means Firebrand, if they really want the data, need Sammy to get into the deepest areas of the base.

A tough order indeed.

So for now, in the afternoons and early evenings, she bids her time as Carrah Corker, the friendly waitress at The Desert Oasis grill and bar. One would think that the increased R&D activity of The Empire will mean more customers in the small restaurant, but no. Empire officials eat for free, required by law.

They have the best steaks in all of Barstow, so fat slimy imperialists make it their favorite destination to rest and dine after a day of testing. And Sammy has to put up with it. Fortunately she's a master of being unreadable especially if they just think of her as a waitress and nothing more.

As Sammy prepares the restaurant from the influx of hungry Empire officers at sundown, she prepares herself to pickpocket the seemingly most important person that comes in. Hopefully that important person has the key.

She calls Vann Karkas, one of the Firebrand members who maybe a bit hotheaded, but needs him to help serve the restaurant while she looks for valuables. She comes up and lays her hands on the shoulders of the younger fellow. She knows he hates the Empire, but she can't afford him to be tense. "Remember the secret password, right? Imperial Omelette. We don't have it in our menu. If a customer orders that, you make him go to our third restroom when these Imperialists leave, and we frisk the hell out of him, and I'll deal with him when we close shop. Got it?" Sammy asked calmly and gently. She can be cold and mischievous to her enemies, but to allies she is charismatic. She even thinks some joined just so they can score with her, but whatever. For know, it's time for this kid to prove himself if he can hang with the big boys and girls in a Firebrand-style pace.
(>-.-)>-} >>---> \(x.x)/
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Inferno
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

Vann grunted. He would much rather be a bouncer, at least then he would have something resembling an excuse to punch these snooty twits in their faces when they open their idiot mouths. Much better than having to actually serve them. Instead, he had to serve them. Fortunately, he did a very good act of "Eternally frustrated wage-slave."

"I can do it." Sammy was nice girl, and Vann did have some appreciation for her, maybe because she was one of the few people capable of talking him down when he was flipping out. But did that matter right now? He had a job to do. Work overrode any personal events.

He got up. "Of course, I can't guarantee that someone won't get some hot tea in their lap by accident. Just because I served these dump@sses as a casino dealer doesn't mean I serve with a smile." In fact, Vann's face was the exact opposite of a smile.
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SNT1
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

-Sammy-

Sammy exhaled with her mouth audibly as Vann said that last bit about the hot tea. "There will be opportunities to drop bigger, hotter and heavier things on them than a cup of tea in the future, for now, you just---" Sammy stops dead in her tracks as some of the servers in the restaurants as her restaurant manager, also a Firebrand operative of course, calls her in as party of ten comes in. "---That's them," Sammy finished. "Remember what I said, keep your cool, and if you can, smile!" At that last bit her voice has raised as she took on a personality of a nice cowgirl-esque waitress.

"Hi y'all, what would you like to start with?" Sammy, as a fictional 'Carrah,' can be heard from above the basement where she conversed with Vann.

Vann would hear some snide and inappropriate remarks and wolf-whistles as Sammy served the group that would eat a bunch for free, and Sammy has to take care of the pigs. At the same time, there would also be normal customers coming in, so if called, Vann needs to do his job.
(>-.-)>-} >>---> \(x.x)/
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Attomoku
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

Kate found herself behind the bar for this little op. She still couldn't believe how fast she had been roped into this whole rebellion mess and was understandably wary, so much could go very very wrong. It didn't help that Kate wasn't exactly warming to Sammy. The de-facto leader was nice enough, but Kate didn't fully trust anyone who could change faces that easily.

Perhaps her wariness was why she was there to be on overwatch. Well, either that or maybe it was because she was the only one who knew how to make drinks, having learned around age six from the friendly bartender of a hotel who looked after her while her mother worked upstairs. At any rate, Kate was Plan B, or rather her AUG HBAR stashed under the counter was Plan B. She really hoped she didn't have to use it, demolishing bars was not something she wanted to make a habit of.

In the meanwhile, Kate poured beers and mixed a few martini's for a few normal customers when the large party of Empire official's they were expecting entered showed up. They were seated where she could keep an eye on them as they were served by 'Carrah'. She may not totally trust Sammy, or in her rebellion right now, but even Kate had to give credit where credit is due: the girl could act. Besides, Kate had a job to do, and much like her dour, angry, co-conspirator Vann, she would damn well do it.
IAN: (Shaking fist up at sky in a storm of GN particles) Science does not WORK this way, Setsuna!!!
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Zangetsu
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

-Siege Halphas-

While he had come with the others, Siege kept mostly to himself at the table, sitting beyond the other alone. When it came time to order it was kept simple. A cola, a steak with little to no pink, a baked potato, and some green beans. A nice simple meal that would taste extremely well if this places reputation was to be believed. With any luck Siege wouldn't be disappointed.

Siege was positively bored with his current predicament. He didn't care for the company of these men. None impressed him, or could offer much. Still as a Halphas Siege would look for any and every means to gain power and prestige. Much had been said of the area and the work these men delved in. Too much to just ignore, so naturally he investigated.

Sighing into his hand Siege felt his gloves retain the warmth for a minute. Looking around he saw some staring at the group. Surely the owners here didn't appreciate the Imperials. Free food had to be tough on them, especially with these pigs. Perhaps he would tip them, wouldn't want them thinking all Imperials were evil. Besides who knows what that small act of kindness might get him? Maybe something, maybe nothing.

As his drink came Siege took it in his right hand and slowly spun the glass a bit. Watching the ice and cola twirl inside distracted him momentarily. Once this was over perhaps he could go check on his CGUE. Siege hadn't been required to use it much during his stay so far. And even those brief skirmishes where he did hadn't allowed for much.
"Paladin Anderson, Executioner Anderson, Bayonet Anderson, Dust to Dust Anderson, Assassin Anderson, Regenerator Anderson, Killing Judge Anderson"-Millennium Soldiers
Rob DS Zeta
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

-Eric Burton-

Eric, with his ever-prevalent foresight, was pretending to be passed out on the bar counter. He had been told to come in and 'act natural', and this was as natural as someone in a bar could get in his opinion. His position was a formality for the most part, but he was ready if something broke out during the operation. With some luck, though, nothing would happen and they would all be going home in one piece.

Eric had to admit as he sat, nigh dead to the world, that this was most certainly not what he had signed up for when he had joined a revolutionary group. Still, at the same time, he also had to admit that what they were doing now did seem a whole lot smarter than just hard charging an Imperial base.

But, because there was always a freakin' 'but' in Eric's mind, he also had no idea what exactly they were doing here. He had not been present for the mission briefing, if there had even been one, and was mostly just along to play security and protect Sammy if anything exploded.

Times like this made the mercenary wish that he had not sworn off of alcohol on his mother's grave. Then he could actually be drunken instead of just pretending. He had thought at first that this disguise - consisting of a bunch of ragged street clothes plus a hat that he pulled out of a dumpster - might help him, but now he just felt like an idiot with his face plastered to a bar counter.

Hurry the hell up, Sammy, he thought as time ticked on. If I sit like this too long, I'm gonna need a sculptor to put my face right again.
*insert witty eyecatch here*
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Attomoku
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

Kate leaned forwards casually on the counter next to Eric as she wiped a glass dry with a rag. "You know," she said in a quiet, sarcastic voice that could barely be heard above the background noise, "I think you might have been a little bit more comfy sitting in a booth sipping coffee." She rubbed in Eric's poor choice of placement. "I can get Vann to throw you out back, I think he'd like that, he's looking more sullen then usual, and might make him happy." She was almost gleefully snarky, "Then you can change out of that ridiculous getup and come back in here as a respectable human being, ya'know, instead of trying to make-out with the counter." She gave him a double-pat on the back and smiled evilly, though he probably couldn't see it.
IAN: (Shaking fist up at sky in a storm of GN particles) Science does not WORK this way, Setsuna!!!
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Inferno
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

"So, like, dude, as I was sayin' an' all, like, everything is, like, just a big miracle. Ya followin' me dude? Like giraffes. How did they get those, like, necks 'n stuff? Magic, bro, that's how." Gavin kept going on to the drowsy, inattentive man next to him. Clearly the Makaron heir was only invited as a political gesture. The odds of him contributing anything important to a conversation were minimal, and his only redeeming quality was the vast sum of money he was poised to inherit. Rather than discussing the matter at hand, Gavin carried on. "You ever hear they're making a mobile suit that can just, like, move shields or somethin' just remotely? Doesn't have to touch 'em or nuthin! Just miracles at work, broski."
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

Eric rolled his eyes upwards, seeing Kate standing there, giving him grief. Thus, finally having an excuse to peel his face off of the counter, Eric straightened himself and turned his stupid cap around to give the 'bartender' the best faux drunken smile he could offer.

"If'in you really wanna make meh feel betta, swee'haht," he said, cooking up a fake accent for no other reason than to counter the girl's sass. "Then you can ge' meh a sa'saparilla." he told her, rubbing his aching nose at her. "Or you can ten' to the actual customehs. I dun really give a shit."

Personally, Eric did kind of want that sarsaparilla.
*insert witty eyecatch here*
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SNT1
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

--Sammy--

There, that fatass must be the top guy in this little gang... the decorations, the 'research' designation, the works... Sammy says to herself. That was her target, and she signals one waiter to come to her. Sammy walks...

...and bumps into that guy, spilling food and drinks everywhere! It was a rather cheesy, yet time-proven method of redirecting others' attention.

"WHAT THE HELL LADY???" One of them shouted. The fat bastard reacted seconds late, but Sammy already started to pick up the spilled goods, very, very close nearly-rubbing on to the fat leader's leg. Then, he realized what happened.

"Gah! Useless whore! You'll play for our dinner!"

Some in his crew was cheering, but a few were confused. They were already free to dine.

"...S-Sorry!" Sammy reacts, "B-But your dinner's already free!"

Then the fat leader, visibly twitching over his own stupid comment, stood quickly and towered over Sammy. "What did you say?"

"I said... dinner's fre----ugh!"

Sammy is interrupted as the man violently shoves Sammy into a corner, she spins a bit and hits her head on a shelf of display. The eating population is shocked, even some of his own crew. By then, Sammy looked real shocked, and might just win an academy award if it was still acting, but her forehead has a good cut and blood stated to drip. She was breathing heavily, and the worst thing is her left hand is on her apron---where she has nonetheless successfully pickpocketed the careless Imperial and has his wallet there. But that fact that she froze and did not take her hand off her pocket may have her be suspicious of hiding something...

"Don't get smart with me!" The embarrassed lieutenant accused as he still inched closer, now clearly wanting to start some trouble.

"Sorry sir I'll clean up! and pay you still!" Sammy says too quickly, but by then has recovered slightly from the shock and took her left hand outside her apron. But the man did not move...
(>-.-)>-} >>---> \(x.x)/
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Adrikan
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

"Finally, I'm out of that godforsaken desert."

Magnus walked into the bar, shaking sand out of his hair as he entered, and noticed the man in an Imperial uniform and the firghtened-looking waitress. He walked up to the Imperial, making sure that his mantle stayed drawn about him so his saber wasn't visible.

"Are you aware of the Imperial penalty for abusing your position?"

Magnus stood between the Imperial and the waitress, and looked down on the overweight aggressor, his eyes becoming much clearer and sharper as he focused.

"If you aren't now, I expect you and that penalty will be well aquainted before long."
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Inferno
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

-Gavin-

"Woah, so we're, like, getting free stuff? Sweeeeeeeeeeeeediculous! Hey, can I, like, get some free appetizers? To, like, go and stuff?" Gavin's reaction to the recent developments was appropriate for one of his intellectual level.

-Vann-

Vann, hearing the conflict, began to chase his boss upstairs. "Incompetant b*tch..." he grumbled. "Looks like it's time for me to be the only effective person in the building..."

As Vann got up, he noticed the fat one standing over Sammy. "HEY FAT@SS. WHAT THE F*CK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TRYING TO PULL HERE?" Vann had what could be called "a natural flipping-the-f*ck-out voice."

Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod what am I doing seriously am I trying to pick a fight with this idiot oh man I just ruined everything just get up and go Sammy take his stuff and run oh crap why am I so stupid.
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Adrikan
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

'Oh, this won't end well.'

Magnus looked at the man who had just charged up the stairs, screaming at the visibly enraged imperial in front of him.

'I just know this is going to end in bloodshed.'

Resigning himself to the inevitability of combat, Magnus settled into a stance which would allow him to draw his saber and swing it at the fat imperial if he tried to draw a weapon. His hand came to rest on the hilt of his saber, and he began to look around the room, noting any exits, any potential hostiles, and anything which could be used as a weapon.
Last edited by Adrikan on Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Rob DS Zeta
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

Eric just watched the scene playing out tensely. He put a hand on his magnum, which was concealed in his coat. If one of these morons tried to actually kill Sammy, he'd take a shot. If not, then he would probably still wind up having to cover some sort of hairbrained escape.

"Kate," he said nonchalantly to the bartender. "You're going to need to make that two sarsaparillas."
*insert witty eyecatch here*
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The Green Flame
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

With a slight bob in his step, Benjamin Regard entered The Desert Oasis, hands down one of the best restaurants he'd ever dined at. He didn't know when they showed up but he could care less, those higher ups knew what good food was and the Oasis certainly obliged everytime.

Glancing around Benjamin found himself an empty seat, slightly bobbing his head to some musical beat that only he heard with those headphones on. He got some flak every now and then but when you gave good results, who cared? He certainly didn't "Hey waitress, what's the special tonight?" he called out to 'Carrah' as he looked around.

Seemed a bit more crowded tonight but he payed it no mind. Though there was the usual R&D group. He couldn't stand those guys, always ruining things for those who just wanted to enjoy a good steak.

CRASH

And already they were denying him a delicious meal. Getting up with a sigh he headed over to the commotion "You guys again? Get outta here so I can get my meal" he said with a sigh joining the ever growing spectacle.
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SNT1
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

-Sammy-

Thankfully, Vann stopped the man's march. Sammy clutches her head, but quickly runs away back to the kitchen (and down their secret base!).

With the other Imperials even egging the man to calm down for now, he did as told after smirking to Vann and says, "I don't need to stoop down to the level of poor punks like you." With that they sat and continued to eat, while the other servers cleaned up the mess.

Sammy rushes down and then, once reaching a safe place, slumps down the floor, breathing heavily.

Wow, oh my God, I was scared... so scared... ohh! She was clutching her chest, sweat running down, but then came her realization----mission one, accomplished! She starts to smile at herself and even laughs. But then...

"Ma'am?" one Firebrand worker asks what the heck is up with her, and why she's bleeding??

Sammy then tries to compose herself and gave the ID and a security key. "Here, take this to our forensics, duplicate it ASAP."

"Right."

"Let's give the man a fake copy while we're at it,"

"Right!"

The operative then finds similar looking pieces in their inventory (a lot of which Sammy herself stole posing as inspector). Likely, one last thing she'll need is a fingerprint of that man. Eating greasy stuff and putting his hands all over the utensils? Easy work. Despite the injury, Sammy rushes back upstairs, only to see if there's some fighting. They're done, the next step for Firebrand now is to shake up the Lancaster Base.
(>-.-)>-} >>---> \(x.x)/
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Inferno
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

-Vann-

Van grunted as he backed off. He made a note of the fat one's face. Vann had a special kind of memory, one that might not be able to remember where the spare part cabinet was, but could always hold a grudge.

Pacifying himself with thoughts of future violence, he sulked over to Regard. "Please tell me you have a large order so I can keep busy."
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

Eric watched the situation get defused thanks to Vann's hot-tempered distraction. Once his heart had stopped racing, he pulled his hat down over his eyes and reached for a nearby newspaper that was on the counter. He pretended to look busy, whatever might keep his facade of 'random guy #3' up.

Quickly folding through the sheets to the crossword puzzle, Eric pulled out a pencil he had scrounged out of the same dumpster that had once been home to clothes. And, thus, another undertaking was undertaken.

"Let's see... What's an eight letter word for a mobile nuke platform?"
*insert witty eyecatch here*
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Adrikan
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

Magnus let out a low, shaky breath, and sat down at the bar. He lifted his hands out of his mantle, and held them up in front of his face, wincing as he saw how they trembled as a result of the adrenaline which had only just been coursing through him. Magnus took a few deep breaths to steady his nerves, and began looking around for a server. Noticing Kate, he lifted his head and called out to her.

"Excuse me, how much does a glass of water cost here?"
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The Green Flame
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Re: EP.1: Welcome to Barstow

With the fat slob and his cronies deciding to back off, Benjamin returned to his table and quickly gave his order to another waitress. With that out of the way he could finally enjoy a nice meal, he was starving after avoiding lunch due to testing on his Leo Cannon.

Moments later another customer came over to his table who he quickly recognized as one the others who diffused the situation "Have seat, there's more than enough to go around" he offered with a motion towards an empty seat "Can't stand those R&D guys, always giving the rest of us a bad vibe"
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