Event | Console Crash Chaos | Phase One

[cherrywood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: April 17-30, 2014
Location: Keeliai
Situation: In an unexpected and bold attack by Malicant, the console system is completely shut down while food and supply locations all around the city are targeted by bombings.
Warnings/Rating: Explosions! Possible descriptions of related aftermaths, injuries, death, etc.

Shortly after eight in the morning of the 17th, the consoles experience a strange glitching effect. They'll display 15-20 seconds of static, interrupting anything being done on them at the time, before going utterly dark. No power, no signal, completely offline even to detection of their normal bio-mechanical signatures. No amount of energy influx will get them going again, though taking them apart (or trying to) will still cause them to melt into goo.

Within minutes of the console shutdown, explosions will begin ripping through Keeliai. The bombs are all timed as close to simultaneous as coordinating a city-wide attack can be, with many going off within seconds of each other, throwing the thriving morning rush into chaos. They tear into businesses and across public spaces, collapsing walls and blowing piles of debris into the streets. Places of high traffic quickly become evident as prime targets: marketplaces, hospitals, schools and cafes. The streets take only moments to fill with panicking, screaming kedan trying to pull their injured fellows out of harm's way. All told, the explosions take place across approximately a 10-minute stretch and their explosive yields are fairly high.

In addition to the bombs that cause destruction through their blasts, smaller bombs are going off around the city that specifically target food and water supplies, particularly where large stocks of it were kept such as grocers, produce markets, and the like. Rather than cause mass damage, these explosions spray out a fine mist of spores. Any perishables in their immediate area that are splattered develop an oozing black mold within minutes, eventually breaking down organic substances that turn to foul smelling rot and release their own mist, perpetuating the cycle. While skin contact with the mist doesn't harm, inhaling or ingesting it will produce shakes, fever, vomiting with a cumulative effect that has the potential to be fatal. It is much slower to infect the water supply but the sheer volume of rotting perishables will eventually put enough of the spores to taint water sources, approximately 6-8 hours after the original bombings.

The police force are out as soon as possible and within the hour are helping move the injured to safer locations with Evandau in charge, right in their midst and shoulder to shoulder with his subordinates. Not being stockpiles for any of the apparent targets, many of the Foreigner residences have been left undamaged and, wary of putting them in further danger by collecting large groups in public spaces, Foreigners may even be asked to take in a few individuals or a kedan family.

Despite the number of explosions, there are far more reports of injuries as opposed to casualties. The person or persons (or That Bad Guy) responsible for this were, for this attack at least, more intent on damage than on death.

---

LINKS
Fire Sector | Earth Sector | Metal Sector | Water Sector | Wood Sector
Treating the Injured & Safe Houses | Investigations | OOC Plot Post

OOC NOTE: Remember that the consoles and network will be completely offline for the duration of this aspect of the the plot running April 17-23, though Foreigner tech is not affected. Plot questions can be directed to this comment. Have fun!

Comments

EARTH SECTOR

[cherrywood]

Given the trend more towards inorganics, this Sector is the least one hit by the smaller contamination bombs. However, several large explosions went off in an area that was used for producing housing materials and was one of the district's biggest employers, resulting in injuring dozens of kedan workers. While not as aggressively targeted, lesser bombs have gone off in some of the raw production textiles shops... like the kind you'd need for bandages.

Zelgadis | Open

[gathersnomoss]

Zelgadis had been heading towards the hospital before the bombs went off. Now, he was going to stop and help the injured workers at least until he was sure no one was going to die. Thankfully, Bianca had insisted he learn proper triage procedures, so he was just going to stay here until he was sure no one would die when he left to check on the hospital.

"Someone get me something to hold water."

[unobtainableredemption]

Kaine was overhead, carefully using the crumbling buildings to swing past, when he happened to catch what Zelgadis called out. There was no real purpose to his travels, he just felt like he had to go and see where he was needed. This ought to qualify.

Releasing the web strand, Kaine did a 180 flip in mid-air to head back around and landed on all fours a few feet away. As he rose to his feet, he shot out of thick net of webbing, which he quickly crafted into a large makeshift water skin. To be frank, he wasn't sure if he was successful, but if it could protect him from a guy hurling fire, it should be able to withstand a few gallons of water.

"If this doesn't work I'll try again." He holds out the web container for the blue guy.

[gathersnomoss]

Zelgadis eyed it. "Is the water going to be clean if I put it in there?" Because it wasn't like he knew what the webbing was, or if parts of it could dissolve.

[unobtainableredemption]

Kaine shrugged. He wasn't sure, but at this point beggars can't be choosers, right?

"No cleaner than anything else right about now. Everything's probably covered in ash right now."

Molly | her suite | open

[magicalpadawan]

[Pain and fear. Somehow, this was something she'd never quite planned on feeling in Keeliai. (Sure, maybe in one of the other ports, but not here, not at home.) The sudden onslaught of feelings are enough to force her back into into her seat, curled up into a small ball. It hurts to have this many people around her in pain, she'd forgotten how much; waves of pain coursing through her mind. The continuing explosions only serve to bring back memories of Chichen Itza, and she just curls in on herself even more. If anyone comes hunting they might very well have to carry her out.]

[trainwrecked]

[ It takes nearly a day, for Bucky to realize that Molly hasn't checked in in any way that he can think of. So, in the end, he shows up at his suite. ]

Molly? You in?

[magicalpadawan]

[Well, at least the voice is familiar -- and welcome, too, so that's enough to get her up from the bed. It takes a moment for her to reach the door, though, she is leaning heavily on her cane and pretty much looks like she hasn't slept (or really eaten) since the bombings happened. She has just been curled up trying to deal with all the emotions flying around and determined on not letting herself go back to Chichen Itza. In any case, she takes a shaky breath as she opens the door, and tries for a smile, though it is weak.]

Hey. You okay?

[trainwrecked]

[ Bucky's emotions have been scattered, and worried, but the moment when she opens the door looking like that, they focus on Molly with a concerned, steady warmth. ]

Hey, whoa. [ He reaches to catch her around the back, without thinking, checking her out - for damage. ]

You got in an explosion or somethin'? And, yeah, I'm fine.

[ For the most part, but he's unhurt, and nothing special has died or disappeared, so. He's okay, right? ]

Elizabeth | Outside | Open

[beunbroken]

[When bombs go off, the appropriate thing to do would be not to go towards the sound of the noise. But since when had Elizabeth been fond of the appropriate thing to do? Setting aside her latest project, Elizabeth dashed towards the door, flinging it open and running down into the streets to see what was going on.

From the looks of it- some explosion had rocked the streets. People already were injured, panicked in the streets. And Elizabeth knew just what to do.

Running towards the scene of the crime, Elizabeth tried to find the most important looking person.] I can help. I can help with evacuation.

[burnseternal]

[If Elizabeth equates importance with glowing, she came to the right person. Saint Walker's in full uniform, a bodysuit of black and blue, the glow of his ring burning just a little more brightly than the rest of him. He's been moving from sector to sector, attempting to deal with the larger problems that those without superpowers can't handle on their own, but that doesn't mean that help isn't appreciated. He nods at her before motioning towards one of the larger buildings that has all but collapsed into itself.]

There were dozens of workers in there at the very least, [he says, already moving towards it and expecting Elizabeth to follow suit.] We need to find as many of the people trapped inside as possible.

[beunbroken]

[Actually, it's the body suit that draws her attention. At his cue, she does follow, keeping pace with the clearly-not-human.]

I can get in there. And I can get people out. [Without the siphon, it was easy to create Tears, as she had when she was a child.]

[burnseternal]

I am glad to hear it.

[She doesn't looks particularly physically formidable to Saint Walker, but then again, neither does he. He's learned not to rely on appearances.

Thankfully, the first floor of the warehouse seems to have been kept more or less intact underneath the weight, giving Elizabeth and Saint Walker more room to negotiate the tight space. Unfortunately, it's partially caved in from the upper floors, huge piles of debris and chaos everywhere; wherever people aren't simply crushed underneath the wreckage, they're likely holed away in some obscure room. Behind them, only the open door lets in a stream of much needed sunlight.]

Call out if you can! [He shouts out into the gloom.] We are here to help!

[wingedwarrior]

(In most cases, Shayera would tell normal civilians their help is appreciated, but they need to try and find shelter or some such like that. But right now, Shayera's taking help from anyone. It's not a time to pick and choose who gets to sit on the sidelines and who's the hero. It's not even about that. Shayera turns to Elizabeth, still guiding a few Kidan with minor injuries, but rather in shock.) Great. See if you can get some medical attention to these guys. Or even just a safe place for them to sit down and rest, they need it.

[beunbroken]

That I can do! [She says proudly. She's pretty decent when it comes to playing doctor- the amount of times she's patched up Booker at this point is astonishing.]

[She motions for the Kedan to follow her.] Come on. We can get you patched up.

[wingedwarrior]

Thanks a lot! (The building begins to topple, the last of the survivors rushing to the exit as Shayera pulls them out, and rather roughly at that. Yeah, it's gonna leave a mark. There's a quick apology to the Kedan as she gestures for them to go toward Elizabeth.) She'll help you.

(There was now a small group of about fifteen or twenty people from the building, and they couldn't very well stay out in the open.) We need to find a place for them to stay. A building that hasn't, and won't be targeted, where they can take shelter. It'll be easier to care for them. Know any places?

[wingedwarrior]

(Well, this morning went from fairly decent to downright shitty in a matter of minutes. It was just another normal morning flight for Shayera, the same ones she does every morning. Except this time, she was so rudely interrupted by an extremely powerful blast almost knocking her out of the sky. It doesn't affect her too poorly, being shot at almost everyday really helps you get used to explosions and whatnot.

Once she's got her bearings straightened out, Shayera shoots down to assess the damage, grabbing her mace at her side in case anyone else gets some stupid idea in their head. Not today, losers. Audible groans of pain are heard, and Shayera quickly switches from hunt to help. She moves any large pieces of rubble out of the way without much trouble (go super strength!), as well as blasting chunks of falling debris with her mace.) Okay, come on, everybody out quickly, but watch your step!

(Shayera continues this among many of the damaged buildings in the Earth Sector, still unaware of what happened to the consoles. To her, helping the innocents is a much more important task at the time.)

[burnseternal]

[Anyone who has met Saint Walker knows that he is not a man that can be rushed; he moves slowly and methodically most of the time, pausing to stop and smell the roses. In times of crisis, however, it's a completely different story. Once he's finished in the Water Sector, he arrives in Shayera's area, armed with four buckets of water, two looped around his arms and two held in constructs. The water is by no means pure, touched by spores as it is, but he will more readily douse fires with it than let people burn.

He's practically a blue blur until he skids to a stop in front of Shayera. She can fly, and that's good enough; he can see some fires that need dousing in the distance, and haste is of the utmost importance.]

Shayera Hol, [he says, somehow managing to project his voice loudly enough to be heard over the ruckus. The constructs holding the buckets are extended towards her in a clear offering.] I am in need of your assistance.

[wingedwarrior]

(She'd just finished helping a group of three avoid a toppling machine, shoving it far out of the way before it exploded as well. Somehow, Walker's manages to reach in earshot of Shayera, and she quickly turns to see what he needs.

But with buckets of water right in her face, with the fire not too far from them, it's easy to tell what he needs. Shayera grabs the buckets without a moment's hesitation, and calls to the people to tread carefully as they get the last few workers out. She takes to the skies, being cautious not to drop even a little bit of water. They'l need as much as they can get.) How bad is the damage over there?

Joel | OPEN

[shittybirthday]

The moment the explosions rock the air, a resonating boom that rattles through walls and rumbles under his feet, all that rushes blind through Joel's head is the military. The military are bombing the place. It's what the military did to try and control the Infected outside the zones; and for a moment, in a shock of flashbacks, everything in his head and in his muscle memory is back in the zone, with the military staging terror and raids and dragging people out on the street to put a bullet through their heads execution style--

Except… except these bombs seem to be hitting far too close. These bombs, he realises, snapping back to the present as another explosion slams into the air somewhere outside, are hitting the city itself.

And then-- Ellie. Tess. Sarah. Christ, Christ, oh Christ. Without any further moment of idling, he's rushing over to his backpack. Hoists it onto his shoulders, grabs up his pistol, gives a cursory check of how much ammo is left in the magazine - not much; he's going to have to make every god damn shot count - shoves it into his waistband, grabs up his rifle, stores it into a strap of his backpack. His heart is pounding. His palms are already sweaty. But he's focused. He's focused on Ellie, on Sarah, on Tess. He needs to find them. That's all he fucking cares about, screw everyone else.

He unlocks the door, pulls it open and steps out into the deceptively sunny morning. The calamity of screaming and terror all around him is enough to almost shock him back into another flashback but he forces himself to stay grounded, for Sarah's sake, for Ellie's sake, for Tess'.

He can smell smoke. Can see smoke rising up from buildings ahead, not to far from where he is. He's not taking any fucking chances: they could be bombing the place with any kind of gas; or if they are bombing Infected, there could be fucking spores everywhere. He reaches behind him, fumbles the gas mask off from where it's clipped to his backpack, yanks it down over his already sweaty face. His breath suddenly sounds hollow and sharp in the claustrophobic mask, and his vision is narrowed down to two circles and grimy eye-protective glass. Better safe than sorry.

He slams the door behind him and begins running as fast as his feet will take him.

SO WE MEET AGAIN

[browbeater]

Getting Korra to the clinic had been his first priority-- not that he didn't think she was capable, but whatever happened to her had taken a lot out of her. And then, there was the bombs. So, his second priority had been getting to the Earth Sector to check on his brother. He was still concerned about the foreigner and his strange weapon, but he'd think about that later when everything wasn't happening all at once.

So of course, by chance, the issue would be forced when he practically ran into said foreigner, while trying to get to his brother's home. He skids to a stop, ready to fight if the foreigner proved too jumpy, and trying to not be overtly angry about what had happened to Korra.

He didn't care about faults or who started it anymore, especially not when she was no longer in danger. But... Whatever had happened, he was aware it could happen to him too, and the last thing he wanted to do was to knock himself out of the game. He frowned at Joel.

What is he doing over here? Mako thought to himself, before speaking pre-emptively. "I'm looking for my brother, not trying to hurt you." He couldn't even spare pretend friendliness. He was pretty sure the foreigner didn't trust him, and he didn't trust the foreigner.

OH HO HAI

[shittybirthday]

Joel makes it no further than a block from his suite, when he's rounding a corner and almost slams straight into some asshole rushing in the opposite direction. Joel almost elbows the person out of the way, too; he's ready to slam the person with a hard shove out of his path when he realises that he recognises that face. It's that guy who helped that crazy woman who jumped him.

Oh fuck, he don't have any time for this. Sarah, Ellie, Tess: that's all he can think about. Finding Sarah, finding Ellie, finding Tess, and he doesn't have the faintest fucking clue where to even begin.

"I don't give-- a single god damn shit who you're lookin' for," Joel begins with a dismissive aggressiveness.

Mako | For Bolin

[browbeater]

[After he'd managed to get Korra to the clinic, Mako's next priority was finding his brother. The Wood Sector was on fire (not something he could help with), spores were starting to spread, and he had no clue where his brother was. His immediate guess was somewhere in the Earth Sector.

So, that was where Mako headed first, his eyes peeled for Bolin, and his clothes covered in blood because he hadn't had a chance to change yet after Korra]

[tuffguy]

[ The minute the first explosion happened, Bolin set out on a path for Mako. It was almost like instinct. Trouble goes down? Where's Mako? He's about to make his way out of the Earth Sector, ready to start looking for Mako elsewhere when his eyes spot him. ]

Mako!

[ He starts heading towards him, moving faster now that he realizes that the red on Mako's clothes isn't some sort of new fashion statement. ]

[browbeater]

Bolin!

[he calls out automatically, and slows his roll. He didn't have to go far, at least. It takes a second for his eyes to lock onto him but when they do, he approaches him]

You okay? And before you ask, it isn't mine.

[in reference to the blood. Mako was brooking no nonsense for the moment, as long as he made sure his brother was okay. But the Earth Sector looked a lot better, damagewise, than his own. So maybe he shouldn't be as worried.

.... Nnnnnnaaaaah.]