Neon Rust — IC

[Namelessjake]

Ryoko

Through your work with Arabashi Ltd. you are fairly familiar with Logan Cybernetics and their CEO Andreas Ulrich. You know that Logan Cybernetics, known primarily for their Nerve based cyberware, are locked in a highly competitive rivalry with the other Hawthorne based Robodyne subsidiary, Archtec Optics - who primarily focus on Snsory cyberware, especially cyber eyes with your own even being an Archtec model.

As for Andreas Ulrich, your knowledge serves to confirm most of what Sergeant Hess has said so far. He was known within Arabashi as a rival not to be trifled with, a cunning and diligent executive, having contingencies for every occasion. His main weakness, as identified by Arabashi operatives, being that he could easily be led astray by a pretty face. 

[Fialova]

Of course Ulrich is up to some shit, he's always up to some shit, Ryoko thinks, as their job is laid out before them. "Sounds like a plan. We should be careful, though," she says, focusing on her allies. "Not an expert on Logan Cybernetics, but they got a big beef with Archtec Optics, another of the many Robodyne subs. I'd bet their execs have eyes on the same prize we do, not to mention the Bloody Horde still being out there. Seems like we're racing three heavily invested, heavily chromed groups to the punch. Means we gotta play it smart. And most importantly, gotta play it as quiet as we can."

[ratwizard]

"Heavily chromed?" Li Fei echoes, a curious grin on her face. Wouldn't it be a shame if their cyber were to short out all of a sudden?

"Heard. Sounds like they've got a head start on us already. Why are we still standing around?" She puts up a hand to signal goodbye, heading back toward their ride.

[Scratcherclaw]

"If we're playing smart, then we can't take the taxi all the way there," Reiji says, eyeing their pilfered bright yellow-orange vehicle. "That thing'll stick out like a sore thumb in the Badlands." He passes a glance over their car, smirking at the absurd lies they'd have to tell if questioned. Any lie would make you either look suspicious or like a dumbass.

"But, lucky for us, I got my hands on another set of wheels. Doesn't hurt to have multiple, right? But anyway, it's this real worn down RV. Looks like crap but the bones are sturdy, sturdier than the cab, really," he rambles, wincing as he catches himself going on and on. "Uh, anyway, it looks like the kind of ride some kinda wasteland scavenger would drive." Maybe I can tell 'em my ideas on the road. Make it some kind of souped up mobile operations center.

[BartNL]

"We aren't light on chrome ourselves either." Kindred says, looking at Ryoko.
"Good work on the vehicle kid, I was worried you'd try to fit us all on a cranked up motorcyle." Kindred compliments Reji.

[ratwizard]

"An RV?" Li Fei says, her face looking like she'd smelled something pungent. Ugh. Talk about a shitbox.

"Guess you got a point about looking the part. And if we get into a scrap, having something that tough that can withstand a little dirty driving will be useful."

She shrugs, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Alright, RV it is."

[Scratcherclaw]

Reiji beams at Kindred's praise, proud of himself for impressing the experienced, if eccentric, investigator. "Think my bike would give up at the city limits if I had to carry all five of us," he says with a smirk. Catching Li Fei's disgust, he playfully rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "Hey, don't think of it that way, Red. I've got big plans for it." He pounds a fist on his chest, as if swearing an oath. Will make it a lot more comfortable if we ever gotta go out of the city again too. Or stay on the move or whatever.
 

[Namelessjake]

"Let me know when you have the case," Faces says as you start back towards your ride, the Fixer and client both heading back to their respective vehicles as well - Face's muscle opening the door for them before climbing inside themselves.

You all filter out of the parking lot and back down onto the streets, heading to Reiji's to grab the RV. Swapping vehicles you are soon back on the road and join the highway headed East, the coordinates provided by Faces looking to be for a small town, long since abandoned as the rural population began to concentrate into the megalopolis of New Sevastopol in the wake of the Veridon-Orinov nuclear exchange.

The highway traffic drops off as you pass by Horwood and the city you know is replaced by the now unnamed and inconsequential outer suburbs of the city. Decaying and overgrown, they were also abandoned, though later than the smaller towns. Their demise came with the great exodus of the planet. As much of the population left for a new life among the stars the city's size and much of its infrastructure quickly became unnecessary and people began to concentrate closer to the city core, leaving the outer suburbs to rot, home now only to drifter outcasts, small bands of scavengers and others who prefer to eek out an existence on the fringes of society.

After about 45 minutes, the city sprawl finally gives way to the vast AGK farm complexes that lie in the immediate East of the city. Colossal monoculture fields and endless lines of greenhouses. Here the other traffic on the highway becomes scarce, with only the occasional passing AGK security patrol or beat-up scavenger offroader headed back to the city with a new haul.

The monotonous farmland comes to an end about half an hour later, as the land becomes too arid and dusty to support agriculture. As you drive, you pass a couple of empty towns and facilities, long since picked over by the local scavenger gangs. With still about twenty minutes to go until you reach your destination you see an old rest stop ahead, off to the right side of the highway. Old rusted out semi trucks and scavenged scrap metal have been used to form a perimeter wall around the complex. Guards sit atop small watchtowers that flank two gates blocking the highway entrance and exits to and from the rest stop.

By the gate stands a large billboard that likely once advertised the rest stop's amenities. Now the sign displays the word 'Dusthaven' in large letters, next to a large spray painted depiction of a red scorpion.

[ratwizard]

Li Fei watches out a dirty passenger window at the passing landscape, feeling a numb discomfort deep inside as New Sevastopol disappears, replaced by abandoned suburbia. No wonder Mom and Dad never took me out here. The city's a shithole, but this... this is a fucking hellscape. She is quiet for most of the ride, a rare moment of melancholy and introspection washing over her.

However, the fog clears immediately as they come across the rest stop, her sense of unease replaced with a sober alertness.

"More dust than haven," she mutters, before turning to the others. "Hey. This place might be worth checking out. Corpo security passing through here's guaranteed to catch a few glances, and if we grease some palms, we might get a half-decent bearing toward where they went."

[Scratcherclaw]

Reiji pays little attention to the suburban decay as they get further from the city, keeping his eyes steady on the road in case any vagabonds with insurance, or robbery, schemes are lurking around. Last thing I wanna do is actually run over one of these assholes. That'd fuck with the suspension. He gives a nod to Li Fei, pulling over to the repurposed rest stop.

"Not a bad idea, Red. And I'm sure there's enough people holding a grudge against the corps, so they'll definitely talk if we make it worth their while," the driver says, eyeing the gate in front of them. Worse comes to worse, I'm sure some deals have been made in that rest stop bathroom. Last resort though. And no one ugly.

[Namelessjake]

You pull off the highway, making your way down the offramp towards the settlement gate, where a chicane of concrete barriers forces you to slow down. The guards eye you as you drive through the open gate, but make no move to stop you.

Once inside, you find a clear spot to pull up in and you climb out of the RV to survey the location. At the centre of the walled area sits a gas station and an attached diner, both of which appear to be operating normally. Towards the far gate, several rows of RVs and trailers are lined up - presumably the living quarters for the scavengers, drifters and nomads that call Dust Haven a semi-permanent home.

Meanwhile, near the gate you just entered via, sits an open air market of sorts, where a number of vendors appear to be selling wares out of the back of vans, from food trucks and makeshift stalls, to the other long distance travelers making a pitstop.

[Fialova]

As the city slowly becomes less and less dense, Ryoko feels an odd sense of calm while watching out one of the passenger windows. It's ugly as all hell, but there is some peace in the lack of concrete and glass, and knowing that if someone is coming your way, they're in full view of you and your scope. No secrets, no corporate conniving, just the empty, worthless expanse and the freaks that choose to live here. Feels safe.

"Wasteland people are not the nicest, but yeah, can't say I've met any that were fond of Corpos. You don't choose to live in a shit heap like that if you're comfortable being under the thumb of the corporations and their squabbles. If we're lucky, might even find some people there who can help send other parties in the wrong direction for us."

[Scratcherclaw]

"Kay," Reiji says, putting the RV into park. He smirks, eyeing the rows of similar vehicles parked nearby. Picked the right set of wheels. Take that, doubters. He puts the keys in his pocket, hopping out of the driver's seat. "We wanting to split into groups to ask around? Just, you know, be careful what you ask. And maybe don't eat anything cooked over a rusty fire barrel."

[ratwizard]

"Higher risk, splitting up," Li Fei warns, a sense of unease about her out this far beyond the city. New Sev is hardly safe, but at least the threats to her there are known and accounted for. Out here, who the fuck knows. Might turn the corner into a chem-head road-dog with more blade than brain.

"We'll stick out like a sore thumb. But maybe we can use that to our advantage. Draw some attention, let people think we're easy marks for cheap gossip."

[Scratcherclaw]

"That's true. Don't wanna end up shanked and wake up without a kidney," Reiji says, wrapping his arms around his stomach as if to protect his vital organs. Bathtub full of ice and a cauterized scar. Pass. "Sure then, we stick together. Let's check out this market maybe? They might talk more if they think they'll get a sale."

[ratwizard]

"Yeah, alright," Li Fei says with a shrug. "You take point. Besides, I've had to pee for half an hour anyways."

[Fialova]

"Just remember that everything in these sorts of places is a trade," Ryoko says, recounting tales she's heard of life in the wasteland. "Good chance we're not getting that info without giving something up in return, so let's try to keep that in mind, before we end up indebted to some shithead gang leader." Last thing we need's to spend more time out here than necessary, running around doing some bullshit for these people.

[Namelessjake]

Locking up the RV, you step across the dusty asphalt making your way over to the market. In the most prominent of spots, at the entrance, stand a pair of nondescript food trucks. The smell of cooking meat fills the air, while a few patrons, mostly other travelers like yourselves, sit at the assortment of plastic furniture arranged in front of the trucks, tucking into what look like either burritos or noodles of some kind - presumably the different offerings of the two trucks.

Past the food trucks, several vans are parked up in a line, their rear doors open, in front of which tables are set up, displaying the various assortment of wares on offer. The vendors seem to be a roughly even mix between those selling goods scavenged from the area and those selling goods from the city.

Closest to the market entrance a vendor attempts to peddle vintage electronics, most of which look unlikely to work, next to which is a stall selling band merch and albums. Their stock seems to mainly consist of Nero Eclipse branded items, one of the hottest new bands in NS straddling both the M-garage and turbo-psychedelia genres, though it's authenticity is immediately put into question by the back of a bright blue faux leather jacket that reads "Nero Eclpse".

Across from those stalls, another sells cyberware - a couple of generations out of date and likely second hand, judging from the pieces on display - and another appears to be selling VR experience roms, varying from the exciting to the explicit.

[ratwizard]

Li Fei's stomach growls, and she coughs forcibly to mask it. Not here. Don't want to catch something even I can't treat.

She nods toward the cyberware stall, elbowing Reiji gently. "Hey. That one. See if you can't get them talking. If they want a bribe, I can polish up some of that hardware. I'm sure the best they got out here is a back-alley rip-doc. Not someone of my caliber."

[Scratcherclaw]

"Cyber's hardly my forte, but at least bullshitting is," Reiji says with a shrug to Li Fei, stepping up to the stall. He starts pretending to browse the wares before looking up toward the vendor.

"You know, Robodyne would slap a New/Refurbished sticker on these and still charge full price. Nice to see some honest folks out here at least." He looks up to the vendor, giving them a smile. "Speaking of, I heard a bunch of those Robodyne cops rolled through here recently. Logan Cybernetics or something. You hear anything about that?"

[Namelessjake]

"Hey, um sure I did," the vendor says - a squirrely man in the worn leathers of a badlands scavenger, a dust mask hanging loosely around his neck. His ancient looking cyber eyes flick nervously between your group, eyeing Ryoko and Kindred in particular. "There were a couple of suits here, what? two days ago? And then after that a whole convoy came blasting past, set up in the town up ahead, blocked off the road they say so folks have been having to go the long way round," he explains, quick to offer up the information.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Blocked off the road? Typical corpo dick move," Reiji replies, somewhat surprised that the vendor is singing like a canary. Is he afraid of us or something? Ah well, if it works, it works. He crosses his arms, growing curious if the man can share more. "What were those suits doing here? Assuming you know anything."

 

[Namelessjake]

"Asking around about a courier or something," the man replies with a shrug. "I hadn't seen anything though, so they moved on from me pretty quick."

[Scratcherclaw]

Should've known it was too good to last. Dude like this probably keeps to himself anyway. Reiji frowns slightly, furrowing his brow. "Damn. Do you remember anyone they spent more time with, by any chance?"

 

[Namelessjake]

"They left pretty soon after that. They did have a run in with Zigzag's crew though - up in that town that's now blocked off," he answers. "They got back here a few hours before that convoy rolled through, looking pissed off over something."

[Scratcherclaw]

"Gotcha. And where can we find this Zigzag?" Reiji asks, giving the merchant a curious look. What a stupid name. Bet he's got some dumbass pattern shaved on his head too. But pissed is good. Pissed is motive to get back at them.

[ratwizard]

Li Fei frowns as she listens closely, her eyes on the various merchandise. This guy's got some real ancient shit out here. If we're ever in the need for discount chrome, I guess beyond the city's got its advantages.

She glances up at the vendor. "Zigzag got a specialty that he runs around here? Engines? Cyber? Maybe... something on the more subtle side?"

[Namelessjake]

"Their vehicles should be over there," the vendors says, pointing a dull silver cybernectic finger in the direction of the RV park. "Not really. They're your run of the mill scav crew. Bought a few pieces off them in the past but it depends what they manage to find. Maybe don't mention I sent you yeah?"

[ratwizard]

"Right, thanks," Li Fei says, casting a glance toward where the man points. 

She picks up a faded box, tapping a crimson nail on the lid. "You know, Cascade Ordoxic runs twice this price in New Sev. You're underselling this one." She gives him a smug look of gratitude as they leave.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Yeah, you've been a huge help. Thanks," Reiji says with a smile, satisfied at getting so much information out of the man. "And don't worry, we'll leave you out of it. It's the least we can do." Giving his companions a quick glance, he starts making his way toward the RV park.

 

[Namelessjake]

"Huh, you don't say? Thanks choom," the man says. "If you're ever in the market for some secondhand cyber, hit me up. Name's Silas."

You head back across the dusty tarmac, dodging a large 4x4 as it pulls out from the gas pumps, and head over to the parked up RVs. This area of the settlement is fairly quiet, but a few people are dotted around, either working on their vehicles or sitting around in lawn furniture drinking or eating. The muffled sounds of music and conversation emanate from a couple of the RVs.

The vehicles lined up are varied in size and condition, with some looking freshly painted while others sit wheel-less atop stacked up piles of bricks, their spots in the settlement permanent ones. Despite the differences in conditions, almost all of them appear to have a number of aftermarket additions, with solar panels, extra fuel and water tanks and advanced sensor suites bolted onto their chassis.

[BartNL]

Kindred tips his hat, with his metal hand.
"Thanks partner, might take you up on that." Kindred replies to Silas.

Mobile homes. Slap on some anti-tank armour, and conquer the last fertile fields within a thousand miles, like the old days. Kindred clenches his metal hand as he remembers the brutal "it's-not-a-crime-if-you-prepay-the-fine"s he and his fellow peacebringers commited.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Kay, let's see if we can find our man," Reiji says, scanning over the RVs in front of them. He looks for any groups that might stand out as being the crew they're after.

[Namelessjake]

Reiji

Roll Cha/Connect if you plan to ask around, or Wis/Connect if you just want to look around for them.

[Scratcherclaw]

Mechanics

Cha/Connect: [2d6+2]=7+2=9

[Namelessjake]

With Reiji taking the lead, you start asking around and a man relaxing in a sun bleached plastic lawn chair with a late morning beer soon points you in the right direction. He's instructions lead you down the row of motorhomes to an older model. It's faded and peeling white paint cut through by a neon green stripe that zig zags down the length of the vehicle.

With its awning extended and along with an off-road buggy and a trailer loaded with scrap metal, the RV helps form a small covered private area containing a rusty fire pit and more plastic furniture littered with empty beer bottles and cigarette butts. While the improvised courtyard is empty of people, the RV vibrates with the heavy bass of music playing inside.

[Scratcherclaw]

Reiji looks at the paintjob on the RV and winces, feeling a tinge of pain yet wholly unsurprised given its owner's nickname. "You know, I've heard in ancient times, they used this kind of paint to confuse submarines. Can see why. Leaves you confused as to what the fuck you're looking at," the racer says, shaking his head. "Whatever. Let's meet our guy." He steps up to the door, giving a courtesy knock he hopes will penetrate the music.

 

[Namelessjake]

A moment passes following Reiji's knock before the music abruptly stops and you spot movement in the motor home's windows, as the blinds are part slightly by someone taking a look outside.

"Who the fuck are you?" Growls a voice from behind the door.

[ratwizard]

"Somebody looking to get those corpo shitheads back to the city, where they belong," Li Fei says, eyeing Zigzag's digs as she speaks. It's one way to live, I guess. I'll stick to New Sev.

"I'm guessing they're just as bad for business as they sound. Heard your crew had a run-in with them, yeah?"

[Namelessjake]

At Li Fei's words, the door to the RV is thrown open by the vehicle's occupant. "Maybe, still didn't answer my question though," they say, levelling a shotgun at the back alley cyberdoc's head.

The man, who you presume is Zig Zag, owing to the zig zag pattern carved into the side of his neon green undercut, is of average height and build, dressed in the now familiar scavenger garb of Dust Haven's residents. Khaki cargo pants with reinforced knee plates, combat boots, goggles and a mask hanging around their neck and a tattered worn leather jacket, with a patch depicting a red scorpion sewn onto the breast. A lit cigarette hangs from a corner of his mouth, slowly burning down.

[ratwizard]

Li Fei startles at the sudden threat, her hands going up placatingly. "Woah, woah, chill out, guy. We're just indie operators, working a contract. Not here for any more than a helpful nudge in the right direction. You wanna get that out of my face, and we can talk shop?"

Guess he's not as intimidated by our presence as old Silas back there. Or maybe he is, and that's why I've got a fucking gun in my face.

Mechanics

Per request, Cha/Talk: [_2d6-1]=(3+6)=9-1=8

[Scratcherclaw]

Reiji withholds a chortle as he sees Zigzag is just as he'd imagined, knowing now's not the time to further antagonize the man. Looks even more like a dumbass in person. Let's just see if we can get him to calm down. He puts up hands defensively, trying to show the armed salvager they mean no harm. "Yeah. We're just operators, and those Logan Cybernetic guys are involved in our contract. Opposing side of it, really." He shrugs. "But we heard you had an encounter with them, and thought you might know something that can help us fuck them over."

Mechanics

Aid Another Cha/Talk: [2d6+3]=5+3=8

[Namelessjake]

"Huh," Zigzag says as Li Fei and Reiji's words appear to soften his demeanor. He lifts the shotgun up, away from Li Fei's head, though he keeps the weapon in hand, resting the stock on his leg with the barrel pointing skyward.

"Who told you that? And what'dya wanna know?" He asks, taking a drag of his cigarette with his free hand as he eyes each of you, still somewhat guarded.

[ratwizard]

Li Fei takes a welcome step back as the man lowers his aim, her cheeks blooming red from the nerves getting to her. She adjusts her paramedic's coat haughtily and wipes a bead of sweat from her neck. Dick.

"We put it together from listening to the chatter around here," Li Fei says, not eager to give up Silas, especially while she's still in Dusthaven.

She glances at Reiji, swallowing uneasily, a lump still in her throat. Better to let him ask the questions for now.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Yeah," Reiji says after Li Fei, relieved she didn't give up their apparent informant. He seemed like a good dude. Better to not get him involved. "So uh, first I guess, what exactly happened when you ran into them? And how many of those dicks were there?" Doesn't hurt to know what we're up against.

"Oh, and did any of them let slip what they were up to? Or could you see?"

 

[Namelessjake]

"Intel like that ain't free," Zigzag replies, his mouth curling into a smile.

[Scratcherclaw]

Reiji crosses his arms, keeping a fixed gaze on the crew leader. Of course. "Would've thought getting those clowns out of your stomping ground would be payment enough. Hell, could tell everyone you helped us out and amp up your street cred," he says, hoping ego is enough of a drive to get info for free.

Mechanics

Cha/Talk: [2d6+3]=6+3=9

 

[Namelessjake]

"Hmmm, it would be nova if those corpo gonks fucked off back to the city," Zigzag says, considering Reiji's words. "Maybe we can work something out? You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours sort of deal."

"See you got one thing wrong, our run-in wasn't with the Logan goons who're up there now. And when we were forced to move along, we had to leave some of our gear behind. Which, if Logan find it, probably means they'll be the next ones knocking on my door wanting to know what happened. So how about this, you head up there and get it back and I tell you everything you want to know?"

The scavenger leans against the doorframe, taking another drag of his cigarette as he waits for your response to his proposal.

[ratwizard]

Li Fei stays quiet as the driver works out the specifics with Zig Zag. Forced to move along, huh? So these corpos are packing more heat than the scavvers, especially if they scared Zig's crew off enough to leave their shit behind. Makes sense if this blackmail scoop really is as damning as that cop said.

[Scratcherclaw]

Reiji raises an eyebrow as Zigzag fills them in on what really happened. Huh, then who'd they have a run-in with? Whatever, hopefully won't be too hard to get their stuff back. Can always play dumb with those Logan fucks.

"Sure thing," the racer says, not wanting to waste too much time negotiating with the scavenger. "Mind telling us what all we're looking for?"