In reply to Alis Syn (msg # 156):

Van panned the drone's camera around again. He could see gun flashes reflected and refracted in the many mirrors and shiny surfaces of the glitzy-if-run down decor so it was unclear where the shooting actually was. But the entrance was still clear. For the moment.

"Say again. Guards gone from main entry area. Some kind of... distraction happening. On casino floor.

"Can see no alternate route. If anyone knows secret smuggler route, please say! Really, are two option: go in now or stay and wait for better opportunity.

"Suggest go in now while have distraction. Hit CPM hard from behind. If unable to progress, then withdraw. Maybe no worse off than are now."

It was still a terrible gamble. Someone further might get hurt. But if they were going to try to force their way through the perimeter cordon now before reinforcements arrived was probably as good as it was going to get, and time for this option was probably fast running out.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Wed 01 Dec 2021.

As the group holds position several people run past them, leaving the casino level. The number of people is steadily increasing though….

[Private to Alis Syn: The CPM comms are complete chaos. Mostly yelling and screaming and some curt instructions punctuated by gunfire. Then the comms are jammed with an ear-splitting screech...]

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 158):

Clearly, the situation was escalating. They were caught between some kind of firefight ahead and (probably) CPM reinforcements arriving from behind. Their time to make a move was running out.

Van recalled the drone and set it to station-keeping 1m above his right shoulder.

"If no one has better idea, then people dressed as CPM on me. We move in to observe situation, engage CPM if have surprise.

"Everyone else, follow. Move up to main entry area and then halt, stay out of sight. Will send runner or drone back if all-clear to proceed.

"Understand? Ok? Good?" With that he moved out, keeping the autorifle at low-ready and set to full-autofire.

As Loc moved to pass by Alis a piercing screech is heard from her earpiece forcing Alis to all but rip if from her ear as she turns the volume down.

She puts out an arm to stop him, then points ahead. "WOAH woah woah...I don't feel like getting trampled or ripped to shreds when that mob thinks we're here to shoot them..." She points out.

"Something messed up is going on down there. They are shooting everyone I think, and the CPM guys are getting attacked...it's fucking chaos down there." She adds.

"If there is a nook we can hide in further up then ok, otherwise maybe a back-peddle until that throng clears out."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:01, Thu 02 Dec 2021.

Van stopped as Alis had a point. "Crowd will not attack us even if panicked. Are escaping, will try to get away from us. Unclear who is shooting who, assume is CPM shooting civilians to clear casino."

He nodded. "If you want everyone to stay, is ok. Will go on by myself to have look, come back or send drone back."

"Loc, just send the drone...unless you've learned how to parkour over a stampede the last time we talked." She sasses.

In reply to Alis Syn (msg # 162):

He laughed. "Not quite! No parkour except in Zero-G. Was going to move up to enhance drone signal range. Will stay for now."

Although he had intended on moving up to extend the drone's range it was possible he might not need to. He stayed put and sent the drone up ahead to try and get a look at the casino floor. Staying above the crowd and using any ceiling-mounted objects for concealment and cover. Maybe he wouldn't need to move up.

[Private to GM: 13:10, Today: Nguyen Van Loc rolled 14 using 3d6 with the AGE System (({6}, 5, 3)). Add in Drone piloting?]

OOC: Gonna wait for the other players to post before I post.

"Seems like while all the shooting is going on .. we use that distraction .. and stay to the outer perimeter and sneak past the center mass of chaos."

Kala has been in a cold funk since the active shooting started, her monkey brain shrieking terror warnings to her limbs and her logic circuits reporting that there was nowhere to run to -- except maybe into the madness ahead of them.

"We can't stay here," she hisses. "We can't go back. We have to go on. Shoot our way through if we have to. I don't understand what is going on here, but I want -- I need -- to get off this rock."

She moves closer to Loc.

"I'll go with you," she tells him, pulling her pistol out. No point in pretending to be a prisoner now.

The number of people pushing past the group begins to increase, most seem panicked and terrified while some seem to just be following the crowd.

[Private to Nguyen Van Loc: With your drone you are able to see what the commotion is all about in the Casino. It looks like the armed CPM goons are trying to shoot people who have something wrong with them as the shamble about puking up brown vomit on other people. The source of the sick people appears to be the transit tubes. Of the exits that lead to the docks level all but one is shuttered, and that one looks like it’s been sealed off as a bunch of people to include CPM goons are trying to figure out a way past the door. One group of people near the middle of the casino are up against the wall of a pachinko parlor where there is a door. There is writing on the door but it is hard to make out with the people in the way.
]

As they make their way along the walls Alis will keep a weather eye out for what has caused this panic as well looking at the ones that are 'following the crowd' to see if there is anything off, odd, or useful about them. Plus they still need to find a way to the docks...maybe all this has created an opening...

---

Perc: 16 {2}, 6, 6. (2 SP)
Intuition Stunt

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 167):

Moving up to keep in contact with the drone, Van reported, "CPM are shooting at civilians coming off transit hub entry. Appears people are sick, vomiting brown liquid. Nerve toxin, biological agent? Anyways, can move up, they are occupied.

"Are two exits from casino. One portal left open to docking bay but is closing now. Another entry to Pachinko parlour. Sign on door. Cannot read."

He piloted the drone to go closer and take a look at the sign to the Pachinko parlour, risking it. But the CPM goons seemed occupied with shooting the people shambling off the transit tubes and/or trying to keep the armoured shutter from sealing shut the last portal open into to the docking bay. He guessed that the parlour would be the only hope, and at that a faint one at best. Still, a gaming den seemed as likely as any to have a back door that hooked into the smuggling routes.

"Let's go. Watch out for sick people. Could be dangerous."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:27, Thu 09 Dec 2021.

The idea of a biological weapon filled Kala with dread, but she swallowed dryly and nodded at Loc. The gun felt huge and puny in her hand at the same time and wondered if she would piss herself with terror when the moment came that they had to shoot their way through.

"Lets push through the door leading to the docks before it closes!" Yuri says as he shoves the jostling sheeple out of his way.

The group moves down to the Casino Level, but has to fight their way through the crowd. Things get better after getting past the large opening where that after a small open area becomes a maze of Slot machines, Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, and Craps tables. Interspersed amongst all this are walled off Pachinko parlors, betting halls for races or prize fights occurring throughout the system, and small restaurants.

None of the establishments are in operation with the sick people, shambling about, and the CPM goons shooting them. To the left is sign age pointing to the transit tubes which lead to the deeper levels of Eros. To the right is signage indicating how to get to the docks.

Yuri, and Kala are the first to get into the open area, and are almost immediately confronted by a pair of shambling people who are frothing some sort of brown goo from their mouths and this skin is glowing blue in some places.

Alis moves torugh the crowd, guiding Van. The people she passes look pretty scared, with some panicking, and several covered in some sort of brown goo. The Earther woman manages to avoid her and Van from brushing up against one of these panicking people who are covered in some sort of brown goo. and whose skin is glowing blue in some places.

[Private to Alis Syn:
Intuition Stunt = Brown goo is probably not something you want to get on you.....]

Van moves with the group but is preoccupied with whatever he is seeing on his drone's camera. So much in fact that Alis has a hand on one of his arms and guides him.
[Private to Nguyen Van Loc: On your drones camera you watch as two men at that door begin to push on the door. But there sick people are approaching the group. The other four people are women one of whom pulls a gun out from one of the men’s coat pocket and points it at the sick people. The woman then hands the gun to a second woman, who then promptly shoots on of the sick people and a combination of pink and blue glowing mist exits out the back of the person's head. The brainless body drops to the ground as if someone had cut the strings from a puppet.

The door is by this time pushed open barley enough to let someone through. Van can clearly tell that the remaining two sick people will be on top of the group before more than one person can make it through the opening.]

Posting/Init Order: Yes you guys are in an action sequence/combat.
Yuri
Kala
Alis
Van
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:32, Thu 16 Dec 2021.

Yuri points the shotgun at the closest biological warfare delivery agent/victim and fires!


13:27, Today: Yuri Ivanovich rolled 14 using 3d6+5 with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 3, 2.  shotgun accuracy + focus.

Kala actually screams in terror at the stumbling horrors looming ahead. Almost without thought, she fires the pistol in her hand at the one closest to her, twisting and dodging to avoid contact at all costs.

08:27, Today: Kala Sui rolled 16 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 6, 5.  Accuracy - shoot pistol.

08:28, Today: Kala Sui rolled 13 using 3d6+4 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 4, 2.  Dex -- dodge contact with slime.

Alis makes sure the face visor of her CPM goon helmet is down.

"Wouldn't get any of the ichor on you by the way." She says, just in case it needs being said as she tugs on Loc's sleeve.

"Eyes up Loc." She says as she points towards the docks, following the signage. "Docks are thataway." She calls out to everyone else as she starts angling in that direction, careful not to get close to any slimy/glowy people.

Seeing the condition of the sick she selects auto fire mode on the SMG and then strafes the unfortunates between them and the dock hoping to take out a swathe of them to clear a path.

---

Minor Action: AIM
Major Action: RANGED ATTACK: 11 {2}, 3, 2
Damage (SMG) 15
STUNT: STRAFE (Using 2 points) (Hits all targets w/in 2 meters of initial target) (Facing away from our party) (Damage halved to 8)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Thu 16 Dec 2021.

In reply to Alis Syn (msg # 175):

Feeling the situation was close to be Van checked the docking bay entry again. It seemed like it was no use. The door was closed, and the CPM goons trying to get in were about to be overwhelmed by a stream of infected civilians now pouring out of the transit tubes.

There was another group going for the Pachinko parlour door. Obviously they knew something, even if not they were not about to be swallowed by a tide of brown-goo-vomiting blue-glowing shambling sickos.

"Shit. Docking bay entry is no-go!

"Everyone believe me. Will die going for docking bay entry! No hope. We will die!

"Alis, go to Pachinko parlour instead. Are people breaking in there. Will look inside for rear entry to docking bay. At least inside will be off casino floor."

He intended to go towards the Pachinko parlour. They were also beset by infected but they were not as bad off. Van commanded the drone to dive-bomb and buzz one of the infected shambling towards the people trying to break in there. Maybe distracting them would help, who knows?

OOC: To clarify, there are two potential escape routes. There is a closed door to the docking bays. CPM are trying to get through. They are not having any luck, and are about to be swarmed by infected. There is another group trying to break into a Pachinko parlour. That is where Van is saying they should go.

[Private to GM: 19:09, Today: Nguyen Van Loc rolled 9 using 3d6 with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 5, 3.  Pilot Drone check.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:09, Fri 17 Dec 2021.

Yuri fires his shotgun and peppers the sick person with buckshot, staggering them.

A screaming Kala fires into the other approaching sick person hitting them with several bullets but not putting them down.

Alis sprays a burst from her SMG across both sick persons and manages to put them both down. The one Kala shot at just falls forward while the one Yuri shot falls backwards.

Meanwhile the Pur’n Kleen employee armed with the auto rifle mows down a pair of sick people coming from the direction of the transit tubes. It is in this direction that there are at least five more sick people coming.

---

Those who look for the exit to the docks, or the transit tubes or the pachiko parlor Van is telling everyone about are no visible. There is a whole warren of casino tables, food kiosks, and small buildings in the way.

[Private to Nguyen Van Loc: On your drone camera you can tell that the same woman from before has shot a second person in the head, but there are more sick people coming out of the maze of casino tables. You also realize that if this group of people only have one pistol, they stand no chance against the guards you saw at the docks if in fact that is where they are going.
]
OOC: Please include a damage roll in your posts. You will need to use the drop down menu for Game System/Special Dice and switch the die roller from the AGE system to the empty selection above in order to roll anything other than a 3d6.

[Private to Alis Syn: The only 2 infected near the dock were the same two that Kala and Yuri shot at.]

[Private to Kala Sui: Just an FYI you get a minor action and a major action for each combat round.

There is no major action which is a dodge in this game but there is ‘defend’ which adds +2 to defense. The defend action can be anything from moving to avoid gunfire (i.e. actively dodging) or melee attacks or using something to block a melee attack.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:35, Sat 18 Dec 2021.

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 177):

Van set the drone to return, trying to help them navigate it's back-trail.

"They are through! Let's hurry to the Pachinko parlour. Get off casino floor."

Terror wells in her throat as the sickened residents stumble and fall, hands reaching out as if to pull her down with them. She realizes with a sudden burst of intuition that this scene will be one of her recurring nightmares for the rest of her life -- if she survives the next few moments.

Putting her trust in the one person who seems to have a plan and a direction to go, she follows Loc, trying her best to stay away from the slime-caked zombies.

Seeing the exits blocked by hoards of infected .. Yuri follows Loc's drone leading the way back to the pachinko parlour .. with his shotgun blasting any infected who gets in the way.

Alis plays rear guard with the other Salisbury crewman with the auto-rifle to ward off the 5 infected folks approaching from the transit tubes. "Following you Loc."

---

Minor Action: AIM
Major Action: RANGED ATTACK 11 {1}, 5, 1.
Stunt: SHORT BURST (Ignore 1 point of Toughness)

Damage: 9