[X] Directions to a hospital that can treat a gaping chest wound please. And some currency to afford said trip. Or we could offer a favor for a favor.
-[X] ask why are they not using real bullets
There are mafia goons here, so Lappland's around hunting them too, in a much more lethal and gruesome manner. She's not part of Penguin Logistics, but she is involved with Texas in that she wants to have a duel to the death with Texas.
There are mafia goons here, so Lappland's around hunting them too, in a much more lethal and gruesome manner. She's not part of Penguin Logistics, but she is involved with Texas in that she wants to have a duel to the death with Texas.
I was actually referring to Sora, since some people got confused and thought there was another wolf girl around. If Lappland were around I'd say it'd be pretty obvious very quickly.
I still a bit mad that a character named Texas do not use guns, but eh, i got over it.
lappy...How heavy was her infection again? normal people should be on deathbed at her level, I think.
But a lot of operator should be on death bed if we treat them as normal so eh.
I still a bit mad that a character named Texas do not use guns, but eh, i got over it.
lappy...How heavy was her infection again? normal people should be on deathbed at her level, I think.
But a lot of operator should be on death bed if we treat them as normal so eh.
She's considered a severe case, yeah. Though, her infection seems to mainly effect her mental faculties instead of her physical ability. Her infection has actually improved her combat ability if her files are to be believed.
Her ability to silence enemy skills via basic attacks in-game is explained in the lore as hyperadaptability to enemy combat styles. Doesn't take her long to figure out how her enemy fights and develop a perfect counter to them.
In the City, people have names sourced from all parts of the world and detached from any kind of gender identity. There's this tomboy woman named Harold and a long-haired man named Emma. It's something of a meme in the LoR community that you never know what a character's gender is unless the creators tell you what it is officially.
[X] Directions to a hospital that can treat a gaping chest wound, please. And some currency to afford said trip. Or we could offer a favor for a favor.
-[X] Ask why are they not using real bullets
[X] Directions to a hospital that can treat a gaping chest wound, please. And some currency to afford said trip. Or we could offer a favor for a favor.
-[X] Ask why are they not using real bullets
I can imagine sieg just walking into the Lungmen hospital, Didn't understand the language, find the closest line and just stand there waiting, thinking about how much it will cost and waiting in line and everybody staring at him and his open chest wound with organs about to drop out of it.
And a nurse just walks by, looked at him, screams, fainted, wakes up and fainted again
Fuck I feel sad for not noticing this quest Can't believe there even is a quest about that modded LoR! Well I'm here now at least.
[X] Directions to a hospital that can treat a gaping chest wound, please. And some currency to afford said trip. Or we could offer a favor for a favor.
-[X] Ask why are they not using real bullets
[X] Directions to a hospital that can treat a gaping chest wound please. And some currency to afford said trip. Or we could offer a favor for a favor.
1.5 - Drop the Beat
Okay, so he wants to know what you want. For now, you have their attention, and you're pretty sure the submachinegun girl won't attack you. So, what are you going to tell the penguin? Now that you think of it, he's probably their superior. Penguin Logistics.
"Well, first of all, I would like some directions to the nearest hospital." you begin. You could really use directions to that hospital. And some money to pay for it. You don't want to get the local law enforcement on your trail by having to rob people, not with your current condition. That, and you actually want to get a better grasp of this place- Lungmen. The name is Lungmen, right? Lungmen Ring Expressway.
"Wait. Make a pause for dramatic effect. Then take your cape off your chest. Show the wound. Trust me, that's how it works. Drop a bomb. When the other person is reeling they're easier to influence."
You follow the voice, and pause. Then, you untie your cape, and tie it around your arm instead. Now, your wounds are out for all to see. It is quite an ugly sight. While the Arbiter's attacks essentially made mincemeat of your body, the wounds appear to only show in your torso. There are three of them in total, sitting very close to each other. Two right below the sternum, and one slightly above, near your shoulder. Above them, the your armor is pretty much destroyed: holes reveal the torn flesh, and the plating around them is filled with cracks.
You hope that someone in this city has a way to treat Fairy. It's unlikely, but a man can dream.
Snakes are incapable of blinking, aren't they? No eyelids. Can birds blink? Whatever. The humans blink in surprise, and the movement of the penguin's sunglasses sort implies a blink. It's weird to look at.
"You've been cut up pretty bad." says the wolf girl. "What happened?"
"A run-in with someone above my level. Wasn't fun."
That's all you're going to say about that one. Keeping it vague seems good.
"Know what? Let's talk about this inside. Keep an eye on him, girls, don't let him touch the little guy." the penguin says, pointing at you, then at the horned kid. Guess he's important. "We got any bandages there, Texas?"
"Been a while since we shacked up here. There might not be."
So that's wolf-ears' name. Well. Might as well go in and get the business talk flowing. You politely cough.
"Thank you. Any sort of medical supplies would be great. I really need those right now."
"Pet the penguin."
No.
"Do it."
No. Go talk to Boris, whoever that's supposed to be. You are not insulting your best chance to get some actual medical treatment right now no matter what the Voice says.
"You're no fun."
Cope.
Well, it isn't bad for a safehouse. You'd had to stay the night in a literal broom closet, this might as well be a luxury bedroom, in one of these hotels for Wing executives with way more money then sense.
The boy looks really nervous with you around. That's honestly fair. He's being targeted by assassination attempts by the local Syndicate. In a situation like this, keeping that little bit of paranoia close to your heart can't hurt, can it?
"So this is where Penguin Logistics holes up..." the boy mutters.
"We haven't been here for quite some time, sorry if it's dirty. And here, found some bandages." says Texas, handing you a first aid kit. You thank her and start removing your armor's chestplate. You're pretty sure this wound is not going to heal just by waiting around, but something to staunch the flow of blood is always good.
"Please forgive me for bleeding all over your couch." you say to your hosts. You really aren't sorry, but it's always good to be polite.
"Nah, don't sweat it." says the bird. His voice sounds kind of familiar. "So, big man, gonna introduce yourself? Same thing for you, kid. Hey, Texas, what's for dinner?"
"We're throwing a welcome party for the newbie, of course! We just gotta wait for Sora. Where is she anyway?" interrupts the angel girl before Texas can answer.
You finish tying up the bandages around your torso. You place the bundle around your belt, just to be sure. Might need them later.
"My name is Sieghart. I am..." wait, you can't say Fixer. The word probably means nothing for them. "...a mercenary."
The boy looks somewhat tense, but the rest of Penguin Logistics doesn't even budge.
"What I propose is a favor for a favor. I really need to get healed. Some directions to the nearest hospital would be nice. And some money to afford the treatment, if possible." you think for a little while. Wait, there's something else you need. "Could you tell me your names? I don't know any of them."
The penguin looks contemplative.
"Ya don't know who I am? I'm famous 'round the world, hat man! But whatever. I'm Emperor. You already know Texas, and you bailed out Exusiai," the angel- "and Crossiant." the one with the shield. "The little man hasn't got to talk about himself, so let 'em do it. Come on, kid!"
The boy is clutching onto his shield. He likely expects you to strike at any moment.
"I'm a Messenger, codenamed Bison. I'm from Lungmen, and I work for Mountain Dash Logistics. My father sent me to learn what I can from your company. And I appreciate the opportunity."
What can you gleam from these new information? These Penguin and Mountain Dash Logistics seem to fulfill tasks in a similar manner to Fixer offices. Bison is a Mountain Dash operative, sent here to get some training by his father. Mountain Dash and Penguin are likely cooperative Offices whose leaders know each other. As the Syndicate went through the trouble of orchestrating a bombing to kill Bison, he likely has importance within that Office. His father sent him here, and thus has some kind of authority position. Is Bison's father the leader of MountainDash Logistics? Yes, that sounds like a reasonable guess.
The word "Messenger" makes the Index come to mind, but it's probably just a coincidence. Oh, and now the penguin is looking at you.
"It's almost time for dinner, so I'll make this quick. I'll pay ya your favor. I could get someone to patch you up no problem. Can't drop yo ass off there now, not with the situation, but I can give ya some pointers. Is there a map here or somethin'? Whatever. Don't have my money with me right now but send me the bills and I'll pay. Just don't snitch on us about anything you see here, kay? If you do, we'll deal with it ourselves."
You nod. "I can wait a bit. These bandages are enough for now."
"Great, glad we're doin' this right. Hey, Texas, where the hell's my cigars? You shoulda gotten me one already."
"Sorry boss, it all went bad." Texas shakes her head. "Sora probably threw it away when she came here to clean the place up."
While Emperor lowers his head in despair, Bison looks very nervous. You think the boy has potential, but he needs to get some tolerance to weird stuff. He's just way too out of place, and you can't look out of place in this business. You have to be in control of the situation, or at least look the part. He tries to get in the conversation .
"Uh, now that you two are finished- are you two finished?" you nod, and so does Emperor. "We should figure who exactly attacked us."
"Wait just a second! We gotta get some tunes in here! Can't have a discussion like this without music!" notes Emperor. "Hey, Crossiant, ya brought a box of vinyl here earlier, didn'tcha?"
"Yeah, purdy sure I hauled it over some time ago. Real expensive stuff. Think ya picked it up on the black market, didn'tcha?"
Black market tunes... music? Wait, you did think Emperor's voice was a little familiar, earlier on. As Crossiant gets to work searching for the Now you know why. He was the singer you heard in that alley.
"Wait, you're the rapper! Heard a bit of your music earlier. Was wondering why your voice sounded familiar." you snap your fingers. "Pretty good, I'd say. What's a rapper doing in this business?"
"Ha! It's the thing I love the most, but I'm way more then just my music career. But if ya think my music is quality, check out these ones. Anyway, keep talking, little guy."
"Uh- yes. They probably attacked me to try to provoke our two companies."
You lean back on the couch, trying to relax a bit. You're in a safehouse, listening to some music and having a talk. You can probably afford to take a breather, even if it is just for now. They keep talking to each other, but you just tune it out again. It's a mostly boring talk- seems that you misjudged this whole Messenger thing. The kid evidently just does regular transportation business. Penguin Logistics is also supposed to do that, but for some reason, they universally end up getting into trouble when they do it. Be it gang fights, property damage or just general disasters happening for no discernible reason.
Really, there's few missions you can remember that didn't go wrong in some way. Oh, now you're getting nostalgic.
The talk keeps going. The local law enforcers- the "L.G.D," will not intervene in this situation. Lungmen Guard Division? Lungmen Guardian Defenders? Lungmen Guard Department? Who knows, you don't feel like butting in. But that is relaxing. Getting in trouble with the Zwei is something you do all the time back home, and it's always a bother.
Penguin Logistics' plan, that being to have no plan and just improvise, is great, too. Just go with the flow. It's a shame you'll probably spend this night on a hospital bed, doing nothing. Real shame, but getting patched up isn't ever fun.
Right after the girls finish reassuring the boy that everything is going to be fine, you hear a noise.
Beep.
Beep.
Oh no. They planted another bomb. You have to move, right now. It's coming from Emperor's chair. He evidently notices as well, and leaps off. The girls are bracing themselves for the impact.
"Get down! It's a bomb!" you scream.
You hear a final beeping noise. Then, boom.
By now, you are 100% sure that there isn't anything left of his box of vinyl records but worthless melted sludge. Shame, you wanted to listen to some more of these tunes.
As the six of you leave the burning warehouse for the streets, Emperor looks furious. While the noises coming out of his beak are completely incomprehensible, they do an excellent job at conveying the sheer hatred that's spilling out his tiny body. You are absolutely certain that this Syndicate is not going last much longer.
"I can't believe you're feeling intimidated by a cute little gangster penguin, Sieg."
The Voice can laugh all she wants. Your instincts are screaming at you that Emperor is much more dangerous then he looks like, and you did not reach the rank of Color by not listening to your instincts. Underestimating an enemy because he looks silly means you'll get disemboweled by the first clown-based Syndicate you see. There's an awful amount of these around, for… reasons. You're pretty sure that there was a clown-based Distortion in the Blue Reverberation's garage band, too. Met his end at the Library, and like the rest of the gang, nobody's seen heads or tails of them after the Pale Librarian's banishment. Even though everyone else returned.
Nevertheless, the penguin is fuming at the loss of his vinyl records.
"That's not a sentence I had thought I would ever hear in my life."
It's not even the weirdest thing you've said this month, Voice. After a while, you get used to this kind of stuff.
"I knoooow…it still is a funny sentence, though."
Yeah, fair enough.
The smoke is rising from the former Penguin Logistics safehouse. The angel girl is coughing. They sneaked a bomb inside of their haven- perhaps while the owners were busy fighting, earlier on? Now they're taking flight. Wow, they sure got a deathwish.
Well, you should just- pain.
It shoots up through your spine, and your entire body trembles. You wish you could just lie down for a bit right now. Maybe you will, once you have a bed to sleep on.
You once again misjudged how much you could exert yourself without getting your body cut up, and spent a bit too much energy on escaping the blast. The Fairy accumulation in your stomach region cut through the tissue and damaged the organ's walls themselves. A few arteries, fortunately nothing major, have ruptured, and your recently-placed bandages are slick with blood. You need to get to healed as soon as possible.
"Hey!"
Emperor is sitting on the passenger seat of a large, black pickup truck. Texas is driving. How did they get there without you noticing? Are you getting old? You're only 38, are your instincts dulling already?
"You! Get in. You're a merc, arent'cha? You're hired. All of you can expense your speeding tickets tonight."
He points at the fleeing enemies, shaking with barely-controlled rage.
"They gotta pay... for my vinyl recoooords!!"
Well that's good and all, but you have to go to the hospital-
"Forget about the damn hospital! Sora'll get you good as new!" this Sora can get you healed? Hmm.
Jeez, you're already feeling nostalgic.
[ ] Offer your hand to the Emperor. (You will follow Penguin Logistics and continue Code of Brawl. Emperor will like you considerably more.)
[ ] Forget about these people. Go to the damned hospital, you've been delaying this long enough. (You will spend Sauin night on a hospital bed. People might ask questions about your many, many biological augmentations.)
This nostalgia... you're thinking about the old days. Moments in time. In another moment, they'll be gone. (This will get you a flashback in the next chapter.)
[ ] The Case of the Left Finger (You and Malkuth Reverberation took on a case to find a Messenger of the Index and remove one finger from their left hand- specifically, their pinky. ONLY the pinky- he was not to be harmed otherwise. You only found this out in the middle of the request. It was a pain.)
[ ] The Case of That Which Should Not Be Known (You and Alvar took on a case to recover a locked briefcase and prevent it from ever being opened. Unfortunately, a number of Seven Association Fixers had been hired to open it and discover its contents, instead.)
[ ] The Case of the Forest of No Trees (You and Arabella took on case to find- or at least confirm the deaths of- three local Syndicate leaders who had disappeared on a particular alley. The sole survivor babbled endlessly about a forest.)
[ ] The Case of the Absolutely Safe Bubble (You and Lech took on a rogue P-Corp employee, seeking to rescue the daughter of a Nest executive he took hostage. The irony was not lost in you.)
Status of Self and Allies:
Sieghart: Minor blood loss from exertion. Internal injuries in the stomach area.
Emperor, Penguin Logistics CEO
- Grade: ???
- Condition: Absolutely furious. Emotionally distraught by the loss of his vinyl records. Sieghart's Note: While he may not look like much, I think that Carmen's Note: The cutest little bird ever. Look how his flippers are flailing around in rage! I want to pat that feathered head of his and give him a BIG hug. Shame I don't have a body anymore!
[X] Offer your hand to the Emperor. (You will follow Penguin Logistics and continue Code of Brawl. Emperor will like you considerably more.)
Let's dispense some justice, funny penguin man. Also, money.
[X] The Case of the Forest of No Trees (You and Arabella took on case to find- or at least confirm the deaths of- three local Syndicate leaders who had disappeared on a particular alley. The sole survivor babbled endlessly about a forest.)
This sounds sufficiently bizarre. Alternatively:
[ ] The Case of the Left Finger (You and Malkuth Reverberation took on a case to find a Messenger of the Index and remove one finger from their left hand- specifically, their pinky. ONLY the pinky- he was not to be harmed otherwise. You only found this out in the middle of the request. It was a pain.)
Sieghart: "Man, I remember this time when I got hired to chop a Messenger's pinky off, and only the pinky. Weird job that one. Frustrating too."
[X] Offer your hand to the Emperor. (You will follow Penguin Logistics and continue Code of Brawl. Emperor will like you considerably more.)
I mean, favor for a favor and all that.
Plus, I'd rather not traumatize some random doctor with the sight of Sieg's insane amounts of biological changes.
[X] The Case of the Left Finger (You and Malkuth Reverberation took on a case to find a Messenger of the Index and remove one finger from their left hand- specifically, their pinky. ONLY the pinky- he was not to be harmed otherwise. You only found this out in the middle of the request. It was a pain.)
Like this one. Though that Black Forest one is interesting if only because it 100% connects back to Apocalypse Bird.
[X] Offer your hand to the Emperor. (You will follow Penguin Logistics and continue Code of Brawl. Emperor will like you considerably more.)
[X] The Case of the Left Finger (You and Malkuth Reverberation took on a case to find a Messenger of the Index and remove one finger from their left hand- specifically, their pinky. ONLY the pinky- he was not to be harmed otherwise. You only found this out in the middle of the request. It was a pain.
[X] Offer your hand to the Emperor. (You will follow Penguin Logistics and continue Code of Brawl. Emperor will like you considerably more.)
[X] The Case of the Forest of No Trees (You and Arabella took on case to find- or at least confirm the deaths of- three local Syndicate leaders who had disappeared on a particular alley. The sole survivor babbled endlessly about a forest.)
[X] Forget about these people. Go to the damned hospital, you've been delaying this long enough. (You will spend Sauin night on a hospital bed. People might ask questions about your many, many biological augmentations.)
I'm very curious how this is gonna be approached. Probably assume he's some kind of Columbian SpecOps or something.
[X] Offer your hand to the Emperor. (You will follow Penguin Logistics and continue Code of Brawl. Emperor will like you considerably more.)
[X] The Case of the Forest of No Trees (You and Arabella took on case to find- or at least confirm the deaths of- three local Syndicate leaders who had disappeared on a particular alley. The sole survivor babbled endlessly about a forest.)
[X] Offer your hand to the Emperor. (You will follow Penguin Logistics and continue Code of Brawl. Emperor will like you considerably more.)
[X] The Case of the Forest of No Trees (You and Arabella took on case to find- or at least confirm the deaths of- three local Syndicate leaders who had disappeared on a particular alley. The sole survivor babbled endlessly about a forest.)
The universe is stopping us from getting into that goddamn hospital yet again.
At this rate we will die to blood loss before we can see a needle and a bottle of painkillers.
edit: Three local syndicate leaders...hun, did binah got bored and decided that she wants to kill some cannon fodder and goes find the stray dogs?
doc: "So good news, we closed your wound and it is in the process healing right now, we are still figuring out why some of your wounds won't stay closed and keep breaking all the Stitches, But we stoped most of your internal bleeding. now, can you explain to me why do you have 85 artificial muscle and 135, unknown chemical in your pinky alone?"
sieg:"...I have my rights to remain silent, so everything I said won't be evidence for court"
[X] Offer your hand to the Emperor. (You will follow Penguin Logistics and continue Code of Brawl. Emperor will like you considerably more.)
[X] The Case of the Left Finger (You and Malkuth Reverberation took on a case to find a Messenger of the Index and remove one finger from their left hand- specifically, their pinky. ONLY the pinky- he was not to be harmed otherwise. You only found this out in the middle of the request. It was a pain.
Can't believe there even is a quest about that modded LoR! Well I'm here now at least.
