Port Conroy, HAVELBURG // 4.07.5016u
After a tense three days, the modified comms array of the Dynast’s Embrace picked up a new trace of the MesmerTrance virus, intercepting it before it could infect yet another unwitting subaltern. The signal was so strong that it almost blew out the entire assembly. In the end, THE PHOENIX CONTINGENT pinpointed the source of the signal deep in the outskirts of Upper. It was coming from an area so inhospitable that not even the most deranged venture out there – a proper dustgrave. CAPTAIN STAVROS was set on sending the group out there to get to the bottom of who is behind the abduction of his NHP. The squad had made some allies since arriving in PORT CONROY so they began to discuss whether they should call on any of them. Before they could decide whether to call in support, however, THE CONTINGENT were contacted via comms by LEONORA MCGRATH. LEONORA and her squad had been licking their wounds ever since THE PHOENIX CONTINGENT got away with the subaltern. Despite her best attempts to swallow her pride, there was an edge about her when she made the call. THE TALONS, having lost their objective, were at an impasse and willing to offer the group a deal.
LEONORA introduced herself as the leader of a covert IPS-N taskforce sent to investigate the cases of missing NHPs that have been cropping up in Havelburg. THE TALONS were following the same lead as the party, tracking the subalterns to the Dustbranded hideout. LEONORA went as far as offering a formal apology for what happened back in Upper. THE TALONS had assumed that the party were just part of another gang operating in the area. They did not engage in communications because an open comms channel represents an attack vector for MesmerTrance. LEONORA presented the following story: The man behind the abductions is known as Dr. VICTOR VIRGA and THE TALONS have been after him for about a decade now at the behest of IPS-N. VIRGA is apparently hiding out in the dustgrave area on the far outskirts of Upper, where no one ventures. DR. VIRGA is an NHP specialist who is wanted for illegal and unethical experiments on NHPs. He has abducted a significant number of them to fuel his deranged research.
After noticing the abduction of multiple NHPs on the planet, IPS-N sent out THE TALONS to investigate the situation. DR. VIRGA, while deranged, is a brilliant scientist and a genius in the field of automatic robotics and NHP research. In short, he should not be underestimated, which is why LEONORA was contacting the party – to propose an alliance against this dangerous individual. THE PHOENIX CONTINGENT took a private moment to discuss what they just learned, and decided they couldn't trust LEONORA or her TALONS. METEOR and POON began to prod her for more informatiun, while HOT FIX attempted to use to comm link to hack the TALON systems. HOT FIX'S hacking attempt was unsuccessful, and someone appeared to grab LEONORA'S attention from out of frame. Something quickly flashed across her face, anger or annoyance, before she was able to regain her composure. LEONORA asked whether they were willing to work with her, and when the party declined, she cut the comms line.
THE PHOENIX CONTINGENT reached out to their allies for assistance, as they could tell an arduous battle was coming. First Captain Stavros provided them with rare sets of Madrigal Boarding Pilot Gear, then JUAN TISMON let them take the mech sized Blast Pick that hung on the wall in Garfield's. Lastly, MAGENTA RED gave them access to the combat stims used by HARRRISON ARMORY. After filling her in on what they'd found so far. MAGENTA RED was very interested in who is behind the NHP abductions and wanted to put a stop to them, seeing that her organization is likely to be blamed. The Syndicate was willing to spare three Shermans and a sizable number of foot soldiers to assault VIRGA’s base. The party then decided to check the Dustmarket for some supplies, and on the walk there, someone stole POON'S slate off his wrist. Unable to keep track of the thief, and alert his comrades, POON chased the man through the crowd and into a back alley. As he stepped into the back alley he realized it was completely empty, no one was there. At that moment he felt a hand on his back that gave him a powerful shove, forcing him deeper into the alley. As POON spun around, he saw a man in his mid 30s, dressed in a green trenchcoat, armed with a couple of archaic pistols, and a tattoo of a Black Hand barely visible on his neck. His facial expression seemed to be one of general amusement, but his eyes betrayed a level of unmatched cunning. POON knew right away, this was ECHELON, Leader of the NAILS, elite operatives in THE MANOS SYNDICATE, and a direct report of VIPER, the woman who helped POON disappear when he was being hunted by The Union's Department of Justice and Human Rights. ECHELON didn't want much, he just wanted to know where THE PHOENIX CONTINGENT was meeting their fixer after their current mission ends. He told POON that if he refused, news of his continued life and new identity might just leak to the DoJ/HR, and once you're in their sights their Liberation Teams can bypass any and all red tape to take you down. Unsure why he wanted the info, POON told ECHELON they were going to meet their fixer on ESILIA at BAR DEAD END. As ECHELON vanished into the crowd, POON couldn't help but feel like he'd made a mistake.
Dustgrave, HAVELBURG // 4.07.5016u
The furthest outskirts of Upper were utterly desolate and no living thing could hope to survive the near-constant dustfall. Venturing out here without a breathing apparatus or closed-cycle hardsuits means certain death in less than a minute as choked-up lungs give out, spelling an agonizing demise. The MesmerTrace virus was transmitted from here, though, no doubt about it. As the mechs made their way through the desolate wasteland, they approached a large structure that may have once been a stadium or opera hall of some sort. A decade of relentless dust buildup and neglect made it hard to tell. The dust began to stir as the group approached the building, though shapes were hard to make out through the thick dust clouds. The shapes seemingly emerged from the ground, mounds of dust revealing themselves to be something else entirely. At the same time a barrage of electronic warfare was unleashed on the party; the MesmerTrance virus assaulted their systems and washed over them. They now had to brace themselves for the oncoming onslaught. The hostile mechs were difficult to look at, just on account of the sheer wrongness they had about them. Their movements were unnatural and jerky, giving the impression that whatever it was that piloted them was not human. Their transmission chatter was binary, interspersed with alien symbols and whole sentences.
“01101000 01100101 01101100 01110000 00100000 01101101 01100101 Targets acquired // parts cataloged ... +++ EnGaGe +++ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ### intruders designated 'HOSTILE' /// awaiting parameters – Loading – I’M STILL IN HERE ### vivisection of hostiles sanctioned, constituent pieces to be-be-be-be-be-BE recycled. No part may exceed half a cubic before processing. ROAM FREE, CHILDREN ROAM AND FEAST – yes father. the choir will guide our hands and our bellies be filled by your will. Amen. 01101001 01110100 00100000 01101000 01110101 01110010 01110100 01110011”
THE PHOENIX CONTINGENT fought through these monstrousities, but with each one they cut down it was almost as though 2 more appeared in its place. Eventually, the 4 of them were able to gain a foothold on the battlefield and rout the abominations, forcing them into a disarrayed retreat. After a quick rest and some field repairs, the party entered the compound. The corridors inside the structure were vast and dimly lit. Shipping containers and crates lined the walls, though they appeared to be empty. Perhaps it used to be a cargo hub for transplanetary shipping. The longrange comm-net cut out the moment the party entered the structure, all channels devolved into static, sinister whispers, and ethereal laughter. Drones would flit by occasionally. Their soft, spidery treads disturbing the thick layer of dust that coated most surfaces, even inside. Though the atmosphere inside the ruined building was clearly filtered it still contained a dangerous amount of dust, making breathing difficult. The route only went one way, and the mechs could comfortably fit inside the corridor. Ahead, a powerful energy and heat signature could be detected, just as the straight corridor opened into a large hall. Large industrial machinery lined the walls. Conveyor belts and fully automated servo tools were working tirelessly, with sparks flying and steam clouding the air. It was here that the base’s defenders were being manufactured. Worse, it appeared that some of the defenders from earlier had been transported here and were being repaired. If any progress was to be made, this section of the facility would have to be demolished. Crude speakers lined the walls of the large hall, activating with a burst of static that almost sounded like moans.
They came to life, drowning out even the lumbering machinery:
“Cease this foolishness and leave at once. Your wanton destruction has no merit – soon I won’t require these material things. I am being called to greater things! You won’t stop me, closed-minded as you are; smash my puppets, raze my laboratory. You are no better than cavemen, angered by what they don’t understand, cowering in the face of progress – fools as you are. I hope one day you will see, just as I have done. On that day, be ashamed of what you have attempted here.”
The party sprung into action, HOT FIX immediately found a vantage point, POON began charging his Apocalypse Rail, PIP BOY split off as many drones as he could without tearing himnself in half, and METEOR charged forward, firing his Decksweeper shotgun at anyone in range. One by one, THE PHOENIX CONTINGENT were able to destroy the MesmerTrance Control Nodes, shutting down the factory and leaving DR. VIRGA without any method of replenishing his forces. After regaining their bearings, they moved deeper into the facility.
