I'm not runnin'

[defensebonds]

WHO: Participants in Operation Archangel
WHERE: Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Mingling posts will be throughout July; Battle posts will be August 5th
WHAT: Archangel is back on its feet, preparing its members, and striking back where it counts.
WARNINGS: Violence, drug mentions and other such unpleasantness.


Open Prompts -- Month of July
Meet n' Greet
Things are a little different in the ranks of Archangel these days, starting with the most noticeable change: cells. Each cell has their own base, and no cell knows the base of another. Certainly makes things seem a little bit smaller, doesn't it? Of course, that means that, like it or not, you've got people in your team you need to get to know and prepare to trust with your life. Do you think you'll all get along like peas in a pod? Or like cats and dogs? Only way to find out is to strike up a conversation and see where it goes. On the upside, you get to try on your new uniform while you're there.

Training
You've come a long way from your beginning days as an operative -- but that doesn't mean your work is finished. Whether you're a seasoned war veteran or a scrub just getting your feet wet, you still have a lot to learn both about the enemies you'll face and working seamlessly with your new team. Your commanding officer will be on hand to help you every step of the way, and ol' Cap will be making the rounds to check on your progress... and maybe go a round in the ring with you, if you're looking for a sparring partner. Want to get to know your fellow cells? Not a problem; after everyone's gotten a good skill set they've put to the test, the cells will have the chance to intermingle and go head to head.

Investigation
Sure, all this punching and fight clubbing might be the cat's pajamas, but there's work to be done, isn't there? If you're the type to like a bit of digging around in the dirt, you'd better believe you'll have some work ready for you. Want to get some slanderous info about the local "hero" cops? Or maybe discover some weaknesses in the defenses of the cartels they've made deals with? If you can think of it, it probably needs to be done. Grab one of your teammates for a romp, or bump into another cell's operative and team up to cover more ground.


Battle Prompts -- August 5th
Party Poopers: Heiji, Sabriel, Clark, Jo, Hawke, Nysrog, Batgirl, and any member of the Knights of the Red Branch
Who doesn't like a good party? You, apparently. Way to harsh everybody's groove, pal. There's a lot to be done here, from sneaking in to securing the exits, straight on through to throwing caution to the wind and setting off an explosive or two before running into the chaos and rounding up the scattering cops like wayward sheep. Of course, these sheep are armed -- and they have sharks. Yes, dear friend, once things get wild and crazy some dastardly member of the police will let slip the proverbial hounds of war, and you'll have a few land sharks nipping at your heels while you make as many casualty-free arrests as you can and try to avoid ending up as a special feature on the Discovery Channel.

Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dick: Kaidan, Glitch, and Kanaya
Getting the drop on a pair of baddies sure seemed like a good idea, didn't it? Too bad that "getting the drop" ended up as less of an easy arrest and more of a boy-they-sure-do-look-ticked-off sort of scenario. Captain Dee and Captain Randall didn't come to check their product without being prepared for potential difficulties, and they're apparently armed to the teeth -- and we're not talking guns. Are you ready to rumble? Because the exit is blocked so you'd best prepare yourself, compadre.

The Big Kahuna: Kasumi, Shepard, and Motoko
So, here you are: Ready to take on the Big Kahuna himself. Chief Tanner sure doesn't look like the worst thing you've ever seen, does he? Of course, it's a little hard to say that when he leads you on a bit of a chase to some heavy duty equipment he'd been having a look at. Great Gatsby, is that a goddamned mech? Seems like you might have your work cut out for you, after all. There's a hell of a lot of guns on that thing, so you'd best be ready to use the 5 D's: dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge.

Wildcard
Alright, so maybe you're doing a little Archangel work that doesn't quite fit the bill you were looking for. That's okay, bub; you do you, in all your majestic glory. Just don't get your ass caught or Captain America will give you such a talking to. Just know, he's not mad -- he's just disappointed.

Comments

Meet n' Greet: Kaidan's Cell

[defensebonds]

[ Welcome to your new base camp, kids! You've all been assigned to what seems to be an old bomb shelter located beneath a laundromat run by an Archangel sympathizer. It's pretty spacious, with room to train, supplies both mundane and violent in nature, a few cots and, most importantly, complete sound-proofing and protection from even the most impressive hardware used to hunt vigilantes down. One wall has a series of lockers: the one with your name will have your new uniform inside, tailored to your previously-acquired measurements. Don't forget your mask before you go out. ]

[kanadian]

[ Early on, Kaidan pulls everyone in for an informal meet and greet. Everyone seems to generally know who's who, or at least for some of them. It's easy -- he thinks -- with a good majority of the people being military, active for former, and most of them have kicked his ass at one point or another, so that's even better. Maybe not better, but he preferred it. He always preferred having a team at his back.

But even so, he made sure to meet with everyone individually, and ask them three important questions, hands folded behind his back, he'd always lean forward with the same concern, and an awkward smile on his face. ]

Hey, mind if we have a chat?

[prostheticbody]

[The Major smiled slyly. She didn't know the members of her cell all that well, beyond that both Kaidan and Shepard were comrades of Jacob and Kasumi. And she had encountered Kaidan once before. It had been a... memorable meeting.]

You sure you wouldn't rather have a push-up contest?

[kanadian]

[ The look on his face -- it was something that could only be described as "constipated". Pinched brow, frown, his eyes crinkled in frustration, and he his lip curled slightly.

It wasn't hostile, just... stuffy. ]

I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be appropriate for this kind of mission. Besides, I think you might kick all of our asses. Even Shepard's, and I know he can go for a while.

[prostheticbody]

[He's the serious type of commander, huh. Fair enough. She could respect that and she knew when to get down to business. Besides, there'd be plenty of time for good-natured ribbing later.

She leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. But still smiling slightly.]

So, what is it you wanted to chat about?

[kendo_taisho]

[Heiji may not be military, and he might be young, and honestly he doesn't look at all like he should be in this place (a little twiggy, just out of high school, seriously, has he seen a day of action in his entire life?) and for anyone who'd seen him at the previous archangel base he'd mostly been surrounded by files, but here he is, and not looking to go anywhere. Sure, he still isn't quite used to the vigilante thing, and his tattoo is still firmly Registered, but he honestly believes in what Archangel is trying to do.

He's sick of living in a corrupt city. It's so different from home that it's downright offensive.

Kaiden may feel awkward, but Heiji's smile has been bright and open from the time they were introduced (look at this child), and he has his hands casually shoved in his pockets as he turns to give his cell leader his full attention.]

Not at all. What can I do for ya?

[kanadian]

[ There's a problem here, and it's one he fully intends to talk to Steve about, and that's using children. No matter Heiji's capability, children in military operations -- especially informal ones is enough for Kaidan's teeth to be on edge from the start. Chalk it up to personal experience, but he's got a look that says clearly, that he's Worried. Brow furrowed, mouth turned down, and he shifts from foot to foot.

When he speaks up, it's with a hand through his hair. ]

Alright, so -- let's start with the basics. How'd you get involved, and what did you do before?

[kendo_taisho]

[Believe it or not, this idiot has gotten himself into worse trouble.]

Recruitment started not long after I arrived 'ere. Few months ago. Jacob didn't want me out much unless I had someone with me [A rule that still annoyed him, if the twitch of his mouth is any indication] so I mostly did investigations.

[hubris]

[A relatively fresh face, Nysrog still spent time examining the cell headquarters as if seeing it for the first time. But by now anyone who'd interacted with her more than a few times would have noticed that this easy fascination and distraction was just her neutral state.

Until she was called to perform.

She was inspecting the uniform when Kaidan approached, and seemed to absently feel the cloth as he spoke.]

What do you need?

[kanadian]

[ He'd given him something of the creeps, so far. Maybe it was the way she was so curious, or something else, but... Well, he wasn't sure what to make of her. ]

Hey, I wanted to touch base with you, see how you're doing, if you need anything?

[ Or to check in, and see what was going on there, but he'd get to that. ]

[hubris]

[The structure of the operation had, even in this short time, become a comfort to her; she was more open, less aloof than usual in this context. She flashed a smile.]

A few hundred more eyes in the precinct would be nice, for a start.

[SHE EVEN MADE A JOKE.]

open

[prostheticbody]

[The Major is modeling her new uniform--she's a little curious how her measurements were obtained, and it's a little snug across the chest, but not unpleasant. Archangel is moving from a ragtag band of vigilantes to something approaching organized, apparently.

She's busy setting up a computer, one of the big, blocky models that seemed to be all the rage. And anyone passing by might notice that one of the wires from the desktop doesn't go to the mouse or keyboard, but rather right into one of the ports on the back of the Major's neck. While she transfers data to and from the PC, she's also holding up one of the standard-issue masks.]

I don't think this is going to work. [Not when you have a very noteworthy hair color, at least.]

[kendo_taisho]

[Hei'd claimed a corner of his own for a desk and a filing cabinet. It's currently a cluttered mess as he tries to organize his investigations by some specific system in his head. Ellery, his fluffy Norwegian Elkhound mix, was tucked in under the desk, stubbornly fitting despite being a bit too big for the space.

He'd not looked at his own locker beyond a cursory glance, so he's not quite aware of the problem as he catches her comment and looks up.]

Eh? What's not? What's wrong with it?

[prostheticbody]

[She holds up the mask to her face, which does very little to cover her most distinctive features. How many statuesque purple-haired ninjas could there possibly be in one city?]

See for yourself. It's like I'm a totally different person. [Not sarcastic at all, nope.]

[kendo_taisho]

[Aha. He gets her point.]

Th' hair's easy. Ya get some of that temporary colour spray and coat it black. It'll wash out next time ya shower. Tie it back an' no one'll know it's you.

[hubris]

[What attracts her is the sight of what seems to be a person jacked into a computer, and she lingers with open interest; at the mask, she gives out a sudden, wry laugh.]

It would be easier to shave our heads.

[prostheticbody]

I'm not willing to go that far for this organization.

[She sets down the mask and extends a glove-clad hand.]

I'm not sure we've met. I'm Major Kusanagi.

[hubris]

Up for getting shot, but not a change of look?

[She takes it, though with a flicker of hesitation.]

Nysrog. Major? Is a handshake appropriate, or should I salute?

[There isn't any indication of jibe in her tone; she seems genuinely curious.]

do we wanna assume this is before or after hallucinations? :|a

[sassguard]

[ Unlike the Major, Shepard isn't wearing the standard-issue uniform, just the plain jeans and shirt he came in with. When he hears someone's voice, he lifts his head, lips quirking lightly when he realizes what she's talking about. ]

Not in your case, I guess. Ever consider getting one of these?

[ He waves the cap he was using to hide his face, but his attention's diverted to the wires coming out of her neck, and how she's apparently interfacing with the computer. Based on what Kaidan's told him of the other members of his cell, there's only one person this could be, but there's time enough to confirm that later. ]

we can say before, this seems like a natural first meeting!

[prostheticbody]

[She glances at his cap skeptically.]

Unless I start wearing a motorcycle helmet around, I don't think it's going to help.

[By process of elimination, he must be Shepard, the commander that Jacob, Kasumi, and Kaidan have all mentioned. Given how many of his crew she's met, she's been eager to meet him and see what kind of person can pull together such an interesting group.]

sounds good to me!

[sassguard]

It's surprising what people can miss when they aren't looking for it.

[ He's pretty sure no one back home could really recognize him outside a suit of armor. He lifts a hand to indicate his own neck, nodding at her. ]

Although if that's always how you access a computer, I can see how you would be hard to forget.

open

[sassguard]

[ Shepard doesn't know the members of his cell very well, besides the obvious, but that's probably safer, in a way -- too much centralization could have been part of what made Archangel easier to capture the last time. He's no stranger to being brought into an ongoing operation, but Archangel is a little different from what he's used to, whether it's the strictly regimented Alliance or Cerberus' tightly-run, private operation.

Not that it's a bad thing, the difference. It shows that he's still got more to learn. Right now, though, he's exploring the architecture of the bomb shelter, a bemused look on his face, tapping the infrastructure like it's going to give him any answers... ]

Is something like this really enough protection from a bomb?

[kendo_taisho]

[Heiji doesn't even look up from his folder, making a thoughtful noise in his throat. He hasn't actually met Shepard before being assigned to the cell, but it's not hard to use process of elimination to figure out who he is.]

Depends on th' kind of bomb. Considerin' that everyone's still worried about th' cold war in this world it's prolly a fallout shelter. Kinda surprised it wasn't still in use, but I guess ownership of the laundromat could have changed hands since it was built and never did anythin' with it until now.

Theoretically it's supposed t'protect against nuclear attack an' radiation. Though if ya look at th' way it's made I'd wager it should be defense enough against concussion too. Anythin' these guys'd throw at us shouldn't be nearly powerful enough to break through. Not unless they wanted t'level the city.

[sassguard]

I don't think Archangel has to worry about getting bombs dropped on us, at least. It's pretty different from the kind of construction I'm used to.

[ But he could say the same thing for most things in this world in general. ]

Can't complain about having something that will stand up to just about anything you throw at it, though. Sounds like you know a lot about this stuff. You've been in one of these before? [ He says it lightly, not poking fun, glancing over with slightly raised brows. ]

[kendo_taisho]

Yeah. Too risky for em. Could damage their own profits with a bomb drop. Doesn't mean they won't use smaller explosives.

[Was that too casual for a kid who clearly isn't military? He looks up to give himself to the conversation, grinning sheepishly.]

Nah, not really. Never with any intent t'be usin' it for what it was built for. Read a lot, though. Ya don't know when information'll come in handy.