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HOUSE OF CARDS - PART 1: [Val Meridian]
Y2156.11.6:1000 District 0, Government Educational Services [16]
Val strolled brusquely out of the Bar [12], a woman on a mission, and headed straight towards the Government Educational Services building [16]. This modular unit was similar in construction to the Bar (and most buildings in the Colony), but about double its size and surrounded by a fence that clearly marked the limits of Government Property. “My tax dollars are hard at work” she thought.

Inside, Val found the community education center she expected. There was everything from K-12 classes to adult education to a community meeting room … and there was a public access computer. What Val had not anticipated was the complete technical incompetence and indifference of the Fine Arts centric staff that ran the Education center in the Colony. It was not really a consolation to be invited to a poetry support meeting at 6 PM this evening to help Val release her inner voice. The computer here was older than Val and the connection speed was bordering on non-extant. The man that invited Val to the poetry suggested that the Government Social Services Building [20] might have a better public computer … they have a Rehabilitation program.

Y2156.11.6:1030 Government Social Services [20]
It was a long walk. Val passed a Garden Supply Center [18] with a fenced outdoor sales area and a tall modular metal structure and LOTS of modular, metal houses … plus a few Pressurized Tents that served as residences. She was almost back to the Grav Transport Landing Area when she finally arrived at the last two buildings in town … Government Social Services [20] and a clubhouse for a rental community [26]. Val entered Social Services.

At first, her complete lack of bureaucratic experience [no Admin-0] hampered Val at negotiating the highly structured (anal retentive) bureaucracy, but these people were helpful … if sticklers for ID and paperwork. Val found herself sitting in a small room with a computer that was everything she could have hoped for. It was brand new and state-of-the-art [TL 11]. The entire desktop was a supercritical liquid that felt like a solid, but could be reconfigured and reshaped to locate controls where and how the user desired. The “screen” was a #D holographic display that tracked eye movement and seemed to anticipate her thoughts. For a moment Val was in Programmer heaven. Then she face-planted right into “Big Brother’s” protective wall. As a Government System, this particular Computer was monitored at LAW LEVEL 9. She could access any “safe” data at lightning speed … but anything that might really be USEFUL was always on the other side of the wall. Frustrated, she soon left.

Y2156.11.6:1100 Clubhouse [26]
Standing outside yet another carefully fenced Government facility, paid for by HER FAMILY tax dollars, and completely USELESS to her, personally. Val noticed a sign on the Clubhouse [26] that piqued her curiosity.

Val stepped inside the 9-meter square prefabricated building that ultimately revealed itself to be a combination Clubhouse, Office and Manager’s Residence for a sort of “Bed and Breakfast”. The interior was clean and cozy, if a little too “lodge” for her personal taste. However, Val discovered from a sign mounted to the wall near a desk that they rented rooms by the day, week or month with rates running from Cr 2-4 per day to Cr 30-60 per month … with Breakfast included.

Mark, the man that ran the place, was just sitting in a chair working on word-puzzles on a handheld electronic Tablet when Val entered. He didn’t jump up and hover over her - as clerks are prone to do - but merely smiled, offered a simple “Greetings, welcome to our B&B. Help yourself to some fresh muffins and let me know if you have any questions.” before returning to his tablet.

Val sensed some sort of incongruity in the clerk. There was something out of place about the man. It was nothing she could place a finger on, and it was not a sense of danger … but Val knew people and her instincts were telling her something was ‘off’. Val also realized that come sunset, she had no place to sleep and would need a room SOMEWHERE … at least for a night.
[NOTE: This is a pause mid-search to offer each character a chance to privately interact during the 4 hour mission and potentially gain allies, enemies, contacts or rumors beyond the main “reveal” of the quest … which happens in PART 2, when I apply the final result of your OOC skill roll.]

Val

Smiling at the man behind the desk, Val says, "Hi. I'm new here in The Colony. Do you have a room available? Actually three rooms...

Val will try to pinpoint what's up with the dude.

She'll also look for any posting of RULES...this place seems to like posting rules.

Y2156.11.6:1110 Clubhouse [26]

Val: "Hi. I'm new here in The Colony. Do you have a room available? Actually three rooms...
Mark: "Today would be both our lucky day.” he said with a natural, easy smile. "We just happen to have several rooms to choose from.” The clerk rose from the chair to speak with Val face-to-face.

[This afforded Val an opportunity to more closely examine the clerk. His clothes … especially the shoes. They were not ‘flashy’ but they were familiar. Then it clicked … those clothes were tailored at a shop in Ville d’Espoir. Your clerk might not be wearing a Cr 400 suit, but he was wearing a Cr 100 sweater sold in the same shops to people for whom comfort mattered more than fashion or price.]

Mark: "We have six meter efficiency units, nine meter standard units and twelve meter deluxe units. If you wanted three, we could offer either three of the six meter units or one of each size. You should probably see the units before you make any decisions. By the way, my name is Mark …” Mark held out his hand to Val, but when she reached out to shake it, Mark kissed her hand - gently and formally. "It would be my pleasure to take you on a personal guided tour.” His tone was one of playful formality without even a hint of impropriety. Val was silent for a moment, which Mark misread as having charmed the lady. However, the truth was that in the moment of that brief kiss, Val did feel something - recognition: Val has met Mark before. Only back then, Val was a young debutante and ‘Mark’ was Baron Mirza … a young scion in a family that were “king makers” in interplanetary politics.

Sizing up Mark, and contemplating his presence here, Val smiles charmingly and says, "I'd love to see the units. My friends and I are here for a short time, so we're not sure how extravagant we need our accommodations.

"By the way, most people just call me Val, but my full name is Valencia Meridian. I believe we met many years ago. What brings you out here to the Colony, Sir Baron?" Val asks with a coy smile and curtsy.

Y2156.11.6:1200 Clubhouse [26]

“ Stop that! ” snapped Baron Mark Mirza in a tone that startled Val in its violent contrast with his calm, friendly demeanor up to that point. Mark apologized and eventually explained that he had moved here following an attempted assassination which convinced him to leave the Family political landscape to others and seek a quieter life.

“ I had fond memories of The Colony from winter vacations at the ocean. Aunt Rose suggested one of those Cutter Module Estates and even offered to buy one for me … but where is the fun in that? I want to meet the quirky and fascinating people that live here and be part of the COMMUNITY. I purchased a few lots, set up some Modular units and started a Bed and Breakfast. All those years studying at the Culinary Institute are finally paying off. ” he smiled. The smile faded … “ You can see that everyone must know me as just Mark. Barons have people that want to kill them. ”

Val sensed that the scion of the powerful Mizra family empire was an emotionally fragile individual. Events had left deep scars that would need a great deal of time to heal.

Y2156.11.6:1230 Clubhouse [26]

Mark led Val on a tour, proudly showing off his units. By the DAY, the smallest units cost Cr2, the mid-sized cost Cr3 and the large cost Cr 4. There was a discount for renting by the WEEK - cost Cr 10, Cr 15 & Cr 20 per week, and by the MONTH - cost Cr 30, Cr 45 & Cr 60 per month.



There are three (3) small units, one (1) mid-sized unit and one (1) large unit available.

Val completed her business and resumed her search for a computer, heading towards Brulantfort Employment Services [8] to see if THEY have a computer.

[NOTE: This particular pause mid-search is just to offer a chance for the NEW PLAYERS to sync up … I am ready to bring YOUR 4 hour search to a conclusion and reveal what VAL brings back to the table as a deal.]

Cool.

"I can relate to wanting to start fresh..." Val empathizes after Mark's outburst. She specifically avoids talking about his family and the attempted assassination...for now.

During the tour, Val will maintain small-talk with Mark, focusing on the B&B, and pushing to find out anything about The Colony. Who lives here? Is it just artists, or are the artists a camouflage for more people like Mark? SOMEONE has to be funding this place. Is it just a bunch of dispossessed nobles?

In the end, Val will take a daily rental on the 3 small units for DJ, Joe, and herself. After inspecting her unit for a few minutes, she will then resume her search for a computer.

Y2156.11.6:1240 Clubhouse [26]
Mark chucked at the idea that someone should be funding The Colony. He rather liked the concept and mused out loud about recruiting ex-patriot socialites - like Val and Mark - to form a sort of “Star Chamber”.

He told you that Government taxes funded it like everything else. ‘Officially’ it is just a future district that has not yet had a dome constructed over it. Anyone can go to the Clerk in Brulansfort ant purchase a plot of land. Then you build on your plot and live or work in the building and … that’s it. You are part of the census of District 0.

Unofficially, the sort of people that CHOOSE to live outside of the comfort of a filtered dome are people that tend to fall outside the social norm. So The Colony attracts anyone that doesn’t like too much “governing”. That includes Artists, who are attracted by living near other artists and sharing ideas that might be frowned upon. It definitely includes radical thinkers and those wishing to experiment outside of the normal regulations. As for the Nobility … it has become ‘fashionable’ to be seen as cutting edge and rubbing shoulders with radicals. Anywhere else, that sort of behavior would earn social censure. In The Colony, it is accepted since there are OTHER NOBLES doing it.

AS a practical matter … The Colony offered the experience of “small Town” living while having the amenities of a City within walking distance.

Y2156.11.6:1300 Brulantfort Employment Services [8]

Resuming her quest for a computer, Val arrived at the Employment Center where they had Public Computers for Job Searches and Training. Some obnoxious man named Lawrence put Val through the wringer to get permission to use a terminal. First she had to wait in line to have her ID verified. Then she had to answer a barrage of questions about Employment and why she didn’t have a steady job. Finally, the reason for her wanting access was discussed … at which point Lawrence informed her with a smirk that she longed to wipe off his face “ Miss, Government data Terminals are for official purposes only. They are not for your personal recreation. ”

Lawrence walked off, smug in his ‘fief’. As Val was about to leave when Bart signaled her over to his station. “ Terminal 8 is all ready for you, Ms Smith. ”

The computer was perfect … unfortunately, it had the exact same security features as the last Government computer and proved worthless for her task. Val left to find a non-Government computer. There was a private Data Center, maybe there.

Y2156.11.6:1330 Data Processing and Storage [7]

Before Val could reach Data Processing [7] she was confronted on the road outside the Chapel [14] by a rotund robed man wielding ‘raffle tickets’. She had been chosen to participate in a raffle. For only Cr1, Val would buy a chance to win a magnificent work of art by a famous local artist valued at over Cr 500. All of the money raised would help support the Chapel’s community outreach program to help those that the Government cannot or will not.
Father Cohen: “So how many tickets would you like to buy to support such a noble cause?”

Finally escaping Father Cohen, Val arrived at a fortress-like structure called the Data Processing building. The front door slid open and Val stepped into an “air-lock” vestibule where she felt briefly trapped as she and the air were decontaminated by UV lights while listening to ‘mood music’. The inner doors opened - reminding Val of the security doors in a casino vault - and she stepped into a living room that would be at home in any luxury hotel.

“ Well H_E_L_L_O there. ” crooned a Techie named Sam. Things went quickly downhill from that point. Fortunately, Val didn’t need to shoot him or crush his wind-pipe. However the bottom line was that all of the Computers in the Data Processing Center were not public and Sam was only interested in a date. Dating a fresh-out-of-college techie that was full of himself, was not on Val’s “bucket list”.

At the Clubhouse....

While still with Mark, Val will casually ask, "So, what made you go to Culinary School, Mark? Do you intend to open a restaurant? Maybe you should do a pop-up dinner night somewhere. Sell tickets for a night of culinary delight!"

*****

Later, at the Employment Center...

"Thanks for the help, Bart. Let me know when I can return the favor," Val will say when Lawrence isn't lurking.

****

With Father Cohen....

Val will be pleasant, and purchase 10 raffle tickets. And then skedaddle. She makes a mental note to find out more about Cohen and his agenda.

****

In the Data Center....

Realizing this was a dead-end, Val decides to get away from Sam before she has to break his hand or impair his future fertility*.

Feeling like a failure at her information-gathering task, Val decides to head back to the rendezvous. She'll keep an eye out for her compatriots.

Or anyone else she knows! Mirza was a surprise, and might prove a good source in the future.

* I recently noticed Val is the only PC with Brawling-1.

TheMyth wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:36 pm Feeling like a failure at her information-gathering task, Val decides to head back to the rendezvous. She'll keep an eye out for her compatriots.
Or anyone else she knows!

... a funny thing about that:

"Life is what happens while you were making other plans."

(I have one more post for Val.)

[an alternative for Herbie to join the group through Val ... player choice. One of those Sci-Fi time/alternative universe things. One reality collapses when you choose.]

Y2156.11.6:1345 Medical Clinic [9]

John was nothing like Herbie. John had spent a lifetime avoiding letting people tell him what to do. John had invested 20 years in the Army. John had survived more than a decade behind enemy lines on a dozen different worlds. John had killed more people than most people knew. … That was THEN. Now, John was just another broken ex-soldier. Another forgotten casualty of a forgotten war, barely surviving beneath the radar of any Government Agency and far below any Government “safety net” … an anonymous citizen in an eclectic community called ‘The Colony’.

It was serendipity that at 1:40 PM the paths of Herbie and James crossed in the middle of the main road, in the center of the Square in the center of The Colony. John’s filter had reached its final limits long ago, but John was accustomed to ignoring the warning signals from his body. It was at this serendipitous meeting that John’s body sent him a signal he could not ignore ….

Herbie was excited after his third trip. He had quickly sold his rope. He had made a new friend named Jim. He had only one more trip and he would be finished with work. Herbie almost ran over John. It wasn’t Herbie’s fault. John was laying in the street and coughing blood. John couldn’t catch his breath. Herbie knew what to do. Nan had taught him all about Mash Safety and what to do if a mask stopped working … because the outside air was really bad for you.

Herbie tried to put John’s mask back on him, but John was fighting him. John was always angry at people, but John wasn’t angry at Herbie. This was something else. Herbie lifted John and placed him on the cart - just like a crate of rope - then Herbie started racing down the street towards the Clinic [9].


Y2156.11.6:1350 Medical Clinic [9]

Val was heading down the road towards the group when Herbie, a local character, almost ran her down with a cart full of “man”. Fortunately, Val was nimble enough to easily dive and roll out of the way. Herbie tried to apologize, but his “sorry” was breathless and barely audible. Running with the cart had left him winded and close to collapse. Herbie croaked “clinic” and Val saw the man on the card didn’t look so good.

Grabbing a handle, Val and Herbie pushed the cart to the Clinic [9] and right past the emergency doors. For a moment everyone just stared incredulous at Val and Herbie and a Pushcart and a man on the pushcart all sitting in the center of the small ER.

“John needs O2, stat” shouted Herbie and broke the trance. People jumped into action and John was being treated.

Val observed that the Medical Clinic had several Computer terminals. As long as she was here … but again the answer was no public terminal.

A ‘doctor’ named Zane … technically, Zane was a Nurse Practitioner, but he was studying to be a surgeon … overheard and waved Val aside. He led her to a small storage room with non-critical supplies [uniforms, linens, extra bandages and gloves] and pointed to a computer on a desk. “They forget that it is here. I use it to study. Help yourself.” Zane smiled “Just don’t steal the sheets.”

Val got on and found both access and no government firewalls. She had barely started her search when she got the strangest hit. Someone was selling a Broker Contract … a list of a buyer and a seller with an already agreed upon sale … worth thousands of credits for literally pennies on the dollar to “the first person to show up”. Then it listed a name, and a Lot Number, but no street address or contact phone number.


Y2156.11.6:1405 “Snipe Hunt”

Val took the information and headed back towards the Lobby. Time had run out and she needed to hurry.

Herbie had never left John’s side and insisted on helping treat John, since Herbie learned all about healing in the Army. John was resting so Herbie went to thank Val for her help. Seeing the name, Herbie said “I know her. She’s nice. Lives right up there.” he pointed away from the main road towards the houses OFF the main road (or any road).

First come meant first come … Val had Herbie lead her to the house. Val met Merideth. Her husband had just run off with a girl he just met and decided was his “soul mate”. Meredith was responsible to sell the Brokered deal and divide the money 50/50. “He wants me to SEND HIS money to their new ‘love nest’ “ she spit out. “The contract is worth Cr 3000, so pay me Cr 2 and it is yours. One credit for each of us.”
Val handed over Cr2 and left holding a contract.

Val and Herbie hurried back to the Bar [12] and arrived at 2:15 PM.
[Identical post in HERBIE and VAL]

atpollard wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:49 pm
1:50 PM Medical Clinic [9]

Val was heading down the road towards the group when Herbie, a local character, almost ran her down with a cart full of “man”. Fortunately, Val was nimble enough to easily dive and roll out of the way. Herbie tried to apologize, but his “sorry” was breathless and barely audible. Running with the cart had left him winded and close to collapse. Herbie croaked “clinic” and Val saw the man on the card didn’t look so good.

Grabbing a handle, Val and Herbie pushed the cart to the Clinic [9] and right past the emergency doors. For a moment everyone just stared incredulous at Val and Herbie and a Pushcart and a man on the pushcart all sitting in the center of the small ER.

“John needs O2, stat” shouted Herbie and broke the trance. People jumped into action and John was being treated.

Val observed that the Medical Clinic had several Computer terminals. As long as she was here … but again the answer was no public terminal.

A ‘doctor’ named Zane … technically, Zane was a Nurse Practitioner, but he was studying to be a surgeon … overheard and waved Val aside. He led her to a small storage room with non-critical supplies [uniforms, linens, extra bandages and gloves] and pointed to a computer on a desk. “They forget that it is here. I use it to study. Help yourself.” Zane smiled “Just don’t steal the sheets.”

Val got on and found both access and no government firewalls. She had barely started her search when she got the strangest hit. Someone was selling a Broker Contract … a list of a buyer and a seller with an already agreed upon sale … worth thousands of credits for literally pennies on the dollar to “the first person to show up”. Then it listed a name, and a Lot Number, but no street address or contact phone number.


2:05 PM “Snipe Hunt”

Val took the information and headed back towards the Lobby. Time had run out and she needed to hurry.

Herbie had never left John’s side and insisted on helping treat John, since Herbie learned all about healing in the Army. John was resting so Herbie went to thank Val for her help. Seeing the name, Herbie said “I know her. She’s nice. Lives right up there.” he pointed away from the main road towards the houses OFF the main road (or any road).

First come meant first come … Val had Herbie lead her to the house. Val met Merideth. Her husband had just run off with a girl he just met and decided was his “soul mate”. Meredith was responsible to sell the Brokered deal and divide the money 50/50. “He wants me to SEND HIS money to their new ‘love nest’ “ she spit out. “The contract is worth Cr 3000, so pay me Cr 2 and it is yours. One credit for each of us.”
Val handed over Cr2 and left holding a contract.

Val and Herbie hurried back to the Bar [12] and arrived at 2:15 PM.

[main road] John Saar (Age 40):
Below average (2-5) STR, INT; Average (6-8) END, EDU, SOC; Above average (9-C) DEX.

[9] Zane John (Age 26):
Below average (2-5) SOC; Average (6-8) STR, END, INT, EDU; Above average (9-C) DEX.
A Nurse-Practitioner studying to become a Surgeon.

BEAU has a Thin, tainted atmosphere, like "high altitude" on earth [living in Denver or the pressure inside an airplane]. The "taint" is a high level of ozone [O3] at surface elevations.
Ozone has a pungent odor and exposure has the following effects:
[seconds] irritate the nose and throat.
[minutes] cause headache, upset stomach, vomiting, and pain or tightness in the chest.
[hours] irritate the lungs causing coughing and shortness of breath.
[days] cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath.
[weeks] cause permanent lung damage.
A simple Carbon Filter Mask will remove the ozone.

CONTRACT: Val has an executed agreement to purchase 60 tonnes of non-metalic ore for Cr 57,000. Val has a second executed contract to sell 60 tonnes of non-metalic ore for Cr 60,000. Val agrees to deliver the ore within 7 days or pay Cr 100 in late fees. Both contracts are local to Brulantfort.

[Identical post in HERBIE and VAL]

Cross-posted with VAL

"Herbie, you're a good luck charm for several people today!" Val says as she pats the young vet on the back. "Wanna join me and my friends in this delivery deal?"