THE RUFFIANS IC (PG-13)

[Imp]

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THE
RUFFIANS
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Where the Wild Things Roam... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd8MdhX3KrI&feature=related)

Near the trash-littered end of the old once busy Marketplace Str. and down the scum-scented alleyway where cats hop from dumpster to rusty dumpster. Then, to the left of that into the large storage area of the once delicious and famed King's Wok sat a heap of rubble and tires all used from the surrounding poverty-stricken downtown region of the city. But this wasn't actually a heap but rather a scratch-built throne. The tires formed the stand while a carseat was crudely attached to it all by rope and electrical wiring. What really made it stand out were the flickering lights to the sides of it. Overall it looked to belong to a Despot of garbage... or a dirty scavenger.

But the real question behind it all was who it belonged to. It was none other than the notorious Chrissy Stills whose bottom filled the beaten up carseat. Chrissy Stills a.k.a C. Shank currently stands as one of the top gang leaders in the shallow downtown sector of the troubled city. Her gang was well known as the Wilds or Wild Ones. They were considered technologically challenged street barbarians. Well, the former term was more stricken to C. Shank who hadn't been around much of any advanced tech that filled much of the city. All she knew was how to hotwire an old 2000 car. You know, the ones that ran on gas?

Anyway, she tied the group together through faith that they could all survive as orphans in the streets of despair. As cold as it sounded, she ensured everyone had warm toes at night. She was faithful only to her group and those who came off with a possitive and beneficial vibe. Those she felt were troubled, would receive her shank in their stomach. As barbaric as it sounded, that is who they honestly were. Once every week, they would pillage other areas and take what they could. Sometimes, they would even raze buildings just to show their might. Among the crackling flames, one could here the group cheering themselves on or even oddly howling like a wolf at the moon.

In other times, the group would seal up roadways if the cops or vigilantes ever came wandering into their turf. That way, there was no escape. The 'pigs' were hung on telephone poles with care to tell everyone off. The Wilds were honestly not to be messed with but one rival gang did just that...

[SikstaSlathalin]

The Ruffians, beacons of hope in the desolation of the future. Around the lights and high metal walls of Pier Amusement park derelict technology and rotten streets run far and wide. Savagery and barbarism are the ways of the world. The future was once a shining promise of prosperity and good will, where man knew peace for the first time in it's long history and wondrous machines and miracles of science were an everyday occurrence. In the future you could get out of bed with only a dollar to your name and when you got back in that bed you were 1,000 dollars richer and a you had a full stomach.

And while that is true for the rich and greedy, the everyman wasn't so lucky. And if the everyman wasn't so lucky you know the everychild had nothing but bad luck. If they didn't die of hunger in a week they were killed in the crossfire of some turf war or thrown into prison or the work house to pay for their family's debt. This is where the Ruffians come in led by the kind and soft spoken Professor Sky they give food to the hungry and protection to the weak. Holding the bright promise the future is meant to bring close to their hearts, they go through their days helping where they can and surviving through the cold and sometimes violent night. Hope is their mantra, and the Old Pier Park is their home. Across the street from the Uyl Banning Scrap yard and the barbaric HQ of the Wilds they keep their walls high and their guards at the ready. Standing atop the red and white big top tent the noble Ruffian leader looks out with his distant stare scanning the horizon counting the stars above his head hoping and praying the promise of the future is still within his grasp.

[Nightrel]

It was really quite a peaceful night, the stars shining, cars blaring, and the all to familiar cop cars of the night. Yep, just a usual ordinary, normal night. That is till there was a certain explosion echoing off from a faraway abandoned building in the amusement park. You could say that the explosions during the night, and even the day, was routinely. Of course they were at random, as not all exploded, but it was something that most were use too.

A sixteen year old boy came rushing out of that very building, coughing. He was covered from head to toe in gunpowder, his usual coat and tanned cargo pants dusted in large amounts. Not to mention his blonde hair, now colored in grey, despite it being covered by his large black bandana, but what stood out the most, even though the explosion just now wasn't the cause of it, was the prominent burn scars covering the left side of his face. He was a type of pyrotechnician after all, and that comes with very high risks.

"Woowy, I guess that one wasn't too happy with the arrangement." He concluded, his voice a bit raspy from the smoke. If your wondering what he was actually trying to make, well, they were just a bunch of regular fireworks. Nothing very dangerous or high tech but the children love them, and they cost a lot just to buy, so he makes his own and shoots them off about once every month. He had to admit though, they were fun to make. By now Blake was mostly just trying to dust himself off, not at all too worried about the explosion he had cause. All he had to do was find a fire extinguisher and put out the small fire that was just about starting and everything would be just fine. No worries.

[P.K.]

Nicol peeked out of her current hideaway "Oh great he blew another on." she said flatly. "Hey Pyro." she said coming out hefting a extinguisher. She hid a few of them around in case this ever happen in a large scale. It was never that hard to get them. "I think your gonna need this." she said hefting it higher well as high as she could She was not tall for a ten year old. Behind her the bright light spilling out of the small make shift door framed her small form in the darkness.

Nicol was less then average high for most ten year olds and she blamed it on stunted growth what ever the heck that was. She had even measured herself to day and she was exactly 45 inches tall. This upset her, In her eyes the faster she got taller the faster she could work on bigger things, but as it was this moment she was to short to even reach those. Nicol also was not your average curies ten your old and if any one called her cute they where not far off but her temper was anything but. She was a young girl with a bold and sharp tongue not likely to show fear unless it really counted for something, And though she had a mean streak she would beat the crap , Or attempt to, out of any one that tried harming her family that meant any one with in this park.

Currently Nicol had her belt strapped on and though it was way passed a normal bed time for any one else she didn't seem to care nor did she seem that tired, yet. She had been quietly tinkering around with an older gadget she had found laying around and as curies as she was at ten she simply had taken it and set down in one of her hide aways, that she could fit in due to her size, then simply started taking it apart and studying it. it looked to be a really old cell phone. Now if only she could get the stuff inside it to work...

[La Volpe]

Nick laid in his make shift shake he'd built near the back of the park, in the distends he could hear a rumble, causing him to smile, knowing it was pyro trying to make new fire works for the younger kids too ooo and awe over. It was sweet of him, specially seeing as how bad a failed attempt had hurt him... The thought of past failures made Nickolas frown, how could he turn his skills towards a better future for the youngsters of the ruffians.... Reaching under his bed he slid out his X mask and slid it onto his face. "If I could get this running... maybe i could make a power grid for the park...? or maybe get some bots to guard at night?" the thought of robots made his fits tighten and his eyes water. He sat up and walked outside his little shack, mask still on. Yes, I will help, some how... The smell of smoke drifted on the wind to Nikolas, but for now, i will go check on pyro, he thought with a smile.

[DarkShadow]

TANK

Tank tossed the scrap on his table into the large pile in the corner. He just couldn't make it work. He suddenly had an idea. He took the topmost item from the scrap pile and slid it down a pipe, then tied a thin copper rod around it. Now he had a small, disoriented hammer. He put it on his shelf of failed creations and went outside, hefting a ladder made of scrap. He leaned it agbainst the merry go round and climbed a rope hanging from one of the boxes. He sat in the worn seat. It wasn't much, but it was his quiet place. His sanctuary. When he was stuck, he came here.

He looked out upon the dump of a city, then opened an old magazine. Lush, green grass, trees... things he didn't think he'd ever see. And he wouldn't. He was stuck. Stuck forever. There was nowhere to go, no money to go with. So, he had nothing. And he'd probably never have anything. But then again, he did have his fellow Ruffians. They were his home. Hs life. He would never leave them. Never. He would stay with them til the bitter end. No matter what.

SLY

Sly slowly slid the wallet out of the mans pants as he rung what could be called a bell to the store. What an idiot. The guy had been standing there for... half an hour?
He snickered and ran off with delight. He opened the wallet and saw fifty seven dolllars. He'd likely never get this good of a fin again, so he decided he'd spend it wisely. He ran to the local butcher shop and busted out the front window. As the owner ran out, he ran to the side and hopped through a small window, grabbed a set of ribs, and launched out.

.He stuffed it inside a bag and went back to the yard. He wasted no time. While the ribs were still fresh, he started a small, almost meager fire, and began roasting them, as he went out back and grabbed one of his chickens. Today was a special day. He'd marked down the days on his calendar. Today was the day the Wilds took him in. He felt like he needed to thank them, so, every yearf he laid out a small spread, taking from what he had. He sprinkled salt he had gathered atop the ribs and started plucking the chicken. Yes, today was a special day.

[P.K.]

Shashe's ears flickered back and forth at the loud explosion and she could only raise her head and shake it softly. Pushing herself to stand she ducked her head as she made her way out of her small dwelling at the other end up the park. Whatever the air was like it stirred her thick silvery fur making it ripple under the starlight casting it into a soft glow. Her nose told her that there was gun powder, used and unused but her eyes told her nothing. Not even a blur, her eyesight got that much worse at night but all that would would her from her as a complaint was a soft sigh.

using her other seances she quietly started to feel her way around, knowing the general lay out of their large camp sight, quite well actuly despite the fact that she could hardly make it out. By the time she came to the spot ,of close to, that the explosion had happened there appeared to be a small gathering. she took in a deep breath trying to descurn who was all there. Nicol, Pyro, Tanks was probably near by but she only caught his scent on the wind so it was harder to tell. And nick seemed to be joining them.. or had or was already there. She could also scent Martin some where but he was most likely on his perch looking at the stars. She chuckled to herself a deep thing from her throat that had a soft growl to it.

Some dust or something in the air tickled her nose and made her sneeze sounding very much like that of a dog but then again... "I hope your not hurt this time dear." Shashe said kindly to Pyro with a small smile, more or less just a curving of her lips and a baring of her fangs but it was kinda and loving anyways. thought she was looking in Pyro's general direction her gaze was only slightly off.

[Nightrel]

Blake looked over his shoulder as he heard his nickname, a small sheepish smile playing onto his lips. "Ah, thanks, was looking for that." He replied, reaching out to grab the fire extinguisher from Nicol. By now there was a large group gathering at the scene of the crime, if you could call it that, watching on curiously with worried expressions. Blake blinked, hopping from one foot to the other and holding the extinguisher high above his head. "Oh come on guys. You should be use to this, no need to fret every single time!" He complained. He stopped when he heard the all to familiar voice of Shashe. "Of course not." He assured her, "It was nothing more then the reaction due to the arrangement of the powder and activation chemical once lit. They didn't seem to like that one bit and decided to protest." He joked, turning on one foot and calmly walking back inside the smoke filled building.

Pulling on the trigger and holding the hose out, he quickly put out the fire that had managed to spread over on the counter tops. Once done, he ran back with the empty fire extinguisher, setting it down and coughing once more. "Hehehe that wasn't too smart running back in there like that." He rasped out, hitting his chest lightly as he bursted into another fit of coughing. "Alright! Nothing to see here! Go back to your regular schedule!" He really didn't like people fretting over him.

[SikstaSlathalin]

*Prof*

Martin was following a lead he received recently from a trusted informant he had roving the city. This was the most promising lead yet. An old military surplus store on the lower west side that had gone mostly unraided for some reason the lower west side was mostly uninhabited since the last earthquake around ten years back. It was on the other side of the city so Prof didn't send his kids out there much unless they managed to barter with one of the old Red Cross gangs for protection and assistance. But those times were getting rarer since the Red Crosses travel around the area working as missionaries and underground merchants. But the Banks were getting wise to their schemes and he had gotten word the cop-bots were hunting the Red Crosses down all over the county. But this hint was too promising to pass up, he was gathering up some supplies to aid him on this recon mission when he heard one of Pyro's experiments go awry.

The young man gave a sigh, it wasn't that bad cause no one was screaming and he didn't see huge red flames lighting up the night. Mama Silver was near Pyro's lab she'll take care of things, shouldering his bag he left a note on the bulletin board beside the main boardwalk saying he was following up a hint and he was leaving Mama Silver in charge until he got back in the morning, it also said all the day's plans were in his unlocked desk if something held him up. As he signed all his notes he just drew a white star in the bottom right corner and exited through the gates waving to the twins Buck and Bull who were on guard duty right now.

Hopping onto the silent hover scooter he managed to swipe out of a shop during one of the many riots the erupted in the lower city from time to time. He loved the riots those were all hands on deck anyone able to steal or scavenge was sent out to grab anything they could and as much as they could and get it back to the Park then go right back out and do it again. They did it for as long as the rioters kept the cop-bots' and shop keepers' attentions. Those days were the closest thing to Xmas you could get in the slums around the markets and hills. He missed those days a lot, shaking his head of the gloom that seemed to follow him everywhere he sped on his way to the lower west side bounding over piles of rubble and huge sink-holes keeping a wary eye open for the cop-bots and more violent gangs that called the lower east side their home.


*Sunny*

Tall blue sunflowers danced lazily in the warm gentle breeze of the Helio summer the jade green grass marched on endlessly over the rolling hills that lead up to the villas of the Veirth family. Gyla was the simple happy age of eight everything was magical and wonderful and she knew only happiness and carefree days. No schooling, no training, just swimming, fishing, and sleeping under the stars. Helio was paradise and not just from the eyes of as young girl but throughout the galaxy Helio was a unique gem, no war, no famine, it was as if the human's heaven had landed on this lush rock and set it's roots down for good. Sunny always had this dream when she slept in her old over-stuffed and patched up mattress in her little hut in the boiler room attached to the main building of the Amusement Park that served as the Infirmary, kitchen, and winter lodging/ social area. Martin had fixed up the broken window and such to make it nice and warm all year round, and being the one that can control fire Sunny took up her lodging in the boiler room that they used to keep the building extra warm in the winter. It was the beginning of Fall now so she was working with Tank, Tink, and Tesla to get the boiler in working order again before the first snow fall. Which always came like an out of control hovertrain down a hill and smashed through the lower city.

An explosion woke the young alien from her nice dream and before she even put on her shoes she knew what happened. Blake blew something up again rubbing her eyes she pulled on a long trenchcoat and grabbed her medical bag and exited the Hot building as they all called it walking toward the young man's workshed taking the main boardwalk. She was slowly letting the nippy air wake he up when she glanced at the bulletin board seeing Prof's note. Walking over she plucked it off and read it over feeling her heart sink a little with worry. She hated it when he went out on his own into the city it was dangerous out there for a group of them let alone just one, but she knew complaining to him about it only got her a cute big brother smile and a hug to not worry. Sky had been on the streets longer than most of them he knew every back alley and side-trail plus his outside connections kept him up to date on everything in the city. Plus he had his ever present laser pistol which meant he wouldn't be unarmed but still the girl worried about him as did the others at least in there own ways. With a sigh she took the note off the board and double checked with Buck and Bull that Martin had actually gone out they confirmed it in their curious take turns pattern of speech. She made her way to the gather group and the smell of smoke. Luckily it wasn't anything serious and the fire was already out she arrived just as Blake was telling everyone to go on their ways.
"I think you should give it a rest for the night Pyro, some of the sick young ones need to rest and your explosions keep them up." This was true for the most part the newest additions to their ranks weren't as used to his antics as the rest of them were but they also slept like rocks most of the time being so tired from their illnesses and frantic few days finding this place.

With her piece said she walked over to Mama Silver and handed her Prof's note speaking quietly with her not wanting to worry the others.
"Our Fearless Leader is out scoping out a hint he got, you're in charge until he gets back Shashe. His plans for the tomorrow are all in his desk if he doesn't get back by morning." She looked at Blake closely listening to him hack and cough.
"Do you need your inhaler Blake?" She asked pulling it out of the front pocket of her bag she'd assigned him one shortly after he joined the group knowing full well he'd have smoke damaged lungs by the end of the year.

[Imp]

Elvis

Another day among the garbage heap of rusty alloys and fly food. But, it was another day alive and among those who cared for him. Being part of the Wilds is what he now lived for, aside being their primary physician. Leaving his resting place carved into an empty car, Elvis gathered himself from his long nap. Groggy, he found a place to sit near Sly and from there sat hunched over and yawned. This was a usual occurrence after healing several people earlier.

Sly's modest cooking brought a rise to Elvis as the smell of cooking meat was taken in deeply like someone smoking a cigarette. "I'm starving... course we all are. I'm just glad to have some daily nourishment. I can't even think about those who are far worse off than us." Elvis ceased there as realizing his commentary may not be taken lightly as the Wilds were in pretty poor shape but still managed to hang on like a cockroach after a nuclear disaster.

_______________
Shank

Shank looked out over the polluted cityscape. The grand ol' city where money and food flourished was miles away from her scrapyard of a home. It had been months since the Wilds last attempt to infiltrate past the deadly Sentrybots and high security fences. Seeing as how much was wasted on that attempt, she felt another try would be foolish and demean herself of the worthy title she gained as leader. The rich had won for the moment but a new dawn would approach where the Wilds would smash the barriers and let a tide of rioters flood the city. Through the chaos, Shank dreamed of a peaceful anarchistic state that would collapse any need for government and no more worries of this police-state.

With no time for regrets or sorrow, she quickly made her way back down. There was nothing comforting being in the slums. It was better off in the outer lands, she heard from one traveler. Here, disease was rampant, thieves watching your every move from the darkness. Food was scarce unless you had the money for it or able to take it like Sly had. Shank looked over the newbie and approached. "A bountiful meal for the gang? How thoughtful. You are earning your reputation well." She commended him as it was difficult to get anyone to cook the gang anything. They usually all took care of themselves when it came to food even though Shank was the initial provider of the Wilds. Elvis was seated near Sly, possibly helping to prep the meal even though to Shank's mind, the alien had not many uses other than his camo ability and healing.

"Keep it up, you two and tell Rock I'm leaving for a bit. Not sure how long I'll be but save something for me if you could. I'll be back sooner than you think probably." She gave a look of optimism but behind the facade lied great worry. She received word from a stranger about a military surplus that may have the essentials for survival and allow the Wilds to have the power they so desired to keep the area safe. Though, she didn't doubt for a bit that the location had already been ransacked several times over again. But if anything like medical supplies or food could help, she needed to scope it out.

From under a thick black tarp, she revealed a dirtied and dented Kawasaki which was her means of transportation. A relic of the past and belonged in the museum, it still worked pretty well aside from the outer shell looking busted up. Though gasoline was scarce, her and the Wilds went about siphoning the fuel from idle and wrecked vehicles, which with that alone managed to keep the Kawasaki and other vehicles of the past alive.

Ensuring the key still fit and nothing clogged the keyhole, Shank straddled the motorcycle and got the beast sounding screaming like it used to have a messing with the clutch and throttle for a bit.She didn't consider herself anything domineering while on the bike as it was only a means of transportation with her. She would have rather used the truck they had but with that being for emergencies only, she would have to look elsewhere in the future for another ride. Shortly after adorning her dented helmet, she was off on the littered road and now heading for the mysterious location oddly given to her. Was it a trap or flase information? She'd find out soon enough...

[La Volpe]

Tesla stood back from the cheery group... it's not that he wasn't happy that pyro was safe, he had guessed that. He stood back because he didn't think it was right to jump into the middle of all that, Looking around he saw Sunny was talking to Silver. Wonder what that's about, he thought as he slipped the mask off. Turning on his heel, he headed back towards his little shack, He had a lot of work to do... specifically he needed to get the boiler in the main "lodge" to keep working so they could stay relativity warm. Tesla looked up at the stars, laughing to himself, how much he must look like there fearless leader right now, oh well! he thought with a smile, it was a rare and beautiful night, and he wanted to enjoy it. Things like this were so rare now days... They all needed to enjoy them when they could.

[P.K.]

Nicol Shook her head as he ran back in then looked around herself to see that others had arrived already. "Ya nothing to see here." She said sarcastically. Moments later Blake was trying to show them all way. Nicol didn't need a second beckoning she was already back in her little hide away settled and once again working on her new little trinket. "I might have to borrow something from tanks." She muttered. No matter how hard she tried she could not hold back a long yawn that made her eyes water. "Dang it." She mumbled rubbing her eyes. "Been up all night trying to figure out how this thing works..." she said to herself yawning again. "Ugh fine I'll get back to it later." She said irritatedly as she yawned once more and laid back.

Once sunrise was completely up she would be getting up once again to help with the boiler room but till then she would take a little nap. She rolled over in the crampt little area with no problem, Being small that was about the only good thing about it. Soon she was fast asleep.


Shashe shook her head quietly but chuckled at Blake Ready to say something when Sunny came into the picture she could not see. She could only nod in agreement with the young healer of their group. She could hear sunny making her way over and a moment later a peace of paper was passed into her large paws. Frowning she listened to what the younger women had to say an then sighed. "I hate it when he goes off like that." She said quietly only enough to be heard by sunny. "But there is no stopping him, Lets just pray he will be as safe as he normally is."

Her ears twitched as Blake hacked and Sunny offered him his inhaler. Deciding that it would be best to leave the poor fellow to the healer while she went on to fine the Professors desk.

[GraftRaven]

Synth bobbed his head while he worked under the car, carefully trying to extract pieces of the engine and specifically a few parts he wanted to try in a new machine. He was humming to himself, the signals he sent with his body amplified and translated by the communicator and made into electronic music.

He was interrupted though by a rather large crash and a shift in the cars above him, which was terrifying because they could collapse without warning. He quickly crawled out of the small trench he had dug to get under the vehicles and pulled himself up by an open door.

As Synth pulled off the black welding shield attached to the communicator he noticed Flow sitting on top of the car pile, obviously the source of the interruption. "Heya Flow, know any cars around here with an engine still in the?" he asked in his trademark modulated pitches as he slammed the door of the bottom car.

[SikstaSlathalin]

*Prof*

It was a long and nerve- wreaking ride to lower west side of the city. He could hear shouting and gunfire just outside his line of sight it wasn't the sound of cop-bots machine guns and rocket launchers that would' ve made the yoing man feel better. This was the short and barking gunfire of a gang feud, he couldn't tell which gangs were involved but he knew it would eventually force him off the quick route and have to detour. With any luck he'd get through without being shot but he knew to take all luck with a grain of salt. Keeping his eyes always searching for signs of trouble he made to the area without much trouble but as fate would have it he wasn't going to reach his goal scott-free.

About two miles from his destination the gang war caught up with him. It was actually between the Break Waters a gang of mostly sailors and out of work Dockworkers, it was rare for them to be seen this far inland. The same couldn't be said for who they were fighting though their opponents were the water hating Rail Guards. Prisoners and imirgrants that were fired after the Big Banks ceased work on rail roads and focused on heavily armed aircraft and trucks. Even half done the tracks and rail yards were useful for travelling merchants to set up their goods and some enterprising crooks managed to turn them into small towns. Right now it looked like they were fighting over some scrap metal that came from a cop-bot guarded caravan that had been crushed under a bit of high way over pass that had fallen on them. Not willing to let this chance pass him up he stopped the scooter and slinked along to the crushed caravan and looked over the undamaged contents.

[deamonstalker]

" gotta fix my computer, gotta fix my computer, gotta fix my computer....." I mumbled as I stumbled towards the Junk yard. I'm still smoking, but I don't care, all i care about is my computer, and how it got damaged from the fall, I don't even care that I've got a few scratches. I bypass the scrap metal, going straight for the computer parts pile, I don't even hear the people talking nearby, well I hear them, but I don't care. I just got to get to the parts, maybe there are a few parts still in relative completeness... maybe enough spare parts to create one working part, preferably the one that I need....

[Nightrel]

Kimi huffed a bit as she wandered around the yard, pacing back in forth in a circle. The girl was agitated. For what reason? Well, it was actually more that she was bored, and had nothing to do. Everyone else was out doing something, cooking, taking apart cars, whatever and their leader, left, not saying as to even a hint in where she was going. "Oh come on, there's gotta be something to do in this whole damn place." She shouted to the air, stomping a foot against the ground. With a very exaggerated sigh, she plopped down onto the ground, legs crossed as she created small little drawings in the dirt with her fingers. And suddenly, just like that, an idea popped into her head. "Hehehe."

---------------

Blake, still half coughing, waved the inhaler away offered by Sunny, straightening up and puffing out his chest. "I don't need that damn thing. Look, See? Im just fine, thank you very much." With that said, he took out a lighter and a pack of ciggerates, grabbing one and sticking it into his mouth. "And i guess your right, that is enough for today." He spoke around the stick, lighting the end and puffing out a cloud of smoke. " I'll continue tomorrow." Usually, Blake wouldn't smoke after coughing like that, but truthfully, that little explosion made him nervous and scared him half to death, despite his calm demeanor earlier. The ciggerate was just a way to get him to relax and calm down...mentally or else, he would be unable to get a wink of sleep.

[Imp]

Shank

The sight of the her surroundings being all in ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOlDk_acx3w) was quite depressing. All that lit the poverty-stricken zones were nothing more than flickering storefront fluorescent lights and lit barrels many used for warmth in the cold nights.

Most everything around had been salvaged such as cars, building facades and even sentrybots which were a rare sight. Trying to destroy one of those seemed near impossible unless you were clever enough to draw it in. Most of the time, from what she witnessed, one could barely escape those machines due to their accurate motion sensors able to track movement and bring down nearly anything.

Putting that daunting creation into the back of her mind, she glanced at her fuel which seemed to be on a half tan; more than enough to make it back. Unlike others with silent hoverbikes, she had a noisy motorcycle that often called the attention of hunters and others looking for transportation and fuel. This meant she couldn't stop for or anything for too long for lurkers would already be on her trail.

Now slowing as she passed over some slightly dismantled railroad tracks leading past the ruined factory, she observed her surroundings. Nothing was in sight at the moment, just sounds of gunfire in the distance. She had hoped whoever was partaking in the firefight didn't concern themselves with the screaming of her Kawasaki.

She brought down the kickstand and rested the vehicle near a shredded sign. It appeared as bullets and other weapons were used on it for target practice. The paint was completely scratched off and Shank didn't bother herself with trying to feel for any imprints left by the letters. Tucking her helmet under the tilted side of her ride, she carried on towards a entrance that had been broken in. No odor of rot nor smoke could be smelled by her which meant no animals to worry about or anyone who recently visited... that she knew of. It was likely there could be homeless folk hiding out inside and she came prepared.

[P.K.]

Shashe Made it quietly to the Professors little hiding place Quietly ducking into it she felt around quietly, Her ears perked and her hands out around her making sure she didn't run right into a wall. Though it was getting light out once again Shashe could still see very little and had to rely heavily upon her other seances. She found the desk but even if she did find the 'plans' she would not be able to read them so she would have to ask sunny or tank perhaps. Luckily most of what she need was ON the desk and no so much IN it making it easier to find. still there was a fine difference between the older peaces of paper and the newly used.

Now that she had this with her, She tucked it in her vest in a small pocket after folding it, She could not go on some rounds and check up on the other kids to make sure every one was well off. They may also need to send one or two of the older ones out for some grub but she would see about this in a moment. Feeling her way back out she squeezed out the little door way and shook her fur out once befroe heading to her first place to check up on. Tank's little shed.

[La Volpe]

Tesla rubbed his hands together, he had just found some wires and circuit boards and other pieces of tech he needed... quickly grabbing his bundle he quickly ran too off to his room, in the middle of it laying on the floor, was a small robot, nothing fancy, and nothing that would change everything at the base, but it would be an alternative when the group went searching in toxic areas.. "Now all I need is a power source..." he whispered excitedly

[DarkShadow]

TANK

Since climbing down from his 'sanctuary' Tank had decided to pursue the search for equipment to enhance his poor excuse for a house and perhaps some defences. He had found a car, mostly undisturbed besides the engine and parts, which he could use the steel, but some unfriendly fellows had cornered him. They were a poor excuse for a gang, with poor weaponry. A spiked baseball bat was the most lethal, the others held parts of a two by four that they looked as though they couldnt handle properly, weak and starved as they were.

Of them all, the most healthy seemed what Tank guessed to be the leader. His ribs didnt even protrude, but for his fellows the same could not be said.
"Look, i dont want any trouble, so if you just let me-"
"Shutup! I know you got something! Search him!" Two of the goons started forward. Tank waited until they were just in reach, then kicked one in the groin hefted the other over his shoulder. He shoved the leader o0ut of his way and ran.

Being in good shape, he outran the most of them, but the leader was not five feet behind. He had to do something. He grabbed his weapon off his back and swung, but the thug ducked, tackling Tank. He rolled off him and lifted the bat above his head, ready to strike...
Tank sweeped the goons loegs and ran while he was distracted, taking his weapon. He had to get back to the relative safety of his shack...
And thats where he went.


SLY

Sly tossed the empty wallet towards a mass bundle of them lying in his 'home' and pocketed the money. Nothing to do now but start trouble. He grinned and left the junkyard, thoughts of adventure crossing his mind. His small, frail and starved body had a bold posture, one not presenting arrogance, but not giving off overconfidence either. As he was walking, a rather large guy ran past, shortly followed by a dirty looking thug.

Hed have to be twice as cautious, gangs had no mercy for infants, so long as they had something they might want. And Sly had a considerable amount of cash, to an poor person anyway. Enough to buy a burger. Maybe some ketchup packs.
"Now now... whats this?"
He turned to see the thug standing behind him.
Without a moment hesitation, he kicked him in the shin and ran, an sly grin on his face.

[deamonstalker]

"No, no, no, no, nothing that will work for my computer! NOTHING!" I moan in desperation, and just sit down. I have no energy left to keep searching, so I just sit there, and take my first real look at the place where I am. I am in an abandoned junkyard, the old junk only occasionally added to by the trash bots. across the street looks to be an abandoned amusement park. Near me, there is a large pile of old cars, farther away, there looks to be a wall of some sort.

[P.K.]

Shashe had made it to Tank's little shake only to fined/Hear that he was not there. "Hum." Where could he be? had he gone off? or was he looking for more scraps and parts? ears twitching Shashe took a deep breath taking in the scent's around her and picking out Tanks. Snorting softly she began to track it ears perked as she weaved her way through their home and then farther. Soon after she could hear feet pounding the found, and more then one set. Snorting softly Shashe stepped back feeling the air around her cool slightly as she backed into a shadow. She closed her eyes ears perked but her body completely still as she listened to the foot steps come closer. There was tanks... slightly heavier, Stronger...

Shashe ducked out quickly as soon as the foot steps passed her. Facing the one coming shapes that she could just make out with her own eyes. Drawing herself to her full height, Though not much she could be a good head taller then some. One of them ran into her not expecting her to suddenly step out in front of them. "Tank are you alright." She asked ears flicking back to her young companion while her half blind eyes watched the boys in front of her. She waited for a response from Tank while her golden green eyes studied what little she could make out before her.

[SikstaSlathalin]

*Prof*

The caravan yielded a good number of things he could use. He found a better laser pistol that would replace his present one, some MREs, and some matches which always came in handy. After stuffing them into his bag he jumped back on the scooter and motored on his to the Surplus store. He'd lost a precise few minutes picking through the caravan but he bought them back by going as fast as he could over every shortcut he could think of.

He soon arrived at the back of the store and hopped off the scooter. The area was dark even for this part of the city where all the lights were either shot out or just stopped working. Years of running around the gutters had given Sky a keen night vision so as long as he went slow he could make it through the store without falling onto a rusty old knife or tripping into a caved in part of the floor. As he expected there wasn't a door but what he didn't expect was the place didn't look ransacked. If it wasn't for the dust spots where stuff used to sit and a few bits of broken glass and bullet holes he'd say this place hadn't seen a living soul since the city went to hell. He drew his new pistol and walked in a crouch keeping his eyes roving for potential goodies to snatch or trouble.


*Sunny*

The young woman sighed as Pyro turned down the inhaler and lit up a cigarette before going back to his smoke stained hut. It always was a fight with that one but at least he agreed to call it a night and stop making explosives. She saw everyone else move on their ways and with a look at her old watch she decided it was time to check on the new arrivals in the Hot Building. Putting the inhaler back in her bag she made her way to the Infirmary part of the main lodge she could hear the coughs of the little red headed boy followed by the sneeze of the 13 year old girl and several voices saying bless you.

Mentally the young alien was going the contents of her bag and the sparse few items they have in storage for treating illnesses they had cough syrup and such which was good because most of the new arrivals had colds some worse than others but all colds. Opening the battered front she slid inside quickly before the cold air could get in and chill everyone inside. Following the sounds of sickness she pushed open the less battered door of the Infirmary and the air was thick with the smells of home-made cures they've gathered over the years and the heat of the eight new people she's taken care of. Luckily most of them seemed asleep despite Pyro's explosion so all she had to do was walk amongst them and check heads and blankets.

[deamonstalker]

I finaly get up, and sling my comp around my neck, and go through the parts one last time, grabbing everything that I think that I can salvage, and put them in with my computer. I look around one last time, before heading to the place where I last heard voices. To the giant pile of cars. As I walk around, I see that this place is indeed inhabited, but it looks as though for the most part, the junk yard is abandoned...

I start to feel my scrapes and scratches. and It sucks. "Hello? Anyone out here?" I yell, abit rawly, but so long as they are friendly, I can handle it. By the time I get to the cars, my fatigue is huge, all the adrenaline that was keeping me going is gone, I can barely stay up right. As I reach the point where I figured that the voices came from, I pass out, but keep a death grip on my computer...

[The Cockatiel]

Rhydian:

Well, I was on my own. Again. No living thing in sight but me and a few rats. Down an alley to my right, a small and sudden scuffle was terminated with a rodent's squeal, and a cat darted out several moments later with a rat in its jaws. Kill or be killed, I reflected to myself as I kept walking. That's the way of it, life. You've got to look out for yourself. I laughed slightly to myself. If I was supposed to look out for myself, what was I doing here? This back-alley maze had trouble and danger written all over it. "Time to get out," I muttered. Picking a direction, I started walking.

"Hello? Anyone out here?" The cry only faintly met my ears. I stopped walking and listened for anything else. Didn't sound like trouble from here, but then again, it never did. Best check it out, make sure nobody's getting hurt. Staying in the shadows as much as I could, trying no to disturb even the rats, I tried to find the source of the sound. But no other words followed the first, and I was generally lost.

There's no sense in wandering around when you have a goal that you're trying to reach. I was trying to find whoever had been shouting, but there wasn't any way to do so. For now, silence reigned. How was that a help, dead silence? The answer came to me as I moodily stalked through bars of shadow and rays of dim light. It means small noises will sound bigger. Listening hard, I didn't hear a thing that sounded human, so I whistled. The single note rang out clearly, disturbing an unseen bird to flight. My instant thought was enemy, that I'd just betrayed myself to some hidden trouble. Yeah, well, I could take it on. I started walking again. Maybe I would find it. Maybe it would find me.

(My first posts are always a little long, sorry. {I can shorten future ones if you want.} I also added a slight change to Rhydian's application.)

[Pineapples]

Harmony strolled around the abandoned amusment park, stariing at all the rusty rollercoasters and bumper cars with chipped paint. She imagined all the possible new things she could make with the large piles of pipes and wooden boards laying around. Harmony suddenly clutched her throbbing right arm. She looked to see a large bruise tainting her chocolate skin.

"Stupid manager..." She mumbled. The flashback of how she got this wound played in her mind.

Harmony walked into the grocery store and staright up to the nearest cashier. The lady was lazily flipping through a magazine and obnoxiously chewing on gum.

"Excuse me. Can I please speak to the manager?"

The lady raised her eyebrows but wordlessly pointed towards an office door behind her. Harmony thanked the woman half-heartedly and waltzed right into the office. A lanky man sat at the wooden desk, typing away at his computer. His dark eyes were cold and shark like. Harmony's instinct told her to turn right back around, but she rarely listened to her conscience. Harmony rolled her shoulders and put on the face of a poor, hungry child.

"Excuse me, sir. I've been walking around the streets for days scavenging for food. It's a miracle I made it here alive. Do you have any food in your store that you can spare?"

"Beat it, kid" The man replied with a gruff voice. Harmony scoffed. Looks like this manager needed force.

"I don't think you heard me correctly." Harmony snatched a chopstick from her bun, grabbed the man by his shirt collar and forced him into the wall behind him. Her chopstick was poised right at his face.

"I said, Do you have any food you could spare. Notice how i didnt end that in a questionable tone. That means this is an imperative sentence. If you paid attention in elementary school, you would know that was a demand."

The man's seemingly black eyes narrowed. He pushed her off with great force and grabbed a pen off his desk.

Get out of there now!

Harmony finally listened to her conscience and sprinted out of the store like a track star. She heard the guy right on her heals, screaming profanities. It got to the point where she could feel his breath on her neck. The man grabbed her arm, but Harmony took the chopstick still in her hand and stabbed him in the forearm. He let go, screaming an holding himself in pain. Harmony laughed victoriously and rushed into the nearest place. The amusment park.

[deamonstalker]

Blackness... why do I see blackness? Oh, yeah, my eyes are closed. I open them, and struggle to a sitting position, it seems that the people that I heard earlier moved on... damn. I just sit there for a few moments, then call halfheartedly, "Hello? Is anyone out there?" I then close my eyes again. I grip my computer case tightly to myself, and wish that it was padded... Then I could use it as a pillow, but it is not.my wounds are minimal, though the have been sapping my strength for a while now. I'm so very tired. I halfheartedly yell," Hello? is anyone there? I need help..." again. God, why do I hurt so damn much? I struggle to put the duel straps on my back, so that even if I do pass-out again, I will have my computer. I then work on standing. I should at least try to get to a good shelter... I get to the wall, and I sit down there.

I begin to think on all of the events that forced me out here... First it was that old newspaper, the one where that rich kid, what was his name? oh yeah, it was Nikolas Grey, got into trouble with messing with code from the Cop-bots, he was reprograming them or something... To bad that I though that I was smarter than him, sure, I could mask my hacks, but still, even though I had a seemingly fail-proof hacking system, that one faulty bot took it all down...

Anyway, I saw that paper, and when I thought about taking another bot, I got those chills, the ones that yell at you that what you are about to do will have serious consequences... Well, I ignored them, for some reason, I never ignore them, until then. Then I was just to damn cocky... Well, it seems as though that is all over.

I had gotten the newest accuisition... a robot that I had failed to hack earlier in the month, I walked past it, and slapped the little bug on the back of it, out of range of its scanners... and when I got home, I got to work... Its a good thing that Mom and Dad got out of the house that day... Though I sometimes think that it would be better if they haddnt, that they would still think that I was a good kid, until the very end.

I hacked into the bot, and initiated the program that would take the thing off of the net, but it failed somewhere, and did not do its job. Huh, I got an error message, but then, I always get those... I thought nothing of it... I then had the thing go and start to attack the others on route with it... Less than 5 minutes later, I new, without knowing, that I screwed up.

All that I realy had, was intutiion, well, that and my bug in the transmissions of orders for local Cop-bots... as soon as I recieved the order, the one to take out my room, well, I froze, then started the packing of the computer. I had just finished, and got to the back stairs, when the firing started, totally dimolashing my house...

I fell down the stairs, with the rest of my equipment exploding behind me, setting me on fire, for a few moments... I tumbled down the stairs... and when the firing stopped, I did too, I should not have, because the house was already collapsing. I had the sense to go out the back, but that's about it... The next thing that I knew, I was heading to the computer parts, to fix my computer... I then fade back into the darkness of unconsciousness.

[DarkShadow]

TANK

Tank nodded to Shashe.
"As you can tell, i've run into a bit of trouble. Now, uh... we should probably go." He finished with a hint of urgency in his voice as two of the thugs began to close in. Even from the distance, he could tell they were breathing heavily, making a clear struggle for air with the short jog they'd done. But it didn't matter. Tank knew he could take them, but he didn't want to start something he might not be able to finish. He didn't know if they had any 'friend's'.

He ran off, taking in every bit of his surrounding's, in hopes of returning for the car. Some of the heavier part's he knew he could use for supports. He looked behind him and saw one of the thug's closing in. He slowed down, seemingly of weariness, and when the thug was close, he stopped midstride and turned, driving his knee into the man's stomach. The goon's momentum made the blow far worse than it would normally have been, and he dropped to the ground, writhing with pain. He turned and set off, the park in his sights.

[La Volpe]

"Well, lets see what this will do..." Nickolas said as he spliced the two wires he held in his had. A large spark launched out, but Tesla wasn't fazed by it. The animatronic bear he found in the very far back of one of the supply sheds for one of the many rides covering the park let out a low rumble, before it's head turned to one side slightly, it's eyes lighting up and it's mouth opening and closing. "Yes!" He yelled jumping up and down, Tesla hopped onto the back of the robotic beast, and quickly hooked on his custom control panel, allowing him to guide were the robotic beast walked and such. "This should help keep some of the other gangs away.. and the little kids can ride it around for fun!" He said with a laugh, already imagining what Prof would say when he got back. He carefully guided the lumbering robot out of the shed, and headed off to find Sunny, she would love too see this.

[SikstaSlathalin]

Sunny

After she checked the Infirmary and made sure everyone was fine the young alien found herself unable to go back to sleep. Bundling up against the still brisk early morning air she set out to walk around the amusement park and see if anyone was ill or needed her help. She was walking down by the bumper cars when she saw Harmony clutching her arm. Even in this light Sunny could see a nasty bruise on the older girl's arm. She pulled a cold compress from her bag and showed it to the young woman.
"That looks nasty, if you don't mind I'd like to tie this onto your arm for around twenty minutes it'll keep it from swelling and it might ease some of the pain." As she waited for Harmony to give her the go-ahead she heard a low rumbling and thudding came to their ears looking around she sent a small fireball into the sky to work as a flare and laughed seeing Telsa lumbering towards them riding one of the animatronic bears that used to entertain people in the Bear-Able food court of the Fuzzy Wuzzy log ride. She laughed clapping her free hand to her arm looking at the young Techie and his new mount.
"How does that not surprise me?" She smiled asking Harmony.

[P.K.]

Shashe's ears twitched at Tank but she nodded letting out a growl at those behind her before she whipped around and followed tank. Up ahead it seemed one had slipped by her, she could smell it but she had not noticed till now. oh well seemed tank's had taken care of that so she followed behind, easily enough despite her eyes. she had walked around this place many times and knew it by feel and scent. it didn't the two long to get back into the safety of their home. "No how did you manage to run into them? and what where you doing out there?" she asked softly. there was no scolding or anger just a calm question and concern nothing more. her eyes seemed to focus on him but they didn't realy see him. only curried colors.

[Pineapples]

Harmony's eyes flickered towards the young girl holding a cold compress and another girl riding an animatronic bear.

"That would be great....Thanks." Harmony said slowly. She held her arm out to the girl as she stared into her bright red eyes curiously.

"So, What's your name?" Harmony asked.

[SikstaSlathalin]

Sunny

Sunny nodded wrapping the dark skinned girl's arm with the compress making sure it was right over the bruise tying it tight enough to hold but not cut off circulation then introduced herself smiling settling her medical bag back in place.
"I'm Sunny doctor of the Ruffians Gang whoes base you managed to get into, but don't worry everyone is welcome as long as you don't knowingly hurt anyone. And the guy riding the bear is Tesla, one of our techies that keep the base running. Who might you be and how did you get that bruise if you don't mind me asking."

[Pineapples]

Harmony let out a sigh of releif from the cold contact on her skin.

"I'm Harmony. The way I got this bruise is a long story but let's just say I messed with the wrong manager." Harmony laughed. She began to feel a fuzzy feeling in the pit of her stomach. This was one of those rare tomes where Harmony felt right a home. She could just imagine the endless posibilities and new friendships she could have. Harmony could stay here forever.

[deamonstalker]

I woke up briefly, Just long enough to call out a weak "Hello? Is anyone there? I need help..." and then the pain and other feelings hit, knocking me out once again.

[DarkShadow]

Tank turned to Shashe. He contemplated keeping his plan's a secret, but what harm could it do by telling just one person, someone who he trusted.
"Ive been working on something. Found a car down an alley, it'd been looted of the engine and what-not but i managed to see past that. It still had alot of the heavier part's, which i could've melded together for a support. But those guy's." He gestured toward where they had come, the thug's not in sight and likely nowhere near, but pointing to their direction in general." Seemed to have been about to loot it. Its a blood sport, looting. Not a good career choice."

[P.K.]

Shashe's ears twitched as she listened and nodded slowly "I see..." she thought a moment. "Next time mayhaps you will inform some one and bring them along?" she suggested gently. "I would dearly hate t lose another to those outside." she said softly.

[Imp]

Showdown
______________

Shank entered the quaint facility. Each step was placed with great care as to not alert anyone of her presence, if there even was anyone in the area. Though the homeless kept to the shadows, some were mentally ill and would attack others with anything including their own rotting teeth.

Some shattered glass covered in thick dust was scattered about to which Shank tried to step around. Some shredded paper managed to be kicked as she stepped down on the corner of it, letting off a small dust cloud. The vestigial facility doubtful carried anything but perhaps there would be supplies near the back. With knife in hand, Shank moved cautiously, hugging a box filled shelf that lead for some many yards before ending in the middle of the place.

'There better not be any machines having a stakeout with this place.' She concerned herself. Anything the inner-city folks built was made completely for killing and nothing less of it. Running into them was a death sentence unless you managed to get the upper hand by hiding or dismantling it.

[deamonstalker]

Code Breaker-

The next time I woke, I was surprisingly feeling better, but not by much. I struggled to my feet, and, leaning on the wall, got a look around. In the distance, my house still burned, closer, across the street, I could see some people moving. Near by, the only thing of consequence, are the old cars that have been thrown into a heap. I looked up at the wall, wondering what its purpose was. Using the wall for support, I started to make my way around it. I still had my computer case. After a few minutes of stumbling, I came across a gate, or what looked like one. I sat down next to it, and because my energy was low, I passed out again. I had a death-grip on the case. The world went fuzzy, then black.