Act I Through the Looking Glass [Purple Zone Open Thread]

[Mirror Emperor]

In an instant, thousands would wake up to find the Galaxy was wrong. Instead of CHAOS there was ORDER. Most would arrive in Imperial Centre, though a number would be scattered across the Galaxy. Some had swapped places with their mirror selves, unsure why they felt out of place. Others would suddenly step into a reality they could not understand. ​

Would they CONFORM or would they REVOLT?​

Mirrorverse Introduction

Backstory #1

Act I Introduction

Put a header in your posts with the district your character is in

Tag [member="Drones"] if you want an Event Team member to interact with you as a Citizen Advice Drone


Surface

District 6: Botangricultural
District 8: The Black Hole
District 9: Verdant Hills

Underground

District 12: Dandelion

Spoiler: Surface map

Spoiler: Underground map

Spoiler: Zone Map

 

[Via Dolorosa]

District: The Black Hole
Character Being Written: Token Waters


The thick air above the district had been in full bloom since the early morning hours, forcing workers to move quickly to their appointed destinations and the vagabonds to carelessly play the role of obstacles; the former always cursing the latter. Two days earlier, a rumour had spread like a pestilence that a potential rally was being staged; and the topic was always about their Emperor. When rumours of this nature danced through the Black Hole, the finger pointing game began. The workers, all classes, pointed at the vagabonds and street urchins and vice versa. Even the self proclaimed guardians, the crime organizations and gang members, who boasted they feared nobody, including the Emperor, seemed to all turn into magicians; and their favourite trick of the day was the vanishing act. Of course, nothing ever came of the rumours, except putting those that called the district home on nervous feet.

Still recovering from a two-day drinking binge, bar owner Token Waters slowly stepped inside her establishment, The Lost Spirits, regretting her decision the moment the stale air of booze and deathsticks fumigated her nose. She shot an angry look at her head bouncer, Joffo, letting him know she was displeased with his lack of performance. Unlike some of the other bars and pubs that dotted the main streets of the Black Hole like a scarred face only a Mother could love, she forbid any drug use in her place. The laws of the land where quite clear on the subject of drugs, and she didn't need a random patrol of the Emperor's minions having cause to not only shut her down; but arrest her on charges of trafficking. Everyone knew how swift Imperial justice was. And the Black Hole was just a stones throw away from the Palace District.

"Explain to me Joffo why I continue to pay you," she inquired as she waved her right hand in front of her face.

"Because Miss Waters I'm the best in all of the Black Hole District," came his raspy reply.

"The best, huh? Are you the best at fighting off Imperials when they come to drag me off for breaking their laws"

"I thought as much," she added when he lowered his head. "Don't...I repeat...don't let the patrons bring in or use drugs in here."

The first order of business had been concluded, just as the morning rush of drunks came shambling through the door. The night crews, bouncers and dancers alike, from the nearby strip clubs for some reason had chosen her place to be their home away from home. Token wasn't a judgmental person, but some of the girls were far to pretty to be dancing on stages or in cages, while men and woman alike pawed and groped at them. No amount of credits was worth it. Of course, she never really could associate with their plight. She owned an apartment that kept her from sleeping in back alleys and she owned a business that kept her from being pawed and groped. Still, life here in the Black Hole wasn't perfect, but it was home.

 

[WelshGuy]

District 12: Dandelion

Yuroic stretched as he grunted still half asleep, he grabbed his mask and placed it over his face as he breathed in the fliter air. He sighed deeply as he thought on the tasks he would have to accomplish today, the new people he would have to meet and converse with.

Why did he need a mask? Where was he again?

He shook his head, he knew where he was, why would he? It was an ordinary day. He dressed himself in thick clothes as he slipped on several expensive looking rings on his gloved fingers. He scratched the back of his head as he yawned still exhausted although he couldn't remeber what he did last night.

How could he afford these rings? Wasn't he poor?

He looked outside as he shook his head again, what was wrong today? Why did he keep having confused thoughts as if he didn't belong here? Wasn't it just another day for him here in these slums? He pushed thoughts of being out of place as he wandered down the steps and looked out of a window seeing the busy people moving about.

"Come on son! These slaves ain't gunna sell themselves!" His father called as Yuroic froze to the spot. He felt a cold chill trickle down his spine, causing him to shake as he turned and saw them both there, standing as if it was an ordinary day. But this was no ordinary day, Yuroic knew that now. He knew it from the moment he woke realised something was wrong.

He looked at his father, same hair colour as his, though greying unlike Yuroic's. His mother's eyes were the exact same as his and he had her smile. His parents looked at him curiously as he stared at them increduously. They were here, right in front of them.

But they were dead! Killed when I was a baby by slavers...

Where was he? Why were his dead parents not, well dead? And did his "father" mention slaves? Was he suddenly a slaver now?

No. He was an assassin... Assassin why would he think that. He groaned he needed to sit down, his head was splitting as if he was remembering two different lives at once. Perhaps he was, perhaps he is an assassin whose parents were killed. He needed to live this day out, see what happens, see if he could work out which life was his real one. He shook his head as he couldn't believe his parents were slavers but then perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise.

"Where do we start... Dad?" Yuroic said reluctantly. Today was going to be one hell of a day.

 

[Draven Carter]

*Continued from Just Another Day On The Job...*​

Draven was dismissed from the warehouse scene. His gun had been returned once it had been confirmed that he had shot ten times. A shooting like this normally would have caused a storm of political bureaucracy, especially since he was the only one left who could tell the story. But, after investigation was done, it was found that these were mostly men who were on the suspect list in Imperial Centre. They did become disconcerted when Draven told them about Mouse...

Draven finally made his way back to the government safe zone's parking section...to find that his speeder was gone.

"Son of an attuhcs..." he mumbled to himself, eyeing the drone a stone's throw away. Draven knew what had happened the last time he tried to wait for Imperial services to come give him a ride back. He wasn't going to go through anymore of THAT balogne ever again. So, he walked down the street to the transport station. His eyes were cast down, occasionally looking up, and he was mumbling negativity under his breath.

How could this day possibly get any worse?

 

[Cuan Kunn]

Location: Verdant Hills
Objective: Capture the terrorist
Character being written [member="Cyril Grayson"]

Verdant Hills, what a joke.

Cyril shook his head as he made his way through the district. It was a crapshoot, this place, but it was where he was tasked to go. People used it to hide, because the houses were all right on top of the other, and who in their right mind would halt construction and production to come after one criminal? It wasn’t really the smartest thing to do, not for the Empire.

Another joke.

Still, they employed him, and Grayson was a patient man, he was willing to wait for the opportune moment. He didn’t have any hopes of taking down the Empire. Frak no, he had hopes of claiming the throne. There was a time, and a place, where he would have taken the throne, and sat at the center of the galaxy, looking out. This place? This time? It wasn’t that. This place was different, but one of the leading Agents in the Empire’s service? That was still a nice gig.

Space ship, cushy apartment, and the ability to choose his tasks. What he really enjoyed were these ones, not so much a snatch-and-grab, but finding the smart ones. The revolutionaries who were able to hide, to give him a target to chase after. That was why he was even in this district.

A man had blown up a recruiting station, detonated a few drones, and killed a handful of high ranking Agency members. It wasn’t personal for Cyril, but the man was ready for anything. He brought a few units, search-and-destroy drones, as well as the weapon of the Agents, a red-bladed lightsaber.

Time to go to work.

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Location: The Black Hole
Objective: Get hired - wait... what's going on?

Jak looked down the street, a bit puzzled. This was unlike any place on Roon he had ever been before... Still, this wasn't the first time he had woken up somewhere strange.

Feeling a weight in his pocket, he pulled out, not his wallet, but a few credit chips and a slip of paper upon which was scrawled: "The Lost Spirits".

Great. Now my wallet's been stolen, too. And these weren't his clothes. What the hell had happened last night?!? He didn't usually get that drunk. In fact, it was almost impossible for him - on regular alcohol, that is. Someone must have given him a lot of sugar water...

...On a whim, he tried to turn his finger green, and thankfully succeeded. Alright, so there's some normality going on. Because having a literal green thumb was Jak's 'normal'...

Murmuring to himself, "Lost Spirits... Lost spirits... lost.... ahh... Lost Spirits. Here we go." Walking in, he surveyed the place with a well-practiced eye. Bouncers covering strategic locations... No drug haze in the atmosphere... The air was almost fresh, but for the purveying, penetrating scent of all kinds of alcohol. This place had seen business, and right now it was starting to fill, but... surprisingly calm for a bar in the middle of the slums.

Going to the bartender, he quietly ordered a bottle of the strongest whiskey they had. He surely needed it. At the bartender's raised eyebrows, Jak slid one large credit chip onto the bar, and at that, the bartender turned around, getting the (hopefully) strongest bottle of whiskey. Taking a large shot glass, Jak took the bottle and went to the last corner table available.

Trying to make some sense of the world, he was about halfway through the pleasantly strong whiskey before someone caught his eye. She looked like she owned the place, what with the confident stride she had, and the way the bouncer hung his head after she left him. Yep, definitely in charge.

Standing up carefully, doing his absolute finest not to draw attention, the taller man stepped through the throng of people, making his way with purpose towards (what he hoped) was his future.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

District 8: The Black Hole
Location: Classified

"Of course Director. I have analysts looking into the issue with the broadcasts now." Keeper said answering the encrypted Holocall from way up stairs. The garbled voice spoke angrily, echoing through the secured office.

"Yes, we have taken the broadcast down. The only solutions that have been offered so far is to erase all of them and re-record them on a different server. Expensive I know, but it will solve the issue as it sits." The voice become little more than a low growl through the distortion of the holocomm. It was obvious this temporary solution was not good enough at the moment.

"Sir, until the security breach has been located and patched there is little more that can be done. A full network change of the daily updates will force the miscreants to attempt a security breach again. Then, we can back track the breach and perhaps locate them through technological means." The look on the man's face changed. These means were subtle and would take time, results would not be quick enough for the Emperor's tastes. If the Emperor desired a rapid end to this crisis they would need to be lured out. The voice on the end of the line responded hastily and the line went dead.

The higher ups were not fond of the method of needless expenditures or endlessly tracking the enemy through cyberspace. The brown haired man, rubbed his temples with a groan. With a click the door unlocked and slid open. “Agent…” he said and seconds later a woman dressed in a black DfR uniform appeared in the doorway.

“Have the DfR raid Slicer hot spots across the Zone. Every known slicer should be picked up and questioned. Have it done quietly but not covertly. I want people to know their neighbors are being taken by the Peacekeepers, I just don’t want them to know why.” The tactic would sow paranoia and distrust among the populace. They would sit and think to themselves ‘My neighbor is evil’. “Oh, and afford the people twenty minutes of Outdoor Activities after we have rounded them all up.” That will ease the pressure and make the average man believe the problem has been solved. Anyone not returned in that time slot will never be trustworthy again to his neighbors. Division kept the rats from ruling the sewers.

“Yes Administrator.” She said, walking out in a hurry.

Within the hour Peacekeepers began roaming the streets of the Black Hole District in groups of four. Knocking on doors and greeting members of the community with a simple ‘We request that you accompany us’ and then loading them up into a squad vehicle and taking them away. Some would be delivered home within the hour, but of others there was no news.

 

[Vulpesen]

District: Black Hole district
Location: Bar

Vulpesen shook himself in his seat, golden eyes glancing around the bar. Where the hell was he. All he could remember was that one moment he was sitting in his office on veradune and the next... he was here. His nose sniffed at the air, only able to take in the scent of the ale, whiskey, and other less than civilized substances. But it still remained, that the area was real. Or so it seemed. He dug his claws into the bar counter, cutting out a sliver which he then pried out as quietly as possible. "Testing testing..." He grumbled under his breath as he slashed the wood across his hand, his claws having given it an edge to cut. Biting back a growl, he watched as red blood trickled from his hand. "Definitely real."

"Hey, are you alright?" It was an odd accent as it sounded next to him. Almost correlian but so much stronger, with a sort of drawl to it. Moreover, it was distinctly recognizable. But that's impossible. Things around here wee real. He just checked. This couldn't be an illusion. There was a cut in his palm and all his senses felt something. Turning around he caught a face that mirrored his own in shock. "Rita?"

"Vulpesen!?" Normally, seeing an old friend who you thought was dead would elicit a hug or complete shock. Instead, Vulpesen was filled with terror as the red haired woman pulled a pistol from her hip and shoved it in his face. "Imperial Trick!" Now Vulpesen was sure. Something was DEFINITELY wrong.

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Location: Black hole

Another black out. Zandra opened one eye, only to find herself, once again, passed out in some dark alley. Where was she? Last thing she remembered, she scored some 'Stardust', took it back to her ship and...

Wincing, the Echani clawed her way back up to her feet, using the wall for support. She hurt. Everywhere. Why? What happened last night? And where was she? Nah. That didn't matter. She was in some sort of city. That was all that mattered. She needed a drink. And she needed directions. Her ship had to be around here somewhere. She stuffed her hands deep in the pockets of the ragged leather jacket she wore, fished out her pack of cigarettes and stuffed one between her lips.

"Gunna be another beautiful day," she murmured to herself, not yet noticing anything different, "I can feel it."

 

[Matsu Ike]

District" Black Hole

There was a strange sensation in her mind, a thick soupy fog settling there as Matsu opened her eyes and she groaned not really knowing what to do with the time while she rolled over. "This is getting strange." She was wondering on a few things though before rolling over in the formed fitted brown robes and she at least had Nomi's armband still and the robe. Her own attention going to the feeling in her head when she finally woke up and stood sensing out with the force to everything there and finding it strange. Across the area was the sensation of something but she knew the feeling of [member="Vulpesen"] and others like [member="Zandra Tal'verda"] as she had touched something far different. She couldn't tell where she was moving nlooking around but nothing felt right while moving with her attention on the area.

 

[Edric Vanyan]

District: Black Hole

Kira yawned as she rolled her neck and looked over the streets. "Just a normal day it seems..." She said to herself as there were those walking around her dirty and scarred. She herself was in somewhat clean clothing, a cloak over her shoulders but the hood down as she looked at a drone that passed nearby with a sigh. She really was tired of this city and sometimes she needed to cool down with a good drink or two.

Earlier she had had the joy of working on mending a broken leg in her home where she could hide the practice. She was in no way a true doctor, simply someone who worked along side her husband who seemed to have vanished this morning to go and look into something. His note left alot to be desired but she shrugged as she pushed into the bar and found a scene of rather... surprising turn out. It seemed someone was not having a good day and as she looked at [member="Vulpesen"] and then the woman behind the bar she remained silent for now. 'How did rita get a blasterin here...' was all Kira could think as she looked down at her side where she had used to keep one before it became too dangerous to carry such.

 

[Mirror Emperor]

[SIZE=14pt]A peaceful protest breaks out in Districts 5, 8 and 10. Citizens march in droves and voice their dissatisfaction with Imperial rule. Public Servants with shimmering blue riot shields marshal the protest. Hordes of Citizen Advice Drones fly low over the crowd. On their holographic outer bodies they display messages urging citizens to return to their homes and pro-imperial slogans. All the time they monitor closely, recoding which citizens are most outspoken and which appear to be leading the organisation. Armed Peacekeepers in their white armour hang back, ready to act if any signs of violence appear. [/SIZE]​

​

[SIZE=14pt]Protests on Imperial Centre are exceptionally rare. The timing of these protests to coincide with the message spread across the system and the arrival of confused citizens seems too much for coincidence. Almost as if they have been planned to distract the authorities. [/SIZE]​

 

[WelshGuy]

Yuroic's parents ignored his earlier weirdness as they took him through the district, making trafes of spices and other items that could be considered contraband. Yuroic noted a lack of weapons and in a slum region like this there should loads, some even illegally modified. No, no, the Emperor brought peace by banning any weapons unless they were weapons owned by the Government officials. Yuroic shook his head, his parents weren't sure whether the Empire was good or bad, they hadn't exactly stopped them being slavers but didn't make it easy for them either.

"Right, here we are. Me and Yuroic are going up to Black Hole district, got a friend who owes me a favour." His father said to his mother as he stood near the transporter.

"Okay love, be safe!" His mother replied as she turned away and walked back.

"Right, here we go, to the surface son. Now be careful, the drones up there can spot any contraband, hence us selling it all on our way here but heard there's been some protests, could get ugly." His father said as he took the controls of the transporter as they both got on.

"Protests? Are we joining them?" Yuroic asked, hopeful.

"Us? Never! No, no. We're going to a strip club, need to check on a recent sale. Apparently a slave isn't behaving, sabotaging our rep!" His father growled darkly as he drove furiously to the Black Hole district.

Yuroic noticed that the air was cleaner so removed his helmet as he looked around and wondered why his parents didn't live here instead of the crowded slums.

"Why don't we live here? Seems less crowded." Yuroic asked as curiosity bit him hard.

"I've told ya a million times. This district is tightly watched by Peacekeepers so impossible to do trade up here. Now come on, it's over there."

Yuroic could hear the stomps amd yelling of the protestors in the background, not too far away.

 

[Infected Drones]

Black Hole District

[member="Vulpesen"]
[member="Kira Charr"]

A citizen advice drone bobbed into the bar. This wasn't entirely unusual, the Department for Reeducation droids frequently entered public buildings to provide advice and monitor citizens.

What was strange was the red logo emblazoned across the side of its holographic body.

"Imperial agents are coming here!" it announced suddenly. "Hide all weapons and contraband. When you can, flee and find a safe place!"

It seemed someone was both putting messages into the Imperial network and compromising their own drones to try and keep the newcomers to Mirrorverse safe.

 

[Vexen]

Verdant Hills
Chaos Vexen

Vexen slowly blinked away the haze. The sudden burst of light had burned her eyes before she could pull down her goggles. Yet before the world came into focus she felt something large slam into her back. Her arms shot out, catching the floor before her face could.

"What the?"

"Query, citizen: what is that?"

"Responding to query: I do not know!"

Vexen listened to the agitated voices as she lifted her head. The wind whipped through the shanty town, rattling the hastily constructed shelters.

"Micah?" she called. "Micah?" she shouted.

"A statement to you citizen: it speaks!"

"Indeed. Creature... Are you... "

But vexen was gone. Instincts honed over a decade of living on the periphery of society kicked in. Like a flash she darted into the dark passageway between two corrugated steel buildings and was gone.

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Infected Drones"] [member="Vulpesen"]

Location: Black Hole District

Kira's hand's clutched at the side where she normally kept a blaster. "Seriously... the one day i don't have one..." Her eyes had found their way to the drone as it told her to run and hide and for a moment she was in disbelief. Did that thing just warn her of imperial agents coming this way. OK that was weird, but she was not arguing. "Hey, Tailed guy, time to go. Rita, i would love to stay and chat but i think its about time we all got going, now don't you think. Tailed Guy, follow me, i know somewhere safe where my husband and I live... that or you can take your chance with the Emperor's agents. The quick answer would be to come with me because you will not last long against them."

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen's hand rose up just as a bolt was fired, catching in the palm with a use of tutaminis, absorbing the energy in an instant. "You can shoot at me again, or we can follow the drone's advice. Up to you!" The woman responded with a huff then grabbed his arm, puling him out of the bar. "If it helps, I have no fething clue what you're talking about."

In response, simply stood up and rushed out of the bar, her pistol sliding into her coat. The Rita Vulpesen had known was a fast one. This woman was no different. "Damn." Getting up, the zorren rushed after her, swirling past the drone as the two blew out of the establishment, making their way through the backstreets. "Rita, will you hold on? I swear its me!"

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Infected Drones"]

Kira just watched the tailed man talk to rita before scoffing and leaving without another word. They can play catchup all they want, but if they get caught when the agents get here... they wont be sorry. "Drone, you are coming with me, i have questions for you and you are going to answer them. Ok?" She looked at the surface of the device, waiting for its answer as she stood there with both hands crossed behind her back before smiling. "And keep in mind, i do know how to take you guys apart, so don't test me or you won't know what hit you." Her smile only grew as she stood there and waited for its answer.

 

[Infected Drones]

[member="Kira Charr"]

"This unit will comply. Understand that if seen by an Imperial agent, this unit will be returned to standard programming and may attempt to apprehend you."

 

[Cuan Kunn]

Location: Verdent Hills
Objective: Capture Terrorist
Character being written [member="Cyril Grayson"]

He hadn’t always been Cyril Grayson, no. He had a few other names he had used. Some assigned by the Empire, some assigned by himself. The issue with working for the Empire was that they were monitoring everyone and had the supreme right to take an agent from any task they’re choosing and to bring things where they were needed. There was an announcement that were riots and to report to where he needed to go.

Drones were useful, he supposed.

“Drones, keep on target. Tag and track.” The Agent ordered as he turned back to the entrance. Reporting to Black Hole? Lovely. Because riots weren’t enough to deal with when there were terrorists shooting up restaurants and Imperial sporting events. It wasn’t going to be long before he encountered the area around [member="Infected Drones"] and the citizens.

Grayson held no need to protect citizens, the Empire’s rule was important, but it wasn’t the Emperor that was important. No. He would find a way to remove the Emperor and take up the mantle.

Then he could control the agents and deal with the riots properly.