Kaleb Stern, Chelsea

It was dark when Kaleb finally returned to the Future Tek building. Arthur was long gone, and by the looks of the place, he had missed out on something fun. Fresh bullet holes pockmarked the building's facade. Rust red stains marked where blood had pooled and dried up by the harsh sun. Bullet casings littered the battlefield.

Kaleb cursed his luck at missing out on a potentially fun little skirmish between the KoA and the ambushers. He was supposed to stay out of trouble, but dammit he enjoyed a good fight every now and then. The rattle of automatic fire, the deep resonance of heavy weapons. The rush of beating someone to the shot, of driving a knife deep into someone’s chest, of being a hairsbreath away from death.

Sighing, Kaleb quietly entered the darkened edifice. He would have preferred to be tracking Arthur right now, because the man seemed to attract trouble like an oversized magnet in a room full of iron scraps. But the Business' orders were clear. “Forget Arthur, he is not our priority. That bunker is our priority. You are to find a way in and find out who is inside”, his superior had stressed to Kaleb.

Right, get into a Vault Tek Bunker. Get past a 10-ton door designed to survive a nuclear blast, and get past any defenses inside. The bosses never make it easy. Why can’t it ever be a job to case the local bar or scope out a brothel? While I’m trying to get in, some slaver can jump me from behind.

Then it hit him. There was no way he could physically break through the Vault blast door. But there were other ways to get into a Vault. It was a plan, an audacious one, but one that had a chance of succeeding.

Unholstering his pistol, Kaleb scrambled for the massive Vault door. Panic evident on his face, he hammered his pistol-wielding hand against the door’s steel surface, heavy booms echoing with each strike.

“Hey, is someone in there”, he hollered anxiously, hoping that someone inside would hear.

Alex “sheriff “ Carlson - Chinatown/ Lower manhattan

Alex had told Lucifer about the monster attack…

“Interesting I shall tell Scarlet but you should get the [censored] out of Chinatown and keep a low profile, Mark and scarlet are pissed at me for sending you and he will probably kill you if they find you ” Lucifer said.

“Well very sir I shall pack up some supplies and leave immediately” Alex said before walking towards the elevator to him room on the 5th floor

I wonder were I should go? Nothings going on down south perhaps I should do a bit of slight seeming…

Entering his room Alex grabbed his pack bag and filled it with enough food and water for three days, a flashlight, a few books and several other personal items. Afterwards Alex locked his door and walked downstairs to the lobby…

Leaving Chinatown, Alex headed south into what was know as lower Manhattan,Turning on his radio, Alex listen to Monarch Radio as he walked down the empty streets of lowe manhattan...


"Good evening, citizens of New Manhattan. Welcome to another session of Monarch Radio, with your host, The Mind of Liberty. My eyes show me that escalation has occurred, between the so called Knights of Arthur, and these... Rebels. Apparently, one side can't agree with the other and find it mandatory to kill one another off for reasons I can not comprehend myself. Of course, this shouldn't be news to anyone of Manhattan. You must have heard it, or seen it. The sounds of gunfire and bombs echoing through the streets. The screams of young men dying for younger causes. The.... fear of complete and total war breaking out upon the streets of Manhattan." He gave off a sigh, clearing his throat and wiping his head. Now comes the big part...


I wonder what the view is like from up? But how would you get there? Alex though to himself whilst looking at a Statue of A green lady, in the middle of ocean...

Robert Park

Robert was in the middle of observing Test Chamber 19, which was a psychological reinforcement chamber. Give them a prize of freedom, caps, and power then see how long it takes for their greed to run out. But half way through, a faint clattering was heard in the vicinity of the door entrance.

Robert immediately switched his camera to the main entrance where man was banging on the ten ton steel door. “Hey, is someone in there”, He hollered.

"Hello and welcome to Future Tek. Please refrain from touching all vital testing apparatus such as the ten ton Future Tek Vault Sliding Cog Door as it will open in 3, 2, 1."

Instantly, the door opened with a sickening screech as sparks started to fly from the grinding of metal. Robert then spoke again. "Now please tell me why you are here. You will not be allowed to leave without my permission."

"I'm in, although I doubt I will be of much use, I have no training doing anything sneaky, I was just a raider." said Charlie.

“Don’t worry Charlie, the Rebels think I am working for them, there will be no sneaky business involved. Literately I am just going to walk into there tavern go to the basemant and shove a knife into the ghouls throat. You take care of two guards near him, but silently no fire arms. I recommend stabbing one in the chest and then throw the other guy into the stab victim and then I’ll stab the [censored] out of them both. Now lets go.”

***

It took a few hours but Mark and Charlie finally arrived at the White Horse Tavern, Marcox was confused at first.

“Mark, who is this guy? Oh and the squad you sent to ambush those Chronicles were brutally torn apart by some crazy [censored] beasts!”

“Sorry sir, I don’t know how that happened. But this guy is a new recruit for the Rebels, his family was recently killed by some Knights of Arthur.”

“Oh… Well welcome to the Rebellion kid, glad your choosing the right side.”

Mark walked up to Marcox desk, he had a light smile on his face.

“Marcox I am sorry to tell you this…..but I have to…. REST IN PEACE YOU [censored] TERRORIST!”

Mark grabbed his Combat Knife from its sheath and stabbed it into Marcox neck, he tore upwards and Marcox was dead. Mark pulled the knife out and stabbed it into one of the guards hands causing him to drop his weapon and he kicked the gun out of the other guards hand, the guard head butted Mark causing him to drop to the ground, Mark kicked the guard in the shins and he dropped to his knees, Mark then kicked the guard in the face a few times.

“Charlie! Kill these [censored]ers!”

***

KING ARTHUR

Arthur was now in his mansion in Inwood, he was now wearing the Knights of Arthur’s Table of 12 Armor but it was painted black. He sat on a throne and the Table of 12 stood in front of him along with Sir Courtney.

“Today we bring a new Knight into the Table of 12 now that Sir Fairfax has fallen. Sir Courtney has shown tremendous skill in combat and has done good things for the Knights of Arthur, I can think of no better choice.”

Arthur stood up from his throne and walked towards the kneeling Sir Courtney, Arthur unsheathed his sword and placed it on Courtney’s right shoulder.

“From this day forth you are an official Knight of the Table of 12.”

Kaleb Stern, Chelsea

"Hello and welcome to Future Tek. Please refrain from touching all vital testing apparatus such as the ten ton Future Tek Vault Sliding Cog Door as it will open in 3, 2, 1.", said a voice speaking though an intercom.

Kaleb watch in stunned silence as the Vault door opened. It worked, he thought as he stared disbelievingly at the 10-ton blast door that rolled away to expose the lobby beyond. Shaking off his surprise, he readied himself and scurried into the Vault.

“Thank you for opening up. Quick, you gotta close the door. There are a bunch of slavers out there looking for me! Please!”, he begged, injecting rising panic into his voice. Kaleb spun around and shakily drew his pistols, aiming out the Vault door. Only when the the Vault door closed shut did he relax. Kaleb leaned up against a wall and slumped to the ground, unshouldering his pack and reholstering his pistols.

"Now please tell me why you are here. You will not be allowed to leave without my permission." , blared the voice.

“Thanks for letting me in. Those slavers have been after me since the last time they tried to get me. I think it was about week ago. Well, that's what I get for trying to shortcut my way through slaver territory, I guess. I had to go and try my luck and look where it got me. A dead brahmin and a load of supplies gone. I shoulda gone through the Upper East Side to Morningside, take the long route, y'know? Or maybe you don't know, being in a Vault and all”, Kaleb rattled on, filled with a nervous energy that was not quite faked. Brushing himself off, Kaleb stood and looked at the nearest camera. Putting on his best, most genial smile, he addressed his new host.

“Thanks for saving me. There's no way I can repay you. Or maybe I can? You need anything in there? You probably do, being cooped up in there all this time. Well, I can get you anything you need. It's what I do, I'm a trader. Kaleb Stern, merchant extraordinaire, a dealer in all things rare and extraordinary. At your service.” Kaleb took a half-bow, hoping the watcher behind the cameras would seriously consider his offer.

Karis Taivo

Karis watched in the shadows as the man entered in to the Future Tec vault door. It had been a long trek to this place and Karis was not going home empty handed. He was asked by Marcox to scout out the place, and get inside if possible. If this man could get in, then Karis definetely could. Slowly he approached the door.

He knocked several times before speaking. "Hello. I am being pursued by several of the chronicles...and was wondering if I could ask for your protection, whoever you are."

Karis knew whoever was in control of the vault would be suprised and suspicous. Two men, each attempting to enter into their abode. Karis could only hope for the best.

OOC: Sorry I kinda came out of nowhere, but the rebels are obviously about to get owned and I need somewhere to stay :blush:

Robert Park

Robert listened to the man's story, at which he ended with his name and his profession, a dealer and trader of all things, according to him, "rare and extraordinary." After the small introduction where the man, named Kaleb, talked about his encounter with slavers, Robert gave a gentle laugh.

"Great. Oh and you should know, let me give you a rundown of this facility. In it houses 50 Sentry Bots, an overflowing stockpile of defective turrets, about 20 or so Future Tek turrets, and 20 or so scientists."

Robert examined the man, Kaleb. "Now then, let's get started. First, I can't really move so I'd like for you to get me some test subjects. Let's see if your story checks out. If what you said was true, then there would be perfectly good slavers you can attract to the facility."

Kaleb Stern, Chelsea

"Now then, let's get started. First, I can't really move so I'd like for you to get me some test subjects. Let's see if your story checks out. If what you said was true, then there would be perfectly good slavers you can attract to the facility", said the voice.

Crap. Ok, not exactly going according to plan. Kaleb quickly ran through his options; only a few suitable ones came to mind. Luring an actual group of slavers would take time and effort, not to mention the KoA tightening their control over the slavers in Midtown West. Besides, the only slaver group that would go after him, well, he had already taken care of them.
The only other option is to entice him with something else. Alright, here goes.

“Whoa whoa, now hold on there, Mr. Vault man. I just spent the better part of a day running away from those idiots, not to mention losing my caravan to them. I'm not about to go out there looking for trouble. I'm a businessman, not some muscle-bound Corleone goon with a lead pipe. Besides, I heard the KoA are all over in slaver territory, doing who knows what. I'm not about to go against them either. Apparently, they ain't fond of people arming the people they wanna take over”, Kaleb rambled. The silence of his host hopefully meant he was at least thinking it over.

He continued on. “Here, I can do this for ya. You mentioned bad turrets. Well, I know a thing or two about fixing stubborn tech. I even fixed a Mark IV for the mercs over in Lower Manhattan. I bet I can fix 'em for ya, or at least get replacement parts.”

“You know what, I'm betting you're running low on stuff in there. You can only recharge MF and E Cells so much before they're completely ruined. I can get you replacements for those too.”

“So, what do you think, eh?”, he said, smiling into the camera. Just then he hear a knock on the Vault door.

"Hello. I am being pursued by several of the chronicles...and was wondering if I could ask for your protection, whoever you are", said a muffled voice on the other side.

Crap.

Robert Park

Kaleb immediately went on the defensive. Robert smirked, but it was hard to tell using just a series of cameras whether or not he was genuinely scared of the slavers or just lying. Either way, he was offering to help fix Robert's defective turrets, which seemed to have increased after a near meltdown in the bunker's lower facilities.

Although, the model was a test prototype and despite what the Future Tek CEO thought, it was a bad model, despite being prototype alien technology. "Well it's nothing like the turrets you've seen..."

A robotic claw slowly opened out of the ceiling and placed a turret. The turret was pure white, had a red sensor in the very middle of the model. Instead of it being mounted in the floor, it had three claws that were positioned so that just touching it wouldn't knock it over. The guns were protruding on each side, keeping the turret from being a perfect oval. It was pretty small as well, about 1/4 the size of an advlt.

"Well this is my turret. Highly ineffective. Just pushing it will make it unable to fire and a single non-armor piercing gunshot will make it fall over, keeping the main core intact but disabling it. Still up for the task?"

But before Kaleb could answer, a voice could be heard from the other side.

"Hello. I am being pursued by several of the chronicles...and was wondering if I could ask for your protection, whoever you are", said a muffled voice on the other side.

Robert quickly switched cameras and looked at the entrance. "Hello and welcome to the Future Tek Manhattan Facility. The door will open in 3, 2, 1," The door opened.

Charlie Moore

We had come to the pub, the same pub that I had seen Mark escape to, but this time it was different, we were not running there like scared children, we were going there to kill Marcox. I was allowed in only because I was with Mark, and they let me keep my gun, which was a good thing since it was the only weapon I possessed, it was also going to be used for clubbing the guards.

We descended the steps into the basemant and were lead through a door which was promptly locked as we entered. Mark approached Marcox and began to explain something about him being sorry, before he yelled about killing him and plunged a knife deep into the man, or ghoul I guess. He shouted something about killing [censored]ers, which I was okay with, but seeing as he was an operative I expected some sort of code word, like Ice Cream, to mean attack. But that did not matter.

I brought the butt of the AK into the nearest guards face; he crashed to ground making a loud thud as his body collided with the tiled floor. The nearest guard began to draw his pistol, but I moved towards him swiftly and swung the weapon into his gut. He crumpled and then I brought it down in the back of his neck.

“Mark, how the hell are we getting outta here?”

Karis Taivo

As Karis entered through the door, he noticed the other man standing several yards ahead of him. Karis also noticed a few turrets. Either the man could light him up now, or wait and let Karis speak. As Karis started his sentence, hoped it was the latter.

"Well, this must seem strange. But I am in a little...trouble and need somewhere to stay for a while. Of course I won't be a nuisance, and will gladly help you with anything you need, whoever you are."

Karis realized he was clutching his rifle. This was probably an act of aggression, so Karis carefully knelt down and placed the weapon on the ground. He was completely defenseless.

Robert Park

"Well, this must seem strange. But I am in a little...trouble and need somewhere to stay for a while. Of course I won't be a nuisance, and will gladly help you with anything you need, whoever you are."

Robert smirked and then looked at the man. He did say he'd gladly help Robert with anything so it was obvious what was next. "Head down the left wing and go to the elevator. It will take you to the Relaxation Vault. Stay there for the duration of the meeting with this man," Robert said.

He then made the floor lights light up to the entrance to the elevator. "Follow the Future Tek Ground Lights if you please. I will be back to you in a minute."

Kaleb Stern, Chelsea

The Vault door opened and Kaleb spotted the man. He sported an ankle length duster that had seen better days. The sleeves were ragged and torn, the coattail was riddled with bullet holes. Under the coat, he wore a shoddy set of leather armor, a bandoleer slung across his chest. His grimy face bore several days worth of stubble, and an outline of a pair of goggles lined his face. In his hand he carried a surprisingly clean rifle, a FAL by the looks of it.

That rifle looked disturbingly familiar. He rummaged through his memories if he had seen one recently. FALs are somewhat of a rarity in Manhattan. He had only seen three in his entire life: one he had sold to a Raven merc for a hefty profit, and one was in the possession of a fellow Businessman. The third one, he couldn't remember clearly. An image popped into his head, of a rifle protruding out a window, a suggestion of an outline behind it. And his crosshair aimed directly over the outline. That was it, it was the KoA attack on Fort Suicide. He must be the sniper he had spotted across from him. And from the pristine condition of the rifle, and the way he carried himself, he looked to be a competent shooter.

"Head down the left wing and go to the elevator. It will take you to the Relaxation Vault. Stay there for the duration of the meeting with this man. Follow the Future Tek Ground Lights if you please. I will be back to you in a minute," said the Voice, as he had begun to call the Vault's proprietor.

Kaleb watched as the unidentified man placed his rifle on the ground and began to walk past him. The Voice seemed unusually preoccupied with bringing in unwitting guests. Here he was, trying to bargain his way in, and he was letting this man in without a second thought. Usually, he didn't care what happened to other people, as long as it didn't affect him. But this was an unusual situation. Besides, this man had not personally done anything against him, and he was having a bad feeling about the whole thing. A cold, efficient assassin Kaleb may be, but he wasn't about to let some unthinking nitwit walk into a potentially bad situation.

“Hold up a second”, he spoke, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. The man turned around, giving Kaleb a wary look.

“I...I know you from somewhere,” Kaleb continued. “Yeah, you look familiar. Now where was it...” he trailed off, a contemplative look on his face.

“Ah, that's it! Fort Suicide. Yeah, you were the guy in the window. You were watching the place. I was camped out in the building across from you.” Kaleb grabbed shook his hand, pumping with both his hands up and down vigorously.

“The name's Kaleb. Merchant, trader, jack-of-all trades. How've you been?”

Karis Taivo

“The name's Kaleb. Merchant, trader, jack-of-all trades. How've you been?”

Karis was speechless for a moment. Why would a stranger be so kind?

" I'm doing good, Kaleb. My name is Karis. And yes, I was watching fort suicide the day it was attacked." Noticing his phrase could give away that he was part of a faction, Karis quickly sputtered out the next sentece. .... just to see if there was anything left for me to scavenge, you know..."

Karis had no idea if they would buy his story. Kaleb seemed like a smart man. The way he composed himself....was different. Although Karis was nervous, he kept his composure. There was nothing he could do in a situation like this except wait.

Robert Park

Robert looked at the conversation in quiet. On any other day, he would've gassed both of the people and sent them to two separate test chambers. But a war was brewing and anybody who wasn't affiliated with the Chronicles was a potential candidate. Especially this one that was running from the Chronicles. And given the options, it was better not to use any of the 19 test chambers.

Rather, Robert looked at both people through the camera.

"I know that both of you aren't affiliated with the Chronicles. Although I have no files on either of you, both of you seem well suited for combat. So here are your three options. You can work for me, pledging allegiance to the good of the Future. You can go against me, which will land you weaponless in a test chamber of my choice, or you can simply act as an agent for hire which is what I have planned for Kaleb."

Going by the options, having as many people as possible was good. Robots may be stronger than people and while having 50 Sentry Bots that can easily act as a substitute body during the time Robert was in stasis, they're easy to malfunction and will broadcast to the world that Future Tek had bunker.

Humans on the other hand, could easily be used as agents. And having the entirety of the Knights of Arthur was good but that was simply a military force that worked according to King Arthur's accord. Robert needed agents that were competent fighters and had loyalty to him, even if that loyalty stems from reward or fear.

Karis Taivo

I know that both of you aren't affiliated with the Chronicles. Although I have no files on either of you, both of you seem well suited for combat. So here are your three options. You can work for me, pledging allegiance to the good of the Future. You can go against me, which will land you weaponless in a test chamber of my choice, or you can simply act as an agent for hire which is what I have planned for Kaleb."

Karis thought this over. While he didn't know enough about this myerious man to pledge his loyalty to him, he also didn't want to have his brains splattered across the floor due to some sort of crazy experiment. His only option was to act as an agent for hire.

"I believe acting as an agent for hire is my best option, as long as you promise to feed me every night and give me a bed to sleep in."

Karis hoped the man would agree. If the rumors that Marcox had been assasinated were true, then the rebel lines up north were sure to fall due to lack of moral. Not to mention the southern lines, which were already demoralized as ever.

Robert Park

"I believe acting as an agent for hire is my best option, as long as you promise to feed me every night and give me a bed to sleep in," said Karis, at least that's how he introduced himself to Kaleb.

Robert looked through some of the stockpiled test chambers that stopped working. At least a hundred small ones existed. Just dust out the skeletons, drain the pits of acid, radiation, and fire, then it should be a good living quarters. Food on the other hand...

"There's a hundred test chambers that were sealed off. Just a bit of renovation by my Mr. Handy robots would be sufficient enough time to create a bed chamber for you. As for food...that's a bit of a problem. We ran out of Future Tek Sealed Aluminum Rations a few decades ago. Our scientists and I get by with artificially grown food, just enough to sustain 30 people."

But before Robert continued, he switched over to the farm, which was quite small. Maintained by farming "claws", the small farm, about as large as half of a high school football field, grew just enough fruits and vegetables to sustain a small population. It was rationed and although about 20 or so scientists lived here and there was a food surplus, it was always stored in case of an emergency. Protocol said that only 10% of the surplus could be used, definitely not enough to feed somebody every night.

"Of course, you can always eat motor oil. We have plenty of that. Enough to last another 500 years. We also have the same supply of metal, sediments, and high energy thermal beam emitter repair parts."

Kaleb Stern, Chelsea

"Of course, you can always eat motor oil. We have plenty of that. Enough to last another 500 years. We also have the same supply of metal, sediments, and high energy thermal beam emitter repair parts."

“I can help you there,” Kaleb chimed in. “I know a few places where I can get some cans of Cram and stuff. They probably aren't as fresh as them sealed ration things, but you can't tell that when you're eating 'em. And I know a place over in Little Italy that does things to Brahmin and Bighorner like you wouldn't believe. That is, of course, if you don't mind food that don't come in tin cans.”

Kaleb mulled his situation. Taking this job would mean that he wouldn't be available for Business tasks. Then again, getting in the good graces of Mr. Voice here was what the Business wanted in the first place. He was sure they wouldn't mind.

Addressing the camera, Kaleb said, “Yeah, yeah, this could work. I can help out with the food and tech situation.”

“He can be your gopher or whatever you got planned for him," he continued, pointing a thumb at Karis. "Yeah, count me in. I can be your supply agent or whatever.”

“So what do you think, Mr.....? Actually, I don't think you told us your name, Mr Vault Man.”

Mark was in a state of ecstasy, he had just murdered the leader of the Rebels, whenever Mark killed someone of high importance it made him feel extremely happy. But his happiness soon came to an end when Charlie said. “Mark, how the hell are we getting outta here?” Mark sighed and then yelled [censored] and punched the wall.

"I didn't [censored] think of that. [censored]! Well lets not get to freaked out here, Marcox was a crafty man he probably has some escape tunnel." said Mark.

Mark began to search the rooms looking for an exit, he was losing faith every time he searched a different room in the basemant, Mark went back to Marcox's office and pushed his desk over in anger, when the desk fell over it revealed a trap door.

"Anger solves everything Charlie, anger solves everything."

Charlie Moore

Mark had not even thought of escape, what the hell was this guy’s problem, he got angry and punched a wall, and He stomped around searching hoping to find some sort of secret escape tunnel. I stood with my AK pointed at the door, hoping no one would flip from hearing such racket. Eventually he found.

"Anger solves everything Charlie, anger solves everything," He said.

“Alright, that’s pretty awesome, now can we get the [censored] outta here.”

I went into the room and flipped open the lid that lead to the secret tunnel; I jumped down and landed with a nice thud. But of course that was too easy. A knock at the door and one of the Rebels was asking if everything was alright. I was about to sprint down the tunnel but before I did I said to Mark:

“Get in here, flip the lid and the desk and let’s get out before that guy decides to bust in.”

Robert Park

Robert saw that Kaleb had offered to get him food, albeit very...unsanitary food. It was no problem considering that they had a perfectly good purifier like every other Vault that had the fortune of being a control vault.

“So what do you think, Mr.....? Actually, I don't think you told us your name, Mr Vault Man," Kaleb said. Robert gave a soft chuckle, which came out a little bit of a cross between robotic and human.

"I am Robert Chang Park, Director of the Genesis Project from 2074 - 2077. Meaning yes, I am about 200 years old. Maybe sometime if I come to trust you, I'll show you my true form...which was still preserved in my prime."