Orchard Operations and Warehouse Woes

[Gerrit]

Worm's suggestion to generally come from the Hedge was risky, but worth considering. "That's assuming she hasn't increased her security since last we've been here. I'm assuming she knows who was responsible for what we did to the Orchard. And we still don't know how much surveillance she somehow got on us." But that was maybe a moot point - if she knew they knew about the warehouse maybe she even broke down that location. "But I agree with the Colonel: we should be careful not to get into legal trouble. And I think we should ask Anatole and Liam." Gerrit didn't even realize how.. relatively okay he was with the idea of arson.

He did take notice of how fine Seraphina was with burning everyone inside, though. But she also called him out in a way - he had no idea how to reliably know if someone was innocent or about to teach them a lesson in naivety. "I don't know. I just feel like killing everyone somewhat involved seems a bit extreme." His reply came hesitantly, he wasn't sold on the idea that just destroying Anne's assets was enough himself. And everybody who has helped Anne abducting someone deserved what was coming for them. Even death? "Maybe we will have to adapt to the situation we find there. And while burning the whole place down might sound like the easiest solution we'll have to see if the reality holds up to the theory." Yes, he was dragging his feet a bit on principle - but the principle of not killing who-knows how many people didn't seem too bad in his book.

Still, he was relieved that Circe was here - if they were to do this, they might as well do it right. Plus, the Queen showed a remarkable amount of foresight and restraint most of the time. "I'm not that versed in hacking.. could you find out something about this place remotely?" Everything he knew about hacking came from movies and he was sharp enough not to believe those depictions.

[Seraphina]

The more they talked about torching the place, the more nervous she got. Arson was something she hadn’t done before, but it seemed like the best way to upend Ann’s warehouse.

But she knew one thing, she didn’t want innocent people getting caught up in this. And when it came down to it, how would they tell?

A warm smile to Circe, “Anytime.” Though the smell was starting to make its way to her. And it wasn’t a pleasant one, especially mixed with her Mantle.

“Now, I’m no expert on explosions, that is all you Circe,” a nod of respect to the Summer, “but what would you guess the, uh,” looking for a word, “collateral damage might be like? I’m guessing this isn’t a warehouse in the middle of nowhere. There are going to be other buildings that get caught up in it, and that just might bring some unwanted attention.” Always good to look at the other side. “Now you want cheat Contracts, I can do that.” Not a whole lot, but she had some.

Nodding to Rhodes, “I can keep an eye out. I’ve been spending more time working on a few things.” Wouldn’t be that hard to add looking for a psycho Autumn to the list.

Then Gerrit brought up a good point. They were assuming they were there without being seen. “He has a good point. She could know it was us, and be playing the card of ignorance, allowing us to go back with confidence and make a mistake.” It made sense.

Eyes shift to her coffee for a moment as she thinks about what Gerrit has said, “It is a bit extreme.” She had to face it; she wasn’t a killer. “But I don’t have the answer.” She was going to trust the more experienced Summer’s and her husband. “More intel is needed on the building and what we’d be looking at. And who’s to say Ann doesn’t have another Gate setup.” Would be good to know if she did.

[Circe]

"The more the merrier," is her response to Gerrit calling for more reinforcements, "Kill helpers are the best."


"Well damn, Rhodes, I really want ta pop that wretched head like a rotten tomato," she admits to Rhodes as he raises objections. "Shotgun, rifle, AK, I ain't picky on how it pops." And Gerrit objects to the killing too. So does Seraphina. 3 to 2. "Funny thing Sera, it'd probably do a LOT of collateral damage. Feds certainly show up, depending on how much boom, National Guard too," her tone is far to cheery for suggesting martial law. Circe sips her coffee. Then she giggles, "More funny! Like a year ago I could have gotten us a couple dozen gasmasks, a LOT of tear gas, and some tiny tanks. Instead I made money off that. Gasmasks are legal though, so I'd just be hunting tear gas on my end," Circe looks at Rhodes, "Ya can craft Pledges right? Any that'd help me cheat on getting gas? If we don't want ta kill them, do it the fed way."


As for Anne's intelligence? Probably. "We're a good bet fer having attacked Anne's operations. Granted, there are plenty who're pissed at her, plus competitors, but we're the closest. Horrible vile scum sucking slime she may be, but stupid?" She scowls as she drinks her coffee, "We'd be burning her corpse already. Hmm," she gets up and retrieves something from her duffel bag. A riot helmet, which she brings back. "We all dress like this, I can fake some up," she plops the helmet on the table, "Anne might think it is the Feds coming fer her. That'd be awesome."


Real ones would take far too long to get. Maybe one more set, but Circe couldn't get enough for everyone to have a set on such short notice.


Circe smirks. It is most smug, "I've a laptop and you've an address. I can find stuff. Ownership, power, installations, maybe even check fer a storm drain or tunnels under the warehouse," it was another idea. "Given time, I could hack the power company and blackout the warehouse. Hell, if that slimeball Ann has Internet security cameras, I might hack those too."

[Colonel Worm]

Worm's head is on a swivel as everyone chews over the details, pitches possible approaches, and gauges the extent of collateral damage.

In his heart of hearts, the Goblin agrees with Circe. Burn the whole damn thing. Ash on the wind and not a care in the world.

But he also knows that the pit of rage inside him doesn't distinguish between the innocent and the guilt. He can't walk that path again. Not if he wants to stay sane.

"So what I'm hearing is we need more information before we make our move. And we have two routes: the streets," that would be Worm, "and the internet" a nod to Circe.

"We agree that this is about taking away operational capacity from Ann. Not much of a chance of touching her. Yet. And that the best way to do that is fire or maybe explosives. Doing what we can to limit unnecessary death." Of those who don't deserve it, at least.

"Maybe now's the time to say we can't really come up with a plan until we have more intel. Gerrit and I go take a drive, Circe taps some keys, and then we hook back up to finalize shit?"

Mr. Too-Damn-Pragmatic reporting for duty.

[Circe]

"Hmmm. Crabby armor? Chitin plates, but wait. Hedgespun would point ta us and ruin any deception. Mocked up fed armor won't stop much. Or wear it with the thinner vests," Circe seemed to be in a maker zone right now. Somebody might need to slip her out of it. She was mumbling a lot of things rapidly, thinking about logisitics.


Circe finally stopped talking. She'd noticed she was out of coffee. Circe had been sipping air for a bit. "Huh? Oh shit, did I zone out?"


"Hacking, yeah, I can do that. Totally fer sure my Worm dude."

[Saber Sloth]

2 days left! Do you think you guys will settle on a game plan or do you want to have another planning scene?

[Seraphina]

A small smile offered to Circe, “I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who didn’t support you doing that. But we want to make sure you’re also safe, cause that is kinda important.” Very important. A deep sigh, “And that damage is why we need to be careful. If we could pull this off without drawing unwanted attention, I think it would be better.” But that might be asking for too much.

Looking at the helmet, she wasn’t sure. “If there are tunnels we could use, why not set an alarm off to get people to vacate the warehouse? The ones going through the gate would be our targets.” Was an idea, maybe not a good one, but she was giving it a go.

Nodding in agreement to Worm, “That sounds like the best plan, gather intel, then make a plan of attack. Cover our asses as much as we can.” Cause things have a way of turning on a dime sometimes.

Sapphires spot the empty cup, and she hops up to get the Summer more. Placing another full cup in front of her, “There you go.” Shaking her head, “No, I think we’re just all lost in thought about this. Trying to come up with the best plan of action.”

[Saber Sloth]

The Lost talk long into the wee hours of the night, coming no closer to deciding on a definite plan.

you're 3 days over time! End scene!