Dec 20 13:13:32 108 PA - Making Connections with Marcel and the Refugees

From Chronicles

Dec 20 13:13:32 108 PA.

REFUGEE RETREAT

Gabriel enters the refugee compound a few minutes after sunup, having timed his arrival to keep himself out of the 'Dregs during dark hours. He still wears his white-and-cream winter gear, with a fur hood that he flumps backward when the walls break up the wind. Fortunately, he's been here before, and after trading in whatever types of weaponry will be demanded at the door, proceeds to Marcel's office.

For as much that is the same about the Refugee camp, an equal amount is clearly different. Probably the most notable difference is a clear diffusion among the populace. Before everyone here was clearly refugees from Tolkeen. Their dress and demeanor was different from dregs folks and KD citizens. Now it seems half of the populace are refugees, and half hail from the Dregs. Indeed it paints a very different picture over the atmosphere. Though the structures have remained the same the personality of the area has definitely shifted. With this new flux is much more foot traffic through the gates and refugees and dregs folks come and go much more freely than ever before.

With his eyes roaming over the surprising change in the population, he can't help but try to flag someone down quickly for a question or two. The first one being if there has actually been a change in security and law. The second... why are you coming in, and you going out greater than usual? Even though the impending victory at Tolkeen may be an obvious answer to at least one of them.

Answers are easy enough to find too. Security and law is much the same as it was before, which makes sense, as the same people are still in authority. But the cause of the flux is the alliance between the refugees and the Vigilante's gang that was cemented the night the refugees waged war on the deep dregs. Since then Refugees and Vigilantes have been exchanging manpower and resources at growing rates to net improvements for both. For the Refugees it has bought much more space to the south for them to inhabit. And through that the refugees have brought much needed improvements to the Vigilante territories.

Gabriel thanks those who offer answers, and continues on his way to Marcel's office armed with this new information. The last time he was here, there was a giant hole in the ground, indoors.

And there still is a giant hole, but it hasn’t gotten any deeper. Inside it appears to be a micro industry processing raw materials of the area into building materials for repairs and expansions. Marcel's office hangs above it all like it did before. And his psychic guards still stand outside the door and ask for Gabriel's intentions.

"Morning," Gabriel says amicably. "I just want to talk to Marcel. I'm here to renew old acquaintance and forge a new one." It's simple, and it's all true.

The guard nods and steps inside the office to see if he should admit the visitor. It takes a few minutes allowing apprehension to build before he returns and gestures Gabriel to the open door. "Marcel will see you." He instructs, waiting for Gabriel to enter the office and then closing the door behind them. In the office Marcel hasn’t changed much, and looks pretty relaxed with his desk only partly full of papers. He nods sharply at Gabriel his military gaze as solid as ever. "What's up?"

"Hello, Marcel," Gabriel says. Militarily crisp himself, but not a man about to go to war. "Last time I saw you, it was a mission of combat. This time, it's a mission of mercy. You've heard of the Ivory Lady, obviously. Going downhill. I'd been in contact with Stacy, working with her on a very small level trying to deal with the situation. Then she was captured. There's more, but the punchline is that I'm trying to get Hope for Humanity back together until Stacy can come back." He pauses, so as not to make too large a speech, and motions to a nearby chair across the desk. "May I?"

Marcel nods, gesturing to the chair without hesitation. He expression holds at expectant. Like he's waiting for the punchline. "And how do you intend to do that? Ignoring the unlikelihood that Stacy will come back at all."

"Build it back. It's broken, but it's not destroyed." Gabriel offers a short nod. "I understand that Stacy and you had a bit of a contact arrangement. I'm hoping that you and I might start one. See if you can't help me get the people back on their feet. See if there isn't anything that I can do for you in return. The retreat looks great, but the 'Dregs are still dirty for everyone."

"Yeah, I think we can work something out. Dregs are real dirty. I figure you wipe up the one greasy stain you intended to before and I'll be more than willing to help you with the rest. I mean you seemed to have everything in order when you can to ask for some people to hold the perimeter with lamps. But then for reasons unknown that disintegrated and Stacy was released as she is now. So rebuild your own force, and that will show me you might be able to rebuild Hope for Humanity. And it will clean a greasy satin out of the dregs in the process."

Gabriel nods, but shakes his head at the same time. "New information came up at the last moment. If we'd gone in, many people would have died, and Stacy would be exactly like she is now, if not worse. If you could have some guys on hand for when I move again, I'd appreciate it. Anything you might know about how the Family and the vampires are working, beyond the obvious, would be helpful. This is a *big* stain."

"They're not. In fact if somethings not done soon I fear those two will settle their accounts and the victor will gain too much for us to handle. The human trafficking between the two has ceased, with the degraded relations. Yet the Lady still has ample servers. Clearly a new arrangement's been made and the family has been cut out completely. Something they do not take kindly to." Marcel explains with a shake of his head. "I'd deal with it myself, but with the news of Tolkeen's success motivating my people to start a fight here is a very steep slope. If things continue as they are most of us won't be here in a few months."

"I can understand that. I'm glad to hear about Tolkeen, it reminds me of those who suffered at Leningrad. A very similar situation." Gabriel knows that the other man won't get the reference, but he says it anyway. "If not the Family, then who, I wonder? Maybe it's just the run on the psi-cola now." He sighs. "Another thing for me to look into. But I'll nail them, and soon. I know as well as you that this can't wait much longer." He starts to rise, extending a hand across the table. "Look forward to working with you. Thanks for your time."

The hand is taken with a very firm shake. "Indeed, if you show the tenacity you have in the past I’m sure you can clean this up." Marcel adds encouragingly before releasing to allow Gabriel to continue and himself to get back to work.

Only one more nod is offered. There could be more words said; words of assurance, words about victory - but between military men, such things are only annoying boasts. Gabriel only offers, "Good luck to you," before disappearing out the way he'd come.