Hadron City was like a man with an infected cut. The war had wounded the city and it's people. Then Stronghold crept into that wound and made a home for itself. It felt like every day since the defeat of Imperator's forces was raining and the sky rich with sodden gray clouds. The seasons had turned. The air was different. It stunk with pollution. It roared with the sound of fossil fuel engines. The streets were clogged with vehicles brought in from outside of Hadron City. The old infrastructure was ruined. Overhead the intricate tapestry of the city's sky-rail system that wove between buildings was collapsed in large swaths. Mingled with the fumes of pollution was the smell of untended vegetation, crops left untended. First they had begun to overgrow. Then die even as they sprouted from the city's buildings.
Today is supposed to be a good day though. Or at least a diversion. Each of you have been invited by a youth named Rodney Foster to a potluck that his family is holding at their home. They are fortunate enough to still have one. Each of you know Rodney in different ways, but you are all on friendly terms with him to some degree.
Mel met Rodney at the care facility where Becky was being treated. Becky, who a couple days ago went missing. There wasn't even a record of her being a patient there. Mel may well have been wearing herself out looking for any clue to Becky's whereabouts, but nothing has come up. She needs a break, and the potluck promises free food that she doesn't have to risk stealing.
Jamie doesn't know Rodney that well. He knows the fellow as a friend of Anika. About a week back when Jamie's brother RJ went missing from the hospital he was a patient in Rodney volunteered to help look for him. Neither of you have found any leads into the disappearance, and while neither Rodney nor Jamie have thrown in the towel, Jamie may have pushed himself to the point he has begun to run on fumes. Anika insisted he needed a break and has, if need be, dragged him to the potluck Rodney's family is hosting.
When it became clear that active resistance was not a viable option for dealing with Stronghold, at least for the near future, the Pact began looking for options. After weeks of research and investigation the files on one Jacob Fitzgerald were discovered. Before the barrier fell, Jacob wrote an essay predicting it's fall and nearly ever move the United States forces would make. It had gone unnoticed, overlooked by everyone, except for the Pact. The problem was, Jacob had gone missing about a week after Stronghold initiated martial law. The only lead they had was a friend of his, Rodney Foster. Russel had been encouraged to get close to Rodney and find Jacob
Maryanne probably didn't care about Rodney. He was nice enough. But Maryanne had difficulty caring about anyone. The real reason Maryanne had started a friendship with Rodney was due to information she had gained concerning a friend of his, Jacob Fitzgerald. Jacob was possibly the greatest military mind the world had ever seen and he was only fourteen. From what she had learned, Jacob demonstrated incredible charisma for anyone, let alone someone so young. If the First Generation were ever going to be united, it would be under Jacob Fitzgerald. Rodney was the stepping stone that would allow her to get close to the as yet elusive Jacob.
Rodney and his family lived in Ward 8. Stronghold has concentrated a lot of their efforts on restoring the Ward, but it was still a work in progress. A side effect of this meant Stronghold's presence was significant here as well. The building the Fosters lived in was damaged, but still livable. Work on it's restoration was ongoing, but had stopped for the day. Three stories up the Foster family had a nice living space, all things considered, but they were barely holding onto it with the price of rent and general living.
The potluck was stated as starting at six o'clock, and unless you make a special effort to be there early, other guests who live closer to the Fosters will have arrived before you. There are tables set up in the living room where food has been set up, and guests are depositing their own contributions. Some light music floats on the air, along with the sounds of conversation. The atmosphere is generally relaxed despite the state of affairs outside the Foster's home.
OOC wrote:Jamie and Mel receive 1 HP, as their relationship Complications have been triggered in a significant way.
Everyone, please include in your post your character's arrival at the party.