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Post by tachyon on May 19, 2008 5:37:30 GMT -5
"I guess you can try," said the tech like a voice in thier heads, "doing certain things will raise your skills, so in theory multiclasses are possible... I really don't know, this hasn't really been done in a while. Westworld's more of an educational program nowdays than a MMORPG. We've hired it out in the past, and the setting are still there...oh, hang on here comes an NPC..."
There comes the sound of movement from the narrow passageway outside the compartment's wooden door. It slides open, revealing an elderly man with a large white handlebar moustache. He's wearing the blue uniform of a railway conductor. Looking at him there's no way anyone would know he was just a computer program.
"Next stop's the end of the line. So I'm guessing that'd be your stop, Lord knows why you'd want to going there..."
The sound of the train's brakes screeching begins to increase as they approach the station. As their window shows nothing but the desert scenes stretching to the horizon the town must be on the opposite side.
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Post by Ash on May 25, 2008 5:35:08 GMT -5
Ash examines the old man as he thinks about his words.
"Ah...huh. May I ask you why you seem so surprised that we want to get out here? Whats wrong? Did anything happen around here lately?", he asks him, an eyebrow raised.
Ash then looks out of the window, but as he cant see anything but the desert, he scratches the back of his head.
"On which side do we have to get out?"
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Post by tachyon on May 26, 2008 5:51:36 GMT -5
The old man lifted his cap and scratched his forehead, then his moustache.
"Wellsir, time was that you could walk through this town whit nothing to fear. Folks was friendly, Injuns never bothered no-one, we had lotsa folk from all over commin out here. But somethin changed not too long ago. This whole towns done gone to hell. If I was you, I'd keep my eyes on everyone and my hand on my gun."
He stepped back out of the doorway.
"Doors down the end of the carriage, watch your step."
Out of the carriage and onto the raised wooden deck that passed for a platform, the group sees the small hut of the station master's office, and immediately beyond the wooden buildings of the town. There are few people about, most seem to hurry from one building to another, spending as little time out in the open as they can manage.
"This ain't right at all..." came Porky's voice.
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Post by Machaeus on May 27, 2008 18:06:16 GMT -5
"I hate to look like I'm talking to myself, but what specifically isn't right?" Urufu mutters, hopefully loud enough for Porky to hear.
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Post by tachyon on May 28, 2008 5:44:06 GMT -5
*******************************************************************************
Porky and the Westworld technicians looked up at the massive wall mounted monitor at what their online world had become.
"Nothins right, thats whats not right!" said the fat man somewhat confusingly, "There should be lots of people walking about, stuff going on, things and characters for the users to interact with. Instead we got the NPCs runnin' round like there's something to be afraid of!"
"The buildings too," said one tech, "the architecture has changed. It's become more degraded, like they haven't been maintained properly."
Porky took notice of that too. Might be something to remember, it does give the place a more rustic look. he thought. but first things first.
"Alright, start lookin' round. Try and find out what the Sam Hill happened to this place."
"If I might add," it was the D&D shirted tech, still keeping watch in the pod room, communicating via headset, "try and find out where the Sheriff is. He's sorta the avatar for the anti-virus program. He should be in the jailhouse near the center of town."
*******************************************************************************
A short gust of wind blew up a small cloud of dust as a tumbleweed drifted by. Behind them the steam train was still hissing and ticking as it started to cool.
"You guys got that?" said Porky, "Get to it. Well be watching you all the time."
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Post by Machaeus on May 31, 2008 11:59:18 GMT -5
Machaeus looks around, finding the Sheriff's building soon enough. "Apparently a good aim with pistols means keen eyes," he shrugs, then goes off towards the jailhouse. Urufu follows, a hand near his knife and another near a tomahawk, just in case.
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Post by Ash on Jun 2, 2008 12:18:46 GMT -5
Ash lifts his hat a bit and looks at the jail-house.
"Am I the only one who has a bad feeling about this?"
He raises his head and lets the sun shine in his face with a thoughtful expression.
"Hope the Sheriff is still like he is supposed to be. If he is... how can I describe it...", he begins slowly, "Well, if he is scared like the other people, he wont be much help."
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Post by tachyon on Jun 5, 2008 4:52:31 GMT -5
Attempting to open the wooden door leads to it falling off it's hinges, kicking up a cloud of dust and disturbed chickens. Inside is a mess; paper and hay is strewn all over the floor, some piles occupied by broody-looking hens. All of the furniture appears to have been either stolen or smashed, and the pair of small cells at the back have had their locks removed. Perhaps most disturbingly, the doors of the gun cabinet have been bashed in and the weapons stolen.
There is no sign of the Sheriff.
"If yer lookin' for the Sherf' he's not there." came an almost stereotypical Hollywood-Western accented voice. It was an NPC, and old man in a poncho pushing a cart full of vegetables down the street. He looked friendly enough.
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Post by Ash on Jun 8, 2008 14:23:32 GMT -5
Ash turns around and gives the man an asking look.
"You don't say. And where is he?", he asks the man.
"Looks like the people here are d**ned afraid of something. Not the best time for the Sheriff to take a vacation.", Ash continues, looking at the cart the man has in front of him.
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Post by Machaeus on Jun 11, 2008 19:13:01 GMT -5
"Well what in the blue monkey h3ll happened here?" Machaeus asks. "It's like someone created liquid fear and poured it into the water supply." Urufu is busy looking through the desk and such, then throws a rooster that tries to chase him away out the open window.
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Post by tachyon on Jun 16, 2008 4:48:36 GMT -5
The old timer leaned back on his vegetable cart and began stuffing his pipe.
"'bout a week ago, whole bunch of nasties rolled into town. We've had their type before, and the sheriffs always been able to take care of them...but this bunch, theys not like the others."
He paused to light up before continuing.
"First thing they did was run right in here and bust up the Sheriff real good. Then they drove all the injuns out, d**n shame too after all the trouble we went through to broker a peace. Their leader, big fella by the name of Deacon, declared himself the new Sheriff and deputized all his cronies do now they all do as they d**n please. Nobodys got the means to stop 'em.
"Now the whole downs gone to hell. Buildings aint getting fixed, injuns gone back to raiding the crops, sure as hell aint safe to walk the streets at night no more. Lotta people fled, those of us who stayed are getting by however we can."
The old man tossed some scraps to the chickens that had gathered around his cart while looking at each of the group in turn.
"Now, thats my story outta the way, what're you folks doing here?"
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Post by Machaeus on Jun 19, 2008 12:26:13 GMT -5
"We're looking for someone," Urufu says. "Very unusual - you'd probably know if you saw her."
Machaeus suddenly thought to himself, Wait, what if she's disguised in this? We might never find her. Heck she might be this guy! That would be just plain mean of whatever god of fate is screwing with us...aw, crap! I probably gave him an idea!
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Post by tachyon on Jun 23, 2008 5:50:02 GMT -5
"Most people done fled this town, especially the women. But some stayed. Most are working with the outlaws these days...peculiar too that, most of 'em I wouldn't figure for the turncoat type."
The old man walked back around to the back of his cart.
"Sorry I can't much help ya, been outta town as much as I can help it. If you're willin', try the saloon just down yonder," he pointed down the dusty street to a large 2-storey building, "though you'd be best advised to keep an eye on your lady friends there."
He tipped his hat at Jessie and Jackie.
"You'd probably find the Sheriff in there, just check the bottom of the nearest bottle."
With that he began to push his wares down the main street, several chickens following the train of scraps that the cart left in its wake.
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Post by Machaeus on Jun 23, 2008 13:33:40 GMT -5
"Bottom of the nearest bottle, huh?" Machaeus says. "Not too surprising he'd be drunk at a time like this, I suppose. Shall we? That saloon's not gonna come to us."
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Post by Ash on Jun 23, 2008 15:50:10 GMT -5
Ash looks after the old man and the chickens who follow him. Then he nods.
"Right. Right. Right. Lets go.", he says, throwing the sides of his mantle over his shoulders.
Bottom of the nearest bottle...
"Now I am sure that the Sheriff wont be of much help. If his reputation here is that of a drunkard... oh boy."
He sighs and looks down the street, at the building the old man pointed at.
"But it is no use. He is the best chance to find Kei we currently have.", he says, slowly walking toward the saloon, checking the other buildings as well as the few people he can spot.
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