This logfile is imported from aitelogs2 and may contain errors or wrong timestamps.
#CultistCompound – March 18, 2015
Mendez pauses once he reaches the building and readies his shotgun. He taps the interface and shoulders the weapon, ready to blast anything behind the door.
Steve leans against one of the prefab shelters, allowing his SMG to hang loosely at his side as he watches the cliff-door.
The door opens up into a short hallway, as is standard for these prefab bases. The hallway goes sideways and has another door on the opposite wall. (Vasquez)
Mendez enters the building, not bothering to wait for Tarlon. He swings his shotgun from side to side and approaches the next door, repeating the proccess to open the door. "Pick up the pace!" he calls back.
Tarlon lets the heavily armoured people go in first and sneaks in after them, keeping his omni-tool ready.
Bayani takes up position next to Mendez and swings around into the doorframe as soon as the door opens - and immediately takes a shot to the head, coating the wall behind him in blood and causing his limp body to fall backwards onto the floor. In the large room is a set of furniture, much of it overturned for cover, and several cultists. One of them, on the walkway above is holding a Mantis. Several cultists open fire with (Vasquez)
Mendez slams his body against the doorframe opposite of Bayani as rounds begin flying. He leans out and takes a quick pair of shots with his shotgun at the cultists on the lower level.
Steve smirks and shakes his head as he hears the gunfire break out. "Idiots are gonna get themselves killed..." he mutters to himself.
Athorus moves up to take a position on the side where Bayani was. He glances at the body and then gathers biotic energy before swinging around the corner and quickly pulling one of the cultists out of cover before dodging back. (Vasquez)
Tarlon sniffs in disapproval and pulls out a flat projector disk, tossing it out to skim along the floor towards the back of the room, where it sends out a well-programmed holographic salarian image that behaves remarkably like Tarlon himself - that is, jumpy and nervous.
One of the cultists on the walkway notices the hologram and cries out. "What the fuck - they've got cloaks! Behind you!" Three of the lower-level cultists turn to face the holographic image, opening fire and quickly realizing just how stupid they are. Two are still firing at the doorway and one is floating around. (Vasquez)
Tarlon snickers and uses the distraction to peek out of cover and fire a shield overload at one of them.
Athorus nods and pops around the corner again, trying to drag the sniper out of cover, but he is interrupted by a shot which brings down his shields, causing him to take cover again. The sniper quickly fires another shot at Mendez' arm, which is still visible due to his size. (Vasquez)
Mendez ' arm is nailed by the sniper round, causing his shields to fizzle. He leans away from the door in surprise. "The sniper, Athorus!" he repeats, reaching for a frag grenade, "Soon as it detonates, get him off the walkway!" He leans into the doorway and underhands the activated grenade towards the cultists behind cover before pulling back behind the doorframe.
One of the cultists is struck by an overload, causing her shields to fry - it seems to take her a moment to realize what's happened. The other two that were distracted turn back to the door only to find themselves looking at a grenade. The explosion takes out two of them - and the floating one ends up with several fragments lodged in him before falling to the floor. The three cultists cultists remaining below are briefly forced into (Vasquez)
Athorus moves out of cover yet again and yanks the sniper off the walkway - he floats for a brief moment before falling to the ground with a crack. (Vasquez)
Mendez remains in cover for a few more moments as his shields recover. At the first sign of a lull in the gunfire, he swings back into the doorway and unloads the rest of his thermal clip at the cultists.
Tarlon tsks and uses his Omni-tool to get the layout of the room and position of the enemies without having to leave cover to look. Then he taps a few keys to get the little holoprojection moving. It's still projecting, even if it's being ignored, and the holographic image mirrors the movement, walking around with an acceptable degree of realism.
One of the remaining cultists pop out of cover only to be struck by a blast from Mendez' shotgun, sending her back down. The other two stay behind the shot-up furniture, one of them blind-firing his Predator over it. (Vasquez)
Tarlon moves his hologram closer to the two remaining enemies, close enough that its flailing would get annoying and distracting.
One of the non-firing cultists swats his gun at the hologram. "What the-... I can't see anything!" (Vasquez)
Mendez pops a fresh thermal clip into his weapon and gives a glance towards the drell. "Cover me!" he instructs as he swings into the door and charges towards one of the two remaining enemies, lowering his shoulder in an attempt at running the furniture they're behind into them.
Two of the cultists are caught in the explosion, tossing them to the ground. The third jumps out of cover just as Mendez is about to slam in to the table, trying to slam him with the butt of his rifle. (Vasquez)
Tarlon chuckles to himself. "Hah! Thought it was harmless, did you?" He peeks out of cover to see what's left.
Mendez is caught by the rifle butt, however it doesn't do much to slow the large man down, especially considering his armor. He responds to the attack by swinging his shotgun like a club at the cultist's head.
Mendez rolls his shoulders and glances around the room. "Well done." he says, returning to the doorway. He looks down at Bayani's dead body with a grunt. "With all those weapons you would think he could afford a shield..."
Athorus moves into the room with his rifle raised, lowering it as no more cultists pop out. (Vasquez)
Tarlon gets out of cover and watches Mendez with some concern. "Irreverence aside, do not recommend weighing yourself down too much."
Mendez gives a shrug. "I'll be fine." he says, re-entering the room the cultists were in. He gives a look around the room to get a general layout. "We'll load his body into the truck once we're sure this building is secure. Wouldn't want to leave one of our own on this planet."
The room has one other door, as well as a a stairway up to the walkway above, as is standard for prefab shelters of this type. (Vasquez)
Steve glances up towards the sky, sort of enjoying the rainfall. He gives a short chuckle as he hears Bayani's fate. A smug smile crosses his lips. "Asshole was all talk." he mutters.
Mendez moves over to the door. "Tarlon, Athorus. Check upstairs." he orders as he reaches out and taps the door's interface.
The door slides open, revealing a room with several lockers, a computer console, and more importantly, a group of five children (four humans and a turian) ranging from six to twelve in age. They all stare at Mendez, most of them cowering behind the oldest. (Vasquez)
Mendez stomps into the room and looks over the children. He shakes his head and mutters something abour hating kids under his breath. He crouches down and looks over the kids, attempting his best friendly smile... which still leaves him pretty grumpy-looking. "Hi." he says, "What are you doing back here?"
None of the children seem particularly keen on speaking, backing away from Mendez. It is quite clear they are intimidated by him. (Vasquez)
Athorus reaches the top of the stairs and starts moving across the walkway towards the door at the end - he stops to grab the Mantis rifle and a thermal clip from the dead sniper. (Vasquez)
Tarlon hears Mendez talking to someone and curiously makes his way over there, peeking into the room.
Mendez stares at the oldest child that the others are hiding behind. "You." he says, "Where are your parents? Do they live here?"
The oldest child, a human girl of circa twelve, just stares at Mendez, more defiantly and perhaps less frightened than the others. (Vasquez)
Athorus only now seems to realize that Tarlon is not covering his back anymore. He stops and looks around for the salarian. (Vasquez)
Mendez glances back at Tarlon with a frown. "Then you try!" he insists. He stands up and folds his arms across his chest as he takes a few steps back from the children.
Tarlon blinks his large oval eyes in some confusion, looking at the children with a mildly perplexed expression. "Umm... Hello."
The children look at Tarlon, more with curiosity than fear, but they remain huddled together - it may be they have not even seen a salarian before. (Vasquez)
Tarlon scratches between his cranial horns, uncertain what to do with the children. "Here to, ah... help. I think. Not entirely certain who. Getting attacked a lot."
The turian takes a step forward, looking past Mendez at the dead bodies, which causes him to back up against the wall again, staring at the floor. (Vasquez)
Yes, yes. Should help. Probably herded in here for protection, best fighters to keep watch. Unfortunate, but none of us like getting shot.
Mendez follows the turian's gaze. "We killed them all. You're safe now." he grunts, "....Unless those were your parents. In which case, you should know they were crazy." he says, as if that should be reassuring.
Mendez furrows his brow. "You don't know that. These could be children they kidnapped for brainwashing. Or experiments. Maybe they were going to turn them into those-..." he pauses, attempting to recall the name Halisi gave, "husks! For all we know, they could even be food."
Compound obviously home of cultists. Natural to have families here. Also natural to protect families, explains why defenders did not attack until building was breached.
The thunder seems to get louder, but only for a brief moment - had Steve been looking up he might have caught a hint of movement in the clouds. (Vasquez)
Mendez sighs. "Alright kids, we're going for a ride. Let's go." he says, waving them towards the door.
The kids do actually start moving when instructed to - most of them are still looking down at the floor. (Vasquez)
All right. Um. Mean you no harm. Meant none of these people any harm, but they tried to kill us. Can't stay here. Can take you with us, find you somewhere to stay. Acceptable, yes?
Mendez smiles when he realizes it's actually working. "See?" he says, glancing at the salarian. He follows behind the children. "Somewhere without all the scary monsters." he adds to Tarlon's statement, feeling as though he's really getting the hang of this.
Athorus glances down over the edge of the walkway. "Are you done down there? We haven't cleared all of the building yet." (Vasquez)
Tarlon looks up at the drell. "Well, suggest you find psych counselor for traumatized children, then."
Mendez glances up at the drell. "Children of the cultists, it seems." he says, "Take them to the truck, Tarlon. I'll assist Athorus."
Tarlon tentatively walks in the general direction of the exit, then stops to check if the children are following.
Mendez makes his way up to the walkway, shotgun in hand, and takes a position beside Athorus. "Would much rather get shot at than deal with kids." he admits.
Athorus smirks faintly, but then catches himself after glancing at one of the corpses. He shakes his head and moves up to the door, giving Mendez a glance to make sure he is ready before slamming the holographic interface. (Vasquez)
Tarlon leads the kids to the truck, then opens the door and peers inside. "Um. Not very comfortable in here, but safe, yes?"
Steve pushes away from the wall and puts his arms out as he sees Tarlon with his Merry Band of Mini-cultists as if to say 'What the fuck is this?' He takes a few steps towards the salarian, "Uh.... What are you doin'? Who are these lil' turds?"
The door slides open to an office. A human man with graying brown hair and a short beard sits behind a desk, looking at the two. He is wearing something similar to a piece of white formalwear. He makes no attempt to reach for a weapon or similar. (Vasquez)
Jasper hops out of the truck as he sees Tarlon approaching. "Whoa, what's goin' on?" he asks, but quickly hurries towards the back of the truck. "Ain't 'nuff room for them to sit comfortably in the cab. Let's get 'em into the back." he offers, lending a hand to the closest kid.
The children start getting in to the truck, the youngest struggling a bit. Eventually they are all seated. They remain close to each other. (Vasquez)
Jasper does his best to help all the kids into the truck, hopping in after them to assist with getting them all situated. He takes a seat close to the tailgate. "Ya'll are gon' be alright." he assures them, "Now, I know it's a bit cold out here, but we don't really have any blankets. Any of you got coats or anything? We could get 'em from 'yer house 'fer ya."
Mendez steps into the room, settling his shotgun on the man. "Move and you're dead." he commands. "Athorus, check him for weapons."
Father Marchal smiles unnervingly. "I have no interest in fighting you. It is clear my soldiers have failed. It matters not." (Vasquez)
Athorus slowly moves up to the human, patting him for a weapon. He removes a pistol from the man and then looks at Mendez. "Done." (Vasquez)
Tarlon turns to Jasper, trying to whisper so the children don't hear. "Heavily traumatized, suspect parents killed in attack."
Jasper looks over to Tarlon with a saddened expression. "Damn shame things had to go this way." he sighs.
Father Marchal chuckles slightly. "I do not need you to be reassured. The others have reached the Sacrarium. They will join us soon." (Vasquez)
Jasper reaches into a pocket on his dirty coveralls and produces a pack of gum. He extends it towards the closest child. "Here ya go." he offers gently, "Go 'head."
The child looks at the offer for a while before eventually taking a piece of gum, not saying anything as he starts to chew. (Vasquez)
Jasper gives a big toothy smile and a bit of a chuckle. He extends the pack towards the next child with a nod. "C'mon. 'Nuff 'fer alla ya."
Doubt they would like salarian snacks. Humans always disturbed by idea of eating insects. Very strange.
Anything in the houses you need? Blankets, coats, food, maybe favourite stuffed toy you don't want to leave behind?
Father Marchal smiles. "They will see the truth... or be made to see it. The Revelator will make sure." (Vasquez)
Mendez looks completely confused by the man's gibber-jabbering. "Who are you people? Why are you doing this?"
Jasper gives Tarlon a shrug. "Sounds like a plan." he says, "How 'bout I go with ya? See if we can get some stuff to keep 'em warm?"
Father Marchal stares at Mendez. "Why? ...why? Because they are coming, and once they get here, we will be rewarded infinitely, while those of you that resisted are cut down. You do not fight them. You submit. You serve." (Vasquez)
Jasper glances past Tarlon at Steve. He grabs the rim of his cap and fiddles with it a bit. "Fair enough point. He ain't playin' with a full deck a' cards. Tell ya what, I'll stay here an' make sure they're alright. You see what you can round up. Sound good?"
Tarlon gives the kids a nervous smile and then hops off the back of the truck and makes his way back to the prefab housing.
Mendez takes a couple steps towards Father Marchal, pushing his shotgun into the man's face. "Whatever you have planned for the rest of my team, you call it off. Now."
Mendez crosses the room and reaches across the desk, clasping a gauntleted hand on the man's throat. "Call. It. Off." he demands.
Tarlon turns away from Steve and enters the nearest prefab building, looking for anything the children might need or want - blankets, clothes, food, toys.
Tarlon picks up some blankets and sorts through the clothes to see if there is anything in children sizes.
Father Marchal sits in his chair with a satisfied smile, looking as Mendez fails to contact the other squads. (Vasquez)
Tarlon picks up whatever he can find, not really very discerning about it, and then makes his way back to the truck with his arms full of stuff.
Steve snorts loudly. "You're a skinny lil fucker, but I don't think that's gonna fit ya." he teases, a big grin on his face.
Jasper begins laying the things out on the bench and looks over at the children. "Alright." he says as he begins distributing blankets and coats, "This oughtta keep ya warm."
Mendez stares at the man, nostrils flaring. He reaches out and grabs the man by the collar, lifting him from his seat, and pulls him over the desk. He tosses him to the ground and points his shotgun at him. "Get up!" he orders.
Father Marchal is tossed to the floor, and then starts getting to his feet slowly. He does not appear intimidated. (Vasquez)
Mendez keeps the weapon pressed to the side of the man's head. "Move." he demands, nodding towards the door.
Jasper gives a nod and a smile. "I ain't able to get in touch with the Chief right now. Seems like this weather is bringin' all sortsa hell down on the communication equipment. Hope they're alright."
Jasper fiddles with the brim of his cap once more and nods. "Yeah.... Yeah. They know what they're doin'." he agrees, "Just don't like bein' out of communication with 'em like this. Call me a worry-wart."
Mendez follows right behind the man, giving him a shove in the desired direction every now and then to urge him out the front door.
I suppose that's somethin'. If 'yer gon' find 'yerself in a bad situation all the time, might as well have luck on 'yer side, right? Hope the rest of 'em can say the same...
Mendez pushes the man over towards the truck and gives him a hard shove, aiming to knock him to the ground. "Stop."
Steve scoffs. "First a bunch of kids and now this? We ain't running no refuge camp. You do know that, right?"