Setting
A hotel serving as the Invictus' main headquarters on Terra and as home to many of the organization's members The Palace has made a name for itself due to it's durable nature and regal appearance on the inside. As well as the fact it possibly stands as the second or third tallest building in Wing City at 120 floors, minus two floors of suites and the basements.
Lit up in big red letters near the top five levels of the building is a sign reading "The Palace" making it hard for not to spot the building itself.
The absence of the Invictus lead to the hotel being taken over by criminals. They have since returned and evicted the criminal gangs that infested it.
Lit up in big red letters near the top five levels of the building is a sign reading "The Palace" making it hard for not to spot the building itself.
The absence of the Invictus lead to the hotel being taken over by criminals. They have since returned and evicted the criminal gangs that infested it.
The Palace
The Palace is a hotel which doubles as the Invictus HQ in a plaza dubbed The Courtyard, large walls made of the finest alloys and stone surround it and other buildings.
Minimap
northwest |
north |
northeast |
west |
You are here. |
east |
southwest |
south |
southeast |
| "out" to The Courtyard » | ||
The Palace is a part of 
Main Street.
2 Places in The Palace:
20 Characters Here
Sonia Hughes [36] The acting leader of the Custodis Lamia and scientist. She is a former member of the Custodis Benevolentia and of the United Kingdom's SIB.
Vena Kenshi [35] Warden, Field Marshal
Yuriko Izumi [21] The twin sister of Johnny Izumi.
Kroger Haggai [10] The former leader of the Invictus PMC and member of their parent organization. Now working to "get a life" at the behest of his family.
Edmund Ferris Galahad [9] All my friends are heathens.
Devika [9] Change is for the better...even if it is for the worst.
Bojangles [8] The gangster of love who makes everybody wonder "Was that an earthquake or was that Bojangles?"
Clive Gildarts [7]
Cynthia Lang [5] "You know exactly what I mean. You're not dumb. Speak more words, nona."
Major Walsh, Ben [4] Commander of the Terran Resistance Force.
Start Character Here »
"Right, I'll find my own way." she promised. She probably wouldn't be doing much sleeping anyway.
When she was sure that there was no one looking, she went up on tip-toe, gently kissing John on the cheek in thanks.
"Even if it's 'what you do', I'm glad you did it anyway." she told him, before turning and walking out of the hospital wing as fast as her crutched leg could carry her.
When she was sure that there was no one looking, she went up on tip-toe, gently kissing John on the cheek in thanks.
"Even if it's 'what you do', I'm glad you did it anyway." she told him, before turning and walking out of the hospital wing as fast as her crutched leg could carry her.
John smiled at the kiss, "What I do is better than doing nothing." John said to Amariah, "I would never have met you if I was the kind of guy to walk away from helping someone."
"Penthouse floor one." John said, digging into a pocket and grabbing a key. "This is the key to my room and the elevator." He told Amariah, "I'll be up to grab a change of clothes. That's just a warning in case you're one of those people who sleeps naked."
The last he wanted to do, at least right now, was walk in on Amariah naked. The blood in his head would rush downwards, plus it'd just be awkward for everyone.
"Penthouse floor one." John said, digging into a pocket and grabbing a key. "This is the key to my room and the elevator." He told Amariah, "I'll be up to grab a change of clothes. That's just a warning in case you're one of those people who sleeps naked."
The last he wanted to do, at least right now, was walk in on Amariah naked. The blood in his head would rush downwards, plus it'd just be awkward for everyone.
Phinx walked through the plaza outside of The Palace, usual purple suit on with the addition of a black overcoat. Phinx was from southern California, she hated the cold that came with winter in other places.
Stryfe was out of town so Phinx was left to handle all of the meetings, her brown eyes watching the front gate for anyone who looked important.
Mostly she was looking for the people who looked like they made a lot of money. Expensive suits, nice cars, bleached teeth and bodyguards.
Stryfe was out of town so Phinx was left to handle all of the meetings, her brown eyes watching the front gate for anyone who looked important.
Mostly she was looking for the people who looked like they made a lot of money. Expensive suits, nice cars, bleached teeth and bodyguards.
Vidious marched up to the entrance of the Palace with only a loan Sleeveless guard marching behind him. He was peculiarly dressed, in black synthetic silk robes which did nothing to hide his arms. The Sleeveless, however, was in cloth and had a balaclava. "Hail," he idly called out. "Is there anyone home."
A cool grin crossed his features, showing off his pearly whites.
A cool grin crossed his features, showing off his pearly whites.
"Business or pleasure?" The lone guard, who sat in a booth at the front entrance, asked the man, "Don't actually answer that, it's a joke. State your business." The guard said, Phinx making her way towards the booth to get a look at who had arrived.
She hadn't actually seen Vidious before, that she could be remember, so when she stepped into the booth he was just another face she didn't recognize.
"Mary Munroe, leader of the Invictus along with my darling Fatin." She said, introducing herself. The woman would pat the guard on his back, allowing him to tend to any stupid questions those driving in may have had.
"How can I help you?" Phinx asked Vidious.
She hadn't actually seen Vidious before, that she could be remember, so when she stepped into the booth he was just another face she didn't recognize.
"Mary Munroe, leader of the Invictus along with my darling Fatin." She said, introducing herself. The woman would pat the guard on his back, allowing him to tend to any stupid questions those driving in may have had.
"How can I help you?" Phinx asked Vidious.
"I'm here for a trade, and possibly to employ you. I have much resources at my hand, including the rare and valuable mineral of uranium, for bullets, armour or for weaponizing. What I want in return is perhaps a peculiarity."
He straightened up and tried to seem as casual as possible.
He straightened up and tried to seem as casual as possible.
"I doubt we'll need uranium unless we get an idea for world domination out of a James Bond novel or a comic book." Phinx said to the man, "Come on through the gate. Let's walk and talk about what you want to hire us for."
Phinx moved to step out of the booth, waiting for Vidious. "I want to see just how peculiar your request can be on such a planet."
Phinx moved to step out of the booth, waiting for Vidious. "I want to see just how peculiar your request can be on such a planet."
"Uranium makes for good bullets too," he calmly said with a nod, "U...283? Shells. But enough of that. I need two things. Firstly, I was wondering if you have ever in your time stolen Aschen equipment and uniforms. I may need them. I have money to pay and I can return them to you once I'm done."
"Additionally I need someone to rough up some drug dealers for me, and to tell them that I now own all drug operations in Wing City." He held a dead serious look on his face.
"Additionally I need someone to rough up some drug dealers for me, and to tell them that I now own all drug operations in Wing City." He held a dead serious look on his face.
Phinx let out a laugh, "You're not serious, are you?" She asked. "We're a better class of hired gun, I'm not sure about roughing up your drug rivals." Phinx said, wanting to mention the fact that her syndicate made a reasonable about of money selling drugs in Wing City, amongst other places, as well.
"As for the uniforms we have at least ten from a past... disagreement with the Aschen, they've been repaired just in case we'd need to use them." She told Vidious, "Never know when they'll decide to show up again and need to suffer a few setbacks back home."
"As for the uniforms we have at least ten from a past... disagreement with the Aschen, they've been repaired just in case we'd need to use them." She told Vidious, "Never know when they'll decide to show up again and need to suffer a few setbacks back home."
"Do you have any from the TNG?" he asked, rather suddenly. "Just in case. One can never have enough armaments. And if it is such a small task to take over drug cartels you shouldn't need many of you to do it, hm?"
Whether it was known to him or not that they also owned drugs was impossible to tell, but his next statement indicated not. "Specifically, there is one group.
Whether it was known to him or not that they also owned drugs was impossible to tell, but his next statement indicated not. "Specifically, there is one group.
"None, ever since they've stopped being close minded assholes they've backed off. No use for any. For now." Phinx told the man, "For... a price, I can probably get you a few. I have my ways." Mostly theft and lies.
"The Invictus isn't much into dealing with criminals and engaging in criminal acts, but... I run my own thing on the side." Phinx informed Vidious, "If your money is good or your checks don't bounce I'll handle these dealers for you. Discreetly and without getting my more uptight co-workers worked up."
"The Invictus isn't much into dealing with criminals and engaging in criminal acts, but... I run my own thing on the side." Phinx informed Vidious, "If your money is good or your checks don't bounce I'll handle these dealers for you. Discreetly and without getting my more uptight co-workers worked up."
"I can pay discreetly in cash. Should this deal go through a 'Andre Dovachi' will make an order for three empty metal briefcases. They will arrive with cash."
"Assuming we agree. And... Do consider the uranium. It's denser than lead, making it a good way to pierce flesh. I would use it myself but ah... My business tends to avoid automatic weaponry where it is best suited."
"Assuming we agree. And... Do consider the uranium. It's denser than lead, making it a good way to pierce flesh. I would use it myself but ah... My business tends to avoid automatic weaponry where it is best suited."
"We've already got something that works. It's not lead. How legal it is to use? I guess it depends on which pansies are in charge of war time 'rules' and shit." Phinx said.
"Point me in the right direction and I'll handle this job for you, I'll have the uniforms ready for your guy when he arrives to bring my cash."
Phinx was confident in her and her peoples' ability to do this job. With good reason, she put money into training them with the Invictus out of her own pocket and they didn't really believe in fighting fair.
"Point me in the right direction and I'll handle this job for you, I'll have the uniforms ready for your guy when he arrives to bring my cash."
Phinx was confident in her and her peoples' ability to do this job. With good reason, she put money into training them with the Invictus out of her own pocket and they didn't really believe in fighting fair.
Great. Now he had to find some other potential buyer for the uranium. It all had to ship, after all. "Well, I'm glad we came to this arrangement. Happy hunting," he offered along with a slight bow, before turning and pointing with both he and his lone guard exiting.
The cab pulled up to the curb and Elise looked out at the building. This was exactly the type of place she would have stayed once upon a time. The cabbie gruffly told her the cost of the fare twice before Elise reached into her purse to count out the correct amount. Handing the change to the driver, Elise stepped out of the cab, closing the door as it pulled away. She’d asked around town, and all of the answers she’d been given had pointed her here. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her purse on her shoulder, wiping sweaty palms down over the legs of her Aschen military issue cargo pants. “This is stupid, Elise…” she muttered, but still she began walking into the building, her hand resting protectively on the pistol at her hip as she entered.
Of course, the idea that she was walking, armed, into the Invictus headquarters while wearing a blue polo with an Aschen military patch above her left breast did not cross her mind. Elise had one objective on her mind. Sometimes it is best to rip a bandaid off quickly.
Stepping up to the front desk, Elise would have tried for a smile, but the expression was foreign. Instead, she stood at attention and looked at the attendant, her hand on the butt of her weapon, still holstered harmlessly at her side. “Where would I find Kroger Haggai?”
Of course, the idea that she was walking, armed, into the Invictus headquarters while wearing a blue polo with an Aschen military patch above her left breast did not cross her mind. Elise had one objective on her mind. Sometimes it is best to rip a bandaid off quickly.
Stepping up to the front desk, Elise would have tried for a smile, but the expression was foreign. Instead, she stood at attention and looked at the attendant, her hand on the butt of her weapon, still holstered harmlessly at her side. “Where would I find Kroger Haggai?”
A woman sat at the front desk today, eyebrow raised at Elise. The whole room seemed to be quiet, Elise would probably notice that people were avoiding walking too close to her, some even obviously picking up their children because of the woman.
"He's not here, Aschen." The woman told Elise, "You should leave." As she spoke a finger tapped a button beneath the desk, what it did was probably alert security staff. But the fact that the building and fortified area that it sat in were already swarming with Invictus and police officers made that hard to believe.
"We'll let him know you came."
"He's not here, Aschen." The woman told Elise, "You should leave." As she spoke a finger tapped a button beneath the desk, what it did was probably alert security staff. But the fact that the building and fortified area that it sat in were already swarming with Invictus and police officers made that hard to believe.
"We'll let him know you came."
Elise’s brows furrowed as she looked at the woman. It wasn’t until the woman called her Aschen that Elise realized how quiet the room was. She glanced around herself, suddenly aware that it seemed that all eyes were on her. At one point, in a place as lavish as this, that would be exactly how Elise would want it – dressed up in the latest Vera Wang, hair and makeup impeccably done. Now, however, there was malice behind the eyes. Malice and distrust. She looked down at the patch on her shirt and cleared her throat, her left hand lifting to cover it, her right never leaving the butt of her weapon.
“You didn’t even ask my name,” she commented, glancing once more at the woman behind the counter. “I will wait for him,” she nodded resolutely and stepped away from the counter, completely on edge. Feigning nonchalance, she moved over to a nearby armchair in the lobby and took a seat, her hand never leaving her weapon, her eyes scanning the room and seeing potential threats everywhere. This was stupid, Elise. This was stupid.
“You didn’t even ask my name,” she commented, glancing once more at the woman behind the counter. “I will wait for him,” she nodded resolutely and stepped away from the counter, completely on edge. Feigning nonchalance, she moved over to a nearby armchair in the lobby and took a seat, her hand never leaving her weapon, her eyes scanning the room and seeing potential threats everywhere. This was stupid, Elise. This was stupid.
The woman at the desk stood up, placing a hand on a pistol she carried on her hip. "You should leave on your own strength while you have the chance." The woman told Elise.
What a lot of people didn't know about mercenaries was that they were better trained than just about every other soldier who wasn't a mercenary. So even if Elise wasn't outgunned and outnumbered she didn't have that mercenary edge.
She was right. This was probably stupid. The fact that Invictus security and the police were already moving people behind walls showed that they were ready for Elise to be violent.
They even had their anti-aircraft weapons ready for any Aschen ships that they assumed were showing up.
"You know, it's not very smart of you to do this?" Another woman asked, leaning against a wall not far from Elise. "We could have shot and killed you ten times over before you drew your weapon." The voiced belong to Stryfe.
What a lot of people didn't know about mercenaries was that they were better trained than just about every other soldier who wasn't a mercenary. So even if Elise wasn't outgunned and outnumbered she didn't have that mercenary edge.
She was right. This was probably stupid. The fact that Invictus security and the police were already moving people behind walls showed that they were ready for Elise to be violent.
They even had their anti-aircraft weapons ready for any Aschen ships that they assumed were showing up.
"You know, it's not very smart of you to do this?" Another woman asked, leaning against a wall not far from Elise. "We could have shot and killed you ten times over before you drew your weapon." The voiced belong to Stryfe.
Elise remained calmly in the chair. Her fingers drummed on the side of the pistol for a moment as she was caught in indecision. After a moment, her hand left the safety of her weapon for the first time since she’d returned to Terra. She would not look at the woman behind the counter, despite the threat. If this was how she was to die, she would embrace it. At least she wasn’t dying by Mollem’s hands… or at Mollem’s instructions. At least the bullets that would take her life weren’t Aschen. If she died today, she died free. She died on Terra. There were worse things.
Elise’s hands calmly folded in her lap and she stared straight ahead, her shoulders stiff. “I’ve done a lot today that some may say is not very smart,” she chuckled dryly. “But I know the Invictus. I am not posing a direct threat to anyone. You are right to be on your guard, but I have come simply to have words with the General. No other.”
Elise’s hands calmly folded in her lap and she stared straight ahead, her shoulders stiff. “I’ve done a lot today that some may say is not very smart,” she chuckled dryly. “But I know the Invictus. I am not posing a direct threat to anyone. You are right to be on your guard, but I have come simply to have words with the General. No other.”
"I'm in charge here, so... I'm saying I won't allow that." Stryfe told Elise, "No Aschen has any words for my father that they can't relay to me first." Stryfe peered towards Elise, trying to figure out where she knew her from. It was right in the back of her head.
"Get out of The Palace, out of The Courtyard and stay away from here, Aschen. We don't want your trouble." Stryfe raised a hand, the security thumbing their safeties off almost simultaneously.
"Sooner or later this will be tresspassing. We shoot tresspassers." Stryfe informed Elise.
"Get out of The Palace, out of The Courtyard and stay away from here, Aschen. We don't want your trouble." Stryfe raised a hand, the security thumbing their safeties off almost simultaneously.
"Sooner or later this will be tresspassing. We shoot tresspassers." Stryfe informed Elise.
Elise slowly lifted her eyes to Stryfe. She glanced around at the security, all of the safeties clicking off almost in unison. Lowering her head, she took a deep breath. So, that was it, then?
Without making any sudden moves, Elise stood from the chair, turning to face Stryfe. It took everything she had not to place her hand self-protectively over her weapon. Instead, her arm dangled at her side. Grey eyes scanned Stryfe, windows to a dizzying internal sadness. After a long moment, she nodded slowly. “He’s taught you well,” she said quietly, studying her face for just a moment longer before shifting her eyes around the room. “Perhaps you’re right and I should leave. I don’t know what I was thinking.” A hand lifted to her face and she ran it over her mouth. It appeared as if she wanted to say something more, a message that could be given to Kroger perhaps, however she apparently thought better of it.
“Right…” she nodded, her eyes scanning the weapons, considering for a moment allowing them to fire on her, to end this all. Instead, she began to move toward the door. “I’m not Aschen,” she called out over her shoulder. “No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t beat the Terran out of me.” She almost chuckled as she reached the door, turning once more to look at Stryfe. “You really don’t look like him to me. His eyes were kind.”
Without making any sudden moves, Elise stood from the chair, turning to face Stryfe. It took everything she had not to place her hand self-protectively over her weapon. Instead, her arm dangled at her side. Grey eyes scanned Stryfe, windows to a dizzying internal sadness. After a long moment, she nodded slowly. “He’s taught you well,” she said quietly, studying her face for just a moment longer before shifting her eyes around the room. “Perhaps you’re right and I should leave. I don’t know what I was thinking.” A hand lifted to her face and she ran it over her mouth. It appeared as if she wanted to say something more, a message that could be given to Kroger perhaps, however she apparently thought better of it.
“Right…” she nodded, her eyes scanning the weapons, considering for a moment allowing them to fire on her, to end this all. Instead, she began to move toward the door. “I’m not Aschen,” she called out over her shoulder. “No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t beat the Terran out of me.” She almost chuckled as she reached the door, turning once more to look at Stryfe. “You really don’t look like him to me. His eyes were kind.”
"I assume you're trying to provoke me. You see, Kroger adopted me when I was... lost." Stryfe told Elise, "I love the man dearly. I'll pass on any message you have, but I ask if you aren't Aschen to remove the uniform of the people who've hurt him." Stryfe said firmly.
"There is a clothing store a few buildings down. Take your time, I'll see what I can do, just don't make me regret this." Stryfe said, feeling the silent objections of those around her.
The woman could have been truly Aschen, playing on Stryfe's soft spot for the Terrans to get close to Kroger.
"There is a clothing store a few buildings down. Take your time, I'll see what I can do, just don't make me regret this." Stryfe said, feeling the silent objections of those around her.
The woman could have been truly Aschen, playing on Stryfe's soft spot for the Terrans to get close to Kroger.
Elise stopped by the front door, hand on the handle, prepared to pull it open. “I do too,” she breathed without turning around, closing her eyes for just a moment before turning to look at Stryfe once more. “I hadn’t realized I was wearing it until I was called out as an Aschen,” she explained. “As soon as I got back, I came straight here. I didn’t think anything of it.” Her hand brushed the patch at her breast for a moment before dropping to her side once more.
“If it will allow me to see him, even if only for a moment, I will be more than happy to change.” She looked down at the patch once more. “You’re right. He shouldn’t see me like this…” Her brows furrowed in momentary indecision. “I’m not sure he’d want to see me at all… but I…” She stopped herself, realizing she was babbling. Lifting her chin, her face dropping into a neutral expression once more, the neutral expression of a trained soldier, she nodded. “I will change.”
When the door was opened an hour later, Elise stood uncertainly, expecting to get ousted immediately. Gone were the military issue cargo pants. Gone was the blue Aschen polo. Instead, she stood awkwardly in a charcoal grey suit, the pencil skirt ending just below her knees. For someone who had once been more at home in five inch heels than combat boots, Elise felt awkward in the three inch heels she now wore. Her makeup was basic, her hair loose over her shoulders. She was not without her pistol, however, a fact that she did not try to hide. She left the jacket unbuttoned, the black holster plain against the light pink silk blouse.
“If it will allow me to see him, even if only for a moment, I will be more than happy to change.” She looked down at the patch once more. “You’re right. He shouldn’t see me like this…” Her brows furrowed in momentary indecision. “I’m not sure he’d want to see me at all… but I…” She stopped herself, realizing she was babbling. Lifting her chin, her face dropping into a neutral expression once more, the neutral expression of a trained soldier, she nodded. “I will change.”
When the door was opened an hour later, Elise stood uncertainly, expecting to get ousted immediately. Gone were the military issue cargo pants. Gone was the blue Aschen polo. Instead, she stood awkwardly in a charcoal grey suit, the pencil skirt ending just below her knees. For someone who had once been more at home in five inch heels than combat boots, Elise felt awkward in the three inch heels she now wore. Her makeup was basic, her hair loose over her shoulders. She was not without her pistol, however, a fact that she did not try to hide. She left the jacket unbuttoned, the black holster plain against the light pink silk blouse.
An Invictus soldier stood waiting for Elise, "Second to last floor." The man said, "Remove your weapon and give it to me. Use this elevator." He said, pointing to an elevator not far from him.
"I won't take no for an answer, ma'am." The man said, bearing an accent that was very New York. Brooklyn, specifically. "I'll be around if you need it, just ask for Cyrus."
"I won't take no for an answer, ma'am." The man said, bearing an accent that was very New York. Brooklyn, specifically. "I'll be around if you need it, just ask for Cyrus."