"DUSKHUNTER" Chapter One: A Busy Morning

[Gallahan]

READ FIRST, THEN VOTE

The City of Hopewell, Virginia. How ironic the name, considering the dark nature of the place. Once heralded as the "Chemical Capital of the South," most of the larger industrial plants had relocated elsewhere. In the 90s, the local economy plummeted and crime increased. People moved *away.* I am Carl Kolchan, your humble reporter. So, why am I still here? Well, I have roots. And, there is an intangible energy about the place. Listed below are a few highlights to set the stage.

1. Hopewell was once home to General Grant's HQ during the Civil War, a manor on a grassy ridge overlooking the intersection of the James and Appomattox Rivers called Appomattox Manor. Lincoln frequented the place.
2. Hopewell is perfectly situated close enough to the state capital, Richmond, to enjoy its benefits without having to endure its problems.
3. Hopewell is considered a "northern" town by those south of it, and a "southern" town by those north of it. The historic towns of Colonial Heights and Petersburg are adjacent to the city.
4. Hopewell is also adjacent to Fort Lee, a budding military base that is the site for the consolidation of many units from bases closed by the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) Committee.
5. Hopewell has secrets. Some of which I am party to; some of which I am trying to uncover.

I can go on. Suffice it to say that I spent part of my childhood here, traveled around when I was in the Marines, and returned after a medical retirement (more on that, eventually). In the marines, I was part of an organization known as "Combat Camera." I was a journalist who accompanied units going into heavy battle. Instead of just my M-16 assault rifle, I had a couple of cameras (one high-end, and one snap-and-click for tight situations where focusing might get you killed). After my shortened military career, I came home and signed on to the regional paper located in Hopewell. This paper is called "PATRIOT'S BEACON."

For a city of about 40,000 people, Hopewell is the site of a higher than usual number of murders, kidnappings, high-speed chases, auto accidents and flat-out WEIRD EVENTS. Some find the military presence highly irritating, as it is common for wings of helicopters to cruise over the city at low altitudes. Someone is always drowning in the Appomattox River under unusual circumstances (a swim team captain drowns, a contractor who hates the water is found drowned, people report tentacles yanking unsuspecting people into the water, boats sink, hikers along the banks vanish, etc. ad naseum).

So, suffice it to say that I have been gainfully employed. My editor, James "Jim" Tyler, hounds me about sticking to the mundane stories that make a local newspaper "GOLDEN" as he puts it. While I let the other reporters focus on these things, I tend to venture into the more exotic, the more extreme, as I'm drawn to these stories. The more people learn about the "true" nature of the world, the more lives we can save. Well, perhaps that's a bit dramatic, but you get the idea. And, I suppose we can only benefit those who subscribe or happen to buy a copy at the local convenience store.

Well, October has been a busy month. Berkely, one of the more eccentric reporters at the PATRIOT'S BEACON (sometimes I will just call it "The Beacon"), is covering a murder, a firetruck explosion and a missing person (local nun). Berkely does an alright job covering his stories, however his work begs a high level of editing. Sometimes I just wonder about the guy; he's good natured, strange and prone to antisocial behavior. Sometimes I find it necessary to cover his stories, but whenever I "steamroll" him, he gets flustered (lately he's been talking about katanas and 9mm pistols). So, maybe it's not a good idea to upset him too much. However, we've had several other calls this morning about some goings-on. So far, I have leads on an explosion at the methane plant under construction; beached (lavish) yacht; a high-speed chase involving government vehicles from Fort Lee; and the sighting of a creature in the autumn woods along the banks of the Appomattox River. Any one of these could prove to be interesting and noteworthy.

Now, I must decide which one to pursue first...

*Now it is time for you to VOTE on Carl's course of action!* NOTE: Voting will remain OPEN for an unlimited amount of time. HOWEVER, the author of this thread will select a time of his choosing in which to move on to the next chapter. When that happens, the course of action will be determined, making any further voting worthless (i.e. VOTE early so your vote will count, because once the next chapter begins, voting in a previous chapter won't make a difference!). Some chapters will be *open for voting* for only a day or two or three; some chapters will be open for a week or more. Don't miss out. Vote early. Have fun, and let the horror begin...

[Cybermancer]

Definitely go with the government conspiracy/action packed high speed chase.

[Gallahan]

Good to see that the game is off to a quick start! Of course, only time will tell. And, <hehehehe> you don't know when the NEXT CHAPTER will kick-off. So, if only ONE PERSON votes during that random period of time, he/she *alone* determines the course of the story. Some chapters will kick-off SOONER rathter than later; others will kick-off in due time. Don't miss out on your opportunity to vote.

ALSO: post a statement. Post your logic. Post your suspicions. Post your hopes and fears, in the context of the story. Collaborate. Discuss. The more the better. This, also, might *influence* the meandering of the story. Don't be shy. Share your thoughts about circumstances and situations.

[Gallahan]

Looks like it's TIED for now, between Berkley's murder scoop and the high-speed chase on a quickly growing military installaton.

NOTE: Also, feel free to ask questions about just about anything pertaining to the characters, situations and game in general. Want more information? Post a question.

ALSO: Be on the look-out for other Pop-Posts (like Pop-Quiz). These posts might ask for a quick vote on something like "What kind of car should Carl Kolchan drive? In fact, in an *informal* poll in this thread, let's answer that question!

QUESTION: What make/model/year should Carl Kolchan drive? Be specific, even include the color and any other details you'd like to insert. The most descriptive earn extra points. If you happen to charm the GM with a fantastic vehicle description, you just might win on the spot. OR if enough people CONCUR with someone else's vehicle description, THAT might win. Entry submission ends in a day, two or four. It ends when it ends, so please submit some great vehicles to consider. Are you a purist, a classic car lover or modern hotrod enthusiast? Or do you like utility-minded vehicles packed with gear? Kolchan's taste in cars will affect the nature of his character to a certain extent. If no entries are submitted, then I'll just have to come up with something...

I also like your explanations as to WHY you voted for what you did. That only adds to the depth of the story. Let's see where this leads!

[Gallahan]

QUESTION: What make/model/year should Carl Kolchan drive? Be specific, even include the color and any other details you'd like to insert.

Hows about a decommissioned 70s era police car. Either a Crown Victoria or an Impala (whichever was more common in Virginia). A faded/oxidized golden brown color (as it was an undercover detective's car). Definitely needs to be a little beat-up (various scratches and dents) Maybe one door or fender a different color (either white/cream, light blue or primer grey) Mismatched hubcaps, if any at all (or maybe just a single cap left) A bent antenna and a cracked or boken headlight/taillight completes the illusion of a "beater/jalopy" The engine idles a little rough and loud, but is actually in very good condition, and, due to it being a former cop car (as well as being an old gas-guzzling muscle-type car) it can haul serious mileage when prompted. Now I figure Karl has re-equipped his ex-police car with one or two old second hand items that it may have seen in it's previous life (or maybe it came with them still installed!): an old police scanner, a c.b. radio, ect. (ooh! almost forgot, it's gotta have the old spotlight!) All this in addition to his normal "truth hunting" gear.

Well, you are in the lead. Should we get no other entries between NOW and when the time limit ends (it's random, so get your ideas in), I don't see why this won't be the case. More options would be nice, as it does generate more creativity and interaction from all players/readers. But, I gotta say, this is *NICE.* Very NICE.

However, please expand upon "truth hunting" gear! ---As, like in a good roleplaying game, it ain't there unless it's written! It's interesting to see how different people's interpretations of "truth hunting gear" differs. Mine might include a flare gun, but would yours? This is what is really enjoyable about this INTERACTIVE STORY... *YOU* get to influence the story all along the way, especially if you include a post about your thoughts about the story, the situation along with your vote.

Speaking of votes, this is better than a horse race! It's an ALL-OUT three-way tie between highly different avenues of exploration and investigation!!!! It's going to be close. Again, voting will end at any time, and once ended, the story will move on. Of course, people reading the thread after the story moves to the next chapter would still be able to vote, but it wouldn't affect anything since the "living" story would have already moved on to the next chapter.

And, it's okay if there's only a small amount of people voting, reading, playing. That just means that each person's vote has more weight.

[Shawn Merrow]

Make him a little eccentric. For a vehicle an old ice cream truck, painted white with some of the old ads on it. Don't know much about vehicles so you have to pick the year and model. Would have plenty of room to store gear.

[Lord Z]

If there were deaths at the chemical explosion, that would be the obvious choice, but it wasn't mentioned, so probably not. I was leaning towards the Chase Story also; it's a safe bet since it has a high chance of being weird, but if mundane, it will make for a solid mundane article. Then I read MT's post about the good reasons to steal a story. I am voting for the firetruck explosion story. No easy explanation comes to mind at all. If a firebug is purposefully targeting the department, this could be Pulitzer Prize material.

Are we calling this protagonist Carl or Kolchan for short?

Carl Kochan strikes me as a practical guy on a couple of levels. He drives an older car, but he still likes to know he can drive it through a storefront if he needs to do that. I immediately thought of a Volvo Sedan from the eighties. Although its an import, it is common enough that he can probably get cheap parts from his nearest junkyard. It's got a huge trunk. Best of all, it's ability to withstand damage is legendary.

[Gallahan]

There are a LOT of great posts here, about (Z, maybe let's call him) Kolchan (for short). You've all got his personality pegged. He's no nonsense. Former marine. While he's also a quick-witted journalist who resorts to the marine tactic of ever improvising to get through tough situations. Sure, he's rough around the edges, and has a track record of failed romances behind him like a trail of popcorn in an unexplored sewage tunnel system. He's kind-hearted, yet awakened to the harsh nature of the world. He will almost always stand up for the oppressed, the "little guy," and loathes bullies. He knows a lot of strange things have been going on lately (in the last few years), and those things are of an unnatural origin. Kolchan also knows that to go completely public with his findings might cost him his job, or more. He documents all of his personal cases, and usually only publishes the sanitized details for the paper (although he subtly sprinkles in enough details to serve the perceptive).

As for his vehicle... All good ideas. Keep them coming; keep voting. I'm already impressed with the richness.

And, again, we still have a three-way tie! It' s a close one, and I like how you're following your "gut instincts" --just like Kolchan would do.

[Gallahan]

CHAPTER ONE INTERLUDE...

It's been a busy morning. Berkley's spread himself rather thin and the other reporters are either out sick, late or on their own stories. I'm following-up on a few phone calls when the Beacon's editor surges into the newsroom. His name is Vincent Inflagrio. He's Italian. I suspect distant mafia connections, what with his hot temper and love of traditional pasta dishes. He also has a habit of answering questions with questions.

"Good morning, Vincent," I say, in a delightful tone as I hang up the phone.

His face turns a shade redder and he asks (a borderline shout), "Carl, what are you covering?"

Before answering, I look at the 1930s era ceiling fan mindlessly spinning above me, play with the No. 2 pencil tucked behind my ear and inspect a cuticle. "Well..." I say, "I haven't decided yet."

He practically explodes, "Haven't decided!?"

"Is there something I should know about, Vincent?"

He slowly spins in place, surveying the office (Berkley, other reporters, the mess), raising his arms as if he might take flight. "Oh, I dont' know, Carl! An explosion? A murder? A missing nun? Fort Lee chase? And a LION, Carl, a LIOOOON! Did someone see a lion near the river!? The city is blowing up, Carl. It's BLOWING UP with almost everything you could think of happening all at once, and you're sitting there making phone calls?"

I smile and lean back in my chair, "Vincent, I thought you told me to be more careful about --and I quote!-- "the subject matter" of my stories!"

"Yes, yes ---YES!" he exclaims. "But, at least get started on one already~!"

NOTE: IT'S TIME TO VOTE --if you already haven't-- Chapter Two will begin without notice. You still have some time...

[Lord Z]

I like how Gal is defining his characters with efficient use of dialog. I seem to understand these guys. None of them are crazy, they just have their own motivations which make sense to them.

[Gallahan]

I like how Gal is defining his characters with efficient use of dialog. I seem to understand these guys. None of them are crazy, they just have their own motivations which make sense to them.

Thanks, Z. Sprinkled between the voting, there will be more interludes to develop character, clarify and expand upon the situation and considerations presented.

Right now, there is a THREE-WAY tie that needs breaking! Of course, if it is not broken when voting for this chapter ends, that will give me, the GM/author, a great choice. Which isn't a bad thing.... <insert evil laughter here>

[Xar]

I would want the stories that won't break a tie. However, I personally think that Kolchan will want to take on the high speed action.

Get that Crown Vic/Mercury Marquis humming down the road.

[Gallahan]

I would want the stories that won't break a tie. However, I personally think that Kolchan will want to take on the high speed action.

Get that Crown Vic/Mercury Marquis humming down the road.

Thanks, Xar! Now, there is only a 2-way tie!

The end draws near.
"They" rend in fear.

One more vote can change this.

[Gallahan]

Look for the next chapter of DUSKHUNTER to find out which story Carl Kolchan has decided to cover!