The Dark Arches

The Dark Arches is a blight on Sector 690. It's sunken recess into the depths of Mort attracts all kinds of villains and criminals. The area gains it's name from the motorway that runs three hundred feet above the littered bars and market stalls that comprise the area. The unwary visitor can easily find themselves lost in a swirling crowd of people all looking for a quick and easy fix of cash. The only way into or out of the arches is via four large stone stairways built centuries ago and the filth, grime and erosion is a warning to what can be found in this unforgiving place.

"We'd been down there for 2 hours before we found Wonderland. The prop on the door, 10-10 let us in without bother. He knew we couldn't afford to make trouble. Once inside we found out why he was so sure..."
- Tyson. Xeno. Strike Squad. SCL 9.0

History of the Dark Arches.

The Dark Arches was listed on SLA's improvement scheme and the early work to regenerate the area went well. Instead of building on the decaying remains of the previous buildings an initiative was launched to clear away the old buildings and build afresh. Once the first half square mile area had been cleared, the money for the regeneration project was required elsewhere and the project was shelved. The result was a gaping hole in the surrounding area sunk over three hundred feet into the ground. The displaced residents didn't come back and the area was slowly taken over by Gangs, being eventually claimed in 845SD by the Johannas. The Motorway that runs accross over the Dark Arches was never removed due to the enormous cost of re-directing the flow of Traffic and the 330ft tall arches that grace this place are an imposing site indeed.

The Dark Arches Today.

Most of the residents live in the open ground in front of the Arches with the network of Clubs, Brothels and Drug Nests located in and under the actual support arches to the Motorway. These act as a gateway to the levels of Downtown that would normally never see the light of day and few people treat this area with anything but respect and fear.

Today the area is a market place for all who brave to peddle goods and once underneath the cover of the arches the few bars that have Johanna protection thrive by selling Narcotics to any and all that can afford them. Drug Pushers, Props & Prostitutes all gather here ready to sell their services to who ever comes along. SLA Authorities have little presence and illegal activity thrives. DarkNight and Black Market goods are available as well as SLA merchandise that has been 'liberated' from it's previous owner.

Various places have earned a reputation in the Arches and the name Wonderland stands out from this list. Wonderland is a notorious Alice Den and has on offer some of the finest drugs that the Black Market can produce. The Johannas have this place as their seat of power and any meetings between gangs is conducted in this place.

Notable Characters.

Diamond.
A clean shaven scalp and twin Mac knives is Diamonds typical appearance. He is heavily built and earns his name from a pendant he has always worn around his neck. Rumour suggests he aquired his trophy from one of the Cannibal Sectors although no-one knows if this is fact or fiction. Diamond recently came to power after the untimely death of the previous landlord, Viper. Diamonds latest idea to drum business up is to force people into his drug nests and give them enough free samples that they will keep coming back for more and more. The victims of Diamonds initiative crowd around the Wonderland bar fighting each other for enough Unis for another fix and provide a usefull pool of people to perform dangerous jobs that would be unsuitable for Gang members. Well respected by his fellow Johannas he is a vicious and deadly threat to SLA authorities that stumble accross his patch,. and where his predeccessor tolerated SLA Ops in the Dark Arches, Diamond has made a stance against them.
Miss Daisy.
Miss Daisy is Diamond's authority on the Occult. Standing at 5ft9in tall she strikes a far more imposing image than her average height would suggest. Her wild black hair and gauntish face paint is offputting and her semi-naked appearance has served to throw many an adversary's guard off. She is unafraid of physical contact and often uses it in ritual work. Rumours abound of Miss Daisy's activities and, although none can be confirmed, it is unwise to get too close to her as all her intimate friends have a tendancy to go missing. She revels in the fear her mystique affords her and takes great delight in 'seeing to' rival gang members in her own unique way.
Ten-Ten
This prop has worked for the Johannas all his proffessional life. He wears a grey Poncho under which is kept his trade mark weapon, the 10-10 Shotgun from which he earns his name. He always wears a hockey mask and no-one has ever seen him without it. Ten-Ten's's reputation as an expert shot is impressive and the collection of SLA Operative cards he keeps is a testimony to his skill. Ten-Ten is the doorman at Wonderland and the criteria for aquiring entrance is simple. If he likes the look of you you get in, if not you don't. Few people try to push him as considerable backup is only a shout away.
Subway Luke.
The Dark Arches has many a villain but Subway Luke was once a devoted Employee of SLA. Embracing the Cyber craze he applied for half Bionic Conversion and his legs were replaced with steel. After the fad had died and the power cells had ran out of charge he lost his employment and turned to the streets. Subway Luke roams the Sewer and Subway access points in and around the Dark Arches, his mind is warped from Alice abuse and there is little reasoning left in him. He has been linked to a number of killings but has not yet been brought in for questioning. His whereabouts in the Dark Arches are unknown and the BPN to find him has not been taken.

"There's many an Operative would flee from here, so tell me child of Slayer, what is your business in this most forsaken of places?."
- Miss Daisy. Johanna.