Iron Stars - aderyn

Phoebe the Phoenix 7/31/2022 5:19 PM

!roll 2d6+2

Aderyn Roll: [4, 1] Result: 7

Level 2
HP 7 -> 8 (12)

3 SP
Shoot-1: -2 SP
notice-0: -1 SP

Nexus Gift: Shared Mind
Nexus Effort: 1 -> 2

Focus: Die Hard (+4 HP)

5:44 PM

!roll 3d6+(1+2)*3

Aderyn Roll: [2, 2, 1] Result: 14

Level 3
HP 12 -> 14
3SP
Str 7 -> 8: 1SP
Perform-0: 1SP
Talk-0: 1SP

CFU, Trading in WBA: 1000 - 400 = 600 Cr.
Exchanging:
Shotgun -> Spike Thrower: 600 - 50 = 550 Cr. 
SA-Pistol -> Mag Pistol: 400 - 75 = 325 Cr.   
----------------------------
1425 Cr. Total
Aderyn has Noodle Arms and can't carry anything more.

1

 Level 4
HP 14 -> 31
3 SP
Know -1->0
Lead -1->0
heal -1->0

Nexus Gift: Reflexive Action 
Nexus Effort 2 -> 3

(edited)

Shopping List v2
Force Pavis, 10k
2x Holdout Cavities, 10k*2
2 Medpaks, 200
Mag Pistol, 400
4 Projectile mags, 40

(I think the only things that would be hard to get here would be the cyberware and perhaps the force pavis?)

(We wouldn't be able to install the cyberware or get the force pavis right now)

(Rog)

(In lieu of a pavis at this current time, I'll requisition a Post Tech Toolkit and Meta Tool, after that I am ready to proceed.)

(sure! I know we are setting up a mission here with Dimitri to flush out some holdouts)

8:43 AM

@Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam (just so you know where to look)

8:44 AM

The city is yours, but not all of it has fallen easily and the tunnels below the city seem to have become a haven for escaping Chimeran and their sympathizers within the populace who will no doubt face the mob's justice or the hangman's noose now. Clearing teams have begun forming to descend into the underbelly of the city, to kill whomever they can.

Aderyn twirls one of her mag pistols into a second holster as she looks at whatever Intel they have so far, face inscrutable underneath their CFU helmet. "Just another bug hunt, eh? At least we are on the delivering end of this one." They turn towards Dimitri, pausing a moment before continuing. "I'm not sure how well it was made apparent during the infiltration, but I am one of the Free Nexi, a sister school to our dear Telepathics. I can... Link another mind with my own, share thoughts and bolster the one I'm linked too. Are you familiar at all?"

Dimitri stares at the small map showing the city and the suspected tunnels. His arms rest crossed across the powered armor, his helmet off you can see the tired lines on his face. He blinks the mechanical eyes, and turns almost surprised. “No, I’m not aware to be honest. I’m not really an expert on all that telepathic stuff. But if you think it might help be my guest, it’s gonna be dangerous in those tunnels.”

"It is remarkably useful. Imagine... Two computers, our brains. I can link those computers and effectively share my processing power, letting you run faster than what should normally be possible." She gestures with her hands as she talks, narrating a diagram only visible to her AR display. "We will also be able to communicate telepathically if so desired, and share what we see or hear as if we had heard it ourselves. It's completely voluntary, if for some reason it makes you uncomfortable."

He nods, he’s never been able to grasp how it all works, but computers he understands. “I’m fine with it, we’re gonna need every advantage and I’m not one to turn it down.”

Aderyn nods, returning her attention to the map at hand. "An animal backed into a corner is the most dangerous, and we are moving into confined spaces. Should we follow with a main contingent and steamroll as one unit or try and pincer from different locations?"

(there's no main unit, its just you two doing some tunnel fighting)

“I don’t think they can spare the manpower. It’ll be just us, but let follow after them. Atleast we can guard we will find them and come back to a known place. I’d hate to get lost in some tunnels underground…”

(My apologies, from your opening past I assumed there would be other teams.) "I'm not the stealthiest creature but I'm not bad at it either. I have some pharmaceuticals on me if we do get into a prolonged engagement. If we manage to find someone who's inclined to surrendering I can maybe get some information out of them." Aderyn shudders slightly at being trapped underground.

(others working the same things you are, but not with you directly)

“I have some medkits left over, but worst case of things get to dangerous we should turn back. We don’t know how deep or how many there are down there.”

"There's good chance they are expecting us, and we may not be able to fully retreat at times, always good to be prepared." Aderyn agrees, reaching her hand out to manipulate the map. "We should likely move quickly, press whatever advantage we have.

The first of the service entrances to the warren of tunnels below the city looks to be a street over from here and no teams have been tasked with clearing it just yet. The most forward deployed of the other hunters are beginning their own dives, and one by one their pads leave the network as the cement and depth cut signal .

Aderyn pales slightly at the thought of being seperated from their home network, suppressing a light shudder she continues speaking. "Looks like there's our entry point. The forward contingents have gone in already, the amount of material down there means it'll be hard to talk to anyone ground side." Doing a last double check on their various bandoliers and holsters, Aderyn looks back up at Dmitri. "Ready to proceed when you are."

“I’m always ready.” He draws his mag pistol and a knife from the carrier he wears. His mechanical eyes taking on a slightly green as he focuses on thermal signatures. Then without further delay he heads into the entrance.

The tunnel is pulled aside easily and the two of you make your way down to the darkness below. You can see scratches on the underside of the tunnel hatch showing that someone had tried to get this off but failed.

11:25 AM

The tunnel runs north to south and you Seem to have dropped into the middle of it.

Dimitri looks around using what little light from above that makes its way to the bottom. Trying to find out how recently the tunnel was used and if so which direction they went.

(survive/wis, at a +2 with your optics)

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [6, 3] Result: 11

You notice through thermal vision that there are three sets of Chimeran tracks heading north, coming from the south- they look to be somewhat fresh.

Aderyn looks over Dmitri after spending a moment to look at the hatch. "Find anything over there?"

He studies the tracks for a moment before looking onward into the he tunnel. “Yeah, looks like 3 of them came this way. Headed north, let’s follow them.”

(Sneak dex from each of you)

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [5, 2] Result: 8

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [3, 1] Result: 6

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [2, 2] Result: 4

You come to the junction ahead following the tunnel north. and it looks like the Chimeran stopped to make a cook fire of some kind here before departing further north from here. It looks as though they're on the last of their rations judging by the use-by date. You confirm there are three of them here- and they must be close by judging by how warm the fire embers are.

Aderyn lightly nudges one of the wrappers with her foot before picking it up and reading it. "Looks like they are on their last legs, and close by too." (Does going straight north take us anywhere important in the city or is it unrelated?"

(I don't think we'd have a great set of maps yet since the CBSS has only been here a couple days)

(Sorry been busy the last couple days.) Dimitri nods, “Let’s give them a helping hand then.” He takes a moment to listen before they continue on and as they get going to try and hear the Chimerans.

(its aight chief.) "Indeed, looks like they could use the help." She draws one of her pistols and steps in behind to follow Dimitri, linking them symbiotically as they move forwards

The Chimeran have stopped a five minute walk from their last camp and are in a junction ahead where the tunnel moves forward, and also runs west to east. They are trying to determine the right path and look to be having a terrible time trying to get their handset radio to work.

7:32 AM

They are 50m away from you and do not notice.

(Just wanna check, can I communicate via telepathy with Aderyn? Want to make sure before I try speaking instead)

(Yep, thoughts and any sensory information can be shared between us.)

(correct!)

1

Dimitri thinks unused to telepathy thinks to Aderyn. Hello? Can you hear me? If you can, I had an idea. Maybe we should follow them, if they find the rest it could be even better than just wandering among the tunnels.

'They don't seem to be doing too well themselves, but that could work. If that fails we could try and convince them that telepathically talking to me is a better plan than being shot.' Aderyn thinks back, glancing at Dimitri and back towards the Chimerans.

sounds like a decent plan, let’s see if they figure out where they wanna go. He slowly takes a knee waiting to see if they can figure out which direction they wanna go.

Aderyn nods, moving to the other side of the tunnel. 'Around thirty mètres is the farthest I can help get within blades reach before they can react without pushing myself harder.' (If possible I'd like us to be within 30m distance unless that would cause issues for us being sneaky.)

(We can get a new round of sneak checks to see if it would cause problems, 30m is pretty close in a place where sound echoes)

(I’m good from a distance but if Aderyn moves closer so will Dimitri)

(I'll stay, unecessary risk If you are similar at ranges as in melee.)

They attempt to get their radio working for another few minutes and look to briefly get in touch with someone, before they decide to head west. There are other flashlight beams in that direction, and you count three, as the two groups of Chimeran look to be slowly working their way back together. (edited)

'Do we want to wait for them to keep moving and meet up with more people? Or play to our strength, cull a few and leave the rest, spook them and let them run while we break off and follow in the dark still.' Aderyn shifts anxiously as their contingent of Chimerans meets with another, further increasing their advantage of numbers.

Dimitri watches amidst the dark, like a predator surveying his prey choosing which will provide the best prize. Studying the heat signatures carefully for a moment trying to see what kind of weapons they have before responding Well I think any more may present a problem. Hopefully between the two groups we can either gain some intelligence or just follow the one ones who run to more.

Three of them are not armed, the others look to have just their war-knives left.

Feeling very much safe in his equipment and ability, he looks to Aderyn and nods before realizing not she may not be able to see. Lets make our presence known. Take down the ones with the blades.

Aderyn nods, drawing her other mag pistol and holding them at the ready. 'Ready when you are. I'll stay here, I can help you get within sword range.' (Do we have enough to set up an execution, or are they moving quickly enough to make it infeasible.)

(I can both shoot and slice, I’m good with either.)

(They're still moving so we wouldn't really have the conditions to begin the round in melee with them from a single move action)

Dimitri takes a moment to line up a shot with his pistol. The thought of what these Chimerans mighg and the possibility that maybe they are innocent crosses his mind. But the thought is as gone as quickly as it came. He’s a soldier, he doesn’t control who his enemy is he simply accomplishes his mission. With that final though he squeezes the trigger unleashing the loud report of the pistol in the tunnel.

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+12] Roll: [19] Result: 31

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /r

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [2d6+7] Roll: [3, 2] Result: 12

There is a single loud report in the tunnel as the first of the Chimeran falls dead, shot through the back

2:52 PM

(we'll consider this a surprise round, so Aderyn can do one main/move, and then we'll get initiative)

1

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [1d20+6] Roll: [16] Result: 22

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [2d6+3] Roll: [4, 2] Result: 9

Aderyn lifts her twin pistols, firing a pair of magnetically propelled flechette's center mass towards one of the knife wielders.

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [1d8+1] Roll: [5] Result: 6 Reason: Ini

A second of the Chimeran are downed , leaving just four remaining

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d8] Roll: [4] Result: 4

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d8+1] Roll: [8] Result: 9

(Dimitri, Aderyn, remaining Chimerans )

Dimitri as seamless as going about target practice engages the next target.

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /r

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+12] Roll: [3] Result: 15

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [2d6+4] Roll: [5, 2] Result: 11

(Add 3 to that because I miss typed)

(add 3 to what, damage or to hit? )

(Damage sorry)

The third Chimeran falls, leaving only half the rapidly dwindling unit left.

5:37 AM

(Aderyn )

'Good shooting.' Aderyn raises her mag pistols again, moving forward at a light pace before pulling the trigger. 'Doubt they will understand us, but think yelling at them to get down will do anything?'

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [1d20+6] Roll: [11] Result: 17

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [2d6+3] Roll: [4, 2] Result: 9

(knife boys are down already, this one is unarmed, and is wounded)

9:35 AM

The remaining three Chimeran begin to head down the tunnel toward you, ending 10m from your position in their attempts to drag you both down to stop the shooting.

9:35 AM

(Dimitri)

Dimitri shouts loud as possible to try to intimidate them. He points to the ground to mock getting down trying to end the fight with no more casualties.

(I'd say talk or lead, with str)

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Error: + is not between two numbers!

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [2, 2] Result: 6

(Lead/str 6)

At this time, they refuse to surrender. The honor of their House is at stake. (Aderyn)

"God damnit, see reason." She grumbles to herself pulling the triggers once more as she continues to walk up to them.

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [1d20+6] Roll: [1] Result: 7

(Well I think that's a miss.)

(it is)

8:52 AM

The three remaining Chimeran begin moving forward, closing to melee range with you, hoping to drag you down into the muck with them. (2 punch attacks on Dimitri, and one on Aderyn)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+1] Rolls: [16] Result: 17 [9] Result: 10 [13] Result: 14

(if a 17 and 14 hits Dimitri and Aderyn respectively, we'll roll an exert/str , if the Chimeran win, you'll be knocked prone)

(Aderyn isn't hit.)

(17 doesn’t hit)

(You're both in melee but neither of you are prone since they didn't hit) (edited)

(I'll give Dmitri my main action this round.)

(Okie doke, he is up )

Dimitri with a singular movement shunts out the blade from his arm and stabs at one of the Chimerans before turning to shoot another.

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [14] Result: 24

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /r

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d8+3] Roll: [2] Result: 5

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+11] Roll: [1] Result: 12

(Shot misses. That is first main action used due to two weapon fighting)

12:44 PM

Then feeling the telepathic link he continues the assault against the would he attackers.

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [4] Result: 14

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d8+3] Roll: [8] Result: 11

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+11] Roll: [20] Result: 31

2

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [4d6+14] Roll: [6, 5, 4, 3] Result: 32

(All together 14/5, 12/X, 14/11, and crit/32)

(the crit hits)

1:07 PM

One of the three remaining Chimeran is dropped by the destructive hit. The simply ceases to be, cut and shot apart by the swinging weapons of the man of Soviet Steel.

1:07 PM

The remaining two attempt to do the same, trying to drag you down into the muck.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+3] Rolls: [10] Result: 13 [20] Result: 23

(Aderyn is hit, opposed exert/str check)

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 4] Result: 10

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 4] Result: 10

(ties go to you, so you're not knocked prone, Dimitri is up)

Dimitri turns and sees Aderyn in melee. With a quickness that is preternatural he advances to attack the next to her.

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+10] Roll: [7] Result: 17

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d8+3] Roll: [2] Result: 5

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [1d20+11] Roll: [7] Result: 18

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [2d6+7] Roll: [6, 4] Result: 17

The remaining two Chimeran are downed quickly by the sudden flurry of blows. One rolls onto its side before splashing into the turgid water.

"Well, that went rather well, wouldn't you think?" Aderyn thumbs the flashlight on her compad before starting to pat down the Chimerans for anything useful.

The Chimeran hardly had enough on them to sustain themselves. There is nothing on the bodies aside from a ration or two, or the actual weapons they were going to use to try to fight you. (edited)

(I’ll get a post in now, sorry for the hold up.)

4:16 PM

Dimitri nods. “It went well but we don’t have any further leads however. Hmmm, maybe we can continue on to find where they were headed.”

"Looks like they were about to head west before they met us and an untimely demise, likely our best bet." She briefly examines one of the knives before giving an unsatisfied noise and tossing it to the side and standing.

“Fair enough. Just remember which way we came from when we turn around. I’d hate to end up like these guys.” With that he starts to head West, weapons still out.

(lets get another sneak/dex from both of you)

Dimitri Tucachavski/Bedlam

used /roll

Dimitri Tucachavski Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [6, 2] Result: 10

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 4] Result: 10

(Oh lordy, this luck isn't going to last.)

Heading west you begin to see arrows and graffiti within the tunnel, it is written in Chimeran and you cannot be certain what exactly you're seeing here. There is something in the air that sounds like a radio half tuned in another room and the static in the air seems to have your teeth on edge.

"Oh son of a bitch." Aderyn gives a sound of mild annoyance as she shifts uncomfortably, glancing towards Dmitri. "Can you feel that? Can feel it in my prosthetics, weird buzz."

He nods, looking about switching his optics to see if they pick up radio waves.

There are radio waves ahead, coming from a service junction that splits off the right side of the main tunnel you're creeping down

Dimitri points to the right, “That way, its coming from there” he starts heading toward the right side

Veering off in that direction you enter what was once a room where tools were kept by those needing to work down here. A comm server has been set up in this room and its construction is of Chimeran origin.

"You think you could lift this? Not sure how much, if anything, we can do with it here not knowing the language, but the egg heads upstairs might be able to tear some information out of this." (I know we can't understand Chimeran, but is there anything cursory we can pull out of this such as what/where it's sending too?)

(We know enough about comm servers in general to know this is probably helping the Chimeran making it into this underground network to communicate with one another electronically down here. The contents of said messages would be beyond our ability to solve right now for the reasons you mentioned)

(Could we possibly record it using our data pads? And secondary could I reprogram it so that it would also transmit to our network?)

(You could record it and it would transmit but it wouldn’t translate anything. It’s just all going to be nonsense words to you)

(I get that, hoping afterwards we can find someone who can translate. The recording we have or monitor that net for any information that pops up.)

(If you have the three encumbrance to spare, I say we just take it with us, assuming it's the same as normal.)

(Yeah same as normal, just their equivalent)

(Don’t have the encumbrance unfortunately)

(All good, let's just tag it in on our compads then for someone to pick up later and keep going.)

(We can do that )

(I’m down with that) (edited)

The location is tagged, and you're expected to continue the hunt. A recovery team with a floater ruck will be by soon to come take this.

(Does it seem like the way down the tunnel is trafficked?)

(more than where you've been)

"Looks like this was a Way-Station or a hub of sorts.. can you use those eyes of yours to get an idea of where they are going from here?" Aderyn stands up from inspecting the Comm server, walking back towards Dmitri.

Dimitri will inspect the area looking for which way they went

The traffic seems to head down the western junction of the tunnel where an outflow begins picking up water and speed, leading out to a retention pond in the countryside outside the city.

“Well they have to go someplace from here.” He follows the traffic and the water to its destination. Being careful to ensure that they remain quiet and undetected.

Emerging into the countryside you see a vast grassland around you. The Chimeran will have scattered into the forests and fields by now, and with the head start they had- any who escaped are now in the wind.

"Looks like we've reached the end of what we can do from on foot. And unless that comm server holds any particularly juicy info, likely the end of what we can do overall short of scouring the entire planet." Aderyn blinks at the sudden brightness underneath her hardshell armour, turning away to give her eyes time to adjust.

The mechanical eyes contract to allow a better view and take in less light. He sighs and surveys the grassland. “Well I think your right. That comm server is our only lead, but atleast it’s something. Want to head back above ground or go back through the tunnels?”

"Above ground, I don't like the interference down there cutting me off." *She takes a breath as the AONet restarts on her overlay, feeling much more comfortable with the constsnt barrage of information

(3xp, 5000 credits)

1:12 PM

(We're in time with the cease fire now, so we wknow where the Chimeran have escaped to, but going after them until this is wokred out might collapse the negotiations)

(I don't personally have anything lined up for what I want to do, I'm up for whatever.)

(It sounds like we're pulling out of the war front at least for right now, nothing in CBSS territory catching your interest? )

(Checked thread in the CBSS chat, is doing some work in the l-gate something we can get done?)

(Also would my previous purchases of cyberware and apavis be available now?)

(Re-post what those were, I'm not going to scroll up through an entire mission to find it again. And we can certainly go there)

(We had 2x holdout holsters and a force pavis)

(Yes, those can be done)

(Alright, I'll get the behind the scenes logistics handled on that when I can. What's the name of our L-gate world so I can look at past missions/WA?)

(the L-Gate is on Vari , the L -gate world is Biputer)

1:54 PM

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/biputer-location?preview=true

Biputer

(Thank you, I've read over the previous group mission and have a few ideas forming. Is the atmosphere actively hostile enough where I'd need a survival suit or is basic armour sufficient?)

(You'd need at least an atmofilter)

(Alrighty, inventory logistics organized, I think I am good on my end.)

(did you want to see anything on Vari before going through? or do we want to pick up meeting the Smiths)

(I'm good to just pop on through)

entering the gate you emerge into the cliffside cave on Biputer where its connection resides. The desert bowl below is empty right now, and there is no evidence of the machine war the original CBSS explorers had witnessed down there remaining. Even the scraps look to have been scavenged. nothing is wasted on this planet. There is a path, provided to you by previous exploration that leads to the hold of the scrap smiths, but this unannounced visit means you will need to take care when navigating it.

"Remarkable effeciency, imagine what they could do with starships or bigger." Aderyn talks to herself before scouting out a tentative path down, moving to scoot down the hill.

(sneak/dex)

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [2d6] Roll: [1, 1] Result: 2

3

(Well then.)

Moving into the wilds, it is not long before you are intercepted on the path up the mountain by a hovering security drone. "Freeze!" someone shouts through its onboard speakers. "Who are you, and state your business for being here"

Aderyn holds her hands up, showing she has no weapons in hand and is unarmed except for the Spike Thrower securely slung across her back. "Aderyn, I am to check in with how things are proceeding... Are you of the scrap smiths?"

"We are not. We are of their treaty-mates. What is your business with the smiths? Answer unclear"

"I am an envoy from far away, here to speak with their leadership and with the treaty's." She paused, unsure how much to fully say. "If you alert them of my arrival and provide escort to the mountain keep I would be most gracious."

There is a moment where there is a clicking sound as though sometihng is being processed. There is a beep, and the drone acknowledges your request, following you slowly up the mountain to the gates of the mountaintop where the Scrap Smiths have made their home. It looks liket here is some light trade going on between here and their new allies on the opposite peak, but it is constrained, and minor.

"Thank you." Aderyn keeps trekking up the mountain and panting mildly at the end. "...little legs.." She waits for whatever trading that is being performed here to conclude before approaching to enter.

The bulky looking flyer ponderously makes its way into the air after another ten minutes. The locals can see you are from the CBSS, and two of them begin to approach, wanting to know why you are here.

Aderyn explains that she's here to check in on the state of the treaty and how things are holding up in that regard and render aid if need be, as well as to perhaps discuss further deals between the CBSS and Scrap Smiths.

The delegation has not been gone long. For the moment the treaty has been holding but there has not been much interaction between the two groups, or much source of controversy in the name of resources to be claimed in the desert bowl below. (I don't really have anything to add for the further deals part without knowing what you're proposing)

Scrap Smith Ajax and his delegation are currently in talks among themselves, and know you are here, but are looking to see what the CBSS is coming to offer, or otherwise, before having much to say themselves. The CBSS is an ally, and you are told you're welcomed to stay here for as long as you like.

(Oh shit, I'm sorry, discord ate the first notification ): )

"My basic idea is tentative, a form of resource trade that serves two-fold in purpose, the first is to make the notion of the alliance here on Biputer, by providing a steady source of basic materials, goods, or amenities your combined people's may have needed to scavenge and fight for in the past. The other is to strengthen ties between the alliance and the CBSS as a whole by allowing us to make use of some your industry and skills that would have gone into fighting one another for resources here to instead bolster the well being of both our societies." Aderyn takes a breath, hands gesturing as she speaks. "Of course, what I'm thinking of so far is tentative, a first draft so to speak, subject to refinement as needed by both of our groups."

( so OOC, like a swapping of technical advisors? )

(Something like that, we give them some raw resources to augment their infrastructure since they wont likely have the same output of scrap since there's less fighting. And in exchange they provide some of their technical expertise or excess production capacity that would have gone towards fighting one another.)

(Talk/cha)

Phoebe the Phoenix

used /roll

Aderyn Request: [2d6] Roll: [4, 3] Result: 7

(Average, not Double ones at least this time)

In principle, the scrap smiths would have no problem with this, but the materials would need to come through the gate. To reliably get shipments here facilities would need to be constructed on both sides of the gate, and with a port on the Vari side, and improved roads on this one.

Aderyn nods. "I will talk with my people from on high about the details. But for now, tell me of the other clans. I know of the few that are part of your alliance but not of how you relate to the rest of the planet as a whole. Are there many others of significant size, or are you the majority? Perhaps a tour or a... heralding could be arranged, acts of good faith and trust to the other groups who are not of yet aware to show the CBSS's intentions are good and true."

5:04 PM

(And what scale are we looking at with the base infrastructural quests, one of those local trade holdings or something akin to a Sanctum, or a more handwavey approach?)

(I don’t know what scale you had in mind , this was very light on every detail that matters so i really can’t answer you with what I know so far )

(Hm, alright, I'll talk with snips imnthe background about it. In the meantime, some exploration/diplomacy with the factions that aren't in the loop yet?)

(sure, the smiths can provide a bike for you to use, we've only met two clans so far)

7:38 AM

(I suppose its time I get a map for Biputer drawn too)

(Allrighty, I'll look over this for the next day or two while I work through some IRL stuff. Am I right in presuming that the electrum tide is the group that the previous group met with?)

(Yes, they and the smiths have a white peace/foundations of a treaty)

(Allrighty, life slightly less screwed. Have we been to the southern station? If not I'd like to swing by down there on the way to the that square outpost in the East.)

(yes, one of our past group missions helped patch it up, but if you want to visit you still can)

(We can, although I don't think I have much more intent than stopping by and asking how things are going if it's already up and operational.)

(Dimitri was here last and repaired things, but is far from a tech expert, so who knows, you might be able to do more)

(I'm not the most tech knowledgeable either, but yeah, perhaps something could be done.)

The smiths provide a flyer and a crew to transport you out to the weather station they are in charge of. From above you see a spreading green belt of grasses and a few trees. The station is on the shore of a lake, one of the few large bodies of fresh water on the surface of the planet. There are defenses being constructed around the station and they look to be half complete. The defenses are simple walls with corner towers, the towers armed with searchlights, flare launchers, and heavy machine guns to ward off the casual would-be intruder.

"Grass, a good sight for sore eyes. Have the green zones been holding stead? Reducing, increasing?" After the urban hell of the Chimeran tunnels and being stuck in a ship for god knows how long on the way back, a simple landscape was welcome. "You see things often enough to warrant the HMG's? Or are they deterrent."

(who is this to? The flyer pilots? or someone on site? Everyone you ask might have a different answer depending on their profession)

(Flyer crew, small talk as they land.)

The flyer crew is not sure if the zone is getting bigger or smaller ,if it is changing, it's not enough for them to notice from the air. They're also not part of the security apparatus here, they would assume there are bandits and the wandering eyes of other non-allied clans out here, such as there would be in all parts of the dust bowl outside the settlements, but they aren't sure about the number of attacks, or what the attacks come with.

Aderyn nods, looking out towards the ground below still. "Go ahead and set us down, let's see if there's any goings ONS down here we can fix."

The flyer sets down just outside the northern side of the facility walls. The walls in this section have been mapped out, and skeletons of rebar have been set up, but the interlocking plates to form the actual cover and concealment have not been raised and welded into place yet. Fifty workers and two construction vehicles work on this, protected by a squad of Smith guards in their equivalent of scrap power armor.

Aderyn approaches, giving a slight wave to the security personnel to ensure she's friendly. "Good rise, Smiths. Hopefully the guns aren't for anything to dangerous?" (Does it look like the started construction right after the station was reclaimed or does it look far more recent on the timeline?)

(It looks like it was shortly after this was reclaimed. None of the defenses or other construction has pitting or scratches or any of the hallmarks of being left outside for a while )

12:56 PM

"REminder to the other clans to keep away, and against someof the dust beasts. They don't know the difference between us and a meal, or the difference between the weather facility and a place to nest"

"... How big is a dust beast?" Aderyn glanced at the HMG mounts and then looked back. "Why would another clan want to attack a weather controller, don't they keep you all alive?"

"Different kinds. Some are the size of dogs, others are as bit as a bronto. Depends what part of the wastes you're in. And sure, they keep us alive, but they might be far from here and might be having trouble with their own. You're going to prioritize your own survival over your neighbor right?" '

"Oh dear lord." Aderyns eyes widen at the visualization of a beast so large. "I still wouldn't bite the hand that feeds us all. Are the other clans reasonable? If they could be brought into the fold, you could all better focus your efforts on defending from the beasts."

"It depends. If things are going well there, and there are enough resouces to go around, they're more willing to listen. They're not going to listen to anyone if they think their survival is on the line"

"That's something we're hoping to rectify with a basic distribution of goods.. if you don't have to fight to survive you can get a lot more done.." She gives a light sigh, dropping her hands down to her hips. "Perhaps we could stay a day or so, would give me to to compile a report and figure out if any specific aid would be of benefit here."

“You are a guest. We will stay as long as you wish” the crew confirms. The security troopers here also abide by the wishes of the scrap smiths , and you are made welcome for as long as you want to stay

(My plan here is to help keep watch for a day or so, perhaps help out a bit with the construction efforts and see if they are missing anything critical that they would need to keep things safe here.(

Power seems to be a problem here. There’s not enough to go around and the damaged generation equipment struggles to do more than power the vital machinery and the defenses. The defensive posture of the site is high. The dust beasts and other clans are constant pressures and the garrison looks worn out and otherwise exhausted

Aderyn types out a few missives to the Polity, creating a list of supplies and gear that's badly needed here. Solar panels could be useful here, as well as wind farms, but both need more surface area than the people here could probably spare. "Im not the best of mechanics, but perhaps I can help with the generator, it looks like any improvement would be a welcome one." She approaches one of the engineers here, carrying some of her tools.

You're brought to the engineering room where four rusting generators -each easily the size of a school bus - are powering the facility. One of the generators is entirely dead and has been thoroughly cannibalized for parts to keep the other three running. They are coughing clouds of vapors, repairs jury rigged so many times over its impossible to tell what the original model of the generator is, but even fixing one into something like a reliable pattern would be more than enough to help the locals .

"Oh sweet lord, I don't suppose you have the original manual?" Aderyn swallows slightly, intimidated by the shear unorthodox scale of the repairs. She figures she's gonna need her full kit from the storage on the flyer, and probably caffeine to get all of this done as well. "Who's worked on these the most? Twonminds can work better in parallel than one."

One of the team is called down from the control room to help you. The engineer looks to be well versed in what has gone wrong down here over the years and remembers helping Dimitri a few months ago when fire was ravaging the machine room. A few burns are still present on their arms, and have not yet been tended to by the technicians or medics in the area. Either breed seems appropriate.

(Im gonna take a nap and then respond to this, weekend has been exhausting so far.)

"Here, I've got something for those burns... I think." She pushes a Medpak syringe through one of the bandolier loops on her chest, and offers it.

"You sure this is okay?" he asks, taking it from you gratefully and reading the instructions on the side. "You're already helping us out by offering to take a look at this thing"

"It's the least I can do. Pharmaceuticals aren't the greatest on our side of the gate, but eventually I'll be able to knit people together without using medicine." She holds out a thumbs up. "It'll cost a bit but I can get more of those if necessary."

He winces as the needle bites into his arm. Actual change to the skin will take some time for you to see it, but he already looks to be feeling a little better. "thank you. I'll remember the kindness. So you're here to look at the generators then eh? You've got your work cut out for you. I guess we have our work cut out for us. So much of this has been bolted on, or made from something out of something else. It's a miracle it works at all. We were promised these would be entirely replaced one day but the salvagers haven't found anything as powerful, or as fuel efficient enough as we need to make stripping all this out worth it.

"Well, I suppose you could say I'm in the business of working out miracles of a sort." She sighs lightly and sits down in front of the engine unit, opening up the toolkit and getting all the pieces she thinks she'll need. "Hopefully we can get this working at least a little bit better. My forte isn't exactly with machines but I know enough mechanics to perhaps get something done. I guess the first step is figuring out the problem of why it isn't generating as much as it should. There's a few places I can think of, the alternator, engine itself, or something with the fuel. Any ideas?"

"The fuel could be something, we don't have great stuff to work with here. We clean the engines as often as we can but there's a lot of crap in there that sticks in the filters and gums things up. We clean it up and it runs better for a while but w e're always coming back down here to strip things down again. We tried a few different ideas for better filters or more layers of them so we don't need to come down here as much, but we haven't been able to work anything out"

"A good possibility, looks like our path forwards here is to strip it down... How viable is other sources of power, wind or solar? With some better infrastructure here we could perhaps get Fusion running..." She thought mostly to herself as she considered the best way to go about disassembling this monstrosity before starting to work.

"Wind is too inconsistent, and the winds with all the ash and sand in it, it stirps the panels to nothing. We'd spend more putting new ones up than any power we'd get from them. Just too inefficient."

Aderyn nods, a light frown in her face. "Unfortunate, hopefully once we start getting stuff in here from the other side we'll be able to get past those restrictions... We'll have to turn the generator offline to take it apart, probably should tell the people upstairs what's happening."

(lets get a fix/int)

(Almost minimum roll

, 4)

You are unable to fix the problem but you are able to diagnose it. The poor fuel quality is slowly killing this machine. The Scrap Smiths are doing almost no refining to the fuel aside from increasing its octane level. The filters are being clogged with debris and moving parts within the machine are being destroyed as they're forced to run under incorrect pressure or without proper lubrication. The Smiths will need to figure out a refining process, or be sold fuel from your side of the gate where there is infrastructure for this kind of activity until such time as they can do it themselves.

"Well, good news I've found the issue. Bad news, I can't fix it. You're running what looks like almost pure crude gas through this and we'll... It's not doing good things to the engine. These were made for processed gas, which burns and moves through the engines differently. The other good news... I know where to get refined gas... On my side of the gate we can make it plenty fine. Eventually, we can get you guys up to speed on cracking oil and gas, but for now you'll have to import or keep killing the gennies." Aderyn started to calmly explain, hands covered in grease and oil stains from being elbow deep in engine.

"Shit" he says matter of factly. "That explains a lot. I've done what I can with the filters I tried to jerry rig here, but you're right. We can't do this long term. What can be done to arrange a fuel transfer?" he asks as he begins packing up tools. There is a flutter of cloth as you're thrown a rag to clean your own hands with.

She wipes off her hands, likely just getting the rag dirtier rather than actually cleaning anything. "We just need to import it, perhaps something of an exchange. The things you've done with so little is frankly marvelous, I'm sure once we get the infrastructural needs handled that expertise and skill could be directed away from fighting for survival to building wonders of the world."

(You've diagnosed the problerm and have a lead on how to fix it, which was the assignment you were sent here to do. I know you were kinda not super confident on this one, so if you want ot bring the news back to the polity we can do that. We haven't taken our faction turn yet so we can move some stuff through the gate if we have it in reserve)

(It's been a very long time since I've looked at the faction stuff but how viable/Willing to accept these are the Scrapsmiths: 1. The local import/export holding, in goes starship fuel, out goes Rare/common ingots representing refined scrap 2. A manufactory producing Ingots, or any other commodity we could reasonably source from the Smiths as we hook them up to our infrastructure 3. A trade deal of starship fuel/ civilian goods for FacCreds representing them provide logistical engineering support. ?)

(1 would be the easiest to do, we dont have a base of influence on their planet so we cant build holdings there for number 2, and number 3 the converting goods into fac creds is a slippery slope I don't want to start)

(Alrighty, talked to snips, and I think that's a good end. Depending on what the brain does in the future, she's in a good place to come back to if it comes to that.)

(Sounds good. So we're putting this down in favor of something else then? Been a while since we talked about it. You can DM me and we can hash it out of that is easier)

(Will do, I'll start working on it once I have some time to sit down and put pen to paper.)

)alright, I'll leave this for now then since this didn't really answer my question)