Iron Stars - ana-starluck

Ana "Starluck" Acantha awakens in her apartment in Dremlas. The planet of Saliv is beginning to recover. Expeditions into the countryside have resumed, contact has been made with scattered other isolated communities who have also ridden out The Scream, and for the first time in a long time, it seems like there is a tangible sense of hope within the city. This hope fits "starluck" well, as her entire life has been sometimes described as a lucky break on the run from disease and death. Health has been recovering for months now, and it seems like any sort of traditional job one might do within the realm of the city has been exhausted by now. The wilderness though is a new set of challenges. No schedule, no boss, just yourself and the challenges of exploring. The Alliance command in the heart of the city is constantly offering missions to get out into the wilds to see what might be around the city.

Today is the day she was waiting for. Months and months of frustrations will finally disappear. No more feelings of worthlessness or dependence. Ana will finally take her first steps in the city and rebuild her life. She learned that the Alliance is looking for people to travel to the wilderness. She was able to save money so that she could buy the necessities for her first trip. Acantha gets up and prepares to move to Alliance Command. She cut her blonde hair so that it did not exceed her shoulders, jumped in the shower and got dressed, eager to embark on this adventure. "You were born under the lucky star" she said, remembering the words of her parents. She opened the door to her apartment, a smile on her face. "Today is a good day" Immediately, she walked towards her future.

A large expedition is preparing to head north across the methane sea separating the lower reaches of the planet from the rest. There is rumored to be some sort of activity detected on the other side, which might mean survivors, technology, or enough salvage to keep some other vitally important city project functional. It seem to be a large expedition, over 200 slots have been allotted for it, and are filling quickly. You can see they are lacking in technical support and other experts.

12:58 PM

so far, 2/3 of those who have signed on are security personnel.

"Perfect" she said, reading the expedition information. With so much security guard, she probably won't have to defend herself. Ana added her name, she will surely be useful for various other tasks. After receiving the information on her Compad for the mission, she headed to a shopping area to pick up some supplies before leaving. (I have no idea what could be interesting to pick up or if it's really needed. Could you assist ?)

(I would say a weapon for certain, as well as the ammunition for it. You'd also want at least a few days of rations. If there are any credits left after that, things like rope, and a light source might be good to try to square away)

2:28 PM

(its the frontier, you hope you never have to pull it, but you'll be glad you have it if you do)

As she moved through the shopping area her gaze fell on weapons. She has never owned one and now that she thinks about it, she cannot completely entrust her life to strangers. She was going to fall back into the same trap, entrusting her life to other people. She bought herself a Mag Pistol with 60 ammunition (30 + 400) In another store, she bought a good backpack (50), 10 rations (50), 5 Termal flare (25), 5 Glowbug (25) and a good rope (40) (total should be 620 credit, waiting your approval to add the items) Ana was running late, she started to run to arrive at the rendez-vous point.

(that's perfect. We can slide over to the group thread)

(updated goals waiting your feedback)

(Don t have access to a laptop for the lvl up, will do it tomorrow)

(Sounds good)

Level Up Level: 2 Focus: Psychic Training Old HP: 6 HP Roll: 3 New HP: 7 New Skills: -Telepathy-1 (via 1 SP + Psychic Training SP) => Facile Mind (via Psychic Training) & Transmit Thought ( 1 SP), Program-0 (1 SP) Current AB: 1 Int +1 (1 SP)

(I’ve seen this thread ligjt up with a post twice and then it vanishes. Is there something wrong?)

(sorry I send the message by mistake each time, I'm writing something that take several lines and i keep hiting enter. I will write it on a document on my computer, sorry for the trouble)

(I will continue here for a bit until we go see the extractor, sorry for the constant thread light up) The encounter with the termies, Lance and the scout marked her. The difference of behavior between the "full" termies and partial "infected" is huge. Ana think to herself. She open a new folder on her compad and start to type a new document.

10:23 AM

No Title Page 1 During the expedition we found a large organized group of termies. The contact was unfortunately hostile but I was able to sense the tough of the leader of the pack. The leader, that I will name Manta, is a female humanoid with the head and arms of a mantis. She felt anger because one of her tribe was killed by our group, I was able to feel it, a full pure red of hatred. There was no reaction from Manta when trying to communicate vocally with her. _ Hypothesis : 1- Generally, mantis species doesn't have ears in the head but on the body itself. Manta could be deaf if she doesn't have the organ and probably communicate by other means. a-----> Investigate how much human there is 'left' from a complete termies. b-----> Would something other than an human also mutated ? (see page 3) 2- None of the termies seems to have reacted to our speech. It could be that they simply doesn't understand our language. a-----> Broca and wernicke area of the brain could be impacted during the contact with the breaches. aa----------> We need to test that part of the brain with 'partials' . Will try to ask Lance or 'Orion' (Friends of Lance but I don't have any contact with her) ab----------> We need to test that part of the brain with 'termies'. We will need to capture a live specimen. ac----------> The link between the two part of the brain could be damaged and explain the behavior. b-----> Need to train my telepathy. I should maybe able to communicate with them that way 3- They could have their own language that evolved from the several years together. a-----> If a language exist I should be able to translate it. I could maybe create a device to communicate. 4-Manta was clearly the leader, there is a hierarchy between the tribe. a----> Could a partial or even an human be part of the hierarchy ? _

10:24 AM

Page 2 Manta tribe forced us to move but the sergeant saved us. A good part of the tribe was killed, Manta was able to escape and I lost our link. With the current tension between the outpost and the Manta tribe, I'm afraid that trying to contact them will be a death wish. _ Hypothesis : 1- There could be tribe more pacifist. The range of behavior between termies and 'partials' are too different. a-----> There could be cases of termies not attacking or not finishing off an opponent. I need to gather information. b-----> There could be tribes full of partials. I also need to gather information. 2- Contact between tribe could also be interesting to investigate a-----> Observe two tribe entering in contact aa----------> If they don't kill each other, their way to communicate could help me a lot to enter in contact with them or other termies. _

10:25 AM

Page 3 During our time at Hilltop, we heard of 'Monsters' and something clicked in me. It make sense that any organic life would be impacted by the mutations, that mean that the fauna or the plants could also changes. The 'black' blob that Dr Jasper and Verity found could be a plant mutated by the breach. Unfortunately didn't find any proof. I only heard about the monsters. _ Hypothesis : 1- It's actually humanoids that have mutated further than normal termies a----> Could a termie change further by being in the contact with a breach again ? 2- All organic life is impacted a----> Find proof, the only mutated species I found was the termies. aa---------> We need to organize/create an index of mutations and their impact on different species. ab---------> There is probably also partials fauna and plants. c----> Test different elements interaction with the breaches, in particular test non organic Carbons elements d----> It's maybe possible to control the mutation. _

3

10:26 AM

Ana added several notes, images and videos on the folder. She turned to her colleagues, took a photo of all the group and save the photo with a smile, so much can be done and here is no regret from her to have started this life. She will probably start by training her telepathy as it will assist her greatly on the tasks.

(you're good, i thought something was gonig on from a technical standpoint)

11:02 AM

(is this leading into a mission to catalog more things in the counrtyside then? )

(Not yet. I want to first assist Kror and Verity with the extractor)

The barge returns to Dremlas after almost a day at sea, and upon reaching dry land you see you have a chance to get home and visit with family again. Taking your leave of Kror and Verity at the airport just outside Dremlas you’re left at the city gates to make your way in, back to home and family. (edited)

Ana arrive at the gates, she have the impression to have left for years and learned so much these past few days. She started to understand her capabilities and how to move forward. The tough of advancing and helping IA overwhelm her, She doesn't notice that she is smiling and humming while moving between the people and the streets. She stop at the research center in charge of medicines and leave the 12 vials of lifts for study. Ana takes the time to be sure that it will be used for research and not sold. After thanking them and leaving her coordinated in case they need help on the research, she start moving back to her apartment. As she close the door, she feel exhausted. The tension and the difficulties accumulated was probably too much for her. She removed her backpack, jacket and weapon to put them on the table. She immediately go to her bedroom to retrieve the thermometer and use it. The response came immediately, she is starting have a little fever. "Please no... " Ana says out loud. It's not much but she knows that it will probably evolve quickly on the following hours/days. She didn't had time to complain more, she receive a notification on her Compad. A message from her dad. He know that I arrived, probably from the boat pilot. She open the message and read it : I will arrive at your apartment in 15 mins. Dad "Come on dad..." She complained again. There was no time left, she took medicine for her fever and jumped on bathroom to clean and change. Just in time for her dad to arrive. ( Not necessary to RP the encounter. It just to gain time for the exchange in the congress )

Level Up Level: 3 Old HP: 7 HP Roll: 11 New HP: 11 New Skills: -Telepathy-2 (via 3SP) => Supress Cognition), Heal-0 (1 SP), Current AB: 1 (edited)

(alrighty, i know you and lance were discussing some possible next steps in their project that will likely become a mission for you, so we'll see what shakes out of that and will move forward)

(We can continue as that we are talking about something else now in the congress . Will try to update in a few hours)

(alright, I know Lance and JAsper had discussed calling you, so we can move on in their thread as it sounds like you['ll all be working together)

"Waking up so soon today ?" Ask Vincent, Dr. Jasper pilot. "Good Morning Vincent." Ana woke up in the living quarters of Jasper ship. She has been here for quite sometimes studying the termies in hope that they found a way to coexist with them. "I have a meeting with the psychologist, Dr Mieter, about the last footage. Could be the missing piece that we where waiting for. " After the departure of Lance and Jasper for an important mission, Ana was afraid to be alone with the crew. A fear that was quickly put aside, the crew, and in particular Vincent, were kind and friendly with her. "Please, don't forget to invite me to your wedding with the termies." Vincent say, extending a hand with a cup of coffee to Ana. "There is only termies in your mouth these past days." Ana simply responded by sticking her tongue out. After seeing that childish display Vincent left the room and whispered to himself "What a child..." After enjoying her coffee, she change herself and started to move to Jasper room. She had received the authorisation to go there if she needed to communicate with someone. Ana started the meeting and called Dr Mieter. "Good Morning Doctor, how are you today ? What do you think of the last footage that we send you ? "

11:18 AM

(One of my goal was "- Comunicate and gathering informations on termies." Does the previous investigation count as a success ? I can level up if yes)

(We sort of accomplished this just by virtue of the character going on Hiatus, which i know was because irl, but generally for personal goals I'd like there to be some player risk or involvement)

(Then I will put it as success but will not take the XP [For my personal satisfaction])

Over the last weeks passively observing in orbit you have been able to see that the Terminals follow animal like routine more than anything resembling a proto culture. They are social to the extent primates or pack hunters might be in terms of organizing patrols of the territory, hunting parties, and scavenging for things the group might need. The pack is hundreds strong, but the movement of peoples there is fluid, it is hard to track individuals moving in and out. They use the homes and larger buildings here like dens. No efforts are spent to try to maintain or repair them, and no efforts are spent on anything resembling societal progression. The resonator here has been overgrown by some sort of tumorous bulb like fungus. It seems the pieces are there, but it cannot be activated until the town is cleared and the obstructions are removed.

(didnt mean to over ride whatever you were doing, but thats the info you would have gained after the others left you in the shuttle to observe)

(Sorry, got several 'suprise' at the job when I was back, still fighting the work flow... ) Again, Ana hit a wall. The last footage was also a dead end, she couldn't find any meaningful information to easily cooperate with the termies. Was she trying to much to find a pacifist solution on the termie problem ? Frustrated, she move back to the living quarters, Ana needed to clear her head. She send a message to @Dr. Jasper Artemis | Suko and @Rey (Shriven) regarding the resonator, that was also is a big issue, a solution need to be found for the termies and the bulb before we can advance on the resonator. She opened her Compad and started to look aimlessly at the current feed video of the termie city. The last few days, she was able to advance so much on her Null Exposure Codex. She categorized many mutation and subspecies of the termies. Maybe she should focus on exposed fauna and flora. That way she could clear her mind from the termies and come back with a new approach. Feeling better, she searched for Vincent to ask him to drop her back at the capital. She need a team and she will look for the bests...

(no problem, wasnt sure if it was life or me taking this in another direction and it derailing you. THis might be a good mission for goblin to help with, ill see what he's got going on, they're nearly done in the freighter)

(I can join once we are done with the freighter. This is indeed the kind of mission fit for Goblin. I won't have my Gravflyer nor my hoverbike though unless Dalibor is back in the meantime.)

(Don't worry Neko, If everything was perfect on Ana life there wouldn't be any challenge. RP is like tango, we both need to take risk in order to have something beautiful. I would like to have Goblin with me or others with me. I will probably also pay NPC for the trip. I have so much money that I have no idea what to do with it, I sould read the others resources to see what I can do with it)

(We'd need henchkeeper to bring NPCs and neither of you have that foci, but I'll have goblin freed up probably by morning)

(I do have it since the creation of Ana

Just never felt it was needed from a RP stand of view)

(we could hire one then since its 1/3 your level rounded down, and they'd have the stat block of a peaceful human with how we do henchmen) (edited)

(Can I choose his/her name and backstory ?)

(if we want to)

( @Daerevrurr is now freed' up if we were planning on doing some scouting)

 To : 'Goblin'
From : Ana Acantha

Dear Goblin,

I'm looking for someone that could help me scout and more in particular found species infected by the null breaches. 
You are an obvious choice for this mission. With you, I could find and catalogue more easily these exposures. Your knowledge of the wilderness is unmatched, your beauty will ease my mind, your majestic presence remove all my doubts, your force subdue our enemies, your intellect could rival mine, the agility of the best bread of Null Birds, the voice of an angel and the security of your feathers for the most difficult nights. 
I hope that I will soon hear a positive response from you.

Your dear friend, 
Ana 

please read the above to Aura, thx. 
Ps : You can come too if you want, you will be payed.

(edited)

2

2:26 AM

@Daerevrurr

Back from his first offworld trip, Goblin takes a few days to get back into hunting conditions when he receives the message from Ana. At first thinking it was directed to him, he then starts to questions Ana's mental health before understanding the trickery. He starts to laugh loudly and only after several minutes he manages to retrieve his calm. He then turn toward Aura who had been watching the scene with curiosity and he starts to speak to her: "My dear Aura, it looks like you have a great fan. And one that wants to work with you on top of that. Let's answer her."

To: Ana Acantha
From: Aurakendeem

SCREEEEEECHHHHH! RASPPP RASP! SCCCREEEECHH!

The volume of the audio message has been voluntarily amplified by Goblin before it was sent to be sure it was not all pleasant to listen to. When Ana listens to it, all she can hear is Aura screeching and clacking her beak noisily. A few moments later, she receives another message. A text this time.

To: Ana Acantha
From: Goblin

Miss Acantha,

I hope you have received Aura's answer to your request. As you offered it so nicely, I will also join you to offer my help against the Termies. Please, allow me a day or two for my preparations.

Goblin

4

(take a re-roll token both of you, that was really funny)

3

(There's not much I can do to improve my character right now so consider me ready to go.)

(Do either of you need to buy anything before we head out?)

(Me, I need to check the list again. Will do that tomorrow during my break

(What I really need now is more strength and I can't really buy it so I will wait my next level to invest some points in this attribute. I could also get a third arm but Goblin is not mentally ready yet for such kind of body transformation)

(alright, so we'll grab Ana's list, and once i give it a look over we'll push off)

1

Ana was still smiling from the e-mail received from Goblin. She was really happy to know that he will join him in the future, probably because she will soon see Aura she tough. Direction the workshop "Artificial" on the main street, her order was ready and just in time for the mission : Survival Kit (60) 2 Glowbug (10) Bioscanner (300) 5 Power cell, type A (50) Sleeper Drone (2500) with Observation suite (250) Environmental Power (4000) Expert System (5000) Grav Muffles (2000) = 13750 Combat Field Uniform (1000) (Order total : 15170) (Does sleeper drone can be controlled like a "normal" drone or he can only 'tarry on station' ? ) After taking her order, she walk at the research station she provided the lift vials, asking if she could buy 5 vials. (edited)

(He can be controlled with a main action , but the expert system lets it tarry if you need to use your actions for other things. Lift is a TL4 pharm and not in the setting still)

9:45 AM

(the few we have are being used to hopefully reverse engineering something, but its long and complicated work)

(I was almost sure it was the case, at least Ana is sure that they are working on it

I just tough of something, can I have multiple drones active at the same time ? I just can't control them at the same time, right ? Never used drones before.)

(you can have 1+ your level of program, and they cannot be operated all at once) (edited)

(Thanks for the clarification. If the list above is Ok, I'm ready)

(Everything but the lift, which we covered)

10:53 AM

(we said we were exploring but we didnt really choose where. Did we want to go around Hilltop, or sticking to the main continentn where Dremlas is)

(Map)

Rey (Shriven) pinned a message to this channel. 9/28/2021 10:55 AM

(Thanks, @Daerevrurr Where are we droping, boy ? Should we try to move like this : )

(I'm good with that plan. We can move along the shore line to check what we can find here.

)

(Romantic beach ballad it is then ! )

(Don't count on me to be the third wheel while you flirt with Aura)

(I have my drone for the photos and videos with Aura ❤️ )

"Alright, time to leave." Ana said aloud. She put everything on her backpack, checked if her new uniform was correctly set and opened the door. "It does feel like the first time I left for adventure. The same feeling of eagerness." Ana turned her head back to the interior of the apartment. "You were born under the lucky star" She continued with a smile on her face. "Today is a good day." Ana closed the door. Ana moved to the meeting point. She was happy to have Goblin and Aura on the mission but apparently someone else insisted to come along; A certain Atzou Gaga asked to join. Other than she was a ex-soldier and explicitly told my name several time to Alliance Command she didn't know anything about her. (edited)

(We'd be on foot here or mostly, since Dalibor has the plane, and if we're exploring we're going to see more from the ground. If one of you wants to shoot me a D10 for that first hex we'll see what's going on)

Goblin prepares himself and Aura to join Ana at the rendezvous point. Looking at his feathered friend, he speaks to her. "What a strange woman this Ana. But it looks like she likes you a lot so be kind with her, please." Aura simply reacts with a blink of the eyes and a simple beak snap. Goblin finally meets Ana and find she is with someone else. He comes closer to the two and waves. "Good day miss Acantha." Then, turning to the other woman, he asks: "And you are? My name's Goblin. Don't listen to what this girl might have said about me. I'm probably even worse than that." he says while laughing. (I have bought a few rations as I noticed that I was down one single ration)

(D10 : 5)

(thank you, didnt want to interrupt RP but i can push us off when we're ready)

1

"AURA !" Ana say not containing her joy at the view of the magnificent null bird. It was quite sometimes she wanted to spend time with Aura. "Thanks for your message, I'm using it as my alarm clock." She then turn to Goblin. "Good day Goblin, thanks you for coming along. " Atzou move in front of Goblin and extend her arm. "Nice to see you again Hemon, your reputation grew quite a lot since the last time we worked together." "It seems that I don't need to present you Atzou Gaga, she was soldier from IA. You apparently saved her squad a few months back. She speak well of you... She actually talk about you a lot." Ana say's laughing. (Do I need to buy equipment for NPC ? ) (edited)

(yes)

Goblin gives a nod to Ana and as the other woman steps in, he finally recognizes her. "Atzou Gaga. I recall you, yeah. I'm glad that you are doing good and you will no resentment from the car crash."he says, rubbing his neck. "How is the sergeant going? I tried to get news from him but I wasn't allowed to visit him. But let's talk about that on the way to our destination, we will have plenty of time. By the way. This is Aurakendeem, my Null bird friend." he says while gesturing toward the bird. "I would advise you to not try to get close at the moment. Give her the time to know you and she will let you know when she will accept close proximity. Ana could tell you how she almost lost a hand by being too impatient." He finally turns toward Ana. "Aura and her servant are ready. Where do you plan to go?" (I'm ready to leave if you don't want to continue rping.)

(I will add Mag Pistol + Mag Rifle + 120 rounds + Small combat knife + 5 rations = 1025 credit total ||| + 1000 for a Combat Field Uniform if I can change the Armor also. Waiting your approval)

1:25 PM

(Ready to go)

(you can change armor, all that is available, just make sure things are readied/stowed, and if we're entirely leaving anything behind we can leave it on Other)

(How can I do it for the Atzou ? Do I put everything in "notes" ? )

(that would be fine, all we're really concerned about I'd think would be weapon/armor)

(Done) "Come closer, I will show you on my compad" Ana explains to the team that they will scout and she use the compad to show the path they will take. "At the same time we will try to find infected fauna or flora with the help of my last purchase. " Ana press a button on the back of her backpack and a part of it detached. A Sleeper Drone start to stabilise in the air and stay stationary. The drone have the logo of 'StarLuck' at the bottom and have the name 'Lucky Star' inscribed on the side. "The mission is primary for reconnaissance and research. Hostility should be avoided and if there is no other solution, I'm counting on you all for our defence."

Goblin listens at the briefing and simply nods when Ana is done with it.

(seen , saw we rolled for the hex earlier, if we're good we'll go)

2

(Ready to drop)

(Ready as well)

The first zone upon leaving is a rocky shore where the gas sea closes in. It seems empty but aura begins to sniff around looking for life

When they reach their first stop point, Goblin looks all around him, a hand on his pistol's grip. When he sees Aura starting to sniff the air, he starts to do the same, oddly as it seems.

Seeing that both Gobin and Aura started to sniff, Atzou followed to sniff the air. "Hum... Do you all smell anything ? " Ana asked curiously at the strange view in front of her.

Aura and Goblin notice by smell that there are dozens of creatures hiding among and under the stones on the beach here. The area is slightly damp with methane sea condensation, and these life forms, whatever they are, seem to enjoy nesting here in it.

Moved away of his drifting mind by Ana's question, Goblin looks at the woman a bit startled. He checks his head a bit and points at the beach. "There are creatures hiding on this beach. Many among or under the stones.". He stops a few seconds before adding. "There's also that Methane smell. I guess that whatever these creatures are, they must differ from us due to the proximity of this element we don't really appreciate.". Nodding to the beach, he asks. "Do you want that we try to poke a few of them away from their hiding place?"

"We can have a look but carefully, I have no idea what it can be." Ana remove her bioscanner and start scanning. If there is no apparent danger, she will take a collecting jar from her backpack, use a stick to move the rock and try to capture one.

(Bioscanner wouldnt have any information about them, not been documented before)

12:14 PM

(Which is I guess some information about the situation here in itself)

Ana couldn't hold her smile. A creature that didn't react her bioscanner, she was so curious that she could hug the rocks where they hide. Taking the time to calm herself first, she activated her drone and made it hover at 10 meters from the rocks. That way she will be able to film the life form from a safe distance. Ana moved one of the rock with a stick and keep a distance.

Goblin moves to the opposite of Ana to try and catch any creature that could try to flee. Or to protect Ana if the creature proves dangerous...

(Ana do you want a crab or a lizard )

(Lizard ! :))

(Be swift or Aura might munch it as she loves lizards. :P )

(How dare you ? you big dino fanatic

)

The gecko hisses as your pull the rock off it. It’s small spines tense as it curls up in a defensive posture despite fitting in the palm of your hand

Daerevrurr

(I can join once we are done with the freighter. This is indeed the kind of mission fit for Goblin. I won't have my Gravflyer nor my hoverbike though unless Dalibor is back in the meantime.)

(done with them now)

1

"What a cute a Squamata ! They look to be from the genus Ouroborus from first glance but with the protection of the Enyalioides ! Amazing ! Amazing ! " Ana say not containing her emotions. She tries to capture one carefully with goblin and a jar in order to study it.

Goblin tries to lure the lizard toward Ana so she can catch it with her jar. In the same time, he keeps an eye on Aura, making sure she won't try to take a bite.

(Survive/wis. Both can make the check)

(7)

(2)

Goblin has quick hands from a life of fighting monsters and quickly sweeps up one that narrowly gets away from Ana. The creature hisses and gurgles before calming down upon realizing his hand is warm

Goblin secures the small creature between his two hands and tries to call it. "Easy, easy. Shhhh." He moves closer to Ana and shows her his catch. "It's cold. And a bit pointy. Do you want to scan it with your bioscanner to get a first bit of information about it? Check for Methane level in his organism as well please." Next to Goblin, Aura starts to gently stamp the ground with her powerful legs, waiting for what she thinks will be her next snack. "Nah my beauty. This one is not for you. We will get something for you later." Disappointed, she emits a little guttural noise before moving to the rocks and starting to rummage throughout the sand for a prey.

Ana is trembling of excitation, she start to scan and investigate the lizard without removing it from the hands of Goblin. "It was calmed so easily, I'm amazed that the fauna like you in general." She turns her head to Aura curious of the bond between the Goblin and her.

"Oh, you know. I'm not sure this lizard calming so quickly has anything to do with me. I think he was eased by the heat of my body. He must be cold blooded like other reptiles."

The reptile is cold blooded and has adapted to live in liquid methane. It has a thick layer of fat below the skin of its body and its days are spent trying to look for food and keep warm. Goblin’s hand is probably the warmest the creature has ever felt as the sea tends to be about -80 centigrade

Ana take photos and videos of the reptiles via her drone and send it to her compad. "I really want to keep it as a pet but I will never be home to correctly look after him." She says belly scratching the lizard. "You caught it. What do you want to call it? " She open the IA form for new species, start to complete it and wait for Goblin answer.

"Name it you say? Nah, I'm not good at this game. Give me a ugly monster and I will find it a name. But that little thing..." He raises his two hands to emphasize that he is talking about the gecko. "I couldn't find it a good name. And on top of that, this is you who discovered it by moving that rock so you get the honor to name it."

"If you insist, that I will name it a 'Firben Enyaborus'. His shortname 'Firb'." Ana says smiling at the form. She added the images and several videos taken from the drone.

"Great. Firb it is then. Do you want to keep him longer for something else or may I release it?"

"Please release it, I'm afraid that If I stay longer, I will have my pockets full of Firb... "

"Your wishes are my command." answers Goblin with a mocking tone before releasing the lizard on the beach.

(I’ll make a world anvil for him when I can)

1

(Don't feel forced, if you want to delegate, I will be happy to send you a draft of something this weekend. )

(Doesnt matter to me either way, if you're inspired ill post it)

8:29 AM

(just didnt have access to my computer yesterday)

The lizard scurries away, looking for another rock to burrow under away from the strange creatures that have invaded its home

https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/804468702531026984/895293658344067112

With the few information about the gecko sent to IA, Goblin watches the creature buries itself once again. He then turn toward Ana and Atzou. "So? What's next on you list? Maybe we should continue a bit farther along the coast line. We might find other creatures."

Ana program her bot to go up for 60 meters, follow her and send a ping if there is anything moving other than the exploring team. "Yes, we should continue. We could come back here later to take a few firbs and analyse them in Dremlas. "

The commotion seems to have caused anything else that might be living here to go to ground, and the bot does not register any other movement.

"Anything pinged by your bot Ana or should we move forward?"

"Nothing, we can move to the next spot."

(d10 for our next area)

(8)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 10/7/2021 7:28 AM

Following the coast you move to a region where there is even less of a forest once you are past the beach. A small inlet here would be a natural harbor to flat bottomed grav-boats, but there is little in this region of value. There are no hits on the bioscanner or survey scanner on this desolate stretch of rocky shore.

Stopping and turning 360° all around him, Goblin looks at their surroundings. "This place is quite empty. I wonder if it has always been like that or if there's any threat laying somewhere. There could be anything in the Methane see ready to jump at us." he says to Ana. Stroking Aura, he asks her to stay close to him and to not move any closer to the sea.

"Nothing was found by my drone and bioscanner. " Ana say looking at the logs on her compad. "Don't think there is an immediate danger here."

2:11 AM

She walk to the small inlet and look at the horizon. "Seems to be a good spot to create my house."

Goblin watches Ana moving closer to the sea intently. This place might be away of everything, it doesn't feel normal to him that there is no sign life reported by the scanners. There should at least be small birds, reptiles or mammals here and their absence speaks as much as if they were here. "An house? I have been considering building one in the plains south Hilltop where I found Aura. That would allow her to see her old herd more often." Before he could continue, Goblin's dataslab notifies him of a new message. After reading it, he looks at Ana. "Oh. Looks like Dalibor might join us. He is on a scouting mission near our position so I offered him to join us. Hope you don't mind."

"Without issue, I would feel safer." Ana respond. She then focus to see if there is fish or something else on the methane sea.

A ship familiar to Goblin is seen approaching, as Dalibor approaches the coordinates, provided by Goblin. As he gets closer he sees three figures below him, two human and one large predatory bird. Being careful to make sure they are safe, Dalibor sets the Pelican down a bit away from them and heads out of the ship. Waving to them, Dalibor calls out, "It's been a bit Goblin. I hear you made a tremendous find out in space. I know that Aura missed you, and it looks like she's back by your side and happy as ever. Ahh, Miss Starluck, it is good to see you again. It looks as if you and Goblin have come to a better working relationship since his party. This makes me glad, and I know it does the same for Aura."

Ana move next to the ship, when Goblin told her that Dalibor was coming, she didn't expected by ship and so fast. "Hello Dalibor, nice to see you again and to work finally with you. I really wanted to work with Aura and Goblin decided to join. But for the moment, I have no conflict with him and I actually started to appreciate his presence. Atzou did talk greatly of him" Ana look at Atzou that started to move next them. (OOC : Atzou is my NPC) The women soldier extend her hand to Dalibor. "Please stop Ana. Nice to meet you Dalibor, my name is Atzou Gaga." "Wait a moment, you called me Starluck. You are the first person outside my closest friends and family to call me by my surname. " Ana respond surprised (OOC: I'm OK with that

) " Do you know my father maybe ? He never use my real name when he talk about me."

As Dalibor arrives, Goblin gets in a close embrace with who he considers his closest friend. "Dalibor! Indeed, it's been some time since that bad moment with the Termies." Releasing the newcomer, he then scratches his neck in his usual move when he feel embarrassed. "Yeah. we found some logistic material. It should help IA develop more colonies. I wonder if part of the materials will also be sent to the Mosk on the aquatic moon." Goblin then simply shrugs and lets Dalibor continue with the others.

(Just to answer from before since it got buried, the scanners weren't picking up any life at all, but this section of coast is pretty remote, and there isn't really any vegetation either, so it could be linked to there just isn't much food available here to make it an attractive place to live)

(So there's no Methane crocodile that will jump on us? Great!)

(Not here, at any rate)

2

(are we pushing on them? emojis's and reactons don't ping the thread)

(I was giving Dalibor and Ana time to conclude their conversation before offering to move on)

Standing a bit stiffer and his voice becoming less at ease, "My apologies. I had heard the title Starluck being applied to you, and figured it was a title of importance. Goblin knows that I have a tendency to use formal greetings, as he had to remind me several times to stop calling him Sir Goblin. While I still think of him as 'Sir Goblin' in my head, I have refrained from verbalizing such out of respect for him. If you would prefer a specific address, I will endeavor to use it." Turning back to Goblin and Aura, "I had no idea that Aura was such an adept hunter of forest musk rats. While you were gone, I stopped by to see her and saw her utilizing those foreclaws to great effect. It would have been a terrifying sight if I did not know and trust her as well as I do. Her species is truly formidable. But, now that we have the Pelican, I assume we would all travel in it since it should be a bit faster. Do you think Aura will be okay traveling in it with us?" (edited)

"Don't worry, you can call me as you wish " Ana say's smiling. "Regarding the Pelican, I'm afraid that it will make the fauna leave. The primary reason of our mission is to find new species or breach species. But if you both wish to go with the ship we can."

"Nah. We came here to catch and study some species so we need to go on foot." he answers to Ana before addressing Dalibor. "Take what you need from the ship and I will send the ghost driver fly it to Hilltop. We were about to leave this empty place so once you are ready, I think we can move on."

"Let me grab my backpack, and I'll be ready to go" Dalibor hurries inside to grab all of his gear before heading off with the new group. With a grin on his face, Dalibor walks over to them holding out his magrifle. "Goblin, after that last fight I decided to upgrade my gun. Most of the engravings are the same, but take a look at the barrel. See the large 'wind' spiral that starts off wide and then go narrower towards the muzzle? Ok, that's what I had before, but now you can see smaller currents flowing with it. Ok, so this should, hopefully, if I did it right, let me share some of my arcane energy to help any shots my friends make be just a bit tighter grouping as well. I'm not totally sure how close we have to be, but I think within 10 meters should work."

When Dalibor gets out of the Pelican, he immediately programs the ghost driver for a lift off and a flight to Hilltop. He then joins Dalibor and looks at the rifle where his friends points. "Wow, that's really cool. This gift you have is really powerful. I hope we won't have to try it soon but at the same time, I'd like to see it works. Have you tried it on a practice field?"

"It didn't even occur to me to take my niece to our testing range to try this out. Little Anastasia would be the most noticeable improvement since her grouping still has trouble getting within 12". My father and uncle can both keep a 4" grouping on the range, better than me."

"I really hope that we would not need to shoot during our expedition but if you want test your power we could find a spot during our travel" (Ready when you are)

(Ready to go as well)

(d10, anyone)

(D10 => 5)

Moving into the next area you’re close to nightfall. The rocky coast continued but there is a dense forest just a handful of meters from the beach here. Your resonator belts also begin to vibrate at a higher frequency as you’re now very far from a resonator. Out here is almost entirely at mercy of the whims of null breach

"This is very disconcerting. The belt is behaving similar to that damaged Resonator I had found that looked to have been destroyed by a Breach. Maybe this is the site of an old Breach. I wonder how often they reappear in the same spot. While we are out here, I would like to have at least one of us awake over night just in case a breach opens up near us."

"Indeed, we need to be careful from now on. If I become a termie, you have my authorization to do invasive research on my body." Ana say half joking. "If we decide to stay here, we can make turns during the night. I'm not sure we would have time to avoid a breach but if we are attacked someone will be ready." Ana check the status of her drone and configure her in hovering mode in top of where they are camping. " I will configure my drone to ping us all if there is anything moving., we should be able to react in time."

As the belts starts to vibrate, Goblin's hand immediately moves to his pistol cross and he quickly hopes closer to Dalibor. "So you found a resonator. That's great. We might be able to repair it later. I agree that we should take watch this night. If there was a breach here, there could be Termies but not only..." he suspends his sentence to not say the word but he thinks about it. "There could be monsters..." When Ana programs her drone, Goblin comes to her. "Do you have a camera on this drone? If so, you might be able to find a good spot to pass the night." He also looks at Aura, trying to notice any weird behaviour as she often finds threats before him.

"There is, full UV/IR vision with sound/radiation/chemical detectors. Lucky Star, if focused, can ear and see up to 2km. Let me put the camera further up so we can have a better view... There we go, I added your compad to the video feed. "

(Should I roll something to try to locate a good spot?)

(I don't think there's anything you could roll with how little we know about breach still)

12:51 PM

(but knowing what you guys are doing in terms of camp would help in terms of possible encounters, ect)

(Yeah, I was asking about finding a good place for a camp. Not thinking about breaches here. I will post a little something about what Goblin is looking for)

Getting his dataslab out of his backpack, Goblin opens it and looks at the video feed. Nodding to Ana, he comments. "Thanks, the feed is working. Let's see... The forest is really dense here so we can't see much with normal imaging. Unless there's a rock outcrop somewhere, we might probably be better staying here at the edge of the forest. We have a clear flank that would be easier to protect in case of an attack." Switching to IR, he adds. "If we can find a big concentration of small thermal signatures, that could mean there's a lot of small animals packed together. That could means two things. Either that spot is safe from predators or it could draw predators there because of the big number of preys. I'm not sure what would be best. We are quite exposed here but that might be worse in the forest. Maybe we should stay at the edge rather than on the open beach." Raising his head from the screen, he looks at Ana, Atzou and Dalibor. "What do you think?"

(that helps a lot and was what i was looking for, we'll see what the group decides)

"I would like to find the leeside of a hill or rock outcropping if possible. I don't have a pressure tent with me, so would have to sleep outside. With that in mind, and for whoever is on guard, staying out of the wind is important. Digging into the side of a small hill or rock outcrop would also help hide the fire but also reflect heat back towards the sentry. I would recommend having our back to the fire to absorb warmth and maintain our night vision. If we can't find that, then just inside the edge of the trees should provide enough of a wind break and cover."

"Good thing you both came with us. We can follow your advises, let's try find the best spot." (edited)

(I dont want to trample anyone but its been some days now just trying to find a spot to camp, so we'll just move on to the following morning with no encounters)

2

10:23 AM

The morning comes and camp is broken here, sheltering within the entry of the forest- under just enough overhang to be protected from the rain and wind. The storm thought to be coming held off overnight, but you might be dealing with it today. The next region is close by and the forest continues through it ,the bioscanner coming alive with unknown signals.

After an uneventful night, Goblin is awake early, performing some physical exercises to prepare his body for a new day of walking. As he joins the others and prepares to leave for the next area, he is surprised by the signals shown by the bioscanner. Out of pure reflex, he grabs his pistol from his holster and motions to anyone to crouch low. "Looks like we are not alone. Anyone want to scout or should we go altogether?" Sensing the excitement of Goblin, Aura starts to scratch the ground with her talons.

Bringing his rifle into the 'alert carry' position, Dalibor looks over at Goblin and Ana, "I say that we go together with one either Goblin or myself on point and the other as rear guard. Ana and Aura in the middle have cover and also support either direction."

Goblin saw first that Ana bioscanner started to ping, she open it to have more information and look at the direction it detected the signals. "Several unknown signals, please don't shoot until we know for sure it's hostile." She put herself in position with Aura and Atzou has requested by Dalibor and looked at the camera feed of her drone to see if something moving. (edited)

Goblin nods at both Dalibor suggestion and Ana's request to not shoot on sight. Turning to Dalibor, he adds "I will go first then. I'm the one more skilled in melee if things go wrong." With that said, he starts to move cautiously in the direction of the ping and tells to Aura to stay close to Ana.

Dozens of footfalls surge out of the woods 500m in front of you towards the beach. A pack of these strange creatures exits, looking around with skittish eyes and sniffs of the air, before surging outwards toward the flowing waves of the methane sea, dipping their beaks in to do ....something you're not sure of exactly.

3

"Amazing ! I never saw this specie ! I'm not sure they saw us, can we take the time to observe them ?" Ana start recording the 'flocks ? ', she hesitate a moment and start speaking her mind. "It look an 'Aves' but I can't see the wings... Is it fur or feathers ? it does have a beak, though … Their physiology remember me of a Nullbird , a little a least. And what are they doing exactly in the sea ? " She started to furiously note everything on her Compad.

The creatures do not have wings, and have either fur or very very fine down like feathers, it is difficult to tell from this distance.

At the sigh of the large creatures, Goblin lowers his pistol. They look as menacing as Null birds but as they have not spotted the group, there is no need to show aggressiveness toward them. He moves closer to Ana as she starts to speak. "Yeah. It's impressive to see they look like Null birds. Maybe they have a common ancestor. Looks like they are... drinking? Drinking methane? Is that even possible?" Looking intently at the creatures, he finally turns toward Ana. "This is probably a dumb idea but do you want to move closer to them to get a better footage?"

Detaching the scope from his rifle, Dalibor uses it to get a closer look at what the creatures are doing. He then passes it around the group. "Hmm, that is very interesting. I have never seen something like that before." Smacking his head, "Well, of course not. I stayed in the city until recently!"

"We can try to mode closer, let s try to not fright them"

Goblin nods. "Stay behind me then and follow my pace. I am the one with the most experience with big birds." he says, looking at Aura. "I hope that it will be useful here."

The pack is content to continue watering themselves here though with methane instead. They do not notice as you move to within 150m, or do not care. They are undocumented and it means they have not had much if any experience with humans or otherwise

Talking in a low voice, "Ana, you you have something to record this with that's better than my datapad? I think getting as much data about them as possible would help.." Dalibor then starts taking pictures and short video as they slowly approach.

"I'm filming them with my drone, I have the IA species form open and I'm attaching my notes and the footage on it. You can send me everything you do so can add it to the document. " Ana respond. "Goblin, are you able to see if it's fur or feathers ? It's important for his classification." She continue to complete the form and turn to Dalibor. "Do you want to choose is name ? "

1

Goblin tries to move close enough to be able to check if the creatures have feathers or fur. Or even both. He moves slowly and almost crouch.

(Sneak/dex goblin)

(3)

(oh snap) "I know it is simplistic, but maybe called it "metánový vták". It means 'methane bird' in my grandfather's tongue."

(Yeah. Goblin should stop to try to sneak...)

1

The pack is alarmed when Goblin gets a bit too close. They warble to one another and then it turns high pitched as they begin making once again for the safety of the trees. Their long legs carry them quickly and they're out of sight within just a handful of seconds.

As he sees the creatures starting to run, Goblin stands up and turns toward the other. "Sorry. I made they flee." he starts to say, stating the obvious. "I'm really sorry Ana. We might try to follow them but something tells me they are more suited than us to run quickly in this wood and that might take us a long time. What do you think?"

Ana extends her hand as to stop them and look at the forest until the Metanovy disappears. "I... I will note that we couldn't confirm everything. Maybe send another team to study the Firben Enyaborus and Metanovy Vtak." She saved the file with all the information she was able to collect and turned to Dalibor and Goblin. "Shall we continue ?" (edited)

Goblin joins the other and nods. "Sounds like a plan. Let's continue. We might find even more new creatures."

1

(We rolling with metánový vták as the name?)

(Good with me. Goblin has not commented on it because they talked about the name when he was in front getting closer with the birds so I play like I didn't heard them speaking in low voice.)

(Yes, maybe without the accents, let's wait for Dalibor to choose and confirm. D10 on the meantime ?)

(sure, lets get the D10, without the accents would be easiest for me too)

1

(D10 : 6)

This next region is the rocky point of the peninsula. and the cliffs overlook the methane sea below for dozens of kilometers between where you had seen the birds, rising upwards somewhat to put elevation between you and the gaseous sea itself. The wreck of some kind of orbital launch craft has carved a 50m long furrow in the ground near the edge of the cliffs at the peninsular point, and nature has begun to reclaim the wreckage

(without accents)

As they advance in the wilderness of the region, Goblin spends time talking with Ana, Atzou and Dalibor. When they finally reach the point of the peninsula, he looks all over the methane sea to appreciate its enormous size. Noticing the wreck, it points at it. "Oh. Look what we got here. We might find some interesting things there. Should we move closer?"

Dalibor aims his scope to view the terrain a bit better. Finding a good looking path, "I think if we head down that way, we should be able to get to the wreckage without much of a problem."

"I'm not sure what it is, I will follow you. Be careful everybody." (We need to remove a ration from the camp yesterday correct ? )

(Yes we do)

Goblin nods. "Alright Dalibor. Lead us on the path you found. I will take the rear position this time."

There is no motion around the wreck as you approach. Rust has begun to claim it from its time exposed to the elements without proper repair.

"I'm surprised that nothing has made it's home in the wreckage. It looks like a good place to get out of the rain, but maybe there are caves here better suited. Either way, let's be careful as we explore. You can never tell how deep the rust has penetrated, and cuts from ragged rusted metal are never a pretty or pleasant experience. Paint can also hide rust underneath it, so I would test each area first." Taking his own advise, Dalibor starts to walk into the wreckage with moderate taps from the butt of his rifle on the metal surfaces to make sure his weight doesn't create a hole.

"Be careful, man. I will stay outside with Aura until you are all inside. I will follow you in then." he says to the group before turning his back to the wreck to scan the surroundings. Better be prepared for a surprise attack.

"Atzou, follow Dalibor and help him. I will stay right behind both you." Atzou nodded to Ana and started to mimic Dalibor.

The wreck seems solid. The cargo lighter was filled with cargo and it looks like most of it has been scavenged over the long years it has sat unattended, but several boxes of survival equipment and gas mining supplies are still inside , opportunistic looters not coming back for it, or carrying off other things instead. Nothing has made it's home here.

As everything seems safe, Goblin decides to join the others. Before entering the wreck, he asks Aura to stay there as a sentry and to alarm them if anything were closing in. Once inside, he moves toward the survival equipment and starts examining it. "I hope we can salvage some stuff from what remain. If they mining supplies are still in good state, they could help in that gas extractor you explored, Ana."

One of the boxes contain environmental suits, and once you pull them out it appears they are far more advanced than what the Inheritors are using today, (I'll post the blurb in a second)

1:50 PM

Websuit Originally intended as pretech protective suits for disaster response personnel, websuits have found more martial use since their orig- inal creation. They resemble nothing so much as balls of leathery “yarn” slightly larger than a human fist. When squeezed firmly, the suits instantly unravel into a tangle of thin nanocomposite straps that spread and merge together into a skin-tight protective suit around the holder, fitting under their current clothing and equipment. Most websuits still bear the ancient insignia of some long-lost disaster team, though others are simply single solid colors. The suit covers the wearer entirely, though the faceplate is transparent and allows normal speech and consumption. As with all pretech armor, the websuit is extremely comfortable to wear, (it is AC 16 street armor, with 0 enc, and is TL5)

(How many of them are in the boxes?)

(one for each PC)

(Each IA members PC or PC in our little group of explorers?) (edited)

Pulling a suit from one of the boxes, Goblin shows it to the others. "wow. Looks like we hit jackpot this time. I'm not sure what they are but these suits look like nothing we are able to produce right now."

"That's absolutely doesn't look like as suit, are you sure it's the correct label on the box ? " Ana start looking at the interior of the box and find a simple image guide on the side. A simple hand squeezing the 'blob'. Curiosity took over her mind, Ana remove one of the thing from the box and squeeze it hard. The curiosity soon followed with surprise as it start to merge and enter her protections and clothes. After a few seconds, a faceplate appear in front of her visage. She look at her hand and remov a bit of her front armour to see the interior. Ana is again surprise to see that a thin layer have now appeared behind all her clothes and every inch of her body. "This is magic, impossible to think otherwise. No way humanity was able to create something like that. " She inspected the layer for a moment.

"The technology of the Ancestors truly is amazing. I wonder how hard it would be to try and reverse engineer these suits for the IA. We could corner a market, at least for a short time, with suits such as these."

"The manual also states that they were designed for disaster response. I wonder if they would be of any use against a breach. But you're right, that's already an amazing technology."

"I don't think it would but... " Ana open her compad and create a reminder. 'Remind me this Saturday to brainstorm the creation of Null Suits with Jasper.' "It could be possible to create a suit to be completely protected from null breaches , the tech we just found could be the key for it."

"That hadn't even crossed my mind, but I'm glad that it did for the two of you. Brains like yours are going to see Saliv and the IA prosper." Looking around at everything, Dalibor takes of of the "balls" and puts it in his backpack. "I'll try it on once I've taken off this armor. It doesn't look like anything else is here. Do we want to continue our exploration?"

Picking a suit for himself as well, Goblin looks around in the wreck. "Let's note the coordinate to send a recovery team. The mining equipment might be useful for the Alliance." (edited)

(between the equipment Dalibor found on his mission and this stuff we could upgrade a production center)

2

(Great. One more reason to salvage them. Regarding the web suits, you said one per PC. Is that the three of us or each IA PC ?)

(The PC's who are actually here)

7:41 AM

(so you, Ana, Dalibor)

2

(One last question. Is there more for us to explore or we are nearing the end of this mission?)

(We have done 4 hexes if I'm not mistaking, 3 left. Neko pinned the itinerary . )

7:55 AM

(The Firb, Dalibor join us, Camp + the Metanovy Vtak and now the wreck )

(Good point)

(Yep I have been following along based on the map you drew )

7:59 AM

(I’m just not going to update the map until we are totally done because inkarnate is really slow, so I’d rather just make all the changes at once) (edited)

(So we roll another d10 now i guess?)

(Yes , if we are moving on)

(I'm good to go. I rolled a 10 if Dalibor and Ana are ready as well)

1

(what did you get, ill move us along

(A 10. Sorry if that was not clear.

)

Beginning to move down the northern coast of this jutting landmass the cliffs gently bring you back down into the grassy plain. From a great distance (a few km in this case) you can see a group of twelve terminals with spears working frantically on butchering a few of the Metanovy Vtak you noticed on your journey out to this area. They have a slightly different coloring to them and are rapidly being taken apart by the small ant like figures from this distance.

"Termies." curses Goblin when he sees the scene unfolding before them in the distance. "It looks like they have a taste for bird-like creatures." At the sight, Aura starts to agitates and to scratch the ground with her talon. Looking at her, Goblin pets his friend on the neck. "Calm down, girl. I know what you feel it. I feel it as well. But even if we wanted to help them, we would arrive too late." Still stroking Aura, Goblin then turns toward the others. "What do you want to do? Should we try to get around this place to avoid the Termies? There might be a nest close to this place. By the look of it, it sounds like one of their usual hunt parties. But there might be more of them around. We could also avoid all kind of risk and pack up and go but we still have part of the coast to explore."

"I would like to continue our exploration, and also find a way to winnow down the Termies. If we can get to about 300 yards, I can start picking them off beyond range of their spears. My first couple of shots would also be silent. As they do approach, I can imbue both of you with greater accuracy as well. I think we should be able to cut them in half before they get close enough to attack us. The armor I'm currently wearing affords greater combat protection than the new suits as well. Part of this is to test out the ability I think I've figured out, and the other part is a bit of revenge for our setback in the forest."

Goblin raises his thumb up. "I'm all in for this plan. I want to take my revenge as well. And we might be able to pick one of their horns if they have some." Turning toward Ana, he adds: "I know you don't like the idea of us killing them but that's our only safe option at the moment. You can stay behind if you don't want to risk your life. Atzou, Dalibor, Aura and I should be able to manage them."

(Does my telepathy works so far ?) "I trust you four enough, I can't let them massacre the rest of the Metanovy. Before hostility, I want to try to scare them. If they decide to flee our encounter before or after our fight, please don't follow them and don't shoot them on the back. Let me check if they have a horn or other weapons first before engaging." Ana remove her compad and start focusing the video feed of her drone on the termies. She will also try to use her knowledge she received from the study of the termies behaviour on Jasper ship to find the "Alpha" of the group.

(Techniques Only work one kilometer out , so we would have to get a lot closer than we are ) (edited)

1

There is not a clear alpha here, this pack is dutiful and everyone has their own task to get this done quickly, they remind you more of a swarm of worker ants than something like a group of wolves on the hunt in this case. They each have a task, they each do it quickly, and then remove themselves from the way so others can step in to do theirs. There don't seem to be orders passed between anyone.

9:17 AM

(we had a couple different ideas here, if we sneak into range, the 1 kilometer might let Ana's telepathy have a crack at it, but Dalibor is I believe going to be out of range to shoot. )

9:17 AM

(and if things go poorly they'll run and be gone before anyone gets into range)

(Yeah, Dalibor idea seems to be the best choice. Will update as soon as I finish work)

(If it was just me, I would go for the shooting. But Ana's idea is interesting. The main flaw Goblin sees to it is that if they flee, they could come back later in our back)

(I agree, was just speaking behind Ana mindset. I will not block the group decision just wanted to play 'the pacifist' => 'there was no choice'. )

(I’m just pointing out the range difference so a plan could be clarified. I didn’t want a mechanics thing to be the reason you didn’t get your thing off correctly

Ana "StarLuck" Acantha

(I agree, was just speaking behind Ana mindset. I will not block the group decision just wanted to play 'the pacifist' => 'there was no choice'. )

(Goblin will support your idea. We might be able to merge the two plans.)

"Have you been able to identify a leader Ana? If we had to attack them or defend ourselves, that would be the primary target. Anything your drone was able to tell you?

"What if you stay about half to three-quarters of a kilometer away, while the rest of us get to 250 meters away. If either of us can find a horn bearer, we need to acquire it, and it won't be peacefully. We can begin firing on them, and if you want, you can try to drive the rest away in fear. Having some of them flee would give us an idea of where their hive might be located, but the fewer we allow to run rampant, the better. At least those of my thoughts." With that Dalibor waits for any other ideas or concensus.

"I like this plan." answers Goblin to Dalibor's proposal. "We can stay in touch with you by radio to coordinate our actions." (Goblin is offering radio comm over your psychic power Ana as IC, he doesn't know about the extent of their power) (edited)

(I'm back, sorry I needed time off from everything with a keyboard) "I can't find the Alpha, they are probably just a group that was giving a task. I tried to use my power but they are too far for me, if I can I should be able to 'pacify' at least 2 of them before they attack us. We can follow your idea Dalibor, I will move closer with the others and you can provide us cover fire if they attack. If they flee I will use my drone to follow them and I will mark the nest on the map. "

4:06 AM

(If I use my telepathy on Dalibor I don't have enough effort to try to pacify them) (edited)

(No worries Ana) "Sounds like we have a plan." concludes Goblin with a nod. "If needed, Aura can stay with you Ana. We will have a lesser striking force if we need to defend ourselves but you might fell more in security." (What's the terrain like on the way to the Termies group and around them? Any chance a big bird like Aura can go stealthy? Because if she can't, she will stay with Ana)

1

"Thanks, if we are able to sneak and use my abilities, my team could try to ambush them has you draw them to you." Ana respond. "I hope it will not end in a blood bath for them... And for us..."

(Its an open grassland, which is why you can see them from such a great distance)

(That's what I feared. Aura will stay at good distance with Ana then. There's enough of me unable to go stealthy. ^^)

Nodding as everyone makes preparations and decisions, Dalibor take point as they head out trying to go unnoticed to the .5km mark where he drops off Ana and Aura.

Atzou decides to also drop with Ana and Aura.

(sneak /dex for everyone sneaking forward to .5, Those staying at 1km don't need it)

(Do I wait for their rolls before using my telepathy ? )

(what are you trying to do with it )

(Telephatic contact on two different termies and then use Supress Cognition to make them forget to be violent.)

(You're going to be in range before they are by a pretty good margin, if this does not work for some reason and they run the others might not be in position)

(Sneak/Dex: 10. Omg)

(Ok, I will wait then.) "Atzou, follow them. They will probably need your help more on the front than here. Keep an eye on them for me, please" Ana ask Atzou. "Aura can protect me if needed" The soldier look at her with hesitation and start to move to the group.

1:20 PM

(To roll for Atzou it's a simple 2D6 +1 as it's a peaceful human ? )

(correct anna)

(Atzou Sneak roll : 7)

(Sneak/dex: 11)

(so far so good, they do not notice you closing to .5km)

(Do we need another roll to get closer? Asking before I will RP a bit for reaching the .5 mark)

(No, what we did covers the approach, )

As they get closer to the group of Termies without being noticed, Goblin keeps a low profile and contacts Ana over the radio. "We are almost in position. How is it going on your end? Are you close enough to be able to use your telephatic abilities? We will move a bit closer and then, you can try your magic. If we find a target better than another, we will let you know. How does that sound for you?"

"I will try right now. Keep your head low." Ana will use her Telepathic Contact on the two first termies on the left and will use Surpress Cognition on both of them to 'make them forget to be violent'.

(7 and 6 v 15. Both fail, but the others will be acting now before we can do more, since this was two main actions.)

As nothing seems to happen, Goblin starts to move closer to the group of Termies to try to reach weapon range. (Double move for this turn)

1

Dalibor keeps pace with Goblin at a cattycorner direction until he reaches about .25km from the Termies.

(I will be fair play, it's 4 actions. 2 TC x 2 SC. I think I can't perform the same "power" multiples times on the same action. Can I just tell them to not shoot on the two on left ? )

(That is fine, we can have them work on those to see if it ends up working)

"Avoid attacking the two on the left. I'm not sure but they shouldn't attack you, I'm still working on their mind." Ana say on the radio. Atzou decide to stop at 0.5km, her main weapon would have trouble shoot has close has the two other and can provide cover fire if they need to flee. (edited)

(Do we get another chance to act before the Termies?)

(you and Dalibor are going to be seen at 250m )

(So we should consider already at this mark or at .5km minus two move actions?)

(the plan was for ana to attempt this when you guys got to 500m from the terminals)

10:32 AM

(she is 1km from the termies, you guys have snuck up to 500m, she is interacting with two of them psychically , or is trying to at least)

(Alright. I thought we were all at the 500 meters mark already, that Ana had tried her magic and that Kror and I had started to move closer to the Termies)

10:38 AM

(Oh. I messed up things between Ana and Atzou for some reasons)

10:41 AM

Goblin clicks the radio twice to acknowledge what Ana just asked. Then, turning toward Atzou and Dalibor, he adds: "I think I'm going to move closer. There's no way to tell if one of them has a horn or not from that distance. You want to join?"

"I'll stick with you and see if I can find someone with a horn using my scope. I'm pretty accurate out to 300m if we want to stop there to try and avoid being seen. I guess the question is how close are we trying to get?" (Neko, what's the height of the ground cover here? Essentially is it short grass where I can still fire from the prone position with the rifle resting on my backpack, or will I need to go to the sitting position to gets sights on them?)

)you could lay with it propped up on your backpack. )

(This all got super messy with distances and several actions being taken In tandem without me being able to get a word in. I’m all for being lenient but to counter that we won’t be getting a surprise round or execution on any of them. If we shoot we are going to roll initiative ) (edited)

(I'm all good with that. We can stop at the 300 meters mark for Dalibor and I will move farther from this point Termies are approaching so I can protect him while he fires at them)

(Sorry Neko, thank you for what you are doing ❤️ )

(I apologize as well if we made this overly complicated. I'm ready whenever everyone else is.)

(No worries. Okay let’s stop at 300, and take it from there )

(We roll initiative now, right?)

(If youre shooting or attacking )

As they get close enough to the Termies without being spotted, Goblin observes the group in front of them while Dalibor prepared himself. He tries to find one with a calling horn or anything similar. (Not shooting yet as I'm almost sure Dalibor will want to prepare his position for that sweet +2 bonus. Trying to find a Termie with a horn to make him primary target)

1

From 300m it’s hard to make out small details on the terminal pack ahead of you. Belts and pouches and other things carried blend into the chaotic mess of movement as they continue processing the birds they’ve killed.

Turning toward Dalibor, Goblin sights. "It's hard to see anything from this distance. Do you want to try a random shoot at one of them and see how they react?"

"I think if I silence my shot, they won't know where it can from at this distance and should at least stand still for a bit. If we're low to the ground, they should hopefully not see us right away. Hopefully you'll be able to see something better then. Let me get settled first though." Dalibor eases into his firing position, rearranging his backpack to have the most stable platform and lining up his sights with the Termies. Judging the windage, he picks out one of the Termies near the fallen Metanovy Vtak, Dalibor watches its movement to get the timing right for his shot.

(initiative)

(4)

(Atzou Initiative : 4)

9:18 AM

(Ana Initiative : 2)

(8)

(Dali, Terminals, Atzou, Goblin, Ana)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 10/29/2021 10:03 AM

Setting his sights on one of the Termies in the center of the group, Dalibor makes sure the butt of his new magrifle is tucked in tight. Watching the waving of the grass, he takes his time lining up his shot. Thinking of stillness and silence, Dalibor infuses his shot before gently squeezing the trigger. (22/11, Silence Shot)

(the double positive is what made the error, if you put +2 in the box, you just need 2)

3:46 PM

(but we'll take the 22, that's why it happened though)

1

(I was wondering. Thank you. If there is a negative modifier, I would need to use the '-' correct?) (edited)

(that or just manually remember to deduct)

3:49 PM

(it'snot the same function twice in a row though so the neg should still work)

3:50 PM

The shot is clean, and one of the terminals is struck center mass, falling forward into the corpse of the Vtak they had killed. The others begin to scatter. Another two of them draw hunting horns from their belts and begin to sound for help. Other calls from the woods an indeterminate distance away repeat the call.

"Well, now we see who has a horn. I'll try to take one out next." (@Daerevrurr I was hoping that the Termies would react more similar to buffalo or cows and mill about confused if there was no indication of where a shot came from. Falling back to plan B. Hopefully Ana's two are still calm.) (edited)

(The shot is silent but they can still see the person right next to them be alive and then suddenly not alive )

1

6:18 PM

The terminals begin retreating to the wood line , moving 10m from their kill, overburdened with the goods they’ve gathered. Theyre 100m’ from the closest patch of trees

6:20 PM

(We also have zero recorded incidences ever of Termies milling about like that when attacked)

Nekosmash

(We also have zero recorded incidences ever of Termies milling about like that when attacked)

(Very true, testing to learn more about them. Definitely have better survival instincts than bovine)

(Atzhou up)

(The two that Ana pacified can still run, they just forget to be violent. If they feel their live in danger the effect will disappear.) Atzou doubt for a moment, she know that she promised to not shoot them if they flee but she know that Goblin want the horn. She decided to follow her heart and shoot at one of the termies with the horn.

12:16 PM

(D20 + 1 (Shoot skill) = 18)

12:19 PM

(Dmg 2d8+2 : 15)

(Waiting to know the result of Atzou's shot before acting)

The shot drops one of the terminals in the pack, the horn call is cut short as air leaves the Termies lungs

As the next Termies fall down, Goblin cheers his companions. "Good shot you too. Keep firing at them. I will run to get that horn before they get more of them." (Double move action to run get the horn. That will be a long run, I know, but I can't shot from that far away anyway)

(Sounds good. 20m forward then and the turn moves up to Ana )

(I can't do anything because of my usage of power for 2 more turn, correct ? ) "STAND DOWN ! They are retreating, I told you to not shoot them if they decide to leave !" Ana says furious at the Radio after she see Atzou shooting at one of the fleeing terminals.

(If we decide to keep doing so yeah, just figured id give you a chance to change anything if we wanted to)

(Well I couldn't know they would all flee, I'm OK to continue my previous decision, it was a risk that I wanted to take even if now it will not help in the current situation. We can move to the next.)

(top of the order with Dali then)

Dalibor pauses as he hears Ana shouting to stop firing at the fleeing Termies. Putting his eye back to the scope, he sees the Termies's running away. Trigger at the ready, he holds off on firing unless one of the Termies goes back to retrieve the horn of their fallen comrade. (Not sure if I can 'hold action' but my intention is to keep the Termies away from the ones we've already shot and provide cover fire for Goblin if any start to attack him.)

(I'm curious, if one of the two termies is still alive. What are they current thoughts ? Is it animal toughts like the previous times I used my power ? I can wait my turn for the response)

(We would have to wait for your turn Ana, and Dali you can hold your action but it’s lost if not used by the end of the round ) (edited)

1

6:00 AM

The Termies continue moving towards the woods. More than one horn exists in the group and they’re intent on leaving

6:00 AM

(Atzhou)

Atzou stands up and aims to the other horn carrier. She hesitates again, she can hear Ana on the radio begging to stop shooting. Atzou takes her hand off the trigger, picks up the radio and switches it off. Her mission always comes first. The soldier takes her time to aim at the carrier and shoots him. (edited)

6:33 AM

(D20 + 1 (Shoot skill) = 16) (Dmg 2d8+2 = 11)

The second horn blower is downed and looks to be decisively dead. The pack isn't showing any indication of turning back for the fallen.

7:58 AM

(goblin)

As another Termies fall down, Goblin doesn't turn back and continue to run to grab one of the horns. (Double move, once again.)

(almost there) Ana feels the terminals that are running focus on running. They're not thinking about violence but it does not seem like any of the pack is, since they have no way to retaliate against the accurate long range fire that has killed three pack members already.

"ATZOU, STOP SHOOTING." Ana continue to shout furiously at the radio. "It's enough ! Please !" Ana have the impression that these termies are more intelligent than the average. Would it be possible to start a communication ? Ana concentrate her mind and try to communicate with the termie : -Can you understand ?-

Bestial flashes of instinct are the only reply you get. Survive, run, flee from the silent death. Leave food behind, can come back another time.

12:37 PM

It is not communication, it might not even be directed at you, it is just the firing of his animalistic mind and the instincts flooding through it from its hind brain, like it would in any creature

"Still can't communicate with them..." Ana says still furious with Atzou behaviour. She start to run the best she can to reach Atzou.

(Main was contact. Move was 10m toward her. So back to Dali assuming we want to keep shooting )

Seeing that overall their objective has been met, Dalibor rises from his firing position and follows after Goblin towards the fallen horn and the body of the Metanovy Vtak.

There is no further enemy contact. Without the horns the other packs seem to be unable to hone in on this one, the Termies you ambushed are intent on leaving and likewise do not turn to fight

(so ther'es nothing stopping any of you from grabbing one of the horns, but there;'s not much to add other than that right now)

(Yeah. I guess we can fast forward to all of use joining next to the dead Meth-birds if you have nothing to throw at us at the moment)

(they're not coming back to fight you, so there;'s nothing for me to really throw)

8:53 AM

The termies have gone, and its safe to breathe again. The noise in the woods has died down as the packs realize they;'re not going to be able to find one another without the sounds of the horns.

First to reach the dead Termies, Goblin picks the two horns. He also examines the bodies to check their mutations. In the meantime, Aura follows Ana and joins Goblin. When she reaches the dead Metanovy Vtak, she lowers the head and pushes one of the body gently with her beak. You can feel her sadness when she understands that they are dead.

Ana joins Atzou, they look at each other for what seems like an eternity. Atzou can feel Ana's burning fury embedded in her head, Ana is no longer able to control her powers. "Do you have a problem with orders?" Ana asks, finally breaking the oppressive silence. Atzou suddenly feels as if the voice is echoing in her head as if she were inside a cave. "Only the orders that can endanger the team, Mrs. Acantha" answers Atzou after having taken the time to recover her spirits from the strange phenomenon. "It seems that you understand my words at last! Are you trying to justify your murders? "Ana replies. "Murders? You think what you found out with Dr. Jasper and Bottas about the Terminals wasn't shared? They're just worthless animals. Killing them is simply the most humane way to end their suffering."Aztou walks over to Ana and continues, "Besides, if I hadn't intervened, we would have had more than a dozen hostiles in front of us. In case your mind forget, they were giving away their positions to get reinforcements. YOUR pacifism could have cost the life of one of us. Grow up kid." Ana slaps Atzou as she hears the insult. "It was my father who sent you, wasn't it?" Ana takes a deep breath, pushes the soldier aside and walks towards Goblin and Dalibor "I will not give up trying to find a solution for the termies, they were human once and did not choose to end their lives this way. Ms. Gaga, sometimes we have to resort to violence but I still don't agree with you on this one." Ana start to look at the rest of the Vtak to complete her document and will also invastigate the corpse of the termies to add to her Codex. (edited)

1:30 PM

(I maybe take the control of the NPC to much)

(there’s evidently some backstory here I’m unaware of. If it’s intended I am to do something with this you’ll need to send me some messages )

(It's something I just imagined but I like where it's going, just ignore it for the moment. I will contact you with the general idea so you are not left in the dark.)

)sounds good )

9:49 PM

Goblin is able to get an intact example of one of the Termies horns. Their mutations consist of feathers and fur in place of skin, webbed membranes between fingers on some, and one has a raptor bird like beak in place of a nose and mouth

When anger erupts between Ana and Atzou, Goblin is quite startled. He wasn't expecting such violence from Ana and for a long moment, he doesn't know how to react so he pretends he doesn't hear anything and continue checking the dead bodies. When finding the one with the beak, he hails Dalibor. "Hey, Dalibor. Come in. See this beak? Good thing this one had not a single chance to bite us. Aura bit me once when she was angry and man, that has hurt for way too long." Then, more in a whisper, he adds. "Looks like Ana can bite too. I wasn't expecting that from her." Saying that, he looks at the two women above his shoulder as they are still in their heated argument.

Ana moves next to Goblin and the termies. She start to investigate the corpses. "They seems to all the same 'type' of mutation, something related to birds, strange coincidence." Ana say, calm like nothing happened. She remove one of the feathers of the termies and try to see if they have common point with current known species.

The feathers are similar to those of the fallen prey-birds here, but the coloring and proportions are not the same.

"Their feathers... They are the same from the Vtak. I thought that the mutation where random on termies but there is to much coincidences. Does breaches mixes DNA data when exposed ? " Ana intuition kicks in.

Goblin looks at the feathers in Ana's hands and think for a moment. "That's an interesting theory. We already know Termies are close to animals so they might indeed mutate and mingle with whatever animals are in their surroundings." Goblin then looks at the dead bird bodies before scanning the forest where the Termies fled. "Anything else you want to check here? I think we can let the Metanovy here for the Termies. Should we continue on our way along the coast or one of you wants to try to find their nest location so we can better warn anyone who would come here? It might be the occasion to test the horn theory."

"I would have liked to take the body of the termie and the bird for proper study but we are too far from a city and if we stay I'm afraid that we would be attacked. Let me just take samples from both of them. " Ana start to remove samples of feathers, skin, saliva, blood, muscles and if she is able too, brain matter in the termie and Vtak. She is careful for each incision, put them in test tubes and name it accordingly.

"I can still call the Pelican so we can load the bodies. I have a medbay that should help prevent decay from the Termies body but we would need to find a solution to keep the Metanovy's body intact. I'm not sure how much time it needs to come back here, let me check." (How long would it take for the Pelican to come back to this location so we can take the bodies?)

(Only a few minutes)

7:40 AM

(would need a survive/wis for Ana too since we're field dressing the bodies)

(Thanks Neko. Ana, tell me if you want me to call the Pelican.)

"Oh, I didn't think of that. It's a good idea." Ana start preparing the bodies with her survival kit.

1

7:55 AM

(Survive + WIS + 1 Survival kit. = 4 ) (Oups)

Goblin simply nods and uses his dataslab to call his Pelican to their position. After a few moments and a bip emitted by his slab, he raises his head. "It's on the way. Need help to prepare the bodies? Otherwise, I will stand guard while we wait."

Ana isn't able to get much sample material .The work of a wilderness butcher is something she is not quite suited for with her current skill set.

Commiserating with Ana, "I really wish I had taken more time to learn from my uncle Andrik so I could help. He could field dress a deer so quickly and cleanly before the Scream. I always made a mess of it and never tried learning once we started getting outside Dremlas again."

"I'm not good at it but that mean that we are not hunters. I will try to save what I can and put it in Goblin ship. We can continue after that." Ana mark the maps with a termie nest for IA cartographers.

"With this horn, hopefully we can figure out a means to manage the Termies." Looking around, "I guess we should continue on with our exploration."

(All set to move on. I think we just have a couple hexes left so another d10 and we will be off)

(Do we assume we have been able to load two bodies in the Pelican?)

(8)

(Yes we have loaded them)

1

7:43 AM

Moving into the second last zone of your trek you find the grassland continues. Terminal horns in the distance fade out after a few more faint soundings. The creatures that would normally occupy the zone have fled but you see evidence of an array of large beasts that make their homes here in this lusher part of the grassland

While they continue their trek along the coast, Goblin listens carefully at the horns in the background, making sure they don't have to fear for an ambush. When they arrive in the lush area, he scans it and is shocked by the lack of creature. "It's weird there are no animals here. Either they fled from Termies or a predator. In any case, we should try to find out and be on the lookout."

Taking Goblin's advice, Dalibor takes a look at the ground where the large beasts showed signs of living. Searching the ground carefully, Dalibor looks to see if the creatures were clawed like the Metanovy Vtak, cloven like a horse, or pawed like a mammalian predator (Surv/Int or Wis?)

(Can I help Dalibor without having the survival skill but having a kit ?)

(We don’t even need a check for this)

5:46 AM

They were cloven like deer or horses but there are no other signs of their presence here now

"These look to be different than the avian based creatures we have most recently encountered. I wonder if the local Termies would also have similar aspects. Either way, let's take a look around to see if there's anything else interesting."

Goblin nods. "Alright. Stay vigilant and let's space up a bit so we can cover more terrain. Something like 100 meters between each of us. What do you think?" Turning toward Ana, he adds. "Aura can come with you if you wish some protection. That will give Atzou the opportunity to stay away to help clear more terrain as well."

"We can do that, I will also program my drone to ping me if it find something"

A few hour wander through the area shows whatever was here has made a decision to stay away. The commotion of the fleeing Termies and the others in the woods announcing themselves is a situation none of the wildlife wants to be In, and they’ve gone to ground

"They left completely and from the sound of the horns, the termies also left the sector" Ana say looking at the horizon of where she last heard the horn. "I will use my drone to see on that direction if I find anything." Ana will control manually her drone and move it straight to the direction of where she heard the horns.

From above all you’re able to see below are thick canopies of branches and leaves , and not very much of the forest floor at all.

"Forest is to dense. If we decide to investigate my drone wouldn't even be able to assist us."

"I'm up for checking the forest if you wish. We came here so we can spare some time to see if we can find anything there."

(I’m good for whatever. Just was waiting to see if anything happened after you guys mentioned it)

"Let's make sure to be careful going in the forest. Remember what happened at the last dense forest we ventured into..."

Goblin freezes somehow at the hidden mention of the hellish tree but says nothing about it. "We are more prepared this time. We should be able to handle any Termies problem more easily."

"OH yeah. Almost got crushed by a trap from termies and used as an ingredient for soup. My first mission, almost nostalgic. We can go but I don't trust my instinct to correctly navigate us between the trees. Who lead us ?" (edited)

"Dalibor and I can take the front line if you wish." answers Goblin to Ana before turning toward his friend. "What do you think? Up for some front line or do you prefer to stay behind to better use your capabilities?"

(What is the actual aim here? Are we hunting the termies? looking for animals? I'm just not sure what to prepare for)

(We are looking for animals in the forest if I'm on the same page as the team. I personally thought that you were trying to lure us in to the forest, we can continue next section if I'm mistaking.)

(Yeah, trying to find animals or Termies if there's another nest but the goal is not to hunt them. Only provide the most accurate information possible about Termies positions)

1

(alright, sounds good, I know Dali was voicing some caution here. if we're resolved to go in ill get something together)

(Yup. Caution is advised in any case)

Entering the forest you can see the branches make a dense canopy above. The smaller animals scatter from the sudden people coming into the forest, and drips of dew collect under the wide ferns and leaves of the forest floor.

(Giving Dalibor an opportunity to express himself before posting myself

)

1

Walking next to Goblin, "Am I the only one having and eerily familiar feeling? We do have company this time, though. Ok, with the five of us, how about you and either Aura or Atzuo take point, we'll keep Ana in the middle, with myself and the last one providing cover. You and Aura have been better at tracking than me. If we do get into a fight, let's try to stay close together so I can help bolster everyone's aim." Taking another look around, "Honestly, I hope we don't run into something we're forced to fight, but I'd rather be prepared. If we can find resources, that would be great."

Goblin listens to Dalibor before nodding. "That sounds like a good plan to me. I can take the point with..." Turning suddenly toward the bird, Goblin shouts at her as he sees her starting to dash toward a small creature. "AURA! Stop trying to nom on this small rat thing. Come back here, you hungry pile of feathers! COME!" Shrieking, Aura nonetheless comes back closer to the rest of the group and gives a gentle head bang to Goblin to request some scratches. "There. Better. You're a good girl.". Turning back toward Dalibor, he continues. "What was I saying already? Ah, yeah! I'm fine with going first with Aura. Ana, is it good for you?"

Ana look at the interaction with a smile. "It's fine for me, Atzou will probably prefer to be at rear guard with Dalibor". Ana move in position and Atzou move next to Dalibor in silence. "I feel stressed in this forest." Ana continue

The various scanners among the party are silent right now but there is a clear trail leading deeper into the woods. There is a large tumble of rocks ahead, each one the side of a ground truck on their own, and are covered in moss and vines. You can see very old footprints in the clay around the rocks showing people were here once ,but it has been a long time since anyone has been here.

"Peoples came here before. Do you think there is something interesting if we follow the trail?" Ana turn her head behind.

Goblin looks at the trail and without raising his head, he answers to Ana. "There might be a camp. Or at least, what was a camp because these footprints look quite old." (Can we distinguished if it's bare foot footprints or if they were wearing shoes or anything similar? Or the footprints are too old for that?)

The footprints were a mix of your standard humanoid bare feet type impressions, and humanoid/animal like hybrids

"Hmm, this might sound strange, but what if this was the sight of some people who were then turned into Termies? They might continue traveling the same places as a herd or nesting instinct."

His index pointing in front of him, Goblin shakes his hand. "That's a really interesting theory. Maybe there was a village or a camp nearby and the people-now-Termies are continuing to use it as their safe place. Whatever it is, I guess it's worth investigating further."

"With the tracks being so old, they might not even be around anymore, but it doesn't hurt to look for Pre-Scream remnants."

Turning toward Ana, Goblin asks: "What do you think? Should we continue down the trail?"

"We go, for the future of Inheritors." Ana respond. "If it is termie territories we need to be careful of traps."

(Ok, so let's do our best to be careful and hopefully our Notice/Survival rolls favor us)

(Let's go!)

1

You begin following the trail and the footprints don’t seem to age up into anything newer or more recent as you begin sighting some kind of rocky foothill ahead

"Whatever made these footprints has probably not come here for a very long time." says Goblin as a matter of fact when they approach the foothill. "Looks like we will have to climb a bit if we want to continue. The good point is that we might get a better point of view of the area."

Dalibor gives a thumbs up.

"Let's continue then"

The hill is studded with caves. You can see a totem has been made outside a cave at the bottom of the hill, the skull and cross bones mounted on a pole but they’ve even out here for a long tiem

Goblin nods at the cave with the totem. "Looks like this cave might be worth investigating." he says before turning toward Ana. "Do you think your drone can give a little ping in the surrounding caves to be sure there's nothing there like wild animals or Termies before we check in?"

"Yes, the infrared should help me scout and it almost doesn't make a sound." Ana knee and start controlling manually her drone.

(Sending the drone in first then?)

(That's what I was suggesting and what Ana seems to be doing, yeah)

(We can wait for Dalibor to be sure it's what we do)

1

It is clear there was once civilization within this towering nest of stone foothills. Either the violence of The Scream, the re-emergence of breaches, or some combination of has turned this subterrain settlement into a ruin. The air blows through broken buildings mournfully

(This is what we get from the drone, right?)

(Yea)

As the video feed shows the interior of the cave, Goblin whistles lengthily. "Woooow. Look at this cave network. Who could have thought that it was so big. And it looks people have inhabited these caves." As he speaks, you would see Goblin's eyes glitter if he were not wearing his mask but you can hear from his voice that he is really excited. "We need to go inside and see that from closer."

(Go with it. Always practical to be safe and at a distance....hence rifles.)

Not seeing signs of life, Dalibor nods his head. "There could be interesting artifacts in there. I don't remember ever hearing about an underground city, so who know what we might find."

"How something so big forgotten in time ?" Ana say dumbfound at the image feed. "I agree we need to investigate."

As everyone seems to agree, Goblin starts to walk in direction of the cave. Once before the entrance, he gives everyone a nod. "Ready?" He then enter in the cave, a hand on his pistol's cross.

There was a spring here once, its dried up now but is too large to jump across. The stone stairs and bridge that lead across it have crumbled partially, and have to be navigated somehow to get into the small settlement on the other side

Looking at the crumbled pathway and deep pond, "You know, I had a friend growing up who always carried some string or rope around with him. I never understood it. He'd talk about some holovid actor named Bronson who always had rope and ended up using it, but it always seemed far-fetched to me.....I kind of wish I had listened to him now. Do either of you have rope and climbing gear? If not, it looks like we're going to be making a very slow, careful climb down into the dried pond and hope the rocks don't shift too much."

Looking below them at the dried spring bed, Goblin shakes his head from left to right. "Nope. No ropes for me either." Finally turning toward Ana and Atzou, he questions. "And you, girls? Do you have ropes with you?"

"I do have a good rope !" Ana open her her backpack and remove the rope from her bag. "There we go, it's 20 meters. You should be able to help us."

"That's great!" exclaims Goblin. "Let's see if we can find an attach point on the other side." (Looking for a place where we could attach the rope, assuming there's a grappling iron. Otherwise, the rope alone won't help much)

(Since the grapple launcher is its own item and there's nothing in the entry for rope about it coming with one, I'd say it doesn't)

(Yeah, that's what I thought. Could we tinker a crude grappling iron or you prefer not as there's a tool for that and we don't have it?)

(We can get a fix/int to try!)

Looking at the rope and the hole, Goblin looks at the others. "That rope alone won't be of any use. We might need to craft some kind of hook to try to lock on the other side. Any volunteer?"

"I'm decent at fixing guns, maybe I can fashion something kind of crude. Hmm, if I take this....and then the rope thataway...umm...not sure this will hold us....." (Fix/INT; 4/1 = 5)

"Wait ! I'm not sure that's a good idea to use that material that way. It could broke if there so to much pressure here." Ana points to the hook. "It would be best to multiply the numbers of branch in the hook to have more stability and distribute the weight." (Trying to help Dalibor to up the result if possible using my knowledge)

(you don't have any points in fix ) The hook is not successful, The rope seems fine but the actual grappling head of the device is problematic and none of you are confident in using it.

Ana tries to help Dalibor but only was able to make it worst. Ana sight at the awful fork she has created. "There is maybe another way to go to the other side." Ana look around to see if there is another way to advance, with the help of the drone if necessary.

(I'm certainly all ears if you guys put some alternate plan together)

Goblin looks at the rope and the wannabe grappling head. He then give a tap on Dalibor's back and laugh. "I think you should keep your focus on guns, Dalibor. Because there's no way I will chance my life on this thing. Ahah." Finding his serious again, he looks at the pit one more time. "I see two main possibilities here if we want to cross. Either we move along that dried bed to find a place where we could cross it or one of us climb down and then back up on the other side with the rope." He looks at the other before adding. "I'm not especially good at climbing but I'm volunteering to climb if we decide to do this. Do one of you have any psychic power that could provide some help on case of a fall?"

"I can remove your fear to fall, so you die without trauma." Ana say jockingly to Goblin Ana control back her drone to put it next to her. " I could attach the rope to the drone and use it has grappling. I could control him, try to find a way to block the drone in rocks or something like that. " She look her brand new drone and continue to speak "But it will probably be completly H.S. if I use it that way"

(If it doesn’t have the heavy lift fitting it won’t be able to hold him. Drones can only hold 1kg without )

Goblin looks at the drone and back at Ana again. "Yeah... I might not be that big, your drone won't be able to support such magnificence as mine." he answers with a laugh. "Dalibor. Any other idea or should I start to stretch a bit?"

Goblin is right Ana think to herself. She look around her to see if there is other entry that lead to the settlement. (edited)

Jumping across the broken bridge, or finding a way to climb the steep creek banks seem to be the only ways in. The locals knew what they were doing when they placed the formidable natural barrier between their now abandoned settlement and the outside world.

Shaking his head at the mess of a grapple, "I think we're going to have to rely on the most agile and fit of us to make the initial climb with the rope so they can secure it on the other end for the weaker members..." (edited)

Ana check if it's humanly possible to jump to the other side. (Question, does my Scene Efforts came back ? )

Resolved to do the climb down then back up, Goblin decides to probe the future with his Oracle power. The descent should be quite easy with the rope and the others on this side of the bank to assure him he wouldn't fall. But the climb up on the other side would be another matter and Goblin would be on his own so he focuses his mind on this part. (Using Oracle powers to answer this question: do I see myself on the other side after a successful climb?)

(Ana: Yes)

7:33 AM

(Goblin: Since there's either skill checks involved or it relies on some plan , one we do not have right now, I'm not going to make you spend an effort but I have no way to answer this question)

(I was expecting that a bit but I tried anyway. Ana, Dalibor. Goblin is still willing to do the climb. It sounds like the fastest way even if not the safest.)

(If you climb it’s an exert/str or con. Your pick. I think we have beaten other options and prep as far as we can. We always have the option to leave and come back with the proper equipment too)

(I prefer to come back with proper equipment but I know that Goblin want to climb. To be sure we are aligned he needs to go down then move up climbing ? Like this schema ? Not sideways.)

3:56 AM

(That's my plan, yeah. The descend should be easy with the rope. And for the climb, I will roll. Great art by the way. Cavemen wouldn't do better...) (edited)

1

(If the descend is 10 meters and the climb also 10 meters, we could maybe split the rope in two to ease the climb for the nexts)

As everyone seems to agree on the plan, Goblin starts to prepare himself for the climb. He removes his backpack and his rifle, keeping only his knife and pistol with him in case of necessity. "You will be able to send my stuff back with the cord so I don't need them now." Stretching a bit and rolling his sleeves and wrists, Goblin looks at Aura. "You useless bag of feather. I should have bond with a proper bird. Look what I need to do." he says with a laugh. For an answer, all he gets is Aura stretching her neck, head raised and chirping loudly while beating her wanna-be wings. When ready, he looks at the others and explains his plan. "Ok. I will rappel down this face with the cord so that should be the easy part. Once I'm down, I will attach the cord to me and climb back up on the other face and once on top, I will attach the cord so you will be able to cross with it (Hanging upside down maybe with some makeshift bladric or the cord passed in your belt for minimum security). Unless you prefer to all go down and then back up?"

"I think your idea has the best chance of success. Rappelling down one at a time, and then climbing up a rope that you attach on the far end. (Sorry for delay in responses, life has just become hectic, but I'm taking a short vacation to try and get things figured out before even more chaos happens).

(The rope can easily be cut to do that. Going down isn’t difficult but we would need an exert/str or con to try to climb other side for the first person , after the first person rolls if it’s successful the others will get a bonus since there will be a rope)

(sounds perfect to me) Putting his hand on Goblin's shoulder, "I believe in you....87%. That other 13% is my belief that Aura and I will mourn you and carry on your work."

"Thanks for your support, my friend." he says to Dalibor. "Once I'm down, get the rope back up and attach the bags and all the stuff you can so the descent will be easier for you all as well. I will retrieve them below." Turning then toward Aura and patting her, he whispers to the big bird. "You will have to stay there, cuttie. If need be, I will teleport you on the other side." Goblin then takes the second part of the rope with him and place it around his shoulder and chest. He moves next to the edge of the ravine and suddenly stops. He looks once again at the floor of the dried bed and next at the opposite side and suddenly freezes. "Oh man. I'm so stupid!" he suddenly exclaim before... disappearing and reappearing on the other side. "I'm so not used to this power that I always forget I can teleport myself. Ahah." he says embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. Let me find a place to attach the rope then you will be able to climb up. (Using personal apportation to cross the chasm)

On the other side of the bridge, you're able to see a tumble of rocks where a piton could be anchored , and a rope clipped in to it. A few firm taps from your weapon and it seems as secure as you'll be able to get it with the tools on hand.

Throwing his hands up in the air, "What!?!?!?! You can do that!?! So I took all that time to try and fashion a crude grappling hook, that I BUTCHERED by the way, when you could have just apparated over there?" Looking at Aura, "You see the things we put up with when you're not around?" A glint shines in Dalibor's eyes, and you can see gears starting to turn as he mumbles about "...rune shot"

"Please don't kill him... Yet. We would need him to come back if there is danger."

5:05 AM

Ana test the rope and see if she can use it easily.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm sorry! I will offer you all a good restaurant when we will be back in town. I promise." Looking at Dalibor, he adds. "Look at the bright side of things. Now, you know you will have to train yourself because you are horrible at this kind of thing." Goblin laughs but stay attentive, ready to evade any rock that could be thrown at him from the other side. "Ok. Let's have you three on this side. We have a cave to explore!"

(I don't see a way for Aura to make it to this side with the equipment we have on hand and I don't know if another week irl of trying to figure out a solution for that is worth our time, but those of you who can't teleport across the bridge can climb the ropes up the ravine with an exert/con at +2)

(Yeah, Aura will stay on this side and if we need her, I will use the power that allow me to teleport her by my side)

(Exert + cons +2 : 6 ...)

(6 passes)

(5)

(If 5 is not enough, I can offer you a reroll with Alternate outcome. Up to you to decide Dalibor, depending on the outcome.)

(5 fails)

(That's what I thought, yeah. You usually need a 6 to pass so that's why I was offering that to Dalibor.)

(sure)

(okay, so re-roll it then Dal(

(11)

You both make it to the top of the ravine, with Aura on the other side.

8:26 AM

The rope can be repositioned when it's time to leave and you can repeat the process going the other way

"That was more complicated that I thought, I need to train myself..." Ana say exhausted by the effort. "Shall we continue ? There is so much to look around. "

9:22 AM

(I forgot Atzou, should I roll for her ?)

(No she will just make it. )

1

Goblin helps the others climb up the cliff and when they are all on the same side, he looks around him. "Yeah. That's an extraordinary discovery. We might try to start by finding what could have been a central place for this community. If there's anything like that anyway."

Also, trying to see what's on this side of the divide, "There doesn't seem to be much sign of life, so how about we split into two groups to search around? If we find anything interesting or danger, contact the other party via compad."

(I’d rather not split the party if most of us are going to be doing that big Termies mission coming up. That makes timing very complicated )

1

"We don't know what we could find here. Let's stick together instead." Turning toward Ana and Atzou, he adds "Are you two ready?"

"Yes I'm ready." Ana respond. Atzou nod at Goblin and start moving

The first set of ruins looks to be run down homes carved into the walls of the cave. A simple door and round windows have been carved out of them and fraying curtains made of animal hide flap in the slight breeze

"Fairly primitive, to be honest. I wander if this place was only inhabited as an emergency shelter. Maybe we'll find something more deeper in?"

"Yeah, it looks primitive. That might mean it was inhabited by Termies at some point." Looking around them, Goblin then starts to move closer to one of the 'house' and pokes his head inside to check if there's anything of interest inside. Addressing himself to Dalibor, he adds: "Give me a few minutes to check these places. But I guess we won't find much indeed."

"You are probably right, Termies probably found this cave later. They don't have the intelligence and tools to create this landscape." Ana say inspecting with Goblin. "A pre-scream civilisation but which one ? "

(know/int ana)

(Know + int = 10)

You can tell this was done by humans. It was done prior to the scream but the techniques aren’t pre tech. This looks like the work of homesteaders

Ana look at the others and explain her conclusion. "Humans and we were right, pre-scream but they used techniques that are not pre-tech. I'm not sure why they where sent here, there is maybe resources that was used before the Scream." She move next to the rest of the group and continue. " No body or human rest. The ruins was not used before the Scream or they became Terminals. That could explain the sudden change of decoration at the entry. "

Goblin nods at Ana. "I wonder what happened to the people that lived here. There are no bodies like you noted. There also nothing left. No food rest, no furnitures, nothing. Whatever happened to them, they didn't left in a hurry." Looking around them once again, Goblin adds. "Should we continue deeper? Looks like there's nothing interesting here."

"We can for me, is there something else you want to do Dalibor ?"

With a short nod at the others, "Going in further makes sense to me. My only concern is to make sure we can find out way back out, but I'll record our trip on my datapad."

(The cave isn't a sprawling city, I don't think you guys would get lost)

6:35 PM

(We also made a lot of assumptions here as far as nothing b eing left behind. I gave you a short description about the construction techniques and I don't know how we arrived there after that) The largest structure here reminds you of a rectangular temple supported by columns, also carved into the stone. A central aquifer provides water to the small settlement here and it looks big enough to hold about 100 people- about the size of the village that once thrived here. Brass is featured on many of the wall panels showing carved scenes of flowers, animals commonly associated with springtime, and reliefs of what looks to be larger nature scenes.

(Come on Neko, you know me. Always assuming everything that you type.

Thanks for the clarification.) "It's beautiful, the work here is amazing. Do you think I can ask IA for ownership ? Forget about the house next to the beach. I could have an operation base here." Ana start to look at the carved flowers and animals to see if she recognise some of them.

Goblin moves toward the columns, looking at them in awe and touching one while moving around it. "Yeah, good idea." he answers to Ana. "The farthest you are from us all, the better. And we could simply blow the entry to get rid of you if we wish." he adds with irony, winking at Ana. "I wonder what they could have been worshipping here..."

The flowers on the wall are from ancient saliv , as far as ancient goes on this world. Most were used as herbal remedies for infertility , and others were commonly associated with the first thaw of spring, the flowers and bright bulbs existing at the same time as the last of the winter snows

"Hmm, herbs for infertility or spring time, new buds sprouting from the snow, I wonder if they had something going wrong with their population declining. I want to look around this temple and its surroundings for any sort of burial sites or maybe crematorium."

(seen ,just didn't want to move this without the others deciding to join you or continue poking around in here)

Goblin looks at the pictograms while listening to Dalibor. "That's an interesting suggestion you have there. Whatever there meaning is, it looks really ancient." (Do that mean we can assume this is from a civilisation dating from before Saliv was colonised or it's not that "as far as ancient goes on this world"?)

(First wave of colonization was about 200 years ago)

3:26 PM

(so this would have been one of the first places to see colonists, and back then things were not organized. You land, and more or less get turned loose to do whatever , they just wanted people on as many planets as possible)

"It's interesting that colonists would have had to resort to such primitive means. Maybe they were caught unaware by the existence of Breaches. I'm going to keep looking around here for more murals or other rooms in the temple."

(there aren't any other rooms here, was more or less just an open public meeting space like a forumn/temple)

1

Having finished walking the temple, Dalibor shrugs in disappointment, "Welp, I don't see any interesting secret passages to an underground tech lab...I am a bit disappointed. Are you both ready to search other areas?"

"I'm fine with the idea of exploring the rest of this underground village. Maybe we will find your secret lab elsewhere. he adds with an invisible wink under his mask.

)pre scream cultural site is still pretty important. I’ve only got a finite amount of new homebrew energy in me at a given time if we also want quality )

(Sorry, not feeling well. Got sick.) "We maybe found site zero ! Maybe one of our ancestor lived here ! Historically, that information was lost, this cave is important for Saliv. We can't let it to be forgotten or destroyed ! " Ana say exited from the implication. "If you are ok, I would like to move around to see if I can find more cultural information. There is maybe information from where they came from !"

"I'll follow you then Ana."

Goblin nods and starts to engage the conversation about Ana's hypothesis. "If the people that lived here really came from space, I would be expecting reference to that. But we haven't found a single picture or representation of a spaceship or anything similar." He marks a pause, looking around him. "There's not even trace of the spaceship. You would expect that they would have dismantled at least part of it for it's material. So maybe it's a mix of your two assumptions, Ana. Settlers turned into Termies after they were trapped by a breach. That could explain the lack of reference to space."

(they would have known they came from space, and wouldnt have been simpletons. This looks like a place where a cultural belief was perpetuated, rather than them being unga bunga star ships magical)

(Yeah, that was my assumption. Goblin wanted to say that nicely to Ana)

"Yes that could be the reason but I'm making too much assumptions without much proof. Got too much excited. We would need to continue to investigate if you agree."

"I would suggest that we mainly make sure that this place is safe enough for further study but I'm not sure if we have the good gear for a proper study. We have nothing that could help us date precisely the place or anything like that. We didn't even had proper climbing gear." says Goblin with a chuckle. "I'm all for checking the rest of the place because we might find something interesting but if we decide to stay to study, I prefer to let you know that I will be useless. And we won't be able to stay for long anyway as we don't have many food reserves."

"Huuum, I could come back with archaeologists. Our mission is to scout and it would be easier to come back with better materials." Ana respond. "As you wish. We can first finish the mission."

1

(sounds good)

(If we're coming back for more with better tools, this is more or less it. We were at the last region before getting back to places we mapped already)

(I guess we can wrap it all then :) )

(3xp, 5000 credits, I'll get the map updated with our most recent exploration, but we can come back here at a better time with the right stuff)

3

(2 new species, 1 horn, 1 cargo with survival equipment + 3 T5 armors and 1 Archeological site. Looking good ! Good job, guys ! )

Level Up Level: 4 Focus: N/A Old HP: 11 HP Roll: 16 New HP: 16 New Skills: Program 1 (2SP) New Psy technique : Far Tought (2SP) Current AB: +2

2

1

(So what do we do ? Are you preparing for the big mission on the termie city ? )

(yes)

(I need to find a reason to join then, should we RP until J-day ?)

(Give me a bit to set everything up and I’ll bring us all together )

After the long scouting mission, they finally arrive back the starting point. "Well this is it, we accomplished our mission. We found many points of interest and I'm sure would be of use on the future. You should probably all get ready for the J-Day." Ana say (edited)

"Atzou. Before we part ways, I would like to apologize." Ana continues sincerely. "You're right, I am acting like a child. I just think I have a solution for everything. This is no longer optimism but stupidity. I thank you for saving us from trouble." "But I will ask you to tell my father to stop interfering and if you agree, I would like to hire you personally without going through him. I'll let you think about it, after what I dared to do to you I understand that you refuse. "

"I'll need to think about it. Telling him no and getting hired through you is fine for now, but you're going to stop adventuring someday and I'm going to have to find other work. He might make my life very difficult"

"I promise you that he will not interfere with your life anymore. If he does contact me immediately."

"Ana, I promise to keep you safe out in the field, but I'm not going toe to toe with your father. You wouldn't be able to protect me or my reputation as a merc from that. I'm sorry. I can't sign myself over with this little to go on"

"I understand, I will try to have enough impact in the future for you to work full time for me. Thank you for coming along. I will call you next time I need you help, probably soon."

"I'll be waiting. Good luck until then Ana"

(Life doesn't let me respire this past week. I don't know if I have time but I would like to install "Drone Control Link" for 20000, A new drone - Sleeper- (2500) -> 3 Weapon Fitting (3000) + Heavy Cutter (8000) -> Ammo Unit (250) A new drone - Sleeper - (2500) -> Medical Support (2000) -> Racing Gravitics (2000) -> Observation Suite (250) -> Heavy Lift (2000) I'm not sure how Frontier Medecine work. Can I buy them ? If yes : 2 Anti-Tox (200), 6 Healing Powder (600) and 4 Hydros (400) If we move trough toxic cloud does an Atmofilter is enough ? )

(You can buy them yes. This is all fine )

(Just to reconfirm, no need for a full vac suit ?)

(correct)

1

(I think, I made a biiiig mistake. Heavy cutter use Power cell B right ? I thought it use ammunition... )

(If you need a B cell you can have one of mine, I have 4 and they would all be charged from my ship. If you say something in game I’ll give you one when I make my post when I’m off work)

(They use a type B cell yes)

Level Up Level: 5 Old HP: 16 HP Roll: 17 New HP: 17 New Skills: Program 2 (3SP) Fix-0 (1SP) New Foci : Authority 2 Current AB: +2 Money :1957500 +600000 => 2557500

5

(Sounds good. Let me know what you wanna do next )

(With so much termies body's, I feel like staying in the recaptured city would be nice in order to advance with my Null Breaches Exposure Codex.)

(okay, so i guess to put this into something I can work with, did you want to go on a patrol to try to find some mutations we havent catalogued before? )

(That would be perfect, you teased me on the previous mission that terminal mutation are not as random they appear to be and want to investigate further. Forgot to ask, does drones goes back full health after each mission or it need maintenance ? I would need to also buy power cells)

(Okay, if you want to make a shopping list go ahead. Our new IA player is about to patrol in the city too. Maybe we can team up)

(If he is OK we can do that, I need to reorganise my inventory to see what space I have left. Will do that tomorrow)

(Buying 3 Power Cell Type B => 300 2557500 - 300 = 2557200 )

(soinds good to me, those are available)

(There so much I want to study and investigate. After this mission, would it be possible to create a research base or something like that ? )

1

(We have an existing system for research and it’s generally done outside of pc threads since I’m not good at writing lab stuff. )

6:13 AM

(Missions are still needed to collect research points though )

(So what what should we do ? Do I continue the mission here ?)

(If you want to keep cataloguing terminals we can, oterwise we can move into something else)

(That or find the animals related to the mutation. The crabs and the animal that 'puff' himself like the last one we killed)

(There were mosks on Saliv proper living underground and we know there are just normal regular crustacean animals . Either one could have been a source for the terminals )

(How feasible would it be to create the codex using the current knowledge of Ana? I would like to create a pokedex like application with the strength/weakness of each subspecies to help during encounters.)

(We've only seen a few different types, and on top of that there are only some general stat blocks I've consolidated the termies into. They're not statted out to the point where they've got a move set or essentially the equivalent of a formal stat block )

1:48 PM

(

(That make sense. Would the creation of the just provide bonus to soldiers or PC that have access to it when fighting termies ? If I didn't find enough subspecies we can continue the quest to be the best ~~Trainer~~ Biodiversity researcher.)

1

(I would be okay with a flat bonus than everything getting individual stats)

(Let's go find more terminals then. Should a pay mercenaries for the mission or will I go with soldiers ? )

(if you're gonna stay near northfields we can get a few soldiers to come with us)

(Let's go north !)

The same patrol of 3 survivors, yourself, and your cutter drone manage to keep on going through Northfields, leaving the town hall area for a route through the eastern blocks of the city. Atzou has been able to rejoin you now free from the temporary work she was undertaking for your father.

"Atzou ! Welcome back ! Everything went fine ? How is my father ? " Ana say at sight of Atzou. "I'm working on a Terminal Codex to help during terminal encounters. Your help and advise is welcome." (Do I have time to buy LANCE ? I don't know if it's available yet.)

(you have time to buy one, it is available )

8:15 AM

"He is distracted with work, he always is, but it is good to be back and out from under his thumb for a while"

"My offer still stand. I will be happy to work with you on the long term when I open StarLuck Network." Ana activate all her drones, set the scout drone in standby above the team and manually control the other two. (2562200 - Medkit (200) - LANCE(2500) = 2559500 )

The team begins moving off through the city once again passing the site of the piled termie bodies now actively on fire. The other path you did not take before leads you straight past the town hall and off into the slum section of the city where patrols encountered some resistance. Packs of Termies here weren’t within range of the gas or underground and their more remote location kept them safe.

"With a city so big it was expected. It would probably take several months to clean completely clean the city." Ana say looking around. "Well at least I know that we will probably find others subspecies." "Should we move to the slum ?" Ana ask the team.

The team is ready to move out. Everyone is nervous about ambushes and other dangers the city presents but gathering as much intelligence about Saliv and it’s strange inhabitants will save lives later. There is a long boulevard flanked by dead trees on each side. Abandoned cars , trash and rubble carpet most of the paved surface.

"We got ambushed last time, Atzou. Be careful bellow the cars, I will use the drone infrared on the tree side if we are moving to a trap"

(notice/wis )

(Notice/wis = 7)

There are three infrared signatures in a small row house at the end of the street, hiding behind the front door.

Ana turn to the team and keep it simple. "Three contact in the small row at end of the street, their are hiding behind the main door. Prepare to shoot on sight." She move her shooting drone, aiming and ready to shoot at what is coming out of the door.

As you settle into position it seems like the terminals are waiting for you to get closer before emerging from their hiding place.

(Ana is 100% sure it's terminals ?)

(Its terminals)

After that everybody in position, Ana start the hostility by shooting at the door with her drone. She will keep shooting to be sure to do the maximum damage. (Using suppression to try to injure a maximum of termies for 2 ammo)

(alright, let me know how much damage that ends up being so i know what to halve )

(23/13)

The shots punch into the front of the structure and you see two of the terminals fall backwards, their forms already bleeding heat as the shear drone's heavy weapon ends their lives swiftly

"I got two, get ready for the last one !" Ana say's to the group. She look at Atzou, waiting for her to pull the trigger.

Her hands are trembling and when she shifts you notice hair line thin scars on her hands. The rifle crack is loud and the normally dead eye'd Atzou misses, the first time you've ever seen her do it when she's had this much time to prepare. The soldiers with you are more steely, and manage to finish the job, downing the last terminal. (edited)

Ana try to understand what just happened. Since her first mission together, Atzou would never miss a target like that. She see via the drone infrared if there is still others terminals alive and when she is sure there is no more danger, she move next to the soldier. "Atzou, are you OK ? You are trembling, I never saw you in such state." Ana gaze change to Atzou hands. "These scars on your hands, I don't think you had these marks before. "

(mental save for you. Not actual physical harm here, but I am setting something up)

(NOOOOO, I was so exited : Mantal save 9vs10)

You remember something. Similar scars. Delicate lines on a pale and sickly hand. A woman lying in a hospital bed somewhere. Mom. The voice is a thunderbolt of revelation. Memories you’re not sure if they are your own begin coming back to you. Your mind floods as your reality now, the implanted memories, and your actual ones all war with one another for control of the present. You vomit, Atzou ordering the soldiers you’re with to spread out and sweep the house to make sure no more terminals are hiding inside. Your drone automatically begins its guard procedure sensing your thoughts disconnecting from the control unit implant.

3

Her legs tremble, her strength disappears and she finds herself on her knees. Ana has just enough time to remove the face of her suit before she sprays the ground with what she ate earlier. A headache like she's never had before, her mind trying to make sense of what's happening. She feels as if pieces of the mind puzzle are being forced into places that already exist, as if her soul has lived many lives. This feeling is very similar to what Dr. Jasper had shared with her and for a moment she thinks she is in the middle of a Null Breach. The smell of butyric acid brings her back to herself. Ana opens her eyes, checks that her belt is not reacting and uses her last strength to sit up. Her breathing quickens and she feels like she is running out of air. She pulls on her armor to remove it to help her breathe without realizing that it will not change anything. After what seems like an eternity, Ana looks down at her hands as if expecting the same scars to appear on them. How could she completely forget? The little girl can see Atzou's shadow coming closer. "Who did this to you?" she asks, her gaze still on her hands.

“Your father. His work and the things he is doing. It’s unnatural. When this mission is over I think you and I should talk Ana. I’ve overlooked what he’s been doing in the interest of making more money than I can spend for too long”

1

(Sorry, life was in the way. I need to leave my current job asap...) Ana didn't expected this response. What was her dad working on ? Why did mom had the same scars... She really want to discuss more but it was not the time. The adventurer extended her hand at Atzou to have help herself get up. By reflex, she hug Atzou for a few seconds and smile. Ana take water from her bag to remove the taste in her mouth, reactivate her armor and refocus on her implant to take control back. She can't forget her current mission and why she need to continue investigating terminals body's. Following the soldiers, Ana check the interior of the building.

(Heal/int, for analyzing the bodies)

(Heal/int = 10)

You're able to collect some new data confirming earlier findings. These sport no unique mutations but seeing ones you've previously discovered are formed more or less the same way in these bodies cements the scientific claims you are making. These autopsies are recorded and are collected as more evidence.

More proof for her codex, it could be an important step to understand Terminal physiognomy and advancement for the Alliance. Ana still was not able to process the full memories but working on her investigation help her focus on reality, she can't look at Atzou without feeling bad and try her best to avoid her eyes. "Thanks, I have good data. We can proceed with the rest of the patrol."

(between this and our last mission we got a good amount of data here, if you're eager to jump into this new thing)

(F*ck yes !)

Bigger events have presented themselves, and ths mission is promptly terminated. (3xp, 5000 credits) Atzou brings you back outside the city, to a large tent in the Inheritor Alliance camp where you can both talk peacefully. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions" she begins

(money 2559500 + 5000 = 2564500)

Ana move in the tent exhausted from the previous mission. She don't respond immediately, Ana extend her arm, concentrate in Atzou eyes and use Telepatic Contact with transmit thought. 'It will be more peaceful this way if you agree. What happened to your hands ?'

Your father. A surgery. He tried to do something to give me psychic powers. Artificially, not like how you got yours.

'Is it even possible ? I never heard of that current project from the Alliance... Do know since when is working on his project ?' Ana look more attentively at Atzou body to find other marks. (edited)

This isn't going to be something you hear about from the Alliance. He isn't doing this on the public dime, because then he is accountable or someone is going to be asking questions. He's been after this since before you were born

(Neko, I'm sorry. I need to take a week break. I will be back !)

(Sounds good, See you soon!)

(I'm back ! Life is back on track ! ) The revelation hit like a truck, she didn't expected her father to work on a project for so long and so big. Ana put both her hands on her head, start to walk from left to right, panicking as she try to make sense of what is going on. The hands... If her mother had the same scars did she was part of the project like Atzou ? Was she forced to perform the test ? How long have you been in the project ? Are you in contact with other subjects like you?

I don't know if there are other subjects . if there are , probably none alive. Your father is careful and would not take those kinds of risks. I have been in the project since shortly after your mother died

So you knew my mom ! Ana move closer to Atzou. What happened to her ??? Was my mother a test subject ?

I think she might have been. I didn't see it at the time, but seeing the same things beginning to happen to myself...I think she might have been, Ana

Is the project the reason I can't fully remember my mother ? I totally forgot her until I saw your hands earlier. What exactly is happening to you ? Can I check your body to see what my father has done to you ?

We would need to break into his lab , a medical scanner won't detect what he's done. That is entirely the point of it, or someone would have stopped him a lot sooner

Ana reflect on the best course of action, should her confront her dad directly or investigate first ? Since she started going to the wild, his father behaviour to her changed. If I understand, you want me to stop him and see what are the effects of his project on you ?

*I want you to help me stop him. There will be others like your mother, and like me, if we don’t do anything about this”

Ok, I will help you stop my father. I will need to have evidences, where do we start ?

I know where his lab is. Its deep in the woods outside Dremlas. We're going to need to get there, sneak in, and see what we can find or record without alerting him to what we are doing. His first indication something is wrong needs to be when Peacekeepers actually show up to arrest him. We're talking about setting you against your own father here, Ana. Are you sure you have what it takes?

I will not lie, I m afraid of what I will find out. I have good memories of him and he stayed on my side when I was sick. But there is something related to my mother, you and him, something that I need to confront and have information. My mind will only be at peace when I finish the puzzle.

(3xp, 5000 credits , if we need to pick up anything we can do that now before getting into the mission)

Level Up Level: 6 Old HP: 17 HP Roll: 23 New HP: 23 New Skills: Telephaty-3 => Reflex Response Current AB: +3 Money :2564500 +5000 => 2569500 (I probably need to take 'spy' equipment. I'm looking at list to see what could help Ana.)

2

(sounds good, make the list here when you're done with it and we'll see what is available)

(Would like to take : Cyber : Direct Interface, Level One => 3000 Eelskin Capacitor Mesh =>25,000 Neural Overload Wiring => 30,000 | Can it be used to control a drone twice in a round when I use it ? (Feel like it's a little OP if it does but looks fun to use) Equipement : Personal Drone => 5000 Black Slab => 10,000 Data Phase tap => 5000 ~~Data Protocol =>1000~~ Line shunt x10 => 1000 ~~I would like to upgrade the drone "Lucky Stars" (the observation drone) from Sleeper frame to a Delta Hawk frame => 15,000 and add the fittings : Holoskin => 3000 Sensor Transparency => 5000~~ ) (edited)

(I don't think there'd be a Data Protocol available for a super secret hidden black ops project lab that only 3 people in the world know about. The delta hawk is not available for IA. Neural overload wiring gives you a second main action that fires at the end of the combat round. So everyone else will act and complete their full turn before your second action occurs. It can be used on drone orders if you choose to spend it that way. A failed physical save means the cyberware has burned out for the remainder of the mission) (edited)

(That make sense updated the list, then I think I'm ready. If you have a proposition for something else that could help me feel free to assist me.)

(Maybe a squiggle spotter? )

3:10 PM

(there's also not really a mechanism for upgrading drones. You'd just have to buy the one you want with the mods you want , just for future reference. Fittings are generally considered integral to their ship/vehicle/drone and aren't plug and play into any other thing) (edited)

(Added the item. I'm ready to get captured and see Atzou be killed.)

returning to Dremlas the next several days pass as you are fitted with new cyberware and obtain the items you think necessary for your trip outside the city to the lab. Atzou has been here before but her memory is hazy as she was under surgical drugs at the time. Although she thinks she will recognize major landmarks on the way, she’s not sure what security might be combing the woods between the city and the lab. She assumes it would have been powered off when she accompanied your father , since he is authorized to be there.

(2569500 - 80000 = 2489500 credits) Upgraded, Ana feels each time more alive. Her right eye have changed colour from blue to purple, she also have multiple cables like earring/piercing in her right ear and finally if she concentrate enough the nails in her right hand can separate to look like long hair. Not afraid to look different, Ana is even proud of what her modifications. Ana didn't take the big drones, they will not assault the lab but investigate what is going on. She start up her personal drone and control him to stay next to them. She open a map from the zone on her black slab. "What is the biggest landmark that you remember ? We could probably pin point the exact location if you remember enough."

She thinks for a long moment. “Mount Sojourn maybe. I think I remember seeing its peak from a distance when the weather was clear. That puts it east of the city , somewhere between here and there “

"Do you want me to look in your subconscious if I find more information ?"

(that;s all there is)

"Let's go then, I will try to find any building or traps with the drone optics."

(survive/wis)

!roll 2d6 +0 ! Survice(-1) + wis (+0) + survival kit (+1)

Ana "StarLuck" Acantha Roll: [6, 5] Result: 11 Reason: Survice(-1) + wis (+0) + survival kit (+1)

1

You're able to keep your position in the woods, moving east from Dremlas, knowing you have a large area to explore between here and the distant mount sojourn. The drone goes up, but the forest here is wild, untamed, and thick, and it is not able to see much below the treetops. Dremlas has operated aircraft for a long time, if the lab was not well concealed, it would have been spotted well before now.

"Still no clue where it is. More complicate than I thought. Did you remembered then entrance and how to enter in the lab ?"

"We've only been walking for an hour or so, and no, most of the time I've come out here I was under some pretty heavy drugs. We need to think about this for a moment. It's going to be concealed so passing aircraft don't spot it, but it means he couldn't have taken one there either. So we're going overland, and we're moving sometimes large pieces of equipment. For at least some of the journey that is going to mean a road, or trail. "

" That make sense. They are probably hidden in cave like the one that we found in the scout mission. We should probably follow a road until we found of 'off-road traces' to the base." Ana look at the map to see all road that connects Dremlas to the east, near Mount Sojourn. "More than 20 years... Is it the same base since the start ? I mean, before the Scream ?"

"That I do not know. My involvement in all this came after, but he is rich, he could probably move a lot of materials without needing much time. Something else to consider, we only were able to get portable resonator tech recently, so the base would have to be within 20km of Dremlas, to benefit from the city projector. So now we have two clues"

"20 km and East roads with a view to Mount Sojourn. They probably have their own generator for electricity. " (edited)

(Hacking is the same as regular stars without numbers. You need to have physical access to the system to place a line shunt , and from there you could hack via your pads. Things generally aren’t done wirelessly otherwise anyone with a compad and a bit of programming knowledge could bring any passing data system to its knees. We would have to find some actual pieces of the security system around and handle it/plant a shunt if we are going that route )

1

(Removed statement regarding remote hacking) "If we are able to find a security device I could try to hack it to have more information, I bought several items that could help us for the hack "

"So let's review. Finding a road, finding some kind of electrical signal, or finding a security device of some kind can help us pinpoint where this all goes. I think we're on to something here" Atzou says.

"Yes, we should probably find the road first. Should we start from Dremlas again ?"

Atzou nods, this setback gobbling up several hours. From Dremlas, you travel out the main eastern road again and travel for close to forty minutes before you come to a thin logging road that peels off into the dense woods around the city.

Ana look at the map to see if they are in the 20km radius of the Dremlas protector. They walked for quite sometimes and wanted to confirm. "Seems more promising thant the vaguely navigating between the trees." Ana activate her little drone to scout the area carefully.

You’re 15km from the city and within the protective field. The drone heads skyward for another pass now that you know what you’re looking for.

7:05 PM

(Notice /wis)

! roll 2d6-1 ! Notice -1 /wis 0

6:34 AM

!roll 2d6-1 ! Notice -1 /wis 0

Ana "StarLuck" Acantha Roll: [6, 6] Result: 11 Reason: Notice -1 /wis 0

2

(I love the bot)

You find a faint power signal at the end of the logging road. You’d have missed it if you didn’t put so much thought into possible lab locations. You’re unsure what security may be embedded along the way

"Power signal found, high probability to be the right road one. Can't find security measures for the moment so we need to be careful. Do you remember something ?" (I probably used the drone for more than 1 hour, should I remove one of the Power Cell A ?)

(Yes)

9:33 AM

(just one is fine)

9:33 AM

"No. I told you a few times now, when Iv'e come here it;s been with a really foggy memory. I think we're going to have to follow this road no matter what"

"Sorry Atzou, I m just ... Afraid about what we may find out. It s been almost one year that I left my father and 'join' the wilderness life. Each time I see him since going out of Dremlas , I have the impression that I never really knew him. " Ana sigh at ther reflexion. "I can't go back, it's just one foot after the other." She say talking to herself. "You were born under the lucky star" Ana start walking in the road carefully studying the environment to find any security device.

(program/int)

!roll 2d6+4 ! Program (+2) / Int (+2)

Ana "StarLuck" Acantha Roll: [6, 6] Result: 16 Reason: Program (+2) / Int (+2)

1

(seriously is it bugged for me ?)

You're able to find a camera before long, lodged in a tree trunk off the ground, it watches over the path.

Ana stops Atzou, showing her the camera. She try to move to avoid being in the vision of the camera. She inspect first the device before trying to hack it.

The camera appears to just be a camera keeping watch on the forest road. There is an access cable going down the tree to a power box at ground level.

"Atzou I will try to hack, with luck one line shunts is enough to access the full system." Ana remove one line shunt from her backpack and prepare herself to connect it.

(since this is a new device, and a new hack, we will need another program/int, and we'll see w hat we can dredge up, the previous one found the camera signal only, and won't count as a previous hack - so it won't add to your DC)

!roll 2d6+4 ! Program (+2) / Int (+2)

Ana "StarLuck" Acantha Roll: [6, 1] Result: 11 Reason: Program (+2) / Int (+2)

(you can ask a question of the security system,)

|Can I have a live feed of all the current active camera ?| (Sorry for the delay)

The live feed does not show you it it, though a recording would show your approach. It looks further down the path, toward the entryway where you first came in. There is nothing in the s ystem announcing an alert has been sent, as it did not have sight of you for long.

"We need to be careful, the camera got a glance of our entry. Luckily no alarm sent." (No information about other cameras ? Is it the only one ? )

(A further question or prompt would be another program check)

(Difficulty 12 ? Not feeling confident for that)

(I have not ever given the DC beforehand)

7:46 AM

(aside from execution attacks, but this is not that )

(Taking the risk then) Ana, still connected to the camera, took the opportunity to see the localisation of other security devices. "The best would be to not be seen completely" she say to Atzou without providing context of her actions.

10:04 AM

!roll 2d6+4 ! Program (+2) / Int (+2)

Ana "StarLuck" Acantha Roll: [3, 2] Result: 9 Reason: Program (+2) / Int (+2)

1

There is another camera 500m down the path, and three security IR tripwires at 200m intervals -three in total, between here and wherever this path ends.

1

"I have the localisation of the other external security system. We should ne able to avoid them. There is tripwires also so we need to be extra careful" Taking the lead, Ana do her best to move between the security. Even if take more time than necessary.

(we know where they are, so no additional checks to avoid them)

11:33 AM

An hour and a half passes and you come to the end of the road where the trees are thick, and a large, vehicle sized metal door is embedded in the side of a large rocky foothill in front of you. The door is concealed by tall trees along the path, and above, and have been painted to match the bedroom they have been sunken into.

"I m amazed by the time my father needed to do all this." Ana inspect the door to see how it can be opened. Her heart race in her chest, she is doing, again, something against her father will. With her imagination going wild, she is expecting the worst.

The door has an electronic lock, and also looks like it can be cut apart by a suitably determined person -though the second option takes more time. Presumably if buried in the mountain there are air exchangers and exhaust for heat and waste , and those could also be found and followed.

Ana could probably open the lock without problem, but for the moment she would like to see what to expect inside. She move next to Atzou and keep her voice the lowest possible. "Could you help me to open an air exchanger ? I would like to send my drone or use the Spotter in."

(We'd have to use the spotter, the drone is too big) "We'll need to climb to find one, I don't think there are any on this level. Are you up for a bit of an uphill walk?"

"Didn't took my rope this time. Do you think my frail body will be up for the task ?"

"We came all this way, and we've been tampering with the electronics. I don't think we have a choice but to try if we're still doing this"

"Let's do it then." Ana say smiling to Atzou. "Remember me, when we go back, to train my body and learn to shoot straight"

(exert/str, or con, your pick)

!roll 2d6-1 ! Exert(-1) / Con (+0)

Ana "StarLuck" Acantha Roll: [4, 4] Result: 7 Reason: Exert(-1) / Con (+0)

The ropes are something you wish you had, but you're able to approach the lowest peak of the cliff after an hour of stressful climbing. Your body aches in places it didn't know it had as your muscles burn with the difficult efforts you've just put it through. A large metal grate is embedded in the cliffside from up here- with four large industrial screws keeping it into place,

Exausted, Ana took her time to catch her breath. Definitely need to train her body, she taught to herself. Before sending the spotter, Starluck look at the air exchanger to be sure that there is not an alarm that will activate. "Do you think someone can visually spot us here ?"

"Who knows" She says, looking down at the treetops below. "Lets get inside this grate and get inside before we find out"

Ana nod and prepare herself mentally for physical effort. With the help of Atzou she try to open the grate.

Four screws keep the grate into the mountainside and with a small clang of metal it has been moved off to the side allowing you access to the damp duct that goes within the mountain facility. You smell the slight smell of mildew, no one has been by to clean this in some time, and a flow of rich air flows out to disperse into open sky.

To avoid getting severly sick again, Ana reactivate her faceplate when the odor assault her nose. She move carefully in this metal coffin. Taking her time to note which way they go.

(Are you wearing your websuit ? )

(Normaly I do have the websuit equiped, I will check the google sheet) (edited)

8:52 AM

(I can confirm)

"Alright, we move in, hard and fast" Atzou says, and she begins sweeping the way ahead with her rifle. "Please watch the rear, and we will affix the grate behind us so no one knows we came this way"

"I will keep an eye on the rear." Ana help with the grate and prepare herself to move in. (Does the drone fit ? It could maybe help as a vanguard)

(It would not)

(We can continue to move then) Ana will carefully check if there is security device as they move in.

(I'll get a map of the inside for you)

12:42 PM

There is no security device, and you see yourself into as duct that is about 10m off the ground, looking down on a dimly green lit room of horrors below you.

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 4/29/2022 12:42 PM

Ana looks around in disbelief. A full display of carnage and nightmares. Never in her mind she had expected this. Her body tremble to know who is responsible of this, her own father. She try to make sense of what is going on bellow her.

“How do you suppose we get down?“ Atzou asks from behind you, looking through another grate down onto the floor below

Why didn't she take the rope? Ana think to herself. "Before we search a solution to go down let me just quickly take a look for cameras or other security trigger. " Ana remove the squigler from her bag and pass the cable between the grate bars to have a better view of their surroundings.

Within the facility itself, it does not seem like there are any recording devices, since the outside is so heavily secured.

"Nothing in the room. What is the grate that is the closest to the floor ? "

"I think we're going to have some kind of drop no matter what we do. Any other clever ideas for getting down?"

"I have the impression there is maintenance rails on the sides of the room. There could be a way to enter or exit from the rails to the air exchangers for when it need repairs." Ana try to look for controls to open or move the air exchangers or the maintenance rails.

There aren’t controls that you can see to move anything from here. You’re about to give up hope when the main lab doors open and Mr. Acantha enters the facility. He is flanked by two bipedal security drones and a third heavy work model looks to be dragging in a pair of chained terminal prisoners

1

Ana stop moving, her heart jumped at the sight of her dad. She still had hope that her father was not related to any of that but now she wanted to stop him, no mater the cost. She take her Black Slab and start filming.

The tool rack is powered up and you can see a connection to it opens on your black slab. You'd have to try to work your way in , in order to hack it, but it appears as some kind of object you can connect to. One of the terminals is chained to an examination bed, and Mr. Acantha looks to be starting some kind of voice recording device so he can make notes on whatever it is he is about to do.

Without second thought, Ana look at what type of device she can connect and start the hack.

Some kind of firefighting hose looks like it can follow the wall tracks to come close enough to the vent to swing to, held on an automatic cradle so the water can be directly dispersed where it is needed.

That could be used when they want to go down. Ana think to herself. There was no need to use it for the moment unless she want to confront her father. Ana focus and use Telepathic Mind on her father to know his current tough.

(mental save)

!roll 1d20 ! Mental save vs 9

Ana "StarLuck" Acantha Roll: [14] Result: 14 Reason: Mental save vs 9

You sense interest, and intense curiosity from your Father, but it is directed at the ongoing experiments. It seems he is not suspicious of anything at the moment, and otherwise seems to be looking at this entire laboratory of horrors with cold detachment.

Ana looked at her father for so long that it felt she was staring it him for weeks. Disgust, there was no other word for it. That creature couldn't be the father of no one. She turn to Atzou and connect to her mind to avoid a maximum of noise. There is no way that I'm the daughter of that 'thing'. He doesn't have an ounce of humanity and compassion in his head. I want to confront him, I want to know the truth from his mounth.

“What’s your plan?” She asks in your mind, still looking down through the vent and is seeing the same sights you are

We will keep recording until we have enough footage to put him in jail forever. If we are still connected to Dremlas network we will send it with our location, if not, you go back to the city, take to footage and call the guards to this location. I will keep him busy. Ana point to the the firefighting hose. *I will use this on the bots, should be strong enough to do some damage and then I will go down talk to him. *

(You’re not connected. They’d discover you if you were )

(Would they engage me immediately if I connect ? I was also thinking of hacking one of the bot remotely but it seems to not be an option.)

(Remote hacking as a general thing is not really a concept in SWN. Line shunts generally need to be placed on the things you're trying to hack, or on part of the systems they're connected to. We have access to the fire hose, bu tnothing else without directly touching it. )

(Took the time to read back from the beginning has I was not sure where I wanted this to go but I think I now remember. Ana would like to stop him as soon as possible but she know that's really risky. So the backup plan would be for Atzou to go back and call reinforcement. During the time Ana 'deal' with her father. Ana initial plan is to talk to her father but the two bots are too dangerous if the conversation doesn't go well. I think the best course of action after reading Ana spreadsheet would be to use the rest of her effort to : Use "Reflex Response" to force her father to disable both bots. Use " Suppress Cognition" to remove completely the tough of the fire hose so I can maybe move it without alerting him. If the dice god are with me I should be able to go down without alerting him. If I move next to the bots I could maybe hack them via a Line shunt (or via the "Eelskin Capacitor" hand ?). Sorry to continue via OOC text but I feel with both being out of this story for so long it would be best to realign together how to proceed.)

(He gets saves on these I believe and if he passes one he will know that’s going on)

(going to put this in Post archive threads for now, Feel free to reply when you're back)

1