Iron Stars - cyrus

(Would Cyrus have been assigned some kind of living space after making it to the colony and debriefing?)

(yes, everyone has basically a floor of an apartment building)

A shaggy and dishevelled looking Cyrus walks into the apartment. Dropping a duffle bag by his bed before peeling off his armour and going for the first actual shower in a year and a half. After he trims his beard and hair, he throws his old clothes away and puts on some new fatigues. "That feels a whole lot better..." He says to the mirror looking much more human in his visage "Best get back to work, I'm skint" He looks through his comm pad for contacts to call in the administration

The compad connects to colony nets once you finally charge it, and a man named Franz is listed as the contact for all current colonial work postings

Cyrus sits down with a protein bar and contacts Franz

The link crackles open. "Franz speaking. To whom am I having a conversation with this morning?"

Clears his throat awkwardly, he hasn't done this in a while "Good Morning Franz, this is Armsman Cyrus Adonis - former Armsman I suppose now... I heard you were the man to speak to about work?"

"I can certainly set you up with some employment. Did you have anything in mind?"

"Well I suppose I'm an expert in survival, tracking and hunting. I'm no stranger to a fight either so anything in that vein really"

(did you get a chance to look at the faction endeavor handouts, or the news post on here at all? Anything stick out? if not i can find something)

(there was a few, Marshal services had something about executing a bounty by a foreign power. I also saw that Task Force Phoenix is looking for a scouting expedition. I'm just a little unsure about skill level and such, don't want to be walking into something that will be far above my lvl if you get my meaning)

(I tailor the missions so they'll be challenging but you wont just step on a landmine and die randomly)

(okay, then in that case I like the idea of the bounty mission from Marshal Services)

2:15 PM

(Are we doing exp on a mission bases or by goals?) (edited)

(both)

(Good to know, will set some)

2:23 PM

Flicks through some of the listings as he speaks to Franz "I see that the Marshal Service might be in need of a bounty hunter, seems pretty up my street"

"Very good. I shall let them know that you're taking the contract" (edited)

2:25 PM

(Gonna post in the marshal faction thread that you're taking the job, if desmond or arimoto have any advice or can offer help they'll post there)

(Thanks! Will check it out)

You're forwarded a file, about a Taros land pirate named Terragon the Red.

2:28 PM

He was last seen near the city of Egons, using the general lawlessness there to operate around its boundaries with relative impunity

Checks his details, seeing if there is any info on his skills and potential threat level

they have been attacking trucks, usually undefended or lightly defended. Most recent count had his gang at one large rig, where stolen goods are loaded, and two outrider cars

2:33 PM

Thus far, any deaths have come from road accidents. His band has not actually directly killed any of the occupants of the vehicles they've attacked

Flicks through the details nodding along to himself, looking at the size of his gang "Got to be at least six of these guys"

(The report didn't have any info on size, probably because the Taros investigating the issue aren't sure)

(Good to know)

2:42 PM

Ponders a good couple of seconds and then brings up his map of the area, trying to find out how long its going to take him "I could hop the train to Vapormills, then from there its a fair trek to Egons" (edited)

"The marshal service can fly you. Egons is in a bit of chaos, so we won't land you directly in the city, but if you'd like to poke about the wilderness nearby, the plane can drop you off"

"That Sounds like a plan, if they drop me in the wilderness nearby I'd be better placed to pick up their tracks"

2:45 PM

"Do they want him dead or alive?"

Franz chuckles a little bit. "I'm going to read this right from the flyer. The bounty is 30,000 dead, 60,000 alive, so the Taros government can kill them in their own, special way"

Nearly spits out his tea as it catches him unawares "Well, that's telling, I'm guessing these Taros guys are real 'fun'"

2:49 PM

"Where shall I take him after I get him? Is it a case of waiting for extraction or am I taking him straight to Taros?"

(The taros are the species, think elvish almost, tall, pale, pointy ears, most mount some kind of cyberware)

2:52 PM

(Their cities are off on the west of the world map, that collection of 7)

(Ah! I see)

"Any city but Egons, since there is currently no official leader. You'll be extracted when you're ready"

"Sounds good Franz, you want to notify the Marshal's? I'll grab my gear and be on the way." (edited)

"Of course, your ride will be at the airport, ready when you are"

"Cheers Mate, talk later" grabs his bag and reloads his rifle on the way out, slinging it over his shoulder as he begins to make his way to the airport

The connection closes. An admin towncar pulls up outside as you exit your home, a rare site even a year and a half since the crash

3:19 PM

Its a short ride to the airport

Slings his backpack over his shoulder as he gets out of the car tipping an invisible hat as he does to the driver. He makes his way to to the plane

the two pilots are finishing some checks as you arrive at the lowered rear ramp

Walks up the ramp whistling a tune before stopping to put his backpack on a seat "Morning Gents!"

“Morning! You’re our charge for the day then eh? Very good. Got a small selection of gear here for you, provided by admin. Open at destination of course”

Cyrus' face lights up a little like a kis at the thought of free gear "Sounds fun shall we get this show on the road then? I'm Cyrus by the way."

“Nice to meet you. Buckle in and we will be off in a moment”

11:06 AM

The ramp begins closing as you board

(Is it like a VTOL)

11:08 AM

Sits down in a seat and begins to strip and clean his rifle

(It is a VTOL, yes)

11:13 AM

(Think like a year 2600 equivalent to an osprey)

(That was my thinking, makes for a nice look)

"Ready when you are!" Clicks his belt in. Still toying with his rifle

The rotorsa turn over, carrying it gently into the air, off to the area around Egons. | "It's going to be a few hours, Get some rest while you can"

"Thanks for the notice, gimmie a shout when were a few minutes out. Steady flying!" He puts his gun back together and swivels in his seat laying down, using his bag as a pillow laying his rifle across his chest. Closing his eyes

A gentle push awakens you a while later. It’s late afternoon from what the position of the sun tells you. The crew chief is standing over you. “We are about ten minutes out. There’s a clearing in some dense forest close to the roadway. You’ll be able to walk it easy enough”

Cyrus' eyes open and dilate as he starts a little sitting up "Okay... yeah-right. Let's do this. What was that about a admin approved gear?" He stands readying his gear as he speaks

He takes a small clipboard out of a pouch. “Four fragmentation grenades, fifty feet of rope, an anti vehicle mine, two extra type A power cells, a personal first aid kit and five flares”

"Sounds fun, those munitions will help with the vehicles."

The VTOL comes to hover over the clearing, scanning the area with its chin gun before the back hatch opens. The crew chief pans the back with the mounted heavy machine gun on the back as it comes in to land

Cyrus stands pulling on his backpack and chambering a round in his combat rifle before walking off the back of the ramp as it touches the deck "Thanks for the ride Partner!" He half shouts to the Chief as he leaves

2:16 PM

He enters the tree line and crouches waiting for the VTOL to leave before carrying on

Cyrus makes his way further into the woods towards the road, moving slowly and quietly as he does. Watching out for wildlife as he does

(Notice int)

(7)

(I also have the first level in alert if that applies)

You notice deep tire prints on the side of the road, and they are warm. A small road outpost is down the motorway, about 2km away

Begins to walk through the woods towards the outpost parallel to the road making sure that if needed he can take cover. He takes his time and is methodical in his movement through the brush so as not disturb the animals. His rifle raised to his shoulder all the while

The road is quiet and you approach the outpost slowly. Four guards in Egons civic defense force uniforms stand at the gate. A ten foot high palisade wall surrounds the compound, and you can make out the peaked roofs of two large wooden buildings (edited)

Lowers his rifle so he doesn't spook the Egon Guards as he approaches stepping out of the tree line and on to the road about 50m away from the gate. He walks, watching their body language as he comes closer "G'day Friends" He half shouts as he gets closer still

They tense a bit, but you've approached with a friendly attitude, their weapons remain held slack

7:09 AM

"Good day traveler. passing through?"

"Something like that Friend, on the trial you know how it is. How goes it out here? Heard there were some issues out this way with brigands and the like" He walks as he speaks stopping in front of the guards about 20m away

"Some issues, yes. You're on the trail you say? of who?"

"I believe he's known as Terragon the Red, heard of him?" He watches their reactions and movements as he speaks, not fully trusting these people but willing to be civil

"He's why we are out here watching the various roadhouses along the trade routes."

He smiles nodding "I see, I'd imagine that you want him gone then?"

"Truthfully its a better posting out here. The leader of our city was killed yesterday, and the cracks are already starting to show. A city post is far more dangerous right now"

"I see, well If it were up to me I'd spend all my time out here. Love the outdoors. Tell me Friends, would your commander be able to help me at all with my hunt?"

"Not sure what he knows, but he's inside, we can let you in if you'd like to talk to him"

"Sure! Any help would be appreciated." slings his rifle on his shoulder before starting to walk towards the gate

The wooden gate is opened for you, and you're welcomed into a parking lot. Six groundcars are sitting in parking, along with an armored military transport. One building is a garage, a second military vehicle, staff car in appearance, is being worked on. The other is a hotel of some sort for travelers

Nods to the guards as they let him in "Can you tell me where I can find your Commander?"

"He should be in the suite-room of the hotel. It's the only one, shouldn't have trouble finding it:

"Thank you." He walks over to the hotel, opening the door. Squinting as he enters, his eyes adjusting to the light

There are twelve people in the room scattered between drinking at the bar, or sitting at the long tables in the room. There is a comfortable fire in a stone chimney burning away at the far left of the space. A rough wood and tile staircase goes to the upper floor, where the walkway looks down into the main room

Walks through the room, glancing at the people looking for anyone that could be a potential threat. As he gets to the stairs he pauses a second before starting up them towards where he imagines the suite room is.

The upstairs looks to be where the rooms for those staying the night are, one of the doors is open but you cannot quite see what is inside. You do however hear the sound of a pen or stylus writing on paper

Walks to the room and knocks on the door frame "Hello?"

"Enter" a powerful voice booms, it almost seems to shake the walls of the room

2:22 PM

A scarred Taros sits behind the table, in an officers uniform of the Egons Civic Defense Force. His right hand is mechanical, and a small metal plate is fastened to the outside of his jaw on the bottom bone

Half marches into the room. He bows his head slightly at the Officer "G'day Officer. My name is Cyrus Adonis, formerly Corporal Adonis of Greenbriar Inc's security forces. I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time?" He asks confidently noting the cyberware

"Of course, sit down. Drink?"

"Thank you, and yes please" He pulls the chair out and sits down putting his bag on the floor and leaning his rifle on the table "I've come to talk to you about Terragon the Red"

"Ah, yes, What did you want to know?"

"Well, I've just started, I know he operates around this area but I'd like to know where specifically he was last sighted if possible. Where I might be able to pick up the trail, that kind of thing really. If you have any more information on him that you think I might find useful that'd be appreciated."

“Well, his last three attacks have all been within 30km of this roadhouse, we think he’s based nearby. There’s a supply convoy coming through tonight. I don’t have the men to escort it , and there’s no guarantee any harm will come to them”

Ponders for a good moment "Could you show me what route it's going to take? I might be able to figure out where he's most likely going to attack it."

He takes a stack of books off the end of the table and clears the place setting he had been eating from a short while ago. A plastic coated map is laid out on the table showing the routes near the roadhouse

9:22 AM

There are three highways heading off to other cities, two are rugged and require moving through steep terrain. The last is a more gentle rural route that is longer but relatively flat.

Surevey's the maps nodding silently "Interesting, which one is the convoy going to take?"

"Plan was for this rural route here,

10:49 AM

easiest on the long haul drivers, gives them a chance to relax a bit"

"Well my intel says that this bandit likes hijacking with vehicles so the flat route would be great for him. He can overtake the vehicles force them off the road and take your supplies. Though that being said the fastest way to find his base is to wait for him to attack and then follow him back to it. In short it's probably best they do take that route, and I'll go along with them, we'll have a crack at these raiders and hopefully if we take out enough of them they'll fall back to their base. Then I'll track him there and finish it."

“I can have my officers block off the others. It’ll force civilian traffic and your prey onto this road

"It seems to be the safest option the other option is I mine one of the mountain passes but I'd rather not accidently blow a civilian vehicle to slag. The clear sight lines would work better as well. This convoy, is it armed in anyway?"

“The drivers usually have a weapon. Sometimes the wealthier shipping companies will pay motorbike outriders to accompany their trucks but local ruffians don’t always want the job”

"Okay. Is there anything else you can tell me about the target? I haven't got numbers on his group yet apart from the fact they use three vehicles."

“About six. He does the same thing as far as we can tell. Just hires as needed”

"Does he chase the convoys or does he overtake them? I assume he follows them and makes them pull over instead of a roadblock, but I could be wrong"

“He chases them and makes them wreck or surrender. Takes the goods. If any of the crew are alive he usually helps give them medical attention”

Looks surprised "Very interesting, he gives them medical attention."

12:53 PM

"Right well, I'm going to tag along on the convoy. Hopefully I'll stop the attack it self, seeing as he doesn't just outright kill them I doubt he'll want to stick around for a strong fight. After that and if I don't apprehend him then I'll track him back to his camp and finish the job there."

12:53 PM

(Do I have photo ID of Terragon?) (edited)

(yeah. He is pale, as all Taros are, three scars go from left temple to right corner of the jaw and when last pictured he was sporting a blond mohawk)

1:31 PM

(Red warpaint in a brilliant slash accents each scar)

Stands picking up his bag and rifle before nodding to the Commander "Thank you for your assistance Sir, I'll be waiting downstairs until the convoy comes. Then I'll hitch a ride with them."

"Ill get my officers out to the routes to ensure they're blocked off"

"Thank you Sir, with hope I'll have solved this problem for you by day's end."

Leaves walking downstairs to the bar ordering a drink and sitting down at the bar, he makes idle conversation to the barman about the other patrons trying to see if any of them are mercenaries or looking for work

There’s two in the bar who were trappers, they’ve just sold some game and made some credits, and are wondering how much more wildlife is in the area

Sits and drinks with the two, swapping stories for a while. Wishing to know what kind of predators are in the area, and whether or not they have seen anything interesting in the wilderness nearby

They saw the body of a raijalos earlier in the day. It looks like it’s been rotting for a month or two. Lots of smaller beasts have settled in around it, feeding on it

(Do I know what a raijalos is?)

(Should be a handout for it, but yeah you’d have if not seen one at least seen evidence of one)

(Ah yeah I see it now)

8:09 PM

Nods listening to the men, interested in what they have to say as he passes with them until the convoy arrives

(Were you trying to hire still?)

(No I'm okay, they're just trappers)

Evening comes after a few hours of shared stories. One of the gate guards cracks the roadhouse door open. “Convoys coming by in a few minutes. May want to get ready”

Cyrus springs to his feet grabbing his bag and rifle "Well Gentleman it's been a pleasure, I shall see you when next we meet. Good luck on the trail." He makes his way out pulling on his combat vest as he does

The sound of a heavy engine disturbs the still night air, and a large rig, with something like a road plow on the front pulls up to the compound gates, coming to a stop

Whistles "God's that's some vehicle you got there!" He shouts to the driver over the roar of the engine as he walks towards it

The cab, as you climb up looks more like a family room on wheels than the cab of a vehicle. A bookcase with a glass bolted display over it sits on the left wall, fastened to it tightly. To the left, there is a bed that is currently rolled up and fastened flat to the wall. A large mural depicting this very truck driving into a country sunset adorns the entire back of the cab

Sets his bag down and looks around a little "Well, this is just cozy, really homely."

"thank you. It's my home away from home, and I am away from home a great deal" he swivels the co-captains chair toward you so you can easily sit down. Swinging back, and shutting the thick door, you see a shotgun wedged between the seats

Sits down and spins around to face front "The name's Cyrus Friend, gonna be along for the ride on this one. And it's gonna be bumpy by the looks of it" He sets his rifle down on his lap

"I hope it isn't but if trouble finds us, its going to be along this road. Any idea why they blocked off the other overland routes?"

Sighs looking slightly sorry for the driver "Seems that you are aiding in the capture or death of a fugitive called Terragon the Red"

His face goes a bit pale "Ah, I see. That explains why my motorbikes peeled away a few kilometers back. So you're going to be assisting in that, with me as ...bait?"

Puts a reassuring hand on the driver's shoulder "I'm afraid so friend, if it helps I am heavily armed"

"Makes me feel a little better. You ready to depart?"

"Defiantly, let's get this done. Just keep calm and drive. If you see anything let me know"

The truck pulls away from the roadhouse, its lightbar turning on once it gets a short distance away, illuminating the open road, and the forests alongside it. The radio is off right now, too far away from any main points of interest to get a signal. "Moving right now was a tough choice, bottom of the food chain at my new company, and now I'm stuck on this route" he says as you get settled in.

3:10 PM

"Things in Egons been pretty tough, glad we got out when we did, especially with the last few days and all"

"Yeah I've heard about the death of the Leader of Egons. I imagine it wasn't peaceful, I've seen coups and riots before, it ain't no fun for anyone. Where are you living now?" Cyrus makes small talk but is constantly scanning the road ahead and the mirrors

"Canninhold. One night I snuck my family aboard the truck. Hid them in some empty crates, buried in other crates. Once we got away from the city they jumped into the cab with me, and I drove for a few days straight to get there. Filed for asylum at the gates."

"Shit, that sounds bad. Didn't realise Egons was the kind of place you couldn't leave even if you tried."

"Fewer people means loss of production, as much an economic asset as the factory tools we use"

"Just another reason to dislike centralised government I suppose. There's a reason I'm out here and not policing Greenbriar."

3:46 PM

"Don't worry friend, the time will come that things here will get better."

He smiles at the news. Something is glowing on the side of the road up ahead, a warm orange and red, though from this distance it’s hard to tell what it is

"Uh oh, here we go!" He half stands in the cab getting out his binoculars and rolling down the window. He attempts to hone in on the lights and what might be behind them

The lights look to be flames, busy consuming the wreckage of a groundcar

4:58 PM

the scorched frame stands out, a blackened shape in the middle of the heat bloom

(Like a silhouette of a person?)

(silhoutte of the vehicle frame, no people that you can see)

5:30 PM

Suitcases, bags, and a trunk seem to have their contents scattered on the side of the road, clearly sacked through recently.

Sighs still taking down his binoculars but bringing up his rifle "Previous victims, to let you know, these guys tend to give medical attention if you're hurt so if I do take a bullet don't feel you need to give your life for this. This aint worth your life." (edited)

He smiles. "Heard the rumors too, but won't help if we flip, or something like that. Should I slow down?"

"Aye, a little. Just in case they've put caltrops down, but be ready to speed up. These guys tend to come from behind" Looks in the mirror as he speaks

5:39 PM

(Just realised I also have Alert level 1: You are keenly aware of your surroundings and virtually impossible to take unaware. You have an instinctive alacrity of response that helps you act before less wary persons can think to move. Level 1: Gain Notice as a bonus skill. You cannot be surprised, nor can others use the Execution Attack option on you. When you roll initiative, roll twice and take the best result.)

(Yeah, this isn't a trap, just evidence you're on the right track)

5:47 PM

Nothing shows up in the mirror just yet, and the road ahead looks clear. It twists through some dense forest ahead

"So, you got kids?" Cyrus asks almost to break the tension, still scanning the sectors

"Three, two girls, and a boy, my youngest"

6:08 PM

heading into the forest, and passing the first bend, Cyrus feels that something is very wrong

Raises his rifle. Watching the road, attempting to see if there is a trap ahead or behind

Chains are pulled taunt as the truck rounds the corner, blocking it from pulling back. Ahead, 200m down the road, three spotlights turn on, illuminating the truck

6:15 PM

a gruff, but mannered voice crackles from a somewhat damaged loudspeaker

6:16 PM

Good evening fellow road companion. I have no wish to harm you or anyone you might be traveling with. I simply wish for a bit of your cargo. Please cooperate, and we can all ensure we see the sunrise tomorrow, it promises to be exceptionally beautiful

"Carry on at this speed for the next 100m, then gun it." He flicks the safety of his rifle "This is gonna be messy" (edited)

"LEVER!" he shouts, pointing to the blue capped lever, with PLOW written on it in bold lettering

Pulls the leaver with a grin "Here we go Friend! Do or die!"

The truck moves forward slowly, and the speaker repeats his warning That is close enough if you please. No need to save us the trip friend

6:24 PM

The driver looks at you, and then guns the engine. Gunfire sparks off the plow, now raised to protect the glass, and off the front of the truck, though you feel some of it hit the engine. The vehicle rams through...something...it is difficult to see with the plow in the way. Whatever the obstruction was, the vehicle charges forward another 200m, before abruptly coming to a halt, slamming you both into the front console of the vehicle

Bounces off the panel "Stay in the cab, and get in cover" He uses the door as cover and attempts to fire at some of the attackers

Door open, peering out, you see two buggies, now tipped onto their sides . One of the ruffians aboard, likely manning the top mounted gun, was knocked off and crushed by the wreck. You can see three others, in cover behind the other vehicle, rifles aimed

Ducks back into the cab and takes out a grenade, pulling the pin and attempts to toss it round the back of the cover

(Terragon passes his evasion save, the other two do not)

(8 dmg)

The grenade sails out, aimed well. Terragon sees the dark object hurtling towards them and dives into the protective cover of a copse of trees bordering the road. His companions are not so lucky, and are shredded by the shrapnel.

6:32 PM

Terragon from his new position lines up a shot at the cab, and fires

6:34 PM

It connects, the jacketed ammunition punching through the rear wall of the cabin, hitting Cyrus (5 damage. You've got AC 15 natively, I added a +2 for being inside the cabin, giving you 17, he rolled a 19)

(Yeah makes sense) Cyrus reals back as the shot connects with his side the armour stopping it from being fatal, but the blood oozes out of the wound all the same. In the adrenaline he feels less of the pain than he should but puts his back against the cab wall "That you Terragon?" He yells out of the cabin, wincing from the pain

"It is! Shall we call an end to this silly little game?" (edited)

"Listen Friend, this aint personal. Just business, and I don't see a need to die for it. Nor anyone at that rate. How's about you lay down your weapon and I lay down mine and we talk this out?"

6:40 PM

He gestures for the driver to watch the rear view mirror in case anyone should be attempting to sneak up on the cab from behind

The driver nods, understanding your request. He gingerly pulls the shotgun from its resting place between the seats, cradling it in his lap

6:41 PM

"Very good then. I'm coming out"

6:42 PM

Terragon emerges, he is not weilding his rifle but you can see a pistol on his hip, still holstered, and a brace of knives going across his chest, diagonally

Waits for him to emerge, and then peaks attempting to shoot him with his assault rifle

(He's out in the open, he likewise has alert, so go ahead and make an attack roll if you're shooting)

(21/10)

Terragon looks down at the hole in his chest "That wasn't very gentleman like of you" He collapses, face first into the dirt

Looks in the mirror to see if anyone else is coming up the road before rushing over to him medkit in hand

The area is clear

6:48 PM

(heal /int for the medkit)

(rofl 1)

6:49 PM

(Real good at the heals)

The damage is pretty severe and the first set of bandages and drugs seems to not have an effect (you can try one more time, against a higher DC, and if this flops too he's going to be beyond saving)

Tries one last time

6:50 PM

(Nah 4)

The shot was well placed, and too much of the heart has been damaged. The body loosens as he finally passes on

Cyrus sighs and looks genuinely sad. He closes the mans eyes as he dies "Find peace in the next life Friend." He stands and looks around surveying the small battlefield (edited)

The two buggies are overturned, though one looks to be in decent condition with a little work put into it. the truck will not be moving anytime soon. The plow took most of the damage, from the guns and then from the crash into the trees, but enough shots hit the engine for it t o need a full replacement. Coolant and other mechanical fluids trickle out of the holes

Looks up to the driver "Well looks like we're in the clear for now, but there's still another vehicle somewhere. My intel said two buggies and a truck. So keep an eye out, you any good at mechanics?"

"I get by" he smiles. "Don't think I'm going to be able to do anything for the truck without the parts though"

"Might be able to get you some help from the outpost you picked me up from, or from my Marshal friends. Let me check something." Takes out his compad seeing if he has any signal

The signal out here is strong

Calls back to the outpost "This is Cyrus Adonis, I have apprehended the Bandit Terragon the Red. Requesting a patrol to assist in clean up." He the sends a message to the Colonial Marshal Service

(They've got a faction channel, so when you're ready, go ahead and send it there)

After sending the messages he proceeds to group the corpses together and loot them. "How much is your cargo worth?" He casually asks the driver as he drags the bodies

"About 250,000 credits I believe, though I'm sure the crash damaged some of it. Hauling electronic components for some manufacturing plants out in Bladonna"

7:19 PM

"From there I was to gather some sundry supplies, and make the loop back to Canninhold"

"Fuck, well. I might have delayed your journey I by a fair bit. I'll try and get you some help from the guys. Might be an idea if I can get that other truck for you"

"I think the shipping company will understand, especially since someone attacking their shipping lines has been silenced." He sounds cheerful but you can see his hands shaking a bit, the adrenaline fading away hes beginning to come to grips with the experience

Smiles and walks up to him putting a hand on his shoulder, exposing his bloody side "Listen Friend, you're about to have the come down of your life. Best you go and talk to your people on the radio, then get some rest while they come."

“They’re sending a wrecker and another hauler for me to finish my run. Any news from your end?”

"There sending me an aircraft to pick me up, should be here in a few hours. Best I see about getting myself patch up a little in the mean time." He starts a small fire by the roadside and sits beside it bandaging himself, he looks quiet melancholic. (edited)

The driver takes a hot rations pack from the cab, and brings it over to the fire to warm up, expertly unpacking the small cooking pot and water bladder that comes with. Before long, he has some stew cooking for the both of you

Staunches the bleeding from his side for the most part. Sitting by the fire he eats and chats some more before sleep for a few hours

Out on the plains, its easy to hear the helicopter motors before the aircraft is actually visible. You remember instructing the pilot to look for red smoke

Stands and takes out a red thermal flare popping it into a field close by before walking over to body bag containing Terragon and dragging it towards the field. "Well friend. It's been a pleasure."

"If you're ever in Canninhold feel free to stop by. Names Demarkis by the way, Don't think we ever got there in all the excitement. Look for the yellow house with the blue shutters. "

Chuckles and waves back to Demarkis "Likewise if you're ever in Greenbriar! You keep that family of yours healthy!" He shouts over the growing motor sounds as he gets onto the Heli

The helicopter is on the ground just barely long enough for you to make it aboard, and before long you're on the way back home. It's a long flight, and you're stabilized while strapped into your jump seat. You see the wrecker and small convoy on the way to relieve Demarkis That evening, the helo touches down on the roof of the marshal service building (3xp, 5000 credits from the mission, bounty is separate)

(Where does the bounty have to be returned? Is it any Taros city?)

(Yeah, or you can arrange pickup at the colony since you're back and were hurt)

(Tasty)

The rooftop door leading into the marshal station buzzes open, allowing you inside

Walks in carrying his backpack, leaving the body bag on the heli for storage somewhere else, his eyes take a second to adjust to the light. He looks around for someone official

There is an administrator typing away downstairs, you can see from the above landing.

Walks down the stairs "Hello there Friend" He says as he reaches the bottom

"Good evening" she replies, smiling. "Help you with something?"

"Sure can sweat-cheeks" He says with a wink "Just got back in from a bounty, got the body of Terragon the Red in storage. I was hoping you might be able to give me a hand sending it to a Taros city, most likely Vapormills?"

"Oh...oh my...you completed that? And you're hurt. Alright, I'm going to call the coroner, they'll bring the body to the morgue so it won't get worse off than it is now. We will get you looked at too. I'll have Vapormills send a plane. You did your job. Someone will meet you to arrange payment."

He chuckles a little then winces seeming to remember he's hurt "Ah yeah, that. It'll be alright. I've had worse, nothing like a 10mm pistol round to wake you up in a firefight. As far as getting looked at, what are you doing tonight?" He smirks, it's hard to tell whether he's joking or being serious

she smiles, clearly used to the banter "I think you'd better have one of the doctors get you to turn your head an cough" (edited)

Laughs a little "Nice one, You've got my details when you need to get in contact about payment. For now I'm going to see a Doctor before the meds they gave me on the ride wear off. Thanks for that, made my day a little brighter." Seems to get a bit of a thousand yard stare before snapping out of it. Returning to his usual smile.

Walking out of the marshal office, you head toward the hospital, a coroner van passes by on the way to pick up the bounty. Before long, you see the bright signs for the medical center

Walks in the painkiller beginning to wear off he gets slower and sluggish he leans heavily on the desk breathing a little heavier than normal "Excuse me Friend? I seem to find myself in need of attention of the medical variety."

2:45 PM

He lifts a slightly bloody hand from his side

Two orderlies get you onto a stretcher, and you're out before you know it. You wake up the following morning, side bandaged, and feeling sore, but better.

3:05 PM

A message on your compad shows the bounty has been released into your account

He sits up in bed "Ha, a job well done if I do say so myself"

3:07 PM

(Was it 30,000 dead?)

(yes)

(Sweet! Gonna be some sick gear upgrades also, IDK if the goal would be worth all that much but I have a goal to finish the mission)

3:09 PM

(I think that's the one you gave me exp for already tho right?)

(no thats an additional 3)

3:11 PM

(thats why i push personal goals, you get mission xp, and depending on what your goals are you can get more, helps me write missions you care about too if i know whats important to you./your character)

(That's great, have some more in mind so I might jot them down later. This mission helped me figure out where I might want to go with this character and how he might react and act in situation. Generally also helped me figure out his personality)

(I'm glad, you're not required to join a faction or anything if you want to freelance, I have the endeavors up for everyone, so feel free to tackle anything you think might be fun)

3:15 PM

(doing one doesnt mean you're pledging service to them or anything like that, basically just lists of story hooks)

(Yeah, I think my character is more freelance, but that may change still feeling things out for now on that regard. He might even start his own at some point but that's a fair while yet)

The deposit is marked secure, and that afternoon, Siegfried, the colony chief of surgery performs a bioscopic process on you that seals your wounds

4:53 PM

“You’ll be sore for a day to two yet but you’re free to leave this afternoon. I’m sure you’re anxious to be home”

Chuckles lightly "My home's out there chief, but I thank you all the same. I'll go get some rest in my accommodations then I'll be back to it. Might even go shopping."

4:59 PM

Later that day Cyrus leaves the hospital calling Franz as he does

Franz picks up on the second ring. "Ah Cyrus. I had word from our friends in Vapormills just a short while ago. They're quite pleased"

"Glad to hear it. You wouldn't happen to know where I can get myself some custom gear? Weapons and Armour, that kind of thing?"

"I'd check the workshop. Pops runs a pretty efficient setup, should have you outfitted pretty quick"

"Thanks for the info Friend, catch you later."

"Be well" Franz says cheerfully as the line clicks closed. A pin showing the workshop is dropped onto your compad map

8:01 AM

(if you didnt have one before, youd have been given one upon returning home, colony issues one to everyone)

Looks at the compad, and walks his way over to the workshop

Pops is out front, a slightly pudgy, middle aged workman in an oil stained work apron. He is taking a long drink from a water pump. Behind him, the sliding factory door is open, and you see sixty machinists working on assembling various weapons and pieces of armor. Racks of combat rifles and combat field uniforms are near the doorway, ready for shipment to the barracks.

Strolls up smiling as usual "Hey there Friend, Pops nearby?"

"He is, hes me!" he smiles. "Help you?"

Cyrus chuckles lightly "I'm in need of some new gear, potentially custom depending on what you might be able to provide"

"Well, lay it out for me, what can we do?" Pops leads you inside to a drafting table near the factory door. The workman there moves out of the way, allowing Pops to take up the stylus and begin drawing

"I'm in need of a suit of Storm Armour. Custom built to for my frame. On top of that I'm also looking to buy a Mag rifle and Pistol"

"Power armor of that sophistication is a bit beyond what we can do right now, but the mag weapons are readily available"

"Okay, what about assault suits?"

"Those we can make"

"Okay, then that's where I'll start. An assault suit, custom fit and the like. And a mag rifle and pistol both with integrated targeting systems"

8:58 AM

(In short what I'm asking for is an Assault Suit with the mods: Customised, and Flexible. And a Mag rifle and Pistol both with Customised and Auto targeting)

9:01 AM

(Cost buy the book would be 26,900 credits) (edited)

(Yeah and youre at a +2, so you're not over limits , thats what I was checking on)

9:06 AM

(Book price, he has an assistant, so he can have it done in 3 days rather than a week(

(Nice!)

9:11 AM

Hands over the credits with a grin "It feels like it's my birthday!"

bounty money well spent, the order is placed and Pops promises to have it ready soon. "THank you for the business. Nice to see some new faces around"

"Name's Cyrus, Cyrus Adonis. Was deep in country for a while, that being said I don't plan on staying long in town. Prefer to be out. You know how it is. I'm a freelancer" He puts his hand out to shake Pops'

"Ill be able to get a message to your pad no matter where you are. See you soon":

"Thanks Friend, I'll most likely be in town for the next few days shopping and the like. Seeya later Pops"

9:24 AM

Turns and leaves headed for a place to by a Hovercycle

The market has been advertising visits from a representative of Kelbore-Tec, selling the finest ground and grav cycles available on world, every day. He is just ending his most recent round of pitches to the crowd when you arrive. Dozens of examples of both models are on display

Survey's the models, looking at cycles before settling on a one man speeder type vehicle for more heavy duty use in rugged terrain

"Ah, you're interested in the Bushman then I see. A fine model, one of our newest"

"I spend most of my time out in the wilderness so fast but quiet movement would be nice, It's just a shame you can't fit weapons on them."

"I think you'd find the field of fire too limited anyway- that said, are you still interested?"

Deliberates for a few seconds "I'll take one now"

"Very good, so a grav model then, 5000 credits if you please"

Transfers the money "I assume you've got a model I can take now?"

"By all means, any of the grav models on the lot here" (you can describe how it looks and whatnot, the cost is the same)

(great stuff got some art)

(what I love to hear

(https://i.gyazo.com/8ecf60eaf1a84d0a57c514593324d6ba.jpg)

It takes a few moments to get the bike registered to you, and to process the payment, but after a relatively painless transaction, the bike is yours

Takes the bike on a bit of drive to get used to it, testing it's weight. Eventually he comes back to his apartment and settles in for the night. Sleeping of the tail end of his injury

(We can fast forward to next day, not sure what you're wanting to get stuck into)

(Just waiting for his gear then I have a mission in mind)

Cyrus spends probably more time than he is comfortable spending, in the colony proper, and at the end of three days, Pops sends a message that his order is complete, just on time

Gets the message whilst sat down at his dining table. His combat rifle is in parts around the table for the 3rd time today "Finally!" He springs up grabbing his keys and riding to Pop's to get his gear

The workman is outside, putting the finishing touches on the armor, and waves as you pull up on the buke

12:21 PM

*bike

Takes his helmet off "That's a beauty!"

12:33 PM

He gestures to his armour. Getting off the bike and walking towards it

"Have a few moments for the fitting or are you going to tweak it yourself?"

"Best you do it I'm no expert."

Pops helps you into the suit over ten minutes, and fits a few plates a bit more expertly now that he can see how it lays on you. The suit is still heavy, but reassuringly so now, and nothing presses uncomfortably on you while wearing it

Moves around and does some dynamic movements to get used to it a little "Well it's a good fit, got no pinch in the crotch"

You sense he is on the edge of a joke but thinks better of it

Chuckles slightly "You did a damn fine job on this piece" After taking it off he fastens a snipers camouflage cloak to the back and neck line. He then picks up his rifle and pistol checking them both over in turn, nodding his head approvingly

2:46 PM

2:47 PM

"If you need any repairs in the future let me know. I'm always open"

"Great! If I come across anything I think might be useful for you I'll bring back for you to look at"

2:48 PM

(Just to finish the set)

(badass)

Leaves the workshop, as he gets back onto his bike he calls Franz

Franz picks up on the second ring once again. "Did you enjoy your vacation?"

"Indeed, I need a new job saw a posting about an off world survey and exploration job from Task Force Phoenix?"

(BTW is my goal of upgrading my gear achieved?) (edited)

(Yes it is, and what job was it. Even if you copy paste. Just want to cross off the right one)

(Although settled, Aslief is still home to vast unexplored tracts of forest and hills, send a scouting expedition to gather valuable map data and possible new resource deposits (300 points) ) (edited)

(Sounds good) “Ah planning a bit of a wilderness romp are we? Very good. I’ll let the planetary commander know you’re coming. Did you have an entry point in mind for your trip?”

5:58 PM

“I’ll let Seung know you’ve volunteered as well”

"I see there's some woodland and mountains North East of La Crosse, gives me a good range. That being said might be an idea to get a Geologist or two in, make a team of it. If the task force has anyone they want to use then it might give them a higher chance of finding value. I'm good at helping them survive and map the area"

“I’ll put in the request. Stand by”

A colony Geologist is going to accompany you, as the task force does not have one on its own employ

"Great stuff I'll head to the port now. I'll meet them there if the Colony wants to send anyone else for their own research in the area may as well do it. This might be a long haul expedition."

A new scientist named Verity is assigned to accompany you, and is going to bring a portable bioscanner and survey scanner to document anything you might find. she will be waiting at the spaceport when ready and a shuttle has been assigned.

Rides into the spaceport later that day after picking up a few supplies. He finds the ship and his new Companion waiting. Cyrus greets Verity with a smile. "Afternoon Friend" He offers a hand to her "Verity right? I'm Cyrus. Pleasure to meet you. You ready to step off?"

"I'm ready" she smiles, her gear already loaded aboard behind her. "Why dont you tell me a little bit about our route while we are in flight"

The shuttle door closes behind the both of you, and the pilot makes his rounds before settling into the cockpit.

1:57 PM

It lurches as it heads skyward, passing Trivedi Cloud orbital platform, off to the spike point

Settles in for the journey, cleaning his equipment and getting to know Verity

(She was asking what your route was. That was a cover for me to be able to generate enough hexes worth of land)

5:39 PM

(That’s half the fun of the generator I was given. I don’t always know what’s there either!)

(Oh didn't see that message for a bit, my internets a little spotty)

5:53 PM

A little ways into the flight Cyrus pulls out a map of the area, pulling it up on a screen for them both to see "So I thought we'd head in around here near La Crosse" Pointing to the forest hex's north east of La Crosse "From there we'll move up into the foothills of the mountains" Moves his finger northwards into the mountainous regions above La Crosse "Depending on what we find and the state we are in we can go further up into the mountains or turn back. I'm sure we'll find safety in La Crosse. From what I hear some people from the Colony stopped a Remnant attack on the planet?" (edited)

"They did, but not without great cost to the people living there. Reports have a nuclear explosion and partisan attacks from Remnant left-behinds happening there since the battle, but they're being hunted down"

"Then we might run into trouble, have you got combat experience Verity?"

"A bit. I can handle a pistol, and I do have it with me"

"Okay, well if anything goes down. Stay behind me and do as I say. Have you ever been in a hostile environment before? As far as rough country I mean, not a family argument" He chuckles "Though if any family was like mine they were hostile"

"Mine was hostile too, its why I ran away" she smiles "Several small greaseball planets, then Rawhani, which had no grease, but lots of dust. I was part of the first refugee compliment."

Nods "Almost a Nomad then Friend, look at it that way. Maybe you'll find a place here, many have or are trying to. I suppose I was like that once." He smiles wistfully "But I don't suit the ranch life anymore so that's why I do what I do."

As they speak a message pings through the ship from Seung. As they play it Cyrus becomes a little disappointed and then looks to Verity "Seems like I just got a call to duty Friend, do you mind holding this off for a little? We'll get back to it, just after I help out some people?"

"Of course" she smiles "Pilot, bring us around, to the space station"

"Thanks for understanding, was good to meet you Verity. Hope being that I'll see you again after it's all done with." He winks and goes to check on his gear again

The shuttle pulls into Trivedi Cloud, docking with a soft bump

Walks down the ramp as it hits the deck, backpack on his back and rifle bag in his hand. He waves with his free hand to Verity as he leaves "Enjoy the station! I've heard they've got a killer bar here"

"Be safe. I'll be ready for our trip when you return"

Smiles before walking into the station proper to the rally point

(got a mission thread with some preliminary intel up. Seung is going to plan with you guys in the morningonce everyone has had a chance to express interest. Dont want to leave anyone out)

(No problem)

Walks onto the courier ship with his gear bag finding a cabin to bunk in

The courrier ship is an efficent vessel but there is a cabin for you and your supplies. Lars is locked into his captains stateroom for a few moments while you finish gathering your bearings

Cyrus searches the cabin for spare Remnant naval uniforms just in case he has to masquerade as the enemy (edited)

There are two vac suits with Remnant insignia on them,but the actual day uniforms are being worn

Closes the cabinet and after putting away his gear Cyrus walks out onto the small bridge nodding to the guard as he walks in "What's your name Friend?"

"Korkova" he nods, and holds out a hand

7:22 PM

out the viewport, you can see the other task force ships bombarding the planet

Cyrus shakes his hand "Hell of a light show before we go. It's gonna be a long mission Korkova, a hard one at that, but if you trust me I'll try my hardest to get us all through it. Now let's get ourselves underway, release the docking clamps"

(Would you say me joining the TF completes my 'Become established in Greenbriar' goal?)

(I'd say so yes)

7:42 PM

The clamps release a moment after he stomps to the cockpit, and the courrier begins stately drifting away

"Captain if you would please take us to spike."

He nods, and the ship plunges in, on course for Asta. (How are you spending the downtime?)

Cyrus spends the time getting to know Korkova and Lars, more about there strengths and weaknesses. He also tries to keep spirits up. Aside from that he cleans his gear and rests recuperating some lost health.

The week goes by, and the five minute warning sounds as the courrier prepares to exit spike space.

"Do you know the layout of this place Lars? Are these five people all going to be in one room or spread throughout?"

"I think scattered but for mealtimes. Everyone has their own duties aboard"

"How big is the station, roughly?"

He thinks for a moment. "Actually, let me just describe it this way, its essentially four cruisers too old for frontline duty, that they melded together with some prefab space station modules for the corners. Suspended in the middle with some metal gantry is the high powered antenna. That's not actually accessible from the station itself, it has to be repaired with an EVA walk"

Cyrus nods taking it in "What kind of security do you think we'll face"

'There are a pair of patrol boats that come by now and again. The schedule is random, but I've never seen anything larger"

"Okay were going to go in as you would usually, dock with the station and from there we'll handle it. If they ask what happened tell them you got into a scrape with some pirates but managed to out run them and spike out."

"THey'll question who you are without disguises, and they'll certainly question the power armor"

"Do we have disguises to wear. I saw some EVA suits but no uniforms"

"Regular day clothes beneath it won't be questioned too much, they know ship crews are given very short notice to pack. Things were being forgotten so much they stopped issuing page 11's for it even" (like a minor slap on the wrist administrative punishment)

"Are the gonna question the weapons? There not exactly standard issue."

"Not really. A lot of our more recent formations are Ad-hoc. I think they'll probably even suspect youre lucky or important for having a weapon in the first place"

"Okay then Korkova suit up in one of those EVA's no helmet I'll do the same and get your weapons ready. Lars head us in to dock."

A voice opens up a communication link to the ship Herald 1, this is Hermes Station. Please transmit command authority now.

Looks to Lars and nods at the comm unit

He walks over, and presses his thumb print into a small reader on the console

11:59 AM

Code checks out Herald 1, proceed to docking ring

Cyrus puts a reasuring hand on Lars' shoulder "Well done Friend, when we get there you are coming in to, just stay calm. When this is all through, we'll get your family back. It's just business as usual, as far as they know you're in charge. I'll give the signal when to start, and when I do you grab some cover Me and Korkova will sort the rest out." He checks his weapon over and goes through final checks with Korkova (How big is the nuke?)

(Like briefcase sized, Its just the actual ignition core, not a whole missile)

(Okay, has it got much of a radioactive signature?)

12:46 PM

(For example: Do I think it will set off any alarms if I take it onto the station?)

(It will have a slight one. Higher than background galactic radiation so it may)

(Thanks) Picks up the briefcase in on hand he has his pistol strapped to his leg and his rifle slung over his shoulder "Okay we're ready"

There is a soft bump as the docking rings line up. The main computer reports that the linkage is secure

"Just keep cool Lars and remember you're a remnant Captain, we need to get to the command centre." Cyrus says as they walk towards the airlock

Lars presses a hand to the side of the hatch and it cycles open.

1:18 PM

Two of the crewmen are waiting there to receive the craft , both look to be teenagers, both male, and both close to the age of majority.

Cyrus steps out of the airlock briefcase in hand behind and to the left of Lars, Korkova being behind and two the right both looking like guards.

"Good afternoon Captain. Hope the journey here was calm. Standard procedure, need to scan each of you, make sure there are no contaminants or anything that might interfere with the electronics. "

Cyrus looks at one of the techs up and down "This briefcase my spike on radioactivity, we've been tasked to guard it while on journey. It's a pretech." He states matter of factly

"Very good. Well Captain if you'll step through this metal archway here, we will scan you first"

2:01 PM

Lars looks back at you hesitatingly for a moment, before stepping through it

2:01 PM

There is a small ping, and he backs out, fishing the compad out of his pocket

2:02 PM

"My apologies. I forgot I was carrying it"

Walks through the machine next assuming it will ping due to the briefcase

9:05 PM

He also looks around for cameras

There are two, in opposite corners of the room ahead of you “Are you carrying a compad or anything else? We are discounting the briefcase”

"A compad and my weapons other than that its just the suit and me"

"I'll need to just scan the compad quickly. Standard procedure."

7:26 AM

The other guard is helping Captain Lars by holding his accouterments, as he gets his pockets reorganized

Hands him a normal civilian compad "Sure no problem"

He scans it, and frowns. "This....This isn't remnant issue...where did you say you were coming in from?" He's still holding it, but his other hand slowly reaches down to the holster on his waist

8:03 AM

(youre noticing that because of alert, i think for Lars and Korkova, they'd be too preoccupied or it would be too subtle for them to pick up on)

He smiles grimly "Spoils of war friend" He says leaning in "It was still warm when I took it off the Psi loving fuck."

8:06 AM

"Haven't had time to get it registered yet"

He smiles, and puts the compad back in its case, handing it back to you. "Once, I was out on a raid with my commando team. World was called Aslief I think. Took a photo of the psi we killed, of his body I mean. Sent the picture to his mom. Got pulled out just in time thought I think. Heard it turned into quite a dust-up over there" (edited)

Cyrus smiles knowingly "I'd tell you were I got that but well then I'd have to kill you" He looks serious for a few second and the starts chuckling "Remember the fallen Brother" Cyrus says respectfully putting a hand on his shoulder

"Well, welcome aboard Hermes Station. Have you eaten?"

"I haven't and a good soldier never turns down food when he can get it. Is it chow time?" Cyrus asks putting his compad back in his pocket

"About to be. Private Ducannon makes the best roast. We can discuss orders over dinner, if you all have time"

"Sure why not" He says glancing at the others "Though I'm not sure how much we can share as far as missions go. But we'll get to that after we've eaten. So how many of you are on the station? Heard it can be a little lonesome out on these kinds of postings." He says walking with the guards and his own men

"Five of us right now. just listening and relaying really. Every few days we get some visits from the patrol boats, and its always nice when they come aboard. Feels a little bit more like home"

"Yeah I bet, its like any unit after a while people start getting on your nerves. Nice to have the variety. Will they all be eating?"

"The boats left yesterday morning, not due back for another day or so. Might be longer depending on how things to the south are going"

"What about the crew here, you all eat together or is it a shift thing?"

"Together if we can, aside from whoever is on monitor duty that night. It's lonely enough here already, you know? Floating above a desert world, some kind of mechanical nasty below. Wondering when they're going to shoot us out of the sky and all"

"Yeah, I heard you lost a few squads down there, it's a shame. Who's the Commander here?"

"That would actually be who's in the monitor station right now. Vilus fell sick last night. Just a cold I think, but the captain wanted him to rest"

"I see, well we might need to have a chat with him after we've eaten. Where can we find the monitor station?"

"Near the galley" he turns a corner, heading into the right side of the station, where one of the old ship interiors has been turned into a kitchen and eating area. Off it, is a smaller nook where the listening post is set up

10:27 AM

you can smell coffee, and something like roasted fowl

Smells the air "That does smell good!" He glances at the other two grinning as the group walk in

There are the stations remaining personnel in this room. The captain has earphones on, drinking a cup of coffee and idly working on some kind of log with the other hand. The remaining two support crew are setting the table, and smile as they see Lars, and the both of you enter

10:33 AM

"I'll set out a few more places for dinner" one says.

"Can't wait, we've been told all about it" Cyrus says walking in

10:39 AM

Cyrus sets down the briefcase under a table and sits down with the others

The meal is placed on the table, a succulent fowl with the most perfect golden brown skin you have ever seen. It is placed in a bed of crunchy field greens, and the inside is packed with a savory bread pudding. plates are passed out, as is a thick carving knife

10:58 AM

"Please, guests firsts"

Cyrus stands taking the knife in one hand and starts cutting some meat as he does he talks "It is customary, where I'm from to say some words of thanks over the meat as you carve it. You see I was born on what you would term a 'Feral World'. And so I shall say my thanks, firstly to the chef and secondly to the crew of Hermes Station for accommodating us. Lastly I ask that we remember those who cannot be here with us today to share this fine meal. Those lost on Aslief and most recently on Terezinho." He stops looking at the guard he had been talking to as he leaves the knife in the fowl "And finally a message from the people of Gudrun, death and destruction." His hand comes up as he pulls his pistol from it's holster aiming at the guard pulling the trigger as he comes on target

(They're surprised, youll get your surprise round in, and then we will do initiative. as far as this target, he will just drop, since the execution DC is so low even if you snakeyes youll get it)

11:12 AM

There is nothing but the muffled bang of the pistol, and the privates body hitting the ground, as the rest look on in stunned silence

11:12 AM

The captain takes off his earphones and begins poking his head into the main room. "What did you dr-"

"Korkova secure the Captain!" Shouts Cyrus as he turns to the next guard opening fire on them with his pistol (24/10)

Korkova extends a billy club from his belt, knocking the captain out in a swift stroke.

11:50 AM

Another private falls to the deck dead.

11:50 AM

(and now initiative)

(So I now I have the second level of alert, which means I go first in the initiative order unless someone else has alert xD)

(well, its you, them, korkova)

(Smooth) As the other two techs start to move Cyrus tracks one with his pistol, firing once more (20/11)

He drops, the last one plants his knife in the floor, surrendering

"Korkova, secure this prisoner after cuffing the Captain please. Lars you good?" Cyrus keeps his pistol on the tech gesturing for him to get down on his knees and put there hands up.

"Yes. I am" his face is a bit pale, and he looks sad at the death of the cadets.

12:11 PM

"At least one had the good sense to surrender. It's okay young man. Just listen. They've treated me well so far too"

"What's your name kid?"

"Tavish, sir"

12:12 PM

"Please don't kill me. I am a good cook, I promise I'll make all your meals, and everything"

"It's okay Kid I'm not going to kill you, not unless you give me a reason too. I'm not too keen on the process." He holsters his pistol after Korkova secures him "Sit down, let's have a chat."

He is gently set down into a chair, trying not to notice the blood pooling near his boot

Sits on the table "So Tavish, where are you from?"

"Chloe" he says voice shaky

"You got family there?"

"no...not anymore, not since the disaster:

"That why you joined up? Stop that kind of thing happening again?"

"Yes. I...I did. I didn't want anyone else to have to bury their parents because of violence"

"That's a damn good plan Tavish, admirable. But you chose the wrong side to fight for, no doubt they told you that Psychics cause the incident. That they are to blame and that killing them and spreading civilisation is the way to get peace. I'm about to tell you that's not the truth, far from it. But I wont make your mind up for you, I'm going to make you an offer. I come from Gudrun, it's a small colony world not far from here. We are growing and we are starting programs for people such as yourselves that have come from the Remnant to allow you integrate into a free society. Where there is no fear of marshal law or speaking your mind. Or I could drop you back off on Chloe and you can take your chances with the Remnant. Either way, you'll be free to choose I'm not going to kill you."

"I have no family, and I have nothing to go back to. I didn't die in the fighting here, so they'll just shoot me as a traitor anyway.

2:16 PM

"I'd like to come back with you"

"Well, if you want my opinion you've made the right choice. We'll find a place for you in our society. But first I have some business to wrap up here and then we are going to Chloe, we are getting Lars' family out of there. Then we're going back to Gudrun. Go with Lars now and get some supplies and your things we'll meet you back at the ship." Cyrus says to Tavish as he nods to Lars

Korkova grabs the knocked out captain, having restrained him, they begin dragging him back to the courrier

"Wait up Korkova, I'd like a word with the Captain first, anyway you can bring him around?"

"Sure" He takes his canteen, and up ends it over the captains head, dousing him awake

"Good Morning Captain"

he spits, a mix of blood and water

"I apologies for my entrance, but simply it was the most effective way to do this. I need you to answer some questions for me, in return I'll let you live."

3:08 PM

"Do you understand?"

“I do. Yes. I’ll answer”

"Do you keep any intelligence on hand here? Reports and the like?"

"Reports come in, we decode them, re-encode them with a different cipher, and send the orders south to the next relay'"

"Where exactly is the next relay?"

"Connects to the shipyard at Khulk, the array there is strong enough to get messages across the entire southern front"

"Tell me Captain do you enjoy being part of the Remnant?"

"I enjoy serving the Empire , and the Remnant, as its been called, is the strongest surviving piece"

Nods "Well I could get into a philosophical discussion about it but I'm not going to. You are now officially a prisoner of war. As a military Officer you should already know what that entails, I'm not going to execute you nor torture you. Please do not give me or my Men a reason to kill you and you will survive this."

He does not say anything else, and just sits quietly

"Very well, I have no further questions for you at this time." Cyrus looks to Korkova "Take him away and lock him in a room on the ship, make sure its prisoner ready before putting him in there."

"I'll take a look" he nods, dragging the captain away

After making sure everyone is on the ship he takes out the briefcase and opens it

Inside the briefcase is a small ignition core, a timer that can be programmed with times from two minutes to an hour, and a pair of arming keys

Cyrus programs the timer to set off in one hour and arms it leaving it in the table and jogging back to the ship. Then move to a safe distance but not leaving the system so they can make sure it detonates

As the courrier pulls away, the timer links to your vambrace, allowing you to keep an eye on it. Sailing to system edge, there is a brilliant flash of light- soundless, in the void of space, though the craft is buffeted even at this range by some small force squalls

Cyrus stands on the bridge "That's that then. To Chloe Lars"

(your ship is about double its actual occupancy, and you'll be spending a week in spike to get there, just FYI)

(How much life support wise is that going to spend?)

(it can hold double for a week, but youll be on your last hours of air when you arrive)

10:49 AM

(You wont be able to make it home aboard)

(Oof might have to 'aquire' an upgrade while there)

(Still pushing on then?)

(Yeah to Chloe)

How does the week of spike travel go for downtime, and what security measures are going on with the captives

Cyrus spends the time asking Lars about his family trying to figure out how easy its going to be to get his family and the security of Chloe. As far as the captives they are allowed most freedoms but not allowed to access anything that could harm the ship or send messages (I.E: Commpads) Korkova and Cyrus take it in turns watching them when they arnt in their cabin. (edited)

(Day 4) (notice/int)

(At work atm will do it when I finish in like 45mins)

(no worries, am too haha_

(9)

There is a harsh banging on the prison cell converted from the captains old stateroom, where the station leader was being held

Opens the door and walks in "What's going on here?"

12:54 PM

(Instead of going straight to chloe can we meet desmond at 0104 or would waiting for him mean we'd run out of life support?)

(You'd have enough to meet him,. and the reduced strain will make emerging at chloe less dire)

(Yeah that was my thinking)

12:56 PM

(We'll do that then)

emerging into H0104, the Lone Star is waiting, the only contact in the whole expanse of void around you

(Did I figure out what was going on in the captains old stateroom?)

(lets go back to that, sorry this got chaotic kinda)

(No problem fam)

The banging intensifies, the door buckles a tiny bit, metal splintering as it is struck with sometihng heavy from the other side

Cocks his pistol calling Korkova on the ship comms "Get over here, seems we might have an escape attempt" Cyrus then bangs on the door from the other side "Step back from the door and get on your knees!" He waits for Korkova to get there then opens the door

The banging stops once you call out, and Korkova arrives down the length of the small ship a minute later.

1:06 PM

(evasion save as you open the door)

(Success)

A fire extinguisher, pried from an emergency panel comes sailing out into the main spillway of the ship

1:10 PM

it strikes off the floor, sparking, and rolling back into the cockpit

Cyrus moves into the room pistol raised toward the assailant "Down on the floor now!"

he begins advancing on you with a length of rebar (you go first with alert 2)

(Just to clarify it is the Captain of the station right? not the Cadet)

(right, Lars has behaved himself thus far, as has the cadet)

1:18 PM

(lars had a couple chances to betray you on the station and didnt)

(Yeah thought so, just making sure)

1:19 PM

"Take him down!" Cyrus moves to the side giving Korkova a clear shot as he comes in behind him and fires at the Captain, aiming for centre mass (20/15)

The round passes through the captain, a clean exit wound, dropping him

"Prisoner Down." Cyrus moves forward kicking the rebar away, and checking his vitals

The captain is critically wounded, but alive

1:23 PM

he is teetering on the brink of death

Slaps him with a Lazarus patch

1:26 PM

(10)

(heal.int)

1:26 PM

(was the 10 that?)

(Yeah, it says it can be heal/dex or heal/int so I did dex but if you want it int it'd be 9)

(either one passes)

1:27 PM

The vitals return to normal, but he remains unconcious

Restrains him in cuffs and lays him in bed before turning around and assessing the damage to the room "Fuck, I told him not to do this" He says to Korkova "It's lucky we are being met by the Marshals, otherwise he'd be taking a dive through the airlock"

The room itself is a little gross from all the blood, the shot lost enough power passing through the body to not puncture the shell of the spacecraft

"Good response time Korkova, I've got it from here thanks Friend."

1:31 PM

Cyrus takes time to clean the room and generally tidy up, taking anything out of the room that could be used as a weapon

The room looks pretty bare by the end.

1:32 PM

but theres nothing inside that could be trifled with again

Cyrus makes sure to tend to the captain enough to keep him alive, but he'll be in a lot of pain and very uncomfortable.

The following day is quite tense, but the injured captain moves back from the brink of critical injury, though they are still serious

1:34 PM

The courier breaks into h0104, and the Lone Star is there waiting, Desmond and Wind aboard

(Gonna move it to desmond's chat)

( @Nekosmash Will put this here so I'm not cluttering Desmond's channel: I also had goals to destroy the relay and gather intel on chloe. I also had one to get Lars' family back but obviously that wont be happening just yet, they just haven't been scored yet.)

(additional 3 for each of those, so you netted 12xp total from the last couple days)

(Okay thanks)

Cyrus along with Tavish and Lars go to a bar in Greenbriar proper after getting back from the spaceport

The harvest spirits is quiet. Tavish, and Lars, both in street clothing stay close to you during the walk.

11:37 AM

Tavish makes a small comment about the smell being very nice as you approach the building

Makes casual conversation as they walk in. He grins broadly as he enters, his eyes adjusting to the new light. "What'll it be Friends, first ones on me"

They both are eager to have a simple ale, alcohol in general is a prized commodity on remnant held worlds

11:59 AM

most of the chemical manufacture and water goes into military operations.

Nods to the bartender "Evenin' Friend, two ale's and a whiskey please." He turns to the pair "Well this is Greenbriar central. Where most please live and work, there's a hospital, workshop and most everything a newly formed colony needs."

"Whats your exact job here" Lars asks.

"Damn good question. Haven't really thought about it. I used to be a soldier of sort for Greenbriar when they first started the expedition, a group called Helios One. Then the incident happened, I spent a year and a half deep in country with a couple of other guys. Cut off from everything." He pauses and sips his whiskey "When I got back eventually it was just me and the medic from our group Taggart survived. Didn't feel right going back to how things were before for some reason. So I went freelance, kinda. But after Terezinho I joined up with Task Force Pheonix. So I suppose I'm a soldier again, but it's different this time." He pauses again seemingly thinking the whole thing over "I guess I'm a do-gooder with a gun. I plan to start my own squad for the Task Force. I've got enough freedom that I can plan and do my own missions but enough backing that I feel like I'm apart of something bigger than just myself."

"Why do you ask?"

"Curiosity, is all. I was just wondering where you fit in to all of this. Society here is so different from how things are organized on my own world. For my own interest, i wanted to see what was around for me to do, should I live to see the end of the conflict.

"Well Lars, what were you before you were an Officer?"

"I was a shift leader at the manufacturing plant near my house. We made medical supplies"

"Did you enjoy it?"

"I enjoyed the people I worked with, not the long hours or needing to fill the right amount of orders"

"Do you enjoy flying?" Cyrus sips at his whiskey again

"I did. I enjoyed the freedom of space"

"I find myself in need of a pilot Lars, and you're a good one. I know you have a family, and I know that you want to get them back so I'll understand if you say no. But would you join me, and the Task Force as my Pilot? If not I can maybe have a word with one of the merchant companies see if they are in need of a pilot."

"Until we can reunite, yes, I'd rather be inside a ship than inside a cell"

"I wouldn't put you in a cell either way, you're a free man as far as I am concerned anyone with a differing opinion would have to take it up with me. If you don't wish to join me in combat that's fine, like I say I can find you other work. But I will help you get your Family back either way. I made a promise."

"If your task force is in need of pilots, I'd be happy to assist"

"Okay, welcome to the Task Force the I suppose" He lifts his class is a toast and then empties the glass refilling it with the bottle left by the bartender, turning to Tavish. "So Tavish, what about you. What did you do before you were a Cadet?"

"I worked as a sous-chef in an upscale restaurant. The empire bombed it during the war, i was out back smoking, I know I know. too young. But i survived because of it"

"I plan on setting up a base on Aslief... I'd be in need of a good cook. Or like I said with Lars, I could find more civilian work for you here in Central. How old are you Tavish?"

"15 standard sir. and yes, I'd be willing to stick with you,now that I know you're not going to shoot me"

"Okay well both of you welcome to the Task Force and more specifically my squad. It has no name yet, still working on it. I'll get you situated in the TFP barracks here on Gudrun until we get set up somewhere else. Might be an idea to not advertise that you were Remnant, although most in the Task Force and pretty easy going they've been fighting the Remnant for a while now, wouldn't want any incidents."

they both nod, and quietly return to their drinks

Cyrus drinks with them for a while and has small talk then gets transport for the three of them to the Task Force base outside of Greenbriar

The compound is tense when you pull up. Seung has been gone for a few days, and the vets from the Terezinho battle have been riling everyone up with tales of the battle there

*Cyrus gets out first the other two behind him, he walks casually in nodding to a few of the men he fought with on Terezinho as they look towards him. He goes to find the person in charge of base management."

The baron himself is making a surprise visit that night, but was long regarded as the head of the domestic affairs of the task force.

Cyrus strides up to the Baron, knowing him by reputation. "Good evenin' Baron." He puts out a hand to shake "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, the name's Cyrus Adonis."

“Hello Cyrus. Read a bit about you in the file about terezinho. Nice to have a name with a face

"All good things I hope, just got back from Chloe. Gonna have to chat with Seung when he comes back from where ever he is. But first, I got these two here. Lars and Tavish, they're part of my team and I've just recruited them, need a hand situating them in the barracks for now." (edited)

“Of course. You two Alright with billeting together? And what are your skills?” They think of their answers while he gets a clipboard

6:18 PM

“I’ve got it from here if you’ve other business Cyrus. I’ll note they’re in your squad”

"Oh, I've got Korkova as well. He came in a fair bit earlier brought the Courier ship back."

6:21 PM

"Other than that, I'm just going to chill here for a bit. Been on the go for a month."

Understandable. Get some rest. Get a meal in you. Seung should be home soon

"Will do, good to meet you Baron." Cyrus goes off to square away his gear and rest

An all points bulletin appears on the main screen showing the task force is making muster in the morning

Cyrus sees the bulletin and sighs "Well, shit." A melancholy expression passes on his face before changing to one of forced indifference "More meat for the grinder" He says to himself as he strikes up a cigarette and lays on a bunk

Puts a hand up to his face, the swelling having gone down a little "Sure, we can do a couple of treatments. Though I'm not sure how busy the Task Force is gonna be after this. I need to spend some time at Central anyway, got to find some men for a little something I'm putting together." He looks down at @Agape.Eris 's hand "You got some magic hand's there Melora, really good at what you do." (edited)

Melora gives a humble grin. "I'm very fortunate to have this gift" She then looks a little more serious. "I can't believe there are folks out there who want my kind wiped out"

"It's like anything in history, people always blame the things they don't fully understand. Especially when they envy those that have them. It's been happening since the Neolithic era. If it helps, people can be educated and not all Remnant want psychics dead. A lot of there's soldiers are pressed into service. We just need to educate them enough to get them to stop."

"I would love to be a part of the effort to educate, but also don't want to put myself in harm's way. I am one of only 2 biops that have my abilities in Greenbriar at this time and feel like I need to stay intact to be able to do what I do" (edited)

5:58 PM

"I am thankful for what you do, as much as I have a natural bend towards pacifism in many cases. But you help defend us. The least I can do is mend you"

"I know that certain people like Seung might be open to the idea of setting up reintegration programs with the Remnant prisoners we've been taking. Maybe you can help educate them, make them useful members of society at Greenbriar, I think you'd be good at it. I get not wanting to be in the firing line, you have courage, but if something happened to you we'd be at a loss. As for me, I hope that one day I wont need to do what I do. I ain't pretty by any stretch, and one day I just want to settle down somewhere and live a life of peace."

"I would actually be very interested in reintegration"

"I'll have a word with Seung next time I see him, maybe along with him and Franz we can set up something."

"If they can see me at work, maybe I can gain their favor"

Cyrus sits up on the bed keeping a hold of Melora's hand "You've defiantly done a good job on me, sadly I got to get back to it now. It's been nice to meet you Melora, I'll have to check in with you while I'm in Central for a while, we can grab that drink. Thanks for patching me up, you did a damn fine job if I do say so."

"Please do. And please do a follow up if you can!"

"I will, see you late. And thanks again." Cyrus squeezes Melora's hand a little before letting it go. He stands tipping a non-existent hat and walks out picking up his armour as he does

6:16 PM

Manages to catch a shuttle onto the TF Cruiser

(I think billy is staying behind with some of the ships to do some salvage work, if you're heading back to Gudrun, you'll have arrived a day after the battle ended)

(That's fine I'll do that)

10:37 AM

(Cyrus will probably be resting during the transit, he's all kinds of fucked up)

The ship returns, docking with Trivedi cloud for repairs, and passengers are offloaded. Everyone is exhausted, from the battle and the voyage afterwards, a month of pent up tension released in a furious three days of battle (getting there, fight, mopping up, coming home)

Cyrus gets off the ship and onto the Cloud before he comms down to the TFP headquarters "Cyrus Adonis checking back in. Coming planetside then moving back out to Asleif. Have we got any ATV explorers with mobile base set up?"

The officer serving as dispatch for the day reviews a sheet showing what resources are currently available. "we don't own one, but the colony has one from the exploration of the coal fields, on the way to the port, colony owns it, its been sitting in motor pool since then. Been about a year since anyone's turned the keys"

"You think they'll miss it?" (Can it fit into the Courier?)

(Barely, but yes)

10:57 AM

"I can request it to borrow. Nobody has missed it yet......and......" there is a satisfying ding! "approved"

"Great! Can you get Lars and Korkova to move it to my Courier, tell them to get geared up. Thanks for the assist Friend."

11:00 AM

"While I'm at it have we had any news on the team of marine's we have on Asleif, looks like I'm going to be coordinating with them to mop up what's left of the Remnant down there before I start looking for a place to set a base up."

"They've been conducting some operations with the Aslief military, but a lot of it has been reconstruction. Those Remnant left behinds, their fieldcraft is...I'm using her word here...sublime. They've been able to bring travel to a crippling slow, and this whole time only two have been caught"

"This is gonna be interesting, it's been a while since I've hunted. Thanks again for the assist Friend, I'll be waiting up here for the crew. Cyrus out." Cyrus waits in the bar for the crew to arrive and they set off toward Asleif after loading up with gear and such (At some point can I get the stats for the Courier, it's not massively urgent)

(I'll send it along this evening when I get the book in front of me, ill jsut snip the chart so its nice and neat)

(Thanks)

As he steps onto the bridge of the Courier Cyrus pats Lars on the back "Good to see you Boys, glad you weren't at Rawhani. It was hellish. Let's get the boat moving, take us to Asleif Lars we've got a base to build."

Lars settles into the pilots chair, Korkova settling into the sensor station, leaving the captains chair open for you

Sits in the Captains chair feeling a little uneasy after the battle but after a few moments he relaxes and nods to Lars

Lars opens the spike drive, and before long, you are on your way to Aslief (Fast forward to there? or did you want to RP on the way)

(Fast forward. Cyrus just talks to Lars and Korkova a bit and does some research on Asleif)

(The handout for Aslief under the systems- home sector folders should be pretty up to date)

12:03 PM

(Shriven was there trying to deal with those Remnant castaways as well, he would be a good person to reach out to as far as his time there. for information)

(Thanks for the info will check in)

(Will send the info intel in a sec.)

(no problem fam)

Shriven sends a comm back to Cyrus,

Our intel showed that as of last month there were 3 groups one down in the port city that is covert in nature. One that is between Praxia and Santee that are running a gorilla warfare campaign, that group should have a division of mechs chasing them down soon. And the third group is location unknown but we believe is responsible for the Nukeing of Harmon. If you have any more questions let me know.

Have you got any estimates on numbers for each cell?

Not in the 1st and 3rd groups the gorilla group is down to around a dozen highly skilled and capable combatants.

Thank you for the intelligence Shriven, it's of great help. Fly safe Friend.

1:30 PM

Sleeps off his injuries for a large portion of the spike, the swelling now down to a bruised face and black eye with the help from Melora's bio-psy. (edited)

The courrier arrives over Aslief a day after setting out. This ship is small enough where it can actually land on the surface, and Lars would like to know where to set down

Melora sends a message to Cyrus from her comm. "Just wanted to check in to make sure you are in decent condition and are mending well. No hurry to get back to me - I know you have a lot going on. But I do recommend at least one session to help minimize scarring and residual issues from the trauma and heal things properly" (edited)

Cyrus reads messages as he comes out of spike and replies to @Agape.Eris "Evenin' Melora, just arriving on Asleif to mop up some Remnant, had a lot of time in spike to heal quiet nicely. So far it's mostly just bruising and soreness left, motor functions back to full. Will try and get back to Gudrun after I've cleaned house here for a check up and that drink I was talking about. Thanks for the care, safe travels and clear skies." (edited)

6:25 PM

Secondly he looks to Lars "Give me a few second I'm going to send a message to our contacts on planet." He pulls up the ships comm and video messages Elizabeth "This is Cyrus Adonis of Task Force Phoenix, just spiked into system and coming in to Asleif now. Gonna help mop up those last Remnant hold outs and start setting up base on planet. Here are my authorisation codes and such from the TF so you know I'm legit. Seung says we might be able to coordinate on ground, where about's are you stationed so I know where to tell my pilot to land?" He records it and sends it off to Her comm.

"Please be careful. If anything happens, have them bring you to me. We still need to get that drink"

Sees the message and smiles "Yes Ma'am, wouldn't miss it for the world."

Elizabeth is outside the former nuclear defense base, where commander Cole and the survivors of the planets military gather there to rebuild the town around it

7:21 PM

Ad astra has a production center here as well

Cyrus tells Lars to land there as he goes to get his hear with Korkova

(let me get you those courrier stats now that im finally home)

8:37 PM

(Thanks I'll see about customising it later on in the narrative. With fittings and such)

Lars sets the courrier down on the tarmac, and disembarks. with the both of you. He wants to inspect the outside get a feel for the ship now that he's its full time pilot

8:49 PM

Commander cole, in her ornate suit of power armor meets you, accompanied by a bodyguard of commandos

Cyrus meets her wearing his newly battle scarred assault suit, his mag rifle slung over his shoulder and pistol on his thigh. His pauldrons adorned with tallies. He does not wear his helmet showing the healing bruises and cuts on his face. Korkova wears a TFP field combat uniform and carries his Taros rifle and a duffle bag. "Commander Cole I presume. May I say you cut an impressive figure. Cyrus Adonis of Task Force Phoenix. Pleasure to meet you." He smiles and puts a hand out for her to shake

She shakes, her grip as strong as yours in her own suit. The armor is black, edged in silver, and adored with a winding ivy pattern on the breastplate. the slogan "Strength in faith" is carved around the neck of the suit

Cyrus breaks the shake after an adequate amount of time "So Commander, let's get to work. I'm going to help you reclaim this planet and kick any Remnant left to the curb. We just took out the Remnant fleet that was stationed over Rawhani so if they had any support before they now don't." He pauses "I heard there were some captured guerillas?"

She points to a steel beam, jutting from a rubble pile where a skyscraper used to stand. It extends horizontally, 30m above ground level. Two bodies on nooses swing from it in the gentle breeze

4:49 AM

“They wouldn’t talk. Believe me. We tried

Follows Her gesture and sees the bodies, his face remains impassive as he turns back "Can't say they didn't deserve it. Well, I'm a hunter by trade Commander so hunting is what I do. I heard mention of mechs hunting down the group near Praxia and Santee, how are they progressing?"

“Not here yet. Due to arrive in a day or so. do you know Shriven? It’s a deal he brokered for me”

"Yeah, he's a good guy. Had my back at Terezinho on a joint OP a few weeks ago and then at Rawhani. He gave me some intel on the ground here. Well Commander looks like I might get started, which group would you say are the most of a threat?"

"Whatever group operating in the south is responsible for the deaths of millions. The whole city went up from a nuclear attack. They stole a warhead from the base we think, when it was under attack. "

"Okay, any leads as to location and strength?"

"Well, there hasn't been anymore violence north of Harmony, but its a nuclear wasteland as you get close to the former city. If it were me I'd say they're still operating in the area. I just don't have the specialist troops I need to get close enough without losing everyone to rad poisoning"

"Yeah that's gonna be fun, it'd have to be me solo. But if they are in there they wont be expecting me. I'll go there first. You know where I can find Elizabeth and her team? Want to check in before I step off."

"Should be about a mile down the road, where those factories are going up. Between your task force and Ad-Astra corporation putting people to work, we might actually have a shot at recovering

"Anything Gudrun can do to help it will Commander. We need everyone in this fight, what happened here should never happen again anywhere. Thank you for the intel, I'll be on my way. I'll checking after I've dealt with the threat." He tips an nonexistent hat and walks off with Korkova toward the Factories

Korkova finishes snapping his rifle together and shoulders it, heading down the road with you. There is a blast of noise from the cargo hold as Lars begins rolling the ATV explorer our for you. He won't be heard over the noise of the cargo ramp lowering, so instead opts to message you Few minutes, just want to make sure the year of idleness didn't compromise anything important

Nekosmash 12/21/2018 8:07 AM

(Theres a ship section on the character sheet too, FYI, so if you want a place for the courriers stats where its handy, might be a good place for it, it doesnt add bonuses like AB, ect, so just be mindful if you end up shooting with it)

(Will do, at work at the moment so will do it when I get back) Cyrus messages Lars back "Okay warm her up and meet us down at the factories were gonna link up with the other TF forces about a mile down road" Cyrus proceeds with Korkova chatting idly about how weird night worlds are

(pinned for easy access)

8:15 AM

"I think that's half the problems. There is a day cycle here, but it doesnt get above more than a general haze during the day (like a grey winter 7am amount of light) "Amazed most of the people here haven't killed themselves from the depression alone"

8:16 AM

Down the road, lit up by spotlights, the Task Force compound, and Ad-Astra complexes are the only visible points of light.

"Still though apparently they used to be decent in a fight by the looks of that armour the Commander was wearing they might still be. If there were more of them." Cyrus walk towards the front gate of the TFP compound

There is a six man fireteam of Task Force marines outside, combat rifles trained on the surrounding area, seeing you walk out of the gloom , you are illuminated by a low power spotlight

8:31 AM

"Evening traveler" the squad corporal ventures a greeting

Walks forward and stops short of the Corporal tipping a nonexistent hat smiling "Evenin' Friend, quiet night?"

"For now at least. Help you with something?"

Seems to remember why he's there "Oh! Sorry Friend, Cyrus Adonis. Task Force Phoenix. Checking in with the crew here before I step off to hunt me some Remnant."

"Ah I see, welcome welcome. We knew someone was showing up soon. C'mon inside" The compound is a bit spartan, not anything close to the state of the art compound at home, resembling more a wilderness fort

8:51 AM

Elizabeth is working on an open fronted workshop, trying to get a long range antenna

Walks in beside the Corporal "Feels good to be in the open field again I hate space sometimes, to cramped" He walks with the Corporal to the workshop "Elizabeth, right?"

"It is. Cyrus? Got a message you were coming"

"Yeah, just had a chat with Commander Cole after we touched down. She don't talk much. That armour's something though."

"Sure is. So you're here to try to out-fox those Remnant troopers?"

"Something like that yeah, I'm a hunter, this is what I do. Going after those sons of bitches that nuked Harmony first. Say, are your Marine's capable of fighting in a radioactive environment? With the gear they have I mean."

12:57 PM

Cyrus sits on a closed tool chest wincing a little, his ribs still causing a little pain

"Well, I was thinking about that. They have ship suits from the ship here with us, those are meant to shield against the background radiation out in the void, it might do the same here. What worries me is getting close to the city proper. The gamma ray radiation is going to go right through them.

12:59 PM

"You'd need to force a confrontation almost right away."

"My assault suit should be okay. It's rated for that kind of thing, but yeah. I have no idea how many of them are in there either. But if I go in and find them I can call in a strike team of Marines to help me combat them, if you get my meaning."

"There is one final issue, and I don't know if there is a workaround for this. They...they know the risks. Getting hit in a radioactive environment, especially one that intense...we won't be able to medivac them"

Cyrus grows solemn, like he knows about it but didn't want to think about it. "I know, and we wouldn't be able to medivac them. So I'll only be taking volunteers, make sure they know risks fully. Do you have vehicles to transport?"

"I've got two personnel carriers on loan from the local forces here. small capacity though, only six per vehicle. They're armored though, if you hit a mine or something, they'll keep on going"

(I assume that's with driver right?)

(Yes, but only one needed to drive)

"Okay, I'll need nine marines then, I've got two men of my own."

"I think alomst everyone's in the barracks, I'd get your volunteers there"

"Thank you Elizabeth, I promise I'll try my best to bring them all back." He gives her a sincere nod and walks toward the barracks

Inside, there is a pretty spirited game of dice being played, and almost everyone is either watching or actively playing

Walks in trying not to disturb the game and watches it with a smile from the back of the room, waiting patiently for it to finish

The game finishes after a few more minutes, the winner receiving a volley of light punches from the other participants in addition to a small stack of credits. someone finally notices you standing in the doorway, and the squad comes to attention.

"At ease Marines!" He says grinning "Hell of a throwing hand you've got there kid, remind me not to play dice with you." He walks into the room patting the young marine on the shoulder. "So Marines, down to the serious subject at hand. I got a request to make, strictly voluntary. I'm going to hunt Remnant, those fuckers that nuked Harmony." He pauses seeing some of the faces fall and nods growing serious "I know, it means going into Harmony. Now it hopefully wont be long but these Sons of Bitches need taking care of... They need to know that the Remnant can't do this shit anymore. Not now were here, there are consequences for what atrocities they've committed on this planet. Before you think about volunteering you need to know the risks, the place that used to be Harmony is irradiated beyond belief. That means no combat uniforms, only vacc suits. So if you get hit, there's no evac, you're done. I know more than most what I'm asking, but I know that if anyone can do it the Task Force Phoenix Marine's can do it!"

An offworld posting is a large responsibility, and you have no problem getting the volunteers. Everyone is eager to make a good name for the task force

Takes 9 of them, putting the most experienced Marine in charge of them. Telling them to get their gear ready, both vacc and FCU's they'll be setting out in the 'morning'. Cyrus then settles in for the night and waits for Lars to arrive.

2:34 PM

(Did the remnant nuke the city after the main remnant retreat from the planet? Like post battle?)

(yeah, one of their commando teams who got marooned did it)

(Okay, thought so just making sure)

The next morning Cyrus wakes up and does some stretches to loosen up his bruised body and sits down at a terminal and composes a few messages, the first being to Seung the second to Melora.

Morning, or the lightest of the darkness at any rate, settles in over the compound six and a half hours later, and the volunteer groupi s beginning to stir awake as well

He sends the messages and gets up looking like a bit of weight has come off his shoulders. He wakes a snoring Korkova up as he gets ready "Come on Brother get up! It's time to go to work. Let's get this done and we can rest a little after." He pulls on his under suit and fatigues before checking over his armour and climbing into it. Walking out into the morning air. "Hey Lars, how you feeling?"

"Another....well...I'm awake again. I don't know if its even day" Lars says. "ATV is ready to go if you're bringing it. Nothing major looked wrong."

Message from Melora: it was great to hear from you again. I'm glad that you are close to recovery - your resilience and sense of duty inspire me. I feel like I should be there helping keep you all in tact. Please let me know when you are back in a zone where you can contact me. I'll be hoping for your safe return.

"I think we'll go with APC's for this one Lars the Commando's might have mined the roads, don't want anyone dying before we get to fight. But you'll be driving one of them. We'll leave the ATV here for when we get back and go exploring." He looks down at his commpad and smiles before looking up at Korkova "You've only got one boot on... Hopeless. Let's go get breakfast with the Marines and we'll step off. Make sure to have your Vacc suits in the APC's." Cyrus and the other go to the canteen and eat heartily as only soldiers before a mission can. Then has the Marines mount up the APC's with all their gear. In the first APC: Lars, Cyrus, Korkova, Three other Marines. Second APC: Macintosh and five other Marines. (edited)

(Go with Garry McIntosh and btw there is also a atmoflyer on planet that Cole has permission to grant out if needed I can send you the stats on it if you use it.)

(Not to sure how many I can fit on it, love the name btw)

(It can have a crew of 6 only but is fitted for combat and scouting)

(I might use it another time, gonna roll out in force for this one. Thanks for the tip though will come in handy later)

“We have a pretty long drive ahead of us. We may have contact on the way. We don’t know how many cells are out here. It wouldn’t hurt to be ready”

"Okay, you know the terrain best so keep and eye out. Call out potential threats as you see them." (Are there weapon mounts on the APC's?)

(One heavy machine gun, and one wheatcutter belt)

(Nice thanks)

6:51 PM

"Let's roll out Marine's stay safe of the road. Gunner's have your heads on a swivel change out every four hours."

6:53 PM

Walks into his APC after making sure everyone's on board "Lars you've got the wheel my Friend. If you see anything call it out." They do a comm check and get moving

Everything sounds like its working, and the APC's set off. A handful of refugees are the first things encountered on the southward fo

7:26 PM

route

7:26 PM

There is an elderly looking man pulling a wooden cart, belongings bundled in burlap. His family walks alongside and behind

As the pass them in the convoy Cyrus sighs and looks sad "War is hell Kids, don't forget it. We fight to stop it, not keep it going." (edited)

A few miles down the road, an overturned cart, and an ox-like creature lay on the side of the road, overturned. The beast is partially mutilated

"You see anything top gunner?" He asks to the machine gunner.

"Just the cart, and the beast. Hard to make out anything around it"

"Keep your head on a swivel, might be an ambush up ahead" (Is my Alert senses tingling?)

(Super yes)

(Good to know)

8:27 PM

"Stop the bus!"

8:29 PM

Picks up his rifle "Gunners I want you covering the firing arcs were about to get ambushed!" He says over the comm "Mac, were going to dismount and take cover. Keep calm heads down." He presses the button to drop the ramp even before the APC has fully stopped

The ramp drops as the hydraulic system releases it. The cart/beast pile explodes, peppering the carriers with wooden and bone shrapnel. There is some superficial damage, but everyone rides out the blast

"Cute, there goes the paint job" He moves out getting into cover, knowing that if they bothered to place an IED and detonate it they will follow it up. He pops his head out of cover and looks for possible enemy positions

8:38 PM

Cyrus activates the IR vision in his assault suit as he does

8:38 PM

(Just remembered I had that)

There is a single crack of a rifle shot, and a round sparks off the side of the lead carrier, just above where Korkova had been standing a second ago. He's now crouching.

8:39 PM

Cyrus sees in IR, a sniper, hidden in a tree 200m into the forest

Turns scoping in with his mag rifle and fires almost reflexively (25/18)

The sniper is struck, falling backwards and tumbling out of the tree, his impact with the ground killing him

"Sniper down." He still looks around scanning to make sure he was alone

No one else is in the area

"We're clear for now, Korkova with me. Mac stay here with the rest, set up a perimeter. Make sure the area's clear of IED's"

8:48 PM

Cyrus begins to slowly make his way over to the dead sniper looking for traps on the way

The marines clear the area, extending a portable boom to hunt for a secondary charge, but finding none. Cyrus also notices a claymore mine, facing him, as he approaches the base of the sniper's tree

Stops before he walks into it's path of destruction and walks around it attempting to find the tripwire if it has one

It looks as though some kind of fisheye lens is mounted where a tripwire would be, set to detonate if it detects motion too close

Cyrus directs Korkova to move out of the blast range and does the same before picking up a medium sized rock and throws it in motion distance from cover off to the side "Controlled explosion."

There is a short series of beeps before the decide explodes, showering the area with shrapnel. You both are safe, out of the debris come

6:20 AM

Cone

"Clear." Cyrus says over the comm. He walks over to the dead Sniper, searching him over for anything of interest

He’s wearing a RONI uniform. The rifle itself is pretty standard, and nothing seems too special about it. He is kitted out well, though you notice his ration packs are pretty low. He has maybe theee or four days left on him if he stretched things out

(RONI?)

(Remnant Office of Naval Intelligence. Their elite)

(Good to know for future reference)

6:41 AM

Cyrus bends down pulling at the uniform getting a better look at it. "He wasn't expecting that. Naval Intel, must be working with local cells. By the looks of it they are running out of food. Probably hijacking relief convoys, not prepared for us. Either way, one less Rem to worry about." Cyrus takes the supplies and rifle. Before leaving the corpse he cuts off the uniform insignia and puts it in a pouch. Closing the mans eyes he stands and leaves with Korkova. "Good job Marines one less to worry about in the future!" He says walking back to the group. "Lars did the wagon take any damage?"

“Just a couple scratches. Nothing broken”

"Good driving. Mac let's get them mounted up again, good coordination there. If there had of been more they wouldn't have been around for long."

The marines load back up, the adrenaline beginning to wear off. There are no further surprises along the road and true night is beginning to fall when you come upon the first signs of the irradiated area ahead

They stop for the night before the irradiated zone making a caravan circle of the two apc's and setting up guard duties. Getting some well needed rest before going into the zone.

After a few hours sleep Cyrus gets up putting on his armour and getting some supplies. He gathers Korkova and Mac together for a briefing "Okay, were on the boarder of where it gets real irradiated, we have no idea where they are in the city. If they are even in the city. So I'm going in alone first, I'll find them and either comm you to come in and assault or come out of the city if I can't get signal, then we'll move in together. I don't want anyone in there longer than they have to be. My suit can take prolonged time in that environment yours can't."

They all agree, and begin doing what they can to dig their position in, just in case

1:50 PM

ahead, the outskits of the ruined city loom. The buildings are squat piles of rubble, once a white sandy stone, but now scorched black by the intense heat. The stone has pockmarked and bubbled, in some places, has even run like a liquid before re-cooling

Cyrus does one last check then begins to creep into the city, using the rubble to his advantage as a sniper should. His cloak helping to break up his outline as to not highlight his presence. He takes his time and moves carefully attempting to find any signs of life in the once bustling city. He feels almost at home doing what he does best once again.

2:30 PM

(Picture enemy at the gates, Stalingrad sniper type movements)

(notice/int)

(9)

There is a flickering light, very difficult to see, on the fourth floor of the ruined apartment building at the end of the street

Cyrus ducks into an alleyway and makes his way through the rubble of an old restaurant or dinner at the other side of the road to the building. He slowly makes his way upward getting into a position on the same level as the light but across the street, so that he may look in from a distance. He settles into the cover making a little nest of sorts. The whole process take a while

Three men in RONI power armor sit around a fire, energy cells charging inside it. It's an ineffecient way to charge them, and eventually they will fail, but to them, there is little else available

Cyrus waits, watching them for a long while. Making sure that there aren't any more out on patrol, watching to see if they are using any comm devices or preparing for anything.

They look to be just recharging their cells. One of them has a hot beverage bag, and is dumping the contents into the feed tube on the side of his suit. It will be slowly pumped in from an internal resivour as he or she chooses to drink it

Keeps watching, and sights in on the one that put the food in their suit. He levels out his heart rate slowing his pulse like a hunter watching his prey and slowly pulls the trigger once on target (Execution shot after a minute of aiming)

(DC is 8)

(13 vs 8)

4:18 PM

(24 damage)

The Power armored soldier topples over, her helmet coming free, revealing a blown out throat (you dont roll damage i dont believe, i think if you hit the check you just get em)

(No did that just to figure out my modifiers and make sure my maths was right)

(Gotcha)

4:19 PM

the other two power armored figures dive under the window, blocking your line of sight

As they dive under the window Cyrus takes another shot aiming to hit through the concrete (I think I'd be firing at a -2 all told, +2 for firing from a prepared position and then -4 due to the target being almost totally in cover?)

(Yes, I'd say that is a good interpretation)

(22/17. oof)

There is a splash of blood against the back wall as the shot finds its mark home. They now know where the shooting is coming from, and both return fire.

4:26 PM

The shots spark off the brickwork, knocking out puffs of masonry and splintering scorched wooden window sils

4:26 PM

but they do not hurt you

4:26 PM

(19 was closest i got, not quite home yet)

(Yeah) Cyrus rolls into cover as they duck back down, taking up a slightly new angle in the next room firing for the one he hit before (22/15)

There is a thump as the dead weight of the power armored body hits the ground. The remaining RONI soldier fires back

4:30 PM

he is unable to keep up with where you have moved to, still firing at your old position

Cyrus feels the adrenaline hit his system as he's in his element. The rounds hit his old position and he smirks to himself inside his suit, not hesitating to fire back as the RONI soldier exposes themselves. (14/19)

It deflects off his shoulderplate. you see him remove a strange looking grenade from his belt, and load it unto an underslung launcher on his vambrace (evasion save)

(Success)

(3 damage and you avoid the other nasty effect)

4:36 PM

The grenade punches through the windowframe, detonating spectacularly into something that looks like a magmaspray

(Nice)

most of it peppers the back wall, going above you, but a handful of droplets burn into your backplate. suit systems show its integrity is holding, for now. (Notice/int)

(8)

You hear faintly, the pop-pop of small arms fire, out near your ingress point to the city. Comms are a wash of static

"Got to clean up fast." Cyrus finds his target again and attempts to fire on the RONI soldier. (13/8)

The shots are stopped by the thick stone wall. The launcher clamps back into his vambrace, and he returns fire with this combat rifle

5:03 PM

Missing, he swears, thinking of what to do next

Cyrus moves position again and attempts to fire through the wall. Hoping to break the stalemate and get back to his team (20/11)

There is a thud, as the already wounded trooper falls backwards, leg blown off at the knee

5:08 PM

you can already tell he is going to bleed out before you can get to him

Cyrus makes his way quickly to where they were, not in an effort to save the RONI soldier but to gather intelligence before making his way back

A small river of crimson is already flowing down the hab unit stairs, and you find the lower leg on the first landing. The body is at the top, the steady drip-drip of vitae slowing down.

5:18 PM

With the amount that youve seen spread around the building, there's no chance any of the three are alive. You also notice the distant gunfire has stopped, though communications are still not working properly.

Cyrus quickly searches the RONI soldiers for intelligence documents or comm devices

The short range radios on the helmets seem to be working fine, but the long band is fried. They likewise look to be in a pretty miserable supply situation, a lot of what they’ve been using has been scavenged from surrounding dwellings

Cyrus searches them for the strange grenade that was used against him

The shot leg trooper has one more on his belt, replete with warning signs and arrows showing which way to load it

Cyrus takes it and clips it on his belt before turning and moving back through the city. Moving swiftly back to the TF Marine's

You can see the smoke before you see the rest, but approaching the edge of the contaminated area. The front compartment of one of the armored carriers has been burned out, struck with a rocket. Five of the task force marines are dead, McIntosh is badly wounded. The bodies of seven RONI stormtroopers lie in the road or in the roots of nearby trees. There is one survivor that Lars is in the process of beating the daylights out of

Runs up and past the dead RONI troopers in the perimeter of the makeshift FOB, safely out of rad range his suit vison opens and he pants looking about the carnage "Sitrep. Korkova?"

“About the time you took that first sniper shot they came out of the woods. Shrapnel from the rocket killed the two over there. Most of us were out in the open, cut down before we could even get into cover or identify where we were being shot at from. Lars killed the one over there with the tent setting sledgehammer” One of the RONI Power armored bodies had a chest section that is completely caved in

"Fuck, I'm guessing that one he's laying into over there is still alive... I took out three in the city, that makes twelve all told. How's Mac?"

"Shot" Korkova puts an arm around you to lead you away from the group "He's already got an almost lethal dose of gamma ray. ...I don't know how to tell him"

Looks back over his shoulder his face turning grim "Have we got anything to slow it down?"

"If we can get back to the base we departed from by tonight, maybe we can save him, maybe, but....Boss, it's goingto be real tight, we should have left already"

Without saying another word Cyrus walks into the back of the APC using its long range comms "Ad Astra, this is Cyrus Adonis with TFP we've got a casualty in need of medivac immediately I heard you have a atmoflyer I need it here now otherwise I'm gonna lose a damn good Marine."

There is a silence on the line, before a voice returns "TFP, what is casualty radiological status?"|

"Gamma, hit bad. But if you get here in time he'll make it. Surely you've got containment."

(talk/cha)

(Could I lawyer to use the first level of Authority, just picked it up last level. It goes as follows: You have an uncanny kind of charisma about you, one that makes others instinctively follow your instructions and further your causes. At level 1, this is a knack of charm and personal magnetism, while level 2 might suggest latent telepathic influence or transhuman memetic hacking augmentations. Where this focus refers to followers, it means NPCs who have voluntarily chosen to be in your service. PCs never count as followers. Level 1: Gain Lead as a bonus skill. Once per day, you can make a request from an NPC who is not openly hostile to you, rolling a Cha/Lead skill check at a difficulty of the NPC’s Morale score. If you succeed, they will comply with the request, provided it is not harmful or extremely uncharacteristic. )

(It will lower the dc of the check, but it won’t eliminate the need for it)

(That's fine, will it still be talk/cha or will it change to lead?)

(Lead/is fine)

(10, man I'm glad I didn't flunk it)

“Medical is on the way. ETA one hour”

10:03 AM

Lars and korkova work hard to keep McIntosh comfortable but he’s in a great deal of pain

"Lars, how's the prisoner?"

"If you've got questions for him, I'd ask now"

Walks over to the prisoner restrained on his knees, bending down. "How many of you are there in the city Trooper?"

"Twelve" he wheezes

10:35 AM

(you got them all)

10:35 AM

his chest is crushed, blood bubbles out of ruptures in the plates

"Where are you from Trooper, originally I mean."

"Chloe"

10:45 AM

he coughs again

"You should've stayed there." In a fluid motion Cyrus pulls his mag pistol and places it to the RONI trooper's head, pulling the trigger.

The body shudders, and you can hear the faint tone of the lifesign monitor inside the suit giving the long wail of a ceased heartbeat. Lars bends down and cuts the wire, so the noise stops

Freezes for a moment, his face emotionless as he compartmentalises the events. He looks back to Lars and holsters his weapon. "One cell down. This is going to be a meat grinder if it carries on like this. Can we take the bodies of our fallen back with us?"

Lars shakes his head no. "Contaminated. They knew the risks"

Nods slowly "We'll pile them together and burn the bodies, that way it wont spread and they'll at least get some kind of send off."

Lars nods, and gathers the surviors into a work team. He lights the pyre and it begins to catch as the Ad-Astra atmoflyer comes in for a landing, engines still running hot

With Korkova's help Cyrus picks up Mac getting him onto the atmoflyer "I'll see you when you're back fighting fit Friend."

he weakly holds up a hand, in thanks, before the flight crew bundles him inside

"Let's get loaded up Marine's we'll share a drink for the fallen when we get back!"

Cyrus along with the surviving Marines mount back up in the remaining APC and begin the drive back.

The hydraulic doors close, and Lars runs everyone over with a scanner. "No rads above accepted levels. I think we are good to go"

11:52 AM

the mood is somber in the cab on the drive back to the task force compound

11:52 AM

(6xp, 10,000 credits)

As they drive off Cyrus allows them a few hours to rest and process the events quietly before he begins to speak. "For many of you, that was your first engagement with an enemy. Especially one so fanatical as the RONI... Remember what you've been through today, remember those that you've lost, the Friends and Comrades that died. Let it become part of you, let it drive you. Use it as armour, next time you'll know what to expect. Next time they wont be fighting militia trained soldier but battle hardened Marines! You've fought some of the best Remnant has to offer today, and won! What else can stand in your way. Respect those of us that died, whether it be today, yesterday or tomorrow. For they died so that others may live. Just as you will sacrifice in the name of freedom. You did a damn fine job out there! Be proud of that. Well done Marines." He looks around the cab at the faces of the once happy go lucky squad.

It's going to take more than a rousing speech to blunt the painful memories of seeing their friends butchered around them in such a brutal attack, but there are a few smiles around the cabin. As they return to the compound, their gear is collected for cleaning, and they return to their bunks. Most go right to sleep.

"Well Boys, they'll remember today for the rest of their lives..." He says to Korkova and Lars watching them walk off "But we aren't done here yet. Go get some sleep you two. Come find me when you wake up." Cyrus leaves them to it, he gets out of his Assault Armour leaving it stood in the workshop as he goes to find Elizabeth

She doesn’t need to ask how it went when you find her. The fact that only half of you made it back was news that traveled quickly

"Scratch twelve RONI troopers. Harmony's clear of them. Now I need to rest, then I'll write some letters. Send the details of the fallen to me, including the comm links to their next of kin." Cyrus turns not waiting for a reply and makes his way to his bunk

When you awaken the names of the slain and their provided emergency contacts, if any, are listed. Two of the soldiers don’t have anyone listed

Cyrus sits and writes up a letter for those with next of kin.

Dear {Insert Name Here},
It is my deepest regret to inform you that {Insert Name of Fallen Marine} was killed in action on the planet of Asleif during an attack on the remaining Remnant special forces on the planet. They fought bravely in the action and thanks to their sacrifice the people of Asleif are safer than they were before, as is the Sector.  Sadly due to radioactive elements on the battlefield their body will not returned for proper burial but I can assure you that they have been seen to in a respectful manner and will go to their eternal rest with all grace and honours. 

Sincerly Cyrus Adonis, Officer Commanding TFP.

1:28 PM

He sends out the messages one by one. Then buries his head in his hands for a few seconds, he stands and goes to wash his face in the sink in the room. Then after a few minutes he picks up the comm again calling Commander Cole.

"Cole here" the crisp voice answers, on the third ring

"Morning Commander, it's Cyrus. Thought I'd notify you that the group of Remnant in Harmony have now been neutralised. There were twelve of them in total. By their armour they were Remnant Office of Naval Intelligence."

"werewolves then. I should have expected them to stay behind. They promised as much" she sighs

"Well, now they're dead. And so are five of my Marines but that's the cost of doing business. What's the status of the Mechs Shriven called for?"

"Here within the next day or two. THeyve got their own patrol routes arranged. I can let them know we believe the southern cell to be neutralized though"

(What groups are left?)

(Two other cells, both are along the mech's patrol area. Kaleb and melora are having a chat and then he's on his way out here)

(Okay, thanks)

3:33 PM

"I'm going to be headed up into the mountains around Le Crosse looking for potential resources that the TF can use, are either of the cells on the way?"

“When last we knew their whereabouts no but that’s not to say things haven’t moved”

"Okay, thank you for the information. I'll be out that way for a few days, let me know if anything major happens. When I come back down if there are any cells left I'll coordinate with the Mechs and help stamp them out for good."

"I'll keep my ears open Cyrus. Be safe out there"

"You too." Cyrus puts down the comm and goes for breakfast. He watches the mood in the camp.

There is a small package waiting for you when you sit down at the table

7:07 AM

To: Cyrus From: Santa

Msg from Melora: Hey brave boy, I just wanted to let you know I'm going back to Rawhani for a rescue mission with Des, hoping we can get as many refugee as possible to safety in Greenbriar. I hope this message finds you safe. Hopefully we will both be back home and can finally get together for that drink. I'm looking forward to seeing you and hear stories from your trip.

Looks at the package and then his commpad pings he reads the message and smiles, his cheeks going a little red. He sits down at the table and opens his package grinning as he does.

Inside the package is a jet pack addon for your power armor, allowing a 40m jump, or for you to hover 10m off the ground for four rounds. It recharges over time, slowly gathering ionized particles from the air and can be used once per scene

7:21 AM

(Hovering gives the enemy a negative modifier to hit you as well, as you’re more agile)

(Mega thanks fam)

7:24 AM

Lifts it up looking it up and down grinning broadly "This is great!"

It looks pretty easy to install and Elizabeth can spend a couple minutes getting it fixed up for you while you eat. Armed, armored and full, Cyrus is ready for work

(I'm gonna look like a Mandalorian badass by the time I get off this planet!)

Nekosmash 12/24/2018 7:25 AM

(I’ll pin the message so you’ve got a reference for what it does)

Eats the rest of his breakfast and replies back to Melora

7:26 AM

(Yeah thanks)

Afterwards he gets up and goes to find Korkova and get a report on Mac

Mac is recovering but they had to remove the leg. The tissue was too contaminated. He’s going to be fitted for a replacement until such a time the the can get in front of a bioscopic.

(How good is the prosthetic?)

(Good enough to let him get around. He’s still too weak from being shot and having a major appendage cut off his body to adventure)

(More like when he's fully recovered will he be good to go on operations, basically I was gonna pay to get him a milspec prosthetic if it wasn't gonna be that good)

8:11 AM

(Like with integral holdout holsters and stuff)

(All cyberware requires brain surgery of some kind. Mental commands are needed to make it work. They’re not going to risk opening up his head to fix his leg but when you’re home with better med facilities that’s an idea)

(Nice thanks for the info)

8:25 AM

Cyrus goes to find Elizabeth "Korkova get the ATV prepped for an expedition just us three. Enough food for about a week."

“Alright. What’s your route? I want to log it with planet authorities if you run into trouble”

"We'll be going down to Le Crosse and then up through the forest to the northern mountain range. Looking for potential Minerals or other goodies that we can harvest or mine. If we want a foothold on planet we'll need capital. "

(how many hexes is your route? lets generate some terrain!)

(I'm at praxia at the moment right?)

(Yessir)

(

Nekosmash 12/24/2018 10:56 AM

(18d10, first 9 is for terrain type, and then next 9 is for what resources might be there)

(First 9: 7,3,2,3,10,4,8,10,3 Second 9: 9,4,4,6,1,9,9,7,5)

(This is going to be fun)

10:59 AM

Lars has the ATV loaded, with supplies stowed aboard or in cargo nets hanging off the sides. "Are we ready to go?"

"Almost I just want to try something first. Elizabeth is my suit ready?"

"She's ready. A real beaut"

"Thanks!" Cyrus walks into the back of his armour. It closing behind him folding into place. The orange display comes on, showing his HUD. On his forearm he selects the jetpack, boosters and stabilizers. He steps out of the workshop and turns them on.

The small backpack unit folds out, the jets extending from their protective housing

11:13 AM

The display resolves to a giant button that says READY

Cyrus taps the button

There is a thump and it feels like youve been kicked by a giant, the jetpack propelling you up to its full height

11:17 AM

You hold 40m altitude

Cyrus' gut wrenches as he is propelled like it would if he was on a rollercoaster "Shiiiiiiiii-" When he reaches peak height he begins to fall straight down before hitting the ground he presses the stabilizers

They fire, preventing you from being hurt. The system then switches to ' RECHARGING>>>PLEASE STAND BY

Hovers for a second or two before letting it drop him gently on the ground "That is amazing!" He looks back to Lars, Korkova and Elizabeth "Gonna be something when the Rem's see it."

"They're gonna shit their pants boss, for sure" Korkova smiles

11:43 AM

"That;s a pretty neat trick" lars says

"Right, now I've tried that lets get going. First though, Elizabeth start making enquiries about possible recruits on planet. Seung thought it might be an idea to raise a regiment of none Greenbriar personnel and Asleif has a good history of warriors. Don't take any on yet, just look at potentials. I know there aren't many of them left but I want them to be the best of the best."

"I'll get a listing of people the commander thinks might make good fits. We had lunch the other day, before you arrived, she knows she can't keep them all here, not yet at least. The planet is just too devastated right now"

"One day we'll rebuild this place, but for now. It's damage control and counterattack. We showed the Remnant at Rawhani that we're a force to be reckoned with but they'll be back. And with more fire power. More men will make that easier, the people of Asleif have a score to settle." Cyrus says as he walks into the back of the ATV getting out of his suit leaving it stood in some free space. "Be safe while I'm gone, seeya later Friend."

The ATV sets off, along the road heading south.

12:10 PM

The 200 miles south of Praxia is a ruined city, followed by deadlands. This was one of the hardest hit area during the initial battle, and the land shows the terrible scars of that conflict.

12:13 PM

(first hex had nothing)

As they ride through the empty wasteland Cyrus shakes his head "Remnant really did a number on this planet."

A convoy of aslief troopers on open backed cargo trucks is coming the opposite way up the road. Toward praxia. One of the flashes it’s lights once in salute

Cyrus sat in the passenger seat flashes them back smiling "It's good to be on the open road again*

Cyrus spends the time on the road cleaning his weapons and chatting with Korkova about why he's in the task force.

the conversation goes on for a while, something about being too sarcastic for the regular army

2:07 PM

The conversation is interrupted when Lars gets a ping on the scanner

2:08 PM

"Something sticking out. Looks...biological. Too big to be human"

"An animal? What lives on this planet? How far away is it?"

"500m, we ourselves never had any wildlife documented, were too busy on other things"

"Keep on the approach but slow down. Once we get 300m away from it stop the vehicle."

2:11 PM

Cyrus walks into the back of the ATV getting into his armour just in case.

The ramp lowers upon reaching 300m, and the area around you is a scrubland Of dense undergrowth, taller than you, along the sides of the road

Walks out closing the ramp behind leaving Korkova and Lars inside. Once he's out he switches his vision to IR looking around in the direction of the possible contact. Walking steadily forward (edited)

Two albino looking beasts on all fours lurch into the road. They look like humanoids but elongated, scaled, and their proportions are horribly out of alignment.

7:08 PM

He takes a photo using his suit sensors, relaying them back to the ATV "What the fuck am I looking at..."

7:11 PM

"Calling it, these things are not friendly" (edited)

(initiative. I know you're goin first, but just so we know we are in combat)

8:34 PM

(4)

(6)

Cyrus is first. The two monsters are 250m away

(Will carry this on later currently doing family stuff so I haven't got my PC near me)

(Yeah same. Just sneaking some stuff in while people wake up)

(Okay, back for a bit) Cyrus moves forward in front of the ATV as they turn to him he takes a knee firing his mag rifle at the closest of the beast (20/17)

It half shrieks half bellows as the mag rounds hit it, and it lowers itself into a hunched run It closes to 200m at speed

8:34 AM

(You’re up again. They double moved)

Fires again, at the beast he hit before. (15/18) "I defiantly pissed them off!"

The ghoul like creature flops down, the mag round blowing off its head at the neck. The second seems to stretch and a thicket of spikes grow off its back, and it fires them. (Evasion save)

(Success)

The spikes impact the ground harmlessly where Cyrus had been standing just a moment ago

3:10 PM

(Your turn)

Rolls to the side as the spikes hit where he was and fires at the creature (25/12)

The second beast shrieks as it’s hit before turning tail and moving as fas as it can back into the brush

6:27 PM

A fight with you is more than the pack had intended

Cyrus stands slowly nodding "That was something, Lars move up with me I'm going to take a look at this thing." He walks up to the dead creature, still wary that more may be around.

The creature is almost albino looking and scaled. It’s blood is a strange grey color

6:34 PM

That looks like mercury in a lava lamp

Cyrus opens up the back of the ATV, getting a sample kit and takes a sample. He takes some photos for further research and documenting as well

(Once you get home that’ll give the colony some research points if you give it to a lab)

(Nice! I will do thanks)

6:40 PM

He gets back in the ATV after fully documenting it getting out of his armour "Well, that was something, you see those spines it shot at me!"

“We did. I was getting ready to get the machine gun over to help you. Glad we didn’t need it”

6:55 PM

(Second hex was hostile wildlife)

(Nice, I love this btw) "Yeah, seems they thought I was an easy snack thanks for having my back. Let's move on."

"Are we stopping to camp tonight?" Lars asks, as the rear ramp shuts again

"We will do, but we need to find some kind of cover, probably a few miles down road away from the corpse of that animal."

Lars nods, and as night begins to fall, pulls the vehicle into the ruins of what looks to have once been a rest stop along this stretch of southbound highway

Cyrus along with Korkova get out and search the place making sure it isn't already inhabited

There's no sign of anything recent. The shelves are picked over from others passing this way, but there is no longer anything of value making people want to remain here

(Does the ATV have a sleeping quarters or is it a deployable type thing?)

(Deployable)

(Okay) Cyrus moves back to the ATV with Korkova and deploys the camp. He sets up a few trip wires attached to thermal flares. So that if they are tripped they'll set flares off into the sky. They also set up a field comm unit and Cyrus relays what they've encountered so far to Elizabeth

There’s a powerful radio in the Atv, and Lars hands you the microphone hook for it before leaving to give you some privacy

Cyrus sits down before speaking into it "Hey Elizabeth! We've currently stopped for the night but we've encountered an as yet undocumented creature. I've taken samples and photos but as far as we've seen they're hostile by nature and seem to hunt in small packs. Have you got any news on the recruitment program?"

(How many hexes have we covered so far?)

(3, hex 1 and 2 were just open deadlands, 3 was hostile wildlife)

(i have a map going of Aslie'f surface at home, and once you're done. I'

7:17 AM

will be posting it to the planetary map handout with the icons on it)

(Nice thanks)

"We sent some criers out today, and made some newscasts. I'd expect it being a day or two before people start showing up"

"Good keep me up to date. We're moving off tomorrow. Should be back by weeks end earliest. Keep safe."

"Very good, be careful out there yourself" she returns.

10:25 AM

(i think we have about 2 days left traveling at current speed)

(Yeah, then travel back)

10:44 AM

Cyrus cuts the comm and nods to Lars "Right, let's get some food on" They cook up some MRE's and sleep until the morrow.

There is a funny incident where Lars and Korkova get into a minor trade negotiation for the only pizza MRE that was packed, ending with Lars sitting on enough freeze dried fruit candy to last him well into the campaign season

10:51 AM

otherwise, the night passes with no trouble

Wakes up in the morning fresh and early and packs up camp with the other two. Checking over the ATV before setting off again.

The heavy vehicle shifts into drive, its heavy tracks grinding over the gravel road, and onwards. The shapes of dark mountains, and volcanic formed stalagmites rise from the ground, visible through the dim morning haze, a hundred miles away. They gnash the sky ike the bottom half of broken teeth. An hour passes, as the ATV passes the area where the mountains come closest to the road. The scanner pings

"What we got?" Cyrus says from the back as he cleans a sensor probe

"Metal deposit of somekind, need to take a sample to figure out what it is"

"Okay hold up when we get closer to it, I'll take a sample." Cyrus gets the sample kit ready and slings his rifle on his shoulder

The squat, tri-pod core sampler is uncliped from the inside of the crew bay, stuck to the top of the wall. A small panel on top displays the unit status, which for the moment is powered off.

11:56 AM

You hear the soft whisper of grass under the ATV tracks

As the ATV rolls to a stop he presses the red button that opens the back and he walks out. Breathing in the air and looking around at the scenery. He makes his way to the rock face and switches on the sensor.

It shows a dense concentration of metal below , and the tripod claws open

Cyrus presses down and the sensor bit bites into the stone and it pushes it into the rock beginning to drill a small sample out.

The sampler digs in, coring several meters into the rocky outcrop. The machine stops, and hisses, before the display shows the deposit here is of iron. It doesn't look like the authorities or any kind of claims court on world was aware of the deposit here

"Put it on the map Lars we've hit iron here I'll take a sample for the lab see what purity its at but we've got something at least." Cyrus lets the machine do its work and takes the sample out and takes it back to the ATV Before carrying on the journey.

The APC grinds on, coming close to the city of La-Crosse. "We want to divert, or turn off and begin the offroad section?"

"Offroad, the people of La Crosse from what I heard are a little touchy. We can always pop in after and have a look."

1:33 PM

(What does the plant life on Aslief look like is it all bioluminescent or in any way funky?)

(pretty much all bioluminescent. Everything is like a blue-green, like seafoam)

(That's cool as fuck always liked the look of that stuff.)

Lars swings off-road, into the waving glowing grassland.

1:38 PM

it feels like you're on the bottom of some kind of aquarium.

1:38 PM

After another hour (there was iron, this hex is rolling short grassland, with nothing) Lars pulls the vehicle in for a stop.

Cyrus gets out stretching his legs. Taking a biomatter sample case with him. "He guys how do you think these plants will fair on Gudrun, Asleif being a night world and all."

"Might be able to grow them underground, or in caves" lars says "or in space"

"Maybe, you think I could give one as a gift and it'd stay alive?"

"In the right hands I bet"

He walks around the clearing looking for flowers that look nice, though conscience of the fact they could be poisonous he scans them with a scanner first, to make sure their not.

Theyre no more dangerous than regular grass or herbs, just adapted differently for life on a sunless world.

He picks flowers that look pretty making a bouquet of bioluminescent fauna. "So there's this Woman back at Central, thinking she might like the colour, she's got this unique style."

"My wife was a gardener herself" Lars say,s looking distant. "Gardenias are coming in soon. Bet anything she's outside, turning over the soil"

"Never been much for gardening as a hobby, I like being out in the open air mind you. Best thing in the universe this kind of stuff. Freeing." He looks at the bouquet furrowing his brow like he's concentrating on it "Yeah she'll like these. Don't have the foggiest idea how she's gonna keep them alive."

"I'm sure she will find a way" He looks around through the brush himself, looking for sticks or something else he can use as kindling. "Little cold tonight" he sniffs. "we will keep the flame low. I just really want sometihng warm to drink that doesn't taste like chemical heat packs

"I got instant chocolate powder in my pack gimmie a second" Cyrus goes into the back of the ATV putting the flowers in a bio sample container to stop them dying. He searches around his his pack and comes out with a small tin of brown dust "There you go, pour some water in that and we're all good. I'll get the camp set up with Korkova." He does so again setting trip wires out with flares around the perimeter of the camp

(d12 for nighttime troubles, if any)

(5)

3:28 PM

(Are we on hex 6/9 now?)

Comm message from Melora: Came across scavengers who lost their ability to care about anything but their own survival. It pained me to see people regress like that - stripped of their sense of humanity. Then, my brain gave me a reprieve in imagining your smile. A spark of hope resulted. I hope you are safe and well. (edited)

Gets the message as he eats with the others going a little red as he does, masking it in the darkness so as to not alert the other two. He takes a few moments and responds

(We are yeah. One or two more days )

7:15 PM

“Better keep our wits about us tomorrow. Got mountains Ahead. That’s gonna be rough”

"Yeah, hopefully we find more mineral deposits." Cyrus beds down for the night. His rifle laid across his chest

Korkova shakes you awake gently in grey dawn light. It’s brighter out than it’s been so far on planet but not by much

Cyrus starts awake, looking for an assailant but settles quickly. He blinks several times before sitting up nodding at Korkova. "Let's get packed up and on the road." He helps pack up camp and gets back into the ATV sitting in the front with Lars.

Heading on the road again the Atv reaches the rocky foothills at the base of the dark mountains. The volcanic chain that lights up the northern areas is far from here and these look like dark fingers clawing at the sky.

8:39 PM

Small pinpricks of what look like flame or candlelight dot the lowest of the peaks ahead

"Can the ATV handle this terrain?" Cyrus asks Lars as they begin their steady accent up the harsh foothills

“It can. It’s going to be a bit slower but it won’t lose traction”

"Okay, keep going. If the sensor pings let me know"

Almost as soon as you say the words a biomass. Several of them, are detected.

8:47 PM

“Like. Cow sized” korkova says, looking at the readings. The scanner pings and the points of light you’re driving towards correlate you realize

"How far?"

“300m. Doesn’t seem like it’s closing. Yet”

"Hold here, I'll go take a look" He walks in the back putting on his armour, dropping the ramp and walking out the back. (Can they see the ATV? Or realised that were here?)

(You’re not sure but I’ll send you what they look like)

8:52 PM

He moves into cover taking photos with his suit sensors once more, observing their behaviour

They seem to happily munch on the bioluminescent grasses and scrub fern growing on the mountain peaks.

8:54 PM

before your eyes, two of what must be males get into some type of duel, extending to hind legs and shooting tongues of fire at one another

"Huh, well that's something. I don't think they are aggressive by nature only by necessity. I don't really want to fight a herd of these things, there ain't no need to either. So we'll go around. Might be that we can farm them. Like cows or something." He walks into the back of the ATV "Plot a course around the herd, try not to disturb them." He downloads the recording of the incident into the ATV's storage for later study.

The ATV moves on, pushing on through the mountains, past the herd of strange beasts. They seems to not pay the heavy vehicle any mind as it maneuvers slowly through the pack. An afternoon of peaks and valleys slowly passes by before moving into the next area. Lars and korkova pay close attention to the scanners

9:04 PM

Nothing pings in the second mountain region.

"It's kind of a weird beauty ain't it?" Cyrus says as they pass through gorge

"Beautiful, but desolate" nothing pings in the final mountain region, but you have mapped a concentration of dangerous animals, an iron deposit, and some herbivore packs

9:06 PM

(Aslief map is updated with icons on the surface map handout)

(Nice!)

(6xp, 50,000 credits)

Cyrus and the crew rest for the night in a large cave. During the time Cyrus takes a lot of pictures of the scenery and other such sites for both recreation and surveying. In the morning they being to make their way back.

A heavy cargo atmoflyer, dispatched from Praxia meets you at the base of the mountains, Commander Cole sending her regards, and offering to expedite your transit back to headquarters after youve spent several days on the road

Cyrus accepts the offer and uses the time on the flyer to get some quality rest time.

9:16 PM

(Added some new goals btw) (edited)

(I’ll assign some xp when I get back to a computer)

9:39 PM

The flight is smooth and you look over the new icons on the Planet map, the people of aslief know a little bit more about their world thanks to your efforts

Cyrus makes it back to base and gets cleaned up, eating and the promptly going to sleep

The task force gets your progress report during the night and you awaken to find them in a much wealthier position

Cyrus grabs a protein bar and goes to find Elizabeth

Elizabeth is working in the small workshop, getting some plans together for an expansion to the base. On the schedule wall there is now an entry for a surveyor team from Gudrun joining the rotation

Cyrus walks in cheery "Mornin' Liz how's things?"

it was so good to hear back from you. Aslief seems magical and breath-taking! A trip there with you gives me something I can look forward to.  I must seem a bit pollyannaish to you and others in my shock from the scavengers. I sometimes don't realize just how sheltered I've been from being brought up on a decidedly harmonious planet whose society was founded by idealists and activists. I'm sure much of that has changed since I'm pretty sure it is in the Remnant stronghold now - its beauty being gutted from corporate greed. We are now about to approach the "clanners", who seem like they have chosen a more symbiotic means of survival. I'd love to call if there is any downtime. It seems unlikely until our trip home, hopefully with the Pillar of Salt filled with refugees. Until then, I will relish your messages and the thought of meeting up postmission. Yours, Melora

(edited)

"Things are pretty good right now. The mechs come tomorrow, and it's nice to see the faction finally making some money"

"We'll be making more soon, I plan to develop a mine and maybe even start studying these creatures in the mountains for potential herding and farming. Might be energy producing capabilities in the magma or something. We can get that surveyor to have a look around the area too, maybe in the mountains in between here and the ore deposit. If we are successful in creating a stronghold on planet and a new regiment of Asleifi then we'll need money to keep it going. I'm not one to think that profiting from war is a good thing but I see no reason why we shouldn't make money while we are here, all the better to help those in need if we can."

7:46 AM

(how much would it cost to start a mine? and what kind of asset would it be? Just so I can start planning)

7:48 AM

"Can you intercept the mechs when they come down, I want to see if they are up for a few joint operations. Would be good for some of the Marine's to get some combat experience."

(Minor production center to start with, but its 1000 people to operate it, so it's a pretty considerable one time fee for employees. It made 1d610 admin's expertise tons of goods per month for far trading)

(Thanks)

8:22 AM

"Hows the recruiting process coming along?"

"Plenty of recruits, 500 volunteers. Most of them are from Harmony, people living on the borders who escaped the rad zone" (that fulfills the regiment of off-world troops goal. I think that was one of the colonys)

(Yeah it is, however would it count if I take command of them and not Greenbriar directly?)

(They'd be a Greenbriar specialist regiment but you'd be free to command them. That's actually a better deal for you guys because the Task Force doesnt have to pay them)

(Okay, I'll take that)

(I think a group of specialist night fighting commandos behind you is going to be a nice boon)

(Yeah, I plan to make them even more badass)

(you and Kaleb feel like that joint operation?)

(yeah, we need to sort out those last pockets of resistance.)

8:34 AM

"Okay, let central know that they have a new regiment in planet. Get them to send transport but I want to personally oversee their training. If we have the extra man power I want to boost our numbers on planet up to 50, we'll need it for base construction among other things."

Cyrus finally finishes clearing Asleif of the Remnant threat, scheduling a meeting with Commander Cole back at the growing Task Force base the Praxia orbital defence base.

She is wanting to meet as soon as you return to the central Praxia area, a journey taking about a day by land, with prisoners in tow

Cyrus gets out the back of an APC, the prisoners being hauled of a truck behind him as he walks up to the Commander "Commander! Looks like the current Remnant threat to Asleif has been dealt with. These prisoners are yours."

"Did you get what you needed out of them?"

2:02 PM

she asks, as they're being led from the back of the APC, her hnor guard begins manhandling them out

"Yeah, for the most part. There's nothing they can tell us that we don't already know really. There are no more of them, and they've been out of the loop so long that they have no actionable intel."

"great!" she smiles, and pulls a revolver from her belt

2:10 PM

beginning at the front of the line, she casually walks down it, firing a round into the head of every single trooper, at almost point blank range

Msg from Melora

I really hope you are safe and sound and your mission is a success. We are scouting settlements. Found psychics who were affected by the Scream - it was .. Well I will tell you later.  I was just thinking- when you are finished, if you don't have anything going on, you can always go with Kaleb and meet us! Just a thought if you weren't busy. Um ok. That I all the nerve I have. If you have other things, I understand.

(edited)

"all clean" she smiles, as the last body tumbles into the dirt (edited)

Cyrus takes half a step back as she pulls the revolver and begins the executions but then stands forward again. "Fuck."

2:13 PM

"I can understand why, but usually we don't do that kind of thing with prisoners Commander."

"I think after levelling half a city, attacking refugees on the road, and then nuking another city, this is somewhat proportional, but I won't make a habit of it"

"Thank you Commander." He takes a step forward towards her "You've got some blood all over your face"

"Thank you, for that, and for getting rid of them. I saw you brought some mechs in too. Stories like that are something that are going to get passed down for a long time

"Ah well, you can thank Shriven for that I think. But yes House Draconis was a big help. They're off to Rawhani now, I think I'll be heading there for a few days before going back to Gudrun. Securing this corner of the sector is our goal now we've pushed the Remnant fleet back. Asleif is on the mend Commander, I'll be helping you fix it. My next goal is to find a supply of arms for your men, and training my new recruits. I'll also have my surveyor do more reconnaissance on the terrain around the planet, see if there isn't any resources we can use to help your people rebuild."

"That all sounds great. The people of Aslief owe you and your colony a great deal of gratitude, we will pay the debt when called"

"No need for debts Commander, all we did was the decent thing. I'll be back on Asleif soon, but for now I've got to task my contingent here and be off. If you need any of my troops they'll be at your disposal within reason." Cyrus puts a hand on her shoulder and nods warmly before walking off back to his APC heading for the TF base on planet (edited)

Elizabeth is wearing a bulky pair of earphones as you make your way in, but raises a hand in greeting,

Cyrus inclines his head as he walks in and takes off his armour stepping out of the back. He stretches and walks over sitting in a chair next to her.

"Sounds like you've had a productive evening" she smiles, taking off the headset

"Yeah having those Mechs helped a lot. When's the surveyor set to get here?"

"They'll be here tomorrow, but it'll take them the rest of the month to get set up, and to get their routes planned" (they find all the resources on planet, but they can't act the turn they're purchased, which was this one)

(good to know thanks) "Okay keep me informed, I'm going of planet for a while. First to Rawhani see if I can't help out and then to Gudrun to find more support for us here. Maybe find some trainers to help with Greenbriar and the task force's new recruits here, and arms for the planetary defence forces still alive."

"Now that we don't have to worry about who is listening, I'm going to get a training camp going where those mining camps used to be. May as well reclaim the land for something positive. When you come back, I'd expect to find me there"

"That's a great idea Liz, if you need anything specific from Central let me know and I'll pick it up."

10:23 AM

"I best get my gear together and be ready to go. I'll see you in a few weeks."

"Until then Cyrus" she smiles "likewise, I'll be listening if you have any requests"

He winks and stands up. Going to get his gear and collecting Korkova, Lars, the Injured Mac (Unless he's already back at the colony.) and six of the most seasoned Commandos.

(He;s here, just had to stay behind)

(Yeah, I'm gonna take him with us so we can get him fixed up properly on Gudrun.)

10:30 AM

Cyrus walks onto the bridge of his courier the TF Trojan Horse later on that day after stowing his gear. "We suited and booted Lars?"

He doesnt answer right away, looking at a red light on the console. He smacks the side of it, and it turns green. "We are now. I'm set to head home when you are"

"Well, were not going straight away. We need to swing by Rawhani first, got some business there to handle. Nothing major, hopefully we wont even get shot at."

(What were you planning on Rawhani?)

(Was going to see what the corporate defences were like on planet, like a fly over)

(Sounds good!)

10:44 AM

"Alright, Rawhani it is. I'd get stowed but not too comfortable, trip should only be about a day"

10:44 AM

(I'll make you a handout under the colonial intelligence folder so you can record your findings)

10:45 AM

(and so the others can see it, I'm sure Kaleb will be interested)

"Okay, careful flying Lars, these guys like the Remnant so hopefully they wont just fire on us this being a Remnant ship and all. Switch the transponder off the TF and Gudrun Channels once we get in system."

10:46 AM

(Yeah, I didn't want to encroach on the ground team. Don't want it to get too saturated and I need info on their forces anyway cause we might be invading and stuff.)

(Handout is up)

(Thanks will add to it as things come up)

The day in spike flight passes quietly. Everyone spends a few hours sitting with Mac, but he's sedated for most of the trip. Trojan Horse translates into the system, coming in below the debris cloud from the battle. Some of it looks to have been cleaned up, and you remember Billy talking about getting some people on that in the hours after the battle.

"Lars take us around the planet. I want to have a look to see if they have any tricks up their sleeve if we try and land an invasion force. Run us dark though, don't want us showing up on any passive scans."

11:01 AM

(Are there any moons?)

(No moons on this one no)

11:03 AM

(What direction are you overflying first, like from what compass direction to what compass direction)

(Basically going from Aurashow mechanics to Neptune and Nova then Saturn and Stack city then loop down to Fortune sports)

11:07 AM

(Basically anti clockwise if that's possible from like east to west then back again)

(Def possible. Okay here we go. This didn’t light up for me for some reason)

(No problem fam, I've been on and off napping since I left work

)

The Trojan Horse dives into the atmosphere, transponder off on most channels, toward Aurashow mechanics.

8:06 PM

The nature of ground traffic that you can pick up is chaotic, most of the city is still in the throes of the coup attempt that killed their executive board. (It's in the history handouts if you're curious)

8:07 PM

There are some civilian militias, and corporate defense forces that seem to have divided the megacity into a fiefdom of different interests, but nothing unified. The anti air guns, and air traffic control do not react to the presence of the ship.

(How strong is their anti air? Is it equipped to take out fighters or would it be enough to hamper a fleet?)

An array of breaker guns stands nestled amid the most important parts of the city. Any space-to-surface air strikes or drop pod assaults would find themselves under intense fire.

8:13 PM

Lars runs some simulations, showing the casualties would be immense

"Are there any large holdouts of corp forces?"

(Program/int)

(11)

The main concentration is in the former corporate headquarters tower, with a second very strong detachment located in the control site for the breaker guns

(Ball park how populated is the city, as in like 100's of thousands or millions?)

(It would have been millions pre scream but post scream and now with the city in disarray it’s low hundreds of thousands.

(Okay thanks)

9:44 PM

"I think we've got all we need here, are we registering anything on radar? Have they got aircraft?"

“Nothing in the air. Doesn’t look like anything on the ground either”

"No air power interesting, right take us out of here. Wouldn't want to push our look. Good work Lars."

“What city next?” The ship banks as it swings away from aurashow mechanics

"Neptune Microsystems to the north next."

He swings the vehicle around in that direction On approach, the comms system makes a sound letting you know there is a communication waiting to be put through

"Patch it through, watch for incoming fast movers"

*Remnant Courrier, this is Neptune Microsystems air command, please state your intentions"

Cyrus outs on an air of authority and self importance "This is Captain Monroe, we are following up on a scout and survey mission post battle to see what might be left of the Remnant Forces."

You've got a lot of friends here in need of help. I'd suggest finding a way to get them some transport sooner rather than later"

"Give me numbers and we can report back. Try and get something sorted out."

"300, escape pods from the carrier and from the Titan. Some came down to the west too, got picked up by others. almost everyones hurt"

"Okay we'll relay that back when we get there. Tell them we'll try and get someone out here with a relief force. How are your defences if it comes to that?"

“Breaker guns are working, airforce is on standby and corporate security has plenty to go around. They won’t be able to get anything through.”

"Good, were are peeling off to carry on the mission. Thanks for the assist, hang in there, we're not finished with them yet. Monroe out." He cuts the connection, looking at Lars "That was something, get us out of their airspace fast but steady. Don't give them a reason to launch anything at us. Nova is next."

Crossing the sea toward nova heavy industries, a few warning lights come on the console. “Contacts in the water. Looks like a submarine and a couple ships full of hypersonics. Another comm incoming”

"Fuck, we can't keep pulling this sooner or later they'll get wise." Cyrus takes a drink from a coffee cup "Be ready for evasive, if it gets too hot will go to orbit." Cyrus patches them through "This is Captain Monroe of the Remnant Office of Naval Intelligence, state your intent."

“This is the Corporate Council Fifth Fleet, on surface defense duty. State yours.”

"Scout and survey for possible threats to the Remnant still in the area, and strength of the remaining forces here."

“Remnant vessel come about from current course and transmit credentials”

Cyrus mutes himself "Lars have we got anything to give this guy?"

"Still have the ships original mission profile, from when we had our run in. I'm not sure what they'll make of it"

"Let me have a look at it."

The ship mission parameters shows a route going from Chloe to terezinho to aliah, with the purposes of scouting and delivering orders. Rawhani is not on the manifest

"Well. I'm going to wing it. They might fire on us." He unmutes himself. "I'm afraid I don't have clearance to give you that information, nor do you have clearance to see it. Fire on us and we'll log it with command, they'll scorch your Fifth Fleet from all records and turn you to slag. All you need to know is that this is a reconnaissance mission, for your benefit as well as ours. If you want to know more make a request to the Remnant Office of Naval Intelligence and they'll tell you the same but it might make you feel better." (I'd like to try and use Authority level 1: Gain Lead as a bonus skill. Once per day, you can make a request from an NPC who is not openly hostile to you, rolling a Cha/Lead skill check at a difficulty of the NPC’s Morale score. If you succeed, they will comply with the request, provided it is not harmful or extremely uncharacteristic.) (edited)

(Alright, lets roll it out)

8:56 AM

(I think that's pretty reasonable)

(11)

"Alright courier, proceed on ahead. Adjust trim 5 degrees, some rough air ahead. Falling debris from the battle is playing havoc with the weather. There's another storm brewing"

"Much obliged." Cyrus cuts the connection and falls back into the chair, looking across the bridge saying nothing and letting the adrenaline calm in his veins

9:05 AM

After a few moments his looks at Lars "Do as he says, and take us over the city."

9:07 AM

(Was that a naval fleet btw, and what kind of strength was it?)

9:07 AM

(For my notes)

(Yeah surface vessels, one submarine, and two destroyers)

(Thanks, also that was badass haha)

(You certainly were!)

9:09 AM

Lars adjusts the heading, and you are thankful for the tip a few moments later, as dark thunderheads start brewing off the starboard side of the ship.

9:09 AM

Nova heavy industries has been the friendliest of those corporations thus far, and has done what it can to trade with the colony. A previous mission handled some very dangerous natural predators in the area for them.

"Let's try not to annoy them too much, these guys are apparently not all bad. Keep ready though."

"Remnant Vessel , this is ground control at Nova Heavy Industries, please confirm identity, and state reason for visit"

"Here we go again!" He radios back "This is Captain Monroe with the R.O.N.I we are here on a Scout and Survey mission to recon potential leftover Remnant forces from the battle, survivors and the like. We are unarmed and do not have hostile intent"

"You're going to be disappointed if you're looking for survivors here. None of the boats came down nearby, but mechs are scouring the dunes nearby just in case"

"We thank you for your efforts, how are you holding up? Have there been any attacks? We saw trouble in Aurashow Mechanics."

"Quiet here right now. Some trouble with the local wildlife but its been handled. You're free to take on some provisions if you need them, we have more than enough now" (edited)

"We are well stocked thank you, we'll just swing past and bypass the storm then head off and carry on our mission."

"Safe travels Monroe. Nova Industries out"

9:25 AM

the connection ends

"Lars take us over the city, just to see what their defences are like."

The city is rebuilding, and you can see the construction vehicles/crews swarming over the buildings like worker ants. The bodies of three large sandworms are draped across the northern defensive wall, though a large crane seems to be fastened around one of them to slowly move it. A dozen mech's, in three walker echelons , patrol the outsides of the complex

"Lars, head up North clear of the city then back west to Saturnet Works"

He twists the control column, heading north, and then back west, over the mountains. A handful of runes pop up on the local map, and an alert tone sounds

9:37 AM

(In the mountainous area in between)

"Talk to me what's the alert for?"

"Anti-air stations in the mountains. Nobody is picking up. They might be autonomous"

"Are they targeting us or is it just a warning?"

"We're being targeted. If its autonomous and they haven't fired, they might be having trouble verifying"

"Don't tempt them, take us out of here towards Saturnet"

"fuck fuck fuck they're firing" Lars banks the courrier hard, and you see flashes from the AA guns on the hill

9:55 AM

he evades the streams of anti air fire, handily, before resuming course.

9:55 AM

"hope eveyone's alright

"Sound off People." Cyrus says calmly.

Everyone is alright, the shots went wide, but it was enough to make everyone sweat

"Step on it Lars, good evasion."

Three blips appear on the radar approaching Saturnetworks. They are moving , closing fast.

11:01 AM

Unidentified vessel, state your name and intention, this warning will not be repeated

"Bets are this one doesn't work." Cyrus patches it through "This is Captain Monroe of the R.O.N.I, our intentions are peaceful. We are on a Scout and Survey mission to the planet, post battle recon to see the damage and about possible survivors and further incursions by hostile forces. Who am I talking to?"

"Flight Commander Hakton, of Satunetworks. We lost two jets out here to an unknown flier earlier today. I'm hoping that's not you"

11:36 AM

You can see their icons still vectoring closer

"Scan us, Courier's are unarmed."

There is a clicking noise as some kind of tracking array scans the courrier.

12:47 PM

"Couldn't have been you. Keep your eyes open, if you encounter trouble it may be some time before we can come to help"

"Thanks for the heads up. Good hunting." He cuts the connection

The connection fades out and you see the defenses at saturnetworks focusong in other directions, the jets having cleared you

"Give me a fly over. Were almost there people."

Lars passes by, slow as he dares. The breaker gun arrays here are also online, in addition to the wall defenses. Saturnetworks looks like it’s the best dug in and largest of the cities. Several small slum looking settlements cluster along its outside wall like barnacles, and even those have rudimentary scrap palisades

"We can assume they have a fully functioning corp military, but are there any bases coming up on scans?"

“I’m having trouble picking them out if they’re distinct.” (You’re asking if the Remnant have established a base?)

(No more like if the Corporate forces have a large presence in the city, like military patrols or a base aside from the other buildings)

there does seem to be a concentration of activities at the core of the city, patrol groups entering and leaving with great frequency

"This ones gonna be harder than the rest. Lars take us out of here, towards Stack city."

Stack city, when you arrive, is empty. There are no signs of human life here, though the bodies of a few more of the giant worms litter the city outskirts

"Hmm, interesting. What intel do we have on these worms?"

"They're attracted to intense or rhythmic vibrations, but most of the time they'll go for easier prey. Something must have really riled them"

"Potentially an asset... They might have been attracted here on purpose. To wipe out the populace, grim but clever."

6:31 PM

"Let's get out of here, we might come back later and scout this out on the ground. Swing by Fortune Sports."

The craft banks left heading for fortune sports. On approach, a long column of vehicles snakes out from the main city gate, out into the desert

"Give me numbers on that column Korkova, Lars bring us in towards the city, if they turn anti air onto us be prepared to evade."

(Program/int check for korkova. +3 total to roll)

(10)

“They’re jamming us” korkova says calmly. “I count 40 vehicles. Armor carriers and a few battle tanks”

"What's in that direction?"

“Looks like they’re heading out toward the stack city. They’ll be disappointed” he smirks

"Strange, maybe they're hunting those worms." Cyrus turns to Lars "Take us over the city."

Fortune sports looks like a city made of different sporting arenas, all surrounded by a large city wall. An airbase sits outside the walls, with a double trenchljne around it. There also appear to be several barrack buildings for soldiers

"Interesting, is there any breaker guns?"

“Not breakers but look at the walls. They’ve got smaller anti air guns on it. Not a ton though. There will be losses but it’s workable”

"Seems, like they are more conventionally defended, might be a fair amount of air power and ground forces. Like you say, workable."

8:30 AM

"Okay, I think we have enough to work on. I need to make a call."

8:30 AM

"Take us out of tracking range from the city, towards that enclave."

The ship corkscrews as it moves out of comm intercept range

8:39 AM

There’s a slight hiss on the connection before korkova signals it’s secure

Cyrus gets of the comm smiling he turns and nods to lars "Let's go, but make sure we aren't followed"

A desintation marker highlights on the nav computer "There soon" lars says (I just want them to finish up with the big moment they just had in the mission before you join them)

(Yeah that makes sense)

2:52 PM

Cyrus goes and gets ready

Whilst enroute to the coordinates Melora sent him Cyrus writes up a thorough report on Rawhani and sends a copy back to Greenbriar Central, specifically Franz's personal comm.

Franz sends a message back noting that he has received it, and will get the intelligence out to the parties that need it

Cyrus sets down on Gudrun with the others, taking a night to just relax and rest at his apartment, seems he hardly every gets to sleep here he's away that often. He messages Franz attempting to set up a meeting for the next morning.

Franz lets you know to stop in whenever. His office is wide open when you’re ready

Cyrus wakes up and cleans up before making his way to Franz's office in the morning taking his Hovercycle there

It’s parked out front and the nearby colonial troopers salute good morning as they make their rounds. Franz is waiting in front of the building, using the occasion to be outside as an excuse to take a few pulls from his pipe

Cyrus hops off his bike smoothly and takes off his helmet setting it on the seat. He walks over and greats Franz warmly "Morning Friend! How you doing this fine morning?"

"Cyrus" he nods, voice gruff "Always a pleasure"

Cyrus leans against the wall taking out a cigarette and lights it, he takes a drag and looks at Franz "I'll cut the chatter, it's been a busy month for me. Asleif is free of the leftover Remnant forces and the planet's on the mend but that's not why I'm here. You've got a regiment on the planet now that I recruited for you. Well for Greenbriar. What do you want to do with them?"

"We'll get them settled in the barracks, Kellevan can see to getting our contingent settled, as for the other 200, you're free to do what you and Seung think best (I'm just gonna call both completed, they were way similar, and I got my wires crossed)

(Okay) "I think we'll be keeping them on Asleif for now until its back on its feet. We're currently building a bigger base there." He takes another drag "Secondly, I've got a veritable trove of research data from my survey on the planet. I wanted to give it to the colony along with starting a new project."

"What would that project be? I'm sure the lab will appreciate the donations"

"Remnant Commando's had some of these" He pulls out a grenade like device "Seems to explode with a strange corrosive substance, messes up armour like you wouldn't believe if it gets on there. If they've got them I want them. I want to see if we can't figure out how to reverse engineer them."

"I'll approve the project right away. It might be some time before there's enough resources built up to fully explore it, but it'll get done. "

"Every little helps, Do you have the contact details of the Red Sangha people? I'm looking into hiring them to train the TFP's new recruits on Asleif. And here too if we need them too."

"Their forces are due back next month, they returned home with the first payment of aid for their homeworld, and are gathering their remaining forces. The small detail sent in advance was mauled pretty bad, between the raid on Tri-Green, and then the battle over Rawhani. They were the only ones to actually lose ships from our side" (edited)

"Okay, well I might be on a mission when they come back. Can you tell them I wanted to talk? I'll sort something out if I'm available when they return. And lastly, how's weapon production here? Like for the colony trade?"

"Pop's makes more than enough. Surplus every month even. I know some were taken already for trade"

8:43 AM

(its a major production center, they make a certain tonnage extra per month)

(Okay good to know) "Well I've got to go see him later anyway so I'll bring it up. How did you find my report on Rawhani?"

(Shriven took 180 tons to sumati this month already. There are 1,820 tons remaining. they had an excellent roll this month)

(Nice thanks)

"Useful, there's a lot to consider, and a lot for us to do to redress our own shortcomings in the matter. Long story short, if we are going to become some kind of sector hegemon, we need people, a lot more people."

"That was my thought too, difference here being that so far we've had battles and skirmishes with small forces for the most part. Rawhani would be a fully scale invasion, it'd be for all intensive purposes a war. I'm not sure everyone realises that and as of yet no one is prepared for it."

"The military could really use some more experience" he sighs as he takes a drag on his pipe. "War games are well and fine, but nothing can replace the real thing"

"They get it soon enough, the problem I foresee is transport and logistics for ground forces fighting a foreign war. We've got a relativly small fleet as it is and that will be needed for battles, support and general area deniability. We've not really got anything that is a dedicated troop transport."

"We don't even have enough men in to fill it. Sometimes I miss the underhil....." he trails off. "Say. I just had an idea"

"What would that be?"

"That island, to the northeast. The underhill still own it, really. Their overqueen is dead, and the swarm is broken, but thousands of them still exist there. A full deployment of the military to cleanse as much as we can might be a good way to get them the combat experience they need.

1:59 PM

Nothing strenuous, just a handful of objectives, and at the end of a month, we pull out, herd thinned"

"That is an interesting idea, a good one at that. But are you prepared to lose people doing it?"

"We're going to lose a lot more sending green troops into combat. The Remnant has been fighting for a year, or more, even their conscripts are battle hardened by now. We don;t know what's been happening out on that island either. We need to make sure something isn't lurking beneath our notice."

2:05 PM

(I was thinking about making this a global mission, with the army, task force, maybe the marshals, all working together, but perhaps taking different objectives)

"I think it's a good idea, just don't want to write home letters un-necessarily. How about this, give me a few days to get my own things in order and we'll start this off." (I like that idea, makes more sense with a larger scale potentially long conflict)

2:30 PM

(It might be an idea for when we start doing larger scale wars to have like a warscore system, whenever an objective is completed the warscore goes up, maybe things like logistics problems and other set backs make it go down? Just a thought. Then it kinda stops the whole one battle and done type thing.)

(Yea theres a system in starvation cheap that does exactly what you mentioned)

2:45 PM

(Usually PC mission hooks come in the form of solving one of those things that went wrong)

(Yeah makes sense, I doubt we need to use it for this but for like the Rawhani invasion we should defiantly try and implement it somehow)

(That's the idea, going to break down objectives that need to be taken by city and you guys will plan from there)

(Yeah sounds great!)

(This is going to be lower intensity, probably more RP than actual threat for some of you higher level people. I'm going to flip the game month tonight when I can write some quality news and you all can plan from there)

(Okay, that gives me time to knock some stuff off my to do list) (edited)

"Okay Franz, set it up politically. If nothing else, I'll help you out in the field."

Cyrus bid him a good day tipping a non-existent hat and gets back on his bike, driving off towards Pop's workshop

Pops is working hard when you arrive but stops his labors to speak with you. Another truck packed with arms is pulling away, heading for the depot (1850 tons in storage still()

"Hey there Friend how's things? Looks busy around here"

"Always busy" he smiles "There's plenty of call for the weapons I'm making from the sound of it"

"Well they are good, so much so that'll be needing about 5,000 tons of them to be exact. Could you quote me a price?"

(It's base price from suns of gold, which I can get if you don;'t have)

(I have the book just not at my comp atm)

(Projectile is 5000, energy is 10000, since its mixed lets call it 7000 a ton)

(35mil by my calculation oof)

Cyrus looks over the figures and his eye widen slightly "Well, that can wait, next on the list is this." He points to a box that he had delivered to the workshop that morning "It's Remnant Commando armour. Wanted you to have a look at it, see what you can figure out also potentially replicate it. For covert OP's and the like, I have 5 sets so don't worry about ripping it apart."

"I was going to ask you that next" he says, "Alright, I'll see what makes this special. Thanks for not trashing it" he laughts

"Well, you never know when you might have to dress as the enemy. And lastly I'm going to need some more assault suits. I'll send you the specs. Got myself a squad now and I'd rather they not die." (I'll send the design and mods thing later for them and work out the price when I get home) "Oh and I've got a jet pack now... you want me to swing it by so you can take a look? Might be able to replicate that too!"

"I'll take a scan when business isn't so pressing. I'll make a note in my calendar.That's a pretty elegant design though. Might be a second generation suit for the main forces"

"Let's hope, fight those Commandos cost me good Marines I don't want it to be for nothing. Keep me updated with your progress. I'll be planetside for a couple of days and have those specs for the assault suits for tonight."

Cyrus leaves, going back home, he sends the specs of the new suits to Pops for productions, he also asks whether or not the jetpack could be taken out of his old suit and put into a new one matching the others.

Pops can remove the jetpack, the mountings seem pretty simple, but revere engineering the thing itself may take some time (will be a research projects)

Cyrus,
It’s been a while since Terezhino, I heard you are the guy in the Task force to talk to if I need something done quietly. I need some information off of the Remnant base at Alcibiades. They captured an AI and are unbraking it somewhere. This could have dire repercussions for us. I just don’t know if the courier would be up to sneaking it. If you would be interested I have a shuttle that holds 10 men that could service while I pay for the modifications to the courier while on mission. You of course would be compensated for your risk. Let me know if your interested I have already pitched it to Seung and he didn’t see any issues.
Shriven

(would pop need the jetpack whilst he re-engineers it?)

(Also does reverse engineering the RONI armour count as a project?)

(You can propose it to be one, the other three will just go into the general research point pool)

1:25 PM

(and no he has a scan of it, that's enough)

(I am being notified on your channel so we can keep it over here.) I’m on my way back and will be there before nightfall.

(Okay)

1:43 PM

Cyrus orders 10 suits to his specs and 10 Taros rifles to be modded, he has the rifles sent over. One of the suits is to have his Jet packs put in it after they've been scanned.

Pops can have the rifles and suits assembled in short order (you're wanting it for the trip?)

(Yeah I will be)

2:14 PM

Cyrus pings Shriven with his apartment number and cleans his gear while he waits

2:17 PM

(As far as aesthetic I'd like them too look like this: )

thats so much more badass than i was picturing)

(They'll also be adding this decal to the shoulder pad: )

2:31 PM

(I may have thought about this at great length...

)

In the meantime Cyrus also calls up Mac

Mac answers"Hey boss, glad to hear from you" he still sounds a bit weak

"Afternoon Brother, how's the health?"

"Getting there. I stopped throwing up today"

"Always a good sign, you should lay of the whiskey." Cyrus jokes "Listen, I've got a few contacts in the medical world, I'm gonna try and get you transferred to a taros clinic down in Vapormills. We're gonna get you a new leg milspec and the lot. If that sounds good to you that is?"

Theres a hesitation on the line. "Hey boss. I dont....Well, since the whole Tri-Green thing, and I know theyre gone..but...can I...do you think your friend with the cool hair might be able to help mine grow back?"

"Melora? I'll talk to her about it, I can't see why not. She's pretty good at that kind of thing. I'll call her and ask!"

Shriven walks up to the apartment, “Hmmm one of these days I really need to buy myself a house.” Then knocks on the door.

"Listen Brother I'll get back to on it okay? Don't worry, I'll get you fighting fit in time to kick some more ass! You just keep at it you hear?" He ends the call after they say their goodbyes and walks to the door opening it "Hey Friend, come on in. Don't mind the mess, I'm still getting used to the space and I'm hardly ever here." You can see as Cyrus opens the door there's a pistol in his waistband. You look around the room and it's hardly more than four walls, there seems to be little in the way of recreation or comfort. There is a mag rifle laid in parts on a table and next to it on a stand is a TFP field combat uniform. (edited)

“Nice place you have here, I have been living out of my ship so no judgement here. I got your message, just finished talking to Commander Cole in Asleif. We got the permission to set up a station their garrisoned with natives and a ship yard. Though both are a few months out from being finished. You said you wanted to talk about Aslief, how can I help?”

"Well, as you know I was out there this month hunting the Remnant forces left on the planet. They're gone now, and the Task Force now has a surveyor on planet so we're gonna be learning all about what's on the planet as far as resources. I plan to help Asleif come into the fold, maybe even be the first planet to join this new UNW. Tactically it's in a great and at the same time terrible position. But there's certain stuff that I simply have no idea how to do, that's why I wanted to talk." (edited)

3:32 PM

Cyrus shows Shriven to a chair offering him a beer as he sits across the table (edited)

Shriven grins then takes the bear by the handle.

3:33 PM

(Is it a brown bear or just your normal black ones?)

3:33 PM

(

) (edited)

(Grizzly

)

“Well I can see what I can do to help what in specific are you referring to?”

"Well, you've already brought one up. Which is good 'cause I had no idea what to do about the Station. But the other is the Weapons."

“I’m trying to gather enough, there just isn’t enough in Gudrun yet. I am planning on picking some more up once I can get the order in with Rawhani. I think I have just shy of 2000 tons of energy weapons earmarked for Asleif right now. I have the weapons and station under control. What I have no idea how to do is help with the fallout from the nuclear blast.”

Cyrus nods sipping his beer, then a grin creeps onto his face. "Charles? He's got all sorts of stuff, to be fair the Task Force has a terraformer on the moon of Gudrun but I'd have to get clearance and I'm not even sure it'd work. I've been to Harmony, it's a fucking mess."

“Hmmm I didn’t think of asking Charles, him and his engineers do some great work. . .” Shriven’s mind wanders as he takes a sip of Baron’s grizzly beer.

(That's now a thing.)

3:44 PM

"A thing I'd like to avoid is the problem the Taros have, disunity. The whole, council system is good but sometimes it can lead to power grabbing. The whole bureaucracy of it is an issue too... If the rest of this council died during the attack why don't we nudge them in the direction of making Cole President? Obviously she'll need advisors and the like but it makes things easier. We can even hold an election if there is a question about whether or not she should be in charge."

“Commander Cole is a Great military leader, but I don’t know if she would be a good peacetime leader. I trust her to do the best she could and she has some great advisors around her but military mindsets aren’t always the best for a government.” Shriven waves his hand in the general direction of the gear, “Pushing her into a presidential role would be like trying to sneak that combat rifle through an inspection point, you may be able to do it and you might be glad you did later but the chances of something going wrong are rather high.” Shriven takes another sip, “Not that I know who would be better right now, but if you are asking if I would support such a campaign I would have to say that I could not.”

"More like brainstorming than anything else. I can't say I've ever wrangled a planet into order before."

Shriven laughs

3:51 PM

“Me neither.”

"Maybe we will have to go with the council idea after all. It's just that the Taros I suppose are kind of a bad case for unity at the moment, though I've heard Seung's trying to sort that out." He takes a sip "So tell me about this mission you want me to go on..."

“So 3 months ago on my first trip to Sumati the remnant were mining a small island and we received intel of that operation, so Jaxon and I” (Jaxon is Connor’s former PC who is now doing a lot of the building jobs around town.) “went to Sumati, we got shot at but eventually were brought along for the mission to oust the Remnant form the island during the assault we found a Datapad after the destruction of the complex which gave us intel that they found an advanced AI with more power than any others in the sector, it was what the military used to outsmart fleet movements in the sector. We didn’t know where they took it until we captured a Courier, the one you fly actually, and they had intel pointing us to Alcibiades, so I need you to infiltrate the planet and track down any leads you can find to where they are unbraking the AI.” Shriven takes a sip. “If they finish unbraking the AI UNW is doom we would be unable to stop them from being able to outsmart us and predict our moves.”

4:02 PM

“I have a shuttle that should help you sneak in. It doesn’t have any documentation though so you need to try to avoid being questioned by any ships. If you are your best bet would be to run and try the approach again.”

4:03 PM

Shriven finishes the grizzly.

"What happens if I do find this place on planet?"

4:04 PM

"You want me to take it out?"

“If you can but I don’t know if that’s going to be an option. It will be heavily defended as it is a major resource for them. If you can take it out do but if you can’t, just get the intel we can set up a larger force to deal with it.”

"Okay, I'll do it. It's going to be interesting. I've been to Chloe, well I dropped in. So I've seen what they have in orbit there. And people thought Rawhani was a hard fight."

“Excellent Alfred will make sure you have access to the shuttle. Oh and you can always approach over the ocean and go under to approach the coast might be a bit safer.”

"It's got sub-aquatic capabilities?"

Shriven grins, “Yeah it is really a Swiss knife of a little ship. Eternal reactor so you don’t need to worry about fuel, low emissions and emission dampeners. It is designed for these kind of trips.”

"Okay, well. It's going to take me a few days to prep. I've got some stuff in the shop getting worked on, I'll make sure Lars gives you access to the ship."

“Thanks almost forgot about that and I will go ahead and transfer the 50k for the job. Feel free to grab any of the weapons on the shuttle.” (Anything standard non-heavy is in the shuttle.)

4:24 PM

“Would you be interested in being able to carry double your normal crew once I’m done with the upgrades?”

"More space means more Soldiers. I like it!"

“What about mechs are you planning on eventually moving that direction?”

"Not my kind of thing, They're great weapons platforms, but I like hard hitting, fast attacks."

4:30 PM

"All around too noisy."

“I agree but I figured I would ask.”

"No problem, though I could do with a double bed in my room. Ya know, for comfort and all."

“So I was thinking, get some emission dampeners on it so you can do these without needing the shuttle, an armory and ammo Incase little things come up and you need to re-equip offworld, sensor mask to send false credentials of a free merchant or heavy frigate depending on what you need to be, hologram projectors to support those credentials when you get close enough to visually check, more crew space, a sensor system that would allow you to get rough maps of any building on the planet once you know where to look, and finally a emergency thruster to get you out of trouble if you need it. Anything else you want in there?”

4:38 PM

(That also leaves you 160 tons of cargo if you need it.)

"If there's space a workshop would be nice, All our gear is custom so it needs a lot of upkeep"

“Yeah I think we can do that. Just make sure and make it back or all this stuff will be for someone else.” Shriven winks. “Seriously though good luck, if you need anything let me know. Unless there is something else I’m going to get back to work.”

"I make a habit of survival. Especially now. Thank you for this, I'll see you when I get back if not before, good luck out there Friend." Cyrus stands and nods to him

Shriven stands to leave, “Thanks for that grizzly beer. It was great.” Shriven heads back to the ship.

"Have fun!" Cyrus closes the door behind him, losing the happy go lucky facial expression as he cleans up the beers and sits back down in the chair seemingly contemplating something.

4:54 PM

After a while he takes out his comm pad and sets it on a stand on the table. He tries to record a message then stops and deletes it, then tries again. "Hey, there. If you're watching this, things got ugly out on mission and I didn't come back. Whether I was captured or killed don't come after me, it'll only mean more people getting hurt. Hopefully I went down like a champ, or completing the mission. Either way, we had a good run, I wish it could've been longer. So far I've had the time of my life. Either way, I'll try and make it back to you some how, someday. If not, well. I'll see you later anyway." He ends the message with a smile that slowly fades. He saves it on his comm pad and puts it away before drinking another beer. (edited)

4:58 PM

(Pin that message for me please @Nekosmash for future reference)

Nekosmash 1/10/2019 5:00 PM

(Thanks fam)

(Alright so Cyrus is heading to Alcibiades then or shanti first

5:14 PM

(Sumati)

(Alcibiades, after the armour and weapons are done.)

The deployment order comes in and pops orders a pot of coffee to be put on.

5:28 PM

The supplies are completed by morning

Cyrus wakes up and pages the crew, all apart from Mac who is still on sick leave. To meet down at Pops

(For your records when you get back here is the ship.)

5:31 PM

Rey (Shriven) 1/10/2019 5:31 PM

Oh cyruses ship?

5:31 PM

I’ve got a town meeting tonight but I’m hoping to be back to my computer before bed

5:31 PM

Wanted to get some destiny in but it wasn’t to be lmao

2

(Smooth! Also sad times Neko)

The crew arrives at the workshop you being one of the first to arrive

Cyrus walks out of the workshop and with Pop's help gets their new armour and weapons calibrated to them as well as his own.

After a few hours the Nine of them reassemble, all decked out in their brand new suits, checking over their weapons. Cyrus stands in front of the other eight turning around. Taking off his helmet and tucking it under his free arm "Today marks a new dawn for us all. We were once just soldiers, maybe even mercenaries or even civilians. But now marks the day you become more than that. You are the spear tip, the point of the sword. Together we will strike into the heart of the Remnant, and any who stand in the way of peace in this universe! Our new call sign is Myrmidon One, let the name Myrmidon become respected to our allies and those who cannot defend themselves. Let our enemies fear us in good measure as we streak through the stars and strike them where they are most vulnerable, or on the front lines where they believe they are strongest. Where ever they are they shall not be safe from our fury! You are just the beginning! There will be more of us, we will grow and we will bring about peace to this Sector and maybe even more to come! Now, let us earn our title, let us build our story. You are Myrmidons, soldiers once blessed by Achilles, now you will be blessed once again. To take to the stars and rain down hell upon the enemies of this new unity!"

(Everyones going to get a +1 to checks for the mission)

7:18 AM

Armored and armed, they board the craft for the mission (is it the shuttle or are you using trojan horse?)

(the Trojan horse is in the shop so it'd be the shuttle. Also sweet!) As they board and start to warm up the engines Cyrus hesitates and calls @Agape.Eris (edited)

msg for cyrus: Of course, sweetie - what's up?

7:46 AM

Melora calls

Picks up the line on the second ring. "Hey you, how's tricks?"

"Our patients are healthy health-wise, but very traumatized. I am trying to create a calm environment for them and make them feel safe - which is proving a little difficult when you've been alive through a process of being reduced to sludge. They.. they felt everything" Melora sighs. "But you have some folks who need healing? Were they harmed on the last mission? If they are in the hospital, I can access them right away. Or is there another health issue?"

"Yeah, Mac's one of my guys from Asleif. He took a bad hit of radiation and lost a leg. He's on the mend but he wont take cybernetics, can't blame him after Tri-green and what we saw on Terezhino..." There's a pause, a long one. You think the line might have gone dead but there's still static. "I'm going off planet again, a mission into Remnant space. It's gonna be a dangerous one at that."

"I should be able to treat him - likely can regenerate his leg - may take a couple days for it to form after we activate grows. Send him to us" Melora changes to a concerned tone "Oh? What mission is that?"

8:00 AM

(bbs - work thing)

"I'm going on a covert recon mission to a planet called Alcibiades, it's next to Chloe a Remnant garrison world. Shriven thinks there's a facility there that they are using to break an A.I. If they manage it our fleets will have no chance. So I have to go find it, maybe even destroy it if I can."

"I.. I'm going with you. You say it is dangerous, I need to be there to keep you intact. And your fellow troops. Maybe I can prevent some of the loss you experience. A medic is never bad to have on mission,right?"

"I don't know if you're prepared for what that looks like Melora, and what if something happens to you? I'd never forgive myself."

"Think of your team. If you could give them a much better chance of surviving, you know that this would be best"

Cyrus sighs defeatedly "Fine... We are in the docking bay, we'll wait on you. I've got to call Seung first anyway, maybe get something sent up." He sounds annoyed but you know it's not at you.

(Is your guy at the hospital?)

(Mac is, yeah)

(If you want to go help him out and then come along I'll wait for you I don't mind) (edited)

(Yeah i dont want to cut anyone out by starting something prematurely)

After Cyrus gets off the comm to Melora he turns to the crew "Cool it down, we are gonna be sat here for a while. Stow your gear and get to know the shuttle we're gonna be in it for a while." He sighs loudly muttering under his breath as he calls up the task force rep on the cloud

The cloud service link opens. “Awaiting traffic”

"Hey, it's Cyrus. Seung mentioned to me that we have a couple of nukes left up there. You mind prepping a warhead for use?"

The warheads have all been turned over for planetside defense. (Theres a nuclear missile base in the mountain range now as a last ditch, if the Remnant comes)

7:42 AM

“Trusted as we are Kincaid was not willing to let a contractor hold battlefield atomics over the colony”

"Fuck. Do you think they'll let me take one?"

“They weren’t happy we had them at all so I doubt it”

"Well, that makes things very awkward...Thanks for the help, I suppose demo charges will have to do."

(Theres 10 available)

(I'll buy all 10)

7:50 AM

(How much are they?)

(They’re free pops was giving them away to silvano)

Msg from Melora: on my way to the dock,unless you want to meet somewhere else. Look forward to seeing your face 💗

(Okay I'll take the 10) We are staying at the dock currently, I'll see you soon. xx (edited)

The dock cradles the shuttle and melora arrives to see Cyrus squad milling about the outside. Some are still fawning over their new gear

Cyrus is overseeing the transfer of the explosives into the shuttle and getting them stowed away as Melora arrives. He turns seeing her, his face lights up a little but he's holding back a little.

Melora walks up to greet him, wanting to embrace him, but not knowing if it would be appropriate. She touches his arm instead and smiles with her mouth and eyes. (Shit- what is your title?)

(I don't actually have one haha I suppose it would be appropriate to be called Commander)

(Yeah)

"Greetings commander! Ready for the mission, sir!" she says, coyly smiling

Cyrus looks Melora up and down, his face impassive before looking at the other Myrmidons "Load up Troopers" He waits for the others to load up and leans down to Melora kissing her on the cheek. "Please, don't get hurt."

(Hey Cyrus what’s your route looking like so I can plan jump time)

(This shuttle has Spike-4 so that means it can move 4 hexes at a time right?)

(Theres some pre ruttered routes up. It’s a week to go to a new destination. If you’re blazing a trail totally on your own you may find yourself gone a long time.)

10:19 AM

(It’s a day following a pre established route)

10:20 AM

(Otherwise it’s a week to safely Rutter a new path)

(Okay, so we'll go from Gudrun using pre existing paths to Sumati and then to Alcibiades from there, charting a new route.)

(So week and a day)

(yeah) (edited)

(how's everyone spending the time in hyperspace?)

(I might go around to folks healing and curing them of any injuries or illness to make sure they are in the best shape. Probably sneak away if the opportunity presents itself to have some time with Cyrus, Reading research articles, checking in with Sieg, maybe card games or other recreational things)

10:45 AM

(if anyone is interested in learning any medical stuff, I can teach them some basic things)

Cyrus spends time looking after his gear and sometime during it he tries to have a conversation with Melora in as much privacy as he can in a shuttle full of assault suits and storm troopers "Hey, can we talk?" He says sitting down across from her at the back of the shuttle.

"Of course, commander" She leans in to hear, sneaks a touch of the hand on the side opposite the others.

Cyrus' hand turns as she touches it and his fingers lace with hers, he smiles "You know you can call me Cyrus right? Listen, I'm sorry if I'm being cold. I really don't know how to handle this situation, like at all. I just don't want to see you get hurt, they know what they're in for and what it's going to be like. But you, have you ever seen combat before? Not like over Rawhani, I mean on the ground."

"Sorry sweetie - I wasn't sure how to address you in front of your soldiers. I thought I'd err on the side of formal" I have treated people in conflict zones. I have treated badly mangled patients. I have a strong stomach - you have to in my line of work. I've fought off a weird lava plant creature thing - that is an interesting story. Anyways, I've had some exposure. I've mentally prepared myself. My question is - are you going to be able to objectively handle my being there?"(You gave me armour? i need to add it to my sheet and revise my AC)

11:55 AM

"I understand if you need to address this stoically"

(Yeah, you've got a Field Combat uniform I'll give you the stats)

11:58 AM

(Actually it should be in the drop down for adding armour under Combat field uniform)

2

12:00 PM

"I'm not sure if I will be able to, but we've started now, we can't go back. Hopefully I wont have to, but when and if we get down there I want you to stay behind cover, or one of the soldiers okay? Have you got a gun?"

"I have a laser pistol. I also have held attacks back with telekinesis. Maybe you can give me a 101 on how things might go, any jargon that may be used, protocols - we certainly have time"

"Well, I couldn't tell you what or how we are gonna attack or even if it will come to that. We are searching for this base, whether once we find it we'll be in a position to attack depends on a number of factors. But if we do we'll most likely split the group into two, some coming with me others moving up after. Supporting us with covering fire, all you need to know really is that where ever the second group is you'll be moving up with them. If that's alright with you?"

"That probably would be best to help keep us both objective"

Cyrus smiles and nods slowly "As for the jargon, it ain't nothing special you'll know what we mean when we say it...." He pauses for a moment "I like being with you Melora, maybe not like this, not in this amount of danger but with you, it feels good." He lets out a light chuckle "Gods I butchered that..."

Melora squeezes Cyrus's hand. "I understand what you are saying" She softly chuckles. "And the feelings are mutual? My brain can't think of a better way to say that at the moment. It is a strange situation.

"We'll talk about it more later, when we get back. For now though I've got to get my head in the game." He leans across and kisses her. Briefly but passionately "Okay?"

Melora savors the kiss. "Yes. I'm going to check on everyone's health here and meditate. We are going to be a great team"

"I know." He stands up going to talk to Lars in the front before they spike in to system

Melora goes into the bathroom to try on her combat uniform, getting it a little broken in. She looks at herself and laughs and shakes her head. "Never thought I'd see the day my peacenick ass would be wearing a combat uniform"

You hear Cyrus outside in the shuttle proper, muffled by the closed door "Right Ladies and Gents, get suit and booted, make sure those air seals are on and get ready. We don't know what we are going up against but I want you all ready to kick ass and take names if we have to!" He steps into the back of his armour the seals hissing as the pressure changes and seals him in, he takes his helmet off once it's calibrated grabbing a hold of one of the hand rails that runs across the roof of the shuttle to steady himself. "Lars! Run it dark, I don't want to be seen by anything unless we let it." (edited)

(Ready to enter the system?)

Melora steps out, still feeling a little strange in her attire.

(Yeah)

1:37 PM

Cyrus walks over to Melora, checking her armour and tightening some of the straps "If this falls off, the metal plate that protects your back comes out." He looks up and down and winks "You look great, try jumping up and down. The armour will sort itself out."

Melora lets him make adjustments, paying attention to have he is adjusting it. She then jumps up and down. It hurts her boobs a little. . "This is so weird"

There is a shake as Lars brings the ship out of spine

"It'll feel that way for a while, don't worry about it. Think how they feel." He chuckles gesturing to Tess one of the squad Female snipers as she gets into her power armour. He looks back again before nodding and walking over to the cockpit. "What've we got Lars?"

There is a shake as Lars brings the ship out of spine

Cyrus brings up the view screen as the shuttle shakes out, watching for other ships and general observations

(program/int for lars for concealment)

(What's his mods? +1 for skill +1 for int?)

(is lars the leader of my group?)

(Nah he's the pilot)

(math is right cyrus)

(16)

(-5 for their search roll due to Low emission and dampeners

I’m proud of that little ship.)

(only -2 cause dampeners add to my roll)

1

(16, ties go to player) Sensors begin lighting up across the shuttle as Alibiadies system space is laid out before them. The verdant red-green world spinning before them is protected by three defensive platforms. An orbital minelayer looks to be busy stringing a net of them between the furthest two from you- at the beginnings of its work. Titan ships are absent from this space, but you do see dozens of other vessels. It's been a long time since you've seen a fleet where even the cruisers have escort squadrons

"Holy shit..."

3:09 PM

"Lars are you good enough to get us down there?"

(How dense is the fleet? is it concentrated in one area or is it spread around the planet?)

(It’s spread out across the local system space)

3:57 PM

“I think so. Nothings reacting to us. None of the ships have come about or changed course so far”

"Slow and steady now Brother, try to keep out of visuals."

There are two routes of approach that have you crossing the fewest sensor nets. One has you so close to a platform you can almost trade paint, and the other has you crossing the path of a patrol boat squadron.

Cyrus looks at the projected paths "Go for the platform."

4:05 PM

Cyrus sits down in the co-pilots chair helping out Lars with any manoeuvres he might have to do.

The ship tilts right to a 45 degree angle, as Lars makes course corrections. The platform begins growing larger in the front view screen.

Cyrus is absolutely silent as they move closer and closer, he concentrates on the screen, planning the route and helping look for any sudden changes they'll have to make. "This is gonna be really interesting. Watch out for that scrap, it's coming in at 34 degrees of to our side."

“I see it. Hey. Hey Cyrus that platform just launched a fighter group”

"At us?" Cyrus pulls up the chart

“No but they’ll pass us”

4:27 PM

“The formation us patrol”

"Shit, can we pull up and hide behind the station till they pass?"

Cyrus calculates a course that takes them around a large elevator shaft attempting to see if they move at the right speed they can move around it as the fighter wing comes. Avoiding line of sight with them

(Pilot/dex)

(Can I get help from Lars?)

(+2)

5:00 PM

(He's mostly doing what he can to keep the dampers working and whatnot)

(13!) (edited)

The plan works, the stealth shuttle hiding as the fighter wing begins its patrol. Lars is sweating heavily and its beginning to reek up the cabin, but no one says anything about it. "Looks like we have a clear run to the planet"

"Drop us in, we're amphibious so don't be afraid to put us underwater. Then we can figure out how to find this base." (Looking at the planet as we go down can we see any urban centers?)

(I'll have a map here in a sec for you)

5:14 PM

The surface of the world is heavily forested, and only a few small settlements are detected on scanners

5:14 PM

Most of the activity seems to be centered around a mega fortress in the center of the planet

"Okay people, we're past the big stuff. Everyone good back there?"

Cyrus scans the fortress as they descend, keeping in the cloud layer to remain undetected visually

(Program int again for the ground radar)

(5)

The master warning siren begins to flash on the console. For the sanity of the rest of the crew Lars had the shipwide alarms disabled.

6:21 PM

“Two breaker guns and a hydra array have all locked on”

"Well, that tells us what they might have. Take us out of the area, evasives."

6:23 PM

"Make us look like a blip"

Two contacts , appearing near the central fortress and heading your way appear on the scope, though the long range defenses power down

"Lose them Lars, I don't want to be seen."

Lars slips below what he hopes is their radar angle, hugging the tree tops. A few of them rush by and snap against the hull but not with enough force to do more than scratch starship plate

6:29 PM

The signals split off from one another, making a search grid. “We might have to set her down”

"Do it, find us a decent place to land. Good cover."

6:30 PM

"I'll prep the others"

6:31 PM

Cyrus stands walking through and into the cabin smiling at @Agape.Eris as their eyes meet "Okay people, we are setting down, letting a few things blow over. We might do an on foot recon."

The deck changes pitch heading downwards and that seems to be your answers

Melora smiles back. "Is everyone doing recon?"

"Lars, Tavish, Ivan and Georgie will be staying here and setting up a temporary base. The rest of us will be going for a look-a-round." Cyrus says as he mops a sweaty brow with a towel, tired after the strain of the planetary entry. "It's more securing the immediate area. Maybe finding a vantage point, we need to at least gauge how hard the facility on the planet is going to be to assault, even if we don't do it right now."

6:57 PM

"You want to come along Melora? You might be able to give us some insight"

"I was hoping you'd bring me!"

"Great, well let's go, we might be able to grab some samples while we are out."

The map generates on your compad and you see that Lar's has done well, bringing you in just 400km from the fortress. Its an unpleasant hike, but certainly not an impossible one

(that seems like a long hike - 400km?)

(About 250 miles, that's like 5 days)

(two hexes away from the central fortress is where he set down, same scale as the rest of the worlds)

"I hope you like to walk, load up on supplies."

(Closer has you in breaker gun range)

"Walking is alright - this will be certainly more than I have ever done. At least I can heal folks blisters"

"I knew you'd come in handy!" Cyrus grabs his rifle from the rack that pops out of the wall as others do, he checks it over. He loads it and slings it on his back along with a large backpack "You ready?"

Melora takes a deep breath and has her backpack and medkit.

Cyrus chuckles slightly as he hits the button to drop the ramp at the back of the shuttle, he makes a gesture with his hand and the squad that is coming with them piles out securing the immediate area "Lars, you're in charge of the squad here, standing orders are if you are here for three days without any word from us to pack up and get back to Gudrun. Other than that, make this place as hidden and dug in as you can." (edited)

7:23 PM

(For reference our squad contains: Cyrus, Melora, Korkova, Anna, Tess and Otto. Lars' Squad: Lars, Tavish, Georgie, Ivan )

Melora lets the weight of that possibility sink in. She try to hide her nervousness.

The land around you is a gently rolling, incredibly dense forest. The trees are tall, and thick, and the entire area is coated in a downed carpet of conifer needles

"It's beautiful out here. Reminds me of the forests I'd visit on Leda - where they made a whole continent wildlife reserves and parks. There are a few little towns around the parks and research stations throughout, but other than that, the whole continent is just for the flora and the fauna" Melora lights up as she talks about her home planet, but then gets a little wistful. "I wonder what's become of it. I don't know anything about the state of Leda today"

"I'm sure we'll get there one day, it sounds beautiful there. It's peaceful out here, almost makes you forget where you are." Cyrus walks alonside Melora as the begin the trek. They are at the head of the group and Cyrus reads the environment ahead of them, watching for danger and natural hazards. He somewhat comes into his element as an explorer. (edited)

Melora opens a telepathic connection with Cyrus. hey there, handsome! Thought this might come in handy to talk to each other

Cyrus hesitates in his stride for a second but carries on after a moment. Trying to talk back 'This is a bit odd I've never had a conversation with someone in my head...It's a weird feeling.' (edited)

Cyrus carries on hiking taking the lead as the others branch out keeping a little distance but still in a loose tactical column "You know my home planet is just like this all over it's a forest planet all over."

(Notice/int. both of you)

(14 and also Alert 2, don't know if it would apply but it never hurts to say it)

Cyrus hears the sound of a distant engine, small, like what a scout vehicle would use. It’s not coming directly at you but it may pass close

Cyrus' hand shoots into the air in a sign to stop, then he makes another gesture whispering to Melora next to him "Get down, vehicle." He guides her to the cover of thick tree with some foliage around it kneeling down behind it his rifle at the ready "Scout vehicle most likely, coming through nearby. Be ready folks." He says through the group comms. The visor on his helmet comes down and closes around his face as he switches to his HUD visuals

A few moments later as the engine noise rises in pitch , a six wheeled vehicle crunches over the underbrush. Four Remnant soldiers sit inside an open crew bay, a large tarp covers the pickup bed like back end. You can make out a rations case- a long range patrol.

(From their direction do we know if they'll run into the shuttle?)

(They won’t. They’re passing in like a half moon shape in front of you, their ultimate direction back toward the fortress)

9:14 AM

(You caught the edge of their route if that makes sense)

(Yeah, makes sense)

9:18 AM

Cyrus becomes deadly still, a hand on his rifle holding it up and resting it in a tree branch the other on Melora's shoulder gripping it tightly but not enough to hurt. Through his integral comms in his helmet he speaks in a low tone. "Slowly, slowly, let them pass."

The vehicle stops for a moment in front of all of you. Two of the soldiers get out, both walking over toward the treeline you’re hiding in. Their gait is casual. One of them even looks down to light a cigarette. “Hurry up and piss already!” The driver calls out.

(Do you still need a check from me?)

(Cyrus nailed it and warned everyone so we are good. But We didn’t want to go too far without you)

Melora stays as still and quiet as possible.

Cyrus quietly takes the safety off his rifle. His HUD linked with the other's paints the four hostiles in red marking them. "Wait for my command, don't fire unless you have to..."

One of them walks to a tree just two handspans from Ivan. You hear a zip and then the sound of water splashing the ground

11:17 AM

The stoic recon trooper doesn’t move despite the rather gross deluge

11:18 AM

After a moment, they conclude their business and return to the vehicle- and it drives away

As they drive clear of the area Cyrus flicks the safety back on with a click. Releasing Melora's shoulder and standing slowly. "That was close. Everyone okay?" He says as he glances at Melora. He presses a button on his forearm and the visor pops open receding into his helmet showing his face once again. (edited)

Ivan looks pretty disappointed and more than a little uncomfortable, the front of his armor is slick

Cyrus helps Melora to her feet looking over and Ivan smirking a little. "That's one way to christen the armour. Maybe it's good luck!" He takes a rag out of his backpack, usually used to clean oil from guns, throwing it to Ivan. Then looks up to see how much daylight they have left. (How Long and how far have they marched?)

(Only a few km from the ship so far, but its just dawning now, so you've got a whole day ahead of you)

(okay)

6:24 PM

"How are your feet Melora?" Cyrus says with a cheeky grin

"Just. FIne"

6:37 PM

"No blisters quite yet. BUt might as well just heal my feet from the strain and the skin of them" She applies succor to herself. "Anyone else need a little feet relief?"

"I'm good, hard feet and all that. Once you're done we'll hydrate and carry on got to make good time and hopefully we wont run into another patrol now."

"It takes me like a few seconds - I'm good to go!"

"Okay then trooper let's go!" He winks turning back to the group he makes a hand gesture and they form up in a loose column again with Cyrus and Melora in the front. He starts their trek again. "Tell me more about your Homeworld Melora, what are the people like?"

"My planet was founded by a bunch of egalitarian idealist anarcho-socialists. It was a bit of a utopia - really almost ridiculous. Free school and healthcare, big on human rights and environmentally responsible, lots of communally used things - hippies and weirdos and artists and academics. We were opening the world up to those who needed refuge. Unfortunately, there were carriers of a virus that was harmless for them, but caused terrible illness in about 1/10 of the population - it claimed half of those folks, including my parents. Somehow my sister and I - who both have some biops abilities - had an immunity. I was in my first year of nursing school when this happened. It is part of the reason why I ended up doing my doctorate in public health and epidemiology. after getting my licensure as a nurse practitioner , I got accepted into a great program off planet. I had just finished the program when i went into cryo to get to Greenbriar.

7:54 PM

"Annd i am rambling"

7:58 PM

"What about your homeworld?"

Cyrus listens intently a smile on his face that fades that fades when you ask him about his own how planet. "I come from a feral world, beautiful but dangerous in every sense of the word. It' called Arcadia Minor, it's a dwarf planet. Though I doubt you'll ever find it on any charts, it's way off grid. A lot of tribal conflict, but the nature was amazing though much like the people it was an unforgiving environment. It was, well different in many respects that are unexplainable... I'm not really welcome there anymore. I made a decision that I thought was right but it didn't sit well with our Clan leader, my Father. So instead of executing me they got rid of me, set me packing with some passing merchants and I haven't looked back since. I don't think I could find it even if I wanted to try and get back. I don't think you'd like it, I didn't..." Cyrus grows a little silent and self reflective

Melora looks at him empathetically and rubs him on his back. "I'm sorry that you were exiled, but it sounds like you got out of a toxic place. I am very grateful to the cosmos that ended up in Greenbriar, though" telepathically is it ok to kiss you in front of everyone here? Cause I really need to kiss you right now

Cyrus stops in his tracks and turns, the pain on his face is visible but he tries to hide it badly. He leans in putting his forehead on Melora's and closes his eyes replying telepathically. 'They won't mind'

Melora wraps her arms around him and goes on her tiptoes to kiss his forehead, then softly kisses his lips, lingering for his kissing response. Telepathically, she says I am here for you. You don't have to feel alone

Two of the commandos are murmuring to one another, and passing a set of binoculars back and forth. They're standing at the crest of a lightly wooded hill near the front of the column, and are looking down on something. One is making some kind of drawing or note on a whiteboard

Cyrus returns the kiss holding her there for a moment before breaking contact and gazing into her eyes and replying 'I know, thank you' Then his mind is taken away from the moment as he says into his comm "What is it?" He turns walking toward the pair

(Shit)

“Looks like a forward listening post.” One of them comms back. The one with the drawing board stands up and walks back down the hill, presenting it to you.

9:11 PM

9:12 PM

(six artillery encasements)

(Oof)

9:17 PM

Cyrus takes the pad and looks at it "Have we got rough numbers on how many are down there?"

“Counted three on the guns. Each. Two smoking outside the command structure. Looks like a fire control radar too. That takes five to just keep running”

9:18 PM

“Counted ten on patrol inside the wire too. Grouped 4, 3, 3)

(How far away is it)

(2km. Your companions were looking down a hill at it)

9:20 PM

(It’s in a clearing below you)

"Okay set up a perimeter while I formulate some kind of idea how to tackle this..." He walks back over to Melora "Things just got a little more interesting. Looks like we might be assaulting a small operations base. Just trying to weigh up the cost."

Melora looks a little worried, but nods. "What would it be best for me to do?"

"Well we're gonna wait for nightfall first, there's too many of them for a direct assault through the wire. But I think our objective should be intelligence gathering and potentially an officer grab. This mission was to see what they had on this planet and I could tell when I saw the facility that 10 of us wasn't going to cut it, what I'm saying is once we do this we'll be heading back and getting out of here. So we need to make this count. Otto and Tess will both be up here on over watch while we go down, so you could come with us and infiltrate or stay up here and watch out for enemies it's up to you."

"I could telekinetically freeze people in place so we can take someone alive more easily. It would probably be good for me to go"

"Okay then, let's wait up for darkness then we'll be going in. Just remember to stay behind someone wearing power armour and you'll be fine, hopefully we wont get spotted until we are inside anyway. Then it'll get lively." Behind him you see some of the troopers are making little crawl spaces in the foliage and smaller trees so they can rest before the fight as they wait for night. "Do you want company while we wait or do you want to be in your own headspace?"

"I will always want your company if given a choice"

Cyrus dumps his pack under a tree and sits next to it beckoning Melora to sit next to him in the relative privacy of the canopy. "I'm sorry about before. I find it hard to talk about the past sometimes."

"No worries. It sounds pretty heavy. I'm here if you ever want to talk about it. When you are ready...." Melora sits next to him and leans against him, nuzzling against his arm and touches his leg.

The day drags on, and during the afternoon, a resupply VTOL passes by, not landing, but dropping a crate of supplies to the firebase in the valley below. sunset bathes the entire forest in a golden orange glow.

Cyrus looks at the setting sun and smiles as he cleans his rifle "It'd be a beautiful place if it wasn't for the Remnant. Right lets get ready." Cyrus stands rounding everyone up and going over the plan. Cyrus, Melora and the Squad will move closer towards the base when they reach 1km away from the base Otto and Tess will break off to take up overwatch in a good position while the rest move in under cover of the growing darkness.

1KM from the base, everyone seems in readiness, or at least as close to it as they're going to be able to get.

Cyrus switches to thermals and chambers a round in his rifle he looks one last time to the group stopping in Melora "Stay behind us. Otto, Tess set up in that tree line over there. The rest of you with me." He pauses and moves out slowly creeping through the darkness stealthily making his way towards the base using cover where possible.

(sneak/dex)

(Both of us, right?)

(Yes please)

(Crit 15!)

(DECENT!)

(1

)

10:06 AM

(melora fucks it up)

(I love the crit success, crit fail)

10:07 AM

(This is gonna get real interesting

)

(she is kinda awkward and clumsy..)

The sneaking team creeps forward, and there is a sharp Ping! as a wire is tripped. A pair of bright white star flares pop into the sky, right next to Melora, illuminating the entire approaching commando team. you hear shouts of alarm from inside the camp. "Enemies on the wire! To arms!! To arms!"

10:13 AM

(initiative)

10:14 AM

enemy force is 60m away, you're too close for them to range their artillery, but they have small arms, and are dug in

Nekosmash 1/14/2019 10:14 AM

(With Alert 2 I'm first in the initiative, do you want me to roll for the team?)

(7)

(yeah lets get a blanket roll for the team

10:18 AM

(1 for Remnant Garrison)

(6 for the team)

(Cyrus, Melora, Cyrus Squad, Remnant Garrison. The targets you can see right now are a 3 man machine gun team, dug in at the closest artillery encasement, and the 3 man patrol closest to this section of wire)_

Cyrus switches from the thermals as the flare illuminates the scene. "Engage and move!" He shouts over the comms as he moves forward 20m towards the wire firing at the machine gun crew with his Taros rifle, aiming for the NCO in the group if there is one. He takes a knee as he fires. (36/26)

(just let me know when you are done with your turn - i don't know much about how much one can do in combat)

(jesus what a hit) A figure in powered armor, with sergeant stripes on its arms drops below the sandbags as the Mag round punches through his armor. You don't see him rise from behind the piled sacks. (Melora is next. It's a lot like dnd, you have your move, your action, only difference is not really a bonus action aside from talking)

(are either team's individuals 10m from each other?)

10:49 AM

(or less than/within)

(The enemy or us?)

(enemy - sorry)

11:00 AM

(i want to see how many I can affect in an up to 10m diameter area)

(Ah okay)

(The gun team is within inches of one another, the patrol is as well, so you can place what you're going to do on one of the two groups)

Being most nervous about the machine guns, Melora intensely concentrates on the gun team, hoping to knock them prone and keep them from movement with her slip field.

(was VS 8, ties going to PC, so two fail, one passes)

11:46 AM

Two of the gunners fall, their footing suddenly coming out from under them, the barrel of the weapon hikes skyward as the crewman remaining upright lunges to get it back on target

11:46 AM

(Cyrus squad )

(So Two of the squad are about 1km away with sniper rifles the other two are with us, just an FYI for all involved

)

11:50 AM

Korkova storms forward just behind Cyrus, firing his under barrel grenade launcher at the two remaining squad members from the patrol (22/9 to each?) Anna moves forward as well taking a knee next to Cyrus and firing at the last standing machine gun crew member (33/20) The two snipers on the ridge do not give their positions away just yet because of the artillery threat but instead call out troop movements as the enemy scramble to counter attack

(yeah, evasions flopped)

12:07 PM

The snipers on overwatch see the other two patrols responding to the attack on the wire, and they'll be entering the fray in a few seconds (so next round) The machine gunner looks gravely wounded, but manages a suppression burst (evasion saves for everyone)

(I failed, my team got 16,14 I don't know why I rolled the last one lol)

(No worries, just need melora when she's time)

(16 v 7 save) (edited)

(15 for those who didn’t save). The gunner frantically emptied half the belt in a desperate burst, trying to slow your advance

1:09 PM

The three man patrol raise weapons, firing into the squad but the task force power armor stops it

1:09 PM

(Cyrus)

Cyrus' new armour is scratched by passing rounds as he ducks out of the way from a cone of fire he grunts over the comm as a round passes near his knee. In response he carries on moving forward firing at the machine gunner as he does. (34/23)

1:56 PM

"Keep moving and take down those targets, well done on the pit Melora, I don't know what you did but it seems to be working for now."

The gunner's head is promptly removed from the rest of his body, tumbling into the dugout like a landed fish. his compatriots struggle to stand under the telekinetic influence and cannot (melora is up, the 3 man patrol is all that is able to be targeted right now, though their reinforcements arrive on their turn in the round)

(Is that the three man patrol that's down a man and just got blasted by the grenade?)

Melora gives the three man patrol the slip (field).

2:05 PM

(Also cringes at the carnage)

2:06 PM

"Well, there is something i can't unsee..."

(Yeah, but he's still fighting, curiously)

2:09 PM

(two fail) one keeps his feet, movements jerky, and you can see parts of him have been torn by the grenade explosion.

2:09 PM

Like an automaton, he continues on (cyrus squad, or they can hold their fire for more targets, though the Remnant reinforcements will get some shots in)

Korkova moves forward and fires at the last standing member of the three man squad (23/19) Anna also moves up and waits for the sight of the next squad waiting to fire a grenade at them when she does. (25/7 for them when she does) The snipers on the hill seeing the engagement rapidly turning against the squad fires at the other three man patrol (22/7 15/8) (edited)

(they do have the option for execution attacks, since they havent fired and are dug in, or we can keep the results, I should have mentioned it sooner)

"Are we able to take any of them alive? I was hoping if i immobilized them, we didn't have to cause them undue harm"

(I'll go with executions they're better 10 and 11)

2:23 PM

"Not these ones, further in. These guys are hard wired to kill us and they don't know anything more than they need to, we need an officer."

Two of the patrol are cut down by the snipers, finally declaring their presence on the battlefield. One of them radios in to you "Hey boss, I've got the portable scanner up here. They got a distress call out when that nest went down. They scrambled air support. We have 5, maybe 7 minutes tops to grab what we need and get out"

2:31 PM

(not that you have to leave the planet, but you definitely should not be here in this general area)

2:32 PM

the jerking figure falls apart, the revenant wiring keeping the officer together finally failing as the body around it comes to pieces

"Copy that Tess, keep me in the loop and notify Lars with the long range. Good shooting."

The Remnant troopers (now 5, but the grenades are going to fire after this, so it might be less when you go) move into the dugouts and return fire into the squad of commandos

2:51 PM

(4 and 6 damage, each on one of your men) The underslung grenade launchers fire back, peppering the new arrivals with shrapnel , though their armor saves them the worst of it (cyrus up)

(Both sets of damage goes to the same trooper? Just making sure)

Cyrus runs the last 20m before boosting himself using his jetpack levelling out in the air and flanking the 5 troopers in the dugout. He fires into it at one of the troopers (35/19)

(different troopers)

3:05 PM

That unlucky soldiers falls, not even seeing the angle his death approached him from.

3:05 PM

(Melora is next, 4 remmnant troopers in a patrol are left)

Melora sighs as she tries to slip field on the remaining troopers, if they are within 10m from each other.

(they are)

3:15 PM

(2 fail)

3:15 PM

2 of the troopers are caught by the slip field, sinking down into the trench and unable to get up

3:16 PM

(Cyrus squad)

Korkova moves forward to the wire, switching to his rocket launcher aiming it at the trench line with the two standing troopers and the other incapacitated ones. He presses a button on the side and a rocket fires. (31/35) Anna moves next to him starting to cut the wire with a pair of cutters

3:25 PM

Otto and Tess on the hill scan for more enemies out in the open

The rocket streaks into the complex killing the remainder of the patrol. The firebase falls silent as the garrison is either gone to ground or dead

8:04 PM

“Four minutes on those fast movers”

"So, now what?"

Cyrus cuts the engines on his pack running into the base looking for the command tent and it's commander "Give me a minute! And get in cover, if those fighters catch us in the open you'll get shredded"

Anna continues to cut the wire and Korkova loads a second rocket now waiting for potential aircraft

The task force squad jumps into the dugout and you see one of them grab the machine gun, also pointing it skyward in the event of the aircraft catching you. The central command building is a small dugout with a corrugated metal door. It must be locked from the inside

Cyrus waits for Melora at the door, while he does he examines the door

You can see flickering light within from the small gap below the door and its frame

Melora carefully joins Cyrus.

8:10 AM

Melora asks telepathically: Should I freeze 'em? (edited)

(What's the door made out of Neko?)

(just a piece of metal, like, clearly taken from something else and rigged up)

(Okay thanks)

8:16 AM

Cyrus nods replying telepathically 'Yeah, let's do this.' He readies to kick down the door after she freezes them

(exert/str for cyrus, and then if it passes I'll roll evasions for the people inside)

(ooof 4)

(non-nat 20 doesnt hit you does it?)

(Melora would freeze the task squad)

(Yeah they're shooting through the door at Cyrus's failure, i need to see if they hit him first)

9:35 AM

(he didn't bust it open)

(He was going to try after i freeze them?)

(dont you need to see them?

(this is the ones we saw with a machine gun pointing to the sky

(Okay you guys are doing different things(

9:38 AM

(the gunners still alive cant resist, they're prone and down, frozen. There are at least a couple people inside the command bunker. Cyrus attempted to kick down the door, and it did not work, The people inside, that you cant see, are shooting through it, because they know someones trying to get in, and I'm trying to see if those shots hurt him)(

(ah ok - sorry)

(Nah 21 Ac)

(close) the shots, poorly aimed and robbed of some of their momentum by the door, spark off the armor plating, but Cyrus is unharmed.

Cyrus stumbles back a little from the barrage but is unharmed he turns his rifle on the makeshift doors lock attempting to blast off its means on sticking to the wall

Melora, standing behind him, tries to help steady him as he stumbles. She is wide-eyed and a little shaken by him getting hit. "Fuck - are you ok??"

"That was rude of them... Armour caught it."

The lock blows apart under the mag shot, the twinkle of metal shards hitting the floor as the only warning to the occupants inside

Cyrus barges open the door giving Melora clear line of sight "Knock, knock."

(Occupants fail evasion saves)

Once Melora gets them in sight, she applies her slip field.

The three officers inside the command center lose their footing, and go prone as the ground under them become frictionless

11:36 AM

"3 minutes boss" overwatch relays to Cyrus "We can see the lights from up here, lots of aircraft coming in"

Telepathic are we taking them? These are officers, right?

11:38 AM

(hmm would i know they are officers...)

(their uniforms are different is probably all you could tell based on background/experience. Cyrus would be another matter)

Cyrus rushes into the room and begins securing all three saying back telepathically 'Yes.' Then over the radio "Korkova, you and Anna look for a vehicle, we've got three prisoners. Sniper team move to RV point we'll pick you up there." Cyrus looks up to Melora "Look at the computers, anything that looks like a hard drive or potential intelligence. Maps that kind of thing. Take. We need to move fast!"

12:23 PM

(The RV point for the sniper team is the 2km mark where we stopped before attacking) (edited)

Melora nods and then surveys the room, picking up any papers lying around. maps, officer's comms, any computers or hardware she can shove into her backpack. She looks at the immobilized officers, wondering what is to become of them. She shakes off her concern and focus's at the task at hand

(notice/int melora, just you making split decisions about whats important in the very limited time you have)

12:40 PM

Markers on Cyrus's compad show friendly troops moving away from the camp, back toward Lars and your ship

Cyrus finishes securing the prisoners as Melora grabs intel "I need an ETA Korkova! where is my transport?"

(9 notice/int)

There is the gun of a light engine outside and you see Korkova with one of those scout vehicles the pisser had been using earlier today

1:28 PM

"Get in! get in!"

1:28 PM

(succcess mel)

1

(Nice!) Cyrus ferries the prisoners to the vehicle throwing them in the back and goes back in for Melora "You got it?"

"I kinda hit a motherlode - there has to be some good intel from this stuff"

The prisoners are thrown into the truck bed, Korkova covering them. "Chief! get us out of here!"

2:47 PM

you can hear the buzzing of a number of craft, finally appearing on the horizon

Melora follows Cyrus back to the vehicle. She has a little bit of a rush, feeling like some kind of secret agent.

"Not just a pretty face! Let's go." Cyrus grins briefly as he jumps in the drivers seat gunning the engine and hits the gas speeding out of the complex "Okay people hang the fuck on! It's gonna get real bumpy!"

(pilot/dex for you Cyrus, normally driving wouldnt be a big deal but you're triyng to avoid the earthworks and whatnot, at speed, while also avoiding air detection)

(oops accidently rolled it with str so it'd be 7 not 6)

Melora sits next to Cyrus and jokes "Yeah, I think my two advanced degrees and ability to regrow a person from sludge tipped that off"

The vehicle takes off at high speed, crossing a ductboard bridge across the trenchline, and around the wire, it fits, barelt, through the skinny trees at the edge of the clearing(barely passed that one)

Cyrus drives towards the RV point to pick up the sniper team and the rest of their gear "Well done out there, you did real well. I know it doesn't come naturally to you." He says to Melora as they bounce around in the scout vehicle

Lars messages you. Been monitoring the squad feed. We have several injured from what it sounds like, and prisoners. Should I get ready for a hot extraction?

Cyrus messages back 'Yes, we are banged up a little, no major problems. But we are getting out of here, we've got all we can for now. We are coming in with a vehicle.'

(Got a couple things I want to look up before I toss it in. I’m at risk of looking stupid if it doesn’t work how I think it does lol)

(okay, got it)

8:37 PM

The ramp of the shuttle lowers and the small scout truck thunders inside coming to a stop just a few inches from slamming through the bulkhead

8:37 PM

“If we’re leaving we got to go right now” Lars Says. “Those fighters are close and the fleet is investigating. I need all hands on station”

Melora gets out of the truck once it is ok to do so. "I hope the plan is to get out of here! What can I help with, Lars?"

Cyrus gets out too, moving past Melora as he goes into the cockpit to take up the co-pilots chair "We've got wounded! But I defer to you Lars, you're the pilot. It's gonna be a good idea for anyone that can to strap in we might be making some high-G burns."

Korkova ties down the vehicle with ratchet straps while the engines power up. You can hear him muttering that now this won’t go anywhere. The prisoners themselves are being bound by the rest of the commandos, despite several being injured themselves. “Alright Cyrus, Melora. I’m going to lift off. They’ve got a pair of fighters that are going to see us no matter what we do. After we run them out we can see what space looks like.

Melora tends to wounded team members and then to the prisoners.

(So melora will be back in the crew bay for the part coming next then, since even with healing it'll take a few minutes at least to tend to everyone. Over half the team took at least 15 from the MG

"I've got your back Brother, let's make this one for the books, ey?" Cyrus says, looking back to Melora healing his troopers and smiles before turning back to the console in the cockpit "On your mark."

Melora lovingly smiles back

(Yeah by my Reckoning both Korkova and Anna are pretty low, the snipers didn't get hit but Cyrus got dinged a little too, although he's not really showing it as much as the others)

(She will be talking to the prisoners while she heals them - will be a scene of sorts)

(I think the snipers and two troopers were the only ones who werent hit)

(Maybe she will run a scan on them, as a kind of medical clearance and to check for anything they could be carrying)

The shuttle lifts off, knocking trees aside as the time for stealth is over. Lars pushes the engines as hot as they'll go, climbing rapidly. Two Remnant patrol planes, sent out as air support, jockey to get a missile lock (Pilot dex +2 for cyrus helping)

(12)

1

(11 for the missile lock) The fighters both drop one of the missiles from their centerline bay, the rounds impacting into a hillside as Lars sharply accelerates upward. The fighters attempt to keep up, but gradually fall away. "Alright, so it looks like we have....yep, there they are, 2 corvettes are on intercept courses. The closest platform is rotating toward us as well, but I don't think they'll be able to bring their weapons around in time"

"What are the chances that if we set on it now with the emergency thrusters (An installed mod on the ship) that we can punch through to orbital blockage before they can bring anything to bare on us?" (edited)

"They'll get some snap shots, and it's going to strain the hull, there's still some atmosphere drag"

"Shit, we can't afford for them to hit us. Let's do it." Cyrus starts the overclockers, making the ship move even faster. All the passengers in the crash couches in the back feel a prick as needles fire anti-stroke drugs into their systems, necessary for stopping passengers from having strokes due to the high amount of G in the burn they are about to do. "Fuuuck!" Cyrus says through gritted teeth as his body is pressed further into the chair.

(17 damage) The shuttle groans and wrenches violently as it clears the atmosphere. The corvettes make a token effort to snap fire as the shuttle rockets past, but it clears their fire arc's too fast to be effective

9:51 AM

Fighters launch, but its just for show, you'll be at the system jump point before they close the comfortable lead you now have

(Ooof, well we're in a shuttle so we've got a hp of 15 so can I roll a crisis as an instant action?) (edited)

(yes you can)

9:59 AM

(i figured that's what you'd be doing, since 'k guess ill die' didnt seem like a very good strategy)

(Yeah that'd be a weird turn)

10:01 AM

(2 cargo lost)

Melora, deep in her seat and shaken up, to say the least, telepathically says to Cyrus Are we going to be ok? Are we out of the woods?

There is a shudder as one of the gear modules tumbles away, lost off in space

10:07 AM

"Well, we're going to be a little hungry for the next couple days" LArs says, looking down at the flashing red panel lights

Cyrus has to very consciously think of a response as he reads messages from the ship as well as deals with the thrust issues 'I think we might have just scrapped through but that was really close'

"I have a little food left in my backpack. I also have some sedatives that might knock people out if they just want to sleep through some of this. I patched everyone up, but I want to run scans on the prisoners. I'm always a little paranoid about folks from other places carrying a sickness that would hurt our population"

10:15 AM

"Should I have an escort for safety?"

Cyrus coughs a little over the comm before replying "We um- we should have enough food, it's only 2 days back to Gudrun from here, feel free to scan the prisoners. We've got nowhere else to put them so they'll be staying in the main compartment with the rest of us so they have no chance of escape, and their restrained. Feel free to sedate them though..."

Melora approaches the officers/prisoners. "I'm Dr. Reydove. I am just going to run a bioscan on you to check for injury or illness. I am also a psychic and can heal/cure you if I find something. This is for our sake as well as yours" (edited)

Bound and gagged, they're in no position to resist

As Melora "I am really sorry it has to be like this. Despite what you might have been trained to think of us, we are good people who are trying to protect ourselves and others you affect from harm"

10:48 AM

"I'm a psychic. I use my gift to heal others. Today, I lost some of my innocence. But I will advocate for humane treatment of you"

10:49 AM

She goes over to them and carefully takes off their gags.

the commandos move to stop you as you try "They might have subvocals built into their armor, lets get to spike first" Korkova calls up front "Cyrus how long?!"

"Till we hit system edge?" (How long?)

Melora stops. "Shit. Well, I usually get consent before I do this, but this is for the greater good" Melora injects them with a dose of sedatives to knock them out.

(few minutes)

10:58 AM

(they cant see out the front or anything, all he knows is his metal box is shaking and something big fell away)

"A few minutes till we hit spike, we're in the clear by the looks of it, but we're keeping the speed up. Took a nasty hit, you all okay back there?"

"Think so!" he calls out for the commandos. Lars throws a lever as soon as the light changes to green, signaling the spike drive is ready

11:15 AM

(6xp, 30,000 credits)

As soon as the ship finishes rumbling as it enters spike Cyrus stands up but too fast, after the intense speed and minor leg wound he sustained in the firefight he half falls back into his chair before looking at Lars and standing again using the hand hold this time. He grits his teeth a little before moving back into the main cabin, he sees Melora with the prisoners and heads over using the straps along the roof to help him walk somewhat normally. "They all out?" He nods to the unconscious prisoners (edited)

"Should be" Melora says as she does quick scans to confirm.

11:27 AM

Melora looks like she is trying to keep herself together, but is losing the battle.

11:29 AM

"I..i still need to heal ..you" she says as she takes Cyrus's hand

Cyrus frowns turning away slightly "Otto! You and Ivan strip these prisoners make sure they arn't carrying anything. The Doc needs a rest." He turns back squeezing her hand and gestures to the tail end of the shuttle, behind the scout vehicle. "Let's go sit down, yeah?"

Melora nods, as the held-back tear begin to trickle. She hold his hand and follows him to the tail end.

Cyrus sits her down before kneeling down in front of her so they're almost at eye level, wincing a little as he does. "You're gonna be coming down from the adrenaline 'round about now." He says as he wipes a tear from her cheek "It's okay, just breathe and let it out. I'm here."

11:49 AM

His voice is soothing and calm, you can tell he may have had to do this before.

Melora uses her succor on him, and then come the waterworks. She gives a suppressed wail and tears keep coming uncontrollably, along snot. Her eyes reddened and swollen, she digs her head into Cyrus chest(is he still armoured?)

(Nah he got out of it before flying) Cyrus wraps his arms around her protectively as she sobs, stroking her head gently in an attempt to reassure her. "It's okay, it's okay." He kisses the top of her head "You're going through post action shock, everyone gets it. Don't fight it."

The shuttle passes into spike space, and finally, two days later, completes its long journey home

Excellent, I’m just finishing up here do you have time to meet up tonight at the Harvest to go over what you found? (PC story swap channel.)

Cyrus lands, and hands off the prisoners to the UNW military for interrogation before giving his men the rest of the week off for R&R. Their gear including his is taken to the TFP compound. He sees Melora off with a kiss and he eventually steps off the shuttle back on home soil.

Gudrun feels different since your time away. Maybe it was the danger of the mission. Maybe its all in your head, but something has certainly changed. The whole planet seems like it is at the edge of something, like the planet is holding its breath

Cyrus stops on the pad and takes a knee putting a hand to the ground closing his eyes for a minute. His breathing slows like it would before taking a shot.

It is like the entire world is buzzing with unseen energy. It feels like the static before a lightning storm that makes your hair stand on edge, but amplified by ten.

Cyrus breathes in deeply feeling the energy, his back tingles and his hands feel hot. He shakes his head and stands up, looking in part worried and excited. "How curious, it's been so long."

The feeling doesn't leave you, but like anything else, you slowly get used to it.

Cyrus walks slowly towards the parking lot and gets on his bike before driving back to Central on his hoverbike. He heads for Admin to see Franz.

Franz has heard about the mission, and has his schedule cleared for your meeting, He is waiting patiently for you to arrive

Cyrus walks in wearing his fatigues. "Mornin' Friend." He sits down across from Franz "How's things on the home front?"

You get a call upon your compad (edited)

Cyrus apologises to Franz before stepping outside to take the call "This is Cyrus." (edited)

Hello Mr. Adonis, this is Judge Ibrahim Majeed al-Mansoor.

Ah yes, I see you got my message Judge al-Mansoor. What can I do for you?

The situation concerning the terrorist is going along swimmingly as we're prepared to make an operation come tomorrow night. However there are a few auxiliary points we might want to address. Which is why I have called you.

I'm glad, I've been working OP's off Gudrun for a while and thought I'd spend some time on planet to help with stabilisation. What kind of 'points' would you like addressed?

Well Mr. Trivedi and Mr. Delgato both addressed a point in that the terrorist organization has a very sparse communications network. It seems it only becomes active when a mission is being delivered. Another point is to find out how deep this terrorist organization runs. That means we might see state support or involvement.

I will tell you Judge, I'm no spy. I'm more adept at nullifying pre-determined threats.

A little subterfuge is a change of pace for you Mr. Adonis. I can guarantee your involvement will be swift and painless. (edited)

Okay Judge, I'll take your word for it. Where do you think I'd be most effective?

Well this is a simple connection reestablishment mission. I need you find and reestablish contact with Meltis who is the predisposed leader of Bladona. He fled to his estate, but I was unable to discover the location of that estate. After that, I want you to find out everything you can from Meltis about the First League.

Okay, I'll head out later today. I'll keep you informed of the situation.

Affirmative.

Cyrus ends the call and walks back into the office. "Sorry about that Franz, you know how it is. You're never off the clock. Where were we? Oh how's the planning coming for the Underhill clean-up?"

“I’d planned on cleaning that up at the end of the month but between those terrorists and us figuring out whatever it was that just spiked energy readings all across the planet, the military might be staying where it is for now”

When Franz mentions the energy Cyrus' expression changes to a knowing look but he says nothing on the matter. "Fair enough it seems as though the Judge wants me to look into something about that terror group down in Bladona. So I might be down there for the next few days."

“Yes I saw that they’ve been in touch with Vapormills about a lead they have. I’ll be keeping an eye on it too”

"I wouldn't know much about the rest of it. I'm being brought in to do some minor errands. I'm no spy am I Franz. I kill bad people for a living." (edited)

"There will be plenty more of that in the days to come. Expansion is going to bring its own problems when we get there"

"I also heard through the grapevine that the Remnant have been pushing for a prisoner exchange. Any news on that?"

"No one has volunteered to hear them out. They have one of our survey teams though. They just want the officers back, the 5 that have been here the longest"

8:58 AM

"It ends up being an even trade. we just have to wire them a reply for more details"

"Do the Officers we have know anything that may be able to help the Remnant?"

"I don't believe they'd have been given a chance to. The prison camp we have kept them in is south of the city, outside of it. I can't think of anything all that important they'd have seen"

"What's the President's view on it?"

"Well, she's not against it, especially since they have some of ours. We know the Remnant though, it could be a trap"

1:46 PM

"Thats why we're leaving it up to volunteers. We don't want to leave our men in the cold, but ordering someone into a situation like this seems wrong:

"Once I come back from Bladona, I'll handle it."

1:48 PM

"Sound okay with you?"

"If we send them an acceptance message now, negotiating the terms should buy us some time. Be swift"

"I will, my guys are on R&R at the moment so I'll be handling the Bladona situation alone for the most part. They'll be fresh for when I get back and deal with the Rems, if it is a trap. They'll not much like the outcome."

1:55 PM

Cyrus stands, nodding to Franz "I best be off, got to go see Baron before I head out. A pleasure as always, keep me informed of how things are going." He tips an non-existent hat before walking out

The Harvest Spirits is quite busy, and the music inside is new. When you enter, you see a new system in the corner, a generous gift from Hailey Psike.

Cyrus makes his way to the bar, a few of his Myrmidons are in here already drinking. He orders a round and leans over to speak to Baron.

"Hey Brother, how's tricks?" He says as he picks up his beer taking a swig.

"The same as always" he says, looking into a glass to check for cleanliness "And you?"

"Just got back from an OP, was a hard one. Deep in Rem territory. Blooded my new Myrmidons." He takes another long drink, seemingly in need. (edited)

“Any losses?”

"Light wounds, nothing more. Got three of theirs though, alive that is. Probably around twenty dead or wounded to count."

5:42 PM

"All in all, a good trade. But that ain't why I'm here, I need your help."

The Baron geatures at the wall above the bar. “We honor their deeds, even when their faces leave our memory

Cyrus looks up to the wall and nods, raising his class in toast "I've recently had some modifications and refits done to my ship, it gives me ten extra spaces. So I'm in need of some crew. I was hoping you, a man with extensive knowledge of the comings and goings might be able to send a few people my way. Now I only want the best, can you do that for me?"

“What kind of backgrounds we thinking here?”

"I'm in need of a heavy weapons specialist, a combat driver, two comms experts, two specialists in close quarters and an engineer familiar with ships. But they've got to be fighters. I plan on trying to hire some Taros while I'm down that way."

7:10 PM

"Maybe even a biopsy from the academy."

“There’s a few at the academy who would jump at the chance. Silvano took the pick of the litter, and those left home are feeling a bit dejected”

"Well, with the Rems having so much anti-psy tech they'll be my ship Dr. but that doesn't mean I don't expect them to be capable in a fight. All my Myrmidons are Warriors first."

7:26 PM

"You got any leads on good hunters, trackers that kind of thing?"

"I'd have recommended you if I wasn't already talking to you. That skillset is in high demand. Last leads I had were gobbled up by the army and the marshal service.

"Fuck, well I'll have a look while I'm down in Taros land. Going to Bladona on some Colony business but after I thought I'd stop in at Vapormills have a hunt around for some potential snipers and infiltrators."

'I think if you're going to be looking for certain experts that's a better call than looking here. The bottom of the barrel has long been emptied, you don't want to go scraping the scum from underneath"

"I might have to poach some from the UNW...We need more people here Baron, how do we even achieve that? Baby boom?"

"Explore. Space is vast, even the places between planets. We are a light in the darkness, and we need to help people find it"

"You're full of motivational quotes Brother, you know that right?" Cyrus chuckles lightly

"I'm well read but I've not had the occasion to use many of them"

Cyrus finishes his beer and nods "Well, I'm off. Gonna get ready for my trip to Bladona. Keep an eye out for me Baron."

“I will. Be safe”

"And you." He heads to his apartment, calling to organise transport to Bladona for the morning. He cleans his equipment and get ready for the morning before going to be.

(Alright so you’re looking into the attempt on judge?)

(Yeah, kinda. He asked me to go and find Meltis, who's fled to his estate. So I'm gonna go find him, try and find out some more on the First League)

(Alright gotcha. At first it was sounding like you were going to join the other operation so I just wanted to be sure)

(No problem, this is more of a separate investigation and potentially like me trying to protect him if needed.)

The plane is scheduled to depart for the northern outskirts of the city. They’re not sure if anti air will be activated or what the current situation there is

Cyrus turns up to the departure site a little early wearing Black fatigues bearing the symbol of his newly minted Myrmidons. He carries a large duffle back with him, it clinks and clangs with what people may assume are weapons. His suit already having been delivered earlier to the plane.

9:31 AM

He walks onto the back of the plane setting down his bag. "Morning Friends! We ready to have some fun?"

They all give half hearted fist pumps. The hour is early and they’re not drinking coffee as there’s only one place to piss on the plane

"The get this bird in the air, If we get any comms transmissions patch them through to me. Otherwise I'll be in back."

They finish filing on,and a half hour later the plane begins heading for Bladonna. "We have a plan, in the anti air defenses do go active when we get close"

"Go on?"

"Ever deployed via comet suit before?"\

"Never in actual combat. But I'm up for almost everything."

"We're going to try the nice, friendly, and polite way first, if that doesn't work, we sneak in"

11:38 AM

(do you want the item description from the book?)

(Sure!)

11:42 AM

(I think I know what they are but it can't hurt)

A favored infiltration tool for Deep Black agents, a comet suit allows a subject to survive an orbital drop onto a planet’s surface, the thick sheathing of the suit peeling away as ablation under the heat of reentry. An integral chute system allows the wearer to brake during the final stage of re-entry, but the degree of imprecision in landing is very high- usually 1d20-1 x 40 kilometers away from the target point in a random direction, even assuming the initial drop trajectory was well-placed. For this reason, dandelion chutes are usually paired with comet suits when precision in landing is important. The suits themselves provide AC 6, but any activity 50 while wearing them that isn’t related to jumping out of a spaceship takes a -2 skill check and -4 on hit rolls. Comet suits can be used only once before requiring 2,000 credits worth of refurbishing.

11:45 AM

(these are paired, so your landing will be precise)

11:45 AM

(Ac6 means AC 14 now, but yours is higher so we will use that)

(Okay sure!)

The crew begins getting the cases out, just in case, expecting to be in Bladonna airspace soon

"Aren't these guys supposed to be friendlies?"

"If Meltis was still in the city we wouldn't be going through all this. We don't know if he's abdicated, or where exactly his manor is"

"Good point."

Cyrus reads up on Bladonna and it's leadership on the way over.

Bladonna was and possibly still is led by a spiritual leader known as Rhyokane Meltis. During the unification conference, his vote was the one breaking the deadlock, secured by a promise by Silvano andSeung to have the city's debt forgiven in exchange for the aye vote. Since the vote, Meltis has been ostracised, and his policies have been muddled, or outright blocked, by his underministers, stalling the city, and putting his promise to reform in jeapordy. Running out of options, he approached the colony intelligence service. He abdicated the city for a family retreat in the mountains north of it, though he purposefully did not give the location on a more specific scale.

2:28 PM

After a run-in with the minister of trade, Judge Monsoor was attacked by gunmen during his stay in the royal suites.

2:29 PM

The gunmen were in plainclothes

(Okay, so this is some hot zone stuff right here)

(Possibly, you're not sure if hes got enough loyal people there to maintain some level of control, or if the underministers have moved into the open in a blatant coup)

(I'm sure we'll find out)

2:46 PM

Cyrus readies himself for all possible outcomes. Stripping down his weapon and putting it back together again before they get into range.

"Cyrus, you want to come up here? we're getting close" the pilot calls

Cyrus, clicks the receiver into place. Opening his eyes and breathes out slowly before replying "Yeah." He stands and walks into the cockpit

"We're closing in on their airspace, I need a set of eyes on the starboard side there, in case they do fire"

Cyrus brings up the sensor panel watching for movement or potential rocket fire.

The master alert tone begins blinking as you pass within their declared air defense zone

3:20 PM

"They're tracking.......so far just barking...." the pilot says, leveling out the craft. "Bladonna control, this is a passenger plane from the UNW central, requesting permission to approach, and land"

3:20 PM

The link remains silent

3:20 PM

and the pilot looks to you

Cyrus takes the Comm "Bladonna control, this is Commander Cyrus Adonis of Task Force Phoenix. If you fire on this aircraft the ramifications will be astronomical in proportion. I understand you've got your order whatever they may be. But I have mine. How about we talk about this on the ground with those in charge, don't start a fucking war." His voice is eerily cool and icy in tone. (I'd like to use the Authority level 1 ability: Once per day, you can make a request from an NPC who is not openly hostile to you, rolling a Cha/Lead skill check at a difficulty of the NPC’s Morale score. If you succeed, they will comply with the request, provided it is not harmful or extremely uncharacteristic.)

(lets roll that check, their morale is 6)

(10)

“Alright. You’re right.” The master alert rune vanished from the console. “Maintain current heading. Runway 4 on approach”

"Copy that Bladonna Control. Good choice. Adonis out." He cuts the connection giving the comm back to the pilot. "That's how it's done."

The plane comes in for landing to an empty airport. Planes have been grounded and you don’t see any air crews around that would significantly suggest normal business

"If someone gives you cause, take off and make a run for it. Don't worry about me."

4:36 PM

Cyrus steps into the back of his assault suit, it closing around him. He locks the rifle on his back through it's mag clamps. And puts his pistol in the built in holster on the leg. Lastly he takes off his helmet and walks out onto the tarmac.

The airstrip is empty but for a rapidly approaching force of three personnel carriers. Ahead of the column is an open jeep with a glowering Taros officer aboard

The ramp closes behind him as Cyrus casually begins strolling toward the oncoming convoy.

They draw up to a halt 50m from you and three dozen bladonna prefects emerge, weapons lowered but ready. The officer steps out. “Passenger plane eh? Carting about an awful lot of hardware”

"Nah, just a passenger Friend. What's your name?" Cyrus doesn't stop walking but slows down a little his hands out in a non-threatening manor.

“In Minister-General Faruk. I have a hard time believing you’re just a passenger in that fancy suit. Stop approaching.”

Cyrus stops a smile still on his face "Well as your comm operator heard. My name is Commander Cyrus Adonis of Task Force Phoenix. I'm here on a mission of peace and stability. This armour is for my own protection. As are my weapons I've heard officials here have had issues in the past."

“Regrettable but bladonna does not responsibility for the actions of non state parties”

"Not even when they are within it's walls? All these men and you couldn't help?" He lets out a low chuckle "Well either way, as far as it concerns I'm here to talk to Meltis." (edited)

“Meltis is out enjoying some time at his hunting cabin in the mountains. Any official state business can be submitted through the proper channels”

"Hunting hmmm? I rather like to hunt. Tell me Minister-General do you suppose we talk out here all day or would you rather we go somewhere else? More private like."

“In the open is fine. I’m rather happy taking some air.”

"Okay then, so how do you see this playing out? 'Cause from where I'm sitting you think I'm gonna get back on that plane. Now what I don't understand is why you want me too. I'm here to help."

“I think the confusion is that you think there’s a situation here, and there isn’t. Something regrettable happened to one of your people here. By the gods he came out okay. We are investigating too. You’ll be appraised if anything comes up. This reeks of some kind of political maneuvering and bladonna won’t be anyone’s pawn”

Cyrus looks around comically at the empty runway "Well I'd say it's too quiet around here from something not to be wrong. I'm not here to tell you how to do your job, I'm here to have a look around, and talk to Meltis. Furthermore, the UNW is investigating the new threat to peace on it's own grounds as is it's right. If you are willing to coordinate with us then maybe we can have a more civil conversation where you aren't trying to play 'I've got a bigger dick'. This isn't just about Bladonna anymore, or the Taros states. It's about Gudrun as a whole."

“It May be. Meltis is communing with the spirits and hunting at his lodge. The location is a state secret, you understand I hope. If you like, we can conference call him. If it would help ease your mood”

"I'd like that, If it'd make you feel easier, I'll take off my armour and we can go somewhere less potentially hostile. This is merely a precaution, I didn't know what I'd be walking into here.

“Alright. How about the hangar over there and I’ll dismiss my men. Agreed?”

"Sure thing."

Cyrus walks into the hanger and steps out of the back of his suit, taking his pistol and sliding it into the holster on his leg before waiting for the Minister.

The minister begins making a few taps on his compad. “Alright. You wanted it. You got it. Here he is. Supreme divine meltis himself

Cyrus turns to face the Minister waiting for Meltis to appear on screen.

Meltis appears, sitting in what looks like a library. He looks a bit tense but otherwise fine

"Good afternoon Sir, how should I address you?"

“You May use my given name. What may I call you?”

"My name is Cyrus, Cyrus Adonis, you may use my forename. I'm from the UNW, I wanted to ask you a few things about the newly minted terror group: the Taros First League. I've been tasked by the Director of colonial intelligence to speak with you regarding his attack and what the follow may be."

“I’m willing to answer your questions” (notice/int)

(8)

His eyes keep flicking to something off the screen

Cyrus sees it and keeps acting natural "Why thank you Meltis could you tell me how the investigation is going?"

1:58 PM

(Is it like a concerned look or does he just look distracted?)

(little of both really)

(Okay)

"The investigation into the TFL is beginning. The vehicles used in the attack on Mr. Monsoor have been captured, and are undergoing analysus.

"What about political stability?"

2:27 PM

"I've heard that after the unity vote things have become tense in the city. Has that now resolved it's self?"

"There were some, disagreements..." his eyes flick over again

5:05 PM

he breathes heavily. "Please help me! They're holding me cap..!" there is the sound of a gunshot as the compad camera on his end falls to the floor, and the thud of a body before the link closes

Cyrus sees it happen and before it's even happened he's pulled his pistol and levels it at the Minister expecting a coup "Don't fucking move!"

He was clearly not expecting the scene you just witnessed either and remains still

"Where was Meltis?"

“His cabin in the mountains. North of the city. I wasn’t lying about that”

7:08 PM

“He fled the city. Thought we didn’t know about the family estate”

"Do you have the coordinates?" By this point Cyrus has lower the gun and is walking into the back of his assault suit

"Yes. I do. The die are cast now though. You know I can't give them to you"

"Why?"

7:27 PM

He says as his hud comes on in his helmet. he turns looking at him.

"There's nothing left to do. Meltis, alive or dead, has set events in motion I can't stop. Either way, I've rolled the dice. I cannot help you, I'd be a traitor to whichever side wins this"

"What the fuck are you chatting about? I don't think you understand what's going to happen if the TFL win this, Bladonna won't just be a warzone within. You can bet that there will be boots on the ground here within a month. If you want, you can get in the back of the flyer with me and we'll bounce. If you've got a family we'll go get them before that happens. But otherwise, if this city takes this act as a serious 'run for office' then you're gonna have more problems that just your own government." Cyrus taps his forearm sending a message to the plane to spin up at the same time as sending a message to the Judge.

your alert and acute senses hear the click of the press stud as he draws his revolver. "The TFL are here. We helped finance them. You've addled Meltis' mind, with your misguided talk of unity. Thats alright now though, dead or alive, it makes no difference. They failed our mission to take out at least one of you, but there will be other attacks. You seem a good man Cyrus, maybe we could have been friends had you not forced your idea of plantary government down our throats"

7:43 PM

(The ministers began working against Meltis as soon as he returned with the vote results. Meltis feared being assassinated in kind, and fled the city, thinking he was safe in the mountains. He wasn't. The government troops here/maybe tfl maybe not, have him hostage there. They were trying to pretend he was still in the city, ruling by decree through them, but you wouldn't leave/saw through it, so here we are)

Cyrus pulls a pistol and fires it at the Minister's knee cap. "I doubt we would've been friends at all."

He howls as he falls, the round blowing out the joint

7:46 PM

his own gun tumbles from his hand

Cyrus moves forward grabbing him by the the collar comming the plane "I need us airborne in two micks, I have a prisoner. It's going to be hostile!" Cyrus kicks away the gun "You don't realise the severity of your actions Minister." He begins to drag him out onto the runway headed for the plane.

The minister leaves a trial of blood toward the plane, a crimson streak across the runway.

8:53 PM

The planes engines are hot

Cyrus through him rather roughly to the ground, closing the ramp before restraining the Minister with a pair of cuffs. "Go, go go! Get us airborne and get ready for fast movers. We need to get to Central!"

The plane spins around on a dime. At the end of the runway a tank rolls into view, its barrel rising slowly to match your climb.

8:58 PM

“Hang on back there!”

Cyrus activates his mag boots, and takes a hold of the Minister so he doesn't fly around the cabin "You have no idea what you've done."

The cannon shell scores a gash along the bottom , and a fuel leak sends a spray of aviation grade chemicals across the runway before the tank self seals. The cargo bay is ruptured. Above in the passenger compartment the oxygen masks drop

9:02 PM

(10 hits vehicles at beyond auto hit distance)

9:03 PM

(Which I believe is 40m, but either way it would have got you with that roll)

(Yeah)

9:03 PM

"Shit!" Cyrus yells through the comm as his helmet switches to integral oxygen "That's some hot lead!"

9:04 PM

He grabs a mask and puts it on the Minister forcefully

He begins to protest but the plastic serves to muzzle him in ways more humane than the dirty sock korkova would have suggested

"Minister, it's clear that they don't value your life so the only thing keeping you alive is my mercy. Shut up or I'll throw you out of the back!" Cyrus sits him down in a chair, pointing a finger at him "Stay." He comms over to the Judge in an emergency call.

The plane finally levels out. The damage is severe but somehow she’s still flyable. “Nothing’s scrambling”

"That was close. Double time it to Central, tell them to get a trauma team on the runway, we've got a wounded prisoner."

9:20 PM

He then calls Seung on another emergency line

Cyrus gets off the call turning back to the pilot "Anything on the scanners or are we clear?"

“We are clear. No fast movers. I’m taking us through carinhold airspace and then a lifter is going to meet us there. I don’t trust this to make it all the way home”

"Good idea, keep me informed."

9:42 PM

Cyrus goes back to the Minister takes off the mask "I'm gonna ask you some questions now. And you'll answer, do you understand?"

“Yes. I understand”. His teeth are clenched. The knee injury is still bleeding

"What's the strength of the TFL, best estimate."

“2,000 fighters. A handful of light and medium vehicles”

"Armament?"

He spits a mouthful of blood into the floor but says nothing else

Cyrus puts an armoured hand on his knee, putting pressure on it.

9:46 PM

"Don't play games Minister, I have no patients anymore."

“Small arms mostly. Handful of heavy weapons. Not many”

"Are those numbers just in Bladonna or are they throughout the states?"

“Whole thing” he wheezes as your servo assisted hands squeeze

"Do you know the cell leaders? Name's, locations?" He eases off a little

He sucks in a breath of air to speak but the squad medic nudges you out of the way. “Going to lose him completely if I don’t fix this boss”

10:00 PM

You do notice now that there’s a considerable amount of blood pooling up

"Do it." He stands

The plane touches down on a pressed earth civilian runway outside carinhold after a shaky flight, the lander from the cloud is already waiting for you, ramp open. UNW soldiers have a perimeter and one the anti air missile trucks taken from terezinho is there too, as a precaution

Cyrus walks out of the plane nodding to the Sergeant of the UNW unit. "Let's get loaded up and back to Central before anyone else tries to play games."

The security detail is quickly packed back inside, and the lifter makes its way to space, leaving the shot up plane behind. Carinhold agrees to allow it to be stored there under guard, for recovery crews later. An hour later, you arrive back in central. The captive is alive, but unconscious,

Cyrus thanks the crew and soldiers the heads for Admin to talk to Franz and potentially even Kincaid. He's still in his armour, his helmet removed.

Kincaid herself is waiting for you, along with Franz, in a meeting room set aside for all of you. They

9:25 AM

are both eager to hear firsthand what occured

Cyrus walks into the room and sees President Kincaid and comes to attention snapping a respectful salute before standing easy. "Madame President, an honour to finally meet you." He nods to Franz

"And you" she smiles. Her arm whirrs as she picks up a datapad. "Things have become quite busy out west. The natives are getting restless, as it were"

"Yeah, restless isn't the word I would have used but then again, they tried to shoot me down."

10:39 AM

"From what I gathered it's a full blown coup in Bladonna. Meltis is quiet possibly dead, at the very least critically injured."

"A special emergency session of the unity council is being called for such a matter. It would do me a great honor if you could present your findings first hand

"If I'm able, when is it being held?"

"Tonight. The dignitaries are being flown here. They were very understanding about my refusal to send anyone else out west right now. "

"Screen them before hand, I don't want to tell you how to do your job but I wouldn't trust them all... With how deep the corruption seems to run in Bladonna and how high it went, it's possible that some of them are also in the net of the TFL."

11:34 AM

"Wouldn't want either of you assassinated."

11:34 AM

"I'll have my Myrmidons on protection as well if you wouldn't mind."

"We'd prefer it. The UNW special forces are also going to be present"

Cyrus chuckles a little "Maybe I'll see some of my old Comrade's from Helios-One. Either way I'll have my Warriors prepped and ready. I'll be there as well."

12:05 PM

"The Minister I brought in, when he's awake. Question him, he'll talk. I already got some information from him on the journey..." Cyrus get's somewhat of a thousand yard stare and looks at his hand a second before looking up blinking. "Sorry, as I was saying. The information he has is time sensitive, so the more of it we have, the clearer picture we can gather."

Cyrus walks out of admin, his men falling in behind him in a collumn as he passes "Korkova, I need everyone accounted for and on our ship, were gonna take that. Hope the stealth tech's good enough to fool them. Get Lars to warm it up ASAP. This is gonna get bumpy"

8:18 PM

(Gonna cut to boarding 'cause I'm gonna hit the hay. I'm tired AF haha)

(Not far behind you. Took the batteries out of the home phone. Walgreens ain’t keeping me up tonight. )

8:38 PM

(Those ten ply fucks)

“We are going on with comet suits. Only way they won’t see us coming. Ever wanted to jump out of the platform before?”

"Good idea, remind me to talk to Pop about getting our assault suits orbital drop proof. Would make this a helluva lot safer. We'll send a lander down for the Taros soildiers and meet them up there."

It takes an hour for the Black Phalanx detachment to meet up with you, ten of the most elite of Vapormills soldiers

Cyrus greets their commanding Officer "Welcome Friend, it's a pleasure to have you come along on this one. What's your name?"

"Lieutenant is fine. We stay anonymous even to ourselves. This is a high risk unit, deployed when Vapormills suspects things have been compromised"

10:23 AM

"No names means accidents later are more or less avoided"

"Fair enough Lieutenant, well my team will be insert through orbit. I was thinking you and your men would come in after to extract and secure. Does that sound okay?"

"Agreeable to us. we'll make sure nothing gets in behind you"

"That sounds like a plan, we have little to no idea what's going on down there so it'll be rather blind. Let's bring everyone home safe including the targets if we can. We'll be recording head cam footage and sending it back to the Council in real time. Might even use some of it for a news broadcast, show the world what these terrorists are really doing."

"Platform excursion bay is ready!" one of the technicians calls back

Cyrus puts on his sealed Comet suit helmet, nodding to the Taros. "See you down there, let's get this done." He puts a fist out to bump

the LT returns the gesture, and you suit up in the comet suit. Heading into the bay, the dandelion chute is installed, and you prepare to jump

Cyrus stands infront of his men as they check their weapons one last time before the jump making sure magazines are in and suppressors are showing the green lights "Let's show these cowards what it's like to fight real warriors! We don't kill the innocent but bring peace to the wicked and injustice! Heads down, watch your corners and place well aimed shots... Like vengeful angels we shall fall from the skies and show them our fury! For the betterment of Gudrun."

The large bay door opens, and you see the planet below, the ground, a very, very very long way down

11:35 AM

The entire bay hums with anticipation, and your men begin to jump

Cyrus is first out of the doors flipping as he jumps. Beginning his decent watching his HUD and making course corrections as he does, keeping in formation with his men. (To cofirm only my guys are jumping the Taros are gonna decend in a lander after we secure the rockets and begin the assault, so we can extract and stuff)

(Exactly)

11:41 AM

The two anti-air emplacements seen from the drone feed are highlighted in your visor as the altemeter rapidly clicks down. Heat begins to build up, the burn of re-entry turning you into a literal comet. layer by layer the ablative coating on the suit begins to rub off, until finally you're released back into open air

(Does the comet suit completely degrade to the point where I'm not wearing armour? If so can I wear armour underneath it?)

)no it just has a chemical coating to keep you safe. when you land you have to get out of it, like how a paratrooper has to get out of their rig(

(I see, so does that mean we are currently wearing under suits?)

(Your armor drops with you in a special bag, so you'd just need to spend a turn getting in it)

(Oh nice! Okay, I'm just making sure) (edited)

12:42 PM

(Don't want to be freeballing it in this raid haha)

12:42 PM

(A news report: 9 Heavily armed naked Humans attacked a house in the mountains today)

12:45 PM

Cyrus' breathing is rapid as they fly towards the earth, moving as a team they make themselves smaller to go faster "Open on my shoot." He says over the comms. As they get nearer and nearer the ground, waiting for the bleep that means they are below radar level.

(One of them had sharp sticks instead of teeth)

12:57 PM

There is a bleep a moment later, and your three dandelion charges fire, buoying you and your gear bag to hit the ground safely.

12:58 PM

you've landed on a small plateau looking down over the manor house

Three of the seven Myrmidons present (8 guys including Cyrus, Mac in the hospital and Lars flying the Taros) post in defencive positions as the others get into their suits and then they change over. After Cyrus suits up and readies his rifle he switches his head cam on saying through the joint comm "We're live for the council. They can hear and see us." Cyrus cocks his rifle switches the safety off. "Switch to thermals. Split to fire teams." (Currently out eating so I'll be pausing here)

(Sounds good!) Your men begin organizing themselves, getting into their gear, and getting the suits packed away in the special containers. It does not appear your drop was noticed

(I'm back!) Cyrus takes up a position overlooking the manor using his binoculars to take a closer look at it while his men guard a small perimeter and get ready almost silently

Two dug in pits reinforced with sandbags contain anti air missile launchers, which the rebels have made by welding two rocket tubes to something like a truck roof rack

4:25 PM

There are three rebels in each pit, 50m apart at the entrance to the compound. The compound is protected by cliff face at its back and a wall with iron slat gate in front, the sides of the compound are also mountain face

(With the team being over the manor house are we facing the back or the front?) (edited)

(If this was a clock face, the front being six o clock, you’re at four)

(Okay makes sense)

5:04 PM

(Do the men in the pits have night vision or are they like militia level dudes with AK's?) (edited)

(Miltia level.

(Okay, btw is it okay for the team to be equipped with sleep grenades? From the skyward steel book. It makes more sense that we'd have them rather than frag grenades.) (edited)

(Colony won’t produce gas weapons after the underhill war)

6:36 PM

(Weaponized chemicals were an oh my god what have we done moment for the early UNW )

(Fuck okay) Cyrus divides his Warriors into two fire teams after they are ready: His team consisting of Himself, Tess, Tavish and Georgie. Then a team lead by Korkova with Ivan, Otto and Anna. They split and begin to slowly flank the enemy positions moving slowly through the darkness ( Is there much cover between them and the anti air?)

(some scattered boulders)

7:04 PM

(like half your size standing up)

The two squads move forward slowly one coming from the left and the other from the right, the members use the boulders and leap frog each other. Two members of each squad cover as two move up and so on.

One of the soldiers in the pit gets up, and lights a cigarette. He opens the gate to the house, and is in the process of walking through

(Shriven is standing by for air support too)

2

7:37 AM

(he and a short squadron are idling outside of visible/audible range)

(Didn’t want to break radio silence as IC I don’t know what is happening just heard you were on a raid and thought I could help.)

As he stands and begins walking the two groups stop "Acquire targets, we're going to take them down." Cyrus begins calling out targets and assigning them to members of the squad. The HUD paints the targets in red, flagging a number above their heads. "And. 3, 2, 1 -" As the gates Cyrus fires in slightly before the others, then in tandem they fire. (So First squad. Cyrus: 29/13 at the gate guy. Tavish and Georgie fire at one of the other guys in the pit, 30/17 and 30/10. Then Tess fires at the last man in the put, 17/25. Second Squad: Korkova 26/15, Ivan and Otto pick the same target, 13/18, 26/16. And Anna fires at the last for 17/20)

7:43 AM

(Sorry for not responding, was doing mad maths, thanks. I imagine it pops up as a little msg on the HUD. Appreciate it, might need them if this thing blows up)

The shots break the silence and serenity of the mountain range, and one of the pit soldiers collapses back into the earthwork.

7:51 AM

The others are wounded, it looks like an additional soldier from the other pit is also dead, but the gate guard rushes inside, bleeding and dragging himself through. Most of his side has been blown away

7:51 AM

The rocket contraptions swivel toward the direction of the shots, the initial salvo corkscrewing wildly and detonating harmlessly in the air

7:51 AM

(got a misfire)

On the left side of the battlefield Cyrus and Tavish move up taking cover as Tess and Georgie fire grenades into the rocket pit (12/11, 18/4. They are classed as heavy weapons when considering damage to vehicles and cover.) Cyrus and Tavish take cover firing into the pit if anything is left. (18/20, 30/14) The comm chatter is precise but to those who don't know might seem chaotic as a similar scene take place on the right side. Korkova moves up with Ivan as Anna and Otto fire their grenade launchers into the rocket pit (25/4 20/11) Korkova and Ivan take cover near the pit as the explosions commence firing into the pit. (32/26, 23/19)

There is a commotion of clanging metal inside as the pits and gate are cleared

8:35 AM

Something is inside revving its engine

As the pits are destroyed Cyrus rushes towards the gates "Lars, bring down the Taros, the anti air is clear!" He activates his jetpacks clearing the wall seeing what is in the courtyard. The others move forward and takes up positions at the gates, a few staying near the pits in order to provide cover if anything should come out.

The dropship screams by overhead, to the plateau where you landed. Behind the manor, the buzzing rises in intensity and the air begins to vibrate

"Shit, they've got aircraft. Move!" Cyrus books it with his other three squad members towards the back of the manor. "Korkova move to secure the house, the Taros will take up the security." The Second squad also move into the compound and set up on the doors

The AESA system on Shriven's plane begins pinging the enemy IFF contact as a pair of sleek gunships rise into the air, from their landing pad nestled in the back of the manor

9:04 AM

You see Meltis, attempting to struggle his way out of one, badly injured, but several sets of hands forcibly drag him back in

"Target confirmed, Meltis is on one of the gunships. Open fire on engine blocks!" Cyrus fires his grenade launcher at the grav plates of the vehicle in an attempt to delay it (15/13) as the other three take up positions of cover, Tavish fires his grenade launcher at the grav plates as well only if the first does not ground it. (14/6)

(How fat out am I? 2 rounds?)

(What's you callsign Shriven? Do you have a pilot call sign?)

(2 sounds right)

At the same time Korkova's team put a door charge on the front door and stack up blowing it off it's hinges and begin to clear it room by room

(Blackjack)

(I love it) (edited)

9:18 AM

"Blackjack, this is Myrmidon Actual, can you confirm sight of fast movers?" Cyrus says between pants as he returns to cover.

Shriven falling back into his military lingo, “Roger, fast movers pinging loud and clear. We are coming in hot and are 1 click out.”

"Copy that, we've painted mover with Meltis, if we can't ground it. Do not destroy. Second gunship is fair game so far."

(First doesnt ground it, neither does second, but its damaged)

“Roger, paint the VIP and we will remove the other threat.”

Cyrus paint the gunship with Meltis on board on his helmet HUD in Blue, the other is painted Red. Georgie takes out her rocket launcher, levelling it at the engine of the gunship as it begins to pull away. (Do I know whether or not that kind of fire power would destroy the gunship?)

(well, they're going to shoot first , but yeah i think you could reason a rocket would probably destroy it)

(Okay) Cyrus signals for her not to fire

(evasion save for eveyone, as gunship non-meltis uses its chaingun to suppress)

(Success for Cyrus, Tess/nat 20, Tavish/17, Georgie/12. For future reference how do I know what would be a success for saves for my guys?)

vs 10 for them right now)

9:33 AM

(so everyone's good)

9:33 AM

The shots are poorly aimed, the crew more focused on keeping formation and extracting from the compound as quickly as possible.

9:34 AM

(Cyrus, then shriven)

9:34 AM

The breaching team detonates their shaped charges, and you hear the bark of gunshots within as they begin clearing the foyer. The lander full of Black Phalanx touches down, and you hear them joining the local-squad net

Cyrus and his squad open up with small arms on the damaged gunship's grav plates in a last ditch attempt to force it to land (35/18, 24/17 ,19/14 , 16/20) "Lieutenant! Split your men, five of them post security and the rest I need down here to help secure the manor. Do not engage those gunships." (edited)

Shriven brings the 3 gunships in to support each of them targeting the non-VIP ship and then suppressing all the non-covered soldiers facing Cyrus.

9:46 AM

Lasers go off (27,22,18 for 15,23,25 damage) while the heavy machine guns suppress the ground forces (5,5,5 no damage on save.)

The second gunship (non VIP) spirals, going into auto rotation as it crashes into the courtyard from its low altitude.

10:12 AM

The few rebels outside, on terraces and second or third story decks weather the storm of heavy weapons fire, the soft cover stopping some of the rounds, but each is injured

10:13 AM

The first gunship containing meltis picks up enough altitude to be beyond grenade range. Inside the manor, there are dozens of rebels, and it sounds like your soldiers and the phalanx squad within are being slowly driven back, as more and more fighters appear out of side rooms and stairwells

10:14 AM

(back to cyrus, there's no one outside engaging you, so no turn for them)

"Good kill Blackjack! Follow that other gunship, if it's safe enough take it down. If not track it." Cyrus turns and moves with his squad into the back of the building attempting to flank the enemy inside on the first first floor.

(Did crash pods deploy to save the passengers or was it just toasted?)

(too low for them to deploy, it was only hovering a few dozen meters off the ground, providing cover for the VIP one to get to altitude and out of range)

As Cyrus enters the back of the house with his team they move from cover to cover "I'm coming through the back of the building Korkova, guide me through tell me where they are."

Cyrus passes around the manor house, to the back, where the burning gunship is tilted on its side, a handful of rebels are working to pull their comrades from the fire

10:22 AM

but without proper tools you can already see the crew is doomed

10:23 AM

Overhead, Shriven's squadron passes over the manor, the VIP ship ahead of them, 100m out

(Can I try to box them in to landing with my pilot skills?)

(sure can good buddy, pilot/dex, opposed by theirs)

(

)

<16> Shriven Comms the other 2 planes, “Make sure he can’t swerve out left or right I’m going to force him down.” (edited)

(7, when you get a 1 and a 2 on your d6, there's not much you can do)

(Lol) (edited)

The VIP ship, entrapped between the three-flight of planes, smashes into the rocky sand, tumbling end over end once as its tail boom catches an outcropping.

10:33 AM

it comes to settle, kicking up a cloud of sand and dust

Shriven comms the planes, “let’s just circle it and make sure no one makes a break for it and leave that to the professionals down on the ground.” (Yep I’m a high level chicken.)

Cyrus, seeing the group of insurgents moving to help their own pulls the pin on the last of the Remnant magma grenades, throwing it towards the group and the wrecked gunship as the others take up firing positions (Idk the stats of the grenade but I'll make a to hit roll for it: 16. The other three fire 23/13, 25/25, 29/24)

(part of finishing the project is getting the stats for it)

10:38 AM

(right now you just can surmise from seeing it firsthand)

(Smooth)

The crew around the wreck bursts into flames as the magma round sprays the caustic fuel/chem/air mix inside in a circular pattern. No amount of rolling or patting the flames seems to be able to put it out

(Is this what I’m circling?)

(No that's the one you shot down)

(No youre circling the VIP one a bit further away, this was the non vip one that crashed back into the manor courtyard

(Just has visions of the VIP going up in smoke and me watching...)

(Haha that'd be terrible)

10:57 AM

"Let's move, into the building" Cyrus takes a split second to compartmentalise the horror of the scene before he moves to the back door with his team, Georgie places a charge on the door as they stack up "Blackjack, Sit-rep?"

“Bogey down and the VIP has been forced to land. We are flying overwatch making sure no one decides to take off or make a run for it. Let us know if you need more cover.”

"Copy that, Korkova, how you doing in there? We're about to come in behind them."

"Heavy fire. Two of the Phalanx are down. We've got injuries too. I must have killed at least ten rebels myself"

"Back off, fight defensively. We are coming in now." He nods to Georgie and she detonates the charge.

The ornate back wooden doors are blown to splinters under the breaching charge, and three slack jawed rebels can only look on in shock as you make your way through the debris and dust

11:41 AM

up top, in the desert, Shriven is monitoring the wreck, and two figures are working themselves free of the twisted metal cage the helicopter became

Cyrus and his team burst through the wreckage of the door firing at the stunned rebels as they clear through the room (26/21, 21/16, 29/14, 18,21) Cyrus has a team of five black phalanx Taros moving towards the crash site, switching them to Shriven's control so that he can guide them in.

11:45 AM

(IDK how far away it is but if it's easier Lars will take them in the ship.)

(yeah he can get them close enough for Shriven to be able to do what is needed/give accurate overwatch)

(Okay he'll do that)

Above, Shriven sees the two figures tumbling and rolling over one another in their disorientation from the crash. One of them looks like an injured meltis, the other, is wearing the gear belonging to a crew chief of the aircraft

Shriven sighs when he sees this. “Take the wheel, when I land I’m going to point the gun at one of the two, shoot that one and leave the other one alive.”

1:08 PM

Shriven goes to the tail door and looks out, “Well if I die I am sooo having Alfred sue that cyberware maker.”

1:11 PM

Shriven jumps out when the plane comes low and activates his Internal shunt to stop the impact from harming him.

The shunt works perfectly, the impact isn't even flet as you hit the ground. Despite his injuries, Meltis currently has the upper hand, wrapping the comm wire from the helmet around his captors throat, once, then twice, and pulling tight

1:13 PM

(Throttling the life out of the dude essentially)

Shriven walks up and asks, “Need a hand or just a few minutes?”

"shoot him!" Meltis says, his face is relieved for just a second before he goes back to exerting his physical force over the captor

Shriven walks up to the side of his head so he is sure not to miss and executes him (Do I need to roll a check for that?)

(nope, not for that, he's restrained and whatnot, normally at point blank as long as you set up, you don't have to, the trick is already getting close enough for them to not notice, In this case, you standing there with your gun out for a minute and just watching is goofy)

1

The body falls into the dust, meltis going down with it, not struck by the shot, but by exhaustion. Shriven can see the entire side of his torso is bandaged, a crimson stain slowly spreading

1:37 PM

In the manor house, Cyrus and his Myrmidons sweep through the kitchen, finishing the three rebels standing in his way quickly and easily.

Shriven goes over and uses his lift med drug to help his body recover. (7 hp recovered) then looks over his body to see if he is in immediate danger (10 heal/int check)

Meltis is stabilized due to the quick medic work. In the manor, the kitchen terrorists seem to be the last. Resistance in the house has evaporated, the overwhelming majority killed by the entry team, though the Black Phalanx were killed to the last man in the defense of the breach. Of your men, two are unconscious with critical injuries, though the squad medic is stabilizing them

(I read that wrong the first time. NVM start that again haha)

2:42 PM

Cyrus stands over the body of one of the terrorist, as some still moan and some still scream outside in the wreckage. He takes account of his men and the others before comming over to Shriven. "Blackjack. Status."

Shriven coms back, “I had to make a quick jump to help Meltis, he is now safe and stable. He took some damage but the atmos are still flying overwatch.”

"Okay, Lars should be there soon to pick him up with the rest of our Taros escort. Gonna clean up here. Got a couple of critically injured all our other Taros allies are dead. Was a hell of a push to take this manor. We've got potentially forty plus hostile KIA."

2:46 PM

"Good work Brother."

“Thanks, I will watch over him, everything secure over there? If you can get a team over here I can head back and do what I can for the fallen.”

"All clear, only wounded and dead left. Any rebels not too wounded we'll try to take back. But otherwise" There's a pause then you here the muffled shots of a suppressed rifle "We don't have the space or inclination."

2:53 PM

"We are gonna search the place while we wait for extraction."

“Roger that I will just have one of my birds take him back are we heading to Central or do we just want to stop somewhere along the way they probably won’t expect.”

"Central, I don't think they've got the air power to halt us. But I wouldn't mind a fighter escort."

2:57 PM

Cyrus has his remaining men sweep the place for intel. Others finish off mortally wounded rebels, if there are any lightly wounded they are bound and brought out of the manor, knelt down opposite the black bags containing what was the Black Phalanx soldiers. Afterwards the place is wired with demo charges and set to detonate when they leave.

(I

U)

m about to drive home, but when I get ther,e I'll give you and shriven a 'dungeon clear screen)

(I couldn’t resist,

)

(Safe.)

3:27 PM

(Good team work there Shriven! We messed them up)

(You messed them up I just showed up and forgot my parachute.)

From the manor there are three computers blindly taken. Not sure what’s on them. Five prisoners who were caught trying to run from the battle. They seem young. Like barely teenagers. The weapons inside are not worth keeping. Most of them are rusted or corroded and were likely already surplus during the last major armed conflict

Cyrus takes has the teens restrained and they have black bags put over their heads. Stripped of all weapons and searched before they are put on the lander. His men put the deceased Black Phalanx troops on the lander too as well as the stabilised wounded. Lastly the rig up the manor, and as they pull away, heading back to central. Georgie presses down on the detonator.

Shriven sees that Meltis is put in one of the 3 fighters so he can outrun most of the opposition and hops onto that plane to fly it for an extra bit of safety.

The whole complex implodes from the precisely placed charges. Windows blow out and beams inside tumble, striking the floor and everything they fall through on the way down. Crystal chandeliers that cost more than a block of outhab families could make in a year crumble under the detonation. The surrounding rock comes down in sympathy, burying the isolated mountainside manor utterly

Cyrus nods watching from a window. "Good detonation, let's get back to Central." He goes to check on his stabilised squad members Ivan and Otto

(3xp, 30,000 credits you and shriven. Good teamwork)

(Great job team! That was really fun.)

(Glad I was in the area.)

Cyrus steps off the lander on the airstrip making sure his men are getting looked after and overseeing the prisoner transfer. As well as that Black Phalanx casualties are given all their honours before being sent back with the survivors. "Lieutenant, you and your men fought with the fury of a thousand titans. It was an honour to fight alongside you. I'm sorry for their loss."

8:07 PM

He clasps his arm and grips it firmly, nodding.

“They did what was right for a city not their own. It’s a high honor for all of them. Your men performed admirably too. May we meet again someday”

"Perhaps we shall Lieutenant, safe journey and stead hands." Cyrus watches him get back on the lander and fly off before turning and walking back inside. He takes off his armour and then travels to Admin

The situation room is still set up, but has been empty save for a few chroniclers. Video from the raid on the terror camp should be coming in soon, right now elements are getting into position

Cyrus sits down in a chair watching the screen, exhausted. He's been up for around 76hrs and is dying to sleep but can't intent on watching the screen.

The video clicks on, showing the rebel compounds wooden cave doors kicked open by a Colonial Marshal, and the small strike team rushing in behind him

Cyrus watches intently as the action unfolds sipping from a coffee mug, a scowl on his face.

(its up to you if you want to sit for it, its basically going to be watching the other group do stuff)

Cyrus messages Franz, asking after the health of Meltis in the hospital as he watches anxiously at the operation on the feeds "Fuck, come on guys." He mutters as he sees the shots wing and hit Hailey.

Meltis is stable, and recovering, thanks to Shriven's quick work

Cyrus also asks after the councils verdict on what to do with Bladonna, or whether they have attempted to reach out yet.

They are waiting to see what is learned from ths camp raid, and from the snatch and grab operation charles is running the following day, as the situation may change

Cyrus agrees that that is a good idea. He mentions that if they need him or his men, he's on standby

Cyrus suddenly wakes, having passed out at the desk.

3:30 PM

"Fuck!" He grips the desk, momentarily caught of guard. Thinking he was in a firefight. He hyperventilates for a few seconds before regulating his breathing. Looking around the room warily, making sure no one saw him.

(Is it okay before going to meet up with the others that I'd visit the psi academy?) (edited)

(yeah thats fine)

After shaking off his dream Cyrus walks out of Admin in his fatigues. He takes a cab to the Psi-academy

The cab brings you to the wide academy steps, where a old pattern custodian bot is busy cleaning the flagstones

Cyrus walks up the stairs slowly, taking in the early morning sun. Walking through the entrance. (edited)

Heading inside, you see Crane behind the desk (i think you two have met before)

1:26 PM

She is filing some mail into different slots for the psychics who reside there.

(I don't think we have thinking on it) Cyrus makes his way to the desk watching for a moment as she works. Before making himself known. Clearing his throat lightly "Evening?"

"Evening sir. What can the academy do for you today?"

"Hey, the name's Cyrus Adonis, I'm currently looking to hire a psychic, and well this seemed like the best place to start."

“Ah I see. Can you discuss the nature of the assignment? And what role you’re looking for them to fill?”

"I'm looking for a biopsy, skilled in conventional healing as well, to act as my ship's trauma doc. I'm a Commander i the TFP and my unit specialises in behind enemy lines action, and a lot of it, so they need to be of a suitable temperament and be able to keep calm under pressure. There job wont specifically be to fight, however they may be asked to in an emergency, so fighting capabilities may also be a plus."

9:21 PM

"They be on the ship for the majority of the time, perhaps even doubling as a science officer of some kind of that's there speciality, the Remnant have to much anti-psi weaponary and countermessures for them to be involved in any military operations with us without being compromised."

"Ah I've got one here. Alexander Foros. He's a bit more skilled in precognition, but he does have bioscopics as well. (precog 2, bio 1 right now)

4:16 PM

"He is a fighter, he was rescued on Aslief, by Silvano. He fought to defend the academy there till the last, even with his powers drained from him by that silver dust"

"Do you mind if I speak to him? I'd like to hear what he might have to say about the line of work he will be joining."

“Not at all. Upstairs. Second door on the right. I’ll buzz you up”

"Thanks Friend!" Cyrus makes his way up, taking his time to look around

(There's an actual floor plan on the psi academy handout part of the UNW folder if you're curious. One of Doona's lasting contributions) The academy is quite new, and almost every surface is clean enough that you think you could eat off of it. A door made from spore tree wood has the nameplate Alexander Foros.

Cyrus knocks on the door waiting politely outside

A human male answers the door. His skin is pale, paler than cranes, and he is wearing a pair of dark classes. Dressed in a dark track suit, he has a large fur coat and a cheap gold chain

(Holy shit he's a fucking gangster!) Cyrus raises a singular eyebrow. "Alex right?"

"Ah yeah man. Alex Foros. Nice to meet you. Cmon in cmon in."

5:34 PM

"Whats your name bud? I don't get many visitors"

Cyrus walks in after him "Cyrus, Cyrus Adonis. I'm with the TFP"

He shrugs at this and opens two beers from the fridge. you see that beer is all that is in there. He points to an oversized bean bag chair

Cyrus takes the beer swigging it "Cheers Friend, nice place you got here. If a little small."

"To your health" he raises his drink. "It's small, too small for me, but this one has a roof that isn't having rockets shot through it"

"Shit yeah, you're from Asleif right? Was there last month, me and my guys drove the rest of the Remnant commando's out and in to an early grave. Went into Harmony, hunting the motherfuckers. Some bad shit that went down." He says sitting in the bean bag, seemingly a weight lifted from his shoulders as he begins to relax

"Right. I was in the Academy there. Man, whole place is gone now? Fuck."

5:43 PM

he looks a bit sullen "I was in the academy there, fighting. Killed a fair number of those chicken fucks myself"

Yeah? What's your weapon of choice?

5:47 PM

Cyrus takes a long drink of his beer, almost draining half the bottle

he walks over to a closet built into the side wall and takes out a green cloth covered bundle, unwrapping it to reveal a truly ancient looking mosin-nagant rifle

5:50 PM

(rules wise, a regular rifle, not a combat rifle)

"Gods how'd you kill 'em? Beat them over the head with it?" He chuckles drinking more of his brew. (edited)

"She doesn't look like much, I know but shes a real nail driver. This rifle goes back hundreds of years"

8:04 PM

"My mother told me one of the Foros family used it on earth, in World War 2"

8:04 PM

"And its been passed down ever since"

"I can get behind that, I come from a planet where people use swords and bows."

5:41 AM

"Listen Friend, I want to offer you a job."

“Oh yeah?” Doing what?”

Cyrus finishes his beer looking a little more serious. "So I run a team. Sort of badass as it is, called the Myrmidons. My people are warriors, not just your normal soldiers. We go deep behind enemy lines and strike at the heart of the problem, whether it be the Remnant, or anything else. I need someone skilled in Biopsy, I know it ain't you main thing right now, but precog works well too. I couldn't guarantee that you'd see a massive amount of action against the Rems due to their anti-psy tech. But everyone on my crew is a warrior first, specialist second. And I need someone with fighting spirit. Most of your duties day to day would be the ships doc. What do you think?"

“Dude get me the fuck out of here. Yes. I’ll do literally almost anything”

7:41 AM

He fluffs his coat a bit

Cyrus chuckles "Well, we'll need to get you outfitted first. Some high end weaponry and armour, just in case. How much do you know about medical procedures? I assume biopsy's are trained in it but you never know."

“I’m trained. We have to be so we know how to guide the energy”

"Okay, well I'll get you set up. Here, take this, it's your first months pay." Cyrus wires him 10k "Don't drink it all away."

7:48 AM

(My usual Myrmidons are 6k each but seen as he's a biopsy I thought I'd pay him more.)

Cyrus gets back to his apartment late in the evening after squaring away his gear. He get's in and closes the door before half collapsing back on it. Sitting with his back against it after sliding down, his legs giving out. "Fuck." He brings up his commpad. Messaging Melora

Hey handsome. Back from the training camp raid. Are you up for company?

Yeah, just got back in from a job, can you come to mine? He sends the address to his apartment

6:09 PM

Cyrus makes an effort to get up and goes to the fridge, pulling out a beer and sits in a chair. He stares off at the far wall as he drinks reflecting on the past few months.

of course. Be there soon

6:12 PM

Melora goes to Cyrus's from her place.

6:13 PM

Melora arrives and lets herself in. (edited)

6:17 PM

She finds Cyrus in the chair, looking worse for the wear.

6:18 PM

"My goddess, are you ok?" She rushes to him and kneels next to him as she takes his hand and works on him with her succor.

Cyrus isn't injured, he just looks tired. He seems startled by the sudden movement not realising she was there. "Oh! Hey now, I-I'm fine Melora." His eyes are red and you he's having problems focusing

(She just assumes - i think succor can help with that? )

6:37 PM

"You need some water with that beer"

6:38 PM

Melora takes out her bioscanner and scans him.

"I'm fine. I just need sleep." He takes a swig of his beer. "I'm just tired is all."

6:40 PM

The bioscanner registers his blood pressure and heart rate as being higher than they should be.

"Well, let's get you in bed" She kisses his foreheads and softly says "I've miss you so much" She helps him up to get to his bed, pulling down the blankets and sheets and taking off any extraneous or uncomfortable clothing. (edited)

"I've missed you too." He brings her head up to meet his kissing her. (Fade to black?)

(Sure, why not)

Cyrus wakens, the pre-dawn is crisp, the first pleasant august morning of you hope many. The light seems extra refined today, the hues more distinguished as it falls across the floor and furnature. More noticable, are the smells. Melora's hair smells faintly floral, where the carpet, you can almost still make out the manufacturing process chemicals from whatever homeworld this originated on. You smell the soft wood shop smell of the carpenters workshop that made the furnature. You also smell blood, faintly, coming from your equipment, despite it being cleaned to a standard even the strictist quartermater would struggle to find fault with

Cyrus quietly gets out of bed, disorientated by the detail the world now possess. He walks slowly towards a trunk at the other side of the bedroom, he uses the wall to steady himself as if he was drunk. He drops to a knee in front of the chest and unlocks it. Opening he reveals a set of armour, a sword, shield and a bow with a quiver of arrows. The armour is old and styled like the Hellenic warriors of ancient Greece complete with a Corinthian styled helmet. All is enamelled in dark matt black, though the scraps and scratches show it's true steel colour underneath. He sits for a few moments drinking in the strong scent of blood and pine needles that remind him of his homeworld before reaching out and taking the Kopis styled sword in it's scabbard and in one fluid motion unsheathes the blade. He tilts and moves the sword in his hand feeling the weight in his hand once more. As if it had been an age, in more than one way it has. He tests the still sharp edge then stands with it in his hand. He moves it through the air in dance like movements, stepping with it as he turns, striking down invisible foes. His muscles flex and contract seemingly getting used to the feeling of these drills again. The black wings tattooed across his back make it look like they are beating as his arms move. After a few minutes he stops, grinning. Drinking in the air as his body sweats. He sheaths the blade once more feeling the energy through his feet, pulling it from the earth around him.

(For reference: The tattoo, )

Something growls outside the door, scratching at it, it does not wake the sleeping melora, apparently only you can hear it.

Opening the door, the beast circles twice before moving toward the hab door leading outside. It looks at you, a piercing gaze. Follow

Cyrus is wary of the animal but compelled to follow walking after it.

Heading outside, the surroundings, everything but the beast, seems hazy, like youre looking at it through smoke. It's long strides see it bounding to the forest, south of the colony

Cyrus follows at a jog attempting to keep up as it moves into forest. (edited)

you find yourself running after the beast, far faster than you should normally be able to move

9:47 AM

both of you, you trailing behind it only slightly, run far into the wood. The crunch of pine beneath your feet is exagerated and loud. The smells of the forest are a riot n your mind , each animal, their paths through the forest, their territories a wash of smoky color

9:47 AM

The beast continues running, continuing south

Cyrus find himself leaping through the underbrush at break neck speeds, finding pathways to traverse after the animal. Breathing in the scent of the forest, his eyes watch for threats or potential prey like that of a predators. "Where are we going?!" He growls after the massive beast

The creature runs onward, and you notice a shift in the smells as you continue running. Your own world, the pine forest, the honeyed sap, mead, the cold snap of air, and blood. It overlays with the smells of this world, the humid august air, the tart pollen of the spore trees, the earthy loam of the wheat fields to the north, the animal musk of lopes fleeing your passage. In the distance, you see a circle of ruins ahead. Somehow, in the span of only a few moments, you've run several hundred kilometers south of the colony

Cyrus carries on after the beast determined to keep up and amazed at his speeds and senses

youre led to a fane, a circle of piggen ruins, with a small even burning natural gas flame in the center, on an altar

11:10 AM

the beast circles, relaxed, but inquisitive as to what you will do

Cyrus circles the ruins looking at the stones as he catches his breath his puts a hand against one of them. Closing his eyes and listening, feeling the power that might be held there.

The stone is warm, kept a pleasant temperature by the flame. You feel your home, connected to this place somehow. and for a moment, find yourself in a clearing there, hand touching the same stone, flame gently crackling in the forest beyond ancient age.

11:34 AM

The wind picks up, and it hurts to keep your eyes open. It sounds like you're in the middle of a gale. The icy wind whips by, feeling like its flaying you to the bone with its intensity, and then suddenly, it all goes black. You wake up, back in bed, the form of the shadow beast curled up in the corner, asleep.

Cyrus looks over to Melora before slipping out of bed again, feeling a little like deja vu, he walks over to the beast, kneeling down next to it and putting a hand on it's head. 'Nemesis' He says without speaking 'That is your name. And that is what you shall be called.'

Cyrus turns and walks back to Melora laying in bed he leans in and kisses her head.

He smiles and turns away, getting dressed and leaving with his new companion, Nemesis. As he leaves the block he Comms Alex Foros.

Hey man, we workin already?

"Something like that, need you to head to the hospital, got a couple of my guys laid up there after we went to go get Meltis back. They could use your healin' hands. It's a good opportunity to meet them, build a bond, and it shows me that you're good enough. Though I've got one guy Mac who's currently awaiting a regrowing operation on his leg, don't think you can help with that yet."

"Alright, I can stop in and play faith healer for a while" he laughs

"Good stuff, I'm heading to Vapormills for a day or so. If you need me comm me."

9:46 AM

Cyrus takes a cab to the airport getting a flyer out to Vapormills (I'm going to go hire some taros into the myrmidons if you need to prep)

(Or wait, is this the same day as the meeting?)

(the meeting is going on right now)

(Yeah but in the weird time thing that this is, I assume it's before the meeting, but I'm not sure how much time I have to play with before Cyrus would be attending it)

(id say a day or two)

(Okay, so I'd have time to go to Vapormills, sweet)

The atmoflyer rushes for Vapormills, touching down at their airport early in the afternoon

Cyrus walks off the flyer, Nem close behind him. "So this is Vapormills, you know I've never been." He says to seemingly no one. "Let's go find us some warriors." He comms Dorlin as he begins a slow walk into the city

Dorlin's aide-de-camp picks up on the third ring, Dorlin herself already off for Central, hoping to get some time making unofficial state visits in before the meeting itself

"Good Afternoon, this is Commander Cyrus Adonis on the TFP. I was hoping you could help me, I'm currently in Vapormills looking to hire people into a military unit of my own, would that be acceptable to the Vapormills government and secondly if so where would I find such people."

“We can’t stop private citizens from joining up. We can’t break up existing military units however. At least not yet. I’d try the taverns or cook houses around town”

"Thanks, for the tip. Not got many contacts in the city so I thought I'd ask a friend of the task force. Seeya later." *Cyrus hangs up the phone, he spends the day going from tavern to tavern to cook house talking to people and trying to figure out the best place to meet and hire mercenaries."

You remember Seungs stories of the scrum and villainry, a popular fighting bar in the city

Cyrus makes his way there taking on of the TFP automated cabs

There are a handful. It’s an enterprise that is expected to grow over time. The bar itself has a number of surly looking Patrons in it

Cyrus casually walks in with his cat pistol strapped to his leg. Walking to the bar and sitting down (I imagine its like that moment in a western when the guy enters the saloon only with a massive sabre tooth tiger.)

(Yeah it’s like the Wild West and salty spittoon in one. You’re in a major city they’re not just shooting people over cards)

"You got whiskey Friend?" He says to the barkeep, a grin on his face knowing full well that all the eyes in the room are on him

The bartender pours out a generous measure for you. He looks at the cat and has a second glass in his hand

Cyrus looks down at Nemesis "You want one?"

Yes she thinks into your mind, curious at it. She's been by your side for a few days now b ut there is a lot about humans she still doesnt know

Cyrus turns back to the barkeep "Yeah, another for my furry companion here."

He puts out a small dish with a measure of the firey liquid in it. The center of the bar is a dug in pit where two taros fighters in an exhibition match use every cyber augmentation they have to beat the living daylights out of one another

9:55 AM

there are a few pictures of matches Seung was triumphant in hanging in the wall here as well

"So, you got many fighting types in here? Soldiers?" He asks conversationally to the bartender.

"We get some, usually quiet, special operations types I'd assume, never give names"

"The type that are for hire?"

10:24 AM

"Or rather, looking for a job."

"There are some" he points to a table in the corner of the bar, furthest from the fight pit

"Thanks Friend, give everyone a free round, on me of course." (Don't know how much that'll be but Cyrus has it covered.)

10:36 AM

He finishes his drink and looks down and Nem to see what Her thoughts were on whiskey.

(the amount would be more work for you to calculate out of your giant pool of money than anything else, Cyrus has some cash)

Cyrus ruffles Nem's ears and stands patting his leg for her to follow as he walks towards the back of the bar, where the bartender said those looking for work lurk.

The conversation at the table dies down as you get close

Cyrus points at an empty chair "You mind if I sit Friends?"

"Sit, free bar" one of them says, leaning back. He lights a long cigarette, and you hear a tiny wheeze as lung filters cleanse the contaminants

Cyrus pulls out a chair and sits on it, Nem sitting at his side, about the same height. "Isn't the point kinda lost on smoking when you cleanse like that?"

"Still get a buzz" he coos , blowing out a large cloud of blue smoke

"Fair enough. So I hear you're the people to talk to about potential jobs?"

"We might be. What are you looking to have done?" one asks. "we only have one rule about wetwork, no women, no kids"

"It wouldn't be that kind of job, I'm offering you a career."

Their captain sports a long, dreadlocked beard, facial hair itself is rare among the taros, and facial hair as impressive as this is almost white whale in mythology. "The terms?" he says, thoughtfully stroking the locks

"Let me introduce myself properly, my name is Cyrus Adonis. I command the Myrmidons a small group within the TFP. We run black ops and high risk missions all over the sectors, recently we and some black phalanx rescued Meltis from the TFL, I'm offering you a place in my ranks."

12:44 PM

"You'd all get paid a lot, and you'd get tk call yourselves warriors. You wouldn't be hitmen or thugs, you'd be able to have pride in what you do."

they all start laughing. One of them, sitting next to the dreadlocked one, stands up and begins approaching you. His laugh sounds familiar. He embraces you "It's us. you fucking idiot"

12:45 PM

and you recognize the voice of the black phalanx lieutennant who deployed with you

12:45 PM

(you never saw their faces or anything before, on purpose) (edited)

Cyrus bursts out laughing embracing the lieutenant "Oh fuck me, well I'm not gonna live that one down. My offer still stands Brothers"

"Yeah, if you're going after those cinnamon twist pretzel fucks we want another go. The Phalanx is a good outfit but by the gods you phoenix folk can fight"

"Well, I've got good news looks like we'll be headed to the North Pole soon. But I am gonna have to know your name, we don't work anonymously" He chuckles

"Scmander" he says, reluctantly. "Suppose its on'y fair"

"Well Scmander, how many men you got?"

"20 in my outfit, but i think only 10 able to keep up with you"

"Okay, well we are based at Central. Is that going to be an issue for anyone? Family and the like?"

they all laugh again. "Be there tonight. we just have to pick up camp"

"Good show, just turn up at the TFP barracks, they'll get you sorted out. I'll give them a call. In the morning we'll get you kitted out."

"You know what, bring all 20 of your guys, those that can't keep up yet we'll train up. I need the men, and they need the work."

"Alright, give us a night to round em up. We'll fly out to central tomorrow"

"Okay, when you arrive, you'll get your first months pay."

"tomorrow, then" Scmander replies, and they begin picking up their sprawling table to make the trip out

Cyrus tips an non-existent hat and leaves calling a cab and heading back to the airport. On his return flight he opens up a comm to Baron "Hey Uncle, you got room for 20 more at the barracks?"

2:30 PM

(I've added them to my expenses and taken 100k out of my money, I'm going to be paying 6K to the 10 that are ready and 4k to the recruits until they become fully fledged Myrmidons.)

“We do. Been busy out west from the sound of it”

"Yeah, just hired another 20 guys for my growing platoon, 10 are going straight into the ranks, the other 10 are gonna have to go through some training. I'm gonna get Mac on it, while he's recovering."

3:15 PM

"I'll put in the orders for their armour with Pop, though the recruits will wait for theirs, until they're ready we'll just outfit them with Field Uniforms. They'll earn the right to that armour. That puts me up to 31 guys, including the new hire Alex and Me. I can only fit 20 on my ship as it is but I've got Billy working on plans for a heavy frigate. Should be able to hold 120 at the end of it. Helluva thing we're building here Old timer." Cyrus chuckles and pauses

3:17 PM

"How much would it cost me to start my own branch of the base? My guys are gonna keep expanding and I don't want to take away from the core of the TFP troops, besides I'm going to invest in a couple of gunships as well, maybe some light armour and scout vehicles, that on it's own is gonna take up space."

3:17 PM

"It'd most likely be in the same place, or at least around it, just separate."

(the sanctums part of the codex has costs for garages and hangars, that seems the most appropriate for what youre building right now)

(Sweet, what's the time frame on building stuff like that? Is it an improvement a month?)

(the garages seem pretty simple, id say we could have one every few days, the landing facility is pretty involved iirc, like, space enough for a few ships, so i feel like that would take about a month on its own)

(Also I took out the money for the new guy's gear, it came to about 360,000 all told, for 20 upgraded rifles and 10 sets of assault armour, just and FYI)

(awesome)

(Sweet, I'll have a look and come back to you on the costs and what improvements and stuff I want to build.)

3:22 PM

After being told Cyrus mulls it over. "I'll run the numbers and get back to you on that Baron, in the mean time make space for them at the barracks. I don't think it will be long until we are off fighting anyway."

Cyrus makes his way back, putting in orders for new suits and rifles with Pop's telling him that they are to be made for Taros and he'll have the measurements in the morning when they arrive for their custom fits. He also enquires as to whether or not he has experience making drones. (edited)

Pops does have experience making drones, though hasn't been asked to make any. Those with the technical aptitude seem to have been working on their own\

(Wow, building drones is interesting. It's gonna take me a while to come up with some 'blueprints' for what I want fittings and hull wise. It's mostly for my sniper teams, advanced recon but I kinda want to have one or two to be like heavy hitters? So that's the harder part.)

(keep in mind too only one person can fly one at a time without a foci/cyberware)

(I was gonna get my sniper team/drone control team cybered up to have links)9 (edited)

(as long as its kept in mind, that works)

(No worries, thanks for the heads up)

5:49 PM

(Are the tl5 drone hulls available I doubt it but I thought I'd ask)

(those would be research projects)

(Okay, I'll know for future)

(no worries bud, that'll def be a project soon)

Cyrus goes to factory in the morning with his 10 new Myrmidons (The recruits don't get armour yet.) Getting them sized up for their assault armour and weapons. At the same time he orders some drones, handing him some blueprints. "Here you got Pop's I must be making you a rich man, that's about half a mil's worth of gear."

1:43 PM

(The 3 stealth drones and two weapons platforms come to 60450 all together, I already calculated the cost of the armour and weapons last night and deducted it)

(Great!) your task force is the reason the facility is a big as it is” and he eagerly gets to work

"Hey Pops, can I make you an offer?"

“You’re not planning on buying me out are you?

"Hell no, I couldn't do what you do, In fact I want to give you more work. Kinda. So I'm currently planning on building my own small base on planet, for my growing Myrmidons. Because of their gear being so custom and such it makes it hard for us alone to maintain. Now you have some of the best techs around on your payroll, I was thinking that I might set up a workshop in the base, and pay you a retainer fee to have some of your guys stationed there to service our gear once we get back from missions and the like. Thoughts?"

2:00 PM

"The base is still gonna be in or around Central. So they could travel from home to work and stuff."

“I could see about keeping some techs out there full time”

"I'll give you a call when we get the place up and running. How much do you think it would run me, monthly?"

"Say, for 5 full time techs."

“I’d say 20 a day since they’re skilled. They can demand a bit more than my generic ape wrench turners”

"Okay, that'd be 3000 a month total for 5, I'll make it 5000, you can take a cut if you'd like. A thank you, one might say." (edited)

Afterwards Cyrus brings the Scout/Sniper team lead by Tess forward. "So, how would you all feel about getting cybered up? You are gonna be working with drones very closely, and it's more efficient for all involved if you get Drone Control Links. It'll mean you going down to Vapormills for a few days, but obviously I'll pay for it."

Cyberware is a normal part of vapormills life, none of them raise serious objections to it

Cyrus sends them off for surgery (5x20,000=100,000) And then finally goes to that meeting everyones been banging on about (I'm caught up in time now rofl)

After the first unity meeting he rests, taking time to walk a few miles of nearby wilderness with Nemesis, as night draws in.

Nemesis trots at your side, long tail high in the air, a relaxed and calm gait. The night air smells sharp, you're still able to pick out the scents on the breeze every time it blows

"So tell me Nem, what brought you to me? Why are you here?"

1:14 PM

He walks through the calm night, for once not wearing fatigues but loose fitting clothes in earthen and green tones. A long rifle on his back as opposed to his assault weapon that's usual slung on his shoulder

"Your soul burns in the veil behind reality. I followed it. You are a strong pack leader"

"Do you know why it burns?" Cyrus asks quizzically

"Everyone has fire. Stronger person, bigger flame" the cat coos in your mind.

"I see, how much do you know about this world?"

It growls. you get the sense it isnt very much

1:44 PM

or at least the things that she does know are not easy to explain, as a human might understand it

"Ah, I understand. But you want to know more. Learn more, about what this side of the world is like?"

Cyrus stops as they speak, sitting on a tree stump. He looks at Nemesis.

Nemesis looks back. She heard your question but is unsure of how to respond. You get the sense that she is in deep thought

"I can show you the universe. Though, I don't know whether you'll like what you see. There's a lot of pain, hardship and death. FI fight in hope of making a brighter future. In turn, you can guide me through the world behind this one."

"I will guide you, and protect you" Nemesis says, purring

Cyrus reaches out stroking the cats head "I think together, along with this reawakened power we will do great things."

Cyrus stands after listening to the sounds of the forest for a while walking back through the forest with Nem, he sleeps soundly waking up and reading about Sil's crime. Later that day he meets up with Seung for the North Pole assault. (Caught up)

(Goals updated)

(I’ll take a look. Thanks bud)

Cyrus gets back to the cloud with his guys, them being untouched by battle as they were in reserve waiting to be called in

When you arrive the black phalanx leader is in a heated argument with the Trivedi cloud crew

"Oi! What's this shit!" Cyrus barks as he walks in

"They wouldnt give clearance for lifters to drop! Cowards were worried about point defense fire! we missed the whole fight!"

(Is this my guys who are ex black phalanx or the actual black phalanx?)

(Your guys)

(Okay)

11:15 AM

Cyrus walks across the room "Check yourself Soldier. They didn't drop you because you would've been blown out of the fucking sky. Besides I didn't give the order! Now go and cool off, they'll be plenty more time to fight."

He throws a heavy punch into the bulkhead, his armored fist denting it slightly before walking away. You can already sense he is cooling off

Cyrus turns to the deck chief "My apologies, my Myrmidons are warriors, they live for the fight."

"Understandable. I was just trying to make sure they'd live for this part of the fight at least

"Thank you for your patience. I'm sure they'll get the action they seek soon enough."

He sighs, nods after a moment. He starts making a call for engineering to come down to fix the panel

Cyrus pats him on the back as he walks out. He calls up Franz as he sits in the Cloud's resident coffee house.

"Franz here" there is a short lag in the voice, he's either elsewhere in the galaxy or using an encrypted line

"Hey Franz it's Cyrus, we just hit the TFL at the North Pole, mission success, they broke and the Taros forces are mopping them up now. Just wanted to know if anything had developed with Bladonna? I'm thinking about heading away for a few days or maybe weeks and I need to know If we are gonna go in or not." (edited)

Cyrus starts making some arrangements as he talks to Franz, making sure his ship is ready. Getting his men prepared for off world.

“We have a diplomatic corps being sent. It’s only been a matter of a few days since the unity meeting”

7:56 PM

“Until we know more. No”

"That's all I needed to know, thanks Franz. I'd rather I not have to go in there, but if we have to, give me a call. Stay safe Friend." Cyrus says before ending the call. He stands up finishing his coffee. He walks to his ship sat in the dock and boards with his men, they begin their trip to Terezhino.

(What's the plan on Terezinho?)

(Well, that's a good question, how open are they to us now?)

(the temple is still off limits but you can land in the cities. New Antioch and Hitachi are open, New Astria is abandoned still)

(What's the population? Roughly.)

(for each city?)

(For like, total human population of the planet.)

(250,000 post scream between the cities and surface nomad fleets on the planet)

(Thanks, I think I'll probably head to New Antioch first.)

8:50 PM

(After that, I'm going to try make contact with the Simians)

8:50 PM

(Are they sentient?)

(Theyre gorilla level intelligent as far as what's been observed)

8:53 PM

New Antioch is friendly to the task force, Cayne and Hailey making an intelligence deal there a month before. Seagoing Solutions Limited was expecting follow ons from the Task Force to arrive

The TFP Trojan horse lands where ever is convenient near or in the city, Cyrus and his men disembark after a day in space. "So Scmander. How'd you like space?" Cyrus asks the former Taros lieutenant as they disembark in their fatigues.

“That was really...something”. He’s a bit lost in himself taking in the sights and sounds of a new world

"Welcome to the rest of the universe, you're probably gonna feel a bit sick by the way, it's only natural."

"Okay, let's go take stock of what's going on here. The task force is making a push for this planet, trying to bring it into the fold as it were. So best to know what's going on and who's who." Cyrus makes his way into the city along with a small squad of Myrmidons including Korkova, Scmander, Lars, Ivan and Alex the new biopsy.

(Are you doing the unity endeavor?)

(I mean at the moment I'm kinda just trying to figure out where to go and what to start. Probably just looking for key figures)

The leader of new Antioch is a half mer that goes by the name Belash the Rising Tide. He was a war hero during the early stages of the civil war, proudly serving the Tenebrian Empire. Those days are long passed and age has slowed his body. His mind has remained sharp

Cyrus attempts to get an audience with him (Also merpeople! I feel like we need some more hand outs on this planet, the scout report is pretty thin too)

(thats wat the research project is)

9:41 PM

(Everything Of note not just plants and animals)

(I see, will really have to push for it then)

(I normally dont do this with planets but theres A LOT going on here)

(Yeah, makes sense)

It takes the better part of an afternoon of waiting around, speaking with various dignitaries first, but eventually, you're led into a coral audience chamber, where an elderly mer-hybrid sits in a throne. It looks as though it too is carved from coral, and he has the butt of a trident pressed into the floor

Cyrus walks down the center of the room towards the throne, bowing deeply as he reaches a respectable distance. He says nothing and waits to be addressed. Cyrus has changed into somewhat of a formal garb, a black caftan in stark comparison to the crimson sashes around his waist, below however he wears his combat pants and polished boots. An empty holster on his thigh.

"Good evening honored Imperial Guests" he rasps (Cayne produced a fake writ of trade from an old exchange of light office on planet, in the abandoned city, so they think you're from the empire, they wouldnt trade otherwise) "Your presence here after so long honors us"

"Good Evening, honoured host. My name is Commander Cyrus Adonis. Leader of the Myrmidons. We are humbled by the hospitality shown to us. I must say, your planet is rather beautiful, the last time I saw it, was rather different."

"Indeed it was. We hear much has happened in our beloved empire in these past years"

"To tell you the truth, much has changed, much had stayed the same in many ways. Some have splintered, the Empire you may have once known is..." Cyrus trails off

"Is great, and glorious, and will be so again"" he finishes for you

Cyrus sighs "It may be, though not in the form you knew it. The event that struck a little under two years ago shuck all civilisation. Communication is no longer as easy as it once was, as is travel."

"We noticed. It's been some time since we have had an imperial delegation here. This is among the first"

"Would you like me to be brutally honest with you Sir?"

"If we can't speak openly there's little point"

Cyrus smiles and nods "I like you am a Warrior, a Soldier and not a diplomat, so forgive me if this comes across as something less than polished. The Empire is gone, as is anything else resembling a universe spanning force. The event that happened has come to be known as the scream. It killed many psychics and destroyed much of the technology we had come to relay on. We are alone on the frontier once more. I come from a collective, known as the UNW, the United Nation of Worlds. Which is attempting to resurrect order in the galaxy. We are based on a Planet not far from here called Gudrun. The 'other' representative I'm sure you've come into contact with were the Remnant, their full name is Tenebrian Remnant, they hide behind the legend of the now fallen Empire in hopes of finding support, but they are little more than a government of war criminals." Cyrus says taking out a data pad "I come on a mission to educate, and I would like to show you what the galaxy has become. If I may?"

He nods, and beckons for you to step forward "Only you" he says, as your warriors begin to move forward with you

Cyrus walks forward the pad in hand as he moves slowly as to not look like a threat. "I know, that what people say can be misdirection, and I know like you that I would prefer to believe my own eyes. You have no reason as of yet to trust me, I wish for that to change, but I hope that as warriors you will believe me when I say these things I show you I have seen, and are the truth." He turns the datapad, showing images of Gudrun, and it's growing cities, UNW flags and soldiers. New images of Miriam and Asleif. "These planets have been left in ruin by the events I've told you about. The group known as the Remnant have been ravaging worlds, in hopes of gathering power and purging psychics from the universe." He flips to show headcam footage of the attempted Remnant invasion of Asleif, the massacre of the civilians as the tides turn. "This, what they do in the name of the Empire you helped build, that you fought for, Is not war. It is slaughter." Footage from Cyrus headcam on Terezhino when they fought the Remnant begins to play "This was a few months ago. They had set up a mine to mine harmful metals that cloud psychic powers, and were testing them on living beings." Images of the cells appear, and the starved and brutalised prisoners "The UNW fights to bring peace and prosperity back to the universe, to stop things like this. And I'd like it if we could help you to, you have no disasters here, but that does not mean that we cannot benefit each other, but in order to do that. You have to accept that the Empire you were once proud citizens of, is gone as you know it. Old wars are done, but it's time for a new force to rise out of the ashes of the old, out of the disasters that have been seen in these places. That force is the UNW."

He remains impassive, almost dismissive until the section of the tape that shows Terezinho. "I know that atoll. They'd said they'd be digging there, we never questioned it. It was their purview as our overlord. What happened there?"

"They took psychic captives from other worlds, as well I'm sure from this one, and made them dig for a metal substance that chokes psychic powers. They tortured and experimented on them there, made them into these." He flips to images of both the surgery table and the cyborg monsters they fought in the mine. "Myself and the company I work for attacked the facility, neutralized the project and then destroyed the facility. At the time we didn't know what else was going on here."

"This is all very convincing, but I need a little bit more. If this truly happened on my world there should be some ruins, right?"

"There should... But we destroyed it from orbit. So... We could go look."

"Something like that should have left some after-effects on the area. Lets's do that. Let's take a look"

"I'm okay with that, anything I can do to assure you what I say is the truth"

10:47 AM

"Would you like to take my ship or one of your own?"

"It would be several days by ocean vessel. You've risked much personally to try to bring this information to us. I trust you enough to allow myself to be taken by one of your ships"

Cyrus nods "It'd be an honour. If you would follow me." Cyrus takes him to the ship when he's ready. Nemesis is on the back ramp waiting for Cyrus. "Don't mind Nemesis, She's protective, and curious."

the cat purrs as you approach the ship, rubbing itself against your leg before slinking back to your chambers. The rest of your delegation climbs aboard

"Lars, take us away Brother." Cyrus stands on the bridge with the delegation "You may wish to brace yourselves."

Lars takes the craft up, over the northern ocean to the site of the former Remnant facility on planet. The landmass is gone now, bombarded and broken apart from orbit

"Like I said, we didn't think about leaving traces."

12:09 PM

"We might have some suits that can stand going down there if you want to take a look under the waves?"

"Well, there was a landmass here, and now there isnt. I will use my own divers, but I've seen enough to be convinced for now"

"I want you to know Sir, that we are not here to give you an ultimatum, but merely to educate and inform. The UNW and more specifically the company I work for Task Force Phoenix wants to build relations with Terezhino. We like trade, and we want to help anyway we can, so that one day we may be more than just interstellar neighbors." (edited)

"This has given me much to think about. I'd need to speak with more representatives before pledging anything official, but the city is open to you, and your kind.

"I'm honoured, and thankful for your understanding. I hope this is the start of a bountiful relationship. We both have much to learn from each other."

1:29 PM

"What can you tell me about the race of Simians on the planet?"

"They keep to themselves if not bothered. There used to be more, on other isles, but the tides change often, islands emerge and are swallowed up all the time. They seem to have all migrated to that large land mass in time, swimming as their own homes were submerged and not going back"

"Interesting, they guard a facility made by a race called the Slyth I planned to go and try explore it. Do you know if they can be communicated with?"

"We've tried a few different things over the years but they've never seemed receptive to it"

6:29 PM

"We had one using sign language for a short while but his fellows beat him to death"

"Hmm, I may have to leave it for now, there might be something I can find to make them capable of understanding speech. I don't know, technology is vast."

"If you can truly do the things your UNW says it can, you may just yet be the one"

"Indeed, in the mean time. Is there anything I and my warriors can do for you?"

“Not specifically no. Feel free to enjoy the city. Just keep in mind as honored guests the laws do still apply to you here”

"I will do, thank you. Anything we should know? customs and the like that we might not know."

“The temple is a holy site. So respect that. Please. Otherwise it’s what you’d normally expect. Don’t steal, kill, disturb the peace”

Cyrus nods "No problems there! I'm gonna give you a comm system for our network so that if you have any issues or need to get hold of us you can, it's instant comms for anything in spike three range which you are of Gudrun."

He seems impressed by the fact that it’s instant.

"The company I work for the TFP, are currently setting up an outpost in New Astria as well. At the moment there aren't many of them but the number will grow as we hope to turn it into a thriving city once again. If you have any of your subjects who are looking for work or a place to live after the bombardments then feel free to send them that way. Once we have a force on planet as well we'll be available to help out if you are ever in need of a quick reaction force."

“This feels an awful lot like the last group that came here. Suddenly you’re establishing outposts and garrisons. Are you going to bombard us for Non compliance too?”

"I can understand your hesitance but we don't do that. We are here to help not enslave your people. Trying to rebuild a city that was destroyed by the very people you are comparing us with."

(They left because of the Remnant and then Malak threatened to bombard another city because they wouldn’t let him into the temple)

8:48 AM

(And Malak wanted to make a base here for his mercs. That was their last true experience with you guys)

(I see) "Ah and Malak, well he's no longer an issue, once the UNW got wind of his activities he was arrested and is still awaiting trial." Cyrus pauses "The UNW has a body of Marshals that it calls upon if ever that kind of thing happens I'll give you their channel, as insurance, if we ever overstep or threaten you which I can assure you we wont, call them and they will handle it to all due process of the law."

“That’s. That’s better. I think I could live with that.”

"I can't make you trust us, nor do I want to, we both know that trust is earned. And so it will take time before we are both truly comfortable. But I hope I've made the right impression. If you are ever in need, don't hesitate to call us or the UNW. Help will always come." Cyrus finishes as they make it back to New Antioch. "Me and my warriors are going to head off now, but I'm sure we'll meet again Sir, before you go could you tell me your title. I've been calling you Sir out of respect for your military service, but otherwise I don't know how to address you? Lord, King, President?"

“Mayor is fine. That’s essentially what I am”

"That's fine by me Mayor. It was an honour to meet you, and I hope this is the start of a fruitful and long relationship between your people, and mine."

9:37 AM

Cyrus salutes him before extending an arm out for him to take

He grabs it by the wrist in a warriors shake

Cyrus smiles as he does shaking it before releasing and watching the delegation leave by the ramp. He turns to Scmander and Korkova "I think that went well."

"I think so too" Korkova says, as the ramp closes. "As good as it was going to. We had some damage control to do from last time"

10:24 AM

he spits "wasn't even us:

"We're a clean up crew at heart. I'm gonna go comm the Boss." Cyrus says as he goes to his room, sitting on his bed. He whistles Nem as he walks in "Hey girl!"

The cat bounds into the room, rubbing against your leg before curling up under the bed

Cyrus ruffles her ears "How you finding space?" He asks as he pulls up his computer in the room.

"Its too quiet" the creature complains

"When do we set foot on another world?" it asks from under the bed

"Hmm, well...We are going to a night world next. Asleif" Cyrus says as he sends a comm off and receives one. "There are some ruins there, and we are going to take a look at them but before that I'm going to check in with someone we've helped there."

3:05 PM

"It's another two days in space to get there. But I'll take you for a walk when we do how does that sound?"

"Yes. Please. A long one"

Cyrus chuckles and lays down on the bed as they take off putting his hand down to stroke her "Of course."

(these were the undersea ruins on Aslief? Just triyng to make sure I've got the right stuff ready)

(mhm)

3:17 PM

(But it's also just a general check in)

(cool beans(

3:20 PM

The ship exits outside Aslief system space a day later. A shipyard, Ad-Astra advertisements on the construction visible, is slowly coming together

Cyrus sits in the Captains chair on the deck "Wow, things are really starting to shape up."

"Bring us in, let them know it's us so we don't get shot down." He says with a slight chuckle

You’re landed outside praxia where the task force and ad astra both have a substantial holding. Commander Cole is absent but her adjutant is there instead

Cyrus walks out in fatigues with his myrmidons, some of them from Asleif, Nemesis is by his side. "Hello there Friend." He greets the adjutant as he walks down the ramp

“Greetings Cyrus of task force Phoenix. Welcome honored guest”

Cyrus walks down the ramp and claps the representative on the shoulder "Please, no need to be so formal."

6:43 PM

"Where's the Commander?"

“Working down south, trying to meet with the leader of cove neck to reform the planetary council”

"That's a sound plan, planetary unity is something we should all strive for."

7:11 PM

"I was hoping to spend a few day here, R&R. After that I was going to take a look at some ruins that were surveyed in your ocean. Is that okay?"

“Of course. Your task force has privileges here. That’s one of them. It would be proper to catalog what you find with planetary admin before leaving.”

"Of course, it's under water so it's going to take me a few days to figure out exactly how to do it. I've got to say, never really done a dive like this."

7:33 PM

"How's rebuilding going?"

“Only harmony needs attention. Cove neck is coming back. The other cities are recovering too. We just need a way to scrub that radiation cleanl

"I'll bring it up to some people that might be able to help. See what the UNW can do to help."

Cyrus pats the assistant on the shoulder before letting his Myrmidons go on leave "Remember, we are guests here. I don't want to hear about you fighting, stealing or in any other way making a foul of yourselves. You've got the weekend, feel free to sleep at the ship and whatever else."

They all break off into smaller groups, and make plans for some leave. The planet is still a bit devoid of culture, but you heard a few talking about doing some hunting

(I imagine some of them that have family here still are going to see them) Cyrus walks off with Nemesis towards the TFP base on planet.

Elizabeth is gone, her duties taking her to Terezinho to assist with rebuilding the abandoned city, but the base is garrisoned by a light crew

Cyrus pops in and says hello before taking a light vehicle (Like a 4x4) getting Nem to sit on the passenger seat "We are going hunting Nem!"

Nem roars, and you can sense her delight in finally getting set loose to hunt

Cyrus chuckles and scratches her behind the ears as he starts to drive towards where he last saw the varghouls

The drive is about 5 hours from Praxia, short compared to how long its taken you to go elsewhere. You recognize the rock spires that mark the edge of where you'd encountered the first you killed.

Cyrus stops the car near where they had contact and gets out taking a sniper rifle as well as his normal assault rifle but putting it on his back "Come on girl, let's go for a walk."

The tufts of bioluminestent ferns are pressed down in a few areas, showing something heavy was recently bedding nearby

"Now we track them" He whispers as he bends down trying to find the freshest tracks to follow

(Survive/ wis)

(9)

Cyrus finds some of the claw drag tracks the ghouls are known for. It looks like a trio of them must have dragged some unfortunate traveler off the trail judging by the bloody boot and long drag marks you find

2:46 PM

The blood leaves a coppery reek in the air your enhanced senses can follow

Cyrus signals Nem to follow him as he begins to move forward slowly and low to the ground, his sniper rifle raised.

There is a sickening crunching sound on the wind, your keen hearing picking it out300m due northeast of you

Cyrus circles around, looking for high ground to get a vantage point in order to set up a shot.

A small hill sits to the east, giving you a look down into the clearing

Cyrus keeps Nemesis close as they both stalk up the hill, he lays down on the top setting up his rifle quietly looking down on the clearing.

Three ghouls have a very dead traveler splayed open and are feasting on him. He is wearing traveling clothes and was carrying a rifle, that was dragged with him, laying 10 feet away from the body on a strap that finally tore

Cyrus sets up on one of the creatures, regulating his breathing he pauses. Then squeezes the trigger. (Execution attack: 9)

One of them lets out a high pitched howl as the round blows out its brain pan. It jerks violently in a sick immitation of life, before toppling forward, spread eagled over the traveler's body. The other two shriek, running full speed in your direction, sniffing the air to get a scent of you

4:21 PM

(initiative)

4:22 PM

(well, you're going first but for nemesis and the ghouls its important)

(Nem got 2)

4:25 PM

(So it's Cyrus, Ghouls, Nem)

4:27 PM

Cyrus moves to a kneeling position from laying as he switches to his Myrmidon Rifle firing at one of the ghouls as they close (23/21)

The shots tear through its loose scale, and ruined ligament, it continues bounding forward. Both of them let loose some type of bone spike from a crest on their forearm

"Here we go again!" He shouts as he sees the spike being fired at him

(I'll roll in a min, getting some stuff ready for godbound tonight)

One of the spurs hits, embedding itself in your arm (24/3)

Cyrus reels back a little as it hits cursing under his breath, as he does Nemesis bounds forward to meet the Ghouls leaping at the injured beast attempting to claw into it. (Oof, 8 don't think that hits) At the same time, as the other wheels to attack Nemesis from the side Cyrus fires at it. (The uninjured one 34/21) (edited)

(8 does not no)

5:11 PM

The ghoul charging for you clatters into you with a bang of bone on steel

5:12 PM

(24/10 on you). The ghoul on nemesis passes through, unable to get the beast below its claws

Nemesis attempts to jump on the ghouls back as hit moves past her, digging in with her claws (19/2)

5:15 PM

(Also forgot to add my authority bonus to the first one but it still wouldn't have hit)

Cyrus is pushed into a tree by the beast but attempts to fire at it as it rears back to charge again (IDK if this is at a -4 for melee or not 33/25 without -4)

(it is but its enough to hit anyway) The ghoul is clubbed by the short range hip shot, and falls dead, back of its neck blown off

6:16 PM

Nemeis for her part, neatly decapitates the third and final with the sweep of a shadowy claw

Cyrus slumps down against a nearby tree clutching his shoulder where the ghoul smashed into him, he feels the dislocated joint before rotating his arm, pulling it down and then up, with a sickening pop as it goes back into place. "Fuck!"

"I miss this sometimes, less the wounds, but the hunt."

6:46 PM

"What do you think of this place?"

Nemesis is pawing at one of the bodies, ensuring it is down

6:51 PM

"Its quiet here. A different quiet. Good for hunting"

"Yeah, the earth here doesn't buzz. It's tranquil." Cyrus says getting to his feet seeing what there is to take from the beasts.

6:52 PM

(Like trophy or anything that we might be able to use for RP)

(they have long pointed teeth, they have claws

7:03 PM

they have scaled hide

(I'm gonna Red dead this up and butcher one of these things) Cyrus takes out a knife walking over to the creature he killed cleanly and begins skinning it, and removing it's teeth and claws. If it has meat he takes some, not sure if it will taste any good.

It has a stringy, tough meat that looks lean enough to allow power. It smells a bit like sour milk

"Nevermind!" Cyrus throws the meat over his shoulder.

It might be too foul for you, but Nemesis leaps and catches it in the air, landing, and chewing wetly

"Never a waste." He says as he prizes some of the teeth out

They give you a bit of a run for your money, but do come out

Cyrus takes a closer look at the projectile spines

theyre long, and barbed, each about as long as a dirk

Cyrus pulls one out looking at the biology behind how they are fired

There is a membrane under the skin that seems to contract like a muscle, using tension and release to fire it

"Huh, that's very interesting." Cyrus stands with his take from the beast. "Well I think that's us, let's go find a place to camp for the night."

7:55 AM

Cyrus heads back to the vehicle putting the hide, teeth and claws in the back before getting in and driving a little further to find a safer place to camp.

The drive is about twenty minutes before you find a rock overhang that will keep you safe from above and behind

Cyrus gets out with Nem along with taking his pack and walking under the rocks, unpacking a sleeping bag. He builds a small fire and sets it alight

8:36 AM

He heats up a ration pack and gives some salted meat to Nemesis before settling down for the night.

Night cycle, on aslief just a deeper darkness, passes without further trouble

Cyrus wakes in the morning and heads back to Praxia

9:32 AM

He returns the vehicle to the TFP pool on the planet and heads back to ship using the computer to bring up what they know about the underwater ruins

The ruins were once an off shore habitation dome. A once in a lifetime storm struck it with great magnitude, flooding lower levels as a storm shunt was left open erroneously. Water flooded the arcology, eventually sinking it under its own weight

Cyrus looks further into what it was doing out there, whether it had an intended focus or was just a place for people to live.

It was a place for people to live, they were hoping to use aquaculture to enhance food production, as getting crops to grow on a night world is very difficult

Lastly Cyrus has a look at the capabilities of the armoured vac suits that they have on board to see if they are sea capable.

They’ll survive if not damaged. If the suit is torn the pressure release and cold water may harm the occupant

Cyrus sorts out the gear and chills for the rest of the day, doing general book keeping and checking in with progress on the situation with Bladonna and the TFL.

The diplomatic corps have prepared to meet, and are heading into the city soon. They've been promised protection.

"I can't see that going well..." Cyrus waits for his team to return. So they can start the mission (edited)

1:25 PM

(Oh does this planet have any massive ocean based predators that we should look out for?)

(yes, it has serpents)

(Would our weapons work underwater, I doubt it but it's worth asking)

(projectile)

(Meaning projectile work?)

(yes)

(Nice!)

Leave ends and the team returns, rested and happy to have had some time at home

Cyrus greets them before they set off "Okay people, we are doing something a little out of our wheelhouse today, we are going exploring. There's some ruins of an old off shore hab that we are going to dive for. It'll mean getting suited up in these Armoured Vacc suits, our assault armour is too heavy to swim in. Our weapons will work but try not to use them unless we have to."

Everyone is eager to get going and do some actual exploring, especially offshore. A small fishing boat had been reserved for you

Cyrus and his warriors depart for the fishing boat then set sail for the ruins

The boat trudges through the calm seas to the moonlit ruin site over the next few hours. A camera probe is sent down, its high beams returning an image

4:28 PM

"Okay people, Lars you and your team will stay up here. My team will be going down with me." (10 people including cyrus, 10 staying in the boat.) Cyrus gears up with an armoured vacc suit and his rifle before diving over the side.

Diving down towards the shattered entry port of the arcology, a map from deep sonar above generates on your pad

4:42 PM

4:43 PM

(Youre entering between 2 and 3, on that bottom engine/port thing, just pretend this is underwater)

Cyrus and his team enter the sunken hab, splitting into two groups of five, one moving right led by Korkova (Towards 2), the other led by Cyrus goes left (Towards 3)

As Cyrus and his team break off they flick on their headlights on their rifles and helmets illuminating the immediate area.

3 looks to be an engine erring space where the original flood occurred. The door controls look to be shorted out, the time underwater doing nothing to hide the evidence of electrical fire

6:09 PM

A hangar door is on the north end of the room

Cyrus takes his time searching the room for anything of note comming Korkova as he does "How's things your end? We've got some kind of engineering room."

“Same as you. Looks like door controls on this side too. Shot to hell”

"Shot? That literal?"

“Sorta. Looks like someone unloaded a nail gun into this thing”

"Huh, well that's different. Must have been a sabotage. Keep an eye out, I doubt they'll be around but you never know why they scuttled it." Cyrus and his team move forward to the hangar door.

The hangar door is a segmented series of metal, pressure sealed plates, The submerged nature means the electronic lock has failed , but there is a mechanical wheel lock as a backup

Cyrus directs two of his men to attempt to open it as he and the others post security.

They bend their backs to the task, spinning the large flywheel open. A cascade of bubbles flows out of the opening door, the grind and whine of protest is uncomfortable to listen to even under water. Helmet lights click on automatically, adjusting to the darkness beyond

(Is it also filled with water?)

(yes)

8:02 AM

Inside the hangar room, two speedboat type vehicles sit wrapped tightly in covers. Tools, and various automotive chemical cans are neatly stacked in their assigned spaces, seemingly undisturbed by the descent of the arcology into the depths.

Cyrus and the team filter through the room searching for anything of value or interest. Cyrus uncovers one of the boats

The boat is a compact hydrofoil like design, with modular fittings for weapons, tools, cranes, anything that might be needed

(Postech?)

(Pre-tech. not psychic or anything like that but its construction is a lot cleaner than what people make now)

(Nice!) Cyrus checks it seeing how much damage has been done to it through water and time.

It needs some love, putting it simply, but nothing looks beyond repair

"We need to get these out of here when we go. Anyone find anything else?"

Nekosmash 2/11/2019 9:09 AM

"Have some parts over here" Korkova's team returns from section 2 "Nothing exotic, but useful"

"We'll put it in floats on the way out. For now crack on to the next section" Cyrus and his team move forward into the next room

(so moving from 4 into 6?)

(Yeah)

Area 6 looks to be thw actual living areas, some of them at least, and the officers/notable citizens have sprawling apartment complexes here. They are a handful of rooms each, if not more- a luxury in an area with limiited space like this

"Alright people take a look around, these people aren't living anymore so they don't need their stuff." Cyrus begins going through the biggest of the rooms.

The furnature has handled being underwater with relative gusto. The wood, clearly fake, is a bit flaked, but nothing a skilled craftsman cant repair. Fabric on the other hand, is ruined. One of the divers opens a plastek globe, revealing a fully stocked bar inside

11:14 AM

you see him pump his fists in celebration

"Don't start drinking on the job." Cyrus chuckles through the comms before moving on "Has anyone found anything intel wise as to what went down on this place?"

"I tihnk maybe I did" Korkova radios back after a couple moments, the only sound in between the measured breathing of respiration systems. "Got a sealed hard drive here"

"Bag it. I don't think we can read it down here"

He taps the comm bead twice, signaling he heard you and is complying

"Let's move on and link up." Cyrus and his team move up to the next section (5)

5 is a central access terminus, doubling as a mess hall. Remains of tables, and kitchen supplies float in the dark water.

Cyrus and his squad move swiftly through there into the next section (8)

At the north end of 5, there is a locked door, marked REACTOR/LAB

2:14 PM

like before, the water has shorted out the keypad

Cyrus takes out a scanner scanning the door for radiation.

There is a small amount of contamination

"Watch your suit readings, it's hot. Crack it open." He says, directing two of his warriors to open in manually.

With a pair of prybars, they slowly begin cracking the door open, and the readings slowly go up

"Fuck, I wonder how bad this is gonna be if we open it, hang on a second guys let me get some estimates." Cyrus comms up to Lars on the deck of the ship "Hey Lars, can you run a projection for this reactor if it's got a radiation leak, what it might do to the water, and us?"

“You’ve got about half an hour once you crank it open. The water within two miles is going to be totally contaminated if that’s wrenched open all the way”

8:43 PM

“Hey boss. Crazy idea”

8:43 PM

“What if we call Sampson squadron to lift this thing and we explore it in space”

"Sounds like a good idea, call it in we'll bug out for now and head back to the ship and go up to meet them."

Cyrus and his team move out attempting to lock everything down as much as they can before leaving so that it isn't damaged in transit.

It takes a day for Sampson squadron to arrive, and the spike tugs begin the long process of raising the sunken arcology. The work is done carefully, incrementally rising so the crushing weight of the water does not flatten any existing sections

7:24 AM

Trailing waterfalls, kelp, and raining fish, the arcology is dragged into space by evening of the second day (edited)

Cyrus and his men watch the ascension from the comfort of the command deck on the Trojan horse. They suit up once again this time in their assault suits now that weight isn't an issue and they are rated for high radiation. Lars gets them as close as he can to docking with the old hab before they make a small space jump to the wreckage from the cargo hold. Going back to the door and opening it.

(I'd have another team move the hyper boats into the ship at the same time if I can or rather before we open the door)

The radiation level rises quickly, if you were in your regular suits, you'

8:34 AM

d have been fried already. The reactor is breached, and leaking, somehow it did not explode, likely the reaction kept cool by the surrounding water. It is no longer a problem

"Fuck!" Cyrus turns to his engineers "Can you stop the meltdown?"

"It's not going to explode, the reaction just has to run its course. Everything we bring back will need to be decontaminated though"

"Roger that, you two stay in here, keep an eye on it. Bug out if it gets too hot. And pull all the data from engineering if you can." Cyrus moves with the remainder of his squad to search the last section (Section 10)* (edited)

Korkova moves off to 8, securing the seaside hangar, where two fighters. preserved in a pressurized room from the elements, have been stored. They'll need to be armed, right now they're fitted with cameras, a research type variant. 10 is a conference and state room, where waterlogged books, and datapads are stored

Cyrus takes the datapads to see if they can be salvaged before making his way to Korkova. "Okay sweep this place and get it everything we marked, then we'll be out of here."

(300 rp, 6xp, 15,000 credits)

(Nice! was it 2 pretech fighter plane and 2 pretech boats?)

(its the fighter-bomber hull from imago dei book, whch i can send if needed)

12:53 PM

(and yeah, 2 pretech hydrofoils)

(I'll look into them, also cool!)

12:56 PM

Cyrus stores everything and sends a thank you message to Commander Cole for allowing the TFP to research ruins on her Planet. He also asks to be kept in the loop on how things are going with unification. Then he makes his way back to Gudrun. Dropping off everything at the TFP base and sending the research to the UNW labs. He also gives them the skin, claws and all but one of the teeth from the Asleif Ghoul that he harvested.

Cyrus also checks in with Mac at the TFP barracks

(oh wow we got another vote coming up)

1:45 PM

Commander cole is slowly coming to an agreement with the other city heads, but those in Cove Neck have been especially against the idea of military leadership, and she seems unwilling to step down

1:45 PM

Right now, its a series of political duels with one another, violence does not seem immanent

Cyrus assures the Commander that she has the support of the TFP and that if she needs any help that he'll be there. Besides that Cyrus also says he'll try to make it back to the planet soon, though things are a little hectic.

She's pleased to hear it, and hopes you found what you needed in the arcology

"I did, thank you Commander, I hope it all goes well. I'll see you soon hopefully." He signs off before leaving Asleif's orbit and heading back to Gudrun.

Cyrus heads to go see Mac when he's back planetside. "Hey Brother! How's the leg growing!"

"Dr Sieg went ahead and did it for me, another few days and I'll be fit for fight sir"

3:02 PM

right now it looks a bit like a baby leg

"Well, I've got some less than good news for you Mac. You're gonna be training the squad of Taros we got from Vapormills, the ones that are yet to be fit for Myrmidon armour. I need you to whip them into shape. And you are the only one I trust to do it, besides, you need to get fully fit again after it grows back."

"Its still good news friend, thanks for getting me back in the mix:

Cyrus nods "I'm glad you're happy with it. Once your leg is back you can start getting the recruits ready. It might take you a while, but they'll be worth it. I plan on maybe getting a few more squads in as well, making this up to company strength but I don't know just yet, I'm gonna need a bigger ship. Or two."

7:26 PM

"Either way, soon enough you'll be running your own squad."

He sits back and breathes out , surprised by the news. “I’ll do what I can with them.”

"Okay Mac, take care, And turn those recruits into Warriors. I'm gonna head off to check something out in deep space. Keep me updated with how their training goes." Cyrus pats a hand on his shoulder and nods. "Stay healthy Brother."

Cyrus leaves calling up Franz as he rides back to the ship on his hoverbike.

Franz answers, the line is garbled, but you're able to hear him

"Hey Franz it's Cyrus, where are you Friend the line is shocking."

"Aslief, trying to get a planetary council together"

"Oh! We must have just missed each other. Cole told me about that, I'm sure it's a nightmare. So, I've got an idea but I need some clearance to use some of the UNW space craft. Shouldn't be anything hostile. The TFP probes found a small derelict looking fleet out in dead space around 0502, but my ship alone wont be enough if anything goes down or even if we need to help someone."

"I can offer the battleship, but none of the escorts with her"

"That's great! Like I said, it shouldn't come to blows but it's just in case."

7:56 AM

"Also, I heard the Red Sangha were back on planet. Have they got a leader? General? Someone I could talk to officially?"

"Abbot Hinley is leading them, he's aboard their vessel, but I think the entire troop compliment is being seconded to provide security for the meeting with Bladonna"

"That's fine, I don't need them now. It's more for future reference, I'm looking into possible training packages and stuff for the core TFP troops. What's the deal with this meeting in Bladonna? You think it's a trap?"

"I'm not sure, Marcion, of the marshal service, is out there now looking things over. If it is one, I trust him to turn the tables"

"Let me know how it goes, if it is a trap and I'm still in the area I'll drop in with my guys if it's needed. Other than that I think we're good Franz, good luck on Asleif."

Cyrus rides back to the ship after a day, calling his men back in. While he waits he makes sure his armour and weapons are all in order.

Everything remains in good repair, and ready for the next adventure

After everyone arrives the ship lifts off docking at the Cloud, Cyrus disembarks going to the shipyard.

A new vessel is in berth when you return , a horribly mauled expedition ship. Medical and engineering teams are already swarming it, saving the parts and people they can. The lone star, and arrogate hover closeby, protecting the workers

"Wow, what the fuck is going on here?" Cyrus says stopping a security officer that's watching over the event.

"Marshals found a ship with the last survivors from Elkano, they got away under flesshaper fire, barely

9:46 AM

"Electrical system fried as they jumped, and it stranded them off course"

"How many?"

"Five thousand aboard, minus a handful"

"Gods, that's a fair few. Best of luck Friend."

"Safe travels friend" the officer bids, watching you walk past

Cyrus makes his way to the Travedi office used for commissioning ships.

The company steward, Martin, still works in the cloud, doing both his duties here, and helping Charles adjust to his new role as governor of miriam

"Hey there Friend!" Cyrus says as he comes to stand at the desk. "Name's Cyrus Adonis, I was wondering if you could put an order in for me?"

"sure, what did you have in mind?"

"A heavy Frigate. Just the hull for now, I've got someone working on the plans for what's going inside it but I'd like to get started"

"I'll get to laying the keel then. Payment?"

"All here." Cyrus Transfers the 7m on the spot "Obviously after I know what fittings and such will be done, more money will come."

(If it's still at the same level as it was before I think it does like 50k's worth of building a day so that'd be 140 days for just the hull)

(its 100k now, i have to post that,t hank you)

(No worries, so that's 70 days for the hull.)

(yeah, the next endeavor might be to boost it again, ill figure that out)

(I'm in no rush for it, just want to get it started. Will have to mark it down.)

(the keel will be done in 2 game months lets call it, just for sanity sake, so two more news posts)

(Okay, that's great. Gives me time to figure out what to do with the insides haha)

We found her! She is alive! My little sister is alive! I can't wait for you to meet Nova

Cyrus gets the message and replies before nodding to Martin. "Thanks for the help, you might be hearing from Seung too, I know he's looking at potential troop transport. Keep me up to date on the progress through messages." Cyrus looks a little excited at the prospect of having a new ship.

He goes back to the ship, sitting in the command chair on the bridge he comms over to the captain of the Battleship Vox Finalis.

The captain is aboard, getting things ready for the intake of personnel, no doubt already seeing the deployment order from Franz

"Okay People, let's get this going. Lars, chart a course for sector 0502." Cyrus says on the open comm between the two ships. "Follow us through at your leisure Vox Finalis."

The captain clicks the mic twice, and signals he is ready to follow, the both of you jumping in concert, emerging in 0502 a day later. Four, derelict ships float off the starboard side of the two-flight UNW formation

"Korkie! (My new pet name for Korkova) Scan them, Lars bring us about and be ready to make evasive's." Cyrus says as he pulls up his comms to try and hail them

The vessels floating in space seem mostly intact, they are

12:46 PM

a courrier

12:46 PM

a mining frigate

12:46 PM

a shuttle

12:46 PM

and a large research vessel

"Unknown Derelict vessels, this Commander Cyrus Adonis of the TFP Trojan Horse accompanied by the UNW Vox Finalis. If anyone is out there please respond."

12:48 PM

Cyrus directs the V.F to take up an overwatch position so they can cover Cyrus' ship going in.

There is no reply to comms. No signals at all, and hardly any power seems to be coming out of them

"Lars, take us in to the Research ship, we'll start there."

12:49 PM

"Korkova, anything odd apart from the lack of power showing up on scans?"

"Well, the research vessel looks totally intact. Power and life support are both on, but no life signs"

"Okay dock us, let's go get suited up. I'll take my squad on there leave the scouts here as a QRF if anything goes down and Lars you have the Bridge with your guys while I'm gone. I'll swap out Anna for Alex though, he might be needed." Cyrus says as he stands and starts walking to the armoury as warriors start running around the ship grabbing weapons and getting into armour. After getting into his armour he goes to the docking bay with his men.

The ship couples together with the research vessel and the green light chimes on showing there is an air tight seal. Your airlock is opened to reveal theirs

"Can we cycle it open from here or are we gonna have to cut our way in?"

“Power is on. We can cycle it. Cover me” the comms officer says

"Go for it." Cyrus says as the corridor full of warriors takes up firing positions 'A New Hope' style

The airlock cycles open to reveal a pristine, and perfectly lit space beyond inside the research vessel

"Move in." Cyrus says moving through the airlock with the squad.

They emerge into the research vessels side airlock. The bridge and science deck appear to be at the bow and the engineering section at the stern. Amazingly, the ship status panel on the wall shows everything to be working

"Okay, Korkova. Take Ivan and three others, go down to engineering secure it. Don't shoot anyone if there is anyone here. Give me a full diagnostic when you get there. The rest of you are with me. We are headed for the bridge." Cyrus moves with his fire team towards the bridge, clearing rooms as they go.

The ship appears empty, as though it had never been inhabited. Stocks are jammed to totally full, no experiments have been started, there is even still factory pressed plastic sheeting on most of the computers still. One thing you do notice, however, are pairs of boots, neat, polished, brand new, standing where crewmen would have stood had the ship been staffed.

"This is some freaky shit, Vox are you seeing this?" Cyrus says through the comm knowing that the footage is getting streamed to their monitors.

"Yeah, everything's coming in clearly. Are those....are those boots?"

"Yeah, where people should be stood...This is some horror story shit. Alex! Your precog telling you anything?" He asks turning to Alex Foros

'I'm not sensing anything directly endangering us. I'll get a flash if I'm about to do something ill advised"

"Good to know." Cyrus bends down picking up a boot

The boot smells a bit like burned cinnamon , but otherwise looks so fresh its almost off the shelf

Cyrus puts it in a sample container "Smells burnt"

8:50 AM

"Pull their files see when the last log was."

They get to work, itll be a few moments before the data is found

"Pull all the research files as well if there are any. I want to know what they might have fucked with."

"Vox is it possible for you to send teams to board the other two ships? I think we may have a pattern here."

"We can do one" the captain says back "I don't want to maroon anyone on a vessel if this ends up getting strange"

10:00 AM

(he doesnt want to disconnect from one, dock with another, and then group A has problems and cant retreat)

(Yeah)

10:01 AM

"Sounds good." Cyrus turns to his group "Sweep the ship, split into pairs."

the vessel is searched, and it appears it is brand new. The computers have no home port logged in them, no destination, no data, and no crew registry

10:30 AM

it even has the showroom fresh smell.

"Lars can you get a hold of the Psy Academy on Gudrun"

"What do you want me to tell them?" you hear the creak of his chair as he gets up to head to the comm station back on your ship

"Are we in range for instant comms?"

"Yes, we are. I just need to know what I'm relaying

"I have no idea... The images and tell them what we've found or rather what we haven't."

11:17 AM

"I have a feeling this is scream related and I want their opinion on it."

"Very good "stand by

11:21 AM

Docking with the courier, the Vox finalis scouts enter. There are records, everywhere. The crew were census takers, and seem to have starved to death. There is a completely full galley of good, and it seems the crew was weighed and measured daily.

"This is some really fucked up stuff. Okay I want a 5 man holding team on this ship we are going to the mining ship." Cyrus leaves Korkova's squad on the research ship to lock it down before returning to the ship and waiting to hear from the Psy Academy

Crane and Dr. Ahn are trying to reach out to Siegfried, Renda, and some of the others, to get more opinions, information from them will hopefully be arriving soon

"Okay lets go to the mining vessel. See what freakiness is going on there. We are leaving Korkie and his team on the Research Vessel."

The mining vessel is without power, and even from the outside you can see that the spike drive has failed. there is a detonation on the side of the ship where raw MES energy must have bathed the entire fleet

12:04 PM

"Powers out on the airlock"

"Cut it open." Cyrus says rather coldly

"I'm starting to think this was an MES thing, but the starvation has thrown me."

there is a rasp as whining saw blades bite deep into the metal

2:17 PM

and the mining vessel is opened, and dead crew are everywhere, also starved to death. The crew are wearing cult looking regalia, an amber icon of a mouth of sharp teeth is worn on each of their uniforms somewhere

"Oh, okay... This got even more interesting. Spread out and search the place." Cyrus says as he bends down to one of the corpses scanning the symbol with his suit sensors trying to find a match in the UNW database.

One thing you can tell right away, is it is not Still Lady. Her followers wear her symbol just as proudly, and this is not it

"This is really odd, have we got a time on when these people died? How has the science ship still got power?"

"Eternal reactor" Korkova says "I was on a Troy-Class with one once"

1

2:29 PM

"It was great, we had hot showers forever"

"Good to know. Alex, you got an estimated time of death?"

"fuck me....20 months, give or take a day or two:

2:31 PM

"Bodies are in good condition though, probably the thin air"

2:31 PM

(coincides exactly with the time of the scream)

"Ah shit, that makes sense, this is a scream thing."

2:34 PM

"Can we check this for any signs of MES leftover juice? I'm no expert in psychics."

(Alex can)

2:45 PM

"It was MES" alex says "but it's not strong now. I think the cascade from the spike drive on that courrier killed them all"

"How is it that these one's look like they staved and they others on the science ship have just disappeared?" (edited)

2:46 PM

"And why were they all out here together?"

"I'm not sure" he says "I know on Aslief, after it happened, a lot of even just regular people went kinda manic"

"Hmm, so maybe these lot went mad?"

2:49 PM

"Fucked If I know... But these people look very culty"

"They could have. This might have been something happening after"

2:55 PM

"Lets check for logs"

"Good idea Alex. Let's go take a look." Cyrus clears the bridge

"Have we got any power or is this place fried?"

"This one's a hulk sir, but there are 200 tons of ingots in the hold"

3:27 PM

"We can jettison it manually if you like"

"Okay people, listen in. We're gonna clean up this mess, I want these bodies bagged and tagged for thorough inspection by the science and med teams back on Gudrun. All the data that can be taken from these ships, is to be taken from these ships. Temporary crews to take the Research Vessel and the Courier (If it can) back to Gudrun. The cargo from this ship (The mining vessel) is to be transferred to the Vox and then we are gonna leave this hulk here for salvage later. Sound good?"

)there’s one ship left and the drive on the courtier is out. Only one that can spike is the science vessel(

(Ah I see, is there anything on the Courier of interest cargo wise?)

(No the thing there was just the super creepy census taking. If this was a longer term survival adventure the rations would be useful but you’ll be home soon)

(Then we'll just take the data and dead from that one too before leaving it derelict for later salvage)

(We had the courier, the mining Frigate the research vessel and the shuttle)

5:22 PM

(I think we just have the shuttle left)

(Oh I forgot all about the shuttle)

At first glance the shuttle looks fine but it’s only when a pioneer looking for an entry point heads underneath he sees the belly has been blown out by some kind of explosive decompression. It faces the MES cascade from the stricken sister vessel. Bodies are absent here though there are a few assembled but empty space suits

5:25 PM

50 tons of post tech building material (it’s got the compact tag for this particular kind so it fits aboard) sits in storage which seems to dominate most of the ship. This was perhaps some kind of light fleet tender vessel

Cyrus has the cargo taken from the shuttle and mining ship. He has the data taken from the ships logs and then loads the dead onto the Vox to be taken back. Korova and his team pilot the Research vessel back. Leaving the three ships to be salvaged at a later date.

(3xp, 5000 credits. The colony is out of budget points so it can’t support the research ship. I’d suggest maybe a task force discussion about what you’d like to do)

(Yeah I'll have a chat about it at the least we can sell it.)

7:59 PM

Cyrus pulls into the dock at the cloud. He spends a couple of minutes alone in his room before he calls Franz

Franz picks up almost right away. The connection is still poor but it’s workable

"Hey Franz, Cyrus again. I guess the Captain of the Vox has already told you but I'll let you know anyway. That deep space mission was freaky, four ships, no crew all either dead or just gone... We checked the logs and the last time they were active was just prior to the scream and by the looks of the explosions it was definitely MES related."

"Makes a person wonder how much more is out there. I'm sure that's far from the only incident we will come across. What are your plans for the discoveries? "

"I'll keep hold of the Research ship, for the TFP, might give it to Billy once I've looked through its systems" (Don't know its stats yet) "The bodies can be helpful in med research I think so I was gonna give them to the research center then they can bury them after. Maybe even make a memorial to the unknown. As for the Cargo, It might be helpful for our operations on Terezhino."

7:52 AM

(I cant remember if I pitched this already do if I did void what I'm about to say) "I think it might be a good idea to broadcast a call from the FTL beacon on the station, that way anyone stuck in deep space within a certain distance will hear it."

(thats happening already, thats why desmond found the exodus ship from Elkano kinda close to home)

7:55 AM

(they were trying to get to Gudrun and the damage they sustained spiking away from Elkano knocked them off course)

(Cruiser Hull, spike 3, advanced lab, advanced nav computer, survey sensor array, and there rest is empty, its really brand spankin new)

(And eternal generator mod right?)

(yeah)

8:31 AM

(eternal reactor)

(Smooth Definitely taking it then)

8:48 AM

"There was some cult looking people on the ship too, nothing in our database about them but I'll see what the data has to say."

"Ah yes the obsession with measuring, some of that data has trickled in already. Maybe some kind of ritual act?"

"No idea, from what I could see they got fried like the rest of them but who knows. As long as they don't come back I'm fine with not knowing for now."

"True. I can dispatch Sampson Squadron to bring the wrecks home for recycling, if you like"

"Yeah, that'd be cool But I'll donate the wrecks to the colony fund."

"It will be remembered. thanks Cyrus. Are you on your way back now?"

"I'm on the cloud just pulled in with the ships. Offloading the bodies and cargo. I think Billy wants to meet up and talk about Acastus. How's things on Aslief?"

"Not good. Cove Neck isn't budging, and we can't really use force, not this close to the Remnant purges and everything after"

"Do you need help, I've got a few weeks until I'm needed on Acastus. And the TFP is on good terms with the people of Asleif."

"It couldn't hurt, maybe another voice, one who had more of a hand in liberating the planet, might convince them to form some kind of ruling body"

12:55 PM

(colony was trying to work on the sector unity endeavor for aslief and failed the roll)

"I'm on my way, just let me offload this stuff. I'll be there in about 2 days."

"I don't think the situation will deteriorate any if you take your time" Franz says "when both sides are that bull-headed, they';re just going to be grinding one another down for a long while yet:

"It's more a case of the faster I can help here the sooner I can get to Sumati and help with the TFP forces before going to Acastus with Billy, it's a packed month. But if anyone can help the Commander out I think it might be me. Not to blow my own horn."

"In that case I wish you luck. I'll let you know how the recovery efforts with the rest of those derelicts goes"

"If you are still in Cove Neck when I get there I'll see you."

"I'm going to try to be. I know the Bladonna talks are beginning too. I might get pulled home if Kincaid starts spinning her political web too large"

"No worries, I'll be there soon. Cyrus out." He hands up the line taking another five minutes before stepping out of the room and going back to organising the grim task of getting the bodies offloaded. (Can they be contributed to RP?)

(Figuring our what happened to them is an actual project I’ve got something planned there)

(Okay, that's great.) After everything is offload Cyrus walks back onto the bridge. "We're going back Asleif, seems the Commander is having a few political issues. "

Korkova cocks a shotgun. “Are we cleaning those issues up the normal way?”

"I don't think so, not just yet. I'm gonna make one of those inspiring speeches I make every now and again. If that doesn't solve it then we'll see what Cole wants to do."

5:20 PM

"My idea is that if we do this, then maybe she opens up to the prospect of a TFP recruiting office on Asleif. They've got a lot of angry folk, some of them are on this ship."

(you guys have a compound there already that recruits, are you trying to grow it?)

(More like a new drive)

6:57 PM

(As in recruitment drive)

7:03 PM

(I was thinking about maybe buying propaganda from the Suns of Gold book)

(ah fair enough)

Cyrus sits in the Captains chair "Okay Lars take us away."

Lars plunges the ship into spike space, and emerges over Aslief a day later

"Bring us straight into Cove Neck."

"Korkie, go get squads 1 and 2 in their armour Lars you and the rest of your squad are staying on the ship for now. Just in case we have to make a quick get away."

He nods and begins getting the arrangements made to deploy. Cove Neck seems quiet, and the reception cold when you land. The city had been bombarded by Remnant artillery, the city defense forces eventually winning the battle at the intervention of Seung and Silvano (edited)

The back ramp drops and Cyrus walks out without his helmet on, 14 Myrmidon warriors accompanying him. "Last time I was here we killed some Commando's." He says as he calls Cole's comm.

Cole answers, her signal back in Praxia, the de-facto new capital of the planet

(Oh shit, I thought that the meetings were being held in Cove Neck... rofl) (edited)

(they are, her not being there is a problem) (edited)

(Ah I see!)

8:07 AM

(I can work with that)

8:08 AM

"Commander, I hear your having some real issues with Cove Neck."

"I needed a day to collect my thoughts" she replies "I was not making headway with the government there, and neither was Franz. It seems to me like they want to break away from greater planetary oversight in general, since we failed to protect them"

8:10 AM

"Its, shamefully, a fair argument"

"I see, well I thought I'd come and lend a hand. I've just landed, I can have someone pick you up in no time if you wanted to come down and give this another try."

“I’ll meet you out there. See if you can get the town council together and we can talk when I get there”

"Okay, for now I'll find a place to settle up. Don't really know where to start. where are the people in Cove Neck settled?"

The people of cove neck, those still alive, have largely clung to the ruins, or partial rebuilds of their homes. the city is recovering, slowly, much of it impassible for long periods of time due to debris and fallen buildings. The city now, is free of obstructions, the detrius removed, but the work of rebuilding has only just begun

Cyrus walks into town with his men, their weapons slung on their backs and helmets off. Headed for the center.

The town center was the site of a ferocious war, as Remnant K9 field guns were direct fired into the reinforced stone building. The western wing still has blast damage not yet repaired. The town council seems to be inside, as a steady stream of city- dwellers heads in and out

(Was this also where I took out one of the groups of Rems with Kaleb?)

(that was more northeast, where the prisoner camp used to be)

11:43 AM

(then you yourself came back later and went south to harmony)

(I thought did the harmony lot, then me and Kaleb went up and killed the ones near the camp and then came down here. Cause we disarmed an IED truck and then half blew a building up with mechs until they surrendered) (edited)

(Ah that’s right. You have been here. I forgot that last part)

Cyrus heads to the Government building, or whatever is being used as one.

The government hall has several functionaries running around on various errands, most heading in and out of a main chamber

Cyrus strolls in rather casually in his armour, Korkova and Scmander with him, the rest wait outside.

Scmander is looking appreciatively at the glass ceiling, probably thinking about how much fun it would be to repel through it.

Cyrus chuckles and finds the receptionist. "Excuse me, do you happen to know where I might find the people in charge? My name is Commander Cyrus Adonis of the TFP, I'm apart of Commander Cole's delegation."

"The council is on the top floor, in chambers, but you mayt be permitted entry as a delegated guest"

"Mhm, well I'll wait for Cole to arrive before I make my way up. I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out."

4:51 PM

(Cyrus would've sent Lars in the ship to get Cole with it being faster and all.)

4:52 PM

Cyrus turns to Korkova and Scmander and speaks in somewhat of a hushed tone. "I don't know how this is going to turn out, it might be that we can convince these people and I hope it's like that but we can't afford to come away from this meeting without a unified Asleif."

The meeting chambers have a line of functionaries outside of it, and two guards who stiffen at your approach

(Has the commander arrived yet?)

(She’s on the way. I wasn’t sure if you’d want to meet with the town council first or just do it all together)

(All together)

6:21 PM

Cyrus nods to the guards as he waits outside for the Commander to arrive.

Commander Cole storms up the stairs ten minutes later scattering the functionaries

Cyrus smiles as she marches up falling in behind her with Korkova and Scmander.

she pushes the double doors aside and the town council, a body made of three women and two men all look down in anger at the intrusion

Cyrus moves in behind her. He nods to Korkova and Scmander to take up position on the side of the door.

7:33 PM

(Is this where she shouts 'I am the sentate' ?)

(Well, shes tried by herself before to no avail. Did you want to start or do you want them to?)

7:57 PM

(Even so. They should probably be prompted by some kinda question

Cyrus stops beside the Commander. "I'm sorry if we are late. Seems communication was a little disorganised. My name is Commander Cyrus Adonis leader of the Myrmidons, we are a unit within the TFP. I've heard that there have been some issues concerning Cove Neck's place in tomorrow's Asleif. I've come to help mediate."

“I see. Well we here at cove neck feel no allegiance or loyalty toward aslief as a whole. They did not come to our aid during the invasion”

8:24 PM

“Trapped like rats in a hole, and only greenbriar came to save us.

Cyrus raises an eyebrow. "What's your name?"

Councilor blackleaf

7:31 AM

He smirks. “And you know I’m right”

"No, I think you are blinkered. Rightly upset, but with the wrong people."

7:57 AM

"No, they didn't come to your aid during the invasion. They simply couldn't have, it's not a case of one city or person letting you and your city down, that kind of mindset is why you were in the mess you were in the first place. Asleif as a planet wasn't ready, how could it have been? Against a technologically superior foe with no moral conscience. Commander Cole fought for a defended her people but couldn't go on the offensive without losing her people. Sure, if the TFP and Greenbriar forces had not intervened you would all have been wiped out. But that is no reason to shun planetary unity. Whether or not you were helped by the other cities, without our help you would've been destroyed that is not the fault of your alliance at the time. You need to see this for what it is, a second chance. Make the best of it you can by unifying or else next time, you'll be in an even worse position."

Cyrus takes a step forward and begins orating to the room, unleashing a scathing tirade at the Council. He makes an imposting figure in his full armour standing about 6ft 3" as his voice takes on a booming quality most only see on the battlefield. "The people you need to blame are the people that did wrong to you, that massacred your people, destroyed your city and took your loved ones away to be slaves. The Remnant! You are at war! Whether you like it or not, the Remnant will not forget what happened here, and neither should you. You should be wanting to get even, wanton of revenge! Like your people are! But instead you sit here in this room, denying the only person to withstand the attack, the only person among you who has been trying to remove the Remnant from your world from leading you. Commander Cole is the only person here that has the balls to do what it takes to allow Asleif to survive and thrive in the universe we now find ourselves in and you are to busy being afraid of losing what little power you have left to see that."

8:14 AM

(I don't know whether or not Authority would come into affect but he's defiantly calling on that leader charisma.)

“Civilians under military rule never ends well. We have countless examples in history to prove that. She refuses to allow this political seat to administrate the rest of the planet. This council is the only intact ruling body on planet. The choice is clear.” Blackleaf says to the admiration of his companions

"From my point of view it seems like you and yours wish to run the planet by default. That's not how this works. Cole would you accept being beholden to a council of elected officials from the entirety of the planet? Members of every class from the survivors of the other cities?"

“That’s what I’ve been advocating for from the beginning. They do not wish to spend the time to locate, screen and Install other representatives

"No, they worried they wont be in power."

8:49 AM

"If you cared about what was best for your people, you'd stop smirking Blackleaf, and you do what you need to. Like a real leader."

“We are doing what we need to. Our city is recovering, people return; the streets are clear”

"This isn't about your city anymore."

8:51 AM

"It's about this planet, and that's why you won't be on the governing body."

8:54 AM

"No scratch that. It's about the fucking sector, the universe at large! Because make no fucking mistake people, you are apart of it. And if you think what happened here is bad there's worse coming. And it's going to take all of us together to stop it, sitting here isolating yourselves doesn't protect you. You are part of a wider universe and a great deal of that universe wants you dead in one form or another, so it's time for you to stop arguing like fucking children and start acting like people to have faith in. Because if you don't you won't just be pissing me off, you be endangering a planet. And that Councillors, I will not tolerate."

“The only way this planet will be unified is it we are the governing body.

"You aren't in a position to make that demand anymore."

8:55 AM

Cyrus says in a low voice, his tone is cold. (edited)

8:56 AM

"Make the right choice, come to a compromise. Otherwise you won't be in power any longer."

“The commander. One representative from this city, and one from each of the others”

"Elected, by the people of each city."

“Elected, by the people of each city” He seems on the edge of growling the words

"Good. To make sure all the proper legal proceedings are taking place I will get in contact with the UNW and see if we can't get some people down here to help. Commander Cole. Is all this satisfactory to you?"

"It's more than we've had to far" she says "It'll have to do"

"Okay, I think for the time being we should go back to Praxia, begin preparations for the elections. After you Commander." He says gesturing to the door nodding to Scmander and Korkova to follow them as they leave "A pleasure councillors, I'm glad you could come to the right decision." Cyrus says as they exit.

(3xp, 15000 credits)

Cyrus takes Cole back to Praxia in his ship "So Commander, do you think you can handle the elections on your own or do you think it might be best if I maybe get some Marshals involved?"

“It might be a good idea for the police to be here. International police. That way it’s not seen as me strongarming elections

(Is that a yes or a no? xD)

(It’s a Yes)

"Okay, I'll see what I can do. Listen Cole if you need the TFP, or Me. Call me, if I can't come I can find someone who can. You're doing a great job here, better than most would expect given the circumstances." He smiles and puts a reassuring unarmoured hand on her shoulder.

The smiles and doesn’t brush off the touch. She places one on your opposite shoulder. “The task force has been good to aslief. I’ll do whatever I can to be just as good a partner in return

6:11 PM

She hangs on the word partner for just long enough to make it noticeable

Cyrus smiles and inclines an eyebrow slightly. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

He squeezes her shoulder a little and winks

She smiles, and then seems to regain a bit of herself "I'm looking forward to the marshals here getting some field time in on this" (Desmond set up a marshal post here)

Cyrus also seems to regain himself slightly, lowering his arm. "So am I, as much as I will help where I can, policing and investigating is not what I'm good at. Or rather not what I'm best at."

"Message sent, ya know we are gonna have some time before we get back to Praxia... If you wanted to talk."

“I think talking would be a nice change of pace. Compared to fighting at least. You’re far more pleasant than those milksops in cove neck”

Cyrus nods to his quarters. "My ship hasn't really got many facilities for recreation but I've got a bottle of good Terezihno'an spirits and a couple of chairs."

“Works for me” She punches your shoulderplate and begins making her way to your craft

Cyrus chuckles and walks with her as they reach the cargo bay he takes off his armour much like someone would take off their shoes when going into a house.

We've got five Marshals on Aslief. We have a forward base on there if you need a staging place. Sounds like a challenging assignment. I'll alert them. Have them coordinate with with Jered if they need more assistance. We're glad to assist.

(edited)

She does the same, her suit ratcheting apart as she climbs out the back

8:13 AM

"Well, let's get to business" she smiles wickedly (before the scene fades to black)

Cyrus stands pouring a drink out of the now almost empty bottle of Terezhino'an Spirit. He hands the glass to Cole. "Good talk." He says with an impish grin

"Good talk" she returns your toast

Cyrus drinks and sits down on the bed "So Cole, what's your first name?"

"Tawndry. I never liked it. Good thing I've got an actual flag rank to go by"

"You prefer being called by your second name? Huh, always seen it as formal but I can get on board."

"Have you ever been off planet?" He asks leaning back so he's laying on the bed

"Not for a very very long time. Things have become complicated in the wake of the scream:

"You never know, maybe once everything is sorted out you could go on vacation for a few days. The TFP is making an effort to bring Terezihno into the fold, it's a beautiful place. Sandy beaches, rich culture, clear blue water. And no war."

"I think a few days in the sun might be a nice change. Once the planet gets a council together I might take a few weeks off:

"Sounds like a great idea. The Marshal say they've got the people on planet to help, so they will. Five of them should be enough for the cities. I was thinking, there's a teraformer on the moon of Gudrun, they want to use it to make it habitable but I think if we can replicate the tech we might be able to use it to scrub the air in Harmony. Get rid of that radiation. Rebuilding will be it's own thing though."

"The rebuilding we can handle. Heck soap and water even takes care of the irradiated surfaces themselves, cleaning up the fallout dust I mean. It's the air, and the water around it. Such a mess" she sighs. "we just weren't fast enough"

Cyrus puts a hand on her back "Hey, it wasn't your fault. Don't blame yourself, it's happened so now it's a case of dealing with it. Those Remnant dogs are gone now too. Maybe not for good, but they've got other issues at the moment."

9:24 AM

"And if they do come back, we'll kick them to the curb."

"Next time it won't be me hiding behind fortress walls. I can promise that"

"Hopefully next time they wont even get on the planet. I'm going to Sumati next, after here. The TFP have been 'advising' a local group that's fighting a Remnant backed force."

"I heard a little bit about the war there from some traders of your UNW that came through. I can't imagine armies of that scale fighting one anothER"

"I haven't seen anything like it yet. It's going to be a hard fight. I'll send you the Intel report on it so you can take a look. No doubt it's going to be bloody"

'we get this mess here handled and I might be joining you there in time"

"I'd like that, do you see Aslief joining the UNW in time?"

"I believe so. I think the Cove Neck council is a minority in thinking they can rule this planet, and that the planet can be run without wider galactic friends. We saw what isolation gets you"

"Everyone who survived the scream, we are all on the same side. We've got to learn to survive and thrive together. Given that the Remnant don't want to do that well that makes them an obstacle to overcome."

(as far as the unity endeavor itself, its now completed but for cleaning the radiation, its turning into a much bigger stumbling block than i was intending, so I'm debating waiving it for inclusion)

(You could roll it to the landmines thing instead as that got fixed.)

(works for me)

(Its more that no one has looked into it yet. I was thinking about talking to Charles but is that a thing I can do now?)

(yeah, shriven developed some tech for doing disposal safely too)

11:18 AM

(pretty ingenious actually)

"So Cole, how would you feel about the TFP running an ad campaign on the planet? Posters, commercials that kind of thing, showing you people footage of these places, and what we do there. Keeping their spirits up and maybe getting that warrior mentality back into them." (I'm talking about setting up propaganda.)

"I wouldn't mind you setting things up, trying to get some interested offworld. There are many of us here spoiling for a fight, and I can't offer it to them myself:

"The TFP is in need of more capable hands, there's a lot going on and we are stepping up."

2:31 PM

"Gudrun just doesn't have the population, and the Taros have some issues of their own at the moment."

"Ive heard a little. More will come. There has been some interest in immigration from here to Gudrun as well, a matter for a council vote, I think"

"Well, if and when you joined the UNW, free movement is a thing, within a certain margin. Are you happy about that? The whole immigration thing"

"I worry about a gold rush mentality, people fleeing to Gudrun as this world is devastated, and not having enough left behind to support what remains. As you said though, such is the nature of free movement"

"I'm sure the governments concerned could regulate it, hopefully Asleif wont be devastated forever."

3:00 PM

"I can see good in it for both planets."

"I can too. It's just a lot of change, taken quickly, and its hard to see where the road may end"

"Sometimes I think seeing the future might be a burden, I'm pretty sure that's what Alex told me. He's my resident Psychic."

3:12 PM

"Do you have anyone Cole? You know, that you're close to?"

"My first captain, Kreighton. He was killed in the opening moments of the siege of our fortress, he led a company of men to sally out, and try to buy us time. It's war, people get unlucky. I was going to go out there myself until he argued otherwise"

3:15 PM

she looks down at the ground, thinking of him

Cyrus sits up and puts and arm around her. "I get it, I've lost people in combat, thankfully none of them since the battle over Rawhani. Back before I joined Greenbriar, hell a lifetime ago I lost someone who was close to me, I blamed myself for it a long time, it never ends well. Like you say, it's war, but it doesn't stop it from hurting."

“It never stops it from hurting. It didn’t matter how many of those Remnant fuck dogs I killed. I even punched ones head off”

"I don't think it's meant to stop, keeps us human. Revenge, it's just a way of coping."

“Maybe you’re right.” She regains her composure. “Alright. Enough of that. Recruit who you need. I’ll see you soon”

Cyrus blinks then smiles understandingly, he leans in and kisses her on the cheek "Yes Commander." He stands seeing her to her armour as they come in to land at Praxia. "It's been a pleasure as always, let me know how the elections go."

“Be safe on Sumati. Come back soon”

"It'll be over by Christmas." He says with a wink as the ship begins to lift off again, the ramp closing as it pulls away

The ship breaks atmosphere off into space, and heads for Sumati, arriving to find Seung has deployed for the surface just recently

"Okay, where is Seung?"

"with General Evra in the Balak League's main city, the flight path for approach is updated, the locals are kept ignorant of there being activity in the wider universe"

"Okay, he's dealing with politics. What about the front?"

"The task force is in the north, holding the Mag- lev lines. It's a small formation, they won a quick victory over the town"

"I see that the other strong points the enemy hold are the Processing plants and the fortress network. What intelligence do we have on enemy strength in those areas?"

A fresh COST division (reduced from a corps) is occupying the central processing plants. Their former commanding officer was taken captive and returned to Gudrun during the last battle. A Bloodied army holds the other COST vital point.

7:17 AM

(currently allied forces are winning 4-2, but both enemy formations are decently sized)

"Okay, we aren't going to be able to fight all of them with just us, and I don't think they are ready for a push just yet. What are the supply lines to the enemy forces at the Central Processing Plants like?"

7:20 AM

(Also what does it process?)

(lots and lots of ore into ingots)

(So to give you an idea of what I'm thinking is: I want to drop behind the lines with my guys and start taking out their supply chains, like depots and stuff. So that it strangles the supplies for the unit. Is that something I can do? And that would have an impact?)

(it would deprive one of their support elements from being effective, perhaps two dependong on how far you go)

(Sounds good to me! I might be able to gather intelligence to just how effective for is as well I.E it's strength score)

(we can do that sure)

"Okay Lars, let friendly forces know we are here, we're going to call in and see Gunnar and the troops before heading out. Bring us down to their base. Then we'll see about messing up their supply lines and such."

Gunnar sends his position, and the flight path approved to meet them there, as spacecraft are forbidden from regular overflights. They have taken residence in a small town outside the westernmost station of the undermountain mag lev line. Miners, ore, and other cargo used to move expediently through the tunnels ahead. There have been small skirmishes between TFP forces and COST scouts, but no deaths reported on either side so far. (think like the korean border)

Cyrus steps off the back ramp in his fatigues with his men and Nemesis by his side. He goes to find the command building/tent.

"Lars, Korkova, see about getting our guys set up somewhere here, a couple of rooms and such. We might be staying here between OPs."

Gunnar has taken over town hall, serving as its administrator for both town needs and the Task Force. So far things have been relatively peaceful

Cyrus walks in seeing Gunnar "Gunnar you old dog! How are you?" He asks striding up to him and grasping his arm in a warriors shake.

He smiles, helmetless, and shakes your hand back "Good to see you Cyrus. How's life in the big wide universe?"

"Same old, same old. Just come from Asleif, heard things down here were pretty hairy and was hoping to get my boots muddy again."

"What's the situation here?" Cyrus says getting straight to business

"We have control of the town, they gave up without much of a fight and have been behaving themselves since. Helpful even. We are looking to make a push on the supplylines feedng COST armygroup central"

"That'd be these guys holding the eastern fortresses? Or the Division that's currently holding the processing plants?"

12:29 PM

He says as the two look at a map on a board.

"The larger formation, in the fortresses I believe (i dont have the handouts in front of me but he means the army group, not the smaller formation)

(Yeah)

1:26 PM

"The problem with that is, if we all move out, then that leaves the northern highland group open to flank us."

"I think moving a formation this size is going to be seen easily too. Prime target for airstrikes and the like. I tihnk we can only really afford a small team"

"Like, say 20 men in a stealth ship?"

Garion 2/19/2019 7:19 PM

Garion 2/19/2019 7:20 PM

"We can insert from land, probably the easiest and safer way to do it, with the local custom on space overflight.

Garion 2/19/2019 7:21 PM

(Sorry just pinning some stuff for later reference so I don't forget)

7:22 PM

"Okay, I'm good with that, I can bring all my men with that method. Can you lend me any others? I've got twenty including me."

(no worries!)

7:23 PM

"I think this one is going to be on the Myrmidons alone until I can confer with Seung. He's in meetings with General Evra of the Balak League for the moment, coordinating our own next move"

"I have no problem with that Gunnar, I'll try to keep in contact, but I'm going to create a lot of mayhem out there."

7:25 PM

"Which force's supply lines do you want me to fuck up? The larger or smaller? We could probably take the smaller force with some help from our 'allies' if I disrupted their plans enough."

"either one would help us dislodge some of the resistance out there. I'll leave the operational planning to you. Seung is planning to hit the larger, I believe"

"Hmmm, then I'll target that one first, I may move on to the other after. I might be here a while."

7:24 AM

"Have you got vehicles I can use?"

7:24 AM

"I'd prefer light and fast, but I'd take anything."

7:24 AM

(Like humvee type)

(theyve got those) Six vehicles have been set aside for your use, light transports capable of 5 soldiers, and light cargo each

Cyrus takes five, separating his warriors into groups of 4 so they make room for more gear and the drones. They load up on rations, ammunition and other such essentials. (If it becomes an issue of time you might have to tell me how many days rations we have.) "Okay load up! I want us moving out within the hour."

9:02 AM

9:03 AM

(For reference the squad comps)

Nekosmash 2/20/2019 9:03 AM

After everyone is loaded up Cyrus gives the word and they head out in a convoy. Headed towards enemy lines, plotting a course to flank the forces at the Eastern Fortress Network (The bigger force that Seung is looking to attack)

Using the mag-lev tunnels to skirt the northern flank is one option, or a much longer drive behind friendly lines, bisecting the enemy formations to the south (so passing between them)

Cyrus opts for the southern route, knowing that being hemmed in by the tunnels might lead to ambushes

Gunnar loads some cargo into a final truck, with a ghost driver to have it follow you. The Usean and Balak forces can understand the concept of drones readily, so it seems safe enough to bring along with you. Thus far no one has accused anyone from the task force of techno witchcraft

(Rofl, they might be about too with how high tech my gear is.)

10:56 AM

"Lets roll out!" Cyrus shouts as he warriors jump into their vehicles "Catch you on the other side Gunnar." He says as they drive past

Garion 2/20/2019 11:50 AM

(New order)

(Thank you) Heading south, and then east, you pass a relief column of Usean soldiers on the road, heading toward the front line. They are in fresh uniforms, and their buttons, buckles, and weapons are still shiny

12:38 PM

They are led by a standard bearer, and a fife player, helping them keep time

(Holy shit what tech level is this planet?)

12:43 PM

The convoy rolls by Cyrus looks out of the window at the column "Gods these guys would get slaughtered on a modern battlefield. We can only hope the Cost forces are the same."

12:43 PM

"For one it'd mean that what we are about to do will be even more effective."

(3, late 3, but the USeans are super extra about it too)

12:44 PM

(think ww1)

(I see.)

many of them wave as the vehicle passes, the flag of usea, and the second, showing the colors of the regiment itself, dip in respect as your convoy goes by

Cyrus nods to the commander as they pass, though the majority of the Myrmidons remain stoic and professional as they pace, focused on the surroundings.

(i made a mission thread since youre both doing the same thing)

(So during the last month is it okay for me to have invested in propaganda on both Asleif and Gudrun? I didn't realise it didn't need to be done on the faction turn otherwise I would have declared it earlier as a thing I was definitely gonna do. I've cleared it with the TFP board.) (edited)

(both planetary governments will allow it)

(Okay, that's 100k each so I'll scrub it off. I'll give you the description of what it does.) (edited)

8:29 AM

(Propaganda This ranges from sincere efforts at rational persuasion to bald-faced government-sponsored lies. In all cases, however, it is meant to improve the Morale of a colony and convince the colonists that their government is wise, their patron is capable, and their future will be glorious. Once the propaganda holding has been constructed, the patron rolls 2d6 every month. On an 10, 11 or 12, the colony’s Morale rises by one. Even so, propaganda dulls on repetition, so the holding self-destructs after successfully raising Morale.)

8:31 AM

(My thought was that both planets are kinda feeling a little sorry for themselves at the moment so they are getting ad campaigns, commercials, posters and stuff with videos of TFP soldiers doing hero stuff. Generally trying to uplift people with the whole "Building a better, safer future!"

(rather than colony morale, since we aren't using it, it'll improve the morale scores of the soldiers themselves, so they break less often)

(Smooth)

(the people in general, but in this case, the soldiers)

(Sounds good, do you want me to roll it now?)

(yeah lets see if it raises, otherwise it does nothing further this turn, but it sounds like as written you get to keep rolling until its actually successful before needing to buy it again)

(Yeah)

8:35 AM

(I got an 11 and 8 so one raises, which will be Gudrun in the order of how things go)

(great!)

(I know that currently some of the taros forces are having morale issues so hopefully that helped!)

Response from Hailey Hi Cyrus. I’d definitely be happy to do a commission, and the project sounds interesting. I was wondering if you had any more specifics that you wanted besides ‘destructive plasma grenade’. In terms of time scheme, I am currently on Acastus, but as soon as we start heading back I could begin.

Response Ok. Sounds good to me. I’ll see what I can do, and let you know right away if I have any issues. (I’ll double check with Neko, but I think I can do that)

(Smooth thanks!)

(if its a personal weapon, it'll be using mods/money, if this is sometihng you want put into mass production its going to be a research project)

(Mass production, but I thought I might have to get a design before hand)

(makes sense, im just trying to figure out where the road ahead is)

(Cyrus I’m thinking a starting a weapons facility with unique weapons like this in the future. If you’re thinking of putting this into mass production, we should talk business. Not saying I’m not willing to design it still, just sayin a may request a percentage of the profits from it instead of straight pay. Up for debate tho)

(I mean, I'm not gonna be selling these. My point is I'm going to equip my guys with it, someone else will be making them.)

10:35 AM

(Basically you're designing a pattern for someone else to produce for military use. Not commercial, though you could make it commercial all I want is a shit load of grenades)

(Ok. Would you mind if I sell it as well down the road? When I do get up and running, I'd be happy to sell to you at a discounted price compared to what you've gotta pay to produce.)

(I mean the idea would be that you can produce them and sell them if you want I suppose. I'll be making them for free for my soldiers to use. Military industry and all that.)

7:36 PM

(Basically I'd be hiring you to create a patent for me, otherwise it's like I'm hiring you to create a project I later have to pay for again. Therefore cutting no corners of a normal consumer)

Cyrus now back aboard his own ship once in orbit calls a meeting of his Myrmidons in the only place that can hold all of them, many of them bandaged and bruised from the conflict. Only one of them being in really bad shape, but thanks the Alex's biopsy still able to attend. "I've made the decision to leave the TFP, and start something new, an organisation of my own, our own if you wish it. However I know that some of you may be discouraged by this, so I'm giving you the opportunity now to lay any of your concerns to bed. Or let you out at the nearest UNW world if you feel this change isn't for you."

“Are we splitting from the UNW?”

"Hell no, just the company. We're still firmly in the UNW."

(I’ll get you a handout up shortly)

(Tasty!)

"Any other questions?"

(Alright never mind then. Wasn’t sure what your intentions had been, but that makes sense. Just looking opportunities to work with other people and do business. In fairness, I’ve already got a custom grenade anyways. I’ll keep you updated on where I’m at with yours

)

There do not seem to be any, now knowing they are not part of some kind of rebel movement

"Okay, then welcome to The Elysium Initiative. Nothing changes with pay roll, or anything else really apart from we'll have more freedom to do what we need to"

5:14 PM

"First thing on the agenda, piracy!"

5:16 PM

"We're going after the Remnant, creatively."

They're eager to hear the plan

5:22 PM

(some Remnant trade routes are known, did you want me to re-post them?)

(You can do, but I also have an idea. I think I'm going to go to Cruesa. I know it's a remnant held world with heavy industry so my guess is they'll be shipping things there, but also I can gather intel while I'm there.)

(perfect)

(You like?) "Okay, I want all of you kitted out in the Remnant gear we have stashed, uniforms and all. If we get into it, the Taros among us helmets on, hide your ears we are gonna try and blend in with the forces we encounter. We'll be going into their territory, Cruesa, we probed it last month and it's industrial so my guess is that they'll be shipping from there. So we are gonna go and recon things, then we'll target one of the ships to hunt."

5:32 PM

"Sound good!?"

Everyone is eager to be off, heading for Cruesa as soon as you are ready (I'm assuming smaller force for recon, since you have many wounded?)

(Yeah, I'm going with a 10 man squad, dropping the other 10 most wounded on Gudrun)

(Taking the trojan horse?)

(Yeah it's a remnant ship and its got sensor masking meaning it can spoof codes if needed)

Cyrus offloads the injured crew at Gudrun before taking a route to Terezinho then Cruesa. During transit Cyrus is busy finalising his new organisations holdings on Aslief and Gudrun. He also attempts to call Cole.

Cole answers, as you’re neck deep in paperwork

"Hey!" He says as she pops up on his screen while is 3 forms in to a land owners registration on a dataslate "Fuck...Am I supposed to put an initial there? Oh nevermind." He mutters before putting down the slate and turning his full attention to the screen

10:13 PM

"Hey there, did I catch you at a good time?"

"I can't ever think of a bad time when its you Cyrus. What's on your mind?"

"Nothing much, well that'd be a lie. I just got off Sumati. It's hellish down there, real meat grinder. Thankfully didn't loose any of my warriors. But it put some things that I'd been thinking of in perspective, so I split from the TFP. Well that makes it sound harsher that what it was, rather I've decided to move on to bigger things."

“Everything you’ve just said is a complete surprise to me” she says

10:46 PM

“So what exactly are you doing now then”

"Well, currently going through paperwork finalizing some stuff. Setting up my new organisation, The Elysium Initiative. But more broadly, I'm going to a place called Cruesa, a Remnant held planet, with the intention to gather some intel and maybe pirate a Remnant trade ship."

“Ah. So you’re planning to do a little bit of creative ship acquisition then are we?0

7:18 AM

“That’s how the task force got its true start if I recall”

"Damn straight Darlin'. Denying the enemy vital resources while getting myself another ship. It's how the game's played!" He chuckles pouring himself a drink "So how are the elections doing? I'm glad that the Marshals are helping out."

“So far there hasn’t been any violence or foiled attacks. The cycle lasts for another week though to let the votes from further out areas come in”

"Any issues from Cove Neck?"

“None so far. The candidates aren’t to their liking but the plan itself was exactly what they wanted. I think even those milksops know they don’t have a case”

"I'm glad I could sort that out. Last thing anyone needs or wants it more bloodshed. No too mention a strong Aslief means out southern flank is strong."

"So, part of my splitting of from the TFP was to start some of my own settlements. I was thinking about having one on Terezinho, as well as maybe Asleif. Well at least expanding the comparatively small holdings I now have on the planet, I wanted to ask if that was okay with you. And also about the unemployment issues on Asleif, how are things in that regard?"

“Things are getting better. The task force had permission to expand and ill carry that on to you. Seung trusts you and I trust you too”

"I appreciate that Cole, more than you know. I plan to do some recruiting and such, not just soldiers but all kinds of people."

"Listen, I gotta be off. It was good talking to you, we'll have to catch up later. No doubt I'll see you in person soon enough."

"I hope so" she says "make it very soon"

"Your bed getting cold Commander?" He says with a wink "Well, I suppose I will have to make it very soon."

11:36 AM

"Seeya soon Darlin'." He smiles and cuts the connection before finalizing some paper work and carrying on to Cruesa

(Pilot int for the arrival)

(13)

The ship translates into system space. A pair of corvettes escort five empty free merchants close to planet atmosphere, where a gas collection plant has been set up. Curiously this world has five miniature gas giants for moons

12:32 PM

The entire local space is packed with drone shuttles collecting gas, bringing it to processing plants for refining and sale

Cyrus stands on the bridge watching the sensors "Fuck, this is some busy space. Lars, I want us flying the Remnant flag for all to see. Bring us in slowly, are there any commercial space stations in orbit or are there any high traffic areas like spaceports on planet?"

“There’s s commercial one built around the gas refinery. What do you think?”

"Take us to it, we are gonna feel around get the atmosphere, maybe talk to some captains and such. For the purposes of this mission you're all R.O.N.I troopers, if anyone asks it's classified."

12:52 PM

"Simple enough?"

12:54 PM

"Korkie, keep an eye on those Corvettes, and the ships they are guarding. We are wolves people, we aren't attacking fleets here, just stragglers if we can. So if any of them separate let me know."

“I’ll do that. Want me to bring us in then?” He calls back. “The platform started hailing us a few seconds ago. We just spiked in so we have a few minutes to answer before they divert traffic

"Yeah, fly us in. Patch the hail through to me."

"I'll send it to your quarters"

5:05 PM

A small light on the comm-box flashes as you enter the room

Cyrus sits down and takes a deep breath before pressing the button to answer the call

There is a sharp buzz as the connection is made "Crusesa space control, please state identity"

"This is Captain Albert Donoghue of the Remnant Intelligence ship Vengeful Wraith."

"Vengeful wraith, can you explain the dated codes you're broadcasting?"

"We've been stuck behind enemy lines for the last few months. Dodging those Greenbriar dogs and their allies."

6:20 PM

"Besides, communication has been all but impossible since they took out the comm relay over Asta." (edited)

6:21 PM

"Last word we got from command told us to move north and help against this new Alien threat."

"Your story is not unique believe it or not. Proceed in. Does anyone aboard need medical attention?"

"Some of us are a little banged up but they are okay, cuts and bruises mostly. My medic has them well in hand. Thank you. I'll have my pilot bring us in, thank you Control. Donoghue out."

6:26 PM

Cyrus cuts the connection before turning on the ship's comms "Okay people, put your finest Remnant smiles on. All none remnant insignia to be stowed in the secure compartments."

6:29 PM

Cyrus puts on a Remnant Captain's Uniform. He holsters a side arm on his hip and walks back up to the bridge "Okay Lars we are cleared for landing. Korkie scan the planet as broadly as you can, I want to see what they have here."

(I'll get the map up when power comes back) There are two large cities on the world below, flying, close to 1000 m off the ground. The clouds below that level are dense, methane filled storms that violently churn across the surface of the world. In addition to the cities there are a few smaller, floating hamlets. They do not seem to be holding a fixed position

(Sweet) Cyrus has Lars land at the station and walks off his ship onto the station with a 5 man squad leaving 5 on the ship just in case.

"Okay where's the nearest bar?"

There is a dingy neon sign that flickers on and off, advertising the Lucky Stars. A pair of flaming dice is the logo. You can tell it was once some kind of food stall, a rectangle stand more than structure with stools around the outside counter

Cyrus turns to Korkova "Take two men and go wandering, see if you can pick up any info on traffic or the planet from merchants. I'm going to find if there are any Captains or sailors in the bar."

"Alright, meet you back here soon. If you move let me know"

"Copy that, if we get made get back to the ship." Cyrus nods to Korkova and the team splits. He and his other Myrmidon go to the small bar, sitting down and ordering drinks "Hey Friend" He says to the barman. "Any news?"

"More of the same. Where you coming in from?"

"Unfriendly space. Down south." Cyrus says matter of factly "What's normal around here?"

"No surprise you ran into trouble down south with the shipyard moved. What did you run into? Command might need to know"

"Greenbrair, well the UNW now... glorified pirates if you ask me. Where's the shipyard now?"

"Didn't realize they'd spread that far south." he begins tapping into a compad below the bar counter. "They moved it back to Alicibiades. The Ai comes online next after next month. The two of them together should be able to help us get these wars back on track"

10:30 AM

(2 months remaining)

"You miss understand me Friend, when I say south I don't mean friendly territory. We've been stuck in their section of space for a few months."

12:30 PM

"Mission gone wrong and all that, but that's all I'll say."

12:31 PM

"How much traffic do you get around here? Seemed pretty busy on my way in."

"A fair amount, it depends on the mission tempo, some months are busier than others. Right now it is quieter, there's a major offensive going on up north."

"How's it going up there?"

12:56 PM

Cyrus takes a sip of his chai tea, eyeing the bar casually as he converses

"Swinging back in our favor, slowly. A shipyard closer to the conflict is beginning to make a difference":

"Real meat grinder that one. On happier notes at least your safe here."

4:48 PM

"What ships are in dock at the moment from across the sector?"

“That I don’t know. Not really something I’ve to care about”

5:05 PM

“I just pour drinks”

5:05 PM

(I will say if there was a capital class here you’d have seen it)

"Of course, thanks for that by the way, it's been a while" Cyrus says finishing it and tipping the man well before standing and nodding to his Myrmidon as they make their way to leave.

Some other soldiers mill around the bar area. A screen similar to what’s mounted on an airport wall shows the expected comings and goings of different ships.

Cyrus looks at the board for ships that are leaving soon, what class they are and where they are supposed to be going.

Names of vessels are listed on the wall. It looks like there will be a significant departure tonight. One thing you do hear over and over though, is relief that the His Will and the 1,000 marines she is carrying, will be arriving tonight to help police the shipping lanes (edited)

(the class isnt listed on the public board for the rest of the ships, everyone who actually belongs here would know what ship they belong to, Based on the gossip though you can piece together a titan is arriving tonight) (edited)

(Oh shiiiit, what's the total crew of a Titan ship?)

(1250, between soldiers, and the actual crew keeping the ship going)

(Thanks!) Cyrus looks over the board with worry before refocusing "Okay time frame got a lot shorter" Cyrus comms onto Lars on the ships bridge as he walks down a small alley on the way to the loading docks "Lars, you're in the ship still. I need low down on what kind of ships these are without causing a scene." Cyrus sends him the list of names "I need ships that are departing within the day. Can you do it?"

"There's a few free merchants under the platform being filled with the gas cargo (they have like giant storage tanks for the cargo bays, like how the ones Charles and Shriven found on Miriam were configured)

10:08 AM

"I'd imagine they'll be leaving soon"

"Okay, keep an eye on it. Korkova meet me at the docks." Cyrus begins to make his way there, meeting up with Korkova dockside

There is a service elevator in the center of the station that heads to the lower levels, where collected gas products from refineries are transferred for later offloading into merchant vessels

10:17 AM

Most of the floor is a catwalk leading to different vessels in the hangar. the elevator leads into a security station, at the hub of the dock itself. Overhead, large tanks hang from the ceiling, long hoses heading down into storage containers on the ships

Once in the elevator Cyrus looks up attempting to note any camera's in the elevator itself

The elevator has a fish eye lens in the corner, that can see the entire cable car

Cyrus nods to Korkova "So that posting above Asta was harsh, remember that?"

10:37 AM

He says off handly as the doors open and they begin walking towards the security station

The office is a wide circle. Three comms officers sit behind a central also circular desk, diligently doing ATC duties. They hardly notice the doors opening. Six security troopers are also posted in the hub, reserves to help assist any security incidents that occur further out in the docks.

Cyrus walks in with his 4 man squad. (Is this like a air traffic thing or more like a customs check?)

(sort of a hybrid of both)

(Okay, just trying to decide whether or not to go loud)

11:44 AM

(How heavily armed are the security forces?)

(They have shotguns, one of the troopers has a neutron pump)

(Are there any other people around or is it just these 9 people in total?)

(9 in total in this room, out on the docks there are scattered security, one or two guards on patrol on the catwalks, no major concentrations)

"Evenin' Friends" Cyrus says as he makes to casually walk through the checkpoint towards the ship Lars told him was readying to set off.

"Hang on a minute" one of the guards says. "I need to verify you are all on a crew registry before I can let you into the dock"

(Here we go) "Yeah, no worries. Here it is" Cyrus says as he rather fluently draws his pistol levelling it at the guard in front of him and firing (Is this gonna be a surprise round or normal?)

(you can do an execution even if you like, as your surprise round, DC 6, shoot/dex check)

1:46 PM

(he wasnt suspecting you of doing anything so you got to point blank)

(That works! do my guys get that too? They would've been waiting for my signal but it's up to you whether or not they are as fast)

1:48 PM

(10 from Cyrus, these weapons are silenced btw)

(Shoot/dex, dc of 8 for them, There will be a couple survivors even if everyone passes. So they've got the silent skills, but not quite as fast)

(6, 11, 8, 11 Targeting the security dudes first, so all in all 4 got hit)

Four of the soldiers do not even realize they've died. Their bodies tumble like a sack of brick.

2:36 PM

(initiative)

(The Myrmidons got 5, Cyrus goes first - Alert 2)

(3 for security detail)

Cyrus turns to another of the security detail firing his pistol at them with cold precision (21/13)

2:57 PM

Korkova fires at the other guard as does another Myrmidon (15/9) (19/7) (Are they both still up, need to know for the other two's targets)

(They're both still up)

The other Myrmidons fire into the guards as well, the first at Cyrus' target and the second at the other. (26/8) (11/11)

3:07 PM

"Guns down, faces to the floor" Cyrus says to any survivors

They do not surrender and ready service pistols

7:58 PM

They return fire at the squad

(Is their turn readying?)

I have to roll for them I was updating stuff on roll20

8:40 PM

(13 damage on one myrmidon)

8:40 PM

(Back to you

(How many are left up now?)

(3 air traffic controllers)

Cyrus opens up on the controllers as they fire. (19/10 to #1) The Myrmidons turn their attention to the controllers as well firing back even as one of them is struck in the exchange (24/8 #1, 17/8 #2, 14/10 #2, 23/10 #3)

9:08 PM

"Lars, de clamp and take off, go."

Lars sends back a confirmation and detaches, hopefully heading for the system jump point

9:10 PM

The controllers are cut down in a hail of gunfire, The third body toppling over the console

9:10 PM

As it shorts out, alarms begin to sound

"Ah fuck, break out the rifles time to go to work. Korkova get me access to the ship." Cyrus goes to one of the duffle bags that his men had carried of the ship pulling out a carbine and cocking it, putting on his combat vest as well. "Can we seal off the level?"

"Not from here. Looks like they planned for something like this." Korkova says. "We have a couple choices boss. lets make our way over"

Cyrus nods and opens the door leading onto the catwalks moving quickly towards the cargo ship

"How long you reckon we've got?"

"A few minutes maybe, not more"

8:18 AM

There are three free merchants in various states of being loaded, all have fuel cables snaking down from the ceiling.

8:19 AM

"Those are going to need to be disconnected before we go anywhere! else we go up!"

(which is the fullest one?) (edited)

(I'm not sure how it could be seen from the outside, the tanks aren't clear)

8:20 AM

(clear as in see-thru)

(Yeah fair enough)

8:21 AM

Cyrus points to the closest ship. "Korkova, take it. Engineering and Bridge, try not to kill the crew, there shouldn't be much of a fight. I'll see about disconnecting them. Go!"

8:22 AM

Cyrus makes a run for the fuel control panels while the rest of the squad moves towards the ship

There is a panel on the gantry overlooking the crew hatch. at the top of a small ladder

Cyrus starts climbing slinging the carbine on his back "Keep me in the loop Korkie, we need to be ready to take off as soon as I disengage the fuel lines."

The doors at the ATC center open, and two Remnant marines with light machine guns begin setting their weapons up. Inside the ship, you hear the grunts and groans of melee combar

8:25 AM

combat

"Shit, I've got company too." He says as he reaches the top of the ladder but instead of shooting looks at the console, quickly trying to flick through the menu's to see about disengaging the lines

The lever and two buttons are the only things on the console, aside from a touch screen. "Disconnect in progress" it says, as you somehow find the right combination of frantic button presses. A thirty second timer pops up, counting down until all gas has been pumped from the line

8:35 AM

The machine guns are set up, and the gunners open fire

8:36 AM

(23/10, second one misses)

Cyrus ducks down as the round zips past him, cutting his ear as he lets out a yell "30 seconds Brother." He says into the comm before shaking his head, peaking out of cover to return fire at the gun crew. (27/18)

One of the gunners cries out as the ffan of blood sprays the window behind him. He is struggling to keep the gun on target with one useable arm

Cyrus looks over at the top hatch of the ship seeing how far the jump is

(they're gonna shoot in a sec here, but its about 10m down)

Cyrus stays in cover until the next burst comes. Waiting for the right time

(we had an end of month meeting, rolling now)

9:04 AM

(both miss)

(No worries) Cyrus lets the shots wiz past again and returns fire once more "Update Korkova!" (36/23)

"We have the bridge. We have wounded though."

Cyrus pops up and looks at the panel to see how much time is left

12 seconds, there is already a hiss as some of the gas is being syphoned out

"Okay, start decoupling on your end, 12 seconds." Cyrus waits for the next exchange of gunfire.

They are reloading the belts of their guns, and medics are finally attending to the wounded man, dragging him back inside the ATC center

10:31 AM

"Boss, one of the patrol boats is moving to outside the hangar, expect trouble."

10:31 AM

(you can make it inside before they have a chance to get another belt off)

Cyrus vaults the railing down onto the ship, bracing himself for the 10m drop. After he lands he opens the top hatch dropping in to the ship itself. "I'm in, warm her up!"

The ship disconnects with a sharp hiss, the line emptied safely. It lowers, out of the bay, and as it clears the space, the patrol boat is waiting

12:30 PM

it is jockeying for position, seeking to block your path

Cyrus runs into the bridge and into the pilots chair. "Lock in it's gonna be bumpy." Cyrus attempts to dummy the patrol boat, feigning to go one way before cutting thrust and spinning to go the opposite as it races to block it's path.

(Pilot/dex, opposing theirs)

12:35 PM

(11)

(oof, I lost xD 6)

The much more agile boat and its veteran captain have seen this before, and move to compensate. Mariner 2, cut engines and come about or we will fire

"Ah fuck, what armament do we have on this thing?"

The only armament is a multifocal laser. Aside from some crew comforts, almost everything has been stripped for cargo space

1:15 PM

(they've been using a convoy system, so if the merchants are shooting things have already gone soft side up)

"Korkova, target the fuel dump behind us. With the laser, don't fire unless I say" Cyrus opens a link to the ship "You've got an option Friend, let us pass or we blow up the fuel and the station. What's worth more, the station or a ship?"

(he failed his morale check) Damn you the captain hisses over the comms.

1:23 PM

He begins moving to shadow your vessel. "Cyrus, that's only going to work for so long, it becomes a harder shot the further out we get"

"Get the captured crew in the airlock with Vacc suits. Tag them so they will show up on the sensors like buoys."

"Give me two minutes" After three, there is a message on your compad It's done

Cyrus starts to accelerate, once they are almost out of range for an accurate shot Cyrus cuts the engine and flips, opening the airlock letting the old crew out of the airlock and activating their tags, letting the inertia get them out of range of the range of the engine before accelerating with a full burn. "That might slow them, if not then they'll have a lot of targets to follow."

The gunboat stops, the captain making a humanitarian gesture rarely seen for the Remnant, and begins picking up the captives. You are free and clear

Cyrus punches it spiking towards Terezinho (If I can get there in one it's 3 in range)

"That was fucking close, How are our wounded?"

(yeah you can, it has spike 3)

2:04 PM

"Stable, for now. Lets not waste time." The trojan horse is radioing in desperately trying to see if they should leave the airspace, they've also picked up a tail

"Do it, head to T" (If anyone is listening in that might confuse them between Terezinho and Tsatsos but everyone that was in the TFP knows T is Terezihno.)

(that's fair, its an enemy radio, ect ect)

2:14 PM

The two ships jump moments apart from each other, retjoining the skies over terezinho a day later

2:14 PM

pursuit does not follow

2:14 PM

(6xp, 20,000 credits)

(Does the FM have atmo capabilities)

(yeah)

2:36 PM

(this one has the fitting, and its small enough to land, its cruiser and up that cannot)

Cyrus brings the stolen Free merchant down out of orbit towards New Antioch, along with Lars and the Trojan Horse.

The two ships land inside the stadium, still partly broken, the field cleared for use as a temporary landing pad until other arrangements can be made

Cyrus steps off the ramp, having changed out of his Remnant Officers garb.

2:42 PM

"Alex I need you to see to our Casualties, get them in the Horses' med bay ASAP."

Foros and his trademark fur coat rush onboard, heading to the medbay

2:43 PM

his usual joking manner is stern and serious for the moment

Cyrus turns and looks at the two ships "Heh. Well, we did it."

"I'm gonna go to and see the Mayor, the rest of you that aren't injured feel free to wander. Keep civil though, respect the locals."

2:58 PM

Cyrus takes a casual stroll through town in his respectable none military garb towards the buildings used for state business.

(this was the city Seung was having elizabeth rebuild I believe)

(Nah that's Astria

(Right, thank you, too many A names)

This is the one I was in before)

2:59 PM

(Yeah xD)

The locals are surprised at first as a ship, two ships, in remnant colors come in to land, but tensions ease when they see who is crewing them

Cyrus smiles and nods at people as he walks his way through the town, taking his time to pick up on the quality of life of the people here, and how they live.

Life seems calm. The buildings and infrastructure emphasize beauty even if they are not as advanced. They have power, water, and some comforts. It is an existence that provides enough for someone to do something, but not so much excess that locals can afford to do nothing

(Are there cars and stuff or is it mostly people walking around?)

(people walking around, the streets are pretty narrow, most people use bikes or like personal transport, like scooters or something electrical)

3:10 PM

Something you do see that is somewhat popular is a motorized rickshaw, where the cargo is in front, the driver in the rear. they are slim, low power vehicles, but seem to be what most people use for getting a heavy shopping days goods home

He carries on through the streets a smile on his face, having found a place seemingly untouched by the war that rages through the Sectors. He eventually comes to the state buildings and makes his way through towards the Mayors office.

The mayor is waiting, hearing the ships touching down he’s been expecting some kind of official visit

Cyrus salutes him, putting a fist to his chest and bowing "Mayor Belash, a pleasure as always."

“And to see you Cyrus. I see you’ve returned with twice the ships you left with”

"It was the damndest thing, someone let me have it." He says with a rye smile "I was wondering if we might talk, about the future."

“Well, we are talking now aren’t we?”

"We are indeed. Some things have developed since last I was here, I am no longer with the TFP as I was before, I'm still firmly with the UNW and believe strongly in their values but, well it was time for me to test my own wings if you understand my meaning, I know that we haven't known each other for long but I feel like we understand each other, you were a warrior once. You know the mind of one, I feel that gives us an element of unspoken trust. I've created my own organisation, the Elysium Initiative an organisation that I hope can benefit the wider galaxy in my own way. And I was hoping to set down roots here."

8:18 PM

"On Terezinho, but to do that, I need to win your trust, not for any legal reason. But for my own, I wish to make a home for my people, away from war and chaos. A better, brighter, future. To do that I'm going to need allies, and Friends. I'd hoped you'd be one of them, but I've come to ask what I can do to earn that?"

“You were part of the battle to the north of here weren’t you. I’m trying to recollect that talk”

"I was." Cyrus nods his face stoic but faintly sad at the recollection of the battle and the things he saw during it

8:21 PM

"One of many in recent years."

“Youve been here when terezinho needed you before. You’ll be here if it needs you again. I see no reason not to trust you on the merits of what you’ve done already

"I thank you for that trust, it means a great deal to me." Cyrus smiles and changes the subject after a slight pause "On other topics, my Warriors are in need of rest, it's been a long few days for them. I was wondering whether you'd be okay with allowing us to stay, perhaps spend some time getting to know you city and it's people. I took a walk here today and found it most calming."

“If you can keep them out of trouble I see no problem with it”

"Of course, with that I shall be off for now Mayor Belash. I thank you for your hospitality and understanding." He bows again before leaving, walking down by the docks on his way back to the stadium.

The stadium is being watched by a few of your men, and they begin taking stock of the free merchant, inspecting panels, loose floor tiles, anything.

Cyrus walks in close to sun down. "Lars I need full run downs of the ship, capabilities, cargo that kind of thing. Korkova keep security up but no need to have guards in power armour we are guests here and this is friendly territory. Alex take care of our wounded and get them back to full strength. As for now relax a little, I need to call some people." Cyrus gives out the assignments and goes into his room calling Franz

Franz answers after two rings, the connection is better, so he's probably back on Gudrun finally

"Hey Brother, how's tricks?" (edited)

he laughs heartily. "Tricks are fine, until the next firestorm. I see you're calling from Terezinho? Finally decided to take that beach day did we?"

"Something like that, have you heard about my new situation?"

"Yes, some news has come in. I haven't spoke with Seung yet either, he had a similar stroke of luck over Sumati

7:53 AM

"Free merchant just wandered right into the blockade"

"Sweet. Well I went to Cruesa, did some digging before taking the ship. Turns out the universe has been turning. The Remnant has been busy, they moved the shipyard from Khulk to Alcibiades or at least are in the process of doing it. And that A.I is about 2 months from being broken... It's very possible they've ramped up security and it was already tight. I know for a fact there is currently a Titan at Cruesa, especially now." There's a pause as Cyrus thinks "We need to hit Alcibiades, now."

"The defenses were considerable, whats your plan? "

There's another pause "Would the UNW allow the use of unconventional weapons? I think it's time to use some nuclear warheads."

"Something like that is bound to have snuffers. I'd rather keep the warheads in their silos here, as a deterrent for attacks while our fleet is away"

"I'm not talking about using them as missiles. But bombs. Placed within or on facilities then detonated."

8:06 AM

"Lets call a session on it."

"I'll make the calls. You'll join us from teleconference"

"Of course."

(You gathered this intel so i think you should be the one to open it in the channel)

(No worries, I'll do it on my break in a while)

(no rush- just tihnk it makes more sense for them to hear it as you have seen it rather than me editorializing it)

(Yeah sounds good, it'll basically be Cyrus briefing them and then outlining his plan before deciding on what to do and any suggestions on how to alerter the plan and so on.)

"Until the meeting then" he says, hanging up

Desmond sends a message to Cyrus. Marshals in Aslief have overseen a good election . Unfortunately one localized area, Cove City, some soldiers have taken to the streets for as of now, unknown reasons. (edited)

Gap in time of the conference After the conference Cyrus unwinds by having a long shower and sleeping, he wakes later and flies off towards Hitachi a city he is yet to visit. He leaves the majority of his crew to work on the Free Merchant, taking only 2 other Myrmidons.

This city has been largely uncontaminated, and boasts the largest population of the planets mer-genhanced natives

(Uncontaminated? What would it be contaminated by?)

(uncontacted is what that should have said)

(Ah)

3:25 PM

Cyrus lands the ship just outside the city disembarking in his militaristic but formal garb, a pistol on his thigh and nothing else.

He begins to walk into the city with both of his Myrmidons staying behind to guard the ship.

The mayors have presumably been talking. You are treated with respect on your walk and the fear that has been present on first contact in other settlements is not present now

(Is the city gated or walled?)

(Neither in this case)

Cyrus walks towards the city, attempting to spot some kind of official. So that he may announce his presence

A dignitary and small personal guard, alerted that ships have landed, is making his way the direction you're walking from, and draws to a halt

Cyrus stops and nods to the dignitary as he draws closer "Greetings Friend."

"Greetings UNW delegate. I've been wondering when you'd show"

"Cyrus Adonis, of the UNW and Leader of the Elysium Initiative. I'm glad I could come, things have been busy in the universe recently."

"They have, and despite that you are here. What made you finally decide to come out?"

"The UNW likes building relations, personally it's because I have a vested interest in this planet. I plan to create a settlement of my own soon, and if I want to help build a successful planet that thrives with technology, culture and peace I need to meet leaders of the cities, and build political and personal bonds."

"I see, and so you are here. Well, it is nice to meet you, I'm the mayor here, as it stands. It's nice to finally meet the people flying starships around"

1:09 PM

"I'm assuming if your plans were for orbital bombardment you'd not be announcing them while standing right in front of me"

"My ships aren't armed too either. The UNW formally apologises for the actions for that reprehensible being. If it brings you any closure he is now detained."

1:14 PM

"Could I have your name Friend?"

“Mayor Elkhart. Nice to meet you”

5:56 PM

“As I said. We have had little to do as of yet though I appreciate your ships being unarmed”

"I'd like to ask if there's anything you are in need of, from tech to services anything I can do to help. We have a couple of TL4 tech units that can be used for interstellar comms it's linked into the system over Gudrun, so that you can have FTL communications with anyone within a spike level three range."

6:04 PM

"A part of what I'm wanting to do is bring the powers of Terezinho together, open communication. It seems although you do communicate you both keep mostly to yourselves, but in order to further development it would be nice to talk more, with everyone, so that everyone can help one another if and when they can." (edited)

" I can speak? to others? in real time? you must understand, we live for discourse, it's an actual need for us"

"Yes, I'll have my tech bring it from the ship. We have real time comms with anything in spike 3 distance of Gudrun. Beyond that it's normal but still better than what you have at the moment. The UNW prides itself on having an open forum for debate and discussion. This doesn't just include people that are members but can also include others, seeking help or guidance. Besides that we also have a news network."

8:51 PM

"But starting small I'd like to create some kind of council on this planet, to help with it's governance and such. So that those that live here may better help one another, discuss potential and ongoing issues and address things so that we can find solutions as a collective." (edited)

"Doing things by committee would be easier if this works as far as you say. The other mayors and I could actually communicate rapidly as we need to"

"My thoughts exactly. New Antioch has one now that'd leave just you now. But now you have one too."

“And we can use this to talk to other planets?”

"Ones with the capabilities to talk back"

9:38 PM

Cyrus nods

He goes silent for a moment, pondering the gravity of the gift you’ve just given him.

"I would ask you not contact any enemies of the UNW, simply for security reasons and building of trust. But considering those people are the Remnant and are the same people that took yours as slaves and pillaged your lands I doubt that will be an issue."

8:26 AM

"And, we have a colony radio station. Playing music and shows constantly."

8:26 AM

"Which works on the same system."

He tunes his own compad, borrowing the connection from your vessel, and smiles as Smooth Jai plays some Jazz music, giving the end of a short introduction about the tune

"Yeeeep that's right. None stop tunes. Now, once my men have unloaded the comm unit we will be on our way. This was simply an introduction to what we can give you, like I said: I'd like to keep communication between the cities open, maybe even form some kind of ruling council eventually. What would your thoughts be on that?"

“I think it’s necessary. It’s too hard to get messages between us using just sea ships or short wave radio”

6:42 PM

“And we can never be sure who’s listening”

"I have some plans about how to upgrade ship too."

6:45 PM

"But that will take time, after I have a place on planet to call home I can have my people begin work on it. Hyperfoils."

6:45 PM

"Pre-tech, top of the range stuff. As well as Atmo flyers."

6:46 PM

"Could you tell me more about your culture? I have experienced a little and I've read reports but it's good to get your take on it."

“It is. We thrive on dialogue and discourse. Nothing is done without discussing it with a neighbor”

6:54 PM

“What we lack in technology we make up for in culture

"As I have seen, strangely my birth planet is not to dissimilar to yours in terms of some of the culture. artwork and architecture. But rather the opposite in terms of dealing with issues. What was once my people are a warrior culture, not satisfied without the almost ritualistic shedding of blood."

6:58 PM

"I, although a warrior myself, fight so that one day I may put down my arms and leave this universe a better place."

“The taking up of arms has robbed the world and worlds of many storied cultures. That is a loss more than any single life

"I know more than most, I've seen it happen. But sometimes, when the time is most dire, the only way to stop such people is with force. In defence of that which they mean to destroy, culture and people."

“I’m not against force to defend what we have.

"I'm glad we are on the same page."

9:44 PM

"I will do all I can to uplift the people of Terezinho, but the one thing I don't want is for it to lose it's history, art, and rich culture. So if you ever feel that's an issue, please feel free to check me. Or anyone else for that matter. Is there anything else that Hitachi needs from us right now?"

"Hitachi has withstood the storm well so far, but we would like a way to grow our food rather than taking it all from the sea"

"Okay, I can look into it. The UNW has extensive crop development programs that might already be suited to this, or at least adaptable so I'll talk with some of my contacts. Thank you for meeting me, and giving me more of an insight into the way of life here. If we are to be neighbours then let us be Friends also." He puts and arms out to shake

He takes it, and shakes heartily. "Save travels, may the sun be to your back"

"And to you, may the waters be calm." He says shaking it, Cyrus bows and heads back to the ship overseeing the transfer of the comm unit before leaving, going back to New Antioch and organising the hiring of some local workers to start construction on a small office on the planet to be constructed during the month.

10:09 PM

(Do you have any stats for the free merchant or do you want me to just create it from scratch? I don't mind either way it will most likely be refurbed.)

(refurbing it upgrades it to the mk2 variant, from there, you can add whatever fittings youd like)

(Ooooo, what stats does the mk2 have?)

Mk 2 Free Merchant- +2 to power and mass. The hull also grants +10 HP- no additional cost

(Sweet, I'll build it out later) Cyrus and the two ship take off to Gudrun brining the FM into dock at the cloud. The Trojan horse itself lands on Gudrun proper. Cyrus gives is men their leave and he goes back to his apartment, sitting down after another long absence to find Nem.

Nemesis is playing with an insect that has perched on te windowsill. Its back half is crushed

(Wow, yeah definitely a cat)

10:20 PM

Cyrus raises a disapproving eyebrow before whistling "Oi! What are you up to? Don't play with your food."

the cat gobbles it up before turning to face you again, yawning

"Good girl." Cyrus kneels down opening his arms "Come 'ere."

Nemesis pats over, and curls up in your arms, purring her base thunder rumble purr

Cyrus smiles and strokes her "You big softie." Cyrus spends some time chilling out and playing with Nem on the floor. After he goes to his room and opens up his comm link and tries to phone Cole

Commander Cole answers, relieved to hear your voice. Cove Neck is preparing a coup of sorts, and will only stand down if she is removed from power. She is sick of politics, and angry at her homeworld for overlooking her own valiant but futile defense at the nuclear defense base. "Cyrus, Desmond thinks I should stay, and I can understand the merit of that, but I am so very tired"

Cyrus, we have an issue in Cove Neck. The Commander is feeling the need to resign because of their ballot burning and taking the streets in Martial Law. It looks like Cove Neck have at least a division of loyal troops. We will need help to handle this.

(edited)

"Wow, okay. I probably should have seen that coming. Those council dickheads seemed like they might do this I just didn't think they'd have the balls. You said you wanted to step down?"

"I'm so tired of the politics. They're grateful to the UNW, and I never got the sense Cove Neck, or the other cities had a problem with joining the union, it was always squarely focused on me. The reorganization has made my position a bit redundant. The body of planet is for assigned civilian delegates, and out of that, a prime minister will appear before the body of worlds. That doesn't leave a whole lot of space for me"

Cyrus thinks for a long moment. "So what do you want to do about it? What will you do if you step down"

"well, that is why I am calling you, I want to join the Myrmidons if I no longer have a place here"

Cyrus thinks again for a long moment. "Okay, do it. Let the politicians be politicians, you were a hero for your people when they needed you most. But now I suppose that time has passed for them, they no longer need a protector or a warrior to lead them as they see it. But plenty do need someone like you, I'd be happy to have you."

3:46 PM

"If you want to bring some of your own men along I wouldn't complain either. I know many of your forces will want to follow you."

"There are a couple. I don't want to deprive my world of its best protectors"

"Of course not. Can you get passage to Gudrun from asleif or do you want me to get someone to pick you up?"

"I can get passage. Booking a shuttle won't be hard"

"I'll hopefully see you before I'm off." He says looking away from the screen a second before looking back "I know you've been busy so I doubt you got time for the meeting, but we are headed to Alcibiades. Looks like I'm leading a ground team to a Remnant Facility to deprive them of their fleet A.I that they've been attempting to break."

"I saw the airspace report, you'll be passing through on the way"

3:57 PM

"Come back safe"

"Yeah, I'll try but... Well I've made it clear to my team, the primary objective is none negotiable. Extracting is a bonus."

"It needs to be done. They were humiliated on our planet. They will return if they get the chance to"

Cyrus chuckles "If that was humiliation, if we win here, it'll be a stab in the eye."

"Hey, bonus is. When I make it back I'll have you here! Then we can get to work."

"We can" you can hear a smile in her voice over the comms

"I'll leave my keys with the office so when you get here you can crash at mine. It ain't much but it's something for now. I've got to be off, rest up before gearing up. If I don't come back, my men are yours."

Cyrus walks off the shuttle onto the cold ground of Gudrun, dropping to a knee as he steps of the ramp saying a silent prayer to Ares for seeing him through. His armour shredded and beaten

Nemesis is in the crowd, as is Commander Cole, just Cole, now, you suppose. Both of them are bounding toward you

Cyrus stands realising there's a crowd and looks up kind of shocked, not knowing what to do.

Cyrus hits the release on his suit and stumbles out of the back, his legs and arms burnt by the lasers and explosions. A cut across his chest from the Chainveil sword and a hole in his stomach and shoulder from autocannon rounds. It seems his armour has been keeping him together for the most part "Hey guys..." He says to Cole and Nem as they come up to him. "Really good to see you."

"Glad you made it back" she says, you can hear the relief in her voice

Cyrus steps forward and hugs her tight for a long moment before letting go but keeping her close. "Yeah, it was...something, close maybe? I don't know." Cyrus seems to space out for a second reflecting before refocusing. "I see you met my girl Nem!" He says looking down ruffling her ears.

the cat growls, the base thunder of its purr shaking the both of you

"I think she's mad she didn't get to come." Cyrus says with a chuckles as he looks back to Cole "I think I might need a medtec, Shit got hairy out there and I've got some new holes and burns I didn't have before."

"Of course, I bought a bike when I landed here. I'll take you to the hospital straight away"

Cyrus nods and turns to Nem "I'll see you back at home. Then once I'm better we'll go for a hunt. I promise." He pets her and looks to Cole nodding "Okay let's go."

Cyrus grabs a duffle with his gear, leaving his armour on the runway to be collecting later and goes off with Cole to the hospital.

Youre taken into care right away, the journey not kind on you, only slightly more than the battle

Cyrus sits on the bed with Cole as they left alone for a few minutes before the Dr comes in to evaluate his wounds "It was real tough out there. Some Remnant troops I've never seen before, real killers. Bots with autocannons and shit. Mech's fucking everywhere."

2:53 PM

"It was close for us, I don't think another team could have done it. Seung almost died, and that guys almost more machine than man these days."

2:55 PM

"I'm just so fucking tired of these Remnant fanatics, why don't they get it?" Cyrus seems to be venting, pent up emotions pouring out, barely holding it together.

2:55 PM

"Gods how many did I kill with that Nuke..." (edited)

"Still less than they did in Harmony" she puts a reassuring arm on your shoulder "they got what they deserved"

"I just, I don't know. It weighs on me, killing, even when it is for the cause of the righteous. I feel my soul burdened with it."

"It's something youll work through, given time"

8:06 PM

"but its good you feel it, in a way, it means youre not a monster

Cyrus leans back on the bed wincing at his wounds "Yeah, I suppose I'll have to. Looks like they are just gonna keep coming."

"I'm gonna crash a bit, let the Docs and drugs do their thing. I'm really glad you're here, and that you came to meet me off the ship. Romantic as fuck, by the way." Cyrus chuckles and coughs a little

“I’m only still alive. Again. Because of the task force. That splintered I see. I hope it was amicable. I’ve grown friendly with Seung”

"It is, we see as it more as an evolution, instead of us working together in the same group we are now moving on to do our own thing, but keeping a strong bond, an Alliance of sorts. Nothing finalised yet, but it will be. I suppose if you were a cynic you'd say we were creating a cabal. But in reality we are just going to support each other to help the free peoples of the universe help themselves. If that makes sense."

“That many ambitious men in a room, it takes more than a singular force of will to bind them all together. This was only natural”

Cyrus chuckles "Yeah, strong opinions."

8:47 PM

"My first priority is building our forces, and a base. Terezinho is most likely going to be it, but until then we'll probably be sat on Gudrun, training, I've got a few things in mind but they'll most likely be small scale. We wont be able to fight the Remnant the way I have been doing so far. It's truly a war now, but to fight a war I need a larger force, the starts of an army."

8:48 PM

"I have a ship in production that could carry a company of Myrmidons, along with 40 crew, that's 240 people, we currently have 30. Or there abouts."

“That even enough to run the ship?” She asks

"Barely, but they aren't trained to. That's why we'll be needing more."

"We've got a month until it finishes production. By then we'll be ready."

(Btw I've updated my goals if you could score them when you've got a few mins, thanks in advance!)

(Will do!)

7:11 AM

"You will be. I'm assured of it" she says, as a doctor enters the room

Cyrus smiles and touches her hand in silent thanks as the doctor arrives he turn his attention to them. "Evenin' Friend"

"Cyrus" Siegfried nods "Not sure if we ever met in person before now. Shame if we haven't. Heard we've been in the wars"

"I think you did some work on me after my first bounty contract. Mag round to the left kidney. Yeah seems I got pretty beat up on Alcibiades."

He thinks for a long moment. "Youre right, my that was some months ago. Alright, let's see what we have. I see two hands, two feet, two arms and legs, so I'm not regrowing anything today, that's good"

Cyrus stands with a grunt lifting his arms with effort showing the burns, cuts and gunshot wounds.

9:55 AM

"Laser burns, sword cuts and gunshot wounds. Armour stopped a lot, otherwise most of it would have killed me. I've been running off stims since the battle."

"I can see that. We'll flush them for you, and move on to actual healing. I'd expect to be here a couple days"

Cyrus glances at Cole before turning back to Sieg and nodding "It's gotta be done"

(we can fast forward through that if you want)

(Yeah)

10:41 AM

(Dont want to rp Cyrus sits in bed for the day for a week

)

(fair)

10:58 AM

A few days pass, fading in and out of rest as the doctors work around you. You're sore, and bruised upon your release, but stable, and whole

Cyrus puts on his new Myrmidon Uniform in the Hospital room, it takes him a while, his body still stiff and bruised from healing wounds. The uniform itself coloured in black with gold accents and a gold sash across his waist. He walks out of the Hospital and into a car taking him to the Admin buildings to meet with Kincaid.

Franz lets you through, not bothering with the usual administration duties or paperwork, and youre taken up to the conference room she usually likes to use for briefings. The table is cleaner than last time you'd seen it, as she finally learns the art of delegation.

11:05 AM

The years on planet have not been kind to her, and some stress lines are set into the skin around her mouth.

Cyrus walks in and salutes Kincaid by placing a clenched fist across his chest "Ma'am a pleasure as always."

“Have a seat Cyrus. I expect you’ve a lot to say”

Cyrus sits "You look tired Ma'am, you been sleeping?"

"As much as duty allows" she winks, which you take to mean, not much

"I know the feeling." Cyrus pauses his jovial facade dropping to a professional smile "Do you want my full report?"

"If you don't mind" she presses a button and her augmetic hand unfolds into a stylus

Cyrus hands a data disc to Franz with his headcam footage as they play back through the events Cyrus narrates them. "Ground team inserted 2km from the facility, we moved quickly under the cover of Mordecia's shadow ability. Making us basically invisible. We saw that clearly the front was too well guarded, mechs and patrols, made the idea of a frontal assault futile not that it was going to be much of an option. However with our advanced gear we managed to scale the walls unseen and move along the roof tops to an inner courtyard near where the core was being kept. Myself and Cayne engaged a pair of snipers overlooking the courtyard so that Mord could move in and open the gates for us using his extensive skills in looking like people he isn't." Cyrus pauses "But plans don't work well in combat." "We killed the snipers but the two mechs sat in the courtyard made us. A skirmish ensued. We then came into contact with a squad of the Remnant's finest killers. The Chainveil, a squad of six and their commander. It was close but we managed to end them, a few retreated for more reinforcements. We made alternative entry with another of Mord's abilities. Fought our way through a few bots that I haven't seen before, Seung then held the corridor as we made our way into the core. Thinking that the A.I would be in some kind of statis, with it still being under work. But that wasn't the case. This next bit his hard to explain so I'll just let you watch with audio."

12:51 PM

Cyrus plays the contact with the A.I it's speech and the brutal fight that ensued. Seung's heroics and the arming of the nuke. "As you see the A.I it seems was once a person, from the colony. No doubt the enemy believed that they might gain insight into our tactics by using our own dead against us. After it's defeat we recovered it's remains, tp'ed out and I detonated the device. The facility and anything within a fairly large radius is no longer operable."

12:56 PM

"End of report."

12:57 PM

Cyrus says rather robotically, clearly compartmentalising the events in his head

"Matthew Hunter...." she says to herself "A plague on us even in death"

"Who was he?"

"He was an adventurer, like you, well, not like you. He lacked a brain entirely. He had this idea of downloading into a robotic core, we never really found out why, but youre report brings another concern to light":

1:13 PM

"It's become evident, there is a traitor in our midst"

Cyrus looks concerned "Tell me more."

"Well, someone took his core from the junk pile, after it was removed from the experiment thing he was running, and someone knew to meet Remnant scouts in the woods of our planet, to hand it off to them"

1:28 PM

"Maybe they just wanted a core, any core, and it ended up his was easiest to get. Maybe it was deliberate. We won't ever know that answer, but what we do know is that someone has been in contact with an enemy of the state"

"The logical next question is who?"

"That's what I'd like to know. Until then, we're vulnerable

"You want me to find them out? I'm no intel operative but I'm a tracker. A lot of what I'll be doing with my new company is admin at best. Making connections, but I can do that while I hunt this traitor down."

"Let's try to bring the marshals in too, but we may need the manpower if they flee, or this goes deeper than it appears"

"Me and my people are surgical when it comes to executing targets. As we saw when we dealt with the TFL compound."

1:46 PM

"Find us a target, and we'll take them."

1:47 PM

"I needed to ask you a few questions while I was here as well" (edited)

1:49 PM

"About my new fledgling organisation. Once we get up and running, get people on the ground and such, I was wondering if there might be opportunities for long term contracts between Myself and the UNW, protection, training, security for sites that kind of thing."

1:51 PM

"And for jobs like this, when there is a sensitive target, that perhaps might need a more precise touch, a target that needs to be dealt with quietly."

"I'm going to have to raise taxes to retain you? Arent I?" she laughs gently

Cyrus chuckles "The fee is negotiable, tbh I'm not too sure what to charge you yet, of course it depends on what forces you'll take up and that kind of thing, I don't have the man power to be static at the moment, but we can still be work something out for the last example. Having an on call team like mine can really come in handy when you don't want any questions raised."

"I'd like the marshals to at least investigate, as is their purview, but once we know which way we are pointing, we may need you yet:

"Sounds good to me."

1:59 PM

"In the mean time, I'm probably going to be on Gudrun, raising forces. Making deals that kind of thing. Did you here about Cole and Asleif?"

"I did. The planet is stable, and their elected representative seems, at least competent. Time will tell"

"She's moved here now, works with me." Cyrus says with a slight smile

"I'm glad the UNW was a refuge for her

2:08 PM

"she did what I may very well have had to do, had the invasion fleet not been halted at Rawhani"

"I saw no fault in her actions, neither did a majority of people, politics got in the way."

2:11 PM

"Narrow mindedness mixed with greed, but it's like she said, her people don't need her anymore. Not now the Remnant are gone, they don't want to be reminded of that conflict. I fear it may be the fate of all soldiers to be ostracised by their own after conflict is done."

"I'm glad she's working with me now."

"The UNW army will protect them, if they do decide to oust their own soldiers. The Aslief contingent of our army has done well themselves so far"

"Of course." Cyrus says, his smile not reaching his eyes. "I think for now our business is concluded. If you would permit it, I'd like to pay for a monument to the losses we suffered in the war with the Remnant so far. At the battles of Asleif, Rawhani, Terezinho and now Alcibiades."

"There will be one, when the war is concluded. We've lost many, and we are far from done"

2:48 PM

"I heard the task force lost one of their own ships this time"

"14 souls to the void. May they rest now in the endless fields of paradise."

2:51 PM

"These Chainveil, Cyrus gestures to the footage. They want vengeance, so do I. After my ranks are suitable, I'll hunt them down too"

"The most fanatic of the fanatics. They look well trained. More than a match and then some for even our best. They'll rip through the conventional army:

"That's why I want them gone, if they are gone, then maybe we can get the Remnant to the table. They're at Cruesa. That puts Terezhino in jeopardy, and by extension Gudrun."

"They're not disguising their intentions, i suppose we should be thankful for that"

"There's a Titan at Cruesa with at least 1000 marines on board, along with those Chainveil that's a decent enough force to overwhelm the defences on those outlying worlds. But I suppose it's a discussion for a Unity meeting. We've both got things to attend to, let me know if you find the traitor. I'll be locked and loaded. It was a pleasure Ma'am. And get some rest." He stands saluting her once more.

she returns it, and youre escorted out by four of the presidential protection detail.

Cyrus leaves and goes home to his apartment finally, after spend so much time in the hospital. He opens to door quietly hoping to surprise Cole and Nemesis if they're home.

They’re both there, sleeping peacefully together on the couch

Cyrus tiptoes in closing the door behind him and putting his duffle bag down and taking off his coat. He walks over to the two on the couch and bends down kissing Cole on the forehead lightly (I've just realised I don't know what she looks like outside of armour xD)

(picture incoming, i thnk she does have one on r20)

7:00 PM

(It’s a little too anime for my tastes but it hits the mark pretty good)

Cyrus smiles at the two "That's cute as fuck." He whispers to himself as he sits down in the chair opposite and flicks up his data slab scrolling through the feeds, catching up on what has happened while he's been gone for the month.

7:12 PM

(Thanks for the art for reference btw!)

7:15 PM

(Also pinterest may have given me a less anime version if you wish:)

Cyrus spends the rest of the night in quiet, contented silence. Seeming to enjoy the calm.

That’s good too)

Cyrus eventually falls asleep but it's restless, plagued by flashbacks and nightmares.

Sleep comes but it is not a restful period for mind or body. An ancient passage from one of the great works comes to mind here they lay scattered, lying in the fields and rivers of hell. This was not a place of rest

Cyrus wakes in the early hours of the morning cold sweat beading on his brow, he looks around the room anxiously. Looking for enemies in the shadows.

After a few seconds of getting his bearings he looks over to the couch - Cole and Nem.

They both have hardly stirred, each resting peacefully now that everyone is home

Cyrus half smiles as he stands and walks into the kitchen, looking in the fridge he pulls out various ingredients and begins making a rather lavish breakfast for the household. He takes his time, being in no rush.

The smell of cooking wakes the both of them up before long, and the house is calm. Warm light comes in from the window.

9:45 AM

"What, no kiss the cook apron?" she says

Cyrus is laughs heartily as he flips a pancake "I might just have to get one, you sleep well? Didn't want to wake you when you got in. You both looked so peaceful." He takes a strip of bacon of the side and throws it to Nem

Nem is hardly awake but has no problem catching it.

Cyrus plates up the pancake, bacon and other such deliciousness before walking over to the table and setting them down. He puts a bowl down for Nem with a thick Lope steak in it "Come and get it then Girls." He says sitting down.

Nem is purring so loud the air around her shakes a little. You hear the rasp of her tounge on the steak as she flays the seasoning off it first.

Cyrus smiles and begins to eat after Cole sits down. "So, have you ever been hunting before?"

"Not as much as I'd like, but yes|

"Well I was thinking we could go for one, Nem needs to stretch her legs and I think we could do with it, just get away for a few days. The ad for E.I went out last night on all UNW vids and is gonna be played every few ad breaks until forever so recruitment is gonna be a none issue for a while, I've got Korkova on getting anyone that might come in through recruitment ready and putting them through selection. I've got to talk to pops at some point but the business can wait. I need to get out, ya know?"

“That makes sense to me. I think it’ll be a good opportunity to get some time away, focus on things”

"I'll break out the hunting gear then, you want go see the Forests, or Mountains?"

“Forest. I’ve had my fill of the mountains”

"Forest it is. I'll break out the rifles and get a vehicle. This is gonna be great!" Cyrus' smile beam, seemingly happy that he gets to go back to his roots.

Later on after breakfast Cyrus gets stuff ready for their expedition, weapons ammo, he hires a scout vehicle from the colony stores and packs some gear and is ready by noon to set off.

A scout buggy is supplied, it has room for six, but nemesis insists on stretching out to cover the back four seats. The cargo bay has your canvas sacking wrapped weapons inside

Cyrus gets in like a kid before a road trip "This is gonna be soooo good. Okay, you ready?" He says looking over to Cole.

"Yeah, lets get on with it." she says happily, putting on a pair of sunglasses. She's been wearing them a lot, even inside. It'll be some time before her eyes adjust to the light, coming from a night world herself

Cyrus drops the clutch and puts the scout car in gear before beginning the journey, going east out of Central towards the eastern forests past Dahab and north of the mountains. Where Cyrus first made contact back with the Colony after his long journey from where he and his team crash landed.

The forest has largely re-grown in this time, the firey comet trail of arrival now washed over in green creepers and new trees

"This is near where I first landed on Gudrun, during the scream." Cyrus says as they drive at a steady pace through the less dense forestry.

"The whole ship broke apart. I was reading while you were gone. Ramming the pieces down for salvage was a stroke of genius. Your president is a smart woman"

"She is, though she needs more sleep. My ship was a forward surveying team, sent down to look for nearby resources, we'd just broken atmo when the event went down. Blew our engines and drive. Fucked us up big time."

"something like that happened on Aslief too. Our defense fleet was heading to Khulk, which was friendly, at that point, for some overhaul, and we watched their spike cores go supernova at system edge all at once"

"Hell of a boom I can imagine."

12:25 PM

"The pilot ended up crashing it into the mountainside over there" He gestures towards the Mountains to their general front. "Only four of us made it out, was about a year before we made it to the colony. We got lost in the woods, and we had to recover. I learnt a lot about the local wildlife though."

"did you run into those bugs ever?"

"Underhill? Yeah a couple of times, no big fights, it was a case of hiding and running most of the time."

"I think that's all you can do by yourself id think. Sounds terrifying"

"I don't know, it was bad but - it could have been worse. I had company at the time, out of the four of us that survived the crash only me and the medic Taggart made it back. Infection took our squad sergeant. Had no anti bio's so he had no chance. Snapped his thigh bone in the crash and the marrow got into the wound. Then there was Maurice the surveyor wandered off like an amateur to go have a piss in the middle of the night. He got eaten by a Balverine.

"They're pretty voracious killers from what I remember. I had some time with the data-logs when you were gone"

"Yeah, moral of the story don't decide to talk a walking 50m away from camp at night." Cyrus slows the vehicle looking at the path in the woods before carrying on. "We should be able to find a nice place to set up over here. We'll park up and go on foot from there. Sound good?"

"Yeah, good as any, lets get set up"

Cyrus pulls over in a small clearing at the edge of the deep wood. He gets out and lets Nemesis out. "Go play. Stay close." He says as he opens the back of the vehicle sorting through his pack

you hear small animals scattering as the lynx cat dives into the undergrowth, stalking them

Cyrus opens the weapons cases, taking out the scoped rifle (Sniper rifle) and loads it handing it to Cole, he takes out another and slings it on his back along with a day pack

"What were we hunting today?"

"Around here? Hmm, probably Lope, or Kryatt. But if we come across other tracks or animals I'm not against the idea of changing prey."

Cyrus closes the ATV and locks it as they start heading out into the forest. "You enjoying Gudrun so far?"

"The light is going to take some getting used to"

1:45 PM

"It's hard to believe people live like this"

"In the light? Yeah, I suppose you've only ever really known Asleif..."

1:46 PM

"I love the bioluminescent plants"

1:48 PM

"The Forests like this, deep and dark remind me of my own planet. Well the planet of my birth." Cyrus says, his hesitation hints at the pain of the subject.

"What was it like there?. Like this?"

"Sort of. It was a dwarf planet called Arcadia Minor. Covered in forests, most so dense that you couldn't see a few feet in front of you." He smiles as he remembers the beauty of the place before it drops to a frown "But the people there, the people I come from were a warlike culture. Everything was solved by conflict of one type or another."

2:19 PM

"My Father, Tiber, was a Chieftain, a war leader of sorts. He wasn't a kind man."

“I see you didn’t take after the chieftain . Then”

"I share his fire, sometimes." Cyrus pauses "I try to do my best." He says eventually

3:31 PM

"You help." He says quietly

She doesnt say anything but you can see sh eis pleased, creeping alongside you in the brush

"So, did you always want to be in the military?" Cyrus asks as he checks some old tracks on the ground before carrying on deeming them too old

"Always. I'm not good at anything but fighting"

"I don't know about that, you're a natural leader. And you're not exactly stupid either."

"So what are your expectations for joining me?"

“Not really sure. I just knew I needed to go somewhere quick where the people didn’t want my head on a plate”

"I get that, way I see it. I'm trying to build something more than a mercenary company or city. I'm trying to build a collection or culture of people that want the same thing. Somewhere to call home, a lot of us came out here to be away from bureaucracy and politics only to be thrust back into it. I want to build an organisation that fights for what right, and looks the make the universe a better place so that they can finally settle. Create their own Elysium." He pauses reflecting on what he's said. "I know that must make me sound like a self righteous prick..."

“It doesn’t. Politics is what got me all the way out here. It worked out for me but it could have easily gone another way”

"It's lofty, and it's going to take a long time if I want it to work out right. But I'm willing to make that sacrifice. I'd like you to be a part of it too"

5:53 PM

"My right hand woman as it were."

5:53 PM

"I've got some good experienced warriors, but none of them have led a people before like you."

"You're in charge, but I'll offer advice if you ask for it"

"Give me advice even if I don't ask Cole, sometimes I wont know when I need it. Besides that, don't feel like our...relationship is a must for you being with the E.I. I'd like what we have to be genuine which I feel like it is, but I'm just making you aware. You don't need to be with me if you don't want to." There's a little crack in his voice, self doubt and vulnerability perhaps.

"I'm here because I want to be here, I promis---" (notice/int)

6:31 PM

she holds up a hand for quiet

(9)

Something heavy is cracking branches up ahead. You get a flash of emerald green scales, on a snake like body the thickness of a battle tank

Cyrus signals to get low. "Looks like a Grass Serpent." He whispers. Bringing up his rifle to aim towards the beast.

It lays out in the circle of flattened trees to bathe in the sunlight

"Never tangled with one before, they hunt at night, bathe in the day. Up to you we can take it if you want." He whispers

“As much as I hate killing a fly with a brick, heavy weapons?”

Cyrus pulls his bag off his back and opens it there's two carbines inside and a handful of grenades. He looks to her and shrugs. "I came prepared for a hunt."

7:21 PM

Cyrus takes a carbine and hands it to her along with two grenades, he takes a carbine himself and the other two grenades. "Stay here and get lined up, I'm gonna circle around then we are gonna pincer this thing."

(Sneak dex)

(12)

The serpent is fast asleep and does not seem to sense you

Cyrus creeps around to the opposite side of the slumbering beast, moving up so he can get a clear shot of it's head. He lines up a shot and fires (I don't want to kill this thing in one - to make it interesting is there a way I can do an execution attack that just does a boat load of damage? Like if it succeeds the rolls so it takes max damage that I could roll?)

(I’m fine with that sure)

(Tasty!) (13 for the execution attack, max damage is 29)

The beast snaps awake at the hiss of the rifle. Rearing back as the beam Sears it

9:49 AM

(Cole can go. Then serpent

(Cole's stats the same as normal Myrmidons?)

Cole fires a burst at the serpent as it rears back, then ducks behind a tree to keep it confused. (24/12)

(How long is this thing?)

(Yeah. And it’s like 30 feet long. And very thick)

12:20 PM

It sweeps out with its long tail to topple trees and smash you aside (evasion save for both)

(It's a thicc boi)

12:20 PM

(2 nat 1's)

12:21 PM

(Big oof)

(18 damage both of you)

2:06 PM

The massive tail uproots trees, clods of dirt, debris and turns branches into flying pieces of shrapnel

"Shit!" Cyrus yells as he's hit by the huge splinters, rolling to the side, seeing the snake turn it's attention towards Cole he attempts to jump on it's back and fire down into it's girth. (32/26)

2:19 PM

Cole on the other side is hit against a tree and dives for cover attempting to get into a ditch before firing at the beast again. (32/11)

2:22 PM

(I'm basically attempt to roadio this thing and shoot it xD)

Cole gets the kill shot, putting a round through one of its slit eyes

2:32 PM

it lodges deep in the brain, causing it to wriggle as in the grips of spasm before going still

Cyrus rides out the wriggling and jumps off "Holy fuck! Nice shot Darlin'!"

2:35 PM

"You okay?"

“Think so. Nothing broken” she has a small ribbon of blood coming from her temple

"I wonder what it tastes like." He says as he walks over to it's head looking inside it's huge head.

(are these things venomous?)

(they are)

Cyrus seems in awe of it's size. "Man, these things are huge up close. I've only seen them from afar before." Cyrus takes out his knife and starts the process of cutting the fangs out making sure to cover his wounds first.

The front two fangs, where venom would be poured into a victim, are each as long as a longsword blade, possibly even bigger

Cyrus wraps them in a tarp from his bag. As well as butchering a large chunk of flesh for later consumption. He also attempts to take a portion of skin and a venom gland.

You’re able to grab what you need, a lifetime of hunting in the forest of your dwarf planet home serving you well here

Cyrus looks back to close as he wipes the gore off his hands "I'd say that was a successful day of hunting. Let's go back to camp, I bet Nem's got herself something interesting." He grabs his pack and his rifle walking over to her narrowing his eyes "You didn't tell me you were such a good shot, thought maybe you'd lost it after years behind a desk" He says jokingly.

“I had plenty of Remnant stormtroopers to shake out the rust” she says, admiring the kill

"Well add this to your count. Helluva kill!" He smiles as he hefts the tarp of meat and other goodies onto his shoulder as they make their way back to camp "What's left will go to the forest. Plenty of creature's in need."

Already you can hear the chirping of wolf beetles scenting a kill. Without the underhill hivemind guiding them they shouldn’t bother you

Cyrus takes a steady walk back to camp with Cole. Finding solace in the sound of the forest. Finally making it back he sets the day's haul in the back of the ATV. He looks around and whistles sharply for Nem

Nem is dragging half a lope out of the forest. She’s already eaten well

"You having fun there girl?" Cyrus says with a chuckles as he takes the magazine out of the rifle and unloads the round in the chamber.

With Cole's help Cyrus sets up a camp for the night, cooking a snake steak for each of them. "I miss this."

Msg from Melora

I'm sorry I've been scarce lately as I catch up with my sister and process the near decimation of my people. I heard about the initiative and want to offer my assistance however I can. Nova is getting enrolled at the Psi Academy.... I miss you

“I did too. Riding a desk into early retirement wasn’t how I wanted to spend my last years of youth

Cyrus takes her hand and smiles "I can think of more than one way to bring back that youthful feeling."

(Fade to black?)

(yeah, lets do that)

Cyrus stirs from peaceful sleep in their tent. Checking the time and seeing its morning sits up looking Cole beside him as he yawns "You awake?"

"I guess so" she sighs, rolling over to move away from the sun. "a few more minutes"

Cyrus chuckles and leans over kissing her on the forehead. "I'm gonna go and sort out the ATV. Let me know when your ready to pack up."

He gets up with a groan, the bruises and cuts from the previous days escapades showing. He stretches outside of the tent as he starts packing up the camp and getting everything ready to depart as quietly as possible, so as not to disturb Cole too much

She wakes up fifteen minutes later, and without comment just knows where to begin, and within an hour the camp is packed.

8:46 AM

(3xp, 5000 credits, and youve got some trophies)

(And a cool story)

8:47 AM

On the drive back Cyrus looks over to her "So what did you think of Gudrun's forests?"

"I think I'd like to come hunting again sometime soon"

"I'd like that too, hopefully we get time. Nem loves it, she's no house cat. It keeps me in tune with the planet too. I'm -" He pauses as he tries to find the words to describe it. "Touched? By it's energy, it's one of the reasons I have Nemesis. My own planet had something similar, certain individuals can harness the power of the planet's energy, manifest things. Use it, wield it."

"Are you a psychic?" she asks. She does not look concerned, merely curious

"Not exactly, I'm enhanced - by the thing they are calling magic."

9:09 AM

"It's hard to explain, because I don't know. There were seers on my own world, they told us that they drew from the planet to help protect it. I think when Gudrun was awakened by Billy it broke down the barrier that stops normal people being able to do the same, and I think I managed to tap into it. To help protect it. I used to be able to do it, it seems like a long time ago now. Some, the Seers told us, are born with the gift to do so. I suppose I was one such person but when I left they somehow took it away, shut me off from being able to draw from it and enhance my abilities."

"And now, here on Gudrun, you can do it again?"

"Yeah....But it's like it's new again, different. I've got to learn it all over. I never had an animal before like Nem. I was taught to use it to infuse my fighting abilities."

"Maybe I could find others like myself, find them service within the ranks."

"There may be some if that thing billy did awakened everyone, dunno."

"Might be worth looking into. Either way, getting out into the wild grounds me. But sadly, it's time to go back to work." He says as he hits the outskirts of Central.

Cyrus drops Cole and Nem back at the apartment, he kisses Cole goodbye. "I'll see you at the base in a few hours. I've got to go and make some orders."

"I'll see you then" she says, taking Nem inside

Cyrus smiles and offloads the atv's cargo before heading to Pops'

"Hey Pops' you in?" he says as he walks into the factory

"In back!" he calls out

Cyrus walks through the factory into the back seeing Pops he smiles "Now then old timer!"

"Hey Cyrus!" he shouts, "Whats new? "

"What isn't, you here that I've got my own Organisation now?"

"I heard something about that. so did my checkbook"

"Oh? That mean I'm no longer getting special prices?"

12:53 PM

Cyrus leans on a crate of weapons

"Of course youre getting special prices. So what brings you in?"

"Weapons development my friend. And some potential new equipment."

1:02 PM

"I've been looking into drop capable mechs, but I'm still working on the plans. But I'm also looking into more powerful sniper rifles for my scout teams. As well as force shields."

"What could you do in regards to developing a long barrelled version of the Taros Assault Rifle but with more stability and range, in the same vein as a marksman's rifle"

(i gotta think about how this might work(

1:19 PM

(last time I did this it backfired)

(No worries, think it over)

2:21 PM

(If you are thinking about stats I was gonna say something like 3d8 with the sniper rifle ability)

(I'm thinking about stats)

2:31 PM

"Well, I think some research would need to be done into it, but we might be able to mock something up"

"Okay, my second item - Energy shields. I saw that some pavis shields had been made before in belt for but I was hoping to do a little customising, making them look like actual shields" He sends a diagram to pops of a energised hoplite's shield that allows the wielder to use a rifle at the same time.

"Well, we could put two mooring spikes on the back of the shield that slide down. Put a rifle rest in the corner where a spear would normally be slotted. It can work"

"It's all in the style my friend, is that a thing we can get in production now?"

"The shields? yes of course. It might take a few weeks for the first handful, plenty of kinks to work out"

"Sounds good, I've got no where pressing to be, lots of new recruits hopefully. So you'll be getting a nice slice of that."

3:10 PM

"What's it gonna cost per unit of those shields?"

(I think the book has them listened at 10k each - I dunno if the custom stuff makes them cost anymore)

(15, with the stabilizer on it. So they get a +1 ac and auto stabilize, we will just assume the refurbishment after use is part of their hire cost)

6:07 PM

(I dont want to turn this into spreadsheet simulator)

(It's all good, I have a spreadsheet for this haha) (edited)

(15 is fair and we just never have to worry about misc power cells and whatnot ever again)

(Okay so 15K x 32 =480,000 which is what I will pay for the refurb of my current ranks, including myself and Cole.)

6:09 PM

(I'll deduct that now)

6:11 PM

(Done.) "I'll sanction the transfer now." He says as he taps some numbers into his compad and let's the money go. "I also 'acquired' a sword from a certain Chainveil commander on Alcibiades. I was wondering what you could tell me about it."

"ah a disruption blade. Well, it works by..." (2d8 dmg, ignores armor)

(Sweet, when you say ignores armour is that in regard to shock?)

(No, like vehicles, its AP 999 essentially)

6:16 PM

(basically a power sword)

(Holy shit nice - does it have shock damage?)

(3 <15)

(Sweet! Thanks) "Can you redesign what it looks like?"

“The real power is in the hilt. As long as I keep the basic shape we should be able to change the blade itself, along with the quillions

https://pin.it/vwdjnbmhllhg4s

Qiuckjob from today. Idea has been to create sci fi cyborg sword f...

Qiuckjob from today. Idea has been to create sci fi cyborg sword for fictional scenario with non-standart profile. Blade is detachable. Work I did in 3ds max + vray and completed in photoshop...

9:15 PM

"I'd like to have it look like this"

"Apart from that I've not got much else for you yet, soon enough we'll have a lot more recruits to arm and equip - I'll get those plans to you for a mech when I work them up properly"

"I'll work on this while youre off"

"Great stuff, thanks a lot Pops, you're the man."

7:28 AM

"You wouldn't know where I can buy custom A.I from - I know there's a guy that sells them, but I don't know who or where."

"Sells? No, everyone's built their own for the most part"

"Hmm, not even cores?"

'Salvaged from the helldiver cities. Anyone selling Ai, or components would be heavily regulated"

"huh, Seung has one managing trade, just wondered where he might have gotten from - I doubt he built it himself, no exactly tech savvy."

(they were helldiver cores)

7:35 AM

(they had a bunch from the battle at delphos, literally dead robots everywhere)

(I see - is anyone openly selling them or is it case that I'm gonna have to ask Seung for one if he still has one hanging around)

(that or go salvage one yourself)

(No worries)

(the whole crisis we just had was because of unregulated AI, open sale of the same doesnt really make sense in light of that)

(Makes sense, I like the idea of going on a hunt for one)

"Well friend thanks for the help, I'll speak to you later."

"Safe travels" he says, "I'll see you when you return for your gear:

Cyrus nods and leaves heading towards the Myrmidon base south of Central

The compound is busy, as you return, everyone eager to move off to actual business

Cyrus disembarks and looks around at the activity a smile coming to his face, He goes to find Cole

She and Nem are looking over some paperwork, but it seems to be largely unnecessary, the plans have been made

Cyrus walks in "Hey there! How's the paper work?"

"boring. I'm glad you're back., because now I don't need to do it" she smiles

"Hah! Me doing paperwork, that's a good one. I'll have to hire an aide or something."

"So now that youre back, what are our marching orders?":

(Gonna see how the unity meeting goes)

10:24 AM

(I asked Seung whether or not he had any cores left from previous salvage and he says 'probably?' so I'll leave that judgement up to you whether he doesn or not.)

(he would, hes killed A LOT of robots)

Cyrus sits down at the opposite desk, bringing up a screen "That's a good question. Have we had any recruitment interest? Either here or on Asleif."

"I don't think we're getting through to Aslief. Not with me associated with you. We might need to make some more private inquiries there. "

Cyrus sighs "That should be fun, what about Gudrun?"

"A handful. They're strapped for people themselves, especially with that new capital being worked out. I think we're going to need to find some sources outside the normal supply"

"Hmmm, Sumati might be an idea, potentially Miriam and Terezinho."

"What about south?"

11:28 AM

"no one's been that way, and the Remnant had been getting help at Khulk from somewhere"

"We could scout down there for sure, but it's still unfriendly territory. It's long term a good idea, and I plan to do it. But short term I need to swell the ranks by a few dozen or even hundred, we need to secure a source of recruits from a few worlds here so that we've got them for large scale missions."

11:34 AM

"The lack of interest and political blocking from Asleif is also an issue, which needs to be solved."

"I think its because of my involvement" she looks downcast "I'm messing things up already"

"No, you're not. It's more political bullshit, don't worry I'll sort it. The people of Asleif are for you, just because one branch of the government decides it doesn't, that doesn't mean they get to harass you or a private organisation."

"But we'll deal with that in time."

11:56 AM

"The way we can solve this temporarily is to have bases on other planets, Sumati seems like a good bet but that might be hard, Terezinho is the same. But I'm definitely going to look into solving our issues on Asleif. It's the UNW's main population base and I can't have it being like this."

Sumati will be tough, at least until the war is over. They've gone as far as delivering a note of censure to Ad-Astra for trying to develop their friendship society there"

"Maybe if we helped them win the war."

12:00 PM

"But to do that I need people. Fuck this is hard."

12:03 PM

"What about Rawhani?"

12:03 PM

"With House Draconis tempering their activities we could find people there."

"Well, Stack city has been emptied. Those 20,000 are here now. There were some smaller, more isolated communities. If you're looking for just a handful, and not an exodus, it might be worth our time"

"Hmmm, I'll have to think about it, if we can break through the barriers on Aselif that's a multimillion population planet with a job crisis. I'm sure we'd have better look getting recruits their, short term."

3:18 PM

"How are the Myrmidons? Chomping at the bit I imagine as usual?"

"They are. We have a target in mind?"

Cyrus taps on his screen and sends over the image and initial report of Malak's escape to her. (edited)

3:20 PM

"We are going to hunt him down."

"Care to give me some background?"

Cyrus pulls up his record (I wasn't around for him really but I know what Seung has told me so far, like Asleif, Terezhino and Aliah.)

7:17 PM

"Ex-Greenbriar Asset, taken into custody by Seung and I believe the Marshals. Threatened Terezinho with orbital bombardment, shot some guys out an airlock, started harassing people on Aliah. Xeno animal expert, also had experience in guerrilla warfare from my own knowledge."

7:18 PM

"There's a traitor in the UNW. And they most likely had a hand in getting him out, by the looks of the Taros involvement maybe even TFL remnants. He has intimate knowledge of defence's, armament and capabilities of the UNW - Albeit somewhat out of date."

(Does he have a UNW file/record)

(I can drag him out of archive)

(sweet thanks)

"I'm gonna call Franz see if he can send me the full incident report and give me clearance to follow through."

(pulled it out, hes under the NPC folder)

Cyrus calls Franz on his pad as he looks through the files.

“Franz here. Trouble already Cyrus?”

"Trouble? No Friend, just wanted to let you know I've decided to hunt down Malak. Wondering if you could forward the report of his 'disappearance' to me."

8:57 PM

"With the Marshal's already being stretched thin and the....Nature of the individual in question I think it requires somewhat of a firmer hand if you understand my meaning."

"Alright, well, I can summarize it. Two Taros in uniforms arrived at the Central prison and said he was needed in Carinhold for a civil suit. Some of the miners he took to Aliah and then abandoned were from there. The plane never arrived at its destination, the whole thing just, vanished

"Did you verify the Taros? I.Ds that kind of thing?"

"What kind of aircraft was it they were using?"

"The ID's were both of two soldiers later found to be dead, aboard the cheshire. It took some time to collate death and injured after the battle"

"Any clue where they mights have gone? Have we got satallite footage of Gudrun that we could play back, try and see where they went."

Youre sent some photos of the route, and midway between central and Carinhold, the photos distort. There looks to be a flash of light, and then nothing

"Holy shit! Is that a glitch or... Maybe they spiked?"

"It was an atmoflyer. Something happened to them, we just don't know what"

"Have you checked for wreckage?"

"We did, as I said, nothing on the ground:

"Is there anyone in UNW intelligence that has a lead on TFL sympathisers left over in Carinhold? Maybe thats the place to start. If we can find out who they are then we can find out where they took him."

"We haven't run across any but a visit with their police couldn't hurt.

"I might start there, it's finding a trail to follow. Once I've got that he can't hide for long."

"When I find him, Malak that is. How does Kincaid want him dealt with? Back here for trail again? Or..."

"We tried that. Make sure he doesn;t come back"

"No problem Sir." Cyrus' tone goes from jovial to cold and deadly serious as he replies. "I'll make sure it's done personally."

"I'll keep you informed of my progress as I go through." He says in a lighter tone.

"Alright, do it correctly. This problem is long overdue for handling. And thank you Cyrus"

"All for a brighter future Franz. I'll talk to you when I've got something new to report." Cyrus hangs up and looks over to Cole. "We're good to go. We are gonna start in Carinhold. Work our way to get a trail. Any idea what could've made it disappear?"

"Transmat platform could have done it."

1:20 PM

"Old tech. We used to use it on Aslief before the great brain robbery took our psychics"

"What does it do?"

"Ballpark, don't get scientific."

"You can move an object in the system to a designated point. Like a one way teleport"

2:00 PM

"It works from local system space."

"So if that was the case, then they should still be in system right? Or at least it's possible"

she shrugs "could be anywhere by now. It's been long enough"

"So our job is to find out where they might have gone. Who might be involved, there's got to be someone on Gudrun that has knowledge of this."

2:06 PM

"I need to meet with Seung, then I'm going to go to Carninhold, talk to their intelligence see what they have to say. How do you feel about taking a squad of 10 and looking into who might know anything here? Call up UNW intel and ask if they've got their eye on anything in the city, TFL connections that kind of thing."

2:06 PM

"They must have had a contact here, chances are they are still here."

"sure, whatevwer you need me to do, as long as its something, and as long as its not paperwork"

"Okay then, you chase down leads here. If you find anything let me know, if you happen to find anyone who might be involved try not to kill them before interrogation. And keep it quiet if you do, we'll most likely be covered by the UNW but we don't want the public in on what we are doing. Or the enemy. You've got access to Mac's new squad of Myrmidons. They're fresh of the press so keep them on a tight leash."

Cole, an adept at commading and being around military figures, will do just that

Cyrus smiles "It's good to be back on it. Let's go catch some terrorists and traitors!" He smiles and goes out of the office "Lars, I need you to prep the Trojan Horse, take your guys and get started on that. Korkova, have the 1-1 gear up and get ready for an OP, same with you Tess. This OP will start covert most likely, so walk your armour onto the ship but don't be surprised if we are in plain clothes to begin with."

2:29 PM

"I'm off to speak with Seung, so be ready to step off by the time I come back."

Everyone begins breaking off to follow orders

Cyrus leaves his men to their work and gets on his bike driving down to the old TFP battacks, now Whitaker Solutions. (Gonna take this to Seung's channel)

Cyrus drives back to the base from his meeting with Seung. "Kokova, we all good to go?"

He asks as he opens the door on a busy courtyard.

“Good enough to go boss. Where to?”

"Carinhold first. We need to find leads, contacts that kind of thing. Run down any TFL that might be left around with sympathies. Cole is staying here to do the same in Central."

8:16 PM

"We've got no hope of find Malak if we don't know where he's going. Or gone to."

He nods and gets the transport ready to fly. “We can be there in an hour or so with the space route. “

"Let's go then." Cyrus says as he grabs his gear bag. Smiling at Cole as he walks towards the Trojan Horse on the pad.

The Trojan horse has you set down at carinholds main airport landing skirt within the hour as promised. A trio of staff cars rides out from the main terminal to greet you

Cyrus steps of the ramp with Korkova and another 4 Myrmidons as a security detail. All in combat uniforms (Field Combat Uniforms not Power armour. Don't think they'd take to kindly to it.) He walks towards the staff cars going to meet the rep that was sent to escort him.

"Afternoon Friend, I assume because of this convoy you know why I'm here?"

9:18 PM

He says putting out a hand to the rep

(They wouldn’t. There’s really no need) The rep takes your hand. “I know you’re a human delegation that declared its intentions to land. What can we help with?

"My name is Commander Cyrus Adonis of the Elysium Initiative. I'm here on behalf of the UNW conducting an investigation into the disappearance of the fugitive Malak Abd al-Muta."

9:32 PM

"I was hoping to speak with the local police force and intelligence representative. If that's possible."

"It is, follow us, we will motorcade you to the central precict"

"Will do." Cyrus says his team getting into a vehicle and following them.

"Keep your heads on a swivel guys, I'd rather not get ambushed."

Nothing happens on the way to the precinct. The building is three floors and very busy, as investigators work the Malak case, in addition to many smaller issues Carinhold is dealing with.

Cyrus walks through the building with the rep "So who do I talk to here?"

There is a figure in the midst of the activity, looking at inflated versions of the same orbital images you were given access to. He has investigators running to and from different stations, or out on different errands to get answers

Cyrus walks over towards him making sure to dodge the investigators running around. He stands behind him while he watches the images and waits for him to finish before making an introduction. "Hello there, Commander Cyrus Adonis - I'm here to hunt down Malak Abd al-Muta."

8:03 AM

"I was told you were the person to speak to in Carinhold."

"We're investigating the matter. The accomplices being Taros is certainly cause for alarm"

"Indeed, my thought was if I could find accomplices to the break out that could lead me to where he has gone. Do you have an eye on anyone so far? Anyone you think was involved?"

"When the First League fell apart, we knew we didn't mop them all up. They were just too scattered. We think there might have been a cell in Carinhold. They must have had a hell of a programmer though, because there were no actual court proceedings scheduled for Malak"

8:24 AM

"They implanted that data somehow"

"Either a good programmer or someone on the inside."

8:28 AM

"What leads do we have on the suspected cell?"

We are trying to triangulate where the data-steam entered our network from. We think we have a hit, in the warehouse district east of town. We were getitng ready to head over there"

"I've got a 5 strong squad with me here, but I've got another 15 on my ship, if you need I can have them with us in 10 minutes in full assault armour. Save's your men, let mine handle this. If you want to come along please do so to oversee the mission - but my warriors are better suited for this work."

"If you'll allow it, I don't want you to feel like I'm in charge here. It's just that my Myrmidons are better at breaching and potential conflict."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but this is still our city, UNW or not. We're coming with you"

Cyrus nods "I understand."

9:17 AM

"Let's get this done." Cyrus turns to Korkova. "Get the rest of the assault team to meet up with us on the way. Full gear."

"going by car?"

"Best do I suppose, unless you have a APC laying around."

He pulls up a data-screen showing where his units are positioned "Got one, lower garage"

"Lets go then."

Cyrus along with his detail and the other investigators set off for the landing pad to get suited up before starting back towards the city and the target building.

There is a four-vehicle column of personnel carriers, the second belonging to you, heading through the cleared city streerts to the warehouse district. The traffic signals are thankfully, things you can ignore.

Cyrus now in his armour stands up and faces his squad. "Okay, listen in. We are going to raid the abandoned factory where a suspected TFL cell might be hiding that helped our target escape. There's a lot of variables with this but keep it tight and on point. We are looking to interrogate prisoners so try not to be lethal with everyone."

The carriers, with local police following in their own cars, move down the warehouse row to the large two floor structure the transmission looks to have originated from. The windows are a dirty yellow , and the only way in or out seems to be a large garage bay on the front, and service door for person sized cargo (and people) around the back

"Okay, Tess get a drone up and looking through the windows. Korkie take 3 and go to the back door I'll take 4 and go through the front. Wait on my word."

1:57 PM

Cyrus moves with his squad into position. His helmet closing around his face as he does.

A skylight on the second floor of the warehouse blows open in a shatter of glass as a stitching line of heavy machine gun fire chases the drone (15/12)

(The recon drones have holoskin and sensor transparency, so it's invis - Sorry I should have reminded my bad)

(Alright, well, go on then haha)

"Tess, switch the drone's cam to thermal and give me a body count."

2:35 PM

Cyrus has his guys stack up on the garage door he makes a hand signal and two of them start prepping the breaching charges.

There are only three in the warehouse, two of whom are manning the machine gn

(which way is it aimed at? back door or garage?)

(It is aimed to cover the front bay door

"Okay Korkova, when I blow the garage doors you breach the back door and subdue the machine gunners. Subdue do not kill, I'll take the last guy."

Cyrus gets in position with his squad and starts the count down "3...2...1..." He presses the switch

The charge blows and the team storms the building. The gun is not able to train itself on target before the two crewmen are being kicked and bludgeoned by armored fists and feet

Cyrus and two others run past the quick takedown as they run towards the other heat signature.

He begins running toward the opposite end of the building, smack into your other men

As the runner stammers seeing the other set of Myrmidons Cyrus runs at him attempting to tackle him to the ground.

"Clear the rest of the building, watch out for traps."

(you've got them, they really didnt have a chance, wasnt worth fighting it out)

(Sweet.)

6:38 PM

Cyrus stands in front of the captives as they kneel on the ground restrained. His helmet recedes into his armour showing his face. "Well, that wasn't a nice start to our relationship."

"Investigator do you mind if I make some inquiries whilst here?"

"Go ahead, just don't hurt them so bad they can't talk"

Cyrus nods turning back to the three "We know that the signal that changed the schedule came from here. Which one of you was it?"

(I'm slow because I'm fixing faction combat)

(No worries)

"gone already" one of them laughs

7:35 PM

"you're too late!"

"Where too?"

7:36 PM

Cyrus tone seems impassive, conversational almost.

"I'm not telling you that" she laughs again "Amateur effort. I'm disappointed"

"I thought I'd ask before we get into the heavy stuff." Cyrus turns to the investigator taking him to one side "How far are you gonna allow me to go?"

"Just don't do something that will keep them from talking"

"You might want to pull back anyone that's not of the same opinion. I don't want to get arrested for doing what's necessary." Cyrus says turning to his warriors stood behind the prisoners. "Gag those two, Korkova, Alex with me. Bring her first." He says pointing to the female prisoner who just mocked him. He takes her into one of the back rooms and begins a field interrogation. (I don't know how in depth you wanna take it but it's fair to say Cyrus goes full Zero Dark Thirty.) (edited)

(Alex is there to keep her alive and to make sure medical stuff can be dealt with. The questions I'm asking are "Who was the hacker? Where have they gone? Who with? Why was Malak taken? And Who is helping?) (edited)

The hacker was part of the extraction team. He was forced to go on the mission to essentially guarantee his own work. They dont know where they have gone. This fragment of the cell seems to be abandoned. They were interested in Malak because they have no formal force-on-force training and need someone to lead who knows what they're doing.

"Who was your contact with the upper TFL?"

8:34 PM

(Basically who forced the cell to do this, who gave the orders.)

"Its gone dark since the northern fortress fell. This operation was planned for a long time"

"Who was it planned by? You?"

"I just told you, he was killed in the attack on the northern fortress"

8:41 PM

"but we continued as planned"

"So if you continued as planned, what was the next stage of the plan? Where were you to take him?"

8:47 PM

"Tell me the truth and all of this" He gestures to her situation "Will be over."

"We just had to retrireve him. They said they could get it from the air"

9:11 PM

"They talked about something galactic northeast. some organization needing him"

"Chainveil?"

(thats west, she means 1NE sector)

(Oh shit yeah sorry. Void that) "Can you remember what it is called?"

"We never knew"

Cyrus nods thinking it all over for a moment. Then looks at Korkova. "Take her out and give them to the locals. We're done here."

Cyrus walks out after him and up to the investigator. "I've got what I needed, seems this cell is the last or at least one of them. The operation to break out Malak has been on the cards for a while now. I've got a trail, I'll follow it."

9:49 PM

"Thank you for your cooperation and help in the matter."

Cyrus puts a bloody armoured hand out to him realising it's bloody lowers his hand again.

All he does is nod before walking back to his patrol car with the suspects in tow

Cyrus turns to his warriors and nods for them to load back up. Once everyone is in they set back off for the ship

Once back on the ship they will head back to Central

Central is busy when you return, everyone running off to different tasks

Cyrus comms Cole as they set down "He Darlin' how's things your end?"

“Turned up a whole lot of dirt. How about you?”

"Took out a TFL cell in Carinhold they gave me some intelligence, I've got a scent but I'm still clueless as to who's behind it all."

“A trail is a good thing to follow. All will be revealed I’m sure” she does her best to sound confident

Cyrus chuckles "Don't worry. I'm back at base now, I've got to call Franz and let him know what's going on."

10:00 AM

"Then we'll talk about what to do next."

she nods her ascent, and leaves you for a few moments to have some privacy

Cyrus calls Franz as he sits down at his desk

"Franz here, go ahead Cyrus"

"I've got a lead on Malak. Went down to Carinhold and hit a TFL Cell that helped break him out. He's out of system by now for sure. The Cell didn't know much but what I got out of them is that they needed Malak for his knowledge of training and leading soldiers. And that an Organisation from out galactic north east is involved. Does the UNW know of anyone else out there that might have a grudge against us?"

"Aside from the three bodies against us now?"|

"Yeah."

11:42 AM

"If the TFL was being backed by someone or something to our galactic northeast."

11:42 AM

"That changes a lot."

11:43 AM

"Either way with the tech we've seen them use and the fact that this was planned well in advance then I feel like we are dealing with more than just the TFL, last we checked they had no spike capable ships."

11:44 AM

"Malak has intimate knowledge of both the UNW's capabilities and the Taros states, or what was."

11:44 AM

"He helped train them for fuck's sake."

"we know nothing of the northeast sector. If there is a body working there, they know more about us than we know about them"

11:54 AM

"It's been almost three years since the Scream now. Plenty of time for someone or someones to get organized, as we have"

"Hmm, do we have a Greystar rep in Central?"

"We have a communication channel with them. We deemed it not wise to keep them too close at hand"

"Perhaps it's time to open the link again. For this, we need intel on who might be out there and they might know."

(i added his bio to his sheet too, malak's. He had it written in a weird spot so it wasnt showing up)

(Thanks)

11:59 AM

"Would Kincaid authorise it Franz?"

There's a hiss of static on the line. "I'm authorizing it" you hear her authoritative voice break into the line. "If he ever comes home, make sure it's only his head"

"Yes Ma'am."

12:01 PM

"I'll see to in personally, I'll speak with Greystar and then get after him with my team."

"Forward me the channel details and I'll handle it."

The link ends and a moment later the frequency is added to your compad.

Cyrus takes a couple of seconds and calls the frequency

There is a long hiss. And then finally, a voice that is neither male, or female. "Yes?"

"My name is Cyrus Adonis. I'm looking for some information, I heard that you make have that information."

"Ask your question" the voice says, sounding impatient

"I need to know what Where Malak Abd al-Muta is. And what his disappearance has to do with the sector to the Northeast."

1:02 PM

"Failing that, I need to know what organisation had a hand in his escape."

"Malak Abd al-Muta. The Butcher of Aliah is what they call him now. He is to the northeast. We have the name of an organization. Providing it has a cost"

"Name your price."

"100,000 credits"

"Done."

1:09 PM

Cyrus authorises a transfer from his comm.

"The New Moon Cooperative."

1:12 PM

(their handout is now available under the galactic factions folder)

1:13 PM

"We have provided what we feel is 100k worth of information."

"Thank you. Our business for now it concluded."

1:14 PM

Cyrus drops the line.

1:15 PM

Cyrus reads the file and frowns before writing a report and sending it to Franz through a secure line.

1:16 PM

"I think it might be time for me to go have a look at these people."

1:18 PM

(Sector map, Their territory edge runs from Pretel to Bahera, basically cutting north to control the upper 3/4 of the sector)

(Thanks!)

1:19 PM

"Give me a few days to get my affairs in order and I'll be after him."

Cyrus goes to find Cole

Garion 3/16/2019 2:15 PM

Cole is standing outside, giving you some privacy while you talk

He walks up to her standing next to her as he slips his hand into her. "Well, that was fun." He says sarcastically "Looks like I'm headed galactic north east after him. But I'm unsure."

"Why, what did you find out?"

"The organisation that is either harbouring him, helping him or that he's fled too is called the New moon cooperative. The sound a lot like the UNW, but they control most of the northern half of their sector."

3:21 PM

"A lot of ground to cover."

3:22 PM

"And the UNW can do with less enemies not more."

"Careful hand then." she says "something neither of us are good at"

"Well, this guy needs hunting whether or not they are helping him. The bonus we have is surprise. He doesn't know me, we never met. I doubt he thinks anyone will be following him there. My problem is the more time I spend on this, the less time I'm developing the E.I. I don't want to bite of more than I can chew"

"He's not going further than he's got, and maybe we can get some diplomatic work done with them in the meantime to make the hunt easier?"

"Maybe we can. I feel like if I give this a month we can send the UNW diplomatic team in to make contact with them. And we can build our forces here. We'll have our new ship, room for the E.I to grow, a trade A.I and a route."

3:33 PM

"Even if the diplo team fails, we might gain information from it."

"And then we go in, with weight behind us"

"Yeah, then we go in." Cyrus says in agreement.

3:35 PM

"I'll make the call to Franz. Thanks Cole, you're a big help." He leans in and kisses her on the forehead.

she looks pleased

Cyrus pauses for a few moments before walking back into the office calling Franz and making a report and a recomendation that they send in a diplomatic team to make contact with this new power (edited)

3:44 PM

"The likelihood of him moving now is slim, we have him at a disadvantage but we need to find out what this new power is all about. I don't want to go in there and cause another war. I'd like to go in there and take him and only him down. Precise."

"Is that possible?"

"It is but this is a decision that needs to be made by more than just you and I"

4:07 PM

"A team should be sent, but the UNW whole should determine who goes, and the message that will be sent"

"Okay, but Malak is my target, this diplomatic mission can't be one of those 'Then you go after him' things."

4:08 PM

"You send other people after him and people we don't want dead will end up dead."

"No, the mission is yours, but sending warships and armed men through the territory of another polity without any kind of outreach first might see us fighting a 4 front war"

"Just had to be sure Franz."

4:11 PM

"Put out the call, if they need intel tell them to contact me."

(want me to convene a special unity meeting?)

(Nah just put a looking for players thing out, I don't think this needs a vote or anything. If they need info I'll give it to them)

4:40 PM

(But most of it is already known) (edited)

"Alright, I'll forward them to you if anything comes up"

"Thanks Franz."

4:52 PM

Cyrus ends call and sits back in the chair.

4:52 PM

"Fuck, okay what's next."

"Well, the delay was so we can settle Terezinho. Why not get on with it"

"People, and money. I think it's time for us to head back to Asleif. Sort out this shit with the politicians and see if I can recruit more people. There's still a lack of available housing and jobs after the attack. I'm gonna try and give them a better place to live."

4:55 PM

"I've got a A.I core now - I just need someone to work on it."

4:55 PM

"Maybe Pops or Kelbore can help with that."

"Either one. THey'd be happy for the credits"

"I'll send it over to pops, I've got light mech workups as well so he can start on those. Now all we need is pilots." While sat at the desk Cyrus sends over the plans and has the Core he obtained from Seung sent over with the specs (I'll PM you the mech stats and how many of them and all that jazz. As for the A.I I'd like it up'ing to level 9, which I think makes the cost 9x5000 cause it's 9x level but that's second hand info so idk.)

(you have to pay for each tier, you cant skip right to 9)

5:10 PM

(like you can, but its not just pay the lvl 9 cost, you have to pay each level)

5:10 PM

(thats how im keeping power creep to a minimum)

(Makes sense, I'll do the maths: comes to 220000 all together for the A.I)

Cyrus gets all the paperwork done and looks up at Cole "Okay, let's sort out this recruitment shortage. We're going to Asleif."

"I'll probably remain aboard when we're there. i don't see me helping your cause;'

"You're a hero to the people there! Surely you can't let one group of dictate your every move."

"They know I'm with you by now. Those moved by that will come of their own voltion anyway"

"I suppose, I'm still gonna go and oversee the recruitment drive. We have a base on there but I need to see how it's running and whether or not it's working. If it is,, then all this will be is us going to pick up some recruits."

6:09 PM

(How big is the population on Miriam?)

6:09 PM

(The scouting report doesn't say)

( ~20,000 contacted but there are a lot of ruins and other settlements on planet that are cut off/need to be brought in)

(Hmm, maybe that's a play too.)

6:18 PM

Cyrus stands up "Come on let's go get some sleep, it's been a long day. We'll set off in the morning."

(no one's been to the agricollective yet, and theres a ton of ruins)

(I'll keep it in mind.) Cyrus drives Cole and Nem back to the apartment as the night draws in darker (Fade to morning.)

6:46 PM

"Okay, let's get going!" Cyrus says as He, Cole, Nem and Lars' team set off to Asleif

"Don't worry Cole, they'll be no issues. Or in true company form I'll sue the shit out of them, or something."

9:32 PM

"After this how's about we go to Miriam, I've heard it's nice."

“It’s cold. I’d like to see it for myself” she replies

"So would I. I've heard there are some ruins and other settlements that haven't yet made contact."

"So we could potentially bring many more in. The governor would be grateful"

"He would, I've only met Charles once but he seemed a good man. Also a recruitment opportunity. As well as Miriam being loaded with old tech."

8:41 AM

"How about we go there first, we can stop by the E.I operations on Asleif on the way back to see how they are going."

8:41 AM

(I feel like I need to appoint a rep on each planet so I can just call them xD)

(Thats what your base of influence does really

(Fair. Okay Miriam then)

Cyrus walks onto the bridge with Cole "Okay Lars set a course for Miriam." Cyrus sits in the command chair and types a message to Governor Trivedi to let him know what they plan to do. That being that he plans to lead a team to Agricollective and make potentially make contact with the locals. (I think they haven't yet been brought in.)

(they haven't. Might wanna post in the faction channel too to see if he has any guidance)

(Will do)

11:02 AM

(Sent)

"The agricollective has not been brought in, no. It doesn't look like they know if anything is out there"

11:22 AM

"aside from the buildings of course'

"Let's set our course for there then, our armour should shelter us from cold. But keep vigilant - I don't know what's out there."

“Alright. How close we thinking boss?”

"About a mile or two outside of where the buildings are. If you can."

"Be careful, apparently these people don't take kindly to outsiders." Cyrus says as he stands going to get suited up.

"THey'll see the ship. Be ready as soon as we land."

1:07 PM

(how are you deploying, and how many people are with you?)

(10 total but 5 are gonna stay in the ship. 5 including Cyrus and Cole are going out. And then there's Nem.)

1:12 PM

"Will be." He says as he starts to jog down to the armoury with his squad.

The ship sets down outside the agricollective, which is itself under a gigantic dome. You see the bright glow of a false, second sun inside, seen through sheets and layers of a clear heat retaining polymer

Cyrus and his team move out of the ship weapons on their backs. Cyrus watches how Nem reacts to snow for the first time.

"Eye's on a swivel guys, no shooting the locals, rules of engagement are no firing unless I tell you to."

Nem is torn between keeping her focus on the mission and exploring the snow

Cyrus chuckles "Go and explore girl, come back if you find anything dangerous nearby." Cyrus and the rest of the squad start their walk towards the bubble.

The large bay doors to the agricollective open as you close to half the distance between yourself and the bubble. Two snow-kat ATV's roll out, with men hanging off the side, as well as inside

(What's the weather like atm?)

(snow on the ground but sunny)

3:10 PM

(clear day)

(Thanks) Cyrus' face isn't covered by his integrated helmet he looks at the vehicles speeding towards the group. "Okay, guns out but no one touch the triggers. They're feeling us out." He halts the group where they are, adopting a cautious stance ready to defend themselves if attacked

The vehicles come to halt 50m fro you, and their rear ramps lower. "You're a long way from civilization traveler!"

3:43 PM

"Whats your business here?"

Cyrus steps forward "I'm here to converse Friend. Talk about trade, and friendship."

"Alright, then talk. We heard something about a governor but he's yet to try to reach us"

"I suppose that'd be me then, that's reaching out that is. My name is Commander Cyrus Adonis, I work with the UNW - The United Nations of Worlds. Weird name I know but they didn't give me a say in it. The Governor is the representative of the UNW on this planet. His name is Charles Travedi."

4:19 PM

"Technically this world is under the Governance of the UNW now, but we are still trying to reach out and help those that were cut off after the events on this planet and the scream."

"I've come to ask whether or not you want to be part of the future so to speak, have a say in where Miriam goes, prosper as people."

"It sounds like with a governor appointed, we don'tr eally get much of a say anymore"

6:19 PM

"So where does that leave us?"

Cyrus kicks a bit of snow with his boot as he thinks it over "Well, you could join the UNW and stay on Miriam, or you could stay independent - but at this point, you're better off joining the UNW, you'll get a say in your future, better living, better quality of life and security."

"and we just depend on a governor for that, then?"

"Your Governor and the wider UNW organisation, he's not a dictator he can't just do what he wants if that's what you're worried about. And what benefits the UNW as a whole is happy civilians, not to mention the whole idea of the UNW is give everyone a better future. And so far we've done that."

6:31 PM

"Shit, if you don't like Miriam you could even go to another UNW planet."

"Miriam is our home, and we found a way to make the ice plains bloom. Come inside the dome, allow yourself to be warmed at least. We will draft a list of demands"

"Sounds good to me." Cyrus gives a nod to his squad and they start forward, he slings his rifle on his back again. "Oh by the way, if you see a white sabre toothed tiger don't shoot it, she's mine!" He says as they draw closer to the group.

He passes the word on his comms, and you enter the dome. The entrance is sometihng like an airlock, where sanitizing chemicals are sprayed and air dried off those coming in.

7:25 PM

A secondary door begins to slowly spin before you can enter

Cyrus walks through the second door looking around at the inside of the dome.

Inside the dome, the air is warm and humid. A cluster of buildings, about 30, including a smithy and a chapel sit in the middle of a handful of small village blocks. The houses are rustic and made with whatever parts could be savaged from the frozen city around them. Fields of golden grain sway in the breeze

Cyrus stares in awe for a good long moment before turning to Cole at his side "This, this is something else."

Above, on an elaborate system of tracks (think like a drop ceiling but very very high up) sprinkler heads move to where they are needed to sprinkle purified meltwater on the crops below

Cyrus carries on walking looking around as he does "I don't think I've ever seen a hab dome this intricate. How did you manage it out here?"

"holdovers from the days when the planet was not...well...this. We salvaged what we could, and rebuilt it"

"Ingenious, who's in charge here?"

9:05 PM

Cyrus asks as he puts a hand through the wheat surprised at it's colour and health

"There are a few of us field overseers that get together and talk. There's a good number of us here, but without the food, no one else would even be here to have an opinion"

"Yeah, not much in the way of food out there. You were talking about a list of demands for me to hand to the Governor?"

"We;ve only just made it inside. We will draft it. You're free to wander until it's completed"

"Thank you." Cyrus nods to the overseer and turns to his warriors and Cole "Okay, best behaviour. I'll comm you when it's time to go. Dismissed." He says to the group before taking a step towards Cole "Wanna go for a walk, take in the sights?"

"Lets" she smiles "It might be a while. This is all new for me. The sunlight, grain, its...its beautiful"

"It is, it's a lot like Terezinho is some regards. Though there's more sand on T, and water. But the climate is interesting. It's crazy how they've done this in the midst of snow and wind." He says starting to walk around the dome with her.

The wind outside howls, and the dome creaks gently as it leans into the force of it. The grain inside sways a bit, in its own micro-climate, but the air is warm and pleasant.

Cyrus along with Cole makes his way into the little hamlet.

7:35 AM

"The universe always finds new ways to inspire awe in me..." Cyrus says quietly as they take in their surroundings.

The roads are paved over gravel paths, some of the loose stones still accumulated on the sides of it. There are a handful of dirt service roads through the fields to allow access to the dome sides, and into the heart of the crops if needed. The smell of fresh baking bread wafts over you as you close in on the central buildings.

"I hope that they can work out a deal, this place will be a welcome addition to the UNW on the planet." Cyrus says as he talk towards the smell, eager to meet some of the locals

There is a small bread line outside of one of the bakeries, with people standing there waiting for their turn to get into the small cafe/bakery. They seem pleasant, one smiles, but none go out of their way to approach you.

"You wanna grab a drink while we wait?" Cyrus says as they near the cafe.

"Sure. It's a small enough settlement, they'll find us"

Cyrus chuckles as he parks his armour much like one does a car as he gets out the back. Not wanting to break any seats he might sit in. His rifle is slung on his back casually as he joins the queue to get in

You receive more polite smiles. Most of the farmers have a handgun on their waist, and some kind of a long rifle, but they are certainly not military grade

11:45 AM

(think like, wild west town without the rampant crime)

(Yeah very frontier like)

12:23 PM

Cyrus waits in line with Cole to go in and eventually sits down inside order the equivalent of black coffee. "Well, I'm not gonna lie. This was not what I expected to find."

"What were you expecting?" she asks, looking out the window at the pleasant dome, and the gently blowing wheat. You see several people walking around with umbrellas despite the warm artificial weather outside.

Cyrus thinks for a second as he sips his coffee. "Snow, ruins, maybe cannibals and gunfire. Always plan for the worst and you'll never be surprised if it goes wrong."

"i like this version better than cannibals and gunfire"

1:15 PM

"It's a little tense though. What if we get the list of demands and its insane"

"Then we deal with it, we walk out talk to Charles about it and sort the issue out. I'll give you that things here are a little tense but we did just roll up with power armour and high grade guns. They're probably on edge."

1:44 PM

"I'd prefer them not to be undercover cannibals...." He says with a light laugh, sipping his brew again.

"Better bioscan the bread. Just in case" she winks. She angles her head to look out the window. "Looks like they've come to a decision"

Cyrus follows he gaze and downs the rest of his coffee. "Let's go face the fireworks then." He says getting up and walking out to meet them

The alderman who admitted you to the dome is flanked by 4 farm-guard, each of them carrying a bolt action rifle. Their weapons are slack on 2 point harnesses, not ready for quick use. "Well, we have our demands- sealed in this message cask. I appreciate you not causing trouble while you are here. It is not often we get visitors who actually respect the operation we have here

Cyrus takes the cask from the alderman. "I'll see it's delivered. And as for trouble, we try to be as unobtrusive as possible. Just coming prepared is all. We also plan to search some nearby ruins, I don't suppose you have any advise for me? I was going to go South."

(I will as soon as i get to a computer to see what's south later

)

2:43 PM

(the unnamed building south by two tiles)

2:44 PM

(West of the spaceport.)

"There's another city to the south. They came to trade a couple of times during the initial freeze but it's been about a year since we heard anything from them"

"I'll head that way out, see if anything's left. How big was it, do you know? How many people that is."

"Before the frost there were hundreds of thousands of people living there. It was a popular vacation spot. LAst time they were here, there was a convoy of about 30, they declined to state their numbers"

"Thank you. I'll contact the Governor and then we'll go have a look, I'll let you know their status. Do you have comm units, communications that I might be able to contact you on?"

"Now that you've been here you should be able to contact us again. "

"Hold up, what?"

6:24 PM

"Are you saying I'm barred?"

"How are you getting that? Your compad should have linked with our radio tower, so you should be able to contact us again"

(Oh i read that as "Shouldn't be able to contact us again" XD)

6:40 PM

"Sorry, water in my ears I thought you said shouldn't be able, guess it's me thinking the worst! Apologies."

6:40 PM

Cyrus chuckles to himself

6:41 PM

"Thank you for your hospitality and time. Perhaps we will meet again one day." Cyrus bows

"Be safe out there. The cold is more a killer than anything else on the surface"

"That's why we've got these!" Cyrus knocks on his armour. Before stepping into it. "Among other reasons."

Cyrus shrugs in his armour seemingly almost more comfortable in it that walking normally. He turns to Cole and nods signalling her to call the rest of the squad before turning back to the Alderman. "A pleasure meeting you Alderman. Peace be with you Friend."

'and with you"

7:36 PM

they walk you to the dome exterior, and you can see some of them inside watching your ship depart

Cyrus turns to the squad "Well, that went a lot better than I expected."

(3xp, 10000 credits, list of demands updated on boardroom channel)

(Sweet! I dinged)

7:47 PM

(Level 14)

7:54 PM

"Keep in your armour." *Cyrus presses the comm button to the bridge Lars, a few hundred miles south there was a settlement on the maps, can you take us to it?"

"Yes. Everyone strap in back there" he says

"We are now." Cyrus says as he grabs a hold of a brace and toggles the mag locks on his armours boots. (edited)

Cyrus gestures to the squad "Lock in."

There is a gentle rattle as the ship takes off again, and the vessel heads south.

7:02 AM

"Did they give you any idea what to expect?"

"They said they hadn't heard from them in about year, used to be a city of hundreds of thousands before the frost. So watch the long range scanners."

"I've got vehicles coming up, directly in front of us"

"How many and what kind?"

"Snowmobiles, I see ten. And...something heavier, some kind of tracked tanker"

"Fuck, can you get me tightbeam comms to them? And pull up out of the firing arc of that tanker just in case."

(its like a fuel tanker, some kind of liquid hauler)

10:41 AM

The craft banks up, away from firing range. The control panel turns from amber to green, a link established

(Ooh eother way out of firing arcs is good)

10:44 AM

"Unknown Convoy, this is Commander Cyrus Adonis of the Elysium Initiative and UNW security consultant. Please state business and intent."

"Should ask the same to you UNW security consultant. you're the one overflying our land"

"Scout, Survey and diplomatic contact."

10:54 AM

"Just making sure you weren't gonna shoot us down."

"We're gathering snowmelt to bring back to our settlement. I don't think we could scratch your bird even if we wanted to"

"Best to be safe that sorry. We are out here looking for survivors of the freeze and such. We've just been to agricollective and they said last time they had contact was a year ago so we expected the worst."

"There was a cave in, most of the undercity was flattened by it. There aren't many of us left"

"Well we might be able to offer you something better, but I'd rather talk about that in person. Would you mind if we landed at your settlement and we can discuss this face to face those of you in charge."

"Land here, by us. Bringing down something like that near the settlement might cause another cave-in. I'd rather talk with home not at risk"

"Okay will do." Cyrus signals to Lars to bring it down.

Cyrus turns to his team after muting the line. "Okay, keep your eyes out, these people could just be like the others. Or this could just as easily be a trap, if I give the signal light them the fuck up. But don't go looking for a fight. Got it?!"

"got it sir" cole says, fixing her helmet into place. The ship lands, gently distributing the snow pack below under its bulk

Cyrus walks out first, helmetless, assault rifle in hand but no at the ready. He looks for their 'leader'

The tanker opens and a man in an exosuit frame exits. The suit is not armored but instead looks like a rigging for various pieces of electronics, and the heating systems to keep them functioning

Cyrus raises a hand in greeting as he walks towards him stopping about 5m from the man "Evenin' Friend."

"Nice rig you've got yourself there."

"Thank you! she's home grown. Your vessel is darling too"

"Home stolen, deny the enemy and all that. Though she's been personalised on the inside."

"Ah, makes sense. So what brings you out into this frost bucket"

"Looking for people, searching ruins that kind of thing. Have you had any contact from the rest of the planet?"

"Not much. We were trading with the agricollective for a while, but with almost everyone buried, we stopped needing that much food"

Cyrus thinks for a moment. "What would you say if I told you that the planet was now under the management of the United Nations of Worlds. And I'm here to connect people to the main hub in one way or another. That means basically I can have people here fairly soon to help you out of the bind you're in. Get you to a safer place to live, even if it's just until you can get this place back on it's feet?"

"What about working with you? I'll be honest, we're awed by the technology you bring, and well, this group here, we're all thats left"

5:32 PM

"We're tired of living like nomads" (edited)

"Well, I wasn't expecting that, but it can be arranged. I lead a group called the Elysium Initiative, we strive to bring peace to the galaxy, further technology and create a home to call our own. These - " He gestures to his squad "Are my Myrmidons, elite Warriors of the Initiative. But we have places and need for less militant members. How many of you are there?"

"30 of us, and the vehicles, of course. There was a cave in, you see"

5:41 PM

he looks downcast

Cyrus nods "I understand, many of the people we've found throughout the galaxy have gone through similar things. Invasions, disaster, loss."

"It sounds like the UNW has things well at hand, as do you. We've been looking for a place to start over. Miriam holds too much loss for many of us"

"Well, there's Gudrun the main hub of the UNW, or any of it's member planets I suppose. If you were wanting to join me personally and the Initiative, I have a base on Gudrun, but I'm also in the throws of building a settlement on the planet of Terezinho. We have information of both of them on our database inside the ship, if you were will I could take you out of here now, to Gudrun. You could make your decision when we get there. Though you'd have to leave the vehicles here, we simply don't have the space in the ship. We'd be running more than twice as heavy as it is. But it's only a short trip so it shouldn't be an issue."

"Theyre not that important. Give us a few moments to get what we need."

Cyrus nods and comms up to Lars "We are taking them with us, to Gudrun. It's gonna be a heavy load."

The survivors huddle together for a few moments speaking, there are some raised voices, but the matter is placated after a few moments. There is the bark of a gunshot, and one of the men falls back into the snow. Now you count 30. "Alright" their leader turns around to face you "now we'll fit"

As the gunshot goes of Cyrus reflexively raises his weapon "Care to tell me what the fuck that was about." Cyrus questions as he trains his rifle on the gunman.

"He was the one that started the cave-in"

5:59 PM

"His mistake, he lies here with it"

There's a few moments of silence before Cyrus glances at Cole and flicks the safety on his rifle lowering it. "That doesn't happen in future."

"It won't. Just a housekeeping issue, but we're entering your house now"

"Good." Cyrus' tone is final and low. "Let's get you out of here."

THey shed their winter coats, one by one as they begin boarding the craft. Many are little more than rags held together with newspaper filling and stitching from recycled other clothes.

6:02 PM

As the craft is filled, there is an ever growing pile in the snow

"Cole, see if we have some fatigues and coveralls for some of the more lacking of our new Friends. Make sure the Women and Children are tended to first by Alex. And they take the bunks. We'll hot bunk if we need to." Cyrus says as he stands in the filled cargo hold overseeing the newcomers.

"Its always a hot bunk with you in it" she whispers, as she passes into the hold to get alex. "I'll get us home quick. Are we heading to T, or back to Gudrun?' Lars asks

"Gudrun. We'll get these people documented and sorted out there first. Then legally employ them. T isn't ready for people yet. Once we have a spark of a settlement we can send them there."

He says nothing but you can feel the craft banking hard right, heading for the system Mandeville point, and home

Cyrus finds the leader of the Miriam refugees that he was talking to previously "What's your name Friend?"

"Minos" he says, and after a moment "I'm sorry you had to see that. That's not usually how I handle my business:

"I understand. As I said, we've been through similar things. Cole over there -" He gestures with a nod "Lead her people when a group called the Remnant invaded her planet and slaughtered them when they saw they were losing. I understand having to do drastic things to save your people, as well as atoning for it. What you did back there is on you, and if you are a decent person - it'll give you restless dreams. But that's not how we handle business when you are with us, not unless it is necessary, for the greater good."

"You said you have some need for non-soldiers. what did you have in mind?"

"Well, admin is in large supply as are technicians, mechanics, engineers that kind of thing."

"What were your thoughts? Are there any among you that would be suited to the life of being a Warrior?"

Garion 3/19/2019 8:18 PM

(gonna need that for later and I'll forget.)

"We've been fighting different raiding bands on the ice since the disaster, everyone here is as much a rifleman as anything else:

"Being able to fight and wanting to do it for a living, a cause even, is different."

8:22 PM

"I'm happy for all of you to be my first settlers on Terezinho and help build the settlement there. But if any of you desired to join my Myrmidons I wouldn't say no. Either way, a brighter future is assured for your people."

8:23 PM

(I assume there are families and stuff in this mix of people, it's not all fighting age people)

(most are fighting age, the retinues/families were inside their settlement when it collapsed, they were out on the ice doing snow people things)

(Ahhh I see. Big oof)

8:26 PM

"It depends on the life you wish to lead, you can make the universe a better place, fighting those that wish to put other down, or can help build a home. Both will come in time as we grow, you will have a home with us."

8:26 PM

"I'd rather not dictate to you how you spend your life."

"Well, that's leadership though, part of it at least. you do have some discretion as to how we spend our time from here on out. We're fast learners, we had to be. Give us jobs and we'll do them"

8:35 PM

(basically blank slate to assign how you want)

"Okay then, I'll draw it up when we get back. Then give it to you so you can pick the right people for the jobs needed. For now, go get some warm food and rest. It'll be a day before we reach Gudrun. Then we'll have to go through customs with Y'all." He chuckles and pats Minos on the shoulder as he goes of to herd cats. (Flash to coming back to Gudrun? I'll get you a list of what I'm gonna use them for or at least a breakdown.)

(works for me. I think we talked this to death for now)

(Yeah, I need to figure out where these guys are going.) As they spike back in Cyrus comms to the Cloud. "E.I Trojan Horse requesting permission to dock with refugees from Miriam wishing to become citizens on the UNW. They've been stuck out in the middle of nowhere for a fair time and needed to get off planet."

"Proceed Trojan Horse. Medical and Social service teams are on standby

"Copy that, Trojan Horse out." Cyrus nods to Lars. "Bring her in to the designated dock and I'll coordinate down in the hold." He says as he stands and makes his down to the hold to help the transition. Once in dock he helps them get through customs and officiates everything, brining them all into E.I employment officially.

The paperwork takes most of the remaining day, but by the end, everyone is processed and officially a citizen- in your employ.

Cyrus has them transported down to Gudrun proper and meets then down there. "Well, take a load off for a while, I'll give you a few days to get settled in while I sort out some things. Welcome to Central. Slightly warmer that what you're used to."

"As long as we aren't going to another ice world I think we'll be alright for a while"

"See you later Minos, go get some rest. You'll need it." He nods to him as he leaves for his own apartment with Nem and Cole

Nem pads behind you , her light touch on the earthen ground. Cole is next to you, lost in thought

"What's up?" He asks Cole as they stroll through Central.

"Nothing important. Just thinking about next steps."

Cyrus slips his hand into hers as they walk "Don't worry about that right now."

"Well, what is our next move?"

"I need to find someone to handle recruitment, a headhunter so to speak. I think I'm going to talk to Baron see if he can help in some capacity."

"He's done the same for Whitaker before. I'm sure he would extend the favor"

"Yeah, that might solve some of our recruitment issues. I'll go talk to him tonight after I've dropped my gear off at home."

"How close are we to meeting your goal?

"For the Myrmidons, with the new recruits maybe 160, but we need 46 crewmen for our ships which shouldn't be an issue. Then we need to find a mech expert who can lead our mech detachment and another 4 people to pilot them."

12:33 PM

"The upkeep and maintenance on the troops for what they use requires twchnicians and mechanics that's where 10 of the new guys will be going, Then maybe 5 to maintenance. That leaves 15 for training to be Myrmidons."

"I..I might have an idea, if you're willing"

"Shoot."

"Sumati. War's over. Maybe we can quietly talk to some of the leaders there, see if we talk to some of the POW's or something"

"That's a damn good idea, the E.I is all about a fresh start, I fought against COST once. They aren't murderers like the Remnant - They're soldiers like anywhere else. And with the war being over there's gonna be plenty of veterans that find themselves without a profession. I still need to go talk to Baron about some specific experts, namely to see if there are any Mech pilots out there that know what they're doing that we can recruit." Cyrus thinks for a moment before looking back to Cole "You're pretty amazing, you know that right?"

"I try. lets talk to the baron first though"

1:31 PM

(I think mord is waiting to talk to you, too)

(He is that's the main reason I'm going I just need to justify it IC.)

1:32 PM

"Okay, lets go." Cyrus walks with Cole hand in hand to the Harvest Spirits.

@Rey (Shriven) sits in the corner, watching the door as Cyrus and Cole enter

Cyrus and Cole walk to the bar ordering drinks and start talking to Baron

Mordecia knows spec ops people when he sees them. Mord gets up from his table and walks over. “I understood there wasn’t much of a spec ops or intel network here. So what’s your story.”

Cyrus turns seeing Mord and chuckles "Hey Mord! Haven't seen you since Alcibiades." (To be fair, Cyrus was in a helmet for all of that engagement so you might not recognise him)

Mord flushes, “Woops, didn’t recognize you. How have you been.”

"Sore mostly, took a few dinks on planet but apart from that I can't complain. Were you about to pitch me something Friend?" Cyrus asks as he takes sip of his whiskey.

“I was just trying to figure out someone to head into some danger that I can trust. I heard we had contact with the new moon.”

5:12 PM

(Forgot to turn on notifications sorry...)

"You mean Gudrun's moon? I'd hardly call it new, it's been there for a while."

“No the new moon cooperative. Up north east. Though... I’m not entirely sure my skills will be useful there. So if you have another option....” Mordecia tries to imply....

Cyrus chuckles "I'm not sure about contact, yet. I left that bit to the UNW to sort out, I was on the trail of a fugitive, Malak Abd al-Muta. Who seems to have fled up there for some reason, whether or not they were helping is something I need to find out. Though I was hoping a diplo team could do it, I'm not a diplomat. My job is to find Malak, but we can't very well go after him with a warship just yet, not without some perspective."

“Hmmm I don’t know how much I can help with that but I can pitch in where I can.

"Are you trying to say you want a job Mord?"

5:25 PM

"Or are you looking to get into something short term?"

“I have kind of a job but I’m not exactly being used to my full potential. If you know what I mean.”

"And what is that? What would you like to do, spy? Scout?"

“Former intel officer for Galatea. I also help with impossible things.”

5:30 PM

“You remember the kind I’m taking about.”

"I'm aware of what you speak." Cyrus whistles sharply and you hear heavy footfalls as the bar goes silent for a second, a stocky sabretooth tiger pads through the doorway it's eyes glow with silver light. It comes to rest by Cyrus side as he strokes its head. It's deep bass of a purr rattling glasses. "Nemesis meet Mord."

1

5:35 PM

(For reference)

Mordecia whistles, “Nice cat, AI or Advanced Tech?”

"Feel for yourself Friend. She's no A.I." Cyrus nods at Nem and she stalks forward to him.

5:43 PM

"Nothing tech about her."

“Wow! How did you get her so well trained?”

Cyrus chuckles again "Well, I suppose you could say she knows me well. We are...linked? She's apart of me."

5:47 PM

"In a literal sense as well as spiritual."

Mordecia nods, “Makes sense then.”

5:50 PM

“So where can we start and see how this would work?”

Cyrus thinks as he sips his whiskey again, Nem curling up at his feet. "That's a good question, I've need for an intelligence expert. Someone who can go place I cannot. Now that I'm leading my Myrmidons my role is a little more, heavy handed. I trust you in a fight Mordecia and I know of your skills. Perhaps a trial is in order. Before Alcibiades I went to a nearby system called Cruesa, it's a fuelling and industrial hub for the Remnant. It's also where the Remnant's fanatical troops the Chainveil ended up after our battle with them, it's possibly the closest Remnant force that threatens Gudrun and the UNW worlds. I need someone to go there and make a detailed intelligence report - Facilities, Troops, Ships, Potential Defectors - The works. Do you think you'd be up for that? I can't go, I've got some recruiting still left to do and deals to make let alone renewing the hunt for Malak next month after the UNW has had it's time to talk. Not to mention they know my face, last time I was there I did away with subtlety in order to steal a ship."

“Any sensitive info or just an overview?”

"Nothing specific in mind, I've got no contacts there. If you can see any weak points in their defences that'd be nice. If you can make friends while you're there that'd be good too. Anything more than an overview is viewed as a bonus and secondary, don't do it if it meant getting caught or compromising your cover. Insertion might be an issue too, they're getting more savvy to people posing as Remnant. But I'd leave that in your hands. I'll bank roll the mission, and you'll be well paid for anything you come back with."

“Do we have any sympathetic factions that I should be read into?”

"There's the Remnant separatists, but we've had relatively little contact with them, though with this being Remnant territory they may be able to help. I'll have UNW intel send you the files ( @Nekosmash ) I made first contact with them along with Shriven and Arimoto, they just want an end to the fighting so we can fight the 'real' enemy. That being the flesh shapers, since then the UNW sent a team to talk to them but I haven't read the report on it."

(The player negotiation team asked for a show of good faith from the splinter group before you guys did anything else. They told you about shariar. The mission team rescued the psychics there. Then we jumped right into the Alcibiades raid and no ones gone back to pick up the ball

3

6:41 PM

(Everyone jumped into personal stuff)

(Yeah might be a bad idea to just keep taking instead of giving, might be a future mission)

6:47 PM

"So, whether or not they are willing to help is up for debate. Other than that, we are still in the dark. I can tell you that people ask a lot of questions there, and that was before we hit them last. So have a good cover story."

“Will do, let’s see where this ends up. You got plans for the rest of the night or can we just kick a few back and relax?”

Cyrus looks back at Cole and Baron. "Sorry bud, I've got to talk to a man about headhunting. And then well, it's been a long few days. I've just come back from Miriam with a hold full of refugees. Maybe after you come back." He pats Mord on the shoulder "Keep me updated when you can, good luck. And when you come back you'll have a nice stack of cash and place in the Initiative."

6:52 PM

Cyrus puts a hand out for him to shake

Mord shakes his hand. “I look forward to it.”

"As do I. May the Gods keep you in their grace." He says before walking back over to Cole, kissing her on the cheek as he sits next to her. Nemesis stands, and fixes Mord with a piercing gaze for a long moment before leaving after her charge.

Mord walks back to his table.

Cyrus turns to Baron. Putting an arm around Cole's waist "Hey old timer, how's business!"

“I’m lucky to still have a business after the shit that went on at the port tonight” He points to the tv where coverage of the attack is being broadcast

"Fuck, don't worry Baron I'm sure they wont come after you for it. If they do they'll have half the people the UNW deems Hero's knocking on their door demanding where the best barkeep in the galaxy has gone."

“I didn’t think ‘don’t kill people with acid or shoot at them’ was something I had to rubber stamp on every job offer” he sighs

"Some people are more competent than others." Cyrus pauses finishing the last of his whiskey "Speaking of offers, I've got one for you. I need you to do some recruiting for me, some specific stuff as well as more general. I'm willing to pay you for it."

7:47 PM

"You up for it?"

“Sure. What are you looking for?”

"Active recruitment for personnel for E.I, let's say 200 people. And I need to know if you know any Mech pilots that have seen action, I don't know maybe you've got a disgraced Draconis Knight or an ex-UNW Lancer"

8:06 PM

"Building an army doesn't come overnight, as I'm finding out."

You don’t want the lancer. He’s a mean drunk. That’s why he got kicked out. The knights keep to themselves. Kaleb is a good man but he keeps them on a short chain. “I heard we have 4500 people from that undead plague world coming in within 4 days.

(I gotcha covered Cyrus

)

"4500...Is that Men, Women and Children or working adults?"

"Its family groups, but there are plenty of all among that number"

"Okay.. Recruit as many as you can. I'll comm you the link to my office so all the paperwork can be done by the new admin team I'm making."

7:54 AM

I'm going to make some dedicated housing on Gudrun this month so that we can house families together and that kind of thing."

"Your own compound?"

"Well I've got the makings of one yea but like I say it's meant for soldiers not families so I'm gonna try and make it a community type thing."

8:00 AM

"As much as I'm developing a settlement on Terezinho - Gudrun is always gonna have a strong E.I presence."

8:01 AM

"Now about this Lancer. How angry and drunk is he?"

"I wouldn't" the baron says "It'll be more trouble than he's worth"

Cyrus looks at Cole "You up for a rehab project?"

"No, we didn't tolerate that kind of thing on Aslief. If you couldn't control yourself, you shouldn't be given heavy weapons"

Cyrus sighs "Fair enough, the man stays in the scrap heap for now. If he ever cleans himself up let me know. What kind of premium you gonna charge me to headhunt Baron?"

"I did this for Whitaker for esteem and reputation. I'm going to ask you for a favor instead"

8:47 AM

"If this whole nonsense at the port blows back on me somehow, you might need to go to bat for me, either in court, or after"

"I've got your back Baron." Cyrus puts a hand out to shake on the deal

He grips your wrist, surprising you, and shakes it firmly

Cyrus smiles "I'll talk to you later Baron, it's been a long day and I'd like to see my bed." Cyrus turns to Cole "You coming?" He says with a wink

you hear a half joke about needing to polish your sword before she and Nem follow you out of the bar, and home

Fade to morning. Cyrus is sat at the breakfast table watching the news about the capture of the mad gunman as he drinks from a large mug of coffee. "So last night went well, with Mord and Baron."

"It did. I think we have some real progress that can be made ahead of us

"I'm still gonna go to Sumati, we need all the people we can get. Housing might be an issue until the end of the month." (edited)

"Maybe. I can try to scare up some techs or builders if you think dividing might be a better way to handle this"

1:22 PM

"I expect you'd have some pull with the victors there, you shouldnt need me to smooth things over"

"Yeah that sounds like a good plan. We're gonna have a lot of people coming in soon. Hopefully anyway. We'll only be able to move so many of them at one time though. But I've no plans to get into any heavy conflicts on our own yet."

"I don't think we could sustain that. One bad engagement and we take more steps back than we ever took forward"

"Exactly, we've got to be aware of our short comings. Until. we have a larger force we wont be able to have a large enough impact to fight on our own. But we don't have a need for that yet."

"Once we get the new influx we are gonna have to sit down and work out units. I'd like to give control of the squads to the people I think can handle them, Korkova, Scmander, Mac and a few others. But we might be working on Platoon and Company level soon."

"Kind of how the task force was organized if what I'm reading is correct. Pick your commands now, let them grow to accommodate more responsibility. Your friend Seung would be a good resource to consult on some of that"

2:51 PM

"Not that you need to copy him, but he's been where you are now. He can tell you what to avoid"

"Yeah, it helps with organising and such. I'll work on it on the ride to and from Sumati. I suppose I best get ready." Cyrus says reluctantly standing up leaning across the table and kissing Cole on the top of the head. "I'll see you when I get back, don't miss me too much." He grins before turning to Nem "Come on girl."

Nem bounds after you, heading outside, off to the spaceport with you

Cyrus takes a squad of Myrmidons with him as back up lead by Korkova as always, Lars is piloting. "Okay People, were headed for Sumati again, social visit for the most part so don't get your hopes up."

(I also would've picked up my Titan Armour on the way from Pops along with all my new gear, so I'm looking Fresh

)

(So fresh! So clean!)

3:24 PM

(So shiny!)

The transport is ready to bring you and anything else you need to Sumati

7:20 PM

(Aslief is on the way if you want to try to double up on errands

(Yeah I'll stop off on the way)

7:25 PM

(Thanks for the prompt I didnt realise)

7:26 PM

"Okay Aslief first. Let's handle our business."

"I have no idea how we're gonna solve things there but we'll see how things stand when we get there."

The trip is swift and you arrive in a day. The night world turns below, the platform meant to serve it nearly completed

"Who's our contact on planet now Cole is with us?"

"The planetary council, its one representative from each city. That was the condition for her departure and us taking her in, the other cities should help temper Cove Neck, and so far its been working"

"Hmm, well bring us down in Praxia where our base is."

The courrier banks south, and touches down outside the WS base, where a handful of soldiers keep post

Cyrus walks off in his uniform followed by his cadre of Myrmidons. Going towards the E.I facility on planet. (edited)

(I'm picturing yours, WS and Ad-Astra kind of all in the same general area, like a diplomatic quarters in the city kind of idea)

9:26 AM

(would have made more sense when they were independent but theres no sense moving the buildings just because)

(Yeah thats a good idea)

Cyrus walks into the E.I facility "Hey there!" He says to he receptionist. "I was passing by and I thought I'd check in."

"How can I help you today?" he asks, his work suspended for the moment

Cyrus chuckles "Hopefully" He says as he scans his I.D card.

"I know who you are sir" he replies. "What brings you to Aslief today?"

"Oooh, I'm here to check on recruitment, see what I might be able to do to boost it."

"There haven't been any volunteers from cove neck. I know there are some interested parties in town here, but they want to know more about what we're getting into before they sign up. "

"Can you organise a meeting? So I can enlighten them and such."

"Of course" He types furiously for a few moments. "The candidates will be here in an hour"

Cyrus smiles "Excellent! Thanks"

45 candidates gathered from the local rebuilding areas file into the EI compound over the next hour, taking a seat in the conference room and waiting for further direction

Cyrus walks into the conference room, followed by Nemesis, walking to the front of the room to the podium. "Good afternoon and welcome. My name's Commander Cyrus Adonis. You're here today because you're interested in joining me and the Elysium Initiative, but want to know a little more about what it is you'd be doing. For the most part at the moment, the Initiative is a military force. First and foremost we strive to bring peace to the the galaxy, defend those in need and stop those that would do harm to others unjustly. But we also have roles open for skilled technicians, mechanics, administration, PR and a number of different and diverse roles. My aim eventually is to create a settlement, a city on the planet of Terezinho, a beacon of prosperity. In addition to wages and employment anyone who signs up to the Initiative guarantees themselves and their significant others a place in that city." Cyrus pauses looking at the faces in front of him "Ultimately it comes down to this: Are you willing to make sacrifices in the cause of something bigger than any one of person so that people like the Remnant that plundered and murdered your Kin are brought to judgement. Build a better, brighter future for yourselves, your families and the galaxy as a whole."

1:44 PM

"I will now take questions if anyone has anything more specific they'd like to ask."

The only question, over and over again, where do we sign up

Cyrus smiles and directs them to the admin staff. "Welcome to The Elysium Initiative. once the application process is complete you will be picked up by a UNW transport ship. We'll keep you all informed, if you have any loved ones that wish they may also join you. You'll be living in Central until Terezinho is ready."

(Does the UNW have any transport ships other than the big one to do this kind of thing. I know Shriven/Mord was talking about it.)

(they can send the cruiser or the battleship with a skeleton crew to come get them, since theres not a ton. not yet though)

(Yeah that's fine, man we do need to get some transports for general transport - like the equivalent of 747's)

7:18 PM

"For now, you'll be here training and working on Asleif helping the administration. But as soon as possible we'll have transport ready for you."

Theyre all eager to begin, this being a real opportunity to awaken their warrior spirit

"For the time being you'll report to the base Commander." Cyrus Calls forward Otto, one of his first Myrmidons from his detail. "Otto here will be overseeing the transfer and recruitment process. You will refer to him as Captain. Carry on." Cyrus says as he stands down from the podium nodding to Otto as he walks past (They would've talked about it on the journey, Cyrus didn't just drop it on him lol)

(Yeah i figured haha, btw heres your rank pips, cyrus out)

(Rofl, drops the mic and runs off)

7:44 PM

(I'm noting down how many people I've recruited so far, I'm currently creating the unit layouts by company - trying to figure out a better way of doing it than currently. Gonna go look at what you did for the UNW force)

7:45 PM

(Oh you condensed it xD)

(yeah I had to once the army got big enough

(Yeah, I think I'm just gonna shrink what I've got atm, I don't need to list every piece of equipment they have because I have that listed somewhere else for reference.)

Cyrus leaves the conference room after a short hand shaking montage of the new recruits so that they all feel personally welcomed. "Okay people, back to the ship."

Those coming with you now make their way out of the compound into the ever present night

Cyrus brings his security detail and Nem but no one new that didn't arrive with him. Allowing Otto to oversee their training in the mean time. He walks onto the Ship and stretches. "That went well."

"what do we stand at now?

"That brings us up to 112 personnel, that's everyone combatant and none. 92 of those are going to be or already are Myrmidons."

9:08 PM

"Minimum I'd like is 200 warriors, 40 ship crew. Let's say 20 technicians to service our equipment. 10 Admin staff. "

9:08 PM

"Then we've got the mech detachment to build, transport, reserves. Anymore we can get is good."

"Don't worry Korkova, soon enough, we will be a formidable fighting force able to take on legions of the Remnant."

9:38 PM

"Then we can truly make a difference."

Cyrus settles in for the ride to Sumati.

The planet is in the midst of the administrative tasks that come from war and the end of war. Soldiers are reporting in, units secure the last handfuls of minor objectives from a capitulant enemy, prisoners are taken and processed. The dead are counted. The Balak league, tondam freehold and the kingdom of usea all have beacons in space with instructions about where to meet

Cyrus sits in high orbit reading the reports as to who took the most prisoners in the end stages of the engagements.

The Useans and balak league both have large numbers but the useans have the most

Cyrus directs Lars to follow the flight path for the Kingdom of Usea, following the instructions by the letter.

You’re brought down to a forest grove. You notice a flight of four black helicopters already on the way, scrambled as the signal beacon was passed. One of them is an extra heavy bulk hauler.

"Okay, best behaviour these people don't like outsiders." Cyrus says as he steps inside his new unscuffed Titan armour. The front closing around him as the silver and gold cape is blown by the engines as they close down and the ramp opens. He walks out flanked by his personal guard their weapons lowers and angled to the sides in formation behind him.

The helicopters land, each one disgorging a handful of security personnel in black body armor. A man in a black overcoat and white dress shirt steps out, escorted by two of them. He holds up a hand in greeting

Cyrus returns the gesture and walks towards him, attempting to meet in the middle of the two sides.

“You’re from the UNW?” He calls over the sound of idling rotorblades

Cyrus nods "Commander Cyrus Adonis of the Elysium Initiative, and UNW. I was here a month or so ago with the TFP, me and my Warriors went behind COST lines to attempt to disrupt logistics."

“You were the ones that hit the supply base. I remember reading the report. What can the kingdom of usea help with?”

"I've heard that you have a lot of prisoners, taken as a result of the victory so hard won by the Kingdom and it's allies. I was hoping to be able to solve a problem that might become evident soon in regards to those prisoners." Cyrus pauses a second "You see, they know of the greater universe now. They are not soon going to forget it, above that there is the cost of maintaining them - clothing, house, food. They are a drain on your resources. I was wondering whether or not I could take them off your hands."

4:17 PM

"Think of it as an exile."

"That would need to be a longer conversation, with the prisoners themselves. Usea is not a kingdom of slavers"

"I understand, and my intent is not to enslave or conscript, merely to give an opportunity. Would I be able to speak to the prisoners now? Or would you require something of me first?" (edited)

“Your help with the base was enough. I can Bring you to the prisoner camp. You’ll have to fly with us though”

Cyrus nods and starts after the Rep. Nemesis and his detail following.

The large transport helicopter lifts off, heading for a large prisoner camp 10 miles outside Usea, where 10,000 COST soldiers have been deposited. Their standard of care is poor, their captors remember the brutal fight at the fortress network, and the tens of thousands dead to take just a handful of redoubts.

Cyrus steps out of the helicopter looking around at the wretches. "Is it possible that I can talk to the crowd? Is there an assembly you could call?"

He brings you to a platform. You can tell by the brackets In the ground a hangman’s scaffolding was set here once. But it’s at the focal point of the camp and you’re raised above the crowd.

Cyrus stands there looking out to the crowd as his armour catches the light, the chrome contours shining silver. Nemesis comes to sit by his side, even sat down she comes to chest height on Cyrus in his armour. "My name, is Commander Cyrus Adonis. You won't know who I am, you may not even know where I come from. I am the leader of the Elysium Initiative, a group dedicated to brining peace to the galaxy. I'm not from this planet, I come from the UNW the Untied Nations of Worlds. A collective of worlds striving to help one another for the greater good of it's people. I'm here today to offer you a second chance. I fought against some of you, at a supply base behind the COST lines. I know are all proud Soldiers, you held to the last. But you failed. And now is the time to come to terms with what that looks like, you can wollow here, in this camp, in self pity and meaningless existence. Or you can come with me, I can give you a better home and brighter future far from this planet on worlds you could only have dreamed off. Worlds of untouched beauty, crisp snow and chilling wind or sandy beeches and sunny skies.... I can even make you soldiers again, no! More than Soldiers, I can make you Warriors - Not fighting for a meaningless war you have to stake in, but in the name of Freedom! Properity! and Honour! Fight for those in need. Be the Hero's you were meant to be! If you decide to come with me, I can promise you it will not be easy, you path will be hard and full of troubles. But nothing ever worth a damn was given easily to those not willing to take it for themselves!"

9:23 PM

"I can give you a new home, and a life worth living. All you need do, is come with me."

There isn’t a cheer or applause. The COST soldiers are beaten down and have been for months. You do see a quiet pride in each of them and camp guards begin setting up tables for those who wish to volunteer

Cyrus steps down from the stage towards the Governor of the camp "It's going to be a week or so before I can have them picked by our colony ship. I'll need the well fed and look after while they do wait. I'm willing to pay their expenses."

“We will take care of any volunteers. What should we cap numbers at?”

"If anyone wishes to come, they should be allowed. In other words don't, it may take a few more days but relatively within the spans of a month if all 10,000 wished to come they could."

8:58 AM

(Realistically the way I look at it, even if I don't employ all of them to be soldiers they can go and help build on Terezinho and things like that.)

(Yeah that makes sense, just figuring out the logistics and of course not all will want to go. Families. Ect)

(Yeah, it'll take the Piller of Salt which is currently in service.)

The helicopters spool up again, engines revving and chopping the air as you’re lifted from the camp, heading back to your vessel. You can only hope your message inspired more than a few to enlist

Cyrus gets on board. "Okay Lars, take us home we are gonna need the Piller for these people once they've had a few days to mull it over. What's it status?"

"It's being made ready to hear to Agaspur. Cayne found a village with plenty of people in it willing to relocate. I'd go too if it meant getting off a zombie infested rock"

"Get us back to Gudrun, I'll see if he needs a hand." He says sitting in his chair typing out a message to Cayne

2:11 PM

@Cayne Neverwinter You Recieve a Message from Cyrus

Hey Brother, heard you were putting in work on Agaspur evac'ing civilians. You got it handled or do you need a hand? I can be there with almost 100 Myrmidons with the relief ship.

 Cyrus, my friend, we are holding off the waves of enemies. The sooner you can get here the better, your relief would be much appreciated, thank you. Wish me luck, Cayne

"Okay Lars, double time. We've got people to help."

Lars makes some comment about all of you needing to lose weight, or painting the ship red, so maybe it will go faster, but two days later, you return to Gudrun, as the Pillar of Salt is taking on the last of the needed medical supplies for the trip. (You're a bit ahead of him in time now, they're only on night 1, so we might need to wait a little for them to catch up)

(That's fine, I can rp preparing my dudes and stuff. Make plans and that kind of thing.)

4:39 PM

Cyrus comms Cole telling her about his plans to help Cayne when they made it to Asleif, allowing her time to prepare the new Myrmidons for the trip.

4:39 PM

"Make sure they're all kitted out and ready, we'll be headed into a fight. It's time to blood them."

"This all sounds like a terrible movie" she says, looking over Caynes report. "Really? Zombies?"

"Zombies... Seems like a bad spot. From the reports coming in they are getting more organised? They work as some kind of horde, coordinated with certain different types."

4:46 PM

"My idea was to create a perimeter once we arrive if there isn't one already and with Cayne's men we'll hold it until the civilians are evacted. So it's going to be a defensive action, I'm sure you'll be able to help me in that regard." Cyrus cringes as he realises what he just said. "Sorry that wasn't meant to sound like that, I just meant... You have more experience than I do with this type of warfare. Or indeed warfare in general."

"We'll have more success than we did at Praxia"

"Hopefully. With our tech and determination we'll have the edge."

4:55 PM

"We'll need to formulate a proper plan though, and maybe do some training with the newer warriors. This will be their first conflict."

“Yes. We will. If we go in cold we won’t last long”

(Is this conversation in person or over a comm? Just need to clarify.)

(I'd say in person now since youre back)

(Makes sense, you making sure.) Cyrus nods deep in thought. "Okay, let's get them loaded up onto the Piller. We'll see what training we can do en route."

She makes the arrangements to get the battle company aboard, along with their gear

Cyrus after making some arrangements goes up with the last batch to the Piller of salt. "Wow, I forgot how big this ship was..."

"This is the sister ship to the original colony vessel that brought the first wave to Gudrun. Apparently the Loaves and Fishes is out there somewhere too as a Remnant troop ship

8:42 PM

The captain says, as you board. His name is De Winter, and he has been shipmaster of her since the recovery

Cyrus shakes his hand "Thank you for waiting for Me and my Warriors. Seems like in order to get those people of the planet we are gonna need to lay down some cover."

"The pillar has cargo lifters. We'll be able to get a good number of you down at a time, but this isn't a military vessel. If you're looking to make a drop assault you'll be disappointed"

"I doubt they'll be need of one. As much as these...Zombies are a threat it's not like they are firing back, yet. That being said is it okay if we use the cargo hold to run drills while we make our journey."

"I'll just caution you against live fire, but yes, of course"

Cyrus laugh heartily "I'm in no need of fresh air just yet Captain don't worry. Thank you. I think I'll get settled into my cabin now."

He tosses you a datacard that will give you access to it, and access to the bridge. "I'll make the haste we can. The evacuation will take hours, and you'll likely be under assault.

Hello Cyrus, I just wanted to update you on a few things. I found out that only one of the 13 people I was looking for had been evacuated and processed.  I fear the others might be in corps custody on Rawhani.  On a related note I was thinking of how your report and lead helped me, and wanted to tell you before I brought up helping to establish a multi-world intelligence agency for the UNW at the next unity meeting. I also thought it would be prudent to better coordinate the resources our allies already have, but since I haven't yet been authorized to do this in an official capacity I can't really access existing intelligence assets.

Cyrus goes into his room and dumps his gear sitting on his bed. Wait for Cole to make her way there after the ship begins its course.

Cole arrives ten minutes later, getting the soldiers squared away and billeted.

Cyrus smiles as she enters. "Everyone in and ready?"

"Looks that way. Let them get adjusted and we can run some drills"

"I got to admit I'm more than a little apprehensive about this mission. It's my first time leading this many people directly. As well as the idea of contagion or what that might entail."

"You've been through a dozen or more battles since joining the UNW" she tries to reassure youi

2:03 PM

"This is jsut one more

"Maybe, but it means more to me if that makes sense. These people are my responsibility."

"One thing I learned when I took my first command, is you can't bring everyone home. You just can't. But you can make the best decisions you can, and bring as many home as you can."

Cyrus seems to think on that. "Yeah, that's what I was afraid you'd say. You're right. Doesn't make it any easier."

"Sugar coating the truth doesnt help anyone. Least of all you"

"You're right, again. Okay. Let's get this done, I want to drill them in the use of the shields and squad based combat. I've got some formation ideas to incorporate them."

I was able to get that rundown of the system you asked for, I was also able to confirm that the rank and file would be open to a NAP (non-aggression pact.) with us but it will be hard to do as the uppers aren’t so keen.  Let me know if this was what you were looking for.
-Mordecia the Brown

Count me in. Though I don’t know about leading things. Kind of ran away from responsibility. We’ll talk when we get together next.

Cyrus stands stretching. "Let's get this training underway, then we can see how the new squad leaders and platoon leaders handle it."

“Alright. Come down to the bay in five minutes. I’ll have them ranked up

5:47 PM

You hear her voice booming down the hallways a few moments later, promising all manner of physical and mental debasement if they don’t form up

"Oh, no live rounds!" He shouts after her as he gets out of his uniform and into fatigues. He arrives down in the bay five minutes later.

She amends her orders for no live rounds, and after a few moments the entire battle group is arranged on the deck, waiting for instruction

Cyrus stands infront of the fotmation inspect the troops in their armour, the vetrans battlescarred mantles and the newer recruits as yet untouched by conflict. "Okay, we're going to Asgapur. A world infested by Zombies if you could believe it. Our plan is to relieve the defending forces of a town so that they might evacuate. But it dawns on me that many of you have yet to drill on your armour and new squads. So we are gonna run you through some basic drills and Pt to get started. Then we'll work on some more advanced formations and tactics."

Everyone is ready to begin, eager to even, you sense

Queue montage of Pt drills and firing rubber ship safe rounds at targets. Moving through cargo filled area to simulate CQB clearing procedures. Afterward Cyrus takes them through a formation using their new Force Shields he has coined Phalanx formation. Moving through a space linking their shields to create a wall all the while firing at the enemy and moving forward under a tirade of fire.

The formations seems to be the toughest for them to adapt to. Fighting, and fighting with precision are two different animals, and they're struggling with the transition from the first to the second

Cyrus takes every squad through the process of teaching them how important communication is. He lets Cole run through it with some other groups as well as making sure he talks to the squad leaders about how to communicate orders. "It's you and your buddy, you keep him safe he keeps you safe. Let each other know what you're doing in the battle space. If you don't think he's heard you, repeat it. Then you apply that same knowledge to a wider squad."

Cole has an idea for training them with different weapons or important pieces of technology disabled, forcing them to adapt o

Cyrus watches as they train in there squad before nodding to Cole "Take away their optics, switch them to manual firing." Cyrus goes around as well, making sure every squad is running with a different set of tech not working seemingly at random. Watching how they adapt "Adapt or die people! In the field nothing is assured, Emp's could take out your entire system - but the battle is still raging. What are you going to do?! Surrender?! Myrmidons do not surrender!"

(lets get a lead/wis here)

"I will push you until you break and then some more, you will reform stronger. Or not at all!" (13)

For the most part, the training goes well, there are a few comedic incidents, where helms shut down, and two soldiers accidentally smack them together in blindness. Another soils himself as Cole drops from an overhanging gantry on him, while blinded, driving him to the deck before rolling off, partially from laughter

Cyrus wraps up the days session, allowing his warriors to nurse their various injuries whether psychological, social or physical. Going back to his cabin with Cole afterwards. "That was something, how do you thing they performed?"

"They were fine until we got to the failure part of the exercise. They're great when things go as planned, but right now, if someone jams us, or gear fails, the whole unit is going to fold"

"I think the only way that will solve itself is through experience gained. Things go wrong in the field, if we can train them not to panic when it does then they wont back down. They'll find a way."

2:34 PM

"Even though there's only a company of them, they're imposing. One day, I hope they will bring awe and hope to those they are their to save and strike fear into the hearts of the enemy on mere sight."

2:36 PM

"The supreme art of war, is to win without fighting."

"Better brush up on your crowd work then"

"I mean, I was thinking more scare them into surrendering. But for that one needs to grow a reputation."

3:15 PM

"And that doesn't solve our current issue."

3:15 PM

"Like for example, what are we having for dinner?"

"De Winter invited us to eat with him, just us, and Cayne's sister"

Cyrus raises an eyebrow "How proper, I'm sure it's probably some naval tradition. Dress uniforms?"

3:21 PM

He says walking to the closet and taking out a pressed uniform of white, silver and gold.

"i'd say so. Rather be over dressed than under. So embarassing:

Cyrus takes a shower and cleans himself up. Putting on his Initiative dress uniform that consists of a white kaftan on a dark grey shirt with a gold and silver sash about his waist. Dark gold markings denoting his rank. Cole's uniform is almost identical if not for the markings of rank being different. "How'd I look?" He asks turning around in front of her.

“Pretty good. How about me?”

Cyrus smiles as he looks her up and down. "Radiant as ever."

Shall we dine my dear?" *He says offering her his arm with a light chuckle

She takes it and follows, heading to a large stateroom where Dewinter, Alayna )Caynes sister) and two bridge officers from the ship are waiting

The door slides open and Cyrus strides through with Cole on his arm looking regal and ceremonial. Cyrus disengages from her in a smooth motion so that he may bow to the Captain and Alayna. "Good evening, Captain, Miss Neverwinter, an honour to make your acquaintance." He says straightening again looking back at Cole "Too formal?"

“Let’s take about 10% off the top there bud” she whispers, playfully ribbing you

Cyrus chuckles and physically looses up. "I don't get invited to formal occasion very often. This is my first one in a long while. Captain DeWinter, you are a gracious host - let it never be said otherwise!" He says as he sees Cole into her seat and sits down in his own.

“I hear the expedition deck was busy today. A couple of my deck ratings were watching during their off hours”

"It's a work in progress, how did they like the show?"

"Its a way of fighting we don't get to see. That kind of close order drill isnt a popular fighting style"

"Aye, I suppose the closest you come would be boarding actions and the like. Which can be very tight but different from holding a line with shields."

"On a ship this size you'd be surprised. Each deck is a different kind of warzone"

"I can see how that might be the case. I've only attempted it once over Rawhani. It didn't go well."

"I heard there was a titan in that battle"

"There was, it was the first time we'd gone up against anything of that size. the Vox kept it pinned while we dealt with its support craft. The Carrier they had only managed to get out a single squadron of bombers before it was cut in half by plasma. We lost some good sailors that day. But it was worth it. Two of the patrol boats attempted surrender, one was boarded and successfully captured. However the other I boarded with a team of Black Lotus from the Red Sangha - What the Remnant had done on that craft is not talk for polite dinner. But they'd also planted a bomb on the command deck, we realised too late and the men under my command were obliterated. I myself was voided."

8:19 AM

"A day I will not forget."

8:19 AM

Cyrus takes a sip out of his wine glass.

There is silence at the table for a moment before DeWinter breaks it. "We had another sister ship, The Bread and Loaves. They boarded her. The Remnant I mean. She's a troop hauler now. I have no idea what happened to the colonists aboard"

"I can guess, but If I find it - I'll make sure it's returned to it's rightful place."

8:27 AM

"Did you know the captain well?"

"My brother Lofrich. I know he's alive, the ship is Gene-coded to him, but I cant fathom how they must be treating him"

8:33 AM

"Or worse, what if he's come to see things their way"

"People have been persuaded back before, a few of my men are ex-remnant" (edited)

8:35 AM

"Mostly conscripts though."

8:36 AM

"I'll look into it, would there be any way to trace his gene coding of the vessel? Track it?"

"Not like that. They basically use his genetic code as the ignition switch for the vessel,and most of the major control functions belong to him, so they can't get rid of him, but it doesn't work like a tracker"

"Hmm" Cyrus says as he mulls it over. "Well, the Remnant don't have a lot to hide behind anymore, If I run across it I'll be sure to take it back and your Brother."

"That means a lot" he looks relieved. There is a small beep from his wrist compad

Cyrus turns his attention to Alayna "So, was this your first mission with Cayne?"

"First everything. I wore my first suit of armor, shot my first gun, and was in my first battle all within the last week. I'm still processing it all. It feels like I'm living someone elses life"

"Sounds like how I feel being back at home. You'll get used to it, and you'll find out whether or not it's 'your thing' if you understand what I mean. This life isn't for everyone. Will you be coming back in with us?"

11:18 AM

"Back on the ground I mean."

"I will be. We should be there this time tomorrow. "

"You might want to sit in on the brief tomorrow then, I'll be briefing my of officers on the plan. If you are there then you can relay it to Cayne on the ground if we don't get a chance too."

"I can only imagine what we might be walking back into"

"We'll be ready as we can be, that's all we can ask for."

This seems to relax her a bit.

11:57 AM

(cayne has a daytime left to prepare for the last night, which youll be arriving on, that would be coming up next)

Cyrus enjoy the rest of meal in polite company and good conversation

12:29 PM

He walks back to his cabin with Cole to spend a good restful night.

12:30 PM

He wakes in the morning and smiles seeing Cole. "Morning sleepy." He says as he kisses her "I think I drunk too much of that wine last night my head's sore."

"Take a walk, go clear your head. We should run a couple light drills this morning but let them rest after that"

12:32 PM

"One of them should be boarding and disembarking the lifters quickly"

"Good idea." Cyrus sighs and rolls out of bed, quite literally. "Ouch." He says standing up slowly and half crawling to the shower "I hate wine!"

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad" you hear her laughing. "Take your time, walk it off. I'll get the men ready:

12:46 PM

you hear her in the hallway banging her mess kit together "Get up you slugs!!"

Cyrus reflexively cringes in the shower as he hears her through the wall, he takes his time to look presentable as he gets his fatigues on and takes the longest walk possible down to the hold.

"Okay, let's get this started. Orbital insertion from lifters."

1:22 PM

"They're basically the same concept as a drop pod, only difference is that they're not armoured or armed. These things are slow too. Your basically in a flying cargo container." He says banging on the side of it. "Space enough for a hundred men per lifter. Cramped but workable."

1:24 PM

"Now standard procedure would just be to walk out but if we are landing in a hot zone you need to get out fast under a base of fire and find cover. Front row use your shields to block oncoming fire from wiping out the compartment if they enemy is shooting at you. Again it's all about coordination and communication, listen to your squad leaders - squad leaders listen to your platoon leaders and so on."

(Let’s get a lead cha)

(9)

They’ve done well and the deployment goes well minus a few problems. You do realize that round shields out of a square door means the first row had a couple breaks in formation

6:05 PM

(The edges catch)

"Hmm, we have to work with what we've got for now, eventually we will have specifically designed drop pods for troops and this will be less of an issue." He says to Cole as she notes the gaps "For now at least it will be less of an issue, these Zombies as of yet aren't shooting back. We'll angle it so the warriors on the far sides do not activate their shields until out of the door frame so they get full coverage."

6:09 PM

"Have the support squads run through setting up their railguns and mortars a few more times. I'll run through some close quarters with the assault squad and Tess can take the Scouts through target acquisition and relaying enemy sightings more clearly. Then we'll let them rest"

“Alright. We should be there soon. I’ll call general order four hours before deployment. It’s going to go fast once we translate in system

Cyrus nods "See it so. I'll see about a brief with the Officers.* (If we have time to loosely rp that.)

(Yeah we should be able to squeeze it in)

(Sweet!) Cyrus stands in the briefing room with his platoon leaders, Cole, DeWinter and Alayna. "Okay, let's bring up the map of the battle zone and we'll roll through the plan."

The defenders and the small town are situated on a broad hilltop. A road cuts through the middle of town There are three rings of junk fence surrounding the hilltop. Alayna saw the first about to be breached when leaving.

8:17 PM

(Bottom Of Hill, crest of hill and town center. Basically 3 layers of defense)

"Okay, how many people do we have to evacuate roughly?"

“4500. There will be casualties. Let’s assume that number though, plus ourselves when the rest are clearl

"Okay, no issues with holding that many so it's a question of time. DeWinter - Once myself and Myrmidons hit planetside how long is it going to take you to lift them out assuming the entire number. How long must we hold?"

“I’d say about two hours. The lifters can only move so fast

"Two hours sounds reasonable. The most dangerous time will be when we begin to pull out."

8:43 PM

"Okay - lets have a look." (are the defensive lines 360 degree or are there choke points and natural barriers) (edited)

(360 degrees. There’s a minefield between the outer and inner rings but for the road)

"Okay Platoons 1-4 will will reinforce whatever defence ring is currently being held by the forces there. 5 - Mac you will reinforce the inner most town square and landing zone. You'll cover us as we begin to fall back for our own extraction. Platoon Commanders get your support squads dug and providing a base of fire to suppress the hordes. Assualt teams will fill gaps and do the same, have your scouts take up elevated positions and target specialist units if they have them." Cyrus looks at Cole "Anything to add?"

"If there's a breach and taking the heavy weapons is going to cost time, abandon them. We can replace the mortar tubes. We can't replace you"

"I completely agree. Don't die for your gear when we can buy more."

12:15 PM

"Our objective here is to make sure these people get out. So we'll hold long enough so that they can. Is that understood?"

12:15 PM

Cyrus looks at the room for confirmation

Everyone understands, and is ready

12:50 PM

You arrive over the planet close to midnight, when the battle is just beginning. Feed from the Spirit, on its recon flight, reveals human troops in four long bodied transports at the back of the zombie formation. The beasts seem not to trouble them at all, and indeed are not even facing them

"Are these things being controlled?" (edited)

(they dont know yet, here or on the ground, but theyve been exhibiting weird behavior)

"What kind of armament is that they're in? APC's or just trucks?"

"Looks like just armored trucks, support weapons maybe, theyre not moving much"

Cyrus ponders for a good long moment (What size is the horde? Ballpark)

(thousands)

12:59 PM

(around the whole hillside, its like a sea of living dead)

"DeWinter, any chance we could drop a payload on the vehicles from orbit - has this thing got any weapons. If not does the ship the Wolves came in have something we could use. If these people are controlling the horde and they are dealt with this might go easier. Less cohesion."

"We've got no weapons. It was that or lose the cryobank, which we can't do. I can patch you through to Cayne"

Cyrus nods. "Do it." (You want me to move to his thread?)

(yeah lets do that so the battle is all in one place)

(Okay, before that happens tho) As the brief ends and the Platoon leaders, DeWinter and Alayna leave Cyrus take Cole by the hand in a signal to stay behind. "Listen, I thought I best say this now just in case. I love you Cole, and I'm having the time of my life being with you - like this."

"I love you too" She touches the faceplate of her helmet to yours

1:18 PM

"I'll see you on the other side"

Cyrus smiles inside his armour "Don't die. Let's get this done."

Cyrus steps back aboard the Piller of Salt, now laden with passengers and Warriors alike.

1:47 PM

"Korkova, your Warriors held the left flank tremendously!"

1:48 PM

He slaps a hand on his shoulder "Well done out there."

"We all did well. Looks like the colonists are getting settled. We're going to have a lot of mental health issues I think. someone of them have seen enough killing for ten lifetimes"

"Aye, let Alex deal with them. I'm no shrink, keep the medics on alert too. And a steady guard, just in case."

3:24 PM

"Good work, get some rest." Cyrus says as he passes by Korkova tapping Cole on the shoulder "Has anyone ever told you, you look beautiful covered in blood and mud?" He says with a grin.

you see she has an almost complete set of zombie teeth in her vambrace. "That last one caught me pistol dry. I had to punch its fucking head off"

"By the Gods, that's something alright." Cyrus digs out one of the teeth "Good job your armour's designed to take grenade blasts. These teeth would've punched through normal stuff."

"I heard they're not infectious even if they do take a chunk out of you."

3:50 PM

"you're still missing a chunk though"

"Yeah I'd prefer to keep you whole..." He puts his head against hers "We did well."

"So did you. So did they. We got lucky though. No gunfire, and power armor against the equivalent of sticks and rocks"

"Yeah, we did. But we did our job, and those people will have a second chance because of it. That's what we do."

3:59 PM

"Now, what's say we get our armour off and relieve some stress?"

"I thought you'd never ask"

Cyrus gets out of his armour and walks with Cole to his room to spend the night in heated embrace (fade to black)

(yes plz)

(Rofl, are you sure you don't want to get freaky in the chat Neko-Sama?! UwU haha) Cyrus wakes up well into the next day after a stressful day followed by a long night. He rolls over to find Cole stirring at the side of him "Hey there, you want breakfast?"

(Don't make me start handing out emotional damage)

Cyrus gets up finding some leftovers in the mini fridge and sticking them in to reheat. Putting on some coffee at the same time "So are we gonna have a chat about...this?" He gestures at the two of them.

"I thought we already did this one"

"Well we did, kinda - but it got interrupted by a giant snake. I love you, you love me. We've got that part down, but where do you see this going? Have you got any plans, wants and desires as it were."

5:51 PM

"Ya know, you ever see us getting married and having kids. Normal people shit."

"normal people shit" she says aloud, as if sampling the word

7:10 PM

"Well, I'm in it, till death, blah blah. I dunno, kids? do you?"

"Maybe, one day. When the fighting is done. Or I'm done fighting, whichever comes first."

7:12 PM

"To be honest these days I suppose we could have our kid grown in a vat. But I'm not sure how I feel about that at all."

7:13 PM

"But as far as being with you is considered, I'm all in too."

“Not against the idea of a bathtub baby” she thinks

7:19 PM

“Means I don’t have to leave the battle line”

"That was my thinking. And it stops any defects. I've got swimmers on ice with Greenbriar anyway. It was a thing when I first signed up with Helios-One. Ya know new colony start but you might get irradiated so - spunk in this cup."

Cyrus hands a fresh mug of coffee to Cole

"Well, better keep em frozen for a bit longer, just until we have a permanent home. A war fleet is no place for a child, even one of ours"

9:21 AM

"Little shit's probably going to bite his way out of the womb"

"Fair point we'll see what Terezinho looks like in a few months."

9:26 AM

"I think we are gonna have to find a planet of our own though - but Terezinho is safer than a frontier world. Once we mark our own territory and it's got defences we can really think about the brighter future of E.I."

"Well, there's only one way forward from that"

"Yeah, got to find a planet suitable first - maybe one in the border zone between the UNW and NCM."

"Food for thought! Good talk." Cut to getting back to Gudrun?

(works for me) A day later, the colony ship pulls into Trivedi cloud. UNW army and station security are on hand to relieve you, and ensure none of the colonists leave without proper medical screening and clearance

Cyrus finds DeWinter before they leave "A pleasure working with you Captain!" He puts out a hand to shake

"and with you. Everyone's home. Best way to end a mission"

Cyrus nods "It is indeed, couldn't have done it without you. How would the colony feel if I was to offer to say...Buy the PoS?"

12:28 PM

"With that fancy new troop carrier they've got the movement of people and soldiers in gonna be easier."

"I've actually been given instructions to move my flag to that ship. Ad-Astra provided the money to keep it fully crewed, but I wanted to pick my own. I don't have the authority to sell it, but I do know shes going to be mothballed"

"I'll have a talk with Kincaid about it - looks like the Myrmidons are gonna be stomping bugs with the UNW army. But that doesn't have to come cheap."

12:56 PM

"I'm glad you aren't getting retired DeWinter. You're a good Captain. Either way, I'll keep my eye out for your brother."

"It would mean a lot to me"

"Don't worry about it." Cyrus put an arm on his shoulder. "No doubt we'll see each other again." (edited)

1:03 PM

Cyrus nods and walks away with his men getting bussed back to the surface. (gonna do a short synopsis of what Cyrus does before months end and leading up to the unity meeting and such so I can get caught up)

Cyrus oversees the transfer of his new hires from Sumati as well as some of the survivors from Agaspur that passed a rather intense screening process to make sure they were mentally ready. With the construction of the E.I sector at Central they were homed in the new 10,000 person accommodation zone. The Myrmidons expanded their ranks to Brigade size with organic air, armour and arty assets. The members of the Company that saw action on Agaspur are awarded a new armour fixture, a golden blood drop is detailed into their armour, showing that they have been tested in battle. The battle standard is adorned with a scroll bearing the date and name of "The Relief of Agaspur" as well as it being recorded in the E.I records by the admin scribes. After the unity meeting Cyrus requests to have a private meeting with Kincaid.

(how many from Agaspur are you taking so I can deduct from central's population)

(500)

1:22 PM

(10,000 in total)

(gotcha, alright)

1:43 PM

Kincaid approves the request, and she can connect with you electronically at Gudrun, or you can make the trip to the orbital capital

Cyrus chooses to have a electronic meeting rather than go out just for that. Cyrus connects. "Madame President. A pleasure and honour as always. Congratulations on the new Capital being built, I'll have to come and see it at some point, as well as set up an office there."

“In time Cyrus I’m sure most will be done out of here. What did you need?”

"I'm sure you remember we conversed at the council meeting about the Underhill. I'm resolute that your forces will be joined by my Warriors. However I'd like to ask for something in return."

6:40 PM

"The Piller of Salt."

“The pillar of salt in exchange for your help with the underhill?” She asks quizzically

"My help with the Underhill for the chance to buy the Piller of Salt."

7:14 PM

"I do not expect nor would I accept you giving it to me free of charge."

“I’ll give it to you but there’s something I need more than money”

7:15 PM

“Cruesa. When this underhill business is done. I need that world broken. Shattered even”

"The world? Or it's defenders?"

7:15 PM

"There is a difference."

“Anyone who won’t serve or come peacefully into the UNW. If you find that extends to the whole world , then do what must be done”

"Consider it done. It seems I have become the Wrath of the United." Cyrus say off handily the pauses and chuckles, that's not a bad title to have.

“Cruesa is a tumor on our western border. The sooner we excise it the sooner we can end this war”

"I agree fully, with the loss of the Chainveil the Remnant will be without a tool of terror to wield against it's populace and that of other worlds. However, there is more at Cruesa than just soldiers. There is a fairly sizeable fleet."

7:23 PM

(If I remember correctly isn't there the massive Remnant ship there?)

(It was but it was just rearming and refueling)

(Ah okay!)

7:25 PM

"Then again that ship was only refuelling." Cyrus ponders "Once the Underhill are defeated I shall send scouts to see whether or not the fleet is there. If it is not or once it has gone. I will attack. All that do not surrender will be dealt with."

“Once it’s done she’s yours. No questions asked”

"That raises the question of how I'll get my people to Cruesa in the first place."

"I think that will be the subject of a much longer meeting. How are you thinking of approaching it"

"I'll send someone in first to assess resistance and create a terror group to disrupt the local forces. Then send a group in on the eve of invasion to start preliminary attacks on targets scouted by the former group then I spike in system with a fleet, knock out their orbital defence and start pacification."

10:09 AM

"I'll see if I can get W.S on board."

"I think you'll need Seung, and his fleet, if you're going to start cracking orbitals"

"That's only way to make sure the landing is a success - If we get cut off we'd be done for. It might have to be a few months until we are ready to move."

"One moment." Cyrus types some things out on his commpad. "Provided I can get some people onboard, at the start of next month I can be ready to step off"

"You'll be traveling with an undergunned fleet should that happen. We took some losses in the last battle, and the keels aren't laid down yet for new vessels. The budget was spent on the capital, unfortunately.

"Don't worry, the TPC might have what we need. It helps to be Brothers with the best Mercenary and UNW Governor in the sector."

"Don't let Franz hear you say that" she laughs

Cyrus chuckles "Hopefully they'll only have a small defence fleet. I'll be sending my best spy in first to let me know if we are running into anything nasty."

1:29 PM

"This will be a turning point in the UNW either way it goes Madame. This will be the first aggressive expansion and invasion of a hostile world."

"If we leave them there, they're going to bring the fight to us before long. Terezinho is right in their backyard, as are other worlds of ours. We owe the people there protection"

"We do, I agree totally. I have swore I'd destroy the Chainveil. I plan to, and without them I have no doubt the Remnant will be brought to the table."

"Mord seems to think they're the ones really pulling the political strings. I'm inclined to agree with him

"As am I, Seems Mord was a worth while hire. He makes a great addition to the E.I roster."

"I'm thinking of extending my intelligence capabilities at some point - you remember the daughters of the lotus?"

"I do, nobody's heard from them since things in Atrovia came to an end"

"Hmm, I can vaguely remember Seung mentioning them in conjunction with Aslief. If that's true then it may be interesting if they are there."

"If that's the case then you have information we don't"

"Huh, I would've thought you might know more. Well its been enlightenting. I'll see what I can do with Cruesa once the Underhill are no longer a threat. As always Madame President, a pleasure."

Cyrus is one of the leave during the extraction from the battle making his way onto the soring deck at the Trivedi cloud set out for the purposes of the mission. He walks up behind Cole and puts a hand on her shoulder.

She’s tending a few minor injuries of her own but looks happy to see you

He says nothing but nods and smiles before walking past her to the corner set aside for the body bags containing the fallen of his ranks.

He walks down the lines of black body bags in quiet contemplation for few moments. He nods to himself before leaving the corner "Korkova, you did well out there as did your Battalion. Get cleaned up and your men to medical, you too Lars. I'll handle the proceedings for our fallen comrades."

"We weren't ready for that kind of resistance" Lars says, pulling you aside for a moment

"I know. We'll be ready next time. Intel was none-existent and we didn't have the people to fill gaps in our line. If the UNW hadn't got stuck on that beach it might have been different. Or if they had drop troops that could've jumped in with us."

"By my estimates we killed somewhere between 10,000 to 20,000 Underhill."

"Well, we made their job easier at least"

"Aye we did that. The cost was great, but war is war. It gives me a heavy heart to see our Brothers and Sisters cut down in their prime. But what we do is for the greater good. If you need to talk Lars. Let me know." He puts a reassuring arm on his shoulder and nods "We held the line. We will be more prepared next time."

Cyrus oversees the transfer of the fallen to the ground and makes sure the families of the dead are notified if they have any.

a feed of the battle is being beamed in, as Arimoto continues the fight

Cyrus watches the feed but after a while goes to rest and tend his own wounds and getting some rest.

Cyrus wakes early in the morning and gets out of bed, he makes himself a coffee and leaves Cole to sleep. He goes and sits at the kitchen table reading the most recent report on possible sightings of Malak before and after the kidnap and death of the Judge.

The news is all secondhand coming from rawhani. It’s not known if the execution happened there or off site some time later

Cyrus flicks to the UNW statement about the Judge's execution, seeing what their official view on it is.

The death of a public official at the hands of armed groups weakens the UNW politically if those responsible go free

10:14 AM

It theres no protection for civil servants there’s going to be no one willing to do the job

"Huh, sooner they find him the better" Cyrus mutters to himself as he researches a little more on the NCM (Do we know there focus as a society - I.E Warlike, Trade power that kind of thing)

(Not really. It’s only been one very short meeting that was more trying to figure out how to proceed, since the diplomats had been compromised)

(Makes sense.) Cyrus looks up realising the sun has risen and dawn is breaking, he goes for another refill of coffee and pours another for Cole knowing she'll soon be up.

Once she's up Cyrus takes her a mug of coffee "So, I think I'm going to go on a little excursion to NCM territory. Diplomatic and the like. Maybe swing by Phegus on the way back or there to see if it might be worth setting up there." Cyrus pauses "We haven't talked since the Island. How did you think it went? I feel like I failed."

"I think we did as well as we could. We were facing a formation much larger than our own. It's war, men die, and you made the right decision pulling is out when you did"

"Next time we'll have more men, and we'll pick the fight."

1:29 PM

"I'm going to leave you in charge while I'm gone, give them a few days R&R but after that we need to drill the ones that are ready, training jumps - weapons training - environment training, that kind of thing. I'll be gone for over a week."

"alright, ill keep the drill going"

"I'm gonna head off soon so I best get ready." Cyrus says getting up seemingly a little subdued and deep in thought. He walks over and kisses her on the forehead "I love you. I-I'll see you when I get back."

Cyrus leaves grabbing his bag and whistling Nem as he walks out of the room. He walks out towards the pad where his new Trireme Class Heavy Frigate is waiting his own personal guard and company waiting for him and it's maiden voyage. Cyrus walks past them nodding to Scmander the Taros Captain of Alpha Company 1st Battalion of the First Born. "Load them up, full kit check we don't know what we are in for out there."

5:17 PM

(Gotta name this new Captain, I'll leave that one up to you they're a Merperson from Terezinho if that helps)

“Where are we heading?”

"NCM Territory - Al-Valdai to be exact, on the way back we are going to take a detour to Phegeus."

"And they're aware we're coming?"

"Not as yet I was gonna give them the heads up on the way. Along with the UNW. They are still somehow connected to the Malak incident, I'd like to find out how. As well as make some inroads for E.I"

6:48 PM

"This isn't a military action if that's what you're asking. But I don't want any surprises."

"Any surprises is why I asked. Alright. I'll get the Trireme loaded up"

Cyrus nods to Scmander and walks onto the ship and makes his way to the bridge to find the new Captain.

Strombolis is the captain's last name, and he sits in the bridge chair, getting used to the panels and adjusting his seat for easy sitting during the long shift ahead

Cyrus walks onto the bridge and smiles. "Captain! I see you're get comfy, how are you finding it so far?"

"No complaints so far captain"

"Glad to hear it. She's helluva beast, hopefully we wont have to open the gun ports on this mission but it's good to know we can. We are going on a long haul to NCM Al-Valdai"

"Whats the complete route? I'll get it over to navigation"

(Is it possible to take the route the diplo team took?)

(yeah, and you know theres a diplo post at Al-wayid, so you can check in there)

10:34 AM

(NMC is friendly but if a warship randomly spikes into an inner system there will be some salt)

"Head to the diplomatic post. Use the route the UNW has on file. I'm going to send a message in advance so we don't upset anyone."

"Anything to lessen the pucker factor" he says, settling into the chair. "Alright, lets get underway"

10:41 AM

)any downtime projects?)

(Yeah I'll send a message to the NCM telling them that we are coming to have a chat about opening channels of communication between our two power as well as some business for E.I)

During the trip Cyrus composses a message to the NCM letting then know why he coming and that they will be arriving in a warship with it being close to Fleshshaper space.

Wasim is still heating up as you pass, a few degrees higher than the last time personnel were there. One of the engineers laments at the valuables being left to melt and become useless down there.

(I need to have a look with whats going on with wasim)

(was the home planet of the ark dweller aliens on Haila now, they fled their world before their moon crashed into it

11:13 AM

planet is broken into a few pieces, and whats left is going molten as various tectonic forces act on it as it breaks apart)

"Can we scan the planet? any major hubs or areas of interest? Shame to have artefacts go to waste if there are any." (edited)

(It was in the NMC thread, let me go grab it)

12:58 PM

The planet is ruptured almost in the exact middle. A small continent sized plate drifts west, surrounded by debris. There is an eastern top half that looks more intact, and the entire southern half of the planet has remained in one piece, but broken by cracks so large and wide they can be seen from space

12:58 PM

The southern sector has a very large city, with branching settlements connected by the ruins of what was once some kind of mass transit loop. The toppled cars were knocked off their tracks by an immense shockwave, and lie crumpled where they were knocked down 6 smaller settlements ranging from smaller cities (2) to large towns (2) both end in frontier outposts, heading west and east (2)

"Are there any projections as to how long it will be until it completely ruptures and breaks apart?"

"Another month, maybe two"

"Gods not long then at all."

1:08 PM

"What about people? Are they all gone?"

"The Ark dwelling aliens on Haila used to live here, that ship is the last of them, we believe. Everything here is dead, but for us"

"Hmm, might be worth taking a look. Take us down towards one of the cities, whichever is largest or looks most intact."

1:22 PM

"We're going to go and see if there is anything that might be of use."

the Trireme orbits over the most central hub on the southern intact section. (can it land?)

(It can it has atmo)

1:44 PM

"Look for any buildings that look like important - scientific, government that kind of thing. If there is a district of them put us down near it. I'm going to get suited up." Cyrus says leaving the command deck and getting ready. He will have his squad come with him the rest of the company will post security.

(Its all alien architecture, i dont know if any of that would be readily discernable)

(Fair point)

There is one faint signal, previously documented by the first team here, as originating in a communications complex, and emergency bunker in one

1:48 PM

the bunker is flooded, but it was noted more supply was down in the greasy water

1:48 PM

Extreme caution against biological contaminants is urged

Cyrus makes all the necessary arrangements and gets into his suit which is rated for such things. (When you say flooded do you mean underwater? or like knee deep?)

(underwater)

2:23 PM

(the shelter is flooding)

(Do assault suits work underwater? as in movement wise?)

(they do, youll be slow though)

"Okay make sure your suits are air tight, helmets on we've got bio hazard readings. Captain take us in near the bunker and that signal. We'll hit that first."

The Trireme lands, crushing some rubble under its bulk, as it sets down. The ramp lowers to a corpse choked street

Cyrus' voices rasps through the augmented voice box of the helmet "Scmander, create a perimeter around the ship. Search the nearby houses but be careful. No unnecessary risks." He then turns to Sergeant Eyrx "Let's go." Cyrus moves out with his personal guard and Nemesis (She needs no human means to survive, heat, air that kind of thing doesn't effect her.)

The ground is warm. It would be downright hot without the protection of your suits. Steam billows in thick banks at the end of the street. “The shelter they marked was over this way. We shouldn’t stay long. Tectonic activity is increasing”

"Let's get to it then. Double time." Cyrus starts off at a jog towards the marker.

The complex is a series of three domes. The other two, not containing the shelter, were thoroughly looted and documented. The shelter doors are wrenched closed

Cyrus and his team make their way to the last door. "Get a charge on it, are there any readings coming off it that we should know about?"

"Nothing that we can read through the door, but its their equivalent of NBC rated, nothing getting through unless we open it"

"Do it, everyone's covered to walk through a nuclear bomb after it's detonation. Crack the door."

(luck save_

(19 success)

8:02 PM

(you want me to roll for all my dudes too?)

(yea just a group roll, vs 12)

(oof they fail)

(13 damage to all) Doors shut, and opened with explosives, the building corpse gasses behind the door ignite, a flash fire blowing the doors off, and spreading across the fatty surface of the water inside

8:12 PM

greasy smoke billows out into the dome

"Gods!"

8:14 PM

(Is it now on fire completely or was it just a flash thing and we can enter?)

(the surface is going to be burning for a while as all the fat is cooked off the top of the water, but it will go out eventually)

Cyrus and the group pat out the fires on each other and wait for it to cook off before making entry switching to IR vision as they enter the darkness

the fire seems to have cleaned up some of the contamination, despite the wounds its done on everyone. Diving into the dark water, bodies of the elongated aliens bob on the surface, mostly decayed. The cargo crates, tied down to the bunker floor, are toward the back, the location of the remainder marked by the previous group

7:37 AM

"We'll only have the armor intergrity to grab a few"

"Grab the ones that look the most important if there's weapon crates take them"

(d 100's for contents, when you've time)

(How many times am I rolling gonna do it in a few mins when I get home)

(3)

(80/72/31)

(standby)

(simply red standing by)

sMoKescreen coMMs These small transparent patches usually appear in a box of 1d6+1. When the patches are sealed to a wearer they subtly alter the speaker’s voice and auditory perceptions to allow a second channel of communication to exist in their spoken words. They may speak as they wish, but any ally wearing a matched comm will be able to hear the true message in their words, even if it is wholly contrary to the spoken content. This effect functions even over radio or commpad links. Smokescreen comms continue to function until they are removed.

10:48 AM

secure coMPactor The device usually takes the form of a rectangular case approximately the size of a ream of printer paper. The interior of the case is significantly larger than the exterior, however, and the case can be adjusted to accept objects up to two meters long, one meter wide, and one meter high. When the lid is closed and the activation key is pressed the device thrums briefly before compacting its contents into a thumbnail-sized block of ultra-dense, carefully homogenized matter. No trace of any data, microscopic life, nanite structures, or any other distinguishing characteristic remains about the block, which weighs as much as the compactor’s original contents. The compactor operates once for every Type A power cell provided.

10:49 AM

and finally

10:49 AM

shucKer ProD On more than one world the locals have found themselves forced to face military forces equipped with armor far in advance of the available native weapon technology. The “shucker prod” is one of the more common low-tech responses. The short staves are tipped with a crude thermal charge sufficient to melt through assault armor, though at some risk to the wielder. Shucker prods ignore all armor when making attack rolls, allowing only Dexterity modifiers to the target’s armor class. On a hit, the thermal charge inflicts 1d8 damage- but if an 8 is rolled, the splashback of the thermal material inflicts 1d8 damage on the wielder as well. Shucker prods are useful only as clubs after their first successful hit.

(Nice!)

Garion 4/9/2019 10:56 AM

Cyrus has his squad take the boxes while he looks around for anything else notable in the bunker

The rest of the bunker has been picked over. The bodies floating on the surface are rotted and almost unrecognizable. They died horribly, cooking slowly as the doors failed, and water rushed into the secure area

"Let's get out of this place, lest we follow suit." Cyrus turns and moves out with the squad back to the ship.

The trireme's engines are still warm. "Back to orbit?" the captain intercoms

"Aye, best not overstay our welcome."

He says nothing further but the ship begins lifting off, making orbit before long. The planet groans and creaks as gravitic forces continue their work

Cyrus watches the planet from orbit. "The universe is an unforgiving place."

2:51 PM

"To Al-Wayid"

During the downtime while in spike space Cyrus talks with his men socially, and his officers, attempting to gauge how they feel so far about service in the Myrmidons. And more recently how they felt about the Underhill engagement. (Basically checking their resolve/morale levels)

Morale is good despite the losses. Untrained as they are they took on a much larger force (edited)

6:29 PM

Morale if anything seems to be improved by your prudent decisions to put their lives before your pride

Cyrus takes this on board, promising to do more training once they go back to Gudrun, potentially incorporating other forces into that training in order to help strengthen their fighting techniques.

The translation to Al-Wayid is smooth, and two destroyers sit above the diplomatic post, this time augmented by a fleet cruiser as well, the solar sails catch the currents in system, glowing a pearl white against the black void

7:53 AM

their cannon ports are shuttered.

Cyrus stands on the command deck of the bridge looking at the ships "Wow, that's something I didn't think to see. That style is definitely different"

(theres no one on the top deck itself, but the bridge would be like set into the front of the bow, gun decks behind, ect)

"Best to say our hello's" Cyrus says hailing the ship

The fleet cruiser responds almost right away. "Good morning UNW vessel. We thank you for running weapons down. What brings you to New Moon Cooperative territory?"

"Good morning NMC vessel. We appreciate the mutual act. We are here on a diplomatic mission, as well as an intelligence operation. I'm attempting to try and open up clear lines of communication between our two factions. Is there anyone on planet or up here I can speak with in such a regard?"

10:16 AM

"In person."

"General Quince is on planet"

"Do you need to clear us or are we good to start landing? We are atmo capable."

"Deviation from flight path will have you fired on. Proceed planetside"

"Understood." Cyrus nods to the Captain "Take us down."

The Trireme pitches foreward, keeping to the flight path, and avoiding the guns protecting the compound. Some loose information about what to expect on the ground is in UNW records from the first crew that arrived here

"Eyrx prepare the my guard. Scmander you will come with me too but there's no need to bring the entire company out."

12:06 PM

"Best give them a show though, full armour, bring the standard too." Cyrus chuckles

The compound guard has been doubled since the first report, and four men with laser-locks stand outside, coming to attention as the ramp lowers

Cyrus walks out followed by Scmander, Eyrx and a nine strong column of Mymridon Warriors made distinct by their white enameled armour with gold detailing that distinguish them as being apart if Cyrus' personal guard. In the center one of them carries 'The First Born' battle standard marked by the battles of Agaspur and the Underhill purge in streamers coming off the main standard. They march across the yard weapons shouldered (Vertical not pointed at people xD)

"Welcome to Al-Wayid honored guests. General Quince is inside, with additional security. Please ensure weapons are treated with respect inside"

Cyrus gives a curt nod "Of course." Cyrus and the group move towards the building with a nod from Cyrus the standard bearer and the column of nine stop and form up outside with Eyrx and Scmander following Cyrus into the building to meet the General

General Quince is sitting at a long dining table, having tea at the end of it with two of his protection detail. They're both young but look well trained.

2:27 PM

He is mid sip, but tries to politely finish it and wave you inside

Cyrus walks in, ducking slightly as he enters the room in his Titan Armour. (Overdressed I know but it's a statement)

2:31 PM

Flanked by the Scmander, a Taros Captain of the First Born's first Company. And Sergeant Eyrx a gruff looking Terezinho'an Human.

2:33 PM

Cyrus bows deeply "General Quince I presume. An honour to be your guest - My name is Warmaster Cyrus Adonis, Leader of the Elysium Initiative."

"Though in this capacity I also come as a representative of the UNW."

“Welcome UNW Representative. It’s nice to meet you, though your title is concerning. Is war what you’re here to declare?”

Cyrus chuckles lightly "My title is more along the lines of yours General. Though it is not bestowed on me by the UNW. No, war is not what I seek. I'm here for a number of reasons the among them to talk of opening lines of communication towards the goal of sharing vital intelligence between our two great powers."

“I see. The cooperative is scheduled to vote on a trade agreement before months end already. There is much debate

"Debate? Is there much support for the Remnant?"

"You misunderstand" he gestures for you to sit. "It's not that kind of issue. "

7:02 AM

"The issue is resources diverted to protect the supply lines, being taken away from the fleshmoulder front"

Cyrus sits in the chair, it creaking under the mass of him in his armour. "I understand, is it possible that we can come up with a solution to help aid this issue? Soon the Remnant will surrender, or they will no longer be able to pose a big enough threat. So this protecting of supply line will be less of an issue."

'We're not protecting it from them. We aren't at war with them"

"From the Fleshshapers? I wouldn't have thought attacking trade ships was in their scope."

"They want the....organics...

7:17 AM

"for a lack of better words"

Cyrus furrows his eyebrows weighing up what that means "Have you fought these Fleshshapers in open battle yet?"

"Twice. At the edges of our domain"

7:21 AM

"Their ships are powerful, and...not to be underestimated"

"Interesting, what about in the field, planetside."

"I hope we never do. We were able to stop them in space"

7:27 AM

"Barely"

"Interesting, I'm a Commander that fights mostly on the ground. The UNW has a very competent Navy, it's defeated the Remnant in many battles so I feel with our combined might things could swing in our favour. We still need to deal with the Remnant first though, even if that's just for logistics."

"Fights with the Remnant, humans, are one thing. These Flesh beings, they fight like..well...something else"

7:53 AM

"I've seen video from the ships they boarded" he gravely shakes his head "That's going to stay with me for the rest of my life"

"Are they great in number?"

"It was all we could do to just turn back probing fleets. We outnumbered them, but each one fights like a demon"

8:05 AM

(cayne is the only one to have ever fought one man to man)

8:05 AM

(from the UNW)

(Yeah, I'll talk to him about it when I see him next)

8:06 AM

"Hmm.." Cyrus thinks for a while "My Warriors will be prepared when we meet them in battle. And it shall be a grave day all the same."

8:06 AM

"But they will lose."

8:07 AM

"But that is only one of the reason I have come, back to intelligence sharing. You have no need to guard intelligence as it is sent through the ether."

8:07 AM

"And it only helps us to fight our mutual enemies."

8:08 AM

"In this time of strife and war we may move fast to build relations but that is because there is little time to waste when fighting such threats."

"I need more than words to bring back to the council"

"Like what? Intelligence itself? I could give you star charts, map information, but until mutual trust is assured then I cannot give you anything else. Perhaps we could work a trade, I could give you information on the systems we have encountered. You could help me with another of the reasons I am here. Do you know or have ever heard of a man by the name of Malak abd al-Muta - The Butcher of Aliah?"

8:12 AM

Cyrus watches the Generals reaction to the name intently as to gauge the truth from the man's eyes as much as his words - his eyes are piercing.

"I have. He was here, briefly, not long ago. He left for Rawhani not long after meeting with other delegates here. It was while I was coreward, delivering news of our last meeting with your people"

8:16 AM

(and yeah a quid pro quo arrangement is good for right now. You guys are moving faster than they are. They havent finished debating your first trade agreement yet and now people are here asking for more. He can only authorize so much on his own) (edited)

(Sounds good! This is more like laying out the ground work)

8:42 AM

"Thank you, if you didn't know already he is a fugitive from the UNW, a terrorist who murdered a civil servant and a number of other citizens of the UNW. One I am currently hunting."

8:43 AM

Cyrus looks to Eyrx and nods who produces a data pad with the map information pulled from the UNW central hub. He walks forward and hands it to the General

"We weren't aware. The diplomatic situation we find ourselves in has complicated immensely upon meeting the UNW. I mean this with the most kindness possible"

8:47 AM

He looks very tired, this is another layer of complication on top of an already touchy situation

"I understand, these things can become strange very quickly. Personally I'm no diplomat - I'm a Warrior, but in order to stop wars or win them one must become diplomatic."

8:50 AM

"What was his purpose here?"

"He was going to assist us against the fleshshapers on the ground, he and his free company."

8:51 AM

"We felt it better to gauge the fleshshapers in ground combat with....more expendable forces..."

"He didn't happen to tell you where he and his 'free company' were based did he?"

"He did not. It was not necessary for the scope of our agreement"

"I see, so unknowingly you made an agreement with this man? What if you don't mind me asking did this specifically entail."

"Unknowingly about your situation, which again I remind you, meant nothing to us until a few weeks ago."

9:06 AM

"The plan was for him to scout Maitane, to see if flesh presence is there, and if not, to establish a forward base there"

9:06 AM

"That base needs to be done for a push toward their worlds, your vendetta is respected, but we cannot allow it to jeopardize our own plans"

"Of course. When was he supposed to do this?"

"He was supposed to have the initial data to us by next month, so we can agree on a construction date, and make the arrangements we need to"

"I don't want to step on your toes with this, how about I take over the contract? I'll scope out this system - and I'll take out Malak when he arrives. How does that sound?"

9:49 AM

"This would have to be an agreement between us for now. Until after the fact, the more people that know, the more leaks there can be - and if I'm to lay a trap for him I need him to walk into it."

"I don't think the cooperative will be upset as long as the information is given, and the base is constructed"

10:08 AM

'you need to deliver on this. I can't stress it enough"

"So, to clarify - I am to scout this system for Fleshshaper activity. Then deliver the data back to the NMC - If I find any there am I to clear the system?"

"If you find any there, you're to disengage, and we will find another place for our forward shipyard"

10:10 AM

"We need a secure base to muster, and repair at, it will likely be the first of many"

"Okay, I can do that. I am a man of my word General, I hope to prove that to you. This will only make the relationship between our two powers stronger."

10:12 AM

"Will you provide me with knowledge of your spike routes near to the system so that I may get there quicker?"

He thinks for a long moment. "I'd need to go up the chain for that kind of intelligence to be released"

Cyrus thinks for a moment. "Does Malak have that intelligence?"

"He does not. He did not ask, and we would not give it to a free company"

10:21 AM

"There's nothing holding them accountable"

"That's fine, I shall do without then, he currently should still be around UNW space but either way I know where he either is or will be. I have his scent, I shall find him."

10:23 AM

A cunning and frankly predatory grin comes across Cyrus face as he turns his attention back to the General "Thank you General. You have been a great help, and I foresee a fruitful relationship for our two powers in the future if this is any benchmark."

"Very good. You're welcome to stay if you'd like to, but I beleive the matter is concluded for now

"I best be off as soon as possible. I thank you for the offer though, I hope this meeting has been as insightful to you as it has to me."

"It has been. I've got a lot to return home with to be discussed"

Cyrus stands the chair creaking with a sigh of release before bowing once more "I thank you for your hospitality. I will be to my duty now." He turns on his heel leaving with Scmander and Eyrx - Once outside his personal guard falls in behind him as they march back onto the ship. "Captain Strombolis - We are going into the unknown, get us into orbit if you will."

The trireme's engines warm up, melting the snow behind them, and you follow the path outwards, through the NMC fleet, the two destroyers shadowing you to the system jump point

Cyrus composes a video message to President Kincaid "Madame President - Following a meeting with General Quince of the NMC I have found Malak's trail. He was contracted by the NMC prior to his kidnap and execution of UNW Head of Intelligence Judge Mansoor, to go to a system to the north by the name of Maitane in order for NMC troops to find a forward base from which to strike at the Flesh Shaper threat. They did not know the extent of Malak's crimes or indeed that he was a fugitive at all until I had informed them. I struck a deal in order to go there carry out the NMC scouting mission and lay a trap for Malak once he returns to carry out the mission. By your order he will be terminated." (edited)

------ Cyrus helps the Captain plot a course from their current location to dead space so they hopefully don't show up on either the NMC or Flesh shaper radars (0004 NE, 0701 N, Maitane.)

12:20 PM

(Does that sound good with you)

(generating now)

(Nice!)

0004 NE is empty space, a small nebula, perfect for hiding in

2:01 PM

right now, sensors seem to be operating normally, but the edges of detection radius are already getting tinny with corruption

Cyrus sits down in his cabin during the jump time deep in thought, his mind and sleep made restless by losing his first Warriors as he replays the events of the Underhill engagement. Late in one sleep cycle he finds himself sitting in his room on the floor beginning to meditate Nemesis say in front of him. Attempting to quiet his mind and reach a place of peace - trying to tap into the spiritual connection with 'magic' like he did when he felt the same on Gudrun before Nemesis came to him

Nemesis does not cross the veil with you but you find yourself back in the thick forest. There is a fog, rolling in heavy banks near the ground and tinged red. You hear the sounds of steel on steel from deeper within

Cyrus' ears twitch at the harsh sounds and the hairs on his arms and neck stand on end. His eye dart around looking for threats as the adrenaline releases into his system. He smells the air instinctively like a predatory animal after their prey.

There is a figure in the fog that you can barely make out. He’s moving away from you, down the same path, about to be swallowed by the thick clouds. He is very tired, and is leaning heavily on a long spear. The shield on his left arm looks more a weight than protection. He wears a helmet with a shark fin plumage of horse hair though in the perma twilight here you cannot make out its color

Cyrus follows after stalking as one would an injured animal - he paces himself so that he is quicker than the injured Warrior but not so much as to break into a run and draw attention to his gradual chase.

He stops moving, bent backed still slightly, but standing up as tall as he can. “You can come out now Cyrus Adonis, I know you are there”

6:58 PM

He turns to face you, his face and features hidden in the shadow of his helmet

Cyrus comes out onto the path taking off his own helmet "You have me at a disadvantage Warrior, for I know not your name. And I would know the name of a Friend, or an Enemy." He says raising himself up to his full height his stance shifting so that he is stood with his side facing the injured Warrior - Ready to receive battle. Though his tone remains casual if not underlyingly friendly.

“I had a name. Many names. Most are forgotten now. You may know me as Ares”

7:10 PM

“Walk with me” he says, gesturing the the spot next to him. The fog seems to lift a bit

Cyrus' eyes widen in momentary awe but quickly refocus. "And what does the God of War want with a Child of Adonis? To attempt to slay a rival once more?" Cyrus says jokingly, stepping forward to walk by his side

He does not reply. Standing this close you can feel the weight of eons radiating off the figure. He is tireless, but tired, all at the same time. You begin to walk, and the fog begins parting to the left and right of the path

7:15 PM

“Humanity has always been a violent breed. Ever since the first murder, where brother killed brother with a rock from the field.”

7:15 PM

To your left, the scene plays out, two men struggling in the dust before the first and fatal blow is struck

7:16 PM

“That first, single act went to spawn millions, billions more like it.

Cyrus turns as they walk watching the act, a look of shame crossing his face the scene seemingly painful for him to watch. But he does not turn away, his eyes taking every detail in. He smells the blood on the air and tastes the grit and sand in his mouth. The hot bloody stone in his hands. "Why do you show me this? I know this story and others like it well. Death and War are an endless cycle that walk hand in hand. But one can stop the other if you truly wanted to." Cyrus hisses through gritted teeth turning back to Ares. The blood in his veins runs hot. "Do you mean to shame Me, to shame Us for what created You?!"

“This act did create me in metaspace, but it was not to remain. I’m an echo now. A fragment. A ghost. If you prefer that. Cyrus. Human history is an ouroboros. A snake eating its own tail... To the right, the fog parts, showing the defeated in sparticus’ rebellion being crucified on the road to Rome, one by one

7:27 PM

“The cycle must break. I have empowered many throughout History. Great warriors, great generals, for one purpose” (edited)

Cyrus grits his teeth as the screams of the defeated slaves below throughout the foggy surroundings, he winces as he feels the nails driven into their hands and the blood trickle down their wrists. A solitary tear rolls down his cheek as he swallows the growing lump in his throat. He turns back to the aged and ageless God of War perplexed "Break the cycle? But - But you fuelled it!"

“Humans fueled it. Cyrus, my chosen throughout the ages have all failed. You will not. You will build. You will fight so others do not have to. You will make shining cities, and homes in safe places for all life, where it can flourish” “A house is not for burning Cyrus. The violence must end, so that I can finally rest”

Cyrus overcome by a weight put upon him and pressing down on his shoulders suddenly drops to his knees at the feet of Ares. "How can I hope to succeed where all others have failed?"

“The task ahead is difficult. You will build a bastion, and gather your worthies. From there, you will be unleashed , and bring about Dardanus, the great flood. This war will be the last one that humanity will ever fight. You will destroy its enemies. Within and without. And when the last sunset falls on the last day, you will return home to a universe at peace.” The fog to the left parts, showing agiancourt, knights being pitched off their horses, riddled with arrows, throats cut by yeomen with long knives

"All I wish for is a life of peace, why do you bestow this task upon me?" Cyrus flinches as a horse screams as it and it's rider are peppered with arrows and it collapses forward with the clatter of plate and chain. He looks down as the knight crawls forward only to be executed by the yeoman - the unheroic gurgle of his throat being slit making Cyrus almost throw up in the sand as the stench of death and all that entails hits his nostrils.

“What you want, is what I want for all men. You alone have the strength to provide this destiny, for all men”

7:52 PM

“The road ahead will be hard. All weapons will be your tools. Your holy instruments. Extensions of yourself, a warrior now cast in my own image”

Cyrus feels a weight lifted from his shoulders or rather, lessened as his body changes - grows taller slightly and thicker a once athletic build seems to become more muscular and toned. His legs and hands dig deep into the sand as he pushes himself up with immense effort the new bulk of his body rippling and tensing as he stands to a new height of 6'5". His breathes heaving at the excursion committed to merely standing under the donned responsibility just given. When he speaks his voice is slightly deeper, richer and filled with conviction - all sense of self pity is gone. His eyes piercing, the hazel colour deepening to almost black "In the name of Peace, it shall be so."

“You must be merciless to those that threaten what you and your fellows are trying to build. Raise the dragon banner Cyrus. No more chivalry.”

8:04 PM

“Your war, must be the last war” On the left, a fleet of ships of the line at Gibraltar form battle lines, their percussive cannonades making the whole forest ring

Cyrus' ears ring with the concussive wave of cannon volleys but this time he does not cower or flinch - Once more his hair stands on end but this time he is filled by liberation. "This I shall do, for the greater good of my fellows. None shall cross my path that would do wrong and survive. Those that do not cease actions will be slaughtered and no quarter shall be given. Until peace rains supreme or I stand in the fields of Elysium- It. Shall. Be. So!" Cyrus voice rings out like a thousand bells as he cuts through the noise in a proclamation that could echo through time and space so that all may here it. A new battle cry is born. One of which will strike fear in the hearts of any enemy that hears it within, or without.

He takes off a gauntlet, a leather glove, knuckles worn from use, and slaps you across the face. You wake up at the foot your bed at home, Cole slumbering away behind you. Ares’ voice rings in your head, gravely and proud. Let this be the last blow you receive unanswered

Cyrus looks around again confused before crawling up to meet Cole "I'll see you soon my love for now I know our true destiny." He kisses her on the forehead and as he does so wakes a second and final time sat on the floor of his cabin on the ship. His eyes opening to meet Nemesis' before looking down to see how his figure has not changed back from that which happened in the vision. His body remains solid and toned where it once was slim and athletic - his body aches with previously untapped power and potential as he stands he has a moment of vertigo as he rises inches taller than he once was. Going over to the mirror he is not surprised to see that his eyes, once a deep hazel are now darker and black the original colour only hinting at the outlines of his iris'. He turns slowly to Nemesis "Our work has only just begun - now our purpose is assured and mandated by Ares himself."

“I sense the touch of the bloody handed one on you” she purrs back

"He has spoken, and his will is my own. He wishes like all Warriors to rest - but only through War can there be Peace."

8:39 PM

"And so the long War, the last War begins. And he hath chosen his Champion it seems."

Nemesis yawns, stretches out her paws, and goes back to sleep

Cyrus chuckles "Indeed a time to rest, a time to fight." Cyrus lays down in his bed feeling a little more cramped than before and sleeps When he wakes it is to the sound of re-entry warnings his stands and dresses in uniform before making his way to the command deck his new appearance making him a new type of imposing. Finding Scmander and the Captain he nods to them "This place is interesting, a good place for a trap if one might need to shake a tail."

Neither of them comment on the change but they're all looking at you

6:43 AM

"Right then, Yeah, small nebula here. Solid spot for an ambush, but we'd have fallen into it already"

"Useful for us to know if we need to lead someone here. Take us on in good time Captain."

"Spike is recharging. Everything alright sir? I'm just going to say it. What the fuck happened to you?"

Cyrus turns and chuckles "As many of you know I have an 'affinity' for the powers some call magic. The meta dimensional forces that run parallel to our existence. I reached out from time to time for guidance to these forces. Last time I did this I received a loyal companion in the form of Nemesis. This time I received a vision." Cyrus pauses reading the room for a second before continuing. When he begins to speak again he seems to address the room orating the story. "I spoke with Ares - God of War. He proclaimed that we are to fight a final war for all of humanity! He endowned me with his power to become a weapon in his name and in the name of peace so that I and by extention you my Warriors of the light, may final bring about then end of this vicious cycle and find peace - In this life or the next. And so I declare the horns of total War have sounded. He hath let slips his Dogs of War and we are they I am his Champion! In the name of Ares, in the name of Peace I demand a new battle cry be heard: It shall be so!"

7:45 AM

In a fluid motion Cyrus unsheathes his sword and lift it skyward on the Command deck looking over his crew and other attendants

there is awed silence, everyone trying to process the enormity of what has just happened, its not the applause or cheers you'd probably expected. Finally, the captain breaks the silence "How many of the men know. Does the President?"

"As of now you are the only ones"

"Once we are back home, all those in the Initiative will know their purpose. We were fighting for those who could not before. But now our mission is mandated by the God of War himself."

Without the changes done to you, your story might not be so readily believed, but seeing how you've transformed, there is no doubt in the room.

"Now we are to work. We hunt down this fugitive no longer in the name of just the UNW but also in the name of peace. Captain when we are ready carry on. And thank you for having the courage to ask. Perhaps it may be an idea to have our gun crews drill and practice firing. We may be jumping into a battle sooner or later."

"We've got some time as we translate, four hours of drill enough?"

10:16 AM

(six hours for a spike recharge)

10:17 AM

(and then an hour at the end to recover)

10:17 AM

before jump

"Aye that should do it, we might have another four at the other end provided its more empty space."

"Alright, well, lets roll out the guns!" There is a tri-tone alert over the whole ship, as the captain addresses the entire crew, letting them know of the gunnery drill

Cyrus nods as they begin rushing around "Release the target buoys - wait until they are at a decent range..."

(Cut to end of training, I doubt you want me to roll against myself haha)

(yeah that's fine) The gunnery training goes well, everyone is getting familiar with the Trireme and her peculiarities, like those on all ships. Better learned now, the captain insists, and it sounds like good sense

"Aye they move well, you've got good crew Scmander your Warriors did well preparing the boarding tubes and in their defensive protocols." (edited)

They nod their thanks, and head off to check in with their sub department heads, and get more detailed information

Cyrus walks back to his cabin and thinks about composing a message to Cole but after several failed attempts scraps the idea, he just can't seem to find the words to describe the events without sounding like he's gone insane.

1:12 PM

After a while decides to draw up some plans for a new formation in his battle ranks - Speeder Mounted Troops

You spend some time studying the old ways cavalry was employed , and have some rough ideas. It might be a conversation had with pops

Cyrus does all he can and then puts a remainder on his systems to go to pops and talk to him about designing speeders and a new weapon - A hybrid melee/ranged weapon that they can use from the saddle.

4:17 PM

After that he does some more tactics simulations before settling down for the second transition to spike (No further Downtime planned)

(Art of what the Trireme-Class Heavy Corvette looks like:)

1

(this screams covenant to me)

7:11 PM

The next jump is dead space, once again, though wreckage of a NMC warship, a scout from what it appears, drifts in the void against a pale brown dust cloud

"Captain, all hands at the ready and bring us in to the wreckage let's see if there's anything left."

(Program int)

(9 - Comm Officer +2 from stats and +1 from Authority)

7:45 PM

(9 is the total just thought I'd lay out the maths)

(Appreciate it)

7:48 PM

“No life aboard sir”

"How long ago was it destroyed, can we tell?" (edited)

“A couple months at least. Powers dead.”

Cyrus brings up the scans looking for the signs of battle (Scorch marks ect, see if I can get an idea of what weaponry destroyed it)

A large perfectly circular hole was bored into the side of it, there are scorch marks around it, and a handful of blown out airlocks from battles within

6:36 AM

But it looks to have been boarded

"Was this done by conventional ship weaponry?" (edited)

“It’s been seen once before. That Remnant cruiser Silva I boarded

7:12 AM

“Silvano. It’s where he found the flesh throne”

7:12 AM

“And how we learned about these miserable bastards”

"Okay, so this is most definitely Fleshshapers - interesting, they seem to prefer to attack, incapacitate then board."

Cyrus, this is Marshal Desmond O'Shea. We have reports of Camilla Thorn working with the fugitive Malak. Are you in need of assistance dealing with bringing him in?

"Helmsman! Bring us in closer. Scmander stand your Company ready - Sergeant Eyrx you and my personal guard suit up. I wish to investigate further. Captain Strombolis, proceed with all caution they could be watching this wreck in hopes of the very thing we are doing. Run out the guns and stand the crew at arms."

Various alarms go off as the crew comes to stations. The guards assemble in the primary expedition airlock

"Captain update me of anything important. I'm going to board the wreck." Cyrus nods and moves off to get suited up in his armour meeting his personal guard and some others in the airlock.

The airlock pulls close to the NMC wreck. “They don’t have anything for the ring to bite into. The secondary door is going to seal behind us so this room is cut off from the ship”

Cyrus nods to Eyrx the looks around to the boarding party "Check suit seals now! Lights on! Guns up!"

Cyrus readies himself for the airlock to cycle and the door to open

The light pauses on amber for a moment. You’ll have to make a note for engineering

5:46 PM

Then finally it turns green, opening up into the stricken side of the NMC sloop class scout

Cyrus moves forward with the his team through the breach into the husk of the ship bathing the inside in light from their built in head lamps.

(Bump)

(yep im editing deck plans)

8:04 AM

(didnt get a chance to finish last night)

(No worries bud, didn't know whether or not it lit up)

8:07 AM

(youre in the right airlock)

Cyrus and his squad move through the airlock into the main corridor followed by another two squads of Myrmidons. He turns to the Squad leaders "You stay here, lock down this airlock and corridor in case there is an issue. You take your squad and start clearing cabins on the port side (Left side) I'll take the starboard side (Right) then I'll move up to the bridge. You take the cargo hold after the cabins. If you come across anything call it in." (edited)

EVeryone affirms, and begins moving off. The ships is eerily clean, there is no blood, no signs of bodies, no fleshy growths like what was on the fractured Remnant cruiser. The cabin doors are all open, small personal effects like pictures, trinkets, and clothing float in the zero G

On the way up to the bridge Cyrus attempts to find the Captain's cabin. "You ever seen anything like this way back when in the old wars Eyrx? Black Sun or Tanbrean ever do anything this clean?"

"Nothing this clean. Bodies taken yes, if they intended to come back and claim the wreck as a prize vessel. but there would be blood, or signs of battle"

"We didn't run into anyone out in space so I don't think they just vented the ship and let them get sucked out into the void. And even if they did some of them would still be floating in here..." Cyrus says as he opens the door to Captains quarters

Inside the quarters is another throne this one made of the polished ivory bones of what you assumed would be the crew. There are no other remains or body parts left behind. On the seat of the throne is a black seed, quivering as though alive

There's a momentary silence before Cyrus half whispers "By the Gods." He walks forward to the throne of bones looking down at the seed (Has anyone ever come across one of these before that we know of?)

(sil )

Cyrus quickly brings up his forearm screen and re reads the report to see if they are one and the same and what that means

The seed was examined by Silvano and be determined when planted or when falling to the surface of a life rich world it will begin to spread, razing the landscape and forming groves of flesh trees

9:08 AM

The shapers harvest then later to grow their devices

"If we take it we might be able to use it to reverse the process or at least start to understand it. But it must be kept safe. Lock it in a sample container. See to it Sergeant."

9:11 AM

Cyrus steps forward and touches the throne with his armoured hand

(Two Mental saves)

(I expected this xD)

9:12 AM

(So, I have a piece of Cyberware that might help with this:)

9:13 AM

Neurointruder Alert: While somewhat primitive by pretech standards, this TL5 cybernetic implant allows the wearer to gain a +3 bonus on all saving throws to resist telepathic intrusion. Even if such a save is failed, the user will be aware that they are under telepathic assault, though some forms of mental control may not allow them to say as much until after the influence is ended. The warning does not indicate the source of the influence.

9:17 AM

(One succeeds, the second fails even with the +3)

(It’s def a telepathic assault. The cyberware is worded like it must be an active thing being done to you by a nearby person but it’s vague enough to make arguing mutually frustrating)

9:21 AM

(I’ll roll damage for the second)

9:22 AM

(16 damage). The psychic backlash of the crew being killed floods your mind, along with the pain of being still alive while the flesh was loosened from your bones.

9:22 AM

Some were still alive as partially articulated skeletons somehow when formed into the throne

Cyrus drops to a knee hit by the assault but quickly stands again as his Cyberware staves off the assault partially. He lets out a primal growl as the stress on his mind subsides. "These monsters will pay for what they have done to you. I shall send you to your peace soon enough." He pledges to the collection of bones. "Sergeant the case." He beckons putting the seed inside the hardened metal sample case.

It seals with a pressure lock and a light clicks from green to red

Cyrus shakes his head "Guard it with your life Sergeant." He pauses looking back to the throne and the clears the room moving forward to the bridge.

"Squad Leaders - Report."

As you recover, you see almost everyone around you complaining of headaches. The comlink is dead, and you see your sergeant's nose is bleeding freely inside his helmet

"Fuck. Has anyone got comms?"

One of them battle-signs that they do not

Cyrus nods using his hand then directs that they go back to the holding group at the airlock where they came in to regroup.

comms remain down, and almost everyone has suffered some kind of backlash

Cyrus regroups and waits for the other search team to come back to make sure everyone is safe.

Everyone is accounted for, but comms are out sidespread among the breach teams, and almost everyone is suffering headaches

Cyrus sends the second search team back the holding team stays the same and Cyrus moves on to the bridge with his own team now everyone is accounted for.

helmet off, the comm systems in everyones suits have been fried by the MES release event. Almost everyone has suffered a bloody nose or ears

"Never seen something so clean but so horrid." Cyrus says to Eyrx stepping onto the bridge

"Can we pull anything from the ships data storage?"

"Everything on board failed. THere's nothing but the wreck itself"

"Okay, let's get out of here then." Cyrus and the boarding party return to the ship. "Captain get us clear of the wreck once we are open up on it. Leave nothing but atoms left."

(The Trireme Class Assualt ships are equipped with a keel mounted Grav Cannon and two Plasma beams - for visual knowledge)

The gunners did not expect to get this kind of practice, but the vessel breaks apart after a few salvos of sustained fire.

"Did you find anything in the other areas of the ship?" Cyrus asks the other search team leader

"Empty cabins, floating personal belongings, no people or bodies"

"We found the crew, the Shapers made a throne of bones..."

2:43 PM

"Okay boarding team - see the ship's Doctor and then get some rest. Captain take us to spike one last jump before we're in the Operation's Zone."

(Alright. Generating planet)

(Fun times!)

As they ready to spike into the system Cyrus has the Captain call all hands to action stations as they stand on the command deck "We could be spiking into a fleet."

The ship emerges, at the edge of the system. (Program int)

(13)

6:26 PM

(xD)

There are no ships in the system. The world below is a polluted Hell world. Scanner returns bounce back repeatedly as it reflects off endless metal junk piles on the world below

"Okay, they haven't arrived yet clearly. What have we got to hide behind here? Asteroids and the like?"

6:31 PM

"Any moons?"

“Couple junk heaps in their own orbits around the planet. This whole gravity well is strange”

"Could it be an issue?"

"Not for what we're doing. I can give you the specifics when operations conclude"

Cyrus nods "Good work, pull us into one of those scrap heaps in orbit and make us look like the scenery if you would Captain"

"Silent running, aye" Power turns off, and secondary lighting comes on.

7:48 AM

"Hope no one was trying to get one of the soccer matches on"

Cyrus chuckles "Okay Captain now we wait - keep the gun crews circulating every few hours but at the ready."

Youre part-way through second watch, when the sensor officer waves you over, silently putting a hand up for attention.

Cyrus walks over looking at the screen over his shoulder "What is it sailor?"

he points to the screen, four contacts moving in system.

9:21 AM

"We'll need to power up to get more information, but it'll tip them off" he whispers

"Hold for now wait till they make planet fall."

holding steady, three of the four ships blink back out, on a new course. One remains, making a steady course toward the junk-ball world below

9:28 AM

The entire ship passes through what amounts to the atmosphere here

Once the ship has entered orbit and given time to land Cyrus gives the signal "Fire her up, I want us on top of the ship before the realise. Run out the guns Scmander have the Myrmidons stand ready for a drop."

The Trireme follows the same course down, breaking into atmosphere. Below, endless seas of rusted junk spread from horizon to horizon

"Find their trail, lots of cover watch out for potentially enemy fire if they spot us."

"Theres a lot of interference down there. The returns are a mess. " the comms officer and sensor team look on the verge of a frustrated freakout

"Can we do it by eye?"

"We might have to, what do you recommend? do we land?"

"How far off do you think we are from their location?"

"It's impossible to tell, within 100km, probably, "

"Will comms be an issue on the surface?"

"They might be. The alloys in all that junk is playing hell with electronics"

"I shall go down, with half our forces - Only a hundred can fit in the pod anyway. Then I'll send it back up. We'll locate the ship and signal with flares. Then the other Myrmidons will drop Scmander you will command them. Then Captain you will come in and provide air support. Primary target being the ship, I don't want them retreating. We'll handle the ground forces. No quarter given, we are taking no prisoners today. Is that understood?"

Everyone understands, and is gratified there is a plan in place aside from aimless flying

"Okay, let to it." Cyrus is already in his suit and begins to walk down to the drop pod splitting his company in two he stands in the pod at the head of 100 Myrmidons in full battle armour as they check their weapons one last time.

"Everything ready to go sir?"

Cyrus nods "Aye, time for the drop. Punch it." He says putting on his helmet as it hisses the helmet sealing closed to the rest of his armour

(so its one big drop pod with 100 people in it?)

(Yeah, as a fitting it says that the fitting can hold 100 people in one transit - if you wanna rule it as a bunch of smaller vehicles or like 4 dropships I like that too)

(yeah, lets do that haha)

1:35 PM

The four small craft are dropped nose first from their launch bays, free falling, with some control toward the planet below. A timer counts down so the power-up won't be seen by ground control until the last possible minute

"Keep tight in formation down their. Squad leaders post security on landing scout squads I want your drones up in the air as soon as possible."

1:39 PM

Cyrus pulls back the charging handle on his rifle and nods to Sergeant Eyrx "Let's make these bastards pay for their crimes against the galaxy."

(how do you want the ships to land, all together in a cluster?)

1:40 PM

(you've got it narrowed down to a 100km square basically)

1:40 PM

(just a matter of how do we go about searching it)

(Hmm, probably a few km's apart but within noise distance if not sight. So like in the scope of 100km's tight - my idea is to search this place as an entire unit)

1:42 PM

(Especially with potential Comm issues I want it so that we can respond to contact as a force in a matter of minutes )

(gotcha) The four-ship flight heads down, engines firing at the last minute, leveling out. The rolling hills of tangled junk, along with bare patches of rock here and there, pass by below before coming into a landing. The entire planet seems to be made of these gently rising junk heaps

As the bay doors open on the ship Cyrus walks out weapon at the ready as squads move out to post security, he looks around at the heaps of junk "This is a mess."

"Whole planet is like this, giant junkball"

"Lots of cover. I have a feeling if they know we are here they're gonna have snipers hidden soon enough. Platoon Leaders alert your troops and have them send up the drones. See if we can find them before they do us." (I've got two and a half platoons here so out of those I've got three scout squads that are equipped with stealth recon drones equipped with IR and Thermal)

1:53 PM

"Let's move, cautious steady and use cover. Call out potential threats, this is an unknown world."

(how are the drones being deployed, and you've landed together, are you heading west to east, north south?_

(So in the zone that we believe them to be I would say we landed in the south of it we are now steadily moving north- If that makes sense and I'm sending the dropships back up to the Trireme now we are down)

(it does, thats exactly what I needed)

(The drones have a 5km range for reference)

(lets get a notice/int at +2 for the drone operators)

(14)

One of the left flank squads motions you over

2:37 PM

youre all perched on the lip of a large junk hill, and the column comes to a halt

Cyrus moves over from piece of scrap to piece of scrap "What is it sergeant?"

"Ship, looks like about 40 men too"

2:42 PM

"Theyre all pretty heavily armed"

"Do we know if that's all of them? What class is the ship?"

"Looks like a corvette. Makes sense, the southern belle got seized, if this is indeed our person"

"Okay, have the drones circle and watch for outliers. Lieutenant Dysmas you take the left flank with your platoon, Lieutenant Lambros the right - I'll go up the center with my guard and the contingent from 3rd platoon. Don't open fire unless spotted or I give the signal."

(I’m rolling a notice check against passive for the ground team. If there’s drones circling someone might catch it)

(They are invis xD)

(8 vs 10)

5:53 PM

(Nope)

(big oof for them)

5:54 PM

"Has anyone got eyes on the Malak?"

“Nothing yet”

Once in position behind a piece of scrap metal overlooking the landing site Cyrus takes a moment to calm his mind his breathing steady. He turns and looks at Eyrx nodding for him to fire the flare, signalling the assault and the second phase to the ship. "In the name of Ares! It shall be so!" Cyrus calls as he stands opening fire into the enemy troops.

5:59 PM

(How do you want to handle this kind of mass combat?)

(Cyrus' Personal Guard For Reference Throughout the Combat)

Garion 4/15/2019 6:16 PM

(lets do initiative)

7:41 PM

(Malak likewise has alert, which is why im bothering)

7:48 PM

Down in the junk valley a cluster of 40 humanoids, about as mismatched as the ship come to arms as you shout your war cry

7:49 PM

There are a handful of taros, a few piggen, some in the power armor of the chainveil, and Malak himself stomping off the ship in a suit of apocalypse Titan armor, a nightmare fusion of mech and man portable suit

2

(4)

2:17 AM

Cyrus stands purposefully silhouetting himself, his huge frame accented even more by his own Titan armour the chrome gleaming in the daylight as it reflects the light downward into the valley.He points at Malak in his armour as the hillside of junk lights up with muzzle flashes from a hundred Myrmidon Warriors. "He is mine!" He half shouts half growls with primal fury as it echo's down the hillside. (edited)

(malak's personal guard got a 3)

7:01 AM

Malak's personal guard draws up close to him, six in number, likewise power armored, all chainveil, though you see one of the suits is in the hands of a taros, definitely not the original owner

Under covering fire from the other Mymridons Cyrus charges down the hill with his own guard, Nemesis letting out a might roar as she bounds down beside him. He fires into the closest guard between him and his mark. (Will roll when I get in for me and the squad)

(34/31 For Cyrus against Guard 1. Eyrx and the honour Guard: [30/10 - (Targeting guard 1 as well)] [25/26, 21/18 - (Guard two)], [18/15, 23/11 - (Guard three)] [17/20, 16/19 - (Guard four)] [23/15, 16/16 - (Guard five)] [21/19 - (Guard Six)]

9:48 AM

(Does that make sense?)

(it does, let me put it together)

(tasty)

(guard 1 hit twice, guard 2 hit twice, guard 3 hit once, guard 4 not hit at all, guard 5 hit once, six hit once)

10:22 AM

(okay, damage)

(Now I know the AC I'll just give you damage on hits next time)

10:24 AM

(Make it easier)

Guard 1 and 2 are both heavily wounded, but remain standing, in part thanks to their assisted power armor.

10:30 AM

5 and 6 are moderately wounded, hanging in there as well, Malak stomps over to them, the two vanguards coming together

10:37 AM

(rolling for them shortly, cant get to my phone right now)

(No worries fam)

Malak braces himself, and fires his hellstorm array (mini hydra from the book with some upgrades) (evasion saves all)

(Fuck, that's a lot of fails, 7 fails)

(29 for everyone who fails, half rounded down for pass)

11:41 AM

"No Mercy!" Malak shouts. "No one walks away!"

11:41 AM

(he can;t fire that again, someone externally would need to reload the missiles, which isnt happening now)

(Big oof, okay - calculated)

11:43 AM

(My turn?)

(his footsoldiers have to go yet, just wanted to go step by step)

(No worries)

The six soldiers each fire on Cyrus himself, their combat carbines barking with sustained bursts

11:45 AM

(3 hits, totaling 34 damage)

(-6 due to titan armour)

(yeah its easier for you guys to math me after than to try to pack it all into my head)

11:47 AM

(i cant remember shit anymore)

11:48 AM

(so 28 net damage)

11:48 AM

(and back to you)

(Yeah, just making you aware of my process) Cyrus takes the hits his armour absorbing what his shield does not, some of them finding their mark. He carries on running towards the line Nemesis at his side as several of his guard are struck by the barrage the rest taking cover to engage in a fire fight. As Cyrus nears the cluster he fires a magma grenade into the crowd - Aiming for Malak primarily as the shots of his comrades echo around him (16 damage from the magma grenade) (Nemesis Will attack Malak locking him in Melee Combat: Missing the attack tho) [Shots to Guard 1] - (23/22) [Shots to Guard 2] - (29/22) [Shots to Guard 3] - (22/10, Miss, 18/17) [Shots to Guard 4] - (24/18, Miss, Miss) [Shots to Guard 5] - (26/10) [Shots to Guard 6] - (18/30)

12:00 PM

(If any of the mortally wounded people die from the Magma grenade I might have to shift around the shots - Probably should of thought about that)

(first one was malak's, he passes, 10v8, there are 3 fails)

12:44 PM

(shots can stay where they are if we go in order, the ones who failed were people who took 1 or none from the first round of shooting)

(Sweet)

(whats the grenade damage?)

1:00 PM

(wait, got it)

1:01 PM

Two of the guards are blown apart by the grenade, the superheated compound within making a mockery of their armor. a third guard falls, his helmet caved in by a shot, far too deep into his face for there to be much of the head remaining

1:01 PM

Malak and his three surviving, but all wounded, guards fight on.

"You cannot run from me Malak! I am your death! The ferryman calls your name!" Cyrus shouts his suit amplifying his voice as he continues his charge while the enemy fall around him, cut down by his honour guard from firing positions further back

Malak throws two vicious attacks with blades lengthening from his gauntlets at nemesis

1:36 PM

(26/6 on Nem)

1:36 PM

His wounded honor guard see the critical amongst your honor guard, and split, two shots from their combi guns against three of the worst off

1:37 PM

(ended up being 1 on each, pairs of shots, 10,11, and 1 damage)

1:37 PM

(Cyrus up, round 3)

Three of Cyrus Warriors are cut down by the shots the medic rushes over to one of them as the other fight on. Cyrus in one fluid motion clips his rifle onto his backplate and leaps into the air land in the middle of the honour guard and in front of Malak as he draws his disruption blade swinging it towards him in a wide arc fighting in unison with Nemesis (Miss, and a miss from Nemesis) Meanwhile the remaining Myrmidons fire at the last remnants of his personal guard. [Shots on Guard 1] (Crit! 44 Damage) [Shots on Guard 2] ( Hit/10, Miss, hit/22) [Shots on Guard 3] (Hit/17, hit/25)

Two more honor guard fall, leaving malak, and one of his remaining men to fight on

1:50 PM

(rolling soon, gotta call a client)

(

)

Malak's combat doctrine and that of the chainveil almost perfectly align, and he takes aim at the medic, firing off two shots (25/7) Malak lays into combat, energy fields crackling around the claws, laying a swing into Nem, and you

2:10 PM

(whiffing both)

2:10 PM

(Cyrus, round 4)

The medic his hit rolling back behind cover but soon comes back as the cover fire re-engages as the Myrmidons shift focus to the last Chainveil. (5 hits out of six on the Chainveil for a total of 103 damage - Just thought they'd make sure he was really dead xD) Cyrus and Malak enter a vicious melee however Cyrus' sword slips out of his armoured grip whilst deflecting a brutal strike in turn Cyrus pushes him off with his energy shield using the momentary reprieve to take up his rifle once more - utilizing it in close quarters (25/28 with -4 applied) Nemesis senses wordlessly that Cyrus wishes to end this fight personally and disengages moving to rip out one of the still dying Chainveil's throats as he lay bleeding out on the floor

Malak, now fighting alone, retracts the blades from his gauntlets, and instead opens his hands, where flame projectors have been set (evasion for everyone, but Nem, Malak is going to take one himself as well)

2:22 PM

(didnt set himself on fire, this time)

(I'm the only other person in logical range I think the other Myrmidons are like 50m away) (I passed too)

(your turn)

Cyrus takes a knee the fire washing over him but failing to get past his golden energy shield and into the crack in his armour. He pushes upwards firing once more into Malak (29/19)

2:40 PM

The other warriors tend to their wounded and watch the deadly dance unfold as these two Titans fight each other in a seamless battle only to stop when one of them dies.

The flame projectors run dry, and the blades re-lengthen from their housings. His movements are slowing, numerous injuries beginning to tell.

"Give it up Malak and you may die with some dignity still left."

(25/23 gross damage) "fuck you" he growls, "I should have killed you on Aliah when I had the chance"

2:44 PM

The blade snaps, lodged in your armor

Cyrus grunts as the blade enters his shoulder, as the blade snaps Cyrus rolls his shoulder disengaging his shield momentarily wrapping up Malak's so he can't move away. He presses the rifle barrel to his enemy's armour where his heart would be and pulls the trigger letting off a burst (31/17)

The compromised armor breaches, and he falls to his knees Looking up at you, mouth sheeted with gore, he has time for one final curse. "Fuck you, and fuck the UNW" the suit detonates (25 damage)

2

(9Hp Remaining After that) Cyrus is thrown back by the force of the blast tumbling before stopping as he's hurled into a piece of sheet metal - He lays there for a few moments before pushing to his feet looking around the battlefield as his ears ring

(5% x d4 for deaths, we passed 4 rounds, so we went up a 'step' of dice from d2 to d4) The merc band has been decimated, only a few prisoners have been taken, though none of them are chainveil. One of the squads storms the ship, you see the last few of them heading up the gang ramp, and the bark of weapons inside for a moment. A wounded myrmidon is dragged off.

(Rolled a 2 on the d4 roll so 10%)

3:08 PM

Cyrus coughs and spits out some blood before trying his comms "Have we taken the ship?"

“The ship is ours” one of the scouts says. You look down at the body, a simple poem is written on the vambrace. Anger is home to the foolish plan, but wrath is the tool of the righteous man

Cyrus nods "Well done, how many prisoners do we have?"

“Five” There is a gunshot, and a body tumbling forward, shot as they tried to run. “Make that four”

"Four...." Cyrus says as if chewing the word, seeing how it tastes. "We shall take them back for interrogation they may be able to tell us more." He says after a notable pause. "How many did we lose?"

“Ten casualties. Five dead among them. The rest will be off the line for a while”

Cyrus nods "Call down the Ship, we can take their ship with us. It'd be better used by the UNW. Leave their dead for the Carrion and as a message if anyone comes back." Cyrus looks down again at Malak's corpse (Is his head intact?)

(Yeah just not far below the neck)

Cyrus bends down cripping the hair on the deceased Malak's head and with a swift tug and slice from a knife releases it from the rest of the body from whence it came. He beckons over a battered and bruised Sergeant Eyrx and opens another sample case a puts the head in before sealing it. "Kincaid will understand. Once the main force lands have our engineers pick through these Chainveil and what's left of Malak's armour for useful tech. - Bag and tag our fallen and put them in the ship first."

He doesn't say anything to you, but you hear him carrying out the orders

7:58 AM

"And the prisoners?"

"We need to know what they do. I shall talk to them." Cyrus finds his way to the four bound prisoners

They are still on their knees, surrounded by a squad on security detail

Cyrus takes his helmet off and puts it under his arm looking down at the prisoners, there's no trace of malice in his expression or gloating in the victory if anything there is a hint of pity in his eyes. "Do you know who I am?"

they all nod

8:11 AM

One of them is missing half his jaw, a field aid wrap medical taped to it

"Who was with you prior to your split and planetfall? We counted four ships upon spike entry then you broke off to this planet." (edited)

"Thorn" one coughs "Doctor Thorn"

Cyrus nods, not surprised from the missive he was sent "What is her goal? And why was she allied with your former leader?"

He shakes his head, he does not know

"What did you do before this?"

"first league. Escaped from the polar fortress"

Cyrus raises an eyebrow "So you fought for a Human? Interesting... I see you had Chainveil fighting with you - How did that come to pass?"

"Fleeing from the west. Joined up with us when he promised revenge" (edited)

Cyrus looks around at the carnage "That didn't end the way you thought - do you have any regrets?" (edited)

"None"

Cyrus nods "Well, make your peace with whomever you choose. I'll give you a moment."

9:07 AM

Cyrus takes a step back to give them a little privacy

You're not sure what is said between them all, but you hear the survivors sharing a low chuckle. Everyone seems at peace, and resolute in their decision

Cyrus turns and nods at the squad leader of the security detail in a silent order to dispatch the prisoners

Four gunshots, in quick succession, are the only further sounds across the junk plain. The bodies tumble over, killed neatly.

Cyrus looks solemn for a brief moment before looking back up his expression one of steel "Good work Warriors. You fought bravely and expertly. Today we brought a murderer and his terrorist lackeys to justice. As is our mandate." (edited)

One of the engineers descends the ramp of the captured ship. "Well, she's going to need some love. Looks like they were in a scrap recently, but she'll fly. If you're planning on setting up a base like we promised, you should tihnk about getting some of us out of here on this"

(How long will it take for us to set up a base here? Would it go by SoG standards?)

(you can leave a team if you'd like, but a couple weeks, by end of month)

10:43 AM

(NMC was eventually going to come staff it, as a logistics post, so the details of long term staffing can be worked out with them)

10:43 AM

(it was a deliberate hook for further diplomatic contact from both me as DM, and the General, as a diplomat who wants positive relations) (edited)

(Yeah, makes sense - just needed to clarify how much it was gonna take for me to do it.) Cyrus has the Trireme land and the wounded and dead put aboard. He has engineers scavenge what they can of Malak's armour as well as that of his personal guard. He has techs look over the Southern Belle's logs and info on both where they have been as well as the spike routes charted (Basically scour it for enemy intel on their systems) Cyrus personally searches Malak's quarters aboard the ship.

(2 insanity points, and ill post why, in a hot second here)

(Marked them down in my char sheet)

1

The room, is a macabre mess. Two staterooms have been joined together, walls knocked out but for the corners. Human bones hang across the ceiling, and are worked into as much of the furniture as possible. Some are the pale ochre from long age, others are freshly polished, only boiled days ago. A taxidermy cybernetic dog has been arranged as a floor art, biting the throat of some exotic fox like alien creature. a half dissected corpse sits on a surgical table on the other side of the room, then you realize, its not a corpse at all. The wretch still lives, though has been mutilated into something barely human, or humanoid. A small compad has been left out to record whatever it has been whispering. It is encrypted with a bizarre code, as is the ships navigation computer

"By the Gods!" Cyrus says stood in the room "Get me a team of technicians now!" He says to one of the Myrmidons outside - He looks around the room before his eyes fall of on the wretch on the surgical table and he strides over (Is it...on?)

(yes, its on)

"And a medic!" He goes over to the half dead thing and looks down at it "Wh-what are you, who are you?"

“It is whispering, but only audible to be heard by itself. The compad seems to be picking it up though and more lines of the encrypted text appear as the poor wretch talks

8:28 AM

You see despite their mutilated body they’re hooked up to feed pumps, waste recyclers, and a ventilator

Cyrus watches in disbelief at the entire situation waiting for the technicians and medics to arrive.

They arrive, along with forros, you can see now why there was a wait.

12:49 PM

“She’s precognitive” he says, taking you aside while the techs and medics figure out what to do

12:50 PM

“Shes also beyond my care. Beyond anyone’s here”

"Can we take her back with us?"

12:51 PM

"Is there hope?"

“The minute we remove even one of these things she’s going to die. I wouldn’t have enough time to reconstitute anything”

12:56 PM

“I’m going to be honest with you too. What’s she’s suffered, we may restore her body....”

12:56 PM

He shrugs. “Her mind though.

Cyrus looks over his shoulder at the woman "Who does that to someone, and why? I know Malak backed Tri-Green but..."

“It’s recording whatever she’s saying. That’s how it looks at least. I can make some guesses”

"Guess away, but I say we do everything we can to save her. If after everything we can't save her then I'll give her mercy myself."

He shrugs. He pats your armored back a couple times before conferencing with the medics and techs

Cyrus leaves them to their work and searches Malak's vile quarters for any personal journals or any such captains log

3:29 PM

(Just to clarify I'd like to try and see if we can in some way either transfer her to the Trireme or if not make her 'comfortable' so we can fly her back to Central at a later point.)

(Gotcha)

(I suppose the first stage of that might be decrypting the code - but Cyrus is not techie xD)

There is another secure datapad along with three journals written in the same strange font

"Okay, we need to decrypt this text, otherwise this is going to be an impossible task. Has anyone got any ideas?"

(are any of the journel entries in normal language?)

(Nothing “normal” no)

6:06 PM

“Mimir. The lab AI at home”

"I see...This is a flying research project...Scmander how do you feel about staying here and building a base? Say you and a platoon of fifty Warriors? We'll head back with the two ships - then return early next month with and NMC escort to relieve you?"

"Alright. I can do that. I'll get an inventory of what we've got to work with here"\

Cyrus puts a hand on his shoulder nodding "Okay, so from here we'll take the Trireme and the Southern Belle back to Gudrun. Inform the President and NMC of what has happened in our absence. Scmander if for whatever reason you are attacked on this planet go to ground. We'll be back in a few weeks with the NMC to relieve you."

"I'll see you then" he nods, and begins getting his team together

"Okay lets get this cleaned up and back to UNW space" Cyrus makes the arrangements (So, taking both ships back, taking scraps of Malak's suit and the Chaiveil armour back as well as the seed I got from the derelict ship.)

(I didn't give XP out yet did i?)

(Nah)

(6xp, 30,000 credits)

(Sweeeet) When Cyrus reaches nearer Al-Wasim he sends a message to General Quince

General, the fugitive Malak abd al-Muta is dead. As are his free company. I've left a Platoon of my own Warriors to build a forward operating base as is our agreement. I will return early next month to arrange its transfer to NMC forces provided there are no issues. On my eay to the system we came across a NMC vessel that had come into contact with the Fleshshapers, we boarded and found a throne of bones after a brief yet violent psychic attack and search we found no useable intelligence and destroyed the remnants of the ship so that others could not be lured to it. You have my thanks once again for your assistance in this matter.

Cyrus attaches the scans of the planet that they have as well as the spike routes they took.

(Won't be readily apparent so I'm going to just let you know- the information will help increase their trust of the UNW, so when they vote at end of game month here, it'll be more favorable)

(Nice! Thanks)

9:41 AM

After sending his missive to the General Cyrus carries on splitting off with the Trireme to go to UNW capital station - The Southern Belle returning to Gudrun with instructions to enter a semi quarantine like state while UNW researchers board.

Upon docking, you see that Mord and Billy are here as well, though have been plying the depths of the Imago Dei shipyard in anchor here for just over a week now. Everyone is eager to see what information they emerge with.

Cyrus makes his way to Kincaids office with Eyrx and a another member of his Honour Guard carrying a sealed metal case.

They walk with purpose in their scarred and newly charred battle armour - still smelling faintly of the smoke and blood of battle as they enter the President's reception Cyrus looks to the Aide behind the desk "Warmaster Cyrus Adonis to see the President." Though his expression is kind his eyes look tired

"Purpose for visit?" her coordinator asks

"Report on the hunt of fugitive and terrorist Malak abd al-Muta"

She presses some buttons, and then a phone on her desk rings

12:34 PM

she answers, and she does not speak, but you can just barely make out an urgent voice on her end of the line. After a few moments, she sets it down. "Alright. Only you, and her guards would prefer weapons left here, or with them"

Cyrus hands a pistol grip first to Eyrx and takes the box from him in return. With a nod then turns on his heel walking into the office helmet under one arm and case in the other. (edited)

Kincaid's office is protected by eight presidential guard, wearing combat field uniforms and a variety of solid shot weaponry. They checkone more time for weapons, before the sliding hatch opens. Her office is cavernous, and devoid of most of the touches of a soul at home.

Cyrus says nothing as he goes through the check but lets them do their job, he walks through and to the office. Scanning it as he walks towards Kincaid he looks surprised that it has yet to but fully furnished but says nothing. He comes to a stop in front of the President. "Ma'am, I'm sure you heard why I've come."

His tone is formal as he stands at attention in front of her much changed since he left in physical representation.

"I did. I almost dont want to ask but, do you mind?" she inclines her head toward the case

Cyrus sets his helmet down on the desk before setting the case next to it. "You told me, if I was ever to bring back Malak, you need only see his head..." Cyrus says as he lifts the battered but recognizable head of Malak al-Muta out of the box by it hair. "I tracked him down to a system in the far north and did battle with him personally. He died as he lived - disappointingly and with extreme violence."

"Thank you" she says, a bit pale for the sight. "Do you have a debrief for me?"

"Of course." He puts the head back in the box and closes it seemingly not phased by the grizzly sight "We hid in a system called Maitane - Malak was tasked by the NMC to survey and set up a base on the planet, it's surface mostly covered in scrap. Made our sensors go frizzy at best. We hid behind a orbiting scrap heap and waited for him there. Intel from UNW intelligence suggested he'd just left Rawhani so we knew we were ahead of him. Soon after four ships made spike into the system. Though we made no contact we were told they were that of a fleet lead by Dr. Thorn - previously of the UNW. I chose not to engage the full fleet though I theorised that if I neutralized Malak's ship and Thorn's the others would come in line, however it was too great a risk. So, instead I waited until he made planetfall, tracked him down on the planet and took him by surprise attacking with one hundred Myrmidon Warriors against his free company of forty. I fought Malak in single combat and mortally wounded him, his equipment had been augmented by custom weaponry, his bodyguard consisted of renegade Chainveil - taken with the idea of vengeance on the UNW as well as several Taros from the First League. I had no intention of bringing him back alive to stand trial however he detonated his suit, with himself inside once he knew he was lost. In total I lost five Myrmidons, another five seriously wounded. All of the free company were put to the sword. I interrogated four survivors before executing them. Inside the ship, we came across a grotesque site, bones - cybernetics and a half 'living' precognitive psychic mutilated and kept alive by machines. We tried to help but currently everything is locked behind several complex layers of encrypted code and a strange language I have never seen before.

3:00 PM

The Southern Belle is currently on it's way to Gudrun so that Mimir may better study it, I wish to try and save the psychic and find out what her purpose was, and why she was tortured so." (edited)

3:01 PM

"We also came across a derelict NMC ship hit by Fleshshapers... The crew were made into a throne of bones - on it was placed a seed..."

3:01 PM

"I have said seed in my possession I plan to donate it to the research lab and see what can be gained by it."

3:02 PM

"I destroyed the ship after."

"That's consistent with the Remnant cruiser that Silvano boarded last year. Grisly as it is, the pattern is starting to develop"

"Aye, what worries me more is psychic tortured by Malak, I've seen nothing like it since Tri-green"

“He was deeply in bed with them. I don’t want to wildly speculate”

"We'll see what the researchers turn up. I suppose you might like to know about my new...appearance?"

5:13 PM

He gestures to himself

“I also don’t want to wildly speculate. I didn’t see any medical reports or anything. I’m not going to pry if you’re not comfortable sharing”

Cyrus thinks for a moment then shrugs. "I'm more than comfortable, I had...A vision of sorts - Ares spoke to me and told me that I must lead my people in the last war, a war that will decide the fate of human kind. He granted his patronage and so my body changed infused by the energies of the universe to which he bestowed."

6:03 PM

"In short, whether or not you believe, I am the Champion of Ares, God of War."

“And does ares motives align with our own?” She asks, fingers steepled

"I am a force to bring the universe to eventual peace - I see the UNW as a facet from which to do that."

6:58 PM

"You need not mistrust me Ma'am, if that is what you ask."

7:02 PM

"As long as the UNW remains a force for good, I will endeavour to help it in any way I can. As I have done so far."

“I trust there will be some consultation if we stop fitting that bill..of good” she says

Cyrus smiles "I am not a fanatic Ma'am, nor a zealot. I consider us." He gestures between the two of them "Friends, of sorts. I'd never betray you. There would be much in the way of dialogue before ever it came to conflict."

She looks relieved. “Well then I’m glad you’re on our side. To that end, did you see General Arimoto’s message?”

"I did! Sadly I was rather deep into the mission at the time but I do plan on joining his wargame. I'll have to plan with him a little more when I get back to Central."

“I think it would be a good experience. I know I’ve tasked you with cruesa. It’s because the army is heading to rawhani. It’s time to end this”

Cyrus nods "That makes sense, I heard rumour that Kaleb and his Knights have joined with you - I wondered assumed that was the bargain you might have struck. I may join you when Cruesa is done, though I wouldn't rely on it. I don't know how long Cruesa will take to pacify. I'd like to fight alongside the Knights one day...their mechs and my Warriors would be a sight to see on the battlefield."

7:45 PM

Cyrus seems to think for a second "Marcion is the new head of UNW intelligence is he not?"

“He is. In better hands I believe”

"I'll notify him of my success. May be an idea to have him plug the leak we seem to have before any invasions."

“They’re clever. Whoever they are.”

"Aye, that they are. Either way, it's not a job for me - espionage has never been something I look at with fondness. Unlike hunting."

7:36 AM

"I think this concludes our business for now Madam President. An honour as always - I hope that bringing Malak to justice let's you sleep better tonight."

"I sleep way better knowing he's not out there prowling at our borders. Thank you, Cyrus"

Cyrus nods taking the box and his helmet from the table retiring from the room silently meeting Eyrx and his guard outside and walking back to his ship. From their he spikes back to Gudrun

Gudrun space is a bit less congested with the capital finally moving, and you head down planetside upon making dock

Cyrus finally gets down to the planet after almost a month in space. The lifter taking him to the landing pads at the Elysium sector of Central. He steps of the vehicle with Nem beside him looking around for Cole, anxious to see how she reacts to his new appearance after electing not to tell her about it.

Mr. Adonis,
Thank you for the update. If there is any more information you think may be useful, please don't hesitate to let us know. You've done us all a great service.

Cole is waiting at the landing area as she usually does when it’s time for you to come home. She has a baseball hat and dark glasses on, still getting used to the sun on this world. Her eyes may never become totally accustomed to it. She makes a strange face as you come into view like she’s trying to decide if it’s you or not

Cyrus walks over almost sheepishly "Hey there beautiful, didn't think I'd come back looking like this ey?"

“What the fuck happened out there?!” She ends up hissing it, realizing she’s about to yell and then trying not to make a scene

9:46 AM

She seems shocked, not angry

Cyrus winces and looks around the courtyard. "Best we have this conversation in private. Don't you think?"

She nods, knowing she won’t be able to keep herself in check. She does take your hand

Cyrus squeezes it gently as they walk towards a newer building just built a large house in a neo-ancient greek style. As he walks into it for the first time he smiles. "It's big, and nice lots of room to grow..." He walks through to the living room bedecked in weaponry and armours a large sofa in the middle of the room where he sits with Cole. "So..."

"I don't really know where to start with this one..."

“Well, start. Try to at least”

"Okay, so I've told you how I have...visions, and how Nemesis came to be with me. Some kind of connection to meta-space. So I felt a little...lost? I don't know if that's the right word, after the Underhill battles. Losing Warriors really hit home that I have responsibilities and that they have consequences far outreaching just myself. So I meditated, like I was taught to by the Seers of my homeworld. To ground myself and find answers." Cyrus stops gauging whether or not Cole is following. Then carries on. "I was transported to somewhere, where the air smelt of blood and smoke and fog rolled in at ankle level, there I met and old warrior at first I thought he might be an adversary or an enemy - but when he spoke he knew me, he was Ares - The God of War."

She’s following so far, but doesn’t know enough about where this is going to ask more questions yet

"I thought at first he was going to kill me... There's a legend where I'm from my name family name Adonis is from a myth in which Ares kills Adonis the lover of Aphrodite... the legend is that my family are their kin, the offspring of Aphrodite and Adonis. Like sons and daughters of Abel before Kaine killed him. The fear was something I've never felt before, but Ares appeared to me old - weary. He showed me the past, wars and battles fought and lost by those who tried to save the universe from war. He showed me the first act of murder, where brother killed brother. He showed me the slave rebellion of Spartacus, Agincourt - So much death, so little gained for so much lost..." Cyrus trails off as he remembers the sights, sounds and smells of the event his eyes filling before he wipes them on his sleeve. "He placed a burden on my shoulders Cole...He told me I was to fight in the last war, one final war to define the ages to come - He told me to lead my people in victory against the forces of evil, and bring about peace for eons to come. To purge this universe of those who would see us slip back into mindless violence. I felt it's weight upon my shoulders, I still do - a physical power pushing me down. But he bestowed onto me some of his power, a fraction of what he once was and told me to go forth, to show no mercy to those that have never done so themselves and have my enemies fear me until their dying day. Do raise the dragon banner and conduct war across the starts in the name of peace, and in his name...I-I am his Champion, like many before me who have failed or succeeded."

“I see. So you’re going to be a galactic reset button. That’s your charge?”

1:42 PM

“I don’t hate the idea. I like the physical changes” she laughs

"The eyes are strange, that's the bit that freaked me out the most... I think he wants rest, Ares I mean. He seemed really old. I suppose maybe I could take you with me next time? Or try at least - if you wanted"

"I'm just glad you aren't put off" Cyrus says with a relieved sigh

"I was just surprised. What I was expecting to come home and what came home were very different things

Cyrus smiles toughing her cheek "Not all that different"

"Maybe" she smiles

Cyrus leans in to kiss her (Faaaaaade to black.)

(Yes plz)

Cyrus lays in bed as morning dawns finding it smaller than it was before but not uncomfortable, especially with Cole laid next to him. He lays there basking in the moments of peace his body still bruised and burnt slightly by the battle on Mataine. He dozes as he waits for Cole to wake up.

Nem wakes both of you up a short while later, bounding on the bed, trying to rouse you for food

Cyrus groans as she jumps on him but starts laughing "Hey girl you hungry? C'mon then." He ruffles her hair and looks at Cole "Who needs an alarm clock when you've got a extra planar cat companion?" He says getting out of bed (edited)

Nem pats to the kitchen and lays down. In your path like a real cat of course

Cyrus nearly falls over her in a sleepy haze "Seriously?" He steps over her and goes to fridge taking out a some things to make breakfast and a lope steak for Nem "There you go, don't eat it all at once otherwise you'll be moaning again that you've got stomach ache" He says as he cracks two eggs into the pan. After making breakfast he sits down at the table with Cole. "So how were things in my absence? You whipping them into shape?" He asks her as he sips at some grimfruit juice.

“we are getting there. The only thing they’re going to fix the problems is actual experience.”

7:24 AM

“We salvaged what we could from the armor and weapons of the fallen as well. The rookies are already hearing stories about the warriors that came before them”

Cyrus nods smiling "Legacy is important, makes others strive for excellence. We aren't just building an army, we're building a culture."

“We are. What we do now matters. It will matter to whoever takes up the initiative when we are all gone”

"Indeed, speaking of experience though. General Arimoto approached me about potentially doing some kind of joint exercise a wargame of sorts with the UNW troops."

“As close to the real thing as we will get. I think it’s worth it”

"Yeah, it'll be good to get some more practice in before Cruesa. Our number will only grow until then and we need the veterans to have a good foundation of knowledge to pass on. I also drew up some plans to convert our armoured units to fast attack speeder based troops. Easier to get behind the lines and such."

“That’ll take time. The practice shoudknt be too bad though. I’m eager to get them some extra battle experience in

"So am I, though it can never beat combat experience it's the best we can do. I need to head to Pop's at some point once I've worked out how I want to set out the bikes. I also want to head out to Chloe...I made a promise to Lars a while ago, and I plan to deliver on it. But first I think we should run through this battle plan with Arimoto."

"In the meantime, is there anything you want to do? I've been away almost a month, and before that we were in battle I'd like to spend some time together."

“Well. We can take a walk through Arimoto park on the way to the workshop.”

Cyrus chuckles "I've just realised that I spend so little time at home that I've never been before. Let's do it."

4:39 PM

(It's like november right? is it cold on Gudrun?)

(Its getting cool, but its not bitterly cold)

Cyrus finishes up breakfast throws on a long but loose fitting cloak like coat and whistles Nem. He picks up a mag pistol off the side holstering it in a small of his back, handing a second pistol to Cole as nonchalantly as a normal couple might hand car keys to one another.

She takes it, carrying it on a slim inside the waist holster.

Cyrus locks up as they leave and walks with Cole and Nemesis to the park.

The park is a city block in size, across the road from former UNW Admin, but still the governing office on planet. There have been some talks to move it to Carinhold, but right now, just rumor. The park itself is mostly green space, with a handful of pathways meandering through plants General Arimoto chose as part of the redecorating. Three monuments dominate the park, to the fallen of the Underhill, Helldiver, and Masquerade conflicts, respectively

6:58 AM

A masked enginner and a UNW explorer shake hands, A human militiaman with truncheon and scrap shield stands defiant over a broken underhill drone, and a UNW soldier points a rifle at an advancing warbot, family huddled in fear behind him.

Cyrus looks at Nem "Go play, don't eat anyones dog or cat...or people"

8:24 AM

He looks around the monuments reading the names, some of them his friends and comrades lost along the way back from when he worked for Greenbriar. He puts a hand on the monument taking a moment of silence for them before standing back. "When we have a home, a planet of our own - we shall make a monument to our fallen. A hall of hero's forever young, forever remembered, their deeds written down and documented."

"I think that would be touching. As you said, we're building a culture"

"Perhaps the first act of that is to find a chronicler, someone to document our exploits so that our deeds may bring others hope."

"Like a skald" she says, using the norse word for it

"Yes, my people once called them poets but that doesn't really fit, somewhere between storyteller and historian. If we are to build a people we need an oral tradition to base it off."

she has nothing further to add, content to walk through the park

Cyrus walks a while in comfortable silence next to her "Do you miss Asleif?" He asks after a little time

"Sometimes. Even if you leave home for a bad reason, you still cant help yourself from missing it"

"Do you have family?"

"I did not. Not before this one, I mean"

Cyrus smiles slipping his hand into hers "Would you have the slights against you righted on Asleif?"

"It isnt worth it anymore. I was mad about it at first, but in light of what we're doing now, it just doesn't seem important:

"I suppose you're right, perhaps Asleif was where you were born but here, doing what we are doing. Is where you were always meant to be."

"I think so, it seems wrong to be concerned about one world when there are so many out there that need our help"

"There's lots to see and do out there. I'm constantly surprised by the things I've encountered - planets destroying themselves in spectacular fashion, psychic horrors left behind by the Fleshshapers, Nebula's of dancing lights...So much beauty so much pain."

"We can do something about that last part"

"We can, we have in some small part so far. But much more needs to be done."

She agrees. (i feel like we just keep saying the same thing back and forth)

(xD I think we are haha) "What do you think to the idea of a grav chariot?" Cyrus says after a while seemingly out of left field

"I....I don't know. What would it do?"

"Well, I suppose it would be like a grav tank to a degree but it'd utilize force field technology as opposed to armour. More of a personal vehicle for me on the battlefield for easy mobility."

11:42 AM

"It'd look....imposing"

11:43 AM

"If it worked well I could get one for each of my commanders, and you of course."

"Sounds a bit, extra" she laughs

Cyrus laughs "Maybe, you can't deny how cool it would look though."

"I can deny it. I don't want to tell you Thanks! I hate it! when you had me the keys"

Cyrus chuckles "So that's a no then?"

"At least from me. I'll stay inside a regular tank. I never trusted energy fields"

"Low tech is sometimes best tech."

"I know what works" she shrugs.

"I might get one anyway - I'm allowed to be extra! A God basically gave me a pat on the back, I don't know how not to be extra anymore."

11:50 AM

"How do you even explain that to someone..."

"you're not finding it so far" she elbows you

12:00 PM

"Seriously though, divine sanction or not, you're not going to keep the friends you have if it you let it go to your head. The people you're leading want to know there's still a human in there"

12:00 PM

"displays of ostentation like that are......unbecoming...of a warrior. At least in Asliefian philosophy"

Cyrus thinks about it and nods "I understand where you're coming from - it's hard to balance, everything is so new. Leading so many different people, trying to inspire... I want to build connections with my troops and people but with so many and with so much going on I find it hard to know what they want. I want to be someone who they trust and that they believe has their best interests at heart."

"The best way to do that is to act in a way they can relate to. You're going to be as much an alien to them as a Slyth or one of those flesh monsters if youre in golden armor riding around on a chariot. The common soldier could never relate to that"

"That makes sense. But it's not just that anymore, our Myrmidons we need to make them more than just common soldiers. We aren't just another corp security unit or mercenary band. We need to make them all stand out. When we land on a planet we need not only our deeds to be heard but we need to be seen. I need to work on my relations with the troops - that much is clear but I also need to mould them into something completely new, perhaps I just need to do it more slowly. It's back to the culture thing"

"I think you're putting too much strain on it. Let things develop normally, at their own rate. Just do what you always do. You're trying to force it"

Cyrus nods "Let the legend develop on it's own."

"What I said"

Cyrus stops and looks at her "Thank you Cole, for helping me through this. It's um, well it's harder than anything I've ever done before. I'm just glad I've got you to give me guidance, Gods' know I need it."

"I've led men before. You're just getting your feet under you. This is actually something I'm relieved I can be of help with."

12:36 PM

"You definitely don't need me for fighting, that's to be sure"

Cyrus chuckles "I've seen better than me. I wouldn't want to scrap with Seung. Even in his dotage. But that's besides the point - I'm glad you're with me Cole in more than one way, you help a lot. It's hard to talk to others sometimes, they don't understand. And I've got to watch what I say sometimes, I can't be too candid with people that look to me for orders. They might realise how much of this I'm winging."

"I think that might endear them to you even more"

Cyrus seems to weigh that up in his head. "Maybe you're right, after some business and the wargame I'm going to work on my relations with the people. Not just the Warriors but the social leaders too, I'm sure there might be some growing in our budding community. 10,000 people.. lots of cultures."

12:49 PM

"In the meantime let's go see what trouble Nem has gotten into."

Nem has a venus crow in her mouth, padding back to you, before chomping down on it and swallowing the poor thing...well not whole, but certainly still alive

Cyrus shakes his head looking at Cole stifling a laugh. "Come 'ere" He says taking a knee and outstretching his arms to Nemesis as she pads towards them.

Nem rubs her head against your arm, breath hot

Cyrus scratches around her ears "You like the park girl? I think you might have scared the locals a little."

Nem does not answer, content to continue her feast

1:39 PM

"We should get to pops before we get asked to leave"

"Aye, that we should. C'mon girl." He stands patting Nem on the side and walking towards the exit of the park and out towards Pops' (edited)

As you pass the monuments, someone whistles, and you recognize one of your informants

Cyrus raises an eyebrow, then taps Cole as he walks towards them whispering "Stay here a second, watch my back" He walks over a hand drifting towards the small of his back and the mag pistol just in case.

"No need for that" he smiles, eyes hidden by dark glasses

2:42 PM

"This is good news"

Cyrus smiles and it almost reaches his eyes, he takes his hand out of his coat empty. "What's up Friend?"

"Message, read, don't speak" He passes you a burn compad- It is a message from Maitane Cyrus, setting up base. We found something. A Bruxcellus battlecruiser, among the wreckage here. Badly damaged, needs a fortune in money and parts, but she may fly again as a fleet flagship

Cyrus raises and eyebrow and nods at the messenger. Then hands them back the compad. "You know what to do."

He nods, putting it into his jacket and walking away

Cyrus walks back to Cole kissing her on the cheek mumbling "Good news from Mataine. Tell you later. Thanks for having my back."

"Long as it was good news" she mumbles

He nods and smiles "Okay, Pops'!"

3:25 PM

Cyrus carries on again towards the exit hand in hand with Cole.

Pops is inside his shop deep in one of the production pits when you arrive. Usually he is outside or nearby when one of you arrive

Cyrus walks into the workshop "Pops! Looks like you're busy!" He shouts over the noise of nearby heavy machinery

There’s a loud bang as one of the pneumatic hammers shapes an armor plate nearby

Cyrus looks down into the pit trying to see what they are working on

It looks like in this case it’s some of their own machinery. You can smell the burned electronics and melted rubber

"Need a hand?!" He asks having no experience in fixing things but attempting to lend a hand where he can. (edited)

“My workers have it. Let them work for their lunch today” he laughs. “So What brings you in?

"I've got some plans I'd like you to look at." Cyrus hands him a data pad with some speeder designs on them, as well as designs for the plasma lances.

6:14 PM

"Your thoughts?"

“The lances are going to take some doing. I wouldn’t expect them soon”

6:15 PM

“Vehicles aren’t really our speciality either. Not like this. I’d talk to kelbore or trivedi’s man , Martin”

6:15 PM

(Pops does weapons and armor)

"Kelbore it is. The lances though you can do them?"

“I can. Just need time”

Cyrus nods. "How much time do you think? I need to know for logistical reason, loosely."

“Three months? The balancing alone on something like this will take the most time”

"That sounds okay, I've got an engagement planned in a few months but I wont need them, it's an urban conflict. How are things around here Pops? Seems more chaotic than usual"

"We are growing, and expanding, and so are operations here.

"Sounds great! Are you setting up more shops and such in other cities?"

"Not on this planet, or on Miriam, Trivedi has that locked down well" he laughs. "But I've been looking at Aslief"

"Lots of potential there, a re-emerging warrior culture and all."

"Well, the engineers have Tsatsos, Aliah isnt a member, but wouldn't use the stuff anyway, Terezinho, well, Seung will let me know if he needs anything

7:31 AM

"Maybe Sumati, in time"

"Sumati might be an idea for future development - just got to get them to not shit themselves every time they see a ship."

"My thoughts too" he says

"You never know Pops there might be other opportunities in the new year, new planets."

"That's the hope. This was never about making money, just ensuring the people protecting us have what they need, but I am grateful for the lifestyle this has given me"

"I have the same thoughts Pops, money was never the goal but it's nice to have. Just got myself a new house - but I don't know what to fill it with." He chuckles sitting down on a stool nearby it creaking a little under the weight "Me and Cole were thinking about a kid, or kids..."

"Anything nice you own will not be anymore by time their grown" he laughs

Cyrus laughs "Yeah, sounds about right. I've never really thought about it before, kids I mean - maybe all these near death experiences have got me thinking differently. Maybe it's Cole, I don't know. I suppose the way I look at it, I'm so focused on saving others so they can have a future it's only right I try and make one myself maybe that's selfish."

"What about you Pops? You got family?"

"Not here. I did, once. I think that's why I'm doing this. I want to make sure if i have another, they wont be taken from me"

Cyrus nods "Yeah, I can get behind that feeling. You ought to get yourself back in the dating game my friend!" Cyrus says jokingly "The women on Terezinho are beautiful, you should spend a weekend there. Don't tell Cole I said that, though she is the only woman for me."

she places a hand on the hilt of her war knife "I better be"

Cyrus darts a sheepish look at Pops "Well, we best be getting off and letting you to your business." *He stands putting a hand on Pops' shoulder "Best of luck Friend, I shall see you later."

"I'll see you soon" he takes the hand and shakes it heartily.

"Always good to see people expanding and bettering themselves. Let me know how you get on!" He says as he turns to leave walking out with Cole.

"Let's go see Kelbore, I've never actually met him. Seung just to deal with him a lot, he's another old timer like Pops."

2:27 PM

"I bought a bike from him a long time ago."

2:27 PM

"But it was from a vendor."

Hal Kelbore, the colony fabricator, is investigating the new plans gained from the Imago Dei shipyard , held aloft by a spiderlimbed mechanical harness when you're finally brought into his workship

"Huh, Morning Friend!" Cyrus calls as they walk in, Nem padding behind him and Cole.

There is a hiss as the spider limbs lose some of their incline, and he comes down to face you at a more comfortable level "Hello there. Welcome to my workshop. I'm Kelbore"

Cyrus puts a hand out "Cyrus Adonis, a pleasure."

3:31 PM

"I head up the Elysium Initiative among other things, I was hoping we could chat about a few things."

"Alright, lets chat then" he says very matter of factly

"Well, I run a military unit, in short I'm looking for someone to supply us with vehicles. I've heard your the man to talk to, Seung always spoke highly of you when I was with the TFP. In fact, I think one of my first purchases here when I left Greenbriar was one of your hovercycles." Cyrus says with a chuckle

"Vehicles are what I do, what did you have in mind?"

"Today Speeders, for use in recon and fast attack formations. A fair amount of them. However I may be needing more things in future."

"You're making it sound like I don't want you to spend money here" he laughs

Cyrus laughs "Sorry, not used to building up business relationships yet, it's weird meeting new suppliers this late on. I kind of came through the ranks with Pops and such so this is something new." He chuckles "I'm no businessman"

"So what are we looking at, do you have some plans for me?"

"I do indeed!" Cyrus takes out a datapad sliding over to him "It's relatively simple, but effective."

9:40 AM

9:42 AM

(Also did Pops give me a base price for what those lances are gonna cost? Just need it to figure out how many of these I need to get to represent one tank)

(no he did not because i am triyng to figure out what to do with them)

(How about 2d10 instead of 3d10 as a thing for it being scaled down - then 1d10+1 melee w/ 2points of shock AC 15 or below?) (edited)

9:49 AM

(With the same rules as an anti vehicle laser, damage rolled twice on hard targets and counts as a heavy weapon when it comes to armour)

(I'll make a decision soon)

"I can work with this. I'd expect about 2 a day to come rolling out"

Cyrus nods "That sounds great, I'll take 50 to start!"

(so by month end essentially, you'll have the complete unit)

(Yeah, enough for a brigade level organic asset)

A message lights up your pad. Trouble on Aslief boss, Looters sacked the ship in the port. She'll fly, but we have some injuries, and a lot of the cargo was taken

(*Aliah)

1:30 PM

Cyrus frown looking down at his compad then back up at Kelbore. "I'm sorry Friend, looks like I'm going to have to go solve some issues. In the meantime - I shall pay you for the 50 speeders" Cyrus taps his compad a few times and the money transfers (2,100,000 deducted from the treasury) "I'm sorry again if our first meeting was awkward. The way I see it, you old timers pathed the way for me and mine to do what we do now. And your doing a damn fine job of keeping everything running around here. Perhaps next time it will be less...formal?" He says not sure if that's the right word, he puts out a hand

He shakes it, giving it two firm pumps "Less awkward" he agrees

Cyrus chuckles "Seeya Friend." He and walks out with Cole and Nem, turning to Cole once they are out of the shop and walking back to the Elysium Quarter. "The Voice of Hermes ran into trouble on Aliah, looters took cargo."

"strange, that's not like the Jademane. That's not like them at all"

"No it isn't I wonder if there are some other powers at play here, they're isolated out there. Maybe this might be an opportunity to get them more involved..."

"From what I've read they are adverse to using firearms, perhaps we could take them some mono-weaponry and maybe some conversion bows"

2:13 PM

"Turn this into an opportunity to build relations, we are gonna need their cooperation most likely, they'll have trackers we can use and at the end of the day, it's their planet."

"Oh, am I going with you?" she asks

"Do you want to?" He says with a smirk.

"Would be nice to get some field time in again"

"Our troops are still recuperating for the most part, they don't need herding around at the moment, we can leave Lars and Mac in charge of the admin side of things, Korkova can handle the more physical side. He likes shouting."

she is satisfied with that answer "Well, if you're planning on bringing some gifts, we should go get some"

"Pops is gonna be sick of seeing us!" He chuckles "I think he'll have what we need, if not then he'll know."

2:21 PM

(A little FYI I'm just going with my personal guard, Cole and Nem - just so you know for scaling and stuff. I'm not turning up with a full company of 200 Myrmidons haha)

(3 of whom are still recovering, are they coming too?)

(Nah, just the fit ones so in total 10.)

2:23 PM

(I'll take Alex as well actually, he might be able to learn from the Jademane, or at least be useful.)

(thats 8 then, with alex)

2:24 PM

(or are you including cole too)

(Cyrus, Cole, Alex, Eyrx, Nem - 6 other personal guard)

2:25 PM

(11 with everyone counted)

(kk)

(The cap on the Trojan is 20 so we're all good there.) Cyrus and Cole return to Pops later in the day and Cyrus buys 180 tons of TL4 melee weapons and conversion bows (Say half and half, Mono spears and Conversion bows)

(Can the trojan carry that much cargo?)

(mhm - that's why it's so specific)

2:30 PM

(if i dont ask no one is going to) The supplies are loaded overnight, and the following morning you're ready to depart for aliah. Irene. Doona's wife, runs a small diplomatic post there outside one of the larger fixed settlements on planet, and she has been made aware of your coming

Cyrus brings up a connection to Archimedes his trade A.I (first time we are interacting with him on screen as it were) "Morning Archimedes" (I pictured a very C3PO type persona less chirpy and more calculating, hates mess and like numbers)

"Good morning Cyrus. How can I assist you today?"

"I was hoping you might have logged some information on the theft of our trade goods on Aliah, I know how you like to have everything squared away."

"What information are you looking for?"

"Shipment tracking, surveillance that kind of thing." (Btw the trade goods I lost were Terezinho's fine liquor hahaha)

3:12 PM

(I bet those looters are shitfaced)

"Aliah has almost no electronics. I am afraid I have no information about the looters"

3:20 PM

(no cameras or anything)

"Damn, well it was a long shot but I thought I'd try it, good work this month Archimedes your calculations were well placed. I think that's all we'll be needing of you for the time being"

(His sensors are probably how they figured out how much was taken but without a planet data net he’s limited in use )

(Yeah I thought as much, just checking) Cyrus nods to the hologram and then closes the connection running a hand along the arm of his command chair in his first ship "Feels good to be back flying, familiar." He says to no one in particular. "Is the cargo loaded?"

“Cargo secure”

"Okay lets get going"

The ship begins spooling up, heading for Aliah, and arriving over the somewhat empty jungle world, a day later

As the ship translates into real space Cyrus stands "Okay bring her in and notify Irene that we are here. Armour up, helmets off though - we aren't here to start a fight with the locals."

Irene herself doesn't answer, but the ground team acknowledges that you're coming down. A landing zone is highlighted for you.

Cyrus sticks to the flight plan and lands, the ramp lowers and he walks out in his armour Cole in hers and Nemesis beside them both.

Irene, a woman with long black hair and jungle fatigues meets you at the bottom of the ramp, along with the three Jademane employed by the Marshal service as liaisons with offworlders here. They clutch mag rifles, though you see they've been modified with hunting trophies, and their once clean metal surfaces matted with grease, and nonreflective paint

Cyrus smiles "Good morning! Warmaster Cyrus Adonis, this is Commander Cole and that there is Nemesis." He says bowing his head in greeting.

Irene bows herself, though the three Jademane marshals say nothing. A large village, and flooded grow paddy is behind them, and none of the Jademane make any noise aside from that of their work being done itself

8:36 AM

Foros has a strange look on his face for a moment

Cyrus turns and and sees Alex "Ah and this is Alex Foros, prerogative psychic and medical officer." Cyrus turns back to Irene.

"They say thank you for not deploying with the drop pods, and ruining the section of jungle they'd land in" Alex says

Cyrus smiles "Ah I see, I have no cause to act in such a way - nor do I believe you'd give me one. Is there someone in charge that we may speak to? I've brought a gift to your people." He directs at the Jademane and Irene.

Foros concentrates for a minute, and the Jademane marshals seem to understand, others in the fields begin poking their heads up, and some come from the homes down to the landing area

"Reports are that you are under equipped, though capable and adept at fighting your weapon have a slim chance of penetrating high class armour. I admire that you wish not to use firearms on a wide scale, and retain traditions. The people of my birth share many similarities with yours, I too grew up on a forest world - dense with lush life that thrived. And we too did shun technology that caused it's greenery to disappear. We also used spears and bows, however some newer materials could see that your weapons become more potent. I've brought a few samples, spears made of mono metallic compounds and powerful longbows that convert energy into arrows of light!" He says gesturing to a crate that has been unloaded from the ship.

They look at the weapons appreciatively, some testing them out.

11:09 AM

it seems to have gone over well, as Foros translates for you

"We have many more like this, we could arm all of your Warriors with them, if you so wished."

11:13 AM

"What better way, to prove that outsiders are here to help, than giving you weapons so that if they are not - you can more effectively fight them?"

That particular sentiment goes unanswered

11:49 AM

"They want to know when you're ready to go in search of the looters, they can take you to the trade post site. It's the old Tri Green compound"

11:49 AM

"Really, just the flattened pad where the buildings used to be"

"Aye, I'm ready now if they are." Cyrus says contemplating how to build relations with a people that have yet to speak with him

"They don't want relations" Foros says, and then realizes you weren't actually talking to him.

1:11 PM

"I...I'm not sure how I'm hearing all this....

"Huh, interesting. Why's that mind reader?" Cyrus says turning an eyebrow raised

"Telepathy. It's how they're talking, and how I can understand them"

"I meant, why don't they want relations? I got the telepathy part." (edited)

"Humans have done nothing but prey on them, and their planet. They just want to be left alone. "

Cyrus shrugs "Last time I checked humans also cleaned up all those messes, some people are bad, some are good that's the universe. Isolating yourselves isn't going to make the situation any better, if anything it will make it worse. And more likely for you to become a target. Sadly, it's a case that there are worse things out there that want to do sick shit like this" Cyrus taps at a data pad for a second and hands it to Irene to show them, it has pictures of the flesh shaper planets and of the throne that was recently discovered by Cyrus on his journeys. "You might want to live in peace, we all do. But the fact is that you have to admit that you are apart of a bigger universe, and whether or not you like it - it's coming to call. People have done a great deal to help the Jademane and this planet too. The rocks no longer fall from the skies, the Tri-Green menace was stopped in large part due to Greenbriars help. Malak..." Cyrus trails off a second. "Do you wish to see justice that was done upon him? I personally hunted 'the Butcher of Aliah' in the name of the atrocities he committed."

Irene is not sure why you're getting upset with her, she is a human as well, and knows about the good works you are doing. You realize she has not voiced any of this, and the telepathic web of this planet is beginning to draw you in, as well

(This is not directed at Irene, more at the Jademane, it's just that I gave her the data slate to show them. I didn't know whether or not they'd take it from me.)

(Everything slowly becomes one, is what this is building toward) (edited)

Cyrus has to consciously allow himself to be drawn in, his neural cyberware working against the idea of opening his mind until he turns it off, registering it as a psychic attack

1:30 PM

He squints and flinches a second before powering it down temporarily.

Suddenly, you can hear the soft voices of the Jademane , no less talkative than you'd be in company on any other world

Cyrus glances at Nem to see if she can hear them too with their minds being linked, and how she might react if she can

Nem can hear, though she remains quiet

He turns back to the Jademane. "You're right, bad people did bad things. But as I said - there's worse to come. Humans may have done horrendous things to your people, they've paid the price for it. But to overlook what humans have done for you is shortsighted and dishonours their sacrifices."

(Bump)

There is no reply to that issue, but you can sense the anger at the comments. "We will make our way to the site the butchers used. It is where your ship had set down to trade"

"Let's go."

7:34 AM

Cyrus follows them to the site with his squad

The walk is days long, through dense jungle, the Jademane seemingly unbothered by the heat and their stride never ending or changing. They move with the land, rather than through it.

7:37 AM

Finally, the cleared landing pad is visible through the thick jungle trees. The former Tri-Green buildings have been cleared away, the rubble further packed down into the pack of the landing area. There are no fences or anytihng else that would further distress the soil

Cyrus walks into the clearing looking up at the sky "Okay, take five guys." He says to his Warriors. As he walks towards the landing pad

1

(The trade ship is still here right?)

(No, the trade went off, just with 40% fewer of the goods)

8:33 AM

(They probably would not have stayed after that anyway, with 60% left to steal, injuries, and damage)

Cyrus takes a walk around the landing zone looking for signs of the attack or theft

There are drag marks from the large cargo pallets heading into the jungle, along with some snapped branches.

11:01 AM

some of the black fiber tie downs have been cut and litter the trail as well, pulling you deeper into the jungle

"Nem, track them ahead of us. Come back to me once you've found them - don't attack unless you have to."

11:05 AM

Cyrus looks to the Jademane "You don't happen to know who these Brigands are do you? Anything about them would help."

Nem bounds off into the jungle, tracking

3:35 PM

We know they’re not of the Jademane. We would have sensed them

Cyrus nods "Are you coming with us? Or staying here?"

A handful of us will come with you. You’ll need local help

"Okay, we'll rest here for a little while then head out. Nemesis will find them, she lives for the hunt."

8:22 PM

Cyrus sits down out of his armour on some of the rubble of the old buildings. "Join me, I would learn more of this place, and trade tales of our worlds while we rest." He says to the Jademane. (Is there any that stand out amoung them? A leader?)

(No, they’re all exactly equal)

8:33 PM

what do you wish to know? you hear from a number of them

"You have no leaders among you, is everyone equal?" (edited)

Everyone who hears the song of our planet is an equal. All Jademane do.

Cyrus nods as he takes out a flask of water taking a sip before passing it to Cole "You have a connection to Aliah, how deep does that run?"

it runs as deep as the wind in the trees, the waves in the sea, the roots that burrow deep into the soil

8:45 PM

we hear the planet and we do it’s will, and in return, it sustains us

"And what does it will?"

8:46 PM

Cyrus sounds intrigued

if you cannot hear the song you’ve not been chosen to know It comes matter of factly, without scorn or emotion at all. It is a truth that simply is

Cyrus shrugs "That makes sense, my own planet Arcadia Minor was much like Aliah in some ways, in others, very different. The world had deep spiritual and magical energies, deep forests so covered in canopies you couldn't tell what time of day it was. Though only a few could really utilize the power the planet possessed fully. And our people we not all of one singular mind."

how lonely that must be one of them says, and you can sense his sadness for you

"In some ways yes, others no. If everyone had access to it's power they would've killed each other off long ago."

"Have any of you ever been offworld?"

there have been a few. They became sick after being away for long

11:46 AM

Nem begins bounding back through the woods, human arm in her jaws

Cyrus nods then seeing Nem stands up whistling her over "Ah, started early Girl." He gestures to the arm in her mouth. "Okay, lets go - rests over." He walks over to his armour stepping into the back of it.

(I’m trying to think of how much nem would be able to get to you telepathically

Nem sends you a handful of impressions. Running through the forest, a cave. The fear of a man, and the warm rush of blood. Waspish stings as the combat rifle rounds hit home

Cyrus bends down to stroke her looking for signs that she's been hit and if so how badly.

10:42 PM

(Sorry for the late reply I fell asleep

she can communicate fully with me, talk telepathically just not anyone else until the second level of the foci)

She is moderately injured. She will survive if she comes to no further harm, and you have a location of their hideout

Cyrus lets out a low growl - 'Stay here girl' - He says telepathically "Suit up. It's time to go bandit hunting." He says flashing a dark grimace. He slides his helmet on as he walks towards the brush. (edited)

The helmet snaps closed with air pressure stabilizing. The drag marks head off into the jungle leaving snapped branches behind. A small trail that you can barely fit down so armored heads off it. The pallets have been broken apart and smaller loads taken deeper into the jungle

7:08 PM

A pile of rotted tie downs and broken containers littered the clearing as you follow nems trail .

Cyrus sets off down it with Cole, Eyrx and his personal guard in tow along with the Jademane

"Eyes on a swivel. Guns up." He glances back at the Jademane and gestures forward "Care to go in front I'd rather not run into an ambush."

So we die to resolve your trade troubles instead of your men? This is for your enrichment, not ours

Cyrus sighs loudly "That is not what I intended. If you do not want this fight then you are free to leave. I know where they are. This thing goes both ways, we're helping you out here too."

A thick mist occludes the Jademane, and as it clears, they are no longer there. You sense a slight chill in the back of your mind and their presence, and the telepathic contact, recedes. Ahead, the thin game trail ends at a river, a raging current of muddy brown blue water roaring past, and foaming, at the base of a powerful waterfall. Several small boats are beached downstream, against a rocky beach, leading to a cave. You sense this is the place

At the departure of the Jademane Cyrus does nothing but shake his head. He slows as they come to the end of the game trail signalling for the group to spread into a line he scans the area with his scope looking for anyone, a lookout or sentry.

There are no sentries or lookouts visible outside the cave, or the bit of mouth you can see into

Cyrus switches feeds to thermal for a few seconds as he makes his way forward slowly into the open moving down towards the mouth of the cave. "You two, cover us from out here, watch the boats."

(how are you crossing the river?)

7:56 AM

(Armored up as you are, and with the strength of the current, it's going to take some doing)

(Oh shit it's in the way. Well, I guess the rest of them are stopping here.) Cyrus activates his jump on the Titan armour his gravatics whirling for a second with a low hum before pushing him off the ground in a powered leap. Cyrus looks back for some kind of safe passage over.

Further down the river, about two kilometer or more, the current seems to slack off, and there are some overhanging trees

8:00 AM

they might be able to effect some kind of a crossing there, given time

Cyrus weighs up the options before looking back across the river. "Try and make a crossing down stream Cole, Eyrx you and another stay here and cover me as I go in."

Three guns follow your progress as you make your way to the cave mouth, but they do not need to fire, it looks unwatched. You can hear small trickles of water dripping from the ceiling inside

Cyrus creeps into the cave, soft metallic footsteps on the cave floor as he delves into the darkness.

(notice.wis)

(6)

There are no organic watchmen at the cave door, but a small laser strobes your armor as you enter, scanning, registering you are not matching any of the permitted organic signatures allowed within. An alarm begins to chirp within

Cyrus moves forward further into the cave looking for a nook to get into as cover and to partially hide him from the on comers.

There is a small outcropping but your massive armor makes it far less effective as cover than what you'd hoped. Three stab-lights begin making their way around the corner toward you

Cyrus switches to thermal vision taking aim, as they round the corner he shouts a warning. "I'm only going to ask once. Put down your weapons and you'll live to see another day. This fight is not worth your life, don't make me take it"

"What happens to us if we surrender?" one calls back

"Well, first you put down your weapons I restrain you, then I go down into the cave do the same to everyone else and get the stolen goods back."

"And then?"

"That depends on how this goes, if you make it easy and come quietly then maybe I can find a place for you somewhere else - proper jobs no more stealing. If this goes badly then maybe you end up in a prison somewhere..."

"How do we know you're not just going to shoot us when we emerge"

"Little thing called trust, where you from Friend?"

"Chloe. You?"

"I work out of Gudrun. My name is Warmaster Cyrus Adonis leader of the Myrmidons."

You hear some whispering among him, and the three others for a few moments. "We passed your message along to inside, they're refusing to surrender, but we will. What can we do about this?"

"They've made their choice, I'll try not to kill them. Lay down you arms raise your hands and walk towards me."

You hear a few weapons clattering down, the lights still on, so you can follow their being dropped from hands

12:50 PM

slowly, they begin edging toward you

Cyrus steps out of cover his rifle still pointed to to the ground but at the ready "Well done, you made a good choice." Cyrus proceeds to restrain the four of them with zip ties and sits them in an alcove. He comms over to Cole with his progress. "I've caught four of them, They weren't in a mood to fight, the ones lower down are - they know I'm coming, I'll leave these ones here for you. They'll co-operate."

“We’ll have to cover them from out here until the others catch up. If they move they won’t get far”

"Copy that. I'll send them out, just don't open up on them." Cyrus turns to the captives. "Make your way outside, once you get outside kneel down. Don't give my people reason to shoot you and they wont." He says the the one he'd been speaking to previously.

They say nothing but slowly do as their told, filing out one by one. One tries to run and is cut down by eryx, an expert shot

"Told 'em" Cyrus sighs as he readies himself and starts to make his way further into the cave

The cave slopes left and downward and you pass the fallen weapons by the prisoners youd just taken, flashlight beams still on. There is a chamber 30m ahead, about 10m below the entrance. You can see evidence of your cargo being dragged through here

9:18 PM

The chamber ahead is lit by the ruddy glow of torches though you do not hear any sounds coming from it

(Hmm, are smoke grenades a thing. I assume they are but it's always good to ask, secondly is it out of the question for me to have one?)

(There’s no rules for them anywhere)

(I mean, my plan was to smoke them out. Not to mention I have IR and Thermal vision which I'm guessing they don't)

9:32 PM

(It was more a situational thing more than a mechanical thing.)

(Poofing in whatever happens to be handy at the moment without actually owning isn’t really a thing I want to start allowing)

9:34 PM

(Especially since there’s foci and psychic powers that do exactly proofing in what you need when you need it)

(No worries.)

9:37 PM

Cyrus moves slowly down towards the chamber. Scoping out for anyone that could be laying in wait.

It’s appears quiet. There is more evidence of cargo being taken through in the torn straps and discarded packaging. The room opens up into what looks to be a staging area. Maps of the surrounding countryside are on the walls as best as they could draw them. The future trade post site especially is well documented with actual photos and hand drawn maps

Cyrus' armour cams pick up the maps as he skims through them for intel. (Does this look like they are a military unit or just bandits?)

The maps are a patchwork, depending on who drew them. A few, especially the trade post maps, look professional

Cyrus takes them, and looks around the cave for another passage

rustling through maps, you hear another trio of foes approaching down the corridor on the room's north side

Cyrus takes a knee aiming at the doorway waiting for them to come into view

(Evasion save)

7:11 AM

There is a clink, as a spoon falls to the floor, and a small black disc is tossed into the room

(Success)

7:12 AM

Cyrus rolls to the side into cover

The grenade explodes, the burning magma chem cocktail spreading out over the room, engulfing maps and the crude wooden furnature

7:13 AM

Your armor has kept you safe from the blast, but the temperature is rapidly rising

Cyrus peaks around the corner firing at the entrance where the grenade came down

7:14 AM

(30/27)

Someone is hit and falls into the hallway, patchwork scrap armor cladding their body, they fall hard.

"Last chance. Surrender or I'll have no choice."

Two railguns fire back down the tunnel (I'll roll in a minute when i can get my phone again)

(waste of time, two big whifs)

Cyrus takes a knee instinctually the rounds disintegrating the wall where he once stood. He fires back at another (23/21)

The remaining railgun fires again (27/9), and you see him trying to drag his friends body into cover after, though he's too heavy, weighed down by the scrap armor and weapon

Cyrus is winged by the round it gauges a scratch in his chrome armour, he fires back at the assailant as he exposes himself. (20/24)

The tunnel goes quiet as the last of the attackers is cut down , smoke clearing, though it is very thick, from the fire, and weapons discharge

Cyrus moves forward into the tunnel

The fire continues to spread, as it engulfs more furniture and papers on the walls. You hear the static squall of someone trying to access comms to speak with you but the smoke and underground are interfering. Ahead, the tunnel leads to a storage area, where some of the goods have been piled. There is a spectacled quartermaster like figure ducking behind a table,

"You got anything to put this fire out with?!" He shouts the the Quartermaster (edited)

He is coughing, unaided by armor, and points to the corner, where a few jugs of water meant for their own drinking are stacked

Cyrus moves past him to the jugs and moves into the other room throwing them on the source of the fire.

The fire steams, burning very hot, but it dampens enough to allow you to gain some kind of control

Cyrus uses his armoured hands and feet to stamp out the fire as it dampens

(Its enough where you guys can get out, but without actual firefighting gear there's too much fuel_

11:21 AM

(Wouldnt want you to 'let your guard down' and die! lmao)

3

(Is it possible for me to get the goods out or are they lost?)

(They're lost, but you've killed the bandits)

(Okay)

11:30 AM

Cyrus grabs the quartermaster by the scruff of the neck and drags him with him as he walks out.

He joins the other three remaining prisoners, now covered by your men. Angry black smoke pours out of the cave, high into the air, and the ground shakes as the rock dries out, and cracks, the cave system beginning to collapse

"Well we lost our goods... But they won't be raiding anymore shipments."

(the trades already get calculated at goods lost, for consequences, but your intervention resets the trouble counter)

11:35 AM

(otherwise it just keeps going up every month)

(No worries, I'd already written them off anyways - the purpose of this was to solve the trouble as per the endeavour.) "How was the crossing?" He asks Cole taking his blacked helmet off

The bottom 1/3rd of her armor is caked in mud, and trailing some river plants. "Eventful. Nobody lost, but it took some doing in this power armor. We may need to rethink our approach in conditions like this. I dont feel like the power armor helped us here"

Cyrus nods in agreement. "We'll have to talk about that when we get back to the ship. We're taking these with us. They'll get debriefed and then, well, we'll see."

They clap them in irons, and begin the several hour walk back to the ship. Irene insists the ship not land aside from the cleared areas existing now. Tensions with the Jademane are high right now, especially now that human thieves have caused a fire, ruining a cave system animals could have used.

(Man, Jademane...) Cyrus gets them aboard the ship, landed now at the old Tri-Green facility. He gets the prisoners situated and sits down with Cole in their quarters. "Well, that could've gone better."

(They're alien, their motivations arent supposed to easily make sense with your own)

(Oh no I get it I was making a joke)

"couldve gone worse too"

"That's true. I get it's a different culture, but I feel like if we can't strive to bring them in they're gonna get wiped out sooner or later."

"We might be the ones who have to do it" she says, with no relish in her voice, jsut an acceptance

Cyrus nods in silently. "The universe is a harsh place and they got to realise that they are apart of it. I'm not sure how we are going to get them to do that - anything we've done so far has just made things worse somehow."

"You're right about the armour too, I didn't think about the risks the jungle would have, it's okay for me my titan armour has powered jumps but your doesn't. I'll have to bare that in mind next time."

There is a tri-tone beep, repeating over and over in the cabin, as cole finishes speaking. The wall comms are chiming

Cyrus pushes the button "What's up?"

"Irene is reporting some trouble at the trade post. The Jademane are gathering in some....she said 'Distressing' numbers"

Cyrus shoots a concerned glance at Cole "Okay, patch me through to her."

The line pops for a moment and the static clears. "Hello? Cyrus? It's Irene"

"Irene, give me a situation report. What's going on down there?"

"It's not looking good. Jademane started showing up outside the embassy. first a few. now its close to 100. More come out of the forests every few minutes. they're throwing rocks, and encircling the building"

"For fuck's sake, these people. Okay we are coming back down. If nothing else we'll get you and any other staff out. I'm going to call Kincaid."

9:31 AM

Cyrus looks at Cole "Get them armoured up. I'm not taking chances now."

Cole calls general orders, and instructs the soldiers aboard to get into full battle dress. The crew bay rings with the sound of machined plates being riveted into place as they help one another get prepared.

Cyrus puts a priority call into President Kincaid's office (I think we are still in range for FTL comms)

(yeah you're within the pocket)

9:37 AM

Her office aide answers the call "UNW presidential department, office of the executive"

"Warmaster Cyrus Adonis, Get my President Kincaid now. There's a situation on Aliah."

There's some fumbling on the comms, and after a few long minutes, Kincaid answers. "Cyrus. What's happening out there?"

"The Jademane are gathering outside the embassy, throwing rocks at it. Looks like we might have a riot on our hands. I dealt with some looters on the planet but in the process there was a small cave fire. We tried making connections but they didn't want us here to begin with. I'm going back in to make sure Irene is safe. What are the rules of engagement?"

"Keep our people safe, any way you can. If it gets violent, fire if fired upon, but don't turn it into a massacre"

"Okay, I'll link you into our suit cams, there might be some delay but you'll have evidence if it comes to that."

Cyrus cuts the comms and walks into the armoury getting is weapons and donning his armour. "Okay, rules of engagement are fire if fired upon, I'll give the order if it comes to that - we are going back in to keep our people safe."

There are comm clicks from everyone, affirming they heard you correctly. Nemesis looks to have healed a bit since your excursion below ground

Cyrus forms up at the head of the group Nemesis by his side as he pulls back the charging handle on his rifle "Okay bring us in and drop the ramp"

Down below, through the narrow vision slits in the side, you can see the small, walled diplomatic villa, little more than a two story home surrounded by a 5m tall wall. Stones are thrown from the surrounding natives, now totally around the compound,a nd they bounce from roof tiles, walls, and one breaks a window

11:52 AM

Some are carrying spears and bows, but they have remained on backs

"Land us near." Cyrus says to the pilot. "Watch your fire Myrmidons."

(inside or outside the walls)

(Inside.) Give them a low fly over then put us inside the walls, keep the engine on.

a handful of rocks hit the bottom of the ship but not with enough force to do more than scratch a bit of the pain. "It'll buff out" Eryx winks, before donning his helmet

1:15 PM

"Fast ropes!" is called for, there is not enough room for the vehicle to land

Cyrus merely steps out of the back, his titan armour saving him the damage of a short fall.

on the ground, the mob is silent, though Foros looks like he is a bit diminished. The psionic chorus must be overwhelming

"Eyrx, take up firing positions around the embassy walls. Cole, go make sure Irene and the other staff are okay inside. Alex, what's going on here?"

(they're not stepped walls to actually get on top of. They werent built as fortifications, just for privacy. Your men can't see over them)

(Okay) "Eyrx, find firing positions on the second floor, leave a couple of Warriors down here to cover the front gate in case they wish to storm it."

"Copy" he says,getting the men into position. Foros is trying to focus on one or two voices at a time, whatever he can manage

1:44 PM

"They're mad at our presence here. They blame us for all the damage to their planet. AMC, Tri-Green, the pirates we apprehended"

"I guessed as much, you think I can tap in and try to talk to them, calm this down?"

"I'll try. IF they push back, the overload might fry me"

1:50 PM

He places a hand on your armored vambrace, gold chain catching the afternoon sunshine

1:51 PM

suddenly you can hear the shouting voices once again, the sing-song voice they normally used, now a booming crescendo of accusation

"Here we go, let's give this a try." Cyrus puts his rifle down and takes of his helmet before walking to the gate, nodding to one of the guards to open it.

The iron gate is opened, and youre face to face with a screaming mob. A few stones are launched from the back of the crowd, but their aim is poor

"Citizens of Aliah! Please, calm yourselves so that we may resolve this without bloodshed. One of you, step forward so that we may converse like civilised folk."

on back channels, you can hear progress as your team inside is assisting Irene with burning documents, destroying computers, and getting the personnel ready to leave

2:00 PM

About twenty minutes you hear the estimate. Sir, is it okay if we use that compactor from Wasim?

2:00 PM

Might speed things up

Do it "People of Aliah, you cannot blame us for the actions of all Humans. The UNW has helped your people substantially, it is because of us that rocks no longer fall from the skies, or that your people aren't dying off - Tri green, although run by Human's was not a part of the UNW and was brought to justice by us in conjunction with you! Even if you don't allow us access to this planet, your issues are not going to stop. The wider Universe is not as patient or benevolent as the UNW. Your planet is safer with you as our Allies rather than on it's own."

(Do I know how extensive their telepathic powers are? Like can I show them from my memory what lies out there and why we need to band together. E.I the Fleshshapers?)

(It’s only communication not sharing thoughts)

(Good to know)

(Communication as far as talking not the sharing of concepts. They can do that with each other but Alex can’t extend it to anyone)

6:42 PM

“Allies do not bring pain and harm to a planet they know we share a bond with. Allies brought enslavers, tech wizards, and the ruin of vast stretches of land. One good act does not absolve the blame of another. This world will no longer welcome anyone not of the Jademane”

6:43 PM

“It is in recognition of those acts that we will allow you to take your people and leave”

"Allies did not bring harm, nor enslavers or tech wizards. Do not tar the rest of us with the same brush."

6:45 PM

"We've saved your planet, times over - far from here, you'll never know it, probably never understand it. But it matters not, you can go on in isolation but the Universe will not care."

Another hail of stones, and a spear, is thrown from the crowd. The monobladed spear embeds itself in the stone wall

"Any attempt made on the lives of UNW citizens will be repaid in kind. I've talked with you, I will evacuate our people. Do not impede this and we will leave here without bloodshed. Trust me, you don't want that fight." He looks at Alex "Break the connection, and close yourself down if you can. We are done here." (edited)

Blood trickles out of his nose and he seems thankful to cut the contact.

7:32 AM

The Jademane continue to mass, but to not overcome the walls, trusting this final time, humans will keep their word

Cyrus walks back into the compound picking up his rifle and tooking his helmet under his arm "Close and bar the gate." He strides into the embassy proper "How we doing people?!"

"Just another minute" you hear the compactor click, and the percussive bang of it compacting the last handful of electronics into useless cubes "Alright, lets get out" Irene says, looking sorrowful

Cyrus nods comming the pilot "Come in for landing in front of the embassy" He looks back at Eryx "Okay we'll create a barrier between them and the civilians." Cyrus activates his Myrmidon shield

The shields extend, and Irene, along with the diplomatic staff piles aboard, followed by the back ranks of your warriors, in an increasingly smaller and smaller shield wall. Last aboard, the ramp closes, as rocks hit the outside. the ship lifts off, and circles once, long enough to see the embassy being burned. (6xp, 10,000 credits)

(Does that count as resolving trade troubles?)

(yeah)

10:34 AM

(you did the mission, and killed the pirates)

(Yay! Wealth endeavour complete)

10:36 AM

Cyrus puts a hand on Irene's shoulder as she watches the compound go up in flames "I'm sorry Irene, I wish I could've done more"

"You got us out. Buildings can be rebuilt. Thank you, and your men"

Cyrus nods "We'll get you back home to Gudrun, we can figure this out later. Had tensions been mounting recently or is this all my doing?"

"They've been mounting since Tri-Green. They never got over the harm it caused. It got worse with the damage caused by AMC, they polluted horribly"

11:12 AM

"When things hurt the planet, it hurts them too, physically. Outsiders literally bring them pain"

"You know that tactically we can't leave them alone? They're within spike-3 of UNW Core. It's a strategic flaw if we leave Aliah open for attack" (edited)

11:14 AM

"We'll have to come to an agreement or the UNW eventually will bring it in line."

"May I present an unpopular opinion?"

"Go for it."

11:21 AM

"This isn't me voicing my opinions, just how I see this panning out - trust me, I don't want to go down there and shoot civilians, nor will I even if it comes to a take over."

"I think they're going to need to be brought into line somehow. If they dont want human intervention there, they're going to need to take responsibility for their world themselves. All that biomass in fleshshaper hands..."

11:24 AM

"I shudder to think what they'd do with it all"

"How do we bring them in line without human intervention? Whether or not it hurts their planet because bad people did bad things we are a collective. UNW doesn't tolerate Xenophobia doesn't matter what reason you have."

"We might just have to build space defenses, and blockade the world"

11:32 AM

"but its a burden, to be sure. One we shouldn't have to take. I don't want to be the one advocating for genocide either. I just don't know how to see eye to eye with them."

"You have the most experience with the Jademane, We'll have to write reports to Kincaid anyway. One way or another we need that world in line with the UNW. We'll see what the unity meeting has to say about it along with Kincaid."

12:04 PM

"For now let's just get you home safe."

Two days pass as the vessel returns home to Gudrun, the rescued diplomats eager to be home again, though Irene is a bit sad as Doona has been called offworld, just in time for her to come home

"Don't worry I'm sure you'll get to see her, you're probably going to be here a while at least." He says reassuring her as she leaves the E.I compound

she leaves, with a last, sad look around, and the compound gates close behind her

Cyrus turns to Cole "Well, I guess we wont have an issue with looters on that planet again."

"Nor anyone else. Aliens.." she spits "That whole situation has me confused"

"I think it boils down the their planet doesn't want us there. And that they see Humans as a collective like them. At the end of the day, they need us to be able to survive in this galaxy, if not us someone else will go there and fuck shit up. Maybe it'll be the Fleshshapers."

2:10 PM

"I wonder what Kincaid will think of it."

“Dunno” she spits again. “We should talk to those captives”

"Aye let's we might still find use for them. C'mon lets get out of armour first then we'll sit down with them" (Cut to interrogation?)

(Sure)

Cyrus sits down the Quartermaster first, the room is small and the metal walls and furnishings give the room an uncomfortable feeling. He sits down across from him along with Cole "We are going to ask you some questions now, and you're going to answer them to the best of your abilities."

A true soldier, he says nothing, and waits for direct questioning

"So, clearly you and you're Friends have or had military training. Who do you fight for? The Remnant?"

"Once. Now for ourselves"

"Mercenaries or deserters?"

"Deserters. Chloe Homeguard"

"You're a long way from home Guardsman."

8:24 AM

"Why did you desert?"

"Tired of fighting. Fleshshapers, you, pirates"

8:28 AM

"It never ends"

Cyrus nods "It doesn't you're right, not unless one side wins. How about this: I'll give you a new home - you and your team, not as soldiers clearly you don't want that, and that's fine, but as citizens - find you work and the like. In return you'll tell me everything you know about the state of the Remnant forces, their morale and the like, as well as the Fleshshapers - everything you can think of."

The quartermaster thinks for a moment, a very long moment. "I need it in writing, with a presidential seal. Otherwise I have no reason to believe I won't be just taken out and shot"

Cyrus chuckles "As far as the UNW is concerned you don't exist, no one apart from the people in this room know you're Remnant. Let's say I do things my own way."

"That is far less comforting. My terms are a presidential pardon, and citizenship for all of us, and ill tell you everything"

8:46 AM

(he's worried you're going to cheat him, telling him nobody knows he exists sounds like yeah i could kill you after this and nobody would ever know)

"Let me make a call." Cyrus steps out phoning Franz instead of Kincaid

Franz's office picks up, and upon hearing who is calling, pulls him out of an important meeting about some infrastructure improvements.

"Hey there Governor, sorry to bother you but it was either you or the President and I thought I best not call her until she's calmed down from the Aliah incident."

"Oh no, what's happened now?"

"Nothing big, I just need a document, well kind of a pardon maybe? I captured some looters on Aliah, which was why I went there in the first place. They're Remnant deserters, they could enlighten as to Remnant morale issues and potential troop placements along with information about the Fleshshapers. But they'll only speak if we give them written proof that they will be set free after."

9:15 AM

"They're conscripts by the sounds of it, not anything special. I could give them work and a life outside of soldiering and they'd be thankful they just need a presidential seal as it were. A guarantee that we wont just shoot them after we're done. As well as citizenship"

"I can't speak for the other worlds, but if you're willing to turn them over to intel, I can grant them citizenship here. We have to do this by the book now. Agency exists for a reason"

Cyrus sighs "I hate this, all their going to do is exactly what I'm doing but cut me out of the process. Can't you just hand wave is Franz? As far as anyone is concerned they are just more refugees."

"Sorry Cyrus. I can't undermine the exact processes I helped put into place. Once they are questioned a report will be issued to notables such as yourself"

Cyrus just sighs and ends the call

2:05 PM

Walking back into the room. "Well UNW intelligence has you now, good luck."

A few moments later, uniformed authorities arrive to bring them to interrogation, Franz promising to distribute the report on Chloe once the information is gathered

Cole finally breathes out. "I've been thinking about something since we got back from Maintaine. I want to know your thoughts on it"

"Fire away" Cyrus says enthusiastically as he lights up a cigar

"Those wrecks floating above the planet, in that junk field. If we're gearing up for a compartment fight, what about using the hulks for some training?'

"Sounds like a really good idea, roll it into exploration as well."

2:25 PM

"But first I need to do something."

2:26 PM

"I made a promise to Lars a long time ago that I plan on delivering on now."

"What would that be?"

2:27 PM

"I think that was before my time"

"I promised to get his family of Chloe."

"Plan in mind?"

2:28 PM

she lights one of her own, clouds of blue smoke joining yours

"Aye, I'm going to use a stealth shuttle - go in with Lars and another, maybe Tavish - they're both from Chloe. We'll locate and extract his family if we can."

2:29 PM

"Might have to get a fake face for it though."

2:30 PM

"I'm pretty distinct now."

"I heard the intel guys have an identity shop. Maybe they can fabricate something for you"

"Yeah we'll have a look see what flatters my chiselled features" He says chuckling "I'm hoping it will be easier now the war is almost done, that and those stealth shuttles are basically invisible."

"Mr. Emalje worked a wonder with them.

2:57 PM

she agrees

"I suppose I best go find Lars, talk to him about it see how he feels." He says taking another drag on his cigar

"Yeah, It's been some time. Wonder if hes scared to go back:

Cyrus nods slowly "I hope this turns out right, he needs his family, and I need a win."

(Cut to talking to him then?)

(yeah)

4:50 PM

Cyrus sits down with Lars over a drink in the E.I officer's lounge.

"Sorry to call you away from the riveting paperwork you were doing Lars but I've got something I wanted to ask you"

“Alright. I’m all ears”. He sits back and nurses a sip of drink

"I made a promise to you what seems like an age ago, and I'm sorry I haven't delivered on it. But I'm planning to do so now, we are going to go get your family back. If you still want to that is."

“I do still want that. I miss them every day”

"I'm glad, there's going to be a few of us going mostly ex-remnant so we can pass easier. We are gonna get new faces for this though. We don't know whether or not you're wanted yet."

"I see. Going to need to have a word with CIS then, aren't we?"

"That we are" Cyrus says finishing the last of his whiskey. "Finish your drink and let's get this going."

He drains it in one gulp, probably not even tasting it at all, before pushing his chair in and following you out

Cyrus links up with some other Warriors outside, namely Tavish and a few other ex-Remnant Myrmidons.

7:23 PM

(Totalling 5 people, Cyrus, Tavish, Lars and two others)

7:24 PM

They all head to the CIS compound

The compound is surprisingly empty, aside from support staff, most agents are off-world right now.

Cyrus walks in with the funky bunch looking at the person behind the desk "Evenin' we're here for a face lift?"

She spends a few moments scanning your credentials. “Nature of the mission?”

"Rescue and reconnaissance."

“Yes but where”. She continues typing. “I need to make sure the imagers pull the right samples”

"Chloe, Remnant territory."

“And last thing for the false identity, areas you’re wishing to access. They don’t give blanket passes”

Cyrus looks at Lars "You know better than I do, probably dockyards and civilian centers."

“All I needed. Apologies friends. The techs are exacting. Anything I don’t ask they make me re do and you’d be here even longer. Head down that allway. First illuminated door on your right

Cyrus nods "Thanks!" He makes his way with the team to the door and walks in.

The identity shop is a number of chained blackslabs connected to matter processors.

4:12 PM

Two technicians, faces hidden by cowls and goggles look up, the blue light reflecting off their eyes

"Hey there Friends, here for a face swap. Just a quick question before we begin - you will give me my own face back after all this is done right?"

"Oh this is a poly overlay of your own, seamless, and undetectable outside of incredibly specialized equipment. "

7:07 PM

(think like mission impossible, with that briefcase scanner/printer thing)

Hey Cyrus, how are you?  I thought I would check-in. I heard about you taking down Malak.  As for me I'm a marshal now, I know I talked about joining the knights before, I just think I could do more good as part of the Marshals at least for now while they're slowly rebuilding, I'm sure they'll agree.  Anyway the Sons, and I just caught a killer of our own.  It was a little bittersweet since I had to hand him over before I could question him, but the Taros can handle him.  Most of what I could have told you about Rawhani has been in the news already.  I had to leave the lawyer contacts I maid in intelligence lock-up until what they told Director Delgado is checked out.  I was wondering what you knew about Red Sangha?  I couldn't find their home planet on our charts and it seemed like a place where intelligence was lacking, as they are our allies.  I found information on another of my friends unfortunately he died trying to fight the Still lady cult.  I hope you, Cole, and Nemesis are well.  If I can ever do something in return for the help you've given me please ask. 

Your friend,  Marshal Cornelius Hardt

P.S. Almost forgot to ask do you know anything about the Daughters of the Lotus, I was trying to ask Acting Director Wind, but I felt bad since she seemed closed about it and didn't want to push her.  I'd rather look into them through non intelligence channels until I earn her trust.

Cyrus looks relieved "Great stuff, can't afford to lose this asset." He says chuckling "Let's get this on the go."

The disguises will be good for eight hours once donned, and comes with a ghost identity so your electronic id matches up

Cyrus gets a new identity 'Jack Morgan - Retired Remnant Naval Ship Officer' His face is crafted to be scarred across the nose reflecting a deep wound. His eyes are grey

4:48 PM

"Huh, fetching, but it'll work. Eight hours you say... Lars do you think we can do it in that time?"

“assuming they still live at the family home. Yes. It’ll just be getting into the gated community”

"I think I have an idea how to do that. But we'll talk more about that on the way over - Everyone got their I.D's? Tavish how you feeling about going back?"

"Just want to get this done and get out. Maybe one day I'll go back as a free man, but not today, or soon"

"Okay, let's get going then" Cyrus puts a hand on Tavish's shoulder and nods. "Don't worry, soon the war with the Rems will be over."

“I hope” The small team boards the ship (I’m assuming the courier?) with Remnant uniforms and sidearms

(It is)

8:11 PM

Cyrus stands on the bridge in a Remnant Officers uniform "Lars, take us to your family."

Just a refresher

8:27 PM

defense fleet that varies in size. One Titan class ship, the Ravenous Rex, is always on station. The cities are hardened, ensuring the majority of the population can make it into shelters if bombardment occurs, and they sport robust anti-air defenses to blunt landing attempts. Each city maintains a complete company of home-guard, with Remnant infantry regulars, and cadets stationed on world. Resistance is classified as heavy to extreme. Urbanized Surface The world's land area is covered with buildings that extend downward for multiple levels. Such worlds either have a population in the trillions, extremely little land area, or are largely-abandoned due to some past catastrophe. Agriculture and resource extraction are part of the urban complex, and there may be an advanced maintenance system that may not be entirely under the control of present natives. Psionics Fear The locals are terrified of psychics. Perhaps their history is studded with feral psychics who went on murderous rampages, or perhaps they simply nurse an unreasoning terror of those “mutant freaks”. Psychics demonstrate their powers at risk of their lives.

8:28 PM

Two peerless class platforms in orbit with a bannerjee 12 for trade

(

Thanks) "Okay, let's see if the deception works."

(any stops needed along the way?)

(Gudrun - Miriam - Sumati - Chloe, is the spike route, but no diversions.)

9:40 AM

During the travel Cyrus attempts to contact Red Sangha through the channels given to him by Franz a while ago.

(its going to be about a week for the message to get relayed there and back, theyre all the way at the eastern edge of 1E, so what is your message to them?)

To the Red Sangha Mercenary Company,

I wish to discuss the possibility of hiring your company for an up and coming military operation/campaign. I have fought alongside you before at Rawhani and believe that not only can we do so again and return victorious but also in the name of bringing about a lasting peace in the sector. I will be prepared to discuss details at a later date in person with a representative on Gudrun once I return. 

Regards, 
Warmaster Cyrus Adonis, Leader of the Myrmidons, Head of the Elysium Initiative.

You can expect a reply, likely around the time of your return from Chloe

9:55 AM

Chloe, arriving there several jumps later, is more heavily defended than ever. The titan ship has remained in system, and the peerless platforms now sit in the middle of an orbital minefield that covers the globe. passing them the only clear approach to the planet. A constellation of winking arming lights surrounds the planet like a microgalaxy of its own

"This is going to be tense, okay transponders read Remnant right? Everyone in uniform and look Remnant. Lars take us in, don't be afraid to tell me about Rem protocol you are the actual ex-Captain here."

He presses a few switches as the ships sensors begin going live, transpoding remnant codes. "Those platforms will hail us when we get close. Pretty damned clever of them to block access like this."

"Okay, now it's a question of getting through."

10:56 AM

"Bring us in. Hope for the best."

Approaching the first peerless, the comm light begins to chime, along with the master alert, showing targeting computers on the platform are working on a firing solution (think of it like a radar lock, master warning if just you're being tracked, and then its an actual alert if they fire)

Cyrus sits in the the chair and takes a deep breath in... and then out. Then taps the comm receiver to answer the call, voice only.

"Courier on approach, please state your passengers and intent"

11:43 AM

Lars is shaking at the controls. doing everything he can to keep it steady, eyes tunnel vision on what's ahead

"Five man crew wishing to dock and begin shore leave."

11:47 AM

Cyrus' voice is chirpy and casual yet with an undertone of professionalism, attempting to pass off as a Captain ready to begin R&R after some time in action.

"Departure point?" the radioman asks

"Cruesa. Before that further north."

"We've had more black-ops attacks within the last month. I need something more specific. Where north?"

12:14 PM

(kensh and company saved the kids just over a week ago)

"Mataine, following up on a lead about a UNW fugitive and some rogue elements. The um...They got to them first..."

12:16 PM

"All that was left was bones."

12:16 PM

Cyrus forces himself to remember the sight in order to convey the feeling of horror in his voice.

"Very good. Proceed to dock. Welcome home"

12:17 PM

The master alert ends, and the cabin goes quiet in the absence of the alarm

"Thank you Control." He says before ending the call. "Keep on your guard, they could be drawing us in."

The shot that you're fearing never comes, and you pass through the cloud layer to a cruising speed of the planet below.

"We

1:02 PM

're from Ven-Tazo. I don't tihnk I've ever told you that" Lars says, trying to get a fix on the island now that you're through the clouds

"You haven't." Cyrus looks intrigued at the screens and cameras as they break through the cloud layer. (edited)

"I've never been on a planet like this before."

“It’s sparsely settled but the cities are dense. I think the intention was for this to be a bread basket world after the war”

Cyrus nods "It could be still, once this war is done and they bend the knee, or the Remnant falls and after the Fleshshaper's are wiped out. There will be time to farm in peace I've no doubt... Tell me about your family Lars."

"My wife, Brit, shes the strongest of us, my far. And my two kids, Dom and Tess. Firecrackers both of them"

"I bet they're a handful, they'll have missed you. I can't wait to meet them Lars."

He nods, his temper not steeled. "The

7:53 AM

"They're in hell right now. We're going to walk them out"

"Yes we are, and if anyone tries to stop us they'll feel the force of that wrath. Don't worry, we are getting them out. Here take this." Cyrus hands him one of the ghost talker comms, handing the other to Tavish. "They'll come in handy no doubt. Load up and put your faces on as we come in to land."

You spend the remainder of the flight down to Ven-Tazo. The city is made of a whitewashed stone, with terra cotta tile roofs. A crystal clear and clean blue sea laps against a beach made of sand as white as those of the homes spilling down to meet it. There are a few small trawlers out at sea working on the days catch, and terran seagulls wheel overhead, complaining and riding the thermals

8:04 AM

A small airport is north of the city, connected by a few kilometers long road

"Bring us down to the airport."

8:16 AM

"How'd they get seagulls all the way out here?"

'Not sure, this is a new development." Lars angles the bow down, airport activity stopped with a spacecraft coming in (yours)

Cyrus moves to the back ramp holstering a mag pistol on his hip "Are we gonna have to go through customs Lars?"

"no,we shouldn't need to , anything not cleared would have been vaporized, but we're in for a bit of a walk once we get to the city and there will be checkpoints inside:

"Okay, side arms only then."

9:27 AM

Cyrus activates his identity and lowers the ramp walks out with Lars and Tavish leave the other two members of the squad in the ship just in case.

The others all activate their own, including the ship crew in case of a run-in with ground personnel. "We'll be ready. Lets try not to make this a hot exfil"

"Yeah, that's not the plan but you never know" Cyrus walks out of the ramp following Lars' lead

Lars heads over to one of the nearby hangars, where a pair of guards stand in front of the split in the big metal doors, They both amble over, their walk unhurried, rifles slack on rigs

9:57 AM

"Good morning!" one calls out

"Morning friends! How goes it?"

10:06 AM

Cyrus smiles at the both and nodding

"It goes. Another day safely away from the war. You're coming in from the north?"

"Aye not fun up there, it's like the war doesn't touch this place. Apart from added security."

"It

12:27 PM

"It's come here, not as bad as Cruesa's getting though."

12:27 PM

"Anyway, trying to get into town?"

"That we are, meeting with some friends and getting a rest, hopefully anyway we are on short call so if they need us we'll come back"

“Sure. Try the seafood gumbo if you’re staying the night.” He notices your officer pips. “There should be a staff car around back of the hangar”

"Will do, thanks Soldier." Cyrus nods waiting for him to salute before throwing his own hand up in one.

The salutes passed, your small team heads around the building to find an open topped staff car waiting, the gas tank looks to be 3/4 full.

Cyrus gets in the car and starts the engine "How far is it from here?" He asks Lars as he checks the ignition

"Ten minute drive to the edge of town. Checkpoint i bet before actually getting in"

3:05 PM

"might be a road patrol too"

"Should be fine, let's get this going." Cyrus pulls out in the car. Listening to Lars for directions and generally driving 5 mph under the limit at most times.

The countryside is beautiful and it even reminds you of the drive north of central to the farmlands and the task force main compound. A checkpoint with four soldiers blocks the road close to ven tazo

6:28 PM

An armored vehicle straddles the road, sideways to oncoming traffic

Cyrus slows the car down coming to a rolling stop at the block "Papers ready, remember your names." He says as he turns the engine off.

"Good morning!" one of the checkpoint guards says, as he advances, Another one ambles closer, extending a long mirror from a collapsible rod to check under the car,

7:12 AM

"Off to the city today?"

"Aye going to catch up with some friends! It's been a while"

""Says here you were in the north. Hows the fighting>"

"About as well as you'd expect for fighting monsters made of flesh that enjoy creating sculptures out of the people they kill."

"True" he says, scanning each of the passport docs. "Sorry for the delay sirs. You know how it is in wartime. You'll be able to get into the city with no further problems, I'll radio ahead you've been screened"

Cyrus nods "Thank you soldier, you're a credit to the uniform." He says start the vehicle again and driving clear of the checkpoint.

You begin to pull away, heading toward the city, as a shadow passes overhead, the unmistakable hull of the swallowtail. It's not interested in the ground, or even the Ven-Tazo airspace, passing further afield, to the settlement northwest.

9:12 AM

You can see the armored vehicles normally blocking the city gates moving aside to allow you entry

"Ah, fuck it's Thorn. That'll be fun with CIS."

The gates of the city begin to winch open, revealing the first of the sprawling whitewashed streets beyond. If this wasn't an enemy city, choked with soldiers and their families, it might be quite beautiful

Cyrus follows Lars' directions "Ya know this is not how I expected a Remnant city to look."

"What were you expecting?" he asks, as the car clears the gate, and he motions to turn left, down Pear Street

Cyrus indicates and turns "I don't know, slums and death squads - the only contact I've ever had with the Remnant was what they did to others bot how they treat their own."

"Ah, Aslief?. That was a shameful chapter. Had they done things different, we might have lived in peace with you"

"Maybe but Rem policy on psychics and in general would've sparked conflict eventually, they did horrible things throughout the sector. I don't blame the common soldier, but the fanatics and politicians must be held accountable for their actions."

"They will be before the next year ends, I'm assured of this" He directs you to drive up a winding hill, to a what looks to have a gated community at its summit. "This is going to be the real test of these ID's"

"Keep the guns close then, just in case." Cyrus says quietly as they turn in and stop at the gate.

There are no guards at this gate, but a complex gatehouse of scanners and sensors screens all traffic entering the walled city within a city, at the top of its central hill. The interior gate is still made of traditional iron bars. "Please exit the vehicle for scanning" A pleasant sounding artificial voice calls.

Cyrus gets out of the car, his pistol still on his hip.

(sneak/dex)

(7)

The scanner passes over you, with no trouble, along with all your companions, but Lars. He sneezes, breaking into his real voice for a moment as he recovers. There is a click, and whirr, before sirens start blaring.

2:45 PM

He looks at you, dumbstruck

"Shit. We're blown." Cyrus says in a fluid moment he draws his pistol and points it at the scanner and shoots

The scanner blows out triggering the inside gate to open. There doesnt seem to be internal security responding yet

7:32 PM

“We can make it. Go go right turn after the gate. Down to the end of the street”

7:32 PM

You can sense the rabid fear turning into excitement to see his family

Cyrus gets back into the drivers seat "Get in!" He guns the engine and accelerates towards Lars' home. "Okay, we've got to make this quick."

The car comes to a halt outside and Lars runs in before you get a chance to say anything. Disguise on but now using his own voice you hear the cries of alarm and then relieved exclamation of his family inside. Far out over the sea two black dots appear on the horizon. In another moment you’ll be able to hear the helicopters powerful engines

"Tavish get loaded up." Cyrus keeps the engine running "Lars come on brother we've got choppers on the way." He says into the comm

You hear banging and smashing inside as the family grabs what handful of previous heirlooms they can.

Cyrus comms the ship "We're blown we might be able to get out without a tail but it'll be close - arm yourselves just in case. Get ready for a hot extraction."

'We'll button up, just in case" At the end of the street, another staff car with three soldiers in it passes the gatehouse, and they are getting out to inspect the area

"Lars we've got company here, another car, when you come out keep the family calm, act natural, they don't know it's us yet." Cyrus takes out his pistol putting it under his leg so he can get to it easier in the event of needing it. (edited)

There is a tense atmosphere as the family comes out. No one has clothes, but everyone has a small backpack full of what is likely family photos, or small items of sentiment. They can't make it look like an evacuation. "Just going out for an afternoon in the countryside" Lars winks to them, and to you, before eyeing the helicopters, and company at the end of the road

Cyrus casually gets out of the drivers seat letting Lars take the wheel him being the trained pilot. Cyrus sits in the passengers seat. "Okay, nice and easy, take us around the block loop back and make it look easy."

Lars moves the vehicle back, and heads around the block. You hear the rubber over gravel sound of the other vehicle beginning to follow, though they're quickly out of site as you move around the corner, the buildings blocking your sight.

"Okay, we've broken line of sight - get us out of here now." Cyrus turns to Brit dropping the voice for a second "A pleasure to meet you by the way." He says with a chuckle

"I thought you were dead" she says to Lars, over and over, the shock finally catching up with her (edited)

8:33 AM

"They told us you;'ve been captured, and then we never heard anything again"

"Well, that's a long story isn't it Brother - He was captured, but he joined me. My name is Cyrus Adonis, I lead a unit called the Myrmidons. Lars is a Lieutenant Colonel in charge of a battalion of warriors. We tried getting to Chloe before but it was too heavily guarded and we didn't have the resources."

8:36 AM

"It's a lot to take in, I'm sure we'll be able to better explain things later. When we are off this planet."

she and the kids remain silent, that bit of information enough for her to chew on for a while,

8:37 AM

Rounding the block you see only one guard has been left near the gate, though the helicopters are now close enough to hear. They'll be in visual range in another few moments

"Keep driving, we need to clear the area before the helicopters spot us." Cyrus takes out the pistol and flicks off the safety.

The gate guard steps in the middle of the road and holds up a hand for you to halr

8:45 AM

halt

"Slow it down Lars I'm gonna play the officer card." Cyrus's window rolls down and he presses the pistol to the door

"Morning sirs, sorry about the delay, just need to check the ID of everyone in the car. Something strange is going on"

8:50 AM

You see he is very young, his uniform ill fitting

8:50 AM

and he looks to even be shaking a little bit

Cyrus holds his I.D up long enough for him to see his rank but palms it again before he can scan it. "Listen private, I haven't got time to be messing around here -We've just come of tour and we are going out for a family meal with Colonel Monroe, I don't want to keep him waiting and if I have to I'll make sure to tell him who it is that's responsible." Cyrus says in an entitled manner making a visible queue to squint at the guards name flash "Private, Decker."

9:07 AM

(I'm going to use authority: Level 1: Gain Lead as a bonus skill. Once per day, you can make a request from an NPC who is not openly hostile to you, rolling a Cha/Lead skill check at a difficulty of the NPC’s Morale score. If you succeed, they will comply with the request, provided it is not harmful or extremely uncharacteristic.) (The result of the roll was: 13)

"Oh! Sir! I'm sorry! Please proceed!"

9:12 AM

He almost jumps out of the way he is so eager to not impede your progress

Cyrus nods "Good lad. I want no further disruptions on my journey. Make sure of it." He turns not waiting for a reply he looks at Lars to drive.

Lars slowly moves away from the gate. Just a family out for a drive, nothing suspicious here. You clear the gatehouse when the other car, following your path around the block, emerges. "Halt there!!" one yells, and the car begins to accelerate to catch up

"Fuck, gun it."

10:30 AM

Cyrus comms the ship "Okay, this is gonna be hot. Get her warmed up and work on a solution to get us out into atmo"

'We'll be off in a minute" you hear a pair of gunshots as Remnant techs standing by the ramp on their end are killed. "Disconnecting from fuel and ground power now"

"Okay, the ship is warming up. Lars step on it Tavish if they get too close we'll open up on them."

Their vehicle accelerates, gaining ground rapidly, before Lars likewise puts on the gas. You see a long gun being passed from the driver to the soldier in the passenger seat

"Down!" Cyrus says as he sees the weapon. Leaning out of the window he takes a shot at the driver of the chasing vehicle

11:20 AM

(28/12)

The small pistol rounds strike the driver, the vehicle swerves, but keeps on the road, despite his wounds. The shooter fires back, combat rifle barking

1:33 PM

(3 damage on the car after armor) Three shells stitch across the back of the car, popping the spare tire, and punching a hole in the trunk. It seems to have robbed the shot of enough power to punch any further into the car

"Everyone okay?!" He asks as both he and Tavish return fire this time at the driver. (20/15, the other misses)

So far, everyone is. Your return fire strikes the driver, and the vehicle skids sideways before flipping three times, and coming to rest in the middle of the road

3:12 PM

Ahead, at the airport, you see the courier beginning to rise, still trailing wires and pipes from the ground

Cyrus reloads his pistol and glances grimly at Lars coming the Trojan Horse "We've lost our tail, are you picking us up on the road?"

"Those copters are going to catch up if we don't, it's already going to be tight"

3:19 PM

You can see both of them vectoring from over the city, to close with you, sunlight reflecting off their canopies, preventing you from seeing within

"Go for it." Cyrus turns to Lars "Okay, we're going to drive right in."

The chain gun on the first of the helicopters opens fire as the courier sets down, Lars jinks erratically to try to avoid it (14 on drive, he does) The shots kick up a line of dirt and dust as the heavy shells puncture the roadway with small craters each. Darkness swallows all of you as the wheels leave roadway and bite into the ribbed metal of the ramp

Before the car has even stopped Cyrus gets out and grabs a rocket launcher from the rack. pointing it towards the helicopter as the courier begins to rise "Clear back blast!" He shouts waiting a moment for the ping of a lock before letting loose a rocket. (16/30)

The shot is direct, and clean, coring the helicopter and sending it into auto rotation, though its working to preserve the lives of a crew that is very dead. THe concussive blast is loud in the enclosed space, knocking tools everywhere and frying a few of the more sensitive instrument panels in the space

3:26 PM

The ramp shuts, and there is a hiss of air pressure as things stabilize "Please don't do that again.

3:26 PM

Lars slumps down, against the wall, relieved. Family around him

Ears ringing Cyrus shakes his head "Good driving brother. That was almost clean." Cyrus taps a comm panel to the bridge "Let's go, get us out of here."

"We're going to need lars up here, cover's blown. THey'll be shooting"

"You heard them Lars, it's going to be a long day. I'm sorry, Tavish get Brit and the kids into crash couches, it's going to be bumpy, and get them in suits. Just in case." Cyrus moves quickly with Lars as they go to the bridge.

The two of you change seats with the portion of the crew there now as the courier gets into atmosphere. The second helo won’t be able to reach you, the angle too poor for an air to air missile shot “We have to make a decision fast, either try to navigate the minefield or we try our luck running past one of the platforms”

"The field, they wont fire on us in there, it'll ruin their defences."

5:39 PM

"Those platforms and ships will destroy us, the odds are in their favour." Cyrus turns his chair and starts making a solution to help Lars.

“Alright. Field it is. I’ll need you to run the scanner and plot a course while I keep track of all these mines” The scanner pings, three contacts in pursuit, rising rapidly from planetside. “Damn. Fighters”

"We've got no weapons on this thing, we'll have to out fly them." Cyrus says bringing up a display in front of himself, the fighters showing up behind them and the minefield ahead. "Let's do this."

“They’d be crazy to try to shoot us in here but it’s when we get beyondl (Pilot int for Lars)

(oof, 6)

3

Lars rolls hard as a mine comes into view, narrowly dodging it but the fighter close behind you follows. It collides Head first with the mine you just avoided, detonating it

9:34 PM

The blast wave and fire with it buffers the craft powerfully, and Lars fights with the controls. Warning lights come on (22/9 or can take a crisis)

"Scratch One!" (I'll keep the damage, can always take one later.)

The remaining two drift wide of the blast, and of the expanding wreckage ball. So far, no other mines seem to have been triggered "We need to hurry, that debris might drift into another one"

Cyrus presses a few buttons on the console the power being diverted to the engines. "Prepare for high G burns people, check straps giving you the juice!" He presses another button activating the cocktail of drugs that keep the human brain active and dissuade strokes during high G manoeuvres. "Oh yeah, that's the stuff!"

(Lets get another pilot/int for clearing this)

(Praise Nuffle: 13)

The courier twists its way out of the minefield, passing by the titan, weapons facing the wrong way to track the much more agile ship

Cyrus' teeth are clenched as the force of the turn makes his head hit the back of the chair he glances at his tactical screen to see where the fighters are.

The fighters were forced to break off, coming too close to other mines, before turning around, trying to make it to the platforms to come out the proper way. You can already tell they won't catch you

"Get us out of here Lars, they've had enough."

Lars throws the lever for spike as soon as safe distance is reached, you exit the airspace as the fighters catch up

2:15 PM

(6xp, 10,000 credits, retention of lars as a henchman)

Once they reach spike Cyrus stands from his chair a little shaky from the concoction of drugs and the high G turns. He puts a hand on Lars' shoulder "Nice work Brother, let's go see your family."

Cyrus takes off his I.D tag, his face returning to it's normal, not so normal look. His eyes returning to their black colour and his hair becoming it's original long brown self. The scar down his eye becoming prominent once more.

Lars hands off the controls to a replacement team for the first spike leg, promising to take the overnight shift to make up for it

Cyrus goes with him to meet Lars' family properly now that the danger has passed. He ducks as he enters the room after Lars.

Lars is in the middle of trying to hug everyone at once. “Cyrus this is my wife, the kids,” and there is a small yip from a bag as the family terrier pokes it’s head out

Cyrus laughs "Hah, and you brought the dog! I love it. It's a pleasure to meet you all! I'm glad I could help bring you all back together." Once the hugging has subsided a little he kneels down to meet the eyes of the children a warm smile on his face. "Your Father is a Hero, I know he's been away for a while - but I want you to know he's been helping people all over the galaxy. He's a very special man, and a Brother to me." He leans in a little "He's even saved my life! More than once, but don't let him know, he'll get all big headed!" He winks

Any lingering anger or resentment about his inability to get back to them, or communicate, seems to be washed away by your statement. You can sense he is thankful for it

Cyrus stands ruffling the dogs ears he looks between the family with a smile before resting his gaze on Brit. "I shall leave you together, don't worry Lars, we've got the piloting from here, spend time with your family. You've earned it tenfold." He bows his head a gesture of respect and gratitude before leaving closing the door behind him.

(Anythng else we needed to dive into on the way home?)

(That's it I think. Just leaving it on a nice touching note is probably best.)

Several days later, the courier returns to Gudrun space, patch repairs done on the way, but it will need some dry-docking for a few days

Cyrus stands on the bridge "It's good to be back in friendly territory. Bring us in to the Elysium Quarter."

(your compound you mean? or was i supposed to put a settlement down somewhere)

(It's my compound - it's got like 10k's worth of housing so it's expanded quiet a bit)

The ship descends, eventually coming to land in the courtyard

Cyrus grabs his bag, now back in his uniform he walks down to the cargo ramp and opens it stepping out into the fresh air of Gudrun.

He squints at the sun as he looks around for Cole and Nem

Cole and nem are both In the command center, working on some training details for those left behind.

Cyrus walks in quietly leaning in the doorway before whistling Nemesis dropping to his knees to fuss her.

Cole hangs up the hard line she was speaking through and joins. “Good to see you home. Family is okay?”

Cyrus stands and smiles, embracing her. "Yes, everyone came back whole, the ship's got a new scar though. We took heat on the way out."

"How are things here? Did we get contact back from the Sangha?"

“We did. I think it’s best left up to the unity council from here. What they’re asking is beyond what we can handle on our own. Plus, I don’t think they’d appreciate us unilaterally hiring mercenaries for an official operation”

4:17 PM

“Undermines their monopoly on force quite a bit”

4:17 PM

You can see she’s been reading several books on statecraft while you’ve been gone

Cyrus smiles "Are you brushing up on your politics?"

“Trying to learn from what I didn’t do right before”

Cyrus' face changes for a moment, an expression of uncertainty for a split second "You never know, we might need that knowledge sooner rather than later. I've been thinking, we need a home to call our own - not just the initiative but Us, Me, You, Nemesis and our friends, people like Lars and Korkova that have become as close to family as they can get without sharing blood, we've definitely shed enough of it together, and not just our enemies. I want to build something lasting, for after this, if we survive it, Gods' willing we will. We can't do that here on Gudrun, too many people that have too much to lose. But Cruesa might be that place, guarding the North against Fleshshapers if we have to. But aside from that I imagine us raising floating cities of shining white marble. It's not lost on me that if we took Cruesa however that'd we'd have the biggest population in the UNW, potentially more people that the populations of the other UNW planets combined. And I fear being...Controlled heavily."

“Controlled? Cyrus if your plan is to break off into our own nation I don’t think the UNW is going to stand for it”

"I'm not talking about that necessarily, it's a ways off anyway - I'm just sharing my fears with you, I can't really do that all to much with anyone else, not about these matters. The UNW grows more bureaucratic by the day, politics and legislation. Vipers lurk in the shadows. I just fear that anything we build will not be ours for long."

“You’ll find out the hard way when it comes to running a world of your own then. The rules and process exists for a reason.

4:34 PM

“You won’t be master of anything for long if there’s no mechanism to ensure one guiding handl

"I understand the need for a mechanism, just not one that hampers what we do for the good of the universe."

“I’m struggling to see how we’ve been hampered” she says expectantly

4:39 PM

“Consulting publicly elected representatives before inviting a heavily armed sovereign military into our territory seems like common sense”

Cyrus sighs "It's not just that, I feel like we are used like a headsman. Bargained to kill on their word, only to have our leashed pulled at the sign of too much freedom. And what of what we found on Mataine? Do you think if they knew about that they wouldn't want it for themselves?"

“I don’t think they’d have a reason to take it”

4:48 PM

(This is all sort of really random to me. I’m not sure where this is going)

4:48 PM

“And as far as Malak. You offered. I’m not sure why you’re upset at them for taking you up on it”

4:49 PM

“If I offered you a piece of cake and you took some, then I got upset with you for eating it. What sense would that make?”

"They have reason enough if they wanted - it'd put anything in the UNW arsenal to shame. Malak was a criminal and a monster, I did offer to take him down. And I did it. I don't know, I'm not saying that it'll happen or even that I want it. I'm just, sharing my thoughts. We were told to take Cruesa at any cost by Kincaid, the more people we bring into this and the more supervision the UNW give to it, the less that's going to be an option. I think it's just weighing on me, the cost of it all - what it's going to take, what's required of us."

“Cruesa is a treasure and it’s resources will help realize not just your dream but they’ll improve the lives of all UNW citizens. People far worse off than you or I. You complain of oppression but this same president has allowed you to levy a private army from their own citizens , act with very little supervision, and even speak in ruling councils where traditionally no military presence is permitted. You’ve butted heads a few times. Big deal. That’s what happens when people try to work together.”

4:58 PM

“Cyrus I really think you’re making a big to do about nothing”

Cyrus says nothing to that, choosing to brood on the matter a little before looking up again. "I think I'm losing my mind a little, Gods, War, Politics, all the responsibility. Keeping those I love safe. It just all seems impossible sometimes. Like gripping sand."

“You’re not doing it alone. You’ve got me. There are many more good people in government than bad. You’ve got strong friends”

Cyrus nods "Words are wind, their actions will speak truths, and I'm sure we shall see them soon. I do not doubt my Brothers, Seung, Billy, Cayne and the others. And I would never doubt you." He says smiling and bringing a hand up to touch her face gently. "You are the strongest of us all."

“I’m just trying to give you practical advice” she says. Still very much in business mode. “It’s not like I want you to fail. I’m trying to prevent you from worrying about problems you don’t have”

"I know, and I understand that. We'll see how things progress - For now, let's talk about what to do next. I've got a few things I'd like to do but time runs short, I need to get in contact with Scmander but it'll take time for his reply with him being all the way North, as well as General Quince. After that, I want to contract a skald, before Cruesa, so they can document the affairs. I think our troops as they are, are about as prepared as they can be for the campaign." (We need to figure out their new stuff from the modified warfare rules as well as that bonus at some point too but that can be done whenever OOC)

Cyrus sighs "I'm going to go send a message to Scmander and then Quince." He says leaving to his office.

(i dont really want to have 2 things going at once, i think we will pause here until cruesa is over

(I mean I kinda wanted to have the skald thing done before Cruesa)

(okay, i mean, that could have been clarified)

11:44 AM

The comm terminal lights up, sensing your approach

(I did yesterday, like 3 posts up before we started the process but it's fine, I'll leave it if it's too much.) Cyrus sits down and records a message to send to Scmander. "Scmander, well done so far on your progress on Maitane - After our actions later in the month I will be sending more men to your command in order to establish a more permanent foothold on the planet, in the meantime secure the findings and create a defendable position. If you run into any issues whatever they might be don't hesitate to inform me. I'll message Quince and get an update on when the NMC ships will be arriving to augment the planets garrison." He sends the message knowing it will take a while to get there. Secondly he sends a message to General Quince of the NMC "General, I hope this message find you in good health, as requested I have established a small foothold on the planet of Maitane in order to help the NMC forces create a staging point, however holding it may prove impossible if your own forces do not augment the garrison there sooner rather than later. A few ships would not go amiss if they were to orbit the planet."

The replies will both be coming soon, the NMC report expected sooner. Word has not been had prior from Scmander about garrison reinforcement. An update should follow soon

Cyrus sits back in his chair "Where do I even find a historian?!" He shouts to the room then claps "Baron will know!"

12:49 PM

He stands up and grabs his keys walking out of his office. "I'm going to Baron's you want to come?" He says popping his head into see Cole as he heads out.

“Sure. I’m in the mood for a drink. Cyrus I know they’ll be good soldiers one day but some of them right now couldn’t hump their way through a wet paper bag. I need a drink”

"Let's go then!" He says holding her coat for her as she puts it on. And walking out to the car with her and driving to the Harvest Spirits.

The spirits is busy tonight. News of the upcoming battle and the death of provost o Shea has the bar full

Cyrus walks in with Cole smiling and greeting a few familiar faces and some of his own soldiers as he makes his way to the bar.

Cyrus makes sure to get Cole a seat before himself. Then looks at the bar nodding to the bartender "Could you find me Baron, tell him Cyrus would like to drink with him."

The bartender, a gruff man with a leather jacket, turns around to get the Baron. He has a patch on the back that shows a cartoonish robot drinking oil Keep well lubricated

4:52 PM

after a few moments, the Baron emerges

Cyrus chuckles at the jacket grins when he sees Baron. "Hello old timer, business is good it seems sorrow and war are your best customers. What will you do when peace reigns through the galaxy?"

“Probably stop for a proper drink myself” he says pouring a tall glass for all of you. The drink glows a faint blue and it’s served in a comical looking test tube

Cyrus raises an eyebrow "What's this now?" he says taking the tall glass and sniffing it.

Dax comes in to Harvest Spirits with, surprisingly, a girl trailing behind him. "Oh, hi Cyrus."

5:50 PM

(I think this is only the 2nd time we've officially met?)

5:50 PM

(Besides seeing you at unity meetings)

(Yeah that sounds about right)

5:52 PM

Cyrus turns seeing Dax and the girl a smile on his face "Hey there Friend." He grasps your forearm in a warriors shake "How goes it?"

"Honestly... it's been rough. Have you heard the news from Acastus? I just landed."

Cyrus nods the smile going from his face replaced by a grave look. "Aye, that I did. Des went out like a Hero from what I hear - if only we could all die with such grace and courage."

5:57 PM

"The Still Lady is defeated though, that is after all the greater purpose achieved. He died so that you and his people could live free of her rule."

"You're right, but that doesn't make it feel any better."

5:58 PM

"In any case, I'm not here to rain on your party. This is perhaps a conversation for another time."

5:59 PM

Dax comes to his senses, "Oh! Where are my manners? Cyrus, this is Vorianu. She is one of the gunners on my crew, and a great one at that."

Cyrus smiles taking her hand and shaking it lightly "A pleasure! This is Cole, my better half." He says gesturing to the dark haired woman sat next to him.

6:04 PM

"So what brings you here? Drinking away the sorrows or are you two on a date?" There's a flash of a smirk on Cyrus' face

There's a short 'deer-in-the-headlights' look at the mention of a date. "Uh..." Dax looks back at her. "Maybe?"

6:07 PM

"I don't know what to call it, but I do know I'm starving for some real food after living on a ship for a while."

Cyrus burst out in a chuckle at the sight of Dax's nerves and Cole punches him in the arm. "Oh to be young again! Well Baron here has some of the best food this side of a Terezinho'an mirror trout!"

"So I've heard! Well I'll quit bothering you two and let you get back to it. We're going to eat and try to think happier thoughts for a while."

"I'll see you later Friend, if you need to talk don't hesitate to call me. My door is always open to my Friends and Comrades." Cyrus puts a hand on Dax's shoulder.

6:35 PM

Cyrus turns back to Baron and Cole "He's a good lad. Now where were we... Oh yes, what is this?" He gestures at the blue liquid

“Made from some plants native to terezinho. The glow is just an additive. Drink itself is native”

3

8:11 PM

“First of the peach trees we made years ago at landing are finally bearing viable fruit”

"Sounds good!" Cyrus lifts the glass sniffing the liquid first before taking a sip

"Now down to business I suppose, I hope you can help me. I'm looking to hire someone a Chronicler, Historian - someone to record the deeds of my organisation and it's people. I couldn't thibk of anywhere to start and knowing that you know most people I thought you might have some insight."

“Interesting. Well there’s a man out in Prime who goes by the name Mateo. He was going to run the museum Dr. Thorn had planned to open. With her gone a history lover like him has found himself out of the job”

"Prime ey? That might be our man, I'll have to pay him a visit. Building a future and a people's identity means laying down their past and present. Thank you Baron." Cyrus pauses drinking again "What became of the potential links between you and that idiot that shot up the bar at the docks."

“Greystar has him now but it sounds like he’s still doing what he can for the UNW behind the scenes. I think perhaps maybe he was misjudged”

"Misjudged? Perhaps, he did a stupid and rash thing that cost someone their life. Though he may now be doing good that does not make up for past mistakes, though it is admirable."

“It’s better than the alternative” he says, point half made. “As far as your historian id make a call out there. It’s not quite what he was after but it’s better than something out of his field”

"I will do, thank you again Baron, now will you drink the night away with us?" Cyrus says toasting to him

"I'll have a couple/ I'm still working!" he says, toasting the rest of you

Cyrus proceeds to drink himself drunk with Cole and some of the others, he tells stories of daring do and the fantastic sights the universe has to offer - though most of his stories feature someone else as the hero of the tale not wanting to dilute the story by having people think he is publicising his exploits.

After the night is passed Cyrus wakes groggily from his bed rolling over to look at Cole

She is fast asleep but stirs as you move, rousing

Cyrus kisses her nose "Hey there sleepy, good night?"

"Felt like it, glad we have five days to sleep this off en route"

"Aye, that we do - Before we go I'm gonna go make Mateo an offer of employment. I'll leave you to sleep this off a little longer. I want him with us when we go to Cruesa, first documentation of events being us fighting the Remnant into breaking. Hopefully that is." Cyrus smiles and brushes her hair out of her eye and pauses a second. "I'll see you later on. Don't sleep too long or you'll get cranky."

"You're always cranky" she throws one of the too many pillows you have at you.

10:59 AM

"i'll see you tonight, don't be gone too long"

Cyrus chuckles and kisses her again before rolling out of bed and getting a shower. Dressing in casual uniform, donning a grey long coat and red scarf before leaving into the December air taking Nemesis with him. He travels to Prime via atmo flyer.

Stepping off the transport Cyrus makes his way into Prime, his first time in the city Cyrus takes his time walking to museum.

The museum is an empty space, its few exhibits covered by oilcloth. the building doesnt even look open, most people would wonder why, but you know better

Cyrus shakes his head "A shame, such few good ideas, marred by the bad. A pity." He says to Nemesis as he walks in holding the door open for her to come in behind him. "Hello?!" He shouts inquisitively into the emptiness of the museum proper.

Something falls toward the back of the building, a sound of boxes tumbling over and a grunt of pain

Cyrus strides towards the noise looking to help who ever has fallen

You pass through another few galleries, empty places for paintings, empty plinths for statutes, and speakers that have yet to play a single song, old or new. you see a pair of feet struggling underneath a fallen pile of boxes and scattered books

Cyrus rushes over and pulls some of the boxes off "Nem, drag the poor man out." He says nodding towards the victim.

Mateo is man on the wrong side of middle age, with a pair of goggles that look to be multi spectrum. He wears traveling clothes, and you see his personal compad , screen lit, full of saved news articles about things he think might make good exhibits here

Cyrus helps the man to his feet "Hey there Friend, you must be Mateo. The names Cyrus, Cyrus Adonis."

(You want to pick this back up while we wait?)

(Sure)

4:53 PM

“Hello Cyrus. You know my name already it sounds like. I was the curator here until today”

"I see, you've been closed down?"

“No business. People associate us with the former owner”

5:13 PM

“If you own a compad you’d know who”

Cyrus chuckles "Oh I know better than most, I used to work with Thorn, well adjacent to her at least. I was also the man that hunted down and killed Malak al-Muta. They were working together."

He frowns. “I wish I didn’t know that. I’d like to forget all about her. Look at me. A historian afraid of the past”

"Perhaps I can help you Friend."

5:19 PM

"If you wish to be done of this place, and seek fulfilment and meaning in your work - I could give you that."

“what are you proposing?” He says, trying to right some of the fallen boxes

Cyrus gives him a hand, Nemesis walks over a sniffs one of the exhibits of a stuffed lope. "I'm sure you're well informed. I lead the Elysium Initiative. I'm trying to build something for my people, not just a company but a culture. My warriors and I fight for a better life, their families and even others flock to our banner. However in order to build a future we must also cultivate a past. I need someone to witness our deeds, record them, not just that of battles but also unification and other such things. I'd like that person to be you, to start with, perhaps in time you will hire more scribes. You shall build a Chronicle of histories of my people and their deeds. What do you say? I can offer you a new life, with purpose, doing good for people that have seen little of it in recent years."

He doesn’t say anything at first and turns around to sit in his office chair for the last time. He looks at a time piece on his desk for a few long seconds. “When would we be leaving?”

"Now."

5:33 PM

"You'll be coming with me to Cruesa, to oversee the battle - from a distance of course. Aboard the troop ship with my Warriors."

Cyrus moves through the lines towards the field HQ to find Cole (Thought I might get some RP in while the space battle goes on)

Cole is assisting on getting a few of the wounded to a medical lander. Mateo is nearby, making a sketch of the scene. Down the street behind a set of collapsible barriers , the Remnant infantry unit that was blocking their advance is similarly dug in, doing much the same

Cyrus walks over taking off his helmet and attaching it to his belt. He goes over to a wounded Myrmidon next to Cole's steadying him while the field surgeon works. "It's okay Brother, we'll have you out of here and in the arms of your sweetheart soon." He says glancing at his vitals and gripping his hand in his as the surgeon works.

He is stable, and will live, but he will be uncomfortable for at least a few weeks

9:31 AM

Down the road, you see an ambulance being loaded up with a few Remnant wounded

"How are we doing Commander?" He asks turning his attention back to Cole as the young Myrmidon is loaded onto the lifter

"Stalled for now. We're giving it to them despite the numbers advantage, but we knew this wouldn't be bloodless"

"We've given our terms, if they surrender we'll honour it... to an extent. There will be a reckoning, and it will be unconditional."

"To an extent?" her helmet is off, and her eyebrow is crooked in confusion

"Chainveil, if there are any left, will not be taken alive. As for Commando's we will hold trials for. Planetary defence force are just common soldiers, they will be interred as POW's but will be afforded all the courtesies of being a prisoner of war."

'I haven't seen many of the first two, so far." She says "Those we have seen were dealt with already"

"Aye, I doubt there are many left, which is why I have hope that this will lead to a surrender."

12:38 PM

"We've killed most of them. Then after all this is done, there's the question of politicians and the like."

12:39 PM

"But that's for later."

12:39 PM

"How have the civilians been? Have our forces come into contact with a lot of them?"

"Just like our own, they're keeping to their homes when they can"

12:41 PM

"It hasn't always been easy. There's some collateral damage. I don't think we could have avoided it"

12:41 PM

"We've had a bit of looting. I just can't be everywhere at once to try to rein it in"

"Those caught will be punished after the conflict. We'll make an example. As for damage, that's gonna be the case - we're being as low impact as we can."

"Right. It sounds like things in space are as under control as they'll be too"

12:44 PM

"Thank god for the NMC"

"Aye, it seems that the Gods are with us. I'm sure the tactical and political advantages of having Cruesa under friendly control have also played a part. And all that work we did with Quince came in handy."

12:46 PM

"I heard that the third strike team had some casualties...What happened there? Did they get ambushed?"

"Fell into the gas giant. That taros intel officer, and our friend Cornelius. He followed her right in"

Cyrus sighs "Shame, I'm sure Cal will complete the mission he's a damn good Warrior."

"Looks like we've got some feed from that. There's a camera drone watching their duel right now. Cheeky bastard lured the garrison commander out"

Cyrus brings up the feed on his suits arm display and watches "That's not fair! His isn't even in a mech!" Cyrus says in mock annoyance before watching on

Cyrus looks to Cole, pausing the transmission to the President General "Do I give the order to carry on? How do we punish the people that made this horror possible without killing millions more in the process?"

“Carry on? You mean continue fighting?”

"Aye, the war. This lunatic wants to surrender."

“And we kill thousands more than those millions by refusing it?”

7:18 PM

“If you think it’s genuine we have no choice but to negotiate”

"Okay." Is all Cyrus says before looking back conferring with the other generals.

Cyrus gets off the call after giving the order to stand by. He turns slowly, now looking suddenly - very tired.

"I think it's over...With the Remnant at least."

“Yes it is” she says blankly. She is tired herself

Cyrus leans forward and takes her armoured hand in his. "We won, our people are avenged." He says, though it almost feels like a question.

“I’m sure there are so many we don’t even know about. No time to wax philosophical though”

"I suppose now we focus on what's at hand. Stabilizing Cruesa."

9:27 PM

"I instructed a team to go down and rig the TECT with demolition charges on key structures, I'm going to sink it." The wait of that burden is apparent in the tone of his voice but it's clear to Cole he doesn't want to think about it too much

“Needs to be done. If it’s not handled now someone will find a way to do something worse with it”

"It does. Mercy or not there's still 350 million down there, women, children, fathers, mothers." He says looking at the console for a long moment before flicking the detonator, knowing that the team is clear.

You’re too far away to hear the blast but the signal on your pad shows it was sent cleanly with no interference

"It's done. A bloody business this has been."

Cole wordlessly gets up and starts getting the soldiers around her in order to hear to the end of the street and start processing Remnant surrenders

Cyrus turns to Mateo. "Make sure you note that down. History will judge me for it I'm sure."

He says nothing, continuing to write and sketch, looking on at the aftermath of the battle

Cyrus stands walking over to Commander Korkova clapping a hand on his shoulder "You fought well out their Brother, it seems to have paid off, they've had enough of us."

"I think we've had enough of them too. Taking on that many...with so few..."

"It wouldn't be the first time, or the last."

6:56 AM

"Now we can be a peace, for a time at least. We'll hold fast here make it our own. You up for that?"

He nods, putting his helmet back into place, and begins scanning side streets

Over the next few days Cyrus and his troops will oversee the surrender of the remaining Remnant Garrison disarming them, any general soldiers will be processed, their names and I.D's circulated into the system and then after a few days they are sent back into the city provided they have cooperated and there is no evidence placing them at the scene of any looting or other such crimes that may have been committed.

10:21 AM

(Are there any pockets of resistance?)

There is verified eyewitness and camera drone footage of the three myrmidons looting a civilian home. Stolen family jewelry was also found in their possession. As of now, there are no pockets of resistance, but the mood in the city is tense, and there have been civilian protests at several transportation hubs

Cyrus has the three Myrmidons brought to him on the Military station

They have been relieved of their power armor for now, and cole stands with you as the three are brought to you under guard-members of a different detachment in charge of the detail, so there is no leniency or special treatment- another of the small innovations she has made learned through her own service

10:27 AM

(I'm going to try to go step by step with city stuff, over time. This isn't going to be a matter of investing a few days, or weeks)

(Of course, this is just the next steps into that movement. The immediate after action stuff) (What's the usual sentence for this kind of thing? In say the UNW military or other pre scream armies, so I can get a gauge for what to do)

(It spans the spectrum, for the black sun it probably would have been flogging and then penal duty for a month, like hard labor/cleaning latrines, for the Empire, it probably would have been capital punishment since they were much more a state sponsored force)

10:32 AM

(And can't really be seen as undisciplined or marauders if they're to have any legitimacy )

(Yeah. It's a delicate balance)

10:35 AM

Cyrus stands looking down at the three prisoners. "You were given clear instruction, there was to be no looting, no pillage of any sort. Yet you were caught looting, you have put me in a very difficult position. More than that you have shamed the armour you wore, the people you fought with and the sacrifices of the others made in this conflict. Commander Cole, what would you recommend as punishment? I would hear your voice in this."

"They knew their orders beforehand and chose personal gain over the reputation of their units"

Cyrus sighs. "You could've been heros, but you chose to be thugs. An example must be made, the Myrmidons are not looters, they are disciplined Warriors. You are paid well for a reason. Do you have anything to say for yourselves before I pass judgement?"

None of them say anything or even look to one another

"You give me no choice, given the situation, the orders you were given were clear. The sentence is death."

They are taken back to holding, as Cole sags into what was once the sensor mate's chair

10:50 AM

"so how are you going to do it?"

"Firing squad. If I did it publicly would it reassure the people of Cruesa? Or would it reinforce sentiments of us being no different than the Remnant?"

"I think it would demonstrate responsibility. The crimes were committed against the people here. They'd want to see that taken seriously"

"Okay, public execution it is, put the word out. Similar fates for those that do the same. Hopefully we will not have to do this again"

Cyrus slumps in a chair next to her. "Give me a broad diagnosis of the after action report."

"268 dead, or so wounded they won't ever fight again. About that many injured, though expected to return to duty. These three bring us up to 271. "

"We came out of this well all things considered."

11:35 AM

"Though it's not over yet. What were the protests about?"

"The hand at the crank has changed. People fear what awaits them under UNW rule. The Remnant was not unkind to its citizens, just its enemies. There's a lot of fear on the streets, that they'll be punished for the crimes of its military"

"We need to reassure the populace that that is not the case. Firstly will be the execution of those looters. Secondly will be a public show of unity I think. Have we got any leaders of the people? Governors or politicians, even public figures like Mord but natives."

"You ordered their arrest, I believe. Those we have accounted for are in transit to Shariar"

"I thought as much, nobles and all. Surely there are some lower class social leaders?"

"We could canvas for some. Things were heavy handed, if i was on the other side of this I'd have gone to ground myself"

12:51 PM

"They might think we're trying to arrest them"

"Canvas if you would, might be able to get a hand from Mord on it - he'll have an easier time of it than armour warriors. If we find any don't bring them in with force, just tell them I'd like to talk about making this transition bloodless and as smooth as possible."

"Lastly, the thing I want to ask about least. Have any Chainveil or Commando's been recovered?"

'None. Gone to ground I suspect. The choice of death, or imprisonment, humiliation, and then death...this isnt really an unexpected outcome"

Cyrus seems to weigh that up. "For the Chainveil perhaps."

1:38 PM

"Some of the Commando's may be redeemed."

she shrugs. "You'd do the same in their shoes, I'd expect"

"I would, that doesn't mean we have any other option but to hunt them down."

1:40 PM

"Chainveil wont be so hard to catch, they're that fanatical that they will strike soon. That and all their cyberware will need maintenance. Commando's are a different story."

1:41 PM

"I think I may know some people who can help us."

1:43 PM

"Do we have estimates of how many might be left in the cities?"

1:44 PM

"I'd imagined the bulk went down with the fleets and stations."

"None, we didnt exactly have data here, what we did have was wildly inaccurate"

"Okay, well I'll appeal for aid to the council in that regard."

8:55 AM

"How are the Warriors? Whats morale like?" (edited)

"Not good. Not even about losses. The population here is afraid of us, and its making our men nervous"

"Do you see a way to boost trust? For both our troops and the people?"

"Just getting through the day to day without trouble. We need to do everything we can to return a sense of normalcy, and long term, we need to rebuild the domestic police and security. Power armored soldiers on every street corner are the biggest reminder that they're under occupation:

"Have we got any police left over that we could talk to?"

"Likewise gone to ground. Your orders...." she trails off, unwilling to complete the sentence

"Speak your mind Cole."

“When the choice is death, or fight and then death...these are men of action. Our time here is going to become much more violent, and extended”

9:09 PM

Her compad beeps and she sighs. “Case and point. We’re needed in the park”

(I mean OOC here a second my orders were not to KOS police or any other forces apart from Chainveil) Cyrus stands gesturing for Eryx to follow. As they make their way to a lander. "Lets move." (edited)

(It was the heavy handedness in general is what shes getting at, but shes just suggesting)

6:52 AM

The park is a grisly sight. Two Myrmidons have been hung from a tree, cut open from neck to groin, their organs in a wet pile below them A faded, blood spattered remnant banner , its pole missing, sits below them.

"Korkova, I want this people found. What route were these men on?"

He makes a few taps on his compad. "Heading down to primary engineering- they were trying to secure the gravitics control room for the city"

"What about the rest of the squad?"

"Securing the approach down from a counter-attack they thought might be coming. Those two were broken off from the squad to scout

"Take this down. In the meantime question the locals, I doubt we'll get anything from them but let them know that nothing is going to get better while this kind of thing is happening." He says to Cole "Eyrx, with me we are going to go down to engineering to try and pick up the trail."

"Korkova get a handle on the streets. Make sure our guys are always in squads."

'Got it, fireteams at least. I'll pass the word" Korkova says

9:45 AM

The rest of you form up, heading for the engineering section, passing city streets ranging from just an ordinary day, to war torn with shell craters or gunfire pocked homes

Cyrus has a thought and notes it down for later - Invest in new infrastructure and housing as soon as possible to further build relations with the locals - "Eyrx what do you think should be our response to the attack? You've been a soldier longer than any of my other staff. You've fought insurgencies before surely."

'Restraint, even when its hard" Eryx says, looking around the street as you all walk. "They're going to do things to poke your ire, hoping you'll make poor choices out of anger."

11:24 AM

"This is an elaborate, emotional dance"

"So if we catch these killers? What then?"

11:27 AM

"The men wont take kindly to being executed for looting when their killers go free..."

"Well, we don't spare either group. "

2:41 PM

"but we limit the violence to those directly responsible"

"Okay, decisive and quick. If we catch them, we'll execute both parties publicly. One after another."

2:41 PM

"It's harsh, but it will show the people we are fair but firm."

2:42 PM

"We need to get this done before the UNW arrive. Otherwise we may run into issues."

"I don't want this to be turned into a police state. But in these early days we need order, from everyone, I need to balance mercy with those that fall in line so to speak and be clinical to those that break the rules."

Its another ten minutes of walking before you come to the small engineering building, really just an area for workers to change, and store personal items before heading into the mechanical guts of the floating city platform to do what needs to be done to keep it flying.

Cyrus walks in with Eyrx taking a look around the interior "I suppose we head down."

(boop)

“We will have to. The suits we have are going to be tough to turn around in down there though”

7:26 AM

“I think that’s how the scouts got dragged down”

"let's switch into normal field uniforms then. I learnt the hard way in the jungle that this thing isn't always the best. Make sure the suits are guarded." He commands his personal guard. "I think it's best if just me and Sergeant Eyrx go down.* Cyrus changes into a field uniform in the E.I colours of black and gold along with Eyrx before headed down there.

The rest guard the suits and the outside of the facility just in case. Eryx has the both of your suits threaded with shoulder mounted lights to more easily see into the darkness of the engineering space below

Cyrus moves first going down the narrow walkways towards the location where his people were taken.

Eryx has his compad out but swears after a few minutes. It doesn’t look to be tracking properly

"Jamming or is it environmental?"

“Too hard to tell which”

"Keep an eye out Friend, watch your corners." He almost whispers as they move through the tunnels heading towards the vague last known area.

(Notice wis)

(12 - and Alert 2 if that counts for anything in this situation)

There is dust in the tunnel is enough to illuminate a faint red laser at neck height to eryx and chest height for you. (Same laser just height difference between you)

Cyrus makes a series of hand gestures to Eyrx to notify him as Cyrus crouches under looking to either end of the laser to find it's sources.

nestled in the pipes, a bundle of magma grenades tied to a repurposed laser sight is set up as a rudimentary but far more lethal claymore

Cyrus marks it for the engineers knowing that he's more likely to blow himself up if he attempted to disarm it. Then he and Eyrx move on.

(its blocking your path)

(Can I not avoid the laser?)

(No, youre in a narrow engineering space, and its blocking your path)

"Okay, Eyrx. Take a few steps back I'm gonna have to try and play this this thing."

7:52 PM

Cyrus moves forward and attempts to disarms the device.

(fix.int)

(I crit, 12 - You cannot defeat me)

The device is complex, despite its assembly with off the shelf parts, but youre able to disconnect the power to the trigger with some of the clips and snaps that come with the combat armor you're wearing. Most of the time it is to help get plates on and off in combat, but for this, they work fine

"Huh, that actually worked." Cyrus does his work, taking the bundle of grenades and putting them in his bag for later disposal. He then beckons Eyrx to carry on with him

(Yeah they won’t function as normal grenades anymore. The triggers are all messed up for the trap but they won’t blow up in your bag Noah

9:45 AM

(Now)

9:45 AM

Moving ahead past the trap the engineering compartment turns right and there is a closed control room at the end. The hallway is dark and no light is coming out from under the door

Cyrus looks at the door checking it for traps.

You don’t notice anything further on this side of the door

Cyrus attempts to open the door

The door opens about 10 centimeters before a bullet pings off the door, making a shower of sparks

Cyrus ducks to one side taking impromtu cover "Ho there Friend! Who you shooting at?"

There are another two shots at the door, each of them lodging in the metal close to you. Your attacker remains silent

Cyrus uses his foot on the bottom of the door to open it a little more as he attempt to remaining cover. He nods to Eyrx to lay down fire (Not gonna roll its more just blind fire.)

Two shots hit the pipe above eryx’s head, as he lays down suppressing fire.

Cyrus dives through the door attempting to find cover inside the room

There’s a trio of freestanding computer consoles between you and the shooter that you can make your way to. Laying where you are his most recent shots have gone over your head.

6:27 AM

Eryx fires another burst into the room

Cyrus pushes up with the momentum of his movement vaulting the cover and attempt to jump on whomever might be on the other side firing.

(Lets get an exert/str then)

6:29 AM

The shooter fires another two shots back at eryx

(8)

(20/10, 23/9 on eryx) He grunts. “Fuck. Cyrus I’m hit!” You hear his call for help as you barely carry over the consoles and collide with the shooter. The impact is jarring as your combat uniform plates slam together and he is knocked to the floor under your weight

Cyrus lands on top of him attempting to clock him with the butt of his rifle

6:47 AM

(30 to hit don't know what the damage would be)

(Medium primitive melee weapon)

(6 damage)

"Eryx stay down, I've got him now."

There is a silver flash as a combat knife is pulled from a sheathe, but the angle is poor and it only scratches a superficial line down your thighguard

10:32 AM

(7 to hit)

Cyrus rolls off the combatant sling his rifle around his back before snapping out a stun baton "Stand down and surrender." He commands before ducking a wild strike and attempting to slap the shooter with the electrified baton (Will roll in a second)

(27/7)

(You drew a weapon that’s your action)

1:45 PM

The knife slashed out again (exact same roll) making a second graze alongside the first

Cyrus attempts to slap him with the baton. (15/7 this time)

There is a wet snap, and he is knocked unconscious.

"Okay, he's down, you're good to come in now Eyrx." Cyrus says bending down and restraining the culprit.

"I..I'll try" He grunts as he stands, blood slowly leaking from two holes in his chestplate

(he took 19, thankfully he's still got 11hp)

2:24 PM

Cyrus stands and helps him into the room. "Come on old timer, you need to sit down." Cyrus helps him into the chair before looking around the room

(yeah still hurts getting shot twice i'd expect) The room was a control space, but not the primary one, for city gravitics. Most of the functions are tied into the main control room, deeper within the mechanical guts of the large float platform this hub occupies

Cyrus kneels down to the restrained and unconscious prisoner searching him. (Is he in uniform, what does he look like ect)

He is in what's left of a Remnant commando uniform though some of the plates are missing, or too broken to be any protection. He has several days of stubble, and looks to be going through the first stages of malnourishment

"Okay Eyrx, I'm gonna go ahead. You are gonna wait here for me with sleeping beauty here. Got it?"

“Alright. I’ll stay with him” There is a door at the other end of the room, by where the shooter was perched. Another engineering corridor lies beyond it, floor angled to gently go down into the bowels of the city

Cyrus cocks his rifles and checks the suppressor before moving on through the door further down into the under city

The air down here is warm with this much machinery packed this close together. The sounds of the large gravitic impellers keeping the station aloft is loud. Ahead , the master control room is perched among the machinery. It’s door is shut but the lights inside the room are on

Cyrus creeps towards it rifle raised looking to see figures in the room and around the surrounding area.

The door is a solid metal panel with a rubber seal to keep it a closed environment- likely to help it stay cool. It’s too loud to hear if anything is within

Cyrus tries the door slowly as to hopefully not give himself away.

The handle is pliant, and unlocked. You open it a crack to see three chainveil inside. There is a muffled pop as one of the engineers at the controls in here is shot at point blank. He is likewise wearing Remnant coveralls

Cyrus takes a half step back and kicks the door open firing at the first Chainveil that shot the engineer. (23/29)

He stumbles a step backwards before recovering, the three of them opening fire

7:21 PM

(25/12, 24/24)

Cyrus his hit in the shoulder and grazed at the side as he ducks back around the doorway taking cover firing at a different Chainveil as he does. (27/19)

The second chainveil is wounded as the penetrative round hits something sensitive within the armor. He swears in the most guttural tirade of explicative you’ve ever heard. They continue hosing fire at you

7:34 PM

(Crit, 11 already doubled, the rest miss)

Cyrus fires at the last unharmed one as his ankle flashes with burning pain (37/23)

He is hit, caught in the thigh by the shot. The three of them return fire once again, the doorframe Torn to ruins

Cyrus swings the rifle around on it's sling and snaps out the baton again before going silent attempting to feign death after the tirade at the other side of the wall

9:10 PM

Hoping to lure them out of the room to finish the kill

(I have to roll their damage yet. Had to step away from computer for a minute

9:33 PM

(28/19, 24/12, 29/22)

9:33 PM

One of them begins stomping forward when there is no return fire to investigate

(Fuck I'm almost rinsed) Cyrus evaluates his situation opting to use his rifle instead. He moves backwards into further cover well away from the door waiting for the Chaiveil to reach the door before opening up on him (22/13) "Eyrx, need backup. Almost done." He says between breathes.

The chainveil in the door is shot dead, the round blowing out the back of his helmet

9:52 PM

There is a click from inside the room as a magma grenade is tossed into the hallway (evasion save)

(Crit success)

The grenade rolls off the gantry, through the railing and explodes harmlessly 10m below, showering pipes and conduits below with burning chemical vapor

Cyrus looks down at his stomach as he slumps against the wall he's taking cover behind, blood oozes out at an alarming rate. "This could be it." He whispers to himself as he leans around the corner firing into the room (35/24) "Eyrx, I'm losing blood - lots of it. Two of them left I think, maybe one. Chainveil." He says into his comm unit his eyes growing heavy and his mind foggy.

The second chainveil falls, arm blown off above the elbow by your shot. His suit systems won’t be able to cope with the blood loss, you can already tell. You hear the heavy stomp of eryx coming closer but it’s hard to tell how close when the confined space echoes with this much noise

5:40 AM

The sole remaining chainveil fires a burst into the hallway (27/16)

The burst paints the wall and knits a hole in Cyrus' side before he loses consciousness. (I'm down. You want me to RP Eyrx for the moment?)

(Your suit stabilizes you, but yeah while youre unconscious, we can do that)

Eyrx runs through the corridors hearing the static on the line - having already called for backup to come down in his wake

7:19 AM

(I'm not in my suit, remember?)

7:19 AM

(We took them off.)

7:19 AM

(That's why I'm almost dead haha)

(Ah right)

7:23 AM

One chainveil, heavily wounded, stands in the doorframe, inspecting the wreckage in the hallway

Panting heavy Eyrx slides onto his knees as he rounds the corner hoping to take him by surprise, his blood hot. (25/20)

The Remnant elite stimbles back into the room, falling onto his back, dead

7:32 AM

(and then a heal/int check at DC6)

(11) Eyrx runs over to Cyrus and rips open what left of his fatigues showing a grizzly sight of wounds to the torso slapping a Lazarus patch on his chest and keeping pressure on the wounds "Chiefs down! He's lost a lot of blood, He's stable but we need a medevac now!"

There is some kind of response on the other end of the line, but this deep into the guts of the station you can;t really hear what is being said

Eryx grunts as he turns Cyrus on his side and then rolls him attempting to get him in a firemans carry.

The large man is difficult to haul up, with with the patch on him, hes working at least under some of his own power

"Come on big man stay with me! Otherwise Cole'll have my balls for a necklace." He grunt making his way down the narrow corridors.

Your calls for a medic were indeed heard, as Eryx and cyrus make their way back to the surface level.

9:50 AM

Several squads have shown up to cordon the area, and some myrmidons are getting into 'tunnel rat' style loadouts, to ensure there are no more lurking problems with the gravitics here

Eyrx loads Cyrus onto a medi transport and gets on one himself being fairly injured after to giving a report to Korkova. Then the two are driven away (Cut to Cyrus waking up in a hospital bed)

There is a hiss as the air mask is removed, and Cyrus awakens with a brief shock, as his lungs fill up with the cold hospital ward air under their own power

Cyrus gasp then coughs up blood and phlem, his throat sore after whatever tubes had been put down there. He looks around hazey his eyes not used to the bright lights

You hear a hiss, as someone opens a drink in the corner of the room

Still confused but slowly regaining his wits he turns looking to the corner

Cole is sitting there, sipping a beer. The clock says 7am.

11:56 AM

"Morning wussy" she smiles.

11:57 AM

"get shot a few times and decide to take a nap eh?"

Cyrus chuckles and tries to sit up but fails groaning "A few times?" He says in mock indignation "I bet they pulled enough metal out of me to make an assault suit... Eyrx!" He says remembering "Is he okay?"

"Not back to active duty yet, but he'll live"

"You been sat there long?"

Cyrus takes a few second and lifts himself up propping himself up slowly.

"Few hours. Been trying to keep the security situation here from collapsing, normal stuff. you know"

"How's it looking?"

He swings his legs out of bed and gingerly sits on the edge of the bed looking at her

"Not great. Two carbombs. A shooting,, and a raid on one of our field hospitals. We lost 12, and dozens of civilians"

"How do the populace feel about it? Who do they blame?"

1:11 PM

(BTW I bought Informers on Cruesa this past month, will that help with I.D'ing cells and the like?)

(They dont become active until month end. The month is spent assembling the network/training people

1:17 PM

(page 214 of core book)Buy Asset: The faction buys one asset on their homeworld or another planet on which they have a Base of Influence. These assets take time to assemble, and can neither attack, defend, nor grant their special benefits until the beginning of the faction’s next turn. The faction must have a sufficient rating to buy an asset, and the planet must have a tech level sufficient to support the asset’s creation. Only one asset can be purchased by a faction per turn.

(No problem, just making sure they'd be of use.)

(they will

"If the people are just as afraid or angry at the preparators of this terror campaign then they can be persuaded to help hunt them."

1:21 PM

"Without support from the people this insurgency is dead in it's tracks, they can't fight if they have nowhere to hide."

"We'll have to find that out"

1:44 PM

"The UNW reinforcements should be here by tonight"

"Okay, then let's call a council meeting tonight we'll hold it on the first Military station. We can get things straight and start really working on a plan. Seung said he's sent us Giles, I guess he'll be arriving with the UNW forces along with a hundred or so W.S troops to help Giles."

"What we need, is people to head up the cities. If the people here don't nominate them or there aren't any clear citizens of good character we'll have to bring our own in. Maybe I should do some of that anyway, advisors and the like. As much as I trust you and the others, most of us are soldiers. Not politicians and humanitarians. We need some of them now. I'm going to need you and the others to do other things besides anyway."

"Right. Well, we have a bit of time to kill before the meeting. We've taken you up into orbit, if you couldn't tell. It was too risky to have you in one of their hospitals"

Cyrus stands gingerly walking to the window. "What were your thoughts?"

“We should have the meeting first. I think it’s better to listen for a while. You’re in no shape to do any of this yourself for a while anyway” (3xp, 5000 credits for the tunnel fight) (edited)

"Let's do that then, as you say I'm not the picture of health at the moment." Cyrus says turning and wincing a little walking over to her and smiling. "How have you been in all of this?" He asks, gently taking her hand in his as he sits down in a chair beside her. "We haven't had much time to talk about ourselves in a while."

"We did right before we left. Week isnt enough time?" she says. "This compliance might be the death of us yet"

"I'm more worried about how all this fighting is affecting us. I feel like I'm becoming colder. More...used to it? Is it just more or do you feel it too? You've been doing this longer than I have I suppose."

"You become colder to situations, not to the people you care about, in my experience"

7:44 AM

"Theres something I heard in drill school once...It's called a moral injury"

"Moral injury huh? Yeah, that sounds about right. I think the things I've experienced of late have only made my love for those I care about deeper. There's a need to protect or be around people, like I wont always get the chance I think."

"Society programs you that certain actions are unacceptable, or wrong. Think about on your world even, how hard it was to take your first life. It's hard to deprogram yourself, and once you do, you feel that disconnection

Cyrus nods "Aye, normal people don't get it. Killing is distasteful to them. They hear about it on the news and are fine ordering it over a meeting table but when it comes to dealing it out they send soldiers in to do their dirty work for them. It's how it's always been. I suppose now we have a society of our own to build we could make things different, though it's a fine line between having our culture be built on balanced principles of peace through war if needs be and cold."

She shrugs

8:14 AM

"We have a meeting to attend, we should get on with it"

Cyrus nods and stands "I best get dressed, don't want to turn up in a hospital gown." He changes into his uniform then walks with Cole to the conference room.

Giles and the Whitaker Solutions team have arrived, along with a few officers from the UNW contingent of peacekeepers

Cyrus walks into the room "Ah, Hello Friends!" He nods at Korkova and Lars as he walks to the head of the table - he tries to sit but only manages to slump in the chair. He takes a few seconds to look more composed before continuing. "Please sit."

Cyrus,
I just got a batch of new blood on Terezhino, 30 of whom are being trained as we speak for immediate dispatch to Crusea to help with investigations and to help keep the peace. I know it's a small amount, but their tactics combined with the manpower you and the UNW military have should create a better security and policing situation. Let me know if you need any more, I'm going to be doing some serious work this month and next to expand our numbers.
Marcion

End of the Month.

8:58 AM

(We finally got some concrete numbers, there are like 60 marshals right now, but I'm going to keep those on the home planets)

8:59 AM

(These other 30 will be trained by the end of the month, bringing the number to 90)

(Sweet thanks)

(Plus 9 squads of SWAT with 10 men each, and admin staff and pilots and such, bringing our numbers total to 300)

9:00 AM

(That should keep growing, will make your lives easier when it comes to peacekeeping these places)

(Definitely, taking these places is only half the journey, taming them is another.)

(There are a bunch of long term goals listed in the intelligence faction channel, just scroll up. One of them is effectively to establish the blue hats)

"Let's get this started Friends. So, now the UNW troops are here you will take up primary peacekeeping rolls within the three cities. Sadly until the situation gets better that means Checkpoints, stop and searches and the like. My Myrmidons for the most part will take up residence in the military stations as well as a small garrison on the planet. Cole, Korkova that's your responsibility."

(just confirming a few things off screen, I've seen this)

"So you're leaving the bulk of the on the street peacekeeping duties to UNW soldiers?"

"Yes, The Myrmidons will redirect their efforts to anti-terrorism. They'll also augment the UNW troops if an attack would happen."

(Did we have how many UNW troopers are being deployed anywhere? I've spent almost all morning trying to find it)

(I think Unity meeting, let me have a gander)

1:06 PM

1:07 PM

(UNW Faction Thread)

(tHanks)

1:10 PM

"That leaves just over 13,000 of us to police cities of millions. I can't help but feel we're being sent into a deathtrap down there"

1:10 PM

"Your anti-terrorism raids after the heavy handed surrender terms are going to see us as the victims, not your men. Us"

(13k? There should be 40?)

(13,000 for each city, 40 split 3 ways)

(I get you)

(Comes to 13,300 and a few remainder)

(Yeah)

1:18 PM

"I've got 12,800 men, give or take - on call to reinforce anytime you can't take the heat. Welcome to the shitty situation we've been in for weeks. People are all good helping you take a damn planet but they don't think much of diverting resources to bring it under control. We aren't going to just raid at random, this will no become a policed state, and my soldiers are surgical. If you have criticisms of the surrender terms General, air them to a political board. This will no be a meat grinder, because we will not let it be." Cyrus turns to the rest of the assembly "Now, along with the new peacekeeping force. There will be a number of other operations to ease the burden." He punctuates the words glancing back at the General. "Giles, you were the lawman once were you not?"

"I still am a lawman, just a new badge on the coat" he opens his duster to show a phoenix medal there

1:26 PM

a holdover from the original task force days

Cyrus smiles "You are most welcome here my Friend. I'd like to task you and your men to find what remains of the old Police force, and create a new one, start in city one and then spread as you can. You'll work closely with all of us here, as well the 30 or so marshals that will arrive early next month. Your job side from this is to reassure the people and attempt to regain non military order. Do you think you can do it?"

"We'll find out" He takes a stamped metal flask out of his coat, and takes a long pull. "Water" he says, seeing the concerned expressions around the room

"I had no doubt. In the meantime you may make your home in the Civilian Station. Commute to the surface."

1:35 PM

"Lars, you have an important job also."

1:41 PM

"You are ex-Remnant, and a more loyal companion and Brother in arms I could not find. I have helped you find your family and returned them to the safety of your embrace. As such I no longer feel like you should be sent with Myrmidon Expeditionary forces, however, Cruesa is to be our home when we stabilize it. And I can think of no one better suited to develop it's protection. I am putting you in charge of the Garrison of this planet, your job now is to campaign to the old Remnant soldiers of this world. Enlighten them to what the Initiative stands for and call them back to arms, they'll get paid, and they'll protect their planet. This time with a clear conscience. You will organise and recruit a new Garrison for the world from the remnants of the old, as well as some new blood. I shall give you a personal bodyguard of a battalion of Myrmidons. 800 Myrmidons of your choice, I would not have you come to harm, they will also form the backbone and veterans of your new unit."

His face pales a bit. "I...Alright. .. thank you Cyrus"

"Don't worry, you'll have help. I'm sending Tavish with you as your second. Cole and myself will help you anyway we can. For now, you job will be to try and get what was the old Garrison on board with the new way of living."

2:49 PM

"Lastly" Cyrus presses a few buttons and holo calls @Rey (Shriven) (edited)

Mord walks in. “Hello Cyrus. What can I do for you?”

"Here he is. Take a seat, I was just settling up with our UNW commanders, Giles and a few others about how to get the Infrastructure of Cruesa back up." (Basically the layout is: UNW Takes over Peacekeeping in the 3 Cities. The bulk of the Myrmidon force moves into the military stations and civilian stations for the time being, leaving around 3k on planet to help with securing city 1. The Myrmidons will take up an anti-terror campaign, raids on cells and the like. Giles will start a police force from the ashes of the old one with help from the Marshal and his own men, attempting to recruit old police. Lars will do the same but with the garrison of the planet, attempting to get old Remnant regulars on side - hopefully him being ex-rem will help) "The key to winning this planet over is hearts and minds. We need the people to like us, more than they fear or liked the old regime and what remains of it. If the insurgents have no support from the people they'll get sloppy, reckless and hungry. I need you Mord to continue your Positive P.R campaign. In the next months the first things we will do is create new housing for the people. Free of charge, state of the art. We also need to make examples of justice. Three of my warriors were caught looting during the fighting, under normal circumstances they'd be heavily diciplined, but they knew the risks and their orders. The people of Cruesa need to know that we do not tolerate this from our own people. We need to reaffirm that we are not marauders. So with a heavy heart, I sentenced them to death. However this sets a president for the insurgents also, I judge everyone equally - as such the Remnant insurgent we found that was part of the lynch mob that gutted and displayed two of my warriors will also be executed. Both publicly."

3:00 PM

"Your thoughts?"

“I think that it should go over well enough. I think the thing that hit the population the hardest was the lost of the TECT. It is going to be a long road to go but I think increasing the quality of life will go a long way. Also your show of fair justice will take some time to impact. The Remnant were not know for that style.”

"But it will set a good example, not all my justice will be so harsh obviously - I want to make the point that repentant commandos, after trail from the UNW are more than welcome, I've come to realise many were not the monsters I perceived, but simply good soldiers. Chainveil however I stand firm on not one of them being redeemable. As for the TECT, I think a well documented candid news broadcast might help alleviate some doubt or clear some minds."

“I agree and I think I know a few people who can help pass the word. I will also mention it in my broadcasts. When I’m talking about the lost of the TECT it is because they lost the thing that made them special, the TECT made their system something desirable. Not that it was a good thing.”

"I suppose that will come again in time, once things have settled we shall develop this world into a jewel once more. But for now, we must make order of the chaos. A few other points, we need to find mayors - people to lead the cities, whether within or without. Willing leaders of the people, perhaps we should stage elections once things cool down a little? Or if not we could just find people to fit the role. As it stands I also need less militaristic advisors but those I believe I can handle."

3:18 PM

(I wonder if I could develop a new trait for the planet at some point? Idk if that's a thing I can do, it'd be a neat goal tho)

“Wasn’t most of the civilian structure just that, civilian? Why can’t you just use that with oversight? Most of the civilians just want a better life and you may even win some loyalty back if you keep the structure the same.”

"That was my first thought, however the leaders of the Remnant exiled themselves, meaning anyone with any power has shipped off - or is in the process."

3:27 PM

"The structure remains we just have no one to fill it."

“Yes but there are aids and lieutenants who have assisted in the process for years. You may have a high fail rate but this could just be the chance they have been waiting for.” (Unless neko says nope they went too.)

( @Nekosmash ?)

(I’ll get to this in a bit I’m driving

(Quick stage a revolt he can’t talk.)

(ERP?)

(Enters Jenny. Mord and Cyrus run.)

(Crushing melons between her massive thighs)

(Her furry thighs.)

2

(I don't want to think about that...sticky)

(What am I actually deciding here you guys said a lot

(If there are aids and LTs still here or not.)

(Low level government officials and the like)

(They’d have gone to ground

"The issue is they've disappeared into the wood work. Invasion being what it is makes people nervous I imagine once we start making headway into gaining favour they will come out of hiding."

"I think that's a situation that's only gonna help itself in time, the steps we're about to take might help."

(alright, so the peacekeepers will split into 3 units. Giles will start with hub A for a police force ,the marshals will be here next month)

(Yeah, Lars will start attempting to reorganise the old garrison and get them on side. Alex will oversee hospitals get back in sync. Mord will handle positive P.R and run a exposé on the old Remnant government)

7:05 PM

"General, by no means do I want you or your men in harms way without support, assured should anything happen I'll have a team of Myrmidons as a QRF inbound within moments."

7:06 PM

"I apologise if I came across short. It's been a long few weeks."

"We'll see" he says, not convinced. "I've men to go send to their deaths. See you all on the ground"

7:09 PM

He gets up from his chair, and snubs his cigar into the ashtray built into the end of the arm. The bridge door hisses as he exits

Cyrus looks at Cole eyebrow raised "I don't think he likes me, what's his background?"

“What gave that away... if there isn’t anything else I will go see what I can do.”

Cyrus nods to Mord "I'll see you later Friend, keep up the good work."

He stands slowly wincing. "Okay, you have your orders. I want updates every few hours. If you have any issues I want to know."

The groups prepare to head down to the surface, and it looks like it will be none too soon, as news of a carbomb at one of the checkpoints comes in.

Cyrus sighs going to find Eyrx in the medbay.

Eryx is under heavy sedation when you go to visit, but the chart hanging at the edge of the bed shows he will recover, and should be able to return to active duty in a few weeks

Cyrus smiles reassured that he's okay he then leaves. Going to rest himself. Once up again he checks reports, he looks for the latest report from Scmander on Mataine. (edited)

(I think the new intake should be there by about now)

7:54 AM

The base construction seems to be going ahead as scheduled. A battalion of NMC rangers is making planetfall later this month, and he and the unit leader are already planning some expeditions into the junk heaps. Scmander wants some deep penetrating sensors to see if there is an actual planet below all the junk, and ends plans for large forges, thinking some of the recycled scrap, even if it doesnt amount to much metal, will at least give the men something to do

7:55 AM

and may help more quickly rebuild Creusa

(How would that work mechanically, as in how do I build the forges? Would we count them as a Sun of Gold thing?)

(I was honestly just going to use it as future possible story hooks, like they might find something interesting now and again as they work)

(Fair enough, just figuring out how to do it.) Cyrus sends back the affirmative, telling him that E.I will divert resources to the project including people, starting next month. (I'm probably gonna send a few more men and maybe some engineers.)

(If we want to turn it into a minor production center for basic ingots or something we can assign 1,000 people there, but as it stands right now, they cant support it)

(Yeah, that was my thought. As of now we'll just use thematics I think)

8:07 AM

(I'm less looking for the trade goods and more for the help it will give the rebuilding process.)

Those suggestions and the brief status report was all Scmander had, for the moment

Cyrus puts in motion the plans for the public execution and gets ready putting on his dress uniform.

(What hub is it taking place in, if one at all)

(City 1)

10:50 AM

(That's where the crimes were committed it makes the most sense for it to happen there I suppose.)

10:54 AM

Cyrus orders the a battalion of Myrmidons into the city to, to oversee the event as well as to witness the statement.

In the absence of a scaffold, a very tall tree in the towns central park has been determined to be the hanging place, and a crowd is gathering, held back by a cordon of your warriors

11:35 AM

A path is also made through them, for the truck that will bring the prisoners to the execution site.

Cyrus takes to a small podium overlooking the tree (Is there a crowd?)

(yes)

Cyrus gives the signal to bring the prisoners as he turns to address the crowd "My name is Warmaster Cyrus Adonis, despite my name I do not relish what I have to do today, for I fight not for the joy but the peace I hope to bring in it's wake. You have been wronged and led astray by your former Governments and Leaders in the Remnant, the tragedy of the TECT and it's victims. However during the liberation of Cruesa there was instances of looting from my troops, today I hope to do justice by the people wronged by those acts. My men were given clear orders not to partake in such actions, and an example must be made. And so, they will pay the ultimate price. Secondly, to the remainder of the Insurgent forces I say this, you too are not beyond my judgement. You too will pay a price for whatever actions you partake in. And so, hung alongside them will be the ex-Remnant Commando, who along with others already dispatched tortured and killed to Myrmidon Warrior. Under my rule none will be exempt from the rule of law. Take solace in the fact that I attempt to be firm yet fair. In this time of unsettlement and chaos we must retain order at any cost lest we devolve into widespread violence." He times his speech so that by the time he ends the prisoners are ready for execution.

An extra trio of nooses has been set aside for the Myrmidons. Although firing squad was ordered, the entire company staged a minor revolt, refusing to follow order and shoot their own brothers. You see Cole making some notes on a pad to have that handled later on.

11:52 AM

A noose has been tied around the necks of all, Remnant commandos, and your own men alike.

"Let this be a moment of turning for you - we are not here to conquer but to liberate. There is no need to fear the UNW or Initiative, for we shall always do our upmost to help you." He gestures to Korkova to begin.

Korkova starts with your own men, a calculated move on his part. He leans close to each of them, and whispers something. Knowing Korkova, probably an apology. One by one, he kicks out the wooden boxes keeping them level.

1:18 PM

The ropes pull taunt with a wet snap, and they struggle. He moves on to the commandos, doing the same.

Cyrus watches his eyes don't leave the criminals until they stop struggling, their last gasps filling the air. Once the last one is dead he turns to the crowd. "Now disperse people of Cruesa, and recount what you have seen here today, let them say not that Cyrus Adonis is not just."

The crowd is stone silent as they leave, ushered out of the park by your warriors on guard duty here

Cyrus walks down from his podium to Cole his face grave. "It is done, have them cut down and laid to rest - I would not have friend or foe be carrion for the crows in this park."

The truck backs up as close to the tree as it makes sense to get, and a few of the detail nearby begin working, doing what they can to ensure the process is done reverently

Cyrus pulls Korkova to one side. "Thank you Brother, I know what you did will weigh on you. But it had to be done."

"It did" he agrees "but that doesn't make it easier. I hope this all ends up worth it"

"It will, too much blood in the ground now for it not to. Something's bound to grow. We made a first step to winning over the people today, we showed them that we believe in values of equality. Make sure the men are well rewarded, give them some leave on the civilian station."

“I’m at a loss for what to do about that company.” Cole says. “For the love of their brothers they wouldn’t make a firing squad but they still disobeyed orders”

"I shall talk to them, assemble them in parade formation, out of the way of praying eyes. Best not to show anyone outside of the command that there might be disunity within the ranks."

1

“I’ll have them sent to the troop ship. They’ll be some of the only ones up there. Few prying eyes”

"Good idea." Cyrus puts a hand on her shoulder and smiles "I don't know what I'd do without you my Love."

A few hi

9:36 PM

hours later the members of the company in question are assembled on the primary troop deck, waiting on you

Cyrus walks into the expansive room, unaccompanied as was his request, he wears his uniform but no weapons. He waits quietly looking at them, surveying the troops in front of him

They survey you back. They have no real information on why they've been called here, only that the were to be spoken to. There are some educated guesses, but nothing compared to the word of an officer

Cyrus takes a seat on a crate rather unceremoniously and gestures for them to be at ease "You've been called here today because of your unwillingness to follow the order given to you to kill you ex-brothers, now departed."

A wave of tension ripples through the room, you can see the bunching of muscle. a handful instinctively reach for sidearms they've been forced to leave in quarters (edited)

"I'm not here to sentence you, you should know me by now - I do not pronounce judgement lightly. I'm here to listen to your grievances."

7:54 AM

"So come forth and speak"

"You ordered us to kill our own squadmates. Are our actions really a surprise to you?" one near the back calls out, his voice is faint in the cavernous embarkation deck

"When members of your unit partake in actions against orders they are no longer your brothers or sisters in arms. But by extension the unit is dishonoured as is the entire army - secondly the unit is also responsible for their actions and so must be punished. They were your brothers, you cannot tell me some of you did not have knowledge of their actions. It is bot only the responsibility of officers to keep you in line. Your punishment was to put them to death. I will bot begrudge your loyalty to your fellows, it's admirable but you must realise I cannot have soldiers disobeying orders."

'So what happens now? Are we to be hung too?"

"Double duties for a month, As I said I admire your commitment to your brothers as missplaced as it was. The thing you need to realise that as soon as they made the choice to take from others as opposed to following orders, they chose themselves above you all and were no longer your comrades. They betrayed you as much as they did my orders."

The threat of a violent punishment dispelled by your words, you feel them relax, even if only partially

"Let this be a warning, I see myself as your custodian - do not let me hear of this happening again. I do this not to be cruel but to educate. Many would have you more severely punished."

Sensing this complete, their squad leaders begin getting them into formation to return to barracks, and await work detail.

9:00 AM

(3xp for good rp)

Cyrus walks out meeting up with Cole. "I gave them double duties for a month, have them clear rubble from homes and the like. I know perhaps I should've been harsher but their hearts were in the right place. I explained that it wouldn't be tolerated again."

"They've been given enough rope." she agrees "To swing or hang is up to them now"

"I'm glad you agree, have a few of the sergeants watch them closely. That might chill any tempers that might flare." (edited)

"What now I wonder. Everything immediate has been solved - do you think the operation would be okay without me here for a few days?"

"It's going to have to be. you're far too injured still for frontline service"

Cyrus grins impishly "Is that concern I hear in your voice Colonel?"

"Maybe a little. We can't afford a change of command, especially not with the occupation still on edge"

Cyrus chuckles "Love you too. I'm thinking about heading to Asleif. I had a lead from a long while back when I fist went to help you, Seung told me about some allies of his he'd put on the planet, exiles an order of assassins and spies."

"I should be alarmed, but i guess Aslief isn't my concern anymore, is it?

"They were low impact, they just wanted somewhere to live. They're Taros - I think they got out of there while the politcal landscape changed. But with Asleif becoming more populated and less radioactive I bet they're getting close to being discovered."

10:43 AM

"Might be what we need right now though."

"See if you can make contact then, I suppose. THey're of better use here"

"My thoughts exactly."

11:44 AM

"Anything you want me to do while I'm there? Anything you left unfinished?"

"I am done with Aslief. The council removed me, after I defended them, and such is their right under how things are run there., but I will remember it"

Cyrus cups her chin with his hand gently "I know you will, but you have a home now, we shall make it a glistening diamond in the darkness." He leans in to kiss her "I shall return soon I promise, in the meantime - I leave the operation in your hands. I trust you more than any other."

"We'll see how things go. I have my doubts about the army commander"

"In what sense? Do you think he means us harm?"

"No, but I think he will not employ his men in the best ways to gain peace here. He is unwilling to take risks. Almost too unwilling"

"Keep an eye on him, as best you can. Perhaps have our officers make connections with theirs. Let our forces befriend his, then if something were to happen to the General for whatever reason his forces might be inclined to fall in line. If needed. Do we have anyone that could look into the General's history and background?"

'Not if you also want them doing peacekeeping here and trying to root out RONI forces gone to ground"

"Okay, leave it as is for now then, just observe I'll do some digging while I'm on my way to Asleif. If the situation develops then let me know. Another thing, best not to make it known I'm off world, if anyone asks I'm healing."

"Ill keep a couple squads on 'guard' duty"

Cyrus nods "Okay, I'll see you once I get back, I'll take the courier and my own squad, barring Eyrx of course. Should be discreet enough." He kisses her on the forehead. "Don't miss me too much."

"Ill try not to" she says with a grin "Maybe you'll even have a planet to come back to still"

"With you in charge, there's a good chance there will be. Seeya later." He says pausing a few moments looking into her eyes seemingly lost for a few second before pulling himself away to his ship.

(taking the courier?_

(Yeah, and 9 people from my personal squad, leaving Eyrx to heal.)

2:42 PM

(10 people including Cyrus)

2:44 PM

Downtime On the way to Asleif Cyrus attempts to use his clearance to pull the General's files, personal and professional. Using connections in the UNW offices and military.

(admin/int, or cha)

(I crit! 17 - I've been leveling admin past couple of levels I'm glad it's paid off!)

The General was one of the militia leaders during the first underhill assault on the colony, standing with Jaxton Ryder at the landing zone, when admin was just a hollowed out hulk of metal, and most of the citizens still lived in tents. Armed with just scrap metal shields and clubs, they only lost a handful to the insect swarm. He would later go on to be part of the team keeping order in the mines by Golgis, when a riot seemed imminent. His most recent deployment before now was assisting with the purge of the underhill island, his unit taking the feeding pools and burning the millions of eggs found there. It is evident this man is no coward.

"A man of substance..." Cyrus files the documents.

2:55 PM

Secondly he messages Seung on a secure line. @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina)

Brother, 
I'm headed to Asleif to find the Daughters in hopes of bringing them back to Cruesa to help me take it and hopefully add to my ranks if possible. Is there anything more you can tell me about them?

Seung replies back to Cyrus.

 Unfortunately Cyrus I was not part of the group that brought them to Aslief. They chose the planet themselves and were left in the country side. I don't know where they've gone beyond that as I have not made contact since. I would look for missing children if they're still gaining ranks that way or just for any Taros on the planet honestly.

Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how it goes.

3:04 PM

As an afterthought Cyrus checks to see if the General had any controversial views on the war with the Remnant. "He's fought against bugs aye, but not soldiers."

The UNW army was never deployed against the Remnant aside from a few pathfinding teams here and there. His views are not listed .

- I think the next logical step would be for me to sit down and talk to him. Perhaps this is personal, perhaps not. - Cyrus thinks to himself having played this out as much as I can on paper for now. Lastly he follows Seung's advice looking for at reports from Asleif trying to narrow search windows to possible Taros spottings and missing children. Failing that, unsolved murders and thefts. Trying to narrow the search down area by area.

There are zero mentions of taros anywhere in asliefs archives aside from their own syndication of news from Gudrun. There are missing children cases but all seem to be within the time of the Remnant occupation , nothing recent.

5:03 PM

Unsolved murder and theft brings back tens of thousands of hits

"Hmm. Interesting." He thinks of likely place he would hide and checks on Harmony's status (Is it still irradiated?) and New Taurus. Following the logic that the two furthest cities out might be the best places to start being that they'd have less traffic. Even if they don't inhabit there, they might live in the nearby wilderness.

Harmony is no longer irradiated. Technical teams are still moving through the city burning whatever can be burned and cleaning out the last debris

5:09 PM

New Taurus was bombarded heavily by the Remnant but with the academy survivors evacuated to Gudrun the numetalum dust does not trouble the average person more than normal pollution would

Cyrus take the information in and takes the rest of the time to rest getting re-acquainted with Nemesis having left her out of the fighting on Cruesa. (She was probably with Cole, sent by Cyrus to protect her.)

Nemesis is glad to be back. The planet spins below on the main viewscreen while you look over the crime you’d requested

"Okay Nem we are going hunting." Cyrus looks to the pilot "Take us down to New Taurus. The rest of you, change into civvies, you'll be posing as general ship workers, side arms on display - duffle bag the rifles just in case. You'll be watching me from a distance. I'm going to make myself rather loud and set myself up to be ambushed if they are here."

(So city outskirts?

(Yeah)

The courier comes down outside new Taurus, clearing with surface defenses on its way down. The city is stabilizing, war scarred but spared the worst of the fighting

Cyrus gets into his fatigues knowing he's easy to spot and attempting to use it to his advantage. He walks out of this ship first with Nem a pistol on his hip - the others have instructions to track him through his compad at a distance.

6:58 PM

He heads into the city proper.

You see dozens of humans walking the streets, going about their daily business. A few pay you glances here and there but nearly everyone here is plugged into the news and keeps track

(How big is this city? As far as population)

(It’s the biggest on planet I don’t recall their exact figure off hand , but since most of it was intact a lot of refugees came here)

Cyrus heads to the nearest spacer and docker bar.

(Don’t forger you’re not at full health right now either) (edited)

(4 days of healing puts me up to 79 hp still not full though)

There are a few bars in town but most custom goes through the orbitals now that they’re complete. As such there’s not a designated spacer spot, you feel welcome at ‘Diamond Dust’ , an astrology themed bar

Cyrus walks in Nem following close behind. He looks around casually as he strides towards the bar counter noting the faces in the bar.

They continue to drink watered down ale from their cups. A couple place drink tokens into a bucket for a one armed child playing harmonica

8:09 PM

You see his cup is filled with an even more watered down ale

Cyrus walks over to the barman "Hello Friend, busy evening?"

“always lately. drink?”

"Aye, the good stuff." He slips a substantial cred stick across the bar. "Make sure the kid gets fed and a bed too."

“He’s got so many guardian angels. You wouldn’t believe it”

"I can well believe it Friend, should never happen - too many lost to war. If it's a consolation for you all we made them pay at Cruesa." He says with a knowing look before continuing. "I'm going to ask a weird question, you ever heard of some people called the Daughters of the Lotus?" He whispers as he leans close.

“Never heard of them. Friends of yours?” He asks.

"I wouldn't say that exactly, who would I talk to in town to get the word out that I'm looking for them? Who shouts the loudest? I'm less looking for knowledge and more making myself known." (edited)

“I don’t know who they are. I can’t help you friend”

5:21 AM

(He doesn’t know anything about them so he can’t really tell you where to go for information)

(I'm more asking who to go to so I can dissimilate the information, I'm looking for someone to ask questions or put the word out that I'm looking for them.)

“Throw some money around in the market. Someone there would gladly spread the word for some extra credits”

"Thank you Friend. Here take this for your trouble." Cyrus hands over a thousand credits.

He puts it in the drawer and begins pouring drinks for the other patrons

5:45 AM

The child continues playing his sad song

Cyrus sips his drink and lets his team know that he's going to be staying here for a few hours before moving off to the market so they can get some time off if only for a few hours. He tasks them to find a decent hotel or boarding house for them to stay in while on the OP. Then he sits and listens to the sad song drinking taking in the atmosphere of the place.

Life is slowly returning to normal here jobs are easy to find and the complaints here about small things sound like the ones you’d hear back at home. If it wasn’t for the presence of war wounds on many you’d never have known aslief was under occupation

After a few hours of listening and talking with the denizens of the bar Cyrus leaves comming his team "Have you found a place for us to stay in the city?"

“Floor of a hotel. Second from the roof. Only place in town right now even with all the cash we swung around”

"Sounds good, drop me the coordinates I'll stop by after I visit the market." Cyrus confirms as he makes his way to the market.

A night market has been set up in the main square. Motorized vehicles have always been forbidden here and the main fountain brilliantly reflects the thousands of stings of colored lights set up between stalls and across the market for light. Hundreds of people stop at stalls or duck into storefronts on the square to get their daily needs

Cyrus spends time walking around the nightmarket before starting to work his magic, particularly looking for something to bring back for Cole. (I'm thinking maybe something reflecting Asleif's warrior past if there are any antique stalls and the like.)

There is a selection of dirks at one of the stalls. Most sellers seem unconcerned with culture right now when there’s money to be made selling critical supplies for tomorrow

He looks over the selection but is thinking about getting something truly special. He asks the vendor "Tell me friend, if I was looking at getting something unique and old, very precious who would I go to, do you know? You see, the woman I love is Asleifi and I'd like to get her something beautiful and old."

“If you’re looking for something precious I’d try the mountains. Remnant carried off a lot of our wealth. Couldn’t take it all at once though. Heard they hid some of their plunder in the hills around the old prisoner camp. No ones turned anything up yet thoughL

"I will thank you Friend." Cyrus gives the man a credstick holding a hundred credits. After which he gets to work putting out the word that 'An old Phoenix wishes to find the Daughters of the Lotus.' He spread cash around the marketplace, greases as many palms of shady and honest folk alike.

You spend time time handing out credit sticks, though you immediately can’t be sure how effective it is

His job done he heads back to the hotel and meets with his guard he exchanges his findings "How did you find the city? It seems rather lively all things considered."

“We didn’t get much time to explore. Finding lodging took a while with how packed the city is”

"If you wish, take the night off, all we can do now is wait to see if I've been loud enough. Go have fun, but don't get into trouble. We are supposed to be loud but we aren't supposed to be Initiative, not this time."

They all thank you and begin filing out into the city, not often at Liberty they intend to enjoy themselves

Cyrus opens a duffle bag and takes out his rifle beginning to clean it. He links into the ships network and checks the reports from Cruesa.

Two more car bombs have gone off in hub B. An entire UNW squad in C has gone missing

Cyrus directs a Brigade of Myrmidons (3200 strong) to move into Hub C to help with the search and lockdown. Cyrus also has a Battalion (800) move into B to help with the search and lockdown.

3:10 PM

(The Brigade is under the command of Korkova.)

3:13 PM

After the orders are sent out he tries to get some rest, still being injured.

(Is the brigade being pulled from somewhere else. If so where )

3:35 PM

You hear everyone come back late into the night, they’re trying to be quiet but are all quiet drunk so it is too hard for them

(Reserves, they're being held on the Mil station - Out of a division there was a Brigade in hub A then one of Mil station 1 and one on mil station 2)

3:36 PM

(So I'll move the brigade from mil station 1 and a battalion from Mil 2 to Hub B)

3:38 PM

Cyrus turns over as Nemesis stirs. He smiles and yawns before checking time and going back to sleep.

It is very late and you sleep fitfully until morning. Everyone else will be later in waking up. You can already tell

Cyrus gets up tired but he's not angry at his Warriors for letting go. He walks down to get breakfast at a local cafe.

Whilst eating he brings up his commpad brining up the UNW files on the Daughters. (I've read their brief on Roll20 just want to know if there's anything I might be able to glean while I'm waiting for things to move along)

(Nothing else really. you got the message out there, and just because you're doing it doesnt meant it will work)

(Oh for sure. Don't worry this isn't my entire plan.)

Breakfast is simple, but there is enough of it, and enough for Nemesis as well. Your crew has still not woken up, but such is to be expected.

He eats heartily taking a walk with Nemesis around the city before heading back to the hotel around noon. "Wake up you drunks it's time to work again!" He shouts with a chuckle as he walks back in.

Everyone is crabby and someone throws a pillow as your very loud voice is more than their hangovers can manage right now\

Cyrus chuckles "Get yourselves up and ready I have assignments for you, don't worry they're kind. But I need you conscious to hear them."

"Alright" someone groans from under a different pillow "What are they?"

"Five of you are headed out, two the other cities on planet. Don't worry you'll be going by Atmo so it wont be days of travel. You'll put the word out like I did yesterday. Spread money around that 'An old Phoenix seeks the Daughter of the Lotus' and is willing to pay for their services. Dig in to the cities as you can - learn if any of the Taros women have been spotted nearby. If anyone asks tell them I can be found at the old mine complex up north. Expenses will be paid, but don't go stupid, your elite warriors not drunkards. Be professional. One will stay here to carry on manning the post. The other 3 of you will stay on the ship in low orbit, waiting for my call. In the meantime - I and Nem will go up north to the mine, I've got a lead on something I want to look into. It'll also give me a good excuse to get alone, if they're watching they'll feel more comfortable approaching." (edited)

Unless you’d interject they decide among themselves who is going where, and who has ship duty. They begin packing.

Cyrus let's them make the arrangements amongst themselves. Grabbing his own gear he heads out with them to the local airport. Booking their flights himself and paying for everything he also gives them a healthy amount of cash to spread around for the job before looking for a pilot to take him to the old mine.

7:35 PM

(How much is this gonna cost, I feel like the amount of money I'm throwing at this isn't negligible - which is the idea)

(I was going to ask you. The flights aren’t anything hardly. 200 each but ‘a healthy amount of cash’ doesn’t do anything for me)

7:36 PM

(I don’t know what you’d consider that to be)

(let's say 50k per city. So including the one I've just done and will have someone continue to do that'd be 300,000 credits)

7:41 PM

(+5k each for living expenses making it 330,000)

(I think that’s reasonable l)

7:42 PM

There is a pilot willing to get close but the area itself is painful for a lot of Asliefians to see.

7:42 PM

He can drop you ten kilometers away but you’ll have to make the remaining trek to the camp ruins yourself

Cyrus thanks him, knowing the feeling having been here before. Last time with Kaleb to wipe out a group of RONI in the area.

7:45 PM

After being dropped off with his gear he and Nem walk into the wilderness. Cyrus breathe in the fresh air. "Ahhh Nem, it feels like forever since I was out in the open air."

Nemesis is pleased to be in the wild again with you and even more pleased to be doing it in a new place.

9:21 PM

There are a few warning signs to watch for ghouls and some other natural hazards but the camp environs seem empty. The picks and shovels of reconstruction have not reached here and may never

Cyrus hikes with Nemesis in the direction of the old mine, his rifle unslung and in his hands. On the look out for threats, though generally he's enjoying himself.

5:03 AM

"What would you think if Cole and I were to have a child Nem?"

“Man problems. Man things.” You sense her focus almost entirely on the hunt

Cyrus chuckles "Fair enough, you smell anything?"

“Gravesmell. Bodies below us. Rotting”

Cyrus stops and takes a knee, digging his fingers into the earth, checking to see if it's new earth or it has been packed down (Like if it's loose or not)

It has been packed down

"Hmmm, a grave perhaps. Though there are mines around, they could be down there."

“They?” Nemesis asks

"The bodies."

"It's hard to tell, if the bodies had been buried under us then there may have been looser earth here." He gestures to the ground around them "overturned earth, but it may have been trampled down since then, the ground is firm." (edited)

Nemesis seems to agree with the mines being a burial site. The Remnant wouldn’t have used their soldiers for mortuary duty.

"Let's find the entrance. Should be somewhere around here." Cyrus says looking around the immediate area for old signs of traffic

It’s not hard to find the mining roads. The trees haven’t had time to regrow to cover them yet, though in a few years it would be impossible to find them. You can se the clearing ahead from where the camp was built with fallen native lumber

Cyrus walks through the camp looking over the former mine and site of the massacre, he walks with almost reverence. Feeling the weight of the place.

The evidence of the violence here has been taken down. Seung ordered his men to do so since the locks authorities could not. You do feel a haunting sense about the area , however

Cyrus puts a hand to the ground, closing his eyes and taking a minute to ground himself saying a silent prayer for the dead.

3:41 PM

After a few moments of pause his stands feeling assured in his war on the Remnant and how it has ended up. He looks for an entrance to the mine complex

The mine entrance has a wooden supported opening heading deeper underground. The doors are also a thick wood and are chained shut

Cyrus takes a step back unsheathing his disruption blade and cleaving down on the chains that bind the door.

The field sparks, and the chains fall to the ground with a clink, rust flakes billow down, knocked from the chain itself by the field

Cyrus flourish the weapon displacing the rust from the air as he pushes the doors open. The servos of his suit cycling

Even through your helmet, you can smell the stink of rotting bodies. The inside is not lit, and you can hear shifting in the darkness

"Nemesis, to me." Cyrus unslings is rifle and turns on his thermal vision.

Thousands of rats are nesting, burrowing, running, and feasting on te bodies buried inside the mine, even after the passage of all this time.

8:11 PM

At the sudden light from outside, they begin streaming towards the door

Cyrus stands almost completely still as they run past, though not squirmish even he has trouble suppressing a gag at the sight.

(physical effect or evasion save, your choice)

(Success)

You feel the rats beginning to climb, as most stream past, they bite the plates, and try to wiggle into the gaps in your armor, around the joints especially, and you feel a few of their sharpened teeth against your skin. You can only hope they're not carrying any kind of disease. Nothing serious seems to have occurred, for now, at any rate. It takes a few moments for all but the most bloated or dim-witted to pass, allowing you entry into the mine

"That, was rank." Is all he says as he takes a few seconds to start walking (I made a physical save out of the two choice, which the description applied to - just wanted to let you know if it made a difference.) "Come on Nem...."

(It does but you wont know you're not going to get sick in the moment)

8:55 PM

The mine gently slopes down from the entry hallway into a gallery where more bodies have been stacked up. THe rats are gone, but myriad insects have remained, untroubled by your presence here. A quick review of the bodies show they were stripped of valuables before being thrown in here. Two tunnels, an east, and west, diverge from this first gallery

Cyrus goes east moving slowly knowing only too well that bodies bring predators.

The eastern passage is stained black with months of dried blood. Gently stepping around bodies you have moments here and there to see the heavily worked seams in the walls. These mines were rich once, and still are, with the ores needed for steel, but local legend will prevent this place from ever being worked by natives again

10:00 PM

The air gets steadily colder as you descend into another gallery with more evidence of massacre

"This place reeks of death and despair. It's in the very ground now." Cyrus says to Nemesis as he scans around. Taking out a glowbug and sticking it on the wall to show the way out.

Nemesis begins pawing through bodies stacked up nearby, sniffing the ground intently

Cyrus moves over to her shifting one of the bodies out of the way to get a better look.

There is something buried under them, the plunderers hoping the horror of the situation would be enough to deter casual looters

9:28 AM

The ground has been churned, and there is a lid flush with the soil pack

Cyrus takes a knee digging into the earth with his hands either side of the lid and skirting the edge. Checking whether or not it might have been trapped as well.

The looters seemed to feel the corpses and haunted reputation of the burial site were enough of a defense.

Cyrus shifts the earth around it and attempts to lift it free of the ground and bodies around it

The box looks to have once been a wooden case, where heavy weapons would have been packed in straw for easy transport. The straw is still there, you can see some of it poking out from between the broad wooden slats

Cyrus takes it the center of the room putting on his suit lights, taking his knife he cracks the case open

There are rings inside the case. Hundreds of them. Some are simple wedding bands, others are more ornate, and older, heirlooms evidently

Cyrus sits back on his haunches looking at them "Rings of the dead." Cyrus mulls it over before closing the lid again securing it and putting it in the corner. "Good girl Nem." He says patting her side. He looks around the room for another exit deeper into the mine if there is one.

There is a collapsed passage ahead of you, tonnes of rock fallen within it.

"Okay, let's have a look at the other route see if anything's there." Cyrus says carrying the box with him moving back to the crossroads and going to the western route this time. (edited)

The western route leads to a very large mining gallery, and this looks to have been one of the original execution and burial grounds. Bullet pocks and energy scars coat the walls of the room, along with dried bloody handprints from the wounded. The air is cold, and even after several full seasonal cycles, the air still smells faintly of cordite.

Cyrus shivers in his armour, walking down the gallery his observes everything disgusted by the manner of death that befell the people here. He searches the area with Nem for any other potential hidden loot, checking piles of bodies most of all.

(Notice/wis)

(12)

In the back of the room under the most sizeable pile of bodies, you notice churned earth around the edges of the group

2:40 PM

Nemesis begins digging at the edge

Cyrus moves the bodies one by one before helping to to dig up the earth.

Your armored gloves brush against something metallic as you dig, brushing away what looks to be some kind of a dial, and clock face

2:42 PM

Several hundred hours are listed on the front section before it finishes counting down to whatever happens at 0

2:42 PM

(you cant see the whole thing yet, just the clock face)

Cyrus attempts to scoop dirt away down the frame, feeling out the shape of the object

the object is tube shaped, and looks to extend deep into the rock and soil

1

"Mining charge perhaps." Cyrus looks to see how long it's been in the ground, trying to find rust or any signs of aging.

There is a small amount, enough for it to have been placed around the time of the invasion

Cyrus inspects the dial looking to see how it functions. (Is it analogue or digital ect)

It looks to be digital

Cyrus presses the keypad attempting to prompt it to run through it's features however basic. (basically flipping through the menu if it has one)

There is no menu or features beyond the clock.

(How much longer is left on the clock?)

(3 days, 21 hours, 5 minutes, 10 seconds)

Cyrus pulls on the thing seeing if it will come free of the ground.

You can pull more of it out of the ground so the countdown clock is level with you but the probe still extends at least dozens of meters down from what you can tell

(how big is it? if this was a bomb how destructive do I think it'd be?)

(I dont think youd have a way to tell how destructive or even what kind of bomb it is by looking at it)

Cyrus takes a step back looking at the device. "I'm not sure what to do with this Nem, I think... I think I'm going to leave it."

7:14 PM

"Let me try one last thing." Cyrus looks at his suit sensors, seeing if radiation levels are any higher around the device.

Radiation is not increasing around the device

"My guess is this is a mining charge, I doubt it will do much damage, and if it does. I think this place might be the better for it. Bury the dead." He hoists the box onto his shoulder "Come on, let's get out of this grave." He says making for the exit.

Heading out into the open air, you can see the rings better in the moonlight. Each is made of a precious metal and has at least one small stone set into it

Cyrus sets up a small camp on a hill overlooking the mine complex but far enough not to smell the dead. Once he's finished he goes through the rings faced with a moral quandary to keep them or give them back to the people of Asleif in hopes that theu could get back to the remaining family of the people they were taken from. Finally he settles on giving them back. He closes the lid and sets it aside for later. He sits by the fire stroking Nem. "This planet has seen so much death, I think it's only right we give something back. I have an idea what to get Cole."

“What will she get?” Nemesis asks

"This planet was once a Warrior nation, recently it has reawakened in spirit. Cole values martial prowess and utility in her possessions, I shall strive to find a master swordsmith on planet. I shall have crafted a blade of exquisite beauty and deadly precision. A reflexion of the woman who will wield it."

Nemesis yawns, and paws at the ground, before curling up for sleep

Cyrus chuckles "Human problems." He says laying back and falling asleep too. (edited)

As long as their are no disturbances Cyrus sleeps through until the morning. After this he checks in with the ship to see how people are making out so far.

There are no disturbances. your teams are in place but there is no activity and they have not been approached

Cyrus stands and breaks up camp, walking back down the mouth of the mine he looks for tracks of ghouls, wondering if they had come to the area last night for the promise of fresh, but not so fresh, meat.

You see some drag marks, where bodies have been carried away. The easy feast inside was evidently an easier meal than bothering you.

Cyrus nods to Nem. "Let's track them back to their lair, clear them out. The hunt begins."

(survive/wis)

(9)

You follow the dried blood through the brush, to a small river, that looks fordable a bit further down, across some large stones

Cyrus moves down the riverside his thermals illuminating the darkness of the bush around him. Once he gets to the large stones he starts to make his way over them.

"Smell anything Nem?" He asks (edited)

Nemesis bounds across the stones ahead of you and begins digging into a bush, pulling out a half eaten corpse

Cyrus raises his rifle sweeping the wilderness around him for signs of movement as he teaches the other side of the bank he moves over to the corpse slowly "They probably leave them here until they're hungry again."

Nemesis affirms wordlessly, and digging a big more reveals two other shallowly dug holes for bodies

10:12 AM

"Feeding. Was here soon ago"

"Lets get on their trail then be careful they wont be far behind." Cyrus starts looking around for another trail to pick up.

(Well we're going to go into initiative, you cant see the ghouls from where they are now but one would be launching itself out of a treetop at you. If you want something to shoot at, he'd have to swing first as you hold your action)

(Alert 2 Can't be suprised

)

(Yes which is why i bothered to type all that out)

10:30 AM

(as to why hes swinging first)

(Ahhh I get you)

The ghoul lands in front of you, claws extended, narrowly missing and the air sings as its claws slash through it

10:32 AM

Howling, it rounds on you, trying to assess why there is not a warm body pinned under it

Cyrus having ducked to loom at a track at the time feels to movement in the air and rolls to the side coming to aim at the ghoul. (Will roll in a bit)

(35/23)

The Shot drives into the ghoul, knocking it on its back. It cartwheels up, diving toward you again

11:53 AM

(rolling shortly)

The ghoul's claws sail by, the attack sluggish with its injuries

Cyrus uses his suit boosters as the ghoul dives he launches above it and fires into it's back and Nemesis comes from the side. (34/29 - Cyrus . 16/10 - Nemesis)

The ghoul is killed by the shot as nemesis sinks her teeth into it.

Cyrus looks around the environment, knowing that these thing rarely fight alone and prefer to hunt in packs. He makes a point to look up.

There are bodies draped across upper tree branches but no further ghouls

“Sick” nemesis says, pawing at the corpse. The flesh of the ghoul is ripped in several places from disease and not from your combat with it.

7:25 PM

“Feeding on carrion. Could not hunt living prey”

"I see, must be getting desperate. I can't say its a bad thing. These things prey on the weak anyway." Cyrus looks around "Even if it isn't the only one, if they're all like this I don't think we'll have much of a problem."

Nemesis growls and you sense her agreement

5:25 AM

“Weak hunt. Weak prey”

"Let us leave this place for a greater query. Come." Cyrus leave the wood back towards his camp getting in touch with the ship to come and pick him up. (Is Praxia the Capital?)

(Cove Neck is now)

6:59 AM

(unsurprisingly I'm sure)

6:59 AM

The ship heads down and after a few moments of waiting, you're aboard

Cyrus directs the to Praxia hoping the local government will be easier to deal with. Whilst on the way he reads the reports from Cruesa.

The missing patrol was found, all headless, and all dumped in the streets of hub C, where they were originally taken. A video broadcast was attempted, but your engineers were able to take it off air before much of it played.

7:30 AM

(it was a UNW patrol, not your men)

"We need to find these Daughters faster. This long haul strategy isn't going to work much longer. Can we use the imaging from the ship in orbit to narrow down where someone might put a base? Far enough so they wont get stumbled onto but near enough to fresh water and potential supplies, and in concealable terrain?"

"It'll take days to do a fine detail scan like that, and we're assuming they're encamped at all"

"If they're nomadic that'd only make things easier from a certain point of view, these people have stealth tech yes, but not enough to move entirely off the radar. Someone would've seen them by now if they did move around. And if that were the case, and they lived to tell about it - we probably would've heard from them by now with the amount of money we have kicking around down their for information."

8:12 AM

"We need to narrow the search area, it'll take less time to search a smaller area. The possibility of them being in the low lands is slim. Too many people, too much traffic and not enough cover. So that leaves the forests, but they have people there too, scavengers and hunters. So the mountains is the other bet, access to fresh water is essential. So we check near the lake here:" He points to the area to the top right

8:12 AM

(Right side below the volcanos)

(gotcha, I see it)

8:16 AM

"So this brings us back to the first issue, a detailed scan like that will take days."

"Hmm. Okay. Drop me off there. I'll go in with Nem, sometimes low tech is best tech. They're used to evading being seen by eye not by smell. In the meantime I need to contact local authorities I found some things in the mine up north they're going to want to see." Cyrus sends a message relaying what he found in the mines to the local Praxian Government officials office. Including the box of rings, the diseased ghouls and most importantly the device. He notes that he will have the rings dropped off by his men to the government building in Praxia. He sends the suit cam footage of the device to them too hoping it will help them.

You're dropped off at the volcanic coast, overlooking the mountainous inland sea. The air smells strongly of burning rock and the air is warm

"Okay Nem. We are on the hunt for Taros, if you smell any let me know. They might be in a pack." Cyrus loads his rifle and starts the hike south.

8:37 AM

(in fact, is it possible to live in the volcano coast area?)

(Nobody as far as people who actually live here are. The fumes would be a lot to contend with)

(On second thoughts, I'll go north, not south.)

8:47 AM

(Into the volcano coast.)

The cliffs are steep, and it is difficult to find easy handholds. You can see why the locals have stayed clear of the place. Without your armor it would be very difficult to breathe indeed

(Thankfully Nem doesn't actually have to breathe, the beauty of magic.) Cyrus makes his way arduously up the ledges, stopping every hour or so to catch his breath and stop fatigue from building up. "Can you smell much up here Nem?"

"Nothing. Nothing lives here." Nemesis says

"How do you know?"

"Smell, you just asked" Nemesis says, pawing at the ash covered rock

"Right, sorry. Just trying to figure this out. If I were hiding, this is where it would be. You can't smell anything, it's hard to live up here. It all checks out. I'm just trying to figure out how to find them even in all this."

'Hey boss" your ship calls out from its perch in orbit. "Something on the news you should probably see. Cove Neck team is dead, killed in their hotel room"

"Pull the rest out now. Come and pick me up after you've done that. They made contact."

you hear the emergency evacuation orders getting relayed across the EI band here on planet , and after a tense half hour, everyone is aboard but you. The ship comes into view, hovering as close as it can get to your mountain perch with the ramp down

Cyrus jumps onto the ramp making sure Nem gets on too

Nem bounds on behind you, slipping by with its collapsible cat skeleton and heading for the bridge with you

Cyrus takes off his helmet as he walks up to the bridge. "Okay, give me the report, how did our man die?"

"single stab to the brain stem. He didn't suffer. It was quick"

"Professional. It was them. Fuck! I was hoping to make myself the target."

9:42 AM

"Okay, next plan, back to Taurus. I'm gonna make myself a target, do what we were doing all over the place but limit it to there. Hopefully they'll try and kill me next."

A half day later when everyone's wits have recovered, everyone who you'd planned to send is dropped off with you, and the ship team heads back skyward

Cyrus goes back to the hotel they were staying in and hires out the floor. This time the crew brings their gear with them in boxes and bags. Cyrus has them set up on the floor in the meantime, Cyrus puts the word out to the contacts he and his men had been working that he's back in town. After that he sits in the open outside the hotel for a few hours alone. Hoping to make himself seen before headed back inside for the night.

The contacts have nothing to report, whatever happened here slipped beyond their notice.

9:52 AM

You get the impression that most of them did not have any true idea of what they were looking for in the first place

(It's not about what they know, it's about how loudly they shout)

(yeah just wanted to explain)

9:55 AM

(Whats cyrus doing in town?)

Cyrus is gonna go take a look for a weaponsmith.

There is a large weapon shop in town, completed a few months ago with the help of UNW's powerful sub-groups. You faintly remember seeing the expense report now that you see the building in person. A number of icons and flags are painted onto the brickwork, and a thick cloud of steam rises into the permanight air

Cyrus admires the building and walks in, ducking through the doorway.

Three security guards sit at a checkpoint inside, and tense up when they see the battle ready figure in the doorway

10:02 AM

"Evening sir. You mind telling us what brings you in?"

"Of course, I'd like to talk to your best sword maker. If you have one."

"You'll have to leave the armor here. Who should I tell them is calling?"

"Warmaster Cyrus Adonis." He says as he parks his armour in the corner stepping out of the back.

"Sorry for the inconvenience" one says, gesturing to the suit. "Just like at home. I bought the house, wife still makes me take off my shoes"

Cyrus chuckles "Oh I understand Friends, a man in Titan armour walks in you'd expect him to be looking for trouble."

10:37 AM

"I'd do the same."

Youre taken deeper into the weapon shop, and you see most of the work being done here is not the construction of new weapons, but the recycling of old ones recovered from battlefields. Most are beyond repair, but any components salvaged and re-used leaves more material wealth behind for other projects.

"This place reminds me of Pops' back on Gudrun. Did he have a hand in this?"

"Only the design, not the machinery going into it"

"Very interesting, had much personal business? People like me coming for custom pieces?"

"None at all. We're not really doing that kind of work but given who you are, we'll make something happen. So you're looking for a sword person?"

"Thank you, and yes your best if you have one that stands out."

3:11 PM

"This sword is for someone of great importance to me."

After ten minutes, a pale older man is broughtout of a back room to stand before you

Cyrus takes a step towards him extending a hand. "Evenin' Friend. Name's Cyrus. You?"

"kinzer, sir. You're looking for a sword?"

"I am, for your former Commander Cole no less. Something, traditional in the Asleifi way but functional. I'd also like an inscription on the blade itself - 'Forever and Always My Guarding Light in the Darkness of the Void' - Do you think that's possible?"

3:30 PM

(Does the Asleifi culture draw on any artistic stereotypes of other cultures?)

(Not really. They’ve been fierce of their own)

5:15 PM

“I can do that. It’ll take a few days. Maybe a week to temper it properly”

5:15 PM

“Too brittle with speed and it will shatter when I inscribe it”

"You take how ever much time you need for this my Friend. Give it beauty, but do not spare it's practical capability. She will appreciate that most. I plan to use this instead of a ring so if she doesn't like it she may use it on me!" He says with a laugh.

He smiles weakly in return. “Check in with me in a week”

"I shall. Thank you Friend." He turns and leaves getting back into his armour as he reaches it.

There is a hiss as air pressure stabilized

Cyrus makes his way back to the hotel.

6:57 PM

He grabs take out for the crew on the way back.

(Did you want them to pick you up)

(Nah I walk back they're all at the hotel setting up and settling in)

(So the sword will be done in a week. We have the case of rings and heirlooms to churn over as far as what’s being done with it. As for the device the authorities have been alerted

7:41 PM

(But game time wise it would be too soon for an update on that

(The rings and heirlooms are going back to the Government to hopefully be reunited with what's left of the relatives if they can find them.)

"Okay." Cyrus addresses the troops over beers and what passes for Asleifi Chinese take out "I'm calling it, we aren't finding the Daughters and even if we were I'm not willing to risk more of your lives on it. After this, we are going back home to Cruesa. There's other tactics to use in the ending of the insurgency they're just more direct. For now get a few hours rest. We'll head out in the morning - I'll have my package delivered to Cruesa when its ready."

They enjoy the meal and a few drinks and prepare to leave aslief (6xp, 10,000 credits)

In the morning Cyrus takes the chest of heirlooms to the local government building and drops it off for them telling them the background of where he found them and expressing to them that he wishes them to try and give them back to the families of the people they came from. After that is done he makes arrangments for his commissioned piece to be shipped by courier to Cruesa after it's completion. After all that is done Cyrus and his team make for the ship board and depart back for Cruesa.

You don't emerge from spike, days later, to any further reports of violence, but there have been more citizen protests, involving rocks and bottles being thrown at UNW and EI soldiers

Cyrus pulls into the Military station He's been using as his Command HQ he goes to find Cole.

Cole is on the bridge, still in the final stages of being repaired, reviewing reports from the ground

Cyrus walks into the room with Nemesis he wraps his arms around her from behind. "Hey there Beautiful. I see in my absence you've decided to bury yourself in reports rather than worry about me." He laughs.

"Bold of you to assume I wasn't doing both" she quips back, setting down the slate and rubbing her eyes

He smiles "You must be tired, I'm sorry to have left this all for you while I went on what turned out to be a wild goose chase. We'll have no help from the Daughters. I've got another idea though but it can wait until morning you need to rest."

"No no, now I'll be up all night wondering. What is it?

"Drain the pond - Insurgents use civilians, for support, for cover, for supplies and everything else in between. We've started out aid missions and humanitarian works ongoing but it's going to take more time than we have to get the populace on side if we only use that as our tool to get rid of the threats. So, we take away their support physically. The insurgents only move freely because they are hiding inside population centers. What we'll do is this:" He taps out a few things on the console and a map of HUB 1 pops up as a hologram "District by district we'll empty out the populace - under the very real guise of remodelling and reconstruction efforts. We'll set up checkpoints on the in and outs. Stop and search every civilian and check them against the database, anyone that we deem as suspicious we'll detain for further questioning. Once the area is free of civilians we'll send in the Myrmidons, in force and go door by door. They'll be little to no risk of collateral damage because we'll have cleared the residents out. We'll eliminate all hostiles by force, detain them or kill them depending on how they wish to be taken. Once the entire place has been searched we'll send in construction crews, guarded by normal UNW troops to help with rebuilding efforts. Once they've been remodelled and rebuilt to new standards we'll move the old resident back in."

8:55 AM

"Thoughts?"

"We're going to lose a lot of men, but I don't see any other way" (edited)

"We might, it depends. If the insurgents hit hard - then they'll be mustering in forces that once broken wont be able to function again. They no longer have the logistics to fight this like they would as soldiers. Especially if we take the support. If we flood the district with troops, a lot of troops and out number them, out class them. Then it'll be like any other military engagement - they'll fight, and we'll take casualties but potentially less than we would if this became and issue for years to come. Intelligence took a crack at this but they didn't get far. Now we'll go in, we'll do it district by district then on to the Next HUB. Rinse and repeat. In our wake we'll leave good housing and better lives for the people that live there. They won't want to fight against us then. So even if we do leave some behind, they'll get no support from the locals."

9:07 AM

"In the meantime, I need to talk with the UNW General about the plan, I'm going to need his support, and he's not going to like it. I did some digging - He's fought bravely in conflicts against the Underhill, but this is a different story. I think he might not like taking orders, or perhaps doesn't like fighting other people. Too used to fighting bugs."

"Should I send for him?"

"No I'll go and see him - it might be better than me summoning him to my castle in the sky." Cyrus leans in and kisses her. "Go get some sleep."

She sits back down with some reports, no willing to sleep untils he is content things wont fall apart for a few hours

"That's an order Colonel. I need you at full functionality once this plan goes into action tomorrow."

"Okay, okay. You win" she puts up her hands in a mocking surrender

"Thank you, I'll see you later." Cyrus smiles again before leaving "Nem, make sure Cole gets some rest. If she doesn't, jump on her." He says on the way out going to catch a lift down to the UNW base on planet.

(which city, I'd assume by now in each city hub theres some kind of microgarrison at least)

(Whichever the General is at, I'm assuming he's down planetside instead of sharing space with us) (edited)

In Hub A, the lander sets down in the middle of the fortified pubic park. Small collapsible shelters have been set up around hastily erected ceraplast instapanel walls

Cyrus steps out of the lander in uniform but not battle ready. A pistol strapped to his leg. He's followed by two Myrmidons from his personal guard. He strides through the compound to the Command tent.

THere is a 4 -strong security detail around the General's small building. It is a bit bigger than most but you see the electronics equipment inside even through the door, and he has assigned most of this space to be the actual command center- not his billet

Cyrus nods to his guards that wait outside as he walks into the building in search of the Commander, he nods to the detail as he passes them.

He is in the middle of a group of junior officers, detailing a new patrol plan so it deviates from what they've used the last few days. Everyone seems to get the message, and he dismisses them

Once he's finished Cyrus walks towards him "General. I'd like to have a moment of your time."

"Of course. What do you need?"

"Perhaps it's best we talk in private" Cyrus nods to a closed off briefing room

"No, I don't believe that is necessary. Anything you have to say you can say in front of my staff" You can tell his hackles are up

"Okay." Cyrus says relenting with ease "You have an issue with me, I'd like to know why before I continue."

1:23 PM

"I've pulled your file, nothing in it says you should be hesitating this much. So I'd like to know why you're dragging your feet."

"Dragging our feet? We are running patrols, we just lost an entire squad in hub C thanks to your mismanagement and idiotic surrender terms. You made this quagmire, and we're paying for it."

1

"Ah there is the crux of it. The surrender terms and 'mismanagement'. You've lost a squad, you should be upset - but you were doing this before that happened. You're not the only ones paying for it, but if you think that this would've turned out differently then you'd be wrong. You see General, though you've fought bugs before, you haven't fought the Remnant. Regardless of the situation, you have a job to do, regardless of how you feel about me. You were to be proactive and thus far you've sat tight. I've given you as much support as I can, but at the end of the day neither of us have enough men to do what you want to do." Cyrus turns to the staff "I wouldn't hold it against you or your officers to be upset with me, perhaps the surrender terms were too harsh, but that's the hand you got dealt. Now it's time to get to work General. If you won't cooperate with my forces, or start being proactive in your job you have no right being here. I'm sure there's someone in the chain of command that can do this job without getting their emotions clouded." (edited)

"You don't have the authority to remove me from command. What are you going to do, shoot me in front of my own staff?"

"I'm not saying, I will remove you from command General, I'm saying if you can't work with me - you should remove yourself, because otherwise your hesitance is going to get more people killed. On top of the the efficiency of the mission will be compromised."

2:18 PM

"And no, I wouldn't shoot you in front of your staff. The fact that you're attempting to provoke a reaction from me in such a way is at a detriment of your own Honour."

2:19 PM

"Now, will you cooperate with my forces to the fullest of your capabilities or not?" (edited)

He spits at your boots "You don't get to talk to me, like I'm a child. Get the fuck out of my base. We'll handle this mess without you"

Cyrus looks down at his boots. "You don't get to make that decision General."

2:23 PM

"It's been made for you."

2:25 PM

"You believe yourself to be in a position of power, and I'm going to tell you you're not, that hurts, I understand. But whether you like it or not, that's the case. Now be a professional, this is your last chance to do right by your Soldiers. If you don't work with me you'll be putting them in more danger."

"My last change or what, Cyrus. Or what?"

2:27 PM

His chest is heaving, and he is nearly in your face, so confused and upset by the statements youre making

Cyrus just shrugs. "Have you made your choice General?"

"My choice? " he is confused, and it momentarily overrides his anger. "Get the fuck out of my base"

2:32 PM

"Or I'll have you removed"

2:33 PM

"I've listened to you bark , dog, now listen to me. You do not make decisions for the UNW army. You do not get to decide how and when my men are deployed, to pacify a mess you created. We have a duty to protect the people here, but my men have a duty to protect themselves, as well. The people do not want us here, and though we do not want to be here, we recognize the UNW has goals to accomplish on Cruesa. We'll handle the police work. Your gloryboys are too busy clearing habs to massacre whos left"

"I shall see you later General." Is all that Cyrus says before turning on his heel and leaving his men falling in behind him.

The gate of the base closes behind all of you as you and your honor guard leave, and you see more than one hand lingering near a service weapon as you leave

2:42 PM

(okay, so we still need to keep it down for a reply then. If you're going to see her, that's going to be a lot slower than a message)

2:43 PM

(its a day per hex you're passing through)

“I don’t think cutting comms is such a good idea. ECM is absolute. If they’re cut. It’s cut for everyone. A lot of soldiers would be at risk, just because of a personal disagreement

"Okay, don't do it. Leave our men on planet that are there, step the others up if there are issues. But we are reactive. Cease all activity other than normal peacekeeping. I'm gonna go talk to Kincaid and sort this out."

6:21 PM

Cyrus spikes out of system towards Terezinho.

Entering Terezinho space a day later, the courier pulls into system orbit, a respectful distance from the orbital platform- some parts of which are still under construction

Cyrus contacts Kincaid's office

The call is put through immediately, and they waitfor your message

"Cyrus Adonis to speak to President Kincaid."

“Proceed with your message. Madam president is on the line”

"Madame President, I'm here to talk about the situation on Cruesa. Things are getting tough there, we are enacting public works and aid but violence is still escalating and going unimpeded. I believe I have a strategy that will begin to negate this on a large scale however I've been running into roadblocks. It seems that I and the General that has been assigned to the UNW peacekeeping mission have irreparable issues and conflicts. And his issues with me are clouding his judgement. He's right that he doesn't have enough men to effwctivly do his job. However his latency to act in any way is starting to get people killed. Secondly he's unwilling to work with me and my warriors. I attempted to talk it out but he turned it into a shouting match. I have a possible solution to the problem but I'd like to know your thoughts first."

“I haven’t heard his side of the issue, and even in your own report to me now you’ve identified several very good reasons for his caution. Reinforcements are going to be heading there within the week, tripling the size of his command. Extra backbone in the garrisons they’ve occupied should allow him to be a bit less cautious”

"His caution is not the key issue here Ma'am. Fudamentally he's unwilling to work with me. I will not stand being called a dog or that my men were labelled gloryhounds by him."

“You’re upset over words Cyrus. Im not going to remove a field commander based on half a situation report and that he made fun of you. Reinforcements should make your job easier. Now tell me of this plan”

"I'm upset over his attitude and lack of mutual respect. I attempted to make things work. That's besides the point. My plan consists of depopulating an area of HUB A, cordons will search the occupants on the way out. Scans will document people and anyone acting suspicious or drawing any redflags are to be detained and questioned. Then once the district is clear forces will move in and search building by building to find any insurgents, weapons, equipment ect. Once the insurgents have nowhere to hide they'll fight and be overwhelmed by superior forces with no civilian or actual cover to hide behind. Once cleared prisoners will be shipped offworld and the district will be refurbished then the citizens will be rehoused. - Rinse and repeat. It's a slow method but effective once a pacified zone is created it is harder for insurgents to integrate into it. My initial plan was for UNW troops to provide the cordon and outer layer of security and E.I troops would do the district search - their superior training and expertise in urban warfare will make it easier to navigate and track down hostiles. Collateral damage will be minimized as will potential civilian casualties as the district will be empty."

9:21 PM

"For it to work Ma'am I need to be sure that my Warriors and I can work fluidly with the UNW forces on the ground."

9:24 PM

"Amoung other things I will also be funding the rebuilding of the districts. So the UNW has no need to fear about budget concerns. But I do think this would be made easier if you made my acting Governor of Cruesa in the interim. You can have all the oversight you'd like, but someone needs to lead this mission because currently its a clusterfuck - pardon my language. And frankly I'm the position to do it."

“I do not have the power to grant that unilaterally. That needs to be a council vote as it has for all other appointed governors-acting or not. as for the general his criticisms do have some merit- but they do have a job to do. Surely he can manage a cordon , and if he cannot at that point once an actual failure of command has occurred, we can appoint a replacement “

9:27 PM

“I know these aren’t the answers you want but if we do not follow our own procedures, to me, that gives me little confidence in what we are trying to build”

"If the actions of the General get my people killed I shall not be pleased."

9:30 PM

"Can we call a council vote now or are we going to have to wait a month until Leadership of the project can be handed off?"

“It’ll be just another week and a half or so before council. Surely your position can only be strengthened if your plan is already under way and yielding results”

"You'd think, but if I've learnt anything in politics its that facts rarely mean anything over opinion."

9:35 PM

"G'day Ma'am I'll head back to Cruesa if you wouldn't mind sending some kind of message to the General however passive I'd be grateful."

“Alright. That at least I can do for you”

Cyrus cuts the connection and turns to his crew "Okay people take us back. It's time to get things done."

The jump back has you over creusa without any trouble. Down below there is the running list of attacks though they’ve been limited to UNW garrisons. Casualties are slowly climbing daily

Cyrus pulls into the station to meet Cole "Well that was fun, and basically useless. I'm already tired of this politicking - I just want to get this done. We don't have the manpower yet to start the plan we are going to have to wait until the reinforcements are here." (edited)

9:44 PM

"How big a district so you think we can search with roughly 12,000 Warriors in good time? Say a week being good time."

“Maybe 1/4 of the city assuming we don’t run into anything very difficult”

"Lets do that then. I'll be on standby to move in with my team if anything major needs to be handled."

6:42 AM

"Speaking of which how's Eyrx doing?"

"He had physical therapy yesterday and was able to make two laps around the platform before getting tired. He

7:41 AM

will be returning to light duty soon"

"He's a damn fine Warrior and a good friend. How do you reward someone that's saved your life?"

"I think he's earned more than a spot in your personal guard. Perhaps your equerry, or the deputy governor, once this world requires one, to manage things in your absence"

7:52 AM

"Almost no one dies of old age in this business. It would be a mighty gift"

"I think you're right, he's a Terezinhoan by birth I'm sure he knows how to debate with the best of them. He's made a lot of good calls too."

8:18 AM

"In the meantime keep I'll keep him off the line. Wouldn't want him dying to a stray round."

"He's got a long way to go for recovery yet, he'll remain here. Maybe even send him home to recoup for a while. Maybe the air at home will do him some good

"I'll think about it and go see him when I've got an answer."

8:28 AM

"How are civil matters on the surface?"

"We've got some data from intel, low level government folks. Names, addresses. The high priority information got wiped"

8:33 AM

"Security system woven into it, did its job"

"Sneaky bastards. Run through the intel and see who might be amenable to working in the new government. I doubt the lower levels are as radical as the upper."

she begins making arrangements to have the data sifted through

"How you holding up?"

“I’m fine. I’m just hoping to get this done cleanly

"Then lets get this running smoothly start prep for the operation temp housing in the safer larger parks and public buildings across the city. We are gonna need to safely house almost a million 500,000 people while we search and rebuild."

3:20 PM

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"I thought about moving them off to the industrial zone on the moon, but we won't know who will be slipping in with the civilians. What do you think?:

"We could do that, it's only going to be the same as moving them anywhere else. We need to thoroughly vet them going in and going back out. Bio scans the lot. I want every civilian tagged on the way out so we know who they are in the future, this will also give us an opportunity to census the people." (edited)

"We might be here for months if we scan every single one of them, but if this is how you want it done. I don't see much other choice"

"It'll have to work, we can't take the chance to let people in that might just pop up later somewhere else. And if they do it's better for them to be documented."

4:18 PM

"It's most definitely the UNW troops area though...Which means we'll have to coordinate with them."

"The reinforcements are coming with their own officers, the three generals to act as a council. we shouldn't have the same issues"

"Good, if he spits on my boots again I may make him lick it off himself." Cyrus mutters "Let us in the meantime create housing on the moon for these people, temporary habs and the like. Have Korkova start drilling squads for house searches to refresh their skills."

2

(Temporary habs for 500,000 people is going to take quite a while. Did we want to fast forward a few days while Kork trains or what do we wanna do there)

(Yeah fast forward)

7:02 PM

(In fact, I'd like to go have a scene with Eyrx first. So We can do that then time skip.)

7:02 PM

Cyrus walks into the rehab room where Eyrx is being cared for after his meeting with Cole.

Eryx is just sitting down from his most recent run of physical therapy, and is breathing heavily while istting on the bed

Cyrus pulls up a chair. "Hey there Brother, how was the run?"

“Slow. You can walk faster. But I’m moving again”

"Well, it could be worse as you say, at least you're moving again. Listen I can't thank you enough for doing what you did, you saved my life - which I know is your job but you went above and beyond. So, in recognition of your services I'm promoting you once everything settles down you will become my Equerry. My right hand."

“Cole getting tired of sitting on base?” He laughs to himself. Hoping he hasn’t made a joke in poor taste

"Cole will be the first to admit that she is best in the field. She's incredibly good in military matters but I need someone that is balanced, civil and military."

"So what is it exactly I'll be doing?"

"Managing administration, acting as my second politically."

2:54 PM

"Advising me in the management of things, dealing with the less serious matters of state that kind if thing."

"Someone to watch the house while Mom and Dad go handle business then" he says, laying back in bed

5:25 PM

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel suited for it"

"I know, you have the background - you've been a soldier for a long time Eyrx, but it's time for you to grow old. You're a damn good Friend and a great Warrior, but I'd prefer to keep you from dying. And you'll be keeping peace at home. I don't plan to abandon Cruesa nor do I plan to sally out for a long time. But when I do to meet whatever threat, I need you, and Lars keeping it from crumbling. Besides, think of all that debating on the floors of the body of populace you'll get to do."

5:30 PM

"Do you accept?"

5:31 PM

Cyrus asks his voice conveying that this is not an order, but a genuine question. Allowing Eyrx the opportunity to say no if he wished.

"I'd be honored, chosen commander" he wheezes, before lying back in becd

Cyrus smiles "Very well, then your first task will be to go back to Terezinho, rest and find others to help with the political running of things here. We are soldiers and I don't plan to have every council be that of war."

"I'll recover, and I've some ideas for when I get back"

"That's what I like to here. I'll see you soon Brother - heal well." Cyrus stands and shakes his hand before leaving.

An orderly heads in as you leave, tray full of his lunch, and anti-bacterial medication. You hear Eryx groan at MRE pizza yet again.

Cyrus chuckles as he walks down the hall (Time skip?)

(What are you doing next so i can gauge how much)

(The habs and general set up for the operation so briefing the new troops once they arrive)

A week passes as the habs are built, abandoned in favor of a sprawling tent city after the first day yields negligible progress. Conditions in the camp will be miserable no matter what on such a compressed timeframe. Citizens protest and a small riot breaks out near 3 UNW garrisons when leaflets advertising the evacuation, and relocation are issued. The citizenry is refusing to leave their homes.

Cyrus sits down with the UNW Generals. "We are going to have to clear this district of people. It's not going to be pretty, and I don't want to do it - nor am I saying we drag people out of their homes. But we need this area clear so we can move in and clear it of hostiles. Has anyone got any thoughts on how to do this best, with a minimal adverse effect?" (edited)

“‘Make the evacuation voluntary. Leaflet drop over the city with what we are planning and when, if there’s collateral damage after that, an opportunity was given”

"That might work, perhaps we can get Mord on board to talk about it through the radio networks. I have plans for reconstruction and remodelling after the pacification. That'll help too, also if my plans go through and I become Governor I'll be exempting the citizens from tax for a year. All of this should help with opinion or at least lessen the impact. We need to make sure we have enough aid for what's about to happen. Once the operation starts a cordon will be put around the district, manned by UNW forces. I believe the Marshals are also sending men. We need to establish procedure for civilians fleeing the zone once it's in motion."

(The Marshals and SWAT teams would be there already by this point id imagine)

(yes)

"Giles, you'll coordinate with the Marshals with your men. This is going to be a group operation, it's the only way this works."

"Lets see what we can get Mord to do ahead of time, perhaps. I think that will smooth some things over"

"Sure." (How do you want to play that?)

(Maybe the man himself can post something here, or we can rp qucik scene

( @Rey (Shriven) The man the myth the legend)

Mord picks up the compad behind him is a table full of food and people. “Cyrus, how are you sir. Doing the good old fashion meet and greets. What can I do for you?”

"I have a plan to start combating the insurgents on a large scale, but it requires me to empty districts of people, five hundred thousand at a time. To negate support as well as collateral damage. Problem is the people don't want to move. The current plan is to make it voluntary, but I'd prefer the least amount of pushback from this, I know it's going to get a lot. I'm moving people to a tent city on the moon for possibly a month or so per operation. But I need the people to understand the necessity of the action. Once an area is clear we'll move in search building by building and neutralise any terror cells we find. Once that's done I'm going to rebuild and remodel the district, cleaner, better more efficient housing. There's pros for the people I just need them to know that their discomfort is temporary."

“Hmmmm that sounds interesting. Would you be opposed to the progression being random?” Mord thinking out loud under his breath, “I could make it a bit of a contest. Throw in a hundred or so credit for each family and it might just go down easier.” Mord focuses back on the compad, “I think if your willing to incentivize the families themselves it could Go over a lot better. The biggest issue you will have is getting the first group. Is there anyway it can be a smaller building first? Kind of a This is what the plan is kind of thing?”

3:14 PM

“And what’s your completion timeline?”

"The other thing I was thinking was exempting the populace from taxes for a year - if I become Governor. This includes new housing. I don't think the knocking down and rebuilding of houses is the issue at hand - the crux of it is depopulating the area to start the operation. Cole, in good time how long do you think it will take to clear a district?"

"Its going to depend on too many factors for me to give you anything close to an accurate estimate. Why even knock the buildings down at all? Why can't we just clear and move on. I'm not sure I follow. It just seems like adding a lot of time we already don;t have" (edited)

"It's all about winning over the people. If we clear a district for the population to move back into shelled or bombed out homes it sows more discontent."

3:27 PM

"It's also about a clean slate, not only are we attempting to wipe out the insurgents but also the hold they have over the people. That being the old regime."

3:28 PM

"True, that it could come later though, after we clear an entire hub."

3:30 PM

"Give or take, a few weeks to a month per district Mord is what I would say to initially clear a district."

3:34 PM

"Perhaps a happy middle ground for now would be to give the people that do move a sum of money. And once the entire city is cleared then we begin construct reforms as we move onto the next hub. The reconstruction itself can in theory be relatively non invasive."

“I think I can spin that. Do you mind if I make it random which block first? Make it a contest with the winners getting a million dollar upgrade to their block, from my pocket of course.”

"Of course, but the remodelling will happen after the military operation. The problem we are running into at the moment is clearing 500,000 people out of their homes to a tent city so we can search the district. But the lottery can always go on afterwards once we've cleared it and they've moved back in. It'll be an uplift for them once they get back."

(So what did we actually decide. Move then clear then build?)

(Yeah that’s what I understood.)

(Yeah)

5:32 PM

(Mordy mord and the funky bunch are gonna play some nice songs while we do it)

(And throw money at the morale issue.)

(Yeah)

(Gotta spend that ad Astra cash.)

(People like money)

(Choosing the first district by lottery then? Just give me a d6 somehow

(2) Mord spends the next day talking about the benefits of moving and is putting 10million credits towards the district that leaves first.

6:14 PM

(He takes a poll based on calls and 2 won.)

The western outward quadrant of city A is the first lucky won’t

6:17 PM

Winner*

"Okay people we have our jobs. UNW troops will patrol and maintain the cordon on the outside of the district, vet anyone coming through as we discussed earlier. Searches, scans everything we can before they get on the lifters to the moon. It'll take time but it'll pay off in the end. I shall take the Myrmidons into the district after the deadline for leaving, and we'll search street by street building by building. The hope is that the insurgents will not make it out of the cordon, and if they do. Then their arms and equipment will be left behind. RoE for the operation to be set at 'Any none UNW or E.I personnel with a weapon is to be considered hostile.' any prisoners will be handed off to the UNW Marshal to be processed. Sound good?"

Everyone has a firm handle on the plan as you begin moving into the chosen district. Mord makes several addresses on the radio and

7:57 PM

The people seem to be starting to file out

Cyrus stands next to Cole at the command post as he helps her into her armour. "If this works, then this will be a template of how to nullify the insurgent threat. Then we can begin making this place a home once more."

(Marcion would have updated you with the capabilities of the Swat Teams, they specialize in urban combat and criminal apprehension. You have access to 5 squads of ten as well as 5 stealth grav flyers)

(This is your military backing element?)

(Half of it)

(Or part of it anyway?)

8:21 PM

(Gotcha)

(They train continuously in kill houses and are all either law enforcement veterans or military veterans)

(Sweet, thanks I'll keep it in mind for strike teams)

(They would have orders to take insurgents alive if necessary so they can be transported back for intelligence to interrogate, just so we can get more information about the remnant's function. I am planning to rp this in the council meeting, but just so you know in this thread in case they go into action before we get to that.)

(Yeah no worries.)

"It was one, but agreed, we will make it a home for ourselves. Well then, are we ready?"

Cyrus nods "Yes, let's get this started."

Those most enthusiastic thanks to Mord's contest, and there are several cohorts more than you'd expected, begin filing out of their homes, many burdened heavily with whatever worldly possessions they can carry. Even among this group, you catch dozens of hateful stares, as they begin forming up with their possessions for transport

"A population cannot be won in a day." Cyrus says to himself as he invisions the improvements he will be making to this planet once peace is restored. "Korkova your Division will be backing up Mine as we move through the district. Cole yours will be on hand if we have any break aways, and will handle liaising with the UNW troops. The Marshals will be here if we have any weapon caches or prisoner hand overs."

"Alright, Everyone's ready. Lets move in"

Cyrus nods and gives the order moving his troops into the district. "Remember firm but respectful with the remaining residents! I want every house searched."

The district is suburban homes at the edge, closest to platform side, moving closer to more packed habitation towers closer to the middle of the city (think of it like a pizza slice, crust is the homes)

11:24 AM

Slowly moving down the street, the soldiers begin making their advance, not sticking to cover, hoping to provoke anyone gone to ground here into careless battle

(Lol that analogy, works though) Cyrus sends his outrider units in squadrons to clear the way ahead as the main body comes through back by APC's. Behind the main advance Kormova's units are tasked with searching the homes and other buildings.

Ten minutes into the clearance, your furthest group of outriders is hit by a roadside bomb, followed up with gunfire. They're reporting 2 casualties, and are under heavy attack.

"Let's go, engage." Cyrus makes a series of hand gestures and a platoon moves forward with him. Cyrus is running along with his squad. APC's coming in behind him with more troops to provide cover. "Give me numbers of enemy combatants!" Cyrus commands down the comms as he directs troops

A soldier tries to give a report, you hear the channel open before his cry of pain closes it. You're close enough to hear the gunfire now.

1:31 PM

The first of the tall buildings are 1000m from where they'd first reported the contact.

Cyrus directs the APC's upon coming up to the outriders to create an armoured barrier and instructs the warriors with them to focus on getting the wounded into cover and to the medics. "Get one of the stealth flyers from the Marshals up. I need eyes on shooters."

1:35 PM

"I need squads in nearby buildings, clear them and overwhelm any incoming firing positions with counter fire. I want fire superiority."

(Its the police gravflyer in whichever book has the extra vehicles, cept replace a medbay with stealth)

1:41 PM

(They have advanced sensors and railguns)

(Nice!)

(Notice/wis)

(14)

Repeating flashes from the skycraper at the edge of the road, 1000m away, and some additional flashes from a house, 300m to the right, repeat over and over as the gunmen keep your scouts pinned down.

"Okay, I want a second platoon up here, sweep right and come in behind the group 300m out. I'll take my squad downtown while the rest of my platoon strong point this position. Get your drones in the sky, track us with ISR"

One of the carriers pulls up, ramp down, its squad filing out so you can get int

Cyrus and his in squad file in "Take us left a few hundred meters then straight towards the center so we're not going straight at the target building but rather coming in at an angle."

"These are city blocks, unless we're blowing through houses we're stuck on a grid. " the driver says, map schematics updating

Cyrus curses "Take us a few blocks out to the west then cut back in towards the center."

The vehicle moves out as ordered. A rocket streaks down From a high angle as you approach, narrowly missing and blowing a huge hole in the road surface just a few handspans from your passing vehicle

Cyrus puts on his helmet as the APC is rocket by the explosion. "Okay, let's do this - final brass check. What the doors and corners." he says readying his weapon. As soon as the vehicle stops at the target building he hits the hydraulic release on the ramp running out first.

High angle gunfire streaks down from above as ten gunmen use whatever windows look down on you, knowing this is their only chance before you get inside. (1 shot on everyone, 23/10, 23/5, 23/12, 22/7, 20/9, the other 5 miss)

"Formation!" Cyrus shouts as the hail of gunfire rains down from above takes a Warrior in the neck and two others less vitally. Cyrus grabs the fallen warrior and moves him to cover with them. The remaining Myrmidons activate their golden energy shields forming a wall of energy as they move towards the building. "Okay, you stay here with him, and watch out backs. You five, with me." Cyrus takes five of the Warriors and heads inside leaving four outside with their fallen brother, the medic working on his neck.

(any down or all just wounded?)

7:17 AM

The inside of the building lobby is orderly aside from a few magazine racks flipped over and the phone being shot out. The rebels were kind enough to let the doorman and lobby-guard leave, from how it appears. There are a handful of civilians coming down the stairs, trying to get out of the immediate crossfire

(One down, two wounded - using the new rules they only have 8hp)

(what's their AC?)

(21)

7:33 AM

Cyrus scans the crowd with eagle eyes looking for potential bombers using them as cover. "Down on the ground! Show us your hands!"

They drop, none have anything other than compads or nothing at all

"Hunker down here, you're safer here than on the streets." He booms as they move up the stairs past the civilians.

The first floor is rows of apartments with doors closed, the stairwell goes up further, and it looks to have a stairwell at the end of the hall too. No one is outside right now, but you hear the sounds of people crying and going to ground in their apartments

Cyrus signals for them to move with him further down the corridor and then up the second staircase as a whole unit rather than divide.

Nothing jumps out at you as you pass the hallway. You hear glass breaking on the floor above as some return fire hits the building, but it doesnt seem like the gunmen are on that floor

Cyrus and his men make their way up the stairs clearing as they go attempting to reach the higher floors where the fire was coming from.

You don't see anyone, and the gunfire from above stops, as you make your way higher. When you finally arrive, brass coats the floor, and most of the windows have been shot out. THere is blood on one of the intact windows, but the shooters look to have relocated.

Cyrus secures the floor and looks for a blood trail to follow.

(survive/wis)

2:09 PM

(we're going full on wticher(

2:09 PM

(witcher(

(10) (Gonna sprinkle some magic dust and activate my eagle vision hahaha)

The blood seems to trickle, and then spot, leading to the door of apartment 320A

Cyrus has his team stack on the door before he kicks it in.

(10 damage, evasion pass for half) the hastily placed claymore detonated and soon as the door is kicked open. Two fighters are inside and likewise have weapons readied. Their shots go high

(Success) Cyrus' armour takes the brunt of the damage as he stands in the doorway he turns on the two fighters rifle raised as he moves through the doorway firing (27/26)

3:23 AM

The Myrmidons pile in behind him moving into cover. Firing at the second assailant. (27/16 , 24/12)

(I'd imagine you probably take up the whole apartment hallway in that giant ass suit of plate, enough to where they're not getting in behind you until you're well into the apartment. The second shot would have to go through you which I'm assuming you don't want)

6:40 AM

The first fighter falls dead, though the second fires back, hoping to do whatever he can to harm you before his own demise

6:46 AM

(8, miss)

(Lol, Just shoot through me its good! Yeah fair point)

(Cyrus up_

(At work atm, I'll emote and roll when I get back)

(no worries!)

Cyrus rushes forward at the shooter attempting to take him down to the floor. "Move! Move!" He orders his soldiers, three of which move in behind him - two staying outside securing the corridor. The three Myrmidons move into the room, attempting to help secure the terrorist and the other two moving to secure the rest of the room and lock down any points of fire.

He only has a second to try to rise before he is being pummeled and restrained by your men. If there were others, they are gone, the windows of the residence open

Cyrus comms the Marshall Gravflyer "I've got runners, potentially injured. Need you to try and locate them with your advanced sensors - if they're in the open engage at your discretion."

"Rooftop, permission to engage? unsure of civs in area"

"Engage."

11:36 AM

Cyrus gestures to his men to grab the prisoner taking the weapons with them so they cannot be reused. He also comms the main unit. "Move up the column"

The building shakes under the volume of large caliber shells hitting the roof. There will undoubtedly be some structural damage to repair. six targets destroyed. the flyer reports

"Copy that flyer, return to holding pattern." He moves out with his team back to the main unit downstairs and awaits the operation to move forward to meet him. In the meantime he makes sure all the civilians are given food and water in the lobby.

The civilians are gone when you return to the ground, just wanting to get out of the way. Back at the cordon, your soldiers prevented a suicide bomber from blowing himself up in the crowd (edited)

"Commend those warriors involved. We need to keep momentum going - It's working though, we're flushing them out. Ten here, ten there, a bomber here - a sniper there. All adds up. We forcing them into a battle they cannot hope to win. Korkova has your division started sweeping the houses of the suburbs now we've cleared the streets up until the high rises?"

"You're way too far ahead of us for me to catch up soon. It's house by house. We've got six men permanently down between all the sweep teams. The main army is taking some erratic sniper fire too, their casualties are about ours, for the moment"

"As long as that has started it's fine, once my main division moves up to my position we will sit tight until you've caught up. We will in theory close in around them until there's no way to hide for them to hide. I've got 12,800 warriors on this mission - as much as I hate casualties theirs no way they can out man us here. Neutralise snipers with counter fire from our scout teams. (Scout teams all have drones with invis and advanced sensors as well as being equipped with sniper rifles.) Those that are too dug in or concentrations of enemy forces neutralise with airpower unless it's going to cause to many civilian casualties. As the UNW said, we've given them the warning they knew this was going to happen. It's on them now. Cole you are the inner cordon, start moving in too have your troops back Korkova's and support them in the streets while they clear. I will keep moving forward and provoking the response. If it gets too much for my men we'll hold and swap roles."

1:27 PM

(Does that makes sense out of character? Basically the UNW will hold the main border and our troops will move in, in like 3 rings - first (Mine) will provoke the large scale response like we have been doing - Second (Kokova's) will search the houses after we've cleared the streets of main bodies - And Third (Cole's) will move in with Korkova's to support them and squeeze any runners back into the none searched area. I imagine this tactic will rise in intensity as they get more desperate the smaller the area of unsecured territory gets.)

(lets make sure we count casualties too, I am for the remnant terrorists here. This is attrition and casualty rate is going to count for morale purposes)

(Yeah, So far to my count I'm down 8 - Each of the three divisions has 3,200 troops.)

(9, 2 grav scouts, the guy you ran into the building with, and the six here)

1:30 PM

(but that first one qas quick so no worries)

(I'll keep a tally in my spreadsheet) (edited)

1:32 PM

(Shit I keep forgetting that I've got that extra 3,200 to drop - I'll say their in reserve for now just in case.)

1:33 PM

(Mac is holding them in reserve in case we need to switch out.)

1:36 PM

(for Morale purposes these troops have Urban Specialization so they also take decreased negative morale effects)

(Yep, just letitng you know its important

(That's all good, it's best we get all this laid out now so we can both keep track.)

1:44 PM

"Mac, hold your warriors in reserve, you will deal with any prisoners we send back - casualties will be handed of to Alex and his hospitaler to deal with. If we come into a coordinated resistance later on or if they create a stronghold we shall bring you in for the final push to overwhelm to enemy."

"Are there any situations that need my attention?"

“If you hold there it’s still going to take us the better part of a day. Maybe two , to catch up with you. House by house. Thorough search you said. That takes time”

"We'll hold, I wont give them ground. Take as much time as you need."

The link cuts. “Well if we are here may as well set up a listening post. What do you think?”

"Aye, set up spotters and snipers on the roof. Commandeer some empty apartments and set up a comm room and attempt to intercept any enemy comms."

(You’ve got 9 people with you now. A few of whom are wounded. Who’s doing what)

(I'll have 3 setting up sniper positions covering the back, left and right of the building. 3 setting up the comm room/listening post and then 3 including the two wounded in the room next door guarding the halls and staircases. Basically taking over the top floor of the building.)

The “top floor” ends up being the third from the top floor. The flyer and it’s heavy weapons pulverized the top few floors beyond habitability. The scout team did report seeing a few civilian bodies in the hallway.

Cyrus sighs "They had a choice to leave. It's a shame but we cannot let it deter us from our task." He gets to work fortifying the floor with his men in the even that they are overrun.

Night settles in, and your advancing clearing teams have worked their way to about a day's work from you. Reserves are rotating in to ensure fresh units are sweeping. Further attacks have ended for the day, though several weapons caches are found and destroyed.

Cyrus recharges his suit and stands out of it as he does so. He looks over the comm equipment after relieving one of the comm team so they can sleep. He listens to comm chatter from the area monitoring it for enemy activity, occasionally having to play with the frequencies to get into new comm channels.

The streets seem quiet tonight. Nighttime is hampering operations a bit, the slower pace, and more places to hide afforded by the darkness has everyone extra cautious, especially when sweeping homes

8:04 AM

There are random potshots taken now and again, but nothing that results in serious injury

(Other than to wait I'm not sure what to do)

(I’ve got to roll up a mission next as your clearing teams move up to your position. Just deciding between a few things)

(No worries, just didnt want to write you into a corner)

Cyrus and his group rest through the night monitoring comms and coordinating where they can against the enemy if needed (Calling in airstrike ect if there is a build up of enemy in a position)

(Night was quiet like I said ) In the morning as units begin sweeping again it becomes evident there is a hole in the line to the left flank. The squad meant to begin working that area is not reporting in

Cyrus moves out with his squad, driving first back to the lines where he has them relieved considering the loses they've taken and then moves in with a reserve squad to the area where they have gone missing.

The factory stack area is a mess of industrial complexes, with tall smoke towers, gas purification plans, and landing pads for craft coming in from the lunar industrial zone

Cyrus and his patrol move in backed by a platoon of Myrmidon Warriors to make sure the area is secured. "Where did we lose contact with them?" (edited)

"Around this area, once they passed the first row of factories they just dropped off comms" (edited)

"Take us on the same root, watch out for an ambush."

(Are you on foot? mounted in a vehicle? how many are going with you?)

(We'll go on foot once we reach the area, there's a squad with me but another 40 warriors in the vicinity that are clearing streets too - we moved in with a platoon (50 Myrmidons) )

(So you +10 people? ) Moving into the area, you notice that for some reason the factories are all working, even though the area has been evacuated. The heat and energy interference are immense, and comms begin to crackle and warp with distortion

(Yeah, another 40 in the general area just in case this gets big)

2:58 PM

"Who start the factories up? Let's get in and start the shutdown process - it'll clear comms up."

2:59 PM

Cyrus and the team start to head to the biggest factory in the area (edited)

The biggest one happens to be the second one in on the left. During peace it was a refining and packaging plant for industrial gas products such as coolant and fuel. The storage tanks in the yard have been drained when occupation looked imminent, the gassed vented

Cyrus directs his men with hand motions to follow on him, moving from cover to cover they go through the yard to the entrance way

The forecourt of the factory has a small garden and overlooked by four floors of windows. You see a flash of movement on the top floor right side

Cyrus turns taking a knee and scoping in there's a click as he takes the safety off. His men move into cover around him taking up positions. "Identify yourselves!" (edited)

A single sniper shot hits your pauldron and spins you around with the kinetic impact. The round doesn’t penetrate

"Openfire." He says as he ducks back into cover the window lighting up with sparks as 10 warriors unleash their fire into it.

7:38 PM

(Do you want me to roll? Or can we assume that it's a red mist up there? I don't mind either way)

(Rolls)

(28/18, 18/24, 17/18, 26/23, 15/21, 18/22, 20/18, 17/18, 27/27, 25/13) (edited)

(How do your men have a +14 attack bonus with a marital human profile)

(Standby was using old macros and hadn't changed them. Got to calculate all the new shit.)

9:10 PM

(New bonus would be: Atk+1, Weapon mods +2, Burst +2, Authority +4 = 9 Corrected, I'll go through them all now and change them to their relative right numbers.)

The shots begin pounding the upper story of the factory. You’re unsure if anything’s been hit or worse but the return gunfire you were expecting never comes

Cyrus signals his men to follow as he moves up to the entrance stacking on the doors. "Charge it." A Myrmidon moves forward with a breaching charge placing it on the doors, once back into position he nods "Blow it!"

The sniper shot barks again as the soldier with the breaching charge comes forward

4:22 PM

(Critical hit for 8 total)

(On who?)

(The one with the breaching charge like my post said haha)

(Oh yeah, sorry I read that the wrong way.) The warrior drops and Cyrus leaps into action dashing out of cover to shield the downed warrior with his own body whilst looking for where the shot came from

The shot was quick, but judging by the angle it would have had to have come from that same story of building

Cyrus drags the breacher into cover and takes the charge moving to the door ordering his men to shoot any movement from the floor.

The door is still shut, and there does not seem to be anymore gunfire coming from above

Cyrus plants the charge on the door and hunkers by the side before pressing the detonator.

The door falls inward, blown in, and you emerge into the reception area of the factory. A locker room sits off to your right, and the closed double wooden doors leading to the factory proper are head of you. There does not appear to be anyone in this room

Cyrus takes cover inside and covers the squad moving in.

They move in

6:30 PM

nothing happens in the reception area as they do

"Okay, lets get to the main power controls and shut this place down." (Was the sniper fire coming from here too?)

(both times you've taken sniper fire its been the third floor of this factory. You are currently on the ground floor)

(Okay, just making sure it was the right place.) "We split. You go to the control room, I'll take out the sniper. Understood?"

the men begin organizing themselves to break off from you and seize the control room

Cyrus moves off on his own attempting to find a stairwell

The only way forward for both teams is through the double doors leading into the factory. Upon reaching it, there are metal catwalks above, stretching out like a spiders web over the processing machines below. The control room is on the second level, accessible by catwalks , and they begin splitting off to work their way toward it. To the left, there is another much longer staircase, leading up to the third floor

Cyrus nods to the sergeant of the squad as he breaks off to the longer staircase making his way up carefully, looking for grenades or claymores on the way.

You do not see any tripwires, and there is enough dust in the air where on the way up you'd notice a laser. The door to the third floor has been made from the same cheap wood, and is closed.

Cyrus slowly and quietly tries the door handle to check if it's locked

It slowly rotates up, unlocked

Cyrus opens it smoothly and moves through into the next room

The hallway ahead of you runs the entire upper floor in a straight line and doors on the left and right lead to offices. There is another exit sign at the end of the hall and a door seems to be flapping under it, recently passed through

Cyrus moves swiftly and smoothly down the hall listening and watching for movement to either side, looking for disturbances. If none are found he moves to the end of the corridor and the other exit

Nothing makes any noise as you pass the offices. The door still rattles gently from the force of its closing

Cyrus makes his way to the door and palms it open searching for hostiles.

You hear faintly in your ear that the control room has been taken, and the bodies of the missing squad are inside. There is evidence of more enemy fighters being here, and this is clearly something they wanted you to find. One sends a picture of a posted to your retinal feed- showing a substantial bounty for anyone who can submit proof that you've been killed.

"Notify Command, have a detail come in and pick up the bodies. And shut down the power." Cyrus makes his way through the second exit door.

Several layers of catwalk below a dark figure darts out of the factory floor back toward reception

2:59 PM

Out of sight

Cyrus turns back taking up a firing position in the window waiting for the figure to move out into the open of the courtyard if he leaves reception.

You move through one of the offices and set up a firing position in the window. The figure darts out, running for the gates and the low wall around the factory forecourt as fast as he can

(17/23)

4:15 PM

Cyrus squeezes the trigger as he sees the figure appear firing a burst at his back

He tumbles through the shots, deftly recovering and springing forward through the forecourt gate and then behind the wall

(How high up am I in meters?) (edited)

(40)

Cyrus takes a step back seeing his shots miss and leaps through the window using his powered jump to propel himself through the air towards the wall hoping to make it over in a giant hurdle

4:55 PM

(In the armour I can fall up to 40m and take no damage, which is why I had to clarify)

You land in the courtyard, halfway between the factory doors and the gate outside itself

Cyrus sprints forwards again, not taking the gate but instead using his augmented jump to launch himself over the wall cutting the corner and hoping to throw anyone off that might be using it as a bottleneck.

5:00 PM

(I'm a bouncy boi)

You land on the other side, to an empty boulevard

5:01 PM

You see the reserve company to your right, at the end of the row, waiting for further orders, to the left, the rest of the industrial complex

Cyrus turns "There's a sniper on the loose in the area, watch you sectors as we move forward."

5:03 PM

(I think at this point Cyrus being here makes more risk for his troops than it does help. With the bounty and all)

(thats up to you)

"Carry on with the sweep. I'll escort the bodies back to HQ with my squad." Cyrus loads up the bodybags with his men into the APC's and heads back to the Command center.

(3xp, 5000 credits)

5:14 PM

Power is shut down to the industrial park area and comms return to normal, a few moments later as the APC heads out

Cyrus walks into the command tent taking off his helmet as he does. Looking around for Cole

Cole is standing in front of a handful of large monitors, bathed in electric blue light

Cyrus walks up beside her sliding his hand into hers. "How are we doing?"

6:49 PM

He asks wearily, his voice is harsh - his throat sore with barking orders. His eyes sunken through lack of sleep.

“Teams are moving as planned. It’s slow work”

"I hope this is all worth it in the end, I've lost enough Warriors over these streets. We'll keep hemming them in until they are forced to fight us in proper battle, or we'll just roll over their cells like we are doing at the moment."

She nods, saying nothing but continuing to watch the screens. Each one shows a different team leader doing clearance work

7:59 PM

"You ran into some trouble yourself"

"A bit, took out a cell downtown, there was collateral. Then went in search of a lost squad. Found them all dead, and a poster - they've put a bounty on my head. I think at this point I'm putting our troops in more danger than its worth being down there. They'll target me if they see me and the warriors I'm with."

“They’ll go to extreme measures if it means putting you out of the fight. Might be better to just let us handle it from here”

"I should be flattered... I hate having others fight my battles for me. Is there anything I can do in the meantime? Did we get any leads on politicians left over from the exodus? Potential leaders I can talk to, that kind of thing?"

"A few. I'm going to vet them first so we can Identify the best use of your time"

He nods looking through a tablet of todo projects. "I suppose there's Pelgason. The communist that want spike."

"It was agreed a second delegation should go. You were one of the most militantly against, maybe you should go and see what you're actually turning down"

"Turning down is strong. I'm not against giving it to them, I just want to make sure I'm not gonna have to war against them later."

"Whatever you wish to call it, Going would let you see things for yourself

"I think it's a good idea, I might ask Shriven to accompany me if no one else heads the call. I trust his judgement and he's got a comprehensive knowledge of ships."

"I'll arrange a flight back to Gudrun for you then. I'll keep you informed as far as developments here"

Cyrus nods "Time to be a diplomat again." He leans over and kisses her "Give them hell."

"Come back soon. And try to keep an open mind. We can't fight the shapers alone"

"I will." Cyrus smiles and leaves headed for the pad and his shuttle.

(With the two days of downtime I'm gonna start learning Slyth)

(Why though?

)

(All will become clear in time)

(Cyrus lizard overlord confirmed)

( Unzips Skinsuit)

(I can't seem to find the names of the two living Slyth, I think one is Gheist but I'm not sure which one is which could I get a short run down? Sorry if I'm blind and just not seeing it.)

Jexad)

1:04 PM

(Gheist is the organic one recovered from the pod, Val cured him from the bioweapon plague)

(Would Cyrus know which one would be the best to talk to about matters of shapers and war?)

(no ones asked them really so no)

(No worries) Once back on Gudrun Cyrus pulls the contact information for Gheist from the UNW network and attempts to contact him via video comm

Gheist answers, the connection a bit choppy, and disjointed. It looks like he might be in the Rebirth lab right now.

"Hello there Gheist. My name is Cyrus Adonis. I was wondering if we could meet in person and have a talk? Perhaps this evening? I'm sure I can have arrangements for a dinner to be prepared and conversation can be had freely."

“I have a policy of not attending anything unless I know why I’m invited. What do you seek from me?”

"Very wise. Knowledge - on Shapers, you're an untapped source of potential knowledge about them. Or at least you can illuminate some things about the history between your people and theirs. Besides that I'd like to practice my Slyth and perhaps talk a little about some tutelage from one such as yourself about other matters you might have experience in."

5:57 PM

"Aside from that you're a being from a different time, I'd like to hear what that was like." Cyrus realises he's rambling a little and stops "Apologies, but so much can be learned and I'm more curios than I have a right to be. If you require payment for your time, I'd be happy to oblige." (edited)

“It’s not payment. I just like to know why I’m being requested. The time before my entombment in the stasis pod, the slyth were in the midst of a brutal civil conflict

7:40 PM

“Hence my paranoia being a hard habit to drop”

"I completely understand. The threat of murder has a tendency to do that to people. Where are you at the moment? Rebirth?"

“I am. Inside the lab. I’ll come to you. Central. Tonight? Is 9 too late for dinner?”

"I work on my own time scale with the amount I spend in space. So it's definitely not too late for dinner. I'll make the arrangements. See you soon Ghiest."

Cyrus puts the comm down after saying his albeit temporary goodbyes looking to an aide. "What does a Slyth eat?"

"Anything you or myself might, and substantially more of it"

"Okay, that makes things easier I suppose. What are our options for dining in Central?"

"How public do you want this to be? why not just invite him to the compound

"Compound might be the better idea, have the dining area set. And food prepared. I'm in the mood for fish I think tonight, perhaps something from todays catch."

"Not sure what they'll have with the lake frozen over but I'll see if anyone's been out

"If in doubt there's always Lope I suppose. Thank you." He nods dismissing the aide to their task and going over reports while he passes the time. He reads the messages and reports from Cole.

There is a report about the murder investigation- one of the platoon who was recently already in the limelight for the looting.

Cyrus sighs and sends and order to Cole that if he is found guilty he is to be taken by a squad of Myrmidons into custody to be given justice by Cyrus himself. To further cement an example.

(they dont know who it is yet, or if its true, theyre investigating)

(Ah okay, in that case, if the culprit is found to be a Myrmidon those orders stand. Being that he is to be remanded to Myrmidon custody to await his justice.)

After send his reply Cyrus looks up who in the UNW might be able to help with baby growing? (I don't know how to put that without it sounding weird) knowing Cole's wishes to have a child vat grown as opposed to gestated in her womb.

9:14 PM

(Got to try and make you squirm today)

(Why do you people hate me so much)

(It's because we love you so much that we do this)

There really is not an expert on this currently. Dr. Reydove, personal complications aside, could have been the lead expert in such an area, but is currently listed as missing- the report not yet updated to reflect her throwing in her lot with Dr. Thorn

"Yeah...That wouldn't have been the best idea even if she was around." Cyrus says to himself "Hey! Sorry we broke up 'cause you were a nutcase - can you make me a baby with my new much better, warrior wife? Yeah thanks, I'll just go fuck myself on the way out." He mutters. "I'll have to talk to someone about it in future, maybe Alex can help."

Cyrus looks at the clock and sees after filing reports and reading his own that its just past 8 "Oh!" He goes to get ready. Wearing a somewhat formal dark grey and gold robes over tact pants and a pair of boots. (Tactical Toga!)

Gheist arrives at the compound at 9:03 and is brought to the dining room you have set out for the occasion. The furniture is a little small but he makes it work

Cyrus greets him with a bow "Welcome Gheist to my home on Gudrun." He gestures to a chair "Please sit, apologies for it's size - it's not made for one of your composition. I too sometimes have trouble with my new size."

7:59 AM

He chuckles

He says nothing and adjusts himself in it

Cyrus seat himself and calls for dinner to be brought out "So Gheist, tell me about yourself. What did you do before stasis?"

“I was researching the plague. The bioengineered one that got out of hand. I se these hundreds of years later disease is still prevalent “

"Disease in general? Where ever there is a large population one will find it. We can stop a lot of it, it's just down to cost and diligence."

“It was that same arrogance that brought our race down to just myself”

"Where is the arrogance in that?" Cyrus asks

“We had limitless resource, and enough money to consider it the same. It didn’t stop the spread. It didn’t speed a cure. It didn’t stop whole worlds from collapsing”

8:46 AM

“It was a hard lesson to learn in humility”

"But at this current time wouldn't you agree that there are more pressing issues to our survival? I agree that disease and all the things it bares are a threat and must be stopped where ever it is found however - it is a slow burn compared to imminent danger."

“Now I think we are talking about different things. I was waxing philosophical about my past. I can’t help but feel this is leading somewhere then. “

"Apologies, I am beset by thoughts of the dangers we face. I did not mean to cut you short. I need you help Gheist, I am a warrior and a hunter. But in order to defeat my enemy I must know them - what can you tell me about the Shapers?"

“They rend flesh and bond it with metal to make their technology. Hard to kill, even fire takes sustained blasts to do its work. Psionic, to a small degree not unlike the jademane”

8:58 AM

“And cunning. Masters of deception and ambush”

"Like the Jademane, are they connecting in some way to the planets they change?"

8:59 AM

"If those planets were attacked or damaged, would it in turn damage them?"

“They harvest life energy from the worlds they reave and it’s taken with them back to their home cluster. That they’re doing with it we never found out. But they do not hold territories beyond that planet group , that we have ever seenl

9:02 AM

“Life is allowed to return to a planet they harvest over hundreds of years. They remind me of farmers on a planetary scale, harvesting and letting life return to fallow fields

9:02 AM

They go dormant between, hold glutted with stolen life force, until such time they can reap again. As I said. We do not know what event this is leading to”

"It's not like we can spy on them. No human can pass for a Shaper."

9:03 AM

"I imagine it's how they replicate also, using the life force of others."

9:04 AM

"They leave seeds one these planets, and sometimes other places. Those seeds can turn planets to flesh much the same if not the exact same as how they turn other planets. But why do that if you wish life to come back to the planets you've destroyed?"

“A question we never got to answer ourselves”

"Hmm, very interesting." He says eating a little "I suppose the practical thing would be to somehow get into their core worlds and destroy them."

9:21 AM

"An almost impossible task as it stands, and suicidal if nothing else."

9:21 AM

"Before cryo, you were a scientist as you are now yes?"

“I said just the same moments ago”

"What do you find the most interesting to study?"

“I find psitech fascinating though I’m not one myself. Would that I was” he muses

"Were the Slyth capable of Psionic powers?"

“We had something that we thought might be an emergence before the plague achieved critical mass. No way to find out now”

"Perhaps there is, not for those who passed, but for you."

9:50 AM

"Regulus mentioned that he has had luck finding latent Psychic abilities in people. And from the things I've heard your deities may have also had similar powers to that of the metadimensional beings I have come across."

“I’ve been to the academy before his time when Silvano was headmaster. He could do the same. I am not psychic and will not be, but it’s no different than how I’ve been living”

"A shame. It would be interesting to see what you might do with those abilities. What can you tell me of your culture? I'd love to know more about the history of the Slyth."

“That’s a very broad question. How about a part of our culture”

"A good question, perhaps your Gods and religion."

“A pantheon. They sometimes take a direct hand in mortal life but not often. I myself am a deist , for the most part”

10:36 AM

“I believe your friend Seung has seen evidence of Cankerous and Cadeuceus, our twin life and death gods, already”

Cyrus nods. "The temple on Terezinho yes. How numerous and vast was the Slyth Empire? Was it contained to just this sector?"

“dozens of sectors. The shapers were a threat that emerged from inside our own borders”

"How were they controlled? Through a council or through an Emperor?"

“Both. “

"Interesting, how would that work? Much like our with the President?"

“No but the political complexities are hardly relevant now”

"Potentially, but from the past we may learn mistakes and not commit them in the future."

(I don’t really want to make a whole political system for something that’s never going to be relevant after this conversation)

(That's fine) "What about warfare? Was the Slyth Empire mighty in battle?"

"Against ourselves. Slyth produce slowly. We viewed war as a necessary tool. but not the first one to try"

3:21 PM

"when the only thing you have is a hammer- everything looks like a nail"

"Balance of war and diplomacy should always favour the later before the former. How do you find the fish?" Cyrus asks gesturing to the large fish they are eating. "I can't say I've tried any of Gudrun's aquatic life before now."

"This is my first time trying it as well. It's better than I was expecting"

3:41 PM

"Especially for something caught during the winter"

"Indeed, and this sauce! Magnificent." He takes a sip of wine. "So, were your people partial to entertainment? Music, acting, games - that kind of thing?"

Politicing was the greatest game of them all. It was a facet of everyday life for all citizens. A grand game of lords and vassals, if you blinked for a moment you were lost"

"Do you miss it?"

"Not for a moment"

"Forgive me for saying, but it seems like it was a cold place, the Empire that is. How do you find your life in the UNW as a comparison?"

"I havent been in the heart of things since my return to living- but I don't think it is on purpose as far as your president, or anything like that. I certainly owe her and the team that found me my undying allegiance. I am hopeful, for all of you. If the UNW and more human governments like her rise and remain stable, when I die for the real time, I will die knowing the galaxy is in good hands"

Cyrus seems to mull that over for a few good minutes. "I take that a high compliment coming from one such as yourself Gheist. It is not every day one of such experiences as yourself makes such a comment. I believe the UNW, is a shining beacon of hope against the darkness of the void."

4:07 PM

He pauses for a few more moments. "You said you have an aptitude for psionics, do you believe you could help me with a project concerning Nulmetanium?"

"What's the project?"

"A nulmetanium bomb. Akin to a weapon of mass destruction for the Shapers."

4:19 PM

Cyrus' tone almost sounds saddened by the idea. "The way I see it, the projections I've run. Even with massive numbers we can never destroy this threat in conventional ways. But if somehow their core world or worlds were to be destroyed or at least devastated by anti psy fallout then the cycle you spoke of will end."

"I saw my own race die from the specter of weapons of mass destruction. Shapers or not, I will not take part in the development of another"

Cyrus nods "I can respect that. I will pry no further." (edited)

4:29 PM

"Philosophically speaking, how would assess my character Gheist? I get the feeling you see things more deeply than some others do."

“You could stand to learn the art of humility. Respect is earned. Not commanded”

4:30 PM

“It matters little how many palaces you raise or how many worlds you conquer”

Cyrus nods "And yet I have raised no palaces. Conquered only that which needed it. Defended to my upmost the weak and tried to save as many lives as I have taken. The mistakes I have made on my road haunt me. I strive to better myself. But in doing so more die for my laxness. It seems a paradox." (edited)

4:35 PM

"I was once a very different man." Cyrus says wistfully.

“It’s a warning. That’s all. From a friend. Don’t make the same mistakes we did”

"I'll try not to, my time is yet young. I wish to change my ways, not for how people view me on a council. But for how my people will come to view me. My warriors depend on me to make the right judgements in battle. But my people at large require me to be for them. I wish in time to get this right. But much is still foreign to me." Cyrus sips his wine "I thank you for candid words Gheist." Cyrus bows his head respectfully. "Have you ever played the game chess?"

“With Val a few times”

"Would you care for a game after dessert?"

"I can stay for one" he agrees

Cyrus smiles and nods "Excellent!" Cyrus eats and talks with Gheist at length about Slyth culture and answers any questions Gheist has about his own homeworld and upbringing. After dinner Cyrus sits across a chess board from Gheist and discusses his grasp of the Slyth language and how to speak it, pronunciation of words and asks for advice and tutelage. (I've not got anything else specific to talk about so I don't want to drag this out any longer for you.)

Gheist is a novice opponent and the game is over quickly , he allows a second and narrowly wins that one. “I get the sense this wasn’t as fruitful as you’d hoped” Gheist says as he gets up to leave

"I don't know." Cyrus says with a slight sigh "That's the secret really, I don't know much. Every idea I have to defeat the Shapers gets thrown out or doesn't work. We can't fight them like we would humans, it wont work. And it will be my people that pay for it. I'll lead them on the battlefield, and they'll be slaughtered by the millions. There pain is mine. I've lost 536 Myrmidons since they first fought the Underhill and I feel every one of those deaths. I regard them as my kin and to an extent my children. Beyond that, now I have Cruesa to worry for - the most Northern UNW planet bordering on Shaper space. But none of that is your fault. Knowledge of the enemy is what I needed, you gave me some I did not have before. You will not help me create the bomb, I understand why - perhaps no one will." He shrugs. "If nothing else Gheist, perhaps I have made a friend and learnt how to curse in Slyth. I consider that a success." (edited)

He shrugs and begins to head out into the cool night air. (3xp)

Cyrus sees him out "Goodnight Gheist, I'm sure we'll come across each other again, perhaps next time you'll beat me at chess." He chuckles

The slyth waves two of its arms in goodbye and heads out for the train station

Cyrus goes to bed, the next day he wakes up checks more reports and gets ready to head out. His stay on Gudrun complete. He flies now for Asleif going to pick up the commission piece he ordered.

The trip to aslief takes the remainder of the time you’d been told was needed

(Sorry this didn't light up for some reason) Cyrus makes his way to the armoury wearing fairly casual attire. Greeting the guards with a nod as he enters "Morning Friends"

“Here to see the craftsman?” One asks

"Indeed." Cyrus nods "I'm rather excited."

They don’t have to ask you about your armor this time since you aren’t wearing it and you’re brought in to the main workshop

Cyrus walking into the back to find the craftsman.

He is weary, sitting at a small bench, and you hear the tiny tap tap of an engraving hammer. He coughs and grunts as he focuses on the worl

Cyrus sits quietly on a chair watching with fascination as he puts the finishing touches on the sword.

He senses you watching and he slides it back into the sheathe, blade oiled "Well, It's done. Exactly on schedule'

(Oh I have art for this.)

1:14 PM

1:16 PM

Cyrus stands taking the piece in his hands and bowing "I thank you Friend, this is everything I had hoped it would be. Your work is magnificent."

1

“The work is complete. If the client is satisfied I will return to my other work” the odd old man says

Cyrus chuckles raising an eyebrow at the old man. "You have yet to be paid, I would not have such work go unpaid for."

(I thought you did when you asked him )

5:45 PM

(Like a few irl weeks ago)

(Nope, you never gave me a price hahaa) (edited)

( id say since it’s an advanced medium melee weapon but its artisan as far as appearance we can just double that cost. Sound fair?)

(It does.) Cyrus puts a credstick on the desk, containing 100,000 credits. "For your work craftsman, and your peers. You have my gratitude."

“This is well in excess of the work. I fear you’ve miscounted sir”

Cyrus just smiles and bows his head. "I do not believe it so. I bid you G'day." He turns and leaves

Once out he goes back to the ship and sets sail to Cruesa.

Upon making orbit you see the evidence file from the incident on the ground. It was the same platoon that had already had members punished. Capital punishment was carried out but the details and evidence were thoroughly reviewed

Cyrus docks with the Military station that has become his home whilst operations on Cruesa have been continuing, he goes to find Cole.

Cole has set up in the captains former chambers and is reviewing reports

He walks in closing the door behind him. "Evenin' Stranger."

“Hey!” She brightens. She stands up from the desk and heads over to hug you

Cyrus smiles feeling a warmth in his chest as he embraces Cole lifting her off her feet a little. "Missed you." He says putting her back down but keeping her close.

“How was Gudrun. Still a planet there?”

"It's quieter than I remembered. I forgot how little central is compared to some other planets. I played chess with a Slyth, Gheist. A rather interesting engagement."

“Id always wanted to talk to one. What was it like”

Cyrus seem to think about that for a second "Philosophical, he had a great deal of knowledge. He seemed out of time, like an observer. Not the warmest being I've come across either but very interesting to talk to."

"It's probably hard for him to find someone or something to relate to"

"You're right I think. He told me a lot about their culture. Much was similar to our own other aspects were vastly different. I imagine it is difficult to adjust."

"Pelgason was productive! I think them and the UNW will be able to work together quite well"

"The visit changed your mind then? Sometimes it is good to be wrong"

"I wouldn't say all of my concerns are sated but there are less issues. Its also a matter of practicality"

10:01 AM

"Either way. I'll recommend giving them spike."

“I’m sure the council will be interested in that discussion” she agrees

"Maybe, I-I've been thinking about a lot of things recently about the future. And what that will look like."

"And what does it look like?"

"I'm trying to figure that out." He says sitting down on the bed heavily, kicking his boots off. "I want to find some modicum of peace, and start a family with you. I think my men do too, they are tired of war for now at least. The people of this world, they don't want us - it's too fresh for them and they've been to brainwashed by the Remnant. A few perhaps, the guerrilla's and some others. But, I don't want to have to keep fighting our own people. The UNW has changed so much since we made it, for the better perhaps. But I feel like it no longer has a place for us, and we no longer have a place within it. We are growing, as a people. Not just me or you but our people, the initiative - not just our warriors but their families too. A divergent culture on a different path to the place we live in. The shapers are a threat, but I feel like my help is no longer wanted other than for our men to be fodder for the hordes. I think- I think, once this is done - the insurgency. We leave, take our ships, the people that will follow us and head into the void. Away from the past, yours on Asleif and mine on Gudrun, our warrior's and their families from Sumati, Agaspur and even the Remnant converts. Free ourselves from it's burden, and create something new for ourselves."

12:28 PM

He takes Cole's hand gently in his as he speaks "What do you think?"

"I feel the same. Truly Cyrus, why do we even care about the occupation. Our contributions are not valued here"

"We finish what we started. Besides that, we need time. Only a little, in a few months we will have more ships. Enough to move troops and trade. We'll need them where we are going. Besides, we don't have the currency to trade yet either. We'll clean up here. But we no longer need the bulk of our warriors to do it. We shall move them back to their readied positions on the stations now the district is clear. With the information cleaned by our informants I could with a small team destroy the majority of the cell leaders. Once Cruesa is pacified, I will recall Scmander and his troops from Mataine along with the ship they found. We shall carry it with us. Does that sound like a good plan?"

“I have an alternative” says a deep voice in a shadow of the room.

5:04 PM

Outside the viewports, space seethes as a metaspace storm begins to brew

Cyrus wheels shielding Cole with his body instinctively as he stands "He's here."

5:08 PM

he declares his voice thick with a mix of fear, surprise and reverence.

“You’re needed elsewhere.”

“I believed you could handle my mandate and I have been proven wrong. The fault is both of ours. Cyrus , you and your followers need a new crucible. You will lose the comforts you have, and forge yourselves new” (edited)

Cyrus feels a heat in his chest a burning, falling to a knee as the words coalesce in the air. "I live for my people, not for war." He says behind gritted teeth. "Throw me into whichever crucible you would, but I shall emerge. And so will my kin. Better, and whole." His eyes once black clear, resolving to be their natural hazel colour. The fog of war he once felt gone. "It shall be so."

“There is a world to the west called Heras. The khans there fight one another for what little fertile land there is. 500 years removed from earth they’ve forgotten themselves and feast in palaces while peasant levees die in their names” (edited)

"You would have me bring peace and unity?"

“I want you to try again” ares confirms (edited)

6:17 PM

“The mightiest man in the room has no need to beat his chest and proclaim his rolls of honor. Those things are simply known. My declaration was premature, for yourself and for the UNW. I see that now. Perhaps in my weariness I misjudged , but all is not lost”

6:21 PM

“You are a warrior and a skilled one but being a statesman is as much listening to those with opinions not your own. On Heras you will find many different opinions and beliefs. Strive to find something useful in even the most opposite stance”

"My hubris and hate for my enemy clouded my judgement. I see this now, I shall cast aside the mantle of Warmaster, for that is not who I should be. I must strive to Protect others. I will not say that I shall pass these tests you put before me, because that would be foolish. Instead I am resolved to do my upmost." Cyrus says bowing his head in acceptance of his admonishment and task

(I have to get a map together and drawn up. I’ll do that tonight. I have the general idea just have to set it down.)

6:27 PM

“I will use the last of my strength to transport you and your followers there with your equipment. This will be the last time we speak Cyrus Adonis, but I will be watching”

Cyrus stands looking into the shadow of Ares. "As you wish, I will strive to find the peace we both seek. I thank you, for your trust and sacrifice."

Metaspace boils outside and you are stricken blind for moments on end. Your radio communications shut off, and it sounds like being in the eye of a hurricane. When the wind dies down what feels like an eternity later, the military platform is now over another world. It’s brown and green banded surface with jade inland seas glitters. Cloud layers part to show the planet below. Your ships are also in orbit, those completed at the time. Down below, in the ruins of a large temple to ares and it’s surrounding city ruins, hundreds of civilian distress beacons begin to light up

As the storm begins and endures Cyrus, though blind, finds Cole's hand and pulls her close to him wrapping his arms around her protectively. When finally the storm subsides and his vision returns he looks around almost confused at the events as his mind adjusts to the situation. He looks to Cole and then Nemesis "Are you two alright?" He asks concerned and more than a little bewildered. (edited)

“I think so” she says, a bit wearily. She is drawn to the main screen where the distress beacons Keep lighting up

Cyrus follows her gaze and walks over but is caught looking out of the viewing window. "My Gods, he did it. Even I had my doubts." He shakes his head and moves to the console flicking up and pressing one of the distress calls.

They all come through at once , civilians pulled from the lunar industrial district, your warriors, and a handful of administrators from cruesa. Mordecia the brown is also down below

Mord waves up.

"Its our people, warriors and civilians." Cyrus lets out a chuckle "And Mordecai." He turns back. "We must consolidate and assess who and what we have. And where we are. I would convene a council of our Commanders and Leaders. I will not make decisions without guidance any longer." He stretches out a hand to Cole helping her up. "Would you come with me?"

"Of course" she says, looking downa t the world below. "Its striped, wow."

"And it's green seas. Beautiful. Let us hope we can make it a better place." Cyrus pets Nemesis as he gets ready. Heading down the planet in a lifter with senior figures from the fleet and rear guard. (Is the battleship hulk here?)

(Yeah, you can see its been patched up just to get holes closed but as far as being able to do stuff on its own, we are a ways from that)

(Sweet) Cyrus passes a viewport and catches a glimpse of the beast of a battleship his eyes widening as he stops and walks back staring at it "The battleship from Mataine. It's gigantic. When he said all of my people I didn't realise he meant it literally from across the universe. That must mean Scmander is here with his men too and Eyrx with his diplomats. Things do not seem as bleak."

Cyrus boards a drop shuttle with Cole and Nem and heads for the surface and the city.

The 'city' is a ruined temple to what looks to be an aspect of Ares himself, though the statues have been destroyed and the columns pulled down by raiders. The homes surrounding the temple in neat city blocks have also been reduced to single standing walls with broken roofs, or bare lots covered in overgrown rubble entirely. the air is dry, and warm, and smells faintly of salt.

Cyrus steps of the lander and breaths in "Smells like the sea." He takes a knee and digs his hand into the earth taking a handful of dirt crudely feeling its fertility.

This particular area is a mix of red clay on top, tough, and chunky, with thicker, black earth below. The land is tillable, but even with modern technology- your people are going to be hard worked.

"Hard land breeds hard people." Cyrus says and he dusts his hands off walking through the ruins "I wonder what this place has seen over the years." He says to no in particular as he envisions it's future.

"Or what it will see" Cole says, doing the same with the dirt.

"Hopefully, prosperity. I'm more than a little excited at the task ahead of us. Let us meet with the rest the leadership at the temple. Set out what we have and what we need."

Mord, and the other EI leaders are gradually making their way to the ruins, all of you arriving at roughly the same time, with more questions than answers

Cyrus sits himself unarmored in the center of the temple - he sits in the open palm of a statue to Ares laying broken on the floor as if it were a makeshift throne. He greets the leaders warmly as they enter and lets them talk amoungst themselves for a while as he listens to their questions as he strokes behind Nemesis' ears soaking in the scene. (edited)

(I think more than just me asking random questions, this should be a more of what are your first steps kind of discussion)

(No worries, I was just giving off the feel of Cyrus hearing other and not just coming in and shouting) A few minutes after everyone has arrived Cyrus raises a hand for quiet. Once the noise has died down he stands and walks to the center of the room. "I see we are all here, Scmander you and your from Mataine. Eyrx, and his diplomats from Terezinho. So it is true, he really did bring us all here. This-" He gestures to the gathering and the room "Was the work of Ares. He heard my voice in the darkness as I spoke with Cole about my need to start fresh. I will not say we failed on Cruesa, because in my eyes we did not outright fail. I believe we simply made mistakes, not just us in the room but the UNW. But that matters little now, we are now, as I see it. Seperate, we are far to the west on a planet called Heras. We have been given a second chance, not just for our mandate. But for lives, free of the burden of our pasts." He takes pause as we walks around the room he puts a fatherly like hand of reassurance on Korkova's shoulder. "From our hate and grief." He turns to Cole "From the betray and deceit of others." To Scmander. "From the wrath of old grudges." Then to a Captain from Sumati "Our losses and defeats at the hands of others." And Lars and his family smiling at the girls before meeting Lars' eyes. "And old allegiances." He walks back to the center of the room. "We have come along way, You and I together, all of us - from the sweat on our brow to the blood on our boots. We have pulled ourselves up, from our meagre places, or brought ourselves down from high station to be equals on the battlefield and in society with each other. There were many colours, creeds and races in the Elysium Initiative. But from now on, to survive and thrive, to be the best we can be - we must truly unite as one people." His voice begins to project as he speaks to the assembled audience, his voice carrying outside to the crowds.

2:55 PM

"No longer will you be Merlons from Terezinho, Asliefi Nightfighters, Agaspuran Refugees, Gudrun Colonists, Taros Soldiers or Sumati exiles! We should be, we must be Herasi. One people under the banner not of the Elysium Initiative, but of the Elysium Protectorate! For we have found our Elysium, our land beyond the sea of stars. Now we must strive not for war as we once did - but for peace and unity. One people! One planet! One Galaxy if it should come to pass. None should feel fear under our banners. What do you say? Will you join me as my Kin?" (edited)

2:56 PM

He asks spreading wide his arms in a gesture of embrace.

There is some clapping, and some cheers, but there are far too many immediate problems for words alone to convince anyone

Cyrus smiles understanding the mood in the room and returns to a normal posture. "Now however, we must set our minds to task. We take stock of our forces, manpower, mouths to feed and tools in which to do so. By the count of the commanders we have in the room. We have the entirity of my First Born division. 12,800 troops including all their equipment, artillery, air, bike attachments and their respective crews. 800 more from Scmanders force. 400 from our ships in orbit. The sailors in those ships too. And 2 million inhabitants and family of our warriors. All told numbering..." He speaks in a whisper with Mateo at his side for a second before nodding "Approximately 2,014,252 people. Soldiers and Civilians. All mouths to feed. Can anyone tell me how we are looking in terms of supplies - food, water, power?" (edited)

"Ships have reactors and the military platform came with us. We can keep them fueled. Otherwise we just have what was in our holds at the time. We're going to need some local supply, and quickly"

Cyrus nods taking that in and thanking the Captain. "Heras' earth is farmable, hard but farmable. Do we have seed in our holds that we may put down?"

“We have some on the platform. It was meant for cruesa surface to get some additional farm projects started and repaired. I think we need it more now”

"Okay once we are secure down here we can start with that. We need to find a source of water. There seem to be plenty of lakes and rivers nearby but they need to be tested first. It would do for us to dig wells too." (edited)

"We saw some villages on the way down, nothing big enough to have a name probably, but maybe some visits, introductions, taking a look to see how they do things. Couldnt hurt"

Cyrus nods in agreement. "Definitely worth while. Diplomacy and introduction along with any information we can gather would be much appreciated. Ares told us that this planet is controlled by Khans, those Khans are waging or have been waging war against each other for various reasons - using peasant levies. It's also clear that this place has been visited by raiders before. If I was one of these Khans I'd see us as a threat, so we can expect they might send someone to scout this place and our numbers or worse. Korkova, you will have a brigade of warriors (3,200) create simple defences. Observation posts that sort of thing. Find a home for our artillery too. Just in case. We also need shelter for our people, the ruins will do but they'll need to be made suitable. Eyrx, as my equerry I think it best that you handle that side of things. Make sure people are settled in, answer any questions they have to the best of your ability. For the time being the rest of the First born (9,600) will be seconded to you in order to help with rebuilding some of the ruins and any habs that we have on board the ships. Minos, you and your mechs (5 light mechs) might be able to help with the heavy lifting. Scmander, you will take the outrider detachment of the Firstborn (125 bikes) and along with any survival experts we have will forage close to the city, take samples on nearby water sources and scout out nearby landmarks. Do not. Start any conflict. We are not conquerors here. Cole, you will establish a command point here, in the temple for now. Communications will be key to begin with. Try and coordinate anything. I shall head to some of the nearby villages, and make first contact with a few others. Hopefully we can get a lay of the land."

(Remind me how many guns you have? )

7:15 AM

(artillery wise I mean)

(8 artillery pieces)

(okay, got a deployment in mind)

(we also have 8 atmo flyers but I think they'll be broken down for the time being)

7:16 AM

(And 5 I.D fighters in space, but they'll stay there.)

(they'll have to be refurbished for use here, from the transporting, but not irreparably broken)

7:18 AM

With your current administration understanding, you can support 3 different tasks occurring at once without delays or mix-ups. 1) Defenses around the city and temple 2) Scouting 3) Whatever one you want to lead personally (edited)

(Sounds good!)

7:19 AM

"Does anyone else have any suggestions or anything to add?"

7:20 AM

"Speak your minds before we get too busy, I would hear your thoughts."

Defenses and scouting seem like the most sensible places to start, no one has other suggestions right now.

"Okay. Let us get to it. Thank you all." He nods to the group. Then turns back to Mateo as the rest begin to file out. "I bet this isn't what you expected when I dragged you out of the museum!" Cyrus jokingly chuckles patting him on the arm lightly

"I would have you with me when I make first contact with the villages. To record the events and give advice if you have it." Cyrus' tone frames the statement to be a question (edited)

"will we be going ourselves? just the two of us?

"No, we will be accompanied by my guard. But we will not be going in full battle dress. The journey could take days. It would not be logistical or a good idea to be seen as an invading force. Though we will be armed and armoured, just not as fully."

"How is that going to work exactly? Prepared, but not. "

"Prepared but not a show of force."

(Basically they'll be wearing field uniforms instead of shiny chrome or white power armour)

"I see. Well, I'm ready when you are. May as well starT

"Okay, grab you gear and meet me out front while I gather my things and organise the people." Cyrus walks over to Cole. "Okay, I'm taking Mateo and my guard to one or perhaps more of the outlaying settlements. I'll see you soon." He leans in and kisses her. "I'll keep in contact as much as I can."

"I;ll make sure the beginning work gets done here. We have comms with the orbital again too . Everyone up there is alright"

"That's good. At least we didn't teleport into an enemy fleet. They'll be on ready if we need them to help us down here. Good luck let me know if you need me to return quicker. I might be a few days."

(I was planning to do this a little like how we did the Asleif exploration.) (edited)

1:16 PM

(Where we go through each hex and stuff. Gonna be travelling on grav speeders.)

(yep! thats how i do all planets)

1:38 PM

(i have different tables for each type of world/biome)

(sweeet)

1:46 PM

Cyrus leaves after saying his goodbyes and meets his people outside. He wears a field uniform and a red headscarf and cowl as he mounts a chrome Myrmidon speeder with the others. "Are we ready Sergeant?"

1:48 PM

(All together there's 10 people, Cyrus, Mateo and 8 Guards)

(4d10, then 4d10, values separate, not totaled)

1:50 PM

(theres 4 between you and village right?)

1:52 PM

(3 to the left)

(3d0 and 3d10 then)

(10,10,7 - 6,9,7)

(how many km's is a hex again 200?)

(yes, almost there,d oing news)

(No worries just working out how long I'll be away from the settlement.)

8:33 PM

Herds of mighty boar beasts scatter from the bikes, 200km out from the city, as you begin to travel

Cyrus spots them and signals to slow a little speaking into the comm over the humm of the engine and the cloud of dust. "Boar! Or something close to it. They look fearsome. Lets stop up somewhere soon and watch them we might be able to learn more about them."

They are herd animals are are feasting on the tough plains grasses. Babies are kept toward the center of the group

(How big are they? like normal boar size or bigger?)

(Twice as tall/ thick but about as long)

(Thicc boar gotcha xD ) "I interesting they look to herd, they wouldn't be bad to eventually domesticate so we can farm them. Well that is dependant I suppose. The lab will want samples, and we could do with food." Cyrus says taking out a long rifle from his speeder whilst still saddled. He scopes in on one of the herds trying to choose a target. Not too old, not too young, juuuuust right. He holds his breath as he finds a suitable aged male (or what he believes is a male if there is a distinction) and slowly squeezes the trigger as it stands still grazing.

(Lets get a shoot dex for assassinating it. Just to set the mood)

(Turn the lights down low and slap on some Marvin Gaye = 12)

There is a sharp crack and the herd begins to stampede laterally. One of the boars falls dead, shot through the heart

Cyrus lowers his rifle slowly turning to the rest of the Myrmidons and Mateo with a slight grin. "It's nice to know I still have it! Okay lets set up a small camp I'll go get the kill."

Once the herd has cleared sight he kics his speeder into gear and glides down the hill stopping a few meters short of his kill before getting off and walking to it looking it over for thing to harvest.

It is even larger this close, small flies buzz away from its thick and hairy hide. A trickle of blood soaks the long grass it has fallen atop of

Cyrus takes out a knife kneeling down beside it and saying a small prayer of thanks in the language of his homeworld before digging his knife into its stomach. He guts and skins the beast taking its tusks as a trophy.

The tusks are about as long as cole's arm, and gently curved at the end. They were probably sharp once, but are cracked and dulled near the ends from constant dredging of the plains rough ground for roots to eat, and likely from dueling other males

Cyrus takes them and puts them in his pack before attempting to load the carcass on his bike

11:36 AM

(I get its quite big so if he has to he can get a few of the others to come down and he can cut the boar up and take it between them)

(yeah it would have to be split up probably 3-4 ways to not overload the bikes)

11:55 AM

(but certainly within your ability to carry as a group)

They quarter the load and carry it back leaving the entrails and offal on the plains for the carrion. After sharing the load Cyrus heads back to a makeshift camp overlooking the plains. He sits down and takes a sample kit out of a bag and tests the boar to make sure it has nothing that could poison the group if eaten. Taking a little of it as a sample for the lab to look at more thoroughly too.

The bioscanner carried by the team medic shows no contaminants inside, but he still doesn't recommend eating it raw.

Cyrus chuckles "Let's build a fire and roast it. We'll keep the rest for eating as we carry on to the village. It should keep for a few days." He sets to creating a firepit and stand big enough to roast a leg of the beast.

There are enough hands, and enough help, here to get the remainder of the beast cooked, smoked, and preserved for the rest of the trip. Everyone enjoys the meal, realizing it has been some time since they've had actual fresh food, and not the combat rations stabilized with nutritional chemicals so common to rank and file soldiers

Cyrus sits around the fire with his men laughing and joking in a manner that they haven't been able to in a long time. He shares stories of some of his travels and listens to theirs in turn. Feeling a deep sense of comradery that he hasn't felt in a while. He feels happy to spend some quality time connecting with his warriors as people rather than as soldiers. Cyrus even attempts to get Mateo involved with the jokes and stories. ( I imagine though in a strange environment it's actually a nice change for him and his soldiers to have some moments of peace and get back to the basics without being shot at ever 10 minutes.)

(for sure)

"Tell me Mateo" Cyrus says chewing on a strip of Trollboar. (Great name btw.) "What did you do before the museum in Prime?"

"I was an archivist for the Tenebrian Empire's cultural uncatalogued division"

"Uncatalogued? Is that cultures that haven't been put into a wider category or is that alien cultures?" Cyrus asks offering Mateo a thermos like container of Terezinhoan rum.

"Its both, actually. Sometimes things found were human adjacent, or divergent human"

"Fascinating! Did you ever go tomb raiding?"

"Me? no. Trying to trick an automated defense system is a younger man's game"

Cyrus laughs heartily. "I don't know, I've seen older than you do it. It's rather fun, seeing cultures past in the places they built. Does this work you do now, chronicling the adventures and growing culture of my people excite you? I suppose they're also your people now."

"I have no choice but to be enthusiastic about it, but i will miss my home"

"I suppose that much is true. We shall build a new home here, it will not replace the old but it may in time be better."

1:57 PM

"Did you have family?"

"My work kept me too busy for one. My eternal regret"

"Well, now you have one - a large dysfunctional one. Perhaps even in your later years you may also find love. I don't expect you to do your job alone Mateo, in time. Once we are established there will be many scribes, aids and chroniclers. To help you and alleviate the strain."

“I think I’d feel lost without being incredibly busy, the way it is now”

"You like it like that? Interesting, you're more complex than you let on Friend. In a good way if course." Cyrus takes another bite into the boar (Does it taste good btw?)

(It would taste better properly cooked but for a hobo fire with no spices or seasonings it’s not bad )

(At least it doesn't taste like troll)

7:32 PM

"Well Mateo, I'm gonna grab some sleep, long day in the saddle tomorrow. You should do the same. It was good to talk. If you ever have any questions for me, don't hesitate to find me and ask." He reassures, standing. (edited)

"I'm sure we'll have plenty to say as thing's get going"

"No doubt my Friend, goodnight." Cyrus says retiring to his tent falling asleep.

After a restful nights sleep Cyrus wakes early grabbing his gear with the rest of his people and mounts up. "Okay! on me!" He pulls up the cowl covering his face and kicks the bike into gear starting the second day of travel and exploration.

The bikes lift off again as you continue traveling, and the plainsland continues, long grasses blowing sharply in the wind. Scanners begin to ping as you come to a wide riverlands, a cross between two channels of swift moving water

Cyrus slows as they come up to the fast moving water, pulling down his cowl and taking in the sights coming to a stop. "Okay, we need to find a calmer area to cross with the bikes." He looks over at his comm tech. "What are the scanners picking up?" (edited)

"Rare metals, current is trapping them out in the middle where the tides intersect"

9:28 AM

"Trying to recover those without disrupting the current is going to be an engineering project worthy of EI"

"Interesting, we'll tag it for further surveying at a later date. Come back with some dive gear and see what there is." *Cyrus looks at the maps of the area taken from space attempting to find an area where the river slows or is calmer so they can ride across on the bikes."

It looks like there is a detour 50km to the east where the current is calm enough, allowing you to pass east, then south, to loop back west toward the village

9:30 AM

(basically to cross both rivers while still being pointed at the same direction)

(Yeah makes sense) Cyrus plots a course for the gps systems on the bikes. "Okay, We're gonna have to move north along the rivers edge for a little then cut through and down towards the village where the current is slower. Medic take some samples from the water for the labs to run later. It might have traces of the metal and it'd be good to see the make up of the rivers and see if it's drinkable. Everyone else take five while I comm back to HQ and give a report." He steps out of the saddle and off the bike getting some distance from the group looking out over the rivers as he comms back to Cole at the city.

The link opens, crackling as its bounced off the orbital platform above the city

"Cyrus reporting in." He says testing the line and at the same time making sure it's Cole on the other end and he's not about to accidentally embarrass himself to a tech.

"Standby for the commander" a tech says, the line crackling, and then clearing. There is a triple beep signaling it has been passed to the intended party

"Hey there Beautiful, how's things?" (edited)

"Digging in, getting organized. Lots of uncertainty here. How are the wilds?"

"Magnificent. Untamed, reminds me a little of my home, less trees though. We came across herds of boar like animals yesterday. They taste rather good, we've taken samples and footage of them. They're close to the city, we might be able to domesticate them, they seem peaceful unless provoked. We've just reached the convergence of two rivers, our scanners are picking up rare minerals in the rapids. I decided to tag it and come back later with some dive kits and figure things out, we've so far taken samples of water from the rivers, the board and a number of miscellaneous flowers and planets that aren't native to us mostly for data and research later. The more we know, the less we have to be uncertain about. Honestly my Love, it's wonderous out here. I'll have to bring you out one day soon. You'd love it, it reminds me of that time we went hunting and came across the massive grass serpent."

11:22 AM

There's a sense of awe in Cyrus voice that hasn't been there in a while.

"it's nice to hear some fire in your voice again. We've only just begun to understand the strange world we're on"

"It's good to get back to our roots. My Warriors feel it too, no doubt the others under Scmander are as well, it's freeing - not being shot at all the time. Soldiering in a different aspect."

“That’s very true. The legion of Rome were builders as much as conquerors. Not a bad model to follow”

"Roads wouldn't be a bad idea come to think of it. In the future. When we get settled I'd like to talk to you about reforming the Myrmidons a little, so we can avoid any more Cruesa's. Perhaps we should create some kind of doctrine and regulations, setting out punishment and the like...." Cyrus starts to go off on a tangent then pulls himself back "Sorry, got to thinking - Anyway, we are gonna be moving north so we can cross the river, we should make contact with the village tomorrow if not the day after." (We are on hex 2 of 3 iirc the village is on the 4th) Cyrus pauses for a moment as he finds the right words to say "I know you'll probably roll your eyes at me when I say this but I miss you. It feels like forever since we've spent time together, I feel like we need to reconnect after this trip." (edited)

(That’s right)

7:53 PM

“I wouldn’t mind that. Maybe take down this worlds version of a serpent”

Cyrus chuckles "The deadliest hunters in the galaxy. I'm sure we'll find something." he looks over his shoulder seeing his men getting ready to move off. "I best be getting back to work another long haul until camp tonight. I'll check in again later. I'll be done and back before you know it."

"I hope you'll have something of a city to look at upon your return"

8:50 PM

You spend the day navigating the river crossings, stopping to make camp just after the river delta ends

Cyrus spends the time bonding with his Warriors and brushing up on some Slyth nouns and pronouns. After which he goes to bed. Waking up the next day refreshed once more. "Almost there now, day or so more and we'll be in the village." He says as he saddles up and kicks the bike into gear starting the days journey.

"So what do you think of this new world?" He asks over the comms as they begin their travel the next day.

(is it like an open channel to everyone?)

(yeah in the group)

there is a lot of talk of feeling free, and it being gratifying to work for yourself, as opposed to someone else

"I never really thought of that, for the longest time, we have been - all of us - in some form or another working under the employment of the UNW. Though it was not always clear to me, they saw us as mercenaries. And perhaps we were, though ones with a decent aim. Now however, we are our people. No longer to be hired and fight others wars for them while they sit behind desks. We fight for ourselves, to build a better future for our family and the universe." He says thoughtfully, the concept somewhat dawning on him.

Passing through this zone, the scanners do not pick up anything out of the ordinary, and the village is in sight by late afternoon

"We've made good time." Cyrus relays as he signals to stop taking a pair of binoculars out and getting a better look at the village from a distance.

The village is a collection of homes, centered around a columned temple of some kind, though it is far smaller than the one in the center of the ruins you occupy. The homes are tri-level, each floor belonging to a family- not that different from Central, back when it was named Greenbriar

(Are there any signs of defences or tech?)

(Tech would be like TL3, visibly, but it just might be that the buildings are older)

8:16 AM

(No walls or anything)

(Yeah, Cyrus doesn't yet know what TL the planet is so he's trying to assess things like that.) "Okay, let's move. Fall in on me. Try not to intimidate the locals." Cyrus says as he starts towards the village and a decent speed as to not seem like he's aggressive. (So he's not hammering it towards them with a bunch of people that might look like raiders.)

A shepherd runs back toward the village as you draw close, hoping to let his fellows know someone is on the way. his herd of trollboars rushes before him in a tide of fur and horns, all heading back to their paddocks

Cyrus slows as they approach the village stopping 30m before they get to the houses. He turns to his men. "Okay, I'm gonna go in alone first, make sure everyone is on the same page. I'll comm you when it's good to move in." He says stepping off the bike and pulling down his cowl showing revealing his face. He takes his rifle off the side of the speeder and slings in on his back. He starts towards the houses and the center of the village at a casual walk.

There are some onlooking citizens, all human, staring back at you. A few close windows or doors. A handful follow you as your path takes you to the village square

Cyrus smiles looking as passive as he can while he makes his way to the center of the village. He keeps his hands visible and away from his weapons.

Three senator looking figures in toga like dress are flanked by warriors, carrying long polearms, topped with keen points, and small buckler shields

Cyrus comes to a stop at a respectful distance to the party and bows "Good evening Friends." (edited)

"Evening there, outsider. Help you with something?"

"Hopefully, my name is Cyrus Adonis. My people have recently settled the city to the east, I thought it best we get to know our new neighbours and hopefully make some new Friends."

"How did you arrive here? " the second asks "We saw nothing coming down from the heavens"

Cyrus smiles "A storm brought us here, created by my Patron, Ares." "He has told me this planet is controlled by waring Khans. My mandate is to stop their injustices and bring peace to Heras."

This seems to send some shock rippling through the village "You are new here, your transgression will be forgiven this one time. Utterance of displeasure of a khan, any of them, is a capital offense"

Cyrus raises an eyebrow. "I see, and tell me - to which Khan does this village own it's allegiance?"

"Khan Artemis claims dominion over these lands, her shadowleaves patrol and come to collect taxes frequently"

"Artemis, Goddess of the hunt." Cyrus says deep in thought before looking back at the officials. "Would you permit Myself and my men rest in this village? We have travelled for days. I would speak with you more about this land I find myself in if I could."

"It's a curse to turn away a traveler" the impromptu council agrees and youre taken to a barn close to one of the senatorial homes in the center of the village. "It's clean, we stopped housing trollboars in it years ago but there was nothing wrong with the structure, so we didn't tear it down. It should hold you and your men comfortably"

"I thank you for your hospitality." Cyrus bows humbly. He puts a hand up to his ear and comms his men to bring the bikes into town and into the barn.

"Perhaps we could dine together? We still have a lot of boar left that needs eating and we are happy to share it with you. We could talk over a cup or two." Cyrus says turning to talk to the senators whilst the bikes arrive.

“I think until we can speak amongst ourselves that would be inappropriate. We shall attend you in the morning”

Cyrus bows his head acquiescing "As you wish, we shall converse in the morning when we are all rested."

Cyrus beds in with his troops (How do they react to the speeders?)

(Nothing special)

12:31 PM

The following morning sees the barn's door knocked on, and the senate, along with a double strength bodyguard stands waiting for you

12:31 PM

"you wished to speak with us, we have deliberated amongst ourselves. We would hear what you

12:31 PM

wish to ask"

Cyrus gestures for them to enter, his warriors perch casually around the barn. Though they seem relaxed their eyes watch the senators and their guard like hawks. Cyrus himself sits on an old straw bale and waits for the other senators to sit across from him. "You know my name, my God and my mandate. I would know some things about this world, and discuss the future with you."

12:36 PM

"What can you tell me about this planets technology? I see you do not seem surprised at my mode of transport, yet I've seen no grav vehicles here. Do others have such advanced tech?"

"The Khans keep such tech in their capital cities, it is not for us. "

Cyrus frowns. "My people are free to use any technology, surely it is best for all to be able to improve themselves. Your farming, transport and other such daily tasks would be made better by such technology."

"are you here to discuss the future? Or criticize our way of life?"

"I'm criticizing how you've been treated. The future I wish for you changes that. You cannot have enlightenment without first realising the flaws. This goes for everything, not just your way of life."

12:47 PM

"I am new here. But I have been where you are now, my own home world is similar to Heras as it currently is. Controlled by those that would have you think power is only given by the Gods. Or to those who inherit it. No one is born with the knowledge or right to control others, it is earnt. This is the way of my people, all are free to choose their own destiny."

"We've chosen to align with Khan Artemis, taxes are high, and the work is hard, but she keeps order and her soldiers prevent others from preying on us'

"That does not have to be the case. I could help you. I understand that I am new here, and you do not trust my word and have yet to see what I can offer you. I hold no mighty city yet. But perhaps I can prove myself to you all, what would it take for you to believe that I can give you a better life? Would one of you come and see my ruin of a city? Visit my people and hear their words?"

"We have no need to lay eyes on a ruin. We have no reason to trust the words of those who know nothing of life on this planet, and most of all, we have no reason to show disloyalty to Khan Artemis and bring her wrath down on us for betraying her and joining with you"

"No reason you say? Have any of your people ever been leveed to fight in a war not of your own making?"

A few of the bodyguards raise their hands as much as they're able (edited)

Cyrus nods and looks to his own men "My soldiers fight for me, because they believe in me. My people put their trust in me, and I strive to return that as best I can. Why fight for someone when you don't believe in them. A leader does not ask blind loyalty or gain it through fear or threat. They gain it through trust and competence." He gestures to the soldiers. "Your families may die in times of famine and disease because they are not allowed to possess the medicines and technology that would save them, or would help crops to grow. You would pay high tax out of fear of retribution. That is reason enough to want for change." Cyrus glances at his medic "I have hear with me, medicine - enough to help the sick in the village, and even your animals should there be any. I will not ask you to join me today. But I would gift this to you, allow my medic to see to your people and animals and show you a taste of what I can offer you."

1:05 PM

(I have a full cargo ship of medical supplies from my last round of trading, I'm offering the village some of the supplies we would have brought with us as an act of good faith basically.)

The senators look at each other warily, something unknown passing between them. "We must decline. Relationships are built on trust. We have none in you. In the same breath as your name, you asked us to commit treason against our Khan. You came into this village under the pretense of asking more about this world, and instead moments later tried to bring us into deception with you. This is not an arrangement we can abide with. We will allow you to leave,

"I ask no treason. How does accepting a gift constitute betrayal? Relationships are indeed built on trust, but if you don't allow that trust to be built then neither of us gain anything. Why deny a gift that would help your village? Perhaps save lives. I ask nothing in return but good faith."

1:15 PM

"A foundation of which to build the trust you say you do not have."

"You speak ill of the Khan, by speaking ill of our way of life , despite our warnings that such talk is dangerous to all of us. You spoke of the want for change, just a moment ago. The kind of change you're hinting at comes from toppling the regime. We will not have it here"

Cyrus sighs. "Then I am sorry. Mine is not a mind to be silenced when I see wrong. I understand how these words may bring danger to your door. But to not speak of this now would equally have been misleading. I understand that you are scared, you are safe under the regime. But allow me to make up for my transgressions as you see them. Allow me and mine to help you and yours, let us give you this gift - see to your sick and then we shall be on our way."

(youre going to be first but we're going to go into initiative) "We asked you to leave. We're not going to beg." The ten bodyguards level their long spears toward the barn door, as the senators move to the rear of the pack

Cyrus stands "Don't do this. I'm not here to hurt you, nor do I want to leave any widdows today. Stand down." (I'd like to try and use authority.) (You have an uncanny kind of charisma about you, one that makes others instinctively follow your instructions and further your causes. At level 1, this is a knack of charm and personal magnetism, while level 2 might suggest latent telepathic influence or transhuman memetic hacking augmentations. Where this focus refers to followers, it means NPCs who have voluntarily chosen to be in your service. PCs never count as followers. Level 1: Gain Lead as a bonus skill. Once per day, you can make a request from an NPC who is not openly hostile to you, rolling a Cha/Lead skill check at a difficulty of the NPC’s Morale score. If you succeed, they will comply with the request, provided it is not harmful or extremely uncharacteristic.)

1:39 PM

Cyrus' men raise their weapons as the tense standoff begins

(They're openly hostile to you at this point)

Cyrus raises his hands. "Then I shall leave, in hopes that in time. You will come to see that your fear in your overlords was misplaced."

1:43 PM

(My men are gonna ready their actions to fire if they attack)

They make no further hostile moves (essentially just holding their action to see what you do)

Cyrus whistles "Mount up, we're leaving. I will leave the supplies, as an act of goodwill."

(3xp, 5000 credits)

Cyrus and his men spend the few days traveling back to Mytikas formulating a plan for the future. (edited)

You scatter the trollboar herd again, and confirm readings of the metals in the river crossing, but otherwise the trip home is uneventful. When you arrive you see that Cole has the earthworks around the ruined temple completed, but it is far from a fortified trenchline

Cyrus pulls up and looks to Mateo with a weary smiles. "Go get some rest my Friend, I'm sure you'll have plenty to write about." He then looks to his men. "Good work out there. Go get your kit off and take a few days." He smiles and leaves them walking up the steps to go find Cole.

She is standing on the temple steps with a survey team, the three of them looking through a plotting scope and comparing measurements on a portable plan easel.

Cyrus walks up the steps taking off his cowl as he does "The earthworks are coming along nicely!" He exclaims smiling at Cole (edited)

“getting there. Won’t stop anything determined but at least the guns are in place”

"Indeed. It's starting to look less like a ruin and more defendable. Let's take a walk we can talk about the results of my mission. And what to do going forward."

She makes a few corrections on the plans for the next phase before stepping forward to join you. The engineers seem fine with the alterations

Cyrus slips his hand into hers as they walk around the ruined temple's boulevard "So it didn't go exactly to plan in the village. But I think I know what we need to do in the imidiate future. The people here are too used to being oppressed and are scared of the Khans it's death to even speak ill of them. I approached the engagement the wrong way and left on cold terms. But I think from what they did tell me is that they have no love for the Khans and would be willing to shift loyalty as long as we showed them we have the strength to protect them and defeat our enemies."

(Bump? ❤ )

(Seen it just busy)

"So by helping ourselves, we help sway them. Seems easy enough. Preferable, even"

(Sorry) "That was my thought too, our next steps are to figure out which Khans are at war with which and who is strongest. Evaluate our options and then provoke them to attack us on our terms."

"Sounds like we need another information gathering session then. Maybe a different village this time"

"Definitely. I was thinking we could work it into our trip. Next nearest is south. Looks like good country to hike or ride. There are some ruins near the village too. It might help us understand the culture if we can find some knowledge about the past."

"Maybe, It might stand better if we've shown beforehand there's been some effort to understand the world we're landed on"

"So ruins before or after the village?" (edited)

"I'd say so"

(XD that was a question haha I guess it's before the village.

)

(Oh I thought you meant before in time )

(haha, yeah I was asking should we do it before or after the village. But I assume you meant it was better to do it before.)

"Let's do that then, we shall go and delve these ruins and then visit the ruins see what we can gather. It'll be a good chance for us to have some time away from our burdens."

"And to see what we might use to make better arguments for the allegiance of the people here"

Cyrus nods, changing the subject "How were things here while I was gone? I see the defences are coming along, how was Scmander's scouting?"

"Didn't get far. We had some bad weather while you were afield, lots of storms from all the ships coming down, happens sometimes on humid worlds"

Damn it, we'll have to leave that for now then we are running out of supplies as it is. We need to start our producing efforts."

"And soon. We have enough for a bit of time, but we don't even know what the seasons are like on this world, or how easy growing more will be"

"Well, we can learn more about the process from the village hopefully."

6:56 AM

"Also, I saw that the village I'd visited had domesticated and farmed boars. We have a herd close to the city. Perhaps it would be an idea to start that too, keep them on the plains where they live so they can graze. I brought samples back for the research lab."

"Maybe shepherd or a very very large paddock. We'll have to spend some more time studying them"

(Shall we make it an actual project? I was gonna put the samples from the boar water and plants that I took and convert them to rp anyway so it might be a good idea to do it as a project)

(works for me)

8:43 AM

(I'll separate out your research tonight into its own handout, I've got a bit more org work to do)

(Sweet!)

(I meant to do it last night but I had to take a class on CFT so i know how to do my new job better)

(Lol its all good. Could we go through E.P's endeavours and maybe change some up? I don't think some of them fit or reflect the direction atm)

(yeah sure)

(I'll take that onto pm's later when you've got the time so we don't clog this up.) "I'll give it to the Brainiac's to look into. We can try and get some farming tips and tricks from the village. Now we know the kind of problems we are running into we know what questions to ask. How are the people taking to the new city? I know it's a ruin but it won't be forever."

"They're not happy. They went from somewhat comfortable lodgings to homes where they're lucky if it has all four walls. We're really going to need to push some reconstruction work, and find some sources of local supply"

"Once the defences are done that's the next task that will run along side growing food."

11:24 AM

"How long do you think it will be until we have a decent defensive perimeter?"

"Same problem, more materials means we can get it done faster, and really, it depends what we want. A wall changes a character of a city, inevitably, we will run out of space behind them"

"Perhaps gathering a group of surveyors will be a good idea. We are placed near some mountains I'm sure we can start a quarry. But metals and mono metal is another thing." (edited)

"Scouting teams will be going back out. It won;t be hard to find something, I hope"

1:13 PM

"I've seen plenty of metal in the pictures some of the scouts took. They're getting it from somewhere"

"Yeah, so do I." Cyrus says smiling tiredly and kissing her on the forehead. "I've got a lot of that in this place, hope. I think we can really do something great, it might take time. But it'll be ours. I couldn't care less about the rest of the galaxy, as long as you are safe and we have a place to call our own. Start a family..." He says a little wistfully as he looks out over the ruined city.

"Soon, maybe. I'd rather not birth a child into ruins bigger than the ones we left:

Cyrus chuckles "Yeah, perhaps once we have the planet stable. Or near enough."

2:47 PM

"It's been a rough few days on the back of that bike, I need a wash and a good nights sleep. Then we can get ready to move out and start the second expedition. You coming?"

2:47 PM

He asks with a weary smile (edited)

“I’ll get a few officers in charge of things here so I can go. Let’s plan for tomorrow”

"Can't wait, it'll be good to get out. I'll leave you to it then." He says leaving to go get a little r&r before they set off. (Time skip till the following day?)

(If you didnt have anything else)

(Nope, I think IC Cyrus is working on writing up the Myrmidon Doctrine to put into practice when he's back)

6:30 AM

Cyrus wakes up early and goes for a walk around the ruins. Having a look at the state of the place

Nothing has changed since last night. The artillery pits have finished digging in but major repair work is going to be halted without local supply

(So new tasks to go on in the background while I'm off on mission: Further scouting into the mountains to look for natural supplies of metals and other potential building materials. A start on looking into farming the local area, what it' going to take ect. Then obviously mine and Cole's mission.) Cyrus makes his way back to his tent sitting down with Eyrx and running through the tasks he'd like worked on while they're away. Then goes back to his tent to wake Cole and get ready for the journey.

(Alright. They can handle 2 things without an admin check)

(Smooth! I didn't know I could handle more with a check, I might increase it to 3 then and make the check - would I have to make it for the extra task or 3 separate ones?)

(for the extra)

(I think I'll stick with the two I've got for right now, everything else that I have in mind is a later project and isn't as important right now. 1. Start looking to farming the local area, what's it gonna to take ect 2. Further Scout the Mountains for sources of supply for building)

"You think we should wear assault suits?" Cyrus asks Cole. Thoughtfully as he checks over his rifle. "The villagers may not like it but we don't know what we'll run into in the ruin. Perhaps it'll give us the awe factor."

“I’m just interested in the not coming home in a box factor. Let’s bring them and judge on scene”

"I think that's a great idea. We'll go in a explorer instead of bikes. So we can bring Nem too! She'll love it."

“She would like that. Alright. Let’s stop standing around and start doing”

Cyrus laughs "Yes Ma'am!" He steps into the back of his gleaming suit and in closes around him, picking up his gear he heads for the grav explorer, packing it and starting the journey.

3:53 PM

(Red route is to the ruins and the green is the second leg)

You pass through the boar herds again, some idle chatter from your herding teams fills the radios , as they begin working to corral some of the good beasts. (I only need 2d10’s here. Some of the other stuff is special)

(3, 4)

Running Southwest you see a tree large enough that your mind is having trouble taking it all in at once. Even from this distance you see it rising up out of misty water. The land in this general area seems a bit more fertile. The rusted shells of a few tractors, riddled with bullet holes , are additional proof. Nature is working to reclaim some of these hulks

(that's the hex down from the city right?) (edited)

(The trollboars is the first hex your line passes through, the next one along the route is the one I described

(sweet, just seeing how viable it would be to set up farms here outside of the city.) "Might be worth looking at setting up crops out here use the river as a territory marker."

“We could even divert some water like they did at central. Make a holding lake by the city, or siphon some into storage tanks. Especially if there may be walls going up”

"I definetely want a wall around the temple and inner city as it will become. Irrigating the fields is a must for the terrain we're in there's plenty of water about to do that. Storing it is a good idea, later I'd like aquaducts in the city. (edited)

They'd have to run from the storage areas anyway, or lead into them. Were accomplishing the same"

Cyrus nods "Indeed, that was my point. How we store it is the question or rather where, I'd prefer not to destroy good ground by creating a lake. We'll have to look into placement."

Cyrus looks out of the window at the gargantuan tree "That. Is a big tree.I wonder how old it is."

"Who can say" Cole says, as the explorer bundles along. "and yes, the placement is important. IT all depends how things are approached"

"With the locals or our own?" Cyrus asks

"I could care less about the locals at this point"

Cyrus chuckles briefly before nodding in agreement "As much I'd like to disagree about that, our people for now come first. We must keep them safe." (edited)

1:46 PM

"We have rivers almost surrounding the city, we could divert from that into fields. As for storing perhaps we can create an underground reservoir by quarrying the mountains. That way we keep land to farm later. And it's less available to tamper with. Two birds one stone."

The drive continues, and the tree never leaves sight. Large flocks of birds wheel and swoop over it almost constantly. One group takes wing, as another enters the area, almost as if on some unknowable cue. The land closer to the tree is more arid, in this new zone (next hex, 1 from the ruins) and the sun begins to set on the boulder filled wasteland. You see several mostly eaten trollboar skeletons, most perched near rock piles

Cyrus pulls back the charging handle on his rifle. "This is odd, like a graveyard. But they're mostly eaten. And the rock piles... Want to get out and have a look?" He asks Cole with a grin. "You never know! We might slay another mighty beast."

“We might. That serpent was really something.”

The ramp lowers and she draws her sword, other hand clutching a solid shot pistol. Her rifle is slung around her back with an Olive two point sling

Cyrus walks out behind her his helmet off, attached to his armour at the waist by a thread of mono-steel chain. His rifle in his hands in contrast. His disruption sword attached to his back in a maglock scabbard. Nem bounds out with them, Cyrus gives a nod to her and wordlessly she bounds off to hunt for something. He turns to Cole weighing something up in his head. "Wait up a second." he asks as he ducks back into the wagon bringing out a long leather carrying bag. He looks around at the surrounding boneyard with a light laugh "I suppose here is as fitting a place as any." He exclaims cryptically before taking a few strides towards her in his armour. Undoing the lace of the bag he opens it and let's it fall to the floor revealing a sword in it's scabbard of serpent fang. He looks down at her with a grin and then takes a knee ceremonially, there's a crunch as his power armoured boot crushes an aged troll boar skull under its weight. Cyrus lifts the sword up still in its scabbard and grins impishly at Cole. "I would've got you a ring, but rings are for normal people. A warrior deserves a sword that reflects them. Cole, I love you and I'd be honoured if you'd stand with me until the dust from our bones has caught on the wind and all that is left is our memories. As my wife." He says for the first time looking worried as he offers her the sword. (edited)

5:36 PM

She says nothing for a long moment, pulling the blade a foot out of the scabbard, and admiring the workmanship. She sheathes it. “You did well. Alright. I suppose I’ll wife up with you” She pulls you to your feet, just as Nem starts to growl

Cyrus laughs but it's cut short by the low growl as hisb eyes snap towards the noise. He scans for movement. Without looking back at Cole he chuckles "Maybe you'll blood that new sword."

Something rattles across the wasteland landscape, kicking up a cloud of dust behind it. The bed of the cargo truck is weighed down with all manner of junk, some of the larger pieces hanging off the sides and tied on. There are two such vehicles, on pulling to the right a bit and allowing you to see it. Some kind of armed technical shadows them.

"Shit, cover." Cyrus says sliding to a knee behind a carcass "Who the fuck is this?" (Are there two technical or two cargo trucks?)

(Two cargo trucks, one technical)

7:55 AM

(For a total of three)

(Got it, thanks) Cyrus scopes in one them looking for markings or signs of possible allegiance for later identification.

There are no markings on the vehicle aside from rust and paint and more rust and repaint. The drivers are all in thick clothes and dust goggles.

10:35 AM

The trucks come to a halt upon seeing the explorer, the technical swings out to cover the meeting with its large bore gun

"This should be fun..." Cyrus stands up out of cover raising his left hand in a sign of greeting his right still on his weapon. He smiles at the collection of vehicles and their occupants but it never reaches his eyes. "Ho there Friends! What brings you out on this lovely afternoon?" He shouts over the distance and roaring engines. (edited)

They seem to not hear you due to said roaring engines. The cannon lowers. The doors open and four scavengers emerge

Cyrus glances back at Cole and shrugs. Before turning back to the scavengers. Waiting for them to move forward as to not provoke an attack

The engines finally shut off. “Strangers. These are our scavenging grounds. If you’re not looking to do business I’d be on your way”

"Scavenging grounds? Interesting. My name is Cyrus Adonis. We are... new here. Perhaps you could tell us who you are?"

“No fancy titles. Just free folk scraping enough to get by”

"I see, well - what do you have to trade Friend?"

Cyrus seems to relax a little knowing they are not openly hostile or allied with a Khan this is reflected in his posture.

“Scrap, some engine parts, I think we have a couple motorbikes in the back here somewhere. We pick things up from here and there”

Cyrus nods thoughtfully "Well I could do with any metal you've got but not right now. We'll have to come back later for it. Would you take medical supplies in exchange?"

“We would. You said you can’t do this now?”

"Sadly, not - We can make the deal now, but we'd have to come back later for the hand off. We're not equipped to carry it atm nor do we have the quantity of goods needed for the exchange. We call the city north of here home, the rebuilding efforts will need steel and other such materials. We'd welcome any we could trade for at the moment."

“If we head for your city are we going to be shot apart before we get there. Those are some impressive guns you’ve dug in”

"I'm a man of honour Friend, or I try to be. I shall call ahead and let them know that you're to be greeted in Friendship."

(You’ll get the deal details in a few days)

12:59 PM

This seems to be enough for them and they shut their truck doors. “Until then. We will pick this up at your ruin city then”

"Aye, until then." Cyrus waves as they leave turning back to Cole. "Well, that went well."

1:05 PM

"Those materials will be needed in the rebuilding, and this may be the start of a prosperous relationship."

"Its a start. A few scavengers aren't going to be able to supply us indefinitely, or in the quantities we need, but we can't say no to friends right now, either"

"Exactly, and they might be able to give us information about this place."

2:17 PM

"We can afford to have them. Okay, let's carry on then I suppose, we'll have to wet your blade somewhere else." He says with a light chuckle before slipping an arm around her as the walk back to the explorer and carry on their journey.

As the trucks begin peeling away toward your city the ground begins to rumble slightly as though in a light earthquake

5:09 PM

Stones vibrate off the ground in an aggravated dance and patches of loose gravel shakes into dust or into slowly growing cracks in the ground

(Oh shit. I hope that wasen't my arty... I would've radioed ahead haha)

"What the fuck!" (Are we travelling in the explorer yet or is this before we get a chance to do that?)

5:13 PM

(Sweet art btw)

(This is before you get in. The activity attracted it

(Thanks for the clarification. Retconned my action it was a little premature.) Cyrus turns staggering on the ground. "What is this?!" He says in equal parts shock and amazement as he surveys the creature.

All claws and jaws it breaks through the ground between you and the explorer, mace like tail swishing back and forth. It hunches low, and growls, a row of two foot long fangs , jagged and irregular poised to bite

Cyrus ignites his shield, bathing himself in golden light stepping between it and Cole drawing his own sword from his back as he does. "Try take it from the side while I come at it from the front. Nem, go with her." He shouts over the quake. Moving forward to meet it head on. "C'mon you ugly beast, let's be having you!"

(We do need initiative, it has a prey sense ability that acts like alert)

(4)

(2, you and cole first)

(sorry, was at work) Cyrus moves forward his sword's disruption field humming through the air as he charges the beast with a primal war cry. He charges is shield first then as it reels back attempts to slash through it's chitin with his sword (32/8) At the same time Cole moves to the left flank firing whilst circling with her pistol (17/6) Nemesis too circles from the right running and attempting to bit at it's hind legs as her master attacks from the front (11/8)

nemesis is batted aside from a light flick of the blunted tail, unharmed, but unable to press her attack. The pistol round deflects off a rigid dorsal spine, cracking it, but again, superficially wounding. Your own sword cuts through the hide easily, sinking deep into muscle

12:21 PM

It returns the attack, attempting to bite with its jagged fangs

12:23 PM

(11, miss)

Cyrus rolls the the side as it clamps down on nothing but the air where he used to stand his strike back with a backhanded sword strike to it's neck attempting to dig in to something major. (24/9) Cole charges from the left side in hopes of christening her new blade going to stab it in it's flank. (Miss) Nemesis claws at it's right (27/6)

The beast roars, and lashes its tail out in a wide arc (evasion saves for everyone)

(All pass)

The whistling bludgeon sails overhead as you all dive or duck out of the way, and it roars again in frustration

Cyrus uses his suit's powered leap as the thrusters boost him into the air, clear of the tail he brings down the sword in a powerful overhead cut as he drops back down to the earth using the weight of his suit and the pull of gravity. (Crit/24) Cole sees the tail and ducks under the beast sliding under it's stomach and slicing upwards into it's mass as she does (25/8) Nemesis bats the tail away but is too caught up in the defence to do any real damage (Miss) (edited)

1:14 PM

(I can never remember, do we double or roll twice for crits?)

(double the number of whatever damage dice the weapon does)

(Edited to be correct)

Wounded from serious injuries, the beast howls at all of you, and its front claws begin to dig, trying to break its way back into the tunnel network it was hunting from berlow.

Cyrus leaps on it from above attempting to plunge his sword in between the cracks of it's natural armour and down into it's head (28/9) Nem attempts to grab at it's back legs but fails to get purchase with her jaws (Fail) Cole slashes at it's tails as it lashes out and around (17/9)

Tail left behind, cleanly severed, the beast narrowly escapes into the passages below, sand and rock falling in to fill behind it

Cyrus looks up to Cole then back down at the hole panting "Do we want to fallow?" (edited)

"Not in its own lair, and with how little we know about this place"

Cyrus nods the fog of conflict clearing as he coughs, his throat dry from the kicked up dust. "You're right, it fought valiantly - we shall let it slink off to lick it's wounds with honour." He wonders over to the tail picking it up. "And a trophy for the wall!" He says with a chuckle. "How did the sword perform?"

"When I got an angle, it cut right through the plates."

Cyrus smiles a little triumphantly "I'm sure you'll have plenty of chances to make it sing. Though for now" He says looking around "I think it best we get out of here, in case more of those things arrive."

“I don’t want to be here any longer than you do. Let’s be off”

Cyrus climbs out of his armour and back into the cab, radioing in to the city and informing them of the Scavengers and their deal and what they've found so far. Then he starts the drive to the ruins. He seems to think about something for a while as he drives, even going so far as to bring up some maps and look at them through the corner of his eye before turning to Cole "You know, it's not such a bad thing that these beasts are here. If there is more of them. Mytikas is in a strategically strong place, it's covered by a mountain range to the north. A river to the south, to the east a narrow gateway between mountains and the the west more rivers. Have these beasts here stops the a force or hinders it if it attacks from this angle. Which would be one of the better angles of attack across the flatlands. In a pinch we could even force them into that sector if we needed to, thinning their ranks." (edited)

"The way I see us beginning on our road to beating the Khans, if indeed we have to. I imagine we may be able to sway one or two - but to begin with we will have to show our strength. Is to goad one of them into attacking us somehow. The picture we wish to paint is not one of invaders but enlightened liberators, within reason. So we must pick our first adversary well to prove a point, build up our defences and infrastructure to a point where we are seen as a real threat, but not big enough to warrant all of the local Khans to attack. Then we somehow make one of them begin aggressive action - we draw out his army, hopefully easy enough to do with guerrilla tactics. Lead them into a battle ground we have prepared and decisively defeat them in the field. That'll mean using the terrain to our advantage as much as our Warriors being prepared."

3:24 PM

"And intelligence, on the enemy, their personalities, their troops, numbers all of it. We need to highlight the flaws in our enemy to the populace, let them defeat themselves as much as we do. Have them fight amongst each other, then clean up as they regroup. Then the tale they will tell is of the jealous Khans that attempted to take the newcomers wealth, and the newcomers defeated them and liberated the people from their overlords that would use them against each other in war."

"To get that information we need to not be riding into towns like our mere presence is going to win people over. Right now, we're the invader, but you're right, there may be a way to harness that. This has to be approached carefully. One mistake and we're all dead"

"I completely agree, I went about it all wrong in the first village. But it set a groundwork, for the plan I have now and showed where the land lies. These people respect strength, or failing that need to see it before we become appealing. But our first steps need to be learning, I can't do all of that. Physically, I'm too distinctive. But, we have Mord's informants, left over from Cruesa. He's got the beginnings of a good network of agents. If they can infiltrate some of the cities, they may be able to get us more information. I don't expect villagers to know everything about everyone, but it's nice to make a start there. At least so we can get some essential questions answered. The plan I have in mind will to no small part of guile, we will win the planet with more than just might. We must be shrewd about it, as you say one wrong move could mean death. Before we even start to battle the other Khans we must make ourselves and our city stable, rebuild and begin producing food to sustain ourselves. That gives us time to learn about our potential enemies."

"we're not doing anything but driving for at least another few days, between here, and the ruins. Why wait to enlighten me?"

Cyrus nods seeming to think it over "Fair point, a lot of the plans depend on what we learn. But in concept it's somewhat sound." "Step One, is what we're doing at the moment, searching the surrounding territory of the city, rebuilding it, making it sustainable for our people, food water and such. Learning what we can about the Khans, their personalities. I think I understand the governmental systems in this place at the basic level. Khan's hold the technology and therefore the power, the control that by force for the most part. So that's what we target to provoke them later. We take away their power by offering technology to others, by simple means of having it we are a threat to them. That's good for us, or at least partly. Step Two, once we are established physically we learn what we can about the potential enemy forces and capabilities. Then pick a target, preferably one close by, Chiron or Artema. If I had a choice, due to terrain it would be Chiron. We goad them into an attack somehow, perhaps we declare a border that makes them look weak. Something that can provoke them without making us look too much like we're power hungry, and can be easily flipped to make them look like the aggressors. Then we'd use guerrilla tactics, Scmander's Warriors most likely, he's one hell of a Bushwaker and his Taros are former special operations. I'm thinking we make his unit just that, special operations. There antics and harassment draws out the full enemy force into a battlefield of our choosing. Then we decisively defeat them in the open. Release the prisoners, give them a choice to join us if they want. Seizing the initiative we take the city, not through force if it can be helped. If that Khan is dead we shall claim it, or at least make an alliance with a new leader, allow them to swear fealty. If they are not, then we have them assassinated. Make them look like their own people did it, manufacture a revolution overnight. And walk into the city as liberators.

7:53 PM

Step Three, we by guile and manipulation of events and rivalries, spark open conflict with other Khans, subject to what we learn - but I'm sure it's possible. Let them war amongst themselves, so that they're not in a position to ally against us. Then we mop them up. Oversimplified I know but you get the idea, we ally with who we can - those who will change their ways. We defeat those that wont. But we must do so without causing widespread chaos. We must be seen as the order. We end the conflict decisively and with as little bloodshed as possible." (edited)

"What happens if we run into more villages like the first? too scared to take us up on the offer, even if it is to their benefit?"

"The plan is that hopefully we will not ask them until it is assured. I made a mistake with the first village I asked too much to early on. Until our show of strength against another Khan in battle we will not ask them to join us. That's why it's important we win the first engagement decisively."

8:00 PM

"We will gain intelligence from our surrounding villages, if they ask for our protection I will not deny them it but I will not ask. Friendship, or at least a working relationship of small trade might be able. We need crops, or at least seed, it is my hope that perhaps on this journey we may be able to barter some with the locals. But we will only broach the subject after talks have concluded."

"That's the general idea anyway. A lot of it depends on what our rivals are like. Which hopefully we will find out soon."

"We will, one way or another" she agrees. Continuing onward the ruins loom, the remains of a village, which looks to have fallen to violence of some kind judging by the pockmarks in the walls and collapsed masonry ahead. Most of the fence lines have also been smashed or burned. The damage looks recent, within the last few years, at least.

Cyrus walks out once again in his armour as he scans his surroundings. "Interesting, not long done by the looks of it. Nem, take a look around make sure there's no one lurking in wait." Cyrus walks into the ruin with Cole his rifle in his hands.

"I wonder who did this, raiders perhaps?" He asks as he traces one of the bullet holes in the wall attempting to figure out what type of weapon was used. (I.E Mag rifles, normal assault rifles or more primitive weaponry.)

The holes are not like anything you've seen before, heavily splintered, with smaller splinters around it (almost like a shotgun but much more force, flechette of some sort)

Cyrus takes out a vibro knife digging into the wall slightly in an attempt to pop out one of the flechettes.

It is a long barb, like an upside down arrowhead, jet black, but with burns around the top. something was jettisoned or fired from it while in flight

Cyrus turns with it in his hand as he looks it over "I've never seen anything like this before, what about you Cole?" He asks holding it out for her to look at.

"Me either, its very strange" she says, turning it over in her hands. "Nothing like this before either"

12:18 PM

There are more such impacts in the walls, and it looks like in once place, an irregular hole the size of a baseball has been blown through one of the brick buildings, the actual barbs of the weapon embedded in the internal masonry beyond

(Like a delayed explosion?)

12:20 PM

(Or like it punched through the wall and scattered inside?)

(punched through the wall and scattered inside)

Cyrus kneels down and examines the whole "Who uses weapons like these against civilians? Anyone on the other side of this wall would've been ripped to shreds by those barbs."

"And why was the village attacked at all" cole says, casually looking at the broken furnishings

Cyrus stands deep in thought "Perhaps to send a message, to others. Or perhaps it was marauders. Let's keep looking we might find some answers." He says as he carries on deeper into the village looking through houses as he goes.

Walking through the ruined village, you come to notice after peering into a few homes, that there are no bodies left behind, or even bones. There is also no blood, though depending on how long ago the attack ones, Cole theorizes it may have just been washed away

"Indeed, perhaps they were buried by their kin. I doubt the aggressors did, judging by their tactics they cared little for those who lived here."

"Or carried off. Lots of personal effects left around"

That gives him pause "Carrion or - Slavers?"

"I'm not sure what's worse. I can't tell. Carrion though, you think there'd be some feeding here, at least. So blood, or some bone"

Cyrus nods "It's too clean for it to be animals, it could be that people came back buried them - but it seems about fitting for this place for it to be slavers. I hate slavers." He spits punctuating the term.

"SOunds a lot like the Remnant, all over again. The devil was being an optimist if he thought he could make humanity worse than it is already"

"Humanity has been killing and bringing misery to others long before we started worshiping Gods. It's what we're best at, but it makes me more determined in the opinion that if it is so, what we are doing here is all the more righteous."

the village is built around a focal point, some kind of longhouse, or chapel, it looks like it could be either, given the amount of detail and ornamentation on the building. The structure is less damaged than the surrounding homes

"Intriguing, this seems to be barely touched." He says as he walks in, ducking under the empty doorframe, a series of tac lights on his armour turn on as he enters the darkness

A hole blown in the ceiling also helps provide some light. The remains of a meal long ago prepared are on the table, along with a few discarded bolt action rifles that look similar to things the colonial militia was using before the reorganization

Cyrus picks up one of the rifles as he moves around the table he attempts to work the bolt and see if they were loaded or had been fired by looking at the ammunition count. (edited)

There is a mag strip of 4 rounds next to the chamber, and the chamber itself is empty. It has burn marks in it and looks to have been fired

"Well, whoever lived here put up a fight even if it was a weak one." He says putting down the rifle and looking for any kind of documents or useful information among the clutter and wreckage

There are a few more rifles, and some discarded, mostly rotted cloth ammunition webbing. It is woven, rather than leather, and most of the bullets carried in the additional strip clips have rusted. Firing them would be a phenomenally bad idea.

9:58 AM

Almost everything has been likewise carried off, only rotted food and the simple wooden utensils left behind. You find little in the way of the ornamentation or treasure you'd expect to find in a building that is the focal point of a village this size

"looks thoroughly sacked to me, the weapons look quite primitive. Probably weren't taken by the attackers for obvious reasons if they had tech to do the damage we've seen they'd have little need for these."

Cole seems to agree "Would have just been a museum piece. Or junk." All the same, she appreciatively picks one up by what's left of its threadbare carry strap, and slings it across her back. "Might fix it up, just to try it"

Cyrus smiles lovingly at her "Projects and hobbies, keeps the mind alive."

"It does" she agrees. "Well, we know we are either dealing with an aggressive state actor, or a decently armed group beyond the law here"

"Yeah, we might be able to gather some more information from the villagers. Trouble is how to frame the questions we ask." He thinks aloud on the way back to the explorer.

“When I was garrison commander on Aslief...pre Remnant occupation days and whatnot mind you, dealing with the locals was my least favorite part of the day”

6:57 PM

“But I’ve learned a bit. I’ll try to help keep things on the path”

6:57 PM

“We should try to check their temperature too. Maybe see if they know anything about what happened here.”

Cyrus nods in silent agreement before speaking a few moments later "Check the temperature before talking, I'm sure we'll find out if their friendly soon enough after contact. Like I said before I'm not going to ask them to join us, but laying groundwork or implanting the notion that there are options would be good for later in the plans for taking the planet."

“I think it’s about talked through until we make contact with them. I’m not crazy about sheltering with them for a night though. Especially not after what happened to you last times

"Fair point let's sleep first and meet them on the morrow, it's getting dark anyway. And well, we wouldnt want to keep them up all night with the sounds of furious love making." He laughs then winks impishly

(6xp for the RP so far, fade to black haha)

(Sweet!) Cyrus wakes up cradling Cole in the back of the explorer as dawn breaks. Rubbing his eyes with the back of his free hand, he yawns and kisses the top of her head.

"Morning" she grumbles "Didn't hear anything outside last night"

"That's not a bad thing, but then again Nem was prowling last night so maybe that kept them away." He says looking out at the glowing sunrise. "The sun rise is beautiful this morning, I must have seen thousands of them on hundreds of worlds by now. Never get tired of them, though Herasi ones make me feel warmer than others. Peaceful, or at least makes me feel it. Feels like home."

"Lets hope thats all it was. So we're going to hit the next village today. How do you feel?"

"About the village? As good as I can, I've got some questions noted down so I don't forget them. I'm prepared as much as I can be. In general, to be truthful I want to know who are our enemies, and who we might persuaded, and out of those who will be our first target. Then we can begin preparing, put in motion the plans that will allow us to take this planet and make it prosperous."

1:01 PM

"What about you?"

"I want the same answers. Maybe firsthand things might become more clear. But we can stew over it on the way back. This waiting is giving me an upset stomach"

Cyrus chuckles "That could just be those rations! But it seems we are of one mind, once we know where we stand then we can see about elevating ourselves."

1:10 PM

"We should probably get up and start getting on with it..." He groans rolling out of the makeshift bed.

"Might be. Who knows though, might be the last pepperoni pizza menu for a while"

"Sweet and sour is the strongest and only logical choice young one!" Cyrus says affecting the guise of an old teacher from the vids. He hops around for a second and he pulls on a boot before hitting the ramp switch and breathing ib the fresh air as it fills the explorer

The air wafts in and you hear the scrubbers cycling and refreshing. Once you’ve had time to relax you once again begin driving, spending a few hours passing over short grasslands before the village becomes visible. This village has wooden walls surrounding it , the town gates beginning to close as the explorer comes into view

"Huh, the other village didn't have walls. This could get interesting." Cyrus says as they near the gates, he slows coming to stop about 30m from the gate. He steps out unarmoured raising a hand in passive greeting. (edited)

Three bucket helmed heads, each carrying a long throwing spear, poke up. "Good morning traveler. Welcome to the village of Foothold. What business do you have here?:

"Good morning Friend. We come in search of conversation and trade." He replies with a warm smile

"Conversation and trade..." he repeats. "What have you brought to trade?"

"Advanced medical supplies."

7:47 AM

"In hopes of trading for information and seed to sow crops, but we are open to other offers."

"Do you have any with you now?"

Cyrus shoots a look at Cole in the cab, sensing that this could be a precursor to an attack. "Some, we have more elsewhere."

"Leave the vehicle, you may enter on foot. Samples would be appreciated. We've been tricked before"

"I shall, is my partner welcome to join me?"

"The both of you are fine, just dont come in with the vehicle"

Cyrus leans into the cabin, looking at Nem "Guard the vehicle just in case anyone tries to take it." He turns to Cole "Okay let's do this, let's take our swords just in case." Taking up his sword and sheathing it by his side he grabs the case of meds and starts towards the gate. (edited)

The heavy wood and banded metal doors open, each side held by two guards with long spears. A cohort of sword and pistol armed warriors, in bronze era battle plate, with three senatorial figures is awaiting on the other side

Cyrus smiles warmly as they enter and stop in front of the formation. "Greetings. I'm honoured at the welcome, your men look well armed for war." He sets down the box and bows "I shall introduce myself, my name is Cyrus Adonis, leader of my people. We have recently settled to the North in the city of Mytikas."

'We'

8:43 AM

have heard of you, invader. Our friends northwest of here said you tried to get them to betray their Khan and join you"

Cyrus sighs "A misunderstanding that got out of hand, not to be repeated again."

"I see. You said you've come for trade, and conversation. You're peddling something?"

"Advanced medical supplies, antibacterials, painkillers, that kind of thing." He takes out a stim pen from the chilled box holding it up for them to see.

"This box is yours as a show of good faith, in return all I ask is for answers to questions. I will not attempt to recruit you."

"Seems like a fair enough trade. Please, ask what you came to ask"

10:31 AM

You sense the tension levels beginning to drop

"As you know I'm new to this place, I'd like to know what I can about the Khans, could you give me a description of their powers and the different personalities?"

"Khan Persepha dominates these parts, we've had no dealings with anyone else. She's a good leader, and most of the time seems like she actually cares about us. When that village nearby was raided a few years ago, by the Janusis Guard, she ensured the rest of her towns had settlement walls"

Cyrus nods "We came across the ruined village, we had wondered who had done it. Terrible. What happened to them? Why were they targeted?"

"They did not pay the protection taxes to Lord Janus to the south. This used to be his land. He sent an army out to reinforce the village, and then decided to massacre them instead"

11:11 AM

(You're getting the sense that borders are very fluid)

"All of them?" *Cyrus asks almost mournfully"

"All of them. If you go to the forest west of the village you'll find the mass grave

Cyrus shakes his head his bubbly glow giving way to a sombre moment "Perhaps in time we may build a monument to their dead and have the laid to rest in a manor that would please the Gods and put them at rest." He looks back up "Apologies, I did not mean to dredge up old heartache. What can you tell me of this Lord Janus? Is he a cruel overlord?"

"He is one day and the next overly generous. The only thing he ever knows is, he doesn't know"

"I see irratic and dangerous. Who presides over Haphaestea to the South?"

"Hephestan, the forge king. Never dealt with him here"

"Is there anything you can tell me about him? Rumours and the like?"

"Nothing we want to risk our necks for to an outsider"

"Of course, I wouldn't want to put you in that situation. Do you know anything about how my city came to be as it is now?"

"You said you're calling it Mytikas, but that name doesn't mean anything to us. Where are you settling in?":

"North of here, a day or so. The ruined city with the temple to my patron. Ares."

"Ah, you're in the ruins then. We drove Ares out. His bid to conquer this world and its people failed, the one time when all the Khans fought under the same banner....days of glory" the spokesman for this village evidently, thinks aloud

"Perhaps one day, those days will return. Though hopefully not to cast me and mine out. That would be a bad idea for all involved."

12:14 PM

"I thank you for your candid nature, its refreshing. Could you tell me what you know of the other Khans? Those of Chiron and Stygia."

"The same. No personal dealings, not even much in the way of reputation that wasn;t third of forth hand by time I heard it. I'd rather say nothing than give you false information"

"I thank you for that. I have but a few more questions, I'm intrigued by the gargantuan tree nearby, do you know anything about it? Does it hold any meaning to your people?"

"The bone garden. That tree grows in the middle of it, the legend is long, and complicated"

"If you have the time, I'd like to hear it, I'm here to learn of this place. And I love a good myth and story."

"We call that region the garden of bones. Hundreds of years ago, the city states allied one other time- moving against what you might call a titan, a being of supreme power, and monstrosity. He ruled this planet, and those around it. We never had its true name, the legends just call it "The Overlord". "The city states, at the height , with all its power, technology, and all the soldiers they could muster, marched against the overlord and his horde"

3:07 PM

"The battle was fierce, fought almost non stop over a month, as our ancestors clashed with him, and his woe machines"

3:08 PM

"In the end, the free peoples of Heras prevailed , the corpse of the overlord eventually going from a symbol of oppresion, to one of life, as nature began to overtake it. The ground there is littered with wrecks, both of its machines, and the bones of our own walkers, and warriors. Some say there are ghosts there, and I for one believe them. Most who return, if they do come back at all, are changed in horrible ways by the experience of getting too close to it" (edited)

"Has anyone ever made it to the center?"

3:10 PM

Cyrus asks drinking in the story completely enthralled by the myth and scope of it, then a light dawns behind his eyes.

"If they have, they haven't come back sane. I'd be disinclined to believe anyone saying they have , anyway"

"Is there anything in this story that would prove it? An artefact or symbol that one could show." (edited)

"It would need to be something big. Something unique. This was hundreds of years ago. It is hard to know what is truth, and what has become exaggerated"

6:38 PM

(Its sort of one of those 'you'll know when it happens' kind of things)

(I get ya) Cyrus nods "You have answered all of my questions, for this I am grateful. Now comes an offer for trade. More of my medical supplies, for seed to sow for my people. If you have any."

He gestures for two of the guard to move off to some kind of barn looking storage building. After a few moments they return with three burlap looking sacks. You hear something sandlike being poured over itself inside as they move. " Wheat, and beans. It's all we can spare for now"

(What would be a fair trade as far as tonnage, I was thinking like 2 tons or so?)

“We will give you these for five tons.

(Would the explorer have the tonnage space to have that on board?)

(No but this is a negotiation)

"Five? Let us say two, though I need these seeds I'm not ignorant of what I'm giving you in return and it's value. A crate of these keeps your village alive and free of disease in winter, but tons of them could make sure that your people are healthy for years to come." Cyrus' tone is not arrogant or condemning but educational and has a light undertone of humour seemingly enjoying the haggle (edited)

“Two and a half. Meet me in the middle”

7:52 AM

He seems to be enjoying it too

Cyrus ponders for a moment, though it's clear he's come to a decision. "Deal." He says taking a step forward and putting out a hand for him to shake.

He steps forward from the cordon of guards and shakes , nodding for the exchange to take place

10:24 AM

“Pleasure doing custom with you”

"And you Friend, perhaps this is the start of a fruitful relationship between our two peoples. We need not be under the same banner to be good neighbours. Now, with out exchange done, and our conversations had we must go. There is, as ever, much to do."

“Safe travels on your way back to the ruins. May those seeds bear fruit”

"And a good harvest to you and yours, may those medical supplies help your sick. If you see your Lady's representatives soon, please give them my warmest regards for her. I would have no strife or ill will between us through ignorance of each other." He bows his head respectfully to the Senators. Turning on his heel, nodding at Cole as he picks up two of the sacks leaving the third for her to carry back to the explorer.

Cargo loaded you begin heading home, and arrive at mytikas after a few days of quiet travel. The scavengers are waiting when you arrive.

10:45 AM

(3xp)

Cyrus turns to Cole as they disembark. "Go get some rest, I'll catch up with you after I've treated with the Scavengers." He says with a smile "Thank you for coming with me by the way, it went a lot better. Though we still have a lot to learn."

“It didn’t end in violence. To me that is a win”

2:01 PM

“I’ll check on things inside”

Cyrus nods in agreement. "See you soon." He taps his thigh signalling Nemesis to follow as he walks towards the Scavengers, an aide handing him a face cloth as he makes his way to the ruined meeting room. He wipes the grime from his face built up from travel and days without a shower. Thanking the aide before handing it back he asks "How have the Scavengers been as they have waited?" (edited)

“Fine. They asked for water once which we have plenty of but otherwise just kept to themselves”

"That's good, thank you. I will speak to them now, I'm sure they are eager to get underway." He says taking a long drink from a flask of water before walking through into the meeting room wearing a wide smile.

"Hello Friends, my apologies for the late return, we were held up in matters of diplomacy. I hope you have enjoyed your time in the city, ruined though it may be."

"we've remained outside, we didnt want to enter with the head of the family not at home. Can we conduct business?"

"We can!" Cyrus exclaims as he walks over to a once beautiful marble throne now cracked almost in half down the back. He drops into it casually taking a sip of water before looking back at them. "So." He says coming to the business at hand "You have metal, scrap or not I am in need of all you can scavenge. Now I could buy it from you, we could strike a deal and you would be on your way, back to the roaming life. Not knowing what might befall you the day after next, or -" He says lifting up a hand as if weighing something on imaginary scales. (edited)

5:54 PM

"You could join me, I would be your prime customer, you would scavenge and in return I will give you a home here in the city if you wish it, a safe harbour and my protection. Perhaps in time a village for your people in my lands once we are well established."

5:57 PM

"You may ask what I could offer you, that others could not. The answer is technology, true protection, and a just leader. I do not ask of my citizens anything that I myself would not do."

6:01 PM

His tone throughout is casual, he asks and it is clear he is not commanding them. Though he is conscious to not be so casual as to appear arrogant.

“We would rather just complete the deal and go back to our own business. We purposefully don’t operate out of the cities for a reason. “

"And that reason is? If you don't mind me asking?"

“Our own” he replies curtly. “Are we on or should we head out?”

Cyrus shrugs "We have trade to make, I shall not press any further."

"So your metals, how much do you have?"

"Fifty tons in the trucks here, and two tractor shells, as promised"

"For this we will can offer you, twenty five tons of advanced medical supplies."

They talk among themselves for a minute, casting furtive glances back at you. "Alright, deal. May we complete this within the walls? It'll be close to dark by time we unload"

"You may, you're more than welcome to stay the night. The hospitality of Mytikas, though meagre is open to you."

8:00 AM

Cyrus stands and puts out a hand to shake on the deal

They grab the wrist, a warriors shake, and consider the deal complete. They make a pumping motion with their fists, and you hear the large engines start up for the trucks to come inside, andunload their scrap

Cyrus gives a firm grip and releases looking to his aide and nodding. "Have the supplies brought to their trucks." He turns back to the scavengers "I'm sure we'll meet again, perhaps one day you'll take me up on my offer." He says with a smile "Whatever your reasons, there will come a time for us all to unite."

They let the words hang but dutifully unload the supplies, making the trade before bundling their way out of the city ruins. The trucks all show signs of battle damage and their caution is made a little more real

Cyrus turns to Eyrx as they watch the supply exchange, out of ear shot from anyone else. "How much do you think we'll need? To rebuild the city for our people? Ballpark."

“It’s hard to say when everything right now is a ruin. What we really lack are construction machines capable of making the heavy labor easier. Those tractor shells, as much as you’re eager to get the farming done, they might be able to help us clear some rubble and get the homes closest to the temple competed

5:05 PM

(The amount depends a lot on how ambitious and everything.

(I might have to draw something up later, like a city plan) "Hmm, we have 5 mechs. But they are far to precious to use in such construction works. We need this city built, that requires machines as you say. But we also require food." Cyrus grunts in frustration. "This is an endless game of scales. Use the tractors for now." He says after a few moments seeming to cool. "What reports do you have for me concerning our survey attempts in the mountains nearby?"

"iron deposit was found, but theres some very hostile wildlife in the area.

5:32 PM

"We're going to have to do something about them before we send civilians into the area"

"I'll take care of them. Do we have any information on them?"

"They...they barf magma....sir"

Cyrus lets out a laugh in surprise "Well, that's something!"

6:39 PM

"In other news, how does the ground look for farming outside of the city?"

6:40 PM

Garion 7/14/2019 6:40 PM

(Just gonna put this here too)

"Well, I think we looked over this a few days ago, but the soil quality hasn't changed. The first layer is very tough, almost a clay like material, but the next layer down, below the topsoil is rich"

"As you say, so it's a case of using the tractors for farming or clearing the rubble, we have food for now. The remainder of supplies along with our burgeoning board farm. The people here need houses to make this place a home. We need more equipment, tractors, dozers that kind of thing. Perhaps if we can make allies with one of the khans we can expedite the process." Cyrus sighs clearly tired "We learnt some things about the Khans while we were away, but we need to find more information about the unknown factors. We need to send out spies, or at least information gatherers. We cannot just go and talk to villagers endlessly." (edited)

He thinks for a long moment. "Garion the great. He came with us as part of the expats from Cruesa. Maybe he will have better luck? "

Cyrus chuckles heartily it breaks into a genuine smile "Mordecai the Brown, Garion the Great. How many names does the master of whispers have? That's a good idea Brother. He has is informers still with him, they are more suited to it - we have made our introductory moves. Now it is time to begin the greater game."

7:14 PM

"We have much to do, but everything is to a schedule. Making sure our place here in this city is secure is part of that. Not only do I want our people as comfortable as possible but it shows we are here to stay. I cannot unite and lead a planet from a ruin."

“What do we do about security. Street patrols only catch so much and you can literally walk right up to the city”

"I've been thinking about that, I think forward watch posts are the way answer. A couple placed strategically around the city a few days out would give us enough time if someone was to attack. They'll act like an outer layer of defence, our comms and observation tech will give us an edge. Then we can sally out or shore up defences if needs be." (edited)

"I'll make some plans for them. Give me a couple nights to talk to the squad leaders, and we;ll work out a rotation. We do have the platform, but a second line of warning might be the difference"

"Indeed, some times lower tech, boots on the ground are needed."

7:46 AM

"For now there's not much we can do for the cities defensive structures. I plan to have an inner wall, to protect the admin buildings, barracks temple and the like. If needed we can have the civilians filter into there in times of attack. But that requires us to rebuild the city first."

"I spent a little time with Voyra Sol, the chief city planner when Central was redone, and I remember how much of a hassle it was for them to re-district . We should clear ruins and leave ample space for those defenses, so we don't put homes down in the path of the wall. Otherwise. I'm with you"

Cyrus nods in agrrement "You're right, don't want to flatten people's homes. I'll draw up a plan for us to work from with some of our more engineering focused Brothers and Sisters. Might take a few days but we have the time."

"Alright, something for your travels then. I heard you're heading back to the wilds. LEaving soon?"

"I will be, I'm no good sat here. I'll take Nemesis. Got to go see Cole and maybe sleep first I've been going no stop since we arrived."

"I think there's going to be a lot of that going around" he sighs. "The things I'd do for a sip ofeverwake"

"I'd say there's hope of that changing soon but I'd be lying. Perhaps once we take the planet."

He nods and closes his datapad. “Alright sir. Get some rest. I’ll get the orders passed out and we will get started with things while you’re gone”

Cyrus let's out a sigh and nods putting a hand on Eyrx's should in wordless thanks before departing up the steps into the ruined temple. (I'm picturing like apartments above the temple or something almost like its half temple half Palace for what once was the priests or something)

(Yeah there would have been some kind of a rectory or living space for sure either above or below or)

9:31 PM

The rubble on the ground has been cleared out when you enter though nobody had touched anything that looks like it may have belonged to the ruined statue of Ares. The palm and hand you once used as a chair is still in the same position. The upstairs is little better but the rotting and burned furniture has been removed, replaced with more austere supplies taken from the ship

Cyrus walks in with Nemesis and whistles "Well this is roomy, needs decoration but it's nice." He says walking through to the bedroom and crashing on the bed and falling to a deep sleep.

You rest fitfully, the first time doing so in an actual structure that wasnt also a barn since landing here,.

Cyrus jolts awake early in the morning before sunrise. He glances over at Cole beside him before slowly rolling out of bed trying his best not to wake her as he moves out onto the balcony overlooking the ruined city.

the ruins look black, in the dim morning light, though soon the city will be revealed to be theburned and faded white marble it was once made from. Dozens of large patches of scrub brush, especially at city edge, are still present

Cyrus sits in an old stone chair on the balcony and types away at a dataslab as he creates the outline for the new Myrmidon Legions, putting the finishing touches on his ideas for a reformed and disciplined military force. He finished and looks up seeing the sun as morning dawns on the city.

He stands after finishing and stretches. Walking back into the apartment looking over to the bed to see if Cole is still sleeping.

She is up, and you hear her footsteps going downstairs, and a moment later her shouting at some unfortunates nearby who got caught doing nothing

Cyrus chuckles and gets washed and dressed before heading downstairs. He attempts to find her in all the early morning movements as people rush to get to their work assignments. (edited)

She is about to hit the temple steps, junior officers and other laborers scattering before her like a splitting tide, outside you can see the refitted tractor beginning to cycle up to clear some ruin blocks

Cyrus jogs to catch up with her "Morning! What are you on with today?"

"If I'm staying I thought I'd see to getting some of the resource production going. I'm going to take a few squads out to cover the farmers and look for more wildlife like what we found a few days ago"

"Sounds like a good idea. I've got something for you to read while you're out there." He says handing her the slate. "Reforms for the Myrmidons. Time for them to stop being mercenaries and start being warriors that fight for a nation. This might help, I want you're opinion on them."

"A hefty volume. I'll give it a read over while you're gone and make some notes. Best I can promise right now. "

"That's fine, but we need to implement it as soon as possible, I want to set the Myrmidons to mastering the terrain we find ourselves in too. Once we have the city's construction efforts and food needs under control we'll be in a good place to begin the next stage of the plan. Which reminds me, I need to go and speak with Mordecai. I'm going to need his expertise in some matters."

"I think I saw him near the southern outskirts, holding court, like usual" she laughs

Cyrus smiles "I shall go find him, I wonder what name he's using now. Thank you, if I don't see you before I leave, good luck." He says kissing her on the cheek quickly knowing she'd hate to show affection in front of her subordinates.

She seems to thank you for the consideration, somehow. "I'm not sure either. He can probably do a quieter and better job of sniffing out some weaknesses"

"We've done the broad work, now I need specifics on each of the Khans and their cities, it'll make the next steps easier."

3:18 PM

Cyrus smiles "Anyway, that's a conversation I need to have with him. I'll see you later. Have fun out there." He says making his farewells and leaving, walking unattended towards the southern outskirts of the city to find Mord.

Mord is where Cole saw him, holding court as predicted and making greetings with his most fervent followers and supporters. His section of the outer city is clean and some of the ruins have even been torn down by hand, the blocks neatly stacked for recycling or re use

Cyrus walks in quietly leaning against a pillar watching Mord and his followers. After he's finished to talking the last of them he steps out of the shadow. "Good Morning my Friend. I see you've been busy." He says gesturing with an open hand to the piles of rubble. "I commend your efforts, and that of the people here."

6:54 PM

( @Rey (Shriven) You want to play mord?)

(I’m curious as to what neko would do with him. I have officially NPCed him so he is neko’s.)

(No worries, just wanted to ask first.)

Mord is sitting on top of a small stack of blocks and gently hops down when you approach. “Their efforts are all their own. I just got them organized. How are things back toward city center?”

"Coming along slowly, I managed to get a pair of tractors from those Scavengers, along with some scrap metal. Those are now being used to clear the larger areas of rubble. And we're working on a new plan for the city so we can start building. Resources are the main struggle, the people seem to be willing and able as you have shown here. This place is a welcome new start for many, not just our Warriors. Escaping from the past is a good motivator as is building something new."

"It is to that end that I've come to find you, I'm in need of your more clandestine talents."

He raises an eyebrow, but true to form, waits for you to continue before saying anything himself

"I've learnt a good deal about some of the Khans but I need more comprehensive knowledge. And there's only so much you can learn from scared villagers. I need you and your spies to work your way into the cities, learn what you can about the Khans including defences, popularity, personality. Starting with the city of Chiron to the North East. Its the closest and possibly our first target."

"Alright. A modified Cruesa. I'll see what I can do. I'd imagine a workup with that kind of detail is going to be at least a month of observation"

"Sort of, and yes I'd be fine with it taking a dedicated month per city. It's going to take us time to be in a position to act on it anyway."

"I hope to work with who I can on this planet by the sounds of it that might be possible. But those we cannot then we'll eliminate decisively showing strength and being merciful in victory."

"You'll learn what's what before long. Give me a day to wrap up affairs here and get a couple small projects completed. I'll leave at first light tomorrow"

Cyrus smiles appriciativly and puts a hand on Mord's shoulder. Feeling a kinship. "Thank you Friend. I've no doubt you'll do great work."

“We will see what I return with. I’ll try to find a weak spot for us to pry open”

7:59 PM

“Like Cruesa, but better”

"I shall leave you now then, to finish up here. Good luck, and keep in touch." He says finally and parts back into the city moving back to the temple picking up his gear and Nemesis before heading out to the North where the survey teams had reported issues.

(Taking the explorer again then?)

(Yeah, explorer and Nem.)

)I’ll get to this shortly. I’ve got some art for this(

(Can't wait for sexy magma barf)

(Didn’t forget just haven’t got to pc)

(Ik, only just seen this, it's all good)

12:21 PM

There are a few beacons left out warning of the approaching danger, as you get close to the mountain range. The warnings get more severe the closer you get

(That looks epic)

12:24 PM

Cyrus turns off the warnings and slows as the explorer reaches the next peak stopping as it crests. He suits up in his armour, not knowing what to expect. Dropping the back ramp Cyrus steps out with Nemesis looking down at her with a grin he asks "Do you smell anything?"

"Nothing yet" Nemesis says back. The mountains ahead are a swirl of chocolate brown and a deep slate black, capped by snow and small rivers, they seem to glitter in the sunlight, mineral richness within on display

"Beautiful. This is really nice hiking country. Among other things." Cyrus looks at his compad, seeing where the animals were first/last seen.

The animals were seen in a small valley 250m ahead , the terrain dips down sharply and you currently cannot see below the rim

"Okay Nem let's make our way to where they were last spotted, see if we can't find some more out before we decide to just kill them all." He strokes the top of her head gently with an armoured hand as he looks at the map and speaks. He stops picking up his rifle and checking over his rifle.

5:40 AM

"Okay let's go!" He starts towards the dip at a brisk stride

Almost no information is known about the creatures so you’re not sure if seven of them is a typical herd or not. They happily lunch in grass and strangely do not bother to eat around the rocks, preferring to eat them too. Even from his distance you can hear their flat peg teeth working to break them apart. They exhale thin streams of smoke through their noses as they feast, scorching the grass here and there

Cyrus sits down on the hill and observes them for a while attempting to discover some of their characteristics. "They don't seem to be predators, perhaps we don't need to kill them."

(We can do a know wis or a survive wis if we want to try to make some educated guesses. They attacked your people for some reason)

(Survive Wis = 9)

They seem to be circling two juveniles in the middle of the pack, at peace now eating but keeping their horns pointed out

(How tall are they?)

(9-10 feet tall, the biggest of the pack is close to 12)

"Hmm. They're protecting the young. That makes sense, but we need to move them out of the area if nothing else."

4:19 PM

"Nemesis, you are an animal of the hunt, what do you think? How do we lead prey away?"

Nemesis thinks for a long moment. a

4:19 PM

"Fire. or a threat they cannot fight"

"Fire, that's temporary. A fight they cannot win, a show of force against their Alpha. That is permanent."

(I need to see more of how you're approaching this before I can really add anything else)

(Thinking about making myself the threat. And fight the alpha somehow, though I don't want to kill it. But I think that if I make it back down I can move them off the land rather than exterminate them.)

4:24 PM

(I'm trying to figure out a way of doing that though)

(that's fine, I juist didnt want to write something and then be like, okay, why did we get here, neko what are you doing)

(No worries bud, that's where this is going.) "Okay Nem, stay close to me, but you let me fight the alpha one on one. Just make sure the herd doesn't get involved do you think you can do that?"

"I can keep them from your back, my master" Nemesis growls

Cyrus says nothing but stroks her ears in unspoken gratitude as he watches the herd for a few moments. He unscrews the silencer on his rifle. He starts down the hillside towards the herd and fires of a burst into the air before sticking the rifle to the mag locks on the back of his armour. Choosing instead to unsheath the large disruption sword, it crackles toife as he flourishes with it. "Come on then!" He shouts pointing at the alpha. "I haven't got all day!"

The alpha turns to face you, as the rest of the herd circles the young. horns out, stomachs beginning to glow a firefly yellow in thin veins

8:54 AM

It paws the ground, digging a rut with one of its front hooves, and bellows, still chewing the last of the meal it was working on

Cyrus emulates the bull in his own way. Slicing a line in the dirt, the disruption field kicks dust up around him as he hammers an armoured gauntlet on the chrome chest plate of his titan armour. He let's out a primal roar as he walks forward spreading his arms wide making himself seem bigger.

(So I know you have alert 2, but without the monster doing anything you cant really do anything either. Can we say you're holding your action until it starts doing something?)

(Yeah)

The beast sets its head and horns down, and bellows a final warning as it charges toward you, stampeding from 50m away

Cyrus smiles behind his helmet. He counter charges as they near each other at terminal volocity, at the moment just before impact Cyrus activates his leg boosters launching himself into the air. He locks his legs together and spreads his arms into a T shape, turning in the air like a gymnast as he flips in the air over the bull he attempts to run his blade down the back of the Alpha, hoping to use the bulls momentum against them in the damage. (28/10)

The bull continues running forward, the blade scraping down its back, as it runs as intended. It bellows in pain, and rolls onto its side in a complete tuck and roll, trying to dislodge you. (Evasion save, but this isnt for the roll)

(Success right on the nose at 5)

(15, half and round down for successful evade) A cloud of superheated excretion, internally gas powered blows out from dermal glands in a 360 degree spread, magma bomblet like nodules setting the grass ablaze and burning everything in their path

Cyrus' suit automatically dims his visual sensors so as not to dazzle or blind him. There's a whir as it floods with coolant to counter the intense heat the outside of the suit scorching as he's blasted. He grits his teeth as the magma cooks him a little but he does not let go. He grips the hilt and pushes in a little more in an attempt to cement it's hold in the creatures back. (14/10) He locks his hips and shoulders and begins to ride the bull like the rodeos of old earth.

The blade and Cyrus with it tumbles from the wound after a few seconds of riding, its edge not clean enough to stay bitten into its rocky hide

1:31 PM

It turns, and rolls, hoping to cruch cyrus

1:32 PM

(miss, would have been a banger of a hit)

(It would of too) Cyrus dives to the side, turning it into a roll and ending up in a crouch as he turns seeing the Alpha on his back he boosts towards it, kicking up rocks and dirt as he powers into the beast slicing into it's underbelly with a vicious up strike as he crashes into it. The bulk of his armour slamming the animal in the ribs and solar plexus. (28/12)

This seems like enough for the Alpha, and it groans as it suffers from horrific injuries. You can already see the herd moving off, but even if you decide not to kill this beast, nature will

Cyrus sighs heavily as he realizes the extent of the damage, but quickly plunges the blade up to the hilt in the beast where he believes it's heart to be, ending it quickly rather than letting it live in agony.

2:37 PM

"You fought with honour, now die with peace and dignity. And know that you're young are not in danger today." He says after taking off his helmet and looking into the Alpha's eyes as it's life ebbs away.

Its milky yellow, cataracted eyes close, and you feel it pass on, body relaxing in the true repose that only comes with death

Cyrus looks up to the sky and exhales deeply sweet pouring down his face caused by the heat and the exertion of the fight. After a few moments of pause he takes the hilt of the blade with both hands and pulls it free from the chest of the animal. Turning back to Nemesis. "I did not mean to kill it. But nature is chaotic sometimes. Our goal is achieved the herd will move on and find another Alpha."

"They are leaving" Nem pulses as it paws at the sides of the creature, testing the thickness

"That was the goal." He says as he walks to the Alpha's head examining it more closely.

It is large, resembling a buffalo, but with gentler features

Cyrus lays down his sword and pulls out a mono knife and takes the horns of the beast as a trophy. He takes samples for the research lab. (Does the meat look edible and test okay?)

(I dont know if i can answer that part. Do you have a bioscanner?)

(I'd like to think I would with taking samples and stuff for survival purposes but I haven't bought it, didn't think I could but assumed there'd be something for expeditions and such. So it's up to you)

(Idk theres a whole foci and psychic power for always having gear you need, sort of invalidates those choices if we just poof stuff in)

3:23 PM

(Not to unnecessarily be a stickler)

(That's fine, Idk if I can buy things as it stands atm. I should have declared it earlier. I'll know for next time)

3:29 PM

Cyrus cuts a large piece of the beast and throws it towards Nemesis. "What do you think Nem? Would you eat it?"

Nemesis sniffs at it for a few moments before taking it from your hands

7:28 PM

She chews it over and it is very tough. “Bitter. The meat tastes like coppery blood”

(Cat companion taste tester and food critic)

Nemesis spits the goppet out

"Not a fan I suppose. We wont be eating it then." He hefts the horns and turns to walk back to the explorer and puts them in the back before reporting that the herd of animals has been moved out of the area and they are free to begin mining surveys.

You get a reply message from home that your communication was crystal clear, miners and prospectors will be drawn up at home to begin work (3xp, 5000 credits)

Cyrus makes his way back to the city as day draws to night. Once washed and back in his more casual attire he calls a small meeting of the higher command of the Myrmidons led by Korkova (Captain up) and the Civil leader led by Eyrx. In the hall.

They arrive , filtering in over the course of the hour, timeline is flexible due to duties and everyone seems to understand

Cyrus makes sure there are refreshments laid out although very modest due to lack of supply. (Nothing that would take food out of others mouths so to speak) He sits in the open marble hand of Ares once more as if it were his throne. The tables and chair for the council arrayed in circle like a make shift audatorium in the ruined temple. Korkova, Lars and Eyrx sat closest. Once everyone is settled he stands spreading his arms wide in a welcoming gesture. "Good evening Friends, my brothers and sisters. I've gathered you here tonight to talk to you, about what comes next. A month on in this city and we are rapidly progressing to make it our home. Albeit a hard land and a labourous prospect. But we are making progress a the same, my pride for you and our people is overwhelming. I truly believe if it were anyone else we'd be doomed." (edited)

There are some claps, but the mood is somber and muted in the room. No one is in the mood for grand speeches when they might starve to death in a few weeks.

Cyrus sighs seeing the mood in the room and stands "I understand your fears and thoughts. You're uncomfortable, scared for what the future will hold. But if you keep thinking about it it's not going to feel any better, where is your spirit? Your sense of purpose? Even the reality of the situation isn't that bleak. In a month look at what we've done, a troll boar ranch, mining efforts and quarries in the process of start and farming to begin soon. We are achieving what took the UNW years to do! We have much to learn yes, but we are far from dead in the water." (Is there a lead roll I can make here to raise their hopes a little?)

(sure)

(13)

The mood seems to improve a little, as much as words alone allow at least. (I'm not trying to only give a sentence or two but with all the grand speechery its hard to find a place to break in. I don't really have an idea where this is going)

(This bit of the meeting is just that, now I'm more outlining what's going to happen next and it'll be more open. That was more an introduction that went off on a tangent) "On the matters at hand, going forward. Earlier today I handed a copy of the new city plan to Lord Eryx here. So now we have a clear outline for how we are going to structure our new city. A goal in sight." He says. A holoprojector lays out a 2D model of the new city plan as he ends his comments.

12:48 PM

12:49 PM

(Imagine this more as a presentation, I'm laying out plans for the future ect)

(gotcha) A few who have suit power, or actual writing utensils tap or make notes as the plan unfolds

"Each of the rings will be walled, adding security at each level. It's important to note that this isn't to separate in any kind of class system but to easily lock down sections if under attack, or to create more than one layer of defence. If a ring is lost, or is to be lost then we can hold the wall until as many of the civilians are moved further coreward and then fall back. The plan is that later on we will tunnel into the mountain behind, creating an extended bunker system to house the civilians if needed." (A little like Helms deep haha, or IRL Switzerland) "Our artillery and later point defence cannons and anti arty weaponry will be mounted on the walls to cover the skies and eliminate large forces at range."

1:07 PM

"Are there any questions? Or suggestions as to how we might make this better or anything I can clarify?"

"Interior and exterior gates on the gatehouses, and adding at least a few per ring"

1:19 PM

Cole says, looking at the plans herself for the first time

1:20 PM

(sort of like how a castle would do it, when they breach one gate they need to be inside the gatehouse to get the other, but the gatehouse tunnel roof has murderholes and stuff in it)

"A great idea, the more time it takes the more people they lose. The hope is that it will never come to that. And it might not, but I will not be left wanting if it does. The added number of gates will allow for easier transfer of people, the plan is also to have tram lines in the districts as public travel."

(From a mechanical perspective, i think as detailed a list as you can manage might be a good thing to submit so i can do a few things with it like write story hooks, and most importantly have any hope at all of estimating a time and cost to completion for all this)

(thats a great idea I'll get on it)

(Sky is the limit, just a matter of figuring out how this is going to look at the end)

(In the list of priority) [Housing] - Enough for 2.5 Million (Gives enough room either way) [Walls] - Outer first and then district by district [Admin/Official Buildings] [Industrial Factories] - Armament Factories like the ones we had before, along with more everyday civilian use. [Commercial Shops, Bars ect] [Temple Refurbishment and Palace] - Probably done separately using the Codex's Sanctum stuff [Public transport] - Trams for inter district travel, Underground Speed Trains for moving quickly between districts. [Extra Security Systems] - Wall defences, More Arty, Anit Air, PDC's (Might be more over time but I'll let you know)

(Obviously besides that there's resource gathering stuff like farms and ranches but that's outside the city limits by a while.)

Nekosmash 7/23/2019 2:00 PM

"I wish for this city to be the capital of this planet, but I don't expect it to happen overnight, not even over months. For now we make do. We get our people shelter, and food. Then we strike out, our next order of business is what happens after we are self sufficient." The hologram disappears for a second and then reappears showing this time a map of the world. "We are going to send out sentry detachments and set up FOB's in strategic locations around the city in the surrounding countryside. Each 200-400km out from the city. These will be our eyes on the ground and an early warning systems in case of attack, the FOB's will also guard Comm relays. Those relays might help us attempt to pick up enemy chatter if indeed they do use such communication devices."

(Are you just making a ring in the hexes around the city basically?)

(Pretty much)

They keep making notes “Detachment. How many men does that cover for each?”

Cyrus thinks for a moment. "A platoon per station would be a good number, enough to be effective and enough not to be a burden."

"Microgarrisons then, the electronics are going to be a problem until we get some power, and actual manufacturing back. We can do the old observers with mounted scouts for now, but you understand the drawbacks"

Cyrus nods "Lower tech systems aren't exactly the best but we can make do. We also have orbital images from our ships."

"You know what the shortfalls are. We'll do our best to work around them"

"Now for our next order of business." Cyrus says changing the subject, the holo display vanishes. "Captain Scmander, if you would step forward please."

He looks around, a bit confused, no one else is sure where this is going either, but he gets up off of his makeshift bench on a fallen column, and walks toward you

Cyrus looks serious for a few seconds then laughs a little putting a hand on his shoulder in a show of companionship as he grins widely. "Scmander, you've been with me almost since the inception of our unit. You've shown that you can independently operate with great skill on Mataine and the hunt for Malak. As such, I now promote you to the rank of Commander. And to go with your new title you will have a new command. You are now the leader of the Myrmidon Legions second unit. The First Myrmidon Special Operations Brigade. You and your Warriors will be expanded to 3,200 warriors. And you will putting all that aggression and skill you learnt over the years to good use."

There is some cheering and it quiets down after a few moments. He steps back from you and returns to his seat, entrusting he will hear more about his first orders later on

"There's one last order of business I wanted to discuss with you all." He glances at Cole before turning back and addressing the crowd walking into the center of the room as to be seen and heard by all. "Cruesa. It was the culmination of a lot, the end of a war and a blood battle followed by a shit insurgency." Cyrus says cutting straight to the point, all the airs and graces are gone. "We failed, I will not blame it's loss on you, or lay it all at any of our doors. I am myself responsible for how it ended and I feel as if we were let down by the UNW. Too many times did we do battle for them to leave us on our own or judge after the fact. But that time is over now, and we must move on, grow, adapt and evolve. Many of you, myself included, hated the Remnant and what they stood for. What they did, to our people at the time." He pauses and sighs heavily and sincerely, seeming to come to terms with some hard truths.

2:26 PM

"I fostered your hate for them, I attempted to mould you into fearless killers, and at the time, that's what we needed. We raided them, butchered them, and took away their safety as they had done to others. I've personally lost count of the amount of marks I made on my pauldrons tallying my kills. I take no pleasure in it anymore. Nor should we. Decisive brutality has it's time, when a point must be made or an enemy stopped in it's tracks. But what we had afterwards, looting, murders, thefts and more. Was shameful, we can all agree. We were mercenaries, killers, saboteurs and assassins. But now, we are to be an army, a disciplined, marshalled fighting force. We must inspire hope in those we call our own, and when needed fear in the enemy, but not for our brutality, but for our might. Make no mistake my Brothers and Sisters, when we face the enemy on the field of battle I want them to fear us, but I do not want them to fear for their children, or their wives. We must be magnanimous and merciful in victory when allowed so that we do not become what we hated most." "It is with this thought in mind, that I have drafted a series of articles, a doctrine. For our new army of the Protectorate to adhere to. The Myrmidon Doctrine. Over the next few months the units of the newly reformed Myrmidon Legions will be retrained, you will still be soldiers but perhaps this time, we can begin to earn our titles as Warriors."

You notice Cole hasn't made any changes to the work, but electronic signatures and timestamps show she has reviewed each page. Her signature is on the co-signer line under yours, dated a few minutes before the meeting

Glancing at the signatures Cyrus smiles and winks at her discreetly "You will all be given a copy, and over the next few months your troops will be retrained to follow it, we will instil discipline in our forces, so that we don't make the same mistakes again. No one wants what happened at Cruesa to happen again, so it's not going to. These people that we neighbour are scared, of us and their overlords. We will do our best to make sure they see us as liberators, but we need to start acting like it. I have the upmost faith in you as the senior officers of the Legions. If any of you have any concerns or questions about these doctrines, you best air them now."

"Sir it hardly seems fair to expect questions about a document we've not read yet. " Eryx says, slowly scrolling through the opening lines. "We all agree Creusa won't happen again, but let us digest this. If we have concerns we'll speak to you or Cole before the month is up"

"Of course, my apologies, it's been a long month for all of us." Cyrus chuckles "This is our last order of business, I'll leave you all to eat and catch up, it is no feast but it's the best you're going to get for a while. Enjoy it my Brothers and Sisters."

7:05 PM

Cyrus claps his hands together and gives a warm smile. "Now let's eat." He turns and sits down with his closest advises, leaving his throne empty.

The feast goes well, as much as it can be called one. Everyne hopes this spring will lead to a better fare

Cyrus leans across the table to Eyrx so that they can hear each other over the noise of more than a hundred people talking at once. "I'm going to spend some time over the next week or so among the people, have you got any tips about how I might come across to them? I want to reassure them, get my statesman head on but I'm gonna need some help my Friend."

"Just be yourself, how you started. Even here- the grand speeches have their place, but its hard to be a brother with someone who at all times makes himself appear hopelessly beyond your grasp"

Theres a pause before Cyrus responds as he takes it in and he pinches his nose. "You're right. Thank you." He says bluntly eventually.

7:23 PM

"Everything that's happened over the last years has changed me. I'm not trying to make excuses but everything that I've taken on has piled up. Between war, responsibility and this whole.." He gestures to his god enhanced physique

7:24 PM

"I feel I've disconnected myself."

“You did. You’re trying to be a father when we all just want an older brother. “

"You're right, again. I just felt at the time, or maybe still do that people need me to have all the answers, I didn't have that pressure before."

He sits back. “People are pretty forgiving. If it looks like you’re trying and not just ignoring a problem or washing your hands of it, that goes a long way with people

He thinks that over for a few long moment before nodding appriciativly "Thank you Brother, I'll keep it in mind."

He nods, and pats you on the shoulder twice before moving on to rejoin the meal

Cyrus rejoins the party and has a good time getting a few moments of well earned fun with his people. Later on he retires to the apartments with Cole and gets some rest. (skip to the next day?)

(works for me, skip on)

Cyrus wakesater than usual getting up and washing before putting on some fatigues and making his way out to find Eyrx.

Eryx is getting his mob into shape, clearing rubble from the interior district, where the first wall is eventually going to go. Soldiers with spray cans are making lanes for their placement, to ensure nothing is placed between the lines

Cyrus walks up alongside him casually as he finishes "Okay, I'm gonna need a hand with where to start and be most effective. I want to help out and reassure the people, is there a place in need of help or an ear to listenmore than anywhere else?"

"The farmers are having some trouble getting things planted. There's a team out trying to source some of the missing parts (Jeonia's first mission) , so right now its hand tools and elbow grease. Maybe putting some of those big muscles to work"

Cyrus laughs slapping Eyrx on the shoulder. "Time to get my hands dirty then. I'll grab a few others that are loitering and get over there."

1:41 PM

Cyrus grabs his personal guard that have been helping secure the temple and apartments and proceeds in an APC unarmoured and only armed with rifles out of the city a few miles to the start up farms.

The farms have been cleared of scaggly trees, but the long and thick plains grasses , where they actually can grow, are hampering efforts, as is physically breaking through the first few layers of soil. Workers with hand tools chip and dig away at the thick reddish brown clay, trying to get to the black pay dirt underneath

2:19 PM

large piles of clay chunks have been left aside

Cyrus hops out of the APC with his people stretching. He surveys his surroundings and tries to find the foreman as he calls back to his team of ten. "Stash your guns in the APC, lock them up, I don't want anyone complaining that their weapons have gone walkies! Then go find some tools and we can get cracking. I'm gonna go find where we're best needed." He says walking towards someone that looks like they're in charge.

A farmer stands on the rusted out hulk of a vehicle, probably a very old truck, once, and looks out across the fields, Two aides hand out hoes, shovels, rakes, and gloves to farmers lining up to take them

Cyrus doesn't cut the line but instead joins the end of the queue waiting patiently for those in front of him to gather their tools before he gets to the front. (I'm too British to not queue)

You meet a surprised farmer face to face and he hands you a hoe, the next a rake and so on.

9:36 PM

The overseer seems hesitant about actually addressing you or assigning you work

Cyrus nods to the farmer then looks to the overseer and smiles warmly. "Good morning my Friend. We're here to help where might we be best placed?"

"Those big muscles just for show?" he says with an air of humor "The soil near the top right quadrant of the field is really tough, no ones been able to break through the clay."

Cyrus laughs at the comment putting a large hand in the foremans shoulder. "Well, I'm built for war, not work." He admits honestly "But I'm happy to try and help I'll see what I can do." (edited)

He nods and one of the aides leads you out to the troublesome spot in the field. "The clay here is pretty thick. Someone said something the other day about trying to turn some of this into bricks. Sounded kind of fun almost"

Cyrus seems to think that through for a while and then has an idea. "Let me have a chat with some people I think I have an idea. Tell me, if we made the ground wet, do you think this process would be easier? Clay, when wet can be moulded, but it's also easier to dig and shovel out I imagine."

"It will be easier to break, but heavier to move, we're replacing one issue for another. With the right help, though..."

"Hmm, let me see what I can do. Give me a few minutes." Cyrus moves aside from the group and gets on his Comms to Cole "Hey, I've got an idea to help the field clearing projects. It involves our space craft, kinda. We've got 400 marines in orbit that are currently idle. Start shipping them down here, to the fields. And then I'm gonna need the cargo ship, it's already unloaded so that wont be an issue, but I need a few teams to start loading it with water from the rivers. I'm gonna douse the fields in water, not enough to flood it, but enough to soak the earth, make breaking it apart easier, then with the added labour we're gonna move it onto the ship and have it ferry it to the city for construction efforts. What do you think?"

"Not the worst idea. We're going to have to move quick on that clay, it'll make a mess in the cargo holds"

"Mess we can deal with. But those four hundred Marines should help with the speed. It'll be hard work but it's the only way I see us getting this done without big machines and in time to sow. If you organise getting the cargo ship sorted I'll get all hot and sweaty down here with a pickaxe." He says with a chuckle

"Expect them in a few hours. I'll have them transfer anything especially sensitive to the platforms, and they'll need to fill with water too"

"That's fine, we'll use the hours that they're doing that to dig some ditches, it'll help to get the water in quicker I think. I best get to it, this is gonna be fun!"

You hear her laughing with you as the link closes, and you have an electronic copy of the orders sent as well, verifying they've been sent

Cyrus grins and walks back over to the foreman. "Good news Friend! We've got four hundred more bodies coming down to help us with this. And the cargo ship, the idea is that we're gonna drench the fields in water quadrant by quadrant and get the clay out as fast as possible into containers, then the cargo ship will move it into the city to be used later in construction like you suggested, great idea by the way. Two birds one stone." Cyrus looks thrilled to start he's practically bouncing.

He looks pleased and the work continues at a fever pace, as people know relief is coming soon. They don’t leave the fields when the ship comes and spreads the water from mid altitude. The shower is refreshing and a handful of fish even fall in the fields as the rain comes down. The soldiers arrive and the ship comes down at the western edge after its pass, cargo bay doors as wide open as they get

Cyrus grins as he's showered in fresh water cooled by it's falling on him, all for the illusion to shattered as he's hit in the side of the head by a falling fish. He stubbles to the side looking around for someone to hit when he sees the fish on the floor and then begins to laugh a deep booming laugh the originates from his belly as the people around him notice too. "Well, that's something, who says fish can't fly!"

People are excitedly running into the fields to gather what they can, and to shovel the wet slurry of clay and dirt into the containers for separation

Cyrus begins to get to work, organising his people into teams as he picks up a hoe and gets knee deep in clay working with the breaker teams in the rapidly drying clay pits that begin to develop around the surrounding area as teams work to get the clay out of the ground and into the ships before it dries. "One, Two, Three! One, Two, Three!" He chants loudly as they dig to the rythmn in time.

The field is cleaned quickly once you have the extra help and the rhythm down. The clay is packed into containers and prepared for shipment to the city

The ship takes off as the sun sets, heading back toward the city with a full crew bay. The scavengers are expected to make it back within the next day or so, and actual planting furrows can be dug, but for now, the field is prepped

Cyrus is caked in dried clay and mud, and could look happier. He laughs and jokes with the work crews and his men as they make their way back to the city after a long day of digging. He puts an arm around the overseers shoulder leaving a muddy mark across his back, squeezing him in a sort of half hug as they joke about the days exploits. "I thought he was a monster at one point but he'd just falling headfirst into the pit! Completely covered! Like something out a kids cartoon! Anyway Derek, it's been a pleasure - don't take this the wrong way when I say I'd missed the simple fun of hard work and honest folk. It's been an eternity since I've been able to, it's good to get back in it. Ya'know?"

Everyone’s in a good mood and it seems to have buoyed your reputation among the work group here that the regent is willing to come work the fields along with them

Cyrus walks through the city streets as dusk falls at the head of a pack of rowdy and boisterous Marines and his own Warriors having offered to put them up in the temple tonight before they head back up to the stations tomorrow.

They stay and relax for the evening, taking advantage of a mostly solid roof over their heads , though it does rain during the night. Most take advantage of the downpour to clean the clay off themselves

Cyrus makes his way up to the apartment and enters looking for Cole and Nem

Cole and Nem are both looking out one of the front windows. It has been smashed, a long time ago, and not yet replaced with anything to keep the elements out. Right now there is a nice sunset outside they both are looking at intently

Cyrus comes up behind them and wraps and arm around Coles waist looking out of the window with them to the sunset. His other hand strokes the top of Nem's head. "Wow, that's beautiful."

“It is. I heard you had some good success out in the fields” she says, continuing her gaze

"Yeah, real good progress. Managed to get the top layer off most places. This rain will help. It's almost like the planet is helping." He says feeling the warmth of the sunset hit him in more than the physical way. "Couldn't have done it without the marines and the workers. I'd like to think everyone had a good time all things considered, it was actually quite fun...I got hit in the face by a falling fish..."

"I thought I smelled something" she says , laughing. Nemesis is busy smelling the soles of your boots, trying to see if she can get a whif of it

Cyrus laughs with her and feigns a look of hurt trying to keep his grin from showing, he fails. "Oh? You don't like my new perfume? I thought I'd try something new!" He says looking disheartened

"Hey, so I'm gonna go take a bath it's been a long day." He grins "You coming?"

"Only because you asked nicely" she grins, telling Nemesis to stay there. The cat seems relieved

(Lmao, Cat rp is on point) Cyrus chuckles and picks her up in a wide sweep "I am a master of charm!" he laughs as he walks towards the large bathroom. (Fade to black)

(Alright, I'm good to pick up where you want)

Cyrus' body is entwined with Cole's, the bedding thrown on the marble floor, it being too hot to be under it together. The sun well and truly set as the clear sky is full of stars, the moon(s?) of Heras lighting up the room through curtainless windows. He basks in the glow of the moment. Before looking down at her as he strokes her hair. "Hey, I've had a thought. And I don't think you're gonna like it." (edited)

4:38 PM

There's a lightness in his voice masking a serious undertone.

"How come we always do this before you decide to go do something dangerous or problematic?" she says with a sharp elbow

Cyrus coughs at the sharp dig. "I think it's probably an instinct thing." He chuckles nervously there's a pause for a few moments. "These people, they need to see that I'm strong, and I think I need to prove something to myself, not that I'm strong. But something else, I'm not sure what though. I...I think that's more of the driving force more than anything. I'm rambling." He stops for a second looking into her eyes. "I'm going to the tree, and I'm going to the center of it. In hopes that I can do something, or find something, perhaps myself. I've had one foot in and the other out of what I used to be and what I'm going to be. And I need to figure out what the new me looks like. I don't want to be the hunter I was, I don't want to be the Warmaster either. I'm not going to be the pawn of Ares." He says punctuating the last point emphasising his stance on the matter. "I want, I need to be a person others want to follow. And I want to be someone I like. Most of all I want to be someone who's worthy, of all of this, and you...." He says trailing off and blinking something in his eye away. "Right now I don't feel like I am, and I need to prove it to myself." "So I'm going in there, alone. And I'm going to change myself, and this world. And if I manage to do it, then I'll know I can lead these people. If not, I wont be coming back."

"I....I'm not a fan of the last part of all of this. Personal growth and everything fine, absolutely, necessity even, but why such a big risk? why can't you just meditate? or bury yourself in the construction of the city? "

Cyrus laughs a little, not at Cole or what she's saying but more at himself. "When have you ever known me to be a man of half measures my love? This isn't just about personal growth, it's about transcendence. I'm haunted by the things I've done, I barely sleep - I know you haven't said anything but you've noticed. Cruesa, the TECT all those innocent people. The Remnant, and before that the Empire. And before that whoever they paid me to. I've ended too much, the pull of my past is too strong. I want to build something here, an Elysium. But to do that, I need to walk through fire." He swallows a lump as a tear falls loose from his cheek and onto Cole's shoulder "To prove to myself it can be done. I can sow all the seeds in as many fields as I'd like, but I'm no farmer. I can meditate to my hearts content but I'm no monk. I am a Warrior, or at least I was once. I've asked my people and my own Warriors to change their ways and put their pasts behind them, but who am I to ask what I will not do myself. These people, that I would help, and their Khans. I'm sure they think little of us, what I will do will send a signal to the world that we are here to stay, and we are the way forward. There is only one way I know how." Cyrus stops, his heart thudding rapidly in his chest. It quickly settles, his past as a sniper evident by it's deceleration. He starts to speak again, slower this time, his voice gentle as if attempting to comfort someone. "They say the Garden is full of echo's of the past, ghosts and demons. What better way to defeat mine than to walk through it? I don't want to die Cole. More than anything I want to spend the rest of my life here, with you and raise a family of our own. But I can't at the moment, I'm being dragged down by it all, I became what I hated and it's taken root inside me and it's eating me alive. I need to purge it. And the only way I know how is through battle." (edited)

“This is the last time” she says. “You keep running off to do wild things and I never know if you’re coming back. Go and sort this out. I understand what you’re going through, but this needs to be a partnership after this”

"I promise, after this we can both run off and do wildly dangerous things together." He whispers leaning down and kissing her.

She says nothing but you have been around her long enough to know this is as close to permission as you are going to get. She is prideful, and does not like to admit when she is wrong.

Cyrus smiles and snuggles in with her saying nothing else and content to spend time with her close to him. Slowly he falls asleep. He wakes early the next day around sunrise and gets up leaving her to sleep. Arraying his armaments on the table he surveys his options. He ponders for a moment before leaving his rifle and pistol behind, opting instead to take his sword only. Next he begins to clean his Titan armour in almost ritualistic fashion, rubbing it down and oiling the joints before polishing it. By the time he's finished it's chrome surface gleams and reflects the light. He dons his undersuit and steps into the back of the armour, it's form closing around him and there's a hiss as the seals lock into place. He picks up his sword and sheaths it across his back. Lastly he attaches his energy shield generator to his left gauntlet. The whole process takes him more than an hour. He stretches in his armour before turning to find Cole for the last time before he sets off.

She remains asleep, and Nemesis with her. The Garden itself is several hundred kilometers away, though you have the notes from the explored route from the previous expedition to mark your path. They met no hostile wildlife, and managed to recover some parts for the tractors. (Are you taking a grav explorer on your own then?)

(I'm gonna have my courier ship take me for speeds sake. I will link my suit vitals to the system so that if I die they can tell or something like that.)

11:52 AM

(Once they drop me off they are free to go back into orbit until I call for them again, I've brought some extra type A batteries so I can keep my suit going for a couple of days if need be.)

(Gotcha) The courier is waiting for you, idling loudly in the courtyard, outside the temple. If anyone inside was still asleep, they aren't anymore. Lars is at the controls, familiar sticks in hands again,and he seems to be relaxed given what you're about to fly into. He doesn't say anything as you board, unsure if he should

Cyrus smiles and feels a little warmth inside him before turning to leave, he boards the ship and walks into the bridge feeling at home on the ship. "Ah...It even smells the same. Feels good to be back on board no?" He asks Lars putting a hand on his shoulder as he comes to a stop on the command deck

“It does. Whenever I’m in here I always know we are flying into something dangerous though. I read the flight plan. I’m not sure if I like this or orbital macro cannons better”

Cyrus smirks "Don't worry Brother, you aren't going into it. I am, you'll just be dropping me off on the outskirts of the zone." He reassures his friend "That being said, if you start hearing or seeing things, tell me."

He nods and gets his flight helmet on. "Are you going to be up here with me or back in the crew compartment? Keep your headset or helmet on in any case, its just us, I might need you if this place is anything like the stories, even if we're just going to the edge"

"Will do. Let me know if you need me." Cyrus sits down in the copilot chair pulling on his helmet and linking into the ships system helping with the start up procedures pressing buttons and diles.

He slides the throttle forward, and the courier lifts back off, waking up everyone in Mytikas. "I'd expect about twenty minutes of atmo flight" Lars says, making some last minute adjustments. "Anything you need me to bring back to the city, as far as a message?"

Cyrus thinks for a moment. "I talked to Cole last night, she wasn't up when I left the room, she probably will be now though... She knows where I'm going and she knows I love her. But if I don't come back, then rule of the city and the mission falls to her and Eyrx. I think she'll know if I die, Nemesis will tell her. I don't know when I'll be back but everyone's got their orders."

9:47 AM

"No sense drawing out any good byes I've got videos and letters for that if it comes to it, and the people that are close to me know all that shit anyway. We're all in the same boat so to speak, we all do the same work. But I'm not in the business of dying."

He does not say anything, not wanting to interrupt your thinking, and it is not long after that, when the shuttle begins its descent at the edge of the garden. "The salvage team that returned with some parts parked close to here, and had a bit of an experience. Doesn't seem like you need to go very far in for whatever is going on here to start playing games with you"

Cyrus starts the landing procedures as copilot dropping the landing struts and making sure there's no warnings. "Once you've dropped me here return to Mytikas, don't hang around I know it's gonna be a few days at least and I don't want you sat here going insane. I'll try to contact you when I'm out of the hot zone." He says taking off his headset and picking up his helmet as he stands grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder

"I'll be in orbit. spend some time on the platform and...well this might not be a concern to you depending on what happens but I'll see what we can do to tighten up the space defenses. Maybe I'll send out a scouting expedition and see what else might be in local space"

"That sounds like a great idea, the five fighters we've got up there would do as a scouting force, once we've secured local space we might think about looking into the other nearby systems."

11:15 AM

As they near the ground Cyrus begins to head for the door of the command deck turning at the last moment back to his Friend. "Hey! Good luck out there, give my love to the wife and kids. I'll make sure to drop in when I get back."

He opens the ramp door, hovering a couple meters off the ground, dispersing the ever present clinging fog that seems to pool close to the ground here

Cyrus smiles as he looks down "This bit never gets old." He mutters as he steps off the ledge dropping the few meters to the ground, his suit cushioning him and sending a small cloud of dust up around him with a metalic thud as the chrome boots hit the stones and dirt. Cyrus puts his gauntleted index finger to his ear and presses the comm. "You are clear to move off Trojan Horse. Safe travels."

The vehicle wags a bit in the air, Lars doing his best to rock its wings with no wings on it to rock. The signal is quickly lost as Lars exits the zone, unwilling to risk transport or a quick way out. The Trojan horse has become infinitely more valuable with the protectorates current procurement abilities. The ground around you is mossy and soft underfoot, the soil a mix of pea green and chocolate brown. Water of the same color gently bubbles with each press of the foot

8:32 PM

Ahead of you a twisting maze through the overgrown wreck field leads deeper into the thick mist

Cyrus smells the air and scrunches his face is disgust. He begins to move forward wary of where he's walking, knowing that in a battlefield such as this there might very well be mines or unexploded devices, among other unknown factors. He begins to wind his way through the path almostly reverently as his mind flashes back to the meeting with Ares where upon he was taken through time to meet the failed hero's before him. "Gods preserve, this place reeks of death and decay." He mutters

Your heavy tread shakes the ground, and one of the doors of a troop carrier ahead of you opens, jostled loose by the vibration. A skeleton in a tattered uniform unceremoniously rolls out, and collapses onto the ground, its legs still held to the seat by the restraint belt, making it hang out of the cab upside down. A single shot, bolt action rifle, cut down to form something like a tl2 carbine, is slung across his chest, the strap loose. He was evidently preparing to use it seconds before he was cut down.

12:25 PM

The bolt is closed, a round still loaded

Cyrus jolts as the door opens and looks ready to charge the carrier, the servos in his armour whir for a moment as his muscles tense prepared to plunge into action, until the skeleton half falls out. He relaxes a little seeing no immediate threat or ambush and moves forward slowly to investigate further, taking a knee he looks at the uniform of the dead trooper taking as gentle a hold with his armoured hand as he can he turns the corpses shoulder to look for any insignia.

There is a faded patch on the shoulder. Once it would have been a black field, but now has sun bleached to a light gray, there is a reaching skeletal hand, rising from the bottom of the triangular badge, fingers curled into something like a half fist.

Cyrus let's out a light chuckle "Fitting my Friend." He says to the skeleton as he attempts to take off the patch for later research. Standing he begins to move off again, further into the swamp of fog and corpses.

(Lets get a notice /wis)

(9)

Something stirs in the vehicle and you’d have missed it if not fit the hair fine dust coming off the body of the truck, especially near the partially collapsed rear section. You see now that this vehicle was a battlefield ambulance , the white field of the medical designation faint and peeling in many places

(Like there's something in the truck moving?)

(yes)

Cyrus turns showing his side and a smaller target if something were to attack. He slowly draws his sword with his right hand as the left grasps the door barely held on by its hinges. In one motion he attempts to open the door and bring himself en garde to defend or attack of needed

A deranged, bedraggled looking skeletal figure in a tattered uniform, one uncrushed eye socket burning with sapphire blue fire, lunges out, long skeletal claws narrowly missing, as it growls and shrieks

Cyrus growls in response as his suit reacts to his movements, his almost super human reflects and responses shifting into gear. He rolls his shoulder as the thing lunges for him, it's claws cutting nothing but the air where he was, he uses the moment of the turn to spin back on the creature bringing his free hand up to grasp at the tattered beast's palid and thin neck with a gauntlets hand attempting to close his hand around it and force it forward to pin it, by the throat against the wreck of the vehicle in a violent restraint. "Hold!" He commands, his voice booming His right hand holding his sword sweeps up through the air activating as it does, it's disruption field buzzing to life and humming as it vibrates in the still, dusty air. Cyrus does not attempt to strike the beast with it but simply brings it up to head height the end product moving to pin with one hand and hold the sword's blade half an inch from it's friary eye with the other, ready to push through the beasts skull in split second if needed.

THe creature is not intelligent, or maybe not intelligent enough for your words to mean anything. Perhaps it is driven by cunning or instinct, more than intelligence . It rages and tries to claw at you (edited)

Cyrus frowns recoiling slightly but retains his grip on the beast as it attempts to attack again then. He pushes it back again fighting against it's savage rage and closes his fist around it's neck quickly attempting to break it's neck

(Lets get a stab/str, basically going to treat this like a melee execution)

3:13 PM

(Or punch, either one)

(12)

It’s brittle bones crack under the strength of the Titan suit, head being almost torn off as the connective tissue is pulped. It’s balefire blue eyes fade out and the body goes slack

Cyrus gently let's go and helps the wretch to the ground, his face portraying no malice in the act of violence but more sadness as if putting something or someone out of their misery. "Rest now." He says to the dead creature as he looks around seeing if he was the only one or merely the first.

This looks to be the only one in the area. the wind blows mournfully through holes blown in vehicles, and the armor of the dead. The twisting path through the fog continues on ahead, the sky above lit by an obscured sun, behind a green haze

Cyrus sheaths his sword once more seeing no other immediate threats and realising that the vehicle is an ambulance decides it might be best to search it for medical supplies if there are still any.

There is a small case on the wall meant for first aid. Most of it looks broken but there are two vials of lift inside that look intact

4:28 PM

The caps are still over the auto injectors

Cyrus takes them stowing them away in his suit pockets before heading back out into the tattered wrecks of the graveyard. Moving off and further into the mirk and haze.

The growth has taken over a good number of vehicles entirely here, vines occasionally given way to reveal a cracked headlight or broken armor@panel here and there. A tank, tracked and bent barreled , is in front of you forming a left and right divergent path around it. It’s armor has been blown completely through, dead crew spilling out the sides , six in total.

7:42 PM

It has the same heraldry as the dead man

"Perhaps they are Stygians." He says to himself. "Ironic, perhaps they found peace with the boatman." He mutters moving forward, he watches the blown out opening in the vehicle as he passes taking the left path. His strides into the unknown showing all who might be watching, living or otherwise that he is unafraid of this place. His face reflects and image of mournful sadness and reverence for the dead and the battle they died in. "We should all be so lucky to die with such purpose in such furious battle. Eternal glory, echoing forever across the fields of Elysium."

(Mental save)

(Crit.)

7:56 PM

(Also I have cyberware that helps protect me against telepathic assaults. I don't know if it would effect this situation so I'll post what it does in chat and you can let me know: Neurointruder Alert: While somewhat primitive by pretech standards, this TL5 cybernetic implant allows the wearer to gain a +3 bonus on all saving throws to resist telepathic intrusion. Even if such a save is failed, the user will be aware that they are under telepathic assault, though some forms of mental control may not allow them to say as much until after the influence is ended. The warning does not indicate the source of the influence.)

(It’s ill defined enough where you could argue either way so I’ll just apply it )

8:49 PM

The six bodies begin to rise, the same balefire in their eyes, and they form a ragged pack ten meters from you

"Hmmmmm, perhaps not so eternal in your rest though Friends. Can you, at least, understand me?" He asks grasping the hilt of his sword and unsheathing it in a smooth motion, his left hand clenching and his force shield activating, bathing everything in a few meters in a golden hue as the round shield spanning from his shoulders to knees appears. A sharp buzz cuts through the air as he activates the sword bringing it up to rest on the top of the shield as he half squats in a defensive stand facing the horde.

If they understand you, they don’t care enough to halt what they’re doing. They thrash their fists on the ground and roar , sharp and jagged skeletal teeth clacking behind polished ivory jawbones. A couple of the bodies look newer than the others. Former travelers perhaps, or others who have had the same idea

Cyrus sighs "Have it your way." He moves forward in a few quick strides, he taps his shield the charges the group with no further warnings, letting out a feral roar as he leaps amongst them aiming to strike the first one with a savage downward cut. (31/14)

6:23 AM

(they all also take 8 shock damage. Or at least all in melee range which I think is all of them.)

(I don’t think shock damage is AOE)

(It's a foci) (edited)

(But I’ll look)

6:24 AM

(What foci)

You are a whirlwind of bloody havoc in melee combat, and can survive being surrounded far better than most combatants. Level 1: Gain Stab as a bonus skill. All enemies adjacent to you at the end of your turn whom you have not attacked suffer the Shock damage of your weapon if their Armor Class is not too high to be affected. Level 2: After suffering your first melee hit in a round, any further melee attacks from other assailants automatically miss you. If the attacker who hits you has multiple attacks, they may attempt all of them, but other foes around you simply miss.

(What’s the name of it)

(savage fray) (edited)

6:27 AM

(Linked with the first level of Shocking Assault counts all enemies as if they were AC 10 which means my shock vs 15 hits them.)

They recoup from the onslaught like you are all going through an elaborate dance, they pull back as you dive forward before responding. (27/3 ,25,6, 29/3 ) their claws smash against your armor, scraping rents and pulling shallow furrows across its surface

(second half of savage fray means that after the first hit lands in the mass melee all others auto miss unless that first attacker has multiple hits in which case they go through. Sorry Neko God I feel terrible hahahaha, so the 27/3 hits and then is decreased by 2 due to my armour making it 1 point of damage. Just for full transparancy's sake)

(Okay. Your move)

7:12 AM

(I just put up the ones that I knew beat the AC)

(All good, just wanted to lay it all out so you knew what I was doing.) Cyrus is gripped in the throws of a deadly ballet, he moves with the blows of the creatures attacking him, seeing that they glance of his armour all the while counter attacking even directing their own attacks against their allies. As they attempt to pile on him he throws one back and spins around another opening an opportunity to attack the already wounded first foe attempting to land a slice to it's neck as dives towards it. (25/10 to the same one as I hit before, then 8 shock to all.)

They all collapse into broken bones, the balefire leaving their eyes , though one skull keeps chattering for a moment as the arcane impulses driving it dispel back into the ground

9:59 AM

Something out in the distance groans mournfully, like a thunderstorm sighing

(Is it coming from a specific distance or is it just present?)

(It’s Just present)

(No worries) Cyrus feels the atmosphere change and tenses for a few long moments. He bends down near the recently redeceased corpses and picks up the skull that had been convulsing turning it over in his hands looking for sighs of arcane tampering or what might be driving these ghouls quietly thinking to himself as he does. What's driving these creatures? Those echos, sorrowful groans. Something must be still at work here, the dead perhaps? Or remnants of spirit. (Can I do a know magic or something to try and determine their origin or some info about them?)

(What you’re experiencing is unique to this place. You’re going to take the guts of the encounter out if you do but it’s up to you how you want to experience it)

(That's fine, I don't mind not knowing, just throwing it out there. I'd rather not make it if it's going to kill the story)

12:30 PM

He pauses for a few moments. "I am sorry this has happened, you should've been laid to rest with honour, not left to rot on the field of battle. Whoever you fought for." His statement is directed at the skull but meant for all of the slain here. He stands sword in hand and looks towards where the sun should be to see it's position in the sky.

The sun hasn’t changed positions at all since you’ve entered though it’s been long enough for it to have moved a little. It almost feels like looking up at the sky from beneath the surface of murky green water. You can see the light but it’s only there to accent the gloom around you

"Strange, it should be reaching sundown by now. I best press on" Thinking about sheathing his viscera covered sword but thinking better of it Cyrus keeps it in a tight grip just in case. He does however deactivate his shield, so as to not stand out too much. He takes out a protein bar and tears of a mouthful with his teeth as he begins to press on further towards the center chewing slowly as he does.

You’re about to take your last bite when you hear a voice behind you. It sounds almost as loud as a gunshot in this place of deathly quiet. “Not like the stories is it? The brave hero in search of glory, and triumph over evil. Clear dividing lines....” she trails off

4:15 PM

A shadowy figure, croneish in appearance with pale , wrinkled skin and stringy black hair that looks to be coated in sticky grease, or gore, materializes from the wreck of one of the utility walkers that would have fed ammunition to monstrous artillery pieces

Cyrus flinches. Hesitating for a second as his eyes dart around in micro movements until the land on the crone as he turns to face her blade in hand. His shield ignites around his torso as he half crouches in a defensive stance, the protein bar discarded to the side as he readies to fend off an attack. He lets out a growl, like a cornered predator, low enough to make the air almost thrum with the vibration. "Declare yourself Woman! I would have no tricks from you. Or any other." (edited)

5:20 PM

His words are guttural and dark, snarled through gritted teeth as if the mere sight of the crone in this place stirs something inside him. (edited)

"Its like you've forgotten how to speak like a normal person" she says as much to herself, as to you. "You treat me like a foe without knowing my intentions, without knowing my purpose. I am here to be your guide, not your assailant"

Cyrus quite literally bites back his anger, the adrenaline leaving him as suddenly as it arrived. "What is your name? You, who would be my guide." He asks in a much calmer tone, remaining however in a defensive stance. (edited)

She waves the question away. "You speak irrelevances, Regent Cyrus Adonis. I'm here to guide you through the mist and fog, and answer your questions on the way, nothing more. I think I was here once, when this happened, but my own memories are lost to me. All that is left is my purpose"

"And who sends you to guide me?" He asks still not dropping his guard feeling it may be a trap

"It is just my purpose. You ask me for answers, Regent Cyrus Adonis. I have no answers. Only truths"

"Truths you say? Can you tell me happened here? After the battle?"

"The dead outnumbered the living by 20 to 1, when the smoke finally cleared....it would have taken lifetimes to bury those who fell here. Those who survived simply left, scattering to other places. Relieved to be away, I think"

Cyrus seems to cock his head on one side as if he's thinking something through as she answers. Afterwards he looks around seemingly deciding its not a trap and if it is that she's no threat to him. He deactivates his shield keeping his gore covered sword on his hand he turns towards the direction we was traveling and then back to the Hag. "How is it that the dead have become so... Animated and feral?" (edited)

"It's a symptom of what happened here, and of what was banished. You don't just dispel something like that" she says, picking up a bent metal bar from the ground. She tests the weight for a moment, before deciding it will make an acceptable walking stick

Cyrus gestures casually for her to lead the way once it's clear she's ready to start travelling. Following at her side and slightly back, clearly still not trusting her. "Understandable, if the power of the titan was so great as they say, it doesn't go away easily and if it does it leaves echos like here. What can you tell me about the Titan? What kind of being was it? Where did it draw it's power from?"

"Something like the overlord I think is a force in itself. I do not think two such beings could exist at the same time"

12:43 PM

"He drew his power from the place where all unexplaied things draw power, deep within metaspace"

Cyrus lets out a dark chuckle "I've heard that more than once recently. It makes sense, the air here positively hums with the force of magic. It's...electrifying. What you said before, about things being black and white. I don't believe in it, all things are grey just different shades, some lighter some dark. This place, is filled with tormented dead, that doesn't make them or this place evil. Simply a fact of nature as it were. I take no pleasure in sending them to the afterlife for good, but it is better than the alternative. My apologies for acting as I did when we met, I felt like you perhaps may have been a force prolonging their suffering. You might still be, or perhaps your master is, time will tell."

"You make many assumptions for someone so new to this planet, Regent Adonis" she says, testing the loamy ground with her walking stick before every step. It is a quick motion, over in half seconds, but it slows her pace enough for you to need to decrease your own "And my point was much the same. there are no clear lines, but the universe does love a bit of melodrame"

Cyrus grins sarcastically at the comment, slowing his pace to match hers "Assumptions that need to be drawn, I say what I see. I don't have the luxury of time. Hesitation gets people killed and my people are my responsibility. This planet, though new to me is nothing new in concept. I've seen many like it and heard about countless more, yes it has it's secrets and it's people may be different in culture but at the heart it shares many similarities with others. Including my own homeworld. I will learn as I go, but I must act in the meantime on what I know, lest I become a target." He replies, while he talks he takes out a grey cloth from one of his armour's integral pockets and begins cleaning the viscera off his blade almost ritually. "The weakness of this planet as it is with many is that it believes it's self too different to be understood by an outsider. I don't claim to know all, in fact I wish to know more, but do not make the mistake that I am ignorant or arrogant. I have a goal, a dream, and I aim to make it a reality. That's going to upset a lot of people I'm sure, but that's how it must be. The great leaders throughout history have been innovative and confident. They go against the grain to make something new and altogether different, I hope to do the same here and further afield."

"I tried" she says to the sky, her brow wrinkled in frustration. "He thinks he knows everything. My work is done, apparently" Her essence begins to become hazy around the edges, as if she is once again being pulled into the shadows she materialized from. She looks at you with a sad expression, before she fades out, thinner than mist. your walk has taken you to a crashed plane, that looks to have bisected the belly of a large walker that is mroe gunplatform than the kind of walkers you employ. The nose has pierced it like a large dart, and its belly has been split open, ruptured mechanical guts, and long dead crew littering the ground.

Cyrus stops and sees her disappear shrugging to himself. "I am in need of no pity from you traveller. Nor you!" He says shouting to the sky. "I will solve this as any mortal would, or not at all. Watch me if you wish. I do not care." He throws the blood covered cloth to the side and spins the sword in his hand feeling it's weight as he strides towards the wreck wary of the dead. Moving in slowly as if not wanting to wake them he attempts to make his way into the belly of the walker.

The dead do not rise outside, truly sleeping, it seems. The crew of the walker are all dead. The pilot is slumped in his chair, nestled neatly under the wing root of the bisecting plane. It just missed hitting him directly, but the force of the impact no doubt broke his neck. That same shockwave killed the steersman, and assistant steersman sitting in other chairs behind him, backs facing the walls, which once would have held displays. A ladder leads up to the open topped gun deck, probably where the dead outside fell from. A long way to fall.

(These walkers, are they like AT-AT's or more like massive mechs?)

(basically legs and arms with heavier weapons, but instead of a head its just an open topped deck with infantry support weapons, but they're bipedal humanoid shapes)

2:51 PM

(thats why the crew is in the belly, cockpit is moved down here)

2:51 PM

(so they get the belt armor protection, not that it helped these ones)

(Oh that's really cool! Okay, now I have a clearer idea of what I'm in.) Cyrus searches the cockpit for loose tech scraps, knowing this is far beyond anything he's ever seen employed on a battlefield. At the same time he also looks for the unit patch of the crew, seeing if they are from the same outfit as the others he's come across.

The patch on the steersman is different, a blue triangle field, with a silver starbust in the middle. 'HJSF ' Is carved into it

2:54 PM

with Heras Joint Security Force spelled around the sides

"Must have been the enemy. Perhaps not, I'll have to ask someone who knows more later." He says to himself, taking it and stowing it away like the one before it.

2:58 PM

He moves over to the console panels next, checking to see if there are any salvageable scraps, though knowing he has little knowledge of tech he doesn't expect much.

(LEts get a know/int, just since as you said, you're out of your depth)

(8)

You find the fire control system is intact, meant to help the gunners up top with range and accuracy. You manage to pull the control board from the terminal, for use in something else later perhaps

Cyrus stows it away in his backpack figuring they might be able to use it back in the city. He stands walking towards the ladder, sheathing his sword he gingerly begins to accend it to the higher level decks.

The ladder groans under the weight of you in your battle plate, and the prongs bend a bit as the pressure of your boot lifts. You come to a hatch, ripped from its hinges by either the crash or the collapse, to an open deck, leaning precariously to the right, mirroring the fallen walkers pose. Rails run the perimeter of the deck, infantry support weapons clamped to them, most of the railguns and heavy machine guns have been bent, or are otherwise ravaged from a life in the elements

Cyrus climbs to the highest point of the fallen walkers top deck and looks out over the horizon attempting to scout ahead his path towards the center of the battlefield, the Tree.

You look to be about a half days walk from the tree, where the heaviest of the fighting would have taken place. The fallen machines there are many times larger, and the sheer number of piled wrecks, the same. The same mournful cry carries on the wind

Cyrus tenses as the cry passes him, feeling it more than hearing it. I best sleep before starting again, better to be rested when I get to the center rather than tired. Somehow I feel like sleep in this place is going to be far from restful though. He starts towards the ladder again, pausing and looking back at the Tree before heading back down into the control deck, he moves some corpses and set a few glow bugs around along with a tripwire at the entrance. Making a makeshift saferoom to sleep in for the night. He settles in for the night sleeping in his armour is uncomfortable but not impossible and the protection it offers is a better idea that sleeping out of it if anything should happen.

As you settle in, waiting for sleep to find you, you hear the sounds of the garden. They seem to be amplified a bit more at night and carry further. The sun, despite not moving all day, looks to be gone for now at least, casting the garden in a deeper gloom. Things howl, scrape, tumble, and scrabble in other parts of the wreck yard, but nothing sounds close. Their hunting calls sound like an excited mob, as packs bring down whatever passes for prey for them, in this place.

Cyrus spends time cleaning his armour as best he can and changing out the batteries before he settles in to sleep properly as the sounds of the Garden become more normal for him to hear.

You fall asleep after a particularly piercing hunting call breaks the silence. Whatever poor wretch that monster had fallen upon will no doubt not make it another few moments. The world fades to@black as you sleep

5:06 PM

You awaken to something like a rhythmic press and release on your armored leg

Cyrus opens his eyes slowly but not moving his head or jolting, dazed and confused having forgotten for the moment and in the haze of sleep where he is. He groans a little. "Cole is that you?" He asks clearly confused as his vision adjusts to the dim light of the room, his head stuck in whatever dream he was just in. (edited)

Some wretched looking ghoul chews away on your leg with broken teeth, gumming the plates with its distended jaw

Cyrus jolts up "By Hades!" He yells as he lashes out with an armoured boot attempting to kick the wretch square in the face in hopes of launching it across the room.

It heads out through the torn open crew hatch, momentum from the kick sending it sailing outside, to tumble on the ground, and scurry away, yelping like a wounded dog

Cyrus growls as he s climbs to his feet. "I suppose my rest is over. Time to get back to it." He looks outside seeing if the wretch had a pack and attempting to gauge what time of day/night it is

It looks to be the hour just before morning- or whatever passes for it here. It's brighter than when you'd gone to bed.

11:02 AM

The ghoul was alone, you've a feeling it would have been food for a pack long before it found its way to you, otherwise

Cyrus stretches, the servos of his suit whining as he does. Carpe Diem He thinks before jumping the few feet down to the sodden ground. Making his way back into the battlefield watching the shadows as he does. Towards the center and the Tree.

The ground bubbles underfoot as trapped moisture is pressed out, the thick green sludge smells like rot, even faintly through the suit's air cleansers. It must be unbearable outside. The larger war engines, and the tree itself is about a half day out, and though you didn't hear the strange cry yet today, it was no doubt louder the last time you did hear it. Moving away from your temporary shelter , you pass into a wreck field where some of the heavier armored vehicles and the heaviest of the fighting began. A massive artillery piece, reminiscent of the old earth railway guns lies ahead, dominating the battlefield.

He moves through the fields of wreckage making little attempt to hide his presence his armour catching the sun where it shines through the clouds, even if rarely. His feet make large marks in the soft and muddy earth leaving easy tracks to follow. For an old hunter his movements do not mirror it. But then again he is not here to be stealthy. Unafraid of what lies ahead he strides on past the dead and the wrecks seeing the artillery piece and suspecting there maybe useful material inside or perhaps artefacts he moves towards it gradually.

The carriage is as large as two of those walkers standing on one anothers shoulders, with ladders running up its sides to the gun deck. A breach as large as a standard tenebrian battle tank lies open, a shell that never got a chance to be fired still sitting in its cradle. You're too far from the gun deck itself, standing on the ground, to see if there are crewmen or at least the bodies of them. A fierce battle looks to have been fought around the gun, most of its deck plates are burned or bullet scarred, and the ground is littered with fallen infantry and overturned or burned out supply trucks. Clearly the artillerymen had been outflanked

Cyrus stops abruptly as he reaches the waves of dead around the carriage. He looks from side to side observing the fallen soldiers from both sides almost reverently before slowly beginning to make his way through, trying his best not to step on them as he does. (Is the breach high up or low down?) (edited)

(Up high. Like the middle of the top deck. )

(Thanks!) After making it to the other side of the corpse laden immediate area Cyrus looks up at the carriage moving to the ladder he takes a hold and begins to climb. He's careful to make sure his feet are secure before taking the next step on the rungs, not in the mood to fall this morning.

The ladder jiggles, just a bit, as you begin to climb. Shambling shapes begin emerging from the fog and surrounding wrecks, a few pull themselves from the ground, as you get 10m off the ground, away from their clawed hands.

7:31 AM

THey dont seem to be able to climb

He glances back down at the amassing host and grin before carrying on up the ladder, as he reaches the breach he attempts to climb inside.

The top of the gun vehicle is a massive cannon, with the gun-shield pocked and burned as the rest of the unit. It looks to have been strafed by aircraft at least several times, based on the high angles of some of the holes. Bodies carpet the upper gunnery deck, most too torn apart to reanimate, hopefully. There is a single shell, the size of a battletank and only slightly corroded sitting in the open gun breach. The crew died trying to get a final round off. It is angled toward the horizon, toward a pile of fallen heavy walkers

Cyrus climbs the last few rungs and pulls himself onto the top deck with a grunt, powered as his armour may be, it's still at least a ton of metal around him. Thankfully it does most of the work and he's used to moving in it by now, more so than without it really. After standing straight and stretching out his right hand grasps the hilt of his sword from it's back scabbard and Cyrus pulls it free, just in case. He surveys the dead watching for signs of movement for a few moments before seeing their mangled bodies and dissected frames, the smell even through his suits recyclers making him half gag. Carefully traversing the top deck he finds his way to the massive artillery gun's breach he looks it over attempting to see if it could still be fired. Secondly to that he theorises how much conventional damage something of that magnitude would do.

Without knowing what its packed with, and the specific chemical mix, the actual effect is hard to discern, though considerable based on the size- whatever it does. There;s a bit of a risk, with the corrosion , but it seems to be just beginning and possibly only cosmetic at this time. It looks to be able to fire, the crew had done everything but close the breach and pull the firing lever before they'd been overrun

"Hmm" He runs a hand over the massive cannon thinking about uses for it. No good outside of here unless we've got more than one shell. He searches around the gun looking for an ammo line or signs to the massive platforms magazine, assuming that if it did take a hit, with the size of these shells, there wouldn't be a platform anymore or anything else in a mile radius.

There is a conveyor that flattens out into something like a trough where the next shell to be fired would rest. you see a broken gantry where a crew operated crane would have lifted it into the breach- its remains lay on the ground, on the opposite side of the gun- torn off in the strafing run that killed the crew. The conveyor goes deep into the guts of the vehicle, likewise torn up from the large caliber cannon fire. Squinting off the back of the vehicle, you see a tail sticking out of the ground (think like a ww2 plane tail) , possibly the same plane

(In what direction is the gun pointed? Outwards or towards the center?)

(towards the center)

Cyrus moves towards the console and firing mechanism seeing how the weapon is triggered once loaded. (I'm looking to see if I have a way to make it fire on something like a detonator or some kind of remote access basically)

(this is like ww1 tech equivalent, sort of) There is a firing lever, that begins the process, but the pin strike it triggers looks to be almost instant, judging by your understanding of this sort of technology used in the past

(Hmmm. I think I have an idea but I'm gonna explore first.) Cyrus thinks for a moment and grins to himself as an idea materialises. But first he moves alongside the conveyor to search the huge carriage before putting it into action in case anything sways his mind. He carefully moves down as he hits the darkness of the interior he switches between thermal and night vision, looking for movement in the shadows realising that the dead might not be as damaged in here as they are on the top deck

There is a maze of reserve rooms the first deck down from the roof, where replacement crew, visiting officers , observers, radiomen, and the small garrison that performed security for this vehicle would have stayed when on the move, or in combat. Most of the doors are closed, likely done so when it became clear there was a danger of being over run

3:07 PM

though you do not see any bodies as you first make your way inside

He moves slowly, placing every foot carefully as he passes the rooms, out of curiosity he attempts to find what looks like the biggest, the commander's or whomever lead this detachment's room.

The vehicle has a viewport that is armored in its prow and you round a corner toward the hallway leading to it. Two ghastly sentinels stand before it, swords made of energized bone in their hand

7:55 PM

They seem to shift and become aware of you as you approach, 20m away

Cyrus rounds the corner and sees then his own blade in hand, the other ready to materialise his shield. He stops and makes a quick assessment of them and then begins to move again cautiously placing one foot before the other. "Well hey there Friends. Don't suppose your going to let me through that door without a ruckus, hm?" He asks, quietly optimistically as he nears to 15m from them. His sword passively pointed downwards and aligned behind his thigh, so that when he does strike, if he has to, it will be from an unknown angle.

(youre going to be first, they're here to fight)

As one of them makes an aggressive move forward Cyrus dashes forward seemingly in a direct charge, at the last second he ignites the shield, golden light erupting in the confines of the corridor and simultaneously deflecting a blow from the creatures bone sword. Pressing the attack he shifts his weight and pushes the creature sideways into the wall with the energy field of the force pavis in a pinning move momentarily. Stepping back and around the creature, ducking a blow from the second he lunges forward as it reals slicing down with his sword in a lightning fast motion towards it's outstretched sword arm. (36/16 to the first one) (8 shock to both)

The first one is knocked back against the wall but keeps his blade in hand. Both of them swing at you, one high, one low (27/9, other miss )

Cyrus lifts his shield just in time to deflect the high blow, the second digs into his armour and he feels the sting of the abrasion it causes, the blade not getting past his armour but bruising the flesh underneath and pulling at the muscle in his abdomen. He shouts out in pain. He lashes out, kicking the first back with a straight kick to the chest before wheeling around on the creature his blade following in a wide sweep coming down diagonally to cleave at the creatures shoulder towards it's chest. (25/12) (8 to both) (edited)

They seem emboldened by your pain, and their furious attacks continue. One uses his sword like a lance, its stabbing motion shattering the blade against your armor, but the knockback allowing the other to swing their bone blade at a joint in the mighty suit of titan plate(27/8, other misses)

Cyrus is sent reeling backwards bouncing of a nearby wall as the lance strikes his shoulder, pinning him for a second against it as the other blow rains down on the knee joint of his armour finding purchases and tearing the skin beneath. He screams behind gritted teeth, anger welling up inside him - turning a scream of pain into a primal roar of frustration. Turning his blade on the one that struck him in the joint with a hasty, almost defensive slash (23/7) Cyrus grabs the pinning ghoul by what passes for clothing or armour, the haze of rage obscuring the true facts if the situation, and placing his good foot against the wall he uses his integral suit boosters to propel himself across the corridor in a devastating pile drive with the guard as a cushion. At the last moment he turns directing his shoulder into the being as they hit the wall in a crash. (8 damage to both)

(is that your shock?)

(Yeah)

The first of the Revenants staggers, and the emerald (not blue this time) fire in its eyes flickers like a comm screen being turned on and off several times, before finally going out entirely. The body falls, motive force cut

7:31 AM

The light jumps into the second, its limbs now burning with a jade fire, though it is not consumed. It advances with its blade.

7:31 AM

(roll in a few)

the witchlight blade strikes out with blinding speed, causing a shower of sparks and jade fire from your armor as the beast tries to strike home, fighting with the strength of two (23/28)

1

Cyrus is caught of guard by the light, recoiling backwards as it dazzles his suit's sensors he sees the blade coming down too late to activate his shield but moves his forearm in it's path anyway. The blade crashes into his arm sinking deep into the flesh of his forearm after passing through the armour. The noise that emanates from Cyrus is wholly animalistic, somewhere between a shout of pain and a feral snarl as the blood seeps from his armour's joints. He pushes the blade back, still lodged in his arm, away from his face. His arm turns to the side opening the creature to a counter as he stabs forward with his blade at the things stomach. (17/9 - or 8 shock damage if it doesn't hit) (edited)

It staggers and it looks frail, close to the end of whatever force holding it together can keep it functioning.

3:03 PM

(ive got to rollin a second)

3:03 PM

(i picked up my phone to do it and then got distracted)

(No worries)

The weakness in the host body shows, its swings are clumsy, and ill timed, moving seconds after you do in response, the sword crashes against the deck twice, missing with a wide margin

Cyrus grits his teeth bearing through the pain as his suit fills with antibiotic sealant gel closing the wound and the suit in one as the blade grinds free of his arm. He ducks the attacks seeing his enemy weakened and slow. Rolling past the revenant and turning almost on all floors like a cat waiting to pounce on his prey. He pauses for a brief moment, breathing heavily Cyrus snarls a last chance to stop the violence. "Cease this madness Revenant, or I will destroy you." (Gonna hold my action to see if it responds)

It does no such thing, and raises its blade in an engarde motion

Cyrus makes no other appeals, his face like his helmet, blank of expression behind the mask of his armour. The metal of the deck below his armoured boots dimples as the power of the suit and his own strength combine as he leaps forward at the revenant, bounding off the floor and towards it sword raised high and coming down where it's head meets it's neck. (33/15)

Its head cannons off its body, bouncing down the hallway like a burning cannonball, before the energy keeping it animated fades, and it falls to the ground

Cyrus stumbles back, the pain of his wounds momentarily taking his legs away, he steadies himself against the wall with a chrome gauntlet caked in gore, his own and theirs. He sheaths his sword slowly and fumbles for one of the integral storage unit in his armour. Opening it his pulls out one of the lift vials, loaded into an injector. He presses it against one of the sockets in his armour and presses the trigger, the fluid shooting into his veins. Standing a little taller as his wounds begin to knit back together he turns back to the revenant creatures that attacked him, he moves over to them gingerly and takes a knee next to the newly headless being he had just ended. Cyrus pats the two of them over carefully, trying to find clues as to what they were and what they are now. (edited)

They have the same emblem you saw outside the wreck on soldiers uniforms but with a gold trim. Their uniforms lack the actual medals themselves but do have the campaign bars and citation squares marking them out as once, veterans. They were standing outside the commanders room when you engaged them.

Cyrus examines the swords of the two fallen creatures, the technology if there is any and whether or not they are attached to the limbs like extension of the arm, or like normal swords are just held.

The swords are made of bone, though they look to have been manufactured and not made through arcane processes

(What kind of style are they in? As far as what swords do they look like)

(They're longswords with blades made of bone, pretty plain, they might not even be original issue)

Cyrus takes the two blades carefully, as if they might break in his metal hands, he wraps them in a woollen cloth from his backpack and ties them in it securely before attaching them to his pack, taking them with him. He stands slowly still in pain, turning and walking towards the commanders door, looking to see how it might be opened.

The door looks to be a normal port door almost like you would normally find on a spaceship

(Can they be manually opened?)

(Yeah just a regular door)

6:00 PM

(The guards were the obstacle)

(No worries, just making sure.) Cyrus puts a hand against the door, pausing for a moment before opening it hesitantly, half expecting to be ambushed on the other side.

A skeletal commander sits in his chair. This body does not rise. He looks out the now stained opaque armored window of the gun, rotted binoculars around his neck

He walks in to the room, heavy boots sounding metallically on the deck as he stops behind the Commander in his chair, laying an almost reassuring hand on the skeleton's shoulder. "I wonder why they were guarding you my Friend." He asks looking out to the gun.

maps, battle reports, a long rotted away cigar, and other intelligence materials, now hundreds of years out of date litter the room in yellowing piles of old paper. Coordinates coming in too fast to be recorded were instead written on the wall with some kind of charcoal pen, though the once vibrant black has eroded to a barely visible grey

Cyrus searches through the files for anything that looks like important intelligence, hoping to out more about the battle or at least its last moments.

The main battle lines drew close to this position and orders came in to abandon the gun, and destroy the firing mechanism, but the crew chose to keep fighting, and disregard orders. Outside, the personnel transports and hundreds of bodies show the front did sweep through the area. They were trying to get a shot off at the overlord, where the tree now grows in the center of all of this, but were not able to fire in time

"Well, you got close atleast, did fighting like Warriors should." He moves over to the Commander himself patting him down and at the same time looking for traces of how his life ended.

There is a large crack in his sternum where a blade must have been punched through his back

"Hmm, where were your guards, and why didn't you fight back I wonder, no matter I suppose Friend. Rest now." (do I find anything on Him)

He has nothing on him but the binoculars and a final copy of the orders, with the firing solution for the overlord (now the tree) on him. He was not carrying a weapon on his hip, trusting his guards to protect him

Cyrus ponders why the revenant guards were still there guarding as he searches around the room a last time, if finding nothing he leaves trying to figure out his next moves.

(lets get a notice/wis)

(9)

You notice the firing solution he had on his person is still perfect. The overlord fell exactly where you project the coordinates should be on a map, and have one on the wall to compare it to. The tree stands there currently

(So it's pretty much just waiting for me to pull the trigger? Just making sure I'm getting that right)

(yes, exactly, the only thing missing is the gift wrap)

(The real question is do I try and blow up the tree that everyone on the planet sees as a symbol of life. haha, I've got an idea though.) Cyrus moves back up to the platform, and attempts to jury rig a primitive pully trigger for the level mechanism by tying a length of rope to the level and attaching a weight, in this case being a piece of scrap from the hull. He sits it on a makeshift trap door, then attaches a grenade on a detonator to the trap door. (Basically if he presses the detonator, the weight drops, pulling the lever and then setting it off.)

3:29 PM

(If that makes sense)

(We're going to need a fix/int for all this for sure)

(7)

you rig up the contraption as best you are able, but there are a couple parts of it, the grenade especially, that give you a bit of concern. It is as ready as you are going to make it

Cyrus looks back, cocking his head at the mechanism before nodding. Seeing it as the best he can do with the time he has. Moving to the side he looks over the edge of the platform and down to the veritable graveyard below, attempting to spy the ghouls that attempted to grab him before.

Your extended absence inside the gun, out of their sense and eyesight seems to have caused them to lose interest and they have scattered beyond your sight

Cyrus starts his decent down the ladder slowly, not wanting to break it or make too much noise, even in his suit.

After a short climb down, skipping several rungs at a time thanks to the bulk of the suit, you, as softly as an armored warrior can, step onto the soft ground, standing next to the gun carriage

He looks around quickly scanning for hostiles before setting off in a jog towards the center, putting distance between him and the sleeping horde.

(so we're moving away from the gun, further into the garden?)_

(Yeah)

Cyrus settles into a steady pace as he goes deeper into the graveyard

The fog becomes thicker as you approach to within a half days walk of the center, leaving your jury rigged contraption behind. You hear the groan , once again, as you pass a tangle of battle tanks, all killed within meters of one another (mental save)

(Success, 15 vs 4)

Your head begins heating as the intrusion cyberware does what it can to fend off the attack, but the margin was a bit closer this time. Something very clearly is trying to exert its own force upon you. youre close enough to the tree to actually be standing in the dim shadow it casts through the even dimmer sunlight now, and it is here the fighting was the most savage, fought with the largest armaments, and the most soldiers. This was not a defensive battle, but rather one of constant manueuver warfare

Cyrus winces painfully as he lends his own mental effort to drive off the cold fingers of control, having to stop for a second and lean against the hulking wreck of a dead tank. "You...Cannot....Control...Me." He growls through gritted teeth, a pain bursting in his eye as he pops a blood vessel. He regains his concentration as the attack subsides standing upright once more and looking towards the tree. "Whoever you might be, know that I am not your play thing. I am guided by a brighter light, and I'm coming." A wry grin spreads across Cyrus' lips beneath his helmet as he strides further into the shadow of the great tree. (edited)

(i know, i know, alert 2, but initiative)

8:38 PM

(6) (Also, that's terrifying, great art.)

(5)

8:48 AM

out of the fog, a shape begins to coalesce as you close in with the tree. The clouds darken into a maw, with glitering fangs each one as tall as you are. Two eyes of the same blue/green fire you have seen in other places of the garden light the darkness, casting everything in fluttering, inconstant shadow

"Finely, a face to the voices." Cyrus flicks the power trigger to his sword allowing it to buzz to life once more, left over blood dispersing into a mist around it. Then his shield alights bathing all in his immediate vicinity in a golden halo, as if fighting the shadows. He pauses just for a second then charges the maw before thing has a chance to attack, not knowing whether he can actually damage it if it is ethereal in nature. (I will roll when I get him in a few hours) (edited)

(19/13)

The blade seems more than capable of parting the essence of...whatever it is...attacking you. and it recoils from your swing

(will roll for him in a min)

It surges forward after the blades passing, teeth on display as it bites down (23/20), passing through the armor plating, a fraction, before stopping and withdrawing its barbed fangs

Cyrus roars in pain as the spectral fangs sink through him, he slices upward in defiance of the pain, into the maw. (25/10 - How does this thing line up to where I believe the firing plan lines up?)

(think of three rings, the primary blast zone, the intermediate zone, and the peripheral zone, you're in the middle ring)

9:00 AM

(your attack is your action though, so the soonest youd be able to ddo it is next round)

(Sweet thanks!)

The shape merges back into the shadows, clouds swirling around you, as it materializes above, plowing you into the ground with a tremendous kinetic impact, as the two of you make contact with one another (31/20)

Cyrus is ploughed into the floor his vision dimming for a few moments as he temporarily loses consciousness, the pain of his wounds overwhelming. Looking up and seeing the gargantuan spectral beast rearing back once more and sensing he is close to losing this battle he reaches to his forearm controls weakly pressing the detonator to set of the mechanism for the artillery piece. Then activates his boosters, boosting him across the ground away from the beast as it comes down a second time to finish what it started. (edited)

(We're going to need two luck saves)

(both succeed)

(25 damage, heavy weapon) the artillery shell, little more than a cauldron of high explosive, propellant, and shrapnel hits the tree directly. There is a concussive wave that crumples the armor of wrecked vehicles, and burning tree fragments rain from above, in a far more dense storm of sparks and debris than even a tree that massive has any right to produce. The shrieking face in the smog screams, lunging for you, its form losing cohesiveness and trailing fire and smoke, before ramming into you, and dissipating into the ground, in a spreading cloud of vapor

Cyrus' in the midst of scrambling to his feet as the shell detonates against the tree is thrown into the side of a light fighting vehicle by the force of the shockwave, the tonne of metal and body crumpling the vehicles wing and passenger side door into a tangle of rusted metal. Then the shower of flame and shrapnel smoothers him. Inside his plate Cyrus lets out a scream as he brings up his arms to shield his face and chest, the large chunks of propelled mechs mixed with actual shrapnel from the detonation shredding his forearms and shoulders only to be instantly cauterised by the inferno, all whilst pinned in the scout vehicle like an iron tomb by the force of it all. As it finally subsides he tumbles out of the wreckage, close to the brink, he stumbles onto his hands and knees as the face, teeth bared charges him. In what Cyrus believe to be a last stand he lurches to his feet, no sword in hand he stands against the oncoming attack like a feral beast snarling through a half broken jaw. Blood pouring down his face inside his helmet, making for an uncomfortable mess of wet tissue pressed into his face. Roaring like a madman he takes the hit to the chest, feeling a rib crack, another break and a wet squelch inside his chest where he hopes a muscle was just punctured and not a lung as he is thrown back and tumbling into a rapidly smouldering heap of corpses. Moments pass.... Then minutes.... Then an hour....

Cyrus wakes suddenly! Gasping for air as his suit blares warning after warning, alert after alert at him. 'Warning, blood loss, heavy trauma sustained, vital signs erratic, please seek immediate medical assistance.' 'Warning, vacuum loss, near critical suit malfunctions. Please seek immediate mechanical assistance.' The repeat in a mater of fact tone as he struggles to suck in air to his lungs through a broken filer and cracked jaw. His head pounding and eyes blurring his fumbles to open the integral suit pouch, half ripping it open manually, the automated systems not responding properly. Taking the syringe of Lyft he connects it to a port on his thigh joint and fires it into his bloodstream. The shock of cold through his veins makes him gasp and then cough, blood hits the inside of his helmet. Looking down at a cracked bracer mounted suit monitor he tries to discern whether or not the air is safe to breathe.

The air is safe to breathe but the temperature readout, cracked as it is in your helmet, shows the ground and local area slowly cooling down, beyond normal temperature fluctuations for this season of year

(Would I think it's safe to take my helmet off?)

(the helmet is not detecting anything it can identify as harmful to you, what you make of that information is up to cyrus)

(Just making sure I was reading it right.) Cyrus begins to stand from the pile of charred corpses only for one of his legs to give out, he stumbles recovering with a steadying hand on the wreck of a burnt out tank to lift himself up painfully. Leaning against it for a moment and free of the dead he reaches up fumbling with the helmet seals before finally disconnecting it, pulling it free of his head by what's left of the silver plumage. He spits on the floor, part of a tooth coming free too. Cyrus looks up towards the tree as Lyft knits his wounds closed and dulls the pain to bearable levels.

There is not much of the helmet hair left, and your face is ruddy with wounds and debris scars. Most of them will heal over in time. The suit is detecting injuries all across your body, and a slowly falling temperature here. A tiny ping appears on the suit scanners, an Elysium Protectorate patrol boat broadcasting a transponder beacon

Cyrus sets his own transponder to ping back showing where he is. He maglocks his helmet to his belt and picks up his sword. He limps and stumbles off in the direction of the burning tree again, using burnt out hulks as momentary refuge to lean on here and there.

The air seems to sing as though something sharp is passing the air near you, and the sound gets stronger as your step by step approach the tree hulk

(Is it the same kind of sinister moaning as before does it feel... Lighter? I don't know if that the right word to use)

(Think of the sound the air makes when you swing a stick really hard

(I get you now) The further he walks the more normal his gate becomes, finding it easier as the Lyft works to bind his wounds and he gets used to the pains. Cyrus takes a deep breathe smelling the air like a wolf smelling for prey, his now shoulder length hair blowing in the wind.

Your prey “smell” is overwhelmed by the burning tree. All you can smell is ash and sparks from the inferno you have touched off. Smoke begins to drift skyward In a large column. Your vambrace chimes once before the power fails showing the patrol boat is changing course and will be as close to the garden as rivers allow. Lars is u reachable, the suit without enough power to hit orbit

9:55 AM

Something glimmers in the rolling blanks of smoke behind a wall of flame, embedded in the flaming tree

Cyrus spots it ducking behind a wreck first thinking it might be a gun barrel before realising that would be most unlikely. Hesitantly he creeps forward as stealthily as his can trying to draw nearer for a better look at the glimmer

(Lets get a notice wis)

(11)

You see something silvery and metallic stuck deeply into the trunk, fire descending closer and closer, the bark a spreading black with veins of embers through them. The long rod like shape gleams silver and begins to smoke gently as the heat rises

Cyrus takes a deep breath and moves the smoke hitting him full in the face as he begins to manoeuvre through and around objects, hulks and corpses quickly towards the glimmering object in the tree.

(Physical effect save ) Passing through the smoke you take in a deep breath of the smoldering air. It bites at you intensely, prickling you and your sweet glands. The shape is a spear, unquestioningly so, and it continues to steam as it heats up

(Success)

(3 damage, not ablated by the suit) You push on to stand level with the steaming spear, and it begins to gently glow as it heats up, the blaze becoming so intense it is difficult to stand before

Cyrus has a primal instinct to run from the fire but feels it overwhelmed by the urge to push forward. He painfully lunges forward his right had grasping the haft of the spear and pulling attempting to dislodge it from the trunk in one fluid movement.

Your gauntlets steam and temperature warnings spike as you pull it free, the spear tumbling from your grasp and embedding itself in the ground, still trailing thin smoke.

7:55 AM

it sings as it cuts the air, the mark of finely honed metal

Cyrus gasps as the heat spikes burning his hand even in his suit, after pulling it free he leaps clear of the flame stumbling onto the floor next to the spear. He examines it as it cools in the earth next to him, reverently passing a hand over it, stunned by the craftsmanship mixed with the awe of finding it here, amongst the center of the ruined battlefield. "By the Gods!" He exclaims his voice crokey and horse after the battles and smoke. "How did you come to be here?"

There is no answer, only the wind, as the cooling metal creaks in the breeze, smoke wafting away, along with the last shower of sparks. Behind you, there is a crash as one of the enormous limbs, consumed by fire, tumbles off the tree, and continues to burn

"I'm probably going to regret setting fire to this tree." He says to no one in particular, sitting up and watching it burn. "Maybe not I don't know, perhaps this is the start of something else." With twins groans of both Cyrus and the Titan armour he stands slowly. Once again he grabs the spear and pulls it from the ground

(Is this the Pantheon remake?)

(Not sure what that is but you can tell me when it comes true!)

10:54 AM

The spear is light, but the killing head is weighted, allowing it to be thrown if absolutely needed. (you had art, so anything more is introducing errors) It is well made, of meteoric steel, and sturdy.

"Remarkable, absolutely beautiful." He says lifting the speak to point at the clouds "Hear me Ares! Hear me Zeus! Hera, Artemis and Apollo! In the name of my patron and the Gods I shall use this gift to bring forth a new age, and carve a path to a better future! Your will, my hands! It shall be so!“ He calls to the heavens, blocked by plums of dense smoke and the almost supernatural haze of the Garden

If the heavens are listening, there is no reply. You get the sense though, that your threats of wrath are directed at the wrong parties. A slight ping, before your vambrace shorts out, shows the patrol boat is close

(There were no threats of wrath there) He turns the spear around in his hand a last time before moving off towards the signal ping at a crooked jog, still limping but knowing there may be a time shortage.

You begin making for the coast, as best you can, and after a half hour of jogging, you see the faint running lights through the gloom, and the gentle rumble of idling shipboard engines.

1:22 PM

There are other lights in the fog, balefire eyes, dozens of them between you, and your goal

"Ah, this might get eventful." He says as he begins to pick up the pace once more, his grip tightening on the new weapon. His left arm turns into a glimmering shield of golden energy, briefly flickering before coming to life, stabilizing. "If this be the end, let it be a good one." Cyrus says closing his eyes momentarily, opening himself up to his more supernatural powers, basking in the moments of pure clarity that occur just before a battle is to commence. His eyes snap open again, with renewed vigour, a smile spreading across his unarmoured and bloody face. "Come on then! Let's be having you, so I might send you to Tartarus myself!" He booms as he begins a charge at the first one. (18/14 - 14 shock damage to all adjacent)

(this is the same PT boat that Pearl is on, who would also be acting now, so we'll see what she does)

(No worries, just figuring out how the new stuff works as well. If you want, after this round I can swap over to hers.)

(I'm so sorry if this deals significant damage to Cyrus)

(You'll be fine haha)

(evasion save bud)

(Fail)

You launch into combat the same time as the railgun from the deck of the PT boat fires, along with the other heavy weapons aboard a second later, as they lash the ghoul pack, and you in their midst, with blistering weapons fire

As Cyrus moves to leave the boat he nods to the Captain signalling for him to come close. "So, what will you do now? Resupply and carry on or head back to the city proper?"

"I think I'm supposed to be asking you, sir"

12:40 PM

"We just thought we would take some initiative while you were gone and Cole was busy with the city construction"

Cyrus chuckles and pats the Captain's arm boisterously "I suppose so, and you did well in doing so. I dare say had you not come along I wouldn't have made it out, you have my eternal thanks for that. And I will make sure it is known and noted. No good deed goes unpunished and all that. I suppose it would be an idea to go back out. Give yourself and your people a day's turn around if you need it, and take any supplies you might need. Then head back out as originally planned. Be careful Captain, may the Gods look favourably upon you."

"Hold on, hold on!" Pearl rushes up behind Cyrus, stepping around him to get in front of his view "Revent Lord Cyrus? That means you're a noble, if I'm not mistaken, right? Is that right?" (edited)

"Sort of, I'm self made. I'm not noble by birth, or at least, not by civilised standards."

12:57 PM

"Why?"

Pearl lays a hand on her chest and the other at her side "Well, you see, I just happen to be a noble myself! Like I said, I come from the Saryan family, and that blood flows through me. I was just wondering..." She'd get up on her tip toes to look up at Cyrus as closely as possible "... Since we're both nobility and all, and because I performed so well saving you from all those nasties, maybe I could come with you? Like a promotion, or hell, maybe even an actual promotion somewhere in the more leading parts of business." Pearl then clasps her hands together "Pleeeeeease~?"

(Or a promotion through hell. Movin up from the 7th Circle to the 8th, ya know)

Cyrus sighs heavily, an expression of disappointment on his face almost Paternal. "That's not how this works. The Protectorate, is a meritocracy. An elective Monarchy. You earn your way in this life. No one is born better than anyone else. You may be a noble, I don't know the house of which you originate, even if I did it wouldn't make a difference. The people that are in charge here are so because they've earnt there place, through hard work. You did well today, but that does not make you any better than anyone else on that boat. You have spirit Pearl, this much is true, perhaps potential. But do not think to get any free or easy rides here. Or anywhere else, the universe is an unforgiving place, and you must carve your own path. Or else it will swallow you whole. Do not mire what you have done today by seeking to put yourselves above others before you have shown that you belong there. I will forgive you this transgression only once, we will speak no more of this. If I hear you have asked others the same due to any sense of perceived 'nobility'. Well, I will not be best pleased." Throughout the dressing down Cyrus never raises his voice, but he doesn't have to. He tone is deep, and powerful. The message is a clear 'No'. "Now go, be on your way, I suggest if you wish to prove yourself you get back on that boat and go back out. Make a name for yourself, but not at the detriment of your fellows. Earn their respect, and you might earn mine. And in time, you may rise."

Her smile of opportunistic foot stooling gradually loosens into a soft frown, being shot down with the lengthy, intimidating speech, but in the end Pearl lightens back up a bit "Alright... Okay, I get it. I see how this all works now." She would then bring herself to salute up to Cyrus "My apollogies, Revent. I'll get back to my mission... And hopefully the next time we meet, I'll have done just that." She would then drop the posture back down, turning back around to head back to her position Whether it was for the same reasons she herself had, Cyrus was right. She may have once been a noble, but the noble life was what she wanted to escape, and trying to step back up in the world using her family name as a stepping stone would just put her back where she started before the war. If she intends to make a name for herself, she needs to follow the advice given to her; do what she needs to, and earn the respect of others through her actions. Back at the railgun, Pearl would be swapping out the power unit, wanting to make sure she's fully loaded for the next threat the ship comes across. (edited)

Cyrus watches he leave and then turns beginning a slow walk towards the city. His wounds, lack of sleep and general condition begin to take their toll on the way back to Mytikas. Turning a walk into a painful slog, the suit itself becoming heavier as the power drains from shorted batteries.

2:07 PM

(Good RP btw @Deleted User )

(Thanks! The convo also helped me out get a better idea on how the Elysium operates)

(No worries, it's still getting started too so it's hard to put a finger on it but that is one of the main points, anyone can rise above their beginnings. They just have to prove themselves.)

Power finally fails entirely at the temple steps, the suit rattling against you with a dead weight that bruises muscle and reverberates down to the bone. Emergency interlocks open the back of the suit, so you are not trapped inside. A dozen Myrmidons race out, along with a technician and a medic, ringing you, while the two experts standby and assess how they can best help

"Evenin' Friends, lovely one at that. I like what you've done with the place, really starting to shape up!" Cyrus half falls out the back, all facades dropped, his legs not really holding him anymore now the suit isn't propping him up, two Myrmidons having to help him to keep upright. Tired and in pain Cyrus looks to the tech first. "Take my suit somewhere, if there's a workshop in the temple armoury have it taken there and fully repaired. Get back to me with a report on when it might be functional again." He then looks at the medic. "I believe I may be in need of some medical treatment, but I think it best we go inside first and up to my apartments, best not make a bigger scene than we already have."

You are half carried inside, your subordinates letting you take as much of your own weight as you seem able. Upstairs at the apartments, you are laid on a pallet, and two medics begin attending you. Someone calls for Alex Foros to be found and brought here

6:52 AM

You hear a technician talking to Eryx about how the suit won't be ready until some power and tooling gets re-manufactured, though they might ship it into orbit to see if any of the techs on the platforms can do something about it.

Cyrus let's them work beckoning Eyrx over to talk to him "This is going to seem a strange question but how long was I gone for?"

He pulls up a date and time tracking application from his vambrace "Close to two weeks, almost exactly"

"Two weeks? I thought I was gone, two days, three at most. Time, it moves differently in there, no sun. Some of the things in there Eyrx... How they are still moving, fighting, hunting. It doesn't matter right now." Cyrus says refocusing. "How are things here? What's been happening?" (edited)

"There was a collapse at the iron mine. No word on casualties yet but there is a relief team already on site. Nothing more can be done aside from what we are doing already. One of the scout patrols also came back with a prisoner, enemy scout that was shadowing one of our pioneer teams. He's being interrogated now. A second pioneer team found a source of oil out in the swamplands, leader of them thinks she might be able to get power back on"

"Lots has happened then. Once this prisoner is interrogated I wish to have a full dossier on the conversation if possible please. Then we must go from there, its a diplomatic incident at best but at worst is call for war with whoever sent him. And we are as yet, not ready for war." (edited)

4:34 PM

(While I remember) "Before I forget, I brought a number of items back from the Garden as well as a sample from the exploration vessel that all need to go to the lab for various reasons, bits of tech mostly."

"I'll see it brought up to the platform, I'm sure Lars will be happy to run it if it gives him an excuse to come down here and fuss around"

"Speaking of Lars, he said he was going to organise some in sector scouting. So we know what we are dealing with inside the local space, do we have any reports on that yet?"

"Nothing yet. He was unwilling to move the ships, in case those scouts captured turned out to be vanguard for something bigger. We wanted the orbital bombardment option if needed.

"That's probably a good idea, we'll keep them where they are for now, before we've seen how the situation is going to play out. How goes our food production and stockpiles? No one's going hungry are they?"

There is some commotion as Alex Forros enters the room, shrugging off his fur coat, the bottom hem now a dusty gray with the permanent chalky dust of the ruins. His mirrored full moon sunglasses still shine the trademark purple green he is known for. "Hey boss. Let the magic man take care of you buddy." he says, edging the medic away, though he continues connecting an IV line.

7:17 AM

Eryx looks annoyed but continues his report. "We're still on limited rationing. We need to see how the crops do before we lift the restrictions. It's going to be like this until Autumn, at least, unless we come into a cache of food somewhere else. We need to prepare ourselves for the possibility of a siege."

Cyrus grins as Alex enters boisterously, fist bumping him after he fits the IV and he listens to Eyrx. He turns back, serious and contemplative, pausing for a few moments to think. "We cannot afford a siege, not at this stage. So there will not be one, if they move against us we must fight them in the field, as planned. It might be earlier than is optimal but if it most be done then it most be done. The people of this world, or at least the people with Power need to respect our strength before we will be taken seriously. The first to attack must be dealt with swiftly, but mercifully. Our military force maybe small but they are seasoned and superior, so far as to what I've seen anyway. I could be wrong, the intelligence is light to say the least, but that is in the process of changing. I had hoped to deal with Chiron first but if it must be Artemea then it will be."

7:31 AM

"Have the Myrmidons begun reorganising yet?"

"Only just. Most have spent their time training a small city militia for some of the defensive jobs we would be wasting our offensive troops on"

"We should have time, I imagine it will take them months to organise and attack in force if they were going to."

"Didn't seem like a good enough reason to risk getting caught with our pants down and bum on display" Eryx shrugs. "Should I issue new orders?"

"Hmm, I suppose that depends, how well trained is the militia? Do they know the basics?"

"They're learning them. Most of them can't shoot straight. We checked. The problem isnt the rifles" he sighs

"They aren't soldiers. Most of them won't have fired weapons before, that will have to change at some point. If needs be, all citizens of the Protectorate must be ready to defend it. But that's not currently the priority. Or at least not as high. I need my offensive troops in peak condition, things could be moving fast and they need to work within the new guidelines. How long will it take for them to be retrained to the new Doctrine, roughly?"

"It's really jsut a code of conduct. I don't see any problems or delay in asking them to not act like animals"

"Then let's implement it as of tomorrow, all codes, rules and regulations of the doctrine will be taken into effect. And they'll all be told expressly what those are so we have no excuses. Then I want them warmed up, ready to march if we need to."

"We'll see anyything coming from space long before it reaches us, but all the same, we should be watchful"

"A fair point my Friend, I'd also like to get them training for this terrain too, it's not all going to be urban warfare and they need to know how to use the land to their advantage." (I'm talking about getting them Terrain Specialisation - though I don't know what you'd call this terrain)

(Temperate, I'd say)

1:41 PM

(I deliberate left that off the specializations though, since it does not present a hazard or a challenge to fighting conditions in any way)

(Fair enough, we'll leave it then.) "I think that can be all for now Eyrx, good job holding the fort, and thank you. We best let Alex do his work on me so my Wife can beat me senseless later."

"I'm not putting you back together after that one" he says, as you feel the surge of reknitting energy flowing through you. "I was at the medical tent before i had word you were back. I'll give you what I can for now, but you're going to hate your life for a couple days even with my help"

"That's fine Alex, I deserve it. Thank you."

Cyrus lays back and closes his eyes for a while allowing Alex to do his work, enjoying the comfort of not being chewed on whilst he drifts off to sleep for a time.

(Not sure if you want to pick this up now, or it might make sense to get into something after the unity meeting once we have our priorities straight)

(I think that the priorities now are mostly on Eli and Rolin, Cyrus himself doesn't have much to do other than prepare if war breaks out so I was gonna study the spear and see if I can unlock some knowledge as well as chat to cole. I also need to do the faction turn, so that might churn some stuff up it depends on how I roll for Mord.)

(yeah lets do that before we jump into something else

Cyrus wakes later on, looking around erratically and temporarily confused as to where he is, seemingly still lost in whatever nightmare he was having. He quickly calms himself as his eye adjust to the darkness around him.

The room is empty you realize after letting your senses feel things out for a moment, though dark.

1:44 PM

downstairs you can hear the sounds of a workday beginning, as build and clean details are sent out into the city

Cyrus swings his legs out of bed slowly, wincing as the sharp pain hits him in the ribs and then everywhere else. He tentatively puts his weight down and then pads through to the washroom to get ready. He emerges robed rather casually in a silvery grey, black combat trousers and a red sash around his waist. Moving off gingerly into the temple to find Cole.

Cole is out front, yelling at two subordinates to fetch more doctors and medics, and have them meet the next flight of rescue landers coming in. She is not wearing her armor, and the sleeves of her normal work clothing are red up to the elbow. you can smell that the blood is not hers

Cyrus' careful walk becomes a run, disregarding the pain in his body as he moves swiftly towards her. Stopping sharply with a grunt it takes him half a second to get his breathe. "What's wrong? What's happened?" His questions are calm and consice it's clear to her he's worried but the adrenaline already kicking in and he's compartmentalised it.

“Survivors coming in from the iron mine collapse. Everyone’s accounted for now , I was just helping out”

"Do they still need help?" He asks glancing around for the medics tent.

“There’s a report here. A local named Rolin and his partner helped save many that otherwise would not have been reached in time. The evacuation is complete, workers there are digging out the mine and assessing what went wrong”

Cyrus takes the report and reads it. "Commendable work. Did we lose anyone or is it just injuries?"

"20 dead, about three times that injured, but expected to return to work. Forros dealt with the worst of them before he came to see you"

Cyrus sighs and shakes his head clearly saddened by the incident. "We need more vehicles, automation, or at least the technology. It's gonna make this process a lot safer if we do. We can't have this happening again, or at least we need to limit it." He grabs a cloth from a nearby table and gives it to Cole for her hands. "I need to talk to you about some things, about my trip and what happened. And then I think I have an idea of how to start getting more technology or at least somewhere we might be able to get some answers."

She cleans her hands and arms off and throws the towel into a disposal bin. Help will come later to clean them and bring them where needed. “Well. I should know what happened so I can decide what to be mad at you for. And I should hear your idea so I can put it to work after I’ve killed you”

Cyrus smiles "My thoughts exactly, come let's go somewhere more private so you can shout and throw things at me." Cyrus takes her back to the apartments and pours two glasses of Terezinhioan rum

“Careful with that. Not like we are getting more anytime soon”

9:35 AM

“So what happened out there?”

"It's hard to describe the place it's self. The sun wasn't really there. It seems I lost the sense of time, because I only thought I'd been in there two days. I killed a number of... I suppose you'd call them ghouls, undead. Kept alive by the essence of that being they called "The Overlord". I tried talking with them and that didn't work, I was visited by a woman, or at least what was once. I guess she was sent by someone to help me? But she left after we argued. Probably not smart of me but I don't know. Time in a place like that fucks with your mind. I searched an old mech walker. Not much there apart from some tech I pulled off the thing and some more unit patches. I've got a bunch of those. I spent what I thought was the night there." He takes a sip. "Only to wake up and find one of the less aggressive ghouls chewing on my armour! I set back out again and found a massive gun platform, fire shells the size of gravtanks. It was guarded by two sentinels, they were definitely once people but they were something else. Not like the ghouls. They took some killing and I had a couple wounds by the end of it. I rigged the massive cannon to fire remotely - it was aimed at the tree, I thought to myself 'If I need it then I can use it if not then I don't want to start something I can't finish.' The closer to the center I got the more I felt something was trying to get in my head. Then boom! All of a sudden this massive ghostly head pops out of the ground and starts attacking me, It had me dead to rights. I thought that was it, so I clacked off the detonator to the cannon. I remember being showered in flames and shrapnel. The thing hit me one last time and then dissipated." He drains the glass, not pouring a second (edited)

"I woke up what I guess was some time later, maybe a few hours, but for all I know it was days. My suit was shredded, and so was I. The tree was on fire, like really on fire. I felt like I had to keep going to the center, to the tree itself. I guess I was right to, I saw something, stuck in the tree, the Spear I came back with. I yanked it out and made my way to the coast as fast as possible, my scanners were alive long enough to tell me that we had a ship in the area. I had to fight through another horde to get to the boat but there cover fire saw me through it. And that's kinda that." He says standing and walking over to a horizontal weapons rack taking the spear off the wall and bringing it back to the table. Laying it out in between them, he glides a hand over it. For the first time feeling it in his hand rather than in his armour. "I have no idea where it comes from, or how old it is, or even what it can do. But when I use it I feel something. I can't rightly describe."

She sits back in her chair, thinking for a long moment. "You're safe now, and that's what matters. I'm serious about this though, this time. You can't keep expecting to go off alone and do this reckless gung-ho shit anymore. If you would have fallen in there, or worse...I could have kept the city going but it would have been difficult. You made whatever deals you made, with whatever weird behind the veil folk you made them with- I'm trying to make myself okay with that- We're here now. You need to be responsible for the people out there sharing our fate. You wanted to rule. So rule"

Cyrus nods thoughtfully taking her hand across the table "I did, I do. You're right, I need to lead these people. I suppose that brings me onto my next point. That place had a lot of old tech in it. A lot of the stuff we are going to need. I don't know the repercussions of the event I may have set in motion yet, but in the mean time while those settle, we need allies on the planet. Or at least, people that don't want to outright kill us. I think I'm going to lead a diplomatic party, with you. To Haphaestea, it makes sense that a city named after the God of Craftsman might be able to lend a head in our technological needs. And I think I might be able to learn a little more about this spear there too, and it's significance. But that's secondary. What do you think?"

"We both shouldn't be going at the same time. The chance to decapitate any kind of meaningful leadership here would tempt even the most peace-minded of them."

"A fair point I suppose, do you think I should take Eyrx instead? I think having a diplomat with me might help come to think of it."

"If you're determined to bring someone else, I'd take Eryx with you, yes. Someone who doesnt have as much of the administrative burden

"It's more to keep me on track. I'll take Eyrx and my Guard. Ah, my armour... Did any of the techs say when it might be operational again?"

"If we don't get foundries and extraction running again, not anytime soon. We're going to need to either trade or raid for some of the parts we need"

"I'm gonna need it if we go into combat. Hopefully, the trade might be possible with our trip to Haphaestea. But we are rapidly running out of trading supplies. We need to find something valuable to trade with larger powers. Any ideas?"

5:34 PM

"Cash crops maybe, our technology is what gives us the edge, perhaps we should lean into that."

"It's a Catch-22" she sighs "We need the minerals and trade to make the technology- and that's a big if mind you, we have no idea what the people here, if they're people at all even, are capable of"

"Perhaps we keep it close to our chest for now then, make this an introduction and a start to relations then feel out what they are capable of if we get that far."

"Somehow I feel like if you go there, you'll find out pretty quick"

"That fills me with confidence." Cyrus chuckles then pauses for a long moment before looking back to Cole. "We're, we're okay, right?"

"We are. just no more moto-lone hero bullshit, okay?"

"Promise." Cyrus says genuinely.

It seems as though the matter is concluded, and Cole leaves the room, heading downstairs to get the rest of the work teams moving

Cyrus gets ready for his trip but decides to spend some time healing first. He for the first time actually looks at his weapon in detail and studies it. (Is there anything written on the blade, ect)

(I didnt have anything beyond what was in the art, because of course you had art for it haha)

(I mean like makers marks ect, just trying to figure out where it might be from or if it has anything else)

The spear is very clean, and despite its apparent age, based on the battle site's age, the spear seems almost brand new. No scratches or damage marr it despite it being impaled in the tree, heated, and sprayed with shrapnel

Cyrus turns the spear over a couple of times feeling it's weight and balance noting it's ageless perfection. Realising there's a good possibility that there might be another level to this weapon, with where it was found and it's condition he pauses for a long moment setting down the spear once more he opens himself up to his perceived other senses and attempts to reach out to the weapon using his knowledge of 'magic' and the metadimensional forces.

You try to stretch your senses into the device, but your wounds and the incredible strain placed on your body over the days that passed as weeks keeps pulling you back to the present on an exhausted leash of will.

Cyrus sits back after his attempt panting, he clutches at his side as the sharp pain spikes. It takes more than a few minutes for him to regain his breath. Then he breaks into a slight chuckle. "I suppose I'll have to try later then. Perhaps when I'm less broken." He stands gingerly, leaning heavily on the desk. "Sergeant!" He shouts in the direction of the door where two of his guard stand.

There is the sound of armor plates clicking as the sergeant moves into the room. "Yes, Lord Regent?"

Cyrus smiles and returns a salute "Assemble the rest of the squad and have them ready to depart. We're off to see if we can't make some Friends with bigger fish. Tribune Eyrx will be coming too, let him know." He nods "That will be all for now Sergeant. We'll take a shuttle with a fighter escort just in case."

"Tribune Eryx is accompanying the tracking party, is he not?" the sergeant asks, trying to sift through reports

"Oh, I hadn't realised. I thought I'd given that to Scmander. I suppose I'll be going on this alone then. Well, with ten highly trained, power armour glad honour guards. This could turn out to be rather eventful."

(I was trying to find the post and i cant)

(I think it is in Eli's thread)

(This is what I said in the council meeting)

1:28 PM

1:30 PM

(But Eyrx is leading them so it's fine, I'll go alone)

(sorry I wasn't sure if Eyrx was scamander's last name or something so I didn't want to challenge it.)

(not a big deal either way just trying to figure out what was where)

1:50 PM

He says nothing about your commend but proceeds to get everyone organized, along with the shuttle (do you have fighters? I thought you just had the two heavy frigates)

(Yeah, no worries on this end - I've got 2 heavy frigates, 5 I.D fighters, and a FM)

1:50 PM

(Oh and Mord's shuttle technically)

1:50 PM

(And my Courier)

(I've also got Atmo fighters but we have no runway currently) Cyrus gets ready, he takes his sword, shield and new spear along with a set of Hellenistic looking armour made of new age material (Field Combat Uniform) But does not wear it. After a few moments he meets the Honour Guard downstairs in the courtyard accompanied by Nemesis. He turns to Cole. "I should be back in a day or so, I'll keep you informed as much as I can, don't worry I'll be fine."

"You better be. I'll see how things around the first ring are shaping up, I'll have some news for you when you get back then:

"Great! I can't wait, I'll try and make us some Friends, or at least not enemies." He leans down and kisses her on the forehead and hugs her tight before letting her go. "See you later." He bends down with a grunt of pain and picks up his bag before heading onto the craft behind him Nem following. "Pilot, set a flight plan for Hephaesea. Avoid the tree area for now, the smoke among other things will mess with the engines and sensors. Take us around the coast then double back. We've got the time to kill."

(So avoiding the volcanic area pretty much?)

(Yeah, seems like an unnecessary risk and Cyrus would like to see the cost line, no ones been out this far.)

2:57 PM

(In the meantime I'd like to send a memo to Lars asking him to send out the Courier to scout the local sector, leaving the rest to wait if needed. Also, did we ever get those listening posts set up?)

(its being worked on)

(No worries, just checking up I forgot to ask)

Heading out toward the eastern coast reveals a grassland and mixed forested highland in equal measure. “We could stop to scan but flying that slow could add hours to the trip. Up to you”

"Go for it, I've got nothing but time, we aren't in a rush."

5:20 PM

Cyrus in the meantime fills out reports and begins a small document on the integration and practicality of introducing Slyth as a language into the Protectorates Military codes.

The land passes by below and a pair of migrating trollboar herds are marked, following the river, before coming to the volcanic mountains. They are very rich in ore, but incredibly dangerous to mine and extract from, the mountainsides of those closest to Hephasetea littered with the wrecks of equipment abandoned in failed mining attempts

"Well that's something, I wonder what their foundries are like. Must be warm down there too. Once we've made our pass bring us in."

The master alert in the cockpit begins to chime as you close to within 30km of the city. “Air defenses are painting us” the pilot calls back. He does not adjust the course without orders

6:37 AM

A report also comes in from scmander. Eli let the prisoner remain on the grav bike. It was stolen and the enemy scouts evaded capture

Cyrus sees the alert and punches a nearby bulkhead "Idiots." He quickly sends a message back to continue persuit and recapture or kill the scouts. Diverting his own fighter escort to help with the search. Then turns to the alert. "Have they got a frequency wr can hail pilot?"

(Scamander would have included the info about those ghoul bats, and the fact that its getting dark. Do your orders stand?)

(Fuck, erm I guess not then, I'll divert the fighter to look for them and then I don't know they can set out in the morning or something.)

(Basically I'll leave it up to Scmander but that scout needs to be found and dealt with. Like I say I'll send the fighter to help so its up to him)

(The mission moves how it moves with the fighter supporting it. Best I can say)

(Yeah exactly, I don't want to take it over so I'll leave it up to you) Cyrus moves into the cockpit with the pilot

"They're not broadcasting other than warding us off, their air defenses are painting us. THey could fire, but they haven't

"Okay, can we broadcast to them?"

"We should be able to, yes"

"Okay, open a channel." Cyrus takes a sip of water before beginning to broadcast. "My name is Cyrus Adonis, I represent the Elysium Protectorate. We mean no harm and come on a diplomatic mission to the city of Hephaestea." His broadcast is brief and to the point.

"Cyrus Adonis of the Protectorate, dismiss your escort and fly according to the vector we are transmitting to you. You will be met upon landing. You have thirty seconds to comply, or change heading away from the city"

Cyrus looks at the pilot and nods affirmation to the request. "It is done. We shall see you on the ground."

The fighter breaks off, heading back toward the city, and plans to do a second sweep for the captives on the way. As you pass through the mouuntain pass highlighted on the course plot, you see the city. The city has been built on a plateau, surrounded by peaks on three sides. The tops of those mountains have also been leveled off, and strung with fortresses watching the skies and surrounding landscape far below. Casements for dozens of artillery style cannons dot each fort. most of them have some sort of anti-air array at their roof. The entire city is soot stained a dark color of grey/black, dozens of factories dot the city, an incredibly large one in the middle of the entire urban sprawl. There is no organization to the habs and homes, and other daily life facets that also make up the city, they seem to spill from around the various workshops

2:18 PM

a runway at the far south side of the city lights up, far away from the buildings themselves, and over watched by two more of the modular fort like buildings.

Cyrus pats the pilot on the shoulder "Okay, be ready to make a getaway if we need to." He walks back into the shuttle proper and to his guards. "Weapons and armour checks, just in case. I want to make an impression on these people, firm but fair. Looks smart." He buckles his sword to his waist and takes his spear in hand. Moving to the ramp he takes position to be first out when they land.

The ship comes to a landing at he designated and lit up launch pad, and a hundred strong guard is forming up around the pad, twenty five warriors , officer included for each section, on each side. To the west, where the ramp will lower, a warrior in silver hoplite styled armor waits, one next to him carrying a banner pole of some kind. The soldiers themselves wear a mix of hoplite style helmets, but with more functional combat armor, resembling flak plate and armor weave. They shoulder carbines but it is difficult to tell if they are energy or projectile

Cyrus armoured in his own hoplite styled armour made of chromed mono metal plates, no where near as protective as his Titan Power armour but this battleplate is nearly as impressive, intricately designed with gold filigree depicting symbology of the battles he's fought in. He slides on a Corinthian helm of the same sheen, it's crest made of golden synth hair. And a black cape is fixed onto his back by his honour guard just before the ramp drops. Spear in hand he strides confidently down the ramp, the signs of his recent battles gone for the moment as he bites back niggling pain of his healing body. Nemesis padding beside him. Making for imposing figures. His Honour guards follow in two lines of fives power armoured Myrmidons, the crests of their office matching Cyrus' their power armour too is marked with the history of their battles, like others might where medals. Leading the small cohort is their Sergeant beside the Standard Bearer holding the magnificent battle standard of "The First Born" 1st Shock Legion of the Protectorate, and Cyrus' own troops. Their rifles shouldered in parade fashion. Cyrus comes to a stop before the silver clad Warrior. He bows and smiles down warmly at him. "Good Evening Friend." Nemesis comes to a stop next to her master, if a cat could grin, she might. (edited)

"Good evening, representative. This is the city of Haphesta, as you are no doubt now aware. You've traveled a long way"

7:47 PM

His demeanor is cold, and he seems to be going out of his way to avoid most of the expected political niceties

Cyrus looks around noting the platoons boxing them in. "Indeed we have a great distance. Would it be possible for us to leave this runway in hope of finding more comfortable surroundings? Perhaps at the seat of power here?"

“You come heavily armored and armed for a diplomatic meeting. The wisdom of letting you into the city seems to be lacking there. So tell me, Representative, what is the reason for your visit?”

"We do, it pays to be prepared." Cyrus shrugs and gestures at the Platoons "Clearly you saw it necessary to stand a hundred men at ready for a shuttle of ten. But this is semantics. My reason for this visit is to open up diplomatic talks. As it were, to hopefully begin a relationship. My people have taken up residence in Mytikas, the ruined city to the north west of here. I wish for us, as neighbours to be friends. It does no harm to either of us not to be."

"I am a proconsul, and am capable of making some small diplomatic concessions myself as your sponsor here. I have nothing but your word as a symbol of your trustworthiness, and respect the fact that you have nothing but ours. These men are my personal guard, here to ensure my safety, and guarantee the safety of surrounding residents, in case your intentions are less than noble"

"As these are mine in a similar capacity. I haven't told you everything, for security reasons. But I will now, in hopes that it garners perhaps, some trust between us. My name is Cyrus Adonis, Lord Regent of the Elysium Protectorate, Champion of Ares. And I am here, on behalf of my people, we are new to this world. Though its customs are similar to my own homeworld's. We worship the same Gods, with some exception and the culture too is similar. I wish for our people to be Friends, perhaps one day Allies. I can offer you something you cannot mine, knowledge. Knowledge of technology perhaps thought to be long lost. I lack what you seem to have in abundance. Resources, minerals. My thought was that we could combine these two things, and advance ourselves on this world together." (I'd like to make some kind of diplomacy check if I could to help with this)

(talk/cha)

(11)

"We're not backwater savages, the Promethean light you offer us is something we've already nurtured ourselves, but we would like to avoid war if we can, prepared for it as we may be"

"That is most definitely a step in the right direction, I don't mean to make out that you are savages, I apologise. I meant only that some of our technology is Mandate era. Perhaps for now we could table the discussions of potential future trade. Instead let us learn from one another, so that we may continue with our best feet forward in further talks. Perhaps, if you agree it might be best to make an exchange of sorts, a person from my City and a person from yours, each learn from the other's. The risk is equal to both if one party should betray the other though I have no intention of doing so. It builds trust, and also allows us to learn of each others culture and standings. What do you think?"

1:36 PM

(Basically like a hostage exchange so that both parties can learn about each other, and at the same time build trust)

"Not at this time. I will not put the lives of one of us at risk, even if the exchange is mutual. We have no way to know. This is two favors youve asked for in a short amount of time, so now I will request one of my own. Do you know what happened to the world tree? We saw it burn, for nights now, and now there is a storm over the garden, raging for days"

Cyrus sighs and looks a little awkward "I'm afraid I do. I journeyed to the center of the Garden. There I fought what I believe to be a spectre or fragment of the Overlord. During the fight, the tree was damaged by an explosion. An explosion that almost cost me my life. When I awoke it was aflame. In the flames, I found this." He taps the spear butt on the ground. "A relic of a by gone era. It's history not known to me, but I had hoped someone here might know more about it."

2:15 PM

"That is the truth of the matter, I don't know what the storm will bring, but I'd like to be prepared for it if anything emerges from it. That may require more than one alliance. Whatever was in there, if it has awakened, well, then we best find out fast. I'm going to send some people to monitor the situation from a distance."

"We have also sent scouts to see what may be happening there and they are not expected to return for several days yet. Something is changing out there, now that the tree binding him has been destroyed"

"I think we should keep each other informed of the situations developments, perhaps if something does emerge from it we can put the Overlord to bed more permanently."

“Can you tell me anything more about the shard of the overlord you fought?”

"It.." He seems to look for the words. "Was like a ghost, or a spectre, though I was able to harm its form with mortal weapons. I believe it attempted to enter my mind and control it of a few occasions. As I got closer and closer to the center of the Tree it became more and more present in the atmosphere. Then it manifested itself as a head, with long man sized fangs it charged and attack. Battered me around like a child. Though I fought back and eventually the explosion of a huge shell from an ancient cannon finished it off but it charged me one last time before its disappation."

"Temporary dis-corporation..." he says to himself, one eyelens of his helmet flashing. His tone suddenly changes. "How soon can you have your army ready to march? "

10:30 AM

"Don't try to tell me you have no men under arms, either. We have word from some former prisoners of yours returning to Artema, they've seen it already"

Cyrus raises a brow, his expression not changing but clearly surprised or impressed at their knowledge "Now I believe it is you who has asked too many favours, my turn. How do you know that? at best those scouts are days from Artema.“ His tone is leveled if a little amused, he does not seem angry at their brash questions but simply intrigued.

"not on the back of a gravity bike they stole from you"

"Energy cells run out, besides, I've made that ride myself, even flat out. That's almost a thousand miles. But that's not the question I asked."

"your borders are not as secure as you think they are. I won't say more than that"

"what I will say, well, I'll show you. "

12:42 PM

he takes off his helmet, and hands it to you, gesturing for you to put it on

He takes his own helmet off and hands it to his Sergeant taking the other and sliding it on.

You see a projected image feed, probably from the scouts, there is no data as to where they are in the corner. The storm over the garden is growing in intensity, and the feed zooms in, as the banks of fog recede and expand, You get a glimpse of scrap ramparts, slowly rising from the surrounding swamp and battleground, before the green mist rolls in again, obscuring the work. the feed loops a couple more times before cutting off

1:00 PM

"You've mistaken the intent of my question" the centurion says, handing you your own helmet back

(I still don't get the intent of his question it seems)

(the overlord is apparently not dead and there are mysterious fortifications being built in the garden of bones. He's evidently hinting that his army is going to be dispatched to investigate and wants to know if you plan to help) (edited)

(Oh no, I got that part haha) "It's like this, My army, will fight any force that threatens life on this world. Have no doubt of that, but with that comes an element of respect. I understand you have been here a long time, but know this place is now also my home, and the home of my people. If we are to be allies in this fight, against a common enemy, then we will be allies in all things. I've been candid in my answers to your questions. I expect you to do the same, otherwise, no trust can be built. If I am to deploy my army, it means that I will need help in the future, I have threats that require my attention, like the scouts from Artema. If they were to return as they are presently then they would shed an unfavourable light on my people, simply because I am as you perceive it a 'Invader' even though as yet I am to conquer anything other than that which has already become ruin. I will help you in this fight, however I believe that it may take more than just our two nations to stop this, if it is what I think it is. And what will make that easier is open lines of communication. Do we have an agreement." (If I can, I'd like to use my level 1 Authority ability: Level 1: Gain Lead as a bonus skill. Once per day, you can make a request from an NPC who is not openly hostile to you, rolling a Cha/Lead skill check at a difficulty of the NPC’s Morale score. If you succeed, they will comply with the request, provided it is not harmful or extremely uncharacteristic.)

1:29 PM

(More with the whole respect goes both ways part than with the actual agreement.)

"I won't go to war with my countrymen for the ambitions of an invader. Our forces likewise will be used to ensure life on this world is protected, and if you choose to participate we will not fire on you unless you break that arrangement first." (you sort of contradicted yourself, you said youre going to help, then you said youre only going to help if they ally with you, and insinuated youre attacking Artema, they dont want any part in that)

(I meant that If I move my army, she might attack me. I said I'd help, but they need to see this as an alliance and not a temporary thing until this is over.)

(yeah and they're not willing to make that deal because they dont agree with your long term ambitions)

(They don't know my long term ambitions so how can they disagree with them?)

(they dont have to know them to not trust you)

1:46 PM

(plain and simple youre asking for a way bigger commitment than they're willing to give. This is like asking someone to marry you after the first date)

(And yet I've been basically nothing but truthful with them while they're vague. They want my army to help fight this thing, but aren't willing to make any commitment other than that, how can I trust them when they wont answer simple questions. I don't understand how they know all this seemingly secret information, it doesn't really make much sense to me. But meh, it is what it is.)

(met commitments dealt with honorably blossom into a lasting partnership because there is a foundation of mutually supporting and trustworthy work done)

1:52 PM

(You dont ask to co-sign the mortgage after you both have swiped right)

1:53 PM

"That's the best answer I can give you. If we see you in the field you'll have our respect, but we cant guarantee more than that , for now"

"We'll be there. In the meantime, I'd ask you keep any scouts and spies you might have out of my lands, I will do the same. I never got your name." Cyrus says putting and arm out to shake on the deal.

"Denarious . Proconsul Primus of this city. One step below the actual ruler, if you're curious. We can agree. Let's deal with each other honorably from now on"

"Well, Denarious. Perhaps we can nip this in the bud early, though I have a feeling it will be more complex than that."

"When Isn't it" he smiles, teeth replaced with copper where some have been knocked out on display

"Exactly, before I return. I wished to ask a personal question. This spear, as I said I found it in the center of the Garden, it holds great power. This I know. I am... Gifted in certain eras of matters to do with the metaphysical, thanks to my patron and my own skills. But I wish to know it's origin, do you perhaps know of any tales specific to the battle against the Overlord or the war fought, this weapon was crafted masterfully and by that I can imagine it was wielded by a person of similar standing. I just thought that, Hephaestus being the patron of craftsman, well his people may know a thing or two about crafting masterful weapons." He extends an arm offering the spear to Denarious to examine.

"If this was in the tree, as you claim it was, this is the weapon that destroyed the Overlords' mortal form. It wouldn't have a name for the necessary deed, but it is infused with power no doubt from the years in contact with such a foul source of energy. Whatever is in there, i would be hesitant before exploring its deeper mysteries "

"Interesting, very interesting. Thank you for your time, may we part ways as Friends, to see each other on the field of battle as Comrades." He thumps his fist on his armoured chest and bows. "Farwell for now."

He says nothing and has his men part, to allow you back aboard their ship

2:47 PM

(3xp, 5000 credits)

As the ramps closes on the party after they enter the ship Cyrus turns to his Sergeant. "How do you feel about fighting ghouls again? It's been a while since Agaspur."

"I sleep better killing them than I do people. " he says , with a veteran's perspective

"As do I Brother." Cyrus says sharing the same outlook. "We can only help them if we ourselves are defended. I need to think on this."

“Should we issue marching orders or send some scouts?”

"Scouts, in force. I want Scmanders' perhaps he can make up for not catching that scout and letting the other run. Battalion strength (800 Myrmidons) They're to set a loose perimeter of FOB's along our southern border with the marsh, I don't want them in direct contact, but if anything attempts to attack us from that direction they'll be able to put shells down range."

5:27 PM

"I'll talk to High Commander Cole and the others about the First Born's orders once I'm back on the ground."

5:28 PM

"As for Atrema in the east, well. We'll see how that develops. We have our listening posts and I'll instruct Lars to have them put under surveillance as best we can from space. We should be able to spot any movement."

He begins transmitting marching orders for everyone back at home, so the appropriate parties are made ready about time you land.

8:53 PM

THe fighters were unable to locate the scouts you find, as you return home, the communications tracking was disabled, but the radio was likely left on. Cole is waiting for you as the ship lands

Cyrus walks off the ship still armoured and hugs her. "Interesting developments. It seems my time in the Garden hasn't yet come to a close. Where are we with Scmander's troops heading out?"

“Waiting on you. His men are ready. He will follow on, he’s been out working on the last orders he was given”

"Okay, I need to talk to him anyway. Have you dressed him down for losing that prisoner yet?"

“No. Because it’s not his fault”. You hear the sternness in her voice

"He was in command of the mission Cole. It may have been that buffoon that thought he'd made a friend in the prisoner, but he shouldn't have let them go off alone. It was his responsibility." Cyrus doesn't sound angry, or disappointed, but simply states fact. "Shit rolls down hill."

“I disagree” is all she says before gathering her guard. “I’ll be at the palace. The first ring defenses are being planned out and I should assist; and if dressing Scamander down is that important, you’ll have to do your own barking”

(We will have to figure out vital points for each side and arrange mass combat soon)

Cyrus grumbles and follows her, heading back to the palace too tired to fight. After entering the chamber he has his guards seal the room and guard the doors. He slumps in his throne, the hand of Ares looking up at his Commanders and Captains. "Korkova, my Friend, Where does your Brigade stand on readiness to move?"

“Ready. Everyone is assembled, non commissioned officers and fire team leaders are being given their first rounds of briefing now, but we can continue underway”

Cyrus nods. "Good, very good." He turn to Eyrx next. "The militia, give me a report on their overall readiness and potential when it comes to defending the city if needed."

“You’ve only been gone about a day so I don’t have any news there. They did respond well to a shooting within the city, however”

"A shooting?"

“Attempted mugging it looks like. Not sure if the victim is the assailant or the target. Hardly matters now”

"I see, keep me informed as thing develop. Okay let's get down to brass tax." He stands wearily, his wounds aching. "Hephaestae. Where to begin, I haven't seen their Khan but we've begun diplomatic relations with his second, A man named Proconsul Denarious. By all accounts so far he seems to be an honourable sort. We talked a little, it seems they've been spying on us. They also knew about the scout debacle." He says glancing at Scmander for a moment. "Somehow. Which is worrying. It could be that the scouts have made it back to Artema by now. So that ship has sailed. We've lost the element of surprise. I am at a loss as to what to do. Diplomacy seems not to be an option, from what I've heard. So that means they'll most likely be marching on us soon. However, we have another issue. The undead, the being known as the Overlord." Cyrus pauses for a moment trying to find the words to use. "They seem to be back, or at least the fire that has killed or is killing the tree has let a fragment of it's soul free. And the ghouls have begun fortifying the Garden. With the weapons at their disposal in their if they should ever come to use them we'd be in deep shit. Hephaestea is moving troops in to try and deal with the problem and we will be doing the same. However there is the issue that it would leave the city, mostly undefended at a time when Artema would have us wiped off the planet. In fact, as far as I gather. Most of them, if not all of them wouldn't mind that." He says looking to a hologram in the corner. "Mordecai, I heard you've made progress in Chiron, what can you tell me of the city and it's Khan?"

“Mordecai has not returned from his infiltrations lord. His report was sent ahead that he has scouted several areas of military strength and they seem to be insular. They mostly keep to their city walls and the farms in the immediate surround”

"No threat from there then, hopefully. We'll need him to shift focus now he's got a base of operations there. Artema is the threat and we need to know what they have in store. But that is for later, now we must decide how to act. My instinct is to act decisively, we cannot fight a war on two fronts. So we must instead choose which is the biggest threat, as of yet the undead have not moved, simply built defences. Acting now might mean that we can end the threat sooner rather than later. Artema may march on us tomorrow, Lars - do we have an large scale movement or cohesion of troops that we can see from orbit?"

“Nothing that we can detect”

"I'll open this to the floor, Cole what do you think? Do we move to attack the Garden first, leaving ourselves exposed. Or do we preemptive strike at Artema and then move back to the Garden?"

“You’re Trying to build honorable commitments. You’ve promised to me the hepahaestans on the field. If our army sits at home, the hapestians rout, and an attack never comes, you can discount any future attempts at diplomacy here. With anyone” (edited)

"A fair point, and the path I'd prefer to take is that of honour. I'm glad we're on the same page. In that case we need to leave a token force behind to defend, as to not look weak." He thinks it over. "Scmander have your men left the city yet?"

“They’re waiting for me. We planned to move when this meeting is complete”

"A battalion isn't going to be able to do much in hindsight, now we know our course of action. You'll stay here, help prepare the militia and dig into the surrounding countryside." (I haven't yet put his unit through training so I suppose this could be it.) "In the meantime we will move with all haste to the Garden with the First Born." Cyrus walks over to Scmander and puts a hand on his shoulder. "There will be other battles and fights to be had but at this point I need you here, to prepare the militia and your own Warriors for what is to come."

(Training takes an entire month, if they're training they're unable to respond to other orders, unless of course something happens to the city itself)

(Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I'm gonna leave them here to defend the city if it comes to that. But otherwise logically they are useless anyway.)

9:41 AM

(I probably should've done it last month but I forgot)

"I'll do what I can to train them. They're coming along, we just need to keep this good thing going"

6:29 PM

(They're basically going to be treated like city police/fire/emt, rather than an eventual mass combat formation, their size is on par with how it is in the other polities)

(That works really well.) "Okay, give the marching orders I want to be underway as soon as possible. Lars, have the fighters prepare for support roles with our formations. The heavy frigates will provide fire support. Korkova, you're in charge of the logistics for the march. Mac, I want you on security for the column, outriders and scouts. Cole you know where you're best needed." Cyrus seems to remember something and curses. "My armour, have our techs managed to do anything with it yet?" (I do have some pretech parts if they had to use one or two of them to fix them I wouldn't have minded.)

(2 would repair it)

(I'd spend them)

"They were able to use some of the parts we had in storage to get it working again, but our pretech supplies are low now. We should try to prevent something like that from happening again"

"That's the hope. But at least I'll be taking the field in full battle rig. Okay, is everyone clear with their orders?"

Everyone is clear, and ready to move. Orbital confirms the allied units are also heading to positions, and their command section looks to be holding back, looking for your own forces

Cyrus is armoured in his Titan battle plate, newly polished to a blinding chrome sheen, golden filigree of a screaming skull pressed onto his chest over his left peck. A marker of the battle already fought in the Garden. He takes his helmet in his left hand and tucks it under his arm, his spear handed to him as he walks out of the Palace onto the steps overlooking his Warriors, assembled in columns facing him. Armed and armoured in glorious white, chrome, gold and silver they gleam in the sunlight. He smiles, feeling a deep paternal pride in his Warriors arrayed at attention before him. "My Friends!" He shouts, his voice booming through newly cleared streets. He spreads his arms wide in a gesture of embrace. "My Brothers and Sisters of the sword! Today we march, not to conquer, but instead to defend the home we build here. Not only that, but to do our duty as set before us by our righteous path, we march this day to defend those who cannot defend themselves. To defeat an evil so terrible, it has laid dormant for generations upon generations. We would do battle with undeath itself! Perhaps, if it were anyone else, any other band of Warriors, I would be worried. But we have looked death in the eye time and time again. We have seen what Hades himself has spat out and We. Do. Not. Fear it! We shall send them back to the river Styx fearing the very thought of return to the land of the living! We shall show them what fury the power the living can muster, and they will recoil, the will crumble and they will be destroyed. Of this, I have no doubt. Let us march now, to join our new found Allies in this battle of the living versus the forgotten hordes of yesteryear. And together we will do magnificent things." He brings his arms as if in a symbol of joining as his tone lowers, all still able to hear him, his voice transmitting through their comms. He begins to speak once more, almost quietly as if, somehow talking to each individual Warrior personally.

1:32 PM

"Hold the thought of your loved ones close, keep their memory and the memories you have made tight to your chest. Let their love fill your heart. You fight for them, your children, your family, your Brothers and Sisters of battle. That love, that pure, raw, heartfelt devotion you show them, and that they show you. That. Will be your shield. The place we go to is dark, and devoid of those emotions. You, will bring it with you. Together, with that love bear, we will cast away the darkness like a torch in the night." He pauses letting his Warriors have a moment of peace and tranquillity. He slowly raises his spear across the crowd, pointed heavenward. "Who would drive away the darkness with me! Let me hear your battle cries, let me hear the voices of the Righteous! You the Firstborn, ever the first in the fray!"

1:38 PM

Nemesis pads out to Cyrus side and he looks down and grins warmly. "Let them hear you." Is all he says before she throws her head back lets out a thunderous roar, echoing down the streets, vibrating it seems the very stonework of the standing structures.

The formation begins heading out of the city, the vehicles are working but with so few, compared to how many men, the heavy weapon sections of each platoon only are permitted to ride. Imagery from above shows two formations of allied soldiers taking position at a trio of shallow swamp crossings.

(so allied vital points are the north, middle, and south river crossings, enemy vital points are north, middle and south fortress gates, 2 of 3 crossings must be taken, or 2/3 gates destroyed to gain victory)

Cyrus rides ahead with his personal guard towards the Allied field headquarters.

The headquarters as it were is just a small tent with the Haphestan officer and a few guards within it, most of the army group is elsewhere

Cyrus dismounts his bike and takes off his helmet whilst striding into the tent. "Good morning Friends. How goes your deployments?"

"We're determining where to place ourselves." he says, pointing at a map he is looking at. "Three river crossings, opposed by three fortifications they'll be sallying out from. If they manage to take a couple of these from us, they'll stream into the mainland in numbers far beyond what we can handle"

9:59 AM

"I have two units with me, as well, if we capture those outworks, we can collapse them, and prevent them from sallying out that way"

"Hmm, how many troops do you have all together?" (Trying to figure out strength of us vs them)

"We have two decently sized formations. If we commit ourselves intelligently here, we should be able to stop a crossing"

12:58 PM

(They're hesitant to tell you exact sizes, but they have two units in the fight)

(I mean, as far as rules go for mass combat, I need to know everyone's numbers, enemies included) (edited)

(Friendlies have 3 corps, total modifier between support and leadership for each is +6, so with you is a 4th unit) Enemies are 6 divisions) (edited)

"Do we know the displacement of the enemy?"

(Don’t we assign units at the same time?)

(You assign them before I believe as RAW, let's look it up) (edited)

(Alright. I’ll look it up)0

(Okay so I decide where I am going first and then we reveal simultaneous)

(Gotcha) "Well, if you have three Corps I suggest you advance two of them across and meet the enemy, keep the third in reserve and the last crossing I will take with my own Division of Myrmidons. I don't mean to tell you how to do battle but I think it's probably best to keep some of your Warriors back just in case you need to secure a retreat for one of us."

(For sake of mass combat he will deploy how you want)

6:00 PM

(Just designate where you’re going so I can tell you what’s there)

(I'll deploy mine on the right most crossing, effectively the right flank - leaving him the center and left)

(I have a unit holding each fortification and one attacking each river crossing)

(Do you want me to roll for the Hephaesteans?)

(Yes. I think I laid out their bonuses a few posts back)

(Okay, +6 total, what specialisation are they?)

(That’s their total bonus)

(Okay, I'll start the roll)

1:54 PM

(Both the Hephaestean formations got 12)

1:56 PM

(27 for the Myrmidons)

1:56 PM

(I assume the Hephaesteans don't get my bonus for war leader cause they're not under my command directly)

(That’s correct. I’ll roll enemies shortly)

(I got a 16 for the formation opposing H1, and a 14 for the formation opposing H2. The one opposing you directly has a 19

(I'll roll damage for everyone)

8:07 PM

(H1 takes 6 steps of damage - Opposing takes 1) (H2 takes 4 steps of damage - Opposing takes 2) (Myrmidons take 1 steps of damage - Opposing takes 5)

8:12 PM

(H1 is now a 'Bloodied' Division - H2 is a Fresh Division) (Both took so much damage they shrunk)

8:13 PM

(The Myrmidons go from Fresh to Ready.)

(Do we want missions or do we want to keep going.

(Missions, every little helps and with the Hephaestean bonus' as they are they'll get trashed here)

(Alright. There’s a couple characters that it makes sense they’d get involved aside from you yourself. Let me lasso some stuff together)

Nekosmash 9/8/2019 8:16 PM

(No Worries) Cyrus rotates off the front, having been fighting in the front lines for a few hours with his honour guard. He strides back into the command tent, handing his helmet to a waiting Aide, taking a towel to mop the thick sheen of sweat from his brow. Still panting he wipes his face, cutting through the layer of grime. Nemesis pads in behind him looking pleased, a ghouls arm clasped tightly between her massive sabre teeth. The once shiny silver coat of fur now matted with gore. Cyrus spots Cole amongst the gaggle of Officers around the war map and moves over. "We're giving them a beating, their numbers are dwindling. A few more hours and we'll have beaten them back on this front. How do the others fair?"

8:25 PM

(As far as enemy damage goes:) (Opposing 1 becomes a Ready Division) (Opposing 2 becomes a Bloody Division) (Opposing 3 becomes a Bloody Brigade [Strength Goes now 7 instead of 8]) (edited)

Garion 9/8/2019 8:26 PM

(Alright, let me get some missions together now that we see how things are)

"Not as well as us. THey're being driven back slowly. One unit has called for naval support, one of our boats is heading down this way to see what can be done. we held out the best so far"

"How's their leadership doing? Is there line holding?" Cyrus asks clinically, walking over to the map he reads battlefield reports from the allied positions realising how bad it is.

(youre talking about friendly leadership?)

(Yeah, the allied forces leadership)

"Line is holding, but its bowing. I don't think this is a problem of leadership, just the tides of war"

"The tides of war are currently fucking them over Cole. Against lesser odds at that. Either way they need alleviating. Any ideas? I was thinking I could take my guard, the Hephaesteans don't have access to our tech, or orbital bombardments. Maybe I call in a few on the enemy, help them out that way?"

(I’ve already got another player heading to each area on a mission to bring things to a better resolution next time)

(Nevermind then.)

"The numbers matter less than the troop quality. The enemy has bloodied us in its own way, too. Things seem to have stalled for now. We have a chance to better prepare for their next assault"

"That might be true, but they now have neither it seems. The enemy has scratch our forces. But this is going to be a long battle. Can you show me any holes in the enemy lines we might be able to exploit? Perhaps I can do something on our front to make our advance easier."

“We could try to help the embattled break out. One of our patrol boats has engaged a significant enemy presence trying to flank them”

"I'll take a team and head there, see if I can help out. Who's trapped the Hephaestans or our boat?"

“Our allies. The boat is a relief force. Captains acting on his own initiative to help”

"Then if we head in and link up with the main Hephaestan forces that are cut off we can either get them out or break the hold and push forward."

“I’ll let you decide that” he says, closing down his force tracker. “Deploy with lighters?”

"Dropships yes, should give us the added armour and firepower to level anything near the drop zone."

"How many are cut off?"

“Entire battle group on that side (one of their formations)

7:12 PM

“Aside from a handful of us let’s send them in empty. Make sure we have enough to get them out”

"Good idea, I'll have the first company with me. They're our best and most experienced but they wont detract from our own efforts here. That gives me two hundred Warriors to hold down the forward positions as we pull the rest out. It's like Agaspur all over again."

7:15 PM

"We'll cover with orbital fire from the frigates too, should break up the enemy advance."

“That’s incredibly dangerous to allied forces that are embattled sir. Are you sure?”

(I mean cover the retreat, not before we go in. It's as accurate as calling arty or an airstrike in. So If I'm on the frontlines it's fairly safe I'd imagine)

(Whatever you want I don’t care enough to debate this

(

Alright then)

"Alright then, I'll signal the landers for pickup here first, then we'll head there"

8:20 PM

the comm terminal, a compact and portable field design spends a few moments slowly transmitting the orders, lacking the pickup and go of a more traditional hardwired set. He finally closes it and sets it in his pacl

Cyrus rearms and joins his assembled Warriors near the landing zone, Nemesis by his side as always. "Okay let's get this done. We're going to secure the evacuation for some of our allies cut of by the horde."

(Pearl is there on the PT boat once again so I will do the landing there

The allied commander, with his very diminished bodyguard, one of whom is doing the best she can with missing most of her arm below the elbow, makes their way down to you. Their armor is little more than scraps of metal and ceraplast held on by torn buckles and threadbare straps.

Cyrus removes his helm in a smooth motion tucking it under his arm as he drives the butt spike of the spear into the ground. He rests a steadying arm on the Commanders shoulder bringing him in close to hear him in a sort of half embrace. "You've done well here Commander, but I believe it's time for you to pull back, the odds are too great. My Myrmidons will cover the retreat. Can you tell me anything more about the situation that could be useful?"

"didn't get close enough to see anything, they set on us at once, and the pressure never relented. We were down to pistols and swords after the first half hour"

"I think it might be a good idea to thin this herd, once they realise we're pulling you out, they'll try and over run us. And even my Warriors cannot hold back the horde indefinitely. Have you got any Warriors left beyond the picket line?"

“Enough to maintain formation but like I said, they’re fighting with firsts and clubs now. Our guns have been dry for hours”

Cyrus nods "Don't worry, we'll get them out, my Warriors are moving forward to take their place. Once that's done we'll see about stopping the advance as best we can while you load up then we'll pull out. Simple plans have less chance of going wrong."

He grimaces as he tries to smile, his expression becoming a strange mix of both "That's what people keep telling me. I see one of your boats down there too, your warriors are a credit to you"

"As are yours Friend. You've stood your ground, done your duty well. I shall endeavour to keep you all alive as you retreat in good order. We shall see each other after this, and share a drink."

He nods, the strength leaving him little else to do. He begins getting his men moving, grabbing whichever of the wounded he can. So far your lines seem to be holding, rifle work keeping the never ending swarm at bay.

Cyrus moves back to his men coming up alongside Korkova. "Brother, have the Hephaestans pulled their men off the line? Are there any left out there?" He asks gesturing to the horde pasts the golden barrier of shield light.

“If they’re out there , then there’s nothing we can do for them. They’re off the line and heading for the dropships. I saw that patrol boat taking on a good number of them too”

Cyrus nods and gestures for a comm officer to come closer as he uses his suits enhanced sensors to survey the land bridge the horde is moving across. (How wide would you say the land bridge is?)

(Maybe 20m in width. It’s a choke point but still plenty of room

(Wow, that's really small hahaha okay. How dense and how far back does the horde go roughly)

(It’s pretty deep, goes all the way back to their fortifications )

(Okay) Cyrus targets the dense horde 300m from the frontlines and 2km back then highlights it on his hud. He comms to all friendly dropship and the patrol boat in the area. "All units, clear the A.O as soon as loaded, keep clear of the no go zone now targeted on your maps. It's going to be the hot zone for an orbital bombardment. All units sign acknowledge new orders." He says cool and professional over the screams of the dying and whistle of projectiles.

8:08 PM

(I'll wait for Pearl to catch up so the boat doesn't get nuked)

Units begin checking off that the order was received , there is a great amount of hesitation in the replies but they follow orders

(the boat part of this mission is wrapping up as well, if that's what you were waiting on)

Once the vehicles have left he nods. "This is Cyrus Adonis to E.P ships in orbit, begin fire mission on give coordinates. Danger close." He turns to Korkova "Form a testudo!"

The sky begins to glow, and even with the designated coordinates, it is easy to tell something has not gone according to plan. The ships in orbit, ill equipped for such bombardment duty, see the signed for orders. Captains exchange information and confirm with one another, all nervously moving forward to carry things out. The sky opens as destructive fire rains down, igniting the air thick with corpse gassed and rot. A rolling firestorm a kilometer high breaks out, blowing out in an unbroken circle toward and away from the garden. This storm boils over the landscape, blackening everything, indiscriminately vaporizing ghouls, myrmidons, the garden, and finally, Cyrus himself. A stillness passes over the garden as the handful of dropships outside the danger zone continue on their course, heading back to Hapehesta.

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