Iron Stars - desmond

Desmond o shea wakes in the colonial medical center, breathing tubes and feeding modules removed from his body. Warm air is being pumped into the room to make it comfortable. “Welcome back”

What happened? Did we get the Cobalt Killer?

9:49 AM

Desmond looks around, feels his scalp itching from the brain surgery and his limbs stiff from the healing bullet wounds.

(Is background I should have? There’s nothing on your sheet)

Sorry, put that in details. He was a detective, injured in line of duty apprehending serial killer. His low stats from his injuries.

(I think his character sheet is invisible, I see everyone else's.)

(I can’t fix it on mobile)

(just letting you know)

(Appreciate it. I’ll try to tinker with it later on. See if I can’t get it before tonight)

No problem!

“Not sure on that one , but you’re awake now. And alive. Can you feel everything? Fingers. Toes?

Yes!

(A tip. Please put dialog in quotes, actions and thoughts unquoted, and ooc comments in parentheses.)

". My head is still a bit foggy. I can feel the stitches in my scalp"

10:17 AM

Sits up and rubs leg

10:18 AM

"I took one here too didn't I?"

10:21 AM

(Updated Bio)

10:22 AM

@Masacio (Thanks)

(no problem)

“You did. They put you in cryo after surgery, hoping you’d have some time to heal. Seems like you’re on the mend now. I’d recommend taking it easy for a while anyway”

"I will , thanks,"

10:40 AM

(Got to head off thanks for the great beginning!)

“Admin should be your next stop. There’s work available there depending on your interest. Ask for Franz”

"I owe you everything..." Stands up and after a slight wobble leaves. A slight limp is noticeable as he puts a hat on to cover his scar.

“Here is the rest of your gear. Just check it over. Make sure everything is correct. You’ve got a colony issued compad here as well to help you find your way around”

Starts to look through his gear. Some of it is in a plastic bag. He notices there is still a little blood under the trigger of his laser gun. Says nothing. "It all looks good. Is my Investigators License still valid?"

“It is. A few of you newly awakened have expressed an interest in forming some kind of a Marshall’s service. Two are currently following up on an investigation”

"I could help with the Marshall Service"

"My contacts are still good and I can search databases. "

4:20 PM

He looks at his fragile body. One leg is slightly atrophied. He coughs and notices a slight wheeze when he inhales.

“I don’t think either of those things will be much use to you now. The whole galaxy has gone dark. As for your lingering injuries, think of this as a medical recommendation, you should consider cyberware to replace the damaged organs”

"I will. " Takes out his compad. "So if you have an address I'll go see someone about a job to pay for some."

"colonial administration. The next Grav bus leaves in ten minutes and you're welcome to wait in the lobby if you don

6:59 PM

t want to make the walk"

Desmond runs down to the bus.

The bus is a sleek grav lifted vehicle and there are only a few people on it. The first work shift began a few hours ago. Twenty minutes later you’re dropped off down the street from colonial administration. The roads closer are sealed to vehicle traffic until renovations are complete. The current wood and sheet metal defensive towers and walls are being taken down, to be replaced with cement. A path marked out in cones allows civilian traffic to pass through the work zone

Desmond tries to keep the slight limp unnoticeable by concentrating on keeping his steps even but the strain is too much after 5 minutes of walking.

A man with a mustache waxed to points is just finishing helping another colonist get his hab assignment when you enter. He waves you forward. “Ah welcome to admin. I’m Franz. You must be one of the new intake”

Desmond walks forward, scratches the side of his head, and takes off his hat. He regrets this because of the still healing scar and puts it back on. He puts out his hand, "My name is Desmond O'Shea and I'm looking for work. I was a detective and took same career ending injuries. I hear you may have some openings?"

“Ah yes. Well career ending aside we can always find something new to do here. A few of you awakened recently have law enforcement backgrounds. There’s openings in our new Marshall service, though if you’re looking for some freelance work I can always print you a license here. It’ll have to be renewed once things get more formalized but it’ll give you a start”

"I'd like to join the Marshall service, if they'll take me!"

“Everything looks in order. Do you have a weapon?”

"I've got two handguns, a laser pistol & a revolver."

"I also carry a baton to subdue rather than kill.'I prefer to capture and let the justice system do its job. I try not to pass judgment, rather protect those who cannot protect themselves and keep the peace. There is precious little of that in the Universe right now."

“So equipment isn’t an issue. Excellent.” He begins clicking some keys as he enters your information. “Well there isn’t an official provost for the Marshall service yet. There will be soon. For now they’re having a bit of trouble out at our mountain camp. General lawlessness. That sort of thing. Mind looking into it?”

"Sure," Desmond smiles. "It would be good to get outside. Any type of clothing I should get? Do I need a tent or winter clothing?"

“Winter clothing we can provide. You’ll be billeted with the army squad we have guarding up there so you’ll be indoors for your nights at least”

"Great!" Desmond says. " Just point me to the transport and I'll be off. "

Galemore listens to the distracting sounds of the market for a few moments and signs to himself, "Well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." He drops his backpack onto the bed, opens it and extracts his mega belongings he brought with him. The costly and foreign laser pistol he talked himself into purchasing for this trip stares at him conspicuously from the bed. He carefully places in on the night stand rationalizing hat he surely won't need it at a local market. His useful spare parts, found from a lifetime of tinkering with all manor of mechanical items, soon follows as does the survival kit, Lazarus patches, med kit. He places the rations to the kitchen aside the 7 days of stocked food, and plugs in his glowbug and power cells to recharge. "I was ready for just about anything but a stocked hab unit." he muses to himself. He confirms his compad and chit card are still in the pack, closes it up, shoulders it, and heads out to explore the market that will likely help to sustain him for e foreseeable future.

(I think Galamore meant to post this in #deleted-channel )

(I moved it)

6:28 PM

“There’s a rail link to the camp since it mines some of our heavy metals. It leaves tonight. Should give you the afternoon to get settled. Now then. Your home...ah close to admin here. Seems your slight impairment was taken into account. It’s simple but it’s stocked. Enough food to get you started”

"I'll go straight home, have some tea and pack. " Desmond reaches out to shake his hand. "Thanks for the fresh start."

“Thanks for taking the plunge with us. The situation we find ourselves in isn’t ideal, but we are trying”

Desmond walks out and heads to the address. He takes note of his new surroundings and tries to commit some of the street names to memory.

The hab is the second level of a two story home, though the upper floor is yours alone. Inside is a bed, two chairs, and a writing desk, scattered among their appropriate rooms. A week of preserved food sits in the fridge, neatly labeled. There is also a charger for your colony provided compad.

Desmond charges the pad and takes a shower. The surgical scars on his head, leg and chest feel better under the warm spray of the water. He dries off and puts on a robe. He walks to the kitchenette and finds a small tin of black tea bags. He pulls a mug from the open wire shelves and makes a cup. Sipping the tea he packs his clothes carefully. He gets dressed. He is less stiff after the warm shower. He puts on his armored under suit. The skintight bodysuit molds easily to his lean frame. He puts his dark blue wind resistant trousers on, a light black turtleneck sweater, thermal socks and light, hiking boots. He straps on his shoulder holster and puts his revolver in it. Since the bodysuit gives him an extra layer of warmth he puts on his burgundy trench coat and a places the short brimmed dark blue woven trilby on his head. He unplugs his compad from the charger, packs the charger away with food and clothing. He slips his laser pistol in the right pocket of his trench coat and both his Marshall's Badge and compad in the left. He gets ready to leave for the rail station.

The train is a mix of colonial antiquity and modern efficiency. A locomotive, though all electric now, belches steam from a front facing exhaust. Two powerful battery cars sit behind it. The train is small, pulling two passenger cars and several for the moment empty cargo cars. A handful of miners returning to work from a week of leave are boarding the train as you make your own way onto the platform

Desmond gets a seat near the back of the last passenger get car near the exit. He methodically counts the number of occupants and listens to any talk from the miners. He takes off his hat if it gets too hot.

There are ten miners on the train, one of them is the foreman. Their talk is mostly about how they always lament going back up to the mountains due to the cold and the lack of comfort. The train rolls along, the verdant plains giving way to a snowy mountain highland. Evening and then late night fall as you pull into the camp. It is high walled and looks more like a military base than a mining camp

Desmond lets everyone get off first so he can take note of them. Again he counts the number of people disembarking the train. He pulls his suitcase behind him with his right hand, leaving his left hand free to pull his laser pistol or the baton under the jacket if needed.

They all disembark aside from the actual personnel running the the train itself. A pair of soldiers stands guard on the platform while Ore is loaded into the cars. The camp itself is divided into a pair of boarding houses, the mine, a smelter, and the barracks where the small guard contingent stays. The camp is walled and a guard tower stands in each corner

I walk over to the barracks where I believe the army squad is billeted.

A guard stands outside, rifle held casually. His other hand raises a cigarette to his mouth, which he exhales in a cloud of blue smoke.

I pull out my Marshall badge and show it to the guard. "Greetings! I'm Marshall Desmond O'Shea. Administration has assigned me here. Is this where my quarters are?"

“Ah Marshall”. He stubs out the cigarette and slings his rifle over his shoulder. “Come inside. I’ll show you to your bunk. Admin called ahead.” The inside of the barracks is fairly spartan. A row of bunk beds sits against the back wall, while an open bay before the beds gives soldiers an area to service their gear, play cards, and otherwise stretch out. A small stove in the corner burns some corded wood, struggling valiantly to provide some relief from the cold

Desmond counts the number of beds, looks for exits and makes note of where the wood for the fire is kept. "Thanks soldier, how long have you been posted here?"

“Just a week. Three more To go before our rotation ends. I’m just glad the army is bigger now. More squads get a chance to rotate through before coming back.

"I hope your three weeks goes quietly! What you doing after that, some home leave or another postin?"

“This is the second last leg of the tour. After this it’s a month on guarding colonial admin, and then a month home on leave. It’s a pretty easy rotation date this”

"What do they call you and if it's different, what is your name?" Desmond smiles. "I feel bad just calling you soldier."

“Soldier is plenty. It’s at least a title. Feel free to make yourself at home and I’ll be around if you need a guide”

Outside, you hear raised voices in some kind of heated argument, though you don't make out many of the words

"I'm going to go check on that," I tell the soldier (if he is there). I leave my suitcase with my bed and try to find my way to this argument.

It’s not hard to find, the fight is fairly loud. Outside two miners are brawling in the muddy snow

10:17 AM

The punches are heavy, anger is behind them and they’re meant to hurt

I walk forward, raise my badge with my left hand and say loudly, "This is Marshall O'Shea, both of you cease and desist." My other hand is reaching under my long overcoat for the stun baton.

The fight is very loud and other miners have begun to make an informal circle. Many cheer. The fight continues

"All of you step back from the incident!" I yell.

10:40 AM

(Can I use my Talk skill for the group?)

(Talk with charisma. But yes!)

Okay so 2d6 +1?

(It should do it for you if you click the skill on your sheet. Just make sure you’re not in edit mode)

(I tried but may not have done it right. Nothing happened except fo show my skills. I plugged in 2d6+1 and got a 9)

The crowd begins to break up and the fight begins to calm

11:20 AM

Several miners run at the sight of the law

"Are you two okay? Need to go to the infirmary?"

They both glare at each other. The more slight of the brawlers makes to leave. “I’m alright. He’s walking. Must be too. Sorry about that officer. Temper got the best of me”

"No. Both of you hold. I'm going to take statements from both of you, separately. " Desmond takes the larger one first and walks him back out of earshot. "Tell me your name and what happened."

“Aw cmon officer. Just a little dispute between...friends. We stopped fighting. Let’s not make a big deal out of this”

"No one is being charged. I just need names for the report." Desmond smiles. "You have a job to do and so do I. You dig through rock, I dig through paperwork." (edited)

"Breem" he says, still looking at you warily. "The skinny milk drinker I just beat on was Hals. He works the opposite shift. Started yelling, saying we aren't hitting our quotas and its keeping everyone from going home. I just...I just snapped"

"Okay, Breem" Desmond said. "Most time altercations like this can be settled amicably.'Its the root causes that are hard to deal with...are the quotas causing frictions amongst the shifts?"

“Ore pallets keep going missing. Night shift doesn’t leave until day shows up. Someone is watching the ore the entire time yet somehow a portion of the days work keeps going missing. It’s extending our time here, and they won’t rotate another shift in until we hit the number

"I see," O'Shea nods. "That would make me want to take a swing at someone. Whose job is it to watch the ore and who determines if a shift stays on, I need names, not titles."

“It’s supposed to be the foreman. There are two. One per shift. Bugs is the day shift. Edross watches the night team. We tabulate the total mined every night and report it Home, but they do tell us what the quota is before we leave. They’ve been honest with us so far- admin I mean- they’ve never changed the amount on us once we got there.

(Could I roll my Admin skill to see where I would know which database I should look at?)

(With your skill in it I don’t think a roll is even really needed to get the base of what you need but you can if you want to try to get extra info)

(Ok) "Thanks Breem," Desmond says. "I hope the next shift goes well for you. Get your self back to your bunk." Desmond looks at Hals. "You, Hals, come over hear. I need a quick statement so we can wrap this up and send you home."

Hal’s freezes as though stunned and begins slinking back towards you. The blood running from his nose has slowed but is still flowing

"I think you may need to drop by the infirmary after we talk," Demond says with concern. "Do you feel dizzy or have any double vision?"

“No no. Just a bar scuffle I’m fine. Am I being detained officer?”

"You're being quickly interviewed unless you want to come back to the barracks for something more formal..."

“No no. That won’t be necessary. What do you want to know?”

"Just tell me how this fight started and when the ore began being missed."

“It’s night shift. I know it is. Everything is accounted for when we leave for the day. Every morning we come back and something is missing or something is wrong. I’m sick of it. We all are”

“So Bugs on the day shift, says you meet your quota and then Edross ,on the night team, reports a deficit. Can he pinpoint when that happens?"

“If he can he hasn’t told any of us. Not much gets shared with us”

"Thanks for your cooperation Hals." Desmond touches his fingertips to his hat. "Anything you want to pass on before you leave? Anything or anyone that seems out of place."

“This quota situation is going to bring the camp to a labor war. The sooner you solve it the better. That’s really all I can say. It’s only pure luck there hasn’t been a murder yet”

"Contact me if you think of anything else," Desmond says. "Your compad should be able to connect by just asking for Marshall O'Shea. Now just point me out where the foreman's office is."

You’re walked over to two small trailer like prefab buildings at the northwest corner of the camp, close to the mining shaft itself. Bugs lives in one, currently out leading his team.

I bid Hals goodbye and then go into the trailer.

The unoccupied cabin is locked. It looks like a fairly simple tumbler lock. The other cabin is also locked but you can hear someone moving about within

I knock on the door of the cabin where I hear movement.

There’s a clatter of glass inside and a large bumping sound. A gruff male voice inside curses. The door opens a crack and edross peers out.

Desmond holds up his badge. "I'm Marshall O'Shea, I'd like to ask you a few questions concerning a recent incident. Is this a good time or should we arrange a meeting back at the barracks later?"

“No no officer. Come in. Pardon the mess” The trailer is filthy. Containers of half eaten food sit on counters. The fridge is the only appliance that has seen regular use. A dirty glass half filled with water sits on an end table, next to an ashtray filled nearly to the brim with discarded cigarettes.

8:54 AM

“How can I help?”

"There are disputes breaking out between you day and night shifts. Could you tell me why."

“Ore quota not being met. They’re slacking off and blaming my boys for the shortfall”

"Who determines if the quota isn't met and how can you tell which crew owns this shortfall?"

Myself and bugs decide. We count every shift change. It’s during the nighttime change every time. That’s why I know it’s them. (Notice with wis)

(Can I use my Administer Skill since this is a bureaucratic/systems issue?)

(That’s not what I’m having you roll it for)

ok

4:21 PM

(So straight 2D6 or since my wisdom is 11?)

(If there’s no plus 1 or 2 after your wis and you have a 0 in notice it’s a straight roll. If you have a -1 then apply that)

(Just roll the skill on your sheet)

Just tried

(Yeah I can’t see the sheet right now. He might be in edit mode)

(It should be 2d6 - 1 . Is it okay if I do that? Sorry about the trouble)

4:26 PM

(I got a 2). (3-1)

(It's a lot faster if you learn to use the sheet. The toggle between edit and view modes is in the top right.) (edited)

4:29 PM

(The little pencil icon.) (edited)

(I did it! Thanks Got an 8)

(There you go) (edited)

@Nekosmash (Please use whatever roll you want.)

A stack of faded linens heaped in a side table shift. A small glass object shines from inside the haphazard pile. It doesn’t appear edross has noticed

Desmond bolts outside the trailer, he calls back, "I've got to file my report Endoss. Come with me!"

Surprised but unwilling to argue with a lawman, edross grabs his coat and makes a show of locking up behind him

4:38 PM

He picks up a gnarled walking stick by the front steps and makes to follow you. He has a slight limp

"I've got an old injury too," Desmond says pointing at the stick. "I should probably get one of those too."

“Windpeak branch. The trees grow on the mountain peaks here. Strong as Terran oak but twice as light. Is your billet far?”

"No, it's just at the barracks." I make small talk about getting just such a stick as we walk way from him trailer.

You Arrive five minutes later, knowing far more about windpeak trees than you ever thought you’d need to know

I say hi to the soldiers guarding and have him pull up a chair to one of the work desks. I pull out my compad and make a brief report on what happened today and type/text my findings about the ore shortages to Franz or whoever Marshall's report to. I then ask him, "when did these shortages start?"

“A month and a half ago sir. That’s when it was first documented at least”

(Can I use my Admin skill to check if what he is saying matches the records?)

(Sure!)

(Use int for the stat)

(Got a 12!)

He’s correct. The first shortage started six weeks ago when the total ore excavated that day was counted at dawn (so day and night shift from the previous day together)

(Can a Marshall get a warrant to search a premises?)

(It’s sort of implied you can just do it. They don’t really have formal laws yet)

"What steps have you taken to address the shortage?"

“We have to stay at the camp until the total amount we are responsible for is mined. Longer shifts, a longer time at the camp. Both have been tried”

(Can I search his trailer with a soldier present?)

2:59 PM

(Living the one hit point lifestyle!)

(Certainly!)

3:12 PM

(Rp it out but yes that is something that is an option)

I walk out and ask for a soldier to accompany me back to the trailer.

The soldier you had spoken with upon arriving is happy to accompany his new friend in the marshalls service, and with two others standing guard at the barracks door, keeping an eye on the possible prisoner, you make your way back to the trailer. Edross did not lock the door before leaving, and you're able to walk back inside. You are once again back in the cluttered leisure room. A kitchen sits to your right, and down a hallway in front of you leading to the back of the trailer is a bedroom and sanitary facilities

I look for the stack of faded linens heaped in a side table shift and the small glass object that shined from inside the pile.

Inside that pile is a inhaler like device. A pair of spent canisters sit with it, though one that is full seems to be loaded in it now

Is it medicinal?

(He didn’t seem to have trouble breathing during your walk to the barracks but beyond that I’m not sure what else you could glean by looking at it)

I will take a photo of it and then put on gloves and then place it in an evidence bag. I will search the rest of the trailer for anything incriminating or that has to do with missing ore.

The living area does not have anything else out of place. The kitchen is also free of anything useful to your investigation. The back bedroom is likewise a mess, and two more empty canisters are on the ground next to the bed. Edross’s compad lays on a small table next to the bed

I pick it up with my gloves. Is there a way I can access the calls or information on it?

(Program with intelligence if you want to try to crack it. There is a password but it’s not military encryption or anything )

Okay.

2:06 PM

Got a 5

It’s not a difficult passcode, especially once you look up his birthday in colonial records. There are three text messages, a missed call, and a voice message on the compad currently. There’s also his credit chit app displayed on the front screen. The current balance is far higher than you’d expect a mining camp supervisor to be paid

I listen to the voice message and read the text.

The voice message sounds as follows: “Edross, I was counting our ‘eggs’ and it seems some of our ‘hens’ are coming up a bit short. I expect that you’ll encourage them to make up the missing ‘eggs’. You’ve got a week. Otherwise I’ll be paying you a visit”

7:49 AM

The text message is short. A number or frequency is not displayed and says simply : TIMES UP

I go back to Endoss with all the evidence Imfound

He sits in the barracks with a resigned look on his face. It somehow becomes an even sadder expression when you enter holding his compad

2:44 PM

“So what happens now?”

"Well, we can't have miners fighting each other over a problem they didn't create. We can't have ore disappearing. But most of all we can't have have people threatening your life." Desmond sits down across from him and shows the text. "So who is this and what is going on."

“He’s taros. Goes by Rika. I...Ive been working for him, on the side...dealing trance to some of the miners”

"I...I got addicted myself, began dipping into the supply. Couldn't help myself. I thought maybe by misplacing the ore, we could prolong our stay. Up here I'm safe! its an armed camp! He'll kill me if I go home!"

Desmond stares straight at Endoss and then slowly sighs. "I'm glad that you are coming clean. I will put that in the report, but how many miners are addicted now? How many will need detox and medical evaluation? This is bigger than you."

"Most of my crew is , so about 20, day shift has not really been coming to me for anything, so if they're on it too, there is someone else dealing. People miss what they used to have. Something like trance, being able to go home and inhale, and seeing those happy memories again. You can see why it's so big up here"

Desmond nods. Types out report and sends it to Franz.

"Am I under arrest then?"\

"Well you've confessed to a number of crimes and informed me you are under threat of bodily harm. I'm going to leave this up to you. You can either agree to protective custody or I'll place you under arrest, pending a trial perhaps..."

"I'd like the protective custody please. Would it be here? "

"It will start here but lets not get ahead of ourselves."

7:47 PM

(Who charges people with crimes on this world? Is there anyone else I should report this to?)

(there is a colonial police department, though as a marshal you're permitted to use the full range of powers available to the police, essentially everything aside from carrying out the sentence or field capital punishment if its not in self defense)

"When does your shift begin work?"

3:18 AM

Where is your home? And this taros, who goes by Rika. I need an address and a description."

“They’ve got about four hours before they’re expected to start showing up. I’m not sure about where Rika lives aside from he has a lot of connections in Vapormills. He’s tall. Very tan. Ice blue eyes. Got tattoos all on his arms. Says they’re beasts he’s killed”

I write another report to Franz and send out an Arrest Warrant for Rika to the other Marshalls and Police.

2:08 PM

Then I tell Endoss, "Call the Foreman for the other shift. Tell him that his shift needs to report to the front of the mine at the normal time but not to begin work. There will be a briefing to both shifts. Also call your crew and tell them that they need to meet at the entrance of the mine for a brief meeting at the end of the shift. They will be paid overtime for the half hour." (edited)

He sheepishly holds out his hands for his compad back. One of the soldiers watching him observes as he types out the various messages and the soldier nods , letting you know Edross did exactly as told. Franz acknowledges your report and will speak with his contacts in the Vapormills government to ensure the warrant is processed correctly and followed up on. (3xp and 1500 credits for completing this portion of the investigation)

2:16 PM

(See if we can’t get you more than one hp lol)

(yay! Thanks!!!)

Edross is kept in the barracks as the afternoon slowly goes by. Shift change approaches and the miners slowly begin assembling. There is a lot of hesitancy in the air as something is clearly different.

(I'd like to roll for hit points and level up my Connected. How should I do that?)

Hit points is roll all your hit dice, so 2dwhatever your class gets, and if your new total is worse you keep original and go up 1hp, if it’s already better you keep that

3:08 PM

The number of skill points needed to raise something is on page 57. You get 3 per level

(It costs 1 point to raise from -1 to 0, 2 to raise from 1 to 2, etc. So the cost formula is 'new skill level + 1')

(got it! Thanks!

I now have on some armor and am standing with some of the troops. I raise my hand. "I am Marshall Desmond O'Shea. I have a short announcement to make. We have taken into custody Night Shift Foreman Endoss. He has admitted to distributing Trance and deliberately misplacing ore. If anyone needs medical attention in the next few days for withdrawal symptoms the Company has an Addiction Anonymous Program to assist you."

4:01 PM

"If anyone has anything to add to our findings now is the time to bring that up. I will be at the barracks for anyone who needs to talk. You will be needing a new Foreman. Please make the needed notifications and if I can assist please notify me. Any questions?"

There are no questions, but as the meeting breaks up, a trio of miners linger behind, and it seems like they want your attention

I motion them forward.

"We know how the drugs are being delivered, and we will tell you, if you can promise we wont be prosecuted"

"If you haven't harmed anyone I see no need to for prosecution. Go ahead."

"No, no, nothing like that. When we get new ore hoppers to load, usually some tools come with them, replacements for things that get worn out. Stumbled across vials of trance in with the shipment"

“I was working with some new tools brought to us and the bottom of the handle fell out. Found them by accident. Called Edross out on it the three of us did and he’s been paying us off for silence”

I order a search of the tools available and at the end of the current shift have their tools inspected. While this is happening I investigate where the new tools are from.

Most of the tools come from the colonial workshop though recently an industrial scale foundry has opened and taken over most of the work. These new tools have their fiery anvil seal

I contact Franz and ask if I can travel outside the Mining Town, specifically an Industrial scale foundry?

Franz replies you may and as a Marshall you have free reign to travel anywhere , even out to the west to the Taros cities if needed. Your badge commands a high level of respect

I then tell him I will be traveling to the new foundry with the Fiery Anvil Seal. I finish making reports and investigate to determine the location of this foundry.

It’s newly opened in the east district the main colony near where the other factories and warehouses are. It employs over 100 workers , many of them happy to be getting a wage after long periods of unemployment

The train brings you back into the colony that evening, the sole passenger aside from the actual train crew and a handful of ore carts

I get off and look around. How big is the colony? Will I be able to stay in some local barracks or do I need to rent a room?

The colony is the size of a small city. You were given an entire floor of a habitation building as your residence, as all incoming people or families are given

I will take my suitcase to the residence. I quickly shower and shave. Since I skipped lunch and dinner I go out for a late night meal at a diner near the factory. I will order pancakes and whatever will pass for bacon. I will listen and make small talk. My goal is to see if I can hear anything about the Fiery Anvil Foundry. I'm doing this to build enough knowledge to find conn cations.

The talk of the town at the cook house is that the foundry is now open. Many of the people dining there tonight are new workers, treating themselves to a good meal to celebrate their good fortune

I'll ask, "How long has it been open?" and "Who owned it?"

It’s been open for just two weeks but it’s already very busy. The workshop now only handles weapons and armor so the forge now takes care of all the bits, nuts, fasteners, and tools that everyone else in the colony needs

9:15 AM

The colony owns it until a more formal economic system can be developed but there is an overseer ultimately responsible for its production

I have a piece of pie with my coffee to finish off the evening and then go back to the habitation building and get some sleep.

It’s a restful night and the first one you’ve spent in your own bed since Arrival.

1:00 PM

You awake the next morning to a bright sunny day

I get up and do my injury rehabilitation exercises until I break into a sweat. I drink a few glasses of water and take a hot shower. I don't bother to shave since I did that last night. I dress up in my armor and pull the trench coat over it. I put on my Trilby (hat) . I feel some relief that the head scar seems to be fading a little and itches less.

It is still fairly early in the morning (just before 9) when you finish your activities. the first shift of the day at the forge is about to be called in for work. The trucks full of ore are rumbling down the road towards it already

(Also, take 3xp too, for your goal of finding a job in public service. I didn't award that to you before. I just went and added xp for those other goals)

Okay! Thanks!

I send a quick message to Fritz that I am going on an investigation to the Forge this morning. I call the local law enforcement and notify them what I'm doing here. I go to the Forge and ask to speak to whoever is in charge.

The marshal service is relatively new, but everyone recognizes the badge of law enforcement when its flashed no matter who the enforcing body is. You're quickly taken up several twisting catwalks that look over a busy factory floor. Tools are being poured, hammered, and tempered here before being loaded into carts for distribution. The foremans office is the size of a shipping container, built into the back of the building with a clear view over the production floor.

I take not or the ways in and out of the Forge. How many people do I think work here?

There are 100 people on staff broken into a morning and afternoon shift. The plant closes shortly after dinner hours so the noise does not spill out into the hab blocks and disturb the peace

I approach the foreman's office and see who is there.

The foreman is a younger looking woman, her right arm tight and pinched with the skin of a burn victim. She has some forms on her desk but her attention was already on the door, alerted that you were coming

"Good Morning," I say walking forward. "I'm Marshall Desmond OShea. I'm here following up on an investigation. I need to look over your shipping manifests."

“Of course Marshall. You’re in luck, we haven’t been open long enough to make a lot of paperwork” You’re presented with a small compad file showing all shipments made by the foundry

I'd like to use my Administer Skill to see if there is any problem with the paperwork, such as do the shipments match the production and/or the inventory. Also will I be able to check to see if the shipments match what the clients receive?

The mountain mining camp is ordering a lot more tools than an operation that size should be using

I point out this issue to the oreman.

“That May be true but when it’s requested all we can do is make it. Their team lead would be the one actually seeing the orders met”

"Id like to look at your next shipment there."

She escorts you down the three flights of steps to the factory floor and you’re taken to a packaging area where picks, shovels, and some powered tools are laid out for shipment

I inspect looking for any hollowed out tools to see if the bottom of the handle falls out.

Knowing what you’re looking for it’s not difficult and three of the picks are hollow

I point this out to her. "This is not a structural defect. How do you think this happened?"

“Let’s find out”. She goes to a bank of design consoles on the wall and begins accessing the designs. “Handy feature, I did t tell the workers about this since it didn’t seem important but all changes to the design files are logged, just in case we ever need to re engineer something. Let’s see who the user is”

9:54 PM

She clicks a handful more of the mechanical keys before a small disc is ejected. She hands it to you. “Edross. Night foreman at the camp. It’s his ID but I don’t know when he would have been back in here lately

You also receive an update that rika has been captured. There’s still an interest in disrupting the supplies of trance and the smuggling ring responsible for bringing it in. Someone else could easily take over with the infrastructure still in place.

I look around for any security cameras.

There is one overlooking the packaging area you’re standing in, and you can access the data from the terminal.

8:40 AM

The video shows eight hours of dead space but close to 2am there is a slight ripple in the feed, as though it’s trying to lock on to something that isn’t there

Can I use my Connected Skill to find someone who can determine what the ripple is?

(Connected how. Like to see if someone knows what it is?)

(Someone who can determine if the feed was tampered with or if something was there but cloaked in someway, like an electronics expert.)

(Sure) Franz will let you know that there is a fire suppression system in the forge that has a heat map of the plant constantly running. It should be able to pick up if something was there

I access the heat map.

A humanoid heat bloom shows at that packaging station. Since you're only getting the heat map it is difficult to see what they were doing, but someone was there.

Is the surveillance feed been hacked or is this someone that has the ability to be invisible?

The latter appears the more reasonable

I see if I can trace back to where that particular heat signature has traveled and cross check with any visual feed. Is there anytime it is visible and/or can I find its point of entry into the forge?

It is not visible to anything but the heat trace during the time it is in the forge, but the point of entry is the normal service door that leads into the locker rooms that all the workers use

I go to the locker rooms.

The locker rooms are broken up between men and women, and a utility closet sits between them. At this time in the day the shift is fully staffed and everyone is at work. Both rooms should be empty

I go in and check them out

The male room is empty but upon entering the female one, the normally sealed emergency door flies open. Sunlight floods the space though you see no one before you. On the ground between you and the door, a shadow is still cast

I shoot my laser pistol.

(Go ahead and make an attack roll)

9

(Desmond, you should use the weapon to make an attack. Put your sheet in edit mode. Under weapons, add a new one, and fill in it's stats. THen when you attack with it, when out of edit more, you click it, and it will roll to hit and damage for you.)

6:57 PM

(It's a d20 roll anyway. You do not roll the shoot skill.)

(Yeah let’s redo that)

21 damage 3

There’s an audible grunt of pain and the suit blinks, it’s power system destroyed by your shot

2:20 PM

The power cell smokes and catches into s small fire

2:21 PM

The occupant begins trying to roll in the dirt

I level my gun at him and say in a loud voice, "Cease and desist! You are under arrest!"

They keep rolling and the fire begins to spread down their legs. You hear muffled screaming from within the suit

I drag them into the showers and turn on the water.

(sorry about that, i dont know why the message didnt pop up) The suit smolders and steams as the fire goes out. A taros woman with short black hair, and a cybernetic left eye glares back at you "Guess its a bit late to parlay now" she wheezes

"Never too late to talk," I say. "I think you're going to need some medical attention. I'll call for an ambulance. My name is Marshall O'Shea. Who might you be?"

"None of the Daughters of the Lotus have names, but if you insist on calling me something, call me Wind" the suit still crackles and she is trying her best to wiggle out of it while not provoking another shot

"Well Wind, what do the Daughters of the Lotus do beside trade in Trance?"

“We were hired to hide evidence of it. Those tools on the factory floor were meant to disappear and the trail would grow cold”

"Well the trail is now washed out," I said. "What happens to you if you're jailed. How will the Daughters of the Lotus or the unnamed people who hired you."

“I’m expected to take my own life if I can , a bridge I feel is too far now that I’m in custody. They won’t risk an attack on the prison or the colony. The crackdown would be even worse.” She smiles wickedly “they’ll just have to trust me to keep my mouth shut”.

5:21 PM

She has slowly been shimmying out of the damaged suit, and is clad in a matte gray bodyglove. A small pump is belted to her waist and various tubes cross cross her Abdomen and back through various ports

"I don't want you to kill yourself," Desmond sighs. "I've seen enough of that and have almost taken that journey myself." He takes off his hat so she can see his scars. "I'd like to see the Trance stop making addicts of the miners. How about we talk some more."

"Alright officer, I think I know some people who might be able to help you with that too" she says, making note of the injuries. "Maybe we can come to some kind of an understanding"

"Well?" Desmond asks.

“My order rubs elbows with a lot of powerful people and as you can tell we deal quite a bit with cyberware. If I’m allowed to walk free I can get you in touch. See if we can do something about your diminished physicality”

"I am just a man who was given a second chance at doing the job he loves by the people of this world. I'm trying to make things better for these miners, the colonists and all those who visit this world. " Desmond puts his hat back on and looks around. "How about we think of them first. I'm not after you but I am after who employs you. How about you give me some information about how to find them. Lets be friends who help each other. I'm sure you've heard the term Confidential Informant." (edited)

“I’m from atrovia (another taros city) , that’s where I was recruited, and that’s where I’ve always worked, until lately. Several of my pact sisters and I were hired by someone named Rika , as a precaution. If the authorities ever closed in on him we were to...liquidate...his operation”

"How would I find Rika?"

“I’d check with your administration. They brought him in. As to what became of him after that no one knows” she gives a theatrical bow “so instead I’m here”

"So who heads the operations now?"

“No one. That’s just it. When rika hired us he said he wanted the secret of trance to die with him, so no one else could profit from his hard work. My organization. We are...cleaners...let’s say. Wetwork. No collateral damage if possible. No one who wasn’t involved. That’s why I didn’t try to attack you in that locker room, and tried to run instead”

(Can I contact Franz and see if he can authorize making Wind a Confidential Informant or will I have to bring her in? )

(Franz will probably want to meet her but you can certainly make your case)

"Okay, Wind..." Desmond says. "We are going to take you to meet someone very important. If it goes well than you will become an asset to the people of this planet. If not than you may become a guest of the government."

“As long as mg residency doesn’t involve being shackled to a wall somewhere. Let’s be off then”. She rolls up the damaged stealth suit and hands it to you. “Better if you hold onto this”

I quote the ancient 2 D masterpiece Casablanca and say, "This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

The walk to admin is not long from the forge and wind makes a conscious effort to stay in front of you and close, a demonstration of trust. Franz is waiting out front with a small detail of soldiers.

I wave her on ahead. "Franz, I have a visitor for you. She has a great story to tell."

Wind begins frantically pouring out as many details as she can about what she was sent to the colony to do, and how she made deliberate effort not to hurt anyone. She states several times she’s willing to be a PI if mercy is shown. “It’s interesting this comes to us now. Arimoto just left for atrovia to investigate their order. You should join him”

8:41 PM

(3xp, 5000 credits)

(Thanks!)

1:39 PM

(Great little mission!)

"I'll set out to join him," Desmond says. "But I need a drink. Franz, what is the nearest bar?"

“The harvest spirits. I’m headed that way myself. My bike has a side car if you’re interested. There’s something I was instructed to show you and we can do it on the way. Wind, you have nothing to fear these fine gentlemen are just going to walk you to a guest suite we have upstairs and they’ll make sure no one bothers you. You’re a guest and you tried to spare our people harm. One good turn deserves another”

"To the Harvest Spirits!" Desmond says. His limp is a little less pronounced and he smiles up at the sky.

3:37 PM

He gets in the sidecar and holds onto his hat.

As the bike begins pulling away from the admin center, a screen pops up from the sidecar front, a pair of earphones are attached. Franz is keeping an eye on the road and not looking down. somehow even with a helmet and dust goggles he is still smoking his pipe

I put the earphones on.

A grey star appears on the screen, followed by ivy leaves circling it like a roman victory crown. "Hello Desmond. Do not be alarmed. My name is Nyx, and I represent the Greystar Combine, an intergalactic intelligence service. You've proven several times now you are a man of sound judgment, and a shrewd investigator. We are interested. Nothing will happen to you should you say no. Life will continue, so long as you never speak of this to anyone. Should you accept our offer, we can relieve your physical maladies, and youll be free to continue your current job, though you will be asked to assist our own investigations from time to time"

"Well I trust Franz and if he trusts you so do I." Desmond holds onto his hat as the winds whips by. "I appreciate and accept the offer."

"After your drinks tonight, head to the colonial spaceport. Hangar 2. There will be a ship there. The pilot won't know where you're going until he launches, but you're free to make other small talk. I'll see you after that"

"Understood!"

The screen begins displaying a notice to have the headphones stowed. The screen folds back in. Franz doesn't say a word about it, as you pull up to a stop in front of the bar. A gaggle of farmers is playing a dice game on the front porch in front of some rocking chairs. Credits change hands and they are laughing heartily.

Desmond gets out and stretches. He tips his hat at the farmers and follows Franz.

Franz heads inside, and behind the counter you recognize the portly man from the market, with the pot of stew. "Franz, Marshal. Nice to see you both. Are we dining tonight, or just something to drink?"

"A little of both if Franz doesn't mind. I'm buying."

"Generous of you officer" Franz says quite jovially, and lights his pipe, put out by the wind. "Drinks on me then. What's on tap tonight?" A menu, written in chalk on a rough polyboard is passed down to you. Spring wheatale Grimfruit Whiskey The Baron's Own- First Season Cider

5:05 PM

at the end of the bar, a tough looking man sits, finishing a drink. "That's @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) , he leads Task Force Phoenix. He's been a friend of the colony for a long time"

Seung gets up turning to the door noticing the two. "Oh Franz it's good to see you. I probably should let you know some things happening soon, but I'm sure Agata can send a message to your people." Seung turns putting his hand out to Desmond. "Hello there as well I don't believe I've met you before. My name is Seung Whitaker leader of Task Force Phoenix. Are you another of Franzs ever growing workforce at admin?"

"I am! I do some investigative work."

6:00 PM

Desmond orders a glass of the The Baron's Own-First Season Cider. "Thanks Franz."

"Investigative? Hmm. I hope that's going well then. It's good to meet you... What was your name actually before I leave?"

"I'm Desmond O'Shea." Desmond takes off his hat and places in on the table. He reaches out to shake @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) 's hand again if he's leaving. "If Franz says your good people it means everything. I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for him and the folks at Admin."

6:27 PM

The scars on his head are visible.

Seung shakes Desmonds hand. "Yes if it wasn't for Franz, Sam, Kincaid or the rest of those that came first I don't think any of us would be here." Seung eyes the scars before turning towards the door. "It was good meeting you but I must go. See you around some other time." He waves before heading back out to the compound.

Desmond waves back, "May the road rise to meet you."

The cider is tart but refreshing and Franz has some of the same. A dice game and some video slot machines are scattered around the bar either on tables or their own consoles against walls. A group of farmers plays a complicated looking card game at the center table

They laugh raucously over a hand gone awry for one of them, when the door opens and a stern looking woman, in military clothing enters, leading a gaggle of confident looking scouts (its cass, and we can talk either here or in the other channel, should see it either way)

Desmond goes with the two two cybernetic looking humanoids.

They fall into step, one slightly ahead of you and one slightly behind you, to a waiting flyer. It is dagger like, with narrow swept wings and looks like it will just barely hold the three of you. “You’ve made a smart decision, and before you help us. We are going to help you. Let’s get aboard and we can talk on the way”

Desmond gets into the flyer

The craft is nicely laid out despite its small size and the ramp closes immediately after the two cybernetics climb aboard. "So we have told you a little about what we do. You'll be asked to undertake some investigations, some of them dangerous. in return, we are going to fix you. That scar. your limp. All of it"

"That is very generous!" Desmond says. "I will do my best to serve the Greystar Combine and the people of this world. If I can help make things a little better by me being better than I am fortunate beyond measure."

“This is going to be a bit invasive but we are going to need a list of your injuries. We will have to call ahead so they can have the parts ready

"Well, during the shootout that put me down I took a glancing hit to the skull, one in the arm and one in the leg," Desmond mused scratching his head. "So I've got some Traumatic Brain Injury, left eye problems, a left arm weakness and a left leg limp. "

“Two choices then. We can clone the organic limbs and graft them on, but there’s a higher cancer risk in the future , or we can make the parts cybernetic. If we do that we will have to replace both eyes, otherwise The depth perception will be off and just standing will make you sick

"Cybernetics sound reasonable." Desmond said. "My strength is not what it used to be and I now have a sickly constitution . So any improvement is great."

(so I think what is going to happen here, your body parts are going to be replaced, your scores for stats under 10 will go up to 10, you'll have 5 permanent strain. Your eyes will be replaced to the ones like herb has where they can capture video/take pictures/see in the dark, and you'll lose the associated penalties for your damaged limbs being replaced. They'll graft synth skin over the surgical scars and if you want hair they can encourage it to grow again as well)

8:14 AM

(if you have any other ideas we can work that in but i wanted to give yo u an idea of the mechanics before we start hacking things off you)

(I like it! Can I have a small compartment in my leg that can hold a laser pistol or a blade?)

(yeah they actually have a cyberware fitting for that)

8:26 AM

(I think it's called a holdout compartment and you can keep a compact one handed weapon in it)

(alright, the sheet is done)

8:39 AM

The craft accelerates far up into the atmosphere, and you see the desert pass by below. You are heading toward a location far to the west coast of Gudrun, and the craft begins angling down to land. A small, isolated cluster of buildings with a simple airstrip gets larger in the front viewport. Signal lights click on as the plane gets close. "Alright Desmond, when we land they'll give you a few moments to yourself before we get you into surgical. There will be some lockers where you can keep your belongings. I'd expect a few days of recovery here afterwards but if you need more than that, we can see how you're feeling when it gets closer"

Desmond nods. He is a little nervous about going back down under surgery so pulls out his compad and reads some Tennyson,...Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho' We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

9:05 AM

He will shower before the surgery and shave, he realizes he may not be able to do either for the first day.

As the razor gets replaced on the very clean sink rim, the door opens and a strange snake humanoid alien enters the room. “Don’t be afraid Desmond. I’m a slyth. There’s a few of my race around your colony actually that your people rescued. Maybe you’ve seen something like me before. I’ll be working on you today and I just wanted to see if you’re ready”

"What a brave new world, with such things in it!" Desmond says. "I haven't met a Slyth that I know of, so you are the first. I'm as ready as I will ever be."

“Please come with me.” You’re led into a squat cement building kept warm with some wall heat units. It’s uncomfortable to you but it seems to be at the benefit of the cold blooded slyth with you. A surgical table is laid out with a neatly folded mint green sheet. “Have a seat and relax. I’m going to inject you with a sedative that will release slowly. You’ve got time to ask a few questions if you have any”

"How many Synth are there?"

“There’s me, three others in our organization, gheist in your colony, and Jexad, also in your colony though he’s in a mechanical body.” You feel awake enough for a couple more questions if you have them.

1:29 PM

“We used to have an empire that spanned sectors. A civil war and then a plague bioweapon that one side lost control of saw an end to that”

"How did you end up as a surgeon?"

“Having four arms makes holding tools far easier. It was also my profession during my time as part of the empire. I did taxonomy and made frequent study of cadavers. One day I decided I was more interested in keeping them working than cutting them apart”

Desmond shakes his head sleepily. "Well, I've been through a few surgeries. Glad this one will be with someone so skilled."

“You’ve got about one more left before the medicine takes you”

"Do you work for the Greystar Combine or Franz?"

“Franz and the colony as a whole share information with the combine and vice versa. The exchanges are always even. “

Desmond nods as the anesthesia overtakes his consciousness.

The clock has passed nineteen hours when you awaken in a recovery room. The left side of your body has been replaced in mechanical limbs that purr gently when you move. Your headaches are gone and your eyes are seeing with a clarity you had never known before.

3:12 PM

“Well, you were under a little longer than I thought you’d be, but you look good Desmond. How do you feel?” (edited)

"I've never seen so well!" Desmond proclaims. "Faces are sharper and my mind seems like it just woke up."

“I’m glad. We also added a small modification. Think about a holster on your leg

"I will!" said Desmond. "I can't wait till I get back so I can look at the city with new eyes!"

Thinking about the bolster makes a small compartment on your left hip open. A holdout pistol is inside

6:36 AM

“Undetectable on all but the most advanced scans.”

"That is amazing!"

"You're looking well officer, and it sounds like you are feeling well too. Would you say you're ready to get back to work?"

Desmond feels his formally damaged arm. It now moves without pain and can perform precise movements. His leg is now back to its normal size and seems strong. His eyes are sharp and have extra abilities.

4:56 PM

"I'm ready," he said. "What have we got to do?"

“For now return to your duties. You may want to check in with provost Harcrow. The marshal service has gained a fair amount of political capital while we have been away. When it’s time to fulfill your end of the deal we will contact youl

"I appreciate that," Desmond said. "I'll pack my things and take the next flight out."

The plane is readied after you pack your things. The Slyth doctor gives you one final injection of painkillers. "There's going to be a bit of pain as your body gets used to the grafts. Your fine motor control will get better as you keep using everything, the neural network between your brain and the new limbs will strengthen. It's been a pleasure to care for someone so grateful and kind hearted. Be well officer."

"Be well," Desmond says and puts on his hat. He realizes he no longer is covering up scars and merely covering his head. He bows, turns and walks out. (edited)

The plane lifts off as you climb aboard and heads toward the colony. Your compad longs as you being the landing approach. it looks like you’ll get the chance to help us sooner than we thought. One of our little birds sent to help your colony has been tweeting a bit too loudly about Greystar operations. She’s still on planet A photo of speedenelly is attached to the message. use what actions you think necessary to stop the leak, and all will be even

(I use my level 2 Connect skill to find a contact who can get me near speedenelly) I lift up my compad and send a message. ...Meet me at the Harvest Spirits...

Spedennelly is listed by air traffic control as pilot for the shuttle, with departure from the planet scheduled early this morning. Captain Cass and her troops are listed as passengers. (edited)

(We can say you’re doing this between the academy and liftoff if you want)

(should I switch to Class Channel?)

(Speed is going to come to this one so Cass can make mission prep in here

9:33 AM

Hers

I go to the shuttle and look for @HelenP

The slim pilot -- on the small side of average height, jumpsuited, and brown-haired and -eyed -- is running preflight checks on the shuttle. She looks up as the stranger approaches.

Desmond waves at her as he walks forward.

Speed wipes her hands off. "Something I can do for you?"

"My name is Desmond O'Shea. I'm a Marshall hired by Franz," he says. "You have time to talk?"

"Sure. Name's Spedennelly, but Speed'll do."

"Good. You just get planetside?"

"Yeah, here on a freelance job to ferry some of your people off-planet. We'll be leaving soon."

"Have you had any trouble with the Greystar Combine?"

"Trouble? No."

"So you haven't been complaining or talking about Greystar at all?"

Speed does a doubletake. "Is there some local law about speech here?"

Desmond laughs. "So there has been some talk about Greystar."

"You certainly seem to be doing a lot of it."

Desmond smiles. "Yes. I was asked by the folks at Greystar to look into an issue they have with you. They seem to think you are talking about their operations, which they being a confidential organization might give them pause."

"Why would you think that?"

"A better question is why would they think that?"

"I'd better get back to my job." Speed turns back to her preflight checks.

Agata drives up with Seung in toe coming to a stop at the edge of the ship. Seung dismounts walking up towards it. "Hello there?!"

Speed looks up from what she's doing, and silently sighs. "Something I can help you with?"

"Why yes actually. I hear you work for the Grey star. Although I'm not worried about that as much as I am about you being the pilot they sent to take us to some fueling station."

Speed crosses her arms and leans back against the side of the ship. "Got a problem with my work? Spill it."

"Not at all. Although I'd apricate it if you'd hear me out before giving attitude." Seung walks up to Spedennelly his back clinging and clanging full of weapons and gear his pistol on his hip and his rifle obvious as it hangs around him on a strap. "My name is Seung." He extends a hand. "And I was hoping to possibly help you with your mission."

Speed gives Seung a measuring look, then shakes his hand. "Captain Cass is the you one should speak to. I'm just here to get her troops where she needs to go." (edited)

"Oh I see." Seung looks at her confused. "She had showed interest in going on my mission to Aslief. I wonder how she thought she was going to do both then."

The slim pilot doesn't seem concerned about Seung's martial gear. She herself just has a simple jumpsuit on.

9:43 PM

"I just arrived on-planet yesterday, and I don't know much about your local plans."

"Well I'll have to speak to Cass then about what is going on. I'll be leaving tomorrow either way so you may be joining us Miss..? You never said your name."

"Spedennelly, but most people just call me Speed. We're scheduled to take off shortly. I'd talk to the captain soon if I were you."

"Alright then Speed I'll see what's going on when I can. I'll leave you be then." Seung says turning back towards Agata.

((Who/what is Agata?))

(Ai in a mechanical body that was with me when I came up. Basicly just background for the moment since he drives me around on my bike.)

The skilled pilot watches Seung go, but her face becomes expressionless when she sets eyes on the artificial driver.

Seung will drive away with Agata heading towards his compound

Desmond contacts back with Greystar.

Asks if they have been back in contact with @HelenP

@Chris Fury (Desmond) (I’m about to head to work but i can do a message or two) Seung messages back Desmond. “This is Seung what can I do for you Desmond?”

They have not. They send video which looks to have been taken from an Argus web. The video shows speedy and sil locked in concentration with one another, their mental conversation somehow played out audibly on the device

9:26 AM

It shows speedy naming several planets and stations claiming they are greystar holdings

I pass this onto @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) and @Funk

From Greystar.....They send video which looks to have been taken from an Argus web. The video shows speedy and sil locked in concentration with one another, their mental conversation somehow played out audibly on the device

11:24 AM

Checks with Greystar. What conversations do you believe Speed has had that compromises current operations? She purports that there are none. She also referenced a freedom of speech issue. Is she a current or former Greystar Asset that may have issues with its management?

She is a current asset. She has referenced a number of worlds and deep space platforms we have interest in or own

So I have contacted @HelenP and passed on the Greystar concerns. Anything else needs to be done? Also, should I join the raid?

If you’d like to join you can. It’s not mandatory for anyone. I’d consider you warning her enough for now

Hearing the gunfire from the power room beyond, Desmond grabs his rifle and prepares to head left, the other direction, past the airlock again and toward lockup where Jared is behind held

Desmond stars running. “Don’t die Jered,” Desmond mutters to himself. “You made it through the scream you’ll make it through this’

(Saul isn’t in combat on the other side just yet. Take some backup maybe?)

@Philipwn Desmond makes a call over his comm. “Saul, can you link up with me? I’m heading to the lock-up.”

Saul sees that Speedy is up, and trusts that Cass and her squad can handle the pirate flunkies. "I'm on my way, marshal."

Desmond holds up at the first door and looks up the stairs.

At the top of The stairs two techs are fiddling with some type of tripod mounted weapon. Their backs are to you as they fuss with the battery housing on it

"Step back from the Tripod!" Desmond declares. "Hands up!"

(Let’s go into initiative. Saul are you using your ability?)

(rolled a 3 )

(The techs got an 8. So Saul, techs. Des)

(Sorry, cooking. Yeah, I'll use it. Do they seem to be stepping away from the tripod and raising their hands?)

(They haven’t really been able to do much of anything yet but they’re not surrendering)

In that case Saul snaps his carbine to his shoulder and fires (25 to hit, 18 damage) at whichever of the two seems to be on the side of the turret with the control panel.

(good shot!)

(thanks!)

The tech falls on his front, dead before he can react. The surviving tech swings around the back of the weapon, firing to suppress. (Evasion save for both of you)

(13 vs 9, success)

(5 vs 14) fail

Saul is hit for 5, Desmond for 10, as the chugging cannon sends rounds down the hallway.

(We homebrew suppression fire then? Interesting. I need to get my hands on a heavy weapon.)

Desmond staggers to the left, leaning up against the wall.

(It’s changed from the original edition. None for Saul. 5 for Des)

(he's got 6 hit points so he is down )

(Hey, saved by the new suppression rule!)

(It used to be everyone takes at least half but it fires the whole belt/mag as tradeoff

2:44 PM

(Des has 1 left)

Desmond coughs up blood and fires a burst!

2:46 PM

(20 to hit 3 on damage)

The tech yelps as the laser spanks off the gun housing and into his chest. Saul is up

Saul adjusts his aim and fires another burst at the surviving tech, probably impacting the turret itself (12 to hit [oof.], 20 damage), then ducks back behind the corner, and emphatically motions for Desmond to join him.

2:57 PM

(Oh, also 1 damage even if that misses due to Gunslinger.) (edited)

The tech swears as the sensitive gun starts to steam. He begins falling back to the holding room itself (using action to move twice). Desmond is up

Desmond staggers up the stairs. "We need to save Jered..."

(You can see the tech at the end of the hallway. He hasn’t quite reached the room yet)

Desmond fires a burst as he slides up the wall, leaving a smear of blood.

3:11 PM

(20 to hit Damage 5)

The tech slumps over right before the blast doors, leaving a greasy trail of blood down them as he crumples

Saul ambles up the stairs after Desmond, particularly colorful curses streaming from his lips. "How the hell did they find someone even more reckless than I am?! Then they gave him a marshal's badge! Then they put me in charge of the whole mess! Ha! Holding together, marshal?" (edited)

"No, just holding it in."

3:18 PM

His hand is over his wounds and he keeps going up the stairs.

"You need medical attention. You should head back to the Sundagger, or find Melora if she isn't in the middle of a firefight."

"First...get..to...Jered." says Desmond. "If I go down its okay. I got my second chance after the Scream. He never got his first."

3:22 PM

(I have to head out for an few hours. Sorry...)

"If we open that lock-up door and a light breeze blows out, you're done. This isn't a Marshal's Service operation, so I won't order you, but consider how helpful you'd be to your contact if you're dead."

3:23 PM

(no problem at all)

(I'm back...) @Philipwn

(Cool. I mean Saul already said his piece.)

Desmond keeps going up the stairs. "I'll back you up. The ones we captured said Jered doesn't have long. They broke his cover." Desmond is flashing back to when he went down the last time before being awakened by Franz.

"Alright, I won't stop you. Keep to cover as much as you can." Saul speeds up his pace to overtake Desmond and lead the way towards lock-up. (edited)

Desmond nods, his hat falls off and he dazedly puts it back on. "You're a good man Saul." He keeps sliding up the wall, his rifle in the low ready position, pointed off to the side and slightly down.

The blast doors are sealed by a scanner, the handprint reader obscured with blood from the dead pirate

Desmond looks at one of the technicians. He tries to drag him over to the scanner. He stumbles as he does it.

Saul takes the limp tech from Desmond and shoots him a look part approval for the dedication, and part disapproval for trying that in his condition. He tries the pirate's hand on the scanner.

There’s a pleasing chime and the door opens. The room is empty of personnel. On a viewscreen on the wall above the north door a countdown chimes two minutes. Against the west wall, there is a two layered section of force cells (think like an ice cube tray on its side. Top and bottom level). The “doors” are opaque screens of light. You can see silhouettes of people in each one pounding and shouting at the lightscreen though their words are far too muffled to make out. In the center of the room there is a console

4:43 PM

It half the height of a man and has a number of levers on it labeled 1-12

Saul is looking very closely at the viewscreen with the timer. Particularly for any sort of attached explosive.

You don’t see anything like an explosive. 1:55

(I'll wait for Desmond to get in here so I don't waste a bunch of time before he gets to try stuff.)

Desmond takes it all in and transmits through his eyes to the others. He goes to the levers. Any names on them?

Just the numbered labels

5:52 PM

1-12, corresponding to the number of cells in the room (1-6 on top, 7-12 on bottom)

"I'm opening the cells," Desmond says. "You good with that?"

"Are we sure the levers open the cells? I'm worried the wrong control may trigger whatever that's counting down to. At least try one lever before we throw them all."

"Okay," Desmond says. "I'm opening 1-6."

1:45. You go to pull on all six levers at once, and they do not budge. There is a slight give, so they are movable, but it appears not all together (edited)

Desmond pulls down 1 then 2 then 3 then 4 then 5 then 6 then 7 then 8 then 9 then 10 then 11 then 12. He is coughing up blood as he does it.

(1) as one opens, the light screen flickers twice, and fades. Behind it, nothing is revealed. (2) As two opens, the screen once again flickers, the human silhouette in this cell a hoax, as two growling attack dogs bound out

6:24 PM

(saul is up first, same initiative) (1:40)

(was there a silhouette behind that light screen before the flashing?)

(theres one behind them all, but clearly some are hoaxes)

(Wow, sorry, the last couple messages weren't loading) (edited)

6:29 PM

(Also, I really need to remember to reload between fights. Oh, wait no, I can reload as an on-turn action now. I'll do that.)

(you've got one round left in it right now i believe as well)

(yeah, but as a non-warrior I like the +2 to-hit from firing in bursts.)

(so you;re reloading?)

(As an on turn action due to Gunslinger, then my main action will be to fire, which I just reached my computer to do.)

6:34 PM

Saul snaps into motion, changing power cells nearly in the blink of an eye, then fires at the dog closest to Desmond (22 to hit, 21 damage).

There is a whine as the energy beam stops the dog in its tracks, its mechanical jaws thrash and foam, before it slinks away, yelping from the fight

6:35 PM

(for game purposes its removed from combat)

(Holy shit that's a resilient dog! Literally over three Desmonds.)

Desmond keeps opening doors. Can he now see which would be fake silhouettes ?

(its;' cyber enhanced)

(hahahah)

They all look Identical ( it is in initiative now since there's another dog out there, do you want your action to be opening 3 and 4?)

(Yes.) (edited)

Door 3 flickers, the silhouttte revealing itself to be a human female, she stumbles from the containment cell, wearing the remnants of an engineers uniform- standard across any number of void-going vessels. It is still somewhat clean, meaning she has not been here long. Door 4 opens, revealing a withered skeleton

6:51 PM

(1:35) The remaining dog bounds at saul, seeking to fasten its jaws on anything within reach

6:52 PM

The reinforced metal teeth and mechanical jaw bite down for 7 damage

(I was 100% expecting the contact to stumble out and be immediately mauled to death by the dog.)

(Given that it's a dog engaging me, not a person, can I fire my carbine with the to-hit penalty even though it's two-handed? Saul is not very good at all at stabbing things.)

(Can I shoot at the dog?)

(you can fire with the penalty, if saul doesn't get it to disengage, Desmond you can also fire)

7:04 PM

(since you'd be next)

Saul has never been more grateful for the shortened length of a carbine as he points it downwards, the muzzle hovering barely an inch above the spine just behind the dog's skull, and fires a burst. (22 to-hit, 20 damage)

There is a spray of some type of synthetic blood-oil mixture, and power fizzles, dropping free of its reinforced exoskeleton, it runs off yelping

7:14 PM

(Desmond is up)

Desmond opens up more doors and calls out to the prisoner, "come over and help!"

(5) opens, the light parting to an empty chamber (6) does not budge, there seems to be some kind of anti- tampering device at the base of the lever

7:23 PM

(you can make a fix/int or program/int check to try to disassemble it, or defeat the very simple electronic password lock, but a failure will bring a penalty)

(8)

There is a small click as lever 6 disengages, and your friend Jared steps out of the containment cell

7:28 PM

(1:15)

"Jared!" I yell. "How many other prisoners are here?"

7:42 PM

(I'm still trying to open cells but don't want to go before Saul's turn. )

(as long as no one starts attacking us again, Saul's not doing anything in particular. More people flipping levers doesn't seem beneficial.)

"not sure" he answers back groggily. "Was knocked out when they threw me in here"

"Both of you get over to the door," Desmond says through labor breathing. He looks at the engineer and Jared. "Can either of you stop this countdown?" He opens more doors.

(7) flickers open, to reveal two captives that look like they've been here far longer. They are both wearing elegant evening clothing, though stained and ripped from being stuck living in it for what appears to be a while now. They stagger over to the lip of the cage, before hopping down the short gap to the floor. (8) Opens, and a vac-suit wearing pirate, carrying a brace of pistols stomps into view, still inside the containment cube

8:09 PM

(he's standing at the lip, saul is up as we hop back into initiative)

Saul just came here to attack pirates and he's honestly having such a good time right now. (25 to-hit, 22 damage)

A hose is hit, blasting icy mist into the pirates face, he stumbles backwards into the cube

Desmond pulls down the lever, closing the Pirates Cell and opens another. (edited)

(I've got to go to bed. Everyone sleep tight!)

(1:00) The cell closes and the light screen reconstitutes, there is once again the projection of a panicking human silhouette.

8:46 PM

(9) opens. This cell looks like it is used to hold supplies. There are some stacked up boxes in it, under a partially rolled back tarpaulin. (10) opens, and inside there is another hostage, this one is tied to a chair, gagged. His eyes look at the clock, wide with panic

Saul sprints into his cell to help. He's not wasting time screwing around with knots, though. If the chair isn't bolted down, he'll just pick the whole thing up and carry it out of the room, and if it is bolted down he'll cut the rope/chain with his carbine. Speed is the name of the game, here.

Desmond opens the last two, “Jared!” he exclaims. “Help get the prisoner’s gag off. Does he know anything about this countdown?”

It’s not bolted; and Saul carries the chair/prisoner out. “Cells seal up and vent to space when it hits 0!” Jared yells over the station alarms

6:36 AM

You can hear enemy comms you now notice and it sounds like they are in disarray

(Can I make a transmission or should I wait for Saul?)

(Again, Saul is on standby to shoot any enemies that pop out of the cells, just waiting for Desmond to pull levers. Do what you wanna do.)

9:18 AM

(I guess he'll take this opportunity to reload, though.)

(I’d like to call for @Agape.Eris to heal Saul, myself and the prisoners)

Melora gets the call and runs to the other part of the station as quickly as possible

Melora enters the room to see Desmond, his coat stained with blood from a chest wound. It is smeared on the central console and cage release levers. Saul is watching the doors, carbine raised. Four other prisoners recently released are in the room in various states of poor health

Melora goes over to Desmond. "Don't worry - I got you"

Speed arrives shortly after Melora, looking around with her void carbine at the ready. "We've got the power station. Need any help here?"

@Agape.Eris “Thanks Melora!” Desmond says. “I am about to pass out.”

9:39 AM

@HelenP “There was a Pirate but he’s in the cell and two wounded cyber dogs ran off.”

(getting on roll20)

9:41 AM

(des gets 12 hp)

(2 cells left Des if you’re still opening them)

“I’m opening the last two cells,” Desmond warns. “We’ll see if it is friend or foe...”

Speed takes careful aim at each cell befire Desmond opens it.

(11) opens, a turret tries to extend out into the room to open fire, but goes dead immediately with the station security systems no longer in the hands of the bridge crew. 12 opens, a man in a tattered Remnant Naval uniform stumbles out

9:46 AM

(That’s all of them). The countdown ends with 20 seconds left

Desmond slumps against the wall. “Great work @Agape.Eris , @HelenP “

9:48 AM

@Philipwn is he okay?

Melora goes to Saul next.

9:48 AM

(heal 7hp)

9:50 AM

"Who else?" Melora looks around to see who looks like they are in need of healing.

The prisoners in this room do not have visible injuries but they do look malnourished and quite tired

Melora goes to the prisoner who looks like they are most affected and gets ready to lay her hands on them. "I'm Melora - is it ok if I lay hands on you? I'm a healer"

Speed shoulder the carbine and gives the people and systems in the area a brief once over, looking for any trouble spots.

The Remnant officer looks a bit fearful upon seeing your uniforms

Saul handcuffs the Remnant officer. (edited)

"It's ok - I am not here to harm you - you see how I helped those two over there? I am bound by a code of ethics and personally hate conflicts like this. We will make sure you are safe and warm. I will advocate for that. I just don't like to touch people without consent"

10:01 AM

"May I?"

Speed's jumpsuit has no insignia.

(Am i uniformed?)

(at the very least, Saul is.)

(Melora would probably prefer not to be if possible - she'd like to have lab coat with medic symbols on it)

They allow it. (Saul is. I’d imagined melora more or less like how she described. Maybe a secure eva suit with medic symbols on it but it’s not military gear)

Melora lays her hands on each prisoner. "Can these folks get some water?"

(Has it already been announced IC that the fight's over and the station is ours?)

Melora goes around and checks the vital signs of anyone she helped.

(Yeah the alarms are off and all the screens are showing you are in control)

(How about the fight for the ships?)

Speed nods. "I'll get some from a 'fresher room I passed." She goes and fills a slim clothlike canteen, takes a few extra moments to wash the blood off her attire and patch it, then returns and passes the water around.

(Also secured, the breaching teams are reporting surrenders and the closest of those two pirate corvettes is now in formation with your fleet)

Melora rules out shock and then gives water to her patients.

"Melora, you should get in contact with Sil. There may be injured in their group and he can get you to them."

Speed pulls out a rations bar, and gives the weak ex-prisoners pieces of it.

"Thank you - Speedy?"

She nods, and nibbles the last fragment herself.

Melora nods at Saul and takes her com pad out to contact Sil.

10:23 AM

"You look exhausted, Speedy. Let me see if I can lay hands on you again"

Speed does have a rather pinched look to her face, and her color is off, niw that Mrlira looks closely. She sighs, and sinks down into a chair.

10:26 AM

((urg, phone editors! wry look at bizarre spellings))

"Good - sit for a bit" Melora lays hands again. (edited)

Desmond smiles. “We’re Alice because of you Melora.”

(14! max!)

(Autocorrect is a battle against entropy we are all destined to lose)

*((Too bad that wasn't the first roll; Speed was diwn 15 before.))

(In Wonderland!)

((14))

10:31 AM

((throwing heavy objects at phone))

10:32 AM

Speed gives a relieved grin. "That's a wonderful gift you have, Melora!"

Melora finishes the process to contact @Masacio . "Sil! How are you hanging in? Can I help anyone there?"

10:33 AM

Melora smiles warmly. "Thank you, Speed. You all are so brave out there! I'm glad I came along to preserve you all"

"More like foolish! And I didn't hit a thing!"

"You put yourselves out there - that is a lot"

10:35 AM

"I hate for there to be casualties on either side"

10:36 AM

"Maybe I should look for signs of life on those who don't look obliterated"

@Agape.Eris “We are grateful @Agape.Eris . If you ever need anything, just call”

"We're bern gathering prisoners and their gear over in the power room."

"Did we suffer any?"

"Hmm, I probably should go add those three techs we left in the Sundagger"

(No friendly casualties. The stormtroopers and speedy took a real Pounding but you saved the ones that would have died)

"I think you got there just in time, but I don't know about on the two captured corvettes."

10:48 AM

Speed gets to her feet, and goes to put the three techs from the Sundagger with the other prisoners.

"I'm trying to get in touch with Sil"

Desmond looks over at Jared and the other released prisoners. “Let’s head back to the Sundagger. Jared, you are now free to be yourself again. I don’t know how you stayed undercover so long.”

(Sil did come to aid them, he had sent a message to all (last night irl) if they needed help. But as I was asleep, other events happened. See #deleted-channel for Sil's post combat action summary.)

@Masacio “Appreciate the help,” Desmond says. “We’re going back to the Sundagger with quite the interesting group of guests!”

"We have a lot to plan and decide."

(Lets all go to the raid thread and we will discuss what is to be done with the prisoners, assets, ect

11:59 AM

(This is probably going to take a couple irl days to figure which is fine. Everyone will have a voice. When we push off for the next leg of the trip it’ll be good to have a firm sense of what the status of everything is)

Jared and the civilian prisoners are trying to stay out of the way, unsure what to make of all the military personnel running about the station.

"Hey Detective," Desmond says to Jared. "Let's move this to one of the conference rooms. Let's gather the civilians also. I'm going to get some food and drink for all of you. "

6:28 AM

(I'm getting ready to travel today so will not be able to answer till tonight or tomorrow. I also need to update my character sometime.)

(We can take our time with it. No worries)

They assemble in the conference room, but for the two with the pox melora detected

@Agape.Eris Sends a message I’m debriefing some of the civilian prisoners. I expect some to have psychological trauma. I may send some more your way if they are too bad off.

To Desmond: "I will be on standby - just accessing the 2 anomalies i found"

“I’m Marshall Desmond O’Shea. I’m here to record what happened in you confinement, tell you where we are going and see if some kind of repatriation or refugee status will be assigned to you.”

1:17 PM

Desmond looks over the group. “Two of the prisoners had some health issues which are being looked after right now. First, would you go around and give me your name, place of residence and how you were captured and if you have any pressing needs.”

The five remaining people in the room give their names one was captured from a dreamliner, taken as a hostage for ransom and held here since before the scream The rest are various miners, taken after the disaster from wrecks floating about in the void that the pirates had decided to ransack

"The planet I'm from has active mines," Desmond says. "There is one I just wrapped up a case on that probably needs help. I'll make inquiries if you want."

2:28 PM

Desmond looks at the hostage. "I'm not sure about how to track down your people but I'll try."

2:29 PM

"Jared," Desmond says. "in your time with the Pirates is there any intelligence we can pass on to the others that would help them?"

"I know a lot about the station operations, and those Remnant folks you keep mentioning use it. If you want to keep it this thing needs to be either moved, or looted

2:31 PM

"And we need to do it fast"

Desmond passes this information onto @Masacio @Funk @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) . "My Connection, Jared, just said, 'I know a lot about the station operations, and those Remnant folks you keep mentioning use it. If you want to keep it this thing needs to be either moved, or looted "And we need to do it fast"."

2:35 PM

Desmond excuses himself to get a shot from @Agape.Eris on the disease.

"Other than that, no real consistent traffic, The remnant seemed to be alright with pirates using it as long as they were given a percentage of the profits. Kind of makes sense, they can't be everywhere, well equipped as they are|

Desmond returns to a largely unoccupied portion of the space station, the mopping up and interrogations winding down

(up to you now on if you want to head back to Gudrun or stick around to help ambush the supply convoy coming in)

Desmond returns to Gudrun in the first wave of landers, Jared in tow

Desmond turns to Jared. “You will need a place to stay. I’ll get you a place and set up a meeting with Franz, he’s part of the administration on Gundrun.”

4:07 PM

“He’s a good guy, works himself too hard. You two will have lots in common.”

“How’s the work situation here?”

“Lots of opportunity for work,” Desmond says. “Lots of problems to solve. This place is growing and it’s getting more prosperous.”

Jared seems encouraged at the sound of that. “So what’s next for you then, now that you’ve been to space?”

‘Well, I will introduce you to Franz, buy some armor...” Desmond stops. “Then see where the work takes me. It is great that a planet bound cop like me now has some interstellar duties. Administration here gave me a new life. Maybe they can do the same for you.”

“I’ll have to have a chat with him. Are you heading there now?”

"Yes!"

Admin is as busy as ever, though a number of flak towers have risen out of various points in the colony since you’ve last been home. There is a sense of tension and urgency in the air

2:35 PM

Franz is once again in his usual place, at his desk

Desmond approaches with Jared. He is wearing his spare trench coat and his "now" lucky hat. "Hello Franz!" Desmond says. " The raid was successful! @Agape.Eris was a real asset. If it hadn't been for her many of us wouldn't have made it. @Funk , @Masacio , @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) and @Philipwn are some real heavy hitters. Some others didn't make it li..."

“The last few you mentioned are still out there. We are eagerly awaiting news of how that ambush is going to go. I’m glad to see you back safely. How can I help you Desmond?

"I've been able to find an old colleague, Jared, who was working undercover in the Pirates before the Scream. He was in captivity when we arrived but was able to pass some good information during his debriefing," Desmond shrugs. "I' haven't been able to write up my reports on the mission but will after our meeting. Any chance Jared could be evaluated for some kind of job?"

“I can help with that. Could always use another Marshal, and the police force is recruiting”

"Excellent!" Desmond says. "I'm going to need to buy some new armor. Any good place around that I can purchase some?"

“Pop and his workshop are churning out some fine suits now with war production getting started. I’d start there”

"I'm going over right now," Desmond says. "You need anything?"

“For now I’m alright” says Jared. “I’m just going to get this done”

"I'll leave you with Franz," Desmond says. "Franz, I'm going to buy some armor. I'll be back later for my next mission unless you have something pressing."

"Get your supplies, we can talk again soon. Be well desmond"

Desmond goes to find Pop and his workshop.

Pops is overseeing the build of a new model machine gun when you arrive, looking proudly at the work

"Hey!" Desmond says. "That looks rather deadly! Franz said you do good work and it's obvious from here he's right!"

"what can I do you for officer?"

"I got a hole put in my combat armor by a pirate," Desmond points to his chest. "I'm wondering if you have anything good there and anything special for the street?"

"Well, we can always reinforce your clothing (ac13) , If you're looking for something a bit more rugged, we have field combat uniforms available, we can paint it up in civil defense colors (ac16)

2:23 PM

"If you want something powered, we have a first generation series of power armor available"

"How much for the Field Combat Uniform and the Powered Suit?"

The combat field uniform is 1,000, and the assault suit is 10,000

"I'll take both!" Desmond says.

Pops shouts and one of his attendants comes over to measure.

3:33 PM

(the power suit is slim, like the new vegas ranger armor. the combat suit is like carapace plated)

3:33 PM

Steam hisses from presses and stamping machines, and over the course of an hour, you're armored like a night of yore, each plate reverently pressed into place, and instruction given on how to do it yourself

3:33 PM

the combat uniform is self explanatory

Desmond heads back to my habitation building with his new armor. He does some exercises showers and then goes out to the local diner for a dinner and a beer.

The Harvest Spirits is pretty busy that night, as news of the victory in space (the thing you just did) finally begins making its way home. A group of two hundred prisoners being led into the holding camp was a hard thing to miss. The mood is cheerful and hopeful (edited)

Desmond looks about the Harvest Spirits, notes the many people ordering beers and downing the golden hops heavy drink. He sees the people who are paired off talking to each other intently and the large groups who are celebrating the victory over the Pirates. He smiles and says to himself, "They have found a measure of contentment. Good..good."

7:45 PM

He wanders home, unlocks his door and then locks in carefully. He puts his clothes away in the same manner. He falls asleep and dreams of people he knew, before his awakening in this new world. (edited)

Morning comes, finding you well rested. You were so tired you have no flashbacks of the previous few days battle, or anything else.

Desmond gets up, does an hour of exercise, showers, shaves and walks to Admin to see Franz.

Franz is looking over a report, frowning, when you enter

"Something troubling?" Desmond takes off his hat and points with it at the report.

“Ah. Yes. That officer we captured. The one with the pathfinders. He attacked his handlers in prison. Killed two police officers. Injured a third”

4:34 PM

“He’s been restrained for now. I’m fearful of the path this is going to put us down”

"What can this lead to?"

“He’s going to have to be punished. Probably capital punishment of some kind. It’s just something I thought we would be moving past with the end of the last war.”

“Who determines the punishment?” Desmond asks. “Embarrassingly, I’ve neglected learning our judicial processes while carrying out investigations. It’s a problem I’ve had before. I concentrated on the work while ignoring Th workplace.”

“Until around now it’s been frontier justice. The mob keeps you in line and if they can’t well, we never had to do it but people have been shot for less in other places.

9:47 AM

“The judge, judge monsoor is handling that sort of thing now as we move toward being s nation”

“So he is creating case law and jurisprudence,” Desmond said. “Must be a headache trying to govern with little government.”

11:30 AM

“Anything I can do to help?”

“I’ve got a slightly different matter but one I think is no less grave. There have been some strange late night broadcasts from someone or someone’s calling themselves Resistance Radio. We don’t know who they are but we think they’re working for or on behalf of the Remnant. The broadcasts are coming from the colony but the signal bounces. We don’t know exactly where”

11:45 AM

“The speech isn’t the problem. It’s the threats. It’s been trying to incite people to rise up and stoke fears against psi. If they’re successful or we have a riot, the Remnant would have scored and intelligence coup”

11:46 AM

“It is possible they’re tirading off their own opinions as well. The Remnant isn’t taking an exactly novel approach, but there’s a war on. A problem like this could spark a political wildfire at the worst moment”

“I will check it out,” Desmond nods. “Will my com be able to pick up the transmission tonight here or do I have to travel somewhere or get special equipment?”

“Seems like anyone can patch in which makes this especially terrifying. You might want to think about getting a few people involved to cover more ground”

“Who would you recommend?”

“You seem to always have a guy” Franz smiles. “Anyone you can trust, and anyone who you think can help end this quietly if there is indeed a problem”

Desmond sends a message to @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) with a warning about the broadcasts of Resistance Radio and how it tries to incite violence against Psi.

2:30 PM

"I'm going to go home, brew some coffee and listen to this broadcast," Desmond says. "I'm going to take notes and see if I can glean any information about this broadcast. Then I will work a plan of attack and see if I can use one of my connections to get closer to uncovering who is spewing such hate speech."

“I knew I picked the right man for the job. Thanks for looking into this for me”

Franz stands up to leave mentioning he is going to pick up someone who he thinks can help your investigation, a short while returning with Samuel kellevan, presumably to go over how the army will be assisting, and a new face @Rawth

(Kaleb is a metapsion who can see and detect psychic energy, and has been briefed on the mission to finding the suspect using the Augus Web on psyhics)

(Who has been connected to the resistance radio movement, which Desmond is investigating, nicely dovetailing the two of you together)

As Kaleb walks in the room, "Hello, you must be Desmond. My name is Kaleb, it's nice to meet you."

Desmond goes to shake Kaleb’s hand. Desmond is about 1.8 meters tall wears a trench coat along with a hat.

Kaleb is about 1.6 meters tall, and is wearing normal secured clothing. The only weapon he has is some kinetic wraps on his hands

12:00 PM

Other than looking a little fit, Kaleb is otherwise not imposing at all

“Glad to work with someone who can walk me through this psi case. I’m going to listen to the next broadcast and take some notes. Care to join me? Your insight will no doubt help us gather some clues.”

"Of course! What do you know of the fundamentals of MES? Understanding how it works will help you also capture the suspect."

“Not much, “ Desmond said. “Ive seen it’s miraculous healing power. @Agape.Eris saved many of our lives with it. What can you tell me?”

"I can give you the basics. MES is a form of energy, just like any other that we have. Light, heat, radio waves, radiation, it's all part of the same spectrum. MES is another form of that energy. Psychics, humans who have MES, can manipulate that energy. MES is located in a psychic's brain, and rely on our eyes to use."

(I’m going to be off for the next few hours.)

"This psitech should work on the same principle. It 'sees' someone, and is able to read thoughts."

12:42 PM

(okay no problem, i'll just finish my little speech)

12:43 PM

"As a metapsion, I am able to see this energy, so if I am around the suspect using their Augus Web, I will be able to point him out. The only thing I will need from you and the rest of your team is to give me a direction so I know where to look."

Desmond gets some coffee made and sits down in one of the offices, his communicator tuned in to pick up the broadcast. He will record it as he listens.

Kaleb sits down next to Desmond, also listening to the broadcast

The radio flips through the few open channels. Colonial news now is always broadcasting the days news and advisement. Dank radio has a program on right now where two people are arguing the merits of indica and sativa. There’s a nostalgia station playing what little music came over in the exodus ship archives And then finally, on the fifteenth pass through (it’s getting into evening now), there’s a crackle and it stops on a channel that hasn’t been active before

2:47 PM

Good evening colony citizens, though by the end of this broadcast you may be wondering just who you’re actually a citizen under. There’s a cancer growing right at the heart of our new society, and that is the government set up by Kincaid. Her tolerance of psychics is unacceptable and she refuses to be anything other than a puppet for the cabal that truly runs this colony. There are others in the universe that feel the same as we do I urge everyone like minded to take up arms and resist. Fight with tools if you have to. You, and everyone you love is counting on you (edited)

Kaleb states, "seems to be the same anti-psychic attitude no matter where you end up in the universe."

"How do you handle this hate?" Desmond asks. "It can't be easy."

“Through faith in humanity. I’ve met good people on my journey, and have been able to change the minds of others to more peaceful ways with my words. My goal is peace for all, including psychics. This kind of hate is always out of ignorance. I believe one day, most likely after I am gone, the universe will cease to be ignorant.”

Your compads ping with a message. eastern district. By the factories. You’ll have to pinpoint from the ground

"Well," Desmond smiles. "Hatred, while universal, sometimes has an address. Let's head to the Eastern District!"

3:21 PM

Desmond sends a short message to Admin about what they found out and where they are going. "You notice anything about the voice? "

Kaleb gets up and ready to go. He looks to Sam and Desmond, “So once I find the suspect, how do you want to handle this?”

Nothing on this end (notice/int, each of you)

11 for me

(if it matters in this case, I have Diplomat 1 and can speak any languages common to the sectors. I don't know what languages are spoken near by, but I would argue that if this person has a particular accent, I may recognize it as well)

You hear the sounds of industrial machinery in the background. The fact that the sounds are coming through the transmission, even if only faintly, means they're close to the factories

Kaleb will say as such to Desmond and Sam

(Got a 3)

7:25 PM

"Well," Desmond says. "Let's look at factories."

(how long will it take us to get there?)

(twenty minutes or so on foot)

(Is Franz able to drive us close by?)

The marshal service has recently taken possession of two trucks, right now they're unmodified, and are basic ground-truck designs, but theyre available for use

To Desmond, "Should we go by foot or take the truck?"

"Let's take a truck!" Desmond puts on his powered suit, grabs his laser rifle and gets into the shotgun side of the truck. "How about you drive. I'll watch and make some calls."

9:02 PM

(Can Desmond uses his Connect skills to see if there is anyone in the area who might be an old radio operator or maybe someone who would know something about fringe political hate groups?) (edited)

(Is Franz still with us?)

(no, he was just getting you two connected, he has some government business to do)

(Kaleb doesn't have any skill in Pilot. Can he still drive the truck?)

9:05 PM

(If so, he drives)

(you can with a -1, there just might be some checks someone with a 0, meaning some training, wont have to take)

Desmond looks over the truck. "We can walk. It would give us a better lay of the land."

"Sounds good to me, let's get going. I doubt they will stay at the factory all night"

Desmond puts his larger trench coat over his battle suit. He starts out walking while keeping to side streets.

Kaleb stay close to Desmond, slighty behind. "I have no combat experience. I've gotten into a few fist fights back in the day, but I'm no fighter."

"Then we're perfectly matched," Desmond laughs. "I'm just a cop whose gotten into a few firefights. I prefer to arrest, rather than end a life."

"Let's hope they don't put up too much of a fight then."

The rattle and clank of factory machines powering down for the night gets harder to ignore the closer you get to the industrial district. The habs thin out a bit more, before giving way to a rail terminal, where several empty train cars sit waiting to filled with goods in the morning. Two figures stand outside an empty box car smoking.

Kaleb turns to Desmond, "Your the cop, so I'll refer to your judgement. How do you want to handle this? Do you want to approach those two figures?"

They seem like they have noticed your approach, and although they're not running or panicking, they stub out their cigarettes and begin walking the other direction through the rail yard

Desmond raises his hand and shows his badge. "This is Marshall O'Shea," he says. "of the Colonial Government. Hold right there, we have some questions."

They look as though they’ve been physically struck by something, freezing in their tracks at you words and slowly turning to face you

Does Kaleb see any signs of psychic energy?

(Not on them no. They just weren’t expecting to be bothered with)

While Desmond deals with the two figures, Kaleb is going to see if anyone else is around

(Notice int)

(Rolled a 9)

There is an engineer shed 75m away, at the end of the tracks butting up against the factories. A light turns off

Kaleb will quietly inform Desmond of the engineer. In the meantime, he will look for any signs of MES

(Be a sport and remind me how far you can detect?)

(All MES powers work up to unaided vision. So if I can see it with my own two eyes, I will)

8:30 AM

(If something was blocking my vision, such as smoke or a wall, I couldn't see it)

(Ah thank you). The light turns off and kaleb notices that but does not feel any mes

(Thanks, Kaleb will wait for Desmond to continue the 'show')

“Please go check that out,” Desmond tells @Rawth .

9:34 AM

Desmond tells the two men to walk forward into the light.

The two men step forward hesitantly. Both are wearing the rough coveralls of day laborers. One is from the building crew, the other is An actual railway worker

Kaleb checks out the area as instructed by Desmond.

“What are your names?” Desmond asks.

Kaleb begins heading down to the engineering shed when the men begin speaking to Desmond. “Fal Kimber is my name” says the rail worker. “My friend here is Edgar Jackson”

As Kaleb gets closer, what does he see?

The shack is now dark, there is only a window facing the direction you walked up from, with a door presumably on the back side since you cannot see it from where you are. You can hear it slam open but no figure has come into sight yet

(Assuming that Kaleb would of gotten Desmond's Compad information) Kaleb messages Desmond "I'm going around the back of this engineering shack. Stay Sharp" Kaleb makes his away around the shack, cautiously (and slightly nervously).

( just want to give him time for a couple questions before we move on)

(of course)

“What time did you start work today?”

“Start, well we got to work about 230 but most of us just stand around and talk for a while before the shift starts at 3

1:05 PM

(They mean afternoon)

“What do you think of the anti-psi broadcasts?”

“I think everyone’s got a right to speak their mind” Edgar spits as he delivers that particularly inspired political philosophy

“Keep going,” Desmond says. “ do you appreciate the call for violence?”

“If it’s warranted. I don’t think the president deserves it but I don’t trust any of those psi weirdos”

"So do you know who is doing these speeches?" (Does his voice sound familiar?)

“Not a rat, but I’ve nothing to lose in this. I ain’t a clue” At the end of the street kaleb approaches the building and the door opens loudly. A figure begins bolting from the door, across the train yard toward the factories. (He’s 15m from kaleb and 90 m from Desmond. He’s not obscured by anything for either of you right now as far as cover or blocking line of sight)

"Stop!" Kaleb yells. Kaleb will attempt to tackle and subdue the figure running. On the comms, I tell @Chris Fury (Desmond) "We got a runner!"

(Kaleb, Exert, I’ll let you decide between str and dex as far as your ability mod)

(Kaleb rolled a 10 on his str exert roll)

2:48 PM

(I'm rolling really good)

Desmond pulls out his rifle. "Fal and Edgar hold up your hands!"

Kaleb springs forward like a jungle cat, landing squarely on the runners back. There’s a cry of pain as you both hit the ground, the runner underneath of you. The two workers hold up their hands and begin getting down onto their knees

2:54 PM

(Yeah that was ace)

Kaleb, still on the figure, says, "Who are you? Why are you running?"

Desmond moves forward, his eyes are sweeping over all of them.

The hooded figure struggles beneath you, trying with every inch of their being to wriggle free

3:02 PM

(Did you want the two other detainees to walk in front of you or something Des?)

(How much control do I have over this figure at the moment. Kaleb wants him to stop struggling, but doesn't have any cuffs or restraints on him)

"Lay on the ground! Hands behind your back," Desmond states.

(You’ve got a slight advantage, being the one pinning them but that may change depending on who gets tired first)

3:17 PM

The two workers begin doing just that.

If the figure isn't stopping, Kaleb is going to attempt to knock him/her out with a punch to the head with his kinetic wraps.

Desmond handcuffs them.

They’re not stopping. They’re frantic in their attempts to get away even though they’re outmatched. Kaleb knocks them out. (I don’t see a way you could miss with you being right there and even if you did it doesn’t take anything to keep hitting. Rolling dice on a lack of challenge like that just feels like an artificial stumbling block

Kaleb then turns over the figure to examine him/her and see what he/she has on them. He will go through pockets. As he is doing this, Kaleb tells @Chris Fury (Desmond), "Hey, I had to knock the runner out cold. he was resisting and I didn't have restraints."

Desmond nods. "You two, what's his name?"

The runner is very much a she, and in her pockets she has a weird looking compad, a small rolled up piece of fabic with some tools in it, and a 5 inch long monoblade, which she never had time to draw

6:54 PM

the handle is well worn, the leather braiding redone several times with tape

Kaleb takes everything and will examine it later. Kaleb will take the knocked out woman to Desmond and ask him to put restraints on her. Kaleb would then like to examine the building the woman came running from.

The building's ground floor is a small locker room next to the stairs for train engineers, slickers, cold weather gear, flare guns, and some specialty tools for track repair are kept down there. That room seems not to have been touched. There is a winding cement stair to the master engineers quarters. The door does not appear to be forced open.| The desk is empty, though the terminal here is still hot. It's been used recently. A naked lightbulb hangs from the ceiling by a chain,

I go on the terminal and see if I can access what’s on it

The terminal seems locked by a passcode

Kaleb doesn’t have any hacking skills. Kaleb takes out the weird comped he got from the woman he knocked out. Is that also locked by a passcode?

The pad itself is, but there’s s small cable trailing the device

I will see if I can attach the cable to the terminal in anyway

It connects. The terminal opens and the login screen skips. The last action was broadcasting

Kaleb wants to examine what is on the terminal and it’s functions

The terminal has a copy of the broadcast you and Desmond heard a bit earlier, but it’s a copy. It was not recorded here. It also has a message from an unknown sender with some talking points for a pamphlet to be printed

Desmond shrugs. “Let’s turn these three in, get them processed and the formally question them. “

Can Kaleb transmit from this terminal?

The slab seems like it’ll let you do what you want with the terminal as long as it’s plugged in

More specifically, can Kaleb speak on the radio? He would like to get out a message to all of the listeners

Yes.

9:51 PM

It will let you broadcast again

Kaleb starts a broadcast, “People of the Colony. Thank you for tuning into our anti-psychic radio talk show. I’m your host, Kaleb. You probably don’t know me, but I am a psychic. Specifically a metapsion. I wanted to inform all of you listeners that we mean no harm and come in peace. I understand you don’t like people like me. I can’t control how you feel. But I want to understand you and why you hate me so. People like us didn’t ask for our powers. We are human, just like you. There are psychics who use there powers for good, and those who use it for evil. You don’t have to like us. But before you attack us, talk to me. Get to know me, the real me. The last thing our Colony needs is a civil war out of ignorance. Once again, my name is Kaleb. You can find me at the psychic academy.”

9:58 PM

Kaleb turns this broadcast on a loop for 24 hours before disconnecting

“Good work!” Desmond says. “You leaned into it.”

The knocked out runner is beginning to rouse, confused about how she ended up on the ground

“Hello there, how are you feeling?” Kaleb asks politely

(Are there any laws about operating radio transmitters? Do you need a license like any media/TV/Radio stations?)

(Nope anyone can do it for right now. Still kinda frontier)

While the runner is waking up, or maybe before hand depending on how much time has passed, Kaleb would want to examine the weird compad and the tools more

Desmond says, “okay you two, what’s her name?”

“We don’t know her. We were just havin a smoke!”

“Okay,” Desmond says. “Mam, are you awake?”

“Y-yes. I’m awake”. She groans and tries to roll over on to her back but can’t

Did Kaleb find anything else of interest going through the tools

They’re small brushes, picks, tweezers, things used to fix or modify small electronics. Having such artisan tools is rare but nothing contained within the kit is illegal in itself

Would Kaleb be able to have a small flashback and examine the weird compad? Specifically looking for the Argus Web

(Flashback?)

(Like while the compad was plugged into the terminal)

8:50 AM

(Before we got back to the restrained runner)

The compad seems mundane on its own but when hooked into a terminal whatever security is there seems to be overridden pretty easily, going back to appear as there was never an intrusion when it’s unplugged. Some of what was on the terminal you were examining was recordings or comments taken from the web wearer, so there is a link . (She has a blackslab which is illegal, but it’s not the Argus web you’re hunting)

(Okay, so before Kaleb went to check up on the runner, Kaleb would of downloaded the recordings on his compad as evidence, as well as the blackslab. He also tells @Chris Fury (Desmond) that he did as such, and that he can boo her on the blackslab if need be)

8:56 AM

As the runner wakes up, "Hey, sorry I had to knock you out. You wouldn't stop fighting, and your running made you highly suspicious"

8:56 AM

(Question, has my Diplomat 2 foci came back yet?)

(Yep!)

(Okay, Kaleb will like to use it on the runner to make her more cooperative)

She’s still trying to get up, but with both of you standing there she won’t get far if she does

"Now now, we just need to talk to you."

She stops struggling, but hasn’t said anything out loud so far

"Okay, let's start small. My name is Kaleb. This is Desmond. What can I call you?"

Desmond calls for medical attention to come to the scene.

Emts are on the way. “Just read me my rights”

9:33 AM

She spits on the ground

"Okay 'just read me my rights', are you hurt?"

She looks over herself for a minute before shaking her head no

"Good. We will have some EMTs check you out as well. Now, can you explain why you were running? As of now, that's the only thing you've done that was suspicious."

Desmond will take statements from the two and check for fingerprints on the equipment then check them against the three.

The fingerprints are only common with the runner. It seems the other two were at least from what is known now, genuinely out for a smoke

10:31 AM

“You run when you don’t want someone to catch you” ‘read me my rights’ says

"There are no laws against running an anti-psychic radio."

“Yet here you both are”. She scoffs

“Yes here are. Do you know why we are here ‘read my rights’?”

“To stop our work. And probably to kill me. Those two have nothing to do with this. Just bad luck eh gents?” Both of the rail workers laugh a grim gallows humor laugh

(Kaleb will wait for Desmond to respond as far as dealing with this situation)

“You two may go,” Desmond says. “Thanks for your cooperation.”

11:45 AM

Desmond looks at her. “Still no name? There are no laws against ‘anti-psychic radio but there are concerns about hate speech that calls for violence.”

11:51 AM

“I’m here to investigate the overt threats to the psi community.”

"And I'm Kaleb!" As he smiles towards the runner.

She rolls her eyes and looks down at the ground from her seated position. “What about their threat to you?”

"What threat?"

“Everyone’s working together for now. What happens when the war is over and there’s no common enemy. They’ll turn on you. I promise you they will”

"Why would psychics turn on us?" Kaleb asks as he raises an eyebrow

“They can. They’re still people. I never felt like taking someone at their word only was good enough. Now then. We going to jail or what?”

“Or what,” Desmond said. “We’re waiting on the EMTs and I still don’t have a name. “

The sirens are just a moment away, and as the ambulance rounds the corner it cuts the sound, just using its lights.

2:14 PM

“Name shouldn’t matter. If you’ve got to have one call me Nadine” (edited)

"Nadine is shorter than 'read my rights'" as Kaleb smirks

The ambulance parks and two medics get out, walking over with a medbag

“Nadine,” Desmond said. “Where are you from?”

“Before here you mean?”

While Desmond talks to Nadine, Kaleb will send a comm message to Crane, "Hey, so we caught someone. I don't believe they have the Argus Web on them, but they are a part of the radio network. In the mean time, I got a treat for you. Turn on the radio when you have a moment."

She doesn’t answer for a few minutes, presumably doing what you’d mentioned in the message. I like this message a whole lot better

“Start with where you live now and then when you were from,”

"Now, i live in the north. one of the original farmhouses. I was first wave. Before I was from Axos Axon, a farm world. It looked a lot like it does here"

“What brought you to the Colony?”

"Have you had any contact with the Remanent?"

“I haven’t. And I came here because my world became unsuitable for farming”

(Kaleb I don’t think the tag worked but sil messaged in psi academy)

(thanks Neko, didn't see I had messed up, fixed it)

(I knew sometimes it wasn’t working because discord is goofy too. Could have been either thing )

(I did receive the tag but I was away from my phone, thanks!)

“I grew up on a congested city planet. This Colony is nice.” Kaleb responds. “Are you still a farmer, Nadine?”

(I'm reading the Judge channel. Would I know this ruling before our encounter or if this happening at the same time?"

(It’s happening the same day, so probably not just yet. There hasn’t previously been any kind of law against open broadcasting)

7:35 AM

“I still am. I want to till my fields in peace and not worry about the wizards on the mountain taking over”

“Well, I’m still investigating any Remanent incursion into the colony and calls for violence will be investigated,” Desmond says. “I’m leaving you here with medical personnel and will not be arresting you.”

7:44 AM

“I would like to ask though,” Desmond says. “What if someone broadcast about you and called for violence because they were suspicious of you having murderous intent?”

“I’ve got no reason to do that to anyone”

7:45 AM

“But I see your point”

“I’ve got no reason to do that to anyone”

7:45 AM

“Yet that didn’t stop you from broadcasting about people like me.”

“I’m not about to shoot lighting out of my hands or crack someone’s mind open to pillage their thoughts. Whatever’s on me is what you get. There’s honesty in that”

7:49 AM

“You can see if I have the capability to hurt you, had I a gun, or something more than a small knife you’d have taken a different approach arresting me. You could see I could have hurt you. With psi. You’re never sure. Passing someone in the street could mean you go home forgetting who you are, and you’re none the wiser”

7:49 AM

The medics begin getting her strapped down to a gurney

As they strap her in, “I’m not about to do any of those things either. As a metapsion, my only power is the ability to help or stop other psychics and their powers. I can also see psychic energy that you can’t. As far as people hurting others, a sniper can kill from meters away without getting caught. A politician can spread a rumor to destroy an opponent. An anonymous talk show can cause violence against a group of people that she thinks can shoot lighting out of their hands. There are good and bad people. Period. Some of those people have MES. If you piss off or destroy all of the good people with MED, such as those on this Colony, then you won’t have anyone like me who can help protect you when bad MES users come.”

7:54 AM

“If you wish to hate me, fine. But you should actually know why you hate me, instead of living in ignorance.”

“I suspect there is more to her story,” Desmond says. “That sounded like a personal more than a political statement.”

“Everyone has a story on why they hate psychics. People can bond over a group they hate easily. That’s why I work in trying to resolve those conflicts.”

“Here, in these colonies, there is more frontier justice than regulated rule of law,” Desmond says. “We’ve got to be careful with our very broad authority that we don’t become like those we try to police.”

“I agree. However, we didn’t learn anything about the Argus Web. That’s my biggest concern.”

“We’ve got some clues and unearthed concerns on how people are trying to leverage prejudices against the psi community to make the government unstable.”

“That’s true. I hope my message on the radio can ease some tension against psychics. Here, these were Nadine’s belongings.” I hand over the compad, tools, mono blade, and the blackslab.

8:02 AM

“I’ll let you decide what to do with them. It’s not really my place.”

“How a poor farmer got a hold of this equipment and had the ability to disguise the signals is a good start. I’ve got an idea.”

“Well it’s safe to assume that Nadine isn’t big with computers. The terminal was simple. With that compad, the terminal’s security went down. And the audio on the radio we heard was just a recording.”

8:10 AM

“Do you have a way of tracking the origins of the compad and blackslab?”

Desmond calls back to Administration, “I’m on the scene of the Pirate Broadcast. Can we reverse engineer how this signal was getting disguised?”

“We’re on a continuous broadcast thanks to @Rawth and we are at the origination point. Will that help?

“Yes. I can see what else has connected to it recently”. You hear kellevan telling someone in the background to trace something. “East of the railhead. There’s a final block of homes before the retaining wall around the factory areas. It’s somewhere in that block”

Desmond looks at @Rawth . You ready to check them out?"

“Yes, let’s head on out.”

We go to the block of homes after informing Admin.

The street is dark, which is already strange, as there are no power outages reported anywhere- and the other streets are brightly lit. A block of row houses, a line of 10 on each side of the street stretches on before you

To @Chris Fury (Desmond) Desmond, “Since I changed the broadcast, they probably know someone is coming.”

“Good,” Desmond says. “We’re here to send a message also.”

The doors and windows start closing. at the end of the street, three men with a motley assortment of improvised weapons walk out from an alley

12:50 PM

"I'd go home now marshal. You did what you came to do" a gruff voiced ruffian says,

"What did I come to do?" Desmond asks. "I don't remember you being there when I got my assignment."

"broadcast is off. Giving you a chance to walk away now"

"It's too bad we're not all Psi because then we could read each other's minds." Desmond says. "I cam to investigate anonymous hate speech that called for violence and if there was any Remanent Forces involved."

1:07 PM

(How many homes are here? Do I need a warrant for a search?)

(20 homes in all, and as of law as written right now, no)

"So, now you know who I am and what our business is (gestures to @Rawth ) " Desmond says. "Why don't you introduce yourself and we can go to your house and talk..."

"Hi, my name is Kaleb. You probably heard me on the radio. I'm a psychic, but as a metapsion, my only power is to control other people's MES. I'm harmless to you." Kaleb raises his hands in the air to show he is unarmed (minus his kinetic wraps) "I am unarmed and only wish to talk. The marshall is armed, but doesn't wish to start a fight."

"What did you do with Nadine? Did you kill her?"

1:16 PM

(Kaleb feels a pull of MES on the central figure, the one who addressed you)

"No, Nadine is fine. I did have to knock her out when she was running. But she is being checked out by medical and is not under arrest. She will be free to farm or do whatever she wants after this."

1:18 PM

"That being said, I see you are the one who has the Argus Web who is reading people's minds with psitech. As a metapsion, I can see the energy."

1:18 PM

"Go ahead, you'll find I have nothing to hide."

"He's right lads. She's fine" . Their aggressive posture seems to slacken off a bit

"So, out of politeness, can we get a name or something to call you? We had to call Nadine 'read me rights' for a whole 15 minutes until she finally gave us something."

He lights a cigarette with a bit of a flourish. "Alright, you can call me...." There is the muffled crack of a rifle, and he falls over dead in the middle of the street. His companions begin running.

(wtf) Kaleb gets down

1:26 PM

"@Chris Fury (Desmond) what do we do?"

The sensors in Desmonds suit show the flash coming from the top floor of a the second last house on the right of the streeet.

Desmond points to the top floor of the house and runs to the right, trying to cut off the angle of the sniper.

Kaleb states to the other men, "The sniper is on the top of that building, we'll try to get him." And Kaleb follows Desmond.

(Your eyes have a few different vision modes as well desmond, if you think any of them might help)

"All civilians stay inside and away from your windows ," Desmond calls out at the top of his voice. "Sniper, surrender now!" Desmond tried to use a maximum magnification on the window, followed by a heat signature.

Heat vision shows a cooling rifle in the window and one figure rushing down the stairs to get out the side door of the home.

2:29 PM

You see other figures hunched in cover positions in the other homes, the suit speakers amplifying your voice for all to hear.

I rush to the side door. "Shooter is going to the side door," Desmond tells @Rawth .

Kaleb nods, "Should we ambush him on the way out?"

"Go for it!"

Kaleb gets ready for another tackle

The door flies open and a figure in a black bodyglove shoves his way out

Kaleb goes for a tackle

The figure turns and looks at you, and you catch him by the hem of his coat. He’s trying to run with you hanging on to his coat tails

Kaleb goes for a punch in the figure's face

Desmond will assist.

If he can

(Yes. Roll an unarmed attack kaleb and add +2 for the to hit since Desmond is aiding you

(Kaleb rolls a 17 to hit, and 7 damage)

The running figure struggles and stumbles as the punch hits him. (Desmond is up)

I will use the rifle as a club

(Punch with str. +2 for kaleb)

(Would that be a Punch or Stab for @Chris Fury (Desmond))

(Punch)

(8)

(Didn't add the +2 so 10.)

Desmond knocks the figure down onto his front, something crunches as it hits the ground with him and he seems to just stay prone.

Desmond checks for a pulse.

The man is alive, but unconscious and unmoving

Desmond calls for the EMTs.

They are just finishing loading Nadine into the vehicle, and head around the railhead to come meet with you. The vehicle stops, one goes to check on the downed ruffian, to get an official time of death recorded if nothing else. the other joins Desmond and Kaleb. "This one alive?"

“Yes we just knocked him out. He’s a sniper who just killed a man. Make sure you restrain this one.”

7:05 AM

Kaleb then goes to where the man with the Argus Web was killed

7:06 AM

To @Chris Fury (Desmond) “I’m going to check on the guy with the Argus Web.”

"Ok,'" Desmond says. "I'm going to do a quick recon of the sniper's set up and the house." Looks at the EMTs . "How long till you leave the scene? I'll travel with them to the hospital if you don't mind."

"If youre wanting to come we can wait. Those still alive are stable, a few extra minutes won't hurt anything"

"Thanks!" Desmond goes the room where the sniper was while doing a quick survey of the house.

Before Kaleb walks toward the leader, he tells one of the EMTs “we actually have a dead person in the middle of the street this way. I don’t know if you guys have protocol for that as well”

"going to stabilize and secure these two first since we can do something to help them, and then we will bag the body. Another unit will arrive to bring it to the morgue shortly"

7:15 AM

Inside the snipers hide, there is a rifle propped up in the window. There is a magnification scope on it, allowing the shooter to keep an eye on the entire street. He must have seen the both of you approaching for a while. The weapon is finely machined, and of a much higher quality than what is being churned out from factories here. There is a small notebook on the desk next to the gun with ranges marked out, and wind directions noted, keeping his own notes means that he was working alone and not with a spotter. The body is indeed wearing the argus web, its network of tiny cameras and cables a complex mess of wiring to try to work off of a body.

7:16 AM

There is a very old tattoo on the man's shoulder, of a long retired Tenebrian army division. He must have mustered out before the conclusion of the war.

Kaleb closes the veteran’s eyes if they were open, and then says a prayer for his soul, concluding in “May you find peace in your next life.” Kaleb will then wait next to the body. If anyone approaches, he would like to talk to them as well

7:18 AM

Kaleb will not try to pull off the Argus Web now. He will wait for professionals who can handle that at the morgue

7:22 AM

Kaleb will send a message to Crane and @Masacio , “Hey. We got the Argus Web. The man was shot by a sniper, not one of ours. I’m with the body now and will stay with it until we can retrieve the Web . Sil told me there was a man named Val who could help. If he’s awake, tell him to meet me at the Morgue.”

Sil will reply, "Excellent work. Please make sure the Argus web gets to Val, or perhaps Kelbore and the psi techs first, and then to Val, since she is just moving down to Rebirth now. Also, be sure to check out the Greystar angle. Some how they got the data on that Argus web. Were they behind this? Or did they just steal it from some where else. And one more thing. See if you can figure out where this data was sent. Thank you for all your work. Give Desmond my thanks too."

Kaleb will reply to @Masacio, “Forgive me for asking, but since I’m new to the Colony, could you briefly explain who Val and Kelbore are, as well as the Greystar angle?”

"Ah, yes, of course. Valeria Perez is a scientist and psychic. She helped found the Academy with me, and leads the way on research concerning psychics. Fabricator Kelbore is the chief vehicle and structures engineer of the colony. A group of psi tech engineers from the Pillar of Salt are working with him to make psi tech advances. As for Greystar, you can ask Desmond. They first approached me and some others not that long ago, but more recently dealt with Desmond. We are preparing to leave, so soon my replies will not be so prompt. Good luck." (edited)

The second medical team tasked with mortuary duty arrives and begins making notes on the body kaleb is bear

12:30 PM

Near *

Kaleb instructs the mortuary duty to be careful with the body due to the Web, and asks to ride with them back to the morgue

They handle it with care, using a board to slowly lift it onto the gurney without flipping it. They clear some of the medical supplies from the crash seat in the back so you can keep an eye on it

Kaleb thanks the workers and sits down. He messages @Chris Fury (Desmond) "Hey, I'm with the body with the Web on it. The mortuary team has picked up the body and we are on our way to the morgue now. Let me know if you get any new developments at the hospital with our sniper friend."

"I'll update you when I get more," Desmond replies.

Inside the snipers hide, there is a rifle propped up in the window. There is a magnification scope on it, allowing the shooter to keep an eye on the entire street. He must have seen the both of you approaching for a while. The weapon is finely machined, and of a much higher quality than what is being churned out from factories here. There is a small notebook on the desk next to the gun with ranges marked out, and wind directions noted, keeping his own notes means that he was working alone and not with a spotter. Desmond also notices a small duffle bag in the corner of the room

I will go through the notes and the duffle bag.

The notes are from the sniper, taking angles, making calculations, and it lists the three men he was working with and what jobs he had in mind for them. THey were all surveilling the academy at different points during the day- their schedules arranged around shifts at work. There are half spun theories and some incomplete notes about attacks that were going going to be tried next, such as carbombs and even drive by attacks on colonial citizens. None of these plans look close to fruition.

7:52 PM

The duffle bag is full of explosives when you open it, mining charges re-wired into higher yield devices, though those too are incomplete.

I call into Admin and @Rawth with the three men's names. Will I be able to track them down?

One you know is dead, the sniper victim. The notes show there were some worries about his lack of full cooperation. He may have been shot for being unreliable. The other two ruffians should be able to be tracked down given time. The police will assist in searching the colony

Desmond collects the sniper rifle, the duffle bag and the notes. He gets into the ambulance with the EMTs and goes with the prisoner to the hospital. He tells Admin and @Rawth where he is going.

Kaleb responds, "Okay Desmond. I'm going to stick with the Argus Web and make sure we secure it. It has been great working with you. Let me know how Nadine is, and if you think I should talk to her. I'm sure that she will not be happy that her boss got murdered."

Nadine is still looking quite sour as the EMT’s dab at the scrapes on her arm. “I don’t think she’s going to require long term hospitalization. Just a night of observing for the concussion.

“As for the other prisoner we are going to keep him restrained, and you can question him when he wakes up”

Desmond nods and says, "Well I will travel back to Admin and write up a report."

Desmond heads back to Admin. (Is there anything special about the sniper rifle other than it being well made? Does it have a better range or other enhancements?)

(The fine quality gives it an extended range. The scope seems to give some assistance with aiming, making a spotter unnecessary)

Desmond will see if the Rifle needs to be in evidence.

The rifle itself isn’t required. The Argus web was the true prize and the suspect using it was captured. He can fill in the blanks

Okay. If there is no need Desmond will keep the rifle and go back to Admin to see if anything is needed!

Admin is busy when you arrive though Franz quickly waves you over. "Our suspect is awake, and quite angry. Real interesting person and I think you might want to check the fruits of your labors first hand"

"I'm glad he recovered so fast," Desmond said. "I was worried I really hurt him. If he's angry we might get some good information!" Desmond heads off to see the suspect.

When you arrive there are four police outside the room. The suspect is chained to the bed around the middle, his armed held to the rails with thick leather straps. He is thrashing on the hospital bed to try to get some give on the straps but it’s not working

Desmond takes the man's small notebook and walks into the room holding it at face level and waving it slowly. "Would this be yours?"

“It is” he growls. He stops struggling for a moment, his attention firmly on you

Desmond reads some of it aloud. He pays particular attention to the surveillance of the academy.

11:58 AM

“Very impressive! How much time did you spend watching the academy?”

“I think the notes are self explanatory. Let’s cut to the chase. What happens now?”

“You are used to keeping your own schedule. You’re on a different schedule now,” Desmond says. “ how did you pay for all these toys?”

“The rifle is a heirloom. The rest were gifts. Let’s call it donations from concerned parties”

“I understand, you must be too frightened to reveal these concerned parties.”

“You might want to re think your relationships with some of your neighbors” the man spits. You can see with his uniform cut away a RONI tattoo on his arm.

2:47 PM

Information has slowly been spreading about that organization, the Remnant office of naval intelligence

(3xp, 5000 credits)

(Thanks! This organization is really spreading out its tentacles!)

4:48 PM

(Are there any stats for the sniper rifle?)

(+2 hit and damage )

The warning about colonial allies possibly Being dubious is chilling, and after delivering that cryptic message he seems to tire out from struggling

The Remnant prisoner is going to be released into your custody for further questioning

I make preparations to transport him to jail.

One of the Marshal services new armored trucks is pulled up to the Hospital, escorted by two police cars. Six officers wheel the gurney down to the waiting truck

The truck doors slam shut and two officers sit inside. The small convoy arrives at the lockup ten minutes later, free of trouble. The RONI operative is thrown ungently into a cell

I will enter the cell and say, “Can we talk now?”

9:57 AM

@Philipwn I’m @Nekosmash I’m starting the interrogation. Any specific questions you want asked or any lines of inquiry that you know will be productive?

(You don’t know a whole lot about them aside from they’ve got some very advanced toys the Remnant rank and file don’t have, and in the hospital he mentioned your allies may not be true)

(we are also fairly sure they still have someone active on-planet. Whoever told this guy to act when he did. That's the thing Saul is most interested in learning about.)

“I don’t have much choice so I. So let’s talk”

“Well, I’m going through your book..” Desmond says. “I see plans for other places.”

12:59 PM

Desmond lists off what he sees. “Who bankrolled all this equipment and surveillance? “

He glances over at the tattoo on his shoulder and gives you a look like, cmon

Desmond looks at the tattoo.

1:02 PM

“Tattoos don’t have bank accounts, addresses, names or aliases.”

“The organization behind it does. No sense lying”

“RONI money got me here. As for the gear it was given to me beforehand. Right beforehand. I don’t know where it was before that”

“Ok, but who in RONI got the money to you and how?” Desmond asks.

10:38 AM

“Credits can’t spontaneously appear.”

(Just a quick note, he’s cooperating right now because of your foci making him friendlie, if you’re questioning why he’s just dumping his guts) “The credits were transferred from a RONI credit server to...well...I’ll need my hands uncuffed to show you. And I need a scalpel”

Desmond carefully uncuffs him and calls for a scalpel from the staff.

The secretary brings it in, making a bit of a show of keeping the sharp blade away from her body. She hands it to you first

Desmond looks at him. "I don't want you to hurt yourself or anyone else. What are you trying to do? You got a subdermal implant?" (edited)

“Yes. If it makes you more comfortable I’ll walk you through extracting it”

"Sure," Desmond says.

"first, either take my belt, or use yours. We need to keep my arm flush against the armrest here, and we need to use the second one to keep my palm from being able to close."

Desmond does what he says.

7:04 PM

Desmond calls for some bandages and restraints.

The aide comes back with the necessary gear. "Alright, now, you're going to make an incision at the base of each finger, just a small one, we aren't trying to sever them, When you get to the pinky, turn the blade flat, and lift, slowly" (Heal/dex)

Rolled a 5. "maybe we should ask for @Agape.Eris

(Do you want to use your expert re-roll?)

(You rang?)

(Rolled a 2) (We need to surgically remove something from this prisoner. @Agape.Eris )

(she can attend to his wounds when she's back from her relief mission, you didn't kill him, it just wasn't as clean an extraction as you'd have hoped to get).

10:14 AM

The dermal implant is cut in a few places, rendering the circuity damaged, but you can see it is some kind of datajack

I will try and see if we can trace or extract any information at all.

(Program/int since it’s damaged)

(7)

You’re able to figure out it’s a datajack. The operator can touch any computer system and copy the information within for review later

Can I use the data jack to see the number of the accounts and their place of origin?

There will be partial information. Not all the files render due to the damage. (The good programming gives you most of the information). You see payments made to five accounts. Three of which belong to the street toughs you encountered

I make sure his wounds are cared for and then start on tracking down the addresses of the three street toughs and then try and determine where the other two go.

(You know one is KIA, shot with the sniper rifle). The other two survivors live in that same neighborhood. They’d scattered and returned home later apparently.

I will inform Admin I have just cause to bring in the five different individuals.

Arrest warrants are issued, and you're free to do so. You can confirm two live in the neighborhood you'd first arrested the RONI operative in

I will head back there.

The neighborhood is almost totally silent. A handful of people sweep porches and wash hab sides but begin putting down their work and heading inside when you show up at the end of the street

Desmond walks forward with his first warrant and knocks on the door.

The door opens and you see the resigned face of one of the men who had fled from you the other night

“I have a warrant for your arrest,” Desmond says. “If you have information on any new attacks it would go a long way mitigation of your sentence.”

He sullenly comes out of the home, and places his hands behind his back

12:39 PM

"I don't know anything else"

Desmond handcuffs him and takes him back to Admin.

"You think hes worth talking to?" Franz asks, seeing you comein with a captive

“I hope so,” Desmond says stepping out of earshot from the captive. “ I’m going to question him and the others, compare notes and look for any discrepancies. I’m trying to discover the money and training trail that will lead us to ringleaders and any off world suppliers.”

"Smart thinking. I see why you decided to follow things up then"

Desmond takes the man into a room for questioning. “So, why are you working for the RONI?” Desmond asks. “Was it the money or are there deeper concerns?”

3:40 PM

@Philipwn (Desmond sends a message that he is starting questioning of RONI operatives. Has credits and accounts for RONI operations.)

“We didn’t know he was working for anyone. He just asked us to keep people away from the neighborhood”

"What people?"

“Police. Admin. Anyone who might start poking at doors”

“And did you listen to the broadcast s?”

“Did you ever see any visitors or ever have to be extra vigilant on certain days or times?”

“We listened to them because it was playing. But we were just keeping people away. It was a side job of sorts.” He thinks about the second question for a moment. “The day all the contractors went to space. And before that the day the academy opened.”

“Let’s think back to the day the Academy opened. What was unusual?”

"we were just asked to be in top shape that day, and be very diligent about police or someone from outside the neighborhood coming in. Nobody did. "

How about the contractors, what stood out then?

"We were asked to take shifts that were a lot longer, working almost back to back with our shifts at our day jobs. There was extra pay offered for anyone willing to do more. The one shot that night had taken on sort of a middle management role

"Why do you describe it as middle management? (edited)

“He was more and more starting to pass orders to us from our employer. We dealt with our actual patron less and less”

"Before that how did you deal with the patron? What was the patron like?"

“He was clinical. Cold even. Asked to not be bothered. Discouraged questions. It was a pretty easy gig. An extra handful of credits a week to just keep the neighborhood quiet. He didn’t leave the top floor of that building that I ever saw

“Which building?”

“The one you arrested him in”

“Okay. Thanks for your cooperation.” Desmond puts him in lockup, writes up the charges of working for RONI and sends them to @Hoef McHoeffington and sends the information about the PSI Academy to @Rawth and @Philipwn .

11:04 AM

Desmond then heads out with his second warrant and will stop by the scene of where the sniper was.

(Which would you like to do first?)

(Go to scene of shooting and start opening up walls and ceilings of the top floor.)

The sniper nest is essentially how you’d left it. Police caution tape has been strung out across the door.

12:46 PM

The gun has been removed, as have the notes

12:46 PM

(In evidence)

(I start opening up walls and ceilings looking for hidden alcoves. Is there an attic?)

(Not an attic no, he was on the top floor. There is an access ladder to the roof so climate control can be inspected/worked on if needed, but not an actual enclosed room)

1:20 PM

Desmond starts with the right wall, (tools or just raw power armor assisted strength?)

Power armor

The plasterweave comes away pretty easily under your greatly enhanced strength. There is the normal array of wiring and piping behind this wall

I go to the wall left of it.

To the left, the wall is pulled back, and there is a hollow spot, where some type of metal box has been built into the supports. It looks like a small safe or security box

Desmond tries to open it.

(Picking or smashing)

(picking first)

|(sneak/dex)

(I rolled a 2)

(This is a new scene so you have your expert again if youd like)

(7)

The box opens. Inside are several sheafs of waxy paper and charcoal pens. Maps of the colony are also among the insides of the safe. Finally a handgun with an extra magazine and a stack of credit bills round out the contents

Desmond spreads the waxy paper out using evidence gloves and takes pictures with his cybernetic eyes. He sees if the waxy paper will lay on top of the maps and make any important connections.

They have routes and X’s on them showing targets. One is herbs flagship coffee shop, one is the colony fabricator, one is the marshals office; and the last is the psi academy itself.

I send the Psi Academy routs that were targeted to @Masacio @Rawth .

1:34 PM

I alert the others by sending a message back to Admin. I bag the evidence and serve the next warrant.

You recieve a message from Kaleb:

Thanks Desmond for the update.  I've noticed the increased security around the Academy as well.  Let me know if you need any more assistance

(edited)

Sil sends a message. "Hello, thank you for the information. But what is this?"

@Masacio We captured a sniper/ saboteur who was receiving orders from RONI. They have maps for future attacks. Just passing on the intelligence I have.

2:40 PM

I arresting and interviewing the rest of the cell.

"Thank you. Security will be increased."

Desmond heads out for the second warrant.

The second warrant is an address at the beginning of the street, and is listed as a top floor hab. A small potted wildflower sits outside the front door. It looks very much like a family dwelling

Desmond checks the back. Looks for any way of escaping then goes around front. (Is this an apartment complex he can enter or does he need to knock on the front door?) (edited)

(You can knock if you want but nobody can stop you from going in. And if he’s getting out he’s jumping off a third floor window)

Desmond goes in and climbs to the top floor. He serves the warrant,

The door opens and a woman with two children clinging off of her answers.

7:40 AM

“Oh. Hello officer” she keeps the door mostly closed

“Hello, I have a warrant to serve.” Desmond shows his paperwork,

“He’s not Home” and she begins closing the door

Desmond holds the door open. “May I ask where he is? “

You actually gain a little ground on keeping the door open with your enhanced strength.

10:07 AM

There’s a commotion in the back room of the house. Something sounds like it’s fsllen

Desmond pushes his way in and goes to the noise.

She protests as you move past. In the back bedroom you see the second enforcer from that night struggling to load a lever action rifle. It’s rusted and looks beyond even an antique. Loose rounds roll across the floor and one of the bookshelves on the wall has come down

I trying knock the rifle from his hands, "Think of the children and her," Desmond yells. "If not yourself."

He seems to relinquish hold on the weapon. Gently laying it down next to him.

2:20 PM

He sits silently by it

"That's better," Desmond says. "Lets talk. If you help me, I can help you."

He nods, and winces as he stands up. You notice he has a slight limp

"Are you alright? Have you been injured?"

"Long ago. Let's go officer, if you don't mind. I don't want my kids to see this"

“Sure,” Desmond says and takes him to Admin and the interview room.

he seems to relax a little once he is away from the danger of making a scene in front of family

"I had a limp for a while. They had to replace the leg." Desmond says.

"I hope it doesn't get to that point for me. Did it hurt? getting it replaced I mean"

“Not too much,” Desmond says. “It made things better.”

“So. Let’s get this over with.” He looks downcast. “What do you want to know?”

"I want to know about your actual Patron," Desmond says. "The more information the better your situation. I will be very lenient for good cooperation."

“He tossed some credits our way just to keep meddlers as he called them out of the neighborhood. Police. Admin. Basically anyone who wasn’t a usual presence. He just wanted us to keep an eye on things, let him know the comings and goings and anything unusual we noticed”

10:08 AM

“He paid well and the information seemed harmless. Struck me as a crazy eccentric who just wanted to be left in peace”

"I understand there was something different that occurred the day all the contractors went to space and the day the academy opened. What stood out to you?" (edited)

“The keeping people away intensified that day. Also that man who was shot. He seemed to be given more responsibility that day. Left the neighborhood more often”

"Any idea where he was sent or why he left?"

“He was waking around the academy I think. When it was finishing and when they got back and it opened”

Desmond looks at him. “More and more it seems you were more mercenaries than revolutionaries. You had no thoughts about the anti-psi broadcasts? Saw no violence perpetrated against anyone?’

“It was someone putting an idea out there. I’m not psi. Nobody I care about is. Didnt concern me and I needed the credits”

"Okay. I've heard enough," Desmond says. He puts the second man in the lock-up. Writes a report and then asks to speak to Franz.

Franz hurried over within moments of your repot being entered

5:05 PM

He looks around your office appreciatively for a moment before sitting down

“I’d like to report that we’ve found some RONI interference but little evidence of the general population becoming enamored of their cause.”

5:29 PM

“Besides the assassin and the man he killed they were a collection of petty thugs and desperate people who cared more about extra credits than any revolution or insurgency. “

5:33 PM

“I’d like to approach the Rawhani refugees from the Pillar of Salt and deputize some so we can have less of these neighborhood thugs and so the regular citizen is protected from both outside and internal bullies.”

"The first handful are outside the city in the tent camp, being screened for disease and background issues that might cause problems once they're given run of the colony. You're of course welcome to go speak with any of them and enact your plans"

"I'd like to put in a request for leniency for these last two men," Desmond says. "They were cooperative and seem more desperate than desperados."

7:45 PM

"I'm going to look at these refugees," Desmond says. "Can we offer any small salary or should I take that out of my account?"

“Admin has some discretionary money, it’ll be released to your department for some salaries.”

"Thanks for the confidence Franz," Desmond says. "I will go to the tent camp."

He takes the report and begins working on the credit transfer. The tent city outside town is a cage of barbed wire, and high fence poles topped with lights. Colonial police patrol the outside, and you can see a team of medics inside.

Desmond checks to see how many entrances there are to the tent city and then approaches the main one.

There’s only one gate, heavily guarded by police and a squad of soldiers.

Desmond walks up and badges his way in. “I’d like to speak with the administrator.” (edited)

“Inside in the medical area. Ill escort you” Two of the duty officers detach from the group and enter the camp

I follow

You're taken to a trailer in the center of the camp. that has been converted into an admin office for the camp manager and the chief medical officer. Charts and tall stacks of citizen registry data covers almost every flat surface in the building

Desmond looks about the charts to see any numbers that jump out while waiting on the camp manager.

The charts are fairly standard, just listing sick, injuries. You do see most have some type of factory experience, be it systems experts or simple labor

"Any refugees have law enforcement experience?"

There are three former corporate security officers among the first group of refugees

I ask if I can interview them.

The trailer is cleared for your use and after twenty minutes the camp staff have the three rounded up for you

I will interview them.

The first is a led inside. He sits at the desk and a cup of water for each of you is left out. He is gruff looking and his left arm is heavily scarred

Desmond waits for a moment and then says, "My name is Desmond O'Shea. I'm a Marshall with the Administration on this planet. I help keep the peace. I heard you have some experience in Law Enforcement."

“I do. I kept people in line and kept the wasteland out when I worked for nova industries”

"What tactics did you use to accomplish your job when you worked for NOVA?"

"Crowd control, non lethal- though i am certified in energy and hard round weapons. I also worked in transportation security, so sweeping vehicles for contraband or for people trying to escape"

"Would you be willing to provide security for a patrol in a recently lawless area?

"Which area would that be? What's the danger level like there?"

There was a recent assassination but we captured him. A local group of thugs would run people off but they are in custody.

“I could keep an eye on that area yes”

8:58 AM

“Sounds close to what I was doing”

I look for the next candidate.

The next candidate is a woman. She is of medium height and her hair is cropped short in a military haircut. You’re not sure what shade of brown in the poor lighting offered by the trailer. Her resume has VIP protection, convoy security, and battlefield engineering listed as her specialties

“We’re looking for assistance with policing our world. What type of work are you interested in?”

“Where are your needs? Specifically?”

We are looking for patrol but want to increase investigation later .

“Well, I’d be able to support an investigation team. I’ve never tried following up my own leads before”

You willing or more importantly want to expand your resume? Join up?

“I’d be willing. Aye”

Great! Pack your things and we’ll set you up.

6:12 AM

(I inform Admin I’ve hired two candidates so far.)

You see their salaries added to the marshal service budget

(Any needs by Admin now or cases?)

(There’s rhe spree killings in Vapormills I was waiting to see if Saul took the bait on I’ll give it a day or two)

Three current issues await marshal service attention: The spree- cult' killings in Vapormills The disappearance of a mining team digging a silo for the orbital defense missile array Admiral Boval needs help with recovering something very valuable to the Admiralty

(Naturally if you want to push for a group mission use group and we can get a party together)

(Is there one I can join?)

(Anything in group or any of these)

(Or naturally if you have any other business)

There is also a troubling message from Aliah, a nearby planet. Villagers have been going missing in the jungle, in the northern continent, and not a trace of them has been found

@Nekosmash Sure! I can do that

(Welcome back!)

4:51 PM

Greenbriar has a small diplomatic outpost on Aliah, adjoining to the largest of the native Jademane villagers. They’ve been informed that you’ll be arriving sometime within the next few days

Desmond leaves word with Franz that he will be traveling to Aliah.

5:17 AM

He sets up the people he hired with equipment and rooms and has them patrol the area with the assassination.

They’ll report back any suspicious findings. The shuttle delivers you to the dense jungle world of aliah a day later, and you’re landed in the rustic village belonging to the large Jademane tribe on the planet.

10:02 AM

They are pale green of skin and tall, and each is quite stoic, saying nothing unless absolutely necessary. Their chief, called a stormseer, greets you with a band of braves accompanying him

I greet them and ask how I can help.

"I'm glad the Greenbriar authorities have taken to our request so quickly" he smiles, pronounced wrinkles under his eyes and around his mouth darkening as he does so "Northeast of here, many many miles away, outsiders have come to this world. They've cut down trees, and dug into the crust of our beautiful planet. The destroy, and drive out the animals. We have been sending braves to hunt there for generations, and bring the meat back as we settle in for the dry season. They were due back two weeks ago, and have not returned."

"Lead me to the area" Desmond says.

You're taken through their village, past the wooden bridge leading in, over a beautiful stream, and through the flooded patties where they grow their food staple tuber like vegetables. A group of braves, these ones wearing more colonial looking gear, meet you. They each have the arming stamp of Pop's workshop on the shoulder, though native text has been daubed over some of the plates.

7:17 AM

three of them have eschewed bows and spears for combat rifles

“What are the names of those who disappeared?”

"There were six in the hunting party- their names would be diifficult to pronounce for you" You realize the stormseer is talking directly into your mind

9:39 AM

"but we look much different from you, they won't be hard to find"

"Okay," said Desmond. He checks his rifle, pistol and makes sure he has extra batteries. He makes sure his suit is ready. "If we have some provisions that I can eat let's start!"

You're given a canvas pack that fits nicely with the armor plates youre wearing. It is comfortable a full of preserved meat, along with some deep red alien root vegetables. "It's a few days walk from here, my braves will accompany you"

"I appreciate your help and their company!"

The braves say goodbyes to their loved ones and head out with you into the forest. “Others from your world have come here and they don’t respect the land” one says to you softly as you move through the jungle

8:46 PM

“It pains us. Literally. To see”

"What have they done?" Desmond asks. "Also, if I do anything that doesn't respect the land please tell me. I'm new to here and just trying to help."

“They’re cutting massive amounts of trees, killing any wildlife that gets close and they’ve even fired on our hunters a few time. And the fumes. Toxic.”

"Well, no danger of me doing any of that," Desmond says. "They own any rights to these lands?

“No. They were brought here by another off worlder in a flying ship, he came from your world. He has a small camp on the other side of the planet, and tears up the ground around it”

3:17 PM

The mist around you seems to be thickening as you walk into the jungle, carrying on your conversation. “We are going to mist walk together now officer. Clear your mind as best you can. Just relax and take deep breaths and let us lead you into the meditation”

Desmond tries his best but is thinking of how to remove these invading offworlders.

The mist closes in around you and you hear the Jademane singing in your mind. It reaches a fever pitch, and then the mist parts as the song fades back into the background Noise of the world

11:29 AM

You hear the sounds of cutting equipment and power tools about a km away

Desmond readies his rifle.

A large tree falls at the edge of the forest and you hear the tools stop. A tall figure in heavy work clothes, goggles and a rebreather steps forward to begin cutting off limbs. He is tall, pale, and his ears are pointed. Taros.

Desmond steps forward.

The worker freezes, seeing you come into the clearing

5:45 PM

“This is tri green property. You’re trespassing”

Desmond says, “Isn’t Tri Green trespassing on this world?” (edited)

"Above my paygrade. All I know is my boss told me to get onto a spaceship and now I'm here"

“My boss told me to come here and look for a missing Jedmane hunting party.” Desmond shows his badge. “So have you seen anyone?”

“There were some of those green guys, around a few weeks ago. They started arguing. With us about the woods”

"What happened during this argument?"

"THey came out of the woods like you are now, and started arguing with the logging crew for cutting down so many trees. They said something about we were hurting them, and then security arrived and they sent us back inside the compound. Not sure what happened after that

"So where are the security?"

"I can call 'em. They'd want to know about a trespasser anyway"

7:53 PM

He reaches for the radio on his belt to make the call

Desmond raises his rife. "Oh you're going to call them. But if you don't repeat the words I tell you to say then your in trouble... trespasser."

He keeps a hand on his radio but raises the other to show you he is going to comply, it is a bit of an awkward gesture

7:56 PM

Not sure what you'd like him to do next, he waits for more instructions

"Say, I've spotted those braves again. I thought you took care of them."

He repeats the message into his radio, word for word (notice/wis)

(rolls a 10)

You notice he is clicking his radio after every few words, briefly holding the transmit button to interrupt his words (he's trying to signal essentially)

How far away is Desmond?

20m

Desmond fires a warning shot while running forward.

He drops the radio, startled, and attempts to move backwards, but falls over the tree he had just cut down

12:05 PM

his back is to the large log, and he looks up at you in fear

“Let’s try that again,” Desmond says. “Without the code. I’ll hold the radio.”

1:05 PM

Desmond switches to his laser pistol. His rifle is slung over his shoulder. He picks up the radio. (edited)

He repeats the provided line from a moment ago, this time without trickery

Desmond listens for a response and asks, "So how many security personnel do you have and which way will they be coming?"

"They are sending a fire team, 5-7, they'll be coming from behind me

“Now ask them why they let the green guys go,” Desmond said. “Tell them you’re worried.” (edited)

"I'm worried about the green guys you let go" he replies into the radio "They're out here again. Do I have to do your job now too?"

1:43 PM

there is not a reply on the radio

Desmond turns the volume down on the radio and finds a place to hide nearby after handcuffing and gagging the man.

(Sneak dex. Going to oppose it with their notice to see if you ambush)

(Rolled an 8)

The patrol moves up, covering one another, and do not notice you and your jademane allies in the undergrowth. Two large objects accompany them, bipedal, heavily armored, and their forelimbs replaced with a complex looking array of heavy weapons. They have not been completely encased in metal, and you see glimpses of muscled green flesh in the gaps around chest plates, pauldrons, and greaves.

Do they look like altered jademane ?

They do.

The squad fans out, around the workman, who has not dared to rise from his perch next to the log. "where did you see them? " the squad sergeant asks (edited)

I still have the radio. I call over it from my hidden position. "Lay down your arms or we will engage you!"

The Jademane weapon servitors begin spraying heavy weapons fire into the brush, it doesn’t come close to your positions.

I open fire on the patrol, trying to avoid the Jendamance

(Attack roll. It’ll just hit one of the foot troopers at random)

(I rolled shoot rather than my laser rifle. I got an 8 with shoot and then I rolled with laser rifle. Attack 20 Damage 7)

One of the security troopers is hit with your shot. The jademane- seeing you engage, realize it is safe to do so now, and fire their longbows into the crowd

4:19 PM

The wounded trooper is hit with an arrow, and another one takes a hit to the leg. The jademane cyborgs lay down a hail of suppressive fire with their underarm mounter machine guns

4:19 PM

(evasion)

(Failure 4 vs 14)

(12 damage) The suppression bursts of heavy machine guns saw down small trees and cut large palm fronds off the surrounding trees. undergrowth is torn to pieces and several of the braves take wounds

8:11 AM

(you're up)

Desmond goes down! (He's only got 6 hit points.)

You hear gunfire as you black out, and bellowing of braves in combat.

8:26 AM

You awaken, It is dusk, and you're in a small copse of trees. Smoke and sparks from a distant fire brush up against the sky, like fireflies heading skyward.

8:27 AM

Several Jademane braves are in the dense undergrowth with you, though the number is far fewer than you'd departed with. Everyone has some kind of injury. You are lucky says a voice in your head, one of them communicating with you Your armor stopped the worst of it

8:28 AM

One of the jademane cyborgs is lying next to you, dead, or inoperable

"Very lucky." Desmond says. "How many dead?" ( I thought it was new character time!)

(they tied their med check to stabilize you, and I resolved the conflict with an opposed tactics contest. They lost but it was a close defeat, so they were able to withdraw)

Six dead. We have prisoners

Desmond sits up. "I am in your debt and the debt of those who fell. Have you determined if the cyborgs is one of the missing braves?"

*Whatever they did to our sister. she is no longer in there. she is cold when we touch her mind. Like a spear, or a firestick"

Desmond asks,"How far are we from their base?"

not far. That fire burning a few kilometers away is from the battle. They are searching for us but we have some time before they get wise (edited)

5:24 PM

one of their flying machines has passed over a few times another one adds

Desmond turns to the prisoners. "Did you make all the captured Jademane into cyborgs?"

"Yes" one of them coughs through bloody teeth

How many prisoners are there?

Three Taros from tri green and the bodies of two Jademane cyborgs

Desmond looks at the prisoner. "What you did to them is a crime against thinking beings everywhere." He uses his cyber eyes to upload images and then send them to the Greenbriar's small diplomatic outpost on Aliah. Have them send it to Silvano and Valeria.

1:52 PM

"How many people are at the base?" Desmond asks the prisoner.

"1500, techs, and security" he wheezes. The shaft of an arrow has been broken off in his chest but the head remains lodged inside

"Ok," Desmond says to the Jademane. "We are retreating and meeting back up with your people at the village." (edited)

"Agreed. Are you well to travel officer?"

"I'll keep up as best I can," Desmond says. "If they are getting too close or I fall again leave me. We found out what happened to your brother and sister Jedemane. Better get that message back to your people."

9:41 PM

(Can I contact the Greenbriar Outpost from our present location?"

(Yes you can)

The marshal service vessel in orbit crackles on the radio. “Marshal. Everything alright? I can extract you if you’re in need”

"I need to make sure this group of Jedamane make it back to their village, but we have incontrovertible evidence of Tri Green abducting local sentient beings and turning them into controlled military level cyborgs for use against their own people!"

7:44 AM

"Boost my signal and send it to all available assets!"

7:44 AM

(Can I post this in group?)

(absolutely)

The message, boosted by the ship goes through. "Provost, we do have some weapons aboard. Should we support?"

“If you can,” Desmond says. “Priority is to get them and the prisoners back to the village.”

The marshal free merchant swings in low a few moments later, using its beam weapon to carve a burning path through the jungle, separating you from the hunting Tri-Green parties. The jademane all wince in pain as the jungle is burned

11:53 AM

A ramp opens as it sets down, backlit by flame, as the colony pilot stands at the ramp, covering you

"Everyone into the ship," Desmond says.

As you board the water tanks are vented but for the auxiliary, quenching the blaze before setting off. Small arms fire and a pair of anti air cannons chase the ship but it’s moving too fast. “Orbit, or back to the village?” The pilot asks

"Orbit for a moment," Desmond says. "Are we able to have live communications with Greenbriar? I'd like to talk to Franz."

"Franz in 3....2....1....alright, we are live"

7:48 PM

Franz's face appears on the screen, but it is very low grade and the video cuts out here and there. The audio remains strong

"I've got prisoners from Tri Green and incontrovertible evidence they have abducted and altered local sentient beings into cyborgs," Desmond says. "I came here on behalf of the Greenbriar Government to track some missing Jedemane, but this is beyond that mission."

8:05 PM

"Where do I stand in my authority to meet out justice in a situation like this? Where will the Green briar Government stand in this help. Should I turn the prisoners over to the locals or do we need to do more?"

"The Marshal service acts with our full authority. If in your mind, the enacting of justice is done to protect yourself, protect your team, or protect greenbriar interests, it is justified. We do need to develop cooperative links with our stellar neighbors, you're free to do what you like with the prisoners but turning them over to the aggrieved parties might be wise once the necessary information is gleaned. If your planetary allies are not up to the job I can authorize a deployment. Red Sangha has entered the system and this might be a good use of their unique capabilities"

(I am poking around here... would Artsie 1-01 be able to see red sangha in the system via scanners? just wondering)

(It was in group that the first of their ships had arrived. Red sangha is at greenbriar so they’re a day away if Desmond calls for help but they’re the closest available)

“Thanks Franz,” Desmond says. “I’ve got Three Taros from tri green and the bodies of two Jademane cyborgs. I’ll go back to the village and see what the Jademane wish to do and what help they want. Right now I’ve pissed off a powerful corporate interest and this has escalated to a military level confrontation. “

7:14 AM

“I’d like to commend the Jademane for saving me in the firefight and the Marshall Service for the emergency pickup.”

7:14 AM

“I’m going to interrogate these Tri-Green in our way to the village.”

“I’ll dispatch our new helpers. They’re a little...flat...don’t expect them to get very emotional about this, but they’ll stand their ground in a firefight

“Thanks Franz,” Desmond signs off. (Unless Franz has anymore to say.) Then Desmond asks the pilot to start for the village. He goes to prisoners. (edited)

The ship makes for the village, landing next to the dank crew cutter on its outskirts.

11:01 AM

The prisoners are led off in restraints made from tough vine

Desmond looks for @Donk978 when he gets off the ship. He makes sure the bodies of the cyborg altered Jademane are treated with respect.

1:41 PM

@Nekosmash (should I go to the dank-crew channel to talk?)

(yes please, we can move along though i know sometimes it takes him at least a few days to reply)

(Cool! Thanks>)

Desmond goes to the village leaders with the prisoners and the cyborg bodies.

There is a general sense of horror and appalled gasps as the bodies are tenderly taken from the hold.

The stormseer of the village touches your mind, you can feel the warmth of his mind exerting itself on yours *These things, these were our people once, werent they. and you are wounded, They attacked you? *

"We offered them a chance to peaceably turn in their weapons and release your people but they decided to fight. Your people saved me during the engagement with their forces," Desmond said. "Then some of my fellow Marshall's lifted us in a starship. There are lots of Tri Green out searching for us. "

3:31 PM

"I consulted with Greenbriar and we decided to turn over the TriGreen prisoners over to you along with your people. You will need lots more help to stop what they are doing. I suggest you talk to your people and see if they are ready for a sustained armed conflict."

“We are ready but we cannot compete with their technology. Can your colony send help?”

"I talked to my boss, a great man named Franz. He said he can authorize a deployment."

Your compad shows two ships , the Enlightened vow and the Burning Wheel assigned to aide you. Each carries 100 red sangha brothers, led by their commanding officer Abbot Hinley

The Jademane take you into the longhouse for the night and work to help mend your wounds, mixing their low-level psi gifts, and natural remedies. you awake feeling much better

1:51 PM

(full health)

In the morning Desmond calls the crew of the Enlightened Vow and the Burning Wheel and tells them to be ready for an assault on TriGreen. Then Desmond asks to meet with the Stormseer.

They open a shared comm with you and herb. The stormseer finds you after a few moments, content to speak while you don your power armor

8:38 PM

He is watching the process with great interest

"We're going to take on TriGreen for their murderous crimes to your people, environmental tampering, resisting arrest, assaulting a Greenbriar Marshall and interfering in an investigation for your missing villagers. I've turned over the prisoners for your justice. This may result in some damage to the jungle and I apologize ahead of time."

“The damage they do will hurt us, but leaving them to fester will hurt us more. Do what you must do marshal. My braves will accompany you if you’ll have them0

"Greenbriar will be most pleased to hear that, and speaking on behalf of the Marshall service we would be honored. If we can foster justice across this sector, working together, the lives of our peoples will be safer from exploitive butchers like TriGreen."

“They would. They’ve done this planet a terrible thing. My braves will accompany you, as many as can fit aboard your vessel”

8:16 PM

(35 at max capacity, the remaining 5 being you and your crew for a total of 40 persons)

(and we will move into tri green assault now. Idk whats goin on with herb, but you're there, and you've an army with you now, think you're about as prepared as you're going to be)

@Nekosmash (Did we finish the adventure or scene on 10/7 ?)

(They’re following up with the prisoner still. It got stuck in limbo a little. Saul was going to do it then he vanished. Still up to get some more info out of the persons of interest)

Desmond watches as the sanctioned orbital bombardment collapses the Tri-Green stronghold. The small fires started by it are contained quickly and the Jademane vow to patrol the area.

In the next few weeks Desmond works with the new Jedamane Marshals. He learns about their culture and their families. He teaches them how to fire and reload their new laser rifles. He also sets up a program for the three to make weekly reports through the Greenbrier Embassy. The idea being they call in and record any crimes, clues or calls for help. He also sets up a monthly conference call for all Marshals as a way to track crimes, build comradely and answer questions.

They’d additionally like some resources as far as learning English. Long distance conference calls will be done at ranges too extreme for them to telepathically connect with you

Desmond will allocate some of the Marshall budget to arrange language lessons with the Greenbriar Embassy.

(It'll cost 10k, mostly for equipment and a small AI core that can teach them language. Irene isnt always here)

(Do I take this from the 50,000

(You can, however you decide to spend the money is fine)

Desmond spends the money and takes the Marshall Ship back to Greenbriar .

The free merchant (which needs a new name!) returns to Gudrun, docking with Trivedi cloud for refueling. The station offers free lifter service too and from the colony every hour, and you make it into one of the waiting transports, finally heading home to your station

(You want me to name it?)

(If you want to. It doesn't have one currently)

Desmond puts in to have the Marshall Free Merchant Ship named Lone Star.

The painters on the space station will handle it while you are away. The lifter powers down in the colony airport, and a number of grav busses heading to different destinations wait outside, along with a few of the rare towncars, waiting to pick up VIP's- one of which you see, is for you.

Desmond takes the towncar.

The driver is a droid, that welcomes you automatically, but otherwise does not make conversation. A small rainstorm begins as the car pulls away, and after a twenty minute drive, you are deposited in front of the marshal station

Desmond goes in and greets everyone. He writes a long report on the TriGreen Episode and the hiring of three more Marshals. He sends this to Franz.

9:06 AM

(Is Franz Who Desmond reports to?)

(He is, yes)

Desmond then goes to check on his pre-Scream Police Colleague Jared (from the Pirate Episode 10/30) and see how he likes being a Marshal.

Jared is interested in a position. He's done some part time work since the battle at the fueling platform, and you freeing him, but nothing long term, and he has found himself unable to adjust to factory work

(I was one of the newly awakened. I had terrible injuries from facing down someone called the Cobalt Killer, pre-Scream.Is my planet of origin Gundrun or can it be somewhere else.)

(it would have been somewhere else, since nothing was here before the colony expedition)

11:48 AM

(and yes, thats why greystar fixed you up, because you were super smart and careful and still doing your job despite being half dead)

(Could Jared and I be from one of the undiscovered planets in the Eastern Sector? Maybe a world plagued by underground Arcane forces? No big deal if you’re not ready.)

(oh im ready, lets fire it up. Choose any of them but Leda, or the one on that same column that starts with J, because thats where Red Sangha is from)

(How about Acastus 0701 Eastern Sector?)

(I'll note it!)

Desmond checks on the status of Wind, the Confidential Informant he set up inside the Daughters of the Lotus. Has she been sending any reports or had a recent meeting with the Marshal ‘s?

She has one report, stating that her group is heading into the swamps, with a location marked. Atrovia has become a less welcoming host with the change in city leadership, and with their numbers so depleted by recent fighting, they are secreting their elders, and teachers away, so that they may have a future.

1:46 PM

She however, has elected to remain behind, and continue her service

Desmond tried to arrange a meeting with Jared and Wind at the Harvest Spirits. (edited)

Both are available, and arrive that night as the rainstorm comes to its highest intensity. Wind has eschewed her somewhat bulkier stealth suit for this meeting, instead arriving in normal street clothes, and wide brimmed hat

Desmond orders a beer and a shot of whiskey. He tries to get a small table for the three of them. If possible in dark booth.

The baron, upon hearing your request, presses a small brass key into your palm, along with the change from your credits. "Basement. All yours for as long as you need it. It's private"

2:18 PM

"Might smell a bit like smoke, we played cards down there last night"

Desmond thanks the Baron.

2:21 PM

He turns to Jared, “Drinks are on me, you still like those stouts?”

2:22 PM

He looks at Wind, “Order anything you want, put it on my tab. We’ll retire to a private room.”

She nods, and joins the both of you downstairs a moment later, as Jared takes his first large pull of stout

“Wind, I’d like to introduce you to my old partner from the night planet Acastus Jared N’Cabe. You two have something in common, he infiltrated the Pirates before the Scream and worked undercover for years. He just recently gained his freedom.”

2:38 PM

(I had Jared as a thin, dark skinned man, wiry in his late forties. Smokes a pipe occasionally and plays chess.)

'Ah, a fellow faceless" she says, using the Taros word for infiltrator "Nice to meet you, and nice to have an actual roof over me for a night"

“I didn’t know things were so bad Wind. Do you need a place to stay?”

"I have everything I need here, the work just hasn't ended. I made the whole march from Atrovia to the swamps on foot over the last month. Spent almost all those nights outside, just got back yesterday"

“You skills and dedication are amazing!” Desmond says and he downs his whisky. “I worked with some people called the Jedamane on the planet Aliah. We started out assisting them looking for some lost members of their tribe and ended up uncovering a brutal TriGreen Operation. They were turning their captives into weaponized cyborgs. We ended up in a military assault on the headquarters. Lots died and I enacted some brutality of my own. Still not sure of my actions.”

"Since the reach of the Law is lacking we in the Marshall Service have had to take on more than just Policing. We've ended up handing out Justice and supplementing Military Operations, many times because we have little foreknowledge of what we're getting into." Desmond sips at his beer. " I've come to realize we need more people and expand our intelligence gathering. That's why I'm talking to you." (edited)

“What would the duties be” wind asks “Yes. How likely am I to end up in a pirate cell again?”

"Wind, I'd like you to do some surveillance for the Marshals for Special Operations," Desmond says. "You'd be shadowing persons of interest, uncovering threats to the people of Greenbriar. "

6:39 PM

"Jared," Desmond says. "I'd like you to become a Marshal, but you'd be doing more analyst work. Getting reports from all the Marshals, looking for connections and getting our case files in order. Now if there is an all hands of deck then you'd need to suit up, just like we used to do on Acastus..."

When Desmond mentions Acastus he remembers the dark skies, the tall towers of Neon City, the two moons and the way it always rained, like it was raining right now. He also remembered the coming of the Cult of Shadows. Sometimes Desmond wondered how long he had slept in that cryochamber and how much had changed there.

6:49 PM

(Sorry threw in some of that background I was working on. I can send you some of it and see if you think it will be okay for my character and the game.) (edited)

(the more the better. I want you to make your claim in all this!)

6:53 PM

The both accept the offers, eager to get started, and to claim the vacant offices in the marshal station

(I used 6 of my 12 xp to go to third level. I'd like to reroll hit points and add another foci.)

6:04 AM

(I'd also like to change my 2nd Goal to Improving the Marshall Service.)

6:06 AM

Desmond drinks his beer and ask them, "Are there any threats or potential cases you see we need to address?"

(you can make new personal goals anytime, you dont need to wait for level up, and you can have as many as you want. honestly it helps me, because i can see what kinds of things your character and by extension you care about)

6:59 AM

(leads to better stories)

(Looks like I was using XP wrong. I thought I spent them to go up for hit points. No wonder I still have such low hit points.)

(you re-roll every time you level)

7:35 AM

(what you can do, is instead of taking skill points, you can improve a core stat by 1, and that can be done 5 times over the life of the character)

7:36 AM

(but everytime you level, you roll your entire new total of hit dice, if the roll is less than what you have now it just goes up by 1+con mod)

(okay I'm going to be fourth level, took Die Hard +2 hp per level and used XP to make it second.)

(awesome! now i wont accidentally drop you with an errant HMG, even in power armor)

Desmond thanks them for their time and makes an appointment where they can come in and start setting up their offices in the Marshall Building. He will have passkeys ready for them the next day.

9:41 AM

He waits to see when they've finished their drinks and have no more questions. He returns the key to the Baron. "The offer of the room was most appreciative. I may need it more in the future." Desmond makes sure he tips the Harvest Spirits staff well.

The storm ebbs out as you leave the spirits, leaving pools of water in some areas on the ungraded street. Wind and Jared both leave as well, eager to get their affairs in order before starting their new jobs

Desmond reflects on the rains on Acastus and how Jared, Wind and he got a new start with Greenbriar. When he gets home he sends a message to Hanz about the two new recruits. He falls asleep in his own bed for the first time in a while.

Desmond awakens the following morning, well rested for the first time in a long time

Desmond goes for a walk around his place and decides to buy the Trivedi technologies new roadster the Prophecy.

(you can describe how it looks if it matters, but its 7K) The vehicle is delivered later that evening, shiny , and new. You are one of the few in the colony who owns a car

Desmond sends a message to @sutpour . I bought the Prophecy Roadster and am looking to outfit it for Police work. It looks great!

"Glad you're enjoying it! If you want any official mods done bring it into the shop and we'll see what we can do for you"

“Actually @sutpour I need to put some response lights, a siren, gun racks and armor it up. Plus we should put the Marshal Star in its doors and rooftop. How much for that?”

"I'll do it for free if you agree to make Trivedi tech the exclusive provider of the Marshal's motor vehicles"

"I will run that past Franz @Nekosmash but I will personally buy from you now for the Marshals," Desmond says. "Do you do armaments?"

"We do everything. Armaments, armour, surveillance equipment. We can build anything to your specifications"

"We are upgrading our weaponry," Desmond says. "You able to make Mag Rifles or Thunder Guns?"

"We've got the facilities even if we dont have the designs. But the designs could be worked up in a short time if the demand for product is there"

"Understood," Desmond says. "I'd be looking at only 10. I'm heading to meet with @Selnath . Please keep the Marshals in mind if you catch wind of any issues with security. We're here to serve."

Arimoto answers the call. "Greetings Marshal. Or is it Provost? I believe you've been working on expanding our branch, I'm glad we're starting to see some growth."

“We are,” Desmond says. “I’d like to meet up and talk. See how you’re doing and f you have any ideas on how to reach our goals of expanding the Service.

10:26 PM

“We are looking for a second space ship. Lone Star is a great craft but it’s only one and we need to deputize more off-world talent.”

"Very well, I'm finishing up some business in city hall then we can meet." ((Just say where, I can handle my business in city hall concurrently in my own thread.))

Desmond goes by Franz @Nekosmash to see if he can promise Marshal service to only buy from Trivedia. He then goes to meet @Selnath outside City Hall in the new Marshal Mobile (I know tacky but come on Batman!!!)

Pops has historically provided armaments to the military and law enforcement, but you are a separate entity, if you've been able to make a deal for your own supply, you're certainly free to follow those opportunities

Desmond calls up @sutpour and says he can promise to buy from Trivedia exclusively for motor vehicles and would like to buy a second vehicle for transportation of prisoners.

"Great, we've developed apcs before and can just change the interior to house a cell system. Shouldn't be too difficult"

1

(The modifications would be hardly anything at all, just moving electronics and welding in bars really)

1

Desmond checks on @Selnath and asks, “So any recent cases that you think could lead to more action by the Marshals?”

Desmond also sees if Pops is available to upgrade his armaments.

Pops is always available, and is willing to discuss arming the marshals

I will jump in the new Marshall Mobile and drive to his shop!

Pops is finishing oiling some knives on an outdoor workspace as the new marshal mobile pulls up. He lowers his glasses and admires it, making an approving face

“What do you think?” Desmond says. “We are going to buy a vehicle to transport prisoners next. Our mission keeps growing, which is why I’m here.”

"Of course, what can I do to assist?"

“As a Marshall we end up being involved in Military Action as well as solving mysteries,” Desmond says. “I’m looking at upgrading to Mag Rifles and Thunder Guns for when we go up against Cyborgs and armored threats. Can you make something like that?”

"I can. I've actually got a few anti-vehicle lasers that are man portable if you're looking as well, and of course we have your standard rocket launcher. I'm especially proud of the commando model, box launcher, four tubes on one unit"

“I’d love your Commando Model Box Launcher! Plus a few mag rifles with Marshall logos in them.

3:45 PM

“Any ideas on a Tazer Net or some non-lethal force guns for subduing ?”

“We have a technology taken from the Remnant psi hunters. It’s called a flop rifle. It fires an electrical pulse that stuns a target”

4:55 PM

“The range is a bit short. About that of a pistol. The energy isn’t able to be well contained beyond that

Arimoto greets Desmond as he exits city hall. "Well met - Well I can't say there's much in the way of high conspiracy that I'm aware of, but the Taros cities are still fresh allies and I'm sure need a lot of support unifying, and there's of course the vast untamed wilderness that poses some level of threat to continued expansion. As far as what will drive action on our end, well I think that all depends on what we focus on. I believe I've mentioned that my opinion is we should focus on planetside matters and leave fighting abroad to Task Force Phoenix, but I didn't turn down leadership of the Marshals just to drive from the back seat."

@Nekosmash Desmond asks for a few Flop Rifles, some mag pistols, mag rifles and one Commando Model Box Launcher.

6:08 PM

He then goes to meet @Selnath .

Desmond tells Arimoto, “I see your point but Greenbriar asked for help on Aliah and its a long range goal for us to have Deputies for deploying off world. We are frontier justice, going where the regular law can’t. But I have started patrols and hired two new Marshals two increase our planetside intelligence gathering.”

The launcher is 5000, the flop rifles are 1000 each, and the mag weapons are stock (book) price

Arimoto nods. "Understood. Patrols are good, and I had hoped perhaps if I get some free time to help with training as well, more Marshals means more coverage, which we definitely need."

“Training would be great! I’ve gotten my old partner from Acastus Jared N’Cabe to become a Marshall and his investigative skills are superb. Maybe you could both give an in service to increase our skills.”

"Then I will consider it. I also will take a look at our list of other longer term goals to see what I can help with. At any rate, if there's nothing else I've got some arrangements to take care of."

"I appreciate the time Atimoto," Desmond says. "If you need any assistance on any investigation please call. I'm going to try and keep in touch with all Marshals so that we can coordinate better in the future."

"Understood." Arimoto takes his leave.

Desmond drives back to the office and looks to see if there are any outstanding cases or matters that need to be addressed.

(there are the various endeavor listings up, I think all the Remnant war hooks from the last news post are wrapping up, I know seung is getting ready to hit that big fleet at rawhani)

(Would it be alright to work with Seung?

(of course, you're always free to do anything you want. I know he's got a couple quick errands before he rallies everyone whos going. Might be an IRL day or two, so you have time to sneak in something quick.)

Desmond drives out to check on the refugees he hired to do patrols. He brings the new Flop Guns if they are available. 10/16/18 (I will call them George Chon and Karen Boyd.)

(great!) The flop rifles are ready, Pops has had the originals for a while, and has been able to make his own copies

Desmond sends @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) a message. “I am free to help if you need it.”

Desmond proceeds to the spaceport and tells the crew of the Lone Star to get ready to go to any coordinates @Garion sends. (edited)

(Cheers fam) Cyrus sends coordinates to 0104 the system of space next to Chloe (Not ready for pickup just yet but in the fiction by the time they get there we probably will be)

(yeah within an hour

( @Nekosmash @Garion and @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) Desmond will head there unless anyone would rather my character stay out of it. Just looking to help.)

(Not at all, I don't mind at all)

12:56 PM

(We can try and meet you there and then go down to Chloe together)

(I'm fine with it.)

Desmond asks Wind to accompany him on the trip. “You ready to begin your time with the Marshals on an interstellar rescue mission or is this too far out of your wheelhouse?”

"I've never been off world before, I'd be honored to be among the first"

Desmond and Wind proceed to the coordinates on the Marshall Free Trader ‘Lone Star’.

The courier ship is waiting in sector for them as they arrive, a comm connection is requested

Desmond answers. “Go ahead @Garion this is Marshall Desmond O’SHEA. “

"Morning Friend, glad you could give us a hand on this one. We're running heavy on this one and I have a feeling you'll have the facilities to hold our prisoner a lot more comfortably than we will. We've already had an incident. We are low on life due to over capping. If you don't mind we'll move in and dock with you, move this conversation face to face. "

Desmond tells Pilot Janice Bedo to have the Lone Star dock with Cyrus’ ship.

As the two spacecraft dock the airlock cycles and Cyrus steps out into the Lone Star in his fatigues, pistol on his leg. Behind him Lars and Korkova walk the injured Captain and Tavish. The Captain is cuffed but Tavish's hands are free.

“I’m Marshall O’Shea this is Wind.” Desmond motions to the very intense dark clad woman next to him. “Who would these individuals be?”

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Desmond, Ma'am." Tips a non-existent hat at the pair "Name's Cyrus Adonis, you may call me Cyrus if you wish. This is Lars, once Captain of the fine vessel we were just in. Next to him is Tavish, an ex remnant Cadet, he'd like a new life. He's a good kid. Behind him is Korkova, he's a Task Force man like myself. And he's currently restraining the Station Captain we took prisoner, he had a little disagreement with a mag pistol on the way here. See despite me reading him his rights so to speak as a POW he went and tried to escape or rather more immediately assault me with a fire extinguisher, after I told him multiple times not to do so."

Desmond draws his pistol and motions to Wind . “Wind, take custody of Captain Lars.”

"Wrong Captain Friend"

Desmond covers the Captain while he frisks him for any hidden weapons.

"It's confusing I know but Lars is on our side this Captain, the one of the station is not"

2:28 PM

(Rofl)

2:30 PM

(In short, there's Lars who was a Remnant captain but we turned him, however we arrested another Captain on the Station that tried to escape)

“My mistake,” Desmond says. “So do we have a name for him or has he been recalcitrant?”

"I haven't asked, he's very Remnant if you take my meaning"

Desmond shakes his head. “Young man,” he looks at Tavish. “You are on a Marshal Ship. The Captain is going to the brig. You are to stay away from him and enjoy the flight back to Greenbriar.”

2:38 PM

“Good work on that last bounty Cyrus. What’s next for you?”

"Well, I've yet to finish as it were. Lars here, he's got himself a family down on Chloe, and I promised I'd get them back and to Greenbriar if he helped us. It's a garrison planet for the Remnant. So If you wouldn't mind helping us again, were gonna go and get them then come back here. From there it's back to Gudrun, only problem being that the vessel we are in can't support more that 3 from much more than a few days."

“Sure!” Desmond said. “So are you leaving now for Chloe?”

"Yeah, it's just next door as far as interstellar travel goes, with it being a Garrison planet I'm hoping to get some intel. You should be in a little bit of chaos, we just blow the ever loving shit out of a key communication relay for this bit of the sector with a nuke."

“You want me to come with you to the planet now or just drop our friends off and meet back up with you?

"It's up to you Marshal, if you want to come down planetside and have a look at things feel free, just know this is a Remnant held planet if it goes wrong help isn't coming."

“I’m in!”

"Okay then, I assume you've got cells to keep the remnant in. If you want I can leave Korkova here for extra security when we go down to the planet"

“No, we’ve got a crew. Wind and I will go with you.”

3:55 PM

“We has a Remnant assassin we dealt with and this may be a way to learn more about them.”

"Okay then, let's use the courier it might garner less suspicion than an unknown free merchant."

3:58 PM

(Will we be able to jump with 5 people in the courier to chloe and back? or will we have to use the free merchant? @Nekosmash )

(To avoid the consequences we were discussing before you’d have to use the free merchant)

(Will we miss Task Force Phoenix?)

(As much as I hate forcing a choice, with the amount of time you’ve been in spike so far, I don’t see a way to make it so you can do both) (edited)

(It's up to you, if you want we can head back and do this later I suppose. It'll just need to be explained to Lars.)

(The Remnant won’t be making anymore moves until next month)

(I mean I'd prefer to go down to Chloe, what about you @Chris Fury (Desmond) )

“I’ll help Lars get his family back with you Cyrus.”

"Okay, we'll have to use the Lone Star. The courier hasn't got enough life support."

(One person can get it home to Gudrun if you want to keep it. Otherwise you can always abandon it and hope it’s here later)

(Can Korkova pilot?)

(Yeah enough to get it back at least. He’s not like a fighter ace)

Cyrus turns to Korkova "Take the Courier back to Gudrun Friend, find the Boss. You did good Soldier, I'll catch up with you when I get back."

"Alright, Be safe"

7:08 PM

he turns to climb back aboard the courrier, and begin the journey home

"Okay Marshal, when you're ready."

(Yeah i want him to confirm before he comes back and suddenly youre balls deep in enemy territory)

(Yeah haha)

“I’m ready!”

"Okay let's set a course for Chloe, thanks for doing this Marshal."

(This one is going to need a pilot/int)

(I will be at at work and can’t Roll20. Please roll for me.)

(Also I didn’t add my new weapons, mag rifle and the Commando Box Rocket Launcher. I apologize.)

(Sure thing)

(Thanks! Hope you are feeling better.)

(Getting there!) 10 for pilot. The Lone Star translates into the edge of Chloe system space, and immediately, before sensors can even align, you can see heavy fortifications. Two Peerless class platforms in orbit provide intermediate to short range defense against approaching spacecraft. A titan sits in orbit as well, already powering up engines to investigate the new contact. Its three corvette escorts sail in formation alongside it. Another battlegroup, anchored by something that looks like a heavy cruiser, patrols a cross-planet path, ensuring the flanks of the platforms are secure.

"Oh fuck, okay. I was expecting something big, just not that big."

(its an in system, flight, so its about six hours for them to get to you, you'll narrowly escape if you charge your spike drive in the next few mins, if you do decide to come about)

"Lars! Are they going to let us get planetside? Can civilians land on planet?"

"Most of this is new. I don't remember anything but the fleet. That monster ship is new"

9:19 AM

"So are the platforms"

"I'm sorry Lars, but there's no way we're getting past them today. I hate to do this but we are going to have to come back. I have a feeling if we get close they'll blow us out of space."

Some information from the brief sensor sweep Korkova conducts populates the screen as the ship begins turning around (There's a scouting report, and a surface map for Chloe now in the systems folder)

(Nice!)

(6xp, 10,000 credits for the information)

(Is that including the relay station?)

(yeah, 3 for that, 3 for this)

"Well Marshal that was something, seems we just discovered another Remnant fleet."

“Yes we did!”

10:18 AM

“I’m sorry about Lars and his family. Let’s try and circle back to that after we deal with the immediate problem.”

"We will, I don't make empty promises. Either way, let's get back to Gudrun. I need to see the Boss."

Desmond starts back to Gundrun.

Two days later, following previous drill channels, the ship returns to Gudrun system space

(Does that mean we've also charted some new courses to use in the future?)

(You didnt have a jump route to chloe before, but going direct from Gudrun would need a spike drive more advanced than what you're making right now)

(Right, but we now have a route to chloe using some other route as well)

(you only have one route to get there, not two, not really sure what you're asking if that doesnt answer it)

(No what I was saying is we have a route, I was just clarifying it wasn't straight from Gudrun. So we're all good)

Desmond asks @Garion , “So you know anyone who would be a good candidate for the Marshal Service?”

"Ha of the top of my head no. There's a kid coming up call Cayne, he might be interested but he's a little bit shiny still. Got some interesting morals as far as killing in cold blood goes too, from what I've seen. But like I said, he's a kid."

(there's a new player who will be reaching out to you as well, not that it changes current plans anyway)

“You’ve done some good work with bounties,” Desmond says. “If you ever think of going full time with us or just need assistance keep us in mind.”

10:34 AM

@Nekosmash (I would love to work with new players. Appreciate the opportunity.)

"Thank's for the offer, but I'm currently rolling with the Task Force. You can always count on me to hunt some bad guys though." He says patting Desmond on the shoulder "Thanks for the assist by the way."

“The Marshals follow the code “ Desmond says.

10:47 AM

“Bring Justice where the Law can't reach, Bring Security to the Defenseless and Bring help to any Marshall who calls on you.”

"Well, you never know. I might give it a try some day. At the moment I've got some other things to attend to. Thank you Friend." He tips an non-existent hat and walks off the ship with his gear and the two Remnant converts "You can keep the prisoner, I'll have a chat with the Boss, he may want to question him."

Desmond lands on planet. He and Wind take the Captain to HQ for questioning.

The marshal station is quiet when you enter, but you have help getting him into a cell, after delousing him, and the local medical staff clears him of foreign disease

Desmond writes a report on the mission and then calls in Wind and Jared.

Wind and Jared arrive as the ink dries on the report

"I'm going to help Task Force Phoenix," Desmond says. "We had to deal with the Remnant Assassin and the way they infiltrate here. So I'm going to go along and help them against this invasion. I'm hoping to find some direct intelligence that will point out where their network is on Gudrun."

5:13 AM

"I'll be linking up with @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) and taking the Lone Star to help transport troops and join in the battle."

(@Chris Fury (Desmond) gonna carry on in here)

3:20 PM

Cyrus is pulled into the back of the Lone Star

( @Agape.Eris is aboard the Lone Star as well with survivors from her ship)

(It's a party) (edited)

Melora works tirelessly aboard the Lone Star to stabilize patients and minimize further casualties in her makeshift sick bay.

Cyrus stumbles into the med bay using the door frame to lean on he pops his helmet off (Just realised that we haven't formally met so here's a short description) Cyrus stands about 6'3" in his assault suit but you can tell he's about 6'1" out of it. You assume that usually he'd look rather handsome, but at the moment his face is busted. His right eye usually hazel is swollen closed and his cheek looks broken. He has well groomed brown hair and a beard. His ears are bleeding, as well as his nose. (edited)

3:39 PM

"You got a spa-" cough "Bed?"

“Well @Agape.Eris put me back together after the Pirate fight. She’ll take good care of you.”

3:51 PM

Desmond is 1.8 meters tall. Slightly pock marked face. Looks late 40s. Dark hair, blue eyes. Like Edward James Olmos from Blade Runner

Melora sees Cyrus, and once finished with lay hands on a patient quickly goes to him to help him to a bed. "Damn - you really went through the ringer! Don't worry - this is not beyond my abilities. You are going to be ok" She smiles at him and then at Desmond. "Do you think you can help me get him to the cot right there?" She points.

“No problem!”

Smiles at Melora "Let me just get out of my armour first Miss, this is gonna hurt like a bitch. If you'd pardon my French" He presses a button in his forearm and the back of the suit opens and he half falls out of the back. His right side is bloody and two of his ribs look out of place

(5'3 long purple-haired punk rock pixie of a woman in her early 30s with a warm disposition and some curves to her)

4:03 PM

"Yeah - let's get you healing. And I use such 'french' probably more than you do, so no worries. Don't take the suit of further until I do some preliminary work on you. It might be keeping you together some"

"Yes Ma'am" With Desmond's help he moves to the cot, lay down on it. (edited)

"Wait - any shrapnel embedded?)

"Suit took it, I got smashed against a bulkhead a few times"

Melora scans him with her bioscanner.

The scan would show two broken ribs one of which has broken the skin and is slightly jutting out, a fractured cheek and eye socket as well as a bad concussion and sprained right wrist and shoulder. All on the right side of his body, the left took a fair amount of muscle damage from the shockwave (edited)

"Ok. May I have your hand, Mr. Adonis?"

"You got a ring already Miss Reydove?" He says with an impish smile giving her his hand "Please, call me Cyrus."

(I’m getting on a flight in an hour so forgive me if I go silent soon.)

(No problem, have a good flight)

Melora smiles coyly. "Dr. Reydove. But you can call me Melora" She winks at Cyrus.

4:16 PM

Melora takes his hand, closes her eyes, and concentrates on mending Cyrus.

Desmond looks him over. “I’m no angel of medicine like @Agape.Eris but you probably won’t end up with new eyes and limbs like me. Hell of a gutsy move out there. “

"That was all Captain Woolf, may she go to her highest place"

4:18 PM

"I actually have started growing people from vials of their dna" She says as if it were an every day thing.

Desmond looks at Melora. “Well maybe we can name the med ward after her. I’m going to put one in this cargo hold when we get back. We need more med capable ships.” (edited)

Melora's eyes are still closed as she holds Cyrus's hand. "I am very much on board with that idea. I hope to have whole medical ship once I've the funding for it" (edited)

4:24 PM

@Garion "Once your lacerations and abrasions are more healed up and your skin better intact, we can get you out of that armor and do some internal work"

Chuckles and winces "You're full of innuendos, you know that right?"

"Who, me?" Another coy smile. "That is half on accident, I swear"

"Only half, that's a good figure."

Desmond needs to make it back to the bridge. (Airplane taking off) “I’ll talk to you two later,” Desmond says. “Great work @Agape.Eris and sorry about your people @Garion . Glad you made it.”

"Take care, des!"

"Catch you later Marshal" Cyrus seems to remember his lost men and grows quiet and solemn

"So Adonis. Very interesting last name. I'm from the planet Leda. There are lots of mythological references in naming places there"

4:35 PM

Melora opens her eyes and sees his solemn affect. "You suffered some great losses" she says empathetically.

He smiles somewhat wistfully and then looks at Melora "I'm a Soldier Melora, I've lost a lot of Friends along the way. Today I lost men under my command it's a new concept to me but it hurts all the same. Death does not come easily to me, nor does killing. Even enemies must be respected, in life and in death. Those six troopers I lost because I decided to rush the bridge without scanning it. I should've known the Remnant forces would trap it. Their deaths are on me."

"You don't want to go down that road of guilt. You had to make very quick decisions in a very intense situation. You acted the best you could have based on your perception at the moment" Melora looks a little wistful herself. "I know how it feels. I have lost a patient on my watch and have have microanalized everything and blamed myself for what I could have done differently"

4:51 PM

"But then there are many alive and safer because of our actions as well. Do me a favor and don't discount the good you've done"

"Never really seen it that way before, sometimes with all the fighting I do it's hard to look back at the big picture. Just seems endless. Thanks for the words Melora, helps a lot." He smiles "Damn, came in to get my broken bones fixed looks like you managed to patch up my soul at the same time." he chuckles wincing again "We should go out for a drink sometime, when the universe isn't exploding around us that is."

"I think that would be fun" Melora blushes a little and continues her work on him. "Are you starting to feel any better? The wounds I can see looked patched up and integrity of the skin is much better. Is there any wound under your armor that still feels open"

A grin passes Cyrus' lips "Feels like I'm all closed up, I can breathe easier now. Doesn't hurt as much to laugh. How'd you get into Doctoring Melora, you're good at it."

5:15 PM

"Will it scar?"

"I've had natural biops abilities since I can remember. It just felt like it was what I was born to do"

5:22 PM

"I'm going to do my best to minimize scarring. I can give you regular treatments for about a week to help the healing along and shape the regenerating tissue"

5:26 PM

(You want to go to your channel?)

(Yeah can do)

Desmond directs the pilot back to Greenbriar and then asks,. “Good work Nancy Where did you learn to fly like that?”

"Was more that ECM projector than anything else. Really saved the day stopping that plasma battery"

"Yeah, that Power Trunk Streamlining doubles our Power and allows us to have that and the Torpedoes. But, It eats up more of our Mass than the ECM and the Torpedoes put together!

“I wouldn’t change a thing anyway” she says, looking down at the control panel. “Well then. Shall we return?”

"Yeah, let's get back," Desmond said. He looks out at the streaming wreckage of the Titan and the terrible mess of the Patrol Ship. "What the Remanent did to their captives and then pulled that suicide trap on Cyrus means that they won't give up, even if it means death. We could be fighting an underground movement with many splinter groups for years."

“Sounds like the marshals will have plenty of work in the years ahead. Still won’t be easy though.”

When Desmond lands he calls all available Marshals to help offloading the wounded and the gets a ride back to HQ.

10:23 AM

He calls @Selnath and @opscomm “The Lone Star is back, mission successful, call if you need anything. I’m looking at your reports and it looks like you’re both working hard!

(What's Desmond himself about to get into?)

(If the wounded are good Desmond is going to see if he has enough money to expand the Marshal training facility. )

(I'd take a look at the holdings, and some of the sanctum buildings that are non-magical from codex of the black sun might fit really well, just tell me what you wanna build when you know)

(Could Recreation in the Codex count as a training facility ? )

(I think that's the closest reading, there are other holdings in suns of gold as well, which I can get you if you don't have)

(Sure! Whatever you think such a facility is worth I’ll purchase if I have the credits. I haven’t added the money from the Battle of Rawhani )

(It lists the prices in the book, the book price is good, but I'll get you a copy of suns of gold tonight, might be useful as you continue to expand)

1

Arimoto answer the call from @Chris Fury (Desmond) . "Good to hear, I'm currently working on identifying a patrol route around the settlement, will be out here for a few days or so. Be advised we did draft a few of the junior Marshals to help with this task, so the base will be a little less staffed than usual until their done." (edited)

@Selnath Great work on the Patrol. Use as many Marshals as you need. We always answer a Marshal@in need.

Stars_Without_Number_-_Suns_of_Gold.pdf

2.75 MB

1

(Thanks!)

A construction order is submitted to Admin, and comes back approved a few moments later by Franz. Builders will be dispatched within the next few days to get that completed

8:32 AM

(You're doing well on endeavors, most categories only have 1 left to do)

Desmond sends a message to @Selnath . “We’re setting up a training facility. If you have any suggestions on configuration and what you’d like to teach as the senior Marshal send something my way! Look forward to learning from you.”

A response comes back for @Chris Fury (Desmond) . "Well as far as configuration I'd suggest at least one open room for practicing exercises and martial arts, some showers so that trainees do not have to leave the building between training activities, and an open roof fit for eating lunch on when the weather is nice. My training would be best focused on physical fitness, swordsmanship and meditation. I think diplomacy is also a very important skill we should budget some space for but I am not the best to train others in that area so do not know what would be useful."

@Selnath “I’m going to be giving a refresher on reports and procedures to our newer people.” (I’ve got skills in Connect, Administer, Lead) morning

A reply comes in. "I may want to sit in on that, I've really only been sending reports directly to Kincaid so need to get up to speed on the new expectations."

@opscomm Desmond sends a message updating Marcion Delgato on the new training and the building of a training facility.

The renovations are expected to be completed by the end of the month. (50k for minor corp security, which gives you a SWAT level of readiness, and the facilities to maintain your equipment)

7:39 PM

(It's one time, no upkeep)

Desmond gladly pays!

(Up to you what you want to get into next. Still a bunch of endeavors out there, the colony and the Taros have some posted too)

Desmond looks around to see who can modify the The Lone Star to do Amphibious Operations. (edited)

10:35 AM

He also checks in with Franz to see if there is a case that needs action.

Trivedi cloud can complete the modifications, as can Kelbore-Tec (NPC faction)

10:40 AM

Franz doesn't have any matters you're not already looking into on Gudrun, but thinks getting some eyes on other planets might be a good use of your time. There has been some chatter of Melora organizing a return to Rawhani, and a few marshals patrolling the wastes there for other corporate exiles might be a good advantage

Desmond’s contacts @sutpour for the modifications of an Extended Sick Bay, Amphibious Operations. He@contacts @Agape.Eris about when the return is occurring and tells her she can use the Lone Star to transport supplies and use the new sick bay. He will be doing some patrols in the Wastes. (edited)

10:51 AM

Desmond gets some supplies ready and asks Wind if she’s up for some patrols on the Wastes of Rawhani! (edited)

(What class is the lone stars Hull?)

Frigate (Merchant)

10:58 AM

(I’m flying back so will be offline)

"Hi Desmond, both modifications will be 50k each, 100k total. This sound OK to you?"

10:59 AM

(No problem, we can trade roll for it later if you want to negotiate price)

Desmond looks at his credits. (Just landed). “My present funds may be below that. “

3:26 PM

“I might be able to swing one.”

3:27 PM

Desmond checks on Wind’s availability for Rawhani.

"Something came in the mail for you today too Provost"\

4:03 PM

A small box is placed on the table wrapped in matte green paper,a city scape printed on it, with santa heading into the sky over a full moon

4:03 PM

To: Desmond From: Santa

Desmond smiles and opens the package.

Inside, is a small cartridge, called the Pocket Dragoman, which is something you can play from your armor, on a terminal, or in a compad. The Pocket Dragoman allows you to undergo cultural training for any human culture you encounter. It gives you enough instruction to not stick out like a sore thumb, and more importantly, prevents you from making any kind of inadvertent offense, or faux-pa

4:28 PM

additionally, it is also a fine vocal coach, allowing you to keep practicing your speechcraft

4:29 PM

(You can learn another non-human language, and you gain +2 on lead checks, in addition to the other benefits)

Desmond says, “This is the best gift I’ve gotten in a long while!”

4:32 PM

Desmond thinks back to when his wife was alive. She always gave great gifts, he thought. This is something she would have thought of.

@Nekosmash Thanks! This is great!

(Glad you like it, just like in real life, gift giving is always a toss up for me)

Wind is eager to head to rawhani (I know melora and Kaleb will be ready soon)

“Great Wind!” Desmond said. “I’m excited about this!” Desmond calls in Jered.

Jered enters, steaming cup of coffee in his hand

“Well,” Desmond says. “You’ve got the store while Wind and I are on Rawhani. Please keep up the consolidation on reports and intelligence gathering. If any other Marshal needs help you’re the cavalry. But I’d like a favor for that only you can handle.”

“Before your undercover time with the Pirates did you ever do any work on that Shadow Cult back on our home world? (It’s in Desmond’s newly updated Bio. He and Jered go way back.)

(I’ll go read that before I reply)

(If you don’t want to pursue such a storyline that’s cool. )

(I do I just don’t want to write something in that isn’t there)

9:36 AM

“I did. Yes. It depends what you want to know”

"If you could put some feelers out to see if any more evidence came up concerning my wife's death or the Shadow Cult in general. (Her name was Laura, she was a Police Dispatcher.) I'm going to be busy on Rawhani and Acastus is a long way from here so don't make it a top priority. Its my own business but as a favor to an old partner I'd appreciate it.

"I'm not sure if we can even reach them with current long range comms, but those Red Sangha fellows live on a world closeby. I'll see if maybe they know anything while you're away"

"You're a good man Jered," Desmond says. "I'm glad you're here. I'm going to get going to Rawhani with Wind to investigate and patrol the Wastes on Rawhani. "

"Damn shame, what those corporations are doing there" he shakes his head. "All that knowledge, all those people, just thrown out into the wastes"

"It will be a long haul," Desmond says. "But worth it."

10:42 AM

Desmond loads up The Lone Star and has the Pilot Nancy Chu plot a course for Rawhani. He looks over the new modifications of an extended Med Bay and the Amphibious Operation.

(Which of the two did you want. Also, one fac cred is equal to 100k credits, so you can convert some money if you were needing to get both done)

(Let’s get both done!)

11:11 AM

Desmond leaves for Rawhani when Wind and Nancy are ready.

(Should I pay Charles?)

(Just deduct cost, basically the money spent goes into platform upkeep)

(So I'll deduct one faction credit and make that the payment?)

(That's fine! its 100k per 1 fac cred, so that covers your modifications handily)

Desmond sends a message to Jered about Billy's captives and shares the message he got from him.

4:29 PM

"If you have any insight into this please share with Billy," Desmond says. "It looks like our past from Acasta is coming back."

“Well Desmond, that was certainly something” Nancy Says as you board. “Just us continuing on then?”

"Yes Nancy," Desmond says. "We did some good work here. Sorry about all that sand you had to clean off the Lone Star."

6:44 PM

(Desmond got a level rerolled hit points but got lower so just added one. He had 18 unspent points so raised his Dex to 14 and got some skill in punch and stab. He's got a lot of money and might be purchasing some more stuff for the Lone Star.)

(Sounds good!) “All part of the job” she smiles and the ramp retracts. The Lone Star givers above the canyon for a moment before making an arcing curve skywards, out into space

"Let's get back to Greenbriar Nancy," Desmond says. "We've got some Cultists to check out that Billy found and maybe a beer or two to drink at 'The Harvest Spirits'."

The ship makes it back to Gudrun in a bit less than a day, and Nancy brings it into rock with trivedi cloud. “Well. We made it. Finally”

Desmond tells Nancy, “I’m heading home,!hitting the showers

and getting some sleep. Tomorrow morning 1000 we do a debriefing at HQ with Jered and any available Marshall. See you there! By the way...you really made that mission successful.”

7:08 AM

@Selnath @opscomm I’m back from Rahwani. Hope your missions and cases are going well. Will be at HQ. Call if you need assistance. When your schedule is open lets meet.

"I'm pleased to hear you say that" There is a gentle pump as the Lone Star connects with the stations docking rings

Desmond picks up his duffle bag

and walks with Nancy into the station.

There is a great deal of activity about the station, and you see two squads of Greenbriar soldiers taking some workers with Dank Crew logos on their uniforms into custody. One of the soldiers gives a cursory salute as they pass

Desmond stops them. “What is going on soldier?”

"Caught them looting some geothermal pumps on the moon, from a terraforming machine the colony is trying to fix"

7:27 AM

"Keypads keeping the doors to the facility locked had been hacked. Dank Crew stickers were all over everything inside"

Desmond shakes his head and makes a call to Franz.

"Franz here" the call is answered almost as soon as there is a dial tone

"I'm back from Rahwani and found some soldiers who have taken some Dank Crew workers in custody for looting geothermal pumps on the moon," Desmond says. "Where does the Greenbriar Government stand with Dank Crew and Herb? Also what is the status on these pumps are they being funded by Greenbriar?"

"The repairs to them are being funded, yes. We secured the compound until a science team could get up there to take a more advanced survey. Task Force Phoenix were the ones that found them. As far as standing, they're an enclave, so they are semi-autonomous, but can;t enter into treaties with outsiders unilaterally"

7:55 AM

(They can govern themselves but they don;t have the authority to make agreements with aliens or off planet without greenbriar approval)

"That's too bad," Desmond says to Franz. "Herb did help on Aliah. Hate to see him run afoul of Greenbriar. Should I bother contacting him or is this being handled by Colonial Military?" (edited)

"He's off on Miriam right now, which is where I expect the missing pumps have gone. Too late for those now, but we had to step in from the rest being taken. He'll get a chance to speak for them when he returns"

"Okay," Desmond says. "Thanks Franz. I'm heading back to my place and will be back to HQ in the morning. I'm going to look into those cultists and check in on the other Marshals. Anything on the radar I need to know about?"

"Your marshals have been keeping themselves busy, everything else appears quiet right now"

"We're working on getting more!" Desmond says. "Marshal Nancy Chu did a great job on the last mission but we are reaching our limit. Desmond out.."

Desmond makes his way to a shuttle to go down to Gudrun and Greenbriar.

The shuttle sets down in the spaceport, and there is an empty marshal car waiting for you, parked by one of the station-keepers when your return was announced

Demond gets in and goes to his place. He cleans the sand grit from his weapons and puts his clothes in the wash. He showers, shaves and goes to bed.

It's a long and restful sleep, one that is very much needed. Nancy sends a message to let you know likewise, she made it back home safely, and that the Lone Star is appearing in good shape despite the harsh desert climate you just came from

Desmond gets up does his morning exercises, showers and gets dressed. He stops by Arimoto Park on the way to Marshal HQ, looks at the Memorials and then picks up some pastries at the Baker's Stall for everyone.

The morning errands go on without interruption, and it is late morning by time you manage your way to the office. Nancy is already there, upstairs in the armory

Desmond says hello and shows her the pastries

. He sees if coffee

️ is on and then calls in any Marshal that’s available for a meeting.

(When you can, can I get a list of NPC marshals you have, so I can add them to the sheets)

Provost Desmond O'Shea Arimoto Marcion Delgato Wind (Daughter of Lotus and Marshall in charge of surveillance) Jerud N'Cabe (former partner from night world Acasta in the Eastern Sector liberated from Pirates and Intelligence Gathering) (Dark Skin, thin, pipe smoking , plays chess, afro) Nancy Chu (Pilot for the Lone Star) Dominique Hernandez, Lyssa Trinh. (edited)

2:08 PM

John Gerrack -

2:08 PM

Hayden Kopek

2:09 PM

Tuk Kun

(Thank you. I'll update tonight. Should we assume those last 4 are now doing patrols on the corridor arimoto scouted, since they're not actively doing anything else?)

(Yup! Two of them were the refugee hires. )

2:11 PM

(I don't know what to call the Jedamane warriors who are also marshals. I can make up names if you want.)

(They're fine as they are, they're just your eyes on that planet, they wouldn't be available here for deployments, so we don't need to include them in the count)

Comm msg for des: catching a ride home with Cyrus! See you in Greenbriar - I will help process our refugees when I get back

Desmond calls in Nancy, Jered and whoever is available. @Selnath .

Nancy, Jered, and the other marshals arrive, along with two new faces, who inform you they'd spoken with a man in Arimoto park , going by the same name, and are interested in joining

Desmond says if you are good with @Selnath you are good with me!

(they want to know more about what exactly you do/what their responsibilities are. His talk check was average, so they have a general idea, but want it from the man himself)

Desmond looks at Nancy and Jered and the two possible Recruits. “Well the Marshal Service was built for the Frontier aspect of Greenbriar.” Desmond says. “Our Oath reflects this, ‘We Bring Justice where the Law can't reach, Bring Security to the Defenseless and Bring help to any Marshall who calls on you.’ “ (edited)

11:33 AM

“I was a Detective from planet that both literally and figuratively lived in perpetual darkness. As a Marshal I’ve learned to do para-military and Military Operations, Rescue Missions along with investigations and frontier patrols. Jered and Nancy could tell you their experiences.”

“That’s quite a resume” the female says. “We’re both in”

12:39 PM

(The only force goal left is getting a second ship. Even a shuttle accomplishes that)

1

(Do I have the money

for that?

(500k is a median price for them)

12:59 PM

(can be higher depending on fittings)

Desmond makes a call to @sutpour .

Desmond asks for an update from all and then sets about setting up an interview with the two cultists.

Theyve been sentenced by the colonial judiciary, and you can count on them being in prison for the next 25 years. THey're free to talk whenever you'd like to

Desmond heads over there with Jered.

The two cultists have been kept apart from one another, but you're permitted to speak with them individually

Desmond sends a message to @Eye of Hoef#1909 “Hey Judge, this is Marshal Desmond O’Shea. I’m going to interview the two cultists you sentenced. I’m looking into their involvement with spreading a cult and the strange powers they manifested. He also informs @Paxcyan Wilder (Billy) .

3:10 PM

@Hoef McHoeffington

Be wary of them Mr. O'Shea.

@Hoef McHoeffington “Just so you know Judge, they killed my wife back on Acastus .”

Was not aware of this, but I have concluded my sentencing.

Good to know, Desmond thank you. Myself and my top researcher on the case are actually about to head up in the shuttle to repair the ship they were living on and get it back to working order. If you would like to come aboard and gather intell before we clean it out you’re certainly welcome.

@Hoef McHoeffington “Not asking for a different sentence Judge. I’m just telling you the background. This cult had a terrible hold on things back at Acastus. I’m working with @Paxcyan Wilder (Billy) to gather more evidence. I’ll inform you of any further crimes come to light.”

3:19 PM

@Paxcyan Wilder (Billy) “I’ll be there right after the interview.

Of course, I sense something dangerous is afoot. Be wary Mr. O'Shea.

“Appreciate it Judge. I hear you’ve got quite a storm

your dealing with yourself. Good luck and call if you need the Marshals.”

3:22 PM

@Hoef McHoeffington

It's not a storm I can't handle. Safe travels.

@Paxcyan Wilder (Billy) and @Nekosmash you want me to go to the Ship first so we don’t slow down your reclamation and I interview afterwards?)

That may even be better for your questioning later. Gives you a chance to see their vessel and what was in it

^

Desmond calls Billy and gets the coordinates for the ship.

Desmond takes a shuttle to @Paxcyan Wilder (Billy) location.

(Can I buy a ship on credit?)

(How much of a difference in cost? Also you can convert up to four fac creds into credits or vice versa. A fac cred is worth 100k)

(If I use four and give 1 k of my own money will that give my 500k for the shuttle and get the Force Goal.)

(Yes it will)

(Okay I'll do that! When I get back to here should I rollplay buying one? I also just went up a level and got a Foci, can I use one from the Codex for Godhunter?)

(It would be use magic I think as your skill and then yeah. The intro godhunter one)

9:22 AM

(And yes lets play that out when you and billy have concocted)

After dropping Billy off Desmond tells Nancy, "Lets buy ourselves a ship!"

“What are we getting?” She asks, thinking about the possibilities

"As much as 500 K can buy!" Desmond says. "You're the pilot. Know of any good possibilities?"

“A work shuttle would do us well, for if we neeed to get a marshal and some light cargo into a hot zone quickly”

“Okay,” Desmond says. “It would fit on the Lone Star?”

"No, shuttles are pretty big. It would be a totally new second ship. I think we need that though. Right now all we have is the lonestar. And it cant be in two places at once, though marshals may have to be"

“Okay,” Desmond says. “Where would we go to purchase one?”

"Trivedi cloud. We need to talk to their shipbuilders to get one put together"

(So should I send a message to Charles Trivedi?)

(No you'll deal with his steward)

2:24 PM

His second in command, Martin, spends most of his time aboard the platform, and he is willing to meet with you right aay

2:24 PM

away

As Nancy takes Desmond to Martin he concentrates on his vision and what the Cult did to his wife. He wants the Marshals to have the tools to deal with this and other threats. He also doesn't want anyone else to fall to their influence but he wonders if its already too late. (edited)

2:47 PM

( Desmond will want to work on being a

Vengeful Renegade
Not all Godhunters are the product of intentional training. You were a cult member until some event shattered your loyalty. You use the skills and se- crets you learned as a weapon against your former comrades. Conversely, you might be a victim of a cult, an ordinary man or woman subjected to some otherworldly cruelty or brutal personal loss, and your focused hatred now fuels your uncanny pow- ers. In both cases, you’ll want to spend a little time thinking about your PC’s prior life before the cult and its actions, and note a few words about their prior profession or role in society.
experience. Someone with the Entertainer background and the Godhunter class would be implicitly compe- tent at being whatever kind of entertainer they were, ignoring most ordinary skill checks that a professional entertainer wouldn’t need to make. That same PC with the Godhunter Inquisitor background would have im- plicit skill in interrogation, investigations, and possibly contacts with any organization they belong to, their past life as an entertainer distant enough to them that it no longer confers any intrinsic benefits.

(Was desmond actually a cult member previously?)

( you might be a victim of a cult, an ordinary man or woman subjected to some otherworldly cruelty or brutal personal loss, and your focused hatred now fuels your uncanny pow- ers. )

(He investigated this cult and his wife was killed by them. He also just got mind attacked by the Still Lady.)

(That’s good. That got missed for me somehow)

3:35 PM

Nancy if she does notice the somber mood chooses not to say anything about it. Martin is waiting for you in a conference room overlooking the shipyard below. Funny enough, Rigers One, Billy’s personal vessel, is being launched

Desmond walks into the conference room and notices the Tigers One taking off. "Good man on that craft" Desmond says. "Nancy and I just ran an operation on the cultist up there with the half-ship half asteroid."

“Ah that pile of scrap. Yeah I saw it out there and wondered”

"Yeah," Desmond said. "I was hoping he would destroy it. Comes from my home planet and like most things should have stayed there...but I'm here to buy a starship with Nancy Chu here. She says a shuttle would be good. What do we need to do to make that happen?"

“Simply the money and a bit of time. You’re looking for a shuttle. Alright. And cost?0

"How much do you want?" Desmond says. "I talked to Charles before and he gave us a discount by only doing business with him. We did purchase one of your Prophecy Roadsters before." (12/11/19 in this channel)

"200,000 for the hull, and for the fittings, applying a discount...I can let one with an armory and ships locker go for 400,000 credits"

"I like it," Desmond says. "But let me ask my expert, Nancy. I've trusted her with my life and our mission."

5:14 PM

Desmond looks at Nancy. "Anything else we need on there? You will end up flying it or training me or someone else on how to." (edited)

"If we're using it as a patrol ship, thats more than enough, it can patrol the systems we are friendly with. Observe and report. We can also let other marshals use it when the Lone Star is busy, or somewhere too far away to help"

5:17 PM

(This way if Arimoto or Marcion want to go off world you have more than the lone star to use, especially if you have other business and cant/dont want to go)

"Okay," Desmond says. "400,000 for the model. If I ask for some more speed to protect my people how much is that?" ( Emergency Thruster Boost (Fix-1): Retune the engines for emergency power. Once per space combat, gain a +2 bonus to Speed for three rounds. Cost: 10% of hull, no components)

"Friend and family discount. There should be enough room to add that. Your vessel will be done in a week"

Desmond smiles and his electric eyes flash briefly. "We will use this in service to the citizens of the UNW and I personally thank you!"

7:32 PM

He reaches out to shake the man's hand. "Please pass my thanks onto Charles." (edited)

"Of course. He's out in Taros lands right now, but I expect he'll be back soon."

“Great,” Desmond says. “I’d like to name it the Shadow Chaser!”

(Toss that on your handout) "I'm looking forward to handing you the keys" Martin smiles

"Excellent!" Desmond says. "If you're good with it Nancy lets get back to HQ."

11:41 AM

Desmond looks at the News Feed on his Comm. "Charles and the Judge just came under attack! Nancy hit the sirens and lets go back to Greenbriar!" Desmond makes calls to @Hoef McHoeffington and @sutpour . He also calls for Franz. He is making notes on the compass as he travels to Greenbriar.

The Lone Star sets down in the air/star port, and one of the marshal mobiles is waiting for tou

11:47 AM

*you

I will jump in and head to Greenbriar.

(To admin?)

(Yes)

The strange energy release, and the threats of the Taros First League has admin busy, but Franz makes some time for you noticing you are arriving

"Just wanted to check in with you now that we've gone from Greenbriar to Empire." Desmond sits. "Do you and Kincaid have new titles?"

“President for her. Vice President for me. Things will run largely the same for now Provost”

"I'm looking at getting a non-colony benefactor to help with our increased mission," Desmond says. "And I am worried about what Billy and I found on that asteroid ship and the subsequent energy release. I'm just checking into see if there is any mission you need us to do with that or Taros."

"We're looking into the Taros First League now, but its jsut this morning we heard about them. We're going to keep looking into it. If you can find someone off world willing to donate to the marshal cause, we could free up some resources to direct into the hunt for the TFL, and other threats"

"I could take the Lone Star to Aslief and deliver more military weapons and check there. I could also recruit some Marshals there," Desmond says. "Would that help?"

"That would. There are 1800 tons in storage right now, and you may find people there willing to be our eyes on another world"

2:47 PM

"They're moving closer to unification with us, you'll be glad they're in place when that world becomes part of our territory "

"Just load up the Lone Star with the 1800 and Marshal Nancy Chu and I will head there," Desmond says.

(I think you can only carry like 300 tons, let me look up our ship stats)

2:58 PM

(yeah, 300, but still helpful)

(laughs in bulk freighter)

2:59 PM

Charles replies "Thanks for the concern marshal, I'll definitely use your help once we know what we're dealing with better"

(that cracked me up for real)

(That is a little less than 1800!!!

)

3:10 PM

@sutpour "Just wanted to check in with you," Desmond says. "Glad you're okay."

(Glad to entertain)

3:32 PM

"Yeah I just about made it out. I'm going to conduct some investigation into this first league and when we start acting I'll keep you updated"

“Well we can take 300 if you want and accompany a cargo ship carrying the rest.” (edited)

“The colony free merchant is off right now, on a special mission but it’s a kind offer. Take what you can carry and see who you can recruit. Aslief is a night world too, you’ll feel right at home”

Desmond flashes back to Acastus, remembering the perpetual night and how the winter stars ✨ looked when he proposed to his wife Brenda. “I’m getting the Lone Star

ready,” Desmond says. “Thanks again Franz.”

"Be safe out there. I'll let you know more when we have some leads on the First Taros League"

“Roger,” Desmond says. “Your a good boss Franz. We all appreciate the endless work you do.”

6:14 PM

Desmond leaves with to get the Lone Star

ready for Aslief.

The trade goods are already loaded by time Nancy and Desmond get aboard, and Trivedi Cloud gives clearance to launch. The skies are relatively clear tonight

“Okay Nancy,” Desmond says as he looks over the manifest . “We got a load of Things that go Boom

in the Night. Let’s head off to Aslief.”

The Lone Star departs, and arrives over Aslief a day later, the handful of cities still on planet guiding you in. The central hub, Praxia, is where Commander Cole- the planet's custodian, has chosen to make her capital

Desmond looks down over the night planet. He recalls that strange feeling he had when they escaped the Still Lady. He shakes his head and picks up the mike. “This is the UNW-Lone Star

here to deliver an order to Praxia,” (edited)

(Trying out a new call sign!)

7:36 AM

“Requesting to land and offload.”

Praxia ground control projects a flight path onto the HUD, and you're permitted to land on the outskirts of the slowly rebuilding city. A woman in ornate power armor is waiting, along with a coterie of ten bodyguards, all similarly armed and armored to her

Desmond gets out and waves. “I’m Provost Desmond O’Shea, would you be Commander Cole?”

"I would be" she extends an armored hand to shake yours "A pleasure to meet someone else from Gudrun. Your planet is the reason I still have my own under me"

“It’s all about building good relations and trade between our peoples and standing strong against the Remnant.”

she spits at the mention of the name "THey're the reason half the planet is in ruins"

“Well,” Desmond says. “We have some arms to help. Anything else we can do?”

"Your people did a great job cleaning the planet up, and then surveying it. It's already more than I could ask. We're still trying to find some new representatives among the survivors to get a planetary council together. We have a lot of chaos to bring order to here"

“The Marshals are looking to make some forward bases,” Desmond says. “If we rehabbed a building and offered a liaison position or two in the Marshal Service, like we did in Rahwani, would that help?”

"It would. One of your marshals was on the ground during the battle to defend this base, Saul (he's not playing now). I have nothing but respect for your service. I'd be more than willing to allow that"

“Where would be best for us to set up?”

"Right here in Praxia. Ad-Astra, and Task Force Phoenix have holdings here already. You'd be right in the same backyard as your friends, and this is rapidly becoming our new capital- this keeps you in the heart of anything that might come up"

(Should we roll play setting the building up?)

(We can!) The building she has assigned to you is a three story apartment building, squat, but she has honored you by granting you one of the more intact structures in the city. It needs some repairs, but as far as keeping the elements out, it will do that. More importantly, it has power, one of the few buildings on the street not kept in the perpetual darkness here

Desmond spends some of his money

to upgrade and repair the structure so as to help the local economy and build relationships with local tradespeople.

10:57 AM

(Can I use the connection Foci to look for possible Marshal recruitment?)

11:02 AM

“Nancy how about we call this Forward Base Aslief?” Desmond says as he is overlooking the new signage for the front door

.

(well, you don't know anyone here but the commander, but knowing what you're trying to do here since she gave you permission, we can say she sent a few people she knows your way)

(Cool!)

Five recruits arrive, eager to be screened, and to see what the marshal service is about

I will sit down with Nancy, some coffee

️ and any local

Donuts for us and the interviewees.

(Basically they just want to know are what their responsibilities are for taking the job, as well as what support/privileges the job comes with)

“Our motto is Bring Justice where the Law can't reach, Bring Security to the Defenseless and Bring help to any Marshall who calls on you,” Desmond says. “We work where the normal law enforcement can’t cover. Frontier Justice, Special Operations and Para-Military Actions are what you should expect. Your wouldn’t be here if you didn’t known how to handle a gun or investigate. Your badge grants you access to UNW transport, Law Enforcement and military support. You have access to the Lone Star

and a speed shuttle called the Shadow Chaser.”

1:08 PM

“You will get a salary and receive training at our HQ on Gudrun. As Marshals assigned here on Aslief you will be working hand in hand with Commander Cole here in Praxia. You will no doubt be patrolling the areas around the cities and dealing with Remnant and criminal enterprises.”

1:09 PM

“Any questions?”

the dream of offworld travel, and taking an active hand in taking back their world is of special interest to all of them (i was gonna do a talk check here but i dont think thats necessary in light of the speech, good work) All five sign up, and are eager to return with you for the first leg of their training

“Okay Nancy,” Desmond says. “We’ve got some new recruits! Let’s bring them back to Gudrun.”

2:10 PM

(Glad you liked the speech! It made me think about what place the Marshals hold in the new UNW. It also made me think about Arimoto and Marcion.)

(You're so much more than just local cops now)

2:13 PM

The recruits climb aboard, meager sacks of belongings on their backs, and they wave goodbye to their homeworld, not forever, but for a while (3xp, 5000 credits)

2:14 PM

Nancy and gets the Lone star back to Gudrun within a day

(So does this complete the Wealth Goals? I believe we will now have recruited Marshals on two planets for the Cunning Goals.) Wealth (400 points): The Marshal service is an armed fighting force like any other. Credits in the coffers mean more officers, and better equipment

Purchase a wealth asset (200 points)

Complete a bounty for a wanted criminal, issued by a foreign power (100 points)

Find a non-colony benefactor willing to support your work (100 points)

Cunning (400 Points) : The Remnant is a challenging foe to an organization as young as the Greenbriar Marshals. Unable to compete with the resources or manpower needed, we must operate with precision. Better intelligence is needed.

Discover one new enemy held world or installation (200 points)

Recruit a deputy on two other worlds (200 points)

(completes wealth, just need the discover one new enemy world or installation for cunning)

(Yay!)

(2-3-2 should be your attributes now. And you can pick a new overall goal)

2:30 PM

(You guys have been rolling them up, hot damn)

(So how about this for the new Overall Wealth Goal: The Marshals get Non-Colony credits in coffers by collecting bounties, getting forward bases with allied governments and protecting trade against terrorist and criminal forces.)

(sure, I can add that)

When Desmond gets back to Gundrun he tells Jered. "Well, let's go back to the jail and check on our cultists."

9:39 PM

"I got good information with Billy back on that spitball and wire asteroid they call a spaceship."

The cultists are being confined to a small cabin in the prison camp just south of the colony, under round the clock guard

Desmond makes sure the new Recruits are settled in for class and tells Jered he’s getting the Marshal Mobile and driving out to the site. “You want to go or do you have some work with the new Recruits?”

"I should start working with them, at least the basics, schooling them on the local politics and what exactly they're allowed to do. I feel like that's going to be an all afternoon discussion"

“Roger that!”Desmond says. “Politics gives the marshals problems to solve while paying our salaries.”

"Makes fewer problems for us too, some education now means there wont be an incident later because someone didn't understand their job"

“Your a smart man Jered,” Desmond said. “Glad you’re here and not still with the Pirates or on Acastus. You’ve pulled some heavy duty assignments over the years. With your stories these rookies are not going to get a boring lecture.” (edited)

Desmond makes a note

to pick up some of Jered’s favorite pipe tobacco on the way to the Cult prisoners.

The cultists are held on their own, deemed too unpredictable to be kept in general population

1:33 PM

the local police have a waiver for you when you arrive "Standard procedure sir, just advising you that if you are taken hostage during this visit the colony will not negotiate for your release in exchange for the life of release of a prisoner" (edited)

Incoming message: Billy Rigers
It’s time to go back home buddy. We are headed out to Acastus as soon as you’re ready. My first mate, Devnoc, here just opened the pyramid last night. Wave of blue energy spread through the colony. Maybe more. The Doc says that still bitch changed my makeup when I came in contact with her. It’s like MES but different. Lmk. If I don’t hear from you, we’ll head out tomorrow. I’m thinking about bringing other along. That power she holds is incredible.

Desmond says, “I’m about to interview the cultists here in prison. I’ll be right back with you, unless you want to join.

6:04 AM

( can I gain any Godhunter skills like class also allows access to them. True Hand (Level 1): The Godhunter receives a bonus to hit rolls against Shadows and Shadow cultists equal to half their character level, rounded up)

6:07 AM

(Or get a Foci like Soul Shield Warrior You have been consecrated against the effects of hostile arcana or other psychic powers, either through sophis- ticated rituals, long training, or esoteric arcanogenetic manipulation. You may suppress these abilities to allow friendly effects to be applied, whether or not you are conscious, but you must choose to drop your defenses before the caster in question chooses what effect they will actually cast or apply. Level 1: Once per day as an Instant action, automatically succeed on an otherwise-failed saving throw ver- sus a magical effect. You are always aware of the presence and source of any magical effect targeted at you, even if the effect is normally imperceptible. You may not fully understand what the magic is meant to do to you, but you can detect it and its source.)

(With your level up when you’re at a level where you may take a focus then yes you can have one of those. As far as godhunter skills, yes your class allows access to them. You’re either an arcane warrior or arcane expert depending on your original build)

(I’m an Expert. Thanks!)

7:42 AM

(I’ll do the True Hand

)

7:43 AM

@Paxcyan Wilder (Billy) You need me now or do you want to interview the cultist with me? Desmond sends in a message.

I’ll come along for the interview. (I took the witchfinder feat, so I just straight up see magic unless it was intentionally hidden.)

(Excellent!!!

‍♂️

‍♂️)

(so we want to the interrogation here then?)

(I’m ready )

The cultists are held on their own, deemed too unpredictable to be kept in general population the local police have a waiver for you when you and Billy arrive. "Standard procedure sir, just advising you that if you are taken hostage during this visit the colony will not negotiate for your release in exchange for the life of release of a prisoner"

Billy and Vothe pull up in an exotic looking sports car with a fresh and gleaming paint job. “Let’s go catch up with Desmond.”

Desmond smiles, “ that is a hell of a car!”

Smacks the hood. “This baby holds a lot of horses!”

1:06 PM

“What do ya say we get in and get this interview over with, though.

“Okay,” Desmond says. “But the local police say they will not negotiate for our release in exchange for the life of release of a prisoner. These cultists have given them some big concerns.”

“What happened in there?”

"Standard disclosure we give everyone" the local policeman standing nearby advises "Graven just wants policy laid out ahead of time so everyone is clear"

“Okay,” Desmond says. “Please lead the way.”

"I'm going to need you to sign a waiver for the destruction of property that will ensue from my own allies should I be captured and your men are too cowardly to do anything about it. Lucky for you, i have no intention of being so unlucky." He says, signing the waiver. "-No Vothe you don't actually have to produce the waiver. It was me expressing frustration. Do notify the task force immediately should we be captured though. The police are obviously not capable of dealing with a few men that myself and my own crew handled with no backup sectors away." He turns back to the officer. "They are just men after all. They die. Trust me, I've killed some of them personally."

He shrugs "Its in my orders" He opens the door to the small prisoner cabin, and both cultists are inside, kneeling in the corner, in some kind of prayer, though you can see shackles going from around their ankles to a central floor pin that is wleded

3:05 PM

*welded

"I know.. sorry about that."

3:09 PM

(Do I see any magical essences flowing around them?)

Billy sees trace energy, small, snowflake like blue particles slowly peeling off them, wisping up into the air and dispelling, a few flakes at a time

3:10 PM

the energy around them is gradually weakening

(What do I sense that the magical energy's purpose/intent is if it's a spell/enchantment?)

(The intent was to keep them alive for the journey from Acastus, you never found any survival supplies or anything on them, and with no rutters its taken them months to get where they were)

3:19 PM

(it started fading when you guys killed the still lady, and banished her back

Desmond uses his Foci.

(What one did you end up taking. I haven’t been back to a pc to see sheets yet since you asked)

(I didn’t add it to the sheet but I’d like to use the one

️ I listed.)

“Hello,” Desmond says. “ I am Marshall Desmond OShea. I’d like to ask you some questions.”

They cease their prayers. Both look ravaged as though time is catching up to them. (And Alright magically shielded. Gotcha. )

"You don't have to waste your energy shielding yourself. We aren't here to fight you. We just want to talk."

Demond looks them over to see if they are wearing anything that reminds him of Acastus.

They’re wearing dark robes over what was once comfortable streetwear. Age and the challenges of the last few days especially have reduced much of it to rags

"Okay," Desmond says. "You're wearing casual street clothes. Means you probably weren't a city worker, plumber or even an engineer. I'm guessing you weren't an upperclass noble either. You got education I'm thinking, what were you, one of the University brothers?"

One slowly nods yes. The other looks a bit surprised, like he’s just finding out his companion was educated

"Does she still talk to you? I only spoke with her once."

6:01 PM

Billy sort of cocks his head to his side examining their faces.

Desmond watches to see their reactions at Billy's question.

“She has withdrawn. It is all very quiet now”

"I can understand your reverence for her. In only coming into contact with her once, I feel changed. The doctor can't explain it. And my first mate? He unlocked your pyramid. He is... changed as well. No I can't help myself but go to understand... Can you help me?"

6:53 PM

"...I saw her you know. She exploded in a drop ship over the planet, but she showed me her temple. Back on Acastus... She's not done yet is she?"

"She has withdrawn to her home, on Acastus. Long Live The Still Lady" Both of them are weeping, in reverence for their goddess

Desmond looks at the one that wasn't educated. "So who runs the city now?"

"The Still Lady, and her priests and priestesses. Acastus is a bastion of peace and power for those with their eyes open"

"Who keeps the peace for her?"

"The chosen, the chosen of those who have accepted her"

7:33 PM

"they watch the streets, round up apostates, offer them to her, and keep those who would harm us at bay. Under her, Acastus is pure. Acastus is powerful"

“Do they teach your... magics to anyone there? Have you heard of a curse which rots and regrows the skin?

"The chosen do have access to some of her powers." one confirms

"Does that mean I am one of her chosen because I can see your energy float by you? It's waning, isn't it?"

"Ours is, yes. and no, she has not chosen you. We would be able to see her mark upon you"

“And where is your mark?”

They pull aside the collars of their robes and there is a brand seared into their skin, but not with an iron. The flesh itself still smolders but like a real fire, it is glittering and growing weaker

"Your mark is fading too. What happens when it goes away?"

“Her blessing will be gone and we will not be sustained by her guiding hand anymore”

"How many carry her blessing on Acastus?"

“Thousands. Maybe even tens of thousands. It’s been some time since we have been there”

Desmond shakes his head. “I saw the spaceship

you made. Who thought using an asteroid

️ would be the way to travel? I know our planet’s tech level is low but why travel in something so dangerous?”

"There was an event, a year and a a half ago, it disrupted much. Much of the technology we once enjoyed has been lost"

6:54 AM

(upon take-apart of the ship itll be noticed there's no spike drive. That's happening right now)

Desmond remembers the night he had to be restrained from killing s cultist in custody after the murder of his wife. His hand reaches for his Mag Pistol.

8:51 AM

“Do you remember a sacrifice,”Desmond asks. “It occurred 6 years ago. She owned a coffee shop on Laertes Avenue?”

"Before my time"

9:03 AM

(neither of them were involved in that, the cult has blossomed from a small, special interest group, to a world dominating oppressive regime since you've been gone)

Desmond shakes his head a little and grits his teeth. “Billy, I need to step outside.”

“Yep. Please do.”

10:31 AM

“Do you know of any other places where your power resides? Any other people who can wield metadimentional energy like this?

"Many of the chosen can do things like this. The Still Lady blesses many with her gifts"

10:38 AM

(He's not smart enough to know the difference between MES and magic, frankly I think most people wouldnt be able to tell. Billy deals with more psychics and weird stuff than the average person)

Desmond leans against the wall just outside the door . He remembers the way she smelled like coffee after a roasting day and her coworkers who kept the store going after her death. He wonders if the store is still there and what happened to them. (edited)

Coms “Vothe do you have a recording of Devnoc’s condition? Send it over if you do.”

Vothe has a recording from when you'd last seen him with Dr. Doona, and a couple more recordings from as he slept while you worked

Desmond walks back in the room. “Billy, if you’re free let’s talk outside for a second.”

“I’ll be right out. Just... one last thing.” He turns back to the pair. “Have either of you seen anything like this before?” And he shows them the part with Dr. Doona. “Do you know of healers who can fix this?”

"The Ouroboros blessing" one of them whispers in reverence "Fix? He has been blessed beyond measure! your friend has been chosen to enjoy a life without further pain!"

“He certainly seems to be in discomfort. What do you mean? What happens to him?”

12:53 PM

“Think on it. I have to talk to my partner.”

12:53 PM

Billy stands and goes to join Desmond outside.

“Are we thinking a commando raid on Acastus or an undercover Operation? Because my line of questions will depend on which option. I’d like to help your friend and protect Gudrun from the Still Lady but I would like to know your thoughts.”

“I am gathering intel. If we want to raid we will need more than just our two ships. We go, we scout, we map spike drills and see what we can get while we are there. If they have any worthy ships, maybe we can apprehend them or destroy some piece of their infrastructure. I don’t know what we are looking at until we go there. I will also be carrying Dr. Thorn on my ship as I have an extra spot. I am installing sensor arrays on Riger One so we can get a readout of the planet and any specifics we can get. I’d like to be prepared for combat of course, but this is not an invasion. The Task Force has to deal with the Remnant before we can focus on another enemy.”

“Okay, so a broad line of questioning and then an intel gathering mission.” Desmond says. “I hope we gather information to help your friend.”

1:16 PM

“Let’s go back in, I’m going to focus on two areas, planetary defenses and anything that could support an undercover operation.”

“They say his condition is a gift. That he will no longer feel pain. I say we go down to the planet and do a bit of exploration if we can. I’ll let you take it from here.”

“Let’s get your last question answered, I’ll ask some and then we are Acadtus bound.”

1:27 PM

Desmond walks back in and waits for them to answer Billy.

Billy nods. “What do you know about the Ouroboros Blessing?”

"The flesh, the bone, the spirit, dies and is reborn over and over. The devoured and devouring over and over, the eternal cycle, each time, growing stronger. Your friend is blessed."

“It’s terminal then. How does it end?”

"Several cycles of death and rebirth, before the bearer reaches apotheosis, a glorious reincarnation of spirit"

1:49 PM

The cultists is weeping openly, thinking about the rebirths he has seen in his time serving the lady

“Has anyone ever lost this blessing and reverted back, like the way you two are losing your connection to her?”

"Sometimes she expresses her displeasure, and withdraws it. Sometimes happens for other reasons. Not sure why"

“Thank you for your information. Desmond?

(I know that was probably frustrating, but they only know how to explain it in the way they've been told it works)

2:22 PM

(They're fanatics, not scholars)

(No it was great!)

“How many spaceship

did Acastus make?”

"The exodus vessels were eight in number, to spread the glorious lady's message to all corners of the universe"

“Any left in orbit around the planet

?”

"All were scattered, none have returned, and none had remained, we were the last to leave"

"What about the city, do any of the shops remain? Are there any who do not walk with the Still Lady?"

Apostates are permitted, as long as they pay their taxes and give proper homage to the chosen"

"how many apostates compared to your people?"

"Many don't have the strength to join the lady's chosen. She demands a sacrifice before her power is bestowed, but what she takes, she gives back a thousandfold"

Desmond looks over the street clothes and memorizes them. He then looks at Billy. "I'm done if you're done."

Billy pauses a moment. “It’s been a pleasure gentlemen.”

“Thank you for your time. Desmond we will leave in the morning if that’s alright with you. Prepare your men.”

“Okay,” said Desmond. “We’ll meet you at your ship.”

(i made a mission thread)

Thanks!

Desmond wakes up at his apartment and goes in early to the HQ. He works out in the new Training facility Arimoto designed and says hello to the new Recruits from Aslief.

5:23 AM

He takes a shower

and then goes through his email. He sees Wind was injured and he goes to check on her.

Wind is recovering. She can only handle a small amount of healing per day due to her cyberware

“Have you heard from your old organization ?” Desmond asks.

5:54 AM

Desmond also sends a message to @opscomm “You free to meet up?”

“I have not. I believe they’re gone. Or in hiding. Atrovia is free. We are no longer necessary

“Well , if any wish to join us and you vouch for them,” Desmond says. “They have a place with us. Just wanted to drop by and thank you for your service.” (edited)

"Appreciate it Provost" she says weakly. "I'll be fit again in a few weeks"

“Take your time!” Desmond says. “Don’t push the recovery. Listen to the Docs and the@Physical Therapy. “

7:53 AM

Desmond leaves and goes back to HQ. He checks to see when the Recruits will be able to go back to Aslief.

If they can he will fly them back.

@Chris Fury (Desmond) "At Baron's place. You want to meet here or somewhere else?"

We can go to PC story swap

11:22 AM

@opscomm

Desmond will check to see if he has the staffing to make a SWAT team.

(I gotta tally up who’s building what right now. Idk how many free people we have)

4:19 PM

(Should be ok. Just wanna make sure)

(Thanks!)

The marshals from aslief are ready to return and will advise you of any problems on that world

5:28 PM

(We should have enough for a 10 man squad. I’ll let you know what the monthly payroll increase is)

(I have not been looking at faction turn credits. How many do we get a month?)

5:48 PM

Desmond sends @opscomm a message that he can have 10 member SWAT Team. Also he count me in if I’m available for any action.

(1/2 your wealth rating, +1/4 your combined force and cunning ratings. If you have a harvester roll a d6, on a 4+ you get another)

Desmond goes to the hospital

. Marcion called about Wind. (We’ll be on his channel.)

Desmond wraps up his conference with Franz, Arimoto and Marcion.

9:35 AM

He calls in Jered.

He is checking on the size of the HQ.

12:54 PM

And the administrative needs.

Jered enters, and has a large sheaf of papers with him

“Jered!” Desmond says. “We now have 40 Marshals, with 10 who are SWAT. I’m looking at expanding the HQ and getting more of a training facility that Marion asked for.”

1:17 PM

“How are you holding up with all the administrative matters. What additional staff do you need to keep up?”

Desmond notices all the papers Jered is carrying. "You know old buddy, I didn't realize you have a lot going on already and here I am just piling on more administrative bullshit. I've got to see about an issue in the Arctic . Just take your time and get back to me later."

(Yeah I had a busy day today. If you’re doing the arctic mission we can come back. I just didn’t answer in time)

Riger One to the Lone Star.  Desmond, this is Billy Rigers with Dr. Melora.  We intend on setting out for Acastus shortly, however Dr. Melora wishes to act as diplomat between Shua and Leda.  A tall order for certain.  If I take her toward Leda it will add another week to our Journey.  Perhaps you can fill your cargo with aid for Acastus as well.  We hope to see you soon.

(If he ends up going it’ll be a day or two behind you, since he’s on the TFL mission right now. Just posting this as a reminder)

(How do I post a message?)

(formatted like theirs you mean?)

( formatted )

Desmond asks Nancy to drop off the prisoners at the jail. He looks deep in thought.

Mop up operations are ongoing, but the four taken captive are deposited "Whats on your mind provost?"

“Well,” Desmond says. “I’m thinking of heading out to space and linking up with Billy and Melora. They may be going to Leda where there are rumors that the Remnant has taken hold.”

11:30 AM

“But there are the Exodus Ships, the Fleshshapers, the Still Lady and more Gudrun issues like the TFL and unification to address. What do you see as some of the biggest priorities now?”

"If they're already going to have a look around, running to catch up with them seems like a duplication of effort. We could focus more on deep space, and try to see what is out there. Maybe we will run across another of the Still Lady's conversion vessels"

“Okay,” Desmond says. “Get the Lone Star

ready and I’ll inform Hanz and the other Marshals. You’re good people Nancy Chu.”

she smiles and goes back to making some jump calculations

11:38 AM

(what hex are you looking to investigate?)

(I’ll look when I get home. I would probably coordinate with the new UNW to see if there is hot spot they want to look at. )

(sounds good)

11:50 AM

(maybe a good idea for me would be to post the star map in the rules channel or something so we are not leaning on roll20 for it)

( Can I count the last mission as a faction Goal?- Participate in the seizure of an asset from a hostile or criminal group ?

(it was destroyed, not seized)

Boss, just wanted to let you know I've got the squads all picked out, just waiting for their swearing in. Didn't know if you wanted to look them over first at all.

“I’ll go right now,” Desmond says. “Right before I leave.” (I’ll go to your channel)

1:28 PM

(Or the Marshal Channel!! Your in a mission! @opscomm )

Desmond will wait to talk to Franz.

(you were talking to him before and then we jumped into the marshal channel)

10:41 AM

Franz is awaiting the request of the marshal service

(I thought you wanted me to do it here. Sorry.)

(you're good)

“Thanks for coming Franz!” Desmond says. “With our enlarged personnel and increased missions I just wanted to see if you are happy with the organization so far?”

"The marshals have done a great deal to push the UNW forward, its hard not to be pleased with what you're doing"

“Thanks ” Desmond says. “Because it means a lot to me that we complete the goals you give us. I wouldn’t have a life if Greenbriar hadn’t given me a second chance.”

"Its a second chance for a lot of us, myself included"

“So I’m going to drop off some of these new Marshals and then go into deep space to look for these Exodus Ships.”

6:07 PM

“Unless you have an urgent mission for us.”

"I can't think of anything more urgent than that Marshal. Track them down, do what you can'

Desmond readies the Lone Star

with Nancy and gets the five new graduates

to drop off at Aslief. He works with Nancy on the pilot Preflight check off so as to hone his skills.

8:37 AM

“ we’re going deep space after this Nancy“

“Oh yeah? Where to?”

“You choose Nancy!” Desmond says. “I’m a neophyte Pilot. We’re looking for Exodus Ships so would that be near Acastus

9:01 AM

or closer to home?”

“Well; we know they’ve made it close to here At least. They’ve been drifting. Let me project some courses”

“Good idea,” Desmond says. “We need to protect the UNW systems.

"Well, we know they followed compass cardinal directions. We intercepted the one heading northwest. Lets shift downwards. heading due west"

“You’re the best Nancy!” Desmond says. “Let’s go to Aslief, drop off these Marshals and then head to deep space!”

The jump only takes about a day, and the marshals are dropped back at their post, ready to keep watch on a UNW ally.

"Okay Nancy," Desmond says. "Next stop Deep Space! Start drilling whenever you want!"

Hey boss, I just visited the R&D lab yesterday. The AI said something about there being a military intervention planned for Rawhani, did you know about that?

After Desmond sends the message he leans in his co-pilot chair and rubs his eyes. "I need some coffee Nancy, you need some?"

Desmond checks the sensors.

Nancy puts a course in for the northwest galactic, relative to Gudrun and emerges in deep space, just south of tsatsos. “Shit” she curses under her breath. “I knew that wasn’t right”

"What's wrong?" Desmond asks coming back with two coffees.

“Way off course” she frowns. Several red lights appear on the master screen

Desmond puts down the coffee. "What are those?"

"Master alarm for the drive. It's going to take me a while to get things going again. System engines are fine, but it'll be up to you. Looks like we found something"

9:02 AM

she points out the front viewscreen, to what looks like a striken mass conveyor

Desmond checks to see if the ship had noticed the Lone Star

.

9:18 AM

He checks for any change in direction , weapons fire or communication attempts.

The ship, for purposes here, looks dead in the void. A small debris spill slowly tumbles from the rear section, detrius kept constantly spinning by the lack of other forces in the void of space

“Being her in closer Nancy,” Desmond says finishing his coffee

️. “Looks like I’m going for a spacewalk.”

Desmond puts on his spacesuit and goes to the airlock.

Nancy gets the ship close to the leviathan of a capital ship. “Only the cargo section has power. I’ll grav tether us in place but I’m locking the hatch behind you. Don’t want any surprises while I fix the drive”

Desmond gets his laser rifle and Mag Rifle ready.

11:23 AM

He opens the airlock and readies himself when he gets close enough to board.

The airlock on the mass conveyor is lit by a flickering light. The ship name has been scoured away by microdebris. It’s 50m away, and the tether line begins to unspool

Desmond makes his way over to the ship.

The hatch is stuck when you mkake your way to the platform leading in (exert/str)

(3 Massive Fail! Looks like I know where to put my unused skill points!)

(you can also upgrade your core stats 5 times over the life of your character when you level, in lieu of taking skill points for that level up)

Desmond sees if he can use the affix a cable to the hatch and have Nancy back the ship a few feet, pulling it open.

Nancy manages to pull the hatch open, decompressing the bay. The then goes back to working on the spike drive and getting it repaired, and is not at the controls.

Desmond enters , gun up.

The cargo bay is dark. Yellow alert lights strobe on the walls as the decompression is registered. Cargo containers are stacked to the ceiling in neat rows

Desmond inspects the cargo.

The containers are a mix of colors, the serial numbers are nonsequential. all appear locked

(How big are the containers?)

(Think your standard tractor trailer size)

6:22 PM

(40 foot ish)

Desmond will try and open one up.

The container is not locked, but is closed by a simple metal prybar. The inside is filled with building supplies, very similar to how the original colony ship to Gudrun was packed

Desmond moves out of the container and starts looking for doors

out of the cargo bay.

There is a ladder at the end of the hold, with two yellow flashing lights at the base.

Desmond climbs down and looks around.

or he climbs up! I didn't think to ask

Up looks to be the only way to go. You are at the end of a long hallway, and from around a corner, two bobbing flashlight beams begin swinging toward you

(Can Desmond drop out of sight?)

(You can slide back down the ladder)

Desmond will slide down the ladder and take a position behind one of the containers. (If he has time. )

There is a flash from above as a flare is dropped into the hold. Two workers slide down afterward, each of them is wearing a ship suit with markings saying they belong to the engineering department. “Bridge said the decompression stopped. These phantom readings are driving me nuts” one complains. “Yeah. We only have enough power for another couple months. They should just turn the sensors off”

Desmond will step out. "I caused the decompression. I thought this was an abandoned ship. Where do you hail from?"

The lights spin around to concentrate on you. The intensity is blinding for just a moment until your eyes adjust. “How did you get aboard?”

“The airlock,” Desmond says. “Again where do you come from?”

12:25 PM

“I’m here to help. I thought this was an abandoned ship.”

“Elkano. We heard a signal from Gudrun. The flesh shapers were invading. We grabbed as many people as we could and fled”

“ why are you drifting out of power?”

"We took a hit from fleshshaper ships as we entered spike space, fleeing our system. There was a power surge, and we ended up way off course, dead in the void"

Desmond opens his comm so Nancy can hear but turns off the volume so they won’t hear her response.

1:16 PM

“Lucky I found you! How many are on here?”

“5,000 in cryosleep”

“Whose in charge?”

"The captain is alive, as are most of the senior bridge officers"

Desmond says, "Well, lead me to them. Maybe I can help."

“Where do you come from to just appear in our airlock?”

"From my ship," Desmond says. "My name is Marshal Desmond O'Shea of Greenbriar and with the United Nations of Worlds."

“I’ll bring you to the bridge. Security may ask for your weapons. Just as an advisement” the chief engineer says

"Lead the way," Desmond says.

6:17 PM

Desmond turns the volume back up to the lowest tone, like a whisper. "You get this Nancy ?" Desmond says in a low tone.

“Recording” she repeats back. You hear the clank of tools. She’s going to be preoccupied with fixing the spike drive for a while yet

Desmond looks for anything out of place as he follows them.

Last time you were on an expedition ship, you were in cold sleep, but nothing looks amiss as far as you can tell

Desmond follows,

You're taken to the forebridge of the expedition vessel, and four naval armsmen are waiting there, weapons slack but looking attentive

“I’m Marshall Desmond O’Shea from the United Nations

of Worlds,” Desmond says. “I’m based out Gudrun. How can I help?”

"Check your weapons, please" the sergeant of the armsmen says. The bridge doors are made of a thick metal, and also remain closed for the moment

“Okay,” Desmond said placing his rifle down.

He makes eyes at the second rifle on your back as well, as the other armsman raps on the bridge door, twice

10:09 AM

There is a smooth glide of oiled hinges, and the door begins to slowly open

Desmond gets ready to move fast

if he spots trouble.

The door opens, and you see a shattered bridge. Most of the consoles have blown out and there is evidence of fire, that has since been put out. Almost all the officers are bandaged and burned, lingering wounds from the ship being hit by flesh shaper weapons fire.

11:17 AM

the captain is an elderly man, looking but a step from death. He is belted into the command chair, his frail and burned frame hardly keeping his weight upright

“Captain,” Desmond says. “I’ve got an Extended Med Bay.

. I can take you and some of your people there.”

"Lets start with who you are and your reason for being on my ship" he rasps

“I apologize,” Desmond says. “My name is Marshall Desmond O’SHEA, I’m from Gudrun. I found you drifting in space during a patrol of Deep Space.”

"gundrun...." he says slowly, to himself "We were trying to get there, we heard your signal"

“I’m part of the United Nations

of Worlds”

"Can you get us to Gudrun? We were trying to flee there, we heard your signal"

“I can take you on my ship and stabilize most of your crew.”

1:53 PM

“We’re Working on transport.”

"Nobody can leave the ship, not with most of the passengers in deep sleep still. We can't just leave them"

Desmond looks for a second in command.

The first mate looks to be surprisingly unscathed, though he is missing an eye, he is sitting in the crew pit, working to splice some cables back together

“Sir,” Desmond says talking to the Captain while walking to the first mate. “Won’t the ones in cryo sleep be okay while some of your crew is healed?”

“I can’t spare anyone from the controls for that long (they’re severely injured without psionics even in an advanced med bag it could be weeks)

4:48 PM

“The electrical system is malfunctioning across the ship. If we don’t get teams down to the cryobanks or have enough hands to re route power as soon as a problem happens hundreds more could die”

“What can I do to help?”

5:52 PM

“Should I call for a Rescue Response?”

“Nancy,” Desmond asks. “How long for repairs?”

“At least another few hours Desmond. The drive is a complicated piece of machinery”

“We’ve got a ship running on almost no power with the threat of people dying in cryo-sleep. Could we run a power cord to this ship? We do have double the juice of a normal Free Trader.”

Nancy’s voice echoes. She’s in the bowels of the ship trying to get the drive ready. “You’ll have to run it yourself but yes. Probably could keep them going until rescue comes”

8:47 PM

(The civilian ship is capital size so it’s needs to fully power it are way more than you can provide yourself)

Desmond sends a message to Gudrun.

7:57 AM

“We have a drifting refugee Ship from Elkano with over 5,000 in cryo sleep which need assistance. “

7:58 AM

“They are in Deep Space at my coordinates. I will keep them alive as best I can. “

7:59 AM

Then Desmond has the Marshal Corvette and Shuttle sent as soon as possible.

8:00 AM

He will try and set up a power

hook up between the Lonestar and the Dderelict ship

(fix/int for the repair)

(I’ll have to roll when I get home.)

(i can do if you'd like)

(Thanks! )

(8) The cables and the power ports are repaired by desmond. enough to keep the ship going until a marshal rescue team arrives. Nancy is expecting to have your own spike drive repaired by time they get here

Desmond wipes the sweat

from his brow. “Didn’t know if I could pull that off!”

9:06 AM

Desmond asks the Captain and the First Officer if they could send some of their wounded over to the Lone Star

to help with their injuries.

They can spare a few of the non essential personnel, thanks to the power system being a bit more reliable

Desmond will check on the cryo chamber and the rest of the ship.

There are three banks where power has failed entirely, and medical teams are there trying to stabilize who they can. In some areas power has been out for so long the people are beyond saving

Desmond looks over the dead and those still in sleep. He shivers , remembering when he woke up from cryo sleep on Gudrun. He thinks how this used to be him. “We’ve got to save as many as we can.”

He says to himself.

Several hours pass as the corvette arrives. The shuttle is not able to make it, so marshals on gudrun have something available if needed

11:24 AM

aboard is an engineering team from the colony

Desmond makes the introductions and shows the engineers what he did to supplement power.

"This is solid work for a novice" their chief claps you on your armored shoulder. The mechanics begin trudging aboard, making contacts with those aboard the expedition ship

“I was in a similar situation and was lucky

to make it.” Desmond says.

12:09 PM

Desmond checks on the Captain and rest of the crew to see how they’re doing.

“Nancy,” Desmond asks. “How long for repairs?”

"We're leaving, the colony repair team and the corvette have it in hand. they'll guide the ship in"

2:39 PM

There is a rattle, and then finally a dull thrumm as the spike drive comes back online, and begins charging

“You’re the best!” Desmond says. “You need me for this or can I lay down for an hour?”

"Nope , get some rest Provost, I'll get us home (3xp, 5000 credits)

Desmond lays down and falls asleep to the sound of the spike drive as the Stars ✨ slide past.

4:29 PM

(Thanks )

The ship arrives at Gudrun a day later, followed by the expedition ship, and its cargo of colonists. The ship itself is damaged beyond meaningful use, and is scheduled for the breakers, rendered down into scrap. It's reactor core is going to one of the outlying colony settlements, once stabilized

Desmond will work to help the refugees find jobs and housing. He will look to see if any fit the Marshal Service, like the crew.

its going to take the rest of the month for the refugees to begin waking up, and to be medically cleared. They won't be ready for work or assignment elsewhere anytime soon

Desmond checks on @Selnath and @opscomm to see if they need anything.

Just preparing for the sit down with Bladonna. I ended up taking over planning security because the guy running it before did a shit job of recon. I'll send you over the plans, never hurts to have another set of eyes on these things.

12:31 PM

(Aka, if you feel like reading through the wall of marcion talking and think I left anything out.)

The refugees are slowly being revived. The ship captain, grateful for your assistance, is going to donate the power core of the ship to the marshal compound, making you not reliant on the colonial power grid

“This means more than you know sir!” Desmond says. @opscomm will be pleased. “It was a Captain like yourself who delivered me here in cryo sleep safely from Acastus. I would be dead

if it wasn’t for yourself.”

(Overcharge the fuck out of that electric fence now)

1

9:22 AM

I think we have enough men but if you want to tag along it probably wouldn't hurt.

@Nekosmash (Can I add onto Marcion’s mission as an assist?)

(sure)

Desmond gets back to his apartment and showers

.

7:58 AM

He collapses in bed .

Desmond has been busy the last few weeks, and sleeps fitfully before waking the following morning

Desmond gets up and looks at himself in the mirror after shaving. “I am not doing enough,” he says. “Acastus is still under the Still Lady, The Marshals need to grow more and I’ve got that Unity meeting to go to.”

10:01 PM

Desmond leaves for the meeting feeling troubled.

(Right now the marshal service numbers 30 on Gudrun, 3 on Aliah, and 5 on Aslief.

( We are growing! Desmond is worrying as usual. )

Desmond returns home to Gudrun, looks over the finances of the Marshals and sees what bounties are available.

11:22 AM

(Marshal Goals)

(I'll have your force goals up tonight)

11:29 AM

There are a few bounties out right now. The people of Asta are looking for someone to arbitrate their current conflict over water. One of the politys on Galeta suspect covert action was taken against them by a rival, and are paying for information The UNW is looking for confirmation that the mega-shipyard has indeed moved from Khulk, and if it has, what conditions on the planet are like.

(No rush at all. Its just bounties is one of the Marshal Goals.)

(those i listed are the three bounties up right now)

Desmond walks up to the Lone Star

, he looks over its smooth lines and the way it combines a submarine and a starship. He calls out," Nancy, you there?"

Desmond looks around for her.

“Inside Provost” she calls. There is another bang as some tools fall

“I’m thinking about looking for a shipyard,” Desmond says. “You up for a trip to Khulk?”

"Well, I'm not keen on going into the mouth of the beast, but we can try"

“Well,” Desmond says. “The UNW is looking for confirmation that the mega-shipyard had moved from Khulk, and what conditions on the planet are like.”

7:34 AM

“So, get ready and we will leave tonight!”

7:39 AM

Desmond informs the UNW (would that be Franz or Kincaid?) they will be taking that bounty.

When Nancy is ready they will leave.

(either one) Nancy spends the day getting the ship ready . (What;s your jump route looking like?)

(Gudrun-Aslief-Galatea-Vamdat-Khult)

(Alright, I have to generate something for Vamdat, standby)

(If it’s too much trouble I can use another route)

(it's not!)

11:44 AM

Aslief turns in the heavens, looking much like Acastus from above, though bathed in the light of a healthier sun and missing the ominous moons. Your marshals there report elections have gone peacefully under their watch

“By ensuring these elections were peaceful and fair you have given this new government a legitimate start! You’re making the Marshals shine!”

So far everything has remained peaceful, despite some tension between Commander Cole and the rest of the council.

Desmond will check to see if the Marshals need any assistance from him concerning this tension.

There is still some tension in cove neck, as they did not win as much of a share of the votes as they wanted. Soldiers from the city guard are still on the streets

"Do you need me to go on planet?" Desmond asks. "and if so where should I put down?"

"Youre welcome to come down and take a look, I'm not sure it's going to escalate into anything yet, the planetary sub-provost says

2:21 PM

"It's just strange to me that they haven't returned to their barracks yet"

2:22 PM

(basically he's not sure if this is some kind of precursor to the city declaring marshal law or something)

“Bring Justice where the Law can't reach, Bring Security to the Defenseless and Bring help to any Marshall who calls on you." Desmond says. “Nancy we’re going to land on Aslief.”

2:44 PM

“Sub-Provost, Inform Commander Cole we’re coming in,” Desmond says.

2:45 PM

“Nancy, “ I’m going to call and Clear a flight ✈️ path for the Lone Star

.”

The few domestic flights that are running are diverted to other airports, and the lone star heads in (what city, did you want to land right at cove neck? or praxis the capital)

(Cove Neck)

The reception is cold as the ship comes in to land. No one comes out to greet the Lone Star, aside from the Sub-Provost

Desmond moves forward quickly and shakes the Sub-Provost's hand. "How goes it?"

“Strange tidings that bring you here provost. The soldiers aren’t clearing the streets”

“No clearing of streets?”Desmond asks. “Who gives them orders?” (edited)

"Not sure. I went to the barracks a few times now and was denied entry. We have police for this. Armed soldiers shouldn't be on city streets with the elections concluded

Desmond calls up Commander Cole.

7:05 AM

He also sends a message to Cyrus.

Commander cole is not answering, her aide de camp advises you she is aware of the situation and is in a briefing with her officers to see which units are involved in this

“Are these troops at the Capitol near Commander Cole?”

(Cove neck is a city about 1000km to the west of the capital)

7:29 AM

"No, the capital is a far distance from where you are right now"

“Okay,”’Desmond says. “So the only city with armed soldiers who are out patrolling is Cove Neck?”

"Correct, things are peaceful here in the capital, and the southlands"

Desmond sighs. “I’m glad it’s localized in Cove City.”

8:52 AM

Desmond calls the aide de camp and tells them the Marshals are ready to assist.

The support is appreciated. Cove Neck's city defense is not answering any requests for communication

Desmond will hand out flop guns to some Marshals so that they will have a non-lethal Response option to aggressive behavior.

A handful are issued, and you, along with the 5 marshals on world, stand ready

9:40 AM

You've been advised that the barracks communications hub here in cove neck is not responding to comm traffic from the capital

We tell Commander Cole we are heading to the Barracks.

A message comes through from Cyrus "If it was going to be anyone it would've been them. If it gets too hostile pull out and call me."

At the barracks, floodlights illuminate the always dark city streets, allowing the block to be seen in perfect detail. Many soldiers are milling around inside the camp, or the street corners around it. Some are laughing, others are warming themselves around burn fires. As you approach, you see one empty the contents of what looks to be a ballot box into the burn barrel.

Desmond uses his cyborg eyes to take a picture of the burning ballot box . He sends that picture to Commander Cole.

11:48 AM

(Through his comm...Desmond isn’t telepathic or a full cyborg.)

(right, you've got the augmented eyes(

Desmond looks for the highest ranking officer.

There is a captain at the gate, in power armor, along with a handful of lesser ranking soldiers, sergeants and corporals from various squads

Desmond tells the Marshals. “I’m going to approach him. Cover me.”

9:55 AM

Desmond calls Nancy, “How soon could you pick up some Marshals at the barracks? Here are the coordinates.”

"There are only a handful on planet Provost, they're all with you now"

“Bad wording, How soon could you get to these coordinates?”

"I'm on the landing pad here now, you want me to hold station above the barracks?"

“Yes,” Desmond says. “I’m about to question a local Captain in the military about an issue with the voting

.”

10:09 AM

Desmond sends her the pictures on the scene to help.

“Okay Marshals,” Desmond says. “We were tasked with overseeing voting

and now we have ballot boxes being burned. Cover me when I approach the Captain.”

Seeing armed marshals approach, the conversation stops and the soldiers turn to face you. "Evening officers, streets are safe and sound, sorry to make you come out on such a cold night"

“Captain, I am Provost Desmond O’Shea,” Desmond says. “I’m here with the Sub-Provost. We’ve discovered burned ballot boxes here at the barracks.”

"Well, we're not exactly hiding them. The election is over and the people have spoken. The people have spoken here too, and we assure you we have the situation well in hand"

“Who do you report to Captain? The Capital keeps calling here but there is no response.”

"I report to the city council here"

2:40 PM

"the transmissions would be going to them, civilian control of the military here marshal"

“Destruction of ballot boxes

and disregard of democracy,” Desmond says. “Armed soldiers in the streets. Peace under booted heels. We both know what this is.” (edited)

“Marshal this doesn’t need to get ugly. I respect all my brothers in uniform”

“Vice-Provost,” Desmond asks. “Are the soldiers supposed to report to city council?”

"They are, here and to the commander in city central"

“So Captain,” Desmond says. “You are supposed to report to both the Cove City Council and the Commander in City Central? Are you changing your chain of command because you didn’t like the world’s vote?”

"Cove Neck stood by itself against the Remnant, and we paid for it. The commander and her men remained behind their walls, and it was your UNW volunteers that saved us. This isn't a coup or a succession from the UNW. We would not be here if not for you, and we intend to remain loyal.

7:28 PM

"but we are planning to clean house here"

“What do you mean by ‘clean house’?”

“The commander did not act in our best interest. We need to get unfaithful actors off the stage of Aslief, but as promised, we are in no way leaving the UNW.

"We were here to make sure the elections went smoothly," Desmond says. "You've overseen the destruction of ballot boxes and you are proclaiming the need to 'get unfaithful actors off the stage of Aslief'. You may not agree with the Commander but you are supposed to report to her."

10:29 AM

Desmond holds his ground. He is hoping for Nancy's imminent arrival. (edited)

The lights of the ship are rapidly approaching, she will be here in seconds

"I'm taking you in for questioning Captain," Desmond says. "for Destruction of Ballot Boxes, interfering in the vote and suspicion of violent intent in regards to the peace."

“That” he says with an exasperated sigh “will not be happening” The soldiers on street corners, the roof, and near the base gate itself begin gathering their arms. None of them are pointing them at you but you do sense care is needed lest this escalate. “If I go with you I’m guilty. If I don’t comply with orders from my superiors I’m also guilty. You’re not giving me a lot to work with here marshal”

“You’re not giving me anything to work with,” Desmond says. “Our UNW mission is to oversee this election and I’ve just come across ballot burning. How about you tell me exactly who ordered these actions and we’ll count that as your questioning.”

“The city council of cove neck. They’re locked in the council hall under guard and haven’t come out after giving the orders”

(Is there enough space on or near the barracks for the Lone Star

to land?)

(there is)

“Okay Nancy!” Desmond says. “Land!”

Nancy brings the lone star down near the barracks, ramp extended

"Marshals let's go," Desmond says.

7:54 PM

Desmond goes up the ramp and calls Commander Cole.

“Commander, we have met with the Captain at Cove Neck. He is only taking orders from the city council. They are under guard and in lock down after giving their commands.”

“Did they say what they are planning at all?”

“All the Captain alluded to was, in his words, ‘The commander did not act in our best interest. We need to get unfaithful actors off the stage of Aslief, but as promised, we are in no way leaving the UNW.’ “

She sounds very tired. "It sounds like the choice is clear. If my resignation will end whatever demonstration this is supposed to be, It seems I have no choice"

“Do not step down,” Desmond says. “We cannot allow those who burn ballots wrap themselves in legitimacy!”

"Then what are you suggesting?"

“It is only Cove Neck,” Desmond says. “They have interfered in the elections and declared martial law. I will go and arrest them.”

"Just the handful of you? against a whole division?"

Desmond shakes his head. "I am obviously in over my head here. A whole division of troops is now answering to a city council? How many troops would take the field to defend democracy and not burn ballots or fall in love with martial law?"

"I'm not sure. I'm going to...I need to talk to Cyrus. Marshal, I think the best thing for you to do would be to make the wider UNW aware. Just in case"

"Okay," Desmond says. "I guess this is something we can't handle."

(3xp, 5000 credits, and we shall return to this quest line. Did you want to be part of the big attack on alcibiades?)

(Thanks! Yes.)

(alcibiades space is the mission channel)

(I just posted in the Theater to ask where they needed me.)

(Should I take the Commander with me?)

(she's going to book passage back to Gudrun on her own shuttle, and there will be a de-brief with her when the battle is over

Desmond looks over the damage to the Lone Star . “So where should we go for repairs? I’m thinking of contacting the engineers.” (edited)

"If you want" she says, looking down at the controls. "UNW has done fine work too"

“Please set a course to UNW,” Desmond says. “Do you need to rest? I can pilot.”

"I'm alright Provost" she says, bringing the ship in to dock. "Those fighters were a problem. We should start using the Arrogate more. "

“Good idea,” Desmond says.

“Armor” she says, rapping the hull twice with her knuckles.

9:34 PM

“Makes a difference”

“Message received,” Desmond says. “I’ll do that.”

6:19 AM

“I’m going to lie down and sleep.” Desmond says.

Desmond goes to his room. @ *Desmond goes to his office/bunk room and sits on the bed. He looks at the picture of his wife.

6:31 AM

“Miss you Drina,” he says.

6:32 AM

He tries to sleep, thinking about the better times in Acastus, before the cult.

Sleep is thankfully, a silent, black, oblivion, and you have no dreams- but no nightmares either. Dawn is gray, and you awake feeling about as tired as when you went to sleep

Desmond will get up, drink some coffee

️ and think for awhile.

Desmond calls Nancy and asks, "Do you want to pilot the Arrogate?"

"It depends what we are doing. She's not been in for refit, not since Provost Harcrow was in charge. I', not sure how servicable she is, but shes an actual war-ship"

"Finish the bounty we started for the UNW and look for confirmation that the mega-shipyard had moved from Khulk, and what conditions on the planet are like."

"Lets take the Lone Star, but get the Arrogate in for fitting. We've been sitting on a good resource, letting it mothball"

"Okay," Desmond says. "Who do we send it too?"

“I’d say the UNW for now. Less red tape as far as it being a war vessel”

9:18 PM

(The extra everything will be useful for you too. Can mount more than one gun and have some extra fittings)

(So do I sent the stats to Shriven?)

(Yeah)

8:06 AM

(He’s got a handy double check sheet he made that’s got the math automated)

1

Desmond arranges for Tuk Kun (NPC name on the faction description) to pilot the Arrogate into the UNW for refits.

11:44 AM

@Rey (Shriven)

11:45 AM

(I will send some different ideas to Shriven)

(You rang?)

11:45 AM

(Just DM them.)

(Okay will work on them today)

(Do you have a spreadsheet to wok on them?)

(No)

As the Arrogate is taken in for refit, Nancy and Desmond prepare to head south. The shipyard's presence at Alcibades means it has moved, but there is still great value in getting an idea of what is to the south of the sector

"Okay Nancy," Desmond says. "Same course! Gudrun-Aslief-Galatea-Vamdat-Khult"

8:28 AM

"Also, I just remembered one of Thorn's spike probes was shot down in Zone 404 southwest of Mariam. Ships have previously flown through that area without trouble. She said the probe vanishes in 0404H, the signal somehow transmitting for an additional 16 seconds after experiencing a terminal hull breach."

8:29 AM

"Maybe we could swing by there first."

"up to you. Should I change course?"

"Okay," Desmond says. "0404H, then we backtrack and follow the originial route."

The drill takes two days, and you’re abruptly catapulted from spike space at the edge of the system. And intensely powerful ion storm is brewing

Desmond takes readings to see if anything is different about this storm.

1:51 PM

“Nancy,” Desmond says. “This is where the probe vanished. I’m going to plot the last trajectory against our present heading.”

"It's the heart of the storm" she says. "I'm not sure we can stand up to a direct ion strike, but its your call Provost"

“Okay,” Desmond says. “Let’s get out of here.”

Nancy brings the lone star back on course. You’re familiar with aslief many times over. The next stop is Glaeta, a post scarcity planet. The politys there are nominally on the same side, each connected to their own master gestalt like mind, but there are the shadow games you’d expect

5:09 PM

To them, the great game is a distraction and a diversion, as their needs being met gives them nothing to compete over

"Quite a philosophy," Desmond remarks. "Reminds me of Plato and the Parable of the Cave."

"How so?" nancy asks, as she makes adjustments for another spike leg of the trip

“Plato wrote about people being prisoners who perceive reality as only shadows on a cave wall. It gets complicated when one can escape the cave and see the light.”

“Hmmm.” She seems deep in though “they brought Shriven‘s wife back. I guess she’s the last though. The Galetans are a secretive bunch (edited)

“They did what!?!” Desmond asked.

“I was listening in one night at the spirit. They were talking about some generic recloning program the Galetans were working on. Apparently there was some kind of accident at the facility and she was the last one

“Did she come back with her memories?”

“She did as far as I know”

“I wonder if Drina could come back,” Desmond says.

"Thats just it, there was an accident. If you want, we can land and see if theyre planning on rebuilding it?"

“Definitely,” Desmond says. “Although I find myself with some unsettling questions. I’m going to check the cargo hold fast.”

8:55 AM

Desmond walks to the cargo hold and pulls up a picture of Drina on his compad. (edited)

It's just you down there, and the gentle howl of space outside.

Desmond comes back. He calls down to the planet. “This is Marshal Desmond O’Shea and Marshal Nancy Chu on the Lone Star

. We’re requesting to land and speak with those who ran the recloning program.”

There is some hissing and static before four electronic voices all saying the same words replies. "Lone Star, you are free to land at the western settlement of Actropia. You will be expected."

“Okay Nancy,” Desmond says. “Let’s see what this world

offers.”

The world below is divided up between a few different politys, each controlling their own domains down to even the climate- perfectly tailored to meet the preferences of its collective leadership. Arctopia looks like the most beautiful swiss ski resort town you could possibly imagine.

“Never been here,” Desmond says. “Looks like they are striving for collection of Utopias.”

"Seems pretty darn close to a utopia as it is" nancy says, admiring the scenery. "I

12:38 PM

ve never seen snow before"

“Where are you from Nancy?”

"Miserable backwater planet, industrial heartland though, i learned to fly by flying bulk ore flyers there."

1:07 PM

"Taught me to have a soft hand on the thrusters"

“Well,” Desmond says. “You taught me well.”

1:34 PM

“Let’s see what type of spaceport they have here.”

The Lone Star is parked in Arctopia already, the pristine ski resort town with its rustic looking log cabins, even though each is highly advanced. Four identical looking delegates are on the platform awaitting your exit

Desmond gets off the Lone Star

and goes to meet them.

"Welcome, to Arctopia" the four all say , at once

“Thank you.” Desmond says.

"What brings you to Galeta, Lone Star?"

“I’d like to speak with those who ran the recloning program.”

"The recloning program is no longer in operation. Are you here in a law enforcement capacity?"

“No, we are passing on the way to an investigation,” Desmond says. “This is a personal matter. My wife was murdered on Acastus by the Stil Lady Cult five years ago. I was wondering if your recloning process could have brought her back.”

"It could have" they reply once again in unison "but the program is no longer in operation. An industrual accident destroyed the re-cloning vats and the machinery needed to implant the proper memories"

“Anything needed to fix it?”

"Fixing the program, if the government here decides to reboot it, would take years of painstakingly re-creating research. "

“What would convince the government to reboot this?”

"We have everything we need, and then some. Only someone of a high reputation with the Galetan people would be able to petition for a favor like that"

“Is there anyone in the UNW who has such a reputation?”

"We've only been in contact with one, Shriven. His favor was spent, getting his wife returned to him

11:39 AM

(they don't really have a need for money since they're a post-scarcity trans human society, reputation is basically how they account for things, complex network of favors owed, and clients/patrons tying everything together)

“Understood,” Desmond says. “May your Heaven remain blessed. I return to the other places.”

(so you can go as far down the rabbit hole with trying to earn favor there as you want to, but that's the mechanic for getting stuff done there)

Desmond returns to the Lone Star . He looks at the log cabins and the mirrored people.

1:18 PM

“Okay Nancy,” Desmond says. “Continue our journey.”

"Lets" she says "but its good to note this place. They're interesting"

THe next portion of the trip is an unruttered route, heading to Vamdat, and Nancy is expecting it is going to take about a week to reach your destination

Desmond spends lots of time in his bunk room in deep contemplation. (Can he contact Shriven this far out?)

(yeah just with a few days delay_

Desmond takes sometime learning some piloting and navigation from Nancy. He also checks on how her career with the Marshals is going.

Nancy's career is to be a pilot, there isn't a whole lot of room for promotion from her largely technical role

Ok

(No that’s what she’s saying. Sorry. She wants to be promoted and learn new things but the marshals aren’t big enough yet)

(Well I guess we will work on getting bigger. I thought we were achieving our goals! We did Expand the Marshal office to administrate resource use more effectively (SoG, lvl 3 HQ). Would that open some promotions?)

7:54 PM

Desmond tells Nancy, "We have to head to Acastus." "Billy is starting a mission there and we're needed."

(It would be now, and you are. gotta give you new things to work toward though)

7:57 PM

(There's a mission thread up for them now, I took the Acastus recon thread out, all the missions there have been in it so far)

Thanks. I'll go ahead and do what work I can here to find out more information about these wackos. Wind is talking with the psychics as we speak, hopefully they will help us figure out what the hell kind of ritual shit we are dealing with.

Desmond sets a course for Gudrun.

With Dax aboard

The Lone Star returns to Gudrun orbit 3 days later, the body of Regulus in state, kept pristine in the advanced medical bay

"Thanks for letting me come back with you, Des. I appreciate it. This whole thing... didn't quite go how I thought it would. Certainly didn't think I'd be losing a ... friend? colleague? I don't know... We weren't close, but we'd seen each other through some tough spots before. I'd never tell him, but I think I might miss some of his professor rambling."

“I think this may not be the last time you hear his voice.”

"I suppose not, but... yeah. You're right. It could be worse."

“Let’s hope it will be better.”

upon returning, Dax sees the news that Doona has called a meeting for all academy members, since news of Regulus falling in battle has reached them

(back to my channel then?)

(sure we can do that)

8:10 PM

Desmond returns to news of Marcion's swift handing of the shooting in the port, and about the suspected still lady cult that was uncovered and disrupted here on Gudrun

Desmond showers in the ship and is too tired to go home so he sleeps in his cabin.

Regulus revealed a great many things before fading back into the background MES of the universe. This conflict with the Still Lady, and news of her holding Mira's soul in thrall makes this conflict even more personal

1

What's up boss? Was planning on taking the day off, but I suppose I can meet you.

I can meet you at the Harvest Spirits or at the local diner. Up to you. Just want to check in on your case load  and pass on some information.

@opscomm

(Ill get back to this tomorrow, my bad leg is in a ton of pain tonight)

(No problem!)

I can meet for lunch. You want Wind there too?

“Up to you, I know it’s short notice.”

Marcion will meet @Chris Fury (Desmond) for lunch at the diner with Wind.

Desmond will be at the Diner already, he is sitting alone in a booth drinking coffee ️.

9:11 AM

️

"Hey boss." Marcion says as he sits down.

“Good seeing you two!” Desmond says. “I like the pancakes

and

. The menu is small but tasty .” (edited)

(Good point! I can change that...)

"Yeah, I've been here a few times after late nights." Marcion says, ordering an omlette and pancakes.

11:41 AM

"Went ahead and brought Wind too. What did you need to talk about?"

“I just got back from my homework’s Acastus. The Stil Lady’s cult is spreading across the Sector. I also ran into a man called Cornelius who mentioned he ran into you and wanted to help the family of a deceased from one of your cases.”

11:50 AM

“Just wanted to see how both your cases were going and if you noticed any patterns.” (edited)

"I haven't seen any patterns, we just had the two cases recently, didn't seem to be connected at all. Nothing major has come up today or someone would have told us. We were both planning to take the day off."

12:05 PM

"As far as this Cornelius is concerned, I was going to contact him tomorrow."

12:07 PM

"I did want to talk to you about future plans though. Eventually I think we will need the SWAT team to be larger amd more mobile if we are going to cover more planets. Wind told me we have another Corvette just lying around and suggested I talk to you about repurposing it for the SWAT team."

“The Corvette is yours to use and outfit as you want for the SWAT Team.”

"Great, now I just need the money to do so. Maybe I can call in a favor or two for some of it."

“We’ve got the money

.”

"Okay, good, then I shouldn't worry anymore about the 2.5 million the Combine tried to give me after they bought off that Kensh dudes sentence before he even went to trial."

“Whoa! Tell me more about the Combine!”

"Greystar Combine, mercenary group of some kind, people the UNW did business with apparently. Don't know much about them honestly."

1:31 PM

"Kincaid told me about the whole selling of the prisoner herself and said I did 'Good Work'. I called her a jackass and refused to accept the blood money."

1:32 PM

"A shitty day after a good day."

“Greenbriar used to do business with the Combine. I thought we stopped. My cybernetic limbs came from them.

"I didn't know you had cybernetic limbs. Maybe since I have all this money I should just get something more permenent for my leg."

1:36 PM

He says looking at Wind for her opinion

You see wind give a slight nod

"Before we were the UNW I was revived by the government of Greenbriar, with President Kincaid and Franz. I had been so damaged by my wounds on Acastus that I had headaches, limped and lacked strength in my left arm."

"The Greystar Combine had given Greenbrar good intelligence with maps and they even made intimations that they were involved in things like Galactic justice. (edited)

4:53 PM

"They offered to repair my limbs and they even took care of my neurological issues." Desmond points at his eyes. "There are now artificial also. My headaches are gone and I can not send pictures from my vision."

"Still doesn't give them the right to subvert justice. I don't know what to tell these families. 'Sorry this guy killed your husbands and fathers, but his skills were needed elsewhere so he didn't even spend a night in prison.'"

"I thought we stopped doing business with them when they were involved with the unbreaking of the AI."

"Apparently not. I didn't even know they existed. My head was pretty stuck in the sand by that farm of mine."

"Well, you've got the Arrogate at your disposal for the SWAT Team and if you could reach out to Cornelius that would be much appreciated. I'll get with Jerud N'Cabe and see if he's got any information on the Greystar Combine, but I fear they are politically beyond the reach of our justice system if what President Kincaid told you is the state of affairs."

"There is one other thing you should probably know. Wind and I, I guess started seeing each other. It just sort of... happened one night."

Desmond looks at Wind and then at Marcion.

Marcion just shrugs

Desmond smiles.

5:23 PM

"I am happy for you both," Desmond says. "And I'm glad that this is an informal meeting. Take care of each other and don't let this job get in the way of your happiness."

5:25 PM

Desmond seems sad for a second and then his strange eyes seem to glow briefly.

5:27 PM

"I was told the psychic remnant of my wife Drina is held captive by the Still Lady. So if two people can be happy for some space of time, who am I to say anything."

"This shouldn't affect our job performance, certainly didn't yesterday. I don't know what we were originally planning to do today, what were we going to do today Wind?"

6:09 PM

"Aside from nothing"

“Nothing!” She says pleasantly. “We do something every day.”

"Well," Desmond says. "Its good to see you happy Wind. I remember when we first met. You seem to have found a great space and a great person."

“Yeah. I did. I remember our first meeting too. I lost my stealth suit but I got so much more”

"Good! Well I've got to go. Lunch is on me. Take care you two and stay in touch, these Sectors are getting more complicated and little simple communication and good will goes a long way."

6:22 PM

Desmond stands, grabs his hat and shakes both their hands.

(Gonna move back to my chat now)

(Thanks for coming!)

(np)

(what's desmond getting into next?)

(Going to New Moon!)

Desmond tells Nancy to land on Gudrun so he can go to the Unity Council Meeting.

Desmond calls back to HQ and asks if Jerud remembers anything from their past investigations on Acastus that referenced an "eaten god".

The term is completely new to him. The only information he has is what which regulus gave to everyone after his death

Desmond then goes to the HQ and starts to make preparations for a trip.

10:03 AM

He tells Jerud he will be heading to Acastus.

He gets with Nancy and says, "Plot a path to Acastus. I'm thinking Gudrun, Halia, Suha, Leda, Acastus."

“Alright. The normal route then, I’ll have us off shortly”

Desmond thinks ahead to all the people he knew growing up and who he could contact in Ash City.

(no real news of value on the way) Alone, Desmond returns to Acastus. Even with the loss of her airforce, the Still Lady still has anti orbit defenses, and they are diligently watching the skies.

Desmond sees if he can either electronically jam these anti-orbital defenses to make an untracked landing.

The breaker guns cover the city, and the area immediately beyond, but landing outside of range and walking into town would keep you safe

3:55 PM

With no planes anymore, you're not likely to be intercepted

Desmond lands the Lone Star

and tells Nancy. “I’m going in to search out any clues on the Still Lady. Keep yourself hidden and I’ll be back. If you need to make a break for it send me an alert

over my comm.”

4:33 PM

Desmond puts his comm on vibrate, like he’s going to a hologram movie

or Unity Meeting.

Nancy seals the hatch tight, and awaits your return (did you land in the resistance camp, or making your way in on your own?)

(Desmond decided to make it in on his own. He doesn’t want to endanger the cause and he knows the rebels had been infiltrated when he was last here.)

(good plan)

8:28 AM

Desmond begins making his way toward the city, the sky overhead is streaked with off planet mining rockets coming back down. They've been forced to jettison their payload capsules on shallow descents, before breaking apart in re-entry. The grav-port being down has choked supply lines

Desmond keeps moving. He stays just off the paths in the mushroom forest so as to keep away from encountering anyone. (edited)

(sneak/dex_

(I’ll roll in a few hours. At work.)

(no worries)

(11)

Desmond is close to the city when he hears a patrol heading down the path in front of him. The red orange glow of torches is seen through the trees

Desmond moves further off the path and hides behind the largest mushroom or nearby foliage.

A patrol passes, one of the tentacle dogs, and four cultists moving past.

10:40 AM

One has a torch, and the other 3 have beaten looking solid shot rifles

Desmond moves further in towards the city.

Approaching city limits from the south, you see the destroyed checkpoints from your previous attack have not been rebuilt. Smoke still rises from the direction of the airport. The only things in the air now are the iconoclast bots, their distorted prayer wheel shapes floating lazily by, murmuring praise and calls to conversion to the Still Lady

Desmond will move into the city.

The outer neighborhoods are run down , though with their own corner stores. Cult activity is light, most of the homes suburban but neglected

(Can the Connect Foci and the Connect skill be used to look up old friends or contacts in the Ash City Police? Like a retired Captain or something?)

(yes)

Desmond goes to the local corner store and asks to use the

️. He’s going to call a retired Police Captain he knows.

The phone picks up on the second ring, but no one answers. You can hear them breathing (edited)

"Hey, remember me Cap?"

"Who...Who is this?"

3:19 PM

the voice is horse

Desmond O’Shea

“Detective Desmond O’Shea. I never thanked you for sending me to Gudrun in cryo when I was in my coma. I’d probably be dead if I stayed.”

"As good as it is to hear from you, I wish you wouldn't have called. you've got half the planet after you. you're aware of that, right?"

“I’m following up on an old investigation,” Desmond says. “You still have access to the property room or old files on the cult cases?”

"I have some files. I was forced to retire, can't get you into the station anymore"

“That’s amazing Cap’” Desmond says. “Can I pick them up from you? Maybe ask you some questions?”

8:39 AM

“I know it’s a lot and I understand if you can’t. It could make things better.”

"Don't meet me here. Meet me in Ashberry park, um...two hours? Is that enough time? "

(How far away am I to Ashberry Park? Love the name!)

(I'd say even in ash city you could probably get anywhere within a couple hours. so you;d be about on time, within minutes of each other getting there)

“Can you give me three?” Desmond says. (Desmond is trying to get there early to scope the place out.)

"Three it is, don't be late" The line clicks off

Desmond heads to Ashberry Park. He tries to get there early so he can be scout out the area.

(lets get a notice/int, just for anything that might not be immediately visible)

(8)

There are two cameras nestled into the trees, but you think you've located a blindspot between them at one of the park benches

Desmond remembers taking Drina to the park here. She loved the different colored and spotted mushroom trees, the bright pink and green lichen blooms and the glow bugs..

2:55 PM

He goes to the park bench, using his hat to shroud his face and trying to stay in the blindspot.

Ten minutes later, another gentleman, with a bionic hand and arm sits down on the bench next to you. He is similarly dressed. "Desmond. It's both good and bad to see you"

“Yes,” Desmond says. “It was the best of times it was the worst of times, it was the age of Wisdom it was the age of foolishness. I don’t remember the whole beginning but it also said it was the season of Light it was the season of Darkness. A great book.”

"You said you have questions? "

“Yes Cap,” Desmond says. “I’m wondering if you have any files or insight into the cult cases?”

"What did you want with those? all seems very....insignificant....compared to what's around us"

“A lot of people were murdered, like Drina, that led to this,” Desmond says. “They count.”

8:13 AM

“They may also be the clues that tell us how it fix it.”

8:14 AM

“But let me ask you how you’re doing? I see you’ve got some Bionics. What happened?” (edited)

"Cult uprising, when they took control of the city. Grenade thrown into my office window"

11:21 AM

"Our station was one of the first ones hit"

“Sorry to hear that,” Desmond says. “How does it feel?”

"Sometimes i think i can feel my own leg still, under all those wires and cables"

11:30 AM

"but you get used to it"

“What’s it like now in the city? How do you get by?”

"I keep to myself. People check up on me, we grow our own food. It's dangerous for me to be outdoors for long. There is still a bounty on police and army personnel who didn't pledge service"

“Well if you got anything or insight into the origins of the Still Lady I’ll take it.”

"Tell me what you now, and I'll try to fill in the gaps. I'm not sure how much of my knowledge is propoganda"

“Well, this is tough to say but she seems to have control over Drina’s psyche or for better word soul.”

12:02 PM

“She is also an “Eaten God” so she is not all powerful. She can be defeated, especially by light like lasers. A guy I know Billy put a real hurt on her.”

"So far it all lines up" he seems a bit relieved

12:04 PM

"Well, she seems to have some trouble with the powers she once held, You've killed a lot of her followers"

12:04 PM

"The more her congregation diminishes, the weaker she seems to get"

“Well I’ve helped reduce that congregation a little.”

12:16 PM

“They seem like mainly lost souls with a sprinkling of sadists thrown in.”

“She can find followers but leaders are rare.”

"The cobalt killer was one. Lost, and damned. Cunning enough for ten men"

"Yes," Desmond says. "He really terrorized this city. Getting him was good police work. Of course it cost lots of us. Just like those riots cost you."

“She has a few others like that. Magisters would be their cult rank. They’d be a significant blow to weakening her. She’s invested much in all of them”

“Know any current ones? Some great detectives I work with like Arimoto and Marcion have run into some.”

“Only by nickname. Not who they were before”

“They love their titles! What ones do you know?”

“The hanged man, whisper, and the changeling. She’s made great use of them”

“This is good intel Cap! Anything I can do for you?”

"Nothing, but I think this is as much as I can say safely right now. The longer I'm out the more likely someone will see me"

Desmond nods and stands up. “Thanks for everything. It means much to the struggle.”

11:05 AM

“Take care of yourself. Watch out for the cameras.” (edited)

"good eye" he says, adjusting his leave approach " I'll see you soon"

Desmond makes his way back to the Lone Star.

Nancy powers up the vehicle, and it lifts off, heading back into space

“The hanged man, whisper, and the changeling,” Desmond says to Nancy. “Ever hear of them?”

"No, should I have?"

“I’m going to check with the others in the UNW.” Desmond says. “I know they’ve run into them.”

(ooc here, i dont know who would. Nobody you've faced yet on raids or anything was notable in any way. further attacks might get their attention now, since you've done a fair amount of damage to Still Lady operations, but our talk earlier was the first time any of those names have been mentioned in this game)

(I was trying to say they’ve run into different leaders or possible Magisters. Not well written. ) (edited)

7:37 PM

(Desmond is trying to put together clues and captured cultists for a better portrait of the Still Lady.)

(they haven't though, is what I am saying. You've not had any run ins with them yet, but now you have 3 targets for assassination or however you choose to handle it)

(Got it! I'm going to link up with some of the others, pass on the information and then try and deal with them. Thanks for the trip back to Acastus!)

Nancy takes the lone star to system edge and home as quick as she is able. Acastus is a dangerous planet and she has no desire to linger

8:31 PM

(3xp, 10000 credits)

Marcion here. I just got back from the first mission to Fleshshaper space. Saw the video from Malak. I talked with Franz and he gave me the director of the UIS position. Wanted to talk with you about joining the organizations at least until we get both built up more.

Desmond gets back to HQ. He sends a message to the Jedamane Marshals and the Marshals on Aslief for an update.

all is quiet

Desmond calls up the Harvest Spirits.

The baron answers after it rings for a moment. "Harvest Spirits"

"I'd like to set up a Marshal Appreciation and fundraiser. What nights are available?

"Anything that works for you Provost"

I'd like to do Marshal Appreciation Celebration and Psionic Academy Fundraiser, with all the the donations going to the Regulus Fund- a charity that helps struggling psychics like those who fled the Remnant, Fleshshapers or those dealing with the Still Lady.

What is the dress code like boss? If it's black tie I think Wind and I will need to do some shopping.

Excited to attend Provost. Anything I can help with?

Can you help televise and MC this Hailey? We want to raise some money and let the UNW see us all in a good light!

 Absolutely. I'll even set up a call-in line or something so people can make donations easily. Thank you for setting this up.

(We can do it on the pc-story-swap channel!)

(Totally not using this as an excuse to make Wind go shopping)

4:12 PM

(Or hoping to)

2

(When were you wanting to do this irl timewise? I really wanna participate but I’m so crammed tonight)

```Hi Des... is this suit or this one more suitable?”

6:58 PM

3

6:58 PM

1

(Dayum Billy)

7:01 PM

(Wait has style not changed in 1000 years??

)

Billy has no idea what style is tbf

(@Hailey Clements (Mylonite) either it's super retro chic and the lord admiral is bringing it back, or his family has passed down the one suit?)

(Eh we’ll just say the admirals bringing it back. I’ll follow Billy’s lead)

(Totally gonna have Marcion come in a three piece suit, I already found a picture of someone wearing one that looks like him, only minus 15+ years)

(Finding something for Wind is more difficult, since I prefer looking for art, and most of what I'm finding is anime-style art full of boobs and tiny miniskirts, which does not fit her character at all)

Desmond heads over to the Harvest Spirits to start setting up for the soiree

@Chris Fury (Desmond)

 "Hey Desmond this is Seung. Sadly I won't be able to make your party due to the fact I'm to busy on Terenzinho trying to ensure the planets future and also not flood in paperwork. I can however with this message send you a fund of credits for the donation if you wish. Hope your party fundraiser goes well and that the Marshalls are doing well too."

(Do you actually want credit donations?)

(I hope so since I donated 400,000 credits.)

“Just give what you can.”

Desmond gets up after sleeping in from the late night party. He exercises, showers and goes to the office.

3:13 PM

Desmond had given most of the Marshals a half day of work because of last nights celebration.

Marcion has a sample he returned with from fleshshaper space, and he has not yet had a chance to present his findings

Desmond sends a message to @opscomm .

Will do boss. We had some fun, even if events like those really aren't our sort of thing.

Desmond calls in Jerud.

(Jerud was the undercover agent that Desmond rescued who he know on Acastus. )

(Yep. Was away from discord) Jerud comes in, arms thick with data pads as usual

You want to meet in the morning boss? Was planning on having a large meeting with the intelligence staff tomorrow along with the SWAT team.

“Well Jerud, We’ve going to take on the Intelligence work. I know you did undercover work with the Pirates and stayed embedded too long. But I just wanted to offer you the chance to work with Marcion in his unit if you find that more in your wheelhouse.” (edited)

"I might enjoy that. I felt good as an analyst and doing cover work"

“I’ll bring that up with Marcion. Any threats you feel need to be investigated?”

"Nothing we don't already know about. I think that's a better question for Marcion

11:27 AM

(theres another Acastus run this month, to smash the breaker guns, idk if you want to get a group for that)

1

Desmond sends a message to Billy about Acastus.

He calls in Nancy Chu.

Nancy answers "Yes Provost?"

"We are going to be merging with Intelligence so it could offer some opportunities for you," Desmond says. "A raise in pay to say the least and a chance to work in the covert side of the house."

7:55 PM

"Also Arimoto is expanding the Army and there may be room for upward mobility in Air Support or in the new UNW space fleet."

8:01 PM

"I remember you saying you felt like there was no upward progression in your present job so here are some pathways if you want.."

"Id like to try working the covert side of things for now. Same people, but new role"

"Great I'll inform Marcion!"

(Can the Marshals still have a master craft weapon made?)

(Yes)

(What would a Master Craft laser pistol or laser rifle do in damage statistics?)

Stats are the same but you don’t have to pay to maintain mods on it

6:54 AM

Stats will change depending on what mods

6:54 AM

Are built on

(increased damage)

(You can mount mods giving it up to a +3 on damage combined. )

6:56 AM

(You’d have to pull from the book what ones you want. But you wouldn’t have to pay to or go to a mechanic between battles to keep the mods working since it’s master crafted)

Desmond sends a a message to Hailey.

7:06 AM

He starts looking into any news about Doctor Camilla Thorn.

She was allegedly last seen on Rawhani, fighting alongside Malak. Three of ad astras ships and their crews have been taken, heading north , the swallowtail was seen leading them out of the system into deep space

Desmond will contact Cyrus.

Cyrus' response comes a week later - signifying his position is far from UNW Core

Then She too will fall. My orders come directly from the President Kincaid. They will be brought to justice. I am in no need of assistance, it would come too late anyway.

Desmond adds this to the information the Marshals have on Malak.

I did, but it wasn't much of one all she said was that she was sorry she had to miss it.

What? That can't be true. Thank you for the information, but that worries me. How did you find this out?

Desmond gets a report that some corpsec from Rawhani have been apprehended by Marcion, and are being questioned. the intelligence section of the service seems to be moving well, though there is a lot for the new service to continue doing

Desmond decides to go to the Harvest Spirits.

The baron is inside, as always, though it seems a bit emptier than normal

“Howdy Baron, you got time to talk?”

“Of course provost. What can I do for you?

he mixes a drink, and slides it down the bar to you.

“How did you come to run this restaurant?”

"Well, I was one of the first waves of colonists on planet. Very first lander. I started off organizing the initial farmers that had survived the disaster, and as we grew crops, and food started becoming less of an issue, I started making ale in my shed, as a way to take the edge off a terrible situation"

10:51 AM

"Eventually, I had saved enough where I didn't need to work as an official foreman anymore, and could renovate, I made this my restaurant, and just kept on brewing, and expanding"

"but, it's going well, we have a branch in rebirth about to open, and I have more ingredients to use here than I ever did at home"

Dear Provost  O'Shea ,  I hope you are well.  I spoke with Director Delgato, and Acting Director Wind after my return.  The mission to Rawhani led me to believe I could do more good once retrained with the backing of a group like the Marshals.  I don't know the procedure for entrance or training, but I was directed to speak with you.  Currently I was headed to watch the fight at Carinhold, but will be awaiting your message.   Sincerely,  Cornelius  Hardt.

@Rodger Landon (Corn) No problem !!!

Thank you, I'll talk to you once I get back to Central.  Should I plan to meet you at Marshal HQ or just send a message when I'm heading back?  I don't want to leave you waiting, I might be back later having to catch the train and all.

@Rodger Landon (Corn) Marshal HQ

Cornelius promising to look you up upon the return, and Hailey heading out to begin working on the Dr. Thorn angle, Provost Desmond is left looking for work himself. A message from Sumati, actually trapped in the junk filter of the Marshal request box, draws your attention. Some strange events have been occuring on Sumati, near the old pretech Remnant dig site, where the expert core was recovered. The core and the facility have either been carried away, or destroyed, but local fishermen report seeing strange green lights there at night lately, and it is unnerving. Planetary authorities, too busy with the process of peace talks, and post-war peacekeeping, have not been able to investigate

1:31 PM

(unless you had something else you wanted to do)

Desmond heads out to the Lone Star and does his pre-flight check. He clears it with all the staff he is going to Sumanti.

7:27 AM

He then sees the report from Billy on Acastus and sends the issue to one of the new Marshals to take up.

(yeah i wasnt sure how quick he was going to get to that, I didn't want you to be sitting around, but we can jump into the acastus mission)