Iron Stars - ronakeve

The pod hisses open, and you feel the warm air of the ship's medical unit hit your skin. Alarms sound in the background, and you see a handful of other pods around you being opened by mint suited medical workers. "Roankeve, can you hear me?" one asks, shining a flashlight in your eyes

I flinch as the light hits my eyes and shield them from the source with my hand. I take a deep breath and try to focus my eyes on the figure in front of me. "Yes, Sir" I reply with a rasping voice. "Or Ma'am" I lower my hand and regain composure. "Where am I?" I ask, taking a look around. Can I vaguely tell what is going on based on the other people's behavior and actions? (edited)

(Anything OOC or not what your character is actually doing goes in parentheses ) "Youre in an exodus ship. We're about to be boarded by fleshshapers. Grab a weapon and let's get to it. Walk you through things after. " One man nearby sticks out from the rest, clearly a foreigner even among this ship of dirty refugees and cryosleep convicts

I nod and make my way towards the locker he pointed at. I take a laser rifle from the rack and do a quick routine check. I put it down and check another one. The third I check, I hand to the foreigner. "This is a good one. Take it. You know how to use this?" I ask, voice still rasping, while tossing him a battery. After I get a laser rifle and a battery for myself, I take a look around. (Do I see someone clearly in charge?) (edited)

This variant, not a musket but closer to a regular laser rifle looks good and charges as you slot the batteryhome. The rifle goes from red to green

Robert takes the rifle offered by Ronakeve, quickly inserting the battery. He inspects it, obviously familiar with the weapon yet lacking the effortless manner of an expert. He has a shaken yet determined look to him. "I've used similar before, thank you." Robert pauses, studying Ronakeve for a moment, considering him. "You've got a lot of initiative for someone fresh out of cold storage. I'm going to need you to help me organise the defence of this ship, feel up to the task? Not to put too much pressure on you but every life on this ship is at risk and none of these people are trained soldiers, we're going to need some leadership if we are going to repel the Fleshshapers." (edited)

The ship rocks, as the first of the boarding pods strikes home. "Got about seven minutes before that thing chews through the hull. " one of the armsmen nearby calls out

7:25 AM

"Take a squad and get ready for them!"

Ronakeve freezes mid step and turns to face Robert. "The numbness will fade, but it also surpresses fear for now. Fleshshapers, he?" He clears his throat. "I hoped I misheard earlier. I never fought one, will these do?" he asks, lifting the now humming laser rifle. "This does not have a bayonet", he snarls as the ship rocks. "Some of the other convicts may have experience", he shouts toward the armsman. He picks out some of the people the armsman referred to. "You, you and you two are with me. My name is Ronakeve. Grab a gun and some ammo and come." he says to them "You coming, too?", he adds towards Robert. (edited)

"Of course. Keep your wits about you, we could be up against anything."

You and a mixed squad of six (the four you randomly chose, and the two of you) are directed to an engineering workshop, where on the other side of the wall, toward space, there is a sound like someone chewing very loudly with their mouth open, and a groan of metal, as the boarding pod works its way, gently, through the exterior of the ship. Something sizzles and pops as the wall dimples, some kind of acid at work

"I would love some explosives right about now. Spread out and adopt a firing stance, open fire as soon as you see movement, and for God's sake don't die." Robert kneels and raises his rifle, slowing his heart rate with calm, slow breathing.

"Do I aim for their head or their heart?" Ronakeve ducks behind some vents and assumes a firing position. He is ready to shoot as soon as he sees a target.

"I don't even know if they have hearts. Just keep shooting until they stop moving and don't let them get near us."

"Sounds good.", Ronakeve nods to Robert. He inhales deeply and focuses on the sharp sizzling noises of the acids as he briefly closes his eyes. Just burst them down, he thinks to himself. "Everybody, activate burst mode and stay calm. There should be a lever near your thump.", he shouts to the newly formed squad.

(I'm picturing you guys kneeling or standing behind work benches and big tool racks and stuff, so its not the most tactical or solid of covers, but its something between you and their shots none the less.)

8:10 AM

the wall deforms, and begins to dissolve away, as the first of the fleshshaper warriors emerges, arms elongating into scything blades

8:10 AM

(initiative)

(Please ignore my heap of initiative rolls, I just took the first 2 for alert and got a 9)

(You're going to go first no matter what with that, so while you're here, go ahead and get at 'er, and we'll fill in the rest behind you. Squad will fire with Ronakeve)

Robert, trying his best to stay calm despite the horrific visage of the beast pushing through the walls, fires a controlled burst with his laser rifle. His shots strike true, slicing through the fleshy joints of the creature. (Crits for 10 damage)

(That's a spicy 31 right there!) Its roar, if that is indeed what it is doing, is muffled, and pained, the scything left arm lodges into the ground, sinking a bit into the deckplate with the keenness of its edge.

8:25 AM

(I got an 8, but Roakeve might tie it)

(Its been long time since I've been in a fight, I sometimes forget Roberts a partial warrior and can actually kill things hahaha)

(He fights with the power of love)

1

(Ronakeve actually ties the 8)

Ronakeve stands up, takes rough aim and shouts "Fire!" (8 should miss badly) His rifle humms as the heating elements overheat to burst. Ronakeve feels the warmth of the gun and his first shot in three and a half years only sears paint next to the creature. "Shit", he says to himself (edited)

The fleshshaper warrior moves from the toothed threshold of the boarding pod, and into the engineering space, 20m from you. It's stricken off arm reforms with what is left into a short barreled carbine type weapon, and opens fire. (11, miss) The neon orange tracer like rounds hit with wet slaps against some metal paneling above Ronakeve's head, but likewise miss. You can see another shaper warrior in the darkness behind the first, getting ready to come forward to the hatch.

2:21 PM

The remainder of the ad-hoc squad open fire at the one who has emerged already

2:23 PM

(2 hits, totaling 16 damage. It is wounded, but not dead) Laser shots and hard rounds spank off the floor but several do strike the creature, kinetic force alone driving it back, as it skids across the ground trying to rise. Flesh smokes and large holes have been blasted out of it by the few shots that did strike it

2:23 PM

(back to robert)O

Robert, his composure starting to crack as more fleshshapers push through the gap, continues firing at the weakened enemy, ignoring it's thrashing and screaming. (21, 11 damage)

The shaper already hit by gunfire flails and shrieks, and then goes silent as the shot core's its head. It pitches over, face first into the decking

8:55 PM

(Ronakeve is up)

"That one is done. We can do this", Ronakeve shouts to the squad. "I'll lure the next one, take it into crossfire" (9, 4 damage) He emerges from his position and fires up the rifle. His face turns pale as he misses the now emerging shaper. He dodges into cover again and closes his eyes. "Pull yourself together, Rona. You did not lose your edge. Calm down and focus. These men need you.", he mumbles to himself as cold sweat starts to form on his forehead. "Get him as he steps out", he shouts.

Robert spares a momentary glance for Ronakeve as he lines up the next burst. Concern flashes across his face. "Stay with me! Don't worry about misses, just keep firing!"

The shaper extends a claw and the room grows cold as a thin crimson tendril, and then a second, and a third, extend from the outstretched limb, as the flesh of the fallen begins to be absorbed. The other arm ripples into a long lashing tentacle with a barbed tip, and the creature swings it like a mace as it exits the pod

9:43 PM

(6) the intended victim dives under a workbench as the flesh and bone mace smashes down on its top, scattering tools and parts everywhere

9:43 PM

(Robert Up)

Robert is unable to conceal his horror at the events taking place in front of him. They eat their dead! While his conscious mind remains in awe of this new hell that has entered his waking life, his training takes over, and he fires another burst of laser fire at the monster's centre mass. (16/6)

It strikes true, knocking it back two steps, but the feeding continues (Roankeve)

Ronakeve looks disgusted and unbelieving at the thing Is it... absorbing the dead one? "I'll tag him sooner or later. He's getting bigger by the minute if he takes that whole corpse. Better not let it get too fed" (9/7 what are these rolls?

) Staggering back by Roberts attack, the abominable creature clears the path of Ronakeves laser by a hair so it only burns dust particles. "I think I gave you the good one", he shouts towards Robert after giving his rifle a short look of disapproval. "Get me in on those explosives you wanted earlier" (edited)

"We're not setting off explosives in a voidship!" one of the ad-hoc team shouts back. The remaining soldiers open fire , the hail of laser and hard round constant and sustained now that the cryo-shock has had time to fade, and adrenaline has kicked in. The creature is blasted apart, leaving a second steaming ruin on the ground (two crits in there i believe)

10:35 AM

The pod disengages, its contents dead, and an emergency bulkhead slams down over the breach its departing form has left behind

Ronakeve lets himself sag against a locker as the metal of the hull creaks and clangs under the pressure of the emergency bulkhead.

11:14 AM

"Of course we are not setting off explosives", he nods slowly. He gets up and takes a step towards the heap of flesh. "So these are shapers. Nasty business you woke me up to deal with", he sais to Robert. Even though I did not even hit, he adds in his head.

"I wish we didn't have to. I found your exodus fleet stranded in deep space, and the Fleshshapers appeared before we could finish repairs. There's bound to be more of them on this ship, we need to keep clearing it, they could easily take out the spike drive if they reach it. I hate to push you but this is a literal matter of life and death I'm afraid."

10:07 PM

Robert gets ready to leave the room then stops for a second and looks at Ronakeve. "I'm Robert, by the way. When we make it through this, make sure you come talk to me. Now let's move."

"Robert, he? I'm Ronakeve." His eyes find the dead Shaper before leaving the room. "Let's go find more of these."

Ronakeve addresses the squad. "Alright everybody. Those are Shapers, and they are dangerous. There are more of them boarding right now. We will seek them out and kill them one by one. Every life on this ship depends on us, so we don't really have a choice but to be heroes today. Y'all got that?" He gives them all a sweeping glance that includes every one of them. He nods. "Good. Robert, I think we need more ammo, I drained half of this battery already"

"Good idea Ronakeve. I'll see what I can sort out with the Captain." Robert engages his comms and opens a line with the ships Captain as they move through the ship, looking for more boarding Fleshshapers. "Captain, can you put together some logistics groups to run ammo out to the various armed groups we've cobbled together? Also is there any info as to where the entry points the boarders have used are?"

"They seem to be converging on engineering. They're not stopping to harvest, just cutting down Armsmen teams and pushing for the spike drive"

"Understood, I'll take my team and head towards them. Get all the ammunition and armsmen out that way that you can, I'll try and set up a coherent counterattack." Disconnecting comms, Robert looks back at Ronakeve. While he is clearly having a bad day, his face remains determined. "We need to head to Engineering and make sure those Fleshshapers don't reach the spike drive. If they make it there, it's all over. You've spent more time on this ship than I have, lead the way!"

A small drone, sent from the bridge finds you, lost in the corridors, and begins leading you off in the direction of engineering. Dead armsmen and shaper soldiers litter the floor in a few of the larger compartments,a long with the occasional civilian unable to get out of the way fast enough. The ship comms also report fierce battles outside the habitation spaces, as the shapers attempt to gain access to the ships living occupants- an even more valuable plunder for them.

Ronakeve clenches his teeth. "We need to move quickly. If we fight a Shaper here among their dead, they have too much flesh to use. Don't look at faces, take the ammo and weapons you need and go. We mourn later. If they reach the core..." he gulps. Ronakeve quickly scans the dead for their equipment (Looking for a comms unit and some batteries, maybe a knife just in case).

you find a monoblade knife on one, and two power cells. One has a compad, with a throat bead attachment

Ronakeve makes sure everyone finds ammo for their weapons as well. "You press this Button and that releases the Cell. You just pull it out. See? It's easy. Then, you put the fresh one in like this. This little lever will lock the new battery in place and there you go." He rushes over the explanations while advancing towards te engineering compartment.

1:46 PM

Keep them focused. Don't let them look at the dead, he thinks to himself

You manage to beat the shapers to engineering, coming in from the east side of the T junction that sits befiore the armored bulkhead door. From the north and west, you hear gunfire and screams, followed by bestial roaring as they begin getting closer- currently involved in the grisly business of slaughtering the armsman teams sent to block them

2:42 PM

Three red faced junior ratings come in behind you, you can tell they've been tryting to catch up, each carrying part of a heavy machine gun

"Let's set up a position here. Put that gun together by the bulkhead, everyone else take up firing positions around it." Robert looks around for any objects or debris that can be repurposed as cover or some kind of obstacle.

(what is a junior rating? Is it a friend, an enemy or a typo I struggle to get?)

(Young non officers)

There are a few fallen metal bulkhead pieces, that are dragged over to make partial cover. The gunfire in the north passage ends, with a human scream of pain. Something wet and fleshy breathes in the darkness

Robert uses his cybernetic eyes to see through the darkness of the corridor.

Two fleshshapers are approaching, spending a moment forming their arms into long barreled cannons

Ronakeve turns to the three younglings. "You heard the man, set it up right here. Everyone else, Form a half circle around them. You only back off if the gun stands. You understand?", he barks to the rest of the squad. Ronakeve peers down the dark corridor. The wet rasping from the shadows sends a shiver down his spine. "I can't see anything", he whispers to Robert as he fights down a wave of fear. He takes a deep breath and determination sets on his face again.

"There's two of those creatures coming down the corridor right now! Open fire! Stay behind cover and don't stop shooting until I tell you to!" (edited)

7:58 AM

(8 for inevitable initiative roll)

(We can keep the same, Robert, Ronakeve, shapers)

(sure)

Robert begins firing at the closes Fleshshaper before anyone can respond, laser bursts scorching the air.

9:40 AM

(13/10)

The vague silouette of the Shapers is all Ronakeve needs to get a grim faced burst off. (11/4) A rain of sparks from the ceiling is the only effect his shot seems to have.

(Level 1 is rough in combat in SWN)

10:07 AM

(The aim is primarily not to die)

(yeah I know, so far I'm still alive and unhurt so thats lookin good. I think this is a hilariously poor performance on Ronakeves part)

(Most people's level 1 missions are not nearly as intense, you're doing fine man.)

The machine gun, and your handful of squad from the previous breach open fire as your shots deflect Their shots are panicked, and poorly aimed, but even for junior ratings, their drill is good, and the HMG is the only thing striking true. The long suppression burst of tracers streaks down the corridor, striking both

10:40 AM

The shapers fire their long flayer cannons down the corridor, trying to knock out the gun

10:41 AM

One of the three gunners cries out before it is strangled, slumping over you see the strange, irregular, thorn/bone like round, sticking four inches from his throat

10:41 AM

(Back to robert)

Robert tenses as the rating gets killed, returning fire at the shaper that fired at the fallen gunner.

11:21 AM

(31/12)

It falls, slumping against the wall of the hallway

1:00 PM

(Ronakeve is next)

Ronakeve takes a deep breath as the first Shaper falls. His rifle powers up, the overheat LED flashes its warning as the high energy burst leaves the barrel. Beads of sweat glisten on his forehead in the lasers light as it burns through dust and small particles on its way towards the target. (24/5) (edited)

Your first shot strikes home , sending it in a small spin before it rights itself. The gun team pushes their fallen comrade out of the way, and swivels the large bore weapon around to handle the other invader

1:53 PM

No longer needing to spray, the weapon empties another burst into the creature, and one of your squad members also manages to land a solid shot, sending this second alien toppling over.

1:53 PM

For the moment it sounds like combat has ceased

Ronakeves shoulders relax a little and a wave of exhaustion hits him. He puts his hands on his knees and exhales deeply. His left hand drives through his dark hair. Grey already touches his temples. "Good shot", he says to no one in particular. His looks at the strangled gunner and his back straightens. "What a nasty bullet. You fought these before, Robert?" (edited)

"Never. I was meant to be running a scouting mission against them, keeping a low profile. Didn't expect to be involved in a running battle on another ship, but life is full of surprises. Can anyone hear any more of these things nearby?"

It sounds like combat is over for the moment, the patrol boats disengaging. The dark star is reporting heavy damage. Only the bridge crew and a handful of ratings remain alive, the ruins of the fleshshaper probe impaled on its now

7:47 PM

Bow

"I think we should head back to the bridge soon. Let's hold position for a couple min or until we get told otherwise." Ronakeve lowers his voice and talks quietly to Robert. "I sure did not expect to stumble into this, too. Earlier you said you were making repairs as the attack hit. You as in... You and your crew. Did..." He pauses, sighs and shakes his head. "I hate surprises."

A tension Robert had been holding in since talking with Nancy last is released, and he sends a short message to her telling her to head to Wasim as soon as possible. He follows that up with a message to Silvano and the Captain telling them the same. "I imagine that getting dragged out of cryosleep to fight off some aliens isn't the most welcome of surprises. You did well regardless. If you need work when we get to the UNW, I can help you, but I'm sure you'll thrive on your own."

"Thank you, Robert. I was with the New Moon Army until recently, I know no one in UNW. I'll come back to you on that, but I have a few things I need to take care of." I should probably visit a shooting range as well Ronakeve takes the compad out of his pocket and examines it. He passes it to Robert. "Could... Can you help me with this? It's much newer than what I last had. I don't know how to add a contact."

Taking the compad as it's passed to him, Robert enters his own compads identification code, passing it back when he is satisfied. "You'll be used to it all soon enough. Contact me at your convenience, I'm just offering a helping hand if you need it. We are going to need more people willing to use their initiative if we want to beat back the Fleshshapers."

"They are far more dangerous than I ever thought. I will reach out to you.", Ronakeve nods. He sees a wall mounted comms unit and presses the button. "Bridge, this are Robert and Donovan. We cleard engineering, the Spike is fine. Where do you need nine armed and unhurt people?"

"We've repulsed them, their patrol boats are disengaging, spike drive is charging up now. We have course data loaded, and are heading to Wasim, before jumping back to Elanko, and Gudrun"

11:16 AM

(6xp, 5000 credits)

11:16 AM

(For both of you. Thanks for being a good sport with such an intense first mission Rona)

"We are packing up and heading to the bridge, then.", Ronakeve says through the comms console. He turns to the squad. "Good work, everyone. Without you, the core would have been doomed and all of us with it. You should be proud." after giving a general nod of approval, he orders everyone to dismount the gun and return to the bridge. "Where are you headed, Robert? What's on Wasim?"

(Yeah real hectic for a first mission)

12:16 AM

"Not much to be found there at the moment, but there's a straight route down to Gudrun from there that should get us there quickly. I don't want all these people to stay in Fleshshaper space any longer than they have to."

"I don't really know what I'm going to do after this. This whole mission really made it clear to me how much of a threat the Fleshshapers are to all other life in this region of space. I don't even think we have the capability to destroy one of those harvest vessels in all of the UNW right now. I've got to start finding new ways to fight those things before more worlds are lost."

1:49 AM

"How about you, Ronakeve? Got any plans for when you're out of this mess?"

(intensity is great to get into something, now I'm hooked af on the shapers and that can't be bad, right?) "I need to visit a biopsionist or a psychic hospital. I have a few questions and need new medication for my MES now that I'm on my own." "We made some important observations. They shape their own flesh. That is already in their name, yes, but we saw that they can form projectile and melee weapons from flesh. They also use their fallen's flesh. The longer the fight, the bigger the battlefield, the more flesh they have to shape. I do not want a drawn out battle against them. That last Shaper at the core went straight for the machine gunners, so they at least understand what we are doing and maybe know some things about our technology. Scary observations, all of these. We need to match their shaping versatility in the long run. You are correct, they are a big threat to everyone. I think knowledge is key here." "I need that biopsion. I am convinced they could tell me more about this flesh shaping ability the Shapers have" (edited)

In the background, you feel the momentary dislocation, as the ships enter spike space, heading for Wasim

"What are these harvest vessels? I have been out of touch since shortly before the scream so I only heard rumors"

"Continent sized organic spacecraft that strip worlds of their biological matter with massive nets of flesh. Not high on my list of things that I want to see again if I'm being honest."

Ronakeves jaw drops open and shock stand in his face. "That sounds horrible! You saw that? Shit". He frowns. "My home planet is now in Shaper territory if what New Moon told me is correct.", he says slowly.

"I wish I hadn't. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure as few people as possible ever have to see that again." Listening to Ronakeve talk about his homeworld, Roberts face darkens. He places a hand on Ronakeve shoulder in sympathy. "I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do for your world right now. One day we will return there, but it won't be the same world you left, not once the Fleshshapers begin their work. Carry the memory of your old home within you, but your home is gone, Ronakeve. I'm so sorry."

(We can head back to own threads about here if you like. The major stuff is over for now, and nothing is going to bother you on the way back to Gudrun. Too close to friendly territory)

(Sweet first mission Rona, really cool intro)

Ronakeve looks into Roberts eyes and nods. That makes me a refugee, he thinks. "Thank you, Robert. I cincerely hope your crew is okay and you can meet up soon. Thank you for waking me. I - we all, really - would have just died without you." He extends his hand to shake Roberts.

12:52 AM

(I'm fine with that, Neko. Thank you Rob, I think so too, thanks for playing such a crucial role)

Robert returns the handshake enthusiastically. "All of these people might have died without you to help organise the defence. If you ever want to strike back against the Fleshshapers, send me a message. We will need all the help we can get."

"If you think I can be of any help, reach out. I'll write if I find something helpful" (edited)

(let's skip to arrival. Ronakeve tries to get some info about where he can find a biopsion/the academy) (edited)

The exodus ships do not linger at wasim long but the academy cruiser is not with the fleet when it exits. The wanderlust and dark star- still with probe impaled on its bow, take up guard positions as the drives recharge. The next few days are more relaxed as UNW space is entered and people seem to finally let their guard down a bit. Immigration is expected to be a process taking a few months, as citizens are medically screened and transported down in small groups

Ronakeve fills all the required forms and papers and has them ready. He packs his stuff and prepares for Gudrun and the procedures at port.

The first lot is chosen and you are among it. Roberts stamp likely , and you’re taken from the cargo bay. A large group of soldiers leads those picked to be first off the transport and through the space station. A cargo lighter converted for passenger conveyance will take you the rest of the way

Ronakeve moves with the group of passengers and follows the orders given by the soldiers. He patiently endures the procedure and waits in line for his medical screening.

A very tall, and well built man in a fur edged coat over his medical gear screens passengers as they begin coming through, with other medical attendants handling the less critical cases. You feel something prickle your skin, and your mind, as he looks at you, and calmly waves you forward "I'm Dr. Siegfried, Chief of Surgery at the hospital in Central, down below. I'm just going to do a brief screening for any injuries or anything internally that might be broken or misaigned that you may not have noticed yet"

Ronakeve straightens a little and nods, going forward as the doc ordered. "Hello, Dr. Siegfried. I'm Mr Donovan, refugee from Arrituri. I'd be surprised if you found anything I did not know and fill a form for already, Sir" He examines the doctor carefully, remembering the three years of medical screenings on Kamal. He shivers. You are a civilian now, Rona, not a prisoner. It won't be that bad "I am ready", he says firmly.

You feel a slight tingle as he begins working on you, minor imperfections or internal injuries snapping back into place with wet snaps. "You've been exposed to metaspace, haven't you?" he says after a moment,

The warm, relieving pain of relaxing muscles creeps like a wave through Ronakeves body. He surpresses a shivering. "Yes, Doc, I have", he says. "With far less intensity than others have, though.", he adds. "I have always taken medication but never learned to properly handle it." (edited)

"Medication? Well whatever they were giving you, its a placebo at best. Medication can;t suppress MES"

1:02 PM

"You need training, and I'd be happy to connect you with those who can do it safely. Between us, since you've clearly seen more than I have, its not an option, if you wish to immigrate we need to make sure unchecked psionic power is kept tamped down. "

"I was told the drug reduces the strain and wear on the brain. I never had an episode but I never was able to... use my condition. So I stay and learn or I go? I would be very grateful for an opportunity to learn regardless of other options, Dr. Siegfried. Thank you."

"Those are the options" he confirms "an untrained MES sensitive mind is a bomb waiting to go off. We can't have you among the civilians or anyone else who might be hurt if you lose control. The academy here is full of talented teachers. You'll learn how to use what you have without becoming a danger to yourself, or anyone else"

"I fixed my mind on finding a teacher some time ago. I will visit the academy as soon as you are done with my checkup." he glances at the data pad in the doctors hands. "Are you screening for something particular other than MES?" he asks casually.

“We don’t know if there’s any pathogens or even any kind of bacteria harmless to the shapers but harmful to us. Just trying to make sure everyone’s decontaminated before heading down to the planet”

4:37 PM

“Standard procedure when coming in from a new world or undiscovered territory”

"I paid close attention not to get touched last time I encountered them. I hope we find something that is harmless to us and harmful to them soon. Did you find anything in that direction, Dr Siegfried? If that's even possible" (edited)

"It's not my area of expertise. This is the most sustained contact anyone from the UNW has ever had with them"

"So no experts yet." he grins "You could be a pioneer if you change fields now"

"I'm needed more where I am, but thank you for your professional interest" he says, and you get the feeling your welcome is being a bit worn out. "I will let Headmaster Fate at the academy know you're coming, and that you're in need of some training so you don't accidentally torch yourself, or worse." He pushes a sheaf of yellowed papers into your hands, showing you are cleared for descent to the surface

"Thank you, Dr. Siegfried. I'll be on my way" he takes the papers and makes his way towards the gate, gets in line for the surface shuttle. Headmaster Fate he thinks. What a fitting name (edited)

The transport down to the surface is a boxy orbital lighter, with benches screwed to the deck with seatbelts in place of cargo space. Twenty two other people are packed inside, all clutching clearance papers, as well

Ronakeve takes a look around and nods to a few people he makes eye contact with. He rests his head on the wall behind him, closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He relaxes, and as his eyes open, a light smile touches his lips, and his thoughts trail off to the wide fields of green hills that once covered his home, Arrituri. He closes his eyes again, seeing a big shadow hitting the meadows and a net of flesh being dragged over the ground as Roberts description of the harvesters comes alive in his mind. Don't dwell on the past. You can't change that He sighs, tears in his eyes. He wipes them away, and a stern expression sets on his face.

(what moods can Ronakeve see on the other faces?)

(I think this wave especially is relieved to be some of the first coming down. Spending the next few weeks in the ship waiting on medical, ect, to do their work, doesnt sound very appealing)

The lighter sets down, and its engines cool in the colonial air/starport. The ramp lowers and some passengers get off, including you. There are more soldiers at the gate, but with documentation passed out and your identities vetted on the Trivedi cloud orbital platform, there is little reason for them to do more than a cursory check. A light snow comes down, though you feel a bit of spring in the air.

Ronakeve gets off the ramp, and after being passed through by the soldiers, saunters, taking a look around. "So this is Gudrun", he mutters. He realises that he stopped moving altogether and continues his way towards the Academy. He takes deep breaths of the first fresh air in years, and a smile sets on his face. (edited)

The academy is a modest building, but the building materials themselves used to make it were clearly the best of what was readily available at the time. The double doors are open, as a janitor bot comes out to sweep snow off the steps

Ronakeve, still wearing his smile, realises that he almost ran to the academy. His side hurts, the result of an irregular walking speed and a higher level of oxygen in the air than his body is used to. He patiently waits for the bot to do his work - and for his ache to go away - and steps up the stairs. He has the papers Dr Siegfried gave him ready and walks through the lobby, looking for some kind of reception.

@Regulus/Grupp ) The front desk is currently empty, but there is a silver bell placed on it. The surface of it itself has a calendar, the rest of the month blocked out for a trip, by whoever usually sits here. The highlighters used for coloring out the dates are neon and very bright.

"Hello?" Ronakeve asks, ringing the bell once.

A humanoid robot enters at the bell, a pulsing core glows colorfully in its chest. "Welcome to the academy, I am Regulus Fate. Ah, a restricted biopsion how wonderful. Are you here for training?"

"Yes, Sir, I am. Dr. Siegfried gave me these papers, telling me I should seek out Headmaster Fate", Ronakeve says, handing over the documents. "But I would have come on my own", he adds quickly. "I am Ronakeve Donovan, a restricted biopsion, as you said, Sir"

"It's good that you came. You have no previous training? It's extremely dangerous to yourself and others to use your abilities without it."

"I was with the NMC Army before the scream. Some of us received training, some did not. I got some basic training 18-20 years ago, but that was not about using. I never learned to properly use my abilities, I just kinda learned how to surpress and ignore them. I got medication back then, Dr. Siegfried already told me it was a placebo." (edited)

"Ah.. how disappointing. Well, no time like the present to correct past mistakes. Our other teachers are off planet currently so you'll have to make due with me." (It takes a week to learn to use psychic skills safely, we can RP as much of that as you'd like or you can skip ahead)

(I actually want to stay for the psychic training focus as well and I have some stuff to rp on top of that) "I will gladly train with you, thank you, Sir. I'm sure you will understand this question, but I am in need of a place to stay. Do you have any spare rooms I can rent for my time here?"

"Of course. These days we have more rooms than students. I admit my own studies of biopsionics are rudimentary unlike Dr. Siegfried or Dr. Ahn. Metapsionics and psychic theory are my specialty." (edited)

"Thank you very much. I like to be well informed and I have a thing for knowing theory before starting to practice, so your knowledge can lay a good, solid foundation" (How humanoid looking is Regulus Fate? Would it be weird to shake hands?)

(Completely humanoid, not weird at all) "Of course, I always enjoy a good theoretical discussion. What all did you learn im the NMC? I've heard they're friendly to psychics but haven't met any of them personally. Galene has been our diplomat if you wish to talk to her about it."

(would rather shake hands with Data than with 3PO) Ronakeve shakes hands with Regulus. "We will talk about all that, and to Galene, but at a later time. I carry everything I own with me, and I don't even have a backpack. I would like to buy some spare clothes, a computer and other necessities in the city and set up in my room properly. Is there anything particular I'll need sooner or later?"

"Nothing in particular comes to mind, all you need for your training is yourself. Please, make yourself at home and let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

9:52 PM

(I don't know if anyone's talked to you about factions, but there are certain perks for joining them. The academy has one if you're interested. There's no pressure to join one, just wanted to let you know!)

"Thank you, Sir. I'll let you know." You need to drop this stupid Sir, Rona. You are neither a soldier nor prisoner anymore, he thinks as he goes to check out his room.

9:30 AM

(Idid not know, but I will see where rp and the world (well, the sector) leads me. That's good to know though. Is there a map of the academy available?)

(There's an outline/blueprint of it on roll20 in the academy folder I think)

(There should be. Some of the image files broke because the player who played Doona must have deleted them from her own media folder where it got hosted from. )

10:42 AM

(I fixed one but the other one I couldn’t do. Maybe it’s time for a face lift)

(found it, thanks. The map even says that it has got room for possible expansion, time to call the construction crew)

The room is simply furnished but comfortable. A bed. A desk and chair and a small chest for personal belongings fill the space, along with a small closet for hanging clothes

Ronakeve takes everything in and sits down on the bed. He lays down on the blanket, hands behind his head, and stares at the ceiling for half an hour. He sighs, sets up slowly and takes the compad from his hip. He struggles to activate the device. "I hate this thing. The old Tenebrean one I had was way better", he mutters to himself, as he gets up and puts the compad away. He walks out of his room and down the stairs, where he asks for directions to a shopping possibility. Knowing where to go, he leaves the academy ground. A broad, satisfied smile sets on his face, as he realises that for him, something new is beginning.

There is a large open air market a few blocks down from Central admin on planet, across the street from a memorial recreation zone called Arimoto Park. An indoor shopping center has always been the realm of possibility, but it seems no matter how big Central gets, the marketplace remains a focal point.

Ronakeve walks over the market, heading to Arimoto Park. He crosses the street and searches for an info panel (What is the memorial about?)

There are three memorials in the park, all covered in a light layer of snow. The first is a masked engineer, shaking hands with what looks to be a colonist. It has a small plaque talking about the initial armed conflict with a group of reactor burned engineers called The Masquerade , and how peace was made after a final attack on their camp (theres an early year 1 handout about it) The second has a colonial militiaman, scrap shield and club in hand, smashing a spider like insectoid alien, and it commemorates the defense of Central, and later, those many fallen to bring the Underhill war to an end. the third memorial has a human, piggen and taros all standing triumphantly over the remains of a destroyed robot, likewise bipedal in form, commemorating those fallen to rid the planet of the slaving Helldiver war-host. There is a plaque set up for a fourth memorial, though a statue design has not yet been accepted - honoring those fallen in the two year long conflict with the Tenebrian Remnant.

(Thank you for waiting, rl took all my attention for a bit) Ronakeve reads the plaques and sits down on a bench nearby. He thinks about the decades of war between the NMC and the Tenebreans, and how many of the later he killed in that war. He thinks about the friends he lost, about all the memorials that he wished existed so he could bind those memories to a place. A cold numbness is all he can feel as the wet snow dampening his clothes shakes him awake from his trailing thoughts. Realising that he spent close to an hour on that bench, he gets up and approaches the market, leaving the memorials and his trailing thoughts behind.

9:49 AM

He meanders around, looking at what people have to offer. He is looking for something warm to eat so he can forget his damp clothes. (edited)

9:53 AM

He decides to just buy some new clothes and change after that, since new clothes are on his list anyways.

(10 creds there, since there snot really anything in the book, otherwise, usually go with just make a list of what youre looking for, and ill tellyou if something isnt available)

(Allright)

10:50 AM

(Dataslab and TL0 Backpack)

(both of those are around, at book price)

After making his purchases, Ronakeve looks over his shoulder to where the Tenebrian Remnant memorial will be placed. He rearranges his new jacket as he makes his way back to the academy through the still falling snow.

(did you need to talk to reg again, or are you getting into something?)

(I need to talk to reg about the shapers and torching, but we can skip most of the other parts of training, eg shirtless Montage) "I don't just want to help people by healing them. I want to learn about the shapers abilities to form flesh. They are a big threat to mankind and we need to know about their techniques and abilities if we want to stand a chance, Headmaster Fate", Ronakeve says two weeks into training. He and Regulus are sitting on the academys roof, on a bench next to the training area. (edited)

@Regulus/Grupp

"Hmm... little enough if known about the shaper's abilities. I plan to learn more myself soon, but as far as I know the only metapsion who has interacted with them is Silvano. He would know more if you ever run into him. Their abilities are similar to those of more advanced biopsions or rectifiers like the piggen shaman. But their manipulation of flesh and organic matter seems much more advanced, their entire society seems to revolve around harvesting more. I suggest extreme caution if you plan to go against them, there's too much we don't know."

"I fought them once, just before I got here. If one of them falls, the others will use the dead's flesh and bones. One of them formed a huge mace. Out of a dead body. We were lucky to take that one down quickly." Ronakeves look drifts to his hands, then to the sky. He is silent as he collects his thoughts, an expression of deep cencetration on his face. "I was on a routine mission four years ago. I was a soldier for the NMC", he says slowly. "Some minor research outpost lost contact and I was investigating. Happend a couple times that the Tenebreans found, looted and destroyed one of these, and they were always gone when somebody arrived. But this was different. The outpost was clearly attacked, but it looked like the shielding got ripped apart by some beast or crane, something with a big claw, not by explosive weapon charges" "Power was dead, but the scanner picked up some life signs, though the readings looked odd. Some looking around and we came into the mess in the crew quarters where the scanners readings led us. I stepped in and remember exactly how surprised I was - the floor was soft. Like stepping on a thin gym mat, but strangely uneven. We went further, still following the signal and what sounded like moaning people. We turned the last corner and saw a pillar of human flesh, all 37 inhabitants of the station merged into an effigy that will forever haunt my dreams." he pauses to take a deep breath. "Some of the faces were arranged on the pillar. They were still alive." he gulps, fighting down the echo of the wave of despair he felt back then. He feels a knot in his stomach. (edited)

8:03 PM

"I tried to help them. I had no training before, but I knew I had to do something. I stepped forward, touched the pillar and... I dont know. I vaguely remember. I did something, but I felt that I could not help." The knot in his stomach tightens. "I remember trying it again. And I remember a searing pain in my head. I... I remember being dragged out by my squad, kicking and screaming and sobbing" Ronakeve falls silent, taking slow breaths. "Then I passed out"

"The Shapers are not only collecting flesh. I don't know what that was, but to me, it looked almost like a ritual. Or maybe it's their humor." He shudders. "I don't like either thought, but it's just a thought. I hope."

"You were one picked up by Robert Tanzer yes? He's a good man. I read his report so I know a bit of what you went through there though I can't imagine the horror you describe. Come here," Regulus places his hands on either side of your head and goes silent for a minute before giving a heavy sigh, "As I suspected. Mr. Donovan, it seems you torched when you encountered that pillar. Sadly not uncommon for untrained psychics, but very dangerous. You're lucky to have survived with your sanity or life. It does however leave behind a permanent scar inside, somewhat reducing your potential as a psychic. You may find yourself getting taxed more easily when using your abilities. Or it may have little to no effect on you, it can varry significantly each time you torch."

"I don't plan on torching again", Ronakeve says. "Yes, I was picked up by Robert. I did not know he is such an important man. I got fast clearing on the dock and you read his report. I figured he works for the government, but how would you access his report then? What I described to you, the torching and the... Pillar of flesh. That happened before the scream. The Shapers did not resurface yet so nobody in NMC believed my report. I only figured it out afterwards, after I learned that the shapers are real. With Robert, I had my first encounter with them. They did not survive, otherwise neither Robert nor I would live to tell the story."

"Mr. Tanzer works for the Riger Corps of Engineers and is one of the top pilots in the UNW as well as a good friend of mine. I hadn't heard of anyone encountering them before the scream, I'm not surprised they didn't believe you. You have more experience with the shapers than most, that may prove invaluable in the coming months."

"Robert is also a pretty good shot", he says slowly. "The research base was near my home planet, Arrituri. It's deep into Shaper territory now, who knows... Maybe they did not return because of the Scream, maybe their return caused it and I saw an early sign. I will probably never know, so I don't bother thinking about it too much" "My take on the shapers - on any enemy, really - is learning as much as possible from and about them. Their hostility makes it hard, but observing their behavior or even dissecting a dead one could give us valuable information. Has such a thing been done yet?" (edited)

(Not yet, for clarity sake)

(Sorry didn't realize this was waiting on me)

2:36 PM

"That's what Mr. Tanzer was attempting to do before he found you. He didn't get very far before he was detected and attacked. I agree though, there's too much we don't know. Retrieving an intact body for study would be very valuable though obtaining one obviously carries significant risk."

"I thought a lot about what to do after I finish my training here. I thought about hunting Shapers to provide such samples. They bleed, and die after a couple laser rifle hits, but they are very dangerous. I am convinced that this shaping ability is something biopsionic. That makes me wonder if it is limited. Knowing about such a limit, if it exists, would be key in fighting them" Ronakeve says. (edited)

4:07 PM

"I can't possibly do that on my own", he adds.

"Does the academy have any use for a stranded refugee with no home, a torched war veteran and former NMCA officer and captain?"

"The academy has a use for anyone who wishes to be here. The academy I trained in was highly exclusive and rejected those with little talent or money. I left and came here to see that no one was ever denied education and training, especially when withholding it has such dangerous potential. And you're right, little in this world can be accomplished single-handedly. If it is your desire to stay, consider yourself homeless no more."

"That is a noble cause, Regulus. I am glad you were successful. I am asking less for a place to stay than for something to do, though I am thankful for the offer. I will gladly stay if I have the possibility. If I can stay has to depend on what I can do. Seems you already got a janitor bot, and I see no need for security personel here."

(There actually is some security, there were some attacks on the academy by the Still Lady but she's dead now so it's not much of an issue anymore)

6:11 PM

"There's plenty to do, both for the betterment of the academy as well as in preparation for the fleshshapers. Is there anything specific you're interested in doing?"

"I have experience with both, war and Fleshshapers, so I could help best with preparation. I am very interested in their abilities. If they are similar to the piggen shamans and advanced biopsionics, maybe a good approach would be their limitations as a reference. What they can barely achieve, the shapers will do with ease. You don't happen to know any piggen shamans, by any chance?"

"To my knowledge they only have one currently, but yes I know him. Our own Dr. Ahn is a very powerful biopsion as well, though she is currently missing. I can give you the shaman Grupp's contact information if you wish to see him."

7:16 PM

(It's another one of my PCs lol, if you'd rather RP with Neko you can wait till Doona Ahn is back)

"Yes, I would love to talk to both of them about this. Also with Silvano. The sooner we know our limits of shaping flesh, the faster we can begin to work on a strategy against the shapers. When will Dr. Ahn be back?"

7:05 AM

(I did not know, though I saw the artwork in #art, lol)

"I'm unsure of the specifics with Dr. Ahn, but someone capable is currently engaged with her return. I do suggest caution with Silvano, he didn't leave the UNW on the best of terms, but he is the most skilled psychic I know of and is fighting the fleshshapers. Grupp I believe is nearby if you're wanting to meet though. He's likely in Delphos or his workshop."

"I will talk to Dr. Ahn eventually. I can seek out Shaman Grupp in his workshop, if he is okay with that." Ronakeve falls silent for a moment. What kind of workshop could a piggen shaman have? Talismans and trinkets, probably, he thinks to himself. (edited)

5:14 PM

"And Silvano went to fight the Shapers? Do you know where he is? Maybe he can retrieve a body"

"I believe he's currently considered a criminal by the UNW so I doubt he gives us anything, but if you run into him on the front you shouldn't turn down his help. Unfortunately you'll need to wait for Dr. Ahn to return before you could access the shaman's workshop, but he can return here at any point. Would you like me to contact him?"

5:51 PM

(Grupp's in a secret place lol. Neko can give you access to it but I'll leave it up to him)

5:56 PM

(Also not 100% sure on the Silv stuff, he was before my time. Neko can confirm)

(Yeah, I don't see a problem. Rona's been A+ )

(oh, thank you. I don't know what you graded though, or if that is a saying (it is in german) )

8:28 PM

"Yes, that would be great, thank you. I'd rather not wait for Dr. Ahn to come back. We don't know how much time we have left"

(It's a grade but it's also a saying. He just means that you've been a solid player)

"Actually, I can take you to him if you'd like. You won't be able to go on your own without one of Dr. Ahn's necklaces though." Regulus places a hand on your shoulder. The world twists with a disorienting flash and the cool winter is replaced with warm dry desert air. An ancient piggen temple is before you. "Welcome to Shangri La, the academy's hidden campus. The piggen let us use it in the early days when we were still prosecuted after the scream."

Ronakeve jerks around, visibly surprised. "What... The Fuck?", he stutters. He then takes a look around, looks at the sand, the temple, the sky and then at Regulus. "Fleshshapers can't do that, I hope" Despite the heat, he shivers at the thought. "A hidden campus, eh? Did you hide from Tenebreans? They always hated psychics, even before the scream. They made good and simple tech, though." He thinks back to his old compad, a TNB Renk 135°, while fidgeting with the new device on his belt.

6:44 AM

(Thanks Neko. Both of you. That is really reassuring. I never played in such a format, always on my big ass kitchen table or roll20+voice, so this is completely new for me and I was not sure how I am doing) (edited)

"Yes, the remnant. But also our own people as well. When you see every psychic suddenly go mad and kill everyone it's fairly understandable why they'd mistrust us. Anyway. Grupp has been somewhat of a custodian here in our absence, keeping it ready in case we need it in emergency."

7:33 AM

(If you look on roll20 under psi academy campuses there's a third one on there now)

(thats amazing. Also I'm glad that the academy stuff is at the very bottom so I don't have to search on mobile.)

7:43 AM

(I assume you did not teleport us to the bottom of the stairs?)

7:48 AM

"Well, such a hideout may really come in handy in case of a Fleshshaper attack." He looks down the stairs that vanish around a sharp angle of rock . "Easy to defend if they can't shape wings." he looks at the steps and the temples stones. "How old is this place?", he asks.

"I'm not sure how old, since the piggen have been here I suspect. The problem with fleshshapers is that they don't need to come down to the planet to destroy and harvest everything, their organic ships mostly do it for them. There's nowhere to hide when all biomass on the planet is being tortured and turned into fuel for their terrors."

"Just like that", he slowly says as he blows some desert dust from one of the broken pots. He nods, looking in the distance, eyes not focused on anything. "Robert told me about it. I assume it happened to Arrituri as well. I somehow managed to forget about their harvester ships..."

8:01 AM

He turns around, heads towards the door. "Shall we, then?"

Regulus opens the door for you, "I'm afraid I have some business to attend to at the academy, feel free to explore a bit. Grupp is in the workshop upstairs."

"Thank you. How do I get back?"

"Grupp can bring you back, he has a necklace like you will recieve that allows for transport between the academy and here."

"Oh. Thank you very much, Regulus. I will see you later then" Ronakeve shakes hands, turns around and walks in.

(the handout itself describes things better than I could, mostly because trying to recollect it all is asking for a mistake. Grupp would be here, I think, but right now things are pretty safe, so its probably somewhat empty

You hear a loud crash and some indistinguishable shouting coming from the basement.

(basement? Reg said upstairs. Is this intentional?)

(I had forgotten where the workshop was haha, had to reread the description)

Ronakeve heads to where the noise came from. "Shaman Grupp? Is everything all right?"

"Eh? Who's up there? Everything's fine, just practicing my pilot skills!"

"My name is Ronakeve. I am here with Regulus, but he already left. May I come down?"

4:28 PM

He asks, as he approaches the stairs.

"You're a friend of Reg? Come on down!" You hear some clattering and something large and heavy shifting.

Ronakeve makes his way down the stairs, slowly walking towards the noise. What is he flying and why is he flying it in a basement?

4:49 PM

(I imagine Grupp on a mechanical bull right now)

You descend to find a chaotic wreck of various mechanical materials spread across the floor, an overturned work desk nearby. A giant serpentine mech looms over it, four large arms outstretched. A similar creature is inside the mech, a large four armed snake-like figure, head haloed by a flared hood like a cobra. He looks up at you, "Ha! Can't seem to get the bloody thing to work right!" He slithers out of the mech and his body reforms into that of a four-armed piggen, wings stretching from his back. "I'm Grupp!"

"I'm Ronakeve. Nice meeting you, Shaman Grupp. What are you trying to fly?" he takes a look at the vehicle, than at Grupp. "Never seen anything like that", he says in a way that leaves open if he refers the piggen or the vehicle.

5:29 PM

(what does Ronakeve know about piggen?) (edited)

(You're not from Gudrun so you probably wouldn't know much, but you likely would have seen a couple just around town. Pig-like humanoids. Generally have 2 arms an no wings lol) "An ancient Slyth mech, you like it? I'm not even trying to fly anything, just trying to move it around the room without destroying the whole temple, ha! It's a well kept secret, but I'm not so great with piloting ships or mechs eh? Ha!"

"Neither am I. Tech in general. It's either way to new or way to old for me to understand. This" he nods to the Snyth mech "looks like the way to old kind."

6:08 PM

"Do you know it's purpose?"

"Well, I found it in an old warehouse and it doesn't seem to have any integrated weapons or anything. I'd guess manual labor, though having a mech for something like that seems a bit of an extravagance now eh? Ha! Anyway, what brings you here? Wanting to study arcanotech with the master?"

"As we are in a temple, it is fitting to say that I seek wisdom and knowledge. I am concerned about the Fleshshapers and their ability to manipulate flesh, their own and others. Regulus said I should seek you out with my thoughts and questions. I saw you changing your body just now, an ability I am very interested in. I lack the experience to do it myself, but some day, I will learn it. " Ronakeve looks Grupp into the eyes. "I am here to study the limitations and possibilities of your technique, Shaman Grupp. Anything you can do, the Shapers can do as well, probably better. We have to be prepared. This ability is the key. They can change their bodies, their weapons, their defense. But they can't change this ability. That is why I am here in this temple, Shaman Grupp, to seek wisdom and knowledge."

"I haven't met em before, but changing their bodies for weapons and defense? That's easy!" Grupp winks as his skin grows thick chitinous armor and one of his arms elongates into a heavy machinegun. "I'd like to see the shapers do better than this! Well, I guess I wouldn't. Ha!"

"You would not. But that is remarkable, it is pretty similar if not identical. How does your gun work? I never saw a Shaper reload."

7:55 PM

"Very similar" he says and shudders.

Grupp reverts back to his 'normal' form. "Didn't mean to bring back bad memories. The gun doesn't need to reload, I'm sure Reg would go on about some metadimensional nonsense for how it works. Want me to change you? It's a bit more limited with others but I could give you wings or make you an animal or something if you want!"

"I am not prepared for that yet and would like to focus on one ability first", Ronakeve shrugs. "No reloading, mh. That's good to know. Can you fire living rounds? Literally living? I saw someone strangled by a shaper bullet that hit him in is chest.

"That's a neat trick, I don't think I could do something like that. It's not very nice, but I can force people to change if I want. Not sure if they can do something like that."

(You’re also making a big assumption the shapers work the exact same way Grupp does)

(I know that's an assumption, but Ronakeve is set. Still the best reference for Rona to get rn)

3:48 AM

"I never saw them shape someone else to be honest, but I am certain that they can do that as well." he remembers the grotesque effigy. "I don't think they ask for volunteers." "If you force me to change, can I do anything about it?"

"You can try and resist it, but if it happens you're stuck that way till I let you go." (They get a mental save to resist)

"Wait, only you can change me back? Say you shape me. Can another biopsion shape me back, or only you?"

"I suppose they could shape you back. Though if they see a cat walking around it's not likely they'd assume it was once a human eh? Ha! You biopsions are pretty limited though, you can only do humanoids right? So I don't know if that'd work or not, it'd be interesting to test though ha!"

"Humanoids is a lot more useful as a target than just humans. The shapers are humanoid... If I were able to shape you and you are also able to shape you, would you be able to withstand my shaping your body through your own shaping? Like a tug of war?" (edited)

"I don't know exactly how you biopsis work, but I don't think you can force it on people. There are ways I can counter someone changing me but I don't know if you could just shape yourself out of it or not."

1:40 PM

(Some of these interactions would be up to Neko, they're not explicitly said in the books)

"I don't know if we can force it. And I don't think it's permanent if we change someone. I can't do it yet. Do you have to touch someone to change them? And do they change back after some time?" (yeah, I know. This will probably never matter since they just shoot or harvest you)

"Sometimes I have to touch, others not. Depends on what I'm doing. For the most part it's permanent until I or the target release it. Some are more permanent than others."

"I am convinced that the Shapers changing of others is permanent as well. So... Don't get shaped. That's a rule now. There may be some way out if you are either Shaman Grupp, a highly trained biopsion or extremely lucky. Most humans are neither of those." he smirks. "How fast can you change yourself? Let's say from ranged to melee weaponry?" (edited)

"If I prepare before a fight it can be pretty much instant, otherwise it takes 3 to 4 seconds generally. But for melee I like to use this." A large glaive suddenly appears in his hands. "This baby's been enhanced with pretech artifacts, slyth tech, and arcanotech! Nothing on the market can beat it eh? Ha!"

Ronakeve twitches as the glaive humms through the air. He did not see it before. "That's a good thing to have in arms reach. Looks pretty deadly. I like it" Reminds me that I need a new blade as well, he thinks. But not as big as that one "So a hand full of seconds max. Or no time at all between changing. That's a small window..." (edited)

"Yep! If I get hit while I'm changing it'll stop it though. Pretty sure that's unique to my type of shaping though, it probably wouldn't bother the fleshshapers."

"Our shots did not interrupt them back then, if I recall correctly. We did not aim for that, I'll keep that in mind. But after we shot down the first one, the second used the dead ones body. He made a mace ready to shadow that monster of a glaive you swing out of a dead body. Can you do that, merging with flesh, living or dead? " (edited)

"No I just use my own or change someone else's, no merging."

"No merging, mh. Do you think it's possible for you to... Actually, that's a dead end anyways. It does not matter. Can you separate yourself?"

"Like this?" Grupp splits into two Grupps and gives himself a high-five. "This is different though, technically only one of me is organic and the other a metadimensional construct."

"No, not like that. That is more like cloning yourself." Ronakeve exhales deeply. "I encountered a bunch of people merged into a mush of flesh and thought about a way to get them separated again." he carefully sits down on some tech rubble. "I am searching for a way to beat them in hand to hand combat. It's better if we can just shoot them in their ships, but we don't know if they can shape themself to travel space alone with no spacecraft whatsoever. That's a terrifying thought." he sighs, then looks at both Grupps. "Sorry to bombard you with questions, Shaman Grupp, but I have two more. Do you run into limitations or boundaries, like out of stamina or concentration loss at some point? And how fast can you change your whole body, head to... Hooves, to a complete different shape?"

"Changing the whole body is just as quick as changing a part really. Again, about 3-4 seconds if I haven't prepared for it, nearly instant if I have. I can only maintain so many changes at once, but otherwise they last until I die or choose to drop them. I can travel in space with no spaceship! I mean, it's really slow and I can't spike by myself though obviously."

"And if you get shot while changing it might get interrupted, right? That may be our 3-4 second window. We may have found a weakness here, Shaman Grupp. I just have to do some field testing to confirm" He stands up and walks the few steps to shake hands.

Grupp firmly grasps your hand in four of his, "I doubt that's applicable to them, but you're welcome to test whatever you need! You need a ride back to the academy?"

"We will see. Yes, a ride back would be great, thank you. Regulus said you would give me an amulet so I can come here on my own."

"Oh Doona has all the necklaces to give out, I just have one for me. But I can take you back no problem!" Still grasping your hand he pulls out a necklace and with a flash of light you're once again in the academy in Central. "Anything else? I gotta get back to figuring out that mech, ha!"

Ronakeve blinks at the flash, then looks around quickly. He relaxes as he realises where he is. "Nothing comes to mind just know. I'll visit you again if something does. Can I do anything for you in return? Apart from some training, I have a free schedule until I get an opportunity to test my theory"

"Oh I just do things for myself mostly, Reg's the one to talk to if you're looking for something to do! Or Doona when she gets back."

He nods. "Well then. It was a pleasure meeting you, Shaman Grupp. Thanks again for your time and good luck with figuring out that mech."

Grupp winks before grabbing the necklace and vanishing again.

Ronakeve stands there for a second, takes a look around and seeks out his room. Once there, he boots up his dataslab and writes down what he learned from Grupp about shaping abilities. He goes to bed and continues training the next day.

(how long until I have the psychic Training focus? Been here about two weeks)

(Do you have a slot to pick up a focus? if youve earned one, that'll be the end result of all this, but otherwise you have to wait until you can take one again)

(yeah I am level 3 and did not pick a level 2 focus yet)

(Not sure how it all works out timewise, but Doona could finish his training since he's a biopsi and she just got back)

(I didn't have anything planned, but if youve got the foci slot, I'm fine with taking it and moving on. )

(all right. If you have nothing planned ie if nothing happens , Rona would work for the academy until something shaper related shows up)

(You didn’t have any other ideas? Not really jumping into that yet)

There is one issue where a bioscopic or psychic at large may be useful right now and that is with the beginning analysis of the captured fleshshaper probe. A clean team has removed it from the impaled position it had on the bow of the dark star, and has since moved the probe to a secure clean hangar

Ronakeve would go there. Is that on behalf of the academy?

(They’d certainly be an interested party)

8:35 AM

(An issue that big is interest to everyone)

(going there for the academy is fine with me)

Ronakeve and @Robert both arrive at the secure spaceside hangar on Trivedi Cloud to review the shaper probe. dozens of security officer and formal army watch over this little used section of Trivedi cloud, and a clean ward has been set up, allowing for entry with specialized gear

"Good to see you, Robert. Better ciscumstances this time. You allright?" he closes the distance to shake hands.

Robert returns the handshake happily. "As good as can be hoped. Good to see you too, Ronakeve. It looks like you've taken to life here quickly, I'm impressed. I take it you're here for the probe too?" (edited)

Ronakeve shrugs lightly. "Just following field guide, really. You know, the 'quick adaptation is key for survival' part. That led me to the academy and now to the Probe. We need all the information we can get. We can't afford to miss anything here."

"I couldn't agree more. I'm aiming to lead some more intelligence gathering missions against the Fleshshapers, but it's a suicide mission as long as these probes can trap us in a system. I'm hoping we can overcome that somehow."

"If possible, I would like to join these missions. I have always been on the front. That's were good men die to buy pieces of information. I need that hand to hand information, might as well get it myself. Only if we can counter the probe, of course. Overcoming it would open up a lot of needed ground. "

"I'll make sure you get an offer to join each expedition. You handled yourself well last time, I've always got room for someone who can hold up under intense pressure. Once my Void Wardens have some resources to work with I could even give you command of a starship if you'd be willing to help us achieve some of our objectives." (edited)

"Thank you for that offer, Robert. Sounds better than what NMC offered me after 20 years of service. But first things first. We need to be able to GTFO, so let's have a look at that probe. Do you know anything about it yet? I have not even seen a picture"

"I was busy when it emerged. I got a small look at it on the journey home, nothing substantial. You know as much as I do" Robert makes to walk into the lab, then pauses, turning back to Ronakeve. "Listen, I won't be insulted if you turn me down, but there's a place in my new organisation for you if you want it. I'm devoting all of the Void Wardens efforts to defeating the Fleshshapers, and I'll be needing leadership for my vessels and strike teams. I'm not asking you to make a decision now, just think about it and get back to me if it ever sounds like something you'd want to do. I can even pay you once we start pulling in an income stream. Anyway, shall we take a look at this drone?"

Ronakeve gazes at Robert. He has a puzzled expression on his face, that is quickly replaced by a smile. For an instance, a keen eye might glimpse Ronakeves distressed and sad expression right before the smile masks it. "We'll talk about that later. Everything we can do depends on what we can get from this, and so does everyones course of action." He follows Roberts 'shall we?' gesture. "Is someone investigating the Spike drives that were hit by this thing? Maybe it left a mark or something useful is in the ships protocols."

6:17 AM

(do space ships have black boxes?)

Robert walks with Ronakeve to the lab with the drone. "The offer is there, you only take it if you want to. I'm not sure if anyone has taken a look at the spike drives yet, I must admit I've been out of the loop for the past few weeks, I only just got back from a largely fruitless trip to Akhlaqi yesterday. Hopefully someone here will be able to tell us, it's definitely worth a look."

(not in the sense a plane does)

(I'm happy to move into the lab if the rest of you are)

(into the lab)

The probe is large, the size of a small shuttle in its own right, and the 'lab' is not a lab at all, but rather a secure hangar with portable instruments rolled in on carts

8:44 AM

Cables hang from the ceiling as engineers in vac suits work to get more power couplings installed

(is it biological or artificial/tech?)

The probe is a mix of biological tissue, holding together metal and electronics, though the biological portion of it is dominant. It is triangular in shape, trailing four tentacles, and with two fin like sails near its tip, that flap in the void and provide propulsion. The rest of it is bloblike, and has a distinct lack of angles

Robert suits up into a vaccsuit and enters the hangar. He makes sure his suits comms are set to the right frequency before enquiring after the lead scientist in the room.

There is only one scientist here, an overly enthusiastic Dr. Light, who also has done contract work for the Marshal service before.

9:13 AM

He seems to be very absorbed in what he is doing, working in the corner on a machine, elaborately set up with wires, cables, wheels, and burners. Even through the vac suit filter, you can smell coffee. /

Ronakeve struggles a bit with the vaccsuit, but follows closely after Robert. He takes a good look around and sniffs. The speaker crackles as it comes to live. "Dr. Light, I presume?"

He jumps, startled, and the forest green enamel cup falls to the ground, coffee spreading out in a puddle on the ground. It smells amazing.

"Dr. Light, I'm Robert Tanzer and this is Ronakeve Donovan. You've clearly been hard at work studying the probe. Do you have any insights to share with us?"

"I've been hard at work on many things. The perfect cup of coffee, a cannon that shoots actual real life interns! Amazing scientific advancements into how to keep my suit stain free! but alas, no insight on this probe. The composite of metal and meat, nothing I've ever seen before"

"I can't speak for Donovan but I've picked up a decent education in the sciences during my life. I'd like to help you figure out how the probe emits an anti spike field and hopefully how we can get around it."

"I am here to investigate the biopsionic properties of this drone on top of that. I want to know how alive this is and was. Do you have any scanner results we could look at?"

"I have a scanner, but no results yet"

1:06 PM

He moves through containers in the corner of the room, digging through them for the requested equipment

What would you need a stain proof vaccsuit for? You gotta follow decontamination protocol no matter what, Ronakeve thinks to himself.

1:13 PM

"You have no results yet because you did not scan, or did you run into some complications?", he asks.

"Oh I didn't scan. I've been far too too too busy"

"You are obviously working on something very important, Dr. Light" Ronakeve says. To Robert on private comms, he adds "looks like we have to start from scratch." He walks over to Dr. Light, takes the scanner and approaches the drone. He looks at the scanner and at the drone, back to the scanner, to Robert, and back to the drone. "Last time I operated one of these was in basic training. Let's see... This is the sensor. If I... " he begins to manipulate the scanner, mumbling about, until some readings show on the mini screen. 'Device Ready', it says.

Robert grins as he watches Ronakeve struggle with the scanner. "Looks like you're the new chief scientist here."

"Well, it's ready now", Ronakeve says while handing the scanner over to Robert, returning the grin. "You brought any special equipment we have to set up? I only have a dataslab with me"

"I've got my environmental scanner, but I'm not sure how much help that will be. I was hoping they'd have some specialised equipment here." Robert looks around, trying to get a feel for the resources at their disposal.

A bioscanner, medical equipment such as imaging devices, and industrial cutting tools are all in the lab right now, and you see dr light fidgeting with a crate himself

"A scan will give us a good overview, some direction at least. Let's start with that. We can have a good look around while the scan is processing"

6:37 AM

(the scanner we have now is the lab's bioscanner, correct?)

(yeah, we need a heal/int check or a know/int check for results)

(Both or Rona)

(I was actually kind of thinking about a skill challenge here, if youre game for it) (edited)

(Sounds good to me!)

(Do you need a rundown of how that works? I know we did a couple, once with Chalres and cass on Mariam building the snowcat, and we tried another one at the TECT)

(I only vaguely understand them so a rundown would help)

(I don't know how it works)

(Each skill can only be used once in the scene, no matter who rolls it. You can use any skill you want, just describe how you think it might be relevant to what you're wanting to do, so in this case, getting information out of the probe. You need a to roll a certain number of successes before accumulating a certain number of failures to pass it. For example, a starship that is crippled about to crash into a planet. Someone wants to use fix to repair ruptured fuel lines. someone else uses program to try to reset the nav computer. the gunner has an idea that he might be able to use the recoil from a cannon to adjust course, and rolls a shoot check, ect)

8:18 AM

(you can make anything work depending on how creative you are)

Robert investigates the scanners software, attempting to calibrate it to be hypersensitive to glands or organs with unknown purposes, especially ones that are seemingly rigged to soak up great amounts of energy from the host body.

8:22 AM

(Program/int?)

(works for me!)

(11)

(Success! You;ll get a dungeon clear screen with the info learned at the end)

8:27 AM

(1/5 successes, 0/3 failures)

(You're up Rona)

Ronakeve heads to the biggest form of biomass and uses his biopsionic technique of Organ Restauration to look for greater damage in the probes living part. It may have been shaped to have something internally break on impact for chemical reactions to begin.

10:21 AM

(biopsi/wis?)

(Go for it)

(8)

(Success! 2/5. 0/3 failures) Robert and Rona work together to identify where organ concentrations are, and monitor what biological processes may still be occurring within the hulk. Preliminary data begins coming in though it is fragmented and there is not enough known for it to make sense.

Robert pushes off from the data readouts towards Dr. Light, though he begins talking to him over shared comms well before they are next to each other. "Now that we've located the most likely organs it used to block our spike drives, I want to try stimulating the probable areas both electrically and with Ronakeves powers if at all possible to see if we can produce a similar effect. I'd also like to talk to anyone around here who can lend us a spike capable shuttle for testing purposes. Can we implement these plans?"

11:47 AM

(I'm going to sleep so if you'd like to move back to Rona please roll whatever is best for me)

(Contest is still going on but yes, theres a test spike drive they can bring in for you)

While Robert asks for the Spike drive, Ronakeve walks up to the probe and looks at it from every angle. He tries to imagine how it traveled through space, and his encounter with Grupp comes to his mind. Shaman Grupp is able to travel space on his own. The shapers should be able, too. Maybe that's how these drones sneak up, they are impossible to pick up without a spike drive. But how do they travel so far? Do they get launched by orbital canons, spiking them through space? He walks around the probe once more, looking for marks from a launching device or fins for guidance, investigating it as if he would investigate a torpedo. (aiming for shoot/?)

(Yeah I think shoot could apply there. Let’s do shoot /int)

8:55 PM

(Great use of a non conventional skill)

(8)

3:25 AM

(well, I only have like 3 skills, might as well try to use them all. This challenge is pretty cool)

(Dude you used shoot for science way to go)

(you can't aim for success if you don't shoot for science I guess. Were you going for a skill in organizing the Spike for testing?)

You're not exactly sure how this might locomote through space, it doesnt appear to have been fired by anything that uses a charge or propellant, at least (2/5 success, 1/3 fails)

(dang. Good try though. Rob, bring it on)

Robert, with the help of Dr. Light and a few other scientists, sets up a rig whereby organs likely to be the spike blocker are excited with electricity and chemical transfer as close to their original means of operation as possible, then testing the spike drive to see if it has been affected. (I'm guessing know/int and preemptively rolling it, 6)

7:35 PM

(Looks like we might fail this mission hahaha)

The electrical tests yield murky results and are inconclusive. (2/5 pass. 2/3 fail)

7:36 PM

(So far we have used biopsi, shoot, know, and Program)

7:37 PM

(If any of you are pure experts your expert re roll can apply to these)

(Adventurer hahaha sorry, Rona do you want to try again or do you want me to see if I can find a useful skill? Still trying to figure out how to use talk and pilot in this hahahaha)

After these set backs, Ronakeve walks up to Dr Light and inquires about his perfect coffee project. He sets up a chair across from the probe, clears his mind of anything they assume about the shapers and this drone, sips from his coffee and just looks at it. He looks at it with his own theories and plans in mind, with what he tried with Robert, he looks at it as an asteroid and he looks at it as if it were an animal in a zoo. (notice/int)

4:07 AM

(pilot is pretty useful here. Just look at the skill descriptions on page 8, both Rona and I believe in you)

(Good luck, I'll try it next if you succeed here)

(Yeah notice int is good)

(with int? Let's see how fast roll20 loads up on mobile)

(Yeah notice/int)

(7)

5:56 AM

(not fast at all)

(That passes I’ll update when I get to work

(Nice, I noticed the science, after shooting the science did not work)

(Alright Robert bring us home and I’ll get you your wall of text)

Robert investigates the form of the probe, comparing it to his understanding of atmospheric and space based craft design, trying to infer how the Fleshshapers ships manage to travel through the vacuum naturally and how capable they are as opponents in battle. (Pilot/wis? Rolled an 11 if that works)

(Great use of it, 5/5 pass, text incoming)

7:46 AM

A day passes in feverish study of the probe, and the following seems as close to fact as you're going to be able to get from on example. 1) The probe is capable of interfering with spike through a MES like connection. A spike drive is affected by this, and it may be part of how the shapers communicate (sort of like a modified telepathy/nullification field) 2) The probe was not fired from anything, and does not seem capable of faster than light movement on its own. Micro-wormholes msut have been opened by a navigator ship to allow it to scout ahead and jam drives 3) (you can each ask a question as well, and since the test was passed, the answers will be correct)

(clarification question for fact 1: like a letter? Like I put MES in this and send it through space and whoever picks it up gets the MESsage?)

(What is the best way to scramble its MES connection?) (edited)

(also I only count four successful skill tests. But I'll take it lol)

(My question for 3 would be: what information does it gather and send back to the shapers? Looking for a blind spot in their intelligence/communication with this device)

It is not alive so you're not sure what information it sends or what it might be looking for. Presumably it is looking for sources of abundant biomass, as in keeping with how you've seen shapers act so far The connection at least has a basis in MES, a nullification field or other kids of psychic interference may be able to scramble this connection

Robert gathers with Ronakeve and Dr. Light after the rounds of testing are completed. "We have a path to overcoming their spike scrambler now, and a few more bits of info on the Fleshshapers to boot. I'd call that a success, even if we are only just scratching the surface of what we need to learn. I'm going to have to track down some nullifiers, and see if anyone can develop some kind of tech based nullification field projector. Where are you two going from here?"

"Is a wormhole emitting energy of some kind, Dr. Light? Maybe we can build scanners to pick this up, so we might see such a drone coming" (edited)

"It's dead" The doctor says "there is no energy being generated by it. A wormhole at large would produce energy, but by time our current sensors detect the buildup, they'll already be through"

12:54 PM

"Even within a gravity well, space is vast."

"Is a wormhole a one way rift? Can we maybe send a satellite through to get intelligence?"

"Theoretically, it is both ways, but again, we would need to know where its forming, and know its there fast enough to get a satellite through"

"All right. Thank you, Dr. Light. Your insight was very helpful." Ronakeve turns to Robert. "You wanted to tell me about your Void Wardens. I've seen the add on tv, and I like the idea.... You said you need personnel. Are you able to operate? What you offered me yesterday fits with what I want to do and gives me an opportunity to actually do it. But I need to know what I'm getting myself into if I... what was it, answer the call?"

Robert grins sheepishly, putting a hand behind his head in mock embarrassment. "Honestly there's not much to it's name right now. I have an exploratory cruiser and a small base of operations in the works, but they won't be complete for a few days yet. I'm planning on building up our assets as fast as I can afford to but while my means are considerable at this point, they are not enough to fully outfit a fleet yet. It'll be some months before I have any ships in need of Captains. I'm not trying to scare you off, but I want to be honest about what you can expect if you do want to join, which is essentially an organisation currently building up from a small base that I only started forming a week ago." "If you do join, I'll pay you 5% of all earnings that the organisation makes once I establish a trade route or two, and I'll give you captaincy of the first corvette that I manage to build. As for what you'll be doing, I imagine it will be similar to what you plan on doing anyway. I want to defeat the Fleshshapers. I want you to help me do that. I give you autonomy in how you decide to go about that, I'll merely provide you with all the resources the Void Wardens can spare you to achieve that goal. You can leave at any time, and I'll support you in any endeavours you pursue when you leave." "A last aside, I know you're aware but I want every potential recruit to hear this. It will be dangerous work that we do. Death is a possibility. We are volunteering to fight on the frontline of a war we don't even know we can win. I trust you to excel, but I need you to know the risks." "So, now that I've laid it all bare for you, what do you think? Want to become a Void Warden?"

Ronakeve leans against one of the steel beams holding the probe, arms crossed in front of his chest, listening to what Robert has to say. "In the NMCA, I was offered positions of leadership a couple of times. I turned them all down. I always had a small 6 people squad. Scouting, observation, assassination, some routine stuff as well. We were only a small pain in the Tens ass, but as the war progressed over the years, I learned that having command over people just means choosing where and how they die. Of course, the longer the war lastet, the more it was about territory, resources, power, wealth and beliefs. A war that is not necessary has no end. But this time... " he looks over his shoulder, at the probe "... it will be a different war. This war is about survival. Not about made up stuff" he looks intently at Robert. "I know this is deadly. War is. Honestly, I thought it was all over for me four years ago when NMC put me in prison." he shakes his head. "I won't take up command for greed, Robert. I'm on the side of mankind. I absolutely do not have the impression that you are driven by greed, that's not what I'm saying. I'm also not saying don't make profit; I understand money. What I'm saying is... Don't change the Void Wardens intention and expect me to be on board. Well, you said I'd be free to leave. Regardless, I'm sure you get my point"

"I'm going to tell you something I've never really told anyone. I had a daughter, once. Her name was Sarah. She was like me, driven by curiosity, wanting to see everything she could, but she was far better than me too. She wanted to make the universe a safe and happy place for everyone, she was far more driven than I ever was. She died a few years ago, just a small child. Freak grav car accident, no ones fault. I love that girl more than anything in the whole damn universe, even if she's gone. I'm doing this for her. She wanted a better universe, one where people live in peace and harmony. I will do everything in my power to make that happen. My organisation is not about making war, or making a profit. It is about making peace. Sarah's peace. I hope you understand how much I mean it when I say that the goal of the Void Wardens is to create a world in which the Void Wardens do not need to exist. I want her to be proud of me when we meet again."

9:37 PM

"I could definitely use a trusted advisor, however. Someone to make sure the Void Wardens don't become something worse. This is all new to me and I could use all the help I can get. I promise you I will never ask you to become what they made you before. We will both fight for mankind before anything else."

Ronakeve walks over from the steel beam. "I'm sorry for your loss, Robert. Your daughter gave you a good dream. You better follow it." He sighs, then starts to grin. "Guess I'll make sure you do", he says with a smile, extending his hand.

Robert eagerly grasps it, and shakes hands firmly with Ronakeve.

9:59 PM

"Welcome aboard, Warden. When my cruiser is built I'm planning on taking her out to see if we can find some more alien tech to give us an advantage against the Fleshshapers. Maybe even try and capture a live Fleshshaper if the opportunity presents itself. You'd be welcome to come, but if you have other business to attend to I could provide some resources to help. It's your call."

"I am eager to do just that, hunt one down and give it to someone with a science degree, especially now after knowing a way around this probe. But until we have a device that counters it, we can't hunt for them. I'll have to pick my stuff up from the academy and tell Regulus what we found out here, but other than that, I'm ready to go."

"The cruiser won't be spaceworthy until the start of the month. You have some time to get your affairs in order. I'll let you know when we are ready to ship out. Tell Reg I said hello, by the way. I don't get to see that ghost nearly as much as I'd like."

"I got no affairs, so if you need anything done until the cruiser is ready, I can do it. Just let me know, I have nothing else to do. And of course I will greet Regulus. You should recruit Dr Light, his coffee really was something. Anyways, if you need something done let me know, if not - see you in a couple weeks, First Warden Robert"

"Don't worry, I'll be in touch. If you're lost for something to do, I'd be grateful if you could use your links to the Academy to try and track down a nullifier that's willing to do some research with me. Otherwise, do whatever you feel is best. I've got to go ensure that the Warden Hall on Tsatsos isn't having any issues before I start needing to use it. Never a dull moment in the UNW I'm afraid." As Robert turns to go, he pauses, messes with his compad for a few seconds then turns back and hands Ronakeve a small credstick. "There's 100,000 credits on that. Call it a joining bonus. Use it to get yourself some gear, you're more useful to us if you have what you need on hand. If you need any modded gear, look up Pops, he can sort you out. I'll see you soon, friend."

10:46 PM

(Add 100,000 credits to your sheet, I'm taking it off mine now)

"Wow, Robert, that's a lot of money. I'll suit up properly and join you on Tsatsos with a nullifier, my friend." (wtf)

(Take a re roll token both of you too)

(what can I reroll with that and how do I take it?)

(You can re roll a failed save or a skill check with it even if you’re not an expert)

7:10 PM

(I give them out for good roleplay)

(cool. That will come in handy. Has the roll20 sheet somewhere to track it? I wrote it down as a note)

(It doesn’t. )

(Cool beans thanks Neko!)

Ronakeve walks over to Dr. Light. "Dr Light, what do you plan to do with the probe?"

“We have learned what we can. The biological mass is ruined with all the testing, as is the mechanical. It’ll be used for some target practice so we can see how different weapons hurt it. “

9:47 AM

“We can’t keep it though.”

"I figured as much, since it's only a Chunk of garbage now. I don't know a testing side fit for heavy weaponry, so if you can't move it elsewhere I'm sure you have some kind of cleaning protocol for such things."

1:54 PM

"Your coffee is great, Dr Light. Maybe try a little pinch of pepper to round the aroma a little", Ronakeve says before heading out.

He heads back to the academy and searches for Regulus.

(Is Regulus here for some quick interaction @Regulus/Grupp?)

(No he’s off world)

(Allright. Who is in the academy, then?)

(Dr. Ahn has been rescued, and is there recovering, and the students on the academy sheet on roll20. Thinly staffed right now)

(If you're looking for nullifiers for Robert, I think Doona Ahn and Grupp are the only high lvl ones)

(yeah, none of the new students know it yet, since she's been gone, but we'll have some zeroes across the board at next month flip)

Ronakeve can't find Regulus, quickly asks around and seeks out Dr. Ahn. "Dr. Ahn. Its a pleasure to finally meet you. Regulus talked a lot about you. He gave me Biopsionic instructions over the past weeks and always said you were much better at this discipline. Anyways , I am in dire need of a nullifier. Robert Tanzer and I investigated a fleshshaper probe and found out that we need a nullifier to counter their spike drive targeted attack. I know the academy is understaffed right now, but can you think of someone you can send to Tsatsos to help us?"

5:52 PM

(thanks for waiting on me. GF has some relatives over, I hope I can make more room for rp tomorrow)

"Tsatsos? Whats happening there? I was reading that the fleshshaper attack was fouled over Tsatsos. There hasnt been a landing that the governor is triyng to keep under wraps, I hope"

"An attack on Tsatsos?" I have been so taken in by the drone and Robert's offer that I did not keep up, shit, he thinks "The Void Wardens have their hq on Tsatsos. Well... Still under construction. Fuck, I hope Robert did not leave without knowing about the attack"

"He would have arrived after it if he's already gone. YOu don't need to worry about your friends." the doctor says " He will be alright"

Ronakeve nods. "I know. I'll just read up on the attack later. I was just surprised." He paces back and forth a little bit. "Dr. Ahn, the Fleshshapers have a drone that can block spike drives from powering up with an MES charge. To counter this, we need some kind of nullification device. I know nothing about nullification myself, so I would like you to recommend someone who is both willing and skilled to work on such a device." (edited)

"It would be a long process. I can't promise complete effectiveness for anything we develop, and we only have a loose understanding of the nullification arts. What youre asking is necessary, but I hope you understand the scope of it"

"If we can't nullify that drones MES charge, the shapers can trap us in system. The only reliable way to make sure it works is to try and succeed. If we don't succeed, the shapers can surprise us whenever they want. That is the scope I am knowing about. I don't know about the risks of nullification arts. "

"Its no small feat to make psitech, especially brand new psitech, is what I am saying. I am willing to help work on it, but I cannot promise fast, or even accurate results"

"Only a fool promises such things as fast results. I'm glad that you are no fool and that you want to help, Dr Ahn. Maybe Shaman Grupp has something in his workshop. He was trying to pilot a slyth mech last time I saw him."

"He was the one who first brought this new study to our attention, and has had the most time with it It migt be a good avenue of inquiry"

"I will ask him, then. Ah, that reminds me, he and Regulus said you would give me one of those amulets after you return."

She nods, and fishes in a small leather purse she has carried across her. It is well worn, but also well taken care of, the bottom re-patched more than once, and the strap likewise reinforced in a few places with fabric. Hand extending, it opens to reveal a simple, cleanly cut and polished crystal disc, with a braided leather cord to fasten it

Ronakeve slowly extends his hand, carefully touching the disc. He takes it out of the pouch, and fastens it around his neck. "Thank you very much" He bows his head as a sign of respect.

'Shangra-La was a place of laughter and happiness once. I trained the first found psychics after the scream there with Silvano. Better days" she muses. "The work was hard, but we all bonded. I hope you'll do everything you can with the other fortunates we found to bring it back to what it used to be"

Ronakeve sits down. "Education is a strange concept, don't you think? What's the goal? Passing on knowledge? Giving someone all the tools so that they can think on their own, find their own truth? Making sure the people you educate know morale and believe in themselves? So much to teach a young human... We had a saying on my home planet... 'A child taught with fear will only ever know fear'." He stands up again. "No one can bring back that laughter and hapiness you remember, Dr. Ahn. That's an illusion. All we can do is make room for new laughter and happiness. With that, I will help. But I can't promise fast, or even accurate results" He winks at Dr. Ahn, an amused smirk on his face, as he touches the amulet to teleport to the temple.

Ronakeve appears on top on the stairs and is immediately hit by the temperature change. He collects himself for a second, then approaches the big temple door. He opens it with the amulet as Regulus showed him and enters. "Shaman Grupp, are you here?", he shouts.

3:05 PM

( @Regulus/Grupp)

You hear a holler in the distance, coming this time from upstairs. "HEYA RONA, IS THAT YOU?"

"Yes it is. May I come upstairs?" (edited)

"COME ON UP, GRAB A PAIR OF GLOVES!"

Ronakeve raises an eyebrow, making his way up the stairs, looking for gloves. He enters the room he suspects Grupp to be in.

5:04 PM

"I hope you have gloves up here, I did not see any on the... What are you doing?" (edited)

You actually find an open courtyard with a small but thriving garden. Grupp is currently up to his elbows in dirt, digging a hole for a large cutting next to him. "You don't carry around gardening gloves with you?"

"I don't. Usually" he says slowly. He looks around. "Is this your garden?" He kneels down and lightly touches a plants leaf. He grins at Grupp. "You really are retired, finding your peace within this... Equilibrium of life, one might say. This is a temple, after all" He stands up and walks over to shake hands. "Good to see you did not break your neck trying to pilot that slyth mech"

"Retired? Ha! I've been a farmer much longer than I've been a shaman eh? Just figured this would liven the place up a bit, plus I can cook something without bamfing into town for some veggies! Anyway, you need something besides some gloves?"

"Yes. I need a nullification device fit for a space ship to nullify a spike drive disabling MES charge transported on a ground truck sized untraceable heap of flesh and metal that gets catapulted through a wormhole to enter the system. Basically." (edited)

"Oh is that all? Ha! Well we'd need to talk to Val and her folks down in Rebirth for access to the psionic forge, but that's no problem they all love me there. Val'll need to help of course, she's the psitech expert I do more arcanotech. Remind me to tell you about the time she and I defeated three AI gods with a pirate ship sometime eh? Anyway, she'd have the details on what you need and I have the nullification skills she'd need to finish it. Or I could make an arcanotech version of what you want but that'd take about two months or so."

Ronakeve stares at Grupp in disbelief. "Are you serious? What a relief. Can we do it with the forge within a month?"

"Oh, I've no idea the timetable for that. Also not sure if I'd be able to actually translate it to arcanotech. And I don't know what Val would need to complete it. So really I'm lacking on a bunch of the details, but I'm positive that we can make something work!"

Ronakeve laughs. "That's closer to what I thought. Val is at Rebirth, hm? How long would we need to travel and how fast can you leave?"

Grupp finishes planting the cut and brushes his hands off, "Ready to go now! We could take the train, but that takes more time. We can take the Javelina though, that'd be faster. Timmy's had too much free time lately anyway."

I hope the Javelina is a ship and I hope Timmy is the pilot, Ronakeve thinks. "The Javelina is faster? Let's fly, then."

"Sure thing, it's much faster! Care to take us back to the academy? I see Doona gave you one of the necklace things!"

"Oh, I did not know it was possible to teleport additional people. Well, Regulus took me with him. Where is your Pilot, Timmy?"

"Probably lazing about Trivedi in Central, I pay to keep him nearby in case I need him quickly."

"Ready when you are. Need anything from your workshop?"

"No, their lab is much better equipped than anything I have. Let's go!"

Ronakeve touches Grupp by the elbow. The flash of light brings both back to the academy. "Need anything from here?", he asks

"Nope! I don't store anything here."

"To Trivedi, then"

(I'd be okay with a skip to Trivedi)

(the cloud? or like, his factory?)

(The cloud, sorry. We're taking Grupp's ship down to visit Val to talk psitech)

The javelina is prepared and Timmy expertly navigates to trivedi cloud, as the planet spins below you, a quick redirect in orbit has you descending toward rebirth. Rebirth is a small town but houses three important things for life on Gudrun as the humans know it. A silver mine churns away on yet another batch of ore. The knights of house draconis look to be mustering for something. Their super heavy command mech and one of its two accompanying light mechs are on the field, maneuvering around one another. The second light mech is in an open repair cradle, covered in welders and riveters

8:28 PM

Finally, the psitech lab , a walled structure with corner defense towers and a gate as tall as the heavy mech, easily. It is massive. Once it was a cryogenic facility and disease research lab as the slyth tried to find a cure for the bioweapon they lost control of.

"What are these giant mechs, Grupp?", Ronakeve says while looking at the outside monitors. "The shapers can't change them, right? They'd have a hard time dealing with those"

"House Draconis runs this town, they're from Rawhani. I figure anything big and metal works against the fleshshapers, ha!"

"You should learn how to pilot yours soon, then. Do you know where House Draconis stands in the current Rawhani affair?"

"I haven't kept up with that too much, but I imagine they'll be in the thick of it. Retaking their homeland and all that. Their leader's supposed to be a pretty good mechanic or something, I wouldn't mind meeting him someday."

"With the Fleshshapers approaching, I hope this conflict will be solved soon. We need this time to prepare. It's a waste of resources if this fight leads to nothing." Ronakeve leans his back and elbows on some railing, the psitech facilities on the screen behind him. "If they can just pop up on Tsatsos like that, we can hardly fight full out efficient on another front." He sighs. "Maybe you can meet House Draconis' leader in the thick of things. He might tell you a thing or two about your mech, if he's into the same old and odd stuff you seem to like" He smirks at Grupp.

"Eh my mech is more of just a thing to tinker with, for fighting I'll do better without it. Maybe I can find a way to turn Dax into a mech and pilot him, ha! That'd be the ultimate warrior team, the shapers wouldn't stand a chance!"

"I have not met Dax yet. Until you turn him into a mech, we need this nullifier." He turns around to look at the screen again. "Why has the lab such a high wall and turrets?"

"Dax is great, you'd like him. Glowing swords and teleporting around, all sorts of fun things. Anyway. The lab has all sorts of sensitive stuff in it, used to be a slyth lab you know. Cryogenic stuff and experimental tech and the psionic forge, not stuff you want just anyone to have access to."

"That's what I thought. I have no idea what can be done with such a forge. Even better it's not in the wrong hands then." He nods while watching the wall pass by.

"Might as well head in and find out then! Lead the way partner!"

Ronakeve waits for Timmy to set down the Javelina and walks off the ramp. He heads towards the place that resembles a reception the most.

There is a small two story town hall in the middle of town thats seems like it gets regular traffic - right now, a dozen or so miners queue out front, waiting to be let in, one by one. Those that emerge tuck credit sticks into pockets or wallets

"Why are they all so eager to get into the town hall?", Ronakeve asks Grupp.

"No clue, I've only been to the lab. Looks like they're getting paid though, lot of miners here."

"Yeah, looks like it." Ronakeve scans his surroundings, remembers what he saw of the city from inside the Javelina, and heads in the direction the lab is located.

The lab exterior gates remain closed for a moment, before one of the security cameras swivel over to regard you. there is a crackle of static before "Grupp! Is that you?" a female voice says, a hint of a latin accent mixed in with the words, and audible despite the bit of audio corruption

"Val, my gal! My friend here's looking for a psitech expert, you happen to know one?"

Ronakeve waves awkwardly at the camera and waits for an answer

There is some garbled static that you eventually realize is her laughter. "Yes I think I know a couple" There is a loud buzz and the massive gates of the lab begin to winch open on squealing mechanisms set deep within the perimeter wall

Ronakeve waits for the gates to be open an appropriate width. He does not want to appear overly eager by stepping in to early, even though he is eager to enter, and at the same time he does not want to appear arrogant or afraid by waiting too long. He leans over to Grupp a bit. "Why do such huge gates never have a regular door included? We'd be inside by now. This is so inconvenient and ineffective", he whispers

"It gives me time to scan the both of you" Val says through the intercom again. There is a brief but loud 'all clear' siren, and the smaller and more human sized inner lab door unlocks

Ronakeve stares surprised at the camera for a moment as he hears Val comment his comment, then a smile grows on his face. She is quick-witted, he thinks. I like that He leads Grupp through the great gate and finds himself surprised again, as he realises that he just winked at the camera. (edited)

The door opens and a tanned woman with short black hair, almond brown eyes, and red tribal tattoos on her face is waiting there along with two armed lab guards in their crisp white uniforms

6:54 PM

She throws up a hand in greeting, mostly to Grupp

(@Regulus/Grupp)

(today is his first day of work so he might be slow)

(I don't mind waiting.)

3:24 PM

(nvm)

(Just off) "Heya Val! This here's Ronakeve, biopsi ex-NMC and all that stuff."

"Nice to meet you" she says, with a wide smile. "And good to see you again my Shaman friend. I think last time you were here we were in intense debate about the Wasimians"

"Nice meeting you too", Ronakeve says, returning the smile. "Grupp named you as an expert as I asked him about a device I need help with"

She waves you inside, and dismisses the guard, as you move through security and out onto the lab floor. There is not currently much work taking place here, though you sense most of the projects being worked on wouldnt be in public areas anyway

8:01 PM

"So lets talk about this" she says , taking you through a white lit and white tiled hall to a series of small offices

"Yes. The device I am in dire need of help with is a defense against the Fleshshapers. We discovered that the Shapers are able to interrupt charging skipe drives and keep them from charging. This interrupting charge is what the device is for, it need to be nullified. This charge is transported on a drone. I have a lot of details on the drone on this Dataslab here" Ronakeve shows Val and Grupp the data from the scans and the notes of Robert's and his findings, after they sat down in one of the offices.

"So you're looking for something to block their blocking signal? using the newly discovered nullification discipline" she asks, looking down at the device, and swiping through data files

"Yes. The Shapers can trap a ship in a system, so we can't set up any kind of warning system or do some scouting for much needed intelligence. A nullification device would open a way back for such vessels."

7:58 AM

"This blocking signal is a strong EMS charge" He loads up the files referring to Robert's scan and his own biopsy analysis.

"This is quite a technical undertaking. Possible, I think...maybe, but we're going to need expert help from all over the UNW, and maybe even beyond for something like this. Psitech, especially new psitech, was rare even in the days of plenty before this disasteR"

Ronakeve nods. "That's what I thought. So far, we have the full support of Robert Tanzer and his Void Wardens, a organization I am also a member of. Facilities are being set up on Tsatsos right now, though we do not have access to a psionic forge there. Dr Doona Ahn from the Academy on Gudrun also offered her help. She is still recovering and tied up on Gudrun, but her knowledge may come in handy. Grupp, your understanding of nullification is another important resource we already have. Val, do you have any idea how expensive this will be to build?"

"We're looking at billions in R and D, prototype, and testing costs. As far as a forge, we don't build them , we're lucky to have the one we've got. It can be used toward this purpose, but I'll need to make some calls, and bring in some skilled help from the Academy"

3:16 PM

"Grupp, you will be needed when the time comes, as well"

Ronakeves expression does not change, but he is shocked by the high costs. I am glad I did not lead with 'I have 60k', he thinks to himself. "Sounds like you are in, Val. I do have to mention that I do not have access to such findings yet. I hope to have enough to get things rolling."

"Oh I'll be around to help whenever you need! I've got a few million I could give but really we're gonna need Whitaker or Ad Astra's help for funds. Rona, you should take this up with Shriven and Seung, really all the big factions will probably be willing to help with funds. Doesn't mean there won't still be a ton of work though!"

"I will do that, Grupp, thank you. What else do we need except credits? Might as well cover everything if I go ask. It does not make sense to get funding only to give it back in hiring costs later on."

“I wouldn’t be able to speculate without actually putting some time into this. I’ll see what can be done. I’ll call when I need you”

"You said you need experts. I can look for experts if I know what field they need to be experts in. If you don't know yet, let me know later." Ronakeve gets up after transferring the files and his contact info to Vals hardware and extends his hand to shake hers. "It's been a pleasure, Val. Thank you for jumping on board so quickly. Let me know if you found or need anything."

"Grupp, are you staying here?"

"Yeah, I think I'll stick around to help Val with some of the initial research and tests and stuff."

"I'll head back to Gudrun, then. I give you a call when I got the first billion." he says, smiling at Val. "You have to tell me the story of how you two fought the three AIs with a pirate ship another time, Grupp." (edited)

(3xp, 5000 credits both of you)

8:55 PM

(not sure what you've got in mind next Rona, going to take Val, and me by extension, some time to figure out the steps here)

(my plan'd be to get a few bucks (100mil) so that everything can start smoothly until we got specifics of what/who we need)

Ronakeve heads out and writes a message to Robert.

Robert,
I talked to Dr. Ahn about the device and got her support and the academys. Shaman Grupp took me to the psionic forge on Trivedi Cloud. Seems like the nullifier will have to be build here since we can use the forge. Val, the psytech expert here, is also eager to work on this device. However, she estimated the costs for this project in the billions.
I know the Void Wardens do not have those funds (yet), but Grupp mentioned Whitaker, Ad Astra, Shriven and Seung.
I will try to get financial support for this project. 
Just wanted to give you an update. I hope the HQ on Tsatsos is progressing well.

5:27 PM

( @Robert)

After sending the message, he goes to the port and looks for a way back to Gudrun. I think I saw an Ad Astra sign on Gudrun. I'll just walk in and.... ask for a billion credits. He blows out air and raises his eyebrows as the sum spins through his head.

1:00 PM

(are we talking american billions or metric billions? Its quite a difference, one billion being either a thousand million or a million million)

(Money doesn’t work different under the metric system as far as I am aware )

1:01 PM

(Does it?)

(well not really, but https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_and_short_scales so I'm not sure lol)

Long and short scales

The long and short scales are two of several large-number naming systems for integer powers of ten that use the same words with different meanings. The long scale is based on powers of one million, whereas the short scale is based on powers of one thousand. For whole numbers...

1:05 PM

(for me, one billion is a million millions. never questioned that somehow)

1:07 PM

(1.000 million is a Milliarde in German, and a German Billion is just nuts, moneywise, so I'm asking)

(It’s a lot of money. This is more time than I have to give right now) You eye the billboard for Ad-Astra, thinking about ways to get corporate sponsorship on board for the project. Val was not sure what the money would even be used for yet , however, so you likewise would have no answers for corporate financiers in terms of the use of their funds.

1:09 PM

(I can come up with some stuff to do if you’re stuck, Val is going to need weeks or longer to get plans going)

(Let me look at the void wardens endeavours)

1:16 PM

(nothing active to pursue there, really. I could head to Tsatsos and help setting up vw hq and help out RCoE) (edited)

(The Hq goes up as part of the faction turn for this month. It would just be rp not really a thing to speed it up. The UNW also has their own endeavors which helps everyone

(I am fertile, I can help with Gudruns population lol) (Cunning: - Complete pacification and integration of Remnant territory to quell internal unrest could be something. I also got a megaproject for wealth: - Financially back a megaproject)

1:23 PM

(the void wardens want to make sure that exploration happens savely. that does not limit them to fleshshapers. How about suporting terraforming projects and such as the brawn?)

1:25 PM

(nvm the billion stuff btw, one billion currency is 1.000 million as soon as you speak english. German Billion is your trillion, thats where I got confused)

(but yeah I am stuck)

Robert is currently off exploring Parnika , a former world that was a trade hub of the Remnant. The world was a large source of war material. There are two gaps in the UNW frontier as well, the world of Aliah and the world of Agaspur

(Agaspur sounds great, I will send you a shopping list after work, in like 2h)

(Sounds good!)

"Might as well do something while Val and Grupp are working on first plans" Ronakeve goes to Arimoto Park to buy some equipment after securing a trip to Agaspur. After his shopping trip, he stands by for when the ship is ready to bring him there. (edited)

The ship bringing you to Agaspur is a fast attack ship, a patrol boat, named Faithful Service , it is sparsely crewed, more apt for skirmishing with the rest of a squadron against larger foes, but for the short run to Agaspur, it will fit your needs

Ronakeve approaches the captain of the crew to shake hands after setting down a large backpack with pieces of equipment firmly tied to it. "A fast and nimble ship you have, captain.", he says smiling. "I'm Ronakeve"

"she's a knife fighter, that is known" he agrees, and his accent has a pinch of Remnant in it, you can tell by the way certain vowels are sharpened. "We're taking you to Agaspur to assess some defenses, or the lack of them, If I read the briefing correctly. You're lucky they're not sending you through the gate" he claps your shoulder

"I'm ready", Ronakeve says. "what's wrong with the gate?"

('sending you through the gate' sounds like a saying, it's similar to 'showing someone the gate'. I do not get sayings, so please excuse if some things don't make sense because of that)

"Oh nothing is wrong with it, but I heard the world on the other side of the L -Gate down there is pretty desolate. You're going down to the special region though I see, your contact on the ground is a Captain Cayne Neverwinter, leader of the Winters Wolves"'

"Special region, he? What makes it so special?", he says while shouldering his backpack, turning the conversation into a talk-and-walk conversation toward the ship (edited)

"Far as the reports say, almost acts like a portal to another world, strange sector dozens from here behind some kinda metaspace storm. Gate's the only way in or out, and only a few of those who live beyond it know"

7:52 PM

(Not sure if Rona was up and going yet during last unity meeting, one of their emissaries was in attendance)

(I read it but I got like 5%. I can place a lot more stuff now, next one will be better) "Sounds like I really am lucky if I do not get send through. What can you tell about my contact, Cayne Neverwinter?" (edited)

"A good man. Used to work with Task Force Phoenix,....whitaker solutions now. Went off on his own after spending some time on Agaspur. Dealt with the zombie plague there, killed the cause of it- felt invested in the world and the people, decided to become custodian of the place until they could see who's left, and figure out a government again"

8:09 AM

"Finding the gate was an accident for him, but a profitable one. Sits on a potential trade hub with a massive inlay of unique goods"

"Sounds like a good man indeed. Staying for the people and getting rewarded by fate, that's a good story. He's my contact? All right, let's go. Where do I sit?"

"You've got run of the ship while we are underway, though I'd ask you to be careful with weaponry aboard. Even a laser rifle can put a hole through a bulkhead. Otherwise, make yourself comfortable. THe first mate is bunking with the rest of the officers, his cabin is yours for the journey"

1:12 PM

(up to you if you want to skip ahead or RP some, either way)

"Oh, I do not plan to fire any weaponry. Please tell you first mate I am thankful for his cabin. How long will we travel? I am sure time will pass quickly" (nah let's skip a bit, I'm sure Agaspur has lots of rp possibilities as well)

(2 days of downtime if youre working on any projects, or learning a language)

(not yet. I'll think of something fidgety, a hobby or something)

(I have only fluff for downtime. Rona'd work on Shaper theories)

Time does pass quickly and after two days of flight in spike space you arrive over Agaspur, a planet recovering from the brink of ruin, though many hard decades of rebuilding lie ahead- even with international assistance. Below, the only settlements worth noting are the dominant cities on each continent, along with the Winter Wolves L-gate compound, on the southern hemisphere.

(During the meeting, Ronakeve writes a message to Shriven.

Hello Shriven,
I am the one sitting left of Robert. We have not met yet. My name is Ronakeve, I am a Void Warden and I will head out to Agaspur soon. You mentioned Agaspur and that something needs to be done there. I do not know much about the place, some gate and a strange disease, but I can look for something or deliver a message. I can not take any big equipment, but if you need specific information or think I should know something, let me know.
Ronakeve

@Rey (Shriven) ) (edited)

During the meeting you get a message.

Shriven is currently occupied and will get to your message at his earliest convenience. Thank you for understanding. If this is an urgent message please forward it on to your local Ad Astra office who will be able to help you in a more timely fashion.

5:36 PM

(It will be discussed but they aren’t a UNW protectorate or planet do we don’t have defenses there we need to decide how to handle that. Don’t want to hold you up or assume I can guess what is going to happen in there.)

(I'm arriving on Agaspur now and don't want to wait a week with progress since shapers gonna take a few days to wrap up, so I thought I could ask. Rona can assess defense and so on, he is military trained)

5:43 PM

(so I was asking what shriven wanted to talk about considering Agaspur since I may help out, being there now)

(No idea, if it were shriven’s choice we would position a small fleet that would defend the system with or without their permission. But then again Shriven is a little les a faire when it comes to things like that.)

(well that's something, helps me out, thanks. Looks like one of those things that get either handwaved or talked to death in council)

Watching the colors and shapes of the planets surface fly by, Ronakeve suddenly remembers the message he send to Shriven during the meeting. He checks his compad. No further replies. He shrugs, collects his stuff, and looks at the big L-Gate beneath him. He activates the walls com console. "Is that the gate you told me about, captain?", he says through the speaker

"Its down in the borehole mine. Hundreds of meters below ground. Cayne has a base around it, thats where you'll be landing"

"Take me down, captain. Will you stay here or pick me up later?"

"We have to make a patrol of the outer system limits, should take about 2 days, so we will be out of the area, but within touch

"Sounds good to me. Thank you, captain. I'll get seated for landing now"

"There's a cargo lighter for passengers down in the hangar bay. Head on down, and it will bring you to the surface. We're not going to be landing the ship itself, too much fuel spent if we're also going to be patroling"

"Will do that, captain." Ronakeve heads to the hangar bay and enters the cargo lighter. "You'll take me down, right? Thank you. Say, what will you patrol for? Looking for smugglers?", he asks the shuttles pilot.

"this is the frontier, Smugglers, pirates, shapers, anything like that. If they get past us, they're heading straight for Gudrun"

5:16 PM

"Thats why you're here isnt it? to try to see what we can do to bring this place into the fold?"

"Yes. The gate to this other sector is also worth a look, but protection from and awareness of the Shaper threat are the priority here."

"On that you and command agree. It's a quick ride down to the compound. I had to let them know we're coming, the automated air defenses fire on anything that is not pre-cleared"

"It's good that we got clearance, then." Ronakeve sits down and buckles in. "Would not wanna get shot out of the sky."

You hear his soft laughter over the headset, and a lurch as the docking clamps release the ship , sending it descending towards the planet and the L-Gate facility below. True to form, it is a defensive ring of prefab walls and towers, each tower at a compass point. The quad barreled anti air cannons track, and lock, but do not fire, as the transponder code is read. You see a very large elevator down is in the process of being fit, capitalizing on as much of the existing infrastructure as possible.

Ronakeve watches the turrets follow the shuttles movement. He looks at the buildings now closing in fast, at the complex behind the walls.

11:22 AM

(is everything in this l gate underground or can I pick up the bases structure and overall facilities to some extend?)

(its very deep underground, the elevator ride is about ten minutes, and they're building a far bigger one so the ten minute ride can transfer more people and cargo at a time)

(gotcha)

1:11 PM

Ronakeve rustles in his seat as the shuttle slows down for its landing maneuver

THe lighter sets down in the middle of the compound, and you see four warriors in pearl white power armor, surrounding a man in a titan suit all heading towards the ramp of the ship. "I'll be in system. We'll connect in two days unless you need sooner" the pilot says

"Two days it is then" Ronakeve says through comms. "Good luck out there" He waits for the ramp to be lowered completely and steps off the ship toward the titan suited man, his left hand clasping his back pack with the dangling armor parts.

"Welcome To Agaspur" the titan suited warrior booms. THere is a hiss as he removes his helmet, as the lighter pulls away and the swirling dust is no longer an irritant. The face beneath is tan, with short black hair, and youthful, a child hardly out of his late teens. "Cayne Neverwinter, Alpha of the Winter's Wolves. At your service.

Surprised by the young age, Ronakeve raises an eyebrow before getting a hold of his own face. Upon recognizing the weariness of a warrior and leader, Ronakeve finds a deep respect for such a young but hardened man, and bows his heads in respect. "Ronakeve Donovan, System Warden of the Void Wardens. It's an honor to meet you, Cayne."

"And to you. It is not often we have a visitor from Gudrun, even if we are neighbors. There's plenty to bring a person here, so instead of pretending like I don't know, I'll just ask you to tell me"

"I am here to talk about the Shaper threat, about possible assistance and protection for Agaspur in this upcoming war. I am also interested in the gate to this other sector I keep hearing about. I would like to look at it, if that is a possibility"

"It might be arranged. I'd like to hear what you're thinking for Assistance and protection. It's what I've been asking for, for months, and I've had no communication or offiical visits from Gudrun. Is this why you're here?"

Great, Ronakeve thinks. Someone did not do his job "I did not know about requests, but I got assigned on short notice so something might have been overlooked. I'm sorry that someone put this important issue on hold and never picked it up or gave you a status update. I don't know much about the current affairs on and beneath the surface, so I can't yet say how UNW may assist, but I'm here to assess exactly that. Concerning threats from outside, UNW would like to deploy a fleet of ships around Agaspur, fleet size and capability depending on what you feel comfortable with and what we need to supply the surface aid we may provide." (edited)

“It’s just the fifty of us out here and a technical crew” he says, eyes heavy despite his youth. “Only my small ship too. We are dug in as best we can be, but if someone wants the gate, we wouldn’t be able to hold them”

Ronakeve takes a look around, looks at the tired and exhausted faces, and shakes his head in disbelief. "You are completely understaffed. No assessment needed to see that, but lets take a closer look at the facilites and the inside, so we can get the details sorted out." He nods towards the elevator and smiles. "How about you give me a tour around the complex?"

"There isn't much to see" he laughs "Aside from the one thing everyone wants to see. May as well start with that, I suppose. You want to see the gate, I presume?"

"I was actually thinking about the infrastructure we have here and how many people can come here without having to add anything. But we can start with the gate all right. Is it dangerous, should I gear up for that?" Ronakeve asks, patting the armor plates on his backback.

"Do you have a helmet that seals? or an atmofilter with goggles? "

(would a combat field uniform have that? Other than that, I have a regular atmofilter and tl 4 binoculars, don't know if they come with a strap or are even wearable, like night vision goggles)

(they are, CFU would have goggles with the non-full seal helmet, think like a tactical helmet, an atmofilter would handle the actual breathing, so youre good between the two)

Lucky I bought exactly that "Yes, I have an atmofilter and these goggles over here" he says, turning around to show the goggles tied to the upper compartment of his backback.

"Good. It;s going to get warm down there in the borehole. We don't need to suit up until we are ready to cross. Shall we?" he gestures toward the temporary existing elevator

"After you, Cayne", Ronakeve says, starting to move in the elevators direction

He nods, and brings you over to the elevator. It groans slightly under his armored weight, and he pulls a lever. It begins to rattle and crank as it heads down into the mine, the sun slowly getting further away, and the darkness becoming more consuming. He replaces his helmet, and suit lights on his armor begin to click on as it gets dark enough to trigger the optical sensors. "It's a bit of a ride down. We'll be there in about ten minutes"

Ronakeve nods and sets down his backpack. He opens it to reveal a dark gray fabric. It's the undersuit of his combat field uniform, and he changes without thinking about it, without using his mind at all, adjusts every plantings strap with military precision and the muscle memory of somebody who did this as a drill a thousand times. His face shows high concentration as he stands up, hands behind his head, adjusting the strap of the googles to fit over the helmet. Some seconds later, a shoulder mounted light flickers on as well. The dark gray undersuit and the reflections of Caynes light on the glossy dark brownish armor platings give an insect like impression as Ronakeve moves on the elevators platform. The round goggles and lower face covering atmofilter add to this impression. On his side, in his pistol holster, is a large thermal pistol. A crude flintstone axe and feather are painted on the handle, and something is written on the barrel in dark red letters. His laser rifle is mounted on his back, the barrel sticking out like an antenna next to Ronakeves head. The NMC typical bayonet is there as well, but in this case, it's not a knife, it's the Arriturian Pike. A slim, long, pointy shard that almost looks like an artificial flintstone, a remnant of the Arriturian culture. "How far below is the gate?", Ronakeve asks with an atmofilter distorted voice.

"Deep underground, i dont know the exact number of meters, but we have a few minutes left, its probably good it is this far below ground , something like this is too great a temptation to be used for bad purposes

Ronakeve looks at Cayne for a short moment. "Imagine an invading army beaten by this old elevator", he says. The lifting atmofilter and a distorted rasping noise are the only signs of Ronakeves smile and chuckle. The machine distorted sound echoed in the pitch black elevator, sending a shiver through his spine. "What's on the other side? The reports mentioned another sector, but not much else."

"It's...hard to explain. I only have a bare bones understanding of it myself, I do not have psychic skills. Are you familiar with MES at all?"

3:18 PM

(he wouldnt have any idea youre sensitive to it)

"Yes, I am. I'm a biopsion. I should have mentioned earlier. Will that be a problem?"

“No. It just means I can go into more detail. Keep in mind I’m just repeating what I’ve been told by people smarter than me” he begins

"Well, on the other side of the gate here there is another sector, it is dozens of sectors from here,trapped behind a violent metaspace storm. This storm provides them endless amounts of energy, so they can tap into it and design and build whatever their hearts desire, but outside the gateway, cut off from that, well, we arent sure what being cut off from this energy they grown accustomed to will do"

10:02 AM

"Their own exploration ships cannot move outside these stormlands, it seems impenetrable, but for here, through this gate"

Ronakeve turns to Cayne. "Endless... Energy... And the gate is the only way in or out. Is that why someone build this gate, to access that potential? Or did they build the gate to get out?"

“We aren’t sure and weirdly enough neither do they. So we have been told at least. We know of three different governments behind the gate, and we have only met one

"How advanced and cultured are these governments? They might have access to such a supply of energy, but if they are rather primitive than cultured they might not be able to fully utilize it"

"Advanced. Light years beyond us in most areas. Things like body sculpting, genetic manipulation. All kinds of weird science" he shakes his helmeted head, causing the lights on the sides of his helmet to sway

"Sounds to me like they made the gate, then, maybe a long time ago. It's not just a natural anomaly, right?"

He shrugs, the servos in his shoulders and upper arms growling as the suit compensates for the motion. "Wouldn't know. We're going to be there in a moment. Everything secure?"

Ronakeve checks behind him just to make sure he did not forget anything after changing, then nods. "I'm ready", he says, as the old elevator starts to creak while slowing down.

The elevator comes to a halt before a tunnel, and you can feel the heat this far below ground. The tunnel is long, and a black, glassy surfaced onyx stone archway sits at the end, swirling purple energies bubbling and hissing between the frame and the floor. There are jagged glyphs covering the archway, that hurt to look at for too long

"That does not look like a natural thing to me", Ronakeve slowly says while adjusting the light filters of his goggles. The glyphs are still hurting his eyes, but the purple energy is less vibrant. "These glyphs hurt my eyes. I can barely look at them", he says. "Every time I try to focus on one, it burns"

"That is what happened to me the first time too. It still happens, never really got used to it"

"I don't think I recognize any of these symbols.", Ronakeve says while slowly stepping forward. (do I?)

(No, not something you'd recognize)

6:18 PM

"In my experience probably a good thing you don't. I get a bit nervous when the headaches aren't as powerful from looking on these things"

Ronakeve nods. "I would worry, too. And you are telling me that you went down here, saw this thing and somebody wanted to go through, without knowing what this is? What a madman" Ronakeve walks up to the archway while talking.

"That madman was me"

Ronakeve turns around to face Cayne again, shoulders shaking as distorted laughter sounds through the atmofilter. "Well, now it's my turn to be insane, see you on the other side." The wink he gives Cayne before facing the portal remains unseen, as the goggles reflects the energy bubbles dim purple light. He takes a deep breath and steps through the archway.

(insulting someone by accident fits my 6 cha, nice)

(YOU HAVE 6 CHA)

You appear on a barren moonscape, nothing stretching you around you within visible eyesight, but there is an ATV, with an armored crew cab and tracks instead of wheels parked a few meters from the gate.

Ronakeve stares wide eyed at the moonscape around him, looking at the sky, at the atv and down the tracks until they are not visible anymore. He takes out his binoculars (tl4) and tries to make out anything in the tracks direction.

There are tracks heading to a point to the north, but whatever may be out there is lost to the curvature of the horizon

1:13 PM

There is no weather on this planet, so the inability to see it is due to the distance

Ronakeve follows the horizon through the binoculars, looking for some change in the vast moonscape, while waiting for Cayne to arrive.

(Cayne is caught up now and will be joining. Irl Cayne)

(I don't mind waiting. Would make no sense for Rona to enter the atv and drive off)

Cayne steps through the gate behind you, hands resting on the pommels of his sidearms, the sly smile on his face hidden behind his helmet. “Alright, ready to load up? Last time we were here we discovered an ancient communications outpost that the Children of Joy had once created. There weren’t really any other masses showing up on radar. We could start there if you’d like?”

1:13 PM

(Sorry lads just woke up)

Ronakeve lets his hands sink and turns his head to Cayne. "I can't see anything on the horizon, good thing you have those scanners", he says while stowing his binoculars. "Sure, let's check out the outpost. I know as good as nothing about the Children of Joy, you would have to fill my blanks on the way"

1:53 PM

(no problem)

“Alright I’ll drive. Hop in.” Cayne enters the Grav Explorer, Alayna and a fireteam behind him. He heads off in the direction of the Outpost. “Truthfully, we know almost nothing about the Children of Joy. What little we do know however...” Cayne begins to fill Ronakeve in on the details. (There’s a roll 20 handout for them)

(there are other people with you? Did I miss a retcon? We were alone in the elevator iirc) Ronakeve listens to everything Cayne can explain about the Children of Joy. "They seek a way out. Won't the gate work for them, or do they not know about it?"

(I just read you channel, Cayne, I get why you are not alone all of a sudden)

(Yeah lol, kinda like two realities got spliced together, we’re good) “They know about it, they’ve sent a loading from their faction to us. I think they’re just as curious and confused about it as we are. The energy they use on this side of the gate doesn’t exist on our side, so if I was a betting man, they’re probably equally terrified and hopeful about what the gate means for them.”

"Sounds absolutely reasonable. That must be the faction you (played by neko) mentioned earlier. What about the other two, though? If you were a betting man, what would you bet on concerning their behavior towards the gate?", Ronakeve says with a smirk hidden by his atmofilter. (I read the roll20 pages on them)

(Yeah that’s all knowledge given to you by the children of joy. Youve never met them yourselves)

“Well, haven’t met them yet. We could do that on this expedition if you’re feeling ballsy?” Cayne takes a swig from his ever present flask, followed by a visible wince. “How many years in the future and tequila still tastes like shit. Blegh.”

2

"The outpost first. We'll decide what to do next after that. I do not question your decision, but why did you bring so many men? Are you expecting a fight?"

"Expecting one? No. But I tend to like bringing some armed men along with me when exploring the unknown. Especially when the unknown looks this terrifying. Theres so much nothing out there that I get a little worried thinking about what happens when we find something."

"I'm not exactly keen on fighting an enemy with unknown technology. We got that with the Shapers already. But you are right, if we have to fight, it's better to have the numbers. I hope we do not offend or provoke someone by showing up out of the blue with 50 armed soldiers"

(Fireteam is a squad of 4. Them plus Alayna and you and I) “Aye, any extra guns are appreciated. You much of a fighter? I’d just like to know your capabilities if it comes down to a scrap”

(All right, that is way less) Ronakeve nods at the laser rifle barrel that pokes over his left shoulder. Where a bayonet would normally be mounted, peeks out a dark, gray shard of artificial flintstone. He takes it from his back and hands it to Cayne. "This is an Arriturian Pike, my homeworlds version of the New Moon Army's standard bayonet rifle. This is not the one I used in my twenty years of war against the Tenebreans, but it will do. I am trained with rifles and pistols" he says and taps a thermal pistol with a painted handle on his belt. "I had what you could call a special ops squad for a few years and was involved in many tactic and strategy discussions. I recently picked up training in the academy and am now a biopsion. I also had a brief bird watching phase 17 years ago, which drastically improved my patience with a sniper rifle. That are my relevant capabilities for combat related... Scraps. "

Cayne nods in satisfaction “Experience. I respect that. It’s good to have you along sir.” Cayne says with finality, shifting his attention to the road and turning up the music slightly as his favourite song comes on.

"I have the experience, you have the fire of the youth. I also respect that", Ronakeve says smiling over the rising volume level of the music. He takes out his binoculars again and tries to make something out while the vehicle moves through the vast emptiness.

1:26 PM

(do you actually have a favorite song for Cayne? Or a theme song? I should think about something for Rona)

The atv tracks crunch over the sandy ground, moving along at an earth eating pace. Without the outpost previously marked its easy to see how someone could be lost out here in this endless flag desert of white powdery dust. The firmament above is brilliant, a painters canvas of spilled hues, wracked internally by lightning storms of jade and purple bolts, though they never seem to hit the ground, just cobweb through the all consuming metaspace storm above

(Nah nothing in particular, just a bit of flavour) Cayne continues onwards, doing his best to find the structures they visited before, saying “Alayna, have you got a reading on where the outpost is at? Not exactly s whole lot of landmarks for me to go off of” (edited)

"We're about a half hour out. Want to know something funny? Getting metal returns. They never picked up all those drones you shot down bro"

“That’s strange. We’ll analyze them when we get there, might be some useful data on them.”

She agrees "We'll have to give them another look. We were too busy getting shot at last time"

Cayne smiles and nods in agreement, silent on his way back to the outpost

(anything to add rona or should I move along)

"You got shot at last time? I would like to know what happened. If we are heading into dangerous territory I'd like to know before arriving"

“The outpost had some outdated drones attached to it. They were aggressive, I destroyed them all. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

Ronakeve nods. "And nothing to worry about, as it seems."

4:53 PM

(yeah let's move along)

The drive is another hour before arriving at the four building complex where the Children of Joy were first encountered. Small, armed, saucer like drones litter the ground in their dozens where they had been swatted during combat some time ago

12:31 PM

The tall communications tower and these ancillary buildings do not look to have been disturbed since your last visit

"So this is it, mh?" Ronakeve says while taking out his binoculars again. He takes a short glance at the drones and then checks out the outpost. "I can't see any movement. No footprints or tracks around the drones, either, as it seems"

“Aye. Not much to go off of, but I reckon this is as good a place to start as any. Alayna, let’s take a look at the communications building again, see if there was something we overlooked the first time. Maybe a map, or a compass or co-ordinates. Truthfully Ronakeve, I’m not much of an investigative expert, so if you have any ideas or thoughts please voice them.”

"Well, normally we'd scout the complex with a drone or by foot, but this is obviously long abandoned. The drones were a defense mechanic, but that has already be triggered. No alarms were raised, no one has been here, no one gave a fuck. So... Just watch for tripwires. There may also be more machines inside, but it sounds like you have been there already. I don't know the last thing about drones or communication tech, but everything that gets broadcasted has also to be received, right? Maybe we find a pointed transmitter or signal relay in the tower. Chances are we don't recognize the Children of Joy's tech since it works completely different from our own and what we know, as you told me earlier."

(I dont think you actually made it into the tower last time either, pretty sure the drones beehived out beforehand)

(it's PAFO for you as well, then, I guess)

(Correct me if I’m wrong Neko, but I thought we entered the tower, Alayna hooked up to it with her datapad, and that’s when the children contacted us. It’s been s long time so I’m not entirely sure.)

(You're right, it was building 3 you never got into)

(Okay sweet) "We never got around to checking that one over there" Cayne points out the unexplored building with his finger. "Sergeant Elsy, would you be so kind as to clear the building with your team?" Cayne asks politely, but his tone is heavy with authority. She moves to obey, an easiness to her motions despite her relatively new status as a squad leader.

They stack up on the door as you both observe. This time, they have breaching charges, taken from some packs aboard the vehicle, and they pop the rusted hatch inward easily. Spreading out, you hear them calling clear as they sweep room to room.

Cayne waits a few minutes for the sweep to take place, entering once the place has been cleared.

Ronakeve stands next to Cayne, rifle in his hands, and watches the other buildings for some kind of reaction to the breaching charges explosion.

The anticipated reaction never comes, and entering the building you see this as some kind of control station for the tower itself. Frequency modulation, deep scanning radar, and other assorted electronic systems are present here. There is evidence of extensive cyber security on the hardened terminals here

"Alayna, see what you can do to hook up. Scan for anything that you'd find useful or interesting."

Ronakeve addresses Alayna. "Please be careful. These security measures are nothing we'd want to reactivate. Knowing about the security systems first would be useful, we may be able to deactivate, bypass or sabotage them, so I'd advise to start there" (edited)

(she's going to need a program/int, 2d6 at +3)

(13)

Alayna is able to break through at least some of the security system and the tower activates, a wide beam mapping pulse sent out to give you a better idea of the special region’s geography

"Abandoned, but not dead. Well done, Alayna." Ronakeve moves to the towers window and peaks out, looking for signs of life after the sudden burst of energy in the outposts system.

“Find anything? Locations, points of interest?”

“There’s a crash nearby. Some kind of scout craft. I can’t tell anything more from this”

Ronakeve comes back from the window. "A crashed scout? I'd say we check it out."

“Agreed, not much else to do around here. Elsy, let’s mount up” Cayne wastes no time moving back to the Explorer, hopping in and heading out as soon as everyone’s inside

Cayne rushes out of the room, leaving Ronakeve with the squad and Alayna. "This basically is a radar now? Can we stay connected while checking out the crash side?" he asks Alayna while she prepares to leave.

“I can get reports from it but the further away we get the more out of date they’re going to be. Delays of minutes”

9:19 AM

“So we still need to keep our eyes open”

"We always keep our eyes open, but additional reports would be great. Lets catch up asap before your brother gets impatient and finds the horn" Ronakeve helps her collect her stuff and readies for departure. As soon as she establishes the connection, they follow Cayne to the vehicle.

"This tech... How different is it from what we have back home? We need long range transmission to prepare against Fleshshaper attacks, do you think that - from what communication tech you saw just now - the Children of Joys tech could advance ours?" Ronakeve asks after sitting down in the explorer.

(Were you asking Cayne or Alayna?)

(Alayna was in my mind as she just fondled with the alien tech)

“It is more advanced but the question is will it work on the other side of the gate, away from the unique and tremendous energy here. I don’t think it will, in my own opinion”

"I was not thinking about just taking it through the gate. At the last council meeting, there was a woman called Hailey Clements who wants to research comm tech to establish an early warning system against the shapers. I thought maybe some theoretical aspects or some schematics of this comm tech here might be very useful to her"

“It could be” she agrees “but we would need to know more about it” The vehicle continues on, kicking up dust on the airless moon and eventually the broken winged scout craft comes into view (think like the guardians of the galaxy ship kinda layout)

(Oh sick) Cayne pulls the vehicle to a halt, stepping out onto the barren planet, leaving huge Titan sized footprints as he makes his way towards the ship, his hands resting on the pommels of his pistols.

Ronakeve takes a quick look through his binoculars before catching up to Cayne. (are there smoke or footprints, something indicating a survivor?)

“Surveying? I suppose that’s the wisdom. I’m more of a kill-everything-in-sight kinda guy. I’ll wait for your go ahead though.

Ronakeve looks at Cayne, trying not to sound condescending. "It's a good approach you have, but it comes with a complicated twist. You might save a life, or you might lose one if you rush in blind. Let's see what we have here first, we can always fall back on killing everything in sight later." He shields his goggled eyes from the flashing storm in the distance, looking at the crashed vehicle. "Your courage and decisiveness will be invaluable against the Fleshshapers. Most war heroes of my culture carry these traits." He looks back at Cayne. "What are you doing on this boring ass planet guarding this gate? I know that someone has to do it, but why you? I do not know you well, but this does not fit you, Cayne. You are not a guardian, you are a predator. The leader of a pack of wolves. Wolves hunt. What here is so important that you are willing to live against your nature? That is a big sacrifice you are making." (edited)

At your words cayne bows his head a little, the faceplate of his Titan suit emotionless. “A lot of people died taking this planet, and for some reason I feel as though I owe it to them to make it worthwhile. Passing the responsibility of guarding the gate along to others doesn’t feel right. But you’ve got me figured out, I’m getting bored, I need a new hunt, and sitting around on a planet isn’t going to get me that. It’s something to think on Ronakeve, thank you.”

(No smoke, no bodies, it looks like its been here for a while)

6:35 PM

(no bodies on the outsie, lets put it that way)

6:35 PM

the craft is plastered with the pale dust so common to this moon, coating it like it is a terrain feature rather than something that has embedded itself into it. The rear ramp does not look to have been opened, from the inside or out. The wreck also shows no signs of prior scavenging

"A sense of duty keeps you here, I see" Ronakeve falls silent as he looks at the craft. "I don't see anything fishy. It may have defensive measures though, that's hard to assess from here. Let's check it out"

“I’ll lead the way.” Cayne walls to the exterior ramp, looking for a control panel of some sorts to open the thing downwards.

9:44 PM

(What level are you Ronakeve?)

(3)

There is an exterior control panel, and the door does not look like there was an attempt at forcing it

"You see all this dust on the panel? Untouched since the crash. Go ahead, I'm ready" Ronakeve takes out his thermal pistol. The long barrel has the word Tomahawk written on it. The red letters almost seem to glow due to the contrast to the guns onyx colored base coating.

9:23 AM

(I have no idea of the ships dimensions since I have not seen guardians of the galaxy but its not gonna be much bigger than a small merchant, right?)

(Oh yeah, not that big.)

12:36 PM

Cayne attempts to activate the panel, failing that he attempts to force open the ramp with his Titan suit aiding his strength

(It would be about free merchant sized)

4:37 PM

(Maybe a pinch smaller but for game classification reasons let’s say free merchant)

(Does the panel work Neko?)

The panel does not work but you are able to tear it off handily with the strength lended by your war suit. A body tumbles out, heavily augmented and solid where the metal is attached but the flesh itself looking neglected and weak

“Ah fuck. Well we’ve found an occupant. I like the cybernetic work...” Cayne examines the quality of work, curious if he’s ever seen something of such high caliber.

Ronakeve gives the body a quick glance, then looks inside the vehicle. "What do this ones vitals say? Looks dead, but with cyberware, you never know. Maybe some preservation tech that triggered on impact or something fancy" Ronakeve adjusts the low light Amp in his goggles and steps over the body through the door, waiting for Cayne on the other side to finish his examination. (edited)

(unless one of you has a bioscanner, we can also do a heal/int to determine cause of death or if they're indeed dead)

(can my biopsionics do anything here, to determine something? I have the major Restauration technique so I could maybe check for internal injuries and organ state)

(that's a slippery slope i dont rreally want to get into since bioscopics has no effect on the dead, which this person is)

7:33 PM

(if we start allowing it by enough 'logical extensions' then people are going to use it to stretch out when someone is actually considered 'dead' )

(Makes sense.) Cayne stands, and heads inside the ship. Taking the lead, his shoulder mounted lights on his Titan armour flickering in the dark.

(biopsionic skill needs an autopsy technique) Ronakeve has no equipment for a scan and activates the lamp on his shoulder as well.

The bodies match how The Weeping Company was depicted in the description you were given. Most of the augmetics look if not military grade, at least sturdy enough to handle the wear and tear that comes with field use.

8:06 PM

eyes replaced with multispectral imagers are common among the first 3 bodies found, one at the ramp, and the other two in a crash couch by the ramp

(Rectifiers have an autopsy sort of skill, you should multiclass

)

“Alayna, after we’ve cleared the area, I want these bodies loaded onto the explorer, we need to study and make use of these cybernetics. Nothing goes to waste.”

"Are these warriors in conflict with the Children of Joy? A scout near such a remote outpost... I wonder what brought it down. The ship does not look like drones took it out"

There is a metal ladder leading up to the cockpit and actual flight control instruments. It looks like another body might be laying up there but you cannot see most of it

“I’m unsure. Let’s keep looking, there must be answers somewhere around.” Cayne moves to the ladder. Feeling uneasy about climbing a ladder defenceless, he uses his jump jets in the suit to ascend quickly, rather then take the risk of climbing slowly and coming face to face with an adversary.

Ronakeve stands ready to climb at the foot of the ladder, waiting for Cayne to land and assess the situation on the bridge.

The controls are burned out along with the bodies of the pilot, gunnery officer, and either the co-pilot or navigator. Only the internal control surfaces have been burned in some sort of electrical cascade, and it looks like this is responsible for bringing the plane down

“It’s clear up here. I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking at, but it looks like something fried the controls, and that’s why they crashed. Come take a look.” Cayne begins examining the bodies, looking for anything of note.

The pilots look to be wired into the controls themselves, arms and legs inserted into control pylons , allowing much greater thrust vectoring of engines and more precise maneuvers

9:43 PM

These ones likewise have eyes replaced with more technological filter systems

“Alayna, I’m being serious about this cybernetic tech. You’ve always been one for machines, I want all of this studied and replicated if possible. This might just be that edge we were talking about. Ronakeve, take a look around, let me know what you find.” (Just got home, gonna be getting up late tomorrow sorry guys, crazy night at work)

Ronakeve climbs up the ladder and looks at the pilots and the cockpit. He takes a good look at the burned main control panel, looking for letters, writing or symbols.

There are symbols in the dashes and gauges, but as far as what they say it has no similarities to any language you know currently

“Alright let’s record everything on bodycams. Alayna, odds we can tow the wreckage back to the gate?”

"Not like this, and not with what we came here in. We're going to need to assemble some heavy equipment on this side, or try to break as much of this down as we can and bring it through piecemeal"

“What’s the more effective option? Is studying it in one piece on this side of the gate gonna make life easy? Or is it cool if we cut the shit out of it?”

8:44 PM

“If it doesn’t matter, I’d feel safer cutting it up transporting it back to our side”

"It probably won't fit in the elevator even if we get it there in one piece. If you had the manpower, I'd say put 20 people in the outpost for a week, plus a tech crew and science team. Under these circumstances... I'm here for assessment of exactly these things. Lets take the bodies, a drone and all the data we can get. I am confident that I can get you some much needed staff here to support the reestablishment of the planets infrastructure and government. They will be much more suited and skilled to get the most out of this without destroying it." (do I recognize these unknown symbols as similar to the ones on the portal?)

9:13 PM

"Can you connect to this ship or is it dead?", Ronakeve asks Alayna

"Everything's dead. Either way we're cutting this apart, here or there"

"If we have the equipment with us, we should cut and haul it now, then. This ship may have been undisturbed some time, but someone might come to look for a scouting vessel like this soon."

“Alright. We don’t have the ability to haul it Alayna said, so we should try and get back to the other side, see what we can find/buy back home on Gudrun, and go from there. I want to study and understand. We’ll take a few bodies for study. I know it’s grisly, but wolves feed on the scraps just as well as they hunt.”

"Let's take the bodies and some of those drones if we leave this ship as is for now. I am very interested in this alien comm tech. Do you think we should talk to the children of Joy or the weeping company? We might make enemies taking these bodies and leaving tracks toward the gate"

(good question, i think that needs an answer before we change scene)

“The question is, will they know if a body or two go missing. And we weren’t exactly given a direct line of communication, so even if we wanted to communicate with them first, we don’t have that option. For now, we take a single body, but for any official reports, we didn’t. Once I’m prepared to transport the fighter back to the gates location, I’ll decide on what to do with the rest. Understood?”

"Understood, Cayne. After all, you are in charge here. Plus I found official reports and truth don't mix well, in some cases."

“When governments interact? Never. We need any and all information we can gather. Let’s head back. We might not have been able to have made contact again, but the bodycam footage should hopefully be of use to us in the future.”

5:57 PM

“I’ll allow you to keep yours in the event that you need it in the future. But my squads will be on our own secure data drives. We can’t risk it getting out to the public, because it would fuck our official reports. Alayna, pick whichever has the most cyber ware, or whoever you think might be the most interesting. Let’s go.”

Ronakeve helps Alayna picking out the one with the most cyberware, one of the pilots seems to be promising. Back in the atv, he talks to Cayne. "I don't have a bodycam, so no footage. I don't need any. I am here to assess, and it's fairly obvious that you need manpower. But as you seem to make up your mind to stir things yourself again, Young Wolf, you can surely voice your opinion on Agaspur and what's needed here in the next council meeting. I think the people here should be informed about the Shaper threat as we might be able to stumble upon unlikely allies on this side of the gate. Their technology and knowledge might give us an advantage. I understand your urge to keep silent about your findings here, and I trust your judgment, so I will only say that I we stumbled upon the abandoned Children of Joy outpost. I won't mention the drones of which you should pick some up, and I won't mention this scouting ship. We did not encounter anyone we could talk to. I think that the diplomatic approach to make contact is up to you to decide since you are currently the guardian of this gate, but a position on the Fleshshapers and the possibility of support is really important to me. I will contact Hailey Clements and tell her about the communication tech we found in the tower. As I told you, she wants to enhance the communication network around UNW territory to warn us about Shaper attacks. We need that, so I've got no choice, but I'll be very discrete." He pauses. "How does that sound? I'm open for suggestions and changes."

“I appreciate the input Ronakeve. I will mention the threat of the fleshshapers to the children as soon as I’m in contact with any of them again. You may be right however, the gate would give the shakers a way onto this planet, thus exposing the children themselves to the potential of extinction. It’s been a pleasure Ronakeve, if I have need of wisdom in the future, you’re at the top of my list.”

"You asked me to voice my opinion on things, that's what I did. I am glad we did not run into any trouble. Saying that, I realise that you are at the top of my people I want to see fight list, but with the Shapers everywhere, I'm sure I won't have to wait long"

Cayne grins in response. “If there’s one thing I can brag about, it’s being the wolf that grabs the throat and thrashes about until either the wolf or the prey is dead.”

7:46 PM

(End scene?)

"That's what I thought, that's why I want to see"

7:47 PM

(sure)

7:47 PM

(if neko agrees, that is)

(Okay so taking one body, deleting all records or sequestering them, going back to get some equipment to take the ship? Did I get all that?)

(Nailed it, thanks Neko)

(didn't you want a drone as well?)

(Oh yeah one of the drones from the outpost as well pls)

Alayna grabs the body of one of the pilots, the most heavily augmented by a narrow margin. Shutting the ramp she makes some quick notes on where she thinks good places to cut the hulk might be The drones back at the outpost are easy to snag on the way back to the gate, and one by one you watch the crew deposit their recordings into a secure drive

6:57 AM

(6xp, 10,000 credits)

(Perfect. Just got home again, Eric Chruch has been a nightmare to deal with lol. I’ll respond in my thread when I’m up tomorrow if that’s cool. Its been fun Rona!)

(see you around, and welcome back Ingame)

Ronakeve contacts the captain of the Faithful Service about his flight back to Gudrun.

2:06 PM

(we can skip right to Gudrun if nothing happened to those guys, or to us on our way back)

The flight home is uneventful, and you arrive after a short 2 day journey. The crew keeps to themselves, for them, the patrol, and recovery of you from the surface, relatively routine

After arriving on Gudrun and reflecting on his journey (aka leveling up), Ronakeve does a bit of research on Hailey Clements and sends her a message.

Hello Ms Clements,
I remember you being keen on researching comm tech in the last council meeting.
I was on Agaspur, met with Cayne Neverwinter and went trough the L-Gate complexes portal.
We found an abandoned communication outpost of one of the inhabitants on the other side. They are called the Children of Joy and their tech is far beyond what we have. I do not know about your endeavors and progress on researching, but the tech there is just waiting to be examined by someone who knows what he is doing. I know this is not a substantial lead, and maybe we can't use anything, but I wanted to tell you about what I found.
The other side of the portal has a huge psychic storm that traps the inhabitants, but it also gives them a nearly endless energy supply. Because if that, their tech works different from ours.
Should you go there, take an atmofilter and a good suit - it's warm and dusty.
I promised Cayne, who is guarding the gate, that I would be very discreet while talking to you about this. Please be discreet with this information as well.

See you in the next council meeting
Ronakeve Donovan

(edited)

5:10 AM

(@Hailey Clements (Mylonite))

After writing the message, Ronakeve flies to Tsatsos to take a look at the Void Wardens hq and set up residence there. He is the System Warden of Tsatsos, after all.

Ronakeve,
Thanks for letting me know about the comm tech! I haven't actually been across the gate, but have wanted too. So, this is a good excuse for that as well. I'm currently on my way to Alcibades, because I was tipped off that some Remnant comm tech might still be hanging around there for me. 
Still, regardless of whether that's enough or not, I'd like to head over there. Maybe there's something I can do with the foreign tech on the other side, and even if not, I'm sure its cool shit. 
Anyways, thanks a ton for letting me know. I'll be sure to check it out and let you know.
Cheers, 
H Clements

( @Hailey Clements (Mylonite))

I went there to take a look at what Cayne Neverwinter needs to secure the gate. I will propose a research and tech crew next to other things, so if you have the manpower somewhere, you might want to jump in there and secure that possibility; looked like cool shit to me. Cool alien shit. 
Regards, 
Ronakeve Donovan

(Not sure what you mean by that first half)

Upon arriving on Tsatsos and setting up his room in the Wardens headquarter, Ronakeve searches for Linns, the young pilot Svenka referenced.

6:07 PM

(Billy always says 'I can send 50 engineers go this location' or something like that. I was letting you in about my plan to suggest that)

6:08 PM

(so you can send your staff there, if you have any)

(Oh ok got it. I’ll see what I can do.)

6:25 PM

(Stabilizing the portal is a separate thing from the comm tech, right?)

(Billy has to take admin checks every time he does that as faction leader, and yes hailey, they're different things)

(Thank you.)

(yeah the idea was to give you an insider tip and time to prepare such an admin check/whatever logistics and mechanics are involved for you)

1

Linns is on Gudrun with family, electing to stay behind when Svenka defected to the greystar combine

(is there anything on Tsatsos I can do? There are settlements on the roll20 map, what is going on there?)

(Hapehetas rest is the only city, the other stuff is all abandoned settlements)

7:49 PM

(or failed colonies previously)

(So theres always exploring one of those

(Hapehetas Rest sounds like a good place to check out first. I'd like to go there)

Ronakeve is sitting in his room, his dataslabs screen is reflected on his reading glasses. He shakes his head, sighs frustrated, takes off the glasses and rubs the back of his nose, then his eyes. "Maybe the next one", he mutters to himself. He puts his glasses back on, takes another sip from his mug and reads on. Runcard Glace, male, 29. Received special training in infiltration, sabotage, stealth. Again, no bayonet training, just like all the others. Recommended by... Dodgy people. Former occupation... Well, sabotage jobs, as it looks. Files attached... Mh, nothing special, apart from his skill set He empties the mug. Salz Himlanya, male, 46. Special training with various weapons... Not bad, he should be good at shooting stuff, but also no bayonet training. Does no one learn the bayonet these days? Recommend by his former sharpshooting squad, how nice Ronakeve looks at the attached files and finds a picture of the squad along with some mission files. Shonne Aabideen, female, 32, received special training in hand to hand combat and knife fighting, look at that. She will get used to the bayonet quickly, then. Maybe she can help the others, I'll have an eye on her He has been reading the soon arriving elite skirmisher units military files for hours and is setting up an elaborate and detailed training plan. Ronakeve stands up, walks to the window and looks at the night. The red hot magma currents give the dark rocks in the distance an ever so slightly changing eerie glow that is almost mesmerizing. After a good ten minutes of staring at the orange glow, he closes the shutters and returns to his dataslab. He reads the rest of the files, adds half an hour of bayonet training to the units daily training routine and, after reviewing everything once more, finishes the training plan. Stretching after the long sitting period takes some of his fatigue away, and he sets up his mind to visit one of the Void Wardens few neighbors, Hapehetas Rest, tomorrow.

(so what are you trying to do with the faction asset? I am confused)

(nothing particular, really. Establishing some stuff at the hq, like a window with storm shutters and that Rona actually does something there. After all, an organization prepares for the arrival of new people. I don't plan anything, it's just rp and fluff)

(Got it). The city itself is quite busy and industrial. Homes are being built now along with a few more agriculture areas at the city edge. The ruling government is doing everything it can to make the ash wastes bloom, despite an environment hostile at best to life

Ash whirls around Ronakeves feet as he walks towards one of the construction workers near an agriculture area. "Excuse me, Sir. Yes, down here. Hello", he says, waving to a man working a heavy machine. "I wondered what you are doing differently than the other settlements around here. They are all empty and in ruins, but this place looks like it's holding on great, even expanding" (How hostile is the environment? I know about the lava from roll20, but nothing about the surface temperature, atmosphere and wildlife)

(It’s human tolerable. There’s nothing known about the wildlife because no ones done much with it)0

11:54 AM

“This is a new settlement laid by the UNW and Billy Rigers. There’s failed Tenebrian settlements and a black sun outpost on planet from the civil war, before the scream, but they’re dangerous. We haven’t sent many parties out to explore them , says they news at least”

"So you don't know if you are doing things different here and now? Well that sounds risky to me. Do you know why they failed?"

“I’m just a guy swinging a hammer on a construction site, not a historian. I don’t know what you’re expecting” he says

"You seemed better informed than I am. Who is better informed than you are? I'd like to talk to them"

“I’d try town hall. That’s the best advice I can really give you” he says shrugging

"Thank you and have a good day", Ronakeve says with a nod. He heads towards the inner city, to the town hall

The town hall looks like a combustion engine like you would find on old gasoline powered cars, a deliberate construction choice on the part of the Governor. The area is bustling , one of the few in the city that are despite the number of humans and ashen ones living here and working here

Ronakeve walks around the town hall, through the mass of people, taking in the architecture as good as he possibly can. He enters and searches for a counter or reception and heads there. "Excuse me, I am looking for someone who can tell me about the older, failed settlements and current scouting efforts."

“Scouting and cartography is the the second floor. You can check the maps. We don’t have information on the failed settlements”

"No information on the settlements? Thats a bummer. I'll check the maps, thanks." Ronakeve makes his way up to the second floor.

(the planet map is on roll20. Nobody has really explored much aside from a couple small trips, so theres not really any information to give you. Francisco when they were still alive, and skolli found a factory on an island in the lava sea, and Skolli found a small power mill with a creature living inside it, but the actual map icons dont have much)

9:19 PM

(you were looking for information no one has gathered yet)

(If you can find any resource deposits I'll give you tons of credits)

(For sure. That’s out there too. I haven’t generated most of the planets hexes. Hard to focus on a planet when everyone can go to every planet more or less)

The second floor is a large cartographic chamber where a map of the planet is projected onto a screen table. Some information kiosks are at regular intervals around the table though two are occupied

(where on the roll20 map is the Warden hq, if at all?) Ronakeve looks at the planets map and walks up to one of the information kiosks that are unoccupied. He activates the panel and brings up the place where the closest failed settlement is located. He tries to get a good understanding of the surrounding area, based on the few geological and environmental notes he can find.

(It’s in Hephaestus rest.)

There is almost no information about the planet. Little survey work bas been done and almost nothing has been cataloged

One facility on a small island in the lava lake stands out. A scouting expedition has secured it and world government interests are moving to begin operations at the site. There are reports of power issues there, it’s on shore sub station still not clear or repaired. It seems nobody had visited in quite some time

(We can move back to this one since the space battle is done)

9:20 PM

The drop pod recalls back to silvano’s cruiser , Enlightened Journey to a jubilant atmosphere. There are a handful of casualties across the fleet, but by in large the combined night of the floatilla and as-astras own defense fleet won a significant victory here today

9:20 PM

Silvano appears in the recovery bay, waiting to see how things went

(sure) Ronakeve approaches the Admiral. He is still in his Combat Field Uniform, helmet tucked under his left arm. "Admiral Silvano. Congratulations on this victory. Thanks to you, my squads mission was successful.", he says, performing the proper militaristic gestures and greetings an NMC admiral would receive. "My squad of Wardens died fighting the Shapers after we blew up the core. Otto got attacked and injured by the ships brain and fell to Shapers on our way out. I could not save your man, Admiral."

"You destroyed a hive ship with a boarding action, and were the sole survivor of an operation we all knew was very dangerous. To that end, I have two things for you"

9:31 AM

a hush falls over the hangar bay, and he makes a gesture for you to come closer

9:33 AM

The first, is some sort of display box, made of maple wood and highly polished. The hinges and decorative clasp at the front are both finely crafter. The clasp itself is made to look like the jaws of a bear when closed\

Ronakeve steps closer and takes a close look at the closed chest. "This is great craftsmanship, Sir. What is inside?" He leans in to open the box, waiting for a hint of confirmation on the admirals face. If he sees a hint, he slowly opens the chest to reveal what's inside.

He opens it for you, gently and a thermal razor in the form of a tomahawk rests on a liner of deep maroon crushed satin. It’s been stitched with a star field and constellations in a deep navy, with dotted lines sewn in representing star routes from the earliest days of beyond earth colonization.

6:58 PM

“ I saw the inscription on your gun. I took this from a brother of fenris during a skirmish , almost a year ago now. I cleansed the weapon. It’s just a Very advanced tomahawk now”

6:59 PM

(Double damage dice advanced medium melee weapon , that can cut through bulkheads with its thermal edge)

7:01 PM

You see some beads have been worked on short leather cords from the brass handle cap

Ronakeve drops his jaw and almost his helmet as he sees the weapon, but quickly regains composure. "Thank you very much, Sir. Fighting with the tomahawk is an old tradition among Arriturians. We highly value the precision and force a master can achieve with this weapon. I am honored to receive it from you. Does it have a name?"

1:12 PM

(that's so cool)

“It doesn’t , but in your hands I know it will. Use it in good health. I’ll arrange for your passage back to the Sumati orbital station once we verify space is clear. Get some rest and something to eat “

"Thank you, Sir. It shall be known as Ntotchiish, the name of a mystical snake beast in Arriturian culture. Admiral Silvano, might I know the whereabouts of the Shaper Worker you managed to exfiltrate? The Void Wardens would like to study it's behaviour and later its corpse for intelligence on the Fleshshapers."

"It's been contained in one of the cells below deck, in a nulmetalum cage. It was the only way we could stop it from altering its body into weapons and attacking its guards."\

"That's a problem. I don't have a nulmetalum cage at disposal. I will figure something out. I'll rest and now, Sir"

“Take a rest. We all earned it. I’ll figure things out with Shriven while you do”

Ronakeve nods and heads back to the medical facilities. He begins to think about the nulmetalum cage, about its interference with the Shapers power, about the crystal from the ships brain. I need to show this to the Academy. Maybe they can also help me to keep the Shaper. The wave of exhaustion he held back finally rolls over him, and he falls asleep.

Ronakeve! 

I've heard of your victory in Sumati. I'm glad to hear that you made it through the fighting. I'm afraid I have a request of you. If my sources are right, Silvano made an appearance there along with you. If you can manage it, take him to meet a certain robot living on Gudrun, on an island. Silvano has something that belongs to the robot, and it would dearly like it back. I've attached the coordinates to this message. Pass my greetings to the robot and Sergei, and tell them that I regret my current absence and will return soon to discuss further matters with them.

If you don't have the time for this, I understand, I'm sure I'll run into Silvano in the future, and if anyone can be sure of the future it's me.

Your friend, Robert, currently on Aslief.

(edited)

(The cage and beast are for you to keep. He doesn’t want that on his ships

10:10 PM

(But you’ll feel weak about the cage and your powers wont work if you touch it

The fleet begins to move off from engagement range, and the shaper worker is sent to you in its specialized cage so the wardens can study it another time. Silvano thanks you for the assistance before taking his fleet north

(Bump) (edited)