Iron Stars - taja-nyx

Taja Nyx awakens in their bunk aboard the Arx Class station serving as the Greystar hab , in orbit over the planet Acastus. Agents, and those who have not been assigned to missions but have passed training, or have been selected by the organization based on previous skills all live on the platform until such time as they are given a task. Many agents spend weeks or months before being assigned to something that fits their skills, but once selected, most do not return. The knock on the door is commonly the first call to a life of adventure, and everyone sleeps during their various watch times to do so , hoping to be awakened by it. The knock is more insistent, and you can hear the sounds of a loud conversation, as another group of new trainees passes by the door out in the hallway.

(lmk if there's anything wrong with the formatting) Finally Taja thinks, it's about time. Who knew such a formalized position would involve so much waiting... She swings herself off the bed, quickly donning the clothes she'd laid out for the occasion and throwing her hair into a loose ponytail, not audibly acknowledging the knock, I guess that's bureaucracy for you, if they try to stuff me back in this tin-can for safekeeping I may just have to go back to freelancing. She steps right up to door, donning a determined expression with a hint of a grin, and opens it. (edited)

2:20 PM

(also, do I have a specific uniform or just my normal clothes? Either way she is wearing her armored undersuit.)

(There's actually some great art @Svenka [Tig/M’Ranni] made of the Greystar uniforms, I'll post it here)

8:24 AM

8:26 AM

"Agent Nyx. The Director wants to see you. Urgent matter. No compad for you " he says, referring to the secure pads mission orders are usually given to agents on. The lack of one means this matter is especially critical, or sensitive. "I'll escort you now if you're ready. I'll wait if you're not, but he's insistent you arrive in his office as soon as possible." The courier looks concerned, the display not something you've seen on him , as you've noticed him delivering missions to others several times with trademark professionalism.

"No time to waste then," Taja says, "let's go," and follows him off. Damn. The directors office, she thinks, feeling both nervous and excited.

You are taken through dim hallways up the broad stairs leading to the command deck. The bridge doors are closed right now but you can hear the sounds of dozens of deck officers and their assistants going about the day to day of keeping the starhab in working order. You take a right before the bridge doors, up another set of steps to a blast door where the courier puts a passcode into the system. The door unlocks, and you're ushered inside. Director Kensh is sitting behind his desk. He is a human male, in his 50's, wearing a plain gray business suit instead of the normal Greystar uniform, a symbol of his esteemed rank within the organization. A sniper rifle is framed in a glass display case on the wall behind his desk. His beard is cut short, and is a healthy mix of salt and pepper. "Agent Nyx. Have a seat, please" he indicates. The courier enters, pouring each of you a glass of water before leaving the room quickly. The door shuts almost silently behind him.

The moment the door closes, Taja starts talking, "You have an assignment for me director? I've gotten the impression it's urgent." Taja had done her research on this man, started poor, been through a string of bad luck, but managed to ascend to heights of power. She felt a perhaps unfounded kinship with him, and figured being direct would be best. She would love to get a drink with him, but he must be very busy.

"I do. Something in Ash City that needs a local to solve. You're going to catch things we don't since you know the streets and know what life here is like. The Still Lady is gone now, for good, but I received something troubling from Headmaster Fate of the Psionic Academy. They passed on some information that some locals had tried breaking into the campus in Ash City, looking for relics of the old Still Lady days. The Headmaster assures me there is no way for her to come back , or incarnate into something else, but there doesn't seem to be a shortage of people down there who miss the old days. We need someone to walk the city, keep their eyes open, and investigate all this. We need to kknow if we have a cult on our hands, misguided as their aims might be"

"That is rather troubling..." she felt slightly nauseous, The Still Lady... I wish her influence had merely disappeared with her magical influence, but I guess Greystar-- we --are going to have some cleaning up to do. I'm glad I'm here to do it, "I'll be right on it sir, thank you for the opportunity." (I'm assuming she'd have the headmasters contact info since she attended the academy, if not she'd ask for it here) "Anything else I should know? Or shall I be off?" (edited)

(We would have it, or would know someone who would give it to you without it really needing to be done on screen) "We've got transport to the surface arranged for you on the hangar level. The crew will drop you off at the starport outside Ash City, and from there we'll have to see what you turn over"

Taja grabs the water, downs it in one gulp, stands up, the chair sliding back loudly, and does the proper salute, "yes sir, I won't disappoint you." The moment she turns around her expression breaks into a wild grin, she's excited. Assuming the director doesn't say anything else, she dashes off to the hangar and Ash City.

The hangar crew is a dour bunch, silently verifying your identity, and with a nod you'er permitted onto the shuttle.

2:20 PM

There is a storm over Ash City. It rains almost daily there, and that is nothing new. Neither is the omnipresent night, lit only by neon. Even during the days of The Stil Lady, she did not mind the neon glow of the city. Her pyramid is gone now, the Acastus branch of the psionic academy built in its place, and the site is visible on an overhead pass of the city. The shuttle sets down on a landing pad just outside the southern reach of the city, and the ramp lowers- letting you smell the air of home for the first time since your selection for agency training.

Taja takes a deep breath of the fresh rainy air, home. I better enjoy this, my next mission may take me out of system the thought excited her (I know I have my uniform, Do I also have civilian clothes? If not she'd pick some up from her/Yasmines house or buy some, as there may be times where not wearing the uniform would be beneficial) She makes her way to Headmaster Fate's office. Or whoever is in charge at the Acastus campus. (edited)

(You'd still have some. They wouldn't have taken anything away from you, you just also have a uniform)

8:25 AM

Headmaster Fate is not in residence here and has not been for some time. The Acastus Branch of the academy is run by administrators working for the Psionic academy. Professors are few in number this close to The Scream, namely the metapsions needed to prevent new students from torching by misusing their powers before the proper training is undertaken. The front desk attendant looks up from their console and greets you as you enter.

Taja walked slowly through the campus, taking it in. She felt a calm excitement in the thrill of the mystery, a gravity drawing her further in. She stands before receptionist, wearing her sleek uniform. It's well-tailored, yet she still feels small in it. She puts on a big, friendly smile and says: "Hello, I am Agent Nyx. I have been sent by Director Kensh, could you please direct me to your head of security or whomever is in charge." (edited)

(I'm mainly gonna be focusing on missions until I can get a couple levels and a better feel for the world, but I've put a couple side goals in my character sheet, and will put more in as I think of them)

"On behalf of the director?" he repeats, before making a few quick keystrokes on the computer. The academy doors are buzzed, allowing you to enter the facility proper. "I'll page security and let them know you're coming up. The head will be waiting for you, Up the stairs and on the right" (you would not have been here before. The academy has only been built within the last couple years. The Still Lady's pyramid used to be here)

(sounds good. I edited the last post to reflect that for the sake of continuity) "Thank you," Taja says, still bearing her grin as she continues to security, It's nice to have to have meaningful authority behind my investigations for once, I could get used to this.

12:00 PM

(also, if it's not too much of a hassle, can I have permission to pin stuff in this chat? I think it'd be nice to pin important information like the specifics of my mission and key moments I want to remember. No rush, and no worries if not.)

(I'd have to give it to the entire Greystar role, so no unfortunately I can't)

12:29 PM

The stairwell still has the faint slightly scorched smell of cut stone and tile sealant when you enter it. This will fade in time as the building continues to age. The door at the top of the stairwell opens, depositing you into a carpeted hallway, and the security office, as well as two classrooms look to be your immediate surroundings. There are wet footprints on the carpet leading to both classrooms as students have come in from the storm outside for their daily lesson. There are only a few people in each room- those with psionic talent still exceedingly rare in the wake of The Scream. Security has a light on within, and though the door is frosted glass you can see the shadow of someone sitting behind a desk on the other side. The smell of Acastan dark roast coffee is also in the air.

Taja walks slowly, looking into each room, trying to commit the faces she sees in them to memory. With psychics a rare commodity, every individual is notable. She gets to the security door and opens it.

1

The door opens, and the chief of security looks up from his desk.. The smell of a fresh roast is thick in this room, and it smells pleasant. He gestures to the machine and the extra mugs next to it. "Front desk just told me you were coming. Help yourself and have a seat. Sounds like we have a few things to talk about" He is in his low forties, with graying hair on the sides of his head and a thick mustache. A semi automatic pistol and a stun baton are clipped onto his belt, along with radio equipment.

"Indeed we do." Taja sits down and begins pouring herself a mug, leaning back in the chair and crossing her legs, gesturing with her other hand as she talks, "I'm here to investigate the recent break-in attempt. Tell in me in detail what you know so far. Potential motive, potential suspects, site of entry, etc. She takes a sip of her coffee puts on a large friendly smile and says, "before we go any further, you can call me Agent Nyx, and what may I call you?" She leans forward, extending her hand in greeting. (Lmk if Agent is the correct term here) During the following conversation she will closely study his facial expressions and body language to attempt to discern weather or not he's holding anything back.

(It is the correct term)

10:20 AM

"If we had a lot of this information we would have just handled it with the local authorities and not bothered Greystar over this for extra help. We can assume it's whatever leftovers The Still Lady might have in the city, trying to find a touchstone or anything else of hers. That would be my bet. If we even suspected anyone of having those sympathies we would have made arrests already, so I don't have anyone to point you to. All I can tell you is we're expanding security of the campus"

Taja looks concerned and takes a long sip of her coffee. "I didn't expect you to have much, but I'm curious what evidence indicates to you that there was a break in at all, and what makes you assume it was the 'leftovers of The Still Lady?' Do you have any security footage?" (edited)

"We have some. They knew where to go, so it belays familiarity with the site. We had a telepath review all of our students and none of them were lying or trying to conceal everything, so we can rule out an inside job. So someone outside the academy, who knows the history of the site, and where the relic vault is. That sounds like cult activity to me. "

(lmk if this is an appropriate use of the skill:) Taja takes a long sip of her coffee, as she lets her mind slip into the past. I will commit 1 effort to Interrogate the past. The question being: based on the conversations that happened within this office in the past week, is he holding any information back? She reads him very closely for any reaction. (I'd like to make a Notice check to see if he notices Taja using her ability, indicating metapsionic ability) (edited)

(also, do I know the day of the break-in? That may be important for my ability)

He is not holding any information back.

8:55 AM

(this happened two days ago)

"Alright, thank you for your information. I will need the following items from you:" as she says this she begins typing a list of the items as she says them, "1. A copy of all security footage you have of that night, in addition to the weeks leading up, as often intruders will scout out the location beforehand. Even those already familiar will need to note changes. 2. A list of all the students and staff members, both present and former, with their powers listed if applicable. 3. A list of any companies or individuals that have been contracted for the construction of this building, If there's any problems with this, please let me know. We will arrange for later date to securely transfer this information." She then sends him a copy of this list and says, "Now. Will you please take me to the relic vault."

(Also, for the Interrogate the past ability, am I commiting effort for the scene or the day?)

(We do effort by mission, each mission is effectively a scene, so whatever you commit ,you don't get back until mission end unless its an ability where you can withdraw its effect (

2:46 PM

(I'll wait for you to see this before moving on)

(I have seen this) (edited)

4:19 PM

(good to know)

(We have a list of academy students in total I can send you, and if you have specific questions you want to see if the security footage can answer we can handle that in that way)

8:44 AM

The security chief nods, locking the office with his key card behind you both. You're taken to an elevator where the card allows him to press a button for the first sub level, and the thick metal doors close as the car descends. He looks at the LED display showing the floor number, and sighs as it hits B-1. "I've got a parka in a locker down here if you're cold. Tends to be pretty freezing down here, not sure why" he says as the door opens. True to his word, the first room is a bright and well lit ready room with two lockers , before a thick metal door with a keypads leads into the vault itself.

(Sounds good, I'm curious about the footage, but all the other stuff I'm just planning on referencing against further evidence collected. Also, would this info be able to fit on my compad, or would I need a dataslab? If so, can I requisition one for the mission from Greystar?) For some reason... Taja is curious, but she has a job to do. She puts her hand on her chin in contemplation, tilting her head to the side and says quietly, lost in thought "no, thank you, i'm fine. Sometimes you need to feel to see." After that cryptic remark she begins closely inspecting the room for clues, "did the intruders ever make it this far?" Taja asks, "if so, did they hack the elevator, or did they aquire a key card? Also... I never did get your name." (edited)

(Its all fine on your compad)

12:59 PM

(I normally don't name NPCS unless we're going to see them more than once, so he's just chief for now)

1:00 PM

"The intruders made it into the elevator. We suspect they were able to hack it, we don't have record of any of the keycards being used. They made it past this next door as well, and were apprehended in the vault. Their hack wasn't perfect, and it tripped some security measures in place to detect that kind of thing. Forty seconds after it was tripped , I was gathering my response team in the ready room upstairs. It takes time to pull on combat armor, and to clear weapons from the armory"

(in that case, she'll just take it all on her compad.) "Let's move further in," she says, moving towards the door, "was there any confrontation with the intruders?"

"There was. We fought them off, I'm not sure how they got out. there was a flash of light and they were gone, but we did exchange gunfire with them briefly. One of my deputies is still in the hospital recovering from a shotgun blast to the legs. The Headmaster is coming personally next month to restore function to them for the poor woman, but she gave as good as she got. We know we killed one, but the body went with them when they escaped" There is a beep as the door opens and true to form ,you can see several stone plinths with stasis fields around them, keeping all manner of relics in suspension. Shotgun blasts have blown chunks away from some of them, and peppered others with stray scatter shot. Something that looks like a stone tablet was destroyed in the fighting, and a temporary field has been placed over it until handlers can be dispatched to figure out what to do agbout it.

"Alright," Taja says, closing her eyes. Taja takes a deep breath out, the cold air freezing it, as she lets her mind sink back into the past, letting the blinding colors of death and strife guide her like a beacon. It is not far this time, grasping onto the memory of the place itself, she brings it forth. (I would like to spend one effort to activate Mortis cry and bring forth a vision of this confrontation) (edited)

(Actually, wait. Reading the ability again, it seems as if the visions only appear to me. In that case, she wouldn't say the stuff to the chief about helping her and keeping the secret.) (edited)

(Correct, he cannot see the visions, only you)

8:43 AM

Just as the chief of security described, you see a gun battle here ,and the chain of events follows what he said happened almost to the letter. The few small differences you do see are not important to your investigation, and do not change the nature of your investigation. It is often difficult to recall things with perfect clarity in the heat of a combat situation. Rewinding further, you see a hacker spooling their line shunt and data slab back into their bag, and three others in heavy combat kt accompanying him. It looks as though the broken tablet- which was not broken then- was their goal. The tablet is whole in this vision, and therefore is legible in a faint ghostly green-silver script. this tablet was one with laws passed down by the Still Lady to the people living here, in something of a re-creation of the Ten Commandments from religious texts in human history.

Taja first quickly notes down the first few lines of the tablet, but leaves the rest. She's hoping to get some bait for the cult, but not wanting anything else to escape. During the rest of the replaying vision Taja closely studies the images of the intruders, taking extensive notes on any identifying information of each intruder. Including Species, height, build, weight, outfit, tattoos, also attempting to identify make, model, brands, or any other indicators on their clothing and gear that would determine where they may have gotten them. Not many people just carry around line shunts. She also organizes these details by the specialty specialty of the intruder, noting who died, and putting extra effort into seeing if she can identify the means of escape. She suspects teleportation, if that appears to be the case, she will attempt to identify the teleporter. Perhaps by gauging the distance from the teleporter and the others, if any signal was given, and to whom, watching for hand-signs and mouth movements.

THe means of escape was teleportation. The intruders were all humanoid, though you can rule out Geon, Jademane ,Noctua, and Mosk based on the proportions. You also highly doubt a Novice of the Imago Dei would be working with people actively trying to cause harm to the sector. The combat armor they were was a set of combat field uniform for each of them, the heaviest non-powered armor available on the market- and there is nothing in the way of exposed skin. Each of them also wore a helmet and atmofilter , obscuring most of their faces. The armor is factory standard, with no identifying marks.

11:45 AM

(as far as trying to track down equipment sources and everything, that feels like something that should have more attention paid to it and not just glossed over, so we'll consider that a possible lead to explore in more detail)

(Can I make a notice check to attempt to identify the teleporter?)

4:35 PM

(it's not a lot of extra info, but even just getting a height and build can help narrow down suspects)

(Sure. Let’s roll it)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [4, 2] Result: 7 Reason: Notice/WIS

(Regardless of the result) Taja, shivering slightly, arms held around her gestures towards the broken tablet with her head, "that's what they were after, if that wasn't clear. Best to take the pieces and spread them amongst a number of secure locations of possible. I have some more udeas... but I'll gain permission from headmaster Fate first. Also, thankyou. You have been most accommodating, I will put in a good word with your superiors. Let me know immediately if there's any other information on this matter, now or in the future, or if there's another break in attempt."

The teleporter was the tallest of the group. They had a bulkier set of combat armor on but like the others , it didn’t show any real features to further identify them

Taja leaves, but first finds a bathroom on the campus, and changes into her civilian clothing. She them proceeds to go to her apartment, the same place where Nylon/Yasmine lives. (This character features heavily in my backstory, she's going there to check up on her, and to stash her compad before attempting to get in contact with a hacker who may have a lead as to where one may get a line shunt)

(Line shunts aren't illegal in and of themselves,but someone getting deep enough within the Academy to plant it on the data lines there is really the issue)

10:31 AM

(I don't thik there would be any difficulty getting to your apartment either, so I don't really have a scene to set up other than to say okay, you got there. so set up whatever you're setting up, and we'll play it out)

(In that case,) Taja spends some time in her room going over the security footage on her compad.

The footage corroborates the story the Academy's security head told you. THere are no angles that show who provided access to the academy, or how the shunt was placed, that is routine work the security staff would have been able to handle themselves. After spending several hours reviewing it, there are no new insights and the culprits are no doubt still out there, trying to put together another score after this botched one.

(Alright, I'm not 100% sure how y'all do Connect rolls here, but I'd like to make a Connect roll to get into contact with someone high up in local law enforcement) (edited)

(connect/cha)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [6, 4] Result: 11 Reason: Connect/CHA

Most of the day is spent on comms channels with various police precincts in the city before you're finally given over to the police commissioner of all of Ash City. Your status as an agent has him obligated to take the call, and he answers it briskly, wanting to know what he can do to help with your investigation.

Taja begins, attempting to cultivate an air of authority, "Hello sir, I was curious if you had any data on crimes or activity involving teleportation, suspected or otherwise, or anything involving The Still Lady."

"I understand you're looking into the robbery attempt in the academy" he says, taking a deep breath. "Nasty business. If we had a suspect they'd have been in custody already. Like most teleporters, they'd need to have seen the area they're teleporting into before- there are powerful psychics that don't need to do this, but you're going to be looking for someone who's had access to the vault before, or would ahve known what the room looks like from back when the Still Lady's pyramid was there. Teleportation based crimes are extremely rare, as are psychics"

"Thank you for your advice sir, I will continue my investigation, I hope everything goes smoothly for you in your business, call if anything develops," Taja hung up her compad. She sat, twirling her hair deep in thought, a plan was beginning to form... The teleporter clearly could not teleport directly into the sanctum, or even below, otherwise he would have. Now that he's been there though, he may be able to. That would be difficult to counter, we'd need 24 hour attendance, and if they move fast it wouldn't even matter. They could be doing so this very second No... At that moment, and idea struck, if we create a dummy artifact with trackers placed in them, and let them take it, even if the trackers were discovered, we'd have a chance to see their initial teleportation location! Best to put a tracker in all artifacts, just in case. She jumped up, pulled out her compad, and began assembling her contacts, I must let as few people as possible know about this plan. We'll need the chief of security to execute the plan, trackers from Greystar, authorization from Headmaster Fate, and someone to make the tablet... Shouldn't be too difficult with it being broken. Meanwhile, the artifacts must be kept in a separate, secure location. Perhaps I could get my brother to guard it. His precog abilities will be very useful for that, and he's one of the few people I know I can trust with this. I can keep investigating in the mean time, but this will be a guaranteed lead at minimum, at best I could even find their hide out. And the artifact would be safely out of their hands. (We can play out as much or as little of this you think is necessary, I just figured it'd be good to lay it all out for you. lmk if I need to make any rolls, or any problems with this course of action) (edited)

(I have ideas of how to pursue the case regardless of the viability of this, I just figure I can turn a potential hazard into a benefit while I pursue it in other ways)

(Yep, I was enjoying the holiday, so I didn't answer too many threads yesterday, no need for the double post. We don't need to roleplay getting the permission from everyone, but I think the actual playing out of planting the artifact, trying to solicit the attention of whatever group is out there that you have an 'artifact' they might want to steal, and I guess our security arrangements for the actual dummy artifact are important to establish so when these folks come to heist it we know what is and isn't there, and we can see what they do when they grab it )

(I apologize, I did not intend to provoke a response with the second post, merely to add some clarification once I thought of it. I know you don't ever post that late regardless. Next time I'll just edit the first post. ) (The goal with this plan is to recreate the stone tablet with the Still Lady's laws on it, but with a tracker placed within it. When they come back to steal it, let them take it. As for letting them know... I'm thinking Taja could make a connect roll to "leak" to the press some sparse details about the heist.) Taja would disclose the following "There was an armed conflict at the school. An artifact of historical value was damaged, but has since been repaired. The intentions of the assailants are unknown at this time, but they are still at large. Let either Greystar or local law enforcement know if you have any information."

(I don't think I'd allow a connect roll until we did something to try to develop a connection, or like some plan beyond "I roll for it" in terms of how it's being leaked, and where)

(I guess I don't really have a grasp on local press, or how that works. I would approach them as an agent of GreyStar, ask to meet them privately. The authority hopefully giving me the credence to get a respected journalist's ear, while being listed as "an anonymous, reliable source," like the CIA likes to do. Alternatively, if Grey Star has already got channels for this I could go though those. I'm not exactly sure how much authority I have as a player to establish details about the world in this game, but I'm more than willing to propose ideas. I've been in games where rolling connect generates an NPC from my past that I already know, usually that I and the gm detail together, for example. The degree of success of the connect roll determining their disposition towards me. Are there any local news agencies? I'm not really sure. Perhaps I should just go directly to galnet. I don't expect the one roll to do everything, I'm sorry, I should have been clearer, I just figure it's good to let you know my plan.) (edited)

(We could contact the news or arrange for an intentional leak, either of those would work)

(arranging for an intentional leak is what I was thinking. If it takes convincing anyone of anything, or making a roll, you can just put me in the scene.) (edited)

your plan to come up with an intentional leak of the information is forwarded to the proper Greystar command channels, and when the decoy is complete, they'll ensure the information is passed along the same channels as before so this group of people might stumble across it. The Greystar identity shop spends some time working on a copy of the copy of the tablet instead of the normal fake identifiers they commonly work with, and a tracker is concealed within the tablet that should give you a location accurate to within 10m and within a day, you are given the tablet, and notice that the communications department is ready to leak the information upon your request to do so.

(To be clear, I would like it to reach the press at some point. I can go to the press and talk to them (ideally through an intermediary) if that's not already a given.) Taja takes a deep breath. Then pushes send, giving the go-ahead on releasing the "leak." When she was an informant in the war, she'd often dreamed of being able to pull off intrigue like this, I haven't pulled it off yet, Taja reminded herself. Taja yawns, then slowly stands up and starts stretching, it's a lot more sitting around than being a nobody though. I've gotta hit the pavement. She leaves her room and makes small talk with Nylon, Yasmines fake identity she got stuck in, boy could I use your advice now Yasmine. Nylon was meant to be a perfectly average citizen. Forgettable. Didn't know or know how to do anything important. Taja leaves and begins walking the streets in her civilian clothes. She tries to find people she knew in the war on The Still Lady side that she traded information with to pass on to Greystar. She had a few in mind, and began combing through their old haunts and locales. Even if they couldn't ID anyone, hopefully they'd at least give her some good leads to chase. She'll have to be careful how much she reveals though...

(We can say its already a given) You don't see much of anyone you know on the street. Anyone who had a connection to the Lady in any capacity higher than just an enslaved member of the public has been rounded up. Anyone harboring them is rounded up too for sheltering fugitives and anyone worth their salt has done the smart thing and vanished. You remember an old paper factory on the northern side of Ash City that was a place dead drops were once left for other operatives.

Alright, Taja goes to this paper factory. Approaching carefully, she keeps a close eye out for anyone that may be nearby, and begins investing the site in hopes of finding some information.

(Notice /wis)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [1, 1] Result: 3 Reason: Notice/WIS

3

(oof)

You're not alone in going into the paper factory. A group of scavengers are huddled around a trash fire on the bottom level and as you come stumbling in many of them rise to their feet in alarm. They do not seem hostile, yet.

Taja puts her hands out in front of her defensively. "I don't want any trouble," she says, expression neutral.

"Neither do we. This is our home!" one of them says back, as the others continue to scatter. "No one's come in here for so long. We just kind of moved in. "

"It's a good place to stay out of the rain," Taja says, studying them, "may I warm myself by your fire?" she asks with a friendly smile.

“Suit yourself” the spokesperson for the group says. “You on hard times too? Always raining on Acastus. Good to stay out if it. Getting sick when you’re on the street isn’t worth it”

"Yeah..." Taja trails off, attempting to look forlorn. She squats down by the fire and begins warming her hands, "I mean I don't necessarily agree with everything The Still Lady did, but at least I had a place to live. Like, they took my shit to 'redistribute' it. Why did I have to get the short end of the stick just because I did what I had to do to survive? It's bullshit. How 'bout you?"

“Same story. Not high enough in the organization to be put in jail, but close enough to where like you, all got taken and given to the people. Redistribution is theft. I miss having the Lady around. You at least knew where you stood with things”

1

"I totally agree. The damn greystar is just a blackhole of information. It's a damn shame too,I got a lot of useful skills, and I'm sure you do too. But we're all so disconnected. There's gotta be something we can do about it, right?"

1

"Heard talk of some kind of movement. People trapped in the middle, one of those things I guess. The losers are always going to try to find a way to win"

"That's always going to be the case though. That's what they don't understand. Why push out those middle people? There will always be those middle people, so why not integrate rather than just push them out? There's naturally going to be a reaction, it's just necessity. I don't know. What makes this new movement different from any of the other ones?" (edited)

"Not sure, but we have to try. The Lady might not be coming back, but some parts of her are still out there. Things left behind. Treasures she had. One of them has to be a weapon of some kind, right?" one of the others chimes in, stepping closer to the fire.

"Yeah?" Taja turns, studying them closely, "...I suppose we do. What's your name? Mine's Alia." (edited)

"Bear" he says in reply. You are unsure if this is his real name or not. "There's a meeting tonight, if you're interested. May as well stay and pass the next couple hours, can walk over together. What do you think?"

"Depends. Where is it, and what's the route? I don't have a habit of walking off into the black with strangers I meet in abandoned factories."

"Why, so you can leave here and get the police to raid it or something? We don't know anything about you- Nah, that's not how this works. We're going to have to start trusting each other if we want the movement to go somewhere. Come with us in a bit, or leave now. You decide" (edited)

Taja thinks about that for a little bit, studying them. (Can I make a notice check to read their intent?) "I'd like something, for my piece of mind, I'll trust you, but can you meet me half way?"

(They don’t have a hidden agenda here ) “No. If you trust us then why do we need to keep talking about this. In or out. If you’re out then we’re done here and we’ll find somewhere else to bed down for the night “

"Fine then, let's go."

The next few hours pass in relative silence. A short meal of re-heated and reclaimed ration packs is passed around, and finally as a rain storm outside begins the group is ready to leave. Each of them pulls on a rain hood both to hide some of their features and to keep themselves dry. You walk through the streets in this industrial sector to a large building that once housed the aquafarms the Still Lady has created. Algae was a fast and cheap source of nutritious food, even if the taste was terrible. Greystar provided other options for the people living here and with that in mind ,the plants here were allowed to close and go offline. No one has dared try to restart the industry so many associate with the time under occupation. This building has since become a meeting site of some kind, and you are led through a fallen water waste pipe large and tall enough for you to walk while only stooping over a bit. There is a faint light at the end , which you realize is someone with a compad.

Taja takes close watch, the shape of the pathways forming in her mind, being intuitively held within her, singing the song in her head as Yasmine had taught her, as a Waymaker. She looks to Bear and raises an eyebrow, "This the place?" She asks.

Bear nods once that it is. There is a quick call and response of "Who goes there?" and "I can't say" in return. This looks to be good enough in terms of a passcode, and you are welcomed into the building where it looks like fifty other people are gathering. There is a large conference room that is almost half an auditorium on the ground floor, where everyone seems to be headed. (edited)

Taja begins scanning the room, looking for potential culprits, but likely doesn't have enough data yet, but still tries to commit what she can to memory. She sticks by bear for now, waiting to see the next development. (edited)

"Suppose we better go listen to what is being planned" Bear says as he begins moving down the wide stairs to the ground level and into the aud room. You do not see anyone in the group you can decisively finger as the culprit of the break in and brief shootout at the academy. There are a number that could fit the builds, heights, and approximate weights, but you have nothing more than circumstance at the moment. The people here come from all walks of life. Some are as poor as Bear and the gang, but you do see other walks of life on display, even a few who would nominally be part of the middle class on this planet. All here that you can see are human. Other races were very rare on Acastus even in the days of the Plutocracy, before the take over of The Still Lady. Moving into the aud room, there is a speaker on the stage. They are a human male, broadly built and powerful looking, and they have a small microphone in their hand and are wearing military looking fatigues though devoid of markings.

3

Taja goes with the crowd, if people are talking and introducing themselves, she does the same, if people are mostly staying with their groups and cliques she follows suit, if they wait in silence she stands by bear and watches. (edited)

(notice/wis)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [5, 4] Result: 10 Reason: Notice/WIS

2

The man on the stage fits the build of the teleporter. You also notice some blood specks on their boots that have not been cleaned up. You remember a death and a wounding in the shootout and it might come from either of them.

Damn. I should've asked Greystar for an Argus Web, Taja thinks to herself, but this is good, and also very dangerous... A thrill rushes over her. She'd been like this since she was a kid. She always had to be in the thick of it, on the edge of danger. It focused her mind, here she was at home. But Taja didn't have her brothers precognition to hold her back from peril no wrong moves now... I wonder what he's going to say.

"Brothers! Sisters! Friends! and most importantly, true Patriots!" the speaker says as the room begins to quiet down. There are a few whispering conversations that he pauses for a moment to wait for them to die out. "Welcome old friends, and new. You are here because we all share one common goal. Though the return of our patron Lady is impossible now ,the dream of a free and open society is not- and in her name and in memory of her vision we can still fight on. We will overthrow the scourge of Greystar that has so callously come from the stars to spread their infected roots across our planet. They may claim Acastus as their capital, but we do not claim them!" there are some cheers in the room and some polite clapping. A slow drum beat underlines his words in a calculated attempt to underscore the importance of what he is saying. "We have a sacred task in recovering the tools The Lady has left for us as weapons to overthrow this interstellar parasite. Our last attempt has failed, and we are looking for volunteers for another attempt. "

Taja waits a moment. She doesn't want to be the first one to jump forward. Her position is to blend in, not stand out. If someone else steps forward, she will raise her hand and do the same.

Two others look to be moving forward, also human - one male and one female, making you the last member of the group as it does not look like anyone else is stepping forward.

"Wow," Taja says to the man on stage, "I thought I'd have to fight for this position."

"Those who believe have been called, the spirit of the Lady is moving through you and the other assembled here, and we are taking only what we need for this dangerous task that will free us all " To the wider crowd his voice once again swells with a powerful intake of breath. "The anointed have been chosen for this task. The rest of you will buoy us onward in spirit with your prayers. Return to your lives the rest of you, for now. Continue to resist in the quiet ways you can and we will meet here again in two weeks."

Taja suppresses a shudder at the idea that 'the spirit of the Lady' is flowing through her. She nods to the man, "I am honored to help restore the proper order of things."

The rest of the group begin to filter out now that there is a mission afoot. The simple act of congregating together seems to have buoyed the spirits of most of the people here. "Alright, come with me, all of you" the man on the stage says to the mission team. "My name is Rex. Not my real name obviously, but that's the one I'm going to respond to. We've got some work to do in planning this out but before we do, I 'd like to know a bit about the skills of the people with me. Let's start with you, my slow to volunteer friend" Rex says, indicating Taja

"I'm well connected in the city, which could get us intel or an in depending on where our job takes place. I'm great at keeping an eye out, can sneak into places, and have a knack for opening locked doors."

"We think the tablet is still within the academy. We've been hearing some rumors about it being restored, but we're going to need to do our homework and figure it out. If you've got intel gathering talents, you're going to be up first. " The rest of the party looks to be focused on being brute force warrior types, comfortable with firearms and bladed weapons in equal measure. If the item is as heavily defended as last time, if not moreso, they will be needed. Rex looks pleased at the talent on display. "As I mentioned, I'm a teleporter, so I'm our ticket in and possibly out of wherever we're going"

"What tablet?" Taja asks, "I'm assuming this is one of the tools of our glorious Still Lady? Either way, I can most certainly gather Intel. If you give me some time, I may even be able to get a job on the security force at the college. How can I contact you?"

We will meet here again in three days. Just this group, not everyone. We will discuss leads by then, and can determine the next steps of our plan. I'll see you all then"

Taja nods, smiling, "I am so happy to be working with you all, i'll see you in 3 days." She then begins to leave. (edited)

You're not stopped on the way out. There is a light rainstorm sending droplets to the neon lit pavement when you exit the disused algae farm. The others are leaving in other ways, just in case. The streets in the area are quiet. Most people stay away given the former use of the site.

Taja takes a deep breath, and makes her way to a local hotel where she can fill in Greystar on everything that's happened so far. She keeps an eye out for tails, and takes a circuitous route there. (edited)

(notice/wis, lets see if we have one)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [1, 1] Result: 3 Reason: Notice/WIS

1

It does not seem like you are being tailed by anyone. There is a large hotel near the center of the city that agents are known to sometimes use ,and the staff there has an understanding with the Confederation. The presence of agents here is a tightly kept secret , and only someone with inside knowledge of polity operations would know this place was being used as a safehouse. A large room with adjoining restroom has been set aside for your use and food is sent up to your room upon checking in.

Taja writes up a formal report in detail to Greystar, and informs them of her plan to act as a double agent, 'infiltrating' the college security team, the fact that the subversive group will be meeting again in two weeks, and detailed descriptions of everyone she can remember, but especially the teleporter. She lays out the possiblity of further undercover work depending on the results of this operation. She also makes an important note at the end that she builds on and implies throughout her presentation of the evidence: "It is clear to me that while there will inevitably be die-hard loyalists and fanatics of the still lady that must be rooted out and corrected by whichever manner necessary, many members of this subversive underground are driven there by more purely economic and personal concerns. If we are truly to claim Acastus as our homeworld, we need the most stable base possible from which we will operate in the rest of the sector. To do that we must shore up support here, not only by rooting out the extremists of the old regime, but by reintegrating those more agreeable members back into society in such a way that their personal and economic incentives align with ours. Brining these people into society will stop the isolation these extremists use to cultivate loyalty. These connection to society, and to those loyal to Grey star will provide connections that will make them easier to gather intelligence on if necessary. We must inspire loyalty in all citizens, and remind them the benefits of their support, as well as the detriment of opposition." She also requests to be commissioned an argus web for the remainder of this operation. (edited)

There are currently no argus webs available to be sent to you, but the descriptions you have provided of the people at the meeting will be rendered and fed into identification software and any returns will be quietly investigated for any leads or any evidence supporting what you've uncovered so far. Your recommendations for more social support projects and more funding for economic recovery are passed on to the Director's office for review, and no doubt will become a topic of conversation at the next council meeting later in the month. Your work so far is praised, and the polity will have their ears open to whatever other details you are able to transmit to them.

Taja changes to different civilian clothing, and does her hair up. Once again taking a circuitous route and looking for a tail, she makes her way towards the college to have another meeting with the security chief, to get a job with and 'infiltrate' the colleges security force, and discuss a plan for the extremist group's heist.

Although the academy workers know who you are, in order to help sell the illusion you are trying to create ,they have you wait before being taken up to the Security Chief's office. To anyone who might be watching, all appears normal and the Academy is doing what they can based on your previous notes to cooperate with the ruse you are trying to sell. There is coffee on once again as the Security Chief lets you into his office with a knowing smile on his face. He spends a few seconds making sure the hallway is clear before speaking "Welcome back. I saw the report. It looks like you're making headway"

"Indeed I have. Significant headway... After some consideration, between the two options of ambushing them and letting them get away with the tablet, I'm thinking the latter will be the best option." Taja has to cut herself off here. She wants to explain her methodology, but she's learned it's always best to keep unnecessary information back. She hopes her authority will be enough for little questions.

As a security professional, his face tightens somewhat when you tell him about letting them get away with the tablet. "Surely you can't be serious about just letting them have it. How is that going to do anything to stop them?"

'course he wouldn't just listen... Even with authority people still have pride, Taja thinks to herself. She stares him in the eye, takes a long sip of her coffee, and starts her bid: "This is an ongoing investigation sir. I need the ability to reach the inner workings of this organization, and as a result I need their trust and a success... There is something about this 'repaired' tablet that may help us discover their lair. We have the information to pursue them regardless of their success, but I know we'll be missing out. I'm more than willing to take the fall with your security team as the 'new' hire for this 'failure.' If you are concerned about your reputation and career, rest assured that cooperation now will get you in the good graces of my employers. The ones who really hold power on this planet."

"It's my duty to ask. You are right though. You'll have whatever support you need from me. Just keep me informed. I don't want anyone else getting hurt because of this, ruse to bring these suspects in, or not"

1:24 PM

(this seems like a good break in things, so we'll take 3xp and 5000 credits for what we did so far, and actually getitng things arranged bringing these guys in will be our next mission)

(alright, sounds good. I believe that 3xp means I've reached level 2?)

(I have read the rules, and that is the case. I have taken level 2 in psychic training for my focus, spent 1 psychic skill point to gain the ability 'locate,' and am saving the other psychic skill point. With the 3 remaining points I have used 2 to improve Notice to level 1, and 1 point to improve heal to 0.)

(you also get a new focus at level 2)

1:51 PM

(and we;d need to know your new hit points)

(My focus pick is getting the second level of psychic training.) (edited)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [6, 1] Result: 9 Reason: Lvl 2 healh

(Continuing the story:) "Alright, no injuries, got it. We can make that work. Tell your guards as little as you can. Ideally we can give them a smooth and easy in and out with no conflict. The justification being that by me working here I can do some sort of sabotage or information to make this easy for them. Though, we also don't want them to be too suspicious..." Taja leans back in her chair, thinking, she takes a sip of her coffee and feels her heart beat faster with the stimulant. She absentmindedly puts her feet on the desk and takes another sip. "What if," she begins, "I were to indicate to them that you were sympathetic to our cause? With the chief n our side, that would explain why it would o easy. Would there be any problems with that? Would you be known to these people as diehard anti-still lady, or as a 'betrayer' to them? Or maybe we can convince them you just need to be payed off?" (edited)

He pulls the collar of his uniform down to show the brand where Still Lady followers had branded him as an apostate, a social class that refused to serve her and was relegated to unpleasant indentured labor as a result. "They'll never believe I was one of them, chances are I might have even labored under one of them as an overseer. Too risky. I think bribery is the only thing that they'll believe. In my experience, the simplest explanation is always the best one and it's the one that raises the fewest questions"

Tajas eyes linger on the location of his brand. "I knew there was a reason I liked you. She continues, "I'll keep the bribery idea in my back pocket. I think I can pretend to do something really extreme, take your keys, drug the other guards, cut the power-- something. Something dramatic and obvious that will ensure an easy heist, I that would get me immediately arrested , so I could justify asking the teleporter to teleport me out with the team..." Taja downs the coffee, takes her feet off the desk slams the coffee cup down, looks into his eyes and says, "If anyone asks this was an interview and I'm hired. My name is Alia Ferdinand. I will send the requisite paperwork, and get greystar to manufacture fake identifying documents. I will be in contact as the plan develops. Do you have any more ideas or important things to say before I go?" (edited)

"I would like to speak a day or two before the operation is supposed to happen to finalize details. This all has to work around one another and if there's any difference in the way we are marching, we're going to have a big problem and you're going to get caught. This is as much for the protection of the people in the Academy under my care as your own personal safety"

"Of course," Taja says, standing up and donning her coat, "this is a delicate operation, but between the two of us I have confidence we can pull it off. Goodbye, thanks for the job chief," she then gives him a wink and leaves. She goes to the secure hotel location she's been staying at and updates Greystar on everything so far and her plans.

(I didn't have anything to add here but I 'm glad we're making a point to update them. THat is appreciated and helpful from the DM side. What did you have in mind for going forward? )

Taja buys a second compad, sends all of the data on her first compad she currently has to Greystar through secure means, and then destroys that first compad. Before she does this, she informs Greystar of her plan, and that this is to ensure that if her compad is hacked or stolen, both the operation and her identity will remain secure. She then goes to buy the following items: Second Compad, 100 Grapnel Launcher, 200 Argus Web, 500 (if available) 3 Medpaks, 300 1 dose of Captivax, 70 (I would also like to buy a bio scanner and a medkit, though I am unsure if these exist)

(Bio scanner and medkit exists, still no argus web)

7:10 PM

(the other things are all available as well)

(I'm also going to throw on a tl4 backpack, ditching my tl0 one. Brining the total cost to 1,120.) Over the next few days leading up to the meeting Taja, or "Alia," works a few shifts as a guard in the Academy. She learns who's who on the team, making what friends she can. She paces the halls, getting a good idea of the layout, thinking of 'the perfect heist' to lure the dissenters in. She's leaning towards 'cutting the power.' While she's off shift, through a secure line she works with Greystar on a contingency plan. She hopes to develop a strike team that will ambush and capture the dissidents incase things start to go south. She wants this team to wait nearby in a discreet hovervan, keeping an eye on the tracker data. Taja will communicate with this team via a com number that will be saved in her phone as 'hubby.' Certain code words inside of a message will indicate different things like, 'dinner,' may mean 'hang back,' 'dog,' may mean the area is trapped, or 'I love you' may mean that 'communications will cease, standby and use your best judgement.' She heavily insists that a well-trained metapsion is on the team to prevent the teleporters use of powers, and therefore easy escape. (If this isn't reasonable, then no worries. I'll always just be throwing lots of ideas around (I like to scheme)) (edited)

(We'd be wanting a nullifier, so they stop all psionics.)

9:41 AM

(I think everything else makes sense that you've proposed thus far)

(Yes, a nullifier would be very good.) Taja goes to the meeting with the dissidents, wearing civilian clothes and once again taking a circuitous route to get there, scanning for surveillance-human or camera-that may interfere with the strike team. She also coordinates with the strike team to make sure that they're in the area, but not close. She does not expect to need them.

The strike team is watching from as far enough away as they can without also risking your safety. You are not being tailed and it does not seem like any of the dissidents have been alarmed or otherwise think anything is wrong. They beleive you are who you say you are.

Alright, Taja proceeds to the meeting place

You once again enter the disused meeting place at the bottom level of the old algae food factory to the auditorium. Rex and two other members of the team are there, making you the second last to arrive. "Ah, welcome!" he says upon seeing you enter the room. "Your timing is good. We were going to get started in a few minutes with whoever was here. We were hoping your intelligence would come in with time to plan around it though, and here you are. Come on and have a seat" he says pointing to a large table with chairs that have been set up on the stage.

"Will do," Taja says, nodding, "I think you'll be happy to hear about my progress." She then makes her way up to the stage. (I'd add here 'she looks for traps and snipers on her way up,' but, for the sake of me not having to constantly qualify that, if there's a chance of something like that, I'd assume you'd just have me roll. Taja won't act differently if I make an un-asked for Notice check and fail.) (edited)

(Yep! I'm not going to cheap shot you unless you're being super reckless IC, never fear)

3:17 PM

You are satisfied this is safe, everyone believes your cover story, and that to them this is nothing more than a planning meeting between people with a similar goal. Rex is chivalrous and pulls chairs out for everyone before sitting down himself to hear about the progress everyone has made. Your piece of the mission is the most pivotal, and most things hinge around that, so he cedes the floor to let you speak first.

Taja takes a deep breath and begins, "first order of business. The college has beefed up their security forces, hiring new recruits. Most notably, me. I've worked a couple shifts, but I don't know the full layout of the college yet (Taja is lying here). There was this special, heavily armed team carting highly guarded case down to some vault. I couldn't get on the team, but I was able to bribe the chief into telling me what it is. It does appear to be the tablet. "So, we have an in. The chief may be amenable to some more bribing, but that usually only goes so far. I could probably get my pick of guard post that way. I also know where the central power is kept, in case knocking it out would help somehow. That all being said, if I'm going to help you, I won't be left holding the bag," she looks pointedly at Rex and says, "I'm going to need you to teleport me out with everyone."

"I got the surviving members of the team out last time we tried this. This does not work if we don't trust one another , I wouldn't leave anyone behind. you have my word. How soon do you think you can finish getting a lay of the land and getting on to that guard duty. Having someone on the inside might turn the tables on them and we might have a better time with it. I'm just trying to put together the last few pieces of our operation. I've secured weapons and armor from us. We have an ally in the supply depot here, and combat field uniforms and laser rifles for the assault team will be in place . We'll have one for you too if you're not going to be wearing one already for work. Any word on that?"

Nekosmash

"We have some. They knew where to go, so it belays familiarity with the site. We had a telepath review all of our students and none of them were lying or trying to conceal everything, so we can rule out an inside job. So someone outside the academy, who knows the history of the site, and where the relic vault is. That sounds like cult activity to me. "

(btw Taja lied about knowing the layout in hopes of baiting them into revealing how they "seem to know the layout," as the chief mentioned in this message. I should've been clearer about that.) "Weapons and armor would be useful. A few more days and I should have a good grasp on the full layout. I already scouted out a window I could keep unlocked for y'all, and a quick route to the elevator. I could have a map drawn up by tomorrow of it. I don't think I really have the resources, and I don't want to get caught by Greystar trying to find them so maybe you could help, but let me propose a plan: I was thinking, I could poison the chief. It'd be pretty simple. For those worried about his life, I assure you, he's a branded apostate of The Still Lady. Some of the worst scum known to humanity. I could use his biometrics, swipe his key card to hack the security cameras into displaying blank halls in the areas you'll be moving through. I could meet you there, activate the elevator and open the vault. So I'd need some poison. One thing I am curious about though," she says, looking pointedly at Rex, "is if you've been to the vault, can't you just teleport there then back out? Is there any psychic security measures I could disable?"

(right, I think in his case he was looking to see if your knowledge matched what they had, to see if there was something they overlooked or could do better this time)

12:29 PM

"I can't do a blind entry like that and hope to get us all back out too. That's more power than I'm capable of handling right now, so we decided getting out quick was better than trying to get in quick. We didn't notice any anti-psi measures in the vault like that, at least not this last time. Nullifiers are not a common thing though, and we're not exactly swimming in psi technology anymore. Academy probably doesn't really have a solution for that. Friend of mine is a surveyor working for the city, He's been in the academy before, said its normally pretty quiet in there."

"Alright. That's everything on my end. I'll have the map drawn up and I'll give it to you when you give me the weapons, armor, and ideally poison. Is there anything else? Or shall we pick a new meeting time to finalize everything and make the exchange?" (edited)

"The poison is going to be a long shot. I have a few people I can talk to , but we might not have enough time. Lets plan to meet here in three days, we'll finish the planning them, with intent to execute on day 4. "

"Alright. worse comes to worse, I just whack him in the head or shoot or stab him when he's not expecting it." Throughout the meeting, Taja has been closely studying the group for any distinct gear, jewelery, or even just specific tears in clothing she may later be able to utilize with her Locate ability.

Rex wears a simple silver ring with the words I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER- SAM written on them in what must have been their partner's handwriting. The band is tarnished with age ,but it looks to be something Rex is trying to take care of. You can see evidence of him trying to scrub it a few times in its blotchy luster.

Taja leaves taking the usual precautions. She gives a full report to Greystar through a secure line, highlighting Rex's apparent ally in the supply depot. She also notes the connection to a surveyor that seems to have worked on the college. She then goes back to the chief to explain what she laid out to the dissenters and build out the other half of the plan with him.

(did you have anything in mind for that? Just didnt want to skip over anything you wanted to add. I think in the background GSC is going to be following up the leads you provided and is quietly going to be making a few arrests)

(Taja's plan is to have a loyal greystar agent undercover as one of the college's security team watch over the cameras, while allowing none of the normal staff to view them. This is so that the dissenters are convinced they're not being surveilled when they actually are. Meanwhile, the chief will be playing dead in his office, Taja having "taken him out" and gotten his key card. If this greystar agent sees any of the security team, or anyone else for that matter, getting close enough to potentially interfere with the dissenters, they'll contact the chief and have him radio to the person and direct them away. Ideally, the team will get in, get the tablet, and teleport out with no conflict.) (edited)

(Would we be doing anything to sell that the chief is fake dead? or just kind of hoping no one goes over there to verify?)

(I was thinking we could shoot up his uniform with a laser rifle a couple times, and have him lay on the ground. Additionally, Taja would lock his door) (edited)

(anything OOC should be like this, I know it probably sounds petty but it helps me distinguish what's happening in character and out, especially with so many threads running. It just makes my life a lot easier Either of those things could work, if we're doing prep like this though we should play it out) (edited)

(sure, set the scene)

(Me set the scene or yes we should set the scene. Not sure what you're telling me)

(Taja goes to the chief and discusses her plans with him)

The chief is waiting in his office for you, no doubt becoming familiar with you as you've been in an out of his office over the last days. The plan seems to be coming together and he is prepared to do his part to further things along and remove this cell from the landscape of Acastus. Once again a chair has been pulled out for you, and a cup of coffee has been poured. Several large stacks of papers have been piled on his desk as arrangements have been made to get your own personnel here to better monitor the operation. "We're almost to the witching hour then" he says upon seeing you enter his office "Probably not too many more of these meetings before it happens. How close are we? "

"A final meeting in three days, then the operation after that," Taja replies. She puts down a map of the school in front of the chief and starts laying out her plan. "The theives will enter through this window that will be conveniently open for them, move down this hallway, and meet me at the elevator." She takes the coffee off the table and leans back as she continues, "At this point I will need possession of your authorization to open it. The story for that being that I've stolen it from you, by murder if necessary. That might be complicated if they wanted to check. Or perhaps we could come up with a plausible way I could come up with a way I could have copied it, though they don't believe I'm a hacker of any sort. Ideas?"

"Stole it from me ,or overpowered me and took it. Those are the two that don't lead to an elaborate lie, and the simplest explanation is usually the best one. You think you could sell either one of those alternatives to the group?"

"I'll steal it from you then!" Taja declares with a smile. "You'll be off shift for that I suppose. Any other cracks that you see?"

"You've got your own people watching the cameras. Do you think the infiltrators are going to want those cameras taken out? I'd like to make sure the operator isn't shot to pieces inside their booth just for doing their job. "

Taja looks thoughtful, resting her chin between her forefinger and thumb. She takes another sip of coffee and rests her feet on the corner of the desk as she continues, "how 'bout this. We can visibly disable the cameras there, pointing down, obviously off, etc. I've already told them that with your authorization I'd fuck with the cameras in the halls we're going in to make it appear as if all the halls are empty. Ideally this will also incentivize them to stay along the pre-charted path. I'll try to reign them in if they're out for blood. Unfortunately, I feel as if this operative is necessary to ensure that civilians and members of your security team don't get caught in the crossfire instead. I have medical equipment, so I can try to discreetly patch him up if needed, but there will always be a risk of course." She looks intently at him, studying him, deciding what she wants to reveal. Her eyes Iinger on where his apostate brand is located. Then she says, "if push comes to shove, there will also be a strike team that will be waiting near by that I can call in."

"That'll have to do. I don't think there's a way to avoid some danger to all this, or to us. but I'm satisfied you've done what's necessary to keep things to a minimum. When this is all over I owe you a drink. Possibly a few " he says. "All we can do now is hope everyone comes out of this safely"

Taja nods solemnly. Than swings her feet off the desk and stands up in one motion. "I'll have to buy you a drink first," she says, "after all, you've already given me plenty," smiling as she shakes her now-empty coffee cup. She then stands up and extends a hand to shake, "I'll see you on the other side chief. It's been a pleasure working with you." (edited)

"I'll hold you to it. I hope we all come out on the other end of this in one piece, and with those criminals in jail, or on the end of a rope" He stands to show you out of his office and as you leave the Academy, all are prepared to do their part.

Taja continues to work in the security team, while ensuring everyone's readiness on her time off. In a few days, she once again goes to the meeting place with the criminals at the predetermined time

The meeting is on schedule and true to promises the requested equipment has been provided. Matte black combat field uniforms, laser rifles with five power cells each, a grenade each, and the medical equipment promised earlier in the mission have all arrived and are being assembled for inspection by Rex. He looks pleased with the quality. Rex is also going to be carrying a comm server unit with him so the group can share communications among only themselves. A single demolition charge for any stubborn doors has also been acquired somehow. This has all the hallmarks of a professional operation

Taja is looking over the goods, attempting to let how impressed she is hide her level of distaste. How connected is this guy, really? She thinks to herself, clearly he needs to be, but what's motivating these people. This strikes me of outside funding or deeper resistance structure than we-- I at least-- had thought possible. "Alright, everything's good to go on my end. Which of these is mine?" Taja asks with a devious smile. (Couple OOC things: I have added a new goal to my character sheet: "Aquire Argus Web." Lmk if that's a valid goal. Second, as a part of my backstory, when Taja and her brother had to go into hiding from they grey lady, I said they had both gotten "body sculpting" in order to look like completely different people. Would that be okay? I will insist on taking the permanent system strain from that, but I also have to note that this actively would benefit me with this particular operation along this questline, considering it would be difficult (though not impossible) to identify her as having been a part of the resistance. Though it also may cause difficulties attempting to contact former members of said resistance of course. It would not be of much benefit outside of Acastus, however, where characters would not likely know her anyways. I'd even be happy to pay the cost with some interest for the procedure. So, trying to present you all the angles here, before we get too far along, would that be alright with you?) (edited)

(getting an argus web is not, I know they haven't been available yet but once this mission is over you'll be able to get one. Are you discussing the cyberware? I took a few looks through the backstory and I know your NPC sister was having an issue with faulty cyberware, which is fine as they are not a character and there is no mechanical benefit there but I didn't really see anything as detailed as this in what is on the sheet already, and wouldn;'t have approved it if I did. I wouldn't have let anyone start with cyberware unless they were a Taros since that is part of their species benefit)

(From the book: "Body Sculpting: Not so much a single implant as a se- ries of complex surgeries, body sculpting is avail- able on many TL4 worlds with fairly advanced medical services. After a week of alterations and treatments a subject’s external appearance can be set within any human or near-human range, including full retinal and fingerprint matching to a desired target." It doesn't change DNA, The body sculpting would've been just to look different, not like a specific person. It is 1 permanent system strain, and 10,000 credits. From my backstory: "At one point, Taja & Kaveh's parents went publically looking for them, and almost found them, until Yasmine found a black market doctor to body sculpt them, switching their faces, fingerprints, and teeth with two corpses that were placed under the rubble of a building that had collapsed due to the conflict. (Lmk if this is alright) " Kaveh is Taja's precognitive twin brother, while Yasmine (the one with the faulty cyberware), was a "cut-throat yet aging Taros Private Investigator and former Tarous intelligence officer who saw use in these kids beyond their petty crimes, threatening to turn them into the authorities unless they worked under her." She is the "aging master" who taught Taja her way-maker abilities.)

(I looked at the sheet even when this got brought up a bit ago to see if I missed it and didn't see it there. Is it somewhere aside from thw bio page? I would have said no to the body sculpting, it still technically is cyberware)

Santrek/ Izzy

Taja is looking over the goods, attempting to let how impressed she is hide her level of distaste. How connected is this guy, really? She thinks to herself, clearly he needs to be, but what's motivating these people. This strikes me of outside funding or deeper resistance structure than we-- I at least-- had thought possible. "Alright, everything's good to go on my end. Which of these is mine?" Taja asks with a devious smile. (Couple OOC things: I have added a new goal to my character sheet: "Aquire Argus Web." Lmk if that's a valid goal. Second, as a part of my backstory, when Taja and her brother had to go into hiding from they grey lady, I said they had both gotten "body sculpting" in order to look like completely different people. Would that be okay? I will insist on taking the permanent system strain from that, but I also have to note that this actively would benefit me with this particular operation along this questline, considering it would be difficult (though not impossible) to identify her as having been a part of the resistance. Though it also may cause difficulties attempting to contact former members of said resistance of course. It would not be of much benefit outside of Acastus, however, where characters would not likely know her anyways. I'd even be happy to pay the cost with some interest for the procedure. So, trying to present you all the angles here, before we get too far along, would that be alright with you?) (edited)

(Yeah, I wasn't going to put it on the sheet until it was clarified. I can take it off my backstory if you'd like. Either way, how do the people respond?)

You are shown the set that belongs to you. This is an older pattern, in service during the time of the Plutocracy, but they'll have no trouble going toe to toe with current weapons and armor. "Might be wondering where I found these" he says to the group, leading the issue with some pride in his voice. "Good friend of mine is in the survey corps. Came across a supply bunker that Plutocracy holdouts made in the mountains when The Lady first took over. Everything inside was in good shape aside from needing a little cleaning. Kind of fitting in a strange way we're using weapons designed to fight against her to fight for her . This is a much better use for them. " He spends a few moments showing everyone the basics , just in case. The fire selector between safe, semi, and full automatic fire, and how to clean the focusing coils in the event of a contamination or particles in the air. The explosives look like they've come from there too and aside from a new wire or display panel here and there, they have also been left surprisingly intact.

Now all suited up, Taja takes out a map of the college, and begins detailing the route... eventually ending with,"I should be able to swipe a copy of the security chief's authorization tonight. I can send a digital copy of this to you all, and need some way to contact you so that tomorrow I can confirm everything is going accordingly tomorrow." (edited)

'We're going to be going in together. We're meeting in a safehouse a block away from the Academy. One of my teleports will get us to the front doors, from there, we're going to storm the place and I'll have one left over for the way out. I'll have sight of where we're going for that first jump, so it will be easier for me to bring us there, and I'll have enough strength to get us all out after. THat one is going to be blind, so it takes more out of me"

10:20 AM

The address is passed over to you on a sheet of paper and looks to be a fossil fuel gas station that is no longer in use.

"Alright. Got it," Taja says with resolution, "anything else?"

"I think that's all for now. Try everything on and I'll get the gear over to the safehouse over the rest of today. We meet at third rise tomorrow, and we do this once and for all" (edited)

Taja nods with determination, "At the third rise, we will reclaim a tool of the Still Lady!" She leaves, but the moment she's alone, she takes a moment to envision the ring that Rex wears, a simple silver ring with the words I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER- SAM written on them. The band is tarnished with age, but it looks as if someone is trying to take care of it. There is evidence of it being scrubbed a few times in its blotchy luster. She commits an effort for the day to use the Locate ability on this ring.

The group bids one another goodbye ,good luck ,and a pleasant walk home, and leaves Rex to prepare to move the goods on his own over the course of the day. There is little to do now but wait.

Throughout the next day, assuming the Locate ability works, she notes down her coordinates and the distance and direction of the located ring in relation to her own as it moves throughout the city. (She currently has a 100km range) She also reports everything she found out to grey star, asking them to hold off on acting on her Intel, "...as it may blow my cover, and if Rex is as savvy as he portends, it may be counter-intelligence." She also drafts a new route, going from the entrance to the vault, and makes sure no guards are posted along it, drawing the route on her map of the school to bring to the safehouse. As the time is just nearing the 3rd rise, she waits nearby the safehouse. 15 minutes before the meeting time she takes a Captivax. She arrives at the safehouse at the 3rd rise on the dot, then enters. (I'm going to put the Captivax mechanics here for my reference: Designed to increase memory related functions and speed up other mental processes. These red capsules are a popular party drug, widely appreciated for their effect on creativity. They are, of course, highly addictive. It takes 2d6 minutes for Captivax to take effect but lasts for 3 hours. It gives the user +2 to overall Intelligence, +2 to Perception, and a +2 to Charisma-based rolls. (addictive)) (edited)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [1d20] Roll: [11] Result: 11 Reason: physical effect save for addiction, save is 13

(I'll pin it for you so you've got the mechanics handy, we can un pin it later if we end up running out of room or if it gets cluttered. The physical effect save has been failed so we are addicted, but nothing is going to happen right now- we can look into this when the mission is done) (edited)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 2/14/2023 11:57 AM

You are the third of the four to arrive. Rex and one of the muscley dumb dumbs working as another shooter are here already getting kitted up and helping one another into the enclosing set of combat armor. Both of them silently nod and slide the duffel bag with your items in it down the table to you so you can check everything over and start gearing up for yourself. There is only a faintly lit glowbug on, and the windows have been shuttered to help perpetuate the abandoned pretense of the building. Everything looks to be in order here and no tricks are at play aside from the one you are about to play on them.

12:00 PM

The last member of the team arrives five minutes after you do, confirming the street is clear and the academy grounds don;t seem especially on alert. They likewise begin suiting up.

Taja begins to suit up as well, (Just to confirm the items are: combat uniform laser rifle, grenade, these are now reflected on my sheet). As she does this, she hands her map with the new route to Rex, "after a stop at the chiefs apartment, I knocked him out and tied him up, and as promised, I got the authorization," she says, holding it up. "I also got access to his compad and tortured him a bit to get the codes for his computer. Using this, I reassigned security away from the route I drew on that map. There's no guarantee, but it should make for an easy run. I can't stop you from going off the route, but I'm certainly not going to." She pauses, tightening her armor, then pushing the power cell into her rifle with a click. She continues, "You may be wondering how I got into his apartment and close enough to do all this. Well..." she starts, with a look of disgust on her face, "same way I got the job," she then makes some vulgar gesture that indicating that she's been sleeping with him. "Regardless, I hope I've shown my dedication to the still lady, because at this point, there's no going back for me. I will need to stay low with this group. I'm at your mercy." (edited)

(Yep! All correct. ) "You've done well, we'll remember this when the mission is over, I'll make sure you're duly rewarded for everything you've sacrificed for us. We take care of our own here,. something Greystar doesn't understand. You're our sister under The Lady, there's no other gods or kings here. We should be off. We've only got a short amount of time to handle this" He looks through the eyehole of the door once to confirm the street is clear, and then takes a deep breath. "everyone to me. Grab a piece of my armor, or my hand, my arm, anytihng, You all need to be in contact with me for me to get us all to the front of the building. From there ,we go in hot"

Taja grabs onto the back of his armor at the neck, rifle in the other hand, then steels herself for the jump.

1

There is a clap and a flash of light. There is a feeling of a pull and of being tugged on before you come back to your senses a few seconds later, in front of the Academy. The guard that normally stands out front has been reassigned per Taja's previous planning, and thus far the group is buying the ruse. "Alright" Rex says with finality. He raises his rifle and begins pushing the front door. Once pleased it is secure, he gestures for you to come forward, as you were the pathfinder for this.

"Follow me," Taja says to the group, as she goes to open the door. She will lead them at the front as swiftly and quietly as possible to the elevator door. If no trouble arises, she uses the chief's authorization wherever possible to open doors and lock them behind, and if that doesn't work, using her wayfinder ability. (Specifically this section: You can gain a point of System Strain to automatically deactivate, unlock, or bypass any single sealed door, hatch, or other barrier within your sight, forcing it to remain open for at least one round per character level. Such arcane opening never triggers any associated automated alarms or magical countermeasures, but sentient guardians may notice it. )

(You'll take a strain for the elevator, but will do it. So far no contact, I;m not sure when you wanted people to swoop in ,but we have the nullifier hiding downstairs waiting )

(the nullifier is just s contingency plan if stuff goes wtong, the goal is to go back to their base with them, and spend some time with them to get a full idea of how many of them there are, who their friends/contacts are, how many resources they have, then take them out all at once.)

(Yep, they're not going to use their powers for anything other than remaining perfectly hidden for now, but they're ther ein case )

10:34 AM

The elevator doors bring you down into the vault below the academy and with what they believe is your expert planning there is no waiting ambush and there are no alarms. Everyone is tense and you can smell the salt of their combined sweat as you lead the push into the vault. They ignore the other exhibits, that have also not been locked down as to sell the ruse and seem single minded on grabbing the tablet. None seem to notice anything amiss, though are expecting trouble at any possible second. "You really did your job" Rex says under his breath as he scans behind the group, pulling rear security.

"Damn right," she whispers to Rex, "at the cost of being able to show my face in public. It'll all be worth it though, once we restore the rightness of the Still Lady's rule." She goes up to the case with the others, trying to help them get it out. (edited)

To help make this not look too easy it looks as though the case has been secured to the plinth it sits on magnetically, with a keypad used to turn the magnet on and off. It will need to be deactivated before it can be moved. The security lead at the Academy did not tell you about this security measure.

Good, Taja thinks, can't be too easy now. Taja paces around the plinth, one hand on her chin, brow furrowed, the one hand on her rifle, the sling on her shoulder supporting it. She scans the plinth and the nearby area, desperately to try to find a loose screw, seam, or something to get into the inner-workings of either the plinth or the power that supplies it. She also tries to notice any additional security measures. As she does this, with an edge of frustration she says, "alright team, I got you all the way to the artifact, you just got to take it out." Their hacker seems to have died... I guess Rex isn't all powerful, she thinks, he doesn't seem to have rustled up another. "Because right now," she continues, gesturing with her rifle, "all I can think of is either shooting it, or trying to jimmy a couple mono blades underneath to pry it off. Either one may cause damage to our holy artifact, and I doubt they'd put it here a 3rd time. I suppose we better take some pictures regardless..."

(fix/ int while we look for those things. Waymaker would also work on this but with how slow strain rolls off I'd understand if you didn't want to take another one right now)

(I got some wiggle room with system strain, her con is pretty good. Though I know this addiction may cause problems. Either way, she'll use her way-maker ability to get past the security measures, but if there's any way while doing this to intentionally active the security alarms (don't want to get away too cleanly) she will) (edited)

(We can set them off since it's intentional but also de-activate the keypad) There is a series of warbles and then a chime played at an extreme volume. Klaxons and lights sound through the academy as the magnet is powered down and the case is removed from the plinth. The elevator begins rumbling as it is called to the surface as Academy security begin to respond. It will take them a moment or two to assemble and begin getting down here. The nullifer has done their job well and you have no indication of their presence down here.

(just a reminder, my goal is to leave with them, so I don't want the nullifier to prevent us from teleporting out) Taja is carrying the case in both hands, and she rushes to Rex, pressing one of her arms against his back as she shouts over the sirens, "let's get the fuck out of here."

There is another bang and flash of light. As you teleport out you all get a brief glimpse of the responding security team , perfectly timed to complete the ruse and look authentic. You’re once again back in the abandoned fuel station, weapons not fired and armor not damaged. There is a triumphant and relieved feeling amid the group.

3:54 PM

(3xp, and 5000 credits )

She looks to Rex and says "you got a safehouse we can go to? Our trail is hot." (edited)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [3d6+3] Roll: [6, 3, 2] Result: 14 Reason: HP Roll

Santrek/ Izzy

(I have read the rules, and that is the case. I have taken level 2 in psychic training for my focus, spent 1 psychic skill point to gain the ability 'locate,' and am saving the other psychic skill point. With the 3 remaining points I have used 2 to improve Notice to level 1, and 1 point to improve heal to 0.)

(Level 3: I will take the 1 saved psychic skill point + 1 gained every level+ the 1 from lvl 2 of the psychic foci training, totaling 3 skill points to improve my postcognition to level 2, and will be taking the "remote viewing" technique. with my remaining skill points, I will use 1 to increase my Know to 0, and 2 to increase my Sneak to 1.)

(alrighty, looks good to me) "How? We teleported out. I don't think they know where we went unless you know something I don't" he says. THere is a new edge of suspicion in his voice that was not there before.

Taja rolls her eyes and says, "we're literally within sight of the college Rex. The place we did the crimes. Excuse me for being worried about being caught, you saw those alarms going off," she points aggressively at the tablet case, "this cannot fall into the hands of the apostates and the wretched Grey star again, do you understand? Does this place at least have a basement? If you say we're secure I have no other option but to trust you, but I'm keeping my rifle pointed at the door." She does so, first setting down the case behind her. (edited)

"There is a basement, was made so the fuel tanks could be accessed if someone needed to work on them. Follow me. We might be able to get into the sewers from there. I followed the tunnels some of the way but I didn't go far"

Taja nods, spins around, then picks up the case and follows.

None of them seem to have an issue with you carrying the secured goods with you and one by one you descend into the holding tanks below the street. (sneak/dex, reason why is coming up)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 4 Reason: Sneak/Dez

3

(Whelp.)

You move into the sewers as you pass the tanks and begin moving toward the next safehouse along this path, You move single file down a concrete berm , with water between you and a berm on the other side. Rex mentions in 500m there will be a ladder ahead, which you can climb to end up on a side street, a short distance from the safehouse. You'll need to travel overland to get to it, but you would be out of the way of any responding patrols by then. He also mentions there is hostile wildlife in the sewers, and ash gators are not just a rumor. No sooner does he mention this than you see a dark shape rising from the water , 3m from you to the right of the column. (initiative)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [1d8] Roll: [5] Result: 5 Reason: initiative

(I have 14 HP & 16 AC, a readied laser rifle (how much encumbrance is the tablet? I wanna square away my items before we get into it, it'll be stowed.))

(just 1, you can throw it under other items which should be another series of boxes under your equipment)

Nekosmash

used /roll

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

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d8] Roll: [7] Result: 7

(Rex and the rest of the team, then you, then the gator)

3:25 PM

The frothing surge of water is the only warning that something is coming to attack, but it is warning enough. The large gator like creature lands on the pavement next to the group, and is met by focused fire from Rex and his men. Though the creature is close, it will need to close in further to be able to bite at any of you.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [3 d20+3] Rolls: [17] Result: 20 [13] Result: 16 [6] Result: 9

Two shots hammer into its carapace, wounding it,but not enough to dissuade it from the easy meal you present.

Taja moves as far away from the beast as she can while still getting a clear shot, her boots splashing through the water. She pivots around, takes aim and shoots in burst mode.

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [1d20+1] Roll: [2] Result: 3 Reason: -2 untrained shoot, +2 burst, +1 energy weapon

3

(whelp)

(Way she goes boys. Sometimes she goes, sometimes she doesn't go.) The shots punch into the water, causing it to bubble, but they miss the target. The creature roars and snaps at one of the brutes next to rex

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20+5] Roll: [8] Result: 13

(miss from the gator) Rex and the team cannot move without suffering a snapping bite from the jaws of the beast. they continue firing as the creature lumbers its way onto the concrete shoulder.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [3 d20+3] Rolls: [1] Result: 4 [11] Result: 14 [14] Result: 17

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d6] Roll: [6] Result: 6

One laser burn sears a nasty scar across its face and blinds it in one eye. Should it live, it will be in a poor state on that side for the rest of its life (back to Taja)

Taja continues to inch away from the beast, but makes sure to stay in sight of her crew, so she can patch them up if they get hit. Good, she thinks, not quite able to hide a small satisfied smile, battle is a great way to forge trust. Especially if I end up healing one of them... She lines up a shot and fires once again in bust mode.

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [1d20+1] Roll: [5] Result: 6 Reason: Laser rife, burst mode

1

(Wow, Taja's a crack-shot Animated_Dice_Jail

)

The shots burn a line of black smears into the cement median, but do not harm the creature. It takes another chomp at the goon behind Rex

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20+4] Roll: [7] Result: 11

(misses) Its jaws snap and the goon quickly throws themselves to the back wall, just out of the creature's snapping reach. Rex and company return fire.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [3 d20+4] Rolls: [9] Result: 13 [10] Result: 14 [17] Result: 21

There is a bang and then a horrible smell as Rex delivers a precision headshot to the beast. It rolls onto its side and then vanishes back into the filthy water leaving just a smear of viscera behind.

Well, she thinks, continuing her thought, might've been better if I'd actually hit anything. Taja marches over to the group, makes eye contact with Rex, hands him her low-light googles, and says matter-of-factly, "put these on, you know the way. If you have the capacity to obfuscate our route with your teleportation, I'd suggest doing so. They may find this battle-site. Regardless, you're in charge and I'll follow your lead."

He does not say anything but nods his thanks and puts the goggles on. The group moves as quickly as possible to a different junction than the one he planned on using. The burdened teleport out of the academy has drained his strength and he cannot take the entire group with him should he decide to teleport again. Moving another 500m from the battle site he emerges instead inside of a warehouse. The warehouse is filled with Aiya Tech trade goods, and this time of Third Rise it is empty aside from an eyebot drone at the far end of the long building counting cargo crates and scanning shipping labels. It has not noticed you.

Taja takes note, scanning the area, careful to move quietly Sounds like they got a friend here... doubt some portion of Aiya tech would be supporting them purposely, but who knows. she follows dutifully behind Rex (Would using the Remote Viewing ability interfere with things like following Rex and sneaking?)

(Only for as long as we're looking at the remote view since that superimposes your sight)

(Alright, I won't do that rn then)

Rex seems to be paying attention to the drone and is doing what he can to avoid it. There is a back door to the warehouse that he peeks out of, with a short cement pad that leads to a chain link fence. With the coast clear, he gestures for everyone to come outside and begin scaling the fence.

Taja scans the area around for security measures, and pulls out her grapnel launcher, and whispering to her compatriots, "we could take turns using this."

(notice/wis, and they'll accept the grappel if you're willing to part with it for a little bit

(I am willing to part with it)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [5, 3] Result: 10 Reason: Notice/WIS

It does not look like the group has allies among AIya tech, and have simply come up into this warehouse as the only above ground outlet within reach. One by one they make it over the fence, returning the grappel to you on the other side. The safehouse is ahead, which is on the third floor of an apartment building. There is no one out in the lobby or congregating in the stairwells, though the building is certainly inhabited.

Taja scans around her, waiting for the other shoe to drop as she follows the group to this room

The other shoe is not coming, it seems. You are in the safehouse now which looks to be Rex's own personal house by the way of things. He is alone here for the moment, and everyone is breathing heavily in relief. You can hear the sound of glass clinking in the kitchen as he emerges with a green bottle full of a locally brewed and heady looking lager for everyone.

Taja breaths a sigh of relief. She sets down her pack and finds a place to sit. She happily takes a drink, but nurses it so as not to have an adverse effect with her captivax. She talks to them, trying to subtly pull out more information from the group-- weather from themselves personally, or this underground movement more generally. She has a fake backstory ready to share in pursuit of that goal. (edited)

(I think we'd need to play this out where you actually try to ask people things. Since this is an invesitgation its probably good to get the clues that way)

(Makes sense) Taja sips her beer, giving everyone a moment to calm down. "I can't believe we did it," she says, "it still amazes me." She takes out the tablet and delicately places it on a table between them. She studies the tablet, looking for an indication that there's a tracker inside (she want's to be able to be the one to point out the tracker if she thinks they're gonna discover it.) She waits a bit, studying it. Hoping the booze will loosen their tongues. Then, with emotion in her face, she says, "I'm so glad to have finally done something here. My name really is Alia Ferdinand. I didn't see any reason to lie to you, with all the risk I was already taking. I don't remember much about my parents, I'll explain why, but I know they were high up in the days of The Still Lady. High up enough that the vile resistance kidnapped me. I still don't know exactly what happened, but I was a hostage, and for whatever reason, negotiations didn't go well. They had this telepath, they plumbed my brain for secrets, they didn't find much, and tried to erase all memories of my parents or where they lived all I remember specifically is their names. My memories of life before this are somewhat fragmented. I think I had a sibling, and I remember peace, gratitude, and a feeling of being a part of something greater. Serving the Still Lady truly was something more than simply being a part of humanity, she was bringing us to greater heights. And it was stolen from me, from all of us. I would do anything. Anything to restore that rightful order of things," she says with a mix of spite and hope, She tries to force tears out of her face, saying, "I understand this is deeply personal, and if you don't want to share, I understand, but I'm curious why you all serve. I want to know more about The Still Lady's greatness." She looks pleadingly to her companions.

You see no outward evidence of the tracker that is embedded in the device. "The resistance. Their captain hanging himself when Greystar finally took over was one of the best things that happened to this planet. " one of them says "Albert King. Pleased to meet you. Surprised we didn't before, I was one of the labor leaders for the Still Lady. That plant where we had our first meeting was my old job site. Miss the place. THe word was hard and the goods were odd, but the work was rewarding. Never was able to find anything quite like it after the fall. Found jobs, but was all menial stuff. The worst tasks. One of my bosses was even a lazy shitsack on one of my old work details I used to make a habit of beating. " (article for your reference, this is something Taja would know from personal knowledge, this is just for you the player)

1

4:50 PM

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/vendic-solestein-article

Vendic Solestein

Taja smiles at him, "If only it could have happened sooner, brother. I'm not surprised we haven't met, I was basically kept as a slave for the resistance until they moved to Memora, when I was able to slip away. I'm curious what you mean by 'odd' products. I don't know what my parents did, but maybe they did something with that, and I can try to remember." She looks at him hopefully.

"Well its closed now. No one was interested in algae packs or freeze dried nutrient paste anymore. Tasted too much like the occupation. The folks out there in the wider Acastus, they got like a collective phobia of the stuff now"

"I don't see a use in destroying a whole industry, every step of the way Greystar is fucking up," Taja Sighs, shaking her head, then says, "so. I can't really go back to normal living under Greystar now. After what I did to that Apostate Security Chief, they'll be looking for me. What can I do in the mean time? Do you have a pace for me? food? resources? I don't have the money on hand, but maybe a body sculpting array to change my face? Is there anyone we can trust to do something like that? Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I'll need to know soon. We probably want to copy down the text of this tablet and distribute it to those who still keep the faith."

"We will, but not here. We don't have much in the city directly anymore, but Greystar doesn't patrol most of the wilds. We've got a holdout in the mountains to the east of the city. Not going to be able to sculpt you. We just don't have that kind of stuff on hand, but there's plenty of food and stuff there to hold us all over until the trouble dies down and the heat cools off. If we leave at third rise, we can make it there in a couple days. A truck is going to be too easy to spot, we;re going to have to go on foot"

Taja nods appreciatively, and focuses more on getting into character, sharing in the thrill of how they made it, and going over the whole night. (Nothing more in terms of investigation for now, but she will keep attentive for any information. I'm okay with cutting to the travel if there's nothing else you wanted to do between here and there)

(3xp for this, you'll also get the standard mission 5000 credits but since we're going to be traveling with them , if this levels you we can handle that but we cant buy anything for the moment)

(sounds good, this puts me at a total of 9xp, so no level quite yet, I'm ready to roll with the travel) (edited)

The time passes and the heat on the streets seems to die down. By First Rise of the following morning the group is ready to head out, with their prize in tow. There are no walls around Ash City, and it is easy to slip out into the dusky countryside beyond. The forests are made of tall mushrooms the size of trees and glowing plants. What little light the system's pulsar star gives off is blocked by the large mushroom caps, 5km from the city Rex seems to finally breathe out a long pent up breath.

Taja looks around, then turns towards Albert, and asks him, "is everything alright?"

"Last time I was out here I was brought to a chapel we made in the woods here. We got a choice to make, we can try to check it out, see if anything has been left behind, or we can go right for the shelter. Dunno if Greystar is watching the place or not. tire tracks here in the mud .Someone's driven a big vehicle through here recently"

"I could sneak ahead and try to scope it out if you'd like."

"Don't wanna risk any of us getting caught, but if you think you can do it, you'd be helping us make this trip easier"

"I'll be fine. If I'm not back in 30, leave without me." (If she hadn't gotten her night vision goggles back from Albert already she takes them and puts them on) Taja begins moving quietly and slowly towards the chapel, on the edge of the road and the mushroom forest, before she gets too close though, she will stand by the tire tracks and interrogate the past. With the question: "Did a Greystar allied vehicle pass through here?" (That is 1 effort) (edited)

A Greystar vehicle passed through the area within the last month. The vehicle belonged to the survey corps. You're not surewhat they were doing in the area.

Taja sees this vision, and takes a moment to wonder, curious before continuing on stealthily, wearing her low-light goggles.

(sneak/dex)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [3, 1] Result: 5 Reason: sneak/dex

1

Moving into the woods you see the chapel in question from a distance of 200 meters. A camera in a nearby tree pings once with an alert as it detects your approach, drawing your attention to it. The camera belongs to Greystar- not a problem for you to be seen by it as you're in polity service, it will spook Rex and the others if they are seen, or if you do not tell them about it.

Taja looks around, making sure that her companions aren't nearby, then quickly and quietly makes a circle around the chapel, looking in the windows and generally inspecting it, while being mindful of her 30 minute time. She wants to see if she can figure out what the Still Lady rebels and the Greystar Survey Corps want from it. Maybe even a way inside while avoiding the prying eyes of Greystar. (Ironically) (edited)

The survey corps wanted to keep people from inhabiting the chapel again since it is a chapel dedicated to The Still Lady. It is scheduled for demolition, but the work has not happened yet, since the workers are going to need protection from the military. Cameras have been placed around the clearing in the branches of several mushroom trees watching the chapel from several different angles.

Taja makes her way back to Albert and the group with her findings. "I'm not gonna lie to you," Taja begins in a low voice, "they got that place rigged to shit with cameras. I'm sure they didn't see me, but unless you got some underground passage or invisibility tech, there's a slim chance we'd make it in without being seen unless we wanted to disable the cameras. Of course, doing so may cause its own problems.* (edited)

"Not worth it. We'll cut a bit more north out of the way then. Would have been nice to see the place one more time before we go into hiding for a while, but Greystar was going to do this eventually" he says. You can hear sadness in his voice. "Alright, we have a few days before we get there, but we'll be safe once we are. The mountains make scanning a mess and the entryway is hard to spot unless you know exactly where to go. We're going to make it as far into the woods as we can tonight so we can light a fire and not be noticed."

Taja nods and follows dutifully.

1

(one more D10, we're actually passing through a hex no one has before)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [1d10] Roll: [8] Result: 8

The group moves into the mountains by evening, and the team decides to make camp in the foothills. The volcanos beyond are distant , and are active, but for now their magma chambers are quiet. The heat will keep you warm without a fire, which will help the group stay hidden. Without camping gear, Rex is planning for a rough night under the stars. "Belief in The Lady will sustain us. " He says to the group as much as to himself. "We'll be at the holdfast by morning, assuming no one finds us before then. "

Taja makes sure to set up a watch in the night, and offers to trade off her night vision goggles with whomever is on current watch.

(do you want first or second shift?

(Either is fine. But let's just go with first.) (edited)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [3, 2] Result: 5

The first shift passes quietly. A pair of Greystar drones circle the city and you see them take off from this great distance. The drones do not come close to your camp, and the survey corps is also quiet tonight. Their demolition of the nearby chapel has not happened yet. The second shift also does not record and difficulties during the night, and by morning REx is ready to move. The entryway to the mountain is close, and from there you will be able to wait until eternity for the heat to die down. He thinks there might also be equipment communication inside that he can use to contact some of the other operatives within the city.

I head towards the entrance with Rex

The large rock that keeps the entryway concealed is moved aside. The group has walked for several more kilometers in the light of first rise, and with the rock aside the dimly lit tunnels that lead into the bunkers within the mountains are revealed. Silently, Rex gestures for the group to enter the tunnels, with you and your low light goggles toward the front.

Taja moves through the tunnels slowly, pensive. She feels a spike of anxiety in the back of her heart as the crew follows behind her, out of view. To compensate and calm herself, she tries to sink into deeper cover within her own mind. Repeating over and over again in her head: I am Aliah Ferdinand. I don't remember a lot, but I know everything was better when the Still Lady was around. It's good that the resistance leader killed himself. I will do whatever it takes to restore The Still Lady's rule. These are my allies in the resistance, my only true friends. I will lie, cheat, steal, extort, torture, murder and worse. Nothing else is more important. I am Aliah Ferdinand... Aliah cocoons in the safe lies of herself, submerging Taja into obfuscation, breaking her down into a liquid within, an adaptable form, to emerge later, changed. She must exist in this in-between state of lies and truth. With the flexibility of mind to utilize either as needed in this game of shadows. Taja breaths meditatively as Yasmine had taught her, blunting the thrill of danger and deception that brings her deeper and deeper, letting the memory of Yasmine herself slip past in place of the patchwork spite of Aliah she's trying to cultivate. She sets herself in the moment, The truth and lie share common ground, she thinks, I must hew to that when I can. I need the crew to guide me. I need them alive. I must protect them to do so. I must gain their trust and companionship to further my goals. I must reach the core. She continues on, dutifully. (edited)

1

The tunnels pass several junctions here. Medical ,engineering, the store room, barracks, and the hydroponic garden are marked out in this warren of tunnels. Everyone seems to relax as the bunker doors close. "Well done everyone. From here, we can wait for the heat to die down. The communications terminal is in engineering, and I need to get there so I can let our friends in the city know we're safe, and that we have the tablet. There's going to be a series of speeches broadcast from here over the coming days. These messages will read from the tablet directly, using the Lady's words to inspire acts of resistance against the occupying regime.

Aliah smiles, taking it all in. "This is more than I could've hoped for," she begins, "I'm curious, though. I got some people in the city that may want to listen in," she takes out her compad and gestures at it, "I can message them on this, but I doubt it's super secure. Do you have another way I can get the word out?"

"You're free to use the comms terminal in engineering when I'm done with it. I need the address to go out first, people out there are listening. When I'm done, you can use it to let whoever in the city know you're safe. I'd still limit the amount of time you are speaking on it. Anything over five minutes is likely to be noticed"

"I will keep it short," Aliah says. She takes the time while Rex/Albert is broadcasting to find a bed in the barracks for herself and store some her more bulky gear. After, she heads to the engineering room to check out the comm set up.

Rex is completing the last of his messages to Ash City and to Greytown for tonight as you enter the engineering room. The comms system is a series of powerful computers that have been stashed here since the time before The Scream. Although the computers were made before the great disaster that killed trillions across the universe, and are advanced, they're not pretech, and need to be switched off for several hours after use for the battery banks to recharge. Power to the bunker network comes from taps into geothermal activity in and below the mountain range and while charge trickles in at a consistent rate, it is slow. Rex sees you enter and finishes the last couple lines of his speech, wishing everyone safety and the protection of The Lady. After a moment in silence honoring her memory, the call is ended. "All yours" Rex says, standing up and pulling the chair out for you. " Five minutes or so of power left before we need to shut it down for the night. I'm sorry. I got a little long winded there. I'll let you go first next time we've got enough charge to run this thing"

Santrek/ Izzy

(I'm also going to throw on a tl4 backpack, ditching my tl0 one. Brining the total cost to 1,120.) Over the next few days leading up to the meeting Taja, or "Alia," works a few shifts as a guard in the Academy. She learns who's who on the team, making what friends she can. She paces the halls, getting a good idea of the layout, thinking of 'the perfect heist' to lure the dissenters in. She's leaning towards 'cutting the power.' While she's off shift, through a secure line she works with Greystar on a contingency plan. She hopes to develop a strike team that will ambush and capture the dissidents incase things start to go south. She wants this team to wait nearby in a discreet hovervan, keeping an eye on the tracker data. Taja will communicate with this team via a com number that will be saved in her phone as 'hubby.' Certain code words inside of a message will indicate different things like, 'dinner,' may mean 'hang back,' 'dog,' may mean the area is trapped, or 'I love you' may mean that 'communications will cease, standby and use your best judgement.' She heavily insists that a well-trained metapsion is on the team to prevent the teleporters use of powers, and therefore easy escape. (If this isn't reasonable, then no worries. I'll always just be throwing lots of ideas around (I like to scheme)) (edited)

As Rex went on, Taja crafted a coded message to send to Greystar, repeating it in her head to try to get it just right. After he finishes Aliah says, "No worries, it'll be quick." She takes the seat and begins typing out the Comm number for Hubby. (As indicated in the replied message.) She sends a voice message: (Things in {Brace brackets} will indicate the true meaning behind the various code-phrases she's using) "Hello dear, please relay this message to Grannie {Greystar high-command}, she'll want to know. I love you so much {communications will cease. The optional word 'so' means that the number of words in the following sentence indicate how many days without communication before they should assume she's MIA and move in on the group.} Stay safe please {3 days}. I worry that {indicating a request} Greystar will start searching for me publicly, you may see me on the news. I hope you're doing well. {Following this code phrase, code phrases are to be disregarded.} I am safe, and I am working to strengthen the power of The Still Lady, but I will limit my communications. Here is the code to listen into our broadcasts: (she gives the code). Don't call this number, I'll call you first. Listen in, but be careful of who notices. Goodbye dear, I'll talk to you when it's safe. (For simplicities sake, this is the message sent:) "Hello dear, please relay this message to Grannie, she'll want to know. I love you so much. Stay safe please. I worry that Greystar will start searching for me publicly, you may see me on the news. I hope you're doing well. I am safe, and I am working to strengthen the power of The Still Lady, but I will limit my communications. Here is the code to listen into our broadcasts: (she gives the code). Don't call this number, I'll call you first. Listen in, but be careful of who notices. Goodbye dear, I'll talk to you when it's safe." (edited)

2:28 PM

(And this is the secret meaning:) {Hello, please relay this message to Greystar high-command, she'll want to know. Communications will cease. If I don't send a message in 3 days, assume I'm MIA and make a plan to deal with this group. Greystar should start searching for Aliah publicly, and there should be news coverage of it. I am safe, and I am working to strengthen the power of The Still Lady, but I will limit my communications. Here is the code to listen into our broadcasts: (she gives the code). Don't call this number, I'll call you first. Listen in, but be careful of who notices. Goodbye, I'll talk to you when it's safe.} (edited)

2:34 PM

(also, quick question: did Rex leave me alone in the room?)

(take a re roll token for your hard work)

1

8:39 AM

(Yeah rex has left you alone, did you have more you wanted to do in here before we move on?)

(I'm unsure what a re roll token is.) Taja takes the little remaining time she has with the communications to quickly look and see if the messages sent on the computer are stored in any fashion, and while doing so, get a glimpse of any other data stored on the computer. She will make sure to close out of any programs before the computer powers down. (That's all I want to do in here for now)

(You can find out what it is in the help channel if you're so inclined later on. It is one of the pinned posts)

12:45 PM

The messages are not stored. This is little more than an advanced telephone system, messages are sent out in real time as the speaker is speaking. It does not look like messages are set to be recorded on this device currently. The memory cores are missing, allowing the equipment to transmit and receive, but not save. (edited)

Aliah will get some sleep, spending the next couple days helping run/maintain the base and chatting with her fellow compatriots in the Still Lady's cause. She's primarily to find the answer to 3 questions, in order of importance: 1.Are there any other bases or underground supporters of The Still Lady. 2.Is there any regular reason that members of this base go outside (for reasons more than traveling somewhere) and 3.What major resources do they have access to. (Also, does this group have a name?)

1) they work in cells, so aside from the people that come to the meeting in the old algae factory like when you were inducted, they try not to dig into other cells in order to not compromise them. There is communication between them but it comes at a level higher than Rex 2) No one has been leaving the base. They do not want to risk being spotted by drones or anything else that might compromise this hideout. 3 ) there is enough food and water here for everyone. Acastus has breathable air so this is not a concern. Aside from that and the communications equipment, this safehouse is fairly spartan and is really just that, a place to hide. . (edited)

During this time, Aliah would like to find out who the leader of this cell is, and how communication is exchanged. (If that's going to take longer, or require to be played out, at this point I'd like to have another scene where she contacts Greystar on the Comm server.)

The leader of this cell is not named, but is within Greytown, a small settlement 400 kilometers south of Ash City built as a temporary settlement for most of the new arrivals to Acastus before they eventually move to Ash City or Marmora. They are one of the few permanent residents in Greytown but that is all you are able to determine. Communications are end to end, done via drone delivery by small spy eye drones. These drones are small, no bigger than a coffee cup, and the trip one way takes them to almost the very end of their battery life.

Aliah would ask about how often these drones go back and forth, and if she can see the message. (At the very least, knowing where the message is read may let her use remote viewing to see it.)

The message is physically loaded onto a removable storage device so it is not stored in this system. The drones are sent out as needed, or once a week if there are no other operational considerations where communicating less frequently is important.

(sorry, some more questions: How many drones are at the base? Where does the drone leave/enter from? Are the messages audio, video or text? Is Taja/Aliah allowed to read it? Basically, I want to have Greystar time a raid right after a message is sent, and disable their ability to send messages so we have the most time before this leader figures out something is wrong. Alado using either my Locate psionic technique or just following the drone to find specifically where this guy is holed up. Before we play it out I'm just trying to find out all the logistical information and considerations for that.) (edited)

There are two drones at the base. One is the primary runner and another is in reserve/a donor for parts in the event the primary drone goes down for some reason. The drone is released from a small hatch that you need to climb a ladder to reach. It opens near the top of the mountain and is released by hand, and it returns the same way. (we would need to play out trying to intercept a message for those last two questions. Without doing so we have no way to know what format they take. Given the group is working in cells , you'r;e not allowed to read it)

(Last question: Do I know where the messages are viewed/read? Because if I'm able to pass through the location within 24 hours of it being read, I can use Remote Viewing to view the location.) (edited)

(The messages here or the ones in gray town?)

(The ones here) (edited)

Rex does not have an official place where he reads the messages. He steals whatever time or privacy he can to review the communications.

Aliah asks Rex If she can send another message out (edited)

Rex has no problem with you sending another message out tonight. Several days have passed and the heat is dying down in the city from what he can tell. He thinks that the tablet is going to be kept safe here, and the group will begin trying to sneak back home to resume the charade of their normal lives.

Aliah will go to the terminal and send out the following message: (Once again, things in {Brace brackets} will indicate the true meaning behind the various code-phrases she's using) Hello Grannie {Greystar high-command}, I am safe and doing well {do not proceed with a raid}. I hope you're doing well. {Following this code phrase, code phrases should be disregarded.} I will be home soon, but I'll have to keep a low profile. I love you, see you soon. The message sent: Hello Grannie, I am safe and doing well. I hope you're doing well. I will be home soon, but I'll have to keep a low profile. I love you, see you soon. The secret meaning: Hello Greystar high-command, do not proceed with a raid}. I will be home soon, but I'll have to keep a low profile. I love you, see you soon. Aliah will agree to go with Rex to sneak back to Ash town. During her time here, she has been compiling data, the amount of personnel here, their resources, and how many weapons and armor they have. These data points she's been trying to memorize rather than write them down, but she has also been secretly drawing a map of the location on her compad. This information will be essential for planning a raid once we get to that stage, Taja thinks. She then attempts to find some time alone with the messenger drones that relay between here and the leadership in Greytown, using stealth if necessary. (edited)

(Sneak/dex)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /r

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [5, 2] Result: 8 Reason: sneak/dex

In the middle of second rise when the rest of the group is asleep you find you are the only one awake and are able to leave the bunk wing without being observed or heard. The drones are in the communication room and there are no lights on in that wing of the facility.

Taja quietly puts on her night vision goggles, and takes a brief look around. She pads softly and slowly, but with intent. Placing the heel, and slowly pressing the foot down to the toe. Heel-toe-heel-toe, she fox walks towards the drones.

No one wakes up and you enter the comms room where both drones have been laid out on the long service table here to charge.

Taja takes out her metatool and undoes an panel on one of the drones. After scratching an X on the inside of this drone panel, she then screws it back on. She repeats this process on the other drone, but scratching a Y instead. This should assist the use of my Locate technique, Taja thinks, Rex should send a message to the leader letting them know we're heading back to Ash City. After this she quickly looks over the drones for details. Make, serial number, color, size, etc. to further assist the use of her psychic technique. She'll then slink out of the comm room and to the food storage, pocketing her goggles and grabbing a snack before returning to bed. Some plausible excuse for why I'm up won't hurt. (edited)

1

You return to the bunk room and rest. By first rise, Rex is up in the communications room working on a message, as the group is preparing to return within the next few days, and he is trying to get an idea of what is happening in the city before risking the safety of the team.

9:04 AM

(since its inside the case, I don't think theres a way to tell if hes working with Drone X or Y just by visual inspection)

Taja sits on her bed, currently on break from some job duty. She decides to bide her time. This needs to be careful, Taja thinks, hand on her chin, We can't risk tipping them off... I could have Greystar hit this base now, but I don't know what security measures they may have in place. If we can subdue and take over this leader's operations, by force or infiltration, we can potentially find the locations and members of the other cells. Once we do that, we'd ideally raid all of them at once so as not to provoke further hiding. She blinks out of her deep thought and takes a deep breath, and re-donning her cover, mentally with her mantras of lies. I am Aliah Ferdinand... Aliah stands up, she finds Rex after he sends his message out, and starts by saying, "I have some security concerns and potential ideas for improvement. May I share them with you, Sir?"

"Security? for here?" he asks, looking surprised "Alright, hit me, what did you have in mind?"

"Well, I'm curious if there's any other exits or places to retreat to here," Aliah starts, "all sorts of things could happen. An internal gas leak, volcanic activity, or, may the Lady forbid, an attack by Greystar or some other group or intelligent enough animals that may be hiding out in the wilderness. My memory may be spotty, but I do know much of our planet is unexplored, we may only be one of many things hiding out here..." Aliah's look is a cultivated sternness, with a streak of concern, "additionally, it would add options for entry and exiting to help obfuscate the location of the base." Aliah felt a red tide welling within her, "The wretched Greystar, from whom we will rip our Still living Lady from their clutches, killing them in a supernova of redemption!" Aliah was surprised to find herself so fervent, and after a few moments, continued, "Sorry, I got distracted, those bastards just make me so angry. My point is, Greystar started out as an intelligence agency. They have eyes everywhere. I don't know their reach, maybe our leader has a better grasp, but I suggest we leave out of a different exit if possible, if there are none, I advise those here look into the possibility." Taja worried, this anger was too pure. Had she successfully redirected her anger at The Still Lady to fuel this new character? Or does she carry qualms with the organization itself? No time now to think of it though, she's a rat in the vipers den. (edited)

(talk/cha, I think just for both convincing him, and hiding your actual intentions here(

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 3 Reason: talk/cha

2

(I would like to use my reroll token. that means I get to reroll it right?)

(Yup. if you have a token you can spend it to make the same roll again. You get to take the higher of the two rolls)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [2d6] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 3 Reason: talk/cha reroll token

3

(Whelp. Destiny I suppose.) (edited)

“Those are good suggestions. We aren’t staying here though and I’d be careful who you talk to about this. Greystar has agents everywhere. It wouldn’t surprise me if our cell was infiltrated , but that’s a problem for the future. For today we need to get back to Ash City.

Aliah nods, concerned. Could he be onto me? No... Taja thinks, he did just dodge the question though

"so, we're leaving in an hour then. Get your stuff together. I think it's time we go home"

Aliah quickly grabs her things and goes back to Rex to assist him in doing the same.

Rex is handling his own gear when you enter his bunk room. "Need something?" he asks, back to you. It looks like he is just about done, putting a few books and power cells into the pockets of his backpack and moving things around inside to make sure the weight is distributed and comfortable. "You've been a little attentive lately. More than normal. You got something you want to talk about?"

Aliah looks down and to the side, a mixture of sadness and shame. "Sorry," she starts, "I'm just getting really claustrophobic living in here and it's driving me up the wall. I was locked in a small cell for a long time after the resistance captured me. One way in,one way out. I've been feeling restless and trapped. I'm just eager to get moving." (edited)

"You're not alone. Mostof us spent time in the slammer. You imprisoned during the Plutocracy? Or later on? " he asks as he continues packing his things.

"No. As I mentioned before, the resistance against The Still Lady held me hostage when I was young," Aliah says, "I haven't gotten caught for anything I've done against Greystar. You?"

"The first time you told me that it looked like we were about to walk into the hornet's nest at the Academy. I didn't really listen then, our days felt numbered, but we didn't end there. There's hope now, and a reason to listen" Rex says ,finally turning to face you and smiling. "Never caught by Greystar. My crimes were earlier on, before The Still Lady. Was during the time of the Plutocracy, just before her"

Aliah, nods, smiling, "So, my guess is, for you, too, our Lady was a liberating force at that time, as she is now."

"She was. When her freedom fighters took the prison they let us all go. I swore my oath to be faithful to her forever that night, and I never looked back. She set me free. Trying to honor her memory is the least I can do, so this is why I fight"

2

Aliah smiles, "I was able to escape the resistance in the chaos of UNW's invasion. I swore my soul to her young. My parents, from what I can remember, were early devotees. I will do anything to destroy the resistance and the wretched Greystar; to restore her. They're supposed to be holding her with the Psychic Academy, I think."

"I heard they had some device. Something that could contain her. Don't think they'd be stupid enough to store it here though. "

"I apologize, I meant The Psychic Academy. Of course they wouldn't keep her in the local one. But those on Acastus might know where she's really being kept..."

(Just as an aside, I as Neko the GM don't know the fate of what they did with the Still Lady's soul donjon. Regulus and Hailey worked out how it was being handled among themselves and I asked them not to tell me so I couldn't inadvertently metagame. ) "Maybe. Or in The Academy itself like you mentioned. Would have to go to Galatea for that I think. "

"It may be good for me to go off world to let any heat on me die down..." Aliah starts, "anyways, is there anything I can do to get us ready to go?"

“I think you’ll have to get back into ash city and then forge some credentials. Don’t think you can be too careful with something like this “

"I don't think I could forge credentials... but maybe I could get some blackmail on a teacher or something. I'll let you know if I think of anything... I'll meet you by the door when it's time to go back."

"I want to leave within the hour. I think everyone else is about ready as well. We'll be able to make better speed back to the city since we're not likely to be tailed from this side. I'll see you then" Rex says, as he snaps a travel trunk closed before sliding it into his backpack.

Santrek/ Izzy

Taja takes out her metatool and undoes an panel on one of the drones. After scratching an X on the inside of this drone panel, she then screws it back on. She repeats this process on the other drone, but scratching a Y instead. This should assist the use of my Locate technique, Taja thinks, Rex should send a message to the leader letting them know we're heading back to Ash City. After this she quickly looks over the drones for details. Make, serial number, color, size, etc. to further assist the use of her psychic technique. She'll then slink out of the comm room and to the food storage, pocketing her goggles and grabbing a snack before returning to bed. Some plausible excuse for why I'm up won't hurt. (edited)

Aliah leaves the room and finds a secluded place. Taja closes her eyes, envisioning the precise mental map she has of the building, the outside. Lines of light in the ever-expanding dark pool of space. She breathes deeply, letting this map sink below the waves, as she brings into her minds eye an image of the drones she saw laid on the service table. Inside the panel she envisions the scratched X, letting this image guide her spacial awareness to fall into its gravity. (Taja will commits an effort to locate the drone. If this isn't the one that is currently delivering a message to the cell's boss she will spend a second effort to locate the drone with a Y on it. Maybe a Luck Save to see if I need to spend 1 or 2 effort?)

(doesn't really fall within the purview of a luck save ,and the odds are more against you rolling that than just a simple 50/50, so lets just roll a d100 instead, 1-50 is Drone X running the message, 51-100 will be drone Y)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [1d100] Roll: [67] Result: 67

Taja locks on and her mind reaches through the blackness, placing a beacon on her map, gaining an inherent sense that this drone is... sitting in the workstation that she found it in. Damn it, she thinks, alright, alright, deep breaths, she lets her anger go. At least I'll know if anyone sends out the other drone, she thinks, then letting that thought go too as she attunes to the drone with the Y mark on its inside panel. Aliah moves from her secluded position and goes to help the others get ready to go. (I'm good to start the trek to Ash City) (edited)

(Is your intention to let them get all the way back, or is GSC supposed to swoop in at some point? )

(Let's get all the way back, my plan is to maintain my cover until I can get to the leader.)

With mapping the hazardds on the way to the mountain fastness you know where to go and what to do on the way back, consequently making better time. You cross into the boundaries of Ash City after two nights of moving through the countryside, stopping to camp briefly after a day of traveling, just enough to regain strength and get a warm meal in. The group is quiet, on alert for the sounds of the mushroom forest, and the only other living soul you find is a pack of Fungal Hounds you scare off from an opportunistic scavenging opportunity

2:18 PM

The group agrees to call the conclave together in a month, figuring it best to resume their normal lives for some time before meeting again to ensure the heat has entirely died down.

"I know it's going to be tough not basking in the warmth of our community for a while, but we need to do that to keep the heat off us" rex explains as you cover the last kilometer to the edge of Ash City.

(Sorry, before we jump all the way to Ash City itself, I wanted to see what information I could get from using the Locate ability on the drones. My way-maker Foci makes it so "always know [my] exact location, whether on a planet or in space, and the correct bearing to any other location." So, I thought that before the locate ability ends, I could note down the location of the drone in relation to myself once it stops moving arrives at it's destination, getting the coordinates of the location, but not any idea of what that location is specifically. Would that work?)

The drone is currently on its way to greytown, following a southwestern path that takes it just above the treetops. It is nearly to the settlement, and will be there in what you estimate would be another half hour of low level flight.

6:49 PM

(is that what you meant?)

(So, in a half an hour, when it arrives, I'd like to triangulate the location so I can find where the leader of the Grey Lady cells is located, or at least where, presumably, the message is read and the drone recharged. At least as close as I can get with the combination of my abilities. ) (edited)

The drone reaches the administration building in the center of Greytown based on what you can divine of its location.

1

Nekosmash

"I know it's going to be tough not basking in the warmth of our community for a while, but we need to do that to keep the heat off us" rex explains as you cover the last kilometer to the edge of Ash City.

Aliah nods, "I'll keep a low profile, it's what must be done. I have a hidden place in my home I can camp out at. Should we split off here?"

"Yeah, one at a time into the city over the next couple hours. I know you've got people waiting at home for you- go first. The rest of us will filter in later"

3

Aliah smiles, "thankyou, I appreciate that," and she begins to slowly make her way to the city. Once her back turns and her party is obfuscated by the wilderness, Taja thinks to herself, are they tailing me? Or not wanting me to have that same opportunity? Could he be genuine? Better safe than sorry... Taja takes a deep breath, smiling slightly. She dons her night vision goggles. She moves quicky initially, making sure to press obvious tracks into the soil, listening closely for pursuers. After about 5 minutes of this she quickly stops, carefully stepping back 10 paces, retreading her steps backwards, then shoots her grappling hook at a tree, and clipping it to her harness. From here Taja jumps into the air, swinging behind some nearby bushes, where she lays prone, laser rifle pointed to where her tracks end, but her vision sweeping across the area. Taja closes her eyes for a moment. She takes a deep breath, doing little to calm her fast beating heart. Imagining the wilderness that surrounds her, she access her intuitive map. Moving her awareness swiftly though the intuitive map painted into her minds eye she reaches the point where she stood with the group. She sees her memory in dull color, standing with the terrorists. Attuning to metaspace, she pierces through this still later of memory, through space, she extends her perception to that location. (I will spend 1 effort to use Remote Viewing on this group.)

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Error: Roller encountered error with "1d4x3": Failed to match sequence (LABEL? PARTS) at line 1 char 1.

Santrek/ Izzy

used /roll

Taja Nyx Request: [1d4] Roll: [3] Result: 3

(level 3 x 3= 9 minutes of viewing)

The group is not following you. They spend the nine minutes resting. One is asleep using their backpack as a pillow/support. Rex is busy sketching the path you have just traveled in his notebook, making measurements and estimating ranges. He has a few notes written in the margins. The third member of the group is prepping to travel, as they're the next person in line to be leaving after you.

Taja will attempt to read the notes in the margins of Rex's book

He is making notes on what he thinks the ranges are between where he is sitting and some landmarks in the area such as trees, bushes, and rocks further down the path. He is then scanning them with binoculars, and this model has a range finder in it, so he confirms if he is right, and if not, about how far off he was. You can see by the corrections he is getting fairly food at estimating, and is good at drawing.

Seems like he may have been a surveyor... Taja thinks to herself, that would explain his connections to the surveyor at the school... Maybe it was even 'Rex' himself. Tajas awareness fades back to her own body and surroundings, where she finds that she's placed her and on her chin in contemplation. Taking a deep breath, Taja moves to her feet. From there she begins her trek circling Ash City. After a couple hours, still remaining outside the city, when she sure she's out of range of any technology the subversives may be using to catch her comm signal, she calls Greystar. (edited)

(Feel free to continue with what you want to relay to greystar )

"Hello. This is Agent Nyx. I would like to set up a discreet rendezvous point to fly me to the Arx Class space station or another top secret location in the system where I can report on my findings and strategize as to the next steps."

Greystar command replies that there is a lot of traffic at the shuttle port in Ash City already, and it would be easy for you to get lost in the crowd there. Shuttles take off and land from the Arx class regularly , and fitting in on one of the civilian flights to be met on the station is the best way to go about discreetly getting into a meeting.

4:11 PM

(it doesn't have to be instant either if you wanted to check in with family or explore any of that stuff)

(I apologize, I've been fairly busy, so I haven't had time for this. I should be able to post more regularly starting next week.)

(sounds good, and life comes first, I get it)

Santrek/ Izzy

(And this is the secret meaning:) {Hello, please relay this message to Greystar high-command, she'll want to know. Communications will cease. If I don't send a message in 3 days, assume I'm MIA and make a plan to deal with this group. Greystar should start searching for Aliah publicly, and there should be news coverage of it. I am safe, and I am working to strengthen the power of The Still Lady, but I will limit my communications. Here is the code to listen into our broadcasts: (she gives the code). Don't call this number, I'll call you first. Listen in, but be careful of who notices. Goodbye, I'll talk to you when it's safe.} (edited)

(quick question. Taja requested (in coded language) to have Greystar start looking for Aliah publicly as a terrorist, and to have news coverage of it to cast off any suspicion that may be mounting against her. If Taja looks it up, can she see that this is the case? If so, that means she'd need to be sneaky)

(Its only been about a day since we requested that so I think the first stories would be popping up soon, but I'd imagine it would take about that time for them to put a whole espionage campaign together and provide all the "totally real " greystar internal docs to the press to make it look like thwy're actually investigating)

11:46 AM

(it takes time for their identity shop and some of their other assets to get set up to do the things, then actually do the things)

(ah, I thought it had been longer, makes sense)

(did you want to change anything then, or are you ready to get into space and have that meeting? )

Taja takes some time to investigate weather or not 'Aliah' has appeared in the news yet, and realized she hasn't. It may be a bit risky... Taja thinks, but I should warn my family. She calls her brother to set up an in person meeting in a secret location (The twin brother is detailed in my backstory, though I can give a little description of you want) (edited)

(if you dont mind for ease that would be great. I've read your sheet a couple times but it's been a while , and I can pin it here too for ease)

(idk that I'll be able to come back to this for a while, and I'm not sure how into pbp games I am, unfortunately. It would probably be best to archive this thread for the time being.)

(Sorry to hear but understandable )

2