Iron Stars - Infiltration mission

The infiltrators gather near one side of the large airlock donning whatever methods of safe descent they’ve agreed on. Below the icy swirl of Polaris and its cloud layer look like an inviting bowl of heavy cream, but there is a darkness to the pleasant scene as each of you know you’ll be jumping into danger. Lights click from amber to orange as the outer door unlocks, and it becomes time to jump

Gurk loads up in his butterfly combat harness for better mobility, making sure to take a demo charge along - just in case. "Good luck everyone," he says, and hops out the back.

Moff buzzes nervously, one thin finger tapping the helmet they're holding. When was they last time they'd dropped from a ship? Noctua hovered, not flew. Wings are wings, Moff. They stretch their neck to peer out the opened hatch, seal their suit all the way with a gulp, and let their wings shape the air as they dive after Gurk.

"If anyone has extra equipment they need to bring along but don't have the strength to do so, I have means of holding said items in a safe place that does not add any weight to my person-..." Reza checks that his Glaive and Tempest are secured in their holsters. He looks up to see that Gurk and Moff have jumped out of the ship already. "Well... I guess that answers that question... Well Jeo... Alex... You both ready to go? Need anything?" Reza grabs a demo charge and puts it into his pack.

"I believe I'm as ready as possible without advanced scouting." Alexander moves to the hatch ready to jump. "Shall we follow our companions?"

J30N1A, minutes before a slender robot, who lookes like your general service robot, is now packed like a turtle. Three drones are clicked resting spots on her frame. Scanners, tools and bags are carefully placed in reachable positions. But yet, she keeps a safe distance to the exit. "I am not a friend of falling down. This spell of yours is made for robotic things too, yes? Not that it won't detect me correctly, and I just plummet down, to my certain death. Again." She looks at Reza. "Will you jump out with me?"

Reza takes a Grav Chute from the locker and tosses it to Alexander. He then picks up two more and walks over to Jeo. "At your core you are a living being. Just like Alex or myself. For Metaspace's purpose, that is all that is required." He helps attach the chute to her frame before pulling his own chute on. He moves besides her so they can face the open door together. His fingers manage to find their way to intertwine with hers. For his lithe appearance, the young High Mage has a physical strength that should not exist on someone so scrawny. He seems wholly unbothered by the hard metal surface to her frame, "We will do this. Together." He gives her a wink while still looking forward and walks with her to the edge of the door, "Ready to go catch up with our eager friends?"

"Maybe. There might be lots of interesting things waiting for us down there. I am curious what we are about to find. And how our friends act in the face of danger. It is a revealing moment. But even more will I enjoy every nanosecond of time we get to spend together. It has been a while. Reza." Her metal fingers try to softly hold on to Reza's, but there is no doubt that she won't easily let go of him again. "Maybe. Once we succeed, we get an hour or two. I could show you my ship. Or we look at yours. Or we just talk. And have our picnic." She looks out of the door. There is no shivering, because her frame thankfully doesn't support that expression. She would want to scream, but holds back as she slowly leans forward, ready to let gravity do the rest. "Together."

(Is the infiltration mission setting down in the mountains or in the base itself )

(mountains was my thought. But open to whatever with the group)

(agree)

(gotta give the distraction team time to distract)

(Mountains was the plan, though now that the distraction team is going straight for the gate we should probably try to land somewhat near the base so we can get there before the other guys get too involved.)

The mountains overlooking the back of the base are quiet and wind swept. There aren’t many trees on the lower steppes but there are snowdrifts and rocks that are often as big as a humanoid. The fortress is quiet and the walls appear to be guarded by a wandering patrol of elves

J30N1A, happy to have landed in one piece, and not letting loose of Reza all the way down, looks around. "So we need to get past these walls, unseen, right?"

Gurk nods, dusting himself off and taking a close look at the defences and the patrol route. (using binoculars + panspectral optics. Looking for traps (including mines), location of defensive points on the walls, and the patrol pattern of the elves. Ideally trying to find a gap we can use to sneak to the wall and get over it without detection)

(notice/wis)

(14!)

There are no traps in front of the wall .The walls seem like they are there to present vantage points and a physical barrier to freely wandering into the compound, but the Kringle compound is not a military grade fortress. The elves on the ramparts make a patrol of their section of walls every minute, walking back turning around at the closest tower, and then walking back the other way. They have no sensors aside from their eyes and binoculars.

J30N1A stares at the scene. "What if. What if we build a ramp. As far as I understand, Reza's manipulations of reality that allowed us to safely land. Will also protect everyone from environmental dangers. So if we calculate everything. Build up a ramp. Go up the mountain a bit, and start rolling, we will become rolling snowballs. And fly over these walls. These elves will not expect anything." She shakes her head. " What is thìs place? Did I just say that?"

"That.. is an idea, but if we want something slightly more conventional I can make us invisible as we approach the walls. Also if they're less than 1.3 meters thick I can punch a hole and save Mr Collins' strength for later. Although I can't do both at once."

"If the distraction group is successful, it may simply draw the guards away from this section." Moff offers, wrapping themself in their wings as extra insulation. They brush a clump of snow from their mane.

The wind carries out of tune and botched Christmas carols with it , namely a song verse from Myuun about Santa not eating them when they run out of food, and the shouted order to “stop gyrating so weirdly” from someone else

(Do any of the elves on these walls leave their posts or adjust their patrol route?)

(not as it looks right now but thats not to say they wont if something happens to draw them off) (edited)

Something is happening at the other gate and a few more of the elves on the walls are called off to head to the gate. THere are snippets of a story being carried on the wind and it seems like the distraction team is beginning their work

"So. Our chances of getting onto the other side of these walls, unseen, increased. How do we do it? Flying snowballs? Climbing? I would advise against punching holes into the wall, we don't know anything about their construction processes, so a hole could lead to a collapse of a whole section, and it could easily attract unwanted attention."

"It would take too long to pack enough snow to make a ramp as well." Moff hums, considering the walls. It wasn't like there would just be a fire escape or access to get to. Aware of seeing several individuals take demolition charges, Moff backs up the robotic frame quickly. "Climbing seems to be our most likely route of entry. Does anyone have the requisite equipment?"

"I have a grapnel launcher," Gurk offers. "If we don't want to muck around with any complicated psychic/invisible antics yet it should get us over." (the launcher will fire a rope up to 40m and can bear up to a ton at once)

(that would work for what we aim to do, easily enough cordage to climb the walls)

"That rope sounds like it will just the trick! I have some other spell forms that might help us as we get further into this winter-stronghold. Like you said, want to save what energies I have."

"I can't say I have any experience with climbing, but I'm willing to give it a try."

"I do hope this rope will hold me. But it sounds like a good idea." J30N1A says as she prepares to get closer to the wall together with the group.

"Depending on the length and the incline of the slopes, perhaps we could use it more as a zipline?"

1

(you could do that too since you can get higher, up to the group)

(I'm good with either option.)

(Let's zipline it!)

(Zipline sounds fun!)

(Gurk is willing to try it!)

Moving higher in the mountains a place is found that will let you zip to the top of one of the towers. From there is is an easy climb down to the ramparts and beyond, and your grapple will be concealed from observation.

Moving between the sparse trees, Moff gives several of them a few raps on the trunk. Finally they settle on a robust pine. "This one feels strong and well anchored. It should serve alright as a place to tether the line if needed." They whisper an apology to the tree, before motioning for Gurk to join them.

Gurk placidly launches the grapnel at its target and secures it to the tree. “We had better move fast now,” he says.

There is a satisfying clink as the metal hooks grab on to rock. The line goes firm, and enough clips come with the grappel to allow each of you to slide in.

Reza walks along with the others up the mountain and between the trees. He ensures all his weapons are stowed as he pulls out the first clip, "I don't mind going first, I think I am the heartiest of the bunch. Should be able to hold out the longest should it all go sideways off the bat..." "Are we going for the power generation plant? Workshop? I think it would be good to know first so we can bypass anything that looks unimportant..."

"If we're going for pure sabotage the power plant is likely a good first stop, but there's probably more to learn from the workshop."

"But we might still be able to learn from this, once they all surrender. Shutting down power can lead to many advantages in our endeavor."

"Disabling the power plant may knock out the defences - or at least confuse the plans of the defenders," Gurk says, "which will help the other team. I vote for the plant."

Moff nods as well, antennae bobbing. "Disabling the facilities can only help us, though I would not be surprised if critical services have an emergency backup."

"Power gen it is! Let's get on with it then, ya?" Reza grabs one of the clips for the zipline and checks it will hold his weight. Satisfied he pushes off and speeds towards the snowy ramparts.

Alexander waits for Reza to get clear, then follows down the line. "Mr. Collins, I've heard that some high mages are able to detect magic more easily than arcanists. If you know this art may I suggest using it now? I have a spell prepared, but I would lose it if I had to Focus on anything else."

Once Alexander gets off the line, it was J30N1A's moment to rush towards possible destruction. "I am not made for these action scenes." Is the thought that runs through her head as she clips herself onto the line. She deactivates her voice module so nobody will hear her screaming and then rushes towards Alexander and Reza.

The distraction team is reciting poetry in an ancient custom to the gate guards. Each of you manage to make it to the top of the nearest guard tower, looking down at the empty walls. More and more elves are being drawn off to go to the gate to see the spectacle there.

"After what happened last year, you'd think they'd have learned their lesson about letting him start talking," Gurk says. "Let's see if we can sneak through to the power plant before they run out of poetry." He looks around for a quiet route to the power plant, preferably elf-free.

(Notice/wis)

(11)

With Mari Wyld happening at the main gate and several stanzas of rhyme going back and forth it looks like most of the elves have been sent tro the gate to investigate and contain the incursion. You can see a clear route, keeping to the rear of buildings and staying within the shadows of the daunting keep.

Moff lands near silently, having used their wings as breaks for the last part of the descent. They look toward the gate, then the thinking Gurk and whisper, "Did something catch your eye?"

With a gesturing finger, Gurk traces out the route at the rear. "Looks completely clear, if we hustle," he says.

"Then we should do so. Unseen without the need for violence, sounds like the preferable route."

Hustling to the power plant the industrial scale building is secured by a heavy metal door. There is a keypad that looks to be looking for a date to be entered as the passcode to get into the building.

"Hmm, a date. Given their theming who wants to bet it's dec 25th? or do we think they've got good security and chose somthing random like august 12th." (edited)

(Is it definitely day + month it wants or can’t we tell?)

(its def MM DD )

(anyone want to try something clever or are we happy to gamble with 12/25?)

(Could always try to see if there's an alt entrance first. Unless Santabot likes to nail fire escapes shut. Does OSHA exist here?)

(haha probably not. Either alternative works, let me know what the group is thinking)

(At this point Gurk would favour gambling on the date)

"The date sounds like a logical choice considering the information we have on these people and their usual behaviors. Typing in the wrong code once should also not trigger an alarm, I guess. So we could find our ways around any upcoming problems once they arise."

"I agree. We can try it at least. The faster we are, the less likely we will are to be spotted out here." The noctua peers around a corner, flopping antennae over their eyes like makeshift sun glasses to protect from all the refracting light. "We should be prepared for confrontation inside though," they add.

With some trepidation, Gurk punches in the digits 12/25.

There is a beep and the sound of sleighbells before the door opens. "Welcome. Merry Christmas" The door chime says as you enter the reactor. Four black box reactors have been daisy chained together to provide power to the complex. The abundant snowfall and the water that melting the snow creates is a near unlimited source of fuel for these frontier standard reactors. Two elves in bulky hazmat suits look up from a datapad as the door opens, 10m from you in the center of the reactors, in the middle of the room.

J30N1A does a really robotic looking wave towards the elves. "This is Kringle Tour Bot 2 Slash JS. I am leading Kringle guests through the complex, please look busy and happy at work." Jeo says towards the elves, trying to make this look like a planned visit.

(Talk cha jeo)

deleted_user_ca92ecf351f7

used /roll

Daira of Artema| P| 은지 |J30N1A Request: [2d6 +2] Roll: [5, 2] Result: 9

"I'll have to tell Robotics that one of the Kringleguides is malfunctioning" one elf tells the other. "You can take your tour group out of here" the lead engineer says, though they dont seem hostile.

"Aww, Please can't we see the powerplant? Four reactors, you must use a lot of power. So you guys are real important right? Without you to keep the power on, the Workshop would shut down."

"Thats right" the engineer says with some pride. "Without us the whole operation shuts down and Kringle Toys cant be manufactured anymore. This is one of the mostm important places on the entire planet!"

"Our Kringleguide must have known." Moff nods with Alexander then mocks thinking hard, pressing claw tips to a temple. "How was it we phrased it? I think we asked for ahhhh... Oh!" They clap their hands together, hoping their understanding of machine logic will apply here. "It was 'what makes the magic happen!' You are essential to the Kringledom," the noctua emphasizes.

"I am sure purchasing the one of a kind Kringle Koat and Hat included a tour of the most important piece of the Kringle Toys Factory." Reza says confidently with an affirming nod as he shows off the red Santa coat and floppy hat. Complete with white fur trim. "You must be some of the finest engineers in the universe to keep this marvel running! Do you think you could lead us on this part of the tour?" (edited)

(oh boy, talk/cha at +2 reza)

6:26 AM

(We are liviing deliciously)

Eisheru, et al.

used /roll

Eisheru, et al. Request: [2d6+3] Roll: [5, 2] Result: 10

"Kringle World Tour Winner 2669, Only one of those has been given out! you are a VIP indeed. What can we do for you valued guest?"

(If we got the elves close together and I could cast without making them suspicious, could I potentially immobilize them with a Tangible Force Construct?)

The spell creates a solid, sturdy object up to 2 x 2 x 1 meter in volume per caster level out of congealed metadimensional force. It can be shaped as the caster wishes with a sophistication up to a TL3 firearm, mechanical tool, or suit of clothing, but it can’t be electronic or be made into more than one object. It lasts for one hour per caster level or until the caster uses this spell again. If made into a barrier, it can take the caster’s level in hit points of damage per meter of thickness before being broken.

(I'm level 4)

(Yes we could do that)

6:48 AM

( they might not notice among the group blocking direct sight)

(I think it would be best to do that at the end, since we can get the layout of the place handed to us on a silver platter)

(yeah, that would be the preferred timing. I was thinking to stage a group photo.) "I don't know about him, but I'd love to hear how this all works. I'm sure there's more to getting four reactors working together than just plugging them in." Alexander pulls out his compad as if to take pictures, but secretly sends a text message to the group. have plan. Get elves close together with excuse to cast. I put them in force construct. Should try? Maybe photo opp? (edited)

Reza, able to access his compad via the direct interface, moves forward as if going in for a hug with the two technicians, "Before we go on the tour, can I get a picture with the Pride of the North Pole? Kringle's best? Without you fine gents, the factory wouldn't be able to make all that they do. Everything would fall apart without the Kringle Tech-Elves." As Reza walks forward he is able to silently discharge some arcane energy as he prepares the spatial ripcord. He moves to stand between the Kringle Technicians and puts on the biggest, dumbest smile he can manage, "Jingle bells!" (Casting Spatial Ripcord Shift using Restrained Casting and Retain Sorcery. 2 of 5 effort remains.)

They begrudgingly accept the photo op, and begin to wait to be moved to where you want, along with the rest of the group. "Alright, quick though, we've got a bunch of work to get done before we knock off for the night"

"Hmm, I'm a bit rumpled for a photo. Give me a few seconds, I've got a spell to clean things up." As everyone lines up for the photo and the elves are brought together, Alexander cast his spell encasing them in a layer of crystalized magic, doing his best not to trap Reza. (If possible I'd like to completely immobilize the elves while leaving them just enough room to breath.)

(if he can't exclude me that's fine too)

(It might not effect you depending on how many hit dice. )

7:33 AM

(i think they'd question if you suddenly left the photo)

(yeah I'm totally okay with Reza being trapped. He can just teleport out with his own spell)

(oh for some reason i was thinking about the sleep cloud, yea you've got the ripcord so you can just flash the peace sign and teleport out)

A moment after the spell discharges and the three of them are locked into place by Alex's energetic construct, Reza reactivates his Spatial Ripcord and for an instant blinks out of existence. A small 'pop' can be heard as he reappears with a small flash of purple light. The High Mage is standing right next to Jeonia looking back at the elf-technicians.. He raises his hands giving an emphatic double-bird-salute, "Hah! Elf Nerds! Bet you thought Kringle got rid of us last year, didn't ya?" (edited)

Alexander looks a bit taken aback by Reza's,, exuberance. "I apologize, I'm sure that's rather uncomfortable. The spell will dissipate in about four hours."

"Can they still feel stimuli, Alexander?" Moff looks at the technicians with concern, imaging a horrible unscratchable itch for hours.

"Umm, yes. The spell is designed to create objects. All I did was make one that fit around them so they couldn't move." (edited)

"Oh... I think this counts as overtime at least." The noctua shrugs, exuding the blunt smell of stale cardboard before looking around to check if the relief technicians might appear. "We should perhaps, get on with this?"

Gurk looks at the intake. "I'm not a mechanic, but I think if we knock this out it should kill power. Of course, then everyone will immediately know something is up." (do we want to wreck it and run for the workshop or try to be clever and set some sort of timed device? Gurk has no mechanical knowledge but is good with traps of all sorts)

(demo charges can be remote detonated, and I'm carrying a couple of them. Question is how long will it take the reactors to run out of fuel once the intake is cut off?)

(given the size of the explosion and the black box fusion reactors I think we might be able to demo the reactors directly then?)

(Reza also has a demo charge. And is not looking to leave the facility in tact. Kringle was trying some shadiness with the toys he sent out. Time to end Kringle for good)

(Gurk also has a demo charge. Bombs for everyone!)

(We could also consider trying to expand the damage by frying the whole electrical system, though we'd have to have someone with the right know how. Remove the limiters on the output and try to surge the grid?)

J30N1A looks at the scene. As Reza appears back next to her, she can't help but to be slightly hurt. "You can't call these elves some of the finest engineers in the universe. What would that make of Bavi'D? The lightning rod of god?" She realizes that she might have never told Reza how her first life ended, so she focuses on the scene at hand. Seeing people looking at their demo charges. "Of course brute force would bring this down, and if done wrong, it will bring us down too. But if we control the reactor and the grid, we can shut down what we want to shut down. And when the time is right, and we have done what has to be done, and have spared the lives that could be spared and taken the technology that was worth saving, then, then we could push a button and... " She looks at the reactor. "... make a big all consuming light show. Or we overload the grid now and shut down the reactor. All depending on what strategy we like best." As she says all of this monotonously, compartments on her frame open, revealing various tools and parts. (edited)

(I'm caught up, we're blowing the reactor from the sounds of it)

(Gurk supports this, especially as it would prevent some other elf nerds showing up later to fix it)

(Definitely blowing it, just debating on how and whether we do some funk with the grid first.)

(While J30N1A is less a fan of blowing things up, she would if the team decides to, but maybe by overloading the grit and controlled destruction of the reactor. She should find ways, she is an engineer after all.)

(Alexander's good leaving this to the experts. So if J30N1A wants to try disabling things that's fine with me.)

)works for me , fix/ijt jeo)

Dai

used /r

Dai Request: [3d6d1 +4] Roll: [6, 4, 3] Result: 14

(J30 would like to overload the grid to fry some more systems in the Kringle hideout, and then disable the reactor beyond repair, but not blow it up, if that was possible. She just doesn't like things exploding)

(Reza would like to assist with his Fix-3 want to avoid a meltdown that might blow us up with it)

(I'll say Reza essentially helps make the reactor akin to a shaped charge for the meltdown ,so the blast is primarily going to go in one direction. I think that's probably the best we can do if we want to level the place or some of it without also turning to ash ourselves)

(I rolled a 14, so with Reza's help, I guess we should be rather good at achieving that, I think.)

(Yep my bad it was out of order, I wanted to make sure no one disagreed with how I wanted to represent this too since there is always a risk you are thinking A and when I read it, I internalize it as B. If my summation is good we'll move on)

(happy to move on!)

(Yeah. The only thing to add would be, if the grid could be cooked too, that would be nice, else it sounds like what we wanted to achieve.)

(Let it fry!)

2

There is a smell of burned electronics, rubber and salt as the grid is overloaded. Tremendous force threatens to blow the roof off the building but after a moment of intense rumbling the situation levels out. The power has failed across the facility, and there is a stunned stillness outside .

"Well, that's going to get their attention. We'd better get moving to the workshop."

J30N1A looks at the result, both in satisfaction and regret. She then turns towards Reza before getting moving herself. "Thank you for your help."

(sneak/dex for the group as we cross the grounds to the workshop)

(10)

(8, used Expert Reroll to redo the 2 I rolled first)

1

Alexander Munroe | Rusty (Max D)

used /roll

Alexander Munroe | Rusty (Max D) Request: [2d6+0] Roll: [3, 1] Result: 4

1

(11 for Reza.)

1

Moff Cvk-Tarilli (Lemming)

used /roll

Moff Cvk-Tarilli (Lemming) Request: [2d6-1+1] Roll: [5, 3] Result: 8

(you're not seen, but the other team might be joining you so I'll see what they wanna do)

(Just in case anyone is out of the loop, the shenanigans will be picking up here! https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/1183019107415752704)