Iron Stars

(Thread up for you Robbie)

7

I'm surprised at how well they made this fit. The Void Warden fleet uniform, adapted specifically to his Slyth frame, managed to hug tightly without constricting him in any way, truly a feat of design given how quickly they'd manage to mock it up. The black fabric, trimmed with red and yellow, was a far cry from the garish colours of his uniform during the rebellion. Thinking about his life back then brought on a small feeling of loss. One month out of cryo and I'm still coming to terms with it all. Still, I'm remarkably lucky to have been rescued by these people. Rescued from a long forgotten escape pod floating deep in space, the crew of the Void Warden vessel Adder had taken him in and enthusiastically taught him as much as they could about the region of space they knew about. He remembered his ship being destroyed by a loyalist strike force as he took a small fleet to reinforce a planet of strategic importance, fleeing to the escape pods, then being woken up by a bunch of apes only to find out that his species was all but gone, wiped out by the very conflict he had devoted himself to. Devoid of purpose, the Void Wardens had given him a new one. His skills earned during decades of war turned out to be incredibly useful on a VW patrol ship, and devoting himself to peace and the protection of others held the worst of the feelings of loss at bay. He would believe that being found by the Wardens was divinely ordained had he ever felt any inclination towards the divine. As it was, he simply showed as much gratitude to the crew of the Adder as he could. Satisfied with his uniform, Asi had the mirror retract into the wall of his quarters before heading up to the bridge. With such a small crew complement compared to most patrol ships, Captain Nguyen had a largely informal style of leadership, with all crew welcome on the bridge outside of emergencies. Hoping to make himself useful, he decided to offer his help to her in any capacity she needed.

8

6

There is a tasking alert coming through, and a priority notification about the planet Kamal comes in. High security prisoners are still on the planet, along with former Penal staff, if they're alive and haven't integrated into the larger prison populations. It's been something Nguyen has been picking at for a while, and with the lack of other threats,breaking off a pair of ships to investigate is finally a sensible move.

These humans do usually seem somewhat anxious about my presence; perhaps I would be the best person to make contact with a group of potentially dangerous ex-prisoners. One of his crewmates had tried explaining the concept of snakes to him, along with a human genetic predisposition towards fearing them in order to explain the reaction people often had upon meeting him. It made sense, but Asi couldn't shake the feeling that his species just looked scary to most aliens. Perhaps it was the fangs? Indicating his readiness to the Captain, Asi left the bridge to gather his gear. He had a small stash of equipment left intact when he was rescued which now made up all his current possessions, but the ships equipment had been made accessible to him when he chose to become a Void Warden. He gathered a compad, a laser rifle, some type A power cells, a pair of binoculars and a survey scanner to round out his field gear. (Unless theres anything in the meantime I'm happy to jump to Kamal)

2

20:52

(Also Asi has Starfarer 1 so I imagine he's helping with the navigation and all that)

(we didnt establish an exact position for the VW fleet, so maybe 5 days to Kamal?)

(Sounds good, going to put those days into Administrate, 5/90)

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/kamal-location-1

Kamal

21:20

The high security prison is still inhabited, which you can tell from the air. There are also ruin sites on several islands and other continents here, where it is not known what used to stand there. It's possible other communities have risen and fallen in the time since the scream, and since the shaper host

Looking over the ruins forlornly, Asi decides upon visiting the maximum security prison community rather than poring over the rubble. He requests that the Adder teleport him down in front of the settlement, in full view of its occupants.

(How close we wanna get, since it’s a generally open desert)

(Right up to the front gate equivalent, I want them to see Asi teleport down so they know he has backup capable of doing that as opposed to being a random desert guy)

(If its not too late I'd like to swap out the laser rifle for a flop rifle)

(we can do that)

14:40

The six minute timer begins counting down as you appear in front of the gates of the high security prison. There is a shout from the top of the tall prison walls and guard tower, and a bell begins to chime inside. You hear shouting voices and other bells beginning to chime in response, though there's no indication of what might be going on in there

Asi ensures his weapons, while visible, remain in the various holsters on his upper body. He raises all four of his arms up, palms wide and empty. "I'm from the Void Wardens! I'm here to talk! We can help!"

“Void wardens? Not an NMC special unit?” A voice over a loudspeaker from the gate tower calls out.

"Void Wardens! I'd like to pass on our collective regrets for getting here so late!" Asi is essentially shouting up at the gate tower to make sure he is heard. "The NMC has, by abandoning you, left you to your own fates. As such, you are now an independent entity that likely could use some aid. I'd like to discuss that with you, and potentially more." Asi waits a few seconds in silence, trying not to come on too strong. Sure, these guards likely weren't going to call the shots but their reports would colour any future interactions with whatever leadership existed here. "Alternatively, you tell me to leave, and you never hear from us again. We leave you here in peace. It's up to you."

There is quiet for long enough to make you think that getting out of here might be a good idea, before the gates begin to grind open

Asi raised his compad and whispers into it after opening a line with the Adder. "I'd be grateful if you could keep an eye on me and teleport me back on board if it looks like they're going to attack." Trusting in his comrades, he puts the compad down and tries to look imposing, waiting to see who or what emerges.

"As long as you're outside we'll be able to pull you out" Two guards are standing there with weapons, though not leveled at you , just slung. "Come in, Warden wants to talk with you. Are you armed?"

"Of course I'm armed." He turns his torso to show them the slung rifles on his back, both currently folded into more portable forms. "I take it you're going to demand I hand them over before I see the Warden then? So be it." He starts to unstrap the weapons to hand them over.

"We'd just ask you keep everything holstered. We were going to issue you something if you weren't. Prisoners control some parts of the facility and its occasionally dangerous"

19:37

"We can;t have you dying before you get to talk to the Warden"

Asi stops taking his weapons off. This might be a more complicated situation than I initially thought. "I'll keep them handy then. Take me to the Warden, please."

You’re led through spiraling cement stairs though the fortress prison. You can see from some armored windows that you pass by that inmates clearly have control of two cell blocks and they’ve been barricaded off from the yard and rest of the prison. The wardens office is a large room with plants growing in the windows. He’s wearing battered combat armor and a shotgun with only two shells left in it is on the table. It’s got evidence of recent use

"A pleasure to meet you, Warden. It looks like you've been keeping busy." Asi makes no secret of eyeing the shotgun. "I take it yourselves and the prisoners don't get along?"

“We did for a time. Everyone saw the cooperative ships land and then leave again. Guards blamed the prisoners for being too much to a risk to let evacuation occur. Prisoners blame the guards for not signaling them and wanting to start up some kind of regime “

18:39

“Neither side seems willing to actually come to terms with the other “

"Hopefully, I'll be able to help you make an accommodation. It sounds like all groups involved are aware that you've essentially been abandoned by the NMC. I won't pretend that I'm in favour of their decision, but it does open up opportunities for both groups in this complex. I've got a question for you, before we proceed. Do you and your guards want to remain on this planet?"

“Of course not. We thought the evacuation ships would be coming here but they never did”

"Of course they didn't. I'm quite fond of humanity, but you've got an awful tendency to abandon anyone outside your immediate circle the moment fangs are out. Something about your tribal heritage I'd assume." Asi pauses for a moment, lost in thought. "Maybe we weren't much better. Regardless, I can solve one problem for you already. The Void Wardens can easily take you and your staff off world. You'd be free to go anywhere that would have you, and I think we might even be able to get away with pressuring the NMC for repatriation at their cost for the lot of you. You'd also be welcome to take up positions with the Void Wardens; you've proved you can survive with limited resources just by staying alive out here, resourcefulness goes a long way with us. The prisoners are certainly an entirely different problem, but I think I might have an offer for them, too. What do you say to that, good Warden?" A forked tongue pokes out as Asi finishes speaking, wiggling in the air like a manic worm before retreating. (edited)

“We would accept. Can you keep us apart from the prisoners in transit? I’d worry people would turn up dead if we were able to associate. There’s months of bad blood between us now, and it only got worse when the cooperative left us behind”

"We could house you on separate ships, I'm sure. It would depend on whether the prisoners want to leave, or indeed have anywhere that would take them in. I'd need to talk to them first. I can assure you that no matter what the outcome is, we will prioritise keeping you all safe."

The other guards in the room with you and the Warden seem to have some decision making power, but there really isnt much of one to make.

14:21

"We accept. Keep us apart, and we'll join up with the Wardens"

"We'll need to know how many of you there are. There's only a corvette in orbit, so it'll take a few days just to get the ships here to get you. It'd be a shame if there wasn't room for everyone on the first trip." Without waiting for a reply, Asi continues. "Now, the prisoners. You can take me to them, yes?" Remaining calm on the outside, Asi feels tense, coiled. You're planning on just going and talking to a bunch of violent alien criminals like you can sort everything out for them? You're either suicidal or delusional. He quickly pushes the thought out of his mind, replacing it with another. I can do good. I can be useful. I deserve to exist. "Lead the way, please." (edited)

"We;ll bring you as far as the yard gate, and we'll let you in, but i want you to understand we're not going to come to the rescue if you get taken prisoner. I can't afford to lose any more than i have already"

"A perfectly reasonable decision. I'll make contact with my ship outside before we go. They'll know about our deal and that you had nothing to do with any harm that may come to me in there before I go in."

The threat of dying from orbital bombardment being lifted from them seems to calm them, and they escort you from the office out into the prison yard. Youre watched from the walls and towers, and prisoners begin to gather against the chain link fence in a multitude. They are putting enough weight on it to bow it slightly.

Asi waves up to the sky, lifting his compad up with one of his lower arms. He briefly explains the deal made, then advises that he is about to make contact with the prisoner population of his own volition. Once the message is complete, he puts the compad away and turns his head to stare at the prisoners pushing against the fence. He watches in silence for a few seconds, before slithering over close enough to be near but not in reach. "I'm Asi, of the Void Wardens. Who's in charge, here?"

The group seems to move on its own accord and a wiry woman with a purple Mohawk is thrust to the center of the group. Her arms are a ruin work of homemade rose and vine tattoos and the thin scars that come with knife cuts. Some of them are reopening, an sign of the early onset of survey. She looks even more menacing with the thin rivulets of blood flowing down her arms from them. “That would be me. Piker. Nice to meet you snake man”

"The pleasure is mine, ape woman." Asi pulls his best approximation of a human grin, something he'd never quite gotten down on the Adder. "The Warden and his staff are leaving soon. That leaves you and yours with an uncertain future. I'd like to offer some options, if you'd be willing to hear me out."

"Options? Any of them involve killing all of us so there's no trace of us being marooned?"

"Not our style. Rather, given the people imprisoning you have essentially abandoned their custody of you, you're essentially free to make a life here, if you want."

“Whole planet is a hellhole. Hell bent on killing everything on it. Make it here? A joke “

"Then, given the chance to leave here, where would you want to go? Letting you die because you were abandoned here isn't something the Void Wardens will allow. We are happy to invest resources into helping you. I don't think I'm being overly offensive by saying that none of the nearby polities are likely to take you in, so where else do you want to live?"

"None of the nearby polities? are there further ones that might? We heard rumors here, from the guards before the shapers cut us off. Convicts and rebels started their own government out there somewhere"

"I'll admit to being new to the region, but I have read about the Sovereign Colonies Armed Forces a few weeks travel from here. The VW have been gearing up to try and establish links with them, it sounds like our interests may align here. If anyone is going to take you in, it's probably them."

"That's what we'd like to try then, if we have a chance- its probably one they can give us"

"I'll make sure to organise more ships. It may be a week or two before we are ready to move you. Our ships are spread out and it'll take some time to even get the message to them. We'll use that time to open a dialogue with SCAF and make a proposal. It's probably worth noting that you'll all need to be disarmed if you come aboard one of our ships. We're willing to help, but we have no intention of being taken advantage of."

"You afraid of a couple sharpened toothbrushes and a medicine ball with cement in it?"

19:46

She sighs and kicks the sand for a minute. "Alright. I'll pass the word, but we're not dropping a single shiv until we hear how things went and its actually time to go"

"You can keep your weapons right up until you get on the ships. I'm in no position to make any demands of you right now. Now that we've got an agreement, is there anything you want to raise before I head back to my ship and start shedding skin on this exodus planning?"

“I think that’s as good as we hope for how. You able to get the warden to agree to a cease fire then until you figure it out or are you taking them now”

"I'll talk them into pulling back and agreeing to a ceasefire. We don't have the ships to transport them either just yet. If you'd be willing to agree to terms with the warden then I'll do what I can to get you and yours some more freedoms and food while we wait. Don't make me regret this, please. I can only do right by you if you work with me. This can end well for everyone."

“We want out. Nobody should have to die when it’s not their choice. Nobody wants to see a purge but nobody trusts the other side not to start one”

Asi ponders for a moment. "You're right. Keep your people calm for a bit, and I'll get you out of there." Asi nods to Piker, then turns to go back to the guards.

They cover the doorway as you emerge back to their more protected side of the complex. None of the prisoners risk anything, unwilling to die with salvation in sight

As he moves off to the guards section, Asi talks quietly into his compad to Captain Nguyen. "Do we have the ability to spare a few marines with flop rifles to keep the peace between the two sides here? It's likely going to be a volatile situation soon, and given it'll be days before they can leave I'd like to help the leaders of each side prevent any conflict from breaking out."

"How many do you think are necessary?"

"If we send down more than four, we'd probably create a whole new situation. Four should be enough to stop any hotheads from starting a fight."

"I'll get our best on it. Anytthing else?"

"We should probably get the ball rolling on getting ships over here to transport these people. The sooner everyone is off this rock the better. Can you figure that out, Captain? I no I'm in no position to tell you what to do but tensions are very high groundside."

(What ships would you want to handle this

05:39

(Hes def okay with doing it but you irl are the faction leader so I don’t want to make a less optimal move)

“I csn figure out the ships that will be coming. They’ll all get moved out of here”

(fuck sorry give it the Ragnarok with a low crew complement for transport with 2 frigate escorts)

The dispatches are sent out. (3xp, 5000 credits )

15:50

For now, all anyone can do is wait to see what happens

(Ill continue on to the guards to negotiate with them now)

Level 2
HP increases to 11
Fix raised to 1
Banked 2SP
AB increased to 2

The guards are under the impression they’re leaving first based on what you’d negotiated with the warden already. As they gather they begin wondering if the terms had changed.

Asi tries assuage their worries. "The Ragnarok, our flagship, is coming with a decreased crew complement. You'll all be taking up your new roles onboard when it arrives. There's plenty to learn on board a battleship, and plenty of people to teach you. Incidentally, it will also be transporting the prisoners to their new home in SCAF. We will all be leaving together, which means that until then we will need to work together. Are there going to be any problems with that?" (edited)

"|Not if there's a way to police the two groups in transit. Nobody wants to make it out of here just to be killed on a ship with no escape. You're taking their weapons from them?"

"Of course. They can complain, but I won't allow them to be in a position to take over a battleship during a long transit. They will be confined to certain parts of the ship as befitting unaffiliated civilians."

"No reason not to go along with this then. We're ready to leave as soon as your help arrives, and we'll settle in for the journey"

"I will be expecting you to release the prisoners from their area. I've got the assurances from the prisoners that they won't try anything untoward, as they know that any violence here will mean they won't get to leave this world. We're sending down a few Void Wardens with flop rifles to keep the peace while we wait. They stopped being prisoners the second the NMC abandoned you all here. They deserve some freedom."

“NMC laws stop making a lot of sense when the NMC leaves you behind. This much is true. You can see the posture is easing a bit and does so when further when the first of the landers makes its way planetside. Salvation at last for all the people of Kamal, not just a chosen few

Impressed by just how reasonable all the involved parties ended up being in what was a tense situation, Asi finds himself left to his own devices largely, most of his daily work being maintaining the peace while waiting for transport. It had not been long since his emergence from the cryopod, and most of that time had been spent catching up on galactic history and learning about his new role as a Void Warden. He had been busy, and he saw now that he had made sure he was busy. The death of his people gnawed at his mind. Why me? What did I do that was so special? It didn't make sense, his survival. They hadn't found anyone else from his ship, they hadn't found many Slyth at all. These apes barely knew anything about his people, and Asi hadn't been forthcoming. To describe them would be to turn them into a museum piece, like talking about a long dead ancestor to a young hatchling. It would also make him a representative of their entire people. Asi was no representative. He was just a restless ghost trying his best to remain relevant in a world that had left him behind hundreds of years ago. No. Not yet. One day, but not yet. He pushes the thoughts out of his mind, something he is becoming practiced at, and returns to his vigil of maintaining peace between two old adversaries.

(from here, i guess we can reach out to SCAF to see if we can get the other half of this done)

(Want me to do it? I don't know how to officially hit them up)

(We can do that as Xu in their faction channel) (edited)

As the message is sent, anda response is waited on, the ships complete their loading, and prepare to leave Kamal space. Destination, SCAF.

Helping with the loading of the new crew and passengers, Asi temporarily takes up residence on the Ragnarok for the trip to Bergasa. Not as big as I'm used to from a capital ship, but still enormous. He settles in to get ready to deal with any issues on the journey.

(whats our course south looking like?)

(The curves are just to differentiate jumps) (edited)

The void warden station is your first port of call where everyone will be decontaminated, deloused, given new clothes and otherwise the new recruits will be spending time on their basic conditioning training here

Level 3
HP raised to 16
INT raised by 1 to 18 for 1SP
CHA raised by 1 to 14 for 2SP
Shoot raised from -1 to 1 for 3SP
Two Weapon Fighting lvl 1 focus taken

It proves impossible for Asi to find anywhere on this half-built station to relax. He resigns himself to wandering the passages, crowded with people rushing from place to place with materials for the ongoing construction, looking for a way to make busy.

(so from here, unless you wanted to RP on the station we can jump to Sotoudeh. A scouting report exists already: Sotoudeh is a planet with a highly caustic atmosphere. The probe was unable to determine if any life lived below its poisoned rain-clouds. If anything is indeed alive on the surface, it is highly specialized.

(I'll come back to it when it finishes construction, happy to jump onwards. Wouldn't mind going down to Sotoudeh to check it out assuming anything is there.) (edited)

(All we know is what’s above from the scout report. )

(I'd like to take a shuttle down below the clouds in an armoured vaccsuit once I'm there.)

(Alright, can Asi pilot himself, and would you want to take anyone else? Also are we taking an actual shuttle, or a landing craft thats part of a bigger ship?)

(Asi can pilot himself with pilot-1, we can leave everyone else behind. We'll take the stealth landing craft from the Adder instead of an actual shuttle.)

(alrighty! lets get a pilot/dex and we'll see where we get)

(10)

(looks like im making a surface map!)

(lol sorry)

(All good. I’ll get it done today )

15:08

(I ran out of time yesterday)

(hey man no rush, Im chilling)

The surface of the planet is tinged by green and plant life that has grown to thrive on these acidic conditions tower over a storm wracked landscape. The pillars of growth are titanic, taller than buildings and twice as thick. Glowing yellow fruits and flowers hang from them , occasionally falling off to descent toward the ground like dropped lanterns

Asi is stunned. He'd seen an abundance of sights during his life, but not this, and this was remarkable. Life on this inhospitable rock not only survived, it thrived. I'll have to see if the vaccsuit can hold up in this atmosphere. I'd like to take some samples but there's no point risking my life for them. He takes the shuttle down to land near one of the titanic growths. (edited)

The rain gently patters off the windscreen and hull of the landing vessel and as you get low near the root of the closest tower of green, there is a hiss as the hydraulic warning begins sounding. The acid is beginning to eat into the machine spaces

I might not be able to stay here long. He looks at the readings, trying to figure out how much time he can spend down here, if any.

Anything more than the next five or so minutes could very well mean being stuck here on the ground, watching your landing craft dissolve around you.

Rather than tempting fate in any way, Asi beats a hasty retreat back to the Adder. He throws up a comms line to the ships bridge. "There's no way we're getting down there without something resistant to an incredibly corrosive atmosphere. Unless we can manufacture a drone that can last down there, we may as well move on. We can put the footage from the flight in a promotional film at least." (edited)

(3xp, 5000 credits)

Returning to the ship, Asi apologises to the mechanics as he departs the shuttle. He slithers back to his quarters and coils up on the soft floor, relaxing. The next stop was Creusa, unofficial home of the Void Wardens and one of the most urbanised worlds in the UNW. He was keen to see it.

Temperature: Variable temperate-to-warm Biosphere: Human-miscible Population: Millions of inhabitants Tech Level: TL4 Solar System Features: Inhabited moon w/industrial complex Flying Cities Perhaps the world is a gas giant, or plagued with unendurable storms at lower levels of the atmosphere. For whatever reason, the cities of this world fly above the surface of the planet. Perhaps they remain stationary, or perhaps they move from point to point in search of resources. Heavy Industry With interstellar transport so limited in the bulk it can move, worlds have to be largely self-sufficient in industry. Some worlds are more sufficient than others, however, and this planet has a thriving manufacturing sector capable of producing large amounts of goods appropriate to its tech level. The locals may enjoy a correspondingly higher lifestyle, or the products might be devoted towards vast projects for the aggrandizement of the rulers. Creusa was the site of the final battle against the Tenebrian Remnant. It currently hosts a Void Warden base and its heavy industries are being revitalized to support not only shipbuilding, but wider United Nations of Worlds manufacturing efforts as a whole.

(I'd like to make some moves towards helping open Creusa up to the market while Im here if thats possible)

(Sure we can do that)

18:29

The three cities, site C being the smallest, continue their stately dance over the gas worlds surface, constantly focal points for hordes of system craft like a hive for legions of worker bees.

Site A, home of the majority of city-hosted production centres owned and operated by the Void Wardens, seemed a natural place to engage with local leadership. Asi hoped the history of Void Warden support in the system would lead to a smooth shedding, not wanting to get bogged down in the middle of a journey, but he'd also learned to always expect complications when it came to commerce. He stowed his weaponry on the Adder and made his way down on the same shuttle that took him down to Sotoudeh, which would then head over to the local shipyards for repair after his caustic journey.

The technical crew on the ground is already laser measuring and assigning details before the engines have even powered down. Most of them here could use the practice and their foremen seem eager to get them working. Most of the shipyard is empty- e ven of system craft- and you see far fewer in the sky than even post Remnant-Occupation.

Asi looks around, confused. He flags down a passing technician. "I'm surprised at how little activity there is here. It was my understanding that this system was a hive of industry. What happened?"

“No parts. No parts , no metal and fuel to trade. No trade, everything grinds to a half. Way of the world I Suppose” he shrugs

“We were promised more would be coming but surprise surprise. Neber did “

"I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it already. This system is ripe for industry! What's stopping the production of new parts?"

“Lack of materials coming in and lack of Other business interests to want them. If the UNW Balkanizes overnight because of those damnable government factions I won’t be surprised

"I've heard of the struggles between the various factions and the UNW itself, though I'll admit to not knowing much about it all. I do have a vested interest in ensuring production here gets up and running, however, so is there anything I could do to ensure parts flow back here? The Void Wardens have some hefty economic power, and I'm no stranger to greasing the wheels of industry. Civil war requires a lot of material, after all."

“Manufacture them and bring them in, or ensure we get shipped the raw materials and industrial parts so we can make our own. This whole industry is a massive cobweb and once a single link gets cut out the whole thing collapses on itself

"We've manufacturing hubs on Tsatsos, and a good relationships with the locals there, locals that extract a decent chunk of the UNW's mineral wealth from their world. If we could guarantee a constant supply of materials and parts, we'd get this operation running at full capacity, right?" (edited)

“Not right away but as long as the production streams were essentially constant I could see things going back to the way they were”

"I'll bring this up with VW leadership and see what I can do. I've been given more attention than most at my station given I'm one of the last representatives of an extinct people. Curiosity, I imagine."

06:59

(Would I be able to let the fleet head to SCAF with the ex prisoners and pivot to Tsatsos before heading south to rendezvous for the EE mission?)

(yeah you can always split off)

Making promises of future trade, Asi leaves the station and returns to the Adder, explaining his plan to Captain Nguyen to split off from the fleet and sort out the Creusa-Tsatsos trade issue with the free agent Barnabas Strasny while the greater fleet heads to SCAF space, rendevousing at Shahriar afterwards with the LLF fleet. (edited)

The plan is accepted, as solving these issues here is also critical to the wardens and their missio

Travelling the well mapped route from Creusa to Tsatsos, it is only days until Asi finds himself looking down on the molten world from a viewport onboard the Adder. As he prepares his gear and uniform for a trip planetside, he shoots off a short message to Barnabas. (Sending message in his channel)

)alrighty. We will push on once that’s settled)

TO: Asi
FROM: Barnabas Strasny

Greetings, Asi,

It is good to hear of your arrival at Tsatsos. I have been informed that it is necessary to remove excess stimulus funds from the economy here. As it happens, I have also collected intelligence that an inactive mine may be able to supply some rare metals. It may be possible to meet both objectives by inducing the local financial markets to fund the development of the mine. I have secured financing from the First Billy Bank of Tsatsos and Money (FBBTM) contingent on surveying the mind, and I have just about finished equipping that expedition.

You are welcome to join us on the expedition. Alternatively, I welcome other ideas on how to re-open trade here. The idea I currently am pursuing is a bit unorthodox, to say the least, but I plan to pursue it absent any more direct solutions to the problem.

Once you have landed, I suggest meeting in Haephestus' Rest, where we can discuss further.

Barnabas

Asi, ready to leave, takes a shuttle down to Haephestus' Rest, planning on meeting Barnabas as arranged.

07:44

(Pick a thread and I'm there)

07:45

(Taking 2 Flop Rifles from the armoury)

(lets do his)

(My plan is to head off to the Shahriar muster ASAP, also I leveled up so I'll have my level up posted soon)

(Alrighty. Yeah we can start moving the fleet in that direction)

(I've got 7 days from Tsatsos to Shariar)

The main Void Wardens strength has assembled at Shariar, to begin heading south to join the fight against the Etxaurren Empire. It has taken months for the fleet to be dispatched and supplied for what might be a long campaign, and as they look on, preparing for thier first coordinated move into the void, a wounded AGET fleet enters the system, both frigates in the formation damaged heavily. Looking at the manifest of ships headed south, it is noticed right away that their troop carrier is missing entirely .

Val opens a communication channel to the Void Warden Flagship, "First Warden Xu'Gannara, we bring word from the south, are you receiving us?" (edited)

(Pedantic asshole moment, Asi is just some guy right now, Xu'Gannara is still First Warden. Might change one day but my lil snake boi has gotta earn it.) "This is First Warden Xu'Gannara, we're getting you loud and clear. I see your fleet is smaller than I would have expected. I take it you bring bad news?"

(No worries, I've edited my earlier post so it fits!) "Good and Bad I suppose, we took out a pair of Corvettes, as well as the Miners Pick and Bad Magistrate, but lost the Hymenaeon as a pair of their ships were going down! Fortunately, all 15 thousand souls aboard the Hymenaeon were able to get to lifepods, but they're stuck on the surface in stasis, until we can get back out to recover them. The Eros is just about to head to the yard for repair, but the Anteros remains undamaged, and I'm more than happy to head out with you, and try to finish the job!"

"We would be remiss to not try and rescue fifteen thousand people from a hostile world. The fleet will move in force to secure the system and begin a rescue. From there we can split into smaller recon fleets. I'd appreciate having the Anteros alongside our navy."

"That would be greatly appreciated, they're good fighting men and women, and have been contracted to join the assault, should they be in a position to at the time. We wait on your instruction to spike out" (edited)

"The fleet is ready. We launch on my mark." The combined Void Warden fleet, never before assembled at full strength, leave orbit and make for the edge of the system, ready to spike. Frigates, cruisers and the mighty Ragnarok move out in formation, ready to strike out in force against their enemy to the South. Asi, onboard the Adder, looks at a tactical display of the fleet, not in awe given his past but still thoroughly impressed. Given his understanding of the dispersed nature of modern navies, this was likely one of the most powerful single fleets in the Iron Stars. What remained to be seen was whether it would be enough. As the fleet approached the edge of the solar plane, the spike drives were engaged, and the fleet, as one, began its mission.

12:00

(What system are we going to lol)

(AGET met their fleet in Alcatyl, we know they have captured planets in Maysoon, Brizeno and Extaurren)

(We'll save your guys first)

(So Shariar- Ilara-Natasha- Chavvi- Actayl?)

14:16

(Natasha has not been explored so if there is another linkage on that route we want, we can do that too)

(standby)

02:50

(I'd like to visit Madhur on the way to visit the Slyth. Can park Asi in the Adder there while the rest continue to Alcatyl. Didnt realise this had all happened so far away earlier)

(yeah the various vanguard fleets ended up getting pretty close before being pounced on)

(Whole fleet: Shahriar - Iaria - Natasha (Adder/Asi: Astynome - Madhur then regroup with fleet at end of mission) -Chavvi - Alcatyl) (edited)

(perfect, i think i need to generate a couple reports here so ill get them up)

Breathable Atmosphere Temperate Sub-Tropical Biosphere TL5 Tens of Millions of Inhabitants Natasha is a system of a trinary set of stars at its center. It has a barren, burning planet close to this triplicate sun, as well as a planet in the habitable zone, a gas giant, dense ringed frozen world near the system edge, and the remains of a large shipyard that has been pulverized by spinning rock and debris as its orbit around the gas giant continues to decay. The locals seem to have at least some nano-fabrication technology working, but previous encounters reported by travelers, most recently the now deceased Jaxton Ryder relay that the locals are incredibly xenophobic and are willing to shoot first to defend local system space. A compact but powerful local navy defends the planet, along with a pair of starbases keeping orbital vigil of both of the major continents. The Natashan's are not pledged to any galactic faction, firing on anyone first with equal abandon.

"If they're happy to keep to their world, then we respect their isolation. We refuel at the gas giant and leave."

Unable to get close to the planet for a surface scan, the fleet remains at the edge of the system, gathering what fuel it can

(Happy to continue if you are Val)

(Sounds good to me) "I see no good reason to start a fight here, although if they continue to have a shoot first, ask questions never policy, it may become a problem before too long. At least in time other shipping will know to steer clear, now that we've been able to report on it!" (With Val heading on south with the main fleet, and Asi going to Madhur, I'll meet you back in a bit!) (edited)

(so i think that brings us to where Val is now at chhavvi in her thread, and I'll m ove this one on to Madhur)

14:58

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/madhur-location?preview=true

Madhur

Looking down on the world, Asi feels a sense of trepidation. This marked the first time he'd meet another of his kind since he was thawed out. He'd requested the right to take over comms when the tried to make contact with the enclave and had the request granted. He took a seat (essentially coiled around it rather than sitting as an ape would) and sent out a transmission to the fort. "This is Asi of the Void Wardens, to all Slyth on Madhur. We're here to help. Please respond."

“Nothing captain. Should I boost the signal?”

"Boost it. Let's see if anyone answers."

There is a piercing shriek of static like someone is keeping the knobs half tuned. You hear a brief cry for help before it is gobbled up by static and the line goes dead, not even broadcasting an empty open channel anymore. It came from somewhere around the spire city

(I've done 3 VW missions now yeah?)

(Yes we have)

(Asi, fyi, I just left a message for the VW on the faction channel. Good luck with the fleet battle, btw. Barnabas is heading your way if he can . . .)

"Let's take the Adder down and do a pass over that spire city. I doubt we'll pick up much, but it can't hurt. Hopefully we find a reasonably safe spot for me to get put down."

There is an overgrown public park close to where the transmission was heard. The other buildings around the area seem to be either too close together or too unstable for the landing craft pilots to be satisfied they can do things safely

Deciding to take the shuttle down so as to not teleport down alone into hostile territory, Asi ensures his gear is ready to go, then makes his way to the away craft hanger on the Adder, ordering the pilot and a couple of marines to hold the shuttle to accompany him.

Setting down in the ruined city, youre surrounded by slumping buildings, pathetic looking habitation spires, and the ruins of factories and farms where a thriving civilization once existed. A three story shopping center at the end of the block seems to be the source of the signal. The streets are quiet but for the cawing of carrion feeders

As the craft lifts off to return to the Adder in orbit, Asi slithers forward warily. This place is too quiet, I'm almost certainly being watched, or about to be. Choosing to eschew non-lethal weaponry on this mission, Asi hefts a pair of mag rifles from the Adders armoury. He moves off towards the shopping centre, seeking a safe entrance.

The front doors have been busted in along with almost all of the ground floor windows. The backs of shelving units and the remains of the displays that once occupied the windows themselves keep you from getting a clear view inside

Staying as quiet as he can, Asi slides into the building, guns raised. He refrains from calling out, hoping to get a feel for whether there's any danger within before attracting attention to himself.

(sneak/dex)

(10, forgot to account for Slyth bonus in R20)

Inside, you hear stirring, though whatever is in there does not notice you. From behind, two cobra like slyth in severe states of shed are milling about, backs to you, looking anxious and panicked. One of them is missing an arm, but does not seem to notice

Lowering his rifles but keeping them ready to fire at a moments notice, Asi calls out in Old Slyth, just loud enough for the strangers to hear him. "Friends, do not be alarmed. Was it you that requested help?" He braces himself for any hostility.

They turn, their heads are eyeless and their jaws are bone, and slack.

02:00

They’ve been. Dead for a long time but still walk

A morbid start to an away mission, and not the reunion with my people I was hoping for. Time to put them out of their misery. Asi opens fire with his mag rifles, taking one shot at each of the slithering dead. (21/16 and 23/10 respectively)

The shots are clean,putting them both down, for real this time, and for good. Dark blood almost gel-like in nature dribbles from the open wounds. Birds scatter at the sudden gunshots, and you hear more movement above you. A long flight of stairs that was once a rising walkway lead up there, in the center of the sales floor.

Asi moves quickly, not wanting to get surrounded by more of these unliving things. He looks for a spot deeper in the building, somewhere where he can hide while observing whatever it is that's coming down. They didn't seem to be able to track him through some sense other than sight and sound, which was a boon, so hopefully remaining hidden would at least allow him to learn more about how these corpses hunted. If they were living Slyth, all the better.

Moving into a corner to hide behind some shelves, the banner of "Prices good enough to Die for!" seems especially tasteless now. Three living slyth make their way down the stairs, but you can see a veritable pack of the undead are chasing them

Living members of my own kind! I can't let them die. There are too few of us left. Asi breaks cover and calls out. "Over here! I can help!" He lifts his rifles to show he is armed. "Please, let me help you!"

"Come with us if you want to live!" one shouts. You can spring through one of the broken windows and meet them on the street

Asi coils up and launches himself through the window, one of his arms shielding his face from the glass, then turns to look for the others.

They've also made their way outside, though the rear member of the pack is dangerously close to the undead swarm following them. He is pudgy for a Slyth , and doing his best to keep up. It may not be enough.

Asi rushes towards the group, taking some potshots at the corpses chasing the slower of the survivors. (15/13 and 12/17)

The closest of the undead is scythed down, buying enough of a gap for the group to continue running safely. Their hasty retreat is beating toward a nearby parking garage, where they must have some sort of transport waiting for them.

12:53

A marksman on the roof has a rifle configuration similar to Asi, and begins walking cover fire out to widen the gap between you, and those that would harvest you as food.

Asi tails the living Slyth closely, lowering his own weapons as he approaches to not appear a threat. He yells towards the group he is slithering with. "Tell me what to do!"

"Follow us! We're getting to the roof where our vehicle is, and we're getting out of here. Fill you in when we're safe!"

"Lead the way!" Taking pot shots behind him as he ascends, Asi follows the other Slyth to the roof, saving his questions for when they're in a position of safety.

The vehicle in question used to be a mini-bus, now armored and armed. Its grav plates come to life as you all slither up the ramp, manning firing ports in the windows. A plow on the front lowers, angled to scoop the dead away from the vehicle rather than constantly damaging the frame by passing through them.

Asi coils, bracing himself on the floor of the vehicle while getting ready to fire at anything that comes near. "Quite a lifestyle you're leading here," he comments over the rumbling of the grav plates. "Though if you'd like to live a tad more peacefully, my allies and I can help."

"Your allies? " the driver asks as he closes the door and engages the grav plates to get the vessel into its gentle cushion above the ground

15:22

outside, zombies are cut down by one of the Slyth you met up with now manning a door gun.

15:23

"You've picked a heck of a time for a visit, We didn;t know there were any other slyth out there. Our great grandparents told us the empire fell and we were all that remained"

"There aren't many, to my knowledge. You're the first I've met since I was revived from cold sleep a few months ago. Your great grandparents weren't wrong, for what it's worth. The empire fell. My allies, the Void Wardens, are a fairly large multi-species organisation set up to keep the star lanes safe, and I'm the only Slyth in its ranks. Our time passed hundreds of years ago, I'm afraid." Another burst of gunfire forces Asi to pause. "Perhaps the rest of this discussion should wait until we are in relative safety. I can help you, and the stars know finding you has helped me. I'd like to do this properly."

That is enough for now and the vehicle screeches on its plates as it skids off toward what looks to be the remains of some kind of race track. On the center green a highly fortified camp sits amid the stadium bleacher defensive walls. Other armed slyth patrol and in all you estimate about 1,000 of them are here living like scavengers The walls have formed mighty defensive works for them. Rain collectors and water pumps work to create enough for those living here. Large sections of the field have had the pavement dug up, the rocks crushed to use as cement for things elsewhere and fields have been tilled on half the track where this occured

Looking over the makeshift fortress, Asi finds himself feeling great sadness for his kin. To have fallen so far, living a dangerous life of subsistence, you'd be forgiven for forgetting that his people spanned the stars. "Who leads you here?" (edited)

"Prefect Whellos leads us. He has kept us mostly safe from the collapse of the world. We voted him into office a few years ago"

"I would like to meet him if the opportunity is available. I'm sure we have much to discuss."

“He’s going to come to us given what we just went through. Seeing a slyth from off world is going to cheer a lot of people up”

05:38

You pass through the makeshift camp where slyth do their best to get by with the scant resources available. Many look at the sky and hope for rain as it will refill the water jugs and can be purified later. Everyone looks gaunt and dirty but they do their best to ensure the basic wheels of society go on here A camp office made from a pressure pavilion is your destination and upon entry you can see two soldier looking slyth inside with Prefect Whellos, a patrician looking cobra like snake

Trying to hold back his unease at seeing his people reduced to such a level, Asi enthusiastically greets the Prefect. "It's an honour to meet you, Prefect Whellos. I'm Asi, representing an organisation called the Void Wardens. I believe we may have much to offer each other."

3

3

"Got a starship hidden up your cloaca do we? " he laughs "Or some kind of anti-zombie leave the rest of us alone bio weapons perhaps? Tall order here , we used to straddle the stars once and now we're reduced to this. But please, tell me what you came to say, I'm sounding off my rocker, I know it" His uniform is battered and it looks like he has seen combat himself recently. A pair of maces made from industrial tools and reforged into implements of war lie in the corner, awaiting cleaning.

"I'd likely have given up some of my sanity to survive out here myself, if I'm being honest. I'm impressed you've all managed to survive out here, given your circumstances. I may not have a starship on me, but I do have one in orbit. I don't have anything to force the zombies to leave you alone, but I do have the backing of a star-faring organisation that will, if I request, provide aid to you and your people. We can relocate you to another world, if need be. I can't promise the heights that our people once enjoyed, but I can promise a better life than this." As he speaks, Asi becomes more animated. Wanting to say more, he stops himself, trying not to come on too strong. His joy at no longer being alone threatens to overwhelm him, but his decades of training ensure that it doesn't. (edited)

"Are we all that is left of our people? Aside from you?"

"I've heard of the existence of a small number of individuals revived from suspended animation like myself, but your community is, by a few orders of magnitude, the largest gathering of Slyth I'm aware of. You are our last hope for a future, Prefect."

"Evacuation seems to be our only course of action then, we don't have the numbers to re-take this world, and you seem to be capable of organizing some kind of transport. We are surviving here, but it is not thriving, just getting by"

"I believe it is best. I don't know of any force with both the motivation and the means to wipe out these animated corpses. There are a good number of worlds out there that are far more hospitable to life and civilisation, and our species has attained something of a precursor status amongst the aliens that have taken our place. There would be no shortage of places willing to accept you."

"In the interest of being direct and not spending more time here than necessary, how soon can we be evacuated, and what is your plan for it?". The prefect looks to be envious of returning to the skies, and willing to do anything to get there, and to get his people safe

"It will likely take a few weeks, no more than a month. This world is regrettably at least a weeks travel from the nearest system inhabited by any of our allies, and I'd need to return on my ship to organise sending out a real transport, the ship itself being far too small to carry even a fraction of your population. I'll leave some communications devices so that you'll be able to speak to any ships in orbit, and we can take a delegation of one or two of you, but I'm afraid that's the best we can do before we can get a transport out here."

"If that is the extent of your help we will gladly take it. That said, there are many, many relics from the time where our people ruled the stars. If you decide to try to venture out into the cities, you'll need us as guides and as support. It is a dirty business, but we know how to fight these things"

"I'd be more than happy to help. With your permission, I'd like to stay while my ship returns to bring back a transport. You and your people are all I have left of my past. If you say there are relics of our kind on this world, then we will work together to retrieve them before we have to leave."

"And no one should come back after to handle the dangers alone. Alright, I like your plan. Do you need to return to the ship to contact them?"

"I can get in touch with them from here. We should get ready to retrieve those artifacts as soon as possible. If you prepare your team, I;'ll get in touch with my people."

“Alright. Let’s do that. I’ll meet you back here with the people I select in half an hour “

Making his way to the courtyard, Asi opens a comms line to the Adder. He describes his findings in detail, then passes on his request for a transport to rescue his people. "I'm aware that there may be a series of geopolitical issues in finding a new home for a mostly dead precursor species, and that we'd need to convince another organisation or polity to lend us a transport, but these people desperately need to live somewhere that isn't this hostile to their existence. Captain Nguyen, I apologise for dropping this in your lap and then requesting to stay, but I can't leave my people behind, and I need to help find these artifacts. I hope you understand."

“The slyth live on Iaria now. There’s no issue bringing more there it’s just a matter as you said, of securing a transport. We can return to council space and raise the issue. By then you should know who here to trust snd should have recovered some touch stones of your people” (edited)

"Sounds like we have a plan. I leave the issue of a transport in your capable hands, Captain. I look forward to your return." Asi closes the comm, and heads off to check his gear before meeting the Prefect's team.

The prefect has assembled transport in the form of a large city grav bus that has been converted to resemble a mobile outpost with the roof serving as a second deck and a large power system to cope with the extra weight Six other slyth have either been selected or volunteered to accompany you and the prefect into he city making a complete team of eight. They have a mix of home made clubs and maces and firearms

(Completing the goal "Meet and talk to another Slyth" for 3xp which knocks me over the line to level 5)

LEVEL 5
HP: 31
AB: 4
New Focus: Starfarer 2
Talk -1 -> 0
Shoot 1 -> 2

(indeed!)

15:04

(I was about to remind you that you get a foci but I see you've got one, so we're good!)

Approaching the team, Asi dips his head in respect to the Prefect. "I believe I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Let us go rescue our history, friend." He unslings his rifles and moves onto the bus.

Entering the vehicle you take a seat and strap yourself in. The others are doing the same as the prefect gets into the drivers pod. "Just a quick note for those of you, since we have osme new folks and some who have not been out in a while. As far as we know, we're the only Slyth here among the living. You see something in the streets that isn't one of us, you shoot it. Don't give it the chance to get close to you. "

Good advice. It'd be a shame to die here so soon after finding my own people. I'll save my sentimental feelings for the trip offworld. As the bus ascends and begins to move, Asi strikes up conversation with his new companions, his view scanning the terrain outside for enemies as he speaks. "What caused these corpses to reanimate? How long has your community had to fight the dead to survive? I won't lie and say the whole concept doesn't trouble me somewhat. I never heard of the slithering dead back during the days of the Empire."

"Its been several hundered years now. These things seem to rot to a certain point and then go no further. It's been like this since the plague arrived here, we think the original strain of it mutated somehow, to infect the dead instead of the living"

"I see this damned plague never stopped ravaging the Slyth. I'm sorry your lives have been so shaped by it, truly. I look forward to your next generation knowing nothing of the plague that has shaped all of our own lives."

"Your offer to get us out of here was the miracle we had been hoping for. And i do mean miracle"

17:20

The vehicle begins accelerating out of the camp, towards the heart of the city where the cultural center lies, and unknown dangers nhabit the way

His mag rifles held close by his lower arms, Asi keeps a look out for any threats capable of threatening the hover bus. While the Slyth zombies likely lack the capability to attack at range, decades spent in an interstellar civil war taught him to never take anything for granted.

(notice/wis)

(6)

There is a passing shadow in an alley you pass. It was big. Bigger than a slyth by at least two, but it’s not there when you look again a few seconds later

Asi tenses, unsure of what he saw. "Prefect, there was some sort of large shadow in the alley back there, larger than the usual corpses. I don't know what it was, but we may need to be cautious."

"We're coming up on the cultural center now. Final weapons check everyone, lets get this done!" The prefect calls. You're whipping by the buildings too fast to see much now but a steady thump every moment or two on the front armor signifies one of the shamblers that won't be doing so anymore. The cultural center is inside a large complex, where elaborate gardens of all manner of now overgrown plants have run wild for decades or longer. It is split across three buildings, art, natural history, and imperial history. The longer you linger the more noise you will make, and the more undead that will come sniffing around for their next meal.

I guess I'm Imperial History of a sort now. "Let's start at the Imperial History building, and move fast." Asi engages the magnetic accelerators on his rifles, and can just feel the weapons coming to life in his hands. "I'll lead the way."

There are two creatures shambling by the door of the museum that perk up as you approach. The prefect readies his maces and signals for quiet

Following the Prefect's lead, Asi slings his rifles and raises his fists, hoping that the resulting conflict fails to alert any more of the creatures. He coils his body, ready to strike forward.

(initiative, and we'll keep this order if we run into anything new during this encounter)

(9)

1

(you, Prefect, undead, the rest of the team)

16:09

(you're in melee range of the zomblies)

Springing forward from a coiled position, Asi strikes, his four arms maneuvering expertly to the weak points of the closest corpse. His training in the Gentle Way, learned from the Void Wardens and practiced on long trips through the stars, is used to great effect, though this time he strikes to kill. (CRIT/6 and 23/7)

The creature is sent into the ground, its head separated from its body, and with the other blow you manage a perfect copy of it. Both of the crushed shamblers collapse into the ground and show no further signs of troubling anyone. Crows overhead caw and shout, eager to get a chance to eat once you get inside. The interior of the imperial history museum is a broad entry room where tickets once would have been sold to the public. An example of a battered pre-imperial shuttle is in the main room behind ropes, but it is evident this will never function again. Banners from different eras of slyth history hang from the second floor observation deck. A wing runs west, and another wing runs east.

Asi snaps some pictures of the banners with his compad, then directs the Slyth with him to follow him East. I'll take the banners if we have room, but they'll be easy to remake. With this few people to carry artifacts, we'll have to pick and choose.

The eastern wing is dubbed the Hall of Conquest, showing items from slyth military history while also being home to artifacts the Slyth had taken from other groups they had conquered in their time ruling as undisputed master of the stars. (d100)

(90)

The first display you see comes to you from the Slyth Starships Corps, showing the gravity harnesses and other exotic armors the slyth used when boarding enemy starships. A complete suit of Microgravitic Assault Armor is inside the case here, complete with its ready-to use power source as a well preserved example of what starship boarding troopers would have used.

Asi inspects the armour somberly. It reminds him of his time spent on Slyth ships, though the rebellion models had various minor adjustments made to it during his career. His desire to wear it is strong, though he recognises that it's worth as a cultural artifact is greater. "Load it up, let's push on." He wastes no time in continuing the hunt for his peoples history.

Ahead is a large exhibit, the re creation of a famous Slyth captain's personal quarters from the ship he captained. Behind red velvet ropes now a bit dingy with age and lack of care, you see book cases, a large study desk, and some sort of display case with tinted hologlass preventing you from seeing what is inside.

Asi creeps forward slowly and deliberately, both to move quietly and out of an odd sense of reverence for the exhibit. He pulls the dusty velvet rope over him and approaches the exhibit, trying to look inside the case.

The case has a simple lock on it, the museum probably not expecting anyone to defy the ropes and what would have also been on duty museum security

Asi, knowing little about lockpicking, attempts to slam off the lock with the butt of his rifle. He keeps an eye out for anything that might notice his clumsy solution.

There is no security present and the lock falls off. You're not sure if anything outside has heard you. Several books and a disruptor blade built in the thin dueling style of the Slyth Imperial Navy are within the case, all donated by the captain of the vessel themselves back when they were alive to approve such things and the instruments of war were less needed.

As he begins wrapping the items for storage, Asi moves over to the study desk, trying to get a feel for the captain who donated so much to the museum. I wonder if they knew how much of our history they would come to represent.

(know/int, and I'll weave us a nice story)

(10)

The ships captain was an Admiral Helixes, one of the most skilled naval commanders of his say. He pioneered the use of combined arms, incorporating a mix of large and small vessels into battle groups and engagement spheres , and arranging them into unconventional formations for maximum results. The Helixes Globe is one such move named after him where slyth ships made a three dimensional ball, keeping transports and supply tenders in the protected inside and presenting a wall of firepower to any ships drifting too close. His original notes seem to be among the collection here along with his sword of rank, complete with gold frogging and gemmed hilt

I'd heard of the man. On the opposite side, yet still someone I respected. I'm glad we got to meet somewhat, even if after his death. Asi helps to gather his belonings, then directs his team towards the Art section of the museum.

(oh shit son I got something for this, Whats your fancy out of this list, glass, bug statues, paintings or houseware)

(BUG STATUES)

2

A gallery of ceramic bugs hangs on the walls, painstakingly re-created to show the entire catalogue of all existing insect life across the entire slyth empire. There are tens of thousands of specimens here, laid out by biome, showing a spread of life across what was once hundreds of habitable worlds.

01:41

Each has been painstakingly re-created to be 100% accurate in every detail. They almost look like they could walk off the wall.

1

2

Asi is entranced by the attention to detail, and has to shake himself out of a reverie, realising he has been inspecting each bug closely for nearly a minute. He helps the others load up the specimens into cases, taking care to ensure none of them break and that they remain sorted by biome. As they finish sealing the cases for transport, he moves to the Prefect. "How are we going for time? I hate to say it, but it feels like this mission is going too well." His voice is low and quiet, aware that corpses could be mere metres away at any moment.

(sneak/dex, and we'll get our answer!)

(9)

"So far so good" he whispers "Everyone has been working quietly, but I think this collection is going to round out what we can take on the bus, between this and what you took from the last room. Someone's going to have to wear that armor out of here too, and activating that is going to be loud"

"I'm happy to wear the armour. It won't be the first time I've donned a suit like that. If you and yours focus on getting the collection out, I'll cover your retreat."

"Alright, we break into two teams, one is going to help you get armored- we don't have a hoist or cradle here so we're going to need a few of us to lift things into place and get it attached. The other team is going to move as much of the collection into the vehicle as we can before we get the attention we think we're going to get. We do this as quick as possible, and we fight off whatever comes until we're all aboard. This armor, you're going to have to ride on the roof, its too big to fit inside"|