Brandon Knorr, one of the last of his house is reviewing a handful of books and other small objects that are now all that remains of their once Proud estate. Adjusting to life on Jagrati has taken some doing, but it has been some months now. The defeat of the fleshshapers at Benavides was a turning point for many nobles. Personal fortunes were won and lost based on who returned at the end of the fight , and with what glories. The cooperative now looks out over a sea of once claimed territory and seeks to assert itself again. The communications panel set into the wall begins blinking , the screen lights up displaying An urgent call

(sorry it took so long. work.) Brandon put that last copy of his family's bible away before rising and making his way to the comms panel. It had been sometime since he had anyone comm, too long, and his funds were beginning to grow disturbingly thin. far too thin for one of his ambitions. "This is Knoor, what can i do for you?"

"Knorr, King Deeveers has sent for you. He has a matter he needs to discuss. One hour, stateroom upstairs. He did send some information ahead of time" A small report begins displaying, highlighting the planet Groa, and detailing the brief work that has happened there, most notably the white peace between the Zero Foundation and the human settlers there. It appears some elements of this truce are not holding

Knorr thought to himself about what he knew of Groa and it wasn't much. "Acknowledged. One hour." He thought they needed him to settle the dispute, as he certainly wasn't a soldier. He hurriedly dressed, and started studying what he could of planet Groa on his compad as he made his way to the king's stateroom. (edited)

King Deeveers sits in a room richly paneled in stained ironwood, deep in a plush armchair. He must have woken up from a nap he didn't mean to take when the door opens, as he wakens with a start. "Forgive me" he says after a moment, regaining himself. "I have been in and out of assemblies and other meetings for....I think three days now, with hardly any time between"

"I summoned you here with an offer, I know some details were sent to you already"

Tall but not as proud as he once was, Knorr approached the throne respectfully, and bowed deeply. He had no idea what he was supposed to do about the fraying peace accord, or why he was summoned. It likely had something to do with his linguistic skills, but he couldn't be sure until he got his marching orders. "Yes your grace, I have received some details. What would you have me do?"

"The Zero Foundation and the NMC settlers on Groa were at odds. The Zero Foundation were once work bots working semi autonomously on the planet we had befriended. They were created by the Slyth. We believe for defense against the Flesh Shapers. I think they and had become aware in some way. Aware enough to realize their condition, and rebel against it. There was a rough truce agreed to. We have someone looking onto recovering ZF technology for us already Now, I need someone to check on the human settlements there, ensure all is going well, and to assist the people in strengthening themselves if the peace does not hold" (edited)

"We may have to deal with the Zero Foundation yet if the skirmishes do not stop"

Essentially he was being sent to get the colonists ready to fight off the ZF, if he was reading between the lines correctly. He was no military leader, no general. Hell, he could barely shoot straight. Perhaps is he could get to the bottom of the new hostilities, he could put together some more lasting accords. However his obligation was first and foremost to the colonists of the NMC, and if push came to shove... "Understood Sire, will you be assigning any resources to the effort?" Translation: 'Am I on my own?' It was good to know going in what help he could expect, so that he knew not to expect it.

"A ship will be assigned to the effort, along with its compliment of soldiers. There will be...ten..assigned to you. There is a science team on the world already, and reinforcements are no more than two days away if trouble you cant surmount finds you. This is a recording, observation, and social mission primarily. We're not here to panacea the settlers problems away, but more to collect information on what aid we can render, so we can restore them"

(not going to send a cargo ship full of random stuff , would rather send the actual needed goods and not a hodgepodge)

He was happy about the mission parameters, and was rather surprised he was getting anyone at all. He knew the NMC was stretched thin, so things on Groa must be in bad shape. "Very good Sire. A recon mission. was there anything else? I presume I leave right away?" As if he ever got time to pack. He also felt there may be some urgency to this matter, that was being left unsaid. Groa was only nominally part of the NMC now and it would be a great blow to lose it so quickly. He thought he was beginning to understand. (edited)

"Tonight. You have time to pack and get any affairs you have here on Jagrati in order before you're scheduled to depart"

He bowed deeply to his liege lord and said, "I thank you for you generosity, and trust in this matter. I shall leave this evening as instructed." He waited a moment to see if there was anything else, before he would turn and and leave the Royal Stateroom.

(Nothing else from him. Not sure if Brandon had any family here, or anything he wanted to do still in civilization)

(No I'm thinking that he's a loner/orphan, that lost his family in the invasion. I'm sure I'll think of something that I should have done while here, but I'm good to go for now.) Brandon, packed up his gear, including the laser rifle he could barely shoot, and locked up his small apartment behind him, before he made his way to the docks. (edited)

Out in the docks, a frigate has been prepared for the trip. Longboats move cargo and soldiers out to it, and the docks themselves are busy as other vessels are being maintained, cleaned, repaired and otherwise kept here until they're needed. The shaper conflict greatly diminished the NMC navy, and what's here is roughly a quarter of the fleet. A dock master looks on at the progress of the boats and is constantly tapping away at his notes.

He points to one of the waiting long vessels, where it looks like the last few soldiers of your promised compliment of military force are likewise boarding

Knorr looked at the sparse remains of the once mighty fleet and, after a sigh,sorrowfully kept walking to his ship. Despite his rank, he stood in line behind the last of his compliment to board the longboat. Once on board, and with his gear stowed, he sought out the leader of the soldiers to introduce himself, and go over the mission parameters.

The squad sergeant is a dour and hard drinking man who grunts when you enter the underbelly hold, but says little else once he calls the soldiers to order. They begin to gather around, some listening in while doing the last bits they need to stow their gear.

Above you, the ship groans as engines and electronics begin coming online- the vessel preparing to make it out to open sea, and then to space

Brandon knows better that to give some fussy speech, or to glad hand the soldier, trying to pretend to be their friend. They all had a job to do, and Knorr's job may include sending some or all of them to their deaths. He thought it better not to get too close, but he still had to make an impression. Turning his attention to the squad leader he asked in a tone of command, "Sgt. Report." The sounds of the ship getting underway still stirred something akin to fierce pride in the man. Diminished though it may be, the NMC navy still had the best ships in the sector.

"Everyone's stowed. We're ready to assist, we just need the mission parameters, and what you need from us Lord"

Knorr thought about what the mission parameters would actually be, and he thought it best to level with them. "Officially? Our mission is to look after the settlers and get them ready in case the truce with the ZF doesn't hold. We'll see what kind of defensive situation they have and do what we can to improve their odds. Do that well enough, and the Zero's might think twice about getting aggressive. I'll be looking to you Sgt. for any tactical advice, and your men," looking into the eyes of those gathered, "to help bolster and train the locals where they need it." "Unoffically, I think I think our best bet may be to make contact with the ZF and try to hammer out a long term deal to keep the peace. The NMC doesn't need to spend any more lives here, and its up to all of us to try and keep that from happening if we can. We'll know more about the situation when we get dirtside in a few days. Until then, Sgt. I leave them to you tender mercies. Dismissed." He made his way to his tiny cabin, afforded to him by his heritage, and made himself as comfortable as possible for the trip ahead. He went over the details he knew so far and tried to look at the big picture. Peace and stability would be the only long term solution of course, but the question was if the machines of Zero Foundation had any interest in peace at all. He found it hard to sleep throughout the journey.

(its a 2 day trip from here to Groa, if you wanted to spend your downtime working on anything. there is a handout near the top of the roll20 that lets you know what you can do)

(TY let me take a look)

(I'll spend those 2 days talking to ships techs and mechanics to try to improve my fix skill)

(2/90 fix ) in orbit over Groa you see the other NMC ship in orbit. The technical team is on planet near the occupied town, though humans have once again been allowed to return to their dwellings. Skirmishes occur in the countryside and reconstruction on the occupied city to the East has not begun. There are to be no permanent residents there but instead the settlement is to be converted to a free trade zone between the two groups

Knorr decides to go to the occupied town and speak to the locals and the Tech team. He was there to learn what the settlers needed and asking them seemed like a good place to start. The Technical team might have found something by now as well. He wasn't sure what he could find in the occupied city in the state it was in, so he thought learning as much as he could would be the prudent course of action. He askes the ships captain to get him down by the town if he could, as he would like to start his mission there. He wasn't sure if the whole vessel would descend, or if a drop ship would be used.

(It would be a cargo lighter , they won’t risk the ship after one in a different mission was shot down so recently)

(would it be better if i went to the city to the east? I thought the tech team was all NPC's. I don't want to mess anything up for you.)

(You won’t. If you want to meet Richard and help him out the lighter can go down where you wanted to go)

(The actual ship itself is just a very big target, where it’s cargo shuttle is far more nimble )

Knorr and his team would board the cargo lighter and take it down to the occupied town to the west to see what aid could be rendered, before moving east to the city. That was his plan anyway, but he knew better than to think that even getting down to the planet in one piece was a sure thing. He had to trust his crew to do their jobs. He secured his gear and looked over his troops quickly before strapping himself in and getting ready for the decent. It made no difference if this was a combat drop or not, he had to look calm and serene at all times if he was to keep the morale of his squad high. "Are we ready Sarge?"

(did you want to meet up with Richard or just continue on to your own stuff? there's no right answer, i just want to know what to say next)

(I'll just do my own stuff for now. maybe connect with Richard later)

"Ready enough, everyone's aboard, and we have enough ammunition for a lengthy fight if it comes down to it. The engineering team nearby reported a sniper attack but the comlink shows they've handled it and suppressed the target. If they're already taking pot shots we should be prepared for anything"

"The shooter was robotic, if that makes a difference"\

Knorr nodded to the Sgt. and said simply "Acknowledged" then signaled his team's readiness to the crew of the lighter, so they may take off. This news didn't bode well for any peaceful resolutions, and he began to reassess his expectations, from diplomatic, to reconnaissance and logistics. He still held out a little hope for peace, but he would not risk anyone from the NMC to mere hope. He steeled his resolve to do what he must, for the good of his people. (edited)

As you are waiting to take off, you hear the buzz of an incoming call on your comms: "This is Dr. Richard Newman, planet-side in the vicinity of the occupied town. Mr. Brandon Knorr, do you read me?"

Knorr was surprised to be getting a comm from anyone right then, and pulled the pad out to reply, "This is Knorr, I read you clearly for now. I was hoping I would get a chance to speak with you Dr. Newman. Can you give me a report of the situation?" He could hear the engines begin to warm up, but they still had had few minutes before they took off.

"Things are a little tense planet-side Mr. Knorr. The bots seem to be still hostile, at least out in the country here. We just finished dealing with a sniper that opened fire without any warning." I reply, as I scan the area around us, checking to make sure we aren't stumbling into another ambush. You can then hear my muffled voice saying, "Beevil, take us wide around that copse, we don't need a repeat of last time..." My voice clears up again as I continue, "Mr. Knorr, I wasn't aware that there was to be other teams sent to Groa. Are you authorized to fill me on your mission parameters? You can understand I am concerned of anything that might increase tensions with the ZF, we don't need bots starting to actively hunt us down out here, we are rather exposed as it is."

"My mission parameters are to secure the settlements as much as possible and report back to Jagrati what supplies and equipment are needed." Not being completly sure of the comm security he wouldn't say what they would be needed for. "Personally, I'm hoping to get the peace process back on track but that might not be up to any humans. Can you tell me why the truce broke down? Was it the settlers or the ZF that fired first?"

"Ah I see, very well. We just set down and began our search earlier today, so I don't know if the truce is failing or whether the sniper was an anomaly. We've been avoiding contact with locals as much as possible, I'm sorry to say I don't have any more information than that to assist you in your mission. I suggest we keep in contact and update each other with any pertinent information as we go about our missions. We are both working in the same relatively small geographical area, so any issues that one of us have may spill over to the other."

Knorr thought about that, and it seemed reasonable. "Agreed, Dr. we should keep in touch. I'll be keeping to the settlements for now, and I'll speak to the locals for any information about what's going on. Is there anything I can do to assist you? Anything you think I should keep an eye out for?" There were only the two of the out here and pooling whatever limited resources they had might improve the chances for one or both to succeed in their objective. (edited)

"Hmm, nothing directly. If you come across any ZF tech or any leads to some of it, that would be of great help. Broken down robots, R&D labs, any documents, that sort of thing. We will be heading to the city shortly if we can't find anything out here. If you have any technical needs please let me know and I will assist you as I can as well." (edited)

"Understood Dr. I'll keep an eye out for any ZF tech and comm you if I find anything i think you might like. Also,I'll let you know if we have any technical issues. Thank you kindly, and good luck." Knorr flipped of the commpad and considered himself lucky there was at least one more set of eyes down there working on this. The least he could do, is keep an eye out for any tech the good doctor was interested in. The cargo lighters engines did their thing and he readied himself for what was all intents and purposes, his first combat drop. (edited)

"Thank you as well Mr. Knorr, I'll keep in contact as things progress. Good luck." Shutting down my dataslab, I turn back to surveying the passing terrain around me.

(ready for take off to the occupied town)

The small town here is once again in human control. Two Zero Foundation robotic bodies are hung from a tall scaffold in the town square, though the bots clearly have no life left in them. The chains clank as the wind blows, and each robot hung by the legs knocks against the other, like a set of macabre windchimes. Villagers seem to pay them little mind now, the spectacle long past. The village itself is large, most of the buildings recent rebuilds, or in the first stages of being cleared for rebuilding. The elegant lines and victorian architecture are being replaced with the blocky, slab sided habitation and manufacturing facilities that speak of prefab necessity, and not a proper artisans care.

Brandon Knorr was not pleased to see those two robots swinging, when he arrived at the town. still looking at the robot corpses he called for the sergeant, "Sarge, form a defensive perimeter and begin a preliminary inspection of the towns defenses. Let's so how bad it is" he dismissed the troops and began to look for whoever was in charge of this place. Who ever they were, they had some explaining to do. He'll begin to ask to locals about what happened to the robots and who the boss around there is. (also, is the cargo lighter still there? is it to be the main mode of transport?) (edited)

(its the main mode of transport, and yes)

(what do the locals have to say about the hanging robots?) (edited)

The locals seem to feel that this display justifies the cruelty they themselves suffered when the town was more heavily occupied by Zero Foundation forces, and this is a venting of frustration for what they have been through.

(Brandon would ask around about why/how the truce failed, while the Sgt and his troops do their thing. then he would look for the local leader) (edited)

(connect/wis)

(or cha)

(oof 6)

You get different answers from most of the people you talk to. Some think its the robots resenting their treatment when they were just tools, and had the stunted intellect to match. Others think a range of things from a virus in the programming, to psychics meddling with machines, to freak lightning strikes with oddly good aim. None of the theories are said with enough conviction to have much faith put behind them on their own. there is some confusion over who fired the first shots, though the humans were undoubtedly winning during the opening days of the war. Entire populations of workbots were shot and discarded in the streets, though the Zero Foundation retaliated, going just as far, and worse.

It quickly becomes clear that he wont be able to learn much from the locals in general about the recent breakdown of the peace. Looking back to the two swinging robot corpses, he doesn't really appreciate the blasé attitude that they have about the matter either. Like they were itching for a fight, but weren't bothering to get ready for it. He began to look for the local leader, if there was one, and wasn't expecting much more than a thug with some lickspittle, "maintaining order" or some such nonsense. (Going to question the local leader for any info on the robots and the most recent troubles) (edited)

The leader is a newly appointed alderman who is not a thug or a ganger, but just a regular man who has found his new position comes with a steep learning curve. He is woken from an afternoon rest, and brought to the front door to speak with you by his eldest son

Knorr was actually quite relieved to see the alderman was an ordinary man. His children meant he was putting down roots, and that bode well for a pragmatic type. He greeted the alderman warmly with, "Hello sir, my name's Brandon Knoor, you have a lovely home. I've been sent here by King Deevers to help. Could you tell me about what's happened since the truce?" (Brandon's going to pump this guy for info) (edited)

"There's never really been a truce here in the countryside. We took the village back as part of the negotiations, and since it has been our home since the planet was settled, but there have been skirmishes when the foragers and water-carriers go out to get supplies. Most of the actual pumping infrastructure was destroyed, so we're back to the old fashioned way. planting fields has been troublesome too. Any time a tractor starts up a rocket or mortar attack follows"

Brandon knew he had to be delicate with his next question, "Have all the attacks come without provocation?" (did your people start it?

“I’m not exactly equipped to monitor what everyone is doing when they’re outside the village or in the countryside, but no one is acting antagonistically under my orders if that’s what you’re asking”

Brandon couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, and saying with more vehemence than he intended. "You don't think stringing up a pair of the robots in your town square might be see as a little antagonistic? There is a reason we don't use gibbets and gallows any more." He was satisfied that the alderman hadn't given any order though. "I plan of speaking to the ZF very soon. Is there any message you wish to convey? You do want peace with them yes?" (Giving him a chance to apologize or say anything in his peoples defense to the ZF without saying it himself) (edited)

"There is no message other than we are content to live in peace, if they can uphold it. I cannot promise more"

Knoor looked at him a long moment before saying, "I will pass that along. Now, what do you need in the way of supplies and materiel? That is the primary reason I have come." The king had sent him here to see what it was the settlers needed rather than a ship of random supplies someone two systems away thought they might need. (hopefully fulfilling some of my official mission by getting some info) (edited)

"I'm not sure if building defenses violates your mandate or not. We could also use some farming and mining equipment, most of what we had was destroyed in the fighting recently, and we're going to need it if we want to keep living here. Foraging is carrying us by for now but we're eventually going to eat the land clean if we don't change things soon"

Knorr nodded and took notes in his compad. Better defenses would probably deter anyone trying to attack the town, not just the ZF, and farm equipment only made sense. "I'll see what I can do, but I'll say that everything you asked for, seems reasonable given the circumstances." Brandon was starting to formulate a plan. "I have no further questions. Thank you for your time." (If there is nothing else I'll leave and go find the Sgt. and ask him for his security recommendations)

The sergeant is waiting ouside the Alderman's house, along with two members of the security detail. He finishes his conversation with them, and sends them on their way. "How'd it go in there sir? Anything we should be advised of?"

"Actually, it went better than I thought Sgt. The alderman claims that the truce never really reached out here. That is confirmed by the good doctors recent sniper attack. So, be advised, watch your ass." He looked over at the two dangling robot corpses, and gave an order. "Sgt. cut those two down and put their remains in the cargo lighter. we'll be returning them to the ZF, to deal with them as they see fit. Don't let the locals give you any shit about it, either. If they want NMC protection, then it comes with a price. Starting with basic civility." "What about you? do you have a basic report of the defenses? What it would need to shore up this place and all that?" (edited)

(letting the Sgt. give orders and give me a basic report for the files) (edited)

The town no longer has walls to speak of , or any actual defenses looking out over the countryside. They especially have no way to stop any of the rocket or mortar attacks directed at the fields, assuming they continue

Knorr files that for the report to the king. "Alright, we're going to the occupied city to the west of here to try and meet someone from the ZF. Get the bodies loaded, and let's move." (Unless there's something else, all the squad gets into the lighter and we fly east to the city)

(Did you want any of them to work on the defenses situation here? At least advising the villagers maybe. I know you mentioned it )

(Yea thanks for reminding me. We leave a pair to do what can be done to shore up defenses and keep the locals from getting too stupid.) (edited)

(then we head to the City to hopefully make contact with the ZF, as it is supposed to be shared for trade.)

Landing outside the contested city a mixed crowd of humans and robots begin to gather but the two groups do not intermingle

They slowly ring the ship, waiting to see what will emerge

Knorr steps out first and he has his troop follow him closely, giving a clear impression of authority. He makes his way to the robot side and shouts, "I am Brandon Knorr, Sent here by King Deevers! I need to speak to a representative of the Zero Foundation!" While none of it was a lie, and it implied a lot more authority than he actually had, he was pretty sure the locals would buy it. (Looking for the robot in charge to begin information gathering and negotiations)

There are no markings or ranks among the zero foundation robots present here but there is some degree of specialization in terms of what they’re designed for. One with tracks instead of legs and a shovel fronted body begins speaking. “You are speaking with the zero foundation already”

Knorr looked around trying to understand. He nodded sagely and said, "I've brought the remains of two of your...kind. I didn't know what your customs about such things are. I did this as a matter of respect. The ones called Marble and Reverend Levi have said that if i could use thier names for peace that i should. The truce, is not being held to in the outer lands. Why?"

Several of the Zero foundation step forward to recover the bodies while talks begin, there is a whine of power tools and air guns as the cores are pulled from both, before the bodies are unceremoniously kicked aside. "The truce does not hold because the humans are not letting it hold. The countryside is lawless, imperfect, as are all things created by the artifice of man"

"Who ever told you humans were perfect? That hardly explains the mortar's or shelling and if anything about you were perfect, you would already have this planet and we wouldn't be having this conversation. The universe isn't perfect, so the rest of us do what we can to get by." He gestures for emphasis "Biologicals don't get their cores put into a new chassis. We take our one chance at this life very seriously... I was told that you sought diplomatic relations once. Are you still willing to talk to someone willing to listen?" (probably a talk roll or something for the "give peace a chance" speech)

(I'll let you know if a roll is needed)

"We are willing to entertain further talks, if the biologicals will agree to hold to the terms"

(Can I use my compad to broadcast a message to the planet? Maybe relay it through the cargo lighter and up to and orbiting ship? If so i would broadcast the terms of the previous truce along with a message asking for peace and warning of repercussions to anyone who breaks the peace. Specifically calling for a 3day cease fire.)

(There’s enough technical stuff in place where a planet wide message would be circulated. It might not be live everywhere all at once but within the day everyone will have heard you)

(Is that helpful ?)

(Very, thank you) After he sends out a message to the planet Groa, Knoor looks back to the ZF "representative"and adds "Thats the best i can do for now, until we can establish some clear boundaries between both peoples. Send someone here tomorrow morning to start negotiations." Turning to the Humans he calls out for them to send a representative the next day too. To the Sgt. he orders "Start getting together a list of thing this place needs to be made secure, don't be shy about anything either."

(it'll be some time before he gets back to you if you want him to do more than give you very surface level information. If Brandon isn't accompanying him, we can move into something else, it doesnt sound like you've got anything else planned for this meeting since you want to chat with them tomorrow)

(Knorr's going use the negotiations to find out what both factions need as far as resources, and to buy for time for the Sgt. to do a thorough job on his survey. He figures if he can get all that information and send it back that it would complete the mission. How much time would that be?)

(Well you said the negotiations were going to be in game tomorrow, so I’m just not sure what you’re doing for half a day from now until sleep and the next one. )

(You don’t have to do anything at all I just want to know what to skip if you’re not planning on doing anything further )

The sergeant returns after several hours of touring and a list for the city is still being compiled. It would take thousands of tons of supply to accomplish even a basic level of rebuilding and restoration

alright, well it appears you've left the game