Dave takes a moment to examine his body. This night his contract begins with an indenture to the Company, and after watching his work in secret for years , the Company has announced themselves and decided he is fit for service. The contoured Armor plating of the Scourge combat unit catches the rolling lightning flashes and supernova color spray of the MES storm above, the normally pearlescent plates now a rainbow oil slick sheen. It’s inbuilt weapons hang slack, forced into a safety setting within the outpost , but upon leaving weapons restrictions will be lifted

Others are here as well. Six in total, including Dave, monitoring nearby space and the nearby surface of the plant for cult incursions or the arrival of their more ethereal servants. It matters little. Remade as he is, Dave is adept at killing both.

Dave runs a hand through perfectly coifed hair and pulls out a small hand mirror, giving a smug grin at himself as he admires the significant changes compared to his old shell. Damn, I look good. He raises a hand, flexing fingers that move fluidly and without pain. A flicker of liquid shadow runs across his palm almost playfully. Aether flow is improved too. I should be able to construct spellforms much more quickly. Those cultist bastards won't know what hit em. Dave chuckles, his once thin and reedy voice now a rich baritone. He looks up to the others on his team as they watch the monitors, "So where's our target?" (edited)

One of the frames plugged into the sensor array turns gently. The figure inside is another remade like yourself. Right now, she is sitting in the control cradle, her eyes no part of her body but instead using the powerful sensors of the station as extensions of herself. 'Aether flash. Two of them on the north ridge. 4 kilometers from here...and now a third. Metasig showing possible teleport contact"

Dave grabs a dark cloak to cover his semi-reflective armor. He pines for his new suit momentarily, after living in relative poverty so long it feels wrong not to take advantage of his high quality clothes. Don't want blood on my suit though. Blew through most of my signing bonus between that and the Scourge. Maybe I can craft a spellform that will keep clothes clean. Heh, better not, I'll become the Company clothes washer and that's so far beneath my potential. "Teleportation? We'll have to hit em fast then so they can't escape. They got Shadows with them?"

"I see some, drudges mostly, and a myrmidon. They're coming this way. I think this is just a probe. None of the specimens look that impressive" there is a sigh as she disconnects from the sensors and her body regains motive power again. "Well, lets go disappoint them I suppose. You'd think The Still Lady would run out of morons to throw at us after a while"

Dave grins, his eyes humorless. "Well we wouldn't want to put ourselves out of a job now would we?" Dave cycles his internal aether, relishing the speed it travels through his new body before reaching out and drawing a spellform in the air, geometric shapes that control and define what the aether is to do. In this case, the spellform completes and its energy rushes out to surround his allies weapons, Consecrating them to be more effective against ethereal beings. (+1 to hit and damage, counts as a magical weapon for damaging shadows)

She nods appreciatively. Names haven’t been passed around yet, as this assignment is dangerous and attachments mean an unnecessary loss of frames. It’s chilling at first when inducted to the company , to be told the technology you’re wearing is more valuable than your brain chip or your actual grey matter- but it is the way. More than once captured frames have been sent back by the enemy.

Dave returns the nod and checks his gear a final time. Drudges are practically incapable of combat, better suited for manual labor. The myrmidon is something to look out for. They won't be able to survive long without a steady supply of aether. Most shadows can't tap into the ambient aether and need a host to keep them here. "We should identify and target the myrmidon's master first then kill the rest of the cultists. The drudges can be mostly ignored but watch out for them carrying explosives, they fear their masters more than death." A grim smile splits his face, "Let's go get em."

Several speeder bikes have been shackled to charging cradles outside the outpost, and after a few minutes they are all disconnected from ground power. Ghost driver backups exist on each to allow drivers to fire weapons, cast, and otherwise operate as though it was a horse under them rather than a finely tuned jet bike.

Dave makes sure to put on his helmet, because safety is badass. He hops on the bike, glad for the intuitive ghost driver rather than having complete control himself. Could never have afforded something like this before. Not that I can now yet, but soon enough. Say what you will about the Company, they pay well if you get the job done. He looks to the others and nods again, signaling that he's ready, then zooms off, taking the spot behind the leader.

The leaders bike has a large blade fixed to the front of it, and he plows forward kicking up dust behind him. The dry ground flakes upward in a rooster tail of brown, as you all fly by. You get to within 1km of the site when the decision to fight mounted in a shocking assault or dismounted in ambush needs to be made

I don't have the same driving experience as the others and I'm not fully used to this new shell yet. Best keep to what I do best: stick to the shadows. "Let's set an ambush. We can more easily identify key targets and take a few out before they can respond. I think that's worth the sacrifice of mobility."

"Alright, we do dave's plan. Lets get some eyes on our guests and see where they're walking, then we decide how to strike"

Dave dismounts and begins walking in the direction of the cultists, looking for cover or somewhere with a height advantage to set their ambush.

There are loose petrified trees and thick, dark branched pricker brush forming a natural boundary to a road moving through the trees toward the outpost. THe cultists could also endure a rougher climb through some highlands to get further inland, but they'll be seen making the approach and you'll have time to reposition if you're swift

Dave sets up in the brush, pulling binoculars out to watch for the cultists. "I'll watch the road if one of you can keep eyes on the highlands. The more advance notice we have of their trajectory the better."

You set up in the dark wood, and after what feels like forever, the first of the enemy comes into view. It is a drudge, something resembling a bunched and malformed worker though it is not carrying tools. Something is wrapped in its malformed hands, but it is hard to see what it is.

Dave quietly speaks to the others without turning, "Got a drudge over here. Has something in its hands but can't tell what yet. Anything on the highlands?" Dave keeps his eyes peeled for any of the cultists who might be with the drudge.

(About how far away are they?)

Nothing has been spotted on the highlands just yet, but it could change. THe drudge is 100m away, moving slowly, and panning back and forth on its slack neck

Dave sits still and continues to watch, waiting until he can either see what is in the drudge's hands or other enemies show up.

(notice/wis)

(4)

You’re unable to see what is in the dirty cloth wrapped Bundle as it closes to 80m

Damn. I need to get closer to see. "Highlands still clear? I'm gonna try and get a bit closer to see what's going on."

Nothing has been spotted up there so far, though the scouts are certain the attack has been split (edited)

Dave nods in agreement, "I'll stay close, let me know as soon as you see anything." He moves quietly through the brush and trees, getting 10m closer and trying to find a better angle before he looks through his binoculars once more to get a better look.

(Boop)

The creatures is holding a powerful demotion charge in its hands , incapable of doing anything other than carrying it forward at the vanguard of the assault group

If I shoot it it may alert the others that we're waiting for them. Luckily I have just the thing for this. Dave cycles his aether, sending it through his body and returning it to his core in a pattern unique to him. Once his body was sufficiently suffused with aether he began drawing the spellform he had designed. The spellform that had caught the Company's attention. Light flares on the ground in front of the drudge and quickly expands, encircling the Shadow in two concentric circles, geometric shapes and lines filling the narrow gap between the circles as Dave casts Shadow Ward. (It has to make a mental saving throw to be able to cross the line. If it passes it can cross the line but it takes damage)

(The consecrated arms drops as they both require light focus)

(Fails). The creature holds where is is, unable to advance, retreat, or make a meaningful move in any direction. The highlands come alive as the scouts report the main attack is concentrating there, the bomb carrier appears to be a feint

Glad he hadn't moved any further from the group, Dave quickly hurries back, leaving the drudge stuck in the ward. "We can safely ignore the drudge for now. What do we have over here?"

(Do you need to do anything to keep the ward going?)

“We need to take that myrmidon first. If we question anything, it’s going to be as the casters are dying. We can’t afford to let them summon anything else “

(Just light focus, so I can't cast another light focus spell without it going out) Dave speaks as they reposition to ambush the group making the trek through the highlands, "Fair enough. If we all target the myrmidon in ambush we should be able to take it out before it has a chance to retaliate. We'll be able to tell if anyone else tries to summon anything but we can interrupt their casting fairly easily." The world seems to slow slightly around Dave as he activates the Sourge shell's battle mode (2 strain), and liquid shadow pools in his hand as he prepares his attack.

The myrmidon stomps into sight at the middle of a pack of drudges. They’re all carrying grenades or demolition charges in their clasped hands, and are beginning to form something like a skirmish line to screen the war beast and its summoners

From out raised position we should still have line of sight, but that will be negated as they get closer. Best finish this quickly. "Targeting the myrmidon, ready on your signal." (Since theyre approaching we probably wouldn't have the minute to set up for execution, so we'll just all fire at the myrmidon for the surprise round)

(Yeah we can kick that off. I don’t think the timing will be enough for an execution)

(13/4 after the frenzy bonuses)

(Standby. Rolling for everyone else in a mon)

The myrmidon takes several shots but remains on its iron shod legs, the shadow ripples metal groaning from the heat pressure. It lowers its weapon arm and fires into the trees, missing your companions but shredding one of the grav bikes to pieces with the onslaught of shadow charged shells

A bolt of shadow fires from Dave's hand, a complex spellform tattoo around his wrist glowing a deep violet (10/10).

The bolt misses, streaking wide against the ground before exploding in a shower of black diamond

The others bracket the Myrmidon, bringing it down, as the remaining druges close to 100m from the woodline

"We better move before those demo charges get here!"

My aether pool is nearly empty, I'll have to rest for the ambiant aether to refill it. "I can keep a most of them back but we'll have to watch our back for the other drudge when it's released. How many mages are there? We need to make sure they don't summon another myrmidon."

"I see, two. We get them, all this falls apart. Someone can flank them with one of the cycles maybe, and we can try to keep leading them into the woods"

Dave nods, "I'm on it." I'm not the best cyclist and probably not the best shot either. But I gotta prove myself to the Company, they're the quickest way to power here. Dave boards the cycle, "See you on the other side." He zooms off to circle around the drudges and mages to catch them by surprise.

Maknig a wide circle on the almost silently running bike is easy, and you find yourself 500km behind the ground as the first of the shots from the skirmish begin ringing out. The drugdges and their explosive burdens charge forward, as the casters fire bolts of energy into the wood, though the second starts blasting away with his carbine a moment later, finding it more effective

(Assuming 500m not km ) Dave accelerates towards the group, trusting the ghost driver to steer as he brings up his hand to blast the first of the mages. With a clear view from behind he can tell that he finally strikes true as his bolt of shadow tears through the air towards the mage. (24/5)

(yes. that pesky K)

The first of the mages is hit and the coils of shadow massing around his arms vanish as his concentration is lost. A chain of explosions at the treeline signal one of your friends got either very lucky, or very unlucky in setting off a small group of the bomb carriers. The carbine wielding mage spins, 19/4, letting off a ripping volley of shots at the speeding grav bike.

The shots ping off of Dave's armored shell, causing damage but nothing vital. Damn, without the extra defense of this shell I'd be nearly dead from one shot. Dave returns fire back at the mage (17/6).

The mage with the carbine falls, mortally wounded, and at the trees theremaining shadows are beginning to lose coherency, and dissolve

(Any enemies left in sight?)

(one mortally wounded mage, the other is still up, you inerrupted his spell)

(but wounded)

(Gotcha) Dave turns the cycle towards the remaining mage, one hand raised towards him, the other reaching back to his pack for rope. "You even wiggle your fingers an inch and you're dead, cultist." Dave spits the last word as if cursing. (Main action is getting the rope assuming he's not trying to cast right now, otherwise he'd attack) (edited)

(yeah he's got nothing, and your friends from the treeline have range, so they'd shoot him too)

(Does he resist being bound?)

(he doesnt resist no)

Dave hops of the cycle and tightly binds the mage's hands to prevent him from casting before throwing him over the back of the cycle. "Let's go see if the others survived, then we'll have some questions for you." The cycle peels out back towards the trees where the rest of his party was.

The rest of the party save one is intact. You see the medic working with a brain chip removal kit but you can alreadyt tell most of the critical parts of the head section have been destroyed.

(3xp, 5000 credits)

(Completed goal: destroy an enemy cultist to dispell their shadows)

(Lvl 1->3 HP 6->11 Cast magic 1->2; magic-know -1->0; notice -1->0; Wisdom 13->14 Focus: Cross-Disciplinary Study-2)

Dave throws the cultist off the bike, sparing a glance for the nameless dead solider before turning back to the mage. "Alright mage, you can answer my questions and have a quick painless death, or we can take you with us and you'll learn why we're called the Weeping Company."

“I’ll die before I talk. You’re going to have to do better than that”

Dave rolls his eyes, "Figured you'd say something like that." He turns to the rest of his team, "You all go on ahead, this could take a while."

They leave a bike for you ensuring the keys are secure and one by one begin heading back toward the settlement expecting that this will get fairly gross before you get any information they can use. Nobody is of a mind to see that this early in the day

Info gained from torture is often unreliable. Once broken they'll say what they think you want to hear, whatever they need to for you to stop. And I don't have the skill or tools to keep him alive long enough for him to break. Gotta try something else. Once the others have left Dave kneels down next to the mage, untying the bindings with a friendly smile, "Sorry about that, you know how those Company assholes are. They only respect shows of strength, no way they'd leave us alone otherwise." He sits in front of the cultist, looking into his eyes with a serious but kind expression, "Look. I want out. The Company doesn't care about me nor I them—I'm expendable. Well, they'll want the frame back when I'm dead but otherwise they could care less what happens to me. This Still Lady... You guys seem actually devoted to her. And she gives you such amazing abilities! I'm a mage too, as you know." Dave gives a wry chuckle, "I want more power and I want to fight for something I believe in! I want to become a follower of the Still Lady! Is that something you could help me with?"

“I suppose so. I’d have to get out of here to bring you back though. She would always take another follower especially a mage

Dave smiles, "Sure, I'll come back with you! Anything is better than where I was..." He begins to collect his things and tosses his backpack to the cultist, "Load that on the cycle for me will ya? Where are we going anyway?" While the cultist's back is turned Dave sends a quick message to the Company, deleting it as soon as it sends.

(are you untying him then?)

(Yeah, he already had)

As soon as everything is loaded, he looks over at you and nods once. "we've got a small outpost out here on the far side of the planet. You guys have a gap in your sensor coverage, and we can get small ships in every once in a while. Teleported from there"

(Can the bike hold two people?) Even that much information would get me commendations from the Company, but... I want more. I need more. Dave nods to the cultist and mounts the cycle, "Lead the way."

(yes)

(Oh duh, can they teleport us?)

(yeah and the bike, if you want)

(he can do burdened apparition)

(Yeah we'll take the bike)

With a blink you appear in a shower of sparks outside a run down looking shack. There is a large patch of felled trees and a few small fires burning where a shuttle or gunboat has just taken off. Likely the craft that brought them here.

“Alright. We wait for an hour. The ship will return. We don’t have their comm frequency. She didn’t want us accidentally giving ourselves away. Lot of good that did” he says after a moment, eyes staring into the unfathomable distance

Dave shrugs, "I'm too low on the food chain to know much about that, they just sent me cause they knew I had studied Shadows. I've always found them quite fascinating."

“They are fascinating. To know the things that the lady knows. If you are sincere you could go a long way in the cult. Even on this side of the gate “

"Most Company mages only speculate on those who pact with Shadows, few dig very deep into the nature of Shadows and how you pact with them. I've probably gotten the closest of our mages but even I am missing some links, and I've devoted nearly all of my arcane study to it. The spellforms I've created in secret are incomplete, though I've had some success with spellforms designed to control already summoned Shadows."

"Do you mind showing me what you have? If you want to impress The Lady, showing her incomplete work is hardly going to endear you"

Dave nods and cycles his aether, drawing the spellform for his Shadow Ward. A pair of glowing concentric circles surround the mage, the familiar lines and shapes between them empowering the Ward to keep Shadows from crossing. "This can contain weaker Shadows, though I'm working on enforcing the spellform to work on stronger Shadows as well. I was hoping to use it to capture a Shadow to study them, but if things go well here it seems I'll have willing participants to study soon."

He laughs "More than enough time soon. Speaking of, our ride should be here any second now. Let's get back on outside, and grab that bike"

Dave lags behind in the shack to glimpse at his dataslab quickly to see if the Company had sent anything before following the mage out.

(I think they’re just waiting to see what kind of information you send back right ?)

(Yeah, he was just checking before heading to another planet)

(They’re just watching right now. They wouldn’t risk breaking radio silence and blowing you in)

Dave joins the cultist outside, leaning casually against his cycle as he waits for the ship.

The small shuttle is black, matted against the dim sun of this world and its hull in inscribed with thousands of lines of tight cuneiform blessings in green script. Its ramp lowers, as two drudge's open it, and bid you enter. A human and a drudge are behind the controls as well, serving as the flight crew, and say nothing as you board. The ramp shuts once the bike is secured, and the engines whine as you make escape velocity through orbit and into space

"Its a few day jump to Rana, where the fun really begins. Are you going to be okay to settle in"

(Are we starting on Nesuna?) "That will be just fine with me. Do you mind if I observe and speak with the drudges? I know they're not the most talkative of Shadows unless it's about their work, but I'd still like to learn what I can."

(Yeah the wc home)

(Let's work on 2/90 exert for the trip, gotta get some gains)

(I gotta check my notes for this. I’ll do it before quiet year tonight

(Sounds good, no rush)

(yeah i thin that was the one we had set aside, but its two days to Rana yes)

Rana is a world where the metaspace storm is both the most violent and most stable all at the same time. Lightening in sky blue, green, and magenta crackle over a cloud layer that obscures the entire planet surface from above. They are thick, inky black mirrors of space lined with silver and bronze. Occasionally a point of light on the surface will peak out for a few seconds before the swirling clouds overlap it again. Despite all this as the shuttle makes its descent, a pocket seems to open before it and close behind it, allowing the storm to fill in where the shuttle no longer is

Mmm... The storm is quite beautiful here. I'll need to find out how they create an opening to go through. Likely something on the ship, but might be controlled on the surface too. Dave sits back to watch their descent onto the cultists' planet.

Descending onto the surface of Rana, you see little of the actual ground. Dark trees, dark fog, and the seemingly never ending storm above blocks out virtually all natural light. This world is not much different than that of Acastus, though it is like every element the planet had has been tuned up to 11- highly exaggerated in every sense of the word. A small outpost fires a green flare into the sky, consisting of a landing pad (empty right now aside from you) , a small control tower, a hangar, and a low , but wide bunker where most of the personnel here seem to spend their time out of the elements

They sure are leaning into the whole shadow and darkness theme pretty hard with their planet choice. Bunch of edgy twats. At least I should be able to learn a lot from them before I kill them all. Dave gathers his few things into his pack to prepare for exiting.

You see two warriors walking around with unsheathed blades , being careful not to cut themselves on all that edge. both of them seem to be talking about how much they're suffering, and just generally being overly dramatic about the conditions here in general. "This is a Weeping Company scout who defected to us" your pacter 'friend' tells someone in a crimson suit of battle armor. "He wishes to be inducted with all speed, but we'll need to head to the main settlement.

Dave nods to the soldiers, "The sooner the better." I wonder why we couldn't just land at the main settlement. Could be related to the gap in the storm, or just for security. Or maybe they just like making things hard on themselves, they seem to enjoy complaining enough.

A small ground car is pulled around for the both of you, and this seems to be all that needs to be done or said on the matter. "sory about the wait. Sometimes its hard to know what might be available. Security is pretty tight too, you can't just land anywhere you want or you're likely to be shot down, even if you're friendly"

"We had some pilots make that mistake once a few years ago, no more commercial flights, thats for sure. Not many travel now anyway, we don't let apostates leave their settlements"

Dave nods as he enters the car, "Yeah, makes sense. Can't have just anybody coming to your doorstep. Though the storm itself seems a decent defense too. How'd you guys make that opening to get through?"

"Elementalists on the ground make pockets for ships to travel through , working as basically air traffic controllers and weather controllers. THe Lady makes the storm though, pretty easy for her to do here with all the metaspace energy floating about.

"Ah, that explains why the storm looks different from usual." We'll probably need to hire some of those crazy Storm Scions to help us get through. The Company may have a few elementalists, but no one does weather better than the Scions. Dave watches the dark world pass by outside the car, taking in this new world. Not exactly where I pictured myself ending up when I became a mage, but as long as I don't die here, I've got no complaints so far.

"They put their own flare into it, that's for certain" he says, more than a little envy in his voice as the vehicle begins picking up speed. "There are going to be checkpoints on the way. Our story is the truth, so we should be okay, but try not to say much of anything unless they directly ask you. |

Dave gives a slight chuckle, "Yes, I'm well acquainted with nosey bureaucrats and pushy guards." It's not getting in that's the tricky part. Their security is tight. I may need to be here longer than I thought, build some trust so I have more opportunities both to cause maximum chaos and make it out afterwards.

Overhead, a Still Lady gunship passes by, staying between the storm layer and the ground. Its searchlights pan through the forest for a few seconds, before a line of tracers hits a treeline several kilometers away near where it is now hovering. Sparks along its hull show it is taking fire from the ground, before a rocket streaks out of the trees to strike its flank. Coughing black smoke, it turns, still being hit by small arms. The pilot fights to keep it in the air, and it begins limping back toward the central city, engine aflame

"Damn rebels. Just like Acastus all over again. Some people just don't know how to accept their fate"

Rebels? That's promising. My goal here isn't to free the locals but they could certainly be useful. "Acastus? I'm not familiar with the system."

"just like this, dark, stormy, raining, full of magical assholes who hate our Goddess"

"We had a large following there for quite sometime, in realspace! Can you believe that?"

\

Dave's eyes widen slightly in surprise before returning to an expression of indifference, "Mmm, I wouldn't think the Lady would have near as much power or influence outside the storm. I'm surprised they even have mages out there." The cultists have a way to leave the storm? I wonder if the Company knows about this. Knowing them they probably have their own secret way out too. Not sure if I'd want to leave even if this is true, but plenty back home would in hopes of a better life. Hah. Hoping for a better life does nothing. You have to take it for yourself.

“She has influence everywhere she casts her gaze but not everyone’s ready for the change she’s bringing. They’ll learn the error of their ways soon. “ Heading into the city you’re stopped twice by checkpoints but are allowed to pass through when questioned. None are directly leveled at you. The city is dark, towers of black iron lit dimly from within by struggling fluorescent numbs. There are gnarled trees growing in the rain and metaspace lashed soil that grow deep purple fruits.

Nasty looking place. I'll have to be very careful with anything I do against the cultists. I need to learn the extent of their influence here. Stealth and deceit will be my allies. Not like I can just take them on alone in the open. That'd be as idiotic as charging their guards with a sword from a hundred meters away. "Impressive city. Seems well suited to keep the locals suppressed. Where are we headed?"

"To the temple of education and correction. The cult magisters will evaluate you and you'll be inducted if you're found a good candidate for manipulating shadows"

Dave nods confidently, "I have no doubt in my abilities nor aptitude." An education temple sounds good. Correction less so, but as long as I tell them what they want to hear that shouldn't be an issue. Dave sits back in the car and watches the city as they pass through towards the temple.

The temple of correction and education is of course a pyramid. It’s onyx sided and this time streaked with marble rather than gold. It’s sides are polished and it reflects the lighting , streaking down in bright flashes from the sky. Several soldiers and mage figures seem to be out front in conversation though there doesn’t seem to be hard security to get in

Dave exits the car with the mage and follows him into the temple for the testing. I'm curious as to their evaluation. The arcanists have spells to divine someone's arcane aptitude. For metapsions their sense is innate when searching for their kin. But this is something unique.

The building is frigid inside and some windows flicker with their own light , not the light of the lighting outside. You’re brought into a wide antechamber where a beautifully carved statue of a lithe woman pours blood from a side turned clasped in her stone hands. The blood takes the place of water on less offensive statuary you’ve send elsewhere

Mmm. Tasteful decor. Dave continues following the mage. "So what is the evaluation like?"

"The test is simple, but painful. One of the magisters will probe your magical skills and map the flow of energy through your body. If they're satisfied you're capable of working with the shadows, you'll be inducted, trained, and we probably might hang out again on some missions against the heretics or something"

you

are directed to a side room where there are some very large chambers, and two figures stand in the closest in deep conversation

Sounds delightful. Pain is a cheap price for power. Dave nods to the mage, "I'm ready." He bows to the two figures but stays silent as they approach, assuming they'll be administering his test.

The two figures wordlessly take you by the arms and whisk you through the temple to its second floor, where you're locked into something liked a meditation cell. The cell is cool, and one of the figures enters after a few moments. "You are here because you wish to join the cult, and worship The Lady in the way best suited to you. You have stated there is an aptitude for the manipulation of shadows. the Lady needs this, for the ranks of her mortal footsoldiers are ever depleting"

Dave bows, "I am here to serve the Lady as best I can. The more knowledge and power I can attain the better servant I will be."

(Boop)

"You have chosen well to have come this far. Your shadow work, we were told by yourf friend there who captured you that you were able to bind them in place, and prevent our cunning plan from coming to fruition"

"Ah yes, an unfortunate necessity for my deception to succeed. With my aid however, we will achieve much more in the name of the Lady."

“We have two choices then. We can excoriate you for days, and make you a convert when you’re sure you’ve scraped every last sin and thought of rebellion against her will from your heart Or a test of deeds. A new shadow form we have been working with has escaped confinement. Someone with your abilities such as they are can bind it

“Once done, other handlers should be able to wrest it back into containment “

"Though I have many sins to atone for there is no rebellion in my heart. I am a man of action and would be honored to prove myself to the Lady through my skill." A free shadow? Weak shadows cannot generally survive without a mage sustaining them so it must be a more powerful one. I can only hope it's not so powerful to resist my spells.

"Very good. your companion that brought you in, Fergus, will be goingout with you. He's not very bright, if he gets in your way or endangers the mission you'd probably be doing us a favor by killing him"

"Dealers choice. "

A smug smile creeps onto Dave's face, "We'll see how useful he is. I'll make sure he doesn't endanger the mission. One way or another."

"You can use the same car. Shadow fled north into the forested zone once it broke out of containment. Keep this stone sigil on the car, we can teleport to it once you let us known its bound"

(like that magic seal rey used to use)

"Sounds simple enough. I've studied most of the standard Shadow forms, what's the purpose of this new one? Any weaknesses I can exploit if it resists my ward?"

"This one was meant to be smarter and hardier than a Myrmidon, something like a new generation if that makes sense"

"Mmm. Sounds useful. I'll do my best to bring it back in one piece." Dave bows and heads back to Fergus and the car.

Fergus smushes a cigarette into the ground under his book, and sighs. He stretches out a bit. "ready to head out then? To ours and at least my own imminent death? "

Littering? Really? These cultists really are evil. Dave chuckles, "Between the two of us we should have no issue surviving. Did you summon the myrmidon last time or just the drudges? Some extra combat prowess wouldn't hurt."

"I was able to summon the Myrmidon last time, and will again as we approach our destination. We should make them fight and take bets on it'

You're beginning to understand why the cult in general isnt a big fan of Fergus

Dave chuckles again, more sincerely this time. Don't make me like you Fergus. I'll probably have to kill you eventually. "10 credits on this new Shadow. Only if my ward fails though." He leads the way back to the car to head out to the forest.

(if dave can't drive, Fergus will) Fergus offers some choice snacks, which is saying a lot given the state of the city. The Still Lady is firmly in control here, and the city seems to be running smoothly, but fighting on three fronts as she is, there are clearly some shortages of needed goods. such is the price for realm expansion, as it were. You can see a path of destruction through the woods, too thin for the ground car to fit through once you've traveled about 5km from the city. Ashes coat the ground, and little flames on branches dance in the permadark, as lightning crackles and flashes above

(Yeah, no pilot skill yet. It's on the to do list lol) "Looks like it might have some sort of flame based attack. Could be dangerous in the forest. Summon your myrmidon and follow me at a distance, I'm going to try to sneak up on it."

Dave creeps into the trees, following parallel to the path the Shadow took.

Fergus spends a moment rifling through his bag. You catch sight of a patch showing an oil can, that says KEEP WELL LUBRICATED. He looks at it and laughs to himself for a second, before stowing the rest of his gear. He concentrates for a moment, working to pull tendrils of shadow together to form the Myrmidon body

After confirming that the myrmidon is summoned and questioning Fergus's life choices Dave heads further into the forest, eyes peeled for the new Shadow.

The forest is a flickering wasteland of different layers of gloom between the fire, the lightning and the small amounts of ambient starlight that makes its way through the clouds. You pass a burned deer, and several other small animals that have been torched by its passage. 100m away as you enter a clearing, a shadowy form that looks to be a human torch in shape steps into the wood, the small grass and kindling around it smolder, and burn

Dave mutters quietly to himself as he draws a spellform, hoping the distance and darkness is enough to keep him hidden for now as he casts Analyze Shadow. (Tells me his HD, Principles, what its special abilities are, and whether it's a controlled Shadow or a free one)

3HD, Its special abilities are elemental fury and furious violence, it is a free shadow, and its principle is Kill People, Break things

It definitely has stronger combat capabilities than a myrmidon. I'll need to get a bit closer to have clear line of sight for my ward. Dave quietly moves closer until he has a clear view of the ground around the Shadow.

You can see it in the flicker in the ground, as the fire illuminates the position around it. It is a very brightly lit shadow

Dave glances silently back towards Fergus and nods before beginning to construct the spellforms for his ward. A glowing circle is quickly drawn around the flaming shadow as the spellform completes and Dave prepares for combat in case the ward fails. (Mental save for the shadow)

(3)

The spell form is bound as the ward begins spreading across its fiery flesh, pinning it in place as it begins raging over its change of circumstances

(Reading the spell it doesn't say they can't attack, just can't cross the ward. But if we attack the ward fails.) I should call the other cultists now and let them deal with it... Or maybe I can somehow turn this to my advantage. Standing behind a tree, out of line of sight, Dave calls out loudly to the Shadow, "Greetings oh firey one! I've been hired to bring you back to where you came from in chains. But perhaps we could come to an agreement instead." Dave watches for signs of the Shadow attacking while also keeping an eye on how Fergus responds to his statement.

Fergus for now is watching, listening intently. He is dense, and sometimes downright silly, but its more than clear he has likewise registered the disrespect the cult and other members of it have for him

It hasn't attacked and Fergus doesn't seem to mind the change in plans. Let's see what happens. Dave slowly peeks his head out from behind the tree to see the Shadow, "You won't survive long on your own without a steady supply of aether. If you pact with me I will supply you with aether and you will have plenty of opportunities to kill and destroy. Your other option is captivity with those cultists poking at you and running tests rather than letting you kill."

you have its attention, and Fergus has continued to not mind the change of plan. You get the sense it is listening to you eager to hear more of what you can offer it

Dave cautiously but confidently walks closer to the trapped Shadow. Myrmidons can speak, but are generally limited to speak only about combat and killing. They said this one would be more intelligent which could be a bit of a double edged sword for controlling it. "I have great plans that involve much killing. I aim to be more powerful than any mage and that power does not come cheaply. I will need strong allies to rise with me and reap the benefits that come with such power. You are uniquely superior to your weaker kin, fit to lead my host of Shadows against all who oppose us! Anything less would be unworthy of such a being as yourself. The choice is yours. A commander of Shadows and bringer of death? Or some fanatic's science project?"

The elemental fires everal explosive bolts of energy at the myrmidon, relentlessly attacking until the enemy shadow is destroyed. It takes a single knee, taking on the guise of knight in a flaming suit of armor kneeling before its lord

Dave, turns back for a moment towards Fergus with a wry smile, "You owe me 10 credits." He steps up in front of the Shadow, dismissing the ward holding it in place. "Do you have a name?"

"I do not know my name. All I know is I must kill"

"Then I shall call you Agni. Rise Agni. Fergus, come here." Dave pulls a small book from his pack and opens it, turning past pages filled with spellforms and notes to a blank page. "Write down the spellform you use to summon your myrmidon. I should have enough experience to adapt it for our new friend here so he may be summoned when needed. I apologize Agni, but you will need to return to your own dimension for now else you be captured by the mages once more. I promise the next time you are summoned you will have something to kill rather than waste your expertise with foolish experiments."

Angi rises, keeping his flame knight form and Fergus begins fishing the engrams out of his bag, scrolling through them before handing you the correct one. Despite outward appearances he’s actually organized in this regard

Everyone seems to be going along with what you have proposed

Dave copies the engram into his spellbook, knowing he'll need to study it before making any changes to the spellform. At least I should be able to summon a standard myrmidon with this. This spellform alone is worth the effort to infiltrate the cult. "We should head back Fergus. Agni, I will summon you once more as soon as the spellform is complete. For now, here is a parting gift." Dave raises a hand towards Agni's head, and a stream of pure aether flows out of Dave and into the Shadow. "Go now. And be ready to fight." (It's not a thing in the book, but Dave'll burn a spell slot to gift Agni with some extra metadimensional energy) (edited)

The flames go from a somber red and yellow to white, tipped with blue at the most extreme edge, and you can see the ground cracking and running around the creature's feet. It salutes you both, with a gesture of its Aether formed blade, before departing as you cut the connection for now, powering your new engram with it instead

Dave makes sure the forest is safe from any remaining fires before heads back towards the car with Fergus. "They pretty much told me to kill you before coming back. But they're assholes and I kinda like you. I've known too many people like them. They abuse their position to get their way but don't have the guts to do the dirty work themselves. And I doubt the Lady cares any more about what happens to them than she does for you... How'd you end up working for the Lady anyhow?"

“Bad choices made by others, and I got in too deep to make up my own mind while still being able to keep it, or my life. I’m trying to make the best of a bad situation here but I think they can tell my heart isn’t in this cult business “

"Well Fergus, you interested in a new job opportunity? Work for me instead of the cult. We may be working with the cult for a short bit but that's a temporary thing for me. A way to gain information and power with a side of vengeance. And if you help me I wouldn't leave you with nothing. What is it you want Fergus?"

“I want to be useful and I want to have a comfortable life “

“That’s all I wanted. I thought the cult was a path to that but I was so wrong”

"You'll certainly be useful working with me though I admit I don't plan on living comfortably for some time. If you help me with what I need here I will make sure you are comfortable on Nesuna. Depending on what we accomplish here I could even swing getting you citizenship as well as my own. That alone should see you decently comfortable there, the Company takes care of those who benefit it."

"I see, and what does the Company want with this planet? aside from the obvious? Surely you can return home for a while now"

"The planet itself? Not sure if there's any interest there. But the Still Lady has been a sore spot for them for years. They would be happy with the information we have if we returned now, but I figured I'd help cause a little extra chaos while I'm here. My original plan was to stick around to learn about summoning Shadows, but if I have you to cover the basics I should be able to figure out the rest. But I won't have another chance to infiltrate again, they'll be more watchful next time, so I'd like to take advantage of it while I can."

“I might have a way for you to cause chaos and get us out of here all in one go. Remember that shuttle base we landed at when we first showed up? If we take that out and steal the ship in the process it’s one fewer spaceport then cult is going to be able to use to bring things in. “

Dave nods, thinking as he begins heading back to the car, "That's not a bad idea. Do we need an elementalist to let us out of the storm though?"

"We do, and I know where to get one, though she might not be too happy to see me right now:

"Mmm, I can be persuasive. See Fergus? You're already being incredibly useful. Where is this elementalist? Back in the city?"

"Would be at the base, but she's not fond of me. Something about a couple dates I sort of stood her up on. She might not help me, but you might convince her to help you"

Dave chuckles, "Would she want to come with us? Having an elementalist with us could come in handy."

"Won't be a choice if she helps us. Not like she won't get outed eventually"

"One way ticket to a hole in the ground and being set on fire otherwise"

Dave nods again, "Fair enough. Well let's head that way then and get off this planet. I could do with some sunlight." He leads the way back to the car, letting Fergus drive again. (I guess we left the cycle back at the shuttle base so I'll make sure to take that with us when we leave hah)

(yeah we did, I forgot about it too

On the ride Dave opens his spellbook to begin adapting the spellform to summon Agni. (Not sure what we need here cause it's not exactly creating a new spell since it's a modified myrmidon. I'm fine waiting if he needs a spell creation lab to work in for this)

(It's not something entirely new, I think the requirement should be less intense than making something entirely from scratch)

(Got 13 on his magic know check. Normally would require a spell design facility and a DC 10 check to make a totally new spell, so with a 13 he should probably be able to adapt one on the road)

(100%)

you finish updating your notes for the elemental on your way by car, as Fergus speaks with security for a moment. There is some exchanging of notes, and it seems hes leveraging the success of your prior mission (6xp, 10,000 credits btw, i forgot)

They allow you to enter, keeping a close eye on the car

(Would that count for his goal to find a high quality summoning formula?)

(I'd say so)

(New spirit def counts)

(Sweet, bumps him to 5) (Level up: HP 11->15 Talk -1->1; pilot -1->0; lead -1->0 1sp banked)

The car comes to park near the main garrison building and Fergus makes a show of turning it off and stepping away

Dave stands close by Fergus, speaking to him quietly, "So where's the girl?"

“Shes inside. Bunk 3F. Like I said. She’s not going to talk to me but if You can get her out here we can make our escape

Dave nods, scanning their surroundings to get an idea of the forces housed here. "Alright, you wait out here and I'll go talk to her. Don't do anything stupid." Dave heads into the garrison and looks for the indicated bunk.

3F is a cavernous room, made of darkened wood and only a small candle burns on the wall in an iron holder. The clasps binding it into place are rusted and the room in general features moth eaten blankets and curtains. Four beds are bunked in this room but only one person is actually in it, scribbling away on a desk. There is a faint smell of ozone in the room, and evidence of scorch marks on the floor

"They really like their darkness theme don't they? You'll hurt your eyes trying to write without proper lighting you know." Dave walks up to the person at the desk, "I'm Dave and I've got a proposition for you if you're willing to listen."

"Not interested in a date, Dave. You don't exactly have the parts to be making me a proposition"

she doesn't turn around from the desk, continuing to write something in her yellowed book

"Though doubtless you'd have a wonderful time that is not what I had in mind." He walks closer and speaks quietly, his voice lowering to a whisper, "What I had in mind was slightly more... heretical in nature."

The pen is gently set down, and the book is gently closed after a few seconds of allowing the ink to dry on the most recent page. "Now you have my attention" she says, turning around in her chair.

"I heard you might be looking to leave this sad dark planet. I can get you off." Dave coughs uncomfortably, "Off the planet that is. But I need someone to get my ship through the aether storm."

“Ah not a fan of the pretty lights in the sky then are we? They make it hard to sleep. Alright. So what’s the plan. You think we are just gonna get on and unauthorized takeoff or what

"I have an idea for a distraction. Is there an armory here? Or anything particularly... flammable?"

She clutches her book a bit tighter. "Surrounded by beds and cloth here I suppose. Floor is made a wood. Eh, my bunkmates are dicks. Let me get over by you, and then go for it sparky"

...Sparky? Ugh. Dave pulls out his spellbook and double checks his new spellform before tracing it in the air. As he draws, the geometric lines distort the air, giving off an immense heat that begins to blister Dave's hand. He grunts and focuses, knowing if he gets distracted and makes a mistake the backfire would injure his aether channels at best if not kill him outright. Dave draws the complicated spellform slowly, forcing himself not to rush despite the pain. Energy leaves Dave in a rush, the lines begin to flicker and spark, sending glowing embers up into the air. Damn it, it shouldn't be taking this much of my aether pool to summon one Shadow. The spellform completes but aether continues to flow into it from Dave as it ignites and grows, spinning slowly and gradually gaining speed until it becomes a wirring fan of flame, out from which Agni steps. Its armored form kneels and holds something aloft as the firy portal behind closes. Curious, Dave looks closer and sees an archaic armored gauntlet, not unlike what Agni is wearing though a more slender version. I guess I'm supposed to put this on? Probably should have had Fergus here for my first official pacting. Dave accepts the gauntlet, placing on his hand. He gives a very manly yelp as a searing heat scalds the flesh inside, a smell of cooked meat and burnt hair filling the air. The pain fades much more quickly than it should and Dave looks at the gauntlet with trepidation. What have I gotten myself into? Still, if this makes me more powerful pain is a cheap price.

"This is very impressive. Alright sir flame knight, and Dave, do you think you can kill my friends for me, and burn this place down?" She finally turns around, and you can see she is wearing a blindfold over her eyes. "I want revenge on the cult too. You came to the right place, but before we start making a case for murder I need to know something. How did you hear about me?"

Dave gives a slight grimace, "Mmm, right. That part you're not going to like so much. I don't care what you do with him once we've gotten out of here but do try to hold off until we've escaped. It's.. Fergus."

She sighs. "Alright. Like you said, once we're clear of this place. Do what you need to do, I'll get to the shuttle with him and we'll get it ready. Keep anyone with a gun or a face you don't like away from us while we get it prepped"

(Found art for Agni)

Dave nods, "Have Fergus summon his myrmidon to guard you in case someone slips past us." He waits until she leaves before turning to Agni, "As promised we have many to kill and much to destroy my friend. Let's get some addition help first." Dave draws the spellform for a standard myrmidon, this summoning going quickly and without pain nor fanfare. Another knight appears, though its armor is less ornate and whisps of shadow surround it rather than flame. (Casting call myrmidon and then substitutionary focus pact to have it not take light focus) "Agni, light this place up. We'll hide nearby and ambush those who come to fight the fire."

Angi nods and with his burning blade slashes down the curtains, setting them alight. He repeats the process with a desk, and with the closest rack of beds he can reach. They all light into brilliant orange yellow flames, and continue to greedily consume the walls, floor, and other furnishings around them.

Dave leaves before the flames spread too far, not wanting to get caught in his own trap. He leaves the garrison and looks for a place nearby to hide, preferably where he can also have eyes on the ship. (Not sure if that's possible or what the layout is like) Knowing people should be exiting soon once the alarm is raised, Dave quickly casts a spell targeting the garrison entryway, hoping to take people out of the fight without a chance to attack. (Casting Hot Zone Invocation on the door. Anyone within a 5m radius of the door takes 10 damage per round, if they take damage they do a physical save or get radiation poisoning)

(You'd be coming out the very north doors)

(If that helps, or if you want to amend anything now that you have more than me describing things)

(Alright they'll hide near the building just north of the ship and he'll put the Hot Zone by the doors nearest to the ship. They'll hold fire till someone notices the ship prepping to leave and try to take them out before they alert others if possible)

Fergus and the elementalist partner you've all adopted begin gettin the ship prepared to take off. The powering up of starship engines is never quiet, and guards begin coming in from the south of the base to investigate the unauthorized startup. Three of them begin moving to the empty launch pad, weapons raised to try to get up the ramp

Dave and his Shadows step out from their hiding spot and fire blasts of energy at the guards, each firing at a different one. (Dave: 25/7; Agni: 24/10; 17/12; Myrm: 11/9)

Dave is able to wound his targets, though the secondary Myrmidon is suffering some kind of fault, and its weapon arms don't form properly. A spinning cannon shreds itself into Aether. Angi turns toward it, the blade slashing out (the two attacks you rolled) and executes the shadow for failing you. You sense it burning with a prideful energy, like a jealousy even, that a lesser form dares to stand in yours (Or hit) presence

The two guards return sloppy return fire at you, and are unable to get a square hit in

Dave glances over at Agni before focusing again in the guards. Damn it Agni... That was cool. But also stupid. "Alright Agni, let's finish them off!" Dave fires off another shadow bolt at the guard, hoping Agni will attack the target this time. (Forgot to increase the damage for Savage sorcery when I leveled, fixed now. Dave 24/13; Agni 13/10 18/12)

The hot zone fires as Dave and angi drop the surviving guards. The shuttle engines come on and you see Fergus at the ramp waving you aboard, his own combat shadow laying down suppressive fire to keep any would be heroes off your back

Dave hurries to the ship, Agni following, staying low in case the suppression is not enough. Reaching the ramp Dave calls out to Fergus, "Does this thing have guns? Usually using ship weaponry on a land target is something only idiots do but in this case we want wanton destruction and chaos and don't care about preserving anything here."

“Just a multifocal laser. Fine for what you’re asking I think”

Dave boards the ship, heading to the bridge to help with takeoff. "Alright, once we're in the air let's blast the base as best we can and get out of here." He points to the elementalist, realizing he never got her name, "Hey... champ. You focus on getting us through the storm. If you can't get us out this is going to be a short trip."

“Desolane” she says, “but we can talk after. I have questions of my own. Fergus is flying , we will need you to man the gun if that’s your plan”

“I’ve got to focus all I have on getting us through the storm shield”

Dave nods, "I'm on it. Agni, that should be all for now. Thanks for having my back." He heads over to man the laser. Shit, I've been relying on my magic too much. Haven't shot one of these before. Oh well, how hard can it be?

Angi vanishes leaving no trace of himself on the floor, saluting with his blade before vanishing into a cloud of soot. Sitting down in the gunner's console you hear small arms bouncing off the hull, ineffectual against the tough outer skin of the vessel

(What should I roll to shoot? Just a normal attack roll?)

(Yeah it’s a ranged attack but with the ships gun as the weapon, so d20+ab+dex mod+shoot lvl

(14 to hit)

(hits the building, which i think the damage roll is sort of irrelevant here)

The multifocal laser gathers energy and spits a lancing beam of light at the starport command center- leaving it as a bisected ruin - the intense heat sloping the roof and starting a second wave of rolling fires that cook anything instantly getting to close. A truck parked 100m away near the road detonates, the fuel-air mixture inside for shuttles making a mushroom cloud of smoke and fire in the night sky

Dave whistles in admiration at the destruction, "Alright, one thing left. Desolane, how's it looking for the storm? Any way I can help?"

"You've done enough. Now I need to do my job. Hold on to something, or if you know how to drive, see if you can give Fergus a hand in the co pilot seat"

(Grabbed pilot last level up so he's actually useful now lol) Dave takes a last look at the planet below before joining Fergus as co pilot. "Think they'll try to send anyone after us?"

"Probably not, they're not going to realize what's going on in time, but its mostly just avoiding the storm, stayign within the corridor Desolane makes for us"

"It's going to twist and turn quite a bit"

"Ugh, I'll follow your lead on this Fergus. Hate to see what happens when someone flies into the storm..." First thing to do after getting back: learn to summon a Shadow that can help me pilot...

Strapping into the opposite seat the shuttle banks sharply upward, plunging into the stormcloud. Thick mist parts before you as though moved aside by an invisible hand, though the tunnel through the cloud is winding, wormholing and corkscrewing around the jagged lightning that always seems to be flashing between clouds or down onto the surface. The path momentarily flickers as the cabin shakes, and something slams near the back, before Desolane composes herself again, and you just barely see the opening re-form (pilot dex)

(at +2 for Fergus)

(Double ones for 6 total )

There is a heavy strike on the back of the shuttle, (10 damage) and dozens of warning lights come on. Power fails for a moment, before Fergus is able to arrest the dive and recover the spinning craft. "Desolane! Focus!" She shouts something rude back from the rear of the craft, as the sputtering engines struggle to get you back to altitude, and he dives into the storm clouds again. The radar pips once, and then twice, as it detects new contacts

"Shit" he mutters under his breath.

Maybe that red button was the wrong one to push... "That doesn't sound good. Can we make it through with the engine like this?"

"It's going to be tough. Especially with those fighters on us."

"Damn it." Dave sighs and heads back to the gun. Should have known they wouldn't let us go this easily. (Initiative?)

(Yes)

(7 for fighters)

(6)

(shuttle is speed 3, for reference) The two fighters streak in, the multifocal lasers they mount to going wide, but announcing their presence as they try to flank the shuttlecraft. (fire all weapons , no other CP to spend)

(Fire one weapon x2, got a 10 and 11 so I assume those miss) Dave fires at one of the fighters but the turbulence from the storm throws off his aim.

(Can Dave do above and beyond in gunnery or only the captain?)

(anyone can do it, but that's your only action for the turn)

(Anyone can do it)

(Word. That's his turn anyways)

One of the fighters collided with a bolt from the sky as it turns off from its attack run It slams to a stop as though hit by a brick wall, both of the bisected ends burn , coughing black smoke as they fall. The other fighter launches a series of shots from its core mounted laser but missed (8 and 6)

Well at least they're as bad of shots as I am, but the storm will kill us all if we keep this up. He fires again at the remaining fighter. (16/4 and 13 I assume misses)

(13 misses)

The shot strikes the engine of the second fighter just as Fergus punches the engine, sending you boosting faster than reasonable through the clouds. Desolane has just enough time to close the storms behind you, and you are greeted with the calmness of open space ahead. The metaspace storm is alive in every sense of the word, a sea of boiling colors at the edges of local space, and ruttering through it even for a routine or often used route can be dangerous , but for now, everyone is safe

(3xp, 5000 credits)

(I know Kay is planning to come through the gate very shortly, might be cool to meet up back at home)

(Sweet, I have a couple new goals up and completed his to summon a shadow for the first time) Dave rejoins Fergus, collapsing heavily in the chair next to him, "Well that was closer than I wanted it to be. Next time let's have a crew to do the heavy lifting for us yeah?" He sighs and stretches as the adrenaline leaves him, "Let's get home then. Come Des, you've earned some answers and I have questions for you two as well."

(did you want to RP those out? )

(I mostly just wanted Dave to get more IC info on the SL situation outside the L-gate so we can skip ahead to getting back home. 4/90 exert for the downtime)

Returning home, a priority transmission comes in that outsiders have come through the L gate from the Protectorate. As your shuttle is already in the air, ground control asks you to greet them, and there will be a debrief of all that has been done upon your return. You cannot tell if the unauthorized departure is a source of contention or not

Sending me to the L-gate already? They must have been impressed with my initial report to trust me enough with this. Dave confirms the orders and heads to the meeting area. "Sorry Fergus, you'll need to wait just a bit longer for the comfort you seek."

"We made it out, couple more hours won't kill me. Alright, show me wher,e and I'll set down"

"Here are the coordinates. Never seen the gate myself of course, the Company keeps it well protected and I've only recently joined them."

"Tihnk its just convenience, we're faster, and closer especially in the shuttle. Glad nobody painted anything obscene on this thing"

"Hah. Perhaps we can add some tasteful artistry later. Regardless, I certainly won't complain about any additional trust the Company gives. Take us down. You two will probably have to stay on the ship, you're not citizens yet though hopefully we can fix that afterwards."

They both agree, and as the ship comes down you settle into a small forest clearing where the gate has thrummed to life and people are about to come through

Dave is taken off the landing field, escorted by a few war forms and taken to something resembling an iron tower, more like a donjon, where The Weeping Company looks over their city and continues their plans against The Still Lady

Dave follows willingly, nodding to Kayden as they part. I wonder if they'll actually be able to make a difference. Inferior technology and bodies can be made up for with numbers quite easily in war. He focuses, clearing his head of distractions for his report. I should have brought Fergus. Then again, they'll want to check him out themselves before they trust him.

You’re brought into a small conference room where one of the leader forms is waiting for you. A glass of water and large pitcher have been laid out along with a simple chair

Dave sits in the chair, ignoring the water for now, "Combat Unit 21134A here to report. Short term infiltration and information gathering mission successful. I have a written report to submit with what details I learned of the cult's activities on Rana, including details concerning passage through the aether storm surrounding the planet. In addition I thwarted their studies into a new and particularly dangerous Shadow type and destroyed a base outside their main city, hopefully reducing the frequency of their attacks here for a time. Last but not least I have two turncoats who aided in my endeavors and are willing to supply further information in return for security and comfort. If I may be so bold to suggest, give them a partial citizenship including housing but no political power nor access to advanced shells. It would benefit the Company to keep especially the elementalist happy as concerns part four subsection eight of my report. She can train our own mages to pierce the aether storm or else we will likely need to rely on the Storm Scions for entry."

"This success makes up for the unauthorized departure after the lady. We do need to submit you for psychological examination and memory filtering, and we will need to talk to your turncoat friends, if everyone is telling the truth, we have no problem granting this request, but we need to make sure you werent compromised"

"Of course. One last point, I successfully pacted with the cultists' rogue experimental Shadow. I did this through my own skill as a mage, not through borrowing the Lady's power as many cultists do, as such she should hold no influence over me. I... have not asked Fergus if his abilities are through her or not, but his willingness to leave the cult seems sincere. If he is in facted tainted with her influence I have one more request. That you allow me to attempt to break her hold before you terminate him. He has earned that much I believe, for his aid thus far."

“He will be held until your memory sift is complete and we can make a decision in the matter. We can promise you that much. This shadow. Tell us about it”

"It appears to be an elemental version of a myrmidon with enhanced intelligence and combat capabilities. My bond to it also seems stronger than others, even unsummoned I feel a slight drain on my aether pool which is definitely atypical according to my studies. I believe it has great potential yet to be uncovered."

“Have you see evidence this far that it could be applied to others? Is this something you could teach our psionic intelligences to do?

"Hmm, perhaps if I could get ahold of the cultists' notes it could be replicated. Personally I hope not, it would be a fearsome weapon for them to wield against us. What I could teach is standard Shadow summoning though our arcanists will be more limited than a pure pacter. I have the spellforms for two forms aside from Agni and Fergus has others. If we have some newer mages they can be trained as pure pacters if they haven't become too entrenched in their ways."

"This is something that the board will probably not allow. Pacting is very much the weapon of the enemy, and we do not know what else might be lurking out there waiting for someone who makes covenants with the darkness to make a mistake"

Dave tenses, mentally going over the spellforms to use if things go poorly, "... And what is to be done with me?" They wouldn't kill me before sifting my memories... But they don't need my body intact for that. Shit.

"Termination, of course. You'll be given a list of charges before it happens"

Dave nods stiffly and stands, "Of course. If that is all I would like to go rest, I have had a very tiresome few days." They shouldn't kill Desolane, they need her to teach them how to get through the storm. Fergus though... I hope he's still on the ship.

"We will summon you at the appropriate time. You will be monitored, of course" Outside, it seems that the shuttle is under guard, and that Fergus and Desolane are aboard. Two Weeping Company war forms are preparing to head inside, weapon arms cycling at a test rate

Dave nods once more and leaves the room, scanning his surroundings for other guards and plotting a route to the ship that would avoid any areas with high traffic. Damn, I need to learn some anti personnel spells, not just ones to fight Shadows.

(How many guards are with him?)

(only one right now, two stayed behind to guard the diplomat)

Once in an isolated area Dave mentally reaches within his core and finds the link to Agni. He pushes a thread of aether into the link, solidifying it before pulling hard. A crackle of flames announces Agni's appearance as he steps through a burning archway that vanishes as soon as he exits. Dave raises a hand toward the guard, a shadowy bold gathering in his palm. (Initiative 4)

(4, Dave wins the tie)

Time seems to slow as Dave engages the frame's combat mode and the bolt of shadow blasts from his hand into the guard. Agni follows up with two swift strikes from his flame blade, though still orienting from his dimensional shift his aim is slightly thrown off. (Dave 24/10; Agni 17/7, 10/5)

The combat form takes a ponderous step back before leveling its cannon, (17/13) sending dozens of shells pounding into angi's firey form

Agni falls backwards into Dave, causing his bolt to fire off into the ground. Agni swings again, off balance from the shells. (Agni's 17/7 if it hits. Dave got a nat 1)

(Angi hits) The firey sword still cleaves through the weapon arm and into the side of the combat shell, rendering it inoperable before Angi smashes the head unit apart under an ironshod boot, ensuring the brain chip of a foe who dared wound him is also destroyed

Dave breathes heavily, though unwounded thanks to Agni. Agni's wounds seem to be dripping magma as he stands alert ready for their next target. "Shit, looks like you took a hard hit Agni. I'll make sure to learn a healing spell for you once we get out of this." Watching out for other guards Dave performs a series of summonings, forming a small squad of myrmidons to escort him to the ship. (Blowing all 3 lvl 2 and 2 lvl 3 spells to get 3 myrmidons to help; Call Myrmidon x3, Substitutionary Focus Pact x2)

(Costs 2 strain as well)

The shadows you summon surround you in a cordon, each of them joining formation with the rest to keep you safe while making your way to the landing pad. An alarm begins to chime. If it wasn’t because of the gunfire, no doubt Weeping Company combat controllers would have seen the brain chip for this unit flatline and cease responding

A door opens 15m away as @Kayden Zayre pokes his head out into the hallway at the sound of gunfire. His rifle is ready for action as he was unsure what was happening out here

Aside from the fact it was probably bad news

The shadowy forms surrounding Dave look like nothing he'd ever seen before. Along with the dead combat form at his feet, the only thing Kay can let out is a, "Dave, what the fuck!?"

Dave gives a grim smile, the Shadows around him seem to be clad in ancient platemail though one is surrounded by a fiery aura holding a blade of flame. "They tried to fire me. I quit."

(Here's Agni)

'Cluster of enemies, small hallway. One probably immune to fire. I'll be fine.' Kay's arm unfolds into a tube with a small rotary magazine beneath. "Better explain, or you aren't going anywhere." (edited)

"They don't much like Pacters here. I knew it was a risk to bring it up, but if they found out while sifting my memories I wouldn't have gotten a chance to fight back. Best you don't get involved. I'm heading back to the ship and leaving, anyone who stands in my way forfeits their life."

"So, you want me to help you. Yet, you've acted nothing but condescending since I've met you, you knew this would be dangerous and yet still dragged Fergus and Desolane into it, and now you give me the ultimatum of 'help me or die'. Fuck you dude."

Dave scoffs, "Your help is unneeded, this is simply none of your business. You would prefer I let them kill me? And you know nothing of Fergus and Desolane. If you wish to stop me you may try but every second we spend here puts them in further danger. Let me by or let's fight."

The alarms begin to spread through the building as more sections come online, alerted to the possible danger within Dreadburgh's Iron Tower

"I don't need to know someone to give a shit about their well being. I'll figure it out with them. But you, I've been wanting to kick your ass for hours now. Come at me."

(initiative)

(Por favor)

(4)

(We'll get kay's score here for this, just to remind everyone of the scene, the groups are in an office/admin type hallway 15m apart. There isnt any real cover to be had aside from maybe some office plants, but nothing meaningful, as it a hallway and obstructions mean people have a hard time using the hall for its literal one job. There are office doors 5m apart down the right and left sides of the hallway but they're all closed right now, aisde from the one to the left of kay that he just emerged from)

(9)

(Kayden, Dave and the shadow gang)

Leveling his converted arm, a loud thump resounds from the tube as a magma grenades is launched. A slight tick from the internal magazine follows as it clicks in a new grenade (20/11 centered on Dave) (edited)

Dave and the normal Shadows burn as the napalm-like substance hits them but none are killed outright. The heat and flames join Agni's already fiery aura and seem to leave him undamaged, though he seems to be wounded from their previous encounter. A spray of bullets from the Shadows' innate weaponry mostly coats the floor and walls, the few on target glance off Kayden's armor harmlessly. A magical bolt of shadow flies from Dave's hand, landing a surprisingly heavy blow. Agni strides forward through the fire and the flames, his burning sword sparking with embers as it flashes out twice, the first one sparking off Kayden's armor but the second just manages to pierce with its searing blade. (Dave: crit/19; 24/10)

The bolt smashes across Kay's face, sending flesh splattering against the wall as his head snaps back and the blade jams into his chest. After a second of pause, Kay turns his head back down the hall towards Dave. Half of his face is gone, only showing a skull covered in a transparent sheen of purple energy that is slowly rebuilding his facial features. With a crack of bones, Kay contort his spine back as he pulls off of Agni's sword and bounces himself off of one of the walls to avoid the flaming blade. Once he is clear of Agni, he whips his rifle to bear and sends a burst of shots towards Dave. (34/16, supernatural mobility to leave melee) (edited)

The shots fly directly into Dave's chest, caving in a bloody hole as he falls to the ground. Exposed wires spark as his transhuman enhancements are exposed and his body shudders and heaves as it attempts to stabilize the otherwisemortal wound. Dave stares up at Kayden with bloodshot eyes, a red grin on his face, "You'll... fit in just... fine with the Company." He spits, a glob of blood landing near Kayden's feet before looking up at Agni and nodding, "Leave... nothing left for... them. I'd... rather it be... you... not this... human bastard."

Angi looks at Kayden, hoping that two warriors can halt their combat for a moment to see honor done

Kay flicks his head in the direction of Dave. "For all your talk, you still like to hide in human flesh, with human features. Do it, but for the record, if you acted humble even for a second, I would have helped you."

Angi bows, halfway, as respectfully as he is able, and the flame burns flash flare bright as a last minute pulse of etheric energy powers him long enough to bring the flaming blade down, destroying Dave's brain chip, and head. With the salute of his blade, the elemental and accompanying myrmidons begin to lose their anchor in realspace, and fade

There is a smell of burning flesh on Kayden's hand. The skin blackens and peels away in a way that no amount of etheric or healing energies seem to be able to repair. A depiction of a flame is seared across the back of his hand. It is about the size of a thumbnail, burned into the center.

but it seems not to spread from there