As Hagen and Einer take custody of the masked prisoner, the empty cargo barge returns to Mount Home, where a ship is waiting for @Shutton , @Proceus Pompeus (Xabast) and @Marty McFly Logistics teams and stores of equipment are also on standby, able to furnish the three with supplies if they have the credits

After his embarrassing kerfuffle with the archer, James will trade in his laser rifle for a plasma projector, if possible. (400. I don't suppose I get a discount for turning in my rifle?) (edited)

(just the credit cost of it back to you)

(ok change of plans: Sell: -Beloved Sniper Rifle: +400 Cr + emotional value (0 Cr) -Plasma Projector: +400 Cr -Combat Field Uniform: +1000 Cr Buy: -DMR: -400 Cr -Icarus Harness: -8000 Cr = -6600 Cr)

(You get a free butterfly harness, you don’t need an icarus harness)

(But I want one! For future missions, if nothing else) (edited)

(Sell:- Woven Body Armor +400 CR - Combat Field Uniform -1000 -Primitive Drone (controler version) -250) -7 Days worth of rations -35 (edited)

(Do we want to have a Anti Tank Rocket?)

(Lucas will buy one rocket launcher for 4,000 creds, along with 6 ammo for 300 creds)

(need me to add it?)

(Already did, thanks) (edited)

(we ready then?)

(up to you guys, it didnt look clear)

(Ah i see. What all equipment/personel are we getting slong with this mission?)

(just the 3 of you and whatever you buy, this is a covert raid)

(but the terrain favors you, and there is an overlook over the camp)

(do we have a total of hostile slavers?)

(if we'd actually start the mission I'd be able to brief everyone)

(I’m go for start)

(one last thing. Do we want to work together to buy a heavy machine gun? Since it can suppress and dies 3d6 for damage?)

(After thats settled im good and ready to go)

(Already have a rocket launcher)

(doesnt have suppression and thought we just got that for if they have a vehicle?)

(It can also blow up houses)

(Just buy an Lmg)

(its 5k and ive only got 4160)

You’d also have to buy ammo

(I'm up for fronting what I have tho in totality if someone will finishe the rest off)

(I may be able to pay 1000 creds, but you buy ammo)

(sounds perfect for me)

(Done. Add 1000 creds to your account)

(as long as Lucas is not carrying it, as he has no more room)

The briefing is called, and the three of you come together. the ship meant to bring you to Balquis is a Free Merchant, called the Final Flight. Hagen and Einer have just returned from there aboard it, after spending several days doing recon and taking images of the slaver camp. There are 100 people living in this camp, 30-40 of them are warriors though most of them do not have firearms, and it is thought that the full strength of the encampment is not usually all there- as the residents here often leave to find slaves.

An overlook, giving you this view of the encampment is a kilometer from the town, to the south.

The Final Flight will enter the atmosphere far from the encampment so it is not seen, and from there you will fly to the hilltop, gliding using the butterfly harnesses to the overlook position, and from there, are free to decide how to take the encampment yourselves.

(Snipe red eyes from the hilltop)

The town here is known to have a grav-skiff, which is used mostly to easily carry 8 warriors and a few arming slaves, but otherwise the town does not have many technological trappings

Where on the map is it stored?

The skiff is usually parked near the tree when it is home

(More importantly, does it have weapons?) (edited)

(please remain in character) The vehicle is a literal drivers cab with an open bed, built on a grav truck frame. It was likely a yard skiff stolen from one of the trade centers here before the planet fell during The Scream

(that was also answered in the sCAF meeting like an hour ago)

(Sorry)

"what do we know about the populations they raid?"

"Natives of the planet, residents of the failed colony nearby this encampment, though we believe there are captured Elysium Protectorate scavengers among the slaves here, based on bodies that were found at a ruined airport nearby

"Do we know where these colony survivors are based out of? If we can get any help with the locals to take down a mutual threat that makes the SCAF look good." (edited)

(We were told it was by the tree)

(woops my b missed it)

“Well, I would appreciate backup against a village this large. The leader, Red eyes looks dangerous, so we should take him out first. He is leader for a reason”

"Right. I'm just thinking here we try to ambush a few outings of these slavers to knock down their numbers. If we can do that then we might not need to accidentally kill civies when we assult their home."

“Define a few”

"well if they usually raid in 8's i think one or two max three. Im not too sure what an arming slaves mean."

(slaves who carry their weapons or take care of the gear for the warriors when they're not using it)

(thanks)

“So single out 3, then wait until they send 3 more, etc.?”

"Ah, no. I mean we take out the party of raiders next time we see them move out, kill/capture the raiders and their skiff. Take out whoever they send out to look for their lost folks and then maybe if thats a half of their forces down we can think about taking arms against the town. Meantime between those times we can try to meet and get to know the local non slavers" (edited)

(I tihnk there's a limit to how much planning we can do until you guys actually get there)

(it becomes an exercise in diminishing returns after a while without actual facts)

(Fair)

"do we know which buildings are for who? Worriors, civilians redeyes, and slaves in particular?"

(also still waiting to hear if we know where these colony surviors are based out of or if we dont know. Or is it just a blanket, nearby) (edited)

(its a blanket nearby)

(SCAF has spent less than a week of non-continuous observation of the planet and its sites of interest, there isn't a lot of information)

(which is why i keep gently pushing for you guys to see it yourselveS)

(okay well with that I am satisfied with this level of planning so far. Lets go for me)

“Alright, let’s head out”

(we do have 1 day of downtime on the flight over)

Durring her downtime Ibros would try and work towards deciphering the mask language for Hagen and Einer. (So like one day of resrarch.?)

(10/90 pilot)

(the downtime activities are near the top of the roll20)

(Ah, I guess I'll work on my shoot skill then)

(Hust wanna give James a chance to catch up)

(Which I now did thx)

(Anything for your downtime?)

(More fiddling with the scanner, so 'know' skill) (edited)

(In how far can I recover HP and batteries, given that James was taken care of by Lucas?)

(It’s your level of HP recovery per day, and there are three days passing between the end of your last mission and arriving at balquis, but the time on the boat isn’t uninterrupted for downtime sake. You should all be going in at full health from resting alone)

James nods curtly and turns to get ready. With a grim face, he looks at the scope of his new rifle, which reads, 'Effective range: 800m' (edited)

(Looks like we are all ready)

A map of Balqis displays on the Final Flight's mapping system, and the encampment, along with the hills surrounding it, have been marked by the previous expedition, to the east of the camp. The ship makes ready to dive into atmosphere near the failed colony, and your butterfly harnesses will allow you to glide the rest of the way into the wilderness

Lucas straps on the armor, and gets ready to jump.

Ibros definitely distracts you so she can jump first after gearing up.

Saluting you on her way out activating her butterfly harness

James double-check the state of his gear, before jumping from the ship with a short sprint. He won't be activating his harness until halfway down.

The wings as they are, extend and the grav plates in the tips begin working, not powerful enough to entirely stop your fall but enough to allow you to glide over a very long distance. The tall buildings of the failed colony whip past below, as you continue heading east toward the overlook that stands quiet vigil over the camp. Einer and Hagen had marked the location for you, realizing the overwatch position has strategic value

(so sick)

If possible, James will take out his survey scanner to do a quick check for heat signatures in the failed colony.

(Do you have a bioscanner? Survey scanner wouldn’t show it)

(I do not)

The survey scanner shows some light sources of power in the ruins, handheld devices and diminishing power cells mostly, along with a few groundcars where the power is at least functional (though you're going far too fast to really get a look, the bodies could be a mess and probably are if they'v been left)

There are no life signs since this is not the right tool for the job

Ibros will move to secure our immediate area and then meet back with nour team

(okay, so everyone's landing on the hilltop then? I am hoping so but i cant force you to do anything)

(haha yup)

(Yes I am on the hilltop)

(Yup.)

(I’ll try to scan for heat. I have a bioscanner and level 2 heal

There is a good amount of heat in the failed colony, though you're passing by it too fast to get anything like an accurate count on the number of people living here, though there is some life for certain (edited)

the three of you end your flight on the hilltop overlooking the raider encampment. It is a sleepy morning here, and only the slaves under the supervision of a pair of warriors are out, fetching water from the well, carrying firewood and other small provisions to the homes where they are needed

Is the grav truck on site?

(The skiff is here currently yes)

"hey lucas an James, can you get your drones up and scan the village?"

“Ask nicely” says Lucas , still a little pissed about not jumping first

"Ah... Let me get this one correctly." She stands stiff straight and preforms a kertsy. "Your emminance may it please you to assist this poor sinner. Please utilize your gifts of science and industry to aid us in this grand endevor and claim all the bragging right and dopest drone moves" she exits the kertsy and salutes

“Much better” says Lucas as he pilots his drone out to get a better look

The drone has steady eyes on the two warriors and the group of slaves going about their morning chores. The raider encampment is quiet this early in the morning, and they seem unbothered and unaware they are being observed. thin trails of smoke emerge from chimneys as fires inside keep the cool night temperatures away

"can you pilot your drone down a chimney?"

“What am I, Santa?” He says with a smile

Then, more seriously “I’m not sure” (edited)

(i pilot check would be needed. It'll fit, but its a tight area, and low to the ground)

(compared to where you're observing from)

Ibros gives you a nod of approval but also looks genuinely confused by the santa comment.

(Santa goes down chimneys)

(To give presents)

(ik, but she doesn't)

“There’s a terran holiday where a fat man somehow fits down chimneys to give presents.”

Stares very concernedly! "That sounds like a terrifying holiday! But I guess we are here to ruin their way of life so its applicable."

(if we're committing to this action, I'll need a pilot/dex from whoever is controlling the drone)

(Let’s not. So, we can attempt to free the slaves out with the guards. 2 v 3 favors us, and we’ve fought with worse odds before)

Your position is an overlook, 500m from the village center where the two warriors and the 5 slaves are all standing, one group working, the other group watching the slaves work. The warriors are standing close to one another, talking and joking based on their body language

James quirks an eyebrow at first when a drone is requested, he clearly has none. But once one is up in the air, he follows with interest. When the two warriors turn up, James squints his eyes at the village. "I can probably take one out from here. I can take pot shots at the other, but it might be more efficient if someone gets closer."

"I'm more worried we would just stir the nest rather than rescue anyone. Anyone have a bioscanner. I know Lucas is a doctor maybe he can swipe up something to knock down the local population. Maybe a plant?"

“I can try. It all depends on what grows around here though”

(I'd need a survive/wis from whoever is going to go looking)

" James do you have you any plant experience?" (edited)

"Barely. Perhaps not as well as Lucas?"

(James is trained in it and can offer a +2 if someone else tries)

"we'll I'm used to cities and starships. Didnt even see a tree before 2 years ago."

(Survive 0)

(All yours)

(+2 from me)

(So either james or lucas is going off to look for plants, whoever is rolling gets a +2 from the other one)

(10 with 2)

Lucas peels away from the group with some helpful survival tips by James, to search for some plants that might fit the need to temporarily incapacitate the villagers here. He is gone for about five minutes, when there is a bit more movement in the village. A mechanic opens his hut door, with a slave behind him carrying the tools that the mechanic does not have the hands to take. Under the tree, they both take a knee and open the access panel of the grav skiff, working to recalibrate or repair some of the machinery inside

James takes out his binoculars and follows their every move. He'll also keep an eye on the other huts, to see if maybe some people were previously overlooked.

The slavers had come back from a successful raid just a day before and likely celebrated the night before. Only those with essential jobs look to be up this early

"I just realized something." James looks up from his scope and turns to Ibros. "I'm the only one here with stealth training, aren't I."

(Sneak 0)

... "mh hmm... Although if best case scenario we will have our drones drop off the package. Otherwise youll be up "

(same, but specialist)

"Well we got extremely lucky with our timing this morning. We can't screw this up." James turns to Lucas when he is back in earshot. "Do you think your drone can do the delivery, Sir? Or should I pass my weapon to you two and go down there?" (edited)

“The drone should be able to”

Lucas returns after a few more moments to answer the question, hands full of the plant materials needed to concoct a moderate toxin

".... I know I just bought it but i don't want these people to discover what is making them sick. Do you think attaching it to a rock to make it sink or use my drone to ensure it sinking to the bottom?"

James grins. "You can just put it in a heavy, non-watertight container." He takes out a water filter from his survival kit and shows it. "Break it open and it'll do the opposite of what it's made for."

(that kit also would have given me +1 to survival rolls if I'd remembered)

As the others work, James will go and find a good sniping spot and start preparations for taking a shot at one of the warriors. Just in case.

(thus starting the 1min prep for an execution attack)

(While the others prepare whatever they're going to be doing next this will count as the digging in and set up time for an execution. DC will be 8 still however, since we're not at point blank. It technically should be 10 since you're over half range but it feels out of reach for a lower lvl character, so im fine moving it down a pinch)

(how long will it take to construct our poison?)

(just a handful of minutes, no roll needed since Lucas has a high enough skill level)

"Ah damn looks so innocent and unterrible. Too bad for them, lets launch this sucker."

(so, mechanically, the closer we get to the well/ground, the less of a chance the package is going to miss the mark, but there's also a greater chance the drone will be noticed. I'm going to need the operator to work with me here on how they're approaching the camp and how high they're going to be when we release it so i can figure out what to ask for)

(What’s the check for each?)

(I think hes asking what you do so he can make a dc for it?)

(exactly Ibros, I need some narrative from whoever is controlling the drone so i can figure out a check/DC or possibly even like an attack roll to hit depending on how you do things)

(the situation is very open ended)

(I’l do far, for a hit roll)

The drone lifts off, Lucas gambling on a long drop in the hopes the drone won't be noticed.

(it would be a d20+3, as drone 'weapons' only use your base attack bonus)

(23)

The drop is clean, and there is hardly any noise , just ripples on top of the water as the filter full of mild toxin is released into the water. The village is still quiet , as not much time has passed, for the moment no one has drawn additional water but this will change as the day goes on

"I'm afraid we may just have traded in one advantage for another."

Lucas will take a few samples of this plant and thoroughly scan it with the bio scanner to see if there are any plants that might replicate the effects while they wait (edited)

“James, what do you mean?”

"It appears they were celebrating all night, which is why so few of them came out early this morning. While we wait, the rest are waking up and they will be poisoned, yes, but our chances for a stealthy approach will be almost gone."

“Well, we’ll just have to rescue the slaves, take the cars, and blow up the rest”

"Also it means more than likely they will need a drink if they partied."

James chuckles in his lying position, never taking his eye off the scope. "Bing bong, free the slaves and we can go home. You make it sound easy." He finally gives up on his target as it dawns on him that the three of them will be there for a few more hours.

“Hey, I’m just trying to keep the attitude positive”

“Wanna play cards while we wait?”

Ibros looks like she really wants to but looks off to James. "... Only if James is good being on lookout for now. Can't make our illustrious head popper do all the work."

"We'll take turns, hm?" James grins and takes out his binoculars, getting comfortable. "How long are we planning on waiting?"

"till we see them get good and sick. Im not too fond of rushing this. Plus maybe we can take a moment later and do a little exploration meeting locals. Lucas didnt really give us an activation time."

“I have no idea how long it will take. I’m perfectly fine taking watches though”

"Alright. So until the late afternoon then? Or until fights break out near the latrine. That's..." Compad check. "Six hours from now, so we can do two hour shifts."

"That's fine for me tho id definitely attack durring latrine time."

With a devilish smile Lucas says “Or while they’re all at the latrines we can blow it up”

"That is not at all a bad idea... Might take some slaves with it, though. They'll be drinking the water, too."

“Then we can just snipe some people that are there”

(So Neko, I think the plan is to wait for the poison to take effect)

"You think these slavers could do anything of value for us? Not excusing their actions but fourty so buff as hell macho men who can fight... I dont know. Killing, it makes sense just a solid end to something possibly manipulable."

"I have serious doubts, if I'm honest."

Shes quiet for a long moment. "You're probably right about that. Guess all I can do is fleece Lucas for the next few hours."

(guess unless we wanna roll for gambling we just wait till obvious signs of sickness happen)

“I’ll be the one fleecing you”

(Yeah, just waiting)

(If you guys want to gamble I guess we can. Let me know and then I’ll move ahead )

(No, it was more dialogue. Let’s go)

By mid morning everyone has been to the well, either in the form of their slaves getting water for the home or someone from the family pulling water for those without slaves. Someone who looks like a shaman is fetched from one of the larger homes by an excitable looking slave woman

Out in the main drag of the village about half the occupants are milling about.

Whispering “When should we strike?”

(Sorry afk for food) (edited)

(It’s fine.)

"We might need to snipe that healer..."

“Depends on james”

(He is on his way to another hut so if we deliberate too much once James is back we will miss our chance )

"Shoot em. Too much more death will happen if they live. If your skilled enough just like blow their leg off so they can bearly survive."

(has the number of warrior looking types changed significantly to this point?)

(Eight of them outside now. Most have just sent their slaves to do the chores

James takes the shot.

(It's a shoot/dex, DC 8)

(10)

(Fails the physical effect save, 9 v 12) The medicine man falls, the rain stick falling from his hand and tumbling to the ground. Beads and tied teeth clatter as it hits the ground, rolling away.

Those in the village square begin running for cover, and warriors begin shouting an alarm, the sound of the shot unmistakable even over this great distance, though it does not appear anyone has been able to triangulate where you are

"Kill." James picks up the empty casing and puts it in his pocket, and sets his eye on the scope again to check if anyone caught on where that shot came from. "They don't know our position but I don't think this is a covert op anymore. Best get ready." His bead is on a warrior now. Not with the intention to shoot, but keeping the option open.

(do we have any idea what the effects of the toxin would be, mechanically?)

(Mechanically no)

The warriors and slaves have gone to ground behind homes or behind the palisade wall itself, remaining in cover, or out of sight when possible. Two slaves are sent to retrieve the body of the medicine man, they move slowly, looking around frantically trying to see if they can spot their potential doom

Lucas hefts out the rocket launcher. “Time to break some cover”

(i think the best abstraction of this was if you're trying to make a hole, you can hit the south, west, or east wall from here)

"not really nessisary yet. I say we should fall back and come back later once the sickness has taken hold."

"some are clearly sick but now their doctor is dead we just wait and see approach now. Hell maybe we even have time to go visit some of those other areas nearby." (edited)

Ibros goes and picks up the snipers shell casing to try and leave little evidence as possible. Then tries to stay low so the spotters cant see me. (edited)

As it has been a few moments without another shot, some of the warriors poke their heads out from cover, only for a few seconds, trying to appraise the situation. No one has made for the grav skiff yet, the mechanic and servant having finished their work a bit ago are now likewise in cover

"They're under fire," James mumbles into his rifle. "They'll be looking. If that skiff is functional, we can't outrun them. We have the advantage, I believe we should push it."

"If you choose to fire, give me just a minute. I can take another one down before they know where we are. Once they group up, they're all yours."

“Let’s not push it. In strategy, I’ll just trust you, James”

“What should we do?”

"Things are going downhill for us, we won't get another opportunity like this one. I say we rain down hellfire and hope for the best. If they force us into a defensive position, we're dead. Let's just hope your poison works well enough to be a problem for them. Agreed?"

“Sure. How can I help?”

"I can set up the MG. Keeping rhem pinned down so you can pick em off."

James looks up from his rifle to smile at Lucas' rocket launcher. "Once they group up and head out the gate, I suppose some heavy ordnance wouldn't hurt. Same with covering fire, Ibros, as long as we try not to kill any innocents. Wait until they exit the settlement. Maybe, if I pick off the mechanic, they won't be able to use the skiff."

(in the chaos, do I see anyone giving orders down there?)

(not at the moment, its only been about 2-3 minutes since the shot, so word is spreading but its still sort of individual action. There was some debate about what to do next, so I did not move the scene on)

“Or I could just destroy it”

"We could. I figured capture would be better, but if you don't deem it valuable enough to save... Does that rocket launcher even shoot this far?"

(2km short range/4km max range)

(holy cow)

“I would rather live than have a car”

James laughs at that. "Good point. I'll go for the mechanic first, see if that helps." He breathes deeply and sets his sights on the mechanic. He'll wait a few minutes for a clear shot if he has to, and then take it.

(they're keeping to cover behind the tree, and haven't come out)

(the people here are fighting with more primitive weapons but they know about guns, and guns were common within the last 5 years. They understand what's going on, just lack the ability to meaningfully respond as things are right now)

(no one out of cover, then?)

(only the two slaves trying to get the medicine man's body bundled up)

"Could shoot the body again and me and Lucas can try and dig in?"

"Huh. I figured they'd be more aggressive than this." With his crosshairs set on what he can see of the mechanic, James pulls the trigger.

The shot strikes the tree where you think he might be hiding, knocking up some wood splinters, but no other discernable issues (edited)

(ah no chance of hitting at all?)

(I'd said a couple times he was not visible)

(in cover, yes. I misinterpreted that.)

The second shot gives the warriors some direction, and a warrior in brutal looking platemail emerges from one of the huts, though without a helmet. His eyes burn a fierce red, even from here, and as soon as he emerges the warriors begin responding. Several of them dash from cover, beginning to pile on to the skiff. The mechanic has done its job, and the skiff rises gently as someone jumps into the drivers compartment, and begins getting it leveled off. A few of the warriors have grabbed shields, and are doing what they can to provide some kind of screening for Red-Eyes and the driver

"I mean to be honest uf they know what a gun is they're likely to be smart enough to seek cover."

"well Lucas get ready to pop thay truck if it gets too close, it might kill everyone in it. Meanwhile james keep being the best and laying waste to these fools. Btw lucas does your drone have a speaker?' (edited)

(No idea)

“I’ll shoot the skiff. No servants, just warriors. Good ones to boot”

Lucas hefts the rocket launcher over his shoulder and begins to aim. (Can execution attacks be attempted with a rocket launcher?)

(no, and you haven't had the full minute of setup time on the target, either)

(They're not really anti-personnel weapons, remember?)

(I was going to do it on the skiff, but whatever.)

(the not having the full minute of setup time as the rules require you to have has also not passed)

(14/19)

The rocket shrieks out of the tube, sailing into the side of the skiff and knocking the four warriors on its left side from their perches. The grav engines strain to keep it aloft as it exits the town gates, but manage. It trails a thick column of black smoke as the pilot turns it toward the hill you're standing on, and physical sight of it is lost amid the dense trees.

(Do we hold out ground or run?)

"Hold for now we still have the MG to cut down troops, you got mid range guns you may wanna pick em up."

(you can see the four warriors that got knocked free, one of them is dead, but the others would be prone, and stirring)

(basically the wind knocked out of them)

(James can pick them off)

(As soon as they are within 800m, James will fire at the pilot)

(i believe they are out of range)

(You can’t see him)

(oh I missed that. K) (edited)

(the camp itself was within 500m of you, and they've only gotten closer, I'd think youd have lost sight of the grav skiff around 300m from you when it plowed into the trees.)

(how far is the nearest treeline? Where we expect to see them emerge?)

(Just snipe the prone warriors. I’ll cover you)

(you're also in the forested hilltop here, the treeline breaks up enough where you'd see them, and they you, about 50m from your position, putting them just outside of throwing weapon range when you do spot one another)

Ill take a suppression fire at the 4 who are out in the open

(8/10 of the belt left. They're in the open and prone, so no save, just need the 3d6 for damage)

(13)

The heavy machine gun spits tracers down from the mountaintop, ensuring the four fallen warriors there remain down.

They are very clearly dead now.

James, about to fire down there, startles from the MG letting loose and witnessing those men getting destroyed. He gives Ibros a brief incredulous look, then looks down at the village. Are there many warrior-looking types left down there?

The rocket attack on the skiff, death of the medicine man, and the heavy weapons fire coming from the peak have the warriors trying to get everyone out of the village, the remaining 80 people here are trying to flee, slaves, families, and a few small pack animals are all intermixed, along with warriors which seem to number about 20 of the group. Intermixed as they are, its hard to single anyone out specifically, and the confused mass is trying to leave the village out the main gate, to scatter into the woods as theyd been trained

The progress is slow, virtually everyone is sick, and feeling the onset of the toxin

Several of the weakest, the elderly, and a few children need to be carried on litters

(I feel bad now)

Ibros if she can will fire the MG to disuade them from fleeing to the forest.

Not truing to hit them but scare them back

(7/10 shots remain) The warning shots frighten the column and the pack animals especially fight against their weakening handlers. The remaining warriors try to form some kind of shield wall between the hilltop and the villagers trying to get at the gate, though one of them falls to his knees from the center of the wall, wretching a vile purple fluid.

Can I shoot the worriors?

(Can we help them? I feel really bad about this. Maybe moving them to Actala?)

(you can hit one at a time if you're not doing suppression, if you do suppress with the intermixing of targets it wont be limited to just the knot of soldiers)

(Let’s not. This is getting dangerously close to war crimes. I feel like the bad guy now)

I'll just do one at a time then. Can't have them fleeing nor can we allow them to regroup

(Lets get into initiative, since this is rapidly turning into a lengthy combat)

(We just want to free the slaves)

(and they're taking them into the woods with them?) (edited)

(yes, they're valuable property, they'd like to keep their chore slaves)

(right so then they get shot or start waving a white flag)

(okay, well once I get some initiative values we can see what happens)

(6)

(7)

(6)

(Ibros, Lucas (higher dex)) , James, anyone acting on the raider side)

(any mods due yo our position and using heavy weapons?)

(vs wooden shields?)

(the weapon is set up and does not fire with the -6 it normally should)

(okay)

(which i wasnt counting already)

(I'll let you know when a bonus applies, dont worry)

(6)

The heavy machine gun misses, stitching a line of rounds short of the shield wall. They bunch up tighter, trying to protect as much of the confused group of people as they can. More than a few civilian have dropped where they stood, overwhelmed by the sudden stress and the toxin (edited)

(Lucas)

Lucas will attempt to shout to the people leaving. “It doesn’t have to be this way! You can live without slaves.”

(Talking a few lines is an on turn action, so it doesnt cost anything to do.) the group is not listening to your shouted words, because you are half a kilometer away and they cannot hear you

"Check if your drone has a speaker? When you find out ill stop shooting for. A moment."

(if it has an observation suite, it would)

(if I can say that I realize I didnt ask and can remove it if i cant)

(yeah its an on turn, and you did it in character, I appreciate that)

“Let’s do this!” He says as he sends his drone out to communicate with the now refugees

(moving the drone would be your action then)

(James)

James will hold an action, his rifle pointed at the trees, to shoot at the skiff driver when they appear.

The trees sway as eight warriors emerge, arrows nocked and pointed at you as they emerge from the treeline 50m away. Thick smoke further behind them signals the final resting place of the skiff , and the driver has not joined the warrior cohort (if you want you can change to another target, since you held your action)

(Alright, warrior #1 then)

(10/10)

James curses. "They're here. Find cover."

Lucas pulls out his katana

(your katana is readied, but you need to wait for you turn to draw it)

(I dont remember kenjutsu by heart yet, but if there's any bonuses with it, you wo't get them until your turn, which is the reason im being hardline about it)

The arrow volley fires high, most of the shafts falling short, though one embeds in Lucas' armor (21/6)

The ground is a porcupine back of black fletched arrows

(they done?)

(Yes)

(can i swivel on them with the MG?)

(yes, you're not needing to stand up and move, so you dont; need to spend another round setting it up again)

(11 suppression)

The warriors hunch and try to screen themselves as much as possible as the high caliber rounds strike through wooden shields, sunder metal buckling, and crack armor plates. None of them fall, but wounds are widespread across the group

(lucas)

(just for future reference if I fire again into that crowd will I hit Lucas)

(yes)

(they're 50m from you Lucas, the closest you can advance is 20m if you give up your action, making a 30m gap between you)

(you could also engage your butterfly suit to go 40m with a double move, and end up 10m away, still out of melee range, but closer

Lucas grabs his mag pistol and shoots

(are you not moving, then?)

(13/11)

(No)

The shot deflects off armor plating, and Red-Eyes bellows. (James)

(will be in non wifi zone but bbs)

James takes a shot at the same guy as before.

(6/2 )

(Is there a tree or some such within 20m?)

(Nothing more substantial than your current position)

(I'll move 20m in the direction of the nearest cover then, away from the approaching group) (edited)

(The whole area is light wood. One tree is not much different. And you fired so you can only go 10) The shot goes wide , red eyes bellowing for his warriors to move forward a pace and fire.

(using butterfly harness?)

(You didn’t say that so I didn’t know you were using it, but that’s fine) The arrows once again create shafts of darkness in the sky as they fall, the heads of scavenged modern metal cutting deep (Crit 9 Lucas , 16/3 Ibros 17/5 James)

(miss ive got ac 17)

(That’s fine. I’m just posting what’s at least hitting the BCH. I know people have weird stuff after that. Ibros up)

Ibros squeezing the trigger once again watching the ammo counter go lower and lower sprays praying and hoping to take as many down as possible.

(18 damage) (edited)

(This was a suppression shot?)

(Yes)

(i did not tho calculate the math of the suppression into that number)

(No that’s fine.) Red eyes springs forward and dives low as the beams pass over him and annihilate the rest of the warriors with him. He stands and bellows a challenge. “Are none of you great enough to fight me man to man? Beat me, and you will have the submission of the village, and the warriors sworn to me”

Ibros would stop firing at that announcement.

(Lucas is next but the order or situation could change based on what happens)

"Lucas? Wanna dance with the immensely handsome warlord"

“I will challenge you, Red Eyes. If I lose, spare my comrades”

"I'd rather be killed than enslaved," James calls from behind Lucas. He stands frozen, rifle at the ready, bleeding heavily on the grass at his feet.

No comment comes from Ibros

(Since the combat is changing to just two combatants, we will close to 10m for the duel and get a new round of initiative with red eyes and Lucas

(2)

(6)

(Lucas first)

Lucas slashes expertly (19/7!)

Red eyes takes most of the blow across his armor but your sword comes away red. He swings back with the tomahawk in his left hand (23/4) , the swift chopping motion snapping armor and bruising skin beneath

In the background, James steps sideways, calmly as not to disturb Lucas' concentration, to stand with Ibros.

Lucas attacks again (18/11)

Red eyes is hit hard this time and the long blade scores a serious wound along his stomach. He grins, seeing the blood trickle from the rent in his armor.

(Crit/10) as his own life has been reduced to moments without attention, he leans all of his failing strength into a serious blow, holding the axe in both hands

As lucas slices for what may be his last time ever, he sighs what may be one of resignment (13/7)

The blade deflects from the plate armor red eyes is wearing , and he brings the blow into a descending arc, cutting deep into the neck. (Crit/7)

(Lucas is down but not dead atm, just mortally wounded)

“You fought well, sir. Honor is mine today. A shame. You’d have made a good slave”

The moment Lucas goes down, James' gun goes off, firing at Red Eyes.

(or roll initiative to do so)

(You can shoot. He just made an action it’s highly unlikely he would go before you or ibros)

(7/7 fml)

(The warriors are still here though don’t forget and you’ve just broken the honor of the duel)

(we didn't kill them all?)

(The ones in the village)

Red eyes growls as the shot kicks up mud by his plate boot. “Dishonorable conduct. Shameful” he says angrily.

"Don't speak to me about honor, slaver," James barks back at him. Angrily, he raises to fire again.

(Ibros would have a chance to act before anything further happens, red eyes will get to act again too if you’re just going to keep shooting )

(I intend to :p )

Ibros aims her cannon to the group of enemies and does a brief burst of shots to disuade them. Shouting after "If you value your lives you will surrender! Youre outmatched and will leave your wives beds cold less you do!"

(Nice line)

Red eyes decapitates Lucas while he lies prone and defenseless, throwing the head toward you both.

(how far is he?)

(actually nm)

James startles visibly as his colleague gets decapitated, and stares down at the head as it lands near him. Only a moment though, before he almost robotically readies, aims, and fires.

(19-7)

Red eyes falls, a neat hole blown in his chest. He falls to his knees a and then on to his face over the body

Where James would now have run to Lucas to revive him, he stumbles towards the dead body and kneels by him. He is visibly shaken, wiping tears from his eyes. It would appear that this is the first time he lost someone. He takes Lucas' dogtags (if there), credits (if possible) and prized possessions (to be determined) and stows them in his backpack. He then stands up and looks over at Ibros with a wet, but determined face. "Time to go. This mission was a failure." (edited)

(Dog tags are fine. Credits are basically like cryptocurrency so those are gone. He has the katana , chain, and mag pistol most notably while his drone has all the healing supplies )

"not just yet. We wont let this end on a sour day."

"Cover me with the MG"

(I'll definitely stash the katana and pistol, then. Both 1 enc, I presume?)

(Yes)

"What are you planning on doing? I am barely standing, I won't be able to make much of a difference if you get in trouble."

(I do have a rocket launcher you can use)

"Just cover me, if it hits the fan and i get caught dont worry about running. Now get on the MG" (edited)

James hesitates, but then does as he is told.

(regular MG? how's the magazine?)

(The ammo count is pretty low)

(several bursts and targeted shots have been fired from this belt )

Ibros goes over to the body of the fallen Red Eyes and returns the favor to his head. Carrying it over as well as with a white flag.

(does it take ammo clips of 20?)

(down to either 5 or 4)

(do they fire on me or are they all sick and such?)

James reloads the MG with some of his own bullets.

(They’re too sick now. The full ammo count is 10. It is 1 for a regular shot and 2 for suppression) (edited)

(fuuuccckkk)

The warriors and those who have not left the settlement are too weak to do much of anything, let alone hold themselves up

(did Lucas mention any idea of what the antidote would be?)

(nnnnope)

(Well, I have ant tox on my body, and if I was alive I could make more)

(If the contents of his med bag and all the medicine he has on him and the drone are handed out everyone will be ok)

Ibros walks back to James in a bit of a daze. "Do you know anything about science? Im smart but not trained for this level like Lucas is."

(just read james reply on SCAF chat. Is there any way we can try to knowlage up a makeshift cure. I dont have heal but a plus 1 int) (edited)

(maybe if me and james work together we can try and figure it out)

(with in addition of the medical bag)

(That’s what im saying, the medicines he has on hand will work as they are)

(is it enough for the village?)

(Yes if you guys use everything)

Ibros will find the least sick slave and speak to them. "You. Do you remember where your village where you were born is in this world."

(She gives the slave some anti-toxin so they can be coherent. But just them for right now.)

“I could find it on a map. I think. I don’t know where we are right now”

"we here are going to help you get to your tribes and homes. Will you all come peacefully or are there some who will refuse?"

"You've bested the warriors, the rest of us were taken from our homes, or have no homes anymore. Some offworlders are here too, captured while scavenging"

At mention of offworlders I have this freed-slave take me to them and we fix up all the offworlders. i have them stay next to james till their back ro being fine. I then start restoring the rest if the freed-slaves. Doing a quick announcement.

"You were once people of the chain and lash. Bound togwther by pain and torment of a captor who saw you only as a comodetie. That time is over. Today you are free folk again. The journey to your homes may be long and hard so you will be taking back from your enslavers. Take from the village what you need. Work together on this. For if any decided now is time to advance yourself above your fellow freefolk shall see themselves ended. I shall also organize your captors in a line before we leave.you may shout abuses and strike them once. Let them remember their crime forever. But no killing. Less I show you the same returned. Now go and prepare you Free Folk"

Ibros then drags the rest of the slavers to either side of the gate as their town is looted in preparation of the freed peoples exit. Nailing the head of Red Eyes to the gate. "You all have been lost and punished. Instead of seeking comridary in the screams days you have gone feral, Monsterous and evil. I was once like you in a way. And was shown my error. Today is that monent you all lay sick and dying but will be revived. Blood payed for this kindness. But survial comes next. You will never again call upon the lash of man again for if you do. The guns of heaven will make your home and oeople a glowing crator. Remeber this skull here. He bought your forgiveness with his blood. Beware the vengance of the SCAF. "

(exit stage left)

She goes to meet up with james and the offworlders.

(unless there is a roll for genrational terror )

(so you're leaving the remaining tribal families but taking the off worlders?)

(no just seperating them for rn letting the tribal former slaves loot the town for supplies and weapons while us offworlders can situate their situation and wbat they need.)

The off worlders came from Heras, in Elysium Protectorate territory. They were captured while on an expedition to hunt for salvage they could bring home to repurpose and were caught unawares in small groups. They want to go home

Absolutely we will call in a ship to aid in that endevor right away (Ibros calls for a the ship. Using it would also speed up this little side gig anyways) she would also start questioning hiw far along did they get with their salvage mission.

(maybe try and manuver where they began manuvering so we cab raje over the opp later and pick up what they left .)

Meanwhile, James busies himself with further distributing medicine and, if possible, collecting Lucas' body for transport to Bergasa. He stays away from the warriors, aware that he broke their code. After these things are done, he approaches Ibros. "This was a good call. I think we'll be able to get these people back to their homes. I think we should retreat now too, and reorganize for whatever further things I see cooking inside that brain of yours." (edited)

"Oh and here's your anti aircraft gun back," he jokes. "That thing is insanely heavy. I don't know how you carry it around." (edited)

"I bought a back brace honestly." She laughs

"Your right. I'm okay with falling back from this place. Call for a new open area for landing to be picked up?"

James nods, and starts helping the former slaves get organized.

(So the question now becomes, are you heading back to Bergasa first? or returning the EP slaves right off)

James would ask them, if they would mind a stop at Bergasa. We could have them get medical checks and registration and then dropping them off at home in an organized fashion. Or, if they really insist, take them straight home and send a delegation to do those things.

Hell, maybe a number of them would be interested in joining the cause. James checks for that, as well.

(Agreed^ but also I want to get the native freefolk home too) (edited)

They've been away from home for too long already, and swearing to SCAF would make them traitors

(Giving us a large publicity boost for this planets population) (edited)

"These people are insistent on going straight home. I guess we can accommodate them. I don't really know- how far a journey is it?"

(Final Flight has room for 40 people)

(can we do on planet transport with the slaves? Set up a little way station for rn doing guard duty? I dont just want to leave these people to fend for themselves.)

(also by planet transport I mean using thr final flight to move them to their tribes home)

(oh, for the people that are from here? yes you can bring them home)

"We'll send a delegation later to get them situated at their old homes. No use freeing slaves if we're just letting them starve. First things first. Think the transport will be here soon or will we be setting up camp?" (edited)

(excellent. Is there not. Enough room for all the herans? (EP folks))?

(there's enough room for both groups)

(the ship ran mostly empty getting here)

(phew okay then yeah we pack up everyone leave a cure for the remaing slavers. Probs also takes the poison bag out of the well. Then start the relocation project. Ibros would also like to send a message to our homeworld with a request of aid delegation to the planet since we freed these folks and James is right.)

Several hours of flying has the captives from Balquis dropped off back where they belong. Most are from the close-by failed colony , while others are from across the sea where the trade hub was constructed and likewise has fallen into disuse . The few prisoners left are from Heras, their spokesman is an expert named John, who has a farm on Heras, and he is eager to get back to it

(I'm not finding Final Flight in the directory, unless it's First Flight renamed? I'm trying to find its spike drive) (edited)

(First Flight)

(has a spike 3)

(So you can go Balquis-Muntzratz-Tecmessa-Radji-Heras)

"Greetings Mr. John, well be exiting orbit in a brief while. Due to the nature of your endevor on world here I'd like to ask for any and all progress you and your people here made. Any knowlage of locations, groups, valuable scrap zones would be appreciated. I dont need it right now but I'll lend you my compad. You can write what you know down. Also ive left spacebook open so you can get messages out to your loved ones right away."

"Is our rescue only possible if we give you this information?"

"I'm also not sure what spacebook is, but if your ship has a comms array, the message should be getting there a few days before we do, since it does not need to confine its travel to only planets'

Ibros laughs definitely a little mad at the minor defensive retort but burried it in the laugh. "No we saved you probono on my end. You can just ignore me if you want for the rest of the trip. Just dont want any work you started to go to waste. Help others who come here to be safe and the like."

"The work is for the polity, I'm sorry, but it's a defense secret. The Herald or the Field Major would have my ass if I just handed over all our survey data, especially since almost everyone else is dead"

(would you say this convo is at about the time point that my diplomat abikity kicks in to make him a whole step closer to being friendly? Maybe then i could try to pursuade him to let slip a bit of state secrets?)

(just for reference so you dont need to dig it up)

(Well, you know they were skulking around the trade hub and evidently found enough there to make their trip worth something, but he feels like hes putting his life on the line telling you, so although he's grateful, to him this just feels like saving his life to lose in a few days anyway if he tells you)

(okay no sweat then. Did they have any equipment they took from the village or did they leave it all at the place they were taken from?)

(they just left it behind, their own stuff is long handed out and gone)

(so its still on planet? Nobody's had access to it?) (edited)

(We're splitting hairs over combat field uniforms and combat rifles, things you guys also have in abundance)

(oh no i was hoping that the site may have information or survey data. If that's totally not what you ment then im sorry my b I was hoping that we could sneak the information out from under them)

The ship sets course for Muntzaratz, and the known scouting information begins to materialize as the captains prepares the course. Getting the survivors home to the Protectorate is something that will help cement the alliance between the two groups. The captives themselves are unnerved by the repeated questioning, and have agreed among themselves to set a watch outside the cabin given over for their own use, and when they rest, one of them is always resting curled up to the survey scanner drive.

(Ibros wont push any further and wont attenpt to have a go at rhe scanner rather not cause an incident)

James grins at Ibros when he catches on. "I like your thinking, but no success today" He makes sure he gets enough rest to recover from Red Eyes' arrow, and forwards the info on Lucas' death to SCAF HQ.

(3 days of downtime for the first leg of the jump)

(and 3xp, 5000 credits for the two of you)

(putting them into my shooting)

(if that levels you up, be sure to post your post level up changes in your channel so it can be tracked accurately)

As coyly as she can she smiles at James "I havent the faintest of clues of what you speak of." (edited)

(will do. Would you say James' sniper skills made a difference in this mission, Neko?)

(also, 3 days spent on 'know' training)

"By the way, would you know if Lucas would want his gear given to someone? I reckon you knew him better than I did."

^

Muntsaratz is a desert planet that has no visible water on its surface and few clouds. There are strange voids, exactly 10km apart one the surface scan return, where scanning beams have either been absorbed or reflected. This distance between the gaps does not change no matter what side of the planet is scanned or how many attempts are made Locals have said that the pillars were pre-scream objects used to bind some kind of Dragon like creature to permanent exile beneath the planets crust, but ever since the Scream, there have been earthquakes and even reports of howling from underground. The earthquakes have been getting more frequent.

Ibros definitely does a minor religious symbol at this kinda talk.

James reads all this info, leaning over the pilot's shoulder. "A dragon in our backyard. That pretech couldn't kill. Fantastic."

"Ah some deamons are best left to their ubliets. "

(And then another 3 days to tecmessa)

(more shooting practice)

(fiddling with scanner)

(it's good practice to post the current progress you are at. Like saying 5/90 shoot or 7/90 know type thing)

(gotcha. That brings my 'know' training to 10/90) (edited)

(do we have to do anything for when we get back to home base?)

(I’m not sure what you’re asking ?)

Tecmessa is an unexplored world. A surface map was snapped by a passing recon flight, but the planet has not been visited.

(And if we don’t want to stop we can move on to Radji and then Heras

"James, do you have any interest for doing anything here. I only ask because we do have guests that need to get home."

"Oh the way back, perhaps. I don't want to put innocents at risk."

(perfect we move on out from here then to our drop off point)

Radji is a simple jump, stopping only for fuel, before pushing onto Heras, where its two system defense platforms begin radar tracking as you come into the system. The system heavy frigate likewise rolls abeam on a course meant to intercept your own, as the comms panel lights with a waiting transmission

James takes the liberty to tap the button and accept the request. "This is Corporal James Rogers of the Sovereign Colonies' Armed Forces. Who is this?"

"This is Heras Defense Platform Alpha, we're tracking you on long range radar. We understand you may have comrades of ours aboard"

"That's right. We liberated a dozen or so captives that asked to be dropped off within your borders." He beckons John closer to explain further.

Whispered "You know anybody in protectorate territory? Seem a bit secretive military types."

(that was at James)

“Proceed to dock at the platform. Approaching on a planetside run will have you shot down”

The heavy frigate shadowing you moves to block a clear run at the planet

James shakes his head at Ibros. "Nobody." He then nods sagely at the screen and tells the pilot in an important sounding tone, "Make it so."

"Ha, you sound like a old earth flick my parents had me watch."

The ship smoothly sails in to dock with the orbital platform, steam and trapped air venting from the docking ring and the flexible gantry that extends with it. Lights flicker and then come on steadily as the old platform cycles its doors and lets you in. Two dozen protectorate soldiers , a medical team , and a taros woman who looks like some sort of diplomat is waiting

The Taros woman with turquoise hair seems to be pretty relaxed and not afraid of whoever is about to leave the ship. She wears a coat with what seems to be coat-of-arms arranged in a circle on it. Seven of those, by the way they are placed, one seems to be missing. She has a spear on her back and she emits a slight humming sound. As soon as someone leaves she would smile and start to speak. "Welcome to the Elysium Protectorate, visitors from our interstellar neighbor. I am the Herald of the Protectorate and the Voice of its People. Thank you for saving and bringing our citizens back home." She would look out for Torino and any sign he gives upon exiting the ship.

There is a moment of hesitation from James as the ship opens and he finds a delegation awaiting them. "Wasn't expecting a parade but here we go," he mumbles to Ibros before stepping forward and delivering a salute. "Corporal James Rogers of the Sovereign Colonies'Armed Forces. This is Ibros Prel. Forgive our lack of protocol, we did not expect diplomacy to be part of our mission and are poorly prepared. Sadly, we lost one of our own during the mission but we are happy it was a success in the end. We trust that you can take their relocation from here? "

"We would be a bad home if we couldn't. Being not much of a diplomat can be problematic sometimes. You won't know when you may need to have some political expertise, or else you find yourself in a situation were you stumble from diplomatic incident to diplomatic incident. Well, I am interested, besides being good people, did you have any other interest in our citizens and their mission, besides small talk?"

Again, a small pauze, perhaps in part from the mention of a string op diplomatic incident. Then, James clears his throat. "We found that your citizens were especially um, taciturn when asked about their intentions when visiting the slavers' territories. We were curious of course, but we respected their reasons to keep this information to themselves, and didn't pry further. That was the end of that particular conversation. As for the reason of our mission, I guarantee we had no further instructions than the liberation of the slaves. The ones we brought here, and the ones we delivered to their homes on different planets." James nods to himself. Incident averted.

Ibros gives a well done smile and nod. (edited)

Daitrij gets closer to James. There is no smile on her face and no kindness in her voice. "I've heard differently. Remember you are in Protectorate territory, talking to me the Herald. Don't lie to me. Don't take my questioning as being ungrateful for what you did tho. Saving our citizens was something we couldn't do ourself, right now at least. So one last time. Did you try to push our citizens to give away data they obtained and protected with their lives? " (edited)

At this hostility Ibros steps forward. Cool but pinched eyes speaking politely as possible without sucking up to Daitrij. "Excuse me sir and madam Herald. But yes ma'am. I asked your people if they could share information with us about their expedition in a non hostile or threatening way. I ensured that the questioning was optional and required no need to be answered. Your man Mr. John informed us any information they had was strictly need to know and were military secrets. Your people have been treated with the upmost respect and care in their stay with us. So I will tell you honestly and truely that therewas no pushing. Plain and simple. If you truly need evidence of the contrary I can go through a play by play if you need." (edited)

“These people did save us, but pushed very hard during the opening day of the flight back” John Torino says. “It was only after I set watches and ensured someone had the survey drive on them at all times that they stopped trying to get the data. I have the drive here Herald”

As he hands it over, two militia step forward to take it and arrest John , for issues not related to the current matter

(Dang this dude is straight up exaggerating the questioning for this!) (edited)

She nods towards Torino. "Thank you, Mr. Torino. We will remember your bravery, positively." Turning back to the SCAF crew she tilts her head slightly and sighs. "So. Everytime I ask something, something new surfaces. And you should know that I am the Herald. My eyes and ears are everywhere." She gets her spear off her back. And holds it in front of her. Spearhead pointing upwards. A simple spear without much decoration on it. After a short moment the spearhead starts to glow. "You know. If I just followed by what my citizen said, you'd be in trouble. By my decision should be just and fair and without being biased. So I want to hear it all to make a decision. Leaving things out now is ill advised. You might be guests and saviors of some of my citizens, but still don't be liars."

(were we disarmed when we arrived on the station? Feeling quite the sudden hostilities brewing)

(you were not disarmed, no)

(you came right off your ship and they sort of met you at the entryway)

Witnessing the activation of your weapon Ibros takes a more defensive stance (no weapons drawn or movement towards her gear.) and meets the Heralds eyes... "We're leaving now. Our kindness is completed, enjoy having your people back Herald." She then will salute proudly and if not hassled will board our ship and leave.

(Dai has a couple IRL thing's shes doing today, I do want to allow EP time for a reply to his though, so this might move a little slow)

(even if nothing happens i dont want to just yoink a choice away from someone)

(No I totes understand, its all good.)

"Stop! There is no salute needed and you aren't leaving. I am asking questions and you are evading them. You even want to just run away. You told me you are no diplomats, but even you should know how your actions look like. So if you have nothing to hide just answer my question."

"Were not beholden to your laws of your suspicion or to answer your questions. lady. We are agents of the SCAF and if you are a diplomat you should know forcibly holding us is a diplomatic incident. If you want to get answers ask my Lord for them. We will not be held, and we will not be forced to do anything but make hastey retreat here." (edited)

James grits his teeth and steps forward until the spear tip nearly touches his sternum. "Drawing weapons on us, Herald? One would be confused as to who is the soldier, and who is the diplomat. Forgive us our personal curiosity. If we meant hostility by it, we would have that disk, and your people, in our possession now. The fact that we handed both over to you, shows more cooperation than you're giving us now. And if you want to accuse us of lying, perhaps you shouldn't start with the pretense that you didn't already have the information you were asking for. Can we leave now, or will you be opening fire on us, Madam Incident?"

(sorry for my delays, I'm on the road)

(No worries just glad you came in here with such clap back force!)

(The spear isn't pointing at anyone. It's pointing straight up.) (edited)

(you did activate a weapon. Its like turning the safety off my rifle.)

(Let’s allow daitrij to respond before the content is buried in a semantical argument)

(My bad, spear length then ) (edited)

Daitrij doesn't move but has a baffled look on her face. "Where do you think you are? Who do you think you are and whom do you think you are talking to? I had a heated argument with a billionaire with one of the leading engineers in the iron stars, with an emotionless Merlon and a couple more. No matter how heated that discussion was, none of them showed a level of disrespect like you two clowns. I am the one to ask questions here and you evade them and want to run away. Furthermore you are leaning against my spear. Talking about me drawing a weapon. If you would have asked I could have told you that this spear is my connection to Ognyena and it glows to connect me to her, so I can make a just and wise decision regarding your misbehavior. But instead of that you almost push yourself onto my spear, are you nuts? I gave you so many chances to explain yourself and you just spiraled it downwards in a cacophonic argumentation. And talking about hostility. If I were truly hostile, you and your ship would be purified by fire in the blink of an eye, never to be seen again. Lost in a miscalculated spike drive, one will say. Anyway, you are calling me names and do all kinds of things that could call the Galatean Council into action, but you aren't a member there. So our jurisdiction decides on how to proceed with you now. How do you think should this quarrel end? How do you want to make up for your behavior and will I get my answers? Or do you want to escalate it to a point of no return?"

"Drawing weapons and then speaking of escalation. This isn't a questioning, it's an interrogation. I have no illusions about who's in charge here, this was established when your frigates greeted us at the gate. If I were to draw my weapon, I wouldn't live longer than a few more seconds. Did we pry for information? You bet. It's our duty to see if there is anything in our way that might benefit our colonies. We quit when we noticed that our actions were inappropriate. Did we accuse of lying when information was withheld? No. Did we draw weapons? No. Did we corner your people and refused them a safe way out when they refused answers? No. Those last three were all you. You have your answers now, so we'll have our departure. I'll send you a copy of my report as a token of our transparency on the matter." James turns on his heels, and walks away. Passing Ibros, he says, " Ready when you are. "

"Are you actually listening? First of all, we are in a middle of an argument on Protectorate soil and you called the Protectorate leader names you shouldn't do. So it's not your decision to leave, it's mine. Unless of course you want it to end that way, showing no respect and not accepting who is in charge. I got information of your doings before you arrived. I held that information back to see if you two are to be trusted. The way you acted made a decision easy in that regard. So I knew that you wanted Mr. Torino to give a away state secrets, and thus commit a crime. You didn't do that with a gun pointed at his head, that's right. Likewise I didn't point my spear towards you, you tried yourself to get your intestines grilled by pressing against my spear. But instead of being open and telling me about your wrongdoings, you just didn't do that, even though I asked multiple times. Yet you decided that calling a foreign leader Madame Incident was a good move. Oh and I am not cornering you, I also never said you'd be ending as ashes on that deck or as debris in the cold emptiness of space. All I said was that you have to honor where you are and who decides about the rules. So if I say we aren't finished, we aren't finished. You can turn around as much as you want and go back to your ship, you won't leave as long as I don't say so. Oh, and you two may have never been in charge of a space ship, but you should know that it is common to be greated by the local space defense and guided towards a designated docking bay. Even moreso if you are known already as people who could may not be trusted. Act like you think is appropriate now, I don't tell you what to do. But I can assure you that whatever you do it will have consequences. Positive or negative, that is up to what you do."

"You got what you wanted. If you are keeping us here further, we are your prisoner and our abduction is an act of war. If you choose to do so over an insult, that is your choice. Of all the ways you could have handled our reaction to your lie, you chose to get angry and draw a weapon. Whatever we did, it couldn't have been more insulting than a threat of violence. Like your subordinates on our ship, we are done talking to you. Release us, or take us prisoner. We have more people to save." James says these things over his shoulder, during a brief pauze from walking to their ship. Holding the door open for Ibros to follow him.

"Thank you. You make decision making easy. I've handed you oh so many chances, and you didn't take any of them. Oh and I didn't lie, you did. I also explained why I let the spearhead glow. You just didn't care, or aren't sensible for other peoples beliefs. So there has never been a threat of violence, I mean aside from you trying to become some grilled human." Daitrij shakes her head as she puts her spear back onto her back. "Go, leave, go back to the place were clowns are made captains of space ships. You are representatives, and failed to act like some. Or you did and you just showed what we should think about your home. My subordinates aren't just that, they are citizens of the Elysium Protectorate. They withstood your wish to make them criminals. Your wrongdoings brought me here. To stand infront of my citizens, to protect them. You can leave now, putting you in our prisons would just waste space that isn't needed otherwise, as you saw, our people know right from wrong. The frigate and defense platforms mean you no harm, as long as you show no aggression and take the designated vectors. Good bye. And may your lost hearts be enlightened by Ognyena one day, so she can lead you back onto a righteous track so you aren't eternally lost on a downward path." Daitrij turns her back to the SCAF crew and speaks to the security. "Lets go, let them leave in peace and only react if they start to misbehave yet again."

(3xp, 5000 credits all)

(If Ibros and James are going directly back to sCAF space, it ends up being 7 days back to Bergasa)

(just let me know what you want to do)

(Id like to just go straight back and get new missions)

(same. Thanks for the game, all. I was at the edge of my seat )

(dang straight!)

(Know skill: 17/90)

(Shoot skill: 14/90) (edited)