Collace Homecoming

[shaidar]

Frank

"The first stage is recon, but then there is a strike stage versus what I can only assume is the aforementioned TL-14 forces, but I am concerned where this action would take place as it might overflow into residential areas. I'm also concerned about the local forces being caught in the crossfire."

[BackworldTraveller]

If we abstain, what is the alternative
1) for the potential client
2) for us?

Is there an alternative operation that we could undertake that has an equivalent benefit to the client without the undesirable side effects?

i.e. What does the client really want out of this? Battering the door down is only one way to clear the valuables out of a house

[joertexas]

Frank

"This is Tarsus we are talking about. Combat amongst the resident population or with the local LEO's would be unacceptable to me."

Didn't someone mention that stage 1 is covert operations: Recon not Combat?

"If there is a war there, then would it not be better to stop it?"

[shaidar]

Frank

"Tarsus is a peaceful agricultural planet. Any kind of conflict would be due to an external cause. They don't even have a police force, just the planetary defence force made up mostly of local militia. I haven't been there for over ten years, but I doubt it's changed that much, I would have heard something."

[joertexas]

Frank

"Tarsus is a peaceful agricultural planet. Any kind of conflict would be due to an external cause. They don't even have a police force, just the planetary defence force made up mostly of local militia. I haven't been there for over ten years, but I doubt it's changed that much, I would have heard something."

Prerna shrugs. "All the more reason for us to go and see the situation for ourselves."

[Tiglath]

(OOC: A very interesting debate! So, whilst I'll not interfere there I will add the reminder that SEMC still has the other (wounded) assassin as an "Intel asset". So all's not entirely lost on that front).

[shaidar]

Frank looks at his officers

"I believe we don't have enough information to make a decision, and I have some serious reservations that need to be addressed. Please excuse me one moment."

Frank heads over to T'lia.

"I fear we are short on information that is required for us to make a decision. Also, I personally have some serious reservations."

Frank removes his combat helmet (and therefore his psi-shield)

"Take a look, it will be quicker this way, and I think you need to see the real depths of my concern."

PM sent to Tiglath.

[The Bindoner]

Jess glowers at the reference to the fate of the prisoner:

Not the act of a friend or ally, cloudin’ the mind of one of ours to hand over our prisoner. Stealin’, that was. Usin’ our property to buy a favour with another faction. On our deck. In front of us.

Sorry, Prerna, but yer wife was bang out of order. Anyone else did that, well, good job she’s family, eh? Burned all her trust, though. She owes us big time too.



The discussion moves to the proposed ticket:

If we don’t take the ticket, some other outfit will. If the things to be done right, it’s prob’ly got to be us doin’ it. You’re from Tarsus, Boss, and you care about it. And, if it turns out we’re on the wrong side, you’ll know, and we can do something. Probably.

Sorry, a little late with that, but my brain-meats have been mushy recently.

[joertexas]

Jess glowers at the reference to the fate of the prisoner:

Not the act of a friend or ally, cloudin’ the mind of one of ours to hand over our prisoner. Stealin’, that was. Usin’ our property to buy a favour with another faction. On our deck. In front of us.

Sorry, Prerna, but yer wife was bang out of order. Anyone else did that, well, good job she’s family, eh? Burned all her trust, though. She owes us big time too.

Prerna turns to Jess. She takes a breath to be sure that she's in control of her temper. "First, T'Lia wouldn't mind control one of us. Second, respectfully, you don't know the half of the story with her, or what she's done to help us since the fight here at the Bartizan. Yes, she's kept things from us, and I have done the same. Most information is benign, some is harmful, and a tiny fraction is truly dangerous in the wrong hands. Frankly, her balance sheet with us is even, from where I stand. She's saved my life, and some of yours, too, more times than I can count." She regards Jess levelly. "So, tell me, what else does she, do we, owe you? Fealty? As you said, we're family, all of us. We've all risked our lives for each other, and we will do so again."

[BackworldTraveller]

Ladies - What is done is done. No putting the guy back together now.

The Colonel seems real concerned. If we decline it will be passed to someone else - who will screw it up. But we don't know what the objective of all this is, not really. Is there an alternative path to the same place. Can we offer an alternative solution to this problem that doesn't involve fighting on Tarsus. Is there some action we could propose that cuts those TL-14 guys off from funding? Then they just melt away. No Shooting.

We don't always have to climb over the wall shouting and killing all in sight. Sometimes there's alternatives.

[The Bindoner]

Prerna turns to Jess. She takes a breath to be sure that she's in control of her temper. "First, T'Lia wouldn't mind control one of us. Second, respectfully, you don't know the half of the story with her, or what she's done to help us since the fight here at the Bartizan. Yes, she's kept things from us, and I have done the same. Most information is benign, some is harmful, and a tiny fraction is truly dangerous in the wrong hands. Frankly, her balance sheet with us is even, from where I stand. She's saved my life, and some of yours, too, more times than I can count." She regards Jess levelly. "So, tell me, what else does she, do we, owe you? Fealty? As you said, we're family, all of us. We've all risked our lives for each other, and we will do so again."

Jess remains calm, offering no provocative emotion:

Tartar’s my man, yet he acted on her will, against our orders. Seems like Woo to me.


Look, I like her, I recognise the good she’s done, including for me. You’ve made each other happy, and that’s great. But the rest of us need to be clear-eyed about our status.

She can have her secrets, and her own loyalties, like everyone else. None of my business. Until she made it so, back there. Disrespected us, openly, in public. Stole.

Because she has a cause that is greater than her regard for us, and she’ll do what she thinks will help it. She’s got her agenda, which is fine, now we’re clear about how it has first call.

We’re not on the same side, we just work against the same enemy sometimes, when our interests coincide. When they don’t she’ll do what she wants. And so will we. We’re mercs, that’s business normal.

Same as with the cats. I know what they are, and I don’t trust ‘em. I think they’re dangerous, but I can work with ‘em. Business.


Balance sheet even, you say? Well, she’s certainly got no credit left on my account, anyway.

As to what she owes us, let’s start with all the info and who-knows-what-else we lost with the prisoner. Full disclosure.


I may edit...

[The Bindoner]

Ladies - What is done is done. No putting the guy back together now.

The Colonel seems real concerned. If we decline it will be passed to someone else - who will screw it up. But we don't know what the objective of all this is, not really. Is there an alternative path to the same place. Can we offer an alternative solution to this problem that doesn't involve fighting on Tarsus. Is there some action we could propose that cuts those TL-14 guys off from funding? Then they just melt away. No Shooting.

We don't always have to climb over the wall shouting and killing all in sight. Sometimes there's alternatives.

You're right, we're the best company for the ticket. Providin' the objective is to avoid wreckin' the joint. Even if it isn't, actually.

I hope there is a second option, 'cause I don't fancy takin' on TL14 with our kit. Doubt cuttin' fundin'll be somethin' we can do in the timeframe. Alternate fundin's another matter. Business.

Or Woo. *grinning* That'll make someone change their contract too, seems like. Jess smiles, apparently believing this is an ice-breaking joke

[joertexas]

Balance sheet even, you say? Well, she’s certainly got no credit left on my account, anyway.

As to what she owes us, let’s start with all the info and who-knows-what-else we lost with the prisoner. Full disclosure.

Prerna nods once. "You're the one choosing sides among us. I'm not, T'Lia certainly isn't, and I don't think anyone else is, either. You're welcome to your own feelings, motivations, and priorities. Right up until the shooting starts. Then, we are all on the same side, and that's what counts. And, I think T'Lia was smart enough to extract everything of value before she gave the prisoner to the Aslan, even though that wasn't her call to make."

[dongriffiths]

Listening in on the discussion Klaus leans forward.

Perhaps we could start with some innocuous recon. I haven't had time to recruit a squad, perhaps I could make a trip and try to drum up interest on Tarsus. Picking up some intel and current overview shouldn't be too difficult. If things go sour then SEMC won't have committed much and can gracefully stay clear.

[joertexas]

Listening in on the discussion Klaus leans forward.

Perhaps we could start with some innocuous recon. I haven't had time to recruit a squad, perhaps I could make a trip and try to drum up interest on Tarsus. Picking up some intel and current overview shouldn't be too difficult. If things go sour then SEMC won't have committed much and can gracefully stay clear.

"I wonder if we can cobble up a reason to take our ships there and keep everyone aboard in orbit while Klaus does his recon."

[BackworldTraveller]

Listening in on the discussion Klaus leans forward.

Perhaps we could start with some innocuous recon. I haven't had time to recruit a squad, perhaps I could make a trip and try to drum up interest on Tarsus. Picking up some intel and current overview shouldn't be too difficult. If things go sour then SEMC won't have committed much and can gracefully stay clear.

"I wonder if we can cobble up a reason to take our ships there and keep everyone aboard in orbit while Klaus does his recon."

A team of 1 is not a great number

[joertexas]

[
A team of 1 is not a great number

"Who says he would be alone?"

[Tiglath]

All

T'lia responds to some of the points raised.

"Tarsus is a peaceful agricultural planet. Any kind of conflict would be due to an external cause. They don't even have a police force, just the planetary defence force made up mostly of local militia. I haven't been there for over ten years, but I doubt it's changed that much, I would have heard something."

"Responding in order. Yes, it is - to all appearances. That is correct - it is. Given that this is District 268 that is foolish and as per my last that second is reckless. Appearances have remained the same - and, no, you wouldn't".

"The first stage is recon, but then there is a strike stage versus what I can only assume is the aforementioned TL-14 forces, but I am concerned where this action would take place as it might overflow into residential areas. I'm also concerned about the local forces being caught in the crossfire."

"The TL 14 security element are just that and would rate as a regular and untried company sized force. They will be assaulted by elite TL 13 forces with ortillery and close air support. I have no concerns about the result and neither should you. None of the locally raised Tarsan militia forces should be involved in the fighting... although indigenous forces may be".

Kit replies to Frank, "What is the 'unit's specialised skill set' that we are using in this case? Colonel, I think I have sadly given you more questions than answers."

T'lia replies "A very good question. Your unit's operations have been observed, examined and positively vetted by a representative of your prospective employer. Your command team are driven people but have compassion. Your unit is tactically flexible, hard hitting and led from the front by elite officers and junior leaders. You are also loyal within your unit, almost universally dishonest and, by majority..." she pauses perhaps in translation "...criminally insane. In short - ideal for the task at hand".

Is there some action we could propose that cuts those TL-14 guys off from funding? Then they just melt away. No Shooting.

We don't always have to climb over the wall shouting and killing all in sight. Sometimes there's alternatives.

T'lia replies "Admirable thinking but outside the compass of this tasking. However, for the purposes of military planning you may assume that the security element is already suffering significant degradation of their morale and financial support".

"I wonder if we can cobble up a reason to take our ships there and keep everyone aboard in orbit while Klaus does his recon."

T'lia states "A trader of one thousand ton displacement can be put at your disposal. The vessel has troop accommodation and five hundred tons plus of cargo space. The vessel has a streamlined hull enabling wilderness refuelling and a landing on Tarsus' surface but you could hold in deep space or remain in orbit. Alternatively your unit can also be landed and remain hidden while "dirtside" if that is another planning concern".

[Tiglath]

Frank

Frank removes his combat helmet (and therefore his psi-shield)

"Take a look, it will be quicker this way, and I think you need to see the real depths of my concern."

In reaction T'lia takes both a step back and a moment to marshal her composure.

"It seems that in this benighted sub sector nobility is perhaps more often found where it is least expected... and perhaps less often than where it should be... I will reward your trust Colonel Cross".

T'lia seems to gather herself and then extends her facial tentacles raises her arms to place both hands at Frank's temples.

(OOC: much???

PM today or tomorrow).

[Tiglath]

All

A summary of Frank and T'lia's conversation as related to the company assembled in the fortress canteen.

T'lia's response regarding the prisoner:
“I acted without consultation regarding the prisoner. He was incurably insane and intended such vileness on those we love that I reacted in anger. If you insist I will share his ecstatic imaginings - but I do not recommend it. I ransacked his diseased mind and I was neither kind nor gentle. You may rest assured that I will share the truth I ripped from him in good time. However, he was now dying but still had use as an asset to placate the Aslan Warlord. Seeing as your own man had every anticipation of torturing him to death I'm not sure which of us has the moral high ground but I believe I optimized the outcome of the situation. It is true that I acted without your authority but within my capacity as a military officer and member of a visiting diplomatic mission reacting to an extant threat”.

T'lia on herself:
“I am indeed an Officer of the Guards Commando but now operate independently with Out World Coalition assets and allies in 268. SuSAG captured and killed my brother – they tortured him to death. Zhodani noble families tend to specialise in specific areas of the Consulate military - I was sent to replace him. We have been pursuing the same enemy and I have been exacting my revenge. You have seen me putting parts of it into operation. Indeed we have worked in parallel since your raid on the offices of the lawyer Moresby nearly compromised my theft of Baron Iarl Rowri's plans for Inchin from his data vault. I believe we share the same ultimate goal”.

T'lia on Tarsus:
“I can arrange for your unit to be transported interstellar. As to your [OOC: Frank's] family we could simply lift them to orbit once on Tarsus but I have a business interest in a good sized ranch on the plains. They could hide out there – it is one of the places I had considered for hiding the whole unit”.

“Tarsus is a quiet backwater which is why SuSAG has hidden assets there. There is some chance that our private little war might pass entirely unnoticed by the locals. Otherwise we steer clear of combat with local forces. So, no collateral damage - but those who have sided with SuSAG are fair game”.

“Tarsus is indeed a planet that Aslan would find desirable to settle individually and Tarsus will have to deal with that. However, there'll be no invasion - I'm quite sure Yūgure is playing too long a game for such a short sighted blunder”.

“Colonel, if you want to control this and make sure it gets done right then you have to take the ticket. If you do so then you plan and execute the mission. There is one condition of my own - I accompany the mission”.

"As to soldiering I wouldn't embarrass myself as a Recon Sniper and I am a fully qualified trauma medic. With my local contacts on Tarsus I can assist whoever is the acting Intel Officer. I will require the rank of Major but I won't interfere with your chain of command".

T'lia's Intel take:
"On my initial assessment the VDV attack supporting an infiltration by two bands of assassins - specialist and mundane should have worked. I believe that the enemy were simply unlucky and the coordination of the strike was pre-empted by the arrival of the QSM's man "Tartar" who blew the cover of the infiltrators. The result was that the ambush by the serving staff was triggered too early causing the VDV attack to arrive on time but now in isolation".
She "smiles" again but coldly "The dedicated corporate assassins were simply outmatched and then outfought".

"Sicarius is Keening's SuSAG nemesis and marshals Corporate assets from across the Spinward Marches and Coreward against him. His name is actually a job title and defines his role as "corporate troubleshooter" - it is an ancient Terran term for assassin. Strategically Keening is off balance and simply has too many emerging threats to deal with all at once".

"Turner is on Tarsus - the assassin saw him". [Ref: Sgt Major Turner 1188th Merc Lift Infantry Regt].

Having supplied some additional information T'lia awaits any response.

(OOC: The above hopefully serves to save much re-iteration and maintain momemtum. So while the above is now given knowledge the quotes (although sources of fact - albeit as given) may lack their original conversational context so please treat them with that caveat/leeway. ).