Inchin: Planetfall

[Tiglath]

I'll take the Prof. Wanted to have a shufti at the terrain anyway, gives me an excuse to be out an' about.

Here's an outline of Prof Benson’s rather haphazard itinerary for Jess to cope with.

Firstly he tasks the Grey Goose mercs with the in system runs as above - given that they’re already "halfway there" in the asteroid belt this makes some sort of sense.

There are several other “deep fissure” sites on Inchin that require visits that categorise as follows:

one north of the starport taking a day,
one southwest taking a long day
and a two day expedition to the “dark face” of Inchin (entirely redundant term since the starport sensors that would “illuminate” it are apparently non existent.

(OOC: These will "occur" in game with no need for any other PC input with Jess and her squad present throughout (with a full combat load of kit). If any events occur you'll be the first to know!)

[joertexas]

Prerna hides an extra comm dot in her hair just above her left ear, and sticks the other one below her right ear and covers it with makeup to have it blend in. Then, she finds the smallest pistol they have, and secures it between her shoulder blades with tape (thanks, Bruce WIllis). She also carries her regular sidearm in a holster at her right hip, and a small knife in her CES pocket.

[Tiglath]

Prerna

Prerna shadows Dwayne and Wayne as they don their desert gear and quit the compound to head for the workers’ shanty town. They make no attempt to throw off any follow and meet a couple of individuals at a “barter market”. They are then invited into a local communal meeting hall with a “partial atmosphere” where folk can speak but have to keep their masks handy.

They make a passionate speech about workers rights and state that the workers on Inchin are supported by their fellow workers throughout 268 and that fair pay and conditions are a humanitarian right.

Their pitch seems to gain cautious acceptance but nowhere near wild approval from the crowd of a couple of hundred mostly middle aged workers. Two exceptions are found in replies from the floor.

One old hand heckles “You seem to forget we’re all ‘ere for the pay you fekkin’ divots! You can stick yer red flag up yer ‘ole! Just get Rowri to fork over the bonuses he promised and we’re good!”

A younger, angrier voice shouts “Veteranenarbeiter, with respect I say you will never see your justly earned wages! For these are the hired puppets of “Baron Bankrupt” sent by the Imperium to offer nothing but lies to the slaves who will never be paid!”

Another young voice immediately adds “Freedom! Freedom is our call!”

On cue the young speaker responds “Reise, Reise" a few within the crowd echo the call back to the speaker.

Then a slight masked figure moves towards Dwayne and Wayne as they stand on the improvised stage and shouts “Spies! Here’s a piece of Inchin!” and draws back to throw an object directly at them.

(OOC:

Please make a Recon roll (with Int and Streetwise as a DM) as to your general level of “not coming to notice / sneak and observation”

Then please make a separate “tactical” appreciation Recon roll

Please further state if you are wearing any armour (and what type) under you desert garb

Edit: Just now caught CES above. Therefore please ignore query re: armour )./ooc]

[Tiglath]

(OOC: There's so much going on behind the scenes I'm surprised the stage is not rattling!
I'm pausing both for Prerna's action and just in case there's anything to come from various PMs batted back and forth. )

[The Bindoner]

There are several other “deep fissure” sites on Inchin that require visits that categorise as follows:

one north of the starport taking a day,
one southwest taking a long day
and a two day expedition to the “dark face” of Inchin (entirely redundant term since the starport sensors that would “illuminate” it are apparently non existent.

(OOC: These will "occur" in game with no need for any other PC input with Jess and her squad present throughout (with a full combat load of kit). If any events occur you'll be the first to know!)

Jess loads the carrier with a toolkit, 2 days rations per person, the solar vapourator ( it can work as we go ) and one of the grav-belts. For the long trip, double the food and water.



When the planning meeting breaks up Jess stays to talk privately with Frank:

So, Boss... * pause * That raid on the supply craft when we got here? All they took was water. Sniper prob'ly knew he'd die to buy 'em time. Really got to me, that. Hit close to home.

* Deep breath *Which is why I reached out to the Union. Won''t lie, I wanted to help 'em. But, I've bin a peacekeeper on worlds like this, an' I know we got a better shot at a quite stay if we cool things down. They've offered a meet, and I'm going. 'Cos we'll look dodgy as hell if I don't, now. Alone I think. Said up to five people, but I don't think we need ta offer more hostages, case it all goes Pete Tong.

I'm thinkin' I can show 'em we're not hostile, p'raps find out the grievance an' try ta sort it. Gonna need some water for this. Got our gear workin', but anything we can put aside'd be good. Half a glass of water from anyone in barracks'd do. Plannin' to leave caches as I fly the Prof 'round, so Rowri's guys don't see it, and give them the locations.

Anyway, sorry I went off reservation on this, but yer in the picture now.

[shaidar]

Frank gives Jess a long look

"Well, I'd be lying if I said I was happy about only finding out about it now. That said...good work. If we are going to come out of this assignment in one piece we need to understand the political situation and who is actually pulling the strings around here, I'd put money on extra-planetary interference. Don't take anything with you they could use, and don't get caught by the Baron's men. If the Baron finds out we are in any way assisting 'the enemy', then the shit will really hit the fan. I'm sympathetic to the situation of the workers, I really am, but we are not here to support a coup...but If we can gently nudge things in a better direction then we should try."

[The Bindoner]

I'm sorry, it was unprofessional. Let personal feelin's affect me judgement. Hopefully it'll play well though. Worst case, yer lose an insubordinate pain in the arse, eh?

[shaidar]

Frank

"Worst case... I lose a friend... and I'd have to find a replacement for a damn good Sargent Major at a very inconvenient time"

[The Bindoner]

Jess, embarrassed, deflects with Thanks, but yer not my type. Realising that joke was awkward and inappropriate she rushes on to more serious things: Now, Rowri's Clowns, We gotta connect with 'em, make sure we don't butt heads. You c'n do the CO to CO thing, but it wouldn't hurt to do a lower level integration. I'm busy, obs. Maybe Skip or Domici could run a joint patrol? Make friends, assess 'em same time.

[Tiglath]

Back in the Barracks

Colonel Cross is greeted with three cheers as he emerges from his stateroom by the squad posted to HQ security.

[The scuttlebutt is that the Colonel is gifted with enormous powers of “libido” sufficient to lure “top birds” to his room at will – specifically the really tasty blond one with the aslan.

Either that or he's been using Hai Karate aftershave and not been careful how he used it!
TAS Safety Information attached: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7nPRFQFgmQ].

Meanwhile, a call of “Officer on Deck” accompanied by a series of appreciative cat calls from the barracks (quite properly belayed by the company NCOs) announce the presence of "Ensign Mallory" in the officers’ quarters. Liv is wearing her formal Navy blues but now somehow seems to strain the lower decks’ eyes even more than when she was in a bikini. She takes all the attention with the very best of humour and declares a request to see Jakob.

[joertexas]

Prerna
Then a slight masked figure moves towards Dwayne and Wayne as they stand on the improvised stage and shouts “Spies! Here’s a piece of Inchin!” and draws back to throw an object directly at them.
(OOC:
Please make a Recon roll (with Int and Streetwise as a DM) as to your general level of “not coming to notice / sneak and observation” Then please make a separate “tactical” appreciation Recon roll

Roll[2d6]=6 + [Int+1, SW+2, Recon+1]-4 = 10
Roll [2d6]=4 + Recon+1 = 5 (sucky dice rolls today)

[Tiglath]

Prerna

From her position in the hall (with a good view and close enough to intervene) Prerna is as sure as she can be she's not been "made" by any of the locals.

Roll [2d6]=4 + Recon+1 = 5 (sucky dice rolls today)

(Can't roll high all the time but +1 Int here for "interpretation" of events - which at least gets you "on the board" at 6+ )

Prerna sees it "as is" - the attacker just says her piece and cocks her arm back to throw. She's midway down the centre aisle and about 10 yards from the "stage" area containing Dwayne and Wayne.

(OOC: Prerna is well within effective handgun range but there are many seated "civilians" behind her target picture of the attacker. Prerna is also notionally within melee range with a "charge" but this will not disrupt the attacker's throw).

Actions please!

[joertexas]

Prerna

Actions please!

Dwayne, get down! Prerna yells as she runs for the stage. She intends to get between them and any other attackers, while she prays to Odin that the woman isn't so stupid as to throw a grenade.

[Tiglath]

Prerna

Dwayne (who is speaking) replies "Wha..."

His (soon to be) assailant unwinds a pitch that hurtles a fist sized lump of rock towards the Imperial Union man cracking him smartly on the left knee.

As his assailant fades back into the (now standing up and alarmed) audience Dwayne yelps and collapses only to be caught by Wayne.

Meanwhile the meeting breaks up as everyone remembers a pressing need to be "elsewhere" before the Guard arrive. Prerna is soon left in company with a shocked Dwayne and Wayne in room full of scattered and overturned chairs.

(OOC:
Dwayne Recon: Roll(2d6)+0: 4,2,+0 Total:6
To Hit: Roll(2d6)+0: 3,6,+0 Total:9 Hit
Location: Roll(1d8)+0: 8,+0 Total:8 Left Leg
Pen: Roll(2d6)+0: 5,2,+0 Total:7 (-1 Std Clothes) = 6 LW
Result: Roll(1d6)+0: 2,+0 Total:2 No KO).

[joertexas]

Prerna

Dwayne yelps and collapses to be caught by Wayne. Meanwhile the meeting breaks up as everyone remembers a pressing need to be "elsewhere" before the Guard arrive. Prerna is soon left in company with a shocked Dwayne and Wayne in room full of scattered and overturned chairs.

Good grief, Prerna sighs. Let's get out of here before something else happens, shall we?

[Tiglath]

Dwayne and Wayne agree wholeheartedly with Prerna's suggestion and are very grateful for her sudden presence.

Between Prerna and Wayne the limping Dwayne is supported back to the Mansion and gets his knee looked at (probably by Prerna) in the merc med bay.

(OOC: Any reporting restrictions? Is the Mansion at large informed of the incident? Several folk saw the three return from the town).

[joertexas]

Dwayne and Wayne agree wholeheartedly with Prerna's suggestion and are very grateful for her sudden presence.

Between Prerna and Wayne the limping Dwayne is supported back to the Mansion and gets his knee looked at (probably by Prerna) in the merc med bay.

(OOC: Any reporting restrictions? Is the Mansion at large informed of the incident? Several folk saw the three return from the town).

On the way back, Prerna lectures the pair on a private circuit. This is what happens when you go out without a security team. You will not do this again, or I will be throwing rocks. We will also not report this to anyone outside of my commander. If we do, the people at the meeting will be punished. You saw how quickly they left. Your story will be that you fell while walking. Is that perfectly clear?

[shaidar]

Jess, embarrassed, deflects with Thanks, but yer not my type. Realising that joke was awkward and inappropriate she rushes on to more serious things: Now, Rowri's Clowns, We gotta connect with 'em, make sure we don't butt heads. You c'n do the CO to CO thing, but it wouldn't hurt to do a lower level integration. I'm busy, obs. Maybe Skip or Domici could run a joint patrol? Make friends, assess 'em same time.

Frank

"I've been thinking the same. I had hoped there would be more interaction with the Colonel and his troops, but it's been a couple of days and nothing. He strikes me as a little 'old-school' when it comes to his command style. I will try to talk to him and suggest some co-operative action, sell it as a 'learning exercise' for our troops on how to handle these kinds of situations. Whoever goes, Skip of Domici, they will have to be careful or we might get tarred with the same brush as the Baron's guards"

Back in the Barracks

Colonel Cross is greeted with three cheers as he emerges from his stateroom by the squad posted to HQ security.

[The scuttlebutt is that the Colonel is gifted with enormous powers of “libido” sufficient to lure “top birds” to his room at will – specifically the really tasty blond one with the aslan.

Either that or he's been using Hai Karate aftershave and not been careful how he used it!
TAS Safety Information attached: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7nPRFQFgmQ].

Meanwhile, a call of “Officer on Deck” accompanied by a series of appreciative cat calls from the barracks (quite properly belayed by the company NCOs) announce the presence of "Ensign Mallory" in the officers’ quarters. Liv is wearing her formal Navy blues but now somehow seems to strain the lower decks’ eyes even more than when she was in a bikini. She takes all the attention with the very best of humour and declares a request to see Jakob.

Frank takes the cheers with a quiet smile. Seeing the Ensign he heads over "Ensign. The lieutenant should be around here somewhere, we've just had a briefing. I will make sure he doesn't keep you waiting"

After ensuring that Jakob is informed of his visitor, Frank will see if he can speak to the Colonel, or his aide, and arrange some kind of join exercise, a patrol, or similar.

[Tiglath]

On the way back, Prerna lectures the pair on a private circuit. This is what happens when you go out without a security team. You will not do this again, or I will be throwing rocks. We will also not report this to anyone outside of my commander. If we do, the people at the meeting will be punished. You saw how quickly they left. Your story will be that you fell while walking. Is that perfectly clear?

A rather shocked and somewhat chastened Dwayne replies “Uh, OK – we’re just here to help these people for goodness sakes! It seems like the situation’s more complicated than we thought”.

[joertexas]

A rather shocked and somewhat chastened Dwayne replies “Uh, OK – we’re just here to help these people for goodness sakes! It seems like the situation’s more complicated than we thought”.

That's the first lesson I learned when I started this job, most people don't really want the help I can offer them. They usually want something that they think is better. The second lesson I learned is that every situation is both worse and more complicated than I thought. Those people who attacked us when we landed? They were trying to steal bottled water. I don't know about you, but the swimming pool is suddenly a lot less attractive to me.