Inchin: Endgame

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya

Freya's perseverance is rewarded

nag, nag, nag

[Tiglath]

Perhaps not so much of a "nag" or even a "knack" but maybe a stealthier drone ... ?

[Tiglath]

Jakob

Liv laughs “Well I outdid you on “direct” that day! I was on truth drug and about the first thing I did was tell everyone there what I did for a living!” She thinks a moment and smiling says “Dove Gable – I remember its bulk. The Vargr warband used it for mobile cover … and it cooperated with them! It also killed a bunch of the Purge. I didn't mind a bit about them but that thing wasn't operating like a security bot!”

“Careerwise I'll take things steady but just the space travel and the break from being “fully under” here has helped no end”. She looks about the pool and adds "As offices go this isn't too shabby”.

[Leitz]

"I don't think so, sweetheart. You talked. I ran the med team straight by Imperial Marine Commando standards, and Erica East was professionally impressed," Jakob said. "You talked, I showed. Which may or may not influence her decisions here. Maybe she sees that operating against us, and against former Captain Smith, are two vastly different games."

He took his time oogling her, and then licked his lips. "While the scenery is nice, it takes a distant second palce to one of my co-workers. No comparison, really. I realize this doesn't count as the 'weeks sitting in the sun' you wanted, but I'm glad it's helping. I'd do anything for you."

[The Bindoner]

Jess, wearing her Tigers-Eye bracelet as a good-luck charm and one of her most colourful scarves, walks down to her Sand-Rail.

She stows her carbine behind the dash, puts the case of fizz and the plain water in an empty ammo case with some packing foam and straps it into the passenger seat. Her back-up pistol is in her despatch-rider's shoulder bag for now, with the flares, and the smoke grenades are in her pockets.

A last check on the mechanics and balance and she swings from the roll-cage into her seat, straps in and starts up.

Jess sends a text to Darragh: "Off to the races. If I win, you win ", pockets the comm and waves to her team: See a flare, bring the Ambulance, otherwise stay out of it 'less I comm yer.

In a more familiar tone: Prob'ly best if'n yer bet against me lads. Don't know the track like the locals, an' I might hafter throw the thing fer the pol'tics'v it. she smiles and adds I do want to win though..

Putting the vehicle in gear she accelerates away in a cloud of dust.

[Tiglath]

Jess

At the edge of Star Town Jess is met by a gaggle of Junge racers who greet her warmly and stare in awestruck fascination at the case of fizzy water.

They escort her to the start of the race and explain the course. Jess is partially familiar with the Star Town to (under) Barter Town leg but hasn't raced the Star Port perimeter track before.

Please roll three driving rolls (apply Dex/Int bonuses and any bids for Recon, Tactics, etc.

[Tiglath]

All

After lunch the Diplomats' meeting resumes. After a while the format (even without a fully audible “soundtrack”) becomes entirely familiar to any merc affiliated to the 1188th. The delegates are clearly in the equivalent of a high stakes poker game and this is something that those with familiarity can clearly “read”.

The visible body language says it all: The Baron has the face of smug satisfaction that can only belong to “the House”, Polly wears the neutral mask of the dealer and the other delegates are all players.

Drace Keening opens with a bid to buy into the game and the suggested “ante” immediately clears out the Union men, scientists and junior diplomats. The Collace group form a consortium with Mr Solomon as their representative. Fast Eddie buys in in his own right.

Having achieved a “position” on the options they like players then withdraw as the bidding becomes too rich. Having made modest gains Mr. Solomon irritably withdraws.

The “game” then comes to a halt while Polly verifies the credit of those continuing.

When business resumes the Deputy Minister makes a substantial bid on behalf of the Imperium only to be immediately countered by an emotionless Drace Keening going “all in”. The Deputy Minister has a look of horror on his face as he is outbid which is only matched by that of Drace Keening as Fast Eddie offers to “raise”.

A furious Keening demands Polly again verify the credit of the bidders. When she confirms her earlier position he enters into a clipped exchange with the Baron before leaving to retrieve a personal computer from his stateroom. He then shows this to Polly who nods to the Baron. Keening now assumes a triumphant expression and Fast Eddie folds.

The meeting the dissolves into discussions among the delegation's sub groups while Keening and a clearly delighted Baron remain cloistered in the VIP area.

[shaidar]

Frank

When it becomes clear Keening is going to win Frank mutters something under his breath and vanishes into the Purser's office, a neutral look on his face.

[joertexas]

Frank

When it becomes clear Keening is going to win Frank mutters something under his breath and vanishes into the Purser's office, a neutral look on his face.

Prerna rises and follows, still clad in her T-shirt and shorts. She taps on the door. "Got a minute?"

[shaidar]

Frank

"Of course, Major, come in"

[joertexas]

Frank

"Of course, Major, come in"

Prerna steps in and parks her hip on the table. "So SuSAG won the bid. I don't know whether to be happy, or terrified."

[shaidar]

Frank

"I shouldn't be surprised, SuSAG have the resources to get whatever they want. I hope Inchin fares better under their control than under the Baron. At least SuSAG can't be described as incompetent. I guess if they want to mine the planet for its resources they'll have to treat the workers reasonably "

[Leitz]

If possible, Jakob will bet Cr 100 on Jess.

"That was interesting," Jakob said to Liv, as he stood. "Time to make a contact. Join me?"

He grabbed a couple of drinks and headed to Fast Eddie. "I don't think I could afford the negotiation lessons you could teach."

Jakob offered the drink, a smile, and a hand-shake. If not rebuffed, he moved closer and whispered. "Be careful. Vitt seems to be Swordie Special Operations, as do the troops running the fighting in town. I think they were playing a different game, and may not feel comfortable with other players still around."

He stepped back. "But if you offer discounted advice some time, let me know. I'm told that a grade schooler can read my every thought."

[joertexas]

Frank

"I shouldn't be surprised, SuSAG have the resources to get whatever they want. I hope Inchin fares better under their control than under the Baron. At least SuSAG can't be described as incompetent. I guess if they want to mine the planet for its resources they'll have to treat the workers reasonably "

The Swordwolder crosses her arms under her breasts. "I just hope that T'Lia is right. Otherwise, these people are in for even more misery."

[shaidar]

Frank sighs "I hope it gets better, but there's not much we can do about it"

[The Bindoner]

Jess enjoys the the pre-race camaraderie, but the unfamiliar slang of the Junge accentuates the age gap and she is grateful when everyone mounts up for the start. Before the off she ties the scarf she ruined yesterday back in its position as her colours.

She begins the race driving hard, trying to reach the front of the pack and get out of the dust cloud so she can see, then she drops back a little to allow those familiar with the course to show the way. When the last leg starts Jess accelerates and again vies for the lead.



Driving: [2d6] = 8, [2d6] = 4, [2d6] = 6


+ 2 Skill, +1 Dex, +1 Int

Jess has Tactics 1, which I tried to use in the race strategy.

EDIT: added the scarf pennon

[joertexas]

Frank sighs "I hope it gets better, but there's not much we can do about it"

"We're doing our job, at least. That doesn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy, but it does help us eat regularly." Prerna smiles wanly. "Thanks for supporting me in this mess. I really didn't intend for things to be this complicated."

[shaidar]

Frank smiles at Prerna "No-one intends for complications. Family helps each other through it"

[Tiglath]

Jakob

Jakob finds folk willing to take his bet.

Liv just smiles contentedly at Jakob's last until a glint in her eye and a twitch of her lips grows into a mischievous grin “Co-worker, huh? Well, I suppose I should have seen it coming. Beau is, after all, a very handsome man”. Her grin becomes smoulderingly intense “Hey, I'm never out of the fight - I'm just going to raise my game and win you back!”

Liv replies “Always” to his invitation.

Fast Eddie seems grateful for the company and appears utterly relieved when he sees Messrs Wint and Kidd divert their course away from him to another table. He accepts the drink with a trembling hand and chugs it down. He continues softly “Thanks, you're a sweetie. It's not negotiation, love – it's just 'avin' loads of front”. He eyes Liv and comments “You are absolutely slaying it, dahling, but maybe a little leather clutch to match the shoes?”

Liv takes his hand and says “I know it's hard being someone you're not”.

Fast Eddie chokes something back and simply nods soundlessly.

[Leitz]

Before Fast Eddie

"I look forward to your efforts, then. As you say, Beau is both attractive and a strong leader. Loyal, too! It might take some effort to beat his game," Jakob said, with his most innocent face.

With Fast Eddie

"Hey, there's a lot going on and we're still trying to figure out what the real game is," Jakob said. His body language suggested the 'we' was he and Liv, and then he rested a gentle hand on Eddie's shoulder. "Let me refill that for you. Take care of my lady until I get back."

Jakob's tone is friendly, nothing hidden. What he's conveying is that he and Liv are close. She's being encouraging, Jakob is being the guy type of friendly. Same sort of message, different delivery process.

Jakob will refill the drinks, with his own and Liv's being light. He will also move slowly, so that Liv has time to work her magic. If Wint, Kidd, or anyone else tries to intrude on Liv and Eddie, then Jakob will move back in and provide protection. Jakob doesn't snarl or growl; he smiles a lot and processes how to kill everyone. (1)


1. "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet." - J. Mattis