Avastan: Planetfall

[shaidar]

Frank

To Jakob: "Thank you for your assessment, Lieutenant. I will speak to Liv."

He then opens up a general call over the command channel: "Does anyone speak the local lingo? Colonel East, I don't suppose your robot has a translator program?"

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya checks with the Aslan Medic
Look, My Name is Freya, What is yours?

Would it be possible for me to check on the personal items of your colleague's victims? I wouldn't want to accidentally get my head stripped off but I'd like to get some information on who these guys were as people. Knowing where they came from might give us some leverage locally if where they came from is here. If we can deflect their families anger at their employer's paymaster instead of us, that would be a good win - and may yield dividends long term.

They died because their employer screwed up.

While waiting for an answer, she helps with getting whatever whatever-her-name-is needs to patch her Aslan colleagues.

[joertexas]

Prerna comes up on the command net. "My team needs a ride. Do we have a transport available?"

[The Bindoner]

Jess, amused at the female Aslan's reaction to her, grins behind her visor at Freya: Aww, I'm embarrassing her. Check under her fur, see if she's blushing.

In Trokh: This female is contracted as an Auxiliary to the Teahleikhoi Regiment, by her honour she will not take anything that has been claimed by your warriors. She will help you if you need it.

Jess activates her sashimono briefly, to demonstrate her authority to vouch for Freya, then turns to her to continue (in Trokh): Find the secrets of these defeated enemies, so we can more easily overcome their fellows. In Galanglic she glosses: Hopefully she'll tell the males to let you do a little light lootin'. Don't nick any big guns, and you should be fine.


Walking to the berm edge she summons her IFV by gesture and hops aboard, reporting on HQ/Command channel: IFVs untasked and mobile. Thought I'd find a baggage train to loot, cavalry's perogative. Traditional, it is.

I'll rephrase that. Intention, take my cavalry elements, exploit forward into enemy rear areas, deny their logistics.

Taking her seat, she scans for threats before moving the two vehicles out of the berm, keeping them close for mutual support.

Edited. Thrice, no, five times so far

Make that six.

[Tiglath]

Freya (& Jess)

Freya checks with the Aslan Medic
Look, My Name is Freya, What is yours?

Would it be possible for me to check on the personal items of your colleague's victims? I wouldn't want to accidentally get my head stripped off but I'd like to get some information on who these guys were as people. Knowing where they came from might give us some leverage locally if where they came from is here. If we can deflect their families anger at their employer's paymaster instead of us, that would be a good win - and may yield dividends long term.

They died because their employer screwed up.

While waiting for an answer, she helps with getting whatever whatever-her-name-is needs to patch her Aslan colleagues.

The female Aslan studies Freya briefly then resorts to a forearm mounted communicator similar in function to the one worn by the males but with a recessed keypad and small screen which the female uses to "fine tune" the device before and after speaking into it. It translates her deliberately precise reply "I am Hatsuyuki (初雪, "First Snow" as translated and demonstrated in a small holo projection from the translator). I am a Liaison Officer and currently serve attached to the Headquarters staff of the Teahleikhoi (Regt of the Falling Night)". She states "The Avastan troops died because they fought warriors of the Iyhlua Clan. All were killed and none displayed dishonourable conduct. I do not understand why their families would be angry". After another cognitive pause she adds "Do with the dead as you will. Please share what you find. I am grateful".

(OOC: Maybe a minor detail but the male Aslan are Iyhlua Clan warriors and not Teahleikhoi while their "Medic" is).

Jess, amused at the female Aslan's reaction to her, grins behind her visor at Freya: Aww, I'm embarrassing her. Check under her fur, see if she's blushing.

In Trokh: This female is contracted as an Auxiliary to the Teahleikhoi Regiment, by her honour she will not take anything that has been claimed by your warriors. She will help you if you need it.

Jess activates her sashimono briefly, to demonstrate her authority to vouch for Freya, then turns to her to continue (in Trokh): Find the secrets of these defeated enemies, so we can more easily overcome their fellows. [/dialog]

Hatsuyuki bows when Jess illuminates her sashimono as enthusiastic male growls and bloodied weapons are raised in salute in response to the banner's display from across the berm. Having re-grouped the Aslan warriors now seem focussed on planting Clan pennants at the cardinal points about the berm's summit. Nodding politely to Freya Hatsuyuki then deftly switches her translator off and replies to Jess in Trokh "You are wise honoured Bannerman and I am grateful for your guidance and assistance with my mission. The Twilight would indeed wish to know of any circumstance which would cause the local citizens to precipitate conflict with us". Having spoken she then respectfully bows again having made only as much eye contact as to remain professional and, indeed, proper.

Edited. Thrice, no, five times so far

Make that six.

(OOC: Thorough! )

[BackworldTraveller]

The female Aslan studies Freya briefly then resorts to a forearm mounted communicator similar in function to the one worn by the males but with a recessed keypad and small screen which the female uses to "fine tune" the device before and after speaking into it. It translates her deliberately precise reply "I am Hatsuyuki (初雪, "First Snow" as translated and demonstrated in a small holo projection from the translator). I am a Liaison Officer and currently serve attached to the Headquarters staff of the Teahleikhoi (Regt of the Falling Night)". She states "The Avastan troops died because they fought warriors of the Iyhlua Clan. All were killed and none displayed dishonourable conduct. I do not understand why their families would be angry". After another cognitive pause she adds "Do with the dead as you will. Please share what you find. I am grateful".

Trying to get the translator to translate may be fun!
The families will have expected to have had a quiet time guarding a small, out of the way space port from occasional human raiders but with no real risk. We humans are good at that delusion. Instead, their men have been placed against a coordinated strike from those against whom there was little chance and who were not human. These were soldiers motivated by pay. They were not warriors and they were not fighting for a cause. Many weren't expecting to fight - though you account suggests that despite this they fought bravely if not well. Had they been the kind of men that like war, a backwater guard posting would not have been chosen.

That their officers did not provide them with the training, motivation, support, etc. that their families will have hoped for may turn to resentment. If un-directed, there may well be consequences later. I hope we can divert those reactions against their former employers rather than against our current one.

We will only get one chance at a first impression and we haven't made a good one: An effective one maybe, but will the reaction be like to that of a natural disaster or to a burglar? To the first, you shrug your shoulders and move on. To the latter you seek to be rid of them by any means.

[Tiglath]

Prerna

Prerna comes up on the command net. "My team needs a ride. Do we have a transport available?"

Voss directs the Mortar technical to act as transport for Prerna and her team at her discretion until directed otherwise. The Air/Raft, now less a few battery rounds, can carry the sniper/recon team in only relative discomfort.

[Tiglath]

Frank (and all those on the Command Channel)

Erica comms Frank "Colonel, my robot has a translator package current for most 268 dialects as part of his Search/Rescue role. Once patched into our comm channel I believe that he can act as a translator".

Liv states she is working on a message to transmit over the API channels broadcasting their command team's surrender.

Meanwhile Skeet's bodyguard discover that the API forces have not yet surrendered and, with indecent haste, immediately head off across the battlefield at top grav belt speed to clear the Admin building from the top down. Voss immediately cautions Gaughan to be aware of "friendly" forces in his AO.

Immediately after this Skeet contacts Frank to state "My bodyguard have volunteered to clear the Admin block of any API holdouts. Believe me with your Ihatei Aslan here that's best result for everybody within a couple of kliks. Fortunately that block contains nothing vital to our new Starport's functionality. I negotiated the ground floor and basement as belonging to your infantry for their..." he uses a Trokh term and then translates "...hunting domain".

The Tech sensor team report IFF friendly grav contacts from the north but avoiding overflight of the battlefield to safely approach from the south. At visual range they resolve into a pair of Sword World IFVs and a grav armoured artillery platform with a rotary 8cm mount. The Swordy troops all wear disrupted pattern snow camo and have the look of having just come out of action. They are clearly "tired but happy" and within audio range (and on their own tac channel) lustily sing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkeKak1T7nw Any in the vicinity of Ms East see her blush at the intended compliment. Their small convoy enters the Deliverance berm where the troopers are given a heroic welcome by the crew of the Hawkwind. They laager their Lothbrok pattern vehicles about the trader and Major Wagner reports via translation "Colonel Cross, my congratulations on the success of your mission, my Jaeger and I add two full armoured squads and my artillery to your garrison". Frank's direct observation confirms that the Sword Worlders operate "robust" three fire team squads (each about 15 men with two support weapons and organic AT/AA missiles per squad).

Patch.jpg (18.55 KiB) Viewed 996 times

SEMC HQ gets yet another lascomm call from "Patch" who reports that all resistance has been overcome in the "Kforuzeng Berm" and that the Vargr infantry are sweeping north to clear the immediate buildings of any remaining API resistance.

Then a clearly damaged but still mobile Pivot class grav/jet taxis westwards towards SEMC territory which nearly causes a "blue on blue" but fortunately the aircraft's upper flight surfaces are clearly occupied by Vargr. They are all laterally waving clenched fists clearly in some strange cultural ritual known only to the Kforuzeng whilst blasting portable pound music towards all lucky enough to be able to share it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYnFIRc0k6E

[Tiglath]

Freya

Trying to get the translator to translate may be fun!
The families will have expected to have had a quiet time guarding a small, out of the way space port from occasional human raiders but with no real risk. We humans are good at that delusion. Instead, their men have been placed against a coordinated strike from those against whom there was little chance and who were not human. These were soldiers motivated by pay. They were not warriors and they were not fighting for a cause. Many weren't expecting to fight - though you account suggests that despite this they fought bravely if not well. Had they been the kind of men that like war, a backwater guard posting would not have been chosen.

That their officers did not provide them with the training, motivation, support, etc. that their families will have hoped for may turn to resentment. If un-directed, there may well be consequences later. I hope we can divert those reactions against their former employers rather than against our current one.

We will only get one chance at a first impression and we haven't made a good one: An effective one maybe, but will the reaction be like to that of a natural disaster or to a burglar? To the first, you shrug your shoulders and move on. To the latter you seek to be rid of them by any means.

The female Aslan listens intently and then her tail twitches as she replies "These are not warriors but mere bandits who guard pirates! That they joined to be paid but not to fight surely reveals their lack of honour!" She makes a strange coughing noise that Freya realises might be laughter "Four young Ronin rolled over them like the Great Wave and you state that in response the human Clan will now complain that they were not taught to fight with honour? Do they not know that a dry well gives no water? They simply debase themselves further!" Just then the female Aslan seems to suddenly fix Freya with an appraising eye whilst inhaling. Her posture shifts and she now seems less "theatrically affronted" than before and much more intrigued as she continues "These humans can choose to fight the Iyhlua Clan if they wish. We welcome any challenge but these humans are weak and... yet... you will know this. I caught your scent earlier atop the berm... yokai. I tell you now that I am an officer of the distaff of The Twilight herself and I am discrete. So, what is your purpose here?"

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya

Trying to get the translator to translate may be fun!
The families will have expected to have had a quiet time guarding a small, out of the way space port from occasional human raiders but with no real risk. We humans are good at that delusion. Instead, their men have been placed against a coordinated strike from those against whom there was little chance and who were not human. These were soldiers motivated by pay. They were not warriors and they were not fighting for a cause. Many weren't expecting to fight - though you account suggests that despite this they fought bravely if not well. Had they been the kind of men that like war, a backwater guard posting would not have been chosen.

That their officers did not provide them with the training, motivation, support, etc. that their families will have hoped for may turn to resentment. If un-directed, there may well be consequences later. I hope we can divert those reactions against their former employers rather than against our current one.

We will only get one chance at a first impression and we haven't made a good one: An effective one maybe, but will the reaction be like to that of a natural disaster or to a burglar? To the first, you shrug your shoulders and move on. To the latter you seek to be rid of them by any means.

The female Aslan listens intently and then her tail twitches as she replies "These are not warriors but mere bandits who guard pirates! That they joined to be paid but not to fight surely reveals their lack of honour!" She makes a strange coughing noise that Freya realises might be laughter "Four young Ronin rolled over them like the Great Wave and you state that in response the human Clan will now complain that they were not taught to fight with honour? Do they not know that a dry well gives no water? They simply debase themselves further!" Just then the female Aslan seems to suddenly fix Freya with an appraising eye whilst inhaling. Her posture shifts and she now seems less "theatrically affronted" than before and much more intrigued as she continues "These humans can choose to fight the Iyhlua Clan if they wish. We welcome any challenge but these humans are weak and... yet... you will know this. I caught your scent earlier atop the berm... yokai. I tell you now that I am an officer of the distaff of The Twilight herself and I am discrete. So, what is your purpose here?"

I watch, mostly.
And I know that the greatest warrior can be killed by a dishonourable mouse with a gun or a bomb or a poison or a sharp pointy stick if the mouse is sufficiently patient.
When such weapons are available, one must be careful, even of mice!

I'm sorry, but the translator has not translated "Yokai".

[joertexas]

Prerna

Prerna comes up on the command net. "My team needs a ride. Do we have a transport available?"

Voss directs the Mortar technical to act as transport for Prerna and her team at her discretion until directed otherwise. The Air/Raft, now less a few battery rounds, can carry the sniper/recon team in only relative discomfort.

Prerna loads up her team. She contacts the driver and sends Erica's coordinates. "Take us there."

[Tiglath]

Freya

I watch, mostly.
And I know that the greatest warrior can be killed by a dishonourable mouse with a gun or a bomb or a poison or a sharp pointy stick if the mouse is sufficiently patient.
When such weapons are available, one must be careful, even of mice!

I'm sorry, but the translator has not translated "Yokai".

The Aslan gives her snuffling laugh "Well, Watcher, you do not have the same scent so maybe you are not fully human and yet you may be hiding among them. I believe you are "something strange or unusual" - yōkai". She fine tunes her translator and tries again "You are of the álfar?" having "overshot" she calibrates back from Sagamaal and ventures "You are fey - an elf perhaps?"

She states guilelessly "We know that those called Zhodani watch the humans hereabouts. They are yōkai. The Twilight would know more of them".

OOC: Campaign context: although Aslan are known in 268 the Iyhlua Clan are relatively recent arrivals and the Teahleikhoi Regt's enclave on Collace came about as a result of the recent "war" between The Purge and The Shore (backed by 4DC and the founding members of SEMC).

[Tiglath]

Prerna (and something of a Sitrep for all)

The mortar section "Technical" carries Prerna and her team from the Deliverance berm [D4] to the Viper's Nest Berm [D5] where Erica triaged the SEMC wounded. Between this berm and the Drachenfels [D7] berm now held by 4DC Prerna sees Col Skeet holding a bloody and unconscious Tourmaline in company with Jacob and Caxton's fire team plus two Rangers (Lannigan and Scollan). Jakob's SEMC unit then mount a G Carrier to go and corral the API officers out on the runway.

Map: https://www.unseenservant.us/forum/view ... 21#p595021

The Abyss berm [D8] is now seemingly the property of the Vargr.

As far as current SEMC holdings go the Deliverance berm [D4] is now strongly held by its garrison of Kit's squad, the surviving Iyhlua Clan ihatei and Major Wagner's jaeger and their three AFVs.

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya

I watch, mostly.
And I know that the greatest warrior can be killed by a dishonourable mouse with a gun or a bomb or a poison or a sharp pointy stick if the mouse is sufficiently patient.
When such weapons are available, one must be careful, even of mice!

I'm sorry, but the translator has not translated "Yokai".

The Aslan gives her snuffling laugh "Well, Watcher, you do not have the same scent so maybe you are not fully human and yet you may be hiding among them. I believe you are "something strange or unusual" - yōkai". She fine tunes her translator and tries again "You are of the álfar?" having "overshot" she calibrates back from Sagamaal and ventures "You are fey - an elf perhaps?"

She states guilelessly "We know that those called Zhodani watch the humans hereabouts. They are yōkai. The Twilight would know more of them".

OOC: Campaign context: although Aslan are known in 268 the Iyhlua Clan are relatively recent arrivals and the Teahleikhoi Regt's enclave on Collace came about as a result of the recent "war" between The Purge and The Shore (backed by 4DC and the founding members of SEMC).

Oh! I am Human all right. And I'm a scout so that makes me eccentric at best - "Yokai" may have connotations that are unpalatable to Imperials. But there are Humans and Humans - we can hold a debate on how to...I was going to say "Slice and Dice" but "Categorise" may be better...to be held somewhen else when we are less busy?


And with that Freya starts looking around the bunker for details/intel. Phones, Data Cubes, etc. (or even papers).

Florence - How is the surveillance going? Any sign of anyone military trying to get in contact with anyone inside the port or nearby?

[shaidar]

Frank

Frank (and all those on the Command Channel)

Erica comms Frank "Colonel, my robot has a translator package current for most 268 dialects as part of his Search/Rescue role. Once patched into our comm channel I believe that he can act as a translator".

Liv states she is working on a message to transmit over the API channels broadcasting their command team's surrender.

"Thank you colonel, I'll have Dubbs patch him in. Lieutenant Domici, you should have translation capability shortly."

Frank notes down 'translater' on the QSM's 'want' list.

Meanwhile Skeet's bodyguard discover that the API forces have not yet surrendered and, with indecent haste, immediately head off across the battlefield at top grav belt speed to clear the Admin building from the top down. Voss immediately cautions Gaughan to be aware of "friendly" forces in his AO.

Immediately after this Skeet contacts Frank to state "My bodyguard have volunteered to clear the Admin block of any API holdouts. Believe me with your Ihatei Aslan here that's best result for everybody within a couple of kliks. Fortunately that block contains nothing vital to our new Starport's functionality. I negotiated the ground floor and basement as belonging to your infantry for their..." he uses a Trokh term and then translates "...hunting domain".

"Thank you colonel, it's appreciated. While the Aslan are excellent warriors, I'm only now realising that they need a certain kind of leadership. If you need any medical assistance for you people then let me know."

The Tech sensor team report IFF friendly grav contacts from the north but avoiding overflight of the battlefield to safely approach from the south. At visual range they resolve into a pair of Sword World IFVs and a grav armoured artillery platform with a rotary 8cm mount. The Swordy troops all wear disrupted pattern snow camo and have the look of having just come out of action. They are clearly "tired but happy" and within audio range (and on their own tac channel) lustily sing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkeKak1T7nw Any in the vicinity of Ms East see her blush at the intended compliment. Their small convoy enters the Deliverance berm where the troopers are given a heroic welcome by the crew of the Hawkwind. They laager their Lothbrok pattern vehicles about the trader and Major Wagner reports via translation "Colonel Cross, my congratulations on the success of your mission, my Jaeger and I add two full armoured squads and my artillery to your garrison". Frank's direct observation confirms that the Sword Worlders operate "robust" three fire team squads (each about 15 men with two support weapons and organic AT/AA missiles per squad).

Franks send a message back: Thank you Major, welcome to the party. We'll integrate you into our battle system."

Patch.jpg

SEMC HQ gets yet another lascomm call from "Patch" who reports that all resistance has been overcome in the "Kforuzeng Berm" and that the Vargr infantry are sweeping north to clear the immediate buildings of any remaining API resistance.

Then a clearly damaged but still mobile Pivot class grav/jet taxis westwards towards SEMC territory which nearly causes a "blue on blue" but fortunately the aircraft's upper flight surfaces are clearly occupied by Vargr. They are all laterally waving clenched fists clearly in some strange cultural ritual known only to the Kforuzeng whilst blasting portable pound music towards all lucky enough to be able to share it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYnFIRc0k6E

"That is excellent news. If you need any medical assistance then let me know."

[Tiglath]

All

Frank hears Liv and Dubs conferring "We need to splice it into their secure channel add the authenticator and then re-transmit from their comms".

"Ma'am that's some seriously dark and complex sh!t. I don't think I even know where to... oh!"

On broadcast comm Liv appears modelling an API greatcoat with matching ushanka and making it look good. Speaking direct to her audience she declares "Comrades, our duty is done and we have won a great peace for the grateful citizens of Avastan. An immediate ceasefire has been declared by API command. As a goodwill gesture all API forces are making themselves known to our new mercenary allies who are collecting all weapons pending a new peacetime upgrade. As a further goodwill gesture all API forces are briefly confined to barracks until further notice". With a winning smile she closes "Comrades, we have won the peace so make yourselves known to our new allies and have all weapons ready for collection. Victory is ours!"

A rogue transmission (sounding a lot like Cpl. Charlie) breaks onto the main channel "Trooper King - as you were!"

Across the Starport small knots of API troopers appear from various buildings. A much larger number gather on the north runway - presumably from the trenches around the grav/jet and helo "dispersal" raided by the Cavalry and Rangers.

The API troops seem mostly docile and content with this turn of events.

The exception is the admin building which shows signs of a rapid and violent internal firefight at mid level while the top floor is now emitting smoke. Oddly, even way below the level of the fire, some API troopers appear to be willing to risk dropping a few floors in order to immediately escape the building.

From the ground floor of the Gaughan reports taking a growing number of prisoners - nearly all support personnel.

(OOC: Attempted "Ruse de Guerre" 2d6: (6 + 6) = 12+x (where "x" = skills that would get you barred from the temperance society) )

[Tiglath]

Jakob

As he sees Liv's face broadcast on Avastan's "public culture screens" across the Starport Jakob hears Scollan talking softly to Lannigan in yet another strange local 268 dialect. Even accessing his armour's comms for further translation options all he learns is that they are most likely speaking an original Solomani (rather than Imperial) Goidelic Indo-Aryan macrolanguage which, he muses, is about as helpful as a sucking chest wound. He notes that the API Colonel has been searched by Scollan with absolutely no deference to his rank whatsoever. Indeed the search seemed to bear such a close resemblance to another activity that Jacob decides that the victim being currently unconscious is the only reason Scollan didn't have to wear some kind of mask or disguise to hide his identity.

At another word from Lannigan Scollan shrugs, crouches and produces rolled wads of Avastan roubles which he tosses into the snow to make two equal piles. He next adds stacks of high denomination Imperial credit chips (10, 20 and 50 KCr) and, with what can only be a cheerfully insolent grin, he then adds what Jakob at first takes to be autopistol or SMG mags to the cash. All is equally divided. Scollan declares "Sure that's halves each - SEMC and us" looking at Jakob he adds by way of further explanation "You choose one so it's fair. I have his pistol too. I liked the look but I could barely work the action. You're welcome to it if you'd like but it needs some work. The provenance is "One negligent owner, never fired, dropped once". Jakob takes a moment to realise that he's looking at small Iridium ingots laid out on the snowy runway amongst the cash and that he's therefore looking at a modest fortune (maybe near 1MCr).

Scollan also immediately hands over to Jakob the Colonel's personal comm, military comm and a mid tech dataslate (map box) "These are for HQ - they're all encrypted or locked. I've not messed with them at all - not my thing. You'll need Quigley or more likely..." he nods at a nearby "public culture screen" and adds respectfully "...The Lady herself".

[Leitz]

Jakob looked at the piles and randomly picked one, before turning to Scollan and taking the comm and map box. "Keep the pistol, but if you get it to work, show it to the QSM. She's always interested in seeing how gear can work better."

He kept a watch on Liv's show, as he brought up a direct link to Gaughan. "A senior NCO thing seargent. Your men divvied up a pile of credits into 'us' and 'SEMC'. I'll let you sort out that were all SEMC with them. At least their counting looked honest."

Then a direct line to Voss, "We have a secure comm and mapbox, encrypted. Can you send someone to fetch the presents for the Mrs? Gaughan is still having fun out here and I don't want to leave the party early."

[Leitz]

Jakob visually reconed for a moment, and decided to move to take the large knot of prisoners to the north. Jakob will suggest a path that maximizes captives, and he's concerned that the Vargr or Aslan will consider the slaughter a worthy chance. "Command, this is Domici. We're going to move north and make sure our energetic allies don't wander into the herd of the surrenduring."

He turned to Lannigan and said, "You two pack up those piles, we're moving to gather prisoners to the north. Head by that building there, we'll pick up stragglers as we go. I've notified command. Keep the air support aware, and lead on. Gather captives as we go, and let them carry their wounded, like this bozo." He motioned to the mobile prisoners to pick up the unconscious man.

Caxton should be sent forward along the path to ensure there are no surprises, and Jakob will gently remind Lannigan if that's needed. However, there's a reasonable chance (Tactics-0+ for Lannigan?) that it's unnecessary.

[gurusql]

Kit

Kit will continue to use his resources to keep the are secure, until he received new orders.