Collace Homecoming

[The Bindoner]

Jess watches T’lia and Prerna carefully.


Right. So, you were the Urvash that gave me a high-spec spy comm with a bomb in it, and sent the poor oppressed workers to either kill us all or get slaughtered? For the sake of freedom, though. And the Urvash that tried to set off a nuke on the last job?

Responding to the exchange with Freya she comments:

I never thought there was one Urvash, guessed they were all either diff’rent agents or one personality overlay. Wafer-jack, maybe, or hypnosis. New complexion on it now. Not sure it helps your cause.

Seems like bein’ Urvash means doin’ whatever, to whoever, regardless, long as it advances the cause.

However, seems like we’re useful to you, so you’ve been more help than hind’rance, over all. An’ the Major’s happy enough, which counts for something.

[joertexas]

Jess watches T’lia and Prerna carefully.


Right. So, you were the Urvash that gave me a high-spec spy comm with a bomb in it, and sent the poor oppressed workers to either kill us all or get slaughtered? For the sake of freedom, though. And the Urvash that tried to set off a nuke on the last job?

Responding to the exchange with Freya she comments:

I never thought there was one Urvash, guessed they were all either diff’rent agents or one personality overlay. Wafer-jack, maybe, or hypnosis. New complexion on it now. Not sure it helps your cause.

Seems like bein’ Urvash means doin’ whatever, to whoever, regardless, long as it advances the cause.

However, seems like we’re useful to you, so you’ve been more help than hind’rance, over all. An’ the Major’s happy enough, which counts for something.

Prerna focuses on Jess now, clearly no longer distracted. "What are you talking about? T'Lia and her people helped us stop the idiot who wanted to detonate that bomb on Avastan. Like it or not, we've all picked a fight with SuSAG, and indirectly, the Imperium. I don't think any of us wants either of them to take over here. Okay, so we have some strange allies, but wars, even the silent, low key ones, are like that. Even so, I think the best we can hope for is to hold them at bay, and that will require every ally we can find." Prerna sighs. Yes, I am happier than I've ever been, and I completely trust T'Lia. We know each other in a way you all can't even imagine."

[BackworldTraveller]

We know each other in a way you all can't even imagine."

You'd probably best not say exactly that in front of the troopers! Their imaginations have few limits.

And looking around the room, Freya quickly checks who is able to hear this conversation.

So what will the story be for the World...SEMC hired by Zhodani?
Or will T'lia remain Erica. That subterfuge won't last long as someone will muck up the names soon and then the story will gain a life of its own.
And if she doesn't remain Erica, we'll have to come down hard on the active dissenters in the ranks.

[Tiglath]

Jess

Right. So, you were the Urvash that gave me a high-spec spy comm with a bomb in it, and sent the poor oppressed workers to either kill us all or get slaughtered? For the sake of freedom, though. And the Urvash that tried to set off a nuke on the last job?

T'lia replies levelly “If you are shrewd enough to determine that there are many using the name then I think you know that could not have been me. On Inchin I did all I could to shield the citizens from the fighting and also to stop the Junge joining in”.

Right. So, you were the Urvash that gave me a high-spec spy comm with a bomb in it, and sent the poor oppressed workers to either kill us all or get slaughtered? For the sake of freedom, though. And the Urvash that tried to set off a nuke on the last job?

Responding to the exchange with Freya she comments:

I never thought there was one Urvash, guessed they were all either diff’rent agents or one personality overlay. Wafer-jack, maybe, or hypnosis. New complexion on it now. Not sure it helps your cause.

Seems like bein’ Urvash means doin’ whatever, to whoever, regardless, long as it advances the cause.

However, seems like we’re useful to you, so you’ve been more help than hind’rance, over all. An’ the Major’s happy enough, which counts for something.

She continues “Urvash Gudrun is an idea - a form of hope. On Inchin a man who had been given certain responsibilities overplayed his hand. Overreacting to harsh circumstances he formed his group into a terrorist cell. He also claimed the name which was just a small example of his overreach. He had become unsound, was disavowed and subject to sanction. Fortunately he was killed by SEMC and, in that respect, finally made a positive contribution as a corpse. If I was controlling the actions of the Ine Givar then I surely did a poor job? You'll recall that myself and Major Nayar were some of the first people in the SEMC barracks that they tried to kill”.

“On Avastan Urvash Gudrun is known to the hardy hill farmers and herdsmen – not the people of the city. On Tarkine he now lives with purpose and is venerated by the People's Army*. As for Avastan Secretary Vladimir Mikhailov, who did threaten us all with a nuclear weapon, well he had worked for both sides so often it was surely just a matter of time before his past caught up with him. Indeed Agent Bryce Willis of Imperial Intelligence has admitted trying to assassinate him while I was on the Hawkwind with Prerna liberating the crew”.

(OOC: * Hullo? Int Roll callback and plot loose end for any of the original Bartizan stormers?)

(OOC: Also note "Context Reference" post below as a plot refresher and re the above).

[Tiglath]

A summary of "Resolutions"... and a Conclusion of Business?
An epilogue for the action on Avastan - again for (new) context reference:

viewtopic.php?p=632536#p632536

Also ref:
Quote: "The SEMC and their Merc allies shift for Collace.

And yet...

The gestalt moronothon that is "The Scuttlebutt" surges forth unbidden into the slacktime...

Of course, the odds of any of it being based in truth...

"Major Nayar and Miss East are now known as The Red Death - because they're like that plague wot kills every fekker wot even gets near it. After the firefight Able 'ad a quick butchers on that Swordy Boat "The 'awkwind". It was fekkin' well naughty. Ten Bratva bodyguards offed like fekkin' Sweeney Todd 'ad made an 'ouse call. Wot a ruddy slaughter! Able said 'e couldn't get dahn the apples cos they was so choked full of dead Bratva fekkers. They weren't playin' neither. Well tooled up wiv milspec gear an' yet 'ovis by all manner of means an' all at once. Some wiv not a mark on 'em".
"That'll be yer Karachi chops an' uvver forms of Kung Phew right there!"
"Phwoar, stone killers an' crumpet wiv it!"
"Yer, wot a pair – an' yet each o' them is an un'inged killer... an... er... wossname... a cycle path!!!"
"Bearin' that in mind callin' 'em after a plague seems a bit strong - maybe we should just go for “Nails an' Razors”. Wouldn't want to cause offence...”
[Collace Trans: Sweeney Todd = a Collace serial killer of renown (and also a squad of fearsome Collace Detectives), butchers = butchers hook = look. 'ovis = dead, Aples = apples and pears = stairs).]"

Extract quoted from: https://www.unseenservant.us/forum/view ... 74#p633674

[Tiglath]

Freya

And looking around the room, Freya quickly checks who is able to hear this conversation.

So what will the story be for the World...SEMC hired by Zhodani?
Or will T'lia remain Erica. That subterfuge won't last long as someone will muck up the names soon and then the story will gain a life of its own.
And if she doesn't remain Erica, we'll have to come down hard on the active dissenters in the ranks.

T'lia replies "If it helps your strategy I am comfortable to continue in my role as Erica East. As you may have realised the Consulate is anxious to avoid discovery of any direct military intervention in the affairs of District 268".

She adds "We hold each other's secrets - that if nothing else is one definition of trust. Let me caution any against cooperating with the Imperial Intelligence agencies regarding our situation for you will find them as distrustful as they are ill informed. While I would allow that there is surely some individual profit and advantage to be gained in such a move it would compromise the SEMC entirely. Also, as far as the Imperials are concerned, some of us have very much more to lose than others".

[dongriffiths]

Klaus cautiously moves round the room to Freya as the only member of the command staff he has had a chance to spend any real time with.

Are we really buddying up with them?

I mean they were really helpful just now but, longer term it'll be a hard sell to a lot of the guys I expect.

I must say they make me very nervous.

[joertexas]

Prerna looks around the room for a moment. "In the end, we are a mercenary company. We're a boot dagger in a plasma gun fight. That doesn't mean we haven't made an impact here in the District, as this last incident proved. We are fighting way above our weight with SuSAG and their Imperial lackeys, and so we've gathered an impressive list of allies, as we saw on Avastan. From that perspective, and certainly from my personal perspective, I'd prefer that Erica East be left as she is, and let T'Lia become the source of rumors and legends."

[BackworldTraveller]

Klaus cautiously moves round the room to Freya as the only member of the command staff he has had a chance to spend any real time with.

Are we really buddying up with them?

I mean they were really helpful just now but, longer term it'll be a hard sell to a lot of the guys I expect.

I must say they make me very nervous.

Sotto Voce Keep your friends close and...

...who knows which way up everything will fall next week.

Last year I was a Scout with a Future.
Now I'm a Merc.
Last year I was helping sword worlders who were shooting sword worlders.
Last month it seems I was helping Zhodani who were shooting Zhodani
I reckon we help each other and shoot those that shoot at us...We may be idiots, but at least we're useful idiots!

[BackworldTraveller]

"...and let T'Lia become the source of rumors and legends."

Believe me, the rumour-mill has the pair of you in the legend category all ready.

[joertexas]

"...and let T'Lia become the source of rumors and legends."

Believe me, the rumour-mill has the pair of you in the legend category all ready.

Prerna nods. "So I've heard." The petite redhead shifts her gaze to Jess. "So, where does that leave us?"

[gurusql]

Kit

Sitrep: you can try again - maybe with reinforcements??? Skilltestwise here you likely hit the spot between what you need for success and failure. Failure would be bad and you likely need to stack as many levels of success (e.g. 10+ or better 12+) to fillet this thing properly.

Validation: Together with the first hand evidence above the chip bears every distinguishing feature that would determine its provenance as being a very well secured high level piece of Corporate tech (with nasty defensive programs).

I have been trying to find the skills spreadsheet - but all the links I can find say it is deleted. Trying to remember whom else has Computer skill on the team. Can someone point me to it?

[Tiglath]

I have been trying to find the skills spreadsheet - but all the links I can find say it is deleted. Trying to remember whom else has Computer skill on the team. Can someone point me to it?

I shouldn't give away clues but viewtopic.php?p=509726#p509726 and the last time the unit wanted something electronically "intruding" Liv Ellis was very useful having skills in Comms, Electronics and Computer.

The time before that (1188th Card Deck Array) the team relied upon a certain local Intelligence Broker - Erica East who displayed equally "instrusive" expertise in Computer and Electronics

[The Bindoner]

Prerna nods. "So I've heard." The petite redhead shifts her gaze to Jess. "So, where does that leave us?"

Reluctant allies? Can’t say I’m comfortable with any of it. You make a good argument, but it’s still just manipulatin’ people.

I came out this way because it’s a civilised independent zone, not like the chaos in the Outrim. I don’t mind frustratin’ the Imperium takin’ over these worlds, but I draw the line at workin’ with the en… well, handin’ power to anyone else.

You’re Swordie an’ Joe, that’s fine. Don't care where anyone comes from, so long as you don't bring it to work.

And if anyone messes me about with that Woo stuff, I’ll do for ‘em.

[Tiglath]

I have been trying to find the skills spreadsheet...

(OOC: Standby and Hats Off to the ever majestic Leitz who, swinging in like Errol Flynn, produced the goods!

He swoops from the shadows!

https://www.unseenservant.us/forum/down ... p?id=30581).

[The Bindoner]

That's 404

Here's my copy:

Team Skills (1).ods

(16.7 KiB) Downloaded 36 times

It's a bit out of date. January '21.

[joertexas]

Prerna nods. "So I've heard." The petite redhead shifts her gaze to Jess. "So, where does that leave us?"

Reluctant allies? Can’t say I’m comfortable with any of it. You make a good argument, but it’s still just manipulatin’ people.

I came out this way because it’s a civilised independent zone, not like the chaos in the Outrim. I don’t mind frustratin’ the Imperium takin’ over these worlds, but I draw the line at workin’ with the en… well, handin’ power to anyone else.

You’re Swordie an’ Joe, that’s fine. Don't care where anyone comes from, so long as you don't bring it to work.

And if anyone messes me about with that Woo stuff, I’ll do for ‘em.

"Fair enough," Prerna replies with a nod.

[shaidar]

Frank has been watching the discussion while leaning against the back of a chair and sipping a whiskey.

He stands, puts down his drink, and looks around at those assembled.

"I'm not imperial, I was born on Tarsus. I've made no attempt to hide the fact that I'm pro an independent 268, and sometimes that makes for strange bedfellows. I'm aware of the Imperium's feelings about the Zhodani and psionics in general, I've seen the holo-flicks. Historically, Tarsus accepted refugees fleeing from the Imperium in it's last purge, but prior to coming to Collace I've never met anyone with mind powers, that I know of. I've never had to fight someone with such powers, like some have here, and I fully respect those who have. Do psionics scare me? Truthfully, yes they do, but in the same way as any powerful weapon that can be deadly in the wrong hands. We are a mercenary company, it is part of the job that we take missions from clients that we might not agree with politically. We have allied ourselves with the Aslan, have fought alongside the Vagr, and our friends at 4DC have Lady Tourmaline, a powerful psionic. Is aligning ourselves with Erica and the Zhodani for a shared cause any different? Yes, there has been deception, and it is painful on a personal level, but it was done to protect, not harm. As a commanding officer I have had to omit information from the officers below me, to protect them and the mission." he eyes briefly flick to captain Domici and then return to scanning the room "It is not a pleasant thing to have to do, but it is sometimes necessary. I try to judge people by their actions, and Erica has assisted us in a number of missions, although I will admit often behind the scenes. Without her help it is hard to say whether we would have succeeded, or we may have lost more of our people. I will openly admit that I am biased in this discussion. I have sworn my own vengeance against Keening and SuSAG for the cold-blooded murder of the troops of the 1188th. However, I will not drag the SEMC into this as an unwilling tool of my vengeance. If we do this, ally ourselves with Erica and the Zhodani against Keening and SuSAG, then it must be with the agreement of the entire company, officers and troopers alike."

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya

Since when has the Military ever been a democracy?

As you point out, this isn't an Imperial company. It isn't a Zhodani one. Or Sword Worlds, Darrien or Florian. It's a Collace company. If I wanted Imperial I'd have gone elsewhere. I'll take anyone as Friends - And while Erica hid herself, how many of our troopers don't have something that they are hiding too...

It's only Prerna that's in bed with Erica. The rest of us just work with her.

[dongriffiths]

Klaus

I'm new here but I signed up with SEMC and intend to honour that commitment.

I'll admit the current situation has me a little concerned as I didn't anticipated acquiring quite so many hostiles in my first few days.

I've always been told how dangerous and devious the Zhodani are, yet so far they have acted honourably and their intervention undoubtedly saved a few lives.

If the excitement is over I really do need to get back to organising my team.