Collace Homecoming

[BackworldTraveller]

Klaus
...If the excitement is over I really do need to get back to organising my team.[/dialog]

I think I'll start on the rota for the evenings team drinks...
...and ensuring that there is a suitable wheelbarrow service for the latter stages.

[joertexas]

Prerna takes a breath. "Well. That was exciting. On that note, my wife and I are going home for a while." She looks at Frank. "That is, unless you need us to remain here, Colonel."

[gurusql]

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

Kit

Kit gets on the comm and says "Requesting Lt. Liv Ellis electronic and computer assistance in Ankit Ghoshal's office."

But Kit start carefully only using a system that is completely off the network.

Electronics Skill [_2d6+1]=(6+4)=10+1=11
Computer (Computer-2 +2, Int B +1) [_2d6+3]=(6+3)=9+3=12

[shaidar]

Prerna takes a breath. "Well. That was exciting. On that note, my wife and I are going home for a while." She looks at Frank. "That is, unless you need us to remain here, Colonel."

Frank raises an eyebrow

"I'm glad you enjoyed it Major. If you've somewhere else to be don't let us keep you. When do you think you'll be back?"

[BackworldTraveller]

Kit

Kit gets on the comm and says "Requesting Lt. Liv Ellis electronic and computer assistance in Ankit Ghoshal's office."

Freya hears the call and is intrigued - she brings her hack-deck just in case.

[joertexas]

Frank raises an eyebrow

"I'm glad you enjoyed it Major. If you've somewhere else to be don't let us keep you. When do you think you'll be back?"

"When we run out of food," Prerna deadpans. "My comm has an emergency override on your code, though."

[The Bindoner]

Jess waits until Prerna and “Erica” have left before turning to Frank:

I hope you know where to draw the line. I’m in on the SuSAG take-down. Hate drug dealers, an’ megacorp power games. But, I’m not on for handing power here to the Joes, or any other empire. Ruin our business, that would.

Right, I’m off. Got work to do.

Jess leaves to assess the damage, account for expenditure of ammunition, issue replenishment, schedule repairs and assign a berth to Tartar. Finally, she intends to liaise with Gaughan in her garage lair over a bottle of good Scotch for a debrief.

[shaidar]

Frank looks at Jess "I think I've made my position quite clear when it comes to an independent sector 268, that's applies to the imperium, the aslan, the sword worlds or anyone else, including the Zhodani. I also said that I want everyone to be happy with this, that I'm not going to force my personal vengeance on anyone. I don't know how I can make myself any clearer. I didn't make this situation. "

Frank decides to visit the medical bays to check on the wounded.

[The Bindoner]

Jess deflects with humour: Oh, no, you volunteered for Colonel, you don't get away that easy.

More seriously: I was just checkin' you meant it. Might've just been tellin' the OA's what they needed to hear.

As to your revenge, turns out, good business opportunity. Suits me.


Jess pauses, then confides:

You know, I was just after the money. But now? I want to build our reputation. Make this unit something people respect. Well, treat with respect, anyway. We're on our way, eh?

[Tiglath]

All [Prerna/Jess]

Installment the first.

Events take a quieter more mellow turn as the mundanity of not being shot at acquires a novelty all of its own.

Prerna exits the Zhodani ship holding hands with Erica who is now wearing her usual Collace designer chic. They are surprised to encounter the four Guards Commando Officers paraded at the foot of the exit ramp. With no audible orders the Guards draw their tulwars and present them in silent salute. They then raise them to form an arch of blades over the two diminutive women the tallest of whom (Erica) barely reaches a Guardsman's shoulder. Roland's masive bulk then joins them hovering along behind carrying luggage in his pair of (near) human sized arms. The trio leave the Bartizan in a luxury air limo apparently bound for Erica's UpSpire penthouse.

Jess enjoys the discovery that when all's done the unit is surely in profit to the tune of about 30 MCr due to having seized the 95ton SuSAG shuttle. A brief vid call check with a Collace senior partner (Mr. Grabbitt) from the legal chambers of Soo, Grabbitt and Runne went thusly "Ah, QSM Henker you serve with the up and coming SEMC downspire at the Bartizan? Well, in my legal opinion you have demonstrably and, might I add, most robustly maintained your legal rights under Collace law which, in layman's terms, in this case amounts to "finders keepers". Please consider my fee waived in this matter but I'd simply ask that you do think of me again should any other legal matters arise in the future...".

Tartar seems to be "settling in" if multiple contusions dulled with directly applied frozen food and top shelf vodka are any indication. He cheerfully opines "Avtoritet, your soldiers are very protective of their territories da?" He seems to take his current injuries with bizarre goodwill. With permission he lights a foul cigarette seemingly made mostly of cardboard and then opines "I think I begin to like them. Like those Ranger "Alphas" they have the foolish romantics no? Avtoritet of course I did not know the Alpha Starshiná Goyin was your man. I hold no grudge and indeed feel I owe him a life". He painfully draws a pack of playing cards from a pocket "I have two things to report. Firstly I am not one of Sergei Timofeyev's sixes. I am a Vor and he expects me still to work for him. As your Vor I will work only for you. Fortunately I am trained as a storesman. Second here is your "dead man's hand" from Sergei's verse. He taps the skeletal hand holding the black eights and aces and reversed hole card of the 1188th Merc Lift Infantry logo. These are the men who sent the VDV and the local Bratva to kill you. If you let me go out I can find more of the local Bratva and ask questions". He groans as he moves "If there is nothing else I must now make amends for provoking the fight I used to steal these. With your permission I will pay the debt with two bottles from stores when I return the cards?"

[The Bindoner]

The conversation with her lawyer has, unusually, left Jess is in a good mood. Tartar improves it when he shows the 1188 deck.

Another favour you’ve done me. Colonel’s collectin’ those decks, he’ll be made-up to get that one.

You can have a case from the general stores, and a couple of bottles from the back room for yourself, if you tell ‘im about where they come from.

She fetches a medkit: First, though, let’s sort you out. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doin’. Done a course.

[Tiglath]

Another favour you’ve done me. Colonel’s collectin’ those decks, he’ll be made-up to get that one.

Jess patches up Tartar's cuts and bruises and awards him appropriately for the insight.

OOC: Alas this is a standard deck of playing cards bearing the 1188th crest (which are prevalent among the SEMC) and therefore not one of the luxury collector's decks of "plaques" of which your collection is indeed short one "suit" but maybe a couple of decks...??? Oddly these seem to coincide with senior 1188th staff who survived the "mass murder/biohazard incident" on the Bartizan...

You'll be bringing this "ancient history" to mind then:

The 1188th (Mercenary) Lift Infantry Regt, The “Eights and Aces”
Kurz Colonel of the 1188th Location Unknown
Havelock “Flash” Harry Lt Colonel commander of the Bartizan garrison Collace City. Now in the custody of the Team. Held the "Template Deck". Rehabilitated by Erica East. Oh, hullo...???
Sgt Major Turner Missing having engaged the Team at the Bartizan and then escaped...
Christianssen Sgt KIA by PCs storming “The Cathouse”. Held the Diamond suit deck
Colour Sgt Thomas KIA by PGMP shot from PCs overwatch on The Bartizan roof. Held the Hearts suit
Staff Sgt Berkley KIA (Prerna) whilst defending The Bartizan. Held the Clubs suit

Ref: viewtopic.php?p=490627#p490627

[Tiglath]

All [Frank/Kit/Freya]

Installment the second.

Frank returns from a trip to check on the wounded who all respond to treatment with their recovery being aided by being minutes if not seconds from TL 13 standard treatment (still boosted by TL 14/15 SuSAG meds). On returning to his office he finds that (pre departure) Roland the robot has waited for him with the patience of granite. Seemingly the robot bears a message for him. Opening the standard Imperial message container Frank reads a message in elegantly cursive script "This is why they hate you. They won't allow for the possibility that you somehow know. T." The message paper decays as soon as it is exposed to daylight and then Roland extends a paw wider than Frank himself. Eventually Frank comprehends that the daunting bulk of the saturnine machine is offering him a gift. He extends his hand and a data chip drops into it after which Roland immediately leaves.

Presuming he "plugs and plays":

Tarsus.jpg (315.56 KiB) Viewed 493 times

(OOC: And yes it could very much have looked sexier but was wierdly the best zoomable image I could lazily find without taunting the capricious gods of technology...).

Kit, Freya and Liv throw their combined know how at the Black Ice chip. The tech tussle reveals that Kit knows his stuff and that likewise Freya is absolutely no Computer slouch and that Liv knows far too much about the practice (if not higher theory) of electronic intrusion as to be rated a very "practical player". If anyone thought Field Agent...

The assembled "scooby gang" manage to divert the predatory software and extract a few useful sections of holographic briefing and some other data without either engaging the viral defence or triggering any destructive countermeasures.

The images appear to be of Sgt Major Turner ex of the 1188th (Mercenary) Lift Infantry Regt, The “Eights and Aces” conducting the assault briefing. He states that there will be a three layered assault with a fifth column of local assets acting as a diversionary element to enhance the military coup de main of dropping the main VDV force via shuttle disguised as local traffic. He adds that extra redundancy is layered in and that care should be taken when clearing the personal quarters of SEMC senior command as some very specific SuSAG corporate assets have been tasked to that issue. He sneers that the VDV should "probably use their discretion" regarding these assets in the event of complete mission success.

Although efforts have been made to sanitize the field of vision of the briefing holo there is a partial map visible at a very shallow angle, some kind of trail food/snack to be seen on a work station in shot and there's just something off with the angle of the daylight...???

[Tiglath]

Klaus

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

As Klaus exits the elevator to the hangar deck he comes to the attention of the assembled SEMC troopers. Some are still in reserve in full combat rig while others are clearly stood down and on a work detail taking down the banquet area. A small female aslan dressed in forgettable grey meets him at the lift's exit and while clearly addressing his feet asks via a forearm mounted translator "Greetings during the daytime, Leader of Warriors... (she refers to a holo pic)... Klaus Arnholdt, please where is the esteemed Glorious Warlord Cross beloved of my Iyhlua mistress? Thank you". The demure female aslan is carrying an insulated food cooler so conceivably might be bearing the Colonel's lunch.

[Please apply however much knowledge of Aslan you feel Klaus has
Please also make a "Notice/Spot Hidden" roll (+1 Int, +1 Recon)
Klaus surely does know that, by elimination, this is surely the PA/handmaiden of the Colonel's girlfriend].

Meanwhile the assembled soldiery react with "Cup o'splosh for the Segreant! Bevvy Sarge? Wossgoin'on upstairs then?"

[BackworldTraveller]

All [Frank/Kit/Freya]
Although efforts have been made to sanitize the field of vision of the briefing holo there is a partial map visible at a very shallow angle, some kind of trail food/snack to be seen on a work station in shot and there's just something off with the angle of the daylight...???

There are some things we can do with that...the colour of the light reflected off the whites should tell us which star/atmosphere combination this was filmed under. And the shadow angles, combined with the time metadata, may even give location and altitude.

The rest has a briefing room...materials may reveal TL of location

And any external views may help too.

[shaidar]

Frank

His blood runs cold as the map of Tarsus springs into view "They wouldn't..." .

He quickly looks for any additional information on the chip or marked on the map.

Are those red dots additional markings? Can Frank remember much from his high - school geography lessons? Do they appear near the location of his family?

[BackworldTraveller]

Frank

His blood runs cold as the map of Tarsus springs into view "They wouldn't..." .

He quickly looks for any additional information on the chip or marked on the map.

Are those red dots additional markings? Can Frank remember much from his high - school geography lessons? Do they appear near the location of his family?

n.b. The IISS map online shows those dots as standard

[dongriffiths]

Klaus

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

As Klaus exits the elevator to the hangar deck he comes to the attention of the assembled SEMC troopers. Some are still in reserve in full combat rig while others are clearly stood down and on a work detail taking down the banquet area. A small female aslan dressed in forgettable grey meets him at the lift's exit and while clearly addressing his feet asks via a forearm mounted translator "Greetings during the daytime, Leader of Warriors... (she refers to a holo pic)... Klaus Arnholdt, please where is the esteemed Glorious Warlord Cross beloved of my Iyhlua mistress? Thank you". The demure female aslan is carrying an insulated food cooler so conceivably might be bearing the Colonel's lunch.

[Please apply however much knowledge of Aslan you feel Klaus has
Please also make a "Notice/Spot Hidden" roll (+1 Int, +1 Recon)
Klaus surely does know that, by elimination, this is surely the PA/handmaiden of the Colonel's girlfriend].

Meanwhile the assembled soldiery react with "Cup o'splosh for the Segreant! Bevvy Sarge? Wossgoin'on upstairs then?"

Notice roll


The Colonel is very busy right now, I'll check to see if I can pass you through

In the command channel
I have an Aslan lady asking to see the Colonel should I pass her through?

While waiting for a response.
Nothing much guys, just starting to look at new options, now where is that bevvy?

[Tiglath]

Klaus

Notice roll

The Colonel is very busy right now, I'll check to see if I can pass you through

Klaus is no expert on xeno-biology but as he's handed his kaf he's pretty sure that the "cat" is walking with a limp/favouring her right side.

[Tiglath]

Freya

There are some things we can do with that...the colour of the light reflected off the whites should tell us which star/atmosphere combination this was filmed under. And the shadow angles, combined with the time metadata, may even give location and altitude.

The rest has a briefing room...materials may reveal TL of location

And any external views may help too.

Although the construction and materials are standard mid tech and reveal few clues the snack looks like locally produced "jerky/biltong" which might be significant to a local.

Freya then sets to "surveying" the holo image data to death.

She notes that the planet must have a massive axial tilt - in the range of 60 degrees. Analysis of the daylight suggests an orange/red spectral K9 type star with a light slightly duller in radiance and slightly redder in colour than the standard (Sol) but these measurable differences still fall well within a layman's "standard".

Her Scouty knowledge soon has her looking for matches to that primary and planetary profile in 268.

Primary: She doesn't have to look far. Hote (locally "the Sun") is a primary of that profile with 0.6 solar masses and a diameter of 1,165,000 kilometers. Radiating at 3400 Kelvin at 8 billion years old it is an old but stable star with a long life ahead of it.

Planetary: Finding a distinctive axial tilt of 61 degrees giving extreme conditions at the poles but a leaving habitable equatorial belt her best planetary match near Collace is but J1 away and orbits Hote at a distance of 50 million kilometers: Tarsus.

So, this is what Scouts do...