Chapter 4: Dark Side of the Moon

[greyarea]

Emile: Two more guards, huh? Wonder why they didn’t join their friends here. Let’s move on ahead slowly. Could be a trap ahead.

[Enoch]

Shadrach peers down the hallway, laying down just enough cover fire to keep the guards from advancing.

Between bangs, he queries the newcomer. "Sure would be nice to have some grenades right about now..." BANG "How many are there in the security room, usually?" BANG "Any way to get to that other elevator and come up behind them?"

[Marullus]

Both elevators opened inside the Deck B welcome center, on either corner, and were accessible along the same hallway on Deck D. The stairs go down to outside the welcome center (but that door was always locked)

[Enoch]

How long would it take to go down the elevator, across to the other one, and back up?

If it's too long and the guards seem unlikely to rush us in the next minute, I could phase through to the elevator, then the stairwell, then the other elevator and flank them in about 3 rounds.

[Marullus]

Nobody seems to be rushing you, so you could do a phasing ambush.

Going down the elevator, across the welcome center, and back up the elevator does seem to add several unknowns and complexities. That'show you got ambushed this time already.

[jemmus]

Taavi
Taavi takes the security cards. We have two more suits of armor available. And three laser rifles. I'll stick with my semi-auto here.

[Enoch]

OK, assuming the layout as described to us is accurate, I should be able to run back into the elevator (round 1), phase through to the landing above the stairs (round 2) and into the far elevator (round 3), taking 2 System Strain in the process.

Shadrach draws a deep breath and says "I'm going to flank them. Don't like doing this, but a gunfight in a hallway without cover is a good way to get another of us killed.

"Be ready for all hell to break loose."

He turns and rushes toward the elevator.

[cybersavant]

Teyleyr Andras climbs the wall to take the high ground once Shadrach flanks them.

[redwarrior]

Hansel whispers to the others yeah don't follow meand then Yells Come on Marines, you wanna live forever?? as he runs and dives toward the open door of the guest site across the hallway, while sending a burst of fire down the hallway at the other guards. Once in the room, he'll roll to his feet and quickly look around for any targets in there.


Laser rifle burst [1d20+5]=10+5=15 damage [1d10+4]=4+4=8

[Marullus]

Okay, moving into action, need a turn for Taavi and Emile.

Hans needs to give me a 2d6 for Dex+Exert for evasive tumbling in full stormtrooper armor.

[jemmus]

Taavi says in a quiet but firm voice audible to all, Marshals, Ms. Nora, Mr. Andras... Oliver. This time don't kill them all, please. We may be able to communicate with them, while alive. By... various means. The information may prove valuable toward the next steps. We need to know more about the Directors level. And the Directors themselves. And what they know-- and plan.

[greyarea]

Emile follows Hansel, firing at targets of opportunity and hoping his robes of discipline are as good as the armor Hansel absconded. He aims to disable or maim, not kill.

Emile Initiative [1d8+2]=5+2=7
SunShooter [1d20+6]=13+6=19 Damage: [2d6+6]=8+6=14 Range: 50m Magazine: Unlimited

[redwarrior]

Okay, moving into action, need a turn for Taavi and Emile.

Hans needs to give me a 2d6 for Dex+Exert for evasive tumbling in full stormtrooper armor.

Dex+Exert [2d6+2]=5+2=7
Ya shoot your shot!

[jemmus]

Tactical combat decisions definitely aren't Taavi's strongpoint. He follows Emil, ready to fire his rifle.

[1d20]=2[2d6]=7

[Marullus]

Ambiance: Lux Aeterna

Shadrach peers down the hallway, laying down just enough cover fire to keep the guards from advancing. Between bangs, he queries the newcomer. "Sure would be nice to have some grenades right about now..." BANG

Taavi offers the armor and laser rifles to others. With no other takers, Dantes puts on one, and then Nora insists that Oliver wear the other, smallest suit. "I can barely move in here!" he complains. Nora and Dantes both upgrade to the laser rifles. Oliver asks for their leftover weapons and is denied.

Taavi says in a quiet but firm voice audible to all, Marshals, Ms. Nora, Mr. Andras... Oliver. This time don't kill them all, please. We may be able to communicate with them, while alive. By... various means. The information may prove valuable toward the next steps. We need to know more about the Directors level. And the Directors themselves. And what they know-- and plan.

Shadrach draws a deep breath and says "I'm going to flank them. Don't like doing this, but a gunfight in a hallway without cover is a
good way to get another of us killed. Be ready for all hell to break loose." He turns and rushes toward the elevator.

...

Hansel advises nobody to follow him, then yells down the hallway and does a diving roll into the next doorway, followed by Emile, then followed by Taavi. As they rush the door they can see the three white-plated security forces clustered in the alcove on the other side of the hallway, guarding the security center. The security guards are ready for them and lay down a barrage of fire with their laser rifles - Hansel takes a blast hard to his shoulder as he comes out of his roll (Crit, -8) while Emile's preternatural grace has him bob and weave through the blasterfire and Taavi crouches behind his companions. Returning fire, Hansel's shot deflects off the glossy plating, but Emile's handguns roar and the large guy in the middle goes down hard, falling over backwards against the steel blast door. (-14) Taavi's shots go wide and it is unclear if his eyes are open as he runs. Reaching safety in the side room on the left side, they find no threats there - For Andras calling it a cell, it is a pretty nice place considering where Emile spent his last week.

Andras again walks up the wall and stands on the ceiling like its the floor, holding the wild invention that appears to be a rifle with both hands. He hangs down at the corner, his head just above the head of Dantes, both of them using the corner for cover. Nora keeps Oliver behind her next to Dantes. With the firefight begun, they and the guards at the far end of the hall can only see each other, not the guards in the alcove in the middle. Readied, the three security guards concentrate fire on the man ignoring on gravity and crouching on the ceiling. Even with partial cover from the corner of the wall, Andras takes two blaster shots that go right through his unarmored long coat. (-9, -5) He is rocked backward on his heels as he loses his grip on the floor... or rather the ceiling. As he goes unconscious gravity reasserts itself and he falls the five meters, crashing hard on the real floor below...

As Andras crashes to the floor, Nora drops her rifle and pulls out her satchel, rushing to see if she can save him. Dantes lays down fire at the guards at the far end of the hall but to no avail. It is then that Shadrach steps through the elevator doors behind the guards, rematerializing with his spoke thrower in his hand. "What the hell..." the guard says just before Shadrach pulls the trigger, brutal and efficient. The guard's helmet (and the head inside) dissintigrating into mist and pulp. (-19)

Shadrach is now in melee with two guards, his longarm bound-up. Two guards remain uninjured in the middle section. Hansel is wounded (18/26) and Andras is down.

Hansel quickly slides into the new set of armor, liking the upgrade, but wishing it had build in comms. Oh well, can't be helped...

Clarifying: They are remotely disabled, because they know he died. You can do a Program roll to reactivate them.

Security have readied actions, they'll win initiative.
Near guys shoot at Hansel/Emile/Taavi
Security [1d20+4]=20+4=24[1d10+2]=2+2=4 [1d20+4]=13+4=17[1d10+2]=2+2=4 [1d20+4]=2+4=6[1d10+2]=6+2=8
Targeting [1d3]=1[1d3]=2[1d3]=2
First guy gets a critical hit on Hansel. (-8) Second and third guy shoot at Emile. Neither hits AC 20.
Hansel: 18/26

Far guys shoot at Andras, Dantes, Nora (all have +2 partial cover)
Security [1d20+4]=12+4=16[1d10+2]=7+2=9 [1d20+4]=13+4=17[1d10+2]=3+2=5 [1d20+4]=2+4=6[1d10+2]=7+2=9
Targeting [1d3]=1[1d3]=1[1d3]=1
Though random, the result is that they concentrate fire on the guy crouching on the ceiling like gravity isn't a thing.
Andras AC is 11, +2 for partial cover = 13. He is hit for 9, then for 5, third guy misses. He had 14 hit points and is knocked to 0. Falls off the ceiling.

Additional damage inflicted on a mortally-wounded target will always kill them immediately.

...I'm not that cruel, twice. I'll allow a save.
Andras physical save [1d20]=4
Andras fails that, too. He gets a dramatic death scene.

---
The sprinters can see the guys at the security door. Hansel is deflected by armor. Emile does 14 damage (takes out one). Taavi is nowhere close.

Dantes, Andras, and Nora are shooting with rifles so in range for the far away guys.
Shadrach emerges behind them on his turn, so after they fire.

No attack rolls posted by Andras or Shadrach:
Shadrach Spike Thrower [1d20+1]=15+1=16 [3d8+1]=18+1=19
Andras Rifle [1d20+3]=17+3=20 [3d8+2]=12+2=14 (Andras died before his initiative)

Rifles: Dantes [1d20+4]=11+4=15[1d10+1]=10+1=11 Nora [1d20+3]=7+3=10[1d10]=8 (Nora rushes to aid Andras.)

[redwarrior]

Hansel shakes his head muttering I said DON'T follow me! I can't be a distraction if I'm the main force! Having said this, He will crawl up to the door jamb, and take aim at the guards in the center section I think he should have an angle on them here and put some fire into them.

Laser rifle burst [1d20+5]=13+5=18 damage [1d10+4]=10+4=14

[Enoch]

Shadrach drops the spike-thrower, letting it drop to hang from its sling, and grabs his combat rifle, his left hand on the barrel and his right on the top of the grip. He swings the butt of the weapon up in a vicious uppercut aimed at the chin of the nearest guard.

Melee Attack (Twitchlock Actuators) [1d20]=9 [1d20]=10 damage [1d6+1]=6+1=7

I'm assuming these don't count as shadow cultists, but if so that counts as an 11 to hit.

[greyarea]

Emile just grunts Then go about distracting. I'm clearing the way! and peeks around the corner, firing also at the guards in the center section.

Emile Initiative [1d8+2]=1+2=3
SunShooter [1d20+6]=10+6=16 Damage: [2d6+6]=8+6=14 Range: 50m Magazine: Unlimited

[jemmus]

Taavi breaks cover enough to look at the guards. He looks the apparently leader in the eye and mentally transmits, Drop your weapons, please! We need information, we don't need to shoot you!

Transmit Thought (Level-1). The telepath can send thoughts and images over a Telepathic Contact, allowing two-way communication with a willing target as an Instant action when desired. (The target must be visible or otherwise perceptible to the telepath’s unaided senses. Opening a contact requires the telepath to Commit Effort for the day as a Main Action, and the contact lasts for a scene.)

[Marullus]

Ambiance: Lux Aeterna

The two guards at the security office alcove pin down the three marshalls who dove into Andras' room. Some words are exchanged between Hansel and Emile as they both crouch at the doorjam and try to get clear shots. Hansel leans out and takes another rifle blast to the chest of his new white stormtrooper armor (-9), but returns fire and sends his target sprawling. (-14) As the fire is concentrated on his friend, Emile is free to let his guns roar, but his bullets embed themselves in the bulkhead behind. Taavi peeks around, focusing his mind on the remaining living guard and projecting into his brain. The man hesitates, but doesn't throw down his weapons, instead side-stepping into the stairwell.

Contact is established and you can continue to use other powers on him, even as he's out of sight.

At the far end of the hallway, Shadrach drops the spike-thrower, letting it drop to hang from its sling, and grabs his combat rifle, his left hand on the barrel and his right on the top of the grip. He swings the butt of the weapon up in a vicious uppercut aimed at the chin of the nearest guard. The remaining two guards have turned-to stepping to either front-flank, their full glossy white armor leaving them unintimidated by the lighter-armed soldier. Shadrach's rifle but just glances off the armor's chestplate with a 'thunk.' Unexpectedly in close-quarters, the two guards do the same with their rifles, trying to slam Shadrach with the butt-end, but he dodges ably away from their blows.

Dantes pulls Andras out of the hallway to where Nora can kneel over him with her medical supplies. They work fervently, but with two rifle blasts and then a severe concussion, they make little progress...

OOC:

Taavi establishes telepathy, but he's then using a Talk roll to convince the guy (it's not a compulsion). For a direct empathic connection, I'll allow him to use WIS instead of CHA (so he gets a +1 instead of a +0). Here's a roll:
Taavi WIS+TALK [2d6+1]=6+1=7

...

Two guards remaining at the security door fire on Hansel/Emile/Taavi. I'll give Hansel and Emile twice the chance to be targeted, with Taavi just looking at them funny from cover.
Targeting [1d5]=2[1d5]=2
They concentrate fire on Hansel.
Guards with rifles [1d20+4]=17+4=21[1d10+2]=7+2=9[1d20+4]=11+4=15[1d10+2]=10+2=12
...one hits hansel (-9), one misses.
Hansel: 9/26

Hansel hits a guy and kills him. Emile misses.

...
Shadrach is in melee alone, both are attacking him. They'll both try to rifle-butt him back.
Guard rifle butts [1d20+4]=8+4=12[1d6+1]=5+1=6[1d20+4]=5+4=9[1d6+1]=2+1=3
...everyone misses!