008: Reunion at Collace

[Thumper]

Growler-
Thinking to himself and broadcasting on the group chat: ”Well damn, I can teleport to behind ‘Shug love’ and take over the VFR. But Bona would get shredded by an itchy trigger.

It’s enough of a deterrent for the damn Zho to know we’re all here. Ciencia has the lead.”

He hold his hands together in front of his manhood, slightly raises his left knee up to shield his groin and turns a quarter turn away… gun in the right, sword in the left crossed before himself.

Out loud:
”Who the Hell are you?"

[

[terrymixon]

Growler-
Thinking to himself and broadcasting on the group chat: ”Well damn, I can teleport to behind ‘Shug love’ and take over the VFR. But Bona would get shredded by an itchy trigger.

It’s enough of a deterrent for the damn Zho to know we’re all here. Ciencia has the lead.”

He hold his hands together in front of his manhood, slightly raises his left knee up to shield his groin and turns a quarter turn away… gun in the right, sword in the left crossed before himself.

Out loud:
”Who the Hell are you?"

"The situation is beyond our ability to influence without creating more problems," she said a bit dejectedly. "My coming along was a mistake."

Roscoe and Jaelah aren’t responding but they had said they were leaving to show Jaelah’s parents things. They likely aren’t in range.

[shaidar]

Frank Cross

Frank takes a call, swearing under his breath he replies "On it!" he pauses for a second before continuing "Sargent Beau, get here now."

As the IFV appears above the terrace he strides towards it, undoing the peace knot on his sword and wishing he'd brought a gun.

He intercepts the squad commander and briefs him quietly "Sargent Beau, it seems two of the guests" he gestures to the Larssons with a nod "are very high level imperial nobility travelling incognito. If certain actors found out they could be in danger and we could have a serious diplomatic incident. Defensive perimeter please."

He then continues on towards the terrace.

Growler-
...
Out loud:
”Who the Hell are you?"

"These troops are mine, Mr Slaine. They are here to protect the guests, including your party. In the interest of de-escalation please stand down, they are no danger to you."

[Tiglath]

Roscoe vs Footpads

Roscoe isn't armed but he doesn't seem less confident because of that. he'll advance toward the dark alley.

His plan is to be confronted and improvise his attack based on their actions. After all, to his thinking, they have no idea what he is capable of.

Sure enough as Roscoe crosses in front of the alley a voice calls " 'Old it there chummy! Yer surrounded by the undercroft Skittler-sharps so let's 'ave yer lolly! Wallet an' comm - come on get 'em aht! No need to get bashed or shot give 'em over now". Two ne'er-do-wells are visible - one armed with an autopistol and the other with a long crowbar.

Roscoe can see another grappling with what might be a Vargr deeper in the alley.

"Well, I wouldn't want to get shot or bashed," Roscoe said. He'll bring his stunner out of his PD ring and shoot the one with the pistol even as he charges in.

The skill sheet has his skills and stats already baked in. I'm happy to let you roll for Roscoe.

Roscoe initiates the action and the "footpads" desperately try to keep up. Roscoe decides the gunman is the main threat and draws and shoots dropping him in a twitchingly stunned heap. His mate swings his crowbar and misses in response as Roscoe switches aim and drops him with another reflex shot from his stunner. Roscoe hears a male cry out from further down the alley and the sound of running feet. He sees the third assailant running off - awkwardly due to clutching his forearm. A smaller Vargr wearing a lime green and neon pink jacket stands hawking and spitting in his wake.

"Bullet time" stops and Roscoe is master of the alley.

OOC:
Roscoe snap shoots on the draw (=3)

Hit Due to cumulative hits AHL/Striker (or "Effect" in new money) target is KOed.
The second goon swings his bat

Miss
Second snap shot (-2)

Hit Due to cumulative hits AHL/Striker (or "Effect" in new money) target is KOed.
Goon three opposed grapple


and gets bitten!

Score 13 target under 4 = Fail & Rout
His morale fails and he flees.

[terrymixon]

”Alley tentatively clear,” Roscoe says over the link. ”One Vargr non-combatant present and conscious. Two goons unconscious and one goon bitten and fled.

He won’t put his pistol away but does lower the muzzle as fe approaches a little. “Are you okay? Do you need any more assistance?”

[terrymixon]

Frank Cross

Frank takes a call, swearing under his breath he replies "On it!" he pauses for a second before continuing "Sargent Beau, get here now."

As the IFV appears above the terrace he strides towards it, undoing the peace knot on his sword and wishing he'd brought a gun.

He intercepts the squad commander and briefs him quietly "Sargent Beau, it seems two of the guests" he gestures to the Larssons with a nod "are very high level imperial nobility travelling incognito. If certain actors found out they could be in danger and we could have a serious diplomatic incident. Defensive perimeter please."

He then continues on towards the terrace.

Growler-
...
Out loud:
”Who the Hell are you?"

"These troops are mine, Mr Slaine. They are here to protect the guests, including your party. In the interest of de-escalation please stand down, they are no danger to you."

The woman behind Growler says nothing but does incline her head.

Another woman, tall and blonde, pushes through the crowd nearby. She looks super pissed and is glaring at the intruders, and oddly, at Colonel Skeet as he pushes through the crowd.

For Garvin, he’s never seen his wife in Omicron Division Mode and so angry before. She is incandescently furious. If she were physically inclined, he’d be worried that someone was about to die.

As she isn’t, and has no authority here, he can’t be sure how she means to respond, but he can be sure that she doesn’t intend to let this insult to the princess pass unanswered. Someone is going to bleed, even if the injury isn’t physical.

[Thumper]

Growler slowly inserts his gun into one of the pockets of his Rexwell and lets his sword arm hang.

”Very decisive Cross.” he nods as he stands mid-air.

[Tiglath]

Growler

Thinking to himself and broadcasting on the group chat: ”Well damn, I can teleport to behind ‘Shug love’ and take over the VFR. But Bona would get shredded by an itchy trigger.

It’s enough of a deterrent for the damn Zho to know we’re all here. Ciencia has the lead.”

He hold his hands together in front of his manhood, slightly raises his left knee up to shield his groin and turns a quarter turn away… gun in the right, sword in the left crossed before himself.

Out loud:
”Who the Hell are you?"

"These troops are mine, Mr Slaine. They are here to protect the guests, including your party. In the interest of de-escalation please stand down, they are no danger to you."

A cheerful trooper wearing corporal's stripes professionally sets the fireteam in a defensive perimeter on the terrace and answers Growler's query "SEMC mate - the one an' only. An' the boss is right- we're no danger but Shugs'll ruddy eat you alive!" Without looking he calls over his shoulder "Kingy, stop eatin' the ruddy volleyvonts!" A simultaneously startled and oddly muffled voice responds "Mmmf, mmn not Corp!"

The IFV stops covering Growler and Bona and seems to set its PD weapon to defend the skies above. Through the open disembarkation ramp Growler sees one of the IFV crew. Still wearing her HUD helmet she looks like she should be painted on the vehicle's nose rather than stood there in the flesh. Her tanker's coveralls seem to be fighting a losing battle to contain her figure. Cocking a hip she calls over "Hi handsome sorry 'bout the targetting confusion. You seemed a little shy back there, honey - somethin' I can help you with?" Her name tag reads Sugar.

A taller SEMC Trooper, every inch the fighting man, wears a Marine Corps "cover" and has a sheathed cutlass and holstered autosnub at his waist. He braces up but does not salute Col Cross as he makes his report and then introduces himself to Growler in a distinctive Daibei drawl "Sir, Sergeant Beau SEMC. I believe we may be offering you our assistance this evening, sir".

[Tiglath]

Jaelah and Roscoe

”Alley tentatively clear,” Roscoe says over the link. ”One Vargr non-combatant present and conscious. Two goons unconscious and one goon bitten and fled.

He won’t put his pistol away but does lower the muzzle as fe approaches a little. “Are you okay? Do you need any more assistance?”[/dialog/]

"Hawk Tuah" Vargr raises her head and replies in local accent "Thanks, mister. They grabbed me up before I could call my pack. They'll be missing me". She spits again "Argh, gank addicts taste really bad! Come back to my folks place - I'll buy you a drink for helping me".

After policing up the alley Roscoe finds that he now owns a crowbar, a badly maintained and badly made autopistol, a phial of off white powder and a baggy of red pills. He notes that his still stunned prisoners are greasy and sweaty - not necessarily in that order.

Meanwhile Jaelah sees a small group of Vargr and the odd local human moving purposefully down the street. The little group are armed with cleavers and kitchen knives and some even still wear aprons and work gear. They are actively looking about but having spotted Jaelah's family group they seem to pay no interest to them.

[Thumper]

The IFV stops covering Growler and Bona and seems to set its PD weapon to defend the skies above. Through the open disembarkation ramp Growler sees one of the IFV crew. Still wearing her HUD helmet she looks like she should be painted on the vehicle's nose rather than stood there in the flesh. Her tanker's coveralls seem to be fighting a losing battle to contain her figure. Cocking a hip she calls over "Hi handsome sorry 'bout the targetting confusion. You seemed a little shy back there, honey - somethin' I can help you with?" Her name tag reads Sugar.

A taller SEMC Trooper, every inch the fighting man, wears a Marine Corps "cover" and has a sheathed cutlass and holstered autosnub at his waist. He braces up but does not salute Col Cross as he makes his report and then introduces himself to Growler in a distinctive Daibei drawl "Sir, Sergeant Beau SEMC. I believe we may be offering you our assistance this evening, sir".

”The way Shugs (air quotes) “poured some sugar on me” didn’t leave much choice but to accept your offer, Beau. Was kinda hoping to use those bits for a change. Sorry to have misidentified you corporal.

Looking down on William from above the Zho Guard, ”William, any rational explanation why the Zho have broken the peace bond?”

[terrymixon]

This takes place before the intruders reveal their allegiance.

Aster calls the ship at the highport. “Roscoe, the princess’s cover is blown and the situation is growing hostile. Bring the ship down under stealth but expedite your arrival and be ready to extract us. Do not take hostile action unless someone fires on us or you. If they do, you are weapons free but be judicious. We don’t want to kill people we don’t have to or reveal capabilities we shouldn’t.”

“Understood,” comes the response. “My corporeal half is off world and unavailable but I will have the drones on the stealth g/bikes to extract you when I arrive. Anyone that attempts to interfere will be dealt with. Undocking now. ETA to your location approximately twenty minutes.”

[terrymixon]

Jaelah and Roscoe

”Alley tentatively clear,” Roscoe says over the link. ”One Vargr non-combatant present and conscious. Two goons unconscious and one goon bitten and fled.

He won’t put his pistol away but does lower the muzzle as fe approaches a little. “Are you okay? Do you need any more assistance?”[/dialog/]

"Hawk Tuah" Vargr raises her head and replies in local accent "Thanks, mister. They grabbed me up before I could call my pack. They'll be missing me". She spits again "Argh, gank addicts taste really bad! Come back to my folks place - I'll buy you a drink for helping me".

After policing up the alley Roscoe finds that he now owns a crowbar, a badly maintained and badly made autopistol, a phial of off white powder and a baggy of red pills. He notes that his still stunned prisoners are greasy and sweaty - not necessarily in that order.

Meanwhile Jaelah sees a small group of Vargr and the odd local human moving purposefully down the street. The little group are armed with cleavers and kitchen knives and some even still wear aprons and work gear. They are actively looking about but having spotted Jaelah's family group they seem to pay no interest to them.

Roscoe won’t take the weapons or drugs. The prisoners will have to be dealt with, but that sounds like a matter for the victim and Jaelah to sort out.

[Tiglath]

Aster and Garvin

Another woman, tall and blonde, pushes through the crowd nearby. She looks super pissed and is glaring at the intruders, and oddly, at Colonel Skeet as he pushes through the crowd.

For Garvin, he’s never seen his wife in Omicron Division Mode and so angry before. She is incandescently furious. If she were physically inclined, he’d be worried that someone was about to die.

As she isn’t, and has no authority here, he can’t be sure how she means to respond, but he can be sure that she doesn’t intend to let this insult to the princess pass unanswered. Someone is going to bleed, even if the injury isn’t physical.

Garvin moves behind Aster and says deliberately and slowly "We're all still very much playin' it cool just about now so let's get on safe ground, punch the walls and wreck the furniture if we need to then debrief, regroup and go on".

[Tiglath]

Growler

The IFV stops covering Growler and Bona and seems to set its PD weapon to defend the skies above. Through the open disembarkation ramp Growler sees one of the IFV crew. Still wearing her HUD helmet she looks like she should be painted on the vehicle's nose rather than stood there in the flesh. Her tanker's coveralls seem to be fighting a losing battle to contain her figure. Cocking a hip she calls over "Hi handsome sorry 'bout the targetting confusion. You seemed a little shy back there, honey - somethin' I can help you with?" Her name tag reads Sugar.

A taller SEMC Trooper, every inch the fighting man, wears a Marine Corps "cover" and has a sheathed cutlass and holstered autosnub at his waist. He braces up but does not salute Col Cross as he makes his report and then introduces himself to Growler in a distinctive Daibei drawl "Sir, Sergeant Beau SEMC. I believe we may be offering you our assistance this evening, sir".

”The way Shugs (air quotes) “poured some sugar on me” didn’t leave much choice but to accept your offer, Beau. Was kinda hoping to use those bits for a change. Sorry to have misidentified you corporal.

Looking down on William from above the Zho Guard, ”William, any rational explanation why the Zho have broken the peace bond?”

Beau colours slightly, clears his throat and replies "Sir, I apologize for Trooper Sugar's behaviour she is often more "forward" than a lady should be". He confides "She is apparently a local Collace... holo star... in a certain market, sir".

[terrymixon]

Aster and Garvin

Another woman, tall and blonde, pushes through the crowd nearby. She looks super pissed and is glaring at the intruders, and oddly, at Colonel Skeet as he pushes through the crowd.

For Garvin, he’s never seen his wife in Omicron Division Mode and so angry before. She is incandescently furious. If she were physically inclined, he’d be worried that someone was about to die.

As she isn’t, and has no authority here, he can’t be sure how she means to respond, but he can be sure that she doesn’t intend to let this insult to the princess pass unanswered. Someone is going to bleed, even if the injury isn’t physical.

Garvin moves behind Aster and says deliberately and slowly "We're all still very much playin' it cool just about now so let's get on safe ground, punch the walls and wreck the furniture if we need to then debrief, regroup and go on".

"So, we play it cool while these clowns blackmail us, run over us roughshod, and do whatever they want while we bend over and spread em? I think not."

She looks back over her shoulder at him, her eyes cold and hard. "Those bimbos say the Zhodoni 'made' the princess, but I don't think they did. The only people running around the with equipment to get retinal scans was them. Then they give the ultimatum, pay up or we release the princess's retinal scan on the dark web. Why wouldn't a blackmailer also sell the information to the Zhodoni? I think they would, since they have no qualms about blackmailing guests at their own party.

"The princess can and will handle whatever fallout there is with the Zhodoni and their machinations. They are enemies of the Imperium, and one can't expect anything better from them. The rest is on me. What is happening now is the direct responsibility of the 4DC mercenary company and while I'm not stupid enough to believe that I can or should threaten a mercenary company directly, I can take something away from them that they do care about: money and reputation. I love you Garvin, but I don't just let things go. Payback is a bitch, and so am I. If necessary, I'll waste an absolutely shocking amount of money to make them deeply regret crossing us."

[Tiglath]

William and Ciencia

Ambassador Vlezpridliashav raises his voice for emphasis and attention "Crown Princess Ciencia!" He then drops it to add "We both have our duties here but I regret any attempt on your person or the lives of your companions. Such an attack would never be authorised by the Consulate so I suggest you look to a renegade Zhodani group - quite possibly in league with your own renegade nobility. You are indeed unschooled in diplomacy and decidedly ill advised as to your popularity here but I would not see you harmed. Lady go where you will but bide here for a few minutes for no mater how loathsome you find our company myself and my Guards will protect you for as long as we still draw breath".

Kiriaklabatl looks like a man who has made the mistake of meeting his hero and discovered only terrible disappointment. He is also incandescently angry but manages to probably not say what he'd like to. "We need our blades to defend your lives! Which myself and my brother officers will do to the death. If you seek small talk with the Warlord might I suggest that the stack of Imperial heads he recently presented to his wife might be a talking point?"

He turns away from you scan the crowd at the bar.

Colonel Skeet seems to be heading through the press making slightly less progress than the Aslan of his bodyguard who also converge on your location.

"Your company is not in any way loathsome Ambassador. We appreciate and accept your protection as honorable persons and warriors." William nods toward the Ambassador as he looks at Ciencia. He speaks to her privately on the neural communicator. "You deal with it the Ambassador. We can still salvage the situation."

He calls out on broadcast via the neural communicator "Call off any QRF. Let's deal with this by talking our way out."

William steps forward and elbows his way through to stand next to Kiriaklabatl and draws a wallet that morphs into a blade that glimmers a bit. "If there is blood and death required to protect my wife and the Ambassador then this Imperial Marine will proudly stand shoulder to shoulder to the death with you should it be required. If it takes bloodshed by the Aslan or others including my wife to cull the traitors and criminals from Our domain then so be it. You have my word of honor on that."

"Perhaps I have made a mistake," she admits. "I never said you were loathsome, Ambassador, but if the way you spoke is meant to be a response to a promise to help the average person here on Collace, you might see where it would be confusing. Coming here was a mistake. I didn't anticipate being recognized and my presence is a distraction from the good work my friends want to do here. My compliments on your skill in framing the conversation. This is a day I am sure that we will both remember in the future, though likely in different ways. Warrior, I apologize for my words. You have been nothing but noble. I have brought dishonor on myself and will remember my error."

Ambassador Vlezpridliashav continues softly "Crown Princess Ciencia, Prince Consort William loathsome was my word. We have our duties to perform no matter how distasteful they may sometimes be. I will use what small influence I have here to aid your good works. It is difficult to be a crowned head and remain free of the burdens that accompany the role. Your apology is most generous and indeed humbling but unnecessary given the circumstances. For myself I will remember the honourable man and the charming young lady I met and the glimpse of the grace of the future Empress that I saw. Do not take yourself to task, Princess. Collace and all of 268 is shifting ground for any endeavour diplomatic or otherwise".

"I believe Colonel Skeet's bodyguard will wish to guarantee your safety and I see that they are almost here. So for now our time together must end". Then apparently changing tack he asks "Do you fence Princess? Perhaps you should. If you have cause to visit the Bartizan it would be my great pleasure to introduce you to the sport" he smiles "because it's not a sport. I fear your visit would, perhaps, have to be unofficial but you have my word that it would remain so".

[terrymixon]

William and Ciencia

"Your company is not in any way loathsome Ambassador. We appreciate and accept your protection as honorable persons and warriors." William nods toward the Ambassador as he looks at Ciencia. He speaks to her privately on the neural communicator. "You deal with it the Ambassador. We can still salvage the situation."

He calls out on broadcast via the neural communicator "Call off any QRF. Let's deal with this by talking our way out."

William steps forward and elbows his way through to stand next to Kiriaklabatl and draws a wallet that morphs into a blade that glimmers a bit. "If there is blood and death required to protect my wife and the Ambassador then this Imperial Marine will proudly stand shoulder to shoulder to the death with you should it be required. If it takes bloodshed by the Aslan or others including my wife to cull the traitors and criminals from Our domain then so be it. You have my word of honor on that."

"Perhaps I have made a mistake," she admits. "I never said you were loathsome, Ambassador, but if the way you spoke is meant to be a response to a promise to help the average person here on Collace, you might see where it would be confusing. Coming here was a mistake. I didn't anticipate being recognized and my presence is a distraction from the good work my friends want to do here. My compliments on your skill in framing the conversation. This is a day I am sure that we will both remember in the future, though likely in different ways. Warrior, I apologize for my words. You have been nothing but noble. I have brought dishonor on myself and will remember my error."

Ambassador Vlezpridliashav continues softly "Crown Princess Ciencia, Prince Consort William loathsome was my word. We have our duties to perform no matter how distasteful they may sometimes be. I will use what small influence I have here to aid your good works. It is difficult to be a crowned head and remain free of the burdens that accompany the role. Your apology is most generous and indeed humbling but unnecessary given the circumstances. For myself I will remember the honourable man and the charming young lady I met and the glimpse of the grace of the future Empress that I saw. Do not take yourself to task, Princess. Collace and all of 268 is shifting ground for any endeavour diplomatic or otherwise".

"I believe Colonel Skeet's bodyguard will wish to guarantee your safety and I see that they are almost here. So for now our time together must end". Then apparently changing tack he asks "Do you fence Princess? Perhaps you should. If you have cause to visit the Bartizan it would be my great pleasure to introduce you to the sport" he smiles "because it's not a sport. I fear your visit would, perhaps, have to be unofficial but you have my word that it would remain so".

"I suppose we shall see, though I doubt my Guard will allow me anywhere near you with a weapon in hand. Our time is at an end, and I reluctantly thank you for the lesson you have driven home. No matter how much I would like to be a normal person, there will always be those who will use who I am against me. A normal life--even for one evening--simply isn't to be because there will always be someone scheming against me. I suppose that's a good lesson to learn early in life. Rest assured, you have amply made that point, and I will never be so naïve again."

She considered him without any visible emotion. "When you look back on this moment in days yet to come, I wonder if you will see it as your greatest diplomatic success, or once the things I had been willing to discuss with you become evident, you will see the missed opportunity for open dialog as your greatest failure. You've won the battle, but my memory of this night will color my dealings with your people for the rest of my life, and as you say, I will one day rule the Imperium. Was what you gained today truly worth what could have been? I'd imagine that question will keep you up late at night when things between our people are less cordial, and you'll have only yourself to blame for that."

[Tiglath]

Aster and Garvin

Another woman, tall and blonde, pushes through the crowd nearby. She looks super pissed and is glaring at the intruders, and oddly, at Colonel Skeet as he pushes through the crowd.

For Garvin, he’s never seen his wife in Omicron Division Mode and so angry before. She is incandescently furious. If she were physically inclined, he’d be worried that someone was about to die.

As she isn’t, and has no authority here, he can’t be sure how she means to respond, but he can be sure that she doesn’t intend to let this insult to the princess pass unanswered. Someone is going to bleed, even if the injury isn’t physical.

Garvin moves behind Aster and says deliberately and slowly "We're all still very much playin' it cool just about now so let's get on safe ground, punch the walls and wreck the furniture if we need to then debrief, regroup and go on".

"So, we play it cool while these clowns blackmail us, run over us roughshod, and do whatever they want while we bend over and spread em? I think not."

She looks back over her shoulder at him, her eyes cold and hard. "Those bimbos say the Zhodoni 'made' the princess, but I don't think they did. The only people running around the with equipment to get retinal scans was them. Then they give the ultimatum, pay up or we release the princess's retinal scan on the dark web. Why wouldn't a blackmailer also sell the information to the Zhodoni? I think they would, since they have no qualms about blackmailing guests at their own party.

"The princess can and will handle whatever fallout there is with the Zhodoni and their machinations. They are enemies of the Imperium, and one can't expect anything better from them. The rest is on me. What is happening now is the direct responsibility of the 4DC mercenary company and while I'm not stupid enough to believe that I can or should threaten a mercenary company directly, I can take something away from then that they do care about: money and reputation. I love you Garvin, but I don't just let things go. Payback is a bitch, and so am I. If necessary, I'll waste an absolutely shocking amount of money to make them deeply regret crossing us."

Garvin stares at Aster a moment imprinting the view on his mind then he smiles "Cor, you're ruddy lovely when you're angry. I'm sure you've got more money than 4DC an all - so that'll learn 'em. That's if you're absolutely sure it was them. O' course you could ruin every Merc company present just to be sure... but 'ear me out, eh, love? Because, by my understaindin' , we need the Mercs to make the other job work..."

"First off I think 'alf the problem was that we all made the same mistake an' thought that we could 'ave a day off. The other 'alf of the problem was that this place is full of spies. It's like the Collace national sport... an' we we'ren't set up for that".

"I didn't catch a blackmail angle from the twins at all - but that might be me. Styx was comin' across an' oddly enough I think she might 'ave told me if that was their game. As professional agents I reckon it's a bit below their level. Interlopers at the party for sure - but not them. They're the in 'ouse field agents for 4DC so at a party for potential clients they begin the company's due diligence by scannin' all the potential clients. I'd say that's pretty sharp work right there".

He continues "They no doubt got a suspected "ping" off Ciencia's physical likeness in a database and did research to verify. Nobles are always up to no good an' going about "incognito". No effort at disguise but they bung you an 'undred credit tip for pretendin' you don't recognize 'em - but as a Merc you need to know 'oo your workin' for. So far it all sounds pretty much like straight up field craft to me".

"Now, keep up 'ere - an' I know you will, but you know when I showed you the shell game an' we started playin' for clothes... er... did you really not know where the pea was? It's distractin' me - tell me in a minute... but if the shells were see through that would make the shell game a doddle wouldn't it? Look, only folk like us could do this trick but once you know who's spies are who... then you slip in the old mind readin'. The Intel shell game goes on all about the room. Spy chases spy, movin' secrets - them "peas of Intel"..." He pauses loosing momentary faith in his description but presses on "... the Intel's on the move all about but, for those that know 'ow, all the shells are transparent. You don't need to read everyone's mind - just the spies. I didn't look very 'ard but I 'ave it on good authority that the twins 'ad absolutely no room for a psi shield with what they were wearin' ".

He slips his jacket over her shoulders against the high atmosphere's chill "Are you still so sure you need to ruin all them 'ard workin' Mercs?"

[terrymixon]

Aster and Garvin

Garvin moves behind Aster and says deliberately and slowly "We're all still very much playin' it cool just about now so let's get on safe ground, punch the walls and wreck the furniture if we need to then debrief, regroup and go on".

"So, we play it cool while these clowns blackmail us, run over us roughshod, and do whatever they want while we bend over and spread em? I think not."

She looks back over her shoulder at him, her eyes cold and hard. "Those bimbos say the Zhodoni 'made' the princess, but I don't think they did. The only people running around the with equipment to get retinal scans was them. Then they give the ultimatum, pay up or we release the princess's retinal scan on the dark web. Why wouldn't a blackmailer also sell the information to the Zhodoni? I think they would, since they have no qualms about blackmailing guests at their own party.

"The princess can and will handle whatever fallout there is with the Zhodoni and their machinations. They are enemies of the Imperium, and one can't expect anything better from them. The rest is on me. What is happening now is the direct responsibility of the 4DC mercenary company and while I'm not stupid enough to believe that I can or should threaten a mercenary company directly, I can take something away from then that they do care about: money and reputation. I love you Garvin, but I don't just let things go. Payback is a bitch, and so am I. If necessary, I'll waste an absolutely shocking amount of money to make them deeply regret crossing us."

Garvin states at Aster a moment imprinting the view on his mind then he smiles "Cor, you're ruddy lovely when you're angry. I'm sure you've got more money than 4DC an all - so that'll learn 'em. That's if you're absolutely sure it was them. o' course you could ruin every Merc company present just to be sure... but 'ear me out, eh, love? Because, by my understaindin' we need the Mercs to make the other job work..."

"First off I think 'alf the problem was that we all made the same mistake an' thought that we could 'ave a day off. The other 'alf of the problem was that this place is full of spies. It's like the Colace national sport an' we we'ren't set up for that".

"I didn't catch a blackmail angle from the twins at all - but that might be me. Styx was chatty enough an' oddly enough I think she might 'ave told me if that was their game. As professional agents I reckon it's a bit below their level. Interlopers at the party for sure - but not them. They're the in 'ouse field agents for 4DC so at a party for potential clients they begin the company's due diligence by scannin' all the potential clients. I'd say that's pretty sharp work right there".

He continues "They no doubt got a suspected "ping" off Ciencia's physical likeness and did research to verify. You know nobles are always going about "incognito" - no effort at disguise but they bung you an 'undred credit tip for pretendin' you don't recognize 'em. So far it all sounds pretty much like straight up field craft to me".

"Now, keep up 'ere - an' I know you will, but you know when I showed you the shell game an' we started playin' for clothes... er... did you really not know where the pea was? It's distractin' me - tell me in a minute... but if the shells were see through that would make the shell game a doddle wouldn't it? Look, only folk like us could do this trick but once you know who's spies are who... then you slip in the old mind readin'. The Intel shell game goes on all about the room. Spy chases spy, movin' secrets - them "peas of Intel"..." He pauses loosing momentary faith in his description but presses on "... the Intel's on the move all about but, for those that know 'ow, all the shells are transparent. You don't need to read everyone's mind - just the spies. I didn't look very 'ard but I 'ave it on good authority that the twins 'ad absolutely no room for a psi shield with what they were wearin' ".

"Are you still sure you need to ruin all them 'ard workin' Mercs?"

She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Do I know I'm right? No. Will I act if I'm not sure? No. That said, I don't think I'm far off. How could you miss the blackmail angle? She literally said it out loud. We have the princess's retinal pattern. See Major Duran to buy it back. Be a damn shame if it ended up on the dark web. It could have been exactly like you said up until the theat. Here's a thing you might not know about me. I respond very poorly to threats. To be fair, perhaps it was only extortion. Tell me how that makes this better? Scan all clients, extort them if you can, and then hope they hire you?

"Let me lay this out for you. If we're going to pay someone to act militarily for us, we have to know that their word is good. It's obvious that 4DC's word isn't. Scanning potential clients for ID? Expected, I suppose. Demanding money to keep a retinal scan off the dark web? Very shady. I will pay the price to get that back, but even if it were only a single credit, it will be the very last credit they see from us if I have my way. If that's all it is, then that's that. No future money from us and I let it go.

"If they had anything to do with what is happening here, I will bury them. I can afford to spend billions for the satisfaction of ruining them, and I will spend it without even a moment's regret. I will pay people to follow them for decades and ruin every single thing that they touch. If they disband, I will hire teams to trail them all to the far ends of Charted Space to keep it up. This isn't like they insulted and robbed me. Hell, it's not even like they tried to murder me like that Zho agent. This is about Ciencia, and no one takes a shot at my liege. No one. I will end anyone that tries. Let the ruined people howling in abject poverty I leave in my wake be a warning to anyone else willing to take a shot at her."

Then she smiled without the slightest bit of humor. "Tell you what. Why don't you go tell them exactly what I think. Tell them I'm a vindictive bitch that will get all up in their business if I even think they had a hand in this, and that I will be lobbying hard to cut 4DC out of any deal we make. I'm more than happy to be the bad guy and that will let you play the pea game with them, though no taking off their clothes. That ship has sailed. Let them exonerate or condemn themselves. Dig deep. It only seems fair after what they've done. Let's learn a few secrets they'd prefer not to have spread on the dark web though I won't make them pay for them. Just hold them in case we need leverage."

[Tiglath]

Aster and Garvin

Garvin replies "I thought they were offering the partial print as a professional courtesy and were merely after recovering their own costs incurred in getting it out of the public domain. I didn't pick up on any "or else" being involved so I didn't see the extortion angle".

"Look, before you go all "scorched earth" we could just ask. If they want the work and are in good faith then I'm sure they'd throw in the partial print gratis and with all the provenance you could want. The provenance would underwrite their acting professionally and in good faith. I think that's almost what the twins offered us but I reckon they haven't got the authority to just give an expensive asset away. I was gettin' on with Styx like an 'ouse on fire so I'll make the call - but only if it's square with you. You're takin' this personally an' in our line o' work that's never good. However, if you don't trust the mercs from Collace then let's move on and use our resources to hire mercs elsewhere".

(OOC: Now I see the problem!)