008: Reunion at Collace

[terrymixon]

Aster and Garvin

As Aster describes herself Skeet's smile broadens "I knew you were just my type and Ciencia Iphegenia has a magnificent seat - in the Domain of Deneb. While it was a surprise to discover her Highness it wasn't my intent to embarrass or inconvenience her but just to guarantee her safety while my guest. My people don't extort clients - I pay them too much to need side gigs and they're professional field agents. Besides it's very bad for business. The Zhodani are no doubt doing what they do but they don't bother me and so I don't bother them but I do speak to them so, as another favour, I'll tell the Ambassador to wind his neck in. We're all chilled here. Myself and Frank Cross just wanted to get some point defence cover over the venue housing the Crown Princess". He grins "We're all good and you just carry on breathing Lady Aster - I think you could sell tickets".

Responding again to Aster Skeet chuckles "I'm an easy man to misjudge. Maybe deliberately so but, as I said, I'm also a fool for dangerous women and I like giving flamboyant presents. So you keep those holo chips as my gift to you. It's my party and two pretty ladies were upset so if I can I'll fix that. Please give my regards to the Arch Duchess and my apology for any inconvenience our extra security caused her. I look forward to seeing you in the morning".

Then struck by a thought he laughs and adds "Here's one more thing - I know you're leaving but I was just about to buy drinks all round. However, if the Princess wants to take her leave loyally cheered to the rafters by hundreds of the best soldiers in the District then she could do me the favour of announcing the Free Bar".

"I appreciate the thought," she said, "but we pay our debts. Have you ever heard of the concept of balance? I make sure those who do us good turns get our help in turn and those who do us wrong get wrong in equal measure sent back their way. Basically, that's justice. Everyone gets what they have coming, for good or ill. Though I will admit to being a bit extravagant. Those that help us usually get back more than they chipped in and those who do us wrong truly regret crossing us. Why don't you think of something a bit more personal as a gift? After all, your mercenary and neither the Princess or I are militarily oriented. I'm sure that there's something that you could arrange for a little getaway that would be eminently doable and still leave a strong impression."

I'll bet he can come up with something exciting for them to try.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo0oZXmrxNg

I suspect something like that might put her in the mood.

Then she smiles. "Since it doesn't actually look like it's going to break out into a fight, perhaps we will stay for the evening. Now that the Princess's cover is blown, we can summon her actual guard to watch over her so that your people can enjoy the party. I'll go speak with her and I feel utterly confident that she will make certain that everyone enjoys their last drink. After, of course, you give me the payment depository information and total that I need to pay to settle our debt in full."

When he provides that information, she will initiate a payment to cover the full amount plus ten percent for the trouble that they've caused. Then she'll head over to speak with Ciencia.

[terrymixon]

Frank Cross

Frank looks relieved that things have calmed.

"Lady Aster, I'll make sure my troops here are informed of your ships arrival so there is no confusion. Of course you are still welcome at the Bartizan, and if your plan is to head their immediately then I will make sure there is a prime landing berth available."

"Thank you, Colonel. I'll make sure that our pilot takes the ship directly there once I can communicate with him again. He's probably going to come in under stealth so it might be advisable to let your people know that he's going to show up with a very little warning. I'm sure your defenses are quite good, but the stealth measures taken for our ship are somewhat... extreme."

[terrymixon]

Aster makes her way slowly over to the Princess, watching the Zhodoni guards coolly as she approaches. She will stop outside their reach, her hands clasped in front of her, and wait for Ciencia to come to her. Then she will briefly whisper into the princess ear before bowing slightly and withdrawing.

Ciencia looked around at the people around her, confirming that she was indeed the center of attention. This was the very last thing that she'd wanted but that was the situation in which she found herself. So long as she was screwed anyway, she might as well make the most of it.

"Excuse me," she said in a louder tone that was meant to carry throughout the room. "If I could have a moment of your time, I promise to make it worth your while. That is the mercenary way, isn't it?"

She smiled. "My name is Ciencia Iphegenia, and I am deeply sorry to have caused this disturbance. It was never my intent to be anything more than just another face in the crowd. As ambassador Vlezpridliashav so helpfully reminded me, heads of state can never truly escape their fate, no matter how much they might wish to. I saw everyone having such a good time and just wanted to be part of it and I am sorry to have caused all of this consternation for that little bit of selfishness and I promise that I will make it up to you."

Having seen her father speak publicly many times, she knew how that particular game was played so she stepped forward and snagged a drink off of one of the trays making the rounds. It had probably been paid for by someone else, but she would deal with that shortly.

She raised the glass high. "To the brave mercenaries of Collace and those who support them. And also, to the people of this world who have been through so much."

Rather than take a sip, she will drink the whole thing down before putting the glass back on the tray. "If I'm not going to be able to be incognito, at least I can have a little fun, can't I?" she asked with a grin. "And that seems like the kind of thing mercenary would do."

After giving a brief pause for whatever response that might bring and gauging the mood in the crowd, she'll continue. "As I was discussing why we were here with the ambassador, and that conversation was cut so woefully short, I figure that I should at least explain myself publicly so that there can be no confusion about why a high noble from the Imperium was among you tonight. One of my friends was born and raised on Collace and after having come into a large sum of money, she decided to return and give back to the community of which she was once a part. I told of the ambassador that there was a new business being set up by us here and it's only fair that I explain what that entails. It is her intention that this business makes small low-interest loans to the regular people that need it to help make their lives better. It's not meant to make a profit, and any money generated from that will be rolled right back over into helping more people. If someone can't repay that loan, I feel utterly confident that those who have not been able to improve themselves due to no fault of their own would have those loans forgiven.

"In addition, I expect that she'll be paying the salaries for whoever runs it out of her own pocket so that one hundred percent of the money she invests stays here and works for the people of Collace. My understanding is that her initial investment was for one billion credits. That investment will grow as the business finds its feet and discovers better ways to find the people it needs to help. In other words, it's a charity funded by one person. Though I am utterly certain that the ambassador would never misrepresent my words, I wouldn't want there to be any misunderstanding through the incomplete conversation that I had with him that might make it sound like anything else."

She looked back over at the ambassador and smiled more widely. "If we'd had more time to talk, ambassador, I would have explained that in more detail. Hopefully my public explanation will clarify any points that might have been unclear and minimize any misunderstandings in our earlier discussion."

Ciencia looked back over the crowd. "My husband--did I mention I'm newly married?--also mentioned that there was a new megacorporation forming inside the Imperium intended to service this entire area but we never had a chance to actually explain what that meant and since the people of Collace have no reason to trust or love any Imperial megacorporation, I need to explain exactly what that means before any word gets out that might leave some room for confusion about its intentions and purpose.

"First, it will not be based anywhere inside District 268. You have no reason to be concerned that someone else is moving into the vacuum so recently and bravely created. Second, while it is a corporation meant to earn a profit, it is a mercantile organization that will be providing both high-end goods and more basic manufactured products designed to be useful to the worlds throughout this area of space and beyond. As it is formed from technology from Vincennes, the high-end goods will be more advanced than even the goods made at Glisten. That's where the corporation will make its profit, through those who willing to spend for those advanced technologies and products. Nothing will be forced down anyone's throat. If they don't want to buy the products, there's absolutely no reason they should.

"The part that I find most interesting will be the lower technology goods which will be tailored for each world in such a way that they are low-cost and targeted toward what will help grow each world both technologically and otherwise. But what do I mean by that? Each world has different needs that merchants bring in goods to fill. That only makes sense, right? What this new corporation will do is research what each world truly needs and try to provide those goods at a technological level that is appropriate and at a cost that is reasonable. It's not out to gouge everyone for every credit that it can. And once again, if you don't want the goods, you don't have to buy them. It's as simple as that. A way that my associates who have come into this money can help those while still doing something with it."

Ciencia took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "As I said earlier, I'm quite aware that you have a very bad taste in your mouth when it comes to the Imperial megacorporations that have done business here in the past. My friends don't want to be part of that, and I intend to do my part to try and make up what has happened already and to prevent it from happening in the future if I can. Word has not yet arrived from Glisten, but my father has appointed me Archduchess of the Domain of Deneb. I understand that I'm very young for that role and I will have to have people to advise me, but I am coming into this with a few things that I want to accomplish.

"First, I have seen firsthand how loathsome some of the high Imperial nobility are and I will utilize the Imperial Warrant given to me by my father that allows me to speak in his name to look into all credible allegations of wrongdoing among their ranks." She smiled coldly. "I am quite certain that will earn me no friends among them, but I've already acted at Glisten. I arrested Duchess Muktheswara, her heir, and Admiral Noster of the Imperial Navy for corruption and treason. News of that has not arrived, but it will show up about the same time that my assuming the role of Archduchess arrives, and the recording of my wedding and the ennoblement of my friends. As there was so much corruption inside the Duchess's household, I suspended that title until my father can make judgment of who exactly should inherit it or if it should be done away with entirely. Sadly, the admiral felt he was being thrown under the bus during the questioning and was able to seize one of the guard's weapons and shoot the Duchess dead. Regrettable, and I will certainly take steps in the future to make certain it doesn't recur, but likely the fate she was headed for and which her son will probably face in the end. High rank will not save those who use their positions to harm others or the Imperium."

She will pause to gauge the reaction to that, particularly the Zhodoni guards.

"As to everything SuSag--and others--have been doing here, I can assure you that it will be investigated just as diligently. I understand they don't like having their name mentioned publicly, but I've already tasked agents of the Omicron Division with following up on everything going on inside the Duchess's household and the Imperial Navy inside Glisten, and I will now set them on the trail of any credible tip of impropriety from any megacorporation licensed inside the Imperium whether those actions are taking or have taken place within our borders or outside of them. As there are a very high number of intelligence personnel--should I call them spies? Is that offensive?--inside this very room, allow me to assure you that if you have any tips that I can follow up on--credible ones with information that can be verified independently and be good enough to stand up to scrutiny--I will pay top credit for each and every bit of information you can provide that will allow me to undo what is being done here and elsewhere. I find it repugnant and abhorrent and will stamp it out if I can. This is your chance to cash in and get back at those who have been sullying the Imperial brand at the same time.

"I'd imagine that won't earn me any friends either--the Imperial Guard certainly won't thank me for this, and I might have to hire reputable mercenaries for my protection, so I suppose I'm in the right place--but I don't care what trouble I'm bringing upon myself. As was pointed out by the ambassador, I'm young and inexperienced, but I'm also very idealistic. I don't know all the trouble that I'm bringing down on my head by doing these things, but I won't let that stop me. I believe in doing what's right because it is right, not ignoring it because it's expedient. Help a girl out before the system drags her down, will you?"

She sighed. "I had intended to open a dialogue with the ambassador about my intentions toward the Consulate, but events prevented me from telling him any of the things happening at Glisten or what vision I was brining to my new post. I suppose I'll just have to take that up with the official ambassador from the Consulate in the Marches. Even so, I'll lay out my vision so there is no doubt. I want to lower tensions between our people. I believe that everyone should be able to live in a universe with peace and security. There must be concrete steps that I can take in conjunction with willing partners in the Consulate to reduce the chances of future conflict while enhancing trade. I'm not so idealistic that I believe that all the bad blood can be walked away from, but we can start down a road that may one day lead to peaceful coexistence while having security. As I said, it's a shame I couldn't have that open dialogue. I would have probably said far more than I should have tonight, so I suppose I should be grateful events kept me from embarrassing myself."

She raised her voice. "And that's it. That's all I came here to do. Just a little stuff, right? Now, because I've ruined your party, allow me to make it up to you. I will personally pay the bar tab for every single person here for as long as you care to drink tonight--before they throw you out, of course--no matter what you choose to drink. Top shelf or rotgut, if you want to drink it, I'm buying as much as you can handle. That includes everything you might have paid for already. This establishment will refund your money and bill me. In addition, when you're ready to leave for the evening--or been thrown our, or your friends are having to carry you out on a stretcher--I'll pony up for a bottle of whatever you care to take with you. The sky is the limit. It's all on me. Enjoy!"

[terrymixon]

Assuming there is no attack in the next fifteen minutes, a pair of stealth g/bikes will arrive carrying four Imperial Guardsmen and Guardswomen. Two of each, one older and the other somewhat less so. Grizzled veterans.

They are in sharp red uniforms, and armed, though their weapons are peace bonded. They carry a cutlass and two pistols each. The swords do not look to be ceremonial, but weapons that have been used hard and maintained well. Then they have gauss pistols on their right hips and unknown weapons on their left in cross draw holsters. The unknown weapons are very wide of barrel and do not seem to be of Imperial make, though they are obviously made for human hands.

It looks like this, though the barrel and trigger are hidden inside the quick release holster.



They don't cause trouble, but they are cold eyed professionals, the equal of any here. The men move to guard William and the women form up around Ciencia. All will be very cool as they eye the Zhodoni guards, but Ciencia only smiles at the Ambassador and his companions. "Thank you for your consideration tonight, Ambassador, and Kiriaklabatl. I will remember your actions for a very long time and learn from them. Now, I should leave you and circulate. That is what parties are for, is it not? Please, enjoy the drinks I am paying for and do not let any expense trouble you. Imbibe with a clear conscience and the knowledge that I fully appreciate the care with which you have treated me and look forward to returning the favor one day if I might."

She is rather pleased that what she said would mean two very different things to the men and be innocuous as well.

No one looking for the incoming ship saw anything. The bikes are hard to see via sensors, but any professional watchers have no idea where they came from. They seemingly appeared out of empty air near the balcony. Very near the balcony.

And at the place where the ship was told it could park, it will seem to materialize out of nothingness to approach and request permission to land on the rooftop pad.

Ciencia will head right for Colonels Skeet and Cross with the two female Guards at her back. "Allow me to personally apologize again for the disruption. It was inexcusable, but I beg forgiveness anyway. How can I make it up to you?"

[helvorn]

William will stand and watch Ciencia as she speaks. He has a smile on his face and nods occasionally. When the Imperial Guard arrive he nods to them and turns to the Zhodani guards. He sheaths his knife and bows his head slightly "I would like to leave tonight in peace with the memory of honorable companions. My wife may not find it in her heart to take up the offer of dueling practice but perhaps saber against cutlass might be acceptable to you gentlemen. I offer that simply as an Imperial Marine."

[helvorn]

Dzofin surreptitiously captures video of the entire confrontation. What a story to tell his pups some day!

https://y.yarn.co/0434826d-10da-4d05-9f ... b5ea02.mp4

[shaidar]

Frank Cross

Ciencia will head right for Colonels Skeet and Cross with the two female Guards at her back. "Allow me to personally apologize again for the disruption. It was inexcusable, but I beg forgiveness anyway. How can I make it up to you?"

Frank briefly bows his head in respect "Thank you princess. For my part no more of an apology is necessary, the gift your group has offered to the SEMC, and the attempt to restore one of my men, is sufficient. I appreciate the sentiment of your speech, and I hope the politics of the Imperium let you manifest your intent. As for SuSAG, while you are my guests at the Bartizan perhaps myself and members of my senior command team can talk to you, as we have first hand knowledge of their crimes. In fact I can show you where one of the crimes took place in the Bartizan itself."

At some point in the evening, Frank will contact the Bartizan and arrange that landing spot, he will simply say that they are a high-value clients and make no mention of their real identities.

[Thumper]

Walt will continue overhead Ciencia and William and on high alert until the Zho or his friends depart.

[terrymixon]

Frank Cross

Ciencia will head right for Colonels Skeet and Cross with the two female Guards at her back. "Allow me to personally apologize again for the disruption. It was inexcusable, but I beg forgiveness anyway. How can I make it up to you?"

Frank briefly bows his head in respect "Thank you princess. For my part no more of an apology is necessary, the gift your group has offered to the SEMC, and the attempt to restore one of my men, is sufficient. I appreciate the sentiment of your speech, and I hope the politics of the Imperium let you manifest your intent. As for SuSAG, while you are my guests at the Bartizan perhaps myself and members of my senior command team can talk to you, as we have first hand knowledge of their crimes. In fact I can show you where one of the crimes took place in the Bartizan itself."

"I suppose I'll find out. I expect serious pushback and likely assassination attempts," she said with a wry smile. "I hope we can help your man and we would do that as a matter of course. I look forward to hearing the details and bringing that particular rooster home to roost."

[Tiglath]

All

"I appreciate the thought," she said, "but we pay our debts. Have you ever heard of the concept of balance? I make sure those who do us good turns get our help in turn and those who do us wrong get wrong in equal measure sent back their way. Basically, that's justice. Everyone gets what they have coming, for good or ill. Though I will admit to being a bit extravagant. Those that help us usually get back more than they chipped in and those who do us wrong truly regret crossing us. Why don't you think of something a bit more personal as a gift? After all, your mercenary and neither the Princess or I are militarily oriented. I'm sure that there's something that you could arrange for a little getaway that would be eminently doable and still leave a strong impression."

I'll bet he can come up with something exciting for them to try.
I suspect something like that might put her in the mood.

Then she smiles. "Since it doesn't actually look like it's going to break out into a fight, perhaps we will stay for the evening. Now that the Princess's cover is blown, we can summon her actual guard to watch over her so that your people can enjoy the party. I'll go speak with her and I feel utterly confident that she will make certain that everyone enjoys their last drink. After, of course, you give me the payment depository information and total that I need to pay to settle our debt in full."

When he provides that information, she will initiate a payment to cover the full amount plus ten percent for the trouble that they've caused. Then she'll head over to speak with Ciencia.

Ciencia will head right for Colonels Skeet and Cross with the two female Guards at her back. "Allow me to personally apologize again for the disruption. It was inexcusable, but I beg forgiveness anyway. How can I make it up to you?"

Skeet replies instantly "If it's alright with your husband I'd like a dance with the future Empress!" He then adds "We might then need to run through some hypotheticals regarding an Imperial pardon...".

As the Imperial Guard show up the Zhodani Consular Guard stand down and with a salute for Ciencia and William withdraw, peacebonding their sabers and returning custody of the Imperial couple to their own bodyguards. The Zhodani remain in the bar for Ciencia's speech which the Ambassador applauds politely and then retire to a privacy screened table to dine.

The merc audience certainly don't object to her delivery and, although they seem less invested in planetary trade issues, free drinks definitely goes down a storm!

At Aster's insistence Skeet relents and produces a credit wand through which Aster can pay funds into 4DC's brokerage account. As she completes her transactions he makes a few comm calls one of which begins "Commissioner, Skeet 4DC, sorry to bother you so late but I've just tripped over another case of that Vargr brandy you like..."

When Aster has completed her transactions he gives a rogueish smile and says "Balance? Oh, I experience it every time I teeter on the edge of mercenary morality. As to a different gift I have a temporary licence to put on a display of 4DC merchandise. One of my combat landers is inbound from the south - I'm leaving you the northern approach. I'm sure those used to high Imperial weapons tech are going to be hard to impress but how we employ certain systems might be of interest. You said you and the Princess were less militarily inclined but I think I've got something you'd like to try. Ah, here's my people now".

A matt black sixty ton craft bristling with weapon mounts settles into a momentary hover then dusts off leaving a security detachment of armoured mercs and a group of Techs who set up a tables of weapons, a range and prep target towing drones.

Skeet says "The guys have the short range targets set up so while they finish off here's one example of our innovation". The twins step out onto the terrace now in matt black bodyhugging tactical suits with HUD and tactical vests. Styx shoulders a carbine while Lethe links those braced against the high atmospheric chill of the terrace into a comm loop "We'll begin with two short range, soft option 4DC systems. First the Instel Arms M19E rechambered for caseless multirole ammunition and integrally suppressed. Concealable and with the discarding sabot anagun tech rounds actually capable against hard armour with its boosted penetration hypo rounds. Up a caliber to standard snub our Utility Rifle gives options for bailed out crew including dragon fire and wire throwing grapnel rounds - because at 4DC we don't just always throw money at a problem". Producing three palmed 100Cr chips between her fingers Styx hurls them downrange as her sister raises a ballistic shield to protect them both. The chips explode in conventional blast, the distinctive horizontal burst of TDX and green smoke while Lethe intones "Available in "hot" smoke, black out gas, KO gas and Hallucinogen - the canine variety. Makes you think you're a dog - ask the Colonel". Skeet shrugs and offers "It's just funny". He points at one of the armoured mercs and says "One target in your own time". As the trooper consistently melts micro holes in the scrap armour on a gel torso downrange Skeet states "The Imperial Standard laser rifles are specialist weapons of the space arm but are less favoured in the ground role due to lack of an autofire capacity". Without changing his posture the trooper's laser now fires a multiple "autofire" burst - the target immolates. "The "Gatling" Laser Rifle - 4DC standard longarm. In the right hands it's capable of killing an entire battledress armoured squad from outside the effective range of fusion weapons".

Then Skeet claps his hands "Ladies and gents by all means help yourselves to a try out with any weapon - my people will help and advise you. However, I propose a range day at the Bartizan tomorrow" he winks at Frank "where Colonel Cross runs the local air traffic control but we have a closing five minute window here and I have to make good on a promise. Crown Princess, Lady Aster the twins will help you into grav lift harnesses for some "plinking" to finish off". While the ladies are strapped into the bulky harnesses (apparently "lifting" backpack sized hard round "hoppers") and fitted with HUD visors Skeet continues "We are not a conventional infantry force and sometimes we need to deliver momentary overwhelming firepower on the battlefield. Ladies the drones will carousel man sized targets towards you. Please keep to the fire lane. These weapons are fitted with an artificial safety "horizon" for this shoot". As the target drones begin their approach the twins and attendant Techs heft the rotary barrels onto the electric actions of the weapons and illuminate vislight and laser targetters. As soon as they are engaged the barrels begin to spool up to firing speed as the HUD targetting system kicks in while the grav lift device makes the whole weapon system near weightless. Skeet raises his voice over the whine of the rotating barrels "ManPAC: Man Portable Assault Cannon - for when apology is redundant. Ladies, you are weapons free!"

[Tiglath]

William will stand and watch Ciencia as she speaks. He has a smile on his face and nods occasionally. When the Imperial Guard arrive he nods to them and turns to the Zhodani guards. He sheaths his knife and bows his head slightly "I would like to leave tonight in peace with the memory of honorable companions. My wife may not find it in her heart to take up the offer of dueling practice but perhaps saber against cutlass might be acceptable to you gentlemen. I offer that simply as an Imperial Marine."

Kiriaklabatl replies simply "We will stand ready to match blades with you".

His offer seems genuine even if his phrasing could be interpreted in more than one way.

[terrymixon]

All

"I appreciate the thought," she said, "but we pay our debts. Have you ever heard of the concept of balance? I make sure those who do us good turns get our help in turn and those who do us wrong get wrong in equal measure sent back their way. Basically, that's justice. Everyone gets what they have coming, for good or ill. Though I will admit to being a bit extravagant. Those that help us usually get back more than they chipped in and those who do us wrong truly regret crossing us. Why don't you think of something a bit more personal as a gift? After all, your mercenary and neither the Princess or I are militarily oriented. I'm sure that there's something that you could arrange for a little getaway that would be eminently doable and still leave a strong impression."

I'll bet he can come up with something exciting for them to try.
I suspect something like that might put her in the mood.

Then she smiles. "Since it doesn't actually look like it's going to break out into a fight, perhaps we will stay for the evening. Now that the Princess's cover is blown, we can summon her actual guard to watch over her so that your people can enjoy the party. I'll go speak with her and I feel utterly confident that she will make certain that everyone enjoys their last drink. After, of course, you give me the payment depository information and total that I need to pay to settle our debt in full."

When he provides that information, she will initiate a payment to cover the full amount plus ten percent for the trouble that they've caused. Then she'll head over to speak with Ciencia.

Ciencia will head right for Colonels Skeet and Cross with the two female Guards at her back. "Allow me to personally apologize again for the disruption. It was inexcusable, but I beg forgiveness anyway. How can I make it up to you?"

Skeet replies instantly "If it's alright with your husband I'd like a dance with the future Empress!" He then adds "We might then need to run through some hypotheticals regarding an Imperial pardon...".

Ciencia raised an eyebrow and smiled slyly. "A pardon? For what you might do during our dance? Well, now I'm looking forward to it."

At Aster's insistence Skeet relents and produces a credit wand through which Aster can pay funds into 4DC's brokerage account. As she completes her transactions he makes a few comm calls one of which begins "Commissioner, Skeet 4DC, sorry to bother you so late but I've just tripped over another case of that Vargr brandy you like..."

When Aster has completed her transactions he gives a rogueish smile and says "Balance? Oh, I experience it every time I teeter on the edge of mercenary morality. As to a different gift I have a temporary licence to put on a display of 4DC merchandise. One of my combat landers is inbound from the south - I'm leaving you the northern approach. I'm sure those used to high Imperial weapons tech are going to be hard to impress but how we employ certain systems might be of interest. You said you and the Princess were less militarily inclined but I think I've got something you'd like to try. Ah, here's my people now".

A matt black sixty ton craft bristling with weapon mounts settles into a momentary hover then dusts off leaving a security detachment of armoured mercs and a group of Techs who set up a tables of weapons, a range and prep target towing drones.

Skeet says "The guys have the short range targets set up so while they finish off here's one example of our innovation". The twins step out onto the terrace now in matt black bodyhugging tactical suits with HUD and tactical vests. Styx shoulders a carbine while Lethe links those braced against the high atmospheric chill of the terrace into a comm loop "We'll begin with two short range, soft option 4DC systems. First the Instel Arms M19E rechambered for caseless multirole ammunition and integrally suppressed. Concealable and with the discarding sabot anagun tech rounds actually capable against hard armour with its boosted penetration hypo rounds. Up a caliber to standard snub our Utility Rifle gives options for bailed out crew including dragon fire and wire throwing grapnel rounds - because at 4DC we don't just always throw money at a problem". Producing three palmed 100Cr chips between her fingers Styx hurls them downrange as her sister raises a ballistic shield to protect them both. The chips explode in conventional blast, the distinctive horizontal burst of TDX and green smoke while Lethe intones "Available in "hot" smoke, black out gas, KO gas and Hallucinogen - the canine variety. Makes you think you're a dog - ask the Colonel". Skeet shrugs and offers "It's just funny". He points at one of the armoured mercs and says "One target in your own time". As the trooper consistently melts micro holes in the scrap armour on a gel torso downrange Skeet states "The Imperial Standard laser rifles are specialist weapons of the space arm but are less favoured in the ground role due to lack of an autofire capacity". Without changing his posture the trooper's laser now fires a multiple "autofire" burst - the target immolates. "The "Gatling" Laser Rifle - 4DC standard longarm. In the right hands it's capable of killing an entire battledress armoured squad from outside the effective range of fusion weapons".

"Very impressive," Aster said.

Ciencia nods her agreement. "Our resident scientist has something of a reputation for making dangerous things. Dangerous to the others when they are meant to be dangerous to them, I should say. He would be fascinated."

Then Skeet claps his hands "Ladies and gents by all means help yourselves to a try out with any weapon - my people will help and advise you. However, I propose a range day at the Bartizan tomorrow" he winks at Frank "where Colonel Cross runs the local air traffic control but we have a closing five minute window here and I have to make good on a promise. Crown Princess, Lady Aster the twins will help you into grav lift harnesses for some "plinking" to finish off". While the ladies are strapped into the bulky harnesses (apparently "lifting" backpack sized hard round "hoppers") and fitted with HUD visors Skeet continues "We are not a conventional infantry force and sometimes we need to deliver momentary overwhelming firepower on the battlefield. Ladies the drones will carousel man sized targets towards you. Please keep to the fire lane. These weapons are fitted with an artificial safety "horizon" for this shoot". As the target drones begin their approach the twins and attendant Techs heft the rotary barrels onto the electric actions of the weapons and illuminate vislight and laser targetters. As soon as they are engaged the barrels begin to spool up to firing speed as the HUD targetting system kicks in while the grav lift device makes the whole weapon system near weightless. Skeet raises his voice over the whine of the rotating barrels "ManPAC: Man Portable Assault Cannon - for when apology is redundant. Ladies, you are weapons free!"

Good thing there are safeties built in. Hopefully Aster doesn't blow up anything too expensive.

[helvorn]

William will stand and watch Ciencia as she speaks. He has a smile on his face and nods occasionally. When the Imperial Guard arrive he nods to them and turns to the Zhodani guards. He sheaths his knife and bows his head slightly "I would like to leave tonight in peace with the memory of honorable companions. My wife may not find it in her heart to take up the offer of dueling practice but perhaps saber against cutlass might be acceptable to you gentlemen. I offer that simply as an Imperial Marine."

Kiriaklabatl replies simply "We will stand ready to match blades with you".

His offer seems genuine even if his phrasing could be interpreted in more than one way.

William nods in response. "Likewise."

As things loosen up William nods to Colonel Skeet. "I'm not a jealous man but I will not be responsible for any damage she inflicts on the dance floor." He glanced at the weapons set up. "Or that she destroys with that weaponry."

[terrymixon]

William will stand and watch Ciencia as she speaks. He has a smile on his face and nods occasionally. When the Imperial Guard arrive he nods to them and turns to the Zhodani guards. He sheaths his knife and bows his head slightly "I would like to leave tonight in peace with the memory of honorable companions. My wife may not find it in her heart to take up the offer of dueling practice but perhaps saber against cutlass might be acceptable to you gentlemen. I offer that simply as an Imperial Marine."

Kiriaklabatl replies simply "We will stand ready to match blades with you".

His offer seems genuine even if his phrasing could be interpreted in more than one way.

William nods in response. "Likewise."

As things loosen up William nods to Colonel Skeet. "I'm not a jealous man but I will not be responsible for any damage she inflicts on the dance floor." He glanced at the weapons set up. "Or that she destroys with that weaponry."

She sniffs. “Dancing I can do. Shooting? Perhaps you aren’t wrong on that front.” The last is accompanied by a grin.

[helvorn]

As things loosen up William nods to Colonel Skeet. "I'm not a jealous man but I will not be responsible for any damage she inflicts on the dance floor." He glanced at the weapons set up. "Or that she destroys with that weaponry."

She sniffs. “Dancing I can do. Shooting? Perhaps you aren’t wrong on that front.” The last is accompanied by a grin.

William gives her a pat to the derrière. "Knock them out of the sky!"

[terrymixon]

As things loosen up William nods to Colonel Skeet. "I'm not a jealous man but I will not be responsible for any damage she inflicts on the dance floor." He glanced at the weapons set up. "Or that she destroys with that weaponry."

She sniffs. “Dancing I can do. Shooting? Perhaps you aren’t wrong on that front.” The last is accompanied by a grin.

William gives her a pat to the derrière. "Knock them out of the sky!"

Sadly, that looks unlikely.

[terrymixon]

I created a new thread that can be used by Tiglath when he decides it’s time to move on to the morning. No need to rush to it before then. Just being proactive.

viewtopic.php?t=14257

[Tiglath]

William will stand and watch Ciencia as she speaks. He has a smile on his face and nods occasionally. When the Imperial Guard arrive he nods to them and turns to the Zhodani guards. He sheaths his knife and bows his head slightly "I would like to leave tonight in peace with the memory of honorable companions. My wife may not find it in her heart to take up the offer of dueling practice but perhaps saber against cutlass might be acceptable to you gentlemen. I offer that simply as an Imperial Marine."

Kiriaklabatl replies simply "We will stand ready to match blades with you".

His offer seems genuine even if his phrasing could be interpreted in more than one way.

William nods in response. "Likewise."

As things loosen up William nods to Colonel Skeet. "I'm not a jealous man but I will not be responsible for any damage she inflicts on the dance floor." He glanced at the weapons set up. "Or that she destroys with that weaponry."

Skeet replies "Jealous or not I'd say you're a very lucky man. Don't worry - I'll bring her back safe and sound. Funnily enough messing about with potential client's wives is another thing on the long list of things we now don't do". He grins "I should I know - I wrote the list!"

[Tiglath]

I created a new thread that can be used by Tiglath when he decides it’s time to move on to the morning. No need to rush to it before then. Just being proactive.

viewtopic.php?t=14257

Thanks

[Tiglath]

All

Both Aster and Ciencia score hits* Aster hosing two targets (and a towing drone) while Ciencia downs four targets. The weapons techs, assisted by Styx and Lethe in "executive hostess" mode, help them out of the grav lift harnesses and attend to anyone else with any needs or queries.

Garvin rejoins Aster with a smile "Cathartic enough? Now I know what to get you for your birthday".

Skeet has his dance with Ciencia which he enjoys no end (possibly as a form of "rogueish achievement"). While their moves are stylish the background activity is not as merc officers and senior NCOs of all units drink as much high end hooch as is physically possible (in some cases exceeding this boundary). It would be difficult to imagine both more elite and more drunk soldiery in one confined space outside the Imperium.

Some folk remember that they can eat at the restaurant while some remain at the bar others launch an entirely disadvantaged expedition to the nearby UpSpire Condottiere Club as the evening winds down.

Maybe room for one of two more posts here but I'll transition to the Bartizan business meeting and range day shortly.

(OOC: * The autofire bonus of +8 To Hit helps here... ).