Collace Homecoming

[shaidar]

Frank swirls the ice around in his whiskey and replies, keeping his voice low

"With all these common factors popping up on the last few missions, I have wondered that there might be some higher plan in action, someone behind the curtain pulling the levers. Maybe, tonight, we are seeing the puppet master. I take your point about the guards..." he downs his drink in one and gestures to the room "This all seems a little much for a few medals, I'm still suspecting something else to end the night...or perhaps we have been useful so far and this is some kind of...closer examination...for what comes next. It will surely make a number of people on Collace suspicious that we have such visitors. It certainly is a grand gesture, I'm just not sure of the reason. I will continue to asses any future jobs on their immediate merit, but I'll be certainly considering any wider implications. I'm pro-independent 268, Liv, that's not the same as being an Outworld sympathiser. However, with the Imperium pushing it's agenda in the sector, sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference and it means having some interesting bed-fellows."

[Tiglath]

Jess and Klaus

Klaus manoeuvres round the edge of the gathering, watching and listening intently while trying to avoid being drawn into conversations.

Jess (because her private comm "pings") and Klaus because he's not "hob nobbing" note the following.

The personnel (rather than materiel/orbital craft) elevator descends from the Bartizan flight deck above.

The elevator carries Sgt Gaughan who, once at ground level (and therefore beyond universal view of the dinner party), delivers a brutal combination of blows to the restrained captive in his custody.

Klaus and Jess (open private comm) hear "Big boys rules, you fekker, don't you try me" Gaughan's captive spits blood and painfully replies "Ты бьешься, как девушка. Я посланник, я разговариваю только с капитаном Братвы Джессикой Хенкер или умираю".

Gaughan seeing Klaus gives him an appraising look and then says "Me an' the lads got a wild sense you were a man o' yer word". He unslings a "spare" Imperial issue ACR from his shoulder and throws it over to Klaus "You're the nearest help. Stand to Sergeant - seems there's work to be done!"

[The Bindoner]

#163 Post by The Bindoner » Sat Feb 18, 2023 1:49 am
Jess, who has been enjoying exchanging guarded anecdotes with "her Joe", apologises and accepts the incoming message (via commdot).

From the audio she recognises the language, her own name, and a couple of words - enough to realise she's "needed".

Excusing herself ('pologies, there's a message needs answerin' immediate), she leaves the table.

Over the comm to Sgt Gaughan: Right, you've got me attention, Sarn’t. What's important enough to spoil a Regimental for me for? Feller’s askin’for me, is he? Well, I’m on me way. Anythin’ else I need to know?

She quick-marches past the bar (Bottle'v Vodka lads, best you've got, an' a couple'v glasses.) to the lift, where she descends to join the party.

If there is a genuine threat she'll a: alert her off-duty troops, b: notify Frank, c: arm herself. if, as seems likely, this is an isolated event, she'll try to keep everything "on the QT"



Edited

[dongriffiths]

Klaus double takes the scene as he catches the rifle tossed towards him.

What the hell is going on Sargeant?

Get him out of sight, quickly.

He then quickly checks around him to see if anyone has noticed the disturbance as he strides casually to the elevator.

Who is this? What has he been up to?

Klaus holds the rifle loosely in his left hand as a combat knife appears in his right.

[Tiglath]

Jess and Klaus

Over the comm to Sgt Gaughan: Right, you've got me attention, Sarn’t. What's important enough to spoil a Regimental for me for? Feller’s askin’for me, is he? Well, I’m on me way. Anythin’ else I need to know?

She quick-marches past the bar (Bottle'v Vodka lads, best you've got, an' a couple'v glasses.) to the lift, where she descends to join the party.

"Would you like a tray, Ma'am?" As Charlie hands Jess a top shelf bottle and two small glasses he reaches beneath of the bar and pulls out a metal tray with a standard SEMC issue 9mm autopistol gaffer taped beneath it. "Safed and loaded, Ma'am".

With mock indignance Gaughan replies over the comm "An' sure you said you didn't like posh dinners!" Then he cuts to the chase "Yer man here jumped out the undercarriage of an orbital shuttle an' then ran about the place like a wild man tryin' to get below. On bein' detained the fekker then tried to slice the face off the most handsome Sergeant on the base". Gaughan cuffs the prisoner soundly about the ear "Didn't ye? Ye little bollox! Hold him here".

He gives his bound prisoner into Klaus' temporary custody and hands Klaus a tactical comm earpiece [OOC: So Klaus hears the below].

To Jess a momentarily delay seems to indicate Gaughan separating himself from his prisoner. He then adds "The bastard's resistant to field interrogation. He's got ink and he's speaking your name in "Avastan Russ" although I'm pretty sure he understands Galanglic. Be careful, Ma'am".

[dongriffiths]

Whispering to the prisoner

You have about 5 seconds to decide to be sensible, because once she gets here if you're not this could get very unpleasant.This gear is new issue I really don't want it getting messed up on the first outing.

[The Bindoner]

"Would you like a tray, Ma'am?" As Charlie hands Jess a top shelf bottle and two small glasses he reaches beneath of the bar and pulls out a metal tray with a standard SEMC issue 9mm autopistol gaffer taped beneath it. "Safed and loaded, Ma'am".

Jess grins, and accepts the tray: Very thoughtful. You’re a natural at this.

With mock indignance Gaughan replies over the comm "An' sure you said you didn't like posh dinners!" Then he cuts to the chase "Yer man here jumped out the undercarriage of an orbital shuttle an' then ran about the place like a wild man tryin' to get below. On bein' detained the fekker then tried to slice the face off the most handsome Sergeant on the base". Gaughan cuffs the prisoner soundly about the ear "Didn't ye? Ye little bollox! Hold him here".

I like the dinners, it's the posh bit I can do without.

To Jess a momentarily delay seems to indicate Gaughan separating himself from his prisoner. He then adds "The bastard's resistant to field interrogation. He's got ink and he's speaking your name in "Avastan Russ" although I'm pretty sure he understands Galanglic. Be careful, Ma'am".

I bet he is. I'm guessin' your man's a sort'v Don-R from a business associate, so try not to break 'im, eh?

Tell ‘im I’m on me way. Should calm things down.


When she arrives, Jess is carrying the tray, with bottle and glasses, on her crooked left forearm (hiding the taped pistol).

Alright, Mush, I’m here.

She pours two shots with her right hand and offers one to the prisoner:

You’ve gatecrashed the party. Might as well ‘ave a drink.

Zav Stretch-o!* -She throws back her own glass: Welcome to the Bartizan.

The jolt of vodka is welcome. Jess has been abstemious so far, nursing her drinks to keep a clear head. She refills the glasses, but before a return toast can be offered, she adopts her RSM persona:Right. Now, who are yer, yer troublesome little scrote, an’ whatcha want? You've taken me out've an important meetin' with some frellin' dangerous people, so your timin's crap, top'v everythin' else. You'd better have a frellin' good reason for all this.


* Za vstrechu! / За встречу!



EDITED

[Tiglath]

Klaus

You have about 5 seconds to decide to be sensible, because once she gets here if you're not this could get very unpleasant.This gear is new issue I really don't want it getting messed up on the first outing.

The prisoner doesn't reply but remains edgey. When informed that the QSM is on way he settles down into what Klaus reads as "resignment" rather than "relaxation".

[Tiglath]

Jess

When she arrives, Jess is carrying the tray, with bottle and glasses, on her crooked left forearm (hiding the taped pistol).

Alright, Mush, I’m here.

She pours two shots with her right hand and offers one to the prisoner:
You’ve gatecrashed the party. Might as well ‘ave a drink.

Zav Stretch-o!* -She throws back her own glass: Welcome to the Bartizan.

The jolt of vodka is welcome. Jess has been abstemious so far, nursing her drinks to keep a clear head. She refills the glasses, but before a return toast can be offered, she adopts her RSM persona:Right. Now, who are yer, yer troublesome little scrote, an’ whatcha want? You've taken me out've an important meetin' with some frellin' dangerous people, so your timin's crap, top'v everythin' else. You'd better have a frellin' good reason for all this.

Jess notes that the grubby stowaway seems relieved to have identified her. He has obviously undergone extreme depravation to to arrive at the Bartizan. Gaughan unbinds his arms and he addresses Jess in Galanglic “I thank your starshy serzhant. In truth he hits like a locomotive... the knife was a mistake... yet he chose not to kill me... Although it is meaningless I am grateful - for whatever that is worth...”.

Refocussing he adds with dawning realisation “None of the others made it then...”.

He takes the offered drink returning the toast “За хозяйку этого дома!” * He then gasps and shudders as the vodka hits a no doubt empty stomach before switching back into Galanglic “Avtoritet Jessica Henker, Sergei Timofeyev sends his regards and professional courtesy. He sends me, one of his “sixes”, with his message".

The man then recites:
“Three brigades of brodyaga have been sent against your leaders
while here at home the alphas gather
guided by the dead man's hand
kill this useless soul or take him on as a six”.

He adds "His validation: when you met him you first addressed the oldest man in the room" and then "Thank you for the drink. I am ready to live or die, Avtoritet”.

(OOC: * To the Hostess or did he literally mean the Mistress of this House?

EDIT: minor fiddles - no effective changes)

[The Bindoner]

Frell.

To Klaus and Gaughan:

Man’s what he says he is. Sergei sent ‘im alright.

Jess taps her comdot, switching to HQ channel:

General alert. There’s a credible threat of a decapitation strike. I know we’re on high security for our guests, but try to double it, eh? This is aimed at us.

On a direct comm to Frank: Bad news, sir. Trouble’s on its way. I’ll brief you in a minute, but gist is, assassins incoming. Good thing, I’m guessing gangsters, not snipers or ninjas.


Pouring two more shots, offering another to the “six”:
So, one way trip then? Well, I got no reason to kill yer, you done me a favour. Seein’ as you’re a jammy sod, an’ resourceful too, I’m minded to take you on. At least until we’ve fed you up, an’ this flap’s over.



Sarn’t Gaughan, we’ve got visitors comin’. The people we’ve just been warned of, and maybe some more messengers. Best get your lads on the alert.

* Aside to “Six” : None of the others made it yet. *

Klaus, I bet Frank will want to talk to this guy, but I’m not takin’ ‘im into the party. D’yer mind lookin’ after ‘im for a moment?

To "Six": Wait here, I’ll get yer somethin’ to eat. What’s yer name, by-the-way?

Jess strides back to into the hangar to find Frank, take him aside and tell him what she has just heard. Catching the eye of one of the “stewards” she tells them to take a plate of food to the hungry man.

[joertexas]

Jess taps her comdot, switching to HQ channel:

General alert. There’s a credible threat of a decapitation strike. I know we’re on high security for our guests, but try to double it, eh? This is aimed at us.

Prerna keys her team channel. Recon Team, meet me at the roof entrance in full gear. This is not a drill." She looks to her guests. "We have a potential threat situation. Please excuse me." With that, she exits the room and runs for her quarters to armor up.

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya

On receiving the warning, Freya will contact her team and get those of them off-watch to get to the sensor room.

Freddy - you get to stand guard. Dylan - Call your local gang contacts and see if anyone knows anything. Doughal - Deploy two of our drones: Looking for snipers, spotters and possible external entry. Florence - Monitor the radio spectrum in case whoever they are are not radio silent.

Meanwhile, she will, herself, make her way to the armoury and kit herself out. On the way, she'll deploy her grav-drone to about 1000m above the Bartizan and 1000m out to keep watch for people accessing the Bartizan from outside. (She'll call it back when the copter-drone replaces it.) She'll also take a quick look at the local computer nets looking for signs of any intrusion software, and report any initial findings.

Computer Roll (Skill + INT): [2d6+3]=7+3=10

After that, she'll leave her agent software doing the same job and sending her "I'm alive' messages (including rolling authentication code) once every 10 seconds.

Computer Agent Roll [2d6+1]=9+1=10

[dongriffiths]

Ah, that changes things!

Klaus quickly looks for the most secure position in the immediate area.

You get in there and keep your head down. I'll pass you the food when it arrives.

Resheathing his knife he quickly checks the rifle and takes a guard position offering the best visibility of the area while still being as discrete as possible.

Watching for any threats Klaus ensures he's listening on the main comm frequency.

[shaidar]

Frank

Switches to the HQ channel "Ladies and gentlemen, let's go full stealth alert. Nothing visible to the outside world I don't want to tip them off that we are aware."

He heads over to the ambassador "Your excellency. I apologise but a security alert has been brought to my attention. There is no immediate danger, and I believe the target is in fact the SEMC rather than yourself, but you should return to your ship for your own safety."

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya

Doughal, Belay the drone deployments - But hold them ready for the second something starts.

Florence, You get to be our ears.

Freddy, Shout when you are in position.

[Tiglath]

Just Desserts?

Round Zero (???)

Events may or may not be about to take a turn...

By all means have at it with gusto - but try to limit yourselves to about one round (minute's) worth of actions. e.g. pouring coffee / enjoying a "waffer thin" mint...

Just to avoid being... ahem... overtaken by events...

Not that anything could possibly go awry...

[Tiglath]

Just Desserts?

Jess [and see Klaus below]

Round Zero (?)

Sarn’t Gaughan, we’ve got visitors comin’. The people we’ve just been warned of, and maybe some more messengers. Best get your lads on the alert.

"Yes, ma'am" Gaughan gives Jess a slow smile and keys his comm and says "Stand to - some more".

Pouring two more shots, offering another to the “six”:
So, one way trip then? Well, I got no reason to kill yer, you done me a favour. Seein’ as you’re a jammy sod, an’ resourceful too, I’m minded to take you on. At least until we’ve fed you up, an’ this flap’s over.

To "Six": Wait here, I’ll get yer somethin’ to eat. What’s yer name, by-the-way?

Jess strides back to into the hangar to find Frank, take him aside and tell him what she has just heard. Catching the eye of one of the “stewards” she tells them to take a plate of food to the hungry man.

The relieved and exhausted man sinks his vodka in one - the first glass seems to have had some restorative effect. He replies "I am your man. I am Konstantin Bagrov. “Kostya” if you like but I am known as The Tartar, Avtoritet".

[Tiglath]

Just Desserts?

Prerna

Round Zero (?)

Prerna keys her team channel. Recon Team, meet me at the roof entrance in full gear. This is not a drill." She looks to her guests. "We have a potential threat situation. Please excuse me." With that, she exits the room and runs for her quarters to armor up.

As Prerna hurries away she is immediately followed by Roland who (wearing his oversize server's waistcoat and bow tie) has been pouring coffee and offering mints. Roland drops his coffee pot and delicate tray as panels on his massive left shoulder retract and a weapon system deploys. It rotates its barrels a couple of positions and then stops. His (smaller left) arm still retains the napkin draped neatly over it.

(OOC: Roland is Erica East's imposing (massive shouldered and four armed) Dove Gable “Super Guard” robot companion... valet... ?)

[joertexas]

Just Desserts?

Prerna

Round Zero (?)

Prerna keys her team channel. Recon Team, meet me at the roof entrance in full gear. This is not a drill." She looks to her guests. "We have a potential threat situation. Please excuse me." With that, she exits the room and runs for her quarters to armor up.

As Prerna hurries away she is immediately followed by Roland who (wearing his oversize server's waistcoat and bow tie) has been pouring coffee and offering mints. Roland drops his coffee pot and delicate tray as panels on his massive left shoulder retract and a weapon system deploys. It rotates its barrels a couple of positions and then stops. His (smaller left) arm still retains the napkin draped neatly over it.

(OOC: Roland is Erica East's imposing (massive shouldered and four armed) Dove Gable “Super Guard” robot companion... valet... ?)

Prerna makes her way - carefully - to her quarters, and she draws her concealed pistol along the way. She ensures that she doesn't leave the warbot behind any doors or lifts.

[Tiglath]

Just Desserts?

Klaus (and possibly Jess at a short distance)

Round Zero (?)

Klaus quickly looks for the most secure position in the immediate area.

You get in there and keep your head down. I'll pass you the food when it arrives.

Resheathing his knife he quickly checks the rifle and takes a guard position offering the best visibility of the area while still being as discrete as possible.

Watching for any threats Klaus ensures he's listening on the main comm frequency.

Klaus watches Jess feed the "FNG with personal admin issues" more vodka and then orders some food for him while they speak further.

Meanwhile Sgt Gaughan takes the open lift platform back up towards the flight deck above while Klaus determines that the best tactical position he has is likely where he is at the foot of the open plan lift/stairs.

As Jess is leaving to speak to Frank the server arrives with a tray of cold cuts and buns for the vagrant QSM's new pet.

After a moment of mutual surprise it seems like the waiter and the stowaway recognize each other.

The server exclaims "Блять, это ты, татарин?"

The space tramp replies "да я не умер!"

The server replies "Cука стукач!" and begins to reach for his waistband.

Despite the language barrier Klaus can determine that they are obviously dear old pals (not!!!) From his sitting position the vagrant (with only minimal telegraphing) now tips his waiter - by punching him right in the crotch. The man collapses fighting back and still trying to draw something as the vodka powered tramp now attempts to decapitate him - using the dinner tray.