Collace Homecoming

[shaidar]

Frank

With the area secured and the wounded being treated Frank suggests they should speak to those in the cutter to see if that reveals more information.

[Tiglath]

All

On the Flight Deck the bodies and weapons are policed up.

The QSM notes a healthy supply of integrally suppressed new model AK 05 ACRs with DS ammo, some eight with underslung grenade launchers and a number of LAW together with numerous breaching charges for hatches/iris valves. The mid tech combat armour (without leg protection) is (on a swift assessment) so torn up that it's at best good for spares / will need refurbishment. However, it's all on the good side of the ledger!

After an unfortunate "moment" with a "mostly dead" Para and a live grenade the SEMC are suitably cautious. "Double taps" ring out as those less obviously dead bodies are checked "ballistically" rather than more humanely but this is surely a case where "Big Boys Rules" applies. This means that the odds of now finding a Para alive to take prisoner becomes vanishingly small. Any medically trained observer would allow that the odds are even stacked against medical intervention. Although their armour initially did it's job these men have literally been "shot to pieces" (less those immolated by lasers) and so finding exactly which wound of many is the actual cause of exsanguination/soon to be fatal system shock would become either a lottery or at best informed guesswork.

Covered by the Bartizan's missile battery on approach and on finals by any number of infantry AT weapons the Cutter is brought in. As per a few seconds of comm feed from the cutter's bridge the Zhodani is now piloting the craft. Apparently coincident with a glance from the Zhodani's helmeted head the comm's visual feed cuts out.

However, for those who have been either "brushing up in the field" over dinner or for those who had smugly done their "homework" in good time for the social occasion even the few seconds of comm feed available reveal a few details regarding the "replacement" cutter pilot. This officer wears the characteristic full face helmet and black armour of the Consular Guard. Those expert enough recognise the gold patterned waist sash as a senior/superior pattern to those worn by the other Guards officers encountered at dinner and the “achievement bars” blazed on the helmet's temples surely rate a most accomplished officer holding senior field command rank. The collective smart money goes on a Guards Colonel of the Consular Guard Commando.

Ably handled the cutter executes a professional landing and taxis onto the central craft lift that was so recently the SEMC's fighting position. On visual inspection this is quite obviously an unarmed SuSAG vessel with corporate tags and craft ID but with a sky grey/blue based digital camo pattern rather than full corporate livery. The crew airlock iris valve pops and a body is ejected to crumple on the elevator's platform. It would appear to be a flight crewman who is KIA due to a small caliber headshot. A terrified howl follows and another flight crewman with his hands secured before him with zip ties scrambles out of the air lock to sprawl at the feet of the assembled SEMC "reception committee". He screams "I'll tell you it all! I'm on Mister Keening's staff. The Avastan Airborne troops jumped in on the Four Nine - shuttle run from Avastan. They deployed direct from the freighter and my job was to drop 'em in here. We were waved off so they just jumped out over the runway!" He grins up at you all maniacally "I was offered a nice stock option and a bonus promotion if your commanders and their partners were all assassinated - so of course I took the job!" Stunned he then asks "Oooerr, did I say say that last bit out loud? Please, I bet I can tell you more but I just don't know what you want to knowwww!" He wails "Please... just... don't let... the demon have meeee!" Using his bound hands in concert he crawls forward attempting to find protection behind the legs of the SEMC officer cadre.

The source of his abject terror appears to be the black armoured figure barely visible within the lightless interior of the cutter. The figure raises the cowl of its black cloak and, now seemingly wrapped in darkness itself, takes a step back into the cutter's dark interior and becomes "invisible". This is quite ridiculous as no one can just "disappear" as if they were never there but immediate engagement of Thermal Imaging/Image Enhancement and then a physical search of the tiny "bridge" of the craft and then its, now very empty, passenger bay apparently proves otherwise...

[joertexas]

All

The source of his abject terror appears to be the black armoured figure barely visible within the lightless interior of the cutter. The figure raises the cowl of its black cloak and, now seemingly wrapped in darkness itself, takes a step back into the cutter's dark interior and becomes "invisible". This is quite ridiculous as no one can just "disappear" as if they were never there but immediate engagement of Thermal Imaging/Image Enhancement and then a physical search of the tiny "bridge" of the craft and then its, now very empty, passenger bay apparently proves otherwise...

Prerna stands security watch over the festivities with her heavy gauss rifle in hand, and her team on overwatch.

[shaidar]

Frank

At the mention of Keening, Franks face goes as black as thunder "Keening! I should have expecting nothing less from that SuSAG..." he gains control of himself and takes a deep breath ...snake." he looks at the pilot his hand on his blade "Think very carefully, your future safety depends on your honesty. You are absolutely sure this was a direct order from Keening and not any other director? Did you overhear the troops mention any other plans or anything else about Keening or Avastan?"

[Tiglath]

At the mention of Keening, Franks face goes as black as thunder "Keening! I should have expecting nothing less from that SuSAG..." he gains control of himself and takes a deep breath ...snake." he looks at the pilot his hand on his blade "Think very carefully, your future safety depends on your honesty. You are absolutely sure this was a direct order from Keening and not any other director? Did you overhear the troops mention any other plans or anything else about Keening or Avastan?"

The pilot replies "We were on Mister Keening's orders alright. We're on his personal staff. He's used me and Coll before for "special jobs" like this. People who needed to disappear - murders and kidnaps, people who needed to leave planet in a hurry - all done quickly and quietly. We like the work an' we're efficient - you see?" He glances over at the dead co-pilot but seems mostly unmoved by his comrade's fate. He adds "On the route in the Paras were shown a final briefing made by some specialists from Corporate HR. Instructions were that it was to be data scrubbed after viewing but the data chip it came on would still be aboard the cutter!" Then the pilot's manner becomes less fearful and he suddenly asks "What did I just tell you?!? I don't think I should have done that! I want someone from SuSAG Legal here before I say anything else!"

[shaidar]

Frank

"You won't be saying much then, for quite a while. Take him away and secure him. Search him before he's locked up and I want a guard on him 24/7. Food and water, but nothing fancy."

He turns to the others "Let's get inside, we need to talk." he looks at Skeet and Tourmaline "As our allies there should be at least one representative of 4DC in the meeting. I'll have Voss contact The Shore and see if they have someone they can send over."

[Tiglath]

Frank

Polly contacts Frank and says "The Zhodani Ambassador sends his compliments and suggests that in light of recent events you and your officers may wish to attend a high level de-brief aboard the Magician's Gambit. He extends his gracious hospitality and also points out that given the current situation it is the most secure location".

Whilst processing the above Frank can't help but notice that on the visual comm link he sees that Polly is accompanied by the slim form of Sazanami who is apparently carrying a picnic basket/beer cooler...

Skeet volunteers "I represent the interests of both 4DC and The Shore"

The cutter pilot is lead away under close guard.

[dongriffiths]

Klaus picks himself up and moves to join the rest of the unit.

Can somebody fill me in on what's going on?

I signed up for a merc unit, I thought that would be going out on various assignments. Not having the bad guys over for drinks and carnage.

[joertexas]

Klaus picks himself up and moves to join the rest of the unit.

Can somebody fill me in on what's going on?

I signed up for a merc unit, I thought that would be going out on various assignments. Not having the bad guys over for drinks and carnage.

Prerna looks in his direction, her "stone face" armored faceplate still closed. "It seems we've annoyed some very powerful people. SuSAG, to be specific. It comes with the territory here in the District." The sniper shrugs in her CES. "We will return the favor at our earliest opportunity."

[shaidar]

Frank

"Well lieutenant...Arnholdt, this is an unusual day for everyone. Why don't you join us for the debrief. Voss, if Captain Goshal is up to it, please have him join us for the debrief as well."

Basically all PCs at the debrief

[BackworldTraveller]

Freya settles her team on drone-watch (all now fully kitted) and heads for the briefing.

[gurusql]

Kit

Kit will head to the meeting.

[The Bindoner]

Jess hands over the cataloguing of recovered equipment and expended munitions to Charlie and joins the others for the debrief.

[Tiglath]

All

The SEMC Command Cadre is welcomed aboard the Magician's Gambit by the Ambassador himself. Leading the way into an area which, although well furnished and appointed, is still clearly a bay on a military vessel. The Ambassador states “Please, as my guests, avail yourselves of the hospitality and comforts of my ship and the small food available. However, there is nothing I can hear of the content of your meeting that will not compromise my diplomatic position and so I will therefore leave you with my military counterpart - the Noble Colonel Tliablzhdilatl of the Consular Guard. And so, my guests, eat well, take your ease and... please be ready to listen”.

The Ambassador leaves and after a small delay what must be by some folk's arithmetic (and/or direct observation) the “missing” senior Zhodani Guards Officer enters escorted by a pair of Zhodani warbots, and one very agile sportsball sized recon/surveillance 'bot. The warbots take post facing the audience.

This officer wears the characteristic full face helmet and black parade armour of a full Colonel of Guards Commando of the Consular Guard. The officer speaks through a translator/voder “This meeting is perhaps overdue but is now precipitated by current events. Indeed, Morality's Path dictates that I advise you of the clear and present danger in which you now stand... because armed with that knowledge I well know and trust your ability to evade and confound it”.

The Zhodani Guards Colonel then removes her helmet and a stern faced Erica East smiles briefly at the company's chagrin and says “If you'll allow me the time I shall begin to explain how some people might imagine you are deeply involved in operations against some of the most covert and thoroughly unpleasant activities of the Imperial Megacorporation known as Schunamann und Sohn AG, LIC or more colloquially as SuSAG... but some of you may have other questions or issues you feel you would like to address first”.

OOC: A note on purple. "Erica's" tone, intonation, vowel sounds and meter of language are now as per "Imperial spoken by a Zhodani".

(OOC: Informed “Military Knowledge” and/or background skills/SEMC knowledge thus far: a percentage of the quality Zho military is both Imp Standard tech (TL 14) but also stacked with “Witchcraft” among their officer cadre. These units are designated as Consular Guard units and are hypothetically therefore very much more than a “handful” on the battlefield.

Adding up the titular military cumulatives here might imply a further, elite military tier above that...

Whereby they are all Witches...

And...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b8OiG4mSU0
Yes, she has Vilani skin tone and stacks up at about 5'09"

Erica: viewtopic.php?p=518549#p518549
and again via our resident artist joertexas viewtopic.php?p=518583#p518583).

[Tiglath]

Can somebody fill me in on what's going on?

I signed up for a merc unit, I thought that would be going out on various assignments. Not having the bad guys over for drinks and carnage.

I can but only commiserate with Klaus' situation!

Alas, he has just walked slap bang into about three years' worth of campaign payoff!

[joertexas]

All

The Ambassador leaves and after a small delay what must be by some folk's arithmetic (and/or direct observation) the “missing” senior Zhodani Guards Officer enters escorted by a pair of Zhodani warbots, and one very agile sportsball sized recon/surveillance 'bot. The warbots take post facing the audience.

This officer wears the characteristic full face helmet and black parade armour of a full Colonel of Guards Commando of the Consular Guard. The officer speaks through a translator/voder “This meeting is perhaps overdue but is now precipitated by current events. Indeed, Morality's Path dictates that I advise you of the clear and present danger in which you now stand... because armed with that knowledge I well know and trust your ability to evade and confound it”.

The Zhodani Guards Colonel then removes her helmet and a stern faced Erica East smiles briefly at the company's chagrin and says “If you'll allow me the time I shall begin to explain how some people might imagine you are deeply involved in operations against some of the most covert and thoroughly unpleasant activities of the Imperial Megacorporation known as Schunamann und Sohn AG, LIC or more colloquially as SuSAG... but some of you may have other questions or issues you feel you would like to address first”.

When the officer enters, Prerna shoots to her feet, and drops her helmet on the table with a clatter. She strides directly up to Erica with tears streaming down her deathly pale face. "How could you do this without telling me first? I am your WIFE, damn it all!" The petite Sword Worlder stands a handspan from her spouse's armored chest, looking up at her as her complexion changes hue to nearly match her flaming red hair.

[Tiglath]

Erica tenderly raises both her hands to frame Prerna's face and looks into her eyes. As she does so the ring she always wears illuminates with a soft gentle light answered by a like radiance from a pendant about the Sword Worlder's neck. It would appear that for the moment Prerna occupies the entirety of her attention and emotion.

[joertexas]

Erica tenderly raises both her hands to frame Prerna's face and looks into her eyes. As she does so the ring she always wears illuminates with a soft gentle light answered by a like radiance from a pendant about the Sword Worlder's neck. It would appear that for the moment Prerna occupies the entirety of her attention and emotion.

Prerna reaches up to mirror Erica's pose. They stand motionless for ten seconds, then twenty, and then thirty...

[dongriffiths]

Klaus tenses as he realises the potential seriousness of this situation hits him.

He scans the area quickly looking for a non-existent way out while reassuring himself that his knives are ready for immediate use

Recon

[shaidar]

Frank clears his throat

"Well, colonel East while I had my suspicions that you were working with something bigger, I never suspected the Zhodani... Although with hindsight it seems rather obvious now."