The Time and The Place

[The Bindoner]

Áshildr appears beside Raven:

If we want the war-band ready for action in the morning, we ought to get them back to the ship soon, or we will need that wheelbarrow you offered Dyanne.

She looks over to the bar area, where the clique of Sverrir, Erlingr, Stáli, Hrafn, Bjartr and Ingunn are carousing. Sverrir has clearly enjoyed a generous share of Ummiimir’s hospitality. The others are not far behind.

Hróarr is sitting apart from the others with Dorn, talking earnestly (with his comm on the table providing translation).

[hardrocks]

Kar agrees with Ashes point and with a nod to Raven heads over to round up Leon. Finishing their drinks and saying their farewells, they head back to the ship. (Not forgetting to grab a couple of treats for Reg, lest she "accidently" locks him out of their quarters again).

[Tiglath]

Áshildr appears beside Raven:

If we want the war-band ready for action in the morning, we ought to get them back to the ship soon, or we will need that wheelbarrow you offered Dyanne.

Raven takes a moment to gratefully admire Áshildr and then smiles her agreement "We have been well hosted and have drunk well and... almost wisely". Then with a reminiscent half smile and managing to sound slightly aggrieved she adds "I believe I have performed some of my more notorious feats whilst either very drunk or terribly hungover!"

She adds "I was thinking that if I took the warband along to meet Medusa then we wouldn't be attacked... That a few barbarian ship's officers out on their own would either be less noticeable or make a more tempting target while Medusa plays her game... of trying to kill someone else. In the morning you'll have one half of my wolves and Sigmundr the other. You'll flank our course to close in to catch any who limp away".

Collecting Battle Hag from the back of Ingrid's chair and clapping her bard's shoulder says "Skald, sing them home like a siren"

She calls the warband with a piercing whistle and with their attention drawn calls a final toast beginning "Are the Serpent's Teeth here?" She waits for the roared response and then grins as she rhetorically shouts "Where are we bound?" before leading the response full volume "Valhalla!" Then she calls them to muster with the archaic command "Shieldwall!"

She makes sure to honour Ummiimir with a bow before taking her leave whilst loudly declaring "The crew of the Cunning Serpent of Clan Ásgeirr were well hosted here and wanted for nothing!" by way of an honorific endorsement.

[Tiglath]

Vetrliði Tófi replies to Kar.
I’ve got Sigbjørn Sigmarrson with me. Him and his Fleinn-class fighter. I’ll send him over as soon as we’re in range. Lord Hallsteinn put him aboard as escort on the raid, but I don’t need the help now. He’s a damn good helmsman, and he knows Oars. Helped build one, when he was a Priest.

Raven says to Kar "If he's the Jarl's appointment I'll take him aboard. He'll be loyal - as we all are! Everyone can use a good helmsman but knowledge of the Serpent..." She breaks off to exclaim "He's a Priest and that heathen Tófi mentions it last! Would it not serve our saga well were the All Father to direct one of his servants to aid it?"

After a moment she adds slowly "Vetrliði is a cautious man. He used to secretly mark the levels on his drink... At least so he thought... When he said was a Priest... The one we had on Gungnir ate holy mushrooms all the time and used to bite people. His end came when he decided to lead a raid in person. We weren't even in orbit when "sky-clad" he leapt out of the air lock!"

[Thumper]

Raven’s calls for her warband’s departure interrupts Tiv teaching Yumi a traditional Oghman dance.

He ensures he is the last Oghman to leave and stops to speak with Ummimir and Soraia.

Good ale, fine drink, bountiful food, stimulating conversation, and pleasant company. I thank you. I was once skeptical…and I am sorry for it. That’s not something you’ll often hear from me. Friend of my Jarl…friend of mine! May that last a long, long time!

He extends his hand to grip Ummimir’s in a wrist grasp and pulls him into a bear hug. He holds the grasp in his right hand with his left on Ummiimir’s shoulder looking him in the eye for a second…he releases and turns to Soraia, he does the same to her.

And May that friendship profit all our causes!

He turns to shake hands with Konrad and Sorn

To new friends. I shall be in touch.

He nods, extends his arm to Yumi and walks out.

I hope you and Pete enjoyed some Oghman fun. I wish the night did not have to end. But we should have more to celebrate soon.

And they pace behind the war band admiring Raven’s show.

[The Bindoner]

The warriors are gathered, and formed up, Rúna and Ragnheiðr taking station flanking Raven. They and Sigmundr are, relatively, sober.

Ingrid has also been moderate in her drinking, but she has consumed enough to relax and sing heartily. She starts with an Oghman in praise of a generous Jarl and the feast he provides.

Dyanne Dorn approaches Raven: Your young warrior, Hróarr, has offered to assist my investigations. If you permit, I will take him to our ship to make my assessments. She looks him over: An hour should be sufficient.

Good ale, fine drink, bountiful food, stimulating conversation, and pleasant company. I thank you. I was once skeptical…and I am sorry for it. That’s not something you’ll often hear from me. Friend of my Jarl…friend of mine! May that last a long, long time!

He extends his hand to grip Ummimir’s in a wrist grasp and pulls him into a bear hug. He holds the grasp in his right hand with his left on Ummiimir’s shoulder looking him in the eye for a second…he releases and turns to Soraia, he does the same to her.

Ummiimir gives Tiv an amused smile: Of course you were sceptical, you had not yet bought sufficient information from me!

Ummiimir accepts the hug, and returns the grip. Soraia freezes, and stiffly endures it.

He nods, extends his arm to Yumi and walks out.

I hope you and Pete enjoyed some Oghman fun. I wish the night did not have to end. But we should have more to celebrate soon.

Pete rejoins Yumi:

Party over. The Ice’ll still be going, want to come with?

Yeah.

She turns back to Tiv: Hey, guy, it’s been crispy. We meet up tomorrow, yeah?

Pete: Thanks for inviting us along, it’s been a treat, talking to people who really get blades.



The procession back to the Serpent is less disciplined than the setting-forth, but it has more enthusiasm.

[Thumper]

Tiv sees and feels Soraia stiffen but he gives her nearly the same length hug and goodby as he did Ummimir…

Once back at the Serpent, he immediate asks for a report from the spycams and comms and the rovings of the security disk.

He intends to take the report, discuss the plan for the morris with the officers, then settle into his stateroom for the night.

[Tiglath]

Dyanne Dorn approaches Raven: Your young warrior, Hróarr, has offered to assist my investigations. If you permit, I will take him to our ship to make my assessments. She looks him over: An hour should be sufficient.

Raven seems to ponder a moment then says "If Hróarr agrees then I am content. He is your guest and you are wise enough to treat him like someone who would not wish to see me angered but I don't want any distraction either so send him back with an escort or in transport".

She gives Hróarr a hearty clap on the shoulder and offers "Remember you represent the clan. Pay her a compliment afterwards and don't clean anything on the drapes".

Raven nods approvingly at the state of her bodyguard and junior leader and then leads off the return to the Serpent singing lustily.

[The Bindoner]

Raven seems to ponder a moment then says "If Hróarr agrees then I am content. He is your guest and you are wise enough to treat him like someone who would not wish to see me angered but I don't want any distraction either so send him back with an escort or in transport".

She gives Hróarr a hearty clap on the shoulder and offers "Remember you represent the clan. Pay her a compliment afterwards and don't clean anything on the drapes".

Raven nods approvingly at the state of her bodyguard and junior leader and then leads off the return to the Serpent singing lustily.

Dorn reassures Raven: More than agreeable, your young warrior is eager to prove himself. Most commendable.

I only intend to take measurements tonight, and make some assessments of capacity for performance. No destructive testing. When he returns unharmed, perhaps you will allow me to conduct a more thorough series of tests? If some of the more mature members of your crew were also available, that would provide a broader data set for my purposes.


Hróarr grins: Thank-you, Raid Leader. I hope I’ll make our people proud.

Once back at the Serpent, [Tiv] immediately asks for a report from the spycams and comms and the rovings of the security disk.

He intends to take the report, discuss the plan for the morning with the officers, then settle into his stateroom for the night.

In the few hours that have elapsed, there has been very little activity in the Aslan hangar.

A female (that Tiv recognises as Small Birds Singing) emerges from one of the better staterooms (area 9) and walks up the passage to one of the standard cabins. Using the pad on the door she talks quietly, but firmly. Soon, a male emerges, and they both join the male in the reception area. After a brief discussion the new male remains and the other two depart, the male going to another cabin in the main corridor, Small Birds Singing continuing to the ship. She remains there for 45 minutes, then returns to her stateroom.

Slowing the recording to listen to the Aslan talk, Tiv learns that the male (Hlirleikh, "Claws The Sky") reports a boring watch, and his intent to eat and play a space-combat sim before sleeping. Small Birds Singing wishes him joy of all three activities, admonishes the newcomer (Ktauhwir, "Long Arm") to stay awake, because Her Words Calm Prey’s guards are anxious in strange ports and may test his alertness.

Recon rolls for those as has ‘em.

[Thumper]

Recon- 0/Int +2

So total 8

[The Bindoner]

Watching Small Birds Singing transit the airlock into the main hangar Tiv sees her pause before each door before it opens. She does not otherwise interact, neither touching the controls nor speaking. The hangar computer is using Facial Recognition security and an automatic admittance protocol.


basic pass, one insight related to core skill set.

[Tiglath]

Hróarr grins: Thank-you, Raid Leader. I hope I’ll make our people proud.

Raven gives an uncharacteristic smile and replies "Let's hope you measure up" after a glance at Dorn she adds an afterthought "If it all gets too strange fight your way out".

Raven will add her thoughts on any surveillance footage shown by Tiv at the briefing.

Recon rolls for those as has ‘em.

(OOC:

Raven Recon Roll: [2d6]=6

Add: Recon, +1 Int Total = 8
Exclusive skill set: Raider.
NB IF she can add Tactics that will bump the success level to 10+

Apols all I've not been getting notifications via the just random(???) notification system (and wasn't entirely sure if the last GM's OOC was just for Tiv and the Tech crew or a broadcast to all PCs...

So I may have doubly missed my cue here! ).

[The Bindoner]

Raven notes that there is an automatic weapon leaning against the desk at which the male on watch sits.

The male who went “off duty” had what appeared to be a laser-pistol on one thigh and a blade on the other.

His replacement has a large slug-pistol, and also has a blade.

The blades are more the equivalent of utility knives than swords. The pistols and the automatic are harder to pin down, being of unfamiliar design and proportions. To an Aslan the automatic probably an SMG, but it is more like a big Oghman ACR.


Although powerfully built sophonts, and clearly used to carrying weapons, neither male carries themselves like a warrior. They do seem used to sitting monitoring a console for a long watch, though not enthusiastic about it currently. "Must be Corsairs" she thinks to herself.


Small Birds Singing does not appear to armed, but she is wearing loose robes with plenty of excess material to conceal a small weapon.

[Gorethirster]

Remington, used to hovering around the rest of the senior crew, watches through the surveillance footage as well. He doesn't know the first thing about what the "professionals" are looking for, but he's given a brief dose of nostalgia for his xenology courses as an undergrad. In fairness to his professors back then though, they tended to choose more interesting footage.

[Thumper]

What about hangar cameras? Should have those and comms.

[The Bindoner]

You do.

The hangar cameras showed Small Birds Singing boarding and leaving the ship and, earlier, a male (not one of the two "on reception") hunting a robotic snack-dispenser.

Comms are not currently active (or, rather, not those channels provided by Blackrock systems you currently have access to).

Apparently these Aslan are not very active at night.

[Thumper]

Tiv will request the watch officer record the comings and goings of Aslan throughout the night. He asks the Serpent to record conversations through the night for playback in the morning.

He then heads to his ship's room for the night.

The next morning, he rises early, takes a report on the Watch's Aslan log and the Serpent's comm log.

He finds one of the crew or raiders to spar blades with him. He spars without his shirt...and his skinny frame is seen many colorful tattoos. Odin's eye hovers on his back above Mimir's decapitated head which in turn sits over Mímisbrunnr. A runic Mjölnir sits high on his chest while a runic Gungnir lies vertically up his abdomen. The Valkeries fly on his left shoulder and biceps while a voluptuous Ran graces his right.

After a short but intense sparring session, he showers and presents himself for breakfast and discussion of attending the other officers to Medusa's office.

[The Bindoner]

While the review of the Aslan hangar recordings is ongoing a message arrives from the Myrgjǫl Skyldr-Byrding.

A woman's voice informs:

Sigbjørn Sigmarrson has departed in the fighter Ragnhildr. Estimate 3.5 hours to arrival at Blackrock. Our own arrival, 8 hours.

[Thumper]

Please inform Skippare Kar and Raid Leader Raven of the incoming fighters’ timeline.

Also, send to the Myrgjǫl Skyldr-Byrding that, in furtherance of clan trading objectives, i have arranged for several people to have first look at her trade goods. I would be most appreciative of her Skippare’s cooperation.

Also, ask both ships to collect any data they can on a possible Aslan stealth vessel that may be lurking in the belt. And ask the Myrgjǫl Skyldr-Byrding to relay to following clan ships.

Tight beam only.

[Tiglath]

After a bout of hangover purging training Raven comments "Let us see whether we have time to meet Medusa or greet our new arrival first".

(OOC: For myself I'd prefer to get the new player in game first if we can work it that way. )