You spend a week scouring the Motaku Asteroid Belt. After so much searching and no luck at all, you begin to wonder whether this was just an old wives' tale, but then suddenly you catch something strange on your sensors: an asteroid with an artificial atmosphere and several structures. This must it! The fabled Tidewater Rock!
Ambrose Kroop points out to you that there are several ways you can attempt to take Tidewater Rock—by force, by stealth, or with diplomacy, but suggests you might wish to peacefully meet with the inhabitants of Tidewater Rock first, in hopes of gathering information that might help you choose which option to pursue in taking the Rock. No sense risking your brand new ship in a battle it can't win if there is a more subtle way to take control of this strategically vital location.
”I was hoping for a Rim job”, Karter grumbles as he boards the Yak and straps in. Upon seeing the Rock, he asks Pudding for opinion, ”Assessment first officer?... I see,...silence and stealth”.
I suggest we gather intelligence first, Captain, then we can see how to crack the Rock.
Francis bursts out laughing. "I bet you were Karter! Just don't ask me or Pudding!"
Pudding ignores Karter and continues to chomp on some stray hay left in his trough.
Francis ponders this and thinks that Xerxes and Karter make a good point. "Good thinking. Thoughts on how to accomplish this? Not sure we have the gear to sneak onto the Rock..."
I agree, intelligence first, if we find a way to convince them to join us, it will be better !
Sh'yl was exited by the new mission.
As long as you approach without hostile intent, the weapons systems remain inactive as you approach. In fact, a docking port begins to light up as you near.
As your ship lands and you exit the Millenium Yak, a man comes on to the docking platform protected by several guards in white uniforms. "Greetings. I am Royster McCleagh. This-" he gestures behind him where several of the guards are wheeling out what at first looks like an empty canvas but which you quickly realize is actually human skin stretched taught with a face in the middle-"this is Lady Agasta Smythee."
"Well met," Lady Agasta says. "You've found our little hideout here, which is quite an accomplishment in itself. But who exactly are you and what are your intentions?"
Before speaking, Sh'yl used a little prayer to the Force then said
Thank you, mister McCleagh and Lady Smythee to welcome you on your land. We are free pirates, hoping to find an haven for our ship and share our findings to anyone who will help us to find pray worthy of us.
We hope to find an agreement, a peaceful one, with your people as we did with all the crew members of our ship.
All of them are free, all of them are willing to follow our Captain, not from fear but because they choose him.
Said Sh'yl with a good smile
I am Xerxes of Aiur, a warrior dedicated to the extasy of battle, the glory of blade and blood. I am death incarnate, the doom you can wish on your enemies. I bow to no one, yet Captain Francis has my loyalty.
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”I came for the Rim job”, Karter says with a straight face.
"Very well," Lady Smythee says. "You may join us for dinner tonight. We can talk more then."
Some of the guards begin to wheel her off, spritzing her with a spray-bottle to moisture her thin skin. McCleagh remains behind a moment to clarify the rules of engagement on their asteroid. "You may keep your weapons, but ourselves and our guards remained armed as well. To ensure safe conduct, you will need to present one of your own crew as a hostage. They will be well treated so long as your intentions remain peaceful. The hostage will be unarmed and unarmored."
As soon as your hostage is handed over, McCleagh opens the door for you to enter the building. "To the feast?"
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"Karter. Perhaps you can convince the Lady to give you a Rim job as you remain her guest. You have certain... talents that will allow you to remain useful while unarmored and unarmed, much like myself, however a Captain must never allow himself to be taken prisoner." Francis reasons as the weird skin face is wheeled out.
"Was that just me, Pudding, or was that canvas sheet talking to us? Usually I can tell my own madness..." Francis whispers to the first mate.
Mooo....
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Karter looks at the talking partition and shudders. Noooooo thank you. That gives a new meaning to glory- "-ous! place you have here!
"Tibbs! You're dressed the part, enjoy some hang time", Karter calls the old gnome over and volunteers him to the pillory, "Hartshorn - with me."
"Now Lady Smythee, have you any partners in business seeing as how you have the finest hideout in this sector?"
You are led inside where Lady Smythee is already propped at the end of a table laden with a feast of boiled crab, butter-simmered sturgeon, goat cheese, and hard bread. Copious amounts of ale and rum are available as well. "Please, help yourselves," she says. "I'm watching my figure."
She considers Karter's words. "I have no direct business partners, you might say. That is, very few know the actual location of this hideout although they may do business indirectly with us. You don't retain such a powerful and strategic place in the 'Verse by blabbing about it to every passersby, after all."
So you are a witty one, Lady Smythee. What kind of business are you in?
"I might be in whatever business you are bringing to my doorstep." Lady Smythee slyly responds. "And you haven't yet given me an indication. Please, there are no authorities here except for myself. Speak freely what you propose."
"You seem trustworthy, Canvas Lady. I don't think I've introduced myself. I am the Captain of the Millenium Yak, Francis Ulhutch!" the man says boldly. "We are here to find a base of sorts for pirating and other generally dangerous, yet profitable schemes. Some man with two eyes and a mouth told us the tale of your base and we had to investigate. Why you may ask? Excitement for the unknown!" Francis lets that sit in the air... perhaps a bit too long.
Sh'yl spoke after Francis
Yes, we are here to hope to establish a safe base of operations. But we prefer to share rather than keep our finding with those who are ready to ally with us.
This strategic outpost is the perfect place to launch raids on merchant's ships without being caught by the imperial authorities.
"I see, I see," Lady Smythee responds, her lips pursing to one side as she considers your words. "Perhaps you aren't aware," she begins with a grin, "but there are some old traditions and laws in this sector that might allow us to enter into a secure alliance without, well, as much risk of backstabbing. It would be mutually beneficial for us to remain friends."
"Let me be more blunt." she says in a more serious tone. "I am proposing a marriage contract. Myself and-" she rolls her eyes over the party and considers each of you turn, but her eyes eventually land on Karter, "-Karter over there enter into a marriage relationship. During that time, we enjoy the full benefits of marriage but also share in the profits of our two businesses. As per the terms of the standard marriage contracts in this sector, either party can choose to divorce simply by stating as much and we each retain our own holdings with no further strings attached, no hard feelings."
"If you wish to use this location as your homebase or launching point, I'm willing to let you do so if I can share in the profits and take Karter as my husband for one year certain, future arrangements beyond that date to be determined later. As the Lord of Tidewater Rock, Karter has rightful access to any resources here. What do you say?"
"I believe that I read about such things in textbooks back at university. Before it was the breeding ground for devils and such." Francis states as he ponders.
I really want to be called Lord of Tidewater Rock, but... nah, it's better for Karter. He does keep asking for the Rim job...
"As his surrogate father figure and Captain, I give you my blessing! Additionally, a time-honored tradition for marriage on our homeworld is to have the ceremony performed by a Captain of which I conveniently am one!" Francis proclaims!
"We have the same traditions here, as it turns out. But this won't be any phaser-point wedding, both parties have to be willing."
the 'Verse
If any of the crew has never seen a black man turn white, they have now, as the color drains from Karter's face. He points back at Royster, ”But but isn't he your husband?!”, he then turn and shields his face from Smythee and towards his crew and hisses, ”No @#$%^& way man! My Penthmate subscriptions are plenty used but that is one centerfold that will remain un-Karter'ed! Figure something else out!!!”
"Him? Oh no!" Lady Smythee laughs. "That is Sergeant McCleagh, my first-in-command. McCleagh smirks nervously.
Lady Smythee looks disappointed at Karter's reaction but it does not seem to faze her. [b]"Well then, any of you will do really. How about you, Sh'yl? Does the title Lord of Tidewater Rock appeal to you at all?"
Before I accept such a blessing, I would like to know you more as well as you know me better.
I am a follower of the Force, call a Jedi. We follows a code that we could summary in five sentences :
There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.
We believe in the Force, a specific energy that flows through all things and binds the universe together. We also believe that all sentient's creature can tap into or shape the Force to unlock greater potential. We see ourselves as guardians of truth, knowledge and justice, and try to actively promote such ideals.
My parents were famous Pirates, before their ship crashed on Akiton and I hope to make myself a name worthy of their heritage while trying to stick to my believes.
Said Sh'yl.
Lady Smythee smiles. "I don't imagine I will be stepping on any of your beliefs, then, and as they are clearly important to you, I will respect them. As for your hope to make a name worthy of your heritage, that is what I am able to offer you. A smuggler I am, you have no doubt concluded, and what better title for a famous pirate than Lord of Tidewater Rock? It seems your hopes are right here with me, dear Sh'yl!"
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At Sh'yl's response, Francis asks himself in his head to Xerxes. "Are we the only sane ones here?"
At the Lady's positive response, Francis smiles big and claps the Jedi on the back. "Time to get married, my man! To the ship!"
Francis yells out to the ship as they get close. "Prepare the Yak, First Mate! We are having a wedding!"
"Mooooo..."
"Very well! Let us to the ship!" Several servants roll Lady Smythee back out to the Millenium Yak where a quick and informal ceremony is observed, overseen by Francis, to pronounce Sh'yl the Lord of Tidewater Rock.
"Well! Fantastic!" Lady Smythee beams. "And now that you are allied with me, it is time to show you this." With a look to one of her men, a door is opened and you can see inside a small but highly advanced medical bay. Inside lies a man with a horrific wound to his thigh.
"We're not altogether safe here, you see. You're not the only ones to have discovered this asteroid. Just two nights ago a Silurian strike force set down and came upon Mardus here in the evening as he was walking about the grounds. The guards reacted quickly but the Silurians injured him before we could fight the silurians off."
"I fear the danger has not passed and this was only a test of our defenses. Soon we will be passing in the shadow of the third planet in this system. Expect more silurians. Prepare yourselves and prove your alliance to me."
Interesting. Your creed is not that different from the Khala, friend. We should talk when we have the time.
Silurians? Never heard of them. What can you tell us about these invaders? What are their intentions, their goals? Their abilities?
"Sailorans? Like Sailor Moon?" the confused man asks.
"Maheem. Tell the men of our new groom and his bride and that we will be docked here for a few days. And..." he pauses a bit as he sighs. "... tell them to expect war."
Once the klingon leaves to organize his crew, Francis will join up with Xerxes and Lady Smythee in determining the best way to secure the asteroid.
"How can we best help our newest Crewmate-in-law?" asks Francis.
"Silurians are reptilian humanoids. They are from my own home planet of Earth, where they were in secret hibernation for many millenia. They can be ruthless."
"We did not sense their ship coming in last time. They must have been using a cloak or a small craft that did not leave a trace on our sensor. If so, we're not expecting an aerial fight but another grounded strike-force. We have several towers where you could station yourselves and look out for them, going to meet them only once you've seen their craft land."
"Looks like your man can use some medical attention, we can use more men. I got some leeches from that swamp planet - let me have a check."
I will be happy, my friend.
Sh'yl asked Young Jack to be his best men for the ceremony.
We will be ready for them, my lady. Now that I have new lightsaber I will welcome them with haste.
Karter does his best to set the man's leg and bandage it up. He passes out from the pain but everyone is thankful for the help.
Sure enough, the asteroid passes in the shadow of the nearest planet a few hours later. Moments later as the rock goes dark you see a small stealth craft approaching Tidewater Rock cautiously. The Rock stays quiet so as not to scare the Silurians away and soon enough you see the craft making for a landing on the other side of the complex.
Rushing there, you see that they have landed behind a loosely-defended set of greenhouses and have begun disembarking. Unfortunately for them, they don't know yet that you have spotted them and are on the way to ambush their ambush!
You begin sneaking around the nearby building where you can hear them whispering out some quick orders but unfortunately one of Sh'yl's four arms scrapes against the wall and the Silurian troops grow quiet, aware of your presence. Nonetheless you are much quicker than they are!
"Dammit, Sh'yl!" Francis bemoans. "We were supposed to kill them quietly!"
Francis laughs as he rounds the corner. "Well at least clean up after me!"
He sees the grouping of the Silurians and chuckles. "You were right... There would be the smell of burning flesh soon..."
He raises his hands up and summons a balls of swirling fire.
"The gods want you to burn. Who am I to..." Francis sputters as he coughs and his eyes roll back into his head. "ان کی مرضی کو روکنے کے لئے کس طرح؟"
The ball of fire quickly spins into an elongated spear-like mass and shoots forward, piercing the Silurians with its flame.
Sh'yl call for the Force to help his comrades. Then moved toward the Sillurians, weapons ready.
May the Force be with you !
As the chaos of the cosmos consumes Francis' consciousness, the burst of flames from the Captain takes down two silurians and wounds another two! Sh'yl offers up the power of the force to the crew.
pink: 6 dmg
black: 4 dmg
"بوم! چوستے! آپ کے چہرے میں!" Francis yells, clearly excited by his fiery destruction of these idiots. However, he clearly keeps nodding to the others to protect their bold Captain as Sh'yl has done, moving between him and the bad people.
Xerxes tries to ignore the jedi's botched attempt at ambushing his preys, and wades into the fury of combat. He treads towards the first opponent and strikes with his whirring psyblade.
Xerxes rushes into melee and quickly takes down another Silurian!
pink: 6 dmg
black: 4 dmg
Karter picks up a spare gardening tool on his way around the corner and chucks it at one of the lizard people!
Unfortunately the trowel flies off behind them. Three of them leap forward using thin weapons which look like large forks but give off electrical crackles with each jab!
pink: 6 dmg
black: 4 dmg
"مضبوط مردوں رہو! یہ ناگن لوگ ہمارے لئے کوئی مقابلہ نہیں کر رہے ہیں!" Francis yells to bolster his team as more fire erupts from the ball of swirling magma in front of him.
He sees the death and destruction of a thousand planets fly through his mind as the flames and fire empower his next spell.
May the Force be with me !
Said Sh'yl who call the Force to fight back after the blow he took.
Once again Francis' mad fire kills another silurian and burns the others! Sh'yl then stabs one of the weakened silurians!
pink: 6 dmg
black: 4 dmg
aqua: 8 dmg
orange: 12 dmg
green: 6 dmg
-Posted with Wayfinder
Xerxes is reveling in the fury of battle. Dodging the three tridents coming his way, he retaliates with incredible zeal, striking twice his opponents.
Xerxes drops another silurian as the remaining three try to salvage the situation by running away towards their ship!
aqua: 8 dmg
orange: 12 dmg
green: 6 dmg