Malachi relaxes his stance somewhat and take a better look at his surroundings.
"Troops, shoulder arms!"
It will be a bit of a disadvantage if it comes to combat, but I think the lord captain Militant wants to avoid that anyway.
A few moments later, the runner returns with one whom could only be Leerus, a large and imposing man running a bit to fat. His skin is tanned from working under many a star, and he wears an impressive-looking military uniform you do not recognise. He affects a haughty and proud demeanor as he approaches.
"Who are you," he says through a large, bushy mustache. "[b]What is it that you want?"
"I am Silas Tyr. I am here to look over my property."
"Tyr... Tyr... Sounds familiar. Ah, well. In either case, this site is property of the Kasballica Mission, Sirah."
"Here's my letter of introduction... to refresh your memory."
Leerus reads the letter strait away, his expression growing darker as he comes to the end. Finishing, he looks up from the document, glaring venom at you.
"Well, Captain," he says with a sneer, "I suppose you'd like me to show you the site? Perhaps your hab?"
"Yes, please. I'd like to evaluate the potential of this dig."
Silas then proceeds to introduce his retinue. Thereafter, he signals Ludicus: "Master-at-arms, kindly see to the disposition of the men."
Malachi falls in step behind the Lord-Captain. While the air may be dusty and cold, it was still a hundred times more pleasant to Malachi than the sweat-infused recycled air on board the ship.
While walking, he keeps an eye out for signs of a shrine or at least some holy scripture. The moon has an eerie feel about it. The kind of nagging presence that, if left unchecked, could drive the weak to madness or heresy.
Ludicus leans in to speak privatly with the captain.
"Lord Captain Militant, might I make a suggestion.
I think we should keep half the troops with us, in case these "men" decide that they would rather keep the deed themselves, and the other half should guard the lander, just in case..."
As you press in from the landing area, the dig proper reveals itself to you. The 'Omega Dig', as it is referred to, is an area precariously balanced at the edge of the plateau on which the maze city stands, a hundred metres or so before its single portal. The great walls of the alien maze city loom over the site ominously. Directly ahead of you, you see two larger buildings, the larger of the two with some heavy digging vehicles parked in front of it. Servitors and red-robed adepts busy themselves about the vehicles.
"That there's the heavy gear store," Leerus says with a grunt, jerking his thumb at the larger building. Of the other he says nothing and continues walking. Turning north, Leerus leads you past several small and one massive dig site. Workers, servitors and menials clamour about the sites, eying you suspiciously as you pass by. Continuing past the digs, Leerus leads you to a cluster of habs. One in particular stands slightly away from the others, its size - easily twice that of the others - marks it as the quarters of someone of some import.
Leerus weaves through the tightly packed micro shelters, bringing you to one. "This'll be where you'll be staying," he grunts. With that the walks off, leaving you to your own.
Ludicus leans in to speak privatly with the captain.
"Lord Captain Militant, might I make a suggestion.
I think we should keep half the troops with us, in case these "men" decide that they would rather keep the deed themselves, and the other half should guard the lander, just in case..."
"A prudent suggestion. Make it so."
"Leerus, we shall be examining the site."
"We won't be interfering with the production. I just want to get a feel of the dig's progress."
While walking, he keeps an eye out for signs of a shrine or at least some holy scripture. The moon has an eerie feel about it. The kind of nagging presence that, if left unchecked, could drive the weak to madness or heresy.
Leerus's lip twitches a bit. "Fine," he says, waving his hand dismissively. "Just try not to get in the way." He pauses a bit before adding, "Captain."