"Life is not a gift that can be given," she smiles, "At least, not by most. Freedom is a concept with little in the way of fixed definition. One man's freedom is another's prison. I am from a world smaller that the distances you and I have traveled together. Three days walk in any direction from the Immortal Tree would bring you to the mists and endless oceans that bound its borders. To some, this might seem a prison, but to me, that was my freedom. I was the land, the air, and the water. Here, I have nothing but these limbs and the burdens I can bear with them. While I bear no fetters, I could walk for months an never see the same thing twice, this is my prison."
"Regardless, another man's freedom avails you little; unless you wish to set him up as a buffer against a greater threat. Was that it? Your mother and this Cyber-knight chose to defend this Kingdom against a lesser threat, knowing its continued existence would attract the notice of the greater foe; when his attack came, you would have greater notice, and be able to confront him when he was weakened by his conquest?"
"Some people care for others without worrying about what it will benefit them. My people do this, but we do it to atone for our arrogance."
Memories of Jonis' expose into her past and her reasons for doing what she does fresh in your minds, you drive on a bit longer. Eventually you find a route that takes you to a restored road that leads into Whykin, at least according to the repainted street sign that sits on the side of the road, filled with holes and dents.
Soon, you start to see the city of Whykin in the distance, most of it a collection of restored pre-Rifts buildings combined with current technology, such that it is. None of them seem to reach past three or four stories however. Along the way, you spot several soldiers wearing the colors of Whykin, along with some armed vehicles and some combat robots on patrol. At first it looks like any other rural city in this world, but as you get closer, the differences start to stand out.
You watch as several large humanoid creatures in chains lift steel girders and weld them into place while a man in armor whips one of them for falling out of line. You see a hover car stop near a building, the green skinned driver getting out and opening the door for the passenger in the back, lowering his head as he does so. You arrive at the front gate into the outer city, one guard moving to look over your vehicle while the other comes closer to speak with you.
"You enter the domain of King Reynard the First, Ruler and Protector of the Kingdom of Whykin and all her people. What business do you have here?"
"Life we can't give. But we can protect it. It is something very valuable, and it is worth fighting for. To defend the weak. To protect the innocent. Liberty is also very valuable, and you miss it when you lose it. I will also fight to defend it, for those that can't defend themselves, from those evil enough to try and take it from them. And I am glad you will be there, next to us, helping."
Jonis descends from the vehicle and greets the guard.
"Good day! We are members of the Tomorrow Legion, Dexterous Shakti, Brave Auriel Acherean, Wise Burgurk and me, Jonis Witta, Cyber-Girl pilot. We come in peace, looking for a Mercenary group called the WarHounds, as we need information from them. And maybe find a nice spot to eat in town. Any recommendations?"
She winks playfully at the guard.
"To risk losing one's life to protect a life less viable than your own sounds wastefull. Particularly without gain. Life is everywhere. If one thing dies, failing to adapt to its environment or the pressures around it, a void will form in the ecosystem providing opportunity for features able to adapt to exploit the niche. Thus life is preserved regardless."
She pauses to think for a moment, and then gestures at her plate, "It is also arbitrary. I would be happy to hunt or slaughter my own food, but I killed none of these; well, almost none." She cleans one of the smaller rat bones, part of which you notice with delight is still covered in fur. "Why champion one set of lives while sitting back and doing nothing while these are slaughtered in droves by your own allies?"
During a break in conversation she continues tearing into the meat, raw, cooked, fresh, and spoiled. She looks lost in thought, and then begins softly talking to herself...
"Perhaps it was cunning... they entreated upon their feelings of guilt and compassion, seizing upon a vulnerability where they found it. By using those pliable enough to be goaded into such risks, perhaps they demonstrate themselves viable afterall. More means than just brute strengthcan allow a community to survive. Interesting."
To add her words to the girls, Shakti pipes in with her support, "Yes! We have come to protect useless lives and inflict liberty." She smiles at Jonis in thanks at helping her to understand the mindset of her people.
"Yes, dying is part of life. But murder isn't. To protect the innocent and weak, by those of us with the means and courage, that is the purpose of the women of NEMAS, who build the Cyber-Girls. And that is the purpose of the Tomorrow Legion!"
The guard looks Jonis over, attempting to stifle a smile as she flirts with him. "Well, Jonis Witta. The WarHounds are here, they are enjoying down time at the Roundhouse Taphouse. While you are welcome there, you will need to show papers for your companions . " This last part he says with a hint of disgust in his voice.
Jonis turns to see the team.
"Papers? What kind of papers? They are my sisters and brothers in arms, members of the Tomorrow Legion. I am sure you will find them worthy of a big welcome in any kingdom where good and liberty is valued."
The guard narrows his eyes, clearly losing some respect for her. "Listen, that may be the case in Kingsdale or Castle Refuge or anywhere else on this godsforsaken planet, but here in Whykin, only people are allowed to walk around freely. People from this Earth. Those are King Reynard's commands and we obey them." While he is speaking, another guard comes over, this one marked with a higher rank.
"Is there a problem here? You're holding up traffic."
The first guard explains the situation and the officer nods as he listens before turning to Jonis. "The Tomorrow Legion is well known to us and while we appreciate your efforts, King Reynard does not appreciate your leniency on non-humans. I will allow you to setup camp outside the city if you wish, but they are not allowed to enter without papers. They may be mistaken for slaves." This last part seems almost a warning more than anything.
Jonis nods.
"I understand, sadly this kind of treatment for non-humans is not unique to this kingdom, and I sincerely thank you for your comprehension. Where can I get papers for them? How long does it take? Do you know if the Warhounds camp outside too?"
The officer shakes his head. The WarHounds are guests of His Royal Majesty and as such, are permitted to take residence within the city walls. You may apply for papers at the border control office inside the gate. Processing usually takes a couple of weeks. Give or take. We need to make sure you aren't trying to smuggle slaves or something along those lines."
It is clear to Jonis and the others that the front door will be difficult unless it is forcefully kicked down..
Jonis looks sad.
"I see. Well, thank you for your honesty, and if we can help you, don't be afraid to ask. We will camp over there then."
She points at a clear spot out of the walls.
When the group is out of earshot of the guards, she confers with her friends.
"As I see it, we can forget all about the Warhounds and move on, or I can go into the city and ask them to talk to us out here. Any other ideas?"
Burgurk waits until the superior officer leaves, then says to the guard "Tell me, is there a hidden way into this city?"
As the officer leaves, the guard looks at each of you in the vehicle, a smirk crossing his face until he meets Burgurk's eyes. He stops for a moment and then says, "We usually catch runners coming out of the many sewer drains that lead to the river, they head right into the city." As soon as he says it, he shakes his head and then moves away to allow you to move the camping spot Jonis finds.
Jonis winks and kisses Burgurk on the cheek (if he allows it).
"That was awesome!"
Auriel just chuckles at Burgurk's use of Psionics.
Assuming Jonis acted quickly and surprised him, it'll happen, but Burgurk will push her away (gently), utter some incomprehensible word like "Faugh!", and walk away quickly.
Quickly and surprising, as Jonis is.
She smiles widely as Burgurk walks away.
As if in answer to Jonis' thoughts, Auriel will say "We should just set up camp out here. Jonis, if you could get use papers, that would be for the best."
"Papers would take weeks - way too long. I suggest we try to enter thru the sewage tunnels. If questioned once we get inside, we are all Jonis' slaves."
"As you all are!" - says Jonis with a chuckle.
As you are all setting up camp and discussing what to do next. You realize that some of the other campers outside have taken an interest in you.
Auriel turns and walks directly up to a group of campers outside the city and says "Can I help you with something?"
When Burgurk hears Auriel's question, he focuses his attention on the group :
Being called out, the leader of the approaching group holds up his hand to halt the rest of his people. As Auriel gets closer, he can see that these men are armed, but not wearing any visible armor. When Auriel speaks, the leader, a tall human looking tough with shaved head and skin covered in tattoos cracks a grin. Auriel can see some of the tattoos move. "Yeah. You're in our spot, outsider. Time to go." Noticing the GlitterGirl, he adds, "Wouldn't recommend being any trouble about it, his Majesty don't take kindly to messes on his turf."
Jonis waits to see what transpires while getting closer to her Glitter Girl...
"If this is your spot, why was there nothing here? We obviously wouldn't have picked a spot where someone else was staked out."
Auriel pauses for effect and then says "I have no problem with selling you your 'spot' back, since we are already here and, as I said, there was nothing here marking it as yours."
"If you really just like this spot, that shouldn't be a problem, right? As I said, there was nothing marking it, and I doubt that the guards here would 'hold' spots for outsiders. I would be more than happy to discuss the matter with the guards. They are, after all, right over there."
Burgurk just stands silent, watching and listening. While he's always ready for a fight, one here might attract unwanted attention...
The man pauses and then laughs. "You hear that boys? He wants to sell us our spot back." They all have a good laugh and he continues. "You misunderstand, friend. Everyone here knows this area is our turf because His Majesty decreed it so. As long as we keep out unwanted people, the place is ours. Now scram, before we have to see about that mess."
Jonis is going for her Glitter Girl. She doesn't want to try "diplomacy" with those guys.
Chuckling himself, Auriel says "Before we start this, maybe one of you can help me out with something: Do any of you have an extra heart or set of lungs? I'd hate to accidently kill one of you when I pull your heart through your chest, or disconnect your only set of lungs."
Jonis quickly gets to her suit and starts the power up sequence. Burgurk's guard hairs tingle as he sees the other men go for their weapons, his senses already on fire as the possible futures coalesce in his mind. The lead tough pauses for a moment and then grins as he goes for his weapon... You catch Shakti getting ready to do something as all of her arms begin to weave a pattern in the air...
Jonis will move and try to grab the goons, hopefully taking them out of the fight while not shooting her weapon near town.
"Do not hurt bystanders!"
A loud thump bangs out as the cargo doors of the Mountaineer swing open, and out hop three of Shakti's enforcers. The 'Enforcers' are hard to put a name to, but they are big (between 8-9 feet tall each), ugly as sin, and each layered with enough muscle for an entire body building team.
As their boots hit the ground, Shakti points out the trouble makers and says simply, "Those three; the trouble makers. Harm no one else unless you are attacked first."
Each of the brute men lifts a stout club or cudgel to his shoulder before wading in to clobber the offending parties. They split up, each charging towards one of their mistress' offenders.
Ogres are kin to orcs and lesser giants. They are often taken in by orc clans, who respect the dumb brutes for their savagery and strength. Orcs often pit their “pet” ogres in savage combats against their rivals’ ogres.
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d4, Spirit d6, Strength d12+3, Vigor d12
Skills: Fighting d8, Intimidation d8, Notice d4, Throwing d6
Pace: 7; Parry: 6; Toughness: 12 (1)
Gear: Thick hides (+1), massive club (Str+d8).
Special Abilities
• Size +3: Most ogres are over 8’ tall with pot-bellies and
massive arms and legs.
• Sweep: May attack all adjacent characters at –2.
Burgurk moves away from the bad guys (6"), and targets (at least) the one guy who doesn't have cover of innocents :
And bolts of light fly from his fingers towards the target(s), doing
And then he shouts "Everyone STOP! You are COWARDS, for hiding behind innocents in battle!"
Burgurk quickly assesses the situation and sends out bolts of force to knock down the men as Shakti summons a team of brutes to pound some sense into them. At the same time, Jonis rushes forward in her GG to grab one of the men hiding in the crowd. The leader steps back a bit, holding his chest where Burgurk's power slammed into him, the second is sent flying over the crowd from a swing by one of Shakti's brutes and the last is lifted several feet in the air by Jonis in her Glitter Girl.
Auriel's shield and sword shimmer into existence as he barrels towards the lead tough, ready to end the fight before it really gets started. As his blade strikes the man, a sheer barrier of force attempts to slow him down, but Auriel's will is stronger and the blade pushes through, skewering the man's chest. Auriel kept his promise to him. The last one struggles in Jonis' grasp. In the distance, you can hear an alarm sounding...
Jonis tries very hard to maintain the grip on the goon without squishing him like a ripe grape.
"Maybe it would be best if you let me do the taking. Auriel, do you mind taking a couple steps back?"
After Auriel moves away, she will "accidentally" step on the dead goon leader, and activate her pylon system on his remains.
"Oops!"
Merely following orders, the three good reporting to Shakti reverse step while she watches, then the move towards the last of the "three" that were pointed out to them, presently dangling harmessly from Jonis' armoured fist. Shakti continues to watch as they proceed to act on their previous command, slamming their clubs against the immobile man/
She approaches the Glitterboy on foot, readying her TK Revolver. "Sorry Jonis, I guess I forgot to retract the command. Seems we have both been clumsy today. Perhaps I should guard him..."
Unsure of quite how injured the man is, Shakti draws out her TK Revolver and levels at the man, aiming directly at his head. To her complete lack of surprise, it goes off!
"Oh my. I believe you call that Accidental Disharge?"