●So, their leader appears to be waiting for something. She keeps checking a device on her belt. I imagine that it is either a timepiece and she is waiting for a specific time, or a communication device and she is awaiting a signal. The way she is checking it implies she is feeling impatient. The rendezvous is either approaching rapidly or already overdue. That means that whatever we choose to do, we should probably do it soon. If we can find a way to scout for any other approaching groups, that would be helpful. Do you know if there are any Simvan tribes in this area? If we could contact them, they would be a great source of information, and these folk must be using psi-stalkers to keep the Faelerin drained of their psychic potential. That would make us natural allies.●
●When it comes to the operation, I see a few options. First, direct. Move our squads up from multiple directions, fire off a warning shot, and demand surrender. If we get the squads in position, it has a good chance of success. Liabilities are that if noticed while getting into position, we could end up in a pitched battle. Whether we are noticed or not, we also run the risk of getting into a hostage situation with the Faelerin we came to rescue. I think we'd have to play it as though we don't know who they are or who the Faelerin are, and we are just a patrol wanting to know what an unaffiliated armed group is doing here.●
●Option two: guile. We drive up to them as though we met by chance, make conversation, and ask if we can trade for supplies. We gather as much intel as we can, and can then decide how to proceed next. Downside is, we don't know how much time we have, and this option needs time to pay off. If a second team shows up, our odds decrease.●
●Third: subterfuge. I go in invisible, sabotage equipment, and potentially even communicate with the Faelerin. I saw one walking about, so even if they are prisoners, they don't seem to be restrained. I could theoretically even bring them a few weapons. Even if they can't help us, weapons might be enough to hold off any of the slavers that try to rush in to try to use them as shields. This option would still require a direct intervention of some sort, but if their vehicles and heavy weapons are inoperable, and they can't use hostages, we could probably negotiate a surrender relatively easily. If they know they can't escape, it would also make a scorched earth strategy, killing the hostages, less likely, as we would be motivated to kill them, either to stop them or in reprisal.●
●There are probably other strategies we could use, but that is what comes to mind for me. Any of those appeal to you, or spark any ideas of your own?●
"I think a warning shot might just result in a massive retaliation. How about if we combine two of your ideas : the rest of us will approach as traders, and talk to them from a distance to distract them. Meanwhile, you go invisible and do everything you mentioned. Maybe you should go in before we show up, depending on how long you think it will take you. Then the rest of us attack, and when they discover their equipment is wrecked, they might give up, or at least be easier to kill.
Josiah, could you rig up some explosive devices that could all be triggered by an electronic signal simultaneously? That might wound some of them immediately, and cause confusion in general. Not sure how to disguise them, I guess Jingu would just have to hide them pretty well."