Hmm's Against the Aeon Throne -- The Adventures of The Teapot!

Game Master Hmm

When the wandering soldiers come up Dalinar gives his two creds, "Going out in full force would probably lead to them shooting us. Perhaps a pair of the stealthier members of our crew should follow them a bit. An opportunity to approach them may present itself."

Later Dalinar moves some more things around for the colonists and heads to bed.

The next day after breakfast he checks in on The Teapot. He takes a look at all the disassembled pieces around Aibretta and Ludvar. "Looks like everything...," his eyes scan the work again with a glaze, "I cannot lie, I have no idea what any of this is supposed to look like. I trust you two know what you are doing however. I am really here just making rounds before we have to leave again. I am making sure everyone will be fine once we leave." It looks as though Dal is talking mostly to Aibretta as he finishes. He notices himself doing that and stands up a bit straighter. "Worrying about people is just in my nature," he says to the whole room as though more people were present.

After that conversation ends Dalinar walks over to Rush(who I assume is there). "Rushling, I am going to go search for some herbs to help restock Madelon's Landing's doctors. May I ask for your aid? Randall told me about a plant that grows down at the bottom of the river."

Dalinar does just that whatever Rush answers.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Once he can finally properly communicate with the Azlanti chef, Wint decides that he needs to learn far more recipes.

So he organizes a colony Potlach, a huge feast where everybody brings their best dishes, ideally the ones that their grandmothers taught them to make (he doesn't quite understand the concept of grandmother but he does know that grandmothers recipes are thought of as the best).

He'll also encourage all of The Mysterious Seven to participate

"Its a team bonding exercise, you see. And this way I'll know the kinds of things that you really like and I can cook meals that we'll ALL really, really like. So, what did YOUR grandmother teach you to cook?"

He will also, of course, try to help everybody else that he can. Fortunately for him, he tends to have a short attention span so he drops tasks as quickly as he picks them up :-)

Wint gets a message on his comms:

Wint,
I will not be attending your feast.
Sincerely,
Pon

Minos welcomes the company. "Sure Jellik, I kind of see we are of the some mind. Ibra talks about the connections of all things. And nothing makes connections like people. But I too need to get away for some more simple points. Just mind Lord Dracos. He has been non-stop about how instrumental he was in the liberation of the Landing"

The squox goes "Cheeipt!" in playful disgust at Minos the scampers up Jellik to see what treats he may have.

With pleading eyes as one that has not eaten in daaaayyssss. "Souuu?"

Prosper leaves his suggestion about the 'Wayward Azlantis care package' open and heads off to join Wint in the kitchens. It was high time to learn how to make something other than toast and Urgevorith Instant Slime Nodules. When Wint offers the suggestion of a potlach, he adds "Er, I don't have any grandma recipes to make. Do you think, y'know, you could teach me how to make something to bring? Maybe something androids like to eat would be good."

"Oh, and if you have time, I could totally go for a cooking crash course from you or the Singing Chef. Last time I tried to make boiled roose I think I didn't use the right kind of desluicifier on the water first..." He stares down at the floor in embarrassment, then looks up (down) at the skittermander hopefully.

Profession (Chef), untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Uh, see?"

Overjoyed to be both helping AND to start introducing a friend to the joys of cooking, Wint definitely agrees to help Prosper learn the basics.

"It is, in many ways, similar to gymnastics. The trick is to plan ahead what it is you want to do, come up with a plan, and then execute it. You start slow and build up your skills"

He'll spend several hours teaching him the basics, but only an hour or so at a time.

He turns out to be a surprisingly good teacher with great patience for a beginners mistakes.

Spec is slightly nonplussed at the reaction to his proposal for the teenage cadets. "We didn't spare those idiots so they could die from exposure out there before they learn anything useful in their brainwashed lives ..."
He gathers a care package himself and tracks down Goraya to ask her for a lift out to BTEP-3 so he can help patch up some of the remaining injuries at the mine.
Medicine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

During the night, he sneaks off the site and begins trekking about looking for the
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
and begins trekking about carefully looking for the cadets.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Plan is to try and get close enough to charm one or more of them (DC15) and get them to accept kindness from a completely unthreatening individual, and predispose them more towards the colony that cared about them when Olajra sent them off to die.

@Dalinar

Rush looks up from the machinery and efforts he has been doing. "Swimming sounds good." As he follows Dalinar.

Upon reaching the river, Rush looks to his Orc Leader companion. "What herb is needed?" He says, his sentences starting to sound more coherent. It seems like he is recovering a little bit better than before. Getting the description, makes his effort on finding the correct herbs and bio-materials needed.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Life Sciences: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Rush swims around, searching, grabbing whatever he can find that looks even remotely like what Dalinar describes to him. He ends up coming back out with perhaps more than what was expected. He even has a fish speared onto the new bone-blade he has sticking out of his other arm.

"Will this suffice?"

Assuming Spec returns from his partially-posteriored "mission", he will catch up to Rush after the party

During Minos's various jaunts in to the near-by woods and rivers he does do a little fishing. And for the Potlacht creates grandma Hilda's "Castrovellian Mollusk Soup." Though it is more fish and crustations, using just what ever spices are on hand, and of course no Thasalonian Septapod.

Prosper does his best to follow along with Wint's instructions, but no matter the plan he comes up with, his execution is... clumsy at best. But by the end of the day he manages to progress just a little bit. Stops managing to burn water at the very least.
---
When he catches wind of Spec's plan to seduce run a charm offensive on the wayward cadets, Prosper joins in. He switches his appearance to that of a pure azlanti, but switches to his old armor to highlight its clear Pact Worlds origin. Kind of a happy medium between looking familiar to the cadets and looking very much like their enemies.
Disguise; shapeshifting: 1d20 + 6 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 10 = 25

He follows Spec, sneaking through the forest, and then does his best to reinforce his charm with some bluffing and diplomacy to defuse the situation.
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Bluff: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 7 + (6) = 26
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Upon seeing Wint's invitation Dalinar sends a reply. I never met my grandmother and I cannot cook. I will, however, gladly eat anything you make.

While herb-gathering with Rush Dalinar praises the wrickreechee, "You have been a great help these past few days. You don't talk much so you do not get to hear that as much as you would like I think. I am very pleased to hear your speech improving. I have to think that being amongst friends helps with that."

"Silence is lonely. Listen. Adapt. Learn. These I did. See in newer perspective. Discover." Rush responds to Dalinar. "Cannot engage in fight against team. Beyond understanding. Beyond logic. Machine has logic. Machine work in order. Does not strain until rusted."

Jellik and Minos

Jellik helps Minos fish and gather herbs and greens for this stew, adding some onion-like plants that really pep it up. "See these fern like things? Their hearts are really delicious. Slice them up at the end, fry them up, and sprinkle them on top of your stew." He also shares his knowledge about hobgars, and enthusiastically enters into the project to find other ways of keeping them from the colony.

"Maybe we can set off lightning rods to attract lightning far from the colony, and have them release their bursts every so often to attract them? I'm no engineer, but that sounds great to me."

Jellik then says, "So. Um. I know you plan to go into Azlanti space after Cedona. If you get her, you of course have to bring her back... but after that, can you entice Dalinar with new missions that he might have to do far from Nakondis? Gods, that sounds petty, don't it?"

Team Care Package

Prosper and Spec catch sight of some miserable looking teenagers, huddled together for warmth around the worst campfire ever. It's a cool and misty night. All four teens are shivering, too tired to even talk with one another.

No map for this. How do you approach?

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Just before arriving at the teenagers' "camp", Spec turns around and waves Prosper over.
"Hey there Prosper, thanks for coming along... You are here to help right?"
He waits a second in case of negation, then bustles onward.
"Well, my plan is to get in about 30' back in the trees from the campfire (which hopefully has ruined their nightvision as they are just staring at it) and start casting Charm Person on 3 of them.

Once I have at least one of them friendly enough to convince the others not to shoot me, harmless little me will go in with a bag of goodies (there is another one here if you want it). I'll try and convince them that they are no longer required to be hostile to the colonists. Assuming they agree, we have a tent, blankets, some warm clothes, and a bit of food to offer right away."
He chuckles abruptly.
"If they seem really sincere, I'll even mindlink and give them each a crash-course in wilderness survival ... including building a less-sad fire. Would you like to go in a little earlier or at the same time? I'll need 20 seconds to get the magic on target."

-------
Charm Person x3 DC15 Will
Spec walks in as unthreateningly as only a pudgy old owl can and softly begins speaking to the in nearly-unaccented Azlanti
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
"Hello younglings. Not all is lost quite yet, but neither will it ever be the same again. There are some that care what happens to you ... these are from them...[continues].."

Team Care Package

Since everyone speaks Azlanti, I'll just write these responses out.

"Oh, look, it's a Xaursi, here to save us! Xaursi, I'm Panna, did you bring food?" One girl exclaims.

"A Xaursi? Here? Wait a minute.... Why aren't you on your homeworld?" The boy lifts up his gun, feebly. "Troops, don't trust him!"

"But he brought food! Real food! I've had nothing but half-burnt fish for days." Another boy says. "Mr. Suspicious there is Koranth. And I'm Teodor, and this is Aliara..."

"I'm sorry, I'm with Koranth. What are you doing here on Nakondis?" Aliara looks suspiciously at the basket, but she's not shooting yet. She does have her hand poised on her rifle.

Meanwhile, Panna's already examining the basket. "There's real bread, and meat, and some kind of sweet smelling biscuits, and berries..." She and Teodor immediately sit down and start eating like famished wolves. "Oh, this is soooo good!"

"But it could be poisoned!" Koranth says, eyeing the food with absolute longing.

Meanwhile, back with the hovertrike, Goraya stays in the shadow of the trees, speaking to Spec and Prosper telepathically. By Weydan, I almost feel sorry for them... But they were murderous little thugs before. What do you think, Prosper?

Prosper responds back to the telepathic question with "Gosh, they're kids who've been turned into awful murderous psychos. I'm not like a xeno-psychologist who'd know about to fix that! But I guess I'm gonna try... hopefully you can whisk us away on a hovertrike if things so south!"

Prosper considers his options, then adjusts his appearance to be a mishmash of azlanti features from the various cadets the group encountered, with a few tweaks to not really look like any specific one. He goes for an older appearance, a bit of an authority figure and also a friendly looking face. He follows after Spec into the clearing.

He nods as he sees the four famished younglings, then speaks in azlanti. "Hello cadets. I'd been hoping we'd find you. I am Elend, formerly of-" He interjects the name of one of the azlanti star empire planets mentioned either in one of the contemporary azlanti accounts, either from Sharu's datapad or from the barracks. "-but now of this wild little world. Much like yourselves, stranded here. You do know that the ship that brought you here has already left, yes?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 7 + (1) = 21

"And this here-" He waves at Spec "Is my partner, Silverheart, or Sil for short."

"You may be wondering: What kind of dashing young azlanti would wind up living *here* of all places? Well, that's a long and tragic story. But it suffices to say that myself and Sil survived a terrible crash and had no choice but to take up the life presented to us. Much like yourselves."

"That food by the way? It comes from the non-azlanti colonists living on this world." He pauses to allow them to be upset and surprised. "Now, I promise you it is neither poisoned nor otherwise tampered with. You're welcome to not believe me, but as Panna's condition will soon attest, it's perfectly safe."

"Now you have an important decision up ahead of you, one I too had to face. You're not well equipped to survive in the wilderness like this." He pauses to draw attention to their general weakness and fatigue. "But the local non-azlanti are. As I myself experienced, they are not so evil, or so pathetic, as we all learned about in school and training."

With that (possibly dangerous for his well-being) nugget delivered, Prosper gives a little bow to the group. "Think on what I've said and decide what you will. And good luck. I hope the best for all of you."

There's plenty of places in here that may involve the cadets deciding to stop listening and start shooting. If they do, Prospers gonna skedaddle out of there and back to the hovertrikes.

Even though the question is directed at Prosper, Spec cannot resist adding his own telepathic commentary.
"Miss Goraya, I know they were "murderous little thugs" before, but please remember that many of these children are just as much victims of their society as the people here were to them. Imagine an impressionable young child taken from their parents before morals truly formed. The child is fed tales of glory and duty, and systematically conditioned to follow orders without question for the good of the Empire. It is so effective that many truly cannot conceive of not doing precisely what they are told. This very well might be the first time in their lives that they have been able to make a choice... any choice... without having those orders hanging over them.

Sorry for butting in..."
---------

As Prosper is spinning his tale, Spec jumps in at appropriate moments
Bluff: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 7 + (5) = 22
mixing truth and more comforting lies with classic neuroplasticity therapeutic techniques
Professor: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
to help convince the exhausted and traumatized teenagers that there is enough hope left to listen to what Prosper and the colonists might have to say

Team Care Package

"They left us? They abandoned us? But we were loyal!" All four teens are in shock, and one is on the verge of crying. "Why would they do that?"

Panna looks up at you. "And you... are you leaving us here too? With no direction or way to get back to the colony?"

"Will they even want us?" Korath asks. "I was ordered to beat up their school teacher."

Back at Madelon's Landing

After working non-stop on improving The Teapot, Aibretta shows up at the party having finally showered, wearing clean overalls and with flowers in her hair. She kneels down to talk to Wint. "I'm sorry that I didn't make anything for your party. Um, you sure made a lot... Are you sure we can eat it all? It looks delicious though!"

She makes a big deal over all the foods, but keeps looking around for someone.

Meanwhile, the other colonists arrive, many with large plates of goodies that they've harvested, grilled or prepped! Jellik puts his arm around Minos's shoulder. "Let's wow them with this stew, eh?"

At Olajra's Office

"Pon!" Madelon calls to you.

Knock, knock, knock!

"If you're not gonna come to the party, can I bring you back a meal? Eating MRE's in an office for four days is going to gum up your works from the inside! Besides, we haven't finished talking. I think you're dead wrong that it is not your job to encourage talent. That is EVERYONE's job. Hell, I'm trying to do that with you."

Prosper shakes his head sadly at the cadets, not able to answer the first question. To the second he adds "In your zeal, you've done a lot of harm to the non-azlantis. Sil and I were able to get them to consider treating you kindly by using ourselves as an example - but it'll take you honestly turning over a new leaf before they'll trust you truly."

"I want to make sure you really think about if you're willing to give it a try. For that, it'll take some time. But I know you're decent, smart boys and girls." He smiles in what he hopes is a fatherly fashion, channeling Madelon once more.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"For now, I'll make sure they send you all food and some supplies to build a shelter. You regain your strength and consider what I said. If you're honest about being willing to work with them, they'll let you join them at the colony then."

He looks to Spec to see if the xaursi has anything punchier to leave the cadets with.

Dalinar enters the potluck in the suit he wore the day the Seven met. He brings in a large dish full of mushrooms. "Ah, Master Wint. I told you I was not a cook but I found these and they are edible. Quite succulent as well I might add."

Spec smiles benignly at the (former?) cadets as well, and begins his blend of scientific evaluation and comforting half-truths, wrapped in a cocoon of earnest encouragement.
Professor of Xenoneurology: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Bluff: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + (4) = 15
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"Ah younglings.. I remember what it was like, what feels like a lifetime ago. You've probably never had to make a decision on your own before, and certainly not one of this magnitude! My father once told me "a cog isn't a cog until it is out of the clock" Now granted that took my own abandonment to really understand it, but in essence it means you are all something new, something different than you were last week."

He looks at Panna "Of course Elend and I have to leave you dear one, because only then will YOU learn to make the choice on who YOU want to be tomorrow."

He shifts over to Korath "Yes, you did them harm, even if it was under orders. But now you have no orders but the ones YOU give yourself. Should YOU choose, you could make amends to that school teacher... or you could not."

Back to the group "The point is my little hatchlings, is that as of today, you have been promoted to masters of your own fates. It is now that each of you gets the terrifying yet awesome responsibility to decide where you want to drive your own life. You may choose to cleave to the traditions of Old Azlant as you have been taught. You may also decide to "play the hand you were dealt" as some say, and make peace with the colonists. I sense that one of these is more survivable than the other, but again that is for you to decide which is which."

He claps his talons together "Now, speaking of survival, I can gift each of you with a piece of my knowledge on the subject. Should you wish, I can teach one of you about making and maintaining fires, one about finding shelter, one to find direction, and one to find food ... so working together you can take the time you need to make your choices."
Mindlink if anyone is willing

With Jelik before the party

Looking at the collections of herbs and sea food Minos smiles. "Grandma Hilda did say stew is more of an idea then an actual recipe. I think this will be a good tribute to her. I would not worry too much about most of lingering around after we bring Cedona back. I like the quiet. But I myself never stay in one place too long. Though I may come back from time to time. I suspect the others will find adventures else where as well. "

Minos ponders the idea of lightening rods. "That can work. We will need to grab a few things from the shop but I expect we can get one or two prototypes up before the festivities. Maybe even use them for a little light show when it gets dark!"

The head back with their catch and Minos starts his stew. While it cooks he grabs some parts from the shop and head back out. With a little engineering jigery pokery, Jeliks's advice, and a bit of mystical help, they erect a small tower that siphons some of the ambient electricity, and occasionally sparks and flashes in odd colors. He leaves a little pile of extra junk and scrap to be charged and be a nice distraction for the Hogbars.

At the Party

Minos mingle and tells stories of various types to those around. He listens as well, trading tales with the locals. He tries a bit of everything, but spends the time trying to figure out how someone make a wonderful lemon cake, without any lemons.

Lord Dracos attempts to lead the other squox of the Teapot but most of the others just ignore him and do their own tricks and begging for food and attention.

Lord Dracos does spend some time near the grill seeing that it is the real source of the food. And if he could just get close enough all the foods would be his.

Rush at the party is showing off his sushi chef skills at a table where he is chopping up fish with his bone blades. The talent is amusing, but clearly not appreciated at his level, because people are afraid of where those bone blades have been.

Operation Care Package

Two of the Azlanti teens accept the mindlink. "We'll try to make our way back to the Landing," Panna says. "Maybe we can just talk to them?"

They wave as you leave, maybe a little more hopeful, and certainly less hungry than before you came.

At the Potluck -- Whole Party

When Spec, Prosper and Goraya return back to the landing, Goraya projects, Oh my gosh, look at all this food. I'm kind of guilty that the kids are still out there... But I think you're right that they need this trek, and this time to think things over.

Goraya watches Rush chopping the fish and applauds. "We should show that trick to Spritz! That's great, Rush."

Madelon doesn't say anything to Pon, but he smiles and hands Pon a large plate. Everyone exclaims over Minos's tasty fish stew, or comments over the antics of Lord Dracos. Colonists from all around come by to shake all of your hands, and to ooh and ahh at Wint and the Singing Chef's tower of cakes. The mystery of the lemon cake without lemons is compelling, and many of the colonists debate the conundrum with Minos... While eating slices of the lemon cake. Quorsica goes back for thirds. "These are so good!"

Then Aibretta touches Dalinar's shoulder. "Um, I wanted to... I mean..." she searches for words for a few moments and then she just leans forward and kisses him. When she's done, she pulls back and says, "Bring Cedona back, and come back yourself. Okay?"

Dalinar is very surprised when Aibretta kisses him. He almost pulls away but then the tension in him, which has been so constant as to possibly not even be noticed by some, fades away.

"I..." he looks at her with wet eyes but his mouth twists into an ever so rare smile. "Yes, I think I'd like that."

He looks around and straightens his jacket, trying to look like a big important man. Then he gives up and grins like an idiot. "Come on, let's eat." Dalinar talks to Aibretta as long as he can. It looks like the stick in his posterior has loosened quite a bit for once.

Pon finds a nice corner to sit and eat in with a full view of the festivities.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to relax for just a little while. They may be fools, but they did get the job done. It'll be a shame if they die...

.......

Oh? A kiss?..Well, guess this means I definitely can't let Dalinar die...sigh...

As the party dies down, Ludvar runs to you from the ship, his burned face stretched with excitement. He activates his voice box, somehow managing to convey an excited tone despite the tinny flatness of his vocal modulator. "I WAS JUST DOING SOME LAST MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS WHEN THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FROM ABSALOM STATION THAT WAS BEAMED TO THE TEAPOT AND ADDRESSED TO HER CREW. IT LOOKED IMPORTANT, SO I RECORDED IT, BUT YOU MAY WANT TO GO SEE IT FOR YOURSELVES!"

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

BOOK 2, PART 1. A DISTANT CALL

You all run back to the ship, accompanied by Madelon and a few other trusted colonists. A few minutes later, you see a woman officer in a blue Stewards uniform. She's human, middle-aged, with brown skin and black hair.

"My name is Major Deepadra Evosco of the Stewards. I don't know for certain whether you will have a chance to receive this message, or if the Azlanti invaders we believe to be in Nakondis's orbit intercepted you. If you are listening, then you truly are as resourceful as Miss Poshkettle informed us you are."

In the background, you see a very familiar pink haired gnome poke her head in. Charli mouths, You've got this!

She gives you a thumbs-up, and then steps out of the shot.

"As such, I have no qualms about relaying the following information," Major Deepadra Evosco continues her debriefing. "We recently received a troubling transmission from the Pact Worlds colony Nakondis. It was sent from an android named Cedona, with whom I believe you are acquainted. She informed us she had salvaged what she believed to be an experimental starship drive from an ancient wreck she discovered on the colony world, and that a ship from the Azlanti Star Empire had suddenly appeared in the colony's atmosphere. We have received no further transmissions from the colony, leading us to assume her worst fears were true: that the Azlanti ship intended to attack the colony in order to lay claim to the device.

“Miss Poshkettle informed us that Poshkettle Tea was contracted by AbadarCorp to carry supplies to Nakondis, which leaves you as the only Pact Worlds ship with a chance of knowing the exact situation. Moreover, she tells us that she selected a well-rounded group that she thought could improvise, and deal with all sorts of potential trouble. Our records on all of you confirm this assessment. Also, you may have hidden assets, that might surface like a pawn rising to become a more versatile chess piece."

Major Evosco takes a deep breath and continues. "We are requesting your aid in a matter regarding the system-wide security of the Pact Worlds. If the Azlanti have indeed retrieved this experimental drive, we want you to enter the Azlanti Star Empire and attempt to either recover or destroy that drive. None of our ships are close enough to intervene in this situation in a timely fashion. We're willing to deputize you to operate in the Star Empire on our behalf for this mission—you come recommended by someone that we hold in very high esteem."

In the background, a small gnomish hand waves.

"Is that necessary?" Major Evosco asks coolly, and the small hand disappears. Then she turns back to all of you. “We know that we are asking a lot from you with this request, and rest assured, you will be very well rewarded for your efforts when you return. If Cedona is still alive, I recommend you rendezvous with her as soon as possible. She will no doubt have far more information on the current situation than we can provide you. Beyond that, I can only hope you accept our offer, and wish you good luck if you do. Evosco out.”

The transmission ends with a sizable data transmission to all of you, including most of what the Stewards know about the Azlanti Empire. It's distressingly little. As a group, you've uncovered more information from your own explorations into the Azlanti data you recovered. Still, it's organized and provides useful context throughout.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

GAME BENEFIT: Anyone who has this data on his personal comm unit (or other easily accessible handheld computer) can take 10 on Culture checks to recall knowledge about Azlanti society while he is within the empire.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Culture: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Rush have no idea if there is a hidden message or foul play, but he and LINGSTON know a thing or two about the Stewards.

"No fear. We do not fail. Will slice Azlanti throats and vanish to shadows. No one left to tell tales."

"Humor: Rather bold of you to say, Rush."

"Assurance: We will make certain our fates are not intertwined with the Stewards on this mission."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 5 + (1) = 20

Prosper holds a piece of cake in each hand and talks with his mouth full. "Muffin' shanges for uf, whe-" He swallows hard, almost choking on the cake. "-phew. Nothing changes for us, right? We were gonna go rescue Cedona and find this drive, and we're still gonna do that. Plus, now we're gonna be super famous when we get back all successful."

"Well, I guess as successful as the Stewards let us be. I get the feeling they don't want us to look like any official military group if we get killed or captured."

He wipes crumbs away with his sleeve. "And we need to go fast! Let's get another round of cake and fill some tupperware with fish stew and get flying!" He grins, swept up in the excitement and drama of the Stewards unofficially deputizing the team.

"Nothing changes at all except that we have an official request to do what we planned to anyway."

Rush agrees with his fellow Centurion, and starts filling all kinds of random dishes into containers.

Culture: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Pon watches the message straight faced. After it is over he rushes back to his temporary office, gathers his things, and boards the ship.

Wint carefully scans the information

"Hmm, Sea Bass in a Rose Cream Jalpeno Sauce. I wouldn't have thought that combination would work but it DOES get 4 stars. Although I think that the recipe definitely needs more garlic. And I think a little bit of mole for the Bass"

"Oh, yeah, great. One thing about me, the Azlanti will Never think that I'm working for the Stewards :-). Right Pon? :-)"

culture: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Minos takes a sour face with assignment. "Expendable!" For once the Nuar is visibly angry. Once the transmission is completed, he snorts and attempts to regain his previous composure. "We have our marching orders" and with that he gets his things stowed on the Teapot

Rush comforts Minos. "Expendable is dead. We will not be. We will slaughter. They surrender or die."

It is clear that he is not one who has great advice.

The colonists all have parting gifts. Goraya tells Prosper, "We gathered every flare we could find in the colony. I hope it's enough."

Oh, look, 30 more flares!

The miners from BTep-3 offer up a frostbite class zero-rifle, which they hand to Rush. "We heard you needed a longarm, and we're hoping this will do."

Jellik helps bring more wild foods aboard, which he offers to Wint. "You're an excellent cook, even if that singing Chef of yours gives me the heebie-jeebies!"

He then whispers to Minos, "Good luck to you. Hope you don't take this wrong, but I wish you success and I wish you far, far away from here." He glances, meaningfully at Dalinar.

Madelon pays you your credits. "Hope you can find some good place to spend 'em."

Aibretta and Ludvar clear out their tools, not before offering hugs and well-wishes all around. Then the Nakondis colonists clear out, everyone waving to you and wishing you the best of luck.

Aibretta offers Dalinar one last hug, and is the last to run out.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

You take off into the Vast! Though infiltrating the Azlanti Star Empire is seen by most as a suicidal prospect, you've gained two crucial advantages over the course of your previous adventure: the flight plan of the Azlanti courier ship that was carrying Cedona, and the salvaged transponder from the Azlanti ship Barazad. When you examine the courier's route, you will see that it enters the Azlanti Star Empire, continues to the Nys system, and ends at a moon in that system called Gulta.

Entering the courier's flight plan into the PCs' ship computer grants a +10 circumstance bonus to piloting checks to navigate and plot a course to the unfamiliar Azlanti Star Empire.

What are you doing en route?

Rush looks over the Frostbite Rifle with interest. He holds it at the hip and feels it. The grip seems to please the mentally deformed Wrikreechee. "Accepted. Appreciated. Will spill blood in honor of new friends."

=========================================================================== =========

Rush returns to life on the ship. Inspecting the weapons to make sure that they are as deadly as he can make them. The death-shrimp seems fascinated with the idea of being able to destroy enemies with greatest efficiency and minimal effort.

Every now and then he eats another piece of whatever stored food they took from the party. Whether his companions get upset or not at his indulgence is not his concern.

His work is enhanced by LINGSTON playing tracks from WE ATE GOLARION, and he looks like a regular metal fan in his favorite environment.