For the last several years, Jioh's Station has been on a 72 week resupply schedule. With each resupply cycle crew members rotate in and out, chief among them are the First Field graduates. Jioh's Station is located deep in what used to be enemy space, within the core system of the Pact Worlds. The Veskarium and the Packlings agreed to a cessation of hostility in order to combat the greater threat of The Swarm. The Council of Elder Generals have established a significant field training regimen that utilizes the Packling's drift beacon network to the advantage of the Veskarium. First Field graduates area assigned to a field training crew, under the tutelage of an experienced ship captain and are sent on missions of glory, honor, and victory!
Each of you have been assigned to crew the Jioh's Spine, under the command of Captain Zumanka. Zumanka is a stern but fair captain. He has shown you many things about the medium transport ship that you've called home for the last five weeks, teaching your practical ways to conserve limited resources while accomplishing your tasks. Each of you have rotated through different disciplines of the ship, gaining basic familiarity with communications, navigations, weapons, sensors, shields, life support, engines, and such.
The Jioh's Spine is the only ship currently berthed in docking bay 3-3. You've been keeping the ship in ready to depart status as you await your first field assignment. The time you've spent with Zumanka, you know that he is nearly as excited for you as you are to receive your first assignment. This tradition is known as Jioh's Journey. Over the centuries, the Journey has come to mark the true start of a Vesk warrior's career.
As you each stand aboard the Jioh's Spine, ready to join Captain Zumanka for the 0400 daily duty briefing please take a moment to introduce yourself to your shipmates. You've known each other for at least the last five weeks, possibly longer if you wish. You know better than to be late for Zumanka's daily briefing, nobody wants to perform inverted septic line maintenance again.
You see Katarasi standing before you in a military at ease stance in which the feet are shoulder width apart with his hands behind on the small of his back. Since he is not at attention, he rocks back and forth on his feet as he listens very intently to the Captain's briefing. You know him to be a heavily dedicated, punctual, and prepared house soldier. Katarasi's gear is always clean and in good working order. And you know he wants to break all of the Vesk legendary and hero records for combat. Whether or not that is possible, Katarasi is going to give it a try.
Otosh's arrival isn't heralded by the whisperings of all of the females, as he dreams it shall be one day. He knows there are vesk that are stronger, faster, and more technically savvy than he, but there are none more driven to prove themselves. His father's legacy was a proud one, one based on charisma, leadership, and convincing other vesk to follow him into the maelstrom of combat with little chance of returning. "That worked every time but the last father," Otosh thought to his father, "they probably shouldn't have signed on to that last mission. Luckily mother stayed behind."
Otosh checked his uniform and weapons, to make sure everything was in its place as he moved to stand in line beside Katarasi the "blood-hunter." At least that was how Otosh had the prospective warrior labeled in his head. "That one is out to shed blood for the Veskarium, and I am not sure he cares if it is warm or cold blood. Still, a useful tool, to be sure. He just needs to be directed to the right point of impact." Otosh gives a slight inclination of his snout towards Katarasi and turns his head forward to wait for the Captain.
Katarasi nods slightly back to Otosh and looks quickly over his uniform while waiting for the Captain's briefing. Being the house solder, he feels it his responsibility to look over the others to make sure they are in compliance with military uniform standards. Unlike humans, Vesk use body language instead of words to convey such things as hello, good morning, and etc.
Since he is not at attention, he rocks back and forth on his feet as he listens very intently to the Captain's briefing.
Since he is not at attention, he rocks back and forth on his feet as he waits for the Captain's briefing to begin.
Otosh begins to wonder if this will be just a duet.
Vralakosh strides into the room. He knew that despite his status as a house mage of House Banyok, his position was in jeopardy. As one of the few accepted professions for mages, they were highly sought after. This mission would decide his fate.
Katarasi looks at his time piece and looks at Vralakosh then gestures hello. Then looks over his clothing for anything out of place.
Katarasi starts rocking back and forth on his feet anxiously while thinking to himself, "I hope the others have been reassigned and are not late to the Captain's briefing" Being the soldier that he is, he looks up looking to see where the Captain is so as not to miss his queue to call everyone to attention.
Promptly at 0359 the doorway into the cargo bay where you are standing, opens and Captain Zumanka walks with purpose down the loading ramp and into the docking bay. As you have done daily for the last five weeks, you follow the Captain down the ramp. He walks 10 meters, stops with a precise stomp of his left boot and spins around to face you. You all also stop with a stomp, holding your stance at attention ready to receive the briefing. There is a seldom seen flare in the Captain's nostrils, and his neck scales are flush with a yellow tint. He is happy, very, very happy.
"Today is the day you have been awaiting, First Field Graduates! I have received a coded orders package from Field Ops Command! We may depart tomorrow and unseal the package once we have cleared the Diaspora. The ship is ready, the ship is always ready." you can hear his pride in your work in his deep voice. "Katarasi, you will be responsible for the final preflight checklist. Vralakosh will be at your disposal. Otosh, you will remove the 37 spools of conduit wire from the cargo hold."
This has been part of your routine for the last five weeks. One of you is responsible for the preflight checklist, and the others are subordinate in completing the tasks. Every few days though, Zumanka asks Otosh (and only Otosh) to alternately load and unload these 37 spools of wire.
"This evening, after our duties are complete, we will celebrate! I've a keg of vrahana waiting to be tapped for just this occasion!" he gestures at a row of barrels that have set stacked next to the ship this entire time. "We will drink and share stories into the wee hours of the night!" the Captain hits his right fist on his left shoulder excitedly. "But first…"
You hear the tink, tink of a metal cylinder rolling across the floor and Zumanka's hand quickly moves from his shoulder to cover this eyes as there is a loud explosion and a blinding flash of light!
Please make a Reflex Save, and also roll initiative!
I've also linked the tactical map under my name, you should be able to reach it here: Docking Bay 3-3
Katarasi sharply snaps to attention with a click when he receives the assignment of Pre-flight Checklist but refrains from responding with a voice that would interrupt the Captain, and quickly goes back to at ease.
As the briefing proceeds, Katarasi listens intently to the captain and was eager to hear the Captain's next statement before they were rudely interrupted with the distinct sound of some kind of grenade. He reacts quickly and tries to tackle the Captain to a safe location hopefully saving them both himself and the captain.
He place his hand where his side arm is (or would be) and looks around for the aggressor and possibly a better place to take cover.
Otosh stifles a smile as he remembers removing the conduit wire only yesterday. Unless someone else moved it back, then his labor today would be trivial.
As the Captain is finishing his statements, the explosion occurs...
Similarly to Katarasi, Vralakosh immediately readies to attention when he receives his assignment.
When the grenade strikes, he quickly drops to the ground, covering his eyes.
Seconds after the explosion and bright flash, you all hear the familiar hum of stabilizer fans roar into action as two live fire combat drones lift up into the air, retraining their targeting systems on you! Otosh is unable to shield his eyes quickly enough, and can see nothing but the white.
Initiative
1. Katarasi
2. Otosh *blinded*
4. Combat Drone 1 (red)
3. Vralakosh
5. Combat Drone 2 (purple)
Katarasi and Otosh are up first!
The drones are hovering at about 8 feet off the ground. Map has been updated!
Otosh will attempt to clear his eyes.
Otosh, you are able to attempt other actions if you wish. You know from experience that your optic nerves have been overstimulated by photon exposure and your sight should return shortly, so in that sense there is nothing to clear. Totally cool with whatever in-character choice you go with, just want to make sure you are informed. :)
Upon seeing the drones, in attempt to block targeting and visual acquisition of the drones, he throws a grenade between the drones and the group.
Then yells, "EVERYONE FAN OUT! IT IS DANGEROUS TO BUNCH UP"
At which point, he moves towards the console or whatever the reverse looking C is near the number 9.
Katarasi moves into action, tossing a smoke grenade at the combat drones, and then moves himself behind the cover of a grav-lift. Neither drone seems to be impacted by the smoke cloud.
Otosh, blind from the flash and caught thinking about moving those blasted spools out of the cargo hold again seems to stand in place momentarily.
Combat Drone 1 hovers away from the smoke cloud and opens fire on the unaware Otosh, easily hitting the vesk with an energy pulse for 3 electric damage.
Combat Drone 2 hovers closer to Vralakosh and opens fire. The discharged energy pulse also strikes Vralakosh for 2 electric damage.
Vralakosh is up!
Vralakosh pulls out his tactical baton and his hand charges with energy before he runs it across the length of his baton, infusing it with mystic force.
Top of Round 2!
Otosh's starts to return, and the priest is able to take in the situation fully! Captain Zumanka seems perfectly content to observe your performance from the deck.
Initiative
1. Katarasi
2. Otosh
4. Combat Drone 1 (red)
3. Vralakosh
5. Combat Drone 2 (purple)
Otosh and Katarasi are up!
Otosh will move and strike at the drone in red...
P
[ROUND 2]
Since there were no explosions, Katarasi walks around the hyperlift while drawing his LRC (Light Reaction Cannon), takes aim, and fires ...
But there must be some wrong with his weapon because he misses. And this angers Katarasi greatly visibly showing how displeased he is without losing control.
Otosh nods.
Otosh is glad his sight is clearing up.
Otosh takes a deep breath, smelling the scents of combat around him.
The red combat drone that Otosh swung at floats back a bit as an electrical pulse builds and then fires striking the vesk envoy! (Hit EAC 15, even with +2 partial cover bonus I believe is a hit, 1 elec damage).
The purple combat drone flies away from Katarasi toward a stack of boxes at the north end of the hanger, it rotates and discharges and electrical pulse that strikes the outer wall of the hyperlift instead! (Hit EAC 12, which is a miss).
Vralakosh is up!
Vralakosh moves towards the nearest drone and swings at it with his empowered baton.
Well, I need to be next to my target.
Otosh hopes that his allies can destroy some of the electronic beasts.
Assuming "after Vralakosh, we'll just go with all PCs can act on the top of Round 3" means "Sleestack comes running in...late as usual" "Sorry I missed muster again. But really, I'm more of night operative than a morning operative."
Sleestack seeing that his companions are in the throws of combat already. "Ummm...did I miss something or is this the Captain's way of waking us up with combat training?"
Sleestack moves to a better firing position using stealth to distract the drones sensors.
for the trick attack. Target is flat footed if I succeeded.
Vralakosh's super charged baton connects with the purple drone and absolutely wrecks it! There is a crackling transfer of energy from the baton, and the drone is quickly engulfed with chaotic ball lightning that sparks and melts bits of the drone as it falls to the floor with a thud.
Sleestack manages to trick the targeting systems on the red drone, quickly moving across the hanger floor and firing at the drone! The slugs from the autopistol strike their intended target with a light ting of metal.
Round 3:
1. Vralakosh
2. Sleestack
3. Katarasi
4. Otosh
4. Combat Drone 1 (red) (5 damage)
5. Combat Drone 2 (purple) (destroyed)
Katarasi and Otosh may still act!
Otosh strikes twice at the drone...
P
P
Otosh tries to imagine the other paths his life could have taken.
"Where have my siblings ended up," he ponders?
Otosh starts considering his next move.
Otosh swings his doshko with more strength than precision against the highly mobile drone, as it evades both of the vesk's mighty swings!
Seeing that the purple drone has been dispatched by Vralakosh, Katarasi moves in hoping to claim a kill on the red drone!
The soldier's shots go wide as he over compensates for the proximity of Otosh!
The red drone whirls around, pointing a sharp, spear-like end at Otosh and wooshes forward to stab him!
Round 4:
1. Vralakosh
2. Sleestack
3. Katarasi
4. Otosh
4. Combat Drone 1 (red) (5 damage)
5. Combat Drone 2 (purple) (destroyed)
Party is up!
Again Otosh takes a double swing at the drone...
P
P
Sleestack moves to a better firing position using stealth to distract the drones sensors.
for the trick attack. Target is flat footed if I succeeded.
Vralakosh and Katarasi as still up this round!
Otosh wonders where the newcomer came from!
Katarasi takes aim and shoots again ...
and misses just like before ...
Katarasi thinks to himself, "Damoritosh are you angry with me?! What did I do to offend you?!"
Katarasi is visibly not happy, this has been is worse engagement ever!
Vralakosh starts running for the next drone.
"We need to finish this!"
The red drone driven by a singular purpose attempts to impale Otosh again! This time, the sharp metal point stabs into the priest!
Round 5:
1. Vralakosh
2. Sleestack
3. Katarasi
4. Otosh
4. Combat Drone 1 (red) (5 damage)
5. Combat Drone 2 (purple) (destroyed)
Party is up!
Otosh, despite being frustrated, keeps swinging...
P
P
Otosh is finally able to connect with a mighty swing of his doshko, and brings the heavy weapon down on the small drone frame smashing it into pieces!
Captain Zumanka brushes himself off as he walks across the hanger deck towards the crew. "You've managed to deal with this unexpected threat, Damoritosh be praised!" he bellows. "Katarasi I want to you to strip down, re-calibrate, and test fire your canon before we depart. Sleestack you will perform the preflight checklist. Vralakosh is at your disposal. Otosh, your spools await."