Scurrying along, Tegrodera tries his best to navigate the vehicular labyrinth.
Sevash begins scouting for a way through
(+2 if dim light or dark)
[
"Time for us to move."
Second Obstacle:
Bombardment from airborne Swarm vessels has weakened the bridge in spots, leaving a pitted and collapsing tract ahead of you. To find a safe route through, attempt either an Engineering check to assess the stability of the road or a Survival check to find the tracks of other evacuees.
"We should try to follow the others."
"What a strangely built bridge"
"Which way did they go?"
"Surely they went this way."
Unfortunately, you waste precious moments on dead ends that lead to yawning holes, giving you a view of the cold churning water hundreds of feet below. By luck, you eventually manage to find a way forward.
Third Obstacle: A large transport vehicle, jackknifed and overturned, lies across both lanes of the highway. You can attempt an Athletics check to scramble over the wreckage or an Acrobatics check to squeeze between the transport’s cab and trailer.
Telsix is able to find purchase on the truck and help a squad-mate to clamber over it.
Aysén tries to squeeze by.
Sevash gets her wings and hair caught in the wreck
Wriggling like a Blattodea, Tegrodera attempts to squirm through the frame of the wrecked vehicle.
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On the other side of the overturned truck (which you only make it over due to Telsix and Tegrodera’s efforts) the edge of the bridge is visible, and the you can sprint toward safety. As you do, you can hear a final countdown blasting from loudspeakers in the distance, which is nearly drowned out by the screech of hundreds of Swarm creatures as they begin to cross the bridge. The countdown ends and a massive explosion rips through the bridge’s superstructure, engulfing the Swarm horde, just as you get to solid ground. A shock wave rolls over the you . . . imagine the classic action movie scene with the explosion occurring behind you and throwing you forward.
"I'm gonna make it! I'm gonna have a finished basement!"
Telsix collapses to the ground as the blastwave rolls over them.
Sevash do her best to keep her footing and look cool despite being battered and exhausted
Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym
Attempting to help bring Telsix to safety, Tegrodera grabs onto one of Telsix's arms to pull them up and along.
"We're almost to safety, just keep yourself together and we can rest and recover soon! You've done so much already and we're so thankful for you!"
After the explosion, the remnants of Midnight Squad carry the fallen Telsix Collective through the explosion’s resulting debris to reach the bulwarks behind which the Third Battalion demolitions squad monitored the operation. A squad of SDF soldiers greets them, provide Telsix with healing serum and offers to give you a ride back to Fort Gallant in their nearby vehicles.
During the ride in the back of a troop transport, a member of the Third Battalion demolitions squad compliments you on your escape from the Swarm and the explosion. She notes that her squad has some leftover supplies and slides a small footlocker over to Sevash. With a wink she says, “Blast some vexers for me.”
[larger]Interlude: Fort Gallant[/larger]
Some concrete barriers, chain-link fences, and a few concrete emplacements containing heavy weapon turrets are the only fortifications this encampment has to offer.
As you disembark from the troop carrier, you see about a hundred civilians and a far smaller number of weary-looking soldiers milling around some hastily erected tents. A human soldier approaches and introduces himself as Lieutenant Gorham. He dispenses with the formalities of an enlisted soldier and says, “You all made it out of Brinnoa alive? Not many members of the Fifth Battalion were as lucky as you. Commander Najiri has asked to receive situation reports directly from all new arrivals immediately. Let me take you to her now.”
Lieutenant Gorham leads you to one of the few two-story structures in the camp and ushers them up a small external metal staircase. The door at the top has a placard outside that reads, “Commander-General Darquin.”
As you step inside, you are hit with the unmistakable smells of antiseptic and blood. The office inside is a mess, with a large wooden desk in the center and piles of datapads and electronic maps pushed off onto the floor. A human woman in a long military coat lies on the table, being tended to by a pair of SDF medics. A nametag on her shoulder reads “H. Najiri.” Her left leg is badly hurt: most of the muscle and flesh has been ripped to shreds and the underlying bone is visible. The wound looks fairly recent, but the signs of infection are already apparent. She bites down on the leather handle of a survival knife as one of the medics finishes cutting through her femur with a laser scalpel. The destroyed leg falls to the ground with a sickening thud and the woman stifles a scream as she jabs herself with a serum of healing. When she notices you, she focuses her attention as the medics continue to attend to her.
“You all just cross the Dethomar? Welcome to Fort Gallant. The Commander-General is dead, his second died of his wounds a few hours ago, and I’m what’s left of the command structure here. The name’s Commander Hadiya Najiri. I apologize for the blood. Just got back a few hours ago from fighting off the Swarm to the south—one of the little buggers snuck up on me while I was pulling the pin from a grenade and nearly took my leg off. Our field medic didn’t survive the ambush and the trek here didn’t do the wound any favors. Instead of hobbling around for the rest of the war, I opted for a cybernetic replacement. If you don’t mind being debriefed while the good doctors here do their work, I’d like to hear about how you made it out of
Brinnoa alive.”
Sevash will drag herself to attention in front of the commander
"Private Sevash Talyx, Sir. We managed to hold through some of the initial forays, but were eventually forced to retreat. We were able to rendezvous with Major Jaldamarrak, but being badly wounded he ordered us to continue on while he covered our retreat. We managed to make it across the bridge just in time. I'm afraid we do not know the location of any other surviving members of the Fifth battalion at this time"
"We lost two of our squad as well, Corporal Jax and Private Ameiko Sune. The Corporal fell during an encounter with swarm components before we made our escape over the bridge while Private Sune was taken in by the military police before we left the encampment outside Brinnoa along Highway 12. I'm unsure of what her fate is but as for the Corporal we took care to retrieve his IDENT insignia after he fell. We were...unable to bring his body along with us."
While adding his part to the report, Tegrodera's gaze would keep shifting from Commander Najiri to the ongoing work on her leg.
"If you'll pardon me Commander, my background is in immunology and I wondered if you might permit me to assist with the work my fellow medics are conducting?
My goodness is she tough. All of them are!
Commander Najiri listens to your reports thoughtfully. At Tegrodera’s request, she replies, “Be my guest soldier. Hop into the huddle and make sure these hacksaws aren’t killing me.” The medics create some space for Tegrodera to get in on the action.
”Ameiko Sune, huh? She just showed up at the camp recently, solo, said her squad was wiped out. You say she was taken by military police? I was about to reunite her with you since your numbers are thinned. This IS war, and if she’s willing to keep fighting I want her in the field, but I’ll give you the luxury of choosing whether she rejoins you or not. You can leave the corporal’s IDENT on the desk there. Thanks for grabbing it. Any questions before you head for a well-earned rest in the barracks?”
“Now that we’ve taken down all the bridges across the Dethomar River, we should have some time to regroup and rest, maybe even a day or two. For now, we sit tight until we get additional orders and protect those civilians under our roof.”
The medics complete the installation of the commander’s prosthetic with Tegrodera’s help. She nods in approval as she tests the augmentation, flexing her new leg at the knee. She dismisses you with a commendation. “Well fought, soldiers. Now get some shut-eye. You’ve earned it. Oh, but wait.” She calls Lieutenant Gorham back into the room. “You might want to talk with Quartermaster Janxer first if you need new equipment, so she can have a few hours to fabricate gear we don’t have on hand. The lieutenant will set you up with an allowance of UPBs. Make them count. I don’t know when we can afford to requisition more.”
Lieutenant Gorham hands you each a metallic order form engraved with an allowance of 1,000 UPBs. You can visit the quartermaster to place an order.
Things don't sound good, maybe this whole war gamble is not working out...
Discussing Pvt. Sune "Sune never let me down in our previous missions, I'd have no issue with her returning. I didn't try to get her killed or side with that scumbag Jax, so she probably won't try to kill me in my sleep."
Aysén would put in a request for Freebooter Armor Mk 1 and 5 Mk 1 Healing Serums
"Sune is reckless and does not know how to follow orders. I believe she will be a greater liability than help"
Sevash will also order 5 healing serums, 2 antitoxins, an antibiotic, and an anticoagulant.
"We believe Sune will strengthen the group, as long as she agrees to act harmoniously."
Telsix will have spent Resolve to get back to consciousness if necessary. They will order the same as Sevash: 5 healing serums, 2 antitoxins, an antibiotic, and an anticoagulant.
"Having another member in the squad could certainly increase our chances of surviving, as long as we believe we have the resources to sustain ourselves. That being said..."
Tegrodera glances at Aysen before continuing.
"As we've all made mention of Private Sune's behavior it'd be naive of me to overlook my own. While it wasn't my intention to have Ameiko apprehended by military police I can only assume it was a conversation I had with Corporal Jax on the functioning of our squad at that time which may have influenced his actions. Would anything have happened had I not spoken to him I don't know, but I must admit that should Private Sune rejoin our squad I am afraid that she will be angry with me and seek retribution."
Looking down at the ground and emitting faint telepathic waves of embarrassment and fear, Tegrodera finishes.
"If Ameiko Sune rejoins the midnight squad and seeks to harm me, may I ask for your help in preventing her until we've had a chance to resolve things another way?"
Beyond this conversation, Tegrodera would request 5 Medpatches, 5 MK1 healing serums, a Thermal Regulator (Hybrid) armor upgrade, pair of Formation Boots, a Sal Volatile medicinal, and a Stimulant medicinal.
"Have no fear, we're all in this together. As long as my fate is tied to our collective success, then you can count on me to help you."
Aysén would flash a toothy smile.
Sune will certainly seek retribution. I would. I wonder who is more useful?
“Very well. Private Sune is on temporary assignment to a squad currently patrolling our perimeter. Get some shut eye and you’ll be reunited as Midnight Squad tomorrow. Dismissed.” With that, Commander Najiri sets about getting used to her new leg while reading reports on a datapad.
Lt. Gorham can point you in the direction of the quartermaster, who happily accepts your orders.
Dragging your weary bodies towards the barracks for a well-earned rest, a young woman emerges from a group of milling cluster of civilians and approaches you. “Thank you for your service to Suskillon. I just want to let you know I will keep you in my prayers to Iomedae each night.”
Sevash will give her a nod and keep walking
religious fools
She will head to the quartermaster to spend her credits and then the barracks for some sleep
Aysén will smile and nod.
"I'm sure Ioemedae will keep me safe. Thanks."
But you should be praying for yourself!
Aysén will go rest for as long as they allow.
The young woman gets closer to Tegrodera and gives him a pat on the back. Telsix Collective’s keen senses spot her lifting some precious medical supplies right off his belt!
Telsix speaks up. "I believe there is some mistake. We recovered those supplies and will require them."
They point out that the pious young woman is attempting to steal.
What a nice woman, may Hylax bless her and keep us all unified in this time of-
Hearing Telsix, Tegrodera would do the typical pat-down of pockets and etc in an attempt to discern what was taken.
"Is this true miss? What do you need those pharmaceuticals for? This is a trying time for all of us to be sure and I'm afraid my fellow squad-mates require those provisions but I can offer you basic attention if needed."
She shrugs with a smirk and says, “It’s hard times out there, soldier, and something like this will be worth triple in a few days. Or whatever price I decide to set. Look, you can’t blame an aspiring businesswoman like me for trying, can you?” She then gives Tegrodera the stolen serum back.
"Well, thank you for returning it. As sad as I am to say that will likely prove essential for keeping either my comrades or myself alive."
Do I put a hand on her shoulder? Is this a moment when I turn a chair around and sit in it uncomfortably while addressing her?
"I can't imagine the struggle that you and others are going through, but know that any resources that are taken truly come from the hands of someone else. We all have our challenges in this war and I don’t want to rank some over others, but if you truly follow Iomedae then do what you can to help and take care of others and not act purely out of self interest. That is what I’ve been telling myself at least.”
Settling on a handshake, he proffers his arm to the young woman
”Thank you for your honesty, and your attention.”
Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, the girl gives Tegrodera an ironic salute, and fades back into the crowd; you take the final steps to a well-earned rest.
The barracks is a large, open building filled with bunk beds. The beds aren’t comfortable, being standard military issue, but at this point, it most likely doesn’t matter. SDF medics treat any remaining wounds, using both standard medicine and serums of healing to get you back to full health (and of course they welcome Tegrodera’s assistance).
The next morning when you awake, you’re greeted by Lieutenant Gorham, who says, “Commander Najiri would like to speak to you again.” He leads you back towards her office.
Outside the barracks, a crowd is gathered around a central figure standing on a wooden crate that elevates him a few feet above everyone else— a human man with thinning hair wearing a dirty lab coat.
He appears to be in the middle of a speech when the PCs pass by.
“The SDF forces here have no idea what is actually happening! I worked with military intelligence in Brinnoa for the last six months and the amount they discovered about the Swarm in that time couldn’t fill a child’s datapad. The psychic connection we observed in Swarm subjects is stronger here on Suskillon than anywhere else in the Vast. The Swarm has fortified its components’ minds, bolstered its numbers, and taken the capital and probably two-thirds of the entire planet. We are outgunned here, and the only option we have is to run or die. If you think the hundred or so soldiers here will protect you, you are sorely mistaken. If they wanted, the Swarm could storm these fortifications and drag every one of us out in our sleep!”
The crowd erupts in cries of fear and anger. Some of them begin to push one another, and a few nearby soldiers grip their rifles tightly in anticipation of a riot. A small handful of civilians break off from the group and your way, demanding information or action.
Telsix speaks under their breath to the rest of the squad. "This panic is not good for the whole. We should encourage cohesion."
"Solid suggestion, I'll try my hand at encouraging. My family has always had a way with crowds."
Aysén would stop and address the crowd.
"Action? You think we've just been sitting around? You think I lost all that blood yesterday for fun? Look, you're with us, or you're with the swarm. If you get in my way, I'll put you down myself."
You see some smirks from the leering crowd. Apparently you don't look so tough. The man on the podium chimes in, "See! These mindless grunts have no idea either!"
Sevash will attempt to look the tough, disciplined solidier she is while standing behind anyone who tries to make a check.
But she trips and falls on her face
Mustering the courage for public speaking, Tegrodera approaches the crowd...
"I understand the concern here and believe me, I know this fear. Like my squadmates have said we’ve faced the Swarm head-on, and only through our abilities, training, and a bit of luck we’re still here now. We wouldn’t have had a chance though if not for our cooperation, and that’s the key trait that we desperately need to hold on to. No one will fault you for wanting safety but rather than disrupt our attempts to defend our homes, wouldn’t that energy be better spent towards helping to ensure these defenses hold or that those who can’t reach them may have a better chance to? Can’t we all just get along?”