Chiaiese gives Neap all the help they need with the bodies, and happens on a pair of sticky bombs. "Can anyone use these grenades?" she offers.
Once the task is complete she rests and listens to Jellik's account.
"That is a harrowing tale, and a situation you were very lucky to survive. Perhaps I am parsing your words too carefully, but while you said that the planet was annexed for the Azlanti, you did not specifically say that those soldiers claimed that they were Azlanti. My own analysis of these soldiers produces results genetically identical to humans. That analysis is inconclusive of course, and may indicate a previously unexplored connection between Humans and Azlanti, but that is pure speculation.
"Anyhow, I could use a rest. I have spent my reserve of magical ability for this day. If we are to continue and explore the crash sight, I think it would be wise to find shelter for the night. Is there anywhere nearby that would suit our immediate needs, Jellik?"
Jellik responds to Chiaiese. "I wouldn't know nothin' about Azlanti, or whatever they are. All I know is that is what they're calling themselves--'the Azlanti Empire.'"
Jellik pauses and sighs when Chiaiese asks about a place to shelter. "My old lady Aibretta...well, we're divorced now...she might be able to help you out. Her junk shop is at the edge of the settlement. I should be able to sneak you in the back door. She's grouchy, but I know deep down she has a good heart..."
"Charming. Yes, why don't we do that, and then you can sneak off if you must."
While Jelik informs them about the situation in the colony, Yoromishtali examines his wounds. He is breathing in a very controlled manner, as if some form of martial art focusing technique. After a few minutes he slowly flexes and stretches his body. "Do you want some assistance getting out of that armor?" he asks Neap.
"This Aibretta, why is she no longer your old lady?" Yoromishtali asks. "I thought you meant she was no longer maternal towards you for a moment, until you used the word divorce. So she is a former spouse. Maybe she didn't like the age difference.
"Are we going to stay in the same order as Jelik leads us to the colony?"
Jellik replies to Yoro as everyone takes a short rest. "No, she's not my mom! I was married to Aibretta! Some months ago we both decided we had enough of each other. We just don't get along. We're like oil and water."
Later, you quietly approach the outskirts of the settlement. Aibretta's workshop is one of the first buildings in the corner of the settlement, just a few feet from the tree line.
This mechanic’s workshop consists of three interconnected, prefabricated modules, each the size of a shipping container. The central module is open on one side and appears to be a repair bay, although the tool chests, spools of wire, and broken equipment stacked haphazardly around the area imply that the repairs are slow going at best. Storage crates, broken furniture, and scrapped engines litter the yard around the junk shop. A short metal fence surrounds the yard, separating the chaos within from the orderly paths and shrubs of the surrounding colonists’ modules.
Jellik opens a panel on the back of the building and ushers you all in. He urges you to hurry...
Jellik calls out, "Aibretta! It's me..I'm with friends..it's okay!"
An older, thickset, tawny-skinned, curmudgeonly woman comes around the corner into the messy, cluttered living area you have all crowded into. "Jellik, I think we agreed you would not set foot in this shop again, so WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
Turning to all of you, she says "Hello...who are you? You're obviously not Azlanti."
Turning back to Jellik, she says, "I guess you can stay. Desperate times call for desperate measures. But the least you can do is go to the kitchen and get our guests some water and protein wafers."
Jellik dutifully wanders off toward the kitchen. Aibretta sighs and clears some old, broken data pads off of various chairs and couches and motions you to sit down.
"Definitely not Azlanti," Yoromishtali says with a laugh. "We're here to resupply the colony and visit Cedonna. She's a friend. I'm Yoromishtali, out of Absalom Station, citizen of the Veskarium. I thought this would be like a working vacation. I realize you don't have to offer us shelter. Thank you for the water and food."
He remains near the door, listening for any sounds of trouble from the outside.
Aibretta replies to Yoro, "Oh, I was wonderin' when that supply ship was due. I was hopin' you weren't caught up in any of the bad business with the Azlanti." Aibretta looks toward the kitchen, then continues, "Did my fool of an ex-husband tell you about Cedona? I hope she's okay."
Chiaiese automatically makes herself comfortable, finding an understuffed chair in the midst of the common room and sitting in it. She accepts the water but politely declines the wafer.
"Thank you, Aibretta, for taking us into your home. Desperate times indeed, and I assure you, we will do right by you and your people here. Please tell us more about Cedona, Madelon, and the leader of the local Azlanti presence."
"Thank you, Aibretta, for taking us into your home. Desperate times indeed, and I assure you, we will do right by you and your people here. Please tell us more about Cedona, Madelon, and the leader of the local Azlanti presence."
Aibretta makes small talk about Cedona and Madelon, calling Cedona an "interesting and kind-hearted android." When it comes to Madelon, Aibretta is equally generous with compliments. "Madelon had a vision and a plan when we came here. Until these invaders showed up, things were coming together nicely."
Just then, Jelik arrives from the kitchen with a pitcher of cool water and some protein wafers. If the way he resolutely shakes his head is any indication, he actually agrees with his ex-wife about Madelon.
When the topic of the Azlanti comes up, Aibretta provides the following:
“The Azlanti don’t know it, but a few of us have been coordinating a resistance to their occupation. I’ve been in charge of that. We don’t have all the pieces we need yet, but with you on our side, perhaps we do.
“The first step is to weaken the Azlanti. A few targeted strikes around town can reduce their numbers, weaken their defenses, or both. In between, you’re welcome to hide out here. After that, a direct attack on the garrison can flush the Azlanti out and free our prisoners. We’re not equipped for that, but it looks like you might be. The rest of us will round up any survivors, disarm them, and take back our settlement.”
Yoromishtali takes a protein wafer and pours himself a cup of water. "Thank you for the refreshments." He sniffs the wafer first then takes a bite. He also smells the water before drinking.
"I'm glad to hear people are organizing resistance. I'd be honored to fight the Azlanti. What type of strikes were you thinking? What do the rest of you think?"
Yoromishtali takes a protein wafer and pours himself a cup of water. "Thank you for the refreshments." He sniffs the wafer first then takes a bite. He also smells the water before drinking.
"I'm glad to hear people are organizing resistance. I'd be honored to fight the Azlanti. What type of strikes were you thinking? What do the rest of you think?"
The wafers and water seem perfectly fine to eat. They'll serve their purpose as far as giving you some nutrition. The wafer even has a pleasant texture and a nice salty bit.
Aibretta responds, "We have some things in mind that will sap the strength of the occupiers. I don't recommend going straight for their garrison until we've done these tasks. What do the rest of you think?"
"Most beings need water to survive, so getting control of the moisture collector makes strategic sense," Yoromishtali says after Aibretta explains the various missions they can attempt. "Does the fog's condition change based on the time of day? Is it like this year-round? It can work to our advantage, but also theirs."
Yoromishtali examines the two teeth of his doshko, looking for any nicks or damage.
"These are solid targets for disruption, Aibretta. Very good work. Personally, I'd like to take out the cemetery squad first and then explore the Administrator's house. But right now, I'm exhausted."
With regards to Yoro's query regarding the fog, Aibretta responds that the fog is heaviest each morning, then tends to clear as temperatures rise. She does say that on a cool day, it's not unusual for there to be fog nearly all day.
Aibretta points out several positions where it would be easy to hide and get some rest. Her yard is full of old, derelict equipment. Much of it has places where it would be easy crawl under and get some sleep.
There are also places inside her pre-fab building workshop where someone could kip out.
She does recommend setting a watch for the night.
"There's one more thing," she adds. "Let me make you something good to eat. No nutri-bars for this meal--well, there's some nutri-bar in it, but you won't notice."
About an hour later, Aibretta serves a delicious stew that uses local vegetation and herbs. Diced protein wafers provide an interesting texture within the tasty broth. It's a meal that agrees with most of your palettes.
"An ambush?" Yoromishtali says, pausing to think about the idea. "I agree with Chiaiese. An ambush at the cemetery is a good idea."
Yoromishtali eats Aibretta's meal after thanking her. "Are any of these local ingredients ?" he asks her.
"Sleep outside?" his voice indicating excitement by a slight rise in tone. "I'm happy to do that. I could use a good night's sleep. I think my bruise will mostly heal during the night. Since I'm out there, I'll take the first guard time." Until it's time to go to sleep, Yoromishtali watches the fight footage, studying the way the Azlanti move and reading an ancient treatise on combat from before the Gap. If anyone wants to practice unarmed combat, he's happy to assist.
|
”These are solid targets for disruption, Aibretta. Very good work. Personally, I'd like to take out the cemetery squad first and then explore the Administrator's house. But right now, I'm exhausted.”
Thak nods. “I like your reasoning. Starting with the cemetery and moving on to the Administrator’s house sounds like a good plan. Perhaps we could visit the Storehouse after that. There could be equipment to help us in there.”
He looks around the group and immediately senses the exhaustion.
“Good work today, everyone. It’s time to rest. Cubber and I can take first watch.”
Yoromishtali is startled to hear a voice in his head. He nods at Neap and grins. Thanks! That'd be wonderful, he thinks.
After Thak thanks them for doing good work and suggests taking the first watch, Yoromishtali shrugs. "Well, sure if you want the first shift of guard duty you can take it. Please note, I volunteered first. It may be important some day." He grins and chuckles. "Anyone else sleeping outdoors?"
|
|
”Well, sure if you want the first shift of guard duty you can take it. Please note, I volunteered first. It may be important some day.”
Thak looks at Yoro with a slightly stricken expression, belatedly remembering Vesk honor traditions.
“Oh, no… I was messing with Cubber and only paying half-attention to the rest of the conversation. I was just… um, trying… oh damn. I’m sorry. You should definitely have the honor of first watch. I’ll back you up with second.”
The night passes uneventfully.
Your sentries do note at least a pair of Azlanti soldiers patrolling once nearby Aibretta's shop. Though they seemed vigilant, they took no special interesting her buildings or junkyard.
Morning comes. It's foggy again
Aibretta brews a pot of strong coffee and provides some cereal topped with local fruit.
Aibretta lets you know that the Azlanti typically do their patrol around midday. The cemetery is the perfect place for an ambush, as there are lots of hiding spots available and it's too far from the Azlanti garrison to alert them.
"Yes, that felt...wet?" Yoromishtali replies. "Refreshing. Thank you so much!" He flexes and stretches his body to test how he feels.
He bows his head to Thak, as a sign of thanks. "Life is full of misunderstanding. I make many errors each day. Would you like to have the first session of guard duty tomorrow?"
Once at the cemetery, the vesk looks for footprints to ascertain which way the patrol is likely to come from. "I think at least one of us should hide in the trees and the others behind the wall. The ones hiding in the vegetation would cut off any escape should the Azlanti attempt to flee. I volunteer for that. My doshko can be quite persuasive. What else should we plan?"
"I'll be the lure," offers Chiaiese. She takes a blanket and wraps it like a shall over her head and across her shoulders, maskinv her face and hiding her antennae.
The colony’s cemetery is not large, consisting of only a few headstones and a heavy wrought-iron fence in a clearing hacked out of the forest. A stone plinth near the center of the area is carved with a list of names. A gravel trail near the cemetery is covered with fallen leaves, and a thick mist surrounds the graves.
Chiaiese drapes the towel over her head and across her shoulders, like some old Lashunta babushka, then crouches over near the very end of the cemetery opposite where they expect the guards to appear. When the trap is set, she slowly begins to walk, hunched over and muttering to herself.
Yoromishtali kneels on one knee behind a tree. He aims his rifle in the direction the patrol should approach from but keeps his finger away from the trigger. Speaking quietly into his comm, he says "Yoromishtali in position."
The soldiers seem intent on Chiaiese, dressed as the old woman, in front of them. So much so that they don't notice the other four of you hiding in the graveyard or nearby vegetation.
The soldiers point their weapons toward Chiaiese, and angrily yell something at her in Azlanti. They wave her back toward the settlement.
Two of the soldiers appear to be armed with the same rifles you have seen before. One has some sort of heavy weapon .
1. Enemy Black
2. Thak
3. Chiaiese
4. Anton
5. Neap
6. Yoro
7. Enemy Red
8. Enemy Blue
Chiaiese curses her luck that the ruse was not more successful, but it can't be helped. She reaches out a finger and hisses, not unlike an old woman scolding a young curr, and unleashes a trio of deadly missiles at the soldier carrying the heavier weapon.
As the Azlanti appear through the foliage, Yoromishtali activates his video camera. A few seconds later they shout something at Chiaiese and she responds with a burst of magic that hits the soldier wielding the heavy weapon. The vesk feels the adrenaline rushing through his system. He wants to grab his doshko and charge, but for the moment, a rifle blast is the better tactic.
Thak throws a rock that hits off of one of the nearby headstones. One of the Azlanti soldiers turns that direction, looking for one of the "rebels."
Suddenly, Anton's drone pops up above the grave markers and opens fire!
The lead soldier struggles to find a target, finally seeing Viv pop up to his right. He draws a bead and fires his rifle.
The soldier in the rear appears to be giving out some commands. He also aims and fires his rifle at Chiaiese.
1. Enemy Black
2. Chiaiese
3. Anton (Viv -6)
4. Neap
5. Yoro
6. Thak
7. Enemy Red (flat-footed)
8. Enemy Blue (DEAD)
"That'll teach you to harass old ladies, you common punks!"
Chiaiese keeps the ruse going, more for her own fun at this point, and points her finger at the soldier farthest back, lest he turn coward and think to go run and tell his nasty friends, and unleashes another full salvo of magic missiles.
Yoromishtali lets his rifle drop to his side, attached by the strap, as he stands and pulls his doshko from his other side. As he strides from the forest, he bellows in Vesk a traditional challenge to an enemy. He slashes his two-toothed doshko at the soldiers.
Thak singes the remaining soldier with his pistol, and Yoro lands a vicious blow that nearly knocks the soldier out.
As Yoro stands in front of the soldier readying another doshko swing, there are two thuds in rapid succession. The soldier stands still for a moment, his eyes glazing over. Finally he falls over, revealing a pair of smoking guns on the hovering Viv behind him.
You find the following gear:
3x troop ceremonial plate, 2x imperial
pacification rifle (functions as a
hunting rifle) with 12 longarm rounds,
3x survival knife, and one ARC CASTER, STATIC with an extra battery.
Chiaiese keeps the towel wrapped around her head and shoulders and approaches the corpses.
"Take what we need and we'll get the rest to Aibretta. We can do our best to make the resistance well-armed!" She then grabs a body and begins to drag it into the brush.
At the end of combat,Yoromishtali turns off his camera. He examines his doshko for damage then begins to help the others itemize the weapons and armor from their adversaries. "Good idea, Chiaiese. Getting these rifles into capable hands will help. Does anyone mind if I take a knife?"
The vesk notices Neap's motion towards the heavy weapon. "I have basic training in those weapons. I prefer fighting with my doshko, but having a heavy weapon in my hands is better than the enemy's." Yoromishtali picks it up and hefts it around to judge how well he could use it.
"Where should we hide the bodies?" he asks. Looking to the cemetery and then to the trees farther beyond that. "I should have asked if there were any vesk in the colony. If the bodies are discovered and the Azlanti look for evidence about who left them, they'll probably find some of my DNA. Won't know it's me, but will know it belongs to a vesk. If there's no vesk in the colony they'll know they have some off-worlders."
Chiaiese helps Yoro finish hiding the bodies behind the cemetery, covering the dead Azlanti with brush and leaves. When the job is done, she remarks, "Three down. Shall we head to the Administrator's house?"
"The administrator's house," Yoromishtali says with a nod. "Thanks for the help with the bodies." He consults the map he drew on his comm. "It appears to be on the opposite side of the village. I say we move through the vegetation on the outskirts to avoid being noticed by the Azlanti and the inhabitants. The less the villagers know about us, the better. For them and us."
He hefts the static arc caster into his hands, "I've never fired one of these in actual combat. Just training. I'll do my best to keep the firing arc towards the enemies."