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The more Speck hears from the Naarma how Frozen Trove is exploiting the natives, the more he seethes in fury within. All he can think about is what happened to his parents... and nearly to himself. Sure, they were not entirely blameless themselves but it's easy to forget such things in anger. So much so that he pays little attention to a game which would have caught his fancy otherwise.
"Well, an alternative is some simple... accidents," he snaps.
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Upon seeing the native team captain adjust Hudson's weapon for the better, it removes its tactical pistol from the quick release sheath and asks if any improvements can be made to so rudimentary a weapon.
Hearing the short tone in Speck's voice, Kasza studies the Ysoki for a moment. Emotions are so hard to understand.
"Perhaps, Speck, some unforeseen maintenance issues with the weather generator? Some previously undetected structural issues with the greenhouse would be problematic as well, don't you think?"
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Hudson just stares at the iglazu... ilzagu... izgla... at the captain.
'Wow... thanks, man!"
He keeps on testing Betsy, and is amazed to see how much better it tracks hidden targets.
"And I thought I'd be explaining to you where to point the thing, you're a genius, dude."
"Those armor upgrades'll sure keep y'a warm. Too bad this Abadar loaner suit doesn't have slots. Though with how it was ripped by the sloths, I could stuff one in the holes!"
"So, Naarma, ma'am, you got good intel on the people and the relic we're looking for? I mean, it'll make it worth us using this cool addition to Betsy to go shoot up the research lab, will it?"
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Medrick is able to patch up Hudson making him feel fine.
Medrick takes a rest to recover from the sloth fight.
Medrick removes his armor before playing the game.
I think they might leave if we can make it less profitable for them to be here than they are making. The idea that they are building plants for addiction is awful... science should be working to fix people, not how to make the most money off of them.Medrick is disgusted that someone he was appreciating so much could be this wrong.
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"Perhaps, Speck, some unforeseen maintenance issues with the weather generator? Some previously undetected structural issues with the greenhouse would be problematic as well, don't you think?"
"Oh yes, I certainly like how you think. Quite a few options right there!"
Naarma gives Hudson a hard look. "One good turn deserves another. Fix our problem, and we can help you with yours.
Speck calms down somewhat as he takes a look at each of his teammates. "Alright, looks like we've got a deal. You have been here longer, Naarma. What do you suggest?"
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"NICE!" Fionne accepts one of the thermal capacitors and swaps it out with the infrared sensors currently slotted in her armor. "WHY DOESN'T THE SOCIETY EVER KIT US OUT IN COOL TECH LIKE THIS? THEY'RE SO STINGY!"
As for the approach to dealing with the Frozen Trove labs people, she just shrugs "I DUNNO ABOUT Y'ALL, BUT HOW 'BOUT WE TRY AND CONFRONT 'EM WITH WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT HERE. SAY WE'RE GONNA TATTLE TO THEIR CORP RIVALS OR WHATEVER. GIVE 'EM A CHANCE TO LEAVE ALL QUIET LIKE." Having seen the way the Doctor's two guards were acting, Fionne is pretty convinced that they're not going to back down so easily, but she figures its worth a shot.
"OR... HEY KAZSA, YOU SWIPED A PLANT, RIGHT? DANGLE THAT BABY IN FRONT OF THEIR FACES AND SEE HOW RED THEY GET."
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Seeing both are left, Hudson will take one of the knives.
"I'll go along with whatever plan y'all want. If we confront 'em, I'm sure it'll get to shooting rather fast.
Otherwise, taking out their generator and such can be fun...
Whatever is fine by me. I'm not much of a strategist, but I get the gist..."
He pops some fresh gum in his mouth, and puts the harness and Betsy back on.
"And thanks again for Betsy, you guys are mighty clever!"
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I can only imagine what that generator cost them. I think we would have a better chance if we work towards taking that out. It is not my goal, but if we die in the coming combat, I want to of done the post I could to get rid of these "researchers". So we should start targeted assaults on locations and I think the generator might be the one to hit first. It seems pretty clear at this point that Medrick has forgotten the real mission and is more focused on the lab and how to most effectively eliminate it.
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Kasza looks from one member of the group to the other as the discussion proceeds.
"We are all in agreement that something should be done about them, but we are not in agreement regarding the approach. We have an opportunity to gather information by negatively influencing the Frozen Trove impact on the local inhabitants. They are definitely violating protocol now that we have evidence of their weather generator causing hardship for the local fauna."
Kasza pauses a moment, "We should attempt to transmit this information to the authorities, but for that we need our ship's communications capability. So we have to go back to them at some point, I suggest we recover the ship first, then proceed with any intervention for benefit of our new friends."
"Any official action will probably take too long to be of direct benefit. So, I compute that in addition to transmitting this information to the authorities, direct intervention will be required. The question is how we accomplish both."
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I have no interest in her date after learning about how awful and short sighted she is. As a scholar, we have a responsibility to benefit the general population and she is activity hurting them. But Kasza makes a valid point, I did not think about them having our ship. I am unsure what the best way to play this is.
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Speck nods approvingly at Kasza. "You have really thought of everything, haven't you. Hmm, I can't say exactly what's the best strategy for now. I lack, and I suspect the rest of you as well, proper equipment for... eviction purposes." Speck stands and ponder for a while. "I say we return to the base again, this time with an eye to learning what we can do to... help these natives. Might need to play things a bit by ear, but hey, I still have most of mine."
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"I said to avoid unnecessary violence. The hunter must still hunt. Even the farmer pulls up her crops." says Naarma.
You spend another couple of hours trudging back through the snow, and eventually get back to the scaffold tower. You can see a few guards on the wall but the trees prevent you from being seen, just yet.
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Fionne peers up at the tower, then back to her allies. "HEY, I'LL SAY IT NOW, T-EDDY AIN'T MUCH OF A SNEAKER. DO WE WANT TO JUST ASK THEM TO LET US IN?" Fionne runs a hand through her long blonde locks. "DIDN'T SOME POSH GUY SEND US SOME ACCESS CODES BACK DURING THE BRIEFING? MAYBE WE COULD USE THOSE TO GET IN?"
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Hudson has his fur hat and googles back on, and is happily tracking the guards with his improved scope.
"I can't be of much help, as I am not educated, nor much of a sweet-talkin' diplomat. But either we start sabotaging their installation so much they have to leave... or we go inside and you smart ones find a way to play one off the other, and threaten exposure and such, so much so that they have to leave.
I'll try to back you up whatever you choose."
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I think we need to regain access to the ship before we start making threats or sabotaging. I think the best play will be return for dinner, find out the status of our ship, then make our move. The problem with talking them out of this or threatening to expose them is that it would probably takes smarts and a smooth talker. I think sabotage is our best chance, once we get the ship back.
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Not even the snow can muffle the shrieks of steam valves and the hum of electric generators emanating from the steel scaffold tower. Regularly spaced blue signal lamps send waves of blue light up the length of the tower, while thick reinforced plastic walls enclose the tower’s base like a makeshift fortress.
As you emerge from the forest, one of the guards notices you.
"Thank goodness. Dr Monsylkis is inside the tower at the moment, and wanted to speak with you."
You see the guard say something into a coms unit.
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Fionne tilts her head back and looks at the scaffold enclosure, not seeing anywhere where the Doctor or security folks could be hiding in there. "HUH, MEDRICK THAT IS A DARN GOOD POINT. THOSE FELLAS DIDN'T WANT TO LET US STEP FIVE FEET OUT OF THEIR SIGHT BEFORE."
She waves again at the two atop the wall to get their attention. "HEY, GUYS UP TOP! WE DON'T REALLY NEED TO STOP BY HERE THIS TIME! WE'RE JUST LOOKIN FOR THE DOCTOR AND HER TWO RIGHT HAND BOYS. WE'RE GONNA GO AROUND IF ITS ALL THE SAME TO YOU."