Lotus catches the sheer outfit and holds it up against her battered armour as if to try it on.  "I don't think you could handle it, Arven.  At least not like a gentleman."  Lotus walks off with the rahu man in search of her brother and his crew.

   Lotus remains quiet walking up to Zed, letting Arven carry the conversation.  But she does interject when it seems like Arven is about to waste his cash.  "I'll recharge those for you Arven.  No money needed." Lotus waits for Zed to say something.

 And now it's time once more to play the 'who has what' game, with your favourite host, 'Sergeant Silvermasque the Two-Tonne Boss of You.' (or something like that).

 Mostly this consists of him moving from one survivor to the next once the team is back home, holding a personal computer and presenting the impression of a man working a little way beyond his usual educational level as he tabulates credit values, works out repair costs and generally goes about the business of determining group shares after damages.

 This includes of course coming up behind Arven at the Quartermasters and battering him on the shoulder in a comeradely fashion... "Here is to be hoping you were not forgetting to be putting thirty million universal credits of big pointy magic stick into group pot for fair division - is being single biggest thing company came away with I am thinking."

---

 Now, going back to Chapter 4, Pluto Company we divied to the tune of 141k apiece, including regular army as well as mercenaries.

 Basically 'Masque is once again going to get people to put alllll the salvage in a big pile. I mean a /big/ pile - this includes stuff people want to keep as well as stuff people want to sell on. We work out the cash value, then folks get to have their share of that value in stuff or creds, not adjusted by their minimal worth as a Merc (if you have a claim to being 'special' well whoopy-do, by my reckoning the entire party is on about 120-140% share and I can't be arsed to do the math. ^_^ ). If two people want the same item they can either 'bid' for it or toss a coin or something.
 If anyone is going to ICly object to the process, then please post doing so.

 Please list stuff you've looted here, pm anything you want to try and hide away without admitting to to Moloch, since at the very least the GM needs to know what you've got and this will hopefully be the big 'clearing house' thread for that.


 ---

 Masque's Loot.

 This time he came back with little explicitly acquired. Most of the things he wanted were reduced to very, very tiny pieces, but with his unallocated carrying capacity he's bound to have helped out with carrying something back, probably a damaged RPA suit or a big bag of toys.
 Mostly his efforts on clean-up duty were confined to grabbing personal computers, RPA black boxes, vehicle recorders and memory cores. Information is ammunition and all that - to be handed over for 'extra credit' to Tolkeen Intelligence.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:25, Fri 04 May 2007.

"You can go fuck yourself you commie bastard. Give me a cut of the rest of the haul or don't but ain't nobody getting shit of what I took unless I wanna give it to em'." Arven says sincerely.

 "That is not quite how thing is working gunslinger. We are agreeing to be sharing our take - everyone paid for what we took away with blood, some more than could be spared." replies the large, armoured 'borg, tapping the computer pad with his clawed thumb, his impassive visor meeting Arven's always-angry glare from not more than a few inches below "And is only fair that everyone shares in reward."

 "Is being your call - you are part of team, or you are no-one, and if you are no-one you can start to be walking away. If you want to make self into thief or soldier, is only you who can decide."

Zed is found with his crew outside the gates of Tolkeen. His tables, and shelves of weapons and other things-war have grown exponentially. It seems he has started a mercenary company as well and has several rough-looking gunmen and other men-at-arms standing around waiting to speak with him.

Zed seems to be a very busy man currently... his crew are all doing their part by helping Zed to manage his weapons, equipment, and mercenaries - along with Kelthos' magical equipment and Smiths' repairs.

As Lotus and Arven approach Zed notices and quickly finishes dealing with a one-armed greot hunter - selling him a triax rail gun.

"Lotus! You're in one piece! I guess I have spider-man here to thank for that... nah... it's probably the other way around... you probably keep him safe..." - he says with a smirk.

"So Spider Man - you got my gear for me?"

Behind the mercenary trader - Zed, a scrolling-text news report supplies updates and strategies regarding the war.



- Four more Tolkeen towns destroyed by advancing Coalition forces.
- Tolkeen forces recue over a dozen prisoners from the clutches of The Coalition.
- Coalition has increased the use of psychics that interfere with magic. Recent studies have revealed that if the caster focuses his intent and purposely exerts his magic potential - the magic can beat the psionic interference. If you notice your magic is not working properly, try to use more energy than usual.

"Yep." Arven says handing over the two missile rifles he promised Zed. The Rahu-Man does toss the two particle beam cannons and other few small trinkets he picked up into the community pile. The staff and the amulets however he holds on to. Nearly anyone else he would probably gun down or just ignore but he respects Masque enough to at least explain his position. No capitulation just an explanation.

"Im not a thief or a soldier. Im a murderer. Mass muderer as a matter of fact and thats about it. I seen a staff similar to this for sale once in the Colorado Baronies and I know it is worth a shitload. Putting it in a pile to split with all these fuckers just don't add up. That would be like saying we are all equal and I know I am far superior to most of these shitheels. Course that is just my opinion but even if that weren't true putting it in would be saying that their worth in that battle or any other is on par with mine. We all know that ain't true so like I said too bad so fuckin sad pussycat. "

Arven turns preparing to make his way over to deal with Kelthos but turns back to Masque.

"Don't get me wrong I understand your ideology I just think your full of shit and im not playin ball. Im gonna cut you in and Lotus because you deserve it. You wanna disperse that around to the rest of these chuckledicks then it is your call. One thing is for sure and that is I ain't walkin away nowhere. Not until it is time to go and im the one that decides that. Im reliable but my "team" only has a couple players on it."

Lt. Drake had spent part of the long trip back to Tolkeen composing a few critical reports regarding the operation.

The first was a charge of insubordination and disobeying a direct order while in combat, to be filed against Private Attila.  He cited situation, orders given, actions taken, and the Private's stated reasoning for failure to comply.

This report was delivered up the chain of command to Lt. Xion once the Company had returned to Tolkeen.

The second report was worded quite carefully, and expressed concern over operatives being sent out into the field with secret orders that could potentially jeopardize the entire operation.

This report was handed directly to the Major, to be dealt with as she saw fit.

An overall battle report was also composed, detailing the plan as it was given and as much of how it unfolded as Drake knew.  This too was passed up the chain of command to Lt. Xion.

Finally, and most covertly, he transcribed his recording of the mission planning and his stated objections onto a disk that he secreted upon his person.


Once back in Tolkeen, he requisitioned a repair crew for poor, battered Brun, intending to return to oversee much of the repairs himself.  Fortunately her damage wasn't too extensive, but several large sections of the armour plating on her chest would need to be replaced before she was whole once more.

When word gets to him of the latest news report, he merely shrugs -- while it will affect those under his command, and thus his deployment of them, this new 'anti-magic' doesn't affect him personally.  There's something to be said for relying upon human ingenuity and technological advancement -- not a sentiment to be voiced too loudly in this camp, however, for such is a strong point of the Coalition's party line....

 "As killer, you are maybe one of eight or ten best I have seen. But as soldier you are so-so at best. Too much waving of dick at people and not enough being part of team." replies the big Tiger-borg, standing no more than a couple of feet from oversized 'slinger - making no particular move to start a fight, but obviously as determined as the Rahu-man to see this come out the 'right' way. "Maybe you think my way is chickenshit way, because I only kill fighting enemy and take prisoners, or want to see comrades rewarded equally for risk... But does not matter - is way things are, chickenshit or no."

 "Now stick is maybe thirty to forty million in credits - it was taken after battle everyone took part in, with supporting fire or ground assault or magic power. Everyone shares risk, everyone shares reward." - the large 'borg shrugs, a complex motion of his upper body that indicates an essential helplessness before the way of the world. "I guess is your call what to do now, da?"

   Lotus forces a smile in response to Zed's happy greeting.  She has the look of someone who has much more to say but feels that now just isn't the right time.  "After all this shit is done with here... I'll look you up, bro.  That's a promise.  I just can't do this right now."

   Then, without missing a beat, Lotus turns to look up at Arven and then the white tiger.  She's still carrying Zephram's staff too.  "Silvermasque, this war is so fucked up we should really be worrying about things bigger than who gets which loot.  Just take what you can get and try to avoid being skull-fucked by a brodkil.  That's my new motto.  Why don't you get your priorities straight and find some bigger fish to fry.  Go exterminate that fuckin monster Osema and then you can talk about Arven's stick."

Arven does his best not to laugh when Lotus mentions Osema. "Yep... or go take that guy Sharps runesword away from theat crazy pasty white fuckin tag-along we picked up. " Arven walks off to find Kelthos and trade in the staff for credit.

 Except there's a two-tonne Cyborg standing in the way... awkward when that happens.

 "Is not so easy, pretty little Lotus. given choice, necromancer would be dead, demons would be dead, hell, Arven would be in stockade. But these things I cannot do and still fight war." - those great armoured arms of his fold smoothly across his chest, and he really doesn't seem about to move.

 "Staff however - was taken by team, was earned by team. I cannot be letting one of us steal what was earned by all - is not right. I am sorry for this being so, but I am having no choice. That is yours alone."

   "Everyone's got a choice Mr. policeman.  You happen to like nitpicking.  But you could certainly choose to solve more important issues if you fuckin' wanted to.  I chose to say nothing when that disgusting brodkil shoved his ugly prick into the corpse of that CS soldier down in the tunnel.  If I get the chance, I'm going to cut the fuckin' thing off and feed it to him.  I'm certainly not going to let the laws of the madmen governing this kingdom stand in the way of my own morality.  If you feel the need to stand there lilke some pussy waiting to get fucked, then that's your fuckin' choice.  Why don't you go tell Xion what I just fuckin' said."

When Arven makes to walk away and Masque moves to stand in his path the Rahu-Man shakes his head looking genuinelly disapointed. He starts walking backwards taking long strides that no doubt strain his chronic leg injuries. His face belies no pain or emotion however. Shrugging off his pack and dropping the staff into the dirt he says, "Today you get to die for your bullshit beliefs." Continuing to step backwards all four muscular arms unfurl from beneath his serrape and his fingers flex outward stretching as he cracks his neck to the side. At about fifty feet back he stops all four arms out wide. "You want the stick come and get it. But bring the heat with ya cause im takin your life either way."

 Or, more accurately - that's what Arven would /like/ to happen...

 It's not of course. Silvermasque is many things, but stupid isn't very high on the list - and neither is a murderer. So, neither particularly wanting to kill the big Gunslinger, nor wanting to have himself riddled with energy bolts at fifty paces before he can blink (if he could blink), he instead just takes one giant-sized stride forwards with every gimping step back Arven himself takes, retaining the distance between them at rather less than that of those pulse laser rifles held at arms extension.

 "Do not be bloody silly..." he remarks almost good-naturedly, as he turns what ought to be a solemn and serious fight to the death into a very slightly comic spectacle, "I might not want you to marry my sister, but I like you well enough, when you are not being dick." he remarks, making no particular move to relax himself - his entirely mechanical limbs needing no such preparation.

"Is there a problem here?"  The close-stepping pair have nearly ended up trampling a moderate-sized humanoid in Naruni chameleon armour -- as it happens, Lt. Drake, out of his 'bot.  He doesn't appear to be armed with more than a sidearm and a vibroknife, but the limited body language readable through his armour seems to indicate he's...not entirely pleased.

 Masque's head turns away from the large gunslinger and down towards the smaller human figure that the pair have come so close to running over...

 "Is up to Arven here, Lieutenant." replies the cyborg Sergeant, still maintaining his distance from the 'slinger. "Pluto company have always taken salvage and shared equally, regular and mercenary alike. Arven has come away with thirty million credit stick plus maybe other things from Slave Barge, and is not wanting to share, but was happy to take share when was coming from others."

 With one relatively 'free' hand, the 'Borg extends towards Avery the personal computer he's been using to tabulate salvage so far on, a list of equipment along with the names of those who have recovered it, with an approximate cash value running alongside "We are just discussing matter now."

Approaching quietly, as was his style, Xion over hears the entire conversation between Masque and Avery. The look on his face indicates anger, closing on the point of rage. "Arven over here now!" Seeing the female mystic knight near Arven he motions for her too, "Masque keep going with the split please. Lt. Drake, we will discuss your reports ASAP."

Once Arven and Lotus are a distance away from Masque Xion hits his radio, "Masque, no contact unless someone tries to kill you for a few moments please." Turning back to face the two mercs with him, "Lotus, you have proven yourself over and again in combat, Arven you as well. I am considerably glad you are on my side of this conflict. But you aren't making friends with the rest of the troops, and I know that isn't your job. But out there we are all each other has, and even if the two of you stuck together, you wouldn't stand a chance out there alone. We all need each other...period, no questions. Arven, you shot down that barge damn near single handedly, I saw that. Masque won't see it that way, some of the others won't. We have to be able to function as a team. Even if that means not pissing people off. Arven, how much did that staff sell for when you saw it up for auction?"

Arven, much like he always has, ignores Avery and for the first time Xion as well. This thing has started between himself and Russian borg and it will soon be resolved one way or the other. He smiles at Masque for a second and then the smile fades. "Im not here to dance with you bitch and im done talkin. Step out of my way now or get ready to start killin me. I'll make it easy for ya so I dont' have to hear your flapping ass synthetic lips anymore. I'll count to three like yer momma used to do and then im gonna spank yer metal ass. 1...2...3!"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Tue 08 May 2007.

Thus ignored, it's a simple matter for Avery to unholster his sidearm and snug it up firmly against the back of the Rahu-Man's knee.

"Point-blank, I wager I can empty the clip and take your leg off from the knee down before you manage to send me flying," he says conversationally.  "I suggest you start listening and stand down, or you will be put down, is that clear?"  He doesn't sound particularly angry at the moment -- but is that a good thing?

   Lotus might have gone to speak with Xion if Arven didn't stand his ground.  With his choice to ignore Xion, Lotus couldn't leave him to face Silvermasque alone.  And then Avery escalates the situation...
   Not about to let Arven get distracted, Lotus moves to parry Avery's sidearm with Zephram's staff.  She's not trying to hurt the lieutenant, just avoid an unbalanced confrontation by tapping his armoured forearm to prevent the weapon from being aimed.
   "Just so you guys are aware, Zed here, our friendly neighbourhood arms dealer, happens to be my long lost brother.  Since we're all taking sides, I thought you all should know who's on mine."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:56, Tue 08 May 2007.

Magnet Man and Braga are not too far behind Xion. Braga stops about 30 feet away with his hands on his holsters. Magnet Man comes closer to talking range.

Magnet Man prepares to throw down with the bickering mercenaries. "Okay kids, the lunch monitor is here. I hope you realize they don't call me magnet man because of my good looks. Lt. Drake? if I may?"

With one outstretched hand Lotus helmet is pulled off, and she is levitated into the air.

"Mystic Knight - leave this area immediately or you will be fired for your infraction. You struck an officer bitch -  pretty sure that is grounds for dismissal. Now for you two giants - Arven and Masque. If either of you respond to me with anythign other than "yes sir" you are both fired and will forfeit any pay still owed to you."

"I don't know what the problem is but if this moves into violence - believe me when I say I can bring you both down, or up, or wherever I want to bring you. Now mercenaries... let mommy and daddy deal with this and you can all go play with the crazy. Masque? give me the computer you have been working on."

   Lotus doesn't fight the levitation.  She keeps herself calm and focused on the situation.  She waits for Arven to act.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:32, Tue 08 May 2007.

From the side of the entire confrontation - a loud menacing voice echoes through the market.

"Coalition, Atlantis Splugorth, New German Republic, Free Quebec... wont hurt to add Tolkeen to the list."

Zed is holding a modified CTT-P40 aimed directly at Magnet Mans' head.

"Everybody shut the fuck up. Put your fucking weapons down - and you! - he gestures to Magnet Man by aiming his massive cannon at his face - "Put her down."

"Since you all have decided to do this in front of my fucking shop - I just became your third party mediator. When Arven sells this staff what the fuck do you think he is going to buy with it? A condo over-looking the ocean? He is going to buy more fucking weapons. Think of it as your mobile turret is getting a makeover. Tolkeen has rules set in place - but if their officers had their balls drop yet they would have solved this problem when Arven picked the loot up. Sometimes you have to be rough with your troops Xion or whatever the fuck your name is. I suggest you move either the big pussy" - gesturing to Silvermasque by aiming his cannon at HIS face... - "pun intended, or Arven to a different platoon before they kill each other."

"But here.... now.... at my shop - no way. So all of you shut your traps - buy my shit or get the fuck out of here - you are scaring the customers."

Naturally all of Zeds' crew has taken notice of the situation - including Kelthos The Mystic Knight, among a juicer, a massive Cyborg, a dog boy, several other human gunmen and a cyber knight. All involved in the conflict get the impression that they will just gun everybody down if anything goes sour. Except Lotus - she is pretty sure she will get through this fine.