In reply to Alveris Alderis (msg # 5):

"What have you learned?" Conrad asks Uthor, nodding toward the code book as he walks by.  "It might be useful to clarify things with the prisoner while we have him clapped in irons."

He then turns to find James, pulling him aside.

"We need to talk about your goblin, because I'm struggling to find any reason not to execute the vile thing.  If you can't control it or predict its actions, it's just a criminal who's consuming air and food.  Anything you want to say in the creature's defense before I take this to the Captain?"

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 6):

James looks grimly at Conrad.

I will give you two reasons not to kill him.

1 I have some questions I want to ask him.


He begins walking towards the brig with his soiled sheets, he looks over his shoulder

And two... I want to kill him myself.

He continues towards the brig.

Not all that much.  He's got little blurbs about each of us in this thing, and some codes written down.  Most of them are our codes.  We could talk to him some more, see what else we can get out of him.

Once we get enough information, I've got a plan.  We try to call those people back on the mirror, give them the right call sign, and make them think we're with them.  Maybe wear that helmet as a disguise, or hold it, to convince them we've got it and they left us behind.

Might be able to figure out how their buddies got off the ship so fast.

In reply to Uthor son of Magnusson (msg # 8):

Hey Uthor,

Please check to see if Francis sent any outgoing communications in the code room when he was there.  Connie, that key you found... are all of the ships keys accounted for?  Or is the one he had an extra one?

In reply to James (msg # 9):

"I still have my key, and the Captain still has his, so I assume this third key is a copy of some sort."

He sighs, heading toward the makeshift brig.

"Enough of this.  Neither the Captain nor myself has time for this runaround.  Come on -- we're going to get some answers, ask some questions, and resolve some issues of loyalty," Conrad says, beckoning to Uthor, James, and Alveris to follow.

"And, Alveris?" he adds darkly.  "Bring the girls."

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 10):

The 'brig' is little more than two cargo cages normally designed for strapping down sensitive equipment and cargo which have been re purposed for holding prisoners.  Chain-link fence-style door covers the entrance to each.  The decks below, above and behind each contain numerous rings, fittings and hooks for tying off or securing things.

The small area holding Ragnar contains now several barrels of poisoned wine which have been lashed to the hull, and a wheel of, somehow totally dry, cheese.  The Gnome sits with his back propped up against a barrel.  He looks up with interest when you enter but doesn't feel the need to speak immediately.

Francis, in the 'cell' beside Ragnar, has been fully hog-tied and strapped to the wall between two large metal rings.  A crewman informs you that they had to gag him soon after putting him there, because the string of profanity was bordering on war crimes (and this is from a Gnome, who are known for colorful language themselves) and they didn't want to have to charge him with anything else.

In reply to GM (msg # 11):

James walks in behind Conrad dragging his sheets behind him.  He significantly unrolls them infront of Francis' cage.  The smell is unbearable and James requests Conrad to open up Francis cell.  He pulls the sheets under Francis' hogtied frame.

/ooc I have already rolled my taunt/intimidate rolls and written much of the interrogation.  If you guys have anything you want to do before I do my portion with Francis please let me know.  Also let me know where you are and what you are doing while I will be interrogating. /ooc

In reply to James (msg # 12):

Conrad folds his arms over his chest and stands outside the cage, watching James carefully.  Ever now and again, he will favor Ragnar with a withering glare that seems to say "you're next."

OOC: Conrad will not allow James to actually execute the goblin without due process of law.  Which might come in the form of himself as judge and jury, empowering James as executioner.  But we'll see what happens.  I leave this here in OOC just so James knows that I'll have to interrupt in some way if the prisoner looks like he's about to die or be tortured for non-information-gathering purposes.  Unless it's done stealthily or Conrad gets distracted.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:45, Tue 12 Nov 2013.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 13):

Remember what I told you about this being why you will always be second class to the fey?  Its because your dumb.

You do realize that if you just stayed by my side you would have survived and gotten paid?  Now you get no money, and you have certainly lost your freedom.  I'm going to tell you that you are dumb again; because you are so dumb that I think this is the only way I can get through your fat head.  Now where the fuck did you get that key?  *He points at the key in Conrad's hand*  The captain has his, Conrad has his.  Unlike you stupid fucking goblins I can count (Taunt 7 vs 2).

Do you know what the funny thing about medicine is? 

He smiles grimly at Francis' predicament.  Francis quivers in rage and lets loose an obscene tirade into the gag.  James slowly walks over and removes the gag.  Francis tries to bite him but he pulls his hand away quickly.

Medicine can heal, but it also can hurt.  It can hurt a lot.  Its something that has always fascinated me... Have you ever seen anyone suffering a from a wound to the stomach and/or intestines?  Its long and slow and painful death.  Guess what kills them?

He holds up the blanket significantly.  Francis spits at him. He wipes it off of his face with his borrowed black tactileneck.

All it takes is a small cut and some of this and then you know what will happen?  You will start with the wound festering then the bacteria will spread.  Next you will run the highest fever you have ever had in your life... then comes shock and sepsis.  At which point you will finally succumb.

Unless of course I decide to bring you back from the brink... only to do it again... and again... and again...

I don't believe your mission was to kill me anymore.  I think you lied to me to save your skin.  Maybe you get a bonus for killing me, but not even a goblin is so stupid as to turn on me when you have no hope of escape.  This means that there is something else going on.  How were you going to collect your troll laden with silver if you had succeed in killing me.

You know that I can't lie, and you will save yourself a LOT of pain if you answer my questions.(Intimidate 3 vs 1)

Francis blinks at James, confused, but clearly frightened as the exact comments of James goes over his head but the intent is undeniable.

So now here is the question at the heart of it... Your too stupid to do anything in the code room, so what the fuck were you doing there?  Thats why your whole race almost was and probably should have been exterminated.  At least the gremlins are fun... you guys are fucking annoying.  Did you send a message to anyone?  Who did you call on the mirror?  Are you in league with the gnomes from the dark reach? (taunt 10 vs 1)

James in a terrifyingly calms and collected state walks over to the goblin quivering in impotent rage.  He takes out his scalpel and nicks each of the goblins femoral arteries, they begin bleeding immediately.  Conrad harumphs to stop him.  James hold up his hand.

This is not lethal... yet.

He says looking into Francis' eyes making sure the full implications of the words settle on him.

James takes a large sample from the soiled bedsheets and uses it as a poultice.  A gagging noise comes from Ragnar as he watches the display and knowing what James is doing. (heal 6)

Without a word James locks his eyes on Ragnar through the wire of the cage and watches him as he fully bandages Francis leg wounds.  He holds up a syringe

Francis.  You have about an hour before this is irreversible.  I can give you a shot of this to stop the infection, and bandage your wounds for real using astringent... that is also going to hurt like hell, and we can save you.  After an hour... your taking your life into your own hands.  You should start to feel the sepsis setting in soon.  Your fever will spike in about 5 minutes.

Now tell me what I want to know.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:21, Tue 12 Nov 2013.

Before Alveris heads to the brig, Uthor pulls him aside.

I know how much you like that helmet, but I need to borrow it to do a little... recon.  Don't worry, I'll give it back.  Gonna try and call back through the mirror to those guys on the ship and pry out a little information.  We'll meet up after.  What do ya say?

In reply to Uthor son of Magnusson (msg # 15):

"What I told cash cow was truth!" Francis splutters, evacuating his bowels yet again.  "But there's more... was told kill Fey fuck, get silver.  If not kill him, ground into paste for use in soothing crotch-itch on Trolls.  If kill Fey Fuck, get silver, same troll carry it home, use other ointment on itchy crotch.

BUT

If not kill Fey Fuck, can work WITH Fey Fuck:  Convince Fey Fuck that I can be bought, show that he has shit for skills at reading people... THEN I kill Fey Fuck for real."

Francis smiles as if the plan would please James... but realizes that that doesn't make any sense.

"No rescue party, only kill Fey Fuck and hide until can escape.  Other operatives on sub, so shouldn't be hard.  Got key from other Fey Fuck, to use to sneak in and hide, or to send message."

Francis spits violently.

"Mirror fucking terrible, couldn't get it to work.  Tried all finest cursing, no work."

In reply to GM (msg # 16):

James looks grimly at Francis.

Other operatives?  Who and how many?

What fey fuck did you get the key from, the one who hired you, or an underling?

He raises his head

Hey Rags!  Did you know about this?  Theres plenty more goblin shit to go round! 

James looks at the beads of sweat forming on Francis' brow it looks like the sepsis is starting to set in...

In reply to James (msg # 17):

"Don't know how many, only told I was not alone.  Contact in port give key and help get into barrel."

Ragnar is visbly unsettled by what is going on, but as it's being done to a Goblin at the moment, does not object.

When James addresses him directly, however, he looks to Conrad.

"I don't think there's either the need for that... nor would it be proper to treat a compliant prisoner so harshly.  I can say without reserve that I don't and haven't ever worked with that Goblin."

In reply to GM (msg # 18):

"You're an accused traitor and mutineer, Ragnar," Conrad replies evenly.  "If we were going by the letter of the law, the Captain could have ordered you 'imprisoned' in the airlock by now."

He pauses to let that sink in.

"Now, I'm all for letting the accused have their day in court, be we're a long way from home on a mission that's said to be vital to national security. Concessions will need to be made.  There's a difference between compliance and collaboration, and while you've been a model prisoner, you haven't taught us much, either."

Conrad looks at the disgusting bedding that's been wadded around the goblin, then shakes his head.

"That changes, Ragnar.  Starting now.  On whose authority were you stationed here as an 'inside element'?  Who was your point of contact?  What were you told, and when, and by whom?  What were the parameters of your mission?"

His eyes narrow.

"Since I'm feeling generous, I'll give you a pass on exactly one of those questions.  But you'd better be forthcoming with the others.  Begin."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Tue 12 Nov 2013.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 19):

Ragnar eyes the filthy blankets and the Fey beside them.  He licks his lips and then stands up slowly.

"My mission was as observer, but with a few specifics to report on.  I was to track the Red Spring and its mission as well as any artifacts it came across.  It was explained to me that I would be in a position to obtain not only sensitive Imperial codes, but also powerful technology and relics valuable to our leader, Commander Schtock."

Ragnar appears to be waiting for a reaction to that name.

In reply to GM (msg # 20):

James begins to remove the disgusting dressings around the wounds on Francis, he pulls out an abrasive brush and astringent.  He brushes harder than necessary Francis screams and curses and spits, James puts the gag back in.  He injects him with the antibiotic.  Francis seems visibly comforted (heal 9).

He removes the gag.

So now what?  Looks like one of us has to die.  As we established before that one is obviously not going to be me.

*he peeks his head up*

Now Rags thats just rude.  Isn't a Schtok what you gnomes call your... *motioning to the bedsheets*
This message was last edited by the player at 13:32, Wed 13 Nov 2013.

In reply to James (msg # 21):

"Schtock?! That bastard is no Commander," Conrad spits. "And the Special Ops team is part of your misguided rebellion? Interesting. How did you expect to get the equipment and codes off the sub without tipping the Empire off?"

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 22):

Ragnar shrugs.  "Linking up with them wasn't part of my mission... I didn't know they were aboard the Dark Reach but it made sense.  The Reach was an experimental light-attack/insertion vessel.  It would make sense that they would have some of the tech I was after onboard.  When I realized that the invaders were loyal to Comm. Schtock, I decided it would be a good idea to help."

He looks around at the cargo hold.

"Also, given we were at very real risk of dying at the time, I figured they'd have a better chance of getting me home alive."

In reply to GM (msg # 23):

A vintage Alveris walks into the room, adorned in a newly pressed Magneto Red Tactileneck, and a pair of seasonally red corduroy jeans, tailored to his fit. A pair of ornate leather boots completes the outfit, a picture of the 3 girls etched on each side.

Sensing ire for his attire, Alveris begins:

"What? I'm grieving. It's a Fey thing. We wear our finest outfits when we're the most vulnerable. See.

I have a soul."

Turning toward James

"So help me God if that's one of my tactileneck's Jamie, and you have stretched it and changed the dimensions of its fit. (his volume increases with each sentence) There's no Fey Tailors on this submarine Jamie. There isn't going to be 800 years of hand crafted expertise weaving that shirt out of the fur of an animal whose name I'm not legally allowed to know and ensuring it fits me perfectly after the damage you've done to it's fit Jamie. DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE LACK OF TAILORS AT ALL?!"

(Clearly exasperated)

"Fine. Keep it. I'm happy to see you at least dressing better. So, are we torturing Francis or not, because if we aren't, I think we should check in with the mirror, see what those assholes want to tell us about what's going on."

In reply to Uthor son of Magnusson (msg # 15):

Alveris pantomimes holding the helmet out of Ultron's reach for what seems like an eternity.

"Not a fucking chance"

In reply to Alveris Alderis (msg # 25):

James blinks at Alveris...

You... told me to borrow the tactical neck before going to the reach....

*shrugs*

I think Francis is worthless.  I did about the most aggressive thing I can do to him and turns out its just a contingency plan set up by daddy dearest.  Oh and they said they'd kill him if he doesnt kill me... so I guess one of us has to die.

Will likely be him.

Rags has just started singing so maybe you can go give some encouragement to him
This message was last edited by the player at 13:29, Thu 14 Nov 2013.

In reply to James (msg # 26):

"Francis work for Fey Fuck again?" the Goblin offers weakly.

In reply to GM (msg # 27):

"What about the mirror, Ragnar?  Did you ever use it?" Conrad asks, casually cracking his knuckles.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 28):

Ragnar furrows his brow.

"Aye, I did.  When I got access to the code room I made contact to let them know what was going on.  My superiors weren't happy, they worried it would let you or the Fey Court find them."

In reply to GM (msg # 29):

"We did find them," Conrad nods.  "And your honesty in that matter has been noted.  They were none too happy to see me, and hung up immediately."

He whips out a notebook from one of his uniform's many pockets, along with a pen.

"How would one call them back?  Hypothetically, of course."

Conrad jots down the beginnings of a script while he waits for the answer.

"And tell me... how are your acting skills?"