In reply to James (msg # 816):

Doro presses himself as far as he can squeeze between two sturdy pipes, hoping that the enemy mistake him for a coat rack if fighting does break out.

I hate magic boats...

In reply to Doro of Mya (msg # 817):

"Five... four..."

In reply to GM (msg # 818):

"What, you think I carry the damn thing on my person?" Conrad growls, exasperated. "I don't know how you store dangerous artifacts on whatever world you come from, but here we use a combination of Cold Iron and Stasis Rifts."

"But you're in luck, because I don't want to die today," he continues. "It's hard to serve the Empire when you're dead -- though Xerxes manages it quite nicely."

"The helmet is in the Code Room, which I'm sure you've already searched. You didn't find it because it's chained to a stasis rift that's linked to a dimensional anchor enchanted to look like a mirror. I swear that's the truth."

He rubs his temples with one hand and looks down at the floor, defeated.

"You summon the helmet by touching the mirror, swiping to activate it, and ordering it to return the helmet to you. It's a finicky enchantment, however, so make sure you speak clearly."

Conrad glances at the gnomes assembled before him, guns pointed at his chest.

"I'll be happy to summon it for you, if you'd prefer, but I don't want to suggest something that's going to get me shot. I just want you off my boat."

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 819):

"...three..."

Mirewood pauses, and his stare shows he's likely measuring the grit in Conrad's clenched jaw by some improbably random yet accurate metric.

"The Code Room is locked, Lt. Commander," he says at length.  "I trust there's a key somewhere?"

In reply to GM (msg # 820):

Seriously? They can't blow a door with those guns?

"There is a key, yes," Conrad says. "But the Code Room won't open while the Spring is on lockdown without the master key. Where's the Captain?"

OOC: What's the military protocol for a situation like this? Is the ship and crew worth more to the Empire than something like the helmet?

After a moment, Conrad shrugs.

"Y'know, if the Captain is indisposed, I could lift the lockdown from the bridge. Then I could open the Code Room for you, hand over the helmet, and we can all get on with our lives."

I doubt we've refitted the torpedo tubes from my last surprise maneuver. If the tubes are still empty, firing them will really... shake things up.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:56, Tue 14 Oct 2014.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 821):

Oh I do not like that look..

In reply to Alveris Alderis (msg # 822):

Mirewood studies Conrad's face again, but finally nods.

"You will bring me to the Bridge and then to the Code Room.  Your forces will stay here under guard, but no harm shall come to them."

Mirewood gives a quick order and his men squeeze against the bulkhead, shields pointed inward, giving space for Conrad to approach Mirewood.

OOC:  No idea... the helm was being stored at a black site, which means it's either dangerous, powerful, valuable or all three but is also a state secret.

In reply to GM (msg # 823):

Conrad, lacking any better options, advances toward Mirewood with the intention of heading to the Bridge, as discussed.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 824):

Hey Fireface- You aren't about to put your Deepsavior name to the test again, are you?

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 824):

The Gnomish Storm Troopers allow Conrad and Xerxes to pass, then close their ranks behind him to once again block off the hallway from everyone else.

When Conrad gets to Mirewood, he gestures to his troops and one trooper and one AutoGnome/Servitor pair break off and follow behind Conrad and Xerxes.

The rest remain.

Team Walkin'

Mirewood marches silently beside Conrad and Xerxes.  You notice now that he has a slight limp in one leg in addition to whatever happened to his face.

Presently, you reach the helm, the entrance to which is guarded by another Gnomish trooper, this one holding a simple repeater carbine instead of mystery gun/shield combo, and the 517 agent you talked to topside.

"Go about it," Mirewood prompts, pointing at the control panel.


Team Waitin'

The 5 remaining Storm Troopers and 1 AutoGnome continue to brandish weapons and hide behind shields.  The 517 operative continues to stand quietly under guard.

In reply to GM (msg # 826):

Conrad quickly flicks his eyes over the control panels to take in the status of the ship. He's looking to see how the PA was disabled (damaged or turned off?), whether fire control is activated (torpedoes loaded? pressurized?), and status of the engines (hot & ready?).

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 827):

Nothing seems to be amiss with the ship's main systems.  Torpedos do appear to be loaded.  Reactor is up and running and engines appear to be in standby.

The PA circuit box is opened and it looks like a few wires have been re-arranged.

The ship is on red alert lockdown (which you already knew) which just sets status lights etc.

In reply to GM (msg # 828):

Conrad sighs at the sight of the dismantled PA system and the reloaded torpedo tubes.

It would have been nice to say good-bye.

He begins to dart his fingers across the dials, then glances up at Mirewood hesitantly.

"You know, once I lift the lockdown status, the crew would be free to start... er... resisting, as the Captain put it," Conrad says. "Obviously that's not in your best interest, nor is it in mine. We're already under-crewed, and more deaths would compound that."

He motions toward the PA system.

"Mind if I reactivate that to spread the word that the crew should stay put?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:06, Mon 20 Oct 2014.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 829):

Helm

Mirewood thinks for a moment, then nods to the 517 Agent.

The agent bends over the wires and quickly reconnects it.  The intercoms squawk a little all over the ship.

Mirewood and his AutoGnome/Storm Trooper escort stand behind Conrad just inside the hatch while the more lightly armed Gnome stands outside in the hallway.

"Don't make me regret this." Mirewood growls.

Hallway

The intercoms crackle a bit.

In reply to GM (msg # 830):

Conrad nods and quickly finishes all the but the final keystroke of the sequence that will override the lockdown. He holds his finger over the override button, then jabs down on the PA system instead.

The Empire needs to know about this threat. Even if it means sacrificing an artifact temporarily. But... a threat that can materialize anywhere, at will? What could we possibly do about that?

He frowns, troubled.

But the Captain wasn't willing to give up the artifact. That means it's not my place to do so, either.

"Deepsavior on the bridge" he says into the microphone, his voice tight. "Overriding lockdown momentarily. Invaders occupy the engine room, bridge, hallways. Away team, brace and stand by. All personnel are encouraged to..."

He pauses, locks eyes with Mirewood, and stabs the lockdown override button.

"... give 'em hell! Xerxes: Take Mirewood out!" he finishes.

Not bothering to terminate the PA, he hits the General Alarm and slams the sub into FULL THROTTLE and FULL PORT in one fluid maneuver, causing the vessel to lurch into motion with a jolt as the klaxons blare the life and the deafening alarms begin to screech, drowning out all but the loudest commands.

Xerxes springs into motion (one would hope), absorbing what little attention the gunners and Mirewood have left as the sub's strobes flicker along with the general operating lights.

In the confusion, Conrad steps away from the control console and draws his spring-loaded power axe.

Click-whirrrr

"You want to steal an Imperial artifact?," he bellows, not caring if he's heard as he flicks the axe into OVERDRIVE and charges full-tilt toward Mirewood from an angle that (hopefully) puts the dimension-hopping interloper between himself and the guns. "You'll have to earn it!"

~~ Surprise Round? ~~
This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Mon 20 Oct 2014.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 831):

Well shit.

Daggers it is.

In reply to Alveris Alderis (msg # 832):

To no one in general

Oh dear lord Connie.  What have you just done?

In reply to James (msg # 833):

The ship lurches and he staggers only barely managing to grab hold of a pipe to keep from falling (agility 5).

In reply to James (msg # 834):

Conrad staggers as the ship lurches, and he growls in frustration at his inability to put the ship's entirely expected motion to better use.

[Agility: 3]

If I trip, at least I'll be harder to hit, he thinks darkly.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Wed 22 Oct 2014.

Uthor braces himself, staying in position, and staying hidden.  His axe readied, he waits for his moment.

[Agility 9]

In reply to Uthor son of Magnusson (msg # 836):

[Agility 7]

"Here we go again"

In reply to Alveris Alderis (msg # 837):

The Red Spring lurches to the side.  The red lights above each hatch vanish but are replaced by blinking orange.

Bridge

Conrad holds onto the console while Xerxes slides on his boots and crashes to the deck.

The bulky AutoGnome topples quickly, clanging to the deck with mustache twitching.  The nearly equally bulky Storm Troopers join him on the decks.

The 517 agent is far lighter on his feet, holding his ground off to the side.

Through it all, Mirewood is able to brace himself and avoid falling, though he doesn't have time to draw his weapon before Conrad launches himself at him...

Halls

Our intrepid heroes hold their ground.  Of the waiting forces, the AutoGnome and 3 of the Storm Troopers clatter to the decks.


Engine Room

In the Engine room, Sven goes down cursing and rolls into the far corner of the room while James and the 517 Agent keep on their feet.


[OOC:  Combat start post forthcoming]

In reply to GM (msg # 838):

~Hall Combat Round 1~

Disposition:  5 Gnomish Storm Troopers crowd one end of the hallway in rough 2 by 2 formation.  Behind them is a toppled AutoGnome who once standing will be able to see and be seen over them.  3 of the Storm Troopers fell in the shake-up and will have to stand.  The other two have shield and shotgun ready.

Alveris stands around 5 units away in the middle of the hallway with an unnamed Gnomish sailor (repeater pistol and boot knife).

Behind them, Doro and Uthor hide in the pipes with some degree of cover.

Just behind all this is the open engine room door on one wall so you cannot really see in without moving.

Alveris - 7 of hearts - 3rd
Doro - King of clubs - 1st
Enemy - Queen of spades - 2nd
Gnome - 4 of hearts - last
Uthor - 7 of clubs - 4th
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:02, Thu 23 Oct 2014.

In reply to GM (msg # 839):

Doro remains pressed against the pipes and holds.

Gnomes... all alike... buncha tall long-pant wearing giants if you ask me... not to be trusted...

In reply to Doro of Mya (msg # 840):

The AutoGnome stands up slowly with the help of its servitor, but takes no action.

The three fallen Gnomes likewise stand up but do not act.

The two standing Gnomes AIM.

"Hold it right there!" one yells.