Location:  Daguam di Thrae vur Xarzith  Planetary Headquarters
City:  Trithiras
Planet:  Arisith
System:  Ganamedae
Domain:  Sarava

Just the usual, boring day going through the company news letters and junk-mail, for all of you, it has been a very, very slow, uneventful job.  Some people in the Empire would kill (literally) for such a life, but for you all, it has been a mild form of torture.  That is until the last folder...

Greetings to Daguam di Thrae vur Xarzith.  I am Mythos Tasian, director of Silver Eye Interplanetary Safari's.  I am having some problems with street thugs for some of my operations, and I would like a moment of your time to consider a possible business venture for your Company.  I hope you shall meet with me at 3 pm at our location in Asterak City.

It is 12 pm at the moment, and the travel would take about an hour by the company hovercraft, traffic permitting...
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:43, Mon 07 Sept 2009.

As Vorneyl read over the last message, he activated his built-in internal personal communicator and used its wireless uplink ability to tap into The Net.  Vorneyl didn't immediately recognize either the name "Mythos Tasian" or "Silver Eye Interplanetary Safari", but at least he had a location (Asterak City) to help localize his Net search.  Vorneyl never liked to walk into a meeting with new people until he had a chance to do some basic "legwork".  Vorneyl was curious about what he would find and whether it would indicate why this Tasian and his Safaris should be have "thug problems".  Of course if this search came up with just the basic public data, Vorneyl might need to "hit the streets" later to dig deeper.

[Private to GM: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 19 using 1d20+11. Research.

I'm assuming a Take-10 isn't applicable here?]

Jouhan after enjoing his morning tea (odd custom by many) he takes his odd bladeless sword handle. He soon conjures a longsword sized double edged blade with leaf shaped tip. He concentrates on the green blade, which soon starts hum by stored extra psykinetic energy. Also Jouan connects his mind and body together into balanced harmony, with his usual mourning meditation. He has still trouble to develop the connection casually and for sure, but he eventually reaches the wanted state of mind. He reads then latest message also did some research on the net, but he got less what Vorneyl had done. Just basic info of the location.

After that he leaves his room, dressed on his usual odd attire he nods to Vorneyl, who was still doing his research; "Morning Vorneyl, found anything about the latest job offer?"
[Private to GM: rolls;

15:43, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 25 using 1d20+9. Concentration: retry.
15:42, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 13 using 1d20+9. Concentration: Re-try.
15:42, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 10 using 1d20+9. Concentration: DC 20, gain psionic focus.
15:39, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 10 using 1d20+9. Research.

Also note; charged his mind blade ready.]

Aria has finished her morning routine; waking at 6 AM for a brisk run, followed by a quick shower before heading to the garage, where she performed a visual inspection of Regannos' vehicles. She then takes a cord from her work bench, plugging it into the side of her neck, and hooking herself up to her motorcycle.

She starts the engine, and her mind is flooded by a myriad of details about the bike's operating functions; RPM, engine temperature, power cell levels... As usual, she finds it in perfect order.

8 AM finds her scrambling three eggs in her quarters, which she devours with some toast and a pair of oranges while she streams the morning's news from her datapad into her head. After breakfast, she disassembles her blaster pistol, carefully cleaning each part before putting the weapon back together again.

While she puts on her black and green uniform, a message beeps from her datapad. She hangs the small computor from the belt of her flight suit, hooking it to the network of datalines running through the outfit"Finally, some work. And hopefully some action.".  she thinks to herself as the message streams through her head.

She belts a cavalry saber at her waist and slides her blaster into its holster. Then she heads to the garage to see about the company hovercraft, downloading detailed street maps of the Asterak City area to her datapad.

Inside of his private office, he could see the shapes of his 'staff' as it where though the smoky window that overlooked the office. Of course, the widow could be changed in opacity if he wanted it, but Regannos enjoyed the privacy when he could get it. His clawed hands picked though various documents, deep green eyes over looking each one. Other then the papers that covered it, there existed a personnel holocomputer along with several other objects. One of those was a large picture frame that held, oddly enough, an old fashioned picture of an attractive human female with the same kind of eyes that Regannos had.

The silvery Half-Dragon sighed and leaned back his large frame into the soft chair that had been specifically built for his large frame. One of the walls of the office held several awards and commendations, one of which being a diploma from the Royal War College on Endagar. He shook his head a bit as his long thin whiskers curled a bit in the air beside his blunt muzzle. Thanks for the help Father.....just another way for you to check up on me he thought a little sourly. He knew his Sire only had his best interests at heart, but he also knew that his appointment to Legion liaison had not sat well with him. Even despite the prestigious position, Regannos still had his normal duties with the corporation.

His computer beeped with a message, one of Regannos's claws tapping the keyboard to bring up the message that he scanned over quickly. He had never personally heard of the company, but the name implied much. Probably some kind of tourist attraction. Daguam di Thrae vur Xarzith was a well known private military organization....but they where not cheap either. It would be cheaper for them to hire basic mercenaries or even apply for Legion assistance. Which meant they had something to hide other then dealing with basic thugs.

Regannos sighed and snapped his fingers absentmindedly, his claws clicking as a spark of flame jumped between them. It would break up the boredom of course....if nothing else I could assign one or two lower level grunts to the job. If they can pay the price of course.

He tapped another button on his computer, opening a com frequency to Aria he said though it "Aria, if you have not already, please prepare transportation for myself and others for departure in one hour." He stood and pulled his personal Datapad out from its station next to his computer and placed it on his right forearm, where it attached rather securely. His casual clothing shifted as he moved, clearly speaking of wealth though not overtly displaying it as he opened the door to his office and walked out, locking the door behind him.

"Good, your both already here, and I am sure you got the message already. Where headed down to the weapon's vault first and then the Garage. Aria should have transportation prepared by then" he said briskly to the human and the soulmech. It was not always custom for the individual in charge to see to a job like this personally, but it often displayed good faith to do so. The Half-Dragon did not so much wait for a response from both of them, as he walked towards the Lift that would carry them to the Valut, most of the other individuals in the office getting out of his tall frame.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:30, Mon 07 Sept 2009.

"Yes, sir." Aria replies over her communicator. She completes her check of the hovercraft, doing everything visually. Hopefully she will be given the resources soon to upgrade the vehicles so she can do faster, more thorough diagnostics by running them through her datapad. But for now, everything was Mark II Eyeball, from maintainance to driving.

Just to be on the safe side, she connects her pistol to her network, transmitting the weapon's powerlevel and sighting through her brain to be displayed directly on her optic nerve. She unlocks her rail rifle from its holster on her motorcycle and slaps in a clip and powercell, making sure it is fully functional before stowing it beside the driver's seat in the hovercraft.

When all is ready, she stands at ease with her helmet tucked under her arm, waiting for her employer. While she waits, she gets the latest traffic information to plot the speediest course through her destination transmitted from her datapad into her brain.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Tue 08 Sept 2009.

Vorneyl was dressed in his usual urban-camo combat fatigues, though well worn they were still study enough for action.  He had his usual dark sunglasses on, Vorneyl tended to be a bit sensitive about displaying the raw gaze of his soulmech photoreceptors.  And of course there was the ever-present blaster pistol tucked away in a shoulder holster under his left arm.  Aside from a keenblade kama hanging from the right side of his belt and a sai tucked inside under his jacket on the right side, Vorneyl didn't carry any other obvious equipment.  For as long as the others had known him, Vorneyl had always traveled "light".  Then again, since a Soulmech didn't breathe, eat or drink, there usually wasn't much need for him to carry other supplies.

Vorneyl nodded towards Jouhan and said in a passive tone in his lightly synthesized voice, "Morning Jouhan.  I'm still waiting for the last results of my Net searches to come in for analysis.  I'll provide you along with the boss and Aria a run down of anything I uncover just as soon as its compiled."

Vorneyl bowed his head to Regannos, knowing that the upper echelons (especially the draconic ones) appreciated a touch of deference from those in their employ... or "service" as it was often called.

Vorneyl moved swiftly to get in step with Regannos, his natural speed along with his monk training making it fairly easy to catch up and keep pace.  As he did so, Vorneyl said in a polite tone, "Good morning Boss.  You're correct as usual, I'm already processing the returns on my initial Net searches regarding this potential client.  Just on a first approximation surface analysis, I gotta say that something strikes me as a bit fishy about this job.  I mean the man and his business may be totally legit, but who comes to us to deal with mere "street thugs"?  Not at our rates anyways.

Not that I'm complaining, a bit of action would help break the monotony... but I'm just saying that something sparks at the back of my mind that there's more going on under the table than meets the eye at first glance.

But then that's what they pay us the big bucks for, because we can handle the unexpected with aplomb.  Speaking of which Boss, have you ever heard of this guy or his business before?"

The "weapon's vault" eh?  Are we gearing up for "bear" or is this just normal precautions?  Do you know something we don't?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:05, Tue 08 Sept 2009.

Jouhan likewise did not need much in food and drink wise. Much as it was known he only drinked and ate only for taste alone. Also curiously he has signs he long time ago had cybernetic parts connected to his body (mostly neck and left hand) but now he has none.

Also he carried all his own gear with him, traveling light as Vorneyl is. As during pass missions he uses his odd blade what he carries. Most of time unshaped but when shaped in combat it slices deep on foes and he can throw it in short ranges.

However when Regannos came in he likewise bowed his head respect for his boss, when he started head to vault he followed him, Vorneyl ahead of him of course. When Vorneyl made his query he replied; "Your correct, they would not hire us to deal with low level street thugs. I smell a crime organization or something nastier behind this but they are reluctant mention it up front through The Net where messages can be hacked open by hacker expert before they reach to us."

"I have not heard of them before, though it is not unusual for the company to be contacted by new contracts as such" he said in an off hand manner as he walked towards the bank of lifts that ran though the entire building. However, rather then wait for one, Regannos placed his index finger into a panel, the machine reading his print and biometrics before beeping and opening up a private express elevator that ignored the normal hustle and bustle that the public elevators had.

"Regardless of there reasons however, if they can afford us, then we will honor there contract. Daguam di Thrae vur Xarzith was founded around the principle of protection with out intrusion." It went with out saying that 'intrusion' did not mean the same thing as still finding out and using what was guarded to there advantage. Knowing what advances where going to come ahead of time in aeronautics, technology and otherwise gave a healthy advantage when it came to investing.

"And let us not fall prey to assuming Jouhan." He added sharply as he entered the elevator and selected the floor the equipment vault was stationed on, that being the second basement level. Regannos did not carry his equipment with him, other then his Datapad, mostly because it was unseemly for a Half-Dragon to appear to 'dirty himself' with menial labor. Equipment had a place however, in showing ones possible contractor that they where ready for anything that would come along.

As you decend, the elevator doesn't show the level which the Vault is located.  Before the doors open, the computerized voice speaks.

"Password?"  It asks.  You notice that there is twenty second time showing now on the main panel.

[Private to Regannos: You know the password is your mother's name.  The count down is an auto locking feature, should someone try to break into the weapons vault, that can only be reset with your DNA, for security reasons.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:18, Tue 08 Sept 2009.

Regannos would have been concerened about saying the secure password in the presence of others, though the computer also studdied the tenor and level of the speakers voice. Even a perfect recording would lock the elevator down, for which he was glad. "Password Authorization, Saraa Kraff." He said clearly and calmly. There was a moment, and a tone of acceptance as the doors opened. With the onrush of air from the open doors, there came the scents of metal, armor and weapon polish, and other smells.

The Valut was a massive plated box, more or less, filled with large lock boxes that each held the equipment of a 'higher level' members. Most of them held not so much insofar of weapons, but rather documents and papers for those members given the Valut was more secure then some banks, depending on the world you where on. Regannos calmly headed over to his own box and placed one of his fingers in the receptacle for it. The machine took a sample of his scale, whirring gently before there was a hiss as the box opened.

Rolling out on a single rack rested Regannos's personal armor, pack, and most importantly his weapon. While perhaps not the only one of its kind outside of the Legion, Regannos felt it to be one of the best in his eyes. A streamlined piece of advanced technology, glowing blue lines of energy across its surface, and the large heavy cell attached to its side marked it as a Plasma Rifle and nothing else.

Regannos donned his armor quickly and proficiently, black body suit with dark blue tinged with silver plates of armor covering his form as his large pack clamped onto his back rather then using shoulder straps, as his much valued rifle was placed vertically beside it in the same manner. "Alright then" he said to no one in particular "Let us head to the Garage and get moving."

You return to the Elevator and have an uneventful trip up to the garage sublevel.  You see Sister Aria waiting for you by the company hovercraft, a vehicle which has all the room your small group will need to travel on this world.

[Private to Sister Aria: I will need a Pilot check using your Intelligence modifier for possible routes to your destination.]

Jouhan waves to Sister Aria before he takes seat in the hovercraft and securing seat security straps.

Let's see what mission we have for today.

Regannos gave a nod to Aria, but said little else as he joined Jouhan in the hovercraft. He supposed he was a little cold to his so called staff, but then again he had not been the one to hire them in the long run. Rather it had been his Sire and his desire to look after his offspring. Regannos could understand the feeling, after all he had met other Half-Dragons, and heard the stories of the wealth and situations they got out of because of it. Even so, he had only seen them as spoiled and lazy.

Yet do I try and be different in spite of them.....or for myself? He mused quietly. It was a question he often thought of while he settled into the rich and soft interior of the hovercraft most 'normal' citizens could only dream of. Still, on some level he supposed it was inevitable unless he forsook his Sire, something he didn't think he would ever do.

He sighed quietly opened one of the cabinets in the passenger section of the hovercraft, pulling out a crystalline glass and a bottle of rich wine, for which he poured himself a half glass. At least I wont have to worry about becoming intoxicated he thought werily. It took an awful lot more then a single glass to make him feel drunk.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Thu 10 Sept 2009.

Aria nods at the others when they arrive. "Sir." she greets her employer as she lifts her helmet onto her head. She attaches a small cable from the helmet to an outlet on the collar of her jumpsuit, allowing her to access the helmet's built in sensors.

"Strap in or prepare to bounce off the walls." she says as she takes her seat, securing herself as the whine if the engines grows higher and higher as the vehicle lifts a few inches off the ground.

[Private to GM:
07:29, Today: Sister Aria rolled 27 using 1d20+11. Pilot-Navigate
I'm thinking that Navigate might be a better skill for plotting the route than Pilot. I'm +8 at that, so my roll would be 24 if you go that route. Either should be plenty to find a good path.
11:47, Today: Sister Aria rolled 24 using 1d20+11. pilot - driving.
This is my roll for tearing out of the garage at a good pace once everyone is inside.
]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:40, Thu 10 Sept 2009.

Vorneyl noted the special password required and was glad that Ragannos was prepared to deliver it... and that the Boss was not suffering from a cold.  Vorneyl wondered what would happen if the countdown reached 0, would it be knock out gas, shockers, spells or just a summons for the guards to investigate.  Whatever it would be, Vorneyl was just as glad not to have to find out.

Vorneyl was reminded of his soulmech state as he tried to lift a non-existent eyebrow upon seeing Regannos "gearing up for bear".  Of course the Boss often planned for the worst case scenario and took his personal security seriously, two aspects of the Boss's character that Vorneyl approved of and even shared.

As the trio reached the garage, Vorneyl nodded to Aria and said in a pleasant tone, "Good morning Aria."

Vorneyl found an empty seat and strapped in securely, he knew that Aria was a bit of a speed demon at times and liked nothing more than to put her considerable piloting skills on display... perhaps proving to the Boss why she was so valuable an asset.

As they prepared to head out, Vorneyl recited the results of his earlier search in a business-like tone, "I have the results back from my initial Net inquiries.  Not a whole lot of detail but that takes more time than we have at the moment.

So then... Silver Eye Interplanetary Safari is a private company that operates independently from the galactic Aristocorps.  This is due to the successful business practices of its founder and CEO Mythos Tasian.  Tasian is a self-made billionaire whose fortune is based upon wise investments and a reportedly savvy ability in establishing good contacts.

Aria, you may know this already but the SEIS space port is not in the greatest part of the city.  According to the local news feeds, there has been a rash of crime in that part of the city recently.  Apparently most of the criminal activity on the rise has been related to street gangs but there are rumors circulating about a "darker motivation" underlying their crimes.

Of course rumors are not established fact by any means.  Maybe Tasian is just being plagued by the increase in street violence... or perhaps he's the target of these rumored "dark motivations".  I'll need more time later to dig deeper into these issues, but that's the basic rundown that I have right now."

Regannos sipped from the wine glass a little as he listed to Vorneyl's report. Personally he had never been sure just what to make of Soulmechs. Granted, he supposed they were technically 'alive' as far as the Empire was concerned. They did think and feel things as such as anyone else was. Still, there was something off about their kind that always seemed to make his scales itch. Still, he could not doubt Vorneyl's ability or his productivity. "Well then, I suppose we may find out more when we reach our destination. As to that, lets keep it respectable today Aria. I know most Imperial Police would rather look the other way when the see the emblem for an Aristocorp, but I don't need the Council breathing down my neck for bad publicity."

The 'Council' he referred to was of course those that he directly reported to, the shadowy dragon' and those who held the real power within the corporation. While it was true there was never such a thing as 'bad' publicity, there was after all appearances to keep up.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:33, Thu 10 Sept 2009.

Location:  Silver Eye Interplanetary Safari's Headquarters
City:  Asterak City
Planet:  Arisith
System:  Ganamedae
Domain:  Sarava

Sister Aria navigates you through the early afternoon traffic with ease, her piloting skills proving her paycheck was well worth the price.  As you arrive at the Headquarters of Silver Eye Interplanetary Safari, you notice that there is a pair of armed security guards at the entrance, each dressed in dark grey uniforms, and armed with taser guns.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:19, Sat 12 Sept 2009.

The Telamonian mercenary pulls the hovercraft in front of the guards, decelerating rapidly enough to make them nervous as it comes to a stop uncomfortably close to them.

The window slides silently down, showing her head, fully covered by her helmet. "Mr. Regannos of Daguam di Thrae vur Xarzith here to see Mr. Tasian." Aria says.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:16, Sun 13 Sept 2009.

Regannos watched the city fly by as they left the towering and glittering building that was the planetary headquarters for Daguam di Thrae vur Xarzith as he sipped quietly at his glass. He didn't pay much mind to the other cars and craft that zipped by, though he did gain glances of the people who walked the road, and in some rare cases, begged there.

Each day more is added to the Empire...be it by force or wisdom. Yet what care is give to those that are added.... He mused as he nursed the glass of rich red wine. He supposed it was the human in him that made him think such. Dragonish foresight and human drive....not the best combination at times

He remained quiet on the trip to there destination, as he often was in such cases. "As always, you impress me Aria" he said to her privately as they pulled into there destination, though he did not want to waste time dealing with the hired help that Tasian had. He clicked one of the interior buttons that slowly lowered his own window half way so the top half of his face and eyes were exposed. The reptilian green tint they held stared hard at the guards as he added "And I hope to do it quickly. My time is valuable, and I dislike to waste it."

Of course, lowering his own window was not the safest thing to do, given the possible circumstances, but then again Regannos was sometimes ignorant of such things when it concerned himself.

The security guards look to each other, the one on the right speaks clearly.  "We were notified of your appointment, Lord Regannos.  Mr. Tasian is expecting you.  Third floor, last door on the right."  He spoke, gesturing to Aria to park the hovercraft right were it is.  The other guard touches a button, the double doors of the building opening for the arrival of the group.

The hovercraft lowers to the street as Aria cuts power to the engines, their pitch descending as the rotors wind down. The gull-wing door lifts as she steps out, helmeted in her black and green uniform. The mercenary looks from side to side, one hand near her blaster pistol.

She turns to face the guards, her helmeted head tilting upward to look at them as she stands between the them and the vehicle. She waves her hand, behind her back, signaling all clear as her helmet's sensors continue to send data into her head.



[Private to GM: 16:30, Today: Sister Aria rolled 18 using 1d20+10. Spot. ]

If Vorneyl was still living, he would have visibly cringed as Regannos lowered his window to speak directly to the guard.  A Aria drove off to park their vehicle, Vorneyl leaned over to Regannos and said in a soft tone, "Umm... Boss, while I'm the first one to appreciate the hands-on approach and I can respect an employer who isn't afraid to get his "hands dirty" sort of speak... I'd really appreciate it if you didn't expose yourself like that until we know the coast is clear.

Even if a stranger doesn't know who you are exactly, one look at your noble half-dragon form and the expensive trappings you have on display... and that stranger knows you're "money".

I don't mean to intrude but, since I was hired to keep you safe, I felt I ought to speak up.  The last thing I want to have happen is for you to get hurt... disappointing a Dragon employer is a quick path to oblivion, if you know what I mean."

As the vehicle lands, Vorneyl is only a step behind Aria in exiting vehicle.  Using his own built-in enhanced senses, Vorneyl surveys the immediate area as his hand hovers near his blaster pistol.  Once he has determined that it is safe, Vorneyl will motion to Regannos to exit the vehicle.  Even if the job was on the up-and-up, the news feed about increased criminal activity in the area would be enough to keep Vorneyl alert for threats.

[Private to GM:  Vorneyl Kenath rolled 32 using 1d20+12. Perception.
Darkvision, Telescopic Vision, Motion Sensors]
This message was last edited by the player at 08:36, Mon 14 Sept 2009.

After others signals coast is clear Jouhan steps out first, likewise doing brief look around to try spot something possibly hostile. His hand remains close to his exotic looking handle. Which many would assume is weird to carry a sword but sword handle with no blade on it. He stands besides the vehicle entrance, ready to close it once Regannos steps out.

[Private to GM: 09:31, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 16 using 1d20+10. Perception. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:32, Mon 14 Sept 2009.

Regannos sighed some as he closed the window once Aria started to park the large vehicle. "I did not want to spend the next 10 minutes arguing over a com-link. It was not such a dangerous thing" he said dismissively to Vorneyl. "Even so, I appreciate your words, but I do know how to take care of myself. Besides, my Sire would not be that upset if something were to happen." Of course, he was probably referring to himself when he said that, in all honesty he didn't know what his Sire would do to one of them should his ire be aroused.

He did let his guards leave the hovercraft first, given there was a difference from exposing the top part of his head to his entire body. He waited for the all clear signal before stepping down, giving one of his arms a stretch. His well muscled athletic form was displayed nicely in his armor, after all his silvery scales contrasted well with the suit. He had heard that he looked akin to the armor plated knights on the backwater worlds. He wasn't quite sure if that was a complement or not, but he did attract a fair share of attention when he looked for company on a night off.

"Let us not keep our host any further, I am sure he wishes to see me so we can get things under way." He said flatly, not really conveying any preference in the matter, though his long whiskers waved a little bit, drifting in the light breeze the landing lot had.

Aria turns 90 degrees on her heels and leads the way through the doorway. She locates the elevator and presses the button to summon it, turning again and taking a step back, where she can watch down the hall as the rest of her group approaches, still keeping an eye on the elevator doors.

Jouhan follows in Regannos heel when they head to elevator to proceed to actual meeting with their employer.

As you enter the building, you notice the rather large company symbol of a Silver Eye on the main wall, underneath which, the elevators.  Entering one, you notice that there are very few floors, the top most one is the Third Floor.  As you exit and head to the left, you notice at the end of the hall is a rather large waiting area, with a receptionist typing into a computer quickly.  As you approach, she looks up and smiles, indicating to the double doors on the end wall.  "Mr. Tasian is waiting for you."  She says, though her eyes linger on your weapons, she doesn't say a thing about them.  She pushes a button on the desk, and the doors open to reveal a huge chamber, full of the amenities and luxuries that one could possibly expect for visiting dignitaries or a visit from a local dragon lord.  Wet bar, a kitchen, even a relaxation area.  Along the walls are various hunting trophies, stuffed and posed in various attacking stances.

Near the windows, a large desk and the back of a chair can be seen, with several backless couches placed before it for visitors.  As you approach, you can vaguely here a whispered conversation from behind the chair, perhaps someone on a subvocal conference call.

Regannos gave a nod to the secretary before he made his way though the doors to the office. He gave a slight wave of one of his hands to his guards, indicating for them to come in with him, but to remain at the door. This was business after all, and it was a bad show to have his guards hovering over the desk of a potential employer. His arms remained at his sides as he walked closer to the desk.

His eyes took note of the wealth that the person displayed, not really impressed given he had seen things much grander in his lifespan, but he understood the meaning behind the icons. He wanted to show that he was able to obtain power and wealth outside Aristocorp society. It was a admirable thought, though no one got far unless they played the games of the Dragons.

"Mr. Tasian I presume. I apologize if I am interrupting your normal business, but I figured the sooner we could discuss matters, the better" he said as he remained standing in front of the desk, taking note of what was on it as he waited for there host to address him.

Noting Regannos's gesture, Vorneyl obeyed but he didn't like it.  If he had his way, Vorneyl would have made a thorough search of the office or at least a discrete survey of the furnishings before allowing The Primary to enter the room.  But Vorneyl knew better than to argue with the Half-Dragon when he had made his directives clear.

Thus Vorneyl had to be content with at least being allowed to enter the room, taking up a post just to the left of the entrance inside the room.  Vorneyl kept his hands at his side but he could readily spring into action or draw a weapon at the drop of a hat should the need arise.  As he stood there "at attention", Vorneyl discretely looked over the office and their potential new client.  As always he viewed things on multiple levels, one being the surface of wealthy trappings and another being the potential threats that might lie just below that wealthy surface.

Jouhan notices the subtle sign as well, moving to right side of the door into the office he waits there ready. He studies room as well but not so great in detail. Just notifying the items around in the room, determine what they tell about the person who owns the room.

As Regannos speaks, the conversation ends on the other side of the chair.  As the chair turns around, you can see a man with shoulder length black hair and deep green eyes raises an eye brow, but smiles.  A simple communicator is still attached to his ear, though you notice the other is rather pointed.  A Half-Elf, dressed in a fine black suit, with a small black cat is sitting on his lap, purring loudly.

"No interruption at all, Lord Regannos.  I was just assuring my receptionist that you haven't come to kill me.  I am afraid she is rather skittish with all that is going on, and she rather likes her job.  As you can imagine, we are rather worried for our potential customers!  May I offer you and your employees some wine?  I have a sealed bottle of Andalan Prime's finest, aged twenty years."  He asks.  The cat gets off his lap and lays on top of the desk off to his right, looking at each person with interest.

Regannos noted the man, his eyes giving his ears a quick look before returning to his eyes. He was mildly surprised to find a half-elf at the head of such a corporation, given House Mazorgrim's dislike towards the people of the Fey. Then again, this was Sarava space, but he could not help feel that such a thing must have made it difficult for him to run his business at times. His head cocked a little as he saw the cat, something he rarely saw. He supposed it could be a familiar though he was not sure. He didn't have one himself, which was a fact that never really bothered him.

"I thank you for your offer Mr. Tasian, though I am afraid it is against company regulation to drink while on duty" he responded as his whiskers gently waved and twitched in the air of the office. True he had taken in a half glass of wine, but that had been on the ride over, and was not technically on duty. "Though I can also assure you and your staff that we carry our weapons in case of emergency. We mean no hostile intent in that regard" he said before adding "Though you are kind to offer. Perhaps another time should our deal here bear fruit." He believed the man would understand the intent of his words, in that he wished to move on to why he was there.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Sat 19 Sept 2009.

Sister Aria walks along the wall, her hands clasped behind her back in a manner of relaxed attention. She eyes the mounted predators hanging on the wall, having delivered her employer safely to his destination, she considers her job for the most part completed until the meeting is finished. "Let the others do the intimidating bodyguard act." She thinks to herself, attempting to classify the various animals and wondering whether their hunts are conducted on the heavily urbanized world or if the clients are taken off-world for their safaris. For reasons to do with security as well as her own curiousity, she has the datapad at her belt record the meeting, pulling her sensations directly from her optic and aural nerves.

It looks like much more exciting work than her current contract, in any case. She was still unsure why Daguam di Thrae vur Xarzith bothered with to contract an independent Telamonian pilot for what was basically glorified chauffeur work. "Most likely for the ego of the half-dragon," she thinks, adding in her mind, "I wonder if Silver Eye would be willing to buy my contract when it expires..."

Jouhan stood silent, not intimidating but more alert sort. He however curiously looked on the cat, which looked back with intelligent eyes.

Familiar, or another mage in disguise of a cat as bodyguard? Or something more maybe?

Vorneyl allowed himself a small, sad smile as the half-elf offered drinks.  Vorneyl knew company policy and fully expected the Boss to take care of that matter but Vorneyl was curious if the offer would have been extended to him personally.  Of course Soulmechs don't eat or drink and they lack taste buds (though supposedly some advanced models had sensors that acted as such) but it would have been an interesting insight into Tasian's character to see how he treated a soulmech socially speaking.

Vorneyl remained stationary and continued to survey the room for any signs of danger to the Boss.  The cat caught his eye but Vorneyl was no magic-user, so if the cat was something more than it appeared, Vorneyl would have to deal with it at the time it revealed itself.

Shrugging, Tasian sat back down, and pulled out an old fashion paper file, marked Private.

Handing it over to Regannos, he looked a little uncomfortable.  "The information in the packet is a little more detailed than what I am about to describe, but I will lay the cards on the table.  Recently, a minor noble of House Altara requested a private Safari on one of our chartered worlds.  No major issue at all, even from our contacts in House Sarava.  Everything was set, and the dragon lord was on his way to our space port, when he suddenly disappeared yesterday.  We tried to track the vehicle by GPS, but it is no longer showing up.  We have the last known coordinates, and it puts them near a very, very bad part of Asterik city.

This morning, we received a transmission from that area, though we were unable to pinpoint its location."  He said, activating a wall screen.

"We have the Dragon, if you want it back, deliver to us 100.000 gps in an unmarked, unregistered van.  We will release him after we acquire the ransom.  No police, and no witnesses."  A black cowled humanoid spoke.  In the background, a white dragon is bound in chains, its mouth muzzled.

"I think you can see my companies delicate position in this matter, hence...our need for a private organization to help us with the situation."  Tasian spoke, rubbing his chin slightly.

"Well, time to get to work." Aria thinks to herself as she takes off her helmet and turns away from the trophies. She tucks her helmet under her left arm and removes the datapad from her belt, disconnecting it from the network of I/O lines running through her flight suit.

"Could you please transfer that file to me, Mr. Tasian?" she asks.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Sat 26 Sept 2009.

Regannos studied the tape with interest, taking note of the chains and giving a quick glance to see if there was anything on them of note before looking down at the offered folder, opening it slowly to examine the papers within. "I see. Well I will admit that should it be known that a Dragon Lord, even a White, had been captured on your watch that you would be hold accountable by there house, and possibly the Lords at large for a lack of security" he said without looking up as he continued to read from the folder, "However, the fact that they had the ability to contain a dragon, regardless of station, is impressive. It speaks to there skill, preparedness, and perhaps even backing."

Regannos didn't want to say it, but there was a good possibility that it was a hoax, the White Dragon having allowed itself to be captured. It seemed, at least to him, amazing that given the wealth and natural power that a full blooded dragon had that one had been subdued as such. Even for a White Dragon, even though they were spoken as the least among the Houses. Certainly seems possible, given it may have found it amusing.

"However, discrepancy is our Watch Word, and should the choice be made to take the account, we will put forth our considerable efforts to accomplish our mission and preserve the name of your business." He added as he continued to read from the papers, obviously waiting to see what would be offered in compensation for such a delicate mission.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:39, Thu 24 Sept 2009.

Following the conversation, Tasian does not hand over a copy of the message to Sister Aria.  "Indeed, and that is why I asked for your company.  The reward...100,000 credits to your company, and an even 10,000 credits to each of your employees who assist you on this mission.  Thank the Merchant that these street thugs didn't know the true cost of their prize, otherwise, I may have been bankrupt.  As for their backing, that is a good question, one for which I have no answer.  I have no major rivals for my select clients, so I am assuming this is a random act against my company, unless you can prove otherwise.  Do we have a deal?"  He asked, holding a data chip that Aria wanted in one hand, and pulling out a contract with the other.  Looking over the front page, you notice it is a liability contract for any leaked information from your companies sources, and a privacy clause to boot.

Regannos took the contract in question, looking it over carefully. He expected the non-disclosure clauses and privacy clauses, they were after all a given due to the nature of the request. "Those terms do seem reasonable Mr. Tasian, though as far as an official contract is concerned I do have to have a copy sent to our own layers for liability reasons, which I can do now to speed things along. I will add that you are hiring my employees. If you wish to hire me there will need to be extra considerations" he said before turning and adding "Vorneyl, if you would please do the honors over a secure link."

"However, there remains the possibility that there was someone on the inside, and I would have to request the information concerning the transport that the Dragon Lord took before his disappearance. In addition, do you plan to honor the ransom Mr. Tasian, even if you do not we will have to make arrangements to make it appear that you plan to if we have the possibility of drawing at least one of the kidnappers out to capture them. Given the circumstances, the less blood the better I think."

The Half-Dragon's tone was even as he spoke, businesslike and trained as one might expect. He still had a nagging feeling that there was more to this then what was being said, but such things could be discovered later.

[Private to GM: 18:33, Today: Regannos rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Diplomacy. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:35, Sat 26 Sept 2009.

Aria's expression remains stoic, but her eyes roll in her mind. Trust a businessman to think that a piece of paper made people more trustworthy. Her contract already had clauses calling for discretion, and a mercenary who talked too much about her employer's secrets had short future in the business.

Mr. Tasian ponder for a moment, before shrugging.  "How you figure out the pay of your employee's is your business, I was offering only bonuses for a mission completed.  I expect that you will find that the 100,000 credits will be in an unmarked and unregistered van, the deed in your companies name.  I can appreciate your position in this, but I am sure you can appreciate my own.  Your companies payment is the ransom.  There is no questions on this matter.  Either you protect your assets, or you don't, but my concern is only for the Lord of House Altara... and my companies reputation.

As for my employee files, they are open to your examination, but I do not think you will find anything of interest.  The driver of the truck was found dead, chopped to pieces by an unknown energy weapon.  If he was paid off before hand, it did not show up in his transaction records.  Do we have a deal?"  He asked, looking intently at Regannos.

[Private to Regannos: What your sensing is that Tasian is trying to get the job done, but he is stretching his resources pretty thin in a short period of time.  He is adamant that the payment and ransom being the one, probably because of the difficulty in raising such money in so quickly.  He is not likely to default on the contract, especially for monetary reasons.]
[Private to Jouhan Calader: When Mr. Tasian brings up energy weapon that is unknown, it seems that it may be similar to your own mind blade.]
[Private to Sister Aria:  If Regannos accepts you review the data.  Not much to go on, but its unusually quiet, no real background noises.  Maybe an underground bunker or perhaps complex is your thoughts on the matter.]
[Private to Vorneyl Kenath:  Standard Contract for Privacy and Non-Disclosure.  Very basic, and similar to your companies own.  Lawyer's have no problem with it.]

Jouhan ears pick then something up in conversation, he steps forward and bows politely to Tasian and asks; "Is it possible view the corpse of the driver? It can give us clues about the terrorists. I assume as you wanted keep low profile you have not send the body to morgue, at least yet I presume."

Regannos did not impress easily, given he had been taught how to navigate the political intrigues of the Draconic Houses. Even so, the pluck that Tasian showed by placing the van that the random was in under the name of the company was if nothing else admirable. "So it comes down to a business matter if the kidnappers get the random or not. Not to mention you could always say that we allowed them to take it given the van is considered our property. Obviously I cannot allow Daguam di Thrae vur Xarzith to be associated with such an origination" he said evenly as he took closed the folder containing the information he had been given and picking it up.

"I will say this Mr. Tasian, that is an interesting way to get us involved. On anyone else, it may not have worked. On someone directly related to one of the Dragon Lord's that own the company, you know I have no choice to accept" he paused as he picked up one of the pens from the desk and placed it over the contract before he added "I don't suggest you do it again, otherwise it may not work in your favor a second time. Particularly with myself." The Half-Dragon's tone was even, but the green eyes that stared down at Tarsin where hard and cold, a warning if nothing else.

He signed the contract and said "Please file a duplicate with my legal department as soon as you are able. Hopefully when we meet again Mr. Tarsin, things will have gone as planned. Now then, where is my van being held."

Smiling slightly, the Half-Elf gestures to the folder.  "In the garage, 100,000 gps in its back.  There is enough room for your employees to protect your money.  The drop off point and instructions are within."  A odd look crosses his face, as if what he was doing was giving him indigestion.

"These are not tactic's I approve of, but I have little choice in this matter.  In the Empire, we all serve one master or another, in this case, I serve a Lordling of Asamet, and I do not wish to disappoint that particular House, given the amount of business they do with my company.  If you wish to examine the driver's corpse...it is in a storage freezer in the garage.  We will be turning the body over tomorrow, once this matter is complete."  Mr. Tasian spoke, handing over the recording for Aria to observe.  With the contract signed, all that is left for you to do is get ready for your mission, and perhaps look over the corpse of the driver.

Vorneyl bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment of Regannos's command and utilized his skill with cryptography to help insure the security of the transmission.  In a few minutes Vorneyl got the reply back from HQ.  Clearing his throat (or at least making the synthesized sound to simulate that organic action), Vorneyl said in a business-like tone, "My Lord Regannos, I have the preliminary results from the analysis of our firm's attorneys.  They state that this is a standard contract for privacy & non-disclosure, very basic and rather similar to the type of employment contract our own firm utilizes.  Our attorneys found no problem with the terms of the contract."

Vorneyl glanced from Jouhan (who had just requested to view the body) to Tasian before he said in a curious tone, "Mr. Tasian, you just thanked the Merchant that these "street thugs" didn't know the true value of their hostage.  But do you think it likely that such ignorant or ill informed thugs would have been successful in actually capturing their quarry?  Also isn't it a bit unusual for a Dragon Lord to travel with such a light complement of security and/or entourage?

Additionally, regarding the request of my associate Mr. Calader, you mentioned that the body was "chopped to pieces" by an "unknown energy weapon."  First off, does it appear that the majority of the "chopping" occurred pre or postmortem?  Namely, was the majority of the trauma inflicted concurrent with death or was the deceased specifically mutilated after death?  If the latter, was there any apparent "message" conveyed?  Were the driver's primary identifying features sufficiently unmarred to allow easy identification or did you need to rely on secondary characteristics such as dental records and/or DNA tests?

As for the weapon, why do you assume an energy weapon?  Was their cauterizing along the edge of the wounds?  Were there any marks around the body such as carbon scoring or plasma residue?  Was the area tested for distinct energy signatures often left behind?  Were your experts able to definitively rule out any specific energy types?"

[Private to GM: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 25 using 1d20+10. Cryptography. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 10:30, Tue 29 Sept 2009.

While Vorneyl approach matter in pure medicine scientific approach Jouhan heads to the garage to check the corpse. Study it and make test cut with his own blade to check result besides original cuts done by the thugs.
[Private to GM: All below rolls is to find out details in the corpse.

18:03, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 17 using 1d20+3. Heal.
18:03, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 14 using 1d20+3. K:Psionics.
18:03, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 15 using 1d20+10. Perception.]

Regannos listened to the questions posed by Vorneyl as his face remained stoic. Even so, his long whiskers twitched and shifted uneasily in the air, as if a reflection on his inner thoughts for those who knew enough about his kind to read. The fact that the primary backer for Tasian was a member of Asamet answered more things for him then it didn't, though it brought forth the question of who that individual was, and if they had a hand in the current issue. Regannos did not think that possible, after all who would sabotage there own company, but the plans of Dragons often spanned centuries and where often only decipherable by another of there kind, Regannos knew this all too well.

"Very well Mr. Tasian, if everything is in order we will see to our duties and be in contact with you, if nothing else, once the issue is resolved or if we require anything from your records or company. In the event that your building is being watched by the kidnappers, I would ask that we leave our hovercraft here for the time being and use the van as transport to the drop location. Hopefully we will be able to give off the perception that I and my employees are still present, though if we have not returned by two hours after the end of your business hours, please have one of your pilots return it to our headquarters. If need be, we can find an alternative means of returning." Regannos closed the file in question and gave a nod to both Vorneyl and Aria, though he was slightly displeased to find that Jouhan had vanished.

"To work then" he added as he made his way to the exit of Tasian's office.

The mercenary accepts the video file and analyzes it as they head to the garage. As with her employer, she runs various tactical scenarios through her mind. Including the fact that the victim could be part of the conspiracy himself, allowing himself to be 'captured' in order to extort money from Silver Eye.

"The recording is clean." She states as they enter the garage. "Very clean. Very quiet. Likely underground or a shielded complex, since I don't see any evidence that the sound was cleaned out electronically."

Looking at the soulmech, Tasian shrugs.  "I would think few would dare to assault a dragon in the Empire.  Such an act is punishable by death.  As for the light security...well, it was the request of the Lord that he travel in the least conspicuous way possible.  He was a little out of his element in the domains of Sarava, so I thought little of it.  If he had enemies, they are very clever.  My company has very tight security, as you will see in the background checks of my employee's.

The guards body...was hacked to pieces.  I do not know whether before hand or not, but I would assume not.  One of my hunters says the wounds were cauterized prior to decay.  There was no residual energy that we could detect, no blaster wounds, no plasma scorches, just pure energy.  We were able to identify the remains by DNA samples, also in the file."  He answered Vorneyl's questions as best he could.  You can tell he disliked the subject greatly.

[Private to Jouhan Calader:  Your examination of the body is as you thought.  A mindblade was the weapon in the guards death, and it was gruesome.  Although not a normal energy for others in the Empire, your training recognize hatred, rage, even a hint of fear emanating from the body.  There are those of your Order who left, who do not follow the path of enlightenment.  They use the dark emotions to empower them, and it is well known that they deal with whomever gives them enough power.  It is probable that one of these 'dark jedi' were hired to help in these matters.

OOC:  Think of your order as life oriented, Protective and Kind, these others focus on themselves, even at the expense of their souls.]

Jouhan comes from the freezer where the corpse was, closing the door behind him he thinks deeply how he uses the information. Also how exactly he reveals it to his co-workers and his employer.

When folks come down into the garage, preparing to depart he informs to Regannos; "Regannos, after brief examination of the driver's corpse I would advice our group be very cautious. As I recognize the corpse was done with melee weapon specialist, a using similar technique to mine but differing in emotional philosophy.

Expect our opponents have blood thirsty, probably even sadistic, skilled close combat specialist. Our enemy may have some other experts also hired in their field likely, consider how dangerous their gambit is."

Regannos paused as he reached the door of Tasian's office, turning around slightly to remark "If there is one thing I have learned Mr. Tasian, is that there is always someone better out there. Better tech, better backing, or just better skill wise. For both our sakes, let us hope that we are better then those who we have been set against. However, if nothing else we have an advantage over them, for the moment at least. We know they are skilled, we know they are well financed. And we know they are dangerous. These things may not seem like much, but they are better then nothing at all."

With that said, he strode purposefully out of the office, not really wanting to be there any longer. Perhaps it was Draconic pride, or human stubbornness, but he really did not like being manipulated in the way that he had been. Lack of control was never something anyone liked to experience, yet when you thought about it, who was really in control of the Empire? Regannos knew it was a rhetorical question, but it still bothered him. Dragons, of course. Even now, they are still in control. After all, we are doing this because one is in danger he thought sourly. He expected that Vorneyl and Aria would come in time, if they had additional questions pertaining to there new employer.

As he arrived at the buildings garage level, he was mildly surprised to find Jouhan with yet more information My, I really should see what my Sire paid for them. At least more impressive then the last ones he thought as he added aloud "Well then, the only way to deal with such a person is with another of there skill, or at extreme range. I doubt we will get the opportunity for the latter, so if this person does show up Jouhan, it will be up to you to subdue him or her." True enough, Regannos had seen the man's weapon at work, and while he didn't understand why there was still such a focus on melee combat in the age of weapons, he still could not doubt its effectiveness.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:13, Tue 06 Oct 2009.

Jouhan nods and replies; "Indeed, wisest choice is to let me handle him or her. That's why I am in the team after all, to deal with unusual threats what you face." Of course he and Regannos had long discussion about Jouhan's viabillity when he discovered he was melee specialist who has not even a gun to speak about.

But Jouhan had pointed out that even if most melee combat is ineffective and unwise in present era it only just means the remaining religions or factions which follow this path just need go much higher level skill and ability to survive in such era. Also most melee figthers in the era has means negate ranged weapons or tech shields some method.

Jouhan had proved that he could use his blade to throw it short range, also incredibly fast close distance on foe and also able literally dodge or endure ranged attacks. He had even once got a solid hit from plasma gun unscathed, he had never revealed how he does what he does but Regannos has good idea that Jouhan may be a psion, or psionic powers using person at least.

"If I might make a tactical suggestion, sir." Aria says as she accesses the area of the proposed exchange site on the Infonet. "Assuming that you want you weapons with you, I will bring our vehicle into this garage so that we may transfer our weapons to the ransom vehicle. Then I can drive the company vehicle back to headquarters, so that anyone monitoring may believe that we have all left."

She holds her datapad in her palm, projecting a holographic image of the exchange area. "I will leave the headquarters quietly and position myself here..." She points to a spot offering concealment and good lines of fire, about 100 meters from the site. "Once you arrive in the ransom vehicle, if you park here, facing this direction, it will offer me clear fire at anyone in the driver's seat, and access to fire into the back of the vehicle should they try to flee."

"Before leaving the vehicle, the windows could be opened and I can disable the controls to keep them from being closed again, allowing us freer access to fire at the occupants." After outlining her suggestions, "I trust the rest of you can coordinate your disposition and response, if my lord finds my plan for my own position acceptable."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:15, Fri 09 Oct 2009.

Vorneyl chuckled at Jouhan's description of the assailant, with a slight synthetic metallic ring to the chuckle.  Shaking his head, Vorneyl quoted a line from an old vid that he was enamored with, "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side.  A quick draw, a steady hand and a dead eye aim are all the philosophy I've ever needed to rely on.

Still... if Jouhan wants first dibs on this "slicer & dicer", then far be it for me to deny him the privilege."

Vorneyl glanced over at Regannos and said in a more serious tone, "Perhaps before we head out, I ought to take a look at this corpse as well?  By your lordship's leave, I'll only be a few minutes."

Vorneyl waited for Regannos's permission before heading out.  He had noted Regannos's reaction to Jouhan's "independent action" and Vorneyl wanted to stay on the Boss's good side for now.

PM
[Private to Vorneyl Kenath: Not being much of a healer, you cannot tell much about the body.  It was chopped up pretty well, and the cut marks look cauterized prior to the mans death.  Not alot of blood either.]
[Private to Sister Aria:  That may be a good idea.  Taking your motorcycle out from your headquarters to arrange a meet up.  Are you going to suggest Vorneyl be the driver?]

A simple moving van, unmarked, awaits in the garage.  If you use the key in the folder, it unlocks the back, revealing a mountain of gold bricks, each stamped with the authority of the Empire.  Each brick is numeral-ed in the 1,000 gps range, and with the Imperial license marked clearly on each one.

Regannos gave a wave of his hand towards Vorneyl, giving him leave to do as he wished as he turned to Aria. "I am unsure that we would be able to properly mount the weapons onto our transport, not only in time but also that it could hold the mounts" he said as he walked closer to the van and gave one of hits archaic 'tires' a light kick. "Moving our own transport back to headquarters will not likely work should anyone be on watch either. Who ever we are dealing with are at least trained the same or better then the Legion, and they would notice that I, Vorneyl and Jouhan are not with you. While it may be possible to impersonate the last two, I do not think we could find anyone who looks like me even from afar."

He gave a light shrug and added "As it is, I would much rather keep everyone together. For all we know, even if you return to headquarters, you could be ambushed on your way back. There are too many unknowns and we do not know enough about who we are dealing with to make any proper conclusions about there coordination. I do agree with the rest of your plan however." As he said this, Regannos reached into his pack and removed a small hand-held device and turned it on. It was the Half-Dragon's Security Scanner, as he used it to see if anything extra had been planted in there new vehicle.

[Private to GM: Checking for hidden devices or bugs, should there be any]

[Private to Regannos:  Standard GPS navigating system.  The holding area looks like it has enough room to hold most of your group, except perhaps one of them.  One of your party members will need to be driving the vehicle.  If you look over the file, you see that the meeting spot is in a vast underground parking level, near the end.  Not exactly an ideal place to assault, but springing an ambush very nicely.  Perhaps you can turn the van into a trap for these abductors.]

PM.

Vorneyl's suspicious mind latched onto an unpleasant idea as he said in a wary tone, "Hey Boss, you don't suppose this could all be one big setup with the objective of grabbing you personally?  I mean we've all stated how unusual it is that these guys managed to get their hands on a Dragon and a few suggestions have been made that the Dragon may be "cooperating" rather than being an actual hostage.

What if they knew Tasian would turn to you and your company to resolve this kidnapping?  Or what if Tasian is in on this?  I mean he did make an awful lot of "arrangements" on our behalf without telling us until after the fact, basically cornering us into a specific plan of attack and cutting off alternatives.

I don't mean to act like the local conspiracy theorist nutcase... but some parts of this situation seem just a little to pat for my taste.  At least its something to keep in mind if things turn sour at the drop."

Jouhan thinks a moment and replies; "True, there is awful lot that kind of elements in this job. It also could be assassination attempt disguised as 'work hazard'. My weapon is already with me so no need transport for me. Vorneyl also is armed.

I would suggest you lord Regannos go with Sister Aria while we get two 'clones' act as us depart with you with Sister Aria and you rendezvous us at the ransom drop point secretly as you can. That way both operations have equal number of members and working power.

I suspect reason why we use this archaic vehicle to bring ransom is cut off pursuit of the ransom pick up, which is likely aerial and so we either need heavy fire arms bring it down or able pursue it when it runs off. But also using merely a tracking device on ransom loot should help lead us to location where we could find more kidnappers and also learn whereabouts of the kidnapped dragon. Assuming of course this all is real case as it surface looks like."

Regannos listened quietly to both Jouhan and Vorneyl as he studied the readouts from the security scanner. He had to admit that they both had valid points in this case. There where too many things that where of coincidence to be considered that, not to mention the fact that Tasian had said that he was funded primarily by an Asamet lordling. Yet he had not said who or even what house that lordling had come from. "I appreciate both of your concerns. However, as much as I respect your abilities in a fight, two against unknown odds is not something I am willing to be your lives on."

He tapped his chin slowly, as if bothered by something. True enough, he was no stranger to Draconic politics, but there was most certainly something off about all of this. "Reguardless of what this is, we have signed a contract, and falure to complete that contract could be worse then anything that happens to me in the grand scheme of things" he added with a slight smile, "Aria, if you would bring our transport down here so we can see what we can mount on the van. Make it sound like where here for an extended stay or something of that order. In the mean time, Vorneyl....see if you can find out who exactly Tasian works for."

Vorneyl nodded his head but said, "Well I can try cold calling a few people I know but to really dig up the dirt, I would probably need to hit the streets.  That would mean taking off for a few hours, I'm not sure if you want me to go solo at the moment."

Jouhan added in; "Same here, would need go to streets gather any information what we do not know already and it would take few hours. But we do not have time to do that I guess as we need drop ransom now or else kidnappers grow suspicious."

The plan thought out, the group rolls out of the garage, the van moving tediously slow compared to a hovercraft.  Sister Aria expertly handles the wheel, guiding the vehicle to the meeting point, deep in the belly of the city.  Going below the commercial levels, you arrive at your destination, glowing graffiti lining the walls, emblems of skulls and death, gang signs, and various other markings of the low class and unrefined.

In the far wall, you see a hole in the concrete, easily twenty feet wide, and darkness beyond it.

Aria stops the van down the street from the dark hole, her rail rifle setting between her seat and the door, ready for quick access in case she needs to fire out the window. Despite the fact that she was fully prepared to enter a violent confrontation with the kidnappers, she inwardly hated their tactical situation. Blindly entering unknown territory to confront an enemy that is no doubt prepared for you is not the preferred scenario she had been taught to seek back at the Sorority acadamy on Telamon. But, since she doubted Regannos was planning on turning over the big pile of gold credits in back of the van, that was exactly the situation they faced.

In the back of her mind, her own suspicions hung alongside Jouhan and Vorneyl's conspiracy theories. Specifically, she questioned the coincidence that a White Dragon specifically requests a light security detail, only to be captured for a ransom. Never sign the line with a White, that was the saying about taking contracts with the house of Altara among her sisters. And those suspicions brought her to wonder if the kidnapping was just a farce to extort money from Silver Eye. Or even a plot to discredit the company. In the former case, an exchange of credits for the dragon would go smoothly. In the latter, failure was all but assured, as the dragon would almost certainly be 'greviously wounded' in Silver Eye's blundered attempt to rescue him, soon to be broadcast across the planet.

It was these thoughts which compelled her to construct a search engine while they were in the garage, programmed to dig up whatever she could on the InfoNet about the victim. Any evidence of financial problems for this Altara lord would only increase her suspicion. Piloting the slow moving van left her plenty of time to review the periodic hits that her search broadcast into her mind.

Now that she found herself stopped near the wall, though, she was using her helmets sensors to search up and down the street for any suspicious activity. The active darkvision lenses attempt to look into the dark hole in front of them.

"Sir?" she queries her passenger.

[Private to GM: 12:39, Today: Sister Aria rolled 26 using 1d20+11. Research.
Doing a Google on the victim to see if any interesting information is out on the Net.

12:15, Today: Sister Aria rolled 29 using 1d20+10. Spot.
Helmet has Nightvision, Infrared, Ultraviolet, Darkvision, and Digital Binoculars, wired directly into her head through her I/O port.

Also, forgot all about your House rules for the skills, so I had lots of reduntant points on my sheet. Cleaned it up so I don't have points in both Pilot and Navigation, or Hide and Move Silently, for example.]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:56, Wed 28 Oct 2009.

Jouhan while traveling had caressed handle of his 'sword' thoughtfully.

A exiled one eh? I thought they no longer had any of those left since cleansing few years ago. Where they come from? As there has been reports of exiles who never were 'exiled'. Basically unknown practitioners of the art. So is there a master behind those exiles then who teaches a different view since from the start?

However thanks solid mind focus Jouhan's mind did not drift too deeply to be distracted so his eyes scanned their surroundings in detail. He then asks; "Okay, we are here. So who carries the bag and be open sitting duck target? I doubt it is wise let lord Regannos walk out with the bag. In case if this is just setup to kidnap him or assassinate him then him carrying the gold bag is same as offering nice bonus top of actual deed itself.

I offer my own volunteering, as I among any of you could take any solid shot hit on me if needed. Also if there is some quick bastard grabbing the bag I can run after the guy and keep up maybe."

Regannos was silent on the drive over, as he seemed to be carefully checking over his weapon. The softly glowing lines of blue that crisscrossed is elegant yet deadly design had grown in intensity as he readied it, as if sensing the battle to come. He had to admit that he would have never been caught dead traveling in this manner if he didn't have to, even for him it was a rather undignified move Let us only hope they took the bait, and where not too solid in there watching.

He still could not deny his bodyguards there caution, after all it was not the first time he had placed himself in harms way. His long whiskers gently floated through the air as he lifted his head up as Aira brought the van to a halt, looking out one of the tinted windows to see the dark hole beyond. "We have to assume they know more then one of us are coming, and even though we are not the authorities, if there is a Dragon in danger then let us hope they want the money more then they want to kill it. I have to agree with you Jouhan, you likely have the most experience dodging or 'parrying' fire with that blade of yours. And if that melee specialist you say they have is out there, I would rather you deal with him first anyways."

the Half-Dragon gave a crooked smile and added "Its not as if you would let me go out there alone anyway."

Jouhan grins back and says; "Of course, I would not want left out from the fun after all. Anycase how we carry this stuff outside? Need bag or sack somesort." Jouhan looks around van for anything to use for carry the gold.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:15, Sat 31 Oct 2009.

[Private to Sister Aria: Your research is inconclusive.  While this particular Lord of Asamet is not extremely well to do, he is not destitute either.  Some of the Net sites that keep tabs on various dragon lords have noted that he is an avid hunter, and has been known to disappear for months at a time to pursue his particular hobby.

You helmet indicates a left over trail of heat leaving heading deeper into the hole, perhaps a few minutes since whatever left it behind departed.  Timing would concur with perhaps a scout of some sort, or watcher, when they would have seen your truck approaching when it arrived on this level.  There is also a large cargo elevator on this floor, which probably leads up to street level of the structure.]

A cool breeze blows through the opening, chilling the confined air of the sub-level.

"We're going in." the mercenary driver tells the others as she takes the van through the dark hole, keeping the lights off. "Keep your guard up, heat trail shows recent traffic. And the cold air would indicate the presence of a white Dragon, I believe."

She nods her head, pointing it to one side, "And that cargo elevator could be our way out, or a route for enemy reinforcements."

Vorneyl checked his blaster pistol to make sure it had a ready charge as he said in a calm tone, "I can probably be as effective covering you from this vehicle as I would be out in the open.  However I'm not too shabby in the dodging return fire department either.  The question is whether they will get nervous seeing more than one "delivery boy"."

Aria revs the engine, heading into the tunnel below in the wall.  As you enter, you notice the floor is rather uneven, and the walls sometimes scrap the side of the upper portions of the truck.  Whatever may have been surprised by the party's arrival before would surely be well aware of the groups arrival.

[Private to Sister Aria:  Unfortunately, you can't go very fast, due to the nature of your vision and desire to be able to drive the truck out of the tunnel too.  You do notice that similar motifs are arranged along the walls of the tunnel as in the parking area outside.  Skulls, Bones, various characters of graffiti.  If you didn't know better, you might think this some type of religious cult, given the repetition, or perhaps its just your normal street gang with issues.

OOC:  Could you update your AC?  We will probably be entering combat pretty soon.]

Sister Aria connects a thin wire from the sleeve of her flight suit into the side of her rail rifle as she lays it across her lap. She keeps her helmet sensors tuned to the maximum as she maneuvers the van through the darkness.

Regannos winced gently as he heard the undercarriage of the van scrape against the ground, though he was not so worried about these people knowing they where coming. If they where as organized as they appeared to be, they would already know of there arrival, that he was sure of.

"Be ready for anything. The first priority is the safety of the dragon. If we loose the credits, they can be retrieved at a later date" he said clearly yet softly as he he finished readying his rifle, a soft constant hummmm coming from the device.

Vorneyl nods his head in agreement and then pauses as a thought occurs to him and he lightly slaps his forehead with the palm of his empty hand.

Shaking his head in dismay, Vorneyl says, "I just thought of something... we should've bugged the van or at least the credits.  That way we could've walked away clean and still been able to track their movement.

Oh well... no use cryin' over spilt milk I guess."

Sister Aria's skills at piloting the truck through the cave tunnel leave the truck intact, though as you arrive at the end of the tunnel, it opens to a tremendous underground cavern, dominated by massive stone pyramid.  Various figures are milling around outside the building, easily distinguishable as humanoids painted in florescent, glowing paints.  As the truck stops (due to the massive chasm between you and the pyramid, and the ten foot wide walkway to it), the figures begin to advance towards you.

Aria places her datapad on the floor of the van behind her. As she uses her helmet's sensors to search the cavern, she transmits the information to the datapad, which creates a holographic image of everything she sees. She searches for any hidden enemies, paying particular attention to any likely sniper positions. Her infrared sensors look for any cold spots that could give away the position of the captive dragon.


[Private to GM: 21:03, Today: Sister Aria rolled 24 using 1d20+10. Perception. ]

Vorneyl's grip tightened ever so slightly on his blaster pistol as he spotted the approaching figures.  While he watched, Vorneyl said in a soft tone, "Ok then, show time it seems.  So Boss, what's the immediate plan of action and what do you want me to do specifically for the moment?"

Regannos turned his head some as he looked out the front windshield, glad it was tinted though of course there where ways around that. Still, it was a measure of security as he observed the surroundings. "Try and stay on this side of the bridge for now, use the van as cover if we can't find anything else. We can assume the bridge itself may be trapped, given its the only way to get close to...whatever the hell that thing is. Try and gain what information you can before the fighting starts, punks like this always have loose tongues. We may only have this once chance to gain information."

Jouhan was calm as usual, his focus to his abilities gave him calm expression thanks he was constantly controlling his emotions. But his eyes looked warily on the approaching figures, saying out loud the obvious; "Most likely painted guys are meant for distraction for true enemies which lurk in shadows. These thugs are nothing more than cannon fobber. Can anyone of you create bright light so we can see well?" Jouhan's hand remained close to his exotic sword handle, waiting what will happen next.

In response to Jouhan's question, Vorneyl shook his head as he said, "No I tend to rely on internal sensors since an external light source often draws fire like moths to a flame.

Do you think that these painted punks might not even be involved in this exchange?  The local news reports mentioned an upswing in street crime.  Perhaps this place was picked as an exchange point because the other side knows the local gangers are overly protective of their turf... just the sort of unrelated distraction that would keep our eyes off the main objective."

Jouhan shrugs and says; "Would sound something too clever but it would be clever if they did so. I go out talk to these thugs. Cover me." Jouhan concentrates for moment on himself, concentrate on his body and reinforce it against from harm. He then slowly opens the back door of the van and slips out, moving into front of the van, holding hands up and palms towards glow tattooed thugs and asked; "So, are you gentlemen what I was supposed meet here or are you rude locals interfering in business matters?"

---

OOC: Use Vigor before coming out and talk, 5 PP spend, 25 temporal HP.

Vorneyl nodded his head as he said in a confident tone, "Consider yourself covered.  I'll take a bead on these punks and, if any of them make a move, I'll put 'em down."

Vorneyl waited for Jouhan to exit the van first and allowed him to walk part of the way so that the thugs would be focused on Jouhan's approach and not on the van when Vorneyl made his way out of the van.  Vorneyl attempted to exit the van as quietly as possible and then find whatever cover or at least shadows he could find while keeping a close watch on the thugs.  Once in position, Vorneyl used his telescopic vision to try and get a better look at the thugs as he readied his blaster pistol.

OOC:
04:06, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 21 using 1d20+12. Stealth.

04:08, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 22 using 1d20+12. Perception.

The gang moves forward, a mass of living bodies, some armed with slug throwers, some with makeshift melee weapons.  One of them steps forward, dressed in black leather clothes, and painted in green.  "The Reaper says you be going no further.  You and yours, you gonna be dinner for the Yen-hagnu!  The Necros be pleased dis day."  The lead street thug said, smiling.  Your not quite sure what a Yen-hagnu is, but it can't be pleasant.  It looks like you have stumbled across a cult devoted to the Reaper...but are these the kidnappers too?

[Private to Jouhan Calader:  You notice that many of the gang members are humans, or near humans, half-breeds.  They all feature glow in the dark skulls painted primarily on their forehead, many of them have no hair, but are obviously young.]
[Private to Sister Aria:  The air in the cavern is quite cold, but you cannot pinpoint a central area.  No turrents or lookout points, just many gang members.]
[Private to Vorneyl Kenath:  Not much to tell, each person seams to be painted with skulls and dress in black clothing.]

Keeping himself ready to react based on Jouhan's next move, Vorneyl activates his internal commlink and connects to Aria and Regannos, ::: I don't know if you caught any of that, but it looks like we just stumbled across a group of boody-minded Reaper worshippers... and they sound like they've decided to make US their daily sacrificial "offering".  Needless to say, tolerance for differing religious practices is one thing... but I'm not climbing up on anyone's altar for the slaughter without first giving them a damn fine fight.  I'm ready to fight or flee based on Jouhan's next move.  :::

Aria reclines her seat, leaning back with the butt of her rail rifle against her shoulder as she makes the most of the little cover and concealment available to her. The barrel of her weapon rests on the dashboard, pointed directly at the center of the speaker's chest. As she takes long, slow breaths, she transmits her voice through her datapad to the communicator.

"I doubt that these are the kidnappers, but they do seem disinclined to let us pass without violence. So the sooner the violence commences, the sooner we can move on." The synthesized nature of her voice reveals no emotion, but her words convey her obvious impatience.

[Private to GM: Does the bridge look wide and strong enough for the van to cross?]

Regannos listed to what was going on, before shaking his head and sighing some. Wonderful....it seems who ever kidnapped the dragon in the first place either lead us here purposefully, or where killed themselves by this gang. What ever the case it means bad news for us... he thought as he rolled his neck a little. Tapping the com that was integrated into the collar of his suit he responded quietly "It is still possible that this is a trap, or meant to weaken us before we meet the actual aggressors. Regardless, these are likely not the individuals who kidnapped the dragon in the first place, and as such we cannot hand the random over to them. Jouhan and Vorneyl, you are authorized to engage combat if they come closer with lethal intent. Aria, stay in the drivers seat and shoot from there, but be ready to move the van if we need cover. I'll provide fire support from the back of the van."

Regannos knew at least his positioning would placate the others, not placing himself in direct conflict. There job after all was to guard him, rather then the money and there current objective. It would not be effective for them to be concerned about his well-being if the fighting started.

Vorneyl sends an outwardly silent reply via his internal comm, ::: Roger that Boss, we're cleared to fire as the situation warrants.  Jouhan, as you're the point man, I'll back your play with ranged fire.  Let me know if the heat gets too hot and I'll come in all up-close-and-personal like to facilitate a timely withdrawal. :::

The mercenary driver turns the wheel, backing the van up counterclockwise ninety degrees. She shifts the barrel of her rifle to rest on top of the open window of the passenger's door. She scans the crowd for anyone who may appear to be one of the Necros the man spoke of. Assessing the targets, she calls out her chosen victim over the communicator, cursing the teams lack of visual communication. It would have been much easier to simply transmit a streaming video of the scene with her target highlighted than to have her datapad transmit her voice, "The bald guy in the second rank. Three rows to the right of the speaker. Glowing green skull on his chest."

[Private to GM: Whenever things go down, here are my rolls to find a target, initiative, attack, and damage. Great damage, but I'm not so sure my attack was good enough to hit.
18:37, Today: Sister Aria rolled 25 using 3d12. Damage.
18:36, Today: Sister Aria rolled 14 using 1d20+8. FIRE!!.
18:36, Today: Sister Aria rolled 22 using 1d20+8. Search.
18:35, Today: Sister Aria rolled 15 using 1d20+3. Initiative.]

Vorneyl grasped his blaster pistol with both hands and aimed it at one of the cultists not immediately in melee range of Jouhan, being careful not to select Aria's target.  He responded back, ::: Roger that Aria.  I am taking a bead on the guy two persons to the right of your target, the red head with dreadlocks and the small glowing green skull on his forehead and a nasty scar down his right cheek. :::

OOC: Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 23 using 1d20+5. Initiative.
Held Action, fire pistol.  Though perhaps he may be Taking Aim this round?

Regannos tapped the com to signal his agreement, a habit he had picked up from his time with the Royal Exploratory Service. It was sometimes annoying, but it was something that he did naturally when in a combat situation. From the back of the van, he lined up his sites through the open back door. He knew the shadow of the fan would give him some cover, but then again it was impossible to know how fortified the van itself was.

Lines of soft blue traced up and down the weapon, the device humming softly. It was at times hard to beleive that such a tool could cause as much damage as it did, but then again it was restricted for a reason.

OOC: 17:20, Today: Regannos rolled 22 using 1d20+7. Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:26, Mon 07 Dec 2009.

Jouhan calmly listened the thug declare his statement. Seeing how gang slowly closed in he inwardly sighs.

Great, bunch of fanatics of Reaper. They either offer us or themselves as sacrifice to the reaper in egual measure.

Jouhan had no comlink to his ears, a disadvantage in present society especially as bodyguard. But he knew his team was ready to back him up in whatever action. He knew these fanatic thugs were not kidnappers, but tool of the kidnapper who had somehow made leader think 'the Reaper' have spoken to him.

So useless encounter which is only meant kill or weaken us. Convient trick, but we need go on if we have any chance in meet kidnappers in person and so get more clues of their identity.

Jouhan then gave neutral cold smile on his lips, hand reaching down to the exotic sword handle. He does not activate it yet but he speaks boldly; "Oh, I am quite honored if Reaper himself had grown interst on me. But we are pursuing bunch of dangerous men who moved this way in little awhile ago. Have you perhaps seen them? Amuse the last request of the sacrifice and all that."

---

OOC: Sorry for absence guys, anycase rolled nat 1 in iniative so Jouhan is frozen in first round of combat if it occurs after this post :P. PM poke me if you need me post as I may forgot check regularly.

As Johan speaks, the gang of thugs moves forward, their eyes you notice seem almost white.  The leader of the gang speaks as he moves, drawing out twin daggers as he moves forward.  "The White Dragon shall be His.  With the ransom, the Necros will defeat the Empire.  This is how the Seer's have foretold this, even now, they shall grant the White the great honor.  It shall be the first strike against the Empire, from within..."  The leader spoke, that is, until Sister Aria's fire from her weapon breaks the passenger side window, and promptly shreds the leader's body to pieces.

OOC:  Surprise round, let your weapons fly.

Regannos shook his head slightly as he listened to the soon to be dead man's rhetoric. At the very least if showed who they where dealing with was in fact the kidnappers, though he still could not understand how in the world the had managed to subdue a dragon. Even if it was a White.

"I'll leave the melee to you Jouhan, Vorneyl." He said once Aria opened fire. He lined up his riffle with one of the other gang members on the other side of the bridge, intent to counter any that may have longer ranged weapons as well. Glowing blue gathered against the muzzle of his rifle, a rising whine coming before a flash of bright blue and burning energy zipping across the cavern.

[Private to GM: Targeting enemies with ranged weapons first.
00:35, Today: Regannos rolled 31 using 5d10+1. Damage (if hit).
00:35, Today: Regannos rolled 11 using 1d20+8. Plasma Rifle Attack .

Don't think I hit...but it was worth a shot.]

If he was still organic, Vorneyl would have probably frowned at the remarks by the Reaper cultist but the emotional display was at odds with the mechanical effort it would take to make the facial expression.  Nevertheless Vorneyl was relieved to hear that at least these were indeed the kidnappers, though he wondered if this would bode ill for the survival and condition of the White Dragon.  But those were concerns for later, now he had cultists to deal with.

Vorneyl fired off a pair of shorts in rapid succession, the second one being much more accurate than the first.  At least he was earning his salary, but he worried that Jouhan might get swamped.

[Private to GM: Using Rapid Shot for 2 Attacks.  2nd Attack may be Crit (x2 damage)

Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 17 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 1.
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 15 using 3d8+1. Damage 1.

Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 31 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 2.
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 18 using 1d20+11. Confirm Crit?.
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 11 using 3d8+1. Damage 2.  If a Critical Hit, Damage = (x2) 22

If Vorneyl's 1st shot drops his target, then he'll fire at the next available cultist standing next to the 1st target.]

As the group opens fire on the group of street thugs, bodies begin to fall.

Regannos' Plasma rifle tears a hole through the thugs, turning them to ashes.  Vorneyl's twin guns fire, killing two thugs holes are burned into their heads.

Shocked, the thugs move forward, charging at their enemies.  Some of those few armed with slug throwers begin firing at the van, missing by wide marks.

Initiative Order:  Vorneyl, your up.
Vorneyl 23
Regannos 22
Sister Aria 15
Thugs (18) 12
Jouhan 7

Aria drops her rifle onto the passenger seat as she spins to face the wheel. She spins it lightly in her hands as the rear wheels screech and the rear of the vehicle spins ninety degrees to point the van at the approaching mob. Her lips curl into a smile beneath her helmet as she sends the vehicle hurling at the cultists. She turns the wheel and taps the brakes just before impact, swinging the vehicle around to plow sideways through the painted mob.


[Private to GM: Got a nice natural 19 for piloting. Just plowing through the bad guys. And hopefully racking up a nice body count for the bonus.
If you want to get deep into the number crunching, assuming the van has an acceleration of 2, Extreme Acceleration has a DC of 20 and will crank it from speed 0 to speed 8. Which is 45 mph and 400 ft, which is plenty far enough to get to the bad guys.
10:03, Today: Sister Aria rolled 30 using 1d20+11. Pilot. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:25, Sat 19 Dec 2009.

Jouhan watched calmly when wild mob charged towards him, blade not yet formed in the handle. However he was enormously distracted by Sister Aria's maneuver with the truck! Jouhan barely manages dodge the wild spin with the vechile which had enormous crushing migth!

After this job I will have chat with her use of vechile as close combat weapon.....

Jouhan rolled at side of the massive attack and was in combat ready stance waiting thugs get closer.....

---

OOC: Rolled nat 20 on save, also as it is not my turn yet so have not posted any other actions yet.

Vorneyl fired off another pair of shots from his Blaster Pistol and was wondering if he should close in to aid Jouhan when he sensed the van being "warmed up".

Damn... is Aria jumping ship here!?  Surely the Boss doesn't intend to leave poor Jouhan behind?  Well whatever is going on, I'll be damned if I'm getting left behind!

With a swift dash, Vorneyl deftly and gracefully jumped into the open back of the van and grabbed a secure handhold to steady himself as Aria decided to use the van as a bloody weapon of mass destruction.

[Private to GM:
Wed 16 Dec: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 21 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 1.
Wed 16 Dec: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 11 using 3d8+1. Damage 1.

Wed 16 Dec: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 21 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 2.
Wed 16 Dec: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 15 using 3d8+1. Damage 2. ]

Regannos managed to snap off another shot with his rifle, again aiming for the cultists who remained at the back. It was more likely that these where the leaders, and those who used ranged weapons. He had seen Jouhan in action, and knew he could trust the man with that strange weapon of his.

As he heard the engine of the van revving however, he grabbed a hold of one of the inside walls, his sharp claws giving him traction against the normally trackless metal. He formed an idea of what Aria was going to do....though he was not so sure it was the best idea. Still, in the heat of combat, he could not say much otherwise as he gave a knowing nod to Vorneyl as he joined him in the back. "Batten down the hatches....its going to be a bumpy one...."

[Private to GM:
13:37, Today: Regannos rolled 23 using 5d10+1. Damage (if hit).
13:37, Today: Regannos rolled 12 using 1d20+8. Plasma Rifle Attack.
Securing self in the back of the van]

Vorneyl drops two of the thugs off the bat, as Regannos lays down suppressive fire on the reaper gang.

As Aria revs the engine, Vorneyl hops in the back with Regannos, barely having enough time to get a good grip as the truck burns rubber down the narrow bridge, brushing against Jouhan, almost knocking him off of the bridge as he tries to avoid the ramming vehicle.

Sister Aria's manuever is risky, but she ends up flattening half of the gang members, though the truck is now impossible to move, without risking sending it over the bridge.

The remaining gang members start running off towards the pyramid, shouting in fear.

OOC:  If you want, you can try to pick them off, but the people in the back of the truck are going to have to go out the passenger side in order to advance to the pyramid.

Aria grabs her rifle and slides her upper body out of the driver's window, sitting on the edge of the open window and aiming across the top of the van at the fleeing cultists. The rail rifle's two barrels appear like a tuning fork as a magnetic pulse travels down each of them, launching a projectile silently towards her target...

[Private to GM: 11:27, Today: Sister Aria rolled 10 using 3d12+2. Damage on the off chance I hit.
11:26, Today: Sister Aria rolled 12 using 1d20+8. Shoot the Cultist!. ]

Vorneyl clears out of the now stopped van via the passenger side door.  Because of his superior training in firearms, he is still able to squeeze off two shots.  This time he tries to aim at least one of his shots with the intention of clipping the leg of a cultist in order to take the cultist prisoner for questioning.  Even Vorneyl is impressed with the accuracy of his first shot, apparently Aria's crazy driving has done nothing to shake the gunslinger's deadly aim.  Vorneyl only hopes that his aim isn't too deadly or he'll have to try clipping a second cultist.

[Private to GM:
1st Shot (trying to shoot the leg to wound not kill):
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 31 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 1.
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 30 using 1d20+11. Confirm Crit?.
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 14 using 3d8+1. Damage 1.

With the -6 penalty to shoot for the leg, the 1st Attack is 25 (24 to confirm Crit), but a Natural 20 should hit regardless of the AC.  The Crit multiplier is x2, so the damage would be 28.  However Vorneyl is just trying to shoot the leg to disable the cultist not kill him (although maybe he's shot the leg clear off).

Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 24 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 2.
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 15 using 3d8+1. Damage 2.
If the Critical Hit kills the 1st cultist, then Vorneyl's 2nd shot is also an attempt to wound/hit the leg so with the -6 penalty the 2nd Attack would be 18 to hit.

However if the 1st Attack is successful in wounding but not killing the 1st cultist, then Vorneyl's 2nd Attack is a normal attack meant to kill (with a To Hit of 24 and Damage of 15).

NOTE: With Improved Shot on the Run, Vorneyl can move his speed and still be able to get multiple attacks such as the double attack provided with Rapid Shot.]

Jouhan sees cultists are retreating, he focus a moment channel special mental reserve to make his body create burst of energy to increase rapidity of his movement. Soon he is fine lined blur when he suddenly surges forward after the skull masked cultists!

With a humming hiss his blade comes alive! Glowing faint green light. With calm precision cuts on one the cultists which he managed reach with his stride! Then move past the cultists and stand between their escape route and the van, pointing his blade towards cultists his speaks; "I suggest you forget idea of running, as you cannot outrun me nor my comrades rifle range so surrender."

---

OOC: Use Hustle for extra move action, then charge one the cultists and strike him with mind blade. Then use hustle earned move action move beyond the cultists and make a threat to them to surrender.

23:41, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 18 using 3d8+4. Dmg + Psychic Strike.
23:39, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 29 using 1d20+12. Charge attack.

Regannos managed to steady himself as the van stopped, as he pulled his claws from the side of the van with a horrible metal screeching sound. "You know that our payment is still back here Aria. I would like it to remain intact with out having to hire an excavation crew to retrieve it" he said rather dryly before squeezing out the passenger side door after Vorneyl. He thought about using a spell or two against the cultists, but then again he didn't see a reason to use his magic against such weak enemies. As such, he decided to keep with what had been working so far.

Sighting down his weapon, now that he was at least on solid ground, a blast rang out from his weapon, the bolt of hot blue energy striking one of the cultists closer to Jouhan with impressive accuracy.

"I suggest you take that offer. You are at a distinct disadvantage here. I can assure you that will be the only one you get."

[Private to GM:
14:27, Today: Regannos rolled 27 using 5d10+1. Damage.
14:26, Today: Regannos rolled 23 using 1d20+8. Plasma Rifle Attack. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Tue 05 Jan 2010.

As Jouhan moves, his form blurs as he strikes one of the retreating cultist down, and moved in front of the retreating gang.

Sister Aria's shot puts a rather large hole in another, while Regannos's plasma rifle burns down one off to the side.  Vorneyl lets loose two shots, one of which burns one of the cultist leg off, the other falling forward with a hole in its back.

The fallen cultist begins screaming in pain as he realizes his leg is missing.  The last cultist looks ready to pass out in fright, quivering in fear.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:10, Wed 06 Jan 2010.

Aria rests her rifle on the roof of the van as she trusts the other members of the team to deal with the mop-up/interrogation. For her part, she aims her helmet's sensors at the distant pyramid, the cavern walls, any place a hidden danger could present itself to her companions who had left the cover of the van.

Should any menacing heads appear, she was fully prepared to perforate them an instant later. "Covering you," she transmits to her team.


[Private to GM: 20:34, Today: Sister Aria rolled 13 using 1d20+10. Spot. ]

With the combination of his mechanical legs and his monk training, once he was clear of the van, Vorneyl was able to move very quickly (nearly twice the average speed for a human) to close the distance between himself and the remaining targets.  Vorneyl kept his blaster pistol trained on the survivors as he said in an emotionless tone, "I would strongly consider embracing the spirit of cooperation... assuming you wish to retain what limbs you have left."

OOC: Are there still cultists making a run for it, or are they all down or accounted for?

The injured gang/cultist only whimpers in pain, fainting in shock.  The other quivers as if about to loose his bowels, but speaks full of fear.

"By the Reaper, spare me!  They made me join!  The Necros are unstoppable.  They are mad...but they have power beyond imagination.  Even now, they seek to bring Undeath to the Empire."  The gang/cultist speaks, eyes wide in fear.

Regannos sighed, shouldering his weapon as he rubbed the bridge of his muzzle with one hand. "Aria, keep an eye on the temple for now. We'll probably have to move the van soon to get to the other-side....so try and figure out how to set it to rights with out it getting dumped off the bridge" he said as he calmly waked down the bridge to the other side where Vorneyl and Jouhan kept the two other at the threat of death.

His body loomed over the still conscious member, as he reached out his free hand to grip the grunts collar and heft him up, the plasma rifle coming down to point between his eyes. "I don't care what you are doing, or what ever power they have. We are here for the dragon you kidnapped, and that's it. Now, you can play nice, and tell us where it is, now. Or you can die here, and well still get the dragon back, you'll just be too dead to see it."

Of course, Regannos was probably still going to call in the Imperial Guard to bomb the crap out of this place after they where done, but that wasn't important at the moment.

The cultist gags in Regannos's tight grip, speaking in a harsh voice.  "Inside the Temple.  They shall grant him the Blessings of the Reaper, marking their first strike against the Empire.  Culler Daerithos leads us, with two Death Knights by his side.  He has a mercenary with him, an orc with a red blade of energy...a barbarian from Outlands..."  The cultist spoke, having a hard time breathing.

[Private to Jouhan Calader: The mercenary is obviously one of the rogue members of your order, and he sounds familiar.  There was a member of your order who could not control his rage, an orc from Outlands.  He killed no few of your order's teachers in his rage, fleeing from your training grounds.  His name was Skrak...]

Aria continues to cover the rest of the team as they question the cultist. She shifts her sensors towards the pyramid temple, searching for any hidden variations in temperature that might indicate hidden people or openings.

Regannos snorted, dropping the cultist on the ground and wiping his hand off after doing so. "Right then, we know our targets. Jouhan, I'm guessing the mercenary is the one your after, if we face these 'Death Knights' along with him, he will be your responsibility until we can focus on him. I doubt that we will face their leader before dealing with his guard, so be ready" he said calmly before adding to the cultist "I plan to have this place bombed from orbit once where done....you best not be here when that happens."

Vorneyl nods his head and says, "I'm ready when you are Boss, though I'm wary about setting any of these creeps loose or turning our backs on them.  Perhaps there's some way to bind them or incapacitate them, at least until we're finished with our business?"

As Vorneyl speaks those words, mumbling can be heard from the fallen corpses.  Before your eyes, you see the bodies twitch, begin to reanimate.  Each cultist appears to have rotted for a few days, and a dull red glow suffuses their dead eyes.

"We are Chosen!  Necros Eternal!"  The cultist shouts, drawing a blade and stabbing himself in the midsection.

All around you, badly burned or crushed bodies limp to attack you.

Jouhan nodded to regannos words and said; "Yeah, he is the one. I even know him by name, I advice you avoid get close combat with him. Even if he was student he was capable murdering many people who mentored him in arts what he uses now."

When suddenly corpses started rise up Jouhan just only quirked his eye brow on the scene and said; "Should had quessed, consider we are dealing with undead lovers. Okay, all retreat the van. I try keep most of these suckers in combat with me, blast the rest!"

Jouhan moves back towards the van, on the bridge to narrow down the mob. He also then concentrates on his powers to give him more defensive abilities.....very useful in near future if he plans face him.

---

OOC: Move to the bridge, manifest Precognition (defensive), spend 4 power points so get +2 insight bonus to AC and saves for 5 minutes. 6 PP's left.

Aria curses to herself as the cultists laying broken around the van start to rise up and advance. She sends a silent round into the nearest zombie, hoping to hold them off while the rest of the group falls back.


[Private to GM: 11:52, Today: Sister Aria rolled 10 using 3d12+1. Damage.
11:51, Today: Sister Aria rolled 20 using 1d20+9. Shoot the zombies. ]

Vorneyl is thrown off his aim just a bit by the sudden rise of the undead around him.  Granted in his current state, Vorneyl probably resembled an "undead" more so than his living comrades in their natural flesh bodies, but that didn't mean the soulmech liked zombies anymore than the next person.

Vorneyl fired off two shots at the closest zombies and began to back peddle away from them.  As he did this, he said in a concerned tone, "Come on Boss, lets put some distance between us and these bloody "chosen" corpses!"

Although Vorneyl could move faster, he reined in his speed to match that of his employer.  Vorneyl knew that saving his own "skin" would be meaningless if he allowed anything drastically bad to happen to Regannos.  Vorneyl had enough problems of his own, he didn't need Regannos's big, bad Dragon sponsor (daddy?) "breathing down his neck."

[Private to GM: 09:12, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 21 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 1.
09:13, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 23 using 3d8+1. Damage 1.

09:12, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 20 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 2.
09:13, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 18 using 3d8+1. Damage 2.

Not sure how much Vorneyl pulls back, that depends on Regannos.]

Regannos growled audibly as he saw the corpses rise, slowly pulling back as he did so. "Necromancer filth!" He roared as he pulled back with the others to the far more defensible bridge. "Everyone, backs to the van. Let them bunch up and cluster together and stay behind me!"

Regannos was tired of being joked around and underestimated by the Reaper trash that they had to deal with, as he reached the bridge and let the corpses bunch together tightly at the bottleneck that was the start of the bridge. Once in place, the silver Half-Dragon could be seen taking in great lungfuls of air, a sense of foreboding as the air around his being grew perceptibly colder. His chest seemed to rise as he drew breath, the armor creaking gently as he turned to face the oncoming horde.

The was a span of a moment that it looked like the Half-Dragon would 'pop' from all the air, before his maw opened and loosed a tremendous roar that made the bridge shake gently. A cone of raw cold blasted forth, crashing against the undead, the stone around them freezing almost instantly from the blast. True enough, Regannos's breath might not be as powerful as a full dragon's, but no one wanted to be on the receiving end of it either.

[Private to GM: I'm not sure precisely what to roll for attack as far as modifiers. You could just do the rolls if you have a better idea. Damage, if it hits any of them, is 15:50, Today: Regannos rolled 34 using 6d8. Dragon Breath: Cold damage]

As the rest of the party rushes back to the van, Vorneyl lets loose two shots of his lasers, downing two of the zombies off the sides of the mass of undead flesh.  Regannos moves forward as well, nudging against the forms of the risen dead to make his way back to Sister Aria.  Once there, his exhalation freezes many of the undead, shattering them in a wide swath.  Sister Aria's shot downs another zombie, leaving 3 undead to deal with.   Jouhan tries to rush past, though he is surrounded on three sides when he reaches the other end of the bridge.  The undead try to batter against his defenses, but cause little damage.

Once in position Jouhan waits zombies to attack, once they do he makes powerful slicing cut with his exotic blade, cutting flesh and bone like it's nothing. Leaving clean cut. He does not charge his blade with lethal mental energy, as that energy works only beings which have minds to attack to, and naturally, zombies have no thougths in mind besides chase after living flesh and kill and eat it.

---

OOC: Ready action to slice any first zombie who gets near (if zombie already near, then normal standard action attack), rolled 14 to attack and 8pts for slashing dmg.

Jouhan's attack slices neatly into the offending zombie, his weapon, nearly cutting it in half.  Unfortunately, it still moves, as do the other two.

OOC:  Everyone take a turn!
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:30, Tue 02 Feb 2010.

"Aim for the heads, not the bodies!" Regannos called as he readied his weapon once more, his voice sounding somewhat horse from the blast he had expelled moments before. Bright blue plasma burst from the rifle, cutting and burning though the undead once again.

[Private to GM:
17:04, Today: Regannos rolled 29 using 5d10+1. Damage.
17:04, Today: Regannos rolled 21 using 1d20+8. Plasma Rifle Attack. ]

Seeing most of their foes have been dealt with, yet again, the mercenary sister takes a look around the area before choosing her target and launching another silent projectile from her rifle.

[Private to GM: If I spot anything else around that looks threatening, I'll shoot it, otherwise a zombie, if any are left by then.
17:31, Today: Sister Aria rolled 20 using 3d12+1. Damage.
17:30, Today: Sister Aria rolled 18 using 1d20+8. Shoot.
17:30, Today: Sister Aria rolled 14 using 1d20+10. Spot. ]

Regannos and Sister Aria pick off the two other zombies, mutilating the bodies beyond restoration.  The final remaining zombie continues to beat against Jouhan, though unsuccessfully due to the mans dodging and weaving.

Jouhan dances around his remaining zombie, and makes now cut aimed to decapitate the zombie with single cut and end the last threat of the zombies.

Ahhh, quite pitiful performance in my part. But I hope it shines later when we will be facing him....

---

OOC: I did not include prone bonus to attack roll so it would be 15 hit then if it applies.

08:58, Today: Jouhan Calader rolled 11,10 using 1d20+10,2d8+4. Melee swing.

Edit; Forget it, nat 1 so do not hit :P.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Wed 10 Feb 2010.

Trying to keep himself to some degree between the Boss and the enemy, Vorneyl continues to move to the best tactical position as he fires off another pair of shots from his blaster pistol at any remaining zombies.

OOC: Sorry about the late reply, things have been crazy lately in RL (especially the weather)
05:28, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 15 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 1.
05:29, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 15 using 3d8+1. Damage 1.

05:29, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 24 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 2.
05:29, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 18 using 3d8+1. Damage 2.

With the defensive sweeps of Jouhan's blade causing it to be thrown off guard, Vorneyl's shots finish it off.

The pyramid lies ahead of you, and even now, you see movement within its entrance.

Regannos spat on the last corpse, his free hand rubbing against his sore jaw some. Using his breath always made his maw ache, and his throat a tad raw. "Well then, now that the trash is dealt with, let us see to the actual reason why we are here. Everyone be on their guard, they have the defensive advantage here" he said as he stretched his jaw some more before snapping it shut and readying his weapon once more.

Flipping around to face the pyramid, he snapped off a quick shot in the direction of the movement, blue fire slicing through the still air "And let that be a lesson to you, Reaper Trash, do not underestimate ME!"

[Private to GM: It doesn't have to hit...I just felt it a cool moment to do ^^

23:20, Today: Regannos rolled 35 using 5d10+1. Damage.
23:20, Today: Regannos rolled 15 using 1d20+8. Plasma Rifle Attack. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:22, Fri 12 Feb 2010.

Regannos's plasma blast burns one of the figures in the distance, causing the others to scurry away from the charred form.

Jouhan smirks when Regannos fires his weapon and says; "Sir, I would be mindful what you shoot with that, those figures may have been non-hostile targets. But let's proceed with caution, what knows what more dangers or traps lay in that pyramid." Jouhan takes lead and starts with swift stride move towards entrance of the pyramid, expecting others follow him.

Aria allows the others to proceed, covering them from any potential hostile fire as her helmet's sensors pierce the distance and darkness. She follows behind, her sniper rifle on her shoulder, ready to silently launch a projectile at any enemy that threatens the party. Although she keeps silent over the radio link, she considers anyone showing their face in a temple of the Reaper a likely enemy.

[Private to GM: In case I need it...
18:19, Today: Sister Aria rolled 8 using 3d12. Damage.
18:19, Today: Sister Aria rolled 14 using 1d20+8. Shoot.
18:18, Today: Sister Aria rolled 21 using 1d20+10. Spot.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:20, Wed 17 Feb 2010.

Vorneyl gathers up the three useable slug throwers as well as any ammo readily available.  He grabs one of the keenedged daggers but doesn't bother too much with the rest right now.  He takes a moment to reload his blaster pistol with a fresh energy cell.

Vorneyl takes a position between Jouhan and Regannos as he looks over his shoulder and says, "So what now Boss?  Just a straight forward frontal assault?  I'm guessing stealth would be a waste of time at this point... but perhaps we might think about summoning some backup?  It sure looks like the "drop off" and "pick up" have most certainly gone awry, so all bets are off as they say... no?"

Regannos shouldered his weapon once more and snorted a bit. "Well they obviously know we are coming, lets show them why you don't mess with an Aristocorp" he said before adding "I'll hang back and provide fire support like I said. With the range of my rifle there won't be a place they can hide." He also knew that would make the others happy that he would not be in close combat.

As you watch, you notice that the figures begin to retreat into the pyramid, leaving their fallen behind.

Now what do you do?

Hearing proposals and plans Jouhan replies; "Okay, so usual you rest remain behind my back while I go ahead and draw attention of any cultists who plan come up close fight me. But beware of possible ambushes, as they may hide and let me pass and jump on you instead. So I keep only distance where I can easily rush back towards you quickly deal with the threat."

---

OOC: I guess we all go proceed enter pyramid, Jouhan in lead in 50'ft range ahead (basically a charge range).

Vorneyl looks out over the long, open ground and then glances at his blaster pistol before sighing heavily.  With a glance at Regannos's weapon, Vorneyl shakes his head and says, "Must be nice having that kinda range.  As good as I am, there's just simply no way that I can do any good with my chosen firearm at this distance.

So... I guess that means I have to haul robotic ass if I'm going to get close enough to pick those bloody cultists off!  Take care of yourself Boss... we don't need these nutcases gettin' their grubby hands on TWO hostages."

So saying, Vorneyl high tailed it towards the Temple, keeping his blaster pistol at the ready.

OOC: I'm guessing that Vorneyl is Running (x4 speed).  His base speed is 50 ft.  So that means he's covering 200 ft. a round.  So he'll reach the Temple in 10 rounds (2000 ft).  Of course he'll get into reasonable Range for his weapon once he's within about 449-150 ft (-6 to -2 attack).

Aria keeps abreast with Regannos, her rifle at her shoulder aimed at the distant pyramid as they cover the advance of the others. She advances slowly until Vorneyl and Jouhan cross the distance, then she hurries to join them while they cover her.

Jouhan advances swiftly, want proceed to get entrance before cultist reinforcements arrive and so could prevent cultist spreading and surrounding them in open battlefield.

As you approach the entrance to the temple, a massive stone door blocks your progress.  There doesn't appear to be any means of entrance, but the door itself is intricately carved in reliefs of death and worship.  A massive skull dominates the main portion of the door.

OOC:  If you have decipher script, you may be able to figure out the hieroglyphs.  Otherwise, a knowledge religion may do in a pinch.

Jouhan sees the door, and turns to others and shout; "Do anyone have explosives? There some steel door which blocks our way and no doubt opens up only once all preparations are done inside the temple."

Regannos gave a quick look over the door, looking more annoyed by it then interested. "I might be able to burn through it with my rifle, but it would take time since its not constant energy projection. There has to be a way in, either here or elsewhere."

OOC: 10:53, Today: Regannos rolled 14 using 1d20+10. Decipher Script. Not going to be much help here!

Vorneyl shook his head as he studied the glyphs and said, "Explosives are not really my bag.  I never trained with them and thus it has always been safer to stay away from them."

Vorneyl tried going a quick read of the glyphs but that didn't help so he took longer to study them.

OOC: I don't know if a Take-10 or a Take-20 is going to work but the results would be respectively: 20 or 30

Jouhan sighs and he says; "Okay, while you study those fancy markings I go test how solid this door actually is...." Jouhan walks towards the door with his weird energy sword, and then makes brutal powerful thrust with his sword towards the stone door! Intending impale it with full blade lenght and start slow process of cuting hole into it......

---

OOC: As I like to say in Star Wars game; universal best lock picker is a lightsaber :P.

"Running the 'glyphs through a recognition program, nothing so far." Aria says as she scans the door for a way in. She leans her rifle against the wall and begins to remove several tools from her belt. The mercenary driver's eyes, unseen inside her helmet, widen considerably when she sees Jouhan go at the door with his sword. "Wait!"



[Private to GM: Doing whatever people do to try to pick a lock these days, looking for any sort of control, either physical or wireless. Rolled Use Device in case it's an electronic lock, and thievery in case it's physical.

09:52, Today: Sister Aria rolled 29 using 1d20+13. Use Device.
09:52, Today: Sister Aria rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Thievery.
09:51, Today: Sister Aria rolled 14 using 1d20+10. Perception.
16:09, Thu 25 Mar: Sister Aria rolled 13 using 1d20+11. Decipher Script.

Or maybe the door just doesn't open from this side, but I'm doing whatever I have the skill for to try.]

As you all discuss what to do with the door.  Jouhan plunges his blade into the stonework.  Although he is slowly cutting through the door, it is amazing to see what the energy blade of Jouhans can do, within a few moments, a rather large entrance has been carved into the the stone door.  Beyond, a long, dimly lit entrance hallway extends to another door.  Along the walkway, twin pools of salty black water line the walls.

Vorneyl tries to pierce the darkness using his enhances senses and various vision modes.

OOC:
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 17 using 1d20+12. Perception.

Regannos raised an eye ridge as he watched the blade and man at work, finding it to certainly be an favorable act of coincidence that whatever the build was made of was cut by his strange weapon. He looked forward behind the rest of them into the gloomy passage, his vision naturally adapted for daker areas.

"We must move quickly I think. Theres no telling how much time we have until the White is used in what ever foul ritual they are cooking up."

15:48, Today: Regannos rolled 24 using 1d20+10. Perception

Aria's words catch in her throat as she sees Jouhan's blade cut into the door. She turns her back and keeps watch to the rear as he cuts the door open. She takes one quick glance down the dark hall, scanning it in a variety of frequencies and capturing the scene in her datapad before turning again.

The pilot's back is against the wall as she holds her rail rifle in front of her at the ready. She covers the others as they climb through the hole in the door before she backs through herself.


[Private to GM: 18:15, Today: Sister Aria rolled 22 using 1d20+10. Perception.]

The air reeks of death and decay, as you walk down the passage, you can see bits and pieces of flesh floating in the black water.  The door at the end of the hallway is similar to the entrance, though perhaps not as thick.

Jouhan stoically worked on the door and sliced a neat large entrance on the stoneworks. His eyes scan the surroundings in the dim light provided by his energy blade when they travel the hallway. When they reach the other door he says; "Can anyone check is door trapped, locked or merely closed? I do not desire attempt start cut it again if it is trapped or merely closed."

Vorneyl nodded and moved in closer to get a better look at the area, using his various vision modes to aid him in searching for any sign of a trap.

OOC:
23:46, Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 26 using 1d20+10. Search.

Shaking his head, Vorneyl said in a resigned tone, "Well for what it is worth, I didn't detect any signs of boobytraps.  Granted that's no guarantee there aren't some that I might have missed but its the best assessment I can provide you."

Vorneyl stepped back to allow Jouhan access to the door, giving the lightsaber a wide berth.

Jouhan goes to the door, he tests first does the door open anyway (full round action) before he plunges his blade once more on the door and starts slice a opening to it.

As Jouhan starts to cut the door open, four automated turrents drop from various points in the walls.  They spray your area with neon blue stun rays, hitting both Sister Aria and Jouhan.

OOC:  Need fortitude saves from both of you, DC 15.  Failure means your incapacitated for 1 minute.  If you succeed, you may take shots with the others.

Jouhan spots the turrets, he tries dodge their beams but he fails to do so! He takes hit solidly tough and after stutter he draws his blade back and throws it towards one the turrets! Intending destroy it fast before it shoots more rays!

---

OOC: Fail evade fire, roll 20 on fort save (include power bonus), rolled 26 to attack roll vs turret to destroy it (a sunder check?), rolled 11pts dmg.

At the sight of the pop-out turrets, Vorneyl allows himself a brief Elvish curse before quickly firing off two shots from his blaster pistol.

OOC:
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 27 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 1.
Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 22 using 3d8+1. Damage 1.

Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 24 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 2.
 Today: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 15 using 3d8+1. Damage 2.

Depending on how tough these turrets are and who fires first, Vorneyl will try to maximize his targeting to insure destroying the turrets.

All but one turrent falls to the ground, damaged from the assault.  The last turrent fires at Regannos, missing horribly.  Though the slight gap in the wall, you hear muffled speech.

Jouhan's flying blade returns to his hand with soft green flash and he tosses it towards remaining turret, intending cut to disable it. he turns to others and say; "What is that muffling about?"

---

OOC: Again ranged attack vs turret to disable it. Hit AC 17 and do 9pts dmg.

The last turrent down, leaves the silence of battles aftermath, except now you can hear the snarls from the other side of the door.  Peaking through the gap Jouhan made, crimson eyes and fangs can be seen.  In moments, the undamaged side of the door opens, revealing black cowled figures and what appear were once gnolls, but now tainted in death by unending hunger.  "Feast upon the living, Yen-hagnu!  Glory to the Reaper!"

OOC:  Two Gnoll Ghouls and Four Acolytes.  The door is damage, so there is only 5 feet of access beyond this point.  One gnoll ghoul is in the doorway, and the Acolytes look prepared to cast spells.

As a general and quick map of the situation, there you go.  You may roll initiatives.  The acolytes are carrying what appear to be slug throwers, while the ghoulish gnolls have claws and fangs.




 AAA
 GA
-G----
Party

Aria steps to the side of the hallway and drops to one knee. She points her rail rifle at the half-open doorway, ready to send a round into whoever steps through.


[Private to GM: 08:31, Today: Sister Aria rolled 22 using 1d20+3. initiative.

If I get a clear shot, I'll shoot the first person through the door.
08:32, Today: Sister Aria rolled 22 using 1d20+8. Shoot!.

08:33, Today: Sister Aria rolled 11 using 3d12. Damage. ]

Regannos frowned as he saw the cultests appear, the Half-Dragon shouldering his rifle for a moment. "You can't be serious..." he muttered, loud enough to be heard by everyone, "Really. Using slug throwers and melee against me? Such disrespectful trash you cultists are."

OOC:
13:12, Today: Regannos rolled 24 using 1d20+7. Initiative.

Giving Jouhan sufficient room to work his melee magic, Vorneyl positions himself so he can get a clear shot at the Acolytes who appear to be up to no good.  Vorneyl wanted to put them down before they could complete whatever nastiness they have planned up their sleeves.  In rapid succession, Vorneyl fires off a pair of blasts from his Blaster, the second one hitting its target dead on.

As he does this, Vorneyl replied to Regannos, "Better disrespect than disintegration Boss!  I'll take ineffectual enemy firepower over highly lethal respect any day of the week and twice on payday."

OOC:
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Initiative.

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 28 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 1 w/ PBS.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 21 using 3d8+2. Damage 1.

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 32 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 2 w/ PBS.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 29 using 1d20+12. Confirm Crit?.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 13 using 3d8+2. Damage 2.  Crit (x2) = 26

Jouhan quickly steps in front of the cultists, blocking their way to their side of the hallway while holding his quietly humming energy blade of mind energy. He makes quick graceful stab with his blade and with sharp hiss blade discharged stored energy incase of hit on one ghoulish gnolls! Instant after his attack he focus now keep his position and prepare to avoid and dodge attacks, his lingering mental defensive meditation still in effect from before.

---

OOC: Just plainly stand in door like good meat shield and perform single attack on closest foe (by map it seems a ghoulish gnoll). Move there if needed. Rolled 21 on iniative, rolled 18 on attack roll, 20pts slashing dmg and if foe falls then mind cleave allows me re-charge my psycic charge on my mind blade (as otherwise it is move action). Also I presume Precognition (defensive) is still active?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Sat 21 Aug 2010.

Sister Aria, lays down a line of fire on the first gnoll ghoul, tearing into the creature severely.  Watching this, Jouhan's mind blade cleanly finishes off the ghoul.

Vorneyl's twin lasers find their marks disrupting the spellcasters spells, one of which is stunned by the blast.

Regannos threatens the cultists, but it look like it has little effect on these undead worshipers.

Behind you, you feel intense heat, as twin blobs of flesh appears from flames.  They seem twisted in agony, and seem intent on inflicting some of their own.

 AAA
 GA
- ----
Party
BB

"And Ouripedes looked upon the wretches arrayed against him, and bade them fetch more of their fellows to provide him with worthy sport." Aria quotes from the 'Fall of Ouripedes', a popular holo from her homeworld. Her synthesized voice hides any indication that her words are meant to support or reproach her employer's confidence.

When she reads a flash of heat from behind her in her helmet sensors, she spins on her knee to face the burning adversaries. The twin magnetic rails that form the 'barrel' of her rifle nearly touching her target as her weapon silently launches another round.

"Two at six!"

[Private to GM: 13:32, Today: Sister Aria rolled 19 using 1d20+9. Shoot the... the burning thing.
13:32, Today: Sister Aria rolled 17 using 3d12+1. Damage.]

Setting his teeth some, the Half-Dragon pulled his weapon up and sighted at the cultists as he trusted the others to keep his back clear. Given they where already burning, he didn't expect plasma to do a great deal of good against them anyway. "Keep them off my back would you?" He replied calmly to Aria before blasting off a sizzling bolt of energy at the enemies in front of them.

OOC:
16:07, Today: Regannos rolled 29 using 5d10+2. Plasma Damage.
16:07, Today: Regannos rolled 23 using 1d20+9. Plasma Rifle (assuming Point blank).

Vorneyl spun around and backed away as he fired off two shots at the blobs coming from behind.  As he did this, he said, "Ok Boss, you pour on the fire in front and I'll try to keep these blobs busy until they go splat."

OOC: Vorneyl is using Improved Shot on the Run and firing 2 shots.
If Aria's target is still alive, he'll shoot at it.  If her target is killed, he'll fire at the other blob.  If both blobs go and he's still got shots left, he'll focus those shots on the Acolytes again.

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 21 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 1 w/ PBS.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 11 using 3d8+2. Damage 1.

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 31 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 2 w/ PBS.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 18 using 3d8+2. Damage 2

Jouhan trusts Sister Aria and Vorneyl deals rear end problems and so he focus on front. When new gnoll moves into door he slices on the gnoll with quick flashing slice which again discharged psionic energy ravage his foe upon cut.

---

OOC: Stay where I am but if foes do not seem move Jouhan makes 5'ft step into opening and performs single attack vs gnoll. 22 attack roll and rolled 21pts dmg. Again if gnoll falls then my mindblade psycic strike is recharged, otherwise it's spend.

Turning to fire at the creature next to here, the blob lashes out with clawed appendages, missing, but showing their danger.  The bullet pierces the creature, but it seems to absorb some of the damage.

Jouhan slashes at the ghoul as it moves forward, but inflicts a none threatening blow against the creature.

Vorneyl's twin lasers lance out at the hellish creatures, only to be absorbed completely by the fiends' hide.

Regannos blasts at one of the cultists, vaporizing it with his rifle.

As the ghoul moves forward, it slashes at Jouhan, claws missing due to the warrior's unique defense.  The cultists move with the ghoul, healing it with foul energy.  The dazed cultist mutters a prayer, and stabs himself in the heart, a red gleam enters its eyes as dark power surges through him.

RAA
-G----
Party
BB

The mercenary pilot curses as she sees Vorneyl's blast absorbed with seemingly no effect. She looks at Vorneyl and nods her head towards the cultists behind them, "Might as well take those pistols where they will do some good."

"Jouhan!" Aria calls out as she sends another round into her target, "We need you back here!"

[Private to GM: Shooting the same target, 25 to hit, 21 damage.
Attack roll should be +9 instead of +19, so it's just 24 instead of 34.
08:30, Today: Sister Aria rolled 34 using 1d20+19. Shoot the burning thing again.
08:31, Today: Sister Aria rolled 21 using 3d12+1 with rolls of 8,3,9. damage. ]

Vorneyl noticed that his first shot had no effect so he fired off his second shot back at the viable targets.  As Vorneyl backed away from the blobs and focused his attacks on the surviving Acolytes, he fired off two shots, one sloppy and the other dead on target.  As he did this, Vorneyl remarked with a note of edgy concern, "You ain't kiddin' sister, those things sucked up my blaster fire and just kept on rolling.  I hope somebody has something nasty enough to take 'em out."

OOC:
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 14 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 1 w/ PBS.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 14 using 3d8+2. Damage 1.

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 32 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 2 w/ PBS.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 23 using 1d20+12. Confirm Crit?.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 19 using 3d8+2. Damage 2.  Critical Hit Damage (x2) = 38

Jouhan dodges agilely the claw attack, hearing and seeing some results of Vorneyl and Sister Aria's attacks. He nods and replies; "Okay, focus fire on the entrance then. These cultists heal their freakish abominations if you do not finish them off in one round of fire."

Jouhan attempts back flip away from ghoul in graceful way but also not leave himself exposed to be attacked upon. Jouhan flips past his companions and then makes sudden mid air spin and slice towards one meaty flesh blobs with his mind blade.

---

OOC: Rolled 8 on acrobatics to 'tumble' away from threatened area. Rolled nat 19 and so crit threat vs left flesh blob. Rolled 20 to confirm. Rolled 27pts dmg.

Note; if no need use 5'ft last round used move action to refresh psycic charge on blade and just delayed standard action used later on.

Regannos eyed the cultist with the dagger, his rifle humming once more with the deadly blue energy as he once more released a blast from the muzzle. Though whatever was causing the strange glow and power from the cultist managed to deflect the plasma to one side where it hissed and melted part of the wall into slag.

OOC:
01:25, Today: Regannos rolled 10 using 1d20+9. Plasma Rifle (point blank). Bah!

Sister Aria's second attack tears apart the creature, clouds of brimstone released as it fades from reality.  Vorneyl's attacks down the remaining cultists, though the one who stabbed himself seems to have shrugged off the damage from the last shot, pointing at the Half-Elf.  A beam of black energy launches from the cultists hands, striking Vorneyl in the chest...to apparently no effect.

The ghoul strikes Jouhan as he tries to tumble away, inflicting a wound on the odd human.  Jouhan's strike against the fiendish creature finishes off the other summoned monster.  Regannos' fire burns a hole into the the wall behind the cultist.

 R
-G--
Party

If he still drew breath, Vorneyl would have breathed easier when both blobs were dispatched.  He might be a Soulmech but things that could just shrug off blaster bolts bothered him all the same.  Vorneyl concentrated on the remaining foes and fired off two more shots in the hopes of ending the opposition here and now.

OOC:
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 19 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 1 w/ PBS.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 17 using 3d8+2. Damage 1.

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 27 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 2 w/ PBS.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 19 using 3d8+2. Damage 2.

Depending on who goes before Vorneyl, one or both of these shots may not be needed.

"Six is clear!" The mercenary pilot calls out. She keeps her weapon pointed towards the rear of the group, covering their backs while she trusted her companions to deal with the reamaining enemies.

[Private to GM: In case anything else shows up behind us, I'll hold my action to shoot it.
17:40, Today: Sister Aria rolled 19 using 3d12+1. Damage.
17:40, Today: Sister Aria rolled 12 using 1d20+9. Opportunity fire.]

Vorneyl fires shots at the gnoll ghoul in rapid succession, burning the undead creature to the ground.  The acolyte smiles hideously as the contents of its stomach flow forth down the corridor, a thick wave of acid both nauseating and terrible.

Reflex Save DC 15 for Half, otherwise 20 points of acid damage.

-R--
Party

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:12, Tue 31 Aug 2010.

Regannos growled at the smell of acid, as he was surprisingly nimble enough to avoid most of it. He sighted back at the cultist, his weapon whining once more and releasing another burst of blue fire.

OOC:
50/60 HP
16:21, Today: Regannos rolled 39 using 5d10+2. Fire Damage.
16:21, Today: Regannos rolled 17 using 1d20+9. Plasma Rifle (point blank).
16:18, Today: Regannos rolled 18 using 1d20+4. Reflex Save.

Aria rolls to the side taking cover behind the half-closed door as the acid washes down the hallway.

[Private to GM: 13:49, Today: Sister Aria rolled 25 using 1d20+7. Reflex Save.]

With unusual agility for a Soulmech, Vorneyl gracefully tumbles out of the way of the on coming acid, managing to avoid the worst of the offensive acid flow.

OOC:
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 22 using 1d20+9. Reflex Save.

Question: Is the acid gut spewing cultist still "alive" and thus a valid target to be shot still?

EDIT: I forgot to mention that Vorneyl has Evasion, so I think that means he doesn't take any damage if he makes the DC for the Reflex Save.

This message was last edited by the player at 23:34, Wed 01 Sept 2010.

Jouhan sees slime wave coming in and he likewise acrobatically leaps over the wave and in air tries aerial strike on other fleshy glob....but this time his aim was well off the target! He lands on remains of the acid pool, burning underside of his shoes painfully but he calmly takes the pain.

OOC: 25 reflex save, rolled 12 with attack roll with mind blade. Mind cleave again recharged when other fleshy glob fell.

As Regannos lays down the plasma fire on the remaining cultists, it is incinerated by the Half-Silver's weapon, leaving little more than a charred corpse.  The battle is done, leaving the corridor beyond split into two different directions, each looking the same.

Being careful to avoid any caustic residue, Vorneyl thanks the Gods that he no longer possesses the sense of smell as he checks the bodies for anything that might prove useful.  As he does this, he says, "Well that was a mighty unpleasant welcoming committee.  What now Boss, which way should we go?"

OOC: Vorneyl Kenath rolled 22 using 1d20+10. Search.

Aria looks both ways down the corridor, before returning to her rear guard position. "Not sensing anything useful, sir."


[Private to GM: 09:26, Fri 03 Sept: Sister Aria rolled 9 using 1d20+8. search. ]

Regannos placed his weapon against his shoulder, as he took a moment to change out the battery of his weapon to ensure he wouldn't have to do so in the middle of combat unless he had to. Taking an antique coin out of his pocket, flipping it and catching it in his hand.

"We stick together, start at the right tunnel and see if we find anything. I would expect both end up in the same place, but I suppose we will find out" he said after looking at the coin and nodding down it. "Jouhan your first."

Jouhan nods to Regannos words and he holds his blade ready glowing in his hand while he proceeds down on right tunnel corridor cautiously.

---

OOC: XP's from encounters so far?

"Sir." the mercenary pilot nods assent to her employer's plan, her face hidden by the full helmet she wears. Aria waits at the intersection, watching both ways before following behind the party about 20 yards, the many sensors on her helmet searching for any sign of enemies following behind them.

Taking the right hand passage, you notice it goes on for a few hundred feet, then turns into another corridor that seems to extend the length of the pyramid.  The air is cooler here, unnaturally cold for this area, and the faint murmurs of chants can be heard coming down the corridor.

OOC:  Experience at the end of the adventure.  We are nearing the final battle.

Vorneyl puts away the items he's collected from the dead and then reloads his blaster pistol with a fresh energy cell, just in case.  He moves along with the others and scans the area with his various sensors as he's sure that the fighting is not done yet.

Aria continues behind the rest of the party, her rail rifle pointed back down the hallway behind them.

As you reach the end of the corridor, it turns once more, this time into a shorter corridor, with a opening towards the interior of the pyramid.  The chanting is loud now, though vaguely unintelligible.  The thing leading the chant is heard above the crowded voices.  "And so, the Reaper shall bring about the fall of this Empire, and in its stead, the Necropolis shall rise to rule the worlds in this galaxy, and beyond!"

Jouhan is moving ahead of the group, however he keeps eye out for his target. As ambush in last moment of entrance will likely best spot disable dangerous inviduals in one brutal attack. However he encoruages others move faster by saying; "We are running short on time, it sounds ritual is reaching towards messy end. So if we want our paychecks from rescuing the white let's hurry. Keep my earlier warnings in your minds, if you see half-orc with blade similar to mine.....do not get close to him. Let me handle him."

Vorneyl nodded his head in agreement as he continued moving forward and said in a whispered tone, <sub>"Right, leave the half-orc to you.  We take on the rest.  Pick up the pace or our paycheck goes up in smoke along with the Great White... gotcha.

All in a day's work, eh Boss?"</sub>

Regannos nodded as well as he checked over his weapon with a practiced hand. "Right then. Well use a 1-2-1 formation. Jouhan, your up front and form a buffer between the mass of them and us. I'm guessing this special Orc will go for you. I'll provide covering fire and support from the back, Aria and Vorneyl take the midfield." He cracked a smile at Vorneyl and added "Nah, this is just exercise. Its not work until we've killed about 3 times the number they've got."

With that sorted out, the silver scaled Half-Dragon cleared his throat and called over the crowd. His voice cut though the chants like a blade as he called "Knock knock reaper scum. Now, normally I wouldn't bother even seeing your kind around, but you've stolen a rather important Dragon. We need that Dragon back. Now. Unless you want to stand before the Judge himself, I suggest you lay down your arms. If not, well we have no trouble doing it by force."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:37, Wed 15 Sept 2010.

Vorneyl didn't know whether to smile or frown, laugh or cry... with the Boss's bellow went any hope of a surprise sneak attack to kick the festivities off right.

Without turning back to look at Regannos, Vorneyl said only partially under his breath, _{"Oh perfect... the "subtle" approach, I love it when the Boss gets all "stealthy".  Makes my job oh so much easier."}

Vorneyl leveled his blaster pistol at the nearest group of cultists, having a bad feeling that "reasonable" and "rational" were not adjectives generally ascribed to this fanatic death worshipping bunch.

Aria took her postion, crouching as she hurried along with the rest of the group. She kept her rifle to the front, seeking the Dragon they are here to rescue, and prepared to send a round into anyone that approaches the White.

Jouhan moved ahead of the group, work as 'shield' for them between the mass and the ranged combatants bestly as he can. He kept keen eye out for the guy what he suspected would be around.....of course if he is not around it would make Jouhan's job that easier and less risk to his group.

As you move towards the open doorway, you take notice of the following scene.

                       White Dragon (Huge)

                       Alter (High Priest, Half-Orc Mercenary)


            Death Knight             Death Knight




                         Doorway


Death Knight Description:  These dark knights are wearing ebon battle suits.  Their skin appears to be necrotic, bone tight, and they eyes gleam with a crimson hue.  They wield what appear to be plasma rifles, though they have a sickly green hue to their charge.

High Priest Description:  This figure is wearing thick black robes, highly ornate, with a wicked, clawed right hand.  A unholy symbol of a humanoid skull hangs from his neck.

Half-Orc Mercenary:  This figure is rather large, wielding a weapon similar to Jouhans, though as you enter, it appears to have two blades, one from each side, and they glow a wicked red.  One of his eyes is scarred, and he appears to have an almost barbaric air about him, contempt for everything he sees.

Various Acolytes:  There are about 30 Acolytes in the room, chanting, though they stop with the entrance of the party.

Turning to regard the party, the priest speaks with contempt.  "Undeath is the greatest honor to receive, I shall bestow it unto this wyrm, and so herald the return of the Necropolis.  Kill them, let their deaths fuel our dark ritual."  He spoke, motioning for the Death Knights to advance, the Half-Orc moves forward as well, rage building in his eyes as he studies the group and sees Jouhan.

OOC:  Initiatives.  If you beat 14, you go before the death knights, if you beat 16, you go before the Half-Orc.  The acolytes are continuing their chants.

Arie quickly dropped to one knee beside the doorway, taking cover around the corner as she lined up her shot on the priest threatening the dragon. A sharp snap accompanied the round as the weapon's magnetic field launched a round at hyper-velocity.

[Private to GM: Shooting the priest.
14:12, Today: Sister Aria rolled 21 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
14:15, Today: Sister Aria rolled 27 using 1d20+10. Shoot the priest.
14:15, Today: Sister Aria rolled 33 using 3d12+2. Damage. ]

Vorneyl fired twice at the Priest, figuring the priest was the most immediate threat to the White Dragon.  He also moved to find whatever cover was available.

OOC:
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 13 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 1.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 8 using 3d8+1. Damage.

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 30 using 1d20+11. Rapid Shot Attack 2.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 16 using 3d8+1. Damage 2.

NOTE 1: I kinda need to know how far the targets are from Vorneyl because Point Blank Shot only adds +1 Damage within 30 ft.

NOTE 2: If the Priest is Human, then favored enemy kicks in and I get +2 to Damage for both Damages (Shot 1= 10; Shot 2= 18).

Vorneyl is using Improved Shot on the Run & Rapid Shot.  I'll declare the closest Death Knight as my Dodge target.

The bullet hits the priest, only to stop on impact.  With a off hand gesture from the priest, the bullet launches itself back at the party, only barely missing Aria as it slams into the wall behind the party.

Vorneyl's attacks fly across the room, one hitting the wall behind the white dragon, the other hitting some type of deflective shield around the priest, ricocheting and killing one of the chanting acolytes.  The priest turns his head slightly at this, a snarl forming on his lips as he continues the chant.

The Half-Orc charges towards Jouhan, not invoking the legendary rage his kind is known for, but blade swinging with fury, striking him soundly.  A feral smile plays about his toothy maw as blade meets blade for the briefest moment.  "A true challenge at last, brother."  He spoke, watching as red and green blades dance off of each other.

The two Death Knights focus their plasma fire on Vorneyl and Aria, the one missing the pilot, striking the wall behind her with a sizzling green burst of energy, the other going to strike Vorneyl.

OOC:  Jouhan take 11 Damage, Vorneyl, if you want to use your evade fire feature, now would be the time, otherwise take 27 points of acid damage.

Aria cursed to herself as her round shattered stone fromt he wall behind her. "Priest is magically shielded, sir!" she transmitted to the half-dragon sorceror. Hopefully he would have a solution to the problem..



[Private to GM: Oops. Noticed that it's still the first round. edited out my second action for this round.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:08, Wed 22 Sept 2010.

Vorneyl would have grimaced if he was more "human" but all the same the Soulmech clearly didn't react well to taking the brunt of the damage from the shot.  As he recovered from the sharp pang from his pain sensors, it dawned on Vorneyl that the priest had not reacted to his shield being shot... not until AFTER the acolyte was killed by the ricocheting shot.

Vorneyl called out, "I think the Priest's shield is linked to the Acolytes... trying killing them en masse, see if that doesn't tick the prick off right royally!"

Regannos observed the battle with the eyes of a tactician, observing the constantly changing field. He hadn't thought the acolytes would be that big of an issue, but things change. "Leave the Death Knights to me then. Vorneyl, Aria you deal with the acolytes. Use whatever you have that can deal with large groups, even if it brings down the roof." He hoped that Jouhan could hold off the strange orc, he had faith in the Human at least.

The Half-Dragon clapped his hands together, the strange steely blue glow that was his magic wrapping around his arms and fingers. "Nomenes batobot houpe persvek wer Whedab, l'gra wer itmen driki batobot nishka qe nurchiilir" Regannos chanted, slowly pulling his hands apart. From within came two spheres of radiant energy, the spheres rapidly breaking apart into twin swarms of steely blue insects. Flinging his arms wide, he cast the two spells at the Death Knights, knowing it would not cause a great deal of damage, but if would hamper their efforts to fight back.

OOC:

Cast a Twin Spelled Luminous Swarm, one on each Death Knight. Gives them 20% to miss entirely, and 1d6 damage per round.

[Private to GM: Translation: Those that hide in the Dark, fear the bright buzzing that shall be your undoing.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:18, Wed 22 Sept 2010.

Jouhan takes the hit from the blade with grimace, but when blade cut his body a bluish energy formed after the cut and closed it and said; "I am not your brother Skrak, you cut those bonds with rage and murder." Jouhan replies his attacks with his with quick powerful charged stab aimed on Skrak's torso and start the deadly dance between them.

---

OOC: Rolled 20 to hit and did 19pts dmg
[Private to GM: And are Vigor and Precognition (defensive) on? They have 5 minute duration each. I casted vigor when we first time entered complex and preco just when zombies appeared in the first encounter. Vigor gives me +25 temporal HP and preco gives +2 bonus to AC and saves.

Anycase the bluish thing was either my vigor (if on) or Elan resilience kicking in, using 2 power points for it to get DR 8 vs the attack.]

Hunched as low as possible against the corner of the door for cover, Aria sends her next round into the Death Knight shooting at her.

[Private to GM: I have another +2 to hit and damage if the death knight is human.
19:09, Mon 20 Sept: Sister Aria rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Shoot the Deathknight.
19:09, Mon 20 Sept: Sister Aria rolled 20 using 3d12. Damage.]

Vorneyl recovered from his injury and fired off 2 shots at the nearest Acolytes before trying to take cover wherever he could (even if just behind more Acolytes).

OOC:

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 32 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 1 w/ PBS Acolyte .
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 22 using 1d20+12. Crit Confirm?.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 16 using 3d8+2. Damage 1. (if Crit is confirmed = 32)

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 19 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 2 w/ PBS Acolyte.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 13 using 3d8+2. Damage 2.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Tue 28 Sept 2010.

As the battle progresses, the party lays into the acolytes, severely putting a dent in their ritual.  Four more acolytes dead, both Death Knights distracted by the swarm of what appears to be holy insects attacking them.

The chanting is continuing, though only through the sheer strength of the priests will, as they try to adjust for their loss of manpower.

The Half-Orc swings in fury, using both sides of his blades as he tries to take Jouhan down after such a dangerous attack.  "You are weak, just like the rest of your order.  Relying on tricks instead of gladly accepting the pain and learning from it.  When I killed Master Khreas, it was the most glorious day of my life.  Gruumsh take you!"  He cried as you neatly deflect both attacks from Skrak.

Seeing some apparent progress being made, Vorneyl keeps firing at the Acolytes but his first shot goes off the mark while his second shot is on target.

OOC:
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 13 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 1 w/ PBS.

Vorneyl Kenath rolled 25 using 1d20+12. Rapid Shot Attack 2 w/ PBS.
Vorneyl Kenath rolled 13 using 3d8+2. Damage 2.

Regannos could see that Vorneyl was hurting, and while he wasn't always sure 'how' a machine could feel pain, it didn't change the fact that much more damage would probably kill him. Again....whatever.

"Hang in There Vorneyl, I'll sling a repair your way once one of these Death Knights is out of the way" he said to him as he sighted his weapon at one of the people in question. Energy hummed along his weapon, the same kind as the Knights where using, but it looked like a cleaner and purer source. The blast of 4th state matter roared from his weapon, the clean blue glow stark against the blackness of the cavern.

OOC:
13:45, Today: Regannos rolled 27 using 5d10+2. Fire damage.
13:44, Today: Regannos rolled 22 using 1d20+9. Plasma Rifle (assuming Point blank).

Jouhan agilely deflects the two incoming quick attacks with his long slender blade and with moment focus recharges humming energy back into his blade by tracing hand over it and then perform dancing diving thrust aiming to strike Strak's guard while he calmly replies; "Pain leads to suffering and suffering leads to anger and anger leads to ruin. We experience pain only to know the cost feeling it and learn avoid it and all it's associated emotions. Your lost so deep in your pain that you cannot find way out and seek relief in bringing pain to others, so let my blade release your soul from torment of your life."

---

OOC: Used move action recharge my mind blade psysic energy. Rolled 16 to hit, 20pts dmg.

Aria adjusted her line of fire until she found the largest group of cultists before sending her round through as many of them as possible.

[Private to GM: 17:09, Yesterday: Sister Aria rolled 18 using 3d12+2. Damage.
17:08, Yesterday: Sister Aria rolled 12 using 1d20+10. Shoot cultists. ]

As the battle progresses, the Death Knights are consumed by Regannos's spell.  Using their combined firepower on the roof over the acolytes, the team brings down large chunks of ceiling, disrupting the ritual as they were crushed.

Snarling as the spell breaks, the priest turns to see his assembly decimated.  "Fools!  What have you done!"  He shouted, his mouth opening impossibly wide.  Pressing a button on an arm bracer, he begins to laugh.

Skrak and Jouhan face off, blades against blade, each avoiding or blocking their opponents attacks.  Just as the battle seemed to come to a close, both combatants energies drained, a shadowy hand reaches from behind Skrak, extending from the priest's claw.  With a final laugh, the priest touches another button on the bracer.  Both disperse in mists of sickly green fog.  A countdown starts to play from the walls of the pyramid, leaving little time for the group to depart.

Jouhan rushes forward to the huge white dragon, slicing through the dark chains which it bound.  It was difficult for the energy blade to sever, but in moments, each one was removed, restoring the dragon to consciousness.  With a quick look over the chamber, it stood up swiftly.  "We leave now!"  It roared, reaching forward and grabbing hold of each of you.  With quick wing strokes, it launches itself through the now gaping hole in the ceiling.  It flies over the truck, slowly lowering you all onto the bridge.  Turning to examine the car, it flies over head and lifts the truck to place it in the proper direction.  "Go, now!"  It says, before flying towards the top of the cavern.  You see a large hole, with stars showing through in the ceiling, as the dragon goes through, partly flying, partly crawling through.  A slight rumble is starting as micro explosions go off within the temple.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:30, Thu 07 Oct 2010.

Jouhan had fought Skrak, entirely ignoring battle around them and form deadly link with him. Each toher focusing bring end to each other but for different reasons and emotions. But then their duel got interupted when Skrak was teleported by the priest away elsewhere. Jouhan smirked.

Probably dumb move to do for Skrak, priest needs to be damn powerful calm his rage now.....

Jouhan speedily progressed towards to white dragon, with slices of his energy blade cut the big black chains but with no key nor time for more finesse approach Jouhan slices the chains and frees the dragon. Soon group is making close called escapade way from cultists hide out which seems to be starting collapsing around them from small dozen explosions going off in the place.

"Hold onto something." Aria said calmly as she straps herself into her seat with quick, practiced movements. By the time the engine roars to life, she accelerated the van and its heavy cargo as fast as the engine will move it. The ponderous vehicle seemed to resist the slightest turn as if possessed, yet with each maneuver she pushed itto the very limits of its capabilities, if not beyond.


[Private to GM: 18:39, Today: Sister Aria rolled 29 using 1d20+11. Drive. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:44, Sat 09 Oct 2010.

Regannos was quite surprised that the white dragon helped them, more so when his spell somehow killed the two Death Knights. The spell he had used shouldn't have been that damaging, making him wonder what the reason was for it. Still, that was a thought for another time, as he and his fellows where lifted off and then deposited at the van. He did a check to make sure their pay was still in the back before securing himself in the back. "50 credits says the White says he escaped on its own when it gets back" he said to no one in particular as the van sped off.

Vorneyl was still too worried about the damage to his own soulmech body to really worry about who took the credit for the rescue so he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Hey the Big White Guy is free ain't he?  Our contract just said to make sure he regained his freedom and remained more or less in one live piece... I say "mission accomplished".  That he helped out was nice but I don't think that legally negates his side's obligation to pay our fee.

After all, unless Ol' Whitey whips up a quick "clean up crew", there's all sorts of "evidence" left lying and bleeding around here to show that we earned our paycheck on this job."

OOC: It isn't clear to me, but could Vorneyl store images captured by his electronic eyes in his robotic brain for later replay?

Sister Aria manages to move the van near full speed, as the first shock waves of the explosions from within the temple strike the back of the vehicle.  Plowing into the dark and cramped tunnel, barely scratching the exterior, though with quite a bit of bumps from the natural floor.

As you speed out of the tunnel, you are met with four hovercars of Qesemet Police.  You notice there are also two ISPD agents with the eight police officers, and they regard your van with apprehension.

Regannos was glad to be out of the dammed underground, he much preferred the open sky. How such a thing had taken root in the domain of the Qesemet was a dammed mystery to him, but he was glad it had been burned out.....at least for the time being. He wasn't so worried about the Qesemet police, he was somewhat sure he could get out of that. It was the ISPD officers that would cause the issue. "Right then....let me do the talking for now. Don't mention our employer, remember that he wanted secrecy" he said to the others. From under his armor he pulled out his amulet that marked him as an officer of his Aristocorp as well as his family seal.

He set his weapon against the side of the van before hopping out of the back, the silver Half-Dragon standing tall as he addressed the police. "Its nice of backup to come, though I'm afraid its a little late. There was a Reaper Cult hiding down there that had to be burned clean. Though the temple somewhat exploded after the fact, sorry about that" Regannos said openly, his mannerism changing from that of a fighter to more of a diplomat and noble.

Vorneyl glanced at Aria and said, "Been breaking the speed limit again... or is it just a pile of unpaid parking tickets?"

Vorneyl looked over at Regannos and nodded his head in agreement, "No problem Boss, you handle the "fuzz"... I just hope all our licenses and permits are up-to-date and our papers in order."

Vorneyl then focused his attention more upon the pair of ISPD than the other cops.

[Private to GM: Does Vorneyl recognize either of the ISPD Officers (as per his prior life as a Drow ISPD officer)?  Does Vorneyl have any "code words" he could use to Identify himself or his affiliation with the ISPD?]

The drow motion for the police officers to hold their ground, though at Regannos's explanation, they draw their weapons in rapid succession.  One of them speaks, shouting at the group.  "Step out of vehicle, with your hands up.  Desecration of a temple is a violation of the Imperial Charter."  The officers of Qesemet look uneasy, but follow orders, aiming their pistols at the group.

[Private to Vorneyl Kenath:  You may try Drow Sign Language, since few people are taught the private language of the Drow race.]

Regannos frowned as he looked at the two Drow, his hands already empty as he stood there. "You dare accuse me of such a thing! We where not only attacked first, but the Reaper cultists destroyed their own temple. Do not think that I am ignorant of the law. Two of my guards have the capability of playback from mental implantation or otherwise, which will more then prove the Reapers destroyed their own temple."

Jouhan was nervous altough glad in someway his 'weapon' is not easily identified. He could form his blade even without the cylinder component but it would be far less powerful sort. Same goes to his powers. He waits Regannos finish his talking with the police officers.

The Drow frown, signaling the officers to advance.  "Until such time as we can confirm your statements, you are all to be detained.  Under the Imperial Charter, drop any weapons you may be carrying, and lay on the ground.  If you resist, you shall be found in contempt of Imperial Law, and we will authorize lethal force."  The ISPD agents do have that authority, especially if there is suspicion that an infraction of the Charter has been discovered.  The pistols the Qesemet officers are carrying are armed with the light blue of stun energy, trained on each of you.  The two Drow begin making slight hand gestures to each other, delicate and precise movements.

[Private to Vorneyl Kenath: They are discussing the possibility that your group was not hired by Tasian, and that you are in fact, Insurgents.  The destruction of a temple, even one associated with an evil deity, is a major crime.]

Aria powered down the van. As she released the seat harness, she accessed the local wireless traffic througth the datapad at her belt. It transmitted back to her visual nerves, so she 'saw' an open public mailbox on the datapad one of the ISPD officers was carrying.

The young pilot extended both hands out the door before her feet, slowly exiting the way she was trained to evoke the least amount of concern. As she stepped out of the vehicle, with a thought she instantly transmitted her standard operations file to him; all of her weapons permits, her bonded mercenary license, etc.

Regardless of their current employer, many regarded the Telamonian legions to be thinly disguised branch of the Osorus military, and Aria thought this would be a good time to invoke any ties to Asamet possible, whether they existed or not. Besides, she also wanted to send a clear message to Regannos, in case he or any of her companions were feeling trigger happy. Her livelihood depended on keeping her record clean, and open violence against the police was a sure ticket back to her homeworld for a life of shame on the farm.

The mercenary blinked in the bright sunlight when she slowly removed her helmet, seeing with her eyes for the first time in several hours after disconnecting from the sensors it contained. As she knelt to lay ground, she began to compose a sanitized briefing of their mission, omitting confidential information such as the name of their employer and the subject of their rescue mission. While waiting to be processed, she prepared an edited version of her sensory data, again omitting the same information she felt her contract could legally protect. She locked the unedited versions of both reports behind her best security measures before transimitting them to the ISPD officer and the ranking officer in the QPD.


OOC: Didn't notice the post that popped up while I was writing mine. Changed it to make sure I was on the ground.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Tue 12 Oct 2010.

Regannos grit his fangs a bit, clearly looking quite unhappy with the turn of the events. Qesemet police he could have handed, but not the ISPD. He knew quite well that they likely took an adverse pleasure in ordering him to the ground, he was after all a Half-Dragon wearing a seal of his sire's clan. Sure enough, he could have made the claim about the White dragon, but they had been paid for their silence in such a manner. As much as he absolutely detested the fact that he would be placed under arrest in such a manner, he had the reputation of his Aristocorp above that. "Very well, we will not resist. However I do expect all of our gear returned to us in the same standard that it is now. That includes our belongings both within the van and on our person" Regannos replied to the ISPD in a curt tone, not confrontational, but serious none the less. With that he dropped to his knees and kept his empty hands visible. The displeasure was obvious on his muzzled face, and the Half-Dragon would not lay on the ground even if it killed him.

While still in the vehicle and concealed from view, Vorneyl took the liberty of stashing his own personal blaster pistol into his hidden internal storage compartment.  Technically he wouldn't be "carrying" the weapon.

Vorneyl waited for the others to exit the vehicle first and comply with the instructions.  Once everyone else was out of the vehicle, Vorneyl also exited the van carefully and cautiously.

Clearing his throat (electronically?), Vorneyl said something.

[Private to GM: Vorneyl said in {Undercommon} "Pardon me officers, but might I have a private word with you?"

Assuming the ISPD officers look over (and the other PCs either don't look over or Vorneyl can use the van's position to block the PCs' view of his hands) Vorneyl will then communicate briefly {Drow Sign Language} "We need to talk."]

OOC: Vorneyl's not speaking in Common and I don't know what languages everyone else has.

The Drow look up at Vorneyl with interest.  "Half-Elf, over here, now, nice and slow.  We want a word with you."  The speak, training their weapons on Vorneyl.  They retreat behind the hovercars, though they keep keen eyes on the group.

PM.

Jouhan walked also slow and calmly from vechile and knelt. Wearing his items as usual and raising hands above his head and he knelt but he did not lay down on the ground either. He looked most unarmed from the bunch and most would not recognize the odd metal cylinder in his belt.....if they did they would know the order where he belongs.

The Drow officers appear to be having a conversation with Vorneyl, though their disgust at the soulmech's existence is evident even from distance that the party is being held.  One is even ignoring Vorneyl, reading a datapad.

While the Drow processed Vorneyl, Aria layed motionless on the ground, with her hands clasped behind her neck. Her mind, however, issued commands to her datapad at the speed of thought as she compiled a press release, suitably sanitized and dramatically spun to show a heroic group fighting their way into an obviously illegal cult of the Reaper to save a dragon from ritual sacrifice. She performed a careful pixelation and color scramble to conceal the dragon's identity, and made sure to include some nice close-ups of the cult leader vowing to bring down the Empire.

The mercenary then prepared to send copies of her briefing packet to the cities main news services, should circumstances require.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Tue 26 Oct 2010.

The conversation appears to be going poorly between the Drow agents and Vorneyl, but it soon seems that something has been arranged.

The ISPD agents return after a few minutes, clearly displeased.  "You four, help Lord Regannos up.  You will escort him to Mr. Tasians' residence, and then to the Imperial Bank.  The rest, we are going to investigate this...incident."  Without so much as an apology, the two agents and four officers head towards the hole in the wall, light going up from flashlights as they disappear into the darkness.  Vorneyl looks deeply troubled, but refuses to speak about the matter.

Regannos was glad to be helped up, though he still had no idea what was going on. "I am assuming that my guards will be coming with me then" he said shortly to the ISPD officers as he brushed the road dirt of his knees in a rather upset manner.

Jouhan remained kneeling, his perceptive eyes and mind studied the situation going on between Vorneyl and the drow officers. Reading their lips and read their expressions and body language in surprising accurate detail with his analytical philosophical mind.

When Regannos is lifted up he remains where he is, until drows command otherwise.

OOC: Nat 20 on sense motive (25) and 19 in perception to 'read lips'.

The drow wave off Regannos question as they walk away, more interested in the tunnel than their previous prisoners.  Once Regannos is up, the officers moved to help the other members of the group up.  "Sir, we are ready to leave when you are.  We apologize for their actions in this matter."  One of the officers spoke, before reporting back to the station via com link.

OOC:  You cannot understand the language they were speaking, but you get the feeling that both ISPD agents and Vorneyl... have some common background.

Sister Aria immediately stood upon being dismissed by the ISPD, replacing her helmet and closing her eyes as the device's sensors replaced her vision. After inspecting the van to make sure that the cargo is secure, her lips remained motionless as the helmet projected her voice to her employer, "I have what I believe is a suitably sanitized press release prepared for you to review." She says as she held her datapad out towards Regannos, "If you believe that it would be preferable for credit to go to Daguam di Thrae vur Zarzith rather than..." her eyes follow the Drow as they vanish underground, "Other parties."


[Private to GM: 06:04, Wed 27 Oct: Sister Aria rolled 18 using 1d20+13. use device.
06:03, Wed 27 Oct: Sister Aria rolled 32 using 1d20+13. use device. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Mon 15 Nov 2010.

Vorneyl rejoined the others shaking his head slightly and then shrugging his shoulders as he said, "Well that was interesting.  I guess its true what they say about Elves disliking the very concept of Soulmechs... even "dark elves" like these Drow."

Vorneyl cast a wary glance back at the departing ISPD officers and allowed himself an almost human sounding metallic sigh as he added wearily, "Something tells me we've not heard the last of this... or necessarily seen the last of them"

Vorneyl looked at Regannos and added in a more cheery tone, "So what now boss?"

Brushing himself off, he nodded to Vorneyl and looked in the direction of the ISPD for a moment before snorting out a cloud of frosted air. "Aye, I've had enough of this place for a while. Let us be gone" he said. He left the unspoken addition that he would have words with Vorneyl later on.

With the ISPD investigating the temples destruction, you are escorted by the two police vehicles to Silver Eye Interplanetary Safari's headquarters.  The police officers remain outside, waiting to provide you with further escort to deposit the reward.  As you approach Tasians' office, you notice the receptionist does not buzz you in immediately.  "It will be one moment, Lord Regannos.  Mr. Tasian is finishing an interview."  She speaks politely.

Vorneyl's "eyebrow" (the curved "flesh" since he's hairless) rises and he glances over at Regannos as he says softly, <sub>"Three guesses as to whom he's having his "interview" with?

Ya know Boss, the next time we contract for a job, right after the "combat pay clause" we ought to slip in something about "bonuses" or "time & half" for any job that ends up touching on these ever politically sticky "religious issues"... sound reasonable?"</sub>
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Fri 19 Nov 2010.

Jouhan follows the group and is not much surprised they are not let in immediately. He instead checked for time being the company's advertises and checked from local customer provided computer screen to check is there any news or reports regarding the accident, and read for amusement what media has made about it.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:42, Fri 19 Nov 2010.

Regannos snorted a bit at Vorneyl and replied "You'll have to take it up with legal. But at least you won't have to worry about the typical taxes on the money we just made, given its already in solid currency."

He looked at the secretary and added in a slightly louder tone "I would like to see Tasian now, miss. I am still charging him time and a half until we complete our contract by speaking with him."

Although you come off as angry, the receptionist does not ring up Mr. Tasian.  You hear a wooshing noise as the doors open, revealing two individuals walking out of the office of Mr. Tasian.  One is familiar.  An ISPD agent to be sure, barely holding in some feeling of either rage or disgust.  The other is a human dressed in pure white street clothes, which match both his hair and eyes.  As they move past the group, they nod at you and continue, both not speaking.

Jouhan finds nothing in the current news media about what transpired, though there were reports of seismic actively recently.

"Mr. Tasian will see you now."  She spoke politely, before turning back to her keyboard.

The room beyond is dimly lit, though as you watch it is slowly getting brighter.  In his chair, you can see a half-elf worn thin by the recent days of worry, and a cat who looks to be trying to cheer him up in the only way cats know how.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:20, Fri 07 Jan 2011.

Jouhan follows regannos into the slowly ligthening up office, again he curiously looks cat but he is silent and lets someone else do the talking while he observes the surroundings. Hoping nothing has complicated the matters and they will be get paid.

Vorneyl warily eyed the dark & light pair who exited the room ahead of their group.  The presence of any ISPD officer, but especially a Commander, was reason enough to begin worrying about where things were headed.  As for Mr. White, that had potential implications that Vorneyl didn't have the time right now to consider much less worry about.

Vorneyl followed his Boss Regannos into the meeting room with Tasian flanking him opposite Jouhan and also remained alert to their surroundings.  Too much unexpected had happened on this job for Vorneyl to take anything for granted at the moment.

Muttering to himself a bit about receptionists not knowing who they where dealing with, Regannos paused as he saw the ISPD and the human come out of the office. He gave a nod to the Drow, however angry he might be, but he had particular eyes for the all in white human. If that's not a white dragon, then I'm a Human he thought with a light shake of his head, though he kept that idea to himself. Regannos had known enough Dragons over his life, after all.

Entering the office proper, he motioned for the others to close the doors behind them, as he walked over to Tasian's desk. "While I suspect you have already heard, our mission was successful. Though the individuals we faced where far from what was unexpected."

Mr Tasian straightens up a little, smiling slightly.  "So I have heard...though I am to report the...gratitude of my customer for your timely rescue.  Thank you for your efforts.  The ISPD is difficult enough to deal with in the best of times, but having the Mithril Watchers keeping an eye on things makes me feel a little better.

As promised, 10,000 credits to you and each of your employees."  He spoke, gesturing to four bank notes on the table.  "As well, the Lordling of Asamet has left behind a bonus for the rescue.  I believe he matched my reward, credit by credit.  A rare token of appreciation, but one I am sure your company earned."  He spoke, resting back in his chair.

Vorneyl softly sucked in a "breath" (a hold over from when he had an organic body) when Tasian mentioned the "Mithril Watchers".  Vorneyl glanced over at Regannos before focusing back on Tasian and lightly coughing (another old organic habit) before he said in a concerned tone, "Well that is indeed most generous of the Lordling.  Pardon my interruption Boss, but I'd like to ask Mr. Tasian a question if I may?

Umm... Mr. Tasian, just why did both the ISPD and the counter-intel oriented Mithril Watchers get called into this case?  I mean I know the kidnapping of any Dragon is a big deal, but calling in both "hush-hush" groups, especially considering their rival agendas and rival overlords, seems a bit like overkill.

It is particularly curious that the Qesemet aligned Mithril Watchers would take such an interest in the abduction of a White Dragon, whom I assume is traditionally aligned with the Asamet.

Is there something more about what's going on here or what went down at the ransom drop that we have yet to be informed of?"

Tasian ponders the question a moment, before shrugging and relaxing back into his chair.  "Well, you will find out soon enough.  Our client was not the only dragon kidnapping by these thugs, apparently.  All across the Empire, various minor dragon lords were abducted and held for ransom.  Luck, and the various intelligence agencies of the Empire, has led to many successful recoveries.  The ISPD answer only to the Emperor, but the Watchers have long been in power within the Golden Kingdom.  Just as the Iron Kingdom has the Adamantine Order to police their kingdom, we have the Mithril Watchers.  Although the ISPD answers directly to the Emperor, while in Qesemet space, they also have to work with the Watchers, least they be accused of violating the Imperial Charter.  Anything that risks the security of Qesemet is of interest to them, so I am not too surprised that both would show up to receive a report from me."  He spoke, regaining some of his composure.

Jouhan interest grows when he heard the client which they rescued also matched Mr Tasian payment offer by each credit....literally doubling their reward.

Hmmm, that's lots of credits. Need invest them well.

He lets Vorneyl and Regannos talk while Jouhan waits meeting concluded. He is more and less eager to get spend his credits for few purchases.
[Private to GM: Also perhaps a level up?]

Snorting lightly, Regannos shook his head some "Aye, I've worked with the Watchers before. Nice bunch of folks, as long as you don't piss them off. Though they would have likely been our friends if the ISPD decided to hold us for.....'questioning'. As it stands, saving a Dragon even if it was a White one, and getting rid of a Reaper temple is a good day's work."

"Still, if you would be so kind to give me the White Dragon's information so I may convey my appreciation to him personally, I would be appreciative" As he spoke, he gave a nod to Jouhan to collect the credits from the table. Obviously they would count them later. "I am also sure that the Watchers are waiting for us back at the office, I would be surprised if they were not. Aria if you would be so kind to retrieve our normal mode of conveyance? As well as moving the....'ransom' from that broken down piece of antique that we used."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Sun 30 Jan 2011.

You see Mr. Tasian nod in agreement with your statement, before speaking.  "This is true.  Anyways, Lord Kalixanith is already off planet, eager to be on his safari trip and be well away from another possible kidnapping attempt.  Perhaps, if you so desire, I can spread your organizations name in the circles of the Imperial Society of Arcane Magic on Vespar.  I know of a few researchers who could use your help in their research.  Again, I offer you my thanks for the timely rescue of my client."

Aria leaves immediately, pulling forward your corporate hovercraft to the front of the building.  A security craft from the Imperial Bank arrives shortly, transferring the 'ransom' into their vehicle, with the police escort, to the bank.

Producing his card from one of his sleeves in a practiced gesture, he placed it on Tasian's desk. "Feel free to recommend us to any one you feel needs our brand of private enforcement who know how to keep there mouth's quiet. Thank you for your business Mr. Tasian, and your payment."

With that, and their 'bonus' gathered he gestured to Jouhan and Vorneyl to follow him. He didn't stop walking until they reached the hovercraft, the Half-Dragon powering down his weapon before tossing it inside and opening another bottle of chilled wine, though not bothering with a glass rather just drinking from it straight as his whiskers curled a bit. "Right, lets get back to head quarters Aria. I'm sure there are individuals waiting to speak to me already."

Jouhan had collected the reward money smoothly and carried it. Once inside their own hovercraft he saw Regannos take straight from the bottle.

Does not look good if boss takes from bottle, he probably needs lots to steel himself up to it seems.

Jouhan kept his thougths to himself and he asked; "I may not be man of politics but I am curious what sort of consequences our little endeavor may have on global scale if none at all? It seems things are well buried up for us as there was nothing in public news about the accident. Expect minor mention about earthquake."

Aria stood waiting by the vehicle after the payment was transferred, her face concealed behind her trademark helmet. She waited by her open door until everyone was inside before stepping in. The mercenary driver wasted no time in accelerating into traffic.

As she gripped the wheel in her gloved hands, she swears to herself, "If the dragonling expects to renew my contract, he better not expect me to keep driving with my hands..."

The group returns to the headquarters of the company, though no visitors await them.  Hard to believe, but barely a day has passed since you first received the call to rescue the lordling of the Iron Kingdom.  The world around you appears to be running just as any other day...

Three months of passed, and still you have not been contacted by either the Mithril Watchers nor the ISPD.  Perhaps there would be some new jobs in the near future.