The next day, the trail leads deep into Lone Star territory. The contrails of high altitude Coalition aircraft crisscross the sky. The appearance of alien flora becomes substantially less common. Signposts at trail crossroads look more polished and are always written in clear American.

Around noon, the group notices a that buzzards are converging on specific spot just off the trail. When they pass closer, they detect the smell of death is carried by the breeze -- death and ozone. Coming over a ridge, they spot a small number of corpses off the road and a wrecked a CS hover car. From the trail, it looks like four or five bodies are being picked by the vultures. Some laser marks scorch the ground and nearby rocks, but there are no current signs of danger.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:31, Wed 20 July 2016.

In reply to GM Zaboem (msg # 1):

If no one makes a move towards the wreck, I'll just assume that the group passed it by without investigating.

++Any of your horse jocks want to saunter of to that wreckage to put eyeballs on it?++

Regardless Samuel focuses the Behemoths sensors over there to see if there are parts or something else worth scavenging.

Smartly played

Scans recognize the model of the hover car as being a Coalition Scarab car. The extent of damage to the car is impossible to determine, but Samuel can tell that the nuclear-powered engine is still there and intact. The windshield looks smashed. The bodies are cold.

'Well well well Samuel thinks to himself.'

Over the com system with the others he says, ++Would love to know if that thing is booby trapped, cause there is an intact nuclear powerplant in that vehicle that is worth pulling out and putting in storage.++

Doc shrugged, "Ain't much for trap findin' but I can cover who ever wants to check it. I'm ready when y'all are."

"How can I help ? Should I stay hidden ?"

Polk was in the compartment they built for him. He did use his eyes to look around for anyone who might be hidden. Used to camouflage himself.

"Yes, stay hidden in case it is a CS ambush."

Nobody has Detect Ambush, but this isn't an ambush, so that doesn't apply. Successful rolls of the Intelligence or Forensic skills might be used to determine what happened here.

"Ok, I will."
Polk curled up even using his natural chameleon abilities.

 Arulas sighs "A cyber-knight's work is never done." he thinks to himself.

"Let's go Doc. Just mind the buzzards." Arulas mounts the mustang and rides out slowly.

Doc flips the cyberknight the finger and draws his laser pistols. Giving Arulas a nod he moves towards the wreckage.

No one is hidden at the sight of the wreck. It becomes clear to even an untrained eye, that this is the sight of a battle, not an accident. The Scarab does have a damaged frame from crashing into a boulder. The driver seems to have been thrown from the vehicle. All of the bodies around the car have been stripped of their armor and weapons. In fact, nothing is missing outside of armor, weapons, and credit sticks. Whoever was here first took those items and left the rest.

Six human bodies are present. Each body is stripped down to military fatigues and carries blade wounds. The bodies still have their IDs in their pockets. One victim was a scientist from the Rift Investigation agency; he was from Fort El Dorado. Two were Dead Boys and fresh privates at that, based out of Lone Star. One was a corporal and CS Ranger also from El Dorado. One was a CS psi-stalker and sergeant based out of Lone Star. Then there was another sergeant, this one a partial borg with two clearly artificial eyes and one artificial leg from the knee down. The last was an officer, a lieutenant with more extensive cyberwear including both arms and a data jack.

The trunk of the car contains a portable laboratory (brand new), four signal flares, and a couple of days worth of CS issued rations, and a couple of one man tents. Radios and other electronic gear lay scattered around. The nuclear engine is in fact intact, but it would take hours to extract it from the wreck.

How long do they spend here looting the corpses?

Samuel gets in his armor and heads over to the wreckage. He evaluates if he can just take the whole vehicle and put it in his largest bay or exactly how long it would take to just laser torch it out.

++While I figure out how long this might take, getting that stuff from the trunk and putting it in cargo area #4 might be a good idea. No idea if you guys are strapped for cash enough to take the cyber gear or not, but I don't have the skills to really get at it without making a mess of things. Polk will you act as lookout for us while we rummage around for a few minutes?++
This message was last edited by the player at 14:40, Sat 23 July 2016.

Polkitain bobs his head, "Sure thing, I can do that and if you need me for heavy lifting I could do that too."

"See Doc you are feeling better already." Arulas says as he sees the bird.

In response to Samuel "Never so strapped for cash that we would strip Cyberware. They deserve a proper burial. The rest is fair game."

Polkitain looked to Sam and Sir Arulas.

"Should I dig, or lift, or stay on watch."

++The behemoth can dig a little trench here in a minute, once I figure out how long this will take. Polk please stay on lookout with those supernatural eyes of yours.++

Samuel's gauntlet palm retracts and he makes contact with his Behemoth and in moments one of the arms has dug a trench deep enough for the fallen. Then he makes physical contact with the CS vehicle.


"Lets see what kind of ordinance we can pull from this puppy."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Sun 24 July 2016.

"You got it Sam." Polk stayed where he was moving a bit to get a look around and make sure they were not surprised.

Doc grinned, "Always feel well enough to flip you off Arulas." Doc will help gather any belongings and valuables that look like they may be worth anything at all.

Whilst the others investigate the mess of the Scarab and the bodies Nyx rides a wide circle, a few hundred metres out from the wreck. He's nervous and a bit twtichy, but keeps his eyes open

OOC: Apologies for being offline. Back

When the others are finished taking what can be useful from the bodies Kalista takes the time to make a funeral pyre for the lot of them in Samuel's trench and to burn them respectfully. She says ancient prayers over them (Last Rites). "Samuel, bodies should never be buried, always cremated. It saves from having to kill the same person twice."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:42, Mon 25 July 2016.

"Samuel, I don't understand are not the Coalition our enemies ?"

Doc nodded at Polky's words, "They are, but they ain't all mindless killers. Some of 'em are decent enough. Gotta show respect to them what deserve it. We don't know these fellas so, we gotta assume they deserve a proper send off to where ever they go."

Polkitain nodded trying to take it in.

"I will try and remember that. Sometimes it is hard to think like an elve or human. We would normally leave a defeated enemy to the world and nature. I do know humans tend to bury their dead though. I will try harder to fit in."

Doc shook his head, "You gotta be you Polky. We're just tryin' to help ya. And I'll tell ya... there's a lot of folks I'd leave to the buzzards. Just depends buddy. Complicated, I know."

"Does anyone know how they died ? Was it guns or claws or maybe swords ?"

"I know you have technology that records things, did they have anything that might help us learn what happened to them ?"

"Beyond respect, we burying them down far enough or burning them keeps some evil magic user from using their bodies for other purposes. It was pretty obvious that there was a battle, but I think that the air car pilot might have screwed up and ran into this rock first. Hard to tell."

"Sometimes the CS isn't the enemy. They can help if the cause is even so good that it tears away the blinders of hatred. They are foes and generally decent enough to each other. They hate and fear what is different. I don't hate them Polk I pity them. Plus to many Vamps running around these days so we burn as a total kill precaution. Saves us the trouble if they got turned."

Polkitain bobs his head then realizes they might not see him.

"Alright I understand, we dragons have many philosophies that separate us too."

The entire car is able to be towed into the storage bay of the Behemoth. It's a tight fit. In fact, it might not have fit at all had the driver not already folded it up a bit before you arrived. The salvaging of the hover car takes only several minutes, but gathering enough wood for funeral pyres and getting one up to the adequate size takes about an hour.

By the time that Kalista gets her pyre hot enough to burn the cadavers, Polkitain notices something approaching. At the edge of his vision and coming over a rise on the horizon, he spots some black hover bikes heading towards the smoke cloud. It looks like three bikes carrying two riders each. From this distance, he can only make out that everyone is wearing black.

At the same time, the Behemoth's radar picks up these objects approaching from some nearby hills. The robot's combat computer IDs them as Coalition models.

Circling the Behemoth the psi-slinger tightens his horse's motion into a spiral as soon as he notes the bikes appearance - himself or from any warning his companion's make. He tries to keep their speed below a canter as they return to rejoin the others and slowly draws his rifle, careful to keep it pointed towards the ground but wanting something to distract from the six shooters he carries

"Acorns. I was hoping to get this done and be gone before they got here. Thrice blasted acorns. Blooming Daisies. Freaking flaming ferns. Son of dragon-bat." Arulas says in a rather irritated voice. "Polk hide or shift your call. Not likely a Dog Pack Patrol, but they might be right behind."

Doc rolled his unlit cigar around in his mouth, before biting the end off and lighting it, "Nyx, bet I get more of 'em than you do if it comes to it." his hands hang by his side, empty, open, index finger and thumb with a slight twitch to them.

++Polk, you might want to not be in the shape you are in now. Team, we have 6 troopers on 3 CS bikes headed our direction. We might have to give up our Salvage if they can't see reason. Unless the rest of you disagree, I will be attempting radio contact before they get here to identify ourselves as adventurers on our way South to go vampire hunting.++

Samuel has the missile bay doors open on the Behemoth and it will turn towards the bike riders.

Laughing the elf turned to his twin, "Bet you take out half what I take" before the operator's voice came over his helmet radio, ++ Go ahead, Master Lund. Ain't keen to have my ears trimmed ++

Polkitain was a bit worried.  He alerted all the others about the oncoming possible coalition soldiers.

As Sam said for him to change forms Polk nodded, "Ok, I will." His mind spun as he tried to think of a good form to change into.

He thought of the birds they had recently faced and turned himself into a raven.

"Hope this is good." Polk tried to just act like a bird that was just hanging out.

"Caw, eh hem Caw, Caw."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:45, Wed 27 July 2016.

Doc chuckles, "It's a bet then. Loser buys the winners drinks next town we hit, yeah?"

Nyx's eyes narrow inside his helmet, invisible to the others as he tries to make out the incoming hoverbikes, "Deal"

Popping a few settings to go broad band transmission with enough power to get to the bikers.

++Greetings Coalition forces. This is Explorer Behemoth out of Silver Hill. We discovered the remains of a battle and did the honorable and smart thing and burned the dead we found. We have put their dog tags on their grave marker. We would appreciate it if you did not come within a mile of our position without radio contact confirming your peaceful intent.++

Kalista, alerted to approaching vehicles, takes up a defensive position.

Sam's radio broadcast is answered as the bikes rapidly close in.

++Civilians, this is an official CS search party. Stand down and prepare to be interrogated.++

The bikes come to a stop less than a hundred meters from the Behemoth. Indeed, there are two soldiers on each of the three bikes, riding somewhat crowded. All six Dead Boys are dressed in old-style Coalition armor. One of the suits of armor sports a spiked helmet. They carry standard infantry laser guns, laser pistols, vibro-knives, and grenades. Their armor looks damaged in places. They are also packing ancient-style weapons on their backs in the forms of maces and axes. These melee weapons do bare runic writing. None of their faces are visible due to the old-style deaths head helmets.

Through a loud speaker in his helmet, the Dead Boy in an officer's helmet barks commands. Keep your hands were we can see them, civies. My squad is on official business from Doctor Bradford himself. We've been rounding up magic weapons from this region for proper destruction. Submit your weapons for inspection. If they aren't what we are looking for, you will be released to continue on your way. Otherwise, you will be held accountable for the cowardly ambush of brave Coalition soldiers.

#1 wears CA-1 Heavy Body Armor with an officer's helmet. He carries C-10 light assault laser rifle, an attached vibro-bayonette, and hand grenades. He has a large bipenal axe which looks like black iron on his back.

#2 wears CA-1 heavy body armor with a platoon leader's helmet. He carries a C-27 heavy assault laser rifle, a single vibro-knife on his hip, and hand grenades. He has a heavy bronze-looking mace on his back.

#3 wears CA-2 light body armor. He carries two C-18 laser pistols. He has a large hatchet or small axe made of some dull gray metal at the back of his belt.

#4 wears CA-2. He has armed himself with a C-10 light assault laser rifle and two vibro-knives. He has a small horseman's type of mace of the same black wrought iron hanging from his belt.

#5 wears CA-2 with the spiked helmet of the psi-corps. He wields a C-14 Fire Breather assault laser and grenade launcher. He also has a vibro-knife attached to his boot. On his back, he carries a large fireman's style axe with a wooden handle and a heavy steel head.

#6 wears CA-2. He has a C-18 pistol, a vibro-saber, grenades, and a large morning star sort of mace made of brushed steel on his back.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:08, Sat 30 July 2016.

Doc looked at Nyx and grinned, "Got a feelin' them boys is lyin'." his hands drifted closer to his laser pistols, not grabbing them yet. Then he sees Polk turn into a giant raven and immediately begins backing away, "Damned crows!"

Polkitain just looked on judging what he should do based on what his companions did.
He noticed the more primitive weapons and used his vision to see if they were baring runes like the ones the green lady had shown them. He also looked to see if they held the weapons in big bags or if they held them the way someone might to draw them and use them.




Did we have a chance to rest after the encounter with the crows. To regain Isp/ppe etc ?

Kalista stood her ground when approached. She raised her hands, showing herself unarmed. "I am Kalista Nugendare, Lady Cyber Knight. I bear the crest and insignia of Lord Coak, something not taken lightly. We came upon these men unarmed, unarmored, and dead. We did not know their allegiance for certain but we thought they were likely your comrades. We sought only to give them a proper and respectful burial, in a way that would prohibit them from returning as undead monsters. I carry no magic weaponry, and I will summon my sword and shield only if attacked."

On the teams encoded channel, ++Once they get off their bikes, they will be vulnerable to say the least. Wait till all of them are off their bikes and we can jump them and take a look at their rune laced weapons which no CS troopers would be carrying...++

Samuel, while they are incoming goes back and gets into his armor and gets his rifle ready.

In reply to Polkitain (msg # 44):

No bags nor cases, yes your characters are fully rested, yes their melee weapons have the same runes

Polkitain glides down and pecks at something on the ground getting into a better position to help his friends.

"Seriously Polk a crow. They are probably the same guys who did this. Bradford whoever that is sure as shit didn't send them armed with rune weapons. It is full enviro gear so your breath won't be nearly as effective. The body armor probably came from these guys." Arulas says prior to ear shot of the group on the bikes arrival. He dons his helmet to look more human and obscure his features some. "What are you guys thinking? Not likely Vamps they don't wear armor. Human bandits or some sort of supernatural threat. The rune weapons need to be removed as fast as possible. Disarm? Doc. Nyx. Can either or both of you trick shot that? I know four is a bit much to ask, but one a piece should be do able right?"

Doc still stepping away from Polk, glares at Arulas, "I reckon I got two guns, I can hit two weapons, Nyx on the other hand probably wind up shootin' you on accident." he gave his brother a grin. "Besides, no room for good for nothin' liars out here, I say we aim for the head."

Three Dead Boys climb off the hover bikes, and the three drivers remain on their seats. While waving his laser weapon around, #2 shouts in a particularly thick Lone Star accent, "Tinhorns! Yall heard that order! He said to keep your hands visible and present your weapons for inspection. We've been gathering cursed weaponry from this area all day, and your posse wouldn't be the first we put in the dust for not listening. Nobody told you to mumble to each other or go hide inside that garbage truck. Toss your dog gone weapons on the ground in front of you or we are going to take them the easy way. We ain't saying it again!" He's standing only eight to twelve feet away from the PCs.

While the Dead Boy is still ranting, those among the party who are psychically inclined realize that an assault of sorts has already begun.

Psychics with 6th Sense will know that there is trouble incoming just an instant before it hits and will have the option to activate Mind Block first. Kalista will simply realize that her Automatic Mind Block has activated and that her third eye was just slammed shut. Doc, Nyx, Arulas, and yes even Polkitain are targeted at the same time in a coordinated attack. Each needs to make a Save vs Psi roll. Upon success nothing happens. Upon failure, that character loses 20 temporary ISP. The stolen ISP is gone until naturally recharged through rest. Doc would only lose 5 temporary PPE, and he probably won't even realize that the attack is happening. Additionally, Polkitain must make a second Save vs Psi or be hit by wave of confusion which clouds his mind. If unsuccessful, Polk will suffer for 2D6 minutes from -3 to strike, parry, & dodge as well as moving to the last slot in any initiative for the duration. Samuel and Ethan are unaffected inside of the Behemoth.

Doc grinned, "Just got one issue hoss, we ain't part of your little biker gang, so orders ain't bein' taken. Now then, you can see my hands fine. You wanna see my guns, take another step." he casually rolls his cigar in his mouth, his thumb and forefinger twitching in anticipation. "Besides, you boys don't touch magic."


09:50, Today: Doc rolled 13 using 1d20.  save versus psi attack.

Polkitain wanting to maintain his guise thinks about just food. the smell of death in the air from the smoldering bodies too. Given the chance he flaps off towards the bikes but in a wide circling way.



08:07, Today: Polkitain rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  Psychic Save.
08:07, Today: Polkitain rolled 23 using 1d20+6.

Kalista knew what her Mind Block Auto Defense meant. She did not hesitate at that point, she activates TK Leap to cross the distance between herself and the closest "deadboys." In mid-leap she activates her psisword and psishield. She also placed her cloud machines ability on the "deadboy" on her shield side. She slashed at the the one on her sword side with that weapon.

08:57, Today: Kalista rolled 13 using 6d6. Strength Damage.
08:56, Today: Kalista rolled 19 using 6d6. Psi-sword damage.
 08:56, Today: Kalista rolled 19 using 1d20+9. Psi-sword attack.
08:52, Today: Kalista rolled 24 using 1d20+12. initiative.

Seeing Kalista leap to action, Doc decided if the do gooder of the group was attacking, well, he had to back her play. "To late Partner."

In a flash, the pair of Wilk's 227 pulse pistols are in his hands and firing a double shot at two of the dead boys, one for the each of them.

09:06, Today: Doc rolled 12 using 4d6.  dmg.
09:06, Today: Doc rolled 18 using 4d6.  dmg.
09:06, Today: Doc rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  strike 2 target.
09:05, Today: Doc rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  strike 1 target.
09:04, Today: Doc rolled 29 using 1d20+9.  initiative.

Kalista was definitely the person in charge on the ground, as it were and Samuel goes with her lead. Samuel teleports outside about 50 feet behind the bike mounted soldiers and fires at the one on his left.

++Hit the bike mounted Deadboys first!++

08:22, Today: Samuel Lund rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
08:25, Today: Samuel Lund rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Shot to Hit Mounted Soldier#1.
08:25, Today: Samuel Lund rolled 22 using 5d6+8.  Damage.

Already planning on circling around when he saw Samuel appear near the bikes Polk sprung into action. Sprinting off towards one of the men on the bikes to tackle them off the bike using his supernatural strength to do so.



09:57, Today: Polkitain rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Initiative check.
09:58, Today: Polkitain rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  Pounce bike rider.
Not sure what I roll for just trying to tackle push someone ?
My goal is to knock them off the bike.

"Damned crows", echoed Nyx as he leapt to one side and rolled as soon as Kalista attacked. He came out of his roll with a pistol in each hand and snapped off a shot at the nearest skull-faced biker

Passed the Psionics save if you're using the standard target numbers

22:45, Today: Nyx rolled 10 using 1d20.  Save vs Psionics (Master).

Paired Shot on the rightmost biker

22:46, Today: Nyx rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.
22:47, Today: Nyx rolled 14,23 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Deadboy Biker.
22:48, Today: Nyx rolled 8,13 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage.

Polkitain and Samuel both manage to pull off surprise flanking attacks. Everyone made their saving throws. Above and beyond that, I count five other solid hits and no misses since no one is dodging right now. It's pretty clear to me which way the dice are rolling.

For future reference, yes, I am using standard saving throws now. Kalista requires time to form her psi-sword. Samuel cannot retreat, dress in power armor, monitor the situation, teleport, and attack all within less than a minute.

Within less than a minute, the bandits have seen their shakedown backfire on them, attempted a retreat, and been cut down. Their armor was already badly damaged when the arrived, and now it has been cut to ribbons. Their weapons, however, are still intact. Other than some expended ammo, the adventurers are no worse for wear from their encounter. Six dead humans lay on the ground as those same buzzards hungrily watch from nearby to see what happens to these bodies.

After the brief flurry of action Nyx straightens and stands, glancing at his twin and blowing some imaginary smoke from the barrel of one of his pistols, "You clearly just winged that second one. Doc"

"I uhm sorry about the crow form guys, I couldn't think fast enough what to become." He held his head low.

Now that he was close to a bike he looked it over as well as the man he pounced.

"Is there some way Samuel could tell where these bikes travel ? They had to get those rune weapons from somewhere."

"Well a little interrogation of the prisoners will tell us what we need to know."

Samuel keeps the Deadboy armored guys covered while the others secure them.

Kalista spat on the corpses. "These scavengers will get no prayers from me."

"Yeah interrogation. Keep your hands where we can see them or lose those hands boys. See I hate liars, thieves, and winos. You two are at least two of those. Now to take these crappy weapons off your hands." Arulas secures the rune weapons separate from the regular weapons.

I am unclear on something. Was there an attempt to take prisoners or not?

In reply to GM Zaboem (msg # 65):

OOC: Didn't you say four bikes with two riders a piece. If it was three bikes I will edit my post.

Polkitain just plan to tacke then pin the rider not kill him.
He knows they need information about the rune weapons and these people might have them.

Seeing how uncomfortable people are with his crow form he shifts to a nice German Shepard.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:45, Thu 04 Aug 2016.

Doc shot a quick glare at Nyx, "Winged him... dammit." he nods, then seeing Polk shift again, he smiles, "No crows Polk, not for along time please?"

"I just wanted to be able to fly if I needed too. I will try to think of another flying form. Sorry again."

Doc grinned, "You're good, you thought quick, which is what saves lives... just no crows. And I bet you can fly in any form buddy. Try it now."

"Don't be silly I don't have wings now." Polkitain started laughing which probably looked odd coming from a dog.

"Hey do you think I can get one of these Pew Pew Pew pistols ?"

Doc grinned, "Absolutely, but you have to let me teach you how to use it. Don't listen to Nyx, he's not very good with a pistol." he chuckles.

"Alright Doc, I will be your student of the gun." Polkitain gave a smile.

"This is going to be so cool."

Laughing Nyx cocked his hand to resemble a pistol and blasted a patch of dirt next to his brothers foot. Then he looked at his hand and, deliberately exaggerated at the pistol on his hip, "Dammit, I'm meant to draw that thing aren't I"

Doc just grinned and nodded, "Ok Polk, Nyx can teach you too, don't want his feelings hurt."

Polkitain started laughing.

He liked to see his companions in good spirits.

"But Polkitain gasped out between laughs, "My fingers can't do that."

Kalista interjected, "Flying Monkey. Like from the Wizard of Oz. I saw in on vid-disk once. Monkeys can use guns. Flying monkeys can fly. That way you get the best of all worlds."

"Flying monkey okay I could try that."

He attempts to change to that, "It's usually better if I see one, but it sounds like something that lonestar dog kennel place might make."

"I think what I need is some clothes if I ever become like any of you."

Polk tries to hide it but he points with a finger and tries to do like Nyx and of course nothing happens.

"Have you seen a hawk? Try those wings on a chimp. That is about what they look like." Arulas says.

Polkitain does try becoming more simian and chimp like. "Eagle wings, hmmmm I have seen eagles."


OOC: I think we need to see if the GM allows it but I will certainly try.

This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:29, Thu 04 Aug 2016.

When Polk 'takes his shot' a small rock close to Kalista exploded

Polkitain was wide eyed as he looked at the rock and then at his finger then back at the rock.

"Hey, do you think I might be a gunslinger too ?"

In reply to Polkitain (msg # 80):

Let's make this flying monkey thing a dice roll. Base success of your Lore: D-Bee skill.

The Faux-Dead Boys certainly tried to fight to the death, and for the most part, they succeeded. Their armor was in terrible condition, basically already used up and patched to look mostly intact but offering scant protection. The mega-damage weapons of the posse cut through them so quickly that the bandits had little chance to surrender. Those who did live long enough to see the battle turn against them didn't take advantage of that chance and instead kept shooting while they attempted a retreat. Only one bandit wearing the armor of a CS Private survived after being tackled and pinned by a German Shepard. The others are cadavers which are being spat upon.

As noted previously, their armor is nothing but scrap now. Their weapons including vibro-blades, laser guns, grenades, and the rune-covered melee weapons are pretty much intact. The hover bikes were also destroyed in the fight and are worthless except for perhaps a few parts with application of the Salvage or appropriate mechanical skill. Beyond this, the bandits were carrying a few cred sticks, some CS radio equipment, a CS-issued stitcher medical kit (partly used already), and a few other vibro-knives from Golden Age Weaponsmiths.

The prisoner is a human, appearing roughly twenty years of age. She is female with a buzz-cut hair style and gang tattoos. She had the wind knocked out of her, but she does not appear to require any immediate medical attention. She does not seem to be in a talkative mood either.

"Nah, I guess I need to actually see one."




07:21, Today: Polkitain rolled 67 using 1d100.  D Bee Lore.

Doc approached the young lady, and easy grin on his face, "Now how'd a pretty thing like you get mixed up with them good fer nothin's? We just wanna know where you got them fancy swords an' such at, that's all. Can you help us out? I'd be might obliged ma'am."

10:15, Today: Doc rolled 84 using 1d100.  interrogation under 40 please.
Guess I gotta rely on Doc's good looks and charm...

After the others take what can be useful from the dead, Kalista hoists them into the fire with those they murdered. She has lost her talkativeness as she focuses on the task at hand.

Laughter finally relieved the adrenalin of the few moments of combat, Nyx begins to poke through the detritus on the bodies of the bandits, checking for contraband and whether any of the weapons are interesting. He is careful to only touch the rune weapons at the end of a knife blade. Unless there is anything else of interest he pockets some e-clips and grenades and a spare vibro-knife - checks the other e-clips for those that need charging to hand to Samuel and gathers the credchips into a pool to share between them all. At times he pauses to consider what their equipment might tell of this crew, beyond the obvious

Samuel takes care of the mechanical side of Salvaging stuff. He sets the radar and other sensors to beep if there are any further contacts at range. He thinks, 'To bad about the cycles, would have been nice to end up with 1 of them for fast recon purposes....but then again getting shot at because your CS is never a good thing.'


16:03, Today: Samuel Lund rolled 17 using 1d100.  Salvage Skill TN55.

Pokitain selects a hum blade (Vibro blade) and one of the pistols for Samuel to alter for him.

When Lady Kalista brings the bodies to the fire Polkitain helps out.

The vultures seem disappointed that their cornucopia of dead meat is being burnt away to uselessness. The stench of burning skin and melting fat grows thicker. Black smoke forms into a pillar which reaches towards the blue sky. No one else is interrupting the improvised funeral.

Add the items selected as loot to your character sheets please. In addition to the loot which has already been selected by characters in the posts above, everybody gets at least one more e-clip to replace those depleted in the last two encounters. Also, Samuel managed to salvage quite a lot from the bikes including enough parts to cobble together one intact hover system. These parts are packed into the already crowded storage bay of his Behemoth. The vibro-knife which Polkitain claimed can be used right now as it already is; the pistol, however, will at least need it's trigger guard removed if he tries to use it with big old dragon claws. The only contraband which these impostors were carrying are some cigarettes, a few pills which Ethan might be able to identify, and a flask of whiskey. Whoever these impostors were, they were travelling light when they approached the Behemoth.

The prisoner grimaces as she watches her former companions being tossed into the pyre. She hasn't opened up yet, but Doc seems to be wearing her down. She is shaking her head at some questions. Although the interrogation failed, Doc's good looks and charm do count for something. Because he is using the nice guy tactic which plays well with his high PB, I'll give him a second chance roll. Make a second percentile dice roll, please. He is rolling against his PB bonus which I think is 60%, but I am capping this bonus at the level of his current Interrogation skill. Another way to look at it is that he gets a second chance to make his Interrogation roll with the same target number. If the second roll fails, she just isn't going to open up to him.

I was wrong about the time required to activate a Cyber-knight's psi-sword. I admit it.

Doc shook his head, "C'mon darlin', I'm tryin' to help believe it or not. The rest may not be quite so nice."

07:40, Today: Doc rolled 41 using 1d100.  interrogation, beat 40.(dammit)

On the edge of their conversation Nyx glanced over, assessing the woman coldly, "You want me to ask, brother?". It is clear to the others that Nyx is the more distant of the two, if that hadn't been apparent from their journey, and perhaps highlighted that his humour was darker and less forgiving

Polkitain went back to his post on watching for anyone approaching. Before he went back he gave the pistol to Samuel, "Could you make it work for me ?"

Looking up at the dragon Samuel says, "Sure thing big guy. Just have to take off that trigger guard and weld on some metal to that trigger so you don't break it when you squeeze that trigger."

Samuel does that thing inside the Behemoth, in the lounge area with a few tools.

12:45, Today: Samuel Lund rolled 81 using 1d100.  Mechanical Eng taking his time.
Success

The interrogations are failing. This prisoner stubbornly refuses to speak. Once in ahile, she mumbles some foul language just to be clear that she can speak, but she will not cooperate. I would like to know exactly what is being done with the prisoner and with the runic items.

The runic weapons Arulas gathers using cloth scraps to touch them. He takes them to the lounge and sets them in a corner until Samuel is done and then moves one to a table. He then begins to test them using his psionics.

Specifically See Aura and Sense Dimensional Anamoly.

"We should move on", stated Nyx coolly, eyes drawn to the column of smoke, "We have lingered long enough." After a moment he considers their prisoner, "Her we leave pinned to the tree or in the belly of the beast-", gesturing to Lund's Behemoth, "- else we see carrion of her kind or worse"

Doc shrugged, "Tried to tell you lady, the rest ain't quite as nice. Leave her, she starves she starves. Maybe her friends will come find her, the ones me and you didn't take care of I mean." he grins, somewhat sadistically actually.

Kalista came back, "She is a prisoner, prisoners should be treated fairly. Handcuff her, I will take responsibility for her." She brought the girl a bottle of water while the others fished for handcuffs. She does not interrogate the girl, that is not her purpose. Her purpose is to show by example how someone should act in this circumstance.

Doc rolled his eyes, "Not gut shotting her is fair. Them woulda cut you down without batting an eye. I get we can't go 'round killin' anyone that upsets us. But keepin' em around to screw us later ain't smart." Doc shrugged and headed back towards the Behemoth.

Kalista did not show her exasperation, "Treating a surrendered enemy fairly includes finding a place that can properly hold and or try them for their crimes. I am not a savage, and I will not stoop to crimes myself simply because she may have committed them."

Doc stopped, turned and faced Kalista, "We'll try this one your way, best tie her good. She gets loose, she gets a bullet." he says, pointing to his forehead. "You trust the system too much Kalista, you ain't from these parts I reckon. Most judges and sheriffs are as crooked as the ones you wanna put in front of em. Sometimes the only justice you get, is what you hand out. You got a code, I like that. I don't like your code. I have a code too." at this point Doc winks and grins "We gon' get along fine ma'am. Pretty thing like you, can handle herself. My kinda woman." Then he heads to the Behemoth.

Kalista so rarely showed anger that when it happened it was something of a shock. She spun on her heel coming at Doc. Her face and body language said "I am ticked off." Even with all that she is still polite. "I am not a girl, a pretty thing, a babe, or a chick. I am a woman, a lady, and a cyberknight, and you will treat me as such or by all that is holy I will challenge you to single combat. Am I clear, sir?"

Doc grinned, "I reckon I called you a woman, if you pay attention, even if I added pretty to it. Now if you wanna wrestle, you ain't gotta get all up tight, just ask doll." It was clear now, Doc had gotten under her skin a bit and couldn't be helped from chiding her one more time. "I'll try to do better and mind my words, but that offer to wrestle stands... ma'am." with that he tips his hat.

Kalista gave him a glare that could have put a hardened CS soldier on the rune but eventually let the whole thing slide with a roll of her eyes. "Men..." as if the very word were at once alluring and repulsive. She walked away, back to her prisoner.

All Arulas can do is laugh. He escorts the prisoner to an empty supply closet, unless the Behemoth has holding cells in which case he goes there. Along the way he says "You got lucky. Kalista and I are cyber-knight. Talk is one thing, but no actual harm would have been done to you. Now you get standard rations. Not my cooking, but still edible if only barely so. Water and maybe a bit of juice if I can find some extra. Coffee, abysmal stuff that it is, will be offered at room temp or slightly better. Thing is all we want is the person making those rune weapons. They kill people like you and don't blink. We try to keep even bad people alive."

As the prisoner is led off Nyx sighs at his brother, "Should have just shot her"

Doc nodded to his brother, "Ah, yeah. Figure we let the goody goodies have their way now. If it backfires, we handle it our way from now on, yeah?"

Polkitain can hear clearly what the others were talking about and shook his head.

"I don't know if I will ever understand fully people. I thought pretty was a compliment."

Samuel decides how the inside of his Behemoth is organized. I doubt that he has a dedicated prisoner cell, but he might -- that's up to him. A supply closet is more likely.

At the gunfighter's suggestion, the team quickly gathers whatever remains of their own gear and claimed loot. They shuffle into the Behemoth behind the prisoner or onto their horses.

The prisoner glares hatefully but does not resist. She doesn't try to escape either. As she is being pushed into her closet-cell-bunk-toilet, she does say something to the Cyberknight. She says, "You're wrong about one thing, psycho-knight. She wouldn't kill me. Killing is too kind. You'll see."

Arulas' psychic inspection of the runic weapons reveals something startling. These items are not authentic rune weapons in the tradition of his homeland. Instead, they are cheap vessels which each contain a Syphon Entity. One entity inhabits each metal weapon. These alien spirits are sinister supernatural predators with considerable psychic powers, but they are quiet and docile at the moment.

 Arulas scrubs his face and simply walks over to the intercom(big robot probably has one) and hits the broadcast internal button. ++"Guys could we get everybody to the lounge please. This just got a whole lot more complex."++ As soon as everybody gets to the lounge he starts "Ok guys sit down. Ok these are not rune weapons of any kind that I have seen. They are cheap metal containing a powerful psionic evil badass. This is bad real bad."

"Well I figured it was really bad if the Lady who hired us was worried about it. Can you be a little more specific about the bad assness of the evil so we can appreciate how real the bad might be?"

Kalista reached out with her own psychic senses toward the rune weapons.

"Do you need me to come in, or should I stay up here and keep a look out."

Polkitain asked as he turned looking about for anyone approaching.

"Think psychic vampire and you would be close I think. For now they are quiet and sleeping I would like them to stay that way. No telling the carnage these things would wreck if they got out."

To Sir Arulas, "So what could get them out? Maybe some kind of pre-program breaking point for the weapon or a certain number of kills? Is that even possible?"

A successful Lore: Monsters and Demons skill roll will provide all there is to know about Syphon Entities. A successful Lore: Psychic skill roll will provide just the basics.

In reply to GM Zaboem (msg # 119):

OOC: Lore Monster was nearly a botch. Lore Psychic was a fail. Lore Magic however was a pass. I got an 11 and I needed a 30% or less. I rolled Lore Magic to figure out what I could about Rune weapons after having one on hand.

Name them, Kalista can make a check too.

 "That makes no sense. Syphon Entities are not flowery, pacifistic plant people. I am so confused about that right now. Now Rune weapons are not my area of expertise. Very few are capable of making them. Let me think some more on it."

Kalista searches her own knowledge.

13:20, Today: Kalista rolled 38 using 1d100. Demon Lore out of 80%.

"Guess I will stay up here."

Polk maintains the look out.

++Just remember to shift if you see Coalition troops coming.++

Send to Polkitain.

Remaining quiet for a moment Nyx is aware of the shallowness of his own knowledge and brings the conversation back to their mission, "Flooding the market with these makes a bit more sense, maybe." He holds up one hand a begins to tick off some points, "Cheaper than rune weapons, but potent enough for bandit scum to have an edge. Gonna stir up some fights, especially with the Coalition. Gonna maybe give this Lady an armed of mind-fucked zombies... Things could go south in a number of spectacular ways"

Doc nodded, "Good thing we got lots of bullets then brother. I think we'll be needin' em sooner than later." Doc begins cleaning his weapons meticulously.

"Ok, you got it. Though I will have to practice on the flying monkey thing."

Polkitain remained alert taking his job seriously.

Knowledge from Lore: Magic Rune Weapons are indestructible by their very nature. They are made with the souls of powerful individuals such as great heroes or even demigods. The weapons found here are not indestructible nor even mega-damage weapons, and the fake runes are not charged with any magic. A telepathic entity inside the item could fool the less knowledgeable into believing that it is an authentic rune weapon until someone tries to smack a demon with it.

Knowledge from Lore: Demons & Monsters A Syphon Entity is a bodiless parasite which is known for using trickery. This particular species of entity possesses and becomes anchored to nonliving items, typically something small and hand-held like a book or a necklace. It speaks telepathically with someone who touches the object and carries it. It has been known to lie to its victims or even convince them that they are crazy, all while draining them of their energies. Destroying the object merely releases the Syphon Entity, but there is a chance that the shock will shunt it away to its home dimension. The psychic powers of these creatures include unlimited telepathy with their victims, empathic control, stealing ISP or PPE, and others. Syphon entities are rarely summoned by Shifters because they are limited in their usefulness and clever enough to turn on their masters. Nobody in the Pecos Empire uses them. The Coalition knows of their existence and will use psychics who can exorcise to get rid of them. They are not as common as poltergeists nor as feared as tectonic entities, but they are gluttons for energy just like their distant cousins and have bottomless virtual-stomachs. One syphon entity would be bad enough, but a coordinated group could sow all sorts of discord and confusion on unprepared targets, like a squad of Dead Boys. A group which had advantages like Automatic Mind Block, Mind Block, and lucky dice rolls to save versus psionics would have fared much, much better.

Ethan checks on the female prisoner, making sure any wounds are healed before he joins his companions in the lounge of the Behemoth.

When he gets there, the conversation has already started. He finds a seat and listens as they speak. He doesn't understand everything that is said but is able to puzzle out that the magic weapons the group had found were not the kind they were looking for. "They still sound nasty though," he thought to himself. "I'll have to ask each of them about magic and psychics. I will do that later, they seem pretty busy right now. Maybe I can find a book to read on the subjects the next time we get to a town."

Kalista spoke after a few moments of thought. "I could attempt to exorcise the creatures."

"If you did, could you send them back", drawled Nyx somewhat disdainfully, "Contained may be better than loose if you are unsure. Can you interrogate them?"

Kelista's eyebrow went up, "If it works they would be removed from this plane."

"Just checking", smiled the psi-slinger, responding to that eyebrow, "I've seen some mighty loose claims about folks getting rid of problems"

"Not that I doubt you're intent", he adds, thin-lipped

Arulas has seen other Knights do what Kalista says she is going to attempt. Something is troubling Arulas about it though not enough to speak out, but enough to set him on edge.

"It might be a good idea to use them as bait or as examples of what we are looking for here in the near future. I assume keeping them out of contact with anybody will keep them dormant?"

In reply to Sir Arulas (msg # 135):


Ethan found the prisoner locked away, right where she was left earlier. She has some bruises from being tackled by a tiny mammal with supernatural strength, but she has no serious injuries. She asks, "Are you a bodyfixer or just grabby?"

The conversation about what to do with the captured weapons is taking place while the Behemoth continues it's march along the north trail, correct?

Polk gripped the Behemoth as it started to move and kept up his vigil.

"Nothing so far."

She shook her head, "Such creatures are never fully dormant. They call to those willing or of weak mind. It is best to be rid of them. An exorcism is a long and complicated process. I will need time and protection to preform it."

"Do you need any assistance ?", offered Nyx, "I share some of your talents"

When Nyx speaks Doc makes a funny face and starts wiggling his fingers all crazy, "Talents. Heh." he gives his brother a good natured nudge.

Kalista looked very askance, "If you wish, but understand this requires my total concentration."

(Not sure if Polkitain can hear the conversations)

A few minutes back in time
Ethan found the prisoner locked away, right where she was left earlier. She has some bruises from being tackled by a tiny mammal with supernatural strength, but she has no serious injuries. She asks, "Are you a bodyfixer or just grabby?"

Ethan noted the visible bruises and wondered if there were any injuries not visible. When she asks about him being ‘grabby’ he gives her his best disarming smile, something he had worked on as part of his bed-side manner. “Actually,” he told the woman, “I’m a doctor but you can call me a body-fixer if you like.” He gestured at her bruises. “I’m sure those marks aren’t troubling a tough woman like yourself but if you’d like I could heal them for you. It wouldn’t take but a few moments. I won’t even charge you,”his pleasant, as if he were talking to any other patient and not someone that had tried to harm his companions so recently.

In reply to Polkitain (msg # 143):

OOC: Polk would be in on this via radio if nothing else.

"I might be able to help you Lady Kalista. At least I could shield my mind if need be."

The patient waved off the generous offer of healing. She is not interested.

Ethan shrugs and backs away from the prisoner. "Suit yourself," he says to her. "If you change your mind, just let me know." Then he shuts and locks the closet turned holding cell before joining his companions.