Port Newton, Northern Ridge, Askarian | 233d/3008AD | Von Hapsburg System
Port Newton Bar
Medium Chatter (+1 to deception, -1 to intellect)
Nerin relays the new data to the KX9. "Subject appears capable of decoding data from the groupmind. Sending a 63 to synchronize the retrieval group is advisable." Interest. Curiosity. Annoyance. Some bleedover anger from Valrak.
"The KX9 have no interest in the station currently. Honestly I'm confused as to why you didn't just launch BFG's at it. Kinetic Mass Bombardment for a station that can't move out of its orbital path. A big enough projectile prevents deflection by stationborne weapons and shields. If it's going fast enough it'll destroy the defenses and cause the station to begin falling out of orbit. Although then you can dock ships and boost it back into a stable orbit. Minimal collateral damage. Maybe some civilian deaths. But generally a military operation has civilian casualties regardless. If you provide compensation in the form of raw material, some of Combatcore may be willing to help. Although with a Priority two/one subject and item.. They may be more interested in securing it."
"Bartender. What food do you have that's high in calories and carbs?"
Jaina stares at you. She seems rather informed about the the situation for a pilot.
"Those orbital defenses are skyscraper-sized railgun platforms in separate orbits. You shoot at them, they'll shoot back with ten times the firepower. Not to mention most of the station is just habitat. Shooting it won't do anything but kill civilians. On the off chance we get lucky the nearby tugs will keep it in orbit. Either way we're not getting anywhere close until those defenses are down.
Are you suggesting we kidnap Orion and put him onboard the Megacity just so that you can bring the combatcore in? That actually sounds like a really good idea... We need to separate him from that bead, however, or else we won't have anyone capable of handling him."The bartender replies to your request.
"Sodas, primarily. We don't really got any plants growin up here though. Just seafood and drinks."Nerin relays all data known about Orion and the bead so far through the Worldgate to Den 63. "High priority research object and knowledgable subject. Potential Cascade Event in progress. Potential Lost GenTec Asset involvement. Mobilize Researchcore and Combatcore. This is Nerin/Valrak of Scoutcore. Priority Two situation, potentially Priority One. Retrieval of subject's brain intact is preferable to retrieve data." Worry, concern, bleeding over anger from Valrak. Anxiety.
"I'm mobilizing KX9 assets and agents. New data suggests Orion is a high priority target. The KX9 will retrieve him. He will not leave this system outside of custody. Preferably alive, but we only need his brain."
Valrak leaves the fray and returns to Nerin when Nerin relays the new data to him.
Deuce: [2] vs (5-2) You're unable to hold your grip on Orion. He forces you to release him and gets up, running away as fast as he can.
Valrak: Orion runs away from you as soon as you get free. [5] No physical damage sustained, although your various bio-sensors have collected valuable data on your augments' reactions to high magnetic flux. This could help design better augments in the future, although you're unable to discern which logs are actually useful.
(That sphere would probably fry his travel unit pretty fast, though he doesn't know that.)
Atlos deemed that, at this moment, it would not be prudent to intervene. "Any idea what that is they're fighting over?"
It seems that the stranger has escaped his captors, primarily due to the threat.
As his footsteps echo throughout the halls, a figure walks up to Deuce, who is currently dusting himself off and moving the unhinged door out of the way. The door itself has a crack in it that's leaking a green fluid.
The stranger, wearing a purple-white uniform with several images stenciled onto the arms and legs speaks up. She does not remove her helmet.
"Were you chasing that young man out in the hall?"
Dwarf's Office
In Utter Darkness (+2 to deception, -2 to observation, -1 to offensive combat actions)
"Ooh, shinies."
Take the plasma globe, and silently take the toy gun out of its package. Also make a mental note to have a custom suit made with a lot of pockets. Like, a shit ton of pockets.
[3+2] You silently remove the items from the cache without attracting the attention of birdman, dwarf, or human.
Even your well-adjusted eyes are unable to make out too many of the details on the packaging, however. Slicing it open, using your claws to make incisions, you discover that it looks much like a watergun for children, but the water tank actually looks (and feels) like a large capacitor.
'McMarlo, you're not in the bar. What's the status on the captain?'
"Well, not here, but the broker has records, lots of records that go on forever..."
[4-1]
"Huh? You said sumthin?"He holds onto his augmented monocle and looks up.
"Are you in a hurry? I'll do my best. Oh and I prefer to be addressed as Mr. Shem."The next page takes about 20 seconds to read.