Liberation of Nova Spera Session 8

	CawklesGM	IT IS THE 41st MILLENNIUM (1600, 022.998.M41)...
	CawklesGM	Thump. Thump. Thump. Snow Squad feels every little pothole, every dirt mound, every carcass on the road as they silently sit in the back of a covered land car. The haggard faces assembled are an index of every tired complaint about long days and horrific sights. Today has been quite...well, eventful. SNAFU has been the order of the afternoon as trails of corpses spring up wherever Snow Squad tread. The events at the Cohort Safehouse, a mere 5 hours ago, were mercifully the hardest thing about that excursion; the thirty people that were escorted back to Objective Albrecht arrived intact. Bodily intact, at least. Captain De Frank's detached interest in the affairs that transpired assuaged fears of court martial and execution...that is until he shuffled Snow Squad onto this truck with no knowledge of where they are going or why. Any questions of that nature were met with aloof quiet. De Frank was far more interested in that Dagger that the two intrepid archaeologists presented him, as well as the huddled mass of men, women, and children that Brash Platoon has retrieved for him. At the time of their departure, it seemed like De Frank was quitting Objective Albrecht; odd, considering that Blazing Trail forces are still in the middle of conducting combat operations. Thump. Thump. Thump. More potholes, more confusion. There is a feeling of dire portent in the air the likes of which Snow Squad hasn't felt since that evil night in which they returned to the Argo. Perhaps it's just the orchestra of violence resounding in the distance that is causing these feelings. Perhaps it is the squirming form of Tali-Bat Helah, whose head is once again wracked by migraines as she is squeezed between the forms of Jurdik and her brother. This silent, uncomfortable car ride comes to a halt as suddenly and randomly as it began. The sound of squawking Harpooni and the gentle lapping of waves against ferrocrete greet Snow Squad as an attendant throws one of the flaps open, letting in weak orange light into the sitting area. The smell of salt, rust, and misery is near overpowering. It seems like the truck has transported everybody to one of the many bloated corpses that cling to the docks, a former wharf or fishing complex that now lies abandoned. Standing nearby, next to the mighty form of an aquila lander perched out in the open, is the familiar form of the charming man with the cane and the cocksure grin. He beckons Snow Squad out of the truck with a teasing finger as the sound of another land-car thrums in the distance, growing closer by the minute."
	CawklesGM	"Come on out, my little chick-a-dees," Maurice chuckles. "I don't bite. Unless you're into that. Haw haw."
	CawklesGM	Muffin sneers, clambering out first. Kahina follows soon after. Soon enough all the Snow Squad comrades have exited in complete silence. Looks like some of them are still a little haunted, or a little sure that the next thing they're going to see is a firing squad.
	Ace_Nerat	"My day always get better with you around." He says disdainfully.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	has a mixed look of dejection and exhaustion as he exits the vehicle.
	Roland	        exits the land car while looking over at the Aquila lander.
	Ishmael	        walks down from the car and looks around nervously. His eyes a bit empty after the events of earlier.
	Rajh_Tara	is debating whether or not he should smoke.
	CawklesGM	"Throne help me, did you guys just get back from a funeral? Smile!" Maurice flashes his practiced, easy going grin. He clicks his tongue. A buxom young woman, wearing a navy uniform about a size too small, totters out of the Aquila lander, nearly falling over herself under the weight of the boxes she carries in an uneasy grip. Straining, she walks over to Mr. Rose and deposits the boxes next to him. Breathing heavily, she dips into a bow. Maurice waves her away with his cane, watching as she saunters back into the Aquila. Licking his lips, he turns to the rest of snow squad and raps his cane against the ground. "Disrobe. All of you. Right now."
	Ishmael	        just stares as he starts to remove the top half of the uniform. "May we know why?"
	XMB-173	        "You cannot tell, but I am giving you an extremely baffled and confused look."
	CawklesGM	Muffin waists no time stripping down, asking precisely zero questions. The shocked looks from the other squad mates, however, beg many a question. Maurice guffaws.
	XMB-173	        "One which questions the seriousness of your intentions."
	CawklesGM	"You think the Tau high command will let you walk into the Great Palace of Ashes dressed like insurgents? Of course not."
	Rajh_Tara	starts to take off his equipment.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"What!?"
	Roland	        looks over to Maurice and begins to take off his armor.
	Ace_Nerat	"Can I keep the powerfist?" he asks with a laugh
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"You must be insane, Ra'iib!" Izem protests.
	XMB-173	        looks to Ace as if to ask if he actually should
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "Only if you can fit it up your ass."
	Ishmael	        "Right... why are we going there?" He asks while working on his belt.
	Ace_Nerat	continues to chuckle as he begins removing his clothing.
	Ace_Nerat	"All the way?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	curses under in his breath in Bazir as he starts to undress. Dropping his pack and webbing before moving onto his actual clothing.
	XMB-173	        "I fear you will not enjoy the spectacle, yokel."
	XMB-173	        takes his robe off, retracting his mechadendrite as far back as possible first.
	CawklesGM	Maurice whacks the boxes that his secretary fetched. The top most one collapses open in a gush of packing straw and violent clanging. Inside are body gloves and deep red carapace plates resplendent with slogans and badges. "SARUD REX" reads one slogan; "ROOK" another. Functional and stylish, the armor comes complete with an inbuilt grav chute. Very impressive indeed.
	Ishmael	        "Uh..." He asks while dropping his pants. "You want us to jump?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	finishes undressing to his skivvies, and approaches the new clothing with a hint of caution.
	Ace_Nerat	"Pretty stylish mate."
	Roland	        finishes undressing from his armor and looks at the new armor.
	XMB-173	        "I think I'll take my chances with the fall."
	CawklesGM	"Why, you ask? Well, as of right now you are the best infiltration specialists I got on this miserable shit-hole of a planet. And I need me some infiltrators. Her 'Eminence', Shas'el Vior'la Res'Tanaka, has invited me, the Rook Dynasty representative on the planet, to a little summit regarding our dealings. While I'm there I need some things procured..." Maurice gawks shamelessly at the undressing Muffin, relishing all her jiggly bits. His distraction is evident as his explanation trails off.
	CawklesGM	"Ra'iib!" Kahina snaps, folding her arms. "Procure what now? And dealings? You have dealings with the xenos?" Her pointed questions snap Maurice to attention. He looks at Kahina and tilts his head. "Lady, why aren't you naked yet?" He asks. Kahina fumes.
	Ishmael	        stands before him and Muffin as he starts to suit up slowly. "Right... also, at least some of us might be best left here, I think..."
	Roland	        picks up one of the boxes and looks over the armor.
	Rajh_Tara	suits up in the new armor.
	CawklesGM	Tali and Iqbal putter about, confused. The secretary emerges once more from the ship and presses a pair of tiny navy cadet uniforms into their hands and bids them to undress. Iqbal does so no problem, but Tali joins Kahina in her refusal to be immodest.
	Roland	        takes a few moments to look over the armor and begins to suit up.
	Ace_Nerat	"Do they have an extra large over there?" he says making his way over to the boxes
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	suits up as quickly as possible and grabs an extra set of armor, he hands to Kahina and then turns around, obstructing Mr. Rose's view of her. [Qom] "Dress quickly, before this lech tries anything stupid."
	Ace_Nerat	struggles to get the new armor on
	CawklesGM	The land-car rumbling in the distance finally pulls up next to the truck that brought Snow Squad here. Out steps three figures. One is familiar, that of the Brash Platoon LT. The two others however...
	Lt_Kassem	"You almost look professional," the Lieutenant greets his men.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	salutes the Lt. from where he stands.
	Ishmael	        salutes slowly.
	Roland	        finishes dressing and looks at the Aquila again, he recognizes it as the one he saw about two weeks ago that landed on the Great Palace of Ashes.
	Rajh_Tara	salutes after Ishmael does.
	Roland	        turns and salutes to the LT.
	Ace_Nerat	"Look who graced us with his presence."
	Lt_Kassem	approaches withing half a foot's distance from the NCO's face.
	CawklesGM	Two swarthy Bazir, one a battle worn and scarred woman and the other a meticulously groomed man, emerge. Both are dressed in smart suits of obvious off world make, their slim boots of supple leather clanging as the spurs attached them rap against the ground. The woman looks ice cold, her spiraling hair stuck with ornaments and gleaming gems, its beauty an antipode to her pitted and wounded face. The man looks far younger, far more innocent and welcoming, but every bit as hard. His beard, short and braided, is meticulously groomed. His bare head is covered in tattoos. As they emerge, the obvious form of gold plated Boog Rangers swing from their hips.
	Ace_Nerat	"Well fuck me silly, look who he brought with him."
	Ishmael	        "Friends of yours...?"
	Lt_Kassem	"Imagine my face when I saw these two," he replies with a smile half-forming on his face.
	Ace_Nerat	"Nah, two pretty dangerous fucking killers."
	CawklesGM	Maurice whistles as the two assassins, Bezzi Ag Bezzi and Bakka Ult Bezzi, silently march past the rapidly dressing soldiers. Finally, even Kahina and Tali are dressed up in their disguises.  Bakka hears Ace's comment and turns to stare at him with soulless eyes. She turns to Maurice. "The Captain wanted us to tag along. Provide protection."
	CawklesGM	Maurice sighs, motioning for everybody to get aboard the Aquila.
	Ishmael	        sighs and walks onto the Aquila. "Captain?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	eyes the two wearily, his view lingers a second longer than he wanted when he notices the gold-plated Boog Ranger pistols. "Cade would have a fit." He muses to himself.
	Roland	        boards the Aquila
	Ace_Nerat	finally struggles the rest of his armor on, before grabbing his powerfist and boarding the Aquila
	CawklesGM	Jurdik looks pale, as if he's seen death. "Captain De Frank," he mutters as he boards the well appointed Aquila. Abbass wastes no time to slide inside and sit next to the young secretary. Muffin whoops as she walks inside the Aquila. "ALL PAPI BEH PRAYZE! Lookie 'ere bawss! Issa tah sum o' koosh 'unz, sum renka, sum o' set bolts...!"
	Rajh_Tara	follows Roland into the Aquila.
	Ishmael	        takes a seat and straps in.
	CawklesGM	Bartleby snorts. "I've seen better. This here poofta is all tacky, no class."
	Roland	        elbows Bartleby in the gut.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	boards the Aquila, Kahina in tow. He takes a seat in the middle of the bench across from Jurdik and Abbass.
	Lt_Kassem	"Settle down, lads. Strap in" he says, as he boards the Aquila.
	Rajh_Tara	starts to smile after seeing Bartleby get hit.
	XMB-173	        boards the Aquila
	Rajh_Tara	straps into his seat.
	Roland	        straps into his seat next to Rajh.
	Ace_Nerat	sits next to muffin and straps in "You look like a heavily armored dwarf." he says with a smile
	CawklesGM	Maurice straps himself in, gently rapping against the hatch to the cockpit. With a stomach churning motion, the Aquila peels away from the earth and makes for the afternoon sky. Mr. Rose looks at all assembled. "Cynthia, the briefing please." He orders. His secretary, straining against both her seat belt and too tight clothing, hands him a dossier.
	CawklesGM	Muffin snorts. "Meh lookie loik tah poofta wot genna feck yer mouff iffa ya koll meh a dorf agin!"
	Ace_Nerat	"The dwarf has a temper."
	Rajh_Tara	"She misses her chainaxe."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	straps himself in with shaky hands. He's never flown before, and this new experience is wracking his already fucked nerves.
	CawklesGM	Abbass' spirited conversation with 'Cynthia' resumes as Maurice reads off his little dossier. "All right. We have about...three? Three objecitves? Okay, objective number one. Somewhere in the topmost levels of the Great Palace of Ashes there is a counter intelligence office where they interpret intercepted vox communications. We need to see what the Tau have their hands on, intelligence speaking. Okay...number two...number two...ah! You gentlemen are familiar with 'Sultan' Joshua-Ben Shiva?"
	CawklesGM	Kahina, still gripping her seat in primordial terror, nods at Maurice. "The head of the heretic defectors."
	CawklesGM	"Yes, precisely. Well, he's up to something strange if our plants are to be believed. He needs to be tailed." Maurice coughs. "Objective number threeeeee...uhhh..."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"May he find a swift death..." Izem says while his eyes are clenched closed.
	CawklesGM	Maurice scratches his head. "What was it again, Cynthia?"
	Ishmael	        looks at what gear he might have available.
	CawklesGM	"Maurice~! I'm not the book keeper you silly goose! I just carry things and look pretty!" Maurice plants his face in his hand, as does some other of the people present. He sighs. "Okay, guess you guys just have two objectives. CYNTHIA! When we go back aboard the Mentirosa, remind me to file a disciplinary notice with the Master of the Guard."
	CawklesGM	"The good kind of discipline, milord...?"
	CawklesGM	"No. The kind involving scrubbing latrines."
	Lt_Kassem	lets out a heavy sigh
	Ishmael	        lets out a long sigh and just stares at Maurice.
	Ace_Nerat	"What professionalism."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bazir] "You surround yourself with such 'competent' personnel, Ra'iib."
	Roland	        looks at Maurice, "what weapons are we going in with?"
	CawklesGM	"Yes milord," she beams. With a thud, the awkward exchange ends as the Aquila finds its new perch. Maurice shakes his head as he undoes some of the buckles. "Weapons? Guy, you're entering a secure Tau facility where the high command deliberates strategy. The only weapons you'll have are the kind you can sneak inside." The two assassins aboard look at each other...and smile. They begin to disassemble their weapons, storing them in prepared places about their person.
	CawklesGM	[Bazir]"Good doctor, Cynthia is *very* competent, than you very much. She does exactly what I hired her for." Maurice winks. "Alright boys, unstrap yourselves and follow my lead. We're going into the den of vipers."
	Ishmael	        "Got a knife and a comm, at least?"
	Ace_Nerat	erupts into a volcano of curses and slurs
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	rolls his eyes as he disassembles his Boog Ranger pistol and hides among his armor.
	Roland	takes his knife and hides it
	Ishmael	tries to hide a knife and a comm.
	CawklesGM	Mr. Rose draws a pair of suppressed ripper pistols from his coat. "I'll part with these for the duration. WHo wants them?"
	Ishmael	"Too big to hide for me."
	XMB-173	"Subtlety isn't really my thing. What should I do?"
	CawklesGM	Maurice pats the tech priest on his shoulder. "This entire facility is going to be laced with heretical dood dads and such. You'll be critical in this endeavor."
	Roland	"I ll take one of the pistols."
	Ace_Nerat	sighs sadly and leaves the powerfist, but keeps the gutting knife
	CawklesGM	"One more thing: the man who is going to greet us is actually an alright man...for a xeno. Do be polite."
	Ishmael	        "Oh so you do know things that are polite and don't try to kill us as a greeting? That's a nice change."
	XMB-173	        "Alright."
	Roland	        takes the pistol and hides it.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"You use the term 'man,' too lightly."
	Ishmael	        "He has a point."
	Rajh_Tara	takes Ripper Pistol.
	CawklesGM	Maurice slams his fist into the loading door of the Aquila. There is a whine, and the ramp begins to slowly descend. "The Imperium of man applauds you for your righteous hatred of the alien...but right now, smile. Be friendly. What objective are you gents going to go for first?"
	Rajh_Tara	hides his knife as well.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	remembers the last time he had to act friendly to a xenos, he then shudders.
	Ishmael	        "I say their surveillance."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Aye." Izem concurs.
	Rajh_Tara	"Agreed."
	Roland	        "Agreed."
	CawklesGM	Bezzi and Bakka look at each other and nod. "We'll get those documents," the sister says. The ramp clamps to the ground. The party exits onto a protruding landing pad haphazardly attached to the mountainous side of the Great Palace of Ashes. The stinging breeze rolling in from the Burning Sea is chilly at these heights. Up close, the normally large Palace is positively titanic, a testament to the might of the Mahdi and Ashura. The twisting runes of their script spiral across the surface of this palace, their intricacies only visible now that you all have landed right outside. Antennae, auxiliary power sources, and other evidence of Tau defilement coat the surface of the place. The most impressive of such additions is the enormous cluster of dishes and rods at the summit of the Palace.
	CawklesGM	Waiting nearby, in an entrance haphazardly tunneled into the palace, is a thin and sagely looking xeno. Tall and of regal bearing, the wrinkled blue man has a round hat not dissimilar to the round forms of the drones buzzing around him. A smile stretches across his face, and the reedy man pushes his legs against his flowing robes, his hand outstretched.
	CawklesGM	"Mr. Rose!" The xeno beams, in a low gothic accent that is clearly alien but not unintelligible. "Always a pleasure, my human companion." He claps Mr. Rose's hand with both of his. "I understand the honorable commander has summoned you?"
	CawklesGM	Mr. Rose, with some disgust, nods. "Yes, Ya'Mamoto. She has. Can you direct me, please?" The xeno tips his hat and shuffles Mr. Rose forward before turning his head and calling back to the assembled squad of people still mulling about on the landing platform. "The security team will be with you shortly!" He calls out. "Once the routine check up is done, they will direct you to your quarters! Thank you for your patience!"
	Ishmael	        looks up at the dishes and antennae before looking around a bit.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	straps his goggles on as he descends the ramp. They fit much more comfortably than he would have thought.
	Ishmael	        puts on his googles, trying to pretend not liking the sun.
	Rajh_Tara	copies the doctor's idea.
	Ace_Nerat	jumps off the platform and looks around, taking in the view.
	Roland	        also puts his googles on as he exits the Aquila.
	XMB-173	        puts some goggles on and gets out.
	CawklesGM	It's so strange, being up here. From these heights, one can look across the entirety of the Ashuran district. Hell, one can even spot the apartment from which the squad squatted away the hours in fear and panic. Moments later, a trio of Tau emerge, resplendent in red and green armor. All three are helmeted, making them all the more distant and alien. Towing behind them are a swarm of drones, flashing and buzzing as they flit about you all, scanning and taking all sorts of pictures. One of the Tau, rough and unpleasant, takes a hand tool from his pack and silently begins scanning all assembled...
	CawklesGM	"Kreen," he says in broken Low gothic. "Follow."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	looks back at his assembled comrades before silently following.
	Ishmael	        follows in the most professional matter possible.
	Ace_Nerat	follows the Tau
	Rajh_Tara	follows and kinda wants to smoke.
	Roland	        follows.
	XMB-173	        follows the Tau and makes a concentrated effort to appear inconspicuous and not clang /too/ much.
	CawklesGM	The trio begins to walk towards the entrance, presumably with everybody in tow. Passing through several air tight seals and bulkheads, they lead Snow Squad into a nigh deserted hallway. The three Tau's cloven footsteps echo throughout these ancient halls, their very presence defiling the thousand year sanctity of this beautiful place. Those people present with archaeological knowledge gather quickly that this wing was built by the famous King Donshin, whose love of statuary is evident in this place. Sculptures, done in the traditional Mahdi style, are built into almost every inch of the walls. Mahdi script, extolling his conquests, coat the musty walls. To think, these xenos squatters do not appreciate any of this. Hell, they wish it destroyed! Unthinkable heresy of the worst sort. As the procession continues, the isolated guard posts in the cavernous halls grow fewer and fewer. The banners adorning the wall, showcasing the resplendent symbol of the Greater Good, become even more scarce. Soon enough, the lights set up by the Tau disappear, only to be replaced by torches. Where are they leading you?
	CawklesGM	Kahina, already disturbed by these events and shaking with anger, is visibly uncomfortable. She begins to push her way to the front of the squad, getting closer to the marching Tau...
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	moves forward and quickly clamps a hand on her shoulder to keep her from getting any closer.
	Ishmael	        looks around, trying to remember the turns and doors they've passed plus any signs. "Are the rooms far?"
	CawklesGM	The tau guard looks over his shoulder and stares at Ishmael. [Tau]"I think this one is talking to me, Oshi."
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"And? We are not supposed to talk to them. Orders."
	Ishmael	        sighs and follows along still.
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"What are we supposed to do with them?" One of the tau says.
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"Work-Brother, it would behoove you to listen to briefings. You know where we are placing them. Interrogation."
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"I understand! Gue'la scum. Curse them and their tyranny. Do you think the head human would know?"
	Ishmael	        looks at Rajh and signals for him to get closer, same with Muffin.
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"Of course not. The Greater Good will cleanse them of their memory."
	Rajh_Tara	slowly moves toward Ishmael.
	CawklesGM	The tau look behind them, and observe the shuffling crowd. "Srop moov." The lead one barks.
	XMB-173	        [Techna-Lengua] "print 'fucking xenos'", he mumbles.
	Rajh_Tara	stops behind Ishmael and says [Mahdi] "What did he say?"
	Ishmael	        smiles and raises his hands. "It's arr fine, ferro warrioru."
	CawklesGM	Muffin spits...in her helmet. "Ya ned tah lern tah tok ya feckin' arien biatch, yeh?"
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "I don't speak Blue Devil."
	CawklesGM	The three tau stop dead in their tracks, unholstering their pulse carbines. [Tau]"This one has a mouth."
	Roland	        stops behind Rajh
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"Don't stoop to their level, work-brother. Come on. They'll get theirs."
	Ishmael	        "We just want to know where is our acomorationu..."
	Rajh_Tara	starts snickering.
	CawklesGM	The belligerent Tau, however, stalks forward, firearm raised. [Tau]"Never let a human get away with anything. Give them a meter, and they take a light year. I'll break them now. Save the interrogators some trouble."
	Ishmael	        "I'm even trying to speak same ranguage."
	CawklesGM	The last comment sends the belligerent one into a frothing rage.
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"I didn't fight greenskins and sacrifice my right eye to put up with these rude barbarians! If you are bereft of manners, I shall gift them to you via violence!"
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "I literally can't understand you."
	XMB-173	        "Notto dis shittu agen."
	CawklesGM	The belligerent tau shoves the gun in Ishmael's face. [Tau]"Scared now, you idiot?"
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "Whatever you were going to do. I suggest you do it now."
	Ishmael	        tries to dodge and quickly draws his knife, going for a stab. [Tau]"You are going to lose more than an eye now, idiot!"
	CawklesGM	Ishmael's knife plunges into the Xeno's leg. With an inhuman yelp of pain, his leg buckles and begins to bleed profusely.
	Rajh_Tara	knifes a nearby Tau soldier.
	Roland	        pulls out the ripper pistol and shots the other tau in the head, kill him instantly.
	XMB-173	        whirls his staff around as he activates the power field. As the staff crackles to life, he swings it across a Tau's legs, knocking them off at the knee.
	Rajh_Tara	"Holy shit, Metal Priest..."
	CawklesGM	Ace rushes the bleeding, stunned tau, plunging his guttin' knife right into the thing's body. With delicate slowness, he draws the blade across his body. With a great wet slopping sound, the Tau's guts pour from the wound like a waterfall before the poor xeno collapses to the ground in a pile of his own organs.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	watches with abated breath as his teammates dispatches the xenos scum.
	CawklesGM	The two assassins, Bakka and Bezzi, barely flinch as the violence unfolds. Iqbal is stunned; Tali is on the verge of violent nausea and tears. The squad silently gawks at the carnage.
	CawklesGM	Bakka shakes her head. "Messy. Unprofessional. What the hell are you guys thinking? It's only a matter of time until they find these bodies."
	CawklesGM	"Why did you kill them anyway?! Not that I'm...uh, complaining or anything," Abbass says. "Just curious."
	Ishmael	        cleans his knife and sheaths it. "Had to act quickly. They were taking us in for interrogation."
	Rajh_Tara	"Because we could?"
	Ishmael	        gets to work on trying to move away the bodies.
	Rajh_Tara	assists Ishmael.
	Roland	        "Good catch Ishmael," Roland then helps Ishmael move the bodies.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Surgical as always."
	XMB-173	        keeps bashing the Tau's head with his staff, not saying anything.
	Rajh_Tara	steals a pulse carbine as well.
	XMB-173	        "This is pretty decent at poking. I wonder if I could attach a blade to this, and /then/ give it a power field..."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Ish, what were they saying?"
	CawklesGM	Muffin stalks over to XMB and kneels over the corpse he's brutalizing. "Meh tink e' ded, mate."
	Ishmael	        "Taking us to interrogation. Speaking about how we wouldn't be missed. And then one of them got pissed at me speaking in their accent."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Well I'm not sure about some people, but better to kill them off before having to come to this 'interrogation.'"
	Ace_Nerat	"Are we going loud yet?"
	Ishmael	        starts patting down and searching the body he moved. "Let's see what they have."
	CawklesGM	Loose ration tickets. Some generic pieces of Tau Kit. A xeno ident card, and series of what must be...card keys? Strang hologram cardkeys, but card keys.
	Ishmael	        takes the card and card keys. "Look for any sort of comms equipment."
	Ishmael	        "And any keys. Also, grab the rifles."
	Rajh_Tara	"Way ahead of you."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Well should we continue heading towards where they were leading us, or back?"
	CawklesGM	Kahina looks at the pooling gore on the floor and around the surrounding area. Jurdik wastes no time prying the two intact helmets on the floor. He hands them to the Tech-Priest. "Think you can invoke your silly metal god or whatever and hack their comms?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	takes a moment to put his BR Pistol back together.
	Roland	looks over the Tau bodies for anything else.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Kahina, are you all right?"
	CawklesGM	"...Something is truly strange about this place," Kahina says. "I don't like it.This is the heart of a weak civiliazation."
	Ishmael	        tries to think on any signs he might've seen that could be of use.
	XMB-173	        gives Kahina a dirty look as he gets to work on the comms.
	Ishmael	        "I think I know where their comms and intel office is."
	Ishmael	        "Or at least the start of the way."
	XMB-173	        hacks them.
	XMB-173	        "I'm in."
	Ishmael	        "Patch me through. I want to listen in."
	XMB-173	        gives the whole squad access, minus those gold boot guys because fuck 'em.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Well I hope it stays strange and doesn't develop into something worse." Izem answers back to his comrade. He slides some rounds into the cylinder of his BR Pistol and whips it in.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Thank you, Soren."
	CawklesGM	++[TAU]...patrol 712-a is en route, going to sweep levels 81 to 96. Patrol 750-b is en route, with guests. Over.++
	CawklesGM	++[Tau] Be advised, Shas'El Ras'Tanaka is on base. I repeat, the honorable commander is on base, en route to the meeting.++
	Ishmael	        "Okay... seems it's fine for now. Let's put these stiffs away and get to work."
	CawklesGM	Tali, still huffing with fear, strides around in a panick, scuffing up her navy uniform. "We're dead..." She repeats over and over.
	Roland	        begins to help with hiding the bodies
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	puts a reassuring hand on the young Mahdites shoulder. "Tali, calm yourself, we'll be fine."
	XMB-173	        "Oh hey, you actually used my fleshy name, thanks."
	CawklesGM	Iqbal looks at the gore. "So," he says with a smarter-than-thou attitude. "We just gonna leave this gross blood and stuff around here? Seems dumb."
	Ishmael	        "Got an idea to hide it?"
	CawklesGM	"...no."
	Ishmael	        looks around for any nearby torches and puts them out!
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"It's only proper."
	Rajh_Tara	puts out the torches.
	Rajh_Tara	sticks a Cohort knife into one of the corpses.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Smart."
	Rajh_Tara	"Thanks, doc."
	Roland	        "Were do you want me to put the bodies?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Wherever it would be the most difficult for the enemy to find them."
	Rajh_Tara	"Into whatever dark corner."
	Roland         	moves them over into the darkest corner he can fine.
	CawklesGM	Bakka and Bezzi look at eachother, bemused at their fumbling attempts at concealing the evidence. "Gentleman," Bezzi says, cordial and mild mannered. "I suppose this means my sister and I will handles this 'Sultan' business."
	Ishmael	        "By all means, meet you at the pad?"
	CawklesGM	The woman nods. And with that, the pair disappear.
	CawklesGM	[Qom]"I don't trust those two," Jurdik growls. "If they are here on De Frank's behalf, they are up to no good."
	CawklesGM	"I mean, do you know what those two do? They slaughtered an entire orphanage as a message to a Fawzan gang. An entire orphanage!" Jurdik cries, tugging his beard.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Qom] "Given Ace's reaction, and the way they carry themselves they live to do no good."
	CawklesGM	"Taht issa uh rumar ya idjit. Dindu 'appen." Muffin says with a frown.
	Ace_Nerat	"Ish, which way?"
	Rajh_Tara	and Ace scouted ahead.
	CawklesGM 	The scout pair get pretty close before they run into a security check point manned by several Tau. Beyond that, a terraced plaza lined with fountains and beautiful statuary. The entire area is abuzz with blue xenos, no doubt the target of the infiltration.
	Rajh_Tara	relies the information to the group.
	CawklesGM	Tali listens intently. She raises her hand. "G-guys...I think I have an idea."
	CawklesGM	"I might be able to distract them. They would never suspsect a child, right?"
	Roland	        looks at Tali, "Yes."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Depends."
	CawklesGM	Iqbal folds his arms. "We're NOT children!" Tali hushes him.
	Ishmael	        "That's... not a good idea, Tali."
	Ishmael	        "Your effort is appreciated, though."
	CawklesGM	"Come ooooon! I can do it!"
	CawklesGM	Kahina pats the little girl on her head. "Hush little one."
	Roland	        "Do what exactly?"
	CawklesGM	"Say I'm a lost littel girl who needs to find her adults. Some of them will clear out to escort me!"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"I say let her do it."
	XMB-173	        shrugs
	Ishmael	        "Those guys wanted to take us into interrogation."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"They did, but it's not as if they'll shoot her on sight."
	Ishmael	        "They might..."
	CawklesGM	+++[Tau]Patrol 750-b, come in.+++ The vox crackles.
	Roland	        "I'm not sure, it is a dangerous plan."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Times wasting and we haven't thought of anything better."
	Rajh_Tara	"Fuck it. We do it live."
	CawklesGM	+++[Tau] 750-b, come in. Oshi, if you are ducking the comms again, you-know-who will hear about it! 750-b, come in!+++
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Tali, instead of running up to them, I want you to run past them to get some to chase you."
	Roland	        "Then again its a better plan than I could come up with besides overcharging the pulse carbines."
	Ishmael	        ++[Tau]We are having some trouble with the gue'la prisoners. One of them bit my hand. Need some extra warriors over."[Tau]++
	CawklesGM	++[Tau] Gue'la barbarians...! I'll send some over, work-brother. Get down to sick bay asap. You might be infected with one of those 'human' diseases now. Like syphillis or something or over. Ah...well, CP out. For the Greater Good!++
	CawklesGM	The party steals away towards the checkpoint. The stone portal, an artistic achievement of great skill, has been sullied by the bright orange bulkhead installed by the Tau, Two guards stand near the door; it seems the other two have left. Tali looks at her marks and mulls over the situation in her head. "Okay," She says, putting her little hands on her hips. "I need somebody to say something really, really awful to me. So awful I start crying."
	Ishmael	        frowns. "Ace...?"
	Ace_Nerat	"Your fucking parents were butchered."
	Ace_Nerat	kneels down and gets in her face "While you hid."
	Rajh_Tara	"Your parents are deader than a Tau without armor caught in a melee."
	XMB-173	        "You are a disgusting little sack of meat. Your intelligence, level of genetic integrity, education, and physical ability is incredibly sub-par."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Guys...."
	Ishmael	        "Guys... guys..."
	XMB-173	        "On my homeworld, you would not be considered fit for servitor duty."
	Ishmael	        frowns even more.
	Ishmael	        "Fine, that's enough."
	XMB-173	        "Perhaps not even corpse-starch."
	XMB-173	        looms over the girl.
	Ishmael	        elbows XMB
	XMB-173	        "Do you have any idea why?"
	Roland	        "Um, you're not a nice person."
	Ishmael	        elbows harder!
	CawklesGM	Tali swallows hard as her eyes puff up and well into a pool of salty tears. "N-n-no Mr. Tech Priest.."
	XMB-173	        "Because you are a weakling flesh-bag. But certain Magos are fond of such specimens."
	XMB-173	        "They would take you as a 'personal test subject'"
	Rajh_Tara	"Cold blooded."
	XMB-173	        "They would break down your vessel, piece by piece, but always leave you conscious and aware. Your screams would be punctuated by the whirring of excrutiators."
	Ishmael	        tries to look away, getting teary eyed himself."
	Ace_Nerat	stops and stares at the metal man
	XMB-173	        "Your skin would be flayed, the exposed flesh exposed to burning liquids. Your physical responses analyzed and noted, impersonally."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Soren, please stop, you've done enough."
	Ace_Nerat	"I think we are good now."
	XMB-173	        turns around "You sure?"
	Roland	        walks over to XMB, "Thats enough."
	Rajh_Tara	"I thought Ace was a jerk."
	XMB-173	        "I haven't even got to what they'd do to her extremities or genitals yet!"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	gestures at her as she bawls her eyes out.
	CawklesGM	Tali bolts off, weeping and sobbing, towards the Tau checkpoint. The Two aliens, alerted by the crying, stand at attention.
	Ace_Nerat	"Oh, don't like me do you bud?" He says with a laugh.
	Rajh_Tara	"You are tolerable."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bazir] "She asked for it...but damn."
	Ishmael	        waits and readies himself to go in if needed.
	Roland	        looks at XMB for a moment then goes to ready himself.
	Rajh_Tara	readies himself for an ambush.
	CawklesGM	The The little girl bolts by the Tau who hesitate, confused. One of the guards swipes his card key across a bulkhead terminal, sealing the entrance before the two chase after the yougn woman.
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"Gue'la!" One shouts. "That's a restricted area!"
	XMB-173	        "What? I was merely describing what people of her relative worth are fated to on forge worlds!"
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"ARE YOU OKAY YOUNG HUMAN?!" the other one screeches.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Yes, but you can keep that to yourself please, we're not from a...forge world."
	CawklesGM	Abbass chuckles. "Ra'iib, you are legit insane."
	Ishmael	        "Ace, Rajh, get Tali. "Everyone else, with me."
	Ishmael	        "But first, Metal Psycho and me here will take care of the camera."
	XMB-173	        "What's a Psycho?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"I'll tell you later."
	XMB-173	        "I'm in."
	XMB-173	        "It's looping the footage."
	Ishmael	        signals for everyone else to move.
	XMB-173	        "In case you don't know what that means, it's safe to walk in front of the cameras."
	Ishmael	        then gets to work on opening the bulkhead. Being careful about it.
	Roland	        moves forward
	Ishmael	        "Psycho means your brain ain't right."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"I'm not an actual Doctor Ish, but I know it's a tad more complicated than that."
	Roland	        "And yes XMB I think we all know what a camera loop is."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	goes into overwatch, on the look out for any Tau that may come back.
	Ishmael	        "Mind explaining to the good tin can here while I work?"
	CawklesGM	A very out of breath Tali returns a few minutes later from the same hallway she ran down. Stooping over and exhausted. She takes a quick seat on the ground. Iqbal stares at his sister. "Didya...did you shake them?" Too out of breath to talk, Tali just shoots a thumbs up.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Excellent work, Tali."
	Rajh_Tara	"Good job, Kid."
	Ace_Nerat	walks over and kneels next to her "Sorry for the words doll, didn't mean it."
	XMB-173	        "I assure you, my brain is in good health. Even the organic parts."
	XMB-173	        "I offer no apology, I was merely stating facts."
	CawklesGM	Muffin smiles. "Tah sheila neh ow tah roon, tas fer ser. Seh remyn meh o' tah goo ol' dehs wenna meh 'ad tah doo tah sem ting...'cept meh wassa runnin' awoo frum troozer snekz ratter dan ariens."
	Rajh_Tara	"I don't know who I can't understand more: Muffin or the blue devils."
	XMB-173	        "I believe I should install a volume knob on the stunted woman."
	CawklesGM	Tali pats Ace on the shoulder. "I always wanted to be an actress-prietess, and the 'method' was always the best way to act....or at least that's what my auntie said."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"No, but you lack sensitivity. And what he meant by Psycho is that you feel no remorse for your actions, how do I put this, you've lost contact with reality."
	CawklesGM	"Auntie was a nut," Iqbal says with a frown. Tali just waves him away.
	XMB-173	        "No remorse for my actions? That's simply not true. Unless you're talking about killing all the xenos. Or the other te-"
	XMB-173	        "I assure you, however, that I have good contact with reality. My augments and organic parts alike seem to be in good condition."
	XMB-173	        "But if you think I have more in common with a drink-vendor or a servitor than a person, then you are sorely mistaken."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Relax you're not Psychotic....well I'm no professional, but from what I've read from my father's books you aren't."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	pinches the bridge of his nose. "What am I blathering about, can we get this moving along? The faster we're out of here the better."
	Rajh_Tara	"Did we hit a nerve, Metal Priest?"
	XMB-173	        "What?"
	Rajh_Tara	"Never mind."
	Roland	        "He means that you have no emotions."
	XMB-173	        "But I have emotions! Why do you think I'm in a rebellion, away from a safe and productive job at some manufactora!?"
	XMB-173	        "I /WANT/ to feel!"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Could we perhaps discuss the nuances of Imperial Tech-Priest feelings after we're done sneaking around?"
	Rajh_Tara	"Sure."
	Rajh_Tara	"We'll talk about this later, Metal Priest."
	XMB-173	        "You can call me a deranged madman, or a liability with an inordinate amount of explosives and weaponry, but you will /NOT/ call me a machine!"
	Rajh_Tara	"Aren't you mostly metal at this point? It is kinda confusing."
	XMB-173	        "Not in soul, or mind!"
	Rajh_Tara	"I think I understand."
	Roland	        just remains silent for the time being.
	Ishmael	        applies keycard into hole.
	CawklesGM	The bulkhead, with a whine, slides open. A voice warbles from an undetermined source: [Tau]++Remember: The sanctity of our mission relies on the observation of discretionary protocols. Do not share any information you find with anybody. Remember: The Greater Good will uplift us all!"
	Ishmael	        looks past the bulkhead before sending the guys with guns first.
	CawklesGM	The plaza beyond is gorgeous: stepped stones, statuary of ancient warrior kings holding up ceiling, water pouring from their mouhts into fountains below. Tau civilians of all stripes meander about, eating lunches, chit chatting, mulling over intelligence reports. You all, clad in Rook Dynasty finery, could not be any more out of place. Hallways stretch off to the north and west. The eastern room, however, seems to lead to a central chamber. An old throne room, perhaps?
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	points out what appears to be a circuit-router that might help in sneaking by. "What do you think, Soren?"
	XMB-173	        "Gimme a sec."
	XMB-173	        "I can cut the power."
	XMB-173	        "It would turn the lights off."
	Rajh_Tara	"Let me try and sneak in. They will notice you."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"You aren't exactly sneaky..."
	XMB-173	        "I know."
	Rajh_Tara	sneaks into the room and disables the circuit-router.
	CawklesGM	There is a distinct whine  as the entire power in the room dies. Several startled voices erupt, followed shortly by crashing and cries of pain. There is even the sound of rampant splashing; sounds like a Tau stumbled into a fountain. This ellicts a quiet gail of laughter from Snow Squad. The Tau comms erupts into a frenzy almost immediately.
	XMB-173	        "Fortunately, I can see perfectly in the dark."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Good thing too. Kahina grab onto my belt."
	CawklesGM	++[Tau]"CP, this is relay station T'au alfa...We're seeing a power outage in the Communication OPs department. Advise?++
	CawklesGM	"I beg your pardon?!" Kahina cries out. Suddenly it hits her, and she sheeplishly digs her fingers into his belt. The other comrades see the wisdom in this and do the same.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bazir] "Oh Kahina..."
	Roland	        grabs the person in front of him belt
	CawklesGM	Snow Squad, being led by the darksighted XMB, rush quickly to the eastern hallway. The strange plastic hallway seems to be lined with lasers; thank goodness the power got cut! Soon enough, they push their way throuhg an open bulkhead and into the dimly lit communication ops room...
	CawklesGM	The entire room was once the throne room of King Donshin I. It has been almost completely dismantled by the Tau, replaced with banks and banks of alien cogitators, holographic displays, and tables covered in loose leafs of paper and other printoouts. Two pulse pistol armed guards stand near doorway, protecting the scores of civilian Tau combing through the info. As soon as your party pushes in, the two guards draw their firearms and point them at XMB.
	CawklesGM	[Tau]"Drop your weapons!" One of them shouts. Almost immeidately the other Tau dive under their desks and chairs, a panicked scream going up in the entire room.
	XMB-173	        chortles.
	XMB-173	        activates the mechadendrite's censer.
	XMB-173	        "Watashi-wa... muteki desu."
	CawklesGM	The two guards stumble to the ground, pawing at their faces as the gout of hot gas burns their face. They drop their pulse pistols, and Kahina wastes no time storming in and securing both. She kicks the two Tau in the ribs for good measure. Snow squad filters in and secures the room, gawking at the beautiful decorations.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	nods to Kahina before slitting the Tau's throats with a borrowed knife.
	Roland	        moves in with his pistol at the ready while checking around for other guards.
	XMB-173	        caves one of the guard's head in with his staff
	CawklesGM	"Looks like a whole lotta nothing," Jurdik growls as he sifts through untranslated communiques. "And stuff we already know."
	Rajh_Tara	kills a guard with a Cohort Knife and leaves it in his neck.
	Ishmael	        [Tau]"Whos' in charge here?!"
	CawklesGM	A Tau rises to his feet. Stocky and short, he seems to be some odd variation of the Tau form; his queer dress is near the same as that Ya'Mamoto, only more mute in coloration. [Tau]"I am." He says, trying to act unafraid.
	XMB-173	        slowly rises from the tau corpse he was picking apart and walks towards the Tau
	Ishmael	        [Tau]"Alright, then. We need some info. Either you talk or my metallic friend here will make you talk."
	XMB-173	        [Techna-Lengua] "if Xeno = rebel { strike.Xeno } ; Else console.log('Caliph Reqbah!') ; "
	CawklesGM	One of the larger screens, near the center of the room, begins to beep incessantly. An artificial tongue begins to squak...
	CawklesGM	+++[Tau] TRANSMISSION DECIPHERED. TRANSMISSION INTERCEPTED. PLAY? Y/N+++
	Ishmael	        [Tau]"Yes."
	CawklesGM	The lead Tau, terrified, points to the main terminal.  As Ishmael says yes, the intercepted message begins to play...
	CawklesGM	[LOG: 1400 transmision AQ12345373-B. Transmission begin.]
	CawklesGM	"So?" A raspy voice asks, its laborous breathe seemingly assisted by an artificial apparatus. "You told me it was urgent."
	Ishmael	        looks at the Tau.
	CawklesGM	"Yes Dietrich," an all too familiar voice responds. "They found evidence corroborating what your team found in the tombs in northern Ghadeer. They even found one of the keys."
	CawklesGM	"And I'm assuming you requisitioned tribute?"
	CawklesGM	"Of course. Thirty men, women, and children. Slightly injured, but intact. They will suffice."
	CawklesGM	"Move them as soon as your patsies are out of the way. Send the two assassins with them. Have them removed from the picture. That is unless you think they can be enticed."
	XMB-173	        "Was he's referring to the boot guys?"
	Ishmael	        "Shh."
	Rajh_Tara	"Fuck."
	Roland	        "That Fucking asshole."
	Ishmael	        tries to record the conversation.
	XMB-173	        starts recording the stuff
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"I hope you're recording this, Soren."
	XMB-173	        "Can you replay that?"
	XMB-173	        "I got it at 'Move them'"
	CawklesGM	"They despise me, milord. So I doubt it. And they are far too effective to let those Rooks keep them on. I'll send the assassins. Shall I make my way to the Niassian shrine? The Chahanda one?"
	CawklesGM	"Yes. Post haste. We have the means for final victory and I aim to not let it slip from our grasp. I'll have the Aquilas pick you and your POWs up. Get ready."
	CawklesGM	"Lord Dietrich, one more thing."
	CawklesGM	"Speak."
	CawklesGM	"May I report to my superiors? Allay any suspicion regarding my movements?"
	CawklesGM	"Denied. Our exchange is concluded. Don't disappoint me."
	CawklesGM	"Of course, milord."
	CawklesGM	[LOG ENDS]
	Ishmael	        "I hope you fucking got that..."
	Rajh_Tara	"...Fuck."
	XMB-173	        restarts the log to get the full recording
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"So we've been sent here as a form of execution?"
	Ace_Nerat	"Looks like we get to go hunting..." he says dryly
	CawklesGM	"We finally got you, you snake." Kahina growls.
	Rajh_Tara	"We have to leave."
	Ishmael	        "Soren, see if you can use these consoles to find our temporal employer. We need an out."
	Roland	        grips his pistol tight.
	XMB-173	        "I fucking told you that Frank was a piece of shit."
	CawklesGM	Muffin tilts her head. "Weh ned tah toll sumbud. Mebbe Misser Rows?"
	Ishmael	        "Not this fucking bad, though."
	Ace_Nerat	"Well, looks like we have assassins to deal with."
	Rajh_Tara	"We also have the two dipshits to deal with."
	Ishmael	        "Fuck that, we're grabbing the bossman and heading out. Whose name we /do not know/ right?"
	Ace_Nerat	"Are you sure he is here?"
	Ishmael	        stares at Muffin.
	CawklesGM	Muffin grins and shrugs.
	Rajh_Tara	"I don't even understand her. I think we are fine."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	rubs his face in frustration. "First....first, let's get out of here."
	XMB-173	        "Alright."
	Rajh_Tara	guards the entrance.
	XMB-173	        "I've got access."
	Roland	        "Agreed, we need to find the quickest route out."
	XMB-173	        "I want their boots."
	XMB-173	        "You think they'd look good on me?"
	Rajh_Tara	"Maybe."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Not with those robes."
	Ace_Nerat	"I'd prefer their heads."
	XMB-173	        "Oh, I can get those."
	XMB-173	        "Can't guarantee they won't be mangled beyond all recognition, though."