Liberation of Nova Spera Session 2

CawklesGM	"Err ya gun' feld yeh?" It's 0500, only a few hours past that debacle at the Temple of al-Ashur. From the comforting isolation of your hideout, you see nothing and hear little, a welcome respite from recent events. About this time, no doubt, Amm would be creeping over the horizon, its warm orange glow finally banishing the shadows as it sweeps forth towards the summit of the sky. But some of these shades are stubborn, and the Ashuran District is still shrouded in the early morning darkness. The clutter within your sleeping area has yet to be dealt with; after the chaos of combat few would appreciate being cavilled about the state of their living area. In the maelstrom of clothes, spare las packs, empty crates, and cots the men and woman of Snow Squad lie recumbent. The warm Qalyatan air has turned the place into a sauna; dirt, sweat, and other effluvia stink up the room. The fetor and the exhaustion, however, has not stopped a casual game of Grimba from forming.
Squatting around an empty ration crate, Muffin, Jurdik, and Abbass peer over their hand of cards, eyeing the large stack of sticky candies and Lho rations centered before them. "Wassit gun beh, ya deek 'eads? Feld?" Abbass turns to Jurdik. "She's bluffing." The huge al-Isman snorts, his attention suddenly drawn away from the two things that have captivated his interest for the past hour or so. "I dunno man. I ain't riskin' it. Fold." Abbass sighs, defeated. "I guess I fold too." The pair slam their cards down on the ammo crate. Muffin places her hand bare upon the crate and whispers, "Grimba!" The two men are aghast as she rakes in all the goodies. "You whore!" Jurdik growls. "Two sins and a priest...my hand woulda beat yours." The woman snickers. Their quiet moment of leisure is interrupted as Issam emerges from the stockpile room, where he attends to the vox. He's visibly agitated, twitching wildly as his eyes dart about the room like some panicked beast. "S-sarge...The deadzone lifted. We're gettin' tons of news and stuff."
The grimba group turns to the young man, curious. Muffin takes this opportunity to scoop in all of her goodies into a bag, filching Jurdik's chrono whilst he is not aware. She snickers to herself before. "The most relevant news to our squad," Begins Issam, "is that we should be expecting a new arrival. A medic."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	is turning around in his small sleeping bag, the stench of alcohol coming off him somewhat.
	CawklesGM	Jurdik whoops. "Fethin' finally! The Argo decides to help her boys out."
	CawklesGM	Abbass leans back in his seat, and rolls his eyes. "It's cramped enough as it is..."
	Ace_Nerat	is laying in his bunk, Attempting to sleep through the pain in him arm
	CawklesGM	Muffin knocks the smooth Bazir upside the head, and points to Ace. "Taht rite ther is me krepull, an' 'e as a belt tah soize uv a chitlin inna 'is arm. Weh ned a med."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	sits up and rubs the back of his head. "We are getting a medic?"
	Kassem_Marqus	secures his chainsword and sidearm, "Emperor knows we need him, Abbass. Issam, tag along. I'm going outside to greet this medic.
	Rajh_Tara	checking on his Hot-shot Lasgun and las pack.
	Ace_Nerat	turns and lets out a groan into his bunk.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	has just arrived at the hotel where he is to meet his new squad, much to his disappointment. Not because he enjoyed the cushier position that HQ had, but because Kahina was much safer in an echelon role. Now they were both going to the frontlines.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	heaves a sigh before greeting the person manning the reception desk.
	CawklesGM	Issam snaps off a salute. "Aye, boss. A-a-and...Well I think I need to tell you, but...It's gonna not make ya happy."
	Kassem_Marqus	"Spit it out, private..."
	CawklesGM	Meanwhile, at the desk, the man sitting behind the dilapidated desk on the first floor is a boog with mangy hair and droopy features. He's dead asleep.
	Rajh_Tara	walks up to Ishmael and says  [Mahdi] "So...?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	clicks his tongue. He then unholsters the ranger pistol strapped to the front of his hip, takes it by the barrel and raps the desk.
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	looks at Rajh. [Mahdi] "What's wrong?"
	CawklesGM	Issam, steeples his fingers and brings them to his forehead. "Eeeh...along with feeding the squad, we had to use our rations to feed those rescued children as well. After all was said and done...half of Muffin's haul is gone."
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "How do you know learn...eh.. 'their' tongue?"
	CawklesGM	Muffin spits. "'ALF?! 'ALF?! YA FECKIN' TAKEE ME FED WITTOOT MUH PERMISH AN' YA DRONGOS GO TROO 'ALF?!"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	[Mahdi] "Later." He then speaks up. "It's not all yours, you know?"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	"But yes, we might want to do something about the food situation."
	Kassem_Marqus	"I know... I know. We'll have to do a few scouting runs to find resources," he says, as he exits the squad's cramped quarters.
	Ace_Nerat	"Muffin, I will cut your tongue out if you don't shut your fecking mouth." He barks
	CawklesGM	The man at the desk starts awake, and tumbles to the floor. He slowly climbs his way to his feet before looking at the medic. "Can I...help you?" The very weight of his laziness drags his voice into a low, resonating tone of pure sluggishness. This boy could not care less.
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "This is quite a mess. Not enough food to go around and now we have more mouths to feed."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	frowns. "Do I look like a civilian? I'm here on orders! Given the way you look I am starting to doubt I'm at the right place."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	Izem looks back to Kahina before looking back towards the Boog man. "Who am I reporting to and where?"
	Kassem_Marqus	Hearing the commotion below, Kassem quickens his pace down to the reception area.
	CawklesGM	Kahina's impatience is growing. The woman is already very unhappy at the proposition of being stationed with filth. The woman is a little giant in her anger and the one good side of her face twitches slightly, her dark eye glinting with malice. She folds her arms and scowls at Izem as he turns to her, and she motions for him to speed things up. "You're reporting to-"
	Kassem_Marqus	"Sergeant Kassem."
	Kassem_Marqus	"Kassem Marqus. Snow Squad. Glad to see you've made it."
	Kassem_Marqus	approaches
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	turns to the new arrival, and visibly lights up. Finally someone who doesn't seem incompetent. He then deflates reminded that he is now in the frontlines. H
	Kassem_Marqus	He shoots a glare at the boy behind the desk.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	salutes the approaching NCO. "Troopers Anaruz and Shaban reporting as ordered."
	Kassem_Marqus	"And not a moment too soon. I'm afraid I greet you with immediate need for you to get to work."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	stiffens visibly. A look of professionalism masks whatever anxiety might appear, and he motions for the Sergeant to lead the way. Izem then looks to Kahina to prepare her tools along with his.
	CawklesGM	Kahina turns to her new boss. Sizing the woman up, one can see that she is the very image of al-Isman beauty; earthy, strong, ferocious. Oddly enough, half of her face is wrapped in bandages; only a portion of her thick, oily dark hair snakes out from between the gauze. She nods as she receives her orders.
	CawklesGM	"Who is the man we are to take care of?" She asks, the sound of her voice chilling. From the window of her single exposed eye, you can see nothing. No spark, no compassion. Just numbness.
	Kassem_Marqus	"One of my men, injured in combat," he responds turning around and heading back up.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	follows along. "I heard of the operation you took place in. Was it really as cut-throat as we were lead to believe?"
	Kassem_Marqus	"...a fucking disaster, truth be told. We've only just been able to get comms working again. Come, through here," Kassem motions to the door.
	CawklesGM	Kahina follows, easily keeping pace with her sergeant. Her stride lacks length, but makes up for it in determination. The soldiers assembled make it up to the top floor in little time, appearing in the portal.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	is aghast at the conditions his squad are living in. Hardly a fitting place to help the wounded.
	CawklesGM	For the new medical personnel, their new living quarters appear dreaful. The Argo had nice cots, warm showers, hot chow...what they see before them looks more like a grox sty than a living place.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bazir] "God-Emperor what a mess I'm in."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Clear a space and bring the wounded up. Let's see how bad they are."
	Kassem_Marqus	"You heard him, make room."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	drops his hefty pack and digs out his medi-kit. He immediately slips on a pair of disposable gloves with a snap.
	CawklesGM	Muffin leaps to her feet, dragging the Grimba Crate and some cots clear. "Yah shuld seh me corpell ferst...'e gettie prerh bad"
	CawklesGM	Kahina, a trained auxiliary, does the same. "We'll determine that, daughter of the stars. Whom shall we start with, Izem? The one least likely to die?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"No, we'll at least see if the worst off are worth our effort."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	approaches Ace and tries to help him up. "Hey, doc's here."
	CawklesGM	Abbass smiles at Izem. "You should work on Ace first, brother. We-"
	Ace_Nerat	groans and staggers to his feet
	Ace_Nerat	"Bout time."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	"You should check that right hook I gave you last night." He smiles slightly.
	CawklesGM	Issam emerges from the stockpile, room, sweating. "Sarge, we got a problem!"
	CawklesGM	Jurdik sighs. "When it rains...it pours, eh?"
	Ace_Nerat	approaches the medic and shows him the bolt " Got nicked pretty good."
	Kassem_Marqus	"I'm dying to hear all about it, Private..."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	clicks his tongue several times as he looks over Ace's grisly wound.
	CawklesGM	Kahina touches Ace's wound. "You got struck by the sting of Mahdi. Many of the Aaftaab have perished at its barb. You have not. You are lucky."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Not the worst I've seen, but getting that out is going to hurt." He immediately prepares a syringe of a cocktail of pain-killers and anti-bacterial, and injects it into the man and gets to work on getting the bolt out.
	Ace_Nerat	"So lucky."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Pressure here, Ace? Put pressure here."
	Ace_Nerat	does as instructed.
	CawklesGM	Issam's report need not be explained. The sudden, stentorian explosion does the job quite while as it reverberates in the distance. "I-It's Sergeant Ziida, sir. She just came back into comm range. Apparently she didn't make it back to our lines and-"
	CawklesGM	There is a loud cough of lasfire, followed by another blast. These noises, faint now, are getting closer.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	gingerly pulls the bolt out, mindful of any bleeding. He then cleans the area and stitches it. And slaps on several layers of gauze for good measure.
	CawklesGM	"Artuflly done, Bazir."
	CawklesGM	Kahina pats her superior on the shoulder.
        Izem_abn_Anaruz	blushes at that, ignoring the burning in his face. "Keep your arm from any extraneous activity and it should heal up fine."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	moves to one of the windows, looking for the source of the explosions and las-fire.
	Kassem_Marqus	"Is she counting on paying us a visit?"
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "See anything?"
	Ace_Nerat	flexes his arm, then pats the medic on the back with him good arm "Glad to have you around. Don't get yourself killed."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Is there anyone else?"
	Ace_Nerat	"We are on the front lines, might be important to swing my sword arm."
	CawklesGM 	Issam scratches his head. "N-no...she wants us to save her ass. She's got two critically wounded with her and Divine Cohort are all over her position. They...they got a storm trooper shooting at them, s-sir."
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "Ishmael, you're up?"
	CawklesGM	Abbass turns pale. "Boy, did she say who was hit?"
	CawklesGM	Issam scratches his head. "It was...ehhh...Jain and Malika."
	CawklesGM	Abbass gasps. "God-Emperor...! Jain?!"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	turns and walks towards the medicae, covered in bandages beneath his clothes. He then stops at the mention of the Cohort. "The Cohort's here?" He asks, anger in his voice as he sits for examination.
	Ace_Nerat	"Maybe I can crack some skulls to repay for my arm."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	With Kahina's help Izem peels the mans bandages and has a look.
	Kassem_Marqus	"We need to set up an ambush point."
	CawklesGM	Kahina looks at the burns. "And lo' did Shaban face Niassi's fire and his body was burned...but he fought on still..."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh hisses as some burn while being peeled away.
	CawklesGM	In the meantime, the other squaddies gather their gear. They were not ordered...but with the las fire getting closer it's instinct more than anything.
	Ace_Nerat	gathers his gear and cleans his chainsword
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	clicks his tongue in disgust. He forces himself not to look towards Kahina, given the shared...disfigurement. He soon gets to work, injecting the man with the same cocktail given to Ace, but also a dose of painkillers. He then cleans and cuts away and dead flesh that will not heal before re-bandaging the man.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"That will never heal cleanly, but it will heal." He then turns to the rest of the squad, "anyone else?"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	goes to grab his rifle. "So... nurse... why the reciting? Name's Ishmael, by the way." He extends his free arm for a shake.
	Rajh_Tara	approaches the medic and takes off his helmet.
	Kassem_Marqus	"Is Ziida in comms range? Are you able to secure a connection?"
	CawklesGM	"Keep these wounds bandaged," The scarred woman advises. "When exposed to air they will burn with the same fire you felt that day." There is a hint, perhaps just a little twitch, of sadness in her voice.
	Rajh_Tara	points to the burn marks on his face.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	gingerly holds the mans head as he examines him, noting the same type of burns suffered by his other comrade. He expected he would encountering a lot of this.
	CawklesGM	Issam hands his sergeant his microbead. "I got a conncetion right now. J-j-just adjust the signal to the holy frequency and..."
	Kassem_Marqus	"Zida, do you copy? This is Marqus."
	CawklesGM	The screech over the microbead almost blows out your ear. You can scarcely hear a thing over the las fire boiling the air, an unending orchestra of firepower. +++...ZIIDA...-OW COPY, OVER?! WER ~~GOIGOHTEIOOET~~~+++ Static...
	Kassem_Marqus	begins to motion for his men to gear up and prepare to move out.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	following the same procedure as before he injects the man with the cocktail of drugs, cleans, cuts and bandages. "Same to you, Red Guard, it will never be a clean heal but it will heal." He nods at the man.
	Rajh_Tara	"Thanks, Doc."
	CawklesGM	++KASSEM EMPEROR DAMMIT! WE'RE AT THE POOR MAN'S MANSION, TAKING HEAVY FIRE...! MARYAM, KEEP US COVERED!++
	Kassem_Marqus	+Are you able to move to a new position?+
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	pulls his gloves free and disposes of them in the nearest...pile of garbage. He then packs his medical supplies up again, and cleans his hands. "Your assistance, Kahina, is always appreciated. Thank you."
	Kassem_Marqus	grabs the rest of his gear, and straps on his helmet.
	CawklesGM	++NEGATIVE! JAIN AN' MALIKA CAN'T WALK...! AND I THINK THEY GOT A SNIPER ON US! THEY'RE CLOSIN' IN...MARYAM, FOR FUCK'S SAKE KEEP YOUR HEAD STRAIGHT! KASSEM WE NEED-++ The feed cuts out again.
	Ace_Nerat	"Sounds like we need to get there fast."
	Rajh_Tara	"Well, shit."
	Kassem_Marqus	+Zida... Zida, do you copy?+
	Kassem_Marqus	"Shit... we're moving out, let's go," Kassem motions the command with his hand, emphasizing urgency.
	Ace_Nerat	"YOU HEARD THE MAN, GET IN GEAR SQUAD."
	Rajh_Tara	grabs his equipment.
	CawklesGM	"YES SIR!" All assembled respond. Muffin straps her armor aruond her bare top; a sure sign that things are getting serious.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	About to protest, Izem holds his tongue, he's in a different world now. He tries his best to quickly re-pack his things and put on his armor before checking his weapon.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bazir] "So much for some rest."
	CawklesGM	Abbass clicks his tongue. [Bazir] "No such thing around here, brother."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	sighs visibly at that.
	Kassem_Marqus	rushes out the door, and into the street outside, trying to get a better idea of the situation by the clearer sound outside.
	Ace_Nerat	charges after him
	Rajh_Tara	follows the Sarge at his side.
	CawklesGM	Abbass, although shaken, beams as the language of his people is spoken. Issam is first out the door, that twitchy little bastard fixing for a fight. As the squad storms down to the ground floor, they pass several familiar faces. Many of the children they rescued are out and about within the building, dealing with the trauma in whatever way they can. Many of them start to huddle around their assigned caretakers as the gun fire picks up.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	follows along, las-carbine on his shoulder as he tries to keep up.
	Kassem_Marqus	+Comms check+
	CawklesGM	Street level. Amm has finally heaved his bulk higher in the sky, and the orange warming up the clouds into big glowing pillows of light. A light, salty breeze passes between the buildings. From here, the gunfire is resounding. IT can't be more than six blocks away, you reckon.
	Rajh_Tara	+1,2, Copy+
	Ace_Nerat	+Loud and clear.+
	CawklesGM	+My voice is carried by the ethereal waves+ Reports Kahina. Muffin chuckles over the comms. ++Her...her...ima her.++
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	+Solid copy.+
	Kassem_Marqus	+Single file approach, stay in pairs and give eachother room. We'll be hugging the structures as we approach.+
	Rajh_Tara	waits for everyone to pass in order to guard the rear.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	takes his place in the middle of the formation, keeping his motherly comrade behind him.
	Kassem_Marqus	"Issam, that means I'd best be able to hear your breathing as we move along. Stay close," he says as an aside to his young impetuous comrade.
	CawklesGM	You continue approaching, the exchange growing in intesnity as you approach. Freed from the darkness, Qalyat looks like a bloated corpse left out int he sun; every single shred of grime, every bullethole, every sin, it's all left out in the open for the perverse but curious onlooker to peruse. The naked ugliness of this maze of habs astounds you even now. At this rate, you reckon, this entire
	CawklesGM	city will be a pile of mud and graffiti by the end of the month.
	Kassem_Marqus	+Keep your eyes open, and be on alert for their marksman+
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	looks to rooftops as ordered, keeping his las-carbine down as he does so.
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi} "Saint Mother and Emperor protect us."
	CawklesGM	As you approach your destination, you hear a soft tune wash over the city. The call to morning prayer. Even over the raging fire fight its cascading tempo sings of peace and prosperity. You can scarcely imagine what kind of sick bastard would play such music in such a damned place.
	CawklesGM	Off to your left, you spy an alleyway. You know this will move you up to the south east entrance of the courtyard called "Poor Man's Mansion" by the locals. The squad slips in, but as soon as you are sheltered by its high walls you hear another noise emanating deeper in the alleyway...
	CawklesGM	"...'gon tell me why you are here, you freak? You metal goddamn freak? Huh? Answer me!"
	CawklesGM	There is a chorus of croaking laughter. "Ever since those stupid blue bastards came...all we've seen is freaks, geeks, and other Emperor damned vagrants messing around in our city. OUR CITY."
	XMB_173	"My purpose here is not for you to know. Now, will you let me pass, or will we have to resort to violence?"
	CawklesGM	As you move down the alleyway,  you come across the sordid scene. A band of four reprobates, led by a scraggly starving man, have cornered a mysterious figure. They look desperate, and one of them is brandishing a primitive spur of metal as a knife.
	CawklesGM	"Shuddup!" The armed one hisses. "You want no violence, you empty your pockets."
	Ace_Nerat	+Oh Sarge, let me blow off some steam.+ he says with a smile
	Kassem_Marqus	revs his chainsword
	CawklesGM	Muffin shakes her head. +blew eff sum stem will Ziida an' 'er cunts is gettin' shot?+
	Kassem_Marqus	+On point with me, Corporal+
	XMB_173	"What the hell would somebody like you do with sacred machine oils and a collection of discombobulators, wiring, and bolts?"
	Ace_Nerat	nods
	CawklesGM	"What's this boy saying, Pawz?"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	grits his teeth. "We don't have much time for this... Ziida needs us..."
	CawklesGM	Their leader shrugs. "Dun't matter jess give me the-" The band of four scummers turns as they hear the chainsword growl.
	Kassem_Marqus	+Everyone, approach. Weapons drawn and fixed on target.+
	CawklesGM	Kahina storms forward, weapon drawn. "Garbage," She spits. "Not worht our time, Sergeant."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	rises up his tread fether, hoping that the bulk will scare them away. "You four, get out or I'll blast you lot!"
	Kassem_Marqus	"It may be time to go home now, boys. Let the freak go." Kassem brandishes both his chainsword and his laspistol.
	Rajh_Tara	grabs his knife with his right hand and braces his Hot-shot lasgun with his left.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	brandishes his lasgun at the four men, keeping it shouldered.
	CawklesGM	Abbass whistles, taking up her rear, weapon drawn. The four get the idea and nearly trip over themselves scurrying away, like roaches exposed to light.
	XMB_173	"You have my gratitude, insurgents."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	nods. "You are welcome. Now, run along somewhere safe, will you?"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	then looks at Kassem. "Boss, we have a firefight to get to?"
	XMB_173	"But you are insurgents, are you not? I came to this planet to join you, or a group like yours."
	CawklesGM	Ishmael is right. The fire boils unbated nearby.
	XMB_173	"I don't suppose any of you could use a tech-priest's services, could you?"
	Kassem_Marqus	"No time for introductions, freak. Tag along and fight, and you'll be welcomed with open arms."
	XMB_173	opens his robe slightly to flash his cogwheel-aquilla necklace
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	shrugs and moves along, rifle at the ready. He was clearly in a rush.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	sizes the metal-man up before moving off.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz 	[Bazir] This squad just gets stranger.
	Rajh_Tara	+Sarge, let's move. Time is ticking.+
	Kassem_Marqus	+Keep up+ Kassem picks up the pace
	Ace_Nerat	+You heard him, on the double maggots.+
	XMB_173	"I suppose introductions can wait."
	Ace_Nerat	+Move it metal man.+
	XMB_173	produces a lascarbine and falls into line
	CawklesGM	Abbass, Issam, and Jurdik blink. They're not gonna argue with their sergeant about keeping a stranger in their midst while a battle is going on. As you file down the alleyway, you make a brief bee line across the street and through a gap in the wall between the south east and north east buildings. As you crawl through, the chaos of the battle hits you suddenly. Each las blast coming from your foes is a deafening declaration of their violent intent, firing over and over in an uneding avalanche of fire. You can see why this place was called "Poor Man's Mansion". For whatever reason, the Imperial planners thought it fit to give this place a gothic makeover. A dainty, waist high stone barrier cordons off the center of the courtyard, and the entire area is littered with rubble and debris. What was once a fountain is now a pcok marked and wrecked, its pipes weakly sputtering water from still sizzling water pipes. At the flanks of the area, two great planters sit, the bushes it once housed vaporized by the current bout of aggressions.
	XMB_173	"What a waste of good Gothic architecture."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Architecture can be rebuilt."
	Ace_Nerat	+Cut the chatter.+
	XMB_173	"So, what is our battle plan, sergeant...?"
	CawklesGM	Ziida and her squad are laying behind the fountain, completely helpless under the volume of fire they are sustaining. Four women, Ziida included, are still in fighting condition; a petite woman and a muscle bound al-Isman lady lay beside them. The small one is still; the other is writhing in agonizing, horrific pain. The cohort are on the otherside of the courtyard, resplendent in blue and white, pouring lasfire into the area. They are taking cover behind piles of rubble assembled by the locals, who no doubt intended to gather it and remove it from their living spaces. From behind the central pile, a black armored man is visibly directing the battle.
	XMB_173	takes cover somewhere and waits for his orders
	CawklesGM	"IMPERATOR REQBAH!" The Cohort bellow, continuing to fire. The storm trooper organizing the battle, swivels his head and watches as Snow Squad moves in. He points, and shouts "THERE! THAT'S THEM!"
	Kassem_Marqus	rushes forward to the pinned Squad, and reassures them that they've got support (Snap out of it)
	Kassem_Marqus	"Snow Squad is here. I need you to get your shit together, and get back in the fight!"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	rushes to take cover and takes a hastily aimed shot at the stormtrooper leading the cohort bastards.
	CawklesGM	Sergeant Ziida tries to speak, but only a hoarse gasp comes out of her mouth. She steels herself, and the rest of her squad stops loafing around and takes up a more powerful position behind the fountain. The wounded, however, are still suffering. Malika is rolling around, a soul freezing scream leaving her lips as she lays on her wounds painfully. Half of the machine gunner's hand is blown
	CawklesGM	off, and her las wounds have charred her body to the bone. "Kill me, it hurts so bad...! JUST KILL ME!" She begs, trying to be heard over the firefight.
	CawklesGM	At this range, you see that Jain looks badly beaten. Her face is swollen terribly, and left leg is gone at the knee. Blood pours from her face and from inbetween her legs. All she is doing is whimpering softly.
	CawklesGM	Ishmael's sterling shot knocks the black clad storm trooper off his feet, and he lets out a resounding "oof". "FIRE FIRE! SHIFT PRIORITY!" He screeches. "TAKE THOSE BASTARDS OUT!"
	CawklesGM	Muffin slaps her corporal on the shoulder. "Less gittem boss! Dem boys is gon' sliss us tah peeces!"
	CawklesGM	Kahina readies her las carbine, keeping step with her comrade. "IZEM! I'LL STABILIZE MY KIN WOMAN, YOU TEND TO THE SMALL ONE!"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	nods furiously as he hoofs it over to the fountain, he slides into cover and preps his kit as he looks over the unconscious woman.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	yelps as a las-bolt hits him in his leg. [Bazir] "Fucking bastard!"
	CawklesGM	 A cohort moves up and lobs a grenade, fruitlessly. The Prone storm trooper steadies his rifle against the rubble pile and takes aim.
	XMB_173	"For the Emperor!"
	CawklesGM	XMB's random shooting rips in the storm trooper's leg, who screams in pain. "FUCK, I'M 10-99! REPEAT, 10-99!"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	grits his teeth and quickly shifts his aim at where he think's there is a flamer's pilot light. Another overloaded shot flies out.
	XMB_173	hoses down the Cohorts with his lascarbine, hitting the stormtrooper in the leg
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	sees a spurt of red and gibs blow out as his shot flies out and past the spot where the trooper's head used to be. He then coldly looks for his next target, anger in his face.
	CawklesGM	Jurdik whoops. "SHOW EM WHAT FOR, ISHMAEL!"
	Rajh_Tara	gets up and fires into one of the Cohort soldiers. The shots pierce through him, hitting the Storm Trooper behind the soldier. The Storm trooper is set ablaze, burning him alive.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	 visibly winces once he gets a proper look at the wounded medic. First Izem injects a drug cocktail heavily mixed with painkillers. He then wraps a tourniquet around the fucked leg and does his best to stop the bleeding, he then sets a splint to the broken leg and torso to keep the broken area set when she's moved. Finally he does his best to cover and clean any open wounds. Once done he breathes a sigh of relief and looks to Sergeant Ziida. "I've stabilized her, but she's going to need a proper medical facility if she's going to live. Not to mention plenty of trauma to her head area that I can't even deal with as is."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	makes his way to the handless woman.
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	tries to hit the fleeing cohort members, still quiet and firing.
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	makes sure to make the shots hurt as much as he can make it.
	CawklesGM	One of the cohort cuts and runs, but he flees back the wrong way. Ace is there to meet him, and in the ensuing struggle he forces the white man to the ground. "IMPERATOR REQBAH! OUR CITIES WILL STAND AGAIN!" He screams as he fights for his life, trying to drive his thumbs into Ace's eyes.
	CawklesGM	Muffin leaps from the hiding place in the hab block. "BOSS! BOOSSSS!!!!"
	Rajh_Tara	runs up and shouts at the Cohort Soldier "Get off of him and get on the Ground."
	Rajh_Tara	points his gun at the soldier.
	CawklesGM	With a stiff leg, she shoves the man off of her superior, and she brandishes her guttin' knife at the fallen man. You can see the terror in his eyes, and in his body. He's so young. He hasn't even had the opportunity to grow a beard yet. He crawls back on his hands. "Jeshua!" He calls out; whatever comrade he is calling out to is not there.
	Ace_Nerat	leaps on the man and lays into him with his fist
	Ace_Nerat	is careful to keep the man conscious while the beating ensues
	Rajh_Tara	+Muffin and Jurdik rob the dead, the rest secure the perimeter.+
	Ace_Nerat	Finally after a few minutes of continuous abuse, Ace smashes the handle of his chainsword into the mans head
	CawklesGM 	The young man plaintively cries out, gasping as Ace leaps onto him and begins to lay into him. "STOP!" The young man begs, slurring as his lips splits. He's weeping freely, his tears mixxing with the blood. "Stop! Please! STOP!"
	Ace_Nerat	then casually removes his knife and cuts both the mans trigger fingers off
	CawklesGM	The hit from the chainsword knocks the man out cold. He slumps to the ground.
	Rajh_Tara	"We need him alive, सफेद आदमी."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	leaves cover, the coils on his rifle red with the heat of use, the air around them swimming around just like the one found on the deserts. He looks around for any remaining enemies as he approaches the remains of the stormtrooper.
	Ace_Nerat	walks over to the stormtrooper
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "Save me his ammo."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh keeps his finger close to the trigger. "You either kill them or leave them unharmed. Don't go around doing that shit."
	Ishmael_Rahsingh "At least outside of interrogations."
	CawklesGM	In the mean time, the triage at the fountain continues. Jain is whimpering quietly, in terrible pain, but Malika is in a worse state still. She's gasping, heaving, kicking about violently. Kahina is patiently trying to deal with her, but to no avail. "I think she is beyond saving," Kahina says bluntly. She might be right. Her hand is blown in half, her body is ripped by las fire, and the flesh on her hip is seared down to the bone. She continues to beg for death, thrashing about violently.
	Ace_Nerat	"Are you ordering me around private?"
	Ace_Nerat	"I forgave you for that little love tap boy but i will bury you."
	CawklesGM	Muffin clicks her tongue. "Dunny mess wit me boss, boyo."
	Ace_Nerat	squares up to Ishmael.
	Rajh_Tara	"Ace, quit fucking around."
	CawklesGM	Jurdik brings up his comrade's back. "He's right," He growls. "Only God Fearing Fethers are savage. We're reasonable people here."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	kneels down next to Malika and looks into her eyes. "Are you certain?" Izem doubts that he could do much for her, given her state.
	Rajh_Tara	"The last thing we need is to waste medical supplies on the enemy."
	Ace_Nerat	"Now that boy won't be able to fight again, probably save him from a pulse rifle."
	CawklesGM	"Feck off, Rajh. tis 'ere keed 'ad it cummin', facts." Muffin saunters up to one of the faleen Cohort and begins to peruse his body.
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	looks straight into Ace's eyes, threat filling his own as his grip on the rifle tightens. He opens his mouth to say something but stops as Rajh interrupts.
	CawklesGM	Kahina shrugs. Ziida, however, interjects quite violently. "Medic," She orders. "You will save this woman. Do I make myself understood?"
	Rajh_Tara	 "Muffin, go loot the corpses. Please."
	Ace_Nerat	"Get a fucking move on, can't be sitting around here hissing at one another, we got work to do."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	looks the female sergeant in the eyes before closing his own in deep though. "I will do what I can, ma'am."
	Ace_Nerat	"but I will not tolerate this much longer boy."
	Rajh_Tara	"We are waiting on the Medic."
	Rajh_Tara	"Plus, there are supplies on the defeated."
	Ace_Nerat	walks over to the stormtrooper and starts searching for anything useful
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	mutters. "Neither will I." He then goes to keep an eye out for any incoming enemies.
	CawklesGM	"You better," She hisses. Malika continues to struggle, and the attempt to save her is an ordeal all present had to endure. She was in so much pain, screamed so violently, shook with such vigor. She's a fighter, that's for sure. She hangs on as Izem does his work, but her wounds are too grave and too many. The fight within her fades slowly at first, the thrashing growing gentler as seconds pass. Her breaths become more shallow, and through rheumy eyes she looks up to her would be savior as the last of her life ebbs from her flesh.
	CawklesGM	"Ma ma..." She groans. "Ma-...Mama..."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"I'm losing her!"
	CawklesGM	Izem sees that fleeting moment, when the eyes suddenly lose their luster and the last thought of a dying woman is laid bare. She suddenly grows heavy, and her neck lolls softly to the side. Her eyes cease to blink.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	lets his arms lay limp by his side as he sits down in defeat, a blank look on his face. He distractedly takes off his gloves, staring off into nothing, as the weight of his responsibility crushes him like a man crushes a beetle.
	CawklesGM	Kahina passes her hand over the woman's face, closing her eyes. "There was nothing we could have done."
	CawklesGM	Ziida darts to her feet and just...screams. She tears off her helmet dashes it against the ground. The other women of the Ziida's cunts move to console their sergeant. They shuffle her away from the group and let her have her break down.
	XMB_173	inspects the Stormtrooper
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	recites the Prayer for the Departed, as taught to him by his surrogate father.
	XMB_173	"Hmm... I think I can salvage this one's armor."
	Ace_Nerat	"Any way we can take this armour?"
	XMB_173	directs his servitor to strip the armor down and store it.
	Ace_Nerat	"Oh good, I might need it."
	XMB_173	"We'll have to wait until we are back at base to put it on, however."
	Rajh_Tara	"I think the metal priest has a solution."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bizar] "As you live, as you die, know that you go with the prayers of those who loved you, into His Kingdom, in the heavens. May your rest be as eternal as the stars sit in the sky."
	CawklesGM	The dead storm trooper is a but a shrivelled black corpse lying in his carapace armor. Lumen tags hang around his neck.
	XMB_173	takes the lumen tags and inspects them
	CawklesGM	+++ PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DARROS BRADDOCK, 1st SQUAD, 4th COMPANY, 19th SPECIAL WARFARE GROUP+++
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	throws a blanket over the corpse of the deceased, taken from her own pack. He then re-checks Jain. After, he gathers his things and motions for Kahina to rejoin the group.
	CawklesGM	Kahina is ashen and withdrawn as well, but betrays no hint of emotion. An al-Isman does not weep for the dead.
	Rajh_Tara	walks up to the Medic and sees him covering the body.
	XMB_173	"Special Warfar Group?"
	XMB_173	"Is that name familiar to any of you?"
	CawklesGM	Muffin breaks out a lho stick and takes a drag. Jurdik decides to join her. Like two stones, they wallow with each other thoughtlessly, looking over the chaos before them. WIth the fighting stopped, curious civilians are starting to flood the windows. Many of them audibly gasp at the carnage before them.
	Rajh_Tara	says under his breath "Mother protects her soul and guide her to the Emperor."
	XMB_173	"Wait, lemme see that helmet for a moment."
	XMB_173	takes the Stormie's helm and tries to hack into the frequency.
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	"We should leave soon." Ishmael speaks up, softly.
	Rajh_Tara	"Doc, it's time to move."
	XMB_173	"If I find another helmet like this, I can hack into the Stormtrooper's communications networks."
	CawklesGM	Issam whistles. "B--boyo boy if ya did that it make my life much easier!"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Shouldn't we help them?" Izem gestures towards the mourning squad.
	Rajh_Tara	+We should move, now.+
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	moves up to Jain, and waits for someone to aid in moving her.
	Ace_Nerat	shouts at the civilians to go home
	CawklesGM	Kahina, seeing Ishmale, retrieves a stretcher from the mourning squad and slowly hoists the woman onto it. "Slowly lift," she cautions. "Her weakling constitution is fading."
	Rajh_Tara	+Corporal, let's go. We are drawing attention.+
	XMB_173	"Speaking of which, what is your squad's frequency?"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	nods and moves along with her, being careful but for the most part quiet.
	CawklesGM	Issam scurries to the tech priest and proffers the holy man the sacred frequencies of his squad, and the proper ways to appease them.
	CawklesGM	Sergeant Ziida meets the mustering squad at near the exit. "Corporal Nerat, my squad is exhausted. We've been on the run since the operation...we need food. Cots. A chance to relax. Please, help your fellow prole out here! Only by our team works can we prosper! Please.." The sergeant sounds like she's pulling every one of her pleading remarks straight from the Way of the Cresting Sun.
	CawklesGM	The other woman, all dirty and haggard, mutter in agreement. They look like they've been through hell.
	Ace_Nerat	"How much fucking supplies do you think we have?"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	"More than they do."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"They are our comrades..."
	Ace_Nerat	looks around and sighs +Get a move on, and move fast or you get left behind.+
	CawklesGM	Ziida's face shines. "Thank you, corporal. Thank you! Cunts, get ready to move, 3m spread. Keep Jain between you guys, and-"
	CawklesGM	"...What about Malika?" One of the women asks.
	Ace_Nerat	looks to Ziida, curious
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	"We should take her and the flamer..." He numbly answers, the implication clear.
	CawklesGM	The Sergeant pauses, and her entire form is dragged down by the weight of her guilt and failure. She hestiates, trying to speak but sputtering her lips pointlessly.
	Ace_Nerat	walks over to the body and picks her up
	Ace_Nerat	+Lets go.+
	Ace_Nerat	Moves off to the HQ
	CawklesGM	The procession moves forward, numbly, grim even in the clear light of the morning. The sound of the fighting has cleared the streets of everybody and everything; not even the rats are present. In this moment, your only companions are the wind and the silence. A lone parchment blows across the street, and you swear you hear laughter in the distance...
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	keeps his eyes open for the possible source.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	halfway back Izem has Kahina switch places with him in carrying the wounded medic.
	CawklesGM	You reach the the groundfloor of your safehouse hab. The Boog at the table is still there, still barely attentive. This time, however, he has two guests; the two older kids, Iqbal-Ben Helah and Tali-Baht Helah.  Doof slowly rises to his feet as you enter, and the two children gawk curiously. "Daaaaaamn..." The boog groans. "Is that you, Ziida?"
	CawklesGM	Ziida and her cunts shuffle in. She doesn't dignify the boy with a response before heading upstairs with her squad.
	Ace_Nerat	"Somebody want to help me with this?"
	CawklesGM	The boog turns to the rest of you guys. "What's wrong with her-" He sees the stretcher, and the bodybag. "Oh."
	CawklesGM	The Boog takes the body from the Ace and hefts it to his shoulder.
	CawklesGM	"Where...where should I put this?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"The roof, I will see to her soon enough."
	Ace_Nerat	nods
	CawklesGM	The boog groans. "The ROOF? She's heavy...can't...can't I just put her in the basement?"
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	"I'll bloody do it. Just help with the stretcher."
	CawklesGM	Kahina silently takes Ishmael's place at the stretcher. "Go," She finally blurts. "I will save this weakling."
	Rajh_Tara	assists Ishmael with the body.
	Ishmael_Rahsingh	heads up the stairs with the body.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	gives Kahina a worrying look before helping Kahina with the stretcher.
	CawklesGM	Jurdik chuckles. "might wanna work on your bedside manner, kinwoman."
	CawklesGM	"You are no kin of mine, al-Babaar."
	Ace_Nerat	"We need food. Red Guard and medic, come help me search for some when you get done."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"That may take some time, why not put the children you have to work?"
	Ace_Nerat	smiles at the idea and instructs the older kids what to do
	Ace_Nerat	"What do you say Redguard, are you coming?"
	CawklesGM	Jurdik shrugs. Abbass helps with the stretcher, the young woman on it being of some importance to him.
	Rajh_Tara	"In a moment."
	Rajh_Tara	connects his hotshot las gun to the strip promethium generator.
	CawklesGM	The two older children, Iqbal and Tali, looks over at the squad. They are still quite frightened, and the older boy has proven to be particularly surly. His sister, however, is more talkative of the two. "What do you all need," She asks politely. You can't tell whether that is fear or genuine helpfulness in her voice.
	Rajh_Tara	"I'm set, Corporal."
	Ace_Nerat	"Just gather some food if you can, anything you find useful." he then hands the boy his Mono knife
	Ace_Nerat	"Lets head out for some food Redguard."
	Rajh_Tara	"Understood."
	CawklesGM	The young man takes the knife, and his sister squeaks at the gleaming thing. "W-wait, where do we look for food? How? Why? Why the knife?"
	CawklesGM	Muffin can't hlep but contain her laughter. "Tees feeckin' kids..."
	Ace_Nerat	sighs and remembers the kids upbringing
	Rajh_Tara	"Kid, the knife is for protection."
	Ace_Nerat	"Just follow me."
	CawklesGM	Kahina returns from the upstairs, along with Abbass. Kahina looks particularly gloomy, her bandanged head clouded with angst. Abbass looks a little harrowed, but otherwise fine. Kahina shies away when she sees the children.
	Ace_Nerat	"want to come Abbass?"
	CawklesGM	Tali skitters over to Ace, but the boy Iqbal stays put. "No," he says tersely.
	Ace_Nerat	turns back and chuckles "And why not?"
	CawklesGM	Abbass nods. He taps Izem on the shoulder. [Bazir]"Your assitant is cute. What happened to her face?"
	CawklesGM	"Because I want to see my mom."
	CawklesGM	Tali sighs audibly.
	Ace_Nerat	"She is dead."
	CawklesGM	The kid leaps from his seat. "NO! SHE'S NOT DEAD! I SAW HER-"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	narrows his eyes at the question. [Bazir] "Why do you care, /brother?/"
	CawklesGM	Tali bats her brother across the face. "Iqbal, stop it!"
	Rajh_Tara	"Saw her where?"
	CawklesGM	Tali turns to the Red Guard. "he didn't see anything. He saw her run into a room, where a bad man...did things."
	CawklesGM	"She's dead."
	Rajh_Tara	"Fucking animals."
	Ace_Nerat	walks over to the kid and pats him on the shoulder
	Ace_Nerat	"I'm sorry, now get moving."
	CawklesGM	Iqbal purses his lips, and appears lke he's about to pout, but assents and joins his sister. Abbass chuckles. "Good boy," he praises.
	Rajh_Tara	whispers to Ace "We could use them like lookouts. It will keep them out of harm's way."
	CawklesGM	Abbass turns to his Bazir brother. [Bazir]"I only ask out of curiousity. Think she needs a man in her life?"
	CawklesGM	Kahina is beginning to look impatient. Muffin joins her near the door.
	Ace_Nerat	"MOVE OUT."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	gives him a cautionary glare. [Bazir] "That is her business, and her's alone. Know only that it is a scar she carries with pain and pride. Take no offense, but it is as personal to me as it is to her."
	Rajh_Tara	"...Sēṇṭa madara protect us."
	Ace_Nerat	walks out the door and in the direction of the tau relief line
	CawklesGM	Abbass looks visibly confused. [Bazir] "Gotcha...Well, sorry for asking then."
	Rajh_Tara	follows behind Ave and the kids.
		CawklesGM	"Gotcha...Well, sorry for asking then."
	CawklesGM	Ace, Abbass, Muffin, Kahina, Rajh, and Izem sally forth from the lobby, in search of food. You know that at this time in the morning, the Tau are handing out food to refugees to the south, closer to the docks.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bazir] "He who is ignorant is no more guilty than an innocent child. Do not worry, just know that it is best not to sleuth into her past."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	follows along, carrying only the bare minimum so as to not attract attention.
	CawklesGM	You make your way to these food lines, walking through the twisted maze of habs. As you grow closer to the docks, the behemoth techno-articulators loom like great lizards of the past. The streets are beginning to fill with life, as the mutlitude of desperate and bedraggled Qalyatans filter into the streets, seeking hand outs. During the day, the gangers don't like to have open warfare, so
	CawklesGM	many are confident enough to  waltz about with only knives and small guns. What merchants that have managed to stay afloat after being forced out by the Arkwrighter business interests in other parts of the city stand around, hawking their wares loudly. Barbers, masseuses, entertainers, working women...all and more are out and about trying to make enough to get something to eat.
	CawklesGM	Abbass can't help but push the issue further. [Bazir]"Well, brother, her past isn't what I'm interested in. I hope I've made that clear. My concerns are much more...you know."
	CawklesGM	Muffin spits. "Yoo boyos gun' carp ull deh in dat peg toong o' yers or wat? Me an' meself wenna 'ear wat ya sayin'."
	Ace_Nerat	surveys the scene
	Rajh_Tara	"Muffin, I never understand anything you say."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"I'm getting bits and pieces."
	Ace_Nerat	"After we get done with this i'm sending her to a dentist and a speech therapist."
	Rajh_Tara	laughs and says "I don't think we can afford it."
	CawklesGM	Muffin thumbs her nose at Ace. "Tah boyos luff meh tah weh I be nouw. 'Tis why tay call me Muffin; oll o' tehm wenna piece."
	Ace_Nerat	"I'd need a bag first." he says with a chuckle
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bazir] "Touch her and I'll introduce you to the poison of the Reethe-Beetle." He says to Abbass in a cold tone and stare.
	Rajh_Tara	starts snorting and laughing
	CawklesGM	Kahina rolls her eyes. Muffin takes the opportunity to strip herself of those bothersomet hings covering up everything above her waist, shaking out her chest. Kahina's jaw drops.
	CawklesGM	"WOMAN! COVER YOURSELF!"
	CawklesGM	Muffin snorts. "Neh," she says dismissively.
	Rajh_Tara	starts staring at Muffin's tits.
	Ace_Nerat	shrugs "better for the distraction."
	CawklesGM	"Why isn't she wearing a shirt?" Tali asks, a tad concerned. Her brother's mind is elsewhere.
	Ace_Nerat	"She is weird."
	CawklesGM	Abbass clicks his tongue. [Bazir] "I see, I see...Don't worry about me brother. I know when to go back off."
	Ace_Nerat	falls back a little and covers the boys eyes
	CawklesGM	As you continue strolling, Abbass breaks up the tedium. "Issam told me about something that happened in the Gothic District...somebody broke into a refugee squat inside a basement. They were all dead. Mauled, rather. Here's the kicker: Somebody *ate* them."
	CawklesGM	Kahina mutters a small prayer. Muffin shakes her head, incredulous.
	Ace_Nerat	"Some kind of animal clearly."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bazir] "I'm glad you understand....what is your name again, brother?"
	CawklesGM	"Abbass."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	keeps himself from asking further about the basement incident. He decides to keep that tidbit away for later.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Izem-abn-Anaruz, [Bazir] were you not given your familial name?"
	CawklesGM	You round a corner, and see it. At the interesction of several roads, surrounded by high habs, a small tent city has been set up. A snakiing line of refugees are lined up perpendiular to the tent city, the row trailing off down towards the docks thousands strong. You can see what they are waiting for: rows of tables, stacked with crates, teetering under the weight of the rations. There are...humans handing out crates. Humans wearing the uniform of the enmey, each and every one of them a white skinned youth of impeccable beauty and energy. No doubt an intentional choice on the part of the Tau; they want their human representatives to be impeccable. From where you approach, a flock of people have gathered to watch and envy those with ration tickets. Others are there to gawk at a blasphemous example of Tau technology, one of their hovering troop carriers. The distortion it causes with its roaring engines and anti-grav plating is as heretical as it is mesmerizing. The Devilfish hovers idlely near the tables, serving as a nexus for the drones sweeping through the ration line and the onlooking crowd.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	clicks his tongue in disgust at the heretical sight.
	CawklesGM	Muffin winks at Ace and slips into the crowd, out of sight.
	CawklesGM	"Where is that madwoman going?" Asks Kahina.
	Ace_Nerat	"Let her go."
	CawklesGM	Abbass smirks. "Doesn't seem like a good idea."
	CawklesGM	"What's going on?" Iqbal demands, his height not clearing the crowd. Tali shushes him.
	Ace_Nerat	"Abbass, I want you to go get chummy with some of those ladies."
	Ace_Nerat	"Get their attention and see if you can get anything out of them."
	Ace_Nerat	turns to the kids
	CawklesGM	Abbass runs his hand over his slick, shiny hair. "Gotcha," He says, slipping away.
	Ace_Nerat	"I want you to go and beg these people for their rations."
	Ace_Nerat	"Really pull on their heart strings."
	CawklesGM	Iqbal looks LIVID. A noble scion begging for food. He looks like he's about to lay into the corporal until he is dragged away by his sister.
	CawklesGM	Abbass has worked his way torwards the front. He's making good progress, he's already caught the attention of a young woman moving crates from a tent and to the table.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	keeps any eye-out for Abbass, ready to assist him in-case something happens.
	CawklesGM	Kahina leans into Izem. "Why aren't we attacking these infidels?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Because we need supplies, and the plan is not to attack them. These traitors will get their punishment soon enough."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	tries his best to comfort Kahina from doing anything rash.
	CawklesGM	Kahina reluctantly backs off. One of the saucer like drones hovers over the crowd, scanning...
	CawklesGM	The drone garbles out an unintelligble string of tau language and shines a strange red light on Rajh. Its beeping and humming clears the crowd, and the angry drone hovers around Rajh.
	CawklesGM	"Hey, brothers!" Abbass shouts. "Come 'ere!" He's standing near the table, by the young woman.
	Rajh_Tara	[Mahdi] "Ah, hello?"
	CawklesGM	The drone hovering around Rajh suddenly turns over to Abbass. The young woman with him makes a hand sign, and the drone floats away placidly.
	Rajh_Tara	walks over to Abbass.
	Ace_Nerat	walks over to Abbass.
	CawklesGM	Abbass bows, as does the woman he was with. "Guys, meet...ehhh..."
	Rajh_Tara	"What's Up?"
	CawklesGM	"Ta'Naya," The woman says, smiling. She's tiny, white, girlish...a great specimen of humanity. The only problem is her accent; it's strange. Beyond strange. You've heard nothing like it.
	Ace_Nerat	"Hey cutie."
	CawklesGM	"Ta'Naya could use some help heaving these big heavy boxes. Perhaps from strong men such as ourselves."
	Ace_Nerat	bows "Of course!"
	CawklesGM	The little girl giggles. "Follw me, then."
	Ace_Nerat	nods to Abbass and follows the girl
	Rajh_Tara	follows Ace.
	CawklesGM	In the meantime, Kahina silently says some swears in her mother tongue. "what are those fool boys up to...?"
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"This Abbass seems to be smoother than I gave him credit for. If my eyes aren't deceiving me they are securing our supplies."
	CawklesGM	The woman leads you into one of the tent. Boxes, stacked up to the roof, are present. Each are stamped with the foul symbol of the Tau. Ta'Naya stoops down to pick a box up...
	CawklesGM	And she heaves it up, straining quite vigorously. It must be laden with food...
	Ace_Nerat	walks up behind her and smashes her in the head with the butt of his knife
	CawklesGM	The woman stumbles forward, squeaking in pain. SHe drops the crate and whips around, her soft face contorted by pain and surprise. She takes a pulse pistol from her hip!
	Rajh_Tara	grapples the woman.
	CawklesGM	The lady struggles in Rajh's grasp, hissing violently. She's trying to bring her pistol up to Rajh!
	Ace_Nerat	grabs her pistol
	CawklesGM	Abbass hesitates, and tries to guard the tent entrance.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	taps his right foot impatiently. "What is taking them so long."
	CawklesGM	The woman wrestles the two men off, reaching for the knife she has kept hidden on her person...
	CawklesGM	She brandishes the steel before her two assailants. "FUCK YOU!" She screeches.
	CawklesGM	Kahina grows weary. "We should investigate."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Is that wise?"
	CawklesGM	"...No." Kahina's lip twitches a little, angry. Waiting is not in her nature.
	CawklesGM	The woman swipes at Rajh, nearly gutting him. "COME ON!" COME ON!"
	CawklesGM	Ta'Naya's thick accent slurs violently as she tries to attack. "COME ON AND-" The wind is knocked out of her as Ace grapples her once again.
	CawklesGM	Abbass peaks out the tent. "Guys I think we are attracting attention..."
	CawklesGM	Ta'Naya shoves Ace off. She's fighting for her life, and is lashing out like a wounded animal.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Let us think with a calm mind, Kahina. I am sure they know what they are doing." He says more to himself than anything.
	Ace_Nerat	violently stabs her in the forehead
	CawklesGM	The woman suddenly stops moving. She looks shocked for a moment, before her eyes roll back into her skull and she collapses to the floor.
	Ace_Nerat	+We need a distraction now.+
	CawklesGM	Abbass breathes a sigh of relief. "What the hell," He jests. "We were going to go on a date!"
	Rajh_Tara	+Muffin, get the kids and leave NOW!+
	CawklesGM	There is a moment before you get your response. +...A lil' bissy neh, pally.+
	Rajh_Tara	"Abbass, get in here."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	+What? I thought you had this under control?+
	Rajh_Tara	+Change of Plans, I repeat change of Plans.
	CawklesGM	Kahina thumbs her microbead. +Damn! We should have attacked!+
	Ace_Nerat	+Didn't expect professional wrestler here.+
	CawklesGM	You hear...some man's muffled voice over the microbead.
	Ace_Nerat	grabs two crates and gets ready to book it.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	"Too late for that now." Izem says quietly to Kahina.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	quickly looks around for a distraction.
	Rajh_Tara	hands Abbass a crate and takes one as well.
	CawklesGM	Kahina nudges her comrade. "I see that now. Let's just try and not board the chariot today. I have many more foes to slay."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	[Bazir] "Not to mention two kids who are waiting for you."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	+I see an alleyway to the west, if you take that I believe you should be in the clear.+
	Ace_Nerat	+Grab as much food as you can and lets move.+
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	+I will try my best to cover you in case something wrong happens.+
	Ace_Nerat	grabs three crates and heads for the alley
	Rajh_Tara	and Abbass carry three crates as well and follows Ace.
	CawklesGM	You slip away, scot free. You and your crates make it the alley where Kahina is there to meet you. She leers at all of you as you pass. "What happened?" She demands.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	does his best to find the kids, with or without Muffin's help.
	Rajh_Tara	"Pure non-sense."
	CawklesGM	To no avail, of course. The others wait for Izem at the alley.
	Ace_Nerat	"Get moving."
	Ace_Nerat	+WHERE ARE YOU MUFF.+
	CawklesGM	To Kahina, to disobey a superior is heresy. Despite her misgivings, she acquiesces, her one good eye leering through her stone cold face.
	CawklesGM	+I SEEH ME BISSY!+
	Rajh_Tara	"Not bad, Ace. We made it out alive and with food."
	Ace_Nerat	+WELL GET UNBISSY. WHERE ARE YOU?+
	CawklesGM	+Est alee. Wit tah doilie lil' kiddehs, loik Izzzum assed.+
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	Izem gives up after a while, heading towards the alleyway.
	CawklesGM	+Neh, cannae meh git bak tah bissy?+
	Ace_Nerat	+Sure thing.+
	CawklesGM	With that, your squad heads out...but not before you walk through the alley, in which you can hear some grunting and groaning.
	CawklesGM	Iqbal and Tali are sitting in the alley, looking bored. They hail you down.
	CawklesGM	Iqbal waddles up to the group. "Miss Muffin is busy with a...uh...gentleman. She told me that she was going to 'oodwenk' him good, whatever that means."
	Ace_Nerat	"Where?"
	CawklesGM	Tali blushes. "She's around the corner," She explains
	Ace_Nerat	stalks around the corner.
	CawklesGM	And what do you know. Some dark, Mahdite man in military fatigues is leaned up against the wall, relaxing as the crouched form before him goes about its work. Muffin's head bobs up and down, grunting...until she sees Ace out the corner of her eye.
	CawklesGM	Muffin topples to the ground. "Ehhehehehe...boss i neh wuh dis lookie loik but-!"
	Ace_Nerat	pulls his knife and stabs the man
	Ace_Nerat	"Get ready to go."
	Ace_Nerat	storms back and grabs the crates.
	CawklesGM	The auxiliary gurgles and crumplesto the ground, sliding across the wall. He didn't even have the deceny of pulling his pants up.
	Rajh_Tara	"Let's get a move on."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	clears his throat, "yes, let's."
	CawklesGM	 Muffin wipes her mouth. "Ahhh...tas tah seckie man 'oo got stapped atter me slob 'is knob. Brengs meh back."
	CawklesGM	Abbass blinks. "Second?"
	Rajh_Tara	runs in to see what's going on.
	Rajh_Tara	"Oh, god."
	Ace_Nerat	"Not a word 'til we get back or i'm going to cut your nipples off."
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	has a visibly disgusted face as he covers the ears of the children as they move along.
	Rajh_Tara	"Why are his pants down?"
	CawklesGM	"Yah, tah ferss wass meh coozin. back ten, me an' meself was fukkin' sum-" She pauses at the behest of her corporal.
	Ace_Nerat	gives her a challenging look.
	CawklesGM	Kahina rounds the corner and looks stone cold. She doesn't even want to dignify the situation with a reaction. She simply marches past.
	Rajh_Tara	checks the corpse for a mirco-bead.
	Izem_abn_Anaruz	follows after her, both children at his sides.
	Ace_Nerat	makes his way home.
	CawklesGM	There is no microbead on his body...it's swinging from Muffin's fingers.
	CawklesGM	"Weh ahedayoo, Rajh."
	Rajh_Tara	"Let's just go."
	Rajh_Tara	"Please."