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Vlaskiyov

Liberation of Nova Spera Session 5.5

Jul 26th, 2015
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  1. CawklesGM There is a terrific crash as Brash Platoon approaches its prize, Objective Albrecht. The terrible din of war only grows louder and more frenzied with each fearful step into the compound. Objective Albrecht, once some sort of security tower for the manufactorum complex, stands defiantly. Its length salutes the burning sky, heedless of the chaos erupting throughout the Tareb Gate District. Thick, billowing clouds of black smoke slowly filter in through the holes in the complex walls, joining the stewing cloud of fiery clouds forming over the crashed Tau fighter. There is a silence to this place, felt rather than heard. Anybody can see it's getting to the men. Sergeant "Roxy" is particularly distressed...but it's hard to see if it's due to the impending operation or a result of her feverish devotion to cleanliness that is no doubt being aggravated by all the soot and dried blood. Sergeant Wrenchman stuffs a thick cigar into his mouth and takes a drag, itching at his impressive facial hair as he fans his men out to secure the compound and await his commander's orders. There is the cry of babe in the distance, shrill and chilling...a peal of mad laughter soon follows.
  2. CawklesGM +Unt roight, tis is...+ Muffin mutters over comms. +Wur tah peeps, mates?+
  3. CawklesGM +Be quiet.+ Kahina orders. She stays on the channel for a moment. +...I feel it too, Boog. The unease.+
  4. Izem_abn_Anaruz +Try not to think about it too much,+ Izem says with a weary tone.
  5. CawklesGM There is an audible boom as a flight of tau aircraft dash over heard, their droning engines continuing to whine as they disappear into the distance. Soon after, a bone shaking boom is felt. Abbass whistles. +Hope your artie boys are ready to help us, Ishmael+, he says with his typical calm aplomb.
  6. Ishmael "They looked able and helpful enough. I need to find a good point to set up the big guns."
  7. Ace_Nerat stands watching the surroundings and waiting for his commander's orders
  8. Ace_Nerat "I think it's best if we dig in as soon as possible."
  9. CawklesGM Jurdik beats his chest, heaving a mortar on his back. "Aye. Show these rat bastards the strength of a solid position."
  10. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Try not to get shot."
  11. Ishmael looks at the one of the nearby buildings. "Think there's roof access on that one?"
  12. Roland looks over at the building Ishmael is looking at.
  13. Kassem_Marqus +Listen up. Orders are as follows...+ Kassem begins, as he climbs up to one of the abandoned transports and begins looking around at his surroundings.
  14. CawklesGM Issam fiddles with his vox pack, itching his skin. The assembled squads stand attentive. All save Wrenchman and his boys appear to be nervous. They twist in place, flinching with each chorus of las fire and explosion.
  15. Ishmael looks at Kassem, his lasgun at the ready.
  16. CawklesGM Bartleby, the new man, seems distant and aloof. He wears the sneer of a confident grifter, eying up his new comrades. He seems particularly interested in the tech-priest.
  17. Roland listens to Kassem.
  18. Rajh_Tara equips his Tau Rifle.
  19. Kassem_Marqus +Snow sets up on the tower, Trouble Squad, get in the Hab Blocks, Rattle check the armory, and set up inside the building to the North-West, Viper Dig in down here using the rockrete and vehicles as needed. Saladin, move into the North-east. Roxy, set up on the north side of the tower, along the walls.+
  20. Ishmael "Word of advice, check your corners and keep an eye out for any traps."
  21. CawklesGM +YES SIR!+ They announce in unison, quickly skittering off to their assigned locations. Sergeant Ziida seems to have some second thoughts, and appears to say something in protest...but shakes her head and goes on her way. Bartleby snickers.
  22. CawklesGM "Little division among the ranks, eh?" He snorts. "You should put her in her place, boss. Cutie like that...she's probably acting up just so you can, you know..." The little rat chuckles, pulling a knife from a hiding place. He begins to dig for treasure underneath his finger nails.
  23. CawklesGM Kahina rolls her eyes at the shameless thug and his antics. As the squads fan out, the sound of battle begins to shift...
  24. Izem_abn_Anaruz turns to the new squad-member and gives him a weary look.
  25. Ace_Nerat "Shut the hell up and get into position."
  26. CawklesGM "God-Emperor man, smile!" Bartleby exclaims, prodding his fingers into his cheeks.
  27. Kassem_Marqus +If there's anything of value in the Armory, call it in, Ziida+
  28. Kassem_Marqus "Roland, take point. Get as high up the tower as you can."
  29. Ace_Nerat +You're officially on permission to speak, any violations will result in a beating.+
  30. Kassem_Marqus climbs down from the vehicle, and starts walking towards the tower.
  31. Roland "Yes Sir."
  32. Ishmael starts climbing up the tower, trying to set up his mortar as soon as possible.
  33. Roland climbs up the tower.
  34. Ace_Nerat follows the commander through
  35. Rajh_Tara sticks close to Kassem.
  36. Izem_abn_Anaruz follows after the squad, his lascarbine in an at-ready stance.
  37. Roland gets up to the highest point on the tower and puts his Chameleoline Cloak over himself and sets up.
  38. CawklesGM Sergeant Ziida's voice bounces onto the vox, garbled before becoming clear again. +Ziida here. You won't believe what's in this armory...riot shields, smoke grenades, two gun servitors, and...a tarantula? I think that's what this is anyway. The God-Emperor has blessed us this day, it seems. Surely this is a sign that he favors the revo-+
  39. CawklesGM There is pause. Ziida whispers on comms. +Single foot mobile, approaching from the north. He appears to be alone.+
  40. Kassem_Marqus +Roland, can you see him?+
  41. Ishmael rushes to a window if there are any.
  42. Kassem_Marqus +Roxy, move up to the Armory. When it's clear, haul out the equipment inside. XMB, go with them.+
  43. Roland +Yes, I got eyes on him.+
  44. Kassem_Marqus +If he's alone, drop him. Your discretion.+
  45. Rajh_Tara wraps his scarf around his face.
  46. Kassem_Marqus walks back outside, to take a look at the equipment, and oversee the defenses.
  47. Ishmael goes on to try and get to the top floor.
  48. Kassem_Marqus "Nerat, Tara, with me."
  49. CawklesGM +Sure thing, love!+ Roxy replies, the middle aged woman sounding sprightly despite the circumstances. The lone figure is wearing a dark overcoat and an all encompassing black bodyglove. You can see he's tall, and walks with a confident swagger atypical of locals. In his right hand, he waves a white strip of cloth.
  50. Roland +He is alone, hes wearing a dark overcoat and black bodyglove, also hes waving a white cloth sir.+
  51. Ace_Nerat follows Kassem
  52. CawklesGM The equipment being dragged outside by Roxy's squad is in poor shape. The riot shields, piles of them, are rusted and chipped; the two gun servitors are rusted, rotting, and in possession of mere autoguns. The tarantula turret, however, is an impressive piece of equipment; twin lascanons attached to stout legs.
  53. XMB-173 "Want me to take a quick look at those gun servitors?"
  54. Kassem_Marqus +Can you set it up and get it to work?+
  55. Kassem_Marqus "Nerat, Tara, with me. We're approaching the man."
  56. Kassem_Marqus +Roland, keep him in your sights, we're approaching.+
  57. CawklesGM The figure, meanwhile, continues to approach. You hear him shout, but over the sound of battle he is indistinct.
  58. Roland +Understood.+ Aims his Triplex Pattern Lasgun at the figure.
  59. CawklesGM Muffin kicks the tarantula turret. "Meh net wun tah lek a giff grox in tah mouf...buh wuh do tees cunts ned tah 'ave a lascan tooret? Wer tay espectin' an 'orde o' mad cunts?"
  60. XMB-173 "Hopefully."
  61. XMB-173 checks out- checks up the servitors
  62. CawklesGM The man approaching finally starts to become clear as the LT and his retinue approach. "...ello! HELLO! Fine gentlemen! Parley?" His accent is decidedly foreign and smooth, completely alien to your ears.
  63. CawklesGM The man continues to feverishly flag Brash platoon down. He continually checks a chrono on his wrist, over and over and over...
  64. Kassem_Marqus "MOVE NO FURTHER!" Kassem calls over his Laud Hailer.
  65. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "I wonder if you can understand me."
  66. Izem_abn_Anaruz takes a moment to look around the first floor of the tower, while there is a lull in orders.
  67. Ishmael has Jurdik set up the mortar as he looks over the meeting through the sights on his rifle.
  68. Kassem_Marqus "Both of you, move up there, check him for weapons, and bring him to me."
  69. CawklesGM Kahina slides up to her superior, and pats his shoulder. "Today is not our day, Izem."
  70. Kassem_Marqus +If he so much as pockets that cloth into his coat, put him down, Roland+
  71. Roland +Understood+
  72. Rajh_Tara +Roger.+
  73. Ace_Nerat stalks towards the man
  74. CawklesGM The man sees you all approach, and slowly lifts his arms above his head. "I come in peace! Trust me!"
  75. Izem_abn_Anaruz "What do you mean Kahina? Having a bad feeling?" He asks while turning to his assistant.
  76. Ace_Nerat "Try anything funny and I'll beat you down."
  77. Rajh_Tara shadows Ace with his pulse rifle ready.
  78. CawklesGM Despite the man's face mask, you can almost hear him smile coyly.
  79. Kassem_Marqus +Ishmael, oversee the defenses setup.+
  80. Ace_Nerat stops five meters from him "Lay on the ground."
  81. CawklesGM "Why-! I'm insulted at the notion that I would destroy the sacred trust that is parley!" He says, faux offended.
  82. Ace_Nerat "Three seconds."
  83. CawklesGM The man complies, and lies on the ground. "We really don't have time..." He mutters. You can see the idea of getting on the ground is...foreign to him.
  84. Ishmael +Understood. I'll do that from up here, boss.+
  85. Rajh_Tara uses his Chameleoline Cloak to hide in plain sight.
  86. CawklesGM Kahina, in the mean time, frowns. "Yes, I have a bad feeling. A large warband attracts many eyes, Izem. If anything happens to me..." She bites her lip before going stolid once again. "I forget myself. As I said before, today is not our time."
  87. Ace_Nerat "Now, what do you want?"
  88. Izem_abn_Anaruz gives a small smile before reciprocating the shoulder pat. "It's okay to worry about your own. Just keep the mission in mind as well, and we'll do fine. Besides I'll make sure you make it back. I've succeeded so far haven't I?"
  89. CawklesGM Kahina nods. She says something in Qom, and retreats into herself.
  90. Ace_Nerat +Ere we go.+
  91. Rajh_Tara aims at the mystery man.
  92. Ace_Nerat slowly approaches the man, careful with every step.
  93. CawklesGM The man coughs as dust particles get into his mouth. He flinches as a bomb detonates somewhere off in the distance. "I don't have much time, so I'll make this brief. A mutual acquaintance of ours wants to extend a warning to you. Our forces retreated from this position because a Tau strike team is headed over here, full steam buddy. If you're smart, you'll get outta here. If you're not...well...I hope this warning will suffice."
  94. CawklesGM The man stands up and dusts himself off. "Now, may I leave? I don't want to be here when those blue skinned bastards stomp you."
  95. Ace_Nerat relays the information and also states. +He wants to leave, should I let him?"
  96. Kassem_Marqus +I sent you to take him to me, and now you're asking if he may leave.+
  97. Ace_Nerat shrugs and grabs the man.
  98. Roland +Sir, we got three full squads of tau, with a Hammer Head leading them from the west.+
  99. Ishmael +Guys! Tau formation incoming! 24 foot mobiles with a hammerhead on point!+ "Jurdik! We'll be using our new gun soon!"
  100. CawklesGM Jurdik slams down the mortar gun. There is profuse swearing on the comms as Muffin lets the world know exactly how she feels about the developing situation.
  101. Ishmael then gets to work on trying to request an artillery barrage on the advancing Tau.
  102. Kassem_Marqus "Shit..." +Grab him, and haul ass back to the tower. Everyone in position! Get that machine freak to work on that turret!+
  103. CawklesGM "Fethin'-!" The man gasps as Ace lunges for him. He quickly stumbles back and tries to dash back in the direction from whence he came. "You RUDE ASSHOLES! I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU!"
  104. XMB-173 gets to work on the turret, mumbling something about stupid backwaters not knowing about how to keep their machines in-line.
  105. CawklesGM He yelps as Roland's shot wings him, but he continues to run. The man's quick on his feet; he's dashing like a madman down the boulevard, deeper into the Tareb Gate district.
  106. Izem_abn_Anaruz [Bazir] "Oh man, the shit's hitting the fan now."
  107. Rajh_Tara sneaks towards to the tower.
  108. Izem_abn_Anaruz says a quick prayer as he readies himself and awaits his orders.
  109. Ace_Nerat "I love it when they run."
  110. Kassem_Marqus returns to the armory.
  111. CawklesGM The man finally falls to the floor as Roland's second shot hits him square in the lower back. Judging by the squirming, he's still alive.
  112. Ace_Nerat runs to him and shocks him with the powermaul.
  113. CawklesGM The man screams. "YOU ALREADY SHOT ME, YOU ASSHOLE!"
  114. Ace_Nerat "That's for running."
  115. Ace_Nerat hauls the man up and throws him over his shoulder."
  116. CawklesGM "You're messing with the wrong man!" He says. "You have no idea who I work for!"
  117. CawklesGM Then it begins. The chirping. God-Emperor, you've never heard anything like it. It's everywhere, rising in intensity, so loud it overpowers the sound of the distant battle.
  118. CawklesGM Wrenchman jumps on the vox. +The feck is that...?+
  119. Kassem_Marqus takes the smoke grenades.
  120. Ishmael curses as the artillery ETA is given. He then hands Jurdik his magnoculars. "You are on spotter duty now. See if you can spot any officers among those Tau."
  121. CawklesGM Jurdik nods. "I don't think earthshaker discriminates, buddy..."
  122. CawklesGM The chirping continues, almost taking on a chant like quality. The squads grip their lascarbines tightly, fearful of what approaches. The chorus of inhuman sound continues, unabated...
  123. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Emperor above..."
  124. Ishmael "I want to keep them pinned in the effect radius."
  125. Ace_Nerat books it back to the base
  126. Ishmael +Anyone know what that damned sound is?+
  127. Kassem_Marqus +We'll know soon enough+
  128. Izem_abn_Anaruz +Isn't natural.+
  129. CawklesGM There is a sudden, throaty crash coming from the direction of the docks. Several whistling sounds are heard as the rounds arc over head, and then...
  130. CawklesGM BOOM! The earthshaker round is aptly named. The ground buckles as the rounds hit their target...with minimal damage.
  131. Ishmael starts to take aim in the impact direction. "Jurdik, what do you see?"
  132. Kassem_Marqus reaches the top of the tower, and scans his surroundings
  133. CawklesGM Ziida comes on the comms. +THEY'RE ALMOST HERE! THEY'RE ALMOST-!+ There is a hiss... and then a a mechanical whoosh. The world stands still for a moment as a projectile, faster than the eye can see, zooms from the west and slams into the ground near Objective Albrecht. A pile of dirt, rockrete, and other debris rise from the ground in giant plumes. Somebody screams.
  134. CawklesGM +INCOOOOOMING!+ Somebody shouts over the vox, as the frenzy and confusion of battle sets in. The chirping ceases...and the Kroot launch their attack.
  135. Roland +Got 10 Kroot to south+
  136. CawklesGM From the east, two kroot packs let out a chirping war cry and launch their attack! One pack attacks XMB, but are badly disoriented by the smoke and fail to make any progress; the other splits off and heads for the hab blocks!
  137. CawklesGM Bartleby spits and gets ready for battle. "First battle and I'm done fer...bulllshiiiiit..."
  138. CawklesGM There is hoarse screaming over the vox, coupled with the sounds of frenzied chirping and wet snapping sounds...God-Emperor it's horrifying. The sound of fighting emanates from the hab block where Ali's squad is stationed.
  139. Rajh_Tara fires his pulse rife and hits two in the tau formation.
  140. CawklesGM +Wrenchman here! We got hostiles approaching from the south...and Ali! ALI! THOSE KROOT BASTARDS!+
  141. CawklesGM Muffin squeaks. +Wassa gun on?+
  142. Roland has Abbass fire a hail of fire at the tau squad to the west while shooting at them with his Triplex Pattern Lasgun.
  143. Izem_abn_Anaruz +Shit's hitting the fan, Muffin.+
  144. Ishmael takes his trusty rocket launcher and fires a krak rocket at the Hammerhead, taking advantage of being above it.
  145. CawklesGM The Tau buckles violently as the missile slams into it...but the tau advance continues to press forward. The screams of the damned screech out as deadly accurate Tau fire find their marks. One of the younger riflemen in Ziida's squad has her head blown clean off...two more men in Roxy's squad fall down in pools of their own guts and charred flesh, screaming bloody murder, squirming in mad agony as they live their last moments in pain so severe it drives them mad.
  146. CawklesGM Kahina squeezes off round after round, an angry war cry on her lips. In the garbled Qom, you can pick up a name...Omar.
  147. Izem_abn_Anaruz is adding his las fire to Kahina's, but unfortunately misses his mark each time.
  148. Ace_Nerat leaps from his hiding place and sets CUPCAKE upon them, finishing the squad in a bloody dance of blunt blows.
  149. CawklesGM Brash Platoon launches an angry counter attack against the Tau interlopers, their reply of las bolts taking a minor toll on the encroaching Tau forces. Their furious fusillade drops many amid their frenzied cries. The hammerhead takes a telling blow from the tarantula turret. Almost without notice, the entire situation has changed; the battle, once distant, is now right in your midst. There is so much confusion, the entire situation seems bleary and unclear...The screams of the dead and dying seems distant and out of sync with the reality before you. Amid the ballet of destruction, reason has no place.
  150. CawklesGM Muffin can barely keep up with her superior as they dice up the kroot squad. Wrenchman gives a thankful salute. +Good on ya, mate+ He says, taking a drag from his cigar.
  151. Ace_Nerat +(INDISCRIMINATE SCREAMING)+
  152. Rajh_Tara uses a semi-auto burst and kills three of the Tau.
  153. Roland takes aim with the help of Abbass and takes out one of the tau leaders in the squad attacking Ziida’s Cunts.
  154. XMB-173 cranks his vox speakers' volume up to max and starts screaming at the Kroot as he attacks.
  155. XMB-173 "REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"
  156. Ishmael hits the hammerhead with a second rocket, making it wobble forwards.
  157. Izem_abn_Anaruz continues his barrage of las-fire, though today truly isn't his day, and he can't hit for shit. He starts cursing in Bazir quite loudly.
  158. CawklesGM Brash Platoon, with a final push, forces back the Tau attack. The Tau Hammerhead, once proud and mighty vehicle of the Empire, is a smouldering heap. The three tau formations bid a hasty retreat, and the kroot packs are cleaned up by Ace and Muffin...
  159. Roland takes one more shot at one of the retreating tau leader's, taking him out.
  160. Izem_abn_Anaruz sinks down onto his haunches near the window. With a deep breath he ejects his spent charge-pack and loads another. He then takes a hearty swig from his canteen.
  161. CawklesGM As Roland's final shot rings out, the peculiar silence of the manufactorum complex settles down back...Snow Squad returns to the first floor of Objective Albrecht. Jurdik flicks on his comm bead. He listens for a moment...
  162. CawklesGM "Ish," He begins. "The main offensive is moving up...get ready for some artillery requests pal."
  163. CawklesGM Muffin rolls her eyes. "Weh git enuff prolloms tah del wiff..."
  164. Ishmael reloads his launcher. "That wasn't AS bad as I thought it was going to be. Oh! Get me some paper and a map if you can get me one."
  165. Izem_abn_Anaruz +Ace, I'm setting up a triage on the first floor of the tower.+
  166. Ishmael +I'll be dealing with artillery calls.+
  167. Roland leans against one of the walls on the first floor.
  168. Rajh_Tara runs to the Tau corspes to steal ammo.
  169. CawklesGM Kahina clicks her tongue. "Izem, I saw no man who was hit stay alive. I think triage may be...wasteful."
  170. Izem_abn_Anaruz "We must still collect our dead." He then stands and dusts his legs off.
  171. CawklesGM The carpet of Tau corpses are plentiful in their bounty. Bartleby decides to join Rajh in his looting. Ziida's squad looks on in disgust as they gently lower their dead woman down from their position. They are sullen and bereft of words...this is their second dead sister in the month.
  172. Ace_Nerat +Report in squads. How many Casualties?+
  173. CawklesGM Ziida, sniffling, takes up the comm. +Sila is dead.+
  174. Rajh_Tara +Hey, Metal Priest. More tech over here.+
  175. Ace_Nerat +Any wounded?+
  176. Ishmael +Get the bodies to the tower. We should be orderly about this at least...+
  177. Roland leaves the building to check the surrounding area and makes his way over to Ziida's squad.
  178. CawklesGM +I lost two of my lil' lads...+ Laments Roxy. With this strange woman, it's hard to pinpoint whether that is remorse or sarcasm in her voice. Ali's voice, ragged and panting, reports in. +I...I couldn't save them. 4 of my brothers. Gone. Just like that. They...They...I'm holding position, Brother Ace.+
  179. XMB-173 "Oooh, weapons."
  180. XMB-173 wanders off and starts strapping various pulse rifles to his servitor
  181. Ace_Nerat +Hold it together. I want everyone to begin moving the dead for a proper funeral, then we gotta fortify this place.+
  182. CawklesGM The squads bring their casualties. Jain and Ziida bring in their girl, sans head. Roxy and some of her "lads" drag in their casualties, boys no older than seventeen fists chewed to pieces by pulse fire. The four boys dragged in by Ali are...are in bad shape. Like they got savaged by animals or something. Terrible stuff. Their faces are arrested in a rictus of terror.
  183. Ace_Nerat "Everyone alright with a pyre?"
  184. Rajh_Tara +There's no time.+
  185. Ace_Nerat "We need to move fast."
  186. Roland makes it over to where Ziida's squad is located.
  187. CawklesGM Abbass shakes his head. "We should just...wait. What if those boys that just attacked us are just wave one?"
  188. CawklesGM Muffin sighs. "Feeeeck...meh dunna wenna fine sum more blooz..."
  189. CawklesGM Issam, in the mean time, is still riding his adrenaline high. "Let them come!" He says, puffing out his chest. "I-I-I'm ready!"
  190. CawklesGM Jurdik scoffs. "Shut up kid."
  191. Ace_Nerat "Well then stash them somewhere and get fortifying."
  192. Ace_Nerat "THAT'S AN ORDER."
  193. Izem_abn_Anaruz organizes a corner of the first floor for the dead, he arranges them in rows, and drapes their bodies with blankets from their own packs.
  194. CawklesGM Ziida and Jain set their woman down on the floor of the tower, and kneel to pray over her corpse.
  195. CawklesGM Kahina says her own blessings over the dead.
  196. Ishmael +I need some extra eyes up here, in case there are more of them incoming. We left survivors to report and a missing tank isn't something that's easily overlooked.+
  197. Rajh_Tara kicks one of the Tau corpses and walks to the tower.
  198. Ace_Nerat walks up to the captured man "So, who are you?"
  199. CawklesGM The mystery man sits in a corner, under guard, clutching his wounds. "uhhh...hello?" He says, expectantly. "Can you treat my wounds, PLEASE?"
  200. CawklesGM "You boys shot me pretty good. I thought you beetees couldn't aim worth shite."
  201. Ace_Nerat "Maybe we could, depends on what you tell me." he says
  202. CawklesGM The man leans forward. "If you are so interested in interrogating me, son, you should probably keep me alive."
  203. Rajh_Tara "اللعنة تاو"
  204. CawklesGM He gasps in overblown, sarcastic pain. "OH!" He cries. "I Feel my life ebbing from my body as we speak!"
  205. Ace_Nerat "Maybe I'll just let you bleed out." He says as he begins to walk away.
  206. CawklesGM "Bleed out? These are las wounds you idiot."
  207. Rajh_Tara investigates the Manufactorum.
  208. Ace_Nerat sighs and tazes the man with CUPCAKE.
  209. Roland stands outside in silence, giving his respect to the dead of Ziida squad.
  210. Izem_abn_Anaruz finishes attending to the dead, a small chain of cognomen tags hangs from Izem's hand as he notes down who and how many died. He then stashes them into his pack before wiping his forehead and giving the dead the Prayer for the Departed.
  211. CawklesGM The manufactorum, unlike the other buildings...is sealed. Tightly.
  212. Ace_Nerat "Speak before I kill you, I don't have time."
  213. CawklesGM Kahina brushes some hair out of her face and adjusts her bandages. "By your deeds," She mutters "You shall be remembered."
  214. CawklesGM The man yelps. "Hey buddy, hey...I was just playing around. Why don't you try asking me a question? You might like the answer."
  215. Ace_Nerat "Who the hell are you?"
  216. Rajh_Tara starts to dig out one of the charges and plants them on the door.
  217. CawklesGM Meanwhile, Bartleby and Jain decide to join Rajh in his little...project. Jain's gait is little awkward; that bionic leg seems to be stiff.
  218. Roland looks over at Jain before moving back over to the tower.
  219. Izem_abn_Anaruz does his best to console those of Ziida squad before sending them back to their position.
  220. CawklesGM The man looks at Ace. "That's a complicated question. Just call me Mr. Rose."
  221. Ace_Nerat "Who do you work for?"
  222. CawklesGM You can hear the man smile. "THe God-Emperor, of course."
  223. Rajh_Tara [Mandi] "I think we need the trigger from our metal priest."
  224. Rajh_Tara gets the trigger from Tech-priest.
  225. Ace_Nerat "Don't get cheeky with me, why did you warn us. And I'd suggest you start telling me a lot more before I get impatient."
  226. CawklesGM Jain nods, and scoots off to retrive the prize. Bartleby watches as she skitters away. "Nice ass," He says. "But a look like that screams 'used goods'. I'd love to cut her open and watch all the pink stuff pour out..."
  227. Rajh_Tara +Everyone stand clear of the Manufactorum doors.+
  228. Rajh_Tara hides behind one of the rockcrete blocks.
  229. Rajh_Tara +Countdown. 3... 2... 1...+
  230. CawklesGM The man continues. "Cheeky? It's the truth. And I warned you, as I said, because of our mutual friend. I don't even know why I'm talking to you Mister-" The man pauses. "Wait..what's your name son?"
  231. Rajh_Tara presses the trigger.
  232. Ace_Nerat "Hey Izem, come patch this guys up please."
  233. CawklesGM Jain waits with bated breath. The explosion gently rocks the complex; it's expert placement only causes enough damage to blow a sizable hole into the complex. A great darkness beckons within...
  234. Ace_Nerat "Ace Nerat, so who is our mutual friend?"
  235. Roland looks at the explosion from outside the tower.
  236. Rajh_Tara "Well, that was... meh."
  237. CawklesGM Bartleby is the first one through the hole, gently walking inside.
  238. Izem_abn_Anaruz gets up from where he was sitting and walks over, he grabs his medikit on his way.
  239. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Who the hell is this guy, Sarge?"
  240. Rajh_Tara follows behind Bartleby with his lamp.
  241. CawklesGM The man, in the mean time, blinks. "O-oh. Ah...it seems I have made a mistake. You are not who I expected. Ahhh...Divine Cohort intelligence, eh?"
  242. Ace_Nerat "Oh..."
  243. Ace_Nerat "Scratch that Izem."
  244. CawklesGM "Come on!" He says. "I did as you asked."
  245. Ace_Nerat "Divine Cohort eh?"
  246. CawklesGM "Besides...I can offer you a deal."
  247. Roland makes his way over to Jain, "Hows the new leg treating you?" He says to her while looking out at the Manufactorum.
  248. Izem_abn_Anaruz puts his hands on his hips, frowning as he stares down at the guy. "So do you want me to look at him or what?"
  249. CawklesGM "Yes yes, Divine Cohort. Let's get that out of the way. Yes, I'm helping the Divine Cohort. No, I'm not a part of their wacky organization. Yes, we have a mutal enemy in the Tau, hence why I'm here."
  250. CawklesGM Kahina walks up and kicks the man in the shin. "I say we let him die."
  251. Ace_Nerat "Do that again Kahina and you'll be in cuffs as well."
  252. CawklesGM "Such harsh words from such a beautiful desert flower..." He coos. It earns him a harder kick. "God-Emperor! CAN YOU STOP THAT?!"
  253. Izem_abn_Anaruz holds up an arm to keep Kahina from doing that again. "Save your anger for later, Kahina."
  254. CawklesGM "So, Mr. Nerat, let's deal. I'm a man of great means."
  255. Ace_Nerat "Patch him up Izem, and continue Mr.Rose."
  256. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Hold still." Izem grunts as he takes a look at what he's dealing with.
  257. CawklesGM Serious las wounds. It's impressive that the man is still standing...but looking at his wounds, you can see that he has some very interesting add ons to his body.
  258. CawklesGM "Thank you, doctor." He says. "Your friend shot me pretty good. What's that man's name? I want to give him a medal. Or maybe kill him. One of those."
  259. Ace_Nerat "Get to the point Sir, I need to help fortify soon."
  260. Izem_abn_Anaruz "To be honest you should be dead." Izem says matter-of-factly as he does his work in cleaning and sterilizes the mans wounds before dressing them.
  261. CawklesGM "Okay," He begins. "I represent interests that could turn this lovely planet into a smoking crater in about 3 and half hours, standard. These interests would be more than wiling to help you out, and seeing how your fine organization is on the bad side of those wonderful folks at the Ordos, I reckon that would mean a lot."
  262. CawklesGM He turns to Izem. "And yet here I am."
  263. Ace_Nerat "Continue."
  264. CawklesGM "Here's the thing. My boss doesn't want it known that she-" He clears his throat. "-or he, is dipping in with 'heretics', you see? So long as you keep your mouth shut, we can help you out a lot. Weapons, supplies, facilities, vehicles, women...pets. Pets! You want a pet? You want a feral Vhorix? I can get you one."
  265. Ace_Nerat "I'd probably need to inform my superiors, unless you protest?"
  266. Izem_abn_Anaruz pulls off his disposable gloves once done. "He'll live, Sarge."
  267. Ace_Nerat "Good, thank you."
  268. CawklesGM The man chuckles. "Let's not do that, friend. You and I can have a private arrangement. I mean, it wouldn't hurt. If your platoon is what I think it is, then I already have a man on the inside. And have you noticed? No! You wanna know why? He or she means no harm to your organization. This is a win-win."
  269. CawklesGM The man nods politely at Izem. "Thank you, doctor. And thank you...Miss Kahina, was it?"
  270. Ace_Nerat "How exactly can I trust you?"
  271. Izem_abn_Anaruz gives the man a mix between a glare and a weary look.
  272. CawklesGM "I walked up to your fine platoon with no weapons and by myself. If that's not trust, I don't know what is."
  273. Ace_Nerat "No hard feelings, we were taken fairly off guard with the Tau assault and all."
  274. Ace_Nerat "So what do you want in return for your assistance?"
  275. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Hold on," Izem holds his chin in one hand as he contemplates something. A realization hits him. "Sarge, the debrief mentioned a Rose, remember?"
  276. CawklesGM The man's head bobs up and down. "I'm sure it did."
  277. Ace_Nerat "Sure did."
  278. CawklesGM "Listen...if you let me go, I promise you'll be handsomely rewarded. If you agree to some more, uh...particular tasks, then the prize pool is going to expand exponentially. You won't regret it. I mean, what does a big man like you like?"
  279. CawklesGM "Or you, Doctor man? What do you want? How about you, nurse lady?"
  280. CawklesGM Kahina shifts uncomfortably in place. "I-" She begins, but holds her tongue.
  281. Ace_Nerat "The Tau dead, and a powerfist."
  282. Ace_Nerat "So I just let you go?"
  283. CawklesGM The man nods.
  284. CawklesGM He then turns to Kahina. "What were you going to say, young lady?"
  285. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
  286. CawklesGM "It's a great idea!" The man says.
  287. Ace_Nerat "Might have to bring this up with HQ."
  288. CawklesGM The man growls. "What did I say, Mister Nerat? No HQ, No deal."
  289. Ace_Nerat "Well, my family does own a gamber's den!"
  290. Ace_Nerat walks over to the man and removes the manacles.
  291. Izem_abn_Anaruz "You're letting him go!?"
  292. CawklesGM The man stands up (painfully) and shakes Ace's hand vigorously. "Good call, friend. I'll see to it that you get a fine example of Imperial Weaponry. Are you sure you don't want to do some more in depth work? I promise you won't be disappointed."
  293. Ace_Nerat "I'd rather not test the fact he can destroy the planet."
  294. Ace_Nerat "What kind of work?"
  295. CawklesGM The man shrugs. "Just basic stuff. Troop movements would be nice. It means we can avoid another situation like Al-Ashur and have humans fight Tau rather than humans fight humans. It's what the God-Emperor would want, eh?"
  296. Izem_abn_Anaruz "He hasn't any proof of that! He could be bluffing! Use your head, Ace!"
  297. Ace_Nerat "If you're suggesting I hand over troop movements of the Blazing Trail to a stranger, then you'd be mistaken."
  298. Ace_Nerat "What would you have me do Izem? I'd say we have our hands full with the Tau and Devine Cohort already."
  299. CawklesGM "Well, I already have somebody handing me troop movements. Having you join in would just make it faster. To be honest, you'll be pissing into an ocean on this one."
  300. CawklesGM Kahina gasps. "There is a traitor in our midst? Shaban slay him!"
  301. Izem_abn_Anaruz throws up his hands in frustration. [Bazir] "Fucking, goddamn Arkwrighter greed!"
  302. Ace_Nerat "Sorry mate, can't do that. Here's to hoping you don't feck us over. Now leave."
  303. CawklesGM The man shrugs. [Bazir] "Not greed, resourcefulness."
  304. CawklesGM With a curt bow, "Mr.Rose" bids Ace, Izem, and Kahina adieu. He makes his way to the door of the tower, his confident stride returning.
  305. Izem_abn_Anaruz tries to hide his surprise at the foreigner speaking his mother tongue.
  306. Ishmael +Hey, we found some cohort wounded down here. About 25 wounded.+
  307. CawklesGM "Try not to die!" He calls as he leaves. "We have a great partnership ahead of us!"
  308. Ace_Nerat +Kill them.+
  309. Ishmael +What? Shouldn't we check this with command?+
  310. Ace_Nerat +What, do you expect us to take them home and fix em up?+
  311. Roland +No but some back up would be nice.+
  312. Ishmael +Intel, you fool! Prisoners! For all we know this could be connected to Cohort tunnels or something! I say we call in HQ and ask for reinforcements to secure this place.+
  313. Ace_Nerat +Izem, will you call in the wounded? I'm going to go check it out."
  314. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Yeah, sure, fine." Izem is visibly frustrated at how his superior let what was probably a dangerous man go on his word alone.
  315. Ace_Nerat heads out into the manufactorum
  316. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Issam!" He yells out to the youth, "bring your vox-pack over here."
  317. CawklesGM Issam is nowhere to be found...
  318. Izem_abn_Anaruz curses under his breath before tapping his commbead, +Issam, where are you?+
  319. CawklesGM +Puh...puh...fine. Situation normal.+
  320. Izem_abn_Anaruz +Keep your junkie habits to your own time, get back to the tower, I need to use your vox-pack.+
  321. CawklesGM +It's on the t-t-top FLOOR YOU NARC, GOD-EMPEROR! CAN'T A MAN RELAX?!?!?!+
  322. Izem_abn_Anaruz just sighs. "What a goddamn mess." Izem looks over to Kahina, "I'm going up top to get HQ on the horn." He then makes his way to the top floor.
  323. CawklesGM Kahina nods. She decides to join him.
  324. Izem_abn_Anaruz As Izem crests the top of the stairway, Izem nods a greeting to those up top and makes his way to the vox-pack. He fiddles with the unit, trying to get HQ on the line.
  325. CawklesGM Jurdik and Abbass are sitting together, like stones. Saladin, fresh faced, nods and smiles at your approach. "Bazir! Kinwoman!" He beams. "We showed them today, yes?"
  326. Izem_abn_Anaruz "It was bloody work, but we were triumphant." He gives the man a small smile before continuing to work the vox.
  327. CawklesGM The vox crackles. +De Frank,+ The voice says over the vox. +Report.+
  328. Izem_abn_Anaruz +This is Specialist Anaruz of Brash Platoon, we've secured and held the objective against two platoons of Tau, including animalistic auxiliaries. We have also found Cohort wounded, around 25, not to mention a run in with a Mr. Rose.+
  329. Izem_abn_Anaruz +How advise, over?+
  330. Ace_Nerat +Izem we have a situation, I need some men down here now. we got the master of Ordanance and the redguard going rogue.+
  331. Izem_abn_Anaruz lets go of the send button on the vox's phone. [Bazir] "What the hell is going on with everyone today?!" He looks to Saladin, "MSgt Ace needs some assistance in the manufactorum, could you gather some men and head down there?"
  332. CawklesGM Saladin salutes. "Yes sir!" He thumbs his commbead. "Uriah! Form up at the tower!"
  333. CawklesGM De Frank's voice returns to the vox. +Capital, Specialist. You should be proud. What your platoon did was nothing short of miraculous. But...+ There is some shuffling, as if he is retreating to some secluded spot.
  334. CawklesGM +Mr. Rose is of no concern to you, specialist. You never saw him.+
  335. CawklesGM +He's a friend of the cause. Deep cover.+
  336. Izem_abn_Anaruz pauses as he hears this, he tenses up and balls up a fist and makes ready to punch the vox-pack. After several seconds he relaxes, reciting a litany his father taught him to help relax in stressful situations.
  337. CawklesGM Kahina leans in, trying to hear what's happening on the vox. It's a bit beyond her station, but...
  338. Izem_abn_Anaruz Izem pushes the send button and replies, +Understood, sir.+
  339. CawklesGM +Capital. HQ is en route. Keep objective Albrecht cosy for me. De Frank out.+
  340. Izem_abn_Anaruz hangs up the vox's receiver. He then takes a weary seat next to it and holds his head. "What a day," he sighs.
  341. CawklesGM Kahina takes a seat next to him. She hestitates for a moment, before settling with a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Our comrades tear at each others' throats. We should be thankful to Shaban that our bond remains inviolate."
  342. CawklesGM "You are right to not trust that Mr. Rose character," She ays to fill the silence. "He is like the Graqh, his wiles luring in the unwary. He nearly fooled me with false promises."
  343. Ace_Nerat +Any reports from HQ Izem?+
  344. Izem_abn_Anaruz "I hope it remains that way." He replies while rubbing his face. He gives her a small smile, taking comfort in her presence.
  345. Izem_abn_Anaruz +HQ will be rolling in, we're to hold position.+
  346. Izem_abn_Anaruz "If I may ask, what were you thinking of asking from him?" He asks out of curiosity.
  347. CawklesGM Kahina's face goes distant. The part of her face ensconced in bandages wriggles uncomfortably. "I wanted him to-... I want-"
  348. CawklesGM She shakes her head. "It brings me immesurable shame to say this, but I wanted him to take Abu and Abdullah somewhere where they can't get into no trouble. It is beyond my ability to fulfill my obligation to Omar and care for them as well."
  349. Ace_Nerat +We got four Platoon members in cuffs. I'll explain when I get up there.+
  350. CawklesGM Kahina shakes her head. "Cuffs-! God-Emperor above, deliver me from this evil...!"
  351. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Ah, they are quite a handful. Raising children is no easy feat, or so my father tells me."
  352. Izem_abn_Anaruz slowly face-palms. "Yeah, what a day."
  353. Izem_abn_Anaruz He pauses for a moment, "Perhaps I'll help you when I can, if we ever finish this mess of a war."
  354. CawklesGM Kahina twists her head towards Izem. Her icy exterior melts away, and is replaced by confusion. "W-what?"
  355. CawklesGM Jurdik and Abbass share a chuckle. [Bazir]"That's the spirit, brother!" Abbass says. "Women love family men."
  356. Izem_abn_Anaruz "I said I'll help you, if you'll have me of course." Izem's cheeks reddening despite himself.
  357. CawklesGM Kahina's confusion does not abate. "I don't know why you'd concern yourself with a widower and her children, but it pleases me to know that you have my back in times of war and peace. I suppose our partnership can continue, if this war does not claim our lives."
  358. CawklesGM Kahina seems almost girlish in her naivety. She brushes her flowing locks out of her eyes. Abbass looks baffled as well, but Jurdik laughs like a mad man. Kahina shoots him a nasty look.
  359. CawklesGM Jurdik says something in Qom. Kahina turns red. "You al-Babaar have no decency."
  360. Izem_abn_Anaruz chuckles despite himself. [Bazir] "A Desert flower wouldn't do her justice, Ashura preserve me."
  361. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Perhaps we can talk more in-detail whenever we make it back to the Argo."
  362. CawklesGM A ghost of a smile stretches across Kahina's face. "I suppose, Izem."
  363. Izem_abn_Anaruz gives her a nod. "I think I'm going to go lay down somewhere, so if you need me I'll be on the first floor." He then departs down the stairs, waving at Jurdik and Abbass as he descends.
  364. Roland finish climbing up to the top of the tower.
  365. CawklesGM Kahina nods at Roland. "Sharpshooter."
  366. Ishmael "Give me some recaf and a vox and I'll help with the requests for the night then. Always wanted to try public radio."
  367. Roland "Kahina, what are you doing up here?
  368. Ace_Nerat "Look mates, I like most of you." He looks to Bartlebee and winks. " And I think the whole Jain situation got out of hand."
  369. Ace_Nerat "Now can we just sensible and not try and kill each other?"
  370. Ishmael looks down. "A little, yeah... And sure... just keep her away from cohort and keep me away from prisoner situations."
  371. Rajh_Tara "Yes, sir."
  372. Ace_Nerat "Uncuff them all except the new guy."
  373. CawklesGM Bartleby looks upset. "Uh, WHY?"
  374. Rajh_Tara "Fuck you, that's why."
  375. Ishmael [Mahdi]"Don't push your luck, buddy."
  376. Rajh_Tara "Madar chod."
  377. CawklesGM Kahina looks at Roland. "I was enjoying the evening." The fighting is beginning to subside...sounds like the Tau and Cohort are retreating to lick their wounds. It'll pick back up in a couple of hours, no doubt.
  378. Ace_Nerat "You need to be taught a lesson in humility. Now the rest of you. I won't be so lenient next time, and if we weren't in the middle of a war you can bet your ass you'd be sent to HQ."
  379. CawklesGM Kahina stands up. "I'm going to prepare a meal. I will be on the first floor if I need to be fetched."
  380. Roland "Ok then." Roland looks around for Abbass.
  381. Rajh_Tara "Yes. Sir."
  382. Ishmael "Thanks for the second chance... I'll do my best to make it worth it."
  383. Ace_Nerat "Get the fuck out of my sight."
  384. Rajh_Tara leaves to find his equipment and gets his lho-sticks, lighter, and his book.
  385. CawklesGM Abbass is smoking a lho. He sees Roland and smiles. "Ay brother. Ready for a nice long night full of tension and nothing?"
  386. Ace_Nerat "And leave the Asshat there soldier, thanks for your squads help."
  387. Ishmael "Alright, chief." He then makes his way to the tower, hoping to catch some lho's along the way. The night looks good to start a new habit.
  388. Ace_Nerat +Izem, any word on what we are doing with the prisoners?+
  389. Roland "More like looking for nothing to happen. Lot of shit happened in the Manufactorum."
  390. Rajh_Tara heads down to the first first floor.
  391. CawklesGM Muffin, once uncuffed gives Ace a big ol' hug. "Meh sorry, Ace! Meh nevva do eet agin!"
  392. Roland sits down next to Abbaas.
  393. Izem_abn_Anaruz +The Captain made no mention of what to do with the prisoners. I guess it's a free pass for you to do whatever.+ Izem says as he prepares a space to lay down.
  394. CawklesGM Bartleby sits numbly on the rooftop, sighing.
  395. Ace_Nerat "You owe me one." he says to Muffin +Roxy, is your squad up for executing those prisoners?+
  396. CawklesGM +...+ Roxy sighs. +That's more a mob thing but...yes sir. I'm sure my boys will like to take their anger out on something.+
  397. Ace_Nerat +Don't go crazy, just clean kills.+
  398. Ishmael just takes off his micro-bead and tries to softly lock himself up in the rooftop.
  399. Rajh_Tara takes his mircobead and puts it in his pocket.
  400. CawklesGM Rajh gets strange looks from those around. They shrug and try not to ask any questions. That business in the manufactorum is better left buried.
  401. Rajh_Tara tries to get some bowls of soup and heads upstairs.
  402. Rajh_Tara goes to the roof and says to Ishmael [Mahdi]"Got some food."
  403. Ishmael slowly enjoys a lho before looking at the bowl. He then takes it. [Mahdi]"Thanks. No hard feelings?"
  404. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "None. Next time aim for the head."
  405. CawklesGM Abbass clicks his tongue and nudges Roland. "What went down?"
  406. Ishmael [Mahdi]"Kinda happy you are agile. Otherwise I wouldn't be eating a warm bowl of soup."
  407. Ace_Nerat "You know Muffin, you probably wouldn't be half bad if you didn't try to sleep with every guy ever."
  408. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Yeah, you might end up like Bartleby."
  409. Roland "Some crazy shit, Jain lost it for a bit and there was about to be a huge fight between most of us down there."
  410. Ishmael [Mahdi]"If that starts to happen. I'll make sure not to miss myself. Fucking asshole."
  411. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Fuck that guy."
  412. CawklesGM Muffin shrugs. "Ehhhh nosenz boss. Meh naw wenna slep wit erry boyo, ebin meh 'ave stendurds. 'sides, 'tis ow meh espress meself. Meh got meh naem fer it. Issa party me."
  413. Ishmael raises his bowl in an awkward toast. [Mahdi] "Yep."
  414. Rajh_Tara toasts back.
  415. Ishmael drinks up.
  416. Rajh_Tara sits down and enjoys his soup while reading his book.
  417. Ishmael "So, janitor?"
  418. Rajh_Tara "Yep. I joined the Blazing Trail thinking I could train to be Red Guard right away."
  419. Roland "Luckily Ace was able to calm everyone down in the end it seems. Still that new guy is going to cause a lot of problems if he doesn't straighten up."
  420. Ishmael "Ah, I joined because I didn't have much of a place to go. They kinda got me out of that camp so I felt I owed them."
  421. Ace_Nerat "Aren't you worried about getting knocked up?"
  422. Rajh_Tara "A young kid who can barely shoot a lasgun tries to join the most elite squad."
  423. Ishmael "I used to be a professor when I joined, if that helps."
  424. Rajh_Tara "At least, its respectable."
  425. Ishmael "Not the kind of guy you'd expect taking down hammerheads."
  426. Ishmael takes another sip.
  427. Rajh_Tara "That was amazing."
  428. Rajh_Tara "I'm surprised we didn't use those charges."
  429. Ishmael "Just wish I had been quicker about it. You saw that shit? A fucking earthshaker barrage."
  430. Rajh_Tara "Yeah."
  431. Ishmael takes another draft from his lho.
  432. Ishmael "So, that turret. What do you think?"
  433. Rajh_Tara "The one the metal priest put together?"
  434. Rajh_Tara finishes his soup and lights a Iho.
  435. Ishmael "I thought it was more like it was found and he got it working. You usually don't have lascannons guarding a place like this."
  436. Rajh_Tara "True. I thought it would try and shoot us first."
  437. Rajh_Tara "You've seen how cogboys handle machines."
  438. CawklesGM Muffin shakes her head. "Meh unly git preggers...once? Meh sev-teen. Narmly tah folks woulda jess ferce meh tah 'ave eet buh it wus muh cuzzie's babe an' taht issa unpapi-Emperor an' suk so tay duggy outta meh. Meh nebbir got preggers agin, mestly cus I steck tah Beejays an' tings."
  439. Ishmael "Good thing it didn't. I'll try asking the tin can if he can take the cannons off. Maybe I could put it to use. Oh yeah. Though I've heard him do it more than anything, it's scary."
  440. Rajh_Tara "He might try and connect the cannons into his body."
  441. Ishmael "Now that's horrifying."
  442. Ishmael "Might leave me out of a job ontop of it."
  443. Ace_Nerat stares blankly at Muffin "Sometimes I wonder why.... never mind."
  444. Ishmael coughs.
  445. Rajh_Tara "Same."
  446. CawklesGM Muffin smiles at Ace. "Wot?"
  447. Ace_Nerat "You're gonna have to clean up your act if I'm ever gonna plough you."
  448. CawklesGM Muffin snorts. "Wooot? Wassa wong wit meh, eh boyo?"
  449. Ishmael finishes coughing. "Why do people use these?"
  450. Ace_Nerat "I like gently used goods."
  451. Rajh_Tara "Because it's cheap."
  452. Ishmael "Huh..." He looks at his empty bowl and frowns a little. "Chow's gone."
  453. Rajh_Tara "You want more?"
  454. Ishmael "Considering it's actually good. Yep."
  455. Rajh_Tara "One second."
  456. Rajh_Tara gets up.
  457. Rajh_Tara puts on his Chameleoline Cloak and sneaks downstairs.
  458. CawklesGM Muffin frowns. "Ya tink powning meh gon' beh loik trowin' a grox downa canyoon? Woll, lemme tell ya, issa oll lies. Did Awazeimi say tis tah yoo? Taht boyo issa tini cocked liar an' he tellin' all tees lies jess cuh he 'utted inna tree sex flat...an'...an'..." Muffin turns a little red. "I weesh yeh dedint tink so porlee o' meh, boss."
  459. Ace_Nerat "Awazeimi?"
  460. Rajh_Tara uncloaks when he reaches the roof and hands Ishmael another bowl.
  461. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Here."
  462. Ishmael smiles as he turns from his watching to nearby complexes and quickly gets to eating. [Mahdi]"Thanks. So, where do you think we'll go from here?"
  463. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "No idea." He sits downs and reads his book.
  464. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Anything on the vox?"
  465. Ishmael tries to find out what book it is. "Nothing yet. Starting to think I can head down."
  466. CawklesGM "Yeh...Awazeimi. Ya neh? Tell? ell-Izman? Wenna tah cheefs inna mass 'all? 'E say 'e gimmeh dooble rashuns iffah me let 'im an' 'is fren rail meh. Meh diddit, but e' nut inna tree sex, loik meh say. 'e git mad, neh gimmeh rashuns, an' e' toll peeps meh looser tan san doon. oll liez, meh tell yah."
  467. Rajh_Tara "It's kinda awkward down there."
  468. Ishmael "Why's that?"
  469. CawklesGM Muffin rubs her chin. "'is fren wass noice toe."
  470. Ace_Nerat again stares at her in awe
  471. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Something about Izem. I wasn't paying attention."
  472. Ace_Nerat "If you can go a whole month without sex I'll reconsider what I think about you."
  473. Ishmael "Ah... the one completely clean guy."
  474. Ishmael keeps eating.
  475. CawklesGM "Tree...tree months?!"
  476. Ace_Nerat "Yup."
  477. CawklesGM Muffin can't even process what she's hearing. "Yeh buh...tree mumfs?!"
  478. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "I'll watch the vox while you head down."
  479. Rajh_Tara puts his microbead back on.
  480. Ace_Nerat "Actually A month."
  481. Ishmael pats him on the back after finishing his bowl and putting his microbead back on. "Thanks... Listen, if you ever need my help with anything. Let me know, chief." And with that, he starts heading down.
  482. CawklesGM Muffin still sighs. "Meh troy. Meh troy fer yoo."
  483. Rajh_Tara goes back to reading "Passions in Battle 2."
  484. Ace_Nerat "I'd be pretty impressed."
  485. CawklesGM Muffin deflates. "I woold beh impress too."
  486. Ace_Nerat yawns "Well i'm off to bed, nighty."
  487. Rajh_Tara reads his book and says [Mahdi] "Oh, that's just gross."
  488.  
  489. FUCK YOU FELIPE.
  490.  
  491. Second Chat:
  492. CawklesGM Bartleby enters the manufactorum. Each step he takes is an echoing announcment of the squad's presence. Bartleby winces. "Ehhh...Well if something is in here then they know we are too."
  493. Rajh_Tara "True. Keep your Guard up."
  494. Rajh_Tara "I hope the Metal Priest can guide us through this."
  495. CawklesGM Jain slides in as well. "Roland," She asks. "Get in here."
  496. Roland follows Jain into the Manufactorum.
  497. Rajh_Tara slowly pans the lamppack around to get a better look at their surroundings.
  498. Roland pulls out his lampack and turns it on.
  499. Rajh_Tara "See anything?"
  500. Rajh_Tara uses his scarf to tie his lamp to his pulse rifle.
  501. Roland does the same with his Triplex Pattern Lasgun
  502. CawklesGM it's a maze of abandoned machinery, conveyor belts, crushes, servitor mounts, prayer stations...At one point, this place must have processed all sorts of mineral wealth. Shoals of tech priests must have plied their faith among hundreds of workers and servitors. Now it's a ghost town. Nay, less than a ghost town; any semblance of what it once was seems to have faded away forever.
  503. Rajh_Tara "I'll take point."
  504. Rajh_Tara "Roland watch the rear."
  505. Roland "Understood."
  506. CawklesGM Bartleby wastes no time poking around the machinery.
  507. Rajh_Tara "Get back into defense formation."
  508. CawklesGM "Damn...just knick knacks...Hey Red Guard, get your knickers out of a twist. There's nobody in here."
  509. CawklesGM Jain hisses at him. "Get back in formation, little man."
  510. Rajh_Tara "The last thing we need is to activate some murderous tech abomination."
  511. CawklesGM Bartleby smiles, his disgusting little face shrivelling into an image of foul intent. "Sure thing, baby."
  512. Rajh_Tara "Roland, discipline him."
  513. Roland "Gladly"
  514. Roland walks over to Bartleby and punches him in the face.
  515. CawklesGM Bartleby recoils and rolls with the punch...but it's still clearly painful. "Okay okay...jeeb..."
  516. Roland keeps his eyes on Bartleby, staring at him.
  517. CawklesGM Formation returns as the squad penetrates deeper into the maze of the manufactorum...but something is different as you reach the middle and start walking towards the far end. It suddenly isn't so dark.
  518. Rajh_Tara "Something is up."
  519. Roland "Keep your guard up."
  520. Rajh_Tara aims forward.
  521. CawklesGM Jain and Bartleby keep their weapons trained...wherever.
  522. Roland "Three o'clock, there is a light coming from a stair case."
  523. Rajh_Tara motions company to halt.
  524. Rajh_Tara "Stand guard."
  525. Rajh_Tara sneaks down the staircase.
  526. Roland motions the other two to stay low.
  527. CawklesGM The boxy staircase slowly snakes down into a sub-basement...as the light grows, so does other sensations. The air is noticably colder, it smells trongly of blood, feces, and urine and...and...you can hear things. Moaning, groaning. The pitiful utterances of those in pain.
  528. Rajh_Tara sneakily moves forward towards the sound.
  529. Rajh_Tara +Stay alert. We are not alone.+
  530. Roland +Understood, be careful.+
  531. Ishmael starts making his way into the building, lasgun and flashlight ready to face danger.
  532. Ishmael +Rajh, you and the lads alright? Making my way into the building.+
  533. Rajh_Tara is sweating at the thoughts of what is making those sounds.
  534. Roland +He's gone quiet for the moment Ishmael, the rest of us are near the edge of a staircase off to the right.+
  535. Ishmael +Alright, making my way over to you all. Please don't shoot at me.+
  536. CawklesGM As Rajh peeks around the corner, he is hit by a terrible stench and greeted by something far worse. Seas of wounded, swimming in terrible pain, lit by the weak light of a lumen bulb. Even though it's hard to see, you can clearly see what uniform they are wearing...white and blue. There must be Twenty-five of them in there, in various states of distress and bodily integrity.
  537. Rajh_Tara +Wounded Cohorts. About 25 of them.+
  538. CawklesGM Bartleby thumbs his microbead. +Hot DAMN!+
  539. Roland +Shit, any thing else?+
  540. Ishmael +Cohort? Here? Did we really defend a cohort position. Damn... we should vox this in to command.+
  541. CawklesGM There is a gentle rumble in the ground, and particulates drop to ground from the ceiling. Sounds like the battle is still raging. Bartleby and Jain quickly make their way down the stairs.
  542. Rajh_Tara +Something did this to them. I have no idea what it or where it is.+
  543. CawklesGM +Mebbe those Cohort cunts left them here when they fucked off from this position+ Bartleby offers as he makes his way down the stairs. He's giddy like a child.
  544. Rajh_Tara +Call for back up. We are not alone.+
  545. Roland goes after them to try to stop them.
  546. Roland +Rajh, Bartleby and Jain are moving forward.+
  547. Ace_Nerat +Kill them.+
  548. Rajh_Tara +Damn it.+
  549. Ishmael rushes down after the rest.
  550. CawklesGM Bartleby and Jain like the sound of that. With a thud the pair hit the bottom of the stairs. Bartleby licks his lips. "Hoo hoo hoo hoo..."
  551. CawklesGM Jain spits in contempt, and she starts to shake. The sight of white and blue...
  552. Rajh_Tara chases after Jain and Bartleby.
  553. Ace_Nerat +What, do you expect us to take them home and fix em up?+
  554. Roland +No but some back up would be nice.+
  555. CawklesGM A voice calls out from the darkness. [Mahdi] "Samson...Samson? IS that you?"
  556. Rajh_Tara +I said we need back up.+
  557. Ishmael +Intel, you fool! Prisoners! For all we know this could be connected to Cohort tunnels or something! I say we call in HQ and ask for reinforcements to secure this place.+
  558. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Samson?"
  559. CawklesGM [Mahdi] "Brother! I knew you'd return... please, get us out of here. Please...We have so many wounded down here."
  560. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Who attacked.... us?"
  561. CawklesGM Bartleby walks the great rows of groaning wounded, like a butcher picking the best cut.
  562. Ishmael whispers. +Hold it, you two. No killing yet or I'll reprimand you for disobidience.+
  563. Roland grabs both Bartleby and Jain and pulls them back.
  564. CawklesGM [Mahdi]"They fought us...we spent so much wresting this place from their claws...For nothing. But it's good again! Ashura has blessed us with a bountiful feast, and we see the light! The light...the light...the light...!"
  565. CawklesGM Jain bats Roland's arm. "Let me go! LET. ME. GO!"
  566. CawklesGM She starts to scream.
  567. CawklesGM Bartleby groans. "Shut that cunt up! COME ON!"
  568. CawklesGM The argument mingles with the terrible cries of the wounded.
  569. Rajh_Tara "Enough both of you."
  570. Ace_Nerat "What the FECK IS GOING ON DOWN HERE."
  571. Ace_Nerat storms up to the group, a look of disgust on his face
  572. Rajh_Tara "Disobidience."
  573. Ishmael stares at Ace and whispers. "The wounded are here. And we don't know what else is down here."
  574. Roland lets go of Jain.
  575. Ace_Nerat "Well, why the hell are you standing around fighting yourselves?"
  576. Ishmael "Because Jain and the new guy wanted to rush in."
  577. Rajh_Tara "If you two wanted to die, you should have walked in front of the Tau."
  578. Ishmael tries to sneak a peek into the room.
  579. Rajh_Tara "I will not tolerate you both putting the rest of us in danger."
  580. CawklesGM "There is no feckin' danger, deek 'ead!" Bartleby complains. "Just wounded."
  581. Ace_Nerat "Alright then, let's get a move on. And whoever falls out of line I'll personally beat to death, got it?"
  582. CawklesGM Muffin shakes her head. "Ya dent neh taht, deek 'ead limpdick fuk!"
  583. Rajh_Tara punches Bartleby.
  584. Rajh_Tara "Go back to the tower."
  585. Ace_Nerat "Stand down Redguard, Or i'll send you out."
  586. Rajh_Tara "Know your rank, Master Sergeant. This guardsman does not."
  587. Ace_Nerat "Shut the feck up and get yourself together, we are moving out. Squad on me."
  588. Ace_Nerat begins to walk down the corridor
  589. Rajh_Tara motions to follow attack formation.
  590. CawklesGM Bartleby takes the blow. "You aren't in charge, Redguard..." Jain quickly slips from formation, and grabs a figure by her heels. One of the lightly wounded Mahdi fighters. She drags her from the line.
  591. CawklesGM Muffin looks at Jain. "Tah feek ya doon, sheila?"
  592. Ace_Nerat stops and turns to watch Jain, dumbstruck
  593. CawklesGM The woman whimpers softly as she is dragged in front of the squad on her back. Her whites are stained with blood.
  594. Ace_Nerat "What in the Emperors name?"
  595. Roland stands there looking at Jain.
  596. Ace_Nerat "Release the wounded woman."
  597. Ishmael follows along with his rifle at the ready. "Muffin... escort Jain out, will you...?"
  598. CawklesGM There is a terrible intensity to Jain's figure as she watches the woman squirm beneath her. She kneels down beside the woman, and starts to look at the bloodstains.
  599. CawklesGM "She's so young," She says...flatly. Sounding almost hallow. She takes her knife and starts to rip off strips of cloth. "This will make you feel better."
  600. Ace_Nerat begins to approach the girl cautiously
  601. CawklesGM Bartleby chuckles. "I wouldn't do that, Arkwrighter."
  602. CawklesGM "She looks like she's possesed by a spooky ghost or something."
  603. Ace_Nerat "Can it."
  604. Rajh_Tara guards the entrance.
  605. Ishmael raises his rifle. "Jain... you are making a great mistake here... cut this shit out and head upstairs."
  606. Ace_Nerat "Girl we gotta move on, we don't have time to treat all the wounded."
  607. CawklesGM Jain continues, transfixed by her strange little ritual. She glides her knife across some of the woman's bare flesh. The wounded woman whimpers.
  608. Ace_Nerat "Jain?"
  609. CawklesGM [Mahdi]"No..." The wounded woman begs. "No, please..!"
  610. CawklesGM Jain turns around and looks at the squad. "Does this excite you?"
  611. Ace_Nerat "Last warning girly."
  612. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "This is not our way. It's madness."
  613. Ishmael "Fuck no! Now stop this!"
  614. CawklesGM "Don't you want to hurt her?" Jain says. "She's done such bad things to us."
  615. CawklesGM "Isn't that right..." Jain hisses, tearing off more and more clothes. "Your evil. A sinner. You want to kill us all."
  616. Ishmael "Not her directly, no. And trust me, I hate some of the things they've done too. But these people weren't reponsable."
  617. Roland "Not like this Jain. There is no honor to be won here."
  618. Ace_Nerat "She's wounded, leave her be, don't put her through more torture."
  619. CawklesGM "Why show them mercy, MERCY MIND YOU, they didn't show to any of us!? This isn't even going to be torture, I reckon. She's probably going to like it, aren't you?" The woman is too hoarse to scream. Bartleby smiles and licks his lips.
  620. Rajh_Tara shoots the wounded woman.
  621. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "We aren't animals like these cowards."
  622. Ishmael shoots at Rajh the instant he fires. "NOT AGAIN!"
  623. Ace_Nerat "CUT THIS SHIT OUT."
  624. Ace_Nerat "RIGHT NOW."
  625. Roland keeps his weapon at the ready
  626. Rajh_Tara dodges out of the way.
  627. Ace_Nerat stands between the two
  628. Ace_Nerat "I will not have you killing each other."
  629. CawklesGM Jain yelps and stumbles away from the corpse, clasping her head as her ears ring. There is a rising cry from the wounded. Jain leaps to her feet as soon as she regains her senses.
  630. CawklesGM "WHY?!" She demands. "WHY?! You were supposed to...supposed to..."
  631. Ishmael "THEY KILLED A WOUNDED AND UNARMED PRISONER! AGAIN!"
  632. CawklesGM "Wuh?!" Muffin Cries. "Steff 'er 'oles woil yoo watch?!"
  633. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "There are things far worse than death."
  634. CawklesGM "Fuck you, you Boog whore!" Jain screams. "You don't know! YOU DON'T KNOW!"
  635. Ace_Nerat +Izem we have a situation, I need some men down here now. we got the master of Ordanance and the redguard going rogue.+
  636. Rajh_Tara passes his weaponry to Roland.
  637. CawklesGM "Ya cannae seh tem tings aboot peps! PRESUMPTEROOS!" Muffin balls her fists. "Ya tink meh nawno wuh ya ben troo?!"
  638. Rajh_Tara holds his hands up.
  639. Roland steps in between Jain and Muffin,"ENOUGH, both of you can deal with this later."
  640. Ishmael holds onto his rifle but takes a more relaxed position. "Fuck this. Fuck all of this..."
  641. CawklesGM Jain shakes her head, shouting over Roland. "NO, I DON'T THINK YOU KNOW! YOU SPREAD YOUR LEGS SO FREQUENTLY, OF YOUR OWN ACCORD, THAT I'M BEGINNING TO THINK MEN WANDER IN ACCIDENTLY!"
  642. CawklesGM Muffin turns redhot. "MEH FECKIN' KEEL YA YA FECKIN' SLUT! IMA MAKE TEM CUHURT BOYOS LEK GENTUL!"
  643. Ace_Nerat "EVERYONE CALM DOWN OR I'LL INTRODUCE YOU ALL TO CUPCAKE."
  644. CawklesGM Muffin holds her ground, as does Jain. Ace's roar has tamed the world, and made all silent.
  645. CawklesGM Muffin jabs her finger at Jain. "Yer ded, betch." She grunts.
  646. Ishmael just holds onto his rifle, sitting against a free spot of wall.
  647. Ace_Nerat "Enough muffin, everyone outside. Including you Redguard and Master of Ordinance."
  648. Ishmael "Either you come along or I'm fucking staying."
  649. Ace_Nerat looks around for Bartlebee
  650. Roland grabs Rajh gun begins to escorts Rajh out.
  651. Rajh_Tara still holding his hands up and escorted out of the factory.
  652. Roland whispers to Rajh, "Between you and me, you did the right thing."
  653. Ishmael heads back up if the entire group is.
  654. Rajh_Tara "Somehow, I doubt that."
  655. CawklesGM Bartleby seems to have slipped upstairs why no one was looking; as the group wanders up he is waiting, a lho stick in his mouth. "Is your little family feud resolved? Feck...lemme tell ya, you definitely ruined my romantic prospects. After that little display, I don't think any of thsoe sheilas down there would be willing to entertain me!" He snorts with laughter. "At least their lho is good."
  656. Roland "Its better then her suffering."
  657. Rajh_Tara "I know."
  658. Ishmael swings his whole rifle at Bartleby. "Shut the fuck up, you asshole!"
  659. Rajh_Tara "Madar Chod."
  660. CawklesGM Bartleby feigns offense. "Ooooh, a little touchy eh? Just making jokes. I wasn't the one trying to tear the clothes off a wounded girl, huh? And I mean girl. I think she was what, fifteen? God-Emperor, can you imagine what it would have been like to stick her? Literally, I mean."
  661. CawklesGM "Say, buddy, spare a lho?" He flashes a grin.
  662. Roland "Bartleby, I would shut up if I were you right now."
  663. Ace_Nerat squares up to the man and stares him in the eyes "Get moving, now."
  664. CawklesGM Bartleby salutes. "Yessir."
  665. Ishmael tightens the grip on his rifle, his knuckles going white. He then hands his weapons over to Ace and Muffin. "Hold onto this for me."
  666. Ace_Nerat takes it with a nod
  667. CawklesGM Saladin Al-Tariq and Uriah squad trot up to your position. Those assembled salute Ace. "We were needed, brother?"
  668. Ace_Nerat "Escort all these soldiers out, keep them apart and put them in cuffs, all of them."
  669. CawklesGM Uriah squad looks at the redguard and shudder. There are some nervous grumbling among the men.
  670. Roland looks over at ace but keeps moving forward with Rajh.
  671. Ace_Nerat "Except for the sharpshooter."
  672. Ace_Nerat +Any reports from HQ Izem?+
  673. Izem_abn_Anaruz +HQ will be rolling in, we're to hold position.+
  674. CawklesGM Uriah squad putters for a moment. Saladin, however, does not hesitate. He sends his men to secure the men. Jain goes peacefully, whatever terrible energy animating her ebbing from her form. Muffin, however, is indignant.
  675. CawklesGM "Ace!" She calls out. "Yah cannae do tis tah ya gurl!"
  676. Ishmael doesn't put up any resistance.
  677. Ace_Nerat "Sorry Doll, for everyone's good."
  678. Rajh_Tara is silent.
  679. CawklesGM She makes big eyes. "Puh...puh...plees?" A man roughly wrenches her arm behind her back and cuffs her.
  680. Ishmael [Mahdi] "This crap ain't worth it..." He says to nobody in particular.
  681. Roland lets Uriah squad take Rajh.
  682. Ace_Nerat hands the soldier next to him the Doorkicker.
  683. Rajh_Tara starts prayer in Mahdi.
  684. CawklesGM Saladin Al-Tariq finishes wrangling the errant platoon members. His confidence is shaken badly. "Where do you want them, sir?"
  685. Ace_Nerat "Spread them around the compound, Nowhere near eachother."
  686. Ishmael "I'd say the tower but this ain't my call."
  687. Roland stands there for a moment and looks over at Ace.
  688. Roland "Really didn't see this coming."
  689. Ishmael "Hey, Ace."
  690. Ace_Nerat "Yes?"
  691. Ishmael "Do keep me close to the vox, will you? In case those request calls come in. I still have a job to do..."
  692. Roland "Want me to keep an eye on the three of them sir?
  693. Ace_Nerat relays the request to a nearby soldier.
  694. CawklesGM "Excuse you, you mean FOUR?!" Bartleby says with indignation. "I'm here too, you fecking white knight."
  695. Ace_Nerat "Roland I want you on watch."
  696. Ace_Nerat "Set up on top of the tower and comm in any movement."
  697. Ishmael "And you..." He turns to Bartleby. "Are the damned reason I surrendered my weapons."
  698. Ace_Nerat "Now head out."
  699. Roland "Understood sir" Roland says as he ignores Bartleby's comment.
  700. Rajh_Tara softly hums Saint Asura prayers.
  701. CawklesGM The squad emerges into the night, in cuffs. Wrenchman looks on in horror. Ziida's squad, listening to the vox reports, is already out in front the manufactorum. Ziida is livid. She storms up to Ace.
  702. CawklesGM "With respect, sir, what is the meaning of this?" She fumes. She gives a sympathetic look to her Sister."
  703. Ishmael speaks up. "Jain lost it, the rest of us kinda lost it because she lost it."
  704. Ace_Nerat "Your squad-mate began derobeing a wounded enemy and suggested we violate said wounded."
  705. Ishmael "That's a better way to put it."
  706. CawklesGM Ziida turns pale. She looks at Jain, who lowers her head in shame. Ziida walks the edge, peering down into an abyss of violent anger before relenting and rejoining her squad. She looks heartbroken.
  707. Ace_Nerat follows her over to her squad.
  708. Ace_Nerat "Something needs to be done Ziida."
  709. Rajh_Tara is sitting down and softly saying "Madara Ashura, madara Ashura. Kr̥payā hamārī madada karēṁ. Kr̥payā hamārī madada karēṁ. Rōśanī karanē kē li'ē hamēṁ lānā. Apanē divya tēja karanē kē li'ē. Dina kē li'ē rāta kō dūra karēṅgē."
  710. CawklesGM Ziida doesn't even turn to face her superior. "I told them it was a bad idea to put her back on the lines! I TOLD THEM! She has done all she could for the people, but they forced her out anyway."
  711. Roland gets on the comms, +Abbass going to need you with me on watch soon.+
  712. Ishmael [Mahdi] "You know, right now I'm surprised you are on our side, Rajh."
  713. CawklesGM Ziida turns around, and stares down Ace. "This is..demented. I never thought she'd do something like *that*."
  714. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "It was a mercy killing or we watch a girl get tortured."
  715. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Those animals will pick the latter and we both know it."
  716. Ace_Nerat "I understand, She has been through something horrific, but I can't have this happen."
  717. Ishmael [Mahdi]"Sorry about that... kinda... went off a little. And well... when you put it like that... maybe I fired at the wrong target..."
  718. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "You saw what they did to Jain."
  719. Ishmael [Mahdi]"I still say that doesn't excuse whatever it is she was trying to do."
  720. CawklesGM Ziida is exasperated. "I know, I know. But I don't know what I should do for her! First that...thing...then, Malika...then...then...God-Emperor, she's stuck here on the front lines, Sir. Only De Frank can get her out of the Platoon."
  721. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Either way I panicked. As a Red guard... I panicked. I'm a disgrace."
  722. Ace_Nerat "No more missions outside of direct combat for her, and I'll speak to De Frank." he lays a hand on her shoulder "We'll figure something out."
  723. Ishmael [Mahdi] "YOU panicked? If that's panicking, then what the hell did I do?" He says, trying to make a bit of light at the situation, oddly enough trying to cheer him up.
  724. Rajh_Tara smiles and says [Mahdi] "My uncle is going to kick my ass."
  725. Ishmael [Mahdi]"Beats imprisonment or execution on my end."
  726. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Hahaha... maybe I can pull some strings from my position as janitor."
  727. Roland +Hey Abbaas, do you copy?+
  728. CawklesGM Ziida places her hand on Ace's hand, her hard face and caustic attitude melting away. "Thank you, sir."
  729. Ishmael [Mahdi] "I'll pull mine from a librarian. Maybe we can get some nice food in our cells, huh?"
  730. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Right."
  731. CawklesGM Abbass suddenly thumbs his microbead. +Yeah. What's up boss?+
  732. Ace_Nerat "Ace." he says firmly
  733. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Maybe some Iho sticks... and some cards as well."
  734. Roland +Were on watch duty soon.+
  735. Ishmael [Mahdi]"Sounds like a plan."
  736. Ace_Nerat walks over to the cuffed Jain
  737. CawklesGM Abbass sighs. +Figures. I'll get the recaf a brewin' brother. Get your butt up here.+
  738. CawklesGM Jain looks haggard and exhausted, emotionally and physically. She can scarely lift her head to meet Ace's gaze.
  739. Roland +Will do, talk with you shortly.+
  740. Ace_Nerat "How we doing doll?"
  741. Roland walks over to Ace.
  742. CawklesGM Jain lets out a little chuckle. "Could be better, sir." She wriggles her hands in their cuffs.
  743. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Say you never told me about how you know the Blue Devil's tongue?"
  744. Ace_Nerat "We can't be doing that kind of shite out here, we're better than they are. Now how about we get you back to your squad and have you lay down?"
  745. Ishmael looks around and responds in a soft voice. [Mahdi]"You know how teachers, scribes and such got taken to camps...? Yeah... kinda started off like that."
  746. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "The camps? I don't know much. Just the rumors."
  747. Ishmael [Mahdi] "Some of them teach... at least in part. I was lucky, I guess?"
  748. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Well, least they didn't cut your balls off."
  749. CawklesGM Jain nods, the idea of a rest sounding heavenly right now.
  750. Roland "Sir."
  751. Ace_Nerat nods to the soldier escorting her "Take her to her squad and uncuff her."
  752. Ishmael [Mahdi] "Some of my friends weren't so lucky. Part of why I left. When you see some of your assistants face down in a ditch... well..."
  753. Ace_Nerat "Yes?"
  754. Rajh_Tara [Mahdi] "Shit..."
  755. Roland "I've called ahead to Abbaas to let him know we will be on watch, Sir."
  756. CawklesGM "Yes sir," The soldier says, doing as he is told. Bartleby groans, and Muffin whimpers.
  757. CawklesGM "Ace...pally..." She coos. "Cannae ya lemme go tuh? Tees fings 'urt."
  758. Ishmael "Muffin not wanting to be with 3 guys? That's new." He jokes. "Oh! Not a fan of cuffs?"
  759. Ace_Nerat "Assemble the rest of the prisoners." then turns to Roland "Now get up there."
  760. Roland "Do you want us to keep and eye on the others as well sir?"
  761. Ace_Nerat "I'll take care of it."
  762. Rajh_Tara starts laughing.
  763. Ace_Nerat shoots daggers at Ishmael and Rajh
  764. Roland "Yes Sir." Roland turns and leaves, making his way to the tower.
  765. Ishmael backs off. "I just want to enjoy my last night by being in good cheer. Jeez... sorry."
  766. Rajh_Tara tries to stop laughing and bites his lip. He's clearly still smiling.
  767. Ace_Nerat "Last night?"
  768. Ishmael "I'm probably getting executed for this, no?"
  769. Ishmael "Specially if De Frank is showing up for this."
  770. Ace_Nerat "Ha, I need your artillery."
  771. CawklesGM Muffin snorts, giving a sly wink to Ishmael. "I loik tah cuffs, mate. I loik 'em reeeaaaalll gud...!"
  772. Rajh_Tara "De Frank? If that's the case, then I demand my execution now."
  773. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  774. <<LATER ON, ON THE FIRST FLOOR>>
  775. CawklesGM The sweet smell of hot chow is emnating throughout the first floor of the tower. The smoke snakes out of the stewing cauldron, billowing out the door. The faded posters strewn about the walls extoll the virtures of labor and ignorance...typical Imperial fare. It looks like the Tau haven't gutted this place yet with their poisonous propaganda. Kahina diligently prepares the meal before her, her talent turning the spare food of ration packs into something resembling food. Apparently it's called "war stew", and fills the belly with fire and the mouth with spice. She ladels out a bowl of the stuff and glides over to where her comrade lays. "Izem," she says. "Eat."
  776. Izem_abn_Anaruz opens an eye at her before sitting up and taking the bowl. Ever since meeting he's enjoyed many a meal she's prepared and she never fails to amaze him in what she can make with what little is around.
  777. Izem_abn_Anaruz Izem takes the bowl gratefully, his stomach gurgles to him; he hadn't realized how hungry he was. He begins to partake of the stew, almost greedily.
  778. Izem_abn_Anaruz "You really are a magician when it comes to this. I wonder how you do it Kahina." He says between spoonfuls.
  779. CawklesGM Kahina actually smiles. "Practice makes perfect, Izem. In the mountains, I had even less to work with. Here, I am amid plenty."
  780. CawklesGM Kahina takes her own bowl, pours some local spices into the broth before shovelling it into her mouth. How...unladylike.
  781. CawklesGM She nods gently. "I wish our situation was as good as my artful kitchen crafting."
  782. Izem_abn_Anaruz snorts as he watches her eat. "Could be much worse, at least we have your cooking to keep morale up."
  783. Rajh_Tara tries to grab another bowl of soup.
  784. Izem_abn_Anaruz He continues to eat before querying, "say, would you teach me how to cook, if we ever have time?"
  785. Rajh_Tara sneaks back upstairs.
  786. CawklesGM Kahina looks mortified. "A man? Cook?!"
  787. Izem_abn_Anaruz he gives her a blank stare.
  788. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Is that uncommon?"
  789. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Zakum- my father has cooked for me before. He makes this dish that literally melts your taste-buds."
  790. CawklesGM Kahina raises her eyebrow. "Among the Aaftaab...yes, it is uncommon. The man's duty is outside, spear in hands. Not huddled over some stew pot..." She starts to tread down some dark path in her mind. She quickly emerges from the reverie. "I'm sure the indolent cuisine of an indolent people is very...enticing. But not for me."
  791. CawklesGM "You see, Izem, I'm a simple woman. My pleasures lie in sparse fare and a job well done. Indulgence sickens me."
  792. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Any kind?"
  793. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Too much of anything is bad for the body or soul, as I understand it, but in small portions I wouldn't think it's all that bad."
  794. Izem_abn_Anaruz "Besides, we're not at the tribe, and you fight with a righteous fervor, so why shouldn't I try my hand at cooking you and everyone else of our squad a meal every now and then?"
  795. CawklesGM "If you insist," Kahina says. "Any emasculation you feel will be because of you, not me." She chuckles gently. A great boom reverberates in the distance, and she shudders.
  796. CawklesGM "I fear what tomorrow will hold for us."
  797. Izem_abn_Anaruz blanks for a moment before grasping what she really meant. "Ah well, different paths we walk. I'm sure I can prove just how manly I am later." He turns to the supposed source of the distance explosion. "We'll just have to keep our heads and face tomorrow with what courage we can muster."
  798. Izem_abn_Anaruz sets his bowl down with a long yawn. "In the mean time, I think it's time for some shut-eye." He grins wryly, "so unless you want to join me, may I have my bed-roll?"
  799. CawklesGM Kahina rises to her feet and bluses intensely. She mutters an indistrinct apology. "Get some rest," She admonishes. "Sleep well." She takes Izem's empty bowl and returns to her stewing cauldron, feeling the heat rise in more ways than one. She too slowly drifts to sleep, fearful of things to come...
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