Lancer: Fires of Rubicon — IC

[Namelessjake]

DEFCON sheepishly exits the theatre, hoping everyone else is too preoccupied with the movie or their own revulsions to pay him any mind.

He spends the rest of the downtime preparing for the next mission, splitting his time between the gym, the training simulators and the mechanics bay. During his evenings, he devotes his free time to reading through the technical manuals of the new equipment his new license level has unlocked.

[ratwizard]

"Your tactic was clever," Antayes admits to the Nyathal, helping the man to his feet with a thick palm. "But it is not the first time somebody has tried to use my size against me." And it will not be the last.

He gives the man a proud smile. "Well fought, yourself."

[BartNL]

Mechanics

Read a Situation: Watching the Seminar
[1d20]=6+[1d6]=2=8

[Fialova]

Eydis watches the seminar fairly intently, finding the subject only mildly interesting, but constant listening for anything that might lead to more information that might suggest some of the world's magical history.

Mechanics

[1d20+2]=17+2=19[1d6]=4 = 23 total to 'read a situation'

[KupoTheMagus]

Results (Everyone)

Unfortunately for the mariner, he's misinterpreted the topic of debate a bit and comes out of the seminar a bit confused. As for the witch, the seminar proves useful. You pick up a few phrases that seem out of place in terms of the mundane, ask lots of good questions, and stay engaged throughout the seminar. Higher-ups attending definitely notice your attention to detail.

Nox, Eydis, and Wynter come out of their individual activities feeling a bit closer to the rest of the members of the pilot program, while Vasylyk comes out with a reminder and a lesson: Don't fill up on junk food before a horror movie.

Fia

As you're leaving the seminar, you step on something textured. You look under your foot, and it's a business card. The card is pitch black. You run your thumb along it, and realize there is a message in braille. The message reads: "We are watching."

---

Monday morning begins pretty bright; you've survived your introductory mission, made some new friends, and earned your first license.
'S3RV-NT' beeps to life, preparing the morning coffee as your group prepares for their second outing.

[ratwizard]

By the time the alarm beeps and the first coffee drop falls, Antayes is already there, preparing each of Echo-3's drinks based off his rigorous notes from the morning prior. Except for Phoenix. No coffee for arrogant failures.

He sips his own, seated at their mess table, journaling. What will today bring us? he wonders, hoping for another contract that will allow him to try out his new system upgrades.

[Namelessjake]

"Good Morning," DEFCON says to Antayes as he enters the room, having spend the morning at the gym and the firing range. He takes his coffee from the Celestin with a nod of thanks.

"Second mission, none of us can rely on beginner's luck anymore," he says taking a seat.

[BartNL]

That was a waste of time. The dept doesn't stare back, the dept hides the things that do.

[Fialova]

Someone is watching me? I must be getting close to some answers, Eydis thinks, feeling proud of herself for seemingly having discovered a path to further information in her arcane investigation. 

[KupoTheMagus]

The follow-up of the morning goes smoothly; Echo-3 prepares for the day's work, setting out of their room after doing what's needed.

The halls are filled with chatter amongst men as the mission board is filled with new missions, but also a notice:

"Missing Member - Coral-6, Arena Rating 14. "Knight Crusader" Ferrick Sensli. Location Last Seen: S24/W16 - Alicusa Peninsula, Unclaimed Territory."

Whispers and rumors spread amongst new recruits and other squads alike, in wonder as to where he's gone. The job board awaits.

Job 1

Mission Name: Inquiry Broadcast
Mission Type: Investigative
Location: Human-Owned Territory - N39/E41 | Graventis Mountain Range Sector E

An odd signal has been detected near the mountain range. Excavation was to start two months ago but has since been abandoned due to weird interference coming from terraforming devices.

Environmental Conditions: None

Expected Resistance: Unknown

Job 2

Mission Name: Lost Highway
Mission Type: Convoy
Location: Human-Owned Territory - S4/E10 | Algaster Town

A new cloth exporter has requested protection from the Lancer program. You are to protect their four trucks on route to Evanese Town. Watch for pirates looking to snatch this material.

Environmental Conditions: None

Expected Resistance: None

Job 3

Mission Name: Armed Battery
Mission Type: Engagement/Diplomatic
Location: Astori-Owned Territory - N2/W25 | Crin

The Astori have reached out about a problem concerning pirates taking over one of their towns. These pirates have taken hostages, and are in Astori mechs. Take care not to destroy the town or mechs, if possible.

Environmental Conditions: Harsh Rain

Expected Resistance: Astori Mech x5

Job 4

Mission Name: Desolate Hive
Mission Type: Engagement/Demolition
Location: Human-Owned Territory - N13/W6 | Kolistt Mountain Range Sector J

After Echo-3 routed the miners looking to haul off a quick dollar, some amount of cave critters have awakened. The new crew arrived to find what was left behind has been chewed through and eaten, and have asked for our help once again.

Environmental Conditions: Thin Atmosphere

Expected Resistance: Cave Crawler Hive

[ratwizard]

Antayes looks carefully over the job board, before placing a thick finger atop the third posting. "There. Armed Battery. We ship out, punish these ill-doers, rescue the hostages, and get back for lunch hour. Who could say no to that?"

[Namelessjake]

"Sounds good to me," DEFCON says to Antayes, nodding with approval.

"Seems the most important and pressing objective too - its nice to not have to just decide based on what pays best for a change," he adds.

[ratwizard]

"Ha! Crushing pirates? I would perform such a task for free," Antayes boasts. "A virus on society, fit only for a swift end."

[Namelessjake]

"You wouldn't make a very good merc," DEFCON laughs in reply. "A popular one I'm sure, but destitute."

[ratwizard]

"Finer compliments have I rarely received," Antayes says with a prideful grin. "Money cannot bend my ear the same way it does most in this academy. You see, in Celestin society, mercenaries occupy an inferior and detested caste alongside addicts, blasphemers, and charlatans."

He claps DEFCON on the shoulder — hard, though not unkind. "No slight is intended, my friend. I have come to understand human culture, as incomprehensible as it may be to my kin."

[Namelessjake]

"None taken, some of my best friends are charlatans, addicts and blasphemers," DEFCON says with a playful smile.

[BartNL]

"Pirates are scum. I concur on Armed Battery."

[ratwizard]

"A simple majority already," Antayes says, a smile widening across his scarred face. "Then let us not waste any more time. We will demonstrate a lesson to these pirate scum, and to the rest of the squads."

[Namelessjake]

"Let's suit up then," DEFCON says, keen to get back in the cockpit.

[KupoTheMagus]

The three of you huddle around the job posting before taking its tag and accepting the mission.

[Is there anything you all wish to do before heading out?]

[Fialova]

Eydis is lost in thought throughout most of the morning, consumed with theories and musing about the information gleaned from her downtime activities. I suppose I am on the right path, I must search more after this mission. She cares little for the assignment at hand, allowing the others to decide on which way to head, nodding in agreement when a consensus is reached by the others. 

"Finally. Perhaps they will prove more of a challenge than those miners," she says, the confidence of her words offset by her unenthusiastic tone. Time will tell, I suppose. The last mission was not a proper test of our skills.

[ratwizard]

OOC

Nope, I am ready to go kill or convert some pirates.

[Namelessjake]

OOC

Same here, and pretty sure my build is good to go.

[BartNL]

OOC

Let's kick some pirate arse

[Fialova]

OOC

good to go