Escape Trajectory: Makkuro — IC

[FinalTemplar]

Creed gives a small wave to Javier as he hops into his buggy, and follows the others. As Kaze spots the grav trucks, he lets out a groan. "I'll stay back with you, Cass. I've got your back this time... promise." He winces thinking about the incident in the mine, then stutters out a curse under his breath. He pulls out his spikethrower, ready to respond if they get too close.

[Namelessjake]

Tess and Hikaru

You take off, running across the open ground as you make for the abandoned mine.

Reaching the entrance, you find the large metal sliding doors cracked slightly open, just wide enough for a single person to squeeze through. The mine sits eerily still, the only audibles sounds being that of a gentle desert breeze and the occasion creaks and groans of the metal structure.

Tess

You get the feeling you are being watched.

Everyone Else

As Tess and Hikaru sprint off towards your target location, you continue after them at the fastest pace the container allows.

[Fialova]

"Hey hey, don't shoot," Tess shouts, as the sudden bristles on the back of her neck give her the distinct feeling that there are eyes on her and Hikaru. "We've got the package, it's a couple minutes away, but we're being pursued. A whole fucking tank and everything. We need to get it in and either hide or get the fuck out of here." She slows her pace at the approach, trying her best to appear non-menacing to whoever it is that has their sights set on her and her friend. I really fucking hate this planet.

[Scratcherclaw]

Hikaru's eyes go wide at Tess's words, realizing quickly that she wouldn't be saying them to no one. He puts his hands up instinctively, making sure his ring is visible to whoever's skulking in the shadows. "Captain Tsukiakari, Cartage Guild," he announces, hoping this isn't all some elaborate ambush. Can we spend a single fucking minute without being in danger?

 

[Namelessjake]

Tess and Hikaru

At your words, the light in front of you flickers and warps, resolving into a figure as if they had materialised out of thin air. The person, a woman, stands barring the way inside the mine, her rifle leveled at the pair of you. Her armoured suit seems to shimmer in the light, with the effect slowly dying down as the seconds pass.

"We've been expecting you," she says as her eyes flick to the ring on Hikaru's finger. Her gaze then moves to the dust cloud kicked up by the approaching vehicles of House Eedlon and the grav container floating slowly towards you across the valley.

"Hiding is probably out of the question, if they haven't seen you already, they'll see that before its inside," she says, finally lowering her rifle though keeping it at the ready. "Come inside," she says, stepping aside so that she no longer blocks the way inside the abandoned mine.

Everyone Else

As you walk with the container, you see Tess and Hikaru reach the mine. Whether a mirage caused by the desert heat, or something else, a figure appears to materialise in front of the duo.

[Scratcherclaw]

Thank fuck. It's actually our contacts. Hikaru breathes a sigh of relief, nodding to the woman. "Would've been here sooner, but a fugitive sniper holed up on our way," he says with a weak smile, stepping into the abandoned mine at her instruction.

[ratwizard]

Am I seeing shit? What was that? Cass wonders, narrowing his eyes in the distance. He glances back down at the drone screen, confirming the presence of a figure.

"You see that? Kaze, you got scopes on them? Make sure they're not in trouble," he warns.

[Chanchabruhh]

"Locking sights on the target Cass lets see because I'm seeing something too one moment here because i know I'm not tripping out." Kaze says as he locks his scope the best he can on the mirage or possible person

[Fialova]

"Sure, yeah, whatever you say," Tess says, letting her arms fall limply to her side as she steps towards the entrance. She takes a deep breath, followed by a deep exhale. Wow that could've gone so much worse, she thinks, the adrenaline from moments earlier still in full effect. Glad that woman was on our side.

"So if hiding's off the table, what are doing here? Fighting? Or is there some level of defenses this place has that we don't know about? Because I'm a pretty good shot, but I don't think I can do a whole lot against a fucking tank."

[Namelessjake]

Tess and Hikaru

The woman scoffs at Tess’ words. "You know who you’re delivering to right?" She says as you step through the blast doors at the mine entrance.

Inside, you find yourself in a shallow cavern next to what appears to be a storage or maintenance bay of some kind, part of the mine’s original fittings. You suppose that the mine and its facilities once went much deeper into the earth, but a large cave-in appears to have sealed it off, leaving only 20 metres or so of clearance.

"Major, the pizza is here," your escort calls out, a hint of a smirk on her face.

The rockfall flickers with a hexagonal pattern before the hologram dissipates. While it appears the depths of the mine are indeed blocked off by rubble, the cave-in is much further back, leaving a large cavern at the mine entrance which the ARS have turned into a temporary outpost. A number of supply crates lie dotted around, along with other communications and command equipment. You are able to count at least a dozen men and women, though windows and doors in the wall to your right suggest the mine’s facilities extend deeper as could the ARS’ outpost, all are dressed in sleek modern combat armour, though there are clear individual differences you would not expect to see on the uniforms of regular rank and file troops, as each soldier has adapted their gear for the desert and their own personal preferences. While their appearance differs, all of them wear an orange pauldron on their left shoulder, the identifying mark of the ARS.

They appear heavily armed, with heavy weapons, explosives, and two suits of what appear to be Storm Armor on display in addition to the shear and mag rifles carried by most of the soldiers.

A man, in his forties or late thirties, approaches you, the leaves and stars on his pauldron identify him as a major in the League military, while the laser scoring on his breast plate and the scar under his eye identify him as a hardened veteran of many battles.

“Major Mateo Reyes, 12th Advanced Recon Section,” he says, extending a hand. ”I trust you got Speartip here in one piece? The Cartage Guild said they were putting their best on the contract.”

Everyone Else

The figure, a women, appears to shimmer slightly in the desert sun as Tess and Hikaru talk for a moment, raising their hands in a sign of peace. After a few words, the woman steps aside and the trio disappear into the mine, with the mysterious figure leading up the rear.

[Scratcherclaw]

"A pleasure, Major Reyes," Hikaru responds, meeting the handshake. "Captain Hikaru Tsukiakari of the Makkuro. The rest of ours are a couple minutes out with the Speartip, yeah. The two of us just wanted to rush ahead to make contact and warn you about House Eedlon closing in."

His eyes move around the outpost, his tense shoulders relaxing as he sees the heavily armed and armored troops around them, with possibly more still within. Damn, those Eedlon fucks are about to get lit up.

[ratwizard]

"Whoever that was, Tess and Glitter just went inside with them," Cass says with a sigh. Guess all we can do is trust their instinct. Tess wouldn't walk into a trap, he reminds himself.

[FinalTemplar]

"I hope you're right." Eridas says, and continues to walk with the container. He takes a deep breath to steady himself. "Hey, after all this, if there's one planet you could go to, either of you, where would you want to go?" he asks Cass and Kaze.

[ratwizard]

Cass frowns at his drone screen, considering the question. Alldis, he thinks. Home.

"Suchhan Mallina," he says. "Always wanted to see where the Aasceins live. Either that, or Earth, if it's still around. Hard to believe a place like that is real. You?"

[Fialova]

Tess rolls her eyes at the woman's bravado, fucking soldiers, always so thin-skinned. Stepping into the mine, here eyes go wide for a moment as the reality of the situation comes into view. "Well shit," she mumbles, when the other soldiers come into view. "You got a whole army of your own down here. Impressive," she continues, half-truthfully, before turning to watch as the apparent major approaches. 

"It wasn't easy getting that thing here at all, but yeah, it's here soon. Should be a few minutes between when it does and when the pursuers get here, too, if that matters."

[Chanchabruhh]

Kaze thinks for a moment and then looks at Cass and Eridas "Yeah i was thinking the same Suchhan Mallina, I've always wanted to go myself had a few people talking about it awhile ago seems interesting, i just want to explore and maybe make some cool stories while i do it! ya know."

[Namelessjake]

Tess and Hikaru

"Captain," Reyes says with a nod as he shakes Hikaru's hand.

"They must have decided to check out who landed a starship in their backyard, that or they came looking for the convoy we hit yesterday," he adds as the conversation quickly turns to the approaching House Eedlon force. "Ramirez, Nguyen, open up the doors some more for Speartip and then go check it out. See what we're dealing with," he orders two of the nearby soldiers, who diligently set about fulfilling them.

They activate the mechanisms and you see dust shake from the old blast doors as they begin to slowly open wider, grinding to a halt once wide enough for the grav container to fit through, before the two soldiers head outside.

"Everyone else get ready, we're about to have company," the Major then says to the rest of the ARS gathered in the mine. As the ARS set about grabbing their weapons, Reyes turns back to you.

"You're welcome to leave once the delivery is made, but it's probably safer for you in here," he advises. "Speaking of," he adds as the others set through the open blast doors, grav container in tow.

Everyone Else

As you walk, getting ever closer to the mine, you see dust shake from the old blast doors as they begin to slowly open wider, grinding to a halt once wide enough for the grav container to fit through. Two more figures appear from inside the mine, both wearing desert combat armour and carrying rifles. One waves at you before they pull out a set of binoculars and train them on the approaching Eedlon force.

You are able to spot that both soldiers' wear an orange pauldron on their left should, the identifying mark of the ARS.

You soon reach the mine entrance, the two soldiers paying you little attention as you pass, preoccupied with their reconnaissance.

Stepping through the blast doors, you find yourselves in a large cavern at the mine entrance which the ARS have turned into a temporary outpost. A large rockfall up ahead bars the way deeper into the mine, though windows and doors in the wall to your right suggest the mine’s facilities extend deeper as could the ARS’ outpost which feels adhoc and temporary. Supply crates lie dotted around, some serving as makeshift tables and desks for communications and command equipment. You are able to count at least a dozen men and women, all are dressed in the same sleek modern combat armour the two soldiers outside were wearing, ARS pauldron included, though there are clear individual differences you would not expect to see on the uniforms of regular rank and file troops, as each soldier has adapted their gear for the desert and their own personal preferences. They appear heavily armed, with heavy weapons, explosives, and two suits of what appear to be Storm Armor on display in addition to the shear and mag rifles carried by most of the soldiers.

Tess and Hikaru are stood near the entrance talking to a man in his forties or late thirties, the leaves and stars on his pauldron identify him as a major in the League military, while the laser scoring on his breast plate and the scar under his eye identify him as a hardened veteran of many battles. Another soldier, a woman, stands with them too, presumably the woman who seemed to appear from nowhere based on her silhouette.

[ratwizard]

So this is the ARS, Cass considers, his eyes scanning the heavily armored soldiers and the ad hoc forward base they've established. Wouldn't want to be House Eedlon, rolling up against this level of firepower. He powers down the Black Owl and returns the drone to its carrying case, helping lead the grav container toward the others. We need to drop this off and get out of here before part of this job becomes helping these two armies vaporize each other. We're just the delivery service, not the backup. And fuck the League, they can fight their own battles.

"Captain," he greets Hikaru, before giving a look of concern toward Tess. "Freight's all here, as is the Specialist."

[BartNL]

Warner looks around in the cave base. It feels familiar, some good, some bad, mostly just familiar. Like all pieces of the puzzle now suddenly fall into their place again.
"Captain, permission to provide assistance here for the time being?" Warner asks Hikaru.
"No sense in just sitting on our hands, while we are stuck here." Warner eyes his patient. "Maybe they'll take her of our hands too."

OOC

What does Warner know about this group and major Reyes? And what about the mystery woman?

[Chanchabruhh]

"Captain," says as he greets Hikaru and takes a look around his eyes scanning while bobbing his head and doing some light finger gestures of a guitar This place and these people..hm i wonder what Riza is up to right now.. i hope she is well maybe after this is over and we return to the ship i should try to contact her i do still owe her that drink and a dance

 

[Scratcherclaw]

Hikaru gives an acknowledging nod to the rest of the crew as they file into the mine, relieved they all made it in one piece but trying to keep some level of professional decorum. Thank fuck. We did it. We actually fucking did it. "Major Reyes, your Speartip," the idol says, gesturing toward the grav container as it floats in. Curious to see what the hell it actually is. A weapon of some kind, I'm guessing.

The young captain looks to Warner, nodding at his request. "You've all got my permission, sure. Assuming that's okay with the Major here. The least we can do is help out where we can, as long as we're not getting in anyone's way."

He looks down at the patient, then back at Reyes. "Speaking of that convoy you hit... We came across the wreckage and found this survivor on the brink of death. Figured she might be useful to you, with intel or something."

[Fialova]

Look at them all, giving Hikaru so much respect in front of all of these soldiers, Tess thinks, as their companions arrive and one-by-one address her friend as 'captain.' If only his bandmates could see him now. Captain of stolen warship turned mercenary vessel. Meeting with a military commander in a warzone. I wonder if he's really stopped to think about how surreal this all is.

"I'm good, thanks," Tess responds, at Warner and Hikaru's mention of military aid. "If anyone needs to relax and unwind after the battle, though, I can give a discount," she says as she looks around for a space within the hidden base to stay out of sight in case the impending battle moves within. Just need a good hidden perch to set up shop, in case those soldiers lose and they come looting. 

 

[Namelessjake]

"Thank you Captain, I've missed her. Deploying without her was a mistake if you ask me," Major Reyes replies with a smile as Hikaru introduces the grav container. He eyes the wounded women, who still has yet to regain consciousness in the hour or so since her field surgery, as the conversation turns to her. He calls over another two soldiers.

"Take her in the back with the other wounded - there's a good chance we'll have some more prisoners soon too," he says to them, "I doubt we'll get much out of her in that state, and nothing we don't know already, but we'll look after her best we can," he says turning back to Hikaru.

"So, your payme-," he starts, though he is interrupted by the return of the soldiers sent to recon the approaching House Eedlon force.

"Sir, we've got a sizeable force inbound, five gravtanks inbound, plus the same again in infantry carriers," one reports.

"Hmm, well it'd be senseless to go out and meet them in the desert," Reyes replies, pausing to think for a moment before he turns, calling out to yet another group of his soldiers. "Speartip's fusion core will need a kickstart after so long powered down, we may need her, and if we don't, they'll still call in our position for a strike - we'll want her QECM online," This time a trio of what look combat engineers or technicians approach, taking the grav container and leading it towards the old loading area to the side of the cavern, where they start connecting up a couple of portable generators. 

"Your help may be appreciated Captain, if you and your crew can protect those doors?" Reyes asks pointing to the doors leading deeper into the mine's facilities. "We'll try to hold them at the main entrance, so you should be out of the way of the heaviest fighting, but if any break through, that's where our infirmary and main intel station is set up."

Warner

From Previous Posts

The Advanced Recon Section, or ARS as they are commonly referred to as. Despite the League's preference for diplomacy over violence, the ARS is as close to a household name as it is possible for a military unit to be. They are the League's premier planetary combat unit - an elite reconnaissance special ops force trained to sow chaos and disruption behind enemy lines using the cutting edge of the League's advanced arsenal. Despite the general lack of real world experience across the League military as a whole, the ARS are some of the few men and women in the services with combat experience under their belt, having been deployed to assist in various flashpoint scenarios over the last couple of decades across League space and the systems surrounding it.

While your deployment to Antheus during the Bronze rebellion was as an exchange officer, it was something of an open secret that some ARS units were operating planetside, despite the League's limited role in the conflict.

New Info

You don't know any specifics about Major Reyes or this particular ARS unit. You have however encountered a solider like this woman before though. They too were ARS and were in possession of a Ghost Mantle, pretech technology considered as artefacts on most world, though still in limited production on Strocho. Designed for use by elite infiltrators, a ghost mantle can warp light around the wearer to blur his or her outlines and coloring to match the surroundings, which was likely the effect you witnessed before.

Kate

Recognising much of technical jargon and processes, it seems increasingly like the hunch you had when you first picked up the container may be correct and Speartip is a combat mech.

Tess

Towards the back of the cavern, near the cave-in, you spot a raised gantry that looks to have once served as a control point for an ancient rusted crane that hangs over head.

Map

[Scratcherclaw]

"I think we can at least do that," Hikaru says with a nod to Reyes, giving the rest of the Makkuro crew a nod. "Got that, Mak? Let's help Major Reyes deal with whoever breaks through." Damn, I could've gone into acting. But gotta play the part, especially in this kind of company. He steps over by the mentioned doors, taking a deep breath as he grips his rifle uncomfortably. These people know what they're doing. We'll be okay.

 

[ratwizard]

Cass simmers, his arms slowly crossing as he watches the back and forth. Really? Glitter's just going to volunteer our services without even closing the first deal? And here I thought he was some master of negotiating a contract. And what if this Reyes tool takes a tank round to the face? I know League chain of command. There's not gonna be a soul here that will square up what's owed to us, then.

"You sure all this is in the contract, Cap?" he asks aloud, waving a hand across the technicians and soldiers reading for imminent battle. "Payment upon delivery's the usual Cartage motto."

[Scratcherclaw]

"We renegotiate after the fact," Hikaru says to Cass matter-of-factly, letting out a quiet but frustrated sigh. It really must get exhausting, worrying as much as he does. "Not like we really have to do much, and it'll get a gold star next to our name. Man's too busy with the imminent threat for us to close the deal anyway." He shrugs. "Not like I expected him to volunteer us for combat duty, but just think of it as protecting your lives. Cuz it is."
 

[Fialova]

Tess watches as Cass is clearly becoming annoyed at the situation, relating to his feelings though also the difficulty that Hikaru must be having with the situation. She sighs. They better not start bickering again. "This whole job's a shitshow," she adds, trying her best to mediate, despite knowing she has no real skill for it. "But an army is coming no matter what we do, so I'd personally rather hole up in this fortified bunker with some proper soldiers than risk dipping now and risking our lives for nothing."

"Let's just all go up there," she says, pointing to the gantry she'd eyed for her sniper's perch. "We'll be out of sight for any of the fighting, at least at the start. You can watch from your drone, me from my scopes. We stay low, don't make ourselves noticed, and only act if they actually move into the back towards that door. Seems the safest position we can be in given the situation." And if we're lucky, they never even make it in here and we look good just for agreeing. 

[BartNL]

"Confirmed. If needed, I will assist in getting the injured to the infirmary."

[greysigil]

Kate's eyes wander the military installation, a creeping unease crawling up her spine and settling in her shoulders. The fuck are you doin' here, Kate? You're behind enemy lines, in their fucking forward base, how the fuck are you gonna get out of here-- She interrupts her thought-spiral, forcing herself to calm down. Y'ain't that girl anymore, Kate. You got out.

Her ears perk up at the mention of the cargo, but curiosity turns to ice-cold dread as she listens in, hearing technical terms she thought she'd left far behind. There's no fucking way...

She forces a deep, steadying breath. Just gotta get through. Just gotta survive, and leave. Her eyes come back into focus, snapping to the Major, her old combat engineer training stirring in the back of her mind. "Sir, is there anything y'all need help setting up? I'm an engineer by trade, I'm sure I'd be more help there than holdin' a rifle." She can't help her eyes flicking to Speartip, then back to Reyes.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Yeah, exactly," Hikaru says back to Tess, grateful that she's thinking of the reality of their situation. "Staying in here's our only choice, and defending that door is no different from defending ourselves." It's this or what? Hide, get found, and either look like cowards or spend the rest of our lives in a prison camp... Well, they'd probably get me out in a prisoner exchange. High value and all. But the rest?

"Sure though, yeah, staying up there's a good plan."

[Chanchabruhh]

Kaze has a serious look on his face as if he is a different person and grabs his LMG and finds a spot to stay out of sight with his group

"Yeah lets get up there and wait."

[Namelessjake]

At Kate's words the Major looks over from directing the rest of the ARS, who have began taking up positions of their own inside the mine and along the windows that flank the blast doors.

"Take a look," Reyes says, to her, gesturing towards the closest of the two generators, where a technician is already at work, getting the system plugged into Speartip's container. "The quicker we can get Speartip online the better," he says.

Kate

Examining the generator, you find it of a similar design to the ones used by the Escriosians on Sarma, for the same purpose of kickstarting mech's fusion cores. You are confident you could boost it's power output and speed up the charging process, though it would require active management of the generator to avoid any overloading, damaging either the generator or the fusion core.

The mine is suddenly rocked by explosions as a barrage of missiles impact against the blast doors and the surrounding rockface.  

"Here we go, everyone get ready!" Reyes yells, moving to take up a position of his own near the generator closest to the door. You hear the whistle of another barrage before another series of explosions batter the blast doors, knocking them open further. The gunfire then starts as the ARS by the windows start to open up on the incoming assault.

Determine Starting Positions & Roll Initiative!

//Speartip Charging// 0%>>_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _100% //

Mechanics

At the end of each round, Speartip will charge up by 10% for each active generator (the black/yellow machines with blue screens wired to the blue container) . This can be boosted with a Dex/Fix check performed on a generator as a main action. If successful that generator will instead contribute 20% to the total charge that round.

Map

[ratwizard]

Cass squirms as Hikaru and especially Tess reason with him. We really fucked our chance to get out of here, helping that Eedlon tankie, he realizes, shaking his head. One life saved and now the rest of us are at risk. That was a stupid play.

Setting his jaw, he takes renewed stock of the mine entrance, now that it's to become the site of a bloody counterassault. Stick behind Kaze and Tess, and we're golden. We don't have a dog in this fight except to get back to the Makk once the smoke clears. Speaking of...

<Makkuro, come in,> Cass transmits into his dataslab microphone. <Hope you're not too deep into prep for your ratatouille, Marko. We've got a metric shit-ton of hostile gravtanks and heavy weapons closing in on our position at this old mine the League's holing up in. Uh, may need you to put together a half-assed strafing run, if you can manage. Standby for Hikaru's orders, alright?>

"Cap, your call if or when," he says to Hikaru. Never tell me there's no Plan B.

Mechanics

Initiative: [1d8]=3

I will be slightly behind and in cover of wherever Tess (and Kaze) are.

[Fialova]

"Good idea," Tess says, smirking as Cass barks his orders to the crew back onboard the Mak. "They won't likely be expecting any sort of air raid. Though hopefully we need not put them at risk." This whole situation sucks. I never thought I'd miss being in space, but this is so much worse than the void.

Mechanics

Tess will be prone near the edge of the walkway, as far back as she can be while still maintaining a visual field of the bunker interior. Goal is to make herself as small of a target as possible. Init: [1d8+1]=5+1=6

Combat Block

Esther "Tess" Cernei

Female Human Expert/Warrior 3
Languages: Mandate
Age: 28
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 130 lbs.

Speed: 10 meters
Initiative: 1d8+1 (roll twice, take best)

AC: 18
Physical: 13
Evasion: 12
Will: 12
HP: 19/19

Readied Weapons:
Laser Pistol (range 100/300): 1d20+6, 1d6+1 damage
Modified Mag Pistol (range 100/300): 1d20+6, 2d6+3 damage
Unarmed 1d20+4, 1d10+2 damage, shock 2 vs AC 15 or less
Snipe Rifle (range 1,000/2,000): 1d20+5, 2d8+1

Unreadied Weapons:
Monoblade Knife (range 10 if thrown): 1d20+1, 1d6+1 damage, shock 2 vs AC 15 or less (melee only)

Ammunition Loaded:
Laser Pistol: 10/10
Mag Pistol: 6/6
Sniper Rifle: 1/1

Active Effects: none

Readied Consumables: none

Unreadied Consumables:
♦ Type A Cell (Charged) (1)
♦ Mag Pistol Magazine (1)
♦ Type A Cell (Charged) (6)#
♦ Ammo (104)#

Important Features:

Partial Expert Feature: +1 skill point per level, only to be spent on non-psychic/non-combat skills.

Partial Warrior Feature: +1 to attack at levels 1 and 5. +2 hp per level.

Alert Level 1 Feature: Cannot be surprised or the target of Execution Attacks. Roll twice and take best result for initiative.

Sniper Level 1 Feature: When rolling for Execution Attack or shooting targets, roll 3d6 and drop lowest die.

Ironhide Level 1 Feature: Base AC (pre dex mod and shields) is 15 plus half my level (rounded up).

Unarmed Combatant Level 1 Feature: My unarmed attacks now deal a base damage of 1d8 (rises to 1d10 at level 2, 1d12 at level 3, and 1d12+1 at level 4). My unarmed attacks also have the Shock quality equal to my Punch level against AC 15 or less.

[BartNL]

"Ready at your command captain."

Mechanics

Initiative: [1d8]=8

Positioning: I want Warner to position in front of the group, so he can provide medical assistance to the defenders.