The Time and The Place

[The Bindoner]

Manfred tells Kar that Lady Ice will take part in the interception for an equal share of the loot, provided the fight isn’t fair. He’ll need a confirmation of the target’s capabilities and the force Kar’s leading before committing. He’s not going to risk taking on a ship that can beat him.

(Ummiimir has implied that over time he and Soraia will be able to get a clearer picture of the vessel, and it is highly probable that exact details will be on the Pouncer.)

Konrad replies that the SS Ilsa will join any fight with an Empire ship that is not a suicide mission, but he will not initiate such a battle. He will not cause a breach of the ceasefire himself, but is free to intervene in the case of Empire aggression.

…………………..


The other Oghma Captains and Raid Leaders are not eager to rent their slaves at first. The injunction to allow Fezlae first choice of the stock (not to mention giving Ummiimir and Sal options on artefacts) caused some ill-feeling until it was established no price was guaranteed, and the not-entirely-clear use these valuable assets will be put to worries them. Oghma ships are more used to competing than cooperating in trading as much as in raiding, and all have established relationships with favourite dealers, that they are being asked to set aside.


Ásdís (because her dealers are keen to disrupt the Glorious Empire’s visit, and she believes that The Serpent is going to do that) steps in to help persuade the others. She proposes Tiv offers to pay 20% of the market price of any slave as rental, and reimburse the full value of any damaged while on hire. She undertakes to select the slaves from among the various ship’s stock.

The slaves sold at Blackrock are those of no use to Oghma – the old, the weak, the stupid, the ugly, and the troublesome. Ásdís finds 24 suitable candidates among the last three types who are both young and physically fit enough to plausibly be used as soldiers. Some were, in fact, captured fighting in defence of their home or community (and so are regarded as “bolshy”), others are women deemed unskilled and unattractive enough to be unsellable on Oghma, and the remainder are men unskilled and judged unteachable.


Ásdís organises Blackrock transport* to collect the selected slaves and bring them to the Serpent’s Hangar. They are Mardukites from different islands, and seem to hate/fear each other as much as they do Oghmen, clumping together, sullenly, in their community groups.



* At a cost-price rate of Cr250

[Gorethirster]

Remington can't help but giggle as he rides a robotic tiger at the head of a procession of space barbarians and their captive slaves to steal a starship. He always felt he deserved more recognition than the already large amount he got, but the thought of arriving at a conference as he was now filled him with a perverse glee. Every time he tried to compose himself another vision presented itself to him: arriving at the venue with an Oghman warband in tow, giving a talk reclining against a metal cat, hopping on the cat for the ride to the post-talk dinner. The fact that he was about to deliberately trigger a diplomatic incident and carrying a poorly jury-rigged shaped charge/flamethrower combo added a manic edge to his otherwise enjoyable mirth.

OOC Don't shaped charges have a backblast problem? I know claymore mines do. Is Remington going to have any hands left if he ever needs to use the boom stick?

[Tiglath]

OOC Don't shaped charges have a backblast problem? I know claymore mines do. Is Remington going to have any hands left if he ever needs to use the boom stick?

(OOC: Wellll... not as much as LAW (Bazookas). However... there may be the odd Health and Safety issue... or two: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunge_mine. Raven's contraption is perhaps a bit more modest (being anti personnel rather than anti tank) and on a slightly longer pole but probably assumes that a user is both armoured themselves and also not quite as "suicidal" as those employing the historical precedent. So, in military terms, it is perhaps more of a sapper's "pole charge" than a "lunge mine". However, I defer to the GM! ).

[Gorethirster]

OOC What I've been reading about shaped charges is that they're functionally grenades with a directional component. So Remington is at best 2-3 meters from a grenade when it goes off. On the other (mostly intact) hand, jousting a power armored aslan from the back of a robo-tiger and getting half-obliterated from using his own weapon is virtually guaranteed to get Remington rebuilt as cyber-Remington: harder, better, faster, significantly more bitter. As long as he lives long enough to make it to a surgical bay.

[The Bindoner]

Having looked at modern shaped-charge munitions, and bearing in mind that the rules don't mention any hazard, I'm ruling you're safe if it's pointing at someone else.

As designed.

Aftermarket modifications void warranty, maker is not liable for loss or damages incurred due to unauthorised installation of third-party parts.

[Tiglath]

FWIW that's my understanding. The internal coned shape of the "shaped charge" is what makes it directional. In the case of a claymore anyone on the FRONT TOWARD ENEMY side is getting ballbearings projected by the HE (propellant) charge while those behind are only subject to a dispersed (no "shrapnel") HE blast of limited (damaging) range. Of course, suffering a contact detonation with the "safe" side of either charge might be hazardous but that's not how they are designed to be employed.

NB The fatalities from the lunge mine were not only due to the (H&S reckless) design but also the (fanatical) users bracing their bodies against the mine's pole in an attempt to optimise both the charge's placement/effect (and quite possibly their own demise). However, in theatre the lunge miners' true nemesis was usually the distinguished 4th "Bombay" Grenadiers who formed specialist "tank escort" infantry.

[Thumper]

I agree that a small shape charge-on-a-stick would give a slight kick on detonation, but it wouldn’t be severe. As long as the pole is not anchored against his body, I doubt Remington would suffer from it. Probably wouldn’t even have difficulty maintaining his grip.

Tiv would attempt to haggle the rental price to 10% (I’m traveling on vacation without my laptop so can’t roll (please roll a Persuade +2 for me) and a 100% price guarantee in case of injury or death.

—————-

He will take his place at the head of the procession. He wears high tech matte-black advanced polycarapace armor with blood-red inlays of runic Gungnir (Odin’s Spear) on his back, the Gjallarhorn (Mimir’s drinking horn) high between his shoulders, and a runic Mjolnir (Thor’s Hammer) on his chest. In a quick don case strapped to his left thigh is a collapsible helmet/respirator. If one of the sawed-offs were still available, he’ll carry that as a sidearm, his cutlass at his hip and his sonic stun carbine over his shoulder. He’ll proceed with Remington’s Thundercat at his flank.

When he arrives at the entrance to the Comm infrastructure tunnel, he’ll halt the procession so Remington’s dangly pole obscures the security camera. He’ll use the Bluetooth link to open the portal and slip in to install the second part of of tge hijack. Once done, he’ll comms Arnwulf to confirm the data feed gets up and running. When satisfied, he’ll step back out to the station corridor and continue leading the procession.

Arriving at the blast door to the Aslan hangar complex, he’ll draw his heirloom cutlass in an Oghman salute and state in a raised voice:

Technical Commander Tivoli Thingvallir, Corsair Raider of Oghma, Speaker for Chieftain Hallsteinn Ásgeirr, Trade Representative of Clan Aesgirr presents Skippare Kar Tollerson and Raid Leader Raven Sorrow and their slave stock as a demonstration to Her Words Calm Prey, consort to and speaker for His Roar Deafens Foe.

[The Bindoner]

Tiv would attempt to haggle the rental price to 10% (I’m traveling on vacation without my laptop so can’t roll (please roll a Persuade +2 for me) and a 100% price guarantee in case of injury or death.

[_2d6]=(2+6)=8 +2 =10

The revised bargain is agreed.

[Legion Lee]

While puffing on a cigar Leon will be at the rear of the group with Roberta, The raid has a carnival feel to it with everyone in high spirits. Leon knows that will change, it always does but he is looking forward to a good scrap.

Leon is equipped with his pistol (100 shots) strapped to his thigh for a quick draw. He is also carrying a stun club and is wearing improved cloth armour, has 3 frag grenades, 5 stimulant shots (emergency medic).

Roberta is equipped with a stun club and securing device/fettles for any captives we may gain.

Leon and Roberta will ensure any survivors Raven and the gang leave alive remain subdued.

OOC Would it have been possible for Leon to have a bit of the cat dust that Remington tried (if so he will have kept some of that)

[Tiglath]

OOC Would it have been possible for Leon to have a bit of the cat dust that Remington tried (if so he will have kept some of that)

OOC: My assumption was that any who wanted a "taste"... er... to perform valuable scientific research / expand their pharmacopoeia had open access to it - so go on ahead!

In the finest traditions of rock n roll where the required dosage was in grams Raven ordered a kilo...

[The Bindoner]

Eno, helped by the Marduk slaves Ali-ahhusha and Eshargamelat, has followed Medusa’s recipe suggestions and produced platters of spiced fish and meat, using supplies taken from Marduk. (Medusa’s notes confirm that Aslan regard synthetic meat as peasant food, and preserved/cured meats as little better). She has also prepared a flask of warm spiced wine.

As they gather the results of their work, Rubati, wearing her priestess’ dress, picks up one of the dishes and joins them. She reasons that she was ordered to stay near Remington (and, besides, she is eager to see cat-aliens).


>>>>>>>>>>

The band of Oghmen and their slaves travel along the wide curving access tunnel that spirals between the hangars. While a public space, it is not commonly used by sophonts, who prefer to use the lift system, so the parade goes unremarked.

When he arrives at the entrance to the Comm infrastructure tunnel, he’ll halt the procession so Remington’s dangly pole obscures the security camera. He’ll use the Bluetooth link to open the portal and slip in to install the second part of the hijack. Once done, he’ll comms Arnwulf to confirm the data feed gets up and running. When satisfied, he’ll step back out to the station corridor and continue leading the procession.

Tiv judges that, since he cannot see the camera, or any drones, he is unobserved as he opens the panel and slips into the tunnel. Eno places her group of servers to cover the area while he works. Attaching the device without causing enough disruption to trigger alarm is delicate work, and Tiv is sure that someone without his experience in such matters would have struggled, but he is (fairly) sure he succeeded. Certainly, Arnwulf confirms he has direct access to the hangar data feed.

After tidying up, he returns to the corridor, and the procession continues.


>>>>>>>>>>>>

The video feed from the hangar shows the human female hurrying from the private section of the hangar, evidently impatient at waiting through the airlock security check. She runs into the ship, pausing to bow to the guard, and disappears.


Shortly afterwards, Her Words, Small Birds, and their warrior escort also leave. Her Words and the male walk sedately toward the hangar, while Small Birds Singing walks rapidly toward the reception area.

The human re-emerges from the ship, accompanied by another, carrying several boxes and baskets between them. The new woman is younger (mid-twenties?), wearing a plain jumpsuit with a tool-belt.

The two women quickly unpack and set up a frame bearing a clan logo, lay an embroidered cloth over a low table, arrange a collection of bowls and utensils on top, and place some thin but finely embroidered cushions around. They hurry back inside with the empty containers.

Her Words and escort enter the hangar and walk to the pavilion, arriving just as the women scurry out of the ship again. The steward carries a tray with a carafe and glasses, the crew-woman a wooden framework that she unfolds into a simple but elegant seat for Her Words, placing it in front of the banner.

Her Words sits, and the jump-suited woman reverses out of the area before scuttling back into the ship. The male warrior stands by her side, talking into his throat comm-dot too quietly for the microphones to pick up. The human steward stands slightly behind and beside Her Words, poised to serve.


Small Birds walks quickly through the complex to join the male in reception. On the way she is joined by Hlirleikh, the Aslan male who was on watch yesterday evening. He emerges from his room wearing a smart uniform, with a holstered sidearm.

……………

The male on the reception desk listens to the translation of Tiv’s announcement, swats at the console and replies in Trokh, the station simultaneous translation cutting over:

You are not expected. We are not an open house.

Make an appointment.


He closes the intercom and speaks to his own comm, telling Small Birds Singing what has happened. She chides him for rudeness and tells him she is on her way.


Tiv’s comm buzzes with an incoming call, from Small Birds, as the male speaks over the intercom again: Wait, someone comes.


On the comm Small Birds smoothly apologises for not anticipating the timing of Tiv’s arrival and assures him that Her Words Calm Prey will be delighted to view his wares.

The door opens, allowing access to the security airlock.

lightly edited, mainly for typos

[Thumper]

Tiv responds on comms to Small Birds Singing, “As promised, I bring the live-stock of first Oghmite ship to arrive at Blackrock for your sample.”

[Tiglath]

Raven checks the auto injector tucked into her gauntlet, the spare at her belt and then that Battle Hag sits loose in her scabbard. Noting the hold up at the air lock coldly commands “Save me half the herd”. She keeps these slaves back together with the "gladiators" and the warband letting the rest of the procession through.

[Thumper]

Tiv checks for the Combat Drug tablet tucked in the sleeve of his armor. He steps up to Small Birds Singing and says:

I am pleased to present Skippare Tollerson and Raid Leader Sorrow and their crew and captives. They have been kind enough to share their raid bounty of fresh meats, fish and cheeses. I explained how far you have journeyed to arrive at Blackrock. I trust this will please Her Words Calm Prey and your crew. I shall let Skippare Tollerson and Raider Sorrow make introductions of their crew and band respectively.

[Tiglath]

Raven waits for the air lock to re-open timing its cycle by count and then drives her half of the slave herd in with the "gladiators" and warband behind them. As the lock cycles she murmurs to herself "All Father, your game board is set. Time for an opening move. Let us see how they react to a test".

With the slaves at the front of the airlock now sandwiched between the exit and her warriors she commands “Shieldwall!” then when her warriors are densely packed shoulder to shoulder “Advance! Drive on and sting them!” The warband will compress the slaves against the soon to be opening exit and goad them on with points or non lethal shocks.

She can't see beyond the air lock but from her knowledge of the stolen vid captures can anticipate that an explosion of slaves from the airlock will confound what she expects to be the one or two Aslan on security duty.

Unarmed slaves will surely take little effort to contain but Raven wants to see how these Aslan react to just a little touch of chaos. She also plans to use the distraction to push herself and as many of her fighters as possible clean through any "weapons screening/confiscation" or other security measures attempted by the anticipated one or two guards who should now be overwhelmed by stray slaves. At her immediate direction the warband will assist and order will be shortly restored but by that stage everyone will be "in" and, she hopes, the opportunity to disarm the raiders passed as formalities ensue.

Raven studies the form of those Aslan reacting to her orchestrated disturbance and notes the weapons and armour of those she encounters... because she plans to kill them.

(OOC: Oh, wait!

Did that last bit type out loud???

Threat assessment / target prioritization (Recon + Int included in roll).

Bid for GunCbt/Armourer (weapons) plus Raider Knowledge re aspects of the above "gear survey"???

).

[The Bindoner]

Tiv takes Eno’s hospitality team and their robot in the airlock along with Kar, Sigbjørn, Remington on his Sindalian robot-cat, and a mixed group of slaves (mostly “rentals”) guarded by Erlingr and Hróarr.

Raven, Leon, Ragnheiðr and Yngvildr remain the corridor with the rest of the slaves, including Raven’s “hood-ornament” Naditabirus. Naditabirus is somewhat unsteady on his feet, but not yet broken. He obeys, sullenly, but he tries to maintain his pride.


As the inner door opens the male behind the desk (Wawahyurlekh/Walks the True Path - "Way-Walker") stands, pushing the chair back and out of his way. He glowers as he watches the humans move into the room.


Small Birds Singing, flanked by Hlirleikh (Claws the Sky), steps forward to greet the Oghmen and their slaves. Claws-Sky gives the impression of being pleased to meet Tiv and his companions, while Way-Walker is unable able to entirely conceal his distaste and distrust.

You do honour to your word, Commander Thingvallir. Even I can see that you have brought better quality wares than we had been led to expect.

When your party is complete, I will take you to Her Words Calm Prey.


She leads the group into the more open part of the reception area while the airlock cycles and the second party squeeze in.

As Eno’s group, with their dishes, move deeper into the room the Aslan become more alert. There is a noticeable flaring of nostrils, twitching of tails, and attention drifting to the servers.

Claws Sky picks up a “wand” from the security desk and waves it across the visitors as they move forward.

Tiv checks for the Combat Drug tablet tucked in the sleeve of his armor. He steps up to Small Birds Singing and says:

I am pleased to present Skippare Tollerson and Raid Leader Sorrow and their crew and captives. They have been kind enough to share their raid bounty of fresh meats, fish and cheeses. I explained how far you have journeyed to arrive at Blackrock. I trust this will please Her Words Calm Prey and your crew. I shall let Skippare Tollerson and Raider Sorrow make introductions of their crew and band respectively.

Kind thoughts. You have taken trouble to please, and I am sure the generosity of the gesture will be appreciated.


The airlock opens again and a crowd of Marduk slaves surges out, fearful and jabbering in a mix of incomprehensible languages.

Claws Sky draws his sidearm and moves to protect Small Birds, while Way-Walker hits two points on his desktop, snatches up the gun beside the desk, and leaps to Small Birds' side as she backs away, calm but confused. All three move clear of the humans, the males shielding the female. They are poised and ready for conflict, perhaps eager for it, but they are assessing.

The fierce aspect of the big male Aslan, completely alien to the people of Marduk, increases the fear among the slaves, those in front halting and trying to back away, into those pushed forward by the Oghmen.


Whatever Way-Walker did triggers a siren, and a red flashing light on either side of the airlock doors. A second later, the airlock doors and the interior door, leading into the hangar complex, slam closed, sealing the room.

The emergency door-closure may trap some in the airlock, as the response to the surge of chaotic humans was pretty instant: (reactions: [_2d6]=(6+5)=11)

Raven, Leon and the warriors will need a Dex -2 roll to get from the airlock into the room.

................

EDITED

[Tiglath]

"Hold! Hold where you are!" Raven resists her individual urge and chides herself that she is responsible for those that might well leap after her... even into Fenrir's jaws.

Unconsciously she speaks to herself again "This is but the first move...".

That and... diplomacy. Described to her once as the art of making people do what they don't want to. She joked that made her a great diplomat...

Staring intensely at the air lock door she mutters to herself "Your teeth snap but there's no bait, no blood - just a lure. Ýmirs eistna you're fast but I'm faster - because from this moment on you can only react. Now, do the decent thing... and let the killer in!"

Then she simply waits...

[Thumper]

Seeing the surge of slaves and playing along with the ruse, Tiv turns and backs along with Aslan males shielding Small Birds, though he is more casual about it. He draws his stun carbine and holds at the pre-ready. Seeing the crowd back away from the Aslans he turns his computers translator to the Skeaping dialect and issues instructions for them to calm down and move to a more open spot in the foyer.

Still facing the slaves he says apparently to the Aslans in a reassuring and controlled tone of voice:
These primitives are easily spooked. It takes some time for new raw slaves to acclimate. Our raiders and stun gear ensure compliance.

He nods at war band members indicating them to stun two of the more agitated slaves he points at. (None are our gladiators.) one is Imgua the Clumsy who appears to be lurching about.

[The Bindoner]

People trying to calm slaves and/or Aslan roll on an appropriate skill (feel free to bid for your best option, Risus-style)

[hardrocks]

Whilst greeting Her Words and introducing Pilot Sigbjorn, the second group stumble out of the airlock.
Kar moves to stand next to Tiv, between the spooked slaves and Her Words.
They can easily defuse and control the disturbence between them, Kar with a look of barely restrained menace.
If they survive, he'll be curious to know how things deviated from an, apparently, smoothly working plan, so quickly.

Leadership roll:

[_2d6]=(6+2)=8+2 skill, +2 Int =12