>>952489
Money talks, and right now I'm hearing 'get your ass in gear'.

That is a shit ton of dosh... Makes you think that this is no easy job. Better play it right.

Let's do this thing then!

>>952497
non-negotiable means we probably shouldn't try and ask for more money in a way that implies we're going to betray the rest of the group and risk the entire mission for a slightly larger cut.

>>952489
Well, everyone get ready, there will be enough time to know each other on the trip.

Sounds like it's time to gear up and get out.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/01/24(Fri)16:30 No. 954356 ID: 11f77a
File 157991224719.png - (522.54KB , 800x640 , HURON024.png )

The meeting has concluded. All mercenaries leave without another word. The night continues with our party fine-tuning their tools, thinking what they could accomplish with those credits. The shuttle leaves early. But getting to the spaceport is a chore.

Such obelisks could never touch the surface of a planet—what with being the size of a small city. Other cities are lucky to have space elevators. Yet that’s not the case here.

Coordinates were preset. Everyone enters a snug vessel before launch. Buckled in, the shuttle rubber-bands forward, breaching into a sheet of space like a bullet cleaving paper.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/01/24(Fri)16:32 No. 954357 ID: 11f77a
File 157991236712.png - (532.36KB , 800x640 , HURON025.png )

The mercenaries don’t offer much chit-chat for several days. The shuttle itself is one giant room (with two in the back for privacy’s sake). Driga spends most of her time studying, as a bounty hunter would, with the luxury of planning accordingly.

Veisar occupies the pilot seat once the shuttle closes in on Parada’s vicinity.

“Entering the ‘forbidden zone’,” the Gard quips, “We’re no longer in the sights of the Gortian’s Looking Glass. I’m decreasing beta movement now.

“Parada Gaea is within range. I’ve activated a jammer for good measure. It’s hard to find exactly where the CZARI orbits unless we get closer. The Jupiter funks up the other signals, as expected.

"But I believe we're on the right course. I'll let you know when CZARI is within sight."

Sarcopholacooda 2020/01/24(Fri)16:38 No. 954358 ID: 11f77a
File 157991269326.png - (332.72KB , 604x671 , HURON026.png )

Driga flicks her eyes at the panel, “Then listen up everyone, I’ve been studying the CZARI’s floor plans and here’s what I’ve found…

“There are two entrances to sneak onto the ship. Thanks to our shuttle’s size and radio camouflage we can reach the Hangar Bay and hide in an alcove for docking. From there we could go through the Cargo Hold. We shouldn't waltz out into the open--but the mass of cargo they store could be a bit of a maze to traverse in.

“Or—our other option is to sneak through the Waste Disposal Unit and cut through Maintenance. It's linear, but cramped. And we may run into some workers.

“Either way, we’ll still be on the path to reach the Greenhouse where anything through that tube is stored. But we need to learn the true location of Amorphous. It seems like these Cruisers are a collage of puzzle pieces. Between operations a Harvester’s sections can be switched around, or removed and added. If there is an R&D we’ll need to know where.”

Where should our mercenaries land?
[b]1)Hangar Bay
2)Waste Disposal Unit

2)
Because tight spaces are fun.

1) The cargo can provide cover if the team is spotted early

Waste Disposal. Follow the chutes dumping the weirdest trash to find R&D.

>>954358
1)
I don't like the idea of some worker seeing us and alert some gunman, even worst in a confined space.

>>954358
I don't like the idea of risking contact early, but >>954362 brings up an interesting strategy...that said, there's other ways of getting intel.

Hangar Bay it is.

2

I like the idea of the Hangar Bay, i think it will help us get to your destination faster.

The hangar bay will afford us more concealment and cover, I think - waste disposal's linearity means if we do run into someone we're less likely to be able to salvage the situation. It also makes our movements more predictable to any security teams.

2) Spaces not meant for people should be the stealthiest

Option 1, the cargo. Plenty of opportunities for cover.

2. Head to the waste disposal. Entering through the hanger is pretty much entering through the front door unannounced. Besides, how much trouble can a few maintenance workers be if we get into a tangle?

Sarcopholacooda 2020/03/23(Mon)09:24 No. 959520 ID: 11f77a
File 158498069012.png - (289.23KB , 650x500 , HURON027.png )

“So it’s settled then. The best route is to sneak through the Hangar Bay. Plenty of opportunities for cover and less chance to run into any Tripods.” Driga dismisses the projector and turns her head towards the pilot. “Veisar, what’s our position to the CZARI?”

“Located! Already synchronizing orbit!” states the Gard as the azure field fades into a splitting portrait of black ichor and Parada Gaea’s red sea.

The CZARI.

The shuttle drifts to find an angle to the docking atrium. The monument itself looks like a ghost station—a mechanical marvel in stasis. Jupiter Harvesters would have barges soaring left and right while it leeched off a planet’s resources.

Not one ship to be seen now.

Its carapace has been patched with salvaged material. It’s an enigma how Tripods were able to hijack this immense space station and evade the Empire’s watchful eye. The straw of the Harvester is deployed and continues infinitely into the giant like an astral tether.

Veisar announces, “Rerouting. We’re invisible but only for a brief time.”

Sarcopholacooda 2020/03/23(Mon)09:25 No. 959521 ID: 11f77a
File 158498071677.png - (444.40KB , 650x500 , HURON028.png )

“Fasten yourselves! There are several boxcars I can use as cover!”

The shuttle swiftly coasts inside. You could only hold your breath and pray you weren’t seen before reaching the transport containers. Gravity detected—the inside of the shuttle matches the orientation of CZARI’s false pull.

It’s a massive garage—yet unusually barren of crew at the moment. Ships of peculiar design scatter across the metallic lot. Tripodic, assumingly. Old models. All of them as orderly as a strike team readies for deployment for a war long gone. But scavenger ships of the modern age weren’t excluded either. Sparse glimpses of workers maintain and refuel their crafts. There are railings on the ceiling for moving boxcars. But the freights remain still and seemingly out of operation.

Together Veisar and Driga steer in a convenient alcove, enough to hide amongst the ship containers. The mercenaries land, the shuttle powers down, and the jammer is lifted appropriately.

“Well…” begins Sertis, rolling his shoulders so his backpack wouldn’t sag.

“Let’s get this over with.” Njar jadedly adds.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/03/23(Mon)09:27 No. 959522 ID: 11f77a
File 158498083069.png - (454.49KB , 650x500 , HURON029.png )

The mercenaries observe their immediate surroundings. This section looks to be largely ignored; a lot of stuff has been pushed in this corner--including cargo. You’re still technically in the Hangar Bay.

You hear the atmosphere and echoes of workers talking, repairing.

The heist begins.
Abilities: [>>946263]

Njar, perhaps get up on those boxes and keep an eye on the workers movements while the rest of the team starts scouting for a way in.

Deeper into the cargo labyrinth! Who knows what else might be forgotten back there.

Are there any tools or suits around which we could perhaps use to disguise ourselves as the station workers?

Let's sneak to the Cargo Hold.

Split up but stay within sight of each other so it'll be easier to bluff/ambush if needed.

I'd say stick to the plan and try to sneak over to the cargo hold to reach the greenhouse.

>>959565
this

to the cargo hold!

Veisar, are there any machines that you could operate around here? Would using the crane allow us to move around?

>>959850
Good idea. Support.

Take a quick look around and see if there's anything useful to pick up. Otherwise proceed to the cargo hold.

>>959850
Check for any workers. Look for any guard patrols before we commit to anything.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/04/24(Fri)10:43 No. 963421 ID: 11f77a
File 158775022990.png - (339.61KB , 650x500 , huron_030.png )

Veisar immediately checks out any tools scattered in this corner. There is basic equipment like a wrench or some bolts. He identifies a fuel pump and a (XL) battery with a very low charge; their tubes and wires can reach your parked shuttle. The battery has been collecting dust.

There is an inactive tram leading into the labyrinth—a boxcar hovers over their heads. Reachable if you climbed on the tallest pile of crates. “I wonder why they’re not moving. But I guess if they aren’t shipping out cargo there’s no need. There ought to be a control booth somewhere…”

The Constructor climbs up the ladder and takes vantage point.

“We got stragglers.”

Sarcopholacooda 2020/04/24(Fri)10:45 No. 963422 ID: 11f77a
File 158775031243.png - (356.31KB , 650x500 , huron_031.png )

You finally gaze upon some wretched little beings. They are, on average, four-and-a-half feet tall—give or take some inches. A strange combination of limbs, too; their lengthy arms reach the ground with their titular modified tail providing a third leg. Their feet are as prehensile as hands and attached to legs much shorter and thinner below their torso.

One time or another, our mercenaries have caught a glimpse of a rare creature crawling around HURON. Still, observing them channels an uncanny ambiance like encountering an unknown beast in the wild. Is it friendly? Are they predatory? Do they like being pet?

No one in your party understands their language. Two workers are squabbling—nothing heated it seems. The one in the forklift gestures at the railing above as the other opens a floor panel with a toolbox and a welding-type nozzle.

Behind them the giant door to the Cargo Hold is halfway closed. With some effort you could try and climb up and over together.

They don’t seem to have firearms.

Abilities: [>>946263]

>>963422
They don't have any firearms but we don't want them to alert any guard. Maybe Driga can move something and make noise to distract them.

So, current options I’m seeing is climbing the tallest tower of crates, potentially exposing ourselves to get onto a boxcar that we need to find the controls for to move it.

Or distract the workers with something, walk out in the open and lift two people up onto the door and then have those on top pull the ones below up and over the door.

No eyes on any sort of freight control? Any obvious distractions such as an unsteady pile of crates?

Forgot we have a few ways of getting over that door with the mercs we brought. We can just build a ladder. Still, need a distraction.

I don't know if Veisar or Sertis have the means to take them out quietly, might be best to have Driga and Njar to rush in and take them out. Should be plenty of places to hide the bodies, at least long enough not to blow our initial cover.

For the hangar door, perhaps have Njar construct some stairs up.

>>963431
I like the idea of taking them out. If we can distract them before hand, the better. And don't kill them, obviously.

Follow the floor's circuit diagram to see if you can send a shock down the wire he's working on.

>>963429
Good idea. Let's get Njar to make a ladder. Have Veisar been on the lookout for some freight controls.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/05/22(Fri)14:35 No. 967534 ID: 11f77a
File 159018333268.png - (303.54KB , 650x500 , huron_032.png )

>construct stairs/ladder
“It’s only two of ‘em,” says Njar, huddled and back on the ground, “If goat-girl can hold them up by the scruff with her gloves, the janitor can take ‘em out. I can construct a ladder and we’ll be up and over the door no problem.”

“Not quite—” corrects the Manipulator, “I can push them around with great force but I can’t suspend them in air. They’d be too heavy unless we’re in zero-G.”

“Then you can freeze them in stasis—”

“I’ll need to get in pretty close for that. Can’t risk chasing the forklift away—”

“Don’t you do anything convenient?”

“Being a bounty hunter is a patient job, Njar. I’ve captured all kinds of game and you should only strike when necessary. Besides, couldn’t you make a large cage and trap them both?”

“Nooo. It wouldn’t hold the forklift still for long anyway.”

“I see…”

>freight controls
Veisar scans up and around, but it’s a short hunt until he spots the control hub. “Up there,” he hisses, “by the cargo doors. It’s a vantage point. It’s probably the booth to operate the freight cars in this section.”

“Can you see anyone in there?” Driga asks.

“Not sure from down here. It doesn’t look like there’s any movement. There’s a narrow and spiral staircase in the far corner. Some of us can maneuver around some crates and reach the bottom set no problem.”

Abilities: [>>946263]

Send Veisar up to the booth. If you can lower the door to the point it's no longer an obstacle, there's less chance of being spotted by the workers.

might as well send someone up there. Best case, we find something to clear the hanger bay. Even if not, having someone with a birds eye view to tell the rest of the crew where to go to not be seen would be helpful... you guys do have radios to stay in contact with each other if you get split up right?

I feel Veisar is the best bet for operating the controls. He might've operated something similar in the past. Driga can follow in case there's trouble. Njar and Sertis should wait here and prepare to strike at the opportune moment

>>967562
Yeah, Veisar should go with Driga, Njar can make the stairs so both of them can reach the booth.

Eh, even if Veisar could operate the controls and and make the rest of the team move around with them, he'd be left behind, so it's not a great plan.

We should just assault those two workers and force them to open up a passage to us. They're unarmed anyway.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/06/11(Thu)20:44 No. 969557 ID: 11f77a
File 159193345065.png - (385.56KB , 650x500 , huron_033.png )

The Engineer has made his decision, “I’ll go on ahead—see what’s up. These intercoms work, right? I can at least relay what I find.”

“Not without someone watching your back. I’ll be coming with you.” Driga approaches him, “We can’t risk so early in the game. The rest of you stay put; let us know anything that happens.” Veisar nods affirmatively and they both prowl amongst the crates.
---
Slowly, and after a grueling set of stairs later, the Manipulator and Engineer inch inside the booth. It’s a long corridor with desks made of solid plastic and particleboard. Most of the technology is at the end of the hall with your basic monitors, switches, and pulleys to operate the freight, megaphones and intercoms to call all workers or make announcements.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/06/11(Thu)20:45 No. 969558 ID: 11f77a
File 159193353022.png - (326.54KB , 650x500 , huron_034.png )

Somebody is at the controls; at the far end you see the backrest of an office chair. Just as you observe more of the environment the chair gradually swivels around. Your instinct is to try and hug against the wall in this cramped space. But once the tripod is in profile it’s clear he’s resting on the job. Not quite snoozing, but leaning against his hand with an open magazine in his lap. One of the monitors blares a static screen—others show the vicinity of this section of the hangar. But a majority are off or blank.

Buzzing on your collars is the Constructor on the personal intercom. “Hey guys, the forklift is leaving. It’s just the one guy now. What’s going on up there?”
Abilities: [>>946263]

Time to practice neck snapping. Even if there's a scuffle, we should be able to take him out without anyone noticing. If the operator gets to the comms though, tell Sertis to take out the lone worker and get Njar to get the two over the gate.

Not sure what Driga or Veisar could do if things go south

Make a silent takedown with the GEP gun.

>>969559
w-wait, is it possible to knock the guy unconscious without him seeing your faces??

>>969558
Do not kill him, knock him down. Take a look to the screens to see what the cameras are screening.

Just turn around. No point in taking him out since he's not in the way and not paying attention to the cams.
Just go back down, neutralize the one guy who IS in the way (and put his body somewhere out of sight) then start infiltrating proper.

Driga, knock him down with your pistol, Veiasar adrmire Driga's assets while she does so.

Driga use Kinesis to pull the guy to Veisar, away from the funny red button, while Veisar use the pistol on him. Then bring him with you at a gunpoint down.

You should also inform Sertis and Njar to take out the forklift, or the guy driving it. Or both.

The plan is to use these guys to lead you around. Or tie them up and knock them out.

>>969592
I support this, look at Driga.

>>969558
Might I humbly suggest we use a piece of string or wire to garrote them? Its a classic and it is almost impossible to get out of.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/06/22(Mon)16:42 No. 970411 ID: 11f77a
File 159286935166.png - (392.30KB , 650x500 , huron_035.png )

The Manipulator eyes the Engineer. She presses a finger to her lips before signaling her intention to knock the lone tripod. The butt of her disintegration pistol mockingly hits the air by the palm of her hand. “We have it under control.” she relays under her breath into the intercom.

Our mercenaries creep closer to their target as he teeters back and forth unawares.
The Manipulator is positioned close with a raised fist. With a pistol whip she bunts right against the back of his head.

“Brawwk!” comes a guttural surprise from the worker. He cringes and instinctively claps his hand against the brunt of his head. He’s still conscious, but stunned. Driga figures that usually works with other species—only a moment’s hesitance that he’s discombobulated.

Veisar notices her chestly assets but feels nothing—for his species have no such assets. Thus, his culture isn’t based around them and there’s no obsession. To him it’s more like a sense of wonder how mammals can carry th—ANYWAY

• Driga has spent her action in attempt to knock down the worker.
• The worker is caught in a surprise attack. He’s unable to react for the rest of the round.
• Veisar is the only remaining one to act this round…
What does he do?

All characters can:
Move, or make a simple interaction.
-and-
Make a melee attack (with their most available weapon; specific location optional)
Make an aimed attack (target a specific location)
--Any attack can be declared lethal. By default, it’s non-lethal.

STATUS
Driga: Done
Veisar: Ready!
Turns will often alternate between enemies and allies.
Abilities: [>>946263]

Yank him away from the consoles before he sounds the alarm!

>>970411
choke hold. Cant have them make any more noise.

>>970411
Grab him and pull him away from the console while choking him.

Blast him with the pistol!

No point in half measures, shoot the bastard!

>>970411
Chock him.

Veisar shoot at the chair.

Double down on the surprise, knock over the chair to pin him down Veisar!

Sarcopholacooda 2020/07/19(Sun)16:59 No. 972782 ID: 11f77a
File 159520314963.png - (335.56KB , 650x500 , huron_036.png )

The engineer wasn’t savvy using a gun on impulse. He’d end up shooting the chair or worse, the manipulator. He lunges and wraps his arms around, putting the tripod in a chokehold and pulling him away from the console before the big red button can be pressed. The chair swivels and topples over.

“Brak, gleck igliak!” the minion yells with a flailing tail.

•The Tripod is grappled.
•The surprise round has ended.

STATUS: NEW ROUND
Driga: Ready!
Veisar: Ready!
Select a single character to act!
Abilities: [>>946263]

Driga: Knock the wind out of his sails with the power fist.

>>972783
This, make sure he stays cold for a while.

>>972782
Jesus fucking christ this is getting messy. Just snap their neck at this point. Knocking them out is only good if they don't know who their assailants were.

>>972783
Don't do this. It probably won't work like you want and instead will cause severe internal injuries. A mook coughing up blood and guts while they slowly and painfully die will just be even messier to deal with.

From here on in, lets aim to kill un-alerted enemies as quickly and cleanly as we can. Garrote would be the cleanest option, although a knife would also work assuming we can keep them impaled until we hide the body so they don't bleed everywhere. Knocking them out is great, but we don't seem to be very good at that.

Oh noes, an exposed nipple!

Driga yank off his clothes and search them for anything of importance.

Veisar: Snap their neck.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/08/23(Sun)18:42 No. 974943 ID: 11f77a
File 159823335862.png - (328.65KB , 650x500 , huron_037.png )

Veisar is caught up on what to do as the small worker flails and whips its sole leg around. Blast. Just a matter of time until everything’s compromised! Time seems to slow as the Manipulator fastens her power-fist to go for a punch. The captive borks with the Gard’s arm fastened to his throat, “Ack-glack, in grok!”

In an instant the Gard clasps one hand on the grey-thing’s jaw and sharply rotates his head. Like twigs muffled under a pillow there’s a suppressed cracking of bones followed by a choke caught in its throat.

“BLORK!”

Sarcopholacooda 2020/08/23(Sun)18:44 No. 974944 ID: 11f77a
File 159823347302.png - (373.84KB , 650x500 , huron_038.png )

“You… the Hell?” wonders the Manipulator as the tripod gurgles its last breath and slumps in the Engineer’s arms. He realizes what’s been done—and can’t take it back. He drops his victim with eyes wider than paper plates and pupils shrunk to a pinhead.

“I—It didn’t work like we wanted…” winces the Engineer trying to scrounge up an excuse for his actions. But he knows that’s all his words are: excuses, excuses. His conscience is stinted by the act of choosing to take an unarmed worker’s life. The tripod flops to the ground.

A daunting pause.

The Manipulator sighs to help break the silence, “Well… I suppose it’s for the best. It’s a nasty business we’re in after all...”

“Er--Come on, Veisar. Let’s take a look and get through with this.”
Abilities: [>>946263]

RIP Veisar's innocence...

Well, don't have to worry about an eye in the sky blowing your cover now. Maybe see if there's any controls to open the door fully?

we'll need to Hide the body

Is there any place we can hide it behind?

>>974944
That's unfortunate. For both the worker and Veisar's. What's done is done though. When we get a breather we'll speak about this later.

Veisar go see the controls for a way to get a container over. If possible see if it can be automated so you don't have to be in the booth doing this manually. Driga, watch him and watch his back.

>>974944
It's okay veisar, tis but a freak accident. you didn't mean to kill them, after all!

>>974944
Damn, hide the body and feel bad for what you just did.

Well, that went tits up fast. Get him out of the way and lower the gate.

good job on the extra XP.

>>974949
Oh wow, i wasn't expecting a casuantly this early... But yeah, let's do this.

>>974944
Veisar should have known what he was getting into. I mean really, killing unarmed enemies is kind of essential in covert ops. Anyway, we should probably try to quietly kill any other opposition if we can't sneak past them. Knocking them out won't work reliably.

Hide the body and move on.

>>975061
Considering this is a quest where ray guns will disentigrate every inch of clothing before you get so much as a suntan, I think you are greatly underestimating the value of a good knockout punch.

>>975063
I would normally agree, however we already tried that when we whacked the dude over the head with a pistol.

>>975063
Power fist wont work either since if you punch them with a power fist, you will just end up with blood and brain matter splattered everywhere.

>>975099
But there's was no clothing to damage on the head. Also, a bonk and a grapple did result in clothing damage >>972782

Thought of this last night, but: >>969558
Njar, use a energy panel to shove and trap the lone guy in the maintenance access.

>His conscience is stinted
Is it now? Maybe Veisar's a mercenary because of his famous neck-twisting skills...

Veisar use Salvage on these controls.

Sarcopholacooda 2020/09/14(Mon)10:29 No. 976342 ID: 11f77a
File 160010457315.png - (259.39KB , 650x500 , huron_039.png )

The Manipulator thinks of something quick to keep the Engineer focused, “Erm… I’ll take care of this. You may know more about working the controls than I do anyway.” She grabs the tripod’s tail and drags him off to stuff him underneath some desks. After pushing him in tightly (and covering the space with some chairs) she finds a note on the desk.

The Manipulator holds it up to read, “Hey. I found something. It looks like a notice for the employees.”
--
ANNOUNCEMENT
Listen up, ingrates! The Higher-Ups are issuing a lockdown until we’re in the clear. All radio signals must be silent unless for use in emergencies. I don’t care what rumors you’ve heard in the past week, I don’t know what the hubbub is about—but we have our orders. Don’t question. Just carry them out. This may pass in an hour. It may pass in a week. More to follow once everyone’s inside.

Anyone locked out should’ve gotten the memo, cause we aint opening for anyone!

Sarcopholacooda 2020/09/14(Mon)10:34 No. 976345 ID: 11f77a
File 160010487782.png - (286.27KB , 650x500 , huron_040.png )

The Engineer looks over the dashboard, trying to shift his focus away from the death of the employee and onto his expertise. He steadies his hand and takes the controls. Seems like a standard booth panel. It’s a stolen space station; labels next to giant buttons are in a comprehensible language. After making sure everything’s in operation he pushes the handle and the portcullis below begins to shift down with the sliding of metal. But it doesn’t go far. Sparks fly and the gate makes an unpleasant grinding sound. The tripod maintenance worker sharply turns around after the sudden Ka-CHUNK the gate makes. The door seems to be stuck and cannot go any lower.

The worker looks up to your booth with irritated jabbering and yelling—swinging a fist in the air with its electric nozzle on the other hand. The Engineer ducks and leaves the lever for now.

Your collars buzz with a message from the Cleaner, “Well you certainly know how to draw attention to yourself.”

The Constructor hisses in, “Quiet, you mannequin. I can see the forklift guy coming back. And he’s bringing a few extra friends to work on whatever they’ve been busy with. What is going on up there? Hurry up and do something, guys.”

Abilities: [>>946263]

>>976345
>>946263
Can we use +Salvage to fix the door?

>>What is going on?

"I...killed one of them. I didn't mean to. Trying to find controls to move a shipping container."

Try to find cargo container controls. Avoid making a door's stuck reference. Also inform them of the employee notice, could mean anything. This Amorphous stuff could have spread outside of quarantine. Or this lockdown they are on might be due to Z'anon's agent giving them information after being interrogated.

Veisar is the Engineer, he can fix it just don't panic is a simple door, you can help your companions. We just have to distract that worker.

Uhh, sounds like there's some door that we need to open? But isn't it open already? I'm confused.

>>976431
It’s stuck, you can see in the picture is not all the way down, sparkles are coming out due to the friction.

>>976436
It's stuck but, it's low enough that we could just jump over, or walk over by making hardlight stairs. So, I dunno what else we're supposed to accomplish here. Knock out the rest of the engineers so that they don't alert anyone?

Set blasters to stun and prepare for a fight