[Nexus] Altaran Irregulars HQ/IAV Sanctuary

[Darkcomet]

The OP of this thread is currently outdated. These locations now refer to the same bases, but under the Union the Irregulars were reorganized under.

Remnant, despite all initial appearances, was not the sole successor of the Empire. The former Emperor returned, with a massive Imperial war machine, the aerial aircraft carrier Sanctuary, at his command. Fortunately for all, he did not seem to retain his former fondness of conquest, and entered an official alliance with Remnant.

Now his Altaran Irregulars work alongside Remnant in defending and policing Inside, operating from their main base on the Skyway in Inside, constructed as part of the alliance between the two successors of the Empire.

Personnel
Officers
Commander Vyrn Altaran (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=12528893&postcount=641) - Standard Location: IAV Sanctuary Bridge or Spire Office

Emissary N'alae - Standard Location: Spire Office
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2458/ux9i.pngEmissary N'alae is the woman in charge of diplomatic efforts and the like, and also tends to handle interviews-and perhaps, occasionally, interrogations.

RMD-33 - Standard Location: Spire Infirmary
A roughly human-sized floating medical droid with a large number of arms ending in far too many medical instruments, RMD-33 is a medical droid of few words, all of which concern its job. It works very quickly and is not known to be programmed into ownership, meaning it seems to be loyal for its own reasons...whatever those might be. It acts as the Irregulars' main medical officer.

IAV Sanctuary Chief Engineer Anthony Cross - Standard Location: IAV Sanctuary Engineering, Spire Labs
The former captain of the IAV Haven, Cross is now the chief engineer of the Sanctuary, thanks to his role in the creation of the older craft. Cross specializes in aeronautics, and has picked up some enchantment magic during his downtime. He often appears rather gruff, and is known to be rather harsh on the ship's engineers.




IAV Sanctuary Pilots
Autarch Entity - Standard Location: IAV Sanctuary, various
A ghostly entity identifying itself solely as 'Autarch' is present on the Sanctuary. It seems loyal to the Irregulars, to the point of operating vehicles for them with a cold efficiency. It appears as a nebulous humanoid form vaguely shaped like an Imperial flightsuit. It is also known that an Autarch Squadron operated on the Sanctuary before the collapse of the Empire. It is unknown if there are any links between this entity and that squadron.

Major Noelle Xanatov - Standard Location: IAV Sanctuary, various
A fighter pilot brought on for both flying skills and an uncanny sixth sense, Noelle Xanatov is a bluish-skinned, black-haired, and spindly woman, best considered a somewhat mutated human (although one should never say this to her face). Her odd sense for the otherworldly allows her to keep track of 'Autarch' better than most on the ship, to the point where she often spots where it is going to be before it is actually there. Rumor has it that she has frequently been seen intoxicated when off-duty.

Troops/Enforcement Officers
Officer Doern Hill - Standard Location: Spire, various, Patrol
A brash human soldier with a thirst for glory, Doern Hill boasts an augmented and unusually resilient skeletal structure thanks to experiments involving a certain region full of monsters. He has been in downtime frequently since his augmentation, mainly due to being dragged into the Infirmary for numerous tests by RMD-33, which has only made his urge to glory-hound worse.




General Rules
Irregular players looking for interaction or assignments can post here for it, though it's possible I might not have anything. I'll try, however.

Players who want an Irregular character can contact me for approval. The IC recruitment process is generally handwaved for the sake of expediency.

This thread is subject to further editing as I get more down. I figured it was about time I got something done, though.



HQ/The Spire

An unusually wide black tower standing at the highest point of the Skyway, this futuristic tower lacks much in aesthetics. Clearly reinforced and armored, some parts of the tower even conceal defensive turrets.

The most notable aspect of the Spire is the roof. Rather than a conventional roof, the highest point of the tower is a massive missile silo-esque structure that opens into a docking bay for the Sanctuary. When closed, it forms a heavily armored defense for whatever is landed, be it Sanctuary or anything else.

Locations

Conference/Briefing Room
A room with a wide table in the center of the room, this room is for high-profile discussions, briefings, and the like. There is a holoprojector on the center of the table to allow those not physically present to speak, or to display holographic maps and the like..

Barracks
Nondescript quarters for those who choose to use them.

Armory
The Spire's main armory. Unlike the Sanctuary's, heavy weapons can be found here.

Interview/Interrogation Rooms
Stark, lifeless rooms used for interviews and interrogation.

Labs
The Spire contains some laboratories used by the Irregulars' scientists and engineers.

Communications Center
The main communications center, from which the Irregulars' operations in Inside are managed.

Security Center
The control room for various security measures around the Spire, such as the security cameras, dimensional lock field, and defense turrets.

Offices
The offices of certain high-ranking personnel.

Infirmary
A high-tech infirmary for treating injuries suffered in the line of duty.

Sanctuary Dock
The docking area for the IAV Sanctuary, equipped to keep the vessel repaired and maintained while in dock.

Backup Airfield
An airfield not actually in the Spire itself but nearby, there in case aircraft cannot return to Sanctuary for whatever reason.

Defense Towers
A number of these smaller towers mark the area around the Spire itself. Each is equipped with advanced sensors, and snipers tend to watch from them.

Recreation Area
An open area for recreation for troops who are not currently on an assignment or patrol or the like.





Imperial Aerial Vessel (IAV) Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is an aerial aircraft carrier dating back to the time when Vyrn's Empire ruled over Inside and much of the territory around it. It was the first of its kind built by the Empire itself, followed by Spectre and Supremacy.

The vessel's crew is deceptively small for a ship of its size. The ship's computer systems have been upgraded heavily, cutting down on crew requirements. This frequently makes the ship seem rather empty.

The ship looks something like this (http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/tardis/images/d/df/Valiant.png), though it is not entirely the same as what its base is taken from, mostly in the area of armaments. It does not possess the same level of armaments as the other massive Imperial craft did, lacking bomb bays entirely. It does, however, have several rapid-fire laser turrets and, to a lesser extent, laser cannon emplacements for defensive purposes.

Some mysteries still surround the Sanctuary and its current status. No sign of most of the original Imperial crew remains, and half the ship's aircraft complement was completely missing when it was finally recovered. No one knows how it reached the location where it was found either, and navigation data recovered from the bridge cuts off around the time of the Fall of the Empire-nothing beyond that was available, and therefore a large gap exists between the previous data and the new data from the ship's re-launch.

Beyond that, the atmosphere aboard the ship often seems rather eerie, the crew often feeling as if they're being watched, even when no one else nor any security cameras are around. Some report seeing ghosts aboard, and indeed, there is some truth to the claims...

The ship is currently AIRBORNE, and positioned near Fortress Haven.

Locations
Bridge
The Sanctuary's bridge is the control center for the entire craft. It often seems rather empty for the most part. Many of the consoles are usually unattended, the improved computer system dealing with their operation on its own, though they have not been removed. In case the system fails, they can be taken over manually.

Barracks
These are fairly standard living quarters for a flying military ship, not meriting much description.

Engineering
The main power supply of the ship, a fusion reactor, is located here, along with secondary reactors in the form of Evolution Industries MACE technology. Engineering mainly manages the ship's power, along with its engine systems and limited weapons.

Flight Deck
The flight deck is the launching and landing area for all of the Sanctuary's craft. SEE FACTION PROFILE IN SIGNATURE LINK FOR AIRCRAFT.

Satellite Uplink Room
The Satellite Uplink Room is used to access the Altaran Irregulars' Orbital Spy Array.

Armory
The ship has an armory, though it is rather devoid of larger, more raw-power equipment. It contains much of the standard Irregular fare beyond that.


Mess Hall
A mess hall, for when Sanctuary's crew needs to eat. Pretty obvious, really.



Fortress Haven and Altaran Labs

The Altaran Irregulars' main (currently, only major) base outside the city of Inside, Fortress Haven was originally the Empire's major construction site for its infamous oversized aerial vessels, including IAV Sanctuary. Following the fall of the Empire, it was left abandoned, until the Irregulars uncovered a hostile presence that could threaten the entire Nexus if left unchecked. Taking the opportunity, Vyrn had the base reclaimed in a called named Operation Ascendant and gave it its new name.

The base is built into a mountain, with its alterations plain and obvious for all to see. A huge chunk was removed from the top, with yet more rock removed below to create the construction and launch chamber. Tunnel entrances dot the mountain, flanked by pairs of heavy beam turrets, leading into the base proper. Anti-air emplacements have also been erected around the mountain, in the wake of the war with the Chimera Syndicate.

Inside, it is fairly straightforward, its designers having avoided making it into too much of a maze. Most of the tech placed by the base's pre-Operation Ascendant occupiers has been stripped, although work continues to be done in the construction chamber.

Near Fortress Haven is a location known as Altaran Labs Complex Alpha. Originally known as Imperial Laboratories Complex Alpha, it has been reclaimed by the Altaran Irregulars. Above-ground, its visible features are four buildings: A barracks for the troops, living quarters for the scientists, and two vehicle garages with helipads on their rooftops, one for standard vehicles and the other for prototypes. Due to some remodeling, it now has three elevators to the labs below, one in the barracks, one in the living quarters, and one in the prototype garage. What happens down there is anyone's guess. The complex is surrounded by a forcefield fence and now contains extra anti-air emplacements, in case of Syndicate assault, but its main defense is the proximity of Fortress Haven.

Locations
Fortress Haven has analogues to many of the facilities at the spire and on Sanctuary, so much of that is safe to assume. Obviously it won't have a bridge or a flight deck, so use your imagination. That said, it does have a unique location.

Construction and Launch Bay
The place where the vessels Sanctuary, Spectre and Supremacy were constructed, the construction and launch bay is one of the few facilities capable of supporting monstrous ships of their kind. That said, when not in use for this, it can serve as a substitute landing bay for VTOL aircraft and other vehicles, and currently serves this purpose.

The bay itself is expansive and currently occupied mainly by facilities for supporting aircraft, though most still remain on Sanctuary. Unlike most of the base, this area, due to its sheer size, still bears some of the marks of the Borg presence, with traces of their tech lining the upper walls, mostly appearing to be some manner of construction automated systems in the form of transporter units and tendrils.

Altaran Labs Complex Alpha
The base's main layout is as described outside the spoiler. The labs below, however, are expansive and varied, with a great many potential uses, though their designs and technology are focused on military matters. These may be opened for player use again in the future, so I will be leaving the exact details vague to let others fill them in later.

[Darkcomet]

((Here's how I'll be listing assignments.

I'll post with a big bold Assignments available and then a veeeery barebones description of each. More like tags on them than the actual description, since that's more for the briefing. Post in the Briefing Room with the location tag specifying which you're interested in.))

Assignments available:

Diplomatic Escort: Escort, investigation, conspiracy. Involved personnel: Emissary N'alae.

Radiation Pit Assault: Attack, area hazards, robots. Involved personnel: Officer Doern Hill, Autarch Entity.

[Deathkeeper]

Briefing Room, Radiation Pit Assault

Nick grudgingly volunteers for this mission. While he really was hoping he could avoid anything that included the word "radiation" in any form save that with the addition "free," the resistance that most people from bombed-out worlds like his have makes him one of the best people for the job. Besides, he'll have his super shiny new stealth suit. Powered armor has radiation shielding, right? He hopes so, he hasn't gotten that far in the manual yet.
Still, he'll get to shoot things. That's the important thing. And he definitely got through the manual on his new sniper. Hoo boy, fancy tech. He had to ask to keep his sidearm as a revolver just so he had one thing that he wouldn't need a manual to figure out or worry about EMPs.

[Inigo Montoya]

[Briefing Room, Diplomatic Escort]

Balthazar hated the uniforms.
If he had one complaint about his experience in the Irregulars so far, it was that he hated the uniforms. They were itchy, tight, and didn't breath. He longed for the days when he could wear his robes. Still, as far as complaints go, this was a minor one. The people so far were polite without being deferential, he had a bed and three square meals, and best of all, his family didn't know where he was. Life surly was looking up. And it would keep looking up, he had been given his first assignment. Something about escorting some diplomat from place to place. Not very exciting, but...

Balthazar paused for a moment before opening the door to the Briefing Room, and adjusted his uniform slightly, frowning as he did so. He then opened the door, saluting smartly to N'alae. "Balthazar reporting for duty ma'am."

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

Blu Skreen, The Sanctuary's Mekhnaiad, born from the ship's engines and the care the crew put into it, walks to the secretary/security outside of Vyrn's personal office. She's wearing her engineering uniform for now, beret tilted tastefully over her copper wire hair. "I'm here to see Vyrn. I've come up with a thought about his inheritance and I think he'll probably want to hear it."

[Darkcomet]

((Still don't have enough for the missions, bluh.))

[Spire Offices]

The guard present holds up a hand and activates his commlink.

"There's someone here saying something about inheritance, sir. I know you don't do personal calls, but I thought you might want to hear it. Yes sir, I know that, but she asked anyway. Alright."

The door to the office slides open of its own accord.

The guard just tilts his head in its direction to tell her to go on in.

The office itself is unusually simple compared to what one may expect of Vyrn, the main feature of note being the desk with an Irregular emblem and a computer console built into it. The prince himself sits behind it, looking rather cold.

"What is this about? I hope this is not a proposition, because the answer is no."

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

Blu nods to the guard and enters the office before taking a seat. "I'm not here to ask anything, nor claim it. What I am here for is to point something out that others might and try to take advantage of." She starts before taking a deep breath and giving a sigh. "Reason I came here is because legally, in various systems, it could be argued I'm your daughter. In spirit and soul if not in body. I won't make the claim, but others might. And it brings up another point. I'm not sure if we are linked in such a way, but if we are, I don't know if magic can work through it." She admits with a shrug. "Probably not, but I thought I'd bring the concern up with you."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Office]

Vyrn maintains his cold demeanor, merely tilting his head in curiosity. "I see. To answer your concerns, under the customs of the Altaran Dominion, my homeland, you would not be considered a valid heiress. Our line based its authority on the idea that we were descended from a divine being, a concept that is not entirely unique. I have my doubts about it in all honesty, though the Nexus being as it is leaves me unsure, given all that has proven possible. But I am rambling. As such, you would not carry this entity's blood, and therefore you have no claim. Clones and the like were also barred from inheritance, on the grounds that artificially duplicating divine blood is blasphemous. All precedent says you would not be accepted, and I will be certain to add this to our public records to prevent any...mistakes.

As for the potential of magical exploitation, I can offer no guarantee one way or the other, as I am hardly an expert on metaphysical science. The one thing I can suggest is that certain artifacts from my homeworld were prone to odd reactions to the Dominion royalty, usually in our favor. We have one such artifact in our possession now, so we could see if it responds to you. Obviously, our possession of this artifact is classified and you are to speak of it to no one but Engineer Cross or myself. Understood?"

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

Blu gives a small nod at the reassurances. "You won't need to worry about the artifact being mentioned. After all, if things get destroyed, specifically Sanctuary, I get hurt and maybe even killed."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Office]

"Your commanding officer in the engineering department has the artifact in safekeeping aboard the carrier. I will send a message to him indicating that you are to be allowed access to it for the purpose of this test. That should help indicate if there is any danger from magic as you suspect. Are there any further questions or concerns?" Vyrn asks.

He seems like he's actually a pretty reasonable and helpful commanding officer.

Shocking.

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

"Just one final question. While doubtful, what happens if the artifact responds to me?" Blu asks in curiosity. "But regardless of the result, I'd also like to start to learn more than engineering and repair. Those are innate to me, but I'd like to do more."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Office]

Vyrn shrugs. "At this point, I do not know. It may indicate a metaphysical link, in which case you should avoid mages who might try to take advantage of it. And regarding expanding your skills, you'll need to be more specific as to what you want to do before we can do anything about that. We cannot very well assign every officer in every specialty we have to your instruction, after all. It would not be practical."

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

"I suppose being a pilot would be the best route for me. Transport, Fighter, I don't really care, sir. Which is needed more?" She wonders.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Office]

Vyrn shrugs. "The overlap between the two is rather significant after our recent air force overhaul. There is really not that much difference at this point, so you will be able to do whatever is needed at any given time." That's one good thing about all the aircraft being variants of the same designs, it seems.

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

Blu nods in reply and stands, getting ready to go. "Thanks for the information and taking the time to listen to me, Sir." She says before offering her hand after a moment's hesitation. "And if the Artifact doesn't respond to me, let me at least say it'd have been an honor if it did."

[Darkcomet]

High-Priority Assignment available:
Base Reclamation. Further information to be revealed at briefing. ((Would really like people for this one.))



[Spire Office]

Vyrn pauses before shaking her hand. "Let it never be said that I do not respond to serious potential issues," he says. "Report back to Engineer Cross regarding the artifact."

[The Bushranger]

http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq40/happyturtle-avs/smilies/Giant%20Smilies/timeywimey.png

Red arrives at the
High-Priority Assignment Briefing
And takes a seat in front of a desk. Before swinging his boots up on top of it.

[Deathkeeper]

HPA Briefing

Nick enters and takes a seat after giving a salute or whatever the procedure is.

[Inigo Montoya]

Plotclone!

High-Priority Assignment Briefing

Balthazar arrives and looks around at the two other people here, sighing inwardly. Perfect. Two unknown quantities. Let's hope they don't ask to many questions.
"Reporting for duty sir."

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office => Engineer Cross

"I'll be sure a message is sent regarding as to whatever happens. Thanks again, Sir." Blu says before saluting and heading out to find the Engineer.

HPAB

A few days after whatever happens above, Blu reports to the briefing. Blu Skreen is about four and a half feet tall with what would be considered a gangly build on a human with long arms and a skinny frame. She has thin flexible crystal hair and a hard translucent blue skin that shows circuitry underneath the surface. For her face though, the skin is replaced with what appears to be chromed steel, giving a mirror finish. Her skin is hot to the touch, nearly scalding, limiting body contact with her.

She's dressed in a fresh pilot's outfit and has her helmet tucked under one arm.

[Inigo Montoya]

HPAB

Balthazar looks over Blu, and blinks, shuddering very slightly. He was trying to get better at accepting the...unusual appearance of some of the people here. He looked down at her, trying to place her uniform. While he did that, he spook up, his voice formal.
"Hello Ma'am. Here for the briefing as well?"

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-Operation Ascendant]

A number of other notable Irregulars are here, most notably Emissary N'alae, Major Noelle Xanatov, Sanctuary Chief Engineer Anthony Cross, and Officer Doern Hill. Finally, Commander Vyrn Altaran himself is present.

This must be incredibly important.

"My apologies for the sudden summons, but this is perhaps the single most important operation we have yet faced. That said, I will begin." Vyrn holds up something akin to a remote, and with a push of a button, the holoprojector in the center of the table activates. It displays a bluish image of a mountain, with a number of artificial structures built into it to allow access to a base within. The top of the mountain seems to have been removed, replaced by what appears to be a massive hatch to a bay of some variety.

"This base was constructed by the old Empire for the purpose of acting as a construction facility for large aircraft, and was left abandoned after most of it vanished. A mistake on Remnant's part, one that we have not had sufficient justification to correct for some time. However, we have reason to believe that we now have the opportunity. Emissary."

N'alae holds up a similar remote and switches the projector to display an image of a heavily cybernetically augmented humanoid, one eye covered by a bulky laser-eyepiece, and its body covered in black implanted armor. Its limbs have visibly been replaced, and its skin appears severely pale and mottled.

"This is called a Borg drone. It is a member of a pseudo-race of cybernetically augmented and enslaved drones, all linked to the same hive mind. They assimilate members of any species to create new drones and gain the knowledge of those being assimilated, and act similarly regarding technology they have an interest in. They are some of the most dangerous foes the galaxy I hail from has ever faced, and they are here now. We believe that they are responsible for recent disappearances in Inside, but several things are odd compared to standard Borg strategies. For one thing, we have detected no ship with our advanced sensors, and they are not known to use cloaking systems. Given their attempts at subtlety, it is likely that their ship was destroyed in whatever event that brought them here, and they are attempting to rebuild their numbers." Click. The old Imperial mountain base is displayed again. "The Borg, in the absence of a ship and a link to the rest of the Collective, will attempt to contact said Collective, or if this is impossible in their current circumstances, find another starship to do so. While starships are incredibly rare here, the base Commander Altaran spoke of is one of the few facilities they could use to build one of their own. It is the same base that this ship was built at. It is the main known facility capable of such construction, and the Borg signatures we have detected largely go back to it. We can only conclude that the Borg are using the base to try to build a ship to escape into space."

"Needless to say, this cannot be allowed," Vyrn continues. "From what the Emissary has told me, if the Borg take knowledge of the advanced technology and magic here back to the Collective, it may well spell doom for all of reality. To that end, we are going to reclaim the base."

Click. The words 'Operation Ascendant' appear above the image.

"To that end, we must accomplish several tasks. First, an infiltration team including Emissary N'alae, Engineer Cross, and escorts will enter the base on the ground. The Borg are known to ignore those they consider non-threats, though we do not know how long this will last. The infiltration team's first task is to get Engineer Cross to one of the base's original control centers to his knowledge of it to open the hatch to the construction and launching bay. After this, the Borg will undoubtedly become hostile to the infiltration team, which is why we're sending a diversion force consisting of heavy air and ground attack forces." That probably means Red, Blu, and Xanatov.

"This attack force will strike at the construction bay and attempt to destroy whatever the Borg are building in there. At the same time, the infiltration team will use this diversion to locate and disable the Borg 'vinculum', the device which binds all of the drones here together. As Emissary N'alae is our Borg tech expert, she will be critical for this part of the mission. Once the vinculum is disabled, the drones will be freed, and the base will be ours."

So, recap:
Operation Ascendant
Infiltration Team Objectives:
-1: Infiltrate the base and open the hatch to the construction/launch bay.
-2: Use the diversion created by the assault force to reach and disable the Borg vinculum.
--Engineer Cross and Emissary N'alae are mission-critical, and must not be lost before their objectives are completed.
---Members: Engineer Cross, Emissary N'alae, Officers Doern Hill, Balthazar Chedid, Nick Richards

Assault Force Objectives:
-1: Wait for the infiltration team to open the hatch.
-2: Attack the Borg construction area once the hatch is open. Destruction of whatever they are building in there is not a top priority, but would be very much liked. The main objective here is to provide a diversion to distract Borg forces from the infiltration team.
--Members: Major Xanatov, Asset Raymond 'Red' Russel, Airman/Engineer Blu Skreen

"The nature of the Borg restricts our options in gear as well," N'alae adds after the main part of the briefing is over, switching the projector back to the image of the Borg drone. "The Borg are capable of adapting to energy weapon fire. After a specific weapon type is used too much, they will be able to use personal shielding to nullify all further damage. To that end, the infiltration team will be carrying projectile weapons with armor-piercing ammunition rather than energy weapons. Melee weapons will also work, though this is exceptionally dangerous thanks to the risk of assimilation. The shielding only goes so far, fortunately, and should not hamper the assault force's more powerful aircraft and mech-mounted weapons. Any questions?"

[In The Past-Sanctuary]

Blu will be summoned to the armory aboard the ship. Seems Vyrn sent word ahead.

[Inigo Montoya]

[Briefing Room-Operation Ascendant]

"Sir, I have a few questions. What exactly is the 'Collective'? and can the borg adapt to magic at all?"

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-Operation Ascendant]

"The Collective is the hive mind which all Borg are part of, at least when it is possible for them to be. The Borg here are likely a sub-collective not in contact with the whole. As for magic, I really cannot say, though I should mention that it is possible that they may have assimilated individuals with magical talent as well. We cannot know one way or the other," N'alae answers. "Perhaps they might adapt to specific spells like they would a disruptor, perhaps they might not, I do not know."

[UncleWolf]

Briefing Room - Operation Ascendant

Blu suppresses a shudder. What would happen if she were Assimilated? She keeps that question quiet, but she does speak up. "Do we have any idea if they have any Air Power at all? Or what their overall numbers might be?" She asks.

In The Past - Sanctuary

Blu shows up, walking through the walls to get there as quickly as she can and gives a salute. "Reporting, Sir."

[The Bushranger]

[Briefing Room-Operation Ascendant]

Red has both eyebrows raise as the depiction of the Borg Drone appears on -screen, but he stays quiet, swinging his feet down to the floor as he takes in the briefing.

At the call for questions, he raises a hand.

"They're not immune to stomping, are they?"

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-Operation Ascendant]

"Unlikely, no, and no, in that order. It is possible that they may have claimed any old Imperial craft present at the base. K-Corp Harpies and Evolution AV-1s and 2s are the main possibilities. The Harpies were rather rare by the time most of the Empire disappeared, so they are unlikely, and the nature of Evolution Industries technology means the Borg will most likely have difficulty assimilating the EI craft. Non-assimilated craft of these types will likely be far outmatched by our newer AV-3 fighter-gunships. Beyond that, they likely have not constructed anything capable of flight themselves, as they have limited resources and must focus on escape into space. As for their numbers, we can infer that they do not have the numbers to confront the Nexus in a head-on confrontation, judging from their attempts at going unnoticed, but we have no concrete information." N'alae does not go into detail about the stomping question like the others. Apparently she is choosing not to dignify it.

Probably wise not to feed Red.

[Past-Sanctuary Armory]

Cross is present here, opening up a high-security locker. "There you are. One second, ah, there it goes." That would be him finishing opening up the locker. He reaches inside and pulls out a rough, uncut black crystal. "Curious little thing, isn't it? The last owner had it practically jump to the Prince when they met."

[UncleWolf]

Briefing Room - Operation Ascendant

The Mekhnaiad frowns at the information. Sure, an aircraft might be obsolete, but if given in sufficient numbers, they could still take her down with ease. She'd have to be careful. Still, Blu doubted they could become their Fighter like she could.

"Am I transporting anyone, or am I going to be purely on the attack?" She asks, trying to figure out her role in this.

Past - Sanctuary Armoury

"Well, Sir, I try not to make any judgments on things based on appearances for the most part. Curious certainly, but I doubt it can truly be called "little" for all the power it holds." Blu points out.

[Deathkeeper]

"Is there a uniform area that important cybernetics are installed in the drones or should I just aim for the head on all of them?" asks Nick.

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-Operation Ascendant]

"You're on attack with me," comes a thus-far-unheard voice. Major Xanatov seems to have been briefed already, so she's answering Blu.

And for Nick... "Headshots work as well as they usually do, fortunately."

[Past-Sanctuary Armory]

"Oh, don't get so philosophical about it." Engineer Cross holds it in her direction and frowns. "Doesn't seem interested. Sorry to disappoint."

[UncleWolf]

Past - Sanctuary Armoury

"Mind if I hold it for just a moment?" Blu asks. "I'm just curious about whether I can feel anything from it or not. Even if it doesn't respond to me, perhaps I can sense it the other around. The Artifact I mean, not some "Divine Right"."

[The Bushranger]

Briefing Room - Operation Ascendant

Red just grins at the 'stomping OK' confirmation, and leans back in his chair, looking somewhat insufferable.

Also, grinning.

"Well, then. I think it's time to follow the Gospel of St. Isaac, and stawmp it all out."

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-Operation Ascendant]

"Any final questions?"

((Those of you here, post with an IC confirmation you're done or an OOC note that you're not going to make any further questions here, and the mission will proceed.))

[Past-Sanctuary Armory]

"By all means." Cross just keeps it held out to her expectantly. "Might as well try not to make this a total waste of time."

[UncleWolf]

Briefing Room - Operation Ascendant

"No further questions, sir." Blu says, staying serious about all of this.

The Past - Sanctuary Armoury

Blu will take the device and look it over in her hands for a moment before closing her eyes and sending feelers of her soul to try and figure out what it is. She has an innate understanding of technology, and to a lesser degree, "magic" due to what she is. She isn't looking for anything in particular, just browsing.

[Inigo Montoya]

Briefing Room - Operation Ascendant

"No further questions sir. I'm ready."

Blathazar was only partially lying when he said that. Partially.

[Deathkeeper]

BR- Operation Ascendant

"No further questions, sir."
Nick is honestly quite excited. An official mission to get reacquainted with his good old friend the bolt-action .50 caliber.

[The Bushranger]

"Questions already asked and answered," Red declares, still wearing that infuriating grin.

[Darkcomet]

Operation Ascendant participants go here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16084609&postcount=264).

[The Past-Sanctuary Armory]

Blu, depending on how good she is at this, will be able to ascertain that the power contained in the artifact is immense, but also incredibly unstable. Tapping into it directly would be incredibly dangerous for any mage doing so, especially if the intent was to destroy something. It is almost as though the artifact itself is only a piece of a whole, incomplete without whatever the remainder is.

And if it is possible for such a thing to yearn, it most certainly yearns for completion.

[Spire Infirmary]

RMD-33 the medical droid hovers about the infirmary, attending to various injuries. Troops are bound to take them, however competent or skilled they are, and Inside is hardly the easiest place to police and defend.

"Summoning subordinate medical personnel. Medical examination scheduled in one minute."

The droid waits at a specific infirmary bed, waiting for the subject of that examination to arrive. Other medical personnel serve to cover for it as it waits.

[UncleWolf]

The Past - Sanctuary Armoury

Blu frowns as she analyzes the artifact. "What happened to the other pieces? Is there a chance we could find them? It might stabilize this one if we do."

Spire Office

Jezebel leans quietly on the wall as she waits to meet with Vyrn. It had taken quite a while to set up the meeting, but what she had to say might be worth it.

Oddly, Jezebel isn't wearing anything revealing at the moment, having chosen a tasteful midnight blue suit that offsets her "natural" purple hue nicely.

[Darkcomet]

[Past-Sanctuary Armory]

Cross raises an eyebrow. "We're not aware of any other pieces."

[Spire Office]

The door slides open. Vyrn sits inside, apparently unguarded, oddly enough.

"Greetings. I hope you'll be more forthcoming with your information here than you were with the diplomatic office...I'm told you were quite stubborn."

Conveniently, Major Xanatov is probably off-duty or something right now. She would probably be storming in screaming about daemons otherwise.

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

If there's a chair large enough to accommodate her, Jezebel will sit down, but if not, she'll stay standing. "Perhaps a little too much so, I admit, but I think we can both appreciate getting results is the important aspect of our positions. And I figured I'd tell you personally rather than over any line that could potentially be watched." The Daemon admits with a small smile.

She leans back into the chair, setting her hands in her lap as she looks Vyrn over, analyzing his entire visual being with a methodical gaze.

"Why do you stick to Inside? Is it sentimentality about what happened before the coup occurred? It's a perfectly fine reason, but I wonder why you continue to waste your time here, aiming to try and take over a city like this when it is already fairly controlled and happy. There is a better place to begin anew if that's what you're wishing to do. A place that, perhaps, people can call you Emperor again, or at the very least President."

The Past

"This is incomplete." Blu points out. "I can sense it. I don't know how many more pieces there might be, but there are some. Think there's a way we can track and locate similar energy sources?" She asks in wonder, mind racing ahead of the moment.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Office]

It seems Vyrn was kind enough to have a chair brought in since he knew she was going to show up. How polite of him.

When he speaks, it is with a calm determination. There is no fire in his voice, only certainty. "I have no intentions of conquering this city again, unless the situation deteriorates that it is the only possible method of safeguarding it. What I am chiefly concerned with is my legacy, Ms. Tel'Vree.

I was prepared to live the rest of my days in obscurity, but as I watched, I saw Remnant stagnating, being content with things as they were, never moving forward except on the rare occasions the Council managed to stop bickering amongst itself. So I am here again now, to make progress whether they like it or not, whether they trust me or not. I will not sit back and watch as Vasquez and the Council run all I built into the ground. It would be an affront to all that I am. I will not abandon this city." Vyrn finishes his little speech about his motives calmly, without bothering with any emotional high notes, with only the same tone he started with.

"All that said, I am still listening."

[Past-Sanctuary Armory]

Cross shrugs. "You would need someone better-versed in these things than myself, who could follow the 'links' it has. I can't, myself, but I'll send word to the Commander. He'll be interested in finding out more about it, and I'm sure he can put resources towards it."

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

"I didn't mean to imply that you would have to abandon Inside, but perhaps put your aim elsewhere as well." Jezebel corrects herself. "I'm already sure you're aware of Riverside?" She asks rhetorically. "While my main body of my faction is living there, and we're trying to correct things when faults come up, I get the sense that the governing bodies simply don't wish for anything to happen. Be it good or bad. Much like perhaps this one, though the circumstances are different." She admits with a small shrug.

"At least here Remnant defends the city as a whole. In Riverside, factions had been vying for control, watching their own borders, and not caring about what might occur elsewhere in the city. It wasn't until AMEN's attack that they banded together. But even now, I don't see such a peace lasting."

At that, Jezebel takes a deep breath and lets out a sigh. "Which is why I've come to you. Someone who can and will protect a city. While my group is moderately powerful, we lack the numbers to protect more than a small area, so there isn't much I can do about it except talk to an outsider. It'd be fairly simple for you to take over as well. Not entirely easy, but certainly a simpler time than you had here initially. The general populace might even cheer for you."

Past - Armoury

At that, Blu offers the device back. "Is there anything else that I'm needed for?"

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Office]

Vyrn frowns. "Riverside has been...disappointing. They had AMEN cornered, and yet they let them camp out there, when they had their own forces and Watchtower support ready to deal what would've been at least a crippling blow to them. Yet, despite how AMENites are clearly not ones to sit back and be content with anything, they let them go. A severe mistake, in my mind.

All that said, you have my interest. I believe greater unity can only help the Nexus as a whole, and I think the Riverside factions' coordination against AMEN proves that. As you say, the problem is that they will not remain together. So please, go on. I wish to hear your full proposal."

[Past-Sanctuary Armory]

The Chief Engineer takes the artifact. "Negative, beyond your usual duties."

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

"First, there's the issue of Southside as it is. I plan on getting the other factions to support my own take over of the place, with a little side-help, with the promise that I keep what I take over." Jezebel admits. "I might need a little support in doing so from you, but either way, after that is done, I would like to invite you to build your own Dock there in my domain. With that as a staging area, it'd be easy for you to gain popularity throughout Riverside. Especially if you're charitable to the underclasses in West and North. I doubt they're entirely too happy with vampires as their rulers. You'd have to send out feelers to make sure though."

"After that, it's known that Eastside holds elections. If you provide enough incentive to the populace, you could eventually gain power there as well. This isn't exactly a quick route to such, but it is a more sure one."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Office]

"Military support for such a thing is...questionable, though more political maneuvers are likely to go ignored by Vasquez and the Council. That said, I must ask what else you would want in return." Vyrn quite specifically does not make a decision just yet, expecting her to elaborate first.

Probably wise of him.

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

"Several things. First and most importantly though, I want religious acceptance. Let's be honest, both of us know what it's like to be unfairly prosecuted simply based on image. In my case, the image is mostly deserved due to other worshipers, but not in my case. As it stands, it won't be too long before Eastside's Hunters decide to take a closer look at my Temple. While I don't practice most of the unsavory things such as slavery, they'd find some excuse to burn the place down. I know how such organizations work. As long as such religions like my own keep their headquarters in Southside and keep the majority of unscrupulous activities from happening or at least behind closed doors, we'd appreciate little interference." Jezebel explains before frowning a little.

"Mind if I ask for some tea or other drink? Anything's fine." She admits before continuing. "Second, I'd like to be an official advisor, minimum. I'm not someone who'll allow herself to be sidelined. Not when I'm the one that's trying to unify things there. I don't wish to rule the city, but I certainly wish to keep a hand in things."

"And while I can probably think of more later, for now, my final request is that we have more meetings. I enjoy intelligent conversation and it's hard to find these days."

[Terumitsu]

[Spire Infirmary]

Being the one due for an examination, Ghoul followed the droid and waited for whatever medical official would show up. It felt a bit... Wrong to be open about her condition although she hadn't said anything that her sire had prohibited... Which was a lot, really, but at least she could communicate the basics when necessary.

In any case, the muse would be left with an entire minute of free time before the scheduled examination was to start. Which, really... It probably wasn't worth more than maybe queuing up a search for more about this Tchaikovsky person she had been listening to earlier.

And then she found the 1812 overture. She didn't have any idea what the number was in reference to but she couldn't deny that there was a wonderful style to the composition.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Office]

"I'm aware of your religion's...reputation. Major Xanatov, one of our pilots, has gone on at length on the subject. I haven't seen any sign of much of what she described, however." Huh, Vyrn does know about that. "As such, I see no reason religious acceptance is unreasonable..."

Vyrn hits a button on the console he's sitting behind. "Tea, please, whatever variety you wish to throw in, she didn't specify."

"And I can always appreciate having more perspectives on many matters, especially when those perspectives don't have personal problems with me like...well, half the others involved in politics. But I'm sure you understand that problem just as well as I do."

[Infirmary]

As it turns out, the droid is the important medical officer. It has little rank marks on it, too.

"Activating scan." It seems to just be looking at her. Though with its odd design it's a bit hard to tell if the floating thing is looking at anything. It's actually using an advanced medical scanner to get a good idea of Ghoul's physiology, and find any (read: the many) irregularities.

[Terumitsu]

[Infirmary]

Well this would be one heck of a haul for the scanner. The most prominent thing would likely be the fact that she was at least forty percent cybernetic with a range of symbiotic internal devices that ranged from a cyberneticly enhanced brain, nerves, and musculature to sub-dermal armor and skeletal hardpoints to more than a few extra sensors. That mixed in with a pair of nanomechanical colonies devoted towards repairs of both biological and mechanical parts as well as several small but situationally useful augmentations would make it clear that this was a person who was clearly wanting to be prepaired for anything.

Of course, what came next was the more mystical readout seeing that the Nexus had decided that she clearly didn't have enough oddness about her. It was rather odd, though, as while it clearly marked her as a vampire without question, there was a very muddled distinction between it and what could possibly be portrayed as some kind of fae taint as if one was powering the other. Which was doing which was the question, though.

And finally, almost as a footnote, would be an odd enchantment that seemed to be inherent. A small thing that had been won in the hunting grounds which allowed her to stick to surfaces like a spider or certain kinds of lizards could. It seemed a bit trivial in comparison to the rest but there it was.

As for the muse herself, Ghoul simply remained patiently still as the scan proceeded. No sense messing it up, after all.

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

The comments about her religion make the daemon frown. "Perhaps I should clarify things about my temple." She admits before leaning back in her seat a bit. "The most common belief is that Slaanesh represents Excess. Sex, Gluttony, Drugs, anything like that if it can be overdone. The common Slaanesh Cultist you'll see most places is an addict of some form or other. They have no regard for their physical or mental well-being except in cases when their crutch has been kicked out from beneath them. And then they're simply blubbering insane fools who'll do anything to have it back." Jezebel explains with clear distaste.

"Those who are unable to control themselves disgust me." She says with a scowl. "To give into such desires all the time, without thought or shred of control or constraint, isn't worship. That's simply when you use a god as an excuse to do what you want. Worship should mean something. It should be an offering, a ritual, not some side-effect of falling to your most base of emotions."

"My temple follows the belief that Slaanesh represents sensation and experiences instead. The search for the forever new and unique. That's what I believe in, and that's why you don't see my cult going around in a rampage enslaving people."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Office]

"I apologize if I was unclear. I agree with the sentiment completely. I know the type very well, as my own homeland had many of them. I don't speak of it much, but I was technically a major religious figure there as well, from a line thought descended from a goddess. Many lesser nobles, and even some of my relatives used it all for nothing but personal power, instead of building anything worthwhile." Vyrn frowns briefly. "It happens with most any religion or even secular cause, and only drags them toward destruction."

[Infirmary]

"Please provide any relevant details regarding implant care and unique dietary needs, such as frequency and necessary amounts," the medical droid monotonously states. "Also provide information on subtype of vampirism and its limitations."

[Terumitsu]

[Infirmary]

Well this was going to be slightly awkward.

"Implants are a part of a self-maintenance system. Upkeep requirements negligible when provided with a standard diet. Best I can tell, blood from any decently healthy person will cater to all necessary needs for upkeep as well. Daily blood requirement is roughly 500-750 mL depending on activity with potentially more depending on circumstances and injury." she said, fudging the numbers a bit upwards simply because she felt she could get away with it. Besides, military personnel and the like did have a higher calorie intake than most people so really she was just taking into consideration all relevant factors.

"As for type and limitations... I can't provide that information..." she said, the compulsion her Sire had planted to keep sensitive information secret flaring up. Of course, there was a little bit of simply not knowing in there as well but it wasn't in the majority. They'll be able to figure out the sunlight thing quick enough so... Well, it wouldn't really be saying anything that couldn't be directly observed in that case. And it would be a hindrance if it came up unexpectedly.. "Although... Direct sunlight will hamper all abilities and daylight hours induce a state similar to minor sleep deprivation regardless of exposure." she said. Again, it would show up anyway and there wasn't any reason to hand out any other weaknesses. Ghoul hoped that would be enough for now, though.

[UncleWolf]

Spire Office

Jezebel gives a small and apologetic nod. "It seems to happen quite commonly, yes. It is one of the reasons I've left the world I'd been born to. If you've heard of my religion, I'm sure you've heard of the...zeal that worship of The God-Emperor seems to instill in his followers." She says with a sigh and shake of her head. "It is why I've asked for acceptance first." The Daemon admits.

"Is it also agreeable that I won't be put on the sidelines? After all, I must look out for my own people as well."

[Rebonack]

[Rec Room]

You know what's awesome?

The rec room of futuristic paramilitary organizations are awesome. Because there's no better place to find cool people doing cool things.

Take Allomyrina, for instance.

While the athletic human woman certainly isn't super human by any stretch of the imagination, she's still quite diligent with her work-out. One would think that she would just crash after a day's work keep Inside safe, but instead she hits the gym like clockwork.

After all, you never know when something awful might require you to really test your limits. That's just the sort of place the Nexus is.

At the moment she's running the treadmill, her flame-red hair bouncing behind her.

[Terumitsu]

[The Phone Lines]

A signal comes sizzling through whatever counts as the public office phone lines, likely sending a phone off ringing.

It would likely be rather annoying to just leave there.

And maybe a little rude unless everyone was either dead or engaged in an all hands emergency.

...

Still..

Someone should probably answer that.

[Rebonack]

[Phone Line in a Boring Office Somewhere]

The phone rings.

Twice.

Exactly twice. Then it is answered.

"Altaran Irregulars Skyway Office, this is Fred. How may I direct your call?"

Fred is a pretty bog standard human with a pretty bog standard job. He answers calls over the public line and does other not particularly compelling office stuff.

He wouldn't trade his job for anything.

Desk jobs are way better than getting chased by slathering monsters jobs.

[Terumitsu]

[Phone Line in a Boring Office Somewhere]

Immediately after Fred had introduced himself, a whispering voice on the other line launched into a rapid explanation. "I have only 330 seconds before I'm found out. I don't care who hears me as long as the information I have gets sent to the right people. Magtok is acting out of line, here! I have information that can maybe stop him but only if someone listens to what I have to say. I'm fairly certain he has Remnent's lines bugged so you guys are the last ones I can turn to!"

A ragged breath came out of the speaker before the voice continued. "315 seconds now. Tell me you will listen or get me someone who will right now. Please. I need your help." the voice said. It seems Fred's day just got a lot more interesting...

[Rebonack]

[Phone Line in a Boring Office Somewhere]

Fred doesn't start freaking out.

Why?

Because the public office line gets prank calls pretty regularly.

"I see, ma'am," Fred replies. "That sounds very serious. This call is being recorded, so feel free to relay the information. I'll make sure it gets to where it needs to go."

He's almost dead sure this is a prank call.

The Irregulars aren't the police force, at least not in an official capacity. They still do defense things, but a high powered Council Member? That's Remnant business.

[Inigo Montoya]

[Rec Room]

Sometime in the past, Balthazar walks in, a towel in one hand, a small metal weight in the other. His eyes widen slightly in surprise when he sees the red head on the treadmill.

"Oh, hello. I...didn't realize there was anyone else in here."

He coughs slightly, a tad flustered. He liked exercising by himself.

[Terumitsu]

[Phone Line in a Boring Office Somewhere]

If Magtok was still on the Council, that might be a thing. But seeing how he had left in a huff when his cave was needing defense was quite another matter. "Fine. Good. Whatever. 293 seconds. Look, I know he's normally up to making a show when he does anything but this isn't normal. He's cut the lines and disabled wireless telecommunication in a small area." What followed were a few streets which were affected. What might lend some credence to the caller, though, is that there indeed would be some kind of blackout of the sort in the area described. "I've hacked into one of his robots and I'm using it as a signal booster here but I don't have the time to say more. He is planning a kidnapping and I can't say I know what or why he's doing this. There is no reason for this. It isn't setting up to anything and I'm starting to be afraid for my job at the very least if this sort of thing continues. He needs to be knocked down a few notches or else I hesitate to think what he might start doing to the rest of us if this clone starts to infect the collective with his ideas. Assuming it hasn't started already."

A few long moments of panting followed by: " 217 seconds." the voice on the other side seemed genuinely panicked although they were at least managing it for the most part.

[Rebonack]

[The Office With the Phone]

"Mhmm. I see. Can you tell me who the target of the alleged kidnapping is, ma'am?" Fred prompts. Just knowing that Magtok is planning on doing Magtok-y things really isn't much to go on.

[The Rec Room]

"Yes, well, it is the common training room," Allomyrina replies as she continues running in place. She's going at a pretty decent clip! "I usually head in here as soon as I'm off duty."

Which might seem a little odd.

One might expect people to want to relax after a hard day's work. But Allo is weird. Weird is kinda par for course amongst most Nexus folks.

But anywho! Running. She doesn't seem short of breath, either.

"You're Balthazar, right?"

[Terumitsu]

[The Office With the Phone And A Very Boring Person]

A scraping noise came over the phone, followed by the sounds of hurried motion. In the background there were sounds of clanking feet and conversation but nothing distinct. "Sorry. Have to stay out of sight. 146 seconds. The name is Vasquez. Not the commander but family of them from the information I have. I think the lack of security around her makes him think that she'll make a good target to use as leverage against the Remnant commander. At least that's what I hope. I think he might try to send a message and I'm not talking about telegraphs and post cards either." More panicked breathing and noises from the other end.

"O-one.. One hundred and... Twelve seconds. What more do you need? I have to go soon if I'm to avoid being caught. Have you seen what he has in his contracts for people who commit treason?!." the voice whispered, shaking but still somehow managing real intensity.

[Rebonack]

[Still on the Phone]

"Mhmm, I see," Fred replies.

He writes a few things down on a note pad. Not that it matters. This call is being recorded after all.

"So a relative of the Commander's. Thank you, that should be sufficient. I'll pass the information along."

Despite his gut feeling that this was a prank call he sends the recording and a short note to the folks in charge of security. And maybe the liaison office for the Remnant as well.

Either would be better equipped to handle this sort of thing.

[Terumitsu]

[Still on the Phone]

The noises in the background were getting slowly louder.. "Thank you. I mean that. I-wha.?" The sound of the microphone being dropped overrode what came immediately after. Still, there was a very scared but distant voice saying; "No. Nonononono. I had 67 seconds left. I had- ..Oh sh-" The characteristic honk of a lasgoose rang clear from the speaker which was followed by a pained shout. What came next was a string of curses over the noise of metal feet and shuffling only to be interrupted by another honk and subsequent scream. Or it would have been a scream if not for the gurgling noise. A moment of quiet before the metal clank of feet came closer and then the noise of the microphone being picked up before the phone would go to that beeping dialtone of a dead line.

That.. Was rather dark for a prank call...

[Inigo Montoya]

[The Rec Room]
"I am, yes."

He sets the weights down, looking at woman curiously.

"How do you know me, if I may ask? I'm still fairly new, and not exactly the most social person."

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-Operation Ascendant Debriefing]

Those not injured over the course of Operation Ascendant are summoned to the debriefing room. Vyrn himself is present, seeing as multiple of those that might be doing this otherwise were involved in the mission.

Those summoned consist of Engineer Cross, the assault force members, and N'alae's team. Balthazar and Hill are sent to the infirmary for treatment, while N'alae is rushed to a specialist hospital away from the base.

"The Emissary and officers Hill and Chedid have been sent for medical attention, and so will not be joining us. However, I am glad to know the mission was a success. We'll begin moving to establish a presence at the base soon, and we've already sent transports to try to get as many of the liberated drones to medical attention as we can. However, there is the matter of what exactly happened there. Major Xanatov?"

"The...rift happened when one of the pilots overloaded one of her craft's power cells to hit the Borg, I think, I'm not a tech expert. She'd been clipped by a wrecked aircraft thrown by some sort of...uh, giant drone, sir. We couldn't reach her after that, but with that thing, I don't know if she's dead or not," Noelle says.

Cross interjects. "Perhaps we should speak to the designer of that technology, sir? He would probably know what to do about that. Speaking of technology, the Borg were not building a ship as the Emissary predicted, but instead something else."

"She panicked when I sent her the feed of it, she didn't ever say why," the Major adds, clearly disturbed. "I think we should scrap it, we don't know what it is or what it might do."

"Cool it, Major. The Emissary will inform us of that once she returns."

"If..."

Vyrn stands up, jolting the table slightly. "That is entirely enough from both of you. Do the rest of you have anything to add? You may speak freely." He looks towards the others. The other pilots from the assault force have little to add. Red, Allo, and Nick, since they're probably present, might have more to say.

[Deathkeeper]

Briefing Room- OA Debriefing

Nick raises a hand. "If I may, Sir, this is all the leavings of an enemy that operated on a nanoscopic level with some of their tech. There's no way to check to ensure that every line of communication to those things has been cut, every drone purified and every probe and nanomachine deactivated. I'd say if anything looks suspicious at all, we torch it."

[The Bushranger]

Briefing Room- OA Debriefing

"I'd have to agree. The game isn't worth the candle." Red looks...unusually serious for once. "Yeah, it does nifty stuff. But it could also kill everyone and take over the base."

Taco carts optional.

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-OA Debriefing]

Noelle raises a hand.

"Major?" Vyrn asks, giving her permission to speak.

"If something went wrong down there, she didn't know everything she thought the Emissary did. We don't have anyone who knows what they're doing with this if she doesn't," she points out.

"An...unfortunate, but fair point. Engineer Cross, do you have any comments to make?"

"What about the drones? If we manage to free some, they might be able to give us some insight into the technology," Cross suggests.

"That is possible, but they may be unreliable. I imagine many are seriously emotionally scarred, and others might not be willing to cooperate. We won't force the matter, considering the lackluster quality our work would be likely to have if we tried that, and the dangers involved. But we will inquire with them and learn what we can. If that is all, you are all dismissed."

[At A Later Time, Spire Medical Lab (Cutscene)]

At this point in time, Emissary N'alae is back on duty, looking no worse for wear, at least on the outside. But something is rather thoroughly amiss, given that the diplomat is in a medical lab at all.

She holds up an odd little device, looking at it in the light. Specifically?

A small rounded triangular electronic pendant. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16342591&postcount=821)

"<I am sorry about this, but you'll never make it out there. I don't have the ability to make you a fully intelligent being. Maybe if I was an actual expert in this, but I'm not. You're just a creative security program. I can't change that, any more than I can let what is effectively a rogue combat automaton loose.>"

N'alae sets it down on a lab table.

"<Nothing good will come of me just letting you run around with this. Even if you were capable of integrating fully, no one knows how to keep that device working properly. The Nexus is a dangerous place, and we don't know what could happen out there. The moment it was damaged, you would be doomed to lose it, or worse. But there's one way for us to understand it, and maybe even allow you to have such an emitter one day, if you ever develop that far. That is all I can offer you. Transmit back to Trog's Tavern holodeck.>" The little device makes a quiet beep. Under the circumstances, it sounds almost sad.

The Emissary sighs. "<...Only gets harder from here,>" she says, as she pulls off her right glove...revealing some rather obstructive cybernetics remaining from her experience with Borg nanoprobes, visibly running along under the skin, especially the fingers. Borg don't really make them for comfort.

"<Our intelligence reports spoke of some interesting reactions to Borg nanoprobes from this technology. But that was an accident, uncontrolled, and I know I have...more control and awareness of my own than I'd like.>" Why is she saying all of this out loud? Maybe so the cameras record it. Did she get approval for this? Or did she just override everything and not tell Vyrn? Or maybe she's just trying to convince herself of all this more than anything else.

"<...And it is far too powerful an opportunity to ignore.>"

Assimilation tubules extend from her fingers.

She takes a deep breath...

And the security footage in the records later goes black.

[Lost_Deep]

Shooting Range

Headshot, Headshot, Headshot.

Holographic targets are cleanly and simply dealt with. The robot responsible, having decided that was enough, turns off the program and puts the rifle back in it's assigned spot. He then picks up the next one in the rack, and takes it to the range. He shoots a near target, a medium range target, a far target. He tries some things, he reloads, he aims for the midsection now, the legs now, the hands now. Extreme range, point blank range, kneeling, prone, from cover, at a target behind cover, etc.

Then he has a line of targets made, and cleanly and simply deals with them.
Headshot, Headshot, Headshot.

HK-51-585 likes guns. Specifically, how they can kill people. He's getting to know the guns that the Irregulars use. Every singe one of them, one by one. That way, when the time comes, he can kill with any one of them.

[The Bushranger]

[Briefing Room-OA Debriefing]


Noelle raises a hand.

"Major?" Vyrn asks, giving her permission to speak.

"If something went wrong down there, she didn't know everything she thought the Emissary did. We don't have anyone who knows what they're doing with this if she doesn't," she points out.

"An...unfortunate, but fair point. Engineer Cross, do you have any comments to make?"

"What about the drones? If we manage to free some, they might be able to give us some insight into the technology," Cross suggests.

"That is possible, but they may be unreliable. I imagine many are seriously emotionally scarred, and others might not be willing to cooperate. We won't force the matter, considering the lackluster quality our work would be likely to have if we tried that, and the dangers involved. But we will inquire with them and learn what we can. If that is all, you are all dismissed."

As the others file out, Red remains behind, paitently waiting for a moment of the Commander's time.

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-OA Debriefing]

As Red stays, he gets no words out of Vyrn. Just a raised eyebrow and a general expectation that he should speak.

[Shooting Range]

"Hey, that's a new one on me. Don't see too many of you 'round here," says somebody as he enters. Looks to be Officer Hill, who takes up a blaster pistol and starts with his own targets. Obviously, he doesn't have the computerized accuracy of an assassin droid, but he's fairly competent all the same.

Still, there's a reason he's more of a shotgun guy. He could be better.

Especially as his aim seems a little thrown off by something. Probably the injuries from Operation Ascendant or something.

[The Bushranger]

[Briefing Room - OA Debriefing]

"I'd heard that Emissary N'alae was badly injured in the assault, Sir," Red begins after little preamble. "I just wanted to hear if she was recovering alright."

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-OA Debriefing]

"In a manner of speaking, yes, she was. But I expect she will recover. I'm mildly surprised to hear you concerned about the Emissary, considering the circumstances of your recruitment," Vyrn observes. "Regardless, her dying is highly unlikely. She was sent to another medical facility due to the...exotic nature of what happened." Red can probably guess what that means.

"I would be more concerned about her mental well-being than the physical, after this."

And if he couldn't, that was probably another major hint.

[The Bushranger]

[Briefing Room - OA Debriefing]

Red shrugs a bit. "Hey, as much as we're all howlin' mad psychos around here, sir, I like to think I have some human decency left." he pauses. "Besides, if something happened to her, who would I have to tease about being a logical space elf?"

For a moment, there's that infuriating grin.

"Thanks for that, sir. I should probably get back to overseeing repairs on the robot, by your leave."

[Lost_Deep]

Shooting Range

"Rhetorical Question: Come now, so many new guns, and I'm just going to assume I can use them all? Statement: Especially the variety of slugthrowers. Bullet-based guns, whatever the proper term is." 565 comments casually. "Statement: Not to mention the wide, wide variety of other weapons. I need to know how to shoot anything, so that if I am handed a weapon, I can kill with it."

He goes and puts that gun back. "Statement: Even if they have abominate amounts of kickback and projectile drop. Statement: I like that the wounds aren't self-cauterizing, though. I'm betting that's entertaining with live targets."

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room-OA Debriefing]

Vyrn doesn't comment on the joke. It may or may not have gone completely over his head. "It goes without saying, of course, that officially her current condition is the result of a simple illness. But yes, I believe you should be doing that."

Whee, giant robot repairs.

[Shooting Range]

"That and some things seem better-prepared for one thing or the other. We tend to prefer the energy weapons around here, but the number of different things around means we need to keep a lot of different guns around. Me, I'm more of an 'impractically heavy shotgun' kind of guy, since bone-snapping recoil doesn't bother me as much as it does most people," Hill replies. Pew pew. "Also tends to work well as a bludgeon."

[The Bushranger]

[Briefing Room-OA Debriefing]

Red nods, salutes, and turns sharply to head out to do just that.

[Lost_Deep]

Shooting Range

"Statement: I am looking forward to the shotguns for a similar reason, yes."

He begins his firing regimen with the next weapon. He will happily do this in silence for a bit, giving Hill a chance to direct the conversation.

[Darkcomet]

[Shooting Range]

"Works with sniper rifles too, but that's not exactly my specialty. You should look into the anti-materiels, though. Might even get to use them on a humanoid target, gods know there's plenty of hyperdurables out there," Hill says, mostly because he is one of them. "Might not want to fire those inside though."

Pew pew.

[Lost_Deep]

Shooting Range

"Statement: I've heard the horror stories. I'm saving those for last." He says it with relish. He's looking forward to those, yes sir. He's looking forward to those.

[Darkcomet]

[Shooting Range]

"They've got what's basically sniper laser cannons, if you're feeling particularly unsubtle. After that the precision starts breaking down and you get sustained-beam sweeper cannons. Those are...well, yeah." Pewpew. "Heaviest I've used is this big heavy assault blaster, just point that thing at something and hold down the trigger 'till it's dead."

[Later: Spire and Sanctuary-General]

Two announcements go out.

At the Spire, Officers Nick Richards, Allomyrina, Balthazar Chedid, and Doern Hill, Asset Raymond Russel, and Emissary N'alae are ordered to report to the Conference Room.

On Sanctuary, Airman/Engineer Blu Skreen (the idea being that this happens after the current Outside scene), Major Noelle Xanatov, Chief Engineer Anthony Cross, and the other Operation Ascendant pilots are ordered to report to a transport for transit to the Spire, where they too are to report to the Conference Room.

[Deathkeeper]

Spire Conference Room

Nick arrives promptly and without delays, in his non-combat uniform which he still really wishes he could swap for his old coat. Eh, at least he can laugh that even his superiors call him Nick.

[The Bushranger]

[Spire Conference Room]

Red, wearing his usual cocksure and completely annoying grin, steps into the conference room next. His hands still greasy from robot repair work, as he wipes them annoyedly on a towel that he then tosses away.

[Lost_Deep]

Shooting Range

"Statement: I will be the last one to deny the joy in heavy weaponry, but there is a certain point where skill becomes a non-issue. I can see such weapons being nice on occasion, but do not believe that they would fit me in the long term." He begins scoring headshots again. "Even shotguns require a certain amount of finesse for maximum damage. And the idea of sniper cannons... well, in situations where subtlety is a non-issue, I can imagine those to be quite useful."

[UncleWolf]

Transport

Blu reports as ordered, wearing her uniform and much worn hat. Those who know her even moderately well will have noticed she's somewhat distant compared to how she normally is and appears to be quite skittish. Of course, with a known subjective time of 8 months of dimensional travel, it's rather understandable.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Conference Room]

Okay, that's entirely enough waiting. I will assume everyone is here and post anyway, and anyone who missed this can post as if they were here.

Vyrn himself is present in the room, and once everyone arrives, he stands and speaks. Strangely, he is holding a long black case of some sort.

"I am sure all of you have noticed by now that you are all the participants of Operation Ascendant, and all that implies. I will let the Emissary explain."

"The structure the Borg were building at the base was a transwarp gateway that would have allowed a full-scale invasion. It was not large enough for use by full-scale Borg ships, but their smaller vessels would have been able to use it easily. We averted a massive invasion that I doubt anyone was prepared for. The amount of damage the Borg could do with even a fraction of the Nexus's potential assimilated is..." N'alae shakes her head. "Incomprehensible."

"Therefore, it is my honor to present you all with these," Vyrn says, as he opens the case. This reveals a number of medals, most gold and bearing the image of a spiral galaxy, one of those for each participant in Operation Ascendant. Then there are are four others, silver and with the image of a bird wreathed in flames flying upward. A phoenix, most likely.

"All of you have earned the Golden Realm for your service against an apocalypse level threat," Vyrn orders, and if everyone's cooperating, he will personally pin the medals on them. Then he gets to the other ones. "And for those injured in the line of this service, I present you with the Ascendant Phoenix." These ones go to Hill, Balthazar, and Blu first, before he reaches N'alae. "Of course, due to the secrecy of certain aspects of the operation, you know you cannot wear this publicly. But it is yours to have."

N'alae takes it regardless. "Of course." She sounds like the situation isn't new to her, oddly enough.

"...But for all else, wear these with pride, for you have earned them."

The observant, through it all, might notice that Vyrn himself appears to sport the Golden Realm on his ever-fancy uniform.

[Shooting Range]

"Personally, I want to see if they come out with some shotgun-type energy weapon, just for the hell of it. Think I'd miss the kick, though." Pewpewpew. "Might as well use this skeletal structure of mine."

[Another Time-Backup Airfield]

Surgeon Squadron, a group of EvAV-2 transports, arrives and deposits a retrieved mech in the area. Soon followed is a team of engineers and medics rushing up to it, followed by the ever-present Emissary N'alae. First off, they'll mostly be scanning the thing for lifesigns and any way to get someone out of it, with suitable scanners available.

Even N'alae gets in on that one, though curiously, she seems to be focusing on figuring out if there's room for two in the cockpit for whatever reason. Weird. She's probably planning some trick or something.

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

There is indeed signs of life within the craft, a single pilot in the chest cavity. Apparently unconscious, if they can tell such things. Unfortunately, there's only room for a single pilot in the cockpit. The core opens at the back when it has power - but without power, it's just one big hunk of well constructed metal. The only thing going is life support, at the moment, but that'll run out eventually. They need to get power to this thing to get the pilot out.

[Darkcomet]

[Backup Airfield]

"Get some of the gunship power cells and rig them to this thing!" N'alae orders, probably figuring they can fix any jury-rigging damage later.

The engineers will be trying to rig said power cell to the mech from the outside, which is, naturally, a bit difficult. Then they'll start trying to transfer charge to it to get anything moving, even slightly, so they can get the pilot out.

Which, of course, they will do, if they can.

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

Eventually they'll be able to get enough juice flowing into the mech to "Jump" the emergency generator, and it starts back up. As the machine comes back online, it doesn't actually move, instead, the back opening up and extending a platform. on the platform is a black steel pod, which opens slowly to reveal... a girl in a flight suit. She can't be older than twenty five, her reddish brown hair cropped short, and she's scrawny, though medical scans will show she's healthy, if unconscious. Shortly after the cover of the pod opens, a set of plugs will disconnect from her body; from the back of her head, her spine, her arms, and her legs. The mech was connected directly to her nervous system, and the pod was there to make sure she couldn't move her body and disrupt things. Likely she wouldn't even need to normally, given the beastly machine she was piloting.

The flight suit is a skin tight black material, with various plugs in various locations for her to sit inside the mech, of course. One might even note that she's covered in freckles, and her eyes would have a cute, droopy quality when she was awake. All in all, she's neither pretty nor beautiful, but rather cute. She also happens to be falling out of her pod, towards the waiting ground. If nobody catches her, she'll hit the dirt, but not hard enough to even cause a concussion.

[Darkcomet]

[Backup Airfield]

The pilot will be brought to a room normally used by pilots here. Of course, it's rather sparse here, given that it's a backup facility for use by those who cannot reach Sanctuary for whatever reason.

Especially comfortable, it is not.

That's just until she wakes up. The guards outside will be waiting for that.

And all that is if she doesn't wake up before all that can happen, of course.

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

It'll be an hour later that the pilot awakens, her heavily augmented nervous system reacting relatively rapidly to no longer being hooked directly into a huge machine.

She'll take in her surroundings quietly, before stepping off the bed - she's a bit off balance, but on the whole looks perfectly fine. she calls out, though, "Hey! Where the hell am I?"

After all, there's probably someone outside the door. This looks like a corp compound, rather than her hangar.

[Rebonack]

[Spire Conference Room]

As is often the case in official functions Allo has a tendency to key her behavior to the attitude of the highest ranking officer nearby. And right now that means stoic and no-nonsense. She accepts the medal with a curt nod and a simple statement, "It is an honor to serve, sir."

Nothing more needs to be said, really.

She signed up to help protect the people of her new home from any threat, whether internal or external. It's what she's done all her life and that isn't about to stop just because she got dumped head first into some kind of crazy mashup world.

There's a pretty good chance that she'll continue to stand in silence until she's dismissed. Unless someone does something inexplicable like throwing streamers into the air and shooting off party poppers, which would be pretty darn inexplicable.

[Backup Airfield]

As is often the case when giant robots (ostensibly created by unknown factions) show up in the Nexus for no readily apparent reason there's a security detail attached to the group of engineers and medics.

Why?

On the off chance that a bolt of lighting were to strike the giant robot, grant it sapience, and cause it to begin watching The Three Stooges on Netflix.

What?

This is the Nexus! You never know.

The armored personal aren't doing a great deal aside from being nearby and letting the noncoms do their jobs. Hopefully the security detail won't have to do anything aside from stand around. There's a tense moment the pod opens, but thankfully it disgorges an unconscious human woman instead of a slathering, violent monster.

Once the pilot of the machine is secured the majority of the detail are sent off to other tasks whilst the remaining two wait outside the door...


~~~~~

Allomyrina doesn't mind guard duty. It certainly isn't as exciting as patrol duty, but at the same time it isn't as potentially lethal as patrol duty. And she's often tapped for Emissary N'alae's security detail when that particular service is required. After a few missions together, both official and otherwise, the two have built up something of a rapport.

At the moment, though?

At the moment she's standing outside the recovered pilot's temporary housing and waiting for said pilot to wake up. Thankfully it doesn't take too long.

Allomyrina ques up her com, "Emissary N'alae, the pilot of the unknown combat mech is awake. We'll be along shortly."

That message sent, she gives a nod to the other guard. "Private Davis, if you will."

He replies by opening up the door.

The pilot's first sight aside from her room will be Specialist Allomyrina in her light armor. Thankfully without the helmet or re-breather attached. That would be unnecessarily intimidating. Allo looks unremarkably human. Almost forgettable, really.

"Your questions will be answered in due time. Please, follow me," Allo says. Her tone makes it clear that despite her polite demeanor this is by no means a request.

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

The pilot takes in this new person. the height and size difference is considerable, but the pilot looks ready to be able to kill her if need be. Thankfully, the need isn't currently being, and so she walks towards the door, "Uh huh. Vague answer. Where's my AC?"

[Rebonack]

[Backup Airfield]

Vague answers are the best answers.

When one spends several years in the black ops branch of the MoA one learns very quickly how to supply vague answers. It's kinda sorta required since the alternative is getting court-martialed.

Or, depending on the severity of the security break, one might simply disappear.

Allomyrina doesn't reply to the pilot's question, but instead leads her back outside where the engineers are inspecting the giant robot and Emissary N'alae is waiting. The two guards will escort the pilot to the Emissary and then take their position with the rest of the security detail.

Allo will be feeling out the emotions wafting off the pilot like a spider tugging on the strands of her web, hunting for any sign of hostility or danger. She has a job to do, after all.

[The Bushranger]

[Spire Conference Room]

"Thank you, sir. Just doing my job." Red salutes as he receives the medal; he actually seems properly respectful and formal for once.

...of course this dissapates as soon as Vyrn moves on to the next recipient, with that infuriatingly broad grin returning.

[Darkcomet]

[Backup Airfield]

"Ah, you're awake, sooner than I had expected," N'alae says as she spots the pilot and the guards coming. "Please, do not be afraid, we have no intention of harming you."

The pointed ears might or might not be a bit odd. There's more to that, too, though it's not evident thanks to the hat.

"I'm guessing from the dramatic drop-in that you happen to be a new arrival? There is quite a lot you will want to know about this place, and after that, I have an offer I want to make you, if you'll hear it."

[Lost_Deep]

[Shooting Range]

"Personally, I want to see if they come out with some shotgun-type energy weapon, just for the hell of it. Think I'd miss the kick, though." Pewpewpew. "Might as well use this skeletal structure of mine."

"Statement:I am aware of a few of those, but they're generally in use by underworld groups and either shoddily made or poorly maintained." HK comments as he finishes up his round. "Statement: If they have a military-grade weapon of that kind, I have yet to hear about it."

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

"How'd you disable Greenstriker? I didn't even see what happened - a flash, all the systems shut down, and I passed out. Never heard of a weapon like that, and I do a good job of staying informed. EMP based doesn't make sense, I'm protecting against such simple bull. Ion pulse mines of some sort? Some sort of artificial upload to my AC's systems?"

A disabling, an offer. This seems convenient. The pilot's cute, droopy, hazel eyes are currently locked in a scowl; she obviously hasn't grasped where she is, likely having just come from a warzone. She also clearly cares deeply about her mech, and the idea that they might have done something to it...

[Darkcomet]

[Backup Airfield]

N'alae just shakes her head. "Oh, no, no, you're mistaken. We did not do anything to your vehicle beyond jump-start it to get you out. We're monitoring it to make sure nothing unfortunate happens, as can happen with unfamiliar technology. It appeared over part of the city, fell down, and collapsed, unpowered. We're lucky it didn't crush more than just a parked car. We found it, had it moved, and got you out. You are...ah, what is that 20th-century human phrase I have occasionally heard...

Not in Kentucky anymore?" It's Kansas, N'alae.

"Or even on your own planet anymore, really. It happens. I got here via a spacecraft encountering a temporal anomaly, one of our pilots, the one that originally reported your vehicle's arrival, was swept up in an extradimensional hell storm. Whatever the rules of your world were, you can forget them, because many things you thought to be impossible are going to be common here. And what's worse is, nobody you know is here. I'd go on, but I don't know what all that means to you." The question there is implied, raised eyebrow and all.

[Shooting Range]

"Yeah, don't see those so much. There's some really exotic stuff, but we don't have much of that lying around too. Think one of the pilots has something like that, though. Dunno how it doesn't break her arms." Hill is, of course, referencing Major Xanatov's bolt pistol. "That thing fires rocket-propelled bolts that dig into the target and then explode."

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

The pilot looks at N'alae with that permanent scowl, and it might feel like she's trying to bore into the emissary's skull with her gaze, "You expect me to believe I, on a planet in the middle of the MSB, somehow stepped into a wormhole to the ass end of the galaxy? Are you high?"

Well then.

[Darkcomet]

[Backup Airfield]

N'alae just takes off her hat, revealing the V-shaped ridge on her forehead. "And I bleed green, though I'd rather not have to demonstrate that one. If you are still feeling skeptical, there is a shapeshifter present as well, but I'd rather not parade around my blood and her abilities just to make a show here. So please don't make us resort to demonstrations of how much different this place is compared to what you know. We'll be here all day."

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

The pilot shakes her head, "Right, so say I believe you. That still leaves the question - who are you, and where exactly am I?" She walks by, towards her mech, trying to shoo the engineers away from it so she can detach the jumper cables herself. Might as well get some work done while speaking. Ugh, no hangar? Who were these people?

[Lost_Deep]

Shooting Range

"Comment: Sounds delightful."

Presumably he would have prefaced that comment appropriately if it was sarcastic, so...

[Darkcomet]

[Backup Airfield]

N'alae follows her over there. "We're the Altaran Irregulars, one half of the military and law enforcement of this city. I am Emissary N'alae, in charge of diplomacy and, well, things like this. This is one of our facilities, a backup airfield we use if our aircraft cannot reach the carrier for whatever reason. Or, if you want me to be less specific, this is the city of Inside. Strange name, I know. But it is hardly the strangest thing around."

"So all that said, who might you be?"

[Shooting Range]

Hill seems remarkably unperturbed. "The ammo's kind of expensive. I think she only gets away with it because she doesn't actually use the thing. Because, you know, pilot." Pilots don't generally shoot people with pistols, bolt or otherwise.

[Lost_Deep]

Shooting Range

"Statement: Everyone needs to be armed, just in case." 585 states. "Statement: Don't want someone to be helpless if down behind enemy lines."

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

The Pilot begins walking around the mech, looking over various parts and important bits, including fiddling with the pair of antenna on the head, "Marley Godlark, Pilot of the Greenstriker, usually employed by the Kelsar government as a mercenary contractor, though I doubt I'll be renewing my contract with them if what you say is true." Apparently satisfied, she backs off, turning back to N'alae, "Gonna take some tuning to get this back to optimal. Don't suppose you have a hangar around here? What sort of threats do you commonly deal with?"

I'm not sure if N'alae knows the significance behind the name Godlark, but from the way Marley states it, the pilot herself doesn't.

[Darkcomet]

[Backup Airfield]

N'alae looks a bit taken aback for a moment, before her neutral expression returns. "...To answer your first question, yes, but they're mostly set up for aircraft. This vehicle is not huge enough that it should be too much of a problem, however, as long as you don't stand it up. As for the second question, answering that would take a rather long book. This place is a sort of reality blender that mixes up elements of worlds with incredibly different life and even laws of physics. Threats we might face range from cybernetic collectives bent on assimilating all sapient life to talking Earth felines that want to destroy all of reality. Plenty of jobs for a mercenary, but...you see, there is a problem." She puts on a frown. She didn't comment about the name, oddly enough.

"Most organizations here in the Nexus lack heavy vehicular support. Spacecraft are nearly nonexistent, and we in the Altaran Irregulars are the main military organization with heavy vehicle support. Even we focus heavily on aircraft. Our counterpart organization, called Remnant, lacks significant amounts of heavy vehicles completely. The mercenary organizations about lack such heavy support entirely, and most jobs for mercenaries are not likely to pay for your...Greenstriker's operation costs, as they tend to be more geared toward individuals. If you don't believe me, you are free to investigate on your own, but you will find that we are the only organization with enough resources and vehicle support to keep you working consistently. Our counterparts in Remnant and perhaps Evolution Industries might manage, but the former, as I mentioned before, probably won't manage, and the latter is not...usually...active in such a manner." She seems sympathetic enough, though how much is an act is unknown.

"So I suppose what I am saying is...do you want a job, Ms. Godlark?"

[Shooting Range]

"Yeah, just ain't likely, is what I meant," Hill clarifies. "That requires that somethin' get her down in the first place, and you don't get that rank so easy without having somethin' to you."

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

Marley stops and looks at N'alae, trying to get a read on her facial expression. The short, scrawny woman is trying to judge whether this is a setup or not. It does seem like she being honest though...

"Tell you what. you write up a contract - I'll work with you on a case by case basis and It gives me time to shop around and see if what you're telling me is true. Maybe get myself some clothes other than just a flight suit, too."

[Inigo Montoya]

[Spire Conference Room]

Okay, that's entirely enough waiting. I will assume everyone is here and post anyway, and anyone who missed this can post as if they were here.

Vyrn himself is present in the room, and once everyone arrives, he stands and speaks. Strangely, he is holding a long black case of some sort.

"I am sure all of you have noticed by now that you are all the participants of Operation Ascendant, and all that implies. I will let the Emissary explain."

"The structure the Borg were building at the base was a transwarp gateway that would have allowed a full-scale invasion. It was not large enough for use by full-scale Borg ships, but their smaller vessels would have been able to use it easily. We averted a massive invasion that I doubt anyone was prepared for. The amount of damage the Borg could do with even a fraction of the Nexus's potential assimilated is..." N'alae shakes her head. "Incomprehensible."

"Therefore, it is my honor to present you all with these," Vyrn says, as he opens the case. This reveals a number of medals, most gold and bearing the image of a spiral galaxy, one of those for each participant in Operation Ascendant. Then there are are four others, silver and with the image of a bird wreathed in flames flying upward. A phoenix, most likely.

"All of you have earned the Golden Realm for your service against an apocalypse level threat," Vyrn orders, and if everyone's cooperating, he will personally pin the medals on them. Then he gets to the other ones. "And for those injured in the line of this service, I present you with the Ascendant Phoenix." These ones go to Hill, Balthazar, and Blu first, before he reaches N'alae. "Of course, due to the secrecy of certain aspects of the operation, you know you cannot wear this publicly. But it is yours to have."

N'alae takes it regardless. "Of course." She sounds like the situation isn't new to her, oddly enough.

"...But for all else, wear these with pride, for you have earned them."

The observant, through it all, might notice that Vyrn himself appears to sport the Golden Realm on his ever-fancy uniform.

Balthazar stood up straight and proud as he was presented with his medals. Finally, something he had won through his own work, not just given to him. He salutes Vyrn.

"Thank-you sir. I will honor it." He then steps back. There really was wasn't much more he could say to that.

[Lost_Deep]

Shooting Range

"Statement: In this group, maybe. In other groups you can bribe or blackmail your way to the top. Reminiscence: That kind of group can be interesting to take down. Surprise, surprise, we took out your incompetent middle ranks. Now what are you going to do?" 585 goes over to switch to the next gun. "The brass are all so surprised when their rich, well-connected fellows are incompetent in their appointed position!"

[Darkcomet]

[Backup Airfield]

"That will do nicely. You'll be given temporary housing, along with a guide and escort. The former is not going to be that fancy, as we are talking about military bases here, but it is better than being thrown into the Nexus of all places with nothing at all," N'alae rightfully states. The best kind of manipulation to get someone to work for you is the kind that is actually true, after all. "The minutia can be worked out when we get the actual contract written up."

Which will probably be skipped over.

I don't speak lawyer.

[Shooting Range]

"Then somebody slips up and accidentally blows everyone up?" Hill jokes.

Pew pew.

[Lost_Deep]

Shooting Range

"Statement: I've never seen it happen. Usually what happens then is that the top people get killed and the peons disperse naturally. Clarification: No, not always as a red mist. Sometimes killing them all is just not worth the trouble."

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

Neither do I. We can basically assume they treat each other fairly. "Sounds good. Is it possible to be housed with my AC though? I prefer to be close to it, so I can tune and adjust as needed."

[Darkcomet]

[Backup Airfield]

"If you wish, we can keep it here and you can use the barracks you woke up in," N'alae suggests. "Would that suffice?"

[Shooting Range]

Well I'm at a loss at this point, really. Not so great at small talk.

[Arkhosia]

Front Door

Akmenos knocks on the door.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

Well, there are guards there, so Akmenos, whoever that is, will have to talk to them first.

"State your business," says one of the two guards, sounding pretty bored.

[Arkhosia]

[Spire Entrance]

Well, there are guards there, so Akmenos, whoever that is, will have to talk to them first.

"State your business," says one of the two guards, sounding pretty bored.

I have knowledge beneficial to solving the recent kidnapping at Trog's
The tiefling paladin replies

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"One second."

The guard activates his commlink after a bit of fiddling. "Spire Doorman seeking the Emissary, yes about the kidnapping, wait, what?" Then he looks back up at Akmenos. "...Uh, she says she'll be right out to meet you."

And indeed, if the paladin waits, out comes Emissary N'alae herself, in the same old uniform as always. With a pistol of some variety holstered.

"Tell me everything you know," she states. It isn't a request, going by the tone.

[Arkhosia]

[Spire Entrance]

"One second."

The guard activates his commlink after a bit of fiddling. "Spire Doorman seeking the Emissary, yes about the kidnapping, wait, what?" Then he looks back up at Akmenos. "...Uh, she says she'll be right out to meet you."

And indeed, if the paladin waits, out comes Emissary N'alae herself, in the same old uniform as always. With a pistol of some variety holstered.

"Tell me everything you know," she states. It isn't a request, going by the tone.

The girl's name is Makaria Edros, an 18 year old tiefling warlock. She's my sister, and no, I was unaware until now of her whereabouts in the Nexus.
Akmenos replies.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"Do you have any idea where she or her associate might be? Or any means of tracking her?" N'alae asks. "Trying to track someone down after a teleport is...difficult, to say the least."

[Arkhosia]

[Spire Entrance]

"Do you have any idea where she or her associate might be? Or any means of tracking her?" N'alae asks. "Trying to track someone down after a teleport is...difficult, to say the least."

Yes. I have a ring she made for me for my 18th birthday. It should still have an imprint of her.

Akmenos hands N'alae the ring. it's rather simple.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

N'alae holds the ring between her gloved fingers, "Metaphysical imprints? Not our specialty, but I'm sure I can find somebody. Unless you happen to be capable of helping with that part as well?"

[Arkhosia]

[Spire Entrance]

N'alae holds the ring between her gloved fingers, "Metaphysical imprints? Not our specialty, but I'm sure I can find somebody. Unless you happen to be capable of helping with that part as well?"

Fraid not, miss.
Akmenos replies.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

N'alae squints at the ring for a moment longer before her gaze turns back to Akmenos. "Do you believe she would respond if she believed you were in danger?" Uh.

"No, that is not a threat." Oh, okay. "But it is an idea, if you feel cooperative enough to try."

[Arkhosia]

[Spire Entrance]

N'alae squints at the ring for a moment longer before her gaze turns back to Akmenos. "Do you believe she would respond if she believed you were in danger?" Uh.

"No, that is not a threat." Oh, okay. "But it is an idea, if you feel cooperative enough to try."

No. We had a... falling out, so to speak. We're enemies now.
Akmenos replies.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"Then would she seek the opportunity to kill you if an apparent opportunity arose? Hate is as powerful a motivator as any." N'alae has way too many ideas involving this kind of trick.

It's probably kinda unsettling.

[Arkhosia]

[Spire Entrance]

"Then would she seek the opportunity to kill you if an apparent opportunity arose? Hate is as powerful a motivator as any." N'alae has way too many ideas involving this kind of trick.

It's probably kinda unsettling.

I don't know. She's tried in the past, but that was more out of desperation. I'm a paladin, you see.
Akmenos is slightly disturbed by that fact.

[Deathkeeper]

Conference room

In an extremely late response, Nick nods at the speech and salutes when appropriate. He's always been trained not to talk during ceremony.

[Rebonack]

[Emergency Line]

Boy has this thing been ringing off the hook today.

As one might imagine folks are concerned about the friggin' sun freezing in the apex of the sky and gradually going dark. Most calls have been asking if the Irregulars are aware of it (yes, they are), though a not at all inconsiderable minority are offering their opinion on what's causing the problem.

Everything from demon lords to gnomes stealing pieces of the sun.

There's even one crazy who insists that the sun is running out of power due to the abuse of daylight savings time.

In all, its a mess. And that makes it difficult to sift out useful information from the nonsense.

Later in the day reports of horrible icy mantis-like monsters begin popping up.

[Sable Spire Front Gates]

A fellow in a rather priestly looking cassock that looks to have been modified to function as a badass longcoat approaches! If this guy isn't a vampire hunter of some kind I'll eat my hat.

As he nears he'll offer a nod to the guards.

"My name is Siegfried Moritz, I'm an Inquisitor of Ixeon, Immortal of the sun. I was hoping I might be able to shed some light on the-" he waves toward the darkening heavenly body. "-present situation."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance 1]

"I see. I'll be sure to contact you again if I have need of you. If your aid proves helpful to the kidnappers' capture, we will put out a notice for you to come get your money," N'alae says, before turning and heading back into the building.

Funnily enough, the kidnapping part seems to have been resolved already.

Although that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to drop charges.

[Spire Entrance 2]

Later...

"Please be helpful and not another panicking civvie..." is one guard's first reaction. The other one sighs.

"Look, we've been getting 'help' from all sorts of panicky civilians, so try to keep it coherent and give us a reason to take you more seriously than the claims it's the Next Coming of the Blue Death Cat or something."

[Rebonack]

[Spire Entrance 2]

This time, it's personal!

Or something.

"This has happened before, though it was years ago. Before the old Acronymian Empire was ever founded," the Inquisitor replies simply. "The sun is being strangled by a being known as Llymic. The more powerful it becomes, the more light it dims. Eventually, even artificial sources of light will be snuffed out."

Which is really bad.

"I know it was beaten before and sealed somewhere inside this City, but neither I nor my order are aware of the precise location. Llymic will begin sending out infectious spawn. Blue crystalline creatures. I'm hoping that with sufficient surveillance it'll be possible to track them back to their source and put Llymic down for good."

And just to drive the point home!

"I have some pictures I took of that whole nightmare. If you need proof I can provide it."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance 2 Or Maybe Just Spire Entrance Since That Other One Is Finished]

"Then provide it. We can't chase after everything people keep spouting or we'll be running around like headless chickens," Guard Two says.

Guard One is quiet. Probably just silently thanking whatever deity he worships for this one not panicking.

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

"If you wish, we can keep it here and you can use the barracks you woke up in," N'alae suggests. "Would that suffice?"[Backup Airfield]

"It would, yes," Marley says, "Would someone mind showing me where I'll be staying then?"

[Rebonack]

[Spire Entrance]

Siegfried reaches into his coat and pulls out a manila envelope full of pictures detailing what happened when Llymic and Atropus laid waste to the Nexus some time in the past.

Suffice to say things look bad in said pictures. The unnatural darkness, the nasty crystal monsters, and plenty of undead shambling around just to add a bit of extra fun.

"The Nexus was hit by two world-ending demons at once. Praise the sun we've only dealing with one this time."

Those nasty world ending demons.

While the guards are looking at the pictures Siegfried's phone rings!

*beep!*

"Hello, Sunder. Any luck?"

A pause.

"Good. I'm speaking with some fine professionals at the Irregular's base at the moment. Do you have a location? Hopefully we'll be able to get some official help."

A pause. Then the phone warbles as a map location Inside is sent.

"Alright. Sit tight and don't do anything stupid. I should have an answer soon."

A pause.

"How could I forget? Stay safe, old friend."

*boop!*

Siegfried glances up at the two guards. "An associate of mine has narrowed down the search for us. She already destroyed one of Llymic's spawn. If they're out creeping around that means people are already dying. We need to get a lid on this as quickly as possible."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"Where? We can get people out there but we're not goddamned omniscient," Guard One interjects.

[Rebonack]

[Spire Entrance]

Siegfried makes a calm down motion with his hands. "I just wanted to make sure you believed me before dumping all the information on you. My friend made the sighting in one of the residential red zones, Lascastle Road."

He offers his phone with the map information to the guards.

Well then!

You know what that means?

That means it's time to murder some monsters!

Yay!

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

Presumably this can be concluded. A transport with a group of infantry aboard will be going along to investigate. Siegfried's even invited to come on the transport if he wants.

[Backup Airfield]

"Back where you got up, then. Simple enough," N'alae points out.

And that's probably it for that one.

[Halae]

[Backup Airfield]

"Right," Marley says, turning to leave, "Take care of that thing, it's important. And expensive."

[At A Later Time]

Marley will have been walking around the base (Though staying away from areas that are off-limits) wearing the clothes she was given as comfortably as possible. given her stature and frame, whatever shirt and pants were given to her are likely too large, so she's stuck wearing a shirt that's baggy on her and pants she had to belt up at the top to keep them from falling down constantly. Those around may notice that she twitches oddly now and then, or reaches up to her shoulders to rub them. Phantom pains.

Though, eventually she'll seek N'alae out again, "I'm bored. Is there anything you can get me to do?" Of course, she's too small for most hard work, and all her combat training is with the mech she come in inside. Likely why she wasn't put to work faster.

[Darkcomet]

[At A Much Later Time - Spire Conference Room]

Sometime after the Llymic-derived doom and death, Commander Altaran calls the Irregular command crew to the Conference Room, far off of any kind of schedule.

But they all show. Some probably wish they hadn't (the Major in particular looks rather ill, though she is sober, wonder why).

As for Vyrn himself, he seems positively pale.

"I apologize for the unannounced meeting, but we have a far bigger problem than schedule disruptions."

He pushes a few buttons on a remote in his hand, and the holoprojector in the center of the table projects an image taken from the Irregulars' satellite feeds. An image of war (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16800652&postcount=2). Engineer Cross jolts up in his seat as he sees it, already knowing who they are.

"There is an invasion in progress right now, and I know who they are. The invaders are the Chimera Syndicate, so named for its composition of many different 'business' organizations that together act as a single nation, and they will not stop at one city. They want it all, just as they wanted the whole of the Altaran Dominion. This is not a petty attack on a single city. They will take over all else, until we have no choice but to capitulate. If the Empire still stood, we would be in a much better position, but all of our forces are concentrated in this city. If we're going to stop them, we have to go on the attack. A file on Syndicate technology and tactics will be forwarded to all of you."

"Sir, with all due respect, how are you certain? A diplomatic solution may not be im-"

"He's certain because we lived it, Emissary. There is no negotiation, only trickery and deception," Cross emphatically states, interrupting N'alae.

"Why do I feel like I've heard this before?"

"Enough. I do not expect you to like the prospect of this war, but I will expect it to be fought. Major, step up flight training for the pilots, and resume work on the Hunter Project. Chief Engineer, make sure our networks are secure and run the sabotage drills again. Emissary, prepare Contingency Two-Three-Seven-Nine. I will begin contacting our...allies, such as they are. Any other objections?"

"Only to the de-tox I had to take to keep myself from showing up drunk, sir."

"It's time we settled the score."

"...Could be worse."

No outright objections arise.

"Good. Our overall plan is..."

[UncleWolf]

Entrance to The Spire

The guards might see a Remnant dressed in a bright white and purple dress uniform. Oddly, he still wears a half-helmet, making the top half of his face unsee-able behind his opaque faceplate. The man appears unarmed except for a small engineering hammer at his right hip and walks with the grace of a dancer, simply flowing through the crowds and street to get to the entrance where he looks at the guards. He lacks a name tag and any other sort of identification except for the patch representing Remnant, but once he's near the guards, he speaks up. "Hicks. Your boss is expecting me."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance->Lift]

"You're expected," one of the guards states...and the door immediately slides open.

Huh. It's N'alae. How odd.

"I'll take this from here. Follow me." She waves for Hicks to follow her. Probably to the conference room or something.

There's a lift ride involved. Assuming Hicks follows and all, N'alae sets it to go to the appropriate level without a word. But after it starts, she stops the lift.

Odd.

"What is Remnant's opinion of Commander Altaran and Watchtower Oracle DC's views on the Chimera Syndicate?" She abruptly asks, with no leadup to it whatsoever. She seems a bit...skeptical.

[UncleWolf]

Lift

Hicks gives the slightest of smiles at the question before answering. "Remnant's opinion is that anyone who arrives and sets Vyrn on edge so badly so quickly, is someone we all should be concerned about. He isn't exactly the easiest person to scare."

[Darkcomet]

[Lift]

N'alae frowns. "I don't disagree about the threat, but the circumstances are...unsettling. And given the background of it all, which I am sure you have extrapolated by now, he might not be the most rational of leaders in this particular conflict. That said, it's entirely likely that the Syndicate views our respective organizations as continuations of the Altaran Dominion, so they are as likely to have that issue as the Commander is. Which is, perhaps, the worst part. If neither side breaks, this war could drag on for a very long time, fueled by old grudges on both sides." She seems to have put some thought into this. "I'll try to make sure the Commander stays sane, but I'm sure Remnant will want to keep the possible issue in mind when making strategic decisions in this conflict."

[UncleWolf]

Lift

"That's already been taken into account." Hicks admits after a bit. "As loathe as we are to do it, we're ready to take command if Vyrn becomes...compromised. And I will tell him such. This is bigger than he is and if he oversteps things, there will be issues. So I suppose I have a question for you as well." He says before looking at her from behind his helm.

"Do we have your support if such happens? We will attempt to do such peacefully, and then non-lethally, but we can't afford to hold back for long."

[Darkcomet]

[Lift]

That question gets a tilt of the head and a raised eyebrow, followed by...another question. "Can I ask the same of you if Vasquez's grudge against him becomes a problem? The questions have the same answer," N'alae rather cryptically says.

There are way too many grudges flying around here.

[UncleWolf]

Lift

"Of course." Hicks answers instantly. "We already have safeguards in place and she knows it. What do you think the Praetorian Guard is?" He asks, still smiling slightly. "Your own organization needs such."

[Arkhosia]

Entrance

Valia Dusk stands here in her usual Riot Gear armor minus that gas mask helmet, Ebony on her back.

[Darkcomet]

[Lift->Conference Room]

"I'll be sure to make a note of that," N'alae replies, not really offering any opinion on it. She then reactivates the lift, which arrives at its destination floor shortly.

Assuming he continues following, they will reach the conference room in due time. Vyrn is inside, as are the rest of the Irregular command staff.

"Take your seat. I will be sharing the intelligence we have on the Syndicate's forces here," Vyrn says.

[Spire Entrance]

"You know, when we're at war, it's not the best idea to hang around military installations with armor and weaponry when you're an unidentified civilian," one of the guards states, hand on his pistol. The other one here is just as ready. "Care to tell us why you're here?"

[Arkhosia]

Entrance

Name's Valia Dusk. I'm looking to join the Irregulars.
She replies.

[Lost_Deep]

Phone Call

One of the more public phones begins ringing. If the Irregulars don't have an actual public access phone, it'll be one of the less-secret lines.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

One of the guards radios a superior. "Do we have anything on a 'Valia Dusk?' Description is..." ...followed by an actual description...then a pause. "...wait, what? She uses what? Okay, I'll be sure to relay that, over." Then he looks back at Valia.

"They said 'no on account of extreme risk of collateral damage, as proven by willingness to resort to nuclear weapons.'"

[Phone Call]

"Altaran Irregular diplomatic office, how may I help you?" The voice on the other side of the line is masking a significant bit of frustration, though he keeps it concealed well enough. No doubt they've gotten a lot of calls after the declaration of war.

[Arkhosia]

Spire Entrance

To be fair, that tarrasque would have come back and killed people all over again if I didn't use the mini-nuke, which has much less radiation and damage creation than an actual nuke, and we took precautions

[Lost_Deep]

Phone Call

The person on the other hand is a woman, and entirely too happy about the situation. "Hey! I want to talk to someone about signing up for that war! Can you forward me to the right person?"

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"Uh...huh. Also heard you were pretty cheery about it?" It is probably kinda creepy to have them just happen to know this. The explanation is that Emissary N'alae has access to a certain hologram's logs, but they're not sharing that.

"Think you can pass the psych eval?"

He sounds a bit doubtful. Good thing he's not a recruiter!

[Phone Call]

"You're looking for the recruitment office, although you sound a bit too happy about that. Bear in mind that all Altaran Irregular recruits are subject to psych evaluations."

Psych evaluations are the roadblock of choice, apparently.

[Arkhosia]

[Spire Entrance]

"Uh...huh. Also heard you were pretty cheery about it?" It is probably kinda creepy to have them just happen to know this. The explanation is that Emissary N'alae has access to a certain hologram's logs, but they're not sharing that.

"Think you can pass the psych eval?"

He sounds a bit doubtful. Good thing he's not a recruiter!

[Phone Call]

"You're looking for the recruitment office, although you sound a bit too happy about that. Bear in mind that all Altaran Irregular recruits are subject to psych evaluations."

Psych evaluations are the roadblock of choice, apparently.

Yes I do!
Valia replies, nodding profusely.
She would salute, but... Would that be correct in this situation? Do only soldiers salute each other? Valia is so confused!

[Lost_Deep]

Phone Call

"I'm not calling to sign up! I'm calling to... how do I put this? I'm in charge of a whole group that wants to help. Forward me to the person to talk to about THAT."

[UncleWolf]

Conference Room

"I prefer to stand, sir." Hicks admits with a slight nod as he takes a spot away from anywhere that foot-traffic will be impeded but also where he can watch everything.

[Darkcomet]

[Phone Call]

"...then yes, this is the right place. Would you like to schedule a meeting with the Emissary for more detailed negotiations?" Well.

That got their attention.

[Spire Entrance]

The other guard gives the one that has been talking thus far a glance. "...Right, not even going to question how we knew that? You'd think she'd be creeped out..."

The original talky guard seems to catch that, and gestures for the other one to shut up. Then he looks back to Valia. "...And you'll have to learn to deal with regulations and authority." More of these little issues.

((Will edit in conference room part later, kind of have a block on it right now...))

[Arkhosia]

[Phone Call]

"...then yes, this is the right place. Would you like to schedule a meeting with the Emissary for more detailed negotiations?" Well.

That got their attention.

[Spire Entrance]

The other guard gives the one that has been talking thus far a glance. "...Right, not even going to question how we knew that? You'd think she'd be creeped out..."

The original talky guard seems to catch that, and gestures for the other one to shut up. Then he looks back to Valia. "...And you'll have to learn to deal with regulations and authority." More of these little issues.

((Will edit in conference room part later, kind of have a block on it right now...))
Valia nods.
Understood.

[Lost_Deep]

Phone Call

"You know it. ASAP, please, I've got a lot of free time so it should be good whenever you can make it."

[Darkcomet]

((Upon consultation we decided detailing all those intelligence meetings probably isn't necessary. Besides, the interesting part's over.))

[Phone Call]

Presumably, SCHEDULING NONSENSE ensues. Procedure is, of course, boring, so I'll lay it out: They'll be asking who this person's representing, their capabilities, so on, and so forth. Nothing too in-depth, that's going to be N'alae's job later.

[Spire Entrance]

Well, that's about all that can be said for that.

Psych evaluations involve things like general questions aimed at gauging mental stability and suitability for being part of a military organization. The ability to follow orders, the ability to remain calm in a combat situation, and mostly, in this case, the ability to not be a trigger-happy maniac. They seem to skew towards questioning that a lot in this particular case for some reason.

Probably because they know her from a certain hologram's logs, and know she was far too enthusiastic about nuclear weapons. I don't actually play these detailed recruitment process things out, so feel free to talk to me about the specifics and if you think she'd actually pass it.

[Arkhosia]

Valia is trigger happy, but nowhere near maniac levels. She is mentally sound and in fact can remain quite calm. She can follow orders, but it's not her strong suit.

[Lost_Deep]

Phone Call

The group is "The Freakshow," a name that a bit of research will connect to a street gang in Paragon City. Kilt will list their capabilities as eager, crazy, unusually durable people with guns and some advanced melee capabilities. She'll also mention cybernetics and scavenging if pressured, but since apperantly this isn't the person she'll be arranging the details with she'll be casually tight-lipped about that.

[Darkcomet]

[Phonecall]

The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Spire's conference room, with Kilt instructed to bring two guards at most should she feel it necessary.

If she shows up, well, that's not for me to say.

[Psych Eval]

Unfortunately for Valia, the combined trigger-happy tendencies and the difficulty with orders means she probably won't be joining the Irregulars proper. However, an alternative is presented. A sort of long-term mercenary contract, the details of which are to be discussed in a more informal venue than the usual Irregular meeting.

Namely, it's supposed to be at Trog's Tavern, with someone named Doern Hill? That's not one of the major officials at all...

[Lost_Deep]

Freakshow Meeting

She shows up. Slightly early, even.

Who else could it be? Her left arm is a giant, crude prosthetic tipped with a buzzsaw, she's wearing a Kilt, a tank top, and half a leather jacket. She's wearing a laser pistol on her hip (non-EI tech) and the smile on her face too confident to be sane.

Especially when she's a criminal walking up to irregular HQ!

"Hello! I'm expected."

[Darkcomet]

[Freakshow Meeting]

The guards would seem a bit put off, but the helmets do a pretty good job of concealing that. They do a good job at concealing emotions, those helmets.

"Yeah, looks about right...someone'll be here shortly to escort you to the meeting room."

And true enough, they will be. Assuming speeding things along is all well and good, Kilt will be brought up to the conference room, where there aren't really that many people at the moment. It's just the ever-diplomatic Emissary, who looks up upon Kilt's arrival.

"...Is that Borg?" She, on the other hand, makes no secret of her reaction to that. Granted, N'alae here does have a particular interest in the topic. "Hm...no, not quite right. Have a seat."

[Lost_Deep]

Freakshow Meeting

"Nah, they're better because they don't fold like wet paper under bullets. Call me Kilt. So, you're who I have to talk to about teaming up?" she sits down heavily. Also, it might be noted that the tech is further off than "Not quite". (http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/File:EnforcerSwiper1.jpg) It is smoother than in that image, but still about that level of hodgepodgery. It's a backalley modification, a few steps up from "Kuldge."

[Darkcomet]

[Freakshow Meeting]

"Yes. I am Emissary N'alae, the resident top diplomat. I must say this is unusual. We don't often see street gangs signing up for war. I suppose you might be looking into the Commander's amnesty offer?" N'alae raises a questioning eyebrow. She knows it's probably nothing so nice as that...but no point in giving her suggestions.

[Lost_Deep]

Freakshow Meeting

'Kilt' shrugs. "Eh... I'll take it, but it's not exactly the reason. You see, my group is interested in tech, right? And I hear that the folks coming have some really nice tech, right? Well, I figure that if there's a chance of getting some really nice tech, my guys would be willing to cooperate, right? People are willing to do things they like to do and get stuff they want for it. You understand what I'm saying?"

[Darkcomet]

[Freakshow Meeting]

N'alae doesn't seem very surprised. Salvaging was mentioned before anyway. "You're saying you want salvage rights on Syndicate technology. Hardly the strangest request, given that most wars involve an amount of capture of enemy tech, quietly or otherwise. The question I must ask is what you intend to do afterward. Historically, supplying a proxy force in any way has been prone to backfiring as the proxy turns on the supplier...and given how your group operates, I don't think I need to say why we would be concerned about that."

Because, y'know. Gang.

[Lost_Deep]

Freakshow Meeting

"Oh, good, they brought out a smart one. Okay, first of all, someone is going to get that tech. Specifically, someone on my side of the law. Don't know how, it doesn't matter. Would it better be me and mine... or people with the resources to learn from the things? People who would be stupid enough to blow their own arms off, or people with paramilitary training?" She leans back. "Oh, but it's better to keep those things off the street, right? Well, tell you what, those would be a drop in the bucket, you know? Your streets are crawling with killers, madmen, ghosts, all kinds of crazy stuff. Those guns aren't going to make the alleys any more dangerous than they are now. You're worried about giving one group more power? It's not like we're big enough to endanger the city. We'll have less reason to knock over gun shops and research places. Sure, we'll be more dangerous if we DO get ticked off, but who's more likely to tick us off? The nice, law-abiding citizens... or certain parts of the city that you'd like to get hurt anyway?"

She sits up, suddenly much more serious. "And what if we do get uppity? We're in inside, in a part of the city that, you know, wouldn't be missed if it were damaged. It'd be simple enough to..." She stomps on the floor loudly, and then grinds the heel a bit. "I don't have any illusions about how big my group is." She then leans back. "That's not even counting all the perks you get from having us on the battlefield."

[Darkcomet]

[Freakshow Meeting]

"Hm. All things considered, I would be open to allowing limited salvage rights. For those very reasons you described, we may have to prohibit heavy anti-vehicular weapons, anti-air weaponry in particular...which should not harm your combat ability against the Syndicate much. We have that part covered." N'alae, naturally, doesn't want a street gang getting major anti-air power. "We'll be limiting any air support they have thoroughly, as they lack major airbases and we intend to keep it that way." If that doesn't hold true, then there are bigger problems anyway, considering the Syndicate is a global superpower on its homeworld. Can't beat those numbers.

"That seems more than sufficient for your intentions."

[Lost_Deep]

Freakshow Meeting

"Sounds good, sounds fair," Kilt nods in agreement. She seems happy with this. "But you bring up a good point. That is, how tough the syndicate are to fight. THAT is, I don't know how tough the syndicate are to fight. That is, are bullets going to be useless? Where I come from, sometimes bullets were just useless. It was embarrassing. And we have mostly bullets, you know, so if they aren't going to be all that good, I'd like to know ahead of time."

[Darkcomet]

[Freakshow Meeting]

"Currently, the Syndicate is unable to deploy heavy vehicle support, its main craft consisting of stealth shuttles and light ground vehicles carried in at their entry point. What they might steal or buy from others is unknown. Beyond that, we can expect technologically advanced infantry, perhaps even on the same level as ourselves and Remnant. They won't have significant supernatural support, with the exception of rare brainwashed pseudo-mutants termed 'Anomalies,' according to the Commander." The Emissary looks a bit contemplative for a moment. "Could be rather difficult for you until you loot enough of their gear, but I get the impression you're used to that sort of conflict."

[Lost_Deep]

Freakshow Meeting

Kilt nods a little. "Well... to a point. In paragon, we could nick some of the nicer guns from the paramilitary groups, but given the paramilitary groups in the area are you and yours... haven't really had a chance to, you know? And now I don't really want to shoot myself in the foot that way. I've thought of a way around this, and it's going to sound crazy but I want you to hear me out. I'm wondering if maybe you'd be willing to, just throwing this out here! You might consider loaning us a few nicer guns."

[Darkcomet]

[Freakshow Meeting]

That gets a pause and a frown out of N'alae, though she keeps her tone level. "Now that, I do not know if I can allow. While I can understand the apprehension of fighting a foe on the level of us or Remnant, the Commander disapproves of leaking any of our technology. Our main supplier also wouldn't appreciate us handing any significant technology of his design to anyone. However...if the Commander approves it, I may be able to sidestep the issue. Tell me, Miss Kilt, have you ever heard of K-Corp? Former supplier of Vyrn Altaran's Empire, facilities mysteriously exploded sometime before the Generals' coup?"

[Lost_Deep]

Freakshow Meeting

"I'm a bit newer than that, and I haven't had the time to go through the history books. I'm guessing that 'mysteriously' wasn't so mysterious, but please go on." she leans back, her smile returning. She seems honestly interested.

[Darkcomet]

[Freakshow Meeting]

N'alae waves a gloved hand dismissively. "Oh, no, we still have no idea why that happened. It was before I arrived as well, but I've made sure to keep up with this organization's original incarnation." Wouldn't be wise not to. "Anyway, they were the Empire's main supplier, prior to the aforementioned exploding and Evolution Industries taking over after the coup. We're still in possession of some of the equipment originating from them, though we do not often use it due to practical concerns. Impossibility of replacement, mostly. If the Commander approves, those might suit your request, neatly avoiding the issue of Evolution's secretiveness."

[Lost_Deep]

Freakshow Meeting

Kilt nods, pleased enough. "Hey, that sounds good. Let me tell you what? I'll sweeten the deal. Suppose there is someone in inside, on the wrong side of the law, that's giving you all some trouble. A biker gang, maybe. Suppose I were to get on my phone and say to my boys, 'You know what I hate? Those bikers. Stupid bikers, riding around at three AM with their custom leathers and their sawed-off shotguns. Let's teach them a lesson.' You understand what I'm saying?"

[Arkhosia]

Entrance

A girl who appears to be 17, with short, dark red hair cut in a moptop, bright hazel irises, and Caucasian skin tanned slightly from her many years of rigorous training outside, a very muscular form as a result of this as well, approaches. Clad in the Recruit Uniform; a brown jacket reaching down to her waist with a shield symbol on the forearms and back, a white shirt and leggings with a complex arrangement of harnesses on the thighs and chest attached to a belt, and linked to long brown boots as well, and 3D Maneuver Gear; two rectangular boxes with spare kenn blades and a kenn handle, a grappling hook on each one, and has tanks, with propellant on a device on the back, which connects to the harness, this woman is rather odd looking. One may notice her left lower leg is prosthetic if they are very, very observant.

[Darkcomet]

((Okay, Ark? While I appreciate the enthusiasm, this one's prooobably going to get rejected on the grounds of age, unless lying is involved. And I'm a little bored of procedurey posts right now, so I don't really feel like playing out the rejection again. Sorry, though.))

[Freakshow Meeting]

"And of course, I wouldn't know anything about that," N'alae says, nodding. She's certainly no stranger to that kind of deniability, for whatever reason. "Not that we would particularly miss anyone who took advantage of this conflict to run rampant."

[Lost_Deep]

Freakshow Meeting

"Yeah. I like you, you speak my language. Okay, list the where and and the when and what I should expect and I think that's everything."

That is to say, unless there is something specific more to be said I feel that the time has come again for HANDWAVING DETAILS! Hooray!

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Briefing Room - Operation Check]

A team is being gathered in the briefing room. Those who wish to be part of it are free to declare their characters as having been there, though I should note that this one is incompatible with giant robots, that's what the next one is for.

As I don't feel like waiting for 'here' posts...

Present at this briefing are few notable personalities, namely Emissary N'alae and Major Noelle Xanatov. Officer Hill is there as well, but he's hardly an authority figure. The Major begins the briefing.

"As some of you might've noticed, ever since the Commander issued his declaration of war against the invading Chimera Syndicate, it's been quiet. There's a lot going around about why. Accusations of cowardice, that sort of thing. The truth is, while we've gotten the major powers out of the way, the Irregular command staff does not believe that we will be able to engage in a major war against the Syndicate without a more definitive, clear cause. The Commander's unpopular in a lot of circles, and if we act as the aggressor, no one will stand for what will be seen as the creation of a new Empire, with the Syndicate as scapegoats. We know it, they know it, so they've been quiet, holing themselves up in the city they took over.

What we've gotta do is fix that, by showing everyone what they're really up to. Em?" Xanatov nods to N'alae, who clears her throat and begins.

"Yes. We've identified a town the Syndicate has interest in, the former Imperial holding of Crownsfall-previously a hotbed of dissent. No doubt they're looking for support there, or at the very least, customers. Intelligence says the town's mayor and a Syndicate representative will be meeting in the town's administrative center very soon, guarded mainly by the town militia, with a few Syndicate troops escorting the representative. However, we cannot be certain about what the Syndicate security is capable of, given their use of brainwashed 'Anomalies.' Therefore, we'll be taking an...unorthodox approach."

Noelle pulls up a holographic map of the town. It's fairly standard, aside from the partially-constructed walls around it that seem to have been wrecked in places. "Crownsfall's aerial defenses are limited, mostly because they're largely Imperial-constructed and they never took kindly to anything the Empire tried to make. That said, Syndicate stealth shuttles are most likely present. We'll be bringing an aerial attack force with an 'exploration' vehicle as detection support so they won't escape...which is easier since we managed to get some of their stealth specs off an anonymous helper. The ground team will be inserted here," she says, indicating the roof of the town administration building. Notably, it has two helipads already-one of which is occupied.

"However, instead of attempting a direct abduction, you are to reach the basement and cut all power to the building's teleportation defense grid, after which the Syndicate representative will suffer a mysterious disappearance. Once he is in custody, we'll interrogate him and discover any plans he knows of for the war...or failing that, make him direct us to someone who has the information we seek. The means of getting to the generator are up to you. You may choose to move down the wall of the building to enter it at ground level, or you could advance from the top floor."

"I'll be with you on the ground for this one. If your ride gets taken out, you'll need someone who can figure out their shuttles to bail you out. I'll also be there to try to play 'spot the brainwashed supersoldier.'"

"No, we do not intend to elaborate about the intended means of the representative's abduction. If you end up with the opportunity to eliminate the Syndicate security, you may take it, but engaging them is not recommended, as we cannot ensure that they are not more powerful than they appear."

[Sanctuary Briefing Room]

Should the two giant robot pilots roughly affiliated with the Irregulars choose to answer the call, a briefing is available for an assignment here. Not skipping the waiting phase on this one though, mostly because I'd like to sleep tonight.

[Halae]

[Sanctuary Briefing Room]

Marley will arrive here, as bid, dressed in a long-sleeve shirt and jeans. She quietly takes a seat and waits for the briefing to start.

[Lost_Deep]

Spire Briefing Room - Operation Check

HK-51-585 is here. He's quiet, but playing close attention.

[Deathkeeper]

Spire Briefing Room

Nick Richards is here, prepared to execute his new mission to the letter despite how his superiors seem to be making a habit of sending him into places in which his key skill is least effective.

[Darkcomet]

((Missions canceled until further noticed on account of sheer lack of interest.))

[Darkcomet]

[Irregulars General]

A number of personnel are being transferred for extra security at the mountain base reclaimed in Operation Ascendant, now named Fortress Haven, for classified reasons. Recommended that anyone looking for something to do be part of the transfer.

Fortress Haven now added to the OP.

[Lost_Deep]

Fortress Haven

HK-51-585 is among the group transferred here. He seems ultimately apathetic about the situation, not caring one way or the other.

[Deathkeeper]

Fortress Haven

Nick will have gotten transferred to. He prefers to stay in the sections of the base with the least resemblance to what they were during the Operation, and especially avoids the core room, if that's even something he'd be anywhere near. Otherwise, duties are followed routinely.

[Halae]

[Fortress Haven]

Marley will move over here too, docking Greenstriker for ease of use.

[Darkcomet]

[Fortress Haven Conference Room (Cutscene Post)]

Commander (Prince) Vyrn Altaran was not a happy man, pacing back and forth in the mostly-unpopulated room. While the other members of the command staff were mostly elsewhere, Major Noelle Xanatov was also present, sitting at the conference table uncomfortably. The IAV Sanctuary was nearby, and the two were present overseeing some further repairs to the base in anticipation of its importance to the war effort with the Chimera Syndicate. Engineer Cross, naturally, was directing them, leaving Altaran and Xanatov to discuss military strategy.

"I don't understand. We've got their representative, and he's talking plenty, but he's claiming the Syndicate has no major offensive plans at all! Maybe they simply didn't tell him? Perhap we must simply find someone else, someone must know..." Vyrn was clearly frustrated with the lack of progress in the conflict, clutching his forehead.

"Maybe he's right, sir?" Noelle asked, sounding slightly hesitant to question the commander when he was clearly already frustrated.

Vyrn stopped in his tracks. "...What?" He stared at the Major as if she'd just said the most idiotic thing he'd ever heard, as if she had taken all the most idiotic comments ever to come off the Wall and condensed them into four words.

Okay, maybe not that idiotic, but close.

"Look, I don't like these guys either, not if half of what you and Psy-Cogs say about them is true, but we've got, what, a city? Less? Vasquez might not be very active lately, but let's be honest with ourselves, she hates you, just like everyone on that 'council' hates each other, there's no real unity there," she pointed out. "These guys, they've got more, they've got an empire, a planet, even if we win here it won't cost them much, and we can't actually destroy them, not really. I know you've got all this history, but..."

"But?" Altaran's stare quickly hardened into a deep scowl.

Xanatov sighed, shaking her head. "...they don't care about you, sir." She paused, waiting for the Commander to say something, but he remained silent, his expression eerily unchanging. Attempting to break the uncomfortable silence, she went on. "Now, I'm not a politician or something, but obviously if they just wanted to take over they'd have done it already, right? Don't think like a politician or a commander, think like a greedy corpie with a giant army and a fixation on the bizarre."

"...I'm stepping up the timetable on the Imperial Laboratories reclamation. Dismissed, Major."

The Prince decided he would need to make a few calls.

[Darkcomet]

[Commander's Office, Spire]

They don't care about you, sir.

The Major's words echoed in the Prince's mind, and he found himself unable to tear himself away from the thought. She was not wrong: the Altaran Irregulars and Remnant together could not hold a candle to the Chimera Syndicate, or even the Empire they fractured from. They were too local. Too easy to simply ignore unless they made themselves too irksome. And they could not truly be so irksome without risking far more than many were willing to.

Remnant itself had little power-projection ability aside from its imperfect teleportation system. The Irregulars had their air force, but it was a pitiful imitation of the glory there once was, with Sanctuary far below capacity. This was not war.

This was annoyance.

In that moment, Vyrn Altaran decided that it was enough. It was time to end this game of pretensions, of pretending that they were not ultimately a successor state of the Empire, of being too cautious for fear of backlash. The Empire was not built on fear of retribution, but of action, blood, and a very nice supply of tech and materiel, and the Syndicate was just the bogeyman to justify something new. Not the Empire, perhaps, but something new. Not a Remnant or a group of Irregulars, beholden to a bickering, disintegrating Council, but a true successor to its legacy. The Dominion's legacy. His legacy.

He remembered a quote, from a text owned by the Altaran royal family, penned by an ancestor of his.

"From a weak nation did the Ascendant arise, and free the world from the corruption of the old gods. It is this legacy that we inherit, an example that we must all follow. In weakness and in strength, in power and in chains, we shall know no limits, for if such a mortal can attain divinity, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

And it is this legacy that we shall burn into history."

[Darkcomet]

[???]

A message goes out to a particular 'ally' of the Irregulars'.


Have you ever heard the tale of New Inside, Ms. Kilt?

The town was originally terrorized by a mad sorcerer, before the Empire from which Remnant and the Irregulars spawned drove in and repelled him, bringing the town unheard of prosperity. Thus why it got the name, as they were quite grateful, and eager to honor the Empire's capital.

They even made the Commander a statue.

But then the Empire vanished, for reasons still unknown. The sorcerer returned, and Remnant did not come back. The Irregulars formed, and we did not come back. The people of the town grew bitter, and seeking justice for their abandonment, turned to the Syndicate instead, who came and removed the sorcerer permanently. Now they're solidly aligned against us in this conflict.

I don't care how you do it, but I am declaring the town open for targeting by the Freakshow. They have a stockpile of former Imperial tech, of both K-Corp and early Evolution Industries make, and a degree of Syndicate support. It even has an embassy of theirs, evidently. Consider demolishing it your primary objective. Should the Syndicate intervene in force, then so will we, but we feel you may operate best on your own until then.

[Darkcomet]

((This thread will retain its previous purpose, and should it ever reach 50, will be renamed and edited. Or perhaps before then, if I feel like it.))

Mission Available: 'Operation Mad Quack'
Location: Spire Briefing Room.
Briefing Officers: High Commander Vyrn Altaran and Vice Commander N'alae t'Lhoell.

Seeking: One or both giant robots, any others who may wish to be involved. Personal radiation resistance and/or use of power armor or EvA-4 stealth armor recommended.

Interested players may report to the briefing room at their discretion.

[Deathkeeper]

Briefing Room

Nick arrives in his uniform. Not his armored one, because who wears armor around regularly? He salutes and such to the officers but otherwise remains quiet. He wonders if they ever got his report about how he can fly now. Eh, it's still not tactically viable just yet. He hasn't really learned to shoot very well while shifted.

[Halae]

[Briefing Room]

Marley arrives here as well, dressed in a pair of cargo pants, a tee shirt, and combat boots. She doesn't generally wear a uniform unless ordered to, and since she's technically just a mercenary with ties to the base, they'd need to pay her for that.

She's here, though. Any work is good work, when it comes down to it; she's been stuck just sittin in the hangar and tuning all this time.

[At The Gates]

There's a young man here, his eyes covered with cataracts, despite him making motions that suggest he's still able to see. He's currently wearing a black hoody and jeans; very simple attire. A trained combatant will also know that he is simply not a trained combatant, from the way he moves.

he's going to approach the guards, "Hey, can I set up an appointment or something? I've got something important to tell somebody that's relatively important here on the base."

Dammit, Johnathan hates standing near these sorts of people. All armored up and ready to kill people at the first sign of aggression. He wouldn't even be here if his mom hadn't told him to come out.

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room]

Assembled in the briefing room are a few personalities of note, beyond the Union's two main leaders. Major Xanatov is present, along with a number of other pilots. Union Army infantry are also present, including the Hunter Project's Sergeant Doern Hill. Rounding off the list are some of the new tank drivers.

Vyrn activates the holoprojector in the center of the table, projecting a map of one of Inside's Red Zones, the Radiation Pit.

"Unfortunately for us, in the wake of the formation of the Union, we have some internal problems to sort out. Due to the...decidedly ridiculous nature of this particular conflict, we had hoped to settle the matter without further violence, but the enemy has refused, clinging to a refusal to cooperate with us out of some misguided sense of...what was it?"

"Deranged villainy in the form of embracing a form of heroics-themed anarchy and generally thinking you're an illegitimate thug, sir."

"Yeees...moving on. This operation will take place in the Radiation Pit, and everyone involved will be using vehicles or armor sufficiently resistant to radiation. For safety's sake, everyone will be given anti-radiation tablets prior to the mission. The mission is simple: Major Xanatov's 1st Fighter Squadron, Ms. Godlark, and a ground tank and anti-air unit will begin enforcing a no-fly zone. An infantry unit and a group of fighter-gunships from the 2nd Fighter Squadron will accompany the ground forces to protect them from any attempted interference. While we're aware of enemy stealth units in the area, we'll also be deploying a pair of craft with advanced sensor systems for stealth detection duty. Spotted stealthed targets will automatically be marked on the Union military battlenet."

" Additionally, due to the risk of dealing with the superpowered maniacs, we will be overseeing the operation ourselves. While our forces can likely defeat the Doctor's conventionally, we do not currently have a counterpart group to them, so we'll be improvising."

"One major resistance is eliminated, we can move on to dealing with the base itself. Assuming he doesn't try to self-destruct it, that seems in keeping with what someone acting like a cliche villain would do..."

Operation Mad Quack Objectives
Overall: Reestablish overall Union control over the Radiation Pit.
-Group 1: 1st Fighter Squadron (EvAV-3B Accuser Interceptors), Tank Unit (EvCV-2 Omni-Tanks), AC Greenstriker: Shoot down any Diabolical forces that attempt to fly over the area, and repel any attempts at breaking the effective siege. Includes Major Xanatov, Marley Godlark.
-Group 2: Oculus Team (EvEXV-1s): Detect any cloaked targets and mark them for other forces.
-Group 3: Ground Troops, Air Support (2nd Fighter Squadron, EvAV-3 Imperator Fighter-Gunships): Eliminate any Diabolical ground forces that attempt to target the other groups. Includes Sergeant Hill, Sergeant Richards. Imperator Gunship support will remain in reserve until airstrikes are called in, by either Group 1's tank unit or Group 3's ground troops.
-Group 4: Hunter Killer Team: Eliminate any superpowered henchmen that appear. Includes High Commander Vyrn Altaran and Vice Commander N'alae t'Lhoell. Due to the involvement of the Commanders, Ironwatch Unit deployment is highly likely should either call for assistance.

[At the Gates]

"It's possible to arrange a meeting. Possibly with the Vice Commander, even, but it depends on what it's about. I get that nobody wants to talk about these things in detail to some insignificant faceless door guard, but she's not going to start chatting about the weather unless it's about some invisible hurricane bearing down on us, if you get my meaning." The door guard here has a sense of humor, evidently.

[Deathkeeper]

Briefing Room

Nick nods. He's not happy about dealing with this sort of crap, but he is satisfied that he's doing what makes sense, and not dealing with supers. He doesn't consider himself one, because he hasn't the slightest clue on how to use his "power" as efficiently as a military force would require. Keep it for emergencies, then.
Hrm. He's working support.
"Do we know how well armed the enemy's forces are in general, sir?"
For times like this, N'alae's "gift" might be better; its extended capacity is well-suited to putting out sustained fire. On the other hand, if they pull out a tank, well, there's a gun for that, too. He probably can't carry both though, not without asking for his armor to be specially modified to hold two heavy rifles.
That would be so nice, though.

[Halae]

[Briefing Room]

Marley nods, studying the field of engagement for this operation. She prefers to tune Greenstriker for exactly the sort of terrain that she'll be going to; you have to fight on sand a lot differently from floating above water or standing on solid rock.

[At The Gate]

"You know, typical doom and gloom stuff. I get visions of the future, and I've been this one of Harnel actually; he apparently takes over the Nexus after one series of events, and it's pretty bloody. i was gonna share what I know about that with the top brass for preventative measure." John says, looking bored.

[Darkcomet]

[Briefing Room]

Briefing being done with no real questions raised, I'll post in Inside at...some point, once I drum up the will to put the effort in for a big war scene.

[At the Gate]

"Uh...right. I don't get why people don't just use the public contact addresses, but I guess not everyone can figure out computers. The door guard pulls up a blue holographic display, emitted from his armor's wrist. It appears to have some manner of detecting input, considering it's registering his other hand pushing 'buttons' on it. "Let's see. Name and preferred times? I'll slot you in under 'prophets of doom.'"

That they have a category for that says a lot.

[Darkcomet]

Operation Mad Quack canceled. Pretend that briefing never happened until I say otherwise.

[blackouttwo]

[At the Gate]

A battered old green sedan from the 90s rolled up to the HQ's front gate, a relatively young-looking man - mid-twenties, easy - in a white office dress shirt that was a size too big for him and a set of khakis one would expect to see on some high-school graduate office intern going in for their first day at the new job, in its drivers seat. The man was bespectacled (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mivDuR-qxXU/TOm6DCGWWmI/AAAAAAAAAQE/RNVIaVRJ4Os/s1600/bateman+american+psycho+glasses.png). Everything about the guy screamed 'nerd with the emotional maturity of a twelve-year-old.'

His car's rear bumper had a spot of leftover glue from some bumper sticker or other that had been removed in ages past. Fast-food bags filled the back seat, and the car was cluttered with things that seemed like they'd been left in there for months at a time, long forgotten. A neck pillow sat behind the guy's neck as he eased off the gas pedal upon rolling up.

He rolled down the driver's seat window, and waved the nearest guard over.

[Darkcomet]

[Gate-2]

The door guard walked right over and leaned down.

"We're not looking for interns, and I don't know how you're getting around in that on the Skyway anyhow. You'd best move along," The be-helmeted power-armored guard coldly said, evidently not really taking this very seriously.

[blackouttwo]

[Gate-2]

The man simply reached into his shirt pocket, pulled out a simple, black wallet (possibly leather?), and flipped it open, totally disregarding the guard's commentary on his outfit, or his car. Inside was a simple silver badge, with the symbol of the Union, in a shield shape with etching reminiscent of crossed swords across the 'shield.' Not a word was uttered.

The guy had the biggest ****-eating grin on his face as he flashed the badge.

[Darkcomet]

[Gate-2]

"...Right. Head on in, sir." The guard was clearly not amused as he tapped a wrist console, the gates opening for the vehicle.

[ThePhantom]

(revived with permission)

The Spire-Entrance

A small group of people, made of humans and kobolds, approaches the entrance to the Spire. One of them is holding a white flag with a blue boarder. In the center of the flag is a stylized stormcloud with a blue claw superposed on it. The group stops a short distance from the entrance.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

The guards narrow their eyes at this little entourage, not that this can be seen under the helmets. "State your business or move along, please."

[ThePhantom]

[Spire Entrance]

A human, not much taller than the kobolds steps forward when the guards speak.

"This is the place where the emperor of Inside resides? We are a delegation from the Stormy Isles, hoping to open diplomatic relationships with this mighty city. Might we gain an audience?"

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"Yes, yes, High Commander Altaran is here, but don't expect him to talk to just anybody. What're these 'Stormy Isles' and what do you have to offer the UDN?" The guard boredly asks. Another narrows his eyes (not that this can be seen) at the flag.

That wasn't suspicious at all.

[ThePhantom]

[Spire Entrance]

"The Stormy Isles are a kingdom of islands located some distance west of your shores. As you are our nearest neighbors, our king thought it would be wise to be on good terms with you. As for what we offer, I'm not sure a guard is the person that I should explain in detail about that. But in brief, trade."

The speaker for the group looks carefully at the guard, hoping that he wouldn't be stuck talking to someone with such little weight in decisions. But if his mission is turned away so soon, he will be in such trouble for failing so badly.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"What we hear is recorded and sent up, so if it's deemed relevant enough, they will know everything you said here," the guard says with a shrug, "But the High Commander's a proud guy, and unless you give a very good reason or your king himself shows up, you probably won't get a meeting with him. The VC and her diplomats usually cover these things, and I'm sure you can arrange something with them."

The other guard elects to pipe up. "Unless you happen to have something that catches the Commanders' eyes, that can draw them out."

[ThePhantom]

The man smiles at that comment. Now there's something he can work with.

"His majesty is currently busy with his duties, but speaking to the Vice Commander would be just fine. A ruler is a man with many tasks, so carefully choosing what tasks are worthy of their attention is normal. So, may we see the VC?"

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"There are official channels for this sort of thing, you know...not that anyone ever uses them, tech variance being what it is. But we have a form for this sort of thing." The guard pulls out a holoprojector from somewhere and holds it up as it activates, displaying...well, a form for requesting a meeting with the Union diplomatic corps. It's pretty standard fare...except one thing might be of concern.

Namely, this is one for unfamiliar organizations, and it requests some general information on them, including, well, that on the organization's (or nation's in this case) leadership.

That may be an issue.

[ThePhantom]

[Spire Entrance]

Well, its not like that sort of thing could be hidden very long in a diplomatic relationship. Anyways past history should show that when Gordon is dealt with diplomatically things were much more peaceful. But there are some steps to be taken care of first.

"I see. I'm afraid we had no knowledge of such channels existing. So, do we fill out this form, or is there a form in paper to fill out instead?"

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"Man, I wish we had that solid-hologram tech. Guessing you're the one who gets to talk, so you can go in, and you'll be brought to a waiting room with the forms in electronic and paper format, so as to better deal with subjects from across levels of technological development..." The guard sounds bored and dismissive of the whole thing. "The rest of you will have to wait."

Should he accept the offer and such he'll be allowed in and led around as described by the guard, and left to fill out a form. I'll stop at that point though since he might refuse and there may be other information of interest supplied that should probably be noted.

[ThePhantom]

[Spire Entrance]

The man turns to his group for a brief discussion, and then turns back to the guards.

"Ah that would be fine. They will remain close to this place while I go to fill out these forms."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance -> Nameless Diplomat's Spire Office]

The aforementioned leading inside to go fill out forms happens. I should hope this part can be skipped over barring any further odd details that need to be mentioned, aside from the obvious one.

Said obvious one is likely to draw attention anyway, so...

The nameless diplomat who gave the guy the form will look at the filled-out paper, look at the envoy, and then down at his computer. It can't be seen, obviously, but he types a message to the effect of 'priority one, past terrorist trying to talk to us alert' to relay the information to the Vice Commander. "For your sake, I hope she's in a good mood. She'll probably get the message and call you up shortly, with that bomb dropped..." The distrust there is obvious.

[ThePhantom]

Nameless Diplomat's Spire Office

"Oh? I wasn't aware that there was an issue. Was there some part of the form filled out incorrectly?"

The envoy shows a calm face to the diplomat, trust in a peaceful process written all over his face.

[Darkcomet]

[Nameless Diplomat's Spire Office]

"No, the form is fine. Ah...one moment." The diplomat pulls out a small badge marked 'priority guest' and offers it to the envoy. "Here, put this on. Or just hold it."

[ThePhantom]

[Nameless Diplomat's Spire Office]

The envoy smiles and puts the badge onto his coat.

"Thank you."

[Darkcomet]

[Nameless Diplomat's Spire Office -> Union Intelligence Guest Room]

"You're welcome."

This is the part where the envoy may suddenly be teleported elsewhere straight through the usual teleportation defenses the Union has in its bases, probably via some sort of bypass code. As this becomes apparent, he'll see that the area he's now in is a stark grey chamber with a window into another room visible above, built into a wall. There does not seem to be a physical way out of there. If he looks closely enough he might be able to make out that someone's in there.

"Welcome to the Union Intelligence High-Risk Guest Room. I apologize for this, but the High Commander has made his position on terrorists like your claimed king very clear. I appreciate the attempt at diplomacy, but we are not especially fond of the blind forgiveness many seem to expect, nor have we forgotten who Mr. Gordon is," announces a woman's voice, projected through speakers in the walls. "A former AMENite leader with multiple attacks on Inside to his name, his agenda delayed by Remnant appeasement and ultimately stopped by a Watchtower agent's coup. Given Mr. Gordon's actions against Commander Altaran's last administration, I believe anyone can understand why we would be skeptical of your supposed intentions. You will be released following the end of this conversation, whatever path it takes, within reason. Now...tell me, please.

What can you offer that would give us a reason to trust you?"

[ThePhantom]

Union Intelligence Guest Room

The envoy sighs. Why couldn't people just let him do his job normally?

"One reason, if my king had desired to continue in his aggression upon the city, he would have waited until he could have sent an army, with no forewarning. Therefore, by sending me and my group, he is showing his desire for peaceful interactions. He is offering his trust that your government will be willing to not wipe us out for his past actions."

He thinks for a moment.

"Another thing that I can offer that since the kingdom is only about a year old, the relationships with the other places of the Nexus are still unsettled. His majesty believes that with a good relationship with you would help reduce the amount of possible troublemakers in both our dominions."

[Darkcomet]

((Sorry, I had to think of something less boring than just saying 'no,' and had some distractions in general. Catching up now.))

[Union Intelligence Guest Room]

"Hmm...ah, there is an idea. Before I continue, confirm or deny that Mr. Gordon still has agents within the Association. Speak honestly, because it will not end well if we discover we were lied to." N'alae's not bothering with much of the usual restraint here, it seems. She's normally more restrained, but that's probably related to the whole terrorist leader thing. Plus the part where they can't really threaten them too much currently, as far as she knows.

[ThePhantom]

(Thank you for being willing to do this.)

[Union Intelligence Guest Room]

"As far as my knowledge, unless some of the rank and file were more loyal than they appears, no, his majesty does not. Through, please understand, his majesty and his ministers do not share all their knowledge with me. It is possible that he does, and I know not. I am sorry that I cannot fully answer your question, but that is what I have to answer it."

This is going, well, uncertainty. They are not rejecting his efforts, but his briefing didn't cover that much of Gordon and company's past. Some details yes, but nowhere near everything.

[Darkcomet]

((Yeah, that's the big thing-I wanted to come up with something severe enough that it would make sense, without just flat out saying 'no' because that would be the boring option, and then why would there be a scene at all? That's no fun. But it will be severe enough to make it make sense, not gonna lie there.))

[Union Intelligence Guest Room]

"Well, since you don't know...I want an official statement on the matter and following that, I will have a proposal that Commander Altaran should find satisfactory, one way or the other. You can tell your liege what I said about any attempted deceit yourself. Beyond that, this is where I let you go...after a few other questions," N'alae begins. At least no one's going to die here. "If you're cooperative enough, it'll be put on record. Should you be unable to answer these questions yourself, I request that the answers be given along with the statement on any remaining agents." She says 'request,' but it probably won't amuse Vyrn very much if they go unanswered. Still, she at least intends to get as much intelligence out of this whole thing as possible.

"One, does your king have any knowledge of the Association's weaknesses that would still be applicable? In particular, that...entity vulnerable to technomagical electromagnetic weaponry comes to mind. While it's not as daunting to deal with as it once was, it would be nice to know any further weaknesses that do not rely on a certain friend of ours slinging superweapon-level firepower around." That guy stumbles into way too many instruments of catastrophic demolition. His life is one gigantic explosion after another, each more dangerous to himself than the last.

"Two, records mention some kind of lava-based magical superweapon formerly in the Association's possession. He wouldn't happen to have replaced it, would he?" The law never forgets, especially when it has a hand in breaking it.

"Three, what's his story after being deposed? I'm sure you know what the popular impression was on the matter."

[ThePhantom]

[Union Intelligence Guest Room]

"Alright then. I'll answer as well as I am able."

The envoy nods, seems reasonable enough.

"His majesty might, but it was about two years since he was a member of that group. His information may be out of date. Through, I did hear that as it stands, he can't act against its strongest member. Something about a bargain in order to keep the world from being destroyed. That is as much information that I have about that at this current time.

A lava based weapon...Ah, I think I remember hearing about that before I moved to the isles."

The envoy thinks, trying to recall the information.

"There is a volcano among the islands, but its much more active than the volcano of AMEN. So, no, it has not been replaced, and I don't think that unless that volcano calms down that a another one could be built.

As for what he did after his deposition from AMEN? Well, he spent about three months recovering from the poisons. Then he went into hiding, wanting to do some thinking about what to do with his life, and not wanting to get pulled back into AMEN because he would be useful to them. At least one of the place were he was hiding was a houseboat, which I meet him. During this time period he was able to locate the isles and sailed out to them. After a brief exploration of them, he decided that he would pursue his dream of kingship in a place that would be less likely to result in a war. So, after some preparation, he and his followers went throughout the Nexus looking for people who wanted a change in their lives, but with more security than offered in cities such as Skyside. Not many people came from this city, its much more stable in its opportunities. After things were settled to a safe level, Gordon declared himself king and the area to be the Kingdom of the Stormy Isles."

The envoy pauses for breath after this.

"I do have to ask; after this, do we have permission to establish an embassy within the bounds of the city? It was the chief part of my instructions that such a thing should be done."

[Darkcomet]

[Union Intelligence Guest Room]

"...Wait, wait, before I answer anything else. A bargain to keep the world from being destroyed?" The Vice Commander's priorities shift entirely with that little nugget of information. "Are you sure you've heard nothing else about that? Nothing at all?" N'alae's businesslike, calm tone actually breaks into concern rather than suspicion, though it's fairly constrained. That certainly got her attention.

[ThePhantom]

[Union Intelligence Guest Room]

"Um, let me try to remember."

The envoy paces a bit, trying to recall some details of the story.

"Um, let's see. There was some one who was trying to destroy the world, his majesty found about it, and needed help to stop it. I think that was how it went, it was only told to me once. He didn't give very much details."

[Darkcomet]

[Union Intelligence Guest Room]

It's not visible from down there, but up where she is, N'alae is visibly unhappy, a deep scowl on her face. Matters apocalyptic seem to get to her like that. "I see. Well, to answer your question about the embassy, immediately, no, but that's only because we will need further information first. I want you to come back here after getting as much information about any remaining agents in AMEN, any weaknesses of the organization's to exploit, and this...bargain you don't seem to know much about, after which I will have a proposal that, if agreed to, will allow you the embassy you seek. It's a fairly simple process, and I'll spare you the guest room next time. Considering the history here, I think that is more than fair."

[ThePhantom]

[Union Intelligence Guest Room]

"I see then. That should be fine, so that I take it that this is all for today?"

Overall, not too bad for a first meeting. Could have been better but it works for not getting in trouble for failure.

[Darkcomet]

[Union Intelligence Guest Room->Spire Entrance]

"Yes, for today. Thank you for your cooperation, and my apologies for the inconvenience once again. I expect to see you again soon," N'alae waves from the window at the vantage point, and in much the same way as he got there in the first place, the envoy will get transported again, except this time back to the entrance of the spire, where all his friends are probably waiting.

The guards are startled for a moment, raising their rifles, but quickly lower them and sigh in unison.

"I really hate it when she does that."

[ThePhantom]

Spire Entrance

The rest of the group was waiting here, yes. The envoy looks at the guards for a moment.

"Yes, I can see that becoming tiresome. Well, gentlemen, we have some work to do before we can set up."

The group heads out, they need a place to temporary set up to get more information.

[Darkcomet]

((in which I shove a completely unrelated cutscene in so Phantom doesn't have to double post for whenever he decides to do the continuation. Also, because I was bored.))

Where the two highest leaders, plus one, sit at a table, staring at footage forwarded to them from Evolution Industries, originally recorded and transmitted from a particular helmet camera, until its destruction.

High Commander Vyrn Altaran is present, despite having made few appearances for some time. "And to think, it was the one time he didn't go in shooting. What do you make of his objectives? We're sure to be bombarded with questions about this eventually, considering his ties to us." He also uses regular font now because his player got tired of setting it.

"Well, bluntly, the man was right, and the Major will tell you the same thing, albeit less emphatically. No one that trusting should be allowed near anything that destructive. You know why I'm here, Commander, and because of that, you know exactly how I feel about that kind of risk." His second-in-command has an undercurrent of anger to her voice, for once, betraying some level of personal investment in the topic.

"Yes, I can see how this would be very personal for you. Should we try to arrange for his revival?"

"Permission to speak candidly?"

"Granted."

"If you actually believe he's gone, I have a planet to sell you. Look at everything he set up. A business, his agenda with it completely undisguised? His focus on big pictures like this? The technology he specifically ensured no one could reproduce outside of EI's programmed systems? We could pry the information about assembly piece by piece from their facilities eventually, but it still wouldn't explain the principles behind them, and even then, we'd have to do this repeatedly for each and every variation. Could I do it via Project Infringement, probably, but I doubt I could do it quietly."

"The point?"

"He is a belligerent, angry man with an undisguised agenda, but he isn't an idiot. He knew that was a risk in his line of work, and he would have taken steps to deal with it, especially with the report we got from his doctor in mind."

"I don't see any way he could have. He certainly didn't have access to the standard methods, as we never got any biotech from EI. They do brilliant things, but that's entirely outside of their expertise, and his, by extension. Anything that would let him do that would at the very least require something of that nature, like Magtok's cloning."

N'alae is quiet for a moment before replying, as if put off by something. "But there's an important difference between him and other cases, and that is what is what else he is. There have been cases where minds have been transferred between bodies in some sense, even in far less...colorful areas of reality. Especially when psychics are involved."

The other individual present chooses this moment to speak up. "And that's why she brought me here, sir. She's absolutely right, there's definitely been things where psykers have transferred minds, although they usually didn't actually intend to. Mine, anyway, I don't know if yours do, but with how much he threw around, he probably could. There's been way weirder here." Major Noelle Xanatov isn't on the same level as these two, nor does she especially want to be, but N'alae asked for support, and so she gave it.

"Ah. I understand your line of thought, but I've never heard any reports of Anomalies managing to do that. Not for certain. We did have our share of ghost stories, but there was never anything still capable of influencing the world postmortem at all, much less potentially claim a new host to act through. Though he is stronger than most, and an Anomaly of his exact type would have the biggest chance..."

"You're also discounting the possibility that he might have help."

"With how much he shouted at everybody?"

"Major, for all his ranting, he was a significant, influential figure with plenty of stories of heroism to his name, not to mention money. Those things speak far more eloquently than he did, and that's essentially the same reason so many still tolerate certain other businessmen with exotic technology, and he had less crime flying around to tatter his name."

"So...kind of like how some people see you two?"

"..."

"...well, yes, and EI alone could likely arrange for his return if they so chose. That they wouldn't is highly suspicious in and of itself."

"Right, moving on, then. Even if you're right, he isn't telling us, so we shouldn't count on his support. At least not until EI 'mysteriously' comes out with a new design they weren't working on already, at which point I will personally admit that the two of you were right. What do you propose we do about this?"

Vyrn's question elicits a chuckle from the Major. "Listen, boss, this is easy. The guy can't keep himself from acting on his issues. If you want to hunt him down, you follow his problems. VIGIL, those cyborg clones, the Syndicate's 'anomaly' goons, anything related to that cat..."

N'alae blinks. "That's...about what I would have recommended, actually."

"I have been around you too much!"

"Try to be professional, Major. " He sighs. "But I see your point. Vice Commander, make sure Intelligence keeps an eye on anything he'd jump at, and accelerate Project Infringement."

"I informed (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=19034690&postcount=993)the doctor of the urgency as soon as I found out. But I think you'd prefer if I discussed the details of that without the Major?"

"I see no reason she needs to know. Major Xanatov, you are dismissed."

Noelle stands and moves to leave, muttering to herself, and leaving those two to talk about their secrets. "You're welcome, sir."

[ThePhantom]

(Speaking of continuation)

Heading towards the gates of the Spire, is the group from the Stormy Isles. Once again, they walk with their flag, hoping for a swift audience with whoever decides to meet with them. Upon approaching, the group halts and hails the guards.

"Hello gentlemen, we have returned with the requested objects. May we enter?"

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance]

"We were briefed on that topic, yes. There's been a slight change of plans, but you'll get your meeting. First, though, you still have that transmitter badge you got before, right?" The guard asks.

[ThePhantom]

[Spire Entrance]

"I do still have it."

The envoy takes the badge from a pocket in his coat and pins it in place. He then tries to take a leather case from one of the other members of his group before he's teleported away.

"Whenever your people are ready."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Entrance->Spire Conference Room]

Fortunately, they seem patient enough for him to get the case before transporting him this time.

This time the envoy will find himself in a conference room, at the far end of a table. However, this time, something is very different. The Vice Commander is present, but is not seated at the exact far end as one might expect, only right next to it. That seat is occupied by someone else.

A very important someone else, that might explain why the guard mentioned a change of plans.

"Have a seat," says UDN High Commander Vyrn Altaran. "Did you bring the requested information?"

[ThePhantom]

Spire Conference Room

Well, looks like he now gets to meet the ruler of the city. This is a good sign, well don't mess this up, or his majesty will be most displeased. The envoy goes and sits down, placing the case next to him.

"I do, your majesty. Which piece of that information do you desire first?"

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Conference Room]

"Any risk of apocalypse obviously takes the highest priority," Vyrn says, with a glance to his second-in-command. "Anything else about the Association is rather insignificant by comparison. They've always been an issue by virtue of being impossible to fully put down without disproportionate losses, not for being a major threat on the offensive. Apocalyptic-level threats from them are new, and take priority."

[ThePhantom]

[Spire Conference Room]

The envoy looks down at his notes and then focuses on Vyrn.

"From what my king said, your Majesty, ending the world seems out of their reach, currently. Regardless of the current state, the story: Gordon noticed there was a disturbance in the energies of AMEN. He went to find the source, and found his way blocked by powerful sorcery, sorcery building in power and nastiness. The entity of the walls appeared, and predicted that if left unchecked, it could result in the end of the world. Gordon, seeing as breaking through and stopping whatever ritual going on was beyond his abilities, asked for help getting through. The entity agreed to such a favor and opened a portal. It didn't quite lead to where the ritual was going on, it instead lead to a place in the past, back when the member casting the ritual was not desiring the end of all. Gordon fought off the troops that in the first timeline lead to the member joining AMEN. Therefore, the member didn't join AMEN and the ritual never happened. So, while there was a threat to the world, it has been retgoned.

So, that is the events that I talked about in more detail. I'm sorry that it wasn't as quite as urgent as it might have appeared."

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Conference Room]

Commander t'Lhoell immediately pales when the time travel is revealed, and when she speaks, her usual cold, professional tone is replaced by one of surprise and disbelief. "Wait, if it's capable of doing that, why are we still here despite opposing the Association, and it by extension? If they have access to time travel, there is no reason they would not wipe their enemies from the timeline and make their dreams of conquest far more attainable."

"I was under the impression time travel was normally extremely unreliable, especially here, with all the unusual spacetime properties," Vyrn suggests, disturbed but calmer. "But it would be good to know for sure anyway."

[ThePhantom]

[Spire Conference Room]

"Well, it might have the unique location. His majesty said that the wall of reality are extremely thin at the AMEN base. It may be limited to events closely connect to the base, and it might only be able to remember it can do some things if asked. It is, according to him, very unstable mentally."

The envoy is trying to be helpful, but Gordon didn't write down all the research he did on the TITW.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Conference Room]

"How fortunate." N'alae's usual demeanor reasserts itself very quickly, though the perceptive or paranoid might note what almost sounded like a hint of disappointment in her voice.

For Vyrn's part, he raises an eyebrow at her wordlessly, before turning back to the envoy. "Yes. The alternative would be...unpleasant. Next, does your king have any agents remaining in the Association? Or any potential influence remaining over anyone there at all? Not that I won't understand if not, I'm certain that once he achieved his goal elsewhere without them he was glad to be rid of those maniacs." He suppresses a chuckle at his own dig at the AMENites.

[ThePhantom]

[Spire Conference Room]

"Well, my king does have one agent. Or least he did, its not clear if the agent is still alive. About a month ago, AMEN increased its security and that was the last message received. Hopefully the agent lives, as from a earlier report, any caught traitor is ripped limb from limb and has their soul devoured. Well, that's the mildest fate."

Not a pleasant fate, not something pleasant to think about, which is why the envoy is a bit green in the face. The report about what would happen was not something to read before bed.

[Darkcomet]

[Spire Conference Room]

N'alae waves a hand, indicating that he can stop. "Say no more. I've worked in intelligence. What I heard about was almost always more mundane, but looking at everything that can happen here, it doesn't take much creativity to realize exactly how much worse it could get. So uncivilized."

Seeing as she's covering the relate-able, more diplomatic side, Vyrn continues with the topic at hand. "If I may, can you share any of the agent's prior reports?"

[At Another Time - Also Spire Conference Room]

This time, N'alae is alone in the room, waiting for a scheduled meeting. It was obvious they'd had to talk, to the point where it went without saying. After all, someone had just given a Remnant tech expert, perhaps the Remnant tech expert, a nanoweapon. While Remnant was technically operating under the UDN now, the Union Commanders had still preferred to mostly let them keep running as before, rarely interfering with their operations. That falling into their hands, though? That called for a talk.

Not that she's all that interested in the nanotech itself, given what she's been working with already (not that the one she's meeting with knows that), but the point remains. Given the circumstances of how she got it, the meeting might not even be entirely about the nanoweapon in question.

Still, she waits. She wasn't going to rush this one.

((feel free to skip ahead to actually getting there instead of trudging through playing out all the procedure))

[happyturtle]

Another Time

Aurora "Sunny" Goodfellow Evans might have a powerful reputation, but her appearance does not back it up. She looks like a girl barely out of her teens, innocent, and probably dangerously naive. She's wearing a simple top and trousers, too well fitting to be concealing standard weapons. N'alae might know from her own dossier that although Sunny is capable of designing miniature weapons, she has not spent any time training in weapon use. For protection, Sunny counts on her teleport bracelet, and the one or more robots that accompany her everywhere.

Her current companion is about the shape of a cigar, and only a bit larger. It floats quietly above and just in front of her, gathering data and feeding it back to her. Still, this is a friendly visit. If Sunny had been at all suspicious, there would have been more than one of these bots, and they would have been camouflaged.

[ThePhantom]

[Spire Conference Room]

The envoy takes a different paper out of his briefcase.

"Well, I only received the most basic of these reports and the most recent ones of those. Any sharing of other reports would have to be at later date. Hmm, the one before the increased security says they are trying to reorganize themselves since their leader appeared so infrequently. They also were viewing themselves as short on members."