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>The Ship
The Lord Class Assault Transport Bertrand is your mobile base of operations. Able to support special forces units, land ground troops and vehicles, or launch squadrons of starfighters. Knight Dar'el is confident that it will be a valuable asset to the Alliance and your cause.

>The Arnach Archipeligo
https://houseanddominion.fandom.com/wiki/Arnach_Archipelago
A distant galaxy cluster still being explored and charted by the Navigators Guild, this region is already inhabited by a number of alien species. Your operations are expected to be focused on the Bright Tapestry Galaxy, home to the insectile Izuan species.

First contact with the Izuan has been more complicated owing to a decentralized government. This has resulted in the need for dozens of separate first contact events just within the Izuan people's home galaxy.

The Izuan civilization is proving far more unstable than initially thought and the Factions Alliance task force sent to monitor the situation is requesting reinforcements. With civilian contact teams in distress it seems you'll have plenty of chances to play hero and make some money from the Alliance in the process. Money you desperately need if you ever hope to rebuild your House.

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>Last Time on A Knight's Tale
You've been put through intensive training by Sergeant Reza during your flight to the Arnach Archipeligo. Using what time was available you've focused your efforts on a few key areas.

Agility - You have unlocked Dodge Roll and can evade many attacks without penalty.
Ranged Weapons - You are considered a Marksman with most firearms.
Power Armor - Armor is like a Second Skin to you.

Your arrival in the cluster went without incident and you linked up with the Alliance fleet. The Alliance has been coordinating with the Navigators Guild exploration efforts and hoping to defend the civilian scientists and ambassadors. Now it's your job too and the Alliance is paying you well.

You saw combat for the first time fighting a band of pirates who were in the middle of setting up a concealed base. While boarding the station you scored your first kills. Four people -pirates all- dead at your hand. Though you had to take a moment you'd still had the presence of mind to take cover first. They say it gets easier.

Seeing Knight Dar'el win a duel against the pirate captain, then all of you making off with loot rounded out your first outing. It wasn't what you expected but some more victories like that will fill out your roster with the equipment you all need.

Back at the fleet you and Vayall had clothing tailored from salvaged nanoweave material. You now have clothing that can save your life from small arms fire. Handy when a Knight might be considered a high value target.

Before arrangements could be made to offload some of your salvaged goods to friendly contacts, all of you were called to action once more. The Bertrand and crew were needed to extract Guild and Alliance contact personnel from an Izuan colony world. Riots have broken out on dozens of worlds as the Izuan worker class have learned the Alliance has medicines that could allow anyone to have children. Something not normally possible for them.

On the colony world of 'Purplewood' you and the Marines deployed with ballistic shields and stun weapons. At one location after another your team helped evacuate contact teams and get them out via shuttle. All while taking pains to avoid antagonizing the locals.

Then everything started to go wrong.

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Knight Dar'el deployed to the surface with reinforcements only for someone to start jamming your communications. Switching to line of sight helped but proved impractical when inside of buildings. The next location you were sent to assist turned into an ambush. Pirates, mercs or whoever they were seemed to be hoping to take a Dominion noble hostage. They even offered your Marines free passage if they handed you over.

That wasn't an option. With your House long gone there's no one to ransom you to.

In the close quarters indoor fighting that followed your squad used their shields to full advantage. Closing to melee nullified the enemies superior ranged weapons. You stabbed and lashed out with your High Frequency blade so many times your arm started to go numb from the impacts. The fight was won, though some hostiles escaped.

Worse, not only was the Bertrand under attack in orbit but the mercs had a stealth LST operating over the city. A Landing Support Transport is a craft large enough to support full on energy shields unlike common shuttles. With the Bertrand in retreat nothing in your inventory can scratch it.

Despite the risk a shuttle was called in to evacuate a wounded VIP and one of the captured hostiles. Using the surrounding buildings for cover they managed to pull off a landing and pickup.
As tempting as it might be to shove off you're not done in this city yet. You're going to go aid Knight Dar'el. He's still out of contact.

"We're moving out on foot. Tell Vayall to head for Knight Dar'el's position at best possible speed but to watch out for that LST."

The pilot of Shuttle One wishes you good luck out there.

All of you bail out of the loading ramp before the shuttle dusts off again. One of the marines grabs another medkit before departing.
"Some of us are still a little messed up after that brawl."

As the shuttle departs everyone heads back inside for a moment. The dead mercs have the same class of armor as yours and some of it can be salvaged to fix up your own gear. Ram helps you replace the damaged shoulder guard on your armor while the the medics do a quick once over of everyone that hasn't been treated. Most also take the time to scavenge weapons and the Sergeant hands one to you.
"If we're running into more of these assholes you might want to swap out your phase rifle for a repulsor rifle."

You take the offered weapon and grab some ammo from a nearby body. You still have a sidearm that can stun any hostile Izuan civilians you encounter. The shield is a bit worn after the recent fight, sporting a grouping of craters from repulsor shots, but it's still adequate to keep a crowd at arms length.

"We've wasted enough time. Sergeant, let's move."
"Move it out!" Ram orders.

Back out on the street the squad picks its way past a few craters the LST blasted in the sidewalk and start jogging east, picking up speed.

There's been no contact with the Knight since the shuttles lost line of sight with him on entering a building. From the city maps it looks like a warehouse that must supply nearby businesses. It was the source of another distress beacon, one flagged as belonging to a missing contact team member. Just like the trap you fought your way out of. It was a legitimate distress beacon, which means someone probably is wounded for real and needs recovery.

"Shuttle Five to ground teams. The crowd of Izuan civilians near the Knights position are breaking up somewhat. Still seeing numbers of them staying near the building entrances."
You copy Shuttle Five and keep moving.

Rounding a corner and headed south your squad double times it, headed for the next cross street. You feel better knowing that Vayall and her team should be on the way. With their flight packs they should make good time and should blend into the city well enough not to attract attention from above.

At the cross street you encounter the civilians streaming your way. Some are on their own others are in groups. A few are carrying placards with political slogans. It doesn't take long for them to notice you and start pointing.

You could use your shields to push through the few groups that are blocking your path. Or you could fire your phase weapons in the air to scare the civilians enough to clear a path. So far you've avoided directly attacking any Izuan but making an example of someone who wont get out of your way might get the message across.

[ ] Push through with your shields
[ ] Fire warning shots
[ ] Make an example

FOR HOUSE AND DOMINION

probably won't have time for reading (and voting) until later

>>6353881
That's fine. Thanks for posting.

I wrote a bunch of stuff during the hiatus that doesn't actually line up with the map. Gotta re-write it.

>>6353866

For House and Dominion!

I'm not entirely certain what is the correct choice here. One option sees us slowed down by people and delaying our arrival. The other lets the enemy know we are here and where we are coming from. The last is a diplomatic incident and bound to have the Alliance angry with us and docking our pay.

I guess if Vayall is coming in with jump packs. I guess having the badies focused on us gives them a chance to come in from behind and surprise them.

>>6353866
>[ ] Fire warning shots

>>6353866
>>6353910

>[ ] Fire warning shots

>>6353910
>>6353927
Welcome back.

>>6353927
>>6353931
Good timing!

"We're on the clock. Fire warning shots in the air."
Making sure the rifle is slung you draw your pistol and fire a trio of shots into the air.

"Clear a path!" You shout, hoping that your suit will carry your voice or a translation loud enough.
Those near to you quickly get out of the way. It's only when you get near an especially large group that they dont move with the sort of haste you'd expect. Still, enough of a gap opens to push your way past more quickly that you might have otherwise.

You're halfway down the street firing off another burst when a pair of Repulsor rifle rounds flash down the street from ahead and strike the lower side of your shield. The Marine next to you takes a hit to his shield as well.

"Sniper!"

This isn't good. You have no cover to speak of besides your now somewhat worn boarding shields and the civilians. An Izuan too far out in the middle of the road gets hit in the leg and goes down, getting in your way. A few more shots land kicking up pavement and forcing you to the side. They're trying to slow you down.

The fire stops a moment then a larger projectile sails in causing the middle of the street to explode. That didn't look like a grenade. Clearly they dont want you going that way.

One of the marines ID tagged as Joral skids to a stop and fires through the rising plume of the explosion, putting down a steady stream of shots.
"Second floor balcony. Got them pinned boss. Better move."

Ram orders two more marines to put covering fire on the building. It overlooks the square at the end of this road meaning you'll have to keep the building under watch the whole time. All of the Izuan are now well out of the way, cowering against the buildings on either side of the road. You have a clear shot to Knight Dar'el's last known location. The presence of the sniper doesn't bode well though.

As you get closer to the warehouse you see that the remaining Izuan in the square are doing what they can to flee in different directions. All of them are trying to get as much distance as possible from the warehouse itself and it soon becomes clear to you why.

Hypersonic projectiles punch through the light construction of the building's upper levels from the inside, leaving a string of holes. The ground shakes from an explosion and a brief moment later the doors crumple outward from a second blast. Smoke and flame soon start to billow out from the cracks.

You try to raise either of the other squads.
"Knight Dar'el do you copy? Vayall if you can hear me, the warehouse is exploding! We may need to go in and get Dar'el."

Ram waves you on past the burning entrance.
"These doors are blocked! Try the west side!"

You emerge into the square, marines still suppressing the far western building. It's more of a parking lot for the warehouse and an abutting outlet store than a square. A few Izuan are trying to move from cover to cover in a panic.

>Cont.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KslvU0ZtnZo [Road to Masysaf]

Before you can reach the doors on this side of the warehouse you see movement from the front of the department store. The sliding doors go flying off their rails only for a half dozen marines and Knight Dar'el to come marching out, sword at the ready. They all look a bit worse for wear with damaged shields and scorched armor.

"Marines we are LEAVING," the Dar'el orders. "Get the VIP onto the shuttle as soon as it lands."

Two more marines come through the doors behind him hauling someone in a medical stasis field. Everyone near the Knight does what they can to keep their shields protecting the stasis field from any stray shots. Even the new ones can't take too much damage.

Your squad closes with the Knight and his team.
"We have an unknown number of hostiles in the western building sir."
Ram reports as you hurry over.

Dar'el gives a short laugh on seeing you.
"Joanna, Ram, I'm glad you're alright. Fatalities?"
"None so far but these mercs are well equipped."
"Alarmingly so. We need to-"
"Sniper west!"

You catch sight of someone with an enormous rifle on the roof and they immediately open fire on Dar'el. The Knight swings his shield arm out to cover the VIP rather than himself. Sword still in hand he swats aside a projectile larger than some grenades, deflecting it into the roof of the store behind him.

He isn't able to hit the second bullet.

The chest plate of his armor erupts like a volcano.

Everything stops. This isn't happening. You don't have your stasis unit. You used it on a wounded VIP earlier in order to get them back to the ship. Dar'el likely did the same with his unit for the person he was protecting.

This isn't happening. This is NOT HAPPENING. This is-

[ ] Take the stasis unit off the VIP, save the Knight
[ ] Put that sniper in the ground
[ ] Take the sniper alive

>>6353953

Well, shit. I've no idea which would be best.

First one we probably ensure that the VIP dies and we roll the dice on if Knight Dar'el survives. But it keeps the dream of our House returning alive for a while longer.

Second one we open up with everything and reduce the sniper and his spot into the past tense. But learn absolutely nothing. And this is the paranoia speaking and the Alliance claims our ship and 'offers' us a job to work for them to reclaim the ship.

Third one, we abandon the Knight and attempt to chase the sniper across the city. Making all our allies suspicious about our involvement.

No real good choices here. But, between rolling the dice and saving the Knight while listening to the Alliance bitch at us? I'm inclined to save the Knight. This whole mission is fubar and the inclusion of pirates/ mercenaries who are just intent on either killing or ransoming Dominion nobles. Just reeks of someone in the Alliance or another House trying to finish off our House once and for all.

So gonna go with:
>[ ] Take the stasis unit off the VIP, save the Knight

I'll be leaving this for tomorrow.

>>6353953
>[ ] Put that sniper in the ground

I'm writing out both options then we'll be ready to go once we get more votes.

House and survey
https://fast-poll.com/poll/9ef0d4f5

>>6353953
>[ ] Take the stasis unit off the VIP, save the Knight

There's nothing you can do for the Knight, not now. Not without potentially killing someone who doesn't deserve it. Someone Dar'el tried to save.

You can put his killer in the ground though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeY0-z8KIsk [Let the Chase Begin]

The sniper retreats as fire from the marines causes bits of their armor to crack and go flying. It looks like they're going to make a run for it along the rooftops. Sprinting across the square you drop your shield and ready the smart grapple. They are not getting away.

The Marines call out over the channel as you move. Some reporting the Knight is down, others for any nearby backup as your grapple flies, catching the top of the roof and pulling you skyward. Up over the lip of the roof and you scan for any other hostiles. Just the one making a run for it looks like.

You give chase waiting for an opportunity. It comes when they slow to navigate some machinery. Your rifle is out and a shot connects with their back plating. It throws them off for a second but soon they turn and try to send some return fire your way. You dive out of the way anticipating another one of those projectiles that hit the Knight but nothing happens. It seems their weapon is damaged.

The sniper tosses their weapon and runs for it. They draw a submachine pistol and fire off a burst of suppressing fire your way before jumping from the roof. By the time you catch up they're already across the next street and heading around a corner out of sight. They're not out yet.

Firing the smart grapple across the street you give yourself a running start and swing across and around the corner almost like spiderman. The landing is rough and you tumble, but are soon back on your feet and running. You nearly trip over the retracting grapple line but manage to keep going. They're straight ahead but there are Izuan civilians still on the street here and there's no clear shot.

One of the buildings you're coming up on is the location of another distress beacon. Shit. They might have reinforcements inside. You fire a few rounds into the face of the building above the heads of everyone on the street. It causes more screams from the civies but your target flinches away from the doorway. Instead they head for an alleyway.

You round the corner in time to see them leap from wall to wall and then onto the rooftop.

"Wall hacks bullshit," you curse, readying your grapple again.

Glad for all of the smart grapple training in the holobooths you're soon pulled upward, once again clambering onto the roof top. The sniper glances over their shoulder at you briefly then resumes running.
"This is Farrell, I'm on the roof again, heading uh, west. Vayall if you can hear me try to intercept."

>Cont

You get a reply but not from Vayall. Instead the pilot of Shuttle Five breaks in on the channel.
"We have a coms relay from Gehell coming through for you. Stand by."

Ninnik? Now? What does he want?

"Joanna, I'm commandeering a ship at the spaceport. I can be airborne in 30 seconds. What can I do to help?"

[ ] It's too late to help. Guard the spaceport.
[ ] Deal with the LST over the city.
[ ] Help the Bertrand drive off the other ship.

>>6354252
Had to go and ask someone to cast a tie breaker vote. Anything to get us moving before I have to go back to work tomorrow.

>>6354756
>[ ] Help the Bertrand drive off the other ship.

Two ships working together is better than one.

>>6354756
>[ ] Help the Bertrand drive off the other ship.

"Nin, help the Bertrand drive off the other ship."
"You got it! I'll be in orbit inside of a minute. You may hear some thunder."

Closing the channel you keep moving. Off to your left you start to see figures leapfrogging between the tops of buildings, using the taller spires or radio masts for cover. Backup is on the way and it's almost here.

That doesn't mean you're going to stop and leave all the work to the other squad. You won't run the risk them getting away. There's no escape on your watch.

Long before any shock waves from Ninnik's ship can reach you a blast wave washes over you from behind. Glancing back you see one of the buildings being ripped apart by what has to be tractor beams. When you look again figures are being pulled up into the air and vanishing into a hazy patch. That must be the stealth LST. They're recovering their people still ground side.

Ahead of you the sniper closes in on the edge of this block. They'll need to get down to ground level again unless they have another way across the street. As if in response to this thought they press something on their belt and launch upwards into a jump that looks to carry them across the street.

They have a repulsor belt on like you do. That explains some things. They also have a predictable arc you can put some bullets into.

[ ] Halt and shoot (Marksman)
[ ] Jump, use your grapple
[ ] Try to adjust your belt to make that same jump

>>6354792
>[ ] Halt and shoot (Marksman)

>>6354792
>[ ] Halt and shoot (Marksman)

Skidding to a stop you shoulder the rifle and fire a string of shots into the spot the sniper is coming down. You haven't been practicing your marksmanship for nothing. One shot hits their left leg, another the same back plate you hit earlier. They go tumbling into a heap, skidding partially into cover behind a ventilation system.

When they dont immediately climb to their feet again you sling your weapon and start checking through the settings on the repulsor belt. Eventually you find what they must have used. A setting to greatly reduce the apparent gravity. One 'enhanced' jump gets you across the street.

The sniper is crawling steadily away but draws their machine pistol the moment they hear you coming. You put a shot through their wrist eliciting a scream and causing them to drop the gun.

While they writhe in pain you take aim to finish them off.

"Wait! I... I surrender!" They manage to cough out.

It seems like you might have punctured a lung with that last shot. They're coughing with every breath. They hit the release for their helmet and the human woman begins coughing blood onto the rooftop. A lot of blood.

"Help... I don't..."

Too bad for the sniper none of you have any stasis modules left. That was their plan after all wasn't?

[ ] Put them out of their misery
[ ] Wait for them to bleed out
[ ] Write in

>>6354806

>[ ] Write in
Signal emergency pick up. That you have an injured captive. See if any of your back up has medical supplies to stabilize them or keep them alive longer, for questioning.

Failing that:
>[ ] Put them out of their misery

>>6354806
>[ ] Put them out of their misery

"Farrell to Shuttle Five, I have a hostile here bleeding out. How fast could you reach me with a medic?"

"We're at altitude acting as relay and cant get to you. Nearest medic is Vayall Trin'qua's unit closing on your position. Should be there in a couple minutes."

"I dont think they'll last that long," you admit.
"We can talk you through trying to stabilize?" the pilot offers.

You ready your rifle. Seeing this the sniper panics.
"No no! NO! I'm supposed to live! I'll talk, put me in stasis! Something! I'm not supposed to die like this."

[ ] Confirm
[ ] Try to stabilize (roll 1d100)

>>6354850
>[ ] Confirm

Looking at our skill sheet and my history of dice rolls, may as well do a mercy kill rather than mucking about with someones insides.

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>6354850
>[ ] Try to stabilize (roll 1d100)

I'll be back in 8 hours so hopefully we have a tie breaker by then.

>>6354850
>] Try to stabilize (roll 1d100)
Can't argue with 99

>>6354850
oh yeah for house and dominion, welcome back!
[ ] Try to stabilize (roll 1d100)
might as well learn first responder skills on someone not mattering, worst case we save the sucker

Writing.

On the one hand you think you're merciful enough that you'd put this scum down rather than let them drown in their own blood. You weren't even going to step on their wound to make it hurt more.

On the other hand they might actually talk, and shuttle five did offer to walk you through it.

"Have your medic talk me through it. Make it fast."

Rolling her over you use your knife to cut off the surrounding armor then pull out everything from both of your on hand medical kits. You medical training is... not quite "put bandage over wound" tier but you hadn't really got into serious stuff. Maybe you're a little too reliant on basic wound sealant and stasis units. You royally fucked up this bitch with your last shot even if it wasn't instantly fatal. Something has a hole in it and they don't have long.

With line of sight to the shuttle you're able to stream them your helmet mission recorder. The medic instructs you to load a brownish liquid capsule into the injector and press it as far into the wound as possible before activating it.
"Use the entire thing. That will buy you a couple of minutes."

It certainly does something. What were increasingly strangulated noises coming from the sniper trail off, and foam bubbles out around the injector you've stabbed into them. After that you throw some patches on and quickly tourniquet the leg wound.

The incoming medic from Vayall's team tells you to cut the rest of their armor clear from their upper body then to get the hell out of the way. They come in fast, thrusters on their flight pack firing and repulsors whining as they power down.

"Good you haven't completely fucked it up, only mostly."

A blood bag and a blood oxygenation unit go on then they break open the rest of their kit.

"We need medivac on this one ASAP."

You request any available shuttle for pickup, warning them that the hostile LST was last seen east of your position. Overwatch confirms they saw the building coming apart earlier but couldn't make out much else at the time.

Vayall arrives and has her people take up positions on the surrounding rooftops.
"What happened? They said that Knight Dar'el is down."

"This one shot him," you gesture to the sniper. "If they talk maybe we'll find out who's responsible."
"He's been shot, is he in stasis?"

>How do you want to break the news? / What say?

Headache coming on. I'll try to post in the morning before work.

>>6355204
>He used his stasis unit on a VIP and so did I with mine

>>6355204
>>6355247
Support, "the mission comes first and the Alliance better bloody well appreciate our lack of resources leading to the sacrifice from our house."

Posting in a TSTG thread! Much hype for catching this one live.

"He used his stasis unit on a VIP... and so did I with mine."

You can't read Vayall's expression through their helmet but you don't need to. After a moment of stunned silence they fall to their hands and knees.
"No. It's over. It wasn't supposed to end like this."

"The mission comes first. The Alliance better bloody well appreciate our lack of resources leading to the sacrifice from our house."
You look to the medic still hard at work doing something to the prisoner to stabilize them.
"If this prisoner talks we can at least find the ones responsible. After that I don't know."

The Sergeant from Vayall's squad approaches.
"Let's get you on your feet. We still have people in trouble and may have hostiles in the area. That's not even counting the locals. Save it for when we're safe aboard the ship. The Chief will have a plan. Chief always has a plan."

You spot one of the shuttles incoming from the south west. As they slow on approach the communications jamming begins to cut out. A new signal from orbit starts to come through clearly.

"This is the Bertrand to all forces, enemy starship is withdrawing. Prepare to resume recovery operations. Any loaded Medivac units head for orbital point alpha, we'll be on station again shortly."

The shuttle descends loading ramp down and with two crew members waiting to take aboard the wounded.

Do you want to stay with the prisoner or help with any remaining mop up?

[ ] Don't let them out of your sight
[ ] Get back to your squad and help sweep
[ ] Help recover the Knights remains

I may not be able to post again until tomorrow morning. If there are any suggestions for things you want to take care of throw them out there.

>>6355420
>[ ] Get back to your squad and help sweep

>>6355420
>[ ] Get back to your squad and help sweep

>>6355420
[ ] Get back to your squad and help sweep

>>6355420
>[ ] Get back to your squad and help sweep
The mission

>>6355420
>[ ] Get back to your squad and help sweep

Best to bury ourself in work and make this whole trip count. It better fucking count. The Alliance better be fucking happy we did this for them. If all we get is a pat on the back and a good job, I'll be upset.

Send us into a damn trap and cause the death of Knight Dar'el and making an already difficult task of reviving our house into almost impossible.

What the hell... this is back? I've not looked at this board in ages because all the quests I liked ended or disappeared. Last time I checked in I got flashbanged by Valen Quest and well, same old there.

So there's still hope for HQQ right?

I had only just gotten my first job when this quest began, jesus

>>6355420
>[ ] Get back to your squad and help sweep

Do your own job before doing someone else's

>>6355653
Well, the original House & Dominion ended a few years ago, then TSTG made a quest in a fantasy setting that fizzled out and early last year he started this H&D spin-off

With the prisoner in the capable hands of the medics there's nothing for you to do but get back to your squad and finish the sweep of the city. Vayall splits off and heads back towards the city center to make a final check now that the jamming is down.

Contacting Ram you have the squad meet you on the street outside of the building the last beacon was detected in. It's once again coming through loud and clear. The marines hand over your shield that they recovered, not that it's needed. The LST did a good job of tearing apart this building with its tractor beams and there are no hostiles left.

Picking through the wreckage you find an open area with one downed body. They're alive, barely, having been given some basic first aid. The next available shuttle is called in and they use the rescue hoist to lift them out.

Each team checks in reporting success or asking for assistance to help deal with crowds. Silvar has had the worst time and Kalnit's team are moved to back him up.

The final low priority sweep starts not long after, recovering gear and bodies from hostiles. While it would be good to salvage the armor and weapons for your own use, for now it's all evidence. You have to shoo away curious locals that have started to pick through the wreckage in placed but eventually everything that can be accounted for is loaded for transport.

It's the end of a long day by the time you get back to the ship. It's not over though. You're asked to stow your gear, hand over the rifle for evidence, then head to the operations center for debrief.

"Save it until everyone arrives," Chief Hannah tells you when you enter.

The other woman is looking haggard, leaning over the central command display. You see the holographics she's looking over show the ship, others the planet and one a breakdown of a suit of power armor. One with a great deal of red damage indicators. Especially around the upper chest.

You move to stand next to Alar who is already present. Talaat arrives just behind you. Kalnit and Silvar are next to show up then Vayall who arrives already changed into a duty uniform. Ninnik is the last, reporting that the ships at the spaceport are just finishing some final checks and can lift off soon.

The Chief pushes herself upright and crosses her arms.
"Good that has us officially squared away. That merc ship Fourth Triumvir has jumped out. Presumably after picking up their LST. We sent a priority alert warning the Alliance about them but if they're determined to run we cant catch them. Not right now. We've got civilians and wounded that need to be transferred to the fleet. Plus two prisoners that hopefully talk once they're in Alliance custody."

Chief Hannah gives a tired sigh then looks the group over.
"I don't even know where to start with where that leaves us. Reza get in here."

The Chief activates a privacy field preventing any of the bridge crew from seeing or hearing what's going on in the aft operations area.

>Cont

Sergeant Reza walks in still wearing his armor, carrying the weapon that killed Knight Dar'el. He detaches the rear magazine and leans the weapon itself against the central display. Ejecting a projectile from the magazine he holds it up, looking over the bands of paint indicating the type.

"Reynard Custom mass driver rifle with 20mm GHM specialist munitions. These are tailored specifically to kill modern power armor. They are overkill in most cases. None of our gear has a hope of ever stopping these."
"Not even with the shield?"
Reza shakes his head. "It would have blown right through it."

"Reynard's fucking magic bullets. Why shoot somebody with an 8mm when you can up it to a 20 mil with optional payloads."
The Chief brings up the display showing Knight Dar'el's wrecked armor then looks to all of you while pointing at it.
"You see this? This was always a possibility. If not today then tomorrow or the day after. There are seven of you here, not because this is all we could bring or because it's the Dominion's lucky number. It's because Dar'el Camdie and I fully expected casualties. We just need one Knight to walk away from this expedition and its still a success."

"Now we don't even have one Knight." Vayall dejectedly replies.

[ ] No, we have Seven Knights
[ ] Not yet, but that can change
[ ] What hope do we really have?
[ ] Write in

Gone to work!

>>6355818
>[ ] Not yet, but that can change

>>6355818
>[ ] No, we have Seven Knights
Each a specialist in their own rights, for one house, with one aim.

>>6355818
>[ ] Not yet, but that can change

What requirements need to be met to be considered a Knight? Missions completed? Recognition from someone of higher station (a Knight, Baron, Count, etc.)? Money? Property/ possessions? Influence? What?

>>6355818
>[ ] Not yet, but that can change

>>6355653
I still wish Void Quest had finished.

I need to do some re-writing of the next post so I'll try to get it up tomorrow morning.

>>6355818
>[ ] No, we have Seven Knights
all we need is determination, drive and House. Sure our House is fitting in one troop carrier right now but this only means we can always bring our House's might in full force. The way forward was clouded, huddled in fog and uncertain from when before it even began. I signed up to give blood, sweat and life to carry the flickering torch that is our House. I will carry the torch until it once more shines bright among the stars. We cannot be halted by the sacrifices on the path ahead, only remember to mourn and pay respect upon fulfilling our dream. For the Dominion, For House Meros to the stars!

"Not yet, but that can change."
Everyone turns to look at you.
"Each of us is a specialist in their own right. What requirements need to be met to be considered a Knight?"

The Chief leans back and considers for a moment.
"To be a Knight of the Dominion? The ability to fight, to lead, land holdings granted by your House and either a respectable warship or power armor. Being from a noble family also helps.
Of course for a landless Errant Knight it's usually just a ship or the armor. As long as you have those anyone can 'claim' to be a Knight. Errant Knights have a lot to prove. Are you a pretender or the real thing? That's what people want to know. Proving yourself over the course of a campaign? That earns recognition. That gets attention."

Hannah leans forward and begins to call up something on the holodisplay.
"Of course we've already attracted attention."

Mission recorder footage taken by your squad begins to play.
>"-give up your Lordling and you'll be allowed to leave without resistance."

"Whoever hired those mercenaries didn't want to give our little band a chance to build up strength. I'm willing to bet money they were already preparing to knock us off before any of you even came onboard. Someone talked. We're just going to have to deal with that. That leaves what all of you are going to do."

Chief Hannah looks over the group once more, locking eyes with each of you in turn.
"As far as Knight Dar'el was concerned he didn't think any of you were ready... but he thought you were ready enough.
I need to know who here is ready enough to step up.
I can run this ship. I can move troops, vehicles, land them on planets, support them from orbit. What I can't do is lead them. What I can cant do is restore our House.
That I have to leave to you."

"Are you going to step up?" Reza asks.

>What say? / Your orders?

>>6355966
I can count this as part of your reply.

>>6356108
>We need to present ourselves as the next generation of leadership for our house
>Working with the alliance will provide the opportunity for triumphs to make that stick
>We will also need to make an example of those that attempt to sabotage us

>>6355966

>>6356109
>>6356125
supporting all this.
Stepping up to put the opposition down.

>>6356108
>>6356109
>I can count this as part of your reply.
please

also knowing that whoever is behind this still wants to get rid of us even through our lacking resources and chances is both motivation that we are still in the game and a warning that our shadowed opponent resorts to cautious and careful plays

Been busy with work and will be tomorrow as well. I'll be resuming saturday.

"I signed up to give blood, sweat and tears, even my very life to carry the flickering torch that is our House. I will carry that torch until it once more shines bright among the stars. As you said, this was always a possibility. We cannot be halted by sacrifices on the path ahead, only remember to mourn and pay respects upon fulfilling our dream."

You look around the room at the others.
"We need to present ourselves as the next generation of leadership for our House. That means drive and determination.
That means using our work with the Alliance to build ourselves up, to achieve triumphs to make that stick. And if we get the chance we make an example of those that attempt to sabotage us."

Everyone is momentarily stunned into silence by your impromptu speech.

The Chief smirks.
"I would have also settled for simply stepping forward to be counted."
She looks to the others, her voice hardening.
"Well? What about the rest of you?"

"Like hell I'm going to give up now!" Talaat belts out.

"Yeah!" Alar adds, "If anything this proves the rest of you are going to need a good medic."

"I don't know if I'm ready yet," says Ninnik, "but I can still fly. Count me in, even if it's only to fly an escort."

Silvar shrugs.
"Even if I cant make it as a Knight our House is still going to need a few assassins. Might as well get the practice in now."

"I firmly believe we're doomed," Vayall answers. "It won't matter where it happens. They've chased us this far, simply going home wont remove the target from our backs. I will fight alongside the rest of you and hope it improves our odds."

The Chief frowns at this but chooses not to say anything.

All eyes turn to Kalnit who sighs.
"Our mentor dead and the odds getting even more firmly stacked against us? Thanks I hate it."
He straightens up and squares his shoulders.
"My family needs this. Joining the House was their chance to go legitimate. I don't have a choice, they need this."

"You always have a choice," says Hannah. "Just not always good ones. You're all technically Alliance officers with field experience. You can request a transfer and disappear. You never have to see or hear from your family or the House ever again. Joining the Alliance has always been a good way for people with questionable backgrounds to start over. All they care about is if you're good at your job.
I should point out your pay wont be as good though. Each of you has a stipend that was set up by the Knight. We'll talk about that later though. For now are you in our out?"

"For now I'm in."

"Good enough. We're going to have a long burn out of the system escorting the ships from the surface, then the jump back to the fleet. Sergeant?"
"I have nothing for them at the moment," says Reza. "For now I suggest you all rest up."

>Did you want to talk to any of your fellow Knight aspirants?

Deleted and reposted and still messed it up
>>6356788
>>Did you want to talk to any of your fellow Knight aspirants before you get some rest?

>>6356791
>>Did you want to talk to any of your fellow Knight aspirants before you get some rest?
not sure what we could talk/ask about beyond trying to find out just how bad morale is.
so i guess
>no, head straight to bunk and try to not think to hard about it

Back in your quarters the hum of the deck plates changes as the Bertrand begins its trip out system.

It's been a hell of a day. What turned into your second combat drop. Going down and escorting people away from crowds of aliens you've only recently been introduced to. Trying to keep what were effectively civilians moving and away from wandering bands of said aliens.

There was the mad shield charge against the mercenaries that had tried to capture you. Then the chase against Knight Dar'el's murderer. Seeing the Knight's armor ripped apart by some kind of armor piercing incendiary projectile.

That's an image that's going to be burned into your memory for awhile.

Somewhere on this ship is the person that killed him. Either in a medbay autodoc having reconstructive surgery or in medical stasis awaiting transfer to an Alliance holding facility.
There's one other prisoner you nabbed from the group that tried to abduct you. Hopefully that improves the odds that one of them will talk.

You have to find them, whoever did this. You weren't lying earlier when you made your speech in the operations center. You need to find them, either to make and example of them to discourage others, or to find closure in this whole mess. You hope it doesn't come to the point of breaking off your overall mission of building up strength in order to hunt them down.

The Alliance will help track them down, they have to. This is as much of a mark against them as anything since the mercs were using an Alliance IFF. If they don't then you'll just have to build up your contacts within the Alliance taskforce until one of them can help you out. You wont take 'no' for an answer on this one.

>Cont

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48ECzvV-0KU [Monuments]

You don't sleep well but you do sleep. Arriving back at the fleet the area is not quite in chaos. A heavy carrier has joined the fleet in the day you've been gone allowing smaller ships to dock for maintenance. This has allowed an additional queue of ships to form up well away from the big Torrent class mobile fleet base.

Shuttles begin sending rescued personnel over along with the prisoners. All of the evidence has been boxed up and sent. Marines have been posted to guard the evidence to prevent any incidents at the docks where something might go missing.

Reza is waiting in the operations center in his duty uniform watching the movement of reserve squads.
"It's too bad we've handed over all the captured weapons. Some would have been quite useful for us. As would the gear."

"Like that monster repulsor rifle. Is it true we don't have any defense against a weapon like that?" you ask.

Reza shakes his head. "Not in our current inventory. Even Alliance equipment that can resist more than a shot or two is rare. There are some Neeran shields that are highly resistant to those 20mm rounds, but there are newer munitions that are supposed to counter them.
I have heard there are new stasis reinforced ships that can survive more punishment. I don't know how well they would hold up to repeated hits however."

Even the ability to shrug off one or two would make a difference in your opinion.

The Chief emerges from her office holding a datapad.
"Everybody get in here. I've been going over Knight Dar'el's will and he had some... odd ideas on what to do if he were killed."

>Cont 2/3

The recording plays.
>If you're seeing this then the worst has occurred. There are contingencies, fallback plans. I've done my duty in preparing for worst case scenarios. Some situations are more grave than others. The loss of the ship or my death, in battle or otherwise, are grave setbacks indeed.

>Should I die our reason for being out here will not cease. Our legitimacy will be tarnished to be sure but there are ways to soften the blow. Delay, deny, refuse to acknowledge my loss if necessary. Build up the reputation of our new Knights. Prove you are capable and competent and ultimately it wont matter to the Alliance. A Knight Errant is a self declared thing anyways.

>Loss of the ship. That is a hard blow to counter, not for the loss of its capability but for its loyal crew. If enough have survived there are ways to acquire another ship. Your Chief operations officer will be provided with contacts that would normally be avoided.
>The Alliance will want us to have a ship and will provide one if requested but it will be their ship, they need it back once we're done.

>As for a successor I have watched our new hopefuls closely. All of them have much to learn-"
Hannah skips the next section.
"I'll talk to each of you individually about this part later. No reason for everybody to hear it."

The playback resumes.
>buy time. Force them to work together if you have to. A group of Knights Errant stand a better chance than one lone Knight. They can cover each others weaknesses and further enhance their strengths.

>Keep building, keep fighting. Adapt and overcome. It is not over until we give up.

Hannah rubs her forehead.
"Why would he say deny? People are going to know he's dead."

Reza seems to consider.
"Change the narrative, sow confusion. Create enough uncertainty that nobody can say for sure if he was killed. Keep our enemies off guard and force them to make another attempt. One we can prepare for."

[ ] We need to move on
[ ] Delay and deny news the Knight is dead
[ ] Write in

>>6356840
>[ ] Write in
>[ ] Delay and deny news the Knight is dead

Who knows the Knight is dead? Just those on this ship and our captured sniper (who we just handed over to the Alliance for questioning). Keep bluffing and saying that the Knight is severely injured and in serious condition. That he is being stubborn and not wanting to risk someone finishing the job if he goes to the Alliance for help.

If the Alliance really wants to know his condition. They can send someone who can be vetted as trusted with the truth.

Also we could use the confusion to flush out the assassins/ mercs. Who will undoubtedly want a second go at finishing the job. Especially since once their boss hears that the Knight might not be dead yet, they wont be getting paid until they can confirm he's dead.

I have to step out for an hour or so.

>>6356840
>[ ] Delay and deny news the Knight is dead
as long we stay together, chances are we will be seen as continuing the rekindling of our house, so the more smokes and mirrors we can put up the better

>>6356839
>new stasis reinforced ships
new stasis reinforced shields

Don't know how I corrected that one wrong.

>>6356840
>[ ] Delay and deny news the Knight is dead
We can do our best to use this as bait and see if we can't capture whoever they send on a follow up attempt.

"Do what he suggested and deny that he's dead. The more smoke and mirrors we can put up for potential enemies the better. If it's thought he's alive anybody still out to get us will undoubtedly want a second go at finishing the job."

Reza seems to be happy with this response but the Chief seems unconvinced. Despite this she reluctantly signs on.
"This may paint a bigger target on our backs but at least we can control how much gets out. Plus we can always announce later that he died. You kids let me know if you change your mind."

Reza elects to inform the Marines and asks a few other people to let the crew know that this is a 'loose lips sinks ships' issue. The crew are to withhold all discussion of the Knights status when off ship.
"We'll have to flag him as on extended medical leave or something on our reports."

You shrug.
"If the Alliance really wants to know his condition, they can send someone who can be vetted as trusted with the truth."

The Chief curses. "We don't have an Alliance observer yet. It wasn't pressing and there was a personnel shortage but eventually we'll need to get an observer stationed aboard in order to sign off on certain special logistics requests. There are advantages to going with or without one."

"What sort of logistics requests?" Vayall asks.

"With an Alliance observer we can more quickly restock damaged equipment and get replacements signed off on. For basic gear it just means we can file the paperwork faster and dont need it vetted. Should save us a day or two each time we deploy.
The real benefit is the ability to requisition advanced munitions and gear that the Alliance maintains ownership of. Shield Piercing Torpedoes are the biggest one. That's a tremendous force multiplier against other starships. We could have crippled or killed that mercenary ship using our starfighters if we'd had any."

Nin raises a hand.
"If the Alliance maintains ownership of the weapons... wouldn't that give them a salvage claim against anything we shot at with them?"

Hannah points at the Shallan pilot.
"Yes. We can win most fights but the Alliance is taking the lion's share of what's left over."

Upsides and downsides it seems. You have a question of your own.
"Won't an observer make things difficult with our Fence?"

"We shouldn't bring an observer along the first time we make contact with them, but after that we can just tell them its a merchant we make regular contact with. It will make any other kind of smuggling we may want to do difficult or impossible though."

"What would you suggest Chief?" Alar asks.

Hannah thinks it over.
"I'd give it a few weeks and see how things pan out before getting an observer. We may find some alternate means of making money outside the law."

You do your best not to mention the illegal Aries weapons shipment you saw in the cargo bay back when you were in flight to the region.

[ ] We should get an observer sooner
[ ] Give it a few weeks
[ ] Hold off until needed

>>6356928

How much would the Alliance get if we used their gear?

For example, using one instance where Sonia's forces helped capture a Super Heavy Cruiser early in her career. There was a whole thing where could choose either to keep the JD's claim on it as well as the numerous other Houses and operate it cooperatively. Or sell JD's claim. How much of a Super Heavy Cruiser would we keep, if we used Alliance weapons? 40%? 30? 5? 0.1%? Even Less?

Or another example as I know we're not in any position to take a Super Heavy, but say we found a cache of 100 regular power armors ready to be used. How many would the Alliance keep?

This post made me think we're suddenly in Battletech and a mercenary company that's about to no longer be. With the Alliance being a combination of Comstar and one of the successor houses. They'll help, but you're not going to get a tenth of what you would have gotten as rewards if you did things on your own.

It's a shame we wont find something similar to the Argo here. Or if we do the Alliance would snatch it up immediately.

>>6356928
>[ ] We should get an observer sooner
being able to get away and having to short our share beats not being able to get away at all, also we can still get most salvage as long we dont use alliance stuff right?

>>6356934
>How much of a Super Heavy Cruiser would we keep, if we used Alliance weapons?
I usually put the Alliance share at between 25% and 50% if SP weapons are used. It's also going to depend on how aggressively they were used. You're always going to get a share though because you were the one out there in danger.

>say we found a cache of 100 regular power armors ready to be used. How many would the Alliance keep?
At that point I'd recommend negotiation. Give away the ship or base they were in and take the armor for yourself. Otherwise get stuck with the above percentage.

>Battletech
I'd say the Alliance is more like the Star League Defense Force.
H&D setting has a history of Mechwarrior level salvage.

>>6356951
>we can still get most salvage as long we dont use alliance stuff right?
The less you use their stuff the less of a claim they'll have. Of course that's intentionally making things harder for yourself.

>>6356928
>>6356962

Alright, then I'll also say:

>[ ] We should get an observer sooner

Resuming tomorrow

>>6356928
>[ ] We should get an observer sooner
I think in the long run better access to SP torps and the like will give us a better chance at getting decent salvage, even if we have to give up a portion of it.

>>6356928
>We should get an observer sooner

For reasons not only about accessing SP torpedoes but also repairing Knight Da'rel's power armour through a quicker route (hopefully also discrete), improved access to better personal weapons and so on.

After thinking it over you speak up.
"We just agreed to making ourselves a bigger target by concealing the Knight's true condition. We should get an observer sooner rather than later. We'll need the firepower. At least then we have a better chance of salvaging something if we get into a fight."

Ninnik agrees.
"Giving the Bertrand the ability to fight on another level is a better option than just running away when someone comes after us."

The other seems to be of a similar sentiment. What can the Alliance do for you?

The Chief shrugs.
"Fine, if that's the way everyone feels. We'll get our reports filed then see about having an observer assigned. I thought more of you might be interested in some minor smuggling what with the Izuan being a new contact."

Kalnit shakes his head,
"We don't know them well enough to say what's safe to sell them."

"Didn't they already try to buy our cooperation with cheap base resources?'
Alar asks. "That alone is going to annoy the Alliance. Probably not worth the risk of selling to those kind of people."

Vayall makes an noise of annoyance.
"I forgot, that planet had exotic wood exports! I wanted to buy some and get it shipped back to the Dominion to turn a profit."

It's not like there wasn't enough going on back there. Maybe you can keep an eye out for opportunities for legitimate business going ahead?

>Mission Filed
>Joanna Farrell
>Awards: Alliance Bronze Star
Bonus payout 3000s (Current balance 13,500s)

Joanna Farrell, for rescuing a civilian despite great personal risk beyond mission expectations you have been awarded the Bronze Star!

>>6353862
You have gained 1 free skill point to be assigned as you see fit. You have experienced passive skill gain in both Medic and Armed Melee.

What category do you want to assign your skill point to?

>>6357233
>What category do you want to assign your skill point to?
ranged weapons, pewpew

also how big is the market for alliance medals? if the alliance even does give out physical medals that is

>>6357233
>What category do you want to assign your skill point to?

Ranged Weapons, we're good with a gun but we could be better.

>>6357233
Ranged weapon seems about right.

>>6357262
>>6357258
>>6357251
Ranged weapons it is. Wiki updated.
https://houseanddominion.fandom.com/wiki/A_Knight's_Tale_Character_Stats

>>6357251
>how big is the market for alliance medals? if the alliance even does give out physical medals that is
The Alliance does still give out physical medals. The local market however is somewhat small. You wont get much money for a Bronze Star. That may change as the fleet and the market expands.

Everyone is preparing for the first meeting to visit your local Fence. They're one of the few links to the old House Meros that still exist. Smugglers with full connections to the South Reach League, they have access to the Warlords full catalogue of weapons and munitions. While some of those weapons may be increasingly outdated, they were still enough to give the entire Dominion pause three decades ago.

You already have your sights set on a SRL Repulsor Rifle of your own. The ones available at the fleet have their prices marked up and all of those you've salvaged are old or were handed over as evidence.

Most of the others are looking for specific gear that will help them out. Newer weapons or so on. Reza and Hannah want to increase the ships stocks of hard plate armor so more of the reserve Marines can deploy.

While preparations are being made the rebuilt power cell armor arrives. Three suits. Talaat, Vayall, Kalnit and yourself are already slated to use them. There is some minor refit down time to change the fitting between you and Kalnit using them. Reza has you all run laps in the launch bay and practice grappling and boarding the shuttles in varying gravity. Only once that has been completed does he allow Kalnit to play around with configuring his drones with the armor.

"The rest of you, dont forget your hand drone," Reza reminds you. "Some of the Marine specialists in your squads normally carry them. These suits were outfitted with Rovinar models with full stealth. You can scout ahead and avoid ambushes if you use them. Just dont lose them, we dont have replacements yet."

The hand drone is a small sphere that fits in the palm of your hand and is easily thrown. Flying around silently on repulsors makes them hard to detect. They're set to automatically return to a docking point at the top of the backpack behind your head if they lose connection.

"Do the Rovinar make armed versions of these?" Kalnit asks.

"If they do they're not sold on the open market."

With the ship and crew back at combat readiness you're as prepared as you can be for anything going wrong venturing away from the fleet.

The Chief calls everyone to Ops to discuss the financial situation everyone is in.
"We dont have much in the way of money going into this. Whatever each of you salvaged at that pirate base is going to have a big impact I imagine. There is a resource some of you may want to take advantage of.
Knight Dar'el established funds that will regularly pay out the equivalent of a Knights stipend. You're getting 4200 seni a month. That's supposed to something you'll always have. If you want though you could sell yours off for an immediate payout. It should work out to around a million. It's not enough to buy power armor... but it might be enough for gear that could come in handy.

[ ] Hang on to your stipend (Regular payouts for life)
[ ] Sell for immediate payout (~1 million S)
[ ] Other / Suggestions?

>>6357341
>[ ] Hang on to your stipend (Regular payouts for life)

If we're getting $4,200 a month, that's $50,400 a year. It might be small for now. But it's a guaranteed income for the rest of our life? Even if we only live to 80 and do nothing else. That's still more than we would make with the immediate pay out.

So yeah, keep the stipend. We'll find other means for increased pay or increased revenue.

>>6357341
>[ ] Hang on to your stipend (Regular payouts for life)
dont think we can get something truly game changing right now, so just have it sit there until we can use it to shorten some big purchase

>>6357341
>[ ] Hang on to your stipend (Regular payouts for life)
Just gives us more reason to try to capture things more intact. Need some degree of hunger and modest steady fallback is nice to know is always there.

File: TYjPze.gif (835.8 KB)

835.8 KB GIF

You're going to hang onto that stipend for now. There will be plenty of opportunities to make money and that fund will continue to pay out more over its lifetime than it would if you took it all now.

Besides there's always the risk of Sudden wealth syndrome kicking in and spending it all in a mad blaze to minimal benefit. It happens to enough lottery winners. Now's the time to buckle in and get ready for the long haul.

The Bertrand arrives at the rendezvous coordinates on time. A Factions Frigate in bog standard Dominion desert pink is on a burn that will bring it past your arrival position. They're moving fast enough that only a brief burn from the engines would immediately allow them to jump out. Clearly they're prepared for an ambush.

The Chief orders the crew to match course and speed. Soon enough signals are sent and the Bertrand moves along side the smaller ship. Soon they've opened a channel and a "sales representative" appears on screen. It's the Shallan you met back at the fleet, Mik Garner.

"Welcome customers! We have quite the catalogue available, with more on order. If you have any requests for future stock please do let us know. A few items might require a down payment to get them in but I'm sure we can come to an arrangement."

>Compiling list...
>Is there anything in particular you're looking for?

Rolled 28, 13, 51, 88, 36, 69, 35, 98, 29 = 447 (9d100)

Rolled 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 3, 4, 4, 1 = 31 (9d6)

>>6357392
should have asked sooner but has a month already passed/are we getting those 4.2k for this purchase? or do we just have our 13.5k for this shopping tour?

>>6357392
>>Is there anything in particular you're looking for?

Not in particular. We've got our own personal pistol that can switch between lethal and non-lethal. So we are covered in terms of a hold out weapon.

How about a stasis shield? I know our chances of encountering another person with a Reynard Custom is low, but not zero.

What types of melee weapons do they have?

What types of rifles do they have?

What types of armor do they have? Maybe discount damaged armor that we can purchase, repair and use?

What types of grenades do they have?

>>6357399
13.5k of Joanna's personal money plus whatever you get for selling the contraband you recovered.

On that note: roll 1d100 for contraband sales

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>6357392
>>6357399
>Is there anything in particular you're looking for?
immobilizing gel sprayers, a stun baton spear, are there infantry grade repulsor skates or just like powered skates?
also stasis fields many many stasis fields

>>6357403
rollan

750s Gyrojet pistol
1100s Gyrojet bolt pistol
2000s Repulsor Pistol
5000s / 105k (Case) Shallan Fusion Pistol

2k (Crate) Ballistic Rifle
4k (Crate) Ballistic Carbine + Silencer
420s(Case) Shotgun
320s Sniper Rifle
800s Heavy Sniper
700s Squad Automatic Weapon
1700s Heavy MG
1500s Grenade Launcher (40)
2800s / 58k (Case) SRL Mass Driver Rifle
4500s Boreas Repulsor Rifle
4500s Reynard Rifle L
1000s / 20k (Case) Phase Rifle Wide beam
2500s Laser Sniper
1100s Chemical Laser
50k (Case) <<Splinter ammo>>
100k (Case) <<20mm Special>>

100s / 2.1k (Case) RPG
300s / 6.3k (Case) ATGM
1500s Shard ATGM
8k / 160k (Case) Plasma ATG
8k Chopped Cannon (Requires power armor)
300s Mortar
8500s Tripod mount Micro Phase Cannon

>Grenades
1k (Case) Gas grenades
1k (Case) GP mine
2k / 42k (Case) EMP mines
2k / 42k (Case) Plasma grenade
2k / 42k (Case) Stun Pulse Grenade

>Equipment
1200s Medical Stasis Unit (limited numbers: 6)
2.5k Repulsor Skates (Civilian)
3.5k Armored Repulsor Skates
3.5k Boarding Shield
8k Heavy Shield (Requires power armor or power cell)
10k Armed Heavy Shield (Requires power armor or power cell)
20k Folding Stasis Reinforced Shield

>Armor
7k / 140k (Case) Marine Armor
12k / 250k (Case) Hard Plate Armor
250k / 5m (Case) SRL Power Cell Armor
222k SRL Power Cell Armor (Damaged x1)
1.5m Buccaneer Power Armor


>Melee
700s HF Knife
2k to 7k HF Sword (Various types)
4.5k Stasis reinforced monofilament
1k Holo blade (training)
4k Holo blade (Lethal)
50k Plasma Sword (Requires power armor)

>Starship Equipment
30k GX Torp
100k Shield Breaker(Heavy)
70k SP Missile
100k PD Turret
95k Kinetic PD Turret

>Starfighters
150k Interceptors
200k Attack Bomber
250k Advanced starfighters
50k Basic Stasis shields (Shuttle or starfighter)

>Vehicles
21-65k IFV
31-50k Tank
110k Aries Heavy Tank
38k Legacy Drone Walker
83k Beagle Walker (Light)
150k Jump Walker Drone
215k Jump Walker (Manned)

>Ships
1 million - Standard Corvette escort

Sorry that took so long, I've been half asleep the past hour or so.

>>6357405
>immobilizing gel sprayers
They have a fire suppressant foam that can act sort of like that. They'll have to get real stuff shipped in for a future delivery.

>stun baton spear
Never considered that before. Armory techs could build them if you got the parts.

I'll see if we get any more rolls. I'll try to post tomorrow late afternoon.

Current arms:
- Wornout SRL Repulsor Rifle
- Phase Rifle
- Ballistic Carbine (+optional silencer)
- Concealed Phase pistol with average capacity power cell

- Flight pack
- Boarding Shield
- Camo Shroud

From previous thread:
>>6357436
Buy
3.5k Armored Repulsor Skates
Hacking and Electronics Warfare Kit
700s HF Knife

Ask to requisition:
Field Medical Autodoc (the one based on Kythera nanites)

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>6357403

What have they got for contraband?

>>6357436

Items I'm interested in:
1x Armored Repulsor Skates (3,500)
3x Medical Stasis Units (3,600)

Anything else is fine by me.

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>6357436
>SRL Mass Driver Rifle
>3x Stun Pulse Grenade

>Rolled 84
"The market for these is hot right now. Pirates jumped some ships that must have been carrying your goods. I'll give you 134k for the full set."
That's quite a bit of cash but not enough to go crazy with spending.

>>6357439
>Hacking and Electronics Warfare Kit
I could have sworn I put this on the list. Must have deleted it during cleanup.

>Field Medical Autodoc
The new one that's part of character specialization is requisitioned from the Alliance.

There are basic Autodoc systems but they're much less capable. Used during a rest period of several hours. Might be handy if on a long deployment out of contact with the ship.

250k ECM System (for the Bertrand)
5k Repulsor Jetbike
1000s Hacking Module (Aries, slow)
2800s Hacking Module (Iratar, common)
3000s Hacking Module (Dominion, military grade)
2000s Basic Autodoc

>>6357440
>What have they got for contraband?
Shield Breaker rounds listed above might be the most dangerous piece of contraband they're carrying. Considered a weapon of mass destruction not just because they're a heavy starship torpedo, but because they act as a chemical weapon when used in atmosphere. Use of these on a habitable world is a war crime.

Nerve Gas (intended for incapacitation)
Combat Drugs for various Faction species
Common Pharmaceuticals not yet approved for use in local species
Narcotics and plant growing kits
Pheromone blockers (Izuan effectiveness unknown)
(Reproductive aid meds that the Izuan want are not available at this time. Should be available next shipment.)
Medical and DNA samples of various Faction species
Basic organ cloning vats
Alcohol
Starfighter Drone control units
1k-3k petroleum powered vehicles and technicals (pollution violation)
3000s Neuro-isolator collars

The nerve gas was bad enough but the last one gets some questioning looks. Neuro-isolator collars are bulky things that disrupt signals from the brain to the rest of the body, leaving only those necessary for vital functions. They're notorious for being used by slavers to secure high value prisoners.
"Now I know this looks bad, but there are legit reasons to have these. Sometimes people need to be taken prisoner and they're just too dangerous to handle. These make for safe prisoner transfer without guessing on the dosage of a sedative. Alliance is deploying all these hyper-lethal type people and not enough thought given to how to contain them."

>What say?

>>6357710

I mean they are not as bad as the head in a jar things from one of those terrible movies made by Reynard (or some other movie production company), right?

>Organ Cloning
Does the Bertrand carry some or no?

>Alcohol
To Alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.

Buy around for the marines covering our asses? Or at least a round for us and the other Knight aspirants and the command staff to toast Knight Dar'el and his passing?

>>6357710
>"I don't think we'll be needing these"
(they already said they weren't doing "self moving cargo" the first time we met)

>>6357721
>Organ Cloning
>Does the Bertrand carry some or no?
Yes but not any spares you could sell off.

>>6357436
3.6k three Medical Stasis Unit
3.5k Armored Repulsor Skates

>>6357710
3000s Hacking Module (Dominion, military grade)
for a total of 10,100 seni
im down if other anons really want an autodoc,

also i was thinking to make the stun spear telescopic for less carry space taken and to form a classical shield phalanx for crowd control which we are likely to run into if stick around izuan space,
do we have sleep training headsets? can we get programs for repulsor skating?

>>6357710
3000s Hacking Module (Dominion, military grade)

>>6357439
>>6357710
>>6357744
support
>with additional 700s HF blade

Looks like we're going for these:

3.5k Armored Repulsor Skates
3000s Hacking Module (Dominion, military grade)
3,600s 3x Medical Stasis Units

Not so much support for these, though you can certainly afford them with the extra money.
2800s SRL Mass Driver Rifle (Not many votes but asked for previously)
700s HF Knife/blade
6000s 3x Stun Pulse Grenade (Expensive)
100s Alcohol

Will post in the morning.

>>6357814

>3.5k Armored Repulsor Skates
>3000s Hacking Module (Dominion, military grade)
>3,600s 3x Medical Stasis Units
10,100 Total

3,400 left over from 13,500. I'm okay with any of the other items listed.

Alochol and guns good combo
alcohol and knives good combo
or just alcohol

Really I'm mostly joking about the alcohol bit if other anons would rather just go with gun or knife or something else.

>>6357814
stun oulse should be useful if we deal with more crowds in the future

>>6357814
I think we pinched a worn-out SRL Repulsor rifle from earlier salvage as it was an option for earlier loadout. Is it different mechanically to the Mass Driver rifle, or just naming?

Support buying alcohol as bribes, because the marines will save our asses a thousand times over like damage control teams did in Sonya d'Sharq's campaign.

Still want my knife, for CQC and when we're in a pinch.

>>6357992
For reference
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6216450/#p6237251

>>6357439
>>6357992
>>6357993
>SRL Repulsor rifle
>SRL Mass Driver Rifle
Sorry, these are the same gun, just different names for it. I interchange them so much I dont even notice I'm doing it most of the time.
https://houseanddominion.fandom.com/wiki/Mass_Driver_Rifle

Yes there are a few worn out ones salvaged from your first mission in inventory. There were some better ones in the second mission but they were handed over as evidence.

You've picked up some gear but are holding off on a new gun.

The others have each picked up a few things here and there. Nin in having a laugh at one of the more expensive options on the list, a Standard Corvette. Considered a death trap centuries ago, the rapid advance of technology over the last 30 years hasn't done it any favours. It might actually be worse than nothing at all.

Silvar, Talaat and Vayall are debating asking for more info on the Buccaneer Power Armor but are hesitant to do so given its cost. A surprisingly low cost for a suit of power armor.

Chief Hannah and Reza are looking through options for the ship and crew. They've sold off some of the low end body armor and damaged point defense turrets salvaged from your first mission. That has freed up enough cash to pick up a crate of Hard Plate Armor for the marines, adding another two squads.

If some of the money you picked up from the contraband sales were added to the remainder, the ship could pick up another crate of Hard Plate Armor, or a suit of Power Cell Armor.

[ ] Reserve the Cash
[ ] 250k (Case) Hard Plate Armor (+20 Front line Marines)
[ ] 250k SRL Power Cell Armor
[ ] 222k SRL Power Cell Armor (Damaged)
[ ] Write in

>>6358005
>[ ] 250k (Case) Hard Plate Armor (+20 Front line Marines)

Best foot forward.

>>6358000
I really need to reread the original Sonia epic. It was a wonderful story that took me a few months to read and I had just finished as you were finishing writing it.
Lots to remember from back then and last thread when 4chan went down, so no worries.

>>6358005
>[ ] 250k SRL Power Cell Armor

>>6358005
>[ ] 250k (Case) Hard Plate Armor (+20 Front line Marines)
yeah more boots on the ground

>>6358005
>>6358015
forgot to add
supporting the three on asking for more info, cant hurt also im nearly willing to bet its just an up armored power loader

>>6358005
>[ ] 250k (Case) Hard Plate Armor (+20 Front line Marines)

More Marines on deployment is always a god thing. Makes sure more objectives can get covered and more more people covering our asses from more of those mercs who will be gunning for us.

>>6358005
[ ] 250k (Case) Hard Plate Armor (+20 Front line Marines)
the ability to deploy in greater numbers is not something to scoff at.

>>6358016
You look over at what the others are investigating.
"So what's the deal with this armor you're looking at? Is it just a power loader?"

Buccaneer Power Armor is a new and somewhat experimental model developed by the South Reach League. It is intended as a modular armor system that can borrow components from other existing suits. On its own it is best classed as Light Power Armor.

The one currently available has only light armor with some added jump repulsor modules to give it mobility. This would allow it to outperform power cell armor in terms of movement and agility.

None of the optional upgrades are in stock at the moment but it could fit:
>Recon Stealth systems and Camouflage*
>Light Jump Jet Pack*
>Medium Jump Jet Pack
>Medium Armor Upgrades
*Incompatible with medium armor

"Okay, so how is it so cheap if it can equip any of that?"

Vayall answers, holding up a datapad.
"It only has one single stage micro fusion reactor."
"That's it?!" Talaat exclaims, drawing a few looks.

Kalnit comes over to see what's going on.
"Nobody makes single stage micro fusion plants."
"They do now," Silvar counters.

"Its armor protection is a bit thin," Vayall continues to read out. "It's still high density though. Similar to some models of Recon Armor."

"Didn't a bunch of Houses start adding additional ablative layers to their Recon suits during the war?" Talaat questions.

Silvar frowns, looking annoyed. "Yes, but that can degrade their stealth. Only people who intentionally put their stealth assets in harms way do that. They covered it in one of the guest lectures at the academy."

The ability to upgrade it with equipment intended for different makes and models of armor gives it some advantages, but in its base form the suit has drawbacks. Nobody is quite sure if it's worth the tradeoffs. Especially when it is listed as experimental.

Will post in the morning.

Although the idea of another suit of power cell armor is appealing, the ability to field more marines is far more valuable in the short term. With hard plate armor your squad has already proven difficult to stop. Getting more veteran marines into the fight will turn the tide of battles.

After the transaction is completed Reza leaves ops to make sure the Marines are given their new equipment as soon as possible. You're contemplating how best to make use of your new boots when a communications alert goes off.
"Sir we're receiving a distress signal."

"That's my cue to leave!" Mik says and quickly signs off. Soon enough your Fence is preparing to detach and shove off.

The Chief gives an annoyed sigh.
"According to the Alliance Charter we are required to respond to distress signals. If we're busy with a priority assignment, something time sensitive, it's up to each command to determine what needs come first. Either way we log it and pass the signal on to our allies. Coms, what are we looking at?"

"General distress signal. Civilian bandwidth. No details, but they have a similar signal readout to a Y-type transport."

Hannah requests a channel to the fleet and quickly informs them of the signal.
"Be advised, we're an Assault Transport with no escort. We're not the best ship to respond if it turns out there are hostiles."

"We copy that Bertrand but you're the closest ship. We cant even pick up the signal from the fleet. Can you at least try to get eyes on the area in question? We're scrambling a pair of corvettes but they wont arrive for 30 minutes."

You have no priority assignment as an excuse but that doesn't mean you should rush in either. The Bertrand is a fast ship at sublight speeds. You should be able to outrun all but the fastest opponents. There are 13 attack bombers among your starfighter contingent, enough to hurt most ships, but you still lack SP Torpedoes.

[ ] Jump in close, surprise anyone present
[ ] Jump in at a light minute distance, see but be seen
[ ] Jump in at a light hour, long range surveillance
[ ] Delay until the escort arrives

>>6358371
>[x] Jump in at a light minute distance, see but be seen

Distance enough to NOPE our way away

>>6358371
so whats the worst the alliance would slap us with if we faked a engine failure and they found out?
purely out of curiosity
>[ ] Jump in at a light hour, long range surveillance
also have nav ready a followup away jump

>>6358373
>so whats the worst the alliance would slap us with if we faked a engine failure and they found out?
Dereliction of duty but that's highly unlikely to happen. Even then they might just fine you, which can be seen as a worse punishment by cash strapped groups.

Gone to work. Will post in the late afternoon.

>>6358371
>[ ] Jump in at a light minute distance, see but be seen

Not really much of a warship as a transport with a couple guns slapped on, yeah? With no means to really repair or replace the ship if we absolutely have to bail if this is yet again another trap.

Lets play it safe this time and get eyes on the situation. So we can make a more informed decision on whether to step in or not.

>>6358371
>[ ] Jump in at a light minute distance, see but be seen

>>6358415
assault transports are warships specialised in landing troops on hostile planets

>>6358371
>[ ] Jump in at a light minute distance, see but be seen

File: Completely Reputable Freighter.png (75 KB)

75 KB PNG

Given your speed jumping in at a light minute distance seems safe enough. Still far enough away to make a run for it.

The Bertrand jumps and before long you've dropped out of FTL near the outer edge of a systems asteroid belt. No pirate starships seem to be lying in wait for you. At least something is going your way.

The ship in distress is a blocky Y-type Transport as predicted. At a thousand meters in length they're one of the more efficient transport designs out there. Something has ripped open its cargo section and damaged its starboard sublight drives. The vessel is currently adrift, in a decaying orbit around an asteroid. An asteroid showing clear signs of being cut into by a high output energy beam.

"What happened to them?"
"Damage is consistent with internal explosion," reports sensors. "We show them carrying mining gear. A Tug or overloaded mining beam system may have been responsible."

"We're too far from the fleet for this to be a legit mining outfit," the Chief concludes.

"They've seen us sir, incoming communications."
"On speaker."
"Alliance ship thank you for answering our distress call. We were just carrying out a sample retrieval mission to study the local belt when we suffered an accident. We request assistance getting back to the fleet."

The operations officer steps over to look at the sensor station's readout.
"Sample retrieval? I call bullshit sir. They're rigged for heavy mining. They were going to fill their hold with heavy metals."

Hannah nods in agreement.
"Wildcat miners for sure. They show up in frontier regions, areas that aren't well patrolled. They're becoming rare in Dominion space these days. Too many patrol ships after the war. Illegal mining out here can be lucrative with the fleet still waiting on treaties to be signed."

You could arrest them, the Alliance will have standing bounties for police actions on such groups. Or you could help them out, choosing to look the other way. Perhaps in return for financial compensation?

"We should make friends with them," Alar suggests, to some bewildered looks. "We already have a smuggler contact. We could expand our underworld connections."

[ ] Hold them for arrest
[ ] Help them and look the other way
[ ] Help them, for a cut of their profits
[ ] Add them as an underworld contact
[ ] Write in

>>6358554
>[ ] Add them as an underworld contact
Seeing how the "end goal" is to help bring the house back to life, connections are a good thing to build.

>>6358554
>[ ] Add them as an underworld contact

>>6358554
>[ ] Add them as an underworld contact

>>6358554
>[ ]Hold them for arrest
however only do so if that results in us being able to claim the ship in the process, we already know the locals are more likely to offer us raw resources and the Bertrand doesn't really have the holds to make it worthwhile for us, if were lucky these guys might even have a onboard refinery op going, if we cant claim the ship in the process my vote goes to
Help them, for a cut of their profits + Add them as an underworld contact
they just might be useful enough to point us in the direction of crews being able to not blow up on covert "behind the lines" ops

>>6358554
>[ ] Help them, for a cut of their profits

>>6358554
[ ] Help them, for a cut of their profits
[ ] Add them as an underworld contact

Are both options on the table here?
Extra bargaining chip to refer them to the earlier Izuan planet that was happily trading resources for Factions support.

"Could we claim their ship as salvage?"

"Not likely," the Chief replies. "They're a crippled civilian ship, they're not going to resist. Combat salvage rights are meant to incentivise fighting hostile vessels. The possibility of getting a piece of the enemy makes for a good bonus when convincing people to put their lives on the line.
Non-combat related salvage rights are for recovery of abandoned ships. Which is always a sticking point if some idiot happens to be in stasis on the ship waiting for rescue."
Hannah sighs.
"No, we'd just have to settle for an arrest bounty. Somebody still owns the ship and they're going to have an interesting time getting it out of impound."

>>6358616
>Are both options on the table here?
>Extra bargaining chip to refer them to the earlier Izuan planet that was happily trading resources for Factions support.
It's not a bad idea. They're going to be unhappy having to both give up money and acting as a contact. Offering an additional bargaining chip like you said would offset that.

Unfortunately that Izuan planet was trying to buy military support to clear the streets. Something that this freighter crew is unlikely to supply.

Hannah opens a channel to the damaged freighter and informs them that you're well aware of what they're really up to, but that today is their lucky day. You'll help stabilize their ship and get them back to the fleet for repairs. In return they're going to do something for you.

Connections to the local underworld could come in handy. Something separate from your Fence to reduce the likelihood of getting them into trouble. Maybe some work will cross their desk that you could help out with? Investment opportunities as well as information.

In return you'll help them out and even look the other way.

"You're helping us out and not even charging us? You got it boss. We'll be in repair dock a few days but after that we'll see if anything comes up."

An engineering team is sent aboard to help stabilize the ship and a report is sent back to the Alliance that you've aided a civilian ship in distress. Once the teams are quite sure the freighter isn't going to explode the Bertrand is rigged for towing. The two ships match drive fields and soon you're jumping out of the system.

An hour later you're back at the fleet and help them limp to a repair dock. Hopefully these miners are as good as their word and become a reliable contact.

The shipment of alcohol you purchased from your Fence is uncrated and a small memorial service to Knight Dar'el is held. The marines and command crew are invited to share drinks but it quickly spirals out of control as more and more crew arrive to pay their respects. The drinks are quickly exhausted but crew soon begin to show up bringing some of their own.

The shuttle bay techs arrive bringing with them a memorial that is erected in one of the wider corridors near the bridge. A name plaque with Knight Dar'el Camdie is on it, though there is room for more names to be added below.

Many of the marines and crew served with the Knight years ago, long before coming onboard. Often in different engagements aboard ships and on planets. They saw victories at times but in most cases losses elsewhere caused a withdrawal from planets and systems. Fighting on the losing side of the Dominion's latest civil war has left a mark on the crew, but the Knight made sure to recruit anyone still willing to continue on.

You see some familiar faces among the crew but many you still haven't met properly.
Are there crew from any part of the ship you want to be introduced to?

>>6358787
Alternatively anything you'd like to say in memory of the Knight?

>>6358788
>His dream of restoring the house will live on

>>6358788
>what say
"Knight Da'rel was and yet still is the finest member of our House Meros in living memory. They were the light of hope for our house when the civil war aftermath left us with nothing. I was not serving, still in academy but my parents and our fine people know the rest.
"Let us not go kindly, quietly into the night, but keep the light burning in his memory and for the House!"

>>6358787
Would love to meet our master of arms, also the Chief on how we can expand the fleet and get some escorts that won't fall apart like paper when there's plasma attack craft, super heavies, shield piercing torpedoes and everything else flying around us.

Laying a claim to the down-tech Izuan territory when

With everyone taking their turn saying a few words you step up to do the same.

"Knight Da'rel was and yet still is the finest member of House Meros in living memory. They were the light of hope for our house when the aftermath of civil war left us with nothing. I may have still been in academy in the intervening years but my parents and our fine people know the rest.
"His dream of restoring the house will live on through us. Let us not go kindly, quietly into the night, but keep the light burning in his memory and for the House!"

Your speech is met with applause, though among some parties it's a bit more tepid. A few of the older crew members do stop by to say a few words of support to you.

"Glad we have such a zealous promoter of restoring the House keeping up the work."
"You stay on and we might go places."

Vayall whispers to you once most other people are out of earshot.
"Making sure you have plenty of practice with the inspirational speeches I see."

"You have to start somewhere. People beyond the command crew need to know we're stepping up."
"You have a point. I thought I would have years to get into the habit. I suppose that means I'll have to start preparing something witty between training sessions."


You ask around trying to get a proper introduction to the master of arms. Eventually they find you.
"Name's Ve'rod," a burly Dro'all informs you. "Armor, small arms, I keep track of it all. Used to be in charge of maintaining the weapons at a planetary garrison. Until it blew it up. Got taken prisoner, ended up in stasis for a bit as part of an exchange deal. Took awhile to find the rest of the House forces that survived after I got out. Eventually ran into Dar'el Camdie and I've been looking after the armory for 'em ever since."

You ask if there's anything the ship is in need of.

"I dont know if its what the ship needs but I'll need to know what the word is on what to do with the Knight's old power armor. Repairing it to the previous spec is right out. It was out of date even with all of the extra upgrades thrown on. That armor was nearly 200 years old. I think. Some of the serial numbers were screwy. Could make a case to the Alliance about a full rebuild.
Some of the crew think it should be shelved, turn it into a shrine, something. I think that's a waste while we're desperate for gear but it's going to take two, three months to refit that armor. Anyways, said my peace, you talk to the rest of the rising stars."

You promise to stop by the armory some time when it's not just to pick up your gear for a mission.

"If I'm not there I'm running the crew through boarding drills."

>Cont

File: Bertrand_Forward_Bays.png (20.4 KB)

20.4 KB PNG

Next up you ask the Chief about how to expand the fleet. Specifically some quality escort ships.

"We either make a lot of money, or we take part in actions where we're guaranteed to go up against hostile warships. Warships we can put a salvage claim on."

Those are likely to be pirates who wont have the best ships.
"I know, it's a bit of a catch 22. If we find we're up against anybody with a ship that we really want it means we're in a lot of trouble."
"That sucks."
"It sure does."

You jokingly ask when Izuan planets are going to be annexed. The Chief gives you an odd smile and says she'll see you tomorrow in ops.

The next day a few people have had to make visits to the medbays for hangovers but stations are manned and the ship is operating. The Chief is already waiting when you arrive in Ops. Does she even sleep?

"First order of business," she announces, "supplemental income. The Alliance is paying us well but it's never enough. One of the contacts that Knight Dar'el reached out to found us a good income stream. Not the best but steady income."
"Show us please." Alar answers.

The display activates showing the Bertrand.

"Our forward bays aren't currently in use. We don't have any walkers yet. They can be reconfigured as probe bays. Every time we drop out of FTL to change course we can deploy a probe to survey systems.
The Navigators Guild will resupply us with probes and pay us a few thousand for every good deployment. If our people are doing their jobs," she loudly announces to the bridge crew, "we'll get maybe 6-12 launches every deployment."

That will add up but does mean you'll be deprived of the walker bays. Not that you have anything to put in them as pointed out. What you could do is only have one bay converted. It just means you'll run out of probes on a longer deployment away from the fleet.

"What's this middle one with a torpedo icon?" Kalnit asks.
"We could convert a bay into a torpedo battery. That would give us tremendous frontal firepower."

You dont have any spare cash for a torpedo battery right now but it's something to remember.

[ ] Convert both into probe bays
[ ] Convert one into probe bay
[ ] Delay for now

>>6358907
>[ ] Convert one into probe bay
yeah... being poor sucks. also if we managed sending all probes out per deployment we can get a walker in just five deployments (calculating 2.5k per). by the 7! were poor.

>>6358907
>[ ] Convert one into probe bay

Head up that I may not be able to post until sunday.

>>6358907
>[ ] Convert one into probe bay
Flexibility.

Also awesome that there's possibility (however unlikely) on what to do with Knight's power armour. As soon as we get the alliance observer..

>>6358907
>[ ] Convert one into probe bay

We need to improve our cash flow and currently we have no cash and thus no flow. Or whatever cash we do have is so little that any amount of flow is good.

>>6358907
>[ ] Convert both into probe bays

One probe bay should be enough. It's not like you're going to be away from the fleet for long periods of time. Even if you are that second bay might be useful for other things.

Your Alliance observer arrives and is soon escorted to Ops. A Rovinar female who introduces themself as Lt Commander Gemaya Ideru. While they have the typical green scales and reptilian appearance, the normally brightly coloured mohawk is bleached almost blonde. You haven't met many Rovinar but this one seems... prickly, and not for the row of spikes that flank their hair. Perhaps she's not the happiest to be here?

"Welcome aboard," says Hannah. "I'm surprised to receive an observer that's such a high ranking officer,"

"I too was surprised to get this assignment," Gemaya replies. "Your reports to Alliance Intelligence regarding the ambush of your forces mention that details of your losses must remain classified. Alliance Intel believes I possess sufficient clearance to be fully briefed."

The Chief calls up data on the Knights armor along with ships, weapons and equipment used by the mercenaries who attacked you.

"Knight Dar'el was assassinated by forces specifically outfitted to defeat our equipment . They had a sniper with enough firepower to render the Knight's armor useless. Their starship, broadcasting an Alliance IFF, chased us away from orbit, and their LST endangered shuttle pickup. They badly wounded Guild contact personnel and used them as bait to draw us in knowing our mission objectives."
Hannah crosses her arms and turns to the officer.
"We've been directly targeted."

"I see this is going to be an interesting assignment. The Knight's status is to remain classified to induce follow up attacks?"
"Correct."
"I suppose it would be prudent to expedite the requisitioning of SP torpedoes."
"We also have a shortage of portable medical stasis units."
"How many do you have onboard?"
"Enough for the medical trauma teams and high value personnel. 16 total."

This seems to surprise the Rovinar.
"For an entire starship?!"
"They're not as easy to acquire in Dominion space. Bulkier units are much more common in the civilian sector."

Gemaya pulls out a datapad and starts typing.
"Each Marine fireteam medic should have one. I am making an emergency requisition request for medical supplies vital for live saving operations. I will need to see your medbays to ensure they're up to minimum standard in order to treat Faction personnel you may be called on to aid or rescue."

Well that's good news you guess, free upgrades. The stasis units you already bought will still come in handy though.

>Cont

"Who are the ranking officers aboard ship?"

Hannah holds an Alliance rank of Lt Commander as the captain of the ship. All of you Knight aspirants are Lt junior grades. Much to Gemaya's surprise there is no clear chain of command regarding who is in charge overall of the infantry and special forces aboard the ship. That is currently split between the seven of you.

"I was incorrect, this isn't going to be an interesting assignment, it's going to be a nightmare."

The Rovinar officer decides it would be best to begin that inspection of the medical bays sooner rather than later and a marine shows them the way out.

With your SP weapon stockpiles and medical gear soon to be filled now is the time to start preparing to take on additional missions. 4 missions are currently available. Another Rescue/Extraction mission like the one where Knight Dar'el was killed. A priority cargo run requiring a fast ship. A convoy escort operation in need of an escort carrier which your ship technically still qualifies as. Lastly is a landing assault operation that would make use of your vehicle bays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnGw3EAqvNA [LRSSG Briefing I]

>Mission: Rescue / Extraction
Start time: 1 day
Duration: 1-2 days
Payout: 100k-150k

>Mission: Cargo Run (Priority)
Start time: 1 day
Duration: 1 day
Payout: 100k

>Mission: Convoy Escort
Start time: 1 day
Duration: 4 days
Payout: 200k

>Mission: Landing Assault
Start time: 5 days
Duration: ?? days
Payout: 1 Million

>Detailed mission briefings to follow.

>Mission: Rescue / Extraction
"We have no shortage of extraction missions available. I suspect they'll be our bread and butter for as long as Alliance and Guild personnel keep being put out on planets in this Galaxy."

"Why not just recall everyone now?" you ask the question everyone is thinking. "It's been days since the initial incidents. All the contact teams have to know they're at risk."

"The Majority have been pulled. The problem I'm seeing is that some don't think they're having any problems locally until it's too late."
"Idiots in other words."
"That and some contact teams are making actual progress establishing relations with the government only for the civilians to get uppity. The various queens are just as frustrated as we are."
"Maybe more so," Alar chimes in. "The civilian riots dont just threaten relations and new prospects for trade, but the queens power base."

"Whatever the reason the Alliance needs people rescued and is treating it as combat SAR. Full resupply and crew payout."


>Mission: Cargo Run (Priority)
"What are we looking at with this?" you ask the Chief.

"Exactly what it sounds like. The Guild and Alliance need cargo moved to outposts being setup. We're a fast ship with capacity to spare. It pays but not as well as combat missions. They're useful to take when waiting for repairs on armor or personnel to get healed up. You can also use the down time for training."

This cargo run is a priority assignment with better than average pay.

>Mission: Convoy Escort
Like the cargo run but with the added difficulty of protecting other ships. With pirates and hostile mercenaries confirmed to be present in the region escort craft are needed to guard incoming shipments from Faction space. It's a 2 day run out to meet the convoy then 2 days back protecting them. In theory it should be fairly quiet, with most of the time spent at high FTL speeds.

The Alliance will provide additional starfighters to bulk out your forces and better protect the convoy if it is threatened.

>Mission: Landing Assault
A large independent Izuan colony has taken their contact team captive and wants to negotiate for medicine and technology in exchange for their release. The Alliance wants to make a show of force so that others dont try the same thing.

"The Alliance needs boots on the ground in a big way. Multiple battalions of armored vehicles and mechanized infantry."
"Can we pull that off?" Talaat asks.
"Young man this ship was built for it. We can park an armored column on someones doorstep. We won't be the only ones there thankfully so we wont be so big of a target. Unless someone is ready to violate the Factions Treaty and use nukes in atmosphere we should have the easy part of the assignment. If the Izuan do start using nukes we've got bigger problems."

The Bertrand will transport Alliance air and ground forces who will do the bulk of the fighting. There are bonuses available for additional air support, along with secondary and tertiary assault teams willing to provide special forces support to the ground units. You and your marines and the ships starfighter contingent could provide support for extra pay.


>What missions(s) are you interested?
Resuming Sunday

File: 134452104_p0.png (1 MB)

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>>6359308
>Mission: Cargo Run (Priority)
or
>Mission: Landing Assault

have a pic of a starfighter I found a few days ago

>>6359308
>What missions(s) are you interested?

>Mission: Rescue / Extraction
>Mission: Landing Assault

I'm interested in the Landing Assault and the Rescue/ Extraction. We and the other Knight Aspirants need more experience in the field. As much as I personally would like to be in a space ship blowing up pirates and raiders. The faster we can get experience leading forces and handling difficult situations that lead us to being not just eligible to be a Knight. But actual recognition as a Knight.

>Chain of Command/ Effective Ranks
Oh wow we're equivalent to an O-2? While Hannah is an O-4? Man, we are working from the bottom up.

So then would a Knight proper be equivalent to a Commander/ Lieutenant-Colonel? Or a Captain/ Colonel? How is that going to work when we eventually out rank her? Or is she going to go up in rank to keep as well, eventually? Even if she isn't in line to become a Knight.

And the chain of command for the Marines, I always thought they answered to either Knight Dar'el or Reza? Or does that change with Knight Dar'el no longer being with us?

>>6359287
if im reading correctly we can do either the rescue or cargo mission and then show up on time for the Landing assault? if yes id vote for
>Mission: Rescue / Extraction
followed by
>Mission: Landing Assault

also

>"I was incorrect, this isn't going to be an interesting assignment, it's going to be a nightmare."
our case was interesting? i feel like a down on their luck not-merc outfit being caught in harsh business practices seems common enough. oh... did you buy into the "the knight is doing some spec op behind the line story" or any other story we told around?
nightmare? youre lucky you arent with the rovinar govt!

>>6359308

>>6359327
>Mission: Rescue / Extraction
followed by
>Mission: Landing Assault
I support this. It's what we can do with a complement of marines, while cannot do other tasks with a single ship and no escorts.

>>6359308
>Mission: Landing Assault

>>6359316
>So then would a Knight proper be equivalent to a Commander/ Lieutenant-Colonel? Or a Captain/ Colonel?
As far as the Alliance was concerned Knight Dar'el was a Lt Commander in charge of a special forces unit with access to a ship that could be deployed as needed.
A lone knight with just their armor and troops but no ship of their own would would likely be treated as a Lieutenant by the Alliance.

A Knight that brought with them a squadron or more of starships would be a higher rank.

>How is that going to work when we eventually out rank her? Or is she going to go up in rank to keep as well, eventually? Even if she isn't in line to become a Knight.
You ask Hannah about this.
"You're in charge of the ground and special forces. I'm in charge of the ship and any fleet support. If we ended up in control of a fleet of say ten to twenty ships the Alliance would promote me. Ultimately it doesn't matter if you out rank me. I'm still driving you all from point A to point B.
What won't change at the end of the day is that the Bertrand is MY ship."

>And the chain of command for the Marines, I always thought they answered to either Knight Dar'el or Reza? Or does that change with Knight Dar'el no longer being with us?
The Marines do answer to Reza, it's just that in combat he's usually held back on the ship in charge of the reserves. Command of the marines in the field is evenly split between you 'junior officers.' Knight Dar'el is no longer there to act as the overall commander.

>>6359327
>if im reading correctly we can do either the rescue or cargo mission and then show up on time for the Landing assault?
Yes.

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Five of you immediately point towards the landing assault as an operation you need to get in on. That much money could seriously improve your fighting strength. It will also give you a real idea of what the Alliance and the Izuan are capable of in the local theater.

There is minor debate on what to do in the 5 days leading up to the assault operation. The cargo run is brought up, but the majority are in favour of the Rescue / Extraction mission. That should give you more experience and there's a chance for bonuses.

Hannah calls it up on the main display.
"Extraction mission. Misheart colony, located in the Sentinel Worlds. A guild contact team are stuck on planet due to ongoing protests. They had some warning and managed to withdraw to a pair of government buildings in the local colony. We shouldn't need to go looking in fifteen different places to locate them all this time."

Like the last colony you visited the spaceport is located some distance away to reduce the atmospheric impact from starship launches.

"Any local resources we could buy or sell?" Vayall asks. "I'd rather we didn't miss out this time."

"Mining and manufacturing for Ammonium nitrate. Basic metals industry. Small arms."
The only thing you cant find elsewhere cheaply are Izuan manufactured small arms. Would they actually sell them to you?

Reza gets your attention.
"An important question. Will you be holding your power cell armor in reserve? If damaged in this operation there might not be time for it to be fully repaired before the landing assault."

On the one hand you could use the experience with the new armor, but on the other it will be far more useful on the big assault drop. Up until things went wrong with the ambush your hard plate armor was more than adequate last time. Then again that could also mean you're unlikely to take real damage to your power cell armor.

1A) Deploy with it
1B) Hold in reserve

>2) If used will Joanna or Kalnit deploy with the armor this time?
2A) Joanna
2B) Kalnit

>>6359972

>1B) Hold in reserve

However if other anons want it deployed then

>2B) Kalnit

>>6359972
>1B) Hold in reserve

>>6359972
>1B) Hold in reserve

File: Mistheart_Colony.png (1.3 MB)

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It takes most of the day for Gemaya to get the paperwork for your resupply through but after that it's only an hour for the Bertrand to get in line for docking. Marine medics are soon stocked with stasis units and the attack bombers are loaded with SP Torpedoes. You have enough firepower to give anyone still hunting you second thoughts about the entire thing.

Eight attack bombers will be loaded and ready with torpedoes any time the Bertrand is away from the fleet. The others will have a mix of munitions for other mission types. Mostly missiles to deal with starfighters or tanks.

You ask if there's any chance you could scare up an escort, but this is considered a low threat mission. If you see anyone with an Alliance IFF that isn't on the ground it's likely a threat.

A few short jumps later and the ship drops out of FTL at the agreed solar limit. The burn in system gives everyone time to suit up and report back to ops. The Power cell armor has been stowed for now, you're all in hard plate once again.

"We're detecting two beacons in government buildings. Large crowds are around the center of the city. That place will he hard to get into. It doesn't have roof access because of decorative spires the Izuan seem to like on their fancier buildings. One beacon in the south doesn't seem to have attracted all that much attention."

For the beacon to the south you might be able to simply land in force with a shuttle or two and pull them out before crowds could form.

Reza is looking over the approaches to the center of the city.
"We could land forces on the rooftops of the smaller buildings but they would still have to cross a street that has the protesters. We may have to deploy our ground vehicles and take a convoy in to pull them out."

Silvar looks at the detailed scans before pointing to a spot on one of the rooftops.
"Have a team smart grapple across to the government building, open a window and set up a zip line across the street. Zip line the VIP's across to the flat roof tops where the shuttle can pick them up."

"What if they're afraid of heights?" Alar points out.
"Then they suffer emotional trauma. Not our problem," Silvar shrugs.

You have numbers with the additionally equipped marines now. You could just go in with shields and form a corridor to get the people out to one of the nearby buildings.

[ ] IFV Convoy
[ ] Zipline to roof
[ ] Shield wall corridor
[ ] Write in

>>6360002
>[ ] Zipline to roof

>>6360002

>[ ] Write in
>[ ] Zipline to roof
Have a team or two go to the one in the south to extract the VIPs there. Would hopefully only need one team, but better to have one as backup for the other.

As for the one in the center.

Lets go for a zipline between buildings. In and out fairly simple. Can have the IFV’s on stand by just outside the city in case we need them for backup incase the local populace gets angry and does something irrational.

>>6360002
>[ ] IFV Convoy
just so they can do a "test" run before the big happening, we havent heard those engines roar yet

>>6360002
>[ ] Zipline to roof
as a back up
>[ ] IFV Convoy

>>6360008
>>6360010
>>6360014
>>6360022
Okay, try to zipline, have the IFV's ready as a plan B.


Did you want Joanna to go in with the zipline team, the IFV team, or try to scoop up that southern group?

>>6360028
>IFV team

>>6360028

>IFV team

>>6360028
>Zipline team
be where the action is

The Chief looks over the plan and signals the spaceport that the Bertrand will be touching down near the other Alliance ships. The vehicle bay is signaled to get ready and warned that some of the marines will be deploying via IFV. You'll be joining them as will Kalnit.

Silvar will go with the zipline team since it was his idea and Alar will join him as they're most likely to need a medic. Talaat and Vayall will perform a drop on the southern point, while Ninnik and his team will again defend the spaceport. He's not complaining.

The Chief has the crew perform a minimal braking burn on approach, relying on the repulsors and shields to aid in deceleration. The spaceport controllers send a number of alarmed messages in response to your ships atmospheric entry maneuvers. You only catch a bit of it over the command channel while mounting up in the back of an IFV.

Wanting to have some idea of what's going on outside you plug into the fighting vehicles external sensors. When the Bertrand's landing bay doors open and the big ramp starts to descend you see the horizon line outside still tilting. The ship levels out, coming down for a smooth landing only a second or two before the landing ramp touches down.

The whine of the IFV's engine increases as the driver right away speeds down the ramp following one of the medium tanks.

"What's with the tanks?" You ask Ram. "I thought this was only going to be IFV's."

"We've only got the 12 ground vehicles," he explains. "Strength in numbers. Marines can ride the tanks if things go sideways and we stick civies in the transports."
That makes sense you suppose.

The convoy pushes out of the spaceport and accelerates to 200kph, using repulsors to hover a good 4 meters in the air. The vehicles cut cross country out over fields, not relying on roads.

The shuttle teams report that they're moving into position and soon they're beginning their drop.

Roll 2d100

Rolled 89, 94 = 183 (2d100)

>>6360048

Rolling.

Rolled 43, 59 = 102 (2d100)

>>6360048

Rolled 2, 5 = 7 (2d100)

>>6360048

Rolled 33, 48 = 81 (2d100)

>>6360048

Rolled 67, 87 = 154 (2d100)

>>6360048

The Convoy swings to the south of the city eventually taking position along one of the main roads. You have a straight shot to the center now if anything goes wrong.

The command channel is fairly quite, just the occasional update as teams get into position. Reports that the zipline team have made it into government building. Talaat and Vayall's teams soon call in that they have the VIP's and are withdrawing. A minute later their shuttles go streaking across the sky headed for the spaceport.

"Zipline is in place."
"Bertrand the crowd is looking agitated," Alar reports.

You tap in.
"This is Farrell, do you need us to move the IFV convoy in as a distraction?"
"Maybe, standby."

First one, then a handful and more are reported as having made it out by zipline. It seems to be working. Then you hear the one thing you didn't want to.

"Under fire!"
"Returning fire!"
"I've got them! VIP secure!" Silvar calls out.

"Zip team, what's your status?" Hannah asks once the initial flurry of reports clears.

"An Izuan shot out the line with a plasma weapon. Marines stunned them. I caught the VIP before they could fall. We're going to reestablish the line."

"A lot of the crowd is backing off," Alar adds, "but I can see more headed this way. Some are armed."

[ ] Move the convoy in as a distraction
[ ] Scare them off with stun shots
[ ] Write in

>>6360078
>[ ] Move the convoy in as a distraction

>>6360078
>[ ] Move the convoy in as a distraction
This will also allow us to be in better support position.

>>6360078
>[ ] Move the convoy in as a distraction
eyes open down sights, ready to stun

You signal the convoy to move in. The vehicles push up their altitude again to simply fly over top of local traffic. The sudden appearance of your tanks and troop transports causes civilians to panic and ground traffic to swerve to the side in the hopes they wont be crushed. There's no threat of that, the Factions solved such issues with repulsor craft centuries ago.

After several intersections there's a slight curve in the road to the left then you've faced with crowds of Izuan. Looks like you're in the right place.

The convoy slows as it turns towards the street the zipline team is trying to traverse. You ask the gunners turn their turrets and point defense guns to point towards any Izuan that are obviously armed.
"Keep the weapons safed, but aim for anyone acting threatening or that's headed for our people. We want their attention here."

One of the drivers runs up the compressors on the engines making the vehicle louder and attracting more looks.

Silvar's team resume their zipline use and start reporting that people are looking in your direction. It seems to be working. Marines on the rooftops are still ready to open up with phase rifles on stun if anyone else gets any ideas.

The convoy has almost made it to the zip line when the last of the VIP's get out. Silvar is last across. Using his smart grapple he recovers one of the weapons dropped by the izuan that had shot out the wire.
"I'm not leaving without compensation. Especially if they try to shoot at us."

The shuttles are soon loaded and lift off. Now for you to get out of here. The convoy heads out turning south again picking up speed. Some of the more belligerent Izuan seem to think you're running from them. One fires a shot into the back of an IFV causing only superficial damage.

[ ] Stun him to get the point across
[ ] Fire the IFV's cannons into the air
[ ] Ignore them, you have places to be

>>6360091
>[ ] Stun him to get the point across

>>6360091
[ ] Stun him to get the point across
Parting gift as we leave.

>>6360091
>[ ] Stun him to get the point across

Thought I'd get another post out but pills are putting me to sleep.
Will post tomorrow evening.

"Somebody stun the one that shot at us. Teach them that actions have consequences."

The Marines react quickly, popping the back hatch and firing a burst into the offender. Other armed Izuan seem to get the wrong idea, drawing their own weapons rather than retreating. Kalnit has a combat drone sweep in and stun the lot of them. Once they go down there doesn't seem to be many others willing to repeat their mistake.

With that done the convoy picks up speed again. Within a few minutes you're out of the city entirely, making good time out over the fields once more.

Reza breaks in on coms.
"All forces update, contact teams are fully accounted for. Shuttles are seeing them to their ships. No serious injuries reported."

Next the Chief is on the command coms.
"We are getting complaints from traffic control about our earlier approach and landing. I've told them that it was within Faction regulations but they're not liking that. Departure may be moved up. Convoy team, get a move on."

Keepin an eye out on the IFV sensors you see that traffic around the spaceport has increased in your absence. Civilian vehicles are converging on the area as you approach the spaceport landing field. Your height above ground means that none of them are going to get in your way.

The parked Faction ships are showing increased power readings as they get ready for liftoff. By the looks of things you should be in the clear. The convoy slows down only slightly when approaching and climbing the Bertrand's landing ramps. There's a slight wobble then you're aboard, safe and sound.

Reza asks everyone to remain in their armor until the last of the ships lift off from the spaceport. There's still a risk of something going wrong until everyone is in the air. There are delays. Some Izuan that have arrived at the gates are claiming refugee status.

The Chief is worried that some of the locals will try to get inside the landing field and rush the ships.
"We're lifting off. Marines to the shuttles. We'll redeploy from the air as needed."

Hannah takes the Bertrand up and orbits the spaceport, hovering on repulsors at 3000 meters. In the time it takes you to dismount the vehicles and head up to the shuttles the other Faction ships finally launch.
"I had to badger them a bit but they took off. If they really want to do a refugee/relief mission they can properly staff one with soldiers and warships from the get go."

Well there goes a potential source of additional bonus pay. Then again it might have been a hassle trying to get supposed refugees sorted with the potential for protestors trying to sneak in.

You report to Ops once all of the ships have left atmosphere and begun their burn out system. Hannah congratulates you all on a job well done.

"We got in, we got out. Nobody was killed. I would classify that as a successful mission. What can we do better next time?"

>What say?

>>6360469
>"We got in, we got out. Nobody was killed. I would classify that as a successful mission. What can we do better next time?"

>>What say?

Nothing immediately jumps to mind for improvement. Maybe making sure to have alternative exits ready in case things go sideways?

>>6360469
>What say?
reducing eye catching actions, maybe announce we will use stun shots in retaliation, doesn't seem like they know we have those. Hmm, maybe have a distraction going on somewhere else.

>>6360469
If we're going to deal with crowds frequently, we might want to get some LRADs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-range_acoustic_device) or similar devices to clear them out

>>6360469
>>6359972
I was in such a hurry to get the post done before I fell asleep I forgot about the resources!

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96.2 KB GIF

Silvar has received a minor commendation for rescuing a VIP who fell when the zipline was cut. He was also quite determined to capture one of the enemy weapons after that incident.

The Izuan you've encountered seem to favour a type of plasma pistol as a small arm. It's different from weapons used by the Factions. Rather than taking plasma from a reactor or fuel cell that had already been superheated, it takes in air from the surrounding environment and heats it in a confinement ring before launching it in a burst towards a target.

The plasma is relatively low temperature, poorly contained and quick to disperse. It's more comparable to a burst flamethrower really. Hard plate armor should resist it at anything but point blank range or sustained fire. These are what has been found in civilian hands. Military grade weapons may be more dangerous.

Reza looks over the statistics.
"We may be able to use magnetic shielding to deflect most of the damage at range. I've heard of Shallan Fusion gun teams using similar systems to prevent friendly fire."

More gear to carry, fantastic, but it might be worth it. Of course first you have to get hold of some. You'll have to check with the fleet.

You have gained 1 free skill point to be assigned as you see fit. (You have not experienced any passive skill gain.)

What category do you want to assign your skill point to?

>>6360721
My thoughts
-Whatever lets us carry more grenades for anti-personnel action in next mission - Physique? Heavy Weapons??
-Stealth, extra sneakan as this is PoV RPG and focused on Joanna
-Hacking, because I like taking other people's equipment for free
-Medical, to save our dudes when the real medic is away

My preference among all these is Stealth, even if we get that Plasma Wing power armour later.

>>6360721
>ranged weapon

>>6360729
>Whatever lets us carry more grenades for anti-personnel action in next mission
Veteran level Physique would let you take a second weapon or say a bandoleer of grenades instead. You dont currently have enough points to unlock that yet.

If you used power cell armor that would also unlock the second weapon slot.

>Hacking
>Medical
You could use the remaining days before next mission start for intensive training to raise your skill level in one of these fields.

Gone to work!

>>6360741
>Hacking
>Medical
With you being back at the fleet you can also spend 1000s on memory imprinting and training time to guarantee reaching basic level for one of those before the next mission.

>>6360721

Point in Stealth

>>6360721
>What category do you want to assign your skill point to?
>Ranged Weapons,
also do this
>>6360748
>spend 1000s on memory imprinting
medical

>>6360764
I am good with this

When it comes to what to improve on you suggest looking into better crowd control measures.
"Are sonic cannons approved for use? I remember them being used during some riots back home."

Hannah frowns in thought. "I'll look into it. They're a bit odd in terms of use per species. Stun weapons tend to be preferred."
"Yes but stun weapons lack a true 'deterrence' setting," Alar points out.

"We could also announce we use stun shots in retaliation to attacks?" you add.
Getting the vehicle loudspeakers playing such warnings should be relatively simple. You were doing similar with the shuttles in your previous drop.

"Planning a distraction beforehand would also help," says Silvar. "The convoy appearing and making lots of noise turned heads."

Some more alternative exits wouldn't hurt either. The zipline plan worked it just needs a bit more support next time.

>>6360754
>>6360729
>Stealth

>>6360764
>>6360769
>>6360736
>ranged weapon

1 more point into ranged weapons. Your efforts to improve your marksmanship are not going unnoticed.
"Keep it up and you'll give Vayall a run for her money," Sergeant Ram says the next time you visit the firing range.

Back at the lounge you decide to ask about improving some of your training.
"Alar what do you know about memory imprinting?"

"It's great for leaning basic skills quickly. Even some advanced but very specialised ones. The memories are artificial though and will fade over time, that's why it's necessary to combine it with intensive training to burn the skills in. Form your own memories of doing it."

"I need to get my basic field medic training completed before the next mission. I don't want to be without it in a full on war zone."
"There are clinics aboard the flagship to get the imprinting done, then I can walk you through the basics of field medicine."
"Thanks."

Scheduling the trip over you see there there is some time available before your appointment. Enough that you could check out the power armor R&D center once more. Knight Dar'el's armor is not in great shape even if repaired. Maybe one of them could figure out what way it might be of use in the future?

[ ] See what options are available
[ ] Hold off for now
[ ] Don't risk anyone else in that armor

Rolled 2 (1d4)

>>6360868
>[ ] See what options are available
might as well, you never know

>>6360868
>[ ] See what options are available

Even if it's damaged. Still be worth looking into. So that we can see what our options are in the future. If there's been any changes since our last visit.

>>6360868
>[ ] See what options are available

>>6360868
>[ ] See what options are available

>>6360850
Happy with paying for +1 medical. Great!
Ranged is also useful and would keep Joanna alive and effective in weaker armour.

>>6360868
>[ ] See what options are available
Seems like a risk to our propaganda that Knight Dar'el is still alive if we share what condition the armour is in. Discretion is key here

>>6360880
>any changes since our last visit.

You recognize one of the officers present near the testing tracks. A Shallan you met before named Lucy Ganett.

"Anything new being tested today?"
"New? It's only been a few days since you were here last," the shorter woman chuckles. "There is something different though. It's an attempt to replace the ablative armor layers on a suit of heavy armor with stasis reinforced plates."

You head to one of the observation platforms overlooking one of the testing bays. A big suit of armor is stomping around shrugging off hits from a variety of weapons. While it seems to be doing well in ignoring damage, the testing crew call for frequent stops for one reason or another. Overheating, static buildup, readings not looking right and so on.

"It's a work in progress. Not as ambitious as some of the nutcases in the Dominion trying to build armor with dozens of shaped stasis field emitters. Stasis reinforcement of physical shields and armor is something that works in the here and now, not maybe ten or twenty years from now."

It sounds like the Houses back home are pushing the bounds of stasis technology. Who knows what they might be fielding by the time you get back. Then again they might just be blowing money out the airlock if it's stuck in prototype for decades or more.

"I have a bit of an odd line of inquiry. My unit had a suit trashed in an operation. It's out of date and will need to be rebuilt. What would be the best system to outfit it with if we restored it?"

You show her a datapad with the rough schematics of the Knights armor, omitting the worst of the damage.
"Oh well that's-" Her eyes go wide. "OH. Oh my... I didn't think people used that type of armor anymore. This is mostly tritanium based with crystalline composite layers. Only some minor high density reinforcement and outer plating. The jump repulsors are new-ish, nothing wrong with those."
Miss Ganett takes a moment to think things over.
"Now I know the Dominion still has a lot of older armor in inventory. Most of those that are still in active service are high density builds that started to enter use 100-150 years ago. Your suit is built using tech predating the Faction Wars. It's the best the Dominion had access to at the time, but it's two generations out of date."

"So you're saying it belongs in a museum?"

>Cont

"The underlying frame and interface are still solid. Life support and reactor are okay, not powerful enough to run the plasma wing. A full rebuild could get it mostly caught up to power cell armor in terms of protection."
Ganett hands you back your pad and pulls out one of her own.
"If we did a full rebuild with a specific system in mind from the start I think it could be outfitted with the Combat Engineer suite, Drone Neural Net, Field Medical Autodoc, or Mobile Shields. Might be cutting it close on the power requirements of the shields. That's the expensive option. It's going to cost more than a million to have a shop do a rebuild like that."
She forwards you the data before resuming typing.
"If you just need the physical strength of the suit without the same level of protection? There's a cheap way to do that."

The alternative is to basically outfit the suit with a disposable outer armor layer system made of the same material as hard plate armor. It's usually able to shrug off a single hit from most weapon types, even some plasma weapons. You'd still be vulnerable to that blasted 20mm though.
"This seems like a downgrade," you state.

"It's more of a side grade from its current state. It has more consistent protection against most small arms and is easier to refit. Better for a small unit that cant afford frequent repairs to high density armor."

Can it still fit special equipment is your next question.
"Not as easily. The number of drones would be reduced for instance. It could still use a medical system."

When you're sent the data on this build you see it would cost around a quarter million to complete. Still expensive but it might give you some options.

"You never did answer if it really is a museum piece," you jokingly ask.

Lucy winces.
"I would put it in a museum myself but I'm reliant on the Alliance for all my gear. People like you tend to own their equipment and make choices I don't have to."

Looks like you have some options to discuss with the rest of the crew.

You thank Lucy for her time and head out to make your appointment. The memory imprinting goes well and when you regain consciousness you have vivid recollections of treatments for a variety of wounds.

Getting back to the ship you and Alar head to the holobooths and get practicing a variety of battlefield trauma techniques. You're not trying to outright cure people but stabilize them for transport back to a ship or medbay for actual treatment. Despite the blood and gore you have to patch up Alar seems as chipper as usual.

You're not going to throw up. You managed to keep that sniper alive with instruction from a medic, a little holographic blood and guts aren't going to overpower you. Right?

Roll 1d100 for constitution save.

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>6361114

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>6361114
rollan for spicy breakfast

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>6361114

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>6361112
>It sounds like the Houses back home are pushing the bounds of stasis technology.

I bet that that's Reynard/Dremine Heavy Industries

Alright, this snow stuff can stop, I have had enough for 1 season.

>>6361162
>It's not wartime any more you cant just fund infinite research!
>HAHA! Prototyping go brrr!

You're good. You're fine. Hurgh. Everything is good. You're not even a little bit throwing up.

By the end of the day you've seen about as much of the insides of various Faction species as you can take. It seems to have been worth it though. Alar is generally satisfied.

"I want you to go through a basic plus program tomorrow and see how far you get. For now I would say you have your basic field medic training down."

>Gained 3 skill points in Medic!
>Basic: Medic unlocked!

Oh thank goodness, you'd rather be running laps at this point but having that knowledge is certainly going to come in handy if anyone gets shot in the upcoming mission.

As the start date for the mission draws closer everyone is trying to get ready. You have your boots fitted to your hard plate armor. Whatever you deploy in you'll be ready. The Chief hasn't been able to get permission for use of sonic weapons but that might change depending on the outcome of the next operation.

You're called to Gemaya's office seemingly out of nowhere. She explains that she is interviewing the ground teams to ensure reports to Alliance Intel about what happened to the Knight are accurate. Having to classify so much of the earlier report is making things more difficult.

The Prisoners you took are well informed of their rights it would seem which is slowing interrogation. Ultimately it's just making things more difficult for themselves given the charges against them. While the Alliance does require a trial first they're more than willing to airlock someone for pulling the shit they did.

"Once it became clear their life was no longer in immediate danger the sniper started being less cooperative. Both are now undergoing advanced interrogation. Buying time for their ship to get out of range no doubt. We ID'd them based on your records and fleet sensor logs."

You clench your fists in anticipation.
"You have a positive ID? When do we hunt them down?"

The Rovinar observes you impassively.
"This is no doubt personal for you?"

[ ] Of course it's personal, I was there when it happened
[ ] It's professional, the House needs this to survive
[ ] Write in

>>6361269
>[ ] Of course it's personal, I was there when it happened
>[ ] It's professional, the House needs this to survive

A blend of both. This deployment is vital for turning things around for our house and our unit was personally targeted. We are here to work hard and this attack most likely originates from inside the factions.

This should make it personal for the alliance as its corruption within.

>>6361269
>[ ] Of course it's personal, I was there when it happened
you bet your spikes on it being personal, not only did it damage our house to a degree we cant even quantify, we also... I also lost my mentor and leader. Now all we have is duct tape made of hope grease out of determination, and a lead on who is to bear the brunt of a house that can only rise up.

>>6361269
>[ ] Write in
>The urgency is personal. The house can be patient about getting it's retribution

>>6361269
>[ ] Of course it's personal, I was there when it happened
>[ ] It's professional, the House needs this to survive

>>6361269
Support the write-ins.
They had an Alliance IFF, interfered with an operation saving Factions diplomats, targeted us in many ways and then sniped our ranking commander in the middle of that.
It seems the Alliance should be more upset about the risk posed to their people because of this interference.

>>6356835
>You have to find them, whoever did this. You weren't lying earlier when you made your speech in the operations center. You need to find them, either to make and example of them to discourage others, or to find closure in this whole mess. You hope it doesn't come to the point of breaking off your overall mission of building up strength in order to hunt them down.

>The Alliance will help track them down, they have to. This is as much of a mark against them as anything since the mercs were using an Alliance IFF. If they don't then you'll just have to build up your contacts within the Alliance taskforce until one of them can help you out. You wont take 'no' for an answer on this one.

"It isn't just personal. On a professional level it's a strike at our entire group. Not only did it damage our house to a degree we cant even quantify, we also... I also lost my mentor and leader. We came here to work hard, serve the Alliance without the backstabbing and politics of Faction space.

They had an Alliance IFF, interfered with an operation saving Faction diplomats, targeted us in many ways and then sniped our ranking commander in the middle of that. This should make it personal for the Alliance. It's corruption threatening it from within.

The urgency is personal, but this needs to happen. We need to find them."

Gemaya slowly nods.
"A more rational response than I was expecting from someone in your position.

The Alliance is taking this seriously or I wouldn't be here. Steps are being taken. A bounty has been placed on the capture or destruction of the ship, the apprehension of the crew. For any intelligence leading to either of the previous. A bounty even your group may collect."

That would certainly make for a convenient bonus to help you along the way.
Gemaya continues.
"There are 6 identical ships in use by third parties acting as private support elements to the fleet. Plus an unknown number with the pirates that are arriving in the region. The Rovinar Federation has issued orders to detain any such vessels returning from this region. They wont return home that way.

I've asked to be informed whenever a similar vessel is detected anywhere by the fleet. Finding it is a priority. Be aware it is statistically unlikely that you and your crew will be the ones to find them. By now they have altered their drive signature or replaced their engines entirely. The odds are against you. However driven individuals have shown a tendency to defy the odds. I do wish you luck.

What the Alliance IS worried about in regards to this ship and crew is that you might abandon any priority assignments the moment Fourth Triumvir is detected. If it's too personal the Alliance will have no choice but to cut you out of the loop. Can you still be trusted to carry out your duty?"

[ ] The mission comes first
[ ] You make no promises
[ ] Finding that ship is your highest priority

>>6361488
>[ ] The mission comes first

Also, was there anything you wanted to take care of before the next mission?

>>6361488
>[ ] The mission comes first
Anything else would jeopardize our chance at restoring the house and would dishonor our fallen Knight. Knowing the Alliance is taking this serious is enough we would like to be kept in the loop on the investigation.

>>6361492
General upkeep of all equipment, maybe some practice in the power cell armor. Doing some drills with the troops so we can all be fresh for the deployment.

We need to deliver and continue to deliver top performances as the hole we have to get ourselves out of has just become deeper.

>>6361488
>[ ] The mission comes first

>>6361492
>Also, was there anything you wanted to take care of before the next mission?
Nothing immediately leaps to mind on needing to take care of outside of keeping our skills sharp and our equipment ready for deployment.

>>6361488
>[ ] The mission comes first
no reason to spit on our knights final moment choosing the mission over himself

The Mission comes first. That's how you answer, that has to be the way it is. It's what Dar'el Camdie would have wanted. Of course saying that and doing it when the time comes are two different things. Backing that up may turn out to be a difficult thing. For now you just need to hope you'll keep your word.

Gemaya has given you a lot to consider and reminded you how much the Alliance owes this ship and crew. While the Alliance charter states it is to remain neutral in the goings on of its various Faction member states, it cant afford to let members trample on its few areas of authority whenever its convenient. It's in their own interest to help you. Hopefully that's enough.

"You are going to have to depend on me keeping my word. Those of us on this ship are going to depend on you and the Alliance keeping yours."

"Then we are in agreement Joanna Farrell. I wish you success in your efforts."

When you leave Gemaya's office your mind is immediately is back on mission. This is a big one, a chance to score a serious payday. There isn't much time remaining. You need to be ready and have your head in the game. Gear checked and practiced on. Mind and body ready for what could be a big fight.

Reza finds you in the training holobooth and asks you to step out.

"Your weapons and gear prepped? Completed all of the marked sims?"
You answer affirmative to both.
"Good. Now go and rest. We could be looking at a long operation should anything go sideways. You're going to be begging for a chance to rest if that happens. We've all put in the prep work, now you need to sleep while you can."

You consider arguing. There are a few more sims you'd like to try to work on mobility of the power cell suit, but he may have a point.

[ ] Sleep, he knows what he's talking about.
[ ] Squeeze in a few more sims.
[ ] Write in

>>6361882
>[ ] Sleep, he knows what he's talking about.

>>6361882
>[ ] Sleep, he knows what he's talking about.
yeah

>>6361882
>[ ] Sleep, he knows what he's talking about.

>>6361882
>[ ] Sleep, he knows what he's talking about.

>>6361488
>[ ] The mission comes first

Our conduct on that earlier mission speaks for itself.

>>6361882
>[x] Sleep, he knows what he's talking about.
Oops

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Reza generally knows what he's talking about so in this instance you're willing to follow his lead. Stopping by the lounge you pass word to the others that Reza wants everyone rested for tomorrows operation. A few of the others are planning a movie night for when the operation is done. You're not sure whose turn it is to pick.

You hit the sack. Six hours later an alert goes off summoning you to the operations center.

When you arrive the displays show the Bertrand has docked with one of the larger ships in the fleet and is taking aboard vehicles. The Starfighter bays are soon loaded with the latest Dominion Z6 heavy starfighters -including drone variants- along with a mix of older model fighters. Some are geared towards ground attack, others space superiority.

The Chief looks unamused by what's being loaded onto her ship and sounds even less so.
"We're not even going to be able to use a third of these once we hit atmosphere. Sure, load us with Dominion built starfighters that our handling equipment can service. Fine! But stop and think for a second first whether we're going to be stuck in space or at the bottom of a gravity well!"

Nin looks over the data and shrugs.
"At least we'll be prepared if the operation stalls in space for whatever reason."

Vayall sneers as one of the starfighter types become apparent.
"Why are they assigning us Z5Y interceptors? Those are only given to convicts or the insane."

"What's wrong with them?" you ask, thoroughly oblivious to what her problem is.

"They carry an enormous antimatter powered booster engine. If something goes wrong it could explode."
"They're also the fastest starfighters in Faction space," Nin points out. "They're limited by their inertial compensator keeping the pilot alive."

Moving around the holo display to where Reza has just arrived you see he's looking over the vehicle bay. 4 Adamant heavy tanks have been loaded along with 22 newer model medium tanks, 62 late war era IFV's and 6 older IFV's like those your forces use. The once empty port Walker bay has also been loaded with a trio of Jump Walker Drones.

"The briefing has been moved up," Reza says before tapping on the bay readout showing a trio of spindly armed and legged walkers. Their shoulders seems to be made up entirely of engines, with another thruster mounted outboard of the arm attachment point. Each arm contains a short barrel particle beam cannon.

"Jump walkers may be just a starfighter with arms and legs but many consider them monsters in a city fight. We will see. I hope the Alliance is making the right decision deploying so many drone craft so early against the Izuan."

[ ] Risk fewer lives this way
[ ] Learn how smart the bugs are early
[ ] They must have their reasons
[ ] Write in

>>6362263
>[ ] Learn how smart the bugs are early

Lessen the risk to ground troops. Unless we are worried about the Izuan being able to commander the drones some how. I cant imagine many people wanting to go dirt side to risk their lives, without some mechanized support.

I'm not sure how well they are as combat units. But it's not like they've been trained with the same mental/ thought programs of the most ace of ace's mech pilots (ex Ace Combat 7).

Or are we more concerned with revealing higher end tactics so early in a "minor" engagement?

"We can learn how smart the bugs are early with this force. You dont think they'd be able to commandeer the drones some how?"
"That's the question. Everyone tries, even today there are attempts to hijack drones remotely. Success is not that common thankfully. Even with an outlier like the Kythera Incident it's considered rare."

Well that's good.
"No concern we'll be revealing tactics in a minor engagement?"

"It they find a hard counter to SP Torpedoes after the Terrans tried so hard to conceal data on them? That would be worth a laugh and some note taking. No, the sooner they try to adapt to out tactics the sooner we can learn and counter that adaptation. The trick is to avoid getting caught in a trap before you can come up with a counter."

A countdown timer starts on the display showing the time before the briefing begins. It's an hour remaining. In that time Silvar becomes concerned about shipboard security as the last of the ground vehicles finish loading.
"We have a great deal of forces onboard that come from different parts of the Dominion. Shouldn't we be worried about sabotage?"

"It can't be helped," answers Hannah. "The Alliance needed to assign forces that we can support without any refit. Besides, most are from the Dominion Knights. They're as neutral in terms of inter-House affairs as it can get."
"The Knights are strongly aligned to House Helios."
Vayall notes, causing the Chief to shrug.
"Like I said, neutral. We have their access restricted to only the bays and barracks facilities. If they're posted aboard the ship for a couple of days they need at least that much."

You have 40 marines still lacking hard plate armor. They're typically assigned to reserve duties guarding the ship when the rest of you are absent. Did you want to assign them additional security patrols? Or would you rather they be prepared to sortie in an emergency?

[ ] Additional security patrols
[ ] Prepared for emergency deployment
[ ] Remain in reserve as they have been