Sala

Sucks being sick and knowing the only way out is to push through until it goes away. Hope it's gone on its way now.

Thoth Gesheer, Captain of the Gullwind Feeling emboldened in her work, Alyson swiftly moves to triage another patient after making certain the first's fractures were anesthetized. As she works, she looks around for any sign of Marlo. She'd been more concerned with Wessex before, but she hadn't seen where the disguised agent had gone. Granger and MAX are both unleashing a barrage upon the hacked robot by the time Nikki and Lira are readying their weapons. Thoth ducks and covers, keeping a low profile. OOC Alyson will multi-action to stabilize another bystander, and use Notice to search for signs of where Marlo went. Joker negates multi-action penalty. Granger takes a shot with his Blaster at the robot. +2 Aim, +2 Vulnerable Nikki draws her Laser Pistol and takes Aim. MAX takes a shot with his Laser Pistol at the robot. +2 Aim, +2 Vulnerable Lira draws her Laser Pistol and takes Aim. Thoth Defends. Character Status Parry: 2 Toughness: 4 Base (Skeinsuit: +4 vs Inertial/Ballistic, Albedo Screen) Bennies: 0/4 In hand: Laser Pistol

Galactic Standard Time: 08:22 am / Landfall Planetary Time: 15:35 am Party Members and Status Status Halcyon Merc Dropship Alpha: Jace Beth: Carl: 1/3 Bennies Ferny: 3/3 Bennies Geo: 3/3 Bennies Kochinho: Simba: Fatigued Aquilla Shuttle: Baba: 3/4 Bennies, 1 Wound Herbie: Tiki: 3/3 Bennies, 1 Wound, Fatigued Keita: 2/2 Bennies, Fatigued Yat: 3/3 Bennies Becky: Fatigued Mox: S'hax: 1 Wound, Fatigued The Sathar Dome: Halcyon Shuttle: At dome Kershkick Mound: Marg: 1/4 Bennies Vernon: Francis: Hanna: Unconscious, Drugged? Kirby: Felix: Captain Roark: 3/3 Bennies, 3 Wounds Vinz: 1 Wound Buubuu: 3/3 Bennies, 2 Wounds Laura II Crash Site: Corvid Shuttle: Landed on Laura II, fuel cut Dove Shuttle: Moored at Laura II, fuel cut Missing Escape Pod: Rudith: ? Gloopurt: ? Gohn: ? "Right, right," after he catches his breath and manages to take his hat off, Carl finds that the melted material is mostly stuck to his hair. Painful, but it didn't cause any deeper tissue burns. He quickly grabs a dose grenade from his belt and passes it to Ferny. "Member, just like I taught ya. Pull the pin and toss it up at them." The metal groans. Geo's claws rend the opposite door open like a walking piece of industrial equipment. Stepping up to the other side, Jace's suppressing fire keeps the two above from being able to take careful aim. When Ferny unpins the grenade and scrumples into the opening, some haphazard laser fire hits the door frame next to her but misses her body. Utilizing her body as a natural sling, she arcs a dose grenade up and onto the catwalk above. Tranquilizing mist begins to spray out, leaking down through the metal catwalk grate and rapidly dissipating into the air. The merc with the laser gun is too late breathing in, in an attempt to hold his breath. He tumbles to the side and slumps down next to his buddy. Proving better at holding his breath under pressure, the grenade-toting goon is about to pull the pin when Simba steps over Ferny and squeezes off a shot with his rifle. "Got him!" The particle projectile strikes, and while his body armor stops it from being a wounding shot, he's shaken and loses his grip on the grenade. Reaching out, he fumbles and drops it. When it clatters down onto the walkway next to Alpha Team, pin unpulled, it is revealed to be another dose grenade. Choosing not to fight further outnumbered, the mercenary begins climbing one of the ladders on the next level. During the brief exchange of fire, the sound of a door opening breaks through the annoying beeping in the background. Team Bravo files in through the center hallway, using the larger gate Beth pinned open using a crate. "It was pretty easy the second time, wiring was totally the same," Keita brags, twirling a multitool in her hand. "Hear that, El Capitan? There's a straight route from us to the lift now! Are you gonna risk venting the whole ship?" There's a growl of frustration from the other side of the intercom system. "Damn it. Form up!" Footsteps announce the captain moving away from his terminal. Jace's experience tells him that the best place for the enemy to set up would be further up the elevator shaft, where they would have high ground, cover and a choke point built into one, and the landing party would be forced to climb to reach them. Some of the enemy might be below in the lower decks however, so he can't be certain the numbers the captain has on hand. The good news is that the broken lower section of this lift is blocked off just as Beth said - they can't get flanked from below here. Kochinho and Beth move closer. The pilot reports, "There's a vent system, but the upper and lower parts are on different uh, systems. We could send someone down to the engines from here, but we'll need to get a level up if anyone wants to try and flank the bridge." OOC Event Log Carl successfully clears both Wounds with a retried Soak check. Geo continues to pry the door open. It is now wide enough to fit him through if he squeezes. Jace lays down Suppressive Fire, inflicting Distracted on both goons, though no damage since it didn't raise. Ferny throws a dose grenade up onto the catwalk above. Laser goon passes out. Simba lands a shot on the grenade goon with his blaster rifle. His shot leaves grenade goon Shaken. Keita attempts to unlock the middle door, with Support from S'hax. Between the two of them, they are able to Raise and get it open swiftly. Grenade goon is unable to clear Shaken, and he flees. He is still visible above. The catwalk grate gives him medium cover to lasers and blasters that scatter or lose heat from the intervening material, but only light cover to slugthrowers which can punch through. The Captain abandons the attempt at venting Team Bravo and leaves his terminal. Next round/stage begins. The teams have a chance to stop the retreating goon, and get into position or ready attacks. Athletics can get a character up the ladders quickly, and the lowest catwalk can hold about nine people, or seven plus Geo. Maps Team Alpha Lift Shaft The lift is currently on the hangar's level. There is a ladder on either side of the lift shaft leading to the other levels. Hangars Team Alpha is on the right hand side. The top door of the two between the upper quadrant and lower quadrant is stuck open with a crate, while the lower one is now closed by Beth. The door to the lift shaft is now open enough for Geo to squeeze through. Jace, Ferny, Carl, Geo and Simba are near the lift door. Beth and Kochinho are in the middle of the room. Team Bravo is now in the same quadrant as Team Alpha, near the hangar doors.

Galactic Standard Time: 08:21 am / Landfall Planetary Time: 15:34 am Party Members and Status Status Halcyon Merc Dropship Alpha: Jace Beth: Carl: 2/3 Bennies, 1 Wound, Shaken Ferny: 3/3 Bennies Geo: 3/3 Bennies Kochinho: Simba: Fatigued Aquilla Shuttle: Baba: 3/4 Bennies, 1 Wound Herbie: Tiki: 3/3 Bennies, 1 Wound, Fatigued Keita: 2/2 Bennies, Fatigued Yat: 3/3 Bennies Becky: Fatigued Mox: S'hax: 1 Wound, Fatigued The Sathar Dome: Halcyon Shuttle: At dome Kershkick Mound: Marg: 1/4 Bennies Vernon: Francis: Hanna: Unconscious, Drugged? Kirby: Felix: Captain Roark: 3/3 Bennies, 3 Wounds Vinz: 1 Wound Buubuu: 3/3 Bennies, 2 Wounds Laura II Crash Site: Corvid Shuttle: Landed on Laura II, fuel cut Dove Shuttle: Moored at Laura II, fuel cut Missing Escape Pod: Rudith: ? Gloopurt: ? Gohn: ? "Right. If we get one of those middle doors open he'd have to vent both hangars," Baba confirms over comms in a low voice. Hopefully the mercenary's greed would outstrip his ruthless pragmatism. At Jace's gesture, Beth points at one of the metal crates in the maintenance room, getting Kochinho and Simba to help her shove it between the second set of hangar doors. Once it's obstructed, she flips the switch to close them. The outer hangar door slides shut with a loud thoom and a click of the locking mechanisms, while the other door's safeties detect the obstruction and prevent it from closing, making an annoying beeping sound instead. The middle hallway would be stuck open for the other squad to get through. "Not complying, then," the captain's tone deepens into a growl, and Jace can hear him hammering at his keyboard. It sounds like he intends to make good on his threat, but there's no sound of the adjacent hangar being vented yet, nor any calls for help over comms. The man didn't sound like he was the best with computers earlier, and there must be safeties to override before forcing the hangar airlocks open. Team Bravo still has some time. In the meantime, Geo nearly tears one of the doors into the lift shaft out of its socket, bending the door open enough for someone normal sized to crawl through. He wouldn't quite be able to squeeze through himself, yet. Carl pokes his head through the hole to try and see what's above them. "MOTHERgrragh!" metal sizzles under laser fire and Carl shouts, pulling back with an arm over his head. He narrowly avoided a laser-drilled hole through the head, but the beam burned across the top of his hat, melting the material to his scalp. Leaning against the wall, he grits his teeth and gasps out, "Saw two guys... two up there. On a catwalk higher up." Sucking in a breath, he adds, "One has a laser smg. Other was holding... something, grenade I think." There is the sound of a large set of door opening, but again no accompanying cacophony of a venting hangar. Team Bravo has opened the doors between their maintenance room and hangar. OOC Event Log Poking his head into a waiting ambush, Carl takes an unlucky raised shot through cover when he attempts to peek-scout the shaft, risking 2 Wounds. He soaks 1 of the Wounds with a Benny, and he can opt to spend more if you would like him to. However, he also raised on his Notice check to scout what was up there. Two goons, one has a laser SMG and the other was holding a grenade but hasn't thrown it yet. With the Captain now attempting to work his computers to vent one of the teams and an enemy presence in the elevator shaft, we will run this as a Quick/Staged Encounter. Team Alpha and Bravo may take actions to resolve the threats. Maps Team Alpha Lift Shaft The lift is currently on the hangar's level. There is a ladder on either side of the lift shaft leading to the other levels. Hangars Team Alpha is on the right hand side. The top door of the two between the upper quadrant and lower quadrant is stuck open with a crate, while the lower one is now closed by Beth. The door to the lift shaft is now open enough for a normal sized creature to fit through, and Geo can pry it open further with Athletics to get access. Ferny, Carl and Geo are near the lift door. Beth, Kochinho and Simba are near the doors to the hangar. Team Bravo is on the left hand side and just got the doors to their maintenance room open. They are currently clustered around the doors.

Thoth Gesheer, Captain of the Gullwind Shaking off the flood of adrenaline from the close call that seared the sleeve of his jacket, Thoth risks staying up close to keep the robot's attention on him. He bobs and weaves to force it to continue turning in place, hoping to leave it open to a shot from behind. Seeing he didn't lose any limbs, Alyson rushes to one of the bystanders who were thrown aside by the rampaging robot, to try and help triage them. OOC Alyson attempts to stabilize a wounded bystander. Thoth attempts an Agility Test to get the robot Vulnerable. Character Status Parry: 2 Toughness: 4 Base (Skeinsuit: +4 vs Inertial/Ballistic, Albedo Screen) Bennies: 0/4 In hand: Laser Pistol

Whew, that was a whirlwind of a first week. It was very frontloaded, so hopefully I'll have some more time this coming week. And that's right, only the door into the elevator shaft is damaged. The elevator itself is fine since it's a lift style elevator in the middle of a catwalk.

To clarify on the layout of the hangars: Team Alpha is currently in the two right hand quadrants of the map. The top right is the maintenance shop that Beth got open for them with her voice authorization before the captain removed her permissions. There's also a small corridor between the two quadrants of the right half, with a smaller door (at the very center of the map) into the mirrored hallway of the left half. It also has access to one of the ship's weapon power units. The small hallway on the upper right corner leads to the other set of hangars, and the door in the jutted upwards section of the maintenance room leads into the lift shaft where Carl and Geo forced it open. In the lower right quadrant is their shuttle. They could try to get to where Team Bravo is through the gate between the two hangers, which is used to move shuttles between them, or through the smaller door in the intervening hallway. Both doors are electronic. There is a switch on the inside of the maintenance shop that could close the door behind them, though it can likely be operated remotely by the captain unless disabled somehow. Team Bravo and their shuttle are currently in the lower left hand quadrant of the map. Keita and S'hax already passed a check to figure out how to get the doors to the maintenance shop on the upper left hand quadrant open, it just takes them a few moments to do their hackjob on the wiring. Once they're through, they would need some more time to get it locked shut behind them. Hope that clarifies where everyone is. Let me know if it changes Jace's approach at all. Also, I'm getting started on my next internship now, which is more intensive than the last but only for one month. My posting rate will probably go down as I adjust to the workload.

Thoth Gesheer, Captain of the Gullwind With their weapons online, Lira sets aside her earlier plan of desperation and follows Granger's lead with a cautious retreat. She uses her Chronocomm to project a holographic image into the robot's visual sensors to disrupt it before the team backs off. Thoth is the last, his short legs preventing him from getting clear before the robot can respond. Powering up his laser pistol, MAX takes methodical aim at the robot's critical components, allowing his allies time to clear the line of fire. Granger does the same with his blaster. Left high and dry as Wessex escapes, Alyson turns back towards the struggle. Her sonic stunner will likely be of little use against the robot, so she stands uncertainly for a moment, thinking of a way to help. OOC Lira uses a Smarts Test on the robot to Distract it, then moves away, spreading out to the north. MAX uses the Aim maneuver. Granger uses the Aim maneuver. Nikki Defends and moves away from the robot, spreading out to the south. Alyson Holds her action until after Thoth. Character Status Parry: 2 Toughness: 4 Base (Skeinsuit: +4 vs Inertial/Ballistic, Albedo Screen) Bennies: 0/4 In hand: Laser Pistol

Galactic Standard Time: 08:20 am / Landfall Planetary Time: 15:33 am Party Members and Status Status Halcyon Merc Dropship Alpha: Jace Beth: Carl: 3/3 Bennies Ferny: 3/3 Bennies Geo: 3/3 Bennies Kochinho: Simba: Fatigued Aquilla Shuttle: Baba: 3/4 Bennies, 1 Wound Herbie: Tiki: 3/3 Bennies, 1 Wound, Fatigued Keita: 2/2 Bennies, Fatigued Yat: 3/3 Bennies Becky: Fatigued Mox: S'hax: 1 Wound, Fatigued The Sathar Dome: Halcyon Shuttle: At dome Kershkick Mound: Marg: 1/4 Bennies Vernon: Francis: Hanna: Unconscious, Drugged? Kirby: Felix: Captain Roark: 3/3 Bennies, 3 Wounds Vinz: 1 Wound Buubuu: 3/3 Bennies, 2 Wounds Laura II Crash Site: Corvid Shuttle: Landed on Laura II, fuel cut Dove Shuttle: Moored at Laura II, fuel cut Missing Escape Pod: Rudith: ? Gloopurt: ? Gohn: ? Though the other team is out of sight at the moment, Baba confirms she picked up his instructions over comms. "Got it. Keita and S'hax are taking a look at the lock now." Advancing into the maintenance shop of the righthand hangar, Alpha Team spreads out. Kochinho and Simba move to either side to check the corners and covers of the room, behind the crates and machinery. Carl and Geo advance towards the door to the elevator shaft. "There's a room with a lift on the other side, so you can force this door open without breaking the elevator," she tells Carl. He nods and grabs his hunting knife. "Alright, big guy. I got a plan. I'm gonna wedge this here knife in there," he points at the sliding door, "To help you get your claws in, then you pry it open?" "This should be able," Geo responds, poising his blades in wait. Licking his lips, Carl lunges forward first, digging his hunting knife into the crack of the door. He positions his shoulder and foot against the two ends of the doorframe and growls as he pulls to force them apart just a little more. His poor knife bends from the effort, but it's enough space for Geo to lunge forward, blade impacting the crack like a bullet and lodging itself firmly into the gap. Together - mostly Geo at this point - they begin to force it open, with the sound of creaking and struggling machinery screeching through the room. On the other side, Jace can see a ring of catwalks around a central lift, with two ladders going up and down on either side. "So it can talk," the Captain observes. He remains calm in the face of their advance, but Jace can tell he's been caught off guard by the intelligence of said xeno-wrecking machine. "You have us outnumbered right now, that much is true, Commander. A position of strength. But just to be clear about the cards on the table, venting one hangar of supplies into space is an acceptable sacrifice to even those odds, if you continue to force this advance." Armando pauses to consider Jace's words. "Letting your full crew onto my vessel is a big risk. You may have integrity, but with too many emotional people there are too many things that could go wrong. I'm willing to negotiate a group of yours' to come back with us, while the rest wait for you to send rescue." "They found a way to get the first door open, but they've still got their hands in the electricals," Baba reports to Jace through comms. She keeps her voice low, hoping the Captain can't hear her. "S'hax might be able to close and brick the door behind us, once we're through. Like he did the armory. Is there anyone who can do that on your side? Then they can't vent either of us." Hangar Layout

Thoth Gesheer, Captain of the Gullwind The welding torch zips past Thoth's head, leaving behind a head that scorches his fur and brows. Fear and adrenaline rush through him, in a strange sort of thrill. At least he'd taken its attention off of crushing the life out of Lira. Nikki attempts to wedge her knife into the servos of its gripping arm and help her wiggle her way free before she regains its attention. When the electronics come back on, Granger adjusts his stance and kicks back out of the robot's reach, in preparation to fire up his blaster. OOC Granger uses the Defend action and moves out of melee with the robot, provoking an attack. Nikki uses Athletics to Support Lira's attempt to break free. Lira attempts to escape its grapple. Character Status Parry: 2 Toughness: 4 Base (Skeinsuit: +4 vs Inertial/Ballistic, Albedo Screen) Bennies: 0/4 In hand: Laser Pistol

Galactic Standard Time: 08:17 am / Landfall Planetary Time: 15:30 am Hours Remaining to Deadline: ~2 Party Members and Status Status Halcyon Merc Dropship Alpha: Jace Beth: Carl: 3/3 Bennies Ferny: 3/3 Bennies Geo: 3/3 Bennies Kochinho: Simba: Fatigued Aquilla Shuttle: Baba: 3/4 Bennies, 1 Wound Herbie: Tiki: 3/3 Bennies, 1 Wound, Fatigued Keita: 2/2 Bennies, Fatigued Yat: 3/3 Bennies Becky: Fatigued Mox: S'hax: 1 Wound, Fatigued The Sathar Dome: Halcyon Shuttle: At dome Kershkick Mound: Marg: 1/4 Bennies Vernon: Francis: Hanna: Unconscious, Drugged? Kirby: Felix: Captain Roark: 3/3 Bennies, 3 Wounds Vinz: 1 Wound Buubuu: 3/3 Bennies, 2 Wounds Laura II Crash Site: Corvid Shuttle: Landed on Laura II, fuel cut Dove Shuttle: Moored at Laura II, fuel cut Missing Escape Pod: Rudith: ? Gloopurt: ? Gohn: ? Taking a deep breath, Beth nods and steers the dropship towards the right-side hangar. "In the hangar, there's a large door straight ahead into a maintenance shop. We pull vehicles in there when they need work," she begins explaining the layout as they approach. "From there there's a hallway on the righthand side of the room that leads across to the other hangars, where the fighters are docked. On the left there's an elevator and access ladder. Up goes to the crew deck and the armory, then past that to the bridge. There used to be a shaft down to the rear of the ship, but it's in need of repairs." She swallows. "There's cameras. The element of surprise will be gone once we disembark." They draw into the hangar airlock, and Jace gets a view inside of the hangar itself through a long window as it cycles. A wide open room that reminds him of a garage, with lashed storage crates positioned around it, serving double duty as a cargo hold. Though they clearly aren't carrying trade goods; the containers hold spare batteries for the dropship lasers, and he sees spare parts for the illegal sonic clearing devices. The hangar is dirty and grimy, and there's clear wear and tear from past fights breaking out inside. "In the other hangar, the elevator up terminates at the crew quarters, and the one down goes to the ship's rear," Beth continues as she waits for the airlock. "But there's a door between the two hangars there," she points through the window, indicating another large gate allowing access from one to the other. "On either side of the hangars on this floor are the batteries for the ship's laser weapons." A green light beeps on and the airlock doors open. Beth rolls them gently forward into the hangar. With a clearer view no longer obstructed by the windows, it looks empty. Unbuckling, Carl maneuvers past Geo - who in turn takes time to turn around - and readies his laser. It cauterizes its own wounds, making it better for non-lethal shots. When the ramp goes down, they step out and Carl sweeps the area, checking cover behind crates. Geo approaches the gate to the maintenance shop, which sits shut with an access panel beside it. "Clear," Carl reports. "No one here," Becky's voice echoes from the other team, over comms. Speakers in the corner of the ceiling crackle to life. A voice Jace recognizes as the mercenary captain's speaks over it. "That doesn't look like our crew, Beth. And that's one hell of an alien. I thought you sounded off." Carl tries hitting the panel next to the maintenance gate, but it blinks red and denies access. In the background of the intercom, the sound of fingers typing on a keyboard can be heard. It seems like the captain had his suspicions after Beth's report and was making trecautions. Squinting at the text on the panel, Carl turns and calls, "Needs a voice author-" "Pilot authorizing to open!" Beth shouts, stepping out of the dropship with the rest. The red light blinks green and the maintenance gates begin to hiss open. A second pair just across a small jog of a hallway open in sync with them, leading to the workshop. More storage space, alongside a workbench and enclosed clear plastic shelves lined with power tools and kits. "Graphole computer," the captain's voice mutters, his voice tinged with the workplace exhaustion of someone who hates technology, and the sound of typing speeds up. "That won't work again, I'm deleting your voice recognition as we speak." With a firmer tone after the brief flustering, he states, "This is Captain Armando of the Black Mamba. I think our situation warrants a parley. Who's in charge down there?" Hangar Layout

Thoth Gesheer, Captain of the Gullwind Blunt force proving ineffective, Thoth grabs a glass of... something from one of the tables next to them and splashes it into the robot's eyes, hoping to hinder its visual sensors. While the struggle continues against the robot, Alyson notices the other two conspirators fleeing. She grabs her sonic stunner - disabled for now, but hopefully not if she got further away... and hopefully not for long with MAX at work. She jogs after them through the crowd, keeping her eyes on Wessex in particular. OOC Rolled Science for MAX and got a 5 on the previous post. If that means he can roll to disable now as part of his previous action, I also rolled a d8 for it there, whichever skill it uses. Science, Repair and Electronics are all d8. Thoth attempts a Smarts Test to Distract the robot and give it a roll penalty. Alyson draws her sonic stunner and follows Denn, trying not to lose him in the crowd. Character Status Parry: 2 Toughness: 4 Base (Skeinsuit: +4 vs Inertial/Ballistic, Albedo Screen) Bennies: 0/4 In hand: Laser Pistol

Thoth Gesheer, Captain of the Gullwind "Grap!" Thoth runs to attempt to help Lira, in a panic. As he runs ahead, MAX turns to squat next to the table where Alyson had pointed out. Taking out his own pocket tool, he attempts to crack it open aid disable it - or whatever device had been planted inside of it. Keeping his SMG in one hand, Granger grabs his own molecular knife and runs up the stairs after Nikki. Nikki hesitates for a moment, then scoots around the table to stab at the robot from behind while it's occupied with Lira. Thoth arrives next to her, leaping into the air and attempting to pistol whip it in the back of its head with his bricked gun. OOC MAX attempts to open up the table and shut off the weapons jammer. Granger draws his knife on one hand and Runs into melee with the robot. Nikki engages the robot in melee and attacks it. (1 gangup from Granger) Thoth wild attacks the robot with his pistol as an improvised weapon. (2 gangup from Granger and Nikki) Character Status Parry: 2 Toughness: 4 Base (Skeinsuit: +4 vs Inertial/Ballistic, Albedo Screen) Bennies: 0/4 In hand: Laser Pistol

Galactic Standard Time: 08:02 am / Landfall Planetary Time: 15:15 am Hours Remaining to Deadline: ~2.5 Party Members and Status Status Halcyon Merc Dropship Alpha: Jace Beth: Carl: 3/3 Bennies Ferny: 3/3 Bennies Geo: 3/3 Bennies Kochinho: Simba: Fatigued Aquilla Shuttle: Baba: 3/4 Bennies, 1 Wound Herbie: Tiki: 3/3 Bennies, 1 Wound, Fatigued Keita: 2/2 Bennies, Fatigued Yat: 3/3 Bennies Becky: Fatigued Mox: S'hax: 1 Wound, Fatigued The Sathar Dome: Halcyon Shuttle: At dome Kershkick Mound: Marg: 1/4 Bennies Vernon: Francis: Hanna: Unconscious, Drugged? Kirby: Felix: Captain Roark: 3/3 Bennies, 3 Wounds Vinz: 1 Wound Buubuu: 3/3 Bennies, 2 Wounds Laura II Crash Site: Corvid Shuttle: Landed on Laura II, fuel cut Dove Shuttle: Moored at Laura II, fuel cut Missing Escape Pod: Rudith: ? Gloopurt: ? Gohn: ? During the ascent, before they are silenced by the ramping G-forces Jace is able to connect with the other team through the tactical comms. "We read you here," Keita responds, cutting off the beginning of a response by Yat. "Can't say how secure it is, but the comms work! I mean, it didn't sound like they had any hackers or comms... interception experts? Nothing like that. We should be fine!" Barring physical bugs or access to the channel, it doesn't seem like they'd have a way to listen in. Biting her lip, Beth's hand hovers over her own comms panel. "Yeah. I'll have to hail them to open the dropship hangar once we're up there. If they don't open it, I guess we'll have to cut our way in with my laser." Exit from atmosphere goes about as smoothly as can be expected, with oxygen masks on for the crew. There are none designed for the two aliens, but neither is outwardly adversely affected by the forces at play. By the time they arrive in the void of space and G-forces slacken, only Simba appears winded and a little sick from the exit. "We're safely in orbit," Baba reports from the shuttle. "Some of us are a little worse for wear, but nobody passed out." "Came close though," a second, strained voice joins in, Becky's from the sound of it. "Thank the stars for cyberlungs." Shushing everyone from the cockpit, Beth switches on her comms panel and licks her lips. "Captain, come in?" There's a delay, and she repeats the hail. A voice comes in the line, "Report. I'm reading you on approach, who is that with you?" "We were able to get one of their shuttles," Beth answers, swallowing. "We've got the wounded loaded, and... we got as much crap from that dome as we could carry. Hopefully we can sell it to recoup losses," she bullshits nervously. "Requesting hangar access." "You sound unsettled, pilot," the mercenary captain's voice observes coolly. Thinking quickly, she excuses, "Just winded from exit." Silence hangs on the other end of the comms for uncomfortably long. The mercenary ship lacks the fancy drop-down screen to see the outside, but peering out through the cockpit window reveals the mercenary ship. It was a smaller vessel once, but like the prisoner reported it's been built up with parts from other vessels picked apart, as if by vultures. A mercenary carrier, now bereft of the fleet of dropships it once housed. Not exactly a pretty beast. There are four hangar airlocks, two on either side of the vessel. Two open on the starboard side, coaxing them in. "Permission granted, pilot," the merc captain states. "Copy," Beth switches off the comm mic and asks over her shoulder, "Left or right hangar?" The left hangar is closer to the rear of the vessel and its engines - as well as the doctor's section - while the right hangar is closer to the bridge. The difference is minimal, since they seem to be connected, but who knows.

Galactic Standard Time: 08:02 am / Landfall Planetary Time: 15:15 am Hours Remaining to Deadline: ~2.5 Party Members and Status Status Halcyon Merc Dropship Alpha: Jace Beth: Carl: 3/3 Bennies Ferny: 3/3 Bennies Geo: 3/3 Bennies Kochinho: Simba: Aquilla Shuttle: Baba: 3/4 Bennies, 1 Wound Herbie: Tiki: 3/3 Bennies, 1 Wounds Keita: 2/2 Bennies Yat: 3/3 Bennies Becky: Mox: S'hax: 1 Wound The Sathar Dome: Halcyon Shuttle: At dome Kershkick Mound: Marg: 1/4 Bennies Vernon: Francis: Hanna: Unconscious, Drugged? Kirby: Felix: Captain Roark: 3/3 Bennies, 3 Wounds Vinz: 1 Wound Buubuu: 3/3 Bennies, 2 Wounds Laura II Crash Site: Corvid Shuttle: Landed on Laura II, fuel cut Dove Shuttle: Moored at Laura II, fuel cut Missing Escape Pod: Rudith: ? Gloopurt: ? Gohn: ? Though she gives a disappointed shrug, Marg doesn't waste time arguing over it. She steps off of the shuttle alongside the others and waves. "Good luck, then. I'll make sure everybody behaves." The ramp closes, and Baba wastes no time getting them into the air. The time crunch is visible getting to her, posture tense and brow furrowed. Pulling switches and adjusting the throttle, she speeds up towards the dome. An equally quiet atmosphere hangs over the hold now that the fight is imminent, broken up by the whispers of Carl showing Ferny how more pieces of equipment work, his voice hushed as if speaking in church. On approach, Baba hails the ground with her short-range comms, "We're just about there. Have everyone outside and ready to go, we don't have a lot of wiggle room as is." Zooming above the dome clearing with howling engines to announce them, the crew lands. Those on the ground have assembled outside, double checking their equipment. Beth is pacing back and forth, rubbing her face. Halcyon shuttle and the remaining mercenary dropship both remain parked, but the latter is fired up and ready to take off. "Alright, do or die time," Beth says, audible strain in her voice, stepping onto her dropship with Alpha Team. Ferny and Carl follow Jace on board, Geo taking up the rear behind Simba and Kochinho, scrunching up his large shape to fit in the open floor at the center of the vehicle. It leaves little leg room. "I'm ready to take off," Beth reports once everyone who can is buckled in, and those left are lashed down carefully with cargo straps to avoid being hurled by exit velocity. "Clear to take off here," Baba's voice is audible over the radio. Both shuttles begin their ascent. "When we get to the hanger, I don't know if anyone will be there to greet us," Beth mentions. "For our ship's size, there aren't a lot of crew left with all the losses." "Means an easier fight," Kochinho optimistically suggests. True to Marg's statement about dralasites, his gear is taking up more room than he is. "And more ground to cover, and harder to track them all down," Simba groans. "Really not looking forward to this, but..." what can you do, he leaves unvoiced. Soon the G-forces pressing them become too much for conversation, pushing up past Landfall's atmosphere.