The Legonater Posted August 30, 2021 Posted August 30, 2021 12 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: "I'm sure if it was an emergency a Steward would have let us know. You still haven't answered any of my questions though which I find concerning..." Soren gives an unflappable shrug. The Steward didn't seem much interested. 'Pparently didn't notice all the flashing lights and whatnot, somehow. 15 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: "What are you, some sort of pilot?" Yeah, what of it? Soren was about to reply to the Circet when he spotted the drone again. That's the one! he exclaims, and fires a bolt of freezing energy in hopes to stop it in its tracks. Now ma'am, I don't know what questions you feel I haven't answered, but I'm sure this could explain a thing or too.
Waterbrick Down Posted August 30, 2021 Author Posted August 30, 2021 Soren casts Elemental Bolt at Drone - (5) 1 Success = 1 Damage (-1 Spirit) Soren's icy ray freezes the drone to the floor. Upon inspection the cold seems to have stopped its circuitry, but the pilot is able to make out a small camera and sensor array mounted to the chassis. The Cricet gives out a low whistle. "Well now, butter my biscuits. Ain't that peculiar." "What is it?" "Looks like some sort of spy drone."
Kintobor Posted August 30, 2021 Posted August 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Waterbrick Down said: "Never, but I'm sure we can make an exception, Mam." "Wonderful. Then I would appreciate receiving the sunglasses at the soonest possible moment, if you do not mind me asking." Zaria replied, giving a receptive smile to the stewardess.
The Legonater Posted August 30, 2021 Posted August 30, 2021 8 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: "Looks like some sort of spy drone." As I said, there is a legitimate threat to this train aboard, and I'd like the lot of you to take me a dash more seriously. Soren side-eyes the human engineer. Now, what can you tell me? Does the Boreal Express have any enemies you can think of? Who's crawling all over this train? And what do you know of those lights and such?
Waterbrick Down Posted August 30, 2021 Author Posted August 30, 2021 The stewardess escorts Zaria back to the Economy Car returning in a few minutes with a pair of chintzy sunglasses. "Now, I'll make sure Engineering gets your message." 2 minutes ago, The Legonater said: As I said, there is a legitimate threat to this train aboard, and I'd like the lot of you to take me a dash more seriously. Soren side-eyes the human engineer. Now, what can you tell me? Does the Boreal Express have any enemies you can think of? Who's crawling all over this train? And what do you know of those lights and such? Soren Persuasion Proficiency Check (DC 1) - (6, 1, 4) 2 Successes "I mean, we're the only line servicing between Parous and Con'stap, so it's not like we have any competition there. Besides dontchya know the Express is a landmark piece of history, no way anyone would want to hurt it." "Wait, what does he mean by crawling. We're clocking in at over 1500 kph, someone would have to be insane to try holding on to the outside of the train." "I saw a set of lights a while back, figured it was some sort of solar flare, but the time of day didn't make sense."
Kintobor Posted August 30, 2021 Posted August 30, 2021 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: The stewardess escorts Zaria back to the Economy Car returning in a few minutes with a pair of chintzy sunglasses. "Now, I'll make sure Engineering gets your message." Zaria figured this was the end of the road for this attempt at getting Soren into Engineering. She hoped he'd managed to get something, any info from behind the locked door. Part of her wishes she was there, but that would be one area of the train she figured would be kept out of her curiosity and desire to explore. Zaria nods her head respectfully, clasping her right hand around her fisted left hand and bowing in her seat. "Thank you for your assistance." Zaria was just about ready to let the stewardess head off before shuffling through her bag and revealing the bottle opener. "I found this on the floor of the train. I do not know to whom it belongs to, but I figured a member of the staff would know more." She hands it to the stewardess. Edited August 30, 2021 by Kintobor
Waterbrick Down Posted August 30, 2021 Author Posted August 30, 2021 3 minutes ago, Kintobor said: Zaria figured this was the end of the road for this attempt at getting Soren into Engineering. She hoped he'd managed to get something, any info from behind the locked door. Part of her wishes she was there, but that would be one area of the train she figured would be kept out of her curiosity and desire to explore. Zaria nods her head respectfully, clasping her right hand around her fisted left hand and bowing in her seat. "Thank you for your assistance." Zaria was just about ready to let the stewardess head off before shuffling through her bag and revealing the bottle opener. "I found this on the floor of the train. I do not know to whom it belongs to, but I figured a member of the staff would know more." She hands it to the stewardess. "Well thanks! I'll drop it off in the Dining car on my way through."
The Legonater Posted August 30, 2021 Posted August 30, 2021 17 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: "Wait, what does he mean by crawling. We're clocking in at over 1500 kph, someone would have to be insane to try holding on to the outside of the train." "I saw a set of lights a while back, figured it was some sort of solar flare, but the time of day didn't make sense." Well something sounded like it touched down on the roof. Best I can bet is that there's some sort of ship attached to us or following close behind, and this drone is the eyes and ears. Soren looks closer at the drone, trying to determine its manufacturer.
Kintobor Posted August 30, 2021 Posted August 30, 2021 (edited) Zaria nods at the stewardess before taking a moment to calm down. She placed the sunglasses over her eyes and began to pray under her breath in her native language, hoping to ease her mind. The seating wasn't ideal to properly reflect on what was transpiring around her (she preferred crossing her legs on the ground, but one scene was one too many) but she began to anyways, hoping to find guidance and new perspectives on the situation at hand. She closed her eyes, looking to relax her mind for a moment of contemplation and let the swaying of the train and the sound of the clattering on the tracks guide her mind. Edited August 30, 2021 by Kintobor
Waterbrick Down Posted August 30, 2021 Author Posted August 30, 2021 1 minute ago, The Legonater said: Well something sounded like it touched down on the roof. Best I can bet is that there's some sort of ship attached to us or following close behind, and this drone is the eyes and ears. Soren looks closer at the drone, trying to determine its manufacturer. "That would explain the drop in velocity, I just thought it was the power generator." "See, I told you that new fuel was working, that stuff literally sings." Soren Technology Check (DC 3) - (6, 4, 6, +1) 4 Successes As Soren dismantles the drone he finds a small little insignia stamped into the inner circuit board, "B".
The Legonater Posted August 30, 2021 Posted August 30, 2021 13 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: As Soren dismantles the drone he finds a small little insignia stamped into the inner circuit board, "B". Soren freezes upon seeing the insignia. ...Blackguard? It had to be, right? But what in the stars would they want with the train? Unless they were on M-Tec's trail... The pilot glanced up at the engineering staff, debating whether to let them in on his find. He absently felt at the documents in his jacket pocket - they had all the information they needed. Now, they just needed to get off the train alive. Standing up, a thousand thoughts flew his mind as he tried to find the cleanest route through this mess. Alright, he said, turning to the engineers again. What are the security protocols on this ride like? How heavily can we lock down the train?
Waterbrick Down Posted August 30, 2021 Author Posted August 30, 2021 25 minutes ago, The Legonater said: Soren freezes upon seeing the insignia. ...Blackguard? It had to be, right? But what in the stars would they want with the train? Unless they were on M-Tec's trail... The pilot glanced up at the engineering staff, debating whether to let them in on his find. He absently felt at the documents in his jacket pocket - they had all the information they needed. Now, they just needed to get off the train alive. Standing up, a thousand thoughts flew his mind as he tried to find the cleanest route through this mess. Alright, he said, turning to the engineers again. What are the security protocols on this ride like? How heavily can we lock down the train? "Not a whole lot unfortunately. This is a passenger train, not an armored transport. Best we can do is radio ahead to the authorities stationed in Con'Stop. The engine is certainly reinforced and that door is constructed to not let anyone in from this side." "Um, Marta, we're picking up velocity again. Stranger, I'd suggest finding your seat, we'll inform the pilot of the danger we're in and see if we can find a route to shake whatever is following us."
The Legonater Posted August 30, 2021 Posted August 30, 2021 28 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said: "Not a whole lot unfortunately. This is a passenger train, not an armored transport. Best we can do is radio ahead to the authorities stationed in Con'Stop.” Then do that, Soren ordered. Even as he spoke a worst-case scenario blossomed in his mind - what if they searched him and found the documents? Or worse, what if they stumbled on whatever it was Yelana was doing in the back? Whatever happens, happens. He gave a nod to the Circet’s advice and retreated back into business class. Spotting Zaria meditating, he sat down beside her. It’s gotten worse.
Waterbrick Down Posted August 30, 2021 Author Posted August 30, 2021 1 minute ago, The Legonater said: Then do that, Soren ordered. Even as he spoke a worst-case scenario blossomed in his mind - what if they searched him and found the documents? Or worse, what if they stumbled on whatever it was Yelana was doing in the back? Whatever happens, happens. He gave a nod to the Circet’s advice and retreated back into business class. Spotting Zaria meditating, he sat down beside her. It’s gotten worse. MM Note: Zaria is in Economy along with Yelana. The fellowship is reunited.
Kintobor Posted August 30, 2021 Posted August 30, 2021 6 minutes ago, The Legonater said: It’s gotten worse. Zaria exhales, closing her meditation with a final prayer. She opens her eyes and turns to Soren. "Worse how? Did you manage to find the drone in the engineering car?" Zaria replies.
The Legonater Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 9 minutes ago, Kintobor said: "Worse how? Did you manage to find the drone in the engineering car?" Zaria replies. That I did. It’s still there, actually. There is definitely some outside interference going on, the’ngineers were reporting a drag on the engine’s efficiency. It looks like we’ve got a third party in the mix, and I think I have a solid guess as to who. Soren lowers his voice, keeping an eye on Yelana to see how the spy would react to his revelation. I took a close look at the drone - it’s Blackguard tech.
Kintobor Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 "I have heard of this Blackguard, but only in passing. Where I am from, it is far more often to see local militias protecting their towns, and most mercenaries are independent contractors or affiliated with small, regional guilds or churches. Nothing on the scale of Blackguard, or even Heroica." Zaria stretches her shoulders, first rotating them and then stretching her arms in bicep extensions, preparing for potential action. "So, what are your thoughts as to how to move forward? As much as I would like to run across the roof and righteously strike down whatever is above us, I doubt that I will be doing so anytime soon." Zaria smiles at the thought.
Classic_Spaceman Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 As Yelana exited the baggage car, she noticed Zaria and Soren back in their seats. "Hey - I thought you were securing the. . . " 2 hours ago, The Legonater said: It’s gotten worse. Sitting down opposite her companions, Yelana lowered her voice. "What. 'It's gotten worse'?? Everything was fine, I step away for like ten minutes tops, and 'It's gotten worse'??" Yelana leaned her head back and pressed her fingertips into her forehead. 2 hours ago, Kintobor said: "Worse how? Did you manage to find the drone in the engineering car?" Zaria replies. 2 hours ago, The Legonater said: That I did. It’s still there, actually. There is definitely some outside interference going on, the’ngineers were reporting a drag on the engine’s efficiency. It looks like we’ve got a third party in the mix, and I think I have a solid guess as to who. "Uh. . . You think? What was your first clue?" 11 minutes ago, Kintobor said: "I have heard of this Blackguard, but only in passing. Where I am from, it is far more often to see local militias protecting their towns, and most mercenaries are independent contractors or affiliated with small, regional guilds or churches. Nothing on the scale of Blackguard, or even Heroica." Zaria stretches her shoulders, first rotating them and then stretching her arms in bicep extensions, preparing for potential action. "So, what are your thoughts as to how to move forward? As much as I would like to run across the roof and righteously strike down whatever is above us, I doubt that I will be doing so anytime soon." Zaria smiles at the thought. "Blackguard's private security; mercs, bounty hunters - They're the best at what they do. I thought they might be involved. . . Okay, let's start over - What the hell's going on?"
The Legonater Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 2 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Sitting down opposite her companions, Yelana lowered her voice. "What. 'It's gotten worse'?? Everything was fine, I step away for like ten minutes tops, and 'It's gotten worse'??" 2 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said: "Uh. . . You think? What was your first clue?" Alright, enough of the sass - in what world were things 'fine'? Did you miss the spy drone and the spacecraft tailing us before you ran off on your own? What exactly did you think you were doing, anyways? 2 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said: "Blackguard's private security; mercs, bounty hunters - They're the best at what they do. I thought they might be involved. . . Okay, let's start over - What the hell's going on?" I would love an answer to that question. What is going on, Yelana?
Classic_Spaceman Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 1 hour ago, The Legonater said: Alright, enough of the sass - in what world were things 'fine'? Did you miss the spy drone and the spacecraft tailing us before you ran off on your own? Yelana sat up. "Yeah - I thought we had that handled. Zaria was tracking the drone and securing the engine room, you were getting intel from the Quarm - What happened?" 1 hour ago, The Legonater said: What exactly did you think you were doing, anyways? "The drone looked like it came from the baggage car, so I checked it out. I found an empty crate that it was probably in, so it's been on the train this entire time. . . Which also means Blackguard's been tailing us this entire time, too. And how do you know the drone's Blackguard tech? Anyway, Abam's still unconscious, so I can't rule out his potential involvement in all this - And now that I think of it, he did mention some 'business deal' in Con'stap. . . So, yeah - What were you doing?" 1 hour ago, The Legonater said: I would love an answer to that question. What is going on, Yelana? "Well, if I had to guess, I'd say Blackguard was hired to retrieve the cube, same as we were - It's the only thing that I know is valuable enough on this train to warrant going to these lengths. They hired Abam to smuggle the drone on board, so that he'd take the fall if anything were discovered prematurely. The drone gets out and sabotages the reactor, slowing the train down enough for Blackguard to board, grab the cube, and get out. What I can't figure out is who hired them. Oc|Tan; maybe, to have a backup in case we fail - Or maybe we're just the distraction. M-Tec; if they want to cover up the project or get out of their deal with Aluriel. Thaumaturgic Society, Magpies - though they usually do their own dirty work, from what I've heard - Hart Logistics, basically anyone with an interest in a powerful new energy source. . . So, basically anyone." Yelana took a breath. "We need to go over those documents - The more we know about the cube, the better our chances are of stopping Blackguard's heist, and maybe even figuring out who hired them. By the way, whoever hired them's not who took our tickets. If they had, why not just use them? And they're smart enough to know that taking them would only be a temporary setback for any other team trying to board the train, so we're looking at two different groups in-play - Three, counting us." OoC: Spoiler I am not sure where the Raven Group/Magpies are in development, but I am assuming that they are going to appear at some point, hence Yelana's occasional offhand references to them as a potential rival faction.
The Legonater Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 1 hour ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Yelana sat up. "Yeah - I thought we had that handled. Zaria was tracking the drone and securing the engine room, you were getting intel from the Quarm - What happened?" What happened is that Zaria found me and communicated, which seems to be a novel concept to you. 1 hour ago, Classic_Spaceman said: "The drone looked like it came from the baggage car, so I checked it out. I found an empty crate that it was probably in, so it's been on the train this entire time. . . Which also means Blackguard's been tailing us this entire time, too. And how do you know the drone's Blackguard tech? Anyway, Abam's still unconscious, so I can't rule out his potential involvement in all this - And now that I think of it, he did mention some 'business deal' in Con'stap. . . So, yeah - What were you doing?" "Well, if I had to guess, I'd say Blackguard was hired to retrieve the cube, same as we were - It's the only thing that I know is valuable enough on this train to warrant going to these lengths. They hired Abam to smuggle the drone on board, so that he'd take the fall if anything were discovered prematurely. The drone gets out and sabotages the reactor, slowing the train down enough for Blackguard to board, grab the cube, and get out. What I can't figure out is who hired them. Oc|Tan; maybe, to have a backup in case we fail - Or maybe we're just the distraction. M-Tec; if they want to cover up the project or get out of their deal with Aluriel. Thaumaturgic Society, Magpies - though they usually do their own dirty work, from what I've heard - Hart Logistics, basically anyone with an interest in a powerful new energy source. . . So, basically anyone." Yelana took a breath. "We need to go over those documents - The more we know about the cube, the better our chances are of stopping Blackguard's heist, and maybe even figuring out who hired them. By the way, whoever hired them's not who took our tickets. If they had, why not just use them? And they're smart enough to know that taking them would only be a temporary setback for any other team trying to board the train, so we're looking at two different groups in-play - Three, counting us." Stars - Abam was just a stowaway. We have no reason to believe someone too poor for a train ticket has any interest in an infinite power supply. 'Sides, it doesn't matter how the drone got on board, or who's paying for Blackguard, They could have their own interests for all we know. What matters is what we do now. You're overthinking it. As per usual. If Blackguard takes the cube, fine by me - we have Oc|Tan's information, we just need to keep it safe until this trip is over. Then we all get paid. The cube is a bonus I have zero interest in at this point.
Kintobor Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Classic_Spaceman said: "We need to go over those documents - The more we know about the cube, the better our chances are of stopping Blackguard's heist, and maybe even figuring out who hired them. By the way, whoever hired them's not who took our tickets. If they had, why not just use them? And they're smart enough to know that taking them would only be a temporary setback for any other team trying to board the train, so we're looking at two different groups in-play - Three, counting us Zaria put a finger to her mouth, pointing at the dwarf. "No, we do not need to go over the documents." Zaria exclaimed in a hushed tone. "We know the details of the document, and I can reiterate any of them to you should you desire. We do not need you scanning them. They are staying on my person, and considering you lifted items from my bag in front of my face, why should I trust you with the folder out in the open? Besides, the dwarf is right over there!" Zaria crossed her arms. "You are also forgetting a perspective here. Your own. It is safe to say that the tickets were stolen as a means of keeping us off the train. We are the only three people capable of stopping whoever is trying to steal the cube: of course they'd want us off the train. You yourself said you saw a black clad O'Kor'Uk male walk off into the crowds at Parous, this sounds like Blackguard wanted to keep us off the train so that their scheme could go unimpeded, and they stole the tickets." 15 minutes ago, The Legonater said: You're overthinking it. As per usual. If Blackguard takes the cube, fine by me - we have Oc|Tan's information, we just need to keep it safe until this trip is over. Then we all get paid. The cube is a bonus I have zero interest in at this point. "Soren is right. As far as I am concerned, the cube is out of our reach. We have no plan to transport the cube once we have it. It is radioactive, produce light, and emits a sonic frequency, meaning everyone will know that it is in our possession the moment we grab it. If we grab that cube, we are dead." Edited August 31, 2021 by Kintobor
Classic_Spaceman Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 20 minutes ago, The Legonater said: What happened is that Zaria found me and communicated, which seems to be a novel concept to you. "Okay - See, now, you're just being a dick. The first words out of your mouth when you sat down were 'It's gotten worse' - What's gotten worse? And as for communication, you've been a lot less forthcoming than I have, so cut the attitude and start communicating what's going on." 21 minutes ago, The Legonater said: Stars - Abam was just a stowaway. We have no reason to believe someone too poor for a train ticket has any interest in an infinite power supply. "One, I never said that he was - I said that he could've been hired by someone who is, and two, I'm not taking anything off the table until we understand the situation better." 22 minutes ago, The Legonater said: 'Sides, it doesn't matter how the drone got on board, or who's paying for Blackguard, They could have their own interests for all we know. What matters is what we do now. You're overthinking it. As per usual. If Blackguard takes the cube, fine by me - we have Oc|Tan's information, we just need to keep it safe until this trip is over. Then we all get paid. The cube is a bonus I have zero interest in at this point. "Don't act like you know me, Soren - And how, exactly, are we getting the intel off this train safely if we don't know any of the variables? Like, you know, whoever's trying to sabotage and board the train - Probably for the cube, or for the intel?"
Classic_Spaceman Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 26 minutes ago, Kintobor said: Zaria put a finger to her mouth, pointing at the dwarf. "No, we do not need to go over the documents." Zaria exclaimed in a hushed tone. "We know the details of the document, and I can reiterate any of them to you should you desire. We do not need you scanning them. They are staying on my person, and considering you lifted items from my bag in front of my face, why should I trust you with the folder out in the open? Besides, the dwarf is right over there!" Zaria crossed her arms. "I am being quiet, and I didn't say we should look over them here! We can go to the baggage car, if we need some privacy." Yelana paused for a moment. "I can't scan them - I tried, but they're written in ink that just goes white when it's copied digitally. I need to physically look at them in order to read them." 26 minutes ago, Kintobor said: "You are also forgetting a perspective here. Your own. It is safe to say that the tickets were stolen as a means of keeping us off the train. We are the only three people capable of stopping whoever is trying to steal the cube: of course they'd want us off the train. You yourself said you saw a black clad O'Kor'Uk male walk off into the crowds at Parous, this sounds like Blackguard wanted to keep us off the train so that their scheme could go unimpeded, and they stole the tickets." "I'm not, and you've only heard about Blackguard - I have friends who work for them. Their operatives are smarter than to think that would work, and they don't maintain their reputation by being careless and taking unnecessary risks. If Blackguard's trying to board the train, then they're not the ones who took our tickets."
The Legonater Posted August 31, 2021 Posted August 31, 2021 22 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: "Okay - See, now, you're just being a dick. The first words out of your mouth when you sat down were 'It's gotten worse' - What's gotten worse? And as for communication, you've been a lot less forthcoming than I have, so cut the attitude and start communicating what's going on." What are you on? I found the drone. It's Blackguard property. That means things are worse. Soren waves his arms around the train. It's worse. What else exactly do you want to know? 23 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: "Don't act like you know me, Soren - And how, exactly, are we getting the intel off this train safely if we don't know any of the variables? Like, you know, whoever's trying to sabotage and board the train - Probably for the cube, or for the intel?" And don't pretend I'm an idiot. There's no reason for the people boarding to come after us, unless we keep drawing attention to ourselves like this. Or by pickpocketing our teammates and running around the train checking on stowaways - you want to run me past the part where you stole from Zaria apparently? I've noticed my own account's been a bit lighter, too. So don't pretend you've been any more generous than I have. 2 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: "I'm not, and you've only heard about Blackguard - I have friends who work for them. Their operatives are smarter than to think that would work, and they don't maintain their reputation by being careless and taking unnecessary risks. If Blackguard's trying to board the train, then they're not the ones who took our tickets." Holy shit. Hey, Miss Superspy, have you been ratting us out to Blackguard this whole time? While you've been running off and avoiding everyone and stealing from us, I guess? Let me flip this back on you one more time - what the megabluck is going on?
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