Heroica: Glory Amongst The Stars - Mission #1: Mercenaries On the Boreal Express

[The Legonater]

1 minute ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Yelana tapped a finger against her lips. 
"Right, right, but then so why were you so surprised when you discovered the cube'd been taken? You should've known right away. Right?" 

"I'd try to explain it, but with that blood dripping down the side of your face, I'm not sure you'd understand it. And who the hells is 'Kish'?" 

Soren smacks away her hand.

I didn't know you had taken the cube. I know you've been using the cloak, 'nd I know you just used it again 'bout five minutes ago - re-hiding the cube, presumably. When I felt the cube was gone, and it was just Zaria and you in the room, it was pretty obvious what had happened.

Kish was the Quarm, Target B. Which I know because I was actually getting intel whilst you were running off doin' who knows what. 

Soren sighs, wiping the blood away from his forehead. Would that scar? He could probably get it healed up somewhere.

Look, Yelana. Let me break it to you easy, because frankly all of this exhausts me. I'm bein' honest, here. You ain't that great of a spy. I wish you were. You're a bad liar, and you're bad at this interrogation thing you're trying to do. The reason you're bad at all of this is because you don't trust anyone. Now, I never once lied to you this entire train ride until we got in this room together. I see no reason to lie to anyone, 'a waste of breath. And I see no reason to go over all this to you now 'cept for the fact that you keep haranguing me for no damn reason. 

That's my point - Zaria and I 'done nothing wrong to you, yet you've gone behind our backs and lied to our faces the whole ride. Now, I don't much mind that, but I do mind you accusing us of shit when we both know you ain't been fully honest. Because you keep doing this shady trash and then accusing us of it, I don't much trust you. I 'specially don't trust you with that there cube. Now I don't know if you're planning to give it to Oc|Tan for the creds, or to Blackguard for whatever twisted agenda you've got goin' on. Frankly, I don't care. I just don't trust you. 'Wish I could, being honest. It would make for an easier job; the way I see it, a good spy ought to trust their team. But you clearly don't trust us, so I gotta repay the favour. 'Only person I really trust with it is Kish, because he seems like the best and most honest sport in this race. So I tried to get it to him - that's why I've been lying to you know. Because I tried to do one damn good thing in my life. But you gone done and pilfered it before I even had the chance, so congrats, I guess. Now I presume you have it back in the energy compartment where it was in the first place, so really it's like none of this happened, I just don't get the extra credits I was hoping to get from the Quarm. But hey, whatever happens, happens, right?

The pilot took a deep breath, lying against the floor.

You've gone and made me rant. I hate wasting this much breath. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

Just now, The Legonater said:

Soren smacks away her hand.

OoC: 

Spoiler

Yelana did not touch Soren - She touched her own lips, and then pointed out the blood on Soren's face. She is still across the room from him. 

 

[The Legonater]

1 minute ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

OoC: 

  Hide contents

Yelana did not touch Soren - She touched her own lips, and then pointed out the blood on Soren's face. She is still across the room from him. 

 

I definitely misread that, then, my bad. I don't think that changes too much, though. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

53 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

I didn't know you had taken the cube. I know you've been using the cloak, 'nd I know you just used it again 'bout five minutes ago - re-hiding the cube, presumably. When I felt the cube was gone, and it was just Zaria and you in the room, it was pretty obvious what had happened.

"Huh? I didn't use my cloak just now - Your vision must be blurring from the blood you've lost. And I get that this is some ego thing, which is why you keep dancing around it, but you were out when we got in here - I don't know for how long, but you were. You must've blacked-out and lost time. Anything could've happened from then until you woke up." 

53 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

Kish was the Quarm, Target B. Which I know because I was actually getting intel whilst you were running off doin' who knows what. 

"Ah; I don't think he'd introduced himself when I left the car." 

53 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

Soren sighs, wiping the blood away from his forehead. Would that scar? He could probably get it healed up somewhere.

Look, Yelana. Let me break it to you easy, because frankly all of this exhausts me. I'm bein' honest, here. You ain't that great of a spy. I wish you were. You're a bad liar, and you're bad at this interrogation thing you're trying to do. The reason you're bad at all of this is because you don't trust anyone. Now, I never once lied to you this entire train ride until we got in this room together. I see no reason to lie to anyone, 'a waste of breath. And I see no reason to go over all this to you now 'cept for the fact that you keep haranguing me for no damn reason. 

That's my point - Zaria and I 'done nothing wrong to you, yet you've gone behind our backs and lied to our faces the whole ride. Now, I don't much mind that, but I do mind you accusing us of shit when we both know you ain't been fully honest. Because you keep doing this shady trash and then accusing us of it, I don't much trust you. I 'specially don't trust you with that there cube. Now I don't know if you're planning to give it to Oc|Tan for the creds, or to Blackguard for whatever twisted agenda you've got goin' on. Frankly, I don't care. I just don't trust you. 'Wish I could, being honest. It would make for an easier job; the way I see it, a good spy ought to trust their team. 

Yelana took a breath. 
"Soren, you've been jumpy and looking over your shoulder since the Hall, you're trigger-happy and pick fights for absolutely no godsdamn reason, and you act like you don't give a shit about anything when you clearly do - You're hiding something, which makes it difficult for me to trust you. That's why I don't keep you in the loop - Zaria's myopic, but she's honest and principled. That's why I trust her over you. We don't always agree, but I at least know her stance on shit. I can't get a read on you; you're shady and shifty, and because of that, I don't feel comfortable sharing secrets with you. You'd probably just sell us out." 

53 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

But you clearly don't trust us, so I gotta repay the favour. 'Only person I really trust with it is Kish, because he seems like the best and most honest sport in this race. So I tried to get it to him - that's why I've been lying to you know. Because I tried to do one damn good thing in my life. But you gone done and pilfered it before I even had the chance, so congrats, I guess. Now I presume you have it back in the energy compartment where it was in the first place, so really it's like none of this happened, I just don't get the extra credits I was hoping to get from the Quarm. But hey, whatever happens, happens, right?

"You. What. Are you shitting me right now?! So you did sell us the hells out, didn't you! Is that why your story about the 'attack' isn't adding up?! You staged the whole thing?! Or maybe your 'friend' Kish decided to take matters into his own. . . tentacles? What really happened, Soren?? And 'one damn good thing'?! Helping a megacorp use a living creature as a power source is the best thing you've done in your life?! You're pathetic, Soren - I don't know whether to feel pissed off or sorry for you; I really don't!" 
 

 

OoC: 

Spoiler

I should probably clarify that this is only in-character conflict! 

 

Edited September 26, 2021 by Classic_Spaceman

[The Legonater]

1 minute ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

"You. What. Are you shitting me right now?! So you did sell us the hells out, didn't you! Is that why your story about the 'attack' isn't adding up?! You staged the whole thing?! Or maybe your 'friend' Kish decided to take matters into his own. . . tentacles? What really happened, Soren?? And 'one damn good thing'?! Helping a megacorp use a living creature as a power source is the best thing you've done in your life?! You're pathetic, Soren - I don't know whether to feel pissed off or sorry for you; I really don't!" 

Soren dropped his head in his hands. 

I meant I lied about Blackgaurd showing up. Like, literally just now. But you clearly don't know how to take an olive branch when it's offered to you, so I'm done. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

9 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

Soren dropped his head in his hands. 

I meant I lied about Blackgaurd showing up. Like, literally just now. But you clearly don't know how to take an olive branch when it's offered to you, so I'm done. 

"So your injuries were self-inflicted?! That explains why you have a cut on your head when the only Blackguard agent to have a bladed weapon is dead! I knew you were lying!" 
 

[The Legonater]

Just now, Classic_Spaceman said:

"So your injuries were self-inflicted?! That explains why you have a cut on your head when the only Blackguard agent to have a bladed weapon is dead! I knew you were lying!" 

Yeah. That's what I just said.

The pilot rubbed at his temples, waiting for the Space Police to show up. He'd just been the most honest with the spy as he could hope to be, and still her snap-assumption was that he'd betrayed her somehow. She was paranoid, and there was nothing that could be done to help that. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

28 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

Yeah. That's what I just said.

"So, how much did Kish offer you, anyway? And. . . I'll let you in on a little secret of my own: I always knew you were lying about Blackguard coming back. Always, because I lied about that being a possibility. They're tenacious, sure, but down an agent they'd be unlikely to try us again - I just said that so I could make sure someone was watching the cube in case the engineers woke up and tried to take it. Saying it that way sounds a little paranoid, so brought up Blackguard." 
 

Edited September 26, 2021 by Classic_Spaceman

[The Legonater]

1 minute ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

"So, how much did Kish offer you, anyway? And. . . I'll let you in on a little secret of my own: I always knew you were lying about Blackguard coming back. Always, because I lied about that being a possibility. They're tenacious, sure, but down an agent they'd be unlikely to try us again - I just said that so I could make sure someone was watching the cube in case the engineers woke up and tried to take it. Saying it that way sounds a little paranoid, so brought up Blackguard." 

Oh, she was still going. Soren wiped off a bit more blood and looked up at her. At least she seemed a little honest for once.

Yeah, no, bringing up Blackguard still sounded paranoid. They were obvi'usly not comin' back. It was pretty clear you just wanted the cube to yourself. 

He stumbled to his feet and retrieved his knife and gun. 

Kish didn't offer me anything, by and by. My plan was to show him the cube, tell him I'd been hired by Oc|Tan, 'nd convince him to meet their price. Nah, we just talked. He wanted to give free energy to the people. 'Seemed like a noble 'nough goal to me, there ain't a lot of idealists left in these parts.

[Classic_Spaceman]

3 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

He stumbled to his feet and retrieved his knife and gun. 

10 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Yelana crossed the car, picked up Soren's knife and gun, tucked them into her belt, then leaned back against the reactor and sighed. 

OoC: 

Spoiler

I posted before you did, but I can edit it if you want me to. 

 

Edited September 26, 2021 by Classic_Spaceman

[The Legonater]

Yeah, Soren would like his weapons, please. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

1 minute ago, The Legonater said:

Yeah, Soren would like his weapons, please. 

OoC: 

Spoiler

Edited! 👍

 

12 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

Kish didn't offer me anything, by and by. My plan was to show him the cube, tell him I'd been hired by Oc|Tan, 'nd convince him to meet their price. Nah, we just talked. He wanted to give free energy to the people. 'Seemed like a noble 'nough goal to me, there ain't a lot of idealists left in these parts.

"Wow. . . You are absolutely deluded. You know he would've just taken the cube and not paid you shit, right? And he said he wanted to give people free energy, but since when has M-Tec ever done something like that? How would he keep his job, if he's off handing out the company's profits? He's not an idealist, Soren - He's a businessman. He knows what to say to get what he wants; that's all. He was playing you, and you fell for it." 
 

[The Legonater]

23 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

"Wow. . . You are absolutely deluded. You know he would've just taken the cube and not paid you shit, right? And he said he wanted to give people free energy, but since when has M-Tec ever done something like that? How would he keep his job, if he's off handing out the company's profits? He's not an idealist, Soren - He's a businessman. He knows what to say to get what he wants; that's all. He was playing you, and you fell for it." 

You didn't talk to him. I did. And if you're going to keep snap assumptions then we're done here. 

Soren sat back on the ground, gazing out the blasted-open hole. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

1 minute ago, The Legonater said:

You didn't talk to him. I did. And if you're going to keep snap assumptions then we're done here. 

"I overheard your conversation - some of it, anyway - so I heard when he told you his plans for the cube. And I'm not making snap assumptions - How familiar even are you with M-Tec's business practices? Not to mention that there is something alive inside that cube! I don't care how 'altruistic' you are; using a living creature as a power source is just godsdamn wrong." 
 

[The Legonater]

5 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

"I overheard your conversation - some of it, anyway - so I heard when he told you his plans for the cube. And I'm not making snap assumptions - How familiar even are you with M-Tec's business practices? Not to mention that there is something alive inside that cube! I don't care how 'altruistic' you are; using a living creature as a power source is just godsdamn wrong." 

You don't know anything more about the cube than I do. I'm an insightful guy, Yelana, I know when someone is trying to sell me something. And again, you work with Blackguard, so you're hardly a champion of ethical justice here. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

19 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

You don't know anything more about the cube than I do.

"Really? Then what's in it?" 

19 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

I'm an insightful guy, Yelana, I know when someone is trying to sell me something. 

Yelana gestured around the room, pointing out the pools of blood and Soren's injuries. 
"And yet. . . " 

19 minutes ago, The Legonater said:

And again, you work with Blackguard, so you're hardly a champion of ethical justice here. 

"You don't know me, Soren, so stop acting like you do. And you want to talk about idealism? Ideals are nothing without the pragmatism to actually see them realised. Sometimes, that means making concessions, crossing lines you feel uncomfortable crossing, because the Arm's a messy place. The key is knowing what you can compromise on, and what you can't. You aren't in any position to judge me, Soren. None." 
 

Edited September 26, 2021 by Classic_Spaceman

[The Legonater]

19 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

"Really? Then what's in it?" 

I don’t know? And neither do you.

19 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

"You don't know me, Soren, so stop acting like you do. And you want to talk about idealism? Ideals are nothing without the pragmatism to actually see them realised. Sometimes, that means making concessions, crossing lines you feel uncomfortable crossing, because the Arm's a messy place. The key is knowing what you can compromise on, and what you can't. You aren't in any position to judge me, Soren. None." 

I’m not going to have a conversation about pragmatism with someone who tried to flirt and chat with the people killing us. 

[Waterbrick Down]

Zaria locates Bloeberis who sees to the care of the engineers. A minute later the boarding doors of the Dining Car are linked to a Space Police escort ship as two officers and and a sergeant enter.

"Easy everyone, everything will be alright now."

The celestial indicates to his companions.

"Officer Chucks, check back by Economy, got a report there was a fugitive causing issues in addition to the earlier disturbance. Make sure everyone's alright back there. Officer Peters take a look at Business Class and that hole in Engineering, do not engage any unfriendlies without my order."

"Yes sir."

The Sergeant turns to Zaria,

"Well this ain't the scene I was expecting to find. Bit more orderly than I was anticipating. Sergeant Myron, mam. What seems to be the shape of things?"

[Kintobor]

Zaria stands from her seat in the dining car, having taken a moment to herself to reflect on the current situation. She respectfully nods her head towards the sergeant as he approaches. "Sergeant Myron. A pleasure. My name is Zaria Karana. I am a follower of Varuth. I suppose there is some explaining to do, so if you will lend me your ear I would appreciate it.

The disturbance in the luggage car is partially my doing. My compatriots and I were asked by a member of the staff to investigate a noise in the luggage car, and found a stowaway who was acting violently. When they pulled weapons on us, we defended ourselves, and in in the fight I took one of the heads off of stowaway, not before they managed to nick me in a gap in my armour. I do not know what the procedure is in such an instance, but I take responsibility for his death. I believed the stowaways to be a threat to the passengers and crew of the train and did what I felt was necessary to keep myself and others safe.

As for the hole in the engineering room, the train was attacked by, seemingly, three agents from Blackguard. We made our way to the engineering car in an attempt to stop the attackers, unsure if they were a threat to passengers and crew, however two managed to escape, although not without a fight. One of them was shot dead, having grabbed an item from what I assume to be the train's engine. You will have to excuse me, my knowledge of mechanical engineering is not very good. Based on a discussion we had prior with the engineers, we were informed that the cube stolen from the engine has a sonic and radioactive frequency. However, it seemingly disappeared between the fight with the Blackguard agents and informing the train's crew that the threat had passed. Considering myself and my two associates are the only ones I am aware of who have handled the cube prior to its disappearance, I am requesting you scan the three of us to determine who among us potentially has it. I do not tolerate banditry. I will gladly submit myself to a search with equipment that can pick up either radioactive energy or sonic frequency to prove my innocence in the matter."

Edited September 26, 2021 by Kintobor

[Waterbrick Down]

56 minutes ago, Kintobor said:

Zaria stands from her seat in the dining car, having taken a moment to herself to reflect on the current situation. She respectfully nods her head towards the sergeant as he approaches. "Sergeant Myron. A pleasure. My name is Zaria Karana. I am a follower of Varuth. I suppose there is some explaining to do, so if you will lend me your ear I would appreciate it.

The disturbance in the luggage car is partially my doing. My compatriots and I were asked by a member of the staff to investigate a noise in the luggage car, and found a stowaway who was acting violently. When they pulled weapons on us, we defended ourselves, and in in the fight I took one of the heads off of stowaway, not before they managed to nick me in a gap in my armour. I do not know what the procedure is in such an instance, but I take responsibility for his death. I believed the stowaways to be a threat to the passengers and crew of the train and did what I felt was necessary to keep myself and others safe.

As for the hole in the engineering room, the train was attacked by, seemingly, three agents from Blackguard. We made our way to the engineering car in an attempt to stop the attackers, unsure if they were a threat to passengers and crew, however two managed to escape, although not without a fight. One of them was shot dead, having grabbed an item from what I assume to be the train's engine. You will have to excuse me, my knowledge of mechanical engineering is not very good. Based on a discussion we had prior with the engineers, we were informed that the cube stolen from the engine has a sonic and radioactive frequency. However, it seemingly disappeared between the fight with the Blackguard agents and informing the train's crew that the threat had passed. Considering myself and my two associates are the only ones I am aware of who have handled the cube prior to its disappearance, I am requesting you scan the three of us to determine who among us potentially has it. I do not tolerate banditry. I will gladly submit myself to a search with equipment that can pick up either radioactive energy or sonic frequency to prove my innocence in the matter."

The celestial looks about the dining car at the aftereffects of the fire and panicking patrons, he listens to Zaria nodding along.

"Hmm well then, that would add up with the report we received. The death of suspects will require further paperwork and I'll need a further detailed statement from you and your companions in due time, but for the moment lets see to it that everything is in order and the remainder of the passengers are calmed and the staff able to perform their duties for the remainder of the trip. We should be in Con'stop in a few hours."

At Zaria's mentioning of a cube, a Quarm nursing a head wound stumbles forward.

"I'm sorry, did you mention something about a cube was in Engineering?"

"She did, what do you have to do with it."

"I'm afraid that it is M-Tek property, I asked the engineers to store it in a radiation safe storage unit as the Baggage Car was ill suited for such a package. If it is missing, I must insist that you spend as many resources as possible to find it."

"Don't worry, sir... mam...."

"Kish"

"We'll make sure it's found. Ms. Zaria if you wouldn't mind leading me, I'd like to have a word with your companions."

[Kintobor]

"Of course. If you will follow me." Zaria leads the sergeant into the engineering car.

[Waterbrick Down]

Sergeant Myron has Officer Peters accompany them into the Engineering Car. The Space Police give a low whistle.

"Well now, that's a fair amount of damage."

"Yeesh, looks like a bomb went off in here."

Myron turns to Soren and Yelana,

"I expect you both are Ms. Zaria's companions and that... is the deceased?" The Celestial indicates the body of Slice.

[The Legonater]

2 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"I expect you both are Ms. Zaria's companions and that... is the deceased?" The Celestial indicates the body of Slice.

He's pretty deceased, yeah.

I take it you're the ISAs? If y'all are here about the cube, I reckon it's safely in the energy chamber where it belongs, but I recommend a secure scan to make sure.

[Kintobor]

Zaria gives Soren a quizzical look, but says nothing. She was more interested in how exactly the cube got there, or if this was another potential ruse.

[The Legonater]

21 minutes ago, Kintobor said:

Zaria gives Soren a quizzical look, but says nothing. She was more interested in how exactly the cube got there, or if this was another potential ruse.

Catching Zaria's look, Soren tilts his head towards Yelana and then gives a baffled shrug. At this point, the pilot was pretty exhausted with ruses for the day.