Martin's Fault - Turn 4

L.T.s pained screams echoed through Mr. H's compound.  Jen had to admit that the evac had been prompt.  The lord of the manor seemed pleased, although that didn't prevent him from docking 2 creds from their payslip, to cover L.T.s medical bill.  "She'll pull through just fine", Mr H. told them.  "We've recycled some Roid tech to save her leg.  That and the nanobots will ensure she is left only with ghosts of pain and bad memories.  Can't do anything about that, not on Martin's Fault at any rate".

L.T. indeed smiled weakly when Jen walked in.  The two sat close by.  Mr H's surveillance might be fooled into thinking they were lovers.

"That was way too easy", said L.T.  "Nothing he couldn't have handled himself".

"You do realise...." began Jen.

"That the civilian we picked up is the same person that talked with Divinia about Karak Korps ?  Yes, I recognised him alright.  He is...?"

"Missing", whispered Jen.  "Bundled into a different APC than us".

"He probably saved my life", mused L.T.

"I'm not sure we are going to be able to return the favour".

"It gets better.  I mentioned to Mr H that Karak Korps were looking at shivvying us.  About an hour later, I got a call from a top executive from Kotel Kommunications.  Another KK.  Anyway, the gist of it is, the enemies of our enemies are our friends."

"Until we become the enemies of their new friends, I suppose".

Whatever his reasons for bringing in the crew of The Uncertain Precedent, Mr H. was in no hurry to show them to the door.  The compound was large, secure, and comfortable quarters were found.  There was an entire combat range that Jen used to good effect, drawing Misericordia in with her.  The baron's men began to get used to them, and even a little acquainted, allowing some trading and some talking.  Jen decided to sell some Kiranin Crystals, in case L.T. racked up more medical bills.

Prax called in and sounded a little panicky over the comms.  "Whatever you're doing out there, it's making them nervous", he told them all.  "Their mercs are down in front of the ship all the time now" [Karak Korps becomes a Persistent rival, and will add +1 enemy].

"You can take 'em if it comes to it", joked Dart and even Xoey laughed at that.

Through his henchmen, Mr H. finally figured out who Divinia Trix was; obviously he was not much into holo-sims.  One afternoon, she came back to her quarters to find an evening gown left out - which she promptly discarded - but more interestingly and usefully, a med-patch.  With the After Eden logo running through it.

"He sure knows how to talk to a lady", said Misericordia, whistfully enough that Jen stared at her and gave her a firm shake of the head.  "I'll get it to L.T.", said Dart, chuckling.

Money was still a little short, and even if Mr H was paying the upkeep, the crew needed pocket money to wager away.  Dart, on the other hand, was starting to win a little too much, so Jen sent her back into town to trade; and to tell Prax to stir up some trouble and keep the Karak boys busy and off their backs.

Misericordia and Xoey spent time making friends; Misericordia took her mission too literally, ending up in a couple of affairs that would soon prove contradictory.  Xoey also found only closed doors, the compound staff not being much interested in elsewhere.

Through the chief of security of the compound, who had been fawning over Divinia since she arrived, the After Eden Fan Club made it known they were about to act "for the good of the many".  When he outlined the mission : small team only and black ops operatives on site, Jen decided to keep caution firmly from the gusting winds, and got a message back that they couldn't leave Mr H just yet, it was in everybody's best interests if they carried on doing his anti-establishment dirty work.

To find out what that might actually be, the captain smoothed out the rumpled evening gown, put it on a protesting Divinia, and went to see the boss man.

"As it turns out", he told them, kissing Divinia's hand for about the ninth time, "I do have need of your services.  I also think it is a mission you would willingly perform".  He waved at the shadows in the corner of the room, and to Jen's considerable surprise, the civilian they had rescued from the Roid Gangers came forth into the light.

"This man has some information that my friends at Kotel Kommunications look forward to getting on air.  It would look particularly good if he is standing next to the all-star cast of After Eden when he broadcasts it.  It would look bad for me if he got shot before making it to the studio.  Would you do the honours ?".  Tenth hand kiss.

Jen said they would.  It was probably time to get out of the compound anyway.

----------------------------

Back in town.  In the centre of the battle zone is the Kotel Kommunications Kom Tower, which is where everyone has to get to.  Of course, driving up to it in an APC is likely to start an arms race, so it will have to be nice and quiet (+1 cred in danger pay).

The crew are accompanied by their VIP, who has Q5+, C 0, Move M, Resilience 5, and is unarmed and has no idea how to wield a gun or a blade.  It is like baby-sitting, but the neighbours have shotguns and are not afraid to use them if baby cries too loud.

Get him to the comms tower by the 8th turn, that is worth +2 creds, because well, time is money to Kotel Kommunications.

Things seemed to be going quite well.  Jen had been expecting Karak Korps, but not a single red uniform in view.  Then Divinia pointed at something moving down the street and asked, "What is that, exactly ?".

That was some sort of genetically mutated...well, what ?

"They look like headless chickens", said Prax, dully.  "With razor sharp teeth".

"I think we should start running now", observed Misericordia, and that it was everybody started to do.

 

;Swarm Brood
Swarm Brood Alpha;58;3;3;false;-Boarding Saber,Fanatic,Move L,Resilience 4;;
Swarm Brood 1-2-3;36;4;2;false;-Boarding Saber,Fanatic,Move L,Resilience 4;;
Swarm Brood 4-5-6-7;20;5;2;false;-Boarding Saber,Acrobat,Move L,Resilience 4;;

 

The planet is Overgrown so vegetation must be added to the battlefield of any encounter (p.73) 

The crew can attempt to Seize the Initiative.

Battle Events (p.116) will occur on the 8th and 12th turnovers.

6 Story Points are available and can be used during battle to reroll a die (p.66).

All Stars of the Story options (p.67) are still available, should things get hairy.

If Achieved Objective, this enemy will not Give Up (p.114) allowing the crew to also Hold the Field.

Swarm Brood are an Invasion Threat [representing them multiplying out of hand and getting out of control of their makers].  They do not become Rivals.