Morogot Adventure Part 4: Odach

[Conner Gunsmith]

Perception:17+3=20
JIC:15

Conner watches as the bridge is blown sky-high. I look of sheer wonderment is plastered across his face. That was so cool!

Once everyone is around the Chuck Wagon he climbs out of the pilot seat and greets his friends. Hand shakes and slaps on the shoulders for everyone. "Glad you all could make it. I am sure Cale has some marshmallows somewhere around here we can roast on that nice little fire Baker made for us."

He turns to Sirrah to give his apologies. "Sorry we had to blow up the bridge. With the way things were looking, I don't think we had any choice. I know you can hold them at bay, but that many? Plus, just a hand full of them tore my armor apart. I would hate to think what kind of damage a horde of them could do to our rides. Again, I am sorry."

After listening to some suggestions, Conner puts in his two bits. "I am with Shane. I say we stay where we are for the night. With the bridge no longer there, we don't have to worry about defending that side." Damn, all of sudden I'm the take charge kind of guy. Yes, we are going to do this and yes we are going to do that. Slow down there big guy. Just because one of you plans worked does not mean all of them will. When a plan is made he will talk to everyone separately.

First pulling Baker aside. "Let me take a look at your armor. Wow! She sure had a hurten put on her. I am going to have to wait until we get back to our own world be for I can repair this. Also, I need to use that spare armor we got from the lizard guy. Those zombie things shredded my cyclops armor. There is nothing left but the arm and leg bracers. I will talk to later. I need to help out Shane."

Next he walks over to see Shane. "When I get a sec I will try and strip down that wing we have to give us some extra material to make repairs with. You're luck, you still have your armor. Mine got trashed by those zombies."

After that he goes to see Caradoc and Cale. First speaking to Cai."Hey doc. When you have a second I got banged up a little back there in the fight with the plant zombies. Nothing to bad, but I am sore. Any help would be great." Now talking to Cale. "I don't even want to try and cook anything in your kitchen. I don't want to bring any shame to it's reputation." Finishing with a grin on his face.

After some small chit-chat Conner makes his way to Khan. "How you holding up friend. If you need anything please ask. I will do everything that I can to help."

Now on to Sebastion. "What's up? Everything alright? Is there anything you need my help with?" He waits for anything Sebastion asks and tries to figure out a way to help. Conner will also ask the same questions to Reaper and Shalin and do his best to help them.

From there he moves on to see if he can salvage some repair material from that wing.

Salvage:02%,12%,48%,18%@59%

[Shalin]

Perception: 12+1=13
JIC 14/56%

Shane, I've sent my familiar to scout the area, he should report back soon. In terms of telling you about this world it might be easier if Sirrah spoke seeing as what I know came from him anyway.

Adding his opinion to the general discussion about what to do

I'm happy to stay here for the night, as I just said I've sent my familiar to scout the area to check there's no more zombies around. It looks like you folks who were fighting could do with some down time.

To Cale
Thanks for the offer but I'm fine at the moment. As you saw i didn't get involved in the rough and tumble.

[Sebastion]

Sebastion looks at Connor,
"Yah I gots some repairing that needs to be done. My arms and leg armors, they be shredded from escaping the belly of the huge worm. Those zombies didn't help matter as they administered me ah beating. So if ya gots the time and the mats it would be greatly appreciating if ya can fix up ma legs ah bit. Unless doc can finds anotha matching bionic limbs, I don wanna be hopping around one legged and one armed after my armors they all be gone."

Sebastion will help Connor with any repairs that need to be done.

Field Armorer & Munitions Expert 38/65%
Basic Mechanics 57/40%

[Caradoc]

((Rolls Held Over))

Dr. Cai Caradoc is surprised to see that one of his comrades is actually coming forward in need of medical attention and doesn't need to be chased down gimping and flailing about trying to impress everyone with a missing arm or busted leg.

Dear Me,

Today one of my lovely teammates actually exhibited a modicum of sense and came to me for medical treatment. I was so surprised I nearly croaked on the spot. But I wouldn't give Khan the satisfaction.

-CC

P.S. It wasn't the smelly Mexican, big surprise.

"Why... Conner. Step into my office, sir! Step right up, step right up. Cale calls this the Chuck Wagon. I call it the Meat Wagon. The butcher will be paid today, son. He ALWAYS gets his cut!"

Leading the poor Operator into the APC, the half-mad cyber-doc takes a look over his comrade-in-arms. Satisfied it's not much more than a few scrapes and bruises, he gets right to work cleaning the wounds and applying the bandages.

Medical Doctor
☞ Diagnosis: 49/77% PASS
☞ Treatment: 01/67% PASS
Pathology -- 33/67% PASS (God knows if those nasty things give infections!)

((Result: 6 SDC per 24 hours at the Professional Treatment rate))

[Mad Scientist]

(rolls held over)

"Boys, get some rest. We'll stay for the night, but don't forget some guards."

Looking at Shalin, he smiles once more "I'd be glad if you would stay with us, and tell us some of your stories by the firelight."


And before he starts to forget things, he'll be on his way, looking for the armor he had salvaged for personal use (the sovietski-model).

[Archive Account]

The rainy day fades away into a cool clear night and, true to his word, Sirrah's magic is a zombie-repellant and the zombies are nowhere to be seen.

The team is able to set up Cale a make-shift walker so that he can use his kitchen and Conner and Sebastion get a cozy fire roaring despite the wetness of the wood. Within an hour, the sky is alight with thousands of visible stars in constellations wholly unfamiliar to those with any interest or knowledge in such. There's a 5'x5' fire roaring beside the open side door of the Chuck Wagon, everyone has a plate of food (OOC: I'll let Cale describe the meal for you), and the world, though alien, seems right for a change.


OOC: For this holiday season, I'm gonna let y'all just hang out 'round the campfire and roleplay amongst yourselves. Merry Christmas to my Christian brothers out there and happy holidays to the rest of you. I will resume the adventure and your return trip to MercTown on January 2nd.

NOTE: If you all WANT me to press on with the adventure during the holidays, I will! To let me know if this is your wish, tell me so in the group OOC chat thread.

[Caradoc]

Perception: 9
JIC: 7

Glad to finally have a chance to relax, Caradoc pulls up a seat at the campfire and sets in a for a cozy evening. Looking over at Conner's dressings, he's satisfied that the big galoot will be just fine. After all, there's no better cyber-doc in this dimension or any other. Sliding his mechanical eyes over to Cale, he has a different reaction. If he could roll his cybernetic eyes and have the same effect as real ones, he would. Why he insists on acting like he can just run around on that splint is beyond me. I should have just chopped it off at the knee and see how far he'd get then...

In an effort take his mind off things, as missing limbs would inevitably turn his mind to Hienrich, Doc spits a question or two out at Shalin and Sirrah's direction.

"So... you both have been here awhile. What happened here? What caused all this? Are there any others alive or are you two all that's left on this planet? You ever hear of a Morogat? You know, a giant undead insect dimension that eats people through Rifts? That's right, we get invited to all the cool clubs. Remember, it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Then it's frakking hilarious!"

[Shane Knight]

Perception: 19 + 2 = 21
JIC: 13, 4, 10

Lore: Magic: 19% of 25% **Recognize Magic Symbols, Runes and Circles: 7% of 15%; Recognize Enchantment: 38% of 10%
Weapons Engineer: 16% of 55%; 26% of 55%; 32% of 55%

Next he walks over to see Shane. "When I get a sec I will try and strip down that wing we have to give us some extra material to make repairs with. You're luck, you still have your armour. Mine got trashed by those zombies."

Shane replies to Conner, "Take care of yourself first. I've got enough to keep me busy while you get checked out."

While Shane waits for Conner to prepare material for him to repair his armour, he will move out of sight of Sirah (he doesn't want him to see what he found as he may want them back as treasures of his people) before examining his finds from the stadium. He carefully pulls them out of his satchel one at a time and examines them for any runes or magical symbols as this seems to be a magic rich world. First he pulls out the belt first and examines it. Next he examines the gauntlets. And last, the dagger.

[Archive Account]

"Who's your friend there? How did you get here? Come to think of it, where is here? Do you know what the deal is with those zombie plant creatures? What is the most effective way of combating them?"

Sirrah answers for himself as he is present and magically able to understand all of them at this time. My name is Sirrah, we arrived after Shalin here sensed a disturbance in the dimensional matrix which must have been the dimensional portal which brought you all to this world. Those 'zombie plant creatures' are the ancestors of my people, now undead thanks to the great blight that struck our world some twenty-five years ago. The best way of combating them is to run. Failing that, fire is the best deterrent and decapitation the surest manner of certainly destroying one of them." Sirrah pauses a moment then adds "Well, 'here' is near the ruins of an ancient city and near the Valley of Sorrows across which is the Temple. If you mean in the grander scheme of things...this is the planet Odach in the star system of the same name."

"So... you both have been here awhile. What happened here? What caused all this? Are there any others alive or are you two all that's left on this planet? You ever hear of a Morogat? You know, a giant undead insect dimension that eats people through Rifts? That's right, we get invited to all the cool clubs. Remember, it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Then it's frakking hilarious!"

Sirrah's wide eyes roll in his head like a deer spooked by a startling sound.

He speaks hurriedly and in a hushed tone. "That word is forbidden on this world. 'Speak not its name lest you summon it' is what many of the elders say. That word is inscribed on many of the pillars and monuments in the Valley of Sorrows...where millions of our dead from this area were buried. There are hundreds of similar sites across the planet. Most mentions of that word have been eradicated from the standing monuments and mostly purged from the records as superstitious non-sense by many of the mage-scholars."

Shane
Shane scampers off to examine the artifacts he "acquired" away from the prying eyes of Shalin, Sirrah, and the others.

Finally having more than a split second to look at the items, the belt immediately seizes his attention and won't let go. The embossed image of a spread eagle on the buckle is highly reminiscent of that used by the armed forces of the old United States of America--what the ignorant of the main-land usually refer to as the American Empire. What stands out as different is the wreath of oak leaves surrounding the eagle--there are minute runic symbols engraved on their leaves and when he holds the belt in his hands, Shane feels a sense of fearlessness wash over him. Unable to determine more without the added scrutiny of a mage or arcane specialist (such as at the Collegiate Arcane in MercTown or distant Dweomer), he moves on to the next artifact.


Shane's examination of the gauntlets doesn't reveal much of use to him as he lacks sufficient arcane knowledge to determine more than a few facts. The gauntlets are definitely enchanted and the magic symbols, while not runes, seem to suggest that these gauntlets are meant to be used for some defensive purpose.


Shane recognizes the unusual weapon as being a rare, Eastern weapon known as a Katar. Other than that and its obvious enchantment, he is unable to tell much. One thing sure is puzzling though...each of these items seem to be of human origin but they're on an alien world.

Note to mages and all sensitive to magic: The items above EXUDE magic.

[Shane Knight]

Perception: 19 + 2 = 21
JIC: 13, 4, 10

History: Pre-Rifts: 22% of 52%
**In-depth knowledge of North American military history including NEMA: 33% of 44%

Shane is intrigued by the belt's historical ties to past and examines the belt more closely to determine what time period it came from and what branch of the military it possibly came from.

TGM EDIT: The item you hold pre-dates NEMA by about 150 years. You're not positive, but you're fairly certain that it's an Army Officer's belt worn in later portion of the first half of the 20th century, from somewhere around 1930-1950 BCE or so.

[Cale]

Cook (80% / 35%)
Cook (80% / 28%)
Cook (80% / 08%)

Using the walker as a brace while at the stove, Cale fries up the pork chops. Half of them browned and half breaded. While the browned chops are draining off the grease off to the side, he opens a couple of cans of baked beans. Pouring the cans of beans into the frying pan that was used to brown the one half of the chops. Grabbing a couple of Mushrooms that he picked the day before, he chops them up and throws them in with the beans. Taking the open bottle of 'Special Sauce' to give the beans a kick, he adds two tablespoons full to the beans. Stirring for a few minuets, he leaves them to simmer. Finishing up the breaded chops, he calls for someone to come grab the food.

[Mad Scientist]

(rolls held over)

"Cale, you're great" he states after getting the first taste between his lips.

"Boys, it'd be great I've you could give me a check of our resources once you've finished this delicious dinner Cale casted out here."

While they all do their business, he does his best to protect them... standing guard with his back to the fire for a while

[Reaper]

Initiative: 14+5=19
Perception: 17+1=18
JIC d20 / % 8 / 47%

Detect Ambush: 32% / 55%
Wilderness Survival: 55% / 60%

Reaper chows down on the pork chops, "These are much better than the ones the Expeditionary cooks up. This is real animal flesh?" he inquires. "The cooks in the fleet use a food synthesizer and vat paste machinery that was liberated from the Zentraedi. Every once in a while we would get fresh food from the local planets, and some food from freeze dried rations." After he eats, he'll see about getting the Doc to look over his old wounds, make sure he's under mend. Every once in a while Reaper will pull from the group and walk the perimeter with his Gallant ready in his hands.

After a while Reaper starts to look over his gear while listing to some Minmei, "Hey, do we have any Mini-Missiles?"

edit: somehow I missed Cale's post about pork chops (edited to reflect the pork)

[Conner Gunsmith]

Perception:3+3=6
JIC:13

Conner stands in the doorway of the Chuck Wagon leaning against the frame with his massive arms crossed over his chest. A small smile is showing. He would like to join his friends at the camp fire and share in the stories, but can't. He knows he has work to do, a lot of work to do.

It's good to see the group relaxing like this. It seems like every other hour something is trying to kill us. Well, time to get to work.

The name of the place "Valley of Sorrows" does not sit well with him. He want to do as much repairs to everyones armor before the travel through there. But, before he can do that he has to strip down the wing to get the material to make them.

"Hey guys. If you need me I will be in here working."

Over the sound of the fire and talk the sounds of metal work can be heard. The buzz of a saw, the crackling of a laser torch and the banging of a hammer. There might be a few curse words thrown in there as well. He will stop half way through to grab some food. Giving Cale the thumbs up as he shovels it into his mouth.

[Shane Knight]

Perception: 18 + 2 = 20
JIC: 15, 5, natural 20

Intimidate: 9% of 70%

Shane fingers the belt before he puts it and the other objects away in his ammo box with the rest of his gear before joining everyone for dinner. He gathers up a plateful of food and sits down to enjoy Cale's meal. He says between mouthfuls, "Once again Cale. Great meal." After eating he waits until Baker is away from Sirrah and Shalin's hearing and says in a low voice to him, "Come inside away from the newcomers. I've got something to show you."

He leads the way to his gear and makes sure no one is around before opening the ammo box and carefully laying the objects on the table. "You know that shiny thing I saw back in the stadium. It was a display case filled with these pieces." He waves his hand over them as he speaks. "You seem to be a student of history, Baker. These objects all seem to be from Earth, which doesn't make much sense to me." He'll let Baker look at them and explain what little he has learned about them. "The gauntlets I don't know much about, but they are definitely enchanted, probably with some kind of defensive magic. The Katar I have no idea about. It seems to be enchanted as well. Probably with some kind of offensive magic."

He pauses. "Now to the belt. It interests me the most as a student of history. It seems to an American Army Officer's belt from the first half of the 20th Century. Probably from around 1930-1950 BCE. The World War Two era if I'm not mistaken. It seems to have a fearlessness enchantment on it." He straightens up and says in a no nonsense voice. "If you have no objection, I'm keeping this."

(OOC - Shane seems to suggest with his body language and tone that he will have a problem if he takes it away from him.)

To break the tension he may have caused, he moves the conversation down another path, "I don't know what your feelings are on this, but I don't know if we should let Shalin and Sirrah know about these things." He points at the objects. "Shalin may be helping us now, but we don't know anything about him or his motives as of right now. I really don't trust people that use magic, well other than Ramien, God rest her soul. But she was a warrior and you knew that she was going to be honourable. Sirrah on the other hand is a descendant of one of these aliens that had these objects from Earth in display cases like trophies, he may think we are taking historical artifacts from his people or something. We don't know anything about him or his 'people', especially enough to know how he will take our actions. So, what do you want to do?"

[Caradoc]

Perception: 12+2=14
JIC: 3

Dismayed somewhat at Sirrah's reluctance to reveal more than superstious folklore about Morogat, Dr. Cai Caradoc decides a different approach is necessary. Obviously this plant guy has spent too much time in the sun without water. Brain's a bit addled being surrounded by weeds or something.

"Shalin, you've been here awhile. Surely you've recorded observations. Noted strange events. Found empiracal evidence. You must have some theory about what happened here, right? I mean these plant people didn't just decide to star in some twisted "Growths Gone Wild" B-Movie one day. They clearly were an advanced civilization, despite all their spiritual mumbo-jumbo."

Caradoc will attempt to correlate anything said by Shalin or Sirrah with his scientific knowledge to get a grasp on what turned this planet from a beautiful thriving greenhouse into a gnarled overgrown garden. His best guess is some kind of genetic modification or disease on an epidemic level.

Biology -- 96/67% FAIL (genetic problem analysis)
Pathology -- 39/67% PASS (disease problem analysis)
Xenology -- 51/52% PASS (to take into account alien physiology)

While he listens into the answers or any other conversation going on, he digs into Cale's sumptuous feast. "Cale, I don't think any merc company out there has this quality of food in the field. I may be the best cyber-doc alive but you certainly are the best cook! Who knew such great men would be put together in the same company? Oh, well Khan is the biggest sour-puss in the universe so that's three famous people around this campfire!"

When Reaper mentions his injuries, Caradoc practically falls off his stoop. "Demons and Devilkins man! I can't believe you've been walking around like that! Come, come let's get you fixed up. Maybe that little doll you carry around has magical powers after all, because SOMETHING has been keeping you walking straight despite these bruises!"

Medical Doctor
☞ Diagnosis: 86/77% FAIL, 70/77% PASS (chalk it up to being tired, he had to redo his examination after fudging it)
☞ Treatment: 40/67% PASS

Once again, Dr. Cai Caradoc leads a helpless victim -- er, patient -- to the back of the Chuck Wagon to be patched up. That's three today! You'd think it was something in the water, making them realize they finally need me!

[Shalin]

Perception 15+1=16
JIC: 46%/18

Shalin tucks into the food with gusto;

Hey this is great! Makes me realise that I've missed that dear old Mud ball of ours. Thanks Cale.

He makes small talk around the fire for a while, at one point he nudges closer to Sirrah and Ravi lands on his shoulder. After a few seconds he stands and after stretching out heads away from the campfire.

Moving with quiet purpose he heads over to where Shane and Baker are gathered and steps into range just as Shane has finished speaking.

Hey there, what are you folks upto?.... Hmmm, looks like you've found some interesting stuff there. Well finders keepers of course... would you like me to take a look? I imagine I'm better versed in these things than either of you?

Shalin's whole demeanor is friendly and inquisitive whilst speaking. His body language is non-confrontational.
Charm/ Impress 57/75%

Shalin makes no moves until the others speak, he certainly doesn't step any closer.

Look Sirrah knows you've got this stuff and he'd be a fool not to realise where you've taken it from. I guess you need to decide what to do, come clean and see how he feels about you taking it? If that's not cool then the question is which do you need him or the gear? I can get you all back home, no worries, but of course having a local onside is always useful.

For myself, you found it, I'm just left wondering if there's anything else to be had back in the city.....

[Shane Knight]

Perception: 12 + 2 = 14
JIC: 7, 13, 13

Intimidate: 41% of 70% http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2352292/

Amplified Hearing (Range: 360')
- estimate distance of the sound: 25% of 80% http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2352293/
- estimate speed and direction of approach: 98% of 70% http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2352294/
- recognize a voice or sound through intense concentration: 42% of 60% http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2352297/

Location: Shane's bunk in Hover Barge hold

Moving with quiet purpose he heads over to where Shane and Baker are gathered and steps into range just as Shane has finished speaking.

Hey there, what are you folks up to?.... Hmmm, looks like you've found some interesting stuff there. Well finders keepers of course... would you like me to take a look? I imagine I'm better versed in these things than either of you?

Shalin's whole demeanour is friendly and inquisitive whilst speaking. His body language is non-confrontational.
Charm/ Impress 57/75%

Shalin makes no moves until the others speak, he certainly doesn't step any closer.

Look Sirrah knows you've got this stuff and he'd be a fool not to realize where you've taken it from. I guess you need to decide what to do, come clean and see how he feels about you taking it? If that's not cool then the question is which do you need him or the gear? I can get you all back home, no worries, but of course having a local onside is always useful.

For myself, you found it, I'm just left wondering if there's anything else to be had back in the city.....

Shane's head snaps around as Shalin speaks. Shane mentally reprimands himself for letting his guard down and himself for getting caught unaware. Shane doesn't let it show visibly but he is angry. Who does this little twerp think he is? Sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong. I'm going to snap his bloody neck! Several weeks of tension from living in close quarters and under near constant threat coming oozing out as Shane loses it. Shane lets the words wash over him as he really isn’t listening to him. Before he gets to end of his speech, Shane leaps forward and grabs him by the throat and slams him up against the bulkhead with ease.

((OOC - The hold of the Hover Barge is pretty small, so I figure Shane isn't more than a few steps away and Shalin won’t be expecting this reaction, so he’ll be caught a little flat-footed.))

Strike: 16 + 5 = 21 http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2352301/

He moves his mouth right up to Shalin's ear and growls, "You think you are pretty cute do you?" He smirks at Shalin as he tightens his grip, "You try and cast anything and I'll break your skinny neck." He keeps his voice low as he continues, "Who the hell invited you into this conversation??? I don’t remember asking you? You God-damned mages always think you can stick your nose in where it doesn't belong, don’t you? Well, smart guy, I think it’s about time you learned the consequences of your actions. The only reason I don't kill you right now, is that we need you to get us home. I don't like your kind to begin with and it's because of doing things like you just did. Always sneaking around poking your head in where it isn't welcome. If we had wanted your opinion we would have asked for it. Here's the deal, you just pissed away any reason I had to trust you by your actions here. Now I don't have any. Actions speak louder than words. You get us home tomorrow or you are dead. Your actions there will be the only way to redeem yourself at all in my eyes."

Shane takes a breath and regains a little composure as he loosens his grip a little. "I'm going to tell you my two rules. One, I don't trust you or like you, mage." He says with more than a little contempt. "If you cast any spell on me without my permission, I will kill you. Two, my business is my business. If I want you to know my business, I'll tell you. Otherwise, keep your nose out or I'll break it. Got it?" He waits until he gets an affirmative indication and then drops him on the floor.

He turns his back to Shalin and heads back to his bed where he has placed the gear. He uses his enhanced hearing to make sure Shalin isn’t going to try and cast anything at him as he gathers the stuff up off his bunk and strides past him and out to the fire where Sirrah is located.

((OOC - If he so much as hears a whisper from Shalin, he’ll stop what he is doing, draw his sidearm (the Q1-02 "Stopper" Ion Pistol) and point it directly at Shalin’s head. He will fire if he doesn’t get the hint to stop talking.))

Location: Outside Hover Barge near fire.

Shane strides purposefully forward and stops near Sirrah and throws the objects on the ground in front him. A little of his anger has leached out of him as he starts to speak. “Sirrah. Shalin says you know we have these things and exactly where we got them from. He seems to think that you won’t appreciate us taking this stuff. As near as I can tell, this stuff all came from Earth. What do you know about it? And do you have any problem with us taking these things back with us?”

[Shalin]

Glurgh

Is about all Shalin can manage as Shane grabs his throat. Counteracting his instinctive response to fight back he tries to remain calm. Once released Shalin struggles to breathe deeply and let's the angry Merc say his piece.

What is with these people, they seem like they're all on the edge of, or well into, psychosis. What am I getting myself into here. Try to help and they go crazy.

At Shane's threats Shalin will stand and face him, making no violent or sudden actions but working hard to not look scared or intimidated.

Do I really want to stay here. Yeah, so I want to go back to Earth but why take this bunch of cowboys who don't appreciate anything other than a gun. Doesn't he realise that I have ways of making him suffer that he can't even imagine.... But what would Danus say, maybe I'm acting too hastily - I still don't know how they ended up here but it seems obvious they've been under a lot of strain. I am just some random guy who just showed up, maybe I acted to quickly.

By this time Shane has walked away. Shalin turns and looks to Baker, conflicting feelings play through him; embarrassment and indignation at how Shane treated him coupled with desire to start forming successful connections with these people.

Look, sorry about that. I didn't realise he'd be soo jumpy. I thought I made myself clear I wasn't seeking to threaten him. But I guess we only met a few hours ago, maybe I should've been more circumspect. I realise I don't know how you all got here or what you've been through. I guess I should be asking more questions and getting to know you before I start interfering.

But the aura coming off those things... I want that, maybe there's more of them. Damnit why aren't people as simple as those back in that village where I grew up. There people just did what I wanted. Maybe I'm better off just finding those I can control?

Looking to Baker and judging how he responded to Shane's outburst he'll either try and engage him in conversation or head back to the group around the campfire.

Looking around he'll judge whether others heard the scuffle. Conflicting emotions continuing to boil within him, after years away from Human beings and having come to a conclusion that he wants to work and be with his kind again Shalin is frustrated about how the days gone. He sits by the fire brooding, whilst trying not to look like a sulky teenager.

No thanks, for plucking them out of the Zombie filled building... No thanks for bringing Sirrah to their rescue... How're they going to get home without me eh? Maybe Sirrah can summon a rift but I brought him... Calm down, anger and resentment are weaknesses remember. True strength is self control and mastery, you don't need to react. Help these people and see how it goes, either I stick with them or I don't. It's my choice.

Having calmed down, he'll see if anyone's in the mood for talking and try and engage them in conversation. That said he'll try to avoid Caradoc who already seems a bit too strange.

[Reaper]

(Rolls Carried Over)

When Reaper mentions his injuries, Caradoc practically falls off his stoop. "Demons and Devilkins man! I can't believe you've been walking around like that! Come, come let's get you fixed up. Maybe that little doll you carry around has magical powers after all, because SOMETHING has been keeping you walking straight despite these bruises!"

"Doc, I haven't been touched since the last time... argh!" he grunts as the Doctor rips off the bandages. "Gentle there Doc, I just wanted to make sure nothing was infected." As the Doc looks him over and does more work, "I don't know about the Doll, but Minmei is definitely a power to be reckoned with. Her voice can soothe the most savage beast. I was kind of amazed that those creatures out there didn't calm down by her music. I'll need to ask Sirrah if they can even hear."

[Cale]

Limping over to a chair, Cale sits down in a slouch. Picking up his plate, he starts eating the fruits of his labors, listening to the complaments of the team. Making replys as needed to everyone. "Reaper, yes it is real pig. When we get back to Merctown I'll introduce you to the delites of a creature called a Rhino-buffalo."

" Shalin, people tend to forget that they need a home to see where they have been and where they are going to. That is why good food is one of the great gathering draws."

[Conner Gunsmith]

With the fact being that Conner is in the Chuck Wagon working on everyones armor, he does not hear anything going on outside, but only the thing randomly popping up inside his head.

Lyrics from a song.

Ain't no rest for the wicked.
Money don't grow on trees
I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed ain't nothing in this world for free.
No I can't slow down, I can't hold back, though I wish I could.
No, ain't no rest for the wicked, until we close our eyes for good.

He looks to the right for a tool and spots the robot.

Shit. I'm going to have to get that thing up and running when we get back. I hope it's worth something. I'm going to need it to replace my armor. I don't know. Maybe if I like it I might keep it. It could help around the shop or something. I guess I will see. I wonder where it came from? I have never seen one like that before. He starts to get up to go and inspect it but stops himself. Leave that for later. You need to take care of the armors.

Some more song lyrics.

It could have been the champagne, champagne.
It could have been the cocaine, cocaine.
Could have been the look you gave me that told me we were through.

More random stuff.

If a blue dragon was choking on something, what color would he change to? Speaking of blue. When we get back to town, I'm going to have to hit up that casino and see if I can find a little lady that will keep me company for the night. I mean it has been what? A year since I got any action.

As he is doing the repairs he takes a look at the piece of scrap metal he is using that came from the wing and then stops for a moment.

It's the same blue that where the highlights on Emma's skin. Conner lowers his head and takes a deep breath. Damn, I miss you. He does not move for a few seconds as visions of her dance around his mind. A tiny grin creeps on to his face and he gets back to work.

Ain't no rest for the wicked......

[Caradoc]

((Rolls held over))

"Doc, I haven't been touched since the last time... argh!" he grunts as the Doctor rips off the bandages. "Gentle there Doc, I just wanted to make sure nothing was infected." As the Doc looks him over and does more work, "I don't know about the Doll, but Minmei is definitely a power to be reckoned with. Her voice can soothe the most savage beast. I was kind of amazed that those creatures out there didn't calm down by her music. I'll need to ask Sirrah if they can even hear."

Dr. Cai Caradoc raises one eyebrow at the strange man he is helping. "Reaper, I'd like to talk to you about the wonderful world of psychotherapy. Unfortunately I am a surgeon, not a shrink. Let me suggest this, though. If you are going to carry around a girl's doll, can you maybe fit it with a flame-thrower or maybe some non-lethal gas? Just seems like a man should have more of an "action-figure" than a doll you know? Or what about a Kung-fu grip? Swivel-arm karate-chop action? You hearing me, mate? Give that little doll some "oomph"?"

The doctor finishes bandaging the hell out of Reaper, amazed that the man can even walk with so many scrapes and bruises. "Alright, soldier... or, uh... whatever you call yourselves out there where you come from. I think you'll be fine if you keep changing those bandages and keep those wounds clean so they don't get infected. Try and keep it easy -- I know that's asking a lot considering the circumstances... but have you seen our cook? I can only handle one invalid at a time and he was first in line."

The doctor will stay and answer his patient's questions before asking Conner how the repairs are going and if he needs any help.

[Archive Account]

Caradoc's treatment and ministration of his patients isn't perfect, but it's much better medical care than most mercenary units can afford or enjoy. His scientific endeavors reveal only the nature of the epidemic that nearly exterminated this planetary population. The Tedescians were nearly exterminated due to an alien disease of mystical origin, of that much he is certain. The disease was the equivalent of a genetic weapon but magical in nature.

Reaper: restore 7 S.D.C. and recover at a normal S.D.C. rate (professional medical treatment)

In the morning, everyone awakens to a beautiful sunrise on Odach. After a hearty but simple breakfast, the two vehicles set out on the original route as laid out by Sirrah. Along the way, Sirrah and Shalin have a discussion in the hover sled regarding the unusually high ambient levels of energy this day. By late morning, they've reached the conclusion that today must be some form of equinox or other celestial alignment on Odach. After a few hours of travel, they reach the Valley of Sorrows and, at the urging of Sirrah and Shalin about the urgency of reaching the temple by midnight, the group does not tarry but blows through the area without so much as a bathroom break.


The Roughnecks manage to get some still shots and video of the structures in the valley at Caradoc's urging, but that's as far as they're willing to entertain his scientific curiosity. An hour of winding, overgrown trails later, they arrive at a vista none of them will soon forget.


They can see the temple in the distance and Sirrah confirms for all that this is their destination. Some couple hours later, the sky darkens and they arrive upon an area that looks to be inhabited. After another hour or so taking a slow pace weaving through the slowly winding streets of a village filled with humanoids like Sirrah, the group reaches the summit of one particularly long stretch of road and looks back when Sirrah says that temple complex is just ahead.


Leaving the city behind, the two vehicles make their way up a winding stone road to a concourse paved with heavy, polished granite and adorned with friezes of inlaid marble and some unusual pink stone. It's late into the night when they finally arrive at what appears to be a hub of sorts in this large temple complex. Two shimmering, pale blue curtains of mystic energy can be seen stretching faintly into the distance of the night sky and converging just ahead at what all in the group (save Reaper) recognize to be a ley line nexus point.

Sirrah takes his leave of the hover sled and discusses something privately with a group of around ten or so similarly-dressed Tedescians. He returns after a few minutes to notify the group that the guild of mages has agreed to send the group hom...in a few minutes. He quickly explains that at midnight the magic energies present will be sufficient that only a handful of mages will be necessary to create a portal back to their homeworld. With some informational and mystic assistance from Shalin, they're able to pinpoint to a good degree of accuracy the location to which the group wishes to travel. At the appointed time, Shalin is thanked by the Tedescian mages and instructed to join the rest of his "Terran" fellows. At the appointed time, a rather unspectacular rift is opened via ritual and the two vehicles drive through without fanfare.

What greets their eyes is a marvel to those who have never seen it before and some measure of "home" to those who have been absent from here for some time. The walls and city gates of MercTown stand before you.



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