Campaign Turn 25 – Marduk Station – Blood Storm Massacre
Work was progressing well. Jaxx wished it would take longer.
An ATV pulled up just beyond some rocks. "Jaxx, I thought we had all the supplies we needed to fix the 'pig."
"I did too."
Jaxx stood up. Those on his team that had combat armor were wearing it - sealed, it acted as a vacc suit, but was definitely sturdier. And, due to recent events, they all had their heavy weaponry nearby.
That was fortuitous, as instead of supplies, a squad of Blood Storm Mercs erupted from the ATV.
As the crew reached for their weapons, the Blood Storm mercs had already started firing. They were definitely efficient.In the first volley, Ansila went down to one of the rattle-gunners. Ginny checked on him quickly; the suit sealed, and he looked conscious. But he would need medical care pronto.
Miranda? The Unity agent? Unity typically took care of its own dirty work. Why would she bother hiring mercs? A problem for later; right now, the crew had mercs to play with.
Vonthos moved forward, his Plasma Rifle barking out two blue-hot blasts, dropping the rattle-gunner that took out Ansila.
Jaxx took a careful shot with his Fury Rifle, the recoil pushing hard against his shoulder as the second rattle-gunner flew off the ATV where they were roosting, clearly dead.Ginny took aim with her needler rifle, its shot shattering the faceplate of one of the riflemen, dropping him. Sorin, who was too far behind the RenPig to get a shot off, dashed to try to protect the flank.
After seeing three of their number drop in a heartbeat, one of the mercs fled, but three more came out of the ATV.
Jaxx couldn't hear over the private channel they were using, but he could almost imagine what their commander was shouting after the fleeing merc. Jaxx called out "Hey y'all - we're still hiring. Why die on this small rock when you could join the best damn freelancers in Discord Sector (unless you happen to know any other freelancers in Discord Sector)? First come, first served!"
There was no reply from the mercs.
Now that the crew had their weapons, Ginny fired again, her needler killing another merc. Vonthos continued his advance, his Plasma Rifle taking out another.
Jaxx didn't have a target, but decided to stay put, his weapon ready to fire if any opportunity presented itself, while Sorin continued his flanking, climbing on top of their shuttle, Speckled Jim and took a shot at one of the Leaders, missing.
The mercs maneuvered; one taking a shot at Vonthos and missing.
One of the mercs fled, but more arrived.
Suddenly, one of the odd geysers on the rockball spewed a vaporous cloud, greatly blocking vision between the crew and the mercs. They would have to move around it, or through it, to continue the fight.
Jaxx's suit sensors picked up that the mercs were using the obscurement as an opportunity to charge full speed ahead.
Ginny was able to get a bead on one, dropping him. Jaxx' Fury Rifle blasted one of the leaders into oblivion, and Vonthos' Plasma Rifle claimed yet another victim. With so many dropping, Sorin didn't have a target, and continued to advance, jumping on top of a cargo container, as two more mercs fled.
Vonthos' Plasma Rifle shot hit the last Lieutenant, but he was only stunned. Jaxx, Ginny and Sorin all maneuvered to get him in their sights, while they heard the last Lieutenant call for reinforcements.
Those reinforcements would not come in time, as Vonthos' next shot dropped the Lieutenant.
Jaxx called out on the same channel that the merc used for his call for reinforcements. "Any Blood Storm Mercs who were thinking of answering that call - think twice. Or send your buddy first. Because there ain't anyone here now but us Pigeons, and we barely broke a sweat. I get it - this was just a job for you. Well, job's over. If you did any research on us, you know what happens when mercs take things too personally where we're involved."
The crew of the RenPig heard two words in reply. "Copy that."
Jaxx switched to the private channel, about to call out to get Ansila to medbay, but Ginny was already on it. Jaxx and Vonthos quickly wrapped up the repairs, and the Renegade Pigeon once again took to space.
"Jaxx, what do you think they meant by 'Miranda says hello'?" Vonthos asked.
"It makes no sense. None at all. Especially with the Blood Storm Mercs. Why would Unity use mercs when they can bludgeon us with the law?"
"Maybe you were wrong about Miranda."
"Maybe, but I don't think so. There's something going on, though. Something I don't understand. And I won't figure it out here. Let's get Kazi dropped off, then we can pay Miranda a visit."
The RenPig made for the nearest weak point that would take them to Truti Sanvita, where they would sadly part ways with Kazi. At least Vonthos would be there to keep an eye on her.
Turn 11
Step 1
1. Flee Invasion - n/a
2. Decide whether to travel - no
3. Starship travel event - n/a
4. New world arrival steps -
1. Check for Rivals - n/a
2. Dismiss Patrons - n/a
3 - License paid - n/a
4 - world characteristics -
x - Personal Trinket roll(s);
Step 2
1. Upkeep and ship repairs. 1Cr due to Living Quarters upgrade. Ship repaired
Pay for Medical Care: n/a
2. Assign and resolve crew tasks
Jaxx - Track - no
Villem - n/a
Vonthos - Track - no
Ginerva - Patron - no
Ansila - Train
Sorin Pike - Train
3. Determine Job Offers
4. Assign Equipment - n/a
5. Resolve Rumors: - n/a
6. Choose Battle - Opportunity Mission
6.5 Check Rivals - no
Readying for Battle -
ELITE
DIFFICULTY SETTINGS:
World Settings -
1. Deployment Condition - Caught off guard - move in slow action phase in round 1
1. Notable Sight - Peculiar Item - Gain +2XP
2. Objective - Fight Off - to win, you must hold the field
4. Opponent Type - Hired Muscle - -1 to Seize the Initiative - Blood Storm Mercs
AI: Aggressive
Difficulty - Strength 4 - add 2 basic, 1 specialist and 1 lieutenant
Respawn 5
Base qty 6 +0
Normal x 5
Panic 1 ; Speed 4"; CS +1; Tough 4; ; AI: A
Military Rifle: Range 24"; shots 1; damage +0
Blade: Range Melee; Shots --; Damage +0 MELEE total +3 when initiating combat
Specialist x 2
Panic 1 ; Speed 4"; CS +1; Tough 4; ; AI: A
Rattle Gun: Range 24"; shots 3; damage 0; HEAVY
Blade: Range Melee; Shots --; Damage +0 MELEE total +3 when initiating combat
Lieutenant x 2
Panic 1 ; Speed 4"; CS +2; Tough 4; ; AI: A
Military Rifle: Range 24"; shots 1; damage +0
Blade: Range Melee; Shots --; Damage +0 MELEE total +3 when initiating combat
Captain x
Panic 0 ; Speed 5"; CS +2; Tough 5; Save 4+; AI: A
UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL - NO
Panic 0 ; Speed ; CS ; Tough ; Save ; AI:
4. Set up the battlefield -
---
Fight!
Seize The Initiative: n/a
Won? Yes
Held The Field? Yes
First Blood - Vonthos
Notable Sight: Sorin
Post-Battle
1. Rivals - No
2. Patron -
3. Quest Progress -
4. Get Paid - 7Cr
5. Battlefield Finds - Debris worth 3 Cr
6. Check for Invasion - n/a
7. Gather Loot -
8. Injuries
Ansila - minor injury - 1 turn
9. Experience:
Jaxx +3
Kazi
Vilem
Vonthos +4
Ginerva +3
Ansila +1
Sorin +5
10. Invest in Advanced Training: n/a
11. Purchase Items: n/a
12. Campaign Event: Meet up with old arms dealer contact: Gain 2 Machine Pistols and I forget the third weapon.
13. Character Event: Sorin: Earn a little on the side +2Cr
