The Return of Malfeas IC

[sun_tzu]

Commander Tarkas leads the way, seemingly unperturbed by the abandoned state of the city. "There shouldn't be anything here to threaten us." He says. "The city was abandoned a few decades ago, when it was renedered uninhabitable by the destruction of Barsoom's Terraforming machines."

"How did that happen?" asked Berger. And why haven't those machines been replaced yet? Budget problems? Technological limitations? Punitive politics?

[horus42]

"How did that happen?" asked Berger. And why haven't those machines been replaced yet? Budget problems? Technological limitations? Punitive politics?

The commander's voice goes cold. "An asteroid strike. I was only a child when it happened. It was a miracle the entire planet wasn't destroyed."

[sun_tzu]

The commander's voice goes cold. "An asteroid strike. I was only a child when it happened. It was a miracle the entire planet wasn't destroyed."

Berger nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry. That can't have been anything short of harrowing." She paused. "How did the Empire deal with it?"

[horus42]

"They haven't helped as much as they could have. New machines have been put in place, but they're of poor quality. The atmosphere is slowly improving, but it's taking too long. The Empire claims that it's because Barsoom is a frontier world, and it can't spare the resources, but I think the talk of rebellion amongst some Tharks has more to do with it than that."

[sun_tzu]

"They haven't helped as much as they could have. New machines have been put in place, but they're of poor quality. The atmosphere is slowly improving, but it's taking too long. The Empire claims that it's because Barsoom is a frontier world, and it can't spare the resources, but I think the talk of rebellion amongst some Tharks has more to do with it than that."

Typical Imperial policy. Prioritizing realpolitics over the needs of the people. Berger didn't say anything, but she nodded sympathetically...and focused on observation again.

[Maugan Ra]

"Yeah, that sounds about right." Watson comments, with the air of a man who's been a part of the same sort of decision making that would have left Barsoom low on the priority list. "Still, the Empire has a history of rewarding it's saveiours and general heroes. If this plan works, you could probably push your homeworld's priorities higher up the schedule in exchange. Isn't politics wonderful?"

There might have been a bit of sarcasm in that final statement.

[horus42]

He gives an slight shrug with his upper pair of arms. "I can only hope so..."

With that, you all reach the Manse where the schematics are located.

(roll perception+awareness)

[sun_tzu]

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Hm. Let's say Berger ain't gonna be the party's lookout. (2d10)[5][3](8)

[Maugan Ra]

Watson keeps a look-out as he advances behind the giant form of his meat shield... Uh, companion.

(6d10)[9][1][6][10][6][4](36)

[horus42]

Watson:

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You catch a whiff of blood on the air

[Maugan Ra]

The Sidereal pauses, sniffs, and then draws the blaster pistol at his waist.

"Abandoned. Right. That's why I can smell blood on the air." he says, sounding both unsurprised and mildly disgusted. "If Murphy exists, he's probably a Sidereal."

[JollyChris]

Spoiler

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Here's my roll: (5d10)[5][3][10][4][10](32)

[horus42]

Passionate Defender of Orthodoxy:

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You also smell the blood.

[horus42]

(Just to keep things going...)

Commander Tarkas nods. "I smell it too, Watson. We'll need to proceed with caution. I can tell you that it isn't Thark blood, though. Someone else has been here."

[sun_tzu]

(Just to keep things going...)

Commander Tarkas nods. "I smell it too, Watson. We'll need to proceed with caution. I can tell you that it isn't Thark blood, though. Someone else has been here."

"Does it smell human, or like any other specie you're familiar with?" asked Berger. "If not, then it's almost certain Malfeas's agents are already here."

[horus42]

He shakes his head. "It's something iron based. Red blood. That's all I can tell you."

[sun_tzu]

He shakes his head. "It's something iron based. Red blood. That's all I can tell you."

Berger nodded, remaining on her guard as they kept going.

[Maugan Ra]

"Well, only one way to find out, I suppose..

(And... Onward! I fully expect some degree of incoming pain...)

[horus42]

You all walk into the ruined Manse. The door leads into a fairly large room, ancient Essence based computers line the walls, some of them still blinking feebly, trying to turn themselves on again. It's mostly dark, and the smell of blood grows stronger as you enter. There are rough sounding voices coming from the next floor up, though none of you can quite make out what they're saying.

[sun_tzu]

You all walk into the ruined Manse. The door leads into a fairly large room, ancient Essence based computers line the walls, some of them still blinking feebly, trying to turn themselves on again. It's mostly dark, and the smell of blood grows stronger as you enter. There are rough sounding voices coming from the next floor up, though none of you can quite make out what they're saying.

((If Erin tries to program the portable computer in her armor to analyze those voices and make out the words, does that count as an ass-pull godmoding, or as a credible use of future technology? XD ))

[horus42]

((If Erin tries to program the portable computer in her armor to analyze those voices and make out the words, does that count as an ass-pull godmoding, or as a credible use of future technology? XD ))

(If there's some kind of roll for it, I'll allow it. Maybe roll Perception+...let's go with Investigation)

EDIT: With an equipment bonus of +2

[sun_tzu]

(If there's some kind of roll for it, I'll allow it. Maybe roll Perception+...let's go with Investigation)

EDIT: With an equipment bonus of +2

((I'd have thought Intelligence+Lore for the quick programming attempt, but you're the boss.))

Putting her weapon in its holster for a few short moments, Erin brought up her computer's holographic display and began typing. Let's see...Voices from the other floor. Calculate effect of walls of this material and thickness on the soundwaves. Calculate echo. Identify other sounds, as our own group's breathing and heartbeat. Compensate for all parasitic sounds. Then identify and replicate the words spoken upstairs, and search for known linguistic matches.

Spoiler

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Perception+Investigation roll, +2 equipment bonus, not including any Stunt dice: (4d10)[2][1][3][9](15)

[horus42]

The small computer identifies the sounds, and plays them back to you:

"How much longer is this gonna take?" Says one, gruff voice, followed by several murmurs of agreement.
"It will be over soon." Says another, calmer but still deep voice. "We will have the schematics and be out of here before anyone realizes that we even came."

[sun_tzu]

((Are they talking in Galactic Standard?))

"Hm. Search for matches of regional accent," said Erin to the computer before turning toward the commander. "Well, that confirms our suspicions."

((Erin's trying to be quieter than the folks upstairs, naturally. ))

[horus42]

((Are they talking in Galactic Standard?))

"Hm. Search for matches of regional accent," said Erin to the computer before turning toward the commander. "Well, that confirms our suspicions."

((Erin's trying to be quieter than the folks upstairs, naturally. ))

(No, the computer just translated it for you)

The Computer replies, "The First voice was speaking in unaccented Malfean, and was most likely an Erymanthus. The Second voice was also speaking Malfean, but with a Michilimackinac accent, most likely, the second speaker was a Skraeling."

[Maugan Ra]

Watson smiles, and heads for the stairs. He doesn't say anything, but he does have his pistol held ready.

[sun_tzu]

Berger put her weapon back in her hands, ready to advance with the commander.

[horus42]

Commander Tarkas leads the advance up the stairs, moving quietly. You all see a male Skraeling standing at an active Essence Terminal, surrounded by a large group of Blood-Apes. None of them have noticed you yet.

[sun_tzu]

Commander Tarkas leads the advance up the stairs, moving quietly. You all see a male Skraeling standing at an active Essence Terminal, surrounded by a large group of Blood-Apes. None of them have noticed you yet.

Silently, Erin sent Tarkas a text message: "Should I try to get them to surrender, sir?"

[horus42]

Silently, Erin sent Tarkas a text message: "Should I try to get them to surrender, sir?"

He replies, "You can try, but be prepared to fight."