The Treasure Hunters of Mega

Nightwrath on February 15, 2009 10:04PM:

Asherio still found himself rather uncomfortable in the presence of the bounty hunter - he was still suspicious regarding the real intentions of this man. However he had to get out of that hospital bed.

"I am good to go" said Asherio.

Shadow on February 15, 2009 11:04PM:

Meanwhile, Jonathan had almost fallen from the chair in surprise. The bounty hunter sure knew how to make his entrances. Asherio's answer shook the old man, and he started towards a locker in the corner of the room which contained the Tsheia's belongings and his own bag.

"What happened?" He asked over the shoulder.

Jimdor Armimane on February 16, 2009 02:36PM:

"Well, I'm afraid Mutton is not interested in letting our friend here go free -- not for any sum of money. When I made our little proposition to him, he not only rejected it, he also got downright hostile. Accused me of hiding Asherio from him, demanded to know where he was. He threatened me with dire consequences if I didn't tell him where to find Asherio right away. I confess that at first I thought I might use the situation to my advantage, might get far more than my normal fee since Mutton obviously wants this one far more than the average escaped slave. But I don't like being threatened."

Jimdor had obviously been in a scuffle. His clothes were in disarray, and an ugly welt was forming above his left eye.

Seeing the others looking at him, he chuckled. "Don't worry. I gave far worse than I got before I got away, and I wasn't followed. They couldn't keep up with me. But Mutton knows that Asherio is in a hospital. I foolishly told him before the shit hit the fan. He'll figure out which one in no time at all. We need to be out of here when that happens."

He looked at Jonathan, who had by now gathered up Asherio's belongings. "Shall we go?"

Shadow on February 17, 2009 07:27PM:

The old man threw him a crooked smile.

"What choice do we have, now?"

He moved to help Asherio get ready.

"The question is, where to? Normally we'd try to get off world ASAP, but a spaceport will be the first place they'll look for us. And with Buck Rodgers closed, that leaves only one. Another option would be to lay down for a while, either in Adella - where we risk being found - or the Elder territories, where we risk starving to death, unless we can pick up some emergency rations on our way there."

*** In the mean time, I realized it doesn't really matter where we are now. Not with a Mach 1.5 hovercar at our disposal. ***

Nightwrath on February 17, 2009 10:26PM:

Asherio was not much of a fan of being outside the big cities, but apparently those were the places where people like bounty hunterrs could find you much easier.
"I would say we risk it in the wilderness."

Jimdor Armimane on February 19, 2009 12:32PM:

"And I would say we can decide that once we're in the air," Jimdor said impatiently. "Let's go!"

Jimdor waved them out of the room and into the corridor, but rather than continue down to the main elevator he stopped at a small, almost inconspicuous door. "This way," he said, ushering them into a dark, cramped stairwell. "Climb! Quickly!"

Shadow on February 19, 2009 10:43PM:

"I thought you said you weren't followed!" The scientist protested, but he followed Jimdor as fast as he could. And not a moment too soon: Asherio's doctor, a stern-looking Mythian woman with ebony skin and eerie blue eyes, was coming down the corridor.

"Hey, where are you..."

Then the door closed behind them and the noise of their feet on the narrow steps suddenly sounded deafening.

Jimdor Armimane on February 20, 2009 08:42AM:

The three thundered up the narrow stairwell, Jonathan and Asherio in front, Jimdor behind almost pushing them bodily. As he climbed he spoke: "I was friendly with a nurse here at one time who gave me access to, among other more exciting things, the ambulance parking transponder codes. As far as the hospital's parking security computer is concerned, I flew in here on an ambulance. That's why I'm on the roof.

"As for not being followed... surely a pair of techno-nerds like yourself can estimate how long it will take a man with Mutton's resources to hack into all of the regional hospital databases and locate Asherio. In fact, I'd estimate he's probably got his men arriving just about..."

Having reached the top of the stairwell, they burst through the door into sudden, blinding sunlight. Jimdor breathed a sigh of relief at seeing his hovercar still parked where he had left it, incongruously surrounded by ambulances. Less reassuring were the four armed and armored men who stood before it, all wearing uniforms that prominently displayed the Mutton Corp. logo.

"...now," finished Jimdor, anticlimactically.

Shadow on February 20, 2009 09:22PM:

*** You don't intend this to be a fight... or do you? :D Let's see how we can avoid getting flattened. ***

The hospital building was more wide than tall - Mythians didn't like being crowded. It was a square shape, about 50m on each side, with a small light shaft in the middle and elevators at each corner. Floating sun shades covered the parking lots, but most of the roof was in direct sunlight. Eleshar's main street was visible on the far side of the building, nine floors below, the not-very-intense traffic consisting mostly of heavy vehicles. The city and surrounding region was under development, and seemed poised to stay that way for some time.

Fortunately, the trio's noisy arrival on the rooftop was covered by the howl of several hovercars breaching Mach 1 (against all regulations) right above the hospital. They barely had time to duck behind the elevator housing before its doors started to open. Two of Mutton's men were Tsheia; they immediately dropped into a half-standing stance, using their tails for balance, and slithered away among the parked vehicles like velociraptors. The other two, a Caino and a Kinac, turned to look downwards from their 220cm height at the pair of hospital guards who emerged on the roof. The latter immediately drew their electrolasers.

"Drop your weapons!" they challenged.

The Caino - who seemed to be the team leader - moved to comply. "Don't shoot, " he called, "we're here on business!"

The Tsheia re-emerged, this time slightly behind the Mythians. They moved silently, their slugthrowers at the ready.

Mutton must have had a lot of chutzpah - or a lot of clout - to send what was effectively his private army on a military operation like that. At best, he and his men had just forfeited any kind of legal protection. At worst, they could face serious charges if and when evidence of their activity could be brought to the authorities.

Nightwrath on February 22, 2009 09:47PM:

Asherio knew they were in trouble.
"There is one option: I could surrender and you may get away with it."
After all Mutton needed him alive... perhaps.

Nightwrath on February 22, 2009 10:06PM:

Or, perhaps not.
"I think I need a weapon" he added looking at the bounty hunter. "Unless you think you can get them all by yourself."

*** If Asherio wants to be more than just fodder he needs a weapon to defend himself at this point in the story. ***

Jimdor Armimane on February 23, 2009 12:34AM:

The Caino and the Kinac had now placed their weapons obediantly before them on the ground. They stood before the guards with their hands in the air.

Jimdor looked at Asherio with a bemused expression on his face. "You may think I'm a walking arsenal," he whispered, "but if you'll look again you'll see that I've only got my trusty blaster... and you're not getting that."

Amateurs! thought Jimdor as he watched the hospital guards fall into the trap. The two Tsheia had now taken position directly behind them. They clicked the safeties off their slugguns, the sound ringing out metallically across the parking lot. Slugguns were shockingly crude technology, but you had to give them a certain aesthetic credit.

The guards heard it too, and froze. The Caino leader smiled. "I do believe the tables have just been turned. Kindly drop your weapons and let us do our job. Once we have the people we came for, we'll let you get back to chasing down boys who kick over the hospital's sprinkler nozzles and whatever else you do around here. You are, as they say, rather out of your league now."

Confused and obviously afraid, the guards moved to comply.

Jimdor looked at Asherio. "Here, take this," he said, handing him a single small grenade from his belt. "It's the best I can do right now."

Shadow on February 23, 2009 06:29AM:

That left Jonathan. As he eyed the nearest thug, his gleaming left hand raised as if on its own volition. A soft, but vicious whine was the only indication that a set of capacitors was accumulating volts by the thousand. Then the old man looked at Jimdor as if to ask for something, either approval, support, or both...

*** Jimdor, it's time to decide what your weapon actually is. Am I right that you have something powerful in mind? Such as, say, a railgun or coilgun? Just avoid plasma weapons if you don't mind. ***

*** By the way, let's agree that the thugs have 10mm (.45) caliber automatic pistols, and partial-body armor suitable for this kind of weapon. ***

*** As for the tactical situation, we're behind and to one side of the playing field, which consists of a 8m wide strip between two rows of hover ambulances, and possibly other utility vehicles. And, of course, Jimdor's hovercar, which is beyond the thugs. Their own vehicle is not visible from our angle, may be further along the rooftop. The thugs themselves form a rough square around the two hapless security guards. They'll move toward the elevator soon. Which is to say, toward us. ***



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2009 06:34AM by Shadow.

Jimdor Armimane on February 23, 2009 02:22PM:

"Put them in the elevator shaft and seal the door," said the Caino leader to the two Tsheia. They moved to comply.

Jimdor raised a hand to Jonathan. "Wait..." he whispered. "Let them get closer."

Can I have just a good old fashioned laser pistol? Is that considered a plasma weapon? To tell the truth, I don't really know what does and does not constitute plasma weapons. Afraid I haven't read much sci-fi in years...

The grenade I gave Asherio was a tangler grenade. A bunch of semi-organic tendrils will fly out and incapaciate anyone within a ten foot or so radius, but just for a few minutes. If that's too out-there, though, it can be changed.

Nightwrath on February 23, 2009 07:33PM:

Asherio was studying the grenade that the bounty hunter had given to him. It was the regular stock, nothing unusual. And yet... he had never hold onto one before using it. Until now he had only manufacture some as a hobby experiment - it was not a big deal, there were standard industry issues, a child could make one these days... especially since they were not deadly.
Too bad that new kids did not read anymore... they would rather steal them.

But, getting back to the present - Asherio was just waiting for Jimdor's sign. A sign for... a battle? Or a quick retreat?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2009 07:34PM by Nightwrath.

Jimdor Armimane on February 23, 2009 09:37PM:

Jimdor had injured and even killed some beings in his time, but it wasn't something he relished. Even mercenaries like these were in the end just hired hands. If he could avoid bloodshed he would.

And there was another concern... the three of them had done plenty to incur Mutton's wrath already. If they dared kill or even seriously injure those who worked for him, Mutton would stop at nothing to hunt them down and make them pay in blood.

Jimdor looked thoughtfully at Jonathan's softly whining arm as the men came closer. "Could you overload a door electro-lock with that thing?" he asked. "Seal it shut?"

Shadow on February 23, 2009 10:39PM:

"Why, yes... I think." To his surprise, Jonathan found himself beginning to trust the bounty hunter's judgement. "Tell me what to do."

*** Alright, Jimdor, you can have an old-fashioned laser pistol if that's what you want. These things use up a lot of power (see the treatment of sidearms on Atomic Rocketships), but hey, it's the future. I'll change the fictional history of the Megan Space and place the story a century later. The original timeline was too tight anyway. ***

Jimdor Armimane on February 24, 2009 02:23PM:

The four approaching figures were now less than 5 meters from the door.

"Throw the grenade at the Caino and Kinac..." he whispered to Asherio. "NOW!" This was a shout that boomed across the rooftop like a shot.

To recap the tactical situation as I now see it: The two captured guards and the two Tsheia are about to enter the elevator. Our three characters are crouched between the elevator shaft and the top of the stairwell, still just hidden from their view. (Although I'm afraid I've just announced our presence... ) The other two mercenaries are standing near the center of the lot, perhaps 20 meters away from the rest of us. Jimdor has asked Asherio to fling the grenade at these two more distant characters. Whether he follows these instructions is of course up to him...

Nightwrath on February 24, 2009 08:30PM:

A little shocked Asherio went forward and did what he was told. He was not much of a thrower but still this was not the "Grenade Throwring Olympics"...

*** Now, as for the effects of the grenade or how just how well did Asherio throw the grenade: it's all up to our DM ***

Shadow on February 24, 2009 09:08PM:

The Tsheia mercenaries turned at Jimdor's shout, just in time to see the grenade flying. They followed its arc, only to see their comrades being caught in a mess of sticky tendrils as the small device burst. The Kinac was halfway outside the blast radius, but he fell to the ground just as promptly as the group's leader, his gun arm still free but flailing around uselessly... for now.

Then one of the Tsheia recovered from the shock... and so did one of the Mythian guards. In a second they were at each other's throats, the pseudo-feline trying to pistol-whip the humanoid, while the latter struggled to unbalance his more agile opponent.

Nightwrath on February 24, 2009 09:27PM:

The first thing that came to Asherio's mind was the fact that he needed to help the guard. However, maybe this was not such a good idea taking into account that they were rather fugitive themselves. Maybe the best idea would be for them to run away.

Jimdor Armimane on February 25, 2009 12:57AM:

Jimdor shook his head in surprise. The hospital guard was a brave one. Stupid, but brave. The other Tsheia and the guard were still looking around in confusion, with no idea what was going on. PERFECT...

Jimdor swept up behind the remaining Tsheia. Lifting him bodily by the back of uniform, he tossed him headfirst into the elevator and smacked the CLOSE button. "Okay, overirde the electro-lock!" he shouted to Jonathan as he trotted off to where the Caino and Kinac struggled wildly against the mass of sticky tangler tendrils that immobilized them.

Shadow on February 25, 2009 02:30AM:

In one smooth move, Jonathan turned the corner and smashed his chrome-lined knuckles into the elevator's control panel. ZZZAP! The panel belched a shower of sparks, and the whole installation shut off, trapping the thug inside. The fuses must have sprung a millisecond too late.

Surprised by the new arrivals, the second guard just stood there, turning from Jimdor to the Terran, and finally back to his colleague, just in time to see him getting slashed across the face by a set of sharp claws. He landed heavily on the ceramacrete. The Tsheia, too, fell to his knees beside his victim, breathing heavily. He still had his weapon, but didn't seem capable to use it just that moment.

Not the same thing could be said about the Kinac, who stopped thrashing enough to spray a handful of bullets in the general direction of the elevator. He had such an awkward position that the recoil tore the pistol out of his hand. He roared in frustration, huge muscles rippling under his black fur. But even his tremendous strength could not beat the tangler tendrils.

Nightwrath on February 25, 2009 10:14PM:

Asherio knew that the Tsheia would not fight fair - they were used to have upon themselves other sharp thinigs besides claws. Without hesitation we throw himself into the fight and caught the thug by the wrist at the exact moment when he got to his knife.
The Tsheia looked at him in surprise.
"Annoying slave" he mumbled.
Asherio hit him again till he dropped the knife, which he picked up and backed away from the fight.

Shadow on February 25, 2009 11:12PM:

*** Oops, when I wrote "he still had his weapon", I meant his gun. But I'll postpone resolving this until after Jimdor's move. ***

Jimdor Armimane on February 26, 2009 02:57PM:

The enemy Tsheia began to reach for his belt, where he still had a slug gun. Luckily, Jimdor was there. "I wouldn't try that!" he said, thrusting his laser into the small of the Tsheia's back. His other hand came around to grab the wrist that held the gun. The Tsheia tensed, but then, obviously realizing his situation was hopeless, relaxed. Jimdor took the gun from his hand. Jimdor pushed the Tsheia against the elevator and backed away, still being careful not to turn his back. He tossed the slug gun to Asherio. "Good job!" he said, genuinely impressed at Asherio's coolness, skill, and most of all bravery. "I'd say you've earned a real weapon, kid."

He looked to the center of the lot, where the tendrils holding the other two were already beginning to dissipate. "And now... perhaps we should get out of here before those other two disentangle themselves?"

Shadow on February 26, 2009 11:57PM:

"Cough, cough, " acknowledged Jonathan, peeling himself off the elevator shaft. His coat had a hole between the shoulder blades, revealing the bullet-proof vest underneath. He started towards the hovercar as fast as his trembling feet could carry him.

The still-standing security guard had been less lucky. He staggered slowly towards the stairwell, pressing a hand against his bloodied shoulder. By the sound of it, reinforcements were already underway.

*** Thank you, Jimdor. I was planning to rollback or subvert Nightwrath's move, but you're right, it deserves XP, not scorn. ***

*** And now, which way? ***

Jimdor Armimane on February 27, 2009 11:59AM:

Jimdor looked back at the wounded security guard, considering. He didn't like leaving him there, but then again reinforcements should be here soon enough. "Go down the stairwell!" he told him. As soon as the guard was inside, he shot the metal latch with his laser, melting it into the doorframe. He should be safe enough in there until his friends arrived in a moment or two. "Okay, let's go!" he said to his two companions -- and then realized with some amusement that Jonathan was already standing next to his hovercar. Jimdor flicked the remote to open the doors and allow him inside.

I'm just the chauffeur -- you guys can tell me where you want to go.

Shadow on February 27, 2009 08:50PM:

*** I'd like to call for a quick out-of-character meeting. As Jonathan pointed out before the battle, I see two main options for our next move: we could either stay on Mega and deal with Mutton (if you're feeling browncoats :P), or escape into space and go on with our treasure hunt. Naturally, if you have other ideas, I'm open to suggestions.

In case you decide to go for space, I have a ship for our heroes. It's unfinished, but I figure it's time to show it off. The pilot position is still open.

Speaking of open positions, until now I've treated Jonathan like another PC. This is awkward, and can easily lead to conflicts of interest if, for example, we go after Mutton. I'd like to keep him more into the background, but there aren't enough of us to keep things exciting. Or are we? ***

Shadow on March 02, 2009 02:01AM:

*** Then again, you might want to discuss this in-character. ***

"I owe you both thanks... and apologies." Breathed the Terran as the hovercar sped away from the hospital. "I never imagined something like that could happen here. On a frontier world, yes, but on Mega, hub of the known galaxy?"

"I don't even know what to do next. " He continued after a pause. "Certainly not what I had planned initially."

*** Hey, come on, you are the player characters. And right now it really is your move. ***



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2009 02:06AM by Shadow.