In the first week, nothing really happened, then you saw on the news about gang warfare in the lower levels, and see vid of people torn apart and put through walls. Garraxs spies later confirmed that a price had been put on the Breakers head, and that when a gang went to collect, real assassins used it as as cover. Breaker survived, but had to run apparently.

Then there was a hover truck flown into a police station...when Kulrathe was supposed to be there inspecting it. The station was flattened, and holovids of the areas showed several other trucks quickly make an exit. Kulrathe wasn't at that station, a last minute schedule change, or so he claims. You wonder if he's actually behind this.

And now this, Garrax sounds hurt, badly hurt....or he's putting on an act. He calls you every couple of days trying to wheedle you into a more formal alliance. You said you'd consider it, if he got you good intel on Reunited in the five Hives closes to yours, tonight he was supposed to get you that intel.

“How bad are you?” you ask “do you need help?”

“It's not as bad as it sounds” he rasps and gurgles “I'm ok in a fight, but my healing powers take a few minutes to -nnngn- kick in.”

“What happened?” you ask

“Oh you know” he says “a little fight on the club floor, bouncers call me down to help, and then the real threat was in the crowd, looking like ordinary people...just like Breaker described his fight, there.”

You finally get vid, a blurred, cracked vid, of Garrax in his office, he looks a mess, as does his office. He also looks like a demon: red skin, horns, scales, a crown of green fire. One of his eyes is swollen shut, there is blood drying on his face, and as he talks you can see he's missing several teeth.

“The fight followed you back to the office huh?” you ask.

He grins “always have a bolt hole with weapons and traps” he says “or better yet, several.”

“You look like shit” you say “so what were they?”

“Cyborgs” he says “fast, strong, tough, and plated with Antinite to make them magic resistant, lucky I have some non-magic weapons.”

“Lucky yeah” you say. More like paranoia and planning you think.

“Anyway” he says, sounding a little healthier “I've called for several reasons, to warn you, to tell you I need a few more days to organise what I've learned about the nearby Hives, and to say that...Kulrathe has agreed to a meeting, tomorrow, midday, in a public place uphive, right under the noses of the fae lords, just in case anyone starts trouble. Breaker is in...” he waits for you to speak.

“Ah” you run a hand through you hair “I'll think about it and let you know tomorrow.”

He tilts his head “I'll see you there” he says confidently, and ends the call.

“Was that Garrax?” asks Dev, popping his head into the room “What did he tell you about the other Reunited?”

“Round everyone up would you” you say chewing on your lip “I need to talk to them.”

XXX

“So the assassins will be coming after you next?” asks Dev, always the practical, level-headed one.

“Quite likely” you say, leaning against the counter in the kitchen, idly playing with your hair “but it's not me I'm worried about, it's you guys.”

“Aww, that's sweet” says Rainya, on your left, she hugs you and kisses you on the cheek.

“Very sweet” agrees Rainya, on your right, likewise hugging and kissing you “but we're pretty tough.”

Kaelyn shrugs “I've been a target of assassins since I was younger than Lirael.”

“I'm really tough!” declares Lirael. They all turn to Dev.

“I know when to duck and run” says Dev after a pause, everyone grins or giggles.

You smile “I know you can all handle yourself” you say, “but still, I worry, maybe....” you push that idea away “anyway, this meeting tomorrow, should I go?”

“Of course” says Kaelyn “in the upper levels starting trouble will draw fae nobles attention, Kulrathe picked the closest he could to neutral ground for you all.”

“Kulrathes mean!” Lirael weighs in “don't go.”

“You should go” argues Dev “if only to hear him out, might give you an idea of what he's doing, but I think we should all go with, be hidden nearby, just in case.”

Rainya shakes her head “if its a trap” she says “run, don't fight Kulrathe when he's picked the ground.” From the anxious look she gives you, she seems more scared for your safety than anything.

Will you go to the meeting tomorrow?

>Yes
>No

And, if yes, what precautions will you take?

>None
>Allies nearby (who?)
>Active powers (what?)
>Weapons/Armour (what?)
>Other (?)

[Meta]
Chaos magic has been overhauled and simplified.
[End]

>>42978303
>Yes
>Allies nearby (who?)
>Rainya, Kae and Dev
Lirasel is technically still fugitive from the fae lords herself, if their attention gets drawn there, she shouldn't be around. And if necessary we can always link up with her.
Rainya is a must due to her divinaion foiling ability. And the normie Dev is necessary for anti-magic stuff.
>Weapons/Armour (what?)
>The usual stuff
We still got everything in our pocket dimension.

>>42978303
>Yes
>None

>>42978303
>Yes
>Allies nearby (One Rainya and Dev)
>Active powers (Mind link)

>>42978303
>Yes
>Allies nearby (One Rainya and Dev)
>Active powers (Mind link, enhanced abilities and senses)

>We had two weeks of down time and we didn't link anyone with Nurture the Soul
Why?

>>42978303
I wonder, would killing Kulrathe in a neutral meeting in such a way that the others don't find out be a thing that would please Baalzamon?

>>42978501
I'd be very surprised if it didn't.
Maybe even Mirror, depending on how we do it.

>>42978303
>>42978436
Seconding btw

>>42978501
very likely.

>>42978303
>>42978436
This

>>42978556
Sucks I have no idea how to pull it off, then.

>>42978501
I don't think we have the power to pull that off without an extremely high chance of failure, and starting a battle on the upper levels might be enough for Reaper to be able to lead a large assault on us without violating the proportional response clause.

This is assuming the assassins don't attack. If they do, and there's an opening, then Kulrathe will sadly have died during their assault.

So you're going, with Rainya and Dev, and with active powers, wriiting.

>>42978480
I believe Shee would want willing participants, which means in-character discussion/dialogue.

>>42978579
The opportunity might present itself.

>>42978582
>starting a battle on the upper levels
If we do it it wouldn't be in a battle. it would just be
>Maximized Empowered Life Drain

>>42978582
What if we make it look like Kulrathe is the one starting shit? If we have some police do some sketchy stuff to Garrax/Breaker, stuff that looks like they're maneuvering them into a trap for Kulrathe, they'll assume he's trying to break the truce and kill them.

>>42978594
He probably has a perfect defense.

>>42978594
I think you mean
>Quicken Doubled Maximized Empowered

>>42978633
If the Mirror Avatar didn't have defenses against it, who was literally build to defeat us, he is extremly unlikely to have such.

>>42978652
The guys in CCSQ were dumb enough to rely on their magic aspect though, they probably neglected other defenses.

Still, we can probably hammer through the defenses he might have, since King doesn't offer a lot of defensive gifts afaik.

“I'm definitely going” you say, trying to cure Rainyas sudden frown by hugging both of them. “but I won't be going alone.”

XXX

The next day you, Rainya and Dev are at a small, very expensive cafe. You resist the urge to leap across the table and rip Kulrathes throat out when you meet him, and you sit down with him, Breaker and Garrax, as your friends take a seat at another table, where they can watch you.

Breaker came alone, as did Garrax, though you wonder if he had people arrive well before anyone else.

Breaker is dressed in his typical dirty lower-hive clothes, and is attracting curious looks from the rest of the cafes patrons. You are in casual clothes, but smart enough to blend in. Garrax is in a shiny, expensive-looking suit and Kulrathe is in a tight-fitting suit that seems cut to emphasise his large, muscular physique. The two guards he bought with him are wearing identical-looking clothing and glare at you whenever you so much as glance in their direction.

You're not doing much talking, neither is Breaker, he catches you gaze and rolls his eyes.

“A central command is needed to face external threats” Kulrathe argues with Garrax “right now the Hive is surrounded by enemies and we need a unified force capable of defending this place, committees don't win battles, they are the worst possible war to conduct a war.” Kulrathe narrows his bright blue eyes at Garrax, seemingly willing him to agree

With your heightened senses you can see the tiniest movements, hear subtle intonations as they speak, even smell their sweat.

Breaker isn't hiding much, but the other two....

Kulrathe seems calm, but all his cues speak of anger, barely repressed rage. Garrax seems calm, pleasant....and increasingly eager, like he's about to get something he wants.

“Oh I agree some degree of cooperation is required” says Garrax, sipping his drink and meeting Kulrathes gaze, unafraid “but we're all used to acting on our own, and leading our own lives, I think a looser, less formal arrangement is needed, where we can call upon one another in times of need, without fearing a laser blast in the back.”

“Divided we don't stand a chance” says Kulrathe “we all have particular talents, but none of us are invincible, only with the proper personal support and tactics can we be an effective fighting force in-”

“Tactical gear?” Garrax says, drinking “My boy certainly not, I'd look ghastly in such an outfit, and surrounded by people dressed the same, I can't imagine doing that. No, we should share intel, resources as needed, and if taking direct action, maybe coordinate strikes against our foes, in-”

“A disjointed, piecemeal effort” says Kulrathe “getting picked off one by one.”

Kulrathe seems to want a unified military force, and Garrax an association of sorts. Neither have seen fit to ask what you and Breaker want. Breaker is starting to look impatient.

What do you do?

>Leave (exclusive)
>Support Kulrathe
>Support Garrax
>Ask for Breakers view
>Suggest a different idea (what?)
>Other (?)

>>42978874
>Ask for Breakers view

>>42978874
>Support Garrax
>Ask for Breakers view
Working as federation works fine enough.

>>42978874
>Ask for Breakers view
>Suggest a different idea
>Since realistically none of us can trust the other as leader or as support, we should just agree on a mutually enforced cease fire for the time so each of us can take care of insurgents in their sphere.
Loath as I'm to admit it, Kulrathe has the right idea, assuming we want a coordinated effort against other Hive rulers. Which I don't.

>>42978874
>Ask for Breakers view

>>42978874
>Ask for Breakers view

>>42978579
We could mindfuck his minions into murdering him for us.

>>42979031
They'd die instantly, more likely than not, given that I see no reason why he wouldn't have branded them.

>>42979031
Foiled if anyone can sense psionics or magic.

Breakers view it is

>>42978680
Why are we assuming Kulrathe is limited to King gifts?

>the worst possible war to conduct a war
Indeed, fighting war so that you can fight a war seems terribly redundant.

“Yo Breaker” you call across, momentarily startling the other two into silence, as though they had forgotten you were present “I know what those two think, what do you think?”

As everyone turns to him, Breaker shrugs “I dunno” he says “we can handle most stuff on our own but other Reunited might be a challenge, especially if they come with an army or something. So I guess we should just share info n'shit” he nods at Garrax then continues “but when the really big shit his the fan, having some sort of deal where we can actually fight together without having to worry about who is gonna stab you in the back might be a good idea too.”

Kulrathe and Garrax both start speaking at once.

“See, Breaker gets it!” Declares Kulrathe “unified action and a command chain is needed to coordinate against large threats, such as another Reunited.”

“Exactly!” says Garrax “informal information sharing with a degree of autonomy for each member.”

They both keep talking, Breaker scowls, his hands balling into fists.

-Shee?- Asks Dev

-Not yet- you send back -He's just frustrated this isn't going anywhere-

-Neither one is going to back down- Observes Rainya -Maybe Breaker has the right idea?-

What do you do?

>Leave (exclusive)
>Support Kulrathe
>Support Garrax
>Support Breaker
>Suggest a different idea (what?)
>Ask question (what?)
>Other (?)

>>42979235
>It's simple. We overthrow the fae and make our own government.

>>42979235
>Support Breaker
>Info sharing until we have a concrete target, then we form a assault council and pick a leader depending on the specific expertise needed.

>>42979254
You could at least read the conversation, then you might realise how what you're saying makes no sense.

>>42979235
>Support Breaker

>>42979235
>Support Breaker

>>42979235
>Support Kulrathe
I still want to carve out his spine the first chance we get.

>>42979315
How merciful.

>>42979315
I'd rather wait until we level up Tally the Slain so we can res him as a minion.

Yeah, I know.
>implying we'll ever level TtS

>>42979235
>Support Garrax

>>42979381
>so we can res him as a minion
>so we can forge him into a magic weapon
FTFY

Supporting Breaker
Please roll 1d20+29 (Fellowship) to talk them around.

>>42979381
Yeah no, he ain't gonna get ressed. He either gets turned into a item or we put him into some eternal pit of hell in our realm.

Rolled 17 + 29 (1d20 + 29)

>>42979404
I missed you, bullshit modifier.

Rolled 17 + 29 (1d20 + 29)

>>42979404

Rolled 1 + 29 (1d20 + 29)

>>42979404

Rolled 4 + 29 (1d20 + 29)

>>42979404

>>42979411
I'd accept turning him into a punching bag for Dev too.

>>42979381
If you don't, I probably will, sooner or later. Some people deserve to have their souls ripped out, and I'd rather get something worthwhile out of doing it. Like a nice hat, or maybe some colorful wool socks.

>>42979381
>implying we'll ever level TtS
Its pretty cool. I want to use it.

I want to make Einherjar

“Breaker has the right idea” you say “for now we just share info and warn each other if we know anything, but if something really big comes along, then we'll talk about teaming up” not that you could even trust them if you did do that....but still.

This sets off an extended argument, but eventually you manage to talk everyone around to your point of view, grudgingly, both Kulrathe and Garrax admit that they wouldn't go for each others plans in their entirety, so a compromise is their only solution.

Garrax takes out several folders, and passes one to each of you “and speaking of information sharing” he says “as a gesture of goodwill, this is the factual information I have on the five closest Hives.”

You look through your folder to see profiles and pictures of the people Garrax has been investigating.

Hive 36
Hive 36 is known for the vehicles it builds, both wheeled and hover vehicles. Most of its population is involved in the industry in one way or another.
“Crazy” Jeff Brakes
An illegal racer who is unnaturally lucky. Has united the gangs of the lower levels under his command.

Hive 14
Hive 14 is known as one of the last Hives to fall to the fae, and has always been a hotbed of rebellion and uprisings.
Lady Jasuki Helwiath
A former member of the rebellion, she turned a large number of them in to the fae nobles, and was made governor of the Hive.

Hive 52
A wealthy hive that is the centre of Apollyons banking and finance sector.
Gamud Silsia
A senior member of one of the largest banking groups, his rise in the last year has been noting short of miraculous.

Hive 29
A mining hive that solved the problem of mining for toxic materials by offering its workforce the option of free cybernetic upgrades. Most of its inhabitants have some form of implants and upgrades.
Haskin 'Doc' Melakin
An unlicensed cybernetic surgeon who now has gained power of machines. He has used his abilities to secure better working conditions for miners, and has become a folk hero.

Hive 33
A hive with a mixed economy and workforce, specialising in no particular area.
The Red-Eyed Terror
A deformed bat-like Dhampir that lives in the lower-levels of the Hive.

“There's not much here” comments Kulrathe. You're loathe to agree with him, but he's right.

Garrax looks embarrassed “There's a lot of hearsay, rumours and disinformation” he says “so far I'm only giving you want I know to be true, or shave very strong evidence to support. I assure you that this is all the solid information I have on them.” Somehow, you don't think that is true.

Kulrathe takes his file and stands “well, with nothing more to discuss now, I'll be going” he says “you know where to find me.”

“Well there was one more item” says Garrax casually “if we're going to be working together, don't you think we should at least agree to put past conflicts behind us? I mean, some of us have hurt friends and associates of one another, isn't some sort of apology or forgiveness in order?”

You feel him watching you, as Kulrathe glares at Garrax. Breaker looks confused, but cautious, like he's getting ready for a fight.

You...you recall all the dusters you knew, lying in the dirt, dead as a result of Kulrathes raid on your home. A tiny part of you that's not reliving those days wonders what Garrax hopes to gain by provoking you right now.

Kulrathe snorts, and turns to go.

What do you do?

>Keep quiet
>Agree to put your grudge aside, for now
>Insult Garrax
>Tell Kulrathe you'll kill him one day
>Other (?)

Write-in dialogue encouraged, or I'll just make it up if not.

>>42979814
>Tell Kulrathe you'll not kill him one day but you know you will do so anyway

>>42979814
>Oh Kulrathe I know you cause so many people's death daily, but did you REALLY forget about your rampage through dust town to kill me? I didn't think Reunited could go senile so quickly. I guess it's apr for the course though. You failed to even find me and you're failing now to man up for your past aggressions.

>>42979877
Garrax suggested the forgiving, Kulrathe has clearly not forgotten

>>42979799
>>Hive 14
>Hive 14 is known as one of the last Hives to fall to the fae, and has always been a hotbed of rebellion and uprisings.
>Lady Jasuki Helwiath
>A former member of the rebellion, she turned a large number of them in to the fae nobles, and was made governor of the Hive.
Looks like we found the Baalzamon person.

>>42979814
>Agree to put grudges aside (Lying your ass off. You're gonna kill him one day, and it will be easier if his guard is lowered even the tiniest bit.)

>>42979814
>I'm willing to cooperate and put past differences on ice for the good of the people in this hive. I will not forget, however. And when the time comes, everyone can expect me to remember everything, they have done to me and mine until then, and I will judge accordingly.

>>42979886
Indeed, the intent was if he's not going to apologize, we aren't going to forgive. Which we won't anyways but this is poking the bear and throwing them off.

>>42979814
>Keep quiet
Sure enough. Not that anyone is dumb enough to believe it anyway. But I fear King powers are at work here.

>>42979932
I'm confused aboutt he "Kulrathe DID you really forget"
Absolutely nothing suggests he has forgotten that.

>>42979949
It was calling him out.

>>42979965
On what...?

>>42979965
How so? It acts as if he said something that suggested he expected Shee to agree, which he didn't.

>>42979814
>Garrax, you know why I can't and won't forget what has been done to mine. I don't understand why you think i would bother lying about it.

ok, seeing 2 votes for threaten
1 for agree but lie
1 for agree for now, but with a threat
1 for quiet

so combining (sort of) and going with agree for now, but also telling Kulrathe you haven't forgotten what he did.

I guess it's going to be a while until we can kill Kulrathe.

>>42980092
We will see.
And its not like there aren't others on our shopping list we can concentrate on first.

>>42980111
We'll have to, unless we decide we enjoy critfails.

>>42980092
Not particularly, I imagine he'll do something stupid and come after us soon.


>>42980041
Pally if a Reunited submits to another's will voluntarily are they out of the competition or what?

>>42980147
>Pally if a Reunited submits to another's will voluntarily are they out of the competition or what?
Yes. We already know that for a long time.

>>42980147
>Pally if a Reunited submits to another's will voluntarily are they out of the competition or what?

Only if its a complete submission. Temporary alliances, even fighting under anothers command, doesn't count.

>>42980147
>Pally if a Reunited submits to another's will voluntarily are they out of the competition or what?
They are. It was heavily suspected by us that that is part of Garrax endplan, to loophole others into having formally "submitted" to him.

>>42980161
Hey, sue me if I forgot, it's been a long while since this ran.

I think we might be able to turn Breaker to our side. He's not a leader right now and doesn't seem to have his heart set on apotheosis, like Kulrathe and Garrax.

>>42980181
Alright.

>>42980184
I vaguely remembered that, but I wanted to be sure.

I'm sorry I'm retarded and can't remember after however many months it's been, but how does the usual relationship between reunited-Five work? I think Shee's weird for being with all Five of them at once? Do most of them only get gifts from one of them or is that only avatars that just get gifts from one?

>>42980215
We have nothing beyond theories.

>>42980215
>I think Shee's weird for being with all Five of them at once? Do most of them only get gifts from one of them or is that only avatars that just get gifts from one?
We don't have any concrete information, since we never had the chance to talk to other Reunited about it.
We know some, likely most, Reunited only get gifts from one God. We know there are others who get gifts from several, but we have no idea how common it is either way, or if becoming Avatar means you can't get any others.
Garrax thinking Shee having ngifts from ichor means she can't follow Baalzamon is weird and could be a deliberate misdirection, or suggests a lot of Reunited don't know they can have gifts froms everal.

>>42980215
>for being with all Five of them at once
What a slut.

>>42980304
To be fair they all want her BAD, except Mirror, but he's gone emo since we accidentally his champion.

You give Garrax an irritated look “For now” you say “the sensible thing to do is to work together and survive, so I'm willing to work with all of you.” Kulrathe stops in his tracks as you add the second part “But I still haven't forgotten all the friends I lost because of a police raid, and one day I'm going to get justice for them.”

Kulrathe turns back to face you, the guards at his side tensing up, his face set in a grimace. But then he relaxes and says “Justice is a tough call sometimes girl, their deaths were a necessary price.”

He turns and leaves. You see Dev glaring after him, with Rainya gripping Devs arm firmly to stop him from attacking Kulrathe. You stare at his back, wondering how much trouble it would get you in if you drained his life force away right now.

“What was all that about?” Breaker asks, looking at Garrax and you.

Garrax gives a smarmy grin “merely testing how committed some people are to this alliance” he says “congratulations young lady, you have a great deal of poise.”

“Fuck you” you say, heading out, with Rainya and Dev following you.

XXX

Both you and Dev are quiet on the way back to the Restaurant, despite Rainya trying to engage you in conversation.

Tenley meets you at the door “Need to talk boss” he says abruptly.

“You go upstairs” you say to Dev and Rainya, adding to her privately -Keep an eye on him ok?-

-Of course- Rainya sends back, heading up the stairs with Dev.

You follow Tenley, one of your smaller chefs, into a storeroom, where he takes a cloth off a small...robot?

Its only a few inches across and looks like misshapen bug, all legs and eyes, well, cameras. It also has a wide hole in the middle.

“Thought it was a critter” explains Tenley “only after I threw a knife at it did I see what it was.”

You pick it up, its definitely not active. “Where'd you find it?” you ask.

“Sneaking around the trash” he says “who do you think sent it?”

“There's several possibilities” you say, thinking about it “was this the only one?”

“Only one I could see” he says.

Great, spybots, are they a precursor to assassins coming after you? Maybe.

What do you do?

>Go talk to your friends about this (and your meeting)
>Give Spybot to Dev to examine
>Examine spybot yourself
>Go looking for more spybots
>Start digging into Reunited in other Hives
>Other (?)

>>42980442
>Give Spybot to Dev to examine
>Send our friends to look for more spybots
>Start digging into Reunited in other Hives

>>42980442
>Give Spybot to Dev to examine
>Go looking for more spybots
Maybe we can corruption+impossibility the thing into reversing the signal so we can spy on the person who sent it through their own tech?

>>42980215
Its...unclear
Because of reasons

>>42980442
>Give Spybot to Dev to examine
>Go looking for more spybots

>>42980442
>Give Spybot to Dev to examine
>Go looking for more spybots
>Warn Our employees there will likely be an assassination attempt on us soon and they'll likely be making a huge ruckus as a distraction. Those spybots are involved.

>>42980442
>Give Spybot to Dev to examine together
>Send the Rainyas to search for more spybots
32 eyes see more than two.

>>42980442
>>42980542
adding
>Warn Our employees there will likely be an assassination attempt on us soon and they'll likely be making a huge ruckus as a distraction. Those spybots are involved.
At least our manager.

Dev examines bot, you search for more

please roll 3d20
Dev
you (search)
you (other)

Rolled 10, 13, 20 = 43 (3d20)

>>42980683

Rolled 7, 8, 6 = 21 (3d20)

>>42980683

oh and warning your employees, since it seems like a good idea.

Rolled 14, 14, 15 = 43 (3d20)

>>42980683

>>42980699
>>42980710
14 14 20

>>42980706
yuck

“Thanks Tenley” you say “can you warn Gambon and the others? I think we might be dealing with assassins soon. They'll cause some sort of distraction, then attack.”

Tenley grins “you want help?” he asks.

You shake your head “keep ayour weapons handy, but don't jump in unless I say so.”

His grin fades a little “you're the boss” he says as you take the spybot and head out.

XXX

Upstairs you quickly fill your friends in and give the robot to Dev, he takes it from you wordlessly and heads to grab his tools, Lirael trailing behind him curiously.

“Where are you going?” Kae asks as you head back downstairs.

“It might not be the only one” you say.

"I'll come with.” offers Rainya. You consider it, then shake your head “This could mean assassins” You say “can you watch the restaurant whilst I look for more of these?”

Rainya gets a mulish, stubborn look, setting her jaw.

“Please?” you ask “for me?”

Rainya throws up her hands “fine, but I expect you to make it up to me later, I know what you're doing, if you bait the assassins out, then run, don't fight them, and don't complain to me if they kill you.”

“I won't” you say with a smile.

“Love you” you hear her say as you leave.

“Love you too” you respond.

XXX

You scout around the outside of your restaurant for a few hours, using your enhances senses, and ability to sense the presence of machines. In that time you find three of the spybots, however each time you grab one, it vibrates suddenly, and acidic-smelling vapour comes out of it. You only need a brief examination to know the insides have been melted. Well, for two of them anyway.

The third one you find, you take care to sneak up on so it can't see you, and just as you touch it you enfold it in your corruptive aspect, you don't want it to self-destruct, it shouldn't want to self-destruct, instead it should want to help you.

You hold your breath as the robot squirms in your grip briefly, then goes still. You cover up its eyes, then take it inside.

XXX

“Sorry Shee” says Dev “Tenley did a number on this. I can tell that its a spybot, and that it has recording capability and squirt-transmission rather than live video, but its too badly damaged to tell us anything else.”

Dev is set up in the living room, plastic all over the floor, the dismantled robot spread out around him, Lirael handing him tools as he requests them.

“How about if you had an intact one?” you ask, handing him the third bot you found.

“That I can work with” he says, taking the more cooperative robot from you.

XXX

Together the two of you determine that this is a robot with a short-lived battery – less than a day. But it can also power itself from regular power outlets, so it could have come from anywhere in the Hive.

It also records what it sees and every few hours, at randomised times dumps its memory into a protected folder on the local Wire – for remote retrieval you expect.

It has no indicators of who owns it, or set it to watch you, but your face and the restaurants address are programmed into it.

However careful examination of its components indicate it was made in Hive 29.

“Too obvious” says Dev, as you discuss it with your allies “anyone could have bought this and set it to watch you.”

“Double-bluff” says Rainya “its so obvious that this Doc guy is the one that sent it, so it can't be him, when actually it is.” You shared the folder with your allies when you returned.

“Someone obviously wants you to think its coming from Hive 29” says Kae “robot spies, cyborg assassins, sounds like it came from there, but it could be anyone. A Reunited holding a Hive doesn't mean they control everyone within it.”

You nod thoughtfully “Well at least we know we're being watched” you say “and that whoever it is has been careful not to leave any clues.”

“What about this file dump?” asks Kae “can you find out who is accessing it?”

You and Dev share a look “not easy” you say “and they'll be using an alias anyway.”

“But it might at least tell us which Hive we're being watched from” says Dev “the record of where it was accessed from shouldn't be too hard to find.”

“The robot thing is cute” comments Lirael “but aren't the assassins the real threat?”

What do you do?

>Try to get into the surveillance record
>Set a trap for any assassins (wander around alone? Other?)
>Wait for the assassins to act (take steps to protect yourself, but don't go looking for them)
>Research other Reunited
>Other (?)

>>42981445
>Try to get into the surveillance record

>>42981445
>Try to get into the surveillance record
>Wait for the assassins to act (take steps to protect yourself, but don't go looking for them)
>Research other Reunited

>>42981445
>Try to get into the surveillance record
>Set a trap for any assassins (head to dust town where Lir, Rainya and the others are watching from a distance.

>>42981445
>Try to get into the surveillance record
>Research other Reunited

>>42981445
>Try to get into the surveillance record
>Set a trap for any assassins (wander around alone? Other?)
>Experience shows that a date with Rainya has a 100% succes rate to draw enemies out. So lets do that.

>>42981445
>>42981621
Kek. I can get behind that.

>>42981621
kek.

some cyber-investigation, research, and then setting a trap...by going on a date (because I like the idea).

Please roll 2d20 for
File access
general research

Rolled 5, 4 = 9 (2d20)

>>42981682

Rolled 7, 5 = 12 (2d20)

>>42981682

Rolled 16, 6 = 22 (2d20)

>>42981682

Rolled 13, 6 = 19 (2d20)

>>42981682

>>42981689
>>42981701
>>42981702
We have a shot at file access, but research is shit. Hope our date/ambush goes better.

“First Dev and I will take a look at that file dump” you say “in the mean time, could you guys look into the other Reunited?”

“Sure” says Kae with a nod “and then?”

“And then” you say with a leer at Rainya “A date...with maybe a few dozen extra guys?”

Kae smirks, Lirael looks confused, Dev blushes...and Rainya sighs.

XXX

You and Dev spend the afternoon trying to get into the file dump. Unfortunately its security proves too hard to easily crack, and you can't tell what's in it. But the system its located on does have a record of when its accessed. Every six hours a lot of data is copied from the file – hours of video from the amount of data transferred. The query comes from a lower hive server...in Hive 29.

“It figures that if someone bought it from Hive 29 they'd have someone there who knows how to use them” comments Dev.

“Or its a relay, or a false trail.” you point out.

“Or a double-false trail” Dev says with a grin.

You suck in a long breath between your teeth “Ugh, I hate this espionage shit” you tell him.

Unfortunately, your allies research into the various Reunited reveals only rumour and contradictory information.

“Ok” says Rainya, “So this Doc guy in Hive 29 is apparently: a self-aware AI; a former mining slave; a fae noble posing as a mining slave; a legacy identity used by rebellious miners for centuries; and completely fictitious. His powers include: the ability to control machines; full-body cybernetic conversion; shapeshifting to look like he has cybernetics but he actually has none; illusions; invisibility; the power to raise the dead; super-strength; and a long list of other stuff.”

Rainya, Kae and Lirael present their findings to you, just before you and Rainya start getting ready for your date.

“That's a lot of hats to wear” says Dev, clearing away the robot parts.

“Yeah” says Rainya, chewing on her lower lip, and looking unhappy “Sorry Shee.”

“Hey it's not your fault” you say, giving her a one-armed hug “Seems Garrax was right – there's too much misinformation and rumour to know what's really going on.”

“The others are the same” says Kae “lots of stuff on them” she waves some printouts at you “no way of knowing what's real.”

“Well” you say “collect it and organise it anyway, maybe some of it will be useful, but for now, Rainya and I need to get ready for our date.”

“Don't forget to take protection...” says Kae in a sing-song voice.

“Ha. Ha” Rainya says, giving her a disgusted look.

Lirael whispers to Dev “I thought they were taking weapons anyway?”

XXX

That evening, you and Rainya are strolling along a mostly deserted street, only a few levels above your restaurant, you've enjoyed quite a romantic meal for two, and had a pleasant evening, with no assassins in sight. You're also both heavily, though discretely, armed. No assassins have shown up, yet.

The conversation drifts from topic to topic...before touching on a stranger one.

“So Shee” says Rainya, arm-in-arm with you “with these other Reunited in charge of Hives, I've been wondering: if Kulrathe and Garrax and Breaker weren't around, what would you do with Hive 39?”

How do you respond?

>Same as now – live in the restaurant with you guys
>Rule from the shadows
>Make myself governor, and you'd be first lady of the Hive or something
>Don't know
>Other (?)

>>42982225
>Same as now – live in the restaurant with you guys
>Get rid of the curfew and travel restrictions to the dust towns

>>42982225
>Live in the restaurant while using mind surgery on everyone important to reform the Hivs politics to my liking

>>42982225
>Rule from the shadows

>>42982225
>>Rule from the shadows

>>42982225
>Don't know
>i'm making this up as I go, honestly. Probably still live in the restaurant and just make changes as needed.

>>42982225
>>42982277
>>42982308
Yeah, that sounds like Shee

>>42982286
>>42982293
Shee isn't even managing her own damn restaurant, and you think she'd bother ruling the entire Hive?

>>42982328
It's a hypothetical question, we can give theoretical answers.

>>42982225
>If it weren't for Kulrathe i'd be more likely ruling from the still intact Dust Town

>>42982225
>Same as now – live in the restaurant with you guys
>Maybe put someone loyal to me in charge of the hive to get rid of some of the more annoying rules, haven't really thought about it.

>>42982375
To be fair, "Ruling from the Shadows" and "Sit in the restaurant making changes when they come up", is very similar anyway.

restaurant + make a few changes, writing

>>42982415
Isn't it basically the same?
I mean, the restuarant choice seems like the "not ruling or influencing" chice, which Shee literally can't do, since chagning thing to fit her desires is part of her nature.

>>42982472
I just want to put our restaurant manager into the governess seat, honestly. Way too much hassle running a place like that day to day, and with a significant investiture of power she'd be well suited to the job.

“I haven't really thought about it” you say “I'd still live in the restaurant with everybody, and I dunno, see if I could get rid of some of the dumber laws that keep dusters from getting a fair chance I guess.”

“So no shadowy criminal empire?” teases Rainya “No Governor Hyul?”

“I barely get a chance to run my own restaurant” you point out “where would I find the time to run a Hive?”

As you finish talking, you see a bunch of rough-looking guys emerging from alleys and doorways, in groups of two and three, all armed with a variety of ranged and melee weapons. Most of the guns look like cheap street varieties and their choice of melee weapons leans towards clubs, knives and lengths of chain. Looks like the distraction just arrived. They all look like regular humans, and you can't sense any magic or anything unusual coming from them.

“Showtime” Rainya murmurs in your ear, with your arm around her, you can feel her going tense.

“Relax” you breath back quietly “lets make it look like we've fallen for their trap.”

Together the two of you wander seemingly obliviously into the slowly tightening circle, until you're completely surrounded.

“Is there a problem?” you ask the tall, bearded thug in front of you, blocking your way.

He grins nastily “Not at all” he says “We just saw two pretty young ladies in need of a party.”

“Yeah” says one from behind you “if you're really good, after we've all had a turn, we might even let you live.”

At your side Rainya bursts out laughing “Really?” she gasps out “you're going with that? What is this, a responsible drinking holovid?”

It does seem a little cliche...

“You couldn't ask if we had a light, or for directions, or something other than that?” asks Rainya scathingly.

All around you the thugs shift and look confused, as if this isn't really going to plan.

What do you do?

>Take them down (without killing them?)
>Prep powers, but wait for the real assassins before doing anything (what powers?)
>Just push past them
>Other (?)

>>42982745
>Just push past them

>>42982745
>Prep powers, but wait for the real assassins before doing anything (what powers?)
>Enhance Senses
>Enhance Ability(Agility)

>>42982745
>Horrifying Gaze on of them

>>42982745
>Enhance Agility
>Just push past them
>Break everyones hand who tries to touch you or Rainya
Don't want any contact poison or similar bullshit
>Keep watch for the assassins, they might be among this crowd.

>>42982745
>>Prep powers, but wait for the real assassins before doing anything (what powers?)
>Enhance Senses
>Enhance Ability(Agility)

>>42982745
>Prep powers (Enhance Senses, Enhance Ability [All])
Neutral other than that.

Senses + Agility it is, writing.

>>42982745
>"Besides, you're just the meat shields for the real assassins. The guy who you're looking to make bank from? He's counting on you all dying while his cyborgs put me down, so that he doesn't have to pay anyone. Why don't you shit on his parade and go someplace else. Live to see tomorrow."

>>42983016
I actually a nice write-in, but I fear these are just random thugs.

“Just stick with the plan” you whisper to Rainya. At the same time you boost your reaction time, and your senses.

The dimly-lit street is suddenly as bright as day to your sight, you can hear every scrape of chain links made as the thugs crowd around you. You can smell sweat, stale beer and other intoxicants on their breath.

At your side the warm inviting scent of Rainya floods your senses, you try to block it out and focus on the task at hand.

Finally, after what seems like a year to your quickened mind, the thugs confusion resolves into their default reaction: aggression.

“Huh?” one hoots at you two “what, you think you're funny, I'll show you!” He lunges at you, but you easily side-step and he rushes past, careening headlong into his buddies. You can't detect any sign of the assassins.

“Laugh this one off bitch!” one yells at Rainya, bringing a thick metal pipe down on her arm – she easily avoids it. They continue to attack the both of you and you dodge or block every strike. As stupid and drunk as they are, they nevertheless stick to melee weapons, keeping their guns out of it.

Its not long before you and Rainya don't have much room to move, the crowd pressing in tightly around you. And still no assassins have shown themselves.

“Can we start fighting back?” says Rainya “or are we still waiting?”

Before you can answer, the decision is made for you.

“Hey, hands off!” Rainya growls, back-handing a man who just groped her ass. He goes flying, knocking down two guys behind him.

There's a long frozen moment and then those with guns start raising them. And still no assassins yet.

You could keep waiting for the assassins, or maybe its time to go. Unless there's something special about those guns, these guys aren't much of a threat to you.

What do you do?

>Take them down (without killing them?)
>Let them shoot (and hit each other)
>Just push past them
>Other (?)

>>42983271
>Take them down
>Tentacle Lash
Don't really care, but maybe don't kill them for Best girls sake if nothing else

>>42983271
>Let them shoot (and hit each other)

>>42983271
>Take them down
Just beat the shit out of them, but don't let them shoot.

>>42983271
>Let them shoot (and hit each other)

What is the letting them shoot each other option using to make sure they hit each other instead of us? Just the things we already activated?

>>42983271
>Just push past them
if they try to stop us
>Take them down

>>42983271
>Take them down
Nonlethal.
Except that guy who touched Shees girls ass, he dies.

>>42983271
>Take them down (Tentacle Lash, keep it non-fatal but agonizing)
Groin attack. Groin attack everybody. That's what they get.

>>42983271
>Let them shoot (and hit eachother)

>>42983373
well some shots might hit you both, but you're all very close. They'll also probably shoot each other at this range.

>>42983271
>>42983350
if its important, I don't particularly care if they die, if it happens from the appropriate force used(which is likely), then thats fine too. But fast incapacitation is my main interest.

taking them down non-lethally seems to be a winner, please roll 1d20+41

Rolled 1 + 41 (1d20 + 41)

>>42983524

Rolled 17 + 41 (1d20 + 41)

>>42983524

Rolled 12 + 41 (1d20 + 41)

>>42983524
nat 1

Dozens of limbs spring forth from you, lashing out at the idiots surrounding you both. You make your strikes painful and humiliating, but non-lethal. Soon they are all lying on the floor groaning, or in some cases unconscious, but alive.

Rainya nudges one with her foot “not that I'm complaining” she says “but aren't you going to go all psycho on the one who grabbed my ass?”

You scan the street, looking for the assassins as you answer, where are they?

“Well you seemed to have the matter in hand” you say “so no need for me to get all jealous.”

“What if I want you to get jealous?” asks Rainya, leaning in and kissing you on the cheek, whispering “where are the assassins?”

“Not sure” you whisper back, out loud you say “so you want me to go all crazy whenever someone touches you?” you laugh “and maybe say 'no one gets to smack that ass except me'?”

“Are they even coming?” Rainya whispers, adding out loud “well a girl likes to feel apprecia-hey!” a light tentacle-slap on the area under discussion interrupts her.

Rainya mock-glares at you, as you grin at her, then her look fades to one of worry “what if we're not the targets?” she asks, her eyes going wide.

You pull her close and teleport back to the restaurant, cursing loudly.


XXX

And that’s it for todays thread. Thank you for playing, and all feedback welcome. For your actions today you gain 2XP.

Next thread is friday 16th october, though will be several hours earlier. I will post on twitter closer to the time

>>42983767
Thanks for running, glad to have Shee back. I missed the cew.

>>42983767
Thanks for the thrad Pally.

But, since when does Tenley speak in a intelligible language to us?

>>42983848
when there's no one else around

>>42983767
Thanks for running, Pally!

Short thread, but it's still nice.

>>42983767
Welcome back PRQ. I missed you.


Now lets start working on making Callun a....


Slightly bothered by the two week timsekip of essentially not doing anything, given what it means for Randolph.

thanks for running pally
I love how twitter froze up so I didn't know you where running until it was over

Good to be back.
Primacy of Blood never.

>>42984142
S-Soon, I'm sure...

>>42983935
I can include a vote next thread on what you did in the two weeks in anons would like

>>42984142
if you want it to happen, vote for spending xp on it, you've got plenty

>>42984234
Can we do that now?

>>42984371
Not sure how many people are left.

>>42984371
Nah, most are already gone.

I haven't seen this in forever. Where did you go Pally?

>>42985875
Pally's been running Egwen School quest up until a few weeks ago when he too a break. He's rotating between this, PoJ, and that.

I'll put the vote in next thread