[OW/X - Tau]: Operation Fireknife (IC Thread)

[Mazer Rackham]

++ ONLY THE GREATER GOOD IS WORTH WAR ++

ONLY WAR/XENOS: TAU CAMPAIGN (ACTIVE IC THREAD).

+++ OPERATION FIREKNIFE +++

"On the World of Kur'Sadesh, I go to my fate. The High Summer Conclave of the Aun'ar'Tol has decreed that I must go there to seek new blood for our allies, new voices for our Coalition. I trust the Caste of Princes as I do the Tau'Va, in my heart. My Honour Blade is one carried before me by great heroes of our cause, and to disappoint them or incur the shame of Malk'la is unthinkable.

Yet my dearest friend I tell you, I know that service to this task will put me in the direst peril, which troubles my heart only less than returning to find the Great Terror. The Kor'vattra assure me they will defend me to the death, but once that happens, what then?

- Xenos-Classified [TAU] Message received by emergency comm-buoy Imperial Adjunct 114-16-212.

The Custodian Class Battleship was abruptly spat from gravitic drive slipstream and came to a breif stop before power ran through the hull, the engines stirred to motion by the Air caste crew. Smooth and efficient, the Fio had built the spacecraft well, unlike the ungainly ships of the Gue'la, which seemed banded together by iron bolts and hasps forged by blind madmen.

Shas'O Mal'Caor studied the twin-boomed prow and its elegant curves and pleasing organic shapes. Such a vessel could hide in the depths of the seas on Sa'Cea, a shadow beneath the rolling waves, cutting through the liquid medium as surely as it cruised through vacuum. He reached up to his smooth scalp, the locks long gone. He stifled a grunt, they looked so pleasant and light, but hours crammed inside an XV05 on a humid forest world did not lend to wearing them.

Beside him, the ship's Captain, Vre'Unzel stirred, lifing her own wrist communicator to her lips.

"Slow to one third and begin a drone sweep for debris or ion trails."

"Hai'Kor'Vre."

The glittering spots of the scanner drones became a small cloud of glimmering light as they decanted from the launch bays. Around them, O'Mal'Caor could feel the sleek ships of this flotilla, Barracudas, Castellans and Wardens. Behind them by several Rotaa, were the combat group should he need them, but he hoped his plan wouldn't necessitate that.

He stared down into the abyss, the lights of stars winking back at him, the binary star at the heart of the system two giant white orbs, crackling as they danced with each other in a strange honour duel.

The Imperial World the Shas'ar'Tol named Kur'Sadesh rolled below them, the skies thick with clouds and ash.

A prison world the humans called Perdition.

Down there, somewhere, was Aun'la Du'Rega, and even now, as the klaxons sounded across the ship, he knew the Expeditionary FLeet had detected the attack ships of the Imperium. Perdition was one of those worlds he despised. Not because of the criminals or the Gue'La or the lunacy of their Throne-Prince's tyranny, but because it was so damn close to the border - close enough that the humans kept a close eye.

"Assemble the Strike Team. I will meet them in the briefing room," he spoke at large to the room, hearing the snap to attention of his own aides.

La'Du'Rega had been on her own for 6 Decs.

And that was 5 too long.

Introduction:

You are aboard the Custodian Class battleship Blackstar, a heavily armed ship for even this class. It boasts a significant complement of Fire Warriors as well as Earth and Air Caste personnel. You have been summoned to this vessel by many different means, perhaps unexpectedly, or maybe you have known from a rumour that your name was on a list somewhere.

The mission is not a secret. it is a rescue mission of an Ethereal Caste representative and her attendants on a mission of peace along with her Water Caste diplomatic envoy, Por'El Mesme, a veteran of contact with the Gue'la. Indeed, he insisted on Gue'Vesa troops being available for all expeditions, so they could spread the good word, and this may be why you are aboard.

In any event, feel free to introduce your characters with whatever is foremost on their minds as well as what their day-to-day duties may have them doing before the are summoned to the briefing room.

[Trokair]

The sudden silence made Monat pause, something had sppoked the wildlife, and she doubted that it had been her actions. She had been steadily advancing through the undergrowth for a little over a Dec without any noticeable disturbances.

 

Edging slightly leftwards the enemy encampment in a clearing further down the slope came into view. Several Gue’la milled around a stricken vehicle of theirs, attempting to repair it, or maybe salvaging it. Their red robes made them easy to spot against the greens of the grass and foliage. Remembering lessons on the human subcultures there was a high probability that these were warriors of their earth cast.

 

Adjusting the setting of her stealth suit to lover the strength of the field, for at this distance the lower setting should still keep her hidden when combined with the cover of the forest. These Gue’la where noted to have enhanced electromagnetic senses, and while they could not detect the stealth field of her suit directly to her knowledge, they might be able to detect distortions that would tell them that there was electronics operating out here, if not an exact location. For now more traditional field craft would carry the burden of hiding her approach.

 

Gradually the chirping of insect and scuttle of wildlife returned, and not long after a flash of a red clock on the hillside opposite told Monat that the humans had sentries not just at the edge of the clearing, but patrolling the forest as well.

 

A rainfront was approaching from the south, as the strategic intelligence report had advised. With it would come the advance of the main force, using it as cover from orbital observation by the human ships.

 

Just then the vehicle below powered up, four mechanical legs stabilized and lifted the main body. If the humans continued on the path they had been heading on before the breakdown that had slowed them all day then they might run into forward elements of the Tau push, and alert the main force of the invader.

 

Time to bog them down once more, taking carful aim, Monat powered up the rail rifle and once the capacitor indicator readiness in the HUD display she sent a hyper velocity slug downhill. She had little chance to do serious damage to the crawler, but an exposed leg joint was a different story.

 

A satisfying thud confirmed that the human’s vehicle was once more grounded as Monat retreated uphill. The sentries would no doubt be looking for her now, and it did not pay to be caught. Her tactical map displayed several other suspected Gue’la forces in the foothills, more opportunity of disruption and confusion, she might even circle back to this one in a Rotaa or so.

 

Some days later, with supplies and energy reserves near depleted, Monat reported back into one of the temporary field commands established in the lowlands following the Gue’la invasion, that the order to report for a specialists mission finally caught up with her, another half day or so and it would have been too late to join the transport ship heading out of the system and the oppotunity would have been given to another.

[Beren]

Four.

 

That was how many of Targykex's kindred were with him. Six originally, but the hunt was a dangerous thing. Especially without a shaper. 

 

Korrekh was the closest thing they had, and right now she was removing a bundle to lay on the sterile white Tau table. Like the rest of them, it was something at odds with their host's decorum. She unwrapped the object, revealing the creature underneath. Targykex didn't know the name, the Tau probabably hadn't given it one. What was important, was that it was a colour-shifter. 

 

No Shaper. No return to Orakyptra. Their qualities took effort to maintain. Too much effort.

 

Already he could see the vivid marking they maintained out-of-hunt were duller than they once where.

 

Targykex took his alotted portion, letting it slide down his throat. As he lowered his head again, quills rustling together, he spotted a Tau watching from the door. Fire Caste.

 

They weren't nearly as good as they thought when it came to disguising the disgust on their faces.

 

They would rather bury the fallen, or burn, lose what they were forever.

 

"Targykex."

 

He didn't grace it with a response. The Tau continues.

 

"You were supposed to come alone."

 

At this Targykex swivels to face him, croaking out his retort.

 

"We are Kindred. We travel together. Stay on the ship if they must, but near we must remain. There must always be one to carry the fallen."

Edited January 4, 2022 by Beren

[Ancient_Sobek]

He lay motionless beneath the overhanging rock. His eyes swept the canyon before him watching…waiting. It had been 4 rotaa since his team had been dropped into this valley. The waiting didn’t bother him, he was patient. That was his greatest asset. The ability to wait for the right opportunity was a key to those who followed Kauyon.

 

He ignored the ridicule he received from more hot-blooded warriors. He was used to it as a native of N’dras. His sept was eyed with suspicion and unease. A pall of distrust would always linger over him. That is why he had to be better than his squad mates. He had to prove his worth.

 

His attention was drawn to the far end of the ravine. The sound of armored vehicles grinding along the valley floor was accompanied by a haze of dust as the metal tracks of the machines chewed their way toward them. He found the gue’la vehicles ugly and barbaric. Something a child would create, all rough shapes and oversized weapons. How could they compete against the precision of T’au technology? Still even a food beast was dangerous when angry. He watched the line of machines work their way along ravine.

 

He switched to his comlink and sent a data burst to the commander of the Sky Ray unit hidden nearby. 

 

+ Korst’la 2-1, this is B’kak 3-9. Gue’la forces in the kill box. Painting the target now. +

 

Anuk’Var activated his marker light. It’s invisible beam pointing at the weakest spot. The other members of his team painted their own targets. A series of ready icons filled his tactical display.

 

+ Korst’la 2-1, targets selected, fire for effect.+

 

Moments later a hail of seeker missiles streaked overhead, each one homing in on the targets lit up by the marker lights. He watched as the missile flew over the lead vehicle and slammed into the ravine wall where he had indicated. The detonation cracked open the seam he had identified days earlier. The wall collapses crushing the leading tank and blocking the way forward. Another boom of detonation echoed from the far end of the ravine as a similar scene took place. With the convoy trapped it was short work to destroy the remaining vehicles. 

 

As the smoke cleared he saw the wreckage strewn across the valley. Fire and burning oil billowed into the sky.

 

++Fi’do, give me a sensor sweep++ 

 

The small drone detached from his pack and hovered nearby. The various lenses and sensor spines whirred and clicked has his companion collected all of the data. A serious of whistles and beeps indicated that the scan was complete. A stream of data scrolled along the side of his tactical display confirmed that the enemy convoy had been neutralized. He gave a grunt of satisfaction at a well executed mission.

 

+ All B’kak teams, this is B’kak actual. Command wants us to reroute to the grid coordinates I am sending for exfil and redeployment. +

 

Anuk’Var took one last look at the destruction below as Fi’do retracted his sensor spines and docked in the drone harness strapped to his pack. Turning, he made his way up the scree slope. 

 

+++++++

 

As the Orca dropship ascended out of the atmosphere he looked again at the holoslate. While the rest of his team had loaded into their devil fish, his commander had pulled his aside. He had been requested for special mission and was directed to the waiting orca. He skimmed the missive again, memorizing the details. An Ethereal and an Ambassador had been lost on a gue’la world and needed extraction. He pulled up the planetary data, seemed to be a prison planet of some kind. Urban terrain seemed to cover most of the deployment zone.

 

He flipped up the data pad on his left arm and keyed in a new setting. Their was a shimmer as his armor realigned it’s pigment modules. The desert camouflage rippled and reshaped into mixtures of charcoals and greys better suited to the terrain he was anticipating. Satisfied he leaned back and closed his eyes. The orca sped toward the ship that awaited him.

Edited January 5, 2022 by Ancient_Sobek

[Commander Dawnstar]

Ui’Kyosha had always taken a certain pleasure in space travel. Though the engineering advances of the Earth Caste made the journey analogous enough to a terrestrial posting, somehow the experience had always seemed just a little special to her. It was as if being bound in such close confines with her comrades narrowed the gap between them – closeness in their closeness. Sometimes she wondered if it was how the Mal’kor felt in their towering hives. How good it was to know that you were never truly alone, unquestionably part of something greater.
 

She’d spent a great deal of time throughout their voyage in the ship’s Fire Grounds. The lasgun-carved rent in Oe’sei’ka’s dome was only a memory now yet it still seemed to feel the wound, its grav-jets listing ever so slightly to one side. It had taken some practice to adapt to that imbalance, the sense of things being askew, and naturally Fio’Ui Doran’ro had only found time to address her concerns once she’d regained a sort of equilibrium. That had meant more practice, more drills, more time spent looking through another’s eyes. Whatever assurances he had given her, only she could judge whether the bond between T’au and drone was truly perfect.

 

It was of course; she gave him credit for that. She gave him her time too, putting a mind with real combat experience behind the training drones rather than the usual simulations. His broad-toothed smile was thanks enough.

 

As such Kyosha hadn’t been restless, hadn’t been eagerly awaiting the inevitable call. She had been busy, occupied, useful, content. Content enough that when summons finally came she was almost reluctant to leave her data cocoon behind – not that she would ever countenance refusing the order. She was part of something greater after all, and like all T’au it fell to her to do her part.
 

Training, practice, study was over. The real work awaited.

Edited January 6, 2022 by Commander Dawnstar

[Machine God]

Tony Kais had walked all around the starship, at least where he was allowed and his credentials passed him.

 

"As you can see viewers we are approaching the crew quarters, lovely and clean, the exact opposite of a Gue'La craft! Those are all rusted iron hulks full of rats and gene-bulked abominations."

 

[Enhancement to maximum] The headkam view tracked down the corridor and focused on to a Tau and several Kroot.

 

"That sing-song chatter that you can hear viewers is the Kroot speaking Tau, laughing like a pack of hyena's so the Gue'Va saying goes. Sorry a momentary lapse there, Kroot are frontline hunters with funny ways to the Tau'Va! Eaters of raw flesh, dead, alive or carrion, they care not. Its a good thing that they are on the side of The Greater Good, at least most of them are apparently."

 

"Notice how the Kroot is not deferent in speaking to the Tau, they are both equals. This is Tony Kais signing off, but remember to always choose Britecream Toothpaste, its guaranteed by the Water Caste to keep your teeth protected from plaque and impure thoughts! The Ethereals are your Friends!"

 

Tony Kais didn't pass too close to the Kroot, he could never care for 'The Stink.'

 

(Edit: typo)

Edited January 23, 2022 by Machine God

[Mazer Rackham]

It didn't matter that there were gaps in the faces arrayed in the briefing room.  Like all Tau structures, it swept and curved, a perfect blister of smooth, white metal walls and dome, so that all voices would be heard equally.  The Fio were as ingenious as they were industrious.  Why should Form follow Function?  Why could there not be both.  The Fio understood this, as did all Tau.

 

The Fire Caste understood that in the most primal way.  Violence was abhorrent, and therefore it should be efficient, practical.  It served to save his soldiers from the horrors of this galaxy, and in turn spared the enemy suffering.  Cruelty was the enemy, not the urge to kill.  The Shas'Va taught it, but not all understood.

 

With this in mind, O'Mal'Caor looked up from the terminals at the podium, clearing his throat for attention.  The rustle of quills announced the notice of the Pech'Vesa, thier odd bird-like twitching and peering feeling oddly like they were considering him as a meal, a worm perhaps or crawling grub.  There were plenty of those on Baraban.  Not yet carrying the war-pattern, the bestial hunters seemed diminished, not as vital as he remembered of those serving across what the Gue'La called the Greyhell Front.

 

A Pathfinder by garb and equipment sat off to his left, alone.  Even at this distance, Iron Spider considered the individual...shifty.  His posture and poise, though languid were just a mask.  It was though he didn't want to be there, or perhaps didn't like the close attention the briefing room forced, even if he looked like he could sit there forever.

 

In contrast a battlesuit pilot.  He knew who she was from the neural inlays of his visor.  Another loner, of sorts, but she sat attentively, quietly waiting, back straight and upright.  Comfortable, drilled.

 

She was in good company.  The fittings of a drone-interface harness on her armour, a controller of Kor'Vesa peered at the room, surveying the technological devices.  Eyes of the Shas'Va and the Fio in her heart.  Hard working, not wanting to spill blood, but ready if it served the Greater Good.  To her, Iron Spider gave a brief nod.

 

In the far right of the domed bubble, a...human, perched.  There was a strange inane grin plastered to his face.  O'Mal'Caor knew it was a grin, only through experience, any other Tau would think it was an angry challenge.  Even though a Gue'Vesa, the humanity could not be borne out of the man, civilisation almost a foreign concept.  Why Doubletongue insisted on anyone like that roaming the Tau worlds was a mystery.  He calmed his thoughts and adjusted his garb, a simple, light robe.  Half in the humours of Sa'Cean slate-blue, with the fierce Sept accent in an orange stripe across his left shoulder and breast.

 

Thanks to the way the room was constructed, there was a sibilant timbre to everyone's breathing.  The harmony of it all was pleasing.

 

He had waited long enough for the other Krootkin and Fire Warriors he'd called.  They would have to enjoy the courtesy of a rapid induction on their journey to Sur'Kadesh.

 

"I thank you for attending, friends.  It is good when the disparate slivers form one blade."

 

He paused, offering the polite and welcoming bow of a host, even if in truth he didn't need to as the senior rank.  He found the old custom kept his feet on the ground.

 

"Aun'La Du'Rega, and her Envoy were aboard the Wavestrider, an Emissary Class vessel, when it was attacked some 7 Decs hence.  A distress call was relayed to the Aun'ar'Tol and they commanded we return both kin to our bosom."

 

A holographic sphere of Kur'Sadesh sprang into glimmering iridescence.  The room flooded with blue and green light, although hovering picture-on-picture displayed rugged, often heat-scorched terrain.  A strong, arterial red pulse emanated from a barren region in the Northern hemisphere.  It winked up from the middle of a broad island.

 

"The planet the Gue'La call Perdition.  A prison planet given over to the madmen incarcerated there by the Tyrant of the Human race.  There are no soldiers or guardians down there.  Just criminals, who will not understand your mission.  Even so, time is not our ally.  Our Kor'Vattra pickets have detected snooper-ships investigating our disturbance from slipstream."

 

He paced, a control wand in hand, upon which he pressed buttons to reveal the face of the Aun'La.  Dark lustrous hair tumbled from scalp-locks that could hardly contain it.  Large, innocent eyes.  A half-smile at whoever took the image.  Her shio'he carried the distinct flare of the Ethereal caste, sporting a single amber jewel in the central chasm, not an unusual practice among females of high rank.

 

Iron Spider felt his face harden.  "We will not allow her to be consumed by the barbarity.  The Ethereals must be protected at all costs, or we will once more face the Terror,"  he broke off from looking at the images to regard each member of the assembled team. "You will have questions."

Edited January 6, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

Listing attentively to the briefing by the Shas’O the back of her mind was simultaneously keeping an eye on the others in the room; in the wilderness awareness of one’s surrounding was key.

 

It was clear that this was a most unusual situation and that the mission was taking an unusual approach to deal with it. Amongst the fellow tau in the room there were members from at least one other Sept, not counting the Shas’O, and given the nature of the group Monat suspect they were all from different worlds.

 

While the mission was a rescue operation of an honoured Ethereal, stranded in enemy territory. The assembled team was clearly optimized for a hunt. A pathfinder to track, a drone operator to guide sensor or observation units, a Kroot kindred, fellow hunters, and adept at, well,  adapting to any situation or terrain.  

 

The lone human in the corner she was less sure about, he must be well trusted to be included in the briefing, maybe an infiltration specialist or a translator and guide.

 

As the initial briefing came to an end She considered what questions would be prudent to ask now. By inclination and training question as to the terrain, weather, flora and fauna all arose, but those would no doubt be covered in data files for them to digest later.

 

Monat’s attention was drawn back to the unusual composition of the team, drawn from many sources, outside the usual channels no doubt. A suspicion begun to frame itself, all was not as it seems. Indicating she had a question Monat waited for acknowledgment from the Shas’O before she spoke.

 

“Is there evidence or reason to believe that enemy covert operations were or are involved in either the loss of the Wavestrider or on Perdition itself?”

[Mazer Rackham]

The Stealthsuit pilot suspected subterfuge.

 

O'Mal'Caor suppressed a smile.  Instead he briefly glanced around the room, making sure the doors were closed and the security suppression was active.

 

"You are right to consider the knife in the dark, Shas'Ui.  We have conducted sensor scans of the co-ordinates of the original distress call.  Accounting for drift, we have detected the remains of a Gue'La craft, but it is derelict and returns no life-signals."

 

He sighed.

 

"We are unsure of its import.  However, we are in enemy territory here, so assume nothing."

[Beren]

Bored, Targykex tilted his head.

 

A planet of ferals, without oversight from the flat-face's military. A perfect hunting ground, with a mission to exract one of the Tau's precious leaders. Nothing particularly unusual, and it explained the presence of a flat-face here. Probably meant to play nice with the natives if need be. The others, the Tau present, were each various types of hunters. More reliant on technology than they ought to be, but hunters all the same. 

 

Etherals. Etherals were important to the Tau. He wondered what one would taste like, what strengths it might lend them. Too important. If anything might cause the Tau to reach for their weapons, that would. Instead, maybe, important enough for him to have some leeway in placing him and the others somewhere closer to where they wanted to be. Perhaps on one of the border zones, where flat-faced noble-nlooded traders took on his kind occasionally enough. Perhaps. This hunt first. That one later.

[Mazer Rackham]

Iron Spider spots the movements, albeit subtle.  He frowns, then adopts a strange, lopsided stance, his right shoulder dropping to make his head position more prominent, jerking his chin forward, before turning his head first one way then the another sharply, as though catching a fleeting sound.

 

If he had quills he wouldn't look quite as ridiculous.  It is a...reasonable approximation of the Beak-Challenge.  A prelude to a sporting tumble between immature clades.

 

"Was there a question Pech'Vesa, or are you just choosing your meal?"

 

The grin he gives Targykex is friendly, but as he surveys the other Tu, a hint of malice enters, watching for their discomfort perhaps.

[Trokair]

This Shas’O was an odd one and no mistake, now the so called Iron Spider was mimicking Kroot behavior. Monat had initially been confused by the commanders movement, but once she looked past the physical and at the form the action became less oblique.

 

Turning slightly to observe the Kroot in the room she wondered how they would react. Would they even read the body language, and if so respond in kind our burst out with the chirps that was their laughter. Some kindreds  were known to be practical jokes, often at the expense of their allies.

[Ancient_Sobek]

Placeholder 

[Machine God]

"O'Mal'Caor or Iron Spider, which do you prefer?"

 

Tony Kais stood up from his seat.

 

"Excuse me, Tony Kais - Tau'Va News, empire wide to the enlightened Greater Good!"

 

"The Fire Warrior speaks of subterfuge and you answer with Intel about a Gue'La derelict ship found near to the incident. This smells like an Assassinorium attempt or Ordos Xenos <spit>."

 

Tony shudders, "Heavy stuff, sounded like a simple extraction from a Penal World to running from the Angels of Death!"

 

Tony sat back down, his grin changed to a thinking face.

[Beren]

Targykex broke into a brief chirping laugh before it trailed off. As amusing as the Shas'O mimicry was, it was also unsettling. Normally such a... thorough, understanding of their culture was left to those called Water Caste.

 

He would have preferred it if this Tau hadn't been able to read them. Judging from the sounds of rustling quills as the others shifted around him, they agreed.

 

Targykex lowers his head and takes a step back.

 

"No question."

 

He waits a moment, then speaks again.

 

"One question. Your delegation, sent here to this world of those of the flat-faces cast off by their empire. Seeking willing subjects for the Tau perhaps, like this one here?"

 

At this the kroot gestures to Tony Kais.

[Mazer Rackham]

As unsettled as the Kroot appeared to be, it was O'Mal'Caor's turn, his smugness at the casual mimicry vanishing in a draft of hot air, literally, as the Gue'Vesa abruptly vaulted from his arse, and began blathering.

 

"Shas'O is suffiecient for now.  It is our custom for...new acquaintances," he replied stiffly.  Recovering with a quick pause for breath a Water Caste envoy would envy, "since there is only one commander here."

 

He spread his hands and took in the room.

 

"You must be careful, Tony Kais.  The news our beloved Princess is in the hands of such a deadly foe as the Gue'Ron'Sha..." he looks through you, his gaze travelling into the past somewhere.  Perhaps a battlefield, the noise of which still fills his senses.  He isn't muted long, but he has to travel a few kai'rotaa to remember where he is. "...would panic our people, no?  As I said, we are still assesssing the value of the derelict."

 

"Our priority is the Aun'La.  Nothing else must stand in that path."

 

As the Kroot finally responded, with a sharp gesture at the Human, the Iron Spider nodded.  "That is correct Targykex.  We heard an appeal from those unjustly imprisoned.  Our emissary was sent to open dialogue."

 

He resumes the normal Tau stance of waiting, learned as a Shas'La so long ago.

 

"It appears that dialogue may have been violent."

[BadgersinHills]

Jaq'Arn was filled by a wave of discomfort as she entered the room, more due to the cause of her lateness than anything else. Her dreams had been peculiar and unsettling, as they had been since the massacre at In-Halon, but never had they lasted as long as now. The same sharp teeth had been there, though, but that was a familiar sight she did not find comforting.

 

What was not familiar was the team before her. To her mild surprise, there was even a human at the debriefing. A curious mix. 

 

"My apologies for the late arrival, Lord Shas'O."

Edited January 12, 2022 by BadgersinHills

[Mazer Rackham]

Another Kroot hunter loped into the arena.

 

"My apologies for the late arrival, Lord Shas'O."

 

O'Mal'Caor half turned, measuring the sincerity of her stance, the angle of her quills telling, caught on the hop by the assembled party and their riot of scents.  Jaq'Arn, the holographic runes told him, reading her vital signs and matching them to the data held.  Since she greeted him so formally, honour demanded the same in return, the Pech'Vesa might have...odd culinary habits by Tau standards, but the uptight fools who sneered had never served on Baraban, where he'd relied on such sinewy warriors.

 

A half bow was appropriate to her station, so he performed it.  "You are in time huntress.  We discuss the nature of the prey."

 

For convenience Badgers, we'll assume that your commbead or whatever (maybe the scents of the others in the room - or the colour-patterns of the Kroot Kin in here) has updated enough to bring Jaq'Arn up to speed.  Go ahead and take a seat, ask questions etc. 

[Beren]

Targykex turned to eye the newcomer warily. She spoke deferentially to the Tau, and wore on her arm a set of war-trophies, at least looking like one of the holy icons of the flat-faces. A true believer then. Unless she was simply more patient than he with their allies.

[Trokair]

Not a guide then, or at least not primarily, though this Tony-Kais might still serve in that function.

 

More uncertain, and either concerning or baffling, was the Gue’la self proclaimed profession. Reporting for the civilian populations back home was a Por aligned job. Maybe that is why they were sending a human, as their mingling of their casts produced populations that are neither of one or another, a balancing of skills and innate temperament better able to survive on such a mission, at the cost of high proficiency in either.

 

Her thoughts however she kept to herself, the Shas’O had picked such an unorthodox team for a reason, and she had to trust the wisdom of the Commander.

 

Instead Monat raised a few question of more immediate tactical relevance.

 

“Where and how will be inserted planetside?”   

Edited January 15, 2022 by Trokair

[Mazer Rackham]

“Where and how will be inserted planetside?”

 

A solid question.

 

"By Orca dropship, with a Barracuda escort.  A small unit of my Shas'La will stay with the Orca to secure it for extraction."

 

O'Mal'Caor pointed once more at the holographic sphere as it lazily rotated in the briefing room.  A small hand-hled markerlight sprang from the control in his palm.  The power was losw, so it could be seen by naked eyes, a mere toy compared to the Valkyrie's Mark, as the Gue'La called it.

 

With the initial round of questions about the nature of the mission fizzling out, it was time to turn to more practical details.

 

"The life-transponder the Aun'La carries is still transmitting, but that won't last long, as it is faint.  The Emissary crash-landed in the lower foothills of the Greyback mountains, here."

 

The pointer dallied on the three-dimensional clefts and ridges of rugged terrain.

 

"You can see," the spot moved to a sturdy Imperial structure of thick walls and high ramparts, "that she may not be alone for long."

 

Mal'Caor snapped the pointer off with a firm thumb.  "You will draw your equipment, fall from the sky like a spear, and strike down whatever beast threatens the Aun'La.  They you will return her here."

 

He looked around the room, drew a breath.  "For the Tau'Va!"

 

Unlike the rousing speech another might make, this one is delivered with grim intensity.  You must read into that as you will.

 

The Commander has invoked the name of the Greater Good, implying this mission is of the most drastic import.  How do you respond?  Perhaps you might ask what it means to your character and their perception of the Tau culture? As the briefing is coming to a close, feel free to discuss with other characters, introduce yourselves or ask any other questions, (The Shas'O is still about) and I'll move us forward.

 

This extends to the OOC too, I'll answer any game-related queries there.

 

EDIT: Don't worry Tro - got you covered  you can pop a fresh post with your introductions below, and the flow will be restored...:)

Edited January 15, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

“For the Tau’Va” Monat replied.

 

The official briefing was over; there was a little time, no doubt meant for them to get to know each other and forge a stronger team.

 

“Shas’ui Tau'n Monat, stealth battle suit speacilist.” she introduced herself to the others, placing emphasis on her full name to adhere to official  and proper procedure.  

Edited January 15, 2022 by Trokair

[Machine God]

"You must be careful, Tony Kais. The news our beloved Princess is in the hands of such a deadly foe as the Gue'Ron'Sha..." said the Shas'O awkwardly and somewhat distant, his gaze travelling into the past somewhere.

 

"Our priority is the Aun'La. Nothing else must stand in that path."

 

stress trauma, Tony thought. We've all got ghosts - Killer Birds or Psycho Killing Machines...

 

Addressing the Kroot, Iron Spider nodded. "That is correct Targykex. We heard an appeal from those unjustly imprisoned. Our emissary was sent to open dialogue."

 

The Shas'O adopted a thoughtful pose, a momentary pause.

 

"It appears that dialogue may have been violent."

 

Tony listened intently to the dialogue.

 

"Unjustly imprisoned, my hairy ass!" thought Tony Keys, his indoctrination mind control slipping slightly. The Imperium of Man does not willingly waste human life. Why didn't the Ad Mech turn them into servitors? Why were they dumped on a planet and left. The place would be a large Battlefield, Kings being made from the fittest prisoners. Tony worried.

 

"For the Tau'Va!" said the Shas'O.

[Beren]

Targykex clicks his beak before announcing his name.

 

"Targykex."

 

He adds nothing else, but his eyes are fixed upon the newly arrived Kroot.

[BadgersinHills]

"For the Tau'Va", she said, noting the Shas'O's tone. 

 

"A mission of crucial importance," she thought, and the combat-readiness in her began to stir. It was this inner animal that the T'au found repulsive, but Jaq'Arn thought that the disgust of their allies was not a large price to pay for the strength of her species.

 

"Greetings, Shas'ui," she rasped giving the T'au a nod in deferral to her rank.

 

 

Simultaneously, she moved her quills subtly as a gesture of greeting as she saw the other Kroot watch her. Such a display towards Targykex indicated the huntress' respect to her fellow Kroot.

 

"Jaq'Arn,' she said, caring not for other titles or ranks. The others could infer all they desired from what they saw of her. 

 

She could feel a sense of elation rising in her, a sharp contrast to the discomfiture from earlier. This would not be an easy mission, but she relished the challenge that the jaws of war presented her. 

Edited January 17, 2022 by BadgersinHills