Claridon

[Scratch]

Helmet scan the room, focus on the receptionist's computer and any security cameras. Relay information to superior officer in a discreet way and/or when asked to.

[Semaj Nagirrac]

<SCAN: Receptionists Desk = Unremarkable;>
Nothing important except for an interesting instant messenger thread most likely written by the receptionist while Captain Deinn spoke with her:

FUNGurl21: OMG! kewt army man walking up 2 my desk. so gunna ask him out!

Manslayer99: OMG! good luk gurl!

FUNGurl21: uh! wut a jerk! hope my boss kiks dis douche bag outta here!


<SCAN: Hidden Rooms = No hidden rooms to be found;>
Walls are either hiding nothing or can not be scanned. Computer device by door reveals it is a complicated locking program. Door is shielded and can not be scanned.


<SCAN: Guard = ALKSJ#IOHT*(IDV&Y*&8y687o667;>
Something is either messing with the scanner or there is something unnatural about the guards.


"I don't think anything is messing with our comms." says Captain Deinn. "But I am picking up strange readings from these guards. Something's not right with them. One of you try to strike up a conversation with them."

[devincp]

Walk over to the guard on my right and ask about the receptionist,

Ask if she is always like this and if they get tired of her attitude? Something to that extent.

[Scratch]

I scan the conversation while it happens, try to detect any hidden meanings in the guard's words during the conversation.

[Quantumsurfer]

I'll cover the other guard.

[Brikguy0410]

i attempt to start a conversation with the other guard about pre claridon arfifacts and archeaogical finds

[Semaj Nagirrac]

Jarius asks one of the guards about the receptionist while Rodjer makes a scan.

"I have nothing to say to you." says the guard. Rodjer's scan indicates the guard's heart rate increased rapidly. During your training, you were taught that this specific rhythm of heart rate usually means the individual desires or is about to commit a murder.


Cadwgan attempts the same action as Jarius, but there is no response from the guard.
Issac is ignored as well.


15 minutes pass and the receptionist finally returns. With her hair everywhere and her shirt untucked and wrinkled, she appears as a disheveled mess, despite the grin she bears.
"Mr. Sandersen will see you now." she giggles as she hurries back to her desk.

"About time." grunts the captain.


Captain Deinn leads you into the hall where you find a Nexar Android standing guard at a door.

"This must be the new model I've heard about." says the captain.


"Greetings. I am Captain Deinn and these are my men. I'm sure you've been programmed to follow our every command. Tell me what is beyond this door."

"Denied. Your authority is not recognized here."



"What do you mean my 'authority is not recognized'?!"

"Denied. Your authority is not recognized here. Move along, please."


"I don't like what's happening here. Keeps your senses sharp, lads. Something about this mission stinks."


The group makes it to the waiting area just outside the executive's office.

"Wait here." orders the captain.


As you wait, a beautiful worker comes out of the restroom. Cadwgan recognizes her as a former co-worker before he joined the military. Her name is Isleen Camber. She walks by, not recognizing Cadwgan while he wears his helmet.


Before Captain Deinn can enter the office, he is stopped by the guards.

"You may not enter!" they bark.

"What is the meaning of this?!" shouts the captain.


"Sorry, who are you?"

"I am Captain Deinn of his majesty's army and I demand to see who is in charge here!"


"Well, that would be me, Thorvald Sandersen. Please, step into my office."


"You'll have to forgive me, I was just in an appointment with my esteemed guest." says Sandersen as a robed man stares at Captain Deinn coldly. He is a Tamorran Priest. The Tamorrans were once enemies of Claridon before their country was annexed as a province of the empire. They are known for being religious fanatics.


"Blessings of the dragons upon you, priest." says the captain as you shuffle into the room.

"If a fountain is poisoned, it must be avoided, lest death enter your body." replies the priest.


"You must abandon your false gods. The dragons are but animals in this world, captain. Just like you and me." says the priest.

"I saw a dragon just yesterday. It spoke with me. Can you say the same about one of your gods?" asks the captain.

"Faith is not faith unless it is tested." answers the priest.

"I thought you would say that." smirks the captain.


"You may feign confidence with me, Claridonian, but I have a feeling that you will meet the true gods very soon." says the priest as he exits the room.

"Name the time and place and I'll be there." says the captain threateningly.


"Well then, now with the pleasantries out of the way, what can I do you for, sergeant?" asks Sandersen.


"It's captain and we're here on official business. We received word that one of your employees has been taken hostage and we are here to procure his release. You will turn him over to our custody immediately."


"Excellent! Always willing to talk business with our military friends! But before that, we need to do something about our empty stomachs!" says Sandersen happily.


"Now, I have some excellent Midgardian wine here, although I'm embarrassed to say we won't have enough glasses for everyone. Your men don't mind sharing, do they?" asks Sandersen.


"No, we're here on crown business! You taken a person hostage and you're going to turn them over to our custody now!" orders the captain.


"Now, now now, I can assure you this is the first time I've heard of us holding someone against their will!" says Sandersen.


"You're lying."

"Am I? Well, perhaps it would make you feel better if I double checked."


"Now, let's see here. Prisoner... hostage... Ah yes! Here it is! It seems we did have to temporarily detain an employee since they were found guilty of corporate espionage."


"As a captain in the imperial army, I am ordering you to release the prisoner into our custody."

"Oh, I would love to, believe me, I would. But I'm afraid my hands are tied."


"What do you mean, your 'hands are tied'?"

"Here, read this. It'll explain everything."


The captain takes the newspaper and reads the front page aloud.

"Early today, elated crowds greeted the emperor as he publicly passed a new law declaring the corporate right for business and industrial complexes to arrest and detain individuals accused of corporate espionage without military permission and intervention. Company executives may hold a detainee for as long as they see fit and may disregard any extradition attempts from the already too invasive military."

"It's right there in black and white." says Sandersen.


"What is this nonsense?!" shouts the captain.

"This 'nonsense' is a direct order from the emperor giving us, ZhanGuo Industries, the right to detain anyone we please for as long as we see fit."

"My superiors never informed me of the decree."

"Well, that's because it wasn't decreed until noon today. Check the date on the paper if you wish. I only took it from our printer a few minutes before you arrived. Goodness me! And I thought the army was all about clear communication." laughs Sandersen.


"You see, sergeant-"

"It's captain."

"It won't matter soon enough. Times are changing."


"For too long the Dragon Guard has stopped us from helping the world progress. Things are going to be very different soon and there's not a thing you can do to stop it."


The captain draws his sword.

"Then in the name of the emperor, I declare this town under martial law and suspend all corporate privileges. There's no law against that, so turn over your prisoner or I'll place you under arrest." he says.

"Is that so?"


"If you're suspending our privileges, then I guess this is no longer just business." says Sandersen as he pulls out a gun.


Before Captain Deinn or anyone else can react, Sandersen pulls the trigger. Trefor Deinn, an honorable knight and warrior, is slain.


With lighting reflexes, you and your comrades set your sights on Sandersen and place your hands on the triggers.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen!"


"Think about what you are doing for a moment! With the sergeant gone, martial law is no longer in effect and you do not have the authority to have it re-declared, which means I am placing each of you into the custody of ZhanGuo Industries. Now, if you will kindly look to your right..."


"... You'll see that my men will be more than happy to retrieve your weapons. I'd approach this situation delicately if I were you, gentlemen. My men bear superior firepower and armor than you."


"You know, it really is a shame that the poor sergeant had to leave this world like that." says Sandersen as you keep your rifle trained on him.


"Big changes are coming. Yes, big changes indeed. You can be a part of them, you know. Better pay, better equipment, grander opportunities..."


"So, tell me, gentlemen, will you join us and not face arrest?"


"Or will I need to put you down like that dog sergeant of yours?"


You manage to position yourselves quickly. The air is tense. Captain Deinn's motionless body bleeds out.

[Quantumsurfer]

Jesus H. Christ, that escalated quickly.

I communicate through my helmet, sub-vocally if possible. "Whall, can you hack that droid in the hall? Smith, see to the Captain! Duke! With me!"

I take cover behind the desk and toss a grenade out as I go. I draw my sword and pistol, my preferred fighting style, and prepare for an opening.

[Semaj Nagirrac]

I draw my sword and pistol, my preferred fighting style...

I was really hoping someone would fight this way!

Current HP

Captain Deinn: 0 - Deceased Limit Break:N/A
Cadwgan: 40 - Healthy Limit Break:0/20
Rodjer: 40 - Healthy Limit Break:0/20
Jarius: 40 - Healthy Limit Break:0/20
Isaac: 40 - Healthy Limit Break:0/20

Remember, the only reason your arms are different colors is so we can tell who is who while you wear the full uniform. Everyone else only sees grey arms.

[devincp]

First off this is crazy i was hopping things would deteriorate like this, only maybe a little more in our favor. also what is limit break for? also why am i closest to harm, oh ya more mayhem for me to cause.

Orders,
Toss a grenade at the cluster of guards while diving behind the plant. Then pull out my sword and TRD and start deploying my virus so that i can get control of the droid outside the office for a little backup. Be ready with sword to make a melee attack if they get close enough to my position.

Hope we all make it out of here. Also after the firefight we will need to hack the computer to find the hostage, and other secrets.

[Brikguy0410]

"theres nothing i can do for the captain now, even if he wasent already dead, he has lost to much blood but mabye cadwgan can try to talk to that doctor he used to work with, if we can send her a message on that handheld device of hers, she may be able to help us". i dive behind the desk and shart taking shots at the guards

[Semaj Nagirrac]

Need an order from Scratch.

[Semaj Nagirrac]

Almost everyone springs into action.


Isaac searches for any sign of life from Captain Deinn, but he finds none.


The ZhanGuo guards take shots at Rodjer, who for some reason, decided not to do anything at all. Jarius tosses a grenade as he ducks behind the bush. Isaac runs for cover...


... behind the desk as Cadwgan tosses a grenade. They both fire at the guards.


The grenades go off with a critical success! Thorvald Sandersen is tossed back from the blast.


A security measure goes off, sealing the room shut with a plasma shield.


Realizing he's cut off from his reinforcements, Thorvald begins shouting, "Please don't kill me! It wasn't personal! I'll tell you everything you need to know! I swear!"


Rodjer is badly wounded and in need of serious medical attention.


Jarius begins hacking the building's interface with hopes of reprogramming the Nexar Android they saw in the hallway.

Current HP

Cadwgan: 40 - Healthy Limit Break:10/20
Rodjer: 14 - Seriously Wounded Limit Break:0/20
Jarius: 40 - Healthy Limit Break:10/20
Isaac: 40 - Healthy Limit Break:6/20

[Quantumsurfer]

I storm over to Thorvald and lift him up by the scruff. "That...was damn foolish, Thorvald. Now, you're going to help up get out of here or I'm going to put you down like a dog. Get me?"

Smith, you should probably see to Rodjer. Rodjer, you should probably stop sleeping on the job.

[Brikguy0410]

I attend to rodjers injuries