3396/In the Shadows of Men

In the Shadows of Men
Date of Scene:	15 November 2015
Location:	The Great Forest
Synopsis:	Melissa requests help investigating one of two locations in her world.
Cast of Characters:	Staren, 88, 202, 380, Inga, 596, Starbound Flotilla, 687, 756, 834, 908

---

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The discovery of a Warpgate into the territory of the New German Republic was just what Melissa had been looking for. It wasn't an easy one to find... apparently requiring a pretty specific route to get through. Once found, though, it didn't require any hoops to jump through. It also wasn't huge, large enough for a large transport or mecha but not suitable for giant ships or the like. She's not sure what's going to be here, and she really isn't one to bring the factional war to her homeworld quite yet. Too many complications there. That's why she quietly put out an invite to meet her in the Syndicate, allowing access to Unionites too. It explicitly states that THIS MEETING is under truce, but any further encounters will need to be properly negotiated. It's a mutual exploration truce, because she's heard a lot about the NGR, but never seen it herself.

    Melissa shows up wearing some explorer's armor, rather than the dragonscale armor she normally uses. She actually carries NORMAL weapons this time. She's looking... good. Really good. More energetic and peppy. Maybe she had a nice meal recently~? She's also driving an old, battered truck for people to ride in if they want. "All right, we'll wait for everyone to show up and then pick a direction," she announces. "Looks like to the northeast we're going deeper into NGR territory if we want to check out the towns. It's lightly forested here, so we'll have to be a little careful. I think to the south we have the... Gargoyle Empire, if my information is still up to date. To the west we'll be going into some wilder zones. This info is a few years old, though."

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    WHA-THUMP!

    That's the sound of a Combat Vagrant hopping into the back of a beat up truck as he emerges from a Warp Gate and immediately picks dibs on the most protagonisty spot of the truck to ride in: The bed of it.

    "Duuuude, Mel. You're lookin' extra Cougary today. Waddap, lady?" He asks as he bounces up and down in the back of the truck on the balls of his feet, "I'm ready to explore your weird version of Germany. What're we gonna see? Robot Nazis? Lizard Nazis? The irradiated living corpse of Joachim Gauck pissed over the fact that FIFA is corrupt as hell?"

    "Do you guys still have football? OH MAN, DID FIFA CAUSE THE APOCALYPSE?! I bet they wanted to build more stadiums to have the World Cup in."

    Long pause.

    "Anyway, hi, I'm here."

Gudako Ordria (908) has posed:
    Gudako sits by one of the truck's windows, or perhaps just out in the back if that's even safe. Or not safe. She wouldn't much care. The reason for this is that she's accompanied by a red-robed, pink-haired, fox-eared-and-tailed woman just a nudge or two taller than she is (and technically that's on the fox ears, not actual height), wearing cat-fur boots and mittens. And whose head is over the side of the truck (or out the window outright if inside) enjoying the wind.

    Sometimes Berserker can't decide if she's a fox, a cat, a dog, or a person. Gudako has stopped trying to piece it together, or caring for that matter.

    "Oh, can't go we see what caused the apocalypse? Was it a Grail for you too? Ah! Do you guys have shopping malls here still? Oh, what about a memorial for the crater? Hm, civilization sounds boring. If I wanted to see people I'd have gone to regular Germany. I want to see the damage!"

    The fact Gudako has a smile as wide as her face, as tends to be usual for her, continues contrasting the things she is saying (and really that's not going to stop).

Staren has posed:
    KA-THUMP. KA-THUMP. KA-THUMP.

    The forty-foot tall giant robot walks out of the massive warpgate, ground shaking slightly with each footfall. This may be a peaceful meeting, but... last Staren heard, the New German Republic was at war with the Gargoyle Empire and the surrounding area was a mess of tiny kingdoms ruled by whatever warlords could hold onto enough power to claim to be king that day. Dangerous enough, but Erin Tarn's report is from over a decade ago.

    Inside the cockpit, Staren is suited up in something that makes him look like a cross between an X-Wing pilot and a space cowboy. There is, indeed, a second seat behind the first, which Inga is strapped into with something resembling a car seatbelt but with more straps and buckles, although for just walking around, Staren doesn't object if she prefers to ride seatbeltless. It's not like they're going to get stopped by police. Inga can see outside by screens providing views from cameras on the head. Staren will happily answer any questions Inga has about how all this works -- he may or may not manage to say it in a way that Inga can understand, but he does make an earnest attempt to.

    Outside, the robot stops a short distance from the truck, waving. (Staren's been using the controls to move the machine so far, but Inga doesn't see him hit any kind of 'wave' button. He's explained he can control the robot mentally.) "Hey Melissa. This is quite a find!" Staren's voice comes over the mecha's speakers. Then the mecha leans over to look at Gudako. "Magic. Magic caused the apocalypse. I don't know if a grail was involved -- The leylines came back, Atlantis rose, and the release of energy caused natural disasters all over the place."

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    Ah, the NGR. Valentha has never actually investigated them. Largely due to being wary of unknown human settlements where D-Bees are treated as second-class citizens, if citizens at all.

    Valentha has decided to ditch most of her gear, favoring entirely mundane (but high quality) gear. Still, she's only lightly armed and still stubbornly wears her Streetwolf gear... which looks quite retro and World-War-2'ish, an aviator's outfit and stylish big goggles without any real purpose.

    "'What caused the apocalypse' isn't exactly memorialized. So much was lost in the following decades that we don't know most of the helpful details. Put simply, Earth USED to be a world with very little magic in it. But a terrible disaster triggered the Ley Lines to surge to full power. Stop by at night time, you'll easily see what I'm talking about. They're big, glowing blue, criss-crossing the land. But then you might get unlucky and see them disgorge hordes of demons. People are far more interested in survival tha memorial."

    She sounds disapproving and why not? That's quite a disturbing conversation. "So why are you so gung-ho about it?"

Inga has posed:
And here, to stand out like the ren faire geek at the sci-fi convention, is INGA! She's riding in the passenger's seat of Staren's Star Fox, wide eyed and terrified, holding her staff across her lap in a white-knuckled grip. She hasn't asked Staren any questions. She knows well enough he won't be able to explain in terms she'd understand.

She is most certainly seatbelted.

"We're going to...um...get out of this eventually...right?" she asks, a little paler than usual, perhaps a slightly greenish hue to her skin. She's riding inside a metal giant. It beeps a lot.

Not sure exactly what to wear, she dressed in her usual. A linen underdress, a wool overdress and cloak, pinned with brooches, her hair tightly braided.

"Besides...I might be useful if I can...ah...be exposed to the land. Might trigger visions," she adds.

She just wants to be on the ground again.

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    Adelyn is here, though she's not wearing her fancy mage robes for once. She's in her own world's approximation of 'explorer's armor,' which is a lot easier to move around in less likely to get embarrassingly snagged on things. It's still magical as all get out, though, because obviously. Being low-key may be a bonus in this situation.

    "Melissa, is it? Adelyn Lysen. I think this is our first meeting." She doesn't really care where she ends up sitting in this situation, though she'd decline a ride on a Union robot. Seems like a varied group has shown up, including that loud fellow who reportedly gets beaten on street corners.

    All this talk of ley lines is quite interesting, but she won't ask for further exposition until later, perhaps.

Ark Line (687) has posed:
Ark is here because he's got a spirit of exploration and adventure. He's lacking his usual hat and poncho, and instead is wearing an incredibly colorful replacement poncho that you'd expect out of a spaghetti western. It's green, red, brown and has all kinds of geometric shapes on it. It does not go with the rest of his otherwise uniformly-steel-grey attire whatsoever, and definitely doesn't match the bright purple hair that is, for once, not stuffed under a hat.

Caster of Steel is here because he studied in Europe and in Germany in particular, and he's interested in seeing how things turned out on another world devastated by some kind of apocalyptic event. He's still in a slightly rumpled dark grey suit jacket and trousers, totally lacking armor, but he's carrying what looks like a revolver as a concession to safety. He's also planning to keep Ark from making bad decisions, but it has not yet worked out in his favor.

"Learning about what caused a catastrophe to occur is a decent way to examine the possibility of prevention, should something similar occur here or elsewhere," Caster says, reasonably. He and Ark are sitting in the back of the truck. Ark's looking every which way, but Caster is a composed gentleman and seems more interested in the topic of apocalypse. "I find it hard to believe that there is no one on this Earth that has studied the root causes and side-effects in an effort to increase the chances of their descendants' survival."

Staren has posed:
    Staren blinks and looks back at Inga, though his visor hides his expression. "Oh, right. One moment."

    The mecha kneels down and holds a hand under its chest. As Staren unstraps himself, the front 'wall' and attached monitors swing upward. From outside, it can be seen that the part of the 'fuselage'-shaped torso where a cockpit would be is exactly that, the armored canopy swinging up and outward. Staren moves around the pilot's seat to help unstrap Inga from the passenger's seat. "There you go." He leads her out onto the hand, which will lower them onto the ground, Staren looking around curiously and warily.

Madeline Vance (380) has posed:
    "I would be interested in seeing the Republic itself, but the Gargoyle Empire does indeed sound curious," Madeline voices. She's stepping through the gate, in a Warstrider that is a fair bit shorter than the Starhawk. The Radiant Empress doesn't look as well-armed, either... though that's likely just a deception. Or maybe not? She adds, "I've outfitted the Empress with a different layout this time. I'm optimized with sensors and stealth capabilities over leadership and combat, so please don't expect me to be nearly as flashy as I usually am."

    The AI chimes, "EASILY-OVERLOOKED PRESENCE CLOAK ACTIVATED." The entire Warstrider shimmers for a moment, a strange energy field briefly covering it. Since everyone knows who she is here, there's no real effect regardless of resistance to such influence, though she might suddenly seem less impressive or important than the Starhawk to some.

Starbound Flotilla has posed:
    The STARBOUND FLOTILLA are here, in their standard Durasteel exploration equipment! Moonfin, the fishman, is in elaborate full-body durasteel armor that looks like a powered cross between a diving suit and a samurai's armor, glowing cyan at the faceplate. Biteblade, the humanoid plant, is in durasteel plating with elaborately carved wood and bone ornaments over glowing powered components that glow an intense green. Pavo the bird-girl wears a pirate-aesthetic set of mesoamerican-style armor, with yellow bands of energized fabric linking the pieces and powering them. Albert the monkey-man is wearing elaborate dystopian commando armor reconstructed with a 'rebel spy' aesthetic: A sleeker faceplate, a slimmer form, and a more chaotic design that integrates thin, resilient plates of durasteel, and lines of bright white. George (just plain human) wears a set of futuristic EVA-combat and exploration armor in a suit that glows a gentle red at the faceplate. Seft, the robotic Flotilla member, is wearing full-on medieval knight armor with a soft energized blue glow below the plates on her body, and especially around the eyes. Each has a heavy industrial-yellow two-pronged plasma-cutter-like tool strapped to their side, a Matter Manipulator.

"Well, I dunno about either of those, but hey! 'NGR' sounds a little less silly than Gargoyle Empire so I'll go wiiiiith Gargoyle Empire, /obviously/."
"Wilder zones, lass? Ye mean profitable wild, or just the plain deadly kind? Wanna dip keep there if ye think we might find somethin' to sell!"
"Concerned. Well, I think the Empire sounds worth investigation, due to how non-Glitch empires can change so quickly..."
"Floran can hunt cool prey! But wanna visssit Empire too if wild zone not have interessst thing, jussst danger thing."
"It would seem our Core Fleet motions to visit the Empire, unless the zones of great danger are 'wild' in that unique way that would make them of such great interest to our own endeavors."
"Hmh. Our choice is made, but we will follow the group. Nothing to be gained from staying here. We need to move out."

    And so they will, of course. If the group makes some other decision, they'll go with that, but otherwise they'll head to whatever objective Melissa picks after they've given their input. She's the local guide of sorts, even if that means that she's incredibly heavily armed and armored.

Inga has posed:
Inga thanks him for help with the seatbelts, though she at least knows how to work those by now. She holds onto his arm as the mecha's arm lowers them down, staff in her other hand. She is trying very hard not to look terrified. It isn't as though a fall would kill her. Well...at least not permanently.

Inga looks around. Her expression is plainly read; what am I doing here.

She looks to Staren, leaning slightly, "What is a gargoyle?" she asks quietly.

Gudako Ordria (908) has posed:
    "Magic! That's common. So things broke out everywhere, huh? And now the ley-lines are busted? Haha, Caster, you get any of this?" Gudako says, to no one in particular. The disembodied voice of Caster responds with: "Which one, master, me or the man?"

    Gudako makes a loud buzzer noise. "Wrong answer! So Caster of Steel it is, I bet he'd answer right away if I asked."

    Ah, but conveniently, it's him who keeps the topic going. Gudako shakes her head, still grinning wide. "I just want to see destroyed places! It's always neat to see how different things destroy differently! Oh, oh! Or get destroyed differently! Everyone can find a growing tree if they try, but finding one that's been struck by lightning isn't easy! What's apocalypse prevention good for anyway? That's like dedicating yourself to stopping something beautiful."

    Well, don't let her handle negotiations if any come up.

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    Valentha is dumbstruck! Both her eyes go rather wide, then her lips press together firmly... she's having a VERY hard time believing someone like this is on the team. "... Riiiiight. You know I -could- agree about the lightning vs tree example. But the rest of that's not winning you any explorers." OH well. She's not going to gain anything from pressing on that too much.

    What is maybe odd is that even BEFORE Caster speaks up, Valentha's eyes swivel to her expectantly for a brief moment. If anyone notices, anyways. Can she see Caster?

    Well, Caster can probably glean a few things she's hiding too, so that's a thing.

    "All I know is it happened somewhere in South America, on Winter Solstice, at midnight, and seemingly during a planetary alignment, likely right on top of a latent ley line nexus. Mass death put an incredible amount of energy through Earth's dormant ley lines, amplified by occuring exactly at a one in a million time. This set off a chain reaction as the surging ley lines triggered natural disasters, killing and laying waste to even more. It soon encompassed the whole world... and then the Rifts came. Ley lines, at their strongest, are great places to open portals between worlds. During ley line STORMS this can happen completely unbidden. Monsters, demons, dragons, dinosaurs, people displaced through time and space, and alien citizens who were just in the wrong place... anything can be dropped through or come through a rift. For the first time in centuries magic power flowed freely on Earth again and it drew the attention of alien warlords and even stranger entities like the Splugorth and Vampire Intelligences. You won't find a single place on this planet without conflict and desperate survival attempts."

Staren has posed:
    What is a gargoyle? "They're a kind of demon." Staren explains. "Big, winged monsters. Most larger than humans, up to half as tall as the Star Hawk there. There are also gurgoyles, maybe twice the size of a human and wingless. Last we heard, the Gargoyle Empire was at war with the New German Republic... But that was over ten years ago. So who knows what's going on here now?"

    Staren also nods along with Valentha's explanation.

Zwei (596) has posed:
    When it comes to RIFTS Earth, Zwei is okay with using the warpgates rather than pinpoint aerial insertion. Partly because the skies here are much more likely to become busy, and something apparently doesn't like anything getting too high into the atmosphere, and partly because Staren supposedly knows a large chunk of this world inside out and he's both the native Syndicate and Flotilla contact, so theyre willing to give him a little rope here. Thankfully the choice is innocent enough. The warpgate pans out just fine. No waiting ambush. Even a few friendly faces!

    Thus Asche stomping out of the warpgate with a 16-Z over one shoulder, his oversized melee option in one hand and the positron rifle in the other, both multi-weapons and point defense lasers exposed and missile pods attached all over is more than a little bit of over-preparedness. The beauty of the recently integrated matter manipulator core is that the bulk of it stows away into hammerspace pretty easily however, though he chooses to leave the lighter weapons out, even as Weiss pops into existence on his right shoulder, kicking her legs and giving a cheery little wave, fully suited up save for the helmet.

    "Hey there! Is this everyone's first time around the NGR? It'd be nice to have a guide, but I love exploring." The brightest scarlet along Asche's optical band slides over to Shin, like someone glancing at him out of the corner of their eye, the larger Armiger rumbling in his harsh, electronic tone "If reports are to be believed, this age's Nationalsozialistische occupies the Americas. This is uncharted land." Was that sarcasm? A political jab even? Weiss looks to Gudako. "No no no, the apocalypse was hundreds of years ago! If anyone's built a memorial, it's in city to city, and the craters are the rifts! You'll probably see one soon enough!" She glances to the Servants. "Are those yours?"

    She waves distractedly at Staren, before her eyes deliberately widen at Valentha. "Oh hey, the dragon came too! I don't think we've met in person." She winks at Shin, none too subtly. "And Inga! Haven't seen you since Solomon Island!" Asche turns to Ark Line, Weiss' hair swaying out behind her as she's dragged along with the movement. "It cannot be for worry of your own world. I know already it is too late for there, though perhaps it would have been more fortunate for magic to overflow rather than to turn poisonous." He's not as gung-ho about mentioning first face-to-face as Weiss, merely nodding vaguely at the young man Zwei has only spoken to over the radio previously.

Staren has posed:
    Staren pipes up a bit nervously at Weiss's comment, "Umm, actually, the Germans are human supremacists too. They're just more, um... more of 'stay out' and 'we won't help you', rather than 'shoot you on sight.'"

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    "Nazis in America?! Everything I've been led to believe about freedom and democracy has been a lie!" Shin declares as he looks over at Asche, more shocked by the news that his borderline racist preconceived notions were incorrect than by the fact that it's a giant robot-man.

    "But I recognize half of that voice! WADDAP, BYTE? How're you and Bit doin? I don't think we've met in person, like... ever. Just talked a shitload on the ol' radio," He scratches at the back of his head from his position in the truck, "One of you looks roughly like what I imagined, but you're way more uh... Skynet than I'd have thought."

    He claps his hands together and then ponders the situation, "I'mma just follow these jags and go wherever, so like... 's all good. I'm more here to bum around and hang with Mel, so anything else is gravy, yo."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Melissa glances at the two mecha, then nods slightly, "Two robot vehicles should keep the riffraff from bothering us, and won't look like an invasion." She ponders, "So would one, if that stealth works. I think we'll be fine." She flashes a grin at Shin, "Hey, yeah, I got a little recharge recently. A tune-up, if you will. Feeling pretty good."

    She's taking a long look at the others, some familiar and some not so familiar. "I remember a few of you. Yeah, I've heard you," she nods to Adelyn. "And as for the wild parts... they're mostly just wild areas with roaming monsters, I bet. There might be some lost tech facility or something there, but who knows? It'd be pretty hard to find if there's anything left. I think we're better off toward the NGR and knowing what their status is. The Coalition are allies with them but, last I was in the Coalition, there was a lot of friction there."

    Melissa knows Zwei, but when Zwei mentions 'dragon' looking at Valentha, Mel's eyes slide to Valentha with a small smirk. She doesn't say anything, though, and just takes the truck out of park. Gudako already got a lot of answers, but she'll just add, "Last we checked, the Gargoyle Empire and the NGR were pretty closely-matched. And yeah, Staren's right, Weiss. I think. That's kind of old news, though. No idea if it's changed either way."

    Inga can ride with her if she wants, she doesn't mind, if the Starhawk makes her nervous.

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    "Don't go calling people dragons in places like this! That's like yelling fire in a crowded theater around these parts. Ever heard the story of the boy who cried wolf?" She waves off Weiss dismissively, although... how much of that is affected disinterest is up to debate.

    Though she puzzles over the choice. "I've never actually seen a Gargoyle Civilization. That could be interestig. Although it wouldn't be a place for the soft-hearted. Which do you care for more? Human supremacy or Gargoyle supremacy, with everything else caught in-between?"

Inga has posed:
Inga smiles over to Zwei. "Yes, it has been some time hasn't it? I confess I have been a bit of a hermit," she says with a smile.

Inga looks to Staren then, nodding. "I...see. Interesting," she comments, looking around again. It seems to be Melissa in charge of this, so Inga nods to her. She doesn't think they've met. "Inga Freyjasdottir. I hope I can be of help somehow," she replies, sounding a little doubtful. She may pick up some things, however. Echoes of the past or perhaps even glimpses of the future. And someone who can heal is always good, right?

And really, all vehicles make her nervous, but a Not Giant Robot might be better.

There's talk of a dragon. Inga blinks, then looks to Valentha, tilting her head slightly, curiously...

Staren has posed:
    Staren looks at Melissa. "From what Erin Tarn wrote... there are, at least, plenty of German citizens that disagreed with their government. It's certainly possible that times have changed. It's been over ten years. Of course, we might also find a smoking ruin overrun with gargoyles... or some /other/ horror that came out of a rift." He reaches into his bag. "If we do visit the NGR though..." An illusory effect makes his ears and tail disappear. "I think most of us can pass for human. Won't the gargoyles just try to kill us, though? I mean... /demons/."

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    "I would rather see some sort of civilization. Wilderness could just as easily make for a wasted trip." is Adelyn's short return.

    She looks up at Zwei. Hmm. One voice familiar, the other not. Probable explanations filter through, to be considered later, as to their nature. The reason for the armament is obvious enough. With Madeline and Staren, there are now three giant machines. That is, hopefully, still under 'invasion' levels for whomever they meet.

    Valentha gives an explanation, and Adelyn continues to listen. Ah, good. She didn't have to ask for exposition at all; it just came right to her. She continues to not actually ask, but the matter of ley-lines and storms is information she'll save away. The magical architecture of this world is different than she's used to, but the concepts are not entirely foreign.

    She's doing her best to ignore Gudako's aesthetic declarations, in the immediate moment. Inga's introduction gets a slight nod by reflex, but no words in return. Then there's Valentha's complaint, which gets--a look of curiosity, and the mage finally opens her mouth again. "Really?" Dragons are common enough in many worlds, making this seem odd. "More alarming than the giant war machines?"

Ark Line (687) has posed:
Caster of Steel looks from Gudako to the disembodied voice of the other Caster with a small smile. It's momentary. "I would say the beauty inherent in desolation is lessened if there is nothing still intact to compare it to," Caster says. He fishes around in his pocket, producing a pack of cigarettes and looking thoughtful. "A desert is beautiful because it is a pure expression of itself, without the interference of mankind anywhere inside its boundaries."

"The Land of Steel is as desolate as any destroyed world -- even moreso -- but without the contrast of human civilization and other kinds of nature, it loses something in the translation." Caster of Steel smokes. Apparently, it's part of his thinking animation. He listens to the explanation of the end of the world, and simply says, "A terrible event. I suppose no one was prepared for it. Still..."

Ark looks up from his observation of their surroundings, grinning at Asche and Weiss. "I dunno; then I probably wouldn't exist. Caster thinks we should have a plan for after I fix it, in case another apocalypse scenario crops up that we can't just beat the crap out of."

"It wouldn't hurt," Caster of Steel says, a little subdued.

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    Something that gets said seems to make Shin perk up a bit. He tilts his head briefly and then ponders for a few moments. He then leans out of the back of the truck and peers around before whispering something in Melissa's ear and patting her on the shoulder a couple times.

    "Seems like a neat crowd today!" He declares, standing up more fully. He will probably actually stand almost the entire truck ride in the bed of it, pretty casual about doing so once they get started, "Like I said before, I'm pretty indif on where we go, I'm just here to kick it and do some shit today. Stretch my legs a bit."

    "Shit at stealth, though, just as a heads up. Probs gonna leave that to other people!"

    Eventually, FINALLY, AT SOME POINT, he seems to notice that Madeline is here in her mech. Blame Charms for the fact it kept slipping his mind. He does point right at her, though, "Dude, GILF. Waddap? Sweet mech, I dig it."

Staren has posed:
    Adelyn asks if dragons are more alarming than giant war machines.

    Staren just turns his head to her and nods. "/Yes./"

Gudako Ordria (908) has posed:
    "Huh? But I don't want explorers. My home city is a crater and the place I went to live at after that is also a crater. I set up shop in a boring random Japan in the meantime, I guess you can come explore that if you want?" Gudako questions Val's words.

    But the rest is soaked in!

    "Solstice, midnight, planets, ley-lines, wow! It's a trope checklist in here. Did the Maya have anything to do with it, too? You should look around ruins, I bet you'll find their stuff around."

    She shrugs at Melissa, idly.

    "I don't care where we go! I just want to see interesting places. Maybe people. Mostly places! Ah, if we need disguises I guess my Servants can handle themselves." But, well, it probably wouldn't work very well. Gudako REEKS of dark magic. That's what having Grail residue in you does. Specifically the kind that powers you. So if those Gargoyles have any detection means...

    Oh well! Gudako grins at Caster of Steel. "I'd love to see your world sometime! It sounds really cool!" And also AWFUL, but for Gudako those are synonyms.

    "Anyway, a fight is fine too, sometimes it's easier to kill than question. Oh! Then we could go anywhere we wanted and nobody would have to care! Dead bodies can't mind you."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Melissa briefly explains better, "The NGR's opinion on magic is uh... I'm not actually sure what it is. But they are heavily tech-reliant themselves, so some robot vehicles are not a big deal, even if they're of unusual make."

Starbound Flotilla has posed:
"Aw man, no riffraff? I love riff, and also raff!"
"George, you /are/ riffraff."
"Floran alssso riffraff!"
"Amused. We should probably not delay too long."

    Oh right, a truck! The Starbounders will kind of load up, cramping a lot. It's gonna be a bit claustrophobic. Albert, as they ride, speaks up. "If we need to limit ourselves to human appearances, then we will send George alone and stay at the border. None of us are magical in any way."
"Insisting. Especially not me."
"Lad." Wait, what? Oh, that was to Shin. "Ye be makin' so many passes at people today it's about t'be a sport." Pavo doesn't seem unapproving of that, just amused!
"Floran think, apocalypssse bad, but mossstly focusss on now. Think, people probably recover now! Mental, and sssociety, kinda. Isss gonna be fine even if Floran not really underssstand... Uhhh... leyline thingsss..."

Zwei (596) has posed:
    Weiss takes over for Asche at Staren's reply, waving dismissively. "That's fine. Basically everyone here can pass for human with minimal effort, and if they're not going to shoot us, it's not a big deal to get in!" That's awfully flippant for someone who's never even been here before, but that seems to be a trend recently, despite the lack of actual mistakes so far. She looks to Shin. "That's the idea though isn't it? It makes more of a statement when something big and scary blows up all your guys instead of some transparent octahedron." Though she turns away to continue chatting, Asche remains focused, staring intently as if pondering for far too many machine cycles, before reaching out towards Shin, roughly at his hip in the back of the truck, and exchanges a calculated fistpound. "Affirmative."

    "Right, right. I'm personally a little more interested in seeing the state of civilization here myself. There's no real point in running off to go shoot gargoyles without even knowing where, why or if it's a good idea in the first place." She chirps to Melissa. A faintly sly glance between her and Valentha communicates . . . well it communicates she hasn't missed that smirk at the least. "The boy who cried wolf presupposes that there's no actual wolf at the start. If I yell 'dragon'! then I'm technically right on the first try~ Since you asked so nicely though, I won't mention it again. Unless I forget." Oh come on, how is an AI body going to forget?

    "Well good on you! Staying in one place all the time never gets anyone anywhere." she says to Inga. "I'm pretty sure you're all familiar with me for how many times I've introduced myself over the broadband, but . . ." she faux-clears her throat regardless. She and Asche speak at the same time, the feminine alto overlaid with the fiery, bass distortion. "Exodus Class Armiger designation Zwei: sub-units Asche and Weiss." The former is actually significantly smaller than either the Star Hawk or the Warstrider, enough that he could conceivably commit to urban-warfare style fighting without need of plentiful skyscrapers, but that's for having components many times smaller, and lack of a need for a cockpit for a human pilot. It's possible he might just pass as a very scary, very large powered armour. "I believe it is the fact that giant war machines are likely to be piloted by humans, and dragons are not." he posits to Adelyn.

    "No no, you're totally right!" Weiss says to Ark. "I mean, it's unlikely to really happen, but might as well do something between killing A-Rays, right? It's not like they're about to all pack up and leave." She looks to Gudako "It does sound a little contrived, but a lot of those tropes are tropes because somewhere they're actually real! I mean, it's not great chances that all of them would be real and then occur simultaneously in a single world, but hey, if they didn't, we wouldn't be here! Selective bias and all." Asche begins moving forward in the direction the truck has heading for, taking large, surprisingly fluid strides that cover a rather alarming amount of ground, without so much as jostling Weiss on his shoulder, allowing her to ask "Do they x-ray or DNA scan people at the border or something? The core fleet guys could probably just wear their full getup and sneak by a little."

Staren has posed:
    Staren looks at the Core Fleet. "Seft could just say she's a cyborg. The rest of you... uh... maybe you could claim to be military genetics experiments? Those... don't... count... as aliens, exactly, although people might think of you as more like exotic service animals. I doubt anyone would try anything since that'd make you Coalition military property... Melissa would probably have to pretend to be your handler, though."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Well it looks like there's... some confusion of where to go, huh? Melissa isn't the kind of girl to sit there and wait while everyone debates, so she just shifts the truck into drive and starts driving toward the NGR border. It's as good a direction as any! Juicers aren't known for their patience or restraint, after all. She's remarkably calm for one, but she's STILL at her core not someone who waits around.

    She is right, though. While there are some 'monsters' that can be seen or detected here and there, they seem to act more like wild animals, even the one ettin-like creature that is spotted. They give the little group a wide berth, as they don't look like easy pickings at all.

    The lighter forest begins to thin out, making travel easier, as the group encounters a ragged but serviceable road of sorts. It does approach what looks to be a small town centered around a more modern-looking collection of buildings. Those with sharp eyes or long-distance vision can make out what looks to be a patrol base, and the road passes through a checkpoint with two large robot vehicles. Mechs, for those who call them that.

    Weiss brings up a good point. "I don't know if they'd DNA scan, but I doubt that in a group full of alien tech they wouldn't start asking questions. That's fine, though. If it causes problems, then we'll have learned something, and this /is/ basically recon, right?"

Staren has posed:
    Melissa takes off! If Inga doesn't get in the truck, Staren will let her back into the Star Hawk if she likes. Once he's back in the cockpit, it walks after the truck, and down the road. Staren takes a deep breath and stares in curiousity at the town on his screens... and then his sensors ping and he radios Melissa. <<Radar's picking up two large robot vehicles.>>

Inga has posed:
Inga looks toward Gudako, hearing her words. She blinks, then takes one step in the opposite direction, leaning on her staff as they all try decide where to go. If she's riding in the truck, Inga thinks she'll keep her distance.

Inga has nothing to contribute to the discussion about how to diguise the non humans, what with looking explicitly, mundanely human, even if she's not sure that's still entirely what she is. If they had magic sight of any kind, Inga's aura is a bright one. Hopefully that will not prove to be a problem. "I will attempt not to work any magic, if that makes the people here uncomfortable," she offers. Inga's magic makes many people uncomfortable anyway.

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    "HAH, good one, but nah. They're not love interests, really, just ladies I coin nicknames for. They're both strong enough I figure if they hated it, they'd just put a foot to my ass and make me stop," He comments, folding behind his head at Pavo and musing on it, "But hey, y'know. It is what it is. What's up, Birdman?"

    He extends his hand outwards towards Asche, "Dap acquired. Blow it up," He taps his fist to Asche's and then pulls it back, opening his hand to emulate an explosion, "Ka-plow. Nice daps, bruh. Nice." He looks over to Zwei, "I get it. Makes sense and all, that way the survivors have something scary to talk about, if any records or witnesses make it."

    And then... And then the truck takes off. Shin does the most logical reaction one would to being standing in the bed of a moving truck in the open air:

    "WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Inga has posed:
Inga now looks to Shin, tilting her head slightly, brow furrowed. "I thought the multiverse was suppose to translate all languages..."

Madeline Vance (380) has posed:
    The discussion about nicknames from Shin actually prompts Madeline to stop being quiet and chime in, "I'm aware of what the name he gave me means, and I already told him I don't really care if he uses it. Though I'd prefer that if we are in a formal situation he try to be a little more formal in turn." This, apparently, isn't one of those situations.

    The topic of the various nonhumans is brought up, and Madeline offers, "I could attempt to disguise them, but it would be a fairly large waste of energy, I think." She's scanning on ahead, having given her mech some Awareness Circuits this time.

    "Looks like some kind of checkpoint. Do we want to try to go around or just walk in? If we are to establish diplomatic relations, I favor the latter," she opines.

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    "I'm not going to pretend to be a service animal, nor a military experiment." Adelyn says. Also, she doesn't actually have any illusion magic beyond making things disappear, which she's only good at in limited circumstances. Her headwings, gray skin, and glowing tattoos are here to stay, unless someone else decides to offer a more dignified solution. "I'd rather just eliminate the specific cause of trouble." With prejudice? Probably with prejudice.

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    Yay! Off again! Although Valentha might complain later about being cursed with the WEIRDEST traveling companions. More and more she's struggling to not make a disgusted face at Gudako. Even she must exert considerable willpower to maintain her calm and not denounce what seems more and more to be a practitioner of foul arts in her presence.

    But not long ago she let her emotions get the better off her. She's not keen on letting that happen again. So she claps her hands together and just gives Gudako a sour look. "Well, now you know the story." And, unspoken, 'I have an eye on you!'

    But does she? For when Shin turns to his antics, she cups a hand to the side of her face and calls out, "Ahoy in there, martial artist. You and I need to pow-wow later."

    Weiss, meanwhile, gets a wink and a smile.

    It's to Inga that she seems to focus on most though. "You have the look of woman out of time... or someone who's turned back to the old ways in these trying times. I like the fashion, but it doesn't look very protective. ... these are dangerous lands. Very dangerous."

Zwei (596) has posed:
    Asche has little difficulty keeping up with the truck, having a long, tireless stride with extremely enhanced motive function, working with a vehicle driving at a safe pace offroad. There's no real need to use the boosters yet, which would attract attention, and so Weiss can stay up top, using her powerful sensors to scan the forest around them in real time, marking out potential targets, but sending off no alarms as they skulk off back into the trees rather than making the foolhardy/suicidal move of attacking a convoy this large and well armed. "Well as long as they don't start doing strip searches, I can probably handle most of that." She says to Melissa. Weiss can handle all of it for herself most likely, but it's up in the air whether she can get anyone else to pass by infiltrating any instruments designed to check.

    "Makes sense." She intones to Staren. "There's a patrol base a little ways past them. They have somewhere to stop, refuel, repair and rearm. I'm kind of surprised that's all they have outside though. This area looks weirdly rural. I'd have expected a giant wall with auto turrets or something." Weiss glances over to Melissa. "Hey, are these guys friendly to the Coalition? I could put on one of those skeletron suits. If not, I'll rip off yours." Regardless, she makes the preemptive move of altering her features, flooding her paper white skin with the healthy shade associated with circulating blood, dimming her eyes to a normal green, and dying her hair matte blonde. A simulated heartbeat starts up, as does a properly distributed thermal signature and faked bio-electric currents. Can't do much about psychic testing though.

    "Regardless of diplomacy, it benefits us to at least see the inside. We lose nothing by trying." Asche rumbles in Madeline's direction over the thump of his footfalls. The same could be construed to be directed towards Adelyn too. "Can't wear an exosuit?" Weiss asks politely. "I think we should probably try and get by without pretending anyone is an animal. I don't think they'd try to argue with this group anyways. Base or no base, it'd be committing to losses over a maybe.

Ark Line (687) has posed:
"Not anytime soon," Ark agrees, nodding at Weiss. "And not if we don't make 'em." He turns to Biteblade, giving her a look that speaks of vague distaste. "Florans don't really 'think,' do they," he says, not really asking.

Caster of Steel frowns across the truck bed at him. Ark doesn't seem to notice. Caster interjects, "Society may have been rebuilt, but recovering what was lost and preventing a collapse in the future are both, I think, admirable goals." He nods at Gudako, asiding, "I'm sure we can arrange something to allow for a visit in the future."

Ark stretches out, looking around again. "We can't just say 'hey, we're passing through, there are no problems sir, thank you sir?' Always worked for me." And when it didn't, that's what the guns are for.

Inga has posed:
Inga looks to Valentha, smiling lightly. "That is precisely what I am. This is the fashion I'm accustomed to," she offers with a shrug. "I could not very well wear armor, I would not move well in it. I have my magic to protect me," she says, reaching up to tough the hammer pendant around her neck. There's myriad of things what appear to be charms at her waist. There's likely a spell woven into the fabric itself, knowing her. "I am Inga Freyjasdottir," she introduces herself to Valentha, and anyone else paying attention for that matter. "I'm a wisewoman. A witch," she informs. "Not perhaps the most natural choice to come along on such an adventure...but I wanted to see more of the worlds. Hope that I can be of use."

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    "Making up lies without any sort of current information on their expectations seems doomed to failure. I recommend speaking as little possible and letting them draw conclusions, then reinforcing any assumption that gets us through." summarizes Adelyn's thought on present tactics.

    To Weiss, "Exosuit? I'm reasonably certain you don't mean the only kind my world has developed, as that would be effectively fatal. If you mean a mechanized humanoid figure like that one," with a gesture to Staren's machine, "there has never been an occasion for its use." It would pretty much just be a steel trap for her, good for nothing beyond disguise.

    At the mention of Servants, "If they can't detect those massive signatures, then it wouldn't be difficult for me to hide, as well." Though it would be tiring and troublesome. She'd honestly rather follow Ark's thinking, though she won't say that, and it sounds like Berserker isn't hiding, anyway.

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    ALARM flickers on Valentha's face. She raises a hand warningly towards Inga. "Do NOT describe yourself as a Witch in these parts. It bears all the negative connotations you could imagine and more. Wisewoman is fine. Druid, perhaps. But not witch. But well met, Inga Freyjasdottir! Valentha Summers of Lazlo, treasure hunter and technician."

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    "Sure! I figured you just got busy after that blow up and had more important shit to do. It's not like I've spent months stewing on it!" Shin calls back to Valentha in a vaguely specific response.

    But he has more important things to do right now. Things worth risking his life over. So he's climbing out of the back of the truck and shimmy-ing onto the roof on his belly, crawling over the metal top towards one of the side windows, "Almost... there... so close..."

    And then both his hands come down on the ears of the Cat-Fox-serker sticking her head out the window so he can pet their fluffy softness in absolute diregard for the extreme danger of just riding on the roof of a truck.

Inga has posed:
Inga's eyes widen slightly. "I see. It is not the term I would generally use, but it is what many have called me. You are familiar with this land then? How do the people feel about the second Sight? I am a Seer. Generally, that has been helpful in gaining entry into villages...at least in my place. And time," she replies.

"A pleasure to meet you as well Valentha Summers," she responds.

Zwei (596) has posed:
    Zwei communicates casually through the extended radio discussion on their plans, advocating at least a token attempt at diplomacy with a group that can overwhelmingly pass for human and has both natives and those who can mimic native tech, since it can't really hurt them to try. The way Melissa explains it, faking being with the CS is probably out the window with how she has been out of the loop for so long, and so she elects to replace, at least superficially, her sleek, black, panel-less body armour for a more bulky, chromed Northern Gun design, being relatively pricey but the brand is still dirt common from what she's seen of the last time. "No, I mean body armour. Technically movement assisted and environmentally sealed, but neither of those are relevant. I could whip up something totally superficial since we've still got a few minutes to get there. Nothing but metal clothes to hide your features until we get in. Once we're past the checkpoint, people will probably just assume you were let in."

Gudako Ordria (908) has posed:
    Gudako pays Valentha no mind! It seems she doesn't mind (or care) being watched so closely. Perhaps she doesn't even know why she is being watched. She certainly acts like an oblivious, happy-go-lucky sort.

    Meanwhile, Berserker receives pettings. Her giant fluffy tail wags dangerously inside the truck. Hopefully no one is allergic to fox hair, because comfortable, fluffy tailwhips are going out aplenty and for free.

    The idle Gudako nods to Caster of Steel too.
    Field trip! Not tonight, but another night.

    Well, another field trip. Tonight is one too.

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    "No, thank you. They may be able to detect any such subterfuge on our part at this range, since we've come this close as such." is the excuse Adelyn gives to Weiss to reject her suggestion. The more important reason is that she's not about to entrust someone who isn't even a nominal ally to encase her in technologically-active steel. That she can see no reason for Zwei to intend her harm, and several reasons for her not to, isn't sufficient justification for disregarding basic caution.

    Ugh, catfoxdog-wagging. It's a good thing she didn't come here in formal attire.

Madeline Vance (380) has posed:
    "I think I have an idea," Madeline suggests. "For the most part, let Shin do his thing, and pretend to be travellers who are uncertain how we got here. If I understand this correctly, we can claim to be from America if need be, and it will be highly unusual but not unheard of. It's just unlikely enough to be something we wouldn't lie about, and we can answer questions about it probably well enough for them."

    She moves the Warstrider forward, if there are no objections. "I also suggest we let Shin use his idea, whatever it is."

Ark Line (687) has posed:
Caster of Steel, who /did/ come in fairly formal attire, looks faintly irritated. He is sitting in the perfect place to get paffed by a giant fluffy tail wagging heedless of who its near. He bears it with stoicism born of experience.

Ark seems distracted by the fluffy tail instead of irritated. He's probably never seen something quite so fluffy up close before, at least in a situation where he isn't also a hair's breadth from murdering someone.

They don't really have anything to add to the disguise discussion. The relevant points seem to have been brought up already.

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    "Sadly yes. It has to do with giant bugs. Lives were at stake." Valentha answers Shin, tone humbled and apologetic.

    She nevertheless waaaaaaatches Shin's antics very closely, and has to choke down the urge to laugh. This will either be adorable or bloody. He's not sure which at all.

    But she still answers Inga. "There is no single answer that covers EVERYWHERE. But if you use magic or any supernatural ability, be sure to use it responsibly. It is ill-regarded in many regions. Many see it as the dangerous arts practiced by demons and stranger things and are wary, if not hateful towards men and women who learn it. The fears aren't always unfounded either. People who use foul arts to accrue power and fame are much... noisier than the more benign users, and give them all a bad name. Do not use magic unless it is to help someone who desperately needs it until you know the local attitudes is my advice."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Melissa shrugs, "I guess that's an idea. If you need anything from me, I'm on radio, but I admit I'm not much of a talker either. It'd probably be better for this though. I don't really find any fun in tearing up humans, either." She resumes the truck forward with a lurch, trying to hide the smirk she has from eying the tails and annoyed Liner in the back.

    Moving closer reveals that some of the town does have a fence, and the military compound has some turrets, but it does look kind of lackluster for a seige. This must not be the front lines of the war, and a fairly calm area despite the beasts. Most likely, the outpost is to provide protection to the somewhat bustling town that is sufficient for wandering monsters. It's largely a resupply and patrol base, and beyond the town the road looks to be in much better condition. No doubt the city and higher tech is further along.

    Speaking of tech, approaching the two mechs - Jagers - has them coming to attention and performing a standard operation. One of them lifts a rifle and trains it on the group, smoothly and without haste. The other holds their rifle up and away, toward the sky, and makes some motions to slow down to talk. All the motions are subtly more smooth and natural than most of the CS tech, not quite so jerky, though that stiffness isn't noticeable until looked at next to these slightly more well-made machines.

    "Halt. Sorry, just a routine check. You're entering NGR territory, identify yourselves and your purpose." The single eye of the machine is turning, looking at the less human members of the group. "Haven't seen a group this mixed in a while."

    This close, there is a definite division in the town though. The better-made buildings are more central, and various nonhumans live in more shanty-like buildings. It's obvious that the nonhumans tend to be the have-nots here, but the ones that are in public are sometimes seen working alongside humans. A definite minority treatment, but there doesn't seem to be much HOSTILITY there.

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    "Aaaah. I'm gonna go ahead and put you in my book as the Animal Companion Love Interest," Shin comments to the Berserker in a half-shout as he sits up on the roof, "Gimme your name later to add to the tiny book," He notes before hoisting himself up into the sitting position and then looking at the mech.

    Madeline wanted him to go ahead with his plan, so Shin is going to do so. Remember that this is the future everyone chose.

    "Yo bro! What's up! I'm Doctor Shin Tokuyama!" He continues sitting, waving to the man and then reaching into his jacket. He pulls out a medical degree printed on a... sheet of printer paper... that declares him a 'Licensed and Accredited Therafist'. It's folded many, many times and looks somewhat battered as he holds it up and his tone switches to a weirdly formal sort of sales pitch, "After 6 weeks and 4500 yen, I received my degree from the Zimbabwean Medical Institute of Legitimate Scientific Study and Non-Shell Agency for the Advancement of The Sciences."

    "Now I'm a Rogue Scholar," He probably meant Rhodes Scholar, "Who is travelling around attempting to collect and gather an huge wealth of non-human and altered human people to interview for a very fancy research paper! They're all with me, so they're cool! We're very official and important!"

Madeline Vance (380) has posed:
    Excellent. Now it's time for Madeline to step in. "We are a very mixed group, with hired protection and some refugees we picked up along the way," comes the Exalt's voice. The front of her Warstrider opens up so she can peek out, letting them see her and obviously making no hostile moves. "It's been a very long journey, but we are seeking advanced medical facilities."

    Madeline gestures toward Shin, "This is my cousin, distantly-related. I really appologize for his rambling, but he had a tendency to get into fights a lot until recently, and we think he was ah... damaged. Could you direct us to a likely hospital that could help? We don't know much about the area, aside from a lot of muttering about demons."

Zwei (596) has posed:
    Approaching the checkpoint, a wave of subtle changes passes over Weiss' face that would be individually entirely natural, but altogether are a little alarming. It's difficult to tell whether she's subtly adjusted her facial characteristics, or whether she's just mimicked a whole lot of very precise micro-muscle movements to a highly specific expression, but her posture and air goes from casually chipper to tense, bored and restless, eying the jaegers with a jaded, dispassionate stare, as if she's seen a million of these kinds of robots before. She has an NG issue double laser rifle at her back. Was that there before? Asche doesn't look any different, but the way a presumable native is so casually riding on him suggests that he's likely a foreign borg, possibly one from some Naruni competitor.

    "Look it's been a really long couple of weeks." she says in a newly crafted tenor. "Everything south of here is a shithole and that kid's been doing this the entire time. We need a hospital, a night's peace, and some goddamned directions. We'll pay up if this is a toll booth or whatever." She rolls the helmet idly between her hands, affecting a bored tic of habit.

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    "Is Zimbabwea a country that requires differentiation of legitimate and illegitimate scientific studies?" Where is Zimbabwea, anyway? Adelyn has the impression she's seen the name somewhere on the 'net. Or maybe a lab tech mentioned it.

    Oh well. She's trusting Madeline to handle this one. She'll just sit back, look inadvetertently conspicuous, and wait for it to be resolved one way or another. She's in the truck, and isn't about to step out without being asked, nor shout out of it.

Staren has posed:
    Staren is about to visit civilization on his planet far, far from home. Very few explorers have crossed the Atlantic, for... obvious reasons. You can get Triax stuff on the black market, sure, but that's probably stolen from the CS, their alleged allies. And stuff imported by travelers who have a frustrating lack of interest in spreading /knowledge/.

    /Germany/. He remembers when he first heard about Germany.

----------
Long Ago...
    Little Staren's ears perk up as the phone rings. One ear turns towards the phone, while the other stays pointed forward at the TV. His uncle Staren answers. "Yeah? Oh, hi Clarke. Umm, I'm not really free now, I'm watching my nephew. ...Yeah, I guess a lunch meeting would be okay, sure. Give us a few, okay? Yeah, see ya soon." *click* "Hey, Staren? We're gonna go out to eat. Your uncle's boss's treat." "Lemme find a save point!"

----------

    Staren (the younger) is wearing a labcoat because he knows just as much science as any grown-up and maybe that way people will know it! It is too big for him. Staren (the older) is wearing an outfit that screams 'mage', complete with maroon wide-brimmed pointy hat and cape and loosefitting off-white shirt and pants underneath. Clarke is a man a little on the thin side, wearing a buttoned shirt and tie (his suit is on the back of the chair) because that is the sort of thing he always wears. His dark brown beard and hair are neatly groomed, with highlights in the hair.

    The three of them seated at a table, the grown-ups are in the middle of a conversation. "So, you're thinking it might be a lost technology cache, huh?" He rubs his chin. "Could be the best technology we've seen in awhile."

    Clarke nods. "Well. You know who has the /best/ technology."

    Staren (the younger) interrupts, "Who has the best technology, Mr. Clarke?"

    The man turns his pale, piercing gaze on the young boy and, after staring at him for a moment as if only just noticing him, states: "Sie Chermans."

    Little Staren's eyes go wide. Older Staren rolls his eyes. "Why do you always say it like that?"

    Clarke turns his head to the mage, opens his mouth, and just then the waiter, a red-skinned man with horns which would cause unfortunate assumptions outside Lazlo, leans over the table as he sets out steaks for the two adults, and a cheeseburger and fries for Staren. "Ah! Excellent. Let's 'dig in', shall we?" Clarke smiles and begins neatly tucking his napkin in his shirt collar.

----------
NOW
    And now here they are. About to make contact. One mech aims at them but the other is making a slow down gesture. They move so smoothly too, nice! Staren wonders if that indicates an unusual control system. He brings his machine to a halt next to the truck. And... there are clearly d-bees living in the town ahead? Interesting...

    The first contact between Lazlo and the NGR in over a decade. /This is it/.

    ...

    Staren facepalms as Shin... 'introduces himself', as a rogue scholar nonetheless. At least this /isn't/ the Coalition.

    The Star Hawk just nods, as Madeline speaks.

----------
Long Ago...
    "What about the Naruni?" Staren the older asks.

    Staren's eyes move back and forth between his uncle and his uncle's boss, like watching a tennis match as he takes a big bite of his burger. Mr. Clarke finishes chewing a bite of steak, swallows, and dabs his mouth with his napkin. "There is something... 'shady' about those Naruni. I'm not sure I'd want to use technology even Lazlo's engineers can't figure out for anything mission-critical."

    "Those plasma cartridge weapons make a big boom, though." His uncle observes. Staren holds his arms up and then pulls his hands apart. "Ka-psssshhhh!"

    Clarke sighs and rolls his eyes. "Yes, I suppose they 'make a big boom.'"

Starbound Flotilla has posed:
"Aw man, I love routines! Do you do a musical number, or--"
"George, no. Ah, hello, sir, please let us know if you require anything beyond that. We have been traveling for some time, as you can tell,"

    Both George and Moonfin look pretty human like this, though Moonfin looks kinda weird. They're all sort of weird, actually, but they let the more human-like among them do the talking. "We are, I imagine you might call us, tagalong traders." He makes a very genuine exasperated noise. Such a good actor! "I was unaware at the time of the nature of our ride. I would... Very much like to find another. Please." He wrings his hands a little, doing his best to imply that there's no deception going on here, but rather that Shin has been keeping them up at all hours with interviews. "Ah, and, our identification. We are the Starbound trade caravan, currently between... Between vans. The carrying is still going, though." He awkwardly scratches his head. "We are here primarily to work out trade opportunities with local business." Popping a palm open, he produces holographic projections of various Starbound Flotilla business documentation, or at least a small section of it that doesn't show the full extent of their resources.

Gudako Ordria (908) has posed:
    "Berserker is Berserker!" the cat answers Shin.
    How informative.

    Gudako and her Servants otherwise remain quiet, watching Doctor Shin at work. That guy is a doctor, huh? He didn't strike her the sort! Takes all kinds. In the meantime, she whips her cellphone out and gets a few games in. Can't let her AP refill, that's just a waste.

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    Valentha keeps her back pressed up against the wall opposite Berserker, but still gets enough tail in her face to wrinkle her nose. She's HIGHLY AMUSED by this though, even as she rolls over and sticks her head out another window to identify herself to the guards.

    "Valentha, the tech support for this colorful crew! And a good day to you, pilots. If anything in town needs maintenance you can count on me to lend a hand in exchange for some room and board. Aaaaalthough..."

    She rubs her chin, then claps both hands together and whistles appreciatively at the mechs. "Those are fine machines. They tickle my inner geek to a 't.' Technical matters must be well in hand aleady."

Ark Line (687) has posed:
Ark leans out of the back of the truck. He gets sight of the two gun-wielding robots, and seems to be taking stock of them. He's really obvious about it; his poncho and hair are both really loudly-colored and don't match any of the otherwise-grey tactical gear he's got on. Caster of Steel sits where he is, letting Ark introduce them. He at least has confidence in his master's ability to handle that.

"I'm Ark; that's Julius." He jerks his head at Caster. "We kill demons. Nice gear, by the way," he adds. "Hey, know where I can get a good hat?"

Caster closes his eyes and forces down a sigh of disappointment.

Staren has posed:
    As people speak up, Staren feels a little more confident in speaking. The Star Hawk raises a hand, open-palmed and unarmed, to wave. "And I'm Staren. Also technical support. And... 'technical support'" he says in such a tone to indicate this might be a euphemism for heavy firepower. "Those machines move so smoothly! How do you do that?" Of course, the same could be said of his own machine...

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    Upon realizing precisely what Madeline's plan was, Shin grumbles and immediately adopts a sulking sort of posture, flopping himself backwards against the roof of the car with a THUNK and spreading his arms out. The action causes his medical degree to get caught on the wind and waft away on a strong gust, "Augh no! My medical degree!"

    Laying on his back on the roof of the truck, he huffs, "Buncha jerks. This day just keeps getting worse."

Inga has posed:
Inga suppose she has to say who she is, not that it will make much difference. "Inga Freyjasdottir, wisewoman," she informs the guards. She hopes this will not prove to be a problem. She's fairly sure she can't pass for much else.

She smiles though. Pretty smile. Look how human I am!

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The exclamation from Shin just gets the Jager looking down, and then the eye turns to look up again when others explain and offer their introductions. "Yeah, yeah. We see. Look, just keep the D-Bees out of trouble and don't cause trouble, and it'll be fine. You may need to hit another checkpoint further in about your weapons, but there are still some things to worry about further in."

    "Sir, the hospital?" The one behind him, with the gun trained on the group, sounds much younger.

    The first Jager waves on. "Follow the road. The NGR is the technological pride of Europe, if anyone can help your cousin we can. You'll need papers once you reach the city, especially for the D-Bees, before you'll be let in. I'll radio ahead that you're coming. If you intend to stay you'll need work visas, though. I'm not sure if the nonhumans can get those, they might get sent back here. Probably best."

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    Adelyn wasn't asked her name, and since these are rank grunts, she's not offering it without a challenge. Just as well. "So. This has been informative, primarily of their attitudes, but I suppose that's worth something." She looks on, into the town. "This must be a border village, but if they have good reason for their pride, there should still be something of interest further within. Unlikely they'll leave any secrets out in the open, but who knows."

    With her hands well-hidden, she takes the small risk of casting a sensing spell. It's a passive detection measure, made to check whether or not anything is actively scanning her. If there's nothing, her next spell is an active scan of her own. It will at least ping off Gudako's Servants, she's sure. Madeline's warstrider, potentially. Anyone else currently casting, any active enchantments, wards, and as they pass through the shanty town, anything sufficiently magical in nature. There's no way to do this with zero risk, but she can stop and feign innocence at any time, and it's not a particularly powerful spell.

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    "Oh uh. I actually have passports and travel work visas," Shin says unusually serious. He sits up and fishes around in his backpack he always wears, looking around again. Unlike the medical degree which was clearly fake, these once are... different.

    He pulls what looks like a sealed plastic bag out of his jacket and takes out three things: A Japanese Passport, a Japanese Residence ID, and a stack of printed paper visas that let him travel to most of Europe, America, and select countries in South America. MOST of them list him as a 'Long-Term Competition Martial Artist'. They all look incredibly official and real.

    "Is my one for Germany still valid, or do I need to register here too?" He asks the man in the suit.

Zwei (596) has posed:
    Weiss rolls her eyes. "Seriously? The weapons too? You've got to have travellers out here. How long are the papers going to take and where do we have to go to sign them just to get in?" Valid questions, but with entirely ulterior motives. Dumping the weapons is an easy affair for Zwei with the matter manipulators around to spawn replacements. Once it /sees/ some of the papers, it can probably forge them if necessary, that is if the group isn't ready to just sneak on in. If all else fails, half the group can explore the outer town while the other half goes forward. It's reasonable security. Annoying, but not intolerable.

    Asche doesn't deploy recon drones in plain sight of the checkpoint here, but once they're let through, the both of them will be scanning blatantly and ostensibly passively on typical military wavelengths; IR, UV, etc. and then actively pinging much more sneakily on obscure techniques that aren't in common use here. Moving at a decent pace, Zwei should be able to get a very detailed map of the general area, up for grabs on whatever parts of the group are willing to synch up to a temporary tactical net, with monitoring of non-stealthed energy sources just in case. Once out of earshot: "So, you know the options. What's it gonna be guys? Anyone feel like going ahead or staying here? Paying lip service to registration? Sneaking in? I think it might be a good idea to actually hit up the hospital for at least a little. Gauge the standard of living and technology here. For mass produced units, the tokens out front weren't bad at all."

Madeline Vance (380) has posed:
    "Don't worry, sir," Madeline notes as she retrests back into her Exalt. "It's a handful of us going right into NGR territory. I'm pretty sure starting trouble would be a pretty dumb thing to do. We won't be staying long, hopefully."

    She is also scanning, but mostly to record anything useful or interesting about the town and the technology level, along with any other incidental information she can gather. At least the border guards didn't shoot them, which is a plus.

Inga has posed:
Well, no one freaks out. No one pays much attention at all. Acting unthreatening seems to have worked! Thus, Inga just observes, her expression thoughtful. The non-humans are treated as lesser, it seems. Purely because they are not human? Hmm. Odd way of doing things.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Adelyn will rapidly determine why Inga wasn't really noticed at all. Pinging the town reveals that there's basically one minor magical effect ongoing, probably from some D-Bee nearby. They don't appear to really be magically aware all that much. Given all the supernatural threats, that seems a little odd.

Gudako Ordria (908) has posed:
    Oh yeah, scan spells ping off Caster and Berserker.
    And Gudako herself.

    The amount of magic she seems to be walking around with is probably sickening. It suffices to say that maintaining two Servants isn't even a strain to the girl. Odd, since she seems and feels rather powerless besides the absurd quantity of the stuff she's got in her.

    "Well! I don't have weapons, so that won't be a hard checkpoint to cross. I don't have a passport or a visa though. I think I had Berserker chew on the last person to ask me for papers and act cross because all I had was my high school ID card." Not that it's even valid anymore.

    "So what are we hoping to find in this NGR place anyway? I already forgot. I'm still rooting for apocalypse memorials and documenation. Ooh, maybe a super old veteran who saw it and can tell the story."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The guards look at Shin again. "Those look pretty good but not valid, I'm sure. You must have plucked them off a pre-Rifts site somewhere, huh?" This doesn't sound out of line for him! "You're going to need new ones."

    Zwei's comments, and Madeline's, are answered. "Routine inspection, nothing to worry about. If you're just visiting it shouldn't take more than an hour. Getting a work visa could take much longer, though."

    The younger guard chimes in, "Especially for the D-Bees. They aren't real fond of them back home, except for the General of course."

    Grump from the other one. "General's different."

Staren has posed:
    "The General?" Staren can't help asking, the curiousity in his tone coming over the speakers as well.

Inga has posed:
Inga will climb down from the truck, leaning on her staff as she begins to walk toward the gate. "I do not think my little knife will prove too troubling, it is mostly for cutting herbs," she replies to the guards, flashing a smile. "Have you a market in town? I am a healer and thought I might see what good I can do here, but I shall need to restock my herbs," she explains. Indeed, given she's all of five feet tall, limps, and isn't dressed like she's from space or something, she's likely not to ruffle anyone's feather.

Unless oh so inconvenient visions decide to be inconvenient, of course. Her Sight might just be a boon though, in finding out what is going on here.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Gudako is looking for items of interest? Well, there are some shops and travel supplies here. Also, bautwurst. It smells amazing. This place is pretty bereft of any sort of mystical information or the like, though. The tech base is surprisingly good, though... something others might notice. It's a small town, but not too far past the guard post there's a mechanic garage being staffed by some guy with tentacles on his face, and he appears to be working on a smallish robot vehicle, about nine feet tall, that is more of a worker robot than combat.

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    Now that they're past the guards, Valentha Summers decides to open up her own mystical senses. This means that, consequently, some more of her own aura leaks out. It's immediately apparent that she's a creature of immense power. Between her and Gudako over there... well, there's plenty of power to go around. But Valentha makes a nauseated face towards the magus and wobbles a bit away from her.

    She detects SUPERNATURAL EVIL and there's just no disguising how revolting she considers it.

    Oh well. Gotta suck it down. She's quick to scan the area for other threats or strong magical sources.

    "Well, that went well. I didn't expect such a kind reception. It's not at all like the Coalition States."

    She also whispers Shin's way, "nice acting."

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    "Actually..." Shin thinks very hard to what Staren said... and Valentha said. His face lights up. If the guards aren't used to the translation effect, now may become the time they're aware that he's speaking Japanese and has been almost the entire time, because he starts STRESSING THE FACT HE IS SPEAKING JAPANESE. Like... calling attention to the translation effect and the fact he is not speaking their language.

    But he's doubling down on his story, making sure to speak to them seriously, "The truth is, I fell through one of the leylines that opened up. I was moved way into the future and spit out again with just the clothes on my back and my backpack while I was taking my morning trip to the training studio while studying parkour in France. I wound up somewhere new, some time new, and everyone I've told about this has treated me..." He waves his hands at Madeline and the others. He's DOUBLING DOWN on the crazy claim, asserting that he just LOOKS crazy BECAUSE he's telling the truth.

    "No one believes me and I just want to find a way home to Japan, or figure out why the world chose to put me in this time period and in a strange new world. I have no idea what's going on, I'm lost, I'm confused, and people treat me like I'm insane. Please, let me talk to anyone in charge."

Starbound Flotilla has posed:
    "Don't worry, chief!" George says, giving an 'OK' sign. "We're not here to make any trouble, I'm the human rep for places just like this. I'll have the fish and the monkey and the bird and whatever all just camp out somewhere like hobos." He laughs at that bit. "Usual deal, right? It'll be fine." He shrugs, casually. The important thing here is to make it look like they do that all the time.

    Albert looks up, rousing however briefly. He's one of the few that look rather human. His voice grunts out from the fat faceplate of his armor. "General. Hmh. Much of our work deals with local militaries. Explain the General."

    Moonfin ceases speaking; he's here more to assess the state of the town. How much does it seem militarized against external threats? That'll tell him if there's a lot that's threatening here. How much travel do the roads show? That'll show how much commerce or migration is going on. Local things like this can tell him where the Starbound Flotilla might be able to find points of intereston a broad scale.

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    First: Waiting until they're no longer talking to the guards. Adelyn will look bored until then. She's seen Servants before, and doesn't feel like analyzing these ones. Gudako is an unusual case, but her own specialties and attitude render much of the nuance lost.

    Illusions aren't really her thing, but after the pure Arcane, her strength is in Dark mana, and there's a few things that lets her do. It's been awhile since she used this trick. The last time was... oh, with Lu-Mey, yes. That was an enjoyable excursion, even with the dhampir making a fuss.

    There's a smile on her face when she disappears, as if a dark cloud had covered her, then dissipated on its own, right in the seat next to Caster of Steel. She's still there, and she can still be seen, but only if you know precisely what to look for. The space feels just slightly wrong, eyes sliding off as they're unable to focus, though certainly catching the vehicle's door opening (even in motion), then banging shut again.

    Daylight is a complication, and it's unavoidable that a shadow passes along the ground as Adelyn moves. An acceptable risk, as she aims for the one source of magic she was able to detect. Someone is doing something and it is potentially of interest, and if not, well, it was worth a try.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Inga's response is pretty simple. "Oh, a country folk. We don't really do folk remedies further in, but there's a wise woman off that way. If you go around and past the edge of the shack down that way, you'll find a Gypsy camp. They'll probably be able to help you."

Inga has posed:
Country folk. Yes, alright. She supposes she is. She watches where they point, following their direction with a nod. "Thank you, I will do that," she says, then, if no one else decides they'd like to come with her, she goes. Gypsy camp? Well, she'll have to ask someone what a gypsy is...

Gudako Ordria (908) has posed:
    Oh man that sure is FOOD she smells, yes.

    Gudako will just hop off the truck at some point, quite possibly while people are still mid-conversation with guards and locals. "Berserker! I'm hungry, come on."

    It's with a quick 'nya!' that the foxcatgirl hops off the truck, lands on all fours, scratches the back of her ears for a moment and then stands back up-- kind of straight. Her movements aren't wholly human, but at least she's not talking on her feet. The red-robed, pink-haired woman follows her master diligently, and the two make off, following the source of the smell, paying no mind to the JUDGING EYES of a certain dragon.

    "Let's see... stores, stores. I can smell sausage. Can you?" Gudako asks her Servant, who nods with energy.
    "German sausage! Best sausage!" Berserker says.
    "Taverns are good places to find information in backwater places. Look for a shady guy sitting in the corner dangling a pouch of gold, those guys are always the best! Oh, oh, yellow excalation marks too. Barkeeps are usually fonts of knowledge too!"

    Well, this will work out.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Staren, who is still near the guards, gets a pretty casual response. "General Rasheen. He's a local hero!"

    The younger guard is the one saying that, but the older one explains further. "He's a D-Bee, got something of a name for himself. Big guy. Four arms. Giant. He is a pretty good guy though. Kind of hurting his rep pushing too hard for D-Bee rights though. I don't really care myself if they can vote, most of them are kind of leeches but I've fought with some decent ones out here."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Okay, next up Shin is spewing out some ridiculous story about time-travelling from Japan! The younger one goes, "Uhh... what? Are you serious?"

    The older one says, "No, that sounds like Japan all right. Sorry, kid, but we can't really help you here. The NGR doesn't really do much with magic. Might ask around at the edges of camps, but nobody here cares much for magic stuff. Some of the D-Bees use it, but it's mainly a Gargoyle thing." That does make their opinions on magic pretty clear though. He sounds not worried at all about the fact that someone here might use it.

Zwei (596) has posed:
    For any relevance, Zwei is a complete and total deadzone in terms of magical senses, blending in completely with whatever the ambient magical background is to the point of being even less notable than a regular human. They broadcast no particular alignment, and no recognizable psychic presence. Weiss mostly feigns some level of relief at the explanation of further checkpoints. Her gear turns out, of course, to be totally mundane North Gun design, up to standard specification, old but well cared-for. All Asche has to do is not produce any internal weapons and not use the manipulator core in order to pass for a melee specialized borg. Any super prying attempts can be deliberately obfuscated, but that doesn't seem likely.

    Staren and George seem to have the intel going on the General. Adelyn and Valentha actually have the means to actively detect magic that isn't being used in a demonstrable way. No amusement is outwardly reflected at the words 'Gypsy camp', and instead Weiss hops of Asche's shoulder, strolling along just ahead of him like an old mercenary tag team. Their first order of business is to make rounds of the outer perimeter of where the real military setup starts, surreptitiously analyzing the basic functions and design of the technology on display to gauge this relatively small town's readiness, and to try and extrapolate the proper city beyond.

    That routine task accomplished, the pair gravitates towards the garage, looking into the state of one of the handful of D-Bees who appears to be gainfully employed. Honestly, for being 'human supremacists', this is way further up the chart than Zwei expected. A more realistic level of mistrust and general antipathy rather than the Coaliation's near religious xenophobia. Weiss takes a look up at the worker bot. Asche takes a look down. The former speaks, still affecting that tired merc persona. "They've got you building this out here? Don't they have big fancy factories for that here? I heard the NGR was all automated." she says to the tentacle-face.

Staren has posed:
    "Well... it's hardly unusual that a D-Bee would desire more rights for his fellow D-Bees, is it?" The Star Hawk leans forward slightly, acting more human with its gestures as Staren's drawn into the conversation and starts forgetting to /not/ do that. "We've heard of your war with the gargoyles, but the report /I/ heard was secondhand from a traveler who visited over a decade ago. How is the war going?"

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Inga seeks out the gypsies! It actually isn't hard to find them once she walks down the street a ways, because the word 'camp' was pretty specific and clearly describing what she sees. A few wagons around a campfire, that's it really. They are away from the buildings, but don't seem particularly troubled, nor have they been there long. One of them, a man with dark hair, looks up from where he's roasting something over the fire, watching Inga approach curiously.

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    Shin has a passable cover story now, at least he can stick to that for some leverage, "Damn. Alright, I was hoping I could speak to someone in charge and get some advice, but if you can't help, that's cool," He rubs the back of his head and in a way that is meant to show exasperation, "At least you guys didn't treat me like I was insane. Thanks, I hope it goes well for you guys. Maybe I can find someone interested in buying the info I have on Japan's lost mecha suits and just kinda... skate by," He notes, starting to head back. He doesn't have any actual information about that, but it's meant ot be a seed. A piece of information that will move its way up whatever avenues of conversation and get him summoned eventually, down the line.

    To Valentha, he sidebars, "It's not really acting. It's all about finding the narrative that fits the situation and playing it out. That's what a protagonist is meant to be doing." He waves a hand at her sort of... as if to demonstrate the entire prior conversation proves his point.

    As he's walking away, he's stuffing all his travel documents back into that waterproof bag that then goes back into his backpack. Unless dragged somewhere else, he will actually take off to follow after Gudako and Berserker. Mostly because tail and ears. He still wants to mofumofu the tail, but he couldn't back when he was in the truck.

Inga has posed:
Inga stops a bit from their fire, bowing to them some in greeting. "Greetings. I have come a long way, might I ask for your hospitality? I was told by the guards there was a fellow wisewoman here that I might speak to," she says.

Inga reaches into her bag, pulling out a bottle of something alcoholic. "I have mead to offer," she adds.

Always bring a gift!

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Gudako heads into the bar! There is food here! It's not too crowded at this point in the day, and Berserker's appearance gets a few looks but no real comments here on the border like this. "Can I get you anything? A beer? Sausage?"

    There are no mysterious figures or exclamation points, but the barkeep does seem willing enough to talk. It's kind of rustic, but there's obvious machinery here, too.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Valentha gets a guard looking at her, rubbing his chin. This one is actually blue-skinned, and not one of the two from the town. After some thought, he walks over and coughs, "Miss, if you have some kind of weird powers, you might want to stop by the office and register. It's uh... generally an act of goodwill. So long as you don't make trouble it's not a big deal, but if you get into trouble and they sense something..." He gestures meaningfully. "Better to be up front about it. You might want to tell some of your friends, too."

    Pretty obvious he can't tell WHAT Valentha is, but that there's magic in the air.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Sadly, Adelyn will not find much of interest, exactly. Oh, flitting away like that will find what she's looking for! It looks like it's just a young girl though... and by young, we're talking early teens. Several youths are gathered around her, and she's concentrating hard before a little flash zaps out from her hands, making the empty can they're playing with pop and jump and spin in the air. A parlor trick, as magic goes, but obviously the girl has a lot of potential to be doing it at this age. Some of the adults are nearby and looking vaguely concerned, but in that sense of 'probably shouldn't leave them alone' rather than 'oh god my kid is a monster!'

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Weiss and Asche don't alarm the tentacle-faced guy, though he does look warily before deciding they're probably just curious. He gestures, "Sure, but they still need normal repairs. I'm not building it, just refurbishing it. Local farmer said that it was kind of shot. If I can fix it, it'll be a good ticket to the city and a contract with Triax, maybe. Getting pretty tired of renewing my license every year, and an extended contract would be a lot nicer, ya?"

Gudako Ordria (908) has posed:
    Gudako has obtained a companion in Shin!

    She does fortunately have money to pay for food. Regular Earth money, though! Maybe it won't do. We'll find out! She's got about a dozen currencies on her. Some of it is bloodstained. It might explain where she gets her cash.

    "Yeah! Three plates of your best sausage. So hey, we're new around here, I heard there was a big disaster like three hundred years ago, why don't we talk about that? What can you tell a tourist?"

    Well, that's straightforward.

    "Oh yeah, also, what's this town even called?"

    Berserker manages to behave herself, mostly hanging by! Her eyes do dart around a lot though. Pretty much everytime anyone moves or does anything. There's no malice, she just looks very excitable.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The soldiers that Staren talks to don't seem insulted by what he says. The younger glances at the older as if the older might be, but the officer shrugs it off. "Not strange, but pushing too hard. I know why he wants it, just think he's tipping his hand...s... whatever. They already got voting rights, that's more than they had before. You'll hear a lot of people bitch about it if you head into the city, but us older soldiers who were around before know how much it helped offering them the military deal." He jerks the mech's arm out to the south. "The Gargs kind of smashed us a while back, but it was thanks to people like the General that we rallied up and recaptured our territory, then hit them so hard they've been pretty quiet since. Don't know if we're going to press the offensive or not, that's above my pay grade, but I wouldn't mind taking the fight to them and finishing it. Not sure what the hold up there is."

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    Valentha's startled by the man catching her attention. She cants her head at him, peering. There's a degree of shock in her eyes. "Ohhhhh, you can tell?" She grins. It's a bit mischevious and good-natured but pretty honest. "Now that's the kind of policies I like hearing about. You don't want to know what they are elsewhere. Thank you, it's appreciated. I'll do exactly that." She goes so far as to bow her head respectfully.

    But she also asks, "Is there a lot of trouble of that sort around here?"

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Bringing MEAD is something that lights up the gypsy's face! "Of course, of course! SIMZA! We have a guest!" He gestures, and an older woman comes out to peer at Inga. Those others who are sensing magic might catch a glimmer from the edge of town now, as the woman feels out Inga with supernatural senses. "You have talent? We should talk, it has been some time since I found someone interested here. Such is not common in this land."

    Inga will be able to get a good layout of the land and magical powers of interest from her.

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    "Lemme cover it. Least I can do," Shin says before looking at the person Gudako is paying, "You guys take payment in like..." He roots around in his backpack, "Uuuuuuuuuuh...." He takes out a gold ring with a ruby in it, "Treasure? You can keep the change. I'll take a sausage with extra mustart."

    He then, of course, immediately goes back to playing with Berserker's tail, wrapping it around his neck like a fancy scarf, "Yeah, new here. So what's the haps here in Germany? Everyone knows that pub owners and barkeeps have the best news, right? You guys..."

    Shin leans in towards the bartender, "You guys are the ones that REALLY run a city."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The military depot is well-stocked, but the town doesn't seem all that well-defended? Most likely, the robots here discourage casual bandits, and it's mostly used as an outpost from which to do recon. The road heading further in is in good condition and reasonably well-used, but the one going outward is not all that often used but not well cared for, either.

    One of the soldiers will talk to George, too. "We don't really do much official commerce in this town. It's mostly, you know... kind of a depot. Or depot. however you pronounce that." Dee-poh or deh-pott. "Most of the business is done further in. Triax might be interested."

Staren has posed:
    The Star Hawk nods. Staren is thinking about the possibilities. First of all, there's a line of contact and he's one of the first to know about it. It looks like the circumstances might allow for trade with Lazlo. On the other hand, that might cause disenfranchised D-Bees to flee to Lazlo and Staren's not sure how well they can handle /more/ refugees. Those are, perhaps, decisions for the Councils to make. And then... There's the possibility of helping against the Gargoyles. The Union's not going to help unless the NGR drops its policy of speciesism... but sooner or later contact might be made with people who will help for money or some other sort of compensation.

    But would that really be a bad thing, to clear the area of demons, even if the NGR remains human supremacist? They /are/ changing... Then again... the power vacuum would only allow for a bunch of independant warring kingdoms to spring up.

    But /if/ the NGR could change faster, and become able to accept /everyone/, then it could unify everyone in the area, leaving aspiring warlords with far fewer potential troops.

    Hmm...

    Staren thinks about this for a moment.

Inga has posed:
When Simza puts out her magical feelers, she might be surprised. Inga's blood sings with magic. It is such a part of her that it is inseperable. She smiles, bowing to Simza. "Talent, yes I suppose. I was raised to be a wisewoman. I will not lie to you, I am not from here. Not this world. I've come with a group, we're looking to find out what has been happening in the world--though I would like to see your herb supply, perhaps we could make a trade," she says with a smile.

The mead is passed around the fire, and assuming it was offered, Inga would accept a bit of food.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The soldier shrugs. "Not really. Not in THIS town. Most of the others... well, people are a little leery of magic, but just like they're leery of anything else they don't know. Further in there's schools and stuff for gifted children, we usually catch them early, but uh... people here don't really have much truck with the supernatural. There was talk a couple years back about banning it for some reason or another, but they didn't care enough to. I hear it's a bigger problem overseas, but not sure why."

Madeline Vance (380) has posed:
    Madeline parks the Empress and gets out for now, largely to just walk the town a little and observe the people, and any particular habits they may have. What sort of stores are here? What sort of jobs are available? She'll quietly approach a few explaining she's a traveller, too, and ask how best to make a brief living if one doesn't plan on staying for long.

Zwei (596) has posed:
    "Huh, I was going to guess outsourcing. Even the most vertical companies do it once they get large enough. Doesn't look military I guess, though that's obvious if it's being used for farming." Weiss is carrying on the act. She seems tense in an exhausted kind of way, wound up but non-threatening and obviously trying to cool down. Asche is about as helpful as a statue, large and imposing to ward off questions, but purposefully making no outward statements of intent, vocal or otherwise. "They do that? Scout around for talent outside? I mean I can imagine they'd need a lot of hands to keep building in this . . . place" she fakes having to regulate her tone for a moment. "but I'd have assumed they'd have all kinds of people lining up for that cushy, indoor factory work. Keep going if you think you can pull it off man. Contract work is the way to go. Get salaried. Probably not unionized with the tentacles, no offense, but better than nothing. You got a family?"

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    Now that she's done investigating for local signatures - and mildly chagrined at how that turned out - Valentha focuses for a moment. The aura once again dies back down. "I can understand the sentiments. My apologies for raising your heckles. Overseas... overseas, views are pretty polarized. The city of Lazlo is diamond in the rough for anyone looking for equality regardless of species or talent, but the culture takes getting used to. Then there's the Coalition States and what was Tolkeen..." She sighs a bit. "I have heard Erin Tarn's works are popular over here. They can explain things better than I can. Buuuut enough philosophy... it's technology I'm interested in! Any neat places I should check out after this registering business?"

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The barkeep stares at Gudako and Shin, but he'll take the ring. "Sure, that works. Anyway, this is Netphen, nothing much here really. It's a calmer area, we don't get much bothering us here. The soldiers are making people nervous though... been coming through here a lot more often." He shrugs, though, apparently not thinking too much on it. "Could be something on the move, could just be a reorg. Not much to say."

    Three steaming hot sausages are slid over after a few minutes, and three pints of beer. Really GOOD beer. Seriously, the book has like five pages of talking about nothing but beer, so it must be good?

Staren has posed:
    Staren converses with allies over the radio, then switches back to speakers. The Star Hawk stands up straight. "Alright. Where can I park my ride? And is there some paperwork I could share with friends to... speed their entry into the Republic? I'm sure I know some people who'd be happy to help out for pay. And... I noticed your machine moves really smoothly. Are you, perhaps, using some sort of mental control system?

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    Adelyn may have--okay, she's literally kidnapped a promising student once or twice, but she at least picked people experienced enough to put up a good fight. In fact, 'getting in her way' was the initial justfication. Sadly, it doesn't look like this is one of those cases. Maybe in another decade, if this place doesn't put a halt on the kid's progress. Though... there's not a single other reaction, and the field is so clear of inteference that she was even able to pick up something like this. The probability of anyone developing their talent under these circumstances seems somewhere between 'zero' and 'abysmal.'

    How annoying. The suppression of talent is unconscionable. She had thought that these people may simply lack mages, but if the only magic is practiced by children, what if that lack is purely artificial? /Huff/. Ridiculous.

    Subvocalizing a few questions to the radio gets her unsatisfactory answers. This leaves her in a difficult situation, as she is perfectly aware of several personal traits that leave her a poor choice for handling talks with--what was the term? Common riff-raff. The sort of people that would live in a shanty town are substantially different from a mage that had a personal air-yacht even in exile, she's reasonably certain. She is too busy, she would say, to consider the concerns of such people. Too arrogant, she wouldn't say.

    But if she leaves this alone, she won't /know/. She can't just give up information like that. The individuals are unimportant, even if disrupting the future of a talented child would pain her, on that off-chance it amounted to anything, ever.

    The shroud falls while she is reasonably certain she's out of sight. She takes a moment to smooth down her headwings, wincing as she touches the left. Still tender; her healing spells were always third-rate. She lacks a hood, but expects the light armor, more cloth than visible plates, to otherwise pass as very well-made traveler's clothing--or adventurer's clothing, if this world has such. She'll just have to make do.

    She walks around the corner, approaching a parent at an angle by which they should just catch her in the corner of thir vision, and stops at a conversational distance, looking pointedly at the youths. "Good, isn't she?"

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Food is offered to Inga all right, some kind of rabbit with seasonings. Simza sits with her and smiles, "I think we could trade. I would be interested in learning what you know, and I have many exotic supplies." At least, in this case, there doesn't seem to be any intention of cheating her or anything. It really is rare for Simza to find someone to talk about this with.

    More importantly, the gypsy murmurs, "These people celebrate their recent victory, but resentment on both sides runs deep. The Gargoyles will not cease even if they are defeated, I think. And something else is riding, a new threat, one I cannot truly sense."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Madeline will notice one thing in particular that isn't something noticed in the Coalition-held areas. Namely, the signs are all holding letters. And when she looks, there's actually a newspaper here, and even a small bookstore, though it's nothing spectacular information-wise. The newspaper might be useful on its own, but an even more important bit is the fact that it's just assumed that many people can READ here.

Starbound Flotilla has posed:
    What happens next is a more comprehensive gesture, a little difficult to describe in simple steps. Moonfin, Seft, and George take the lead here, progressing into town. George gets his helmet off, of course, though Moonfin doesn't, and neither does Seft. The others sort of mingle, but the three -- who look mostly human, or at least, in Seft's case, like humans built her -- should have a more solid chance of productively looking through a town like this. Well, Albert looks human, but he's hardly about to try /TALKING/ to people.

    The wordless intent they share is simple. They're looking for inconsistencies, in the information they can find or in the information others find and report. They do this by wandering around and getting into conversations, in friendly ways. Is the military force here consistent with their tactical position in the larger (cold) war? Is the integration with 'DBs' consistent with how they've helped, in terms of how most societies would integrate? Are the Gargoyles behaving in a way that's consistent with how they've behaved before? What things, recently, are inconsistent with how things have been, previously? With a comprehensive campaign of conversation, they engage in what is, essentially, the equivalent of wartime spying. Wow, hope nobody's on the lookout for that. George has a massive history to draw on for this sort of tremendous campaign, though, having almost two dozen years of spy veterancy that he will refuse to ever admit to having.

Inga has posed:
Inga is obviously pleased to find another wisewoman to speak to as well. She accepts the rabit with gratitude and eats. "Very good. I have not had rabbit in some time," she compliments.

Inga listens to what Simza has to say, nodding. "Ah...so have you been here long? There was a battle recently? I heard about the enmity between the people here and these gargoyles....a new threat. Do you have the Sight then as well?" Inga asks, eager, opening up her own Sight. Generally, Inga has to actually repress it. It takes over. If she's alone, she has long hours to the visions. Days. If Simza has the Sight as well, perhaps they could...well, share.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The man talking to Zwei nods, "Yes, I have a family. And Triax is one of the reasons we can live here at all. Nonhumans need a job to be allowed in... but with Triax, they offer a fifteen year employment program in their factories. Upon completion we can apply for citizenship. It's... not much, but it's better than it used to be, and it's an option for people like me. I can't fight like you can, I can't take the military option."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Staren gets pointed toward the office. "We don't process full passports, but if you give them some information they can send it ahead." The Jager shakes its head though. "No, not mental control, but it is pretty smooth. The techs really do their work well. Sorry, can't say anything more than that. Military, you know."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    If the parent notices the headwings, they don't say anything. They don't really look at Adelyn, anyway. "I guess? I've never seen the like." He shrugs casually. "I have no idea how she ended up with that talent, it's not from either side of our family I'm sure. I'm just grateful the other kids aren't making fun of her for it, for once."

    The woman nearby sighs. "I'll miss her..."

    The man smiles and looks at his wife, "I'm sure we'll scrape together enough to go visit now and then. It'll be better for her at a school where they can handle this stuff. Teach her how to keep it under control."

Gudako Ordria (908) has posed:
    Sausage! And beer! Gudako doesn't drink, she finds the taste of alcohol disgusting. And letting Berserker drink is probably a HORRIBLE idea, which is why she'll be taking the extra pint. Then again it's just bear, it'll take more than two pints to get a Berserker drunk.

    "So soldiers huh? Must be a war! That's what soldiers are for. Otherwise you'd have called them the police!" That's... not really true at all, but hey. "Well, that's too bad. Say, how old is the oldest person in town? You got any like, immortals hanging around here?"

    Subtlety is for other people.

    Meanwhile Berserker does not mind in the slightest her tail is now a scarf. It is a big, fluffy, poofy, comfortable tail. You can't go wrong with it.

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    Adelyn tilts her head, considering. "To keep it under control? Not to develop their talent into a useful trade skill?" She could probably hide her thoughts better, but that would require a level of care for these talentless people she doesn't feel. Moving on swiftly enough to hopefully avoid an awkward pause, she asks, "When would they return to you?" She likely doesn't need to explain being from out of town, at this point.

Shin Tokuyama (756) has posed:
    "Oh dude, good question," Shin says, elbowing Gudako approvingly at her question about immortals. The street vagrant and sometimes Karate fighter DOES drink beer. And, in fact, he pounds back that beer like a champ and sets the empty down moments later, "FUCK YEAH. Deliciousness."

    "Oh hey, do you know where I can get some magical powered bullshit? Or some science powered bullshit?" He asks point blank, "Artifacts and crap. Maybe gloves or some shoes or some shit? I need to get one of this uh... fuck, what're they called. Panel-plays."

    "I want some kickass gear."

    Meanwhile he pets the tail around his neck absently, acting completely casual about the weird arrangement.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Simza sighs, "Ah, I do not have the sight myself. I'm very sorry. But I have met some who do. If you look enough, you will find them... but be careful. In this land, the deep forest offers threats to those such as yourself." That one was a freebie.

Staren has posed:
    The Star Hawk nods. "Nice. Of course, of course. Good talking to you." Staren parks the Star Hawk wherever, and then heads to the registration office to place information, and also make an identity for his alternate form in case that would be useful. The sight of a bookstore gives him pause, but he smiles and walks on... although, this talk of mysterious magic schools on the radio is worrying.

Inga has posed:
Inga nods to Simza. "That is alright. Do not be sorry. I cannot say I'm glad there are those who do have it, it is often...trying. But useful, sometimes," she replies.

"The forest? Was is out there in particular that is a threat to those like me?" Inga asks, starting to dig into her pack and pull out bundles of herbs she'd be willing to trade or just gift at this point, for the information.

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The woman is the one who turns to look, and notices Adelyn's inhumanity. She doesn't seem shocked, though it does startle her a moment. "Oh! Ah... in about ten years, I think. Of course there are visits in that time. I don't know many of the details... some learn to control it so they can live a normal life. Those with exceptional talents, I hear, are offered a means to use them. We've never had one shipped off to school before, in this town, but one of the soldiers said his cousin went there and is fine."

Zwei (596) has posed:
    "Damn. Fifteen years is pretty steep for citizenship, but I guess that's a gift for future generations right? Investment in the family. 'course I hear a lot of you live longer than humans anyways, but I don't want to make assumptions." Weiss shrugs, visible even under the bulky NG gladiator suit. "It's a better than half the Americas, and a hell of a lot better than plain getting eaten practically anywhere else. Sucks, but, could be worse, right?" It's deliberately something of a loaded question, not to root out any kind of dissenting opinion, but to get as much sincerity out of a charged statement as possible.

    "Fighting is its own kind of life. Instead of thinking of how many years of assembly work you have ahead of you, you think of how many years you might still have left before something gets you. Apples and oranges. Gets easier once you can shoot without thinking too much, assuming you have the psyche for it. Even easier if you're like this lunatic." She knocks on Asche's first knee joint. "Lunatic got messed up bad once and decided he'd trade his skin for killing demons better instead of quitting. Some men just don't take it lying down. They get mad. They want to see every twenty foot tall monster dead or off this rock for good. You don't strike me as that type. If you've got a family, best to work with certainty than weigh risks." Asche grunts affirmative in a reasonable mockup of a synthesized human voice, casting Weiss a glare that somehow seems irritated. "You done lecturing? You get carried away with this stuff so much it's a wonder you remember to refill on ammo."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    "Erin Tarn?" The soldier perks up. "Yeah, I have the latest video! You can probably pick it up down the street if you want one. Man, the new outfit makes her look pretty HOT!" Oh lord what? "As for tech toys, you're better off just, you know, going into the city for that. I see one of your people has a Northern Gun suit, that's pretty quality stuff already."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Simza is willing to trade some, though we're going to skim over that for time reasons. More important is her warning, "As I said, there is a dark power rising there. You should find a true mystic to consult with it, soon. If you are truly blessed with the Sight, you will have no trouble finding acceptance there."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The Sausage and Beer IS really good, at least! The food here is excellent, rural town or not. He also laughs at what the two say, "Immortals? Here? No, not at all. We don't really... have that sort of thing. If you want interesting stuff, head to the cities. They have all sorts of tech and cyborgs there. Real good stuff. You can't beat German engineering!" There's some level of pride there, his grin wide and goofy. "Anything from Triax is good stuff. I hear this Mindwerks stuff is good, but never seen it."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    Poking around with the Starbounders will find that the military force is shuffling a little, but not really escalating aside from restocking after the recent campaign. It is something of a cold war in the sense that neither side is currently on the offensive... but it's more like it's because they're both gearing up again and taking a break. The people seem largely relieved, and really the major topic of conversation that is brought up is the D-Bee rights movement. Apparently becoming a citizen is VERY difficult, and even then they only vote in local elections and their vote only counts for half.

Valentha Summers (834) has posed:
    "Oh I know." Valentha turns her body slightly and executes a twirl, then merrily adjusts her (decorative?) goggles, the ones she's not actually pulled over her eyes. She gestures just once at the stylized 'NG' emblem on her heavy work attire. "The Streetwolf line is just AWESOME. Who needs armor when you have duds like these?" The blonde's audacious grin is just infectious! And entirely genuine.

    A few seconds later... she blinks. And remembers Erin Tarn's age. She looks again at the soldier... "Wh-uh?"

    She has seen people with peculiar tastes, but try as she might, Valentha cannot imagine Erin Tarn in any outfit that would render her 'hot.'

    Huuuuuuumans. "I... pardon? She's a bit on the elderly side these days. You mean earlier art or?"

Adelyn Lysen (202) has posed:
    Adelyn slowly nods. "I see." She's not letting that offense show on her face. These are, after all, backward, barbaric, and primitive people, war machines aside, and foolishness is to be expected. "Still. That seems rather risky. What if she doesn't want the job they offer? What if they don't recognize her potential, and it's wasted?"

    From one of a number of pockets, she draws a piece of paper, unfolding it. "My name is Adelyn Lysen. I own an academy to which enrollment is voluntary, visitation is allowed, and studies may be interrupted at either the wishes of the student or their family at any time." As was stated on the radio, they are likely not to trust her. She wouldn't, in their situation. But she loses rather little, at this point, in the attempt.

    Holding up the paper, she draws a finger across it, precise lettering appearing as it reacts to minute mana. One side contains directions to the warp gate, and how to move from there to a Confederate holding close to the Nation of Towers. The other two sides contain text that is hidden when she folds the paper back into thirds, and the edges seal together, sans envelope.

    "If you are interested, follow the directions here, and give this letter to anyone in charge. They will explain the rest." Adelyn takes advantage of the natural human inclination to accept things pressed forward, and turns to go. "No obligation."

Madeline Vance (380) has posed:
    Madeline hmns, but finds this agreeable. She'll search for something to trade on her person, and she does have gold and silver on her. She'll use this to pick up several newspapers and books, hauling them back to the truck for anyone interested to grab.

Staren has posed:
    Staren decides to drop the disguise before talking to the office. Since they've been forward... he'll give basic information about the party to be sent ahead, but only specifics about himself: That he's a half D-Bee. He's kind of curious what the reaction to that will be. Also where does that put him in this society?

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The tentacled D-Bee shrugs, "It is better than before. I hope it will keep improving. Some get bitter, but I don't mind. I just live my life and want to have a steady job. My own kind live only about as long as humans, but fifteen years will take me up to around retirement, so it's a good deal."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The soldier laughs at Val's reaction. "Well yeah, the real one is, but nobody wants to see an action hero that old! I've never met her, but the vids are pretty good and they, you know... take a few liberties. It's all in good fun."

Melissa (88) has posed:
    The woman takes the paper and looks it over, but she does answer as well. "Her... potential? We don't really... have much need for mages and the like here. It's just something that will make her stand out more." There's a disapproving frown, but...

    The man is actually the one who says something that might make Adelyn happy. "I'm not really sure we want to send her to a foreign school anyway, but we'll ask her what she wants to do. They DO call it a gift, after all."

    It's UNLIKELY to come to anything unless Adelyn pursues it, though.