Ice Station Episode 5
General Summary
(24/5/317AG)
In the dimly-lit meeting room, VLE Commandant Yeseroph-3 leaned over a gleaming circluar table. To the right Constable Ted Goldworthy waited patiently, hands in pockets. To the left, three Initiates that had been accused of treachery against the Stewards: Tyrfing, and Zanderbey with Shadowfox sitting perfectly still next to the door.
Yeseroph motioned with his arm, and the room darkened as gleaming specks of holographic light leapt into place, reflecting off magical dust that flew where it was called. In a few seconds, the glittering dust resembled a small town.
Yeseroph motioned with his arm, and the room darkened as gleaming specks of holographic light leapt into place, reflecting off magical dust that flew where it was called. In a few seconds, the glittering dust resembled a small town.
"We'll be sending some forces with you, of course. Even -" and here he cast a distasteful glance at Ted "- a little something to help you on your way. If you need any assistance, you're welcome to utilise what our facilities can offer - you'll be a priority for our medic, as you'll be leaving in only a few minutes. Any questions?"
A short while later, the group boarded the train carrying the supplies discreetly amongst the passengers, watching for any spies or troublemakers.
A short while later, the group boarded the train carrying the supplies discreetly amongst the passengers, watching for any spies or troublemakers.
The trouble didn't arrive until much later. The carriage's intercom chimed, and the driver's rough dwarven accent crackled into the room. Local dissidents (known locally as the Outlaw Kingdoms) had caused an avelanche to close off the railway ahead. The train had no choice but to follow the mountainside tracks - a winding path that made it easy for them to board the otherwise blazing fast vehicle.
Hoverbikes flew in to the train's flanks like black arrows in an ambush. Even as Tyrfing and clambered out onto the roof of the train, ready to fight alongside the VLE there
Hoverbikes flew in to the train's flanks like black arrows in an ambush. Even as Tyrfing and clambered out onto the roof of the train, ready to fight alongside the VLE there
“Thar’s sum rubble blockin’ th’ path - lookin’ like a landslide o’ sum sort. We’re taken’ op-tshun numba too! Et’s a right wind’a - we’re gon’ slow her roy’t down. Pre-parr ta rapell bor’das!”
But more kept on coming. Hoverbikes continued to fly down the mountainside, and bug-like dropships flew overhead, pouring out dozens of crazed verthani raiders with each landing. A trio of VLE manning an anti-vehicle turret (the gift provided by Yeseroph) roared against them, but the craft proved to be too nimble and dodged the hail of lead. And then Tyrfing heard it. A beastial roar, coming from the roof of the passenger cabin. Slowly, he turned around and saw a spearback - one of Darkside's local fauna. It charged at a squad of VLE, who leapt out of the way - except for one unlucky soul, who was tossed into the swirling white air and disappeared. Tyrfing charged, sliding under the rattling semi-transparent spines jutting from it's back and head until he was under it's neck - then heaved his sword up in a single arc. The creature dropped dead.
Shadowfox and Zanderbey, meanwhile, had made themselves useful inside the carriage holding the all-important fuel cells - welding iron bars over the hatches to prevent easy Outlaw Kingdom access. Shadowfox even climbed inside one of the crates, ready to transmit a signal if they should be stolen.
Above, fought spear-and-shield with the raiders, keeping them from reaching the vulnerable trio manning the anti-vehicle turret. The raiders' attention turned to him, and a group of five charged, pushing him to the edge of the rooftop. His heel slipped over the edge, but he held his ground long enough for the VLE squad nearby to blast his oppressors in their unprotected flank and pull him to safety. As he caught his breath, a dropship made a daring move - landing point-blank to the turret and dropping another dozen raiders into the fight. saw his opportunity and took it, sprinting towards the craft and launching
Shadowfox and Zanderbey, meanwhile, had made themselves useful inside the carriage holding the all-important fuel cells - welding iron bars over the hatches to prevent easy Outlaw Kingdom access. Shadowfox even climbed inside one of the crates, ready to transmit a signal if they should be stolen.
Above, fought spear-and-shield with the raiders, keeping them from reaching the vulnerable trio manning the anti-vehicle turret. The raiders' attention turned to him, and a group of five charged, pushing him to the edge of the rooftop. His heel slipped over the edge, but he held his ground long enough for the VLE squad nearby to blast his oppressors in their unprotected flank and pull him to safety. As he caught his breath, a dropship made a daring move - landing point-blank to the turret and dropping another dozen raiders into the fight. saw his opportunity and took it, sprinting towards the craft and launching
It was right about then that Zanderbey decided to contribute to the fight by tossing an EMP grenade up through an unwelded hatch. After a second's thought to carefully calculate the angle, velocity, weight... he threw. The grenade flew up, struck a raider in the back of his helmet and veered backwards - into the dropship that had just boarded. Having prior experiences with grenades, prompty flicked his foot and sent it back down to land amongst the raiders where it promptly detonated - shorting out their hardware and disabling several critical systems in the dropship. It tilted sideways, tossing out onto the train as it sluggishly gained height - and then he heard a call.
"TUNNEL!"
Everyone dashed for cover. A low, circular black hole in the side of a sheer grey cliff loomed closer, threatening anyone not inside a carriage. Raiders dashed for one, while the VLE and Initiates went for another. A spearback whimpered, pawing at a hatchway and leaving great gouges in the metal. Tyrfing stepped up, in the carriage below and thrust his sword upwards. The whimpering stopped, and then a second later everything went black and air rushed past loudly. They were in the tunnel.
Rewards Granted
- (+4xp) Half-finished a large fight.
Character(s) interacted with
- Commandant Yeseroph-3 of the Verces Law Enforcement.
- Agent Ted Goldworthy, currently their only ally amongst the Stewards.
Notes
- Learnt that large groups of low-power minion groups leads to sluggish, hard to kill entities.
- I had prepared to bring in more deadly minion groups, but forgot.
- Didn't get a chance to test out the Spikeback, Tyrfing killed them both too quickly.
