Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Cosima on 26-05-2019, 19:36:03</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cosima</strong> on <strong>26-05-2019, 19:36:03</strong>
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				<div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/1irJy83.jpg)<br><br><hr>(https://i.imgur.com/mEJ0kpA.png)<br><hr><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">Chapter One<br></span><br><br><br><hr>(https://i.imgur.com/OWyE66Y.png)</div><hr><br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ashur Vance stood on the bridge of the <em>Parallax</em>, hands clasped behind his back, watching the view screen before him.&nbsp; Centered in the screen and magnified roughly a hundred times loomed a small freighter.&nbsp; Its lines were clean, if a bit blocky, with a substantial cargo space.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In other words, a choice target to take as a prize.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Without taking his eyes off the screen, he spoke calmly to his science officer.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Have you completed your scan, Indira?”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She glanced at him, then back to her screen.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Yes, sir,” she said, clipped and precise.&nbsp; “Light freighter.&nbsp; Looks like a Roustabout.&nbsp; Minimal armor and armaments.&nbsp; Maybe an Owl on the prow. H-E missile on the dorsal turret could sting if we get lazy.&nbsp; Should be a cakewalk.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashur nodded.&nbsp; Good.&nbsp; Very good.&nbsp; No need to get frisky today.&nbsp; He hoped the Captain of the freighter felt the same way.&nbsp; Death and destruction were such a waste and he didn’t want to damage his prize or its cargo.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Having checked on the enemy, it was time to see to his own house.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Everything nominal, Hightower?”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The engineer, a huge slab of fat and muscle, nodded, engrossed in his diagnostics.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashur waited impatiently for a moment, but nothing else was forthcoming.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“I can’t hear your head nod, Hightower.&nbsp; Report.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Nominal,” Hightower grunted without looking up.&nbsp; His voice seemed gravelly from disuse.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashur resisted the urge to roll his eyes.&nbsp; For perhaps the tenth time he resolved to speak about it with…<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One of the bridge doors opened with a slight hiss.&nbsp; A woman with the face of an angel and the bearing of the devil himself strode in, four of the crew’s best fighters on her heels.&nbsp; She glanced at the view screen and gave Ashur a small, secret grin.&nbsp; Whatever she was about to do, she clearly enjoyed it.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“All set, then?” she asked, pulling out her Arc Pistol and checking the charge.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashur returned the smile briefly, but he was already getting into what she called “Business Mode”.&nbsp; It was time for him to work his magic.&nbsp; If he did it well, perhaps the only thing hurt today would be the opposite captain’s pride.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“I am, Kass.&nbsp; You can take your assault team to the launch bay.&nbsp; We’ll know in a few moments whether you’ll be doing hot work today.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She nodded and gave him that irrepressible grin that had always both stirred and scared him.&nbsp; Without another word she gathered the three men and a woman who had followed her and made her way to the assault craft.&nbsp; With her determined stride she would be launched well before he was done speaking to their prey’s captain.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashur took a long breath, then breathed out slowly.&nbsp; The moment before making contact was always the tensest time for him.&nbsp; Luckily, he was as good at his job as Kassandra was at hers.&nbsp; He straightened to his full height, making every effort to cut a sharp, authoritative figure.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Open communications, Indira.&nbsp; Wide band.&nbsp; I want his entire crew to hear me.&nbsp; And prepare the grav gun.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Aye, sir.&nbsp; Wide band open.”&nbsp; She pressed a button, then reached over to pick up a visor and haptic glove.&nbsp; Within a few moments she had donned both and gave a nod to Ashur, who then returned his attentions to the view screen.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashur’s eyes narrowed, his posture immediately became more bellicose.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Unknown ship!&nbsp; You have entered Sector 7 space, policed by the Arcas Cabal under the Treaty of Kamath!&nbsp; Identify yourselves immediately!”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There was a long, pregnant pause.&nbsp; The view screen flickered for a moment, then changed to show an Ysoki male, presumably the Captain.&nbsp; He was bulbous and wobbly, with impressive jowls and suspicious eyes nearly pinched shut by rolls of fat.&nbsp; He was flanked by a thin, reptilian Vesk and a human male who looked somewhat the worse for wear.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Sector 7?&nbsp; I’ve never heard of such a thing!” the Captain squealed.&nbsp; “I have very important business on Absalom!&nbsp; Do not attempt to detain me.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashur took two menacing steps toward the view screen.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Ignorance is no excuse,” he said evenly.&nbsp; “Transmit your identification codes immediately or your ship will be confiscated.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Captain spluttered and started to say something, but was brought up short by a few whispered words from the Vesk.&nbsp; Clearly unhappy, the Captain snapped at the view screen.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Very well!&nbsp; I am Hiska Deen, Captain of the <em>Bellona</em>.”&nbsp; He stabbed a button with one chubby finger.&nbsp; “I have sent our transponder codes.&nbsp; Now let us pass!”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashur gave the Ysoki an unctuous smile.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“I thank you for your compliance.&nbsp; Please stand by for inspection.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Captain had just begun an indignant squeal when Ashur nodded to Indira.&nbsp; The science officer pressed a button on the visor, then reached out with her gloved hand as if to grab something.&nbsp; As she did so, a laser tracking beam emanated from the prow of the <em>Parallax</em>, seeking out the opposing ship.&nbsp; Once it found the ship, Indira closed her hand briskly and the laser range finder was replaced by the deep, thrumming sound of the graviton gun firing.&nbsp; In a split second, the <em>Bellona</em> was trapped fast, much to the dismay of her Captain.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“What is the meaning of this?!&nbsp; You have no authority to board my ship!&nbsp; I’ll…”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashur moved two steps closer to the view screen.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Be silent, Hiska Deen, or you will find out just how sturdy your hull is.&nbsp; Have you ever been in an imploding ship?&nbsp; I haven’t… but I can’t imagine it’s very pleasant.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hiska Deen huffed and gesticulated, but didn’t resume his demands.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Very wise,” Ashur said soothingly.&nbsp; “Don’t fret.&nbsp; Our inspection team is even now on their way.&nbsp; If you don’t impede them, this will be over quite quickly.&nbsp; If you gather your crew on the bridge it will be most efficient.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He reached over and cut the communication link.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It was now in Kassandra’s hands.<br><br><hr><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Those hands were checking ammunition and testing communicators even as Ashur was thinking about them.&nbsp; She was no stranger to operations like this.&nbsp; Go in, complete the mission, get out.&nbsp; Most of the time it was boring, but occasionally someone would get silly notions and make it harder for her.&nbsp; She almost looked forward to those times.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This time, though… no.&nbsp; She simply wanted to be done with this so she could finally… FINALLY… pursue what she had worked so hard for.&nbsp; Nearly a decade of waiting.&nbsp; Cajoling.&nbsp; Pleading.&nbsp; Now it was finally time.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But after the mission.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So she used the time in the assault shuttle to make sure everything was perfect.&nbsp; Every.&nbsp; Little.&nbsp; Thing.&nbsp; She looked at her troops.&nbsp; Her normal insouciant smile was gone.&nbsp; In its place was a thin line of determination.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“I want all of you to keep sharp.&nbsp; No bullshit, no loot, no mistakes.&nbsp; Get in, get out, get paid.&nbsp; You understand me?”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All four nodded soberly.&nbsp; They knew better than to fuck around when Kassandra had flipped the switch.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She nodded, satisfied.&nbsp; All four of them would do their job.&nbsp; Do what she told them to do.&nbsp; That’s why she nabbed them in the first place.&nbsp; All that was left was to board and get what they came for.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After what seemed an eternity she saw the grav gun engage and the telltale shudder that spoke to the target ship’s status.&nbsp; It was pinned just as neatly as a bug to a board.&nbsp; She gave a wolfish smile.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Time to go.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Take us in, pilot.&nbsp; Fore access point if you please.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Fore access, aye,” she heard through the communicator.&nbsp; “Beginning approach.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The assault shuttle swung around to the far side of the ship to avoid the grav beam.&nbsp; If the forward bridge ports were the eyes of the beast, she’d latch on like a Gafferfish under its chin, pop the access hatch and be right where she needed to be.&nbsp; Worst case scenario, she’d cut their way in.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That proved unnecessary.&nbsp; The pilot seemed to know exactly where she wanted him and landed like a lover giving a kiss.&nbsp; Perhaps if she saw him later she’d give him one in thanks.&nbsp; But now was the time for a different kind of action.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She took her position in front, then nodded to one of her men who pressurized the seal and popped the hatch.&nbsp; Without a word, the five of them flowed through the man-sized hole one at a time and formed up inside the enemy ship.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They found themselves in the foremost portion of the cargo bay.&nbsp; Behind them were stacks of storage boxes, most filled and sealed but some gaping and empty.&nbsp; Before them was the main stairway that led to the bridge.&nbsp; Kass strode up and her team followed in silence, the only noise their footfalls on the metal steps.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A few moments later they entered the bridge to find what appeared to be the entire crew of the vessel standing in wait.&nbsp; Good.&nbsp; That meant Ashur had sufficiently cowed the Captain.&nbsp; That would make things easier.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looked around at the gathered crew and stood, hands on hips, her lips in a small moue of distaste and impatience.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Which one of you is Dannilov Ebonhawke?”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Praxis</strong> on <strong>28-05-2019, 18:56:02</strong>
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				<span style="font-family: andale mono;" class="bbc_font">All passengers, please head to the bridge immediately.</span><br><br>Dannilov frowned as he laid in bed, his fingers laced together behind his head.<br><br><span style="font-family: andale mono;" class="bbc_font">All passengers, please head to the bridge immediately.</span><br><br>He growled as he sat up...muttering.<br><br><strong>"Kel..."</strong> , he cursed quietly as he stood and moved towards the door of his (very small) quarters.&nbsp; The door hissed open as he approached, lights in the hallway of the freighter along the floor and ceiling flickering on and off in a pattern that gave a sense of motion...providing direction for which way the passengers should move.&nbsp; Two lashunta, tall, willowy and attractive moved past him, looking concerned.&nbsp; Rather than be concerned, Dannilov was irritated.&nbsp; There was a good many things that could go wrong during interplanetary travel which was why he had paid Captain Deen what he had...so that it was the Captain's problem and not his.<br><br><strong>"This feels like something that is becoming my problem..."</strong> , he sighed as three humans passed him in the hallway and a few moments later, Dannilov followed.&nbsp; His brow furrowed in irritation as he followed the "crowd" and flickering lights to the bridge.<br><br>*************************************************<br><br>Dannilov and the other passengers heard the entire exchange between the two captains and there was a chorus of protestations and disappointment when it was communicated from the other captain that they were to prepare for inspection.&nbsp; Dannilov could be included in that disappointment.&nbsp; He had been...away from home for six weeks.&nbsp; He suspected that they would be looking for him but...well...there was a lot of space between Castrovel and where he currently was.<br><br><strong>"It's fine.&nbsp; I'm fine.&nbsp; This isn't about me..."</strong> , he spoke quietly to himself.&nbsp; His words elicited an arching of a single, graceful eyebrow on one of the nearby Lashunta passengers.&nbsp; <strong>"What?&nbsp; It's not... I'm a nobody. "</strong> , Dannilov hissed at the alien indignantly.<br><br>The sounds of disappointment and protest transformed into fear when the freighter lurched suddenly as a gravimetric beam took hold of it and warning claxons filled the bridge with flashing orange lights doing a great job of freaking pretty much everyone out.<br><br>Without looking overly speciesist, Dannilov silently berated himself for trusting an Ysoki captain.<br><br>People were just starting to calm down, the claxons quieted and flashing lights extinguished when it was announced that docking procedures were underway with an unidentified shuttle and while it had only been a short time from their boarding of the freighter to their arrival at the bridge...it had felt like a year spent on Thyst.<br><br>Dannilov's eyes narrowed as the five person inspection crew arrived on the bridge.&nbsp; He wasn't exactly experienced with such things but this didn't...feel like an inspection.&nbsp; In fact...now that he got a look at the five while he couldn't say he knew was officially sanctioned inspectors looked like...but he suspected they...were not a good example of such.&nbsp; He wasn't completely inexperienced however.&nbsp; He lightly clenched his right fist and felt a comforting, cool tingle course through him as the mote formed in his hand.&nbsp; Faint, nearly invisible whisp-like tendrils slipped through his fingers and danced for a moment as he took in the five intruders.&nbsp; A fight on a bridge...surrounded by innocent people...not a great plan.&nbsp; While he didn't think he could take all five of the intruders...at least not in this environment without hurting some of the others about...he could maybe scare them off?<br><br><br><em> “Which one of you is Dannilov Ebonhawke?”</em><br><br>The mote extinguished immediately in his fist.&nbsp; His nostrils flaring in irritation as he drew in a deep breath.<br><br>"This is unacceptable!", snarled the Ysoki captain. &nbsp;"This is an unsanctioned use of a grav beam and in violation of the Tremalkin Treatise, section 4.97!&nbsp; I demand that..."<br><br>Dannilov lifted a hand towards the Ysoki captain who quieted his tirade.&nbsp; Dannilov gave the rat-faced captain as well as everyone else on the bridge a confident smile and a knowing nod of his head.<br><br><strong>"It's alright...they're here for me."</strong> , he nodded and gave a winning smile to the attractive but decidedly ferocious looking human female that seemed to lead the group of intruders.&nbsp; <strong>"I'm kindof a big deal on Castrovel and well...probably a few other planets beyond that. "</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;He stepped away from the group and approached the five intruders.&nbsp; Extending his hands to either side and paying particular attention to the attractive human female.&nbsp; Giving her <em>THE</em> smile...<br><br><strong>"I am Dannilov Ebonhawke...1st Æthling for the Gravitonic Throne, Child of the Singularity and Chosen Fist of the Righteous Darke.&nbsp; What need do you have of Pact World royalty?"</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cosima</strong> on <strong>29-05-2019, 02:08:36</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/zvP7tJU.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Kassandra Ives<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Bellona</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong> Abducting <em>the</em> dude.<br><hr><br>She listened passively while he pontificated, then in one smooth motion shot him point blank with her arc pistol. Behind her one of the “inspectors” rolled his eyes and handed a cred stick to another. With a small, self-satisfied grin he tucked it into his pocket as hysteria erupted on the bridge.<br><br>&nbsp;Parents shielded the eyes of their children, firm in their belief that she’d just killed the man. Some cried piteously out of shock as much as fear, and still others bolstered their courage for the fight they believed was inevitable.<br><br><strong>“HEY!”</strong> Kass, undaunted, leveled her pistol at the Captain and declared distinctly above the commotion.<br><br><strong>“All of you need to calm the fuck down.”<br></strong><br>It went without saying that she had every intention of shooting until her message was received and the pandemonium began to fade.<br><br><strong>“Now listen closely, Captain.” </strong>She continued. <strong>“We’ll take this man and be on our way.” </strong><br><br>As she spoke, two of her men placed Dannilov in manacles. While she had dialed the stun feature of the pistol to eleven, it would only temporarily incapacitate. Eventually he’d rouse.<br><br><strong>“So long as no one tries to be a hero,”</strong> Kass said evenly, <strong>”your ship and cargo will remain intact.”</strong><br><br>The Captain, eager to have this maniacal woman off his ship, would have agreed to sell his first born to accomplish it. Dannilov Ebonhawke, first of his name, Child of the Singularity and Chosen Fist of the Righteous Dark was no great sacrifice considering.<br><br>Confident that they wouldn’t encounter resistance, she motioned peremptorily to the largest of the men who hoisted Dannilov over his shoulder and made for the door.<br><br><strong>“Careful, Adams.” </strong>She remarked wryly, her pistol still trained steadily upon Hiska Deen, <strong>“Princess is fragile.”</strong><br><br>As she backed slowly toward the door, her team exiting before her, she offered the Captain a sardonic salute.<br><br><strong>“Pleasure doing business with you, Captain.”</strong><br><br><strong>“Look on the bright side,”</strong> she added, just before closing the door behind her, <strong>“you still have your ship.”</strong><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Heptarch</strong> on <strong>29-05-2019, 14:39:20</strong>
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				&nbsp; &nbsp;Ashur stood in roughly the same place on the bridge as he had been when Kass led her assault team into the <em>Bellona</em>.&nbsp; He wasn’t much given to pacing and the crew were no doubt looking to him to provide a stable presence.&nbsp; Years of command hadn’t made it any easier to wait patiently while he had crew members in danger… but it had taught him how to look serene while doing it.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; He allowed himself a small sigh of relief when he saw the assault craft float away from the enemy vessel, though.&nbsp; Barring a complete catastrophe that meant the mission was essentially accomplished and the crew would soon be whole again.&nbsp; Within the span of a minute, the tiny shuttle had covered the space between the two ships and was commencing docking procedures.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; “Open communications, Indira.&nbsp; Narrow band, if you please.”<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; Indira nodded.&nbsp; “Communications opened, sir.”<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; Ashur smiled into the view screen as it shifted from the external view of the <em>Bellona</em> to the ship’s bridge, replete with a visibly infuriated Hiska Deen and a handful of milling, uncertain members of his crew.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; “Captain Deen.&nbsp; I thank you for your… enthusiastic cooperation.&nbsp; In a moment I will order your ship released.&nbsp; I advise you in the strongest possible terms to leave Sector 7 immediately.&nbsp; After all, you do have pressing matters to attend at Absalom…”<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; Hiska Deen looked to be chewing his tongue.&nbsp; He started to respond at least twice, but ultimately said nothing.&nbsp; Ashur half expected to see tendrils of steam rising from his ratlike ears.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; “Docking procedure completed,” a tinny voice assured through a speaker in the wall.&nbsp; “Asset recovered.”<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; Now Ashur’s smile was broad, genuine and entirely charming.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; “I bid you farewell and safe travels, Captain.”<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; He nodded to Indira, who cut the graviton beam, freeing their prey.&nbsp; Within seconds, the ship was away.&nbsp; He suspected at top speed.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; Ashur chuckled softly.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; “It shouldn’t be as amusing to make someone piss themselves, Indira… but it is.&nbsp; Matara help me, it is.&nbsp; I’m a bad man.”<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; She and the rest of the bridge crew, save Hightower, smiled and laughed with each other.&nbsp; The mission was accomplished.&nbsp; Soon they’d all be the richer for it.&nbsp; Some of them significantly so.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; As if thinking of their “cargo” had summoned him, the door hissed.&nbsp; Ashur turned smoothly to watch as Kass and her team entered, Dannilov slung unceremoniously like a sack of potatoes over Adams’ shoulder.&nbsp; He sighed heavily.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; “You shot him, didn’t you,” Ashur asked, frowning.&nbsp; “Kass, we talked about this.”<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; He nodded once more to Indira, his good mood evaporating as the Science Officer checked Dannilov’s vitals.&nbsp; After a few moments he saw the tension in her relax slightly and relaxed himself as a result.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; “He’s alive, sir.&nbsp; In fact…”<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; The sack of potatoes groaned softly.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; “In fact,” she continued, “he seems to be rousing.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Praxis</strong> on <strong>31-05-2019, 17:23:23</strong>
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				As he got closer to the one in charge, whilst going through his list of titles he reassessed his estimation of the human female's attractiveness.&nbsp; She was a good deal more than simply attractive.&nbsp; She just happened to do an excellent job of hiding her beauty with an unimpressed and disapproving scowl.<br><br>He was going to help her with that as his next words were going to be, <em>"You should smile more, beautiful..."</em> but the words never got out as she promptly drew her weapon and shot him.&nbsp; No warning and very little time for him to react, particularly so because he had been a little too fixated on her eyes...and her breasts...and her lips...her jaw...her hair.<br><br>He let out a low, sad sound as he came to in surroundings that was definitely not the bridge of the freighter that he had been on previously.&nbsp; The sound he mad was equal parts growl and equal parts whimper...well...maybe it was more whimper and less growl.&nbsp; It was hard to tell really.&nbsp; Losing time was the very worst feeling.&nbsp; He did not know if he had been our for minutes...or hours.&nbsp; By the way his body ached, he suspected it had only been minutes but still.<br><br><strong>"...that...sucked..."</strong> , he growled.&nbsp; Disoriented, it took a few seconds to realize he was slung over the shoulder of someone...<br><br><em>Something?</em><br><br>His head was dangling downwards towards the ground and reflexively he clenched his right fist...reaching out to the cosmos...he would be able to recover faster...instantly even but the lingering affects of what the woman had shot him with made him helpless...for now.&nbsp; His right fist opened again...relaxing.&nbsp; Now wasn't the time for a fight...certainly not at this very instant.<br><br>He patted the thick lump that was holding him with his free hand.<br><br><strong>"Right then..." </strong>, he cleared his throat and tried to clear his head.&nbsp; <strong>"You can let me down."</strong><br><br>He didn't know where he was.&nbsp; He didn't know how badly he was outnumbered and he didn't know exactly what these people wanted.&nbsp; That they had asked for him by name told him a little...but the way his head pounded made it hard to think.&nbsp; He was curious if they knew just exactly who he is and exactly <em>what</em> he is.<br><br>If he was patient...and smart...he could make things as difficult for them as they were making for him.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cosima</strong> on <strong>01-06-2019, 23:33:45</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/zvP7tJU.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Kassandra Ives<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Parallax</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong> Having just abducted <em>the</em> dude.<br><hr><br>Kass, impervious to Ashur’s rebuke, shrugged lightly.<br><br><strong>“Untwist your panties, the extraction was clean.”</strong> she said blithely.&nbsp; <br><br>The bridge, which had been a bustle of excitement moments before, had gone quiet. The crew that couldn’t make themselves scarce, made themselves busy and the emerging coherence of their captive passed without further remark. <br><br>Adams turned a questioning glance to Kass, who responded by landing a sharp, derogatory slap to Dannilov’s right ass cheek.<br><br><strong>“Alright Indira, tag him.” </strong>With a soft click Indira locked a small gas canister onto what appeared to be a Jet injector. <strong>“Adams, bring him down.”</strong> <br><br>Kass motioned to a low back command chair and Adams quickly shifted their captive down from his shoulder. Like a well-oiled machine, the iniquitous woman helped guide his descent and planted her forearm on Dannilov's back, a firm grip on the back of his neck keeping him pinned over the back of the chair until Adams could readjust his hold. Which he did without delay.<br><br>As if the poor man hadn’t suffered enough indignity, Indira swiftly and decisively pulled his pants down, exposing all.<br><br>Kass whistled low and didn’t bother subduing a deviant grin.<br><br><strong>“Damn.”</strong><br><br>If Starfinder had America, it would have been America’s ass.<br><br>Indira, recognizing that Dannilov was rapidly regaining his faculties, worked quickly. The startling sensation of a cold sterilizing pad, then even colder metal shortly preceded the sound of the trigger clicking and the gas canister discharging. A sharp pinch at the base of his spine, then a dull ache followed before the grip on him loosened and Adams considerately helped him into the seat. <br><br>For the first time Dannilov was allowed to get his bearing and observe the crew, most of which weren’t paying him any mind. <br>Ashur stood central to the scene, a pillar of righteous indignation. Kass leaned cavalierly against the arm of a nearby chair, her arms crossed and grinning like the cat that ate the canary. <br><br><strong>“Good morning, Sunshine.”</strong><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Heptarch</strong> on <strong>02-06-2019, 00:46:51</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Ashur watched with barely concealed annoyance as Kass played her little games.&nbsp; He'd known her for years... sometimes it felt like forever... and she had always been this way.&nbsp; So full of snark and attitude.&nbsp; One of these days he'd stop trying to civilize her.&nbsp; Or not.&nbsp; He admitted to himself that he was probably as immutable as her now.<br><br>Still, she had her moments.&nbsp; He nearly laughed aloud when she had Indira divest the poor man of his trousers on the bridge of his captor's ship.&nbsp; That was an unnecessary blow to his prestige, but an amusing one.&nbsp; He considered whether abusing his dignity was her point in the first place.&nbsp; He didn't know the man, but based on the mission profile Ashur suspected that their cargo had no reason to embrace humility.&nbsp; <br><br>"Fine, this extraction was clean," he said, trying to sound severe.&nbsp; The effect was ruined by his obvious effort at constraining his laughter.&nbsp; "Eventually there will come a time when shooting someone should be your last resort, not your first."<br><br>But he didn't expect her to listen, really.&nbsp; In fact, he'd be talking as he walked over to their captive.&nbsp; By the time he'd finished his sentence he was already standing in front of the man.&nbsp; He attempted to meet Dannilov's blurry eyes and hold his attention.<br><br>"Focus on me.&nbsp; Focus.&nbsp; It is important that you listen to what I have to say.&nbsp; Your health... and what remains of your dignity... is at stake."<br><br>He took the man by the chin and turned his head slightly one way, examined his eyes, then the other.<br><br>"We have implanted a Compliance Chip in the small of your back next to the spine.&nbsp; Trust me when I tell you it is in your best interest not to get... restive.&nbsp; If we have to activate it, you will lose the use of your legs for approximately four hours."<br><br>Ashur gave the man a wolfish grin.<br><br>"Well, your legs and everything else South of your equator."<br><br>He gave Dannilov a few moments to process what that meant, then continued.<br><br>"Also, it would be equally foolish to attempt to flee.&nbsp; The Chip also acts as a tracking device and can be activated remotely from quite a distance."<br><br>Ashur met the man's rapidly clearing gaze evenly.<br><br>"Now... if you tell me you will behave, I will ask Indira to remove your restraints."<br><br>He looked at Dannilov expectantly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Praxis</strong> on <strong>03-06-2019, 20:00:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He had been proclaimed as "The Chosen One" since his first birthday.&nbsp; Since that time...from what he had been told and from what he could remember when he had gotten a few years older.&nbsp; His training had been thorough and at times...all-encompassing.&nbsp; While he had indeed been indulged to a significant extent he had also been subjected to intense training.&nbsp; A goodly amount of which could be constituted as abuse and what Grand Master Aeonic called "the minimum standard for training and performance".<br><br>Dannilov didn't miss Grand Master Aeonic.<br><br>Even now...drugged..."chipped" and relatively helpless in a room full of smug assholes, he didn't miss Grand Master Aeonic.&nbsp; He refused to go back to Castrovel.&nbsp; That would be...the end for him in some ways and if taken back he'd never get off planet again.&nbsp; He was quite sure that his family would see to that.<br><br>He listened to the man before him...resisting the urge to curl his upper lip in disdain as well as clench his fist and smash the man in his face.<br><br>He wasn't altogether certain his body would listen to him even if he tried to hit the man and he wasn't in a rush to test this whole...compliance chip.&nbsp; Even crippled by this chip...he could fill the entire room with fire.&nbsp; Even with his limited experience regarding interstellar travel...he knew that no one wanted fire in their ship.&nbsp; Of course...it would take some time to build up to it, and it would be obvious to his captors that he was up to...something.&nbsp; They seemed the sort to not take chances and he suspected the attractive, yet violent one would put him out once again.<br><br>He was silent for some time...thinking...waiting for the aching haze to clear enough so that he could think more clearly.<br><br>If they were taking him back to Castrovel...if they were little more than bounty hunters.&nbsp; Why not just lock him in a room, put him in stasis or put him in a box and just take him there?&nbsp; Why all...this?&nbsp; Why the need for a chip?<br><br>He wasn't worried about dignity.&nbsp; Certainly not in front of these...common sort.&nbsp; He could be paraded naked in front of them and he suspected all if would do is earn him a few unwanted admirers.<br><br>What he was indeed worried about was what the intentions were for this group of rabble.&nbsp; They seemed...frightfully prepared.<br><br>His nostrils flared in irritation as he looked to the man...a muscle twitching in his jaw as he clenched his teeth, a tendon growing taut alongside his neck...before the tension and irritation seemed to melt away and he gave a small, polite smile to the man and nodded his head slightly.<br><br>"It would seem I have no cause to misbehave."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Heptarch</strong> on <strong>14-06-2019, 01:47:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ashur nodded sagely.<br><br>"Good.&nbsp; Good.&nbsp; You have an intelligent man's intuitive grasp of pragmatism.&nbsp; That will serve you well.&nbsp; You're quite right, in any case.&nbsp; You do not have any reason to misbehave.&nbsp; So long as you don't give us any cause, you will not be harmed in any way."<br><br>He gave Dannilov a smile that in most other circumstances would be charming.<br><br>"Well, not any more than you have already been, of course."<br><br>With this his smile faltered microscopically and he turned to face Kassandra.<br><br>"Kassandra, do you suppose we might take a few moments in the Captain's Office?"&nbsp; His smile was brittle, but bright, for those who knew him.&nbsp; He gestured to the office door congenially.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cosima</strong> on <strong>14-06-2019, 02:58:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/zvP7tJU.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Kassandra Ives<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Parallax</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong> Having just abducted the dude.<br><hr>Ashur was as patronizing as Kass was reckless. More talk than action unless it was sex, though both versions of the man suited her fine. She wasn’t entirely disconnected from the reality that there was a time and place for diplomacy. Mostly, the contention was over which occasions warranted it.<br><br>With Kass, diplomacy was garnish. Conversely, it was Ashur’s bread and butter and be damned the man that didn’t agree, ironic as that was.<br><br>“Yes, fine.” She said flippantly. <br><br>“Excuse us a moment.” She added to Dannilov. Her tone was abrupt, but abrupt seemed to be her Modus Operandi.<br><br>Dannilov appeared…imperious, and she supposed he’d just sit here and continue being imperious for now.&nbsp; To be assured that he remained passive, she left the remote to the zapper with Adams before taking her leave of the bridge.<br><br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/zA2NTIZ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Indira Tate<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Parallax</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong> Checking on the dude.<br><hr>Indira Tate was the Medical Officer aboard the <em>Parallax</em>, and her willingness to pants the man notwithstanding, seemed a gentler sort. With Kass and Ashur departed she had the bridge and made peremptory scan of the people and activities before turning her attention to Dannilov.<br><br>“Dannilov, is it?” <br><br>For the first time since boarding, he was offered common courtesy. No threats, and no ultimatums. <br><br>She slipped quietly into a chair near his, close enough for companionable conversation but not close enough for him to reach her. She was good-natured, not stupid.<br><br>“Are you okay?”<br><br>He seemed to weather Kass’ abuse with aplomb, but physical well-being was not the only thing to be taken into consideration. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Praxis</strong> on <strong>18-06-2019, 17:45:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>“Are you okay?”</em> , came the casual but cautious question.&nbsp; He was silent for a moment as he turned to look at the woman that was now seated close to him.&nbsp; The haze was nearly gone now.&nbsp; He flexed the fingers on both his hands for a moment, still feeling unsure about how his legs might work so decided to keep from looking foolish or weak in front of his kidnappers and stayed where he was seated.&nbsp; His eyes met hers and held them...still silent before letting them travel along the lines of her jaw and slender neck before giving her a practiced and altogether predatory smile.<br><br><strong>"Yes, Dannilov and..."</strong> , he nodded his head slightly and his smile became a little more playful. <strong> "...I'm spectacular."</strong> .&nbsp; He let his gaze leave hers and looked to his legs before looking back to her once more.&nbsp; <strong>"In your opinion, when might I be fully functioning again?&nbsp; I could...expedite the healing process if allowed.&nbsp; I'd prefer to not be shot again..."</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cosima</strong> on <strong>23-06-2019, 22:31:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/zA2NTIZ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Indira Tate<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Parallax</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong> Checking on the dude.<br><hr><br>The wolfish quality of his smile went unremarked and she gave no indication that she'd even noticed. Either Indira was extraordinarily good at keeping her thoughts from her eyes, or she was accustomed to keeping company with predators. Judging by how handily Kass had incapacitated him, the latter couldn't be discounted. <br><br>"As you might well be." <br><br>She smiled kindly, half listening for indications that things were out of hand in the Captain's Office as he spoke.<br><br>"There will be no need...and it's really best if you don't give her another excuse."<br><br>Not that the woman needed any excuses.<br><br>"You'll be right as rain in an hour or two, and you should be capable of walking to your quarters as soon as someone is free to show you the way." <br><br>He didn't strike her as the sort of man likely to let down his guard any time soon, nor did he seem like the kind that would be overly fond of letting go of pretenses. Toward that end, she hoped he could at least convince himself to remain complacent while this whole situation played out.<br><br>"As long as you do what is asked of you you'll be free to go in no time."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Praxis</strong> on <strong>24-06-2019, 14:49:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br><div class="floatleft">(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_XW10JeA1DABwB0Oy9PUQAlgaosvec8WZKYMOu-bFmaE1b1v1mw)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Dannilov Ebonhawke<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Parallax</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong> Being checked out and ... you know ... regular kidnapping type stuff<br><hr><br>The woman seemed altogether inured to charm.&nbsp; Or possibly just his...but <em>that</em> seemed altogether unlikely.&nbsp; More likely she was an incredibly professional physician and doing her level best to keep him at arm's reach lest she become distracted by her desire for him.<br><br>He laughed quietly and gave her a good natured smile.<br><br><strong>"Free to go in no time, yes?"</strong> , he pointed to her with one finger.&nbsp; <strong>"That..."</strong> punctuating the word he said with a small jab in the air.&nbsp; <strong>"...is most assuredly not true."</strong> .&nbsp; He turned his head slightly and gave her a curious look, the smile on his face becoming less good natured and more conspiratorial.<br><br>"Unless..." , he looked over his shoulder at the giant that had carried him in and held the "switch" to the compliance chip.&nbsp; Thinking he had very little to lose at the moment and in the end...he was already growing bored with the rabble on the ship.&nbsp; <strong>"...unless you are held against your will as well.&nbsp; You have no choice but to casually fling untruths at me.&nbsp; Perhaps we should..."</strong> , he faced her once more and gave her a satisfied smile.&nbsp; <strong> "...combine our efforts and find liberation for both of us?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cosima</strong> on <strong>25-06-2019, 01:52:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/zA2NTIZ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Indira Tate<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Parallax</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong> Checking on the dude.<br><hr><br>She wasn't sure she'd met anyone so pompous in all her life, and that was something of a remarkable feat. Indira smiled obliquely and let him say his piece before leaning subtly into the conversation. <br><br>"Perhaps...." she paused as if mulling it all over, "You should stop acting the fool." <br><br>She finished her statement decisively and raised an eyebrow. Despite the hard line, she was still grinning. <br><br>"Also, it's rude to point..." <br><br>Considering the treatment he'd endured, the last was more teasing than anything. He might have been a self righteous ass, but Indira was not one to be unnecessarily cruel nor willfully ignorant. Kidnapping was <em>rude</em>, after all.<br><br>"Once ransom is arranged you'll be delivered safely and promptly back to Ebonmarque, Your Royal Highness....and while I'm certain Kass would be gleeful at the idea of tormenting you for longer, the rest of us would like to see you back on your silk cushion as soon as possible. No harm no foul." <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Praxis</strong> on <strong>27-06-2019, 20:26:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_XW10JeA1DABwB0Oy9PUQAlgaosvec8WZKYMOu-bFmaE1b1v1mw)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Dannilov Ebonhawke<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Parallax</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong> Failing at kidnapping and failing at not getting what he wants...and failing at seduction.<br><hr><br><br>A muscle in his jaw twitched, clenching his teeth together as she spoke of returning him to Ebonmarque.&nbsp; His nostrils flaring slightly being another noticeable betrayal of his body in response to the good doctor's comments.<br><br>His blue eyes narrowed slightly for a moment...giving her a slightly baleful look before the moment had passed and he gave her another practiced smile.<br><br><strong>"Well...if I had a bodyguard for each time I was told to not act like a fool...or not be rude..."</strong> , his smile grew more confident for the moment. <strong>"...I suspect it would be a good deal more difficult to kidnap me and as you can see...I haven't an abundance of bodyguards."</strong><br><br>He looked down at his legs...frowning at the tingling sensation in them and their still moderate amount of unresponsiveness.<br><br>He looked back to the doctor and this time his practiced smile was gone.<br><br>"I am going to take care of myself for the time being as I do not like this...feeling." He looked back over his shoulder at the giant who now had control of the device that governed his...compliance.&nbsp; He lifted his hand upwards slowly, palm outwards to the doctor. <strong> "I am going to be quiet for sixty-two seconds.&nbsp; When I open my eyes, I will glow quite brightly with light.&nbsp; I am not attacking you nor anyone else on this ship.&nbsp; I would be ever so appreciative if you did not shoot me or...make me compliant."</strong><br><br>He did not wait for permission.&nbsp; He simply withdrew his hand, closing it into a fist and resting it and his other hand upon his lap.&nbsp; Both fists pressed together...exhaling and with a smooth motion that suggested no small amount of practice, his right fist unclenched.&nbsp; His right palm pressed to his left fist and then shortly thereafter his right hand closed over his left fist.&nbsp; Silent...eyes shut...and seemingly not breathing although sensor readouts did seem to acknowledge he was still breathing and fine, save his heart rate lowering significantly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cosima</strong> on <strong>02-07-2019, 00:39:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/zA2NTIZ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Indira Tate<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Parallax</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong> Checking on the dude.<br><hr><br>Indira was a kind, giving spirit. She had indulged him with at least a modicum of civil conversation where no one else on the ship seemed presently inclined...but even she had her limits. She smiled, though it had something of a more dubious air than the last. <br><br>"Maybe if you weren't such a pontifical ass, someone on the <em>Bellona</em> might have come to your aid." she shrugged. "Or maybe they wouldn't have."<br><br>As for the following statement about sixty-two seconds, it seemed oddly precise...and while highly suspect, she wasn't Kass. Hauling off and shooting the poor man or making him wet himself seemed rather unnecessary so she waved her hand in a somewhat dismissive acknowledgement. <br><br>Adams seemed less comfortable with the whole idea and along with the zapper, drew his pistol. An abrupt nod motioned Indira to place greater distance between herself and their captive, which she did. Then all there was left to do was wait...sixty-two seconds.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Heptarch</strong> on <strong>03-07-2019, 02:28:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong><em> One week ago, Deep inside the recesses of the Uriel Cabal stronghold, Perdition, The Diaspora</em></strong></span></div><br>Ashur Vance stood before Regina Ives, hands clasped behind his back, eyes meeting hers evenly.&nbsp; He was well aware that the next few minutes would determine the rest of his life.&nbsp; If the woman in front of him liked what he had to say, that life would be long and prosperous.&nbsp; Well, long enough, anyway.&nbsp; If she didn’t like what he had to say… well…<br><br>Beside Ashur stood the one person in the world who might intercede on his behalf if things went poorly: Kassandra Ives, Regina’s adopted daughter.&nbsp; Ashur and Kass had run across each other on various occasions during the course of their professional lives, him as a Diplomat for the Arcas Cabal and she as an assassin/extraction expert for Uriel Cabal.&nbsp; Though they had often been in literal conflict with each other, their personal relationship was significantly more cozy.&nbsp; So far as anything with Kass could be called cozy.<br><br>Regina let him stand for some time before speaking, using silence as a bludgeon, but while Ashur’s life did hang in the balance, he was a born diplomat.&nbsp; Silence, perhaps more than words, served as a powerful weapon in the language of diplomacy.&nbsp; So far as he was concerned personally, Regina could sit there all night and not say a word and it wouldn’t ruffle him.&nbsp; But he also understood that she had all the power here and eventually he came to realize that he would have to begin if he expected to make any headway.<br><br>Ashur nodded his head respectfully and when he spoke his tone was clear, crisp and even.&nbsp; If he feared for his life, his speech did nothing to betray that.<br><br><strong>“Cabal Master, I come to pay my respects and offer a gift of information, that you might see fit to engage my services for the Uriel Cabal.”</strong><br><br>Regina said nothing, her green eyes glittering with mistrust and impatience.<br><br>Ashur swallowed once and continued.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>“You are aware, perhaps, of the mercenary commonly known in Perdition as The Razor?”</strong><br><br>Regina nodded slightly, impatiently.<br><br><strong>“Yes. What of her?”</strong><br><br>Ashur smiled ingratiatingly.&nbsp; A handler’s smile.<br><strong><br>“The Razor has very recently run afoul of the Arcas Cabal who have imprisoned her in an attempt to force her servitude.”</strong><br><br>Regina slowly sat up in her chair and leaned toward him.<br><strong><br>“That information is interesting, but I fail to see how that might affect my business interests.”</strong><br><br>Ashur stifled a tic of annoyance.&nbsp; He was sure the woman was playing with him.&nbsp; But he must play the game by her rules.<br><br><strong>“Cabal Master, one of the most proficient killers in the Pact Worlds has run afoul of your bitter enemy.&nbsp; Would that person not be quite in the debt of the persons responsible for her rescue?”</strong><br><br>Regina was no fool.&nbsp; She’d understood what the slippery little eel was implying, she simply didn’t trust him.<br><strong><br>“And I suppose you know exactly where The Razor is being held?&nbsp; How very convenient?&nbsp; You thought to buy my support with this?”</strong><br><br>Ashur stilled his features.&nbsp; This was not going well and it was clear to him that offers of information were all going to be viewed through the prism of a dubiously disloyal spy.&nbsp; Thankfully he had prepared other lures.<br><br><strong>“As you say, Cabal Master.&nbsp; I have also come with a copy of a ship’s manifest and storage pen consignment for the next shipment of Kavak Steel being delivered to the Arcas Shipyard.”</strong><br><br>He let the statement lie like a primed grenade in the middle of the floor.&nbsp; Kavak steel was as near priceless as any metal in the system.&nbsp; It was responsible for the incredibly tough starship armor that only the Arcas and the Stewards had access to.&nbsp; A conservative estimate of the value of the cargo approached a million credits.&nbsp; <br><br>It proved to be the bombshell Ashur had hoped.&nbsp; Regina couldn’t quite maintain the icy distance in her eyes, even as her tone remained carefully neutral.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>“Kavak Steel.&nbsp; And you would be willing to go with the team as assurance of your… new loyalties?”</strong><br><br>Ashur shook his head.&nbsp; He had expected this.<br><br><strong>“No, Cabal Master.&nbsp; If you desire my death a clean one here and now would be preferable.&nbsp; I will not deliver myself into the hands of my enemy… YOUR enemy… so you can get what you want and be rid of me in the bargain.”</strong><br><br>Regina’s lips pressed together in a thin, bloodless line.&nbsp; Kass knew that this presaged a blowup and, given the circumstances, would likely mean the imminent demise of the man who had, quite unknowingly, become her favorite plaything.<br><br><strong>“Regina, think of the uses we could put that steel to,”</strong> Kass said curtly, knowing that any attempt by her to sweet talk her mentor was doomed to failure.&nbsp; Regina was too sharp to fall for it and Kass was as good at sweet talk as a boar was at chess.<br><br>Kass let Regina marinate until she could see the tiniest hint of credit-lust peek in.&nbsp; To anyone else it would have been invisible.&nbsp; Now to set the hook.<br><br><strong>“This traitor can be useful for a little while longer.&nbsp; You can trust that I will pry whatever details he thinks he’s hiding from us when the time is right.”</strong><br><br>This apparently sealed the deal for Regina.<br><br><strong>“All right, Kass,”</strong> she said serenely, sitting back in the Captain’s Chair she’d wrested from a Cruiser in Eoxian space.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>“This is your baby.&nbsp; Don’t kill it.”</strong><br><br>Kass gave her mentor a feral smile and turned on her heel, calling out to Regina as she walked away, Ashur trailing uncertainly in her wake.<br><strong><br>“They say some mothers eat their young, Regina. No promises.”</strong><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shades of Perdition: A Starfinder Chronicle [Main] (Heptarch, Cosima, Praxis)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Praxis</strong> on <strong>05-07-2019, 20:47:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_XW10JeA1DABwB0Oy9PUQAlgaosvec8WZKYMOu-bFmaE1b1v1mw)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Dannilov Ebonhawke<br><strong>Location:</strong> Aboard the <em>Parallax</em>.<br><strong>Content:</strong><br><hr><br>Things had grown silent on the bridge of the ship aside from the typical bridge-type-sounds of proximity sensors and "everything-is-alright-alarms", the normal chatter amongst the crew had dropped to nearly nothing at all.&nbsp; As if all of them waited to see what was going to happen with their new captive.<br><br>Sixty-seconds can be an exceptionally short time but it all depends on one's perspective.&nbsp; In terms of a relative stranger who is a captive on your ship doing something for sixty-two seconds and has assured you that everything will be alright.<br><br>Yeah...for some, sixty-two seconds might be an eternity.<br><br>Twenty seconds...and it looked as though something about him changed and yet...nothing had.&nbsp; He looked the same.&nbsp; His heart rate dropped even further but it was steady and strong...just...slow.<br><br>Forty seconds in and people might be growing nervous.&nbsp; Indira could swear she saw something leaking from his closed eyes.&nbsp; Like...errant wisps of energy but after blinking it seemed as though she imagined it.<br><br>At sixty-three seconds his eyes snapped open...a dark energy seeping from his eyes, laced with motes and tails of deep blue and vivid purple.&nbsp; A heartbeat later is was as though a button was pressed or a switch was flipped.&nbsp; Light began to seep from him.&nbsp; Slow at first but growing brighter with each passing second.&nbsp; Brighter and brighter...forcing people to look away or risk having his seated silhouette burnt into their vision for the next few hours.&nbsp; A bright...pure light that almost made people's ears ring...if that was even possible.<br><br>A moment later the light stopped...gone.&nbsp; Leaving him still seated before her and with a satisfied smile, he smoothly stood up.&nbsp; Offering the anxious looking giant a pleased nod of his head as he spoke.<br><br><strong>"See?&nbsp; Better.&nbsp; Now.&nbsp; About returning to Ebonmarque.&nbsp; What is it worth to the lot of you if I were to be dropped off at the nearest station instead?"</strong>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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