Author Topic: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III  (Read 61135 times)

GM Craig

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #90 on: January 11, 2017, 12:15:15 PM »
Nightshade crouches and runs along the walkway to a nearby support pillar. From the ground, the three remaining troopers continue to fire, blasting holes in the grating, but none of them manage to tag Nightshade. The Shinobi ducks around the support pillar and takes stock of the situation. There is a support pillar on the far side of the room near the external wall. He could grapple there, perhaps, and get into stealth that way. Dropping a smoke grenade where his is would certainly help that. Another option would be to drop some smoke grenades on the troopers below, though it'd be easy for them to run out of the smoke. But it might give him enough time to allow Nightshade to break their knowledge of his position.

While he is contemplating, he hears a heavy mechanism start up from below. Warning lights start flashing around the heavy cargo lift. A moment later the heavy cover lifts up, exposing the shaft below. You can hear the lift rising.

This divides the attention of the troopers, caught between the immediate threat of the assassin, and the arrival of the rebel fleeing the frontal assault.

[Actions?]

You have a round or two before the rebels emerge from the lift. They would currently be very vulnerable to grenades if the troopers threw them into the lift.

Nightshade

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #91 on: January 11, 2017, 06:43:43 PM »
Every time he thought he was about to get a handle on this kusottare, something else came up.  Well that's what you get for going into situations like this without the proper amount of time for planning. 

He had to expect that the troopers would get the same idea about grenades that he did, they had before.  With that in mind, the rebels were still a priority target and he was going to have to risk himself again to try to keep them safe. 

Hoping that the ancestors would watch over him at least one more time, Nightshade dropped another couple of smoke grenades on his enemies and readied his grapple to drop on their heads like a descending angel of death.  Of course if he saw an opportunity to give one or two a neural dart, then there was no reason to tempt fate...

Actions: two smoke grenades to provide cover and then over the rail we go at the closest enemy or group.  If a dart opportunity opens up then take it otherwise two melee attacks at one target in range or one each at two targets in range.

GM Craig

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #92 on: January 11, 2017, 09:07:14 PM »
Nightshade pops out from cover to fling a couple of smoke grenades. He's not exactly on target, but with a smoke grenade, accuracy is not necessarily required. He is still personally exposed, but now the troopers below are effectively blinded to the emergence of the rebels.

Three blaster bolts fly, two of them blasting holes in the walkway floor. The third, however, burns through the suspension support for the walkway. With the weakened state of the walkway floor, a large section of the walkway collapses, unceremoniously twisting and dumping Nightshade towards the floor. Acting more on reflex, Nightshade fires his grapple and managed to right himself, landing in a crouch behind the closest trooper [got a Yahtzee]. Weapons slash out, both of them striking the unsuspecting trooper. The first runs through the trooper's lower back, emerging through the liver just below the ribs. The second pierces the upper back, narrowly missing the trooper's heart when it poked through the front of the trooper's chest. By that point, having an intact heart is moot as the trooper is clearly dying. Nightshade slowly eases him to the floor so his fall will not give away his position, trusting in the smoke to keep him hidden.

The smoke is a double-edged sword, for while he is now a ghost, he has lost situational awareness of the two remaining troopers. He is as blind as they are. Then, his helmet picks up movement - both troopers are running towards the lift.

The lift continues to run. The rebels must be close to the top now.

[Actions?]

You don't have an exact position, but you know roughly where they are.

NameStatus
Nightshade-
Intel Trooper #4   mortally wounded
Intel Trooper #7stun
Intel Trooper #8-
Intel Trooper #5incapacitated
Intel Trooper #3incapacitated
Intel Trooper #6mortally wounded
Intel Trooper #2dead
Intel Trooper #1mortally wounded

Nightshade

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #93 on: January 12, 2017, 11:56:48 AM »
Nightshade moved forward to clear the smoke and get closer to the troopers.  If he found himself in melee range he would attack with his swords, but if not then he found throw a pair of his electro-stars at each hostile standing.

Actions: close with the troopers, melee attacks if in range, otherwise one star at each enemy.


GM Craig

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #94 on: January 12, 2017, 12:15:00 PM »
[Taking some minor liberties to complete two rounds.]

Moving on his toes, Nightshade looms out of the smoke directly behind one of the troopers. A quick thrust, and the trooper collapses. Nightshade's sensors spot the other trooper moving through the smoke. Nightshade can't get to him on time, so flings an electro-star at him. The star hits, and the trooper collapses to a knee as lightning dances around the impact site. Not waiting for him to recover. Nightshade runs forward and runs him through.

**********************

The whirring of the stops, and there is a clack as stabilization clamps secure the lift in place. Half a dozen people stand on the lift, surprised looks on their faces. They had expected to emerge into their abandoned factory and make their escape. Instead, the place looks like a warzone. Still-burning blaster pock-marks, the acrid smell of expended explosives, small fires burning in several locations, and a number of bodies in Imperial uniforms lying on the floor. They snap rifles up when a section of the raised walkway that was barely hanging on finally burns through and falls with a crash.

Then, the smoke clears. Shadowy figures appear - just silhouettes at first, but becoming more and more distinct as the smoke fades. Back-lit by a fire, the rebels see someone on their knees, obviously having been run through by a sword. The silhouettes shift and move as the standing one clears the body from it's blade with a quiet thump. Rifles raised, the rebels watch as the shadowy figure emerges from the swirling smoke. He is dressed in black, though the suit is stained with soot, blaster burns, and blood. A sword in one hand, another on his back, his face hidden by a mask. The rebels stand there, rifles raised, mystified by the figure before them who appears to be responsible for the carnage all around them.

**********************************

His objectives complete, Nightshade sees the rebels for the first time.

His helmet then detects the approaching rumble of a heavy repulsorlift vehicle. He doubts the rebels could hear it yet.

[Actions?]


Nightshade

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #95 on: January 12, 2017, 12:23:18 PM »
Slowly returning his blade to its scabbard, Nightshade bows to the newcomers.  "I am Nightshade.  I cleared this ambush that Imperial intelligence set for you that I might meet with you.  Sadly we don't have much time as I detect vehicles approaching even now.  I suggest you escape immediately and ask that I may accompany you.  Failing that, please give me a time and place to meet you in the future.  I realize that this is a lot to process and I apologize that I could not buy you more time."

Nightshade stayed in his bow as he spoke to present as little of a threatening figure as he could.

GM Craig

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #96 on: January 12, 2017, 12:26:32 PM »
The rebels do not even move.

One of them says, in an incredulous voice, "What are you?"

Nightshade

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #97 on: January 12, 2017, 01:43:21 PM »
"I am a Shinobi.  One of a clan of the Nekami."

GM Craig

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #98 on: January 12, 2017, 01:47:41 PM »
One of the others seems to shake out of their paralysis. "OK, Bug Out plan Cresh! MOVE!" The rebels burst into action, moving in separate directions. The one who spoke to you slings his rifle and steps up to you. He pointedly looks around at the carnage and destruction before he looks back at you. "You can come with us to our bug-out house. We can discuss things in more detail there." He hesitates, then says, "Whatever your motives were, thanks for busting up the ambush." He then offers his hand.

Nightshade

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #99 on: January 12, 2017, 02:54:51 PM »
Taking the offered hand, Nightshade nods to the man in return for his thanks.  He makes ready to follow his new contact, keeping a weather eye out for any new threats.  If one vehicle was coming, there would be more, and of course there was still the force that had attacked the compound from the front.

GM Craig

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #100 on: January 12, 2017, 03:30:09 PM »
While you had been talking, the rebels had gone to work. They pull back a heavy plasteel plate, revealing a pit, and a vehicle of some sort within that pit. As you watch, the vehicle lifts into the air, and you recognize a common airspeeder model. panel doors slide back, and one of the rebels calls out, "Move!" Other rebels that were doing some other indeterminate things leave what they were doing and pile into the speeder. You join them. The doors slide shut, just as you see white armoured troopers burst into the building. Blaster bolts ping off the shuttle, but do not cause any serious damage. A moment later the speeder turns, and the main thrusters engage. Stormtroopers are thrown away like rag dolls from the force of it, and the shuttle smashes through a large bank of windows on the upper floor. There is a huge concussion that follows almost immediately, and the airspeeder bucks and rocks from the force of it. Glancing out the viewport, you see the building behind you has been turned into rubble and fire. In the air over the building, an Imperial assault shuttle struggles to keep in the air, obviously damaged by the blast and debris. Then, your airspeeder dodges around a building, and the scene vanishes.

The rebels are quiet, but many eyes are upon you. The apparent leader of the cell has taken a seat facing you, and while he stares at you, he says nothing.

"Looks like no tails," says the pilot.

No one responds. You are in the air for about 5 minutes, flying low and swerving between buildings. Soon thereafter the speeder sets down in what appears to be an abandoned industrial park. The doors open and everyone piles out. The leader says, "Stay with me." The rebels then scatter, each one in a different direction. Your guide enters an abandoned factory, closing the door behind you. He stays for a moment, ducking out of sight and looking to the sky. Sure enough, a minute or so later, two assault shuttles appear overhead. One of the shuttles stays in a covering position while the other lands in the park, some distance from the abandoned airspeeder.

Your guide turns to you. "Ok, let's go." He leads you through the factory - a maze of equipment, stairs and passages - as if he knows the path well. You are going down, and yuo come to a large circular metal plate perhaps 2m in diameter at the lowest level. Your guide activates a panel, and the metal door slides open, revealing a shaft and a ladder. "Down." says your guide.

As you step onto the first run of the ladder, you hear a heavy *crump* sound from far away. Your guide smiles a predatory smile. "Stormtroopers. Well trained, but not very bright." He climbs onto the ladder above you, and the door slides shut, throwing you into darkness.

You climb down for about a minute before entering a similar passage, only running horizontally. Your guide motions for you to continue down the passage.

[pausing here for reactions.]

Nightshade

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #101 on: January 12, 2017, 08:26:52 PM »
Nightshade was pleased to have made such a uneventful escape from the site of the attack.  He was certain that they would have faced more opposition, and likely would have if that shuttle had arrived any sooner.  He thanked the ancestors for sparing him a thought and some good timing. 

He was used to getting strange looks from people, he understood that his kit was out of the ordinary and most people were uncomfortable around things and people that stood out from the norm.  It used to strike him as ironic back in his early days as an operative that what made him unseen most of the time drew so much attention when he wasn't trying to be invisible. 

Once the shuttle landed and everyone scrambled, he was pleased that the leader of the group chose to stick with him, as this was the one being that he wanted to be sure to make a good impression with and keep alive long enough to get a contact with the main rebel base.  As they walked through the warren of passages he kept his eyes and ears open, mentally mapping the path they took as best as he could.  When he heard the noise he smiled at the explanation his guide gave him.  Stupid enemies were a gift from the spirits. 

As they continued he became more and more alert as the light dropped, ready to spring into action and hold his guide hostage should some of the rebels try to betray him or trap him.


GM Craig

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #102 on: January 14, 2017, 12:43:11 PM »
Your guide produces a light rod, and the two of you start walking. You walk for about an hour in the cramped space. He refuses any attempt at talk, which suits your temperament just fine.

Eventually, you reach a door. He opens the rusty metal door with a screech of metal, and you see a large chamber beyond. You see movement beyond, and as your eyes adjust you recognize you are in some sort of large cistern. The top of the cistern, barely visibile in the darkness above you, is some 50 meters above you. You are standing on a grating, and below you about 25 meters you see still water.

The movement you see are individuals on the far side of the cistern. You can recognize two or three are rebels. The other half dozen you do not recognize.

Your guide turns to you and offers a hand. "The name's Mal Ravin. You have a name other than Nigthshade?"

Nightshade

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #103 on: January 14, 2017, 09:29:19 PM »
Taking the offered hand he bows his head as he greets his guide more formally, "Well met, Mal.  Nightshade is the name I use on assignment outside of the clan, it is considered dishonorable to share my family name among non-clan members.  I hope you can understand."

GM Craig

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Re: Nightshade: Return to Karvis III
« Reply #104 on: January 21, 2017, 04:29:33 PM »
He raises an eyebrow. "Clan huh?" He considers you a moment. "What brings you to Karvis? And why help us?"