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Showdown


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Squad Status:

Isabel (you): Critical

Michelle: Critical

Carly: Wounded

Lewis: Wounded

Squad Bladder Status:

Isabel (you): 22%

Michelle: 29%

Carly: 22%

Equipped Weapon: AR5L Assault Rifle (7/32 shots)

_______

“We’re going with Michelle’s plan. Bring the cannons online, aim manually.” You decide.

“I recommend you take your team to gunnery station 4-A. Just cut back through the hangars and you should end up right there.”

“Understood, Commander.”

“We still have our communications system so I’m going to see if I can contact any other ships in the sector.”

You turn to Michelle. “Since when do you know how to bring starship guns online?”

“Spent many an hour here with some asteroid target practice, back in the day.” Michelle answers. “You tend to pick up how things work in that time.”

“How do we bring the guns online?”

“With the computer inoperable, the bridge can’t issue commands towards systems dependent on its function. By accessing the primary power grid and bypassing...” Michelle spends a good deal of time explaining the procedure.

post-3080-0-37708700-1370069490_thumb.jp

You can almost feel the smoke coming out of your ears. “...and once the access codes are identified and the computer targeting systems disabled, you just fire away.”

“Okay... I think I got it.” You murmur.

“Don’t worry, Captain. I’ll talk you through it.” Michelle consoles you.

______

As you go on, you end back in the hangar where you had your last encounter with Natsumi. You look at the spot where you had left the body...

post-3080-0-74515600-1370069530_thumb.jp

The only thing left there is a used up Life Support medical kit.

“Corporal Dean, report.”

“Dean here, Captain.” The soldier reports. “Well... it worked but...”

“But what?”

“Well see for yourself ma’am. We’re here in the women’s locker room.”

You run to the back of the hangar where the locker rooms are. Entering the women’s, you find the corporal and Natsumi both in the middle of the floor. Natsumi immediately looks at you, and your hand goes to your pistol.

But something stops you. The look in her eyes is not one of anger or a desire for vengeance, but... confusion.

post-3080-0-27760300-1370069544_thumb.jp

“Do I... know you?” The woman asks.

You aren’t sure how to respond. Your mouth opens, but no words come out.

“You don’t recognize us?” Michelle asks.

“Um... no. I don’t... how did I get here?”

“Well...” you start. You weren’t sure what tell her.

“From what I can tell,” Dean says, “she has absolutely no memory of what happened prior.”

Michelle leans over next to you. “Captain, we might have an opportunity here. If she has amnesia, we can probably get her on our side.”

“I agree.” Carly says. “She could be a real asset to the team, especially since Jenni can’t join us.”

> Tell her the truth.

> You’re a member of my team.

> You’re an innocent bystander.

> You’re my mortal enemy. [kill her for good]

> Let Michelle do the talking.

> Other: ________.

~

Squad Status:

Isabel (you): Critical

Michelle: Critical

Carly: Wounded

Lewis: Wounded

Dean: Critical

Squad Bladder Status:

Isabel (you): 23%

Michelle: 30%

Carly: 23%

Equipped Weapon: AR5L Assault Rifle (7/32 shots)

__________

You take a deep breath.

“Listen Natsumi, we haven’t met before now, but let me try and explain what’s going on.”

“A-all right...”

post-3080-0-88894000-1370321505_thumb.jp

You begin telling her of how you boarded the cruiser and encountered the rebels, then later the appearance of the Empire. Under the circumstances, you thought it best to leave out the fact she led the rebels.

“Oh... you’ve had quite an adventure.” She says groggily.

“Can you tell me what you do remember?” You ask.

“Well... I come from the outer Republic colonies, so you can imagine what life there is like. I’ve studied many arts of self defense... and my memory is mostly intact up until the most recent few days.”

“We could really use someone of your talents to help us.” You look at Natsumi’s hips. While she certainly is attractive, you can’t help but notice the lack of sword.

“Did you have a sword?” You ask.

Natsumi’s hand goes to her hip. “Um... yes. It was an important family artifact, actually.” Her face grow increasingly worried. “I don’t remember what I did with it...”

“As much as I’d love to help you find it,” You say to her, “with the looming threat of the enemy cruiser, we have to tend to that first.”

Natsumi nods. “You’re right, of course.” Natsumi reaches inside her robe and pulls out that ebony handgun from before. “I’d be happy to help you. You seem like a decent person.”

“I appreciate it, Natsumi. Sword or not, I’m sure your skills will be invaluable.”

The robed woman blushes ever so slightly.

post-3080-0-94092100-1370321586_thumb.jp

[Relationship +1 with Natsumi]

You link up your helmet with Natsumi’s bio-signs so you can monitor her health. As you had feared, the Life Support kit wasn’t able to put her at pristine health again.

Natsumi: Critical

“Let’s have you stay near the rear, Natsumi.” Michelle advises. “In your current state, you don’t look like you take much abuse.”

Natsumi looks at you. “What’s your name?”

“Isabel Lester.” You answer. “This is my second-in-command, Michelle Smith, and my demolitions expert, Carly Montgomery. The other two are Republic marines Corporal Owen Dean and Private Reyna Lewis.”

“If you don’t mind, Isabel, I’d like to change out of these robes. They’re kind of a mess.”

“Go ahead.”

Natsumi walks behind one of the locker doors. Looking over, you see her robe fall down to the floor.

post-3080-0-74435700-1370321599_thumb.jp

You’re getting an overwhelming urge to go over there and see her. She was a woman too, so she wouldn’t mind, right?

You sigh softly. You know in your heart it wouldn’t be a good idea to do something to make her upset. Listening to your good conscience, you turn your head to the side.

At last, Natsumi closes the locker as she finishes. She’s wearing a set of women’s exercise clothing, a tank top and sweat pants for the most part.

post-3080-0-86502100-1370321608_thumb.jp

“No armor?” Carly asks.

“I like to be nimble.” Natsumi answers. She then charges her gun and gets behind you. “I’m ready when you are, Isabel.”

_______

After heading through the corridors and engaging in a few minor firefights, you and your team arrive at your destination, gunnery station 4-A. There are three separate control terminals here on the upper part of a ramp, but from what your XO described, each one would have to be brought online independently.

post-3080-0-46457400-1370321624_thumb.jp

“Okay Michelle, how do we bring the guns online?” you ask.

“I’m working on it now...” Michelle goes over to the leftmost terminal and begins fiddling around with it. It takes her nearly two minutes to access the guns and bring it online, and you begin to hear a low hum beneath you as power is transferred to the cannon. “Captain, they’re almost certain to detect the weapons powering up. I think-”

The ship lurches as an energy bolt strikes the hull.

“Yup.” Michelle says as she tries to regain her balance.

post-3080-0-93847100-1370321636_thumb.jp

“Captain, the enemy cruiser has opened fire on us.” Reynolds says.

“I noticed.”

“What’s the status of the cannons?”

“One online, two to go.”

“Without shields, we’re as good as dead. Lieutenant Freeman, status on the computer core.”

“Working as fast as I can, Commander.” Jenni answers. “The processors are still warming up.”

Reynolds sighs in anxiety. “Do what you can, Blue Team. Bridge out.”

“Michelle, can we get the rest of the guns online soon?” You ask.

“If two of us work simultaneously, yes.” She answers.

“All right,” you say and point to Carly, then to one of the terminals. “Carly you’re on that one, I’ll take the next. Michelle, take the final one.”

“Once you’ve input the code, you’ll need to create command bypass and disable the computer targeting control, isolating it from the main system. Then transfer power to the cannon. We’ll also-”

Another plasma bolt strikes. Except it wasn’t from the ship. You look down at the station entrance to see a squad of imperial troopers storming in. They take up positions and begin firing on yours.

post-3080-0-08908600-1370321647_thumb.jp

“So much for an easy time!” Carly yells.

“Someone needs to cover the team activating the guns!” Michelle yells.

The situation grew ever more dire. You had to keep someone on the terminal to fire the cannon, which meant they couldn’t hold off the troopers. Three stations, six of you. Who had the best chance of defending?

> Send ______, ______ and ______ to operate the cannons while ______, ______ and ______ defend the team. [You, Michelle, Carly, Dean, Lewis, and Natsumi]

> Go with Carly’s plan instead.

> Other: ______.

Character info: Natsumi

Colonist and abled warrior, Natsumi is a selfless, honor-bound individual with a strong sense of integrity and justice. Concerned with her fellow colonists plight, she organized a team to try and get the Republic to acknowledge her people’s predicament. As their pleas went unanswered, Natsumi lost faith in the Republic, tuning instead to the Empire, not knowing that they had no intention of keeping their promise with a human.

Skills: Natsumi’s skills revolve around combat mostly. She is a skilled close-combat fighter, with either weapon or unarmed, but is also highly rated for handgun usage. Natsumi knows her technical skills are poor, however, and she often seeks the aid of comrades to compensate for this.

Medical analysis: Subject is currently being enhanced by an unknown serum that amplifies combat and healing abilities. However, she has suffered an injury from a high velocity energy bolt to the lower-right of her breast. Subject is currently suffering from a loss of blood, a punctured lung, several shattered ribs and sudden amnesia. Analysis also shows that subject is being kept alive only by emergency life support equipment and possibly the unknown serum. Further combat trauma/damage may cause her life signs to terminate, regardless of the nature of the wound. If kept out of combat, however, her wounds may heal themselves quickly.

Natsumi’s Health: Critical

Natsumi’s bladder status: 50%

(Side note: Serum appears to be having an adverse effect on subject’s urinary system, causing rapid filling of the bladder)

Natsumi’s Inventory:

Weapons: M-2 Black Arrow

Items: Security Spike (2)

Personal Communicator

~

Squad Status:

Isabel (you): Critical

Michelle: Critical

Carly: Wounded

Lewis: Wounded

Dean: Critical

Natsumi: Critical

Squad Bladder Status:

Isabel (you): 26%

Michelle: 33%

Carly: 25%

Natsumi: 50%

Equipped Weapon: AR5L Assault Rifle (7/32 shots)

Tempest Status:

Shields: (inactive)

Hull Integrity: 88%

_______

“All right, Michelle, take your station.” You order. “Carly, let’s you and I bring these other cannons online. Dean, Lewis, Natsumi, keep us covered.”

“We got your back, captain!” Lewis says.

All the better probably. You were getting low on ammo. You had only two spare energy cells remaining for your rifle. You head over to the middle terminal and bring up the interface. “Michelle, what do we do first?”

“Enter your access code, then disable computer targeting.” She answers.

You input your code, Blue-0131-Iota, and the terminal comes online. You bring up computer control, and input the command “disable all computer targeting functions”. The system then begins asking you to verify the authenticity of your identification as a member of the Tempest crew.... which you weren’t.

post-3080-0-29479700-1371024102_thumb.jp

No time to tackle this. You needed to bypass the terminal security and quickly. With your limited knowledge of computers, you manage to simulate a form of “guest access” with the terminal. Unfortunately, that meant your accessibility to the station would terminate within 5-10 minutes if you can’t deactivate the security.

Now you had to transfer power to the terminal. That meant screwing around with the power cables since there was no way to route the power automatically. You go under the terminal and remove the panel to see the various cables and wires. Now... how to do this?

[Lewis has taken damage]

[Dean has taken damage]

You hear the marines yell in pain as they take a hit. You questioned how long they’d be able to hold out under these conditions. Looking down, you could see that a lot of troopers were converging on this position. Natsumi’s reflexes were serving her well, she always managed to duck before an energy bolt hit her, but if the other two went down, she wouldn’t last long. You had to get that gun going quickly!

You disconnect and reconnect power nodes, cross wires and create bypasses. It was one of the most technical jobs you had done in a while... but you were successful. You hear the hum of the gun charging power, and the green light on the console meant “go”. Your hand moves to the aiming controls, and you center the gun upon the enemy vessel.

Pow!

As the energy bolt hits the bow of the ship, a reading appears on your display.

Imperial Battle Cruiser:

Shields: 89%

Hull Integrity: 100%

You had a reading of the enemy ship now, able to monitor the condition of its shields, hull integrity, and any damaged primary systems.

Michelle had been pounding away at the ship, but Carly was still struggling to bring her terminal online.

“Carly, you got it?” You ask.

“I’m getting there, Isabel! Keep firing!” She yells.

A plasma bolt hit her in the back, “Gyaa!”

[Carly has taken damage]

You look back down at the troopers. They outnumbered your defenders by nearly 6 to 1 now. There was a good chance that team might not make it.

You take a few more shots at the enemy cruiser.

post-3080-0-30669600-1371024112_thumb.jp

____

Imperial Battle Cruiser:

Shields: 71%

Hull Integrity: 100%

Wild Tempest:

Shields: (inactive)

Hull Integrity: 62%

_____

“Got it!” Carly yells.

At last the third cannon begins to fire.

With all three stations firing together, you might have a chance now.

________

Imperial Battle Cruiser:

Shields: 43%

Hull Integrity: 100%

Wild Tempest:

Shields: (inactive)

Hull Integrity: 55%

________

“You’re not winning today!” You mutter to the cruiser. You fire another shot just when-

post-3080-0-27028100-1371024129_thumb.jp

“ARRGHH!!!” Dean takes a hit right to the arm where there is little protection.

[Dean has taken damage]

Critical --> Dying

Dean falls to the floor clutching the wound in agony.

“Corporal! Are you all right!?” You yell.

“I... I’ll be fine! I can still fight!” He says as he struggles to rise. You can tell he’s trying to downplay the wound, but the amount of blood seems to contradict that.

> Give Dean a stimulant

> Order Carly or Michelle to give Dean a stimulant

> Tell Dean to stay down

> Allow Dean to keep fighting

> Retreat

> Other: ______.

~

Squad Status:

Isabel (you): Critical

Michelle: Critical

Carly: Wounded

Lewis: Wounded

Dean: Dying

Natsumi: Critical

Squad Bladder Status:

Isabel (you): 28%

Michelle: 35%

Carly: 27%

Natsumi: 55%

Equipped Weapon: AR5L Assault Rifle (7/32 shots)

Tempest Status:

Shields: (inactive)

Hull Integrity: 55%

Enemy Ship Status:

Shields: 44%

Hull Integrity: 100%

_______

“Michelle, get over there, give him a revive!” You say while pointing at Dean.

Michelle runs over towards the fallen marine and administers one of her stimulants.

post-3080-0-58345900-1371113382_thumb.jp

[Michelle -1 resuscitation stimulant (1 remaining)]

Dean:

Dying --> Critical

“Stay down, Corporal. Don’t need you dying on us..” You say to him.

Dean looks at you grudgingly. “With all due respect, ma’am. I can still fight, and you need three people watching your back.”

Crap. You knew he was right. You give a quick affirmative nod before you look back over to you station and continue firing at the Imperial ship. You watch with anticipation as the blue-green beams launch towards the other vessel, crashing upon the shimmering light that was their shields. Shields...

“Jenni!” You say over the comm. “Do you have a way of restoring just shields?”

“I might be able to generate a command from the core that’ll bring the shields back up.” Jenni replies. “Gimme a minute.”

“We may not have a minute, Lieutenant! Work fast!”

You and your squad continuously fire, the loud boom of the cannons now causing a qringing in your eardrums. You feel the deck plating shake beneath your feet as another beam of energy slams into the Tempest’s hull. You flinch as a piece of plating flies off from an explosion and nearly strikes your head.

____

Tempest:

Shields: (inactive)

Hull Integrity: 32%

Enemy ship:

Shields: 9%

Hull Integrity: 94%

____

They’re shields were weakening considerably. It appeared the ship’s heavy cannons were having more of an effect than you had anticipated.

You quickly turn and check to see how the rest of the team is doing.

post-3080-0-03163200-1371113391_thumb.jp

The fresh, Private Lewis is holding her own, but you can see the look in her eyes. She’s terrified, and she doesn’t believe she’s going to survive. Dean appears to be feeling the same, though fear would seem to be replaced by anger. Natsumi is as cool as ever. Likely her kill count for this fight was already fairly high.

Imperial troops were still pouring in though, plasma cannons ablaze with colorful fire. As you peer down the hall, you see the noticeably shiny golden armor of an Imperial General.

post-3080-0-05206300-1371113421_thumb.jp

“Captain...” Natsumi says with worry.

“I see him.”

“Look out!” Michelle yells.

post-3080-0-24427700-1371113401_thumb.jp

You look up out the view port to see crimson flare, arcing toward your position form the enemy ship.

“Tactical missile!” Commander Reynolds shouts. “Brace for impact!”

You grab the console and watch as the light streaks over towards Michelle’s station.

post-3080-0-17823100-1371113411_thumb.jp

KA-BOOM!!!

Michelle:

Critical --> Dying

Michelle goes flying to the floor and ceases moving. Your helmet’s bio-monitor registered her as unconscious. The enemy would probably regard her as dead as long as you left her alone.

You then glance over at the ship status again.

____

Tempest:

Shields: (inactive)

Hull Integrity: 8%

Enemy Ship:

Shields: 2%

Hull Integrity: 91%

____

Captain,” Reynolds says. “This ship is coming apart at the seams! A few more hits and we’ll be reduced to a cloud of debris!”

You grit your teeth. The situation was becoming more and more dire. You look behind your shoulder again, seeing what the enemy troops were doing. Including that general, there were at least twenty more troops to contend with.

The General then pulls out what appears to be a grenade launcher.

“Concussion rifle! Get down!” Dean yells.

The General fires the rifle. A blue-violet light sails towards your position

KA-DEOWW!!!

The light detonate just between Dean and Lewis.

Dean:

Critical --> Dying

Lewis:

Wounded -- Dying

The marines were down, Michelle was down, the ship was near destruction, with nigh two-dozen enemy soldiers encroaching upon your position.... you were panicking. You could your heart nearly exploding in your chest, with sweat pouring down your face. Was this the end? Had you finally met your match?

......

......

“GOT IT!”

You pee yourself just a little bit as Jenni screams over the comm. You hear something power up around you, and you then look at the display again.

____

Tempest:

Shields: 100%

Hull Integrity: 8%

____

“Well done, Lieutenant!” Reynolds sighs in relief.

“You’ll have weapons and propulsion in a moment, Commander! Stand by!”

Finally! A stroke of luck.

You then look at the twenty or so troopers advancing upon your position. You were still in a bad wake. Your options were limited, and if you and Carly didn’t continue firing at the enemy ship, it would likely still cause great damage, shields or no. On the other hand, if you focused on firing the cannons, it was likely that someone would not survive.

post-3080-0-31254800-1371113431_thumb.jp

A trooper stand above Michelle with his rifle raised.

> Continue firing at the enemy cruiser

> Take Carly and Natsumi and attack the enemy troops

> Heroically throw yourself at the enemy.

> Distribute stimulants

> Other: _____.

~

Squad Status:

Isabel (you): Critical

Michelle: Dying

Carly: Wounded

Lewis: Dying

Dean: Dying

Natsumi: Critical

Squad Bladder Status:

Isabel (you): 30%

Michelle: 39%

Carly: 29%

Natsumi: 59%

Equipped Weapon: AR5L Assault Rifle (7/32 shots)

Tempest Status:

Shields: 93%

Hull Integrity: 8%

Enemy Ship Status:

Shields: 2%

Hull Integrity: 91%

_______

Half of your team was in danger. You couldn’t just leave them to die!

“Carly, abandon position! Engage the enemy troopers!”

“Aye, ma’am.” Carly takes out one of her frag grenades and chucks it into the horde of troops. She hits one of them straight in the groin, unintentionally jamming it in there.

post-3080-0-81080000-1371196198_thumb.jp

The soldier begins to fall over from the pain, but the explosive detonates before he hits the ground, taking about five other soldiers with it.

BOOM!!!

Fourteen out of twenty remaining.

[Carly: -1 frag grenade (0 remaining)]

You turn to the soldiers approaching Michelle. You fire your remaining seven shots into the torso of the lead soldier. He staggers backwards into the soldier behind him.

Without so much as blinking, you cycle your weapons to your sidearm, aim for the soldiers and fire.

post-3080-0-58005400-1371196209_thumb.jp

Both fall down, but the soldiers behind them fire upon you.

[You have taken damage]

Plasma weapons left a wonderfully painful burn every time. The day the Republic is able to equip their soldiers with personal energy shielding would be a celebratory one, indeed.

You quickly drag Michelle back into cover, keeping her safe for the time being. You weren’t sure how long that would last though. A good number of troopers were still there. You switch back to your rifle and reload.

[-1 AR5L energy cell (1 remaining)]

Before you can aim though, an enemy trooper is already overhead. He kicks you down and aims his rifle at your head.

[You have taken damage]

post-3080-0-59794400-1371196220_thumb.jp

Seemingly out of nowhere, Natsumi appears and delivers a flying kick to the trooper, sending him back down the ramp.

“You okay, Isabel?” She asks as she pulls you up.

“I will be. We need these guys taken care of fast, though.”

Carly takes down two more troopers, then takes a hit herself.

[Carly has taken damage]

You fire into the enemy troops yourself, peppering them with energy bolts. Two more are taken down. Nine troops, including that General, remained. With Carly dug in at the other end, many of the remaining troops were gaining ground on her. She takes down another one, then two more troops fire upon her.

[Carly has taken damage]

Carly: Wounded --> Critical

You quickly turn and give Carly some cover. You manage to take out two more troopers, while Natsumi kills a third. Four troopers left.

You fire at another, he goes down. Natsumi removes another. Carly dispatches the last, until the General is all that remained.

He runs up to Carly, knocks her weapon out of her hand then picks her up with his left hand by the throat. From his right hand, a blade appears, which he proceeds to thrust into Carly’s abdomen.

post-3080-0-60670100-1371196231_thumb.jp

[Carly has taken serious damage]

Carly: Critical --> Dying

He drops her to the ground, then turns his attention towards you and Natsumi.

You discard your spent energy cell insert you last one into your rifle.

[-1 AR5L Energy cell. (0 remaining)]

This was it. Your final battle.

post-3080-0-92549800-1371196242_thumb.jp

There were other issues though. Four squad mates were critically wounded, and if the General should decide to attack them, they wouldn’t survive.

> Attack the General together with Natsumi.

> Have either you or Natsumi try to draw the General away.

> Heroically charge the General

> Other: ______.

======

Edit: Quick inventory summary:

Isabel’s Inventory:

AR5L Assault Rifle

M8 SD Pistol

AR6L Energy cell: 1

220 Megajoule energy cell: 0

Medical kit (Field): 1

Medical kit (Burn): 1

Health Stim: 1

Strength Stim: 1

Resuscitation Stim: 1

Non-lethal Charges: 1

Metal Cutter

Oxygen Mask

Michelle’s Inventory:

Sniper Rifle

S4L Pistol

Medical Kit (field): 1

Trip mines: 2

Resuscitation Stims: 1

Jenni’s Inventory: (currently unavailable)

AR6L Assault Rifle

Freeze Gun

Medical Kit (field): 1

Frag Grenades: 1

Heavy Duty Remote Charges: 2

Resuscitation Stims: 2

Storage Canister (Jenni’s urine)

Carly’s Inventory:

GN-535 Submachine Gun

Anti-Armor Launcher (out of ammo)

Medical Kit (field): 0

EC Grenades: 2

Resuscitation Stims: 2

Lewis’ Inventory:

AR6L Assault Rifle

S4L Pistol

Communications Jammers: 2

Signal Boosters: 2

Dean’s Inventory:

SG7 Wavegun

S4L Pistol

Old Earth Coin: 1

Natsumi's inventory:

M-2 Black Arrow

Security Spike: 2

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