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It most certainly was not a pleasant experience.

 

Cavalier gritted his teeth and tried to focus through the pain. Okay. He'd seen those thrusters before. Ways to get an object to slow just as it was entering a planet's atmosphere. Often used on deep space mining operations, usually to keep asteroids out of atmospheric decay in case they fell into a planet's gravity well -- 

 

Another spark. Another jolt. Focus.

 

Okay. So were they already here, or... No. The splintering of the rock. It seemed fresh. These thrusters hadn't been installed and worked into the rock; they had been deployed. Which meant they were installed specifically for this purpose, at this time. And the rock... didn't look like rock. Meaning...

 

"It's a craft! We're on a ship!" 

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Moon-moth had been spared the brunt of the blast by a particularly forceful shove of his forcefield and yet he smouldered from its intensity, he wouldn't be able to repel them indefinitely with his defences and neither would cavalier, so the best thing for both of them right now would be to buy some breathing room or so he wagered.

 

Gathering up his focus and turning his antenna forwards and begining to weave a spell he'd theorized about when he'd studied magnetar stars after talking with the praetorian bearing the same name and his explanation of those self same powers wove a cocoon of magnetism to deflect the deadly wisps of dancing energies from himself and cavalier

 

Gesturing information to cavalier to explain in his rather more fluent native language

 

"We are insulated from further electrical surges by a magnetic barrier"

Edited by Exaccus
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Swearing creatively, a hobby of her really, Sitara threw the craft around away from the forcefield. Once she was sure that she wasn't going to crash into the shield she placed the craft in a parallel course with the Comet. With no need for fancy flying she let the shuttle plot its own course to keep with the object, she might have to abandon this little ship depending on what they did next.

 

"This ship also seems to have a forcefield in place as well, that's going to be very bad for when it hits the atmosphere. If you can't find an off switch I'm probably going to need a lift down to the surface."

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GM

 

Traveller brought the shuttle back around to try to stay parallel with the "comet," but without Moon-Moth's assistance, she shuttle began steadily falling behind.

 

"The forcefield is likely why the local defense forces have been ineffective in stopping this object."  Seresk commented from where he was toward the back of the cockpit.  "Speaking off, we are receiving hails from some of the planetary defense forces to identify ourselves.  Shall I?"

 

On the surface of the unknown craft

 

The electrical discharges continued to fill the air around them, but Moon-Moth's spell kept it well at bay from himself and Cavalier.  This bought them a bit of a breather to more carefully examine the situation. 

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"Being advised, surface of comet-ship is electrified, cloaking has been dropped to insulate us from its effects, will be moving to disable forcefield and allow successful landings for shuttles, moon-moth out, bye-bye, kisses" he intoned to his communicator through the text to input as he glanced around for an access pannel, with his power currently tied up in the anti-electricity zone he would have to do this the good old fashioned way, with the grease of his elbows!

Finding an access panel and popping it open to reveal its vulnerable internal workings he allowed himself a moment to ponder over its workings, it would be bad to damage or disable the retro boosters but the shield had to go, whilst he possessed no learnings in the way of machines he had a certain talent for figuring things out and once he'd had a good look he decided that over all it was better to let things take their course for now, quickly texting into his communicator again, to all channels in range.

 

"Retroboosters are priming, reduce impact to minimal damage, prepare to evac, hugs and kisses, moon-moth."

Edited by Exaccus
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Sitara was an engineer at heart, as well as a warrior, and despite the seriousness of the situation enjoyed the challenge of that had been delivered to them today.

 

"Seresk takes the controls and keep her steady, and deploy your suit and buckle in I'm shunting everything we can to the engines to try and keep up for now... And yes please tell them who we are and what we're trying to do."

 

After making sure her fellow Praetorian was safe she transferred almost all the available power to the engines, though she kept a little aside for a plan she had brewing.

 

"Sit tight Moon-Moth I'm going to try and do micro jump through the shield and to your location."

 

Removing one of the cockpits rear panels she began to rewire the systems to do what she had in mind, microjumps weren't without risks and most ships had inhibitors in place to stop people trying just what she was about to do.

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GM


Seresk nods as he grabs a breath mask, the only thing he needed to fully be able to function in the vacuum of space and then did his best to take over the controls of the shuttle given his large size.  He also responded to the hails from the planetary defense forces, identifying them and their purpose. 

 

Sitara then went to work, pulling open panels to circumvent the ship's fail safes in order to make the dangerous maneuver.  It took a bit of time, the comet/ship continuing to pull further away as she worked, and drawing ever closer to Kembel. 

 

Finally she finished her preparations, took her seat once more and took over the controls as she activated the ship's hyperdrive.  The controls jumped in her hands, wanting to resist the various stresses pulling against it as there was the familiar shift to the white of hyperspace, but it was only a flash, as the shuttle lurched back into real space, several panels within the cockpit exploding from the stress and backlash caused by the maneuver.

 

Sitara was just able to maneuver the shuttle between the retroboosters along the surface of the "comet," as the shuttle's engines flared out.  The craft slammed down hard with a jolt, and skidded dozens of meters along the surface, narrowly avoiding any of the boosters intended to slow the "comet" once it reached the atmosphere.  Even as the shuttle came to a halt, Seresk and Sitara bombarded by the surging electrical currents that surrounded the surface of the "comet," more of the shuttle's systems exploding from the surges as well. 

 

Seresk grunted slightly as electrical currents arched over his scaly hide, but clenched his large fists and resisted the current. 

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Moon-moth watched, mouth agape in horror as he saw the ship flickering in an out of existence in an instant and fall against the comets surface, outside the area of his protective aura!

 

Oh noes!  He gestured in lanturnian as he took of towards it looking back and cavalier and swinging his arm to indicate that he should follow so as to not get left out of the warding sphere himself as he made his way over towards the hulking wreckage of the totalled shuttle, pressing his soft fluffy face against the tinted windows and trying to peer in ineffectually.

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Aw, fragg

 

Cavalier quickly hopped to follow in the path of Moon-Moth, using the boosters on his boots to try to clear the distance. It wasn't easy - with the static field on the asteroid still crackling, every moment was like biting down on tinfoil. At its best, at least. Of course, that was replaced by an even greater concern as the ship came skidding to a halt. Within a second, he was off in a flash, pushing himself across the microgravity of the asteroid. He expected Sitara and Seresk to be okay, but that had not looked like a pleasant landing. And with this field up, the systems in there might be going up like a goddamn fireworks show. 

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GM


Sitara felt the electrical current course through her, causing her muscles to tighten up as control panels around her exploded from damage caused by the electrical discharge surrounding the surface of the craft disguised as a comet.  Seresk easily pulled himself free of his restraints, moving over and freeing Sitara as well.


But even as the large reptilian Praetorian prepared to try and move the dazed Sitara clear of the downed shuttle, Moon-Moth and Cavalier moved closer, eventually brining the shuttle and the two Praetorians inside within the area of Moon-Moth's protective barrier from the electricity.

 

Seresk carried Sitara outside as she recovered from being electrocuted.  Between the physical damage caused by the crash and the electrical damage to numerous systems, it seemed rather evident that the shuttle would not be flying again anytime soon.

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The Traveller

 

"Well that's not my worse landing, but it's got to be up there! Top two at most really!" Sitara had turned her faceplate opaque to show that she was okay, even managing a weak smile, as her suits nanites patched up the cut above her eye. Recovering quickly thanks to her suit's systems she thumbed the comms to the other Praetorians

 

"Okay, the fleet knows where here so we don't have to worry about a ride home, one way or the other. The shuttle's not an option now so tell me you've found something that we can use?"

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Indeeds! this is a ship not a comet, it has retroboosters that were preparing to fire and make planetfall, so far all attempts to disable the sheild would've also killed those engines. moon-moth gestures in lanturnian to sitara's translator

 

It is seeming like we can do nothing to divert it from its course but its landing shouldn't cause any damage outside of what it lands on and the immediate vicinity by all calculations and reckoning, having seen the inner workings it appears the systems are gtetting ready to fire up to slow the descent upon entering the planets atmosphere. he explains a little further

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GM

 

With Traveller recovered from the initial electrical shock she had received and now protected by Moon-Moth's spell, Seresk set her back down and she went over to examine the access panel Moon-Moth had already opened.  As Moon-Moth had indicated, the circuitry inside was highly advanced and intricately designed.  Whomever had designed it had made it neigh impossible to shut off the forcefield without also disabling the thrusters designed to slow the vessel down once it was entering a planet’s atmosphere.  

 

Based on Traveller's calculations, they were already far too close to Kimbel now.  If she disable those thrusters, there was no way to guarantee that the defense forces and Praetorians could destroy the vessel completely enough to prevent a major disaster when it hit the planet. 

 

Of course, there was one other problem.  The boosters were nearly about to activate, which meant they were nearing the planet’s atmosphere.  Things were about to get rather hot where they were standing if they remained there when reentry began.

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moon-moth, fully aware of his flammability and guessing that none of his team mates save, perhaps mighty Seresk, could survive planetary impact if indeed the fires of re-entry, did what he did best, Panic.

 

he had lost many many friends, all once what was to him but a few scant years ago, his heart ached at the thought of more loss and pain so with the mightiest flexing of his mystic migration spell created something of an astral maelstrum to scoop up his friends and fling them to safety with his wildly surging magic

 

Making quite a audacious aopearance when the kalaedoscopic whirlwind dumps them all in the street they'd walked down towards the bar they'd found sitara in, stood atop a intricate carving that the extradimensional energied had cut into the street.

Edited by Exaccus
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The Traveller

 

Sitara jumped a little unsteadily to her feet using the nearby Praetorian for support, her medical systems were screaming at her to take it easy but they really didn't have the time. She made her way quickly, if a little unsteadily, to the console to have a look


"If we had the time I'd bounce the comet off the atmosphere into a safe orbit, but it looks like we're out of time. If the aim is to burn off the ice then the forcefield won't be of much help either. I suggest we come up with a quick plan to escape this snowball! And I'm afraid I broke our ride!" she managed to smile weakly.

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GM

 

With a course of action decided, the Praetorians all gather around Moon-Moth as he prepared to a new spell.  As the protective field dropped, the electricity filling the air started arching toward the four Praetorians, Cavalier and Traveller feeling their hair starting to stand on end.  But before the deadly current could fully strike them, they were teleported away from the "comet."


A moment later, the four Praetorians reappeared in the cantina where Traveller had been waiting for the other three but a short while earlier.  It was now deserted, everyone having headed towards shelters or possibly even a spacecraft to get them off Kembel.  Once they had managed to reorient themselves, the Praetorians quickly made their way back outside, finding the streets equally deserted. 

 

Looking up at the sky, they could see a giant fireball appear, the "comet" was entering the atmosphere.  The fireball sped across the sky, but did seem to be slowing.  As it continued to drop in altitude, it seemed to be heading towards the ocean which lay beyond the large bay that lay to the eastern edge of the city in which they were standing.

 

Moving quickly over towards the edge of the bay, the Praetorians arrived just as the large object could be seen dropping at a much slower velocity than it had been, aiming out towards the shallow waters near the bay.  The object set down into the water, a huge geyser of steam shooting up into the sky as some of the surrounding water was vaporized by the intense heat caused by reentry.  The waters of the bay became momentarily violent, great waves crashing on the shore caused the by impact.  But considering what it could have been had the boosters not slowed the objects descent, it was nothing to complain about.

 

Out where the impact had taken place, they could still see steam rising into the air, but there appeared to be some dark shape moving within it.  Then, suddenly, holodisplays and other communications devices across the city were activated, as a transmission overrode their normal programing.

 

The projection showed a tall figured dressed in teal, navy and similar power armor similar to that worn by Star Khan, although unlike Star Khan, the figure wore a helmet with a full facemask and a wide black visor that covered his eyes. A teal and navy hood covered part of the figure's head, going down to cover the shoulder plates as well.  A small, white Khanate starburst was located at the center of the figure’s chest plate.  "Citizens of Kembel I am Justicar Sarin.  In the name of the great Kinan Khan, I reclaim this world as part of the Stellar Khanate.  Surrender now and you will be welcomed back with open arms and all will be forgiven.  Refuse, and you shall reap destruction!"

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His nerves tingled. His brain was in overdrive. And he felt like he needed to hug a toilet. 

 

It wasn't the first time getting teleported by Moon-Moth, but Cavalier was just dealing with the impact of their sudden leap off of the asteroid. The asteroid that had turned the lake into a steam bath. A part of him wanted to grab his coffee on his way out the door, on the grounds that he would probably really need it. This desire was reinforced by the shape moving in the steam - and the transmission. 

 

"Yeah, there's that famous Khanate diplomacy. 'Come back, and we'll only take out one kneecap.'" He started shifting the parameters on his suit. As power rerouted, the blaster slid back out into place in his hand. "So, are we going to give a new meaning to 'shotgun diplomacy,' or...?" 

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Moon-moth feels his legs wobbling from the strain of casting so many rotes without rest, camouflaging the ship, insulating them from the lightning and now teleporting them enmasse back to the planets surface like he had was....draining to say the least, the world was begining to grow fuzzy around the edges of his vision from the mental and physical strain he'd put himself under.

 

And now this, he'd heard of kahn, the betrayer, whom sold his body and soul to the communion for fleeting power and success against his enemies, that the imperatrix had taken part in his defeat with other coalition members whilst he and his strike time ripped out the communions black soul.

 

"Moth is ready!" he squeaked, puffing up fluffy mane in preparation for further battle to be made, or as some small, quiet part of him hoped, tactical relocation be required.

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The Traveller

Sitara might still be a little groggy from the crash but she was still good enough to travel through the teleport mostly unharmed and ready to react to the sudden arrival of the Justicar.

 

"We have to be careful here." she warned the others "It's up to the locals to decide if they want back into the Khanate, all we can do is make sure that it's not done by bullying."

 

Still a little groggy it took a few seconds to realise that technically she was the most senior Praetorian and hence should be the one to take charge of this situation. Stepping forward with all the authority she could muster, her white armour glinting in the sunlight.

 

"I'm Sitara Shashikala, The Traveller, of the Praetorians. We'll take you message to the civil authorities to consider your offer, but if you want to do it by force of arms we'll be forced to stop you!"

 

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GM

 

Out at the mouth of the bay where the comet had landed, the steam continued to rise up into the air as the massive dark form continued to move.  Then, the form strode forward from the stream, wading through the now chaotic waters.  As it emerged, it was revealed to be enormous robotic form over a hundred feet in length and with six towering legs that allowed it to move through the deep water with ease. 

 

Like some gigantic predatory creature, the mechanical form started forward slowly, stalking through the waters toward the heart of the city.  From where they stood, the four Praetorians could see the few civilians that had gathered outside to see what was going on turn to flee once more, seeking whatever shelter they could find.  Even some of the soldiers that were gathered along the shoreline seemed uncertain in the face of what was advancing toward them.

 

The displayed image of Justica Sarin appeared to be able to hear Traveller's words, as he paused a moment and then spoke once more.  "The Praetorians, it is an honor to meet warriors of such renown."  He gave a slight bow before speaking once more.  "In any event, it would be wise to hurry up with the message, assuming they have not already received it.  We would not want any common soldier’s nerves to trigger an unavoidable disaster."

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The Traveller

Sitara looked up at the hologram impassively, she'd been threatened by many big and small over the years and wasn't impressed.

 

"There is no need to resort to things Justica Sarin, your claims will get all the attention it deserves."

 

Turning on her internal comms she keyed in the channel for her fellow Praetorians, all whilst not looking away from the hologram.

 

"We should probably move quickly on this, any chance of another teleport for us Moon-Moth?"

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"Moth is good for maybes one more..." he huffed in tiredness "Afters that, Not gonna be much goodings for magics for a bit." he answered honest as he always was in such matters

 

"Just needings to calculates pathways and of courses a location, ranging may affects the smoothness of the travels as will urgencies, as you have experiencing." he adds thoughtfully as he stands back up from resting on his knees

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  • 2 weeks later...

 

The Traveller

Sitara racked her memory for a few moments, a very crowded place indeed, for the time spent in this region of space. She'd covered a lot of territories when she'd been "rogue" in Khanate space. She'd actually spent some time here at that point and knew exactly where to go, with a few instructions she bought up a holomap of the Capital City hiding it from Justica Sarin at of spite out of anything.

 

"The Planetary Council meet here." she pointed to the highlighted building on the 3D display "Is that enough for you to get us there?"

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  • 2 weeks later...

GM

 

Sitara's directions were all Moon-Moth needed, and a few moments later the gathered Praetorians vanished in the Lanturians' spell.  A few moments later the four reappeared inside a large well appointed room.  The floor was a smooth surface similar to marble and the furniture appeared to be made from some fine local wood with a dark color, offset by brightly colored cushions.

 

The sudden appearance of the four Praetorians caused several of the beings gathered in the room to call out in surprise.  Several individuals along the outer edge of the room began to draw weapons.  But before they could completely draw then a commanding voice caused them to halt.

 

"Calm yourselves.  Do you not recognize a Star Knight or members of the Praetorians?"  The speaker was an elderly Zultasian, who was seated at a large table along with several other individuals of various races.  Now that their initial surprise was beginning to subside, the gathered members of the planetary council were studying the new arrivals closely.

 

"Greetings Star Knight, Praetorians."  The Zultasian added, bowing his head slightly to the group.  "I imagine you are here to determine our intentions and offer what assistance and advice you might have?"

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  • 5 months later...

["We are." Cavalier managed to keep his stomach from getting to know his throat quite as intimately this time. He just had to deal with a different kind of unpleasantness. Diplomacy wasn't exactly his forte. Okay, that wasn't true; he knew how to hold his tongue, not drink too much of the local tequila equivalent, and swing from the chandelier at the state function. Mediation wasn't exactly his forte. Standing by and serving back as referee in the great wrestling match of wills - and making sure no one pulled out the folding chair - was something he was used to. Actually guiding the debate... especially in circumstances like this... well.

 

Of course, you had to take your training wheels off sometime. "Let's start with your intentions. I take it you heard the 'request.' Hard to miss it. What is the will of the Council at this time?" 

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