Author Topic: Terrorform Beta Chapter 1 'Lost treasures' (Read 1012 times)

Harlequin · « **on:** March 31, 2012, 12:09:16 PM »

F13, Sparks Mine, November 12, 3205, 4920hrs, 33°C

In the early evening on Terra the suns would soon be setting to leave the planet dark for another forty hour night, the temperature would quickly plummet from a warm thirty three degrees Celsius to almost zero. Underground in Sparks mines the climate would change very little, blood and sweat from man and mutant flowed freely in the gold mine and the heat generated by thousands of working men and women working in shifts day and night would keep it hot all eighty hours of the day.
Sparks iron mine was little better conditions wise, out in the open-pit mine workers toiled with pick, shovel and machine to cut out chunks of the plentiful iron ore deposits and haul them out to the old prewar railway system to transport it along with their gold to New Melbourne for refinement, smelting and minting.

Apart from the train station and mines the other features of the settlement include the miners barracks and tavern, a set of offices including a clinic and a general store and the storage bunker that houses spare machinery and can function as a fallout shelter if required.
The barracks is fairly plain but provides adequate if somewhat cramped living quarters for the population of almost ten thousand people that can't afford their own private dwelling in or out of town.
Among the other significant structures of the mines is the tavern where everyone eats and drinks and fights and facks when the fancy so takes them, the miner's tavern is run by a group made up mostly of free Synths that see to the daily meals and entertainment of everyone off duty. Hard liqueur, sex, gambling and fighting rings for the violence inclined patrons who want to work out a grudge with a co-worker... it is a common practice for a group to throw an arguing couple into the pit to watch them fight and gamble on who they think will win.
As the second shift of miners gets busy relaxing, passing out drunk and hiring whores the third is already at work digging up more mineral wealth to line their pockets.

Scattered around the main buildings are a network of anti-air cannons linked by a smaller gauge and much less technological railway then the old prewar electromagnetic one, bunkers made to house the guns sit in strategic locations along the track to provide extra cover for the gunners and safe place to store the valuable weapon when a storm passes through.
Dominating the assortment is one massive cannon permanently fixed into the ground and dedicated to taking down larger spacecraft like Synth cruisers and destroyers.
Manning the defenses is a dedicated mercenary force that can be supported by a sizable militia of miners if the need arises, sentries posted at the north and east gate keep watch along the roads and badlands surrounding the town and several more keep watch on the sky to spot for any passing ships.

Like every settlement on Terra most of the buildings are underground and linked to each other by a set of tunneled pathways, surrounding the town is a set of high mountains and cliffs on the west side supplemented by a ten metre steel anti-scaling fence on the east.

The owner of Sparks Mines who usually sticks to his family nickname 'Sparks' or Mr. Sparks has been having trouble of late keeping up with the demand of ore, the output of the mines was cut by over a third when a group of Valkyries claimed had found something valuable in the south-western desert and convinced Mr. Sparks to loan them the mining equipment to dig it up.
In exchange the Valkyries traded with medicine and platinum bars, however... they only loaned the machinery for one hundred and sixty hours and it has now been two weeks since their departure.
With the loss of their best tools of the trade many of the miners have had to resort to manual labor to dig.

In response Mr. Sparks put out a call for mercenaries and adventurers offering a ten thousand gold piece reward to anyone who can track down the location of his missing possessions and double that if they can bring it back in working order.

The last train for the day is scheduled to arrive around 5200hrs from The Gap after unloading it's cargo of ore to be transported via truck to the other side of the destroyed railway and picked up by another train to take the ore to New Melbourne, once it returns no one else is expected to arrive. The few hundred farmers and hunters scattered to the north and west of Sparks Mines won't travel after dark and visitors are uncommon.

Despite their accepting that the equipment is probably never going to be recovered many of the inhabitants remain hopeful that somebody capable of solving their dilemma will show up, although considering that the last two groups that headed out west never came back their hopes are rapidly fading...

Harlequin · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2012, 04:48:17 AM »

F13, Sparks Mine, November 12, 3205, 5204hrs, 30°C

The last train for the day glided into Sparks Mine's station carrying a load of workers impatiently waiting for the doors to slide open and let them out to enjoy some leisure time after their return from transporting ores past The Gap.

Among them sat Giles Winston Xavier, Esq, the Third who's clean formal wear looked completely out of place in the car full of filthy sweat soaked workmen.
Surrounding Giles were three robotic servants who also seemed out of place despite their human appearance.

Also on the train was another newcomer to Sparks Mine, a mutant known as Salazar of the Gheredi clan who managed to blend in as one of the mercenary security force.
No one would show much enthusiasm when questioning a merc about why they were here or what they were doing, for one part everyone already knew the answer was likely to be that they were on a job and second it was unlikely they would get an answer anyway.

Giles on the other hand begged to be questioned and once the train had stopped and the small crowd of people dispersed there was a security team on the platform waiting for him.
A skinny little Synth woman in a plain set of clothes stood next to a very large man riding inside a powered exoskeleton suit and carrying a very large gun, both of them were watching Giles inside the train car waiting patiently for him to come out.
A few other guards were stretched out over the station platform keeping watch while another team swept down through the train one car at a time checking for anything or anyone else that might have sneaked on-board.

It was difficult to make out much more than that in the dim evening light and the ambient glow from the train's internal lighting but the large open pit mine to the north was easily visible through the train windows and the mountains to the north left a giant silhouette in the night sky.

Razorburn · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2012, 04:02:37 PM »

Salazar strode out of the train and onto the platform, walking quietly along with the laborers. The dark mutant moved with the ease of someone accustomed to the heavy Terran gravity. However, his attire and gear set him apart from the miners, leaving little doubt as to his mercenary profession. His camouflage combat fatigues emulated patterns of rock, sand, and barren spaces common to the planet. His combat boots looked to be broken-in, but in good shape, and his backpack matched the uniform. He was clearly armed, but bore no heavy weaponry to draw undue attention. The tools of his trade included a long bolter blade that lay sheathed across his back over the left shoulder, a bolter pistol holstered at his right hip, a large knife sheathed on his left thigh, and a rifle slung over his right shoulder.

Salazar affected the bored demeanor common to those who stand guard for long periods as he stepped aside and came to a stop away from foot-traffic on the platform. In an instant, he took in the immediate area and its familiar scents of sweat and dust, habitually scanning for threats or something out of place. His silver gaze lingered on the Synth girl for a moment before scanning the rest of the area. The mutant positioned himself just close enough so that he would be able to watch and overhear the interaction of the wealthy Terran and his welcoming party. He made a point of wiping his sunglasses clean and checking his gear, while standing as if waiting for pickup or for cargo to unload.

While en-route to Sparks Mine, the mutant had immediately noticed the conspicuous man traveling with an entourage. It struck Salazar as odd that a man of obvious wealth did not seem to have a security specialist amongst his followers, though appearances were often deceptive. Perhaps he had planned to meet the Synth and the man in the exo-suit here as his security detail. Or maybe the man would need the services of someone like himself. The merc in him could not resist the opportunity to meet a potential employer, so he was ready to step in at the first sign that the man might need an armed guard.

Even so, he was content to observe at first, to watch the meeting and see how the man fared if the locals gave him any hassle. One could learn much about a person through simple observation. And this was Terra; if the wealthy man planned to survive, he would have to show some backbone.

Harlequin · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2012, 04:29:02 PM »

F13, Sparks Mine, November 12, 3205, 5205hrs, 30°C

With mutant eyes Salazar could see far better in the darkness than any human ever could, although there was nothing remarkable going on in Sparks Mines this evening.
The group of returning workers had set off in two groups, one heading straight for the tavern and the other making their way further up the path to the miners barracks either to clean themselves up before indulging in the pleasantries or to get some sleep before their next shift.

Something that would peak any merc's interest was the main feature of Spark's defenses, a 200mm thermite gun dominated the grounds between the barracks and the tavern. The massive gun could easily take out an approaching cruiser and unlike the smaller guns that littered the mines it was not mounted on rails, permanently fixed in position the giant cannon gave the place a good sense of security.

To the south Salazar could make out the entrance to the storage bunker and entrance to the underground gold mine as well as the offices and armory to the south-east, both seemed quiet and unoccupied.

So far the mercenary had managed to avoid attention of the locals who were more interested in searching for dangerous parasites than a lone mutant with a gun, whether the wealthy man with the servants had notice him remained to be seen...

Harlequin · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2012, 05:16:34 AM »

F13, Sparks Mine, November 12, 3205, 5206hrs, 30°C

As soon as the wealthy looking man stepped off the train with his entourage he was called over by the mercenary in the exoskeleton, "Hey you, come here."

Espatier · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2012, 05:47:46 AM »

Giles doesn't come but yet stands and waits for the exo-skeleton man to come to him.

"Yes?" Giles gives the man a blank stare as if he was bored.

*Sighs*

** Skill use ** concentration D8 - speech ( Will roll on the dice list now )

Then rubs his temple a bit before continuing his conversation with the Large man.

" My cargo isn't with me so I have no need of your services gentlemen. "

Turning to the female "Record and document with a live feed to "Mother"

" As you command " The female replied in a sultry voice.

" 49er " Giles snapped his fingers " Step forward, please"

Old 49 Mining unit did as commanded and stepped forward then waited

Before the Exo-skeleton Man could speak Giles a well practiced speech.

" Step right up Gentle man to see the next new wonder in excavation.... This unit here can preform two common excavation types: surface mining and sub-surface (underground) mining. "

" But wait... their is more... "

" This baby can use it's sensors to scan and start prospecting or exploration to find. *takes a large breath* and then define the extent, location and value of the ore body. This leads to a mathematical resource estimation to estimate the size and grade of the deposit. *breathes again* To which everyone know that leads to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate the financial viability, technical and financial risks and robustness of the project."

*Whew* Grabing a handkerchief and dabbing his head

" Now boys... I know that you all are excited to see X-49 unit in action but I can not in good faith do that until I have a good nights rest"

" So please which way to the berthing?" Giles explains with a smile.

Harlequin · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2012, 06:13:50 AM »

F13, Sparks Mine, November 12, 3205, 5207hrs, 30°C

"BWAHAHAHAHA!!"

The mercenary burst out laughing causing a light hiss to erupt from his suit's pneumatic muscles as it followed his motions, the little Synth woman however was completely unfazed both by the outburst and Giles' speech. Stepping forward the Synth woman spoke in a completely flat and emotionless tone...

"Greetings human, please surrender all personal weapons, drugs and explosive devices to be stored until your departure or permit to carry has been authorized."

Recomposing himself the merc chuckled quietly to himself and returned his focus to Giles' party showing a particular interest in what the 'female' was doing...

Espatier · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2012, 06:52:49 AM »

Giles simply smiled back

" Please state you name, position and what authority you hold here at the sparks mine.... Please".

Simply smiling

To the syth woman

" And if you would be so kind to show my some form authority... other than a weapon, so that I may examine the document. "

:: Bureaucracy D8 ::

Harlequin · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2012, 07:10:30 AM »

F13, Sparks Mine, November 12, 3205, 5207hrs, 30°C

With a sly grin the mercenary rested a particularly large machine gun on his shoulder, "You're not from around these parts are you?". Using his free hand the merc pulled up a shiny silver badge on his collar to make it more easily visible, "...this is the authority here".

"We are the security service devoted to Sparks Mine employed under and commanded by Mr. Sparks..." the Synth added showing an identical silver badge on her own collar.
"...if you are unwilling to surrender all prohibited items we must request you vacate the establishment."

Espatier · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2012, 07:34:59 AM »

"Anyone can wear a badge.... "
Giles explained S-L-O-W-L-Y

"I'll ask again.... Please tell me your your call sign or your name. Since you don't recognize who I am. "

pause

" You... neither one of you don't know who I am do you. "

another pause

" Can you tell ME...sheriff..."

" All of the share holders that own a small part of the mine that PAY for your salaries as well? "

Giles smiling

" I'll give you a hint... "
*whispers*

" I'm a controlling partner... and I don't care about your badges. But I do know that I can "Contract" other group and maybe not this second but very soon have you replaced. "

Giles turns to the exo-skeleton man

" Funny enough for you Superman?"

" So... would you like for me to call him and complain?. "

Giles leans in a bit " Call my bluff..."

* Leans back to an upright position*

"You in volition of several code and I haven't even left the train platform yet "
Giles was getting irked.

Maybe it was because he had a short man complex or maybe being a rich doctor getting his way all the time.
Never the less. He wanted to upset the security team or at least make them think about who they are pushing around.

For GOSH sakes! if they treat me like this, like of how they would treat other share holders!

Harlequin · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2012, 08:26:45 AM »

F13, Sparks Mine, November 12, 3205, 5208hrs, 30°C

Whatever insults Giles' words contained were completely lost on the Synth who continued to stare blankly through him as if she didn't even know he existed, the mercenary however quickly lost his sense of humor.

"Anyone CAN wear a badge..." He began, his voice turning serious and harsh "...not everyone who wears one is going to care if we sell you off to our local mutants who don't get fed as often as they'd like."

Stepping in close the mercenary loomed over Giles, his face bore a sadistic expression topped with a wicked grin as he stared into the entrepreneur's eyes...

"This mine... this city is OWNED by Mr. Sparks, there is no code here but his word and if you don't want to follow his word then we can do whatever we facking please..."

Moving in behind him Giles noticed the two men who were searching the train undoing the clips on their weapon holsters in case the situation developed into violence.

"...and I know some guys who'd pay handsomely for a nice, plump, tender little man like you.

So what'll it be? You gonna hand over your weapons or we gonna make a few extra gold on the side tonight?"

Espatier · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2012, 12:19:34 PM »

Giles gritted his teeth " I have none... no drugs, nothings search away. " Dropping his bag for inspection

Giles is humiliated but not humble and irked he wasn't use to be treated like this at all.

Harlequin · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2012, 12:46:18 PM »

F13, Sparks Mine, November 12, 3205, 5208hrs, 30°C

As apathetically as her demeanor reflected the Synth woman approached Giles and began to frisk him getting him to raise his arms and spread his legs when necessary.
Afterward she proceeded to search his bag, then the female android and the X-49 mining robot... by the time she'd finished the Synth had collected quite a lot of Giles possessions.

In her pile was a collection of grenades and almost every drug from Giles' doctors bag and surgical kit, the mercenary in the exoskeleton raised and eyebrow and gave Giles a sarcastic look.

Carefully collecting all the items the Synth place them into an old flax bag and tied up the end, finally she attached a thin steel tag to the end and handed an identical tag to Giles.

The little steel token was engraved with the number '42' and looking closely in the dim light Giles could make out the same number on the tag attached to his bag.

"When you're ready to leave report to the office complex, your belongings will be returned and you will be escorted to your desired exit..."

With her job finished the little Synth woman departed the train station followed shortly after by the two men who were checking the train, the merc in the exoskeleton smiled before saying "Enjoy your stay..." half mockingly half sadistically then turned to pursue the Synth.

The heavy footfalls of the exoskeleton could be heard through the darkness all the way to the end of the concrete platform and then softly faded once they hit the dirt.

First a rough ride over and then an un-warm welcome, today just keeps getting better and better for old Giles...

Espatier · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2012, 01:24:58 PM »

Giles readjusts his coat, picks up his bag

" Stop, send and file" Gile tells the S.H.E. (sexual humanoid enhanced) unit called "Rachel". Clearly he was upset and mubbled about Mr Sparks will hear about this!.

Giles continues to walk to town.

Turning the Rachel " Did you see that... did you see how they treated me?" " Yes Darling and it was horrible and I would have broken down if you were not near me, telling me what to do. "

Giles petted his creation with was program to "calm him to a rational thoughts"

"I'm right here" he told the SHE unit. " Your so brave... and smart. I don't know what I would have done" it feed to Giles "amorousness" ego.

Giles began to feel better as me began to nearing the town that his despised. But where to stay? he thought for a moment near the closest building.

Gile turned once again to the SHE unit "Have Mother create files for those holligans and ruffians that... that took my things from me!".

catching his breath

" I want them to be fired, I want a new group to be hiring, ones that KNOW *lifting his hand, pointing his finger to the sky as he spoke* WHO I Am. "

Calming him down again with a few stroke the She unit complied

" My feelings were hurt you know that, right Rachel? "

" Yes Darling" it replied

" Do you want me to "summon" more sisters?" It queried " One that will allow you to extract funds earns by those that do not respect you as the skilled surgeon that you are, love. "

Giles stood to think about that --- Can't blow up the town, no one helps bring in profit.... shouldn't eliminate security forces, those are needed.

Giles foot began to tap, then he began to pace in a small circle so that he could think

Thoughts raced through his mind ... SEX!. Relieve them of their hard earned monies

Razorburn · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2012, 01:28:43 PM »

From the shadows Salazar had watched the situation heating up, amused at how quickly things went from a bewildering advertisement to threats of violence. With a sigh, he began walking slowly in their direction, coming up parallel to the train.

By the time he reached the rich man, security had already done its work removing contraband from the man’s possession, and were out of earshot. The man had begun to wander aimlessly from what he could tell. He could also tell the man was frustrated. If he was anything like other wealthy types who had employed him, then he was used to people bending over backwards to make his life easy. Clearly he was not from this place.

Salazar approached with a casual swagger, hands away from weapons so he would not frighten the potential employer.

“ ‘Scuse me sir. My name’s Salazar. I couldn’t help but notice the misunderstanding over here. It looks like you and your, uh, followers could use a local guide to help make your stay at Sparks Mine easier. And considerin’ how many thieving’ types live here and how obvious your wealth is, you could use yourself a proper guard too. I’m offering my services as a merc for hire. If you wanna wait till you’ve had some sleep to discuss my employment, I’d be happy to take you to the best berths in town and stand guard over your place while you rest up.”

Espatier · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2012, 01:58:06 PM »

" Huh, what?" Giles paced in a circle then looked up. Hearing the ruffian's words.

"Too bad you weren't around when I need someone of your... skills but then again are you not part of that group of ruffians?" Giles asks the one called "Salazar"

Razorburn · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2012, 02:17:41 PM »

Salazar chuckled. “Ah, no. I’m not with them. Not right now anyway. Those are Sparks’ hired guns. It’s best to stay out of their way, ‘cause Mr. Sparks gives them a lot of leeway in how they keep the peace here, if you take my meaning. Me on the other hand, I’m a freelance mercenary. I just got back in town after my last contract, and so I’m not working for anyone right this minute. I heard there’s a reward offered by Mr. Sparks for something, and that was my next plan. So what brings you to Sparks Mine? Here to sell than mining bot to Mr. Sparks, maybe? He’d be the man to make sure you get your stuff back too, Mr. —I don’t think I caught your name.”

Espatier · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2012, 03:01:19 PM »

Salazar asked Giles what brought him here...

"A spacecraft my dear boy, then I took the train" he replied as he brushed himself off

Salazar continued " Here to sell than mining bot to Mr. Sparks, maybe?"

Giles smiled " No, but I thought that if I brought him that I could get to the bottom of losing my profits. " he explained.

" Yes, I think that your right.. about that. "

"Call me Doc... if you like". Giles explained to the man " Too bad you aren't strong enough to get my things because that is what I would pay for. I don't have anything else to offer anyone. "

Razorburn · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2012, 03:52:18 PM »

“Alright, ‘Doc’ it is. But if you’re a doctor, I thought you’d be familiar with mutants like me being stronger than the average human. It’s probably not a question of if I can carry your gear, but how good I can watch our backs with a load weighing me down. And if you’re not paying, then I’m not carrying—that’s just how Terra works. Your bots can handle that.”

He sniffed the air and gave the one called Rachael a look as if she were a foreign object. Once the man’s cargo was settled, he spoke again.

“Now, Mr. Sparks is a busy man, and I’m more likely to get a chance to talk with him if I ride the coattails of someone important like you. So I’ll stick with you for now, even though there’s no pay in it. But right this moment we need to get out of the open. Too many scavengers come out at night here. This way,” he motioned. He led the way through the underground halls and tunnels, carefully avoiding the more crime-ridden areas. When a burly human miner smelling of alcohol got too close, he gave the man a stern glare, and he backed off. Salazar checked their tail periodically to see if anyone was following them. He headed quickly for the safest lodging in town.

“Doc, I hope you can still afford to rent a room.”

Espatier · « **Reply #19 on:** April 12, 2012, 04:31:42 PM »

" Yes, yes, I'm well aware of that my good man but what I was trying to convey is that I want my items back now. But I'm sure that I will get them back soon or later. "

“Doc, I hope you can still afford to rent a room.” Salazar told him

" As long as I can use my card, we should be fine. "

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Author Topic: Terrorform Beta Chapter 1 'Lost treasures' (Read 1012 times)