Private Return to Kinyen

[Eternal Delight]

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It was like Kinyen was an entirely different world. The restoration projects the Gran had poured their resources into since the Infection’s outbreak had done their planet wonders, and they weren’t even done yet. Still, it was calmer. Normal.

But it was no time to take in the rolling fields and picturesque mountains unmarred by the scars of battle. The Hive was long gone, but even that was a small solace when there was work, of a different sort but still dangerous, to be done. Local authorities had dragged their most recent operation out long enough already - they had perhaps been hesitant to invite the Confederate Defense Corps back. Regardless, the clock was ticking and cooperation was now top priority: it was t-plus five and a half days since a trio of environmental scientists had disappeared while working at the Aygion mountain restoration site two klicks west of a city with the same name.

Search and Rescue had since located them within a large subterranean cave system the Gran had been unaware of. An available geological survey reveals the presence of a fault complex in the area. Most of the structures cannot be accurately typed for horizontal slip direction, but it is extrapolated that others move vertically. This suggests instability of and within the caves.

No further progress has been made since CDC assistance was requested.

But now they’re here and it is up to them to traverse these unstable tunnels, find the scientists, and make it out alive. Captain Damsy Callat stays on the surface to act as communications liaison to Gran security forces and stay in close contact with the CDC team by long-range, subterranean comm. The other searchers repel into the deep entrance chamber exposed through a small skylight.

Get to work and tread lightly.

Spoiler: OOC Information

We begin halfway into day five (5). On day seven (7), the mission will be considered a failure, the Gran pronounced dead, and participants will leave Kinyen. A character can complete one major action per turn: either geolocation or search and rescue. Geolocation requires an intelligence check; search and rescuers can come across clues by rolling awareness. Roll 1-10 for the appropriate modifier now for your stat, then roll 1D10 for subsequent actions. Please either roll in the general CIS Discord chat or message Eternal Delight on site to request a roll.

Gamemastering posts will come from the Eternal Delight account at the end of every posting round and as needed from Damsy Callat .

Spoiler: Action One - Geolocation

These caves cannot remain an unknown battleground. A successful search and rescue relies upon the gathering of geolocation. Accuracy with this action assists the second; carelessness hinders. Don’t go into the depths blind.

Example subactions: Study the local geology, monitor fault activity, map the cave systems with sonar and laser surveyor drones, or ask Damsy about the missing Gran, all the while paving the way for the search.

Spoiler: Action Two - Search and Rescue

Set up a base camp and checkpoints as needed while exploring. Remember to rely on information gleaned from action one. Find Mewz, Khoej, and Zhorri, but watch for rocks and don’t get lost yourself.

Example subactions: The first chamber is enclosed on all sides but one, a tunnel leading further into the caves. Push on or explore the entrance, but, most importantly, stay close to the others.

Spoiler: Tags

Luna Terrik
Tiria Reinhart
Jasmille Kavos
Startorn
Tyran Numeck
Jrurki Liz
Maeve Archeron
Subject 73 Red
ToKola Bakari

 

[Tiria Reinhart]

Intelligence: 5
Awareness: 9
Location: Base Camp
36 Hours Remain

"The last time I was here, I cut a bloody path through the enemy," the Dauntless Captain remarked as they'd set foot into the cave system. One Hivemind against another. Curiously, her opposite chose to abandon the blind aggression along the way. Tiria had been of many minds of that development -- she had no desire to slaughter another hive, yet while they lived they might not feel the same if they discovered Tiria's. It was a mad galaxy.

She began to instruct those under her command in how to establish their Base Camp as the first order of business. While it would take a short time, it would be foolish to push on into the depths with no means to fall back or to recover their strength. Haste made more than waste -- it could get you killed. They would set up a few tents, stack supplies, and ready a means of heating water or food should it become necessary. They would not make a grand affair of this -- they were not here to camp or demonstrate their survival skills -- but it was better to have these things ready should they prove necessary.

Hopefully those not occupied with setting up camp or scouting the immediate area would have some luck establishing communication with Captain Damsy above, or in activating means of surveying the area. Once the camp was operational, they would need to forge ahead. Time was short with those missing gone for five days as it was. The longer they took to find them, the less likely their survival could be expected.

1d10 (Search and Rescue): 10
Tag: Eternal Delight | Open

 

[Luna Terrik]

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Intelligence: 7
Awareness: 2
Location: Base camp
36 hours remain

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It had been quite a while since they had been deployed on a non-combat related mission. This was certainly a rarity, but not out of the realm of their capabilities. Especially now that the dauntless had been restructured into a much larger force, they had more people to be able to deploy on these types of missions. Regardless, this was not a place that Luna thought she’d be coming back to at any time. Nor was this planet particularly a place she wanted to visit again, after the bug infestation that they had fought off last time.

At least this planet seemed relatively calm now. The scientist boys had created an damn good restoration plan for this planet. Rarely was there any sort of markings from the hive queen seen anymore. At least, on the surface that is. Apparently underneath the green of the land were deep, horrible scars that were still swallowing up the good people of this planet. And it was up to the Dauntless deployed to dig them out.

The general looked up from her position, knelt down, studying some interesting rock formations on one of one of the walls when the captain spoke. Not able to hold back a light chuckle, the general turned fully toward the hivemind as she stood. “When we were last there, we were desperately holding down an FOB while a 50 foot bug bore down on us.” That had certainly been a mission for the deep logs, she thought to herself.

They only had a few hours now to find these people before the risk would outweigh the rewards. Hopefully these rocks, alongside setting up the base camp, would at least be able to set them on the right path. If not, then calling off the mission would be very soon in the Dauntless’s future.


Geo-location: 7

Tiria Reinhart | Jasmille Kavos | Startorn | Tyran Numeck | Jrurki Liz | Maeve Archeron | Subject 73 Red | ToKola Bakari ​

 

[Tyran Numeck]

Intelligence: 5
Awareness: 9
Location: Base Camp
36 Hours remain


Tyran had done a lot of things in his life as a Mandalorian but search and rescue wasn't really one of them. That being said he was very good at tracking people down and when framed in a certain light this was essentially what he was doing here with the CDC, or would be once camp was finished being set up. The terrain was also something new for him, he hadn't spent a whole lot of time in caves and from the briefing he'd received he wasn't really looking forward to going in there, especially if they were unstable.

He set the box of supplies he'd been carrying down and raised an eyebrow when he heard Luna mention a fifty foot bug, though she couldn't see it behind his helmet. "Fifty-foot bug? Yeah I'm not sorry I missed whatever happened here before." He had nerves of steel but a fifty-foot bug was enough to give anyone a few seconds pause.

Time was not on their side for this mission though, but it was good to see that the appropriate cautions were being taken in setting up a decent base camp for the search and rescue party to conduct their operation from. A steady supply chain would help streamline the process and also help deal with any potential snags, which there would most definitely be. No job ever went off without a hitch after all.



Search and Rescue: 6

 

[Eternal Delight]

The Dauntless base camp began to circle under the skylight by Captain Tiria Reinhart ’s oversight, approximately imitating the communications field outpost overhead. A natural depression in the rock floor gathered a reasonable volume of water from the surface. A trooper had tested a sample. She reported her findings - the source was not potable. If Tiria went to check for herself, she would recognize something unusually light floated in the middle of the shallow pool, about the size of a course grained pebble. Upon nearing, it became apparent the anomaly was not a rock; it was a small whirlpool boring into and disappearing into the ground.

Maybe this meant a way down?

The surrounding geology showed Luna Terrik no indication of that, a possible second floor, but it did indicate a rock type of largely basalt. Its formation history was most similar to lava tubes, but the well-known militaristic history of Kinyen suggested differently: that a group of Hive had dug these tunnels. That would, of course, mean they were rock borers, which wasn't out of the realm of possibility based on their behavior. The grand marshal might wonder if they had been made for transportation during the battle or escape after it. If the latter was true, more than rocks or faults might prove dangers during this mission.

Meanwhile, Tyran Numeck spotted a short-lived glimmer on the cavern floor fifty or so yards on. If he moved towards it from where he had set down the cargo crate he just had, similar flashes would follow. As he neared, they would become more frequent and longer. Shards of glass, he realized, scattered over the rocky ground, light from his was catching the light illuminating from his armor-mounted torch. The glass was arranged in a small circle and had an equally tiny plastic handle, which might been recognized as a geologist’s handlens.

Nearby dried grass matching the native species growing directly above ground was gathered into a pile, slightly charred in the middle. In addition, half of a muddy footprint pointed seemingly back in the direction of the camp rather than that of the tunnel leading further into the system.

Likely a camp, but it had been quickly abandoned.

 

[Tiria Reinhart]

Intelligence: 5
Awareness: 9
Location: Base Camp
36 Hours Remain

Tiria regarded Luna for a moment after the woman spoke of her feat of survival. Who could say which position had been worse? Though a towering beast like that might be quite difficult to fell before it crushed the base. Then Tyran spoke up quick to express his delight in knowing he had missed what had happened. On that front, the Captain merely remarked, "An entire planet being overrun by a horde of creatures with a unified consciousness." She paused before her eyes shifted over to where the man stood. "Certain death for most people."

As camp was made, the Captain received word of a nearby shallow pool of water. Not a natural source of drinking water, but that hardly meant it was useless. Tiria decided to check it out curious whether it appeared obviously contaminated or had a source that quickly replenished itself.

A quick tap on the commlink, Tiria reported, "It appears a shallow pool of water flows through a small crack or the porous substrate of the surrounding area."

Tempted to leave it at that, she tarried for a short while longer. A survey of the whirlpool might prove valuable -- if for no other reason than to better understand the ground upon which they'd built the camp. Tiria drew out a small packet of incandescent dye to slowly pour into the pool near the disturbance.

Once the General issued orders, she would progress into the tunnels and set upon their mission.

1d10 (Geolocation): 3
Tag: Luna Terrik | Tyran Numeck | Open

 

[Luna Terrik]

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Intelligence: 7
Awareness: 2
Location: Base camp
36 hours remain

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This whole cave system seemed extremely odd for some reason. From how the rock had formed, and the relatively new look, it could be surmised that the majority of these caves had been made when the bugs had been on this planet. That didn’t exactly fill her with the most confidence. If the bugs had died, and the queen had been moved, was there a chance that these caves could be extremely fragile and dangerous. Which might also explain why the people hadn’t been found yet. If they had accidently gotten themselves stuck deeper in these caves, then the chances they could get out would be very slim. Those facts also made their mission all the more dangerous.

As the other commandos began to go through their paces of studying the cave, Luna stood, starting to explore a small bit away from the cave. The main area that they had created their camp in seemingly was a semi-circle. However, there was a hallway near the end of their little cave, one that Luna had found earlier in the day. She kept her glove pressed firmly against the wall of rock, using it as a bracing tool as she pressed through the narrow opening, entering into a circular room. There seemed to be three more entrances in this area. One to her right, that almost looked like a dead end, but perhaps went farther, an entrance in front of her, and to right.

“Alright, everyone else get in here. Let’s get this exploring done.” Hopefully whatever Tiria was doing with the water spout would reveal something, but for now, the way had seemingly been opened up right in front of them. She didn’t want to split up either. “We got a couple of areas to explore. Lets go ahead and explore that way,” she said, pointing to the entrance to her left. “It might be a dead end, but it’s smart to clear every area.”

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Geolocation: 5

Tiria Reinhart | Jasmille Kavos | Startorn | Tyran Numeck | Jrurki Liz | Maeve Archeron | Subject 73 Red | ToKola Bakari ​