Human Edge

Situation: In the Late evening, the radios of crew members all over the ship are flooded with a message broadcast from the incoming dropship. Vid screens show an altered version of the Rasalhague flag in grainy footage.



"Greetings, soldiers of the 'so-called' mercenary company. You are on a world that is now claimed by the Black Dragon! You may yet show yourselves to be honorable warriors by joining us in our just cause to reclaim the lost territory of Rasalhague for the Combine! You are outnumbered by our superior mechs, and outgunned by our superior numbers. Your transport is fatally damaged and your crew wounded - you are fortunate to be alive. Chu-sa Creed, son of the Dragon, lead your company back to the battle, bolstered by the lost weapons of this world, and we shall free the Rasalhague province from gaijin intrusion once and for all! If you do not, your crew will surely take your place and make the right choice. So says Tai-sa Hiroyuki of the Black Dragon!"

This message is delivered twice, so nobody could miss it, and then a ringing silence follows, in which everyone glances at those around them.

Yuri, who had been sitting in the briefing room with Alexei and Lucretzia, was grim faced.

After a long silence, he looked to the pair and said, simply, "The Ronin Wars are over. I'm the CO of the Fortunate Ones, and Taisa Hiroyuki can go to hell."

Keying up the intercom, he gave his own brief address, and then strode from the room. It was time to take action.

"Everyone - this is Major Yuri Creed. We are the Fortunate Ones, and we gave our official word to the Echo Exploration Group when we took this contract. Whether it's a pirate warlord or a deluded nationalist stuck in the past, we're not backing down. We have time to make ready before these zealots land - let's not waste it. If you think they'll show you any kindness, know that it's likely one of their agents attempted to destroy this ship, with you on it. Let's give these bastards a warm welcome."

Participants: All characters.

Rules: This event is simple. Every character has to decide if they want to hold their ground, or advocate Mutiny.

Hold their Ground: You are a member of the Fortunate Ones, and you aren't giving up without a fight. This wasn't a battle you sought, but if the choice is to fight or die, you choose the former.

Mutiny: (WARNING: This is an extremely dangerous choice with severe and likely lethal ramifications, to the point of being a form of suicide) You are willing to throw in your lot with the Dragon - the Ronin Wars aren't over yet! Not while you live and breathe!

Result:

(Half+ of Players Hold their Ground) United Front: Yuri directs Nora to work with the support teams to perform emergency hangar re-organization and priority repairs - an extra push of work is done to company mechs to prepare for coming dangers. Yuri leads other volunteers in preparing defensive positions and warning the town. the Company is able to prepare for the upcoming crisis and will gain advantageous positions in any upcoming defensive combats in the Alchor Highlands.

(Half+ of Players Choose Mutiny) Confusion: The arguments don't convince anyone to abandon ship, but they do cause sufficient confusion that the crew is not able to unite with the urgency and focus necessary for emergency preparations.

(All Players Choose Mutiny) Mutiny: WARNING - this result is extremely dangerous -- in this case there is internal conflict within the company - D4 combats break out.

This thread doesn't use up your time slot.

It was almost hour to sleep, but Karlotta didn't, and wouldn't, simply slow down. We didn't have a lot of infantry, and perhaps the Yokai Matsuri had some ideas. She put her eyes on them just to be sure as she worked DETERMINED herself.

Hold Your Ground

Marik was never one known for his soundness of... well, a lot of things. But he knew the spirit of patriotism, and in Ishtal that meant giving your all whenever you could.

"If I may, I am just a man from the Peripheries of space. I know not much of the politics of the stars, but I do know of loyalty and sticking to what is due. I also heard that I am in possession of something that is, as I have heard, desired."

Without hesitation, Marik discarded his casual top to the wind, letting it land in whatever, or whoever's hands, it may. He then took a stand next to the commander, presenting a unified front. In a show of surprisingly lethal understanding, he allowed himself a short stretch, casually letting the dawn itself shine from his abdominal structure as if the Ancient Pyramids had been carved in stone today.

"This one is staying with the Fortunate ones. I hope you will be willing to join me."

Marik will hold his ground, shirtless until dawn.

« Le dragon est l'ennemi de mon sang. Mort au dragon. » Andrea snorted at the message. "Pompous bastards. Permission to send a reply sir. I know enough Japanese to make it good." She grinned mischievously.

Hold your Ground

James just smiled. This was an honorable fight. This will show Mata how it is done.

Better get to work.

Mata seeing her father's reaction rejoices too. Let's get them!

James and Mata will choose Hold Your Ground

The usually quiet Maja looks absolutely furious, her whole body (all 5 feet of it!) trembles with rage as she processes the message.

"De jävlarna! They are nothing more than djur, mördare! The only good ronin is a dead one."
There then follows a long tirade in increasingly broken English until Maja is just alternating English and Swedish curses before she storms off.

((Maja very much picks Hold Their Ground))

"Never heard of them. Are they Draconis mercenaries?"

Felicity was absolutely clueless. The part of space she hailed from barely interacted with the Dracs.

"Whatever. It's probably a bluff, or they'd not have needed to sabotage the ship, si? No guarantee they'd treat us well after surrendering either. Besides, they may have some stuff worth salvaging."

Hold your ground chosen.

Bruun, in contrast to the dramatic and thoughtful responses from many of his fellows, reacts as simply as he does to most choices.

With a resonant snort and a bark of laughter, he says simply, "Mutiny against Miss Colette's pancakes? Hard. Pass."

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Hold that ground.

"Well, obviously we stick with the contract," Gillian said loyally. "Though, a little bonus pay wouldn't hurt, eh?" She chuckled.

Thomas had signed a contract, plus he kinda owed the boss so his decision was an easy one.

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Holding Ground