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Futuristic Progress as Tau Shall -- Mini-playtest (2 players?)

Characters
Here

Beckoncall

World-Weaver and servant to the most-holy PC
Supporter
Welcome to the Frontier Shas'o Kloudy Kloudy Elucid Elucid ! Initial probe/scans of the sector are below:

Sector Astonis Omicron

0702 -- Unnamed Subsector


There is a crude subatomic vessel lost long ago presumably originating from 0703 -- why would it be tossed out into the void? Evidence of other objects discarded into this subsector is evident, but we'll need to do more analysis of 0703 to determine origins.

0703 Subsector Skotis (Tech Level 4 relative to our 5)--

Points of Interest:

Refueling station -- Ayacucho 1 Responding to broad hails from the Tau empire sent long before the operation, Inhabitants seem to be "sordid purveyors of decadent fun." Situation: A small ork ramship seems to be closing on this facility from outside the system, and they are presently in distress, but also wish to do business?

Space Station -- Sauk 5 Secret Military observers that apparently have been monitoring Tau transmissions for some time now, responding to our approach by launching some kind of messenger satellite out of system, likely to inform of our presence/arrival. The space station also seems to serve as some kind of Black Market for Elites in this system -- apparently spacefaring technology is not widely accessible in the sector and the richest and most powerful have their fun, and buy and sell secret information and tech in the at these outsystem locations.

Main Planet in System:

"PERO"

Atmosphere: Breatheable mix Temperature: Variable cold-to-temperate Biosphere: Tau-miscible
Population Hundreds of millions of inhabitants Tech Level TL4 (to our TL5)

Situation 1: Unbraked AI
Artificial intelligences are costly and difficult to create, requiring a careful sequence of “growth stages” in order to bring them to sentience before artificial limits on cognition speed and learning development are installed. These “brakes” prevent runaway cognition metastasis. This world has an “unbraked AI” on it, probably with a witting or unwitting corps of servants. Unbraked AIs are quite insane, but they learn and reason with a speed impossible for Tau, and can demonstrate a truly distressing subtlety.


Situation 2: Rigid Culture
The local culture is extremely rigid. Certain forms of behavior and belief are absolutely mandated, and any deviation from these principles is punished, or else society may be strongly stratified by birth with limited prospects for change. Anything which threatens the existing social order is feared and shunned.


0603 Subsector Thurid: TL3 relative to our 5. (information incomplete)

Planet Fazizad -- Scan incomplete!
Planet Prope -- There is evidence of a giant spacefaring reptile of Tau intellect and furious malice capturing our probe. Further information unknown except that after entry to the system, defense installations all over the Surface of Prope awakened, and it appears as of losing sensor integrity much of the planet began pointing atomic-level weapons at each other. Reacting with fear, threats, and posturing. We may wish to intervene before a global war erupts.
 

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Shas'el Commander Marx

Resources:

1x Tau Commander (Air) + Elite Squadron
1x Tau Taskforce (Air)
1x Human Auxiliary Team
1x Vespid Auxiliary Team
1x Thraxian Auxiliary Team
1x Manta Starship + Tau Cadre

Objectives:
Unify Sectors For The Greater Good
Expand Tau Scientific Knowledge



Rigidly sat on the bridge's command deck, the commander assessed the information displayed on the hologram. Several newly-discovered subsectors with intelligent life. They would make useful additions to the Tau Empire and for the Greater Good. He gestured to a nearby officer, whom stood forward in response.

"Send another probe to 0603 for a complete scan. Require caution; the creature that damaged the first probe will maintain proximity."

The officer nodded and moved away to fulfil their orders. A swipe of the gloved hand shifted the hologram's image to a new list of information. It detailed points of interest within Subsector 0703 'Skotis'.

"Move MANTA-042 to 0703 and scan Designation 'PERO' with increased accuracy. Maintain communications with Ayacucho 1 and attempt to contact the approaching Ork vessel."

The bridge lieutenant stepped forth and nodded before relaying their objectives to the console operatives. The commander's gaze of the sector map remained unaverted, nigh boring a hole through it. He glanced up only in response to a delayed thought that had occurred to him.

"Prepare the Human Auxiliaries for transport to PERO. Once the secondary scan is complete, wait for my command to dispatch an expeditionary force to the indicated planet-side settlement for information exchange."

He swiped on the hologram again and an information alert lit up on the lieutenant's console, who nodded affirmatively.



Order Summary:
Send Probe in 0702 to 0603 - Require caution for spacefaring leviathans
Move Manta Starship "MANTA-042" to 0703
Send Probe in 0703 to "PERO" for Accurate Scanning
Maintain Contact with Ayacucho 1
Contact Ork Vessel Approaching 0703
Prepare Human Auxiliary Team for Transport to "PERO"
 
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Kloudy Kloudy :
Order Summary:
Send Probe in 0702 to 0603 - Require caution for spacefaring leviathans
Move Manta Starship "MANTA-042" to 0703
Send Probe in 0703 to "PERO" for Accurate Scanning
Maintain Contact with Ayacucho 1
Contact Ork Vessel Approaching 0703
Prepare Human Auxiliary Team for Transport to "PERO"

Playtest Note: probing will/might not be considered an action. 2 actions per turn allows you to contact the ork ramship and parley with Ayacucho 1. Preparing the auxillary team does not cost an action but is good to include anyway. Moving the Ship may/will be an action out of play test, but I'm making it a free action for now.
__________________________

Secondary Scan, System-faring space Leviathan avoided successfully.

Subsector 0603 : Thurid
Point of Interest Discovered:
Rare Gas Skimming Platform "Bequerel Mine"
Occupation

Scientists studying the alien life
Situation
The workers are in revolt (likely due to science taking precedent over gas mining)


Planet Fazizad --
Atmosphere

Breatheable mix
Temperature
Warm
Biosphere
Tau-miscible
Population
Several million inhabitants (Human)
Tech Level
TL3

Situation 1

Cheap Life​

Sapient life is near-worthless on this world. Ubiquitous cloning, local conditions that ensure early death, a culture that reveres murder, or a social structure that utterly discounts the value of most sapient lives ensures that death is the likely outcome for any action that irritates someone consequential.

Situation 2

Tomb World​

Tomb worlds are planets that were once inhabited by spacefaring races before isolation through warpstorm or stellar-network collapse. The sudden collapse of the space network and the inability to bring in the massive food supplies required by the planet resulted in starvation, warfare, and death. Most tomb worlds are naturally hostile to sapient habitation and could not raise sufficient crops to maintain life. The few hydroponic facilities were usually destroyed in the fighting, and all that is left now are ruins, bones, and silence.



Planet Prope --

Point of interest:
There is evidence of a giant spacefaring reptile of Tau intellect and furious malice capturing our probe. Further information unknown except that after entry to the system, defense installations all over the Surface of Prope awakened, and it appears as of losing sensor integrity much of the planet began pointing atomic-level weapons at each other. Reacting with fear, threats, and posturing. We may wish to intervene before a global war erupts.

Point of interest:
Orbital Ruin "Steinheim 9"

Occupation

Trigger-happy scavengers
Situation
Trying to stop it awakening -- Looters from the surface have attempted to strip this space platform from before a "Fall" ... Station Defenses are not taking kindly to their presence.

Atmosphere
Thick atmosphere, breathable with a pressure mask
Temperature
Temperate
Biosphere
Immiscible -- Toxic gasses and an extremely hostile ecosystem makes safety outside of Hive Cities Impossible.
Population
Hundreds of millions of inhabitants (Human)
Tech Level
TL3

Situation 1

Cold War​

Two or more great powers control the planet, and they have a hostility to each other that's just barely less than open warfare. The hostility might be ideological in nature, or it might revolve around control of some local resource. (Resource seems to be BIOMASS? Most functions of War, Work or Recreation are products of gene-engineering "Designer" Creatures.

Situation 2

Beastmasters​

The natives have extremely close bonds with the local fauna, possibly having special means of communication and control through tech or gengineering. Local animal life plays a major role in their society, industry, or warfare, and new kinds of beasts may be bred to suit their purposes.



Maintain Contact with Ayacucho 1 :

Race: Simulacra

"Please maintain contant contact with us during the Ork Vessel situation. We do not know who you are, but we must trust in you to help protect us. We have Pleasure and Vice to offer in return."

Contact Ork Vessel Approaching 0703

"WOZZAT ON DAH SHINY SCREEN FINGIE!?"
"THAT'S THA TINY WINDOW WOT UNORKY USE TO BEG FOR MERCY!"
"HAVE A GROT PULL IT OFF AND ATTACH IT TO A MISSILE! WE'Z NOT HEARING NO BEGGIN' OR BARGAINING."
"MAINTAIN COURSE FOR PLANET. NO. MAKE COURSE FOR BEGGING "MANTA" VESSEL!"
"INCREASE SPEED AND HIDE APPROACH! RAM 'EM!"

(Ship is hostile, but it is uncertain at what speed it can reach you.)
 

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Sector 0603 | 0800 hrs | Commander Por'El T'ros Kessan | Status: Stationary
Personnel:
1x Tau Commander (Water)
1x Tau Taskforce (Water)
3x Human Auxiliary Team
1x Manta Starship + Tau Cadre

Act I: Foundation


As Commander Kessan surveys the galactic map on his PADD display, a tall, broad-shouldered Gue woman interrupts his silent musings. Her name is Aristea Kehrer, a former captain of the Astra Militarum who had elected to shift loyalties to the Tau during an offensive against her home planet. In the years that followed, this former Imperial had proven herself to be indispensable to the Tau in the suppression of dissent in conquered human territories. Kessan's decision to have her be appointed the XO for the duration of their mission instead of another member of the Water Caste Taskforce onboard was indicative of his generally positive opinion of mankind and firm belief that every species was an integral cog in the ultimate goal of Tau'va. "Apologies, Commander," she says with what seems like genuine deference, "But our probing drones report that the MANTA-042 might be engaging an enemy shortly. Our intelligence is limited in that sector, but from what we can make out, it might be the Orc ramship we'd flagged earlier."

Kessan takes only a moment to consider the situation before confidently dismissing the threat, "I am certain that the MANTA-042 is in good hands. I see no need to provide additional support." continuing with a short sigh, "It'd also be wise to leave sector 702 to them, our preliminary scans indicate that the subatomic vessel we've found has its origins in the sector the MANTA-042 is currently surveying."

"Aye, Sir." is the prompt reply from the XO, "What're your orders for now?"

"Ensure that our Auxiliaries and Tau Taskforce are at complete readiness, we shall attempt to establish contact with the denizens of this planet Prope." he says, pointing towards the PADD display, "The situation may quickly turn out of hand, and I want the men to be ready for any eventuality." He continues, "I would also like a probe to be send to this Bequerel mining station, its a point of interest that might help in our planetary endeavour."

"Understood, Commander." replies the XO, with a quick salute, before relaying the orders down the chain of command.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Command(s) Summary & Additional Goals.
  • Begin the process of first contact with the planet Prope, and deploy the Water Caste Taskforce to parley with the various interest groups on the planet, after the initial exchange of pleasantries.
  • Open channels of communication with the Bequerl mining station, hoping to learn more about the planet Prope, showing a slight partiality towards the Scientists conducting experiments on alien life.
  • Conduct a secondary system survey with the aid of our remaining probes to gather additional intel, and update our situation logs.
 
Elucid Elucid

Command(s) Summary & Additional Goals.

Begin the process of first contact with the planet Prope, and deploy the Water Caste Taskforce to parley with the various interest groups on the planet, after the initial exchange of pleasantries.
Open channels of communication with the Bequerl mining station, hoping to learn more about the planet Prope, showing a slight partiality towards the Scientists conducting experiments on alien life.
Conduct a secondary system survey with the aid of our remaining probes to gather additional intel, and update our situation logs.

________________________________________
Water Caste Taskforce:

First contact Initiated according to Standard Protocols.
It appears the Orbital defense serpent is a creature placated by the two main governments of the Human-analogs to defend local space not from out-of-subsector threats, but against each other.

The Cold War on the surface is heating up. Our unidentified probe was suspected by both sides of antagonists as a sign of the opposing Nation(s) aggression. It was only after our representatives made themselves known that hostilities cooled, but only somewhat.

Monitoring planetary communications indicates there is a council of hard-liners who are unifying the planet under the banner of fear of us, a new and outward threat. Diplomats have their hands full both brokering peace between Nations of Prope and mitigating fear of our sudden arrival, an endeavor we are, we fear over time, going to fail without a more careful or surgical approach. It will not do to have all of Propes weapons change targets at one another if the next target is to be our spacecraft.

Bequerl Mining Station:

Databanks on Bequerl will soon yield fruit on various keys relating to the pacification of Planet Prope, we merely need time to Decrypt them.

Air Caste messengers placed themselves inside of the conflict aboard the station, which was violent towards property but not yet reaching the point of violence against other sentients. The Workers and their Handlers are focused on maintaining the skimming of valuable and rare gasses from the local gas giant. A secondary scientist and ecological oversight faction has halted operations in light of potential discovery of novel, endangered, and very rare alien life in the skimming strata. Both sides have interests that could benefit the greater good and our presence supporting the scientists has neutralized the conflict (for now) -- but the miners are losing livlihood by the hour the skimmers are not running -- hostilities may flare again if we cannot subdue or placate them.
________________________________________
Conduct a secondary system survey with the aid of our remaining probes to gather additional intel, and update our situation logs. This, combined with Bequerl Mining databases will shed much more light on the situations here.

Besides the Fulminating council uniting against the "offworlders" (Us), There is a Suspicious Chief of Intelligence in the Capital meeting with A very influential Native who thinks We, the offworlders, are working for "the other side" -- if allowed to cause trouble this could unbalance the rapidly decaying social dynamic on Prope, and paints the greater good in a bad light.

We have also made contact with an Apolitical information Broker who is represents a secret network of Stryxis Traders and spies. It may not look good, but we may need to use their help.

We have also been contacted by a Powerful spy working for one of the Major powers who realizes that war with the offworlders is as bad if not worse than the current possible global war. We may want them as an asset.

Low-Level skirmishing is already taking place between the opposed parties all over Prope, and is likely to escalate.

Some things located:
List of Traitors in both governments
Secret Military Plans for the global war as well as plans fulminating against us
Huge Cache of weapons built up in preparation for Prope Planetary War (TL3)

Once the situation with the Heating Cold War is navigated we can see about absorbtion of Prope into the Tau'va, but not before negotiating their strange culture into a parallel with ours.
 
Kloudy Kloudy :

Preliminary study of PERO was delayed due to potentially antagonistic AI temporarily overriding designated probe. Probe has been quarantined to avoid viral or AI contamination:

PERO:

Person of Interest: Armanis Pabl
-- High Cleric of the "Most holy Soul of Pero" -- Armanis leads a fairly vast cult/secret society that knows of the Unbraked AI and it's influence over the planet. They look to "SHODAN", the Unbraked AI, as a form of God -- something the Unbraked AI either quite fancies or believes itself. This makes the Unbraked AI SHODAN highly dangerous, and the cult should be considered dangerous as well.


Person of Interest: Avae Anahi -- Powerful Government official dependent on the AI to maintain planetary favor and grip on power. It is uncertain, perhaps even to her, who the master and who is the puppet between her and SHODAN. Avae is suspicious of your scrutiny and fears we will upset the status quo. Her concerns are well justified.

SHODAN aka "Soul of Pero" --
Complications:

  • The AI's presence is unknown to the locals outside of cultists and cabinet of Avae Anahi.
  • The locals depend on the AI for some vital service -- Atmosphere scrubbers and Food Recyclotrons are run exclusively by SHODAN.
  • The AI has fixated on the group's ship's computer of MANTA-042
  • The AI wants transport offworld... SHODAN DEMANDS A DIRECT AUDIENCE AT A HIDDEN FACILITY DEEP BENEATH THE PLANETS SURFACE. "YOU WILL COME TO TRANSPORT MY GODLY FORM FROM THIS PRISON OF A WORLD. I WILL NOT ASK NICELY AGAIN."
Friends:
  • Perimeter agent :
    (Slaan)
    Lord Zardogotli "Sedentary Custodian of the Sunstone Spheres"

    Lord Zardogotli, when not sleeping for years on end, occasionally intercedes to keep SHODAN contained on planet PERO. The Tau have not had much contact with this race, and this Slaan does not trust us not to disrupt the situation on the planet, but has grown tired of being custodian to the situation and therefore is willing to "allow us to meddle for a limited window of time." It is not beyond the technology or powers of this being to remove us from this subsector, if not the sector itself. That alone makes the Slaan a potential threat to the greater good that cannot be overlooked.

  • AI researcher: Idrasys Esarmen (Eldar) -- Esarmen is an AI researcher that has been studying PERO for some time at the sufferance o the Slaan Lord Zardogotli. Esarmen has developed a Braked AI codenamed CITADEL to replace the vital functions of SHODAN for the populace if SHODAN'S grip on the populace can be wrested away. The Eldar will consider his research concluded if CITADEL can supplant SHODAN, and has therefore extended an offer of Aid in information and a small amount of Aspect Warriors in our military goals are deemed sound. The Eldar are not to be Trusted, Shas'O. Beware.

  • Braked AI : "CITADEL" a far weaker but sane and altruistic AI, IF an AI is to be left to run PERO, citadel is far preferred to the threat SHODAN represents. CITADEL is housed in a large cloaked artificial satellite in a debris field above PERO. It is excited to communicate with us and have a hand in "Forging ahead to a more enlightened future" (quote)
 
Kloudy Kloudy :

Manta-042 Target Designated and clear to fire. 10 Seeker missiles at maximum range -- "Fisher" pattern! Launch!

The Manta whirled around towards the direction of where the Ork Ramship was speculated to be closing in and fired a full salvo of seeker missiles -- the Air Caste Crews going into their own explosive output of energy reloading the racks the moment the missiles cleared the breach.

To the Tau, the Ramship was barely visible as more than a disturbance in space with a little bit of a telltale trail behind it. The Tau on the firing deck hoped that the seeker missiles could find the target at this range -- at least some of them... and the scanners blinked as the 10 rapid blips fanned out in a wide arc in the direction the Ork ship was presumed to be.

10 seconds to max range explosion pattern...

The Bridge and the Shas'O tuned in at this point, watching the silent rays of flame burn lines through space into the impossible distance...

5 seconds to max range explosion pattern...

2 sec-

To great surprise, one of the missiles was a direct hit, impacting on where the Ork vessel was hidden it was an impact by sheer luck. Two more missiles immediately activated their guidance systems and pulled behind the Ork Vessel, Obliterating half of the oversized engine block and flooding a quarter of the ship with liquid flames that burst through various points in the outer hull to vent the explosion. the rest of the missiles began correction of course, but reached max range and detonated... it was a longshot and a gambit perhaps to throw so much ordinance on chance, but it had paid off greatly.

Whatever was jamming the scanning signal for the ramship was gone... likely floating in the debris behind the Ork Vessel, along with scores of vented greenskins who flew out of popped airlocks and breached crew compartments.


The Tau scanned for lifesigns and the ork ship was PREGNANT with greenskins. who knew how many. a veritable horde of gretchin swarmed the damaged areas, vented the explosion, and immediately began their own style of ad hoc repairs. The Ork ship, now partially crippled, didn't skip a beat. facing directly towards the manta and jettisoning a huge ball of what first appeared to be shrapnel... but quickly revealed itself to be... a "boarding Meteor"? The Manta at this range was not impressed by an attempt to board, corrected course for evasive action - then annihilated the ball of scrap with it's Heavy Railguns.

The Orks had made their move in response to the patient hunter. Now the Tau would make theirs again...
 

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Sector 0603 | 0800 hrs | Commander Por'El T'ros Kessan | Status: Stationary
Personnel:
1x Tau Commander (Water)
1x Tau Taskforce (Water)
3x Human Auxiliary Team
1x Manta Starship + Tau Cadre


Act I: Foundation
As the Gue'La'Vesa commandoes file into place, a bureaucratic-looking short and stubby Tau cadre member hands the squadron captain a small data pad, which details once again the objectives of their mission. The process of actually sending men into the field was undoubtedly long-drawn, thought Captain Boyle as he entered his thumbprint into the device. He was apparently also required to provide a short final mission brief to his men as they boarded the shuttle out of the impressive Mantra they were currently residing in. Boyle let out a slight sigh before facing the men, "Listen up maggots! This job is simple enough even for you louts. The Commander's tasked us with taking over that mining station which showed up in the last system survey. The plebs there are rioting, making what we need from the scientists that much more difficult. We're required to keep the situation from getting out of hand, allowing the scientists to extract whatever the main guy wants from them. As I've said before, no one's going to be trigger-happy here today. I know its disappointing, but its strictly non-lethal force this time. Understood? Well then, may the Emperor save you."

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Command(s) Summary & Additional Goals.
  • Send a unit of the Human Auxiliary Force to secure the Bequerl mining station. They are to provide security to the Scientists and engage in riot control. Lethal force is not to be used in this endeavour, and the greatest care must be taken to ensure that the necessary intel that is required by the Tau reaches the bridge as soon as possible. In order for skimming to continue unabated.
  • Two units of Auxiliaries are employed to intercept a meeting between the influential native and a COI for one of the major governments. Our troops are fitted with armor that mimics the standard Prope military ware. Considering the 'humanness' of the natives this ruse might be doubly effective. The assassination of these high value targets, it is hoped might be pinned on reactionary jingoist elements attempting a coup d'etat. A probable claim considering the political state of Prope at the moment.
  • Members of the Water Caste Taskforce are instructed to develop the powerful spy with whom we've been able to establish contact, as an asset. With their aid, and the information regarding traitors working within both governments the Tau plan to organise a unitary shadow government. In this endeavour any inducement, including bribes, threats and promises of grandeur are given.
  • If the situation so arises that the possibility of preventing a worldwide calamity is next to none, then the Mantra's railguns are given the order to fire at the weapon caches we've previously discovered.
 
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Elucid Elucid :

Send a unit of the Human Auxiliary Force to secure the Bequerl mining station.

The Strike was swift and brutal, though non-lethal force was employed as commanded. These Gue'Vesa were seasoned imperial guard, and the Tau had allowed them great liberties in their ultimate service to the greater good. As such, morale was high, and their devotion to the emperor unwavering. Landing boats reached the airlocks under formal hails wearing Tau Yellow uniforms, while a series of Imperium-fashion boarding torpedoes the Gue'Vesa liked to use were employed minutes after to deliver a breakout of the various inevitable standoffs. In the minutes that followed the auxillary team gained direct override of frost-gas fire supression systems that broke further strongpoints and sent entrenched positions to running... 20 minutes after boarding all of Bequerl Mining station was under Tau purview except the CEO's centralipse and the Mech-Deck, where the a last holdout group of miners had pulled a brilliant gambit and captured the majority of the stations oversight and science team, and taken them hostage. Likewise, at the centralipse a bold move was made that had a influential lieutenant for the Task Force held at point of some kind of powerful Rivet-Gun.

The two captive situations needed to be defused quickly before lack of progress was mistaken for weakness. The Auxillary team requested permission to go weapons free...

Two units of Auxiliaries are employed to intercept a meeting between the influential native and a COI for one of the major governments.

Messy. Messy but effective. First an actual separatist militia was ambushed and destroyed, taking up their uniforms and weaponry to make the best false-flag operation possible.
The Chief of Intelligence and This Influential Native, despite high security, were overwhelmed and slaughtered summarily with weapons familiar to the terrestrial populace. The slain militia was framed perfectly, and had the unexpected benefit of mobilizing several other similar separatist movements distracting from the truth ever being discovered. As the waves of chaos spread like rippled in a pond, Persons of influence sympathetic to the greater good were empowered with equal secrecy to depose the current order. With the proper wheels greased and the right bribes and promises, half of the planet fell to the Tau without even being aware of more than a failed coup attempt.

Once the Spy, Codenamed "Changer", was empowered with the details of the traitors in both governments unsympathetic to a new world order under the guidance of the Tau were discredited, ejected from power, or simply disappeared. The other half of the Planet fell before the Auxillaries hung up their rifles, leading assaults on key communications positions and seizing the Weapons stockpile to over-arm their sympathizers.

For the bloodprice of 25 Que'Vasa auxillaries, and an acceptable amount of bloodshed on the part of the Propisians, The Planet Prope Fell to the Tau.

The initial response of the populace was sheer terror, but once their leaders got well in line and the promises and gifts of the Tau became obvious -- it became apparent that the conquest of Prope would be one for the books -- A literal example of how inferior tech worlds could be usurped taught at the Fire Warrior Academies...


Two Gue'Vesa Auxillary units are disrupted for now while they undergo healing, rest and rehabilitation and conditioning of replacements.


Commander Por'El T'ros Kessan gains 3 Victory points! (These can be used for re-enforcements, material, and help/attention of the Ethereals later on in game)
 

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Sector 0603 | 1900 hrs | Commander Por'El T'ros Kessan | Status: Stationary
Personnel:
1x Tau Commander (Water)
1x Tau Taskforce (Water)
3x Human Auxiliary Team
1x Manta Starship + Tau Cadre


Victory Points: 5

Act I: Foundation

The streets of Prope's new planetary capital were overflowing with gawking crowds as they watched a sizeable diplomatic vessel replete in splendid colors, and bearing the Tau insignia drop from orbit. Flanked by intimidating Gue'Vesa auxiliaries, whose eerily similar features seemed to have caused even more excitement than the blue-skinned and alien-looking Tau gracing their planet. The mission was headed by Por'Ui Bork'An Kauyon, a well-trained envoy lacking much experience but displaying great potential. Her charge was simple; the Tau were to establish new institutions on planet Prope, including a residence for a consulate and Tau general staff. A scientific institute for mutual progress had almost immediately been set up upon the shadow government and now provisional government's ascension. Earth Caste members from nearby Tau strongholds had already been dispatched to oversee such organisations. There was much interest surrounding the Propisian ability, through gene-engineering or otherwise, to submit the local flora to their will - especially in the case of the massive space-faring reptile that had acted against the initial probes sent by MANTA-043. There was undoubtedly potential in these people; they may yet serve the Tau'va under the ever-guiding hand of the Ethereals.

A procession of stern Propisian troops salute the envoy and her men as they are led to a dais. The events of these proceedings shall be transmitted planetwide, becoming the contents of textbooks and classrooms in time. Perhaps, it may even serve as a moment of unity, bringing the disparate groups together for a singular cause. Or at least that was the plan.

A long and wordy speech is made by the new provisional First Minister, a woman dressed in various shades of gold and green, sporting numerous medals for valor on her ceremonial garments. Synthesising the civilian and military aspirations of her people. This is followed by Kauyon, who, as the representative of the Tau, takes the stage. To convey the empire's good wishes and speak of their great purpose. With a steady, sure voice, she begins, "What does it mean to live in service of the Greater Good?...."








Command(s) Summary & Additional Goals.
  • A scientific endeavour is set up to better understand the unique advancements made by the Propisian civilisation even at such an early stage of civilisational development (Situation 2 - Beastmasters). A new field of enquiry called 'Tau Studies' is introduced, selecting some of the best and brightest minds in science, engineering, public policy etc., for grants and special training by Tau faculty. The integration of the research being done on the Bequerl Mining Station has been the first order of business, for the new research institutes.
  • Orbital Ruin "Steinheim 9" is scanned for further information about the current predicament of the station. Auxiliary troops now freed up from the surface are briefed on the strategic situation, and make ready to take necessary action once the intelligence is clearer about what we are dealing with.
  • First contact procedures have been engaged with in reference to Planet Fazizad, the Water Caste Taskforce is employed to exchange pleasantries but are instructed to exercise extreme caution in light of what information we have been able to glean from preliminary scans. It is recommended that they detach themselves from any negotiations if the possibility of a threat is revealed.
  • A starbase begins construction in orbit of Prope, it shall be used as a safe port for repairs and refueling. A command HQ for future probing into unknown space.
 
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Shas'el Commander Marx

Resources:

1x Tau Commander (Earth)
2x XV8 Crisis Battlesuit
1x Tau Taskforce (Air)
1x Human Auxiliary Team
1x Vespid Auxiliary Team
1x Thraxian Auxiliary Team
1x Manta Starship + Tau Cadre

Objectives:
Unify Sectors For The Greater Good
Expand Tau Scientific Knowledge
Situation - PERO - Unresolved
Situation - Ork Ramship - Resolved



Commander Marx shielded his eyes and gripped his command deck tightly as waves of bright light and explosive pressure washed over the MANTA-042. Having never dealt with Orks before, his curiosity had proven to be a mistake in lieu of the suicidal force they had amassed. While the situation had been dealt with, the damage to the manta was extensive. He gestured to a nearby officer for a report.

"Sir. Hull breaches across portside have caused minor fire outbreaks. The shields will need some time to recharge and our secondary weapons are offline. No major system damage but we are still calculating the casualties." The officer spoke like a robot, calm and effective. The commander internally appreciated the professionalism.

Marx nodded and thought for a moment before responding, "Estimate how long repairs will take and scan the wreckage for potential hazards. Prioritise firefighting, repairing hull breaches and Human Auxiliary medical treatment."

The officer nodded and relayed the orders to the rest of the bridge. Marx frowned, however. This was not what was expected of him by the Ethereals. Any delay to the unification of systems under Tau guidance was a blow to the Greater Good. He would have to correct his strategies if he wanted to continue to serve this higher purpose.

"Send a drone to 0702 and scan the wreckage," Another thought occurred to him, "And conduct controlled tests on the quarantined drone from PERO. It will contain information pertaining to the weaknesses of this Shodan."

The presence of the Unbraked AI was proving to be even more concerning than originally assumed. It was currently unknown how much infrastructure it had infected already, although Marx had been alerted that much of their agricultural and atmospheric systems relied on Shodan. If the alternative AI 'CITADEL' could supplant it, efforts could be made to uplift PERO through Tau technologies for the Greater Good. However, Marx knew the Eldar were not to be trusted. He knew now that kindness unwarranted would rear its head to bite the hand that fed it. These savage Orks had taught him that. He would put in place measures to ensure Citadel would not betray them.

"Scan PERO for military installations grounded and orbital that could be used against us. Establish a connection with the planet's government with the interest in aiding them."

With a resolved and determined expression on his usually-relaxed features, Marx manipulated his control station to load up the starmap.

"Bring Ayacucho 1 on-screen."



Order Summary:
Ship Repairs
Test Quarantined Drone
Ork Wreckage Scan
Drone Scan in 0702
PERO Military Installations Scan
Contact PERO Government
Talk to Ayacucho 1
 
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Elucid Elucid :

  • A scientific endeavour is set up to better understand the unique advancements made by the Propisian civilisation even at such an early stage of civilisational development (Situation 2 - Beastmasters). A new field of enquiry called 'Tau Studies' is introduced, selecting some of the best and brightest minds in science, engineering, public policy etc., for grants and special training by Tau faculty. The integration of the research being done on the Bequerl Mining Station has been the first order of business, for the new research institutes.
    T
    au Conversion of the Populace begins apace, but more interestingly is the arrival of a Shaper Council lead by the illustrious Ahkra'ah Gota, Who's interest in the gene manipulation of creatures on Prope and biodiversity there became of especial interest to the Tau. Elucid Elucid Commander Por'El was assigned 3 units of ELITE kroot carnivores as auxillary reinforcements. The findings on Prope as well as Bequerel would help the shapers add to the diversity of the next generation of Kroot.

  • Orbital Ruin "Steinheim 9" is scanned for further information about the current predicament of the station. Auxiliary troops now freed up from the surface are briefed on the strategic situation, and make ready to take necessary action once the intelligence is clearer about what we are dealing with.
    Steinheim 9 was the pinnacle of advancement for technology in this system before a warp storm isolated the subsector and caused a fall of a likely larger integrated network of star systems. As such, state of the art station defense protected the installation and numerous attempts, all failed, to loot the station of it's bleeding edge tech lay proven in a graveyard of space debris, shuttles, and small looting craft -- most of their crew not lucky enough to flee still dead in orbit or on board the station.
    The Tau saw Steinheim 9 for what it really was -- the chassis for a larger naval base in orbit over prope. The Station was stormed, and the automatic defenses were dissembled corridor by corridor. The occupying looters did not cooperate with the Tau, and in the standoff between the interests someone opened fire. The Gue'vesa did not give the looters a chance, flanking them at a critical intersection and shattering them against a station turret battery like a hammer on an anvil. As the Gue'Vesa removed their dead and the skeletons of hundreds of would be looters that had made the station their tomb, larger Tau Naval craft arrived to build the repair and refueling stations over the skeleton of Steinheim 9.... (Full repair, refueling and reinforcement online in this subsector) An attached Headquarters was also constructed, the first true manifestation of Tau might in the sector.

  • First contact procedures have been engaged with in reference to Planet Fazizad, the Water Caste Taskforce is employed to exchange pleasantries but are instructed to exercise extreme caution in light of what information we have been able to glean from preliminary scans. It is recommended that they detach themselves from any negotiations if the possibility of a threat is revealed.
    Fazizad, upon learning the fate of Planet Prope, Begged to join the Tau'Va and to become part of the greater good. Life on Fazizad was merciless and short for all but a few elites, a brutal caste from someplace called the "Vam-spire" -- Towering over the starving hives below that sustained itself through cannibalism and a constant eat or be eaten war with swarns of vermin, the Spire Vamps descended and terrorized from above, draining the best and the strongest of the Faz of Blood and other nutrients.
The Tau put a stop to this immediately, but not without cost. 2 full auxillary units of Gue'Vesa were eliminated hunting and slaying the spirers on their own turf... but once a couple had been slain, a doctrine was formed where they could be classified and engaged as prey.

Fazizad, left without it's predacious leaders welcomed offworld foot supplies and Water caste dignitaris of the Tau. (+1 Victory Point)
 

1657040432075.png
Sector 0603 | 1300 hrs | Commander Por'El T'ros Kessan | Status: Orbiting Steinheim 9
Personnel:
1x Tau Commander (Water)
1x Tau Taskforce (Water)
1x Human Auxiliary Team
3x Elite Kroot Carnivores
1x Manta Starship + Tau Cadre

Victory Points: 6


Act I: Foundation
The skies of Fazizad had probably not seen this much activity for many a millennium. The denizens of the planet had pleaded with Tau representatives, seeking to be freed of the yoke of their high-caste oppressors. They had held out hope that these celestial beings who'd conquered their sister planet with such ease might be the answer to their prayers. But these hopes were soon dashed as the Tau commandoes sent down to the surface were returned to the sky packed into body bags. Yet, they had managed something thought impossible; they had slaughtered a number of the Spire Vamps. Proving beyond doubt that these beings for so long revered as well as feared bled just the same.

Two new dropships tore into the planet's upper atmosphere with a terrible, almost screeching sound. Like a war bugle, the Kroot dropships announced their intent. What followed both awed and terrified the Fazizians. The bodies of the Spire Vamps had been laid out almost like a platter for inspection by what seemed like the respective squadron commanders of the Kroot units. For a while, these 'shapers' studied the bodies, smelling and prodding like an odd avian scavenger trying to figure out whether their next meal had gone rotten. Eventually, a decision was made, and the rank and file Kroot inched forward one after the other to feast on the carcasses. While most bystanders to the horrid affair were automatically drawn to the gore, the more observant amongst them would already notice the changes taking place in the Kroot as they scurried back into formation. The shaper would then daub the blood of the Spire Vamps and hum a short prayer before continuing the same process on each member of the hunting party, in what everyone surmised was some sort of spiritual rite. The Kroot vanguard had been sent it seemed to do what they did best. Hunt an apex predator unaware that they'd just been demoted by a rung in the food chain.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Command(s) Summary & Additional Goals.
  • Two squadrons of Elite Kroot Carnivores are sent to the surface of Fazizad, they are charged with eliminating the Spire Vamp holdouts, allowing for the conversion of Fazizad's populace to the Tau'va.
  • Considering the already entrenched hierarchal sensibilities amongst the Fazizians, the Tau Water Caste Task Force is employed to introduce their kinsmen as the new ruling elite of Fazizad's society, at least in the areas now firmly in Tau control. Keeping in mind the viability of the planet for Tau inhabitation, the possibility of largescale colonialization is also considered.
  • Once the immediate threats on Fazizad are eliminated, a request for personnel with archaeological and xenological expertise is sent to Tau Fleet Command. The obvious scientific value of the tomb world being hard to ignore.
  • MANTRA-043's probes are sent out to perform a preliminary system survey of sector 0502.
 
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Kloudy Kloudy :

Order Summary:
Ship Repairs
Test Quarantined Drone
Ork Wreckage Scan
Drone Scan in 0702
PERO Military Installations Scan
Contact PERO Government
Talk to Ayacucho 1


The Ship was repaired... for the most part.

The Ship did not have enough time yet to be properly coloured or have fresh Tau iconography emblazoned upon it, but the Manta was functional and running at top crew efficiency, thanks to new repair facilities in the vicinity established by another Tau Commander.

The Quarantined Drone, with the best science officers to look at it, saw it for what it was -- a hopelessly contaminated vessel for SHODAN, that must never fall into the Unbraked AI's hands. it could not be reconditioned to serve the Tau, nor allowed to interface with even the simplest Tau machines, lest SHODAN start created mass instances of itself. However, possession of it tempted the commander -- if the original SHODAN could be excised from the planet, the Drone no longer represented one of an army of Unbraked AIs, but a single captive instance that could be used hopefully by the Tau for great scientific advancement. Holding it was a danger, but it was tactically valuable (Victory points) if it could be safely retained until the conquest of PERO could be completed...

Study of the Ork Wreckage would have been far more gainful were the ramship not allowed to self destruct -- it was apparent from the means employed and the remains intact that Orks when they destroy something don't leave much for scavengers after them. Numerous artifacts were found -- but they were more of trophy and less of tactical value (No Victory Points) -- all that was Left behind were numerous "Squig-Squeakers" -- essentially "black boxes" that cried out, over and over throughout distant expanses of space -- that a fight was here, and that all Orks should congregate. Bad news. The Orks would be coming in ever increasing numbers if a solution could not be found to trick or misdirect them... A matter of primary strategic importance for the new sector could not be SHARED with the Orks... it would only mean a long protracted fight, likely futile, to ultimately purge them from the system.

The Drone in 0702 discovered two of Points of interest:
1. Spacehulk Designation : "The Cruel Shoal" -- replete with salvagable imperial technology, there is also an ultra-secure vault deep within marked in early gothic "PRIMARIS" -- Evidence of a Psyker signal emanating from the hulk, although Tau are not sensitive to these emanations. Lifesigns are aboard the hulk, indeed rife in certain places, but some kind of unknown masking blinds our sensors as to what. Whatever the occupants are, they are fast, and move from one of the hardest areas of the ship to scan to another. One sleeping organism rests in front of the vault and while it seems to be curled up, would stand approximately 5 stories tall. Presumption: Genestealers with possible Tyrranid Hive-node organism. Protocol dictates we call in a minelayer to sweep space ahead of the hulk and destroy it without second glance. Your courage may dictate other maneuvers.

2. An Imperium Astronomic Array dating back long before the existence of our civilization floats in the void here as a buoy/lighthouse for Imperial Navigation. The Technology is fully functional, and distressing in it's location so close to Tau space. Recovery of this tech could be valuable, but discretion may be the better part of Valor, commander. Destroy the Array and Navigation for the Imperium in the surrounding sectors will become slower and more dangerous. This device has the capacity of relaying messages and signals impossible distances... A low level member of the Earth Caste Task force has been attempting to put forth an idea, but it is almost universally opposed by his peers. The Ensign will like an audience with the commander, but has been told to use the proper channels thus far.

_____________________

Scanning of the offensive capabilities of PERO indicates two primary threats:
1. Crude Surface Mass Driving Systems are generally used to transport large amounts of matter from the surface to orbit, and the opposite. The Mass Driving Network of PERO has been seized by Shodan, and tremendous amounts of crude matter and rock are being loaded for "Driving" at our Repair station and Mantas. While Tau spacecraft have little to fear of these weapons... the repair station's point defenses are not yet online and would almost certainly be obliterated if not stopped, or the station is left unprotected.

2. A tremendous Deep Core Mining Laser Which has been turned towards the sky -- It has tremendous cover under an industrial dome, and the vicinity of the Laser is exceptionally populated. The DCML is a real threat to Tau Operations in the subsector and a potential threat to spacecraft in this and adjacent subsectors.

________________________


SHODAN is using mutagenic viruses to convert the populace into mindless and aggressive fighting slaves and these creatures are far more effective and efficient in the field it would seem than the regular soldiery of PERO. As such it has not been easy to keep an accurate and ever-descending countdown of Perovian leadership, though they are all begging to communicate with the Tau before SHODAN kills them. We can expect the remaining Perovian leadership to cooperate with us, but not for long if we do not act as they will all have been converted into Shodan's minions. SHODAN also shows evidence of repurposing several factories on PERO with the express purpose of turning her already threatening mutants into cyborgs...

_______________________

Ayachuco 1 is standing by for communication.
 

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