(SNIP)

=^= XO, we are not detecting any Orion’s in the area. But we will keep a lookout just in case. =^=

Captain Allen - CO

“XO,” Kate said leaning into the Commander and dropping her voice. “If they attacked the Orion’s the last time they came through, they could have left to gather reinforcements before coming back.”

2nd Lt Hawkins - Marine XO

OOC: Perhaps I wasnt clear, they attacked the Orion’s and were massacred in the attempt. The Orions wouldn’t need to re-group. They also attacked a fixed location that the Orions were using as a base on the planet.

GM
Amy nodded “Okay everyone, here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to help these folks figure out how to best defend themselves against the Orions.” She said and touched her comm badge =^=Captain, I would like to have five more men come down to the surface so we can work in teams to help teach our friends to defend themselves against the Orions.=^= She said and then turned back to Valron “When do you expect the next message from them?” She asked.

XO

“They are expecting our delivery of gems, metals, and stone.” He looked off. “We’ve collect almost all they have requested. We are to take it to the mountains and leave it there. Where they will collect it and then they promise to return all that is precious to us.”

“There is no more time. They recently said if we did not deliver immediately, They would start destroying the crystals of life. They were strangely urgent....”

He tilted his head towards one of his advisors… then to his daughter… “Perhaps you do speak the truth… the spoke with urgency, but perhaps it was fear… is there a reason why they should fear you?”

Valron son of Aborus, his Highness, guardian of the gems, sailor of the Clearwater, ruler of all Nelaycross
GM

=^= Cmdr you’ll have them. We’ve got issues up here, and I’ll have them beam down ASAP. =^=

Capt Allen - CO

=^=Understood Captain. Keep us posted.=^= Amy said and then turned back to Valron “Where is the crystal of life, we might be able to defend it and prevent them from damaging it.” She said “What have they taken that was precious to you and we might be able to get it back for you. I can’t make promises until I know what is going on.” Amy said sincerely.

As more of her crew arrived she turned to them “We’re going to be dividing into two teams. One will go to the mountains and the others will go to the Crystals of life.” She said “We will not engage unless we have to, but we’ll need to let them know that this planet is now on our radar and we will protect the populace.” Amy said firmly.

XO

“No you don’t need Cave they are already gone.”

“They stole them… our most precious jewels. We took the to the Cave of Miracles to show them our future and …” He shook his head voice breaking as he paused. “We never seen nor heard of such treachery. We trusted them and they stole the gems.... they are worthless to them but everything to us.”

“For stones, metals, We care not if we must pay them off for their theft, the Gems are Paramount… not one can be lost or shattered… is this something you can do.”

GM

Amy listened to what was being said “We can only try.” She said “We’ll need to find out where the gems are. When did they take the gems..was it the last time they were here?”

XO

“Several weeks ago, give or take a day. The Matron of the Gems was murdered as she laid her life down to defend them so we don’t know the time precisely.” He nodded off in the distance inland… if they could see through the walls they would note he nodded to a mountain range not too far from the capital city of Clearwater.

“Centuries ago we mined the mountain, and built a fort to protect the metals that we unearthed. There isn’t much value to it now, but the O, riz-ons seemed to like it,” He shrugged, “It was dark, cold and while it had tactical value, we were not at war with anyone so we let them use it as a place of operation.”

“We sent our marines to recover the gems a week ago… but as I said earlier we were crushed by rays of light form distances so vast we could not see those who casted them.”

Valron son of Aborus, his Highness, guardian of the gems, sailor of the Clearwater, ruler of all Nelaycross
GM

“You wouldn’t happen to have any drawings of the forts layout? So we can get a better idea of what to expect when we get there. Because we can definitely meet them with our own ‘rays of light’, but the more we know could save a few of my men.”

2nd Lt Hawkins - Marine XO

Amy’s cane tapped lightly on the ground “Will you show us where the forts are?” She asked “We can set up defenses there and perhaps catch them when they return.” She said “Do you have another keeper of the gems?” She asked as an after thought.

XO

“There is but one keeper of the Gems, its is a life long and honored appointment. They are our only true treasure.” He took a breath. “Doubt we can ‘catch them when they return,’ as I don’t believe they have departed. They don’t always seem to be at the exact same number, despite the fact we rarely see them come or go, but they never leave the mountains and the fortress completely unoccupied.”

“Our marines have taken grievous casualties, and even if they hadn’t it has become clear that our weapons are far inferior to the OrRizons.”

He stood gathering his cloak about him, “Is there a Marine about who can carry out this mission, to guide these strangers to the mountain keep…”

A Nelay stepped forward before the King finished his statement. “I will.” He turned to face Prescott. “If by my life or death I can return the gems… it will be done.”

Valron son of Aborus, his Highness, guardian of the gems, sailor of the Clearwater, ruler of all Nelaycross
GM

“Thank you, though hopefully not with your death. We should be able to meet the Orions head on and take them out.” Kate said projecting confidence. This was what she was trained for, and ready to take them on.

2nd Lt Kate Hawkins - Marine CO

The Bipedal lizard looked at the group for a moment. “I have never know the Orzions number to be inferior to a dozen, you are outnumbered. I have seen their weapons first-hand, you are likely under-armed.” He glanced at the side arms that the Federation officers carried. “But, as I said, if by my life or death I can return the gems I shall. By your words, you have taken the same oath.”

“When you are ready.”

Deus Ex Machina

“Well we should be getting some reinforcements from our ship as we head that way, which will help. But never underestimate a Marine. We are used to people throwing us into impossible situations,” Kate said with a chuckle.

“Lead the way, and our reinforcements will join us on the way.”

2nd Lt Hawkins - Marine CO

The Nelay Marine carried both a trident and what seemed to be a rubberband powered projectile weapon. It likely was as effective in air as it would be underwater. But in either case, it was certainly not a match for a phaser and it’s range couldn’t be more than 40 - 50 meters.

The trip to the mountains would take several hours, but they were carried on carts pulled by animals that resembled horses for the first 10 kilometers or so. After that the Marine, Talkrit, suggested they move on foot. “Perhaps we can sneak up on them. It did not work the first time, but without surprise I don’t know if we can succeed.”

From their current vantage they could see the mountain, and the trail leading to what seemed to be a fortress gate carved/cut right into the face of mountain. Details were difficult to determine with the naked eye.

Officer Talkrit
Deus Ex Machina