Sundered Spirit

Another day at Evertech. Coworkers drifting off into Soulspace and the buzz of high speed vehicles outside your office. Otto, the Autognome that owns Evertech has put out a call via meeting stone to those interested in picking up extra work. "50 gems a day" his recording says to escort some Mana techs to do repairs on some Spirit Towers along the rim that was hit by the recent Manastorm. Sounds easy enough...

You get into the company vehicle. It has been modified with a large sunroof and seats large enough to accommodate everyone. Three Mana Techs join you : Tiz'tik a Thri-Kreen in overalls and covered in belts and tools, Gon a Beastfolk that resembles a large Badger hefting a large bag, and Ian a Battleborn that seems to be in charge of the other two giving orders. He looks to the party. "If you can get us back before the day ends i'll see to it you are given a bonus". He says with a wink and a sly grin.

AJ notices the Battleborn seems to be checking his chronometer often and is really impatient. In past dealings with Mana Techs, they like to milk jobs like these as they get paid by the hour.

" If you are unsure about the route to take, I have a course plotted on my Scrypad." The battleborn pulls out a thin square device with an illuminated screen. "Its the newest KnightTech. I like the older model's shape more, but this is a lot faster." He says admiring his gadget.

M1-ST7, or Misty, DJ Misty Rains, like and follow for all the latest and dopest tunes, jumps into the driver's seat and starts fiddling with the sound system, linking her systems to the car so she can play her tunes while they're on the road.

"Alright! Who's ready to get this show on the road! Vibe check: high energy driving beats, or lo-fi grooving?"

Farrek comes from out of the shadows like a ghost, his pale skin reflecting the light that was now on himself.

"Eh, don't forget about me!" He shouted over the loud music, he rushes to get in and takes a seat.

"High energy, gets the blood going and keeps the mind sharp." He replied as soon as he sat down.

Driving down the road, Sterling spots a group of goblins that seemed to take interest in your leaving. They lit a trash can on fire, and you can see other trash cans being lit on the road ahead. The Soulspace Scrypad the Battleborn provided shows that this road is the best path.

Farrek notices some signs being passed amongst the goblins that mark them as members of Bib Big Gritzleboss’s gang. Known for petty theft and cons along the rim of the Handmaiden sector. Likely armed with scrap pistols and blades made from the scrap heaps on the rim, the gang members themselves are pretty minor league, but BIG BIG Gritzleboss has a bounty on his head that is well earned. He is a Bugbear that utilizes explosives in his heists and considered highly dangerous.

M1-ST7 AJ recalls that BIG BIG GRITZLEBOSS was in the news a while back for attacking some spirit towers on the rim. The Handmaiden forces came down hard on him and he had to rebuild his gang.

Farrek ignores what is going on, the mission is top priority.

"I can't recall if I have been in there, been in a great deal of places, comes with the skills I have acquired over time, but, no, thinking back I don't think I can recall that one. I do hear that it is quite nice, but everyone seems to hype up places with names like the spirit tower. I wonder if all the people working in there are spirits, now that would be something." He said as they continued to drive on.

Saber 2 was silent, head down as he sat in silent contemplation of the mission ahead.

"Anyone ask what they're protesting? Their demands?" It had been the eleventh time Saber-2 had pulled apart and replaced the upper on his high powered rifle. Special Operators like him, assassins trained in nonlinear warfare, often were deployed on black ops, off the books, secret squirrel type shit. "I know who the brass wants dead out there. We all do. But I'm not going to get lynched so Management gets to gloat about us bringing down a high value target to pad their bonuses." Checking and rechecking the fit of the kukri in the sheath of his improved load bearing equipment. He also obsessively checked the free rounds in his MOLLE harness and those checked in a bandoleer on his left forearm. This was one fidgety Op.

The battleborn leans forward "Spirit towers are what power all your equipment. They are power conduits for mana. We need to get to them to do routine maintenance."

As you look at the goblins, they don't seem to be protesting, in fact they seem to rather not be noticed. You think the trash fires they are lighting are a signal of sorts, letting those ahead know a vehicle is coming.

You continue on for a time and are approaching the rim. You take the route suggested, and come upon a blocked off section of the street. A sign reads "NonS May KAn INTeR Bi OrdrZ GriZZlGroT!" You look to see if you can back up and a large truck blocks you in. A goblin head pops over the barrier. "You must pay the toll!" The goblin says in a high-pitched angry voice.

The manatechs seem unamused.

Quote:

This always happens

The battleborn says. The goblin announces

Quote:

We demand something shiny and something new!

*If you offer something shiny and new to the goblins you can roll persuasion with advantage. If you have another idea please roll the appropriate skill. If you draw weapons we go into initiative.

"Shiny and new!" The goblin exclaims as he opens the barricade and allows you to continue your journey. The battleborn was not impressed, but mumbles he wanted a newer model any way.

The road continues, but soon gives way to loose gravel trails and is difficult to keep the vehicle steady. In the distance you can see the blue plasma fields of the damaged Spirit Towers up ahead. "You see that? We have our work cut out for us it looks like." The battle born sighs and looks over his equipment.

Sterling is doing his best to keep the vehicle steady, but a rough patch of land distracts him as he comes up on a fissure in the dry road and the front tire driver side tire goes flat. A couple of mending spells should get the vehicle up and running, your passengers are a little upset. "How did you not see that?!" Exclaims the battleborn.

A mild dust storm is brewing. Those more attuned to nature can tell that it should reach the spirit towers in about an hour.

With M1-ST7's help Sterling gets the vehicle moving no problem.

The storm continues to build, and the techs are anxious to get to the job site. Once you get there you notice one of the towers is very damaged. Tendrils of mana plasma are randomly shooting out of the giant structure. The battleborn says unenthusiastically.

Their are three towers total here, and some old buildings that are abandoned ruins now since the mana storm hit. Its a hot, dry day.