Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-1536954-20180414204120/@comment-1536954-20180422184538

While Kelek’s points were valid concerns that reflected the economic reality of the Ra’mon wilderness, the Por’tol turned a deaf ear to his growled, beak-articulated words. Only Tsua’m’al’kre’s sharply diplomatic language incited any initial reaction, with Vre’Taal’ret and Ui’Ya’yoi both acquiring slight smiles of appreciation as they immediately recognised her particular manner of speech. Taal’ret opened his mouth to follow up on her suggestions before the dignified - albeit tense - atmosphere was shattered by the off-hand insult uttered by what appeared to him to be some leering wildman perched in the bushes.

Ya’yoi snapped, his sudden outrage betraying a clearly shallow experience of diplomacy beyond the capital.

“Who was that? How dare you!?”

The camp-skirting dance of the Breacher Team froze mid-step, and all weapons were pointed towards Mal’caor and the rest of his Team.

“Stop, hold your fire!” commanded Taal’ret, and the cocked guns of his retinue dutifully withdrew. His stoic face was struck with a palpable panic.

“Please forgive the Por’ui, Monat’nan warriors. He is but a Tau’saal in these parts and has little experience with the politics of the frontier.”

“Understood, Por’vre.” A’nu replied, “Now back to the bounty and, as Ui’Mal’caor perceptively pointed out, onto the identities and whereabouts of our game. Take all night and your thirsty Shas’ui will give into their Fire Caste bloodlust and jump on all of us like a pack of Ny’oni’tau.”

Taal’ret knew A’nu was taking him for a ride. His retinue were well-trained and far removed from the Mon’tau instincts of their ancestors and the semi-mythical wild Tau of the Ra’mon wilderness that A’nu was referring to. But Taal’ret had interacted with enough Monat’nan throughout his years both officially and through under-the-table deals to know they were not the sort of people to be cheated out of a fair deal. Should his Breacher Team go in for the kill, many would die on both sides, but greater tenacity and sheer combat experience of the Freeswords would undoubtedly see them standing victorious at the end.

“Twelve thousand Por’hesa,” Taal’ret offered, anxiously clearing his throat, “With a down-payment of five thousand. Reasonable, yes?”

“Quite acceptable.” Replied Tsua’m’al’kre.

“Very well. As for your task, it will be centred around the Gue’vesa settlement officially classified as Tor’zug, but known locally by the Low Gothic name Hamar, or in the colloquial Tau, which you may be most familiar with, “Tree District”. For quite some time, the settlement and the surrounding region have been under the control of the anti-government terrorist organisation, the Emperor’s Black, recognised and feared by their black flag adorned by a green Imperial Aquila. Recently however, we have received confirmation of the settlement being adapted to become the organisation’s headquarters, assumedly to better coordinate a future expansion into Ra’mon territory. Most importantly, the three key leaders of the organisation have been spotted there within the past Kai’rotaa: Yulin Tanveer, Acher Folaw and Lor Ghoss. These will be your targets.”

Ya’yoi handed A’nu a collection of disposable data slates, which he promptly passed around to his comrades for reading.

“I have provided you with several data slates detailing the necessary information about your location, the Emperor’s Black, as well as dossiers on your three targets. Keep these slates close to you at all times, and once the job is done, I request that you destroy them to keep all parties involved in this operation remain as anonymous as possible. Now, I must stress a final warning. The situation in Tor’zug is extremely complex. Since it is officially under Ra’mon jurisdiction, there has been a long history of Fire Caste intrusions into the settlement - typically to clean up criminal activity or to screen for unregistered settlers - and the Gue’vesa have become hostile to any Tau who enter. Additionally, we have no reliable data on just how many residents of the settlement are supporters of the Emperor’s Black. You will have to expect that any number of the Tor’zug residents will take up arms to defend their terrorist leaders. If possible, engage the targets as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Taal’ret then tossed A’nu a cheap plastic comm-link.

“Lastly, this may be useful to you. This is an encrypted comm-link that connects directly to a Gue’vesa by the name of Marlen Fore. He is a contact we have in the settlement who has been giving us intel. You are welcome to contact him at any time for information during your operation. Much like the data slates, it must be destroyed once your targets have been taken out. In total, you have three days to fulfil this task. After the time has elapsed, we will appear in this same location at the same time obtain evidence of the targets you killed, and to deliver you your complete payment. Any further questions?”