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Post by emeralddragon on Feb 11, 2018 12:56:16 GMT 10
((OOC: Intimidation would also have worked, depending on if you were trying to convince him to be more afraid, vs manipulate him into believeing he is digging in own grave and causing more insult then compliment.)) The creature swallowed and its chittin began to pale ones more, as he glaced between the multiple Samurai, "I....I mean no offense Samurai-Sama, I promise. No insult to any clan intended or implied. The honourable..." He squints, looking at the clothing of Kokishin and trying to determine his clan. Clearly his interests had been limited to those clans that would have provided him with a profit. He blinks twice, and then realizing just how much of a mess it was in hurriedly moved on, "...clans of the Empire clearly have their place and purpose, as does the code that your Samurai follow." With that out of the way, he turned back to the Spider, although he was clearly less sure of himself, his false confidence completely melting away, "Here was my proposal, Samurai Sama. I give you what I told and saw straight away. You jump to the next system as a sign of good faith. Its not like I am going anywhere fast with my engines in this state. The I transmit to the Tortoise...or you if you would prefer, the remaining information, the stuff my limited digging uncovered. I THINK my coms are functional enough to do that. And if I try and betray you, you can easily come back and demand answers." ((OOC: Raw Willpower to resist Manipulation: 3d10k3 22Knowledge of the Empire: 2d10k2 10))
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Post by The Wake Angels on Feb 11, 2018 16:57:28 GMT 10
Ketaan leisurely leans forward in his cockpit, placing a finger on the button that will cut the... whatever that is out of their conversation.
"Hold please," his sweetest voice rings out clearly before the channel is cut, redirecting communications to just the Rokugani vessels. "Alright then, my wingmates, what'll it be? What do we think?"
"I think that I can pin his ship in juuuust the right way to have it come apart at the seams if he tries anything."
Ketaan gives a short laugh in response to Tai-Wen's words. "I think we got him love. Any more pinning and he might as well be a moth on a punchboard, like back at the dojo."
"Your point?"
"Angels," Ariel pipes in, "We've done sufficient damage to draw his surrender. Any more will simply reflect poorly on our ability to incapacitate a target. What's more, there is no need for any bloodshed. It is not the Unicorn way to kill an opponent who has yielded."
"Yeah, but we're really bad Unicorn."
"Speak for yourself, Daybreak, I'm a fabulous Unicorn."
"Yes Vanguard, your status as a glorious horny beast is well known. In every port. And civilized world. And quite a few uncivilized ones. The occasional asteroid..."
"You wound me."
"I would if you wouldn't like it."
Sighing, Ariel lowers the volume on his transmissions to the other Rokugani ships. It is a good thing that the communications bounce through each of the fighters in turn before transmitting. Hopefully their reputation won't take too big of a hit from their customary banter. After a few moments pass, he twists the knob once more, and speaks to his teammates. "Verdict?"
"Blow the chitin off him, see what's under the hood. And I want an aimbot. For educational purposes."
"We proved our superiority, let him go to spread word. Well, after he gets his coms fixed. And engines. He might be a while."
Ariel grins at the entirely expected response, rolling his eyes. He can't help but wonder exactly how much of their opinions are performative at this point. Their rapport exists at an almost hive-mind-like groupthink, and yet the disagreements are usually the same. He thumbs on his mic.
"Well, you know my vote. We're not corsairs, and for that matter we don't even have the facilities to take apart his ship if we wanted to. Seeing as I doubt our friend about the Truth will be interested in towing an enemy combatant behind his vessel, I say we learn what we can and move on."
"Fine. Be that way. I still want a bot."
"There you have it," Ariel says, directing the conversation to the other Clan ships, "The Angels are for the info and mercy. Well, leaving him adrift in any case."
"And the bot!"
"And salvaging one of the enemy autos for research, yes. Well, what say you all?"
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Post by Kasuga Naosuko on Feb 12, 2018 11:33:47 GMT 10
"Paying some measure of restitution is only fair." Naosuko says, marking one of the drifting drones out on everyone's map. "We may also be able to ensure their truthfulness and good behavior in the future. I do not wish to bore you with the trivialities of commerce, but suffice to say that my colleagues may be able to keep a better eye on this one in the future if they work more closely with us."
"Of course, I won't act unless we all agree."
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Post by Daigotsu Enshiro on Feb 12, 2018 18:43:40 GMT 10
Enshiro pauses in consideration. He moves a hand and mutes his communication to the alien.
I would not be against creating drones of my own...
Speaking to his fellow samurai now, the Spider says, "I am also in favor of these terms. I leave it to you, Kasuga-san, to finish the negotiations with this... creature."
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Post by Kasuga Naosuko on Feb 13, 2018 2:50:55 GMT 10
" Dhanyavaad," Naosuko replies cheerfully, the ivindi clear and lyrical. She spends a few moments typing and adjusting a document of sorts, adding an item here and there and removing a few others. Once that is done, she adjusts herself in her seat a little, looming over the camera, the green shadows cast by the star giving her a predatory look. She opens the communication channel with the entire group again, and speaks to the Zenijin. "We have come to an agreement of sorts, <junior associate.> The samurai-samas are not without mercy, and are sympathetic to your needs and requirements, but there is the additional matter of covering the damages that your drones have caused them." "Have no worry though, the Tortoise have experience in negotiating settlements such as these." She makes a motion, and a several hundred page contract is forwarded to the Zenijin ship. "As terms to that agreement, you will hand over all data that you have on your employers <now> and surrender two of your drones to cover the damages to my friends ships, it is only fair. You will also agree never to commit acts of aggression against Rokugani interests or parties OR violate imperial law when dealing with such parties or interests with penalties including death or worse, economic sanction." She waits now, allowing the initial terms to set in. My first offer Intelligence/Commerce: 5d10o10k3 23My first offer (Including +2k0 bonus for dealing with 'mechants') Intelligence/Commerce: 7d10o10k3 20 (HA, worse.)
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Post by Asako Kokishin on Feb 13, 2018 3:07:54 GMT 10
"We may want to ensure there are no recording instruments on those drones or our new friend's employer might be able to track us. Just noting."
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Post by M'thack-kir on Feb 13, 2018 10:40:48 GMT 10
(OOC: whee!) There is a distinct pause from the zenijin, presumably as it opens the transmitted contract. Then, a full minute later, “I do not understand. Samurai-samas seem to be in haste...why send such a lengthy document that a zenijin could never sign without reading the terms in full?” His face is slightly blotchy now, a clear sign to the Tortoise of genuine zenijin confusion. “All the same, the wily Tortoise-sama knows that deals involve more than two hands, yes? It will take a long time to repair my ship to functioning capacity, and to do so without protection is certain death. Samurai-samas may take one drone, and no more, unless they will stay and assist in repairs? I will give you the answers you seek. Of course, I swear to never instigate aggression upon the Empire, nor again take payment in exchange for doing so.” (Counter Commerce roll, probably guessing a lower stat than Emerald intended, but oh well: 22 orokos.com/roll/593768#)
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Post by Kasuga Naosuko on Feb 14, 2018 4:05:00 GMT 10
"My haste is your gain, <Junior Associate>." Naousko leans forward conspiratorially. "We really need to get moving, but I never pass up an opportunity for long term, mutual profit. I sent the same contract to my superiors, and if they read it I am sure they will reject it out of hand. However, if you sign now they could not possibly break their word." Limited Time offer! Sincerity(Deceit)/Awareness: 9d10r1o10k4 28 ((Bleh!)) "Of course we take care of our friends, new and old." She sends a page number as well as a section designation. "If you look here, The Tortoise would be bound to protect you in times of distress. What is more, we can offer you some assistance with repairs to get you underway. I am sure your <Competitors> would be looking to take advantage of you in this terrible market." "And of course, if you take a look at this section." Another page and section number, "We would even be able to offer you safe harbor in the great black seas, a place to rest and perhaps make a little profit." Commerce/Intelligence - Sweetening the deal.: 5d10o10k3 21 ((Hah, dice!))
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Post by emeralddragon on Feb 14, 2018 6:04:55 GMT 10
((OOC: Intent? Please, you know me. At best a vague idea. Also your dice hate you Naosuko)) The creatures eyes are focused entirely on Naosuko, "True, true, a deal in haste is always good. Your superiors always have been a little strict. Better the Zenijin deal, quick and fast, on word and faith and lack of trust. Time is money. Still....this document...." (([ Sincerity/Awareness: 5d10o10k3 26)) It considers the new offer, wondering over whether its worth the risk, "How long does a Tortoise protect my kind of business? Should I run afoul with another group, will the Tortoise risk trade with an entire nation for me? For a Done? Even for information this good, thats unbelievable. This is to much, to good. To many pages, many terms and conditions, and while we would never doubt your word," he indicates to the document, "This is a lot of words. One Drone, and I will be taking safe harbor in addition to my previous requests. A good deal for you, yes? You rush on your way, you get Gaijin tech, and you get information." (( Counter Commerce: 4d10o10k3 23))
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Post by M'thack-kir on Feb 14, 2018 6:20:47 GMT 10
(OOC: Be aware this guy has beaten you in two counter commerce rolls now, so if you make him roll a third, my suggestion to Emerald would be for him to get a free raise to reflect him “winning” the exchange thus far.)
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Post by Kasuga Naosuko on Feb 14, 2018 8:38:37 GMT 10
Always ask for more than what you really want and you will always make a profit. The Tortoise squints, and then taps a few times at a keypad off screen, sending a much simpler five page document. It absolves this particular Zenijin of any ill will and grants them repair rights at a nearby Tortoise port. In exchange, the group gets one drone and the information that they seek.
"Better?" She asks, hopefully covering everything that both parties sought from the exchange.
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Post by M'thack-kir on Feb 14, 2018 9:24:34 GMT 10
“Much, yes! Truly, the Tortoise is a wise, gracious creature, yes?” The zenijin’s voice picks up a a lighter, perhaps amused, tone. “I was hired by Sassathif, to deliver the earlier message. I never liked sounding like a villain, so I won’t repeat it. Transmitting a copy to your vessels now.”
The message you heard earlier quickly appears, "Two Lotus were there in the beginning. Two Lotus there will be in the end. The true purity of wisdom in each, with infinite roads to both. Yet you scorn our Lotus, our path, use your purity, your wisdom to snuff us out. And yet in our so called madness, we still managed to survive and thrive. Hiding in the Shadows, the darkness within the light. Yet true night comes for you all, your Lotus will yet be snuffed out. And darkness shall reign forever more, and madness shall be our sun. So die now mortal Samurai, knowing no more then you did before, except to recognize an ancient foe, has returned to kill you all."
As the file is transferred, the zenijin offers a sort of clicky, chittery laugh. “The phrase “Dark Lotus” seemed rather odd in particular, so when I was hired for the job, I did some digging to make sure I wasn’t getting into more than I bargained for. All I found was a reference to some crazy old cult.” He stares straight down the camera lens of his communication transmitter. “Rokugani. Also, it might interest Tortoise-sama to know that I was paid in zenijin discs.”
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Post by Kasuga Naosuko on Feb 15, 2018 3:14:23 GMT 10
"<The true purity of wisdom in each, with infinite roads to both,>" she muses in the hissing language of the Sassathif, playing with the phrase to see if it sounds like something they would write. "How were you contacted, were there any face to face meetings?" Naosuko asks, adding a few textual notes that are passed on to her companions. 'Sassathif, militant reptilian race with no eyes, strongly connected to Chikushudo. Possibly Naga instead?'
'Black Lotus, not familiar.'
Is this familiar? Lore:Gaijin/Intelligence: 7d10o10k3 36 ((OOC: There are the explosions.))
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Post by emeralddragon on Feb 15, 2018 12:53:00 GMT 10
Naosuko's knowledge makes it very clear that this is incredibly unusual. The Sassathif are warriors that value glorious combat above all else and while they would certainly ambush an enemy, hiring other races to fight in their place was about as likely as a Matsu hiring gaijin. They did their own killing. This almost certainly means their is a third player involved, if the Sassathif are involved at all.
However this is the second bit of evidence the Sassathif had been involved in some form or another, given the power supply of the Satellite they had acquired was Sassathif origin, so its unlikely the Zenijin is lying. Especially with his life on the line.
The Zenijin Discs are usually used for this type of trade, due to their untraceability, difficulty to forge and ease of transport. Its a cryptocurrency, and thus once you have some, spending it outside the Empire is easy, you just need a way to contact who you wish to hire. However if this Dark Lotus is a reference to a Rokugani cult, a question needs to be asked of how the cult got their hand on those Discs. Its not like you can log into the Crane Clan intranet and just buy into this currency.
Of course, this is a Zenijin researching the Empire. Its ability to get accurate answers is incredibly limited. Its only been a few months since the other clans were even allowed to interact with Aliens legally.
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Post by emeralddragon on Feb 16, 2018 2:30:49 GMT 10
As Naosuko thinks, the Zenijin considers how much more could be demanded in turn with this new request. Finally he said, "One face to face meeting. One text message....one semi-holo call. Its not like she could see me, so it wasn't strictly a holo call. But she did ask for a..." The Zenijin pauses struggling for the word, before saying, "Body sample....fluid...physical part of self converted into code. I have heard the Sassathif holos can convert digital samples into smells, even use them to detect lies and cheating. Don't believe it myself, how could such a thing be useful...it wouldn't change to my emotions, it may as well be dead."
The Zenijin clicked the chiten on its joints, trying to refocusing its thoughts, "Regardless most of the talking happened in the face to face meeting. Was worried I would record the conversation and sell out. Didn't want to give me the chance."
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