[center][color=cyan][h2]Gerard Biserus[/h2][/color][/center]

[color=cyan]"You're no fun."[/color] Gerard whinged back at Morden, [color=cyan]"If you want to get specific about it, [i]technically [/i]we're just academy graduates. We've only just received our unit deployments after all."[/color] 

[color=cyan]Besides, we're [i]all[/i] armed.[/color] He quipped back over their communication spell.

To Veld, the Princess was quick to confirm Val's suspicions, though whether or not anyone believed her remained to be seen. [color=coral]"When we encountered the other ship, we thought it was firing cannons at us. Only when I was evacuating did I see that the projectiles being fired at us were actually boarding crew- in the form of these robots. The Palatine was a diplomatic vessel, any soldiers onboard were ceremonial, and kept to a maximum of a single platoon as our nations had agreed upon."[/color]

[color=firebrick]"I have a team on their way to the crash as we speak, they'll confirm whatever the case may be then. Luckily, the ship crashed in the ass-end of nowhere, so I don't think we have to worry too much about leaks for the moment."[/color] Veld grumbled. He didn't look surprised or concerned as Silje mentioned the abnormal mist and the precuring storm, or if he was, he managed his poker face well. [color=firebrick]"There's too little information and not enough hands on deck. For now, we work with what we have. Plan stays the same- deliver the Princess to Dunbarton. As far as spare resources with which to do so, I'm afraid I don't have the ability to get any directly to you at the moment. I can put together a package and find some non-regulars to drop it to you, I'll let you know when that's in the works. "[/color]

[color=coral]"I suppose I don't have a say in this..?"[/color] Collette sighed, to which Gerard offered a noncommittal shrug. [color=cyan]"Even if you did, where would you go? You're alone in Rassvet. No phone, no money, nada."[/color]

[color=firebrick]"I suppose I should remind everyone,"[/color] Veld chimed in, his eyes narrowing as he stared down each party member individually. [color=firebrick]"Vangar or not, the Princess is here as a diplomat, a [i]noncombatant[/i], and is to be treated as such. She is to be delivered to Dunbarton healthy and in [i]one[/i] piece."[/color]

[color=firebrick]"Alright, any longer and we might start picking up some ears. Get it done. Veld out."[/color][hr]

[color=cyan]"Fun."[/color] Gerard grumbled sarcastically, as the party shifted to their truck. They were lucky. Much like Justice had said the night before, the damage to the truck could be fixed with some moderate salvaging of other vehicles. The truck wasn't particularly new or well maintained- and luckily for them, neither were junk heaps lying around the garage. The rest stop owner had been a bit obstinate about letting the party pull apart the nearby wrecks, but he also had no idea what kind of value to put on them. In the end, the Barghests got what they needed with minimal costs all around- though what cash they brought with them was quickly starting to drain. Repairing the engine did not however repair the rest of the truck body. The canvas canopy over the truck bed was riddled with holes from their previous encounter, and the chassis itself had enough scorch marks and dents that one might think it had been fighting on the frontlines.

[color=cyan]"We might have better luck ditching the truck and picking up a more... civilian vehicle."[/color] Gerard mused, though they didn't exactly have the funds to buy a new vehicle outright, and nothing at the rest stop looked like it would function any better than the truck [i]and[/i] fit all of them.

[color=cyan]"What are the chances we get to Dunbarton unmolested?"[/color] Gerard said aloud, practically challenging the fates.