The Shadows of Arqan(Closed)

Too Late....

Snippy closed in a second, trapping Belthezar, Clara and Kashii inside The Inn together with Tovan, Moarka, QAwai Qwai and Kima. The rest of the staff having taken their chances outside together with the fleeing patrons. Moarka snorted and shook her head looking at Tovan. The dwarf finished his final commands to his drones and about 8 fully armed and prepped drones took tactical positions facing the door inside The Inn, the rest had moved outside and taken their position in the entry hall before Snippy closed. Tovan glanced at the three patrons and snorted, pointing a thick armoured finger in their direction. "Bar's closed.... You three start cleanin up this damn mess together with her..." He pointed his chin towards Kima. He then turned to Moarka "Arm em when they're done, shoot em if they give ye trouble...." Nothing in Tovan's voice suggested that he was kidding when it came to shooting them. The Battle-Dwarf then lumbered into his inner sanctum and let the doors close behind him.

Kima sighed and muttered wordlessly, starting to clean up the mess left by the fleeing customers even as the tremors continued. Moarka snorted at Tovan and reached down behind the counter and took out an old fashioned automatic shotgun which she started loading, looking up at the overhead lighting when it flickered a bit with a tremor. "Don't worry.... This place is environmentally sealed, has plenty of food replication and air... Even if the station is breached we'll be fine... And there's contingency plans for that in case it gets that far...." Moarka sounded like she was convincing herself of all rather then comforting the patrons. "Best get to cleaning...You're stuck here now..." She added.

================================================

The Narrow hallways and "streets" of the Hammer were in chaos. People fled into their dwelling and shelters to hide from whatever cataclysm was to follow. The Space Citadel was a massive construct that had weathered it's shares of attacks but every time an attack happened it could be the last one...this was space, one breach to many, one critical system failure and it'd be over for every living soul. A mass of bodies was making its way towards the transit area, Captain Tame and Krong pushed, shoved and clubbed their way through anyone standing in their way with Keesh scurrying and dodging behind them, crawling in between legs or climbing on top of people if needed.... but then it stopped... everyone stopped. The doors of the elevators and access-points to the stairways had closed down, trapping everyone within the district. People shouted, cursed, screamed...fights were breaking out, despair was beginning to turn sentience into instinct..People were trambled or squeezed against walls. Luckily Krong would have none of that, without holding back the Vesk made sure no one got to close, pushing, snarling and ignighting his Doshko just to make sure no one had the stupid idea to start pushing...as such an uneasy clearing formed around the reptilian warrior.

"What's the damn hold up!!!"Captain Tame cursed."Krong...make us a way towards that terminal over there... The lot of you help Krong, Keesh and you, Drow..Lady Sin... I wan't you to hack those gates or plot us an alternative route out of here..."Krong snarled and hissed, shoving and clubbing the shaft of his Doshko against anyone not complying. Moods and temperaments were beginning to rise, the few patrons that had followed Captain tame out reacted with mixed compliance, some hesitating and flaking while others followed the desperate attempt to reach to station terminal 3 meters away from their position. Once they reached it they were a full 15 meters from the gates still.

The Mystery man followed Tame's lead silently, drawing his plasma pistol, his personal shield flickering occasionally as he pushed and shoved his way past desperate people and criminals. he said nothing but allowed the barrel of his gun to do the talking. One eye occasionally locking on the captain and his cronies, The Drow and Adran.

Ysun growled at the captain's callous behaviour but found desperate people to be no less brutal, he tried talking and calming people down but after catching yet another elbow or shove he started pushing and hitting back defensively, he stepped back following the captain and the others, raising his voice to relay his opinion on the matters. "Red-15 wouldn't close down the transit areas unless the district was compromised, for all we know the void is waiting on the other end of those doors!...I say we get back to the Inn and sit this one out, Freecaptain ships will come in to help the station"

(@Maeriel @jrusso20 : group1)
(@AJPhips @garlic @Griffith group 2)

group 1 is +-15 minutes ahead on group 2 I'll let you know when I need syncronising posts from group 2)
Those in group 1 will notice at this point that the tremors seem to have stopped.

Sinra followed among the group led by Captain Tame. And among, really meant among, well protected within their numbers, the Drow woman's technomantic rifle was slack between her hands, the lizard man or the three stooges hired by her dealt with whatever desperate soul that threatened to knock her down or somehow attack her, trying to take advantage of the chaos for some easy earnings. She was glad that the Android Adran had had the sense to come along, she was learning to appreciate a good conversationalist now that she was forced to be out of her home world. That and the man had already proven himself of use. It didn't escape her notice that the male who seemed to have some bond to the VWP Moarka had come along, but moreover... that the mysterious one-eyed man was also with them. Sin had mixed feelings about his presence.

As they suddenly stopped, her sense of urgency only increased. Thankfully, that huge reptilian goon really scared people off, so she was momentarily 'safe'. Lilac eyes fixed on the Captain's scarred face as he referred to her as 'Drow', but quickly amended to a more respectful one. Truth be told, right now she didn't care. She'd respond to whatever, as long as he took her out of this place alive. A quick glance over the mousy creature and Sinra rushed to the terminal. Her hand laying on it's surface, a large holographic display appeared in shades of purple in front of her. Her magic at work, her other hand moved quickly, calling and dismissing screens, writing code and circumventing firewalls... except there was very little protected from her intrusion. But what was truly worrisome... was that she was not alone in the system. What she found, made her eyes wide as saucers and a chill run up her spine.

With a dismissive wave the holographic display disappeared and Sinra withdrew her hand from the terminal as one would when touching a hot plate. She turned to the others right as Ysun voiced his opinion that they should return to The Inn. Her eyes met the man's, and then she shifted to the Captain. "I would listen to that human. I will not be opening this door, we do not want it done, for someone is already hard at work to get here. The entire station is under lockdown, but the doors leading here... these are being opened. We must return captain." When her eyes caught his, she added. "Z'hinin elghinyrr."

Adran followed the Captain's orders without hesitation, though in his mind it seemed like the man was more prone to panic than he'd have preferred. He saw the Mystery Man moving with Krong's group and quickly followed after, still not entirely sure what it was that was compelling him to keep the one eyed man safe. Needless to say, this wasn't his element at all. Pushing people aside, having to get more violent with rowdier citizens, even firing his pistol, none of it was his preferred method of doing things, so he tried to minimize attention on himself and help the group where he could.

Upon reaching the terminal and seeing how much farther they had to go, Adran came to a conclusion. "This is suicide. We should return to the Captain and keep safety in numbers!" It was then that he noticed that the tremors had stopped. To the Android, that could only mean one thing. "Whatever was trying to break through has probably succeeded, if that's the case then the port would've been hit hardest. We need to retreat!"

---

Of all the things that he expected to happen, being held at gunpoint to clean up a bar was definitely not the highest item on the list of all possible situations Bethelzar might have found himself in that day. He thought he'd end up having to deal with a lot more bullets and hysteria and a lot less mopping floors and dish washing. Life tended to take the most interesting turns, Bethelzar thought dryly. Nothing stimulates the mind and body like cleaning up a bar situated on what was basically a ticking time bomb. Despite what Moarka might have been muttering to herself, Bethelzar didn't believe what she said in the least. The Hammer might have withstood many attacks before, and the life support equipment might be functioning right now, but who was to say what would happen in the next half-hour or so? No fort is impenetrable, and nothing is infallible. Bethelzar knew that there was no getting out of cleaning up the mess in the Inn, so it would be best for him and his two companions to finish the task at hand as quickly as possible before finding a way out of the Inn. Outside was dangerous, but staying inside would be akin to being sitting ducks waiting to be killed.

Moving a few tables over to pick up a few rags from where one of the barmaids had left them, Bethelzar returned and tossed it towards Clara and the Shirren. "We can't get out of cleaning this mess up, so let's not waste any time dallying here. We'll discuss what to do later." He frowned a little as he remembered Clara's previous desire to joining Captain Tame. Bethelzar didn't trust the man, at least not for now, but clearly Clara was not adverse to being on Tame's ship. He'd convince the girl later, he decided as he moved to set fallen tables and stools upright. Right now, there were more pressing matters at hand.

Shit. Kaschii let out a startled chitter as Snippy closed right before her. No, no, no...she did not want to be stuck in here. This place is too closed off - no options to hide nor run as far as she knew. What if the drones fail? What if whoever or whatever was attacking them made it in. Her antennae were starting to twitch with notable anxiety and her heart felt as if it was going to pump itself right out of her chest. It took her a while to recollect herself enough to reply to Clara's question in her usual calm telepathic tone. "I just wanted to get out...I'll think about Tame's offer later..."

She wordlessly catched the rags Bethelzar tossed at her. At this point, what else could she do? There was no other option. For now, Kaschii tried to mentally convince herself to believe Moarka's words because of all the times to panic, now really wasn't the time. That was easier said than done. At least she wasn't on edge to the point of not being able to help with the clean up. The shirren soaks the rag at the kitchen sink and assisted in wiping off spilled drinks and returning whatever intact cutlery remained to the kitchen.

Captain Tame turned to Sin when she uttered those words, it was obvious the man knew what she was talking about and the experienced captain swallowed, fear dancing across his facial features for a brief moment. His eyes then locked on the massive door that was currently cutting of people from the transit zone. "Dammit...."He said through his teeth, hands balling into fists for a moment. The ysoki looked up at the Drow female for a moment and then at the captain, the mousy alien narrowed her eyes at the captain for a moment, the otherwise skittish alien expressing something akin to anger towards her captain..an odd thing indeed. She jumped when the blast-gate suddenly sprang into motion and began opening with a load groaning complaint. All around people started shouting again, the mass beginning to move and press more towards the gate.

"Frack it... Back to the Inn.... Stay together and keep to the walls"

Progress was slow and difficult, people wanted to leave even-though the signs of attack had stopped, scuffles and fights erupted. There was shouting and screaming, cussing yelps...But i'ts when the first shots were fired that true panic erupted. Bodies collided as the people started running back against the "stream". Suddenly the wide halls of the ancient space station became a war-zone, a deathtrap for any who had entered it. Everyone was now running away, bolts of red necrotic energy fired indiscriminately into the fleeing crowd, ignoring anything inorganic and quickly withering anything "living". People screamed as they fell, their life force reacting violently to the necrotic blast that struck them down... And then the enemy revealed itself. Charging after the fleeing people was a horde of undead creatures. Some cybernetically enhanced to offer them greater mobility and strength, others seemed like old remains of space faring travellers and adventurers, an alarming number of them seemed extremely fresh and like the kind of people you might find on the Hammer. Among this reckless horde moved small tactical teams of highly disciplined undead warriors that advanced steadily in a tight unit formation. Their uniform appearances suggested some form of elite warrior, their actions obviously guided by sharp sentience...the only remains of their organic bodies was the bleached or gilded bone of their skulls for most of their bodies had been replaced with sleek and advanced cybernetic augmentations and armour. At least one of these cyber-necrotic warriors possessed the gift of Magic, weaving its ethereal energies into necromantic spells and quickly raising the bodies of fallen lifeforms and adding them to their horde of undead summonings... The soldiers in these squads fired advanced and devastating necrotic weaponry into the crowd. The blasts and beams ignored the unliving horde, travelling through them as if not present and thus forming no barrier between the muzzles of the weapons and their targets..their only weakness a moderately limited range.

Captain Tame had no intent on standing and fighting, he didn't even attempt to fire back or make himself into a priority target. Heroes may die in glory, but cowards live to tell the story as they wish it. Krong seemed annoyed with this but he knew where his loyalties were, the hulking Vesk acting as a battering ram to make sure no one stood in their way as they moved and retraced their route towards the Inn. Keesh squeaked and yelped. She scurried, ducked and skittered for her life depended on it, whatever speed she lost with her diminutive form was made up by her ability to run in between the fleeing bodies more easily that her taller companions.

The Mystery man fired back a few shots on occasion when a charging husk came to close for his liking but otherwise his priority was clearly set on getting the hell out of there. His energy shied now blasted on full power and managed to absorb one wayward beam of necrotic energy albeit draining it considerably. Despite the stressful and dangerous moment he seemed very much in control of his emotions, remaining stoic and and in control.

There were pockets of resistance, pirates and criminals turning to fire desperately into the advancing horde but sadly missing the organised efforts to form any kind of threats to the core groups of tactical undead soldiers. If someone were to make an attempt to give some direction to the few people standing and fighting there might be a half capable fighting force that can function as a fighting withdrawal and prevent the enemy from closing by....but that might prioritise one as a target.

A single alien child stands still in the hallway as the world explodes around him(her?). Wide eyed and shocked the infant stares towards the undead forces and the dying and fleeing people... Somehow the child has not been trampled or run over, like it were standing in the silent eye of a hurricane. But for how long? Someone can pick up the child while passing by, but the aditional weight and decrease in momentum might make one a target for the rushing horde and their commanders

How many were they, were they doing anything more then simply slaughtering the people of the station? it was unclear in the chaos but observing them might give some clues. But was this the time or place? Would they be found, attacked? Shot? Was it a price worth to pay?

Whatever actions were taken it would be risky and come at a cost....but there was always the option of running, that certainly was the safest route...at least according to the cowardly Tame, but then again...He still lived didn't he?



(Ysun's actions will be described after the players. @Maeriel @jrusso20 only one "action" can't do all the suggested tactics, check with me in PM with our ideas and their results so you can make the start and completion in your post . Post for Group 2 will be later tonight or tomorrow sorry, swamped)

Clara felt the dread as soon as the doors were shut. She was trapped. She had never been one to enjoy the indoors especially when she had no choice in the matter. The bed ridden days after surgeries back home had always been torture for her, longing to wander the streets freely. Now, she couldn't help but question her old dream to escape her home planet and travel around the galaxy on a blasted shit. She couldn't help but feel like she was back enslaved on the ship she had come in, especially when the cleaning order rang out. Perfect, stuck playing maid for someone else. She was liking the idea of ships less and less; far too restrictive. She grabbed the rag thrown to her and began to wipe down the tables, a little rougher than strictly necessary. She'd be damned if she'd play this role yet again, first chance she got she'd be out of here, but, eyeing the the weapons, anyone could see that chance was not now.

At least the frustration of the situation helped to distract from the anxiety she felt. Who knew what was going on out there. For all they knew they could be sucked out into the impassiveness of space at any moment. She tried to find solace in the Half Orcs words but it was hard to believe the inn so infallible. Clara couldn't help feeling like a trapped rat in here. Sooner or later they would all be sucked out or murdered or they'd suffocate or they'd be blown up and their last moments would be cleaning the blasted tables.
"Think I'd rather be taking my chances out there, with him, right now." She muttered in return to the Shirren, keeping the inn's weapons in her peripheral.

@AJPhips @Griffith @garlic

The Inn was uncharacteristically quiet but for the faint humming of electrical power and the noises of them cleaning. Moarka was arming and loading a small arsenal of weapons and equipment, readying them on the counter. Shotgun, Laser-assault rifle., Sonic hold out, second hand plasma pistol, grenades and vibro blades. She went at it mechanically, using the distraction to stop herself from thinking what was going on. The occasional tremor made the interior tremble and clatter and when the tremors finally stopped she was the last to notice. Moarka certainly looked like she could use the distraction, perhaps she'd be more willing to share now that she was softened by another exterior influence...fear.

Kima the barmaid scurried around nervously tidying up and cleaning, yet her behavior was erratic and nervous at best. With the Hammer under attack and herself being locked in by her employer she was obviously unable to cope with it all. She dropped a bottle or cup on occasion and offloaded some thing on one table only to load her tray back up from another, seemingly unable to find a propper sequence to her actions to accomplish anything. Fear was coming easy to this woman, with obvious effect. People like her would easily loose their cool when the situation demanded it and as such, she might be a liability. Calming her might decrease the chance of the young woman becoming a wild card that might upset a sensitive situation.

Speaking of wild cards...

Mangar Mortaliasta had been all but forgotten, aparently passed out on the corner after loosing his consciousness over substance abuse. Fleeing customers had left their drinks behind and in the chaos the down on his luck pilot had helped himself to a few shots of fine Rythiac Brandy from a nearby patron. The last tremor had stirred him and he looked up with squinted eyes over the almost empty Inn. He groaned and rubbed his eyes before sitting up with a sudden spring....palms of his hands slamming onto the counter. He then burst into sudden laughter that seemed to have no trigger and was borderline hysterical.

"What's the pissing use!..." He said in a raised voice. "Frack it, i'm off... Screw this place, screw this frackin station...This is no place to die, I'm off!"

With that the tragic drunk got of his stool, with effort, and nearly stumbled to the ground before seeking some remenants of composure. As a trained alcohol abuser he was able to get some balance into his stride after a few steps and he made it straight towards the door which was still closed obviously. Moarka looked up and shook her head with a sigh, murmuring something under his breath.

"Tov- *hic* Tovan! Open this damned door I'm leaving!! This wretched dive isn't worth the grace of my company NO longer... I will depart...at once, make haste!"

Moarka peered over and leaned forward on the counter, muscles flexing with irritation at te loud drunk, she'd step in any moment and seeing the amount of stress she was already dealing with it was doubtful she'd be her hospitable self....

A part of Sinra had hoped to see some brash, bold, larger-than-life disposition that was so famous among humans in the craggy visage of Captain Tame. That she saw fear did not settle the terrified feeling that sent her insides into an unsettling quivering. Her eyes crossed the beady ones of the Ysoki and she didn't even warm up with the oddly cuteness of the strange... female? Lilac eyes settled on Adran's electric blue and she couldn't agree more with his logic. The single nod she gave was enough expression that the Drow was right on board with his assessment, regardless of having kept part of the information between her and the Captain.

It had all been in vain anyway. Before they could well put a great distance between them and those accursed blast doors, they were pierced by the horrifying horde of undead creatures. It was one thing knowing of them, studying with fascination the elements that made them come back to life, the uniqueness of their technological necro-engineering, their arsenal and their politics... Another was seeing them in the rotting flesh, so to speak,chasing after you, shooting your way... killing and raising and swelling in numbers.

Not even when her world crumbled and she lost everything back in Apostae had Sinra been this scared. It was only her innate lust for survival that kept her from despairing. Bolting along with the group, Sin mostly weaved her way in between hapless citizens and trusted her shields and armor (and those unfortunate souls) to keep her from harm. A few times she whirled to give some focused bursts with her weapon, but that had quickly ceased as everything turned into pure chaos. Melorn, her AI, was working on finding alternative routes and keeping her informed of everything of relevance, his pitch and wording shifting to a more urgent, succinct one.

It quickly struck her how they were fighting against a tide that threatened to swallow them whole. Desperate people, most just watching their own backs, many fools falling to the skilled, ruthless efforts of the lifeless, merciless enemy. Lilac eyes caught those brave enough to fight, missing the infallible security forces of her home-world, their flawless coordination and high-tech gear would make for a much less grim reality, just making evident the lack of a militia or anything similar in the station. Should have stayed at The Inn!

Whether it was the stunned child that made an impact or the thicker presence of fighting bodies was not obvious to anyone, but suddenly Sinra halted her hurried dash for safety, muttering under her breath what no doubt was a string of curses, and planting her feet apart, shouted a single word while swiping up with her hands, as if lifting something high in the air. In front of her, a large blast door rose up and blocked off the corridor. From this side, an obvious hologram, as the thing was somewhat see-through, but on the other side, to most it would very much look real.

Never mind the unfortunate souls staring dumbfounded at her wall, Sinra was no heroine, and even if she were, she wouldn't be able to save everyone. At least the ones on this side of the wall, the child, her 'companions' and many others, would have a shot at survival... Provided they could make it back into The Inn. The grim deed done, Sin turned once more to run, having lost her more advantageous position in the middle of the group.

@Scalerender @jrusso20

---

As Bethelzar scrubbed at the tables he observed the rest of the people present in the Inn in silence. Back at his first (and only) job on the planet he was from he had already perfected the art of observing others without attracting their attention. When he first learned to multitask he found that there was a overflowing wealth of information to be had from listening and watching the patrons behind the counter where he washed the dishes. He used to find a great deal of pleasure in watching people when he worked, the dual richness and banality of the never ending string of animated conversations constantly streaming in where he could hear and see, a radio station for the soul that couldn't be found anywhere on any other transmitter frequency.

Now, the situation at hand brought back Bethelzar's memories of those days with a startling familiarity, though he quickly settled into a more comfortable rhythm, hands working on autopilot as he simply watched the rest. The atmosphere was obviously tense, the air heavy with unsaid implications, silence only broken by the humming of the drones. Clara was visibly upset, and so was Kima, though the Shirren slightly less so. Despite that, was clear that no one in the bar particularly wanted to be there. Moarka's previous speech has had little effect on the remaining people still in the Inn, and even she herself seemed rather distraught, unconvinced by her own ramblings previously. Bethelzar immediately recognised the mechanical way she performed her tasks- a typical coping mechanism for quite a number of people when faced with a stressful situation. In this state, the Half-Orc would definitely welcome a bit of distraction, which was all the more to Bethelzar's advantage. The tremors outside had stopped, for whatever reason, and there was no better time than now to acquire the information he needed from Moarka. This was the calm before the storm and chaos could break out at any moment. He'd taken quite a liking to Clara and the Shirren, and since they were so intent on joining Tame Bethelzar at least wanted to know what the Hell he was dealing with before he tagged along to babysit.

Dropping his cleaning duties, Bethelzar started making his way over to Moarka, stepping over still-overturned legs of stools and fallen tables on his way there. Before he could reach his destination, however, Mortaliasta appeared out of absolutely nowhere and started kicking up a fuss. Bethelzar rolled his eyes as he watched the drunk rile Moarka up even more than she already was. It wouldn't take too long before he got kicked out of the Inn and into whatever was happening outside, but Bethelzar was short on time and even more so on patience. Still, well. The matter was between Moarka and Mortaliasta, and intervening when the Half-Orc was this worked up would probably result in heads rolling, and he wasn't even sure if it would be his or Mangar's. He gave the situation at most five minutes before Mortaliasta got thrown out. In the meantime, however, he'll just have to wait.

Walking over to Kima, Bethelzar stopped her in her tracks with a firm hand on her shoulder. The woman was scared out of her wits, and Bethelzar didn't want her running around causing more property damage than there already was. Tension was already running high in the Inn and Kima would be better off staying altogether out of the mess, since she really wasn't contributing much to the restoration process.

"You know, darling, you don't look too well. How about you go somewhere quiet and calm down, the rest of us can handle the situation outside." Smiling placatingly at her, Bethelzar plucked the tray from her hands and pushed her gently towards the back rooms. "Go rest up, you'll feel better that way."

Everything was happening too fast. People rushing everywhere in a panic, Captain Tame's cowardly orders, and then, the undead. Or at least that's what they appeared to be in Adran's eyes. A horrible amalgamation of parts that would terrify a man of flesh. To Adran, they were inconvenient, a difficult obstacle to overcome. He locked eyes with Sinra and realized that they both were in agreement on the course of action that they needed to take, and quickly ran after the Captain and his allies.

Falling in line with the Mystery Man, he kept one eye in front of him, and one eye behind, observing the monsters as they mowed down anything that stood in their path. The more dexterous bunch wielding ranged weapons seemed to be able to avoid hitting their close quarters companions through some form of magic, that was useful to know.

It was when Sinra stopped that Adran felt his pace slow. He didn't understand what she was doing, but he knew that losing her would decrease his chances of survival by a great amount, so turned and fired a few shots of covering fire, dropping two approaching undead before Sin got her hologram up. He didn't even notice the alien child looking on, he was too busy keeping an eye on the group and an eye on Sin and the monsters.

As the Drow picked up speed again, he fell in beside her. "You think that'll hold them off?" He asked, trying to keep a calm composure despite the circumstances. It was imperative to keeping his comrades composed as well.

@Maeriel @Scalerender

@Maeriel ,@jrusso20

The illusionary Blastdoor worked....

But not as intended, or was it?

Fleeing humanoids turning the corner where captain Tame and his rag tag "crew" had turned into were suddenly confronted by closed doors that cut off the way towards the hive. People panicked and back tracked only to find themselves heading straight into the advancing horde of undead. Pirates and thugs turned and stood their ground to open fire into the foes only to make themselves easy targets unprotected by cover or momentum. Sin had created a barrier indeed, one of crushed hope, fear and bodies...

But it bought them time. Regardless of intent it slowed down their enemy and ironically, fooled the sentient warriors among the dead as well as their living victims.

Ysun knew a loosing fight when he saw a one and was among the last to pass the illusionary barrier before others turned the corner and failed to disbelieve the holograph for what it was. Without loosing much of his stride he picked up the child and flung it over his shoulder. The shocked youth only gasping as he was picked up almost violently. Ysun felt a twisting knot in his stomach as he noticed what the illusion was starting to do, but he knew people were going to die either way. It was some comfort that most of these people hadn't done a good deed in their entire lives, maybe now they'd at least give the few innocent on this side of the barrier a fighting chance. "That won't last long!.. Come on!" He shouted at those not running for their lives. He'd taken himself out of the fight carrying this child, a decision that might have graver consequences then he might know now...

Captain Tame was no hero, that was beyond a doubt now. Coward, craven, selfish...he'd been called worse. Still he paused and looked back for a moment just before entering the ancient loading dock where one could find the hive and more importantly..The Inn. The Drow had raised some Illusion that gave the enemy pause, if only for a few moments. Was it a calculated callous move to force other survivors to fight like panicked cornered animals or was it an unexpected effect she had not considered... Either way she had made an impression of note. For a moment his eyes turned to one of the still and motionless guardians, The Golem, one could find all over the station...for some reason they had not yet been activated. He narrowed his eyes at the implications. As the horde broke through the Illusion Tame raised his weapon and shouted in a commanding tone. "Give them cover!!!...."

The Vesk snarled and brought his assault riffle to the fore, knelt and started giving controlled bursts of covering fire. He was careful and experienced enough to make sure he wasn't going to hit anyone he was supposed to protect, the same could not be said for the rag tag group of survivors that opened fire wildly.

Haphazard random shots flew over and past the heads of Sin, Adran, Ysun and the few stragglers that managed to keep up. The cover fire would be more effective against an enemy that was afraid of dying but at least it dropped a few of the front line husks that were charging forth. As such the Necrotic soldiers advanced more carefully, their devastating weapons not yet in range...at least that was achieved.

A careless shot of one of the would be pirates nicked Ape, one of the tugs, above the knee and made him trip. "Ack, dammit..WAIT!" He yelped behind them.

The Child held by Ysun suddenly started panicking and screaming..whatever spell that had paralyzed him with fear now broken and replaced with a hysterical state of being. Ysun was strong enough to hold him naturally but it slowed him down and he lagged behind Sinra and Adran.

================================================

@Griffith @AJPhips @garlic

Kima looked at Bethelzar with wide eyes as she was suddenly grasped with a firm hand, the Tiefling could feel a sudden impulse of fear enter his mind as her psychic tendrils breached the superficial barriers of his mind. His intent was made clear before his words and the Lashunta melted somewhat in his touch, shoulders sagging and antennae drooping over slowly, she sighed and looked at him with a weak sheepish smile. "Thank you... You're too sweet..." The thought enveloped his mind like a soft comforting blanket and then pulled away like a silk scarf slowly sliding over his skin, it left some goosebumps on the back of Bethelzar's neck...A telepathic caress as it were. The Lashunta took him up on his offer, finding rest before she snapped sooner or later.

As the others cleaned and continued their menial tasks, Moarka was dealing with the drunk Mangar who was making a scene of wanting to get out. The half-orc had climbed over the counter with a stunning display of athletic ability and grasped the inebriated human by the shoulders. She pressed him against the hull of The Inn next to "Snippy" and was giving him a what for. The impressive litany of profanity strung by Moarka would be enough to give a charging Vesk pause and for a moment Mangar seemed sufficiently chastised... The drunk human slid to the ground and covered his head, falling silent. Moarka snorted and turned, grumbling angrily as she turned back to the counter where she had left a collection of weapons unattended for several minutes while handling Mangar.

It would be about 20 minutes later when the hollolink to the outside door suddenly sprang to life on a control panel next to Snippy. The orange tinted hologram showed distorted images, sounds of gunfire and screams on the background. The not-so-composed face of the One-Eyed Mystery man was mostly in view and his outraged voice screamed into the hollolink. "Open this bloody door!"

"Shit... TOVAN GET IN HERE!!!" Moarka once more rushed over the counter and towards the hollolink, she pressed a button to activate the exterior adress "Where's Ysun!?"The half orc snarled into the system, she gave the others a look, face contorted in an angry scowl. "Get something to shoot....TOVAN! GET YOUR HAIRY ARSE IN HERE, DAMN IT!!!"