Session thirty-two - In which a number of shouty people shout at each other.

We began where we left off; in the Sector 42 mansion after Sir Bedevere and his troops had stormed in.  Hemlock immediately launches into a protest accusing him of invading his home.  Bedevere counters that he has official warrants and permission directly from Hemlock's father.  Hemlock still takes issue with the means of entry and attitude but Bedevere counters that, as far as he is concerned, Hasimir is a wily and resourceful criminal and so it was essential to come in fast and hard. Hasimir says he has evidence that supports his innocence but Bedevere refuses to let him get it, suspecting some form of deceit and suggests he just presents it at his trial. The debate rages and tempers flare.  Hemlock challenges the Hawkwood to a duel but Bedevere just mocks, no honour has been offended, he is acting justly and Hemlock is acting like a spoilt brat. He is also harbouring a suspected criminal and needs to take care that he is not considered a foe rather than an innocent party.  Matters are not defused until Bedevere pauses and regains his composure saying he will wait outside for 30 minutes after which time he will expect Hasimir to be handed over to him.

 

Above: Dinner for two?

In the Midden Barony we find Marquis De Havilland washed, wounds treated, clothed in new clean attire and with his belongings returned to him. He is sat at dinner opposite Baron Christopher who apologises for his treatment at the hands of his "over enthusiastic" men. The baron says that if the Marquis wanted to know anything he should have just come to ask.  The Baron has nothing to hide. De Havilland states that he was investigating word of sedition and rebellion in the fief, while Christopher says he is well aware and, thanks to Hasimir, is poised to end it once and for all. De Havilland questions him on it but gets little in the way of specifics. The Baron alludes to Hasimir's current "troubles" as his brother had made him aware that he was looking to arrest him.  De Havilland mentions that he met Bedevere in Suryada before his attempt to attack SOE/8807.  Christopher explains that it was during this that Hawkwood vessels were attacked by pirates and it is this that has prompted Hasimir's arrest. The Baron moves the discussion to Tonbei's attempt on his life, the Hit List and De Havilland's obligation to him to investigate and bring him the culprit. The Marquis explains some of what he discovered (about Tonbei's last words being the name of an anti-human Ur-Obun martyr) and suggested that, according to a source, Count Innocence Decados was behind the plot to attack the Baron to which the Baron is stunned; why would the leading Decados on the planet target him, let alone the Marquis' associates?  That is a huge accusation for which De Havilland ought to have ample proof to back up.  He says he has no proof and agreed that it would be nigh on impossible to actually prove.  The Marquis also suggested that the Decados should be making an appearance very soon in all likelihood, (without suggesting why at the time.) Christopher is concerned he ought to spend less time looking out for sedition in the Barony, that is already known about, and more time fulfilling his obligation to find the person behind Tonbei's actions. All in all there was a lot of verbal probing on both sides and a real jousting of wits.

 

Above: The sketch map from my campaign notebook showing a plan of the Sector 42 Mansion and it's environs.  The central "chasm" edge is to the left of the page while the main entrance/front of the mansion is on the right.

While the clock counts down Hemlock, Hasimir and Mal discuss what to do next.  Hasimir is content to let them take him "for now" but Virssu slips off to speak with his superiors.  He is instructed that Hasimir should remain safe and free, he has shown himself to have potential and they would not have this squandered in a Hawkwood prison cell. Master Alfredo suggests escape via the tunnels that the young Hemlock was spirited away as a child. Escape is dismissed as not an option though. Hemlock and Mal, with Sir Tarquin in tow leave the mansion with Hasimir to meet with Sir Bedevere. Meanwhile Virssu slips out of the back gate (past some waiting Hawkwood guards). Hemlock states that they will accompany the Hawkwoods to their ship as an honour guard in order to ease their travel through the fief.  Sir Bedevere accepts and they set off, moving past the mansion towards the chasm edge (and Virssu). Virssu hears a ship engine approach, down through the chasm shaft and spies that it is not a Hawkwood vessel but a Decados one.  It stops level with the floor of the city they are on and opens it's port side gun ports.  An audio broadcast proclaims that this is in response to the murder of "My daughter" and the ship's turret and port laser cannon open up. Confusion reigns.  The Hawkwoods, in particular the Maruaders attempt to defend themselves, Mal (at Hemlock's request) heads into the mansion to protect or at least check on Chastity, Virssu sneaks through the guards and manages to abscond with Hasimir, taking him to the landing pad where Mister Lawrence had had the explorer docked and stored in secret while Hemlock uses his wrist squwarker to send an all channels broadcast to advise that Chastity lives and that it was a ruse. His words obviously find an ear and the firing stops. Hemlock tells Mal to take Chastity and hide, which they do in the escape tunnel suggested by Master Alfredo while he invites Count Innocence in.  Bedevere comes to Hemlock to accuse him and his "Decados allies" of helping Hasimir escape.  Hemlock tells him he has nothing to do with this and nor do the Decados (as far as he knows) but invites Sir Bedevere to hear for himself. he agrees and they await the arrival of the Count.

 

Above: Hemlock and Bedevere await the arrival of Count Innocence Decados

The Count joins them and takes tea in the drawing room of the now damaged mansion.  The scene is somewhat bizarre.  Hemlock explains events and how Tarquin (who has not been seen since the attack) attempted to kill Chastity but failed. It was deemed best that they pretend she had died in order to prevent another attempt while she recuperated. The Count appears convinced and suggests that he ought to donate some funds to the preist for his work in restoring his daughter. He mentions how precious his two daughters are to him (and both their mothers before them) but that Chastity has defied and disobeyed him. He does not wish to see her but tells Hemlock that she should be told that when she wishes to seek forgiveness she should go to him. The Count then asks Hemolock if he may have some time alone with Sir Bedevere.  This is granted and afterwards Sir Bedevere leaves to join his men in the search for Hasimir, apparently satisfied.  He apologises for the upset he caused Hemlock but he considered his actions valid at the time.

Shortly after he leaves another visitor arrives, stepping through the shattered doorway is Hemlock's father. He shocked by the state of his home and even more so by the presence of Count Innocence. He recovers swiftly and is gracious to his esteemed visitor, but not dismayed when he leaves some moments latter. Baron Tochiro immediately summons Hemlock to his study where he lays into his son over his "conduct" - welcoming enemies (the Decados) and heretics (Mal) into their home and protecting a wanted man (Hasimir).  Hemlock protests and they argue and then joined by Mal, who defends Hemlock, sharing the intercepted and decoded messages.  They tell of the troubles they have had with the Scravers and Hemlock defends his friends and Lady Chastity.  Tochiro's outrage only grows; the boy (hemlock) doesn't know what he has done, but it could be worse.  Things then appear to get worse as he shares details of their forthcoming Al-Malik visitor.  The Baron is beside himself.  Does he not understand what he is bringing down upon their House?  Does Hemlock want to see a repeat of events from some years ago that lead to the death of his sister?  Does he want to upset his mother again like that? As far as his father seems to be concerned he is bringing death and destruction down upon them again and the blood will be on Hemlock's hands.  They continue to argue and tempers flare. the Baron demands that Mal, Chastity and Hemlock all get out of his sight.

Meanwhile Virssu and Hasimir are safe in the explorer when Virssu realises neither of them know how to fly it...