PARTIZAN 34: Guests, Invited and Otherwise

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Episode description[edit | edit source]

After months away, SBBR has finally returned to Oxbridge, only to find it burning. Every day, the city is rocked by its own political revolution, as members of the Organization for the Foundation of the Orion Republic--who seek to reform Stel Orion as a league of independent republics--fight against Principality loyalists in the streets, alleys, and canals of the Stel’s largest city on Partizan. The City of Little and Plenty is scarring over.

But SBBR (and much of Millennium Break) have their own wounds to attend to.

This week on PARTIZAN: Guests, Invited and Otherwise

///Operation Dossier\\\[edit | edit source]

//Organizations\\[edit | edit source]

Organization for the Foundation of the Orion Republic (OFOR): A group of growing import in Orion territory, who advocate for Orion’s secession from the Divine Principality and re-establishment as a league of democratic, merchant republics. Both OFOR and their opposition, the yet-unnamed Principality loyalist faction, have support across class demographics. Many corporations and independent guilds see OFOR as an opportunity for additional profit, while others believe that leaving the Principality is a risk too great to take.
The Party of the Wolf: One of two quickly growing parties inside of Millennium Break, named for their fallen hero, Valence. Though both parties support revolution, the Party of the Wolf advocates for radical, military action across Partizan and (eventually) the Principality in whole. Currently led by Jesset City.
The Party of the Masque: The other major party emerging inside of Millennium Break. Headed by Gucci Garantine, the Masques believe that a fast revolution will burn itself out (or be snuffed by the attention of the Principality writ large). They advocate for precision military action as part of a larger, ideological campaign that will bring the masses to their side of the conflict.

//People\\[edit | edit source]

Gucci Garantine (she/her): Defector from Stel Kesh, controller of House Brightline and HORIZON’s efforts on Partizan. Now a powerful member of Millennium Break’s political class, heading the Party of the Masque.
Jesset City (he/him): Previously worked for Adamant Arms and Manufacturing, Jesset became full time Oxblood Clan lieutenant and then a major figure in Millennium Break. Expert technician, veteran hollow pilot, and Cipher Certified by Stel Nideo. Utilizes prostheses on his right arm, switching between an affordable myoelectric model with grip hooks and a custom model specifically designed for interfacing with a hollow cockpit. SBBR’s CO for this mission.
Cas'alear Rizah (cas/cas’, they/them): Leader of the Swordbreakers, sibling of the Glorious Princept. Cas has brown skin with dark green hair up in a bun, with a few strands hanging down in front of their face (which is framed with similarly colored scales covering cas’ jawline and neck. Broken sword tattoos under their eyes. Reputation as being beautiful and brave by allies, unflinching and unpredictable by foes. Pilots the notorious Ataraxia. Was badly wounded in the defense against Motion and GLORY in Auspice.
The Witch in Glass (she/her): A mysterious figure who has recently begun prowling the cursed battlefields of Partizan, supposedly kidnapping, leading away, or otherwise retrieving the wounded and desperate. No one knows where she takes them, but reports always indicate that she arrives after the sound of bells and the appearance of strange distant shape in the sky.
The Figure in Bismuth (he/them): The Right Hand of the Witch in Glass. Former school teacher, now a supernaturally gifted ace pilot. Comes bearing gifts.

//Divines\\[edit | edit source]

The Divine, Arbitrage (It/Its): It is said that divinity was too long delayed this anteperennial machine, a god of trade. But the truth is, if it wanted to be divine in the twilight era, it simply would’ve negotiated that deal.

//Places\\[edit | edit source]

Oxbridge: Most bridges connect land to land, but the enormous Bridge of the Ox connects ocean ports to the docks of largest freshwater lake on the moon. Under the bridge rests Oxbridge, a dense city of canals and crimson light, and the first large scale Principality settlement to come to the moon, nearly 1000 years ago.

Oxbridge is split into three regions: Brightsky West, Underbridge, and Brightsky East. To the East and West, merchants, nobles, and the ever-upwardly mobile live, work, shop and play. But below the bridge’s shadow is an undercity of laborers both local and transient, eking by from job to job, day to day, by the fuel of their effort and the light of the red, phosphorescent “lamps” that give Underbridge its distinct glow, even in daytime.

Connecting it all together are a network of waterways, roads, and secret tunnels. And above it all is the Bridge of the Ox, the symbol of Orion’s commitment to (and mastery of) brute-force ideology.

In recent days, Oxbridge has been home to rolling gunfights and bloody skirmishes between those loyal to the Principality and those advocating for the state’s secession and reformation as a league of merchant republics.

Deep Dish Steak House: A loyal bar.
Anomaly Theta-27: According to all available public records, a strange gravity well. Absolutely not a farming world.

//Things\\[edit | edit source]

The Reflecting Pool: The Witch in Glass’ residence.

Contents[edit | edit source]

Opening[edit | edit source]

“

She could never have predicted it. Just six months ago, Gucci Guarantine had left the small visiting atache office assigned to her for work done in Kesh's Winter Palace, for what she thought would be the last time. Today, after spurring on revolution, and signing a treaty with the Isles of Logos, she'd moved back in. Except now, of course, this was the people's palace of Partizan; Kesh had nothing to do with it.

It was well appointed, but not lavish. She never needed much; a humble desk, a good pen, an off angle view of the courtyard, which today was filled with dozens of recent recruits, going through an accelerated basic training regiment. With repairs to the structure complete, she had been offered something more grandiose, even something with an attached waiting area. But she'd turned it down. Yes, the optics were part of it, but more than anything it was a matter of her own attention. Now more than ever, she needed to remain focused on what came next for Millennium Break, just as she had once done for HORIZON.

Which is what those who felt that she was cold or conservative failed to understand. Gucci had years under her belt, operating a successful insurgent force. She knew that victory sometimes took risk. After all, she was walking these halls as a Kesh loyalist, while simultaneously living a second life, as the revolutionary Saint Dawn.

But victory also required patience, and PR. Which is why SBBR need to be reigned in. For now, at least. Flagrant association with the Branched, using stolen Divine parts as weapons, destroying a state cemetary during a funeral -- these are desperate tactics and Millennium Break had moved past desperation. No more flailing now. It was time to dance.”

Plot[edit | edit source]

Oxbridge is at the edge of civil war between two Orion factions, divided about whether to secede from the Principality. SI and Thisbe have been stewing back in Oxbridge for a little over a week. The other half of SBBR return with Cas'alear, who is in desperate need of medical attention. Broun learns about Valence's death from Thisbe, who doesn't cushion the blow.

A few days pass, and Cas remains unconscious, on life support. Gucci chews out Broun and the team for countermanding her orders by having AO save Cas. Gucci is also irritated with SBBR's impolitic tactics, like "flagrant association with the Branched, using stolen Divine parts as weapons, and destroying a state cemetery during a funeral." She informs Broun she's taking SBBR off active duty for the foreseeable future. Millennium Break has begun polarizing into the Party of the Masque and Party of the Wolf. The more conservative Company of the Spade is also angry at SBBR for not responding to their messages for help at Obelle, and ends up brawling with the SBBR toughs (including AO and Kalar).

Everyone works on recovering from their last missions. Milli and Kalar are treated by Skylar Stevens (the Winter Doctor). Phrygian works on regaining their war form. SI, although he's becoming increasingly paranoid, starts going to the bar where the Company of the Spade hangs out. Thisbe visits the Divine, Arbitrage. It gives her the location of the planet Collier, where she was found and where SI kidnapped Dahlia for the Farmer's Rebellion.

Broun is managing preparations for Valence's funeral. Millie offers to help them with Apostolosian mourning, and supports them through the process while she recovers from her injuries; still, it's stressful for both of them. Gucci doesn't attend the funeral, just sends flowers, as do many members of the Company of the Wolf, to the frustration of SBBR. Kalar talks with SI and with Millie at the wake/afterparty at the Deep Dish Steakhouse.

Fighting breaks out in the city, and the bells of the Witch in Glass ring out, somewhat breaking up the party. The Figure in Bismuth enters the diner and offers to help Cas'alear. Clementine, wearing a mask of Russian sage, sits on a throne in the floating city of the divine Past.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Other Characters[edit | edit source]

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