PARTIZAN 11: DESERT SQUIRE - SLEIGHT

Episode Description

From the midst of a sandstorm, hands burst through the tempest in search of a miracle worker. From the front, the reformed pirate Callister Drive Callister leads his forces—and the unnatural sands—towards the heart of Gur Sevraq’s pilgrimage. From the rear, the head of Partizan’s largest church, the Song Aleel Verdicate, seeks to employ subtler methods to capture her prey. And in the middle of it all is the Rapid Evening, declaring their presence—and their intentions—as loudly as any who have ever carried the name.

This week on PARTIZAN: DESERT SQUIRE - SLEIGHT

///Operation Dossier\\\

//Organizations\\

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House Callister: The newest house of Orion, whose status was earned through “heroism in battle...” which is to say state-sanctioned piracy. Led by and named for Callister Drive Callister (who was given his new surname simultaneously with his new House), a sometimes ally, sometimes rival of the dreaded Exeter Leap
House Bittenbach: “Before all others.” Technically, this is Bittenbach’s motto because they were the very first noble house in Stel Orion, formed after their founder orchestrated a grand betrayal on behalf of the Principality. Today, though, it is quoted as evidence of the house’s legendary hunger for wealth (and their willingness to break norms to satiate it.) The house’s holdings on Partizan are operated by Burden Bittenbach. They were originally assigned to operate the Obelle mission in SBBR’s place. Now, has sent House Callister to retrieve Gur Sevraq during the pilgrimage.
The Wolfwings: This vanguard squad, led by ace pilot Cam’bage Elarune, ensures early-conflict air superiority and secure, long term reconnaissance capabilities for Stel Apostolos.

//People\\

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Aleel Verdicate (she/her): Current Song of Partizan, making her the de facto head of the Church of Received Asterism on the moon.
Avar (they/them) and Ryrira (she/her): Gur Sevraq’s chief of security and quartermaster, respectively.
A-tek (she/her): Callister Drive’s butler, bodyguard, and (unfortunately for him) House Bittenbach-assigned handler. There to ensure Drive gets results, and also that he doesn’t consider taking the gifts given to him by Bittenbach and running elsewhere. Pilot of the Thaumaturge.

//Places\\

The North Gallery: Decades before Museum Row was an established destination, the North Gallery collected art about and ephemera from Kesh’s original colonization of the Verglaz Taiga on Partizan.

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Museum Row: Before the war struck, an emerging tourism industry had come to Cruciat, and so Kesh invested in dozens of niche museums in the city’s commercial district.

//Things\\

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Thaumaturge: An Occult Project prototype hollow designed for long range engagements. Is able visually conceal itself through an experimental active camouflage. The visibility which is displaced will re-appear to the pilot 2-3 days after the end of engagement. If ocular aberrations continue for more than a week, seek counsel from a licensed practitioner.
Vernacular: A Stel Nideo Divine which allows those loyal (and blessed) to communicate instantly, at distance. A power some say is more powerful than even the sharpest spearhead.
The Rings of Vernacular: Disguised as rings, these devices allow the Song of Partizan to listen in to any use of Vernacular’s network.
Troop: A basic combat hollow designed by Adamant Arms and Artifice and distributed by Stel Orion across the Principality. The Church of the Resin Heart has two, bought from SBBR after the group stole them from Stel Apostolos in Obelle.

//Additional Notes\\

Rapid Evening’s Objective: Escort the pilgrims on their journey from the point of their start to the point of their seabound departure at the eastern coast of the Prophet’s path. If Gur Sevraq’s life comes into serious danger, rescue them and extract back to Cruciat. Secondary Objective, as delivered to Sovereign Immunity: Secure Gur Sevraq regardless of his condition.

Rules of Engagement: Do not allow yourselves to be identified as members of Stel Kesh. Do no harm to the people of the Church, unless it is necessary in the securing of Gur Sevraq.

Plot

Sovereign Immunity brings Gur's group into a hidden tunnel and collapses the mouth of the cave behind them. At the same time, Clem distracts the Song's guards with flares and reflective chaff (as, in desperation, she takes the scar Obsessive). Millie bombards the Thaumaturge, prompting the Tempestarii to enter the fray and blast her mech. Leap leaves his mech and swaps out the Song's ring.

SI manages to get Gur and his group out to a distant hill and a vehicle. He chooses not to turn them in to Chrysanth and offers them Clem's hospitality, driving them away.

Millie leaves her mech and shoots A-tek through the cockpit. Callister retreats to save her. Clem regains consciousness, now Obsessed, as AO retrieves her. The RE, Gur and Avar convene at the RE's secondary camp. Gur agrees to go with them if he is allowed to continue his work, saying he's learned what he can for his search from the Isles. The walk can return home without him. Millie delivers Callisters message to Leap. Gur asks Clem about her vision for the Future.

They're all flown back to Kesh, and Clem decides to hide Gur in the Winter Palace and blame it on Apostolos. After a brief planning session in Clem’s receiving room, SI and Clem meet with Chrysanth in the North Museum in Cruciat to report the events.

Cast