The marines take out the sub base – cue Thunderball scenes with underwater mayhem… Mutiny ship in orbit decides to surrender…
The Party head over to scan agents Fallon’s location. 3 Manpads are fired at the ship. Aphrodite evades 2 of the missiles and casually disables the third (this one she puts into float mode for later retrieval). Palmer launches a ‘wild weasel’ drone with Aphrodite’s signature while cloaking the ship.
Fallon is reviewing evidence with Erikki in his dacha with the bodyguards outside. Fallon attempts to get Erikki to see the possibility the evidence against Tarja is fabricated but Eriki is unconvinced.
“Everyone can win…” “How” “Doubt exists… You should pause to review the evidence… If you act now then a lot of people are going to die… And if I’m right your decision is going to look more than a little unwise. That won’t matter to a man of principle but you’d rather be right when you make an arrest… Like any good policeman you want to weigh up the evidence before you authorise executive action…” (05) Erikki nods…
Suddenly gunfire is heard and a Shotgun blasts through the doors. “It looks like someone doesn’t want to think about the evidence… “ Eriki and Fallon defend themselves and fight their way out the back door to the garage (Fallon rolls 07, 08 & 09 and decimates the assault team). Eriki’s bodyguard has been heavily infiltrated by the conspiracy and the loyal men are rapidly cut down.
Fallon and Erikki drive away at high speed in an antique Bentley with 4 bikes and a car in pursuit. Aphrodite lands in the path of the pursuers taking out two bikes and the car. One of the remaining bike riders panics and leaves while the last is shot by Fallon. Erikki and Fallon embark on the ship while Zeph leaves to scout the dacha.
Zeph in stealth mode arrives at the dacha and finds the attackers treating their wounded. He heads into the house and finds the computer is replaying the conversation between Fallon and Erikki. He connects Aphrodite to the computer who discovers the person watching the replay is in the garden-folly at the palace.
Zeph rings the phone in the palace garden. Lem Kain answers – the conversation is short... The dacha detonates just as Zeph flees (killing the police team)…
The party head to the palace. Police reports are received of the assassination of Urgas in the throne room (an epic 01 by Cairech eliminates the guards and allows her to finish off her formidable opponent with her blade).
Palmer and Maitai are dropped off near the medical room while Aphrodite and Fallon head for the throne room.
Palmer and Maitai arrive in Timo Nielsson medical room. They find the Wolf is unconscious - news of Urgas’ unexpected death has hit him hard. No delivery has yet been made. A quick check of reports finds a Fedex transporter was shot down.
Fallon inspects the body of Urgas and discovers the ring of state. He acquires it and inspects the scene in the medical room via the security net.
Maitai reviews the plot so far and realises what motivates at least part of the plot… Lem Kain applauds and 8 of his gunmen enter the medical room covering Palmer and Maitai. Lem casually throws the seed to Maitai. Lem explains he is one of the last survivors of the bodyguard of the Red Star clan who own the seed. He has come here to give the Wolf the seed and then kill him with a ceremonial dagger.
Palmer takes the seed and agrees to wake him - stepping towards the medical apparatus (next to the shield unit). Palmer does a classic bait and switch and activates the shield... Lem fires... Maitai dives for cover but is wounded.
Fallon hears the gunfire over the communicator and sits on the throne activating the master display-he discovers the palace guard have been slain and Lem Kain’s gunmen are trying to break down the shield. Aphrodite gets the combat drone (ED209) and heads towards “the sound of the Guns”. Fallon calls for marine backup from the carrier and diverts extra power to the shield.
Maitai dives for the garbage chute. Palmer fights to maintain the shield while “The Wolf” starts to awaken. Palmer uses the Field manipulation device to fling Lem across the room. The Wolf is awake he gestures towards a box. Palmer retrieves it and dashes back to the shield. A second attempt to fling Lem “puts the eight ball in the pocket” or at least the garbage chute.
The 8 men continue the attacks on the shield as ED-209 bursts through the doors and guns them down with brutal efficiency (multiple criticals ending with a 01).
MaiTai surprises Lem as he falls down the chute - in a short battle she kills him. She takes the ceremonial dagger (+10% +2 damage)
Palmer attends ”The Wolf” who indicates the box containing a data record of his Will. He explains he has nominated his illegitimate son (Marki) as heir - once the boy is adequately trained. Palmer gives him the Seed and old warlord passes away.
The marines arrive by assault shuttle and eliminate the remaining opposition with ruthless efficiency…
Fallon arranges a Regency Council to replace Urgas as the ruler of the sector until the heir is ready. He selects Tarja, Eriki and the current military governor, Dusan Gorovic, to sit as a ruling triumvirate…
Marshal Eduard Viehrs arrives for the funeral and confirms Fallon’s decisions…
Cairech, having dealt with her remaining followers, cleans her sword and deletes the key data files concerning the operation and heads off to rendezvous with her ‘evac’ contact… The mission failed but the Imperium’s frailty was revealed…