Introduction

Its Friday eveing and for various reasons I'm just starting this weeks log (and Space Engineers has no bearing on why... honest :)). We are now very much in the hands of the writers narative with little I nor anyone else can do about it. I did think you'd have worked out there were too many coincidences in things happening for it all to be coincidence and that the most likely culprits were the Seers, but you proved me wrong. As we discussed at the end of the session what happens to the Seer ship is just left as a narrative hole in the series. I had toyed with the idea of letting you go board it, but then there is the question of exactly where was it and exactly what the Ashieda forces, with Ryo in charge would have done about it. The most logical course of action would have been for them to impound it and it become another Ashieda asset, but that is just conjecture on my part.

We're now starting the last episode of Series 2, which as everyone knows with TV series always ends in a cliff hanger. It's also worth rememebring that since you all came out of stasis, you've mostly been trying to become "better people" which is sort of where the narrative for "Tyring to Prevent the Corporate War" comes in. As I outlined, and it will probably crop up in the log when I write up events, is that from GNN footage in the Alternate Dimension the war started with the Bombing of the Corporate Council conference on EOS-7, and that the blame was laid at the feet of Ferrous Corp, which of course they denied. Five's/Paul's conjecture that events in this reality may not follow those of the Alternate Dimension is correct, and Six in the series makes the same point. I would point out that Five needs to rememebr what Milo said to her.. it's in one of the Session Logs. Whilst not quite a "Five saves the day" scenario Five does have a major part to play in what unfolds and how it does..

Bloodbath at the Ashieda Court

We pick up in the "Narrative Limbo" of the Razza having jumped away from Zairon. Where they actually go in the Series isn't even considered as the next scene is Ryo talking to General Drago. Even the specifcs of the "arrangements" aren't even discussed until Ryo raises them in a cut scene conversation with Two.
The Razza jumping to a random point 50AU from the star is a workaround for the writer's handwaving. It's a suitable distance to make the Razza difficult to find if people were looking, but a convenient position to both return to Zairon at short notice and be able to receive a call from Drago at the appropriate time.

Time ticks by to the following morning before Ryo receives a call from Drago. He takes it on the bridge.
Ryo "She must have a spy within our ranks."
Drago "Impossible. Ourside of you, me, and Hiro, everyone else who knew about this plot perished on those ships."
Ryo "What news of my brother?"
Drago "He was intercepted on his way to the Broadcast."
Ryo "Where is he now?"
Drago "Confined to his room in the palace under the protective custody of the Empresses loyalists. We have to get to him before they move him out. Ryo you must return to Zairon."

The addition of an encryted message within the transmission relating to the arrangements for Ryo to arrive and Drago and himself to rescue his brother was my way around the writer's handwaving. What I also omitted were all the cut scene conversations between Ryo and various other crew members, including the re-jigging of the conversation where Two refuses the sanctioning of any form of "Official" op to help Ryo, not that he actually asks for anyone's help. Two's view in the series, which is echo'd by Six and Nyx is that Ryo is walking into a trap (which of course he is), but he is fixated by by loyalty, and the need for his brother to abdicate and recognise him as the rightful ruler to avoid any form of civil war.  What you as cahracters are not aware of, although viewers of the series are, are the other elements of research and knowledge Ryo acquired in the Alternate Dimension, although technically Five is aware of the conversation that Ryo had with Portia Lin and Marcus Boone when they were held in the confinement chamber in the Med Bay.

Time moves forward. In the series with Ryo entering the "Palace Grounds" but for this to have occurred the Razza would have needed to return to Zairon's orbit to drop off Ryo and the Ashieda shuttle (and yes he is fully capable of piloting it), before returning to "somewhere" else, again the writer's handwaved this, so back out to 50AU somewhere completely different to last time.

As predicted, it is indeed a trap, and a few hours later Lisa picks up a plant wide transmission from the Ashieda Palace
voiceover "Citizens of Zairon, we interupt your viewing to bring you this live stream from the Royal Court of Ashieda."
View Empress on the Throne plus her 'Lacky' Colonel Mori seated to her left.

Misaki enters at the head of a posse of Guards with Ryo in hand cuffs.
Misaki "I deliver the prisoner to the judgement of the Court."
Empress "Han-Shireikan join us."
Misaki takes her seat
Colonel Mori "You stand accused of the death of your father Emperor Ashieda Tetsudo, how do you plead."
Ryo "I don't. But I do proclaim my innocence."
Colonel Mori "The Courts case against you is over whelming." (Empress looking smug) "The sworn testimonies of some two dozen witnesses paint a very sorry picture of you on the night in question. You were drunk and beligerent."
Ryo "I was angry. My father had just banished my step brother from the Palace."
Empress "Your name was on the Royal Edict."
Ryo "In name. Not by my hand."
Colonel Mori "You were confronted by Massaheda Akita. You drew your blade and threatened his life. You left him making your intention known to pay your father a visit. Deny the charge."
Ryo "I do not."
Colonel Mori "You discovered the Emperor asleep in his chambers and in a fit of rage you cut his throat. Deny the charge."
Ryo "I deny it."
Mori holds out his right hand. A palace guard brings a cushion on which rests a dagger. Mori picks it up and shows it around.
Colonel Mori "This is the blade that ended the glorious reign of Emperor Ashieda Tetsudo. Do you recognise it."
Ryo "I do."
Colonel Mori "Your genetic residue was discovered on the weapon."
Ryo "I'm not surprised since it once belonged to me."
Colonel Mori "If you did not kill your father why did you flee? Why did you mame and kill the guards sent to arrest you?"
Ryo "I fled because I was framed. I killed because I knew I would never receive justice, and I mamed to send a message. When the guards came for me that night, I cut their eyes out and left them for my step mother to find. A message of our exalted Empress. I saw the truth."
Colonel Mori "And what was the truth?"
Ryo "She killed him!"
    "She cut his throat. And then framed me so that her own son could take the Throne."
Colonel Mori "The words of a desperate man."
Ryo "I deny that charge as well."
    "Once I was weak and desperate. Now I am finally worthy of my Father's respect."
He clenches his fists in the restraints. Then kicks down the guards to his right then left, leaps over Colonel Mori taking the dagger out of his hands, and then attacks his mother.
As Mori shouts "Save the Empress" Misaki blocks his strike with her blade.
He knocks her back but the other guards places swords in his way before knocking him down.
Colonel Moir "Take him away. Take him away to await our verdict."
Transmission ends with Ryo being forcibly carried away by the guards.

As I mostly directed things as per the TV series at this point I'll use the transcript in relation to those events.
Three "His closing argument could have gone better."
Two "We need to go after him."
Six "He didn't want our help."
Nyx "That doesn't mean he doesn't need it now."
Six "So what are we going to do? Storm the place?"
Two (talking to Five) "You experienced some of Fours memories in that palace.."
Five "Yes."
Two "Think you can give us a rough layout?"
Five "Sure."
Six "They've anticipated our every move so far. They'll sure as hell know we're coming this time."

Now this is the point I thought you might have twigged what was going on, because Series wise this is where Two works it out. Of course everything that follows from such a reveal point is all "hand waved" until it is revealed in a whole series of out of order cut scenes. And yes this does make my life exceedingly difficult as I have to try and re-order them to make sense from a game perspective and I did manage to get two elements out of order in the session. I'll actually correct that in the order things appear in the log.

The "lighbulb" moment is that Two realises there is only one way they could have known exactly what would happen in advance, or rather have predicted exactly what would happen in advacance, and that is with the involvement of the Seer's. In many ways this is their downfall, as explained by Milo. All of the Seer's predictions are based on the previous behaviours of individuals, which means that changes in behaviour or complete lack of data or completely inaccurate data in relation to one or more individuals will mean that their models are inaccurate and can therefore such inaccuracies can be exploited if the individuals who's behaviour can reliably be predicted behave according to predicatable behaviour.

The Seer's model, based on previous Portia Lin and Marcus Boone behaviour, reinforced by their behaviour in the previous enconter with the Seers, predicts that Two and Three will attempt to rescue Four, and that Nyx would also likely to join such a mission. What they can't model in any reliable form is what Six will do, nor can they model in any form what Seven would do, or what Five would do or what she may be capable of; she's "only a kid" after all. Their model will also predict that the Ship's Android will behave according to standard Android programming, and will therefore act according to the dictats of "ensuring the well being and safety of the ships crew".

This is pretty much the basis of 'defeating' the Seer's if you can predict what they are likely to be able to predict and model based on "commonly available data and previous patterns" then you can work in the 'holes' such a model predicts. In this case the two primary holes in the Seer's logic is the dismissal of Five as "just a kid" and the behaviour of Lisa according to standard Android protocols.  This leaves a scenario where Two, Three, Nyx, Six, and Seven can walk into what ever trap is awaiting them knowing that they have a way out that the Seer's can't predict. The first is that whilst they are walking into said trap, Five can make her way unseen through the palace to be in a position to rescue Ryo's brother at the right moment. He is after all still Emperor, even if his mother has imprisoned him. The second is that Lisa can be given orders which she will execute which are outside the bounds of normal Android behaviour and which are in violation of normal behaviour, too whit she can disregard the saftey and well being of the crew inorder to force their release. Of course given that Lisa acts in a manner a human would and can make informed decisions on her own in relation to what happens is entirely unknown to the Seers.

This of course all happens in the writer's "hand waving" leaving us to unfold the scenario as per the series.

Based on Five's sketeches and knowledge the crew take the Marauder down to the surface, and enter the Palace by a combination of Stealth and Stun Rifles. Two, Three, Nyx, Six, and Seven head off in the direction of the Throne room to "rescue" Four at the appropriate moment, whilst Five takes the back stairs to where Hiro's room is.

In the Throne Room Ryo is brought in to hear the verdict of the court.

Colonel Mori "Ashieda Ryo you have been found guilty"
Empress "Exile, Imprisonment, or Death."
Colonel Mori "Death"
Misaki "Death"
Empress "Death"
Colonel Mori "The verdict is guilty. The penalty is death."

As Two, Three, Nyx, Six, and Seven enter a section of the courtyard they fall prey to the modern equivalent of a "Nightingale Floor", in this case a "Stun Floor" rendering them unconscious.

As they recover from their stuns, they find themselves in shackles in the Ashieda Throne room. Misaki, The Empress, and General Mori are seated on the Thrones as in the TV broadcast. Ryo is in shackels in the center of the room ahead of them, and Hansmeed, the Leader of the Seers is waiting for them to recover.

Hansmeed "Ambushed Emperor Hiro, Staged a Coup, Attempted to infiltrate the Palace, twice. Every step of you failed attempts to overthrow the Throne of Ashieda, as predicted."
Empress (grinning with glee) "I'll admit, initially I was dubious about the Seer's claims but they've proven themselves formidable allies."
Ryo "And what do they get in return?"
Hansmeed "We just came to reclaim what is ours."
Nyx "Milo and I are not your property."
Hansmeed "Milo. Of course not. Your brother is dead."
Nyx "You're lying."
Hansmeed "What purpose would that serve? Milo died in the process of returning to us, by his own hand. He stepped out of the Airlock of the Shuttle you left him in before we could bring it onboard."
Nyx (shaking her head) "No!"  (pause as she's visibly shaken by this) "My brother would never take his own life."

Hansmeed "Now you see? You don't belong with these savages. Nyx come back home."
Empress "Is this all of them?"
Hansmeed "The entire crew except the girl, but she's of little consequence."
Empress "Take them Away"

Elsewhere Five has made her way through the Palace and is waiting for the signal to rescue Hiro.

A guard rushes into the Court room.
Guard "Empress"
Colonel Mori "How dare you enter this chamber unannounced."
Guard "Apologies but a ship just appeared over the palace."
Empress "What do you mean appeared?"
Colonel Mori (Standing) "Screen"
Lisa "This is the Razza. Surrender you prisoners or I will open fire on your capital"
Colonel Mori "You're and Android, your duty is to your crew. Their well being. You wouldn't jeopodise them."
Lisa "Normally I wouldn't, but I'm under specific orders from the Ship's commander. Orders that override my responsibilities to the crew."

Lisa opens fire on the Palace, systematically targeting defences and military facilities
Lisa "I needn't remind you. I'm a machine. A logic based entity incapable of empathy. The death of my crew would be an unfortunate but untimately acceptable loss in this scenario."
Empress "We'll see about that."
        "Misaki. Execute one of the prisoners."
Misaki forces Ryo into a kneeling position then draws her sword preparing to strike.
Hiro enters with Five..
Hiro "Stop!"
Colonel Mori "Emperor?"
Hiro "Arrest the the Empress and her allies. They are to be charged with Treason."
Empress "The Emperor has been compromised by our enemies. Take him back to his room."
Hiro "Misaki. You serve the Throne. I am Emperor not my Mother!"
Misaki turns (calculating) she then moves forward and places her blade across the front of Hansmeed.
Other guards now take similar positions.
Hiro "Release the prisoners."
Guards move to release the Razza crew
Hiro "I place the Empress under arrest for the murder of my father, Emperor Ashieda Tetsudo."
The Empress stands deflated and dejected.
Hiro "And in my final act as Emperor I renounce the Throne, and step down in favour of Zairon's rightfull ruler, my step-brother Ryo."

In the TV series there is a "dramatic pause" at this point, probably due to an Ad break. Ryo then ascends onto the Dias before speaking.

Ryo "So Seer, Predict the Future." (slight pause) "Tell me what happens next."
   
Hansmeed "The Empress will be banished...... sent into exile as punishment for her crimes."
         "You will appoint your brother to the Court as Chief Advisor."
         "And we will leave empty handed, but having forged a new Alliance with Zairon, one that will prove fruitful for many years to come."
Ryo "You guessed wrong."
    "Courisei" all the guards draw swords
Misaki runs Hansmeed through. Other guards run the other two seers through, whilst those in a position to, behead General Mori, cut the throat of the Empress, and Misaki cuts the throat of Hiro.
Two shouts "Four"
Ryo "My name is not Four. I am Ashieda Ryo, Emperor of Zairon."

This as it does in the series leaves the characters somewhat stunned and shaken. Three decides the best course of action is to quietly make his way towards the exit. Five retreats behind the columns and empties the contents of her stomach onto the floor. I can't remember who said exactly what but Ryo's answer was "You're all free to go." Now technically "anyone in the know" would know that this means "get out before I change my mind".

What exactly happens next in the series is very much hand waved as the episode ends at this point.

For a start, given that none of you had your weapons in the Throne room, is I assume that you would have gotten one of the guards to show you where your equipment had been stored.  Now I'm going to allow you a bonus at this point. In what ever store room your equipment had been placed in there was also a few additional items possibly belonging to the Seers, so 2 extra stun rifles, 2 cases of Shadow, and a secure case which when Five cracks it open, contains cr500K.

You then return to the Razza before departing for an Independant Station with no GA facility where you can restock on Food and Water.

It is here whilst catching up on recent GNN news feeds the News item relating to the historic Council of Galactic Corporations first face to face meeting in 10 years in 24 days appears. Note this is a change to what is in the series as the writers forgot about their own parameters relating to FTL travel and that it's not instantaneous, unless you have a blink drive, and EOS-7 is supposed to be "Isolated" and "Far out" but it still has to be "central" enough for all the participants to get to. Arbitrarily I'm going to make this about 60ly from most of the participants meaning a 12day trip at 5ly/day, which most military cruisers can do.

Series 2 Episode 13 is actually titled "But First we Save the Galaxy..." and has the opening scene in the Mekei HQ before the Razza blinks in above it. Aside from any logic flaws of revealing what the "Blink Drive" is capable of, although events around Zairon have already sort of done so, and Aleisha Reynolds already knows that you have the Blink Drive, possibly in an operational form, which also means that most Corporations would potentially know of its theoretical existance, Blinking in directly above the HQ is actually quite logical. Any defenses would be geared to preventing an outside threat arriving by conventional FTL means, which means that you're inside the defense perimeter and therefore sort of safe.
The other flaw is exactly how does the crew of the Razza know where the HQ is and also how do they know Truffault is going to be there. This can be partially addressed by the data you retrieved from the Pyr outpost, but only partially....

Whatever flaws may exist in the plot line, the plot line is what the plotline is, so you Blink in directly above the atrium between the two 'ears' of the building, causing a huge amount of consternation to put it mildly. Truffault's request "That we need to talk" is something of an understatement.

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