Two small warships popped into the system and began launching fighters even as they deployed their sails to recharge. Star Commodore Vespa had worked the crews feverishly hard on the drill of deploying and stowing the small sails for easy departures. Still, the small ships were accompanied by a bevy of fighters and dropships.
All is quiet above Ridderkerk... there is no sign of the Terran Hegemony in this star system.
Based on signals received from the surface, it appears that senior members of Clan Hell's Horses lower castes have been holding civil society together after the Terrans left.
Three Raven Clusters make for the ground, scanning for ground forces and fortifications as they go. Once they find out about the Horses on planet still, they contact to find out why they stayed behind.
CSR Invasion forces.
6th Raven Regulars, Veteran / Reliable, 13.5 FP
7th Raven Regulars, Regular / Reliable, 10.75 FP
4th Raven Curassiers, Regular / Reliable, 14.25 FP
Based on your initial interviews with the Horses (all lower castes - no warriors), it seems that they never had an opportunity to evacuate when the TH military invaded the system.
They freely admit that ROM agents interrogated all of them, but after a few days of questioning they were released back into the population. When the TH pulled out, a power vacuum was created and they stepped in to administer the planet in order to prevent civil disorder.
As soon as he landed Star Colonel Alberto Crow, put the Raven scientists to verifying there was no trace of the tainted blood on Ridderkerk, and had a sit down with the Horse's caste and sent a team to go ensure the HPG was still active. His only remaining question for the Horse's on planet was, "When the Terran's left in force, how come you did not send word to your warriors? Or any of the other Clans in the area?"
Although it may be unnecessary, the Steel Vipers are attempting a Naval Recon of Ridderkirk.
Pirate Insertion:
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 4, 1, total 5[/blockquote]
Pirate Insertion Unsuccessful.
Quote from: Fatebringer on July 24, 2010, 06:12:57 PM
As soon as he landed Star Colonel Alberto Crow, put the Raven scientists to verifying there was no trace of the tainted blood on Ridderkerk, and had a sit down with the Horse's caste and sent a team to go ensure the HPG was still active. His only remaining question for the Horse's on planet was, "When the Terran's left in force, how come you did not send word to your warriors? Or any of the other Clans in the area?"
OOC: Definately want an answer to this <<Glare>>
The TH did not sabotage the HPG - it is still fully operational.
When you question the local leaders on their silence, they respond that they thought the Terran's sudden departure might actually be a trap to lure you to Ridderkerk - at which point they would return and attack you from a position of strength. They don't have any evidence to support this claim, only speculation.
Your Watch agents raise the possibility that perhaps the real reason they did not call for warriors was because they were sympathetic to the Science Caste rebels and were hoping that an IS faction would move in and prevent their re-integration into the caste system. However, they too have no concrete evidence to support this opinion.