Play By Podcast

Cast-offs, discardeds, discharges, and deserters.

People Terra Cassavander believed the Jovian Lunar Commonwealth had done a disservice. Treating them like nothing more than more meat for the grinder. People the Commonwealth had abandoned. Some more literally than others.

Cassavander had been the leader of the Commonwealth’s 5th Rifle Division before his desertion. The 5th were a decorated and accoladed unit, a feather in the Commonwealth’s cap, until he and a close group of confidantes had taken the bridge of the division’s flagship and burned hard for the asteroid fields.

By the time every loyalist on-board had been dealt with, Jovian High Command had all but erased the 5th Rifles from the records. Every grand deed, every friend Terra had ever lost in pointless, fruitless conflict lost to history. To this day the unit has not been reformed, out of resentment for his disloyalty.Hadn’t stopped the steady stream of Jovian deserters who found their way into his employ.

As far as he was concerned, anyone smart enough to escape the orbit of the Commonwealth before they ended up dead was good enough for his 5th Rifles.

*

In today’s episode, the crew of the Vehement have a meeting of the minds with a who’s who of the Territory’s best mercenary companies. As the situation becomes clearer, how much more risky will Torvald’s plan prove to be? We encounter old enemies, encounter old friends, and have possibly one of the greatest discussions of all time.

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 23 : Battleplan

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)

Recall Pumpkinfein had never wanted to waste away in a boardroom. As the fifth child in the line of succession however, little else was expected of him. By the circumstances of his birth, his role in his family’s tapestry was to be minimal.

Even with those lowered expectations, Recall’s aspirations, his youthful ambition, pressed him into the service of the Rectified Solar Union’s military. Four years at the academy, and a generous donation from his family, put the young man on the fast track to commanding his own vessel in the RSU’s naval fleet.

He kept up appearances with his family, a swelling of pride at his accomplishments seen through their eyes, through their notice. As the attacks on Mars began, he waited to be called on. To defend the Union in his family’s name.

The call he received, he had not expected. From a von Furstenberg no less. The house his own had sworn to centuries ago.

The fighting was turning Earthward, Jovian fleets would fill the sky soon enough. He was needed. This was his chance to make a mark on his family’s legacy.

He simply needed to act according to plan, and history would see to the rest.

*

In today’s episode, with Otto’s coronation complete, the gang investigates the remnants of the old von Furstenberg manor, and the suspicious circumstance of Otto’s late father. If the Vehement crew are going to topple Torvald’s treachery, they’ll need some very solid evidence. Have a signing party, get a little loamy, and always remember to check your flight logs.

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 22 : Pieces Fall Together

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)

Prominence, it’s been quite a while.

I was skeptical when Lord Torvald contacted us. Can you blame me? How often do you get a direct line from the head of a Gentry household instead of some MAB representative?

But when your name came up -- when I saw the Vanguard Arm was onboard, the risk of taking a job from a...private contractor seemed trivial. Eyed the rest of the roster and it looks like a few more friendly faces will be joining us. Crew from the Vehement. Good, steady mercs they are. Soft hearts.

Cassavander will be there too...can’t win ‘em all I guess.

We’ve been moored to the von Furstenberg’s boot inhibitor for a few days now. Found it along the Martian slipspace lane, or I guess it found us, just where he said it would be. We’ll be waiting here to group with you and the others. In case you’re wondering, the retrorockets from the briefing are in our cargo bay on the Matador, so swing by after you boot in to pick them up.

In the meantime, I just thought I’d say hello. And I’m looking forward to working with you again.

Don’t try to outshine my kids too hard out there.

-Hoyt Bancroft, of the Iron Bulls mercenary company. Private communication to the leader of the Vanguard Arm, Dearest Prominence.

*

In today’s episode, there’s a very big ‘to-do’ and Otto is in the spotlight! With the coronation of House von Furstenberg’s newest liege come further entanglements, and plots from both sides are beginning to brew. But who will come out ahead? We put our heads together, reconcile with our siblings, and get rowdy at a very fancy party.

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 21 : The Coronation of Otto von Furstenberg

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)

Torvald von Furstenberg had achieved the impossible. He had accomplished something no other member of the family would have ever entertained, let alone attempted.

Torvald had managed, against all odds, to bring the black sheep of House von Furstenberg; rebellious, headstrong Otto, back into the fold.

The von Furstenbergs had all but abandoned the boy out in the Territory. Otto had become anathema to them. To consider him was to acknowledge the blemishing disgrace on their House.

But Torvald knew, if everything in his House- that’s what it was now with his brother gone, his House- if everything was to be in order, he needed Otto to come back in from the cold.

And he had done it, but there was still so much more to arrange.

*

In today’s episode, we finally see how the other half live as we complete our journey to Earth. A welcome mat is extended and our crew plan to take full advantage of Gentry hospitality. But what does the new head of House von Furstenberg have in mind for Otto? We attend a one-trumpeter reception, meet the old family, and plot someone’s demise.

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 20: The Prodigal

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)

Six hundred and eighty. Six hundred and eighty years. That’s how long it would take you to get from Earth to Pluto in the 21st Century.

In the 28th, moving at near-light speed with a nice boot drive, it wouldn’t even take two weeks. It’d be a fucking pleasure cruise. Smoothest tenday of your life, with the right crew.

Of course that’s what it always comes down to, isn’t it? You can have the shiniest ship in the Territory; best in the RSU, Commonwealth, or the Freeholds, fresh off the shipyards. Without a good crew, a crew that works together, that gels, a crew who won’t be at eachothers throats at a pin drop, you might as well be shooting yourself out of a cannon. You might get farther, anyway.

No, a good crew is worth its weight in unregistered anchor parts, and nobody but nobody gets anywhere without people behind you who you can count on, people who want what you want.

And if you’ve got some passengers you don’t agree with, or some crewmates you rubbed the wrong way or who put you off, here’s some perspective that might change your tune.

Just be glad it’s ten days, and not six hundred and eighty goddamn years.

*

In today’s episode, we get underway for our long journey to Earth. A ten-day trip with two armed killers aboard isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of a vacation, but how will the crew of the Vehement fare under this duress? We pull rank, make some upgrades, and dread what’s yet to come.

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 19: Circumstances of Departure

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)

Had they all feared for their lives when the rounds started flying? Of course, but freeholders would proudly tell you they are stronger than that.

Freeholders don’t panic under fire. They find cover and assess. Freeholders are ready for anything, anytime. They think on their feet and they execute. When the gunfire started downtown, they’d known what to do almost on instinct. All of them had managed to live through at least one large-scale assault by now, for most that number was higher. This was just another day on Charon Beta for them. For the poor, bloodied bastards lying in the street in the aftermath, it had been a near death experience.

It appeared to those on-scene that the gunfire simply...stopped. A robot appeared, followed by two strange characters, and the wounded were whisked away to a nearby triage. Crisis averted. Life continued for those still breathing. Luckily this time it appeared there would be no dead to be mourned.

The reality of their situation is that freeholders have lived in a constant state of readiness for hundreds of years. But as ready as a life in the crosshairs of two galactic empires will make you, it never makes you any less terrified when the shooting starts.

*

In today’s episode, the Freelancers patch themselves up and prepare for a long journey, all under the watchful eyes of their captors. What awaits Otto back on Earth, and with two new, violent passengers will the crew of the Vehement make it that far? We replace what was lost, misremember a famous play, and put our loved ones in harm's way.

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 18: Out in the Cold

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)

They’d seen to her in one of the clinics near the shuttle hub, under a full complement of armed freeholders. Mended up her broken and bruised wrists in freshly printed casts. Taken her knives, for what good that would do them. But she had not allowed anyone to tamper with the TrackingSoft chip inserted at the base of her neck. The golden tether connecting her to her quarry, who she’d been keeping tabs on since their engagement. Casperov would be damned if she let that miserable scrapheap get away.

The freeholders eventually let her rejoin her associate Houndstooth. A smile crept for the faintest moment across her face, seeing the bloody welt left by the impact of the bottle on Houndstooth’s forehead, but he was otherwise unharmed. Alistair had not seen her smile often, and she could read the confusion in his eyes like a pop-up book.

After a few hours in a cold, windowless room shuffling legal papers and smooth talking Freehold authorities, they’d come away with their freedom, knowing the softer approach was no longer viable. They’d underestimated their opposition. The kid gloves needed to come off.

The TrackingSoft had triangulated the bot’s position to a local dive on Beta, where it had stayed for the past few hours. She was sure the others were there with them, and if not it would still be a fine opportunity for a little revenge.

*

In today’s episode, the game is still afoot as the Freelancers keep up the cat and mouse act with an injured and abashed Houndstooth and Casperov. What lengths will the deadly duo go to in their hunt for Otto Von Furstenberg? Hunker down, mark all the exits, and answer your dang comlink!

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 17: Disarmed

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)

Suspicion, a cautious distrust. If anyone knows how to foster suspicion, it’s Alistair Hounsdstooth. In this business, cautious distrust is what gets you in the door. Their expectation for you to overperform, overdeliver. Everybody loves an underdog, so why not play a little below the table?

The trick is to make whatever story you’re selling half believable, even if none of it’s true. Create the narrative. Create suspicion. Create an opening.

It all went to plan, the Vehement. A little bloviating, a trumped up story oversold with sympathy. Just a couple of Queen MAB’s subjects looking for an edge, help from a kind soul. Sure he met us at the door with his sidearm on, but why let that stop a little polite conversation? Not like either of us didn’t come prepared for the occasional violent outburst.

We’ve been sitting with the good captain for a day or so now. Trying to soften him up but he’s a stubborn one.

We’ll settle in for a while now, but we will find what we came here for.

*

In today’s episode, hot damn we’re in a tight spot! Scarlett is under the gun after his accidental encounter with the dangerous duo of Houndstooth and Casperov. What are they looking for on Charon and what does it have to do with the crew of the Vehement? Take a nice shuttle ride, drown your sorrows in a river of ale, and maybe even get a little stabbed, this episode!

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 16: Houndstooth and Casperov

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)

The crew save for Chief O’Donnell and Doctor Peryton had offloaded from the Vehement for shore leave on the Freeholds. With Bete, Otto, and Scarlett gone as well, Ambrose was finally beginning to enjoy his time alone.

He had just capped off a long 18-hour nap when the airlock comms buzzed his quarters.

“Houndstooth and Casperov: Finders, Keepers” gold print emblazoned across a business card, vague enough to be enticing but direct enough to tell Ambrose the kind of thing these two were sniffing around the Vehement for.

The hand holding the card belonged to a questionably fashionable man in a fur coat and stetson. Next to him a stern-faced woman with tattoos Ambrose couldn’t place stood arms crossed, staring directly into the camera. Almost past it, as if she was looking right at him.

The ersatz cowboy cleared his throat and spun up a quick compliment before launching into his pitch: He and his associate were on Charon working a case. Freelance, big client. Armed and dangerous runaway on the loose, last known whereabouts pointed to the Freeholds. They just wanted to ask Ambrose a few questions. In person, they wouldn’t budge on that. Wouldn’t be proper detective work, Houndstooth said.

Ambrose had dealt with all manner of skip tracers, bounty hunters, and private eye types before and yet there was something...off about these two. Eventually his curiosity got the better of him.

*

In today’s episode, the Freelancers return to the safe haven of the Charon Freeholds with rest and recovery on the agenda. Leaving the situation on the Jackknife to the authorities on Charon, the Freelancers return to the Vehement to find the crew away on leave. We set some rumors straight, check in with our friends, and try to say goodbye.

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 15: Back to the Vehement

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)

The Jovian military wouldn’t make any moves without solid information to go on, of that Virgo was certain. They wouldn’t waste resources to recover an asset as vital to Aspirant Kennet’s grand design as Doctor Xade without proper intel. They needed something verifiable. Something concrete.

He was certain he had gummed up the works considerably in this regard.

Jewels Carcanet and his cabal of enforcers from Jovian Intelligence had come knocking not long after the doctor had left Mirandan atmo. They’d stormed the barracks in full assault gear to take him into custody. What little good their armor and weapons would have been against his teeth anyway, but Virgo Bombay went quietly. They held him for another day, spent it putting the boots to him. From there, as expected, Jewels handed him off to the Comandante and the interrogations began.

What were you doing that day? Have you ever seen these three before? What about their uniforms? The suit left in the pump room? Did you assist these individuals? Some of your things appear to be missing? He had anticipated many of the Comandantes lines of inquiry, but there was one question that had thrown him off. One with a much more complicated answer than he could give.

Lieutenant Bombay are you a patriot?

*

In today’s episode, it’s a long three days trip back to the Charon Freeholds after the death of Trilly and the rescue of Doctor Xade. Grief, rage, and the cramped confines of the Jackknife Soliloquy make a for a dangerous combination on this return trip. And what awaits them beyond the hyperlanes? We’ll shout it out, have regrets, and play a few hands of poker.

This week on Play By Podcast: Territory Nouveau 14: Float Along

Play By Podcast is Michael Collins (@arealwriter), Leon Barnes (@SlapKatZ), Liam Higgins(@liamhiggins97), and Max Coe (@_NotMyDivision_)
Cover Art by Ariel Corrales (@arielcorrales_)
Music by Cody Ojea (@CodyOjea)