Highwaymen RPG Opening Act: My Way or the Highway
In the meantime, Sherry has managed to knock out the musketeer she was wrestling with a choke hold. She regroups with the rest of the gang with the musketeer's limp body in tow.
The party manages to form a defensive circle around the two members that were knocked out earlier, and when the many horsemen regain control of their steeds, a natural divide is formed between the imperial soldiers and your band of highwaymen, with them having one hostage, Brue, and you guys having three, two musketeers and the female officer.
You're outnumbered and outgunned, but you have confidence that the soldiers won't attack due to the numerous hostages that you are holding.
The first to speak is Harry.
"Return our friend, let us go, and we will let your comrades keep their lives."
The soldiers look at one another, and then at the female officer. It seems that their highest decision maker is in your hands at the current moment.
"Ha, you're a tenacious lot, I'll give you that," finally says the officer, "I didn't expect you to put up the fight that you did, but I guess it makes my job here all the more worthwhile."
Harry presses the barrel of his pistol harder against the officer's head.
"Don't give me mere pleasantries, command your men to do as I say or else."
"Or else what? Even if I let YOU go right now, your band of thieves are practically finished," the officer sneers, "just ask that little Missy over there."
Harry gives Noire a questioning look, and she tells him about how the squad that she was with was captured by imperial soldiers. She was the only one able to escape to deliver the message. Harry goes silent for a moment to collect his thoughts.
"...Looks like I'll need to hold you hostage a little longer madam, to random my friends back" says Harry, "tell your men to back off, or I'll start by killing one of your juniors over here."
"No need to be so complicated, there is presently an opportunity for you to get your little friends back, and your crimes pardoned," says the officer.
Harry is dumbfound at the officer's words.
"What?"
"In fact that is probably the main reason I am here, to recruit you and your band for the empire's use. Attempting to apprehend you was just in an effort to get more leverage."
"...Be more clear."
"I am Captain Jorna of the Empire's Hand, and by the orders of our leader we require a group of men to perform some relatively unsavory tasks that ordinary mercenaries cannot. If you submit to the empire's rule now, every member of your band will be pardoned of their crimes, and you will be contracted to the service of the Empire's Hand for five years, after which you will be free men."
Harry wears a conflicted expression on his face.
"I need to ask my men what they think."
Harry motions for everyone(except Brue, since hes still a hostage) to get closer, and tells you what had just transpired.
