295-1108
Interstellar Space, Parsec 0703/Inverness Subsector
Far Frontiers sector.

The Inquisitor exited Jumpspace in the predicted approximate week. Total time in Jump was seven days, plus four hours.

They had allowed for a month of searching leading up to the terminal intercept phase. Instead, due to their data and readings from the Saulente system, plus active and passive sensors (RADAR, LADAR, Neutrino sensors, densitometers, etc.) they located what appeared to be a large mass moving on the predicted vector at approximately 26 light-minutes range (468 million km).

Their target appeared to be a nickle-iron asteroid travelling at approximately 0.15% of the speed of light. It was 10km x 8km x 7.5km. Just under 50 billion tons standard displacement. An incredible feat of engineering, not even considering how long ago lived the culture that produced it!
This message was last updated by the GM at 01:41, Wed 25 Jan 2017.

Blake lets out a low whistle as the info is displayed.  Entry points might be concealed, but we can scan into it, right ??

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 2):

Lorrain replied, "you bet. Once we get closer we can determine if there are surface structures remaining and if there's any power."

Interstellar shipping was not Ken's expertise but he knew enough to recognize something exceptional.  "Klono's brazen hoofs and diamond-tipped horns!  That is a gigantic ship.  Could we even do something so large now days?  How long will it take to get close enough to get a good scan for power?  Are we picking any active emissions or communications?"

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 4):

The old Belter commented,

"There are asteroid colonies almost as big. Fundamentally there's little difference between an asteroid and an airless world, right? And there are cities that hold millions on asteroids and moons. Tunnels are tunnels, you just need to cram in life support, fusion power, artificial gravity. But no, not too many ships approaching this size with maneuver drives, or starships with Jump drives! It bankrupted a small stellar empire, even the Imperium would take a hit to devote this much resources into such a project.

"I think we'll find some kind of electromagnetic field generators in the nose, making this a Bussard ramjet to supplement J-Drive and M-drives."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:35, Tue 07 Feb 2017.

"It could take a lifetime to investigate," said Linus.

Within a day they completed initial surveys of the immense starship.

As expected there were conventional gravitic M-drive units mounted to stern. But as Lucky Jack predicted there were enormous electromagnetic field generators mounted on the fore end to scoop up and collect interstellar hydrogen. Vast landing and launch bays were clustered in a belt around the middle zone. Most surprisingly neutrino emissions seemed to indicate there were active fusion power sources hidden somewhere inside!

Obviously there had been some kind of titanic battle or battles some time in the past. The central landing and launching areas had taken massive damage, reducing the zone to craters and slag, along with much of the weaponry. The Bussard hydrogen collectors had also taken damage, as well as the vast gravitic maneuver drives. The result of thermonuclear strikes and particle accelerator beams were seen all over the hull. No doubt kilometres of nickel-iron asteroid armour had sheltered some deeper areas but the surface structures were extensively damaged.

One thing was clear, this was not just a colony ship or a moveable asteroid but a warship. Despite the damage, different sectors still bristled with weapons and sensors. Some of the vast missile and particle accelerator bays to masses of plasma and laser turrets for close-in defence survived, but not many. There were even what appeared to be bays mounting early types of Meson accelerators! Meson weaponry would have been very advanced even for the Vilani Imperium, who knows where they might have gotten them.

Most of these weapon systems were primitive and crude early versions, especially compared to modern Imperial tech. But effective enough. Not just small craft would assault a world but if they needed it the mothership could act as a massive Dreadnaught, orbiting a target with enough firepower to bring a developed World to its knees.

In reply to GM (msg # 6):

"I don't know," fretted Lorain. "If there's power, there could be booby traps or defense mechanisms. And so much of the central launching areas seems to be damaged. It just seems too dangerous to try for the main docking zone."

"We have active power sources, but are there any other emissions? Even an IFF-type transponder? Have we tried hailing him yet? Even if there's nobody there we might get an automated response."

Linus, as was his habit, was thinking aloud.

How much power ??  Enough to let the engines idle ??  Or enough to activate automated ... machines ??  Radiation readings ??  We may need to find null zones to land in.  Blake looks to Mariel, silently asking landing techniques that may be needed.  Yeah, pilot-speak.

Who will go first Professor ??  What will the equipment load-out be ??  Personnel ??  Just a few for a mapping tour or will we use drones for that ??  Blake then looks for a coffee machine, going to be one of those days.  And his pocket comp - lots of note taking starting now.

Ken, airlock opening devices ??  Hazmat suits until we have sample with a complete air analysis done over here ??

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 10):

Neva looked around, slightly amused at all the talk about what order to go in and such.  She would let them decide, so that they couldn't say that it was done wrong, but she couldn't resist a little comment.

"What's this Blake?  You're not volunteering to go first?  I thought the Scouts always went first or was that only at bars."

She smiled as she said it but as she had started to make some notes of her own she didn't know if anybody saw that part.

Ken watched in silence as the state of the mother ship was revealed to them over the course of time.  He said little but took copious notes.  After thinking a bit he stood.  "I'd think our immunity shots would protect us from any disease aboard but I'd leave that to our medical staff."  He bowed slightly to Talia.  "As for breaching supplies we have charges to cut our way in if we must.  A better way might be to find a secondary docking area away from the battle zones and work our way in through that approach.  I'd come in away from active power sources as well so that we don't stumble immediately on anyone that might still be alive.  Given the evidence of battle and the aggressive nature of the Sky Raiders they might not welcome visitors.  Also we have working star ships which they might covet as a means off this place.  I would advise care in our approach."