Fortunately, the Dust Runner got to Regina after it had already repulsed the attack/would-be invasion by the Zhodani, so it wasn't a case of jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

However, shortly after the ship landed on Regina, the entire Spinward Marches was declared an Amber Zone by the Travellers' Aid Society. That meant little traffic was going in or out of Regina unless it was military.

For the next two years, world after world falls to the enemy--Zhodani, Sword Worlds, or Vargr.

It isn't until 120-1110 when the war turns with the recapture of Lanth. It takes another year before a final armistice is reached.

During the three years, the Dust Runner and crew have been stranded on Regina... not so much because of any military restriction but because fuel is being mostly diverted for the military and the space around Regina isn't safe. It's also unclear which worlds are safe to travel to; on more than one instance, a destination was picked only to find out the next day that it had been occupied by the enemy.


During those three years, the crew had to do some fast-stepping to keep the Dust Runner from being conscripted by the military. In the end, it wasn't armored enough or armed enough to be useful, and it was finally decided that the resources needed to upgrade it would be better spent on other ships.

The ship-trading with Clive was also put on hold pending the military dispensation but eventually the negotiation went through. The Dust Runner was parked next to the Darrian ship and the conversion to a restaurant was made with the crew's help. Somewhat oddly, the restaurant business actually got better since there were a lot military personnel now eating there.

Once Lanth was recaptured, the war did seem to be winding down and there seemed to be less chance of Regina being attacked again. During that last year, the crew was able to effect repairs to the Darrian ship and do the rest of the refurbishing.

It was originally called the Calliope though there are no records left that indicate why it was named that. The restaurant was called the Fusion, being changed to the New Fusion in the Dust Runner. It's customary to rename a ship when it changes functions, though sometimes when it just changes owners, too.


Even before the refurbishing is done, you've got a prospective client. Baron Mylar Vorkosigan wants to pack his whole family and estate off world to somewhere a bit farther away from the 'border'. He's still trying to decide where that is, but wants to know if you are interested in doing the transport.


OOC: Meanwhile, if there's any trouble you want to get into while you wait for the war to end, you can do that, too!

"I've got to do a bit of shopping to get ready for space again, anybody need anything?" Harry asks before setting off to pick up a few things.

Gunnery 3, Computer 1, Gun Cbt 1 (laser rifle), Jack 'O Trades 1, Blade Cbt 1 (sword), Farming 0, Archery 0, Instrument 0, Comms 0, Vacc Suit 0, Mechanics 0, Pilot 0, Sensors 0, Swimming 0
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Tue 09 Apr 2019.

IM takes the time off to explore Regina and live a pretty high life. He's go credits and wanders about with an emphasis on the wilder, nature wise, side of Regina.

(will need to go shopping)

Arc wasn't sure what to do with himself. He had no idea how long the war was going to last. By all reports, though, Regina was 'safe'. Having repulsed the initial Zhodani attack, no one expected them to try again any time soon. As reports of system after system falling... well, being occupied... that meant less forces to bring to bear on Regina. That was the theory, anyway.

It was the newscasters, of course. They had nothing else to do. So little traffic was coming into Regina that news from around the sector... and beyond... was scarce. They couldn't really blame anyone... it was unclear just what the cause of the war was. Propaganda insisted it was Zhodani Aggression... Expansion... they stopped one step short of insulting the Zhodani just in case Regina did get occupied.

For the most part, though, it was business as usual. The cost of some items went up because the supply chain was broken. But, work still had to be done and people still had to eat.

When it was finally revealed that they couldn't leave Regina for awhile, Arc spent the first couple of days getting drunk. That was always a good time! However, it just wasn't his nature to drink himself under the table in the long run. He needed to DO something!

So, he spent the next several weeks helping move the restaurant from one ship to the other.

There was certainly no need to live and sleep on the Dust Runner, but that's what he did anyway.

He wasn't sure what Misty was up to, but she had everyone check in at least once a week. That was in case the 'quarantine' suddenly lifted... not that the ship was going to take off at a moment's notice.

Harry purchased TL14 Vacc Suit (protection 8, 4 kg) 24,000 Credits Smart Fabric and Medikit
Combat or Slow drugs and the Slow Drug antidote on command. TL13 Laser Transceiver 500 credits
TL 10 Comms, Multiple forms of data, computer/1 Cr. 500

He then helped move the restaurant and prepare the ship for flight once more.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Tue 09 Apr 2019.

The first thing Roland did was inspect the Darrian ship. His first stop was the engines, since that seemed to be why the ship wasn't flying any more. Then, in order: power plant, electronics, avionics, life support, structure, hull.

22:39, Today: Roland Steen rolled:
Engine inspection: 8
Power plant inspection: 11
Electronics inspection: 12 (includes computers and communications)
Avionics inspection: 7 (includes sensors)
Life support inspection: 9
Structure inspection: 10
Hull inspection: 6
...using 2d6+2,2d6+2,2d6+2,2d6+2,2d6+2,2d6+2 ((4,2,5,4,4,6,1,4,1,6, 6,2)).

"What shall we name her? Rambling Rose sounds good."

"How does everything look Roland? Tip top shape or do we need work?"

Roland's inspection of the ship produced only one minor surprise.

Engine inspection (8; success): twin maneuvers drives, original Darrian engines; one needs rebuilt or replaced. Original Darrian Jump drive looks okay, but will have to be powered up for a full diagnostic, which includes the lanthanum grid embedded in the hull.

Power plant inspection (11; success): looks okay; ship is currently running on planetary grid power. Before power it up, the reaction chamber should be purged of the accumulated heavy elements.

Electronics inspection (12; success): the Darrian computer is intact but seems a bit small for the size of the ship; communications are modern but not Darrian.

Avionics inspection (7; not fully successful): sensors seem intact, but should be tested before relying on them.

Life support inspection (9; success): working just fine. Not only do they support the restaurant but Clive lives in the ship.

Structure inspection (10; success): not much can be told from an external inspection, but it's not like termites could have damaged the supports. There's nothing visible from the outside that indicates the ship might have ever been damaged by collision or weapons fire.

Hull inspection (6; not fully successful): the hull seems to be 100% intact.

Looking over Roland's support IM volunteers to take a look at them himself.

Later he comments "Looks like the ship is if fairly good shape, might have the shipyard boffins give a the full maintenance overhaul before we take it out. It's a long walk home if we missed something. Might see if we can have the maintenance cost taking out of the sale price."


16:48, Today: Ignatius Maor rolled 8 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 4,1.  Inspect Sensors.

10:10, Today: Harry McStubbin rolled 5 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 1,1. check guns.

"The 'guns' don't look so good, they need some work before we shove off."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:44, Mon 15 Apr 2019.

Harry is standing there look at the 'weapons'--it's a big empty hardpoint.

Darrian far traders don't normally come with weapons, and certainly the restaurant never needed them (even if they'd bee allowed, which they probably weren't).

"Well shit, no wonder they weren't checking out, no guns! We need guns!"