Ken nodded at Blake's assessment.  "It looks perfectly normal as far as I can tell."

He laughed at Ollie's comments.  "Make it look reasonable Ollie but not so much that we can't get out of here at a moment's notice.  I have a feeling things are going to stay hot."

Ken buckled on his pistol and headed out with Blake to the traffic control such as it was.  "Lorain, once it's clear we'll need your help with the base commander.  You're the best known of all of us if we have to ask for something a bit unorthodox."

Ollie fiddles with the indicator panel so that some of the important lights show red instead of green on the maneuver drive.

Then he pulls out the old power Interlocker that Neva had been working on and adds some iron filings to the insides. While it is on the work bench he hooks it up to the power supply while keeping the power off. If he has to turn the power on, it will make a lot of smoke and dreadful smell. That, and an impressively broken bit of kit.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 81):

"OK. I don't know the communications tech but I do know the expedition leader and lead archaeologist. Lika Olekskya, I have met her through the Institute."

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 79):

"OK. If the Maneuver Drive is going to be offline for "repairs" we can still keep the Power Plant warmed up."

She began the checklist for ship shutdown, but modified to keep the fusion plant online.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 79):

Blake, Ken and Lorrain exited the ship via the Starboard Personnel Airlock.

The atmosphere was cool and thin, but breathable and fresh. They knew they would see few birds or other flying creatures like insects on this planet. The ground was muddy, there had been a recent rain. Foliage had a definite "alpine" look and feel to it, with a preponderance of moss and shrubs over grasses, trees were coniferous (firs and pines) and somewhat stunted.

This was in every way a "Frontier" starport with no facilities or fuel, and no real traffic control. The man waiting for them was merely one of the support staff for the Institute operations on the planet. He was a middle-aged man with Asian features.

"Hi. I'm Hanno. Sorry you almost got tricked into landing in the Hegemony zone. Last month a shuttle from the League base in the system almost got decoyed. It was chased out of their airspace. Now, you guys are on some kind of supply run?"

Blake pumps Hanno's hand, Blake, chief pilot, Captain Ken& Prof Messandi.  Yes, we have some cargo for you.  We can have it on the 'tailgate' in a half hour or so.  We also need to do a complete damage check, that spoofing shook us real hard.  I thought they had taken over here & were purposefully flying us into the ground.  Some scary flying there for awhile.

Blake then hovers in the background while the others carry on.  He eyes the 'facilities availble' & tries to get a feeling for the camp morale.

Ken stayed back for a moment as Blake introduced them.  He stepped forward and shook hands.  "Ken Jenkins, captain.  That was a nasty trick they pulled on us.  It's a good thing Blake was on the ball and got us out of danger."  He looked around.  "We'll get the cargo out while we stay dirtside to effect some repairs, likely for a few days at least.  We can help move the cargo around the camp if you need the help."  He paused then and continued.  "Can we speak to your base commander?  I'd like to get a bit more information on the situation here as well as see if he has any messages or cargo to head back to Alzenzi."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 87):

"Er, "Base Commander"? This isn't much more'n a flat spot cleared in the woods. Otherwise, we have no facilities to speak of other than a metal shop. This is a dig, so you're wanting the lead archaeologist, Lika.

"Here she comes now."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:38, Mon 29 Dec 2014.

The air was cool under the shadow and the trees.

Blake saw that the buildings were an air/raft garage with a makeshift workshop, an admin hut with communications equipment and a small warehouse for storing finds before being transported offworld. Main accommodations seemed to be elsewhere. Inside the garage was a grav bus and air/raft.

In reply to GM (msg # 89):

Feeling chilly, Lorain sealed up the front of her jacket.

She waved at an approaching air/raft. "That must be Lika now!"

Ken nodded.  "Chief archeologist will do, thanks."  He looked up as the air raft approached.  "Do you know her Lorain?"

After Ollie had finished his efforts in the Drive room and then headed into the cargo hold. There he lowered the forward cargo ramp and walked down.

"Alright!" he yelled, "Who wants this stuff?"

She nodded.

"We met a few months ago at the Institute when I was made head of department."

In reply to Prof. Lorain Messandi (msg # 93):

Once they were down, Walker unstrapped himself from the seat, grabbed his pack and his rifle, and headed out to the planet, looking for Ken.

Neva hung back on the ramp of the ship, playing her role as schleper letting Ollie walk down the ramp.  This way she could get a better look around as to the situation and where people were and seldom did anybody REALLY look at the schlepers.  They were almost as invisible drivers in vehicles.

Ken nodded to Lorain.  "Let's hope we can convince her to help us or at least remain neutral."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 96):

"Agreed." She watched the air/raft come in for a landing.

"Do you want me to talk to her? I'm not sure what your plan is. You can explain it better. I can, you know, back you up."

Ken frowned as he watched the air raft approach.  "If you can vouch for me and back me up, I'm happy to speak to the chief."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 98):

"Of course, I'll introduce you," Lorain replied.

After the air/raft landed, a woman in a down vest and coveralls debarked. Lorain greeted her with a handshake and a warm hug. Lika was surprised to see Lorain.

"Lika! So great to see you. Yes, I know it's unusual to see me here. Look, can we go somewhere private?"

Lika indicated one of the prefab huts. "Yes, inside my office."

In the mean time, Hanno signed for the supply shipment, and directed Ollie to put it in the warehouse, really just a large shed. He opened the large rollup door to allow access.

Thomas noted the cool, high-altitude "alpine" feel to the planet, or at least this latitude.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:02, Sun 04 Jan 2015.

In reply to GM (msg # 99):

Lika showed Ken and Lorain into the "office" hut. There were no cubicles or offices, just banged-up desks, computers, a restroom and open kitchette in the back. Lika put a pot of tea on to boil.

"Now, what's up?"

In reply to Lika Olekskya (msg # 100):

Glancing at Ken, Lorain took a deep breath.

"Serious things have been happening lately, not just with tensions between the League and Hegemony but with regards to Eneri Kalamanaru! We think he's here on Qarant and is covering up a major find. They kidnapped a Scout to get the information, and tried to kidnap me back on Alzenei. I'm alright and the kidnappers are in custody, but that's why we're here.

"Ken here works for the Institute. He has a plan to find out what Kalamanaru is up to, and free the Scout, Dumaer. If he's still alive. Please listen to what Ken says and do what you can to cooperate."

Lika looked flabbergasted at the news, but looked a little better once she was reassured Lorain was OK. She looked a little concerned about there being some potential for conflict but then said, "Dumaer? I know him! I met him a few years back. He was doing some followup system surveys of this system. I can't believe Kalamanaru might have kidnapped him! Are you sure?

"And if so, what can I do to help, Ken?"

She addressed Ken, assuming he was the man with the plan!

While the profs converse, Blake quietly asks Hanno about spare parts and tools.  He then takes a look & comms Ollie & Neva about his findings.  Do they also have detailed planetary maps & refueling lakes already marked on these map chits ??  If so, can he get copies ??  Any kind of weather prediction here ??  If so, can he get one for the next week to 10 days ??  He then texts Ken & Thomas these findings.  I take it Blake can make as many map copies as he wants once the ship as a chip to use.  He will put Mariel to work plotting them in case of need.  He also texts Ken & Messandi asking how many personnel here & how quickly could they be assembled if we needed to 'Bug out' & lets keep this very quiet.

At a bit of a loose end, Linus took a stroll around the compound.

There are a few buildings around a cleared area in the forest.

Nearby is a crystal clear lake for refuelling. Hoses can be run there.