In reply to Soosh the Bartender (msg # 29):

Up on the ship, Neva decided this was a good time to familiarise herself with the ship. They'd been onboard for a couple months now but she knew keeping the layout fresh might be the difference between life and death.

The survey ship Inquisitor was a converted 800 dTon Broadsword-class "mercenary cruiser". Not a real cruiser in a military sense it was heavily armed for a civilian ship, with eight turrets mounting twin lasers. It was roughly spherical in shape and carried two modular cutters.

The decks were arranged as such:

Deck A: Main air lock and observatory.
Deck B: Gunnery deck and fire control.
Deck C: Bridge.
Deck D: Quarters.
Deck E: Quarters.
Deck F: Cargo Hold, Cutter Airlocks.
Deck G: laboratories, Computers.
Deck H: laboratories, Auxiliary Cargo.
Deck I: Main Drive Deck
Deck J: Lower Drive Deck

As the ship was a sphere the top and bottom decks were smaller, getting larger as you want towards the centre decks. The cutters were mated with wells that passed from the bottom of the ship almost to the top. The bottom Marshalling deck (Deck H) and one of the quarters decks (Deck G) were converted into lab space.

In reply to Soosh the Bartender (msg # 29):

"Uh, I guess if no one wants to order I'll get a pitcher of what's on tap for everyone."

She looked around to see if everyone was ok with that.

In reply to Prof. Lorain Messandi (msg # 31):

"On tap we have a fine oyster stout. A fine classic brew from Old Terra."

He started filling a plastic beer pitcher.

"Happy to try that," said Linus. Brewed Old Terra style, perhaps, but he doubted that it actually came from there!

classic rocket fuel. Blake murmurs.  Free is almost always good, so a scout toast Commence refueling operations !!  He sucks the glass to half empty, gives a snort, Got some air in the lines here Chief Scout. he says to Hanno.  Blake looks around, any other scouts here tonight ??

The group has a few rounds of beer.

The oyster stout is not literally from Terra, although the recipe is. It's a good brew, maybe a little on the fishy side?

It started getting on and the bar began to fill with patrons as the evening shift ended at the Starport.

In reply to GM (msg # 35):

Hanno drained his glass.

"Ok people, drink up! We got enough time to make the starport. It's not like they'll leave without us but let's not push our luck!"

He began peeling off credit bills to pay their tab.

Linus chipped in some credits.

As does Blake.

As did Talia. "I've got Lorrain and me."

The group makes it back to the Starport in time.

They are met by the group of scientists, who'd gone to a different bar.

After a head count it was established that everyone was present and accounted for.

The armed cutter lifted off and headed towards low orbit to RV with the Inquisitor.

In reply to GM (msg # 40):

The Vargr scientist looked over at Blake.

"So, did you have fun? Where were you guys? You just kinda took off."

Blake opens one eye to look at the scientist.  Why yes, thank you.  Hanno knew a good scouty hangout, so we checked in a for a few drinks.  Yourself ??  Find anything worth-while ??  Souvenirs ??  Blake then crashes for the flight up.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 42):

She answered, "oh, we had a few drinks. A couple of the guys took off to look for souvenirs. We had a fun time. I see you want to sleep."

Well, scouts learn to sleep whenever the time allows it. What do you call a fun time ??  What is your specialty and what brings you out here in the great middle of nowhere ??  Yeah, Blake saw something about geology, but hey, always nice to know what makes people tick ...

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 44):

She laughed and responded, "my area of specialty is exo-geology, mainly nickle-iron asteroids of the type used to build asteroid starships like the Sky Raider mother ship. I guess an interesting rock is what I'd consider a fun time. So not very fun, I suppose!

"Oh, I see we're almost there!"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:05, Sun 16 Oct 2016.

The cutter was soon berthed in the Inquisitor, approaching the cutter bays from astern. The Inquisitor itself was docked at Saulente High Port.







They could see some more supplies being taken onboard the Inquisitor, as well as additional fuel to top up the collapsible fuel bladders installed in the cargo bays. The plan was to travel to the outer system under M-Drive power using a slingshot maneuver around the sun to gain speed. Once there use telescopes and sensors to locate the Sky Raider mother ship based on their calculations, and Jump ahead in its course.

Before Jumpspace insertion, ships usually deccelerated to zero velocity relative to the departure system because they ship maintained velocity and heading after Jump. But the mother ship was not stationary and was likely travelling at 0.54% C. They would need a running start to catch up. They would calculate their outward leg to be parallel to the mother ship's course and keep that velocity after Jumping. They would then accelerate to intercept, and after matching course commence exploration.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:32, Sun 16 Oct 2016.

time to go back to work.    Blake will help with any departure preparations.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 47):

Aside from the fuel there is extra food, ammunition, air and water. Nothing too unusual for a well-supplied expedition that expects to be out of communication for an extended period.

The usual stuff then.  Always useful to keep on the up and up in your specialty.  And the ship's status.  Blake will hook into the outside comm traffic to hear what the locals are talking about.  Anything incoming, prepping to depart, or just departing ??

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 49):

Traffic seems normal. There are no Zhodani or other foreign ships in-system at the moment. There are twenty or so merchantmen docked at the High Port of on the surface, waiting to take on cargo and passengers or unload. A couple freighters incoming from Consulate space and two more transiting on their way rimward into Memnosyne Principality space.

Ken had followed Blake, Tallia, Lorain and the other spacers to the scout bar down on the planet.  He'd said little being worried about the pending adventure and the risks of the unknown.  Still he'd unwound and laughed with the others, spinning a few tales of his time as a marine as the drinks relaxed everyone.

When they returned to the ship, Ken carefully inspected each crate as a regular security process.  He'd shown interest in the course that they would take, the velocity at half the speed of light impressing him despite his relative lack of scientific knowledge.

"Any last minute preparations to make Lorain?  I think we are as well prepared as we could hope."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 51):

"I can't think of anything off-hand. I'm just raring to go. I know the mothership's been out there for thousands of years in deep space, but somehow I almost can't wait!"

Ken examined the crates. There were more weapons and ammunition, as well as fresh foodstuffs, medical supplies, camping gear, some replacement parts. Nothing too suspicious that he could tell. No contraband. All weapons were in concordance with local laws.

The ship's captain was an ex-Scout named Cyrus Shagguurap. He personally supervised the loading and  checked each item off the manifest. "Good. Looks like it's all there. No, we are not going to open them all to satisfy your curiosity. Oh look, that case probably has a Zhodani space marine inside it! Ha ha ha!"

Crewmembers finished stowing the additional crates of supplies in the cargo hold. "All aboard!"

Ken smiled at Lorain and laughed with her.  "Visiting this ship is the culmination of decades of work and centuries of mystery.  It's a chance of a lifetime."

He laughed with the captain about the crates but specifically opened the one pointed out.  "Well then, we'll just have to check."