Bypassing the hatch, they continued through forest. They took a bearing and realised the power plant was not just somewhere a hundred metres through rock, it wasn't even on this "facet" of the massive agriculture chamber. That is, they would need to cross into one of the other pentagonally-shaped facets of the chamber to be closest to the right spot.

GM Note: the chamber is shaped like an 12-sided die with an artificial sun suspended in the middle. You are on the "inside". The different facets are separated by some sort of barrier. As the asteroid has spin, you would normally only feel gravity on one side, but there is obviously artificial gravity that is operational.

After hours more travel through dark forest, Jedec realised he could barely see something dark and massive ahead of them, taller than the trees and blocking their further travel. Consulting his map he realised this must be a barrier of some kind, separating them from the section they wanted to get to.

In reply to GM (msg # 1):

I will slow, bring the whole group together to look at what we are facing.

"Whats the plan guys?" Looks like whoever built this wanted to keep each area separate."

Tired from all the walking, billy slumps against a tree.  "Find a vent and a hatch that takes us into the engineering levels?" Billy suggests, trying hard to keep any signs of smugness out of his voice.

His head goes back as he recalls the trip through the forest, trying to remember if he had seen any vents and hatches, even inoperative ones, since the one used by the raiders.

Lets spread out and approach cautiously. And have a look at it.

Angus fans out to the right, keeping the guy to his left in sight, the guy to his right too if there is one.

Anyone have an electronics detector ?? Multi-wave scanner ?? Blake is curious about any sensors, etc in the area. Powerplant emissions too.

Angus shakes his head, "Just a shotgun and a few grenades."

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 5):

Keeping his auto-shotgun at low-ready Ken fanned out to the right.
This message was last updated by the GM at 07:57, Fri 24 July 2020.

Billy waits, shotgun ready, as the others fan out and search.

The barrier proved to be a carefully sculpted series of bluffs and cliffs, over a hundred metres high. The material seemed to be the same greyish nickel-iron substrate of the asteroid. Vegetation climbed parways up, maybe 20m or so. There did not seem to be any easy way to climb up the barrier as this was not a natural formation but obviously artificial and manmade.


This message was last edited by the GM at 08:14, Fri 24 July 2020.

Linus looked up at the barrier.

"Reckon you'd need a jump-belt to get over that."

"And I'm sure we don't have one, correct?"

Well now, we could go left or right ... as Blake has a look/see. I suppose it continues along the wall/bulkhead as far as we can see ?? No obvious door controls or such ?? No writing/graffiti ?? Any tracks or trails ??

In reply to GM (msg # 10):

Using my IR settings on my goggles, I intend to scan along the base of the barrier.


" I am going to see if there are any 'hot spots' along the base that might indicate an opening, there could be a hidden doorway into the next area, that only the maintainers of the ship wanted know but those within the biosphere were not to be aware of, maybe IR could show a hotter area"

"Someone or ones watch over me, in case we are being observed, it might not be appreciated me snooping"

Jedec will proceed to move closer and attempt to see any significant variations in the heat levels of the barrier.

Ken shook his head at the sight of the barrier.  He moved forward with Jedec.  "I'll cover you Jedec.  There have to be maintenance connections for crews to move quickly from one area to another."

Linus rubbed his nose.

"Hang on a moment. I'm sure we have some grav-belts somewhere... the question is, where? They were on the original stores list..."

Damn. He was slipping. Back when he was a naval storeman, he'd have known where every single item was, and be able to just go and get it when it was needed.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 16):

Linus did remember grav belts being unloaded from the wrecked cutters. So they at least made it to their first campsite. He did not recall them being moved to the forward base, so they were still likely at the more remote site. It was being used by Hanno and the cutter crews to repair one of the cutters so it was operational.

In the mean time, Jedec scanned the barrier mountains using the IR (thermal) channel on his goggles. If there was an entrance the temperature differentiation might show if it was covering a tunnel, which seemed likely. Especially if the door was not airtight and air currents might go in and out over the "day" and "night" periods. If it was a sealed tunnel it might be more difficult, especially if for some reason the passage was kept in vaccum. Unfortunately if there was a door or valve it was either well-hidden or not located within range of the thermal (which was able to see through foliage but not tree trunks).

After some head-scratching, Linus came to the conclusion that the grav belts were probably still with the cutters.

"I think the grav belts are still with the cutters. So best see if we can find some other way around."

"Although, they might make things easier for us in the long run." Billy muses.  "We could radio back and get some sent forward to the advanced camp.  Even getting back here would be much faster, as we can fly over the top of the trees, rather than make our way through them."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:52, Mon 27 July 2020.

In reply to Billy (msg # 19):

That is a good idea.. in fact.. maybe a little review of the list.. and make some logistical choices right now to help this exploration might be a really smart move.

"I agree with that logic" Jedec says.

"Sounds like a plan then." Angus says to the others. He felt lost among this crowd, just not fitting in, He wanted his Scout ship back and repaired.

Ken nodded in agreement.  "Let's continue scouting along the wall while we wait for the belts to be brought forward."  He made the call to the base camp.

The message came back that it would take probably 8 hours to bring the five grav belts up. Hanno was busy but when he was done he would ferry them up the highway-like access tunnel to the entrance to the agriculture biosphere crew quarters, and the forward base. From thence to the surface and then fly them over to where they were.

In the mean time they scouted along the barrier wall. They continued to the right for a few kilometers until the forest gave way to a lake. At the far side of the lake they could see another barrier wall with the corner off to their right. But in the war near the closest shore, parked against the wall, was a machine of some kind. Some parts were rusted or corroded away but what remained was made of a curious dull silvery metal. It had arm attachments and blades and a trailer, and was the size of a farm combine planter/harvester. It looked like it rolled about on 10 squishy rollers, 5 a side. It was about 8 by 8 by 5 metres with a control cab on the front top.

"Interesting ...." Billy mutters as he approaches the vehicle.  "Some sort or agricultural vehicle?" he guesses, before he starts to investigate it. He starts by looking for a power source and how it might be powered.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:56, Tue 28 July 2020.

Blake walks around it, looking at its condition. Rusted away to uselessness ?? Or maybe salvageable ?? He also looks for remnants of what it may have been harvesting - for lack of better wording. He may have a couple of empty pouches that could be used for samples.

Ken walked with the others alert to potential foes for the most part.  He still marvelled at the construction and longevity of the world-ship as it reared itself around them.  When they sighted the machine he tensed for a moment and then approached with the others.  "It seems to have survived fairly well, at least parts of it.  What do you make of the silvery metal?" he asked to the technical folks in general even as he poked at it.

From its position and how it had partially sunken into the loam the machine looked like it was there for centuries, if not longer. There was no way to tell what it would have harvested other than some kind of field crop. But that could be anything from grains to vegetables. The exposed metal was silvery on top, bluish-silver near the bottom of the machine. No one recognised it at all. The parts that had been added some time in the past and were now almost gone were merely bits of weathered wood and rusted-away iron. Those might have been some kind of control cabin added on after.

"We'd better show this to the archaeologists," said Linus.

"It looks like an original piece of agricultural machinery has been repaired, modified or added to by someone, ah, less technological over time. Their additions have been less durable than the original."

"It might also prove to be a good marker, for someone trying to find us from the air.  Still, it demonstrates  a slow decline rather than a sudden fall into barbarianism." Billy comments in response to Linus's observations.

"I wonder what that bluish metal at the bottom is?"

Ken nodded.  "A slow devolution of technology and understanding would make sense given what we've seen."

It seemed the ancient machine would give up no more of its secrets.

A message came over comms that the belts were halfway there. It would take an hour to get them to the surface, then minutes to RV.

The lake blocked further progress along the barrier wall. Their choices were to go through the lake, go around it, go back, or wait.

"I could go back and fetch the belts, I guess..." offered Linus.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 32):

"Single travel here I dont think is the best idea, if we want to speed it up then at least 2 of us should go."

"Maybe all of us, then fly back with the grav belts, the natives might make an appearance in numbers."

Blake seconds Angus' idea. Lets not split up unless we have to. We obviously can't go any further right now. We should probably bypass that hatch as well. I think less traffic in that area right now is the way to go.

"Forward base said that Hanno would ferry them up to us, when he had finished the job he was on.  However, this lake and vehicle would make a a good place to reat while we wait for him.  The lake will be easy to spot for someone above the forest, and this abandoned vehicle, shoule be easy to locale when he gets here. I doubt there wi  be another one like it.!

"In that case, maybe it's lunchtime," said Linus.

"What food have we got with us? Let's see what I can whip up..."

Angus nods approval at the idea of someone bringing them the grav belts. As far as rations, he had none.

Blake finds a covered position as guard duty while everyone eats.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 39):

Angus will nibble on the MRE provided, they were satisfying for the hunger even if they weren't the tastiest thing to eat. He kept alert for any movement in the bush and trees.

They waited a while longer.

Word came that Hanno was ferrying the grav belts himself by using one and carrying the rest in a backpack.

Soon after they saw a speck way up in the sky.

In reply to GM (msg # 41):

"Hello, ground party. This is Hanno. What is your location, over?"

Watching the speck in the sky Billy responds to the radio message.  "Billy to Hanno.  We are by the lake close to the wall.  There is a disused vehicle of some type close to the shore.  We are by that. Over."

Then he climbs up unto the top of the vehicle.  "Anyone got anything bright, perhaps orange, that we can use for a marker?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:33, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

In reply to Billy (msg # 43):

"Roger, I see the lake. By the corner of two walls? I think I see something like a vehicle. Coming in now."

It seemed he saw them or at least saw the lake. He began losing altitude slowly, descending towards the lake.

"Roger that."

Standing atop the vehicle, Billy waves his arms above his head in slow sweeps, until he is sure that Hanno has seen him.

Ken stood guard with the others, snacking as he paced about.  When Hanno appeared in the distance he joined Billy on the decrepit machine.  He waved as well.  "Bring it on in Hanno."

Great job Hanno. See anything on the way over ?? What's happening on your end these days ??

Angus waited quietly, he didn't know Hanno yet.

The Scout changed course and flew towards them.

Within a few minutes he'd landed at the lakeside. First he unloaded the grav belts he was carrying.

"Ok, there you go!"

He moved over to examine the partially-overgrown machine.

"Say, what's this machine or device that's sitting there? It looks like it's been there a long time!"

"Something agricultural, probably," said Linus.

"It was originally quite sophisticated, but has been repaired in a rather, ah, rustic manner."

Angus takes a grav belt and wraps it around his waist and fastens it.

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 51):

Jedec as well takes and secures a grav belt.

"thanks Hano, did you see anything else interesting on the way over?? Anything we might want to put some extra time into.. sure your scouty senses weren't tingling?"

Billy climbs down from the vehicle as Hanno comes into land.  "I couldn't work out what it was.", he adds to Linus's repsonse..

Taking a grav belt, he straps it on and uses it to return to the top of the vehicle, as he waits for Hanno's reply to Jedec's question.

Blake likewise straps on a grav belt. Then fiddles with the harness and controls until its what he wants. Straight up and over ?? We should stop for a panoramic view on top of this wall too.

Ken strapped on the grav belt and fiddled with the controls.  "Let's go straight up.  Stick close to the wall so we don't stand out too much.  If we can let's pause at the top and see what is around first."

OK, Blake will stop below the top for a look/see. No sense silhouetting yourself ...

He answered, "not really. There aren't any cities or towns I could see. Could be something on the far side of the sphere, behind that artificial sun, where I couldn't see it. I did a circuit around the friendly village, no one seems to be sneaking up on them. Other than that this chamber seems deserted."

They all donned the grav belts. The anti-grav thrusters were around the waist, secured in a kind of adjustable vest. After a little instruction and practice, they were ready to go. They weren't that difficult, as automatic controls, a helmet-mounted HUD and AI handled the flying.

Once they were set to proceed, Hanno took off heading back towards base.

They started up the wall, stopping near the top. Carefully, they checked everything out, there did not seem to be any threats around.

Ref's Note: Who's going to be the first to peek over the top of the wall?

In reply to GM (msg # 58):
"Thanks, Hanno." Billy calls as Hanno leaves.  Then he spends a few more moments practising with the grav belt around the lake and its shores.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:42, Sun 30 Aug 2020.

"Right, let's see what is up there," said Linus, setting his grav belt to soar up above the wall to peek over.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 60):

Angus fiddled with the controls to get used to them then followed Linus up the wall, hoping there was a gap and not a ceiling.

In reply to GM (msg # 58):

Jedec took point before, and assumes he will take point now.

I dont have any issues being the one to peer over.

"Good luck Hanno," Ken called out as the scout left again.  He practiced a bit and then followed the others letting Jedec or Linus look over first.  He did call out to each of them to spread out a bit when they came over the wall in case there was gunfire.

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 62):

Carefully, Jedec adjusted the anti-grav belt so that he slowly moved up until he could peek over the "cliff" edge.

He could see the top of the barrier "mountains" was where the main vents were. Large round holes, 20m across, were evenly spaced along the topmost spine of the barrier. The shafts plunged down into darkness, and machinery was visible at the bottom. Remarkably, some of the fans still appeared operational. He was at the lip of a shaft and felt the moist air moving, being drawn down to be recycled and then blown out somewhere else.

Past the barrier he could see a similar pattern of deep forest with patches of deep grassland. Somewhere in that neighboring section, maybe a kilometer away at most, was the closest point to the fusion neutrino signature.

In reply to GM (msg # 64):

Jedec will relate what he sees to the members of the group.

" I think we could move right over this and towards the power signature, OR we could drop down into the forest. Either way we might be targets, but air targets get no cover, so my suggestion would be to drop down on the other side, and progress by foot."

"I say fly to the target." as he flies over the wall and dips down a bit on the other side. "Never know who or what is where."

Billy had just assumed they were going to fly across this new forest, but responded  quickly, almost without a thought,  "I'm for flying as well.  So far we have only seen the natives with spears and other simple weapons, even my shotgun was strange to them, so I think we should be safe - probably safer than walking.  And it will be much quicker ..."

Off they flew, with Jedec on point. The formation was a little ragged due to lack of practice but autopilot counted for much.

They arrived at the spot that was closest to the neutrino signature. Hovering, they observed it was an overgrown grass field a kilometer across, bordered by trees on all sides. The neutrino signature was located 377.3m beneath the surface. There were no structures around them in the field, no vents or hatches visible through the long grass.

"I don't see nothing, can we search better from up here? Or down there. There must be a hatch some where."

"Why?" Billy asks.  "The power source is nearly 400 metres below us, that could be any number of floors down.  I think we need to find another one of those vents, like we saw on the other side of the wall, and get down to the service level below the floor of this chamber.  Then try and find a route that will take us down to it.  Let's just hope we find an elevator shaft ..."

"One that's working I hope, I'd hate the climb, though we could us the grav belts to go down it."

We could do a quick ground search, making sure there's no surface openings near us.

"Although, any those big fans should be visible from higher up, and we know there are probably hatches by those." Billy offers.  "We are likely to have to move 'horizontally' anyway. There isn't much chance of us funding a straight route down to the power supply any way."

An air search of the immediate area did not reveal anything promising.

Their main options were to land and search the meadow on foot, or expand the air search.

Ahhhh nothing down there. we may have better luck up higher then. How many hours of "sun light" are left. I assume the inertial locator can be set to local time.

There was about six hours of sunlight left, according to their chronometers.

Going up a couple hundred metres, they couldn't easily see any series of vents like in the previous area. Although, there were quite a few more forests in this zone. They comprised about 80% of the land area.

It was about 3000m to the "sun" at the centre of the 12-sided sphere.

"So down it is, then." Billy says with resignation.  "I wonder what we will find in this segment?  More farmers? Raiders?  Or perhaps dangerous animals?  At least it is unlikely to be anything too large in these forests ..."

Ken followed warily with the others. "There may be some symmetry in the placement of structure in these areas.  Let's search on foot near the neutrino source and then go and check the corresponding areas in this section that might have an elevator like we found in our original section."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 78):

They landed and started to perform a surface search.

Within a few minutes they located the edge of what could be a large hatch or elevator platform. The corner alone they found was 2m by 1m. Unfortunately the rest was buried under the soil and grassland.

"That is big." Billy comments when  the corner of the hatch is uncovered.  "I must have been used for a vehicle of some sort of equipment.  Perhaps it is a vehicle lift?" he muses aloud.

"There must be some controls, they can't have opened that manually.  Not on a regular basis ..."  Shotgun couched on his arm, Billy looks around for a wall or structure that might house controls for the hatch/lift.

In reply to Billy (msg # 80):

Angus searches around as well. looking for a way in as well.

Contacting the main group, looking to talk to someone who is part of the excavation team, is there something techy we have that can remove soil and plant without too much noise and disturbance, but faster than shovels?

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 82):

"We need a backhoe, but we ain't got one. I guess we need shovels brought up next, I don't have one in my pocket."

Blake has a look at it. How does it open ?? Up/Done, slide to the side, iris valve, etc. ?? How thick is this hatch ?? Can it be pried open ??

Something this big might have a maintenance or emergency shaft nearby as well. With that said, Blake walks about in ever widening circles looking for other constriction. At about 30 meters distance, he stops looking and returns.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 84):

"No personnel hatch Blake? Hmmmmm. Guess that means we have to get this one open."

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 84):

After looking around, it didn't seem obvious where another personnel or backup hatch might be. Although it made sense there was additional access around somewhere.

It seemed likely this was a valve, a powered door with interlocking leaves. Kind of like an iris valve but larger, heavier and square instead of rounded. Used to to seal cargo or vehicle locks and other large portals it was airtight when closed but also very difficult to pry open.

Referee Note: "Valve" is my name for the large powered doors in Traveller ship designs (usually large exterior doors) that are otherwise usually not detailed. They are like iris valves but bigger. They would look and function a lot like the powered blast doors in Star Wars.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:32, Wed 07 Oct 2020.

"There has to be a control panel somewhere ..."  Billy mutters.  "Something that size can't be opened manually ...."

Billy will try and trace the outline of the valve, so that he has an idea of where the edges are, then search just outside the circumference for anomalies, such as unexpected bumps of anomalies in the ground topography.

Blake helps Billy out by kicking away what dirt and debris he can. Perhaps a good branch would be useful here ?? Blake has a look around for 2 of them ...

Linus stepped back a pace and looked for a likely place for the controls for the door. They might be hidden behind a panel if it was one not usually accessed.

Carefully clearing the door could take at least a good hour, even with tools, depending on the size.

Back at base camp they had sonic shovels, common in archaeology, that would clear dirt and debris without damaging artefacts. As well, ground-penetrating sensors that could map solid objects under the ground cover to a depth of several metres of loose soil.

Ken thought for a moment as they looked around. "We'll have to spread out and search the area within a hundred meters or more for the controls or a personnel hatch.  I'm going to fly up a bit and look around to see if there are any patterns in the landscape that might clue us in."

He will go up several hundred meters and look around before coming back down.

In reply to GM (msg # 90):

Jedec will just help any way he can with whatever is going on. I am keeping a keen eye and ear for anything in the area as well.

"Let's see if they have anything back at base that can help." Billy says, before opening up a channel to base and asking if they have anything that can help move earth, or scan through it for  doorways or controls.

In reply to Billy (msg # 93):

"A metal detector or ground sensor."

If base confirm that they have suitable equipment, Billy responds.  "So can you get them ready for me?  I'll use the grav belt to come across and collect them.  Perhaps from the top of your elevator shaft.  Ideally, it would be helpful if the items can be but in a container and strapped into another grave belt that we can slave to mine ...

If Billy's plans are confirmed, he will ask, "Anyone want to come ..." and either wait, or set off alone, depending on the team's response.

In reply to Billy (msg # 95):

"I'll go with you, you might need help," Angus responds to Billy.

After some communication over the radio, the needed equipment was set aside.

Flying the 5-6km back to the forward base was a matter of 15 minutes. Another 30 to gear up and learn the basics, and 15 to return.

GM Note: In the mean time, are the remainder setting a perimeter?

Linus tags along with Billy: he's already familiar with archaeological tech.

On the trip across the bio-area Billy takes the chance to look at it from above, getting and idea of the terrain - working out how much of it is foreted and the number of clear areas. He will note any signs of smoke or whether he can see cultivated areas.  However, he isn't interested in investigation, just awareness.

In reply to Billy (msg # 99):

Angus keeps his eyes open too, not wanting to catch an arrow or something from the ground.

Jedec will setup anything needed at the site - clearing area, getting a resting, camp area setup. etc...

Along with Angus Blake offers to stand watch, using his scoped carbine.

The materials and tools were ported back from base camp without issue.

Within an hour they had everything set up and started clearing away soil from the what seemed to be an elevator door. It was a 3m x 4m rectangle. The remains of a 2m x 2m control station were adjacent to the silo-like door but it and the controls were removed long ago. Once the door was cleared it was obvious it had been sealed shut, but it was made of steel and had rusted through in one spot and was weak in others.

A quick flight back to camp brought back a fully-charged laser rifle. Using that the welds on the doors were cut apart in short order.

Finally the doors were pried up and an opening revealed. To their dismay they saw that the shaft had filled with dirt and water some time in the past. All they could see was dark water about 2m down. Rust streaked the sides of the elevator shaft.
This message was last updated by the GM at 07:59, Thu 29 Oct 2020.

In reply to GM (msg # 102):

"Total bull shit this is, no way down from here."

"Oh, I don't know.  These vac suits should be waterproof, they have an oxygen supply and we have the grav belts.  They have built in headlights and we have other torches for light.  We have the wherewithal to explore down there." he looks around at the more actively trained members of the party, "Anyone fancy taking a look, or should I do it?"

"What purpose would it serve?" asked Linus uneasily. Quite happy in space, he felt growing claustrophobia looking at a dark water-filled shaft leading down to who knew what.

"There might be a door or a hatch at the bottom of the shaft?"

In reply to Billy (msg # 106):

"Which, with the weight of the water, could be unopenable."

"Assuming it opens inwards, yes." responds the engineer.

In reply to Billy (msg # 108):

Angus grins, "That's why I said 'could' be unopenable. It may open in instead of out. In which case, when the water gets sucked through, you do too, and you could be dashed to death on the equipment."

"That's why I think a scout should go.  They are better equipped to deal with that sort of emergency  ..." Billy responds deadpan.

In reply to Billy (msg # 110):

Staring at the dark, foreboding water, Black smacks his head.

"The new guys don't remember this, but we found a control room down below. It had a 3D map of the agricultural chamber. It might have some kind of map of connecting corridors as well! What do you say, want to look at it first?"

Billy, who had been starting to think that he was going to have to go down through that murky water, breathes a small sigh of relief.

"Well remembered!  If nothing else, it might show us where there are other entrances that aren't so badly blocked."

Gathering all the extra equipment, Billy starts preparing it for the trip back across the chamber.

In reply to Billy (msg # 112):

"I can stay and keep a watch here on the gear. We may still need it here. Worst comes to worst we'll just move it all later. If I get into trouble I have the grav belt. I don't think those primitive screw-heads can fly, right?"

He inserted a 20-round magazine into his carbine (which looks like a CAR-15 Colt Commando with a scope mounted on the top handle) and charged it. "I'll be fine."

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 113):

"Sweet, a map of the whole thing, download a copy to a hand held computer."

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 114):

We should try and travel in pairs, just safer. I can go back with Billy, I have my portable hand computer, we will download and be back or at least communicate asap.



What do you say Billy - road trip?

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 115):

"I'll stand guard with Blake." Angus says patting his shotgun.

Billy nods at Jedec, "Yep.  Might as well get started then."

With that he sets the controls of his grave belt, ready to make the trip back across the biochamber.

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 116):

"I wouldn't get my hopes up too high! It's a 3D display model on a several thousand-year-old console. Downloading might not be an option, but if anyone could do it it would be Dr. Chandragora. He reverse-engineered the Sky Raider's OS and recovered the data from the scout ship we found on Qarant."

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 118):

Angus smiled at the answer, good to have an expert! "Maybe there is room for me to go then, I like watching a true pro in action!"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:31, Wed 11 Nov 2020.

The four (Jedec, Angus, Billy and Linus) lifted off, leaving behind Blake and Ken to guard their equipment. The stay-behinds agreed to check in by radio on the half-hour.

After a ten minute grav belt flight they were back at the shack covering the top of the elevator that led to their camp. There was about a 30m trip down the shaft to the quarters and control section where their forward base camp was located. They were met there by the scientists, nominal expedition leader Professor Lorain Messandi and her friend Dr. Talia McKenzie. They all introduced themselves to Angus, the newest arrival. His story, however fascinating, would need to wait. There were more expedition members but they were on the surface of the asteroid mother ship, repairing a cutter that had been damaged when they were stranded there by unknown mutineers on the ship they chartered to bring them there.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:33, Sun 15 Nov 2020.

In reply to GM (msg # 120):

The control/quarter area was dozen levels straight "down" from the surface of the chamber. They knew beyond the lowest level was the connecting corridor to the transit tube that led to the rest of the vast tunnel complex.

Drs. Chandragora and Mirost led them through ancient corridors and deserted quarters to the control room. As promised, there was a large control console. In the middle was a 3D display showing a 12-sided figure (GM Note: think 12-sided die) slowly rotating. Obviously this was his pride and joy!

"We're so lucky this is all still working. The tech is so simple that it can lay dormant for centuries or longer and yet still be in working condition. None of this is really beyond current technology, but we usually don't have a need to keep much running for centuries or longer except for automatic beacons, robot refueling stations, and so on. There is a lot we can learn, here, even if the Sky Raiders were primitive by our standards.

"I've been doing a lot of work on this console, trying to understand the system. Of course I need to be careful and not break anything. Or switch off life support, or artificial gravity. Dr. Mirost has been of great help with decyphering the language, as has Professor Messandi."

He manipulated the controls. All he could do was zoom in and out, stop rotation, and bring parts into focus. "Ok, I think I got it. We are here, this is our shaft and connecting corridor to the transit tube. So, this is where you were." He pointed out the closed portal and the spiderweb of corridors beneath it. "Huh, it's all greyed out. Not good. Vledistart, what do you make of this?"

In reply to Dr. Heinrich Chandragora (msg # 121):

Sr. Mirost squinted at the block of text that floated beneath the area that was greyed-out.

"I'm afraid I can't make what it says out. I see something about fluid or water or blockage. Does that make any sense? What are you looking for?"

Billy watches, with interest, as the Scientists manipulate the image before them,  and is eager to learn more about it.  Instead, he holds his curiosity in check, but responds to Mirost's question.

"Yes, that makes a lot of sense.  We have forced an opening at the top of the shaft, and it is filled with water.  We were hoping to use the shaft to get back down to this level, and then lower as we try to find a route to a 'live' power source that we located earlier.  We thought it might be a main  engineering or power plant."

Billy squints at the display, following a route downwards from the blocked shaft. "I think it should be somewhere about there." He adds pointing vaguely at where he thinks their target location is, But then he poses a question to the scientists.

"But, seeing as we now have a working map, perhaps there is a better way?  Perhaps directly there from here?"

In reply to Billy (msg # 123):

Mirost studied the plans.

"The power plant we detected using the neutrino scans? I don't think you can get there from here. No direct route. Which makes sense, why directly connect a power plant and an agricultural sector? There are conduits, but those follow along parallel the main transit tube.

"There is the main tunnel access, which we've used, and a kind of backup acces. which the raiders used."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:16, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

Billy nods, it all makes sense, "So which would be the best way for us to get there?"

In reply to Billy (msg # 125):

Aloud in general "Starting to sound like the only way to get there is to go THROUGH where the raiders came from. Hopefully, we can get AROUND them.. but seems like that might be what we have to do."

To the scientist " Has there been reports from the surface that we have made progress on the ship? I would really like to know we have a way off of this rock."

"Even then, the backup access might not take you directly to that power plant. These Sky Raiders... they were very odd in their design choices. Hard to understand. Not very rational.

"As for the repair team, they are still about a week away, at least, with trying to cobble together some kind of functional spacecraft from the two cutters."

He sighed and sat back, studying the display as if to divine its secrets.

"How about if we suit up and use the grav belts for an external scan?  Perhaps we could find another entrance?"  Billy muses  "Or maybe cobble together some sort of aircraft, using  grav pads ..."

In reply to Billy (msg # 128):

"Grav belts work best in a gravity field, even an artificial one. [GM Note: IMTU.]

"Vacc suits have thrusters, those could be used to ferry us around space. But bear in mind we didn't try to enter via a vehicle bay is every one we've seen appears to be destroyed. The ones that aren't appear to be booby-trapped or heavily armoured and blocked off. Those might not be the only worthwhile thing to see on the surface, but pretty much everything else like sensors and engines have also been damaged or destroyed."

Billy nods, "Ah well.  It was an idea.  back to following the raiders then ...."

He looks across at Jedec, "Anything else?  Or shall we go back and tell the others ..."

In reply to Billy (msg # 130):

Chandragora, who was still there, opined, "if you think the benefits of exploring any surface structures and finding an alternative route inside outweigh the risks then by all means do that. We chose an asteroid impact and breach site to make our entrance because we knew the odds of tampering and traps were very small. That being said you can also explore further along the transit tubes.

"Either way, good luck!"

In reply to Dr. Heinrich Chandragora (msg # 131):

"Transit tubes? I might have missed info on that? can you tell us more about the tubes? Dr. Chandragora. Maybe thats a better idea?"

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 132):

"Sure. Our entry into the mothership was via an asteroid impact site. It led to a conduit space that connected to a large sub-axial transit tube that looked like it hosted various rail and tram lines. Heading towards the closest neutrino signal a search party was sent in one direction (towards the stern) until they came across an entrance hatch about a hundred metres down the tube.

"It led to the module we are now in. We currently are in a sort of combined living quarters combined with control decks. There are thirty levels. The top ten levels are destroyed by fire at some point. The next 4 are damaged. We are on deck 15. I think everything in this ship was built redundantly. We are in a control room."

He pressed some buttons and an ancient monitor screen flickered and, after a few seconds, began to display a CCTV view of a forest, which changed to one of a field, then one of a field, then another.

"Still works. There are functioning cameras, control equipment. We won't try and play around with them, of course, that could end up very badly!

"There are banks of passenger elevators which service the control/quarters decks. The main freight elevator connects these decks to the fields "above". (Plus emergency stairwells.) There is power and all seem functional, as does artificial gravity. These "Sky Raiders" built to last!

"As for exits from this module, there are two passageways that connect to a passage to the the transit tube. There was at least one internal connecting passage that the attackers used. Another which seems flooded. There could be more such passages, for all we know.

"This ship... It is a nickel-iron asteroid, more capsule-shaped than potato. It has a volume of about 35 cubic kilometres, about 20-25 of which is tunneled out. Densitometers show there are possibly upwards of twenty of these agricultural modules, maybe as many as thirty. Plus many, many other spaces and chambers. Aside from buffering the interior is practically honeycombed with modules. There are some examples of ships this big in Charted Space. None so old, and it still appears to be still functional! Somewhat."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:22, Fri 04 Dec 2020.

"So perhaps it is better to go back to the main transit tube and follow it deeper into the asteroid.  That will lead us to other modules, which may, or may not, connect to the power source we have been looking for.

Perhaps just ditch the plan to search for that specific power source and explore more generally."

Billy comments as he tries to make sense of the scientist's words.

"Lets bring the rest back here and start again."

Jedec nods, gives Billy the thumbs up.

"Spot on Billy, you beat me to that suggestion. I am with you on that one.."

Using the base camp coms, Billy establishes communications with the rest of the group.  "Dr. ChandragoraIt has been showing us a map, and it looks like we took a dead end.  It is best to regroup and use the main transit tube to explore further.  The Doctor can explain it better than me, but the advice is that everyone comes back here, and we start again."

Once the call is concluded, Billy continues  "I want to get a proper coffee before they get here ... Anyone coming?"

Linus nodded.

"We've somewhat made our way in like rats, finding a weak spot in a building. Now we've found our way into the 'people spaces'. We need to get oriented, the maps and views accessible from here will help, and then decide where we want to go within the ship."

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 137):

Angus gets ready to rejoin the group with his companion and activates his grav belt for the flight back, which is uneventful.

Across the deck over in the quarters section, they found the Vargr scientist Dr. Goezghae. She was an expert in large scale asteroid mega-habitats.

"Studying the layout as we know it, I would say agro modules are set up in series and connected through sub-passages. If you find a passage in the agro module here then it's likely to lead to another."

She put on some water for tea and coffee.

Waiting for the water to boil, Billy turns these new  thoughts over in his mind, "I can see three options.  Follow the main transport duct further in, and see whet we can find.  Follow the 'raiders' down their hatch, and see what we can find there, or do a high survey of this agro module and see if we can find another way down.  Anyone see anything I have missed?"

He thinks for a moment before continuing, "Of those three, I think I prefer the main transport duct we were on before.  But I haven't got any strong reasons for that ...."

In reply to Billy (msg # 140):

"I agree with you on the main transfer tube Billy, I have no interest in more Agro domes. Lets find something that we can use to help us / the scientists etc.. I really dont want conflicts even with primitives if we dont have to."

Linus got up to fetch mugs and asked what people wanted to drink.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 142):

When Angus arrived he sat with a cup of coffee and listened to the different plans. He just wanted to find his Scout and fix it!

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 141):

The female Vargr scientist added, "we are waiting on a translation program. Nevertheless, I will call the rest of the expedition's science team to provide some consulting. So that you are at least a little prepared."

With that she used the comm to call Prof. Messandi and the rest of the science staff, save Dr. Gilenkaar, who was still compiling the language for their translators.

In reply to Dr. Goezghae (msg # 144):

"You think my Scout is on the surface, or down here someplace? If it's down here, who brought it down. Hell, who brought me down! The prims said they found me where you found me and hadn't moved me."

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 145):

"Have to admit Angus thats pretty messed up. SOmething I would want to know too."

Billy takes a mouthful of his coffee as he listens to Jedec and Angus.  "So, unless the scientists come up with something new, we head for the main transport tunnel?" he asks.

Angus shrugs and replies. "I guess so. Follow the main transport tunnel."

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 148):

Mirost offered, "While Dr. Gilenkaar is busy compiling the language clips, I could come with you, translate signs? Even spoken language to an extent. But Gilenkaar is a better anthropologist, he's had experience contacting primitive cultures and dealing with the inhabitants.

"Dr. Gilenkaar's the expedition anthropologist, I'm a linguist. We've both worked on contract to the Free League and Imperial Scout Service."

There were 2 parallel tunnels leading from each level leading to a wide connecting corridor that was a little like a tube station. Not only were there dozens of corridors leading to the living/control areas but there were also a series of other large portals that appeared to lead back to other sectors of the agricultural module.

The access "tube" led to a large hatch. Behind that was a major access tunnel. If they turned one way they would find the side maintenance tunnel that led to the surface entry they'd found. The other way was towards the stern.

Every so often was a repeater module placed to maintain comms from the agro module base and the surface base where the cutters were being worked on.

(GM Note: the hatch to the agro module was found when the PCs decided to follow the main tunnel rearwards. You can also go the other way towards the bow.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:44, Sun 20 Dec 2020.

"I, for one, would be very happy to have you along Dr Mirost.  It would be really helpful to have some idea of what the locals are days, if we should meet any of them again."

Then he turns back to his fellow explorers, "Shall we take the main tunnel, towards the rear of the ship ... asteroid ... vessel ...  what ever it is?  Or should we go forwards?  I don't think it really matters much, as we don't have  any idea of where to search for anything.  Or try more of the side hatches?"

In reply to Billy (msg # 151):

Im for heading either way in the main tunnel for now. I am good with flipping a coin to be honest. but I think to find bigger better things we should see what the main tunnel offers first. then if we have to we search some of the smaller ones.  My 2c

"Agreed, we need to completely explore this rock!"

"Seems reasonable," said Linus.

"We should try to get to the centre of the asteroid, in my opinion. That's probably where the main command and control is..."

The Vargr, Dr. Goezghae, decided to accompany the exploration party as well.

"I'm coming along as well," she declared, strapping on her pistol belt with a holstered revolver and sheathed blade.

"Towards the rear, then!"

The main shaft they entered to make their way to the stern was 100m across and in zero-gee. Angus (who hadn't seen one before) could tell it was rigged to carry traffic of various kinds on several different series of rails (monorails, dual-gauge, trolley-tracks, immobile tow-lines in plexiglass tubes to carry along individual travelers, handrails to pull oneself along, etc.) There were also conduits, pipes, and cables. The sides themselves were smooth metal, bored through the massive nickel-iron body using fusion tunneling.

Occasionally they came across signs of damage, usually accidental-looking like ruptured or crushed pipes and wall dents from collisions. A very few were craters from explosions and the scars of laser beams. All looked quite ancient.

After 25 minutes of travelling in zero-G to sternward down the main access shaft, the party saw there was another large valve set into the side of the tunnel. Numerous tracks and rails branched off and led off to it.

At about 50m they could see there was a kind of docking-charging rack off to the side with room for dozens of small vehicles. A number of small sled-like scooters appeared to be still docked there.

Meanwhile, arrangements were made to shut down the work site left behind in the agri-module and bring in the equipment and the personnel who'd been left behind to guard it.

GM Note: Marching order?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:56, Wed 13 Jan 2021.

Billy makes his way  over to the scooter sleds, to see if he can make them work.

In reply to Billy (msg # 157):

Angus tries to make himself useful and tries to help Billy. He makes his way in Zero-G over to the scooters.

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 158):

It looked like the scooters could be cannibalised to make 3 or 4 functional ones. Their batteries would need to be replaced but they had spare power cells back at camp. Either they could bring the batteries here and attempt to salvage them in situ, or tow the carriers back to camp in the zero-gee main transit tube and replace the batteries there.

The party could take some time to do that. They could try to get into the module through either the main valve or the personnel hatches on either side. Or else continue following the access shaft.

"Lets see if we can get through the personnel hatches, at least to have a look and see what is behind there.  We can always take the scooters back to the base camp later."  Billy suggests.

In some ways, Billy would prefer to play with the scooters, but needs must .....

"I'll take a look at the personnel door," said Linus.

"Billy, you see if you can get those bikes going. Looks like you know more about them than I do."

Linus moved over to the door with practised ease. Clearly micro-gravity held no qualms for him.

Billy nods at Linus's suggestion and heads over to the scooters, just in case he can get one of them working, or at least get an idea of how they work.

In reply to Billy (msg # 162):

Angus was looking the scooters over as well, noting nothing out of the ordinary, he checks to see what makes it run.

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 163):

I will help any way I can as well.

It looked like 3 or 4 working scooters could be cobbled together from the collection of sleds that were there. The main problem was their batteries were long-dead, but the expedition had plenty of those and ways to charge them. Either the batteries and tools were brought here, or the sleds towed back through the zero-G access shaft to one of the base camps to be worked on.

The group could concentrate on the getting the sleds operational, try to enter the massive valve nearby or the two small personnel hatches flanking it, or continue down the access shaft.

Billy looked over at Linus, "Any luck with that hatch?  These scooters need new batteries."

In reply to Billy (msg # 166):

The main valve looked unpowered and immobile to Linus. As it was a good 20m across getting it open would be impossible. Looking at the flanking side hatches, Billy could see they could be opened without power.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 161):

The Vargr floated up behind Billy and stopped herself using a handhold.

"These seem like emergency personnel hatches in case the main hatch failed. Good luck when you open it! I'll just get back a bit."

The other scientists seemed to agree with her assessment.

Billy looks up sharply as Dr. Goezghae speaks, "Why?  What do you think is behind those doors?"

In reply to Billy (msg # 169):

"I don't know. But the Loeskalth built on the principle of massive redundancy."

Linus looked at the door, seeing if he could figure out how it operated.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 171):

It looked like the main valves had various controls. Without power, it would remain closed. The hatches looked like standard starship-style hatches for the Sky Raiders culture and could be opened without power.

Given that it's the personnel side door Linus was looking at, he'll see if he can figure out how to open it unpowered.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 173):

The somewhat oversized hatch was undogged, so spinning the handwheel in the middle released it. The hatch opened inwards, meaning it was designed to act as part of an airlock. Inside was a pitch-dark chamber.

Now that the scooters have been investigated and found to need new batteries, Billy makes his way across to Linus and peers into the darkened chamber beyond.

OOC: DM ruling please -   We started the exploration wearing Vacc Suits, because we were nsure of the atmosphere/environment. I don't ever remember posting that I took my Vacc Suit off.  However, I can see that I might have left it at base  while we were exploring what we recognised as 'Safe Areas'.  So am I still wearing my Vacc Suit?  If not I will want to send back for it :)
This message was last edited by the player at 09:08, Tue 26 Jan 2021.

"OK," called Linus.

"There's an airlock setup here. Everything's dark. No obvious way of telling what's on the other side, so I don't want to open it straight through or go in unprotected."

Traditional spacer caution showing through. Never step through a hatch when you do not know what's on the other side unless you are protected against hard vacuum.

Billy nods and starts to reseal his vac suit.  "Will you run through the tests for me?  It has been battered about a bit since we got here."

Making sure that he is pointing inside the hatch, Billy tests the suit's lights - both checking that the lights are working and, hopefully, throwing some light into the darkened chamber beyond.

Linus buttoned up as well.

"Crosscheck."

Billy cross-checks Linus's suit before looking to see if anyone else is suiting up, and check for them as well.

Then he will activate his suits light again and look into the area behind the hatch.  If there is no immediate risk, he will step inside.

In reply to Billy (msg # 179):

Angus suits up the rest of the way, sealing his suit.

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 180):

Im in.

Linus joins the rest (if there's space...).

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 182):

The chamber was a large personnel airlock, 10x10x10m. It was still in zero-gee and lit only by suit lamps. After sealing up their vacc suits, everyone fit inside. The inner hatch would not open until the outer hatch was closed, a common safety feature for airlocks.

Dr. Mirost noted some alphanumeric markings on the walls but like all other markings it seemed to be keyed into a system that they did not know, and so was gibberish. He pointed out some sensors but they all seemed to be non-functional.

Once the outside hatch is closed the inner hatch wheel spun freely to unseal the inner door. When it opened again there was only blackness inside. Air did not rush out, indicating air pressure was equal (confirmed by suit sensors) but the temperature inside the airlock began to drop significantly, about 2 degrees a second. As the ambient temperature was about 22 degrees it quickly dropped past zero and into the negatives.

Billy shines his suit lights into the area   beyond the second hatch trying to pick out any detail of the large area -  or even if it enclosed at all.

Quickly, he brings to mind the specs for the suits they are wearing, wondering what sort of temperatures it can handle without risk to its occupant.

In reply to GM (msg # 183):

Dont really have anything to add to what Billy is doing, I will be there in support, shining my lights etc. Not sure if my portable computer in my suit has anything like gps- sonar - something that would help with map making and or seeing what is out there.
 Jedec will help how ever he can.

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 185):

The inner hatch moved slowly inwards. The relatively warm moist air inside the large lock turned into short-lived billowing mist and even ice crystals. After a moment their vision cleared enough to show part of a dark chamber, with every surface coated with a rime of ice. The temperature kept falling, -100C and below. Atmosphere, however, seemed to be of normal pressure and mixture with no sign of dangerous gasses or contamination. Gravity was still non-functional.

The hatch led into a relatively open vast chamber, longer than it was wide. Their suit lights and hand torches picked out details like loading bays, a pair of large lifts. There were ladders leading to ceiling hatches. It kind of looked like a warehouse.

In reply to GM (msg # 186):

"well nothing living in here at -100c... might as well take a quick look around then then decide our next hatch or door to move on to. "

Pistol out, Jedec will maneuver into the chamber and begin a look around using the jets of the suit to make a faster sweep.

Angus will follow providing cover with his shotgun.

A rime of glittering ice and frost covered every surface.

The sides of the chamber were lined with debris, mainly broken pallets and packing case. There were several small 1-man vehicles each with an open cabin protected by crash bars. It looked like the grav-lifters used in starports and warehouses, used to move gear, crates and equipment. They were destroyed and obviously non-functional.

Normally all these objects would be floating around in a random mass due to the lack of a functioning grav field. But even in its absence there was still a weak microgravity due to the asteroid ship's rotation. The floor was still oriented down in relation to that and so everything had slowly settled there over time. Possibly in the centuries or longer since this area became non-functional.

Near the opposite wall were two large industrial-style lifts. One was up flush with the ceiling but one was in the down position, offering a look up into the open floor space above them.

Billy follows Angus, shotgun ready, just in case, but leaves exploring the hangar to Jedec.  Using the comms built into the suit, he keeps up a simple commentary for those left outside.

Seeing the open lift shaft he wonders how well the grav belts will work in the microgravity, and fiddles with the controls to try and raise himself a few feet off of the deck.

Linus, as a former storeman in the service, felt quite at home here. He poked around a bit in an attempt to discern the sort of stores that had been kept here and their present state.

Linus noted that this area was a little too small to be a warehouse/supply depot. It lacked the endless floor-to-roof shelving. Whatever was located here was long-taken and the discarded packing and pallets gave no clue as to what might have been stored here before.

Using the grav-belt's thrusters, Billy is easily able to control his flight in zero-gravity with the help of the onboard AI autopilot. However, his acceleration is greatly reduced without a gravity or pseudo-gravity field to work against.

In reply to GM (msg # 192):

There IS gravity though, it is a moon, just low gravity.

Moving carefully, Billy uses the gravbelt to fly up and check out the upper area.

In reply to Billy (msg # 194):

The next level "above" was not more warehouse space.

Instead, it was packed with complex machinery probably used in industrial fabrication. 3D printers, lathes, drill presses, motionless robot arms, conveyor belts, etc. The lift shaft receded off into the distance, indicating dozens and dozens of similar levels.

As he got closer to the lift Billy could also see there were lifts lining the far wall. The large lifts would be to life raw materials up, and return with finished goods. The small lifts were for personnel transport.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:15, Thu 18 Feb 2021.

In reply to GM (msg # 195):

I have no idea if I have anything on the handheld computer that can detect power signatures, but I think we need to figure out some way of planning a route.. this place is stupid massive. I have no interest in going through it all. I am on a rock hurtling through space with no way to control it. I assume people will be back. No idea.. but I want to find whatever we need to get the hell out of here. I turn to my group.

" we need a way to plan movement.. move towards power, something. This place is too massive we could be at this weeks or months. We need to find a working terminal or something."

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 196):

"I agree with you Jedec, is there some more, what's the word I'm looking for? Efficient, . . . way to use our time and resources here?" Angus asks the others.

Billy gets back and reports what he has seen, catching the conversation between Jedec and Angus.  "We tried heading towards a powwer plant, and finished up going down a dead end.  We looked at the best thing we have as a map, on the console that the scientists had managed to get semi-working before we left." he shrugs, "And about the best plan that WE came up with was to follow the main corridor and see what we could find, as we progressed along the ship." he shrugs inside his suit agaoin, "If you can come up with something better, that would be rerally good ...  I'm out of ideas.  The scientists were out of ideas last time we spoke to them, although they are still working on both the map and the console, to see if they can get more information  for us ..."

"At the moments we have air and food, and everything we need to survive.  This rock still has planetary defences operating, automated systems shot down two of our boats  as we approached.  At the moment we have time ..."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:31, Fri 19 Feb 2021.

In reply to Billy (msg # 198):

"Ahhh, I didn't know the defenses are still working, thanks for that bit of news. I don't know any other ways either, I'm stumped."

The group had recently been following a trace of neutrino activity coming from one of many sources in the asteroid ship. Before marooning everyone (except for Angus, who'd been marooned there a lot longer) and Jumping out the Inquisitor had made an optical and laser mapped surface survey, and also detected several small neutrino sources scattered throughout the mass. These signatures indicated multiple (at least 12) small fusion generators in the thousand kilowatt range but at least a couple in the megawatt range. It was trying to follow one of the latter they ran into a dead end.

And these neutrino sources were powering something. Three drones had been shot down when they must have activated hidden point-defence lasers when they got too close to the surface.

They just didn't have enough data at this time to make a guess on the massive ship's internal layout. Aside from the rear engine clusters (destroyed) and the forward Bussard ramscoops (also destroyed) almost nothing was know about its structure. The system map in the agriculture control module was for that module only and only partially detailed, and not of the ship.

"We need to find the main computer. That might give us an overview of the whole asteroid/ship," said Linus who, truth be told, was feeling a bit disconcerted on a vessel that he didn't know the way around of.

"So am I  ... but do we use the belts to go up the levels of these storage areas, or go back to the main corridor, where we left the others?"

"Back to the main corridor, I think," said Linus.

"This doesn't seem to be a major storage area anyway, more of a staging post with limited scope."

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 203):

Angus follows Linus through the corridors, he seems to know something.

The Vargr scientist used her grav-belt to fly up to the large opening in the roof left by the massive lift. She peered up, using her suit light to illuminate the frozen ice-rimed machinery nestled in its supporting struts.

Dr. Goezghae opined. "it's not just a storage area.

"See those? Those are drill presses, lathes, milling machines, extruders, and so on. I think this is mainly a factory, probably automated.

"Where we come in is kind of a loading bay where the finished goods would be collected and sent to where it was needed or into storage. This deserves a closer look some time. At least we know any of these primates won't be messing with it due to it being so cold!"

in a few short minutes, everyone was gathered back at the airlock-style hatches. They cycled back through into the also zero-gee main access tube.

Soon, they were by the scooters parked just outside the entrance.

Glad to get out of the freezing factory unit, Billy eases the seal on his vacsuit and checks the power reserves.  "Well, some might be, later ..." Billy grins at Dr. Goezghae's assertion that the primates won't be playing with the 'factory' tools.  "Once we are ready understand this place a bit more, we might be able to use that to fabricate some of the parts we will need to repair ships."  Still speaking to the scientists Billy asks, "Do you think we could get someone to sort out these scooters for us?  I think they only need the batteries sorted out, then we would be able to travel a bit  faster."

Then back to the team, "Shall  we push on along here, and see what else we can find?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:03, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

"Lead the way Billy, and I'll follow."

"Makes sense," said Linus.

In reply to Billy (msg # 207):

"I think that there might even be parts we can use still in the factory. I'll come back later and do a proper survey!

"I don't think we have anyone available to run batteries out here at the moment. I'll pull Hanno off the surface and he can do it in about an hour.

"I'll wait for him here."

"Thank you Dr. Goezghae." Billy says, as plans are made to get the grav sleds running and storage facility checked out. "We'll check in regularly and  report back as soon as we find anything of interest."

With that Billy starts  out, although slowly enough that one of the others can take the lead, if they want to.

In reply to Billy (msg # 211):

Calls were put through and Hanno confirmed he would be able to RV with Dr. Goezghaege at the entrance to the industrial module. Using a grav pallet he would bring tools and new power cells to work on getting some of the sleds operational.

Using their grav belts to propel them down the zero-G access access shaft, the rest of the expedition quickly traveled to the next module entrance. The trip took about five minutes. The module entrance was another large valve much like the last, also with two flanking personnel hatches.

There appeared to be several bodies either floating in the tunnel, or settled on the outer wall (the wall on the side closest to the outer surface). The floating bodies were also slowly drifting towards the outer wall. Drops of blood were floating as well, twinkling red in the glow panels of the access shaft, and some of it pooled on the outer wall by the bodies. There were some weapons (bows, arrows, spears) floating or drifting against the outer wall or sticking out of corpses.

There was a call on the radio from Dr. Goezghaege. "Hey guys, it's me. I just noticed there are some locals farther down the shaft, opposite the direction you took. Back towards our base. They seem to be keeping their distance. Just scoping me out, I guess? Want me to talk to them?"

In reply to GM (msg # 212):

To the group.

"Well that sounds like a plan? Assuming it's not a large or dangerous group."

To Dr. On the cons

"You confident these are the locals we have encountered and somewhat friendly? You have support there right?"

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 213):

"No, I'm alone. Hanno won't be here for another 30 minutes or so.

"Wish me luck!"

In reply to Dr. Goezghae (msg # 214):

"We better hurry to help if we can, talk him out of it, bodies down here with blood in the water."

Billy cuts into conversation,  "Dr. Goezghae?  Can you get into the factory unit safely?  It is too cold for them to follow you in there."

Then speaking so that only those with him can hear.  "I think we should go back.  If the natives are friendly, we should talk to them as best we can.  If they aren't Dr. Goezghae is in trouble."

In reply to Billy (msg # 216):

Agreed, this can wait. lets head back!

"Okie dokie," said Linus, turning and heading off towards the reported natives, eager to see what was going on.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 218):

Angus moved at a trot to get there quicker. "I'd suggest hurrying!"

"Grav belts ..." Billy reminds his colleagues as he pushes forwards as fast as he can.

"Back up on the way ..." says clicking on the Comms, to let  Dr. Goezghae know they are on their way.

In reply to Billy (msg # 216):

"I can get into the factory. I also have a grav belt so I can fly.

"They are about a hundred metres back. They aren't doing anything, and they look like they're hiding."

You hear some heavy breathing and fumbling around. "There, ok, the hatch is open, I'm going in."

There was a burst of static and you maybe think she was transmitting but the signal was having trouble getting past the bulkhead.

Using the grav belts the team quickly flew back to the previous module down the centre of the gravity-less access shaft.

When they arrived, they didn't see anyone. Both hatches to the factory module were closed and now dogged shut from the inside. (When you left they were unlocked.)

"We are outside now."  Billy activates his comms system to let Dr. Goezghae know that they have arrived, then leaves it open as he  turns to the rest of the group.  "Anyone want to take the lead, and go back to try to find the natives? I wasn't expecting to run across them down here.  I thought they would all be in the Ag Unit."

"I'll go," volunteered Linus.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 224):

"You want company Linus? No one should be alone, you need to be in pairs and armed, just in case."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:50, Sun 07 Mar 2021.

"You'd be very welcome, Angus."

Linus headed off moving quite quickly.

Billy checks his shotgun is ready to fire.  "I'll keep an eye on the hatch, and check there is nothing coming up behind us.  Let me know if you need backup, or  a warning shot fired." He says leaving the initial contact to the others.

Then he backs towards the hatch door, so that he can keep an eye out in both directions.

In reply to Billy (msg # 227):

As he sped away with Linus, Try tapping a code on the door, maybe he'll open."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:46, Mon 08 Mar 2021.

Now they were closer their suit radios were more able to get a signal through the hatch and bulkhead.

After a pause they heard over the radio, "Are you guys outside? I locked the hatches behind me."

"I'm just outside the hatch.  Linus and Angus are approaching the natives." Billy replies to Dr. Goezghae.

Drs. Chandragora and Mirost followed behind, using their own grav belts for propulsion.

They decided to wait at the industrial module entry for everyone to reassemble. They helped Billy keep a watch.

Linus took off followed by Angus. They were looking for the people Dr. Goezghae had spotted following behind them. There were four of them, quite a ways away. About 500m. They were skillfully using the various protrubances and protrusions along the shaft wall to remain hidden. Once it was obvious they were spotted they began bounding back down the access shaft using the microgravity to their advantage with expert precision. Linus and Angus found they were not gaining as fast as they had expected even despite using grav belts, although they would catch up eventually.

The hatch was undogged from the inside and the wheel spun open.

"Hi! Glad to see you guys," she said.

In reply to Dr. Goezghae (msg # 232):

"Likewise. See anything interesting in there?" he asked.

In reply to Dr. Vledistart Mirost (msg # 233):

She sounded excited. "As a matter of fact I did. There looks to be a lot of spare parts and components still available in the fabrication sections of the module. They were waiting use when they shut down the factory. And if we can get the factory going we can maybe make more!"

Linus and Angus slowly gained on the party of natives. It looked like there were 2 of them, expertly using the zero-G to maneuver down the access shaft. They would catch up in a few minutes.

Referee Note: Are you going to catch up? Or hang back and keep them in sight?

I had been thinking of catching up. Angus, what do you want to do?

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 236):

Fine with me, I'll follow your lead.

Billy grins as the hatch opens, then listens to the exchange between the two academics.

"That is good news, and gives a purpose to our search for a power supply.  I suspect that we will need to divert power from somewhere else, IF we are going to get the factory working again."

In reply to Billy (msg # 238):

"Yeah. We would definitely need to restore power to this module to get it functional again. And I'm sure it would work if we did. If we do it would be a great help!"

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 237):

Angus and Linus tried catching up to the fleeing natives. It took several minutes, but they eventually found themselves keeping pace using their grav belts as their quarry expertly bounded down the zero-gee shaft. They certainly knew they were there, but didn't seem to be slowing down. There appeared to be six or seven of them, although it was hard to tell, and all were armed with melee and missile weapons.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:35, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

"All the more reason to find a power source then." Billy answers Dr Goezghae, happier now that there is a good reason behind the search.  "We might be able to manufacture some of the parts we need to get a ship working well enough to get us in and out of jump.  We will need fuel though." he pauses for a moment and then remembers that Jedec was one of the main ship's navigators.

"Jedec? Do you remember if there was a gas giant or any  other natural fuel sources around when we found this asteroid."

In reply to Billy (msg # 241):

Jedec recalled, and the scientists confirmed, that the Sky Raider mothership was on a ballistic course into the void, crossing several parsecs of empty space before its coreward course would take it across the boundary of the Zhodani Consulate. It was deep space and the Inquisitor's sensors did not indicate any planetary or other large masses within at least a light year. The closest fuel source was the outer fringe of the Oort Cloud of the Galatea system, but Galatea was to rimward so they were heading away from it.

Billy grimaces at the news.  A working ship without fuel isn't going to be a lot of good.  Better just hope they can find some, or perhaps synthesise some in this factory unit.

Flipping the comms switch, he calls Angus and Linus.  "How are you doing, guys?  How far are you going to chase those natives?"

Linus was getting out of breath.

"It doesn't seem that they want to talk. Every time we get close, they're off again. They are amazingly agile, though. It's like chasing monkeys..."

Still, by observing the way they moved, he was developing a few new moves of his own.

"Maybe it's time to regroup ..." Billy suggests to the ex-navy man.

In reply to Billy (msg # 245):

Angus looks at Linus with a what do you want to do expression on his face.

In reply to Billy (msg # 245):

Sounds good. lets regroup.

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 247):

"Time to head back Linus, we don't want led into an ambush either. Are they the same ones from up top, or are these the enemies I wonder?"

Linus grinned.

"Okie dokie. Regroup it is... coming, Angus?"

He performed an aerial turn inspired by the natives' antics and headed back the way they'd come.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 249):

Angus followed.

When the others get back, Billy happily tells them that Dr. Goezghae thinks the factory could be made to work, if we can find a way to channel power to it.

"So what now, Doctor?  I suppose we had better wait here with you until the guys who can fix the bikes turn up?  Or shall we push them back to somewhere that will be safew from the natives?" he asks the team.

"We can't leave her here alone."

In reply to Billy (msg # 251):

"Yes, I would appreciate you waiting here with me!"

It was clear the natives they were pursuing were not interested in a fight. When Angus and Linus broke off the others just kept going, swiftly disappearing down the access shaft in the distance.

They regrouped at the entrance to the industrial module. In a short while Hanno and Lucky Jack arrived towing a slow grav sled loaded with tools and battery modules. With the help of the scientists they quickly determined what was needed to return the ancient vehicles to service. It would be possible, but take several hours to accomplish.

In reply to GM (msg # 253):

Seeing it was going to take a while, Hanno thought for a moment.

"Fortunately, there is no gravity here in the access shift. We can just chain the all together, then push them back to where we can work on them safely.

"Speaking of safety, we have 2 camps right now. One at the surface. The other is in the Agro module, the closest module to our surface camp. But to get from one to the other we need to travel about 500 metres or so through the access shaft. If we have natives traversing the shaft as well, what's to stop them from bumping into them while we go from one to the other? There are doors we can lock to keep them out of either area, but we can't control the shaft in between unless we post a guard there."

Billy nods as Hanno describes the problem with the two bases, the obvious solution would be to consolidate in one location, but ...

"Well we need the base on the surface, if the guys are going to keep working on the boats.  But," he turns to Dr. Goezghae, "Some of your colleagues are working on the computer we found in the control centre for the AG Module ...  Both are important. One gives us a chance to leave the asteroid, the other helps us understand it." he adds after a moment of thought.

"But is a working cutter going to do us any good.  It won't have jump drive, and we need that to really get away.  Angus's Scout Ship does, IF it is still functioning ..."

Thought processes exhausted for the moment, Billy looks at the rest of the team, waiting for their input.

In reply to Billy (msg # 255):

"If your ship jumped out of system, the cutters are useless. They can't jump so they can't get us out of here. My scout is the only option to jump out, and we don't even know where it is, let alone whether it is space worthy. Find and repair the scout, forget the cutters, just salvage them of things we may need."

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 256):

The ex-Scout, Hanno, spoke as he worked.

"The ship that stranded us here, the Inquisitor, it's likely to be back bringing God knows who. I guess the hope was we could somehow get to it and take it back when it returns. But that's a distant hope. Really, they shot both cutters down before when things were confused, they can do it again, and it'll probably be easier. Maybe we shouldn't make repairing them a priority. At least until we discover some kind of ship bay with repair facilities. Right now we are mating the surviving engine module from one and the surviving command and service module from another, using hand tools. It can be done but it's unsafe and will take time.

"Angus, you're probably wondering who and why anyone would strand us here. Billy and Jedec, you're probably wondering as well.

"We think the guy that stranded us here is a big-time smuggler and stolen artifact dealer named Enari Kalamanaru."

He explained that Kalamanaru ran a crime syndicate in the neighboring Jungleblut subsector. He was a successful industrialist and shipping magnate and was legitimately successful. But also ran a profitable side business in stolen and smuggled art and artifacts. And he had become obsessed with the Sky Raiders. (Angus had heard about this long-vanished human minor race that had run rampant through Far Frontiers sector thousands of years ago.) First, Kalamanaru had tried and failed to rob a Sky Raider tomb on Mirayn/Jungleblut that Lorrain's father, Dr. Jothan Messandi, had located. Linus, Blake and Ken had tangled with his main henchmen, Bren Pylory and Taren Gildinkur.

Jedec and Billy realised with a start they recognised a man matching Bren's description (tall, close-cropped black hair, facial scar, carried an LAG) had been on the Inquisitor before it mutinied. And that maybe Taren (slender, carried a Zhodani-made ACR) had been there as well, after the takeover (possibly smuggled onboard).

Hanno continued. Lorrain, following her late fathers's evidence, found the tomb on Mirayn first under the auspices of the Institute for Interstellar studies in the League of Suns. Images of the items found inside had been disseminated throughout Jungleblut. Not just the Imperial-friendly League of Suns, but the Zhodani-allied Descarothe Hegemony. A piece of Sky Raider jewelry had been located on a "Free Suns" world, and pointed towards a possible Sky Raider site on Qarant, a world on the border between the Free Suns and the Hegemony and over whom both exercised joint control by treaty.

The Institute of Interstellar Studies in the Free Suns had paid for an expedition to Qarant in the hopes of locating what could possibly be a Sky Raider world. Maybe their home world, as they had seemingly founded no colonies. Again, Kalamanaru followed them, along with his henchmen Pylory and Gildinkur. But they also brought a large force of mercenaries, backed by regular forces of the Hegemony, where Kalamaru did a lot of business and wielded tremendous influence. The Sky Raiders site on Qarant had turned out to be a failed colony and not the Sky Raiders homeworld. The members of the expedition (Blake, Ken, Linus and others, plus Lorain Messandi) entered a gargantuan synthconcrete structure that seemed to be a temple to the Sky Raiders. Further exploration of its depths revealed it had actually once been a planetary defence installation on the outskirts of the colony. Kalamanaru's men followed them into the depths of the temple, then through the web of tunnels beneath it. Following scanner data and other hints they finally made their way to the bottom of a deep pit, actually the base of what had once been a silo. In the bottom of the silo wasn't a surface-to-air/orbit missile but a spacecraft, a 400-ton planetary raiding craft. Once it would have been ready to launch from its hardened and camouflaged silo, now it was converted into a ceremonial tomb. Inside the spacecraft were more skeletonised Sky Raiders, and a salvageable data bank. The remnants of the expedition escaped by climbing the silo up to the surface, and exiting the bunker located there.

Analysis of the data bank revealed three facts: the Sky Raiders were originally an obcure minor human race originating far to trailing in Gushmege Sector, the Loeskalth. The Loeskalth were extremely warlike and after losing a war with the early Vilani Imperium, chose complete annihilation over surrender and assimilation by them. Or so it was thought. Second, this failed colony was founded by dissidents after a devastating civil war among the Sky Raiders. Third, and most mind-boggling, was how the Sky Raiders traveled from Gushmege Sector through Rift, the Spinward Marches and Foreven to arrive in Far Frontiers Sector in a massive asteroid-starship, and how along the way the Loeskalth's already warlike culture was transformed into an almost completely nomadic one. They had not stopped or tarried until they reached Far Frontiers. But once there they settled into a pattern of raiding and pillaging the many helpless worlds there that were already settled by a minor human race, the Vlazdhumecta. The Vlazdhumecta had settled much of Far Frontiers using Zhodani-derived Jump drives before being partially annexed by the Zhodani Consulate, the rest of their worlds falling into pre-spaceflight barbarism making them easy prey for the Sky Raiders who arrived a century later. The Sky Raiders pillaged Far Frontiers for centuries, using their asteroid as a mother ship. Then there was a decades-long civil war that saw many thousands of Sky Raiders leaving a mother ship that was almost completely wrecked, and the rest of the population trapped as it drifted helplessly through the void on a ballistic course heading coreward.

It was by analysing this course the Institute calculated where the mother ship would be, and send an expedition on the Inquisitor, a ship leased from the neutral Mnemnosyne Principality, which was close to the mothership's suspected position. There was a mutiny, or takeover, or something on the Inquisitor, which saw the expedition on the mothership marooned. Then the Inquisitor jumped out. And here they were.

After a couple hours, the grav sleds were repaired.

There were no further sightings of native scouts. No reports of enemies from inside the Agro module, either.
This message was last updated by the GM at 17:04, Tue 27 Apr 2021.

In reply to GM (msg # 258):

"The grav sleds should make it easier to explore the facility, think we can find the 'bridge' of this place so we can find the sensors and maybe find my scout?"

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 259):

I am all for trying to do that!!!

In reply to Jedec Istec (msg # 260):

"I think I can point us in the right direction to find the bridge. It's likely internal, not on the surface. But our survey of the exterior indicated extensive battle damage. Plus there was a civil war here. I don't hold much hope it's intact.

"We could try for a secondary control module. That is likely to be more towards the aft areas and the engines. But again, much damage there."

"Can we find a plan of the vessel, or some kind of directory?" asked Linus.

The Navy ships he'd served on always had ways in which anyone could find their way around. He started looking for the sort of signs he was familiar with: frame numbers, directional signs, wall-mounted plans and so on.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 262):

"Anything is possible. I can't say.

"The Sky Raiders seemed loathe to document anything like a normal navy or military might. But we've not found any kind of command centre."

Billy takes a deep breath as he listens to the conversation, then tries to sum things up.  "So we are going to pull everyone back from the surface, and set up the main base in the area by the ag-module.  From there, the scientists can explore this factory unit in more detail, if they think there is something there of value." but his brow furrows in concern.  "However, we know that the natives use this area,  so the base needs to be secured and trips away should be carried out by armed teams, rather than one person acting alone."

Looking around at the others, he continues  "We take the grav bikes and explore further along this large transit way towards the rear of the vessel, looking for a command centre or a working power source - but keeping an eye out for Angus's scout and anything else that might be of interest."

Taking a deep breath, he continues "Does that cover it?"

In reply to Billy (msg # 264):

Angus nods agreement!

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 265):

Once everyone was able, the group regrouped and assembled back at the base camp.

In reply to GM (msg # 266):

"Ok, I think now we know a little about what is going on here, we need to consolidate our plans.

"At this time getting an operational cutter seems like a low priority.

"I think we do need to pull back our base to within the ag module itself. Like, in the forest near the top of the elevator where we can keep an eye on it. We can't really defend the old crew quarters.

"From there we send out expeditions to map out the various modules.

"Priorities for modules are power and command. As well, Angus' Seeker, so a ship's bay of some kind.

"Sounds like a plan?"

"The pretty young lady has the gist of it! I agree with her. Maybe check out the drives for the asteroid itself if they aren't too damaged. Or are they?""

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 268):

"Yes, let's survey the drives. Externally, they seem heavily damaged. Repair and use might take thousands of technicians, but it's not impossible. If nothing else we can make a record for future expeditions."

In reply to Dr. Goezghae (msg # 269):

Angus nods to the doctor, a good idea.

"All makes sense, especially mapping out the place," said Linus.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 271):

"Cartographer? I can help." he looks from one face to the next.

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 272):

"I hate to mention this, but we kind of left the hatch that the raiders that were attacking the village took to get here. Let's block that off, if nothing else, so we don't need to worry about them coming through."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 273):

"Oh, you're right, no sense in getting attacked from the rear."

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 274):

"Fine. Angus, you and Linus take Blake and Ken. If you weld it we can always cut our way in later to unseal it.

"Or, before you seal it, maybe check out where it goes?"

"OK," said Linus, getting up.

"If we have a welding set I can operate it."

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 276):

"Yep, we sure have one of those."

Linus, Angus, Blake and Ken all took grav belts and made the hop to the hatch where the raiders had come through the day before yesterday to attack the village.

Slung on Blake's back was a laser rifle power pack with the rifle itself clipped to it. He'd traded it for his carbine so they could laser-weld the door shut if need be.

They landed a little ways away from the massive ventilation shaft grates on the forest floor where the hatch was located.

In reply to GM (msg # 278):

Reading his combat shotgun Ken said, "right, time for a little recce. let's see if those primitive buggers are still around." He then checked the forest using thermal goggles. "I see nothing. We're safe to move in."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 279):

Angus had his shotgun ready too. It was a fully loaded pump type loaded with buckshot, tear them up bad if they came.

It was midday in the massive 12-sided chamber that was home to Udam and his people. Udam's home was a village set in fields cleared from a forest that stretched kilometres in each direction. It was set on a mound that was made from the ruins of other ancient settlements.

Each of the 12-facets was teeming with plant and animal life. Thick forests, grassy fields, with scattered lakes fed by streams full of fish. Separating each of them were sheer mountain ranges several hundred metres high or more, with tunnels and passages through them. In the middle of the space burned a small sun which dimmed every 12 hours, then brightened, to provide a day-night cycle. By looking up, one could see the other facets, green and blue and dotted with white clouds. Beneath their feet the rich soil was honeycombed with other rooms and passages and long-empty storehouses, hundreds of metres down.

However, Udam and his people knew that this chamber was merely one of many that were hollowed out in their world. A world that, according to legend, was travelleing through a great and endless void on some journey. There were many other such chambers, some as large but most smaller. Connected to each other by other tunnels and passages. Also, gravity was different in other places. It was absent in the transit shafts that connected the different modules. In rooms and chambers that appeared to be damaged or non-functional gravity was also gone. In those places it was often very cold and the air was wrong, and these places were forbidden by custom.

The raiders that had attacked their village had come from outside the module. They had entered using a hatch at one of the many large vents that were set in the forest floor. This was not their first such raid, and they had been fought off before. But this time the village fought them off with help with some "outsiders", strangers not from this world, wielding weapons that resembled that of the old drawings and of legend.

Udam and another villager, Igar, were posted as sentries there to make sure the raiders didn't return before the hatch had been sealed or at least explored. Udam was in charge. They would be relieved at the end of the day. Four of the Outsiders arrived, flying (as was sometimes their habit). The Outsiders readied their weapons as if they were intending to enter the hatch. Udam and Igar were under instructions from the Elder Council to help them if they could.

In reply to GM (msg # 281):

There were two friendly villagers guarding the vent hatch the raiders had used. One was wearing a leather jerkin (Jack) and armed with a bow. A spear was leaning against a nearby tree. The other, who seemed to be the more senior and capable of the two, was wearing a mail hauberk and armed with a crossbow and broadsword.

At this time the Outsiders did not understand the language of the villagers. One spoke to the other.

Igar said, "Udam, it looks like the Outsiders are going to explore the hatch. Should we help them?"

Although much of the materials that adorned the local warriors were from natural sources, a few obviously synthetics materials had been cannibalized at some point in the past. Some of the braids in the warriors hair were held in place by blue wire insulation, and several of the links in his mail were in fact washers that had been repurposed.

His sword, resembling an ancient pattern called a "faussart" was a thick single edged affair about three feet long without a hilt...a fan blade ground down into a serviceable weapon and given a more comfortable grip. The wooden sheath at his hip had been decorated with fading paints.

The older warrior turned to Igar and nodded, with a gesture to the hatch. "Of course, even with so few they could make all the difference. I have not met them yet in any case, and I am curious to see them for myself"

Udam approached the Outsiders with a wave of his free hand, gestured between Igar and himself, then to the group. He then smiled, patted the uncocked crossbow, and gestured to the hatch in an inviting way.

In reply to Udam (msg # 283):

"I hear they awoke the Sleeping Man! The one who's been sleeping since before I was born, they say. Do you think they use the magic of the Old Loeskalth? Are they the Old Loeskalth, returned?" Igar was a sturdy fellow of 22, quick and full of stamina for a hard day's work. But he was a simple man.

Referee's Note: At this time you cannot understand the local language. This is just for RP.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:10, Thu 10 June 2021.

In reply to Igar (msg # 284):

Angus holds up an empty hand at their friendliness, and continues to advance. He points the shotgun at the ground.

In reply to Angus McStubbin (msg # 285):

Igar's eyes went wide, then he subtly motioned towards Angus. He whispered, "that's him! The Sleeping Man!"

In reply to Igar (msg # 286):

"Hello!" he said slowly, then he pointed at himself, "Me Angus!"

"I do not know..." Udam replied to Igar when asked about the origin of the Sleeping Man, these outlanders and their powers. "It would make sense that the Sleeping Man is one of the Old Loeskalth I think, but what magic they must have had to make a man sleep so long and so deeply. With no food and no water..." he trailed off in wonder and a sense of awe.

Then, as if summoned by speaking his name, he appeared. Igar's eyes went wide, and in turn Udam also looked surprised and a little wary. The whites of his eyes could be seen and he almost seemed to sway backwards on his feet. He shared a glance with Igar, slightly open mouthed, and stared openly at the Sleeping Man as his blue eyes roved head to foot, taking in the details.

And when the Sleeping Man spoke, Udam advanced half a step and cleared is throat. "Udam" he placed a hand on his chest, then gestured to the other man. "Igar"

What followed was a few moments of uncertainty before Udam bowed his head and averted his eyes for a few moments, occasionally glancing up warily. "How can we be of service?" he asked somewhat formally in his native tongue.

In reply to Udam (msg # 288):

Not understanding the man's language, Ken returned the gesture, bowing his head.

"Um, I fink 'es sayin' 'ello. No harm in being polite, innit?

"But without some way o' translatin', this is not going to be easy. 'Is name is Udam, the other bloke is Igar. I fink."

"Ken. My name is Ken. Ken."

This one of the strangers seemed to have been a warrior, once, perhaps when he was younger. He indicated the others' names by touching them.

"Angus.

"Linus.

"Blake"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:28, Tue 15 June 2021.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 289):

The language impasse was soon solved by the arrival of someone from the village.

They recognised Hanno, one of the expedition members. He landed and switched off his grav belt.

"Hello! Dr. Gildinkir sent some presents!" He opened his satchel and showed Angus, Linus, Ken and Blake he had translator devices for them. "The good doctor finished compiling his language matrix.

"He says there might be a few inaccuracies at first. But soon you'll forget you even have them on."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:20, Wed 16 June 2021.

"Excellent," said Linus, taking one and looking at it curiously.

Another member of the local tribe walks up. He is solidly muscled, and has on his belt a sword of the local style, an iron tube and a couple of pouches. From his neck dangles a piece of loosely woven cord, blackened at one end. The other locals will recognise him as Shukhunaar, a proven warrior of the tribe.

"Udam, Igar, do you need help? Who are these strangers?"

Udam turned to Shukhunaar as he approached, and the nodded to the question. "We do, if you are ready to be gone for some time." he replied. "The Outlanders seem to be going to close the hatch, and we are trying to offer out help. We are having trouble speaking with each other..." he shrugged.

"Hopefully they will let us come along anyway. are you ready to go?" he asked, and looked over the somewhat younger man.

As he spoke, Hanno got everyone's units booted up and set to translate automatically through their earpiece.

"It is. Dr. Gildinkur wants you to try them out. He's got them working for the people at the village but he wants a field test.

"Go on, talk to our friends here. Let's see if they work."

He gestured at the locals who were observing them, while also keeping an eye on the hatch near the vents set into the forest floor.

"OK, here goes..."

Linus spread a broad grin across his face and walked slowly towards the natives, hands in plain sight.

"Hello. My name is Linus. We have come a long way, from the stars. Can you understand my words?"

He spoke slowly and clearly, giving the translation software plenty of time to keep up.

Shukhunaar looks startled.
"How are they repeating what they say in our language, in a different voice?"

He looks at Udam and says "If they are going to go through the hatch, I suppose someone should keep an eye on them. I will gladly travel with you."

Udam was obviously shocked by the introduction. He backed up a step, his mouth hanging open and he glanced around in confusion.

"How do you know our language Linus?" he asked breathlessly. "For days we believed that you could not understand us." he glanced around to the other Loeskalth before he looked back to Linus. "We have so many questions."

In reply to Udam (msg # 297):

"The program works, we have communication! As I said, I'm Angus." he repeats.

"We do not know your language well... Udam. We have a device that helps us find the right words for what we want to say."

Linus struggled a bit finding a good way to explain a translation program to someone who probably had no idea what a computer was.

"But now we have the box that finds our words, you may ask your questions and we shall do our best to answer them. What would you like to know?"

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 299):

After verifying the translators worked, Hanno relayed the information via comm unit to the prickly linguist, who responded with a curt "yes, I knew it would unless you messed it up somehow." He then cut the connection.

Hanno shook his head at Dr. Gildinkuur's reply. "What a pleasant fellow.

"So, before I leave are we just sealing the hatch, or are you going to check it out? Follow where it goes?"

"I am Shukhunaar. What do you seek beyond the hatch?"

Shukhunaar tries speaking towards the box that finds words, hoping they understand.

The one who had called himself Udam seemed almost at a loss for words. Like being presented with a tangible proof of faith, and one that offered to answer the mysteries of existence, he struggled briefly and looked around before he answered.

"Where are you from?" He eventually asked. "How did you revive the Sleeping Man? Long have we wondered about him. Is he of the Old Loeskalth?" he asked, speaking somewhat slowly and formally.

And then eventually. "We could speak all day I am sure, but we do not wish to take your valuable time. You wish to go through the door? May we go with you? To help protect you?"

"We come from far away, across the black to your asteroid/ship," Linus began.

"We have many stories to tell you, and would hear yours. There is no hurry."

In reply to Udam (msg # 302):

"Sleeping Man? Must be talking about me. I'm not Loeskalth, as far as I know."

Udam seemed to process this, and glanced about at the others of his tribe as he drew a little nearer to the outlanders.

"Our story? We are the Loeskalth, well one group of them. There used to be many." He explained. "We are known as the Believers, as we have passed down the knowledge that our Ancestors built this world for their children. Some disagree with this, and there have been many, many battles over these teachings." he said quite seriously. "We found this place when I was a child, before that we were wanderers, and we have lived here and protected it ever since."

When he had finished, he licked his lips and looked a little uncertain. "Please, will you tell us what an As-ter-oid is? Is that what you call these wide open spaces?" he asked in turn, and looked between them.

In reply to Udam (msg # 305):

"Linus, Doctors? I'm not the best at explaining."

"Uh... an asteroid is a large rock that travels through space. This whole... environment... is built inside of one. It is your world. This is where you and your ancestors have lived for generations. Your Ancestors did indeed build, or at least hollow out and equip, this world for your use. So your belief is correct."

Linus did his best, although he also felt out of his depth at trying to explain what was going on to people for whom this was the only world they had ever known.

It seemed that what Linus lacked in detail, he made up for in validation.

As the older man spoke, Udam attempted to keep him himself composed. The somewhat stoic demeanor cracked however in the end and it was clear that the younger Loeskalth tribesman had tears in his eyes and that he was trying to keep from weeping.

There was co-mingled joy, and relief and rapture tinged with a sort of life long weariness on his scarred face. And as Linus finished Udam took a shuddering breath.

"Forgive my weakness" he eventually said, and wiped at his eyes. "My people have fought tooth and nail for generations, we have wandered and suffered for our beliefs. And now you have come to tell us that...that it was all worth it." he explained, throwing a gesture with one hand back towards their settlement.

"That I lived to see the day..." He said to himself and shook his head with the beginning of a smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:56, Mon 28 June 2021.

"It is my honour to be able to confirm that your belief is indeed true," said Linus.

He could understand how momentous it was to have someone tell you that something you thought was true actually was incontrovertably correct, especially if others had argued against it.

"It is as we have always said. Our ancestors prepared this for their descendants. It is good to know our ways are true."

Shukhunaar looks at his fellows and says "How should we deal with those who refuse to accept the truth? Perhaps if we follow these voyagers in their journey beyond the hatch, we might find proof to show them?"

"If I may suggest, be kind to those who do not accept your beliefs. It's going to be a big shock to discover that they were wrong. Treat them as you would like to be treated yourselves. Be gentle, don't say 'I told you so' or mock them," said Linus, gently yet firmly.

Udam was obviously still somewhat overwhelmed with the news, but he seemed to process enough of what Linus said to reply.

It was obvious that he had not really considered the prospect.

"No...no, there will be some who will want revenge, of course." He let out a soft, weary sigh and looked away. "But for myself, I have seen enough of war to believe that we must save what Loeskalth are left. Some will fight, perhaps most will fight. But with enough evidence, some may be made to accept the truth of things." he looked back.

"Perhaps if we come across something that would help us do this, you might let us know?" he asked the Outlanders.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Thu 01 July 2021.

The hatch in the forest floor was next to some gigantic vents, also set into the ground. All around them towered ancient trees. A wind sighed through the branches, small animals rustled in the underbrush and birds twittered in the forest canopy overhead.

A few days ago the primitive raiders had come through it to sneak up and attack their village. Now the choice was to seal it off, or perhaps go back through it to find the source of the attackers. The attackers had been one of the many splinter tribes that had gone feral over the past centuries as most remaining descendants of the Loeskalth people on board the mother ship descended into religious theocracy, their origins and history as the fierce Sky Raiders became myth and legend.

It seemed that the time had come to make a decision.

Udam hefted his crossbow, the weapon a combination of natural and scavenged materials. The bow stave itself seemed to be some sort of steel, and the drawstring was a thin woven metal cable, but the stock was some kind of hardwood, carved and decorated with a stubby, compact design ideal for tunnel fighting.

He stooped, put his foot in the stirrup, and fed the cable into a double pronged hook that hung from his belt. He spanned the weapon with a steady motion as he stood, locked the cable back, and then drew a wicked looking barbed bolt from the pouch in his belt.

The serrated head glinted in the wan light, and the crimson fletching was vivid against the natural colors that he wore as he settled the cable into the notch and rested the bolt into the groove.

So armed, he nodded to the Outlanders. "We will follow you."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:31, Thu 01 July 2021.

In reply to Udam (msg # 314):

"You want to lead the way Linus? I don't know the way either."

Linus looked stern.

"There will be no more fighting, the matter is no longer open to debate. Faith fades in the clear light of fact."

He stretched and looked round.

"Well, Angus, maybe we had best ask our local friends. We are the strangers here after all."

Like most things in their world the hatch had been there forever, since it was made by the Old Loeskalth. The villagers hadn't known it was there, hidden under the rich loam and detritus of the forest floor. The vast vents a few metres away, also set into the forest floor, were silent and beginning to be overgrown by vegetation. A tree, perhaps a few decades old, was growing up through one.

Igar looked at the hatch.

"It goes down a long ways.

"Uh, I'll stay here and guard it if you wish to explore the passages the invaders used to raid our village."

Shukhunaar looked down, then looked at Udam.

"I will journey with you. Only by mapping their route to attack us can we learn to defend against these  new strategies."

Blake hefted the laser rifle.

"I'll stay here as well. No sense in risking this, when you get back we can decide to seal off the hatch or not."

Checking his shotgun Ken scoffed, "now, don't everyone go first."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 321):

Angus goes first. heading into the hatch, shotgun slung over his shoulder.