the cargo bay is set up in zones, each of which can be configured for gravtiy and temperature and security. there's a large sectional floor hatch, part of which can be opened in quadrants as well as the entire floor.

there is also an overhead crane system.

[From Bridge]

Craig donned a vacc suit and then came down to the cargo bay and began to familiarize himself with it.  First he checked that the existing cargo was properly secured, checked the operation of the environmental controls and the crane and then tried to figure out the floor hatch.

OOC: Is there cargo on each section of the floor hatch?  Is the floor hatch an airlock or does it open directly to space?

there is some cargo on two of the side sections, but it's not that much. the escape pod seems to be a standard size, so it should fit through just half of the hatch. But, no, it's not an airlock.

Shamus will assist Kraig in preparing the cargo bay.

Kraig looked up and nodded as Shamus appeared.  "Can you check that the cargo is secured?  Also, we'll need to open the hatch to space so help me make sure that there is nothing here that won't be ruined by vacuum."

Shamus will secure any loose cargo and store anything that might be damaged by vacuum. "I'll work the controls, while you secure the pod."

All the cargo that's there is already secured. Like in most ships, it's held by gravity as well as cargo straps or nets. Anything that can be damaged by a cold hard vacuum is normally shipped in special containers, but there are none of those here, and the manifest does not indicate anything of that nature.

Once the ship is in position, 50% of the cargo bay dorsal hatch is opened.

Piloting is excellent as there is just enough drift to get the escape pod into the cargo bay. A buffer pad on the ceiling isn't even needed as the restraining net catches it.

the cargo hatch is closed and you've got an escape pod sitting in the middle of the cago bay now.

  "wake up, we're rescued...maybe." Roland called out to the other occupant of the escape pod. Roland readied himself. peering out of any view port he could trying to get a look at the occupants of the ship. Then Sealing his armor, and charging his rifle he stepped over to the hatch and waited for the rescuers to pressurize the cargo hold.

Shamus pressurizes the hold, readies his rifle and comms the bridge, "Pod aboard, checking it out now."

Seeing the face in the viewport, Shamus moves behind cover and signals for the occupant to exit the pod.

Kraig seals his vacc suit and working with Shamus retrieves the pod.  He ties the pod down to the cargo hooks on the deck and then glances at his comrade.  He calls out on the comms;

[Comm]
"Looks like at least one person alive in the pod."

Glancing around he pressurized the cargo hold and stepped out to the side of the entrance of the pod such that Shamus had a clear line of sight.  "Cover them Shamus, I'll talk to them."

   Roland took the initiative and popped the hatch as soon as it was clear. Stepping out clad head to toe in worn, and well used Imperial combat armor he kept his rifle down, but held it ready. the markings on his armor were Assault Marine. though the fading and scouring over the past few years showed it had been a while since the last time he had to stand for inspection.
   "Roland Steen, Lately of he "Drifters Luck" Thanks for the pickup." he called out as he spotted the crewmen. His voice was distorted by his helmets speakers, and amplified slightly." The Swords Blasted my ship out from around me... What happened dirtside?"

Keeping the man in his sights, "Things are FUBAR, situation normal, we're bugging out. Other than that, once you put your rifle down, welcome aboard."

  Roland popped his visor and raised it to let the man see his face. He quickly cleared the magazine from his weapon, cleared the chamber and pocketed the two ejected projectiles before he Slung the rifle over his shoulder. Doing the same with his sidearm." I was with the 315th Assault, a few years ago. Standard ops would be to deploy a security cordon around the system and intercept anything trying to leave... You're going to need me with a weapon if we get intercepted, and boarded."

Looks over at Kraig (and over bridge comms), "Not up to me, your call or whoever is the boss up on the bridge."

Lowers his rifle to the ready. "Good enough for me, 315th ass, never met em, but, I've heard of them..garbage, but, we considered everybody else, shit."

  Ever'body's a critic." Roland snorted jamming a cigar in his mouth, but to moving to light it." Till they need the job done right."

A second person--a human male--stepped out of the escape pod, hands in the air from past experience.

"Don't shoot! I'm only the piano player!" the man said, making an oblique reference to a slang name for a pilot. Just in case they didn't get the reference, he offered a less obscure explanation.

"Actually, I was the pilot. Swordies didn't want anyone jumping out of the sysem. Cap'n decided to make a run for it. Didn't know they had a fast pursuit ship. Slagged us just before we reached point."

He doubted they needed to know all that, but he tended to talk a bit too much when he was nervous.


FYI: Randy's player had a major family crisis shortly after he joined, so he had to bail on the game. I've kept the character around in case he had the chance to rejoin.

Kraig relaxed as the situation seemed to be resolving itself without violence.  "I'm Kraig Pars, welcome aboard the Dust Runner.  We're beating feet to the 100D point to jump away from the war."  At Roland's question he frowned.  "The Swordies jumped in, squashed the defenses and are busily securing the planet.  I'm sure they'll have it all buttoned up in just a few more days."

OOC

Steve entered after checking atmo was normal.

"What do we have here?"

  "Well, hell! Looks like I caught the last ship out." Roland replied to the status reports from the surface. Glancing to the New arrival "Roland Steen, Sergeant, steward, and wrench monkey... Just a man in the wrong place at the wrong time looking for a ride, and willing to earn his way."

   "You the Skipper of this Fine vessel?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:36, Wed 23 July 2014.

"No, I'm ahh 'Commodore' of the squadron, my other ship is on planet. The Baroness was elected captain here. I'm a Bounty Hunter, ex-Scout, though I'm pretty sure officially recalled to duty." 

"Well I hope you remember where you parked your dreadnought Commodore," Roland chuckled and motioned to the ship." I think this one is a bit light for a counter attack."

  "I'm guessing the pan is to haul ass to the nearest system not crawling with swordies and let them know they have a war on their hands."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Wed 23 July 2014.

As Roland and Steve talked, Kraig stepped forward and examined the escape pod.

"It's a Scout courier, IISS issue and amazingly Gahler my pilot sabotaged it when we left, paranoid or prescient. Speaking of which, there is a Zho aboard."

"Oh and call me Steve. Commodore is a personal joke, I hate titles."

"We're headed to Victoria, Red world, there might be an interdiction squadron there."

  "Well then." Roland raised an eyebrow first at the plan to head to an interdicted world then the mention of a Zhodani." If I can Lend a hand I'll be happy to. I know my way around engineering, and I can put a halfway decent meal on the table if nothing else."

"Welcome aboard, can always use another hand down in the bowels... Name's Shamus" Extends his hand.

  "Good to meet ya." Roland offered his hand took an extra cigar out of his pocket and offered it."I owe the crew a drink when we get somewhere not going to hell."

Although he'd introduced himself earlier Kraig extended his hand as well.  "I'm Kraig Pars, glad to have you aboard Roland.  We can all use that drink and a dozen more when we get out of here."  He looked up as a slight flicker passed through the ship, not really noticeable to the eye or instrument.  "We've Jumped it seems.  At least we are clear of the system safely."

" Hell considering that pod was on a one way trip to the deep black, I'll buy and smile while I'm paying." Roland shook the second mans hand." So we're clear, and free for now. Anyone have a bunk and a set of clean clothes I can borrow. Most of my gear is scattered between here and the Ort cloud."

Takes the offered cigar, "there's a meeting right now, we'll go to that, and then scrounge you up some new clothes."

Off to the galley>>>

"Got it chief." Roland nodded and then nodded to the rest Following Shamus to the alley.

====> Dust Runner Galley

Kraig shook hands with Roland and as the others departed gave the cargo hold and everything in it one last check to see that all was secure and then headed to the galley.

[To the Galley]

He was grateful for the rescue, of course, but he still didn't trust these people... mostly because he just didn't know them.

So after he introduced himself, and his nerves calmed down, he just let Roland do the talking.

When the announcement came over the ship's comm, everyone filed out of the cargo bay and headed for the galley. Randy followed.