The battle to destroy the Vilani patrol that had been plaguing the outer dissident colonies was a brief, one sided affair on the 22nd of October 2172. Fortunately, no Vilani escaped to report this, though a number were captured. It was suggested by the dissidents that a good intelligence operative could be transported by their freighter onto Vilani worlds Beta-Port, and from there to either Orgill or Ceti Command, as reuested, in order to find out ways of bringing down the local self-proclaimed Vilani Governor, Commodore Eleni Managudeli. They will allow you to interrogate the prisoners before you leave if you wish.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:00, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

Gardner accept the dissidents offer to interrogate the Vilani prisoners. The prisoners were a sorry lot, stranded on a foreign world and captured by an enemy that hated them. Gardner almost feel sorry for them.

He separate the officers from the enlisted and start to interview the enlisted men first. His goal is to get intelligence on the officers from the enlisted men and then use it against the officers laters.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 2):

You gain some general information about the region, but for more detailed information, select the influence roll that reflects how you are trying to gather information, and make a roll. If you want to use different techniques for officers and enlisted men, you can roll for both separately. They will be opposed rolls, as per Basics, Campaigns, P359.

Orgill similarly has just a small spaceport, really, and supporting population, but nothing else. Beta Port is where there is a moderate farming community numbering nearly 1,000, but Ceti Command is where the majority of the Sectors populace are, commanded by Commodore Eleni Managudeli, with over 10,000 Geonee, many farmers, but also a Military Battalion and the Naval Base, if it could be called that.  The sector primarily exports supplies and foodstuffs, as well as some live animals.

Managudeli has recently purchased a single Kargash class cruiser, but has patrols based at Beta Port and Orgill. It seems that most of the engineering section are not in favour of Managudeli, but have family in vulnerable positions. Typical of Vilani dictators. It will take them a month to realize they have lost the patrol.

LT David Gardner rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,5,4.  Interrogation Enlisted Men @ 14 (Success +4)

LT David Gardner rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,3.  Interrogation Officers @ 14 (Success +7)

---

Gardner make notes about the region - the demographics and the economy. He is curious about how the nomadic Geonees are treated by their Vilani overlord, Commodore Elani Managudeli

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 4):

It is clear that Managudeli, an Vilani Noble, does not treat Geonee well, and is disliked as a result. Many of the Geonee would openly rebel if it were not for the tight control Managudeli has over the Military. The armour division on Ceti Command is crewed by Anakundu, who are fierce warriors and unfortunately fiercely loyal to the Vilani, and Managudeli makes the most of that. Possibly the loyalty is due to the life-extending drug gakinisharra that the Vilani provide them.

Your interrogation of the officers reveals that they are actually concerned about Geonee rising up, and the purpose of the Patrols is to ensure they do not. They believe the current threats are effective about keeping them in line, but one accidentally lets slip a fear that Terran weapons, or any weapons in great number, might change that. Or an assassination.

LT David Gardner rolled 16 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,6,5.  Interrogation Officers about Gakinisharra @ 14 (Failure)

---

Gardner wonders how Managudeli brings in the gakinisharra and where it is stored. If the gakinisharra is lost the loyalty of the Anakundu will be in question. And if that happens  then the Geonee will fear the Armored Division just little less - making an uprising more likely. But it seems as if people either dont want to talk about it or dont know anything about it.

So with little else to do here he wonders how he can get to Orgill or Beta Port.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 6):

lol, therein is the danger of assumption. It is an opposed check, you rolled 2 over. Ironically, so did they!

They do not want to mention, of course, but they clam up when you mention Orgill, the only route into the region from Vilani space.

There is a small dissident freighter planned to pass through this region on a run to Beta Port in the next few days. They would be happy to take you there.

My mistake LOL. In my group we just always say that a failure is a failure even in opposed rolls.

---

Gardner express his gratitude to the captain of the freighter for his willingness to take him to Orgill. He doesnt quite know what to expect from Orgill if the drugs are there he will find them.

On the way there he spend as much time as possible with the crew on the dissident freighter, listening to stories about life in the system and their dreams. With a little bit of luck they may even know who are the leaders of the Geonee community in the system.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:20, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 8):

The crew are happy to talk about the dissident community. However, they correct you that they are going to Beta port, but they feel sure you can get transport to Orgill. They will introduce you to some of the underground when they land, as they will be taking the drugs that they are growing and selling them. They believe that the gakinisharra, however, only passes through Orgill on the regular freighter trips that Managudeli's 2 freighter colonies do. They believe he has 2 convoys that make the 2 month long trip, with one landing every month on Ceti Command. But it all must pass through Orgill...it is the only world in this cluster in range of Vilani space.

In reply to Dissident (msg # 9):

The route taken is not short. On 25th October 2172, you depart Nova Pacifica for Faith. The massive gas giants loom large as you come out of Hyperspace, and the freighter loads up with an impressive amount of drugs of various sorts, that go into the hold alongside the boxes of Vilani weapons taken from the crew of the Warships. Several of the crew stated they would happily join the dissidents if their families could be smuggled out, so there is a list of names the crew plans to bring back, and discussions about accommodating them here are a big part of the discussion.

The supplies they load up are something else though. Large bugs dominate the supplies picked up at Faith and they take quite some getting used to, much to the amusement of the other crew members, but you are assured they are very nutritious. The next stop is an uninhabited world, where you refuel and refine the fuel for the next jump. You are told the next system is Clameer, which you are told was uninhabited following a Vilani attack recently that cost them a patrol cruiser and a Shamshir. Now that the patrol is gone, the freighter makes another pass over the planet, broadcasting the news about the lost patrol. The date is the 20th of November 2173.

To everyone's amazement, they receive a response! The freighter immediately moves in to land near the signal, a deep canyon some distance from where the previous colony had been. From your records, you find that it is probably the location of the hidden base the survivors of the Jacques Cartier made.

[Private to GM: Offer to LT 1 dTon of Sharaddun, sale price $1 M (3000 doses)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:13, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

Deciding that giant bugs are the stuff that nightmares are made of, Gardner is happy to finally get his feet on the fround when the freighter touch down at Clameer. He steps out of the freighter and takes a deep breath - fresh air is just better than the recycled air aboard a spaceship. He looks up at the canyon walls surrounding the landing site and see if there is a welcome party waiting for them.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 11):

There are a pair of armed folk standing at the mouth of a very hard to see cave about 500 m away. The two crew with you begin to walk towards them.

Once you meet, they welcome you in, asking you to sell some of their produce for them. The herb is an odd one they refer to as Sharaddun, and they offer you 1 dTon if you will sell the other 3 dTon for them. The freighter captain says he is willing to carry it, but their purchaser does not want any more, and offers the deal to you, for a fee, if you are willing to sell it. For 5,000 solars, paid after 2 months, he will transport it to Beta Port. Sale price of 1 dTon is about 1 Million solars, and it would provide plenty of Vilani currency for insurgent work...

Feeling totally lost Gardner agrees to the deal. He has no idea about economics, finances or trade in general but the prospect of gaining funds to buy arms for the dissidents lures him in.

During the negotiations Gardner tries to get an idea about the people he is dealing with - how do they feel about The Empire, about the Terran Confederation and life on Clameer in general.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 13):

Life on Clameer was made much more difficult by the need to hide once a month from prying Vilani patrols. Even without them, life on the planet is difficult, but it is no secret most would prefer it over living under the guns of Vilani armour. Some have a distinct hatred of Vilani, but most just despise Managudeli's harsh policies. Whilst many would not be ideal citizens, you get the impression that outright criminals would be in the minority here.

Amoung their other work is production of Terran computers, which can enable Vilani craft to jump where there are no Jump drives. They have several working computers that they ask you to check, destined for Vilani dissident freighters in the sectors.

A computer operations, -1 for the unusual task, will suffice for checking the computers. Any further information should require an Influence roll of your choice.

LT David Gardner rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,1.  Computer Operation @ 15-1 (Success +2)

LT David Gardner rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,2,1.  Diplomacy @ 16 (Success +7)

---

Gardner checks the computers whille all the time talking to the dissidents about their dreams and fears.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 15):

The computers seem to work just fine, and they are soon loaded aboard the starship.

Most dissidents are simply everyday folk who want to make a good living, but under the Vilani caste system, managers above keep taking most of the profits making them virtual slaves of the system. They therefore looked to get out, and were punished for it, with friends and family often giving their lives. It is therefore not surprising that Managudeli is hated, as he has used both biological weapons and on 2 occasions rolled in the Armoured car platoon, and on one occasion even rolled in the Tank platoon based on Ceti Command. Most of the families of dissidents are kept in slums on Ceti Command, and though the population numbers nearly 50,000, the official count is just 10,000, including the Geaonee infantry battallion of 1000 men and 80 G-Carriers. They do not doubt that if the 50 armoured cars and 50 tanks could be disabled, and the Anukundu's fort overrun, then Managudeli would be gone. But then, his residence is within the fortress. His warships are the next biggest threat, with their nukes.

Beta Port has a population of just over 1,500, of which there are only 100 Geonee troops, with 2 Medium tanks and 5 Armoured cars acting as a local 'police force', but the Warships in the system always threaten them with nukes if they do not tow the line. It is largely a farming colony, but most of the produce is taken back to Ceti Command and exported.

Fortunately, Orgill has little more than a refuelling station. With a population of barely 100, half of whom are Geonee soldiers and the other half work the refuelling base, the warships in the system once again provide the real threat.

Clearly, they dream of a quiet, fair life free from fear of being nuked by Vilani overlords, personified by Managudeli. They point out that not all Vilani are that bad. Indeed, some are even amoung the dissidents. Not many, but some.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:39, Wed 13 Feb 2019.

Taking note of the information Gardner thanks the dissidents for the deal and make preparations to ship the drugs to Beta Port.

He inquires if the drugs are illegal and if they need to be smuggled into Beta Port.

Gardner plans to visit Beta Port, sell the drugs scout the place out and if that goes well then continue to Orgill.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 17):

The drugs are definitely illegal, being combat drugs.

The jump to Beta Port is routine. The binary system has nearly as many stars as it does gas giants, and the twin stars make for the perfect place to jump in unnoticed. The small cargo vessel then maneuvers around to one of the uninhabited gas giants where it meets a Vilani patrol. Saying they have just arrived from Orgill, they are permitted, after a brief discussion, to go and land on the main Colony.

The colony itself is on a 5,000 mile diameter moon, very similar to what you might imagine prehistoric earth to be like. Water covers about 2/3rds of the planet, and carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are in dangerously high quantities, so you are advised to use your respirator, and they offer you an oxygen bottle to go with it.

Despite being told that the population is 1500, when you arrive at what can only be described as a ramshackle hanger with a couple of fuel tanks out the back and another similar freighter to yours parked near where you land. It seems like there are only 500 people there, and every second one is in a militia uniform. The colony headquarters can be seen behind the hanger, made obvious only by the two tanks and 3 armoured cars parked out the front, with a fourth armoured car coming over in your direction.

The 'inspection', however, is very brief. The Geonee inspector inspects a bag of drugs the captain offers him, with a handy packet of Solars, before declaring everything is 'in order', though when he notices you he warns you all to keep your heads down and stay out of trouble. It would appear he knows the crew, referring to a couple on a first name basis. He then departs, and the captain has the air raft load up most of the combat drugs except the 4 dTon you are to sell, and take them straight to the other freighter.

Date: 6th December 2172.

[Private to GM: A streetwise roll would be appropriate to try to work out how/where to sell the drugs.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:53, Wed 13 Feb 2019.

Question: dton?

---

Being new in the drug-trafficking business Gardner isnt quite certain on what to do. So he does what he has seen in so many old movies and visit the local bars making subtle inquiries about who the local druglord is. At the same time it will give him the chance to get an idea about the local garrison and the condition of the troops there. He starts making a map of the place so he can note any defenses, major barracks, police stations, comm towers and such on it.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 19):

[OOC: You forgot the roll. Normally, you make a roll and post results as a PM..]

While sitting at the bar, one of the locals notices him drawing on his small computer, making notes. He approaches him and sits beside him, disturbing Gardner, who looks up at him and puts away the notepad.

"Oh, don't stop that on my behalf. You are Terran, right? You sure look lie one. That is fine, I have seen a few before, but if you are making maps here, it probably ain't for commercial purposes..."

He smiles, and the two of you talk for a bit.

[Secret to LT David Gardner: I rolled a streetwise roll on your behalf. Rolled 10, 4 under skill.]

After a while, you gather that, like most of the locals, he is not fond of the current regional Administration. He can offer you maps, not that the area is complicated, but he suggests that to sell the cargo, you might want to hitch a ride with the outbound freighter. It does a circular route, coming through here on the 22nd of December on it's way to Ceti Command and going back out on the 8th of January. He tells you that there are folk on Nunashi fighting a guerilla war against the planetary Governor there who would pay well for it. The freighter passes through Nunashi, and both of Managudeli's freighters pass through there, so coming back would be easy. But here, with so few people, and even less troops, what would we do with such a large quantity?

Date: 6th December 2172.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:57, Sun 17 Feb 2019.

Gardner try and enlist the local as a contact. It can never hurt to have contacts in the system even if the man may not be completely trusted. Basically Gardner will make the local man quietly observe the local troops and security forces while Gardner himself is away running drugs ("for the greater good of mankind" and all that).

When Gardner returns he will have to verify the intel the local man has gathered and see if the man can be trusted. But right now Gardner is more concerned about the drugrunning operation and how complicated things are starting to get.

Gardner is going to Nunashi as soon as possible.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 21):

It is over a month before the freighter is ready to take you to Nunushi, during which time you have plenty of time to sort things out.

Make a streetwise roll to find a way to transport the goods to Nunushi under a legitimate cover.
Make a diplomacy roll to recruit coworkers you have met, and another streetwise roll to find more potential co-workers. (So 2 rolls to new folk, and just a diplomacy roll to recruit this guy).

In reply to Fate (msg # 22):

[Private to LT David Gardner: Rolled for you. Rolled 2 under Streetwise both times, but rolled 10 under and a critical success (natural 4!) on the diplomacy rolls!]

The time waiting for the freighter is useful. Gardner meets with the local, a Geonee laborour named Eneri who introduces him to his friend, security worker named Shugilamar. Together, they come up with some documents indicating that the shipment is stock feed for a farmer they know in the Nunushi system. Since the documents are genuine, and stock feed is often transported to farms on Nunushi due to wars there destroying crops, the cover is pretty good.

Their positions also let them see what is coming and going, and what and who are stationed here. There are 5 armoured cars and 2 medium tanks, as well as 100 security personnel. However, there is only 2 squad of Anakundu, numbering just 20 men, who man the communications base and the armoured vehicles, overseeing the other 80 local Geonee security workers.

You learn that there are only three Gashiddas assigned to watching this system, which has 3 gas giants but 4 orbiting moons. However, there are two freight convoys, each consisting of a Shamshir, two Gashidda and a branch freighter (2000 dTons) that do the run between Ceti Command and Eneldun, a two month round trip. However, only one of them comes by Beta Port, the one you will be using to get to Nunushi. These are the supply freighters of the Anakundi's drugs. Whilst there are stores on Ceti Command, it is not known how many.

By the time you are ready to leave, it is the 8th of January, 2173. You are scheduled to arrive on Nunashi on the 22nd of January. The trip cost $5,000, which was loaned to you by your new friends, though they expect it back when you return! The freighter will be back on the 8th of February. Again, need a streetwise to find a buyer for the goods, and you will be expected to pay a tax of $100, 10% of the price of your cargo of stock feed!

In reply to Dissident (msg # 23):

[Private to LT David Gardner: You rolled 1 under your Streetwise skill. You hope it is enough, but you do not know the modifiers!]

The freighter is large, about 2,000 dTon, and there are 5 other passengers. One is an Anakundu travelling back to Kidashi for family reasons. He does not talk much, but spends way more time playing a space combat simulator. Two others are Vilani businessmen returning from a business trip seeking to source foodstuffs from the sector for a supply manufacturing Eneldun. The fourth is a Vilani administrator from somewhere nearer to Durim who clearly considers himself too important for the likes of you, and spends most of his time in his Luxury cabin. The last individual is a Geonee who does not talk much...with anyone. Not in the first week at least.

The first trip through hyperspace brings you to Orgill. The small outpost is little more than a refueling station, a hot greenhouse world with low oxygen levels and where everyone seems to be sweating in their respirators. The refueling process take a mere 3 hours, and you are not permitted to leave the ship in that time, being informed that this world has no local population other than the refueling base.

Your ship then returns to orbit, along with the three escorts, and reenters hyperspace.

The Geonee passenger starts to relax around you, and shares a drink. The other passengers look on disapprovingly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:14, Sun 24 Feb 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 24):

[Private to LT David Gardner: Just moving things along to try to catch up with the date the others are at...]

It turns out the Geonee is a security worker from Ceti Command, and while not fond of Managudeli, he has family on Beta Command that would not fare well if he did not do as he was ordered. When you raise the question of the Anakundu, he shuts down completely, though, glancing at the other Anakundu passenger despite the fact that he seems well out of earshot.

On schedule, your small fleet arrives on Nanushi on the 22nd of January 2173. Slightly less gravity than Terra, and hence with a slightly thinner atmosphere, this planet had abundant oceans and greenery, and seems an ideallic place to live. The tourist brochures claim it is home to 50 million souls, and the city of 5 million to land at supports that possibility. You manage to get storage in a rented warehouse, setting up a bed there for credit at the way overpriced rate of $2000 per week, and start to find your way around.

It takes you a week to find a buyer. The guy who you meet with seems like some weird farmer inbred type. But his Solars are good, all $4.4 million of them, and you hand him the keys of the warehouse and $2,000 for the weeks rent, and wish him luck. Sleeping in a nice hotel that night for the first time, you finally get to wash and enjoy a decent meal. After yet another week, while waiting for the freighter to return, you ask around and find out about the local Vilani garrison. Disguising yourself as a local Vilani is not that difficult, and you enter the base under the pretense of looking for work as a pilot. What you find out is interesting enough. There is an attack imminent on the Yenesei system, but you are regrettably informed you are too late to participate in that. However, you are told that Ceti Command is looking for capable pilots, since they have lost many to the promise of greater reward in the fight against the barbarians at Yenesei. In particular, they are having trouble keeping the freighter captains, an important job as it keeps the Anakundu there supplied with their drug they need to stay alive. The freighters source this in bulk shipments from Eneldun, though there are other planets that could provide it, and ship it directly to Ceti Command, where the Governor keeps tight control of it. They suggest you return to Ceti Command and ask there if you are interested.

On your way out, however, a seasoned Vilani officer stops you.

"I could not help but overhear the advice he gave you. Take it from me, Commodore Managudeli is no Commodore, nor governor. It has been reliably reported he has lost several ships to dissident attacks recently. He cannot command respect, so he tried to keep people in line at gunpoint. You do not want to be working for him, believe me. Better working as a freighter captain..."

You politely thank him for his advice, saying that you will likely do just that, before departing. You find that statement ironic when you are woken by gunfire next day, only to hear the military respond with tanks. The gunfire soon stops and peace returns, and you wonder if that was some of the drugs you sold at work. By the 8th of February, you are well and truly ready to depart. The familiar freighter had pulled in late the night before and filled up, and you board, ready to leave. The two week trip back to Beta Port is as expected, though you notice the same Anakundu on board. You finally arrive back to Beta Port on the 22nd Feb 2173, and through your contacts meet up with the dissidents. They are delighted when you hand over the $3.3 million you sold their drugs for, laughing when you tell them about your concerns they were not used effectively, they tell you the group there are religious nuts who never use what they have effectively. But it serves as a distraction for them, and a source of income.

Remaining cash: $1,075,000 ($25,000 spent on accommodation, debts, taxes, warehouse, etc)

Date: 23 Feb 2173

In reply to Fate (msg # 25):

It does not take you long to realize that there is not much to be done here for you. The small security force left by Managudeli barely holds control, and there are a lot of colonists scattered in deep mines they know nothing about. The mines are not very productive, but they do provide for nuclear bunkers which the local folk fear will be needed before they ever get their independence. But from the perspective of a Terran intelligence officer, your work here is largely done: the people are ready to throw off the dictators rule if only they could.

The refueling base at Orgill, which you visited briefly, is little more than a garrison. It starts to be clear to you that Beta Ports real value is to protect the strategic location of Orgill, the lifeline that Ceti Command depends on. But Orgill is nothing more than a garrison and refueling depot.In order to deal with Ceti Command, you realize you will simply have to go there.

It will be the 23rd of April before the next freighter leaves Beta Port for Ceti Command. As such, you start to build up a disguise, making a couple of Fake IDs. One seems passable, but the other saw the ink run on the main page, and it is thrown out. Finally, the third one seems to be an improvement. You follow through with your background story that you are a pilot looking for work, so a check on Nunushi will back you up, and you got off at the wrong planet on the last trip. With plenty of time to work o the story, and your friend in security, you have it down pat by the time the freighter arrives. It is the 30 of April by the time you finally land at Ceti Command, having learnt en-route that war on Terra had been declared very recently.

This is a very different base. The large security detachment contrasts to the small group you saw on Beta Port. There seems to be a full battalion here, as you were told, and the Governors residence is surrounded by them, along with several batteries of missiles and heavy rail cannon, almost all manned by Anakundu. The spaceport where you land is also the base of a large fighter squadron, possibly 50 or more fighters.

As you look around, you notice the freighter begin unloading it's cargo. The first is labeled pharmaceutics, and judging by the interest the Anakundu have in it, you guess it is their drug to assist sleep. It is taken under heavy guard directly to their barracks, before the rest of the supplies, weapons, ammunition, spare parts and mining equipment, are all unloaded. Being Vilani, you are directed to a nice hotel in the centre of town, very near the edge of the 'fortress', where a young lady (early twenties, perhaps) is waiting in your room.

[OOC: For those who have seen the movie 'God of War', think that situation! The Vilani are his 'enablers, just as the arms dealer was the dictators 'enabler' in that movie.]

30 Apr 2173
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:04, Tue 05 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 26):

Rather than take advantage of his host's 'hospitality', Gardner instead tries being nice to the girl. She gestures something, and David initially thinks she is deaf, but when she tries again, he understands he is being watched. So he invites her to go for a walk with him to show him the planet a little. She seems very scared, but he suggests she take him somewhere she feel comfortable.

[Private to GM: Body Language first, defaults to detect Lies -4 and Psychology -4, but Geonee, so Psychology (Vilani) -5 =8 Rolled 12 for first try, then 6. Understood.

Diplomacy to invite her for a walk, 7, 9 under skill.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:46, Mon 04 Mar 2019.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 27):

She takes him outside and into the street, where she asks if he has a vehicle. Finding out he does not, she suggests it should be an early purchase if he plans to stay, and takes him to a bus stop. You notice that one of the hotel porters follow you to the bus stop, and you approach them, making polite conversation. You get the impression that he is trying to warn the girl to not do anything stupid, and she is clearly scared of him. When he asks you if you would like him to accompany you, you just reveal your pistol, and say you expect you will be fine. He smiles and nods.

"[Language unknown: Be hat, it]" and departs.

You and the girl board a bus that heads to a decidedly poorer part of town. Life is not as kind to these locals, but as you progress on the bus, a an comes up behind you, and you feel a muzzle of a weapon in your back, and a voice growls

"Just what do you plan to do with my sister in these parts, huh, Vilani scum? Answer, don't turn around!"

"I plan on asking her about resistance to your lovely Vilani overlord, in the name of Terra,"

Gardner answer politely and diplomatically

"And then seeing what I can do to assist them."

He winds down a little at the answer.

[Private to LT David Gardner: Perception roll to notice someone following you, rolled 5 under, which could still fail. But not this time...they were not really trying to be stealthy.

Roll of 8 under diplomacy to talk him down somewhat.]
This message was last updated by the GM at 07:04, Tue 05 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 28):

"Why the hell would a Vilani work for the Terrans?"

He does not yet lower the knife, but seems less ready to use it.

In reply to Brother (msg # 29):

David shows him his suit material, extremely unusual for Vilani, as well as his small computer, which is in English with several survival programs, driving programs and language programs.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 30):

It takes a few minutes, before the lad looks at his sister.

"Then you better come with us, mister."

He takes you up a few side allies where it is clearly not a good place to be Vilani, before turning into an old abandoned warehouse. Well, not so abandoned...there are about 5-10 underprivlidged individuals there with an assortment of blunt and sharp objects, and some nets. They look quizzically at your 'friend', who turns to you.

"We heard that Terrans are looking at helping out in this sector. What do you know?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 07:04, Tue 05 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 31):

"Glad you asked. I know that there is a small raider assigned to help out this sector, as well as a small number of troops. I know that there are a number of patrols that have been destroyed by these forces, but a show of force by Terrans would bring down the whole Sectors Navy, so we have to be discreet. Having said that, apart from supplying you with medical supplies and weapons, how can we help you get rid of the Empire?"

Date: 30 Apr 2173
Cash: $1,070,000
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:10, Tue 05 Mar 2019.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 32):

"That sounds good, but how can we be sure we can trust you? I tell you what, if you want to help, we can tell you how you can help us both. In the fortress is a particular ammunition dump that contains considerable explosives. Buy a cheap car, drive it onto the base as a particular guard and steal the explosives. We can provide a detonator for you. Once you have the explosives, put them in the boot and park the car near the Anakundu's drug storage facility. We can show you all the details. Once you have done that, steal a fighter and crash it into the rich part of town. From there, you will have to vanish in the crowd and then loose the disguise, before returning to your hotel to show you were there all the time. This will frame an asshole guard and get rid of the supply of drugs that came in with you. If you need time, you can wait until the next supply comes in next month. Sound like a deal?"

In reply to Brother (msg # 33):

"Hmm, let me think. It sounds like you have a good plan already. Been thinking of this for some time? Either way, I would like to take some time to observe, and get to know the guard in particular so I can make a good disguise of him. Perhaps purchase the car in his name, and make a copy of his identity, learn his schedule, etc. Have you done any of that? I assume you have good plans of the base. In the mean-time, I will continue to pretend to be a Vilani seeking to work as a freighter captain, perhaps commanding one of those ships, so that perhaps I can take out the next shipment too."

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 34):

The idea appealed to him. He showed you basic plans that they had, including where the Anakundu drug was stored as well as the ammunition dumps, and some minor details of the guard. It was clearly going to take some work to pull off. A full months worth, to be sure. You are also going to need some new equipment: An Electronic Lockpick ($1500, 0.2 lbs) and a magnetic strip encoder, ($600, 4 lbs), as well as access to the guards card!

[Secret to LT David Gardner: Rolls that will need to be made:
You already have your Vilani disguise, and you are actually seeking employ as a pilot, though you know that this may expose your current identity to scrutiny. But there are no further rolls for this at this stage.

For the equipment, will need 2 streetwise rolls (Your skill 14) and cash! Prices are LEGAL pries for those who have authorization to purchase them!

For stealing the identity of the guard,
1st Observation roll (Your skill 14)
2nd Stealth roll, to steal his ID card and docs, (Your skill 12)
3rd Forgery roll, make a copy of his ID Card (Your skill 14)
4th Forgery roll, make a copy of his ID documents (Your skill 15 with Docufab)
5th Stealth roll, to return his ID card and docs  (Your skill 12)
6th Disguise roll, to look like him (Your skill 16 with Disguise kit)
7th Acting roll, to sound and act like him.  (Your skill 14)
8th Electronic Operations (Security) To enter the armoury, (Your skill 18 with Lockpick and computer, modified by lock difficulty)
You may need a FastTalk to explain why you are putting explosives in your car, if challenged!
Then you drive the car to the location, before leaving it, and making your way, with your backpack, 500m to the fighter hanger. The Guard you are impersonating has legitimate access to the hanger, the front of the armoury and also the vehicle bay of the drug storehouse, where you are to leave the car. However, he is not a pilot, so there will be some electronic security to bypass once you enter a fighter.
9th Electronic operations (Security) (Your skill 15 with computer. Actually, computers skill...) to start the fighter.
10th Piloting (Aerospace) to take off (Your skill 10, -2 for unfamiliarity, +3 for simple task = 11)
11th Piloting (Aerospace) to crash (Your skill 10, -2 for unfamiliarity = 8)
12th May need a HT roll depending on roll 11!
13th Stealth roll to get away.  (Your skill 12)

This will take a month...

]

In reply to Brother (msg # 35):

David starts off by returning to his hotel, accompanied by Natasha, who got him started on this process. She leaves him after he arrives home, and he gives her a generous tip, and thanks the porter for his concern.

Over the net few days, he is told that job interviews will be conducted next week for pilots of the freighter, and it is suggested he take some time to look around the planet and enjoy it. He does.

He starts by looking around the seedier areas for certain equipment, and with Natasha's help, he manages to source some. The Lockpick and magnetic encoder/decoder will cost $5,000, and take 2 days to be delivered discreetly. During this time, he manages to locate the guard whose identity he will steal, and he see's what sort of car he owns. Fortunately not an expensive one, he purchases an identical model for $20,000, and delivers it to a certain mechanic Natasha directs him to in order to have the detonators installed in the boot. He also finds one of the old All Terrain Army surplus trucks, and purchases that, kitting it out for a mobile home, ostensibly as a recreational vehicle. Despite the old Fusion reactor having maybe a year left in it, it still sells for $150,000, and costs another $20,000 to be fitted out. Over the next few weeks, he observes the guard, even speaking with him down the local drinking hole on occasion, and finding out where he lives.

The night to 'borrow' his ID comes after he has been drinking particularly heavily. Davids truck had just finished fitting out, so he was able to take it as a base from which to operate, parking it just around the corner from the guards house. David dons a disguise of a Geonee financially challenged individual, such as are usually responsible for break-ins in these parts. The guard's wife is away this night, so David is able to sneak in. Fortunately, he brought his electronic lockpick and computer, as the guard had an electronic lock on the door, but, being at home, had turned the alarm system off. David was able to sneak in and take the ID and ID documents from near the front door, before sneaking out to his truck. Once there, he set about copying the documents and the ID card. The first attempt at the ID card was not at all good, but the documents were lovely (critical success!), and the second attempt at the ID card seemed passable, so it was time to return the goods! David manages to do so very well, and it is not at all long before he is back in his vehicle. He leaves quietly, breathing a sigh of relief and ready for the next phase.

It was only the next day that you have the interview for the job of Ships Captain. Your references were too remote to check out, but since the freighters are not considered critical or significant jobs, you are asked if you are available to start in two weeks time, when the next freighter is due, since that pilot is starting a company job. You are to be paid $60,000 per trip. You reply you would be glad to.

The final phase of the operation is to be conducted after the next freighter arrives. David parks the truck in a nicer part of town, beside a park to allow for discreet access, and then heads off to collect the bomb car. Just after the guard leaves work, David dons his disguise and voice mask, and take the car that looks the same as the guards and enters the base, using the guards disguise. He says he forgot something in one of the buildings, though he is not sure which one. Granted access, he checks the guards room first, and, not finding anything, he heads off to the armoury. Connecting his computer, he starts the program to overcome the security. It take a few nervous minutes, but it does it's job! The large bolts can be heard to withdraw with a loud clunk. David takes the suitcase he brought in from the car and enters the bunker. There are large blocks of explosives in the air conditioned room, and he fills the suitcase full of them. Heading out to the car for the first time, he leaves the door ajar and heads to the armoury back door, where his car is parked, before hurriedly unloading the contents into the boot, as instructed. He then heads back to the armoury for a second load, and manages to fill it again, emptying the shelves with what must be 100 lbs of explosives. This time he closes the armoury as he leaves, taking the suitcase back to the car and once again emptying it, and putting the empty case on the back seat. As he is driving his car to the drug storehouse, he meets one of the guards friends, who is surprised to see he is still there. He convinced him that he had forgotten his suitcase of clothes, packed for a trip he was planning to go on, once he had picked up some Ushkiirga from the drug store to counter a bug he seemed to have picked up. His friend seemed sorry for him, and wished him health before sending him on his way. Parking underneath the armoured building, where the armour would ironically contain the blast destroying what it was meant to protect, David exited the car and headed over to one of the fighters parked nearby, backpack in hand. He had just reached the fighter when the bomb detonated. Barely contained by the armoured shell of the building, the explosion could still be heard for miles. Connecting his computer, David was able to break the access controls while mayhem ensues around him. It was just as well, as his initial attempts failed to start the engines. Disconnecting his computer and attaching his backpack to his front, he started to think like a Vilani. Finally, he worked it out, and the fighter lifted into the air. He pushed it forwards even as the turrets began to activate, with the angry Anakundu relating the recent explosion to the unauthorized activation of a fighter. He barely managed to stay airborne until he got about 5 miles from the base, when, despite his speed, the turrets tore out the engines behind him, sending him plummeting to the ground. Fortunately, it was not a long fall, for he had made no real attempt to gain more altitude than was required to clear the fence, and a number of very posh houses served to break his fall, with only minor injuries as a result. He was initially seen leaving the fighter, but soon escaped into park-lands, where he got rid of his disguise. It was a good 3 hour walk before he reached his truck, and he was grateful for his armour, but he still had a few scratches and bruises. He quickly tried to apply some first aid, but it did not help. Instead, he calmly drove his truck to his hotel, before disguising his injuries and adopting his Vilani image once again.

Natasha was waiting with a big smile, and she managed to bandage his woulds much better, putting the TV on as she did so. She tells you she took the liberty of disabling the cameras and bugs in the room today. The news tells you that the guard had already been arrested, and that 8 loyal Anakundu were killed in the explosion. The supplies will not be available for another month. But your celebrations are cut short. You receive a phone call...you are required to make a more urgent run. You head down to the base, glad of Natasha's handiwork, and are quickly escorted to the freighter after parking your truck in their secure carpark. Several Iikens will be going with you.

[Private to LT David Gardner: All rolls made, not necessarily in order, but secret. Nonetheless, you may be able to access them in the dice roller, as they were done on your behalf.]
Date: 30 May 2173
Cash: $860,000

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 36):

You are shown to the freighter, a 2,000 dTon Sharurshid Branch freighter retrofitted with 8 light turrets, each with pulse laser, a missile and a sandcaster, and an etra small fusion power plant to run them. The gaping hold can 1,324 dTons, and you can transport 2 luxury and 4 standard passengers, as you well know. It is the freighter you traveled in before, or very similar.

Supplies are loaded before you depart, and your first jump point is Orgill. You manage the ship as if you had been born in one, effortlessly commanding the crew to bring her and the escorts, a Shamshir class escort, 2 Gashiddas and two Iikens, to the jump point and then into hyperspace. When you arrive at Orgill, you are still thinking how you can manage to stop the next shipments. There 14 officers, 11 petty officers and 16 crewmen aboard, including yourself. You learn that you will be passing the other freighter, a sister ship, at Nunashi, if you delay to the usual schedule, a delay of just one day.

You come out of Hyperspace at Orgill on the 7th and land to refuel. Once again, everybody seems to know their place, and you command them effortlessly.

In reply to Fate (msg # 37):

Whilst refuelling, Gardner looks at the Jump tapes.

After they leave and enter hyperspace, he tries to modify the jump tape from Orgill to Ceti-Command so that it will jump the ship to Clameer, knowing full well that the Jump-2 drive would fail before it got there, leaving the ship in deep space. Once he gets through to Nunushi, he will, under the guise of looking to source the drug on the planet, try to arrange to go aboard the other freighter when it comes in to fuel, and swap the jump tapes.

[Private to GM: Rolled 13, his skill. Extra time negates familiarity penalties. He thinks he succeeded...]

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 38):

The refuelling goes smoothly, and Gardner manages to smuggle the jump tape into his suit unnoticed. At least, no-one said anything. When they exit hyperspace, he orders them to land in order to try to find the drugs here, sending out a number of crew to look for the drugs while he looks for other cargo and refuels the ship.

He does find a number of passengers, a group of 4 who do not seem entirely trustworthy. But they are passengers. When the other merchant comes the next day to land and refuel, he goes aboard to meet the other crew, taking with him the senior officers who remained with the ship. While they were all talking, David had a look around the hip, ostensibly looking for differences, and he managed to swap the jump tapes.

They then shared drinks and some stories, during which David ensured he spoke less than most. He was, after all, new. They bid good bye, and departed.

[Private to LT David Gardner: Rolled 4 under skill to smuggle, rolled exactly skill for sleight of hand.]

The Anukundu drugs were available on the planet, but in small quantities. They could not obtain the quantities needed, so they would have to continue on. Departing into orbit, the next stop is Eneldun. A frozen, ice-capped world with barely any atmosphere, it was unusual for Vilani to colonize these places at all. With almost no industry, the three million or so inhabitants were almost all miners, and lived hard lives. You stop to refuel, before departing as soon as possible.

After another week in hyperspace, Masiira is a welcome sight. The planet is mainly covered by water, but the surface is heavily populated. Floating cities dot the planetscape, and the introduction claims a population of 100 million. It is believable, too. As you stop at the starport, all services are provided. Your financial manager manages the loading of goods and handles the exchange of passengers. You are refuelled remarkably quickly, but the shipment of gakinisharra is delayed and it is not until the 30th that you are ready to depart.

The trip back is not remarkable. You make it back to Nunashi on schedule.

15 July 2173, Nunashi
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:32, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 39):

During hyperspace on the way back to Nunashi, when David was on watch, he changed the labels on a number of Jump tapes, with the Jump tape Orgill>Ceti-Command swapped with the Orgill>Beta-Port one, and the Beta Port>Ceti Command swapped with Beta-Port>Clameer tape. The Clameer>Ceti-Command and Clameer>Beta-Port tapes were scratched in order to be unreadable, but it was made to appear accidental.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:35, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 40):

The Jump through to Orgill also went as planned. You are starting to get to know the crew, and most are reasonable folk just trying to make a living, blissfully unaware of the difficulties most living on Ceti-Command must endure.

Refueling is a straightforward matter, and you notice that the Navigator checks the tape as he puts it in. But your forgery is good, and he prepares the jump. [Private to LT David Gardner: You rolled a 6 on the forgery of this tape!]

The jump into hyperspace goes well, without a hitch. When you come out a week later, however, on the 30th of July, you are not at Ceti-Command, and you have no escorts! You act as though you fly into a rage, though you are not as intimidating as you hoped. Regardless, you refuel at the gas giant, before setting course for 'Ceti-Command'. The navigator does check the tape, and though this forgery is not as good, he is afraid and goes with it, probably only because he is not used to jumping from Beta-Port to Ceti-Command. You move to the jump point. One of the Iikens in the system communicates with you and asks if everything is all right, and you assure them that the navigator made an error, but it will not happen again.

You enter hyperspace, and all goes well. You apologize to the Navigator, saying that these things can happen, and suggesting he not let it happen again.

It is the 7th of August when you emerge from Hyperspace...in Clameer! You glare at the Navigator, who turns very pale.

07 Aug 2173. Clameer

In reply to Fate (msg # 41):

You are interrupted.

"Sir, possible hostile ship on sensors! Bounty hunter type vessel"

"All 8 turrets manned, sir. Missiles ready. Sandcasters ready."

In reply to Sensors (msg # 42):

"Evasive action! Head towards the planet in case we go down! This is no warship, and we will not live long in space!"

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 43):

With no more fuel, you are unable to jump. Just in case you wanted to. The hostile vessel closes slowly on the big freighter, traveling at just 2G as opposed to your 1G, so it closes on you at 10,000 miles per round, but the planet is still 300,000 miles away when the vessel approaches the 330 k range, the maximum range your missiles could hit it at. It lingers a little at around 10k, as if uncertain. By the time it reaches 60 k, you have expended all your missiles without a single hit...it has shot down them all! The crew looks nervously at you as the vessel enters Beam range.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:57, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 44):

"Fire sandcasters. We are approaching the planet, and we have more weapons than them still!"

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 45):

The Bounty hunter accelerates as it approaches. The first lot of sandcasters are on target, but the bounty hunter missed. Your gunners however, managed to hit, but did not seem to do any damage.

By the time you were ready to fire again, the bounty hunter was around 25k miles away, and firing. Your sandcasters were wide this time, so the triple beams tore into the hull. In response, your pulse lasers returned the favour, tearing strips off the offending vessel and piercing the hull.

It would be a stalemate if it were not for the assault craft leaving the planet. Both ships were hurtling headlong at the planet, but both are deflected by the assault craft into orbit.

Then it is simply a waiting game. You wish you were one of those vessels with a ships boat. But you are not. You are helpless as a shuttle attaches a tow point to your rear, and troops board you. You can do nothing but surrender and do what you are told.

So you must go along with it. You are taken to the planet with the other prisoners, but the command team are separated as your vessel is captured.

8th Aug 2173

In reply to Fate (msg # 46):

After a time of separation, I remove my disguise and ask to speak to those in charge. My intention is to reveal who I am and what I have been doing.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 47):

Your attempt is hardly successful. The guard does a double take, but neither of you recognize each other. He roughly pulls you from your cell and takes you to a different location.

You fair little better when the warden comes in, but at least he agrees to take you, under guard, to a colonial official who has been there enough time.

Finally, you meet a familiar face. He is surprised, then smiles.

"Of course, the freighters never usually come here. I should have guessed it was an inside job. The damage you did to our small patrol boat was significant, I must say. But we can take care of it from here...at least your cover is safe and we can arrange to have you transported back to Beta Port. But it is not the same as it was. They nuked the place after the Terran warship raided the Gashiddas there, destroying 3 of them. Still, it should be easy to get you back there, to see what else you can do. Good effort, I must say. That should put a dint in their logistics! Or their budget, if they have to replace it...$580 million, more expensive than a Gashidda! So, tell us about the crew...and how are things on Ceti-Command?"

You are able to gather your things from the ship.

10 Aug 2173

In reply to Fate (msg # 48):

I let them know about the sabotage of the other freighter, as well as the bombing. I also tell them what I know about the military strength and about the fighter squadron based on the planet, and ask if they can give any training in explosive manufacture and use.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 49):

It is about 3 weeks before you can return to Beta-Port, during which time you are given intense training into the use and manufacture of explosives.

The place is much more run down, on the surface at least, but in the caves is another matter: teeming with life, it reminds you of an ants nest. Many have already heard what happened, as the freighters have both disappeared, and been replaced by two pairs of new Hero class ships! Shipping capacity has dropped, and there are rumours that he can no longer afford to pay the hired Anukundu troops. Apparently, both freighters jumped from Orgill, and were never seen again.  Rumour has it one did appear briefly at Beta Port, but never made it to Ceti-Command.

But it will not be long before you find out. Your first task was to create a new ID. Your first Geonee disguise was found to be a little humorous by your Geonee hosts, and the documents were not good quality. The second seemed much better, with better quality documents and excellent quality ID.

Within a week the Hero returns for goods. You pay for passage to Ceti-Command.

A week later, you are back. This time, as a Geonee, the reception is cooler. Your vehicle was taken and given to an Anukundu, but it does not take you long to find Natasha and her brother. And the cell that met with them. They congratulate you, confirming that both freighters disappeared, and after you tell them what happened, they wonder where the second freighter went! The Anukundu were not at all happy, and have raised concerns about Managudeli's ability to pay them. There are rumours that they have hired a passenger freighter to come and pick them up, but such has not eventuated. Inspired by your success, they ask what next.

Date: 15 Sep 2173
Cash: $850,000
Planet: Ceti-Command
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:48, Wed 13 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 50):

David sets about trying to find out more about the Anukundu, and how to discourage them. He also sets about finding out what he can about the pilots of the fighters. Of course, he is also getting to know those who oppose the Commodore Eleni Managudeli, and his family.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 51):

This all takes time. Fortunately, you have plenty. You observes the base, noting what you can, but there is little to observe save the local watering hole of the Anukundu. But that is enough in itself.

Acting as a local, you pay the bar a visit. Apart from a few glares, you seem to be fine. Almost. Then one Anukundu comes up to you and challenges you, asking you what you want and why you are here. You come up with a story that you were just in the area, and had never seen an Anukundu before. You can't help notice that they are edgy, and seeming to miss some sleep, and even though he snorts and leaves you alone, he does not seem to cheer up. They clearly are not happy about something, and you understanding of Psychology suggests that something is not going right...for all of them. When you ask one how he is feeling, he practically snarls at you. You make the subtle suggestion that Terrans have more advanced Biotechnology, and may be able to help. One of them asks where you heard it, and you mention you heard it from a family member while on Beta Port, when they raided. They offered advanced medical tech and immunizations that helped everyone a lot.

Surprisingly, your comments were not met with the hostility you expected, though they did not receive exactly a warm welcome. From what you could gather, however, they were not happy with leadership here, and with the outbreak of war with Terra, many were looking at leaving. They just needed a distraction to get a large passenger vessel in, since Managudeli would never let one land.

After in interesting night, you depart the bar. Over the course of the next month, you find out about who is commanding the fighter squadrons, and Managudeli's family. Turns out, they are the same individuals...Managudeli has his brother-in-law commanding the Fighters, and he himself commands the Kargash. He has a wife, a younger sister, and two older uncles, one managing finances and one managing the Military (and commanding the Anukundu). He also has two young sons (6 and 9) and a 11 year old daughter.

[Private to LT David Gardner:
Rolled 1 over Stealth
Rolled 5 under, Fast-Talk, Innocent Passer by.
Rolled 8 under, Diplomacy, Gathering information.
Rolled skill, Observation.
Rolled 2 under, Psychology +2.
Rolled 4 under, Intelligence Analysis.
Rolled 2 under, Propaganda: Terrans are friends.
Rolled 2 under, Streetwise, finding out about Pilots.
Rolled 2 under, Streetwise, finding out about Managudeli.]

In reply to Fate (msg # 52):

On the 27th October, the chance presents itself for the Anukundu. Reports of raiders entering the Beta-Port system have seen Managudeli prepare the Kargash and Shamshir to depart. The Anukundu send a messenger on the freighter that departs on the 1st Nov, anticipating a passenger vessel will return on the 30th of November. Now all you have to do is to infiltrate the ranks of the Fighter Pilots and allow it to land when the time comes...assuming the Kargash does not return before then!

In reply to Fate (msg # 53):

Plan will be to identify a suitable pilot, then take him out of action with the assistance of some local friends and to replace him. Ideally want him as high ranked as possible. Once in the craft, try to remove the family member commanding. Take a parachute in case I need to bail, but otherwise try to convince the rest to stand down and let the ship land. And then leave.

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 54):

Ok. There are 5 squadrons of 10 fighters each, commanded by a wing commander, Managudeli's brother-in-law. You manage to identify a squadron commander who is a single Vilani, known to drink a bit much and a womaniser.

You attempt to sneak into his house, as you had done before, but this time things do not go as planned. Waiting until about 2 hours after you see a local call girl leaving his home, you enter. He is downstairs enjoying a drink, and seeing you, he tries to go for a weapon. But you are prepared, and fire, hitting him and badly injuring him. Calling some of your friends to come and deal with him, you get to work replacing him, working on forging documents and a passable ID, before deciding instead to simply be him, disguising yourself and using his documents and ID. The Disguise takes a little practice, and your Geonee friends find your acting quite funny, but you note the lessons to improve on.

It is not long before you are called to duty. If his friends detect the differences, they don't show it, and you avoid close interaction. Your parachute is noticed, but you say that you need it today for training, so they let it through. Boarding your fighter, you wait. Sure enough, the transport comes through. The wing commander takes off, ordering you all to follow as he approaches to intercept the unscheduled arrival. You lead your wing in formation behind him, secretly locking his craft in as a target, when suddenly the alarm sounds...you are being targeted! As you look around trying to work out what is going on, you hear the Wing Commander demanding similar answers from the Anukundu! It takes only a short time to realize that the Anukundu have no intention of allowing the Wing commander to spoil their plans, and it seems as if the Wing commander is quite happy to risk your lives to stop them leaving, so you squeeze the trigger.

The missiles pause before leaving, before heading off to the craft not far in front of you. It occurs that you never actually studied much about launching missiles. As you struggle to direct them towards the fighter ahead, seemingly the whole planet is watching. But for you, it is like one of those games you played as a kid. The massive explosion they make as they reach the target stuns you as much as anyone.

Then a voice over the comms.

"Well, uhh, commander. What now?"

"Proceed to land. The liner is cleared to land, as requested by the Anukundu"

Your voice does not sound particularly Vilani, but the tension immediately clears and the fighters return to land. You are last, and at the last minute, you take off to land in a very remote location. No-one follows you! You get out and run to a road nearby, where observant rebels come and pick you up in an old vehicle.

Date: 30 Nov 2173
Cash: $750,000
Planet: Ceti-Command

[Private to LT David Gardner:
21:24, Rolled 3 under Piloting (Aerospace), Landing.
21:20, Rolled 2 under default, Gunner (Missiles)!
21:14, Rolled 1 inder Piloting (Aerospace). Take off.
21:12, Rolled 9 under Fast Talk, get out of having being caught with parachute.
21:11, Rolled 2 over Smuggling, parachute.
21:10, Rolled 5 under Acting (Vilani).
20:54, Rolled 1 over Acting (Vilani).
20:54, Rolled 8 under Disguise (Vilani).
20:54, Rolled 1 over Disguise (Vilani).
20:53, Rolled skill Forgery, ID.
20:53, Rolled 6 under Forgery, Documents.
20:52, Today: Rolled 11 Damage, Pistol.
20:52, Today: Rolled Skill Attack, Guns(Pistol).
20:51, Today: Rolled 2 over Stealth, Take his documents.
20:50, Today: Rolled 2 under Streetwise, Find a suitable pilot to replace.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:18, Sun 31 Mar 2019.

In reply to Fate (msg # 55):

You are still wondering how effective you were when the rebels tell you that the Anukundu have loaded up and are preparing to take off just 5 hours later. By that time, you have driven back to a rebel base in the capital. You are impressed at how far things have been allowed to slip, when you get reports of new incoming vessels just as the liner takes off.

2 Gashiddas are familiar, but the sight of the third dissident Gashidda and the Jean Bart almost stun you.

You hear a voice over the radio, that of Managudeli's uncle who had previously commanded the Anukundu mercenaries, demanding to know where Managudeli is.

In reply to Fate (msg # 56):

When the two patrolling Gashiddas attempt to call upon the fighters to assist them attacking the Jean Bart, the other, clearly a separatist Gashidda, smashes them with plasma rounds and the Jean Bart finishes the job with their beam weapons, destroying the remaining missiles as well.

The planet asks them to land and assist in forming a new government.

By the time you make it back to the capital, the separatists and the police are working to keep order. The fortress has been sacked and a new government is forming, with a number of friends you knew. Having been crucial in the downfall of the previous regime, you are asked to represent foreign affairs within the government, more or less as an unofficial ambassador for earth, though that is not official so as to allow plausible deniability should a Vilani fleet appear.

Meanwhile, Doyle, the Commander of the Jean Bart, is asked to assist with some of the more controversial cases that arise after the fall of the previous regime. His judgements are not overly well accepted, and some cases are appealed.

Date: 24th Dec 2173
Cash: $750,000
Planet: Ceti-Command