Gloria sets off to Girii from Sukun in order to discover what happened to some of the men from Sukun, sent off by Dingir. The first stop is the small chemical plant colony of Gikir, or perhaps the Gas Giant there.

The system has 2 planets and a Gas Giant...which one is your destination?

25 Sep 2179, Gikir

The star base, for fuel ... with our papers, we feel it best to travel like a Vilani. We also ask questions about prisoners trying to get home, feeling about Dingir and things in general ... all low key chat.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 2):

Sure. Pick a social skill and roll for it...

20:11, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,1,5.  Carousing.

[Private to GM: Made it by 1]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 4):

Just so you are aware, standard starport/starbase fees are as follows for an Iiken: $2500 for admin and berthing fees, $1600 for unrefined fuel for 2 parsec jump, or $7000 for refined fuel for two parsec jump.

Before I say what you found, let me know if you still want to stop at the starport.

25 Sep 2179, Gikir, Supplies: 1699 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

So $10k per stop? guess we won't make very many after this...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 6):

You can get away with $4,100 per stop, and refine the fuel yourself...so still stopping here?

Ok. You find your way to the bar after landing. There are just two, with the total population of 2,000 people. It quickly becomes apparent that Kanumshikaa is the second biggest location after Shinarra. Neither permits the carriage of weapons, though Kanumshikaa will permit shotguns with a licence (like this planet). These planets really are backwater planets, with strict local controls but little external regulation.

25 Sep 2179, Gikir, Supplies: 1699 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

OK, Useful to know, these just sort of come with the bigger systems by default.  We can go with the $4,100 expense.
I don't spend a lot of time at the bars, and am very careful about drinks. Then head back to the ship and tell the crew we won't be wasting time at these places...  off we go.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 8):

Ok. Please indicate systems and Planets in each system, as well as refuelling plans.

25 Sep 2179, Gikir, Supplies: 1699 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

We proceed as follows:
Kanumshikaa - Outer GG
Shuurashana - Outer GG
Nagunishmure - Outer GG
Garaniis  Planet/System Operations (assumed to be friendly and aware of who I am with a bit of nudging ... Reputation +1 (Terrans, Kimashargur)     [5] Awarded Medal of Excellence for her services )

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 10):

The first stop is Kanumshikaa. The outer gas giant has a single Gashidda lazily in orbit. They politely explain that due to the proximity of the prison planet, then need to board your vessel to ensure you carry no prisoners. A shuttle departs, assuming compliance.

02 Oct 2179, Kanumshikaa, Supplies: 1634 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

We'll be nice, but want it over quickly so we can move on. Everyone on guard, just in case, but no obvious display or threat.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 12):

They understand. They do come aboard quickly, and it does not take them long to look around. The check your recent trip and, seeing you are coming from Sukun to Girii, and your trip matches the same, they waste little further time, simply noting the identities of those travelling, before departing.

You refuel, and set course for Shuurashana's outer Gas Giant. Being the other planet near the prison planet, you kind of expect the same treatment there.

They do not disappoint. The Gashidda moves more quickly than the last, but like the last, they politely inform you that due to the location of the prison planet, they are oblifged to search your craft.

Once again, the small shuttle approaches, expecting compliance.

09 Oct 2179, Shuurashana, Supplies: 1634 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

Same routine, if they do the same perfunctory search, we are good.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 14):

Yep, pretty much the same routine. Check for any castaways, check IDs, check previous travel and documents, then let you go. You refuel at the Gas Giant once again, and set course for Nagunishmure's outer Gas Giant.

You are met there by a Gashidda from Garaanis, who hails you and requests ID. Given your Iiken was originally from Garaanis, he would recognize it pretty quickly.

16 Oct 2179, Nagunishmure, Supplies: 1599 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

[OOC: By the way, since your duty is to the ships captain, and that is now you, we will need to redefine that to the next higher up your chain of command. Who do you see that to be?]

Some Commodore or Rear Admiral in Ceti-Command who gave me the mission. Likely an Intell type.
I have no clue as to how big/important the Forces in the Crysolite/Ceti Command area are, which would govern what rank the over all commander is.  I am guessing at least a Vice Admiral/Lt. General ...

We Identify ourselves, use my name & title ... and refuel for Garaanis.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 16):

"Ah, Captain Flake. Good to see you passing through. By all means...any news we should be aware of?"

I think Commodore Freelunder would be the guy in charge there, and though he is not the Intel type, he would certainly work closely with them. Given he has moved you from a front line warship, that would make sense you are still under his command.

16 Oct 2179, Nagunishmure, Supplies: 1599 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria
This message was last edited by the player at 02:39, Sat 12 Sept 2020.

Nothing of import at this time, but we keep our ears tuned

Freelunder makes sense...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 18):

"Fly safe."

You are free to proceed to Garaanis. You refuel at the gas giant and continue your journey, arriving at the starbase a week later.

23 Oct 2179, Garaanis, Supplies: 1554 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

We start here... talking with the records folks to see if they have records of those captured and of ships destroyed; i assume Bjorn gave us the ships they were assigned to...

I also check for any messages and any news.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 20):

He did. Give me a research roll.

There are a number of news headlines Gloria encounters.

02 Sep 2179, Lemrukiri finally surrenders, ending their claims to Girii systems and officially ending the war. The planet had been sieged since 15 Dec 2178.

26 Sep 2179, Saarpuhii Tamesha Eshi removed from Shululsish and replaced with Saarpuhii Irkirin Sharikkamur, by local vote.

There is no news about her court case as yet.

23 Oct 2179, Garaanis, Supplies: 1519 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

Gloria doesn't have reserch, but did make her search roll...


[Private to GM:  12:49, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,3,3.  Search.]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 22):

Ok, you manage to find the right terminal to get information. The Shamshirs were not actually at Seru colony, and therefore were not destroyed there. They were part of the fleet that jumped to the Gas Giant, and withdrew when the main fleet was defeated.

Records indicted that it was at Lemrukiri when the siege was laid, a battle you were a late arrival to. It appears that the vessel was crippled in the initial battle, and that the surviving  crew escaped to the planet in small craft. No further records can be found.

24 Oct 2179, Garaanis, Supplies: 1519 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

OK, so we make copies of the records and head to Lemrukiri... a simple jump.

Then we go looking for what may have happened to the crews.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 24):

The jump to Lemrukiri is simple enough. The planet is still guarded heavily by Girii. Where most places have Gashiddas or Shamshirs as patrol vessels, a Merrishmer meets you here, while the Girii fleet led by a Deraanasa and flanked by 5 Vegan Carriers and 5 Kidashi and numerous smaller vessels watches over.

But you are recognized, and invited over to the massive command cruiser.

31 Oct 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

We accept the invite and she goes aboard. She will ask about the missing ship. crew and explain why without telling all, but they should understand she is cultivating sources, something that might be useful to them as well.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 26):

Indeed, it is interesting for them. They ask about the security around Shinarra and Sukun, as well as the political situation there. There is concern because a number of criminals have been caught trying to pass through Nagunishmure, and they are worried that security in this region is destabilizing.

As such, they are interested in your work on Sukun, and in developing trade and a stable government there. Dingir is not seen as a strong nor helpful influence there, and their hold is demonstrated by the continuation of the blockade of Nushmi.

They look through their systems, and it confirms that the crew largely escaped to the planet, and were merged with the military there. That is where things get very mirky. The military records of what happened there may be on the planet, but may not even exist any more. The locals are not known to be particularly helpful, but he can refer you to the large city where they were last know to travel to.

01 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

That sounds good.
We relay what we found leaving Sukun nd the Gashidda stops. Sukun seems ripe for a Kimarshargur adjustment.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 28):

This is really the military though. They wish you luck in finding the folk you are looking for.

01 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

We go down to the Planet and start looking around for info...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 30):

There is a small starport near where the escape shuttles landed. They charge you the usual $4100 for a small starship docking.

Not surprisingly, the reception is cool for one of the invaders...you land at the starport. Security is a bit lax, but weapon possession is normally limited. As a member of the faction now in control, you can get a licence though, if you want.

01 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

What's involved? mostly inclined to keep the CCW and skip the heavy stuff.
I head to the official records office to try and track any of these guys down.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 32):

For a licence, a letter from the guys in the Command cruiser and a $100 fee.

You travelling alone? It is a 3 hour walk from the starport to the records office...and indeed to most of town. Public transport is $10 for the day, and hotels are $100 per night. Car hire is $200 plus $100 per day. Grav bikes are $25,000...other vehicles also as per per the Gear available thread.

01 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

Lets just try public transportation, maybe i should take the stunner with me... less fuss if someone gets difficult.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 34):

The public bus is not exactly luxury. You soon understand why it is just $10 for the day, and suspect it is overpriced at that. 3 hours later, you arrive near the records office. The driver indicates this is as near as he gets...you will have 6 blocks to walk the rest of the way. Or you can take another bus. It will be about 20 minutes wait. It is now well after midday.

1500 01 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

She walks, in 20 minutes she can be there.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 36):

Close. it actually takes 30 minutes. The blocks are longer than you expected. When you finally arrive at the grim stone building, the receptionist, who looks like she used the one smile she had this decade, acknowledges your arrival with a grunt.

"What you want."

It sound more like a statement than a question.

1530 01 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

I am looking for information on a ships crew ... where they are or may be, alive or dead. Their friends took up a collection for me to ask while doing my normal shipping work...

I show her the list ... anyone here that can help?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 38):

She takes the list and looks over it for at least five minutes.

"Don't know most of them. But they probably got stuck here at the end of the war, if they lived. But this is personal information. I can't just hand it out to anyone who asks with a good story."

Of course not, what sort of documentation would you need? would this help?
I slide her $500 Credits (Bill, card, coins...)

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 40):

She slides the cash away.

"Do you have a letter or anything that might be from family or military unit?"

That was from Bjorn's unit ... he and quite a few others are concerned [I have no ides if he wrote anything on the paper]. These men were a part of that unit and draftedto come here to fight is my understanding.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 42):

[OOC: You did ask for, and receive a letter in case you met any of the folk. This letter identified who was asking and who they were asking for, and the name of the vessel. I assume she passes her this letter?]

The woman looks over the letter, and pockets the cash.

"One moment, let me see what I can find."

Yup, she would have showed her that too...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 44):

She returns after about half an hour.

"EIt seems they were recruited by the 13th rifle brigade. The barrack is about three hours out of town, but I cannot tell you more. Only about half the crew survived the destruction of their ship and the subsequent injuries."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:35, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

That sounds bad ... I do thank you for your work, let me see if I can find a way to get there...

I collect the papers and now I need to find a Taxi or a rent a car.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 46):

Given it is not about 1630, you also might want to think about accommodation. The Starport is about 90 minutes out of town if you drive, twice that on public transport.

You can find a tourist stand you passed about 2 blocks back. They might have something. Otherwise, how are you looking? Either describe, or roll a suitable skill.

1630 01 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

Cell phone - roll as needed.
She will go back to the ship for the night.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 48):

You will need to purchase a local phone...$500 for an outright purchase. $20 for tourist brochures. The trip back by public transport will take about another 3.5 hours, including walking back to the stop and waiting for the bus.

1630 01 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

OK, sounds like a miserable way to end an other wise productive day ... skip the Cell phone for now...

Next day, rent a car and drive to the Kaserne or Barracks or whatever it is ...  Looks for those men, using the Papers I have.

Does her rank carry any weight here?  I know Girii respects it, but not sure who runs what here...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 50):

Her rank would be respected by the invading forces, but not so much by those invaded. Indeed, perhaps better not to mention it...kind of like an American officer doing an investigation in Afghanistan.

Car hire is $200 + $100/day, how many days are you hiring it for? They offer you some tourist brochures with the car, though the faces are none to happy to see you it would seem.

The trip out to the barracks is a long one, taking the better part of the day after you hired the car. The barracks are now closed off and guards are placed there. From Girii...

1330 02 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

Rent for two days... not sure Brochures are helpful.

I presume there is little around this barracks if I need to spend the night?  I show whatever documents I need to and request the Officer of the Guard. i will play rank and allegiance very cosy until I have a better idea of what is going on.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 52):

Brochures include a map of the local area, which is indeed helpful in finding the barracks. The barracks are in a small village outside of the city, where there is a number of motels, many now closed. The barracks, like all military installations on the planet, has been reduced in personnel and is under the authority of Girii. However, there are still a number of members of the military here. The guards asks for ID, and asks what your business is here. He is Giriian, and not particularly friendly with the locals.

1330 02 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

I am looking for some men reported to be here, I have documents and authorization from the Command overhead. Now please summon the Officer of the Watch.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 54):

"Commands Authority? I will need to see that. Actually, I think you want the logistics department. They keep records. "

I have the records, unless they do personnel as well, they are not who I want to see.  So I need to take you back up to the Merrishmer so you can talk to them in person?  Or perhaps you'd just like to do as I asked and get the OoG and let it be his problem.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 56):

"I am sorry Ma'am, but I do need to see some ID. It is a requirement of my position, and I will loose my job if you do not provide it."

She showed him ID ... just not her Military ID...  but he is pushing a piece of string.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 58):

I missed the part where she showed him ID. As is usual, he will hold here ID and give her a pass to enter when he gets that.

"The Logistics department handles all records, but feel free to look where you want, within security restrictions of course."

Fine, Now, where is the Officer of the Guard?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 60):

"They have an officer of the day, as do the Girian forces. Which one do you want?"

You said Girii ran the place and the Guard was Girian... so I want to see the Girii OoD.
If we need to talk to the Officer from Lemrukiri, we call him in.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 62):

"Very well. I will get him."

He moves back and makes a call.

"He will be here in a few minutes."

It is about 10 to 15 minutes later a young man walks in.

"Gloria. You wanted to see me? Wait, weren't you the pirate assisting us at Seru who was charged with atrocities against these guys?"

1400 02 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

I am not a pirate, and never have been*. I have been in support of Girii for several years now and Girii has made arrangements to get help from the once pirates. The supposed atrocity has been sent to Vland to be adjudicated and dismissed, especially since those who charged me then Nuked Imperial forces. Regardless, I have come to try and locate certain men ... and I may seek to return them to their home world, let's say as a way of getting more Kimashargur working together.

* A lie, but it has been a LONG time since she was.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 64):

"Hey, pirate or not, you were flying a pirate class of vessel, and many of us wished we could have done what you did. Instead, we had a long drawn out siege of this place.

If you are looking for other Kimashagur,we are happy to help. After the ships from Dingir failed to stop our fleet, many of the locals considered them traitors. Not true of course, but they needed a scapegoat. Survivors were formed into infantry or G-Carrier support divisions and put on the front lines.

Imperial personnel department are part of logistics, and they will have details though. You are welcome to take any 'homeless' opposition troops you can, but their logistics department will need to be consulted to get names. You want me to introduce you to them?"

If you would be so kind...


Geez, wonder how they even saw her on another ship ... but reputation can help.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 66):

Not do much her, but the name...yes reputation gets around!

"Please follow me..."

He leads you out of the guardhouse and past several buildings to a large central structure. There are a number of men milling around outside, eyeing you suspiciously.

Entering in, you find it tight for such a large building. There is a clerk behind a grid.

"You have a visitor. She is trying to track men from this unit. I suggest you co-operate."

The woman begrudgingly looks at you.

Perhaps to their benefit too, their fellows seek them and their condition, I agreed to ask while here.

I hand her the list of names and Bjorn's letter.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 68):

The woman scowls and looks over the list.

"Ah, some of the traitors. I see. They were in the 'Fighting Fifth' that were sent to relieve a missile battery up in the mountains, about an two away from here by G-Carrier, up in the mountains. None ever came back, so we think the buggers just dug a hole and hid. That was over a year ago, at the start of the siege. Probably still there. Better go get your men, Giriian scum. Hopefully the winter got them first..."

The words 'Fighting Fifth' were practically spat out, and her attitude is pretty clear. Not liking either of you.

1420 02 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

OK, so back to the ship and get the G-carrier out ...  well crud, the damn ship doesn't have any small craft?
&%$#!! so what will this cost me?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 70):

It is about 7 hours using your wheeled 4x4, but no, your ship does not have any small craft. Though really, you have over a billion dollars so you are far from short of cash, and a G-Carrier brand new is only worth about 1 million. You can rent one for a week for $1,000, unarmed.

Let's rent one for now... just want to get to the bottom of whatever has happened.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 72):

Ok. You drive back into town and head to the dealership for the G-Carriers. There is just one in town, and this particular one has most of the seats removed to allow for carriage of more cargo. You hire it for a week, taking the car back to town. The G-Carriers are not fast, but work well in poor terrain. Being late, you might want to head back for the night.

1800 02 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1484 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

YUp. I bring it aboard for security, then get some sleep before heading out in the Morning
How high is this thing traveling? a foot off the ground or a hundred feet off the ground?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 74):

It is too big to fit aboard, but the starport is pretty secure, and you hold the electronic keys, so parking it beside your ship is fine. G-Carriers can travel quite high, making them very useful in hilly areas, but they are not fast. Do you head out alone? It could take some time.

I'll take a crewman as well, and some long weapons concealed

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 76):

Crewman speciality? Pilot/Gunner? It will have an impact later, so I will need to know. They will want to take some basic bedding to set up in the back of the 'truck' too.

But for now, you both take a few weapons and head out. You take one each of the following, with an extra box of ammunition.

Storm Rifle, 10mmCLR, 9d pi++, Acc:5, Range: 1300/5800, RoF: 3
    10 lbs, 12+1(3) shots, ST:10†, Bulk:-4, Rcl:3, $2700

Laser Rifle, 6d(2) burn dam, Acc:12, 700/2100, ROF:10,
   8 lb, Dp/83 shots, ST: 7, Rcl 1

If you take a gunner, you could also take one of these, but it could not really be concealed!
Anti-Material Rifle, 15mm CL, 15d pi+, Acc 6+3, 2000/9000, ROF: 3
   32 lb, 20 shots, ST: 12, Rcl 4, Bulk -6 (Has 8x sights)

You will be able to head out of town. It will be close to evening by the time you get to your destination.

1800 03 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1479 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

A pilot/with guns experience would be good... maybe an ex-fighter pilot.
Gloria prefers the storm rifle, the Pilot gets the laser rifle.
No Big stuff...  we do take warm clothes and bedding just in case.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 78):

There is a soldier with contragrav piloting skill who is happy to get off the ship.

You head off, packing some bedding in the back. The area soon gives way to small farms, and then wild mountainous area.

Around 1800 in the evening, you arrive at a site indicated by a number of white stones commonly used as markers for graves. Approaching the graves, you find a small dog tag at the base of each. None of the names are on your list.

1800 03 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1479 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

We use the G-carrier to look around, as normally recent cemeteries have people somewhere near.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 80):

The place looks pretty shot up. An old farmhouse that clearly was targeted in the fight is nearby. The nearest habitated building is a hunting lodge about 4 miles away.

OK, let's go there, but we can circle the farm house to see if it is still in use.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 82):

A farmer comes out with a shotgun as you circle. Several herd animals start getting agitated in a nearby pen.

I have the pilot land and get out showing empty hands.  Apologies for disturbing you and the animals, there was obviously a fight near here, can you say where the soldiers moved to after the battle? I seek my husband's brother.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 84):

He keeps the shotgun leveled.

"Perhaps you can turn off the grave drive first to stop scaring the animals, before I take the time to tell you about that..."

She tells the pilot to shut it down...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 86):

He shuts down the grave, and it settles on the uneven land. The animals start to settle down, as does their owner.

Try for a reaction roll...high is good.

Can you offer any information?


[Private to GM: 12:15, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,4,4.  Reaction.]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 88):

"The locals never stood a chance. There was a stronghold in the mountains that protect the pass to what was a mountain top missile battery. Giriian force landed and assaulted the battery, and when the infantry were sent in in G-Carriers to support them, fighters knocked most of them out of the sky. The rest are called traitors because they did not keep fighting, but it would have been suicide. Most of them were killed or injured, with the survivors heading off to one of the nearby villages. As I understand, a lot were off-worlders, and are probably still in those villages."

Your maps show 4 small villages within 10 miles.

I see, any feelings for which may hold my husbands Brother?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 90):

"No idea. I made no attempt to track who was who. They were all offworlders, as far as I knew."

OK, Thank You.. we will try them all I guess. Excuse the Grav carrier and we will get away from here.

She walks back to the Carrier making the motion for the driver to crank it up, gets in and they leave as straight away from the farm as they can before circling around toward the area the little villages are in.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 92):

The villages are pretty much spread out, with the one to the South East closest to the site of the battle, but the village to the West, deeper into the mountains, the larger village.

We can start in the SE anyway... smaller may be better as everyone knows everything, normally.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 94):

Ok. It takes a few hours to reach the small village, arriving there after it is already dark. There are houses, but no obvious public buildings. There are no obvious roads, but you see a few grab vehicles around, and some 4x4 vehicles.

Great, I thought this Carrier could move faster than that ... It seems odd that we can see the village but can't get there in two hours  at something like 40 MPH... seeing a village at 80 miles is unusual to say the least.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 96):

You can see it on a map, but this is in mountains. You could not physically see it. It was already pretty late when you got to the battle site, as I remember...then you had a look around, then a chat to the farmer. They do fly, but not fast, so going up and over a ridge 9000 feet above the battle site takes some time.

I gathered we talked to the Farmer around 3 in the afternoon.  "Your maps show 4 small villages within 10 miles."

So even with climbing over a 9000 foot peak (given that we are already up in the mountains) shouldn't take that long and perhaps going around it would be faster and easier.  Both of us have some skill at map reading, I seriously doubt we are going to let ourselves get caught in strange mountains in the dark.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 98):

It was 1800 when you arrived at the site of the battle (see above). By the time you finished talking to the farmer it was already sunset...you can let me know what you do.

2000 03 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1479 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

Ask the Farmer if he has a room then, or even a place in the barn ... not flying about in the dark.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 100):

He looks out.

"Just the two of you? You might want to keep someone in the Carrier in case of thieves. But you can come in, Miss, if you don't mind sharing the bedroom. Live here alone, so I don't have a spare room. You can leave the Carrier parked where it is..."

2000 03 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1479 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

I thank you for the kind offer, but if my driver need sleep outside, I will sleep outside as well.  two are a better defense regardless.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 102):

"As you wish..."

He goes back inside.

The night is dark, and you can hear animals like wolves in the distance, but morning comes without events.

0800 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

We make a light breakfast and depart as soon as we can see, thanking the farmer if we see him.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 104):

He is out at first light, not long before you, taking his animals out to pasture as you leave. The trip through the mountains takes some time due to the high ridges and strong winds, so it is well after sunrise by the time you arrive at the small collection of houses.

0900 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

We land, looking for anything like a Gasthaus/tavern/ public meeting hall.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 106):

There are 2 grocers, a farm machinery shop, a clothing/tool shop, a real estate agent and a stock agent shops, other than houses. Not a huge place...maybe 50 houses total in the immediate facility, and a large number of outlying farms.

0900 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

Do either of the grocers look like places people gather to talk?
The rest don't sound like the places folks stop by to get a brew (of something) and chat about the news.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 108):

Being a farming area, the Tool shop actually has the only coffee shop in town. It is where you see a couple of farmers gathered talking.

Assuming you approach, they greet you in an accented way, very reservedly, in case you forgot you were from out of town!

She nods and and asks Would you know of (mentions a few names) ... my husband seeks knowledge of his brother.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 110):

They look blankly.

"Never heard of um. Why? Hikers lost in the mountains?"

0905 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

Don't know, sent here with he fleet Dingir raised and left here as best I can tell. We don't know if he is alive or dead.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 112):

"The fleet was in orbit. Why would they be here, unless they were shot down and then joined the army. Were they with the troops attacked over in the next valley?"

I think so, checked the head stones and their names were not there, so I am guessing that they may still be alive around here somewhere.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 114):

"Ah, I see. Yeah, some of them settled up the road there. You should talk to them about the details, but they don't talk about it much."

He indicates some particularly poor looking houses at the edge of the village.

OK, thank you.

She heads that way and asks after them.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 116):

It only takes a few minutes. The old building show a lot of signs of repair. There is a couple of Vilani there working in the yard, tilling a small garden.

The look a little uncomfortable at your approach, but put on a polite show.

We greet them respectfully and ask our questions, I'll omit the "looking for my husbands Brother" bit .

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 118):

After admitting to being in the battalion, they will ask for names. And why you want to know...

Because their friends & fellow service members are willing to go to some lengths to find them and even bring a few of them home... Names are A, B, C, etc.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 120):

They talk amoung themselves at the mention of the names.

"The lads from Dingir? We think they are at this other village..."

The point out the large village on the map across a couple of high ridges. It is about 3 hours away, into the mountains on the other side of the battle.

"But hey, if you are leaving here, we would not mid a ride either. We got left with nothing after the war."

Understand, Unfortunately I have an Iiken, not a liner. But we may be able to arrnge further trips, give me names and ships/units you were in.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 122):

They hesitate, before giving ten names.

"We were in a Shamshir from Kidashi."

I can't guarantee anything, but will see what I can do...

She then goes back to the grav sled and they head off to the village indicated.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 124):

You part with the farmers, making your way back to the G-Carrier and depart the village. Heading over the mountain ranges is a little confusing, and clouds, which are fog in the higher altitudes, start to lower.

Navigation (Air) roll to see if the location you arrive at by 1300 is actually the village...

1300 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

She follows the map carefully as the other fellow flies the thing, directing him according to the map.



10:19, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,1,4.  Navigation.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 126):

The unfamiliar terrain and the unfamiliar map symbols create some challenges and there are a few wrong turns, resulting in some delays, but you get there in the end. Or at least, you hope you do. It is late in the afternoon before you arrive at what looks to be a small village, bigger than the last. There is a large 3 storey structure which has a sign out the front that translates from low Vilani to mean "Lost ones".

The fog is starting to roll down the slopes as you arrive.

1500 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

I guess we can ask there first ... we stop outside that building and look round to see if there is anything like an inn.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 128):

On investigation, this is an inn. There is a garage for vehicles beside it, and downstairs is a bar with about 3-5 patrons...already!

1500 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

She enquires about getting two rooms and some garage space.

Then asks about the sign out front.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 130):

Two rooms will cost $90 for the night, or $450 for the week, and come with garage space and breakfast.

The sign is the hotels name. It was started by a group of hikers who liked the place so much they decided to stay. Their children now run the establishment.

1530 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria

We get one night for now... ask about the lost soldiers.
Check on what is available for dinner and how it smells.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 132):

The meal has some local name and takes about an hour to prepare, and costs $7 each, including a jug of local beer. Smells like roast though...Jugs normally cost $2 each.

In the meantime, you get talking to the locals. As you are talking, more arrive, until there is about 15 folk by the time your meal is served. The locals don't talk much initially, but you have time to try to get them talking.

1600 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

She tries to be one of the gang, but it comes off wrong...  she stops and sits quietly.


[Private to GM:   14:07, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,3,5.  Carousing.    Missed by one ]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 134):

You don't quite master the local way of doing things, but the attempt is noted. A few of the folk nonetheless wander over and chat.

"We have not had a lot of folk through here since the war. Killed a lot of tourism, though brought some new faces to town."

The speaker is an older gentleman dressed in heavy furs which you figure were taken from a large creature native to these parts.

1600 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

She nods, It is some of those new faces that I think I am looking for.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 136):

"Ah, I see. Local, or offworlders? The offworlders keep to themselves a lot, but they are a hardworking bunch."

Some of them are missed from their home worlds.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 138):

"Yeah. I am sure they are. You should hang around for a bit and have a chat with them. By the looks of this weather closing in, I would not want to be going anywhere for the next few days. These blizzards are about the only thing that gets them out of their hovels..."

I doubt that I am interested in flying in a blizzard to be sure.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 140):

"Ahh, then we will have your company for a few days, most likely. You might want to make yourself comfy then. Most of the folk come up here during the blizzards. Easier to look after everyone, to be sure."

Thanks for the warning... she checks in with the innkeeper and pays for 4 more nights and any extras.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 142):

Four more nights = $450, ie the same as for a week. The innkeeper is glad you decided to stay. He offers to include lunch and dinner each day for an extra $100 for the whole week. He hands you a menu of options. Most meals come with a wine or beer.

A few extra folk enter while you are discussing this.

OK, That works...may as well just keep it for the week... we don't know when will be conducive to travel again.


OOC - None of these showed as posted!  Just bumbling around and found out all had been updated...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 144):

[OOC: Huh, weird. I have had that sometimes, but rarely.]

"Sure thing. Probably a smart move."

Just then two more folk enter. A moment or two later, most of the occupants look at them.

The bartender asks

"More newcomers. They with you?"

1600 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

Nope, Just two of us...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 146):

"Oh, well, it has been a while since we had 2 lots of visitors in a single day. The rest of the locals should be here shortly."

You notice outside the weather is deteriorating considerably, and snow is becoming heavy.

1600 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

She finds a warm spot and stakes out a place for her and the driver

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 148):

You settle in when the food finally arrives. Mabel, an older lady and wife of the innkeep, bring out the food, making small talk if you allow her. It is an old fashioned roast meal, complete with potatoes baked crispy.

You’re enjoying a lovely large roast at last, when the lights flicker. "Oh, great," mutters Mabel, and then the lights go out altogether. Somewhere on the other side of the rest stop you hear a door slam open, followed by a vicious blast of freezing cold air that somehow finds its way over to where you sit. The wind howls like something alive, scratching and clawing at you with an icy grasp.

Without even thinking about it, you abruptly realize that something is horribly, terribly wrong. Then you hear an awful racket from the direction of the rest rooms—violent blows, choking cries, breaking glass, and finally one more highpitched scream that makes your blood run cold.

The wind howls again, more doors slam . . . and then the room becomes still again, except for the distant whistling of the storm outside.

"What in heaven was that?" Mabel says in the darkness.

Note, Map of ground floor on Map for Group 2. Upper floor is accommodation rooms.

I presume I am somewhere in 9, although I didn't see a fireplace, so not sure where.

I make my CCW available and tell the pilot/guard  Be alert. something is very off.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 150):

Actually, 8. I repurposed the map, and rather than a donut shop, it is actually the restaurant. The main bar is 9. Convenience store is there, outside stairs go up, they look more symbolic but location is about right. Landing about half-way up, before coming back towards the building to get to the next floor. The right hand 7 is actually a servery.

I need to work out how to edit these maps!

The lighting is very dim, with the main lights gone. Light penalty -8. Everyone else is looking around concerned...actions, if any?

First to let our eyes adapt, I don't think I have a light with me ... just the PDW and a Vibro knife on my thigh IF that can be concealed; other wise small of the back or other concealed location. It is readily available with minor preparation, which she will do now in the dark.

Mabel, what has happened to the lights? do you have emergency lights?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 152):

You do lack both torch and Night Vision. It is pretty dark until your pilot, and one or two others, pull out torches. Frederick has a knife, his rifle is in the Carrier.

"I hope the power has not taken out the heaters..." somebody grumbles...

Mabel responds.

"We have not had them go out before. That is rather unusual. I will need to check one that...can you go and see if everyone else is all right?" She heads back to the kitchen.

[Edit: You character sheet only has your heavy Laser Pistol and Stunner. I assume the storm rifle is in the G-Carrier...
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:47, Sat 10 Oct 2020.

Both rifles should be upstairs in our room ... not something you leave in a grav vehicle if I understand them as mostly open skimmers.

The CS is written as she would normally be aboard a warship. I assume that walking in here with a heavy pistol might seems strange, so opted for the PDW, but if strolling around with pistols is OK, we'll have the big one along. She is wearing the Vilani type business suit, not a Terran or Girian uniform, too.

As Our eyes adjust I have the crewman accompany me and we go searching carefully, starting with the girls rest room.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 154):

The G-Carriers are more like trucks/buses, so very secure and lockable. But upstairs is fine too...that would have meant carrying them in full view of folk though.

A PDW is actually bigger than a pistol, and would attract more attention. They have lower legality. There is no indication she owns a PDW?

The last gust of wind seems to have knocked out power to the rest stop. There’s just enough illumination from various torches to carefully move through the darkened building. The innkeep is digging around for some emergency lights. Wind screams outside, howling past an open door or broken window clattering shrilly somewhere out of sight.

At the rest room, a body is sprawled in the doorway. It’s a young man in an Army jacket, and he’s quite dead. Several needle-sharp icicles as long as swords impale the corpse, now surrounded by a puddle of slick scarlet ice. He seems to have been stabbed through the back as he left the rest room.

Inside the men’s room, you find another body—dressed as an executive. He is one of the out-of-towners who came in earlier. Like the guy at the door, he’s transfixed by several icicles, but while you watch, he groans and stirs. "Help me," he gasps. "So . . . cold . . ."

OK, NEED A MEDIC OR DOCTOR QUICK!  She Hollers  then kneels to render first aid ... Who did it and why?




[Private to GM:   16:58, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,5,6.  First Aid. just made it]


OOC.PDW was represented as a small concealable weapon... if that isn't what it is, lets adjust it to something appropriate.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:03, Sun 11 Oct 2020.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 156):

You are able to stabilize the injured man with the light from Frederick's torch, before your courage inspires others to come over to help. Once the injured man is stabilized, several other locals try to take care of him, carrying him upstairs when he is considered strong enough to move.

Which leaves the rest of the scene...nobody seems to have answers to your questions.

[Gauss PDW (type of sub-machine gun) has Bulk -3, Heavy Laser Pistol and Sonic Stun Pistol Bulk -2 and Sonic Stunner. The PDW is concealable...as far as assault weapons go! But even a heavy Laser Pistol is smaller...]

In reply to Fate (msg # 157):

OOC - OK, I changed it to the Electro-laser Pistol on page 280 of the basic book. Still not petit, but LC 4 and I think smaller than a laser Pistol... that OK?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 158):

Yeah, Ok. Happy with that as long as you adjust the Char sheet to reflect that. Try to keep the sheet up to date...for times like this! If I have to warn you when things will happen, we loose the element of surprise!

Oh Darn!  ;-)

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 160):

Let me know when sheet is done by posting next actions!

I wasn't aware that anything else needed updating... carrying the bigger pistol right now...

Once the wounded fellow is removed we head around to check 5, then back out to look in 6 for the banging window or whatever... i will assume Rooms 7 are locked. No clue what the little rooms marked R are for.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 162):

If character sheet is correct, then lets keep going. You have what is on there, either with you or in the G-Carrier, or upstairs, as would be reasonable. (Tools, etc, would reasonably be in the G-Carrier...)

The corridor just outside the rest room is dark and cold. At the end of the hallway, a door leading outside swings in the vicious, gusting wind, banging loudly against the wall. Fingers of swirling snow already dust the floor near the open door. To your right, the building’s arcade is a dark cavern, with the normal chatter of video action silenced by the loss of power. Suddenly, there’s a small rustling from somewhere inside, like something moving around in there.

1900 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

Gloria ask her guard/pilot, What's that?
Given the wind, it could be anything, but caution prevails.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 164):

"What is what? Let me close this door..."

He moves to close the door, and the noise subsides, slightly.

1920 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:07, Mon 12 Oct 2020.

I heard something rustling in here... Shine the light around ... she has her pistol ready.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 166):

The noise seems to come from within the Arcade, but it is dark.

However, with Fredericks light, you see something moving, though it seems to be trying to keep still.

1922 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.
This message was last updated by the player at 06:16, Tue 13 Oct 2020.

Sgt. Fernanado, Shine the light on that thing moving...  She levels her pistol.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 168):

Frederick shines the light in, illuminating a white clothed person trying to stay out of sight.

Slowly and carefully, someone dressed in a cooks' uniform and apron stands up from behind a video game. It’s the kid from the McDonald’s, and he’s obviously scared out his wits. "Please tell me it’s gone," he says in a weak voice. "I don’t know what it was, but I was sure it was gonna kill me."

He looks around, panic growing in his eyes, and then starts for the door. "Man, I gotta get out of here!"

1925 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

STAND FAST, Out of here is a quick cold death.  What did you see?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 170):

The young man, clearly panicking now, makes for the front door.

"White death! I gotta get out of here!"

[OOC: If you are attempting any influence rolls, name them and roll, or I will assume Intimidation based on so far.]

Hold fast Lad, together we will live a lot longer than running off separately. What is this white Death you speak of... We are armed and won't be an easy target.


[Private to GM:  20:16, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,2,1.  Leadership.
20:16, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,4,2.  Intimidation.   skill is 13 for both  ]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 172):

He stops when he sees your weapon and hears your tone, long enough at least to hear your words.

"I don’t know. It wasn’t like anything I’ve ever seen before. It was part ice, part wind, part animal. It had claws of ice, and eyes that glowed red. It howled, too, just like the wind, but there were a thousand voices in it, saying stuff in some language I don’t know. I hope to God I never see it again."

Though still very scared, he at least starts to calm down a little.

1930 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.
This message was last updated by the GM at 03:37, Fri 16 Oct 2020.

OK, Can we lock that door?  Then we need to go tell the innkeeper... he may well know more.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 174):

"I worked and lived here for a while...I ain't never heard or seen nuthin' like this. No one has, pretty sure. Better lock the windows too, and make the place airtight. He just turned into wind and snow, it did..."

The Innkeeper is in the basement working on the generator. The R that opens off 8 leads to the basement where he is trying to get the generator working again. At this point, he succeeds. The lighting returns to reveal the corridor you are in with the dead body and the wet floor. The injured man has been taken to another room.

1930 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:46, Fri 16 Oct 2020.

Very strange, and I am very suspicious.


Could one of those small electro-laser pistol have been enough to shut down the power when used?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 176):

Perhaps. You can go and investigate. The witness may also have some more information, and there may be more information at the crime scene. The locals are staying together in the bar, setting up the tables in kind of a siege mentality that fear can produce. Nothing else is going on right now.

1930 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

Gloria checks out the crime scene and sees nothing... there was a crime committed here?




14:38, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 15 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,6,4.  Search.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 178):

Lol, just the obvious. Wet footprints on the floor, mixed with blood of the dead and injured. You notice the stalls are empty, a trash can stands against one wall, and a condom dispenser hangs on the other wall. The mirror behind the sink has been holed and broken, and ice standing in the sink seems to have frozen right out of the faucet.

Frederick checks around as well, looking in the rubbish bin to see if there was anything there. He finds a small bag which seems out of place there, containing a snow globe about 4 inches in diameter and a notebook. The globe contains a small representation of the hotel you are in and the tiny flakes flurry downward without ever settling—you don’t have to shake the globe to make the snow fall. Frederick also notices a fin layer of frost everywhere.

1940 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:31, Fri 16 Oct 2020.

Interesting... bring that with us and we'll show the innkeeper.

How big is the hole in the mirror?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 180):

The hole in the mirror is about an inch or two in diameter, though the cracks in the mirror that resulted from that are bigger!

You leave that room for others to clean up. They do intend to use the facilities, after all, but they lock and board up the external door. You head to where the innkeeper is coming out of the cellar.

"Damn fuse, that is all it was."

Suddenly, the lights of a vehicle in the parking lot come on.

1950 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

NO, I think not... your Lad here saw something and a man was killed and another wounded ... the fuse did none of that. Didn't start that vehicle either.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 182):

"Wha...huh? What the hell, someone was killed?! What the hell is going on here?"

Mabel comes and tells him the story. She is quite distraught, as is Danny the cook. It could be a while before he comes to grips with what was happening while he was fixing the generator, but he cannot work out how. There was no evidence of anyone down in the basement.

You note that the vehicle is not started...just the lights came on. Then you hear breaking glass, and the alarm goes off. People are looking very nervous, asking whose car it is. No-one seems to know, suggesting perhaps it belonged to the injured man.

1950 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:15, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

Gloria gets to where she can see better... perhaps through the front door if it can still be opened ... depending on what she sees, she may shoot.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 184):

The wind howls outside, and the snow continues to fall heavily. The building is cold, with icy gusts reaching into every corner of the structure. Though the lights are on, it is still dim, with the sun completely blocked. The lights of the car barely make it through the snow, and the alarm barely heard over the wind. Then you see the lights on your G-Carrier light up.

1950 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:12, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

Anything moving out there?

One shot just over the G Carrier, near the drivers side... IF I can avoid starting a fire or other calamity.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 186):

If it was not for the lights, you would not know where the G-Carrier was. Your blind shot in the air (the safest way to take a shot without hitting anything, presumably with the laser pistol, is barely noticed in the storm, though you note the penetration, based on focused light after all, is severely reduced.

1955 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

Does it seem to have any effect? can we turn the G-Carrier off remotely?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 188):

The laser does not seem to have any effect. The hired vehicle does have a remote, but the sounds of something hitting the glass can just be heard through the storm when the alarm stops.

1956 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

Great, remote it off and sound the alarm if it has such.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 190):

The remote turns off your vehicle alarm.

What alarm are you sounding?

1956 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

OK, I thought we were turning the vehicle off and sounding the alarm that it was being messed with. Staying alert, looking around, but door is closed and locked now.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 192):

Ah, yes. You do turn your vehicle off, but there is no alarm to sound, per se. But everyone knows the vehicles are being messed with...you lock the door. That may effect your insurance...

2000 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

Not following on the Insurance...

Otherwise we start asking about what people may know...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 194):

Rental vehicles usually will charge for damage to hire vehicles...

The smashing continued for about ten minutes.

Asking around does not produce any information. There may be something you found from the crime scene...

2020 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

OK ... I am not following all this well.
Our grav sled has been beaten up?

We found something that didn't click with her?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 196):

So.ething outside is beating up the vehicles, yes, but the snow is too heavy to see what or how bad the damage is from inside.

OK ... so I know nothing new...

Any of you willing to come out with me and check the vehicles?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 198):

Your driver is willing to go out with you, but everyone else is afraid...

Concerned they might actually lock her out, she takes the key with her ... the two of them move carefully together, weapons drawn and ready to see what they can.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 200):

The wind screams and rages all around you as you stumble out into the snow. It’s surprisingly deep, almost to your knees, and you can’t see anything with the snow whipping past your eyes. Suddenly, the alarms fall silent.

Per roll...

She stays alert despite the weather caused issues ...


[Private to GM:  10:49, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,5,2.  Perception; by 2 I imagine the additional +3 for hearing isn't worth much in this situation.]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 202):

Correct. Hearing does not help due to the noise of the wind. Despite the poor visibility and biting cold, you sense an even greater cold approaching you. And then you see two points of fiery red, like sinister eyes burning into your soul. . . .

Who or what are you... why do you harm these people?  Fergus back me up...

While saying this she readies her shot, should it attack

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 204):

The creature seems to hiss, but icicles fly out of it's mouth at you, tearing through your armour before Frederick can respond...the heavy ice spears through your armour unless you are able to dodge...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 204):

Frederick has his storm rifle ready, and only just notices the creature when it attacks. He jumps away from you, barely fast enough to avoid the icy spears as he brings his rifle to bear. He then fires quickly at the creature, hitting it's paw and appearing to blow it off!
This message was last edited by the player at 23:49, Fri 13 Nov 2020.

Gloria steps aside and fires at the creature with her pistol, ceasing fire as Ferdinand moves forward ... but fails to avoid the icicles ... her DR18 nanoweave jump suit prevents any piercing damage (I assume).

[Private to GM:  10:05, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,4.  Pistol shot.
10:04, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,6,2.  Pistol shot.
10:08, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 16 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,4,1,5.  laser Damage.   Damage is 4d(2)
10:08, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 11 using 4d6 with rolls of 2,1,2,6.  Laser Damage.]

OOC- I thought he had a rifle/carbine?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Fri 13 Nov 2020.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 207):

I just checked, since it has been some time. I had thought that the rifle was in the vehicle, but Fredericks Storm Rifle was in the room upstairs. So ok, have edited it to reflect attack with the storm rifle. However, you only roll once to attack, and use the recoil to determine how many shots hit. In this case, your skill is 12-2(due to the driving wind and snow) =10, and the first roll was 12, so you miss. A roll of 10 would have been one hit, and with recoil of 1, a roll of 9 would have been 2 hits, etc, etc.

You discover that Nanoweave is rated DR18 vs piercing and cutting, but only DR6 vs any other type of damage, including impaling icicles. Clearly the designers were not factoring in this type of attack! You take 18 points of impaling damage to the torso (including damage modifiers are DR), and will need to roll a HT check to stay up.

You fire your shot at the creature, but swirling snow and wind makes you unsure if you hit it. Regardless, the creature suddenly seems to be taken by the swirling snow, becoming indistinguishable from it as the eyes disappear is you find yourself bleeding badly, surrounded by snow.

2030 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,731,790.

OK, Halt... your game... BUT Piercing and Impaling are essentially the same thing... The Pi BS was created to help make bullets more powerful than arrows or some spears/javelins, but if it stops Piercing, it stops impaling  ...   I cannot buy that the Nanoweave would be useless against a thrown knife or an Icicle. It defends against 4 mm projectiles.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 209):

Ultra-tech is pretty clear on Nanoweave. Pi is a small, light high speed projectile. Impaling is a heavy, low speed projectile. For example, a metal curtain would be much more effective against a sling bullet than a spear, damage otherwise being equal. Of course, a pistol doing 2d damage will be more dangerous that a 1d spear thrust, but to make it more precise, a 4d spear of ice will still inflict a lot more damage through flexible Nanoweave business suit than a 4d bullet. Even if both are slowed significantly, the heavier projectile will do a lot more damage than the lighter one once it penetrated.

I was a bit surprised too when I looked it up. But it will not be fatal, I can assure you of that. Being Vilani, they will have some pretty good drugs.

But I have to say, for a module actually based in modern day earth (and not soldiers!) and a scene that is not supposed to kill anyone, they made this critter pretty darn deadly! Yes, this is actually an adventure in a can, believe it or not! I hate to think what would have happened to average American citizens without body armour and hardly a decent weapon, even if there were 6 100 point characters! The module only has 2 of six with pistols, and one, a policewoman, with a Kevlar vest...and while there is a doctor, you have the Vilani 'miracle drugs', so you should outclass the baseline characters by a country mile in combat!
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:15, Sat 14 Nov 2020.

OK, OOC Game discussion:
GURPS gets confused easily when it comes to physics I think. A 44 Magnum (4 D6 pistol) represents a 240 grain (15.55 gram) slug at 1450 fps (442 M/S) develops something like 450 ft pounds of energy (610 Joules).
A 4 pound icicle at 50 fps  develops something like  200 foot pounds and has a broader tip most likely. It's also likely to shatter and will not take the shock of hitting something hard (which is not Gloria) ... There is a reason no one armed their infantry with icicles.

18 points of damage is 150% of er health...

14:59, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,4,5.  Health.

So she collapses and is out of it.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 211):

[OOC: True. But this creature is far from natural, to be sure. Lets not get into the physics of a creature with a 4d imp icicles breath weapon...]

The last thing Gloria remembers is Frederick grabbing her as she falls. She wakes up next morning, feeling much better, lying in the bed beside Riley (ie not the same bed), the man injured in the initial attack. Both of you sit up. You realize why the Vilani drugs were called miracle drugs. Your armour was removed to patch you up and is on the chair beside you, still bloody, but you seem uninjured!

"Guess you met the bugger, heh? Everyone has been held in the bar below for their own safety by Frederick. Good thing, too. I suspect that is why we have been able to recover without further incidents..."

0730 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:12, Sun 15 Nov 2020.

She gets up, gets dressed in her armor after trying to clean it a bit and goes down stairs. she finds Fredrick Did you see what it was? Did either of us hit it?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 213):

Riley seems a little put off at you ignoring him. The blood does was off the suit, though the stain will be harder to remove. It is a good 15 minutes later you get down stairs. Riley follows you down, having already got dressed.

"Good to see you are back up! I bought some Kulikasu off the owner. I think I shot a paw off, if you could call it that, and the thing disappeared and gave me time to drag you back inside. But I have no idea what the freak that thing is, I must say, and nobody down here had anything to add to that."

0745 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Well at least it knows there is a price to messing with us... did you get the paw in here? It might tell us something...


You can assume I made some small talk with Riley upstairs ... but her mind was elsewhere.

has the storm let up any?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 215):

In the small talk, Riley will tell you he is from the Hoffman Institute, investigating paranormal activities in the town. He asks about his Diary and the snow globe...

The paw, like the rest of the thing, disappeared when the thing turned into a swirling cloud of snow...

and the snow storm does not seem to have let up at all. It is getting hard to tell if the sun has even come up...no-one has ever seen a blizzard like this one.

Most people crowd around you and Riley as you discuss things. The innkeeper is particularly concerned about your health.

OK, what sort of weapons do we have amongst us?  This snow monster can be hurt ... and somehow it is tied to this storm as best I can tell.  I'll let Riley here try to explain the hows and whys... also do we have any hard armor here?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 217):

A couple of guys mention that they have armour at their homes, but they did not bring it, and are concerned to go and get it. You have your laser rifle upstairs in your room.

Riley explains that he suspects this may be the work of a local cult, though he does not really know what it is. He just thinks some cult has summoned this thing. he suspects fire damage may hurt it as well.

Per roll...

Given the terrible visibility , she wonders if the rifle would even be useful, certainly the storm carbine will be, but then again it is not a weapon using much heat. Her laser pistol may still be best. She thinks it would be crazy for anyone to venture out toward their homes just yet.  The spray of icicles is a concern, given the general lack of armor.

OK, No one goes home and no one goes outside alone. What do we have here that we can use to make some sort of armor to defeat  the icicle spray? And what weapons do we have? Riley says fire may be something it fears and is damaged by.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 219):

Most agree.

To make some decent armour is something that is beyond them. You have most of the weapons, though someone says they thought Demont had a gun as well, but you cannot see him in the room.

Still waiting for Per check...

Huh?


14:19, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 15 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,6,3.  Perception .

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 221):

While you are thinking about armour, folk start asking if there is the smell of smoke in the air.

0756 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Joy! we go see what's burning...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 223):

You are not alone in hunting for the fire. It does not take long for the source to be found...the  stationary stand in the convenience store is ablaze, and the fire seems to be spreading fast! Orange flames lick up to the roof, and if they ignite the wooden rafters, the building will be lost!

0756 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

So sources of water and a search for who/how it started. Wet towels, blankets etc and buckets if they don't have a hose set up (common in hotels/inns).

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 225):

There are no hoses, but there is an extinguisher in the hall outside the restrooms you remember, and there is probably one in the kitchen. Frederick grabs the one in the restrooms and heads to the fire. It looks more than a single extinguisher can manage though.

The restroom has water and of course there is snow outside, and there is probably a cleaning cupboard around with buckets. It will take a minute to grab any one of these items, and the flames are getting higher...

Mabel is the first to go into the room, and she attempt to grab the fire extinguisher there, but she is forced back by heat. Her husband rushes to her as she staggers back, but she is OK. Others are standing around, alarmed.

[OOC: Options:
1) Leadership roll wit -2 penalty to mobilize the onlookers
2) Find and grab another fire extinguisher
3) Find and grab a bucket and water.
4) Rip some curtains down in an attempt to get something to smother the flames. Blankets and towels are upstairs.
5) Try to investigate who started it.
6) Start moving flammable items away from the fire, to slow it's spread.

0756 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Gloria turns and points at onlookers

you two get every thing falamble away from the fire,
You two grab the curtains and soak them in the bathroom, then bring them here sopping wet and we'll use them on the fire.

You, find more extingueshers

The rest of you, grab buckets out of cleaning supplies, fill them with water and bring them here, Hurry.

Now MOVE!


[Private to GM:  11:40, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,2,4.  Leadership.   by 5]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 227):

You manage to get three of them motivated. One moves in to try to get some flammable stuff away from the fire, while one starts removing curtains roughly. The third one runs to the kitchen to look for another extinguisher.

Frederick, meanwhile gets the extinguisher ready to start protecting the guy who is moving the flammables away from the fire.

[Private to GM: Flash-over at 0801, 2/10 successes]

0757 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Gloria grabs two of them and heads into the bathrooms to find buckets ...  orders one to fill the one they find and takes the other to the ladies room, dragging him in if necessary Damn, surely you have seen a toilet before.  She again has him fill a bucket, and she fills the second found here...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 229):

One is busy pulling down the curtains, one headed to the kitchen and one is moving flammables. The rest have moved away back into the bar, arguing over how it started and what they should do if the building goes up. You may take another minute to try to get more of them to assist (another Leadership roll, this time -1 penalty) but use of physical force is likely to have people back away and demand to know who put you in charge...

No physical force, but sometimes a bit of physical guidance and pointing., shealso calls the guys at the bar and ask if they want to die in hereor save the building...


[Private to GM:    15:30, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 5 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,2,2.  Leadership. Crit and by 8]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 231):

Your coercion is effective...they finally they the point! The cook rushes into the kitchen, emerging soon after with a fire blanket, just behind the local who grabbed another fire extinguisher. Two other locals rush for the cleaning cupboard to grab buckets, while 2 more head into the kitchen to grab the biggest pots they can find. You hear taps running into the buckets in both the kitchen and the washrooms.

The last two locals begin removing the remaining curtains, looking with some concern at the heavy snow outside.

The volunteer pulling flammable stuff away is getting too hot, though, and is beaten back, taking more fuel with him. He curses..."This stuff has fuel on it!" Afraid he now has fuel on him, he leaves for the washrooms.

It is just as well, Frederick dropped the fire extinguisher he was using, while the local with the curtain managed to beat some flames out. [Critical failure on DX roll...]

[Private to GM: Flash-over at 0802, 3/10 successes]

0758 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

She tries to grab the falling extinguisher, but misses it...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 233):

It does not fall far, and he will grab it in a moment, but it was time lost. The buckets and pots continue filling as the fire blanket, 2 curtains and fire extinguisher from the kitchen arrive and are prepared for use, as the local using the curtain struggles with the weight of picking it up to use again.

[Private to GM: Flash-over at 0802, 3/10 successes]

0759 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

I'll try and help.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 235):

Sure. How? With the curtains, the fire extinguisher of the buckets? Or pulling some flammables away?

[Private to GM: Flash-over at 0802, 3/10 successes]

0759 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Well the curtain guy seemed to need help.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 237):

Sure. ST check?

15:15, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,2,3.  ST   [Private to GM: By 2]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 239):

Your assistance does help put out some of the flames.

The cook with a fire blanket reaches the entrance and prepares blanket, but he struggles with the dates bag sticking closed. Two buckets of water and two large pots are now carefully brought to the entrance as well, as folk discuss the best way to use them and move to position themselves to do so. Frederick also picks up his extinguisher and readies that.

There are now three locals that have brought curtains to smother the fringes as well, but they cannot seem to manage to get them used properly, with only one managing to smother a few fringe elements.

The local who grabbed the fire extinguisher from the Kitchen, however, begins to use it to good effect, but the fire is still growing.

[Private to GM: Flash-over at 0802, 6/10 successes]

0800 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Throw the water at the top  half so it will dribble down and put out the base... Fire extinguishers at the base and lets try and get the curtains up over the top.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 241):

This time everyone gets their acts together. The Curtains are thrown over the top of the burning racks, and the water thrown up at the roof which was starting to burn, falling back to make the curtains wet (although 2 of the 4 did not make it quite to the top of the ceiling!) The Fire extinguishers were then used very effectively to deal with the smaller spotfires, with the cook smothering the remaining spot. Only a few embers remain smouldering...

As quickly as it is started, it is over. Heavy smoke fills the room, and you are certainly no longer cold! Suddenly, there is the sound of breaking glass and a gunshot. Mabel screams and comes running into the room.

"It is Dumont! That freak has a gun, and he has called that thing in from the snow! I think he is after Riley! He demanded that I hand him over to him, and something else."

0802 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Gloria motions to Fredrick to grab his gun and heads out carefully ... She is still unsure of who is doing what to whom, but Dumont seems to be the problem for the moment.  She will aim for second before firing.



Should it be needed:
20:23, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 5 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,1,3.  Laser Pistol.   Skill 12

20:26, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 6 using 4d6 with rolls of 1,1,2,2.  Dam:4d (2) burn.
20:26, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 19 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,3,5,5.  Dam:4d (2) burn.
20:25, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 9 using 4d6 with rolls of 1,3,2,3.  Dam:4d (2) burn.
20:25, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 19 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,1,6,6.  Dam:4d (2) burn.
20:25, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 22 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,6,6,4.  Dam:4d (2) burn.

5 shots... may be able to get off two more if needed

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 243):

Frederick responds by throwing away the fire extinguisher and drawing his rifle out.

It does not take long to work out which one is Dumont. You had seen him earlier, and assumed he was a local. Dumont is a large, powerfully built man who dresses like a trucker or longshoreman. He speaks with a guttural French-Canadian accent, when he speaks at all—he’s normally surly and unresponsive to any kind of attempts at conversation. He carries a revolver and seems to have a clamshell vest on, perhaps the light variety. Coming around the doorway into sight, he growls something and aims his weapon at you as you are aiming. Range is about 18 yards (Short,-3). The shot stings a little as it grazes off your armour. Much to your annoyance, your laser does the same off his clamshell...all 5 rounds glance off! Even light Clamshell has DR of 45, or 22 vs your laser weapon...out of the corner of your eye, you see Frederick readying the storm rifle, bracing it on a burnt shelf.

He laughs and moves forward, this time aiming to your chest as he steps forwards a little and stops, lining up another shot.

"Stop fucking up my work, you friggin foreign interlopers! You just don't get when you are not wanted! Get out of my friggin way..."

Behind him, the white wolf with red eyes limps into view with a low growl.

[Private to GM: Attack roll 10, skill 13+5 (acc)-3 (range) -7(head)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:12, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

OK, slip back around the door frame slightly and aim at the wolf ...

[Private to GM:
11:04, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 20 using 4d6 with rolls of 4,6,6,4.  laser Damage.
11:04, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 15 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,6,3,3.  Laser Damage.
11:03, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 19 using 4d6 with rolls of 4,5,6,4.  Laser Damage.
11:03, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 16 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,1,6,6.  Laser Damage.
11:03, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 15 using 4d6 with rolls of 2,4,5,4.  Laser Damage.
11:03, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 14 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,1,4,3.  Laser Damage.
11:02, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,2.  Laser Pistol.]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 245):

You step around the door frame and one of the shelves in your way to get a better shot, disrupting Dumonts aim as you move further from Frederick, and Dumont re-adjusts his target...to your head! The bullet whizzes by just inches as you raise your weapon and aim at the wolf behind him, now approaching you both, before Frederick fires.

A Storm rifle is a heavy, hard-hitting weapon, and whilst it will struggle against clamshell armour, against an un-armoured head, the result is very rarely anything other than instant death. This is not one of those rare instants, and Dumont drops, the wolf growling and dodging the falling body...giving you just enough time to unleash your heavy laser pistol on full automatic.

Despite the wolf dodging spoiling your aim, two rounds still hit, searing into the beasts torso is a gush of steam. The creature growls, and moves towards you, coming to within 8 yards of you now.

Still trying to get the wolf ...

[Private to GM:
15:21, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 17 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,5,6,3.  Laser Damage.
15:20, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 12 using 4d6 with rolls of 5,2,2,3.  Laser Damage.
15:20, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 15 using 4d6 with rolls of 5,6,1,3.  Laser Damage.
15:20, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 12 using 4d6 with rolls of 1,3,4,4.  Laser Damage.
15:20, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 10 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,1,1,5.  Laser Damage.
15:19, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,2,3.  Laser Pistol.]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 247):

The creature is hit twice more as it moves to within 4 yards, but it keep coming. Frederick begins aiming at the creature, which is now looking more haggard.
This message was last updated by the player at 03:24, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

I know... you are waiting for a 16 so the wolf can attack me ... then I become the next Dumont.


20:16, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 14 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,3,2,3.  Laser Damage.
20:16, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 18 using 4d6 with rolls of 2,6,4,6.  Laser Damage.
20:15, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 15 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,2,4,3.  laser Damage.
20:15, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 12 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,1,4,4.  laser Damage.
20:15, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,2,5.  Laser Pistol.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 249):

Not at all! If you spoke to Riley about what is happening, you would have a better idea! The wolf is approaching to use it's breath weapon...and that is clearly the plan now as you fire. It's attempts to dodge are poor, though, and at this range, all your shots hit.

Incredibly, it is not until the last shot that the creature stops. The howling of the wind and the screaming of the winter-demon rise to an intolerable pitch. Stinging ice scours your flesh, and waves of bitter cold rake your body. Then the creature seems to explode into a spray of ice, dissipating in the wind. Its chattering howls die with it, slowly fading away. The wind relents, and the malign sentience of the storm outside seems to vanish as well.

It’s done.

0815 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Gee, just 59 points plus everything before... nothing like a 100 point adversary!

She tries to shake it off and goes to Dumont's body, recovering the revolver and searching him for clues, ammo, money etc. She has Fredrick look around outside with his rifle ready, and if safe to check out the rented grav sled.

She then finds Riley ... Can you explain what happened?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 251):

Actually, it was at -3xHP...it kept passing HT checks to both stay up and not to die, before finally succumbing!

Dumont was wielding a Medium Pistol, 7.5mm CLP, a common Vilani weapon, and wearing a Light Clamshell Vest. Driving a Wheeled All Terrain Truck parked out the front, he was known to visit from time to time, but few knew much about him. Frederick asks if he can take Dumonts Clamshell jacket if no-one else wants it. Others start to relax a little as the snowstorm clearly starts to subside, amazed. There is a lot of cleaning up to do, and folk are asking you if it is over.

When you find Riley he is sitting in the dining room. He first asks about the Snow Globe and the notebook of his you found previously.

"The Hoffmann Institute is an organization devoted to investigating and understanding all kinds of paranormal phenomena. The Institute operates from more than a dozen major offices around the world, dispatching professional investigators to check out reports of ghosts, hauntings, unknown aliens, mysterious creatures, real magic, and the activities of secret organizations and conspiracies.

Several days ago, agents working for the Institute investigated an old estate formerly owned by a reputed cult leader and diabolist named Michel Galvin. Galvin disappeared about ten years ago, and distant relatives finally sold his manor in order to wash their hands of the whole business. I had been keeping tabs on the old Galvin place and when I heard of the upcoming estate sale I visited the site to make sure that it was free of Michel Galvin’s sinister influence before it was sold to some unsuspecting person.

My team and I examined the place in detail, discovering a secret laboratory or conjuration room hidden in the manor’s attic. The room was mostly empty, but concealed in a secret drawer I found this evil artifact—a snow globe with magical powers. No-one knew what to make of Galvin’s globe, so we were taking it to an Institute expert for a thorough examination and safekeeping. Galvin’s circle of acolytes, Les Trieze Corbins (The Thirteen Crows) must still be around, and I am guessing this is one of their number."

He offers you his business card, marked with the Hoffmann Institute logo. “You handled yourselves pretty well. We’re looking for people like you.”

0830 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Thanks but I do have a job that I can't back out on just now; but if sometime later things change, I'll keep you in mind. I am surprised to hear that Magic exists, it has always been childhood foolishness everywhere I have been.

What about our Grav Raft? Fred can have the clamshell armor, we may need the wheeled AT Truck, depending.

Now about the men we were looking for?

Gloria will keep the revolver and ammo, it may help her blend in in the future.  Was he carrying any money? Anything else?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 253):

"To be sure, the Imperial Government would want no other view of magic. They go to great lengths to cover it up, because it does not exist in our current scientific state, so considerable research would be needed. If there is one thing the Government does not want, it is research into things we think we already know about...so much better to make the scant evidence disappear."

The G-Carrier is damaged, but it is really only cosmetic...glass broken, some bent panels. One of the local mechanics reckons he can fix it up in a few days if you leave it with him. He will give his services for free, though he cannot afford to buy the parts for you as well. In the meantime, you should feel free to use the AT Truck.

A more thorough search of Dumont does reveal a notebook and about $80. Mabel and the hotel ask if they can have that to cover some of the damage he caused, though it clearly will not cover all. The notebook has a list of 4 other names and addresses, plus Jonas Rileys name and travel details, and one of the other names is a name you are looking for.

When you start asking around the bar for the other names on your list, two more of them are here! They were among the first to assist with the fire.

0830 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

OK, Mabel gets the $80, Riley gets the Book.

I take the two aside and have a little chat telling them whom I represent (in terms of this mission...ie the guys who want to get their friends out) and why... I ask if the rest are around and OK.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 255):

Most, though not all, have survived. It has been tough, and some have joined various groups, such as this Les Trieze Corbins. They are pretty sure they can contact survivors, at least 6 of them. They ask if you can provide transport home.

Yes, but not for those in the 13 crows or like groups ... they have crossed the line. It will be crowded and awkward, but I can get you home.


Crew is 4 + Gloria... Life support is 10...  but with 6 escapees that's 11 ... what can we do to cover that discrepancy?  They'll have to hot bunk too, but that should be much less of a problem.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Mon 23 Nov 2020.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 257):

They appreciate that, and will get things ready to leave. In the meantime, they ask if you can clear their name by dealing with this group of whackos...

Which group?

Note add to previous message

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 259):

Ah, yes. There is equipment that can be taken to temporarily increase life support. Perhaps cost about $50,000, and take up 0.25 dTons. Scrubbers and the like. Plus extra supplies.

The other option is regular passenger services, but they cost about $20,000 per head. For any others they manage to contact, that would be interesting...but ponying up that much cash is a lot.

The group that is giving them a bad name is Les Trieze Corbins.

0900 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:20, Mon 23 Nov 2020.

OK, as far as clearing their names, it shouldn't be necessary, given they wil be gone; BUT I will speak with Riley and see if we can't wangle something based on their assistance to us during this situation.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 261):

Riley is happy to facilitate things, and to clear the names of those who have helped out. That is just two of the group of soldiers though. The rest were back in their homes, a bit further out and away from here. Overall there are estimated to be 20-30 soldiers 'dumped' in the region after the last war, many in the more remote locations. Just how many or names on your list is uncertain, but the two here recognized at least 6 other names. There may be more, but clearing the names of those not here is not Rileys interest. Though if he can identify the rest of the Les Trieze Corbins, that would do that.

0900 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

So if these guys know who some of those 13 crows are, can we snag them ... asking these guys.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 263):

They only know two members who tried to recruit them. They are otherwise a very secretive bunch...but they may have some leads on finding those two that Riley is interesting in chasing up.

0900 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

OK , That's cool, and I want to get the six or so men back here asap.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 265):

One of those whose name was on the list asks for a copy of the list, and he will find who he can. He expects it might take a few days. What are your plans in the meantime?

Plans? Seriously? anything resembling plans is OBE (overcome by events) ... the Grav Raft needs repairs, Fred and I need rest and to contact the ship. We will hold the AT Truck for our use, but use it to assist around here as needed, when we don't need it. Might use it to get these 2 guys back to where ever... we do provide a copy of the list of names.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 267):

Lol, right. They will take a copy of the list and head out to get them. They live deeper in the mountains, where there is a small group of them living on something like a ranch. Well, a small cluster of homes with barns for keeping animals out of such snowstorms. In the meantime you will get a good chance to rest as the locals do repairs to the building. How do you intend to contact the ship?

0900 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

I thought we had a working cell phone that could use Satellite comms... I am pretty sure we had to buy it when we got here.

Not that it would matter...the thing damaged the Cell phone towers, and satellite phones are a lot more expensive...usually $2000 or so, and also planet specific. Powerful radios are usually the most universal.

0900 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Radio is fine ... smoke signals will work if they get the message ... no secrets involved.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 271):

Except you did not bring one...Long Range Communicators are $1000 and weigh 10 lbs. There is one at the hotel that is used for emergency communications, but the antenna was broken in the storm. They will have it fixed in a day, they expect. Frederick comments that they will grab one next time, for sure. Both his and your communicators are only short range...10 mile range at max.

1000 04 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Joy, but we do what we must...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 273):

Which is? Wait around for s few more days, or go chase up those cultists?

We will wait, not set up to chase cultists... Grav Sled/raft is repaired yet?
Antenna is fixed? Do we make contact with the ship?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 275):

Grav raft waiting on new windows to arrive, but antenna, needed to order it, is fixed. You can make contact with the ship.

0800 05 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

OK, we let them know of our excitement in Vague terms.
Are they capable of flying it here if need be?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 277):

They will need to get permission, which will require a good reason, in order to fly a starship to an unsecured location. What reason would you give them?

No way to get back and a crew member who needs specific medicines on the ship.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 279):

The unforseen circumstances that resulted in said crew member being without their specific medicine?

They are bureaucrats after all...

0830 05 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Well we made  quick trip up here and were snowed in by a freak snowstorm and damage to our transportation during the storm has prevented our leaving .

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 281):

They put forward the request. They are promised a response on the same business day...

It is next morning that they contact you, telling you that the request has been accepted.

0900 06 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

We thank them for their timely response...  I had originally just wanted to know if I could get the ship here, but now feel that I need to bring it up here...  Is there a reasonably safe place to land it and keep it secure?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 283):

Lol, well, there is open mountains, though there are relatively flat places. As for keeping it secure...that is what crew are for! But you will need to get the hire Carrier back...

Sometime just asking the question gets people assuming.

0900 06 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Yup ... the carrier should fit in the Iiken for the trip back... anything from the guys we sent looking for their buddies?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 285):

G-Carrier takes up 10 dTons of space, you have 2...

It does not take long to see that will not work.

1800 06 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

OK, so we can't stack them in the bay for a short trip?

If not, we'll have to crew it back ... and the guys we are looking for?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 287):

10 dTon in a 2 dTon hole? I don't think so!

It will have to be crewed back. They guys are still not back.

1800 06 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

10 dTon in a 2 dTon hole? I don't think so! ... that's what low gear is for.  That's what I told an Air Force crew chief who told me a couldn't put a M60A1 tank in a C-130; he didn't seem amused.

We'll wait another day or so.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 289):

Lol, I can imagine a C-130 trying to take off with an underslung Abrams!

When they do come back, there are 11 of them! Speaking of shoe-horning...The other option is regular passenger services, but they cost about $20,000 per head, but none of them have that kind of cash.

1800 08 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Well no, I said I could get the tank into the aircraft ... never said anything about it being able to fly after I did ;-)


Gloria decides she will shoe horn, she has two men take the Grav Vehicle back to the city while she flies the ship back. We meet up, cover any reasonable costs  and get any necessary bits to make the trip bearable. We verify orders, names, service records to ensure no issues and take off headed for Garaniis. We ensure we have enough equipment and weapons to fight the ship if need be.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 291):

A lot of things there.

You verify the names of all 11 of them, but you do not have anywhere near enough life support. Frederick takes the G-Carrier, once fixed, back to town, along with a couple of locals. However, your Iken only has Life support for 10, including yourself and the 4 crew. Even Hot bunking runs a very large risk of overloading the life support systems by having 16 (see P173 of G:ISW, you would need to roll daily 7 or less to have the Life Support NOT degrade, and for every degradation, this drops. You would be lucky to survive a week...

But getting 6 of them tickets for $120,000 would cover that. Or you can look at modifying the ship with bunks.

1800 10 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1474 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Yup... wasn't paying attention and just read the 11 as total, including us... my error.
I am going to surmise that putting in bunks and extra Life support would be damnably expensive compared to putting them on a normal passenger flight.  Is there likely to be any issues with them being frisked or pulled off the flight for any reason?

We could probably gin up some orders transferring them ...

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 293):

Orders transferring them from Girii command to Dingir Command would be damnably hard to get approved. But regular passenger services should work just fine.

Looking into it, installing a whole lot of bunk beds (20) into one pair of the cabins, and upgrading the life support system would actually be cheaper. It would be considered substandard accommodation by Vilani standards, but would cost just $80,000, and take two weeks. Including your accommodation for the time.

1800 11 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,730,590.

Well I was thinking a lower level of Lemrukiri transferring PoWs back to Sukun. Sort of a Humanitarian transfer...

Looks like we'll do the Bunks and Life support Mods if the guys from Sukun are willing to live with it... we do want it removable so we can store it some where.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 295):

I think removable bunks would have half the capacity...and they would loose one cabin to store it when you packed it up, as well as costing more for an unusual design. $100,000...

The guys are fine for that option though.

Ummm ;-) making the pipes that support the bunks pull apart is TL 2 or 3... no appreciable weight gain and I didn't say I was going to store it on the ship necessarily. Modern aircraft do this stuff all the time... simple push pins and line up the holes. Canvas racks with inflatable mattresses. Not a lot of design involved.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 297):

I was looking at more permanent stuff, such as collapsible beds rather than canvas, the kind of stuff you can actually sleep on for a few months, as well as bathroom facilities, washing facilities and eating facilities to match. What you are talking about is little more than a cargo bay, not actual accommodation facilities. They will have to travel at least a month...life support in space is a lot more than a bed!

OK, You win again...  hard to just have them pee off of the stern... and it does not have to be removable.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 299):

Indeed. So going with the known permanent option, you have bunks installed in place of two cabins, with the appropriate facilities as well. There are a couple of extra guys on your list that turn up as well, after the guys you have call around, taking the total number to 20. You do get time to talk about things with them while the modifications are being done if you want.

Iken Smuggler 108.2 M Solars, 100 dTon Needle/Wedge
(6.1G/Move:2120, dDR:10, dHP: 35, Cargo Space: 2 dTons, Fuel: 4 Parsecs, SM:+8)
Crew:4, Life Support: 28, Cabins: 4 x 2, Bunks: 20
Weapons: 4xPulse, 1xMissile, 1xSandcaster,

25 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,650,590.

Yes, sounds like a plan:
Discuss any knowledge of this 13 crows stuff...relay to Riley
Discuss How Dingir treated them...
See how they feel about how the folks on Sukun are doing.
tell them who sent us to get them...  and that it was a low level deal, not anything to do with the powers that be.

Can't think of much else right now.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 301):

The men understandably feel deserted by Dingir, and their opinion is not very high.

The 13 crows stuff is regarded as a whacko cult, and though rumours of witchcraft are there, they are not generally given any credence. The members of the cult from your list were not contacted.

They do not know how the folks on Sukun are doing, but they really just want to get away from the capitals and find somewhere remote to settle down. When they find out who sent you, it increases resentment of the Dingir powers somewhat. One or two are adamant that Sukun should not be under Dingir control.

25 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,650,590.

I let them know that the leaders on Sukun were not concerned as to what happened to the crews they sent, only the junior officers seemed to care. That there was a Kimashargur undercurrent that wnted to slid out from under Vilani (Dingir) control and be a separate imperial entity.

I do not promote any sort of resistance, just give them the information. I will mention the Anakundu Regiment that enforces the leaders decrees and prevents any resistance.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 303):

They are aware of the 'overlords minions' as they refer to the Anukundu. They are also quick to point out that the current ruler in Dingir is also Anukundu. You get the strong impression there is no loyalty to Dingir amoung your passengers.

The craft is ready soon enough, and you are able to depart. The extra bunk rooms are suitable for Terrans, though low class for Vilani. Still, there are no complaints from you passengers, who are just grateful to be heading home at last.

Route?

25 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,650,590.

Lashish, Naginishmure Shuurushana, Unshurlar, Kiishrii, Sukun.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 305):

Ok. Refuelling at gas giants or bases? Procedure when challenged by security? Noting that you are passing through a prison planet system, you should expect inspection, some more detailed.

Departing Lemrukiri is relatively straightforward, though they do record those departing.

25 Nov 2179, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,650,590.

OK, lets detour and go Lashish, Naginishmure Shuurushana, Kanumshikaa, Gikir, Sukun. Same distance basically.

We will stick to GG refueling, and basically play by the rules, we can remind them we passed this way not so long ago.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 307):

Ok. Passing back through Shuurushana, you notice the Shamshirs that were there before are no longer there. At Kanumshikaa, you notice that there are more Fighter patrols about, not all with missiles, as well as Gashiddas variants you had not seen before.

You arrive back to Sukun by the end of January. There is talk about recent ship losses that is not fostering better relations. Some are blaming Girii, but border disputes with Shululsish recently make the possibility of some hostilities more widespread than that. Especially with the war with Terra reopening.

The passengers are keen to return, and non-too eager to rejoin any war effort, except perhaps for a war of independence.

25 Jan 2180, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,650,590.

OOC - IIRC, Cyril is a couple months after me in shooting up the place].

I drop these guys off and look to make contact with Lt Gardner and the Vilani Lt Cdr whose name escapes me at the moment.
I assume no issues in getting them out of the Star port. I give the crew a couple of days off, two at a time and I go find a room at the Hotel I was originally sent to. I'll bring the stunner and my CC pistol along with some frilly under stuff and a tube of lube... it's been a while.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 309):

The Vilani inspector is delighted to hear his friends are back, though less than excited at the information he receives over the next few days. He definitely comes by to thank you in person, each night, in a performance that many boast about but few ever deliver...

Crews wages? Discussions afterwards?

28 Jan 2180, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,669,590.

I am pretty sure we can afford to pay the crew...
Will speak with Gardner when time&location permits

Gloria is more than happy to entertain Bjorn's best efforts, and is greatly appeased by it. She also talks with him about how these guys were just dumped, with no concern for their welfare or even lives. Super Shity in her words.

Does he have any bits of interesting information?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 311):

How much does she give her crew?

Bjorn has had a chat with his mates, and they are very grateful for him arranging their release.

Word has now arrived (it is a few days later) regarding the attack at Shuurashana, though the reports are still initial reports of the loss of two Shamshirs. The culprit was reputed to be Terran, and given they are now at war, the question of how Terrans were operating through Giriian  space has incensed a number of leaders. Others ask why Dingir has to fight them when Girii works well with, and even profits from, their relationship with Terrans. The divides are far from distant, with a number of dissidents being arrested locally increasing. There are reports of hundreds being shipped off to Unsharlur in an effort to keep a lid on things, with more heading to the other worlds nearer Girii.

But the border at Shuurashana has now been closed as a result. The brass is arguing about how to respond.

28 Jan 2180, Lemrukiri, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,669,590.

In reply to Fate (msg # 312):

Pay plus a Bonus of 10%

We lay a bit low, check out of the hotel and seek another lesser star port to "have our ship painted".
We can provide seed money if needed, anonymously, but will not be seen as anti-government.
If need be we can run, but hope to avoid that necessity.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 313):

Ok. I could go over detailed calculations, but handwave, and say $50,000 for 2 months wages for all four crew? They would be happy, though Frederick may want a little extra...

You lay low for two weeks, gathering a feel for the local populace. As news gets out about deportations, there is greater unrest. Riots are seen near the Anukundu barracks, and calls for their removal to the prison planet or Shuurashana are no longer muttered under breaths. While there is some strategic sense to this, the real reason is that clearly the government is not in favour. People would prefer a different government, though suggestions of Girii are meth with imprisonment.

While the Gashiddas are manned increasingly by locals, those at the prison planet are the clear exception after a hero is reputedly hired to bring back 120 political prisoners, which they actually do successfully. Bjorn is glad you are not involved in that. Or so he hopes.

But word that you got folk from Girii does start to get around. A local you have never met before meets you at the bar one evening, suggesting a clandestine meeting...

12 Feb 2180, Sukun, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,569,590.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:04, Sat 05 Dec 2020.

A meeting? About? I don't believe I know you...

We may go, but with sufficient protection.

About the Hero bringing 120 Back to ?? Sukun?

Oh, and we are at Sukun,not Lemrukiri ;-)

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 315):

Quite correct. The prisoners were reputed to have been brought back to Sukun, but of course the officials deny this. There are rumours that a Unit of Shamshirs (usually 10) with modified craft are being sent to restore the borders.

"No, you don't. But perhaps you will. I am looking to get in contact with those who dislike our government. Like me."

12 Feb 2180, Sukun, Supplies: 1460 person-days, current crew: 4+Gloria, $1,018,569,590.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:57, Sat 05 Dec 2020.

Gloria is very much on Guard... Anakundu can be tricky...

How do I know this is not some Government trick to get me in deep trouble. It's not my Government and not my home... why me?

Does Lt Gardner know of this?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 317):

He does not, nor do any others you know of. Do you involve him?

Not immediately, but bring two of my crew (assuming they are picked and briefed on our mission)... we are cautious.

[Private to GM: 19:29, Today: Gloria Flake rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,5,1.  Detect Lies by 2]

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 319):

You get an uneasy feeling about him, which does not ease as you notice the seed part of town where he is planning the meeting is not so far from the Anukundu barracks as you may like.

"If this is a setup, do we get to shoot a few Anukundu outside of the law?" one of your crew suggests as you approach.

Adjust your Character sheet to reflect what Gear are you taking.

We decide not to take him up on the meeting, citing our being outsiders and not wanting to get involved with local affairs, especially if illegal.
We immediately leave, then contact Lt Gardner and Gashiddarem Bjorn Hondari to tell them we think we were being approached by ?? bad people.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 321):

You were initially approached at a bar, and invited to the meeting place in another location. Hence, once he had departed, you could not further communicate with him. But you can ditch him by simply not showing up when you realize the location of the meeting place, so I assume you do that.

Instead, you contact Gardner first, or Bjorn?

Ditch him works...  Gardner first.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 323):

He listens as you talk and smiles.

"Can you make an excuse to make another meeting? Perhaps you do not know that part of town, and direct them to a meeting in a location I can direct them to. If they are starting to hunt for rebels...let them find some...fatally! We can stop some of these problems by poking out their eyes, so to speak! If nothing else, we will kill a few Anukundu and drive a bigger wedge between them and the locals."

Perhaps ... I'll troll the same places again... want to be a guard this time?

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 325):

"Sure, be glad to..."

In reply to LT David Gardner (msg # 326):

A few days later, the same figure approaches you, once again wearing a covering cloak.

"You did not show. I have much that can help fight the government. Meet me at this location in 2 hours, or forget it."

He hand you a business card.