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20:02, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Game Posts Thread 2.

Posted by JRFor group 0
JR
GM, 593 posts
Sun 6 May 2018
at 17:57
  • msg #1

Game Posts Thread 2

We will continue the game posts here...
Hoot
player, 156 posts
Mon 7 May 2018
at 02:08
  • msg #2

Game Posts Thread 2

"If we enter the damaged dome through that hole maybe we could find a way to enter the in tact one."
Matt
player, 490 posts
Mon 7 May 2018
at 04:04
  • msg #3

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looked about.  "Is there a manual means of cranking the hatches open? Or another emergency way into the domes?"
JR
GM, 594 posts
Mon 7 May 2018
at 13:40
  • msg #4

Game Posts Thread 2

"I don't really know," Joxe replies. She steps over to the hole. "Like Gareth says, we can get in this way."
Matt
player, 491 posts
Wed 9 May 2018
at 02:42
  • msg #5

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent glances more closely at the hole and takes a look inside carefully.
JR
GM, 595 posts
Wed 9 May 2018
at 13:22
  • msg #6

Game Posts Thread 2

The hole has been melted through the dome's tough Imperial composites; the edges are smooth, and most of the slag has run down the inside of the half-meter-thick dome wall. There are no sharp edges or other protrusions he can see.

Two meters beyond the hole is another wall with a matching hole in it. The interior is too gloomy to see more detail.
Hoot
player, 157 posts
Fri 11 May 2018
at 01:59
  • msg #7

Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth will follow whoever enters the dome, but declines to be first in.
Matt
player, 492 posts
Fri 11 May 2018
at 03:00
  • msg #8

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent peers into the hole and shines his light around.
JR
GM, 596 posts
Sun 13 May 2018
at 13:40
  • msg #9

Game Posts Thread 2

Veronica steps forward to stand beside Brent. "I will take point, then."

Brent's light shows a building wall about three stories tall, and made of composite materials.

Veronica takes a look with her own light. "Come on, Malcolm, let's check it out." She crawls though the hole and stands on the other side. Malcolm follows, and the pair move out in opposite directions, stopping at the building corners. "Clear," they each report in turn.
Matt
player, 493 posts
Mon 14 May 2018
at 04:09
  • msg #10

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent follows the first two through.
JR
GM, 597 posts
Mon 14 May 2018
at 15:19
  • msg #11

Game Posts Thread 2

Joxe waits until everyone else is inside, and then she crawls through the hole. "This is, or was, the security building for the dome."

The floor and walls are coated in a fine film of tan dust, with no sign of footprints or other disturbances. The air pressure in here is the same as outside -.11psi. There is no sound to be heard, or vibrations to be felt. The dusty and tinted dome lends a gloomy cast to the interior.
Matt
player, 494 posts
Wed 16 May 2018
at 00:41
  • msg #12

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent walks to the side and looks about to get an idea of what is contained under the dome and if there was further damage from the bolt that had cut through the dome wall.
Hoot
player, 158 posts
Wed 16 May 2018
at 02:33
  • msg #13

Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth looks around the immediate vicinity of his small group. He is looking primary for any signs of power or written materials in the security building.
JR
GM, 599 posts
Thu 17 May 2018
at 17:32
  • msg #14

Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth peeks around the corner and sees what appears to be a vestibule leading into the building. He can see down the street for three blocks to where the street ends at the facade of another building. The street is lined with buildings the same height and construction as the security building.

He sees no sign of heat sources or light.

Veronica reports much the same from her side of the building - empty streets with no sign of life.
Matt
player, 497 posts
Fri 18 May 2018
at 04:22
  • msg #15

Game Posts Thread 2

Seeing the area cleared Brent looked around. "Let's move to the opposite side of the dome.  We need to get closer to the site of the weapons and radar.  Joxe, where can we expect to find other exits?"
JR
GM, 600 posts
Fri 18 May 2018
at 17:04
  • msg #16

Game Posts Thread 2

Joxe thinks for a moment. "The other two main entrances are on the south side and north side."
Matt
player, 498 posts
Fri 18 May 2018
at 22:56
  • msg #17

Game Posts Thread 2

"Let's move across to the north entrance then.  That is the closest to our path."
Hoot
player, 159 posts
Tue 22 May 2018
at 03:42
  • msg #18

Game Posts Thread 2


"We're not alone."

Gareth hisses over the comm as he assumes a crouch.

"Two heat sources. One stopped at the corner at the end of the street, and the other kept going. They seem too fast for a human."
Matt
player, 499 posts
Tue 22 May 2018
at 04:41
  • msg #19

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent readies his weapon.  "Are they human sized?"
Hoot
player, 160 posts
Thu 24 May 2018
at 22:57
  • msg #20

Game Posts Thread 2

"Yes, but the're putting off too much heat."
Matt
player, 500 posts
Fri 25 May 2018
at 03:54
  • msg #21

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent nods.  "Joxe, are there any creatures native to the planet that fit this description?  Gareth, could they be artificial?"
JR
GM, 601 posts
Sat 26 May 2018
at 03:26
  • msg #22

Game Posts Thread 2

"The only things native here are microorganisms and some moss," Joxe replies.
Matt
player, 501 posts
Sat 26 May 2018
at 04:22
  • msg #23

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent nodded.  "Let's hold for a moment and see if they move up on us."
JR
GM, 602 posts
Sat 26 May 2018
at 17:25
  • msg #24

Game Posts Thread 2

"Contact!" Malcolm calls out a moment later from the opposite side of the building. "One heat signature, hot and fast moving."

"I think we can get into the building from here," Veronica calls from where she is examining the hole in the security building. "It looks like office space in there."
Matt
player, 502 posts
Sun 27 May 2018
at 05:51
  • msg #25

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looked about and waved.  "Go!  Let's get cover."  He rose and hustled toward the building behind his leaders.
JR
GM, 603 posts
Mon 4 Jun 2018
at 12:46
  • msg #26

Game Posts Thread 2

Veronica crawls through the hole and disappears inside. "What a mess," she breathes though the comm. "It's solid enough, I think, but the place is trashed. Looks like it may have burned for a little while."

A flash of light erupts to Brent's left. "They're shooting at us!" Joxe calls out, running up next to the wall.

Malcolm fires off a three-round burst from his ACR. "It's a robot, Brent," he reports. "Damn thing is fast, but it's shots were wide. Thankfully."
Hoot
player, 161 posts
Tue 5 Jun 2018
at 03:01
  • msg #27

Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth follows Veronica into the hole and attempts to stay low. He isn't willing to expose himself and open fire until there is a clear shot.
Matt
player, 503 posts
Thu 7 Jun 2018
at 06:14
  • msg #28

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent ducked for cover.  "Watch out to our flank and rear.  One of them kept moving off to the side."
JR
GM, 604 posts
Thu 7 Jun 2018
at 13:10
  • msg #29

Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth sees that the building interior is a shambles - the energy blast set a fire, which, judging from the half-consumed furniture, the fire suppression system extinguished. Ahead of him, Veronica peeks into a hallway though an open door. "Clear!"

"If they catch us out here, we're dead," Malcolm says. "Let's get inside."

"I agree," Joxe says from her position opposite Malcolm and to Brent's right. "I haven't seen them, but the only armed bots I know about are security drones. They shouldn't be running loose, but who knows what someone might have done."
Matt
player, 504 posts
Sat 9 Jun 2018
at 05:45
  • msg #30

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent headed inside behind the others and immediately set to watching their surroundings.
JR
GM, 605 posts
Sat 9 Jun 2018
at 16:16
  • msg #31

Game Posts Thread 2

A minute later, everyone is inside the building, with Veronica, Gareth, Brent, Joxe, and Malcolm in single file.

The interior is a shambles of partially burned furnishings, punctuated by the meter-wide hole at about waist height. Since there is no daylight from it, the energy bolt presumably dissipated before reaching the street on the other side.

Aside from the hole, the building's interior only suffered superficial damage from the fire. The walls and doors appear intact, and there is no evidence of structural damage.

Veronica steps through the doorway and turns left, while Malcolm joins her and turns right. They move away from each other a few steps, and check around their respective corners. "Clear," they each report.

Aboard Wanderer, Naimh follows each of the team's helmet cams as they move through the dome.

"Do we just hide?" Joxe asks Brent. She turns to look at their entry point. "I doubt that the bots can get through that hole."
Matt
player, 506 posts
Sat 9 Jun 2018
at 22:07
  • msg #32

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent considered their situation for just a moment and shook his head.  "No, hiding here will serve no purpose.  We need to find out who shot at the ship and no at us here and put an end to it.  From the looks of the planet and the robots we just saw I'd say we're facing automated defenses of some sort.  With out access codes we may have to shut it down the hard way."

He nodded to Veronica and Malcom.  "Let's head toward the end of the building in the direction we want to go.  We need to stay alert now that we face these robots.  Everyone keep their weapons ready."
JR
GM, 607 posts
Sun 10 Jun 2018
at 02:10
  • msg #33

Game Posts Thread 2

"Got it," Veronica replies.

"I think this is the main corridor," Malcolm reports from his position. "Veronica, your side looks like a smaller area with offices."

"Agreed." The petty officer moves to Malcolm's position. "Let's check your side out. Gareth, can you and Brent back us up, and Joxe, you watch the rear?"

"I like the rear I'm seeing just fine," Joxe laughs.

"Down, girl," Veronica smirks audibly. "Work first, and then play."

It takes a minute to get everyone arranged. "We're ready, Brent," Malcolm reports.
Matt
player, 507 posts
Sun 10 Jun 2018
at 02:16
  • msg #34

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent laughs and winks at Joxe.  When Malcom reports he gets serious.  "Ok, let's move out.  These things are fast so be careful."
JR
GM, 608 posts
Sun 10 Jun 2018
at 02:28
  • msg #35

Game Posts Thread 2

At Brent's command, Veronica moves down the hallway, with Malcolm covering her. She ducks into a doorway, and Malcolm moves off in turn.

Joxe stays behind Brent, covering his back.
Matt
player, 508 posts
Sun 10 Jun 2018
at 06:39
  • msg #36

Game Posts Thread 2

Seeing the others moving forward Brent glances back at Joxe and then advances himself.
Hoot
player, 162 posts
Tue 12 Jun 2018
at 04:30
  • msg #37

Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth joins Brent and Joxe bringing up the rear. He keeps his weapon drawn and tries to check behind them periodically.
JR
GM, 609 posts
Wed 13 Jun 2018
at 02:10
  • msg #38

Game Posts Thread 2

The group makes their way down the hallway, passing several closed doorways as they go along, and soon find an intersection leading left and right. Veronica sets up to cover the left corner, and Malcolm takes the right corner. They report "clear" - and then the pair roll backwards as a fusillade of laser bursts come from both sides of the intersection at once!

"AH! SHIT!" Veronica yells as she rolls up onto her knees. Her rifle sags in her right hand, and she switches hands and cradles the weapon in the crook of her right elbow.
Matt
player, 509 posts
Wed 13 Jun 2018
at 05:02
  • msg #39

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent goes over to Veronica and checks her for wounds.  "Are you ok?"
JR
GM, 610 posts
Wed 13 Jun 2018
at 21:17
  • msg #40

Game Posts Thread 2

As Brent looks toward Veronica, he sees a heat source moving rapidly up the left side hallway toward them.

"They're coming!" Joxe calls out.
Matt
player, 511 posts
Thu 14 Jun 2018
at 03:59
  • msg #41

Game Posts Thread 2

"Brace yourselves!" Brent calls out as he opens fire at the target with everything he can bear.
JR
GM, 612 posts
Thu 14 Jun 2018
at 16:05
  • msg #42

Game Posts Thread 2

Appearing at the same time from each side of the hallway, two one-and-a-half-meter tall cylindrical robots glide into the intersection on what appear to be grav lifters.

Brent, Malcolm, Veronica, and Joxe all open up on the robot closest to them, while the robots fire their pairs of laser weapons back. The scene is eerily silent in the planet's thin atmosphere, and everyone's vision is filled with muzzle flashes and laser bursts.

Brent is rocked backwards by a heavy impact in his chest, and Joxe yells something unintelligible over the comm...
Matt
player, 512 posts
Fri 15 Jun 2018
at 21:21
  • msg #43

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent struggles to keep his weapon trained on the nearest robot.  "Hold them off!" he calls out.
Hoot
player, 163 posts
Fri 15 Jun 2018
at 23:18
  • msg #44

Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth draws his weapon and focuses his fire on the grave lifts of the nearest robot.

"Take out their grave lifters!"
JR
GM, 613 posts
Sun 17 Jun 2018
at 02:51
  • msg #45

Game Posts Thread 2

After a mad minute (or about five seconds until everyone's magazines run dry), the firing stops. The robots, and a goodly portion of the wall behind them, are fairly riddled with Imperial 7mm ACR rounds. The machines are lying on the floor in the hallway intersection, bleeding fluids.
Matt
player, 513 posts
Sun 17 Jun 2018
at 03:19
  • msg #46

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent rises slowly, shaking a bit as the tension of the combat evaporates.  He glances down both corridors for other threats and then back at the group.  "Is everyone alright?"
JR
GM, 614 posts
Sun 17 Jun 2018
at 04:10
  • msg #47

Game Posts Thread 2

"I took a laser hit in the faceplate," Joxe reports. "It didn't penetrate, but I can't see too well on my left side." She removes the empty magazine from her rifle, and replaces it with a fresh one.

"I'm fine," Malcolm reports. "Apparently, their lasers couldn't penetrate our armor."

"My suit's right elbow is locked," Veronica says tersely. "They must have gotten a lucky hit that scrambled the actuator. I thought they'd shot me in the arm when the circuit blew."

Brent remembers the hit he took in the chest. His armor is reporting that it's still sealed and working properly.
Matt
player, 514 posts
Sun 17 Jun 2018
at 19:26
  • msg #48

Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looks at Joxe with especial relief and reaches out to touch her shoulder.  He then looks down at his own chest.  "If they'd had higher power lasers at least two or three of us would be dead."  He cycles a fresh magazine as well taking care to save the empty.  "Can you fix the arm joint Veronica enough to regain some mobility?"

Looking over at the two destroyed robots he frowned.  "Joxe, do you want to help me examine these things?  You're the most familiar with the tech.  We might at least salvage the lasers once we can get the missile defenses shut down."
Hoot
player, 164 posts
Tue 19 Jun 2018
at 00:58
  • msg #49

Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth approaches the disabled robots and attempts to determine if they were being remotely controlled or on some kind of automatic patrol.
JR
GM, 615 posts
Tue 19 Jun 2018
at 02:14
  • msg #50

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Hoot:
Gareth approaches the disabled robots and attempts to determine if they were being remotely controlled or on some kind of automatic patrol.


All Gareth can determine is that the robots have lots of holes punched through them. He can see that the battery packs have been compromised, and that the ruined cells are arcing inside the cases in the low atmospheric pressure.
JR
GM, 616 posts
Tue 19 Jun 2018
at 02:19
  • msg #51

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Matt:
Brent looks at Joxe with especial relief and reaches out to touch her shoulder.  He then looks down at his own chest.  "If they'd had higher power lasers at least two or three of us would be dead."  He cycles a fresh magazine as well taking care to save the empty.  "Can you fix the arm joint Veronica enough to regain some mobility?"


Brent notes a small dent in his chest plate that certainly didn't come from a laser. The front of his armor is also spattered with scorch marks.

Malcolm goes to Veronica's aid, and helps the woman to her feet. "I think I can get it moving again," she reports after a moment.

Matt:
Looking over at the two destroyed robots he frowned.  "Joxe, do you want to help me examine these things?  You're the most familiar with the tech.  We might at least salvage the lasers once we can get the missile defenses shut down."


Joxe steps up beside Gareth. "These are low power lasers. Like you said, we'd be dead if they weren't. These bots were set up for mostly unarmed patrol when I was last here. They are only dangerous if you're not wearing armor."
Matt
player, 515 posts
Wed 20 Jun 2018
at 00:26
  • msg #52

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent glances at the robots.  "So these were standard patrol and security 'bots?  Did the police control them?"
JR
GM, 618 posts
Thu 21 Jun 2018
at 03:47
  • msg #53

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"No," Joxe replies as she stoops down to examine one of the fallen machines. "They are more for businesses and such than for the police." She sighs and straightens. "They're shot up so badly I can't see if they had markings on them."
Matt
player, 517 posts
Thu 21 Jun 2018
at 07:18
  • msg #54

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent goes over and looks at the 'bots.  "Are there other security 'bots or systems that we might need to be concerned about?"
JR
GM, 619 posts
Thu 21 Jun 2018
at 14:40
  • msg #55

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Joxe shakes her head. "I don't really know. To be honest, I didn't pay much mind to them."

"Ah, I got it!" Veronica exclaims as she flexes her right elbow. "I think I'll be okay to continue."
Matt
player, 519 posts
Fri 22 Jun 2018
at 03:23
  • msg #56

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent nods and then gives Veronica a thumbs up.  "Everyone reload and let's move out toward the far end of the building.  We'll work our way through the dome in as much cover as possible and keep heading toward the launch site."
JR
GM, 621 posts
Fri 22 Jun 2018
at 19:00
  • msg #57

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"Before we go any further," Veronica says laconically, "might I suggest that we all select burst mode instead of full auto?"

Joxe giggles. "Yeah, good idea. We killed the robots and the wall dead."

If anyone bothers to count, there are over a hundred holes in the wall behind the robots.
Matt
player, 521 posts
Fri 22 Jun 2018
at 23:15
  • msg #58

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent blushes a bit and laughs.  "Good point," he says as he flips his selector on the weapon.
Hoot
player, 165 posts
Sun 24 Jun 2018
at 01:18
  • msg #59

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth can't shake the feeling that everyone is being led around by the nose, but stays quiet and switches his weapon to burst mode.
JR
GM, 622 posts
Sun 24 Jun 2018
at 01:28
  • msg #60

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

The group makes their way to the far side of the building without further incident, and find a doorway leading into the street. The energy blast from outside didn't make it this far through the building, so it is merely abandoned and dusty.

Through the windows, the street is equally dusty and abandoned.

"The government center is at the middle of the dome, one street to the right, and four or five down from there," Joxe says.
Matt
player, 522 posts
Sun 24 Jun 2018
at 03:05
  • msg #61

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"Let's head to the government house then.  There may be some immediate information there that might tell us what happened.  The buildings are largely intact so surely people could have survived here even with the hole in the dome."
JR
GM, 623 posts
Sun 24 Jun 2018
at 17:35
  • msg #62

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"The doors and windows are pressure tight," Veronica confirms.

With Veronica and Malcolm leading the way, the group makes their way to the dome's center. The street opens onto a large quadrangle that once held trees and, presumably, grass. All that remains of the vegetation is spires of wood, desiccated by the near-vacuum atmosphere. A square building occupies the center of the space; an edifice made to look like natural stone in a different style than the buildings surrounding it.

No one picks up any heat sources, nor any other indication of life or other activity.
Matt
player, 523 posts
Sun 24 Jun 2018
at 17:37
  • msg #63

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looks about the place with sadness mixed in with his wariness.  When there is no further sign of life or power he motions to the government building. "Let's make a quick pass through there.  QUick though, we need to resolve this hostile attack."
JR
GM, 624 posts
Sun 24 Jun 2018
at 19:16
  • msg #64

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

A few minutes later, the group gathers at the building's main door. The door is still there, or at least a gaping hole is there.

"That's from a breaching charge," Malcolm says as he peeks inside from the edge of the ragged opening.

"No heat sources, and nothing is moving," Veronica reports.
Matt
player, 524 posts
Mon 25 Jun 2018
at 03:50
  • msg #65

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

BRent shakes his head.  "Damn... well at least they saved us the trouble of knocking.  Let's get inside."  He headed into the building carefully.  "Where might be the best records Joxe?"
JR
GM, 625 posts
Mon 25 Jun 2018
at 17:52
  • msg #66

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Veronica and Malcolm go first, and the rest of the group follows. Veronica steps around a makeshift barrier of office furniture and rocks to a halt. "Oh, shit," she breathes over the comm. "Boss, you gotta see this."
Matt
player, 525 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2018
at 05:07
  • msg #67

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent sees the barricade and sighs.  He heads up to take a look.  "What do we have?"
JR
GM, 626 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2018
at 13:50
  • msg #68

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Veronica steps aside for Brent, pointing mutely behind the barricade.

The building's foyer is about twenty meters across from the outside door to the back wall. A reception desk served as the central anchor for the barricade, with furniture thrown up in front and on both sides in a rough semicircle.

Behind the barricade, Brent sees two dozen or so figures clad in environment suits lying on the floor. Some are huddled in pairs or small groups, and others are lying where defenders would have been emplaced behind the barricade.

The wall behind the barricade is riddled with bullet holes and marred with scorch marks and melted holes. The piled furniture is similarly scarred, and the environment suits also have holes and marks on them.

Joxe steps up behind Brent and cries out as she takes in the scene. "Some of them are children," she says breathlessly.

A closer look reveals that several of the dead are much smaller than the others.
Hoot
player, 166 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2018
at 01:17
  • msg #69

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"If we don't hurry and figure this out we will be joining them."
Matt
player, 526 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2018
at 03:03
  • msg #70

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent clenches his teeth and nods.  "Damn... butchers."  He steps forward and looks about trying to figure out how it happened and how long ago.
JR
GM, 627 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2018
at 04:18
  • msg #71

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

The corpses are covered in a thin layer of dust, and their flesh has been mummified in the thin atmosphere. Not being a physician, Brent can only say that they've been here for some years.
Matt
player, 527 posts
Wed 27 Jun 2018
at 04:53
  • msg #72

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent shakes his head.  "Who would do this?  Was the planet raided at some point?"  He's somewhat speaking to himself but he walks on past the signs of the battle and looks around.
Niamh Parker
player, 37 posts
Fri 29 Jun 2018
at 06:45
  • msg #73

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Matt:
Brent shakes his head.  "Who would do this?  Was the planet raided at some point?"  He's somewhat speaking to himself but he walks on past the signs of the battle and looks around.

Niamh's voice sounds far more sad than outraged through the comm link.  "They look like they've been there for a *very* long time..."  As the same time, the doctor peers closely at her screen, grimly trying to mentally tease as much detail as she can through the suit feeds.

[PTGM: Given her medically-trained eye, can Niamh notice any other pertinent details about the corpses?]

--
Bob K.
Niamh Parker
player, 38 posts
Sat 30 Jun 2018
at 02:44
  • msg #74

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Niamh Parker:
Matt:
Brent shakes his head.  "Who would do this?  Was the planet raided at some point?"  He's somewhat speaking to himself but he walks on past the signs of the battle and looks around.

Niamh's voice sounds far more sad than outraged through the comm link.  "They look like they've been there for a *very* long time..."  As the same time, the doctor peers closely at her screen, grimly trying to mentally tease as much detail as she can through the suit feeds.

She lets a quiet sigh escape from her lips.  "We're probably talking *decades* here, at least.  Maybe I could tell you more if I come out and examine them myself..."

--
Bob K.
JR
GM, 628 posts
Sat 30 Jun 2018
at 03:15
  • msg #75

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"I can go back and escort her in here," Malcolm offers.
Matt
player, 528 posts
Sat 30 Jun 2018
at 21:08
  • msg #76

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent considers the situation. "Go get her Malcom.  The rest of us are going to investigate here for now."
JR
GM, 629 posts
Sun 1 Jul 2018
at 01:43
  • msg #77

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

OOG: I'm moving things forward a bit...

IG: Naimh and Malcolm arrive at the government center foyer about ten minutes later. Having watched the team's helmet cams, she is able to quickly orient herself and find the remains.

While waiting, the team finds nothing of interest on the first floor. The lifts are inoperable without power, and the ground floor offices have been turned into quarters, with beds and such arranged in the spaces.

The living quarters are in disarray, with clothing and personal items (hairbrushes, cosmetics, and so on) strewn about on the floor. In what appears to be a makeshift kitchen, there are no food containers in evidence, although there are dishes and utensils scattered on the floor and counters.

Another room has a broken door, with several empty tables inside.
Niamh Parker
player, 39 posts
Thu 5 Jul 2018
at 06:24
  • msg #78

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

JR:
OOG: I'm moving things forward a bit...

IG: Naimh and Malcolm arrive at the government center foyer about ten minutes later. Having watched the team's helmet cams, she is able to quickly orient herself and find the remains.

While waiting, the team finds nothing of interest on the first floor. The lifts are inoperable without power, and the ground floor offices have been turned into quarters, with beds and such arranged in the spaces.

The living quarters are in disarray, with clothing and personal items (hairbrushes, cosmetics, and so on) strewn about on the floor. In what appears to be a makeshift kitchen, there are no food containers in evidence, although there are dishes and utensils scattered on the floor and counters.

Another room has a broken door, with several empty tables inside.

Naimh performs her examination of the bodies in the clinical and professional manner that would be expected, although it's clear by the look on her face that doesn't really like what she's seeing.

Finally, after taking a deep breath, she gives everyone her report via their comms."I found a total of 32 bodies here...men, women and children.  They've been dead for at least a century...maybe even more, but I'd need to perform an autopsy on one of them to be able to be more specific." The doctor pauses, letting out a brief little sigh that the sensitive mic of her comm unit can't help but transmit.  "Apparent cause of death is via gunshot wounds, in all cases.  They clearly tried to make a stand here, but judging by the relative positions of the bodies, maybe only around a third of them were actually capable of fighting back.  A male and female near the back tried to shield the kids with their bodies...another couple seems to have died hugging each other...a adult woman laying over three teens...sh*t..."

The redhead then takes a deep breath as she tries to rein in her emotions.  Dial it back, me!  It's not as if you didn't see stuff like this back home, once the food got scarce...

"Anyway, to my non-militarily-trained eyes at least, it looks like it was a 'kill everyone and take their stuff' sort of thing guys...and my overall faith in the nobility of sophonts in general just took yet another hit."
Hoot
player, 167 posts
Fri 6 Jul 2018
at 03:08
  • msg #79

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"This looks more like bandits robbing survivors. I'm not convinced this massacre has anything to do with the grand scheme we've become tangled in."
JR
GM, 630 posts
Fri 6 Jul 2018
at 04:09
  • msg #80

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"I think you're right," Veronica says with a soft sigh. "It's horrifying, though." She stays close to Naimh as the doctor examines the remains. Malcolm steps away and moves to the shattered doorway, keeping vigil as the others talk.

Joxe sighs and turns to Brent. "I think we still have to find that missile launcher. Otherwise, it will shoot us down when we try to leave."
Matt
player, 530 posts
Sun 8 Jul 2018
at 05:17
  • msg #81

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent steps off the side and manages to avoid throwing up from the horror of what unfolded before them.  "When we resolve our issues and are safe we'll come back and see that everyone here is buried properly.  But Joxe is right, we need to deal with the missile launcher.  Let's continue out across the dome toward the best location of the radar and missile."  He takes a deep breath and heads back out into the dome.
Niamh Parker
player, 40 posts
Mon 9 Jul 2018
at 20:08
  • msg #82

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Hoot:
"This looks more like bandits robbing survivors. I'm not convinced this massacre has anything to do with the grand scheme we've become tangled in."

Niamh nods, her face still rather grim.  "Survivors robbing survivors can happen too." She shakes her head slowly and looks over at Veronica for a moment, almost as if her quiet presence gives the redhead from Khesanadu a bit of extra strength.  "You wouldn't *believe* what depths some people are willing to sink to when there's not enough for them to eat..."

...and it's best if you never, *ever* find out! she mentally adds.
JR
GM, 631 posts
Tue 10 Jul 2018
at 00:16
  • msg #83

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Veronica gives Naimh a pat on the shoulder and a wan smile as she passes by. She and Malcolm take the lead, and make their way across the domed settlement. They find two more security robots, which have been destroyed by small arms fire. The wreckage is coated with dust, and no other machines are in sight.

Finally, they reach the dome's northwest wall. The wall is intact, and the portals are closed. A lone building lies about a kilometer away, topped with what the technical folk recognize as a phased array radar. A tracked vehicle sits in front of the building, and it is armed with a single three-meter-long missile on a double rack. Behind the vehicle, a large door stands open, leading into the two-story building.
Niamh Parker
player, 41 posts
Tue 10 Jul 2018
at 17:29
  • msg #84

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

JR:
Veronica gives Naimh a pat on the shoulder and a wan smile as she passes by. She and Malcolm take the lead, and make their way across the domed settlement.

The doctor smiles warmly (yet a bit weakly) back at her in return.
quote:
They find two more security robots, which have been destroyed by small arms fire. The wreckage is coated with dust, and no other machines are in sight.

Finally, they reach the dome's northwest wall. The wall is intact, and the portals are closed. A lone building lies about a kilometer away, topped with what the technical folk recognize as a phased array radar. A tracked vehicle sits in front of the building, and it is armed with a single three-meter-long missile on a double rack. Behind the vehicle, a large door stands open, leading into the two-story building.

The novice sensor operator points to the tell-tale antenna as soon as she spots it.  "That's probably the targeting array up there.  My scans placed it as being around a kilometer from the dome, so it checks out." She then pauses for a moment, eyeing the truck with the conspicuously half-filled missile rack."I don't know much about weapons systems, but maybe the truck's fire control is slaved to the radar array for better targeting?"

--
Bob K.
Matt
player, 531 posts
Wed 11 Jul 2018
at 03:29
  • msg #85

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent shook his head. "Survivors or bandits or whatever, the savagery and slaughter are..."  he shuddered and could say no more.

When they reached the opposite side of the dome Brent looked across at the likely firing location.  "I'd agree that is probably our assailant.  Can we get across there without getting slaughtered?  And what do any of you make of the older destroyed 'bots?  Maybe these things were set on automatic?  The ones we found have been destroyed for a while."
JR
GM, 633 posts
Wed 11 Jul 2018
at 04:16
  • msg #86

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Malcolm lifts his rifle and studies the antiair vehicle through his optics. "That vehicle isn't going anywhere," he says after a moment. "I can see the track hanging off the rear sprocket. These things don't take well to not being maintained."

"Brent, I think we can open the personnel door manually," Joxe says from her position about ten meters to Brent's right. "I hope there aren't any more active bots. I'm shocked that even two of them were still working."

"I don't see anything else moving, or any sign of weapon emplacements," Veronica reports.
Matt
player, 534 posts
Thu 12 Jul 2018
at 04:17
  • msg #87

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looks across the open area.  "We won't have any cover getting across to the building though.  Should we just make a dash for it?"
Niamh Parker
player, 42 posts
Fri 13 Jul 2018
at 15:30
  • msg #88

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Matt:
Brent looks across the open area.  "We won't have any cover getting across to the building though.  Should we just make a dash for it?"

Niamh nods, while wearing a little frown.  "I don't think we have any other choice right now."

--
Bob K.
Niamh Parker
player, 43 posts
Sun 15 Jul 2018
at 17:29
  • msg #89

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

After thinking for a moment, the redhead adds, "You know...I don't remember seeing that launcher there during final approach."  She looks over at the others.  "Broken track not withstanding, could that thing have actually been driven to this location recently?  Just how fresh is that break?"

--
Bob K.
JR
GM, 635 posts
Sun 15 Jul 2018
at 18:07
  • msg #90

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Malcolm peers more closely at the vehicle through his scope. "The powerplant area is warm, and it's really clean for being stored outside."
Matt
player, 536 posts
Sun 15 Jul 2018
at 19:49
  • msg #91

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"So as we were detected it must have been brought outside to shoot us.  Is there any sign of activity inside the building looking into the garage?"
JR
GM, 636 posts
Sun 15 Jul 2018
at 22:09
  • msg #92

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

No one sees any movement, but there is a heat source showing through the doorway.
Matt
player, 537 posts
Sun 15 Jul 2018
at 23:31
  • msg #93

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent sighed and checked his weapon.  "I'm going to make a dash across the open space.  That way in case there are hidden weapons we'll lose only one person.  I'd like the rest of you to cover me."
Hoot
player, 168 posts
Mon 16 Jul 2018
at 01:55
  • msg #94

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"We should try to disable the rest of these missiles on our way out if we make it back.

Gareth takes up a position and prepares to cover Brent as needed.
JR
GM, 637 posts
Mon 16 Jul 2018
at 02:49
  • msg #95

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"I'll follow you," Veronica says. "There's no real cover for more than two rifles, anyway."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:50, Sun 10 Feb 2019.
Matt
player, 538 posts
Mon 16 Jul 2018
at 05:27
  • msg #96

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent nodded. "If nothing else we'll bugger up the launcher mechanism to buy us an hour or two to get away from here."  He glanced at Veronica.  "Ok, let's do it then.  Is everyone ready?"
JR
GM, 638 posts
Mon 16 Jul 2018
at 18:52
  • msg #97

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

In reply to Matt (msg # 96):

"Yep," Veronica replies.

"I'm ready," Malcolm answers as he settles near the portal, rifle in hand.

"Scared shitless," Joxe deapans from her spot in the back.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:53, Mon 16 July 2018.
Matt
player, 539 posts
Tue 17 Jul 2018
at 06:10
  • msg #98

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent took a deep breath.  "On three... one, two, three!"  At the count of three he rose and ran toward the building.
JR
GM, 639 posts
Wed 18 Jul 2018
at 02:54
  • msg #99

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Joxe takes a moment to release the personnel hatch and drag it open, and then Brent and Victoria charge through it. Their boots kick up dust as they run for the building. Victoria pulls ahead of Brent, and, reaching the vehicle, kneels at the near corner and points her rifle into the open hangar door. "Clear on thermal," she calls.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:51, Sun 10 Feb 2019.
Matt
player, 540 posts
Wed 18 Jul 2018
at 03:43
  • msg #100

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Seeing Veronica ahead of him and covering the open garage Brent continues on into the building, scanning the area with his weapon at the ready.
JR
GM, 640 posts
Wed 18 Jul 2018
at 04:20
  • msg #101

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

The garage is empty. Two closed doors, one to Brent's left, and another ahead of him, presumably lead deeper into the building. His suit sensors pick up a faint, stationary heat source from somewhere ahead of him.

Veronica enters the building and steps up beside him. "Left, or straight?"
Matt
player, 541 posts
Thu 19 Jul 2018
at 01:44
  • msg #102

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looks about and is rather glad he wasn't cut down in the open.  He nods to Veronica. "Let's go straight but meanwhile let's get the rest of the group over here."  He pointed ahead.  "There is a heat source deeper in the building."

He steps to the entrance to the garage and waves.  "Come on across," Brent called out on the comm channel.
Hoot
player, 169 posts
Fri 20 Jul 2018
at 04:17
  • msg #103

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

When the rest of the group starts moving Gareth follows too. He is careful not to be in front.
JR
GM, 641 posts
Fri 20 Jul 2018
at 14:41
  • msg #104

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Malcolm leads the second group across the open ground to the garage area.
Matt
player, 542 posts
Sat 21 Jul 2018
at 01:24
  • msg #105

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

When the group gathers safely Brent looks about. "Who knows anything about a mobile missile launcher vehicle?  If we can quickly disable it even temporarily it would make the ship safe.  Then we can explore further into this building to find out what is going on."
JR
GM, 643 posts
Sat 21 Jul 2018
at 02:12
  • msg #106

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"I can try," Joxe says.
Matt
player, 545 posts
Sat 21 Jul 2018
at 02:25
  • msg #107

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent nods. "See if you can get a hatch open or if there is a vulnerable grill or grating into the power plant.  Just be careful.  I'll keep you covered."
JR
GM, 644 posts
Mon 23 Jul 2018
at 00:56
  • msg #108

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Joxe steps out to examine the vehicle. "The power is live on this thing, and the crew hatch is locked."
Matt
player, 546 posts
Mon 23 Jul 2018
at 01:34
  • msg #109

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looked back into the garage for tools however makeshift.  "Is there anything we can do to it with what we have on hand that would stop it from firing?"
JR
GM, 645 posts
Mon 23 Jul 2018
at 14:07
  • msg #110

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"Yeah, we zap it with our laser on takeoff," Malcolm deadpans.

"That's one way," Joxe says with a grin. "I think I'll vote for disabling the tracking and command system instead, since this vehicle doesn't have its own tracking system."

"What about passive sensors," Veronica asks.

"I don't know about that," Joxe admits.
Matt
player, 547 posts
Tue 24 Jul 2018
at 01:15
  • msg #111

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent shook his head. "I don't fancy a shoot out with this system.  It's military grade and might get off a shot before we can hit it.  I'd rather disable the tracking system as well if we can.  There may also be some command and control capability inside the building that we can cut off to isolate the vehicle."  He turned back toward the garage.  "Let's take the doorway off to the side first.  Veronica and Joxe can you check the door for access?"
JR
GM, 646 posts
Tue 24 Jul 2018
at 02:07
  • msg #112

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

The pair moves off to check the door. "It's unlocked," Veronica reports after a moment.
Matt
player, 548 posts
Tue 24 Jul 2018
at 02:14
  • msg #113

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looks about.  "Ok, let's go in.  What's the best way to start this with the least chance of all of us getting shot?  I don't want to just open the door and charge into a machine gun."
Hoot
player, 170 posts
Fri 27 Jul 2018
at 01:08
  • msg #114

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"One of us will have to go in first and check it out unless we have a way to bust through the wall somehow. I vote for anyone but me."
JR
GM, 647 posts
Fri 27 Jul 2018
at 02:00
  • msg #115

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"Oh, good grief," Malcolm says as he strides to the door. "Veronica, cover me?"

"Got it," the petty officer replies as she raises her rifle. "Ready."

Malcolm reaches out and opens the door, then sweeps through it, with Veronica on his heels.

"Clear."

"Clear."
Matt
player, 549 posts
Sat 28 Jul 2018
at 01:58
  • msg #116

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent shrugs.  "That wasn't quite what I meant..." Still he followed into the corridor beyond with his weapon ready.
JR
GM, 648 posts
Sat 28 Jul 2018
at 22:01
  • msg #117

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

The group searches the entire building in just a few minutes. They find two inoperative repair robots, the facility's command center with what Naimh determines to be one scanner station intermittently active, and a small fusion plant that is still running on low power.

The ladies all pitch in, and determine that the last maintenance robot stopped three years ago, and the reactor is now failing due to bad control components. They think it is possible to deactivate the missile carrier, but, unless someone repairs the track, it's immobile.

Apparently, the system just managed to lock on to Wanderer, and call for a SAM launch at the time they were landing. Were it not for the dome being between the launcher and the ship, they would probably have sustained substantial damage.
Matt
player, 550 posts
Sun 29 Jul 2018
at 06:00
  • msg #118

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent watches as his crew works efficiently to determine the situation.  "So this was all on automatic these years?  Can we find anything in the computer records about what happened here, why this was set to attack and where the crew may have gone?  Also, is there anything we can scavenge from the controls or power plant that will be easily useful to us?"
Hoot
player, 171 posts
Mon 30 Jul 2018
at 02:14
  • msg #119

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"Another life threatening waste of time...great."

After offering his usual complaint Gareth accesses the active panel and attempts to deactivate the launcher before searching for historical records.
JR
GM, 649 posts
Tue 31 Jul 2018
at 21:30
  • msg #120

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth is able to access the antiair vehicle's controls, and finds that not only is it immobilized, it's fuel tank is empty and the battery is nearly depleted. It will run out of power and shut down in a few minutes. He shuts it down anyway, and the system reports the fact.

The facility's logs have been deleted, but there is a maintenance entry dated 12/IX/1165 regarding setting the facility to autonomous operation.

Veronica and Joxe are able to scavenge about two hundred kilos of spare parts for the ship and even some spares for the air raft. Notably, there are no personal items or food packages left in the facility.
Matt
player, 551 posts
Thu 2 Aug 2018
at 04:40
  • msg #121

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent searches around the corners and cabinets of the facility as his team works.  When they've finished their work he gathers them all in the control room.  "Let's shut this place down gently and then get the salvage to the ship.  Then I think we give the people at the city hall a proper burial, perhaps immolate them.  After that, Joxe, is there anything you want to explore?"
JR
GM, 650 posts
Fri 3 Aug 2018
at 19:23
  • msg #122

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent finds only empty cabinets.

"Perhaps we can lift off and land outside this building?" Veronica asks.

Joxe nods. "My parents' quarters are, or were, a few blocks from the government center." She takes a deep, shuddering breath. "I'd like to take everyone there right before we leave."
Matt
player, 552 posts
Sat 4 Aug 2018
at 00:59
  • msg #123

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent nods.  "Gareth, let's go back to the ship and I'll bring her over.  No one should go about alone in case there are more of the robots about."  He reaches out and takes Joxe's hand.  "We'll visit with you if you want."
JR
GM, 651 posts
Sat 4 Aug 2018
at 02:23
  • msg #124

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Matt:
Brent nods.  "Gareth, let's go back to the ship and I'll bring her over.  No one should go about alone in case there are more of the robots about."  He reaches out and takes Joxe's hand.  "We'll visit with you if you want."


Joxe squeezes Brent's hand through their gloves. "I want everyone there. It won't take long."
Matt
player, 553 posts
Sat 4 Aug 2018
at 23:03
  • msg #125

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent leaned forward and touched helmets with Joxe.  "We're all there for you."  He waved to Gareth and took off at a trot to the ship.  Once there he activated the engines and slowly hovered over to land in front of the small building.
JR
GM, 652 posts
Sun 5 Aug 2018
at 18:58
  • msg #126

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Wanderer settles to the ground just in front of the disabled antiair vehicle, stirring up dust as the pads settle down. It takes fifteen minutes to load and stow the parts and supplies.

Joxe steps into her quarters for a moment, and then returns to the cargo bay. "Are we ready to go back into the dome for a little bit?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:37, Wed 08 Aug 2018.
Matt
player, 554 posts
Wed 8 Aug 2018
at 03:15
  • msg #127

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent helps with the loading and as they finish he walks over and takes Joxe's hand.  "We're ready.  We have unfinished business here, all of us."
JR
GM, 653 posts
Wed 8 Aug 2018
at 03:41
  • msg #128

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"I would like everyone to come with Brent and I to visit my parents' former home," Joxe says.

Veronica steps over to Naimh and, in a bold move, takes her by the hand. "Will you go with me," she asks over a private channel between the two of them.

"I'll gladly go," Malcolm says as he walks a few steps toward the dome. "Gareth, are you coming?"
Hoot
player, 172 posts
Fri 10 Aug 2018
at 03:03
  • msg #129

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth thinks of a thousand reasons not to bother, but decides earning the trust of his subordinates has some value.

"Yes I will go."

Reserving further comment Gareth joins the departing group.
Matt
player, 555 posts
Fri 10 Aug 2018
at 07:26
  • msg #130

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent turns to Joxe; "I think everyone wants to join you.  Lead us if you will."
JR
GM, 654 posts
Fri 10 Aug 2018
at 13:17
  • msg #131

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

With Joxe at the head of the group with Brent, the team makes their way back into the dome and through the streets to the government building. "What will we do with the remains? There's no oxygen in here, so we can't set a fire."
Matt
player, 556 posts
Sun 12 Aug 2018
at 06:01
  • msg #132

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent frowns as the sight of the bodies again.  "It would be long and grisly work to carry all the dead to one place.  The best thing to do might be to drop the building on them if we could do so."
Hoot
player, 173 posts
Sun 19 Aug 2018
at 22:02
  • msg #133

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"That will work if we have enough explosives on hand. Otherwise we will have to leave them as we found them. It is not wise to linger here."
JR
GM, 655 posts
Sun 19 Aug 2018
at 22:17
  • msg #134

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"We could hit them with the ship's laser," Veronica suggested quietly.
Matt
player, 557 posts
Mon 20 Aug 2018
at 05:13
  • msg #135

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looked at Veronica and nodded. "That would be very appropriate.  Could we also use the main engine exhausts?"
JR
GM, 656 posts
Mon 20 Aug 2018
at 13:03
  • msg #136

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"I don't think so," Veronica replied.

"No, the dome is too tough. Oh, it might fail after ten minutes or so, but only locally," Joxe put in. She led the way down the street by the government building, turned down a side street, and stopped in front of a group of houses that lined the block. "This is it."
Matt
player, 558 posts
Tue 21 Aug 2018
at 01:55
  • msg #137

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent considered their options.  "Can we target the lasers well enough to do the trick through the dome itself?"

When they reached the house he squeezed Joxe's hand.  He looked at the houses, memorizing the area as the tragedy of the world hit again, hard.  "Do you want us to follow you inside Joxe?"
JR
GM, 657 posts
Tue 21 Aug 2018
at 03:00
  • msg #138

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"Sure," Veronica answered Brent's question, and then she turned to face Joxe.

"Yes, please come in." Joxe tried the door release, and found that it operated easily. The party filed inside one at a time. The front room was a sitting area, further back was a dining area and a kitchen. A small lift set into the central wall apparently led to more rooms on other levels. The house wasn't large, but it seemed comparable to the quarters the others had seen at home.

Joxe touched the fabric of a chair, and she gave a small cry of dismay as it crumbled under her gloved finger. "We can stand in the dining area," she said as she led Brent by the hand. They all gathered in the open area between the dining room and the kitchen.

"I asked Brent to bring me here, to my family home," Joxe began. "He and I have something we wish to announce to you, our friends." She looked to Brent.
Matt
player, 559 posts
Tue 21 Aug 2018
at 04:35
  • msg #139

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent nodded to Veronica in agreement.  He walked in silently behind Joxe and sighed to himself as she looked around her home.  He squeezed her hand again and followed her into the dining room.  He looks around again at evidence of Joxe's former life and takes a deep breath.  Brent looks into Joxe's eyes and smiles and then meets the eyes of the assembled team.

"Friends...you are all my good friends here.  I want to share with you the most important moment in my life."  He looks down again at Joxe and smiles at her; "Our lives."

Another deep breath.  "In the midst of the tragedy and loss I want to pledge to you all our friends to the future.  Joxe and I have decided to marry and build a future with each other and with all of you our good friends.  We want to perform a brief ceremony here in her home with you as witnesses and fellow travelers."
JR
GM, 658 posts
Tue 21 Aug 2018
at 19:20
  • msg #140

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Veronica reached out toward Naimh, and the physician moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with her. Malcolm clasped his hands behind his back and smiled at Brent and Joxe.

Joxe turns to face Brent. "I have come across time and space to find you and bring you here, as close to my family as I can."
Matt
player, 560 posts
Wed 22 Aug 2018
at 05:31
  • msg #141

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent turned as well to face Joxe and took both of her hands.  "Through the emptiness and darkness I have found you to join together to continue that family."
JR
GM, 659 posts
Wed 22 Aug 2018
at 06:06
  • msg #142

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Joxe clung to Brent's hands. "I don't remember how the wedding vows are supposed to go, but I will be your wife as long as we both live, no matter what."
Matt
player, 561 posts
Thu 23 Aug 2018
at 03:06
  • msg #143

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent smiled broadly. "I've never been married and only plan to do it this once so I don't really know the vows either.  As captain though I think that I have all the authority I need to wed us."  He squeezed her hands. "I will be your faithful and loving husband as long as I live through everything."  He pulled her to him and pressed his faceplate against hers.
JR
GM, 660 posts
Thu 23 Aug 2018
at 03:48
  • msg #144

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"I've seen several weddings," Veronica says, "but this is the best of them all."

After a moment, Malcolm speaks up. "Congratulations to the both of you."

Joxe smiles. "Thank you." She releases Brent's hands and turns toward the kitchen. "If it's okay, I'd like to look around for a few minutes."
Matt
player, 562 posts
Thu 23 Aug 2018
at 05:10
  • msg #145

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent nods and smiles. "Take your time my wife." He turns back toward the others.  "Thank you for participating with us.  It means so much for both of us to share this with you our friends."
JR
GM, 661 posts
Thu 23 Aug 2018
at 13:11
  • msg #146

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Joxe walks through the kitchen, noting that all of the small items are gone, presumably packed away when her parents left. She walks upstairs, and then returns two minutes later. "This is interesting. I found it in my old room." She holds up a datachip. "It has my name written on it in my father's handwriting."
Hoot
player, 174 posts
Thu 23 Aug 2018
at 23:53
  • msg #147

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Gareth observes the ceremony silently and continues plotting.
Matt
player, 563 posts
Fri 24 Aug 2018
at 04:26
  • msg #148

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent waits quietly as Joxe investigates.  He's lost in his own thoughts as he looks around the abandoned home.  When Joxe returns he looks at the data chip.  "They must have thought you might come home.  Do you want to try and read it now or take it back to the ship?"
JR
GM, 662 posts
Fri 24 Aug 2018
at 13:35
  • msg #149

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"I'd like for us to read it later. Just the two of us."
Matt
player, 564 posts
Sat 25 Aug 2018
at 01:06
  • msg #150

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent nods and takes her hand again.  "Is there any more that you wish to do here?  I think we can depart.  It looks like the laser from the ship will be our best means to provide some burial ending to the group lost at the city hall."
JR
GM, 663 posts
Sat 25 Aug 2018
at 01:10
  • msg #151

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Joxe agrees, and a little while later, the items they collected are stored, and Wanderer is ready to fly. Everyone is at their stations, and the laser turret's emitter is deployed, with the capacitors fully charged.
Matt
player, 565 posts
Sat 25 Aug 2018
at 04:40
  • msg #152

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"Stand by to lift," Brent calls over the intercom.  He pauses for a count of ten and then lifts.  "Lifting."

He brings the ship up to about 1500 meters, well clear of any debris from the laser.  Brent slewed the laser around to bear on the coordinates of the massacre.  "I'm going to incinerate the massacre site.  Does anyone have anything to say?"
JR
GM, 664 posts
Mon 27 Aug 2018
at 00:36
  • msg #153

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"Go ahead," Joxe says quietly. She is standing behind Brent's chair, and she reaches out to grip his shoulder.
Matt
player, 566 posts
Mon 27 Aug 2018
at 02:26
  • msg #154

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent looks back at Joxe and puts his hand on hers.  He turns on the intercom  "I don't know these people but I do know that the did not deserve what happened to them.  They died fighting to the very end and we give what we can; dignity after death as much for us as for them." He pressed the fire button with his free hand and then watched the results on the holo screen in the bridge.
JR
GM, 665 posts
Mon 27 Aug 2018
at 02:42
  • msg #155

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Malcolm had rolled Wanderer into a 60-degree right bank to bring the single dorsal laser emitter to bear on the dome below. The ship's grav plates canceled out the side forces, but everyone with a view outside felt a bit of vertigo at the oddly tilted horizon.

Back in Engineering, Veronica heard and felt the heavy thump as the laser turret's capacitors discharged over four hundred megajoules of energy into the laser circuitry. Much of that energy was consumed in the laser itself, but some of it flashed through the emitter array. The three-meter wide beam of coherent light was squashed down to the size of a man's fist by the grav focusing field projected three meters in front of the emitter array.

The laser beam slashed through the dome as if it wasn't there, and tore its way into the ground floor of the government building. Dust and bits of building material flew as the beam dumped its remaining kinetic energy into the target. There was no fire, of course, but the tremendous heat from the impact was clearly visible on Naimh's and Gareth's sensors.

Nothing else happened for a moment, and then the building collapsed on itself in a cloud of dust.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:54, Mon 27 Aug 2018.
Matt
player, 567 posts
Mon 27 Aug 2018
at 04:58
  • msg #156

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent had them hold the ship in position for a count of twenty.  "Take her to the Jump point," was all he had to say.
JR
GM, 666 posts
Mon 27 Aug 2018
at 05:52
  • msg #157

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

26/V/1402 0600hrs

Three hours later, Wanderer is closing in on Poznan's jump limit. The crew has stayed up all night, and everyone is exhausted. Joxe has returned to her post in Engineering, helping Veronica keep an eye on things as they prepare for jump.

"Thirty minutes to jump," Malcolm intones. "Um, we are jumping to Execute, right?"
Matt
player, 568 posts
Mon 27 Aug 2018
at 06:22
  • msg #158

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent is quiet as the ship moves directly through space to the hidden limit. "Yes, take her to Execute.  We can use the time off in Jump to recover."
JR
GM, 667 posts
Mon 27 Aug 2018
at 13:21
  • msg #159

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

"Will do," Malcolm replies. "The jump routine is set up; why don't you go get some rest?"

A moment later, Joxe appears in the bridge doorway. "Come to bed, husband."
Matt
player, 569 posts
Tue 28 Aug 2018
at 05:43
  • msg #160

Re: Game Posts Thread 2

Brent sighs and gives the instruments a check.  "Yes, punch in the course and let's try to rest if we can."  He looked up as Joxe appeared at the hatch.  "Ok, my darling wife, let me shut down here."  Brent carefully secured and locked down his workstation and then rose.  "Thank you for handling things Malcom.  That planetfall was difficult for us all."

He stepped over and took Joxe's hands.  "I'm ready darling.  We have our life ahead of us now."  There was more he would say but later...
JR
GM, 668 posts
Tue 28 Aug 2018
at 13:09
  • msg #161

Jump - Poznan to Execute

In their bed, Joxe curls up in Brent's arms, exhausted from the events of the day, and drifts off to sleep with a mumbled apology.

Wanderer transitions into jump space under the watchful eyes of Malcolm and Veronica. The envelope is perfectly formed, and the jump drive is running correctly. The ship's computer is capable of standing watch, so the rest of the crew retires to their quarters for some much-needed sleep.
Matt
player, 570 posts
Wed 29 Aug 2018
at 02:41
  • msg #162

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Brent sighs and holds Joxe close as she nods off.  He watches the repeaters set in the ceiling of the stateroom showing the ship transitioning to Jump and system showing green.  The crew were skilled and could handle things for the next twelve hours or so.
JR
GM, 669 posts
Wed 29 Aug 2018
at 03:15
  • msg #163

Jump - Poznan to Execute

26/V/1402 1030hrs

Everyone is awakened by their sleep alarms four hours after the ship enters jump. "I'm sorry," Veronica says over the comm, "but I didn't want to completely mess up our sleep schedules."

"I'm going to strangle her," Joxe mumbles into Brent's chest. "Right after I get some coffee." She is lying on her side, with her head on his chest.
Matt
player, 571 posts
Wed 29 Aug 2018
at 03:38
  • msg #164

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Brent snorts a bit as he wakens suddenly.  "Well, that was... rude."  He pulls her to him and strokes her hair.  "Don't permanently strangle her if you must."
JR
GM, 670 posts
Wed 29 Aug 2018
at 03:53
  • msg #165

Jump - Poznan to Execute

"Okay, since you asked nicely." She languidly moves on top of him, with her knees beside his hips. "Good morning, husband." Joxe leans down, pressing her chest to his, and kisses him gently.
Matt
player, 572 posts
Wed 29 Aug 2018
at 05:13
  • msg #166

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Bent throws back the covers as Joxe shifts over him.  He wraps his arms around her neck and pulls her down to him.  "Good morning wife.  I like the sound of that."
JR
GM, 671 posts
Wed 29 Aug 2018
at 17:37
  • msg #167

Jump - Poznan to Execute

It takes the newlyweds another hour to arrive in the crew lounge. Malcolm is sitting with his feet propped up on an empty container, reading something on a large padd. "Good morning," he says with a smile.
Matt
player, 573 posts
Fri 31 Aug 2018
at 04:45
  • msg #168

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Brent nods to Malcom as he and Joxe enter the room.  "Good morning indeed.  Did you sleep well Malcom?"  He heads over to the coffee machine and pulls out two mugs.  As he pours the hot, black liquid for himself and Joxe he asks; "Do you want some coffee Malcom?"
JR
GM, 672 posts
Fri 31 Aug 2018
at 18:43
  • msg #169

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Malcolm lifts his cup. "Nah, I have some here. If I drink too much, I get all sleepy."

The lift door opens, Veronica and Naimh step out, dressed in shorts and T-shirts. "Sit down, and I'll bring you breakfast," Veronica says to Naimh.

"Thank you, sweetheart." Naimh blushes as she pulls out her chair and sits down.

"You don't have to be embarrassed," Malcolm says with a gentle smile. "I think I can speak for everyone and say that we're happy for you"

Naimh nods and smiles up at Veronica as she sets a cup down in front of her.
Matt
player, 574 posts
Fri 31 Aug 2018
at 22:13
  • msg #170

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Brent watches the two women enter the room.  It takes him a moment but he finally smiles. "Yes, I'm glad you two have found what Joxe and I have as well."
JR
GM, 673 posts
Sat 1 Sep 2018
at 00:49
  • msg #171

Jump - Poznan to Execute

"Thank you," Veronica picks up a tray of food and sets it in front of Naimh. "We are happy for the two of you, as well."

OOG: Please let me know what each of you are working on during the week in jump space. I know there are references to that in the older posts, but I'll let you look that up for yourselves :-)
Hoot
player, 175 posts
Thu 6 Sep 2018
at 02:33
  • msg #172

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Gareth will resume his study of the ship's systems and technology.
Matt
player, 579 posts
Thu 6 Sep 2018
at 04:27
  • msg #173

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Brent works on piloting.
JR
GM, 691 posts
Sun 16 Sep 2018
at 20:41
  • msg #174

Jump - Poznan to Execute

On the third day in jump, Joxe sits at the table after lunch, with everyone in attendance. "What did you all think about my father's letter?" She had sent it to everyone first thin this morning.
Matt
player, 593 posts
Mon 17 Sep 2018
at 05:04
  • msg #175

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Brent had seen the letter a few days ago so he stayed silent as the others weighed in.
Hoot
player, 176 posts
Tue 18 Sep 2018
at 00:10
  • msg #176

Jump - Poznan to Execute

"Execute is as good a destination as any. Maybe we can find a few answers there."
JR
GM, 692 posts
Tue 18 Sep 2018
at 00:32
  • msg #177

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Veronica tapped on the control panel built into the table, and a holo starmap appeared over the table.

https://travellermap.com/?x=24...mp;scale=107.6328125


"This is Execute," one of the star systems is encircled with a blue sphere for a moment. "It is one of the four planets on this end of the main that have breathable atmospheres. From Execute, we can either continue trailward through Davao, or rimward through Nysorb."
Matt
player, 594 posts
Tue 18 Sep 2018
at 01:52
  • msg #178

Jump - Poznan to Execute

Brent looked over the data.  "If we're going to find people this is where we will do so.  They had a couple hundred thousand people living here before the shit hit the fan and with that biosphere I'd expect survivors unless things really went sideways. I think we jump in to the gas giant and refuel.  It'll delay us a few days on the transit in-system but we can listen for traffic and bolt if need be."
JR
GM, 693 posts
Fri 21 Sep 2018
at 02:50
  • msg #179

Jump - Poznan to Execute

No one objects to that plan.

OOC: We will assume that the gas giant was the intended destination. Does anyone have anything else before we move on to emergence?
Matt
player, 595 posts
Fri 21 Sep 2018
at 02:54
  • msg #180

Jump - Poznan to Execute

OOC: Nothing more than studying the details of the system and whatever maintenance and training can be done.
JR
GM, 694 posts
Sat 22 Sep 2018
at 12:58
  • msg #181

Arrival at Execute

3/VI/1402 1100hrs

Just before lunch, the emergence alert sounds throughout the ship. Joxe is on duty in engineering, while Veronica and Naimh are preparing the lunch menu in the crew lounge.

Malcolm has the bridge watch, and Brent is seated at the pilot's station, wrapping up a study module.

Gareth is completing a maintenance check on his combat armor in the cargo hold.
Matt
player, 596 posts
Sat 22 Sep 2018
at 14:30
  • msg #182

Arrival at Execute

Brent shuts down the training module and calls out on the loudspeaker. "Stand by for emergence everyone to your stations.   We'll be coming out at the gas giant."
JR
GM, 695 posts
Sat 22 Sep 2018
at 18:06
  • msg #183

Arrival at Execute

Ten minutes later, with everyone at their stations (Joxe and Veronica in engineering, Brent, Malcolm, and Gareth on the bridge, and Naimh at her sensors station in the upper lounge), Wanderer transitions into normal space.

Reports from the ship's systems flow into the bridge displays; the jump drive terminated operations normally, the maneuver drives have 18 hours of operation at 1g available. The auxiliary fuel tanks in the hold have enough refined fuel for a jump, or for another 18 hours of maneuvering.

This gas giant is the closest of four to the system primary. Their arrival vector is close enough to require minor adjustments to their orbit to achieve an optimal skimming run. The passive sensors are detecting nothing beyond the emissions from the gas giant they are orbiting.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:36, Sat 22 Sept 2018.
Matt
player, 597 posts
Sat 22 Sep 2018
at 22:09
  • msg #184

Arrival at Execute

Brent adjusts the course slightly to allow them to coast toward the gas giant. "It seems all clear.  Let's listen for system traffic.  There should be a lot of chatter."
JR
GM, 696 posts
Sat 22 Sep 2018
at 22:29
  • msg #185

Arrival at Execute

Two hours later, the system primary, and Execute itself, comes into view around the limb of the pale blue gas giant. Naimh and Gareth train their sensor arrays on the main planet.

"There's nothing," Naimh reports an hour later. "It's completely silent out there." She sits back with a sigh.

Gareth's systems show nothing but natural objects. They are far too distant from the mainworld for any of the active sensors to be remotely useful.
Matt
player, 598 posts
Sat 22 Sep 2018
at 22:36
  • msg #186

Arrival at Execute

Brent sighs.  "Ok, stand down everyone.  We'll do a high-G skim and then push to the main world as fast as we can.  Go ahead and do an active ping before I initiate the burn Gareth so we don't hit anything that is off the charts."
JR
GM, 697 posts
Sat 22 Sep 2018
at 22:52
  • msg #187

Arrival at Execute

According to the navigation display, the refueling run will take another twenty-two hours before they reach 100 diameters and can jump. In that time, all of the skimmed fuel will be refined.
Matt
player, 599 posts
Sat 22 Sep 2018
at 22:55
  • msg #188

Arrival at Execute

OOC: I think we want to head to the mainworld...
Hoot
player, 177 posts
Wed 26 Sep 2018
at 01:05
  • msg #189

Arrival at Execute

Fully expecting nothing Gareth Pings as requested.
JR
GM, 698 posts
Wed 26 Sep 2018
at 01:18
  • msg #190

Arrival at Execute

Gareth's expectations are not disappointed - there is no return from the active sensors at all.

Wanderer tracks down the center of the projected orbital path, accelerating as the gas giant's enormous gravity field pulls it ever closer. By dinner time, the ship is in the upper atmosphere, and Veronica opens the fueling scoops and starts the fuel processor. By 0200, the fueling run is complete, and the ship starts it's climb out of the gravity well, bleeding off speed as they coast outward under the bridge crew's watchful eye.

Just as lunchtime approaches, Wanderer crosses the hundred diameters limit, and is free to safely jump.
Matt
player, 604 posts
Wed 26 Sep 2018
at 18:05
  • msg #191

Arrival at Execute

Robert will engage the Jump drive to take them to the main world.
JR
GM, 702 posts
Wed 26 Sep 2018
at 18:24
  • msg #192

Jump to Execute Main World

11/VI/1402 1530hrs

The jump to the Execute main world goes off without problems. The third day in jump, Veronica and Naimh put together a luncheon for Brent and Joxe, where Veronica presents them with matching wedding bands. Joxe and Naimh weren't familiar with the custom, so the Egg System folk explained it.

On the seventh day of the jump, the emergence alert sounds, and everyone mans their stations. Wanderer reenters normal space three hundred kilometers from Brent's intended arrival point. Their vector is pointed ten degrees closer to the planet than Brent intended, though.

Naimh and Gareth deploy their sensors, and, as at the gas giant, there are no artificial signals detected. The visual sensors do detect a substantial cloud of debris in a high orbit around the planet. A quick search of the system map places the debris field in the same orbit as the system's orbital starport.

From this position and vector, Wanderer is about 5 hours from low planetary orbit.
Hoot
player, 178 posts
Thu 27 Sep 2018
at 03:15
  • msg #193

Jump to Execute Main World

"Perhaps we should start with the starport's wreckage. There may be something of note for a change."
Matt
player, 605 posts
Thu 27 Sep 2018
at 04:25
  • msg #194

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent made sure first that the ship's fuel tanks were full and everything was prepared before they acted further.  He frowned at the debris field and the likely results of yet another destroyed system.  "We have no artificial signals.  Go ahead and ping the area around the planet for any more debris or anything of interest while we are still a good distance away Gareth.  I'll alter course to bring us closer to the high port debris field."
JR
GM, 703 posts
Thu 27 Sep 2018
at 04:45
  • msg #195

Jump to Execute Main World

Over the next hour, Wanderer'sactive sensors map out the closest and largest portion of the debris field. Gareth's analysis shows that this debris field is consistent with a space station that suffered a catastrophic event many, many years ago.
Matt
player, 606 posts
Sat 29 Sep 2018
at 07:27
  • msg #196

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent makes a quick burn and moves the ship in where they can get visual sightings on the larger debris.  "I doubt if there is much left Gareth."
JR
GM, 704 posts
Sat 29 Sep 2018
at 14:35
  • msg #197

Jump to Execute Main World

Wanderer descends to a slightly lower and faster orbit to catch up with the main part of the debris field. The computer plots four distinct clouds of debris indicative of nearly megaton-range explosions within the station's structure. The hull sensors also report several impacts from small debris, but nothing significant.
Matt
player, 607 posts
Sun 30 Sep 2018
at 04:08
  • msg #198

Jump to Execute Main World

"Gareth, see if you can find anything of interest.  I don't want to come any closer if we can help it."
Hoot
player, 179 posts
Sat 6 Oct 2018
at 02:13
  • msg #199

Jump to Execute Main World

Gareth will use the ship's sensors to look for anything of note. Missile launchers in particular.
JR
GM, 705 posts
Sat 6 Oct 2018
at 04:05
  • msg #200

Jump to Execute Main World

The only thing Gareth is able to identify for sure is a chunk of the station's habitat area that still has an identifiable shape of rooms and doorways.
Hoot
player, 180 posts
Mon 8 Oct 2018
at 01:11
  • msg #201

Jump to Execute Main World

"There may still be a section of habitat partially intact. An investigation would require a spacewalk though."
Matt
player, 608 posts
Tue 9 Oct 2018
at 01:59
  • msg #202

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent scans the wreckage again with the radar. "Let's see how close we think we can get.  I don't relish a spacewalk across a debris field if we can avoid it."
JR
GM, 706 posts
Tue 9 Oct 2018
at 02:13
  • msg #203

Jump to Execute Main World

Wanderer closes to ten kilometers from the wreckage, when Gareth detects a substantial cloud of small debris surrounding the structure. The wreckage is rotating in two axes at what the sensors say is ten rotations per minute, and, as you watch, another small chunk separates from the main wreck and spins outward.
Matt
player, 611 posts
Tue 9 Oct 2018
at 03:05
  • msg #204

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent shakes his head.  "We'd need a fully armored salvage ship and heavily reinforced suits to be able to get anywhere near the remains of the station.  I think we'd best turn our attention to the planet for now."
JR
GM, 708 posts
Mon 15 Oct 2018
at 14:14
  • msg #205

Jump to Execute Main World

"I wouldn't want to try that," Joxe said, "not even with battledress. Not that we have any of that."

"Oh, I don't know," Veronica deadpanned. "I like being slung around like a toy."

"What are we looking for on the planet?" Naimh piped up. "From the planet's data set, it's perfectly habitable without any kind of special equipment."
Matt
player, 612 posts
Wed 17 Oct 2018
at 02:24
  • msg #206

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent turned back to the instrument panel and quickly set the ship on a sun synchronous orbit that would quickly scan the entire surface at the noon attitude.  "There are no signs of tech.  We want to see if there is any life left even if pounded back to the stone age for starters."
JR
GM, 709 posts
Wed 17 Oct 2018
at 02:49
  • msg #207

Jump to Execute Main World

The inclination change took an hour-long maneuver drive burn to accomplish, but finally the navigation system reported that Wanderer was in the specified orbit. After the first full orbit, Naimh reported in.

"I'm not detecting any sort of radio or other communications," she reported.

Gareth's sensors were more successful. The visual camera systems could read a datapad display from orbit, and he was able to find the spaceport on the first pass. The fecund vegetation at the planet's equator had taken over all but the ceramacrete landing pads. He had also spotted a herd of large herbivores 200km north of the starport.
Matt
player, 613 posts
Fri 19 Oct 2018
at 03:22
  • msg #208

Jump to Execute Main World

"Let's land at the space port first and fan out from there. We can try some of the listed cities and towns next."
Hoot
player, 181 posts
Fri 19 Oct 2018
at 21:18
  • msg #209

Jump to Execute Main World

"Let us be off then. I'll never tire of almost dying in blasted ruins."
Matt
player, 614 posts
Fri 19 Oct 2018
at 21:19
  • msg #210

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent nods and fires the thrusters to bring them down to the star port ruins.
JR
GM, 710 posts
Fri 19 Oct 2018
at 23:57
  • msg #211

Jump to Execute Main World

The deorbit, approach and landing takes two hours to complete. As they approach the starport, they can barely make out the buildings in the visual display. Still, it's plainly evident that most of the infrastructure was wrecked, and then taken over by the local flora.

Gareth and Naimh still detect no sign of human activity. One of the landing pads appears to be free of debris, and the ceramacrete is far too tough to be broken up by vegetation.
Matt
player, 615 posts
Sat 20 Oct 2018
at 03:23
  • msg #212

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent brings the ship over the clear landing pad and settles lightly on the ground.  Once they are settled his sets his controls into standby.  'There doesn't seem to be much here but this is probably the best place to start looking for habitation."
JR
GM, 712 posts
Mon 29 Oct 2018
at 12:55
  • msg #213

Jump to Execute Main World

"The atmosphere is breathable," Malcolm reports. "Hot and humid, but breathable."

"I'll go preflight the air raft," Joxe says.

The external sensors find nothing but the occasional sound of avians - and lots and lots of trees, bushes, and other assorted greenery.
Matt
player, 618 posts
Tue 30 Oct 2018
at 05:43
  • msg #214

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent locks down the controls but leave the engines active in case they had to escape quickly.  He went and donned armor and his weapons. "We'll need to go fairly far afield I think to find anything not covered in trees."
Hoot
player, 182 posts
Wed 31 Oct 2018
at 17:46
  • msg #215

Jump to Execute Main World

Gareth dons his suit and prepares to join the excursion.

"Perhaps we could use the ships weapons to create a clearing."
Matt
player, 619 posts
Fri 2 Nov 2018
at 06:02
  • msg #216

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent nodded. "We'll use the weapons or the thruster exhaust to burn off what we can.  For now let's get the air raft launched and see if we can find anything useful near here and then to the closest settlement site."
JR
GM, 713 posts
Fri 2 Nov 2018
at 15:42
  • msg #217

Jump to Execute Main World

Fifteen minutes later, everyone is aboard the air raft, with Brent in the pilot's seat.

OOG: I assume that everyone is wearing combat armor and carrying their rifles.
Matt
player, 622 posts
Sun 4 Nov 2018
at 20:41
  • msg #218

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent lifted off toward the nearest pre-war population center of any size.  First though they would fly above the star port to see if anything was left that might prove interesting.
JR
GM, 715 posts
Sun 4 Nov 2018
at 22:03
  • msg #219

Jump to Execute Main World

The team circles the startown's remains. After two hundred plus years of unimpeded growth, the local flora has taken over the area.

Joxe overlays the planetary map on the air raft's main display. The largest population center was the startown, with half a dozen smaller communities scattered across the planet. The closest is 400km to the east, with a reported population of 2,150 sophonts.
Matt
player, 623 posts
Sun 4 Nov 2018
at 22:19
  • msg #220

Jump to Execute Main World

Brent sets course to the small population center to the east.
JR
GM, 716 posts
Sun 4 Nov 2018
at 23:10
  • msg #221

Exploring Execute

"Veronica, we're going east," Joxe reports while ensuring that the ship is receiving their telemetry.

"You kids be careful," Veronica replies. "I'll be in the hot tub I fabricated in the cargo hold."

Naimh rolled her eyes. "You'd better not," she teased.

"I'm just testing it," Veronica deadpanned back.

An expanse of low, rolling hills extends inland from the coast where the starport is located. The forest below is unbroken except for a few clearings where fires had broken out, and where rivers cut through on their way from the distant mountains to the sea.

Gareth, who is in the right middle seat behind Brent, watches the air raft's sensors output on his tablet display. He spots numerous animals, mostly herbivores, with a large predator that Naimh, sitting beside him and behind Joxe's seat, identifies as a bear.

Malcolm uses his binoculars to search to the sides, moving from one rear seat to the other as he works. The device uses both visual, infrared, and near ultraviolet filters; Malcolm had labored for the entire week in jump to fabricate it.

The air raft's groundspeed is nearly 200kph, even with a left-to-right crossing headwind of 40kph. An hour into the flight, no one has seen any evidence of human activity.
Matt
player, 624 posts
Mon 5 Nov 2018
at 02:25
  • msg #222

Exploring Execute

Brent stays high enough to allow a good view of the surroundings as well as staying out of easy small arms fire from the ground just in case. "It looks grim.  I would think that a habitable world like this would keep a pretty sizeable population even if they were bombed back to the stone age."
JR
GM, 717 posts
Tue 6 Nov 2018
at 13:38
  • msg #223

Exploring Execute

Joxe nods. "It depends on how many people were left here. If there were too few, they could have died out."

"If there are people still here," Malcolm muses, "they may not have advanced tech that would help us find them."
Matt
player, 625 posts
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 06:24
  • msg #224

Exploring Execute

Brent frowns and shakes his head.  From the tension in his shoulders those who knew him could tell that he was deeply affected by the devastation. "Even if they've been bombed back to hunter gatherers we should see signs of life along the rivers and river mouths."
JR
GM, 718 posts
Thu 8 Nov 2018
at 17:11
  • msg #225

Exploring Execute

"How do we go about searching for them," Joxe asks.
Matt
player, 626 posts
Fri 9 Nov 2018
at 06:18
  • msg #226

Exploring Execute

"Let's fly to the population center and then work our way along the river toward the ocean."
JR
GM, 719 posts
Sat 10 Nov 2018
at 04:11
  • msg #227

Exploring Execute

Joxe looks up from her panel. "We will have about an hour to loiter, unless you want Veronica to meet us somewhere closer."

The air raft is loaded with the last planetary map in Wanderer's memory, which means it's 250 years out of date. The air raft is on a direct course to the town depicted on the map.
Matt
player, 627 posts
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 04:52
  • msg #228

Exploring Execute

Brent set the bingo fuel level in the air raft control system. "Let's see what we can find here.  If it's apparent that even the good places to live are vacant I'm not sure it's worth lingering here unless there might be some caches of equipment we might find valuable."
JR
GM, 720 posts
Tue 13 Nov 2018
at 14:56
  • msg #229

Exploring Execute

An hour later, they arrive at the town's location. The vegetation is less fecund here than at the coast, so the ruins of the town are more visible. A small, tree-lined river runs roughly north to south, parallel to a 1000-meter ridgeline three kilometers east of the town.

There are two obvious craters in the center of town, and what buildings there were are marked by ceramacrete foundations sprinkled with debris. Several wrecked vehicles, including a couple of heavy ground trucks and some earth moving equipment, lie scattered around what looked to be a processing plant of some sort.

"According to the planet's database," Joxe says, "they used to mine here..." she stops and reads, "They mined lanthanum, Brent!"
Matt
player, 628 posts
Fri 16 Nov 2018
at 05:25
  • msg #230

Exploring Execute

Brent looks somber as they approach the ruined settlement.  The level of destruction is sobering and doesn't bode well for any level of organized survivors.  He circles once and then comes down to land near the ruins of what looks like a processing plant.  "What would motivate someone to so thoroughly destroy a place like this.  I can see taking out a factory but the whole town?"  He shakes his head.

When Joxe speaks up Brent's dark mood partially cleared.  "Lanthanum?  That is the key ingredient for Jump drives, right?"  He looked around.  "We didn't have any useful deposits of Lanthanum which is a good part of the reason we never built Jump capable ships after the war."
JR
GM, 721 posts
Tue 27 Nov 2018
at 16:26
  • msg #231

Exploring Execute

"It takes about 1600 kilos of it to build a ship like Wanderer," Joxe says. She looks around the area. "That's odd." She points at a ruined building at the center of the processing plant. "That wasn't a bomb or missile."

Brent sees that the building burned from the inside, but there is a two-meter hole burned through the ceramacrete wall.
Hoot
player, 183 posts
Wed 28 Nov 2018
at 02:16
  • msg #232

Exploring Execute

"We should look closer at the way this building was destroyed. Perhaps someone has been attempting stop populations from being or becoming capable of producing jump drives. You could keep populations isolated and compliant if you were the only power with such capabilities."
Matt
player, 629 posts
Wed 28 Nov 2018
at 03:57
  • msg #233

Exploring Execute

Brent locked the controls and climbed out of the air raft. "Let's go investigate.  I'd guess that they didn't bomb the central building because they wanted to loot the ore or finished metal."  He headed toward the damaged building. "Stay wary.  Even if there are no people around there might be denizens of the jungle hiding in the ruins."
JR
GM, 722 posts
Wed 28 Nov 2018
at 05:17
  • msg #234

Exploring Execute

Veronica comes up on the comm. "Brent, should I relocate closer to you? I'm not much good at four hundred kilometers away."

"I think Gareth is right," Malcolm says as he looks around. "I mean, a single kinetic strike would turn this place into a crater. That's not what we've been seeing, though."
Matt
player, 630 posts
Wed 28 Nov 2018
at 05:26
  • msg #235

Exploring Execute

Brent listened for a moment to the communication from the ship.  "Go ahead and get within about 50 klicks Veronica," he comm'd.

Turning back to the others Brent shrugged.  "Certainly the lack of lanthanum kept us on Egg confined to our system.  I can see how cutting off the supply of this material could choke things down around the entire subsector or further."
JR
GM, 723 posts
Wed 28 Nov 2018
at 15:00
  • msg #236

Exploring Execute

"Lifting off," Veronica reported back.

Joxe took a few steps toward the processing plant. "That looks a lot like a hit from a ship's laser," she says as she highlights the hole on everyone's helmet displays.
Matt
player, 631 posts
Thu 29 Nov 2018
at 02:10
  • msg #237

Exploring Execute

"Roger that," Brent replied to Veronica.  He stepped closer to the ruined building.  "A laser hit would make sense.  It is precise and will limit collateral damage."
JR
GM, 724 posts
Thu 29 Nov 2018
at 02:49
  • msg #238

Exploring Execute

"That, or that's all the weaponry they had," Malcolm muses. "Shall we take a closer look?"
Matt
player, 632 posts
Fri 30 Nov 2018
at 02:04
  • msg #239

Exploring Execute

Brent nodded as he moved up to the building.  "Or the laser doesn't use up scarce ammunition."
JR
GM, 725 posts
Fri 30 Nov 2018
at 23:27
  • msg #240

Exploring Execute

"There is that," Malcolm agrees with a chuckle.

The building is three stories tall, and Brent can see through the broken windows that the interior is burnt out. A faded sign above the main doors reads "Plant Operations".
Matt
player, 633 posts
Sat 1 Dec 2018
at 00:58
  • msg #241

Exploring Execute

Brent goes up to the entrance and looks inside.  "It's pretty burnt out.  I'm not sure if it's even safe to enter."
JR
GM, 726 posts
Sat 1 Dec 2018
at 03:49
  • msg #242

Exploring Execute

Joxe stands next to Brent and looks inside. "It's pretty trashed."

Malcolm moves to the corner, while Naimh steps up behind the others.

"Brent, you will want to see this," Malcolm calls over the comm.
Matt
player, 634 posts
Sat 1 Dec 2018
at 05:37
  • msg #243

Exploring Execute

Brent nodded to Joxe and moved slowly through the debris toward the rear of the building.  When Malcom called Brent headed over to see what had been found.
Hoot
player, 184 posts
Sun 2 Dec 2018
at 05:46
  • msg #244

Exploring Execute

Gareth follows to see what has been discovered. He wonders if the power they are investigating is worth challenging.
JR
GM, 727 posts
Mon 3 Dec 2018
at 20:09
  • msg #245

Exploring Execute

As Brent and Gareth lead the way around the corner, they both see a figure lying face down on the ground with arms outflung. A rifle lies near to the figure's right hand, and they are clothed in boots, long gray pants, and a tartan-patterned long sleeved shirt. The person's face is turned away, and lies at an odd angle to their shoulders. A wide-brimmed black hat partially covers their head, hiding most of it from view.
Matt
player, 635 posts
Wed 5 Dec 2018
at 04:05
  • msg #246

Exploring Execute

Brent looks around.  He tries to see how long ago it might have been that the place was attacked.  "Cover me Gareth while I check the body."  Brent advances warily toward the body and moves around to where he can see the face.  He'll carefully flick off the hat.
JR
GM, 728 posts
Wed 5 Dec 2018
at 04:35
  • msg #247

Exploring Execute

The body lies at the base of one of the building walls. Brent finds that the person is a dark-skinned male with longish black hair. A large cut over his eyes has exposed the bone, and his chin is tucked into his chest at an unnatural angle. His skin is beginning to decompose, and his clothing appears to be wet.
Matt
player, 636 posts
Wed 5 Dec 2018
at 04:45
  • msg #248

Exploring Execute

"He's been dead a while but not more than a few days I would guess. There is a gash on his forehead and his neck is at an odd angle like it was broken.  There is an odd wetness to his clothing." He rolled the body over with his boot.
JR
GM, 729 posts
Wed 5 Dec 2018
at 07:30
  • msg #249

Exploring Execute

Naimh steps up and looks over the body. "I can conduct an autopsy, if you wish." She kneels and examines him more closely. "Superficially, I'd say you are right. The head wound was perimortem, since it appears to not have bled much."
Matt
player, 639 posts
Wed 5 Dec 2018
at 23:27
  • msg #250

Exploring Execute

Brent steps back as Naimh moves to examine the body.  "Do a quick check Naimh but be wary of whatever might be on his clothing.  We'll continue to search."  Brent looks around and continues forward.
JR
GM, 732 posts
Thu 6 Dec 2018
at 02:14
  • msg #251

Exploring Execute

Joxe steps up beside Brent as he walks around. "I wonder what he was doing here?"

The building abuts part of the actual processing facility, and Brent notes that there is a steel staircase leading up into the processor's open structure. From what he can see, the equipment, while rusty, appears to be undamaged.
Matt
player, 641 posts
Thu 6 Dec 2018
at 02:20
  • msg #252

Exploring Execute

"He was here recently.  There is no other sign of human life on the planet and here we find a man with relatively modern weaponry dead.  Where did he come from?  Is there a ship still around?"  He flipped on his comm.  "Veronica, we've found a recently dead man with modern weapons.  There may be another ship.  Be wary, save the ship if you have to and come back and get us later."

He pointed to the stairs. "Let's see what might have drawn him here.  Probably the lanthanum."
Hoot
player, 185 posts
Fri 7 Dec 2018
at 03:51
  • msg #253

Exploring Execute

Gareth keeps his weapon drawn and follows down the stairs.

"He didn't get here by himself. Even if his compatriots have left there will most likely be more traps."
JR
GM, 733 posts
Fri 7 Dec 2018
at 18:19
  • msg #254

Exploring Execute

"I'm on my way," Veronica replies. "I'll be careful."

Malcolm moves around the body, scanning all around the area. "I've got nothing on sensors, Brent. If there is anyone else out there, they are damned stealthy."

"I think he died in a fall," Naimh reports. "I'd like to take him aboard ship for a full autopsy."

Joxe looks up the staircase. "Can we go up there?"

Brent notices an object next to the stair's upper landing. It appears to be something made of cloth or canvas, but that's all he can discern.

Gareth, like Malcolm, notes nothing of interest using his suit's sensors.
Matt
player, 642 posts
Mon 10 Dec 2018
at 03:54
  • msg #255

Exploring Execute

Brent considers what is happening.  "We'll bring the body back for sure.  I want to check the clothing and equipment for any clues as to point of origin."  He looked around.  "There is something up on the landing.  Do you think there was a trap or something that killed him Gareth?  Maybe there was something that caused him to fall."

Moving carefully Brent continued upward.
JR
GM, 734 posts
Mon 10 Dec 2018
at 06:29
  • msg #256

Exploring Execute

The stairway seems solid as Brent takes one careful step at a time. The object resolves as a backpack, and it sits about a meter from an open window at the left end of the platform.
Matt
player, 643 posts
Mon 10 Dec 2018
at 06:42
  • msg #257

Exploring Execute

Brent walks up carefully and pauses as he sees the object.  "It's a back pack.  It could belong to that guy or could be a trap."  He considers how far away it is from him.
JR
GM, 735 posts
Mon 10 Dec 2018
at 14:14
  • msg #258

Exploring Execute

"It would have to be a powerful explosive to go through your armor," Malcolm says. "Still, maybe we can rig up a pole or something."

"I can do that," Joxe says. She hunts around for a minute, and then returns with a two meter length of pipe. "Will this work?"
Matt
player, 644 posts
Tue 11 Dec 2018
at 06:32
  • msg #259

Exploring Execute

Brent uses the advantage of height to look around if he can while Joxe prepares a long pole. "It's not the actual penetration of the armor but the concussion or the fall if I'm blown off the platform that worries me."

He takes the pole from Joxe with a nod of thanks as their eyes meet and then lays down.  He prods the pack from the least vulnerable posture.
JR
GM, 736 posts
Tue 11 Dec 2018
at 17:29
  • msg #260

Exploring Execute

The pack flops over, revealing what appears to be a bedroll tied to the bottom.

"Well, it didn't go boom," Joxe says with cautious optimism.

Gareth and Malcolm still don't see anything.

Naimh is using her suit's imaging system to begin recording her observations for the autopsy.

Everyone's suit HUDs show a good datalink with Wanderer.
Matt
player, 645 posts
Thu 13 Dec 2018
at 05:28
  • msg #261

Exploring Execute

Brent lets out his breath and stands.  "Well, better safe than dead," he laughs.  Stepping up he goes to the pack and examines it closely.
JR
GM, 737 posts
Thu 13 Dec 2018
at 16:15
  • msg #262

Exploring Execute

Joxe follows Brent up the stairs. "I wonder what happened to the guy?" She looks around. "I don't see any signs of a struggle, or blood."

The pack appears to be handmade, as Brent can see how the stiches aren't in straight lines, and they vary slightly in size. It contains clothing, packages of food wrapped in leaves, and a rolled sheet of a substance Brent can't identify. It's not fabric, but it's supple to the touch, and it's a dark brown color. The package is tied with strips of the same material. In a side pocket, Brent finds a small bound book with covers the same color as the rolled package.
Matt
player, 646 posts
Sat 15 Dec 2018
at 03:56
  • msg #263

Exploring Execute

Brent laid out the items in the backpack.  "It's hard to tell.  This pack looks literally hand made.  See those stitches?"  He opened up the rolled sheet and looked through the book.  As well he compared the clothing to that which was worn by the dead man.  "He's not been here long.  No one came back to retrieve the body so is he some kind of lone scout?"
JR
GM, 738 posts
Sat 15 Dec 2018
at 06:17
  • msg #264

Exploring Execute

Joxe moves up beside him and kneels by the pack. "This is leather," she says as she touches the roll. The roll contains a quantity of pen-like wooden sticks with blackened ends. "Those look like charcoal pencils."

The journal contains handwriting in what appears to be a dialect of Galanglic Brent has never seen. A few words are recognizable, and the accompanying hand drawn illustrations are almost works of art. The writer described animals, plants, and the land through which he had traveled.
Hoot
player, 186 posts
Sat 15 Dec 2018
at 23:54
  • msg #265

Exploring Execute

"This is rather depressing. Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like this place was blasted to the stone age and a few survivors have been eeking out a living."
JR
GM, 739 posts
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 03:28
  • msg #266

Exploring Execute

"To a point, you're right," Naimh replies. "But I think it depends on who was doing the blasting, and why."
Matt
player, 647 posts
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 20:20
  • msg #267

Re: Exploring Execute

Bent touched the smooth material.  "Leather?  As in the tanned hide of an animal?"  He frowned further as she continued her explanation.  "And the pencils, the wood has been partially burned to make the... charcoal?"  He glanced at the little book.  "So our friend down below must have been exploring, that is what the journal looks like.  I can't make out the dialect beyond a few words.  The illustrations are amazing especially given the use of these pencils instead of real illustration software.  We may be able to figure out his path by reviewing the notes and sketches once we can decipher them."
JR
GM, 740 posts
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 21:25
  • msg #268

Re: Exploring Execute

Joxe carefully steps onto the platform, and looks out the window opening. "Maybe he fell from here? We can look at everything more closely once we get back aboard ship."
Matt
player, 648 posts
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 21:37
  • msg #269

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent shook his head.  "It seemed he came a long way to die in a fall.  It seems like his technology is what might be expected from a world that was bombed into near oblivion.  Obviously there are more people here.  Perhaps they are hiding from star farers though."
JR
GM, 741 posts
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 22:33
  • msg #270

Re: Exploring Execute

Malcolm speaks up as he takes another turn around the immediate area. "Even basic manufacturing speaks of a fairly sophisticated tech base. If they can process animal hides and make fabrics, that's really good for people who were bombed out."

Joxe kneels next to Brent. "Two centuries is a long time. Look at the places we've seen. No one has been here for at least that long, until we arrived."

"I can give you more information on our friend here once I can examine him," Naimh says. "His medical condition will tell us about the local tech base."
Matt
player, 649 posts
Mon 17 Dec 2018
at 04:56
  • msg #271

Re: Exploring Execute

"You're right Joxe, this could all be home grown.  The rifle though speaks of some sophistication beyond animal hides and charcoal pencils." He rolls up the animal hide with the pencils and stows away the small book.  "Let's go look at this in more detail then unless there is more to the processing plant.  We've got a mystery on our hands and given that this guy hasn't been dead long there are locals alive."  He straightened up and hefted the back pack.  "Let's head back down Joxe and get the body back to the ship."
JR
GM, 742 posts
Wed 26 Dec 2018
at 19:20
  • msg #272

Re: Exploring Execute

Naimh and Malcolm prepare the body for transport using an emergency blanket from the air raft's emergency kit as a body bag.

(Insert any other actions/dialog here)

Forty minutes later, a low whine from the west announces Wanderer's arrival. "Where do you want me, boss?" Victoria transmits.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:51, Sun 10 Feb 2019.
Matt
player, 650 posts
Thu 27 Dec 2018
at 04:03
  • msg #273

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent looks up; "Just set down where you can near the ruins and we'll get aboard right away."
JR
GM, 744 posts
Wed 2 Jan 2019
at 21:22
  • msg #274

Re: Exploring Execute

Victoria finds an open field two hundred meters west of the processing plant. Twenty minutes later, everyone is aboard.

Naimh and Victoria go to the cargo bay and begin rigging an autopsy room so they can examine the body.

Malcolm collects everyone's body armor and weapons, and, from his work area in the cargo bay, starts to perform any needed maintenance and cleaning before storing them.

Joxe, having collected the man's backpack, sets it on the crew lounge table for detailed examination.

Gareth has the now-safely unloaded rifle in hand, and he sits in the crew lounge to examine it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Sun 10 Feb 2019.
Matt
player, 651 posts
Thu 3 Jan 2019
at 02:51
  • msg #275

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent joins Joxe in the lounge. "What do you make of the clothing and equipment?  It seems unsophisticated."
Hoot
player, 187 posts
Thu 3 Jan 2019
at 04:21
  • msg #276

Re: Exploring Execute

ooc: Holidays are over and I live again.

"I think I've seen a rifle like this somewhere before. The stock has been replaced and the magazine is not standard issue. Most likely scavenged and re purposed."
JR
GM, 745 posts
Thu 3 Jan 2019
at 06:07
  • msg #277

Re: Exploring Execute

Joxe looks up as Gareth speaks. "Can you tell where it's from?"
Hoot
player, 188 posts
Fri 4 Jan 2019
at 02:02
  • msg #278

Re: Exploring Execute

"It appears to be of imperial make."
Matt
player, 652 posts
Fri 4 Jan 2019
at 06:50
  • msg #279

Re: Exploring Execute

"Well, it could have been from anywhere then.  I'd guess it's been rebuilt over the years if anything."
JR
GM, 746 posts
Fri 4 Jan 2019
at 14:58
  • msg #280

Re: Exploring Execute

"Well, the rifle might be a relic, but the clothing and equipment is newly made," Joxe says as she brings up the holo display. A magnified view of a swatch of fabric shows, and Joxe manipulates the image as she speaks. "In brief, this fabric is made with a fairly advanced weaving process. It's not the extruded cloth we can make. I'd guess that it's made on what's called a loom, which is a mechanical device to weave fabric."
Matt
player, 653 posts
Sat 5 Jan 2019
at 06:31
  • msg #281

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent shook his head at the technique. "So is the fabric and the thread an organic material and not synthetic?"
JR
GM, 747 posts
Sat 5 Jan 2019
at 15:28
  • msg #282

Re: Exploring Execute

Joxe enlarges the image to show the fibers. "They're organic, but I don't know what it is."
Matt
player, 654 posts
Sat 5 Jan 2019
at 23:59
  • msg #283

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent tried to summarize things.  "So... old but well maintained rifle and new and well made but hand made clothing.  I'd say that there is a good chance that we've stumbled across evidence that there are human survivors here."
JR
GM, 748 posts
Wed 9 Jan 2019
at 07:54
  • msg #284

Re: Exploring Execute

"I believe you're right," Joxe says. "Thing is, what do we do about it?"
Matt
player, 655 posts
Thu 10 Jan 2019
at 02:24
  • msg #285

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent shrugged.  "We haven't seen any signs of people on the planet yet.  I was hoping that the journal would provide some clues as to where the man originated."
JR
GM, 749 posts
Thu 10 Jan 2019
at 05:30
  • msg #286

Re: Exploring Execute

"I can scan it into the computer, and see what we find from it," Joxe replies. "But, even if we do find his home, what then?"
Matt
player, 656 posts
Thu 10 Jan 2019
at 05:33
  • msg #287

Re: Exploring Execute

"If he's from the planet then we should try to make contact."
JR
GM, 750 posts
Thu 10 Jan 2019
at 16:55
  • msg #288

Re: Exploring Execute

"Let's see what our examinations turn up, then." Joxe replies. "It may take a few hours."
Matt
player, 657 posts
Sat 12 Jan 2019
at 06:22
  • msg #289

Re: Exploring Execute

"Can we do more to evaluate the lanthanum deposits? If we can bring back a large supply of the material to Egg we can transform this entire region of space once they can start building starships again."
JR
GM, 751 posts
Sat 12 Jan 2019
at 15:59
  • msg #290

Re: Exploring Execute

"How would we do that? None of us are geologists or miners," Joxe replies.
Matt
player, 658 posts
Sun 13 Jan 2019
at 00:33
  • msg #291

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent nodded reluctantly.  "We can take samples of some of the rocks that might be left behind and have them assayed elsewhere if we have a chance.  What do the old records say about the mines here?  Were they still providing good output?"
JR
GM, 752 posts
Sun 13 Jan 2019
at 02:30
  • msg #292

Re: Exploring Execute

"They were producing about a hundred metric tons per year," Joxe says after a couple minutes' study. "That's ore, though, not refined metal."
Matt
player, 659 posts
Sun 13 Jan 2019
at 06:38
  • msg #293

Re: Exploring Execute

"Well that should be enough to get us out of the system.  Of course we'd need to gather it up and carry it back."
Hoot
player, 189 posts
Tue 15 Jan 2019
at 03:12
  • msg #294

Re: Exploring Execute

"We don't have the means to rebuild this refinery. We could leave information with these survivors if they prove to not be murderous cannibals. Staying for too long is risky. If the conspiracy we're uncovering catches wind of us we will become a target."
Matt
player, 660 posts
Fri 18 Jan 2019
at 02:30
  • msg #295

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent shook his head; "Conspiracy?  What do you mean?"
JR
GM, 753 posts
Fri 18 Jan 2019
at 02:45
  • msg #296

Re: Exploring Execute

Joxe and Malcolm stopped what they were doing to listen as Gareth spoke.
Hoot
player, 190 posts
Fri 25 Jan 2019
at 00:49
  • msg #297

Re: Exploring Execute

"The planet's we've come across. The system we're from. All of it. Someone has spent centuries destroying access to warp technology. For what purpose I'm not sure, but when we are discovered by whoever is capable of this we will probaly be killed."
Matt
player, 661 posts
Sat 26 Jan 2019
at 04:45
  • msg #298

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent listened carefully.  "Do you think that this is an aftermath of the war?  That some one or some group has gone through and destroyed the technological infrastructure?  Either way we'll have to continue to be extremely careful.  This ship, Joxe's ship is a priceless thing."
JR
GM, 754 posts
Sat 26 Jan 2019
at 05:28
  • msg #299

Re: Exploring Execute

"I think everything we've seen was done long ago," Joxe puts in.
Hoot
player, 191 posts
Wed 30 Jan 2019
at 02:25
  • msg #300

Re: Exploring Execute

"Maybe. That doesn't mean they aren't still around enjoying their work."
Matt
player, 662 posts
Wed 30 Jan 2019
at 04:25
  • msg #301

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent nodded.  "Certainly a lot of this destruction was done carefully and with the intent to destroy.  They may still be out there or may not but we have to treat everyone with the utmost caution."
JR
GM, 755 posts
Wed 30 Jan 2019
at 23:01
  • msg #302

Re: Exploring Execute

"So, what do we do?" Joxe asks quietly. "We can't go back to Egg, not without something to offer besides our ship."
Matt
player, 663 posts
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 00:37
  • msg #303

Re: Exploring Execute

"I think we need to find where this man came from and contact his friends.  He's obviously part of a settled community."
JR
GM, 756 posts
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 22:45
  • msg #304

Re: Exploring Execute

"My parents said they were planning to come here, too," Joxe says. "Of course, they're long gone now." She takes a breath and smiles weakly at Brent. "Sorry. It's only been a few weeks since I last saw them for me."
Matt
player, 664 posts
Fri 1 Feb 2019
at 04:23
  • msg #305

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent gives Joxe a brief, firm hug.  "Did they say where on the planet they might settle?  We could try a more specific location. "
JR
GM, 757 posts
Fri 1 Feb 2019
at 04:32
  • msg #306

Re: Exploring Execute

Joxe brings up the letter on the holo display and reads it again:

My dearest daughter,

I hope this letter finds you well. Your mother and I have been helping to keep our town's domes running since the attack.

We lost nearly all of our space based infrastructure, and most of the cities and towns were destroyed. Somehow, we survived.
I hope that you and your cousins made it through to Montezuma, although we heard later that the war had come to them, too.
Hopefully, you're reading this after being able to come back here with the Concordia and your cousins.

Joxe, we have to move away from here, as the raiders have gotten more and more bold. Some friends have offered to let us come with
them to Execute, as they say the navy squadrons didn't do that much damage in that system. When you come, be careful about the raiders.
We heard that they are operating out of Kiepes. That doesn't surprise me, as that whole planet is one big mess.

Anyway, we are packing up to leave. Your mother and I both love you very much. We hope to see you soon.

Matt
player, 665 posts
Sat 2 Feb 2019
at 04:01
  • msg #307

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent keeps his arm around Joxe as she reads the letter.   "I'm afraid that doesn't give us much to go on other than worrying about Kiepes." He shook his head. "I can't beleive that this guy walked any distance through this jungle with just the gear he has or that if he were with others that they would have left his body behind."
JR
GM, 758 posts
Sun 3 Feb 2019
at 04:07
  • msg #308

Re: Exploring Execute

The lift door opens, revealing Naimh and Victoria. "I have a cause of death," Naimh announces without preamble as she crosses the compartment to the commissary unit. "He died of a broken neck from a fall precipitated by an epileptic seizure." The doctor completes her request, and the machine dispenses a soup in a large cup. "I'll need to finish the autopsy after lunch."

Victoria steps up and places her order, and extracts a burrito on a small plate. "He seems to be in good physical condition, and he definitely wasn't undernourished."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Sun 10 Feb 2019.
Matt
player, 666 posts
Sun 3 Feb 2019
at 05:09
  • msg #309

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent nods. "Thank you for the quick work Naimh, that at least gives us another data point." He turned to the others.  "He wasn't on an extended mission through the jungle.  There is no way he would be in as good of a condition or out alone.  I'm guessing that he had some form of transportation concealed nearby."
JR
GM, 759 posts
Tue 5 Feb 2019
at 04:44
  • msg #310

Re: Exploring Execute

"I've started reading through his journal," Joxe puts in, and he hadn't mentioned anyone else being with him in the first twenty or so entries I've read."
Matt
player, 667 posts
Tue 5 Feb 2019
at 05:00
  • msg #311

Re: Exploring Execute

"Does he say anything about how he traveled?"
JR
GM, 760 posts
Tue 5 Feb 2019
at 13:57
  • msg #312

Re: Exploring Execute

"So far, he walked."
Matt
player, 668 posts
Thu 7 Feb 2019
at 05:02
  • msg #313

Re: Exploring Execute

"From where?"
JR
GM, 761 posts
Thu 7 Feb 2019
at 05:21
  • msg #314

Re: Exploring Execute

"I'll have to read through his journal in more detail," Joxe says. "You can help, if you'd like."

"She needs to read the journal," Malcolm puts in, "and Naimh needs to finish the autopsy. The rest of us can help with checking his weapons and other gear more closely. Maybe we can take the afternoon, and meet to discuss things at dinner time?"
Matt
player, 669 posts
Fri 8 Feb 2019
at 05:14
  • msg #315

Re: Exploring Execute

"Let's do a bit of research then.  I'll help Joxe with the journal as the technical stuff is beyond my pay grade."
JR
GM, 762 posts
Fri 8 Feb 2019
at 19:11
  • msg #316

Re: Exploring Execute

12/VI/1402 1700 hours

By dinnertime, the three teams have determined the following:

1. The young man, approximately 24 years old, died from a fracture of the C2 vertebra as a result of falling approximately ten meters, and landing on his head. The cause of the fall was a grand mal seizure secondary to epilepsy. He was otherwise in excellent health and was well nourished, with no sign of malnutrition or prior injuries other than a broken forearm that had been expertly managed, probably from when he was an early teen. Genetically, he is from typical Imperial stock, though he is unrelated to anyone present.

2. His journal, written in a dialect of Galanglic that is mostly familiar, records his journey to explore the area west of his home. He recorded the flora and fauna he encountered, as well drawing detailed maps of his travels. Using the planetary maps and other data, Joxe and Brent determined that he had been traveling for a month, and had covered about 150km from his home.

3. Digging into Wanderer's database, Joxe finds that Execute's population was spread over the planet in small groups who attended the automated farming equipment and, as at their current location, small mining operations. The next nearest farm was just about 150km east, located in a river valley some 100km northwest of the nearest seacoast.

4. The 7mm rifle and knife the man had were standard Imperial civilian models, although the rifle had been restocked at some point. The rifle is in excellent condition, and the ammunition appears to be hand loaded, as the powder and primer composition is chemically different than the standard factory loads.

5. Most of the clothing and other gear is hand sewn, but the fabric is definitely from a mechanical loom, being too tight and regular a weave to be handmade. Some of the stitching is also mechanically produced, probably from a single needle sewing machine that was hand guided (tight, regular stitches in imperfect lines). The rope, thread and twine found likewise was produced with a machine of some type, with fibers from local plants, according to the DNA analysis. The other items found (paper, pencils, cookware, etc.) show evidence of hand manufacture with some mechanical assistance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:15, Fri 08 Feb 2019.
Matt
player, 670 posts
Brent
Sun 10 Feb 2019
at 08:20
  • msg #317

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent regards the findings.  "It seems that the locals have retained a basic mechanical technology although considerably lower than what they had before.  That's good though as we should be able to deal with them on a high level basis assuming they don't consider us pirates or worse.  Let's bring the body back with respect and see if we can't make some contact.  I'd say that this settlement to the east is the one we want to visit first."
JR
GM, 763 posts
Sun 17 Feb 2019
at 21:20
  • msg #318

Re: Exploring Execute

Malcolm looks up from his seat on the sofa, dinner tray balanced on his lap. "Maybe we should do a flyover later tonight and check the place over from high altitude. If we fly at above ten thousand meters and don't exceed the speed of sound, they shouldn't detect us."
Hoot
player, 192 posts
Wed 20 Feb 2019
at 02:23
  • msg #319

Re: Exploring Execute

"Agreed. I'm skeptical that contact will remain peaceful if we make it."
Matt
player, 671 posts
Brent
Fri 22 Feb 2019
at 06:28
  • msg #320

Re: Exploring Execute

Ken nodded in agreement.  "A bit of intelligence would be well placed.  Let's plan on that for sure.  If nothing else we can also return the body of the man to them.  Make sure we have a full record of his diaries though."
JR
GM, 764 posts
Fri 22 Feb 2019
at 14:44
  • msg #321

Re: Exploring Execute

"Okay," Joxe says. "We finish dinner, and then, after dark, we fly."

OOG: Anything else before the recon flight? It's about 6pm ship's time, which, helpfully, generally corresponds with the local planetary time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:45, Fri 22 Feb 2019.
JR
GM, 765 posts
Fri 1 Mar 2019
at 20:14
  • msg #322

Re: Exploring Execute

OOG: I'm changing up the dating system to the Imperial standard of 365-day years, where each day is counted from the first of the year. If we need to calculate elapsed time from an earlier event, I can convert those dates for comparison.

163-1402 0030


Wanderer flew through the night sky, just below a thin overcast layer at fifteen thousand meters above the mean elevation of the land below. A few stars shone through gaps in the overcast, and the planet's lone moon had not yet come over the horizon.

Under Gareth's watchful eye and terse directions, Brent pilots the ship in a search grid pattern along a river valley a hundred kilometers northwest of the nearest seacoast. The mountain range to their east rises 2000 meters above the valley floor.

The team starts their grid search at the western side of the valley, and works their way eastward, flying at barely 300kph. Brent turns the ship southward on the fourth pass, and levels off.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:14, Wed 24 Apr 2019.
Matt
player, 673 posts
Brent
Sat 2 Mar 2019
at 06:03
  • msg #323

Re: Exploring Execute

"Keep your eyes peeled.  I would expect that whoever we are looking for below is fairly well concealed."
JR
GM, 766 posts
Sat 9 Mar 2019
at 23:28
  • msg #324

Re: Exploring Execute

"Contact!" Malcolm says from his bridge seat, where he's configured his displays for weapons and sensors. "Thermal bloom, ground based, appears to be stationary, twenty kilometers at eleven o'clock. Trying to localize it now." He sends his information to Gareth's station, which is using the largest portion of the available sensor capability.

"Bridge, Comms, no emissions detected," Naimh reports from her station in the upper lounge.

Brent's nav display shows the contact. At this speed, Wanderer will pass by the contact in four minutes.
Matt
player, 674 posts
Brent
Sun 10 Mar 2019
at 08:28
  • msg #325

Re: Exploring Execute

"Got it," Brent calls as he locks the location into the navigation system. "I'll take a pass over head and move on as if we didn't see anything and then we'll circle around and approach at 1500 meters. We'll come in slow and look friendly.  Can someone hail them on the emergency channel?"
JR
GM, 767 posts
Sun 10 Mar 2019
at 17:41
  • msg #326

Re: Exploring Execute

Naimh brings up the ventral directional antenna and aims it at the contact. She keys her mike. "This is the starship Wanderer. Can anyone hear me?"

A minute passes. "No response."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:48, Sun 10 Mar 2019.
Matt
player, 675 posts
Brent
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 03:50
  • msg #327

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent sets the exterior lights to flash.  "Well, they may not be talkative or perhaps they lack the means.  Let's go ahead and drop on in as friendly as we can manage."  He brought the ship down slowly toward the thermal bloom.
JR
GM, 768 posts
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 04:00
  • msg #328

Re: Exploring Execute

Wanderer decelerates and begins a sweeping turn as it passes the heat source. Naimh, Malcolm and Gareth use their passive and active sensor arrays to scan the area. The resulting imagery and reports show on Brent's displays.

The heat source is a village, located on the east bank of a river that flows southward toward the seacoast. There is one bridge across the river, and extensive areas of cleared land eastward toward the mountains.

The village structures show numerous point heat sources, which the computer identifies as humans, animals, and small heat sources that might be heating devices of some type. To the east, there are more scattered buildings with more human and animal sized heat sources present.

"Looks like a good number of buildings down there," Malcolm observes. "This is a fairly large town."
Matt
player, 676 posts
Brent
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 04:09
  • msg #329

Re: Exploring Execute

"Thank god there are actually people alive and organized.  This would match the tech of the explorer that we found.  I'll see if I can find us a place to set down outside the town." Brent continues to bring the ship in slowly and carefully over the river to avoid any damage from their thrusters to the structures and fields below.  He'll try to find an open spot to set the ship down that will do the minimum amount of problems.
JR
GM, 769 posts
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 05:32
  • msg #330

Re: Exploring Execute

The ship's low light sensors helps Brent pick out an area of packed dirt next to the bridge's western approaches. He is able to put the ship's weight on the grav lifters, which will cut back on the downwash as they land.

"Still nothing on EM sensors," Naimh reports.

"There's a whole lot of movement in the town," Malcolm says a moment later. "Many point sources, people and animals."

"Don't go too far east," Joxe warns from her engineering station. "Watch your LOTs."

OOG: LOT = Limits of Travel on the landing gear mechanisms. The system has a panel that shows LOT and other stats for each gear leg.

It's going to be close... (Matt, a piloting roll, if you please)
Matt
player, 677 posts
Brent
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 05:52
  • msg #331

Re: Exploring Execute

"Got it Joxe... shift power to the lifters.  I'm going to come down as easy as I can."  He flips rapidly from the holographic sensors and the controls.  Brent's fingers fly over the virtual control as he flies by feel and instruments. "Ten meters... five meters... stand by... stand by... touchdown."

22:49, Today: Matt rolled 7 using 3d6.  Piloting [14].
JR
GM, 770 posts
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 13:33
  • msg #332

Re: Exploring Execute

As they approach, Brent sees that the ground slopes toward the river. He eases Wanderer closer to the treeline and away from the river bank. The landing gear legs contact the ground, and the ship settles slowly as Brent reduces power to the lifters.

The landing legs perform well, and, after an anxious moment, the gear system reports that it is stable.

"Looking good," Veronica reports from Engineering.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:32, Mon 11 Mar 2019.
Matt
player, 678 posts
Brent
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 19:10
  • msg #333

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent keeps his hands on the controls as they settle to a landing.  He didn't have a lot of experience bringing a ship in on a world with a habitable atmosphere but there were enough moons with tricky surfaces that he well understood the risks of settling on an unknown surface.  He waited, ready to boost if the ship should settle until Joxe called out that all was clear.  "Keep the drives hot Joxe in case we have to get out of here fast."

He brought up the exterior screens to see what might be the reaction of the locals.  Piping the display through the entire ship so others could see he mused.  "Let's hope we haven't squashed anyone's farm where we are at."  He'd left the exterior lights flashing although now he set them to flash 'Friend' in Morse code.
JR
GM, 771 posts
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 19:44
  • msg #334

Re: Exploring Execute

"Fear not," Joxe replies tersely. "Drives are ready."

The nav display reports that the ship is stationary and not sliding or sinking in the soil. The sensors show a large number of people moving around in the village, but only three people are visible outside the ship. They are all at or beyond the edge of the cleared area, with most in cover behind trees, buildings, or other objects. The three visible people are standing next to a stone fence, observing the ship.

"Okay, so what do we do now?" Malcolm asks Brent.
Matt
player, 679 posts
Brent
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 21:05
  • msg #335

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent sets his controls on stand by and rises.  "Let's go out and talk to them then.  They aren't overtly hostile so far.  Let's hope they give us the benefit of the doubt."  He goes over and buckles on his holster and pistol.  "Do you want to come with me Malcolm, Gareth?"
Hoot
player, 193 posts
Wed 13 Mar 2019
at 02:05
  • msg #336

Re: Exploring Execute

Gareth begrudgingly grabs his own weapon and agrees to come along. If an opportunity for personal gain presented itself he needed to be there to seize it.

"There might be something to learn here, so I'll come along."
Matt
player, 680 posts
Brent
Wed 13 Mar 2019
at 02:27
  • msg #337

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent chuckles at Gareth's reluctance.  "It'll be a fine first contact experience.  Just think of it Gareth." He waited for a moment for Malcolm and then headed down to lower the cargo ramp and greet their erstwhile hosts.
JR
GM, 772 posts
Wed 13 Mar 2019
at 04:02
  • msg #338

Re: Exploring Execute

The trio walks past the cargo container on the port side, and down the port cargo ramp. The ship's exterior lights, controlled by Joxe, light up the area around the ship. Veronica is out of sight behind the container, fully armored and armed with a rifle. Naimh waits behind her, clad in her own armor and with a med kit on her back.

When they reach the ground, they see a group of four men and two women standing at the edge of the clearing. Like Brent and the others, these people are clearly of Imperial descent. The group steps out as Brent and his team advances.

Behind them stand several men and women with rifles at port arms. They are watchful, but calm.

"What brings you to our humble town," one of the men asks, raising his voice to be heard. He looks at Brent with the interest plain in his expression.

OOG: They're speaking Galanglic, but the accent is odd. Think of an American speaking to a Scotsman.
Matt
player, 681 posts
Brent
Wed 13 Mar 2019
at 05:06
  • msg #339

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent glances at the women standing backup in the cargo bay and nods.  He heads outside and stops several meters from the local group.  "We're from another system down the main, Egg.  We're looking to expand back out into space and re-establish trade and interchange.  We're scouting now to find out just who has survived the conflict and how they are prospering."
JR
GM, 773 posts
Wed 13 Mar 2019
at 13:37
  • msg #340

Re: Exploring Execute

"I confess, I do not know much about other planets, or even much about what may be found on this one," the man says with a rueful smile. "Are you with their military?"
Matt
player, 682 posts
Brent
Wed 13 Mar 2019
at 22:54
  • msg #341

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent relaxes. "I'm Brent Rogers and this is Gareth and Malcolm.  We're not with the military or even official in any sense of the word.  We came upon the ship in our system derelict with one surviving crew in hibernation.  We woke her up and decided to see if we could reach out to the surrounding systems and help re-establish contacts."  He looked around.  "You are the only people we have been able to find on this world."  He paused. "We did find a man, an explorer who may have been from your settlement.  He had fallen and died.  We have the body with us."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:11, Sat 16 Mar 2019.
JR
GM, 774 posts
Thu 14 Mar 2019
at 16:58
  • msg #342

Re: Exploring Execute

Aboard the ship, Veronica looks at Joxe, who has been eavesdropping on the conversation with the ship's external sensors. "Jenkins?"

Joxe shrugs. "Beats me. If he wants to change his name, I'll certainly change mine to match."

~*~

The man sighs and shakes his head. "I was afraid of that. I told him to not go out by himself, but he wouldn't listen." He closes his eyes for a second and then looks at Brent.

"So, you are exploring..." He stops as he is interrupted.

"Father!" A young woman, possibly twenty years of age, runs up to him. "It's the Concordia!" She is nearly Brent's height, with blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, and with blue eyes behind large round glasses.

He turns to her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes! It's the same colors, even though the name is different now, and all of the technical details match. It's her!" She turns to Brent. "Is anyone from the Laiam family still aboard, sir?"
Hoot
player, 194 posts
Fri 15 Mar 2019
at 23:15
  • msg #343

Re: Exploring Execute

"You recognize this vessel? From where?"

Not sure how the others may want to respond to the girls question Gareth tries to learn more without directly answering.
JR
GM, 775 posts
Sat 16 Mar 2019
at 00:57
  • msg #344

Re: Exploring Execute

The young woman looks at Gareth. "From some documents in the town library. A couple named Laiam left us a letter and some photographs of that ship," she points to Wanderer. They said it, and their relatives, might come by looking for them, but that was a very long time ago." She looks back at Brent and Malcolm. "It's been well over two hundred years. How did the ship, and all of you, survive that long?"

"Melina," the man said.

She glanced at him. "I think it's a fair question, Father."
Matt
player, 684 posts
Brent
Sat 16 Mar 2019
at 05:18
  • msg #345

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent paled as the young woman ran up and told her tale.  "We do have a Laiam aboard.  Her name is Joxe.  She was still alive in a Low Berth when we found the ship derelict in our system.  Her cousins didn't make it.  Joxe had a message from her parents saying that they were coming here to this world.  We were hoping to not only find survivors but word of her parents."  He flipped on his comm. "Joxe, you need to come out and talk to the people here.  They have word of your parents."
JR
GM, 777 posts
Sat 16 Mar 2019
at 07:06
  • msg #346

Re: Exploring Execute

Joxe exchanges a wide eyed look with Veronica, and then Joxe holds out her rifle. "Here. No point in scaring them worse."

She makes her way out of the ship, and walks up next to Brent. She is wearing her combat armor, and she carries her helmet in her hand. "I am Joxe Laiam Rogers. Brent is my husband."

Melina looks at her with wide eyes. "Uh, I am Melina. The Laiams said that they had a daughter. You're her?"

"Yes, I am. They came here from Poznan after my cousins and I took Concordia, well, we call her Wanderer now, but then we were trapped in the Egg System." Joxe takes a breath and reaches for Brent's hand. "My cousins put me in a low berth, and then they committed suicide. These people found me, and we decided to take the ship and explore up the main."

The man lifts his hand."I'm sorry, but it's very late. I think we should meet again in the morning, if that is okay."

"Can I stay aboard the Concordia with them," Melina asks. "Uh, I mean Wanderer."
Matt
player, 686 posts
Brent
Sat 16 Mar 2019
at 22:54
  • msg #347

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent looked anxiously at Joxe as she came out of the ship to stand next to him.  he took her hand as she spoke her story before the others.  He nodded as the man suggested retiring for the night.  "Is it acceptable to keep our ship settled here?  We can move it but there is always risk of disturbance and damage around buildings and people when moving about."

When the young woman asked to stay aboard the ship Brent glanced for a moment at Joxe to judge her reaction and then slowly nodded.  "We would be pleased to have a guest although I would ask first why you find a two hundred year old story to be of such interest."
JR
GM, 779 posts
Sun 17 Mar 2019
at 01:29
  • msg #348

Re: Exploring Execute

"Can you take me into space?" Melina asks excitedly. "This is the first ship I've ever seen, that any one of us has ever seen!"

"Melina, behave now," her father says.

Melina looks at her father. "This town lost so much when the books were destroyed, Father. Maybe these folk can help us get some of that knowledge back again." She turns back to Brent. "Would you be able to help us?"
Matt
player, 688 posts
Brent
Sun 17 Mar 2019
at 03:25
  • msg #349

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent smiled at the young woman's enthusiasm.  "Our entire goal is to reach out to communities along the main and see what may be done to raise up the level of civilization.  We will do whatever we can to help your people here with knowledge and even equipment that we can spare."  He laughed.  "Yes, perhaps we can take you into space if your father agrees.  We will want to understand what happened here with the war and if there are any current threats."
JR
GM, 780 posts
Sun 17 Mar 2019
at 03:31
  • msg #350

Re: Exploring Execute

Melina's father shakes his head, and then looks at Brent. "Will you keep my daughter safe? She can answer your questions regarding what we know."
Matt
player, 689 posts
Brent
Sun 17 Mar 2019
at 03:39
  • msg #351

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent meets the father's eyes and nods.  "We will keep her safe and respect your wishes sir.  We will feed her dinner and we can swap tales and knowledge."  He turned to Melina. "Would you like to come aboard?"
JR
GM, 781 posts
Sun 17 Mar 2019
at 15:47
  • msg #352

Re: Exploring Execute

"Yes!" Melina says with a huge grin.

"I'll take her into the crew lounge," Joxe says. "Come with me, Melina. We will get something to drink, or eat, if you're hungry." She turns and walks toward the ship, with Melina at her side."

"If you would," Melina's father says to Brent, "meet us at my home an hour after sunrise. I'm sure my daughter will have quite a lot to say."

Brent notes that many of the townspeople are gone, presumably back to their homes. He sees others congregate in small knots as they casually walk back into the town.
Matt
player, 690 posts
Brent
Mon 18 Mar 2019
at 03:28
  • msg #353

Re: Exploring Execute

"Which home is yours?" Brent asks the Melania's father.  "We'll be there in the morning."

He turns back and heads up and into the ship.  As he does so Brent retracts the ramp and seals the ship.  "Stand down, secure the ship.  It seems we're unlikely to be attacked in the night."  With that he heads up to the lounge to see what their visitor might have to say.
JR
GM, 782 posts
Mon 18 Mar 2019
at 04:00
  • msg #354

Re: Exploring Execute

"Melina will take you there." With that, her father takes his leave, as do the people with him.

When Brent enters the crew lounge, he finds everyone seated with cups of hot beverages in hand. Malcolm prefers a rather strong tea, and Naimh sits next to Veronica, each with cups of hot chocolate.

"I can't believe all of what I'm seeing," Melina says as she looks around. "I mean, we understand what electricity is, but all of our books were destroyed over two hundred years ago, and most of the people then apparently didn't think to write very much down." She picks up her mug and sips. "Your tea is good, too."

Joxe looks at Brent with a smile. "Hello, Husband."
Matt
player, 691 posts
Brent
Mon 18 Mar 2019
at 04:48
  • msg #355

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent took a cup of coffee and settled in next to Joxe.  He took her hand and smiled.  "Hello wife." He turned back their guest.  "Without power most forms of records would be inaccessible to you.  We can offer some help in setting up power distribution at least on a small scale to let you access what you need to start the boot strapping process.  But enough... tell us what you know of Joxe's family."
Hoot
player, 195 posts
Thu 21 Mar 2019
at 03:10
  • msg #356

Re: Exploring Execute

"From his study of the sensor data, Gareth calculates that there are somewhere between 1500 and 2000 people living in this town. They use wood for heating - he's confirmed that by the faint odor of wood smoke in the air."

Gareth shares his observations with the rest of the crew.

"We should try to get this done quickly. We're probably being hunted by now."
Matt
player, 692 posts
Brent
Fri 22 Mar 2019
at 23:57
  • msg #357

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent looks over at Gareth.  "Who might be hunting us Gareth?"
JR
GM, 783 posts
Mon 25 Mar 2019
at 01:06
  • msg #358

Re: Exploring Execute

"Hunting?" Melina looks alarmed. "Someone is hunting you?"
Hoot
player, 196 posts
Thu 28 Mar 2019
at 03:05
  • msg #359

Re: Exploring Execute

"The conspiracy that is no doubt responsible for blasting whole systems to the stone age.We have to have been noticed by now."

Gareth states his correct assumption that he is being pursued.
Matt
player, 693 posts
Brent
Mon 1 Apr 2019
at 03:13
  • msg #360

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent nodded in agreement.  "Do you think that whoever did this is still active after all this time Gareth?"
JR
GM, 784 posts
Mon 1 Apr 2019
at 19:31
  • msg #361

Re: Exploring Execute

Joxe sits back and looks between Brent and Gareth. "From the records, we know that Imperial Navy units were responsible for wiping everyone out."

"I agree," Naimh says with a bit of steel in her voice. "I saw it, so I know."

Malcolm sits up straight. "From what I've seen so far, the damage we're talking about, after the naval battles, that damage was inflicted by lasers the size we carry. I've seen holos of damaged ships and facilities at home, and there's no way it was caused by a naval vessel." He lifts his hand in emphasis. "And, all the damage we have seen was done a couple hundred years ago. Joxe, can you bring up the vid footage?"

Joxe does so, and, at every site you've visited, there is rust, corrosion, and, in places that support it, plant growth though the laser-blasted structures.

"So," Joxe muses, "there was someone else around sometime after the Navy left. My parents said so, and she thought they were from Kiepes. I'd go with that until we can prove otherwise."

"We have no records of any ship sightings," Melina says. "You're the first visitors we've had at all, except for a pair of travelers from another village. They visited by boat about forty years ago, stayed a few days, and then left. There wasn't much recorded about their visit. Odd, that."
Matt
player, 694 posts
Brent
Tue 2 Apr 2019
at 05:25
  • msg #362

Re: Exploring Execute

"So it sounds like the Navy did the bulk of the damage and then raiders or pirates maybe from Kiepes came through and finished off most of what was left."  He looked around.  "I think we may run into trouble if we get near Kiepes although it really seems like everyone has decivilzed at least below the level of Jump drives given the lack of traffic."  Brent looked at Melina.  "So why did the man from your village go exploring?  Also do you know where this other village was located?  It would be good to contact them as well.  There may be a lot of simple but useful things we can do for you before we head back off."

Brent paused.  "Do you know where Joxe's parents might be laid to rest?"
Hoot
player, 197 posts
Wed 3 Apr 2019
at 01:13
  • msg #363

Re: Exploring Execute

"Blasting this many planets to the stone age is too big an opportunity to waste. If the original conspiracy is not in place, someone must haven taken their place monitoring and exploiting the affected systems still.
Matt
player, 695 posts
Brent
Wed 3 Apr 2019
at 02:08
  • msg #364

Re: Exploring Execute

"True, although there isn't much to exploit left.   I do think that we should be very, very cautious with our explorations.  Whether there are original or successor conspirators out there this ship is a prize and they have proven willing to use violence."
JR
GM, 785 posts
Wed 3 Apr 2019
at 17:14
  • msg #365

Re: Exploring Execute

Melina listens intently as Brent and Gareth speak. Finally, she remembers Brent's questions. "Byron wanted to see if there was anyone else left. We don't know if there are other villages at all. And, no, there's no record of the Liaims being buried here."

"Gareth has a good point," Joxe says with a sigh. "Brent, there is one thing someone might want to look for - lanthanum. After all, that's one of the reasons we're out here."

"Lanthanum?" Melina looks at Joxe with a raised eyebrow.

"It's an element, a metal, that we need to manufacture the propulsion system that lets us travel between star systems. We call it a jump drive."

"That's funny. Jump between stars. Very imaginative," Melina says with a smile. "How much does this ship need, then?"

"We'd need a solid cube of pure lanthanum about the size of that little table," Joxe points at a side table next to one of the couches. "It'd weigh over a tonne and a half."

"Is there any of that here?"

Joxe nods. "That's where we found Byron. He was at an old mine that had been damaged." She pulls up the images on the display.

"Oh, that's amazing," Melina breathes. "I'd love to have one of these at home."
Matt
player, 696 posts
Brent
Thu 11 Apr 2019
at 03:57
  • msg #366

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent nods in agreement.  "I agree as well with Gareth.  We'll need to be very, very careful as we move about." He looked to Joxe.  "We found the ruins of the lanthanum mine.  It probably wouldn't take too much work to get it back into operation if we could get the right equipment there.  Do the records show other mines on the planet or in system?"
JR
GM, 786 posts
Thu 11 Apr 2019
at 17:23
  • msg #367

Re: Exploring Execute

Joxe brings up the ship's mapping library and manipulates the imagery for a moment. "We have all publicly available information for every system in this main."

"Main?" Melina stares wide-eyed at the display.

"Yes." Joxe stands and cups the Execute system in her palm. "We're here. We can only jump one parsec at a time, or a bit over three light years. That's the..."

"The distance light travels in a year," Melina says.

"Exactly. So, a main is a string of star systems that are one parsec, or a Jump One, apart." She traces the star systems with her finger from Montezuma to Possin, and then from Execute to Thorell. "This ship can reach all of these star systems. Eventually."

"What are the symbols next to the systems?"

"Well, this data is over two hundred years old, but it shows things like naval bases, or places to get fuel. It also," she points at Keipes, "warns travelers about star systems that might be dangerous. This one has a really bad government."

She looks at Brent. "So, yes we should be able to find lanthanum mines, if they weren't secret or really small." She frowns. "Oh, you asked about this planet." Joxe taps a few commands into the virtual interface, swipes some icons around, and peers at the result. "Nope, that's the only lanthanum mine listed here for Execute. There were others, but they were played out years before the war."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:50, Thu 11 Apr 2019.
Matt
player, 697 posts
Brent
Fri 19 Apr 2019
at 01:37
  • msg #368

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent listened quietly. "Just one mine would be enough to get us back in space and then we could come to prospect for more lanthanum here.  The Egg would pay handsomely for the metal most likely in technical assistance and equipment.  The trick is to get mining and smelting going again."
JR
GM, 787 posts
Fri 19 Apr 2019
at 17:37
  • msg #369

Re: Exploring Execute

Melina chews her lip as she thinks. "So, since one of our people found it again, is that something that we could do?"
Matt
player, 698 posts
Brent
Sun 21 Apr 2019
at 06:56
  • msg #370

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent looked at Joxe and then back at Melina. "Yes, it might be the best option for now.  You could restart the mine and at least extract ore or semi-processed ore for pick up.  We might be able to help you with some technical assistance."
JR
GM, 788 posts
Mon 22 Apr 2019
at 17:19
  • msg #371

Re: Exploring Execute

"I will have to bring that up with my father and the other managers," Melina replies. She covers her mouth as she stifles a yawn.

Joxe looks at the chronometer in the display. "It's getting late. Shall we take this up again over breakfast?"

Malcolm stands up. "Good plan. Melina, I can show you to a room on the upper deck."

"Um, okay," Melina says as she stands and takes in the tall, solidly built man with his shaven head.

"He doesn't bite," Veronica says with a grin.

"Oh, I might," Malcolm grins back.

"Behave yourself, Captain," the blonde retorts.

"Yes, Chief. Of course, Chief."

Veronica rolls her eyes and turns to Melina. "He really is a good guy, despite appearances."
Matt
player, 699 posts
Brent
Tue 23 Apr 2019
at 05:39
  • msg #372

Re: Exploring Execute

Brent chuckles at the byplay.  "Well tomorrow is another day.  Let's all think on how we might aid the folks here in the village lanthanum or none.  It's the right thing to do and will help rebuild society along the main in one more small step."
JR
GM, 789 posts
Tue 23 Apr 2019
at 18:22
  • msg #373

Execute - At the Village, Day One

With that, everyone retires to their beds for the evening. Malcolm shows Melina to one of the empty cabins, where she oohs and aahs over the modern conveniences.

163-1402 0700

Everyone awakens to the sound of a thunderstorm passing overhead. The ship did detect it, and determined that it is of no consequence, just some rain and relatively benign winds. The outside temperature is 15C.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:14, Wed 24 Apr 2019.
Matt
player, 701 posts
Brent
Thu 9 May 2019
at 05:05
  • msg #374

Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent rises early before the storm and tracks it on the instruments.  After making sure things were ok he went down to the galley and started coffee and breakfast.  Once things were settled Brent headed to his shared stateroom with a cup of coffee and kissed Joxe as she slept. "Good morning wife, I brought coffee."
JR
GM, 792 posts
Thu 9 May 2019
at 17:01
  • msg #375

Execute - At the Village, Day One

Joxe stirs and rolls onto her side. "Oh, good. Then I won't have to kill and eat you." She takes the cup and carefully sips at it. "You're getting really good at this serving me business. I might keep you around."
Matt
player, 703 posts
Brent
Sat 18 May 2019
at 05:57
  • msg #376

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent laughs and hands Joxe the coffee as he admires her lithe form stretched out on the bed.  "Oh, I prefer to keep all my appendages attached."  He chuckled and sat down in the bed next to her, one hand resting on the swell of her hip.  "You're easy to take care of and I do intend on being around and hard to get rid of."
JR
GM, 793 posts
Sun 19 May 2019
at 18:43
  • msg #377

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

"That's good," she says with a saucy smile. "I'd love to finish this conversation, but we have company." She sets the cup aside and sits up to stretch languidly. "Duty calls, and all that."
Matt
player, 704 posts
Brent
Mon 20 May 2019
at 04:20
  • msg #378

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent laughs and then pulls her back down as she sets the coffee cup aside.  "Duty, duty, duty...  kiss me for a bit and then we'll meet the others for breakfast.  It's still early after all."
JR
GM, 794 posts
Mon 20 May 2019
at 22:06
  • msg #379

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

"Oh, no you don't," Joxe says as she wriggles out of his grasp. "The last time you said that, we were in bed until lunch." She kisses him once, and stands up. "We have company," she says with an apologetic shrug and a look that promises more fun later.
Matt
player, 705 posts
Brent
Sat 25 May 2019
at 04:47
  • msg #380

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent laughs but he doesn't pursue Joxe other than a smack to her firm bottom.  "Well, it is good to be captain.  It seems that we've got a mutiny on our hands."  He rolls out of bed as well and kisses her before moving to clean up and get dressed.  "Let's get breakfast going and see what we can do to help these people and ourselves."
JR
GM, 795 posts
Sun 26 May 2019
at 01:41
  • msg #381

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

By the time the happy couple leaves their cabin, the rest of the crew is gathered in the common area. Everyone greets each other, and breakfast is served and eaten.

"So," Melina says as she sits back from her plate. "What do we do now?"
Matt
player, 706 posts
Brent
Sun 26 May 2019
at 06:32
  • msg #382

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent slides up to the table and gets a plate of food.  He sits and down and eats a bit before looking up.  "I think the first thing to do is talk to your parents and the other leaders of the village here about what can be done to start some interstellar cooperation.  We also should look at what might be done immediately with the resources we have aboard to improve things in the short run."
JR
GM, 796 posts
Sun 26 May 2019
at 20:30
  • msg #383

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

"When you leave, can I come with you?" Melina asks hopefully.
Niamh Parker
player, 44 posts
Thu 6 Jun 2019
at 16:02
  • msg #384

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

JR:
"When you leave, can I come with you?" Melina asks hopefully.

After Melina gets her answer, Niamh says with a somewhat somber look on pale face, "I realize that I need to keep an eye on things on the ship, but don't hesitate to call me if you notice anything medically wrong with any of the villagers." Her expression then turns just a little more grave.  "Populations like this...well, let's just say that living in isolation can be unkind to a person's body as well as to their mind."

(OOC: Sorry I've been away for so long!  I'm going to try to keep up from now on. :) )

--
Bob K.
Matt
player, 708 posts
Brent
Sat 8 Jun 2019
at 00:31
  • msg #385

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent frowns and glances at the others.  "Your parents and the village elders would have to agree to letting you come with us but if they do we would have you along Melina.  Everyone works aboard the ship so we'll teach you how to do maintenance and then you can pick skills that you enjoy."
JR
GM, 797 posts
Sat 8 Jun 2019
at 05:10
  • msg #386

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

"I understand," Melina replies with a nod. "I can go arrange a meeting with the elders, if you wish."

"I'll stay aboard the ship and catch up on some maintenance items," Joxe says.
Matt
player, 709 posts
Brent
Sat 8 Jun 2019
at 06:54
  • msg #387

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

"Please do Melina, we also need to speak to them about future trade and assistance."  He smiled and nodded at Joxe.  "I'll come back and help later."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:54, Sat 08 June 2019.
JR
GM, 798 posts
Sat 8 Jun 2019
at 19:12
  • msg #388

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

163-1402 1300

Melina leads everyone except Joxe to meet the village elders, one of whom is her father. They take everyone on a tour of the village, in view of probably all the two thousand residents. The people are mostly Imperials, with a few Solomani descendants mixed in (this is only readily apparent to Naimh's experienced eyes).

When the supply ships stopped coming, their ancestors salvaged what they could of the machinery and other tech to survive. Despite a small starting base of only fifty-one people, two devastating fires that destroyed much of their original tech, and in the second fire, the town's library, the village is self-sustaining.

The town has advanced to water power for the single smithy, where they've learned to make decent steel, and work salvaged duralloy to some degree. Heating is done with wood and charcoal, and lighting by rendered oil lamps.

(Note: Massive fossil fuel deposits were a product of only old Earth and Vland - no other planet has anything more than peat bogs and natural gas deposits. Modern hydrocarbons are all synthetically produced.)

The village library has books that cover the basic sciences, mathematics through calculus, basic medicine (though some surgery), and mechanical engineering. They know about electrical theory, but they don't have any working devices or a way to generate electrical power.

When the tour is done, the group sits in the village's hall while a delicious lunch of roasted meats, various fruits and vegetables, and several desserts is set before them. The available drinks are water, ale, wine, and a version of coffee.
Matt
player, 710 posts
Brent
Sat 8 Jun 2019
at 21:45
  • msg #389

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent is attentive and interested as they take the tour.  He asks questions and makes notes as they go.  When they return for the lunch he eats as then as things slow down asks.  "We'd like to do what we can not only to help you but try to start communications and trade between worlds once more.  You have lanthanum here on the planet and our home system Egg has the technology but no way to make Jump drives without the Lanthanum.  We want to talk to you to see what can be done immediately to improve your standard of life and then plan for the longer term."
Niamh Parker
player, 45 posts
Sun 9 Jun 2019
at 06:04
  • msg #390

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

The ship's doctor is quiet yet attentive during the tour, while taking note of the general physical health of the inhabitants.

[PTGM: How healthy are they?  Any problems that Niamh can notice?]

JR:
When the tour is done, the group sits in the village's hall while a delicious lunch of roasted meats, various fruits and vegetables, and several desserts is set before them. The available drinks are water, ale, wine, and a version of coffee.

Niamh politely and happily accepts what is offered to her, deciding to try their local coffee instead of anything alcoholic.
JR
GM, 799 posts
Sun 9 Jun 2019
at 20:40
  • msg #391

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Naimh observes that everyone she sees appears to be in generally good health. Some of the elderly folk are showing signs of arthritis and similar issues, and there is one teen female walking around on crutches with a plaster cast on her right calf and foot.

This squares with her autopsy findings - other than the epilepsy, the man was in excellent health and well nourished.

~*~

Melina's father, Byron Agishdu, sets his mug of ale down and looks across the table at Brent. "All of that sounds good, but I am concerned about the possibility of attracting the wrong kind of attention. Melina explained what she learned last night aboard your ship. How do you propose to address that risk?"

The other dozen village elders went quiet to hear the conversation.
Matt
player, 711 posts
Brent
Mon 10 Jun 2019
at 03:40
  • msg #392

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent was quiet for a moment as the Byron asked the main question.  "It's going to take us a while to get your tech level up to the point where you'd attract attention.  We couldn't find you until we were able to decipher the journal of your explorer.  Small size and low tech is your shield.  We'd focus the effort at first on the lanthanum mines.  Any raiders would go after them first.  The key would be to bring in defences at the same time we start to attract attention."
JR
GM, 800 posts
Tue 11 Jun 2019
at 17:08
  • msg #393

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

"How would you go about doing all of these things?" Byron asks. "Does your ship carry what we'd need to bring up our 'tech level', as you say? Would you and your people become our teachers?"

"Forgive me," the lady seated next to Byron says. "We know from the old journals that there were several farming enclaves on this planet. Do any of their descendants still live?"
Matt
player, 712 posts
Brent
Sat 15 Jun 2019
at 06:24
  • msg #394

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent shakes his head. "We can provide some immediate help with what we can make or modify aboard the ship.  The bulk of what we could do would require help from Egg where they have the population and industry to do what I've outlined.  What you have in lanthanum is terribly precious and would buy a good deal of good will and aid."

He looked to the woman.  "We could find no other living humans on the planet.  If you have the locations of the settlements we could look there specifically for them."
JR
GM, 802 posts
Tue 18 Jun 2019
at 20:54
  • msg #395

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Byron thinks for a moment. "There is nothing to stop someone from simply coming to take what they want. If there are other villages on this planet, then what we decide here could endanger them, too."

"Should we not participate, then?" The same woman asks Byron.

He sighs and shakes his head. "No, we have one group of outworlders here. Sooner or later, another ship may arrive, and then what?" He looks at Brent. "You seem to be decent people, and another ship's people may not be willing to consider us in their plans."

"I think they're good people," Melina put in, patting Malcolm on the arm.

"Um," Malcolm stutters and turns bright red as everyone around the table chuckles softly.

"I'd tell you she was harmless, my friend," Byron says dryly. "But then, I'd be lying to you."

"Father!" Melina says, to more laughter.

"You take care of my daughter," he advises Malcolm with a glower.

"Always," the tall soldier replies without a trace of humor. "On my honor."

Byron nods, and takes a breath. "Well, then," he says as he looks at Brent once more. "What will you and your people do next?"
Niamh Parker
player, 46 posts
Sun 23 Jun 2019
at 05:56
  • msg #396

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

JR:
"I think they're good people," Melina put in, patting Malcolm on the arm.

"Um," Malcolm stutters and turns bright red as everyone around the table chuckles softly.

"I'd tell you she was harmless, my friend," Byron says dryly. "But then, I'd be lying to you."

"Father!" Melina says, to more laughter.

"You take care of my daughter," he advises Malcolm with a glower.

"Always," the tall soldier replies without a trace of humor. "On my honor."

Niamh stays quiet for now, and can't help but smile when she sees the exchange between Melina and Malcolm.  I suppose people are pretty much the same everywhere after all... she muses to herself as Byron continues.

quote:
Byron nods, and takes a breath. "Well, then," he says as he looks at Brent once more. "What will you and your people do next?"

She decides to politely defer to Brent to answer the man's question.
JR
GM, 803 posts
Sun 23 Jun 2019
at 18:59
  • msg #397

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Veronica, who is seated to Naimh's right, looks her way. "Naimh, you are a survivor of the Imperial society that was here before us. What do you think about the proposal?"
Niamh Parker
player, 47 posts
Tue 25 Jun 2019
at 06:33
  • msg #398

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

JR:
Veronica, who is seated to Naimh's right, looks her way. "Naimh, you are a survivor of the Imperial society that was here before us. What do you think about the proposal?"

She looks back at Veronica, a slight smile escaping onto her face before turning her gaze to Byron and the others.  "I think I would find this proposal to be quite beneficial, if I were its recipient...and I would accept it.  It wouldn't really require much on my end, in exchange for some extremely useful assistance."
Matt
player, 715 posts
Brent
Wed 26 Jun 2019
at 03:56
  • msg #399

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent listens as Niamh offers her advice.  "Let us spend a few days here seeing what we can immediately do to aid your people with medicine and the equipment aboard our ship.  We might be able to bootstrap some technology that might help you even a bit.  Then I want to use what knowledge you might have of where some of the other villages might be to contact them as well. Lastly we should take samples of the ore back with us to help prove our case on Egg."
JR
GM, 804 posts
Wed 26 Jun 2019
at 04:41
  • msg #400

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

"That sounds fine," Byron says. "Where do we start?"
Matt
player, 716 posts
Brent
Fri 12 Jul 2019
at 01:32
  • msg #401

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

"I think the first thing to do is look over your village and see what assistance we might immediately provide.  Then we can use any records you may have of other population centers to search for other survivors."
JR
GM, 805 posts
Fri 12 Jul 2019
at 01:47
  • msg #402

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Byron shrugs eloquently. "I don't know enough about your technology to suggest what might help us the most. Our most pressing concern is with illnesses, and especially injuries."

"Father, if they can tell us what passes elsewhere, perhaps they can warn us of storms before they arrive," Melina adds. "They also have a library to teach us many things." She glances at Malcolm, who sighs and nods.

"I was showing her the ship's library yesterday, and some video from our inbound flight," the soldier replies calmly.

"I want to fly, too," Melina adds.
Niamh Parker
player, 48 posts
Tue 16 Jul 2019
at 03:57
  • msg #403

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

JR:
Byron shrugs eloquently. "I don't know enough about your technology to suggest what might help us the most. Our most pressing concern is with illnesses, and especially injuries."

The centuries-old yet vaguely 30-ish looking redhead nods, saying politely, "As a actual doctor, I can help you concerning the illnesses and injuries, sir."
Matt
player, 718 posts
Brent
Sun 28 Jul 2019
at 07:12
  • msg #404

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Brent nods. "There may be things we can leave with you or even help you to make that can reduce your losses to injury and illness.  Even simple things can help greatly."
JR
GM, 807 posts
Sun 28 Jul 2019
at 15:10
  • msg #405

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

OOG: Okay, gang, what's zee plan?(Not zee plane, but zee plan ;-)) Joxe suggests a sun-synchronous orbit to search the planet for other settlements, since she was listening in on the conversation. It takes five days to complete a planetary survey.
Matt
player, 720 posts
Brent
Sat 3 Aug 2019
at 01:38
  • msg #406

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

"Joxe has a good point.  I can start the survey in the sun-synchronous orbit.  It will take the better part of five days it looks like but having a good map will be a start for rebuilding anyway.  Naimh and some of the others can start work here to help with health, hygiene and perhaps some technology boot strapping.  Melina can come with us and see if ship board life suits her."
JR
GM, 809 posts
Sat 3 Aug 2019
at 02:24
  • msg #407

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

OOG: Veronica will stay with Naimh, and Malcolm will stay with Melina. Joxe and Brent will be aboard Wanderer as she makes her survey.

What about Gareth?
Matt
player, 722 posts
Brent
Sat 3 Aug 2019
at 04:34
  • msg #408

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

OOG: I assume Malcolm and Melina will come with the ship?
JR
GM, 810 posts
Sat 3 Aug 2019
at 05:05
  • msg #409

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Matt:
OOG: I assume Malcolm and Melina will come with the ship?


OOG: Yes, she wants to go, and apparently, where she goes, Malcolm goes...
Matt
player, 723 posts
Brent
Sat 3 Aug 2019
at 05:05
  • msg #410

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

OOG: Works for me!
Niamh Parker
player, 49 posts
Sun 4 Aug 2019
at 15:49
  • msg #411

Re: Execute - At the Village, Day One

Matt:
"Joxe has a good point.  I can start the survey in the sun-synchronous orbit.  It will take the better part of five days it looks like but having a good map will be a start for rebuilding anyway.  Naimh and some of the others can start work here to help with health, hygiene and perhaps some technology boot strapping.  Melina can come with us and see if ship board life suits her."

The doctor nods, keeping comfortably close to her bodyguard Veronica.  "I can begin seeing patients right away, if you like.  I already have all of the necessary equipment to perform the basics right in my pack."
JR
GM, 811 posts
Mon 5 Aug 2019
at 21:27
  • msg #412

At the Village, Day One - Evening

OOG: Hoot, let me know what Gareth wants to do during the next few days...

IG: The meeting ends with a delicious lunch served in the village's meeting room. Afterwards, Naimh and Veronica unload their gear (Bob can specify items), and they are shown to their quarters and their work area.

With Brent at the controls, Joxe in Engineering, Malcolm and Melina on the bridge (the latter in a jump seat if Gareth accompanies them), Wanderer lifts off and climbs rapidly to establish herself in a sun-synchronous orbit around the planet.

Melina stares wide-eyed as the trader easily slips the bonds of her home planet and rides gracefully into space. She uses her newly issued comm unit to take pictures and video as she looks through the bridge windows.

The flight into orbit is uneventful, and, according to the flight plan Joxe laid out, they should pass over the next possible village location at about 1700 ship's time.
Niamh Parker
player, 50 posts
Wed 14 Aug 2019
at 05:04
  • msg #413

Re: At the Village, Day One - Evening

JR:
OOG: Hoot, let me know what Gareth wants to do during the next few days...

IG: The meeting ends with a delicious lunch served in the village's meeting room. Afterwards, Naimh and Veronica unload their gear (Bob can specify items), and they are shown to their quarters and their work area.


[OOC: I guess in Niamh's case, it would be the normal medical equipment that she usually brings with her.  My character would know the details far better than I. :)]
Matt
player, 724 posts
Brent
Mon 2 Sep 2019
at 02:23
  • msg #414

Re: At the Village, Day One - Evening

Brent checks in with the village as they lift and then brings them into orbit.  He settles them into the proper orbit and then keeps his attention focused on the instruments.  Still he smiled back at Melina.  "So, what do you think?"
JR
GM, 813 posts
Thu 5 Sep 2019
at 02:08
  • msg #415

Re: At the Village, Day One - Evening

"Unbelievable covers it, I think," Melina breathes as she looks out the portside windows at the verdant planet below. "We have old maps drawn from memory, but this is nothing like I'd imagined."

She shifts in her seat. "It's weird to feel down is this way," she points to the deck,"and to see down is that way," she points out the window at the ground.
Matt
player, 726 posts
Brent
Sat 7 Sep 2019
at 07:06
  • msg #416

Re: At the Village, Day One - Evening

"We'll provide you with up to date maps.  We don't have the sensitive multi-spectral sensors that a survey ship would carry or we could provide you with maps that would show water and other resources." He chuckled at her confusion.  "It's even worse though without artificial gravity though.  Then you are just floating around and there is no reference at all."
JR
GM, 814 posts
Sat 7 Sep 2019
at 18:05
  • msg #417

Starting Operations with the Villagers

Wanderer continues her orbit sweep, heading toward the next agricultural station's location, according to the old maps.

On the ground, Naimh finds the local medical people and begins to brief them on the equipment and supplies she has on hand. Veronica sits with the educators to see how she can meet their immediate needs with the information systems she has available.

OOG: Summary of the first 48 hours to follow after any IG comments...
Matt
player, 727 posts
Brent
Sat 7 Sep 2019
at 22:08
  • msg #418

Starting Operations with the Villagers

Brent divides his time between overseeing sweeps and teaching Melina something about spacefaring life.
JR
GM, 815 posts
Fri 20 Sep 2019
at 02:42
  • msg #419

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

166-1402 0830

"Does anyone want more waffles," Joxe asks from her station at the waffle maker she'd set up on the counter in the galley.

"Only if there's more of that syrup to go with them," Melina said around a forkful of her second waffle. "I've never had anything like this."

Wanderer had completed the orbital survey late the prior evening. Gareth had just come off duty, snagged a sweet roll from the galley, and disappeared up the lift to his quarters. Malcolm was on watch, and Brent sat at the table across from Melina while Joxe cooked breakfast.

"I'm surprised that we found over thirty settlements," Joxe commented as she expertly slid a steaming waffle off the serving plate and onto Melina's plate. "None of them seemed to be much larger than Melina's village, though."
Niamh Parker
player, 51 posts
Fri 27 Sep 2019
at 16:32
  • msg #420

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers

JR:
On the ground, Naimh finds the local medical people and begins to brief them on the equipment and supplies she has on hand. Veronica sits with the educators to see how she can meet their immediate needs with the information systems she has available.

Although it's not the medical research job that she spent most of her adult life performing, Naimh is more than happy to fulfill this new and very useful role.  As usual, she spends as much time with Veronica as she can, both to coordinate their efforts and to just enjoy her company.

--
Bob K.
Matt
player, 728 posts
Brent
Sun 6 Oct 2019
at 04:51
  • msg #421

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

Brent nodded and smiled. "Yes please, more waffles if you would Joxe." He helped himself and settled in to eat.  "I'm glad to hear that there are more survivors of the wars on the planet here.  That will give us more to build upon."  He frowned.  "What do you think allowed us to find them this time around?  Did we just not look hard enough?"
JR
GM, 816 posts
Sun 6 Oct 2019
at 05:16
  • msg #422

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

"Basically, yes," Joxe says as she starts another order of waffles. "We were looking for larger settlements before, and we had to adjust the filters to find these smaller groups. There were some false hits on groups of animals, which we had to eliminate as we went along.'
Matt
player, 729 posts
Brent
Sun 6 Oct 2019
at 05:35
  • msg #423

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

Brent shrugged. "Shame on us.  We were being too optomistic it seems.  We'll have to dial down our filters in the future.  It's probably worth the false hits on herds of animals to not miss a scattering of small settlements."  He looked at the planetary information.  "Let's see if any of them are near important resources.  We may want to contact them specifically."
Matt
player, 731 posts
Brent
Mon 16 Mar 2020
at 03:26
  • msg #424

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

Brent began to make adjustments to their sensor filters to try and scan for the smaller settlements.
JR
GM, 817 posts
Mon 16 Mar 2020
at 04:21
  • msg #425

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

Melina sat back from her plate with a sigh. "That is so good, Joxe."

She looked to Brent, who was working on a holographic control panel fine-tuning the sensors. "So we've found more villages. Now, what do we do with that information?"
Matt
player, 733 posts
Brent
Tue 17 Mar 2020
at 02:40
  • msg #426

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

Brent laughed.  "She's good for a lot of things Melina and cooking is near the top."  He sat back and let the sensors and systems process the data.  "Well, I think we want to contact them and offer help and communications."
JR
GM, 819 posts
Tue 17 Mar 2020
at 04:53
  • msg #427

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

"We can certainly do that," Malcolm says over the comm from his post on the bridge. "Question is, should we be the ones to make contact?"

Joxe purses her lips in thought, and then she nods. "I see your point."
Matt
player, 734 posts
Brent
Wed 18 Mar 2020
at 01:25
  • msg #428

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

Brent frowned and then slowly nodded.  "Perhaps it might be best to bring some of the villagers along and drop them off near each of the small settlements.  Perhaps they could make contact along with us.  It would be less traumatic than dropping in from the sky."
JR
GM, 820 posts
Wed 18 Mar 2020
at 01:38
  • msg #429

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

"We can discuss it with the village elders," Melina suggested. "Are we going back there, soon?"
Matt
player, 735 posts
Brent
Wed 18 Mar 2020
at 04:13
  • msg #430

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Three

Brent looked down at the sensor feed.  "We have another dozen orbits or so to get all the data we need.  We'll be back in about 18 hours or so."
JR
GM, 821 posts
Wed 18 Mar 2020
at 14:02
  • msg #431

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

OOG: If you want to add other activities during Day Three, you can edit them in.

167-1402 0545

Wanderer and her crew complete the remaining orbital scans.

Gareth, who is on watch at the time, pilots the ship back to the open field they had used before. He brings the ship in from the east, and sets it gently down on the wet grass. "We're down and secure," he reports over the comm.

In their bed, Joxe stirs in Brent's arms. "What time is it," she mumbles sleepily.
Matt
player, 736 posts
Brent
Thu 19 Mar 2020
at 03:15
  • msg #432

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Brent uses the quiet time while they finish their orbits to continue familiarizing himself with the ship and advanced technology.  He also takes the time to show Melina around the ship and explain the operating systems to her.  Otherwise he relaxes and keeps a close eye on the sensors both those focused on the planet and the passive sweep of the system itself.

Later when the land Brent jerks awake just before Gareth calls out with that sixth sense developed over a life of spacing.  He calls out, "Roger Gareth, we'll be up and come out to talk with the elders in the morning.  Good work." Brent turns back to Joxe and kisses her gently and brushes her hair back.  "It's early, get a bit more sleep while I go get dressed and start breakfast."
JR
GM, 822 posts
Thu 19 Mar 2020
at 04:50
  • msg #433

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

"Thank you, Husband," she murmurs. "Computer, set snooze for ten minutes."

The computer responds with the soft tone it uses for "okay", and Joxe snuggles into her pillow. A moment later, she's snoring softly.

When Brent enters the common area, Gareth greets him with his customary stoic look while he serves himself some particularly strong coffee. Apparently, the commodity called "coffee" in the Egg System was the weak little sister of real Imperial coffee. It kept well, and Gareth was hooked on the stuff. Everyone else thought it made great deck cleaner. Well, everyone but Joxe and Naimh. They also had a taste for it, which pleased Gareth no end.

"Morning, Brent. After some wake-up juice," he lifts the cup, "I'll compile the sensor data into a plaspaper map and a printed report for the villagers, along with a datachip for the readers."
Matt
player, 737 posts
Brent
Fri 20 Mar 2020
at 01:53
  • msg #434

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Brent smiled as Joxe settled back in to sleep.  Heading into the common area he nods to Gareth and goes to pour himself a cup of his usual beverage rather than deck cleaner. "Morning Gareth, thanks for bringing her in and letting us sleep."  He moved over to the galley and began to work on a breakfast.  "Any issues with the last handful of orbits?"
JR
GM, 823 posts
Fri 20 Mar 2020
at 03:57
  • msg #435

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Gareth shakes his head. "No, no problems. In thinking about that, though, we will have to have some maintenance done within the next four months. This ship spent a long time just sitting around."

OOG: Here's the game timeline to date:


Event                               Date
Game Start                             120-1402
Arrival at Khesanadu                 128-1402
Meet Niamh Parker                       129-1402
Arrive Poznan Gas Giant               137-1402
Arrive Poznan Main                      145-1402
Jump Arrival at Execute Gas Giant 153-1402
Jump arrival at Execute Main          161-1402
Explore Mine and find remains       162-1402
Morning at Town                         163-1402
Survey Completed                       167-1402
Matt
player, 738 posts
Brent
Fri 20 Mar 2020
at 04:45
  • msg #436

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Brent started to cook and considered the time they had spent aboard the ship.  He smiled as his thoughts went to Joxe.  "Is there anything we can do while here or do we need more facilities?  This might be a good place to sit down and do some work as the natives and the environment are friendly.  We can get fresh food and provide assistance as well."
JR
GM, 824 posts
Fri 20 Mar 2020
at 14:17
  • msg #437

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Gareth serves his breakfast plate and sits down to eat. He's clearly preoccupied, and after a few moments, he sighs and looks at Brent. "I've been looking at this planet during our survey," he begins. "I've never been able to actually stand on one, much less found one that's actually nice enough to live comfortably on."

He sits back and sips more of that gods-awful coffee. "I think I can get that lanthanum mine up and running again. It may not be up to the old Imperium's standards, but what is, these days. Not to boast, but I have the training to handle it."

He pulls up a video clip on the holoscreen. "If I can have some parts and supplies, I'll cobble up a small transporter so I can move around a lot faster. See, they still have some of their old equipment in storage. I'll bet that there's an air raft or grav truck in there, too."

"Yes, and I saw how many young ladies were giving you the eye, Gareth," Joxe says from behind them. The man blushes to the top of his shaven head, and Joxe giggles. "I'm not trying to embarrass you, Gareth." She walks up and pats his shoulder. "I think it's a fine idea. We'd miss you, but someone has to do it."
Matt
player, 739 posts
Brent
Sat 21 Mar 2020
at 01:23
  • msg #438

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Brent listens to Gareth and then frowns as he realizes just what he means.  He's about to reply when Joxe steps into the room.  Brent smiles at Joxe and goes over to slip his arm around her waist as they regard Gareth. "I think it would be the right thing to do.  Getting some of the transport working would also help the settlements connect.  With the lanthanum we could get Egg starward in six months or less.  They could really open up the mines with the permission of the locals and start the ball rolling.  The real trick would be to keep Egg from taking over this whole planet for the ore."
JR
GM, 825 posts
Sat 21 Mar 2020
at 03:19
  • msg #439

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

"I'm really not trying to quit on you, Brent," Gareth says quickly. "In fact, we will need to train more people to fly, and Wanderer is the only ship we have right now. I was thinking that you might want to take some new people with you when you leave this system."

"I want to go," Melina says from the lift. She and Malcolm step out, and Joxe grins at her. Melina and Malcoln repeat Gareth's blushing performance, causing Joxe to giggle again. "It's catching, I see."
Matt
player, 740 posts
Brent
Tue 24 Mar 2020
at 03:47
  • msg #440

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Brent nods as Gareth talks.  "It was inevitable that we'd have to split up somewhat to get things done as we travel.  And training more to handle the return of interstellar travel and technology is another imperative."  He holds out his hand; "I don't take it as quitting.  It's a vital job." Brent turned and chuckled as Melina chimed in.  He shook his head and smiled at Joxe's grin and comment and the reaction from the couple.

"Not like I can complain about taking up together."  Brent gave Joxe a kiss on the cheek.  "We'd be glad to have you Melina and maybe one or two more of your folks who are willing to learn."
JR
GM, 826 posts
Tue 24 Mar 2020
at 04:32
  • msg #441

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Gareth turns his coffee cup in his hands as he thinks for a moment. "I'm still concerned about Keipes, and whomever else might be out there, to be honest. There's not much we can do if someone shows up with something bigger than Wanderer. We can go back to Egg and repair some of their jump-capable ships, I suppose."
Matt
player, 741 posts
Brent
Sat 28 Mar 2020
at 01:31
  • msg #442

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Brent frowns.  "I am very worried as well.  I think the best bet is to let you work to build up ore here while we continue to scout the main.  We can swing back in a few months and take enough back with us to Egg to get at least one or two more ships able to Jump."
JR
GM, 827 posts
Sat 28 Mar 2020
at 04:59
  • msg #443

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Gareth nods in agreement. "We have some details to work out, but I think that's the best we can do. I will have my hands full trying to get enough ore. This ship takes one point seven tons of lanthanum, and, at a five percent concentration, that's thirty-four tons of raw ore."

Melina and Malcolm join Joxe in fixing their breakfast meal.

"Maybe you can get some of that equipment running to refine it down," Joxe says.

"I hope so," Garret says. "The trick is getting power to it. If I can't to that, we'll be hauling a lot of useless material around."
Matt
player, 742 posts
Brent
Sun 29 Mar 2020
at 04:23
  • msg #444

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Brent shook his head.  "Do you think you can get enough of a power source going that you can smelt that much ore?  Maybe you just want to get it to the next level of concentration and we can take it back to Egg.  I'd guess the refining process gets exponentially harder.  There has to be a sweet spot I would think in terms of bulk to transport and effort."  He thought for a bit. "While we have the ship here let's move whatever bulk around that you need.  We can skyhook quite a bit.  The weapons can also be useful in breaking stuff up."
JR
GM, 829 posts
Sun 29 Mar 2020
at 05:08
  • msg #445

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

"Those are all good ideas," Gareth says. "How about I take a day or two to look at the equipment left here, and then we can go survey the mining site again?"
Matt
player, 744 posts
Brent
Mon 30 Mar 2020
at 01:08
  • msg #446

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Brent nodded and thought to what they carried.  "We have the fabrication modules right Joxe?  Those could help quite a bit but the power supply is probably lacking."
JR
GM, 830 posts
Mon 30 Mar 2020
at 02:33
  • msg #447

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Joxe nods. "Yes, we do. We can run them from the ship's power, like we've been doing for the fabric extruder."
Matt
player, 746 posts
Brent
Thu 2 Apr 2020
at 01:19
  • msg #448

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

Brent considered.  "The best thing to do is make a list of what you absolutely need Gareth and we can spend a week or so running the fabricators for you.  That will get you started."
JR
GM, 833 posts
Thu 2 Apr 2020
at 14:17
  • msg #449

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

"Will do," Gareth replies.

"What do we do next?" Joxe asks.

OOG: You can just list what you want done over the next few days, or we can play it out.
Matt
player, 748 posts
Brent
Sat 11 Apr 2020
at 00:57
  • msg #450

Re: Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Four

OOC:

I think we want to build enough to provide power systems that can be hooked up to water wheels or something solar.  We'll help repair some of the transport as well.
JR
GM, 835 posts
Sat 11 Apr 2020
at 02:09
  • msg #451

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Six

169-1402 1215

Two days later, the group meets for lunch at the village hall. Naimh and Veronica, by now an obvious couple, sit across from Brent and Joxe, while Gareth sits opposite Malcolm and Melina.

"I've been through everything that the agricultural operation had here," Gareth begins. "As you can imagine, most of it's pretty well gone after two hundred and fifty years. I have salvaged an air raft that was stored in a well sealed building, but it needs a new hot section for the turbine. There's also a grav truck that's salvageable, along with another turbine power unit that I think we can repair." He pauses for a moment.

"What's the bad news?" Joxe asks with a winning smile.

Gareth smiles back. "Well, they do have a nice fusion plant - but we can't make the parts to bring it back online. It's too advanced for our manufacturing capabilities. If you can find the parts I need, that would supply plenty of power."

"How much do you need to repair the vehicles and the turbine?" This question came from Malcolm.

"It'll take about a ton of our supplies to do it," Gareth replied. "That's with refurbishing and reusing parts from the other machines. It also includes rebuilding the hydrogen cracking plant and refueling rig, and repairing machine tools in the village's shop. With that, I can make most repairs, except for the solid state units. They've done well as long as they weren't exposed to the weather."

He pauses and waits for comments.
Matt
player, 749 posts
Brent
Sun 12 Apr 2020
at 02:43
  • msg #452

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Six

Brent dug into the fresh food as Gareth brought them up to speed on the situation on-planet.  He considered the options before speaking up.  "Power is your most important issue; without it you'll be stuck.  Let's set aside the fusion plant unless you stumble on the parts to fix it later.  Make a list of what you need and we'll keep an eye out as we travel." Brent paused for a moment.  "Let's get the fabricators going as soon as we can.  We should build your critical spares as well.  Then while it's all running we can do a bit more searching around the planet for other caches of equipment.  I'd guess there will be more that we can scrounge."
JR
GM, 836 posts
Sun 12 Apr 2020
at 03:37
  • msg #453

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Six

The conversation continues through lunch:

"While we're running the fabricators," Joxe says, "we should start training Melina and maybe one or two more people in starship operations."

"I'd like to take some of the local craftsmen through the machine shop as we bring the equipment back online," Gareth puts in.

Naimh smiles as Veronica nudges her. "We've been busy with the medical staff and the teachers," she reports. "We could use a few more solar chargers, and maybe an array for the school to operate the tablets and the data center."

"I saw some panels and other parts in storage," Gareth replies. "They're too small for what I need, but maybe you can use them."

"I wish we had a way to at least detect a starship, if one should show up," Malcolm says after a moment. "As it stands, someone could land right on top of us before we'd know they were there."

"Do you have a way to shoot one?" Melina asks.
Matt
player, 750 posts
Brent
Sun 12 Apr 2020
at 05:44
  • msg #454

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Six

Brent is caught up in the discussion. "We should download all of the instructional material that we carry.  It can be used as reference as well as to start training the people here to operate and maintain the equipment.  There should also be some medical supplies we can provide to aid with infections and such."  He frowned as the thought of raiders was brought up.  "We should certainly be able to provide some passive sensors that might pick up a Jump flash.  It would provide some degree of warning.  We should also make sure to stick to high frequency comms that won't get out through the atmosphere and provide a clue to the presence of people here.  Not having a fusion reactor may be good as there will be no neutrino trace."

After a bit of thought Brent nodded slowly.  "The best bet might be missiles, something short ranged that can be sprung at point blank range without sophisticated fire control."
JR
GM, 837 posts
Sun 12 Apr 2020
at 14:34
  • msg #455

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Six

"We have ten missiles aboard; five in the turret, and five reloads," Joxe ruminates. "I can reconfigure one or two as mines. Their onboard passive sensors are good enough to find a ship in orbit. I can also set up a commlink to control the missiles, as well as allow people here to communicate with anyone in orbit."
Matt
player, 752 posts
Brent
Mon 13 Apr 2020
at 03:10
  • msg #456

Starting Operations with the Villagers - Day Six

Bent looked at Joxe for a moment and nodded.  "That would be the best bet.  They'll be passive and not reveal any of the settlements.  With luck any intruders will think it's a left over relic of the wars.  Go ahead and set it up Joxe."
JR
GM, 839 posts
Mon 13 Apr 2020
at 14:44
  • msg #457

Work, Work - and More Work

180-1402

The next week goes by in a blur of sixteen-hour workdays as Wanderer's crew labors to prepare for their upcoming departure. They place two missiles in orbit as sensor platforms and mines, and set up a communications system in the village.

The ship is relocated next to a large barn, which is repurposed as housing for the fabricators. Joxe and Gareth run heavy power cables to the units, so the ship can be quickly cleared for flight if needed.

Brent, Joxe, and a bevy of young volunteers from the village work to completely clean and inventory everything aboard Wanderer. The air raft is also cleaned and inspected between its frequent flights, and Joxe even pulls the remaining missiles and checks each of them. The shipboard laser's test firing draws a large crowd, as Brent cooks a large tree on a mountainside forty-four kilometers from the village.

Gareth works to bring the mining operation back online. He is able to repair some of the more robust machines, and cobble together enough equipment to extract raw ore and crush it into a manageable form. He estimates that he can produce a ton of raw ore per day, once the system is running smoothly.

Everyone donates time toward training new ship crew candidates chosen from the young people in the village, along with the ongoing training in medical, education, and fabrication. Joxe fabricates datapads and displays to equip the stations, and she liberates on of the stateroom holo displays to drive the primary training station's displays.

Elsewhere in the village, the leaders direct efforts to bring machinery and vehicles back to help the village with their production needs. They meet with Brent to discuss future plans. While they are apprehensive about Wanderer's impending departure, they agree with the broader strategy of returning to the Egg System with lanthanum, so that they can regain jump travel.

Brent and the other Eggers are instrumental in establishing this policy decision. Together and individually, they speak with the villagers about their home, answering questions about the people, the government, and their culture. As one gruff older lady put it, "we don't want to invite more trouble that we have now." There are still some holdouts within the populace, but most people are eager to reach out beyond their familiar world.

OOG: Okay, I'll take a breath here, and let Brent interject his thoughts :-)
Matt
player, 754 posts
Brent
Tue 14 Apr 2020
at 00:10
  • msg #458

Work, Work - and More Work

OOC: Wow!  That is a busy week.  :)

Brent threw himself into the efforts to start the bootstrapping process for the people of the village.  He worked shuttling people and things around, using his technical skills to support what Joxe and Gareth were accomplishing as well as endless discussions with the elders and every other walk of life on the planet.  He also pushed to contact other settlements to both spread the benefits of the reintroduced technology and medicine as well as adding more manpower to get things done.

"We'll need to bring as much raw ore back to Egg with us as we can.  Can we get enough lanthanum out of a ton of raw ore to equip a small ship?" He frowned.  "Things will be delicate in contacting Egg.  They will be suspicious of us to say the least."
JR
GM, 841 posts
Tue 14 Apr 2020
at 02:19
  • msg #459

Jump Flash!

180-1402 1525 Local time

"... and, once we're done with the port fuel processor, that will be it for the maintenance," Joxe says as she finishes her report to Brent. They are sitting in the port cargo door, enjoying the afternoon breeze blowing through the cargo bay. Their equipment and supplies have been respotted to maximize the free space, especially now that the aux tanks have occupied the forward part of the hold.

Before Brent can reply, the priority alert tone warbles on every comm unit and from the ship's internal comm. "Distress call received," the ship's computer intones. At the same moment, one of the students rushes past the barn and runs up to the ramp. The young man is panting with exertion. "We've detected a jump flash! Another ship is here!"
Matt
player, 756 posts
Brent
Tue 21 Apr 2020
at 02:10
  • msg #460

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent smiles as he shares a squeeze bottle of water with Joxe.  "It's looking good.  I hate to have the ship broken down and apart but we can get the maintenance done and provide power and assistance to the rebuilding all at the same time."  Whatever else he had to say was cut off as the message came across.  Brent stiffened for a moment and turned to the young man.  "Go run to Gareth and have him shut down all powered equipment.  Get things camouflaged and move the women and children away from the village.  We don't know what kind of trouble may be on the way.  Also have him prepare the mines for action."

Turning to Joxe he frowned. "Get us flight worthy, I'm headed to the bridge to find out what this signal is all about." Giving Joxe a quick kiss Brent sprinted to the bridge calling out as he ran.  "Bring up the system charts and display what we know of the Jump Flash.  Also display the distress call.  Short ranged comms and low power, call the rest of the crew to the ship."
JR
GM, 842 posts
Tue 21 Apr 2020
at 04:32
  • msg #461

Re: Jump Flash!

A flurry of acknowledgements flow back to Brent through the ship's comm as he rushes to the bridge. He arrives and sits down in the center station, noting that it's configuring to battle mode. By the time he settles in, Joxe is at her engineering station. The powerplant is online, and she closes the cargo doors as Malcolm and Melina rush inside.

Gareth is across town, as are Naimh and Veronica. It will take them at least ten minutes to arrive.

According to the display, which is enhanced by the passive sensor data from one of the two orbiting mines, the jump flash came in on a least-time course from Sittahr, right on the hundred-diameter limit. The missile is using a low-power laser to transmit data, but it will be below the horizon in ten minutes, and the trailing missile won't be in sensor view for another twenty minutes. The missile is tracking the ship inbound using the broadcasting transponder, and the trajectory quickly resolves to a low orbit, presumably preparatory to a surface landing on Execute.

The initial transmission was an automated, nonspecific distress call sent by the ship's transponder. It repeats itself a half-dozen times, and then it stops.

Meanwhile, Malcolm and Melina enter the bridge and take the outside seats. The engineering repeater shows that the ship is buttoned up and ready for flight.

"Gareth, Naimh, and Veronica are still across the village," Malcolm says. "They're still five minutes from the ship."

Then, over the radio emergency frequency:

"Hello? Can anyone hear me?" It sounds like a young girl, speaking Galanglic with an odd accent.

OOG: Think of a pronounced Scottish accent...
Matt
player, 757 posts
Brent
Sat 25 Apr 2020
at 01:07
  • msg #462

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent stands, waving hands through the holographic controls to bring up data as he pulls on his vacc suit.  He'll leave the helmet off but as the sensor data flows through the displays it's worth the time to play it a bit safe.  He activates the warning lights on the exterior of the ship as well as a siren to keep the locals away from the drives should they suddenly boost.

When Brent looks over the data he relaxes just a bit.  The fact that the ship was broadcasting on a transponder that was not obviously military likely meant that the intruder was less likely to be blatantly hostile.  Of course false distress calls were an obvious and well used ruse.  "Computer, analyze the transponder data and whatever it can tell us about the ship's status and origin."

He nods to Malcolm and Melinia as they enter the bridge.  "Strap in, this doesn't immediately seem threatening but it could be anything."

OOG: Pausing the response... I'll finish after the answer... can we rebroadcast through the mines while communicating with them via tight beam laser that can't be traced easily?  I'm thinking we can talk to the inbound without giving away our position.
JR
GM, 843 posts
Sat 25 Apr 2020
at 13:25
  • msg #463

Re: Jump Flash!

OOG: Yes, you can relay through the mines.

"Okay," Malcolm says after a moment, "this transponder is, well, different. According to it, the ship carries an envoy of the House of Sol, from Exeter. It won't give any further details, since it says we aren't cleared for that data." He enters another query in his display. "The computer says this is the real thing; our stored Imperial protocols are coming back as verified."

"Can anyone hear me? We need help."
Matt
player, 758 posts
Brent
Mon 27 Apr 2020
at 03:57
  • msg #464

Re: Jump Flash!

Bent worked a bit of magic through their sensors and punched out a tight beam message to the mine and then broadband to the incoming ship.  As he worked he brought the thrusters up to idle.

"This is XXXXX control.  State the nature of your emergency.  We are preparing rescue craft."

OOC: Where the heck are we??? :)
JR
GM, 844 posts
Mon 27 Apr 2020
at 16:33
  • msg #465

Re: Jump Flash!

OOG: Right here: https://travellermap.com/?p=23.826!-69.54!7.75

"We don't know how to steer this boat," the voice replies. "We just want to go back home, and it's saying that we need fuel to do it. Please, can you help us, Ceannaire?"

According to the transponder that's still broadcasting, the ship is on a trajectory for low orbit entry, putting it in position for a descent and landing at the old starport. There are no active emissions other than the radio and the transponder.

"The computer is insisting that this ship is a House of Sol... Oh, wait. That's House Adair, Archduke of Sol." Malcolm lets out a low whistle. "These people are, or were, the top of the heap around here. I don't know who's running that ship now, but they were some powerful people."

"That girl doesn't sound rich or powerful," Melina says quietly. "She sounds scared to death."

"Gareth, Naimh, and Veronica are aboard," Joxe advises over the comm. "They're suiting up for combat."

"Have Gareth relieve me," Malcolm says. "He's qualified up here, and I'm not."

"On my way," Gareth replies.
Matt
player, 759 posts
Brent
Fri 1 May 2020
at 03:04
  • msg #466

Re: Jump Flash!

"Stand by, we'll boost to rendezvous with you.  Is your life support stable?  Ask the computer if you have enough fuel to land. Lastly how did you find yourself on the ship and is there anyone else aboard with you?"  Brent turned back to the others. "Let's boost and rescue this person.  I think it's legit but we'll be cautious.  It's another jump capable ship at the very least.  Everyone strap in and suit up."  He did a set of quick calculations and set the ship into a minimum time solution to intercept the ship prior to hitting orbit.
JR
GM, 845 posts
Fri 1 May 2020
at 20:42
  • msg #467

Re: Jump Flash!

At Wanderer's normal acceleration, you will be able to match vectors at a point 390,000km from planetary orbit. You will intercept at 1810 ship's time, or two hours and seventeen minutes from now. At that point, the bogey will be fifty-two minutes from orbit, traveling at 26.8 km/s, assuming that it maintains a steady 1g deceleration burn the whole time.

Gareth settles into the left seat, replacing Malcolm, who immediately goes aft to suit up. He carefully lifts Wanderer into the air, and then boosts away, riding the countergrav hard to gain altitude so they can quickly go to maximum boost.

Over the comm:

"Uh, okay. It's just my cousin and I. We found this ship in a barn, I guess it was? We just wanted to fly a little bit, but it said that we had to go here. The ship says we have enough fuel and, um, life support? What's that, air? Oh, yes, right. Air. We are okay. Plenty of air, it says."
Matt
player, 761 posts
Brent
Sun 3 May 2020
at 02:26
  • msg #468

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent plotted the course and set the ship in motion.  "We've got about 130 minutes to intercept.  Everyone stay ready and watch the sensors for any other signals or signs of hostility."  He turned back to the comms and again opened a circuitous communication. "We're on our way and will intercept in about two hours and fifteen minutes.  What planet did you come from originally?  Is your cousin onboard as well?  Lastly can you communicate with the computer and tell it to enter orbit..." Brent consulted his own navigational instruments.  "Standard orbit L432D1.  That will allow us to match courses easily."
JR
GM, 848 posts
Sun 3 May 2020
at 04:35
  • msg #469

Re: Jump Flash!

Now that Wanderer is in orbit, Brent can maintain communications using the two mines all the way to intercept.

"There's nothing out there except that one active transponder," Gareth says.

"The missiles are powered up and ready, as is the laser," Joxe reports from Engineering.

"I don't know about you all, but I'm hungry," Naimh says. "I'll fix a late lunch if anyone wants it."

Over the laser link:

"The old people called our home Sittahr. Uh, the computer says it's on that profile, whatever that means. Yes, my cousin is here with me. It's just the two of us. There are only two beds, anyway. Are you going to hurt us?" The girl's voice sounds frightened.

"Can I talk to her?" Melanie asks. "I think we're about the same age, from her voice."

"They could be faking it," Gareth warns.

Melanie shakes her head. "Maybe so, but the faker would have to be really good."
Matt
player, 763 posts
Brent
Sat 16 May 2020
at 00:48
  • msg #470

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent acknowledges the responses from the crew.  He smiles over to Niamh. "Lunch would be good.  Set two extra places as we may have guests from our friends over there."

He listens to the response.  "Good, we should intercept in roughly two hours." Brent shook his head.  "No, we're not going to hurt you at all.  We want to rescue you and get you to a safe place and then try to bring you back home."

Turning to Melanie he nods.  "Go ahead, see if you can calm her down and see exactly what happened."
JR
GM, 850 posts
Sat 16 May 2020
at 01:53
  • msg #471

Re: Jump Flash!

180-1402 1800 Local time

As everyone eats lunch and reports back to their stations, Melanie keeps up a conversation with the inbound ship. In summary, the ship has two teenage girls aboard. They were exploring an old Imperial building, and they found this ship in a hangar or storage area.

There were two robots there, but only one still worked. The door in the belly opened when one of the girls touched a square next to the door. They climbed in, and the ship took off on its own and came here. When they questioned the computer, it told them it was following it's instructions, but refused to say more.

The girls are named Eleni and Radshir, with Radshir doing most of the talking. They are from a large family whose main business is wine making. Their ship reaches turnover right on schedule and starts decelerating for orbit insertion, and Wanderer executes it's own turnover maneuver to match velocities with them.

At ten minutes to intercept, Gareth lets out a puff of air. "Should we bring up the active sensors?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:53, Sat 16 May 2020.
Matt
player, 766 posts
Brent
Wed 20 May 2020
at 01:26
  • msg #472

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent considers their options as they approach the ship.  "Go ahead and give it a quick ping Gareth.  Keep it as direction as you can but let's get a good lock on them."  He calls over to the ship.  "Let your computer know we are going active with our sensors for a moment to confirm your course."
JR
GM, 852 posts
Wed 20 May 2020
at 14:17
  • msg #473

Re: Jump Flash!

"Okay," comes the reply.

"Going active," Gareth says. He leans forward a bit as the data changes on the display. "Wow, I'm not getting much back. Maybe they have some sort of stealth coating or shape. With their drives pointed at us, I'd expect a bigger target."
Matt
player, 767 posts
Brent
Sat 23 May 2020
at 00:50
  • msg #474

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent looks at the sensor data.  "That is very odd.  Can you make out what class of ship this might be either from the active or passive sensors?  Can we pick them up yet on the optics?" He poked around a bit.
JR
GM, 853 posts
Sat 23 May 2020
at 01:09
  • msg #475

Re: Jump Flash!

Gareth shakes his head. "Not yet. Even a large ship would be invisible at this distance. Do we want to train out the laser, just in case?"

Brent estimates that they should get a visual on a ship their own size or larger in about five minutes, at a range of 15,000km.
Matt
player, 769 posts
Brent
Sat 23 May 2020
at 01:33
  • msg #476

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent considers the options.  "No, I'd rather not do anything that might be perceived as hostile by that ship's computer.  Go ahead and train out on them but I don't want to stay active."
JR
GM, 855 posts
Sat 23 May 2020
at 04:57
  • msg #477

Re: Jump Flash!

Gareth does as he's commanded, and Wanderer continues to close with the inbound ship. After another five minutes, Gareth takes a breath. "Holy crap, what is that?" He puts an image up on Brent's display.

OOG: Look in Dropbox for it.
Matt
player, 771 posts
Brent
Mon 25 May 2020
at 04:43
  • msg #478

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent leaned forward and shook his head.  "I have no idea what the heck that might be."  He distributed the image through the ship.  "Joxe, do you recognize this?  Gareth run it through the computer for anything like it."
JR
GM, 857 posts
Mon 25 May 2020
at 15:54
  • msg #479

Re: Jump Flash!

"What *is* that," Joxe asks.

Gareth runs the query and grunts in mild surprise. "That, ladies and gents, is a jump runabout. It's high tech, as it's the smallest hull the Imperium made for starships. Says here it's a six-ton displacement hull. There's no other data, though."

"I've seen one of those," Naimh puts in. "Some Imperial dignitary had one at a starport when I was there. You have to be rich to own one, as they can't carry more than two people, supplies and baggage."

"Could it be armed?" Malcolm wonders.

"I don't think they'd have room for a hardpoint, nor the power to run anything that could hurt us," Joxe says. "Brent, the data I have says it can jump two parsecs at a time."

Melina chimes in. "We can't just leave them, right?"
Matt
player, 772 posts
Brent
Mon 25 May 2020
at 22:45
  • msg #480

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent shook his head.  "Well, I would not have expected anything so small.  I've been doing some reading on Jump drive engineering and theory and I thought the minimum size of a vessel that could manage a Jump field was much larger." He shrugged and smiled.  "Of course I'm reading the basic texts..."

When Gareth and Joxe chimed in Brent leaned forward and looked intensely interested.  "So small, high tech and Jump two?  This would have to be higher than the tech level 12 we are dealing with now, right?"  He nodded to Melina.  "No, we can't leave them even if there wasn't anything of interest in their ship.  We'll rescue them and examine their ship and take them home.  There may be more infrastructure from where this ship came from that would bear salvage."
JR
GM, 858 posts
Tue 26 May 2020
at 03:55
  • msg #481

Re: Jump Flash!

Finally, the two ships match vectors, riding in close formation about a hundred meters apart. Gareth had approached in a spiral pattern to map the ship's hull from all aspects.

"It's a real flying saucer," Veronica says with a laugh.

"And what is that?" Naimh looks over at her.

"It's an old Solamani legend from pre-space times about what vessels from other spacefaring species would be like. There was a library of old literature about it back home. My mother is a historian, and she loves that stuff. They looked like, well, saucers. Just like that runabout, in fact."

OOG: See Dropbox for another pic.
Matt
player, 775 posts
Brent
Wed 27 May 2020
at 03:23
  • msg #482

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent shook his head.  "I knew that full Imperial tech was powerful but this is truly a demonstration of what they could do."  He looked closely at the vessel.  "Can anyone see a docking port?  I'd hate to have to make a full EVA to get aboard."
JR
GM, 861 posts
Wed 27 May 2020
at 05:03
  • msg #483

Re: Jump Flash!

"It has a hatch in the belly," Joxe says, highlighting the gold-colored hatch in the imagery. "That's not an airlock, so we will have to dock with it. I'm betting that the girls don't have vacc suits, or probably don't know how to use them."
Matt
player, 777 posts
Brent
Thu 28 May 2020
at 01:34
  • msg #484

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent considered the approach. "We'll dock then."  He flipped on the short range comm.  "You can probably see us out your window.  We're going to maneuver under the ship and dock at the hatch so we can come aboard and help."  As he waited for a reply Brent twisted the controls to bring them into docking position.
JR
GM, 863 posts
Thu 28 May 2020
at 03:41
  • msg #485

Re: Jump Flash!

As Melina chatters with the girls, Brent and Gareth deftly maneuver Wanderer into position, with her starboard side airlock facing the smaller ship's belly hatch. Joxe and Veronica handle the docking tube that extends from around the ship's airlock, and, after some finicky adjustments, they make contact.

"Good seal," Joxe reports. "We're getting steering interlock cues through the interface, but we might not want to accept the interface request."

Brent knows that, without the computers' mutual support, he will have to focus to keep Wanderer in the correct position. Also, if the other ship rolls too quickly, he won't have the thruster authority to maintain a steady relative position, and he will have to disconnect the docking tube without warning. The good news is, the sensors can detect even the tiniest bit of relative motion and provide some guidance to help him maintain the correct position.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:42, Thu 28 May 2020.
Matt
player, 779 posts
Brent
Fri 29 May 2020
at 02:06
  • msg #486

Re: Jump Flash!

"Roger, good seal.  Let's keep the connection distant for now.  I'll stay here of Joxe you and Melina want to go aboard.  Melina you can calm the girls and Joxe you can make an engineering evaluation.  Wear suits though just in case."
JR
GM, 865 posts
Sat 30 May 2020
at 00:50
  • msg #487

Re: Jump Flash!

"Got it," Joxe says.

"Brent," Malcolm says in a carefully neutral voice, "maybe Veronica and I should go take a quick look before Joxe and Melina go across?"
Matt
player, 781 posts
Brent
Sat 30 May 2020
at 02:03
  • msg #488

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent nodded. "Good idea Malcolm, go ahead."

OOC: I keep forgetting who is aboard...
JR
GM, 867 posts
Sat 30 May 2020
at 05:15
  • msg #489

Re: Jump Flash!

OOG: Brent, Joxe, Malcolm, Veronica, Naimh, Gareth, and Melina. Wanderer has three bridge stations, two workstations in Engineering, a lashed-up comms/sensors station in the upper lounge, and a holo display unit in the main deck common area. Brent and Joxe share the port main deck cabin, while Gareth occupies the starboard cabin. Malcolm, Naimh, and Veronica have three of the upper deck cabins, leaving three unoccupied. Each cabin can accommodate two people, and each bed has a built-in low berth.

IG:

While Brent holds Wanderer in precise alignment with the golden ship, Malcolm and Veronica pull themselves through the docking tube, open the far hatch, and enter the tiny ship. They confront two frightened teenage girls clad in handmade, but ornate dresses. Veronica quickly removes her helmet, shoos Malcolm back to Wanderer, and asks that Melina and Joxe join them.

Joxe takes command of the ship, while Melina and Veronica help the teens into shipsuits. A few minutes later, Joxe confirms that the ship's datalink is safe to share data with, and initiates a link to allow the two ships to safely maintain their shared docking tube connection.

After the girls are dressed, Joxe opens a video feed so that Brent and the others can see each other. "Brent, this ship is, or was, brand new. It's only flown from Promise, where it was built, to Gorky, to Sittahr, and then here to Execute."
Matt
player, 783 posts
Brent
Sun 31 May 2020
at 01:18
  • msg #490

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent waited as patiently as he could while his crew swept the other ship.  Finally when the data link came up followed by Joxe's confirmation Brent relaxed.  He checked for a moment about Promise and nodded.  "Promise was tech level 15 so that would explain the sophistication of the ship.  Can you tell any more about it's history or what would have prompted the computer to come here?"
JR
GM, 868 posts
Sun 31 May 2020
at 16:21
  • msg #491

Re: Jump Flash!

"I found the ship's log," Joxe replies after a few minutes. "It seems that the ship's former owner was planning this trip when the attacks started. Someone took out the research station and flattened the starport and the larger towns. This ship, a runabout, it's called, was at the family's country estate, and it was apparently forgotten. When the girls came aboard, it, for some reason, decided to fly the planned trip here."
Matt
player, 784 posts
Brent
Mon 1 Jun 2020
at 01:09
  • msg #492

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent kept his eyes on the scanners as the others worked.  He didn't want to get caught with their pants down while investigating this find.  He listened to Joxe and made up his mind.  "Let's bring her back down to the village.  We can cover her and then investigate a bit more while safely on the ground.  What is her fuel state?  I'm guessing we'll have to transfer refined fuel to her."
JR
GM, 869 posts
Mon 1 Jun 2020
at 05:19
  • msg #493

Re: Jump Flash!

"We're right at a half-ton of fuel, which will give us another eight hours' accel," Joxe replies. "We'd need a ton to completely refuel, which isn't bad, considering we carry seventy-two tons. We will have to wait until we're on the ground to do it, though."
Matt
player, 785 posts
Brent
Wed 3 Jun 2020
at 02:53
  • msg #494

Re: Jump Flash!

Brent nods.  "We can easily land with eight G-hours fuel.  Can you program her to land by the village or should I pass along a course to feed into the computer?"
JR
GM, 870 posts
Wed 3 Jun 2020
at 13:43
  • msg #495

Re: Jump Flash!

"Already have it set," Joxe replies. "We will be ready to undock whenever you say."

Brent notes that they are an hour out from low planetary orbit, and their ETA on the ground is a half-hour later, or 1932 ship's time.
Matt
player, 786 posts
Brent
Thu 4 Jun 2020
at 04:58
  • msg #496

Re: Jump Flash!

"Undocking now.  Let me proceed you down so the villagers don't freak out seeing a strange ship."  Brent undocked and then headed back to the village.
JR
GM, 871 posts
Thu 4 Jun 2020
at 14:10
  • msg #497

Evening at the Village

180-1402 2000 Local time

The newly-formed division makes its way back to the village, and lands without incident. During the flight, Joxe runs diagnostics and finds that the runabout is in excellent condition. Apparently, its hangar had been equipped with a maintenance unit that kept everything functioning for two hundred and fifty years. A built-in system also monitors things and executes repairs as needed. The supplies for this system are topped up, which is good because Joxe can't fabricate the high-tech spares it uses.

The ship has two bunks with built-in low berths, and is capable of 1g acceleration for up to 10 hours and has a jump range of two parsecs. It has only enough storage capacity for supplies and baggage for two people for a week's travel, plus an emergency life support reserve for another week.

Their arrival in the village triggers an impromptu celebration as the teenage girls are introduced to everyone. They are practically mobbed and kidnapped by the other teen girls, who all congregate in one corner of the main hall, gabbing and laughing together.

After the meal, Joxe goes out to secure the ship, and then she returns immediately. "I can't get in. It's locked, and the computer refuses me entry."
Matt
player, 787 posts
Brent
Fri 5 Jun 2020
at 02:25
  • msg #498

Evening at the Village

Brent sighs in relief as he lands the craft.  He shuts down the systems and gets outside as the others land.  After a bit of explaining to the locals he kisses Joxe and then frowns at her words.  "Locked out?  Damn... we'll need to see if the girls can get back inside.  Lets go rescue them from their admirers and see if they can coax the thing open."
JR
GM, 872 posts
Fri 5 Jun 2020
at 03:20
  • msg #499

Evening at the Village

It takes a few minutes and the courage of ten men to rescue the girls from their kidnappers, and soon the entire entourage is gathered around the runabout.

Joxe and the other women are of no help as they laugh at the guys' efforts to herd the girls. Finally, Melina steps up and ruthlessly establishes order by shushing everyone with a raised hand. The other village girls follow suit, and Melina lowers her hand. "Okay, let's give them some room."

The ship does nothing when Eleni tries to open the hatch, but responds immediately to Radshir.
Matt
player, 788 posts
Brent
Fri 5 Jun 2020
at 05:26
  • msg #500

Evening at the Village

Brent sighs in relief as the ship opens up.  "Let's go inside and find out why the ship responds to you Radshir.  Maybe you are related somehow to the original owners?"  Brent will head aboard to the control area although he first looks around and marvels at the fittings and luxury.  "This is quite the nice set-up.  Let's see if we can talk to the computer."
JR
GM, 873 posts
Fri 5 Jun 2020
at 16:55
  • msg #501

Evening at the Village

Joxe sits and confers with Radshir and the computer, where they determine that the teen is a direct descendant of the original owner. According to the computer's record, gleaned from a DNA sample it analyzed and interviews with the girl, Radshir is a countess, whose lands are now part of one of the nation-states on Sittahr.

"This really is your ship," Joxe explains to her. "You have legally inherited it."

"But, what do I do with it?" The teen looks at the assembled group.
Matt
player, 789 posts
Brent
Sat 6 Jun 2020
at 01:51
  • msg #502

Re: Evening at the Village

Brent moves over to sit next to Joxe as she works with the computer.  He is impressed, amazed even by the sophistication of the design and can only shake his head again and again as new wonders are revealed.  He glances over at the Radshir and frowns a bit.  "This ship is almost a toy, too small to carry cargo and difficult to maintain with it's sophisticated technology.  Still as a courier and carrier of small, high priority cargos it could serve your planet.  This would be useful as trade and commerce re-open.  Longer term the very technology represented by this ship will eventually be priceless."
JR
GM, 874 posts
Sat 6 Jun 2020
at 04:18
  • msg #503

Re: Evening at the Village

"Will you let us go home," Eleni says sharply, with an undertone of fear in her voice.

"Eleni, calm yourself," Radshir replies. "If they meant us harm, I don't think they would have brought us to this village and shown us to all these people."

"I want to go home," Eleni says quietly.

Radshir turns to Brent. "The people in my country have told us little of the Collapse. So much was destroyed, they say. We know that there was once a mighty empire, and that we suffered greatly from attacks. Even now, some other countries are pushing to get back into space, so we can protect ourselves if the attackers come back."

OOG: New pic on Dropbox.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:41, Sat 06 June 2020.
Matt
player, 791 posts
Brent
Sat 6 Jun 2020
at 17:23
  • msg #504

Re: Evening at the Village

Brent raised his hands.  "We'll certainly take you back to your home.  We want to understand your ship, refuel it and make sure that everything is safe." He listened to Radshir.  "We don't know much more than your people.  The fall of the empire was hard on all the worlds and much was lost even in our system where we maintained a good deal of technology.  We," he gestured to their small group.  "Are working to explore a bit and perhaps link up some of the local worlds.  Maybe we can rise people back up to something better.  So if some of your people are talking about spreading back into space then we should go back to your world anyway."
JR
GM, 876 posts
Sun 7 Jun 2020
at 05:44
  • msg #505

Re: Evening at the Village

Radshir thinks for a moment. "From what I hear and read, most of my people aren't interested in contacting others, even though it makes sense that they're out there."

"Why should we?" Eleni exclaims. "You've read about what they did!"

"Ele, that was over two hundred years ago," Radshir says patiently. "Maybe my ancestor, whoever she was, has done us a great service, even though she didn't mean to do it."

Ele faces her cousin. "You're not wanting to stay out here! What will our parents think?"

Radshir shrugs. "They are probably worried sick about us. We can't do anything about that right now."

"We can go the hell home!"

Radshir sighs and shakes her head. "If you want to go home, I'm sure these folk will be as good as their word. But, Ele, think about all of this for a minute. Look around you. These people are facing the same struggles we are, and some of them have starships, real ones that can go from system to system."

"We have one, too!"

"Not really." Ele's eyes bug out, and Radshir holds up her hands. "We can't refuel without going to the authorities, and they will just take it away."

"Gee, that sounds familiar," Joxe says to Brent. "We faced the same decision when we left Egg."

"So, you know what I'm saying," Radshir says with a shrug. "We really can't show up at home with this, because they probably won't use it, and they surely don't have anything like your ship." She looks at Brent. "As much as I'd like to bring you all to my home, it's something that we'd have to handle very carefully. We may not have starships, but I've heard about some space defenses that sound dangerous."

"Missiles and lasers, I heard," Ele puts in.
Matt
player, 793 posts
Brent
Sun 7 Jun 2020
at 20:17
  • msg #506

Re: Evening at the Village

Brent listened to the two girls talking, allowing them to work things out as well as learning a bit more about the attitudes and situation on their world.  He nodded to Joxe, grinning wryly when she brought up their own predicament.  His expression turned to one of concern when they mentioned space weapons and the intent to use them.  "We certainly don't dare risk an engagement with planetary defenses.  We're not running a warship nor do we have any desire to get shot up.  There is no real way to fix any major damage and I won't risk any of the crew."  Brent paused.  "Who controls the weapons?  Do you have one government ruling the planet or multiple entities?  We might be able to negotiate something from a distance to get you back safely."
JR
GM, 877 posts
Sun 7 Jun 2020
at 21:09
  • msg #507

Re: Evening at the Village

"Why not just come with us?" Melina jumps into the conversation. "I will be going, too."

"We don't even know anything!" Ele protests.

"I disagree," Radshir replies. "We know that Brent and his ship exists, we know that there are people here on Execute, and we know that we can't try to go home right now." She looks at Brent. "There are five nations on Sittahr. For the most part, they get along with each other. I mean, we've never had any wars like some of the old stories talk about. At least, not after the raids stopped, and we didn't start trouble with the raiders."

"Okay, so what?" ELe crosses her arms and glares at her cousin.

"So, we are the only people from our planet who know about this." Radshir looks at Brent. "I would like to help make things better, but I will consider my own people first. Since it only listens to me, I'd like to keep my ship, too."
Matt
player, 794 posts
Brent
Mon 8 Jun 2020
at 04:39
  • msg #508

Re: Evening at the Village

Brent nodded, impressed with the girl's determination.  He nodded to the girl. "So we can't take your ship back to Sittahr or at least turn it over to any of the various authorities.  We can get Ele back.  Radshir, you are welcome to come with us.  I'm not sure what you want to do with your ship.  It's really a runabout or a scout more than anything else."
JR
GM, 878 posts
Mon 8 Jun 2020
at 06:30
  • msg #509

Re: Evening at the Village

"If I may," Gareth speaks up from his seat next to Malcolm. As the group was talking, chairs and tables appeared, and a half dozen of the town's leaders are sitting and listening to the conversation.

"If they had not been transmitting, our sensors would not have picked them up until they were very close. If there was a way to change the paint scheme to something less flashy, then even visual detection would be very difficult."

"So that's how they got off-planet without being shot down," Joxe surmises.

"That, and the defense system probably isn't set to shoot outgoing ships," Malcolm put in. "That could be dangerous to your own traffic."

"Is it possible for both ships to travel together?" Radshir asks.
Matt
player, 795 posts
Brent
Tue 9 Jun 2020
at 02:06
  • msg #510

Re: Evening at the Village

Brent smiles at the suggestion.  "The Jump flash is the only thing you can't really hide but then you have to be looking for it.  We could certainly paint the ship if we can come up with something that would be tough enough to last, ideally something that will diffuse the IR signature further."  He thought about the question of traveling.  "We can jump together but how we come out depends I think on our skill.  There should be a way to synch the jump calculations to improve things."

JR
GM, 879 posts
Tue 9 Jun 2020
at 02:37
  • msg #511

Re: Evening at the Village

Melina raises her hand. "We were planning to leave in a day or two, so we can explore what is further trailward," she glances at Malcolm, who nods at her with a smile, "and see how the other systems are doing. We have the answer for Sittahr, so, other than taking Ele home, we don't really have to spend much time there."

"I'm okay with sending a message," Radshir says. "We can record messages and send moving pictures, even."

Ele looks thoughtful, but she doesn't say anything.

"We can do that, I think," Melina replies. "So, what do we do after that?"
Matt
player, 796 posts
Brent
Tue 9 Jun 2020
at 05:03
  • msg #512

Re: Evening at the Village

"We need to take Ele home, that is a promise and may garner goodwill.  There may be some argument about not turning over the ship but they don't have to know the details."  He shrugged.  "We'll keep moving up the main I think after Sittahr."
JR
GM, 882 posts
Thu 11 Jun 2020
at 03:36
  • msg #513

Arrival at Sittahr Gas Giant #1

201-1402 - 0800

The last two weeks have been a flurry of activity as Wanderer and the runabout conduct two jumps and refueling operations. Both ships are functioning flawlessly, and Joxe has devised a method to refuel the runabout after each jump. She runs a hose from the ground refueling receptacle for the aux tanks in the cargo bay to the tiny ship as it holds station just outside the cargo door.

Whenever possible, the runabout docks, and Joxe or Brent, who both now have clearance as crew aboard the runabout, watch the conn while the girls take a break from the tiny cabin for a couple of hours aboard Wanderer.

Aboard Wanderer, the four new folks, and Melina, are attending classes and training twelve hours per day. The cargo bay serves as a gymnasium, since half of it is empty except for their cargo container and some supplies. All in all, everyone is adjusting to life aboard a starship.

Joxe has warned Radshir about not broadcasting anything, and so both ships are only using passive systems, and a direct laser comm link for intership communications.

Both ships are fully fueled, with Wanderer's refinery still working on fuel in the aux tanks. They are in a distant orbit, right at the jump limit for the gas giant.The runabout is docked, and Joxe has the conn, while Malcolm is on the bridge. Melina is cooking breakfast, and she enters the crew area after serving Malcolm's tray.

"Elenea, are we ready to send our message?" Radshir looks at her cousin. The pair had worked on it while they were in jump.

"I think so." Radshir looks at Brent. "Can we send it, after all?"

The runabout's transmitter and receiver are much more powerful than Wanderer's, and it is capable of sending a directional signal across the twenty light-minutes to the planet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:38, Thu 11 June 2020.
Matt
player, 799 posts
Brent
Fri 12 Jun 2020
at 03:20
  • msg #514

Arrival at Sittahr Gas Giant #1

Brent had worked hard himself during the Jumps not only training the newcomers in shipboard life and skills but working on navigation and familiarization with the higher technology systems of their new home.  He didn't neglect the most important part of his life and spent every moment that he could with Joxe, learning about her life and thoughts but mostly just being with her.

When they broke out into the Sittahr system he immediately set the sensors to scan and record radio and other emissions from the main planet and elsewhere in the system.  Once they were refueled and ready he nodded to the two girls. "Go ahead and send it.  Remember if anything happens we jump to the outermost gas giant on my orders.  We can regroup there, refuel and run away if needed."
JR
GM, 884 posts
Fri 12 Jun 2020
at 04:13
  • msg #515

Arrival at Sittahr Gas Giant #1

201-1402 - 0930

The runabout transmits the twenty-minute message Radshir and Elenea have recorded for their family. Essentially, they say that they are fine, and that they are working with people to help bring interstellar travel back to this part of space. They stress that they are in no danger, and that they will return at some future time.

After the message ends, a full hour passes before a return message comes back. It's from the planet's defense network, and it carries a message from the family, along with a warning to not approach the Sittahr mainworld.

In the meantime, there is little usable radio traffic detected from the planet. Most of it is little better than static at this distance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:33, Fri 12 June 2020.
Matt
player, 801 posts
Brent
Sat 13 Jun 2020
at 01:34
  • msg #516

Re: Arrival at Sittahr Gas Giant #1

Brent finishes breakfast and reads a bit of a navigation technical manual as they wait for a response.  He frowned at the message and shook his head.  "Not a friendly group are they..." was stated to no one in particular.  Brent glanced at the girls; "Do you have enough or do you wish to communicate further?  I think we will be Jumping out shortly."
JR
GM, 885 posts
Sat 13 Jun 2020
at 03:33
  • msg #517

Re: Arrival at Sittahr Gas Giant #1

Brent sees that the girls are dabbing at their eyes with handkerchiefs, but they both nod. "Yes, we are ready. Where do we go next?"
Matt
player, 804 posts
Brent
Mon 15 Jun 2020
at 03:17
  • msg #518

Re: Arrival at Sittahr Gas Giant #1

Brent thought for a bit.  "Let's jump to Cosenza.  It has enough of an atmosphere that some people may have survived.  It's just Jump one so we can Jump right out if needed."
JR
GM, 888 posts
Mon 15 Jun 2020
at 04:36
  • msg #519

Arrival at Cosenza

201-1402 - 0945

Everyone assumes their stations, and both ships pivot on their thrusters to align themselves for jump translation. The maneuver goes smoothly, and Wanderer makes a perfect translation.

During the week in jump, the training continues as before, with the new folks learning what the seasoned spacehands can teach them. Joxe and Naimh speak of the Imperium before the Devastation, and everyone views the ship's extensive library of vids and hyperpages about the civilization that once was.

In private, Joxe is saddened anew by what she's lost, and Veronica quietly reports that Naimh has had much the same reaction. For the people from Execute, though, it's just history, and they are becoming more dedicated to recapturing interstellar travel for them and their progeny. Malcolm and Veronica express much the same sentiments, although it's tempered with some good-natured skepticism about the Egg government's ability to manage it all.



208-1402 - 0330


The emergence alert sounds while everyone but Brent is asleep. He is poring through a hyperpage on ancient Solamani history, detailing the battle of Bunker Hill in a place called America, when the computer quietly announces impending emergence.

Ten minutes later, Wanderer slips smoothly back into normal space, and, to everyone's carefully hidden relief, the runabout is also there. The girls immediately establish their laser link, and begin gabbing to Melina and Joxe over the comm channels.

The pair maneuvers the tiny vessel into the refueling position, and Joxe goes to refuel them, with Veronica standing EVA guard in the air raft, just in case. The refueling operation goes quickly, as does the fuel transfer from the aux tanks. Wanderer's bridge is crowded to the limit, as each of the bridge positions has someone sitting in the respective jump seats beside them to observe. Naimh's sensors station in the upper lounge also has a shadow in attendance.

Outside, though, the Cosenza system is quiet. There are no signals of any type, and the visuals of the planet show nothing of the system's orbital starport.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:38, Mon 15 June 2020.
Matt
player, 807 posts
Brent
Wed 17 Jun 2020
at 05:42
  • msg #520

Arrival at Cosenza

Brent is careful to spend time with Joxe, quietly talking to her on the bridge or while working with her in engineering as he pitches in with basic tasks.  He doesn't press her in her sorrow but rather listens and makes himself available for her.  Brent challenges her to exercise, working out hard and practicing hand to hand combat to exhaust her and take out some of her frustrations.  As well he trained the crew hard, shifting to combat, damage control and rapid refueling exercises as they approached the time of translation from Jump.

When the Jump alarm rang out Brent called the crew to stations and strapped himself in ready to take whatever action was required.  He relaxed as the comms were quiet although Brent remained somber as signs of life were scant in the system.  When they finished refueling he called the crews together. "Things are quiet, there may be few or no survivors but we should press on to the main world.  Any questions before we go?"
JR
GM, 889 posts
Wed 17 Jun 2020
at 18:34
  • msg #521

Cosenza Orbit

208-1402 - 1305

No one voices any questions, and they settle into their stations as the ships continue inbound to planetary orbit. A little over three hours later, they settle into a stable 500km orbit above the planet's surface.

"Look at this," Melina says after a moment, pointing to her display.

Malcolm, who is sitting in the jump seat at her station, leans forward. "Make your report."

"Captain," she says formally, "the planet's hydrosphere is less extensive than the data says it should be."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:27, Fri 10 July 2020.
Matt
player, 810 posts
Brent
Thu 18 Jun 2020
at 03:51
  • msg #522

Re: Cosenza Orbit

Brent restrains a smile at the interplay between Malcolm and Melina.  He's training her properly with the formality needed in ship operations especially where there might be danger.  He frowns as well as Melina reports.  "How much lower?  Does there look to be signs of war damage that could have stripped away water?  And are there any signs of activity in the pre-war population centers?"
JR
GM, 892 posts
Thu 18 Jun 2020
at 04:35
  • msg #523

Re: Cosenza Orbit

*** EDITED***

"Cosenza's atmospheric pressure is one-tenth standard," Melina explains. "During the Imperial years, they were terraforming the planet by pumping C-O-two, which raised the air temperature, and bringing water up from underground and cracking it to increase the air pressure in low-lying areas. Since the Devastation, the terraforming equipment must not be running, because most of the areas marked as seas on the planetary map are dry. There's one large body of water still visible, but it's all frozen over now."

"I'd guess that the low air pressure allowed a lot of the surface water to evaporate before the atmosphere cooled," Malcolm adds.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:26, Fri 19 June 2020.
Matt
player, 812 posts
Brent
Fri 19 Jun 2020
at 07:30
  • msg #524

Re: Cosenza Orbit

Brent shook his head.  "Well, coming from Egg working with oceans and atmosphere on that scale is hard to fathom."  He sighed.  "Likely anyone alive will be near the water.  Let's focus our search there.  If we still see nothing we'll land and at least check out the downport."
Matt
player, 813 posts
Brent
Mon 29 Jun 2020
at 03:40
  • msg #525

Re: Cosenza Orbit

Robert frowned sorrowfully.  "The loss of CO2 and atmospheric pressure would cause the oceans to freeze out or evaporate for sure.  The dropping temperature would literally snowball."  He took a deep breath.  "Let's jump in to the mainworld.  If we can't manage ice to refuel we can jump back to the gas giant."
JR
GM, 895 posts
Mon 29 Jun 2020
at 05:03
  • msg #526

Cosenza Downport

An hour later, Wanderer and the runabout are on approach from orbit for the downport. The facility's buildings and landing pads appear to be intact, although the latter are mostly covered in sand that has formed rills on the ceramacrete surface.

The ship descends though the cloudless skies, encountering a bit of buffeting from the ever-present wind at about 2km altitude. One of the pads is clear enough to set the ship down, since it's partly shielded from the prevailing wind by one of the hangars.

Wanderer settles onto its landing pads, and Brent kills the grav lifters to put the ship's full weight on the landing gear. The runabout lands close by, using the larger ship's bulk to shield itself from the wind.

"Oh, wow," Melina says in awe. "Look at that. I'm really on another *planet*!"

"It's sixty below zero, and you will suffocate without a vacc suit," Malcolm says. "I've seen better planets."

"The sad part is, no one could survive here without power," Joxe says over the comm.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:18, Mon 29 June 2020.
Matt
player, 814 posts
Brent
Tue 30 Jun 2020
at 04:09
  • msg #527

Cosenza Downport

As they spiraled in for a landing Brent made a quick pass in polar orbit to decelerate and conduct a quick scan of the landing area for heat sources. "It's inhospitable as hell although having at least a small atmosphere helps a bit.  Suit up, let's go examine the downport buildings at least.  Do we have any heat sources visible?"
JR
GM, 896 posts
Tue 30 Jun 2020
at 05:32
  • msg #528

Cosenza Downport

"It's colder than an asteroid miner's ass out there," Malcolm mutters. Melina turns to look at him. "What?"

"Any way," Melina says repressively, "there are no heat sources."

"Do we have to go out there," Radshir asks plaintively. "It's really, really cold."
Matt
player, 815 posts
Brent
Wed 1 Jul 2020
at 04:17
  • msg #529

Cosenza Downport

Brent shook his head and smiled. "No, there likely isn't much to see that will be pleasant out there.  You can stay Radshir." He sets the controls on standby. "Joxe, we'll need you to make any technical evaluations.  Who else wants to brave the cold?"
JR
GM, 897 posts
Thu 2 Jul 2020
at 03:51
  • msg #530

Cosenza Downport

"Can we go?" Melina asks Malcolm.

Malcolm grimaces. "Oh, no." He glances away as she stares him down. "Okay, fine. Don't blame me if you freeze something important."

"Naimh and I will stand by in the sick bay," Veronica says over the comm.

"We don't have a sick bay," Naimh says. "But, yes, we will stand by with our suit heaters on."
Matt
player, 816 posts
Brent
Thu 2 Jul 2020
at 04:17
  • msg #531

Cosenza Downport

Brent nods.  "We'll all be careful.  And definitely stand by if we need help." He goes to suit up and grab weapons.  "Just stay nearby Melina and don't touch anything you don't thoroughly understand.  There may be traps left over from the war."
JR
GM, 898 posts
Thu 2 Jul 2020
at 15:00
  • msg #532

Cosenza Downport

Ten minutes later, Brent, Joxe, Melina, and Malcolm are all seated in the air raft, with Joxe in the pilot's seat. She carefully moves the craft out of the hangar, and flies forward down Wanderer's port side toward the closest building, a hangar large enough to house four ships a Beowulf's size.

"Where to?" Joxe asks.
Matt
player, 817 posts
Brent
Fri 3 Jul 2020
at 02:05
  • msg #533

Cosenza Downport

Brent looks about. "Let's go to the control tower or admin center if we can tell.  We can go through the rest systematically afterward."
JR
GM, 899 posts
Fri 3 Jul 2020
at 15:14
  • msg #534

Cosenza Downport

"Got it," Joxe replies.

The control tower is, surprisingly, still standing, although the thick window on the side they approach from is shattered, the opening yawning into the cab. Joxe brings the air raft around in a slow circle to Brent's side, and he's able to closely examine the building.

The tough Imperial composite construction has weathered the centuries well, probably due to the cold and lack of precipitation. Even the Imperial Sunburst emblazoned on the shaft wall above the words "Welcome to Cosenza Downport" is faded, but still colorful. Some of the other windows are broken, and one personnel door stands open, swinging in the wind as it whips past. There are a handful of grav personal ground vehicles sitting in the parking area, one with a shattered side window, but the others appear undamaged.

The visible rooms have furniture in them, but there is no sign of movement, or of recent habitation. The grounds around the building are covered with drifting sand, and the chain link perimeter fence is littered with trapped trash blown in from who knows where.

"How sad," Melina says quietly from her seat behind Brent.
Matt
player, 818 posts
Brent
Sat 4 Jul 2020
at 00:35
  • msg #535

Cosenza Downport

Brent checked his weapons and dismounted.  "We'll check the vehicles later, maybe tow them into the hangar out of the wind and cold." He looked around and sighed.  "Worlds like this... lots of death or everyone gone.  It's not pretty.  Let's go inside but I doubt if we find much."  He led the way into the building to search.
JR
GM, 900 posts
Sat 4 Jul 2020
at 01:16
  • msg #536

Cosenza Downport

The group searches the building, and they find - not much. The building had been occupied for quite a while, judging from the hodgepodge of furnishings and the hastily installed fusion generator in the main foyer. Cables were run across rooms and through loopholes in the walls to power panels.

There are no personal items, like clothing or hand comps left, Brent notes.
Matt
player, 819 posts
Brent
Sat 4 Jul 2020
at 03:29
  • msg #537

Cosenza Downport

"It looks like they survived for a while.  They didn't take the generator.  That's not a good sign.  Still, can we salvage it Joxe?"
JR
GM, 901 posts
Sat 4 Jul 2020
at 05:58
  • msg #538

Cosenza Downport

Joxe looks the reactor over for a few moments while Brent waits and the other two move off to search the living area more closely.

"Well, it's in decent shape, but it probably needs some repairs," Joxe says a few minutes later. "I would have to take it back to the ship to know more. It's the same tech as the runabout, so at least I can power it up and see what it needs. Other than that, I don't have the tools or parts to fix it if it doesn't run."
Matt
player, 821 posts
Brent
Sun 5 Jul 2020
at 23:56
  • msg #539

Cosenza Downport

Brent waits, staying out of the way to avoid 'helping' in a way that hindered. "Let's bring it with us.  If we can get it running again it will be good trade goods or the center of a settlement for easy power.  Can you tell how long it's been shut down?  That might give us an idea of when this all... ended..."
JR
GM, 904 posts
Mon 6 Jul 2020
at 01:24
  • msg #540

Cosenza Downport

Joxe runs a gloved finger across the top. "A long time. I'll have to get it aboard before I can access anything. It will fit in the cargo area on the air raft. Good thing the gravity here is forty-five percent of standard. This thing is about two hundred kilos."

OOG: Picture a 5kw generator, but denser - and it puts out 600kW while running on hydrogen... O.o
Matt
player, 823 posts
Brent
Mon 6 Jul 2020
at 05:07
  • msg #541

Re: Cosenza Downport

Brent nods.  "It's likely they're all long gone then unless they withdrew somewhere underground.  You'd think if they were still alive they would have pulled in all the useful tech even for parts." He called the others. "Anything else in the quarters?  And computers we can try to boot up and figure out what happened?"

OOC: Pretty awesome power density that!!!!
JR
GM, 907 posts
Mon 6 Jul 2020
at 14:35
  • msg #542

Re: Cosenza Downport

"Anything personal-sized is gone," Malcolm reports. "The facility's built-in systems appear to be undamaged, but they're powered down, of course."

OOG: The really wild thing is that this generator will run for a year on about 20 gallons of hydrogen, according to the rules. Go figure :-)
Matt
player, 826 posts
Brent
Tue 7 Jul 2020
at 04:38
  • msg #543

Re: Cosenza Downport

Brent took in the reports. "Can we power up any of the systems here Joxe and try to get a read on what might have happened?  I'd guess they must have retreated to a better place as conditions got worse."

OOG: It is fusion I guess.  Magic really :)
JR
GM, 908 posts
Tue 7 Jul 2020
at 05:37
  • msg #544

Re: Cosenza Downport

Joxe thinks for a moment. "We can bring the runabout here, and connect her powerplant, since it's compatible."
Matt
player, 828 posts
Brent
Wed 8 Jul 2020
at 02:30
  • msg #545

Re: Cosenza Downport

Brent brushes his hands clean.  "Let's go do that.  If the inhabitants were going to leave a message to outsiders they would do it here.  Although... given the history they may not want anyone to realize they survived."
JR
GM, 911 posts
Wed 8 Jul 2020
at 04:37
  • msg #546

Re: Cosenza Downport

After twenty minutes of maneuvering the runabout into position, fetching and running cables in the subzero wind, and fussing with a corroded receptacle, the generator and computer systems once again have power.

Joxe examines the generator, determines that it's serviceable, and, after running a fuel line from the runabout, restarts it. "Well, it needs some adjustments, and I think the starter unit is pretty iffy, but it works."

The computer system is another matter. Joxe and Malcolm dive into it, working for the next half hour. Finally, they both step back and sigh in a duet of frustration. "It's toast," Malcolm growls.

"Yes, pretty much," Joxe agrees. "I'm sorry, Brent, but the system's lost some key components, and I can't repair or replace them."
Matt
player, 830 posts
Brent
Thu 9 Jul 2020
at 02:10
  • msg #547

Re: Cosenza Downport

Brent helps as he can although mostly by staying out of the way and on guard.  When the computers fail to come up to readable condition he sighs.  "Well, good work.  We did get a serviceable generator out of the deal.  Did you guys find anything in the rest of the building?  If not we'll collect the generator and check the hangars."
JR
GM, 913 posts
Thu 9 Jul 2020
at 04:29
  • msg #548

Re: Cosenza Downport

The search turns up nothing useful beyond the generator, which fits in the air raft's cargo area. Afterwards, they all retreat to the heated air raft's interior to consider their next move.

Cozensa Downport once anchored the end of a jump route that ran spinward halfway across the Diaspora Sector. As such, it had one of the four best starports on the main, that weren't actual shipyards. The facility once boasted a thriving transshipment business, along with heavy maintenance and repairs for the vessels that plied the main.

Since there were only four Imperial Navy facilities on the main - naval bases and shipyards at Gorky and Keipes, a scout base at Lefiguura, and a research station at Sittahr, there wasn't a lot of military shipping business to conduct.

Melina had located an infopage about the facility, and Joxe lifted off and climbed up high enough to survey the downport. The landing pads were on the west side of the plateau where the port was located. A range of low hills to the east provided some relief from the incessant wind, and, the startown, or what remained of it, lay at their foot.

The area had been hit by heavy bombardment weapons at least a half dozen times, and the startown was nothing but rubble. Many of the buildings marked as shops and supporting businesses were also heavily damaged, as were the repair facilities. Three hangars appear to be relatively undamaged, as was the control facility and the landing pads themselves.
Matt
player, 832 posts
Brent
Thu 9 Jul 2020
at 05:05
  • msg #549

Re: Cosenza Downport

Brent sighed at the evidence of destruction.  "The best things we could find here are the ship repair facilities but they seem to have been trashed badly.  Let's work our way through the hangars at least and then the least damaged of the repair facilities."  He looked over the information they had. "The star town is wiped out as well but is there a more civilian town we might check next?"
JR
GM, 915 posts
Thu 9 Jul 2020
at 13:44
  • msg #550

Re: Cosenza Downport

Joxe looks over her left shoulder to Melina, who is seated behind Brent.

"Uh, right," the petite brunette gulps as she looks down at her datapad. "Um, there aren't any other towns or communities here on the surface. They have, had, an orbital port, which is gone, and some asteroid mining facilities." She flips through some pages. "Most of the populace worked at the downport, though, maybe twenty-five out of thirty thousand."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:49, Thu 09 July 2020.
Matt
player, 834 posts
Brent
Fri 10 Jul 2020
at 01:42
  • msg #551

Re: Cosenza Downport

"And the downport is pretty trashed..." Brent frowned in conclusion.  "At least some lived for a little while.  We can't spend too much time here looking for them as they are either hiding or long dead."  He drove them over to the nearest of the hangars.  "Let's look through for salvage or the remote chance of survivors and then we'll depart."
JR
GM, 916 posts
Fri 10 Jul 2020
at 02:48
  • msg #552

Re: Cosenza Downport

On the way to the hangar, Joxe spots an intact building lying under the remains of a collapsed hangar, next to the largest of the mostly undamaged hangers. The group dismounts and begins their search.

The hangar contains a 600-ton liner that was undergoing heavy "D" maintenance, so it's drives and other machinery were all disassembled, and the powerplant was completely removed. A search of the ship yields nothing of value, and there is evidence of more equipment being removed as salvage, such as cut fluid lines and wiring bundles.

The hangar's workshop and the adjacent building yields the following items:

4 tons of TL-10 parts, 85% fully serviceable.
1 ton of TL-10 tools, 72% fully serviceable.
4 tons of TL-11 parts, 41% fully serviceable.
1 ton of TL-13 tools, 80% fully serviceable.
1 ton of TL-14 parts, 82% fully serviceable.
2 tons of TL-14 tools, 85% fully serviceable.

"These are all for the older and less common ships, you will note," Joxe explains. "The supplies that would fit Wanderer and the runabout are all gone, since they would have been the highest demand items."

OOG: If you want a crack at the die roller, there's a 5% chance of finding TL-15 parts, and a 10% chance of finding TL-12 parts. Roll a percentage for the quality, and 1d4 for the tonnages. You get two rolls total (one parts, and one tools) if you search the other four more-or-less intact hangars.

Matt
player, 836 posts
Brent
Sat 11 Jul 2020
at 01:03
  • msg #553

Re: Cosenza Downport

After a good deal of search Brent looks at the catalog of parts and tools that they'd found.  "I'd guess that this stuff would be useful somewhere but we'd need to match the tech level.  We can alway come back for it later if needed." He examines the evidence of scavenging and shakes his head.  "Let's just hope that however they passed if the survivors here did die off that it was easy."

Looking around further Brent encourages the group to keep digging into the nearby shops and hangars.  Eventually they come across a lift shaft partially covered with debris.  "Let's clear this off and see if there is anything that may have been missed in the basement."
JR
GM, 917 posts
Sat 11 Jul 2020
at 01:34
  • msg #554

Re: Cosenza Downport

Melina sighs and looks at the pile of debris. "Maybe the others can help, if they're careful?"

OOG: I haven't named the four new people yet, but there are two men and two women from the village aboard Wanderer. I'll try to work up avatars and names for them this weekend.
Matt
player, 839 posts
Brent
Sun 12 Jul 2020
at 02:34
  • msg #555

Re: Cosenza Downport

Brent chuckles; "This stuff is better than gold here in the Wilds."  He digs in.
JR
GM, 923 posts
Sun 12 Jul 2020
at 03:32
  • msg #556

Re: Cosenza Downport

An hour later, the reinforced group takes a break. They've managed to find another three tons of parts that will fit a ship like Wanderer, but there are none of the specialized tools to match what Joxe has on hand. About 65% of the parts are serviceable, meaning they can be put into immediate use, while the rest can supplement the fabricators' feed stocks.

"So," Joxe says as she looks at her handcomp, "that gives us twelve tons of parts, and another four tons of tools. Nine tons total is lower tech stuff, but there is still equipment around that uses it."
Matt
player, 843 posts
Brent
Sun 12 Jul 2020
at 04:48
  • msg #557

Re: Cosenza Downport

"Would any of the lower tech stuff be useful back on Execute?"
JR
GM, 926 posts
Sun 12 Jul 2020
at 18:00
  • msg #558

Re: Cosenza Downport

Joxe nods. "I think so, yes."
Matt
player, 845 posts
Brent
Mon 13 Jul 2020
at 06:28
  • msg #559

Re: Cosenza Downport

"Well then let's take it as well if we have room.  We can jump right back to Execute and drop this stuff off to help them bootstrap."
JR
GM, 928 posts
Mon 13 Jul 2020
at 18:09
  • msg #560

Re: Cosenza Downport

208-1402 - 2000

By evening, all of the tools and parts are loaded into Wanderer's cargo bay. This took until planetary nightfall, which means that the local outside temperature is now -100C.

While part of the team loaded the items using the ship's grav pallets and sheer muscle, the rest searched the remaining hangars, which turned up nothing useful, and no other ships. Most of the tools are stored in large toolboxes, and the parts are in containers the team scavenged from the local container storage yard.

Joxe inspected the starport's fuel system, and she discovered that it had been rigged with a standby generator, and it still had refined fuel in the storage tanks. The generator required some maintenance, but an hour later, it was pumping refined fuel through Wanderer's single-point refueling receptacle.

"I suppose we should leave the fueling system as it is," Joxe comments at dinner. "We may need it again, and the tanks will be full when we do."
Matt
player, 848 posts
Brent
Wed 15 Jul 2020
at 03:17
  • msg #561

Re: Cosenza Downport

Brent shook his head at the good fortune to find refined fuel.  He nodded in agreement.  "Definitely keep the fuelign system working.  It's good karma for whoever comes after us as well as being useful in the future."
JR
GM, 932 posts
Wed 15 Jul 2020
at 05:10
  • msg #562

Re: Cosenza Downport

After dinner, Joxe finishes the fueling process with Murla and Shunami assisting, and the three of them come back aboard after stowing the hoses and closing the fueling door.

They enter the crew common area from the lift. Murla shivers and rubs her arms as she steps out. "I know the suits are supposed to protect us, but I'm still so cold!"

"It's really, really cold out there," Joxe agrees. "Brent, we're closed up and ready to fly."

Everyone takes their stations, and both ships are ready to go with full tanks. It will take about four hours to reach the 100 diameters point so they can jump out.
Matt
player, 851 posts
Brent
Wed 15 Jul 2020
at 05:22
  • msg #563

Re: Cosenza Downport

Bent nods and then checks the instruments. "All Green.  Everyone strap in and we'll get out of here.  It's more than cold here."  He waited for everyone for prepare and then took them to orbit.
JR
GM, 934 posts
Wed 15 Jul 2020
at 15:04
  • msg #564

Leaving Cosenza Mainworld

"Where are we going, now?" Radshir piped up over the comm as the runabout held a loose formation with Wanderer.
This message was last updated by the GM at 15:05, Wed 15 July 2020.
Matt
player, 852 posts
Brent
Sun 19 Jul 2020
at 21:54
  • msg #565

Leaving Cosenza Mainworld

Brent thought. "I think we should examine Promise.  It was the powerhouse of the local area.  We can Jump to the interdicted world and then to Udone and then Promise."
JR
GM, 935 posts
Mon 20 Jul 2020
at 01:34
  • msg #566

Leaving Cosenza Mainworld

Joxe studies the charts for a few moments. "The runabout can make the jump, but we can't," Joxe says. "Oh, we can jump, refuel, and jump again, but there's no information on inter-stellar objects in our target area. If there is something out there with a small gravity field, we could pop out with it right in front of us."

"Also, the runabout will be stranded at the destination until we can get there to refuel it. Jumping with it into the empty area is almost impossible to coordinate. They would likely end up lost. If anything happens to us, they're dead, too."

She shrugs. "There were instances of supply bases that were established between remote star systems, but that was only done if there was a stellar mass, like a brown dwarf, to base the jumps on."
Matt
player, 854 posts
Brent
Mon 20 Jul 2020
at 04:55
  • msg #567

Leaving Cosenza Mainworld

Brent nods slowly.  "Well then, let's work our way down to to Kidde."

JR
GM, 937 posts
Mon 20 Jul 2020
at 14:32
  • msg #568

Leaving Cosenza Mainworld

"How about Gorky?" Naimh suggests. "It has, had, one of the two Navy bases in the Main, other than Keipes, and we sure don't want to go there. I attended a few medical conventions there, and it was a nice place."

Melina pulls up the system data. "Okay, the main world is an airless dustball and it has one gas giant, plus an asteroid belt. Most of the system's habitats orbited the gas giant, and many were built on the planet's moons."

"I remember that," Naimh replies. "The medical facility was built inside a small moon, and I remember commenting that it was heavily protected. My colleague said that it could stand off nearly any attack. Brent, maybe it's still there!"

"Daraianne and Possin both had shipyards, too," Kevin points out, "and they weren't navy bases. Neither planet is habitable without tech, though. It might be possible that some of the habitats survived, though."

"I don't know," Joxe says. "As I recall, the shipyards were close to the orbital habitats in both systems. It would have been simple to wipe most of their infrastructure out in a single attack, like we've seen before."

"Let's focus on going to Kide, like Brent said," Malcolm puts in.

"Okay," Kevin replies. He begins the process of working up the jump. "I have the course back to Sittahr's outermost gas giant, when you're ready, Brent."
Matt
player, 856 posts
Brent
Thu 23 Jul 2020
at 02:46
  • msg #569

Leaving Cosenza Mainworld

Brent thinks.  "I was avoiding the inhospitable worlds because... well... they are likely to be smashed.  Of course Egg survived."  He paused again.  "Let's go to Gorky then as it may be worth rooting around for equipment if nothing else.  Then we can head back down the main to Kidde.  I think we should double back to Execute first though and drop off the tools and equipment.  It may help them bootstrap."
JR
GM, 941 posts
Thu 23 Jul 2020
at 04:38
  • msg #570

Back at Execute

232-1402 1200

Brent and Joxe sit back from the remains of their lunch in the village dining hall, having landed just an hour earlier. The villagers, and Gareth, too, were happy to hear about the equipment and materials recovered from Cosenza.

"I can certainly use some of those tools and parts," Gareth says. "I've made some progress, but this will help a lot." He sits back with a glass of the village's excellent beer in hand.
"Oh, I almost forgot," he says with a lurking grin. "As of this morning, we have 52 tons of ore gathered up. It's still at a five percent concentration, but it's ready to load."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:46, Thu 23 July 2020.
Matt
player, 857 posts
Brent
Sat 25 Jul 2020
at 01:33
  • msg #571

Re: Back at Execute

Brent enjoys the fresh, well brewed beer as they sit for lunch.  The breezy outdoors is still a new concept to him but he is getting used to the fresh air and openness.  "Keep what you need of the parts and tools.  We also found a nice fusion power plant that will work nicely with a little bit of love."  He frowned slowly at the thought of the ore. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to go back to Egg.  They'll seize Joxe's ship for sure.  We'll need more leverage with them I think."
JR
GM, 942 posts
Sat 25 Jul 2020
at 02:04
  • msg #572

Re: Back at Execute

Eleni looks at Radshir. "How about doing it the way they trap animals?"

"Huh?" She sets her glass down and looks at her cousin. "What do you mean?"

"They set a trap, and then they leave food in it. Like, they set it down and go away so the animal can come to it. The animal can smell it, or see it, but the traps are hidden." The teen looks at the adults. "Does that make sense?"

Malcolm and Veronica share a look. "I don't know," the blonde says. "We never tried to trap any of our animals. They all just come up to us."
Matt
player, 861 posts
Brent
Sun 26 Jul 2020
at 01:57
  • msg #573

Re: Back at Execute

Brent frowned as the thought of trapping animals in the wild unsettled him.  Certainly it was nothing liek the controlled environments on Egg.  "What do you mean a trap?  Are you thinking we can somehow bait the people at Egg?"
JR
GM, 946 posts
Sun 26 Jul 2020
at 02:13
  • msg #574

Re: Back at Execute

"No, no, no," Eleni exclaims as she waves her hands. "What I mean is, they leave the food, the bait. They set it down, and then they leave so that the animal can come get it. Then, later, the animal, it can smell the food, and it can find it, but the people who put it there are gone so the animal won't hurt them, or be scared off."

She looks at Brent. "Can't you do the same thing with the stuff you want to take home?"
Matt
player, 862 posts
Brent
Sun 26 Jul 2020
at 02:24
  • msg #575

Re: Back at Execute

Brent thought for a moment... "That's..." he had to process the idea.  "We could dump the ore on an inbound vector with a beacon on it and an explanation. " He smiled. "That would work.  And if they build their own ships they won't be gung ho to take Joxe's."
JR
GM, 948 posts
Sun 26 Jul 2020
at 03:08
  • msg #576

Re: Back at Execute

"We can use one of the containers we collected," Joxe says. "I'll rig a beacon on it, and set it to activate just before we jump out."

"What keeps them from coming out and finding us," Gareth asks.
Matt
player, 864 posts
Brent
Mon 27 Jul 2020
at 02:35
  • msg #577

Re: Back at Execute

Brent nodded in agreement to Joxe.  "We definitely need to be wary of interception.  The idea would be to Jump into the Oort cloud but well off the ecliptic.  There wouldn't be anything within weeks even at maximum burn.  We refuel and let the container go.  If we manage it right we can Jump in with a good vector headed in-system.  The beacon will have to be powerful but if we broadcast on the emergency frequency they'll pick it up."  He looked at the others.  "Any holes in that plan?"  He laughed... "We'll add a bill for fifty thousand credits a ton to the load!"
JR
GM, 951 posts
Mon 27 Jul 2020
at 02:45
  • msg #578

Re: Back at Execute

"What keeps them from coming out here to Execute once they get a starship running?" Gareth repeats.
Matt
player, 867 posts
Brent
Mon 27 Jul 2020
at 02:50
  • msg #579

Re: Back at Execute

Brent frowned. "Nothing would stop them.  At some point we've got to rebuild the interstellar trading network and Egg is probably the best choice to do it.  They have a stable political system that won't go crazy and the heft of an industrial base that can build things.  Once they get things going they'll actually protect this planet.  They do respect private property."  He took a deep breath.  "It's a big step.  We can ask the locals what they want to do as well as it will affect them when the first star ships arrive."
JR
GM, 952 posts
Mon 27 Jul 2020
at 03:28
  • msg #580

Re: Back at Execute

Gareth looks at Brent for a moment, and then he sighs. "Yeah, you're right. Besides, we're only sending enough for a couple of scouts, or a trader. it's not like they can take over with that."

"Who can take over what," Malcolm asks as he walks up to the table.

"We're discussing how to give lanthanum to Egg. They might come out and take over."

"I doubt that," Malcolm replies with a chuckle. "They still have a half dozen Type A scouts in storage that someone decided to keep after they'd scavenged the jump drives for parts to keep others running. Then, everything that could leave did, and they scrapped or modified the other ships for in-system use."

"And how do you know that?" Joxe asks.

"My aunt runs the storage facility," Malcolm replies simply.
Matt
player, 868 posts
Brent
Mon 27 Jul 2020
at 04:02
  • msg #581

Re: Back at Execute

Brent shook his head.  "I didn't know what they had left but anything sitting in storage for that long has going to need a lot of general overhaul before they canfor tech use them.  We'll offer a partnership for lanthanum for tech.  Frankly Egg will be more focused on scavenging the dead, high tech worlds than taking things over here.  If we work things out they'll leave folks here be I think."
JR
GM, 953 posts
Mon 27 Jul 2020
at 04:43
  • msg #582

Re: Back at Execute

Brent gets nods of agreement all around on that point.

"Should we just drop the cargo container at one of the gas giants? If we put it too far out, it will take them months to catch it," Malcolm points out. "It will take them a while to fabricate a working drive. Although, my aunt said she'd managed to replicate a lot of the jump drive's parts from the ships' maintenance and repair manuals. All she needed was the lanthanum."
Matt
player, 870 posts
Brent
Tue 28 Jul 2020
at 02:51
  • msg #583

Re: Back at Execute

Brent thought to himself.  "We'd just have to be careful enough to Jump far enough out that none of the traffic around the gas giant could catch us before we refuel." He thought a bit about in-system traffic patterns and what might work best.
JR
GM, 956 posts
Tue 28 Jul 2020
at 04:59
  • msg #584

Re: Back at Execute

Malcolm thinks for a moment. "We could go straight to the storage facility I told you about. It orbits Tala, which is at least six months out from the main belt. It has docking and fueling facilities, and it's not armed."

Brent has been to Tala twice on cargo runs. The gas giant's resources are sparser than Jora's, but it supports about a thousand people in three habitats. The major draw is small deposits of rare metals - not lanthanum, as it was mined out - that the locals send in-system once or twice a year.

Oddly, Tala has the reputation of being a backwater, which was something of a puzzle to Brent. The people were generally friendly, and they were certainly not poor. There are no armed ships or stations, and the only traffic is small local craft and the occasional freighter from in-system.
Matt
player, 872 posts
Brent
Wed 29 Jul 2020
at 03:40
  • msg #585

Re: Back at Execute

Brent considers and then nods. "Tala makes sense then.  We can Jump in and refuel and then communicate with the locals at the station there."
JR
GM, 959 posts
Wed 29 Jul 2020
at 04:44
  • msg #586

Re: Back at Execute

"I can fill the containers and load them by the end of the day tomorrow," Gareth says. "Are we holding the runabout here?"
Matt
player, 874 posts
Brent
Thu 30 Jul 2020
at 03:38
  • msg #587

Re: Back at Execute

Brent looked at the two girls. "I see no reason to risk the runabout."
JR
GM, 960 posts
Thu 30 Jul 2020
at 06:37
  • msg #588

Re: Back at Execute

"We can wait here," Radshir says. "We know some of the people, and it's fine."
Matt
player, 875 posts
Brent
Thu 30 Jul 2020
at 14:54
  • msg #589

Re: Back at Execute

Brent nodded.  "It would be simpler to have just one ship traveling.  We'll deliver the lanthanum and continue our exploration of the Main then.  Any other thoughts or questions?"
JR
GM, 961 posts
Thu 30 Jul 2020
at 18:29
  • msg #590

Re: Back at Execute

A soft chorus of negative answers circles the table.
Matt
player, 877 posts
Brent
Fri 31 Jul 2020
at 04:04
  • msg #591

Re: Back at Execute

Brent smiled.  "Well, that works out well.  Now it's time for lunch I think. We'll leave tomorrow or the day after."

JR
GM, 963 posts
Fri 31 Jul 2020
at 16:06
  • msg #592

Re: Back at Execute

233-1402 1700

The crew sits down for dinner after arriving back at the village from their short hop to load the ore. Gareth, as he'd promised, has loaded a cargo container with 35DT of 5% lanthanum ore, and they had secured it in the cargo bay, carefully accounting for the mass and balance of the compact but very heavy load.

Joxe had dug into the ship's archives for information on the Type 'A' scout ship that Malcolm had seen at the storage facility. They were an older design (OOG: TL-11), capable of a two-parsec jump, and they had a 30-ton cargo capacity using purpose-built modules. The modules allowed the ships to be reconfigured for a variety of missions. According to her calculations, the facility would need 25 tons of the ore to extract enough lanthanum stock to rebuild one jump drive.

After the meal, one of the village elders speaks. "Do you plan to return here after your trip home?"
Matt
player, 878 posts
Brent
Sat 1 Aug 2020
at 02:26
  • msg #593

Re: Back at Execute

Brent looked at the data.  "Well, that will let them get at least one ship running.  How long do you think it might take them to get it built and tested Gareth?  I'd guess six months at least."

He looked the elders.  "I think we'll be back through.  We need to head down the other leg of the main still."
JR
GM, 964 posts
Sat 1 Aug 2020
at 03:11
  • msg #594

Re: Back at Execute

Gareth shrugs as he thinks. "It might be less time, it all depends on what tools she has on hand. The big one will be smelting the ore."

"There is a processing facility at Tala. They handle rare earths, so I'd think they could process lanthanum," Malcolm says.

"Yes, they certainly could," Gareth replies. "Once we get that fusion generator running, I'll be able to supply 75% pure metal instead of the ore. That will help, too."

"Maybe we can visit Gorky," Naimh says hopefully.
Matt
player, 879 posts
Brent
Sat 1 Aug 2020
at 23:40
  • msg #595

Re: Back at Execute

Brent listened to the conversation. "The smelting should go quickly but I was more thinking about the building of the jump grids and refurbishing the drives and ships themselves."

He looked at Niamh; "We'll definitely swing by Gorky."
JR
GM, 965 posts
Sun 2 Aug 2020
at 01:36
  • msg #596

Re: Back at Execute

"It comes down to what they have to work with," Joxe says. "There's no way to tell until we ask Malcolm's aunt."

Malcolm and Gareth nod in agreement.
Matt
player, 880 posts
Brent
Sun 2 Aug 2020
at 05:47
  • msg #597

Re: Back at Execute

"If the authorities will be slow to respond then by all means I'm opening to talking to Malcolm's aunt while we linger in the system.  We'll not close with the station though unless things are very safe."
JR
GM, 966 posts
Sun 2 Aug 2020
at 13:12
  • msg #598

Re: Back at Execute

"We will start the fuel transfer as soon as we emerge," Joxe says.

"I will contact my aunt while you do that," Malcolm replies, "and if she waves us off, we can drop the container and jump back out."
Matt
player, 881 posts
Brent
Sun 2 Aug 2020
at 23:56
  • msg #599

Re: Back at Execute

Brent does some quick math in his head.  "We'll Jump far enough out that we can refuel and get out if they are hostile for some reason.  I'd like to carry on a civilized conversation with them."
JR
GM, 967 posts
Mon 3 Aug 2020
at 01:22
  • msg #600

Re: Back at Execute

Gareth snorts. "Good luck."

"Oh, they're not that bad," Veronica replies with a chuckle. She had been content to sit next to Naimh and listen in. "Are we leaving right away?"
Matt
player, 883 posts
Brent
Mon 3 Aug 2020
at 03:47
  • msg #601

Re: Back at Execute

Brent nodded; "We leave as soon as the ore is ready."
JR
GM, 970 posts
Mon 3 Aug 2020
at 14:08
  • msg #602

Re: Back at Execute

"I'll double check the holdowns, but it's secured," Joxe says. "I'll work on the cargo container's beacon package during the jump."
Matt
player, 885 posts
Brent
Tue 4 Aug 2020
at 04:14
  • msg #603

Re: Back at Execute

"We'll have to make a couple of Jumps to get to Egg so there will be time to fine tune things."
JR
GM, 972 posts
Tue 4 Aug 2020
at 05:19
  • msg #604

Coming Home

OOG: Moving things ahead a bit - please add in anything you'd like in between now and your arrival in the Egg System. We can change the following narrative as needed.

IG:

255-1402 1245

The hyperspace bubble outside of Wanderer's bridge windows flickers as bolts of purple and blue lightning flow across the collapsing construct made of something that only hyperspace physicists truly understood. Then, it is gone, and the striped blue and white sphere of Tala dominates the left side of the viewing area. The terminator shows starkly at the midpoint of the hemisphere facing them, as they are inbound on an orbit that will pass on the giant planet's night side.

Brent sits and listens as the reports flow in, confirming what his own displays show - they are right on an inbound vector to intercept Tala Research Station One (as if there would be two of them out here), and Joxe is transferring fuel to the tanks as the jump drive recycles. Naimh reports that the nearest ship is a small intra-station vessel well ahead of them in orbit, and there's no data showing any warships are about. Veronica reports that the cargo bay has been depressurized, and the container is ready to release, if needed.

The three-week trip here had been routine but busy, as the crew continued to train in their respective specialties. The refueling stop at Khesanadu had been bittersweet, and Namih asked Brent to overfly the place she'd been entombed after they'd refueled.

Now, Melina looks at Brent from her seat to his right. "We're ready to communicate with Malcolm's aunt at your word."
Matt
player, 887 posts
Brent
Wed 5 Aug 2020
at 02:30
  • msg #605

Coming Home

Brent worked hard on astrogation and engineering systems during the trip back to Egg.  He had work to do both to learn the intricacies of Jump navigation and the nuances of the higher technology aboard their new home.  When they came out of Jump in the Egg system Brent sighed with a mixture of homesickness and worry as the dual stars shone in the viewscreen.  When the all clear is called he relaxes.  "Ok, sounds good.  Let's get the fueling done and I'll plot a provisional Jump out so we have a hot solution that only needs updating.  We'll not stray too far inside the 100D limit until we're sure of things."

Gathering his thoughts he nods to Melina. "Go ahead and send the message to Malcolm's aunt.  Identify ourselves and that we are back in system to share lanthanum with all the people of Egg.  See if we can arrange a peaceful meeting.  If you can get her on the comm that would be best."
JR
GM, 973 posts
Wed 5 Aug 2020
at 03:05
  • msg #606

Coming Home

OOG: Brent increases his Navigation skill to 16, which will also give a boost to his students as they learn from him.

IG: After ten minutes of waiting, and a conversation between Malcolm and his aunt, an older woman with skin a couple of shades lighter than Murla's, where he relates a condensed version of their adventures over the last four and a half months, she focuses on Brent.

"I had heard something about a ship that jumped out, but no one knew how it came to be here. And now, you're back." She smiles widely. "There are exactly fifty people on this station, and the only weapons we have are some old Imperial laser pistols that stopped working a century ago. We do have plenty of refined hydrogen available, though. I understand if you don't want to dock; we have lighters we use to work outside the station to carry people back and forth."

"Either way, we're thrilled to have the lanthanum, although I don't know what I could offer in payment."
Matt
player, 889 posts
Brent
Wed 5 Aug 2020
at 05:57
  • msg #607

Re: Coming Home

Brent relaxes a bit at the friendly reception.  He continues to the conversation as he turns the ship toward the station.  "We're on a bit of a mission to bring prosperity, freedom and security to the Main.  It might be a bit Quixotic but it's what we're about.  We weren't sure of our reception and didn't want to get seized in the rush to get the tech and capability.  Still, Egg is the best bet along the Main so far to get things started again."  He thinks for a bit.  "We'll take fuel, lighters would be best as we trust you but no one else for the time being.  As for pay, let's say that Egg can repay what we are giving by offering the planet from which this came from technical assistance.  And not in the fashion of taking over but true assistance."

OOG:  Nice skill bump!
JR
GM, 976 posts
Wed 5 Aug 2020
at 15:10
  • msg #608

Re: Coming Home

An hour later, Wanderer lies at rest ten kilometers from Tala Station, a kilometer-wide rotating habitat with an oversized central hub. Six wedge-shaped ships, each nearly as long as Wanderer, are docked at the hub, attached by access arms to the hub itself.

Malcolm's aunt shows up at the airlock on the first lighter, and she nearly strangles Malcolm in a fierce hug, which has the dignified man blushing to the top of his bald head. "I'm Trudy," she exclaims to one and all.

"Aunt Trudy, this is my fiancée, Melina."

"Hello," Melina says with a nervous smile.

"Oh, you're as cute as a bug," Trudy says as she gives the girl a more restrained hug. "How did you managed to catch my stuffy nephew, anyway?"

Melina blushes, and Malcolm rolls his eyes. "Auntie," he sighs.

"Oh very well," Trudy relents. She picks Brent out of the group at the airlock. "You're Brent? Welcome home." She smiles and puts out her hand. "I'm Trudy Westmoreland, head person in charge of Tala Station."
Matt
player, 891 posts
Brent
Fri 7 Aug 2020
at 02:39
  • msg #609

Re: Coming Home

Brent is wary as they approach but as things stay peaceful he relaxes a bit.  When Malcolm's aunt boards he smiles as she greets both him and Melina.  It seems she was open and honest which made him more comfortable.  Holding his hand out in return greeting Brent smiled. "Than you Trudy, I'm Brent and mostly captain on the ship."  He introduced the others to her.  "We're glad we can come back in peace, at least here and now."

He made special mention of Joxe. "This is my wife.  She is the original owner and crew of the ship we are on."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Fri 07 Aug 2020.
JR
GM, 978 posts
Fri 7 Aug 2020
at 03:05
  • msg #610

Re: Coming Home

Trudy shakes each person's hand as they are introduced. When Brent makes is comment, she nods.

"I know that you think the authorities would take your ship if they could, and you are wise to not tell them about it just yet. As a precaution, I've imposed a security blackout about your visit. We want to restore our scouts; that will be better for us than stealing someone's private property."

"We brought enough ore to yield one point seven five metric tons of pure lanthanum," Joxe says. "That should be enough for one of the scouts. It's in a standard container."

"It is," Trudy nods again. "It might give us enough to start on a second one, too. I'll have the container carrier come out and transship it when you're ready."
Matt
player, 895 posts
Brent
Fri 7 Aug 2020
at 22:32
  • msg #611

Re: Coming Home

Brent nods.  "Go ahead and have the carrier come out and we'll get the transshipment going."  He pauses for a moment and then smiles.  "What if you were to register the ship in the Egg system?  I'm a citizen, Malcolm is as well.  Once registered we'll be protected against all but the most powerful attempts to take Joxe's property."
JR
GM, 980 posts
Sat 8 Aug 2020
at 03:08
  • msg #612

Re: Coming Home

"Consider it done," Trudy says with a grin. "I'm hoping to put one of the scouts back in service, and do some jumps of our own. Excuse me for a moment." She steps aside and speaks into her comm, ordering the transport ship to collect the ore container. She then turns back to Brent. "If you'd like to see the station and our ships, you're always welcome."

"I can update your charts for you," Joxe offers. "There isn't much out there except for gas giants and planetary water sources like lakes to refuel from, though."

"I so much want to stand on a real planet," Trudy sighs. "Maybe I will get the chance. Oh, I will send the fuel tanker out, too. We don't have a berthing space large enough for this ship, anyway."

"I'd like to go to the station with Melina," Malcolm says. "If that's okay."

"And I'd like to contact my and Gareth's families," Veronica puts in. "I want to introduce Naimh."
Matt
player, 897 posts
Brent
Sat 8 Aug 2020
at 17:40
  • msg #613

Re: Coming Home

Brent nodded.  "We're grateful to you Trudy.  It should make things much easier in the future." He considered things.  "A scout would be easiest to use.  You've got a lot of hulls to use as spares and the ship is tough and has decent legs.  Let's finish unloading and fueling and then we'll bring the ship in close enough to run a flexible docking tube if you have the capability.  That will save us suiting up."  He looked at the others. "It looks like we all have some catching up to do and once the registration is complete this might be as good as any time and place to talk to the system authorities.  The lanthanum is yours but we can make arrangements to bring back more and start talks about how to integrate everyone else into the Main."

He looked at Joxe.  "I'd like to introduce you to my family.  My parents are still alive and I have an older sister who is married and sharing in running a system transport."
JR
GM, 983 posts
Sat 8 Aug 2020
at 18:56
  • msg #614

Re: Coming Home


The cargo shuttle comes to take the ore to the smelter, which is located a hundred kilometers in trail of the station, and the fuel tanker arrives to top up Wanderer's tanks with refined liquid hydrogen.

After the ship is secure, Trudy gives everyone ID cards and passes that allows them access to the station, excepting their power room and the maintenance tunnels. They all get a safety briefing about fires and decompression, and Joxe posts a watch rotation for Wanderer's crew.

The station is a typical example of the Egg-ian design philosophy, that being lots of open spaces in the wheel-like structure, although it's small compared to what Brent and the other Egg natives grew up with. The wheel's spin provides gravity without plates in the main habitat, but the station's central section also has grav plates in the main access areas.

The station's crew is pleased to meet the folks from other star systems, and everyone is peppered with questions about "what is it like out there?" They are equally saddened by the lack of people and facilities, and relived to hear that there are other people (and real planets!) that are thriving.

The crew is assigned to a section of rooms with their own common area and galley, to use as they see fit. They are also given tours of every part of the station they want to see, along with tours of the scout ships. The scouts are older Imperial designs, and they have been lovingly restored to pristine condition. Literally all they need is the lanthanum to fabricate critical jump grid components, and they will be ready for their flight trials.

Joxe estimates privately that it will take them a month, though the station's chief engineer insists that he can do it in three weeks. The only flies in their ointment are that they don't have any experienced jump-certified navigators, nor an engineer who is certified to inspect and sign off jump drives for hyperspace flight.

Everyone has a chance to contact family despite the two-minute one-way communications delay from Tala, through relay stations, and then to the habitats in the inner system's asteroid belt. Their relatives are overjoyed to hear from them, and they are also eager to see the new significant others. Brent's sister is in mid-flight to Jora from the inner belt, and so she's sad to not be able to see her brother for some time. His parents are fascinated with Joxe, since she's the first Imperial they've ever met. They're saddened to hear her story, but they welcome her into the family.

When Brent is ready, Trudy arranges a meeting with government representatives, including the deputy First Minister, military officers, and a high court justice to discuss how the Egg System's interests should be presented to the people of Execute, Sittahr, and anyone else they may meet.
Matt
player, 901 posts
Brent
Thu 13 Aug 2020
at 03:24
  • msg #615

Re: Coming Home

Brent leads the others over to the station.  He speaks privately to Trudy about the value of the cargo.  "We did this largely to restart commerce and civilization but there should be some value to the lanthanum.  The owners of it are the people of Execute and they should receive the credit for the value which should be useful in dealing with Egg and rebuilding.  I'm not sure how to even put a price on what we have brought and I don't want to be mercenary.  Some credit should be given to those staying behind to help. I'm sure they will prove to be invaluable to you in getting the ships working again but I'd like to see that they have a starting stake to keep them comfortable."  He looked at Joxe.  "We intend to continue searching the Main for survivors and some explanation of what happened but a ship is expensive to operate.  If you can help us with supplies now and maintenance support in the future it would be greatly appreciated.  Lastly we have some TL-10 and 11 tools and equipment that we salvaged that might be valuable to you in getting the ships space worthy.  We'd like to see if you can use any of it."

He enjoys the time on the station and mixing with people from his homeworld.  Brent talks as much as he can and openly shares most of what they had seen.  The remote reunion with his family is joyous as he proudly introduces them to Joxe.

During the discussions with the Egg government Brent lays out the devastation of the surrounding systems and the work that will be required to reintegrate the remaining worlds into a viable culture.  He asks that Egg in particular respect the sovereignty of the smaller systems as it will be in the long term interests of everyone that relations be built on trust and equality.  He also states that the Wanderer was going to continue to scout the Main both for life and signs of danger.  He offers to be back in a month to provide Joxe's engineering experience and what Brent has learned of astrogation to get the first Egg starship settled and launched.
JR
GM, 988 posts
Thu 13 Aug 2020
at 16:50
  • msg #616

At Tala Station

Trudy offers to draw up a contract for the station to support Wanderer's maintenance needs at no cost, for as long as the ship is in service with Joxe, Brent, and their descendants. "It's the least I can do in payment for your services," she explains.

They find that the station has most of the tools they need, although there are a few tools specific to jump drives, that they did not have.

Everyone is fascinated with the Imperials, and with the offworlders. There are gifts offered "to take home with you", and the folk from Execute are overawed by the technology around them.

Privately, though, Melina has some reservations. "I don't know that we're ready for all of this back home. This is great, but I liked my life before. " She smiles at Malcolm. "Don't misunderstand, I'm not advocating to move back home, but it will take me some time to adjust. My point is, many of the people at home take the lessons of the past to heart, and I've heard talk about not wanting to embrace that again." She takes Malcolm's hand. "I am committed to you, and I really don't care where we live, as long as we're together."

"That's doubly true for Radshir's people," Kevin says. "Emii and I have talked to them, and their people are still angry about the raiders from two hundred years ago. That was Keipes, but I think the distinction is lost on them."

The meeting with the government officials takes three hours. The high points are:

Joxe, Naimh, and Melina tell their stories about how they arrived here at Egg. They are met with appropriate sentiments, especially for Joxe, who garners an explicit promise that no official or officer from Egg will ever touch her ship except for needed customs inspections. Of course, Wanderer and her company are welcome to make themselves available for government service in any capacity they wish, but it won't be demanded of them. One acute need they could fill would be to instruct pilots, engineers, and navigators in jump space operations. Joxe offers to provide some of their advanced learning equipment to aid in that effort, which is gratefully accepted.

OOG: I'll leave it to you to mention the runabout, or not.

Brent, Malcolm, and Veronica are welcomed home, and they tell their story about how they came to be aboard the then-Concordia. There are a few poorly-hidden smiles in reaction, but there will be no repercussions from their former employers.

The four companions remaining behind will, with their acceptance, be inducted into the newly formed Egg Scout Service. Between them, they have skill enough to fly and navigate the scout ship to known and plotted destinations. They will return to Egg with the first repaired scout ship, there to negotiate with the people of Execute for more lanthanum, in exchange for whatever tech they'd like to have.

The government desires to open diplomatic relations with Execute. They will consult with the five villagers, and they ask that Wanderer transport a diplomatic mission, personnel, equipment, light grav vehicles, and temporary housing, on their return trip to Execute.

The government is concerned about Keipes and other possible hostile polities. Their position is that they will ramp up their efforts to fortify the system using SDBs and defenses focused on likely jump arrival points. They are loathe to immediately offer military aid to other star systems, at least until they have an idea of what they may be facing. To that end, they are interested in obtaining intelligence, though the military recommends that Wanderer not approach Keipes, given their history, and that they were conducting raids, indicating that they probably survived the Devastation. Intelligence gathering will be assigned to the new scout service, as their ships come online.

The government is interested in discovering and salvaging high tech items, and they are willing to supply whatever any outside ships might require in payment. Tala Station will be the clearinghouse for these trades, as the project is also assigned to the scout service.

OOG: Did I miss anything?
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:20, Thu 13 Aug 2020.
Matt
player, 903 posts
Brent
Sat 15 Aug 2020
at 01:32
  • msg #617

At Tala Station

Brent is pleased with the arrangement with Trudy and thanks her greatly.

He offers to take the diplomatic team back to Execute immediately.  He also offers to carry trainees with them as well to spend the outbound voyage learning piloting and engineering.  They can then return to Egg in the first scout.

Brent will reconsider heading to Keipes and agree that it is likely too dangerous.  He does suggest that they can head to Sittahr and Gorky and along that branch of the Main to scout for salvage.
JR
GM, 990 posts
Sat 15 Aug 2020
at 02:22
  • msg #618

Egg to Execute

OOG: Please add in anything else you'd like to do between these dates. We can adjust the arrival date and time accordingly.

284-1402 1015

Wanderer and her company are once again parked at the village on Execute, next to the runabout. By now, the villagers have assembled a corduroy landing pad to keep the ships from sinking into the ground despite their broad landing pads. It has been two hours since they arrived, and there is a beehive of activity going on around the ship.

They had spent a week at Tala Station while Joxe worked with the shipyard engineers on the finer points of jump drive grid fabrication. The trader made a wonderful training tool, and the station's engineers had swarmed over its hull like ants, with Joxe, Veronica and Brent as teachers and tour guides.

By the time they'd left, the foundry had presented the processed lanthanum in a stack of thin ingots that, when stacked together, looked like a small side table. The four companions staying behind said their goodbyes, while four new recruits from Egg reported aboard to begin their studies.

Also, there was the delegation, which took the ten remaining berthing spaces aboard. They were a mixture of ages and specialties, but they were very good at caring for their own needs, especially once the commissary units were described to them.

The trip was an unrelenting schooling session for Brent and Joxe. The Execute people were proficient enough to stand watches, and to help with the training, but the bulk of the duty fell to the couple. Fortunately, the Egg recruits were all seasoned spacers, and highly trained in their available tech. Still, the advanced systems on Wanderer were a significant step forward, and jump navigation was new to them.

Everyone aboard was very glad to arrive on Execute. Brent and Joxe are dog-tired, the Execute people want to see their families, and the Egg people are all gobsmacked at the experience of a planet they can actually walk around on.

The delegates immediately begin unloading their equipment with the pair of grav cargo trucks and the three air rafts they've brought along. The lead delegate has closeted herself with the village leaders, along with Gareth and Radshir.

Joxe steps out of the lift and into the galley. "I need to sleep, and I need breakfast, and I don't care what order it's in." She serves herself a cup of coffee and sags against the counter.
Matt
player, 905 posts
Brent
Sun 16 Aug 2020
at 02:30
  • msg #619

Egg to Execute

Brent nodded wearily as he reaches across Joxe to pour himself a cup of coffee as well.  He kisses her cheek and smiles.  "Breakfast and then sleep I think."  He took a deep breath and looked around.  "We've done well, things are off to a good start even though there are still fears and suspicions.  We need to find out what happened to your family and what is lurking out at Keipes."

OOC: That's all perfectly summarized!
JR
GM, 991 posts
Sun 16 Aug 2020
at 05:42
  • msg #620

At Execute

Joxe smiles, sets her cup down, and hugs Brent. "Have I told you lately how much I love you? I'm glad your family likes me, but I'd really like to know what happened to my parents." She sighs. "I don't know about Keipes. We do have to find out about them sooner or later, I know." She straightens. "Now, feed me and take me to bed."

Brent and Joxe get an entire day to themselves. Mysteriously, no one has any pressing need to see them, although they do have an invitation to breakfast for the following morning.

The next morning, they awaken to find that the delegation has transferred their operation to their modular buildings, which are now located in the village near the main hall. A collection of grav vehicles contrasts sharply with the villagers' animal-drawn carts and wagons, and Brent sees Gareth alighting from a grav truck that was salvaged and repaired from the village's old vehicles.

During breakfast, Eleni and Murla sit down across from Brent and Joxe. "We found something you should see," Eleni says. Murla takes out her datapad and turns it so Brent and Joxe can see it. "The engineers from Egg toured the runabout yesterday afternoon," Murla explains. "They asked us about the builder's plate, since all ships have one."

"That's right," Joxe says. "Ours is next to the powerplant."

"We crawled all over the ship, and we found it near the port jump drive field conduit," Eleni smiles. "Here's a picture. Notice the builder's name."

Brent sees that it reads "ARG Gorky".

Murla swipes the pad to show another document. "Here's where it gets interesting. We ran that though the runabout's computer, and it shows that ARG, which is Adair und Ritterburg, GmBH, by the way..."

"Which is mine and Radshir's names," Eleni injects.

"I'm getting to that, Eleni. It's their names, but that's the company shipyard at Gorky, which is in the runabout's database. The really interesting part is, the shipyard isn't listed on any of Wanderer's data about Gorky. Now, Gorky was a military installation, but a lot of companies still listed their facilities, even if they didn't give locations. You know, "we proudly support the Navy with our shipyard" kind of thing. This one," she taps the tablet, "isn't mentioned at all in public records."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:56, Sun 16 Aug 2020.
Matt
player, 907 posts
Brent
Mon 17 Aug 2020
at 03:52
  • msg #621

At Execute

Brent laughed and with an arm around Joxe's waist takes her off with him for breakfast and a day and night of relaxation.  "Now that things are moving independently we aren't the most important thing in space.  Egg and the folks here will see that things continue to expand.  Now that we've done our duty it's time to look to our own issues and your parents are number one."

Later as they spoke to the girls about the runabout Brent perked up. "So we have a high tech ship with some kind of hidden programming built at a shipyard that is off the standard database.  We should definitely investigate as there might be considerable capability that might have survived.  The runabout might have a lot more data in its banks on where it was built and why it jumped here.  I think we need to have a talk with the computer."

JR
GM, 994 posts
Mon 17 Aug 2020
at 15:36
  • msg #622

Execute - Searching the Runabout's Database

285-1402 1000

Brent, Joxe, Eleni, and Murla convene after breakfast to search the two ships' computers for more information about Gorky and ARG.

OOG: Brent and Joxe are equally skilled at computer operations, although Joxe's skills are centered on Wanderer's tech, while Brent's is on older machines. So, they're operating at a disadvantage while searching the runabout's computer.

For the first hour, Brent can specify four queries for the runabout's computer (roll 3d6+2 against his skill of 13, lower is better), and four for Wanderer's computers (roll 3d6 against skill of 13). The computer has a limited ability to relate information to the query, so it's not like an oracle. However, the accuracy and availability of data does depend on what questions are asked.

Matt
player, 910 posts
Brent
Thu 20 Aug 2020
at 01:51
  • msg #623

Execute - Searching the Runabout's Database

Brent frowned in concentration as he worked on the computers of the two ships.  Both were unfamiliar; the runabout much more sophisticated than he was used to and the Wanderer still more advanced than the Egg tech with which he was familiar but not as difficult.  After consultation with the others they worked out queries for each of the computers.

OOC:
For the runabout:
What orders brought the ship to Execute?
Are there further orders remain to be activated following the trip to Execute?
What is the location of the shipyard where the ship was built?
What are the communication protocols to contact the shipyard?

For the Wanderer:
I'm not sure...

JR
GM, 996 posts
Thu 20 Aug 2020
at 02:50
  • msg #624

Execute - Searching the Runabout's Database

The quartet starts at the runabout, where Eleni has brought in two extra chairs from the village's hall so they can sit next to Brent and Joxe as they work.

They go through the ship's records using the holo consoles and datapads.

The runabout (still not named) was instructed to take the original owner's descendant to an estate about 100km northeast of Execute Downport, there to meet with other family members. The owner recorded a brief note asking their relatives to take in the ship's new owner. There are no more instructions for the ship to follow.

Joxe runs the location through Wanderer's sensor records, and finds that there's nothing there but dense woods now.

The ARG shipyard is located in an asteroid field at the single gas giant's L5 point. It takes some time, but Brent is able to work out the jump exit point and inbound vector for the facility, even after 250 years of stellar movement. This does increase the risk of missing the emergence point by 4.3%, with an error margin of 20,000 to 50,000 kilometers.

To access the base, the runabout will have to make the initial approach, since it is an owner's vessel. There are authentication codes built into the transponder, but they're locked.
Matt
player, 912 posts
Brent
Fri 21 Aug 2020
at 02:49
  • msg #625

Execute - Searching the Runabout's Database

Brent asks the villagers to check out the location of the estate in case there is something hidden under the trees while he works out the answers from the runabout.  One thing he does is ask the two girls if they want to name the ship.
JR
GM, 997 posts
Fri 21 Aug 2020
at 05:20
  • msg #626

Execute - Searching the Runabout's Database

The estate is 450km northwest of the village, but the elders say they will pull together an expedition in company with members of Egg's delegation. They will consider it a training exercise for the first contact team, and it will take them a day to arrange the trip.

Meanwhile, Brent and his team chat over lunch."We've talked about naming the runabout," Eleni says, "but we haven't come up with anything good yet."
Matt
player, 913 posts
Brent
Sat 22 Aug 2020
at 03:21
  • msg #627

Execute - Searching the Runabout's Database

Brent agrees with the plan of the Elders. "Well, no hurry on the name.  Maybe there is a name in the databank already?"  He looks to the others.  "I say we head out immediately to investigate the shipyard.  We'll need the runabout to lead us in.  On the way we can dig into the Wanderer databanks and see if there is anything useful there."
JR
GM, 998 posts
Sat 22 Aug 2020
at 21:13
  • msg #628

Gorky - ARG facility

OOG: Per usual, please include anything else you'd like in the narrative.

293-1402 1510

The jump emergence alert sounds after lunch, finding Joxe and Brent in the midst of yet more classes for the four new crew from Execute. This jump as been much better than the last one, as the ship isn't packed to the overhead with people, and there are half as many students aboard. Also, there is at least one person on watch, and there seems to be a conspiracy afoot to give Brent and Joxe a lot of "alone time". While it's nice, Joxe comments that the ship seems empty without their companions left at Egg.

Wanderer translates into normal space 25,000 kilometers outside the jump point Brent specified, with their vector about thirty degrees off the optimal course. Brent had taken the precaution of translating at the lowest velocity he could manage, since their destination didn't have a planetary gravity field to work against.

Their initial sensors check reveals that the runabout is in nearly perfect formation, and that there are three asteroids within visual range, which is unusual for an asteroid field. Then again, this isn't an orbiting belt, but a group caught within the trailing gravity "bowl" of the gas giant's LaGrange point. The blue and white mass of the planet is visible in the distance, and the system primary glows yellow-white, throwing hardly any useful light at this distance. The tiny division is nearly at rest compared to the nearest asteroids, requiring a one-minute burn to synchronize their orbits.

Before anyone can issue orders, their comms come alive. "Unknown ships, you are in restricted space belonging to a private company. Please identify yourselves via transponder."

OOG: Did you jump in with transponders on, or off?
Matt
player, 915 posts
Brent
Sun 30 Aug 2020
at 00:30
  • msg #629

Gorky - ARG facility

OOG: We would jump without transponders.

Brent enjoyed both the extra time with Joxe and the opportunity to train the new crew.  He not only found teaching to be rewarding but the effort to express ideas to the students sharpened his own understanding of the subject.  He also sat in on the classes that Joxe taught where he could to not only watch her avidly but to learn as well about the more advanced engineering systems on the Wanderer.  The sweetest reward though was the time spent with Joxe in their shared cabin or conveniently alone in the little common area.  He shared not only more of his past but increasingly talked of what they had found and what the future might bring for this area of space and the two of them.

He frowned a bit as the displacement in location and vector from the jump but sighs as it seems that the runabout had maintained a tight temporal and spatial link to the Wanderer.  Brent immediately set to scan the system for signals as they settled out and matched courses with the small group of asteroids.  When the comms crackled to life Brent started a bit and looked over at the others.  Thinking for a moment he flipped on the transponder and activated the radio.  "This is Wanderer.  We mean no intrusion.  Please identify yourself."
JR
GM, 1000 posts
Sun 30 Aug 2020
at 02:53
  • msg #630

Gorky - ARG facility

Kevin (pilot) and Emii (naviagtion/sensors) are occupying the other two bridge stations, while Murla(Engineering) and Shunami(combat/gunner) are in Engineering with Joxe.

Emii's scans pinpoint the transmission source as the asteroid to the ship's left at their current orientation. The only signal is the radio transmission, and there are no other signals present.

"Unknown ships, you are in restricted space belonging to a private company. Please identify yourselves via transponder," the transmission repeats. Radshir follows Brent's lead with the runabout's transponder, and then:

"Greetings to honored members of the Adair and Ritterburg families. Your authentication codes are correct, and you are cleared to Berth Alpha One. Stand by for autopilot interlock. Please specify if the Egg System Trader Wanderer is to accompany you."

Radshir keys her comm. "Uh, yes. Yes, the trader will accompany us."

"Trader Wanderer, you are assigned to Berth Alpha Two. Stand by for autopilot interlock."

"Brent, the ship is asking to proceed on autopilot to the middle asteroid,"
Radshir reports.

Kevin reports, and Brent sees on his command repeater, that the nav system is pointing them to the center asteroid, and the station's computer is asking for an autopilot interlock. The ship's computer reports that the request has the right codes and format.

There is the option to request cues only, and to hand fly the approach.
Matt
player, 917 posts
Brent
Sun 30 Aug 2020
at 05:09
  • msg #631

Gorky - ARG facility

Brent relaxes as the system accepts the codes from the runabout.  He takes a deep breath and replies.  "Go ahead on autopilot, just be ready to take over if things go crazy.  We'll do the same." He turned to Kevin.  "Go ahead and accept the control.  Just stay ready to take it over if it goes crazy."
JR
GM, 1002 posts
Sun 30 Aug 2020
at 18:11
  • msg #632

Gorky - ARG facility

"Yes, Sir," Kevin replies.

"Will do," Radshir says from her ship.

The two ships proceed toward the center asteroid at a leisurely pace, while each pilot watches their steering cues.

"Look at this, Brent." Emii highlights several objects on her navigation display. "I've detected nine asteroids in this group, and all of them are in a single line, more or less fifty thousand kilometers apart. Their orbits are stable within this LaGrange point, even accounting for perturbances."

"Why did they put it here, though?" Joxe asks from her Engineering station. "It's completely separate from the main shipyards, and everything else at the gas giant."
Matt
player, 918 posts
Brent
Mon 31 Aug 2020
at 04:38
  • msg #633

Gorky - ARG facility

Brent looks at the sensors and shakes his head.  "No telling what they were thinking.  Can we get anything on the passive sensors about those extra asteroids?  Maybe they are asteroid ships being assembled."
JR
GM, 1003 posts
Mon 31 Aug 2020
at 14:50
  • msg #634

Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"I've barely got some of them on infrared," Emii says. She steers the forward camera onto the their destination and zooms in. The asteroid, a dark, lumpy rock about 5km across, spins slowly on the axis aligned with it's direction of travel, like a bullet. Several man-made structures are visible on the surface; three domes, and two rectangular areas that are all about 200 meters wide.

Both ships continue on their inbound vectors. Ten minutes later, an alert sounds on the sensors display. "We're being painted," Emii reports. "Okay, the computer says it's a standard traffic control radar."

Twenty minutes after that, the ships arrive at their destination. The asteroid's bulk looms over them, as if threatening to topple on them at any moment. The ships match the asteroid's rotational movement with finicky precision, while they move closer to what resolves as a massive set of doors.

As the ships approach, the doors slide open to reveal a docking bay fit for a dozen Beowulf traders. The facility's computer guides the runabout in ahead of Wanderer, and they both settle onto the bay's floor as the doors close behind them. The bay is spotlessly clean, and painted letters on the wall confirm that they are now at Berths A and B.

"We're down," Kevin announces as Wanderer settles to the deck and shuts down her countergrav.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:18, Tue 01 Sept 2020.
Matt
player, 920 posts
Brent
Mon 28 Dec 2020
at 02:06
  • msg #635

Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent remains wary as they approach the series of asteroids.  "They're cold Emil?  That's interesting.  Nothing going on there now."  He tensed up at the alert but relaxed again as the two ships made their way into orbit with their destination. "Can you make anything of the domes or flat areas as we get closer?"

He breathed a sigh of relief as they entered the bay and settled down.  "Well, that's damn impressive.  Do we have atmosphere outside?  Any computer or comms chatter on the bands?"
JR
GM, 1010 posts
Tue 29 Dec 2020
at 02:58
  • msg #636

Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"The facility's main system just welcomed me aboard and asked if I want a facility tour", Radshir replies.
Matt
player, 924 posts
Brent
Tue 29 Dec 2020
at 03:17
  • msg #637

Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent sighed and then laughed softly. "Well, by all means accept the tour.  Schedule it so all of us can come along."
JR
GM, 1012 posts
Tue 29 Dec 2020
at 22:06
  • msg #638

Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"The domes just look like habitat areas," Kevin says as they approach. After they arrive, he reports again. "The air pressure is coming up quickly. It should be normal in about ten minutes, at this rate of change."

Shunami, who is sitting in the upper lounge position, reports. "There's no other traffic, but someone just lit off a pretty large fusion plant somewhere in this facility."

"I concur," Kevin says. "The artificial gravity is at point one five gee, and climbing."
Matt
player, 925 posts
Brent
Wed 30 Dec 2020
at 02:14
  • msg #639

Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent glances over at the repeaters and nods. "Well, that makes sense given that the asteroid was cold.  It seems that the system here is warming up to welcome us.  The question though is who exactly is in charge."  He stood and headed toward the airlock. "Let's go see what we can find out once the pressure equalizes. Joxe, do you want to come along?  You'd be best at evaluating Imperial era tech."
JR
GM, 1013 posts
Wed 30 Dec 2020
at 03:56
  • msg #640

Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Five minutes later, with Murla and Eleni standing watch aboard Wanderer and the runabout, respectively, a sleek ground vehicle enters the bay through a doorway on the opposite side, and stops a few meters from the runabout. As you all watch, a slim figure exits the vehicle and takes a few steps toward the runabout. There, the figure stops and waits.

OOG: See image in Dropbox...
Matt
player, 926 posts
Brent
Thu 31 Dec 2020
at 03:43
  • msg #641

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent watches from the airlock as the vehicle pulls up and the female figure steps out.  "Well, let's see what they have to say. I wonder if that is a robot or android given that the place was shut down."  He steps out of the ship and walks toward the figure.  "Good day, I'm Brent.  Thank you for welcoming us here."
JR
GM, 1015 posts
Thu 31 Dec 2020
at 06:09
  • msg #642

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Hello," the woman replies. If she's an android, she's a damned good one. Brent has encountered a few of them, but nothing like this. "Are you Miss van Adair's aide?"

Behind Brent, everyone who's not standing watch aboard the ships is waiting, including Radshir. (They are: Radshir, Joxe, Kevin, Emii, and Shunami.)
Matt
player, 929 posts
Brent
Sat 2 Jan 2021
at 05:02
  • msg #643

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent nodded. "That is correct.  I am her primary aide as well as handling shipboard and military affairs.  And who might you be?"
JR
GM, 1016 posts
Sun 3 Jan 2021
at 01:43
  • msg #644

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"I am A-R-G's interim facility director. My name is Edak."
Matt
player, 930 posts
Brent
Sun 3 Jan 2021
at 02:38
  • msg #645

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Thank you Edak.  Is the facility active?  We noted that the asteroids seemed dark and cold as we came in."
JR
GM, 1017 posts
Sun 3 Jan 2021
at 03:33
  • msg #646

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"I'm sorry, Brent, but you have not yet been cleared for information about this facility."

"Do I have the needed clearance," Radshir asks as she walks up beside Brent.

"Provisionally, yes," Edak replies. "I will have to run a bio scan to positively identify you." She produces a small medical scanner similar to ones aboard Wanderer.

Radshir, with the impetuousness of youth, steps forward and extends her hand. "Scan away."

Edak holds the scanner's head on Radshir's hand and activates it. The device takes a tiny sample of skin and blood, and considers it for a moment. It beeps to signal that the process is complete, and Edak smiles.

"Radshir van Adair, you are officially confirmed as a descendant of this facility's majority shareholders. As such, you are granted provisional access to this facility. The former managers have established a vetting process which you, or your designees, must complete before you may take full control. I have transmitted the relevant details to your personal ship's computer for your review."

"Well, now that's impressive," Joxe observes as she steps up on Brent's left.

"Hello," Edak says to Joxe. "Are you Miss van Adair's assistant, as well?"

"Oh!" Radshir exclaims. "Edak, these are my friends." She introduces each person in turn, including those standing watch. She indicates that Brent and Joxe are a couple, and that they own Wanderer. "Can we see the facility now?"

"May I respond to Brent's question, then?"

"Oh, sure, uh, yes."

Edak turns to Brent. "All non-essential systems were shut down to conserve power, and to aid in hiding this facility from detection. Only the life support system in this structure has remained active. I can take you to the administration center, if you wish."
Matt
player, 931 posts
Brent
Sun 3 Jan 2021
at 07:50
  • msg #647

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent shook his head slightly at the denial of clearance but didn't object.  He smiled and nodded as Radshir took the initiative to show herself as a descendant of the owners of the place.  "Ahhh... that makes sense.  What caused the decision to go into hiding?" Brent also shrugged.  "Let's see the admin center while we consider what to do."
JR
GM, 1018 posts
Sun 3 Jan 2021
at 23:51
  • msg #648

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

The group climbs into the ground car, which is done in a light, soft leather-like material. The seats are ridiculously comfortable, and the entire top of the vehicle is transparent from the inside.

Edak sits in the driver's compartment at the front, and the vehicle rolls soundlessly across the polished deck toward a large door.

"Oh, this feels like real leather," Radshir says.

"I'm sure it's synthetic, but it's really nice," Joxe comments.

The door rolls upward as the vehicle approaches, and they find themselves in a wide tunnel that turns out to be about 500 meters long. They roll out into daylight, and the group looks to see that the entire asteroid has been hollowed out.

The central spire, a polished ceramacrete needle perhaps a kilometer tall. rises out of the rolling hills and forest of the habitat. Blue sky, white clouds, and a glaring star shine overhead. As they watch, the vehicle rolls across a stone bridge that spans a river, which empties into a lake to their left.

OOG: Pic in Dropbox. The area is a combination of forest and open fields.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:52, Sun 03 Jan 2021.
Matt
player, 932 posts
Brent
Mon 4 Jan 2021
at 06:54
  • msg #649

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent smiles at the luxury but then again they were on a rather elite shipyard that was building yachts.  He expected that they would have top notch equipment at least for the VIPs.  When they reached the habitat portion of the station Brent gave a low whistle. "Very sophisticated.  Are you using mirrors to bring in the central sunlight?"
JR
GM, 1019 posts
Mon 4 Jan 2021
at 16:08
  • msg #650

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"No, the light is artificial," Edak replies. "We are too far from the primary to receive any useful starlight."

As they drive along, the group sees animals like deer and squirrels in the meadows, and small birds fly overhead. They also spot a robot trimming a tree near the roadway. The trip takes about ten minutes, but Brent can see that they are driving slowly.

They arrive at the base of the spire, where Edak parks the ground car next to a set of glass doors. "There is a conference center at the top of the spire. You will have an unobstructed view of this facility from that vantage point."
Matt
player, 933 posts
Brent
Thu 7 Jan 2021
at 02:32
  • msg #651

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent marveled at the effort put into the habitat.  "The quality of the life support and habitat is breathtaking.  Are all the other asteroids terraformed like this?"
JR
GM, 1021 posts
Thu 7 Jan 2021
at 03:08
  • msg #652

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"We are, or, I suppose were, the main depot for this area. This habitat supported ARG's employees, staff, and clients as they visited this facility. This is the only one of its kind here, though."

Edak leads the way into the building. It's spotlessly clean, well-appointed with live plants, and yet eerily empty. Beside Brent, Joxe shudders and grasps Brent's hand.

The group enters a glass-walled lift, and it whizzes upward at truly impressive speeds, while only giving them a slight sense of upward motion. They step out into a large open area at the top of the spire.

From here, they can see that the ground below is a mix of forests and open fields spread across a series of low hills. A river runs in two directions from a central source, and empty into a lake at one side of the area.

At the edges, they see a series of low buildings near the exterior walls. Other than the spire, they are the only visible buildings.
Matt
player, 936 posts
Brent
Thu 7 Jan 2021
at 05:02
  • msg #653

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent nodded absently as they walked through the spotless, elegant rooms and up to the elevator.  He gripped Joxe's hand and gave a return squeeze.  Brent marveled at the gravitic control with the elevator and even more so at the view. "Magnificent, truly magnificent.  I've not seen anything near the equal.  Where are your crews and workforces?"
JR
GM, 1023 posts
Fri 8 Jan 2021
at 04:09
  • msg #654

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Please, sit down," Edak motions to a conference table near the windows. She sits, and a large holo display comes to life over the table. A woman, who looks a lot like Radshir, but older and clearly tired, looks out of the display at them.

"Hello from the Adair-Ritterburg Group, or what's left of it, at least. I'm Hattie van Adair, the facility manager. If you are seeing this, then Edak has identified you as one of my family members. I wish I could meet you, but I will probably be dead and gone by this time." The woman sighs softly.

"It's been a rough two years since the war ended. At least, it's ended for everyone around here. The damn Navy just trashed everything they could find. Fortunately for us, this facility wasn't on the official installations list. This is, or was, an off-the-books shipyard for our own projects, and it has been a life saver. We've repaired several ships, including some of the remaining traders who've come here."

"Now, though, the gathered survivors have decided to go elsewhere. I thought we could stay here, and I advocated for it. But, the vote went to travel to Depot, there to hopefully find more survivors. Some people are planning to travel to Hiver territory, but I will go to Depot."

"In the meantime, this facility is yours, once Edak is confident that you have the skills and training to operate it. The maintenance remotes and automated systems can keep the place running indefinitely. We took what we needed, but we did leave enough supplies and equipment to get you started."

"By the way, watch out for Keipes. If those bastards ever get this base, this sector is screwed. The Kideans are gearing up to fight them, even though both systems took a pounding from the Navy."

Hattie smiles wanly. "I'm sorry to drop all of this on you, but maybe it will be enough to rebuild. Good luck."

The screen fades to the ARG logo.
Matt
player, 938 posts
Brent
Sat 9 Jan 2021
at 02:21
  • msg #655

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent listened and then let out a low whistle.  "Well... that's a dump of data."  He thought for a moment and then turned to Edak.  "So how many went to Depot?  I'm assuming you heard nothing more of them correct?  Also, what is known about Kidde and Keipes especially what would make the latter so dangerous?  There is a lot to consider but let's start from the top."
JR
GM, 1024 posts
Sat 9 Jan 2021
at 02:57
  • msg #656

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"We never got an exact count," Edak replies, "but there were about four thousand people gathered from all over the subsector. I have heard nothing from anyone since they departed."

"Keipes was an oppressive dictatorship that survived the attack on their system, and Kide was working to oppose them with their own surviving warships. This information came from the traders we encountered, so it is over two centuries out of date."
Matt
player, 939 posts
Brent
Sun 10 Jan 2021
at 03:45
  • msg #657

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"I hope they made it safely.  Everything we've seen had been quite bleak though." Brent pondered.  "I'll need to do some reading about the pre-war political situation it seems.  We'll be wary of Keipes even though it has been a while."  He looked about; "So what capability do you have here for ship manufacture?"
JR
GM, 1025 posts
Sun 10 Jan 2021
at 04:12
  • msg #658

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Our largest slip can accommodate a ship of up to five thousand displacement tons. We can construct all components and associated equipment, as well."
Matt
player, 940 posts
Brent
Sun 17 Jan 2021
at 03:12
  • msg #659

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Robert lets out a low whistle.  "That is impressive.  What tech level can you build?"
JR
GM, 1026 posts
Sun 17 Jan 2021
at 04:07
  • msg #660

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"We can build anything in the Imperial ship register of five thousand tons or less, with up to six-parsec jump drives and bonded superdense hulls."

Joxe lets out a low whistle. "They probably built the runabout," she observes.

"If you are referring to Miss van Adair's ship, then yes, it was constructed here," Edak says.
Matt
player, 941 posts
Brent
Sun 17 Jan 2021
at 05:46
  • msg #661

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Jump six?"  Brent shook his head.  "That was the very top of Imperial capability.  What we have here is a priceless capability and must be preserved at all cost." He looked to Edak. "Do you have the components and raw materials available to build now? I'd imagine your supply chains are a bit disrupted."
JR
GM, 1027 posts
Sun 17 Jan 2021
at 07:02
  • msg #662

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"We have enough materials on hand to construct approximately ten thousand displacement tons of shipping," Edak answers.
Matt
player, 943 posts
Brent
Sun 24 Jan 2021
at 06:46
  • msg #663

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent took in the capability of the yards and glanced out at the scene before them. "This is a priceless find not only for the ability to make ships but for the plans of the ships themselves and the plans of the equipment to build the ships.  We should get a dump of the database for ship designs, especially the lower tech level workhorses that can more easily be built at Egg."  He took a deep breath. "But this place needs to remain secret as it has been all these years.  It is too precious of a resource to be held by any one system."
JR
GM, 1030 posts
Sun 24 Jan 2021
at 23:53
  • msg #664

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"The location was a secret until all those people came in here, and then left," Emii points out as she takes in the view.

Shunami nods. "That's true. But, there's been no one here for over two hundred years now, correct?"

"That is correct," Edak replies calmly.

"Then," Kevin finishes the thought, "it's probable that no one alive knows about it, or cares, at least."

Radshir turns to Brent. "The first thing I want to do is to make you all co-owners."

"They can be minority shareholders only, unless they are family," Edak interjects.

"Why?" Radshir looks at the android.

"The company's charter specifies this."

"Okay, so we change it," Radshir declares. "We can figure out how later." She turns back to Brent. "What about shares, then?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:55, Sun 24 Jan 2021.
Matt
player, 945 posts
Brent
Sun 25 Apr 2021
at 21:31
  • msg #665

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent nods at the points made in the discussion.  "I would say that we all get minority shares for access.  We want to keep this place as a joint resource but it also has to be slef supporting."  He thought for a bit.  "I think that the best use of the shipyards would be to build jump drives and power plants that can be fitted into lower tech hulls.  That will boot strap us the fastest."  He looked at Edak; "How well are you supplied and do you have defenses?"
JR
GM, 1033 posts
Mon 26 Apr 2021
at 01:51
  • msg #666

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"We can support the facility while it uses the materials we have on hand. There have been no surveys of what materials might be available in this system beyond that. We do not possess defenses beyond passive sensors."
Matt
player, 947 posts
Brent
Thu 26 Oct 2023
at 03:11
  • msg #667

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Let's prioritize retrofit drives for boot strapping and some small defensive craft. We need to decide exactly who we want to work with and how to do so. That also leaves continued scouting in this system for resources and the wider neighborhood for threats and allies."
JR
GM, 1035 posts
Thu 26 Oct 2023
at 16:00
  • msg #668

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

OOG: Let me catch up with the thread, and I'll get a response out by Friday (10/27) night.
JR
GM, 1036 posts
Fri 27 Oct 2023
at 02:25
  • msg #669

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Quick recap: Wanderer and her crew have found a Imperial tech shipyard, and are deciding how to proceed from this point.
Matt
player, 950 posts
Brent
Sun 29 Oct 2023
at 03:54
  • msg #670

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Let's start formal training for our younger members. That will take a bit of time and allow us to perform maintenance and upgrades. The Wanderer should be gone over and fine-tuned. I would like to look into a couple of system defense boats as well. Then we can and figure out our grand strategy while that is in work."
JR
GM, 1038 posts
Sun 29 Oct 2023
at 14:38
  • msg #671

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Edak nods. "There are training facilities in this building, if you wish to use them. I can make more space in the building slips if you can move the vessel in the largest one."
Matt
player, 952 posts
Brent
Thu 2 Nov 2023
at 03:11
  • msg #672

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"We will get the ship moved immediately. Let's get started on the training program as well as a thorough maintenance overhaul and upgrade of the Wanderer. Then we can figure out how we want to continue our scouting actions and liaison between Egg and the other worlds. For the meantime I think we want to keep this facility as hidden as possible until we can understand the threat and create adequate defenses."
JR
GM, 1040 posts
Thu 2 Nov 2023
at 13:07
  • msg #673

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Very well," Edak replies. "Shall I take you to the slip, then?"
Matt
player, 953 posts
Brent
Fri 3 Nov 2023
at 21:39
  • msg #674

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent glanced at the others, his gaze lingering on Joxe. "Are we all in agreement? If so then take us there."
JR
GM, 1041 posts
Fri 3 Nov 2023
at 23:21
  • msg #675

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Let's go see," Joxe replies. Edak takes everyone to a ground transport that drives away from the main spire back the way they came. There, they enter a pinnace that Edak pilots to another asteroid, taking thirty minutes for the flight. They dock in another bay, and disembark to another ground car. The ride takes them through several open areas with warehouse doors, passing many parked vehicles of all types along the way.

Finally, they approach an apron fronting a viewport larger than Wanderer. On the other side, powerful lights come up, illuminating the massive hull occupying the building slip. The ship is rectangular and thin for its length.

"It looks like a table top," Joxe says with a chuckle.
Matt
player, 954 posts
Brent
Sun 5 Nov 2023
at 04:09
  • msg #676

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent looked around the sprawling facility with continued amazement. When they reached the viewport he chuckled as well. "What is that thing?"
JR
GM, 1042 posts
Sun 5 Nov 2023
at 04:54
  • msg #677

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"That," Edak says, "is the last ship this facility constructed. It is a system support ship, configured for planetary support after a disaster. It's built on a five-thousand-ton hull."
Matt
player, 955 posts
Brent
Sun 5 Nov 2023
at 22:26
  • msg #678

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent considered the large and odd looking vessel. "So what type of emergency services can it provide? Also is it fueled up? It might take a while to spin up the fusion reactors if it has been shut for a long time."
JR
GM, 1043 posts
Mon 6 Nov 2023
at 00:04
  • msg #679

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"I want to know why it's still here, and not out wherever the people went," Joxe put in.

Edak nodded. "To answer the second question first, this ship is too slow to have kept up with the fleet. It was meant for subsector operations, so it is limited to two-parsec jumps and two-gee acceleration. It hasn't been out of the dock yet, so it's not fueled. There are facilities for medical treatment, fabrication and repair shops, and accommodations for Marines and construction crews, plus their vehicles and equipment."
Matt
player, 956 posts
Brent
Wed 8 Nov 2023
at 02:52
  • msg #680

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"if you have the trained personnel to properly man the vessel you could do wonders around the subsector. That will be one of our ongoing concerns. Meanwhile, can you start the fueling process Edak? Also where do you want us to move it?"
JR
GM, 1046 posts
Wed 8 Nov 2023
at 04:48
  • msg #681

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Joxe and the other crewmembers page through the ship's data as Brent talks with Edak.

"This crew could move the ship," Edak says. "The normal compliment is sixty, with sufficient Marines to man the weapons. I have started the fueling process, and the powerplant pre-start sequence. It is preferable to have an engineer aboard for the actual startup."

"For a support ship, this thing is armed to the teeth," Joxe says excitedly. "It has fourteen one-hundred-fifty-megajoule turrets! Whatever that hits won't be happy."

"I'm looking at those missile barbettes," Eleni adds. "Whatever those hit will be dead, especially with Imperial tech laser head missiles."

Kevin Eason shakes his head. "This is probably the largest and most powerful ship in the subsector right now. The navy could certainly make use of it."
Matt
player, 959 posts
Brent
Thu 9 Nov 2023
at 04:19
  • msg #682

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent nods to Edak. "We'll get her moved for you. It's good to feel like we have an opportunity to make a major difference in the welfare of the subsector and may be the whole sector if we can leverage this facility. The problem will be training and organization. We will need people to operate this but more importantly a political arrangement."

Turning to the side, Brent looked at the ship specifications as well. "This is pretty mind-boggling at all built at maximum Imperial tech level. Even though it is a vessel of mercy it is definitely a power. Let's all get down to the ship and get her moving. We can discuss the rest of this later." Brent pulled Joxe aside. "We're going to need to do some thinking on how this all gets run. It is far bigger now than just the two of us in the Wanderer."
JR
GM, 1047 posts
Thu 9 Nov 2023
at 04:43
  • msg #683

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"I think most of this will be up to Radshir. This is her inheritance, after all," Joxe says. "That said, you and I own Wanderer. If Radshir agrees, we either can take the big ship to Egg, and then figure out how to get back here. Or, we take our ship to Egg, pick up more people, and bring them back here to train."
Matt
player, 960 posts
Brent
Sat 11 Nov 2023
at 04:43
  • msg #684

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent nodded in agreement. "You are right, I need to not get ahead of myself with this." He gave her a hug and a kiss. "Thank you for keeping me balanced and focused."
JR
GM, 1048 posts
Sat 11 Nov 2023
at 05:58
  • msg #685

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"That's what wives are for," Joxe replies with a smile. "Which option do you think is better?"
Matt
player, 961 posts
Brent
Mon 13 Nov 2023
at 03:18
  • msg #686

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent slipped his arm around Joxe's waist with a matching smile. "I think the best course of action is to head back to Egg and get a few more people for trainees. I like the idea of traveling together in our ship rather than another. We need to be careful that Radshir stays in firm control. Some of the people back at Egg may want to take the place over."
JR
GM, 1049 posts
Mon 13 Nov 2023
at 17:36
  • msg #687

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"I don't think Edak will allow that," Joxe replies. "But, we will be careful, all the same. We can take Wanderer back ourselves, and leave the others to train on the new ship. They still have the runabout if they need it."
Matt
player, 962 posts
Brent
Tue 14 Nov 2023
at 04:26
  • msg #688

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"let's plot out a route back to Egg and get back as soon as possible. We will want to get maintenance done on the ship before we go though."
JR
GM, 1050 posts
Tue 14 Nov 2023
at 04:39
  • msg #689

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Joxe consults her handcomp. "It's four parsecs to Egg from here. That's an eight to nine week round trip. We don't have to refuel for every jump, though."
Matt
player, 964 posts
Brent
Wed 15 Nov 2023
at 04:39
  • msg #690

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent nodded in agreement as he looked over Joxe's hand computer. "Good point, we can avoid some of the more dangerous locations on our way or at least have more flexibility. One thing we can bring as a gesture of goodwill would be enough lanthanum to build a small jump capable ship. Egg otherwise has the technological base to build jump drives."
JR
GM, 1052 posts
Wed 15 Nov 2023
at 16:04
  • msg #691

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Jump drives, hmm," Joxe's voice trailed off as she tapped and swiped on her hand comp. "Okay, so if we... wait, no. How about..." She went on like this for a couple of minutes. Brent could see that she had Wanderer's deck plan and specifications displayed on her screen as she worked.
Matt
player, 966 posts
Brent
Tue 21 Nov 2023
at 04:50
  • msg #692

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent smiled as Joxe slipped into an engineering fuge. He slowly guided her down to the big ship as she worked on her new brainstorm.
JR
GM, 1054 posts
Tue 21 Nov 2023
at 14:06
  • msg #693

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Five minutes later, Joxe looked up. "I think you will like this. Let's update Wanderer to a four-parsec jump drive." She showed her husband the updated specifications. "We can replace the current jump drive, the power plant, the maneuver drive, the ship's computer, the weapons, and all the electronics without changing the ship's structure. We would get the updated performance and new equipment. The M-D would still be limited to one gee, since the ship can't handle more accel without a lot of bracing. Edak says that it would take only two weeks to finish it."
Matt
player, 969 posts
Brent
Mon 27 Nov 2023
at 01:24
  • msg #694

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent stopped to look at the updated specifications on her computer pad. He took a while to move through the more advanced computer that she had but finally nodded with a smile. "It would be well worth it for the added performance. Also we have now a place to use to repair the higher technology equipment if we get in trouble. It would be nice to have more acceleration but that just means we need to be more careful and make use of our improved sensors and electronics to stay away from bad guys." He gave her a big hug and kiss. "Amazing job! I think we should get on it right away. It does look like we may need a couple more engineering crew."
JR
GM, 1057 posts
Mon 27 Nov 2023
at 01:59
  • msg #695

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"The runabout has an AI, which we could also employ," Joxe says. "That way, we don't need more crew."
Matt
player, 971 posts
Brent
Wed 29 Nov 2023
at 04:03
  • msg #696

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent nodded and smiled. "I would much rather work with you than get tangled up in the affairs of the mighty. I think there is a lot we can still do here and at Egg but there is also a lot of unknown territory and your family to discover."
JR
GM, 1059 posts
Wed 29 Nov 2023
at 15:31
  • msg #697

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Joxe excitedly led the way back to where Edak and the others were conferring about the system support ship. "We'd like to upgrade Wanderer so that we can quickly bring more people here."

After a brief owners' meeting, Edak addressed the group. "The shipyard will start refurbishing  the trader, which will take no more than two weeks. In the meantime, you may attend training sessions for the Imperial technology aboard all of the ships. Even with the refurbishment, this facility can still produce ten thousand displacement tons of shipping with the resources and supplies we have on hand. Is there anything else we should start building?"

Radshir looked around the room. "Any suggestions? New ships will take anywhere from a few months to a year or more to complete, depending on the ship's size." She shrugs. "Also, we will need to train crews for them, which will take just as long."
Matt
player, 972 posts
Brent
Fri 1 Dec 2023
at 04:39
  • msg #698

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Advanced training will be good, thank you." Brent nodded. "Does the shipyard have intrinsic defenses? One thing we might do is build a few small system defense boats both for defense here as well as some of the other worlds with which we may ally. If nothing else these vessels will work good for training the crews we will need."
JR
GM, 1060 posts
Fri 1 Dec 2023
at 14:26
  • msg #699

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Any of those craft we build would only be useful against small ships," Edak says. "We do not have defenses, simply because they are ineffective against warships. We had the Navy to protect us, and we were fortunately able to hide from the enemy units."
Matt
player, 973 posts
Brent
Sun 3 Dec 2023
at 02:35
  • msg #700

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

" My thought is that the smaller vessels to be used to defend some of the less-developed worlds we have found. Also, I don't expect to encounter large naval vessels anymore. A 500 or 1000 ton defense boat should be able to handle most anything running around."
JR
GM, 1061 posts
Thu 7 Dec 2023
at 21:42
  • msg #701

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Radshir nodded. "Maybe we can build two or three smaller ones, and one bigger one?"
Matt
player, 974 posts
Brent
Sat 9 Dec 2023
at 03:20
  • msg #702

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent nodded. "I would start small for certain. Anything smaller than 500 tons would be ineffective in my opinion. I would also build at a lower technological level to make training crews and field repairs easier. We are going to be limited in crews even when we get help from Egg. They are only used to technological level 9 and will require training to use even what would be considered lower Imperial technology. I can personally attest to the difficulties adjusting to the higher technology equipment aboard the Wanderer."
JR
GM, 1062 posts
Sat 9 Dec 2023
at 21:00
  • msg #703

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Radshir and Joxe conferred for a few moments. "I think we can build the system defense boats to Imperial tech for use here, since the shipyard is here," Joxe says at length. "It lets us use smaller hulls for the same capabilities. The holographic controls should be easier to learn than the older systems. I think."

"Here's two designs to consider," Radshir chimed in. "First is a thirty ton fighter that carries a laser and missiles. Edak can build two of them in a week, and they are more than enough to kill anything that's not a warship. The average pirate won't even detect it until it fires."

"Second is a five hundred dee-tee system defense boat. It uses up to ten crew, and it even has a short-range jump drive for transferring from one planet to the next. The jumps still take about a week, but it's good to have, and it doesn't cost much performance. It has decent armor and a pair of heavy laser barbettes."

OOG: Workbooks are in the Dropbox folder. Feel free to modify them to suit yourself.
Matt
player, 975 posts
Brent
Sun 10 Dec 2023
at 02:59
  • msg #704

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent checked the designs carefully carefully. He was not used to the more advanced design packages but was coming up to speed quickly. "I can see what advantages you get with the higher tech. It was not so obvious to me earlier. I agree with you two on building at TL-15 for the local ships." He paused. "What about streamlining? It would provide more flexibility."
JR
GM, 1064 posts
Sun 10 Dec 2023
at 19:35
  • msg #705

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"We could streamline them, but this system has no planets with atmospheres other than Lucan (the gas giant), and none of these boats have fuel scoops," Joxe replied.

"It saves some mass and materials to not streamline them, too," Radshir added.
Matt
player, 978 posts
Brent
Sun 10 Dec 2023
at 21:20
  • msg #706

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Could you apply partial streamlining to let them lurk in the gas giant atmosphere?"
JR
GM, 1066 posts
Mon 11 Dec 2023
at 15:22
  • msg #707

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Oh, sneaky," Radshir said with a grin.

"We can do that," Joxe replied. "So, we have the two fighters, the S-D-B, and the refit for Wanderer. Edak, what does that leave us?"

"Nine thousand, four hundred sixty displacement tons," the avatar answered. "We can begin collecting more materials to increase our reserves."
Matt
player, 980 posts
Brent
Thu 14 Dec 2023
at 22:31
  • msg #708

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"One consideration may be a jump tug to carry bulk cargo and ferry smaller vessels."
JR
GM, 1068 posts
Sat 16 Dec 2023
at 00:38
  • msg #709

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"For now, we have the logistics ship," Joxe replied. "We need a crew for it, though. But, it can carry a decent-sized ship, if needed."

"Do we want to start mining again," Radshir asked. "We have a large stockpile, but we will need more soon, depending on what we build."
Matt
player, 982 posts
Brent
Mon 18 Dec 2023
at 03:20
  • msg #710

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"We should definitely start mining as soon as practical. We may be able to purchase raw and partially refined materials from Egg directly as well. I would rather be out ahead of the problem for materials if that works for you Radshir." Brent glanced over at Joxe and nodded. "Good point on using the logistics ship. My thought was we might build a smaller ship that is more easy to crew as we train up a larger group to man logistics ship."
JR
GM, 1070 posts
Mon 18 Dec 2023
at 15:25
  • msg #711

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Before Joxe could reply, Edak spoke up. "Excuse my interruption, but we are ready to take Wanderer into the shipyard. Would you like to remove your personal belongings to the quarters I have selected, or attend to those duties yourselves?"

"We are also starting work on the system defense boats and the fighters, if you would like to visit those building slips at some point. Those projects and the logistics ship will occupy all four of our available building slips."
Matt
player, 984 posts
Brent
Thu 21 Dec 2023
at 04:55
  • msg #712

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent glanced at Joxe and then shrugged. "Go ahead and move everything unless you would rather do it yourself Joxe. I know she has been your home for a long time. We really need to get the big ship moved right away but I can help while you move the stuff."
JR
GM, 1072 posts
Thu 21 Dec 2023
at 07:08
  • msg #713

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

It takes the Wanderer's crew an hour to collect their belongings and find their new quarters. The ship's cargo bay and locker is also emptied into a storage area, and the ship is towed from the bay to the shipyard. Being a smaller vessel, it is fully enclosed in a pressurized bay, but everyone is required to wear their vacc suits while in the construction bay.

The logistics ship is ready for its trials, but it has no fuel or other supplies aboard. The computer is capable of operating the ship, although it's not recommended until after the trials are successfully completed.
Matt
player, 986 posts
Brent
Sun 24 Dec 2023
at 05:46
  • msg #714

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Ken turned to Joxe and the others as they finished moving the equipment. "Let's get the logistics ship fueled and filled with minimal emergency supplies." He will lead the others down to the bay if they were ready and amenable.
JR
GM, 1074 posts
Sun 24 Dec 2023
at 16:49
  • msg #715

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Joxe, with Brent's input, assigns the crew to specific tasks:

Kevin and Emii Eason start an abbreviated piloting and navigation course on the big ship's bridge, working with the ship's computer.

Murla Lear and Eleni von Ritterburg go with Joxe into Engineering, where they begin courses on operating the powerplant and the drives. They also supervise the fueling operation, and the powerplant's startup procedure.

Radshir van Adair and Shunami Lambert work on provisioning the ship. They approach Brent with a report. "The shipyard has a huge ag facility," Shunami says. "They can probably feed a thousand people every day."

Radshir continues. "There's also tons of stored food. Some of what they produced was used for fertilizers and to replenish soils, while more is used for the animals. The rest has been stored and cycled though to keep it edible. Edak says they have enough meals to feed twenty thousand people for a year."

Edak's remotes begin opening up Wanderer to replace her drives and electronics, while the two fighters' and the SDB's production gears up in the other slips. The avatar smiles at Brent. "It's good to be truly productive again, and to have people here."
Matt
player, 987 posts
Brent
Wed 27 Dec 2023
at 05:37
  • msg #716

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Brent will join in on the piloting and navigation training when he can. Otherwise he will work with Radshir and Shunami to stock the ship with food and crew equipment items like vac suits, emergency equipment, weapons and the like. He will get input from Joxe on what is useful.

"That's amazing that they have so much agricultural capability. I'm sure that the closed cycle agriculture technology would be of use in systems like Egg that have no habitable home world. We should bring several tons of the stored food with us and it will be helpful in many of the worlds." He returns Edak's smile. "It is good to have this facility to use as a base to restore an advance the entire subsector if not more."
JR
GM, 1075 posts
Thu 28 Dec 2023
at 15:20
  • msg #717

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

Edak smiles. "That was our hope when we began work."

"Now, we have to ensure that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands," Radshir says. "It would be a disaster if Keipes finds it, although I think that the ship could fight them."

"Well, we could help Kide at some point," Shunami replies. "We don't know much about them, though."
Matt
player, 988 posts
Brent
Thu 28 Dec 2023
at 22:56
  • msg #718

Re: Gorky - ARG facility - Arrival

"Joxe and I plan on spending our time scouting the surrounding systems while we work on training crews and upgrading the capabilities at Egg. Kide would be a priority for our investigations. Also I think we should develop some kind of stealth drone to allow us to scout the Keipes system from a distance. The Wanderer could drop it off in the outer system and let us monitor things there long-term."
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