There was nothing new on the newsfeeds concerning Borite as the Vultan headed into jump space.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 1):

"Did you get a good description of the scout Zhouth? We'll have to keep our eyes open for it. The others as well. You fix your computer yet Varca? A reset usually gets them working again."

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 2):

"Let's get some training in BB! Got to keep in shape for you!" he says with a big grin.

In reply to Collyn Ramburton (msg # 3):

"When are you going to start teaching me Sagamaal Ingrid? I'll be able to talk to the family then."

To no one's surprise (except, perhaps, the new hires), Zhouth continued to maintain meticulous records of everything to do with the ship's status and operations during the week in jumpspace. If anyone ever decided to produce a docudrama about their adventures, it certainly wouldn't lack for details!

When Rayjay wasn't at his station double checking the turrets, doing basic maintenance around the ship, or performing his daily routine, he could be found running laps in the cargo hold doing his best to work on his stamina and general physical fitness to help pass the time and make up for a lifetime of regret.

Ingrid stopped suddenly at the mention of her family. "I can teach you, if you like, Teddy. It's very kind that you want to learn my language. But not knowing it won't be a problem. I speak Galangic, at least enough." she said conversationally, before adding in a pained near-whisper "As for immediate family... it's just me."

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 7):

"Oh I'm so sorry, you spoke of them so much as if they were all still alive I thought to meet them someday." He hugged her to him to comfort her.

The week in Jump-space passes uneventfully. No accidents in training, no equipment malfunctions, otherwise boring (maybe that's why it's called Borite!). Ingrid is the one that mostly keeps things entertaining, but BB and Taliesa and Varca also have their moments.

Since Borite is a twin sun system with 3 gas giants and little more than a primitive airfield on the planet, refueling around one of the gas giants is recommended.

That, too, goes off without a hitch. Your astrogator chose the gas giant that was currently closest to the planet Borite, so once refueled, it's a two-day journey inward to reach the planet.

As you approach the planet, the ship's sensors pick up 4 satellites in geosynchronous orbits. Naturally, there's no high port. The satellites seem a bit suspicious at first, but don't show any weapons. On the other hand, there shouldn't be anything on the planet that can communicate with them or use GPS.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 9):

"Varca, Zhouth, check out those satellites, they shouldn't be there. Maybe Oghma is getting even more adventurous and is planning something. Engineering good Ingrid?"

"Okay, I'll try to..." Zhouth sounded rather uncertain about his ability to get anything useful out of the ship's array; signals and sensors were among the things that his time on Vanejen had not included.

Maybe it was beginner's luck, or maybe he'd managed to spot Aaron doing this exact same routine at some earlier point in the journey, but Zhouth's expression shifted to one of near-astonishment as his efforts began producing results.

22:04, Today: Zhouth rolled 13 using 2d6+3.  Zhouth Isn't A Sensors Guy.  He pulls it off anyway.

The first thing Zhouth determines is that the satellites are active, but other than a power signature, they don't have any emissions.

Fortunately, the ship's sensors are able to unravel the inner workings of the satellites, revealing that they are less sophisticated and technologically advanced than the ship's sensors.

They are sensor satellites; they monitor specific activity on the planet--electronic activity--and record it. When a proper signal is sent, they then transmit that information.

While scanning the satellites, Zhouth picks up some interference. After a bit of finagling with the sensors, he is able to isolate it from the satellite energy signature. To his surprise, it's a distress signal... a very faint distress signal.

It takes more manipulating of the sensors to figure out where it's coming from--one of the gas giants in the system. Obviously not the one that you refueled at but one of the farther away ones.

The computer identifies it as Frangar (Borite VII). You'd refueled at Gorbok (Borite VI).

Having reported his findings, and still apparently shocked that he managed to learn that much Zhouth seems no less dumbfounded as he wonders aloud, "Which of these things are we going to deal with first?"

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 13):

[In The Other Sensor Suite, Aboard Vultan]

     Having spent almost the entire Jump engaged in Physical Training, Varca is feeling a little slow and stiff.  He had got to the Portside Countermeasures compartment just minutes before the transition out of J-Space, but with enough time that he was ready, when Vultan returned to normal space.

     As soon as the energy discharge from the transition had cleared, Varca immediately fired up all the active sensors, as well as starting a scan of comm-frequencies (likely duplicating Zhouth's efforts--but then, that's probably why there were two Countermeasures Suites).

     Varca's reasoning behind not making a stealth entry into the system is because there is no Starport on Borite--thus no Port Patrol, nobody monitoring space traffic in the system...no Authorities!  And because there are "no authorities", Varca is concerned that any Oghman Raiders that might be in the system would have no fear about making an attempt to grab a starship, and it's crew of potentially technically and scientifically trained personnel.

     Varca is also fairly confident that no ragtag, patchwork Oghman-run spacecraft is going to get past Vultan's sensors!

     After Zhouth detects the comm-signal, Varca attempts to refine the data, maybe narrow down if the signal is coming from a ship orbiting Frangar, or from one of the Gas Giant's moons, or maybe...it's some comm-chatter from some Oghmen who're doing a little Wilderness Refueling, them selves...

OOC: Varca Lexand rolled 8 using 2d6+2, for a Electronics(Sensors) roll to pinpoint the source of the comm-signal.

     As the sensors collect data, Varca opens a microphone to the ship's general announcement system,

     "I'm analyzing the comm-signal coming from the gas giant, Frangar." Varca announces all over the ship,

     "It could be bad comm discipline from an Oghman ship that's skimming fuel, over there.  I'd expect that kind of sloppy operations from them.  Or it might be something else.  Either way, better safe than dead.  BB?  Get the troops suited up and armed--just in case we get the chance to board an Oghman Raider."

     Varca reaches for the switch to clip the mic, but then pauses, adding,

     "And also--just in case it needs to be said--No Disintegrations!  We're here for information, and plasma-fried gobbets of people--though tasty--are notoriously uncommunicative!  Got it?"

     That said, Varca shuts down the PA.

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 8):

Ingrid nodded and continued to talk softly to Theodore. "I know, I don't like to talk about it. I still have cousins, but my father... the Frontier War happened."

"Well, we should respond to the distress call, right? They could need assistance urgently" Ingrid responded to Zhouth.