After a 6-month journey through the system the Shíyàn Nóngyé is finally back at her home port of Eros. The vessel docks in its reserved berth within Docking Bay 2. The crew has about two weeks of rest and relaxation before going back out again. During this two weeks some members of the crew go on extended leave or go to work at the company offices. These leaving crewmen are replaced by others.

---

The first night back in home port is pretty crazy for some crewmen as they hit the bars, clubs, casinos, and brothels. Others decide to have a low-key night, maybe having a nice meal or spend time with family they haven’t seen in six months.

---

The next day around the early evening Shinsato Hirotsugu (XO of the Zhidao), Dr. Abang Kaos (Ship’s Doctor for the Zhidao) and Asha Blackburn (a mechanic from the Zhidao) are all in the Shíyàn Nóngyé Company office on Eros station completing various reports and what not.

While working, the entirety of Eros station shakes as some sort of large explosion occurs somewhere on Eros Station.

Nobody feels the telltale signs of the pressure dropping, so at least there is not any danger of vacuum exposure or loss of air.

But the announcement broadcast over a PA speaker in the corridor is in a female voice, and in several languages, does indicate there is a problem.

[Language unknown: “Olosssca Netho ithatihou ieto koroersti-conbut os hatthusanrut esslinstr lohoro. Yin rat io ticonsrut, saeist ughsomrom e mare hasaststa ounme hasrature o ng urtoac nomeee.”]

“Attention Eros station has experienced a radiation hazard breach. For your own safety, please proceed to the nearest hard shelter in an orderly fashion.”

[Language unknown: “Artvervenday Kor ashoev ncand ectvenhiscomwil as enclesncever tiobutare ithbutent. Usek bleth yinti tentpo, stiounons saunss e ent ounvenred chie uncast ac o difowe nctari.”]

[Language unknown: “Waatekei Hi lathos ofta ettailekom m thoatencehou inwall undestout. Rea beee io trusne, kormennti eausanred i manse nobeto iv etsene in n ulprei statratic.”]

For those who take a look at their hand terminals they get a ‘breaking news' notification. The news notification shows a massive ice hauler in Docking Bay three exploding while in its berth. The accompanying captions at the bottom of the news feed switches between Belter Creole to English that reads: Ice Hauler explodes in dock causing massive radiation contamination of Eros Station.

A few minutes later there is a station wide text notification:
> Due to radiation hazard breach all dockings bay for Eros Station are locked down. Please proceed to the nearest hard shelter immediately. <

OOC: Please make a post describing what you did the night before. At this point in time the net work is still working, so you can communicate to maybe meet someone someplace.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:59, Fri 27 Aug 2021.

Sato enjoyed his work.  Having left active service in the military to pursue a career in science exploration in the field of biology he was truly doing what he felt he was meant to be doing...but...he always looked forward to returning to port on Eros Station.  The first thing he did every time he came into port was to make his way to his mother's apartment.  His mother, Mei Zhing, suffered from Alzheimer's for which he had had her moved to the station so that he could more easily check on her each time he returned there.

He'd left straight from the port when they landed.  They'd had a wonderful meal together and a few laughs before retiring for the night.  She seemed to be doing well this time.  She actually had periods of time where she remembered who he was and in those moments they'd spent reminiscing about the past.  On his last visit there had been far fewer opportunities to reminisce.  When he awoke he made her some breakfast, something her personal assistant would normally have done, and then he grabbed a shower.

As much as he would have preferred to spend more time with her, he knew that he had to file a lot of paperwork for their last mission and he wanted to oversee all of the transfer of data and experiments from the ship to the companies labs.  It wasn't that he didn't trust them to do a good job...he just knew that regardless of how well they did, he would do it better.  The research was his baby and he would make sure that it was properly tucked into the companies databases by his own hand.  He would have plenty of opportunity to spend with her over the next few weeks while they were at port.

As he gathered his things he kissed his mother on the forehead and told her he'd be back later that evening. The last thing she said to him as he departed was: "I love you my little Sato-sugu."

---

It had been an extremely long day but a very productive one as well.  They'd gotten every experiment successfully transferred to the labs and all of the necessary data had been entered into the companies systems. It was now only a matter of completing all of the necessary forms and he would be done for the day.

But the end of the day would not come so soon nor so easily...for it was then that the announcement over they PA could be heard.  He quickly grabbed his hand terminal to find out what the cause of such a radiation breach.  It becomes pretty clear that an Ice Hauler had 'exploded' in the docking area...but what wasn't very clear was 'why' the Ice Hauler had exploded.  It didn't make any sense...but he would have to worry about finding out the why later.

He gathered up his things and shouted instructions to Abang and Asha and anyone else in the office:

"Gather your things and make your way to  hard shelter 47." It was the nearest shelter and wasn't all that far from where they currently were.  He was usually one to heed his own advice, but in this instance his heart overruled his mind.  He would make his way to his mother's room and get her to the nearest hard shelter.  He couldn't stand the thought of taking care of his own safety at the expense of her own.

It wasn't until he was making his way to her apartment that his thoughts went to the Shíyàn Nóngyé...he wondered how this was all going to turn out...and if he'd ever manage to set foot upon her again?  He shrugged the thought off and redoubled his efforts to get to his his mother.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Tue 31 Aug 2021.

Last night Hope walked off the ship into comfortable surroundings. Even with the haunting nature of Eros, there was a certain ease to being amid so many Belters. She walked paths she had walked many times before, eventually ending up at a bar. She ran into a Ronny, a not-too-close friend from childhood, there and reminisced over too many drinks, though notably less than she'd made it through at many sittings recently. Later she dressed beside his sleeping body and headed back to the ship to get a good rest before working tomorrow; the ship had become home now, and she could sleep there better.

After a good "night's" sleep she got up to go to Shíyàn Nóngyè company office. Hope knew chief engineer Xi Yichen wouldn't make it. Most likely he'd not be seen for a couple days. As he probably would have messed up the paperwork anyway, it was better for Hope to take care of it as she had done on each of the previous docking since she got the job. No big deal, better it be done right and everyone be content than having to deal with the results otherwise.

---

Sitting at her terminal when the shaking happens, Hope glances around with her eyes briefly, her head still toward the terminal. The feeling is too much for any typical OPA bombing. She starts checking the terminal just as the message starts coming in over the PA system, noting Docking Bay 3 rather than Docking Bay 2. And then the XO gives his instructions.

Hope sweeps her hand terminal up from the tabletop and slides it into a pocket. She swings around off the chair to head for the doorway with the others. Initially heading toward the hard shelter seems fine, but she notices the XO veering off and says to him, "Hey, bosmang, it's this way. You're gonna be pashtang if you get stuck in the wrong spot."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:02, Sat 28 Aug 2021.

As he started to head off Asha spoke to him.  He had no idea what pashtang meant but from the context of the rest of what she said, he didn't imagine it was something good.

In response he said, "I appreciate your concern but I have to try to get my mother to safety as she won't be able to do so for herself given her illness. As soon as I get to her apartment, I'll be booting it to a hard shelter with her."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:37, Tue 31 Aug 2021.

When the ship berthed, Dr Kaos was greeting by messages spamming his terminal, the small handful of local clinics he'd volunteered at over the years all trying to get his attention for the weeks he was going to be on station again.  He sighed at it, yes, being needed (and wanted) was a grand part of the joy he took in his work, but sometimes he wished they'd cooperate a bit more with each other so he didn't have to triage them and do the hard part of breaking their hearts when he couldn't see to everyone.

He'd learned long ago, downtime needed downtime.

But he made time for two clinics the first evening off ship, consulted with the younger doctors and agreed with their assessments, they were bright and eager youngsters, brilliant in their own ways, they just needed some time to grow more confident in their own diagnosis.  Then he swung by the bar he knew Hope enjoyed most, the one her feet always found first on Eros.  Seeing she was already relaxed and enjoying herself, he passed by with a drink, caught her eye and toasted her evening.  He finished his drink and slide out, calling it an early night.

Waking only a few hours later, he checked the thrid clinic, spent a few hours talking with the doctor and nurses, agreeing with them overall on most the of the cases they'd held aside for his eyes, but suggested something a bit more extreme on the last.  The surgery was complicated, but one he'd done several times, and once done correctly would lead to the patient having an easier time with their prosthesis, better seating and finer nerve connections.  It was a 'small' improvement, but would mean they'd be far less likely to ever need adjustment in the future and suffer less discomfort overall.  He scheduled a surgery window for a few days next week, to give the clinic time to get the patient briefed and make sure a suite was available.

On his way to the Shíyàn Nóngyè offices, to follow up on any paperwork and surreptitiously resupply his kit (Abang a bad habit of passing on his own supplies when visiting the clinics), he stopped by a supplier of fine goods he knew, who'd messaged him "I've got it".  Oh, this would be a treat, he'd been promising Hope a 'good' bottle of gin for their "drink ourselves stupid and not talk about whatever nightmares haunt the past" ritual for a couple of runs now, it would be a delight to deliver on this promise.

"So ya really gon drink this ya?  Lotta qián for somethin ya drink."

"Of course we'll be drinking this, what else would you do with it?  Keep it hidden away, only bringing it out to gently stroke the bottle and imagine it's richness?" He scoffs and smiles with the purveyor, knowing it was exactly what the previous owner had been doing for years, "Medicine must be administered for the patient to benefit, and this medicine will benefit us tonight!  Hah!"

He slide the old wooden box, with it's artful logo and icons of authenticity shut and noticed it was too bulky to fit properly in his medical duffel.  "Hmmm," he removed the bottle from the box, "here my friend, this display will be unnecessary after tonight, please pass this on to someone who may want a decorative wooden box, or whatever, saves me the recycling fees, eh?"

Bottle safely wrapped in a medical brace and cushioned by the gauze packs on one side and medigel plasters on the other, he finished his morning at the offices.  He spent the day carefully making sure the supply requisitions were properly doctored to cover the supplies he'd been squirreling away to pass along to the free clinics on Eros.

He'd just wrapped up the day, paperwork in quintuplicate, and was popping over to Hope's area of the offices to see if she was done as well when the PA blared it's announcement, warning, and safety recommendation.  He falls in beside her and draws up sharply when she does, looking to their XO to see if he knows something they didn't.

Hope takes a moment when she has Shinsato Hirotsugu's attention. "Bosmang, do you know where tha hard shelters are if you get stuck without electronics? Personally, I'd feel better if we could get to our ship; I don't why the other bays are locked down."

Abang, looks at the crowd moving down the hall, "No boss, I'm coming with you.  Got anti-rad chelates if we get stuck outside of a shelter." He pats the emt bag slung on his shoulder, "Long as it's no worse than a walk outside in a papersuit, we'll be fine.  Uncomfortable, but fine."

He then catches what Hope had asked, "Couple of reasons port authority would close down ship access, most of them end with the words 'deliberate sabotage'."  Though his voice is steady and calm, there is tension around his eyes and his hand griping the medical bag's straps is going white.

Shinsato saw the logic in Abang coming with him.  Should he have trouble getting to a hard shelter, he had anti-rad medication that could afford him more time to get to shelter if need be.  He nodded his consent to the man.

"Do you have enough anti-rad for four? If not...Asha, I want you to go for shelter now.  No sense risking necks when it isn't necessary."

As an afterthought he added, to Asha:

"I'd rather be on the ship too, but if the radiation issues are in the docking bay area, we wouldn't likely make it to the ship.  Better that we find shelter for now.  Like I said, I have to get to my mother to safety if I can."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:38, Tue 31 Aug 2021.

"If the doc's got enough for four, I'm with you, bosmang. I've played it safe before. Besides, I grew up here, so I probably know the routes better than anyone else if we need to improvise."

"I just restocked, so yes, I have a standard pack which is fourteen days supply of chelating gels.  As long as we aren't under irradiated conditions for more than three days, or nuked, we should be fine.  Let's go save your mother."


[Private to GM: I'm more than willing to throw a wrinkle into his "yes I have XX amount", like if we get into it and you need Abang to have less capacity, just say the word.  I can fluff out reasons that he was wrong or forgetful.]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Tue 31 Aug 2021.

Sato was glad to have help but he also felt a sense of guilt as he was now putting two more lives in addition  to his own at risk by not insisting that they head to a shelter immediately.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on which position one took), his crew were somewhat stubborn.   They followed orders alright, but they'd become more of a family, as do most crews that work closely together.  He knew that in this instance they weren't likely to follow such an order.

He couldn't afford to take the time to have the argument that he was bound to lose anyway, so he simply headed off toward to his mother's apartment.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:39, Tue 31 Aug 2021.

BY the time  Asha, Dr. Kaos and Sato finish their conversation everyone else who was in the office has left.

With Sato abruptly leaving, it is up to Asha, or Dr. Kaos to lock the office up....

Outside the office the wide open court area that serves as the location for several business offices is full of people heading in every direction.

[Private to Dr. Abang Kaos:
I do not see why you would not have a supply of radiation prevention meds on you.

https://www.askaprepper.com/16...-radiation-exposure/]

OOC: It makes no difference to me if you guys split up or stay together.

Abang stops to lock up the offices, saying to Hope, "Go, follow the XO, I'll be right behind you."

"OK. Be quick. It looks like chaos out here." Hope follows along behind the XO while using her hand terminal to let Abang track her.

Sato heads off to meet his mother along with Asha as Dr. Kaos finishes locking up the office. Once done it doesn't take too long for the Earther to catch up to the Martian and Belter.

The three stay close together as they find themselves going in the opposite direction of just about everyone else who are (probably) on their way to a hard shelter. As such instead of taking an easy ten minutes to reach the small apartment where Sato's mother lives it takes almost thirty minutes.

OOC: Can everyone please include a perception test in their next post?

[Private to Shinsato Hirotsugu: Does your character's mother have a caregiver?]

Abang brings up the rear, keeping Hope in sight, but remaining a few yards behind in case some one slipped or some thug lunged out of the crowd at Sato or Hope, hopefully he could see them and head them off.



OOC: 01:30, Today: Dr. Abang Kaos rolled 7 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 1, 3.  Perception Test.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:55, Sat 11 Sept 2021.

Asha does her best to keep Sato in view and stay nearly right behind him.

05:11, Today: Asha Blackburn rolled 11 using 3d6+2 (5 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {5}, 2, 2.  Perception test.

I don't think perception generates stunt points.

He knew every turn along the route to get to his mother's apartment and thus was able to focus much of his attention while getting there to his surroundings.  His eyes ever scanning for anything that might impede there progress, any hazard that might prevent him from getting to her.

---

OOC: 11:12, Today: Shinsato Hirotsugu rolled 16 using 3d6 (5 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {5}, 6, 5.  perception test.

[Private to GM: I see her as being in assisted living.  A care giver sees her for personal care, meals, etc., but spends much of her day milling about her apartment keeping herself amuzed.  Unless you see a more facility style care model existing on the station?

So, under an assisted living situation, it would depend on time of day and what she would be doing at that time.  Hope that helps?]

Sato, Asha, and Dr. Koas reach the the apartment belonging to Sato's mother without any trouble. with a keycard to the apartment, Sato easily gain access and find both his mother and her caregiver Kaeya, a young Belter girl of 17 years old present.

Upon seeing her son, Sato's mother begins talking to him. "Oh Shinsato you finally came! Am I right that the Earthers are attacking us here in Londres Nova? Kaeya doesn't think so. She says we're on Eros of all places and there is a radiation alert."

Kaeya who knows all about Ms. Hirotsugu's condition says nothing about the older woman's statement. "I didn't want to leave until you showed up. I packed a bag of your Mother's things."

[Private to Shinsato Hirotsugu: Looking at your hand terminal you notice that it no longer has a network connection.]

Shinsato ran to his mother and hugged her, grateful that she was okay.  He knew that explaining what was happening would only cause her more confusion and delay their moving to safety.  He made a choice to go with the story she currently believed:

"Yes mom, the Earther's are attacking.  Please forgive Kaeya, it is a very difficult situation...I'm sure she simply panicked."  He turned his head toward Kaeya and offered her a look that said he knew that hadn't been the case, and hoped she would just go along with it.  He then mouthed the words "thank you" to her, for having stayed with his mother when she could just as easily have left her to he own devices and run for safety.

"Now, we really have to be getting out of here mother.  Please take my hand and follow me...Kaeya, please come with us."  He took a quick look at his hand terminal, made a face that conveyed frustration, and put it back in a side pocket on his pants.

With that Shinsato took his mother's hand and led her out of the room.  He looked to Abang, "Please grab my mother's bag.  We must be going."  He then spoke to Asha in low tones as he made his way for the door, "the network is down...our hand terminals won't be able to provide us any further intel on the situation.  Lets make our way to the nearest hard shelter."

He pulls out his hand terminal and checks it as he shifts his bag to be slung across his back, then shoulders Ms. Hirotsugu's bag.  After they leave the old woman's apartment Abang again trails behind, this time less worried about errant thugs in the now empty station corridors.

"Let's go! No time to waste!" Hope tries to lead them in as direct a route as possible to the nearest hard shelter, relying on her many years in the Eros corridors.

As the five people exit the apartment the corridor isn't quite as empty as Dr. Kaos had hopped, but the number of people moving about is significantly less.

[Private to Dr. Abang Kaos: As you look at your hand terminal you notice that Sato is right. You have has lost all connection to the Eros Station network.]

With Asha taking the lead it isn't long before they reach a hard shelter.

A four man team from CPM Security Corporation (i.e. Eros Station Security/Police) are manning a pre-entry checkpoint and are making everyone toss their bags into a big pile. They are also frisking everybody and conversating any weapons which are going into a large bin. Just past getting frisked and going into the hard shelter itself everyone is getting a large dose of some sort of medicine delivered into the side of their neck.

[Private to Dr. Abang Kaos: Whatever the hell is being injected into the people's necks is WAY to large of a dose to be used as a radiation prevention medication.]

OOC: If you feel like you can make a roll for a skill or ability please do so and tell me why your rolling.

Abang hands Ms Hirotsugu's bag to Hope, "Hold this a moment," and taps Sato's shoulder getting his attention, "I'll be right back, those aren't anti-rad shots..." he whispers to them.  He leaves the line cutting ahead, using his emt bag to shield inquiry as to his motives, until he gets close to one of the guards.

When he gets close he tries to get a glimpse of the vials they are drawing the medicine from, or if the syringes are premeasured, any markings on the case or syringe.

No reason to start a panic if there's a good reason not too, he pitches his voice low so the guard can hear and hopefully not be overheard by too many others as he leans close, "Excuse me, those aren't anti-rads, what the hell is going on?"


OOC:  Do you prefer Perception or Int (Pharmacology)?
00:17, Today: Dr. Abang Kaos rolled 11 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {6}, 3, 1.  Trying to see markings on vials or cases
This message was last edited by the player at 21:27, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

The CPM Corp guy in riot gear and armed with a automatic rifle roughly pushes Dr. Kaos away. "Hey inner wait fo' you turn." He then adds a boast. "I already shoot me one inner today, some rich Martian bitch today. Got no problem shootin' an Earther." The smell of cordite and a bandage wrapped around his head is a good indicator that the man wasn't lying about having already shot somebody, but it looks like maybe he got an ear shot off in the process.

[Private to Dr. Abang Kaos: You can't tell how much is in the the syringes but its a lot, and the syringes themselves are  the auto use type. Just take off the needle cover stick the person and press a button on the back to deliver the contents into the body.]

OOC: The four man (well three men and a woman) CPM Corp team are wearing riot gear and the three men are armed with automatic rifles. The woman is only armed with a pistol.

As Abang began speaking to the guards about the shot they were giving not being anti-rad, something very not right began to formulate in the back of his mind.  He couldn't figure out what specifically...at least not yet...but his gut was telling him something and he'd learned to listen to it quite some time ago.

He stepped forward along side Abang and addressed the members of the CPM Corp team:

"I am Shinsato Hirotsugu, XO of the Zhidao.  Those here with me have already received an anti-rad shot from our ship's doctor, Dr. Abang Kaos." He indicated to the man beside him as he spoke of him.  "As we do not need the shot you are providing, we will proceed to our current destination as we've been instructed by Eros command.  We thank you for your service."

---

OOC: Oratory: Persuasion 15 vs 15 (hard) test.

23:46, Wed 22 Sept: Shinsato Hirotsugu rolled 15 using 3d6+5 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 2, 5.  Oratory: Persuasion.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:56, Fri 24 Sept 2021.

The man with a shot raised the weapon at Sato, but the weapon was lowered by the female CPM Corporation employee. “You gots anti-rads already, and don’t want to go into shelter?” A brief pause as the woman looks down at a watch on her wrist. “Fine, you and yo own get da fuck outta here.”

After that reply Asha whispers to her XO, "Where to bosmang? We've gotta get somewhere safe in case of non-radiation damage."

Once they were beyond the eyes and ears of the CPM guards, Sato turned to Abang, "I think now might be a good time to give us each a dose of anti-rad."

When that was done he responded to Asha, "Right now, I think the ship is the safest place for us. Something is going on here on the station that just doesn't make sense."

He then praised Abang, "That was a great catch Abang, had you not noticed they weren't providing anti-rad shots, there's no telling what they would have injected us with? Something very shady is going down, indeed."

"I was thinking the same thing, Bosmang. We'll have to get to it, though."

When they're moving along Hope quietly says to Abang, "Thanks. I wouldn't have known. Can't trust an..." She seems to realize just who she's with then. "... most Inners."

"There is no such thing as 'anti-rad' shots.  That was the biggest give away.  I can administer chelates and they need to be filtered out relatively soon, otherwise there is no point in administering them, but that is a matter of hours, not minutes."  He unlocks the emt duffle, fishes out a bottle labeled 'Charcoal Tablets, 25g, Cherry Licorice', and hands out two black tablets to each person, "Chew and swallow, I apologize, this flavor is the only one the station carries for some reason.  For the chelates, those are drip administered, we'll need somewhere your mother can sit and be comfortable, so let us get to the ship."

He puts the half empty bottle away, zips, and relocks the emt duffle.

"I suspect they were being given sedatives, probably with iodine supplements, though that wouldn't have been enough to be of any real affect in the event of a serious hazard and would only make people feel ill.  Those doses were too large to be 'medicinal'," he finger quotes, "but too small for chelation."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:51, Tue 28 Sept 2021.

After stopping a bit to distributing the anti-rad meds and figure out where to go, everyone moves. Kaeya, the caregiver for Sato's mother tags along, apparently trusting her employer (Sato) over that of CPM Corporation, and assists with keeping Ms. Hirotsugu moving along.



As the five move thought the corridors of Eros Station toward a transit tube that will get them to Docking Bay two in a relative short time they hear gun fire coming up ahead where the transit tubes are. The sounds of booming shotgun's, automatic rifle and submachinegun fire can be heard in addition to screaming and yelling reverberate down the corridor.

This prompts everyone to go down semi-darkened side corridor of residential apartments. The doors are all closed, but in front of one of them along the right side is a woman who appears to be gagged with clothing (socks), and has being zip tied at the wrists, elbow, ankles and knees. The woman appears to have been pretty beaten up as she has two black eyes, and her nose appears to be broken.

OOC: Sorry for the railroading you down the side corridor, but you guys need to pick up another player character who has had a bad day so far.

With the gunfire, Dr Kaos had drawn his 'pea shooter' as some on the ship liked to call it and chide him for bothering to carry such a small weapon.  Well, this was why, small, easily concealed, relatively not deadly, and couldn't possibly puncture a station wall.  He also firmly strapped the emt duffle to his back and affixed Ms Shinsato's bag through the strap.


Upon seeing the woman, Abang approached warily, and held his arm out to stop the first person who was bound to rush to her, "Careful, OPA sometimes uses an injured person as bait," he hisses.  But after a moment, seeing no obvious trap, he cautiously approaches with the others and stands guard while someone frees her.


OOC:  We're in a corridor shooter now boss, rails are fine with me as long as we get occasional fork in the road.  If no one else frees the young lady, Dr Kaos will do so.

"Maldecido!" Hope blurts out seeing the woman. She pulls out her utility knife and opens it while Abang is keeping her back. Once he lets her proceed, Hope goes for the zip ties. "I'll have you free in a sec. Don't move while I cut you loose." And for good measure, [Language unknown: "Pr has th ckli t ar plom. Haneiv cepr prewerrom P era comev ndeingure."] That's a lot of zip ties, so it will take a short bit for her to remove them all.

Once the last zip tie on her wrists is free the young woman reaches up to remove the gag so she can speak to those who have found her.  Although a little bit hard to make out with her mouth still more than a little dry and her voice somewhat on the quiet side even for this back alley she still has a little bit of a martian accent to her English.  ”Thank you for your assistance, there seem to be very few here in the belt that will stop and offer aid before they would offer thievery and violence.  Perhaps you would be willing to further help me in either recovering some of my stolen equipment or leaving this place for somewhere a bit more civilized?”

"Right now we're trying to get to the safest shelter we can. Don't know what happened, but if it's bad and we don't have some shelter, we're pinché for sure... Can you even see to walk?" Hope offers support to the woman's arm to help her up.

Shinsato looked down at the woman they had just freed from bondage and listened to her words.  In reply he said:

"Unfortunately there is not time to spend in search of your equipment...if there were, we would most willingly assist you with that.  As for aid in leaving here...you are welcome to come with us if you wish.  I am the XO of the Zhidao and we are currently on our way to it."

He then turned to Abang and instructed, "Regardless of whether this woman's decision to join us or not, please provide her with some chelates...and then we must be on our way."

Rising to her feet with little or no assistance it becomes clear that while the young woman has taken quite the beating the significant majority of it is cosmetic, done by inexperienced hands, and the occasional boot print, that caused more damage to her pride and appearance than to her ability to function.  Only a little shaky as she takes a few steps in the direction indicated for the ship she seems willing and likely able to keep up.  ”The name is Kattalin, I am less worried about any of my possessions than the usefulness of them.
 If your ship has anything like the normal supplies I am quite sure I can make myself useful.”

As she rises Abang gives her the once over, looking for any indications she's favoring a joint or muscle group. "Hmm, yes.  You seem fine, but you could have internal injuries, and that nose, one moment," he takes her face and holds it with both hands, thumbs next to her nose "this will hurt, but it will fix your nose so you can breathe clearly, okay?"

If she acquiesces, her straightens her nose, which is more painful than breaking it was.

Regardless, moments later he digs bottle out of the emt bag, shakes out a few pills, "These will help with inflammation, and pain, swallow.  It will have to be dry, I have no water, sorry.  We'll dispense the anti-rads at the ship, let us go."

Puts the bottle away, relocks the bag, and once takes the rear of the group again, his tiny holdout pistol held low, but ready.

OOC: Feel free to continue to post if you feel the need to.

I do not want to get a post up and rush you guys off.

So when your ready please post heading towards the dock where the Zhido is located.

"OK, let's move then. Yes, bosmang?" Hope seems ready to get going right away.

Shinto offers Asha a nod of agreement and then looks to Abang.  If he too is in agreement, Shinsato will lead the way.

Dr. Kaos is already prepared to follow the group, keeping herd on stragglers and watch on the rear.

With Asha, and Kaeya, both Belter’s native to Eros point out the way to avoid any main corridors, the group of now six individuals make their way towards the casino level, which is the last level ‘down’ before getting to the docks, and specifically docking bay 2 where the Zhidao is docked.

The sound of sporadic gunfire is heard reverberating down the corridors, but as they get closing to the casino level this begins to tapers off. A few other people are seen going in various directions. One man passes by and mentions that the CPM Corporation personnel are directing those who couldn’t make it to the shelters to go to the casino level. The man who is of Asian descent says he is heading back to the enclave of his people.

OOC: List of characters present
Shinsato Hirotsugu
Dr. Abang Kaos
Asha Blackburn
Kattalin Zubiri
Ms. Hirotsugu (Sato’s aging mother) NPC
Kaeya (Ms. Hirotsugu care giver) NPC (can be a spare character if someone dies or is seriously injured)

While clearly following the other's lead Kattalin is far from a straggler, easily able to keep up in the lower gravity without suffering from it.  When the pause outside of the area with consistent gunfire she comments quietly on the situation.

”If this ends up in a gunfight I will be a lot more useful with a pistol, but I do find myself well positioned to take one of their uniforms and armor if the opportunity presents.”

"Least we're moving away from the guns... If we're avoiding CPM, we'll need to bypass the casino level as best we can."

"If they're herding people into the casino...  XO," he tries to catch Shinasato, and pull him a bit away from his mother for a moment, give Ms. Shinsato time to rest and hopefully not overhear them, and get worked up, "I don't think there's any real risk of radiation boss.  Those shoots looked more like sedatives, and this?  This is just herding everyone into one place.  This feels more like a crackdown, they're trying to shake out insurgents.  This feels very anti-OPA.  Hope's right, we should skirt the casino if we're going to make it to the ship and not get swept up into a lock-down."

Shinsato was glad for Abang's assessment of the situation as he had definitely gotten caught up with his mother and ensuring her safety.

"I agree.  We should avoid the casino.  Assuming radiation truly isn't a concern, we can afford to go to greater lengths avoiding it.  Let's be on our way."

A native of Eros who had lived on station her entire life, the young 17 year old mentions the one thing that no one wants to say or acknowledge. "The only way to any of the docks is through the casino level."

"Sure, but there have to be maintenance and service areas.  We should be able to avoid being in the open for most of the main casino level.  Just need to keep our eye's open."

Kattalin doesn't even bother looking at the people controlling the casino area, she stays fully out of view and very nearly whispers to those she was rescued by.  ”If one of you has a halfway decent hand terminal I can make use of it is fairly likely I can get another copy of the map of the station, my last one seems to have gone missing at some point.  And we don't want to tangle with those thugs if we don't have to, it doesn't go well.”

As the corridor widens into the Casino level the group sees two pairs of CPM guards waving people by. They are not checking anyone's items, or conducting any shakedowns.

Beyond the guards the entire Casino level is a maze of Slot machines, Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, and Craps tables. Interspersed amongst all this are walled off Pachinko parlors, betting halls for races or prize fights occurring throughout the system, and small restaurants.

From their vantage point in the widening corridor, it looks like about one-third of these places are open, their proprietors acting as if business is as usual. There are people too acting as if things are normal, gambling away their money. Groups of 2-4 CPM guards patrol the casino area but are not being hostile to anyone.

Signage pointing to the groups relative left show the general direction where the transit tube station is, and signage to the right show the general direction one needs to go to reach docking bay two.

OOC: The above is just a perspective of what you can see before passing the guards and entering the casino itself. This way you can turn around if you so wish or enter the casino level to see how you can try to get to the docking bay two.

[Private to GM: Massive shutters have closed off all but one of the exits leading ‘up spin’ to docking bay two. This one exit is guarded by a large force of CPM personnel, and about a dozen other individuals. These dozen individuals are wearing an as of yet never seen before type of vac suit/armor that is grayish silver in color. These individuals are armed with and odd type of rifle with what appears to be a top mounted grenade launcher.]

Hope quietly says to the others, "If they're not stopping anyone, we should be able to walk right past and just head to the docks, right? Just be casual and walk along?"

From their current vantage point the actual exits/lifts to the docking level cannot be seen.

Abang slips his pistol into his coverall pocket, but keeps his hand on it in case, his other hand slips his heavily ruggedized terminal out and thumbs it on, "The Eros network is down, SOP communications lockout, though local networks might be operational," he turns the hand terminal to show Kattalin the flashing "no access" icon, "here, if you can get a ping in, feel free to try.  XO, I don't see a way around, I think we're going to have to go through, and I bet dock access is going to be blocked, at least guarded if not locked out.  But we should be able to find maintenance access from inside the casinos."


OOC:  The Hand Terminal is Very Durable.

Kattalin accepts the offered Hand Terminal and spends a few moments familiarizing herself with its current settings, layout, and capabilities, but even that is done very quickly.  Settling down to begin working she shares a few thoughts out loud before her focus is fully absorbed in the task.  ”Ahh, a classic Nokia scion always a reliable choice.  They can be very quick to resort to violence to ensure that people follow the instructions they have been given, each set likely has only a very small piece of the overall plan.  Avoiding contact will almost certainly be better.”[Private to GM:
Trying to find any signal, or hack whatever system is running the interference, even if it is just the short range comms of the thugs, but with a preference for something with data on the station.  Also keep in mind that I get an extra unit of information if successful when hacking.
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 23 using 3d6+8 with the AGE System with rolls of {6}, 4, 5.  Technology (Hacking).]

Kattalin attempts to find a network connection and fails to do so. She then tries to manually connect to several different wireless bands and also fails to find a connection. What the Martian woman is able to determine is that ALL wireless networks, even those used by emergency responders are down.

Trying to connect to radio communications she finds a few frequencies still in use. Two are the ever repeating 'Welcome to Eros station' announcement and the radiation hazard breach a announcement. Everything else is encrypted, and with only snippets of encrypted static on each frequency its clear that frequency hopping is also being utilized.

Whomever has taken over Eros Station has gone to considerable extremes to cut the general populace off from communicating within and outside of Eros...

[Private to Kattalin Zubiri: Lets save that Technology (Hacking) roll of 23 to be used at a later time when it really matters. Just remind me. ]

Shinsato looked at the others then back to his mother.  It seemed they would have to risk passing the guards and enter the casino.  It worried him given his current belief that something untoward was happening on Eros.

"We will have to do our best to look like we aren't entering with an agenda.  Thoughts on our reaction should they attempt to detain us.  My first thought is that we should likely resist and not allow ourselves to be captured...but I want your thoughts as well as we will have civilians to protect in the process."

"We could also simply find a place in here out of the way, and wait for the lockdown to end.  If they're rounding up a terror cell as I suspect, once they've finished all this craziness will end."

He again gives Hope and Kaeya a sympathetic glance, "But I agree, if we can find a way through, we'd all be safer on the ship."

Shinsato turned to Asha for her input as to what she thought was the best plan.  He realized he was the XO, but in his mind, that only really mattered when on the ship.  Here they were all equals and he valued both of their opinions.

Hope replies to Abang's comment. "You're right. If they're not giving out real meds, it's not what they're saying. So we're not in the danger they claim. It's just the Inner security doing things their way. But something did happen - we felt it. So if we can get to the ship, that seems best. Otherwise hiding is probably best."

"I think we should make our way to the ship.  We'll try to slip through, but if need be we'll do whatever we need to do, to get there. Perhaps my mother, her aid, and the doctor should attempt to pass through first.  Asha and I will hold back and provide support if your efforts are impeded"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 03:08, Sun 07 Nov 2021.

Clearly disappointed in the usefulness of the hand terminal Kattalin makes several attempts, in what are presumably different ways, to assess the situation.

”Even without the direct personal evidence of their hostility the total lack of any of the normal emergency support and direction channels being open would be more than enough evidence of a wild misrepresentation of their intent.

I don't have any more fight left in me but I should be able to reimburse your crew for whatever help they can provide once we reach a more civilized place, or if we are forced to stay here long enough for some kind of larger scale rescue operation to take place.”

A pair of the CPM thugs begin to walk by the group, then suddenly stop. There is some chatter from their radios (the two thugs are not responding) that some people can hear and understand.

[Private to Kattalin Zubiri:
You do not recognize any of these voices from the thugs you encountered earlier.

Male voice
“Hey dis es team sixteen, me bossmag and one uter are dead at de Pur’n Kleen office. Dey gear es gone too! I got’s fore of da corporate coyo’s wit me. Dey do noa giv’ a shit an wanna go back to de docks.”

Female voice
“Berata we gots an hour b’fore casino level es shut down. Afteir dat no one outside of casino or dock levels es getting’ off dis rock.”

2nd Male voice
“Al teams, we got’s two dead and gear of ders es taken! Switch to encrypted channel now!”]

[Private to Asha Blackburn:
I made a Perception (Empathy) roll for you, and have added some more info.

Male voice
“Hey dis es team sixteen, me bossmag and one uter are dead at de Pur’n Kleen office. Dey gear es gone too! I got’s fore of da corporate coyo’s wit me. Dey do noa giv’ a shit an wanna go back to de docks.” This guy sounds really distraught, and stressed.

Female voice
“Berata we gots an hour b’fore casino level es shut down. Afteir dat no one outside of casino or dock levels es getting’ off dis rock.” From her tone of voice, it does not sound like this woman is lying.

2nd Male voice
“Al teams, we got’s two dead and gear of ders es taken! Switch to encrypted channel now!” This voice is speaking with an air of authority.]

Hope stands close to Shinsato and whispers, trying not to draw attention to her group. "Bosmang, from de sound of it we need to be in the casino or the docks. If the Inners in charge are headin' for the docks, we should too."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Thu 11 Nov 2021.

Shinsato gave Asha a very slight nod of understanding and made to continue on toward the casino entrance.  He didn't make any sudden outward movements but he was prepared to draw his weapon at a moments notice to defend the others should the need arise.

As they move into the Casino foyer, Dr Kaos asks for his terminal back for a moment, he bumps the saved off into the terminal lodged into the top of his EMT duffel, wipes a few things and hands it back to young woman they'd rescued.

"You seem more competent with this than I am, there was an... Incident once, whole ship and station I was at lost comms.  In the, umm, in the situation that followed an orderly was able to set up hand terms to function as some sort of scrambled peer-to-peer comms relay network?  I think that's what they did, I don't remember how as I was focused on, doing, other things at the time.  We certainly can't blanket the whole station, but as long as anyone of us is in range with another in the net, we'd be interconnected.  Is that something you can setup?"

PM

[Private to Kattalin Zubiri: Yes you can set up a peer to peer network with the PC’s and NPC’s present. No roll needed

The terminal the Dr gave you is a full sized tablet. ]

As the corridor widens into the Casino level the group sees two pairs of CPM guards waving people by. They are not checking anyone's items, or conducting any shakedowns.

After passing the guards the entire level is a maze of Slot machines, Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, and Belter Juice tables. There is even a table playing the newly created game called ‘Remember the Cant’. Interspersed amongst all this are walled off Pachinko parlors, betting halls for races or prize fights occurring throughout the system, as well as small, medium and large restaurants.

About one-third of these places are open, their proprietors acting as if business is as usual, albeit with all transactions being carried out with physical scrip. There are people acting as if things are normal, spending or gambling away their physical scrip. Groups of 2-4 CPM guards patrol the casino area but are not being hostile to anyone.

Signage pointing to the groups relative left show the general direction where the transit tube station is, and signage to the right show the general direction one needs to go to reach docking bay two.

Massive shutters have closed off all but one of the exits leading ‘up spin’ to docking bay two. This one exit is guarded by a large force of CPM personnel, and about a dozen other individuals. These dozen individuals are wearing an as of yet never seen before type of vac suit/armor that is grayish silver in color. These individuals are armed with and odd type of rifle with what appears to be a top mounted grenade launcher.

OOC: Since it was mentioned in previous posts that you guys may be looking for maintenance and service areas please make a perception roll (TN 16) to see if you find any.

Kattalin sticks with the group, staying out of direct line of sight of the guards as much as possible, but keeps her eyes open still, paying more attention to the layout of the area than to any one moving person in it.

[Private to GM: almost immediately she updates the shared map on the network of hand terminals through the one she was loaned to her to include a maintenance hatch she noticed along one wall that looks like it should be accessible.
Speaking more cryptically than quietly she makes sure the others are up to date on the discovery without shouting it to the guards.  ”That might be what we are looking for.”

Kattalin Zubiri rolled 16 using 3d6+4 (2 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 5, 5.  perception.
2 Stunt points (CORE) WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER: You reveal this test was part of your plan all along, granting a bonus equal to the SP spent on one ally’s next test during the same encounter to accomplish the same goal. ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:06, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

Shinsato, though he'd been vigilant in looking for maintenance and service areas, was unable to spot any...[Private to GM: until that is, Kattalin sent through to his hand terminal a shared map of Eros.  A maintenance hatch was clearly marked on the map.

Making every effort not to appear conspicuous, Shinsato lead the others to the hatch the best he could.]

---

OOC:


23:58, Today: Shinsato Hirotsugu rolled 9 using 3d6 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 5, 1.  Perception vs TN 16 (yikes).
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:04, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

OOC: As an FYI there is no 'map of Eros' available with the network down, nor any map uploaded sent to you guys from Kattlin.

I have edited Katalin's and Sato's post for continuity purposes.

I will note the results of the player's perception rolls in my next post.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:12, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

Asha looks around, but she's not so familiar with the casino area. She whispers to the others, "We really don't want to face those guards. Who knows what dey've got. A distraction is the only way past 'em. But I don't see a way around 'em."


08:02, Today: Asha Blackburn rolled 8 using 3d6 (3 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 3, 2.  Perceptions v. TN 16.

Dr. Kaos was paying more attention to the group, watching the new woman with his hand term and Shinsato's mother, than their surroundings.  He rather expected maintenance tunnels to be well marked with signs admonishing people to "Stay Out - Maintenance Only" or something similar and is mildly surprised when he doesn't see anything of the like.


OOC:  10:47, Today: Dr. Abang Kaos rolled 8 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 2, 1.  Perception Test vs TN 16.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:25, Sat 20 Nov 2021.

Shortly before everyone enters the Casino level, Kattalin uses the hand terminal she was given and sets up a direct line of site network and shows everyone the network name so they can join. With this everyone will be able to send/receive text, video and voice messages, provides there is nothing blocking the ‘line of sight’. In the large casino level ‘line of sight’ is easily maintained as a person can somewhat see the transit tubes and the exits to the dock. Of course between then two points is the casino itself.

With communications between the group established it makes it easier to split up to find some way down to the docking level. The casino level itself is a little over 100 meters in width and length.

Everyone in the small group sticks together, and heads towards the exits leading to the docks. Stopping a decent distance away they watch as a small crowd confronts the guards preventing anyone heading to the docks.

A chime sounds from the overhead speaker systems “Transit tubes have been reactivated, please allow those passengers exit the transit pods to exit before boarding.”

[Private to Kattalin Zubiri: About 50 meters away on the other side of several casino tables is a walled off pachinko parlor that is somewhat situated in the center of the casino level. You notice a pair of men open and enter a door positioned on the outside wall of the pachinko parlor. The door closes and you see a sign on it that says ‘Authorized Persons Only” in several languages.]

OOC: As we will soon be entering an action sequence, please be mindful of your character’s speed and how many meters they can move.

In other games I have run I have some players have posted their characters immediately ‘poofing’ from point A to point B in a post without any regards of distance and time.

Trying not to speak so loudly that nearby people would hear Hope says, "Hey, bosmang, the inners in charge are probably opening the tubes so they can leave, not for the beltalowda. This is our chance, but we need to avoid getting stuck in a crowd - make sure we stick together."

Shinsato nodded to Asha in response to the assertions she had made as to why boarding the transit tubes was now being permitted...and he understood her desire for caution and not getting caught in a crowd where their mobility and potential exit routes would become limited.  The group proceeded with the intent to board, but made sure to avoid entering into crowded areas.

Dr. Kaos lets Shinsato take the lead and motions for the ladies to "group up" between Shinsato and himself, that way the two 'Inners' were clearly bracketing the small cluster of 'Belters' (and one little old lady).  Yeah, it might look bad to other Belters, but Abang seems more worried about corp-sec, who tend to favor citizens of the Inner Planets.

Not in any position to complain about the details of their careful transit across the room Kattalin keeps her eyes open for opportunities that might be of value, and when one presents itself she points it out to the others with a nod of her head to give them a general idea of where to look to follow her directions.

”That door on the exterior wall of the pachinko parlor looks like it might be open, and lead to a path away from to many eyes.”

Sato guides the group to base of a support column located about 20 meters from the transit tubes. Thus, the group is on a good position to see the first set of transit tube cars arrive, and this is followed by an automated message.

“Transit tubes have arrived, please allow those passengers exit the transit pods to exit before boarding.”

Of course, people being people the automated announcement is ignored and a mass of people approach the still closed doors of the transit tubes. When the doors open there is a bunch of screaming yelling and people moving away from the transit tube cars.

The reason why becomes readily apparent as people stumble out the transit tube cars. The stumbling individuals have some sort of blue glow to them and are throwing up on the people they are closest to.

Then the gunfire begins as the armed CPM personnel begin to shoot at the people who exited the transit tubes. In some instances, the CPM personnel are inconsiderate of people in the line of fire....

OOC: OK you can all consider yourself in an action sequence. No need to roll for init.

"Stick together!" says Hope, in a bit of panic but retaining a little sense. She really likes Kattalin's idea now and suggests to Sato, "Let's take the door the new girl pointed out."

Given the situation, Shinsato wasn't in a position to argue...besides, he didn't have a better plan at the moment, and arguing would simply eat up what little precious time they might have.  He gave Asha a nod of acknowledgement and acceptance and then headed toward the door that had been pointed out.  Remaining ever ready to respond to any potential threat will equal or greater force.  His pistol in hand but concealed in the pocket of his jacket.  He wouldn't let harm come to his crew, his mother (or her care provider) if he had anything to say about it.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

With the panicking crowd, attempting to escape the blue glowing people vomiting brown goo, and CPM personnel shooting at them regardless of who was in the line of fire the casino level had turning into a chaotic environment.

Kattalin leads to way to the door she had pointed out as the group tries to stay together as panicking people push their way past them in every direction. There is the snaps, cracks and hisses of bullets passing by and above everyone but luckily nobody is hit by a stray round.

The real danger was getting split up from the group and possibly being trampled by the panicked crowd.

OOC: Please make a dexterity roll TN 12 to avoid getting split off from the group. Yes, you may use fortune to bring your roll up to 12.

Kaeya, assists Ms. Hirotsugu by keeping the two of them close to and if possible, keeping the others in the group to her front and sides.

19:55, Today: Darkside Trooper, for the NPC Kaeya, rolled 14 using 3d6 (5 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {5}, 5, 4.  dex roll TN 12.
PASS

19:56, Today: Darkside Trooper, for the NPC Ms.Hirotsugu, rolled 14 using 3d6 (6 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {6}, 2, 6.
PASS

Dr. Kaos draws his holdout pistol and keeps to the rear moving to assist anyone who is hard pressed by the mob.


02:25, Today: Dr. Abang Kaos rolled 13 using 3d6+2 (3 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 3, 5.  Dexterity (+2), TN 12 to remain in group.
[roll=1638429947.71605.360150]  PASS

Hope's slender body makes it that much harder for her to avoid getting pushed around by the crowd. She quickly gets shoved aside.

05:33, Today: Asha Blackburn rolled 8 using 3d6+2 with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 3, 1.  Dexterity TN12 to stay with group.
That's such a low roll even Fortune cannot bring it to a 12.

Shinsato had been so focused on ensuring that his mother and her aide made it successfully through the mob that he'd lost sight of Asha.  It wasn't until they were finally in the clear that he realized Asha had gotten swept away by the throng of people they'd attempted to pass through.

Seeing that all but Asha had made it through the horde of people, Shinsato turned and approached the populous mass.  With an assertive and authoritative voice, one loud enough to be heard over the din created by such a large group of people, he instructed:

"Please, I implore all of you, Make way for the woman on the other side of this large group.  Allow her to quickly pass through you so that she may join us over here."

---

OOC: there may be more to my post? Waiting on a GM response.

11:51, Today: Shinsato Hirotsugu rolled 14 using 3d6+3 with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 6, 4.  Dexterity TN12 to stay with group.

[Private to GM: would it be possible to make a communication (persuasion) check  to address the portion of the crowd blocking Asha's movement to us, and use Oratory (expert) if necessary?]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Fri 03 Dec 2021.

Leading the way to the door Kattalin doesn't waste time looking back, focused instead on the advantage of haste she pushes through to the door, trying to open it as soon as she gets there so she can be out of the way for anyone else.[Private to GM:
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 11 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 2, 5
Not sure I have to roll to keep pace with myself but if I do the 3 fortune is worth it to avoid failure.]

The group is hit by a mass of panicking people which threatens to break it up. At first it looks like both Asha and then Kattalin would be pushed/shoved away from the group and then possibly trampled to death, but Sato’s booming voice intercedes and calms most of the panicking crowd surrounding the group.

Thus, the group manages to stay together and reaches the aforementioned door. Kattalin tries to open the door which opens inward. The doorknob is free indicating that the door isn’t locked but the door itself only moves a crack having apparently been blocked by something heavy...

OOC: Sato’s oratory roll means that any fortune Asha or Kattalin were intending to spend was not spent. Basically, a cause and effect of character action. But this same cause an effect is why the door is barred, because the two players who entered the door blocked it...

With Sato's comment helping, Hope slips through to rejoin her compatriots. "This is bad, bosmang! Gotta get to the ship."

With the door barred things are bad as Asha has pointed out. But they get worse. A trio of sick looking individuals begin to approach the group. Only 10 meters away it’s clear something is very wrong with them as parts of their skin have a blue glo to them.

About the only good news is three sick people are not moving very fast.

Kattalin shakes the door to see if she can determine how it is being held shut, its own lock, a wedge on the other side, or a heavy weight all being different enough to sometimes feel, but doesn't let that distract her entirely from the rest of the room.  ”I suppose none of you have any kind of cutting tools?  Or a large caliber weapon with more ammo than you need?”

"XO, let's shoulder that door open, it's not bared, just has something heavy behind it, come on..." Dr Kaos steps over to the door and starts to motion for Kattalin to move, then he realizes he's looking up.  "Miss, if you don't mind, while you're taller than I am, you're also injured."

Hope, way to weak to help force the door, keeps an eye out of the approaching sick people, letting those working on the door know the distance so they'll all have a chance to run if the sick people get really close.

Dr Kaos lines up on the door and waves for someone to join him, "On three... one... two..."



OOC:  23:53, Today: Dr. Abang Kaos rolled 8 using 3d6 (4 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 2, 2.  Shouldering the door, hopefully with assistance.  [roll=1639284836.06933.360150]
Willing to spend up to 12 Fortune to turn that Drama die into a 6 (hits TN 10) if that gets a success... or 6 to bump a 2 to a 6 (hits TN 12) if necessary (hoping neither is required with Shinsato or Kattalin throwing a shoulder in, but...eh... I have a feeling this is at least a 14 to 16 TN).

Shinsato sees Abang signalling for assistance.  He moves over to the man and holds his efforts until he gets to the three count he'd indicated.  On the doctor's command of "three" he will pot everything he has toward getting the door opened.

---

OOC:


18:08, Yesterday: Shinsato Hirotsugu rolled 10 using 3d6 (2 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 4, 4.  Strength check (+0).

I will use 8 12 FP to increase the drama die to a 6; 6 + 4 + 4 = TN 14 (6 stunt points)

Not sure what, if any, stunts would apply to opening a door?

Dr. Abang Kaos:

12 Fortune to turn that Drama die into a 6 (hits TN 10) if that gets a success...or 6 to bump a 2 to a 6 (hits TN 12)

wouldn't that only cost 4 (1 for 1); (2 for 1 for increases to the drama die)

drama die 4 increased to a 6 = 4 + (2) = 6; (2) x 2 = 4
regular die 2 increased to a 6 = 2 + (4) = 6; (4) x 1 = 4

This message was last edited by the player at 22:17, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

Abang with assistance from Sato put their shoulders into the door, and begin to put a lot of effort in pushing whatever was blocking the door. The gap slowly widens…

Meanwhile, as the two men try to push the door open, Katalin, and Asha, watch as the three sick people get closer...

[Private to Asha Blackburn: You see the butt of Sato’s pistol sticking out of the outer coat pocket of his jacket...you also have your utility knife that can be thrown...]

Kaeya, and Ms. Hirotsugu also see the sick people approaching. Ms. Hirotsugu begins to panic and tries to run away, but Kaeya keeps the old woman from doing so.

OOC: Since the sick people will practically be on top of the group by the end of the turn, I want to give Asha and Katalin time to try and do something about the three sick people WHILE Abang and Sato are (for dramatic purposes) completely focused on getting the door open. (i.e. can’t help the girls).

So, I just need posts from Katalin and Asha.

[Private to Dr. Abang Kaos: You spend 6 fortune to hit a TN of 12.]

[Private to Shinsato Hirotsugu: You spend 12 fortune to hit a TN of 14.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:24, Wed 15 Dec 2021.

Asha speaks in desperation, "They're on us! Either we go through the door right now or we run!" Continuing in desperation she grabs Sato's pistol from where it is exposed and aims it at the sick people. "Back off or I'll shoot!"

Kattalin seems almost as surprised when Asha grabs someone else's gun as when she tries to talk to the zombies.  ”If you aren't going to use that, or have another one, I will.”

The three sick people continue to advance towards the group. Abang and Sato still haven’t gotten the door open enough for anyone to squeeze through yet…

"Right coat pocket, loaded pepper sleep alternating, trigger safety!" Dr Kaos grunts out as he tries to get his feet more firmly under himself to force the door.

In reply to Kattalin Zubiri (msg # 99):

Hope hands the gun to Kattalin right away. She doesn't really know anything about guns anyway except how to fix them.

Kattalin accepts the pistol and immediately fires it at the nearest of the shambling targets, shooting the thing in the face with whatever round was at the ready.  Clearly in a bit of a rush to finish matters she is already swinging the gun around to the second target before the effects of the first hit are entirely clear.  ”This won't hold them for long alone.”
[Private to GM:
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 14 using 3d6+4 with the AGE System with rolls of {6}, 3, 1.  Pistol attack
Spend 3 fortune to adjust the 1 to a 3 and activate 6 stunt points.
4 Stunt points: Called shot (head) attack becomes penetrating
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 8 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 3,1.  Pistol Damage
2 Stunt points: Adrenaline Rush, Regain 2 Fortune]

Kattalin shoots the middle of the three shambling sick people in the left eye. The sound of the gunshot and the combination of pink and blue glowing mist exiting out the back of the sick persons head is simultaneous. The brainless body drops to the ground as if someone had cut the strings from a puppet.

Despite killing one of the three approaching people the other two continue forward without a care in the world…

Meanwhile, Dr. Kaos and Sato manage to push whatever was blocking the door to create a gap about half a meter wide. While it’ll be a tight fit, it is enough of a gap for people to squeeze through one at a time.

OOC: You guys have one more turn before the sick people are within melee distance of the group. During that time only one person (Abang or Sato) will be able to squeeze through.

Please make one and only one past as you are in an action/combat sequence.

This message was last edited by the GM at 05:29, Thu 16 Dec 2021.

A small drone flies in front of one of the two sick people, distracting that person as she flairs her hands in the air in a vain attempt to swat down the drone.

The drone moves up and down and side to side, keeping that sick person occupied....

Kaeya, holds Ms. Hirotsugu tight to her chest, trying to cover up both ears of the elderly woman and holding a piece of rebar in her hand in case one of the sick people gets close to them.

Dr Kaos pulls his pistol out and moves to go through the door, first his pistol arm and head, then if there is no one waiting to brain him, he squeezes through the rest of the way.

Hope stays out of Kattalin'ss way. Clearly this woman knows what she's doing with a gun, and Hope would only cause problems right now. She also tries to avoid being touched by any of these things, whatever the people have become.

Shinsato had to trust that Ash and Kat could handle the sickly bunch that had approached as he had to make sure Abang wasn't alone in investigating what lay beyond the door.  He would assist the man as best he could.

While the drone distracts one of the two remaining nearby infected Kattalin lines up a shot on the other and once again shoots it in the head, quick, efficient, and not broke yet so why fix it.
[Private to GM:
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 15 using 3d6+4 with the AGE System with rolls of {6}, 4, 1.  Pistol attack
Spend 1 fortune to adjust the 4 to a 1 and activate 6 stunt points.
4 Stunt points: Called shot (head) attack becomes penetrating
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 15 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 6,5.  Pistol Damage
2 Stunt points: Adrenaline Rush, Regain 2 Fortune]

Abang squeezes through the opening sideways (it’s a tight fit for him) and dragging his bag through behind him. Shinsato quickly follows behind the doctor.Beyond the door is small room with a metal grate floor and a set of metal stairs the leads into a sublevel of the Casino level that is a massive server farm that supports all (or nearly all) of the computerized gambling devices located on the Casino level. The object that was blocking the door is a rather large and heavy server cabinet.

---

Outside, Kattalin fires into the head of a second sick person hitting them in the right side of their forehead and blowing a chunk of their head away. This person falls forward and anyone who takes the time to look at the ghastly head wound (Asha, or Kaeya) can see that intermixed with the blood and brain matter seeping out of the man’s cranium is some sort of blue glowing stuff.

The third and last close sick person is still distracted by whomever is operating the drone…but four more sick people begin to approach coming from/out of the maze of casino tables. This second group is spread out and all roughly 13-18 meters away. The sick people don’t seem to be moving very fast.

[Private to Kattalin Zubiri: You keeping track of your fortune on in the equipment thread?]

[Private to Dr. Abang Kaos; Shinsato Hirotsugu:
No strength test needed to move/drag the cabinet in order to get the door open wider.]

Kaeya pushes Ms. Hirotsugu towards and through the partially opened door. "Sato! Your momma's coming through!"

Abang hands his pistol over to Shinsato, nods towards the stairs, and starts shoving the server rack away from the door.

Hope tries to keep an eye out and give Kattalin targets.

Placing the pistol into the holster where his pistol had previously been, before Kattalin had taken lend of it.  He then, as room provides, assists Abang in moving the cabinet.  He will also aid his mother and her care worker through the entry and once they are in will call out to the others.

"Asha! Kat! retreat through the doorway as quickly but as safely as possible.  We will need to rebarricade the door once you two are through."

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 111):

The drone, a commercial type adapted for space work, looked like it was trying to distract the infected. It soon left, however, buzzing off the way it came.

Even as she is backing up to the doorway, hopefully now open far enough for everyone else to get through in a timely manner, Kattalin puts a third round right between the eyes of the third infected of the closest pack of three, anyone counting the odds should start to think she is cheating at this point, particularly with an unfamiliar weapon.
”I will be through just as soon as you clear the last of the unarmed people, be ready to put that barricade back in place and see about making it a little harder to dislodge.”
[Private to GM:
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 18 using 3d6+4 (4 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 5, 5.  Pistol attack 3.
4 Stunt points: Called shot (head) attack becomes penetrating
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 7 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 1,2.  Pistol Damage.]

Hope has been waiting for her turn. Once the others ahead of her slip through, she wastes no time slipping through herself. Sometimes it's really handy being a skinny belter.

As Asha and Kat make their way to the doorwY, Shinsato draws Abang's pistol from his holster and provides them cover...though only firing if he feels either is approached by one of the seemingly ill/infected.

Once they are in, and provided there is no immediate threat in close proximity to the doorway, Sato will reholster the weapon and make efforts to brace the door from possible re-entry.

"Shouldn't we let other people try to escape, too? We need to make sure those... zombies... don't get to us, but that doesn't mean others should be trapped with them."

Kattalin shoots the third and last of the closest infected individuals. This time her shot goes through the person's mouth and the body crumples on top of itself.

Beyond the door, Abang drag the server cabinet away from the door, and with the said door open wider, Ms. Hirotsugu, Kaeya, and Asha are able to enter the room. Sato is able to exit so as to cover Kattalin as she follows everyone.

Of the additional four approaching sick/infected people. One is only 5 meters away. Another sick/infected person is about 8 meters away and two others are both about 10 meters away.

Within the small room, it’s a pretty tight fit with everyone inside and Sato half in/out of the door to the Casino level. The only exit from the room the set of metal stairs that lead down to a massive server farm.

OOC: With this being the holiday season, and some players may not be posting much please do not post more than twice.

"XO, Scout up the stairs, we'll get the doors shut!"  Then he says more quietly to Hope, speaking softer so that Ms. Shinsato might no hear, "Hope, this is a biological attack.  Best we get to safety and return in enviro suits to treat who we can."

As soon as everyone is fully in Abang shuts the door and starts shoving the server back in front of it.

As soon as she puts the last of the nearby targets down Kattalin slips backwards through the door behind the last of those who were fleeing, she flicks the safety on the pistol in a way that speaks to some kind of shooting range training more so than any kind of field work and reverses her grip on it to return it to its rightful owner handle first.
”You are welcome to have this back but I can't help much with heavy things, so unless there is any kind of electronics work we need done this might be the best way I can help keep everyone safe.”

Hope accepts Abang's words and helps him shove the server once everyone is through. She doesn't look happy about it, but she does it nonetheless.

Shinsato was about to provide a response to Asha's voiced concern with re-blocking the door, but then Abang provided an answer that, although she didn't seem to like it, she nonetheless seemed to accept...so he remained silent on the subject.  Returning his thoughts and energies into getting his crew and his mother and her worker to safety.

To Kattalin:

"Hold on to my pistol for now, you seem to know what you are doing with it.  Great job back there, by the way."

To Abang:

"Would you like your pistol back or would you prefer I hold onto it for now so I can cover you should your medical expertise be needed as we make our way out of this little hell we've found ourselves in."

Once Abang has provided him a response, Sato will make his way up the stairs to scout out what lays ahead while the others work to seal off the doorway they'd entered through from the zombie-like humans that had been seemingly intent on causing them harm.

"Sir, I'd be obliged if you swapped pistols with the lady.  Nothing personal miss, but I don't trust your judgement and I'd prefer the deadly armament be in be in the XO's hands, but you have proven to be excellent shot so less-then-lethal ammo should still be more than effective for you."

Having shoved the server back, he looks to see if another server (or two) can be moved to help fortify the door, seeing as how the two small men had so easily bullied their way through one server blockage...

Sato looks downward into the massive server farm while the topic of who carries which gun is resolved.

The small landing was apparently the location of a single server deck, thus it’s the only large item Abang can use to block the door.

OOC:The stairs go downward. I know it’s a weird concept but when an asteroid is ‘spun up’ to provide gravity the floor/deck is pointed outward.

So going down means getting closer to the docks, which are the outer most levels of the station.

Kattalin doesn't seem, or sound, like she has taken anything personally, but she doesn't offer the pistol up again either.  Without even a moments hesitation she explains her position as politely as the situation warents.

”I wouldn't expect you to trust my judgement on such short notice any more than I trust yours.
But until we have any indication that less than lethal weapons can even slow these things down significantly.

 I think all of our survival chances will be improved significantly by using what we know works.  If your XO needs his gun back I am sure that we can find a replacement with real bullets somewhere.”

"I think we mostly need to move quickly right now. Since the docks have been locked down until now, there shouldn't be many people close to them. If we can move quickly, we shouldn't have to worry too much and may not even need guns. If we take our time, we're more likely to have to get through a crowd." Hope looks ready to move, but is waiting on others.

The distant sounds of gunfire can be heard coming from the other side of the now blocked again door...

Shinsato was about to heed Abang's warning and trade pistols, but in that moment the sound of gunfire, though distant, could be heard.

"For now, she keeps the pistol, but I will take your words under advisement Abang, and monitor her actions.  For her part, she will attempt to not provide killshots whenever another option is present."

He turned to Kattalin, "Do I make myself clear?"

With that he changed the subject: "I think there is something bigger going on here than we can comprehend.  My priority is the safety of those of us gathered here in this moment.  It doesn't seem like we can do much more to block the door.  At the very least it will delay any who try to come this way.  Let's get moving so that we aren't here when whoever is shooting out there make their way here...should they end up doing so."

With that Shinsato heads down the stairs.

Abang moves to take up the rear position again, but yields it to Kattalin as she armed, and he is not.


OOC:  Presuming Kattalin takes the rear, if not I will amend this post.

The group heads down the stairs into a massive server farm that supports all (or nearly all) of the computerized gambling devices located on the Casino level.

It isn’t too hard to find the only two ways out of the server farm. A pair of vent grills located on opposite sides of the room. One grill is closed up, and the other grill has been removed and is lying propped up next to the open vent.

"Anyone know the way from here? I don't know this area. Never had the money to gamble."

Kattalin nods her acceptance of the now formally offered weapon, but lacking any kind of holster for it just keeps it at the ready in her hand, pointed at the deck.

”Keeping everyone safe is clearly the objective, at least until we can get clear of whatever this problem is.

Whoever opened that grate is almost certainly the same as the people who had the forethought to use this passage out of there even before we found it, if anyone knows the way to go it is most likely them and it seems unlikely that they would bother leading us into any kind of trap when they themselves are fleeing so quickly.”

"Sounds good. Let's go! Bosmang?"

The ventilation shaft is a little cramped requiring everyone to hunched over. The shaft goes a long way, about 100 meters before the group comes across another ventilation grill. With no lighting everyone is reduced to using their hand terminals as flight lights.

In the other side if this grill is an old mechanical line tunnel that is about 2 meters wide and high. Dim light bulbs illuminate the mechanical tunnel. The tunnel goes on for about 30 meters before coming to a “T” intersection that leads left or right.

With as much speed as a high level of caution would allow, Shinsato led the others through the tunnel.  As the approached the "T" intersection he signaled for the others to hold back as he made his way to it and peered around the corners in both directions.

Sato looked both ways at the T intersection and sees no threats. The lighting in both directions is coming from grates in the ceiling. Below each grate is a pile of trash/refuse that people probably dropped/pushed through the grates.

[Private to Shinsato Hirotsugu:
 Made a perception roll for you. With a result of 13 it doesn’t look like anybody has been down here in a long time. ]

Having checked both tunnels, to the left and to the right of the "T", Shinsato returns to the others.

"Oddly, it doesn't seem llike anyone has been down her in a long time...which then begs the question...where did those we believed we were following go?"

Abang pitches his voice so it won't carry to Ms. Shinsato, "We need to go down, yes?  So it won't matter, we'll eventually find a down shaft, or we need to leave these vents... no, the tubes are no good.  The infected victims came from the transit cars they will be contaminated."


OOC:  Okay, am I right in thinking we still have to go down another level or two to get to the docks?  Or are we "on the right level" and the transit tubes run out to the docks?

With one hand holding Ms. Shinsato‘s hand and the other still holding the piece of rebar, Kaeya nods in affirmation to what Dr. Abang said.

OOC: Per the novels the transit tubes end at the casino level and the next level down is the docks.

At this point, one direction was just as good as the other...so he lead the group left at the intersection in their search for a route down to the floor below where they were now.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:15, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

Near the back of the group but with no particular interest in watching behind them at least as long as they are moving Kattalin keeps her focus on keeping the group together by speeding up any stragglers as they move into smaller and more difficult passages.

Asha tries to travels somewhat mid-group. Better to have guns and the ends, and she doesn't have a gun. She tries to not get in anyone's way. Just keep moving. Just keep moving, moving, moving.

Sato leads the group down the passage. Above from the vents providing illumination the group hears distant screams, and some occasional gunfire. Those that look above to see what type of area they are passing under can see a corridor of bars and brothels. The large glowing signage indicates for the bars and brothels indicates that that the corridor is situated off of the casino level.

The corridor eventually ends but is not the result the group is looking for. There is a short ladder that goes up (not down), and the vent has a locking mechanism on it.

Sato turns to Asha and Abang:

"What do you think? Should we turn back and check out the other hall we haven't explored yet to see if there is a way that leads us down to the next floor?"

Kattalin doesn't wait even a moment before she answers the open question, clearly having been pondering that same issue already.

”The only things we know for sure are that whatever they are they move slowly, and whoever is up there is using more guns than we have.  If we hurry we should be able to take the other path that is likely to end in a better or similar situation.  Or we can go out there and find out if we have enough bullets.”

Sato didn't disagree with Kattalin's assessment of things, and it was quite in line with his own thoughts, but he still waited for Asha and Abang's thoughts.

"Yes. We know for sure we don't want to go up. Let's backtrack quickly and take the other route."

"Yes, back, I don't want to go among those poor souls without a full sealed suit."

The decision, having been made as a group, Sato turns the group and makes his way back to the intersection and down the other tunnel, with as must haste as possible.

The corridor is wide enough for Sato to easily turn around and head the other way.

As the group passes the T intersection’ that leads back to the server farm there are faint sounds heard indicating someone else has made it to that point.

If the group continues on, they hear the same sounds from before above them, and the neon signage still indicates they are head under a corridor of bars and brothels.

Eventually, Sato reaches the end of the corridor, which isn’t a dead in, it continues to the left. There is also a ladder and a mechanical latch on the see-through grate that leads up to the bars and brothels.

Kattalin pauses briefly at the intersection to listen for voices, rather than just the clattering of slow moving bodies, but not so long that she doesn't easily catch up with the others before the next junction choice.

”Up doesn't look like it gets us anywhere more useful yet, we should probably try further along but at least it seems like we can move quickly through these tunnels without drawing to much attention.”

Hope agrees with Kattalin. "Ya, up is bad right now. And we're safer moving in here than elsewhere." Hope keeps moving along with the group.

Sato bypasses the ladder and mechanical latch and proceeds down the corridor beyond it.

The bisection corridor doesn't have any overhead grates, indicating the group is no longer following the path of a larger tunnel. The lighting is again the same dull low wattage bulbs as before.

After going about 100 to 150 meters the corridor leads to a four way intersection of connecting tunnels.

[Private to Shinsato Hirotsugu: You have still not seen any signs of anybody having passed through here recently.]

Kattalin doesn't quite sniff or lick the floor, but she does get a little bit closer to it in order to see better in the low light, no doubt checking for signs of recent use to indicate a more effective path.
[Private to GM:
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 13 using 3d6+4 with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 1, 6.  perception]

"This could take forever. Time is of the essence. Let's split up, and head each route quickly. If there is another branch, your route ends without going down, or you find a way down, we come right back here. Don't get in a fight, either. How's that sound, Bosmang?"

Shinsato nodded to Asha.  It isn't an ideal plan, but time was not on their side.  They needed to get to safety sooner than later. He sent Asha, Abang, and Kattalin off in different directions and he stays at the intersection with his mother and her care provider, Kaeya.  He kept alert to the corridor they had arrived at the intersection from in case others find their way here as well.

[Private to Drone:
The drone travels down the corridor to the left where the thermal signatures are greater. The lighting is coming from grates in the ceiling. Below each grate is a pile of trash/refuse that people probably dropped/pushed through the grates.

Above, the grates are large glowing signage indicating that the corridor above is situated off of the casino level, and is a bunch of bars and brothel.

At the end of the corridor there is a ladder and a mechanical latch on the see-through grate that leads up to the bars and brothels. The mechanical latch hasn’t been tempered with. The corridor itself leads left at a 90-degree angle.

Going to the left the corridor continues, and eventfully the drone gets to a point where a man is watching as if waiting for people to show up.
]

Sato, keeping watch, spots a drone coming from the way they just came from…

OOC: Asha, Abang, and Kattalin can all decide if they’ve already headed off in one of the three branches or are present when the drone shows up.

Not having made it particularly far down her tunnel Kattalin easily recognizes the familiar sounds of a drone and turns back to see what is going on, although she stays concealed in the side tunnel until it becomes clear why the drone is here.

Abang kept going, if it was an issue, Shinsato would call for them to return and time is an essence...

In reply to Kattalin Zubiri (msg # 162):

The drone was an unarmed, commercially-available civilian work drone adapted for both atmospheric and (probably) vacuum operations. It seemed to be the same one they'd encountered before on the casino floor when breaking into the side door.

Seemingly spotting them, the drone halted. It began blinking its running lights and flashing a small spotlight (three short blinks followed by three long ones then three short ones, repeated), while bobbing up and down in place.

[Private to GM: Assuming they don't shoot at it, Van will flash something like "wrong way/bad path, follow me".]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Sun 06 Feb 2022.

Kattalin stays mostly around the corner, but steps out from the shadows a bit to offer her specialty again.

”It is trying to give us a warning, or asking for help, without a way to communicate more efficiently we may not be able to know unless we choose to follow it, but it is entirely possible I can confirm at least where it is from if we have the hardware to connect to it directly.”[Private to GM:
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 17 using 3d6+8 with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 4, 3.  Technology (electronic warfare) Codebreaking]

With Bosmang's agreement, Hope rushes down one of the three passages to assess where it heads. A little noise behind her is an indicator to her that she needs to be hasty about this. It won't be long before there is a lot of trouble.

In reply to Kattalin Zubiri (msg # 165):

The inspection drone ceased bobbing and hovered in place.

Its lights began to flash in some kind of coded way.

[Private to Kattalin Zubiri: STOP STOP STOP PLZ FOLLOW ME PLZ FOLLOW ME...]

Kattalin looks at the drone intently for a few moments while it is blinking, but almost immediately after it finishes she nods her head and speaks to the others, still watching the drone as there really isn't anything more important to look at right now.

”I believe it can hear us, and its user can understand us, which suggests they are not infected.  The Drone is a little bit agitated but it wants us to follow it, and we really don't have a better lead.”

Shinsato nods in agreement with Kattalin's assessment and ushers all to 'follow' the drone.

In reply to Shinsato Hirotsugu (msg # 169):

Once it looked obvious that the crew was moving to follow, the drone waited until they were close, then began moving back the way they came.