As he enters, Skip stops for a moment to look around.  He then looks up to address NOD.  Hey, NOD, which one is mine?

17:03, Today: Skip Tracer rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  Perception.

"Hey there, Archie!" the mechanic returned his crew mate's greeting, genuinely glad to see crewmates well and about. "We might be best charging you closer to the engine coils during the dark portion of our trip but I think I can leave you the option if you prefer more privacy. Easier to keep our signatures down... I plan to sleep near the coils myself. I think I can adapt it for a couple of direct charges at once without too much ado."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:23, Tue 22 Aug 2023.

In reply to Skip Tracer (msg # 11):

"Your crate is marked 09211951."

Thanks, he replies with a smile and a nod of his head.  The crate is easy enough to find, and easy enough to open using his code.
Inside is a plasma pistol, wrapped in plastic, with protective lubricants and cleaning and repair tools, in a box.  Also a leather gunbelt with holster, and pouches for holding ten energy mags.  Alao in the crate, a package of ten powered energy mags.  Also a lightly armored envirosuit, for emergency occassions.
He grins broadly, and looks uowards one of NOD's cameras.  Tell 'em I said thanks.

In reply to Andre Klanktonne (msg # 12):

"Thank you, Crewmate Klanktonne. However, make sure the shielding of the engine coils is not degraded. Studies show that long term exposure to poorly shielded engines can result in health complications for organic beings." Archie replied.

He headed over to a box, as NOD was in constant digital link with Archie and told him his box number. There he got out his cloaking device and the environmental scanner he had requested.

Turd/Gill made his way to Skip, looking over his shoulder at the bevy. "Nice gun, Peanut Butter. You gonna name it? Mine is named Banana."

Andre nodded, "I try to be sure to adjust it if there is a 5% misalignment. Core ships manuals say we are safe to 8 but I think they just don't have as much concern for reproductive health and the future of humanity. I prefer a real technician guide to an owners' manual... I'm not a very formal guy. You can just call me Andre, or Gill shortened it to just Ray. I'm okay with that too."

In reply to Andre Klanktonne (msg # 17):

"Thank you, Ray. I shall remember to call by that." Archie replies, noting in his memory what the man preferred to be called. "And I agree with your assessment. Corporate cost cutting has shown multiple safety violations which rarely go punished or detected until its too late." 

Turd seemed aghast, "You two are complaining about a ship that allows us all to move through outer space? So next you're gonna complain cuz the coffee maker spits out coffee that burns your little tongues? Really?" He shook his head in mock annoyance.

In reply to Gill Rurry (msg # 19):

"Safety precautions must be overserved for the crew's safety, Crewmate Rurry." Archie points out. "I would advise you test your coffee before drinking it, if you have had repeated tongue burns."

It had been pretty simple until Skip showed up and spotted him. Thankfully he didn't say anything, So Edwin just gave him a quick shrug and a thumbs up and slipped out of the cargo bay with his package. No need to press his luck.

Jak was slightly disappointed when Turd simply ignored the obstacle he threw out there from the Trickster's Bag. he was about to work on another, much more elaborate one, one that Turd wouldn't ignore. That was when he spotted Skip walking over to an area in the corner, most likely where his care package was.

He quietly approached Skip, waiting while Turd showed Skip his new gun. He wanted to see if Skip was willing to assist him with something Captain had asked him do.

After the events of Brink of the Verge Part 1 where the crew evaded a debris field, encountered a magical electricity spirit (gremlin) that has now merged with the ship's AI, picked up cargo from a criminal organization, and escaped near destruction from another unknown rival criminal organization with military stealth tech.

The crew in the cargo is now trying to resuscitate creatures or organic material that's coming out of cryosleep from within some of the cargo and everyone has their space suit on and quarantine procedures activated.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 01:41, Sun 04 Feb.

Inside the now sealed cargo bay, Osram's suit was also sealed up for his own protection.  He stood next to one of the flatlined cryo containers Val was working on opening, and waited to see what was inside.

Edwin had stepped inside the cargo bay and sealed his suit. Helping where and as much as he could.

"Just tell me what needs to be done."

Val handed Oram and Ed crowbars and pointed at one of the duds. Then she suddenly stood in front of them to stop them.

"Wait, I hear something..."

She looked towards the first cryocube that Osram and Andre salvaged.

"There's....voices in there...strange...not any language I've ever heard..."

She approaches the cryocube as it finished defrosting whatever or whomever is in there.

"I think someone's in there."

She quietly draws a survival knife from her hip sheathe and motions for the others to approach.

@Ed gets a bad feeling about this, but seems to feel Val is the source of danger rather than the cryocube. Was whomever was in there afraid of THEM?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Wed 07 Feb.

Osram looked towards Val, and then the saved but thawing cryocube, and frowned.

"Just keep an eye on that thing a moment.  I still want to see if we can figure out what we're dealing with before we have to actually deal with it.  What's in there might be dangerous, what's in here, is already dead.  Probably."

He stuck the edge of his crowbar into the lid of the dud and tried to crack the lid.


Osram rolled 24.  Brawn

Skip arrives at the cargo bay to find it sealed in quarantine.  He puts in his helmet so he can access the coms and speak with his crewmates.  Guys?  What's going on?  I'm sensing fear from in there.....

22:22, Today: Skip Tracer rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Insight-Empathy.

Ed frowned something wasn't right. He moved over beside Val, "Val could you stow the knife and move back a little. For some reason I'm getting the feeling that whoever or whatever is in the cube is afraid of you or for that matter all of us."

Val looked at Ed with a raised eyebrow. She didn't understand what was going on, but she could feel the tension too. Seems the maverick, the psychic, and the witch were all aware of it. She put her knife away.

"Okay Ed. I trust your judgment. But something strange is going on."


She looks over at Skip through the window and sends him a message on comms.

"Something is awake in the cube."

Until they ended the quarantine procedure, it wouldn't let him in unless he or the ship's AI or captain overrode it.

---

OOC
15:44, Today: Game Master, on behalf of Edwin Arlo Park, rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  Diplomacy vs. Val. – [roll=1707342249.10595.378293]

This message was last edited by the player at 21:53, Wed 07 Feb.

As Osram opened the crate a burst of cold mist radiated out of it making it difficult to see. The smell was bad. Like sewage. There was a creature in there...or creatures? Clearly they were dead but the sound of rapidly melting ice hissed out from inside. Osram couldn't tell what the creature was. It was dark black and green and fleshy. Something was in there but it seemed to have turned mostly to mush. No way that happened from the failed cryocube...did it? Osram doesn't know what's happening, but he knows it's not the cryocube that's the problem.

Meanwhile the crate Val had been approaching creaked and mist began pouring out of it. It was opening automatically as part of its revival process. Mist poured out of it as it opened and only two small shadows remained inside. They looked like people...no...children. There were two children inside huddled together for warmth. They were still chilly from decontamination but it was clear as day. There were two children in there. A boy and a girl. They were shivering and terrified.

Val yelped and put her hands over her mouth.

Val: "Oh my God..."

She became teary eyed almost immediately as it dawned on her. Had they made arrangements with a human trafficking organization? Were they unwitting coyotes?

Val: "Blankets. We need blankets!"

She begins desperately looking around for something to give the kids warmth.

Val: "Ed, there are some emergency thermoblankets in that locker over there!"

She points at a locker nearest to him.

---

OOC

15:50, Today: Game Master, on behalf of Osram, rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Mechanics. – 14

@SKIP & ED you can both feel/predict the fear is genuine. Whoever these children were they had clearly undergone some extreme trauma.

Everyone else roll me Insight so I don't have to make a half dozen rolls.


This message was last edited by the GM at 18:04, Thu 08 Feb.

"What in the cold black is this?"  Osram exclaimed as he looked into the cube at the soupy remains.

Looking as the other cube opened he raised his brows in surprise.  "Well they ain't all people.  Hopefully."

Osram tried to remember which of the crates was the odd one that had been partially opened when they'd grabbed it off the dock.

Meanwhile he worked to pop the top of one of the other failed crates.  He really hoped he'd find more black mush...



Osram rolled 5.  insight

Edwin nodded, "On it." as he moved to the locker and quickly retrieved the blankets and brought them back over to Val and the children.


OOC: 10:52, Today: Edwin Arlo Park rolled 10 using 1d20+3 ((7)).

Looking at the controls for the door, he punches in his security code to open it.

@SKIP the door began its quarantine procedure giving him a warning that once inside, it would not let him back out without captain approval or the timer initially coded into it ending. He'd have to agree before the door would open. Even then, he'd be stuck in the inner airlock for a few seconds while the door closed behind him and the next door opened in front of him.

@ED the kids shiver but take the blanket. Val starts rubbing their shoulders.

Val: "What are you names, sweeties?"

Val asks the kids, suddenly showing her maternal side.

Boy: "I'm Adamus."

Girl: "I'm Evelyn."

They looked up at Ed and Val trying to get a read on them if they were a threat or not. Ed sensed in them fear and reluctance. Looking at their condition, he was surprised he didn't notice any injuries. He was also surprised that their skin appeared perfectly normal despite them shivering as if they were near death. In fact...he'd never seen anyone so healthy or pristine. Not a bruise, not a wart, not even a freckle. Their hairlines were perfect like they'd just had a haircut. Yet...they were behaving as if they were injured, cold, and sick. Something was off, but they seemed genuinely afraid.

@ED & SKIP Suddenly another empathy wave hit. Val was clearly radiating sadness for these kids. And more fear from the other crates...No wait. Anger. Something in the room was angry and radiating murderous intent. It was a lot louder than all the fear and sorrow. It was REALLY angry.

@OSRAM without warning the very crate Osram was thinking about burst open and a creature leaped out at him. A giant claw narrowly missing his head sliced into another nearby crate like butter, unleashing all the goop onto the floor. Before him stood some horrific monstrosity. It looked like some mix between a frog and a canine but with sharp fangs and long sharp claws. It has black skin and four red eyes, hissing and growling at him with murderous intent.

To make matters worse, the disgusting green and black liquid continued to sizzle as Osram now realizes that sound was acid. It was burning through the cryocube and now that stuff was spilling onto the floor.

SCENARIO:

• Osram is in Melee with The Creature, his path blocked by a stream of acid on the floor.
• Skip is waiting for the quarantine door to open.
• Everyone else in the room is huddled together about 15 feet away.
• You get 3 actions per round. Entering a melee is 1 action if you splash through the acid (1d6 acid) or 2 actions if you walk around, or try to jump past it (DC15 Acrobatics or Athletics, crit success: no damage, success: half, failure: normal, crit fail: automax)

---

OOC
12:20, Today: Game Master, for the NPC Ed, Osram, Skip, rolled 12,0,11 using 1d20+3,1d20-1,1d20+4.  perception. – 12,0,11

12:22, Today: Game Master, for the NPC monster, rolled 14 using 2d20+7 with rolls of 5,2. – 14




This message was last edited by the GM at 07:39, Sat 10 Feb.