The entertainment complex’s shopping center is in a state of disarray similar to the general condition surrounding Exo Laant Starport. Some stores are empty, the wrapping from packages littering the floor, and some sellers are in a fire sale mode, trying to clear their shelves before whatever awaits, hell maybe. Others, arms dealers, are gouging for prices on legitimate sales to those frightened enough to believe that arming themselves to the teeth can forestall the inevitable; everyone has gotta make that last cred somehow. For some, it is still the chance to stop at a rejuve spa, to wipe away the years, literally; old age is no longer the enemy it once was, not that so many face that today where if one lives long enough it is only to feel their life rudely torn from their body by the dogs of war, and lay such as carrion people, groaning for burial. The waves that lap at the feet of Stane are not so clean, a wave of war crossing sectors, where even if courage may fail; there is still a lucrative deal to made with the devil on the unhallowed ground of destroyed worlds.
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Comments
The other log was beginning to get too long, so here is a continuation. Shopping lists can be posted in the new OOC thread or the threads in the forum where they originated. The situation report is that everyone has made their way to the shopping center at the Exo Laant Starport entertainment complex. now from here Torq is going to go find cargo maybe? With Garet and Walt going to see if they can find a buyer for the airship. Others should declare what actions they are wanting to do.
Torq wants to get his shopping first and then see about the gun deal.
Sialann suggests she and Jaq go off to make their purchases and Kallen goes with Torq. She doesn’t want the boys making crude comments when she’s trying on Jaq’s steward uniforms.
Torq agrees this is a good idea assuming he has his purchases already, “Yeah, I don’t wanna see that, I’d have nightmares. C’mon Kallen, let’s go see about the gun deal.”
Has everyone seen the purchases list thread in the forum?
How are Torq and Kallen planning to get to startown?
Garet, as he shops for the mongeese, sees a familar face in the crowd, the man slips away before he can call out, Tandeel? It couldn’t be, and travelling with a woman.
Walt’s attention is caught by a newscast on a holoscreen, where a Sir Foste, Brigadier of the NDF/EF, has been killed in action on Fort Hejtved.
For the airship roll (flying close to the ground) Garet rolls:
Roll: 1d6
3
Roll: 1d6
4
[OOC: Where would Garet recognize Tandeel from?, Once known, and if known to Torq and/or Kallen, Garet will comm what he thought he saw.]
Garet is holding off on purchases until he sees what condition his cred stik is in after being handled by Sialann, but he’ll ask Walt to purchse the Mongeese, and will pay him upon return to the ship.
Sialann’s quite enjoying herself, stocking up on all sorts of goodies. And quite forgetting it’s not her own money she’s using…
Picking another gelcloth suit off the rack, “Do you think they’d do this one in the ship’s colours?” she asks Jaq, who sits almost obscured behind a small mountain of gear they’ve piled onto a handy grav pallet.
ooc: not telling where Tandeel might be known from (it is out there).
The mongeese are 140Cr for the pair.
Still waiting on Walt, Torq and Kallen’s, replies. IMO Jaq and Sialann are going to take the haul back to the ship, with Garet and Walt going to the heliport to sell the airship.
Everyone should look at the top of page two of the ooc thread in the forum, and test out secure dice, as that is going to be our roller from here on out. philbobones already has.
Kallen turns to Torq, “Lets leave them to there girl chat and get a taxi.” He looks round checking a few places with his new goods inside a bag.
“Bet we can find something good for our trip. Though any thoughts on locations where we might head of to? No stated destination doesn’t get us certain things, except the normal spec stuff.” Making a good educated statement.
for reference:
http://www.rpglibrary.org/software/securedice/
put my email: king13cuda@yahoo.com in the “and the GM” box.
Torq shrugs, “I have no idea how far it is, but I stick out like a sore thumb in combat armour. I guess this excursion is over, I’ll go back to the ship, unload my gear and wait for Garet to decide on a destination. When we know that I can look for cargo & freight.”
When they’re done, Sialann asks Jaq, “What do you want to do, now? Just head back or stick around for a bit, see what ‘entertainment’ this entertainments complex can rustle up for us? I’m a bit bored with ship food and stale ship air, for one. We could store our haul here or have it sent back to the bays. Meanwhile, go and get something decent to eat and drink, see if the boys want to join us. I for one could do with a drink – and a bit of entertainment.” She winks.
Jaq says to Sialann about the gelsuit, “Sure they will. The question is how much will they charge for that alteration and how long do we have to wait.” Pushing the grav pallet in front as they stroll between the various shops. “I wouldn’t mind a drink,” She says to her companion, “But with a war going on, I am not certain that any other entertainment might be a good idea.” A salvo of artillery in the distance punctuates her statement, hard to tell if it is inbound or outbound. Jaq, while enjoying the shopping time, clearly is uptight about spending extra time on the planet. Jaq comms Garet, “How are things going, G?” She asks, deciding that if it is taking time, then there is no point in wasting the time fretting.
“Well … okay.” Sialann is secretly hoping for the chance to get into some good, healthy trouble. It’s been a while since she had a proper chance to test her skills. “A drink, then?”
Jaq shrugs, “Sure, a drink is fine. How about that place right over there?” She asks, finding a not too seedy-looking dive nearby.
Kallen is right, Torq could shed his CA an leave it with the women if he feels like it and just wear the cloth. Then just catch a taxi to the addres Itsebroz gave him.
There is a variety of dining and bar type establishments that Sialann and Jaq can hit, many filled with crew of ships or others seeking passage offworld. The one Jaq finds is decent enough, a wood paneling, with about 20-30 customers.
ooc: Making sure they safely stash the haul with the maitre’d and tip him to guard it while they drink & dine. Sialann will change into the street armour she’s just bought so as to attract less attention, too]
Sialann is also looking for some decent liquor to take back to the ship. She’ll talk to the bartender about buying a few bottles of his best.
And maybe some soporifics. She’s feeling a lot more kick-ass these days, but she still gets those nightmares. This is a low law level world. She should be able to pick something up easily enough.
Dragoner says: ooc: not telling where Tandeel might be known from (it is out there).
(Mean ole GM….lol)
Garet hears Jaq’s comm and responds: “Walt and myself are taking the airship over to the heliport.” “Then from there I’m going to head back to the ’Witch.”
He then switches over to all crew: “Now hear this. I’ve been going back and forth on destinations, and we should strike while the iron’s hot, so we’re heading for Floriant. It’s amber zoned, but that’s never stopped us, and it won’t now.”
“Torq, let me know what you cargo you can scare up for Floriant. If you need any help, shout out.”
“Everyone else, get your stuff, enjoy your brief liberty. as soon as the last container is loaded, we’re lifting.”
“Oh, and I would suggest everyone start taking the time from now to get to know your crewmates. When you’re in the cold and the dark, you’ll want to know just who is behind that trigger.”
Sialann hears Garet’s message and grins at Jaq as she opens a bottle of Ol’ Janx Spirit, throws away the cork and pours them both a hefty measure.
“Well, then, what’s your story, Jaq? What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”
She also comms Kallen (but not Torq) to let him know where they are and invite him for a drink: Better hurry or the bottle will be empty!
[ooc: wish we could edit thses posts …]
After she knocks back the first shot, she’ll refill both glasses – and Jaq’s if it hasn’t been touched, is now fuller.
“Wait – didn’t I ask you that before? And you said something about an exploration mission. But you just seem … I don’t know, too spit’n’polish for these boys. Garet, now, nice guy but he’s a chancer; Torq’s the pirate of the gang; Kallen and Walt, mercenaries I’d say. Where do you fit in? Got a side deal going for yourself? What’s your angle?”
Sialann isn’t getting belligerent, she’s talking in a confidential tone, just fishing, her investigative instincts coming to the fore after long disuse. She’s also, out of long habit, scanning the diner for persons of interest.
“Ah, ok then.” Kallen replies then listens to his message from Sialann. “Think I’ll head over to the entertainment area and grab a few drinks and listen out for the banter you know.” Kallen then says his good byes for now and heads over to the girls location.
Upon seeing Sialann he sparks out, “Wheres this lovely bottle I hear?” Then looks round the bar trying to maybe spot any good banter going on that he can listen in to or join if he think its worth it. He makes it obvious to Jaq and Sialann what his interest is though, so they know hes not being rude or disinterested in them.
Drinking rules are in effect!
Yes I am a big ol mean GM, but here is a hint: 3rd Grav Squad.
As far as not being able to edit these comments, don’t worry, if you want me to, tell me which one and I will delete them.
By the time Kallen gets there, the bottle is nearly empty so Sialann walks over to the bar to get another, “Put it on our tab – together with the six we’re taking out.” Then she asks if the fella can get her anything else, _"Something for a dreamless sleep? Some snooze or maybe some chill_?"
But the guy just pleads innocence – she can’t tell if he’s being genuine or if he just thinks ‘trouble’ when he sees her coming. So she shrugs and sashays back to their table with a fresh bottle and bucket of ice for them all.
Jaq drinks the first round with Sialann. What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? Jaq laughs at the question, almost but not quite doing a spit take with her drink. She’s heard that like thousands of times before, but never quite like this. But her laughter is infectious, not the kind that insults.
“I was attached to a scientific expedition as an observer. Kallen and Walt were there, too, although Kallen was attached as a local liaison only on the last planet of the expedition. That was the planet we rescued you on. We also rescued Garet there. Second time I’ve pulled his bacon from the fire. Getting to be a habit.” I laugh again, but not as heartily. “I don’t know that I consider myself so spit and polish… Do I really come off that way?” She asks Sialann, seriously.
“Officially, I am on Detached Duty with the Scouts. Unofficially, I am just trying to survive now. If I can make a little cash while doing it and keep my friends’ bacon out of the fire, then that is an added bonus.”
“WTF” Walt exclaims “Dad, Garet we need to get this trade sorted pronto, I have something i need to do!” Walt appears to be in brooding mood for the time
I will browse the mong book for shopping shortly however Walt will probably be to preoccupied to buy anything for the time…
Garet
monetarily lost in thought, his mind wanders back to the events of the past few months, trying to place it all into it’s proper box. memories bubbling back to the surface..
_Garet, still following Jaq and Tandeel, gestures towards the one John instructed to follow us (Sialann) to place her between Jaq and himself, using his armor to protect the flank.
“You’d better come with us, ma’am. this situation is getting worse by the second, but we’ve got a plan to get clear of them.”
“Such as it is.” he finishes, grinning._
At some point Archie comms in as well, they have lost the battle against the black ships, power plant is out, and the Loreli is going to crash land in the mountains somewhere, he won’t be able to keeping jamming the Duke’s troops radios any longer. The last transmission is of him initiating a virus protocol, to copy himself into one of the black ships if he can.
Garet recalls Tandeel stating that he would be going through the gate with Dr. Misishii.
“Then why, or how did he end up here?”
“There’s something not right here..again.”
Setting his comm for only Jaq, Kallen and Sialann, Garet says: “Call me insane, but I think I saw Tandeel a few minutes ago.”
After sending his message, Garet hears Walt’s exclamination. He turns to him, saying: “What’s going on, Walt? you’re pretty low-key. This is the first I’ve seen you react like this.”
Jaq hits her comms, any sign she might be getting intoxicated suddenly vanishing, “Tandeel?” What is going on here, she thinks to herself. First Dr. Misishii, now Tandeel. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, they went through together and they would likely still be together. “Was he travelling with somebody? A blonde-headed woman, perhaps? Where did you see him?”
Torq wouldn’t trust anybody with his armour, it’s his lively hood, so he’ll set off back to to the ship and switch to his cloth armour, lock rifle and armour up, but keep his pack which he’ll use for carrying the money. He comms Garet on his way back, “Floriant is our destination? Okay, I’ll look for cargo as soon as you get me some money.”
On the way back to the table, Sialann is intercepted by the bar manager, who asks her to leave, quite pleasantly, while gently removing the bottle and bucket of ice from her possession, saying:
“Maybe in Startown you might find an establishment that caters to your liking”, not needing to add you tattooed freak but maybe if you were a mind reader.
The woman Garet saw Tandeel with was definitely a brunette, very dark, and in a leather jacket.
If Torq decides to hoof it back to the ship, it is a ways as the main line of the monorail is broken between the entertainment complex and the terminal area. Not too bad though, only about 1.75km until he can board another monorail.
Sialann, hands full, considers just biting him for a fleeting instant but isn’t drunk enough not to know he’s just doing his job. She pushes the ice bucket at him, but keeps her grip on the bottle.
“Fine, boss. But I’ll be taking this one with me. Put it on the bill.”
[assuming he doesn’t grapple her for the bottle]
She heads back to the table, “This place is getting old; let’s get our gear back to the ship!” With an apologetic shrug of the eyebrows at Kallen, who’s just got there.
On the way back she’s thinking, I wonder if there’ll be enough time for a trip to Startown. No point going in there with all this gear though – it’ll get savaged. Quicker we get it back to the ship …
The bottles cost Sialann 40Cr, but you can swoop in and pickup Torq as well on the way back to the ship.
Walt is pensive at the heliport as Garet and him try to sell the airship; when they get there, they find people are rather eager for transport.
On the way back to their air/raft with the grav pallet, Sialann feels a bit more intoxicated than she thought – it’s been a while since she had a good drink – and puts an arm round Kallen and Jaq.
“You know, you’re my best friends in the whole ’verse … In fact,” stopping suddenly with a frown, “You’re my only friends in the whole ’verse. Frakk it!” The frown turns into a grin and she pounds them both on the shoulder. “Let’s go get into some trouble!”
Then gets broody when she remembers they have all this gear with them.
Not wanting to be nicked by any overeager LEOs, Jaq refrains from singing any refrains of “Jayne, the Hero of Canton” on their way back to the air/raft. Besides, she’s the sober one, having only had 1 drink before the bar manager put a damper on things. She’ll load the air/raft with the purchaces that aren’t scheduled for delivery and then make sure Sialann is properly strapped in and ensure that Kallen can handle his own straps, then takes off and finds Torq and picks him up before heading back to the ship.
1d6, rolled once.
Roll set 1
Die rolls: 1
Roll subtotal: 1
Roll total: 1
Jaq is glad she is sober when they swoop down to pick up Torq and she see’s a ricochet of a heavy gauss sniper rifle near them. High tailing it like a buzzbomb back to the Witch, they dmp their gear and get ready for the night. Sialann is on the prowl for illicit substances, Torq aching for a sweet deal on some armaments, Jaq the driver and Kallen just up to no good.
Ready for some startown liberty?
Walt hands Garet a data pad “F@#k my father has been killed, last time we spoke he was retiring – now it seems he has been sent into action and has paid the ultimate price!” Walt paces for q while and states “It doesn’t make sense how can a retiring brig be sent into a combat zone, something stinks here – I should never of left Naryan” he pauses “Shit and corruption im going to get to the bottom of this and make the bastard responsible pay!”
Walt also sees that his Father’s heir is listed as his eldest son Col Waltor Foste, listed as missing on an expedition with the University of Terrelay (UTREE) and presumed dead. If the infomation is out there, the first place might be to look at Ft Hejtved and the fact Walt is listed as missing and presumed dead may help him move under the radar…
Sialan gets back to the Witch, helps unload the grav sled and dumps her gear in an untidy and slightly dangerous pile on her bunk. She then takes a long, cold shower, dresses in one of her new steward’s outfits and in a foul but refreshed mood, goes to find Garet and asks him if she should start looking for passengers for their next destination.
She’s hoping to get the green light for a trawl through Startown …
And she has absolutely no idea whatsoever how you go about looking for passengers … “What do you do, walk the streets, ringing a bell or something?”
And seeing the foul mood Walt is in, she murmurs, “What’s eating him?”
Kallen having only had a few sips from Sialanns bottle is rather ok, but finds it fun to act tipsy. Upon arriving back at the ship he starts getting tired and sits down in the common area with a drink from the supply units.
Torq will just bide his time on the Witch, without money he can’t make any deals and it looks like active snipers are around so there isn’t much point in hanging around outside.
Jaq gets busy installing the security program and disables the portions that go to the new hardware until it can be properly installed. Then she comms Garet on a private channel. “G, if Dr. Misishii was here yesterday and Tandeel is here now, this might be the best time to burn all of those…” Jaq hesitates mid-sentence, remembering… bq). I have heard rumors of worse, a cyborg nightmare, some of it associated with the UTREE. You haven’t seen a missing android named Eve? A Dr Misishii, was through here just yesterday extolling the ‘victory’ of their research”. “Frak me, mother of… Eve! The Colonel asked me if anyone had seen a missing android called Eve! Sonova… I bet that is the woman you saw with Tandeel, G!” Suddenly, Jaq remembers a dream, more a nightmare… She sees the mission, and in the crystal cave, there is Abrie in her midnight black Republican Guard armor, though the shoulder decal says ‘Doomslayer’, where it should have the Terrelayne Tricorne, Eve as well, standing with her arms crossed, the blank emotionlessness of her android eyes seem to drill through Jaq. They both stand blocking the view of a third woman, hard to see as she stands in the shadows, brief flashes of electricity illuminating her. Abrie begins to speak, her voice distorted and she begins to burn with ghost flames: "Mine and my people’s vengeance will be from the womb (placing a hand on her stomach)… " Where now Eve’s montone continues “… to the tomb, like a victory vampire. She has my mother Arywan’s eyes.” Eve steps back into shadow where she dissolves into gears, the ghost flames consuming Abrie, to reveal the third figure: Brilliant, beautiful, more than human, turning towards Jaq she lifts a gauss rifle with ultimate grace, her skin like delicate battle dress and her eyes… her eyes like twin almonds of electric fire, burning terror; her voice divine, the goddess of hatred and war sublimely smiles, lips of cruel beauty murmuring: “I will hack your soul”. Anyone around would notice the color go out of Jaq at this point. Garet’s comm goes quiet for an extended time, but he can tell that the link is still open, as he can still hear Jaq’s shallow breathing.
Garwenya “Garet” Jax: Stane Heliport
Jaq
Jaq hits her comms, any sign she might be getting intoxicated suddenly vanishing, “Tandeel?” What is going on here, she thinks to herself. First Dr. Misishii, now Tandeel. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, they went through together and they would likely still be together. “Was he travelling with somebody? A blonde-headed woman, perhaps? Where did you see him?”
Garet comms back: “Roger that. a Brunette. dark haired, wearing a leather jacket. you think that’s EVE with him? wait..you do think!…So, if the good doctor and Tandeel, along with the ’droid are here..”
Garet listens as all he hears is Jaq’s shallow breathing. Then he says: “Have everyone wait for myself and Walt at the ship. Something’s got you terrified and we need to know what we’re up against.”
Torq
He comms Garet on his way back, “Floriant is our destination? Okay, I’ll look for cargo as soon as you get me some money.”
Torq hears over the comm: “Meet me at the ‘Witch. I’m seeing what we can get for the airship.”
“I’ll get you shopping money when I get back there.”
Walt
Walt hands Garet a data pad “F@#k my father has been killed, last time we spoke he was retiring – now it seems he has been sent into action and has paid the ultimate price!” Walt paces for q while and states “It doesn’t make sense how can a retiring brig be sent into a combat zone, something stinks here – I should never of left Naryan” he pauses “Shit and corruption im going to get to the bottom of this and make the bastard responsible pay!”
Garet says nothing, but simply listens before speaking simply: "An old Solomani freighter captain once told me, “Revenge is a dish best served cold, and it is very cold in space.”
“Do you want to keep this info to yourself? or tell the crew? They will have some skill sets that’ll help you get more intel on what happened.”
Sialann
Sialan gets back to the Witch, helps unload the grav sled and dumps her gear in an untidy and slightly dangerous pile on her bunk. She then takes a long, cold shower, dresses in one of her new steward’s outfits and in a foul but refreshed mood, goes to find Garet and asks him if she should start looking for passengers for their next destination.
As she looks around the ship, she doesn’t find Garet, but while walking past his quarters, she notices his door is open. peeking in, she sees a rather simple bunk, already made up, sheet and blanket stretched tight. along with a small desk,lamp and chair. file folders stacked neatly on top. The thing that strikes her is that there is nothing visible that gives any impression that someone resides here. no souvenirs, no pictures of family, friends, nothing.
Yes, everyone should finish up their finances so we can see how much there is for cargo.
Garet should roll 1d6 through the secure dice (it is to be the new dice roller) with trying to sell the airship. The Heliport is crowded with people trying to get out of Exo Laant, fleeing north seems to be a big thing nowdays.
[OOC: So, Torg, Jaq, Kallen & Sialann are back at the ship now? If so, Sialann will now ask Torq about passengers.]
Sialann thinks back to the unholy mess she’s already made of her own stateroom, and moves on to the galley, wonders what Jaq’s up tp, nods at Kallen, is tempted to join him for a drink but makes herself some strong coffee instead and goes looking for Torq:
“Hey. You seem to be first officer around here. Well – you’ll do, in the absence of any real authority. What do I do about passengers for this next trip? I’m ready to start doing my job.”
Yes, you are back on the ship.
Torq raises an eyebrow at Sialann, “If we get spec cargo worth hundreds of thousands of creds the security risks are too great to bother with the few extra creds we can make from passengers. If, as it looks like now, we can’t get spec cargo then sure we can take passengers. We can screw them hard for a lift off this stinkhole of a world. Savvy? Make sure you search them thoroughly and at the first sign of trouble you waste ’em.”
She grins. Maybe this big lummox and she can see eye to eye on some things. “It would be a pleasure.”
She comms the ship, “Anyone up for riding shotgun on me for a trip to the admin building? Gonna try scare up some passengers for us.”
Given the amount of ordinance still flying, she makes sure to suit up in gel cloth underneath her uniform and packs the gauss pistol, figuring too armoured-up and too gunned-up might scare off customers. She still feels a bit exposed and hopes one or two of the others might come along for back-up.
Money for cargo at this moment is 586,000Cr; pretty flush actually.
Garet
Garet should roll 1d6 through the secure dice (it is to be the new dice roller) with trying to sell the airship. The Heliport is crowded with people trying to get out of Exo Laant, fleeing north seems to be a big thing nowdays.
1d6, rolled once.
Roll set 1
Die rolls: 2
Roll subtotal: 2
Roll total: 2
Once at the heliport, Garet and Walt put up for sale signs on the airship, then a crowd gathers, one man comes forward and offers 4000Cr in Stella Maris Credits.
Back on the ship, the security system hardware will need a person with elec 1 to finish the install, either from the party or by hiring a technician.
“Kallen? You in for another stroll? I might be able to stand you that drink you missed. Big fella?” at Torq, “Fancy some action?”
Then she goes and finds Jaq. If she is going to sneak in a diversion to Startown, she’d like the woman by her side – that one seems more than useful, and she’ll bet Jaq has the smarts to help her get what she wants. She’d best tread carefully, though, doesn’t want to upset anybody’s moral standards …
She finds her on the bridge, working on some electronic stuff. “Hey, you okay? You’re looking a bit peaky. Liquor disagree with you? If that place was serving bootleg booze at those prices, I’ll go back and bloody well smash it up!”
“4000 creds he must be joking at that price we could stow it and still make cargo! If these people want to leave they can bloody well pay a reasonable price frakkin freeloaders!” Walt will make the crew aware of his current situation, and if any offer assistance he will be very greatful.
To Sialaan, “Hey Fangs, I’m with you. I’m going to see if I can find any mail or freight. The money is still locked up so I can’t buy any cargo anyway. Might as well make the most of the chance. Besides if the snipers spot us I’ve got at least a 50-50 chance of surviving the first shot if I walk next to you.”
OOC: assuming Chris is referring to Walt’s situation re: his father being killed, not at getting chiselled on the airship deal]
Sialann receives Walt’s comm as she’s getting ready for her excursion to the passenger wing of the admin complex. She reviews the layout of the starport and sees the heliport is a bit further on from the admin complex – and more than halfway closer to Startown. She comms back:
“Hey. Sad to hear about your loss. Need any help up there? I’m on my way to the admin complex anyway.”
OOC:if no one from the ship is coming with her, then she’ll armour-up and gun-up fro the trip, and to hell with public relations]
“Its gonna start getting late soon. Think I best stay he, maybe Jaq too. Just in case. Remember seeing all those civilian ships when we arrived fighting. Bet some of them was stolen and night time isn’t the best time to leave this thing alone.” Kallen speaks to everyone after following Sialann to Jaq.
“Torq, just to let you know, haven’t heard much in the bar the girls went to. So no ideal rumours on that part that you could follow for goods.”
OOC:if no one from the ship is coming with her, then she’ll armour-up and gun-up fro the trip, and to hell with public relations
ooc: Torq just said he’d go with her.
Torq nods to Kallen, “I’m about done with looking for spec cargo, I don’t have any money anyway, so I’m going with Fangs to find passengers, freight and mail.”
Sialann hears Kallen out.
“Sounds reasonable. We don’t want to come back and find there’s no ship waiting for us. Batten down the hatches and await our heroic return,” with a grin.
To Torq, she says. “I can probably manage the air/raft if you’ll ride shotgun.”
OOC: should only get a -1 DM flying a grav vehicle for J-o-T 1 and DEX +1]
And she packs the following in a shoulder-slung bag:
And she is wearing her Combination Viewer.
She climbs into the driver’s seat and keys the bulkhead to open to allow them egress. As it slides up, they hear now the distant rattle of automatic fire and crump of heavier ordnance. Through the hatch they see the darkening sky is turning a red, streaked with the black of smoke. And tracer bursts arc gracefully across it. She turns to Torq.
“Shall we dance?”
Only -1? Ok, roll 2d6 to get the air/raft out of the Witch, and how are you both dressed, arms and armor wise generally here.
The guy offering the 4000 credits will up his offer: “It’s some off-world wreck? Not even probably legal to fly! I need to escape with my family, I will give you 5000Cr!”
“Family man ehh? And all you can offer is 5 grand for their safe removal your pathetic glad im not on your christmas list…. now hand the frakkin creds over and get lost before I shoot you – im ticked off enough without you giving me further reason to go tropo” Walt hands over the keys??? Whhen this tight ass gives him the creds. Walt will then start making his way to the others for some light retail therepy.
Walt replies to Sialann’s offer “Thank you I will take you up on that when the need arises” Walt also will thank anyone else who offers. “Thanks guys this means a heap to me”
Once at the heliport, Garet and Walt put up for sale signs on the airship, then a crowd gathers, one man comes forward and offers 4000Cr in Stella Maris Credits.
Garet interdicts in the transaction before Walt can finish his transaction. Placing his hand between the two, he raises his voice to be heard over the din:
“Ladies, Gentlemen. This hard working soul has offered 5000 Stella Maris Credits for this “off world wreck” “that’s not even legal to fly.” Granted, this airship is from offworld, and is not registered by the SDF, but I ask you, what is the value of being able to escape the conflict here?"
“Now unfortunately, given the political situation here, we cannot accept Stella Maris Credits. I can accept Imperium Credits, precious metals, things of value I can trade off world. In fact, if the more well to do of you is interested, I may have space available on board a vessel I captain to transport off planet until the situation here resolves itself.”
“The fare starts at 8000Imperial Credits. Now you have a few hours at best, I will post my ship’s name in the administration center, where the outgoing flights are located. We will also have this airship available. Here is my comm ID link. I will accept the most reasonable offer.
Good day.”
Garet then turns back to Walt, "Now we see what rises to the surface, but get your arms ready, we may have to “strongly encourage” people to back away from the airship."
Garet then comms Torq: “We’re on our way back to the ship. ETA (give flying time from heliport back to landing pad) minutes.”
So you are taking the airship back to the ship, and at some point you will need to find fuel, which isn’t so common here being ten tech levels higher. Also, Stella Maris credits are not bad, Imperial credits might be hard to find; Terrelayne credits are fairly common, so are Peladonian.
Now we can say everyone is back at the ship, Garet and Walt can see Sialann try her hand at crashing the air/raft.
Torq is dressed in his normal gear, except he is now wearing improved cloth over the top. Including gauss pistol, bayonet and blade, trying hard not to look like a combatant and more like a civvie, he hops in the air/raft, “Alright Fangs, lets go.”
He comms Garet, “Too late getting me the money to get spec cargo. Me and Fangs are hunting passengers and freight in the air/raft. We’re fueled and got life support, see you when we get back.”
Walt is ready for any scurvy dog attempting to steal passage on the airship, he chuckles and says to Garet “Pathetic look at these poor chumps we should frakkin do them a service and put them iut off their misery – would save a ton of suffering and wasted cred” Walt locks and loads his smg and takes a firm stance on the gunnels “lets get back to the crew”.
[Hellfire! I rolled 7 times again! £"$%^&*%$£ that bloody default setting!]
take two: oh dear. i don’t think she even makes it out of the garage…
Stella Maris credits are not bad, Imperial credits might be hard to find; Terrelayne credits are fairly common, so are Peladonian.
[OOC: so based on where we are, these credits can buy comparative value?]
He comms Garet, “Too late getting me the money to get spec cargo. Me and Fangs are hunting passengers and freight in the air/raft. We’re fueled and got life support, see you when we get back.”
“Roger that, I put a bug in the ear of some folks looking for passage at the heliport. You should find some will souls off the rock.”
if we get back – if we even get there! (rolled a 4…)
Four in both sets, ouchy, well Sialann (Fang, I love it) has successfully added some new dents to the air/raft. Garet and Walt arrive just in time to see it as well, Jaq and Kallen hearing the reverberating clang! in the air/raft hanger. Care to try again, find someone who can do a better imitation than a Vargr flying it or maybe take the monorail? The monorail is free, there are also enclosed grav taxis you can call; just some options.
The short answer is yes, Imperial and Terrelayne are the best, but Stella Maris credits have comparable value. As you get farther away from Stella Maris, the amount of people who will accept them drops.
[ooc: ah … sorry thought the monorail was down. taxis? in a firefight? good for them!]
“Well, I never said I could drive.”
Eases the whiplash out of her neck, gets out, kicks the air/raft for good measure. “Stupid thing!”
“Let’s call a cab.”
And on the way over, she’ll sit up front, schmooze the cabbie a bit – taxi drivers know everything and everywhere… like where to get some chill, some snooze…
Now that’s more like it!
Carouse roll: 6, 6 + 1
Roll total: 13
A rather dinged up yellow grav taxi, lev’s up near the Witch, driven by a guy in a blue denim shirt and a 5 o’clock shadow on his face. The taxi driver looks at Sialann and Torq: “Uh … lady? Startown is your best bet, that where ya wanna go? I figure I know a place”.
“Okay, but we’ve got some business at the admin complex first,” sotto voce – she’ll clue Torq in later, sound him out first about the trip.
It’s almost deja vu for Jaq scoring drugs, Walt remembers … Watch out for people with methemoglobinemia.
When they get to the complex, Sialann plunges into the midst of the chaos, and climbs up on something high (Torq’s shoulders? ;-), sticks two fingers in her mouth and lets out a piercing whistle (or maybe Torq could scratch his fingernails down a chalkboard like that fella in Jaws?;-).
“Right, listen up – we’ve got a free trader heading outsystem, in need of passengers – who needs a ride?”
And she will scout the room from her vantage point to look for really needy types – families, for example, who look desperate and like they don’t have the fare. There for sure will be enough of the rich-enough and mean-enough variety, but as far as she’s concerned, real need trumps a deep wallet.
Roll on Carousing for scaring up passengers:
Die rolls: 1, 6 + 1
Roll total: 8
To make things clear what she’s up to: she’ll try and squeeze any well-off-looking passengers so that they subsidise the ragged, half-starved looking ones. That way, the crew should be happy, too …
Anyone finding Jaq will notice that she is quiet and pensive and not too willing to engage in conversation, instead immersing herself in the work of installing the computer program and tweaking her own program to run as backup. Only Garet will really be able to engage her in conversation and that will take place on a locked out bridge or in her own quarters with the door locked and any monitoring devices handily disabled, either manually or physically. In the moments where the computer is whirring away and doing its install thing when not needing direct input or guidance, she will run a database search on psionic consciousness transference experiments. Something about her dream… Hack your soul… still makes her cringe.
Torq sighs as Sialaan dings the air/raft and mutters something about women drivers as they make their way to StarTown in the taxi. Besides being a climbing platform for the tattooed she-ape Torq will look out for a terminal he could use to rustle up some freight and mail to Floriant. He just hopes any snipers will consider Sialaan to be the one in charge if she is doing the whistling and yelling.
At the passenger wing, things are pretty grim, the area is over crowded, sad faces pressed against glass, Sialann and Torq stepping over people laying on the floor, restrooms overflowing… the stink of unwashed humanity, only saved by gaping holes in the terminal. Making the human condition worse though, is that in some sections, sappers broke through the walls carrying the battle into the passenger concourse; the bodies have been removed, but bloodstains remain.
Torq’s look for freight and mail to Floriant, brings up zero results. Sialann’s initial ploy standing up and calling out gathers a crowd, which then disperses when they hear the destination. Some though remain: mercs, scoundrels and war criminals; to vicious to find work or maybe dismissed or even deserters, they are interested in Floriant, one shouts:
“Going on a smash and grab against the mages? Count me in!”
Others, frightening looking men, murmur assent to the idea of a raid on Floriant; as a presage to the future, while the psions may have won this round, soon enough they will become ripe enough for conquest by outsiders.
What Jaq finds in her search is pretty sparse, it does seem there was research done by the University of Terrelay, of which Dr Misishii is an associate listed in the documents, about a Hostile Optical Takeover (HOT) or “Basilisk Hack”, of a not unsimilar manner to brainwashing, that conciousness could be re-programmed. The university team found the need for more study, but dissenting opinions called it an endangerment to every sophont in charted space, what could only become a mass extinction event if the virus could become exsurgent and travel from person to person became a new vector of infection.
The research results do nothing to allay her fears. Indeed, it appears to intensify her disquiet, especially in light of some of the things she has seen during her time with the expedition. When she gets a chance, she encodes another log with her thoughts about the possible direction of Terrelayan research, including her thoughts about who might have been involved, including Dr. Misishii and Major Abrie’e Tliablzhdiliepr. And her thoughts about Eve, too. She stops short of putting her dream into the report, but does put in in a separate, private, encrypted log entry. As she finishes the loading of the security program, she opens her comms and says, “Security program is up and running except for the hardware. Who has the best electronics skills? We need to get that stuff installed as soon as possible for the security program to do it’s job.” If nobody has the skills, Jaq will say further, “Then we need to higher someone reputable immediately. I really don’t want us sitting here without the full security system active. By the way, where is everyone?”
“Not sure about taking any of this lot, they don’t look worth the trouble,” she murmurs to Torq, “Do we really need passengers that much? And for that matter, do we really want to go to this place Floriant, at all? If fellas like these think it’s a good idea…”
She gives up and suggests they head back. On the way to their taxi she takes Torq’s arm, oblivious to his body language. “Look, big fella. I’ve been close to psions enough – and the idea of getting close to any more gives me the swutting creeps.” At this point, she actually shivers, her voice nearly breaks and she looks away hastily.
After a moment she continues, “I need to go to Startown, there’s something I need there. Our driver says he can take me to a place he knows. Quick in-and-out. I can go alone, but it would be good to have you along. In case.”
As Torq’s raises one eyebrow in a prelude perhaps to a suspicious scowl, she quickly says, “You know I was a prisoner? On the beast ships? Well I wake up screaming. I get the cold sweats over nothing. I haven’t slept in …” she puffs out some air, “… I don’t know how long.”
Her eyes plead with him, “I need something to take the edge off, to help me sleep is all. I’ll go alone if you like but …”
As she finishes the loading of the security program, she opens her comms and says, “Security program is up and running except for the hardware. Who has the best electronics skills? We need to get that stuff installed as soon as possible for the security program to do it’s job.” If nobody has the skills, Jaq will say further, “Then we need to higher someone reputable immediately. I really don’t want us sitting here without the full security system active. By the way, where is everyone?”
Garet chimes in: “Walt and I are on our way back to the ’Witch.” “As for the security program, let me take a look before we look outside for a consultant. Since Sialann has my cred-stik, no shopping right now.”
[ooc: i think she left Garet’s cred stik in the untidy pile of stuff on her bunk…]
Kallen with little to do finish’s his drink, keeps his new armour on and fetches his pistols. Walks back to his seat slumping in to it with his pistols hidden by his side and makes himself look like he his sleeping whilst he listens out for the airlock doors to shift.
Torq looks at Sialaan and in a moment of sympathy for her plight he says gruffly, “Anything to get you to quit your whining.”
Yes, whining. He’s right. Get a grip.
She mutters something that might be ‘thank you’, and tells the driver to take them there.
“Well, don’t take too long, I’m ready for this to be done and I don’t like the fact that I am alone here.” It doesn’t register to her that Kallen is on board. Garet finds it strange that Jaq would be concerned about being alone. As a scout, she has had extended time alone, but something obviously has her spooked.
Garet, hearing that tone in Jaq’s voice, switches to a private channel with her: “Jaq? somethings bothering you about the expedition again, isn’t it?”
“We’ll talk as soon as I get the airship stored.”
He then keys back to Torq: “Most of the refugees were heading North out of the city, I didn’t hear much heading for where we’re headed. Any update from your end?”
On the private channel, Jaq replies, “Something just doesn’t add up and I don’t exactly know why I feel this way. Part of me wants to just leave this sector of space at the highest possible speed, the other part wants to stay here and find the ‘survivors’ and figure out what is really going on.” Jaq stops, realizing that even though this is a private channel, it isn’t secure. Then she says, “yes, we need to talk.” With that, she closes the private comms channel, but continues to monitor the crew comms.
GARET: He then keys back to Torq: “Most of the refugees were heading North out of the city, I didn’t hear much heading for where we’re headed. Any update from your end?”
Replying to Garet, “No news so far, can’t get any cargo or freight. None of the ‘nice’ passengers want to go to Floriant, just mercs and badasses. Looks like Floriant is screwed as well, I say we reconsider where we’re going, and fast. Floriant looks like a real bad choice. We’re just on our way to get some gear for Fangs, but we’ll be coming back empty handed. I say prep the ship and lets get out of dodge, we’ll be there as quick as we can.”
[ooc: so where do we get taken? does she roll on Carouse, to sweet-talk the dealer the driver finds her, or Streetwise to find one herself?]
Garet comms back to Torq: “Roger that. A Bad situation getting worse. You two grab what you need. I’ll look at what destinations are in our sphere, then Jaq and I will head to the admin office to file a flight plan, get a launch window so we can blow this pop stand.”
“If you catch wind of anything wanting to be moved besides Floriant, holler.”
“Lets just get the frak out of here, and stop acting like muppets and getting all caught up in this wave of human refuse – lets get some vacumn under our keel and stars in our viewers, this planet was a bad choice, lets not make anymore of them” Walt comments with a tone of aggravation in his voice – he is still patrolling the deck of the airship and looking out for any one following us.
Garet and Walt: en route to the Dust Witch via the airship
“Lets just get the frak out of here, and stop acting like muppets and getting all caught up in this wave of human refuse – lets get some vacumn under our keel and stars in our viewers, this planet was a bad choice, lets not make anymore of them!”
Garet replies: “Look, I get that you’re angry, and you want to find out what happened to your Father. I’d be doing the same thing, but you’ve got to get your head on straight!”
“Stane was our destination, remember? it can’t be helped, this situation. Welcome to being a traveller! things change, governments change..” Garet looks up at the night sky “Galaxies change. But you know what? we adapt, we change, and, if needed..we fight back.”
“That…is what it means to be one of us.”
“What you need, Colonel, is something to keep your mind off your troubles, as well as get you some practice on being a mechanic.”
“I think I’ll keep the airship for now. We can work on changing the engine over to something that uses fuel from this century.”
“Something to do while one is in jump helps the time pass.”
Sorry for the lag, I have just been wrung out by the last couple of days, I’ll get a new log post up where we can sort everything.
[ooc: no worries Rob, you do a great job]
Torq replies to Garet, “We could fill the hold with fuel, we’ve got collapsible tanks right? If we did we could make a couple of jump-2’s without stopping, but it’ll put us way behind on the payments to Irulan. We’d be nearly three weeks without income.”
To Sialaan, “Have I ever told you how much I love going shopping?”
[ooc: yeah, don’t sweat it, Rob, you do what you need to do]
Garet replies back to Torq: “Only as a last resort. There’s so much chaos going on who knows if these maps even truly reflect conditions anymore.”
"I"ll check the maps see what’s within J-2 that might get us to a J-1 main, we should find some fishing there."
“Your probably right Garet, just this place is bad news and its getting to me! the new engine for the Airship sounds a good idea though – something that i missed earlier is the fact I am listed as dead, it would be sensible to assume the rest off us where too. Should we keep on going under the radar or fess up at the next available Imp outpost”?