tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17032800436924234182024-02-21T05:20:16.074-08:00Honest MerchantsA journal of the Pirates of Drinax campaign.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-42837764579225097932019-08-11T04:24:00.003-07:002019-08-11T04:24:25.808-07:00Where to from here?<b>Wildeman</b><br />
After discovering that the Wildeman base had been attacked, the party cautiously entered and found it to be abandoned, trashed, and booby-trapped. Unter was able to confirm that it appeared text-book Imperial operating practice.<br />
<br />
Later they found out that during the blockade the Imperial Navy had either followed a ship that returned to the base with a damaged jump drive, or had finally triangulated where an unusual number of jump signatures were coming from. Either way, the base was now compromised and no longer hidden.<br />
<br />
<b>Space Station</b><br />
Upon returning to the space station, which again only took hours with the new drive, Goff looked over the womp drive and noticed that there was a clear indication that the drive had a finite number of uses and that this unit had no more than 40 to 50 parsecs left in it. The drive did not appear to be repairable, but the design suggested that with more practice manufacturing it a longer lifespan would be achieved.<br />
<br />
The news of the new drive and its miraculous properties was spreading among the crew and could not be stopped. This seemed to be another secret that the travellers could not keep.<br />
<br />
<b>Arrivals</b><br />
A few days later, and as work progressed to dismantle and take as much of the station with them as possible, a small number of ships arrived, including one that was not part of Admiral Slayed's fleet. It seemed as if Tipper and GeDeCo had found this station after all. The returning ships included a single Harrier (one was confirmed lost and the other missing in action) and two more of the ships sent to the blockade - apparently the only survivors.<br />
<br />
Tipper asked to speak to the travellers alone. The GeDeCo agent had sought them out to advise that the corporation intended to hold up its end of the bargain and look after them now that the psycho-historical future was on track. He also had news that the Imperial Navy would be returning very soon - within days - to finish the job.<br />
<br />
<b>Royal News</b><br />
Tipper showed them a holovid message recorded by Prince Harrick for the travellers. In it the prince thanked them for their heroic actions in defense of Drinax and the many months and years of work in preparing for the day that his father had so dearly wanted - a new Kingdom of Drinax. Their loyalty to his father and his sister did not diminish the gratitude he felt for their actions, and he held no ill-will toward them.<br />
<br />
He also declared that he had been persuaded to become monarch of a new Kingdom with a new capital based initially on Clarke. It would consist of many of the systems that had declared for his sister, but would be smaller initially, made up of worlds that supported the ideals of open trade, sharing of technology, and the general betterment of the region. It would not be warlike and he intended to make treaties with both the Imperium and Aslan as soon as possible.<br />
<br />
He paused at that and looked weary. The problem was that the party were inexorably linked to his sister and to the schemes of the old king and, he regretted, had a reputation that meant negotiations with the Aslan at least would be problematic. If they were known to be alive and under the protection of the new kingdom he would be forced to choose between handing them over and the chance to have a peaceful relationship with a powerful neighbour. For those reasons he asked that the party leave the Trojan Reaches for the foreseeable future so he did not have to make that difficult decision.<br />
<br />
<b>The Offer</b><br />
When the message ended Tipper looked somber for a few moments then said he had another message, this time from Fae Borshune, the head of GeDeCo in the Trojan Reaches.<br />
<br />
In it Fae thanked the party for their actions in support of their psycho-historical purpose but expressed sorrow over the loss of their homeworld, even if it were for the greater good. She explained that GeDeCo had put in place some plans for the travellers if they agree to move out of the Trojan Reaches as per Prince, now King Harrick's request. Even if they refused the offer their personal records were being officially 'corrected' by GeDeCo to have them as incorrectly maligned, and that they were citizens in very good standing, so they would not get into trouble if they entered the Imperium.<br />
<br />
GeDeCo had recently taken control of a planet called Fulacin in the Spinward Marches through a subsidiary called Spinward Development. The planet had been run by MagnetoDynamics until two years ago but their charter had been revoked and given to GeDeCo. The planet had less than 100,000 inhabitants but had extensive estates for an Imperial Knight, a position currently vacant.<br />
<br />
Amazingly, GeDeCo had recently discovered that Lady Nitrane, through a distant ancestor, was the legitimate heir to that position. If she were to take up the position on Fulacin she would become a member of the Imperial Nobility. She need not have any involvement in the running of the planet if she didn't want to, although there would be the small matter of hiring people to run her estate which did need some work as it had been neglected for many years.<br />
<br />
<b>Decisions</b><br />
The party knew that the amazing coincidence was anything but. Even so they thought that some place like that might be acceptable while they found a somewhere to establish a new space station. On that matter they had half a dozen places of interest to explore in the Rhylanor, Lanth, Regina and Aramis subsectors which surrounded Fulacin.<br />
<br />
Slayed had in mind that they could trade to make money rather than piracy, something that they had really been doing anyway. Tipper suggested that they could take only eight crew or friends with them into the Spinward Marches. GeDeCo could arrange for new identities as needed but people in good standing would be easier to ease into Imperial society. The crew left behind would have to fend for themselves.<br />
<br />
Tipper also pointed out that it would be entirely impossible to take with them any ships that were not legitimately owned. He added as well that the Harrier would not be something that they could take either, being clearly a military vessel with illegal particle weapons. That left the advanced drive yacht (which Tipper assumed to be a normal yacht) and the far trader that had been completely overhauled on Palindrome.<br />
<br />
For the other ships Slayed suggested that the crew that remained behind could use them, and hoped that should he or the party return to the reaches in the future that they'd be willing to join up again with the party. He didn't know how Harrick would react to armed ships manned by his old crew, but there were plenty of places outside both the new kingdom and the Imperium to travel in. Slayed put aside money for maintenance to get the crews going.<br />
<br />
<b>On the move</b><br />
Once these arrangements were made Tipper urged that they abandon the station as quickly as possible as the arriving Imperials would not be in any mood to let people jump out once they arrived. This station and its occupants was a thorn in their side now and revenge would play out in entirely predictable ways.<br />
<br />
GeDeCo had a large ship at Salif already to make the long journey in to the Spinward Marches. It had space for the two ships and an additional three hundred tons if they wanted to bring anything else. He also advised that destroying the station would be the ideal course of action as it would satisfy the Imperials and give the travellers a chance to wipe clean computers. If the imperials arrived to find it abandoned but intact they might take the opportunity to search it and uncover some of its secrets.<br />
<br />
To be continued...<br />
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<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-72339807589198022882019-07-21T00:23:00.002-07:002019-07-21T00:23:35.860-07:00Revelation<b>Moving in a new way</b><br />
The new drive came to life, what looked like plasma swirled and moved. It sped up, and streaked across the display port. The travellers exchanged looks - this was different to a normal jump drive. There was no explosive release of hydrogen, no feeling that the ship was cocooned. It felt like the ship was moving.<br />
<br />
Some time passed. Goff alternated between watching the drive and the diagnostics on his computer pad. He seemed calm, but it was difficult to tell for sure. From time to time, and it took a while to notice, there was an almost imperceptible movement as if the ship were making microscopic adjustments.<br />
<br />
Unsure how to take this or what to expect, the travellers sat on the bridge watching the holographic controls. Nobody moved. On a normal jump everybody would be dispersing to the lounge, galley, library, staterooms or somewhere else, with others or alone. Not this time.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, after an hour, the outside world jumped back to a normal star-field view, surprising everyone. The drive had stopped.<br />
<br />
<b>Abrupt halt</b><br />
Everyone seemed fine. The drive had not blown up or failed - or so it seemed - so why had it stopped? Was it a misjump? Were they in normal space still? Were they still even in their same time or had they travelled far into the past or the future? They had heard of all these things happening if a jump went wrong, but this wasn't a jump drive so who knew?<br />
<br />
The computer indicated that they had arrived. The astrogation box indicated that they had arrived. A scan over many hours of the stars around them indicated they had arrived. But that made no sense. If everything was correct they had travelled one parsec in an hour. It was unimaginable.<br />
<br />
Deciding that it was possible but unproved Slayed ordered that they plot a course back to the space station. He reasoned that if they arrived and had only been gone a few hours then the subjective time would be reliable.<br />
<br />
<b>Back to base</b><br />
The astrogation calculations back to the space station were made with extreme deliberation, and double- and triple-checked. The power plant and prototype drive - which was dubbed the Womp-drive due to the noise it quietly made during operation - were checked. And when Slayed was satisfied everything that could be done had been done he hit the button to operate the drive.<br />
<br />
Again plasma formed over the windows and the sensation of movement, with infrequent and imperceptible micro adjustments, was felt by all. After an hour they emerged into real space again and detected the space station some distance away. From this distance the damage looked extreme - which it was - and shards of metal span wildly, the debris of the recent battle.<br />
<br />
They hailed the station who were very surprised to see them again so soon. The travellers decided that the story would be that things had not worked and they needed to make more adjustments to the ship. All on board were sworn to secrecy.<br />
<br />
<b>New Plans</b><br />
The very low morale of the crew - it had only been a couple of days since the battle with Admiral Darokyn - combined with the realisation that the imperial navy could return at any moment to find a station that was very damaged - suggested a change in plan was in order.<br />
<br />
The decision was made to assign all crew to one of the ships that were at the station. If the navy, or anyone else, attacked and the word was given then all crew had a means of escape.<br />
<br />
Next a priority list of station components that would be the most useful to create a new station somewhere else was drawn up. The most useful things that could relatively easily be taken out of the station were to be put in the megafreighter, then the next most important, and so on until the freighter was full or there was nothing else useful to take.<br />
<br />
The list was prioritised from the point of view of the manufacturing process, so the mining drones were first as they would provide raw materials. Then the smelter and refinery, followed by the manufacturing plant. The shiyard was next - and would be an enormous task as it would need to be removed as a complete block - some 1200 tons.<br />
<br />
The crew were set to work disassembling the station and the captains, and Goff, put in charge.<br />
<br />
<b>Pondering outcomes</b><br />
Slayed decided that it would be a good trial of the new womp-drive to go to Wildeman. He proposed a single eleven parsec trip. Nitrane suggested 2 parsecs was a better trial. So Slayed reluctantly agreed to a 3 parsec womp. Because Goff and the captains were busy overseeing the disassembly work another master engineer was selected to travel on the ship.<br />
<br />
The course was plotted on the astrogation computer that visited only empty hexes. They initiated the drive for a three parsec trip and after an hour they emerged into real space again. Checking the computer they had travelled only one parsec, but the computer was asking if they wanted to engage the drive for the second trip. It seemed that the drive would only work one parsec at a time even if a longer journey were plotted.<br />
<br />
They completed the three parsec trip, then carefully plotted another, and another until they reached Wildeman about 24 hours after they left. The engineer was in awe and kept rambling on, excited and amazed, about how he couldn't wait to tell his friends. The travellers pondered their mistake of bringing a normal crewman with them. He would talk - and they needed to keep this drive a secret.<br />
<br />
<b>Wildeman</b><br />
The womp-drive turned off near the gas giant and proceeded to towards the hidden base as stealthily as they could muster. They scanned passively when they got close enough and noticed as they crept forward that the massive doors to the station were missing. Not open, actually gone. Closer still and there were signs of combat, as well as debris that could be from the doors.<br />
<br />
No signs of activity could be detected, but that wasn't surprising. The base was well insulated against stray emissions, and there were no ships nearby that they could detect.<br />
<br />
It seemed that the base had been discovered, and was abandoned.<br />
<br />
To be continued...<br />
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<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-77131738971271116582019-07-13T05:29:00.003-07:002019-07-13T05:29:56.037-07:00Return of an old friendThe 30,000 ton ship was quickly identified as a Gionetti-class Light Cruiser. That meant it was Imperial Navy, and that meant trouble.<br />
<br />
Reaching the bridge Slayed hailed the other ship, which was only 400km from the space station - close range. "Who are you and what do you want?" The screen lit up and a familiar face appeared. There, in full Imperial Navy uniform, was Admiral Darokyn.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Darokyn announced that he was here to ensure that Admiral Slayed and his colleagues would be stopped. They would no longer be allowed to perform acts of piracy and treachery. They were to immediately surrender by order of the Imperium. Lady Nitrane whispered "tell him we've already stopped".<br />
<br />
Slayed asked what would happen if they surrendered. Darokyn said that they would be taken prisoner and be given a fair trial... And at that moment Slayed ordered all weapons to open fire.<br />
<br />
<b>Battle</b><br />
Achieving some measure of surprise, the first salvo of over 240 missiles sped toward the imperial ship, which automatically deployed electronic countermeasures and point defense batteries, but about two hundred missiles struck the smaller ship. At the same time the ion cannons sprayed charged particles at the navy ship to reduce its power output, and particle beam bays shot out, causing damage and irradiating the other ship.<br />
<br />
Darokyn returned fire, the spinal meson cannon shooting out enormous particle beams and hitting the station square on. Missiles streamed from turrets all over the cruiser. These converged on the station while the point defenses and countermeasures attempted desperately to halt over five hundred missiles. Many hundreds hit, up and down the side of the station, causing warnings and alarms to sound. Other turrets fired beam lasers and the station retaliated by using sandcasters to disrupt the lasers so they caused little or no damage.<br />
<br />
Salvo after salvo sped across from one side to the other. Missiles sped, light flashed, particle weapons coruscated, and a field of debris and sand started filling the gap between the station and the navy ship. The cruiser was hitting harder, but the armour and immense size of the space station meant it was taking less of a beating.<br />
<br />
After another round of salvos Darokyn, apparently realising that he had underestimated the firepower of the station, ordered the cruiser to move away from the station. It appeared to be preparing to jump. With fuel leaking and clear signs of significant damage the navy ship could take no more. On the station damage to ion cannons and sandcasters was worrying but none of the offensive weapons was damaged and Slayed kept firing even as the other vessel turned tail.<br />
<br />
With one last salvo hitting it the imperial ship exploded. The hull had been completely breached and finally the thousands of un-fired missiles had been hit. The ship disintegrated.<br />
<br />
<b>Aftermath</b><br />
On the station repair drones were already hard at work stopping leaks in the hull. Rather luckily the only serious hits had been to weapons - there were no fuel leaks and no engineering sections had been hit. Another salvo or two from the imperial ship however and there would have been much much more to worry about. The navy ship hit hard.<br />
<br />
Slayed ordered that any breaches be repaired immediately but repairs to weapons could wait, as could the parts of the hull that were damaged and weakened, but not breached. He had other tasks in mind for the crew.<br />
<br />
He asked Goff to put into action his plan for moving the jump drive from the megafreighter and installing it into the space station. Additional jump drive capacity would need to be built, and this would take some time. Goff said it would take him three days to plan everything and at that point he would know roughly how long it would take, and importantly how likely it would be to succeed.<br />
<br />
The construction yard and manufacturing plant had not been damaged in the fight, so the prototype ship was able to be completed. The estimates were that it would be only another 11 days. Finally the so-called space station seed crate, containing manufacturing, computing and power facilities that had all the Sindalian knowledge and capability to build a new station if necessary, was only a few days from being completed as well.<br />
<br />
<b>Salif</b><br />
Needing to inform others, Slayed and the travellers jumped to Salif in the Sorrowful Maiden to tell Tiznee what had happened and to ask her to pass a message to Lady Yemar as Palindrome was too far to jump to in the time available.<br />
<br />
Arriving in Salif they immediately sought an audience with Tiznee who was keen to meet with them. She told them that Darokyn was in the region and that they should be careful. They sighed and told her that he had visited their station, attacked it, and had been killed. She cautioned that he had been in the Salif system with four ships; the cruiser had been accompanied by a Kinunir-class and two Gazelles. They had jumped two days after Darokyn's cruiser but she did not know where they were heading.<br />
<br />
Rather than delay any longer they decided to jump back to the station.<br />
<br />
<b>Space Station</b><br />
Another week in jump passed and they arrived at the space station. It was there (sighs of relief) but still showing the scars of battle. They were immediately informed that the Kinunir and Gazelles had jumped in, actively scanned the area, and jumped out. Nobody on the station had been keen to fire any weapons at them without provocation.<br />
<br />
In Slayed's mind this changed nothing. He was told by Goff that adding the jump drive to the station was possible, although likely to be very difficult. The additional jump plant needed would take three months to manufacture. The obvious choice was to do the preparation on the station first and move the jump drive from the freighter later. This would keep the freighter operational should it need to be used.<br />
<br />
The prototype ship and the space station seed crates were finished. The party decided that they would go on the first trip, along with Goff, Krrsh, Jaggad and Professor Cheese. the seed crates were added to the cargo hold in case they found a suitable asteroid or other location to set it up.<br />
<br />
The biggest worry was the morale of the crew. The station was no longer a secret, the imperial navy were almost certainly going to return to finish the job, and the travellers and senior leaders were departing in a new ship and not sure when they would be returning. Slayed gave a somewhat rousing speech and seemed to have mollified the crew a little, but the undercurrent of unhappiness was there.<br />
<br />
Nitrane pointed out that the ship that had been send to Wildeman to tell them to call off the blockade was likely to be returning soon, although with the defeat of Drinax, the close call with the imperial navy, and the backing down of the blockade without any kind of negotiations held, it was bad news all round. One or more returning ships would just emphasise the trouble they were in.<br />
<br />
<b>Prototype</b><br />
The prototype ship, looking exactly like a rich noble's yacht, left the station with all on board and started a very abbreviated trial near the station. Deciding that 24 hours would be sufficient to see if everything worked, the people on board tested every system and underwent manoeuvering exercises and weapons tests. The only unproven components were the collectors and the new drive, the former seemed to be working in a six hour trial but the whole point of the exercise was to test the latter.<br />
<br />
Picking the empty hex between Salif and Number One as their destination Slayed looked around at everyone and hit the red button.<br />
<br />
To be continued...<br />
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<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-87437983110802800252019-07-07T03:54:00.002-07:002019-07-07T03:54:46.742-07:00Friend or Foe?<b>Messages</b><br />
The travellers took a fast messenger ship to Theev to inform them of the destruction of Drinax and that they had survived. They also sent the Far Scout to Wildeman to let the people at their base know what had happened, and to order them to cease the blockade.<br />
<br />
Arriving at Theev they radioed ahead and were given priority landing at the private hangers reserved for the highest levels of Theev society. They asked to see Varuk Nirgal and were given direction to his offices. Two Widows silently emerged from nowhere and took up positions to protect the travellers as they made their way to see the head of the ruling council of Theev.<br />
<br />
When they arrived he was waiting for them in his enormous office, on the highest level of a tower that overlooked the city. He welcomed them warmly and motioned for them to sit in nano-bot chairs that were forming themselves as he spoke. Sitting, they informed him of what had happened.<br />
<br />
Nirgal was obviously taken aback at the news, and asked the party what they would do next. When they suggested that they would be visiting systems to inform them of the battle, Nirgal suggested that he instead would send out messengers to save them time.<br />
<br />
Lady Nitrane suggested that they might have to visit the other systems anyway to try to keep the empire together. She did a royal wave to emphasise the nature of the visits, and seemed reluctantly to entertain the idea that she was the heir. Nirgal asked about Prince Harrick and was told that he had given up his claims to the throne.<br />
<br />
<b>Hacking</b><br />
Leaving Nirgal to organise messengers, the party then headed to see Kagni Vasiir, the security expert who had helped them previously with false identities. He greeted them and asked what they needed. They explained that they had some data chips that were encrypted by Imperial Secret Service and needed something to crack into them.<br />
<br />
Vasiir asked how old they were - about a year maybe - and said that he could probably help. After running some diagnostics he gave them two alternatives and said that both should work, but that there was a chance that the encryption was so advanced that the chip would recognise that it was being hacked.<br />
<br />
Slayed and Sparrow got to work and managed to get one chip de-crypted, and most of another. The third unfortunately wiped itself before any data could be extracted.<br />
<br />
The partially decrypted chip contained information about many people, including the travellers themselves. It seemed that Darokyn had been keeping records on various people who arrived on Theev and made names for themselves. There was nothing about any of the well established pirate lords - only newcomers.<br />
<br />
The completely decrypted chip contained irrefutable evidence that Theev was backed by GeDeCo. In fact it was almost as if Theev was a small subsidiary of the mega-corporation so deep was the relationship. It seemed that by supporting piracy in the reaches more commerce travelled from the Imperium to the Hierarte on the GeDeCo freighters, and the area was kept unstable so no political body established itself to tax trade.<br />
<br />
This bombshell stunned the travellers. It was clear that Nirgal must be a GeDeCo operative of employee as he was the one in charge of money and commerce. How many of the pirate lords were aware of this? They considered what they had told Nirgal, and what he might pass onto his masters in GeDeCo. They also wondered if they were the same people who had been involved with the psychohistorical theories that the PCs had agreed to support.<br />
<br />
<b>Leaving Theev - for the last time?</b><br />
Sparrow wanted to leave Theev immediately, but Slayed argued that by fleeing instantly they would raise suspicions. So they headed to the accommodation that was set aside for them, and mindful that everything they said and did would be recorded or watched, passed the time until they left the next morning.<br />
<br />
Returning to their ship they plotted a course for Palindrome where they were wondering if Lady Yemar was aware of the GeDeCo connections. On the trip they considered what they would do next.<br />
<br />
Slayed looked at the astrogation box that Empress Rao had given them. It was at least two thousand years old but still had up to date information and he was looking for asteroids or other interesting places where they could set up a new base - one that nobody knew about.<br />
<br />
Sparrow considered what would be needed to establish a base using the high technology capabilities of the space station. He devised a package or about 20 tons that would contain complete manufacturing capability, power supply, computer with AI, all the blueprints in the station and more. This shipping container would be able to produce more manufacturing capacity and produce the elements of a space station assuming the raw materials were available. This would cost about 30MCr<br />
and take a week or so to assemble if they brought all their resources to bear.<br />
<br />
<b>Palindrome</b><br />
When they arrived at Palindrome they nervously contacted the space port and asked for permission to land. That was granted and being known to the personnel there they were ushered immediately through to see Lady Yemar who was waiting in her rooms.<br />
<br />
She was unaware of the destruction of Drinax - the news would have reached her soon though but when they mentioned about GeDeCo she became so incandescently angry, swearing at Nirgal and others and throwing objects, that they were somewhat relieved. She had clearly been unaware of the relationship.<br />
<br />Calming herself down long enough to order her people to go to Theev and withdraw all her assets and personnel, she told the travellers that their only option now was to lay low for the forseeable future. Their involvement with Drinax and their relationship with GeDeCo (both from Vorito and Theev) made her worry that the party would be targetted. The corporation clearly had plans and the best course of action would be to not get in the way of them.<br />
<br />
<b>Salif</b><br />
Leaving as soon as their ship was refueled they jumped to Salif. Now everyone was considering their next moves. Nitrane suggested making a fleet of warships but others pointed out that they had capacity to make 600 ton ships, and so slowly as to make no difference. Sparrow refined his plans for 'space station seeds', and Slayed looked even more closely at the astrogation box.<br />
<br />
Slayed noticed that their space station was on the astrogation maps, but you had to look closely in exactly the right place. That made them wonder what other stations or ma made objects were in the map. The decided that only by plugging it into something like the space station's huge computers would they be able to get all the information they needed out of it.<br />
<br />
Arriving on Salif they docked in their hangar and asked to meet with Tiznee, who could move her appointments around to see them in six hours. They waited, not leaving the hangar, then went to meet her. She was given the same information as Yemar - they were sisters who would no doubt share the information anyway - and she became terribly worried for their safety. Like her sister she advised that they lay low - go into hiding - and not emerge for a long time. They arranged some codes that intermediaries might be able to use to get in touch with her, and they they left.<br />
<br />
On the way back to the station Slayed came up with the idea of taking the jump drives out of the Galoot megafreighter and putting them into the space station. They would need to add some capacity but the vast majority of the drives were already docked at the station. It should be possible, with some careful engineering, to adjust the outside of the station with vents and baffles to make a jump surface that would encase the station in hydrogen and allow the jump to proceed safely.<br />
<br />
Also, that left the matter of moving the station, The freighters manoeuvre drives and power plant could be repurposed to make a huge tug to move the station when needed. He got to work on some back of the envelope plans to show Goff when they arrived.<br />
<br />
<b>Space Station</b><br />
Arriving at the station they let out their breath. It was still there and undamaged.<br />
<br />
Docking they immediately got to work on their new projects as well as checking on the progress of the prototype ship. The new ship was about two weeks away from being completed which would give them another ship to use, and work out what benefit the new drive would give them.<br />
<br />
Leaving the ship to be completed, they prioritised getting the astrogation box connected to the computer with assistance from ALF, as well as working with Goff to start manufacturing of the 'space station seed crates'. The jump drive transplant would have to wait.<br />
<br />
A few days passed and all plans were progressing well, when suddenly klaxons blasted and ALF informed them that a 30,000 ton ship had just jumped in. Slayed asked ALF "are all the weapons operational?" to which ALF replied "Yes Admiral Slayed."<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-74243388514888813512019-06-28T22:00:00.001-07:002019-06-28T22:00:50.039-07:00Rise and Fall<b>Preparing</b><br />
As the days passed before the Aslan fleet arrived the palace became more and more tense and there was palpable nervousness among the citizenry. The travellers kept themselves busy as best they could, including choosing what they would wear. As Arch-Dukes they would be expected to show the Aslan delegation the pomp and finery of the new empire.<br />
<br />
When the fleet was finally detected jumping in, the travellers were summoned to the royal chambers where Empress Rao was getting dressed in the robes of state. Her clerks and advisors were there, polishing speeches and noting negotiation points for the upcoming talks.<br />
<br />
<b>Arrival </b><br />
As the fleet arrived in orbit Rao was heard to mutter "let's do this!".<br />
<br />
Suddenly a messenger ran in to say that the fleet had transmitted a message. As it was being played another messenger ran in shouting that the Aslan had fired missiles.<br />
<br />
The message was as follows:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>THE FOLLOWING ACTS HAVE FORCED THE ASLAN HIERATE TO DECLARE A STATE OF WAR EXISTS BETWEEN DRINAX AND THE HIERATE. THE WAR WILL BE PROSECUTED WITH UTMOST FORCE TO BRING A SWIFT END TO THE CONFLICT, LIMITED TO THE PLANET OF DRINAX AND TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTS.<br /><ol>
<li><i>Drinax sponsored and supported piracy, sending out citizens in military ships to disrupt trade.</i></li>
<li><i>King Oleb and his daughter Princess Rao were kept informed of progress at all times, extending their sponsorship over many years.</i></li>
<li><i>Drinax sent people to look for a Sindalian space station where planet buster torpedoes had been stored since the days of the empire.</i></li>
<li><i>These Drinaxians talked to Peter Vallis, a notorious pirate and anti-Aslan racist, just before they jumped there.</i></li>
<li><i>The Drinaxians kept the torpedoes safe until they were needed later, not destroying them like anyone who wanted peace would have done.</i></li>
<li><i>Drinax also infiltrated the highest levels of the pirate world Theev, befriending pirate lords and themselves gaining position.</i></li>
<li><i>Drinax also harboured fugitives from Aslan justice, including Kaisyl, wanted for treason.</i></li>
<li><i>Drinaxians freed legitimately captured pirate prisoners, killing the crews of civilian ships in the process.</i></li>
<li><i>Drinaxians kidnapped the ruler of Salif, in an attempt to sow unrest in the Reaches.</i></li>
<li><i>Drinax is now militarising at a rate greater than at any time in history, at the same time as declaring a New Sindalian Empire.</i></li>
<li><i>The Sindalian Empire was famous for destroying planets with huge torpedoes and waging war on Aslan planets.</i></li>
<li><i>Peter Vallis, known to meet with Drinaxians, and carrying their torpedoes for them, was apprehended attempting to destroy an Aslan planet.</i></li>
<li><i>He was captured alive and when asked about his crimes implicated Drinax and people they associated with.</i></li>
<li><i>Peter Vallis was executed for an act of war, and Drinax now shall also be ended for acts of war and before it can do more harm.</i></li>
<li><i>The Sindalian Empire shall not rise again. The warlike aggressive Drinax shall not be allowed to spread its insanity.</i></li>
</ol>
SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING CLANS<br />AHROAY’IF, TOKOFEAHR, YERLYARUIWO, TLAIOAWAHA, SYOISUIS</i></blockquote>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rao turned white, turned to Slayed and said "Wrax is hopeless. You have to save Drinax!"</div>
<br />
<b>Orbital Ballet</b><br />
Running to the ship the party launched to find that the Aslans had destroyed most of the missile platforms and had deployed fighters.<br />
<br />
The Drinax defenses consisted of the Sorrowful Maiden, a dozen system defense boats, some other spacecraft belonging to Drinaxian nobles and royalty, as well as a number of fighters and the weaponry on the floating palace itself. Arrayed against Drinax were four capital ships, many smaller ones, and now swarms of fighters. Drinax was outnumbered and outgunned.<br />
<br />
As soon as the defenders rose from the palace the missiles and lasers from the Aslan took their toll. Slayed shouted encouragement and orders over the comms channels of the defenders, giving Lord Wrax suggestions but being careful not to antagonise the Head of the Star Guard.<br />
<br />
As the Sorrowful Maiden, thrusters at full power, manoeuvered around the battlefield Nitrane and Unter quickly identified targets and directed marines and other ships to perform boarding actions to disable some of the enemy.<br />
<br />
The battle raged on. By now debris was raining down on the surface of the planet.<br />
<br />
Emerging from the shadow of the palace Lord Wrax and half a dozen system defense boats swarmed the largest Aslan capital ship, disabling it by crashing their ships into it. Unter and Nitrane picked another capital ship and led marines on board with scuttling charges and it too was taken from the battle.<br />
<br />
The Drinax forces were now dwindling. Someone on the bridge shouted and pointed and tiny figures were seen streaming up from the palace. The Winged Warriors, battle dress gleaming and grav belts pushed to the limit, approached a third capital ship with nuclear mines. They detonated, taking all warriors with them, leaving just one capital ship remaining.<br />
<br />
This last enormous ship was clearly identifiable now as it slowly, ponderously, approached the palace. It was the Eikhoifiruah - the very ship that had bombed the surface of Drinax in the last war. It was coming in for a final approach to finish off what it had started two hundred years earlier.<br />
<br />
Slayed swooped, initiating a desperate boarding action to try to stop it. At the same time, incredibly and awe-inspiringly, the Floating Palace rose from the surface of Drinax. It's gravity engines howling and pushed beyond their limit, and with atmosphere venting from a hundred unsealed cracks and hatches, the palace directed its weapons on the Eikhoifiruah. A combination of the boarding action and the additional weaponry disabled the Aslan ship. With the attackers retreating back to the Sorrowful Maiden the Aslan super-heavy bomber passed below the palace, breaking up to bombard the surface for the last time.<br />
<br />
The Floating Palace was not a spaceship, and not even airtight. This last action was to be its last. The palace started breaking up, helped by exploding engines and by pockets of air bursting through doors and walls not designed to work in vacuum. As the Eikhoifiruah fell to the surface so did the palace.<br />
<br />
The remaining dozen or so Aslan ships left orbit and headed away from the planet, leaving the Sorrowful Maiden, battle scarred but unbroken, as the only surviving defender.<br />
<br />
Thinking fast, Nitrane shouted to be on the look for survivors, and while they turned their full attention to the search, the travellers only found one survivor from the palace; a young woman who had donned a vacc-suit and been blasted away from the palace by escaping gasses. Other bodies were reached before they fell back to the planet surface but none were alive.<br />
<br />
Silence. Far below light flashed on the planet surface as large pieces of debris sparked as they hit the metal remains of the cities destroyed two hundred years ago. There was no radio chatter, there were no other ships around the planet. Drinax the Kingdom was no more. Drinax the planet would continue, but it would not have a civilisation worthy of that name again.<br />
<br />
Slayed said some quiet words and the crew, moving automatically, checked for damage, plotted a course for Torpol, and headed to the 100 diameter limit to jump away. Nobody knew if they would be back.<br />
<br />
<b>Torpol</b><br />
Arriving at Torpol the travellers immediately made contact and were given priority landing permission. Demanding as fast a turnaround as possible the ship was refuelled while the travellers went to visit Falx, who by now was in a position of seniority. He welcomed them and asked how they were. They answered slightly evasively, not that he noticed, and just told him that there'd been something happen that would be made clearer in the coming days and weeks.<br />
<br />
Slayed gave the lone Drinaxian survivor 1MCr and left her on the holiday planet.<br />
<br />
<b>Thebus</b><br />
Jumping nest to Thebus they repeated the demand for as fast a turnaround as possible. They stayed on the ship in case another Imperial patrol arrived, but left before they detected one.<br />
<br />
<b>Space Station</b><br />
Arriving at the space station they were warmly greeted and the hangar doors were opened to let them dock. They immediately called a meeting of the senior crew on the station, including Goff, Dai'Kinnear, Rachando and Kaisyl. This group were told in detail what had happened. Dai'Kinnear and Kaisyl, as the only Aslan on board, assumed postures of submission and offered their heartfelt apologies. Slayed accepted them, as was Aslan custom, and said that he held them utterly blameless for the actions of their fellow Aslan and that would be the end of it. They visibly relaxed.<br />
<br />
Setting crew to repair the ship the travellers pondered what to do. Next they would go to Theev to inform the rulers there of what had happened. They were also interested in trying to crack the security on the datachips that they had acquired when collecting Admiral Darokyn's private possessions and thought Theev would be the best place to start.<br />
<br />
Beyond that they didn't know what to do. Would they return to piracy? Or become merchant princes? What would GeDeCo do? After all, the mega-corporation has promised to "take care of them" but now that sounded more like a threat than a promise. And what of the Imperium?<br />
<br />
Suddenly Lady Nitrane then swore under her breath. "Crap! I'm the heir to Drinax!".<br />
<br />
To be continued.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-47703644875183162692019-06-23T03:06:00.001-07:002019-06-23T03:06:29.168-07:00The waiting game<b>To and fro</b><br />
The travellers jumped back to the space station to see if the prototype drive ship was ready. It wasn't. Goff met them and informed them that due to the complexities involved it was taking twice as long. He estimated it would be another four months.<br />
<br />
Because they only had two months until Empress Rao expected the delegations from the two major powers to arrive for negotiations the party could only spend a few days on the station. They took another opportunity to take stock.<br />
<br />
By now the station was fully operational and bedded in. The living quarters and common areas were gleaming white plastic and glass. Stylish, functional and ultra modern - certainly compared to the Drinax propensity for brass, velvet and wooden panels. The meals, prepared by the repaired Sindalian Empire food synthesisers was something familiar and yet different at the same time. Recipes and tastes had apparently changed in the time since this station had last been operational.<br />
<br />
<b>Visitors?</b><br />
The voice of ALF, the computer, interrupted one trip through the station with word that a ship had that second been detected on the scanners. They made their way to the bridge less than a minute later to be told that the ship had again disappeared. It had not been detected jumping in, nor since the detection jumping out. It was clearly stealthy. Or perhaps it wasn't a ship after all: there was a possibility that the sensors were picking up false positives.<br />
<br />
The ship had been detected about 50,000 km away. Quickly making a decision Sparrow ordered the Harriers to be prepped for immediate departure to stealthily go to that location and once near there actively search for any lurking ships. Within a handful of minutes the Harriers were speeding away, and the party waited the 20 minutes for them to reach the location.<br />
<br />
Suddenly the sensors picked up the Harriers blasting the area with active sensors, but nothing else showed up. They were instructed to initiate a search pattern and for the next couple of hours scanned but found nothing.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Sparrow had been getting ALF to go over the old sensor data from the past few months and found that a similar signal had been detected three times but with a smaller signal. Of course they knew that someone else knew where the station was because of the stolen torpedoes, but it was troubling that there seemed to be someone keeping tabs on it.<br />
<br />
Instructing ALF to send out fighters in randomised patrols to make sneaking up on the station more difficult, the party left to head back to Drinax.<br />
<br />
<b>Oops</b><br />
The first system was Thebus, but on arrival they detected Imperial Navy ships - a Kinunir-class cruiser and two Gazelles - in orbit. Being in the pirate lord Admiral Darokyn's former flagship - a stolen Imperial Navy Destroyer escort no less - they decided to immediately jump to Noricum using their remaining jump fuel. Under different circumstances they might have gone to the gas giant and scooped and refined some fuel, but this ship had neither fuel scoops nor purifiers.<br />
<br />
On Noricum they refuelled using unrefined fuel and then jumped, slightly concerned about the ramifications of not purifying the fuel. Everything worked out fine and they landed at Torpol.<br />
<br />
There they talked to their contacts who advised that there were a lot of Imperial patrols around. No doubt these were in response to the blockage, although none seemed to be aggressive at all. The impression was that they were just reminding people that an enormous empire was just next door and that trying to create a new one was foolhardy.<br />
<br />
<b>Back home</b><br />
The travellers arrived on Drinax just as the two months elapsed. However there were no delegates waiting for their negotiating skills, nor any suggestion that they were on their way.<br />
<br />
Meeting with Empress Rao they described what they had seen and heard. She was confident that this meant the plan was working. The New Sindalian empire needed to be able to enforce its own borders or it would not be real political entity. The powers in the Imperium and the Hierate would understand that.<br />
<br />
After a few days Tipper and Hanz Waltz from GeDeCo appeared and asked to meet with them. They agreed to meet on the GeDeCo ship where Tipper advised that an Aslan fleet, with at least two capital ships, was approaching Drinax. This seemed to be the first indication that an Aslan envoy was going to arrive. In typical Aslan fashion it would be accompanied by a show of force.<br />
<br />
The travellers decided to first tell Empress Rao, who was delighted with the news. She and her empire were being taken seriously. They then decided to tell Lord Wrax of the Star Guard, who initially was distrustful (Lady Nitrane being his ex-wife) but when the evidence presented to the party by Tipper was sent to him he begrudgingly accepted the news as fact.<br />
<br />
With the imminent arrival the travellers are now deciding what to do. The more pessimistic among them assume an attack. Time will tell. Less than two weeks in fact.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-28550994069867057842019-06-16T04:07:00.002-07:002019-06-16T04:07:10.919-07:00The Blockade, and other things<b>Assembling the forces</b><br />
With the success of the blockade in their hands the travellers considered what to do first. The trade routes all went through Wildeman, so that was selected as the base of operations for Slayed. They would need trusted captains like Krrsh and Jaggad to take control in other key systems, as well as needing some of their own ships. That meant they would first go to the Space Station.<br />
<br />
Before they left they were visited by Tipper who was still working for GeDeCo. He told them he was expecting that the Empress was going to need to move quickly to shore up her borders, and that there would be resources made available to them - in a logistics sense - from GeDeCo. After all, they wanted Drinax to prosper. This meant that Slayed and the others could use their forces to enforce the blockade and not worry about supplies and the movement of people.<br />
<br />
They also contacted the representatives of the systems that had joined the empire and advised them of what they would be doing, and collected pledges of ships and support from all. Rendezvous points and numbers of ships were agreed, and a network or couriers to keep everyone informed of what was happening was established.<br />
<br />
<b>Space Station Surprises</b><br />
Arriving at the Space Station they were met by Goff who advised them that aside from one small matter the station was, as of the day before, fully operational. The small matter was the science labs that housed their own computers, and which again needed Ducal clearance.<br />
<br />
Entering the codes the research computer started up and after a moment, in which it seemed to be getting its bearings, it greeted them. Like the other computer it had no memory of what it had been doing before it shut down, but did have access to all research material that had been stored in it.<br />
<br />
Intrigued to know what was being worked on, Slayed instructed the computer to produce the most progressed research - material that was in prototype or production state - so that they could see what might be possible to use. Professor Cheese was brought into the room, and after he calmed down from the excitement he got to work with Slayed sifting through and interpreting the information.<br />
<br />
Researched seemed to have been focused on propulsion and drives, weapons, medicine, psychology, and artificial intelligence. Cheese informed them that the medical breakthroughs that were being worked on here were now common place, although it was interesting that Sindal had been at the forefront. The psychological outputs, mostly to do with maintaining sanity while stuck in a space ship for very extended periods of time were somewhat esoteric and could not easily be adopted and used. <br />
<br />
The other three were more promising. The weapons research was into turret-mounted meson weapons. These would ignore armour and radiation shielding, whilst themselves doing a lot of damage and radiation. Putting these into practice was going to be problematic given the resources on the space station as only early prototypes had been developed.<br />
<br />
The artificial intelligence work seemed in part to have been built into the station already. Certainly the ALF system, as well as the research computer, were more advanced than anything the party had encountered before, although they had not been in advanced research labs where these things might be most useful. The research papers made it clear that it would be possible to clone ALF if they needed to, although the computer for that would be excruciatingly expensive.<br />
<br />
That left the propulsion research, which was sufficiently progressed that blueprints for an early production version were in the research computer. If the war had gone on for a few more months then this new drive may have been able to sway the tide of battle.<br />
<br />
<b>Making things</b><br />
With the station up and functional Goff wanted to know if they should start building anything in the shipyards. He was against making trade goods to sell as that would arouse suspicions, although selling some raw material left over from mining would be innocuous enough.<br />
<br />
The party considered what they had learned and decided to make a ship that would use the new propulsion system. The plans seemed to suggest a limit of 200 tons so they decided to make something that would look like a normal yacht. As it was unproven they put in a jump-1 drive in case they needed to get out of trouble. With that they put collectors, which were slow but would collect enough fuel for a jump within a week. The ship would have a little armour and some hidden turrets, as well as some modifications to the hull. It would look like a yacht, but that was about it. It was a high performance test platform.<br />
<br />
<b>Wildeman </b><br />
With the ship started they instructed their ships to move to Wildeman and neighbouring systems to enforce the blockade. When they arrived they found that the system defense boats were complete, and the carrier ship was returning from delivering the first one. The other two would be delivered in the coming weeks. Slayed again took some of the profits from selling trade goods, although it was noted that this was starting to draw unwanted attention and that stopping the trade might be wise. Making more SDB carriers should be their focus for the time being.<br />
<br />
<b>The blockade</b><br />
Over the coming months forces were secretly put in place so as to not tip off anyone, and when the time came to block trade, it was almost completely successful. A couple of systems proved troublesome but within 4 months they had completed the blockade and were confident that short of an imperial or aslan taskforce it would hold. They returned to Drinax to inform Empress Rao.<br />
<br />
When they returned to Drinax with the news Rao was overjoyed. She had worried that it might take a lot longer, and at the cost of many more lives than had been lost, to enforce the blockade.<br />
<br />
As a reward Rao gave Slayed a small box that had been held in the vaults of the Scholars Tower. She had instructed that all resources be brought to bear and there were some interesting items now being used. This device had its own power source and contained within it a full map of the known galaxy. It was up to date even though it was hundreds or thousands of years old and could therefore be used to help with astrogation checks. It was also possible to zoom in to planets and moons and see, somewhat fuzzily in places, the surface features. Where he device had been was much clearer for some hours afterwards, which suggested it was also scanning its surroundings although that could not be detected.<br />
<br />
Rao declared that she expected that the blockade would need to be held for about two months while the imperium and aslan created delegations to come to Drinax and negotiate terms. The party took this opportunity to return to the space station where Goff informed them that due to complications with the prototype drive the build was taking twice as long as expected. The yacht would not be ready for another three months.<br />
<br />
With Rao telling them to be back on Drinax within two months for negotiations, and the prototype ship not ready, the party considered what to do next.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-81848937069367247722019-06-16T03:08:00.004-07:002019-06-16T03:08:46.772-07:00Coronation, and a new beginning<b>Drinax</b><br />
Arriving at Drinax a few weeks before the coronation the travellers docked and disembarked to find a representative of the Queen-to-be waiting for them. Their presence was required immediately, they were told, and so they made their way to Rao's private rooms.<br />
<br />
When they arrived they were warmly welcomed and a brief royal hug was bestowed on each of them. They were asked to sit down and an informal meeting started where they were asked about all the systems they had visited, and about the rulers or significant people they'd met along the way. It turned out that many of the people they'd already met would be coming to the coronation and, with representatives starting to arrive Rao wanted to take the opportunity to meet with them individually, accompanied by the travellers.<br />
<br />
Before that happened she wanted to discuss with them the type of ruler she intended to be, and the type of kingdom she would rule. She trusted the travellers and wanted to hear their opinions.<br />
<br />
Firstly she wanted to have a feudal government, just as it was in the days of the Sindalian Empire. When it came to security she wanted an end to the piracy that her father had supported, at least for the travellers. She would invest in ship building in order to protect the borders of her new kingdom, but would not be an aggressor. Lastly she wanted to exploit the technological advantage of Drinax by establishing Drinax-owned enterprises in other systems, but not actively help other systems. She reasoned it was this that gave Drinax it's advantage and to give that away would not be wise.<br />
<br />
The travellers agreed with her forms of government and security. It made sense to hearken back to the old days of the empire and to clamp down on piracy. When it came to technology they reasoned that the kingdom would be stronger if Drinax helped in some way to raise the technology levels of the systems that were willing to pay for it. That way she might get a fleet or more advantageous trading situations much faster without losing any advantage.<br />
<br />
Rao considered the advice from the travellers and saw that it was good. She had her clerks modify the terms of treaties and agreements to match what the party had suggested and that she now accepted as good advice.<br />
<br />
<b>Meeting after meeting</b><br />
The meetings with the representatives of all the systems in the Trojan Reach started almost immediately and all followed a common theme. The Queen-to-be welcomed the visitors and with the travellers by her side talked about the types of government, security and technology and listened to their hopes and fears. She hoped that they would join her in creating a new power in the reaches to provide stability and prosperity.<br />
<br />
The systems all considered her words and formed their own opinions. Overall a good number of systems pledged allegiance to the new Queen and promised to be faithful and loyal subjects to the new Kingdom of Drinax.<br />
<br />
Around this time Varuk Nirgal from Theev, who was one of the systems that agreed to join the Kingdom, met with the travellers. He proposed that in addition to becoming a loyal and faithful vassal state to Drinax that it might be advantageous to have strong ties going the other way, the better to represent the interests of Theev on Drinax. To that end he proposed that the travellers become full Lords of Theev. There would be no more piracy, for that was the wish of the Queen-to-be, but the trading and shipbuilding capabilities made it important that Theev had their fair say in matters.<br />
<br />
The party agreed that being Lords of Theev sounded just fine, and with a handshake it was done.<br />
<br />
<b>Crowning the new ....</b><br />
So the day of the coronation arrived. Everyone was in their finest, and the ceremony begun with the whole population of Drinax either in the huge throne room, or watching on screen positioned around the palace.<br />
<br />
Pride of place at the front was given to the travellers, and they sat with Lady Hil and Lord Wrax, as well as Imperial Ambassador, who shot the party dark looks from time to time and didn't seem to be enjoying himself at all.<br />
<br />
The travellers were as surprised as everyone else when Rao was crowned not as Queen but as Empress, as she declared that with over thirty systems they had created the New Sindalian Empire. The ambassador looked sick, but the rest of the palace rang to resounding cheers.<br />
<br />
Empress Rao thanked Nitrane, Slayed, Unter and Sparrow by name. She declared them all Arch Dukes of the Empire and bestowed upon them the titles of Arch Dukes of Tlaiowaha (Nitrane), SIndal (Slayed), the Borderland (Sparrow) and Tobia (Under). After she made a roll call of the systems that had joined, she sent out a message of good will to neighbours that had not. She wished them well and stated that when they saw the benefits of the new Empire they too would be welcomed with open arms.<br />
<br />
<b>After Party</b><br />
Immediately after the coronation the party were again summoned to her rooms - now those of the former King. There she removed the coronation robes and in more comfortable attire sat with the party to discuss the next move, which she said should be a blockade of the trading routes from the Imperium to the Hie-rate.<br />
<br />
She declared that trade passing her borders should be taxed. Nothing onerous at all, but something that would help fund the security and prosperity of her empire. In addition, it would take something like a blockade to persuade the Imperium and the Aslan Hierate that Drinax meant business and that a treaty should be negotiated. Without a treaty with the powers Drinax has nothing.<br />
<br />
Slayed considered the tactics of a blockade and thought it would be possible. The two main trade routes, a jump-2 route and a jump-3 route, along with a few other systems that might be used to bypass the main route, could be blockaded to bring about what Empress Rao wanted.<br />
<br />
Rao smiled, and put the travellers in charge of the blockade. After all, they had a small fleet of their own, as well as good relations with many of the systems in question.<br />
<br />
To be continued.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-53416011201230859422019-06-16T01:07:00.001-07:002019-06-16T01:07:23.186-07:00Sink or swim<b>Tech-World</b><br />
Arriving at Tech-World on their way to Drinax for the coronation of Queen Rao, the travellers met with the ruling council to inform them that at last the three system defense boats that they had asked for were in production and would be delivered over the next few months. A virtual walk through was shown and the council were pleased.<br />
<br />
On Tech-World the party also obtained a very high tech set of jewelry for the queen, including a psionic-blocking tiara, although being made of nano-technology it could take a number of shapes.<br />
<br />
<b>A sinking feeling</b><br />
Two years earlier the party had cleared out the cargo hold of the Treasure ship on Sink, and being unable to take everything with them had put two hundred tons of cargo in storage. With Sink more or less on the way to Drinax they took the opportunity to see if it were still there.<br />
<br />
Arriving at the now-familiar spaceport surrounded by massive lifting machinery and swamps they landed the Sorrowful Maiden and disembarked to see the Brother in Charge of Spaceport Operations waiting for them expectantly. They reintroduced themselves and asked for the ship to be refuelled, but he kept craning his neck to look around them. Eventually they asked who he was looking for and he asked if Admiral Darokyn would be getting off the ship. Apparently it was well known here.<br />
<br />
Once they told him that Darokyn was not on board at the moment he asked if they were here to pick up his possessions. They exchanged glances before Lady Nitrane said a slightly tentative "Yes?". The Brother then asked for some identification. Perhaps there was something in the way that Nitrane responded, or the exchanged glances that made him suspicious.<br />
<br />
Asking for a moment to get the papers, the party headed back into the ship and quickly put together some Darokyn-related evidence. They emerged and Lady Nitrane, who had been trained for this moment, spoke so persuasively in deceiving the Brother that he took their evidence as gospel and said that naturally he'd be glad to show them where Darokyn kept his personal possessions.<br />
<br />
In the meantime they asked about their cargo and with an apologetic shrug were told that as per the conditions of the deal they agreed to two years ago the goods would be kept for 12 months, then when a further two months passed the cargo would be donated to the depths of the swamp. So it was all gone.<br />
<br />
With little choice but to accept that outcome the travellers followed the Brother into the largest spaceport ziggurat. They were led down two levels to where a ramp led into a pool of water. Flanking the ramp were some diving suits on stands and a pump for breathing that was manned by an initiate.<br />
<br />
<b>Into the depths</b><br />
Nitrane and Unter suited up, as did the Brother. Slayed stayed behind to watch the initiate. They entered the water and made their way a few hundred feet along a wide passage past a number of airlock doors before the Brother waved at them to stop and wrote on a board that they should open the one they had stopped next to.<br />
<br />
After opening he door, he instructed that they should enter the airlock, disconnect their air tubes, and close the door. At that point the airlock would fill with air and they could open the inner door where Darokyn's possessions would be found. The followed his instructions, and after a brief struggle with the inner door found themselves in a small room with two wrapped and waterproofed small boxes. They took them and reversed their actions to find the Brother waiting for them and quickly connecting their air tubes again.<br />
<br />
Emerging from the water and removing the suits they returned to the ship which was still being refuelled. They opened the boxes and found in the first some personal memorabilia from Darokyn's time in the Imperial Navy and some normal data chips, although three were immediately identified as having military grade security that they could not open with the resources at their disposal. The other contained the memory cores of two ships. One appeared to be the one he'd brought to the Trojan Reach when he defected from the imperium. The other a vessel he'd commanded for many years and which contained his full journey from that time.<br />
<br />
In addition to the data and memorabilia they found 7 MCr, of which they game 1 MCr to the Brother in Charge of Spaceport Operations as a donation to his cause. They left for Drinax shortly thereafter.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-83620379126334988902019-06-15T23:15:00.001-07:002019-06-15T23:15:52.168-07:00Friends and two bases<b>Visiting new friends</b><br />
As Prince Harrick entered the Harrier, Princess Rao stopped short, turned to the travellers, and asked if they would swear fealty to her as their future queen. Nitrane and Unter did so immediately. Slayed and Sparrow then followed after a moment, exchanging glances.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rao smiled widely, nodded graciously, and thanked them. She then asked if the four of them were capable themselves of flying the Harrier by themselves. They said that they could, and she asked for all other crew to be removed from the ship while they went to see the Zhodani agent.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the trip to the rendezvous point Prince Harrick wanted to see the inside of a Harrier as he'd not had the opportunity previously. He seemed suitably impressed by the fabulous cargo bay and immediately grasped that it was to impress visitors.<br />
<br />
Upon arriving the ship was brought to a halt as the Princess told them to wait for the Zhodani ship to arrive and make itself known. She wasn't sure how they would react to seeing the Harrier instead of her yacht.<br />
<br />
<b>Chbradlklodgiepr Dlmshar</b><br />
When the ship was finally detected it was already adjacent to the Harrier. It's stealth properties were incredible, but went some way to explaining why there were no rumours of Zhodani ships in the area - nobody was detecting them.<br />
<br />
A docking tube was extended and the party could hear the ships connecting. The Princess went to the airlock to welcome them with Admiral Slayed. Prince Harrick and the rest of the party stayed in the bridge awaiting the Zhodani.<br />
<br />
Two Zhodani in armour appeared first, followed by a swarthy man with a mustache that curled up at both ends wearing a wrapping style headpiece. He was wearing robes and carried himself in a manner that indicated he was very sure of himself.<br />
<br />
He bowed low to the Princess and announced to anyone who might be in earshot that he, a humble servant of the Zhodani Empire, was most honored to again meet Her Royal Highness, the Princess Rao, who in her wisdom, and in with the betterment of their two body politics had most graciously agreed to meet him.<br />
<br />
Upon being invited onto the bridge the two guards took up positions while he introduced himself as Chbradlklodgiepr Dlmshar, representative of the Zhodani Empire, He explained that he was interested in Drinax as they were clearly the most civilised system in the Reaches, and as such the obvious partners with which to work to being prosperity to the area.<br />
<br />
He asked to look over the ship, and was taken by Slayed and Nitrane, with Prince Harrick, to look at around. He seemed impressed but asked few questions. Returning to the bridge the conversation continued for a little while on topics that seemed innocent and innocuous he declared that he was ready to leave.<br />
<br />
Speaking earnestly to each person in turn, grasping their hands in his, he wished them well, told them that they would do great things, and that he hoped that the alliance between Drinax and the empire would flourish. Each person got his full attention in this way. Prince Harrick was also advised to take his sister's words to heart and trust her and her judgement, to which he nodded.<br />
<br />
Dlmshar took his leave, flourished a wave, and returned to his ship. Tracking it as it left he was there one moment and then, as they must have turned on some stealth technology, disappeared.<br />
<br />
<b>Back to Drinax, and bad news</b><br />
The Harriers rendezvoused and jumped to Drinax where it was discovered that King Oleb had passed away. When they docked the Princess returned to her quarters where her retinue brought her up to speed with the events that had transpired since Harrick had taken her to Asim.<br />
<br />
The palace was in mourning, and the coup still in their minds it was not sure what would happen next. Prince Harrick calmed the situation by proclaiming that he was fully supporting his sister to be queen and that his followers must also support her from this moment on or be accused by him of treason.<br />
<br />
Princess Rao advised that the coronation would take place in six months and that the heads of state of all systems in the Trojan Reach would be invited.<br />
<br />
<b>To the Space Station</b><br />
The party needed no more prompting to head to the space station, which had been their destination all along. With the limited jump range of the Harriers it took five weeks to reach it whereupon they found that the megafreighter was connected up and providing power, and that already the mining and smelting facilities were running and stockpiling raw materials for manufacturing.<br />
<br />
Goff had also supervised, with the help of the robot Maria, the repairs to the computer systems. The party needed to enter the Ducal codes provided to them by Oleb many years ago now, which they did with some trepidation - Goff had attempted to start the computers a day or two earlier and all defensive systems had sprung into near-catastrophic action. Nobody had been killed but it was a close thing.<br />
<br />
Entering the codes deactivated any self-defense modes that the computer was in, and people could start the business of repairing the station once again. The computer greeted the travellers and called itself ALF, short for Artificial Life Form. It advised that it would be able to watch and control everything in the station. In its databanks were the manufacturing blueprints for anything the station needed to make - including the station. It was able to fully maintain itself once the engineers got things into an operational state after many centuries of neglect.<br />
<br />
<b>To the Hidden Base</b><br />
Once things were in progress on the space station the party's thoughts turned to the Wildeman base. They travelled in the Sorrowful Maiden: the Harriers would meet them at Drinax for the coronation in a few months. Their journey started on Theev where Lady Nitrane picked up some dresses and gowns for when they returned to Drinax. The others picked up suits and uniforms as well.<br />
<br />
Travelleing via Marduk and Exocet they reached Wildeman with three months to go to the coronation. There they found that Ben Parr, whom they had left in charge, had with Gobbo's advice built some additional manufacturing plant to increase capacity. This would allow the shipyard to work on three production lines rather than just the one it was previously.<br />
<br />
The base was sending one trading ship per week to Wildeman - jumping in-system to disguise the source of the materials. In addition it was creating System Defense Boats for Tech-World has had been promised by the travellers some time ago. Slayed took some of the profits that had been made.<br />
<br />
Considering how to get the SDBs to Tech-World, Sparrow suggested they stop SDB production to quickly produce a cargo ship capable of transporting one SDB at a time to its destination. Plans in the system were found and slightly modified to create a 600t ship with jump-2 and docking space for the 300t SDB. It would take a few weeks to create at which point the SDB production would continue.<br />
<br />
The party stated on Wildeman for two weeks and then headed to Tech-World via Exe.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br /></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-55203950984372641512019-05-03T23:01:00.003-07:002019-05-03T23:01:53.604-07:00Much a-coup about nothing<b>Coup at the Palace</b><br />
The travellers decided to land the ship at the main docks as instructed. They could see plumes of smoke as they approached the landing platform and there were people below running and taking cover. The palace seemed to have gone mad. Lady Nitrane tried to get hold of Lord Wrax on the comms but was unsuccessful. It seemed that so much was happening that they would need to fend for themselves.<br />
<br />
Emerging from the ship they noticed Kasiyl and Rachando, the latter with some bodyguards, exchanging fire with a group of Prince Harrick supporters. As they watched two of the bodyguards went down and the others ducked for cover. Gunfire and shouting could be heard coming from deeper inside the palace.<br />
<br />
The party were wearing heavy armour and were armed with powerful weapons, but instead of attacking they shouted out that the Harrick supporters were dangerously close to committing acts of treason and that the King was alive and in the party's care. It took a little time but the Harrick supporters stopped and rallied behind the travellers.<br />
<br />
Elsewhere in the palace Harrick supporters were converging on the throne room and on the life support section. They hoped that by taking these areas the might be in a position to negotiate a successful victory. Rao's supporters had other ideas and converged on the throne room. A pitched battle broke out and there were many casualties on both sides.<br />
<br />
The travellers moved into the life support section where Harrick supporters had entrenched themselves behind barricades. Lady Nitrane, wielding her sword, led the charge. Under heavy fire more Rao supporters fell but the party started to overwhelm the Harrick defences. Just as they thought they might carry the day a group of androids arrived to bolster the defenders and the battle broke out again.<br />
<br />
In the Throne Room sufficient Rao supporters arrived to persuade the Harrick supporters to drop their weapons or to join with Rao. The outcome was now a foregone conclusion and the last of the androids in Life Support were destroyed to finish the coup.<br />
<br />
<b>Aftermath</b><br />
Lady Nitrane immediately went to the starport docks and patched into the palace-wide communications channel. She broadcast the video that she had taken on King Oleb as he was close to death down on the surface. The entire palace heard how he promised whoever found his medical kit would be made an archduke. The whole palace also however heard that the King thought the Scholar's tower were vampires for what they did to Prince Harrick, and that the King wanted to die instead.<br />
<br />
The King was also heard saying that the floating palace was a joke, and that the party had been given a Letter of Marque and that he had instructed the party to go pirating. If they could, through piracy, bring back the kingdom they would be forgiven. Lastly he said that Prince Harrick was not the right person to be King after Oleb, which meant that it would be Queen Rao, but not without saying that she was too scheming and tool political and that she should be told to stop.<br />
<br />
The people of the palace were shocked. Lord Wrax almost certainly smiled. Ambassador Polx of the Imperium could be heard exploding in anger. Lady Nitrane shrugged at the enormity of the thing she had done, saying "they all knew anyway".<br />
<br />
<b>The hunt for Rao</b><br />
Neither Price Harrick not Princess Rao were to be found. Asking around they found that Princess Rao had been seen entering Prince Harrick's yacht and was not pleased about going. There were no guns pointed at her, and she was not tied up, but the observer got the feeling it was more a kidnapping than a cooperative act. That was one and a half days ago. People in the startport control told the party that the Prince had gone to Asim. The party decided to follow.<br />
<br />
Putting the King on the hands of the Hawk Warriors seemed best, and they were instructed to have the king looked after in the Scholar;s tower and to not let anyone harm him. Lady Nitrane also instructed Lord Wrax to stay neutral but he just dismissed her.<br />
<br />
The Harrier took off and arranged with the other two Harriers to jump to Asim. The yacht would come to pick up Kaisyl to take him to his scout, hidden in the outer reaches of the system, before he and the freighter headed to the space station. Rachando came with the party on the Harrier. His two ships were on trading missions but he just wanted to get out of Drinax.<br />
<br />
<b>Dull and brown</b><br />
Arriving at Asim the party were reminded how brown the place was. Dull too. They scanned for any signs of the yacht but were not surprised to find no trace of it given it's lead. As they headed down to the spaceport the other two Harriers arrived and were told to stay in orbit to scan for ships leaving or arriving.<br />
<br />
Coming in to land the party looked for a yacht but saw none. The Asim spaceport was an immense expanse of flat ferrocrete and it would be impossible to hide a ship given there were no enclosed hangars. They checked at the spaceport nevertheless but were told that no records would be given to them. The animosity of the Asim people to Drinax was strong.<br />
<br />
Rather than go incognito they decided to contact Governor Telwax, the most senior Drinax official on the planet. She would be delighted to see the party in three hours at the Governor's Palace. The travellers had no choice it seemed but to wait.<br />
<br />
<b>The governor</b><br />
Arriving at the palace at the appointed time they were taken in to meet the governor, her wife, and her child. Pleasantries were exchanged before they moved into the governor's office to talk about more serious matters.<br />
<br />
Nitrane opened with a statement that the King was still alive and that the coup was over. The governor was clearly shaken at the news, although suspicious were aroused when she was interested more in why they were here rather than more news about a coup and the near-death of the King.<br />
<br />
Nitrane and Slayed convinced the Governor that her best course of action was to put aside any misgivings and just tell them where Prince Harrick could be found, and she relented and told them he was at the Dragon Fortress in the mountains.<br />
<br />
<b>Dragon Fortress</b><br />
After Drinax took control of Asim, primarily due to the huge technology level advantage they Drinax had, they created a fortress in the mountains that would be all but impossible for the locals to penetrate. It consisted of a large flattened area for ships to land, and a number of hundreds of metres deep vertical tubes leading down to a maze of kill zones and passages. To anyone with a grav belt it was simplicity itself to just waft downwards.<br />
<br />
Unter and Slayed knew roughly where to look and almost immediately the landing area was spotted, along with a flight of Hawk Warriors flying protectively above. Deciding to approach as if they were permitted to be there they landed without being challenged.<br />
<br />
Emerging from the ship, Lady Nitrane in ceramic armour and the rest in battle dress, they started towards the nearest vertical tube when three Hawk Warriors emerged upwards out of it. The warriors landed near the edge and one opened its helmet. A woman with somewhat familiar features curled her lip and looked distastefully at Lady Nitrane.<br />
<br />
"Hello mother!" she snarled. "Hello dear" Lady Nitrane replied cheerfully.<br />
<br />
The daughter of Lady Nitrane and Lord Wrax, Colonel Sedelti didn't have Lady Nitrane's attractive appearance and looked more like her father. Nitrane looked to be eighteen whereas Sedelti, without the benefit of anagathics, looked to be approaching middle age.<br />
<br />
Sedelti shouted for her guards to arrest the party, but Nitrane shouted forcibly that they should not. They were representing the King, she said, and that any move against them would be clear treason. The guards faltered, and Sedelti, if possible, looked even more aggrieved.<br />
<br />
Nitrane demanded to be taken to Price Harrick and, with little choice, and perhaps even hoping that the Prince would put Nitrane in her place, Sedelti ordered a grav-sled be raised for the party to be taken down.<br />
<br />
<b>Their highnesses</b><br />Led into an antechamber the party could see into the next room - a huge open space - and in there were Prince Harrick and Princess Rao, the latter sitting grumpily with her arms crossed. They appeared to be having an argument when the party arrived.<br />
<br />
Looking up the Prince and Princess gave 'so what do you want' looks at the party. Nitrans told them that their father had gone missing but had been found and was still alive, and that there had been a coup and that it had been won my Princess Rao's forces with the help of the party.<br />
<br />
Initially both stunned, the Princess recovered first and looked a lot more cheerful. She started telling her brother that his concerns were groundless. She told him that they should go and see the Zhodani envoy to put his mind at rest.<br />
<br />
The party were nonplussed. It seemed that the princess had been seeing Zhodani agents for months and that the Prince had gotten wind and was concerned for the safety of the princess and for Drinax. The Princess on the other hand was entirely certain that the Zhodani could be trusted.<br />
<br />
The travellers started arguing that the royal siblings should come immediately to Drinax but Princess Rao dismissed the idea. It would take a week to get back but this rendezvous with the Zhodani would take only a day or two as they were already in the system waiting. Perhaps King Oleb, unhinged as he is, had a point about his daughter.<br />
<br />
As the Prince and Princess started walking out of the chambers and back towards the surface Nitrane tried again to persuade them to return immediately to Drinax, but was yet again dismissed.<br />
<br />
Not knowing what to do, she looked to the other travellers for help.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-6872655923370315242019-05-01T04:07:00.001-07:002019-05-01T04:07:04.086-07:00Grand High Tum-ti-tump of the Outrim Void<b>Theev to Salif</b><br />
<div>
Admiral Slayed and the travellers arrived at Salif with their jump-3 and -4 capable ships. There they refueled and met with Tiznee Zazzle to tell her about the liberation of the captured pirates and the seized ships. She was delighted that they were safe and that they had been successful.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Salif to Space Station</b></div>
<div>
Jumping next to the space station they found it as it had been left - powered down and running silent. There were no signs that anyone had been there since they left. However, as soon as they reached the cargo bay that held the two dozen planet-buster and bio-weapon torpedoes they were shocked to find them all gone, and the word "Thanks!" painted on one of the walls. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With all power off there were no cameras or other clues as to who had taken them. A quick check confirmed that nothing else had been taken, and there was no damage other than the forced opening of the door to the cargo hold. Nitrane, Unter and Sparrow were philosophical. They had wanted to be rid of them from the start. Slayed on the other hand was worried. Where were they, who had them, and why did they want them?</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Planning Repairs</b><br />
There was nothing they could do so they got to work powering up the systems that had previously been brought to the station. The longer term plan was to bring the megafreighter to the station and use its enormous power plant to run the station until the one on the station could be repaired. In the meantime they would use what power they had to start repairs anticipating the later power that would be available.</div>
<div>
<br />
The party spent two weeks working through the plans with Goff. The power plant from the freighter would mean that they could power the smelter and refinery and start preparing raw materials for the manufacturing plant by using the ores collected by the mining drones. The priority therefore was to get as much manufacturing, smelting and refinery machinery repaired as possible.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Space Station to Theev</b></div>
<div>
After setting things in motion the party took the Sorrowful Maiden and most of the crew back to Theev. There they met up with the trading crew who had made a decent profit, and with Jaggad who reported that she had been successful with hiring new crew.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With nothing else left to do they all boarded the megafreighter and headed to Drinax.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Theev to Drinax</b></div>
<div>
The trip to Drinax was uneventful. The first stop was in deep space and they transferred the fuel from the bladder to the fuel tanks with no problems. Then to Torpol where they happened to meet a local system defense boat in orbit around the gas giant and with their highly regarded reputation it stayed for the week to protect them while all tanks were filled.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Arriving in Drinax near a distant gas giant the freighter started refueling while the three Harriers and the yacht, which was to be a gift to King Oleb, headed to the main planet. The Harrier with Slayed, Sparrow, Nitrane and Unter went on ahead and as they opened up the thrusters to top speed they opened comms and were asked whether then wanted the highport, lowport or palace. The lowport was new, but they asked for permission to land at the palace, which was granted.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Man Missing</b></div>
<div>
As they were on approach to the palace a new voice came over the comms. It was Lady Hil, a close friend of the party. She sounded distressed, but trying to hide it, and asked if instead of landing they could help locate a missing person. In fact it was the King, who had just gone down with a broken grav belt. Various questions that the party had were answered - Lady Hil sometimes having to ask others near here - but in very little time the ship was over one of the old bombed cities of Drinax.</div>
<div>
<br />
The pillars of the destroyed city resembled the fingers of a blackened corpse, reaching towards the skies above. There were thousands of them, rising from the wreckage below at random angles. The metal of the pillars made the place a huge field of lightning rods, and as the bolts jumped between the pillars it made scanning nearly impossible. It was apparent now why the Hawk Warriors who accompanied the King were having difficulty finding him.</div>
<div>
<br />
The head of Olebs guard, Brie Tollar, was coordinating the search. With the party having seniority and in a ship that would be better equipped to find the King, she flew to the ship and boarded to assist them.<br />
<br />
Nitrane did a sensor sweep and detected nothing. The size of the city and the atmospheric conditions made it too difficult. Sparrow considered the information they had - Oleb's path, the downward trajectory that he was last seen on, and other factors, and calculated that the King was most likely in a small area a few hundred metres long that he carefully piloted the ship into.<br />
<br />
Being much closer to the surface - and with Sparrow constantly having to adjust and trim the Harrier in he winds - meant that Nitrane finally got a reading. A small beacon that belonged to the King.<br />
<br />
<b>Oleb's Alive!</b><br />
Landing very carefully, Sparrow put the travelers as close to the detected position as he dared. The party suited up and left the ship to search on foot. Soon they found the king, impaled on metal spikes in a small hollow. Hit breathing was laboured and Nitrane immediately knelt next to him and stabilised him as best she could with a medical kit.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>‘Starcursed grav belt gave up on me,’ he muttered, ‘and I fell. I dropped my emergency medical supplies out there somewhere. Go fetch them, and I’ll make you a bloody Archduke of somewhere.’</i></blockquote>
The emergency medical pack turned out to contain a bottle of red wine.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>‘Gah. I’m dying. That’s boring,’ muttered the king. ‘Listen, don’t let those vampires from the Scholar’s Tower get their claws into my carcass. I saw what they did to my boy Harrick. I don’t want to end up like the Duke of Albe, pulled out of stasis once a century to sign a form and take a dump. No, let me die. You, come up with some really good last worlds. I appoint thee Court Poet Extraordinary of Drinax, Bard of Sindal, and Grand High Tum-ti-tump of the Outrim Void.’ Oleb coughed up what appeared to be most of a lung. ‘Want to be Space Pope too, and absolve me of all my sins?’</i></blockquote>
As the wine – and the painkillers – took hold, he became less lucid, although it was hard to tell given Oleb’s usual sense of reality.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>‘We can’t stay here. The Floating Palace... it’s a joke. A cage. A... stupid thing. We were dragons once. We will rule the stars again. I gave you a Letter of Marque when we started this campaign... of piracy. It’s still good. Bring back the Kingdom, and all will be forgiven.<br /><br />‘Listen, listen lads, listen. Tell. Prince Harrick...no... he’s not right for it. Rao... she’ll be Queen, but she needs someone to... warn her... there’s too much of the Sindalian in her... warn her... no more...’</i></blockquote>
With that, Oleb lapsed into unconsciousness, and started to snore.</div>
<div>
<br />
The party carefully took him into the ship and plugged him into the medical bay, which started injecting drugs and spraying his wounds with chemicals to disinfect and seal them.<br />
<br />
<b>To the palace</b><br />
Taking off Sparrow headed the ship towards the palace, but as they got closer a flight of atmospheric flyers intercepted them and a voice came over the comms channel telling them to divert course to the main starport dock instead of the royal docks. The voice was Lord Wrax. He sounded worried. And there was gunfire audible in the background.<br />
<br />
A coup had started.<br />
<br />
To be continued.</div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-16543784042042447712019-04-23T04:26:00.000-07:002019-04-23T04:26:13.435-07:00Visiting old friends<b>To Palindrome</b><br />
The journey to Palindrome was more or less event free. Arriving at a distant gas giant in the system, the shuttles would immediately head towards down to the planet, skim fuel, and then return to the freighter. The freighter meanwhile would be heading towards the gas giant - to reduce shuttle travel times - and then when it was nearly refueled it would head back to the 100 diameter jump limit so that once the fuel was refined it would be able to jump immediately.<br />
<br />
The shuttles on the freighter were joined by other small craft and, in three shifts per day, they could fill the freighter in only four days. The work was exhausting for the pilots and the engineers manning the fuel purification plant, but it saved millions of credits as well as keeping them all away from prying eyes.<br />
<br />
There were other ships that were encountered from time to time, but a megafreighter was a common sight in the Trojan Reach and it was not only enormous and slow but also clearly nonthreatening. The Harriers were prepped at all times to emerge to protect the freighter but were not needed.<br />
<br />
<b>Palindrome</b><br />
When they arrived at Palindrome the freighter started its refueling routine while the party headed to the main planet in a Harrier to see Lady Yemar. She met them in her offices and was delighted not only that they were unharmed but also that they had been so overwhelmingly successful.<br />
<br />
They told her about the preparations in the Wildeman base, the time in the space port waiting for the imperials, and then the brief battle that was ultimately very successful.<br />
<br />
When it came to describing the ships that had been taken back from the imperial navy she became more somber. The presence of Admiral Darokyn and Hroal Irontooth's flagships interested her. Did that mean that there was a vacuum at the top levels of the pirate hierarchy? Slayed mentioned the same thought and that the imperial taskforce had perhaps been more successful than they had imagined.<br />
<br />
Yemar reached over and typed something on her console, then asked the travellers what they would be doing next. They said that Theev was where they had agreed to take the freed prisoners, and then they would head to Drinax before heading to the space station in order to start repairs there.<br />
<br />
She said that she had given orders to prepare her ship to take her to Theev, and that they should accompany her in the Harrier. They agreed and sent word to the freighter which would arrive a day or two later. The early arrival gave a good chance to prepare the way.<br />
<br />
<b>To Theev</b><br />
Arriving at Theev the party sent the code that allowed them to approach the planet and landed in a small hangar. The clam door closed above them and they exited to meet Yemar at her hangar.<br />
<br />
After a quick discussion they decided to walk around Blacksand City while Yemar went to meet people she knew. They would then meet up for diner at the restaurant on the top floor of the Grand Hotel.<br />
<br />
The contrast with their previous visit, when there had been the threat of an Imperial Navy taskforce arriving, was clear. Shops were open that had been shuttered, people seemed more cheerful, and there were more of them walking around and doing business. They took care of the trade goods that they had brought with them, and inquired about maintenance costs (which would be astronomical) but generally took it easy and stretched their legs.<br />
<br />
<b>Dinner</b><br />
That evening they dressed in their finest - Unter as bodyguard to Nitrane as usual - and headed to the Grand Hotel. There they were greeted and taken to a table some distance from the others where Lady Yemar and an elderly man with white hair were already seated. As they approached the man rose to greet them.<br />
<br />
He introduced himself as Varuk Nirgal and welcomed them to Theev. His manners were impeccable and he was friendly and seemed to draw people into conversation with ease. The courses passed one after another - this was a very expensive meal - and talk turned to the raid on the Imperials and the freeing of the pirates.<br />
<br />
Nirgal applauded the actions of the party and congratulated them. He admitted that he had become aware that there was a problem with so many pirate lords going missing, presumed deceased. He turned to Yemar and noted that not all was lost however and that perhaps for a while they would be less outwardly obvious. The hint was clear - no more loud brash pirate lords for the time being.<br />
<br />
Lady Yemar broached the subject of the ships and Nirgal waved his hand and said that all repairs and maintenance would be taken care of by Theev as a thank you. He did caution that such a large fleet might be unwieldy and that the party might consider making donations of some of them to garner favours. He was clear that he did not mean himself.<br />
<br />
Nirgal also noted that as they had done a great service to Theev they would be given certain rank and privilege on the planet. They would not be Pirate Lords, but a step below. Many of the opportunities and benefits without the responsibilities. This meant they were welcome to stay in the hotel that was set aside for the more senior members of the Theev ruling class. It also meant that they would be given bodyguards while on Theev - black widows - to accompany and protect them.<br />
<br />
<b>After dinner</b><br />
As the mean ended Nirgal made his excuses and departed, escorted by a number of hulking minders who emerged from dark corners. Lady Yemar then breathed out a sign of relief. That was one of the two most powerful men on Theev - and had been before the pirate lords all disappeared too. His appreciation was genuine and they could not have expected a better result.<br />
<br />
She asked what they wanted to do next, and the party and she talked for quite a long time discussing what to do with their fleet, where to go, and how they would approach the King.<br />
<br />
As Slayed, Nitrane, Unter and Sparrow left, two black widows stepped up and walked with them, constantly scanning the area. This was different - in a good way. They seemed even more lethal up close. Arriving at the private hotel they noted that it made the Grand Hotel seem a little run down. They took up rooms and slept.<br />
<br />
<b>The fleet arrives</b><br />
On the morning of the next day they received word that the freighter was en route from the jump limit and would dock at The Skull - the space station and shipyard - within two hours. They made their way up in a shuttle and saw that the arrival was expected.<br />
<br />
A swarm of robots and shipyard workers took the ships out of the enormous cargo hold and they were distributed to different repair or docking stations depending on the needs. At every step they were kept informed via a terminal that was handed to them of the exact location and status of each. Another perk of having some standing now.<br />
<br />
The first thing that they decided to do was send the mercenary cruiser out on a trading mission to Palindrome. They estimated that two round trips - about 8 weeks - would be sufficiently profitable and that the time would also be needed to find new crew members to man the freighter and to help repair the station. They badly needed engineers.<br />
<br />
They arranged for fuel bladders to be installed in the freighter for 9000 tons of fuel - enough for another jump-3 which they would need for the next stage of their journey.<br />
<br />
They also looked into setting up a base of operations on Theev, but when it looked like it would be about 5MCr per month for office space, protection, a hangar and storage facilities they decided against it. Perhaps Lady Yemar could receive messages on their behalf.<br />
<br />
<b>Departure</b><br />
With the departure of the freighter set for eight weeks after it arrived, and with the mercenary cruiser busy trading, they decided that they could visit the space station in all the ships that were jump-3 or better, leaving some of them there to free up space on the freighter (now mostly full of fuel bladder) when they visited Drinax.<br />
<br />
The fleet going to the space station would first stop at Salif and then jump to the station. This fleet consisted of the Sorrowful Maiden, Meatgrinder, the Far Scout and Fast Messenger, and the liner. It was this last one that would house the people left behind to start up the station again. When returning to Theev they'd just take the Sorrowful Maiden and Fast Messenger, leaving the others behind.<br />
<br />
When they returned they would load up the freighter and head the most direct route - into empty hexes as they could refuel from the bladders - and take only three jumps to get to Drinax. There they would speak to the king and see what GeDeCo were up to.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-37605865724688778732019-04-22T03:45:00.004-07:002019-04-22T03:45:47.664-07:00Regrouping<b>Return to the hidden base</b><br />
Arriving back at the Wildeman base after an in-system jump, the travellers worked out after some careful measuring that the freighter would just fit through the main doors and into the main hangar.<br />
<br />
Once inside the prisoners disembarked and were welcomed into the newly renovated residential quarters. About a third of the freed prisoners had decided to join with Admiral Slayed and among these was a subdued Zheukvi the Corsair.<br />
<br />
The remaining pirates showed their appreciation by swearing alliance and sharing the whereabouts of bases and safe planets. An arrangement was made whereby all those who didn't wish to join would be taken to Theev. Of Darokyn, Irontooth, Vallis or any of the other pirate lords there was no sign.<br />
<br />
<b>Plunder</b><br />
The ships that had been captured by the Imperial Navy were removed from the freighter. Those that could be repaired were moved to the shipyard, but most of the ships were wrecks and were sent to the smelter and refinery. Some recognisable parts of the more significant wrecked ships, like those belonging to pirate lords, were kept.<br />
<br />
Two of the repairable ships stood out. The first was Meatgrinder, a 1200 ton Aslan pocket warship which had been Hrol Irontooth's flagship. The second was Sorrowful Maiden, a 1000 ton destroyer escort which had been Admiral Darokyn's flagship. Whether that meant these two pirate lords were dead or captured, or on the run, the travellers did not know..<br />
<br />
Among the other ships there was a mercenary cruiser, a gunship, a yacht, a 300 ton pirate carrier (with space for 10 light fighters, none of which remained), a salvage hauler that had also belonged to Admiral Darokyn and which the party were familiar, and more. Their fleet had doubled in size and more than doubled in capability.<br />
<br />
<b>Visitors</b><br />
After two weeks a small sleek ship arrived at the asteroid and stopped there as if waiting for something. It didn't try to make contact and the occupants did not seem to be trying to find a way into the base. Eventually, after preparing the Harriers to rush out and confront the visitors should it be needed, Slayed opened a comms channel and asked what they wanted.<br />
<br />
"We're here to speak to the Drinaxian delegate and to Admiral Slayed" they said. Slayed said to wait there and he would come out to see them. They agreed, and when the harrier was adjacent Slayed invited them to come over for a talk. The newcomers introduced themselves as Tipper and Hanz Waltz from GeDeCo. They had two pieces of information to impart from their masters.<br />
<br />
The first piece was news was that the Imperial Navy taskforce had left Byrni and was en route to Oghma. They seem to have agreed upon Oghma as the main den of pirates and would teach the locals a lesson. They would then leave the reaches then head back to Imperial space.<br />
<br />
The second was that GeDeCo had held up their end of the bargain that Lady Nitrane had unknowingly and unwittingly made in the Vorito vault. GeDeCo had started sending trade ships and support to Drinax to boost its position within the reaches. System Defense Boats were being given to Lord Wrax, and missile defense stations were being put in orbit.<br />
<br />
They had also started clearing parts of the surface of toxicity and were working to help the Vespexers. Away from Drinax they had commenced negotiations to spread TL15 knowledge to lower tech worlds in the area in order to boost the general level within the reaches. Lastly offers had been made to the ruling elite within the area to send their children to the Scholar's Tower for the best education in the sector. This was a quite unsettling amount of effort on behalf of GeDeCo and the travellers didn't know what to do with the information.<br />
<br />
The party asked what DeGeCo needed from then, and the answer was that the corporation needed nothing. Their plans for Drinax simply needed the agreement of a legally appointed representative. The party then asked if it might be possible to get supplies and trade goods - about 50,000 tons would be sufficient. Tipper was bemused. What did they need that for? Why not ask for money? But he shrugged and said that if his GeDeCo superiors authorised that they they would most certainly want to know what it was for. The party paused at that.<br />
<br />
Finally Tipper asked how he might get in touch with them in the future. The party said that if they needed to be reached then in addition the base at Wildeman they should try Drinax or Salif. Tipper and Hanz Waltz left.with a promise to ask about the trade goods, and to keep them informed.<br />
<br />
<b>Preparing to go to Theev</b><br />
Spending a few more weeks at the base gave the party time to let things die down, repair the TL12 ships, and plan their next moves. The decided to leave a crew at the Wildeman base to keep it running and hopefully make some money by selling manufacturing goods. They would also start work on some system defense boats for Tech-World.<br />
<br />
Also staying at the Wildeman base would be the Patrol Corvette for defense, the trading ships to take goods to and from the Wildeman spaceport, and a bug-class salvage hauler to move materials around.<br />
<br />
Deciding that the refuelling costs of the freighter were prohibitive (9000 tons of refined fuel would cost 4.5MCr) a fuel processing plant was manufactured to handle 3000 tons of fuel per day. This 150 ton system was installed in the cargo hold of the freighter and connected to the fuel system so that once the shuttles returned with fuel from skimming a gas giant it could be purified relatively quickly. This approach would not only save money but also allow the freighter to avoid inquisitive people at space ports.<br />
<br />
The remaining ships were loaded back into the freighter - this time more carefully - and everyone prepared to make the three jumps through Exocet and Borite to Palindrome, before going on to Theev.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-56196152812015048712019-03-17T03:06:00.001-07:002019-03-17T03:06:41.667-07:00For fools rush in where angels fear to tread<b>Settling in</b><br />
The plans were made, roles practiced and equipment checked. They left the base and made their way to the Wildeman spaceport in the three Harriers, the Q-ship and the frontier trader.<br />
<br />
Arriving at the port the Harriers went to their docking bay where they would be identified in the port computers as a medium sized freighter. The Q Ship and Frontier Trader arrived separately some hours apart and went to separate bays. Lady Nitrane and eleven other crew - the least piratey looking - were given security guard uniforms and access cards, and were left to look after the area around the docking ports that the arriving Imperial ships would be docked at. And they all waited.<br />
<br />
<b>The targets arrive</b><br />
A couple of days later the convoy arrived. As Slayed had discovered from the memory chip on Vorito there was a megafreighter, a liner converted to a prisoner hulk, and two Gazelle-class escorts. Vitally, they were docking at the places that had been agreed with the assistant head of security who had, as soon as the convoy arrived, left on a chartered ship to destinations unknown.<br />
<br />
Rather than attack as soon as the imperials arrived - the rationale being that on arriving at a new port they would be at maximum alert - the travellers waited for a further two days. Lady Nitrane reported back that she was starting to see half a dozen people at a time leaving the ships and estimated that there might be a dozen or so off the ships at any one time. Some of them looked to be marines, so that reduced the number they would have to overcome.<br />
<br />
Trying to work out where the escorts were was proving difficult. It didn't appear that they were docked but there was no way that the travellers had of locating them. With time being a factor Slayed decided that they must be close, and so the word was given that the Q-ship and frontier trader would leave separately and shortly thereafter the Harriers would come out in full stealth mode to engage the escorts.<br />
<br />
<b>The assault begins</b><br />
The Q-ship left first, and 'flying casually' it tried to give the impression it was simply going through some last minute checks before heading to the 100 diameter limit. The frontier trader followed suit and then the Harriers came out hunting the closest escort, which was very close - at Short range.<br />
<br />
The Harriers maneuvered for position and opened fire, at the same time blocking communications channels and attempting to get a sensor lock on the escort. The superior sensors and countermeasures suite of the Harriers, and the command module in one of them, made this relatively simple against the imperial navy vessel. Their superiority in maneuverability and electronic warfare saw the first Gazelle dispatched within a short amount of time without the Harriers even taking a hit.<br />
<br />
While the Harriers engaged the escorts the Q Ship and Frontier Trader closed up to the prison ship and megafreighter respectively. The Q Ship, with Sparrow at the controls, was expertly positioned and the forced linkage apparatus and breaching tube got the mercenaries on board in the blink of an eye. Commanded by Unter in the command module of the third Harrier they took over one deck astonishingly quickly, leaving unprepared marines and crew dead in their trail.<br />
<br />
The Frontier Trader was slower to position itself, and with fewer pieces of technology to get on board the mercenaries had to blast their way in using more conventional means. The vast scale of the ship also meant that while they had advantages in terms of numbers, they took many minutes just to take the first deck.<br />
<br />
Back on the liner the mercenaries had ruthlessly killed all opposition and taken up positions protecting the bridge, engineering and airlocks, leaving a somewhat happy but bemused collection of prisoners. All were out of their cells as the mercenaries had cleared the ship room by room of the imperials. The ship was in uproar.<br />
<br />
The Harriers, having dispatched the first escort were by now locked in a battle with the second. Again their superiority was telling and near the end the Gazelle made a break for it. Unable to match the harriers, and with sensors and communications completely blocked, it stood no chance. Once it was destroyed one Harrier paused to ensure all on board were dead by shooting bodies as they floated free in the wreckage, while the other two sped to the megafreighter to offload the marines which had been kept in reserve.<br />
<br />
With no more combat in space, all attention turned to the interior of the larger ships. Sparrow entered the prisoner ship where he was bombarded with questions, but in a commanding tone told everyone to be patient while the ship was readied to leave. Reaching the bridge however he was unable to break into the computer and sent a message to Slayed to that effect.<br />
<br />
On the megafreighter the going was a lot slower, partly because of the scale of the ship, and partly because there was more of a fight put up by the defenders. However in the end it was confirmed to be cleared and the assault phase of the day was complete.<br />
<br />
<b>Preparing to leave</b><br />
The two large ships now presented a new challenge: what to do with them. It was clearly not an option to free all the prisoners into the Wildeman spaceport, nor would many of the ships in the huge cargo deck of the megafreighter be spaceworthy - at a glance most had serious damage - so they two large imperial ships had to be flown away.<br />
<br />
Sparrow had experience flying capital ships, so he would pilot that. It needed dozens of engineers though so a call was sent out to the freed pirates asking if any would be willing to crew the other ship. Enough stepped forward and they made their way into the Q Ship and then over to the freighter to start powering up the enormous engines.<br />
<br />
The liner was easier to handle and Slayed was easily able to get into the computer. A small crew, under Slayed, set about bringing power up and, when the manoeuvre drives were available, the command to disengage from the docking arm was given and the ship pulled away slightly from the spaceport.<br />
<br />
Lady Nitrane brought all the fake security guards on board the megafreighter, doing her best to block the controls of the docking airlock to the station, but it wasn't long before a huge crashing and banging was heard on the other side. Rather than let the scene play out - possibly causing problems on the station - the decision was made to put a dozen marines on the inner side of the airlock and quickly open it, grab or shoot whoever was there, and then slam it shut again. This worked well and the navy crew who had been at the wrong place at the wrong time were taken care of.<br />
<br />
<b>Leaving</b><br />
With the two large ships now powered up the command came to leave the highport. Not wanting to give away the position of the base the fleet headed to the 100 diameter limit and then jumped to the gas giant closest to their base. This would add a few days to the journey but would hopefully mean an arrival far from any watchers.<br />
<br />
During the jump Slayed spoke at length to the pirates on the liner. Many of them voiced a desire to join with him, their previous captains being either dead, captured or missing. The ones did not want to join still vowed to support him and his crew but wanted either a quieter life, or had other things in mind. Of the more than 300 prisoners freed, over a hundred would stay with him.<br />
<br />
On the megafreighter, Sparrow spent a considerable about of time looking through the captured ships in the cavernous cargo bay. There were over thirty ships - some in terrible state and were clearly unusable, but others looked to be fully operational.<br />
<br />
To be continued.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-61888306268987515082019-03-11T01:36:00.002-07:002019-03-11T01:36:33.912-07:00The Art of WarWhile Slayed talked to the assistant chief of security, Lady Nitrane looked for starport executives in the better restaurants and cafes on the station. After a few hours she found two who were talking to each other but didn't approach them. Instead she watched closely to see what they liked and then returned to the ship.<br />
<br />
Unter had been going through possible scenarios and tactics with the tactician from the mercenary company. They had identified a number of places where they would have advantages, and some where they would be at a disadvantage. Assuming nothing, they then considered how they might initiate the assault on the ships.<br />
<br />
If the convoy ships were docked only briefly while they refueled and then withdrew to take up an orbital position there would need to be a ship-to-ship boarding action taking place on the prisoner ship and freighter while the Harriers took care of the Gazelles. If the ships were docked then they could approach either by ship or via the docking port itself.<br />
<br />
With the addition of the Patrol Corvette to their fleet Unter also considered using it to trick the Imperials. One approach considered would be to pretend to have captured a pirate ship and crew and ask the convoy captain to come and take possession of them. That would take some crew and marines from the ships, and also give an opportunity to eliminate them in a smaller group.<br />
<br />
The Patrol Corvette deception might work but it might also be destined to fail even before contact was made. The transponder had not been changed, so it reported the ship as the one that may be known to be missing on Arunisiir. Also, if someone like Jaggad were to pretend to be crew - having the correct Imperial codes and passes - her defection may have been reported to the fleet already.<br />
<br />
Lastly, it might be suspicious if the convoy captain was approached to take pirate prisoners if the purpose of the convoy were not known. In the end it was decided that the deception using the Patrol Corvette might have more chance of failing than succeeding, as well as splitting the combat resources too thinly.<br />
<br />
The party determined then that the approach to assaulting the convoy would be as follows:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The Q-Ship and Frontier Trader would be in either a waiting pattern or just emerging from the station.</li>
<li>The Harriers would ambush the Gazelles, aiming to disable one within a couple of rounds with concentrated fire, then focusing on the other. They would be docked in a hangar (with the occupants of the hangar recorded in the highport computers as being a small freighter or other innocuous ship).</li>
<li>The Q-Ship, which looked like a tramp Aslan freighter, would dart in and engage the liner with the pirate prisoners, using its forced linkage apparatus and breaching tube to gain access. 30 mercenaries would be on this ship.</li>
<li>The Frontier Trader would approach the megafreighter and disgorge its marines to forcibly gain entry to that ship via the bridge and the engineering decks. 20 mercenaries would be on this ship</li>
<li>Once the marines were off the ships they would assist the Harriers if needed.</li>
<li>The Harrier with the Command Module would coordinate the on-board action, and if necessary the 22 additional marines held in reserve would be deployed to one or the other ship as needed.</li>
</ul>
<br />
If things went well, it might be possible to take the liner and megafreighter as captured ships - the non-military crew, if any, could be forced to assist.<br />
<br />
If things went badly then whichever ships remained would flee, taking as many people as possible and jumping away.<br />
<br />
Slayed reported back the outcome of his long discussions and meetings with the assistant chief of security. The Imperial ships would be sent to the docking facilities most advantageous to the party plans. The system defense boats and local security guards would be located elsewhere. Alerts and alarms would be disabled for the duration and comms would be blocked. In addition up to 12 of the travellers crew could be taken on as temporary security guards, with uniforms, passes and comms gear so that they would be the ones to react to any contact by the imperials.<br />
<br />
In exchange for this the assistant only needed 9 MCr, which was considerably less than his initial asking price, but still acceptable. He would keep 6 MCr and the rest would be used for bribes, to hire hackers, and so on. It seemed that he had only needed a small push to turn against his employers, and as a bonus had set things up so that his superior would take the blame while he, reportedly, would die in a successful effort to repel the pirates after everything had completed.<br />
<br />
With the plans in place, it was now a matter of sending the ship back to the base and picking up the assault forces, who had been training in the enormous hangar for the past three weeks.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-27944335465860545662019-03-07T00:35:00.001-08:002019-03-07T00:35:41.478-08:00Preparations<b>First arrivals</b><br />
Slayed and the Far Scout arrived at Wildeman first. Gobbo retrieved his ship and they stocked up before headed to the hidden base to start preparations to get it operational.<br />
<br />
Entering the base via the hatch that Gobbo had found previously, they worked their way through to the main outer doors. After opening them they moved their ships inside and closed the doors behind them.<br />
<br />
The work in the base would take a lot of time and manpower, and performing the repairs in vacc suits, while possible, would slow things down. That meant the first priority was getting the hull airtight in preparation for pressurisation. The engineers got to work while a survey of the base was made to identify what materials would be needed.<br />
<br />
<b>Second group</b><br />
A few days later Goff's ship and the Patrol Corvette arrived at the base and were taken in to the docking hangar. The engineers that arrived got to work and the power supply was quickly brought up to a usable condition, albeit using fuel from portable drums. The basic systems and fuel tanks were next to be repaired, which finally meant people could inhabit the base without sealed vacc suits.<br />
<br />
Mining activities had commenced with Gobbo starting to get some of the drones operational. While there were no facilities to turn the ores into anything useful, there was plenty of space for storing what they mined.<br />
<br />
<b>The last group</b><br />
Finally the rest of the ships arrived and everyone was reunited. By now a number of primary systems were operating but not completely repaired. Each partially working system needed to be watched which took engineers away from other repairs. With a much larger contingent of engineers and mechanics it decided that the smelter, refinery and manufacturing plants should be repaired to provide at least some of the materials needed to repair the base.The downside was that some people would be needed to run them.<br />
<br />
With the mercenaries due to arrive within a week, Slayed took the opportunity to return to the highport with Gobbo to get more supplies. They stayed at the highport until the mercenaries arrived, meeting with the commanding officer in a secluded bar to discuss moving the newly arrived forces to the base.<br />
<br />
<b>Mercenaries arrive</b><br />
By the time the mercenaries arrived at the base the hull, power, basic systems, fuel tanks, residential areas a fuel refinery were all completely repaired, requiring no engineer oversight. The smelter, refinery and manufacturing plant were nearly complete and work was being started on the biosphere, computers, bridge, sensors and common areas.<br />
<br />
With Gobbo's ship ferrying supplies to the base they had to be careful that nobody was following to find out what was happening with all that material. They seemed to still be undiscovered.<br />
<br />
<b>Reconnaissance</b><br />
Shortly after the mercenaries arrived and their ships too taken into the base (leaving still an enormous amount of space for more) the party, with a mercenary tactical specialist, went once more to the Wildeman highport. Only one more trip after this would be possible, so they needed to put in motion some plan to make the security forces on the highport look the other way when things started to get exciting.<br />
<br />
Lady Nitrane uncovered the organisational structure of the highport. There were departments for security, starship traffic control, maintenance, hospitality, trade, administration, construction and more. The ones that the travellers decided to work on were security and starship operations.<br />
<br />
Unter and the mercenary quickly determined that there would be tactical advantage if the Imperial ships could be somehow made to dock at certain docking ports. These would provide cover for the mercenaries and suitable lines of approach.<br />
<br />
Lady Nitrane thought that it might be possible to meet some of the higher ranking officials if she went to the better class of restaurants and cafes, and armed with their biographies and pictures she started hunting,<br />
<br />
Slayed decided to ask Gobbo if he knew anyone well enough to approach them. He thought for a moment and came up with two names. One in the security department and the other in administration. Choosing the security officer Slayed called and asked if it would be possible to meet with the head of department, and was successful.<br />
<br />
When Slayed arrived at the place instructed he was met by the second in command and told that the department head was away for a week or more down on the planet and would not be available. If he, the second in command could help he'd be happy to.<br />
<br />
<b>An offer too good to refuse?</b><br />
Slayed decided that honesty (to a point) mixed with bluntness. He said that he had a difficult problem he needed solving, which was that he needed to have the security people to turn a blind eye, and point all their guns another way, so that Slayed could obtain the cargo from a ship that would be arriving some time in the future.<br />
<br />
The assistant blinked but immediately looked thoughtful. Slayed considered what he'd asked for and from a large number of credit chips selected one that denoted 10,000 Cr and casually, and very obviously, pushed it across the table and said "I saw you drop this". The assistant picked it up, looked at it, and without saying a thing put it in his pocket.<br />
<br />
Seeming to come to a decision the assistant asked if Slayed was staying at the highport and then said that they should meet in an hour. He stood up and opened the door, saying in a slightly louder the name of a hotel and that he hoped he would enjoy his stay.<br />
<br />
Meeting concluded Slayed made his way to the hotel and booked a room.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-58038821650761031082019-02-17T02:48:00.001-08:002019-02-17T02:48:03.989-08:00A New Hope<b>Jump-space between Byrni and Vorito</b><br />
Hanz Waltz and Tipper, both recently of the Imperial Navy but now on the run, found themselves separately travelling to Vorito. Tipper had followed the instructions given to him by GeDeCo as he had been a spy for them for many years. Hanz was simply following a path of self-preservation having only very recently discovering that he had psionic abilities which would get him in deep trouble if he stayed in the navy. He had used those abilities to find out where Tipper had gone and had taken the same route.<br />
<br />
Hanz had no idea whether or not he was on the same ship as Tipper, having bluffed his way onto the first ship to Vorito he could find. Tipper had no idea that Hanz had gone AWOL let alone followed him. It was therefore a surprise to both when on day 4 they bumped into each other in a corridor on the liner. There was an awkward silence broken with an "oh hi" and "I didn't know you were here". After that they didn't hang out, but nor did they obviously avoid each other.<br />
<br />
<b>Vorito</b><br />
When the ship arrived at Vorito's enormous and brand-new spaceport they disembarked together and made their way to the main concourse. There was a person waiting for Tipper who nodded and took Tipper's bag with a "welcome Mr Tipper, please follow me". Tipper followed him to a cart which took him into the private areas of the spaceport. Hanz decided not to follow Tipper and instead started looking for somewhere to stay.<br />
<br />
Vorito spaceport was only recently open for business and there were thousands of people visible. Advertising for accommodation , entertainment, tickets to far flung destination, and all manner of consumer goods were everywhere. This was no military installation but a temple to transportation and consumerism. The GeDeCo logo was everywhere too, reminding people of the immense financial might of the corporation.<br />
<br />
Of the visitors, a great many were tourists who came just to see the new structure. Others were in transit, passing through to the planet below or other more distant destinations in this system or others. Still more people worked at the port in security, transportation, commercial or residential positions. A lot of people just stood or sit watching other people.<br />
<br />
<b>Hanz</b><br />
Hanz picked a moderate hotel and booked in. Every few minutes an advert would appear on one of many holo-displays around the room. It seemed it was moderately priced as it was partially subsidised by advertising. Every time he silenced one it was just a matter of time until the next popped up. Adverts for entertainments, and feed were the main ones, but gambling was also advertised. Hanz looked thoughtful.<br />
<br />
<b>Tipper</b><br />
Tipper on the other hand was taken deeper into the port through a number of checkpoints. At the first checkpoint he was given a card with his features but no name. At subsequent checkpoints this was scanned and he was handed to another person to took his bag and ushered him, on another form of transportation, deeper into the port.<br />
<br />
Eventually Tipper found himself arriving at an executive residential area where four or five villas opened onto a lounge area with views one way out to space, and the other overlooking the vast interior of the station. The young lady who had brought him here opened the door to a villa and said it was his to use. She told him there was a liaison who could be reached via the communicator and that he could order anything he liked at the bar or cafe. His next appointment would be in a day or two but in the meantime he was free to come and go - his card would get him nearly anywhere - but that it was preferred if he didn't leave the spaceport. She then left, leaving him alone in this rather exclusive accommodation.<br />
<br />
His first act was to send a message giving them Hanz's description and asking that they keep an eye on him from a distance. He also asked for a psi helmet. He was answered immediately with an acknowledgement, a comment that it was an unusual request, and that an answer would be forthcoming.<br />
<br />
When the response came it was that worn psi helmets were available although internal prototype psi protectors were more difficult to get. When asked by the liaison if the two things - Hanz's description and the psi helmet - were linked Tipper said yes, and that he suspected Hanz of being a psionic. The liaison asked if he trusted Hanz or if he wanted GeDeCo to take care of him. Tipper answered that he had worked with Hanz for some time, trusted him and that he might be useful, but that he didn't like the idea of him getting into his head.<br />
<br />
<b>Hanz</b><br />
Back in his far more basic accommodation Hanz considered his options. He wasn't sure what was happening to Tipper but he'd need to fend for himself anyway. He thought that perhaps he'd have a day or two before any news of his abrupt and unscheduled departure would be noticed, then a day or two after that while the military police worked out where he might have gone and sent people to follow him.<br />
<br />
The first thing he did was find what jobs were being advertised. The system in the hotel was basic so he found a public terminal in a quiet part of the concourse. He looked for GeDeCo jobs, specifically security related, and applied for them. He had to give a location where he could be contacted in a day or two, and decided to stay in his room and lay low until he heard back. He practiced putting up psionic blocks and shields in his spare time.<br />
<br />
Eventually, after existing on a diet of take away hawker dishes and passing the time practicing his psionic abilities, he got a response. At the appointed time he arrived at a large waiting area where there were dozens of other hopefuls and four doors leading interview rooms. He waited until his number was called and then went to where he was directed where two people were sitting waiting for him.<br />
<br />
The interview was short. It consisted of some basic questions about what he wanted to do, his previous employment, and about motivation and aspirations. He answered all questions honestly, including those about the end of his navy career, reasoning that honesty was the best approach and that if they were put off by anything he could always get a job somewhere else.<br />
<br />
The interviewers thanked him and asked him to wait for a second call, which he agreed to and he returned back to his room to wait.<br />
<br />
<b>Tipper</b><br />
Meanwhile back in the GeDeCo inner offices, Tipper attended his first meeting with his GeDeCo masters including Fae Borshune, the head of GeDoCo on Vorito. They thanked him for his excellent work over many years. He was due some leave time, they explained, but they had a new and urgent mission for him. Something that didn't require him to be under cover but which did take advantage of his skills.<br />
<br />
While they got a team together he was welcome to stay in his current accommodation. The area was solely for his use and there would be no other residents in the other villas. He was also given funds on his card - essentially unlimited - to purchase whatever he wanted, including from GeDeCo stores. Finally his recommendation to watch Hanz Waltz was a good one, and that more would be forthcoming on that front later.<br />
<br />
<b>Hanz</b><br />
The next interview turned out to be a very comprehensive medical examination. Multiple scans and tests that put the Imperial Navy to shame. His medical training helped him understand most of it but procedures were some were so advanced that he was unsure what they were looking for - or if they found it. He was advised that the next interview would be in a day or two, and thanked for his participation.<br />
<br />
He continued to lay low, worried now that the Imperial Navy could have sent people to Vorito by now looking for him and Tipper.<br />
<br />
A day later he was contacted about the next interview. When he arrived he found it to be offices and was ushered into a conference suite where a tall white haired mane, who had a military bearing and an eye patch, greeted him warmly and thanked him for coming. He was shown into a room with a conference room, the walls showing scenes of Vorito and on one mirrored wall was a drinks cabinet. Five people sat at the table and stood as he entered. Offered a drink he asked for iced water. They then sat down.<br />
<br />
<b>Tipper</b><br />
Unbeknownst to Hanz, Tipper was one of a number of people behind the mirror. His alert days earlier had resulted in Hanz being watched - a job made considerably easier by him not moving from his hotel room except to get food. This final interview would determine if Hanz would be assigned to the team, have an accident in an alley, or be handed to the imperial navy.<br />
<br />
<b>Hanz</b><br />
The meeting started with the white haired military man introducing himself as Tychus Findlay. He didn't introduce the others but they didn't appear to be military - more corporate in appearance. Tychus outlined a proposal where Hanz would be hired on a probational basis. Not acting under cover but more a courier or GeDeCo operative, although it might be dangerous hence someone of his skills being needed. Tychus asked Hanz if that was acceptable to which Hanz agreed.<br />
<br />
Tychus then elaborated more. The work would involve working in a team that would travel to a few systems nearby, collecting information as per mission parameters and, within three months, returning to Vorito. At that point his probation would be complete and an offer of more permanent employment might be forthcoming.<br />
<br />
If Hanz agreed Tychus would put an offer on the table to indicate the level of compensation on offer for the three months. Hanz nodded and Tychus slipped over a piece of paper. On it was written 50,000Cr which was considerably over the going rate. Hanz agreed to the terms. Tychus produced an employment contract on a datapad and Hanz duly signed his agreement to the terms. <br />
<br />
Tychus then asked a question that had been suggested to him from the room behind the mirror - did Hanz know of any other people who might be suitable or interested in this type of work? Hanz suggested Tipper, describing him and suggesting he might still be in the station. Tychus took a note and thanked him. He would be contacted again in a few days while the team was put together.<br />
<br />
<b>Tipper</b><br />
Behind the mirror Fae turned to Tipper and asked if he'd be happy with Hanz in his team, to which Tipper replied that he would.<br />
<br />
<b>Two days later</b><br />
Hanz and Tipper separately arrived at the designated place. Hanz had an access card similar to Tipper's and had made his way to the briefing room not sure what to expect. Tipper came from his GeDeCo quarters via gravcart and was there when Hanz arrrived.<br />
<br />
There were four in the room including Hanz and Tipper when Tychus arrived. He remarked that Hanz and Tipper knew each other, which would make things easier, and then proceeded to introduce the others and outline the mission.<br />
<br />
Their mission was to locate and make contact with a group of nobles from Drinax who had been travelling through the subsectors of the Reach for some months. The team would be given a ship and whatever equipment they thought necessary, and would be given details about where these people had been seen most recently. They were not under cover, and the people they were looking for were in no way the enemies of GeDeCo, but they were making themselves hard to find hence the unusual situation of creating a special team to make contact.<br />
<br />
To be continued<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-40501581900045905012019-02-10T01:14:00.000-08:002019-02-10T01:14:57.636-08:00Heading to battle<b>Number One</b><br />
Arriving at Number One Admiral Slayed on the Frontier Trader headed to the spaceport while the rest of the fleet and the other travellers went to the gas giant. While the fleet scooped fuel and started purifying it Slayed inquired at the spaceport to see if there were any people who could be hired as crew. In particular he needed engineers but any stand out candidates would be welcome as the ships were all undermanned.<br />
<br />
Finding three such people with appropriate references and the right outlook he hired them on the spot. With his ship refueled and with supplies in the cargo hold for the rest of the fleet, he too headed to the gas giant.<br />
<br />
While around the gas giant the travellers quickly decided that the Lab Ship would slow them down too much. They had eight more jumps to do and without fuel scoops and with slow fuel processors refueling at gas giants would take too long. Not only that but the lab ship had no weapons or armour so would also be a liability should anything go wrong and a space battle ensue. Reluctantly they found a place to hide it on a small moon around the gas giant and cleared the computers before shutting it down and hoping it would be there when (or if) they returned.<br />
<br />
After transferring the newly hired crew to the fleet and wishing the others well Slayed and the Frontier Trader jumped for Thebus where the routine would be repeated. Look for crew, refuel, take on supplies for the fleet, then meet the fleet at the gas giant before heading out two days ahead of the rest. This way they hoped to travel to Wildeman relatively unnoticed.<br />
<br />
<b>Thebus</b><br />
While he officials and security forces on Number One were friendly enough, on Thebus Slayed was welcomed and given an escort to the station by a passing system defense boat. He was able to find nine suitable crew members and once they, the fuel and the supplies were on board he headed to the gas giant rendezvous.<br />
<br />
Once there the travellers discussed their next few jumps and worked out that at the current rate of progress the mercenaries would be at Wildeman before them. It was decided that at around Torpol they would split the fleet and send the ships with longer jump range on ahead with some engineers to get the repairs started on the secret base.<br />
<br />
<b>Oghma</b><br />
At Oghma Slayed found only three recruits, but among them was an engineer so he counted it a success. Meeting up with the fleet he transferred the new crew and jumped to Torpol.<br />
<br />
<b>Torpol</b><br />
Arriving at Torpol the procedure was again repeated, this time resulting in only two crew, but one an exceptional pilot and the other an engineer. When Slayed met with the fleet the next stage of the operation was put into effect.<br />
<br />
For the majority of the fleet the next system would be Blue, but the Far Scout would jump on to Arunisiir. Jaggad had reminded them that there was a Patrol Corvette hidden on that planet - one that had been downed by the party when they were trying to work out what to do with Jaggad's treasure ship. If they could repair the corvette then it might be a useful decoy for the attack on the convoy.<br />
<br />
Slayed, Gobbo, a pilot and an engineer would man the Far Scout. With them would be First Officer Jaggad and three others as a second crew. If the patrol corvette was there and repairable Jaggad and her crew would stay to start the repairs. If it was not there they would just stay on the Far Scout which was heading to Wildeman.<br />
<br />
The rest of the fleet would be on Arunisiir 10 days after the Far Scout. If the corvette were usable it and Goff;s ship would jump to Wildeman while the rest of the fleet took an extra jump to get there. The idea was to get as many people to Wildeman as possible to start repairs to the base so that the mercenaries and fleet would have somewhere secure to stay while they waited for the convoy to arrive.<br />
<br />
<b>Blue - Fleet</b><br />
With no ship heading to the planet itself (as Blue was not particularly friendly) the fleet scooped and purified fuel at a gas giant and then jumped for Arunisiir.<br />
<br />
<b>Arunisiir - Far Scout</b><br />
The hidden corvette was on the other side of the planet from the space port in an area with no inhabitants. They managed to get there unseen (they assumed) and their luck was strong as the corvette was exactly where they had left it nearly a year earlier. It didn't look like anyone had been there at all.<br />
<br />
Quickly they assessed the damage. They would need many spare parts but the Arunisiir space port had a scrapyard and so while Jaggad and the second crew got settled in the Far Scout went out towards the 100 diameter limit and then approached the space portas if they had just jumped in.<br />
<br />
Quickly refueling and again taking on extra supplies they filled the cargo bay with spare parts. When they left they went out to give the impression they were going to the 100 diameter limit but instead took a wide arc back to the patrol corvette. There they unloaded the spare parts and supplies then left for Wildeman, leaving Jaggad and her three crew to repair the corvette. The corvette crew now had 8 days until the rest of the fleet arrived.<br />
<br />
<b>Repairing the Corvette</b><br />
Jaggad and her crew drove a hard pace. The main damage sustained to the corvette was to armour, hull and manoeuvre drive. They first patched up the hull to make it spaceworthy. This didn't fix the hull entirely - it was still badly damaged - but it did mean that the ship could enter the vacuum of space and hold up in jumpspace if they needed to leave in a hurry.<br />
<br />
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<br />
They then changed focus to the damaged (but not destroyed) manoeuvre drive. Repairing this would give them more thrust - useful for getting to the gas giant when the fleet arrived - and would also give manoeuverability if they got into a fight. Once this was done they quickly moved the ship to a nearby body of water and fulled the tanks. With fuel purifiers on they returned to their hiding spot and started work on the armour. This took, a while as there had been large holes in some places but they had enough spare part to fix the armour.<br />
<br />
With the ship now ready to fly they spent the rest of the time repairing more of the hull until the rest of the fleet arrived. They didn't have enough spare parts or time to completely repair it but it would have to do. They also spent some time removing any traces of imperial navy insignia or colours to parts of the hull or armour that didn't need fixing.<br />
<br />
To be continued...<br />
<br />
<u>Status</u>:<br />
Far Scout about to arrive in Wildeman.<br />
Fleet about to arrive in Arunisiir at gas giant.<br />
Patrol Corvette being repaired and preparing to meet fleet out at gas giant.<br />
<br />
<u>Planned</u>:<br />
Goff's ship and Patrol Corvette to jump to Wildeman to help repairs.<br />
Remaining ships in fleet to jump to Pandora gas giant and then to Wildeman.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-75022343760736299262019-02-02T21:33:00.004-08:002019-02-02T21:33:53.254-08:00Meanwhile...<b>Byrni - Imperial Navy Flotilla</b><br />
Meanwhile the navy characters were meeting with Captain Labat and Admiral Krond aboard the Eurisko somewhere above Byrni. Over the past few months they had performed their duties well and this was, if not a reward, then a sign that they were trusted enough with an important mission.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
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<br />
Commander Boris (Engineering), Petty Officer Tipper (Line/Crew) and Lance Sergeant Hanz Waltz (Star Marines) stood to attention as Krond outlined the mission that they were to be sent on. For the next three months they would jump around the Borderlands subsector hunting down rumours to find the location of the pirate planet. They would be under cover as simple merchants, flying the trade routes in a captured far trader called Dirty Beast.<br />
<br />
To help with the disguise they would be given MCr 2.0 with which to buy supplies for the flotilla and also to cover expenses. It was made very clear that should they not have a full cargo hold of required goods on their return there would be consequences.<br />
<br />
<b>Ergo and Falcon</b><br />
First stop was Ergo, where they refueled at the automated station. With nobody to talk to they jumped as quickly as possible to Falcon.<br />
<br />
At Falcon they managed to find the types of cargo that the flotilla required, and in sufficient quantities to fill the hold. This good fortune meant that unless they were attacked by pirates they would not need to do any more trading for the rest of their mission.<br />
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<br />
In the space port they asked around and even joined gambling games to find out information. Something they learned was that not long before a group of nobles had visited and lorded it over everyone. Rumour had it that they were really pirates and were trying to steal locals to force them to repair their pirate base. They also learned that at Exe a pirate base had been destroyed by the Imperial Navy although it wasn't clear if the two rumours were linked.<br />
<br />
<b>Exe</b><br />
Jumping next to Exe they talked to the crew manning the refueling depot as well as some passing ship crews and got into a card game or two. They didn't stay long - there were only a dozen or so people to talk to - and didn't learn any useful information. They jumped as soon as was possible to Acrid.<br />
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<br />
<b>Acrid</b><br />
Acrid was an entirely different kind of space port to those that they'd seen on this mission. A huge class A facility, it housed tens of thousands of locals and visitors. They decided to spend a couple of weeks following leads, speaking to people, and frequenting gambling houses in order to learn useful rumours.<br />
<br />
It was here they learned more about a group of ships, including a treasure ship, that had suddenly had to leave. Originally the rumours had been that the small ships were from Drinax and that they had hijacked the treasure ship. More recently information had come to light that the ships were really just far traders with some superficial external disguises added to make them look more impressive than they really were. They were apparently from Oghma but pretending to be from Drinax. This last rumour was strong and they got it from a number of people.<br />
<br />
In the middle of their stay on Acrid Tipper got a message. He'd worked for GeDeCo as a spy in the navy for a few years now and was not entirely surprised when he was told that his time in the navy would be up and that he needed to find a way to get down to Byrni on his return. From there the GeDeCo operatives on the planet would get him away.<br />
<br />
Around this time Hanz started getting quite frustrated and stressed about the mission. He managed to keep things under control but he knew he could get quite excitable, but was confident it would not get any worse.<br />
<br />
Just over two weeks after arriving in Acrid, and with a number of strong rumours to report, they jumped to Inurin.<br />
<br />
<b>Inurin</b><br />
The low tech level and lack of modern space port meant that when arriving visitors would be bombarded with radio messages suggesting that the ship land at one or another of many cleared areas that was all that could be declared a space port on the planet. The characters decided to land at one that promised to have refined fuel, but on landing (very heavily) they learned that there were only 30 tons or refined fuel, and that they probably didn't trust the refined fuel to be clear of pollutants. They bought the fuel and went about processing it in their tanks anyway.<br />
<br />
The heavy landing had damaged the manoeuvre drive - not enough to disable it, but it would turn out to be less responsible that usual and difficult to use. Boris found some parts in a scrapyard and got to work. A couple of days later he decided he'd done as much as he could. The repairs were rudimentary but should hold although he wasn't very happy with his work.<br />
<br />
Tipper went to talk to people around the port and the nearby town while Boris was repairing the drive. Hanz decided he could not contribute much to the rumour-gathering and with the ship just being in a field he stood guard. It was here that he started hearing voices.<br />
<br />
As the locals came out to look at the ship - some to just gawk and others to try to sell goods or services - Hanz started imagining that he could hear their thoughts. At first he assumed they were saying these things out loud, but as time went on he realised that their mouths were not moving and the thoughts seemed to be more inward, reflective or self-narrative in nature, and not something you would say to someone else.<br />
<br />
Eventually he shouted at people to just leave him alone and he went into the ship. That night he was sure he could hear Tipper thinking about going AWOL and jumping ship once they got to Byrni, but he said nothing.<br />
<br />
IN the town Tipper had some success talking with the locals. They argued that Oghma and Tyr were the two planets mentioned as possible pirate planets. He also heard rumours about pirates and the navy having battles in the night sky above the planet. Many people had seen the lights above them and they had confirmed this with some navy ships that landed.<br />
<br />
<b>En route to Ergo</b><br />
After powering up the thrusters and very shakily leaving the planet they got to the jumping point and jumped to Ergo. During this jump Hanz thought he might do some research into what he had been experiencing. The things he was experiencing were getting worse, which was making him stress out - which in turn made them worse still. Taking a few days to really get to grips with the problem he came to the only inescapable conclusion; he had psionic powers.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Sitting in his stateroom he tried to broadcast thoughts. "Bring me a drink!", then "I need a drink", "where's my drink" and so on until Tipper who, somewhat amazed, understood what was happening took a glass of water into Hanz's room and threw it in his face saying "here it is!". Nobody talked of this event again.<br />
<br />
<b>Ergo again, then Byrni</b><br />
They refuelled at the station in Ergo and jumped to Byrni. Hanz trying his psionics more and more confidently but coming to a realisation that he'd be in big trouble if anyone in the navy found out about his powers.<br />
<br />
Hanz decided that he'd not say anything about the thoughts he'd picked up from Boris (not really confident that the drives were fixed) and Tipper (still planning to go AWOL). Instead he would try to block his thoughts. From Tipper's point of view there was some mental straining and then a period of complete mental silence, followed with "well that seemed to work.".<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Arriving in Byrni they docked with the Eurisko and reported immediately to Krond. He was delighted with what they'd discovered and declared that it was the final nail in the coffin for Oghma who had been protecting pirates for far too long. The three of them were given a week's shore leave as a reward.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Making decisions</b></div>
<div>
Down on Byrni Tipper went through the motions of having a good time drinking and relaxing but was in reality waiting impatiently to be contacted and whisked away from the navy. Hanz was considering his options too. He was confident that he might be able to hide his powers now so was just taking it easy. Boris was relaxing by the pool unaware that the other two had things on their minds. It was Boris who heard a few days into their sojourn that the flotilla would be leaving about a week and a half after they reported back. It would be heading to Oghma.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eventually Tipper was contacted by a hotel employee who made himself known as a GeDeCo operative and handed him a ticket to Vorito and a new set of identity papers. Hurriedly returning to his room Tipper pocketed his money and most personal possessions and left without saying anything. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Later, when Hanz couldn't find Tipper, he remembered that he had picked up thoughts from Tipper about going AWOL. He quickly concluded that if that happened he himself might be questioned about Tipper's activities, and that might lead to him being uncovered as a psionic. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Deciding he should at least find out where Tipper had gone he remembered seeing someone talking to Tipper in the hotel lobby. He searched for that person and, using his mind as well as his eyes, found him nearby. Rather than approaching he took a seat in the lobby and tried to tune into the other man's thoughts. With some effort he eventually heard the man wonder if Tipper;s ship to Vorito had left yet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rushing to his room he grabbed what possessions he had and made his way to the space port. He found a ship leaving for Vorito in the next hour and bought a ticket, persuading the person at the counter, with some psionic help, that he had the right papers to travel. He boarded with only minutes to spare..</div>
<br />
Back at the hotel Boris was entirely unaware of what the other two were doing and lay back near the pool with a drink in his hand. He thought things had gone rather well and congratulated himself. What could possibly go wrong now.<br />
<br />
To be continued... maybe.<br />
<br /></div>
Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-18005920385136472212019-01-30T02:43:00.000-08:002019-01-30T02:43:45.724-08:00Gathering the troops<b>Salif</b><br />
Waiting on Salif for the traders to arrive, Sparrow wondered if there were any mercenaries available on Salif. Getting hold of Tiznee took some time as she was in meetings with advisors and delegates but eventually they met with her and asked about the mercenary situation. Tiznee said that she could not spare any of her own armed forces, but that she thought she knew of at least one company based on Salif and that she would get that information to them as soon as possible.<br />
<br />
Within 24 hours the party were making their way to the offices of a mercenary company called Audley's Avengers. The door was opened by a ruddy faced stout gentlemen with white hair and mustache. He had a military bearing but was dressed in civvies.<br />
<br />
Sparrow declared that they were looking for mercenaries and the gentleman ushered them in to sit around a small meeting table and got them tea. The other occupant of the small office was a younger man with cropped hair who kept at his work.<br />
<br />
The travellers explained that they had a ticket for a mission in a system a few parsecs away that would involve ship to ship boarding actions against two large vessels. The agent for the mercenary company looked thoughtful and asked a small number of questions before agreeing that they can start negotiating.<br />
<br />
<b>The ticket:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Employer Details</b>: [Fully identified but information REDACTED]</li>
<li><b>Employee Details</b>: Audrey's Avengers</li>
<li><b>Service Required</b>: Commando-Retrieval mission.Target consists of two ships in space. Mission is to neutralise any defensive forces, to capture (fully intact where possible) the two ships and free (unharmed where possible) any prisoners on those ships. Unit size set at 50 combatants to achieve this mission.</li>
<li><b>Service Location</b>: [Fully identified but information REDACTED]</li>
<li><b>Length of Service</b>: Medium - 6 weeks on location, starting in 15 weeks. Duration to be extended should arrival of the targets not take place within those 6 weeks.</li>
<li><b>Ticket Exposure</b>: Hidden. Ticket offered only to Audley's Avengers</li>
<li><b>Ticket Risk</b>: Difficult. Defensive forces could be trained marines or equivalent. High tech armour and weapons will be required to counter.</li>
<li><b>Pre-Ticket Support</b></li>
<ul>
<li><b>Services</b>: Transportation to and from the location will be required. Location is [REDACTED] parsecs from Salif which can be reached via [REDACTED] J-3 jumps. The Employee to source transportation.</li>
<li><b>Equipment</b>: Boarding ships will be made available on location by the Employer.</li>
</ul>
<li><b>Post-Ticket Support</b></li>
<ul>
<li><b>Repair and Rearm</b>: The Employer undertakes to fully repair and rearm Audley's Avengers on the completion of the ticket.</li>
<li><b>Medical Care</b>: The Employer undertakes to provide full medical care for unit members injured during the missions.</li>
</ul>
<li><b>Compensation</b>: Taking into account mission type, location, duration, risk and services, the ticket is agreed at a price of 5.0 MCr, with 2.0 MCr up front to cover expenses and to ensure the unit is equipped appropriately..</li>
</ul>
<br />
Once the ticket was agreed the travellers returned to the space port to await the arrival of the traders. With this ticket in place there was no need to travel to Theev, so the party could instead go to the Space Station with Goff and Gobbo to have a look around and then shut it down and prepare to move all ships and crew to Wildeman's hidden base.<br />
<br />
<b>Arrivals</b><br />
The Far Trader arrived first. It had been 18 months since the travellers sent it on its way, and even with a fairly casual schedule it was able to provide healthy profits, in part thanks to Vii Lon as broker and the fact it was plying a route between a Haven system and a Friendly system.<br />
<br />
Next to arrive was the Frontier Trader coming from the space station. Everyone on board was delighted to see the travellers at last, and brought them up to speed with the small amounts of progress made on the station. Unfortunately with the departure of many crew members there was a need to hire new crew fairly soon. Slayed spent some time looking for crew and after careful consideration and vetting brought six new people to the hangar for induction.<br />
<br />
<b>To the Space Station</b><br />
With plans in place retrieving the last remaining crew from the space station and shutting it down became the next task. As Goff and Gobbo had not see the station yet they were brought too in order to allow them to formulate plans for when the travellers returned.<br />
<br />
On arrival the party could see that there was progress in repairing small things, but with most of the crew away on the Harriers supporting the party it was only a skeleton crew left on board. The travellers did check to see that the torpedoes were still in place and they were all there and appeared untampered with.<br />
<br />
With everything shut down they jumped back to Salif. All ships and crew in the one place for the first time.<br />
<br />
<b>Salif, then Number One</b><br />
Spending only a little time to formulate plans and see if more crew could be found (only one) the travellers prepared to jump their way across 15 parsecs to Wildeman.<br />
<br />
They jumped as one group: three Harriers, a Frontier Trader, a Q-Ship, the Far Trader, the Far Scout, the Lab Ship and Goff''s ship. Next stop, Number One.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-31170409448047110642019-01-20T00:05:00.001-08:002019-01-20T00:05:06.811-08:00Reunion and rethinking<b>Arriving at Theev</b><br />
The travellers arrived at Theev and requested permission to land at the downport, providing the special code that meant no missiles would fire at them. They landed and the giant clam-shell doors closed over their heads. No customs or inspections were required of course, so they planned what they would do.<br />
<br />
Nitrane wanted to meet with Lomar Fisk, an admirer of hers and provider of tricked up transponders. Unter wanted to meet Davon who was Admiral Darokyn's right-hand man. Nitrane and Slayed wanted to talk to Admiral Darokyn as they had not seen him for nearly two years. Lastly Slayed wanted to meet with Zheukvi the Corsair who had wanted to meet with him for nearly 18 months ever since asking Krrsh to pass a message on.<br />
<br />
In addition to meeting with friends old and (possibly) new, the cargo they bought on Palindrome needed to be sold and they thought that Klim Gobbo would like to get some high tech mining drones while here.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Heading out along one of the passages and into a main hub of the space station Nitrane and Unter noticed that there was a different vibe to the place compared to the previous timed they'd been here. There were fewer people out and about and the ones that were seemed more focused, moving faster and less interested in others. There were also more of the black-clad Widows of Blacksand around. Something was up.<br />
<br />
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</div>
<br />
Nitrane got hold of Fisk who was less effusively polite than other times. He said that he was in a rush and that he was about to leave. Nitrane asked why. Fisk was astonished and asked "don't you know?". Nitrane asked to meet him and he said he'd be at the spaceport in half an hour anyway as he had a ship to catch.<br />
<br />
Unter tried to talk to Davon but was unable to reach him. This was not unusual as he was often out on missions but it was disappointing not to reach him. Slayed sent a message to Zheukvi announcing that he was in Blacksand City and would be happy to meet Zheukvi to talk. The message was taken and a response would be forthcoming he was told.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, after selling the cargo and picking up some more, Sparrow, Slayed and Gobbo went to buy 20 tons of mining drones from a reputable dealer. They asked them to be delivered to the docking bay and returned.<br />
<br />
Fisk arrived and he and Nitrane accompanied him to the docking bay that his liner was leaving from. He explained that the Imperial Navy was in the sector doing a sweep for pirates. This happened every few years but this time seemed different. They had stayed around for a lot longer than before, and were more ruthless - intent on killing pirates rather than scaring them off. They arrived and, awkwardly, he shook her hand and hoped to see her again one day.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Slayed had started looking for Darokyn. He had no way to directly contact him - Darokyn usually contacted you - but started asking around. He at least had some more knowledgeable contacts than last time but it seemed Darokyn was not wanting to be easily found. What he did lern though was that Hrol Irontooth, Peter Vallis and a pirate lord they'd not heard of before called Dread Ashen had all been captured or killed by the Imperial Navy. There was no mention of Darokyn. He also learned that pirate bases in Exe and The World had been compromised. Some of Slayed's leads would report back the next morning so the travellers stayed on Lady Yemar's ship overnight.<br />
<br />
The next morning, with all cargo and mining drones, they learned that Zheukvi was on The Skull and would be leaving in six hours, but there would be time to meet if Slayed could come up to the orbiting moon/spaceport soon. They also learned that Darokyn was not on Theev and so there was no other reason to stay. They talked about getting new identities but surmised that their contact would be long gone if the Imperial Navy were getting close, but also that they didn't want to stay around waiting for the navy to arrive. So they went to The Skull.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<b>The Skull</b><br />
Arriving at The Skull the party found that they were not far from where Zheukvi and his men could be found. They all made their way there, leaving Goff, Gobbo, Tiznee and the others on the ship. They didn't expect they would be long.<br />
<br />
Zheukvi turned out to have multiple bays at one edge of the spaceport and had taken over, to all intents and purposes, the nearest bar as his centre of operations and heavy drinking.<br />
<br />
Slayed learned here that Zheukvi was a Vargr, as were many of his crew. Slightly unusually they were all quite well behaved, politely apologising and getting out of the way as the approached the booth that Zheukvi could be found at.<br />
<br />
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<br />
As soon as the Vargr captain saw Slayed he stood up, growled a surprisingly cordial welcome, and shook his hand. He then shook everyone elses hand and asked them to sit. This was not at all what Slayed and the others had expected. He was not the archetypal Vargr corsair at all.<br />
<br />
Zheukvi started by ordering a round of drinks, and Slayed followed suit. It has been long established that Slayed is a charming and entertaining host and as a guest he was equal parts diplomat a d rogue. He and Zheukvi got along very well. It was decided that they'd not mention the situation on Falcon (where Zheukvi had apparently planted a bomb to extort the inhabitants) as they didn't know him yet.<br />
<br />
The conversation unearthed some interesting facts - or brags - from Zheukvi. Among other things he let slip that his based in Exe was compromised. The Imperials had raided it while he was luckily not there, but it was close. Slayed told him about the pirate prisoners being ferried to a prison planet in an Imperial convoy. This angered Zheukvi but he sighed as there was nothing he could do. Slayed hinted that perhaps he might think about doing something and Zheukvi smiled as if that confirmed something he'd been thinking.<br />
<br />
The Vargr then got to the point. He'd heard about Slayed for some time now. That he was an excellent tactician, a cunning pirate, and a strong leader. Perhaps, Zheukvi thought, they could join up. He'd spoken to Darokyn and Lady Yemar about Slayed and his crew and heard good things. He'd be happy to follow Slayed, at least while they got to know each other, and they'd have time to do that as Zheukvi intended to stay low for a while until the Imperials left. He also wondered if Slayed had anywhere to stay out of trouble for the time being.<br />
<br />
Slayed looked to Sparrow, Nitrane and Unter. They talked and while Zheukvi seemed nice enough the others, particularly Sparrow, sensed a trap or deception and in the end the decision what that they should go their separate ways for the time being. Zheukvi looked disappointed but thanked Slayed for his time and stood, rousing his crew to their ships.<br />
<br />
Zheukvi shook hands with Slayed, wished him well. He and his crew would find somewhere to lay low for a few months. Hopefully they'd see each other in a year or so when the stars aligned and their paths crossed again.<br />
<br />
Slayed and the others headed back to the ship. They noted when Zheukvi left in his four Corsairs and were careful to leave after him and head to the 100 diameter limit in a different direction.<br />
<br />
They jumped to Salif.<br />
<br />
<b>On Salif</b><br />
On arrival Tiznee announced that she was on board and they had an escort of two system defense boats and priority clearance to land at the presidential dock. They had no need to pass through customs and a number of grav trucks were waiting to take them to the hangar where some of their ships were to be found. The travellers learned that the Harriers had arrived and also that the Far Scout was on planet. Goff determined that his ship was also here, having travelled here on automation and landed at the cargo docks.<br />
<br />
They bade farewell to Tiznee who hugged each of them tearfully, and very dramatically, and wished them well.<br />
<br />
On arriving at the docking bay they found it to be a huge covered bay for ships of around 40,000 tons. This seemed to have been set aside for their sole use and all four ships - five when Goff fetched his - fitted easily. The crew were overjoyed to see them. They'd been kicking their heels for many months but the far trader had been bringing in money and they treated it as a long paid holiday.<br />
<br />
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<br />
The covered bay had been set up for long-term occupancy. There was a bar and food preparation area in the corner. Many mismatched chairs and a holo-display were adjacent. Portable sleeping quarters had also been stacked in another corner so nobody really had to leave. Food and supplies were delivered and nobody outside the hangar needed to know anything. When they left or arrived in a ship nobody asked any questions. It was pretty ideal.<br />
<br />
They had also brought things from the space station to repair in more comfortable surroundings but the going was slow because most of the crew had decided to leave and so it was only a dozen or so who remained on Salif and the station. The arrival of the Harriers had boosted numbers by another twenty or so.<br />
<br />
The far trader and the frontier trader were both due in the next four or five days. The far trader, on its trading route between Number One and Salif was not as profitable as the Torpol-Drinax run, but was not harrassed by Lord Wrax and the star guard. From time to time the Salif system defense boats had escorted them when there was trouble afoot so all in all it was a nice easy trading route. So much so that they'd started a trading company, headquartered here.<br />
<br />
The frontier trader ferried things to and from the space station. There were only a handful of people in the space station at any one time and while there were some ships docked there wasn't any real activity going on.<br />
<br />
Learning all this the travellers were disappointed to discover that they had only a handful of marines, not the 30+ they hoped to find. This presented a problem. They needed trained marines to board the freighter and the prisoner ship to execute their plan of freeing them all. Someone mentioned that perhaps Tiznee could lend them some marines but that was a very unlikely outcome even with the relationship they had with her.<br />
<br />
They had a couple of days while the Harriers underwent long overdue maintenance and also while they waited for the traders. They spent some of this time planning and considering their options.<br />
<br />
Goff and Gobbo thought that the secret base in Wildeman would be relatively simple to get up and running. Some fuel and maintenance should see at least partial functionality. Slayed admitted that being in the system that they hoped to ambush the convoy would give them time to plan and prepare. Unter pointed out that there were many mercenary companies based on Theev and perhaps there ware some still there that they could hire.<br />
<br />
With the deadline of the pirate prisoner convoy weighing on their minds they decided that Slayed and the others would take the Far Scout to Theev and see if they could fund some marines to hire. The others would travel to the space station and fetch the last remaining people and shut it all down. This would take a couple of weeks and so they could meet back here in two weeks and them proceed to Wildeman.<br />
<br />
To be continued.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-5926259558956200022019-01-12T20:48:00.001-08:002019-01-13T03:42:05.053-08:00Needs some work<b>Secret Wildeman Base</b><br />
After returning to the ship after the initial look around the hidden base in Wildeman, the travellers, with Goff, Gobbo and Lady Yemar, discussed what might happen next.<br />
<br />
Everyone was keen to have more of a look around, but the party were keen to head back to their Space Station as quickly as possible to be back in tie for the Imperial prisoner convoy. Spending another day or two looking around wouldn't be too much of a delay so that's the time limit they game themselves.<br />
<br />
Before that however was the matter of why they had come here in the first place. Lady Nitrane turned to Gobbo and told him that they had need of an expert miner/belter as they have an old base, near an asteroid field, that needed raw materials to bring it up to working order. She answered his questions, without giving anything away of where or what the station is. He asked to speak with Goff, whom he trusted and knew, and returned with another question - what were they offering?<br />
<br />
Lady Nitrane advised him that they'd obtained Goff's services on the understanding that he'd get 10% of the manufacturing output for one year. Gobbo thought about it and asked for 5% and that the travellers provide him with the tools he needed - namely a seeker ship equipped in the manner that he needed, which would remain theirs after he completed the job.<br />
<br />
The travellers agreed to this and he said he'd just need to return to Wildeman itself to pack and pick up his wife. His ship would be put into storage as it did not have a jump drive and nobody had any means of getting it to the space station.<br />
<br />
Having agreed terms, and with the group rested and vacc suits recharged, they returned into the secret base. Wary at first about booby traps, and possibly critters, the base turned out to be devoid of traps and was just as it appeared, an abandoned base that people had apparently expected to return to. Nothing appeared to have been hastily left and there were no signs of struggle, explosions or dangerous activities of any sort. If things were quiet now it was just because they'd run out of fuel or battery life.<br />
<br />
<b>Base Description</b><br />
<br />
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<br />
The base comprised of:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Residential </b>- the rooms were all cut out of the asteroid rock but were appointed as staterooms. The fresher, beds, storage and other furniture and objects were clearly brought in from different ships. Some staterooms were much more luxurious and spacious than the majority - perhaps for Tamby and his lieutenants.</li>
<li><b>Main drag</b> - the first large corridor that they encountered outside the residential area stretched along the entirely of the base. Gobbo christened it the 'main drag' and the term stuck. It was about 8 metres wide and had cargo cranes along the roof and what appeared to be a mag-lev tramway on the floor. it seemed that large amounts of cargo or people could travel quite quickly from one end to the other.</li>
<li><b>Concourse </b>- this area consisted of large windows (perhaps from luxurious liners) overlooking the docking area, as well as being a large gathering and socialising area.</li>
<li><b>Commons </b>- cafes, bars and recreation areas were in evidence at a much wider part of the concourse, and could easily accommodate well over one hundred people at a time. The machinery and appliances were all from on-board ships - a recurring theme.</li>
<li><b>Docking area </b>- well over 200,000 cubic meters with docking arms, airlocks and boarding tubes - all seemingly from captured craft. The airlocks were of all sizes - passenger and cargo sizes - and lead to the concourse area. No ships were currently in the docking area.</li>
<li><b>Fuel </b>- the massive fuel tanks were located under the concourse and were accessible through hatches. The fuel tanks were all small but there were many of them, better to avoid catastrophic fuel leaks, but mostly because the fuel tanks all seemed to be taken from captured ships./</li>
<li><b>Commercial </b>- adjacent to the concourse were stores (more like those run by a company quartermaster than a proper shop) as well as offices that appeared to be merchants or traders or brokers.</li>
<li><b>Biosphere </b>- a large area of hydroponics growing racks as well as water and air purification and reclamation. This meant that the inhabitants didn't need to go to Wildeman for supplies.</li>
<li><b>Power Plant </b>- many small power plants linked together, all clearly taken from captured ships. Need more power? Capture a ship. The maglev and cargo cranes extend into here as well as the biosphere.</li>
<li><b>Cargo and Storage </b>- Huge areas, much higher than the rest of the crew areas of the base, containing cargo racks and cargo handling conveyors. Massive hoppers of raw materials took up a corner; raw ores through to refined and smelted products. In addition there were some containers of mundane items - nothing very valuable.</li>
<li><b>Manufacturing </b>- Huge ranks of machines and computer terminals stood in one large chamber. It appeared as if just about anything that could be made here would be. </li>
<li><b>Shipyard </b>- fully equipped for even quite large ships, this shipyard looks like it specialised in asteroid based system defence boats. Many sections of hulls and machinery from captured ships are found in a large scrapyard that is adjacent: Hull plates, stacks of turrets, manoeuvre drives, electronics - you name it and it.s probably here somewhere. </li>
<li><b>Mining </b>- ranks of mining drones, docking bays for recharging and receptacles for receiving the mines materials with conveyors to lead to refinery, smelters and cargo areas.</li>
<li><b>Refinery and Smelting</b> - large machines that could break down mined raw materials, and molecule sifters and re-combiners to create materials needed for manufacturing.</li>
<li><b>Defences </b>- near the entrance to then base, as ships would enter, was a control centre and missile bay. Woe betide anyone entering that chamber without permission.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>Return to Wildeman</b><br />
After exploring, and deciding to seal up the hatch they came in through, they left to return to Wildeman itself. Arriving they noticed a Patrol Cruiser, surrounded by Imperial Marines. Considering the options, the travellers remained on-board while Gobbo put his ship in storage and returned within the hour with his wife, Mindy.<br />
<br />
<b>Exocet</b><br />
Leaving Wildeman as nonchalantly as possible, they jumped to Exocet, where they quickly refuelled, bought some cargo as a cover. Exocet had only a few dozen inhabitants - with more employees of the space station brought in from outside by GeDeCo than actually lived outside on the planet surface. With no intention of leaving the starport they kept to them,selves and as soon as everything was ready they jumped to Marduk.<br />
<br />
Mindy and Lady Nitrane didn't get on very well. Nitrane, to all appearances an eighteen year old girl dressed in fancy clothes and very much expecting things done for her, contrasted with Mindy, a miner's wife and solidly working class who got in and did things, and looked older than her years.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Marduk</b><br />
Unfortunately as soon as they arrived in Marduk proximity sensors identified that they were very close (within 10,000 km) to an Imperial Gazelle which immediately hailed them and demanded that they stop and prepare for customs inspection. Discussions broke out immediately about whether to comply, but quickly it was decided to shop rather than get shot at, and everyone made sure any illegal items were hidden from sight.<br />
<br />
The Imperials came alongside and boarded through a docking tube. Two marines, a marine commander and a imperial officer came aboard. Having decided to use their real identities, the papers for the travellers were in order, and very luckily their names, known in relation to the Treasure ship incident, didn't trigger any special response from the Imperials. The fact that the ship appeared to be a merchant vessel - some high class passengers, some low class, and many tons of cargo - clinched the deal for the Imperials, who cautioned that there were pirates in the area and left without any in depth searches taking place.<br />
<br />
On Marduk they sold and bought cargo and refuelled as quickly as possible. They then jumped to Palindrme.<br />
<br />
<b>Palindrome</b><br />
Lady Yemar asked what the travellers would be doing next. If they were going to Theev she would come with them, otherwise she would leave at Palindrome and the ship would continue to Salif with Tiznee and the party. They decided that Theev would be a good idea - they wanted to touch base with some people they knew, and there might be some specialist mining equipment that Gobbo could use, and so the ship once again refuelled and departed as quickly as possible.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-75551510854029493232019-01-04T22:51:00.001-08:002019-01-04T22:51:26.146-08:00That's not a moon!<b>Looking for Gobbo</b><br />
<div>
Arriving in Wildeman in Lady Yemar's ship the travellers made their way to the spaceport. They docked and after making their way through basic security checks, followed Goff to the dingiest, dirtiest space bar they could find because Goff figured that's where is friend would be.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After asking around for Klim Gobbo they found out he was out prospecting and that his wife, who could be found at his office, might be able to help. Goff had never met Gobbo's wife, not having seen him for many years.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Upon arriving Goff was typically blunt which put Mindy on edge, but Lady Nitrane was more diplomatic and after a little while they learned that Gobbo would likely be out for a month and that he was at the trailing Lagrange point of the nearest gas giant where six large asteroids and many smaller asteroids could be found. Because Lady Nitrane looked so honest and trustworthy Mindy gave her a special code to use in comms messages to let Gobbo know they were friends.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanking Mindy they made their way back to the ship and waited for Lady Yemar and Tiznee to return from what shopping they had managed to do. Agreeing that waiting a month would not be a worthwhile use of their time they decided to spend a couple of days heading out to where Klim Gobbo might be found.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Travelling to the gas giant</b></div>
<div>
On the way to the gas giant, which would take two days, Yemar and Slayed imagined, for every other ship they detected, how they would capture it. Some would be hailed, others they'd open fire. In this way some time was passed while Yemar reminisced about her past life as a pirate lord.<br />
<br />
As the two days passed Slayed took the opportunity to tell everyone about the item he'd pocketed just as everyone was leaving the vault on Vorito's space port. He'd managed to decode it and it was news - actually intelligence - that the Imperial Fleet currently in Byrni were planning to send their megafreighter and liner back towards the Imperium with all the pirates they'd captured up to that point. The convoy would leave in a few weeks, arriving in Iligan in 18 weeks or so. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The travellers immediately agreed it was something they should do something about. Not only would they be poking the Imperium in the eye, they would also have a lot of grateful pirate crew members and possibly some new large ships depending on how things went. The timing was tight though; they'd need to travel quickly if they wanted to get the Harriers and other ships back into the Wildeman system which was the last opportunity to attack the convoy before it reached the prison planet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lady Yemar agreed that they should do free the captives if possible, although she herself no longer had any pirating vessels having changed career to planetary ruler some time ago. She was interested in the possibilities of the Q Ship that was mentioned as the party discussed options. A ship with so many marines and a weapon to disable power plants would be useful.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Arriving</b></div>
<div>
Once near the Lagrange point they opened the comms channel and hailed Gobbo but got no response. The area was very large though, so they started travelling through the area and sending out a comms message every hour.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After a while they received a crackled response asking who they were, to which Goff said it was him and Gobbo asked who he was with. Goff gave a suitable answer and Gobbo gave them directions where to find him, which was on a medium-sized asteroid somewhere near the middle of the field.</div>
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On the surface of the asteroid was Gobbos ship and sensors showed that it was tethered next to what appeared to be a hatch. Sparrow landed the ship close by and they agreed to meet outside. Everyone was very curious but Lady Nitrane noticed that Lady Yemar was a little apprehensive for some reason. She took her aside and asked if anything was wrong, to which Yemar responded that she'd known of someone in Wildeman but not Gobbo and not anything to worry about.</div>
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<div>
Exiting the ship in Boarding Vacc Suits they made their way over to Gobbo, who turned out to be a wizened old man. He had not seen his friend in many years but their friendship was there for all to see as they shook hands and patted each other on the back, with Gobbo's face lighting up when he saw Goff.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They asked about the hatch and Gobbo said that he'd noticed it only because he was doing a fine scan of the asteroid. Anything less than a square metre by square metre search would not have found it. And when he did find it he decided to open it. He invited the traveller's to come with him into it as he said he'd found something very interesting indeed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Into the depths</b></div>
<div>
Given that the gravity on the asteroid was very small they could all just float down the passage under the hatch. About 10 feet in diameter it was larger than normal but not remarkably so. Lighting their helmet lights they saw that at the bottom of the shaft, about 100 feet down, was a large mining laser which had cut through another hatch - this one considerably thicker and vault-like.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Looking through the cut-through door a very faint glow was visible. It seemed that the lighting in the vault was powered somehow, but very very weakly. Beyond the door was a vault of some kind, with a larger door across from where they came in.<br />
<br />
The vault was empty but Gobbo mentioned that he'd found something when he first entered, and handed them two bottles and a note. The bottles were old gin bottles that Nitrane and Sparrow recognised as a very good brand from about a century ago. The note was in very fine calligraphy and said simply...</div>
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<div>
Looking at the unopened door no controls were at first apparent, but after some searching a seamless panel was opened that had what appeared to be a DNA lock. Rather bemused by what Gobbo had found, and not being in mind to start the week or more long exercise of cutting through the next door, the party and Gobbo returned to the surface.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Going deeper</b></div>
<div>
Everyone was interested to know what was behind the next door. It was suggested that power cables could be sent down into the tunnel to provide power to the door. Lady Yemar and Tiznee, who had not gone down with the others, exchanged glances. The bottles and note were also handed to the ladies who made no remark. The plan to open the door somehow by circumventing the DNA lock saw Lady Yemar and Tiznee exchange glances again, and Tiznee arched an eyebrow.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This exchange was not lost on some of the travellers. Slayed asked if she knew anything more and Lady Yemar sighed She said "It sounds a lot like Grandpa Tamby".</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Tamby Dour</b></div>
<div>
A few in the party had not heard of Tamby Dour, but Unter especially had heard of him. Known as "The Kraken" he was a notorious pirate - possibly the most notorious - and attacked shipping within four parsecs of Wildeman about a century ago. The Imperial Navy finally intercepted and killed him after many years of chasing shadows and wearing his forces out. At his might he had nearly a hundred ships but by the end he had only a handful left. Nobody ever found his base of operations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Asked what he was like Yemar said she'd never met him but had heard stories from her father. The fact that there seemed to be some hidden vault, and possibly more, here in Wildeman was something that might be related to Tamby, but the bottles and note were in her mind clinching arguments.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Cracking the door</b></div>
<div>
With a possible DNA source attention changed to getting the door open in the normal manner. They went down the hole again to check that the power worked, and when it did they took measurements and returned to Gobbo's ship to make something in his workshop that Yemar could use to safely apply her hand to the unlocking mechanism. This took an hour or two and at the end of it they returned down the hole and all stood in front of the door.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The device was attached to the wall and pressurised. Yemar put her hand to the lock and a small almost indistinguishable noise was heard. Removing her hand they all noticed that a small green light was now showing and it appeared her DNA had done the trick. The panel to open the door was pressed and nothing much happened other than some grinding that was felt more than heard and the door moving a fraction of an inch.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Slayed and Nitrane decided to put their backs into it and gave the door a helping hand or four. They got the door to move a little and Goff and Slayed then had a go, which got the door open a crack. Gobbo quickly returned to his ship and got a hydraulic mine joist which he applied and eventually the door opened.<br />
<br />
<b>Inside</b><br />
What they saw was a corridor. That corridor had rooms, looking a lot like staterooms, leading off it. Looking in some of the rooms they found that many things were well preserved due to the vacuum. Other things had not fared as well for the same reasons. The rooms contained some possessions, as if they'd been left one day by someone who intended to return. They did not look like they'd been abandoned in a hurry.<br />
<br />
The corridors extended over a large distance, and elevators suggested there might be other floors. Tens of staterooms were on these corridors. This was no small vault.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eventually they reached an opening to what looked like a concourse. Commercial ventures, similarly abandoned, were visible. Common areas were here too This was somewhere that many people had lived, and with commerce there was the suggestion that there was a small economy thriving here so this was not just a large hideout.<br />
<br />
The concourse led to a massive - incredibly so - docking area. Tens of thousands of tons of ships could be docked in here along each of many concourse arms. That meant there must be huge doors somewhere on the surface of the asteroid. The docking facilities were fairly advanced too - possibly TL13 or 14. There were no ships visible, but the area was so large they could not see it all.<br />
<br />
The whole complex was only partially explored in the two hours they set aside. They had not seen any power or maintenance or refuelling facilities, but they mist be somewhere. The complex was completely unpressurised - they had passed through normal and massive airlocks which were all open. This place appeared to have been abandoned for decades - possible a century.</div>
<div>
<br />
To be continued.</div>
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Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703280043692423418.post-79278720430386012052019-01-03T00:23:00.002-08:002019-01-04T20:38:34.068-08:00Debunked<b>Returning to Drinax</b><br />
Before they arrived back at Drinax Lady Yemar asked how Lady Nitrane would approach discussing what had happened on Vorito. Nitrane thought for a moment and declared that she'd tell people the truth, but would perhaps seek out Scholar Voha as there were some questions she had that he might be able to answer. She seemed resigned to her fate.<br />
<br />
The ship emerged from jump-space into Drinax and Lady Yemar immediately advised starport control that they were a diplomatic vessel with the rulers of Palindrome and Salif, as well as the Drinaxian delegate. They were given clearance to land at the King's private dock and a few hours later they were landed and ready to disembark.<br />
<br />
Waiting at the port were Princes Rao, who gathered up Lady Yemar and Tiznee Zazzle, and Lady Hil and her entourage who gathered up Lady Nitrane. Sayed noticed that Rachando was not among the welcoming party and went to find him while Sparrow noticed Kasiyl (who was not so much a part of the welcoming committee as someone who just happened to be around),and went off to speak to him. Unter didn't notice anyone he wanted to talk to, so went off to his old lodgings to see if there were any messages.<br />
<br />
<b>Reception</b><br />
On the way to the reception chamber Lady Hil asked Nitrtane how she was and how it had all done. Nitrane said that she was fine, that the Vorito ceremony had gone well, and that really Lady Hil should really have been the delegate. They swept through the corridors, Lady Nitrane looking for a way to peel off and seek out Scholar Voha, but with no opportunity arising they eventually arrived. What they saw was King Oleb, dressed in a smoking jacket and holding a cigar in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other, talking to Goff who was similarly attired but holding a brandy.<br />
<br />
Lady Yemar and Tiznee initially held the King's attention, but as they moved off to speak to Princess Rao and Prince Harrick Oleb turned to Nitrane and asked what she had gotten up to. She replied it was all good. that there was nothing much to report at all, and that it was all fine. Really. Nothing to see here. He nodded. She asked about the Torpolian Water Polo and he laughed saying that it was a foolish game, and that really he'd some to his senses. The King was apparently still easily distracted and turned to someone else. Nitrane started breathing again.<br />
<br />
<b>Scholar's Tower</b><br />
Excusing herself, Nitrane made her way to the Scholar's Tower to meet with Scholar Voha. He was available immediately and so she entered his office only a few minutes after leaving the King. She explained that she'd encountered a hologram that introduced itself as Professor Jarl, a psychohistorian. Voha had not heard of the man, but went on at some length about Psycho-history being a completely debunked pseudo-science. Nitrane, he said, should not worry about it at all. It's just mumbo-jumbo and there's nothing accurate about any projections or forecasts.<br />
<br />
<b>Making Plans</b><br />
Nitrane was much relieved, and returned to the ship. There she met the others. Slayed had talked to Rachando who seemed to take an alternative view to Scholar Voha in that he was going to actively start looking for somewhere else to set up shop. The fact that psychohistory was debunked was well and good, but GeDeCo (or certain important people within it) might not consider it so, and any agreements made would be acted upon by GeDeCo - and fast.<br />
<br />
Sparrow had spoken to Kasiyl who had been hearing rumours of the Aslan iHatei (young landless warriors) forming near the border of Aslan space. He was worried, but not unduly so as they took years to get their acts together and raid somewhere. Goff also returned to the ship. The King was fine in small doses but spending long periods of time with him was tiresome. The brandy was good though.<br />
<br />
Yemar and Tiznee finally made it back to the ship and the party made plans. They could just return to Salif to meet with their crew there or on the station, or they could take the opportunity to grab some help in repairing the station along the way. With a jump-4 capability they chose the latter approach.<br />
<br />
The approach they decided upon was:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Tech-World - to find an expert in robotics, and possibly pick up some robots to get the repairs started.</li>
<li>Falcon - to find an expert in life support and living in an artificial environment indefinitely. Goff knew someone they could talk to.</li>
<li>Pandora - to find an expert in hydroponics and biospheres.</li>
<li>Wildeman - to find Goff's friend who is an expert miner.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Tech-World</b><br />
They jumped to Tech-World and met with the ruling council of scholars. They asked for some military style robots to help protect them while repairing the station. Also some repair drones were ordered which would do a lot of the basic repair work. They were told it would take a week to manufacture these so they decided to jump to Falcon and then return.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOX5Z-aAuovTpNu8K8y4fH7tHyPdMMgtQYOM-VgCSVTvN59C2_x53nXHR6tpjZH14eUfGGG9imOvTH7F35IKNnJsSqe08au-qvOriSMklx-lHIyhu8khYCzT_zKIBZSGaBgMSWG7baDCu/s1600/Tech-World.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1020" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOX5Z-aAuovTpNu8K8y4fH7tHyPdMMgtQYOM-VgCSVTvN59C2_x53nXHR6tpjZH14eUfGGG9imOvTH7F35IKNnJsSqe08au-qvOriSMklx-lHIyhu8khYCzT_zKIBZSGaBgMSWG7baDCu/s320/Tech-World.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Falcon</b><br />
They arrived in Falcon and because Goff was with them they were allowed to dock. Falcon was a hollowed-out asteroid, dating back to the Solomani wave of colonisation. Over many generations the natives of Falcon had become dependent on Falcon’s precise mix of bacteria and germs, and had to wear encounter suits when travelling beyond their home. Visitors were not allowed to interact directly with the Falcon environment – a small section of the asteroid was set aside for them, and it was to this area that the travellers were directed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RAIP6A6ojndTK4GmZDcWEyIDpZdQAbA1KJwZGkGNx0oOOvqeIISdr2Sdk5vGyJZ5Y5j6UxxTmvp5oJOsVYmuAyLQ3k1TQMsXaNINt0XqG6hecPXxExuzcCRsHdxspWNoSK8F0F4_HOg5/s1600/Falcon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1021" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RAIP6A6ojndTK4GmZDcWEyIDpZdQAbA1KJwZGkGNx0oOOvqeIISdr2Sdk5vGyJZ5Y5j6UxxTmvp5oJOsVYmuAyLQ3k1TQMsXaNINt0XqG6hecPXxExuzcCRsHdxspWNoSK8F0F4_HOg5/s320/Falcon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Goff's friend met them but due to a father unfortunate turn of events, involving the locating of a bomb on the outer surface of their asteroid by a blackmailing pirate as well as the difficulties involved in getting his required atmospheric conditions right, he was unable and unwilling to come with them. Some discussion about the bomb situation uncovered the name of the pirate as Zhuekvi, which turned out to be the name of the person who very much wanted to talk to Slayed just as soon as he could return to Theev.<br />
<br />
With no success in getting a person to come with them, and no immediate plans to help find a bomb (with Goff's friend making it very clear he was not asking for help) they returned to Tech-World.<br />
<br />
<b>Tech-World</b><br />
When they arrived their new robots and drones were loaded on their ship, but they had in the meantime thought of new robots to get.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHJNvytOrwojzAsPNiE2uFaR5QLgrOna9199dEj1vNqvLnh9hSWlfZfUe25JQ6ucdjgITJkfh4uRa8xHXJ22uO40OU4VvWMFc0eY09VYmT43glqL17uLURvb_8duccYsJzR-2byKn8uX2/s1600/Combat-Drone-MkII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHJNvytOrwojzAsPNiE2uFaR5QLgrOna9199dEj1vNqvLnh9hSWlfZfUe25JQ6ucdjgITJkfh4uRa8xHXJ22uO40OU4VvWMFc0eY09VYmT43glqL17uLURvb_8duccYsJzR-2byKn8uX2/s320/Combat-Drone-MkII.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
First off they asked about hydroponics and agricultural robots. These were available almost immediately and turned out to be short squad utility robots that were currently outfitted and programmed for the very things they needed, but which could be modified to perform other tasks later. In addition an expert roboticist would be desirable, but to that the council had no immediate answer and requested that they rest for the night and in the morning there would be an answer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeMHxyRuR3iPj0HiCjqAhSf4cD2TsKZS3MZxf_-GE8PZYqwIAKl_Nqb8642dIU12ek5wo1AP_YClZSGfIRHlpaOEmsaWsfsWOd8_wRMUqaQqUALngo6HEHCym2NoFOG5DLQWCSZN5T704/s1600/Huey%252C+Dewey+and+Louie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="1426" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeMHxyRuR3iPj0HiCjqAhSf4cD2TsKZS3MZxf_-GE8PZYqwIAKl_Nqb8642dIU12ek5wo1AP_YClZSGfIRHlpaOEmsaWsfsWOd8_wRMUqaQqUALngo6HEHCym2NoFOG5DLQWCSZN5T704/s320/Huey%252C+Dewey+and+Louie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The next morning they were introduced to Maria, who was an expert robotics specialist, and who herself happened to be a robot. They introduced themselves and found that Maria was not only well mannered and intelligent, but had a good personality and even a sense of humour.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
They loaded up their robots and made the jump to Wildeman.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
(edit: last jump destination changed)<br />
<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712017045873206497noreply@blogger.com0