'Fallen Stars' play-by-post campaign

[Perry Holley]

After the last few preparations are made, Isa leads everone to the back of the ship, to the cryoberth room. Four berths are currently unused, the rest storing the bodies of those who have died over the last few days. After giving the basic instruction for those not familiar with cryosleep, Isa begins giving everyone a sedative injection as they enter their cryoberth. First is Teresia (who is still actively avoiding looking at Heather), then Heather, next David (still suffering from a hangover), and finally Sam. As the injection starts to take effect, and the berths begin their freezing process, you each wonder how long you will sleep, and if you will ever wake up at all...

* * *

After monitoring the berths for a while, making sure that all the readings are stable, Isa leaves, making one last inspection of the ship, making sure all systems are functioning properly. Finally, she makes her way to the bridge, where she begins the process of shutting down all non-essential systems. When everything is ready, she hooks up a cable connecting her to the ship's computers, so as to activate 'her' if/when that becomes necessary. Isa takes one last look around the bridge, then sits down in the pilot's chair. Her head tilts forward slightly as she enters 'shutdown' mode.



Fade to black. End chapter one...

[Perry Holley]

Awareness comes back slowly.

Sam groggily realizes that the cryoberth he’s in is open. Slowly he tests his movements, knowing he’s going to be a bit clumsy for the next few minutes. As his body adjusts to being conscious, his eyes turn toward the timing device that he had set up before entering cryosleep. It blinks red, and then doesn’t do so for what seems like an eternity. Finally, another flash of red, and Sam’s still-groggy head tries to calculate just how much time has passed.

“Twelve years, and four days, standard time.” That voice comes from behind Sam, where Isa is checking the monitors for the other cryoberths. “Obviously, events did not occur as we had hoped. I have a briefing ready for you, and can have food ready shortly as well, but before continuing,” she looks at the berths containing Heather, David, and Teresia, “which of them, if any, do you wish to be awoken at the current time?”

[MatthewC]

“Twelve years, and four days, standard time.” That voice comes from behind Sam, where Isa is checking the monitors for the other cryoberths. “Obviously, events did not occur as we had hoped. I have a briefing ready for you, and can have food ready shortly as well, but before continuing,” she looks at the berths containing Heather, David, and Teresia, “which of them, if any, do you wish to be awoken at the current time?”

"Twelve years," says Sam, tasting the words in his mouth. "Nae the worst ya mighta said... nae the best either."

He shakes his head to clear it and manages to process the rest of what Isa had said. "Which ta' wake? I dinnae know, why'd ya wake me up? If there's a ship or somewhat out there, some hope of rescue, somethin' to do, then wake us all up. We might need all hands, I-"

Sam realizes he's babbling. He rubs his head, discovering to his relief that he can lift his arm to do so.

"I know ya' got a good long briefin', but give me somewhat in fifteen words or less. What's happened?"

[Perry Holley]

"Twelve years," says Sam, tasting the words in his mouth. "Nae the worst ya mighta said... nae the best either."

He shakes his head to clear it and manages to process the rest of what Isa had said. "Which ta' wake? I dinnae know, why'd ya wake me up? If there's a ship or somewhat out there, some hope of rescue, somethin' to do, then wake us all up. We might need all hands, I-"

Sam realizes he's babbling. He rubs his head, discovering to his relief that he can lift his arm to do so.

"I know ya' got a good long briefin', but give me somewhat in fifteen words or less. What's happened?""We have drifted into the Marcsfall system. There has been no rescue attempt."

"As for why you... for all intents and purposes, you are the senior officer on the ship."

[MatthewC]

"We have drifted into the Marcsfall system. There has been no rescue attempt."

"As for why you... for all intents and purposes, you are the senior officer on the ship."

Sam processes this for a moment. "Right then. Wake everybody up. David, then the doctor, then Teresia. We'll have a bit o' a bite in tha' galley an see how things stand."

[Perry Holley]

Sam processes this for a moment. "Right then. Wake everybody up. David, then the doctor, then Teresia. We'll have a bit o' a bite in tha' galley an see how things stand.""Very well." Isa begins working the controls for the berths, monitoring them for a few minutes to make sure everything is okay. Seemingly satisfied that this is so, she says, "they will experience mementary grogginess and lightheadedness, as you did. When they are ready, please meet me in the lounge." With that, she walks away, as the cryoberths begin to open.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David comes to with a shiver, looking around the cryo bay

[BcAugust]

Heather keeps her eyes closed as she wakes, on edge for a reason she can't remember, though feeling surprisingly well rested. The wave of groggness is familiar. Cold sleep. Are we training again? Though... It hits her where she is, and Heather allows herself the luxery of a sigh, before opening her eyes and getting up, stretching to help get the last of the chemicals out of her system.

[MatthewC]

Being the first up, Sam is the first to to be out of his pod.

He retrieves his data disk from the storage locker and waits by the cryopods as the rest of the crew recover. When they seem aware, he comments, "Tha good news is thae you're still alive. We're meetin' in tha lounge for tha bad news."

Still, he doesn't rush off and leave them but waits (a bit impatiently) by the door until the others feel up accompanying him to the lounge.

[BcAugust]

Heather is up and ready quickly, though without that nervous edge that seemed to accompany her all the time before the coldsleep. If anything, she looks... calm.

[Perry Holley]

Several minutes pass, allowing Sam, David, Heather and Teresia enough time to throw off the effects of the cryosleep. Eventually, Isa re-enters. "Food is ready."

(assuming everyone follows Isa into the lounge)

The dinner table has various dishes laid out on it. The different dishes don't quite look like they belong together... but even though it's undoubtedly just psychosomatic, the knowledge that you haven't eaten for a long, long time leaves you suddenly very hungry. Fortunately, the food is quite tasty.

"Most of the food we had wasn't designed to keep for as long as you were asleep," Isa says. "We will need to re-supply soon."

There is also a computer printout aside each of the plates in front of the four chairs. It reads as follows:



SYSTEM DATA

System Name: Marcsfall
Old Terra Designation: BD+16 629 B
Astrography: X=23.17,Y=58.13, Z=18.43
Stellar Type: M2
Stellar Mass: 0.54
Planets: 4 (2 gas giants)
Asteroid Belts: 3

PLANETARY DATA

Planet Name: Rivendale
Orbit: 0.196 AU
Diameter: 12,892 km
Density: Medium-iron (5.7)
Gravity: 1.04 terra-standard
Axial Tilt: 12 degrees (minor seasonal effects)
Rotation Period: 718.7 hours
Orbital Period: 5.45 days (standard), 0.28 days (local)
Atmosphere: Standard oxygen-nitrogen mix, tainted
Hydrography: Normal (32%)
Climate: Cold, arid
Population: 5,650,984
Moons: 0

NOTES

Marcsfall is a fairly standard M-type star, notable only for it’s somewhat higher than normal amount of sunspot and solar flare activity.

Not unlike many other worlds that are close to their sun in orbit, Rivendale’s local days are longer than their years.

The history of Rivendale began in 2679, when the old Confederacy began a terraforming program for the world, which at that point the only native life on the planet was of lower plant forms (fungi, lichens, etc.). The breakdown of the Confederacy, the battle of the different pocket empires that followed it, and the resulting Dark Years afterward prevented any active monitoring and modification of the planet‘s progress, but the initial terrraforming that had been done did have some effect, increasing the native flora as well as altering the world’s atmosphere to something closer to a standard oxygen-nitrogen mixture, making it breathable (for the most part) for potential colonists.

In 3491, the Albany-Walsh Corporation successfully applied for a license from the Empire to colonize Rivendale. Having large amounts of natural mineral resources (most notably various gemstones and crystals, as well as various fossil fuel deposits), the main drawback to colonists is that the atmosphere contains a trace toxic element which, while harmless in limited exposure, over time can cause bone tissue deterioration. Everyone on Rivendale wears gas masks while outside, and as an extra precaution, Albany-Walsh gives everyone a yearly vaccine shot that helps to counter the effects of having breathed any of these trace elements.

Most of Rivendale is fairly cold, and still relatively barren, although small forests are starting to grow here and there across the world. Some animal life as been imported, helping to build the world’s biosystem. Most of the colonists live near the equator, where the temperature (average 16 degrees C) is cool but bearable. The largest city on Rivendale is Blacksilver (population 2,186,332), which is also home to the world’s only starport.

- Encyclopedia Imperia, 3654



After allowing you enough time to read the report and eat some food, Isa says, "As Sam may have told you, you were all asleep for just over 12 years, so obviously at least some of that information is may well be out of date."

"I 'awoke' two days ago as the Moonshadow entered the outer fringes of the Marcsfall system, near it's outermost asteroid belt. We received no reply to our distress signal. Upon nearing Rivendale, I noted the wreckage of what used to be Rivendale's satellite system, the remains of which still floating in orbit. I also noted an increase in Marcsfall's sunspot and solar activity, above what was previously normal for that star. These two factors may well explain why no one has recived our signal... although it does not account for the signal we sent back to New Texas."

"At this point, I opted not to try to contact anyone on Rivendale directly. Allowing the Moonshadow to orbit the planet, I thought it best to observe any changes to what we know of Rivendale before trying to land at the starport in the city of Blacksilver." Isa then activates the viewscreen, and a orbital picture of Rivendale come up.

"Landing in Blacksilver is no longer an option."

The viewscreen focuses in on where the city of Blacksilver once was, now blanketed by energy reading that the ship's computer identifies as radiation. "It appears that Blacksilver was the target of a nuclear explosion."

"Based on scans of Rivendale's surface activity, the ship's computers estimates the planet's population to be roughly 400,000, with about half that living in the now-largest city of Moriarity." The viewscreen focuses in on Moriarity. "Although it does not have a starport as such, it appears that they have an area set aside for any starships to land that may show up." The viewscreen focuses in even tighter, showing a flat stretch of rock near the bay that the city borders, with what appears to be various burn marks consistant with an area that may have had starships take off and land there.

Allowing you a moment to take all this in, Isa then asks, "So, what do you wish to do?"

[MatthewC]

Sam takes all this in very quickly.

"Aww, hell. What tha' hell happened in tha loost twelve years? The satellites down, tha' capital city nooked... An more than that, tha Empire hasnae moved in to clean it up. An nae answer from New Texas."

Sam looks around the room. "Whatever has happened, it's bigger than joost this system. A multi-world rebellion? A civil war? Maybe Piper's sun went nova. Whatever, ah'm bettin' those fellows down there know tha' truth."

"We have nae choice on gooin' doon. As Isa says, we havenae much food in tha larder. But, I'm nae sure we ken trust tha Empire's law can protect us. There could be a lot a' desperate people doon there.

"What do you all think?"

[BcAugust]

Heather just seems slightly surprised. "Have we picked up any ground based communications?" She stops to think for a moment. "Our major issues are likely to be logistic ones. If the Empire has fallen, we have no way to pay, or pick up supplies. And it's likely they'll be very suspcious of us. What was the immigrant population of Rivendale?"

[MatthewC]

Heather just seems slightly surprised. "Have we picked up any ground based communications?" She stops to think for a moment. "Our major issues are likely to be logistic ones. If the Empire has fallen, we have no way to pay, or pick up supplies. And it's likely they'll be very suspcious of us. What was the immigrant population of Rivendale?"

"Tha landin' field says ta me thae they still have some ship traffic. Or at least, they want some. And if payment needs ta' be made, perhaps the cargo we were haulin'-"

Sam suddenly stops and starts a different conversational track. "Boot let's be clear on our goals here. Rivendale is nae a place I want ta be spending tha rest of my life, especially the shape it's in now. And I expect Davie-boy does nae want to live on a bombed-out mine world wit' poison air either. So I'm nae to eager to surrender control of this ship, not knowin' if there's goon ta be any other way off this rock anytime soon. But what aboot you, doctor? You could just walk away from the ship when we touch doon and make yer own way, if that pleases you more."

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Tha landin' field says ta me thae they still have some ship traffic. Or at least, they want some. And if payment needs ta' be made, perhaps the cargo we were haulin'-"

Sam suddenly stops and starts a different conversational track. "Boot let's be clear on our goals here. Rivendale is nae a place I want ta be spending tha rest of my life, especially the shape it's in now. And I expect Davie-boy does nae want to live on a bombed-out mine world wit' poison air either. So I'm nae to eager to surrender control of this ship, not knowin' if there's goon ta be any other way off this rock anytime soon. But what aboot you, doctor? You could just walk away from the ship when we touch doon and make yer own way, if that pleases you more."

"yeah. We need to get the drive fixed, and get out of here... I for one would like to see if anyone I know is still around." David growls, still rather subdued.

[Perry Holley]

Isa turns to Heather. "To answer your questions, most of the local broadcasts are about what you would expect. Announcements from Albany-Walsh, news, weather reports, music, and entertainment programs."

"I do not know how much of the current population was born on Rivendale, and how many were born off-world."

[BcAugust]

Heather shakes her head at Sam's question. "I need to head home. And I doubt they have the information here that we need." Heather looks sad for a moment, though it quickly passes, put back under her professional face.

[MatthewC]

"All right. Then ah propose that we stop on tha far side of tha planet and fill up the hydrogen tanks 'fore hopping to the landing field at Moriarity. We doon't know but that we might need ta' make a quick getaway later."

Sam's voice is calm. "Once we're doon, we wait ta see who comes out ta greet us and play things by ear from there. Unless one o' you has a better plan?"

[Perry Holley]

"All right. Then ah propose that we stop on tha far side of tha planet and fill up the hydrogen tanks 'fore hopping to the landing field at Moriarity. We doon't know but that we might need ta' make a quick getaway later.""Actually, I took the liberty of refueling by skimming the surface of the gas giant Cyrania, as we were heading in-system," says Isa, referring to the system's innermost gas giant.

[BcAugust]

Heather waves her hand, then sits back. "Fair enough. Let's just get this over with. I would lightly suggest not everyone leaves the ship."

[MatthewC]

Heather waves her hand, then sits back. "Fair enough. Let's just get this over with. I would lightly suggest not everyone leaves the ship."

"Aye, that's sensible. Isa can stay aboard an take measures, if anyone tries somewhat funny. Meself, Daniel, an...."

Sam seems to hesitate for just a moment as he speaks to Heather, -an you can take one o' the guns each and head down, though I hoop there'll be no need fer such things. At least it sounds as if Albany-Walsh is in charge, from tha' radio broadcasts, an' that means tha place hasnae completely fallen apart. Hell, might be easier ta get things done without tha empire breathin' down our necks."

Sam turns to Teresia suddenly. "You've been pretty quiet, lass. You goon ta accompany us off tha' ship""

[Perry Holley]

Sam turns to Teresia suddenly. "You've been pretty quiet, lass. You goon ta accompany us off tha' ship""It's takes a few moments before Teresia speaks; she may well be in shock at this point. When she does speak, though, her voice is strangely calm. "No, I don't think so. With my arm still injured, I would probably be more of a hinderance than a help."

[Anything else before you guys land planetside?]

[BcAugust]

{Not on Heather's end, though she's likely getting the sickbay ready if anyone gets hurt.}

[Perry Holley]

[assuming no one else has anything they wanted to do before touching down, then]

"Very well, then," says Isa. "You may want to strap yourseves in, in case of any turbulance."

As the Moonshadow enters into Rivendale's atmosphere, there is indeed some rough moments - planets with fairly little in the way of mountain ranges tend toward winds that are strong and gusty - but Isa gets the ship to land with no real problems, touching down on the 'landing area' in Moriarity.

As you make preparation to leave, Isa hands each of you a gas mask, as well as a wristcomm. "This will allow you to communicate with myself or between each other." She also hands Sam the specs on the aluminum currently stored in the cargo bay, as well as a grocery list for food and other needed supplies.

"Will there be anything else you might need?"

[MatthewC]

"Will there be anything else you might need?"

"Noot ta be here in the first place," Sam mutters. But then he shakes his head and puts on the gas mask.

Sam waits until Heather and David have put on their masks, then hits the button to open the hatch and extend the ramp down to the landscape of the mining world.

[Perry Holley]

Mornings like this, you almost wish you hadn't stopped drinking.

Just another damned day on Rivendale, which is pretty much like any other day here. Cold and miserable. Might not be so bad if Albany-Walsh didn't have a complete stranglehold on the planet.

What the hell's all that noise outside, anyways?

Looking out the window, you then see it.

A starship.

Maybe, just maybe, this will be the one...



[And we finally get around to intergrating Sam's character into the game]

[Perry Holley]

Sam waits until Heather and David have put on their masks, then hits the button to open the hatch and extend the ramp down to the landscape of the mining world.It's morning, with Marcsfall still rising above the treeline of the small forest outside the opposite side of the city of Moriarity. Already, there are some people approaching the ship. A tall, dark-skinned man somewhat in front of the rest calls out, "Greetings, travelers! Well met! Let me be the first to welcome you to Rivendale, and our fair city of Moriarity! My name is Tobarth Shalfa, mayor of Moriarity. I can only hope that you find your stay here a pleasant one... but do not let me keep you from your business, which from the nature of your vessel, I would guess that you be traders. You do have goods for trade, yes?"

From the rest of the onlookers, come other questions directed at you, some you make out over the mayor's little speech, other you don't. "Need a guide?" "A runner?" "If you need to get hooked up, let me know." "...Baarsin fish, guaranteed you'll love it." "The finest gems and rubies in all of Rivendale!" "Hey handsome, want some company?" And so forth...

[BcAugust]

Heather just stands, half at attention, scanning the crowds with a military eye. Not obviously threatening, but anyone that can see knows she's ready to react at a second's notice. Marcsfall blurs into all the other ports she's seen, some even worse.

Though her face remains still, Heather has a bitter inward smile at the old joke. Go to new worlds, meet interesting new people, and kill them.

[Sam]

Making sure his gas-mask is snug, Bill is out the door and joining the forming crowd before the starship has even set down. As others around him shout and try to draw the travellers' attention, Bill just watches.

Best to see what these folks are up to. Might be they're traders, like the Mayor says. Might be they're something else. Never hurts to be careful, and that was true even before the troubles.

He pulls coat around him more tightly after a gust of wind. "Damned cold..."

[Bill is going to watch the crew for now, just try and do his best to see what sort of travellers they are, and what they're doing on Rivendale.]

[MatthewC]

It's morning, with Marcsfall still rising above the treeline of the small forest outside the opposite side of the city of Moriarity. Already, there are some people approaching the ship. A tall, dark-skinned man somewhat in front of the rest calls out, "Greetings, travelers! Well met! Let me be the first to welcome you to Rivendale, and our fair city of Moriarity! My name is Tobarth Shalfa, mayor of Moriarity. I can only hope that you find your stay here a pleasant one... but do not let me keep you from your business, which from the nature of your vessel, I would guess that you be traders. You do have goods for trade, yes?"

Sam is a bit taken aback for a few seconds. This sort of thing isn't in his usual line. But he seems to be in charge by default at the moment, so he grits his teeth and steps up to Tobarth.

"Aye, I'm Sam Starfall and this ship is tha Moonshadow. We... we do have some trade goods in our cargo hold, and we're looking ta pick up some supplies of our own. Particularly some parts for the ship. Had some, uh, wee mechanical problems. Ken you direct me ta somewhat who might be having in stock some parts fer a Norton-class starship?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

David looks around at the crowd and is glad his gasmask hides his face and unease. Inside, a hundred questions boil... What happened to the empire? Where are my family? He almost wants to strangle the cheery sounding mayor for answers...

But no. David distracts himself by watching for trouble and thinking of the bottle of good brandy sitting in his quaters.

[Perry Holley]

Sam is a bit taken aback for a few seconds. This sort of thing isn't in his usual line. But he seems to be in charge by default at the moment, so he grits his teeth and steps up to Tobarth.

"Aye, I'm Sam Starfall and this ship is tha Moonshadow. We... we do have some trade goods in our cargo hold, and we're looking ta pick up some supplies of our own. Particularly some parts for the ship. Had some, uh, wee mechanical problems. Ken you direct me ta somewhat who might be having in stock some parts fer a Norton-class starship?"The mayor seems slightly abashed. "Ahh, we don't really have anything like that here... not much traffic these days, to be honest. Maybe once or twice a year, and that's usually a ship from Horus, to collect what taxes we can spare. Perhaps one of our local mechanics can help you, though..."

(You know that Horus is one of three habitable planets in the Billhook system, about a dozen or so light years from Marcsfall)

"Well, unless there's anything else that I can specifically help you with, I'll leave you to do your business. Good luck finding those parts you're wanting." With that, unless you have any other specific questions for him, he wanders off, leaving you to deal with the rest of the onlookers and potential hagglers.

[Perry Holley]

David distracts himself by watching for trouble and thinking of the bottle of good brandy sitting in his quaters.As already noted, there are more than a few locals looking to trade goods. That fish that was mentioned might be good to go with the general food supplies, and perhaps those gems might make useful currency, dpending on how bad things are elsewhere on other worlds...

[MatthewC]

"Well, unless there's anything else that I can specifically help you with, I'll leave you to do your business. Good luck finding those parts you're wanting." With that, unless you have any other specific questions for him, he wanders off, leaving you to deal with the rest of the onlookers and potential hagglers.

Sam grits his teeth in a forced smile as the mayor leaves, then quickly turns and gestures Heather and Daniel into a huddle away from the crowd.

"It looks like they're nae inclined ta' jump us on landing, so I'm thinkin' we should split up ta better get things taken care of as quick as possible."

Sam first nods to David. "Tha' truth is, I'm nae any kind of cargomaster or trader. But if ah remember a certain dinner conversation from twelve years ago correctly, you were on yer way ta get established in some kind of business or... somewhat...."

He trails off vaguely, perhaps realizing how little he actually knows about David. "Well, it's more than me, anyway. Fer tha duration, ah'm appointin' you cargomaster. I want you ta' get whatever ya can fer the goods we have in tha Moonshadow's hold. Buy us tha' food supplies we need an' convert tha rest ta somewhat that'll spend here or on other worlds. I doon know yet how much we're goon ta have ta spend ta get a new modulator coil. Ah'll let you know when ah do. Boot fer god's sake, call one of us before ya accept any cash in hand. Wandering around penniless is one thing. Carryin' a wad a trade good with ya is another."

Sam gives David the portions of the data dealing with the Moonshadow's cargo and needed supplies. Then he jabs a thumb at himself. "I'm goon ta pay a visit ta some o' those local mechanics and see they have. We're not goon anywhere without that coil."

Finally, he points at Heather. "Ah want you ta figure out what the hell's happened in tha' past twelve years. Preferably without lettin' on tha' we doon know. And anything else aboot here tha' we ought ta know of."

Looking back and forth, he adds, "If tha' local constabulary wants ta' jump us, it wouldnae matter whether we're together or nae. Contrariwise, I expect both of ya know enough not ta go into dark alleys on an Outer World. But still, both of ya keep yer radios on and stay in touch."

Sam waits for questions or comments.

[BcAugust]

Heather nods, purely professional. "Indeed." A slight smile at the dark alleys bit, but she keeps her gun holstered in easy reach. "Don't forget about maybe trading services, David. What time exactly do you want us back, captian?"

[MatthewC]

Heather nods, purely professional. "Indeed." A slight smile at the dark alleys bit, but she keeps her gun holstered in easy reach. "Don't forget about maybe trading services, David. What time exactly do you want us back, captian?"

"We'll be in radio contact, so I dinnae see the need ta set a specific time. Just check in every couple o' hours, earlier if ya have something ta report, and we'll coordinate as events dictate." Sam seems on firmer ground now, more sure of himself.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather nods, purely professional. "Indeed." A slight smile at the dark alleys bit, but she keeps her gun holstered in easy reach. "Don't forget about maybe trading services, David. What time exactly do you want us back, captian?"

David nods, thinking about his fathers stories about the early days. where to start, where to start Survey the land! Checking the buldge of his gun without really thinking about it, David wanders around checking each offer, before deciding on any.

[MatthewC]

Seeing that David has gone to work, Sam spins about and heads into the crowd, asking anyone who looks like they know what they're about for directions to the closest or best local mechanic. Once he gets some guidance, he'll head off there.

[BcAugust]

Heather simply waits until the others are through the crowd, watching them to make sure they get clear and free, then heading out through the crowd herself, her military bearing showing, simply checking for the nearest bars, not speaking unless spoken too.

[Sam]

Seeing that David has gone to work, Sam spins about and heads into the crowd, asking anyone who looks like they know what they're about for directions to the closest or best local mechanic. Once he gets some guidance, he'll head off there.

As Sam moves through the crowd, a voice speaks from a point somewhere off to the side. It isn't a particularly loud voice, but it carries.

"If you're looking for spare parts, might be I know where you could get your hands on some."

Between the gas mask covering his face and the battered old parka protecting him from the elements, it's hard to tell much about the man. Tallish, and not fat, but beyond that, he could be anyone under those layers.

"Might be there's a mutually beneficial arrangement to be had, here."

[MatthewC]

"If you're looking for spare parts, might be I know where you could get your hands on some."

Between the gas mask covering his face and the battered old parka protecting him from the elements, it's hard to tell much about the man. Tallish, and not fat, but beyond that, he could be anyone under those layers.

"Might be there's a mutually beneficial arrangement to be had, here."

Sam is dressed in a worn spacer's tunic, a bit patched around the shoulders as if someone had to let the material out a bit. It looks warm enough, but there's not a lot of loose material flapping about, even the cuffs of his pants are tucked into his boots. He's also wearing a faded tool vest. The pockets are mostly sealed, but the heads of a few basic maintenance tools peek out, as well as a utility knife.

Sam himself is short, an inch or so under five feet, but he's built broadly and with a lot of meat packed into those squat five feet, very little of it fat. In short, he's a heavy-worlder, one of those whose ancestors were genetically engineered a long time ago to live on high gravity worlds. A lot of people don't like heavy worlders. More genetic engineering than some are comfortable with.

He walks closer in response to the stranger's offer. "Ya know where I might be gettin' parts fer a starship, do ya? All right, tha' is more than I got from yer useless Mayor Shalfa. However, as 'trustful' as I am of some stranger approochin' me on the street, perhaps you might be tellin' me who ya are and what mutual benefit ya have in mind."

Sam appears willing to listen, albeit not with a great deal of confidence in the stranger.

[OOC: I figured I owed a better description of Starfall.]

[Sam]

He walks closer in response to the stranger's offer. "Ya know where I might be gettin' parts fer a starship, do ya? All right, tha' is more than I got from yer useless Mayor Shalfa. However, as 'trustful' as I am of some stranger approochin' me on the street, perhaps you might be tellin' me who ya are and what mutual benefit ya have in mind."

Sam appears willing to listen, albeit not with a great deal of confidence in the stranger.

The stranger gestures at the crowd around them.

"Awful lot of ears around. How about I go buy you a drink, and you can listen to what I have to say somewhere a bit less open."

He tugs his hood down. "And a bit warmer'd be nice, too."

[MatthewC]

The stranger gestures at the crowd around them.

"Awful lot of ears around. How about I go buy you a drink, and you can listen to what I have to say somewhere a bit less open."

He tugs his hood down. "And a bit warmer'd be nice, too."

If it's possible, Sam looks even more skeptical.

"Oh aye, wouldnae want people hearin the details aboot a spare parts deal," he says with a certain sarcasm.

He follows up, though, by waving his hand in the direction of the nearest set of buildings. "Boot fine, ah'm not on a schedule. Let's go an you ken sell me on your deal. It oot ta be good for a laugh. I'll pick tha place, if you dinnae mind."

Sam walks off in the general direction of the city, apparently confident that any drinking establishment worth a spacer's time will have some signs out advertising itself. He adds, "If ya dinnae catch my intro to tha mayor, ah'm Sam Starfall, senior officer of the Moonshadow."

[Perry Holley]

David wanders around checking each offer, before deciding on any.David winds up speaking to several people, quickly weeding out the leeches and the scammers from the actual traders. He is able to make some prelimanary agreements for both the gemstones and the fish; he thinks he can get a pretty good deal on both. He also has picked up a couple of leads, one for general food supplies... and another for fine wines and liqueurs.

He also notes that, while the most common form of currency on Rivendale is a company scrip provided by Albany-Walsh, that everyone also accepts money from the 'Concordat of Horus', and that said money is the same as the money printed by the Empire... whatever loose cash David (or the others) have will be good here.

[Perry Holley]

Heather simply waits until the others are through the crowd, watching them to make sure they get clear and free, then heading out through the crowd herself, her military bearing showing, simply checking for the nearest bars, not speaking unless spoken too.Wandering away from the Moonshadow, Heather walks down a street at random until she sees the first obvios bar. 'The Dead Spacer', with a sign bearing a morbid image of a lifeless figure in a vacc suit, with the faceplate shattered.

[assuming Heather enters]

Making her way through the two-door system that acts as a simple but functional airlock, Heather steps into the bar, now able to remove her airmask. There's not much activity here at the moment. One man behind the bar, another in front of it sitting on a stool, sipping on a beer. A man and woman sit over at a table near the back. Music plays, the sound of a acoustic guitar and a woman's husky voice.

All eyes turn to Heather, as she stands at the doorway.

[BcAugust]

Heather scans the room, her stance ready, but not hostile. If anything, she seems amused at their reactions. Making her way to the bar, she scans the drinks, sitting down at the bar with her gun hand left free, and able to watch the rest of the room. "Got something decent to quench a thirst here?" Heather asks the bartender, a smile curling her lips, even as she wishes she had someone to watch her back here.

[Perry Holley]

Heather scans the room, her stance ready, but not hostile. If anything, she seems amused at their reactions. Making her way to the bar, she scans the drinks, sitting down at the bar with her gun hand left free, and able to watch the rest of the room. "Got something decent to quench a thirst here?" Heather asks the bartender, a smile curling her lips, even as she wishes she had someone to watch her back here.The bartender says nothing, but pulls out what appears to be some sort of whisky, and pours you a drink. It's slightly bitter, but not terribly unpleasant. You're used to the fact that the alcohols taste different on each world; this is hardly the worse you've tasted.

"You're obviously not from around here," he says, belaboring the obvious.

[Sam]

If it's possible, Sam looks even more skeptical.

"Oh aye, wouldnae want people hearin the details aboot a spare parts deal," he says with a certain sarcasm.

He follows up, though, by waving his hand in the direction of the nearest set of buildings. "Boot fine, ah'm not on a schedule. Let's go an you ken sell me on your deal. It oot ta be good for a laugh. I'll pick tha place, if you dinnae mind."

Sam walks off in the general direction of the city, apparently confident that any drinking establishment worth a spacer's time will have some signs out advertising itself. He adds, "If ya dinnae catch my intro to tha mayor, ah'm Sam Starfall, senior officer of the Moonshadow."

"Bill Cash." If he has any reaction to the sarcasm, he doesn't show it.

[Assuming they find a bar, Bill will buy a bottle of whiskey and get two glasses, and find an out of the way corner table.]

Finally in and away from the elements, Bill takes off his gas-mask and throws his hood back. He's an old fellow, bald on top and gray everywhere else. He has a protruding nose that's vaguely beaklike; his eyes put one in mind of a hawk.

"Sorry for being all mysterious-like. Fact of the matter is, though, you ain't likely to find what you need by going around asking about it. This rock never got much space travel, and what it did get's been at the bottom of a radioactive crater ever since the war. Now the only ships that come here are from Albany-Wash... and damned if they ain't profoundly uninterested in leaving anything behind we could use to get off this rock ourselves."

He drinks and looks pointedly at Sam.

"I hope you left someone guarding your ship. There's an awful lot of folks who'd like to get off this little world. You go around asking about parts, you're liable to attract their attention."

He smiles.

"Not that I'm much different. My asking price is a trip from here to anywhere else, when you go, same as theirs. Difference is, I've actually got something to offer you in trade. Last year another trader ship came through here, the Megan's Delight. Had some business to conduct down on the southern continent, nobody ever saw 'em again. Ain't nobody much lives down there, and they didn't tell anybody where they were going, so whatever happened to them, I reckon there's a perfectly good ship just collecting snow, waiting for someone to find it."

His smile widens a bit.

"Might be I took a gander at their map before they left. If I knew someone with a ship still flying, well, I might just be the only man on this rock knows where you can salvage any part you need, for no cost other than taking a hitchiker when you leave this hellhole in your exhaust."

[BcAugust]

The bartender says nothing, but pulls out what appears to be some sort of whisky, and pours you a drink. It's slightly bitter, but not terribly unpleasant. You're used to the fact that the alcohols taste different on each world; this is hardly the worse you've tasted.

"You're obviously not from around here," he says, belaboring the obvious.

Heather drinks, reminding herself that her alcohol tolerance has likely gone down. Still, she missed this. "Was born down Asmiov way, yeah." Heather keeps her ears open. "Been out for a while, traveling. It's going to be good to head home."

[MatthewC]

"Not that I'm much different. My asking price is a trip from here to anywhere else, when you go, same as theirs. Difference is, I've actually got something to offer you in trade. Last year another trader ship came through here, the Megan's Delight. Had some business to conduct down on the southern continent, nobody ever saw 'em again. Ain't nobody much lives down there, and they didn't tell anybody where they were going, so whatever happened to them, I reckon there's a perfectly good ship just collecting snow, waiting for someone to find it."

His smile widens a bit.

"Might be I took a gander at their map before they left. If I knew someone with a ship still flying, well, I might just be the only man on this rock knows where you can salvage any part you need, for no cost other than taking a hitchiker when you leave this hellhole in your exhaust."

The other glass sits on the table untouched. Sam makes no move to fill it as he listens to Bill Cash's story. His lips tighten a bit at the mention of a 'war', but he makes no attempt to interrupt.

Once Bill has finished, it takes Sam only a few seconds to process everything. The little man seems to be a lot smarter than he first appears.

"Oh, aye, I left some people on the Moonshadow ta give a taste of the laser turrent ta anyone trying ta board her. Dinnae fret yourself aboot that. Now as ta your deal; I'll be straight with ya and say how it is things stand.

"The Moonshadow's modulator coil is blown. If ya din know, tha's the gadget that makes tha Anderson drive work. Right now, we're good fer intra-system travel. Without a new coil, we're not goon ta be traveling ta any other star systems, though. The problem being, modulator coils are expensive as hell and a devil ta make. Frankly, you're right tha I'd nae expect ta find them in yer fair city, since ya dinnae have proper starship port facilites."

Sam holds up a hand as if to wave off this point. "Now, with access ta the prooper machine shops and lots of time and me probably being tha best engineer in this sector of space, (the immodesty of this statement doesn't seem to trouble him in the slightest) ah might be able ta cobble together somewhat eventually. Boot it would certainly be faster ta grab one off a salvage.

"I told ya the proceedin' as a bit of a warnin'. Noot ta impugn yer character, Mr. Cash, but as ya pointed out nae a minute ago, there's a lot of desperate people around here right a' tha moment. So if tha story ya told me was nae boot a load of bull, then tha best course of action would be fer you ta sit back an cool yer heels fer a few months while I see aboot buildin' a new coil. The Moonshadow being of little use ta you at tha moment. If on tha other hand, you wish ta stick by your story...."

Sam gives a small smile. "Well, I do believe we have some spare passenger space at tha moment. In tha case Bill, I'd be happy ta make a deal with ya for transport to a new system in return fer showing meself and me crew tha location where tha Megan's Delight was heading."

[FBHthelizardmage]

David winds up speaking to several people, quickly weeding out the leeches and the scammers from the actual traders. He is able to make some prelimanary agreements for both the gemstones and the fish; he thinks he can get a pretty good deal on both. He also has picked up a couple of leads, one for general food supplies... and another for fine wines and liqueurs.

He also notes that, while the most common form of currency on Rivendale is a company scrip provided by Albany-Walsh, that everyone also accepts money from the 'Concordat of Horus', and that said money is the same as the money printed by the Empire... whatever loose cash David (or the others) have will be good here.

David humms to himself. Fine wine and liqueurs sounds good... but on the other hand he's got some of that... David takes a deep breath and does the sensible thing, going to check the food store first.

[Perry Holley]

Heather drinks, reminding herself that her alcohol tolerance has likely gone down. Still, she missed this. "Was born down Asmiov way, yeah." Heather keeps her ears open. "Been out for a while, traveling. It's going to be good to head home.""Asimov," the bartended says, as if testing the word. "That's a long way from here."

"You're lucky... a lot of people can't go home anymore, what with the various starports either destroyed or in decline, most ships are falling apart piece by piece over the years, with fewer and fewer oppurtunities to fix them back up to keep them running. If your ship is still running, well... there's a lot of people who would do pretty much anything to get their hands on a working ship."

"You might want to watch your back. After everything that happened during the war, well... not everyone here on Rivendale looks too kindly toward offworlders these days."

[Perry Holley]

David humms to himself. Fine wine and liqueurs sounds good... but on the other hand he's got some of that... David takes a deep breath and does the sensible thing, going to check the food store first.Assuming he checks in with Isa at some point, she would be able to give him a 'grocery list' of what is needed. Checking through the markets, David has some doubts about how appealing the local fare is, what with it all being grown indoors (due to the toxic elements in the atmosphere), but he's able to restock what the ship needs, and at a good price... the local economy doesn't seem like it's that great, so by comparison the Imperial credit is fairly strong here.

[anything else David wants to do here?]

[BcAugust]

"Asimov," the bartended says, as if testing the word. "That's a long way from here."

"You're lucky... a lot of people can't go home anymore, what with the various starports either destroyed or in decline, most ships are falling apart piece by piece over the years, with fewer and fewer oppurtunities to fix them back up to keep them running. If your ship is still running, well... there's a lot of people who would do pretty much anything to get their hands on a working ship."

"You might want to watch your back. After everything that happened during the war, well... not everyone here on Rivendale looks too kindly toward offworlders these days."

Heather's eyes turn a bit cold, though her voice remains pleasent. "Pity. It's like people forget how much a planet tends to depend on offworld. Though if I'll drive off your customers, I'll be happy to leave." Heather still keeps an ear open for everyone behind her, though she's still watching the bartender.

[Perry Holley]

Heather's eyes turn a bit cold, though her voice remains pleasent. "Pity. It's like people forget how much a planet tends to depend on offworld. Though if I'll drive off your customers, I'll be happy to leave." Heather still keeps an ear open for everyone behind her, though she's still watching the bartender."Well... when a starship only shows up a couple of times per year, a planet learns to be self-sufficient. At least, some of them do. Remember, a lot of worlds, the ones just too damned dependant on Imperial tech for their continued survival, a lot of them just died off when the supply ships stopped coming in. Rivendale isn't as fortunate as some, but it's luckier than others. Sure, we lost people during the war, and lost even more afterwards when our native resources couldn't supply our remaining population... but we're still here, which is more than some worlds can say."

He pours you another drink. "Don't have no problem with you, as long as you can pay. Someone else has any guff with you, then you and them can take it outside."

The man sitting on the stool near the bar is looking at you with an uncertaint expression on his face. You don't what the couple near the back table are saying, but you can hear them whispering.

[BcAugust]

Heather reaches into her pouch, one hand still free to rest on her gun, and counts out by touch enough to pay the bartender and give him a decent tip. "Thanks." Heather stands, lightly stretching. "Better to be getting back. The captain runs a tight ship." Heather moves, senses alert, though she walks lazily back through the tavern, passing by the table with the couple and stretching her ears.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Assuming he checks in with Isa at some point, she would be able to give him a 'grocery list' of what is needed. Checking through the markets, David has some doubts about how appealing the local fare is, what with it all being grown indoors (due to the toxic elements in the atmosphere), but he's able to restock what the ship needs, and at a good price... the local economy doesn't seem like it's that great, so by comparison the Imperial credit is fairly strong here.

[anything else David wants to do here?]

Obviously, having restocked the ship, David is thirsty, thus, the next step is to find a bar, get a drink, (not that much of a drink, but none the less, a drink) and assess the lay of the land... and any attractive locals.

[Perry Holley]

Heather moves, senses alert, though she walks lazily back through the tavern, passing by the table with the couple and stretching her ears.Said couple become strangely quiet as you pass.

[Where is Heather going to next? Back to the ship? Another bar? Somewhere else?]

[Perry Holley]

Obviously, having restocked the ship, David is thirsty, thus, the next step is to find a bar, get a drink, (not that much of a drink, but none the less, a drink) and assess the lay of the land... and any attractive locals.Finding a local bar, The Scalded Dog, David notes that some of the locals are a bit surly, but not outright hostile toward him. A few attractive females definately seems interested in David... as long as he's buying the drinks, that is.

[Play this out as much or as little as you want...]

[FBHthelizardmage]

Finding a local bar, The Scalded Dog, David notes that some of the locals are a bit surly, but not outright hostile toward him. A few attractive females definately seems interested in David... as long as he's buying the drinks, that is.

[Play this out as much or as little as you want...]

David does indeed buy, though not to freely. He's got no intention of waking up dead in some back alley. Rather, he spends his time chatting up any and all people who show an intrest in his somewhat rogueish good looks.

[MatthewC]

[OOC: Per Perry's request.]

Soon enough the call goes out over the radio. "This is Sam. If you're nae in the middle of somewhat, meet me back at the ship. I have a lead on what we need."

When everyone is finally assembled in the Moonshadow's lounge, there's a new face present. (As per Sam-the-player's earlier description.)

Starfall explains, "This is Bill Cash. As ya heard from tha' mayor when we landed, there's nae proper port facilities on this world 'n consequently nae much chance of buying a modulator coil. However, a bit back tha trader ship Megan's Delight came through town n' disappeared whilst down in Rivendale's southern continent. Bill here got a peek at the Megan's charts before they went missin', an he's willing ta share this information with us in return for passage off-planet. My hope is that we'll be able ta salvage an intact modulator coil from tha Megan an use it ta get tha Moonshadow's FTL back on line."

He looks at David and Heather. "How'd tha two of you make out?"

[BcAugust]

Heather looks slightly mistrustful. "How much have you told him, captain?"

[MatthewC]

Heather looks slightly mistrustful. "How much have you told him, captain?"

"Ah told'm that we need some parts ta fix that ship, specifically a new modulator coil," Starfall answers easily enough.

He then shrugs and adds, "An I'll noo tell him tha rest, because actin' like we've got secrets ta keep is only goon ta make tha man all paranoid."

Turning to Bill, Sam explains. "I dinnae mention tha timeframe when our FTL broke doon, Mr. Cash. The facts are, while in transit from New Texas ta here, there was an attempted hijacking o' tha ship by some o' tha passengers. With tha aid o' a certain scum crewmember they conspired with, they very nearly succeeded. We were able ta poot tha bastards doon, but in tha process, our Anderson drive got a wee bit damaged.

"This was twelve years ago. We had nae choice but ta enter cryosleep 'n coast into tha system here. Now tha we've woken up, we seem ta be a mite oot o' date, what with a crater where tha' capital o' this planet used ta be and all this talk o' a war. Ah decided nae ta let on our situation fer tha present, boot I think we 'n you have a congruence o' interests, and keeping it a secret while carrying ya as a passenger would be more of a pain than ah want ta deal with."

[Sam]

[Sorry about my sudden disappearance, everybody. I had a huge overtime project dropped on me at work that's pretty much sucked up all my time from waking up to going to sleep.]

Bill's eyes widen a bit.

"You folks missed an interesting twelve years. Then again, there's that old curse about living in interesting times. Reckon you folks may have picked a good twelve years to miss."

He frowns.

"Hope none of you folks were real keen on the Empire. Glorious revolution of the people did a pretty good job of putting paid to that. 'Course, it also turned anybody thought they could run things better into a warlord fighting for the scraps of what's left. And killed a whole lot of plain folks didn't have nothing to do with the damn Empire."

His face darkens a bit when he says that.

"Like I say. Interesting times."

[BcAugust]

Heather grows still, then, in a low tone, curses like only a Marine can curse, closing her eyes to hide what she's thinking from the others. After a few minutes, the corner of her mouth twitches.

"Anyone keep records or are those lost too?"

[Sam]

He shrugs.

"We ain't exactly got an overabundance of trees on Rivendale, so we don't have much by way of newspapers. Probably find some news vids, if you ask around a bit."

[FBHthelizardmage]

(don't expect to see much if any of me for a few days, my broad band went wrong, and won't be fixed till tommarow at the earlist)

David takes a deep breath "And what's this Horus thing? why's it use imperial coins?"

[Sam]

David takes a deep breath "And what's this Horus thing? why's it use imperial coins?"

"Horus is the world that runs this little patch of the 'verse, now. Tesla didn't do so well in the war. Horus was more'n happy to step in for 'em. Anyway, that's the theory. Really, they're just the beauracrats, handle the bookkeeping. Near as anybody can tell from down here, Albany-Walsh is really making the calls. But I guess the corps like to make sure there's what looks like a genuine honest to goodness government running the show."

[MatthewC]

Sam leans back against the table, looking thoughtful, while Bill expounds on the quasi-collapse of civilization. He speaks up, "I'm goon ta need a while ta take all this in. In the meanwhile, I'll joost see aboot getting some of those charts together for you to look at."

Consulting with Isa, he goes to the bridge to see if there are any charts on file or snapshots of the planet's surface taken on approach.

[Perry Holley]

Consulting with Isa, he goes to the bridge to see if there are any charts on file or snapshots of the planet's surface taken on approach.Isa pulls up a holographic image of Rivendale, based on the orbital scan the Moonshadow took before landing. Looking at the area that Bill indicated, a basic study shows only a small patch of trees, nothing out of the ordinary. However, as Isa points out, "this is only a basic scanshot. I only did an extended scan on those areas of immediate interest, such as Moriarity and Blacksilver. If you would like, we can go into orbit and do a full scan on the area that Mr. Cash has indicated."

[if you choose to do so, let me know whether you do so immediately, or wait a few hours for the supplies that David traded for to show up.]

[BcAugust]

Heather seems slightly withdrawn, pulling back away from the group, though still keeping an eye on Bill. "What do you think the chances of a hijacking attempt are?" Obviously leaving everything else for later. "And how many people would be in it?"

[Who is Heather asking this of? - Perry]

[Bill. And also trying to draw David in.]

[MatthewC]

Isa pulls up a holographic image of Rivendale, based on the orbital scan the Moonshadow took before landing. Looking at the area that Bill indicated, a basic study shows only a small patch of trees, nothing out of the ordinary. However, as Isa points out, "this is only a basic scanshot. I only did an extended scan on those areas of immediate interest, such as Moriarity and Blacksilver. If you would like, we can go into orbit and do a full scan on the area that Mr. Cash has indicated."

[if you choose to do so, let me know whether you do so immediately, or wait a few hours for the supplies that David traded for to show up.]

Sam will wait for the supplies to arrive, unless somebody has a good reason not to wait.

[Sam]

Heather seems slightly withdrawn, pulling back away from the group, though still keeping an eye on Bill. "What do you think the chances of a hijacking attempt are?" Obviously leaving everything else for later. "And how many people would be in it?"


Bill drums his fingers on one of the consoles, considering.

"Hard to say for sure. We don't get much traffic in here other'n Albany-Walsh, and nobody messes with them -- they're the ones with the medicine keeps the air on this goddamm rock from killing us all. But what few trade vessels we get come well armed and don't stay long, so they must take the risk pretty serious."

He shrugs.

"Put it this way. I was you, I wouldn't stay on the ground no longer'n I had to."

[Perry Holley]

A few hours pass, as the various goods David traded for arrive. Nothing untoward happens - perhaps anyone thinking of doing so might be expecting you to hang around a bit longer. As the last of the goods are loaded, Isa prepares the Moonshadow for takeoff.

Rising from the flat rock ground, the ship rises above the pull of gravity, up into the planet's atmosphere. Time passes, until the ship reaches a point in orbit above Rivendale. More time passes, as the Moonshadow moves to a point where it can do a full sensor scan on the area in question.

Finally, Isa triggers the holographic display, which zooms in on the target area. To all appearances, it simply appears to be a stretch of land with some trees and other foilage. No sign of a ship, or anything else for that matter.

Then Isa activates the full sensor scan.

When the infrared scan sweeps over the area, an unusual image appears. A very faint heat pattern radiates out from a particular location... but the center of that location shows no unusual heat activity. There is a location a hundred meters or so in diameter where everything appears normal, but past that the faint heat signature comes out from all sides.

Isa's voice is even. "Someone is attempting to hide something."

[MatthewC]

When the infrared scan sweeps over the area, an unusual image appears. A very faint heat pattern radiates out from a particular location... but the center of that location shows no unusual heat activity. There is a location a hundred meters or so in diameter where everything appears normal, but past that the faint heat signature comes out from all sides.

Isa's voice is even. "Someone is attempting to hide something."

"Ya dinnae say," Sam mutters.

He looks towards the rest of the crew and passengers. "Tha faster we ken come doon an tha less thrusters we use doin' it, tha greater chance that anyone hiding behind tha camoflauge will nae notice us. I doon suppose any of you are a real hotshot pilot? I could maybe take the controls in an emergency, boot I'm nae aboot ta try pulling off a fast landing."

[BcAugust]

Heather shakes her head. Then waits to see if the others respond. "No idea on how, I'm afraid."

[FBHthelizardmage]

David humms. "I'll give it a go if you want. I'm checked out on flying ships like this. Got a damn good mark to." he looks at Sam to move over and let him at the controls.

[MatthewC]

David humms. "I'll give it a go if you want. I'm checked out on flying ships like this. Got a damn good mark to." he looks at Sam to move over and let him at the controls.

Sam sidles out of the way, not (it must be said), looking entirely confident in David's abilities.

"Ah'll take ya at your word, lad. Buckle doon, everyone. Doon't want ta get thrown aboot if there's... trouble. Try ta pick a landin' site oot a view o' tha area in question, Davie."

Sam secures himself to a seat and watches David like a parent who has just entrusted their child to a babysitter of questionable references.

[FBHthelizardmage]

(I'll spend a Drama point on this Roll Perry) David stretches slightly then drops into the control seat Sam has just vacated. "Now then."

[Perry Holley]

David spends a few moments studying the instrument panel, before taking the Moonshadow out of orbit and into a slow dive through Rivendale's atmosphere. Relying primarily on the antigrav, he uses only a minimum of thrusterwork, primarily to keep the ship from getting knocked around too much from the planet's rough crosswinds. Aiming for a clearing between the trees, which is perhaps a hundred meters in diameter, and about a couple of kilometers from the target site. As the ship approaches, he holds off on using the thrusters until the Moonshadow is below the tree line, at which point he uses both the antigrav and thrusters the ease the ship gently down into the clearing. With only the slightest of noticable impact, the Moonshadow touches down... hopefully hidden from any prying eyes.

[MatthewC]

"Nae a bad landing at all, Mister Adams," Sam says with perhaps a bit too much surprise to be entirely complimentary.

He unstraps himself. "Noo that we're doon, we still have the hard part ta get through. Ah have ta go, ta make sure that tha coil gets taken oot properly. And if ah have to go, I'd nae mind having a couple o' 'volunteers' ta make sure whoever's doon there doesnae blow off valuable parts of my anatomy."

Sam jabs his two index fingers at David and Heather respectively as he says this last. There's a wild little grin on his face that seems to be surpressed fear.

"Oh, and you Mister Cash, agreed ta find us tha missin' ship, so tha way I see it, yoor with us till tha ship is found."

Without waiting for a response, Sam heads to the stairs leading to the lower deck. He shoots back over his shoulder, "Ah'm goon ta my workshop ta see if I ken rig up something ta help us with tha camoflauge field. Tha rest of you had best prepare as you see fit."

And with that, he's gone.

[OOC: Sam will try to come up with some sort of device that can detect whatever camoflauge field is up there... and it would hurt if he could create something that could see through it, while he's at it. I leave it to you, Perry, to decide what he can manage.]

[Perry Holley]

Without waiting for a response, Sam heads to the stairs leading to the lower deck. He shoots back over his shoulder, "Ah'm goon ta my workshop ta see if I ken rig up something ta help us with tha camoflauge field. Tha rest of you had best prepare as you see fit."

And with that, he's gone.

[OOC: Sam will try to come up with some sort of device that can detect whatever camoflauge field is up there... and it would hurt if he could create something that could see through it, while he's at it. I leave it to you, Perry, to decide what he can manage.]Sam spends a few minutes in his workshop, going over different sensory/scanning equipment that he has available, eventually deciding on a few specific pieces of equipment that he hopes will do the job for the task at hand.

[Sam]

Bill unzips his parka. Undeneath, he's wearing a gun-belt with two guns strapped onto it, a number of clips of ammunition, and a few pockets and pouches. Working with the casual efficiency of someone who's done something so many times it's become reflex, he takes the belt off, zips up the parka, and repositions it on the outside of his coat. Then he carefully unloads and reloads each of the guns, and checks them both over to make sure they're in working order.

The first gun is a standard mid-caliber pistol of the type that's gone largely unchanged for centuries.

The second looks like more of a custom number. It's larger than most pistols, sports a scope that looks like it was probably cutting edge thirty years ago, and a longer barrel than you typically see on a handgun.

Once everything's been checked and positioned, Bill puts his hands back in his pockets and waits quietly for his marching orders.

[BcAugust]

Heather prepares, the gun, a couple of knives for close in fighting, and a med kit, carefully stocking it with the expression of someone who doesn't want to think about what may be coming up.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David also loads up with his gun and ammo, and varies other essentials such as a hip flask of brandy.

[Perry Holley]

As our four wayward travelers leave the ship, they notice it's a bit cooler here than it was in Moriarity, although not too bad, about 5 degrees Celsius. Being inside this particular stretch of trees, you're thankful that you don't have to deal with the worse of the wind... were you on the open plain, wind chill would no doubt make things much, much colder.

There doesn't appear to be any sort of actual trails, but fortunately the trees are spaced a fair distance apart, and while there's a bit of shrubs and smaller plantlife, there also appears to be plenty of room to maneuver between the trees.

[MatthewC]

Sam is fairly loaded down, carrying a large toolbox in one hand. Everything he thinks he'll need, apparently, for a bit of salvage work. He pushes the collar of his jumpsuit completely closed and shivers a bit.

"Nice day fer a walk in tha woods. Too bad ah hate tha woods," he says, voice muffled a bit by breathing mask

With his free hand, he pulls a small sensor from his belt and turns it on. Then he begins to walk forward, sweeping the sensor back and forth, and trying to pick up the right direction in the read-out.

[BcAugust]

Heather just shakes her head, looking around. No sign of emotion crosses her face as she walks carefully near the group, keeping her eyes open.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Unless She makes a move to Disad him, David walks by Heather, seeming to take comfort from her prescence.

[Perry Holley]

It takes almost a hour, making your way through the trees and foilage. As you aproach your destination, Sam realizes that, for the moment, he need not had brought along his various sensory equipment.

The area in question is a small clearing about a hundred meters in diameter, surrounded by the various trees growing here. Strung up from the tops of the trees, crisscrossing like a spider's web, are a series of electrical wires. Sam surmises that these wires are used to create a holographic image to any overhead viewing, but because they only cover above the ground, and do not 'enclose' said area from the sides, that they do not prevent you from seeing the what is at the clearing, just as it failed to prevent the infrared scanning from picking up on the heat signature 'leaking' off from the sides.

Underneath the wires, in the clearing, are two objects of immediate interest. The first is a small starship, presumably the Megan's Delight. Both David and Sam figure it to be an Isis-class free trader, a little smaller in size compared to the Moonshadow. It looks like it's been here a while.

The other item is a small building, near the center of the clearing. It doesn't like either the various mining operations that Bill has seen over the years, nor does it look quite like a private residence. To Heather's eyes, it looks very much like some sort of government research facility.

[BcAugust]

Heather puts up a hand to stop the others, looking around to where she's seen people put guard posts, staying completely silent and carefully holstering her weapon slowly while straightening her back, coming to military attention. She then nods toward the building, looking at Sam. "that's government. We've likely already been spotted if there's Marines here."


It takes almost a hour, making your way through the trees and foilage. As you aproach your destination, Sam realizes that, for the moment, he need not had brought along his various sensory equipment.

The area in question is a small clearing about a hundred meters in diameter, surrounded by the various trees growing here. Strung up from the tops of the trees, crisscrossing like a spider's web, are a series of electrical wires. Sam surmises that these wires are used to create a holographic image to any overhead viewing, but because they only cover above the ground, and do not 'enclose' said area from the sides, that they do not prevent you from seeing the what is at the clearing, just as it failed to prevent the infrared scanning from picking up on the heat signature 'leaking' off from the sides.

Underneath the wires, in the clearing, are two objects of immediate interest. The first is a small starship, presumably the Megan's Delight. Both David and Sam figure it to be an Isis-class free trader, a little smaller in size compared to the Moonshadow. It looks like it's been here a while.

The other item is a small building, near the center of the clearing. It doesn't like either the various mining operations that Bill has seen over the years, nor does it look quite like a private residence. To Heather's eyes, it looks very much like some sort of government research facility.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather puts up a hand to stop the others, looking around to where she's seen people put guard posts, staying completely silent and carefully holstering her weapon slowly while straightening her back, coming to military attention. She then nods toward the building, looking at Sam. "that's government. We've likely already been spotted if there's Marines here."

David stops at Heathers urging, looks at her, then all around.

[MatthewC]

Heather puts up a hand to stop the others, looking around to where she's seen people put guard posts, staying completely silent and carefully holstering her weapon slowly while straightening her back, coming to military attention. She then nods toward the building, looking at Sam. "that's government. We've likely already been spotted if there's Marines here."

Sam looks around too. He whispers, "Well do ya have any good ideas for what ta do next then? Somehow ah'm thinkin' 'We're here ta steal your Anderson coil,' isnae goon ta go over well."

[Sam]

While the others talk, Bill watches for any sign of anyone else near them -- a flicker of motion, a flash of color, anything. He thumbs a switch on his gun's scope, bringing it online.

"Way I see it, we got two options. Either we go in and get that coil, or you stay on Rivendale. Your call."

[BcAugust]

Heather's eyes keep flicking over the grounds, looking for any clues at residency, or if there's even anyone there. "Shoot that and I'll put you into the ground myself." Her voice is cold. "Captain, we might be able to get the coil if they aren't here. If they are, and depending on training, do you want to attack them to pirate their ship?"

While the others talk, Bill watches for any sign of anyone else near them -- a flicker of motion, a flash of color, anything. He thumbs a switch on his gun's scope, bringing it online.

"Way I see it, we got two options. Either we go in and get that coil, or you stay on Rivendale. Your call."

[MatthewC]

Heather's eyes keep flicking over the grounds, looking for any clues at residency, or if there's even anyone there. "Shoot that and I'll put you into the ground myself." Her voice is cold. "Captain, we might be able to get the coil if they aren't here. If they are, and depending on training, do you want to attack them to pirate their ship?"

"I doon want ta attack anyone." Sam shakes his head.

"Tha' thing we want is on tha ship. So let's try gettin' aboard there and seeing if we ken grab it first thing. If an objector pops out ta stop us we'll- we'll deal with that as seems appropriate ta who has more guns. Now let's go before someone sees us and decides ta do somewhat first."

Suiting deeds to words, Sam heads for the ship's entrance hatch to see if it's unlocked or what.

[Sam]

Bill keeps his watch up, covering Sam as best he can.

[If Sam makes it to the ship unmolested, Bill will follow. If somebody starts shooting, Bill will return the favor.]

[Perry Holley]

[Apologies for the delay - I was waiting to see if anyone would try to stop Sam - and then real life delayed me a bit longer]

As Sam approaches the Megan's Delight, he notices what looks like damage on the underside of the ship, possibly from some sort of laser large weapon. Having never served aboard an Isis-class vessel, Sam can't be certain, but he thinks that where the damage is on the ship corresponds roughly to the engine area.

Sam encounters no difficulties stepping up to the door hatch. As noted earlier, the Isis-class ships are somewhat smaller than the Norton-class counterparts - it's a one-level ship, not multi-leveled like the Moonshadow - so he doesn't need a ramp to get up to the hatch. Testing the door, he discovers that it is in fact unlocked...

[FBHthelizardmage]

[Apologies for the delay - I was waiting to see if anyone would try to stop Sam - and then real life delayed me a bit longer]

As Sam approaches the Megan's Delight, he notices what looks like damage on the underside of the ship, possibly from some sort of laser large weapon. Having never served aboard an Isis-class vessel, Sam can't be certain, but he thinks that where the damage is on the ship corresponds roughly to the engine area.

Sam encounters no difficulties stepping up to the door hatch. As noted earlier, the Isis-class ships are somewhat smaller than the Norton-class counterparts - it's a one-level ship, not multi-leveled like the Moonshadow - so he doesn't need a ramp to get up to the hatch. Testing the door, he discovers that it is in fact unlocked...

David advances into the clearing and moves towards the ship behind Sam.

[BcAugust]

Heather shakes her head, keeping her eyes open wide to catch any movement around the ship, not stepping closer. "Impatience will get you killed." She says, under her breath.

[MatthewC]

Sam encounters no difficulties stepping up to the door hatch. As noted earlier, the Isis-class ships are somewhat smaller than the Norton-class counterparts - it's a one-level ship, not multi-leveled like the Moonshadow - so he doesn't need a ramp to get up to the hatch. Testing the door, he discovers that it is in fact unlocked...

Sam slowly eases the door open, keeping his body out of line of sight of the entrance. Assuming that no gunshots fire out (a big assumption I know), he'll cautiously peek inside.

[Perry Holley]

Sam slowly eases the door open, keeping his body out of line of sight of the entrance. Assuming that no gunshots fire out (a big assumption I know), he'll cautiously peek inside.The hatch creaks a bit as it opens... evidently it hasn't been used in a while. As Sam peers inside, the hallway lights begin to light up. There is no motion, and nobody, inside the hallway, but there is a dark brownish stain on the floor that trails from where the hallway meets the door hatch to the T-intersection that leads off to different parts of the ship. The stain is largest where it ends on the wall of the T-intersection. It's as if something splashed or splattered against the hallway wall, and was then drug or pulled out along the hallway and through the hatch.

[MatthewC]

The hatch creaks a bit as it opens... evidently it hasn't been used in a while. As Sam peers inside, the hallway lights begin to light up. There is no motion, and nobody, inside the hallway, but there is a dark brownish stain on the floor that trails from where the hallway meets the door hatch to the T-intersection that leads off to different parts of the ship. The stain is largest where it ends on the wall of the T-intersection. It's as if something splashed or splattered against the hallway wall, and was then drug or pulled out along the hallway and through the hatch.

"Aww, hell," Sam mutters under his breath as he looks at what he strongly suspects are bloodstains.

Sam hesitates a moment, then backs out far enough to be visible to Heather (I presume that Bill and David are close behind him). He makes a 'come-hither' gesture to her, turns to David and makes a gesture for 'quiet', and then steps into the hatch.

Moving up to the T-intersection, Sam peers out in either direction and tries to figure which way would lead him to the engine room.

[Perry Holley]

Heather shakes her head, keeping her eyes open wide to catch any movement around the ship, not stepping closer. "Impatience will get you killed." She says, under her breath.Heather doesn't see anything unusual at the moment, beyond the actions of her comrades.

"Aww, hell," Sam mutters under his breath as he looks at what he strongly suspects are bloodstains.

Sam hesitates a moment, then backs out far enough to be visible to Heather (I presume that Bill and David are close behind him). He makes a 'come-hither' gesture to her, turns to David and makes a gesture for 'quiet', and then steps into the hatch.

Moving up to the T-intersection, Sam peers out in either direction and tries to figure which way would lead him to the engine room.It seems a basic enough design... going right should lead to the bridge at the front of the ship, So Sam turns left to head back to the engine room. He passes a few doors on the right side of the hallway, presumably leading to various quarters.

Entering into the engineering section of the ship, Sam notes distatefully the dust that has built up back here. He brightens up when noting that, while the fuel purifier and the manuever drives both are damaged, perhaps irrepairably, that the Anderson drive appears to not have been hit by whatever had damaged the Megan's Delight.

[BcAugust]

Heather does go to the ship, still wary of the world around her, then looking in and studying the bloodstains, trying to get an idea of what could have happened. (Med Roll, I imagine) "If Sam finds what we're looking for, I suggest we get off quickly." As she stays by the doorway.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David looks around the ships gloomy interior. "what do you guys want me to do? I've not got much experience of this stuff?"

[Perry Holley]

Heather does go to the ship, still wary of the world around her, then looking in and studying the bloodstains, trying to get an idea of what could have happened.The bloodstains are obviously old. There's not a lot to work with, but as far as Heather can tell, someone at the t-intersection was injured (shot, most likely)... and then their body dragged back out through the door hatch.

[BcAugust]

"David, watch for Sam." She gives a look to Bill, then shakes her head "If you know how to shoot that gun of yours, why don't you come with me? I want to check out that shack as soon as Sam pulls the parts he needs."

[MatthewC]

Entering into the engineering section of the ship, Sam notes distatefully the dust that has built up back here. He brightens up when noting that, while the fuel purifier and the manuever drives both are damaged, perhaps irrepairably, that the Anderson drive appears to not have been hit by whatever had damaged the Megan's Delight.

Sam goes directly to work trying to remove the parts he needs from the Anderson Drive. No time like the present and no point in waiting, he thinks.

[Sam]

"David, watch for Sam." She gives a look to Bill, then shakes her head "If you know how to shoot that gun of yours, why don't you come with me? I want to check out that shack as soon as Sam pulls the parts he needs."

Bill raises an eyebrow at Heather's comment, but otherwise his usual sour expression doesn't change.

"I'll try'n keep up."

[FBHthelizardmage]

"David, watch for Sam." She gives a look to Bill, then shakes her head "If you know how to shoot that gun of yours, why don't you come with me? I want to check out that shack as soon as Sam pulls the parts he needs."

David nods and follows Sam into the ship.

[Perry Holley]

"David, watch for Sam." She gives a look to Bill, then shakes her head "If you know how to shoot that gun of yours, why don't you come with me? I want to check out that shack as soon as Sam pulls the parts he needs."
Bill raises an eyebrow at Heather's comment, but otherwise his usual sour expression doesn't change.

"I'll try'n keep up."As Bill and Heather approach the building, both of them notice several minor details... the slight trail leading to the doorway that seems recent though perhaps sporadically used, the footprints that seem to be somewhat deep into the ground for prints their size, the lack of any animal or insect life in the immediate vicinity, the slight hum of electricity that seems to emenate from the building...

Both being pretty much equally observant, Bill and Heather also notice at the same time the small barrel-like objects that quietly protudes from the left and right corners of the building, just before each of them fires an electrical beam at Bill and Heather respectively. Bill dodges out of the way of the blast aimed at him, but only barely; the hairs on his arms and neck on standing on end, due to just how close the electrical beam passed by him. Heather, a shade slower than Bill, isn't quite so lucky, and she gets clipped by the other beam, although it was more of a graze than a direct hit. Even so, she's hurt and more than a bit stunned by the attack.

[Heather took 20 points of damage]

[BcAugust]

[Spending a hero point to half] Heather, instincts coming to the fore, and trained reflexes, rolled back out of the perimeter, standing up and shaking a bit from the shock. "Ok, that's interesting..."

She motions Bill to watch that as she looks through the med kit. "Ok, there has to be a power supply to them, anything showing up to your eyes?"

(Using med to treat the aftereffects of the shock. And did it feel like warning or killing?)

As Bill and Heather approach the building, both of them notice several minor details... the slight trail leading to the doorway that seems recent though perhaps sporadically used, the footprints that seem to be somewhat deep into the ground for prints their size, the lack of any animal or insect life in the immediate vicinity, the slight hum of electricity that seems to emenate from the building...

Both being pretty much equally observant, Bill and Heather also notice at the same time the small barrel-like objects that quietly protudes from the left and right corners of the building, just before each of them fires an electrical beam at Bill and Heather respectively. Bill dodges out of the way of the blast aimed at him, but only barely; the hairs on his arms and neck on standing on end, due to just how close the electrical beam passed by him. Heather, a shade slower than Bill, isn't quite so lucky, and she gets clipped by the other beam, although it was more of a graze than a direct hit. Even so, she's hurt and more than a bit stunned by the attack.

[Heather took 20 points of damage]

[Perry Holley]

[Spending a hero point to half][Noted]

Heather, instincts coming to the fore, and trained reflexes, rolled back out of the perimeter, standing up and shaking a bit from the shock. "Ok, that's interesting..."Heather narrowly dodges another blast before she makes it to the tree line (the beams have enough range to attack anywhere in the clearing... and yes, that means that if wither Sam or David step out of the Megan's Delight, they're also open targets).

She motions Bill to watch that as she looks through the med kit. "Ok, there has to be a power supply to them, anything showing up to your eyes?"

(Using med to treat the aftereffects of the shock. Neither Sam nor Heather spot any sort of obvious power source, at least, not from their angle. Could be one inside, or perhaps it's just on the back side of the building...

[Heather is able to heal another 3 points of damage, leaving her only 7 LP down.]

And did it feel like warning or killing?)Definately more than just a warning. A solid hit from one of those beams [doing 40+ points of damage] would have, at the least, knocked you out, and possibly killed you.

[Sam]

Neither Bill nor Heather spot any sort of obvious power source, at least, not from their angle. Could be one inside, or perhaps it's just on the back side of the building...

From his cover out at the tree line, Bill uses his gun's scope to get a closer look at one of the mounted energy guns.

"Don't see any power sources. Must be using something to target, though. It's possible I could take that out..."

[Bill is looking for cameras, sensors, or any other device that someone or something could be using to aim the guns. If he can find anything like that, he's going to try to shoot it.]

[Perry Holley]

Through his scope, Bill sees that both of the blasters each has a small camera as part of it's overall mechanism.

Taking a few moments to sight them in, Bill then rapidly fires off two shots, each hitting its target, disabling both cameras.

[Sam]

"That ought to do 'er, unless there's more cameras hidden somewhere."

Bill snaps a branch off one of the trees, and throws it out into the clearing to see if the guns react.

"You alright, Miss? Looked like you got a mite singed back there."

[Perry Holley]

Bill snaps a branch off one of the trees, and throws it out into the clearing to see if the guns react. No reaction from the guns.

[BcAugust]

Heather takes a deep breath. "Just grazed, not cooked. I hate those things. Though it doesn't make sense, they should have activated earlier..." Heather doesn't step out into the clearing. "I'm starting to wonder what's really going on. Internal fighting?"

"That ought to do 'er, unless there's more cameras hidden somewhere."

Bill snaps a branch off one of the trees, and throws it out into the clearing to see if the guns react.

"You alright, Miss? Looked like you got a mite singed back there."

[Sam]

Heather takes a deep breath. "Just grazed, not cooked. I hate those things. Though it doesn't make sense, they should have activated earlier..." Heather doesn't step out into the clearing. "I'm starting to wonder what's really going on. Internal fighting?"

"Could be. Myself, I'm not terribly interested in finding out. I reckon now that we have those guns taken out, we should get the parts we need and get out of here before one of us catches a bullet or a lightning bolt for real."

He shrugs.

"But I ain't the one driving."

[MatthewC]

With the engineering section of the 'Megan's Delight', Sam cocks his head to the side, as if wondering if he just heard the distant sound of two gunshots. After a moment, he seems to decide that he didn't hear anything, and he goes back to work... whistling quietly to himself.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David is slightly more disquieted by the sound, "What do you thinks happening out there?" he asks Sam quietly.

[MatthewC]

David is slightly more disquieted by the sound, "What do you thinks happening out there?" he asks Sam quietly.

Sam stops working for a moment. "What, ya think somewhat is happenin' out there? Ah mean, ah'm sure they're just guarding tha entrance quiet-like.... Doc Glockton wouldna shy away from beeping us on tha radio if somewhat woos amiss, right?"

[Perry Holley]

After a few minutes of careful work, Sam is able to seperate the Anderson coil from the rest of the drive. Looking around, he sees a lot of other parts and mechanisms that could be used as spares and backups for the Moonshadow. A shame there isn't more time, as spare parts may be hard to come by in the future, if what happened to Rivendale's starport is any indication...

[Also, how does Heather respond to Bill's question to her?]

[BcAugust]

After a few minutes of careful work, Sam is able to seperate the Anderson coil from the rest of the drive. Looking around, he sees a lot of other parts and mechanisms that could be used as spares and backups for the Moonshadow. A shame there isn't more time, as spare parts may be hard to come by in the future, if what happened to Rivendale's starport is any indication...

[Also, how does Heather respond to Bill's question to her?]

(Perry, did you not get my pm? Question was if the radio was fried or not.)

[MatthewC]

After a few minutes of careful work, Sam is able to seperate the Anderson coil from the rest of the drive. Looking around, he sees a lot of other parts and mechanisms that could be used as spares and backups for the Moonshadow. A shame there isn't more time, as spare parts may be hard to come by in the future, if what happened to Rivendale's starport is any indication...

Sam ties the coil to a backpack-style harness, which he then thrusts at David. "Poot this on, will ya? If we hae ta start roonin, yoor legs are longer than mine."

He looks around the engine room with what can only be described as an expression of quiet greed. He says to David, "This ship isnae goon anywhere again with tha main drive shot like tha'. Under tha circumstances, it seems like noot but a waste ta leave all these fine bits o' replacement gadgets sittin' here, with naught ta do but slowly corrode away. We cannae cart them all oot on our backs, boot if it was safe ta move the ship in closer.... Well, maybe we should see what tha Doctor has uncovered."

The short engineer starts moving towards the exit, though not without a lingering glance at the potential spare parts.

[Perry Holley]

(Perry, did you not get my pm? Question was if the radio was fried or not.)(Nothing regarding the radio... which still seems to be working.)

[FBHthelizardmage]

Sam ties the coil to a backpack-style harness, which he then thrusts at David. "Poot this on, will ya? If we hae ta start roonin, yoor legs are longer than mine."

He looks around the engine room with what can only be described as an expression of quiet greed. He says to David, "This ship isnae goon anywhere again with tha main drive shot like tha'. Under tha circumstances, it seems like noot but a waste ta leave all these fine bits o' replacement gadgets sittin' here, with naught ta do but slowly corrode away. We cannae cart them all oot on our backs, boot if it was safe ta move the ship in closer.... Well, maybe we should see what tha Doctor has uncovered."

The short engineer starts moving towards the exit, though not without a lingering glance at the potential spare parts.

"Right." David puts the pack on, and follows, gun held in the most professional grip he can manage.

[MatthewC]

"Right." David puts the pack on, and follows, gun held in the most professional grip he can manage.

Sam stops short.

"Hold up, I got an idea. As long as we're in here an no one bothering us, let's see if we can find the log an learn what all this mess was aboot."

[OOC: Perry, Sam heads to where he guesses the bridge would be, or wherever else would be a good place to look for the ship's log. If he can find it, he checks it.]

[Perry Holley]

Making their way to the front of the ship, Sam and David find the bridge in what appears to be functional shape, albeit in need of a good dusting. It takes a minute or so for the bridge controls to become fully active, after being powered down for so long. Getting to the ship's log, Sam discovers that it appears to have been erased. Not letting that stop him, he digs into the backup files, where he successfully manages to rebuild the log files.

There's a lot there... skimming through it, most of it appears to be what you'd expect from a small merchant vessel. Notes on the condition of various worlds after the civil war and breakdown of the Empire, what sells where, that sort of thing.

Going to the last few entries, you see that one of the crew members of the Megan's Delight (there were only three, as it was a small ship) had learned that Rivendale had before the war a hidden Imperial Research Station, at the location where you're now at. The crew of the Megan's Delight came here to try to see what they could get for salvage. The last entry describes their uneventful landing here...

[BcAugust]

Heather looks at Bill. "Keep an eye on the guns." Moving slowly, she keys in the radio.

"Hey, Sam, Heather. We have a bit of a problem. Active defenses on that shed, and set to kill. Don't know what the trigger is. Bill may have disabled it, maybe not."

[MatthewC]

Heather looks at Bill. "Keep an eye on the guns." Moving slowly, she keys in the radio.

"Hey, Sam, Heather. We have a bit of a problem. Active defenses on that shed, and set to kill. Don't know what the trigger is. Bill may have disabled it, maybe not."

"Aww, hell," Sam responds. "Let me fill ya in on what we've goot goon on in here."

Sam quickly briefs Heather as to the status of the mission to salvage the coil (successful) and the contents of the log (disturbing)

He finishes, "Now, Davie an I could just make a run fer tha woods with tha coil, and take our chances. I have ta admit though, I'm somewhat curious aboot what's in that building. An on the other side, if it were safe, there's an awful lot o' other spare parts I could salvage from tha Megan's Delight tha would come in handy, what with civilization collapsin' and all that. Do you have any ideas on how we could stick around boot avoid whatever happened ta the poor souls on this ship?"

[BcAugust]

Heather leans forward, eyes searching the clearing, more especially the damage on Megan's delight.

"Sam, there's a few things. One, if there isn't anyone here, and if those guns were the only ones, we can scavage to our heart's delights. However, if we're missing a gun, or a person... we need to get out of here fast. You see any signs of either?"

[MatthewC]

Heather leans forward, eyes searching the clearing, more especially the damage on Megan's delight.

"Sam, there's a few things. One, if there isn't anyone here, and if those guns were the only ones, we can scavage to our heart's delights. However, if we're missing a gun, or a person... we need to get out of here fast. You see any signs of either?"

"Assuming tha crew o' this ship are dead, their bodies aren't here. In fact, it dinnae look like anyone had been messing aboot in here in quite a while. Ah'm guessin they were dragged into the building."

Sam pauses for a second, thinking. "However, it's quite within tha realm of the possible tha whoever took 'em into that building is also dead right now. Ah mean, how long have they been stranded oot here with no supplies, no medicine, an no new filters fer their breath masks? Tha system tha shot at you could ha' just been an automated leftover.

As ta guns, I'd have ta get a look at tha ones that shot at you, before I could tell ya if they were tha same ones tha took oot tha engines on this ship."

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Ask her what she thinks triggered the guns?" David leans close to listen to the conversation "And I have to say, much as salvage might be useful, doesn't an imperial research facility and a missing crew sound rather like the lead in to some Horror Holo drama?"

[MatthewC]

"Ask her what she thinks triggered the guns?" David leans close to listen to the conversation "And I have to say, much as salvage might be useful, doesn't an imperial research facility and a missing crew sound rather like the lead in to some Horror Holo drama?"

(OOC: Bc says to assume that Heather explained more fully.)

Sam thinks for a moment on this new explanation. "All right, ah think ah've goot a plan here. If we're goon ta conduct further salvage from tha Megan's Delight, we need ta move tha Moonshadow closer. Boot I nae want ta give up our current advantage, where we've got anyone in tha building bottled up at tha moment. We do that, and tha hypthetical 'they' could lay an ambush fer us. So here's what we'll do."

Sam nods to David. "David an myself will trek back ta tha Moonshadow. Ah'll settle the coil safely, an then we'll hop tha ship over ta here. In tha meantime, Heather an' Mr. Cash will stay in tha forest an keep an eye on tha building. If somewhat should occur, tha two o' you can shoot, talk, or run as seems best to ya. Talk ta us on tha radio ta keep us up to speed."

[OOC: Unless anyone has an objection, I figure we'll go with this.]

[FBHthelizardmage]

David nods. "ok. That sounds good. Lets do it." He looks glad not to have to think up a plan himself.

[Sam]

Bill frowns at the radio, but it's hard to tell whether it means he doesn't like the plan, since he's hardly stopped glowering since he showed up.

"Like I say. I ain't the one with a ship, so if that's what you want to do, that's what you want to do. But I'd be mighty obliged if you folks made sure to get back here good and fast. It's a long walk to the nearest town."

He looks back over his shoulder at the trackless wastes.

"Real long walk."

[Perry Holley]

[Assuming that Heather has no objections to Sam's plans]

As Bill and Heather hold their position just within the treeline in front of the part of the building where the doorway is, near the Megan's Delight, Sam and David make their way through the woods. It's slightly faster going heading back to the Moonshadow, since they're a little more familiar with the trail now.

After about five minutes, Heather gets a call on her radio. "Doctor, this is Isa. I've been monitoring your radio conversation, so that I can assist, if necessary. Merely listening to the audio, there is something I am unclear on... have you remained facing the one part of the building that you initially approached, or have you circled around to confirm that there are no other exits from the facility in question?"

[BcAugust]

Heather blinks, then looks to Bill. "I, um... geeze, I knew there was a reason I hated those damn things." Heather takes a deep breath. "No. Good catch, Isa. Very good catch."

Looking at Bill again. "One of us has to check, but not get out of sight, in case they get dropped. Any preference?"

[Sam]

Heather blinks, then looks to Bill. "I, um... geeze, I knew there was a reason I hated those damn things." Heather takes a deep breath. "No. Good catch, Isa. Very good catch."

Looking at Bill again. "One of us has to check, but not get out of sight, in case they get dropped. Any preference?"

Bill sighs.

"Aw, hell. No way I'm gonna let a woman get shot twice in one day while I sit and watch."

He turns and walks off as quietly as he can, snapping another branch off a tree as he goes.

[Bill is going to try to stay in the trees, if possible, and go around until he can get a better look at the other side of the building. Before he gets there, though, he's going to throw that branch out into the field and see if it sets off any guns.]

[Perry Holley]

Moving quietly along the edge of the tree line, Bill sees other gun barrels with camera along the sides of the building's next wall. Tossing the branch out into the clearing, he notices that the camera seem to pick up on the movement, but they don't fire. No door on this side of the building.

On the side of the building opposite where the party first appeared, Bill notices several things.

There are again two camera/gun barrels along this particular wall. There's also a door. Coming from the doorway are a trail of footprints, similar to the ones on the opposite side (rather large, as well as deep into the ground), although these appear to be much more recent.

The most obvious thing, however, is the small pile of three skeletons about 3/4 from the door to the treeline. The flesh has long rotted off the bones, but tatters of their clothes still remain...

[Perry Holley]

Moving through the trees, Sam and David are making pretty good time. Everything seems to going smoothly... until they hear the snap of the branch off to their side, and then everything hits the fan...

David is the first to go down. The small dart that strikes his arm clearly is loaded with some sort of knock-out drug, as he's barely aware of what's happening before collapsing unconscious. Fortunately, he falls f