'Fallen Stars' play-by-post campaign [Archive] - Page 3

Royal

08-26-2005, 09:05 AM

"Oh, you're Roosty. Saves me a trip, then."

He carefully shakes Roosty's hand, not squeezing very hard in case he accidentally breaks something.

"Name's Bill. Part of the crew or part of the equipment, depending on how you look at it. Understand you want to join up, too. Mind telling me howcome?"

"well..." Andy paused. "I would like to join...because it's something new." He paused a bit. "A new challenge. My days right now are full of tedious tasks. Guard this. Collect that. Fill out the paperwork. I used to be better then that."

Andy puts his hat back on & looks at the ship.

"I used to be good, but there's no need for me anymore. So I'm hoping to leave the past behind & pick up a new trade." Andy grins a bit. "Look at me. Pouring my problems to a robot."

FBHthelizardmage

08-26-2005, 12:06 PM

The best he can gather in his current state is that Nova make you 'feel strong, feel good'. It's also apparently pretty pricey, as far as such things go.

"Oh, we know," says Tambi. "We saw your face on the news earlier today."

"We have photographic memory," adds Bambi.

T & B seem suitably impressed with David's stories, quite possibly because they have a fair amount of alcohol in them as well. When he arrives at their apartment, they eventually show him just how impressed they really are.

The next morning, David wakes up with a hangover, but otherwise feeling pretty darned good.

David gets up, winces, and offers to make the twins breakfast, indeed, he does everything he can to ingratate himself to them (and find out a bit about their background) While he's in port, it'd be nice to have some fun company. Later in the morning, he'll head to look for infomation on his family and the universe

Perry Holley

08-27-2005, 11:39 AM

David gets up, winces, and offers to make the twins breakfast, indeed, he does everything he can to ingratate himself to them (and find out a bit about their background) While he's in port, it'd be nice to have some fun company. Later in the morning, he'll head to look for infomation on his family and the universeDavid fixes up some eggs, sausage, and toast as the twins prepare for their morning classes at the local university; Tambi is studying for her Macrobiology class, while Bambi is reading some oldEarth text called Guns, Germs & Steel. He learns in conversation that Tesla took some nasty damage during the war, but is in the process of rebuilding itself. He also gets some idea about what sells cheaply here that might go for a higher price elsewhere. Eventually, the twins have to leave for their classes, and shoo David out of their apartment, but not before giving him their number.

On his way back to the ship, David goes to a local library to do some research. He finds some more basic local history, names of some of the local corporations and businesses, and a little bit more about the Concordant of Horus, and the official history of how they took over this sector of space after the noble line of Tesla was destroyed in the early days of the war. Unfortunately, he finds precious little regarding his homeworld (or really anything outside of the Concordant) or family that isn't horrobly out of date.

[FBH, what was the name of David's homeworld, and about how far away is it from where you're at now?]

FBHthelizardmage

08-27-2005, 12:58 PM

David fixes up some eggs, sausage, and toast as the twins prepare for their morning classes at the local university; Tambi is studying for her Macrobiology class, while Bambi is reading some old Earth text called Guns, Germs & Steel. He learns in conversation that Tesla took some nasty damage during the war, but is in the process of rebuilding itself. He also gets some idea about what sells cheaply here that might go for a higher price elsewhere. Eventually, the twins have to leave for their classes, and shoo David out of their apartment, but not before giving him their number.

On his way back to the ship, David goes to a local library to do some research. He finds some more basic local history, names of some of the local corporations and businesses, and a little bit more about the Concordant of Horus, and the official history of how they took over this sector of space after the noble line of Tesla was destroyed in the early days of the war. Unfortunately, he finds precious little regarding his homeworld (or really anything outside of the Concordant) or family that isn't horrobly out of date.

[FBH, what was the name of David's homeworld, and about how far away is it from where you're at now?]

David heads back to the ship and looks for the rest, specifically, someone to help him take an inventory of cargo for selling

Nope, sounds good to me - Perry]

Sam

08-29-2005, 09:40 AM

"well..." Andy paused. "I would like to join...because it's something new." He paused a bit. "A new challenge. My days right now are full of tedious tasks. Guard this. Collect that. Fill out the paperwork. I used to be better then that."

Andy puts his hat back on & looks at the ship.

"I used to be good, but there's no need for me anymore. So I'm hoping to leave the past behind & pick up a new trade." Andy grins a bit. "Look at me. Pouring my problems to a robot."

Bill stares at Andy silently for a moment. Nobody can stare silently like a robot, what with the lack of breathing. Or eyelids.

"You don't say."

He turns to Isa.

"Imagine that. Sharing your problems with a robot. Some people, huh?"

He gets back to the business at hand.

"You say you used to be good. Good at what? I understand wanting to do something new, but this ain't a charity ship, so if you want the job, I reckon you're gonna have to show what you can bring to the table."

Royal

08-29-2005, 10:33 AM

Bill stares at Andy silently for a moment. Nobody can stare silently like a robot, what with the lack of breathing. Or eyelids.

"You don't say."

He turns to Isa.

"Imagine that. Sharing your problems with a robot. Some people, huh?"

He gets back to the business at hand.

"You say you used to be good. Good at what? I understand wanting to do something new, but this ain't a charity ship, so if you want the job, I reckon you're gonna have to show what you can bring to the table."

"Understood." Andy got serious. "I used to be a detective. Youngest member of the Dunberrys, an independant investagation company who operated on the planet Winston. Did ten years of service & then quit to do PI work. Did four years of that before the PLM shit got deep in Winston. Tried to hold order there but the shit got too hairy & everyone got evacuated off the planet. I jump on the first 'fugee ship out & was taken here to Tesla where I spend four years collecting debt & playing bodyguard to people who deserved to be shot."

Andy sighed.

"Anyways, I got 4 years of combat medicine out of all of it & I know my way around a gun & a rifle. My family used to scrape the old arsenals of Winston so my eyes & ears are assets to themselves & because I was raised with a high education, I can talk with any form of class."

Sam

08-29-2005, 11:17 AM

"Can't say as I put a lot of stock in how you talk, classy or not. But I heard of the Dunberrys back in the day. Not a bad outfit to have on your resume, no question."

He begins clicking two of his fingers together absentmindedly, making a small *ping* noise each time.

"I think I could see my way to recommending you to the Captain. On a trial basis, mind you. Of course, if you're lying about what you can do... well, we ain't gonna cart you around if you can't deliver the goods. And space is a mighty big place. You never know where you'll get left behind. So you better be sure you can do what you say you can do, friend."

Bill turns to Isa.

"Keep an eye on this one until the Captain gets back. I'm gonna go find this other fellow, the gunner, and check his teeth."

[Bill is going to go see if he can dig up Athena's boy.]

Royal

08-29-2005, 11:46 AM

Andy takes of his hat again "Thank You. I won't let anyone down."

He watches the robot truge on & turns to the beautiful lady. "Would you happen to have something to drink? I'm a bit parched."

Perry Holley

08-29-2005, 03:42 PM

He turns to Isa.

"Imagine that. Sharing your problems with a robot. Some people, huh?"
"It's a strange universe," notes Isa.

Andy takes of his hat again "Thank You. I won't let anyone down."

He watches the robot truge on & turns to the beautiful lady. "Would you happen to have something to drink? I'm a bit parched."Isa brings Andy a drink. "I have left the captain a text message that you are here... I beleive he has concluded his business, as should be here shortly."

After a brief wait, Sam returns. Isa introduces Andy and Sam to each other, at which point Sam begins his interview of the new potential crewmember...

Perry Holley

08-29-2005, 03:54 PM

"Keep an eye on this one until the Captain gets back. I'm gonna go find this other fellow, the gunner, and check his teeth." Bill makes his way into the city, ignoring the stares of the citizens who gasp at his robotic form. After about half an hour, Bill finds himself in front of a door at a run-down apartment complex, double-checking to make certain he has the address right.

Ringing the doorbell, at first there doesn't seem to be any response. Bill is almost ready to leave when the door finally opens... a young woman, perhaps in her mid- to late-twenties, with a shock of blond hair, stands before him. She doesn't appear to be overly perturbed by Bill's appearance.

"C-c-can I h-help y-y-you?"

MatthewC

08-29-2005, 06:03 PM

After a brief wait, Sam returns. Isa introduces Andy and Sam to each other, at which point Sam begins his interview of the new potential crewmember...

OOC: Since Andy seems pretty observant, I'll give you the full description from the top.

They first thing Andy notices about the captain is that he's really short. The man barely tops five feet, but has a very squat and muscular physique. In fact, upon further examination he's obviously a heavy-worlder, one of those groups of people whose ancestors were long ago genetically modified to live on high-gravity worlds. Once that falls into place, the captain seems like a fairly normal example of that breed, with a face that seems just a bit squashed and fingers that seems a bit longer than would otherwise be proportional to his body (so as not to reduce manual dexterity in the design).

A lot of people from 'normal gravity' worlds don't like heavy-worlders. They look funny, and even after all this time, such extensive genetic modification carries a stigma. Just the usual rumors that the gene-mods cause mental instability and such. As an educated man, Andy knows it's all rot. Heavy-worlders are as sane as anybody else.

"Captain Sam Starfall," says Sam, extending his hand.

(presuming they shake and Andy introduces himself, Sam continues)

"Isa tells me tha' Bill has already given you a wee look-over and dinnae kick ya oot on the street. Ah want ta hear from ya as well, boot I might as well give ya tha low-down on tha ship and crew you might be joining here.

"Tha Moonshadow is ah Norton-class vessel. Normally we ken carry 85 d-tons o' cargo, but space is a bit shorter joost now due ta some private modifications ah'm making. We'll get by.

"Regardin' the crew, ah double-up as both captain and ship's engineer... and ah know more than a wee bit aboot tha physical sciences when such comes up.

"Isa, of whom you've made yer acquaintance, handles steward duties and take on tha piloting when need be. Bill is... well, we havenae quite worked out that yet, boot ah'm guessing he'll help handle tha heavy lifting and security. And a young man named David will be oor main pilot and cargo master, presuming he decides ta stay with the ship. We had a doctor on board, boot ah'm afraid that even if her trial goes well, she may not be signing up fer another trip.

"Finally, ah've already arranged our next joob. We're taking a commission fer a pharmaceutical company ta carry some cargo oot ta Troy and back here."

Same pauses and gestures to Andy. "Well, what do ya have ta say fer yourself?"

Royal

08-29-2005, 10:39 PM

MatthewC

08-30-2005, 01:03 AM

Andy shake's Capt. Starfall's hand "My name is Andy Roosty. Thanks for taking time out of your schedule to talk. I came to inquire about free positions on your vessel." Andy leans up against the wall. "I talked to your robot. You said his name was Bill? I have a feeling me & him got off on the wrong foot for some reason."

Andy shrugs & laughs

"Nah, he hates everybody root aboot now. It's one of the qualities that'll make him a fine security officer. Doont let it concern ya," says Sam.

"Anyways, since he's taking the Security position, you mind if I take Medical? As I told Bill, I have four years of Combat Medicine while I was working with the Dunberrys. I'm not a five star sergeon, but I can attest to you that all the people I worked on got a clean bill of health."

Sam dickers with Andy a little bit on salary and terms and such things, but offers a fair wage and seems basically amenable. Assuming they can come to some agreement, Sam says, "Well, you'll have this first voyage ta find oot if ya like free trader service. If it's noot to your satisfaction, ya ken get back off here in tha same place, some weeks older and wiser fer tha experience.

"In tha meantime, why don't you get started. Go through our med bay and fill oot tha paperwork ta make sure we're topped off on all our needed supplies. Then if ya could go collect any else we might need more of, plus a few items I'll have listed fer ya, that would be grand. Hmm, boot ah'm goon ta be oot late tonight, so if ya could spell Isa on standing a guard watch until Bill gets back, ah'd appreciate it."

[OOC: If you don't get the joke, go back and read message #501. The first paragraph in Andy's reply. ;) ]

Royal

08-30-2005, 03:36 AM

"In tha meantime, why don't you get started. Go through our med bay and fill oot tha paperwork ta make sure we're topped off on all our needed supplies. Then if ya could go collect any else we might need more of, plus a few items I'll have listed fer ya, that would be grand. Hmm, boot ah'm goon ta be oot late tonight, so if ya could spell Isa on standing a guard watch until Bill gets back, ah'd appreciate it."

[OOC: If you don't get the joke, go back and read message #501. The first paragraph in Andy's reply. ;) ]

Andy hangs his head, but chuckles a little.

"Sure thing Captain."

He takes off his coat & rolls up his sleeves as he goes looking for Isa. "Isa m'dear. We have a date. Your father's given his consent."

[OOC: Andy will walk around in the ship to get familiar with it]

Sam

09-08-2005, 04:43 PM

Bill makes his way into the city, ignoring the stares of the citizens who gasp at his robotic form. After about half an hour, Bill finds himself in front of a door at a run-down apartment complex, double-checking to make certain he has the address right.

Ringing the doorbell, at first there doesn't seem to be any response. Bill is almost ready to leave when the door finally opens... a young woman, perhaps in her mid- to late-twenties, with a shock of blond hair, stands before him. She doesn't appear to be overly perturbed by Bill's appearance.

"C-c-can I h-help y-y-you?"

He tips his hat to the young woman.

"Hopefully, ma'am. I'm looking for Mallory Skcynski. He placed an ad looking for work. I'm in charge of job interviews. This the right address?"

Perry Holley

09-09-2005, 04:33 AM

He tips his hat to the young woman.

"Hopefully, ma'am. I'm looking for Mallory Skcynski. He placed an ad looking for work. I'm in charge of job interviews. This the right address?"She grins slightly. "I'm M-m-m-mal. C-c-come on in."

The apartment is relatively bare, almost spartan. Bill does notice a set of medals against one wall - one Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, and one MCUF (Meritorious Conduct Under Fire). "I alm-m-most sold th-those at one p-p-point for f-food, bef-f-fore I got a j-j-j-job at th-the loc-c-cal electr-tronics pl-pl-plant."

"So you're fr-from the M-m-m-moonsh-shadow? And y-you're h-h-hiring?"

Sam

09-09-2005, 01:25 PM

"We're looking for some useful folks, don't mind long hours and know how to handle themselves when business takes a turn for the violent."

He clanks over to the medals, leaning in close to inspect them.

"You win all these yourself, did you? Which side were you on?"

FBHthelizardmage

09-09-2005, 04:17 PM

(how much of selling the cargo do we need to play thourgh?)

Perry Holley

09-09-2005, 04:41 PM

"We're looking for some useful folks, don't mind long hours and know how to handle themselves when business takes a turn for the violent.""W-w-well, I didn't adv-vertise for the q-q-quilting bee. I c-can h-h-handle mys-s-self. Bes-s-sides, it would b-be better than w-w-wasting away working at the f-factory for the r-r-rest of my life."

He clanks over to the medals, leaning in close to inspect them.

"You win all these yourself, did you? Which side were you on?"She shrugs. "M-m-ma died during the PLM's b-b-bombing of P-p-p-palace Tesla. I lied ab-b-bout my age, s-signed up as a g-ground pounder, got a-a-assigned to artillery. Shortly in-into the c-c-civil war, Tesla's navy got hit p-p-pretty bad... s-some of us got r-r-reassigned as sp-space squids, and I b-became a ship's gunner."

"There's not that much difference beween artillery and ship's gunnery, you just have to readjust for different vectors, lack of gravity, and a bigger and more three-dimensional battlefield."

"A-a-anyways, n-n-near the last of the f-f-fighting, my ship t-took a hit near m-my gunner's station. G-g-got my h-head sc-sc-scrambled a bit f-f-from some shrapnel," she leans forward, seperating her hair, showing where various scars crisscross across the top of her skull, "and th-th-that's wh-when I st-started talking f-f-funny."

"So wh-what's your st-story? Are you a gh-gh-ghost, or j-j-just an off-k-k-kilter 'bot?"

Perry Holley

09-09-2005, 04:44 PM

(how much of selling the cargo do we need to play thourgh?)(Unless you want to play it out, we can fast-forward through that part. Your call.)

Perry Holley

09-10-2005, 09:56 AM

[Okay, just so everyone else isn't just twiddling their thumbs while we resolve the Bill/Mal thing, I'll jump forward temporarily, say the next day or so]

After the inital inteview with Mallory is done (and perhaps Sam has had a chance to talk to her as well), Sam heads out later that evening, finds himself a bar, and proceeds to get good and properly faced. He wakes up the next morning in the Moonshadow's cargo bay. How he got there, and why his wallet is empty (was he robbed, or did he just spend all of his loose cash on booze?) may well be numbered among the great mysteries of the 'verse.

David returns around midday, after leaving Tambi and Bambi's, and spending some time at the library. After both of them finish up some lunch, Isa informs them that there are some people here from the Tesla legal system to speak to both of them.

[assuming neither David or Sam refuse to go along]

David and Sam are taken to a local courthouse; along the way the basic procedure is explained to them. They will each be questioned seperately regarding Dr. Glockton's role regarding the Baron's death, with a lie detector active during the questioning. Both prosuction and defense lawyers will be there, alternating questions. The questioning will be videotaped, so that it can be presented at the trial (a closed military tribunal, not an open trial, as per Dr. Glockton's request), freeing up the Moonshadow from staying on Tesla for the duration of the trial.

Both are questioned about the events leading up to the fight with the PLM terrorists. Because neither of them were present during the Baron's death, neither Sam nor David can give the sort of concrete testimony that either set of lawyers would like to get. In the end, the following questions are asked:

What is your opinion of Dr. Glockton's character?

What is your opinion of Dr. Glockton's state of mind during the events of the attempted PLM takeover of the Moonshadow?

Do you feel that, under the circumstances, Dr. Glockton was justified in killing the Baron?

* * *

Andy goes to the medbay to fill out the necessary paperwork. He looks over the current medical supplies there, fortunately there is already a checklist of what should be in stock in one of the drawers. He can't help but note that the medbay seems equipped for what a doctor might need (impressive in and of itself for a vessel this small), not just a medic... Andy hopes he isn't getting himself in over his head.

After finishing up on the Moonshadow, Andy makes whatever preperations necessary for being away for the next month. Uncertain whether or not he will stay on with the Moonshadow after that, he can't just close out his office (and wherever he lives at). He gathers together whatever equipment he feels might be useful, and makes any other preperations necessary (Royal, feel free to describe this in and much or as little detail as desired).

* * *

Because I meant to earlier, but kept forgetting, here's an attachment of a pic of Mallory.

MatthewC

09-12-2005, 05:08 PM

David and Sam are taken to a local courthouse; along the way the basic procedure is explained to them. They will each be questioned seperately regarding Dr. Glockton's role regarding the Baron's death, with a lie detector active during the questioning. Both prosuction and defense lawyers will be there, alternating questions. The questioning will be videotaped, so that it can be presented at the trial (a closed military tribunal, not an open trial, as per Dr. Glockton's request), freeing up the Moonshadow from staying on Tesla for the duration of the trial.

Both are questioned about the events leading up to the fight with the PLM terrorists. Because neither of them were present during the Baron's death, neither Sam nor David can give the sort of concrete testimony that either set of lawyers would like to get. In the end, the following questions are asked:

What is your opinion of Dr. Glockton's character?

What is your opinion of Dr. Glockton's state of mind during the events of the attempted PLM takeover of the Moonshadow?

Do you feel that, under the circumstances, Dr. Glockton was justified in killing the Baron?

1. Sam describes Dr. Glockton as "a good lass, if a bit tightly wound". He then goes on to affirm her bravery and the fact that she undoubtedly saved his life.

2. Her state of mind, as far as Sam could see, was very calm and controlled. She didn't panic and everything she did, she did with a lot of thought.

3. This one Sam hems and haws about, trying to avoid answering the question directly. A sharp prosecutor finally manages to get him to admit that, "Ah never had any doot we'd beat back those rats and take back tha ship."

Though not particularly a fan of the Baron, the questioning brings back Sam's outrage at hearing that Dr. Glockton had shot the man in cold blood. In the middle of answering a defense question, he suddenly spits out that, "Those nobles are a bunch of rats, and I think tha' doctor just got fed up when she heard tha' Baron was keeping a genetic slave! I cannae blame her, boot she shoulda had more self-control!"

He immediately wishes he hadn't said anything, but of course now it's too late and the prosecutor manages to get him to admit that Glockton had said something along those lines to him.

[OOC: See Message #192 in this thread for exactly what Heather said to Sam on the matter. Sam is strong in many ways, but he just doesn't have the willpower to hold up under lawyerly questioning.]

Royal

09-12-2005, 08:12 PM

Andy goes to the medbay to fill out the necessary paperwork. He looks over the current medical supplies there, fortunately there is already a checklist of what should be in stock in one of the drawers. He can't help but note that the medbay seems equipped for what a doctor might need (impressive in and of itself for a vessel this small), not just a medic... Andy hopes he isn't getting himself in over his head.

After finishing up on the Moonshadow, Andy makes whatever preperations necessary for being away for the next month. Uncertain whether or not he will stay on with the Moonshadow after that, he can't just close out his office (and wherever he lives at). He gathers together whatever equipment he feels might be useful, and makes any other preperations necessary (Royal, feel free to describe this in and much or as little detail as desired).

Andy packs as he regulary does for a job. He packs a month's worth of clothes, his side holsters, his lockpick kit, and other tools of his trade. He puts on his arm holsters, tests the spring action, hooks one of his guns on to test the feed chambers, & packs the arm holsters. He then goes in the back & opens his safe. He grabs what's acceptable for "information" money & puts it in his wallet. He then goes back to his desk, emails all his contacts & then opens the drawer to get his flask for a drink, only to find it empty. He looks into the flask. "Damn!! I hope they have some good stuff on the ship."

Andy packs away the flask, powers down & locks up the office. He then kneels down in front of the door & opens a panel in the ground. He then pulls out a card from his boot & slides it into the slot behind the panel. An atomatic voice tells Andy that "The Security System is armed". He puts the card back in his boot & then heads off toward the ship.

FBHthelizardmage

09-14-2005, 02:26 PM

What is your opinion of Dr. Glockton's character?[/list]

What is your opinion of Dr. Glockton's state of mind during the events of the attempted PLM takeover of the Moonshadow?

Do you feel that, under the circumstances, Dr. Glockton was justified in killing the Baron?

* * *

David will testify in order that:
He thinks Dr. Glockton is a good woman, but perhaps somewhat traumatised by events during her military service.

That at that point she was under a considerable amount of stress, and believed the capture of the ship was immenant.

To the last point, David says he cannot really comment. He did enquire as to Doctor Glocktons Reasoning at the time, and she told him she was attempting to keep the baron for capture, and torture at the hands of the rebels.

OOC sorry this took a while

Sam

09-14-2005, 04:36 PM

"W-w-well, I didn't adv-vertise for the q-q-quilting bee. I c-can h-h-handle mys-s-self. Bes-s-sides, it would b-be better than w-w-wasting away working at the f-factory for the r-r-rest of my life."

Bill nods. "Lord knows I understand that."

She shrugs. "M-m-ma died during the PLM's b-b-bombing of P-p-p-palace Tesla. I lied ab-b-bout my age, s-signed up as a g-ground pounder, got a-a-assigned to artillery. Shortly in-into the c-c-civil war, Tesla's navy got hit p-p-pretty bad... s-some of us got r-r-reassigned as sp-space squids, and I b-became a ship's gunner."

"There's not that much difference beween artillery and ship's gunnery, you just have to readjust for different vectors, lack of gravity, and a bigger and more three-dimensional battlefield."

"A-a-anyways, n-n-near the last of the f-f-fighting, my ship t-took a hit near m-my gunner's station. G-g-got my h-head sc-sc-scrambled a bit f-f-from some shrapnel," she leans forward, seperating her hair, showing where various scars crisscross across the top of her skull, "and th-th-that's wh-when I st-started talking f-f-funny."

"So wh-what's your st-story? Are you a gh-gh-ghost, or j-j-just an off-k-k-kilter 'bot?"

"I suppose I'd be a ghost, now that you mention it. Hadn't said it out loud yet, but yeah, I'm one of those poor bastards. Newly initiated, you might say. Still, when you stop to consider just how many holes I had in me in the not so terribly distant past, this heap of scrap is still better'n the alternative."

He offers a clawlike appendage for a handshake.

"I'm Bill Cash. And it's a damn shame about your Ma. I knew Athena a long time ago. Good woman."

He chuckles nostalgiacally.

"Could drink me under the table, too. And that was no mean feat, back in those days."

The robot falls silent for several seconds.

"How fast can you be packed and ready? Imagine we're moving on soon. I ain't the Captain, and the Captain gets to make the final call on this one, but between your military history, the medals, and my good word, I reckon we can get you a bunk."

He leans in a bit.

"But that is first assuming you're willing to swear on God's love for your Ma that the shrapnel you took didn't mess up more than your talking. Now that might seem a mite impolite, but if you've got problems that could crop up in a fight, then you ain't just risking your own neck, you're risking my neck."

Perry Holley

09-14-2005, 07:07 PM

"But that is first assuming you're willing to swear on God's love for your Ma that the shrapnel you took didn't mess up more than your talking. Now that might seem a mite impolite, but if you've got problems that could crop up in a fight, then you ain't just risking your own neck, you're risking my neck."W-well, s-s-some p-people think I'm a b-bit c-c-crazy, b-but if you'd m-m-met me b-b-before this h-h-happened, you w-wouldn't kn-know the d-d-difference. D-don't w-w-worry, I won't g-go all sp-sp-sparky on you."

"J-just g-give me a d-day to m-m-make arrangem-m-ments, and I'm y-yours."

[And with that, we can kick off the next story in a day or three. Matthew, you can play out interviewing Mallory, or just assume that it's a given.]

MatthewC

09-14-2005, 09:42 PM

[And with that, we can kick off the next story in a day or three. Matthew, you can play out interviewing Mallory, or just assume that it's a given.]

OOC: Sure, we can just assume it's a given.

Perry Holley

09-18-2005, 12:30 PM

Several days pass, allowing the crew of the Moonshadow to get some much-needed R&R, and take care of whatever business they need to attend to. David spends a few days buying and selling various cargos and goods, and is reasonably confident that he has come out ahead, in terms of wheelin' and dealin'. Conferring with Isa, Sam uses some of the profits made by David to buy some of the parts he was looking out, restocking general supplies for the ship (including the medical supplies that Andy requesting), putting some aside for crew's salaries, and putting the rest into the ship's general 'kitty fund'.

Mousaki arrives on the day the Moonshaow is scheduled to leave, with crates of cargo being transported by groundtruck. Isa examines the cargo, and informs Sam that it appears to be as Mousaki had earlier stated; general supplies, various foodstuffs, medicines, and some minor luxury items. He makes payment for the pre-arranged sum, and then begins to settle in to his cabin.

Mallory Skcynski also arrives early, checking her gear with Isa before entering; pistol and rifle, combat knife, personal computer, datapad with voice translation abilities, a vacc suit, some electronics equipment, and her clothes.

When all is ready, everyone gets into their secure locations (Mallory is in one of the gunnery ports, in her vacc suit, just in case something goes wrong). As David makes the final preperations, he radios the landing tower for confirmation. "Moonshadow, this is Tesla Downport. You are cleared for takeoff from Landing Strip Epsilon. Safe journeys, and come back and see us sometime."

As David begins liftoff, Isa (who is by David's side on the bridge) contacts Sam. "Captain, for our journey to Troy, which system do you wish to use as a stopover for refueling; Rivendale, New Texas, or one of the gas giants in Ross 388 system?"

MatthewC

09-18-2005, 03:15 PM

As David begins liftoff, Isa (who is by David's side on the bridge) contacts Sam. "Captain, for our journey to Troy, which system do you wish to use as a stopover for refueling; Rivendale, New Texas, or one of the gas giants in Ross 388 system?"

"Goon through an inhabited system means taking tha' risk some bureaucrat will decide to slap ah tax or two on our cargo. I think we'll take ah wee trip to see the sights in tha Ross 388 system instead," says Sam.

While the captain's reasoning is semi-plausible, avoiding Rivendale and New Texas also means missing the chance to make any deals along the way, picking up any messages, and even the chance for help if something goes wrong when the ship comes out of hyper. Whatever Sam has in mind, the above is the only reason he gives.

Perry Holley

09-18-2005, 05:03 PM

"Goon through an inhabited system means taking tha' risk some bureaucrat will decide to slap ah tax or two on our cargo. I think we'll take ah wee trip to see the sights in tha Ross 388 system instead," says Sam.
After a second or so, Isa responds, "Course settings from Tesla to Ross 388 confirmed."

The Moonshadow begins to lift from the landing strip, building up the necessary momentum to escape Tesla's atmosphere, and eventually clear the planet's gravity well enough so that there is no danger in entering Anderson space. After a little over 3 hours pass, Isa gives the alert, and everyone experiences the familiar wrenching from normal space into Anderson space. "Travel time via Anderson space from Tesla to Ross 388 is appromiately 8 days and 19 hours," Isa informs everyone via intercomm. "After refuelling at Ross 388, we will need approximately another 13 days to arrive at Troy." It's gonna be a long trip...

Her skills no longer needed while in Anderson space, Mallory leaves the gunnery station, and takes off her vacc suit. The rest of the crew are now free to wander around as they see fit.

Perry Holley

09-18-2005, 05:23 PM

At some point after entering Anderson space, Isa approaches Bill.

"Mr. Cash, there is something I wish to discuss with you. It would seem that Captain Starfall wishes for the Moonshadow to be able to defend herself, should she be attacked, as witnessed by the hiring of Ms. Skcynski. As you may have noticed, there are two gunner turrets onboard. While I am programmed to handle that task, there may be times when I am also required elsewhere on the ship, perhaps to assist Mr. Adams on the bridge, for example."

"What I propose, should you agree to it, is to copy and transfer some of my programming, both for ship's gunnery as well as other skills that may prove useful for you, into your subsytems, so that you may access those skills as needed. I suspect you won't be able to fully access them in the same manner that I do; our respective 'brains' are programmed in very different fashions, but you may find that even at reduced effeciancy that this programming may prove useful to you."

[OOC: Bill's a robot, and as much as I may hammer your character at times because of this, it also comes with some advantages. Any skills copied from Isa would be at a -2, because of the different ways that you and 'her' access your respective skills. but many of her skills are at skill level 3, so you would have many of them at level 1, which is better than nothing.]

Royal

09-18-2005, 06:48 PM

MatthewC

09-19-2005, 08:50 AM

After doing a final check on the medical inventory, Andy streaches & relaxes in his chair. "Well got that done...what now?" As soon as he finishes his sentance, Andy's belly growls. "I guess it's off to the cafeteria." He leaves the med area on this dautless journey. "I wonder if anyone can make a mean ham sandwich".

There's something new in the galley, apparently put up shortly before take-off. It's a large bulletin board affixed to one wall. On top of the board is a sign.

*If something needs repair, post a note here. I'll get to it WHEN I HAVE TIME. -Sam*

A pen, sticky-notes, and thumbtacks can be found close by, evidencing Sam's low-tech approach to the problem of technical triage. Of the engineer himself, there's no sign. If experience is any guide, he's probably tinkering with his 'private project' in the cargo hold.

Royal

09-20-2005, 12:20 AM

Andy grabs some munchies & wanders his way down to the cargo area. Eatting along the way.

FBHthelizardmage

09-20-2005, 04:42 PM

Andy grabs some munchies & wanders his way down to the cargo area. Eatting along the way.

David Wanders after, the bridge (I assume) not needing to be so manned in anderson space. "Heya. We've not really be introduced. I'm David."

Royal

09-20-2005, 04:57 PM

David Wanders after, the bridge (I assume) not needing to be so manned in anderson space. "Heya. We've not really be introduced. I'm David."

"oh...um...."

Andy takes his hand out of his bag of goodies & looks for something to wipe the crumbs off it. Failing to find anything, he give his hand a quick couple pats on the back of his pants & offers it to David.

"I'm Andy Roosty. How you do?"

FBHthelizardmage

09-20-2005, 05:25 PM

"oh...um...."

Andy takes his hand out of his bag of goodies & looks for something to wipe the crumbs off it. Failing to find anything, he give his hand a quick couple pats on the back of his pants & offers it to David.

"I'm Andy Roosty. How you do?"

"Pretty damn good. Actually." David takes it and shakes. "I mean, beyound the obvious, the futures not so bad... it has hot twin college girls who dig us space people from the past... But anyway. What brings you on board our illustrious vessel?"

Royal

09-21-2005, 01:57 PM

"Pretty damn good. Actually." David takes it and shakes. "I mean, beyound the obvious, the futures not so bad... it has hot twin college girls who dig us space people from the past... But anyway. What brings you on board our illustrious vessel?"

"Job opportunities were going south for my area of expertise so I'm learning a new trade." Andy paused "Do I detect a highborn accent in you vocabulary?"

FBHthelizardmage

09-21-2005, 04:02 PM

"Job opportunities were going south for my area of expertise so I'm learning a new trade." Andy paused "Do I detect a highborn accent in you vocabulary?"

"Perhaps. I'm not actually Highborne, but I was trained to use the prestige varient and all. Father was a shipping magnet." David nods. "So what do you think of the Shadow?"

Royal

09-21-2005, 04:27 PM

"Perhaps. I'm not actually Highborne, but I was trained to use the prestige varient and all. Father was a shipping magnet." David nods. "So what do you think of the Shadow?"

"It's big. I'm just taking a tour of it while looking for the captain. Say, would you know anything about the client we're working for?"

MatthewC

09-21-2005, 05:51 PM

"It's big. I'm just taking a tour of it while looking for the captain. Say, would you know anything about the client we're working for?"

"We're working fer Hollis Pharmaceuticals," says Sam as he rounds the corner. He's using a rag to wipe some grease off of his hand.

"They claim ta be oot a favor with tha Concordant o' Horus, which is why they have ta resort ta independents like oorselves. I dinnae if tha man was feeding me a line, boot they're paying good money ta get a cargo back from Troy."

He tucks the rag back in the pocket nods at Andy. "Why, ya know anything aboot tha pharmaceutical business?"

Royal

09-21-2005, 06:07 PM

"We're working fer Hollis Pharmaceuticals," says Sam as he rounds the corner. He's using a rag to wipe some grease off of his hand.

"They claim ta be oot a favor with tha Concordant o' Horus, which is why they have ta resort ta independents like oorselves. I dinnae if tha man was feeding me a line, boot they're paying good money ta get a cargo back from Troy."

He tucks the rag back in the pocket nods at Andy. "Why, ya know anything aboot tha pharmaceutical business?"

"Not much really." Andy offered the bag to Sam & Dave "I did a couple med & food caravans for them during the start of Tesla's reconstruction. As soon as I got on my feet again, I heard rumors that they were up to something big. That died out quickly though."

MatthewC

09-23-2005, 02:49 PM

"Not much really." Andy offered the bag to Sam & Dave "I did a couple med & food caravans for them during the start of Tesla's reconstruction. As soon as I got on my feet again, I heard rumors that they were up to something big. That died out quickly though."

"I'm nae surprised. The war seems ta have poot tha brake on most of tha interesting research goon on. It's a cryin' shame. I downloaded the some of the local research publications before we took off, but I have nae had a spare moment ta look through what's goon on in industrial biochemistry. Noot that that's a field o' great interest ta me, of course, boot I like to stay current," says Sam. He waves off Andy's bag of chips.

"Still, there are those of us tryin' ta keep tha innovative spirit alive, heh-heh," he adds, chuckling to himself.

FBHthelizardmage

09-23-2005, 03:39 PM

"As long as we get back to Tesla when we're done..." David says. "I think I'd like to drop in on some friends I made there again." he looks at Sam... "any particular inovations captain?"

MatthewC

09-24-2005, 12:23 PM

"As long as we get back to Tesla when we're done..." David says. "I think I'd like to drop in on some friends I made there again." he looks at Sam... "any particular inovations captain?"

"Noot ready ta spill those beans yet, lad," says Sam. "Noot quite yet."

He taps the corridor wall and moves away, grinning to himself.

Perry Holley

09-25-2005, 10:04 AM

Time passes.

The enemy, as any experienced spacer knows, is boredom. There just isn't that much to do on a small vessel while in Anderson space. Especially when you don't have that many passengers to interact with (Mousaki comes out for meals, but mostly keeps to his cabin). Different people deal with the boredom in different ways. Some might lose themselves in books or music purchased planetside. Others might spend their time and energies using the ship's library database to brush up on their skills, or perhaps try to learn some new ones. Perhaps the answer for some is to clear out the lounge/dining area in betweeen meals, and use it as an exercise room.

Sam has no such need at the moment for distractions. All of his spare time is spent in the lower deck with Isa, working on his special project. At the pace they are going, the two of them should most likely be finished sometime between the Ross 388 stopover and Troy.

During this time, Isa mentions her conversation with Bill Cash, and informs sam that Mr. Cash agreed to transfer some of Isa's skill programs into his robotic body, most notably the programming covering ship's gunnery. "This will allow him to cover the second gunnery turret, which will free me up to assist Mr. Adams on the bridge, or fill in as necessary in other positions, during critical situations."

MatthewC

09-25-2005, 12:14 PM

During this time, Isa mentions her conversation with Bill Cash, and informs sam that Mr. Cash agreed to transfer some of Isa's skill programs into his robotic body, most notably the programming covering ship's gunnery. "This will allow him to cover the second gunnery turret, which will free me up to assist Mr. Adams on the bridge, or fill in as necessary in other positions, during critical situations."

"Seems luke a good idea, if Mr. Cash is willin'. I hope we will nae have ta poot the guns to use, though. This is nae exactly a warship here," says Sam.

The conversation seems to have put a thought in his head, though, and he fidgets a while and looks back and forth to make sure no one is around before broaching the subject to Isa. "Speaking of programming.... Ah've been meanin' ta ask you somewhat for a while. You stayed on board tha ship without much to-do. Is it yer intention ta stay with tha Moonshadow indefinitely? Are you programmed to do that, or have you come ta the end of what you were programmed ta and just proceeding from your best judgement?"

He groans and waves for Isa to wait on answering. "I'm makin' a hash o this. I haven't dealt mooch with sophisticated AIs. Let me make it simple. How mooch free will do you have, and what do you intend ta do with what you have?"

Perry Holley

09-25-2005, 05:13 PM

The conversation seems to have put a thought in his head, though, and he fidgets a while and looks back and forth to make sure no one is around before broaching the subject to Isa. "Speaking of programming.... Ah've been meanin' ta ask you somewhat for a while. You stayed on board tha ship without much to-do. Is it yer intention ta stay with tha Moonshadow indefinitely? Are you programmed to do that, or have you come ta the end of what you were programmed ta and just proceeding from your best judgement?"

He groans and waves for Isa to wait on answering. "I'm makin' a hash o this. I haven't dealt mooch with sophisticated AIs. Let me make it simple. How mooch free will do you have, and what do you intend ta do with what you have?""Your question is based on a fallacy, Captain. I am not an AI. My programming mimics human behaviour, but I do not possess free will... merely an extensive range of programmed responses. For many people, the distinction is a fine one, but it is an important one nonetheless. I could, for example, perfectly duplicate an existing piece of art, but I could never create art. I can only react to the extent that my programming allows; I can never go beyond that programming, in the way that human beings can grow and evolve."

Isa continues, as she helps to solder a crossbeam into place. "As for my intentions... my loyalty, for wont of a better term, is to the Moonshadow, and her crew, in that order. While I could function outside of the context of this vessel, I have no 'desire' to do so."

MatthewC

09-25-2005, 08:12 PM

"Your question is based on a fallacy, Captain. I am not an AI. My programming mimics human behaviour, but I do not possess free will... merely an extensive range of programmed responses. For many people, the distinction is a fine one, but it is an important one nonetheless. I could, for example, perfectly duplicate an existing piece of art, but I could never create art. I can only react to the extent that my programming allows; I can never go beyond that programming, in the way that human beings can grow and evolve."

Isa continues, as she helps to solder a crossbeam into place. "As for my intentions... my loyalty, for wont of a better term, is to the Moonshadow, and her crew, in that order. While I could function outside of the context of this vessel, I have no 'desire' to do so."

"Oh, aye, I get it now. I'm nae completely ignorant, ya know. I joost never hit upon an example of sooch detailed programming. Ah guess it fooled me," confesses Sam.

He continues working for a half minute or so, then pulls out a roller board so that he can slide underneath some equipment and work under it from below. Just as he's laying down on the roller board, he directs a final remark to Isa.

"Ya want ta know somewhat funny? I once heard this rumor aboot a shortcut certain unethical types were known ta take. Programming a system to tha point where it ken mimic a human being undetectably takes a heap o' work. So what they do is, they create a true AI... sometimes by hacking up a Ghost recorded from ah human. Then they install ah few blocks in the memory, a few behavior mods, and they tell tha thing it's just ah bundle o' programmed responses. All the better ta keep it under control, you see. If you dinnae think you're ah person, you're noot goon to rebel."

Sam fixes Isa with his gaze for about two seconds, then laughs and waves his hand in a brushing-off motion. "Boot then, ya hear a loot o' rumors on the spaceways. Remind me ta tell you aboot the giant space worm that's supposed to live in asteroid belts sometime. I'm sure ya know the inside of your head mooch better than anyone else."

Still laughing, he slides underneath the equipment and out of sight.

Royal

09-26-2005, 12:43 PM

FBHthelizardmage

09-26-2005, 03:44 PM

Perry Holley

09-27-2005, 06:36 PM

Out of a fit of boredom, Andy decides to do as much research as he can on Troy. He heads to his computer console & checks the library on the subject.

Going to the computer, Andy finds the following:

[i]SYSTEM DATA

System Name: Wolf 231
Astrography: X=11.9, Y=51.7, Z=15.6
Stellar Type: K0
Stellar Mass: 0.55
Planets: 5 (2 gas giants)
Asteroid Belts: 1

PLANETARY DATA

Planet Name: Troy
Orbit (of Haightship): 2.813 AU
Diameter: 13,703 km
Density: Medium-iron (4.6)
Gravity: 0.91 terra-standard
Axial Tilt: 23 degrees (standard seasonal effects)
Rotation Period: 24.9 hours
Orbital Period (to Haightship): 2.29 days (standard), 2.21 (local)
Orbital Period (to Wolf 231): 2,307.52 days (standard), 2,224.12 days (local)
Atmosphere: Standard oxygen-nitrogen mix
Hydrography: Wet World (81%)
Climate: Temperate
Population: 20,973,612
Moons: 0

NOTES

Troy is a moon of the planet Haightship, a gas giant in the Wolf 231 system. The vast majority of Troy’s citizens (roughly 9 out of 10) live in cities that float on Troy’s bountiful oceans. As one might expect, Troy’s primary exports (both to Ashton, also in the Wolf 231 system, and to other worlds throughout the Aldebaran sector) are the varied and tasty seafoods that the local citizens harvest. Various flora grown on the small continents and islands are also cultivated; in addition to various fruits and vegetables, some of the local plant life is currently being investigated for potential pharmaceutical uses.

- Encyclopedia Imperia, 3654

ADDENDUM

Troy suffered heavily during the recent civil war. The ocean-based cities that were the backbone of this world proved easy targets by enemy forces; none of these cities survived, and Troy‘s population was decimated as a result. The survivors (currently around 9,500 people) have pulled together as best they can, forming a simple Athenian-style democracy. The vast majority of these survivors live in or near the settlement of Broussard, near the peninsula of Carencro. The make their living by farming, fishing, and occasional trade with off-worlders.

- Update to the Encyclopedia Imperia, courtesy of the Concordant of Horus, 3667

[Matthew, has Sam added the personal files from the Megan's Delight to the Moonshadow's general library, or has he kept those to himself?]

MatthewC

09-27-2005, 06:42 PM

[Matthew, has Sam added the personal files from the Megan's Delight to the Moonshadow's general library, or has he kept those to himself?]

Sam added them to the general library, with notation as to the source. (Unlike the files from the research station.)

Perry Holley

09-27-2005, 06:48 PM

Finally, out of frustration, he heads out to see if anyone is doing anything.As David wanders toward the direction of the lounge/dining area, he hears Isa's voice through the intercomm: "Warning - the dining area is currently under zero-gravity conditions."

Approaching slowly, his curiousity piqued, David comes into the edge of the lounge area, still in the hallway where gravity is currently Earth-normal. In the lounge area, tables and chair have been pushed aside for the moment, and he sees one of the two new crewmembers, Mallory Skcynski, bouncing off the walls, floor, and ceiling of the dining area. Upon seeing David, she alters her trajectory, bouncing off one of the walls so as to head toward the direction of the hallway that David is in. In midair when she crosses over into the standard gravity zone, her body drops quickly to the floor, at which point she tumbles and lands, rolling on the floor, with seemingly little harm to herself.

Picking herself up, David sees that her workout has made her break a good sweat, although she only appears to be breathing slightly heavier than normal.

"H-h-hiya."

Perry Holley

09-27-2005, 07:38 PM

Sam added them to the general library, with notation as to the source. The following is tagged to the above-listed library file that Andy pulled up:

CAPTAIN'S LOG - MEGAN'S DELIGHT:

Another damned broken world.

I remember Troy from before the war. Beautiful floating cities that wandered along the calm waves of Troy's oceans... those cities are gone now, destroyed and sunk to the ocean's depths during the war. Sometimes it seems that, with a handful of exceptions, each world we encounter is worse off than the last one.

The remaining Troyians are mostly clusterd around the city (no, 'city' is too large a term; town? settlement?) of Broussard. Despite the hardships they've suffered, the Troyians are a relatively friendly folk, although understandably wary of outsiders. After some initial uncertainty, we seemed to eventually get along well enough. Got some much needed food supplies... hope everyone likes fish for the forseeable future.

Note for future trading - if we can get any beef, or really any non-fish meats, it should sell well here. Also maybe see if we can score some electrical generators and solar batteries; they seem to be doing okay with what they have, but I'm certain they wouldn't mind having some replacements available.

Wouldn't mind taking the Delight underwater and seeing what we could salvage from those sunken cities, but the Troyians seem touchy about off-worlders scavenging their world, and I'd rather stay on their good side, if possible.

On a personal note, Harlan finally seems to be loosening up a little bit, even if he did want to act as a peacekeeper during some minor family squabble. You can take the man out of the police uniform, but not the cop out of the man, it seems. Still, he actually seemed fairly mellow by the time we left (I'm not certain, but I suspect he might have actually gotten laid).

As for Gustaf... well, I admit I had my doubts, taking on a teenaged runaway/pleasureboy on the ship, but he actually seems to be working out. The fact that he's a psychometrist has proved useful during trading; if he can ever grok the economic side of trading, he could make a fine merchant.

As for myself, I'm just glad to be in Anderson space again; it's the only time I ever truly seem to relax these days.

Need to plot out our future course; perhaps we'll make our way to Rivendale, and follow up on that salvage possibility we've learned of...

- Captain Janna Weston, 019.3668

FBHthelizardmage

09-28-2005, 02:29 PM

As David wanders toward the direction of the lounge/dining area, he hears Isa's voice through the intercomm: "Warning - the dining area is currently under zero-gravity conditions."

Approaching slowly, his curiousity piqued, David comes into the edge of the lounge area, still in the hallway where gravity is currently Earth-normal. In the lounge area, tables and chair have been pushed aside for the moment, and he sees one of the two new crewmembers, Mallory Skcynski, bouncing off the walls, floor, and ceiling of the dining area. Upon seeing David, she alters her trajectory, bouncing off one of the walls so as to head toward the direction of the hallway that David is in. In midair when she crosses over into the standard gravity zone, her body drops quickly to the floor, at which point she tumbles and lands, rolling on the floor, with seemingly little harm to herself.

Picking herself up, David sees that her workout has made her break a good sweat, although she only appears to be breathing slightly heavier than normal.

"H-h-hiya."

"uh... hello..." he looks her over, then offers a hand up. "I've heard of bouncing off the walls in Anderson drive, but never seen it taken so litterally. Would it be impolite to ask why your doing?" He gives his best smile. "not that I mind... looks kinda fun."

Perry Holley

09-28-2005, 05:30 PM

"uh... hello..." he looks her over, then offers a hand up. "I've heard of bouncing off the walls in Anderson drive, but never seen it taken so literally. Would it be impolite to ask why your doing?" He gives his best smile."J-just g-g-getting my sp-sp-space legs b-back," she responds, taking David's hand. "After st-staying on T-tesla for s-s-so long, I w-was afraid I m-might have l-l-lost a st-step or t-t-two."

"Not that I mind... looks kinda fun."She flashes a big grin. "Y-yeah, it is! I've m-m-missed th-this!"

Royal

09-28-2005, 08:36 PM

Andy rubs his eyes after staring at the screen & reaches for his flask. "Can't believe I forgot my swimsuit" He takes a swig. Isa's voice comes over the intercom.

"Warning - the dining area is currently under zero-gravity conditions."

Andy sits for a second to let all the information set in. He then heads out to dining area.

FBHthelizardmage

09-30-2005, 08:39 AM

She flashes a big grin. "Y-yeah, it is! I've m-m-missed th-this!"

"So... Mallory isn't it? I don't think we've been properly introduced." David bows slightly "I'm David. The former rich kid who ends up flying this ship... and something of a TV personality on Tesla so I'm told..." he looks her over curiously. "So what brings you to our illustrious crew?"

Perry Holley

10-01-2005, 07:48 AM

"So... Mallory isn't it? I don't think we've been properly introduced." David bows slightly "I'm David. The former rich kid who ends up flying this ship... and something of a TV personality on Tesla so I'm told..." he looks her over curiously. "So what brings you to our illustrious crew?""I w-was w-w-wasted d-dirtside... th-this is w-what I've b-been trained t-to do. It's wh-what I'm g-g-ood at."

As Andy approaches, she eyes both him and David. "B-b-besides... l-l-lots of c-c-cute guys on th-this sh-ship," she adds with a grin.

FBHthelizardmage

10-01-2005, 12:25 PM

"I w-was w-w-wasted d-dirtside... th-this is w-what I've b-been trained t-to do. It's wh-what I'm g-g-ood at."

As Andy approaches, she eyes both him and David. "B-b-besides... l-l-lots of c-c-cute guys on th-this sh-ship," she adds with a grin.

"Yes." David gives a mock sigh. "though we were rather short of cute girls till you came along..." he winks.

Royal

10-03-2005, 07:17 AM

FBHthelizardmage

10-03-2005, 03:23 PM

Andy see David & a lovely young woman standing the hallway. He approaches them. "Knew there was some commotion somewhere." He smiled & turned toward the woman "How do you do? I'm Andy Roosty, the ship's medic. You must be the heavy gunner they just hired, correct?"

David looks at Andy, masking whatever irratation he feels at the new crew member interupting him as he tries to talk the gunner into bed, but standing back slightly to let her speak.

Once she's replied to Andy he speaks again. "By the way Mallory, did you get a tour? If not I've got nothing much to do in Anderson space so I'd be happy to show you around."

Perry Holley

10-03-2005, 05:43 PM

Andy see David & a lovely young woman standing the hallway. He approaches them. "Knew there was some commotion somewhere." He smiled & turned toward the woman "How do you do? I'm Andy Roosty, the ship's medic. You must be the heavy gunner they just hired, correct?" "y-yep, th-that's me. N-n-nice to m-meet you, A-andy."

Once she's replied to Andy he speaks again. "By the way Mallory, did you get a tour? If not I've got nothing much to do in Anderson space so I'd be happy to show you around."She grins. "L-lead the w-w-way."

Royal

10-03-2005, 09:04 PM

David looks at Andy, masking whatever irratation he feels at the new crew member interupting him as he tries to talk the gunner into bed, but standing back slightly to let her speak.

Once she's replied to Andy he speaks again. "By the way Mallory, did you get a tour? If not I've got nothing much to do in Anderson space so I'd be happy to show you around."

Andy smiles "Hey. You mind if I tag along? I'm still a bit iffy about knowing the ship & following you might help me better with response situtations."

FBHthelizardmage

10-04-2005, 01:44 PM

Andy smiles "Hey. You mind if I tag along? I'm still a bit iffy about knowing the ship & following you might help me better with response situtations."

"Sure..." David seems to think for a moment. "One thing first though. You’re the medic? I was wondering could you check up on facilities in the hold for the return trip. I wouldn't want to get to our destination and find we have some weird bio agent cargo and nowhere to safely store it." David gives the medic a warm and friendly smile.

Royal

10-04-2005, 02:19 PM

"Sure..." David seems to think for a moment. "One thing first though. You’re the medic? I was wondering could you check up on facilities in the hold for the return trip. I wouldn't want to get to our destination and find we have some weird bio agent cargo and nowhere to safely store it." David gives the medic a warm and friendly smile.

"Sure thing!" Andy walks a couple steps & looks around. He then points in a direction? "Down here?"

FBHthelizardmage

10-04-2005, 02:35 PM

"Sure thing!" Andy walks a couple steps & looks around. He then points in a direction? "Down here?"

David looks "no, other way, look for signs to cargo area." As Andy departs he returns his smile to Mallory. "anyway... the tour."

[David will try to make the tour as intresting as possible and contiue chatting up the new crewer on the way.]

Royal

10-04-2005, 02:41 PM

Perry Holley

10-04-2005, 03:49 PM

David looks "no, other way, look for signs to cargo area." As Andy departs he returns his smile to Mallory. "anyway... the tour."

[David will try to make the tour as intresting as possible and contiue chatting up the new crewer on the way.]David gives Mallory the nickle tour... which doesn't take that long, given that the Moonshadow isn't a terribly long vessel. Still, David manages to drag it out a bit, so as to spend more time with her.

Mal seems to enjoy David's company, and occasionally flirts lightly back in his direction, but doesn't go any further than that.

Perry Holley

10-04-2005, 03:54 PM

"Gotcha. Thanks!" Andy heads down to the cargo area.Andy spends a few minutes in the cargo bay, looking over the cargo manifest. There's some medical suppplies of a basic nature being shipped, but nothing unusual that would require any special precautions of any sort.

[Royal, I'll try to remember to email you the deckplans for the ship.]

Royal

10-04-2005, 04:06 PM

Andy spends a few minutes in the cargo bay, looking over the cargo manifest. There's some medical suppplies of a basic nature being shipped, but nothing unusual that would require any special precautions of any sort.

[Royal, I'll try to remember to email you the deckplans for the ship.]

"Everything looks good." Andy heads back above deck & looks for everyone.

[thanks. Could you also send a copy of my character sheet too? I think my email at it.]

FBHthelizardmage

10-04-2005, 04:30 PM

David gives Mallory the nickle tour... which doesn't take that long, given that the Moonshadow isn't a terribly long vessel. Still, David manages to drag it out a bit, so as to spend more time with her.

Mal seems to enjoy David's company, and occasionally flirts lightly back in his direction, but doesn't go any further than that.

David sighs inwardly, a possible distraction on the long voyage taken away. But part of him is perhaps impressed by her professionalism. Ending up at the mess hall again, he sees Andy and smiles at them both. "Hum... well, rather than give an immediate tour for you again, (I'm a pilot, not a tour guide) Why don't you two come back to my cabin and we'll have a drink..." he looks at the two new crewmembers speculatively.

OOC just to clarify, David wasn't sending Andy on a total wild goose chase, he was really wanting to check if the pharmaceuticals that are coming back with them could be safely contained.

Perry Holley

10-06-2005, 06:24 PM

David sighs inwardly, a possible distraction on the long voyage taken away. But part of him is perhaps impressed by her professionalism. Ending up at the mess hall again, he sees Andy and smiles at them both. "Hum... well, rather than give an immediate tour for you again, (I'm a pilot, not a tour guide) Why don't you two come back to my cabin and we'll have a drink..." he looks at the two new crewmembers speculatively. Mallory accepts the offer, but only drinks lightly. "L-like I n-need m-m-more help t-talking f-f-funny." Andy does or does not accept (depending on Royal's decision).

Eventually, the Moonshadow exits Anderson space, on the edge of the Ross 388 system. Even though it's an empty system, Mallory nevertheless suits up in her vacc suit and takes her position in one of the gunner's turrets. The next few hours are spend drifting toward the gas giant Whitefish, where the Moonshadow can skim hydrogen from the gas giant's surface, enough so to refuel for the next jump into Anderson space.

Although this is a fairly routine action for a Norton-class vessel like the Moonshadow, Sam nonetheless is in the engineering section, not working on his special project (only a few more days to go!), but rather keeping an eye on the antigrav engines. Should something go wrong with them, not only would the ship get pulled into the intense gravity of Whitefish, but everyone on board would be too busy being crushed to try to prevent the ship's destruction.

Shortly thereafter, the ship's fuel holds are full, and are busy filtering out the impurities, pumping pure hydrogen into the fuel cells. As this is finished, the Moonshadow begins pulling away from Whitefish, slowly seperating itself from the gas giant's tremoundous gravity, to get far away enough from Whitefish's gravity well to safely re-enter Anderson space.

"Captain, we may have a problem."

The voice is Isa's, broadcast directly to Sam's wristcomm, from her position on the bridge, where she is assisting David. "Sensors are picking up another vessel in-system, approaching our direction. Although readings at this range are not definite, I believe the ship in question is a Raven-class vessel." Sam is somewhat familiar with that class of ship, having worked all of a week on one, trading his skills for passage, back before the Empire's collapse, when such arrangements were not entirely unusual. At 550 dtons, a Raven-class vessel would be almost a third-again as large as the Moonshadow, and they come standard with three gunner turrets, not two like the Moonshadow. Worse still, if thier intentions are hostile, the Moonshadow and her crew, currently being on the bottom end of the gravity well, are at a tactical disadvantage, due to limits on the ship's manueverability.

"Captain, what are your orders?"

Edit: picture attached

MatthewC

10-06-2005, 08:00 PM

but rather keeping an eye on the antigrav engines. Should something go wrong with them, not only would the ship get pulled into the intense gravity of Whitefish, but everyone on board would be too busy being crushed to try to prevent the ship's destruction.

OOC: Huh, not to try to pull any real physics here, but if the ship is being pulled into the gravity well, then wouldn't that would mean everyone would be in free fall? Well, right up until we get to the point we get deep enough in the atmosphere that the pressure crushes the ship like a tin can. :)

"Captain, we may have a problem."

The voice is Isa's, broadcast directly to Sam's wristcomm, from her position on the bridge, where she is assisting David. "Sensors are picking up another vessel in-system, approaching our direction. Although readings at this range are not definite, I believe the ship in question is a Raven-class vessel." Sam is somewhat familiar with that class of ship, having worked all of a week on one, trading his skills for passage, back before the Empire's collapse, when such arrangements were not entirely unusual. At 550 dtons, a Raven-class vessel would be almost a third-again as large as the Moonshadow, and they come standard with three gunner turrets, not two like the Moonshadow. Worse still, if thier intentions are hostile, the Moonshadow and her crew, currently being on the bottom end of the gravity well, are at a tactical disadvantage, due to limits on the ship's manueverability.

"Captain, what are your orders?"

Sam takes a few seconds to think, then responds. "Ooots a sure bet tha' they've seen us, so we may as well ask what they're aboot. Hail 'em on tha radio and see if they answer. While that's underfoot, our hotshot pilot needs ta make a decision. Are we far enough oot that we ken make a run fer it an try ta escape ta Anderson space? Oor do we need ta head back towards Whitefish, so that we ken play hide an seek in tha' edges o' the atmosphere? Whatever Davie-boy's call, I'll prep tha' ship ta deal with it."

[OOC: Obviously if one, Sam will start prepping the propulsion system for maximum power, if the other then he'll do his best to reinforce the antigrav system for some extra stresses. And with that, I toss it in FBH's lap, hoping that you can give him enough info to make an interesting decision.]

Royal

10-07-2005, 09:26 AM

Time goes mind numbingly fast for Andy. One minute, he was drinking with Dave. The next minute he was fully preping the med area for what laid ahead. Andy is now in the bridge with the crew. "Med area is all set, Captain."

[OOC: I'd like Andy to take a good look at the ship. See if he can see any markings, battle damage & other details]

FBHthelizardmage

10-08-2005, 12:48 PM

Sam takes a few seconds to think, then responds. "Ooots a sure bet tha' they've seen us, so we may as well ask what they're aboot. Hail 'em on tha radio and see if they answer. While that's underfoot, our hotshot pilot needs ta make a decision. Are we far enough oot that we ken make a run fer it an try ta escape ta Anderson space? Oor do we need ta head back towards Whitefish, so that we ken play hide an seek in tha' edges o' the atmosphere? Whatever Davie-boy's call, I'll prep tha' ship ta deal with it."

[OOC: Obviously if one, Sam will start prepping the propulsion system for maximum power, if the other then he'll do his best to reinforce the antigrav system for some extra stresses. And with that, I toss it in FBH's lap, hoping that you can give him enough info to make an interesting decision.]

"Maybe we could slingshot around Whitefish... that always works in the holos..." David asks as the captain finishes speaking

Perry Holley

10-09-2005, 10:22 PM

OOC: Huh, not to try to pull any real physics here, but if the ship is being pulled into the gravity well, then wouldn't that would mean everyone would be in free fall? Well, right up until we get to the point we get deep enough in the atmosphere that the pressure crushes the ship like a tin can. :) [Now, see, that's just crazy moon-talk... :o ]

Sam takes a few seconds to think, then responds. "Ooots a sure bet tha' they've seen us, so we may as well ask what they're aboot. Hail 'em on tha radio and see if they answer."After a minute or so, Isa relays the following message: "Moonshadow, this is the Midnight Wind. You are to stand down, and to prepare to be boarded. If you do so, you will be allowed to live, and to keep your ship. Any resistance will be met with lethal force."

Perry Holley

10-09-2005, 10:24 PM

"Maybe we could slingshot around Whitefish... that always works in the holos..." David asks as the captain finishes speakingIn theory, it should be doable...

They're probably not yet in firing range, but probably will be soon, BTW.

FBHthelizardmage

10-10-2005, 07:18 AM

In theroy, it should be doable...

They're probably not yet in firing range, but probably will be soon, BTW.

"check my calculations on this one Isa..." David begins programing in the flight path "your call captain. We run, fight or surrender?... who the hell are these guys anyway? Pirates?"

Perry Holley

10-10-2005, 01:45 PM

"check my calculations on this one Isa..." David begins programing in the flight path "your call captain. We run, fight or surrender?... who the hell are these guys anyway? Pirates?"Isa begins a check on David's calculations, and responds, "Whoever they are, if we are not going to surrender meekly, then I suggest that everyone get in their vacc suits; having the ship depressurized will help to minimize any damage the Moonshadow might suffer."

"Captain, your orders?"

MatthewC

10-10-2005, 05:24 PM

Isa begins a check on David's calculations, and responds, "Whoever they are, if we are not going to surrender meekly, then I suggest that everyone get in their vacc suits; having the ship depressurized will help to minimize any damage the Moonshadow might suffer."

"Captain, your orders?"

Sam adjusts his com to make sure that everyone can hear him on the general channel. "Aye, everyone into their vacuum suits. Andy, lad, I want you ta take personal charge o' oor passenger. Make sure he gets into his suit proper. All, sing out as soon as you're zipped up, an' I'll begin despressurizing.

"We sure as hell ain't surrenderin' on their good word that they'll let us goo unharmed. It's true they're a bigger ship an better armed, boot ah'm wagering they willnae have tha stones ta fight ta the end if we make it dead sure they'd take serious damage taking us oot. Davie, we run an' we fight. Keep us ahead o' them as we ken get, boot those manning tha' turrents should feel free ta take some potshots if they slip inta oor range."

Sam stops transmitting, then immediately remembers something and makes an adendum. "Oh, and Isa? Transmit this message back, and quote me precisely, lass."

Sam proceeds to suggest that the captain of the Midnight Wind should take part in an act that is both anatomically improbable and causually impossible. (At least, without access to a time machine and a lot of lube.)

He then starts to don his suit.

FBHthelizardmage

10-11-2005, 05:11 AM

Sam adjusts his com to make sure that everyone can hear him on the general channel. "Aye, everyone into their vacuum suits. Andy, lad, I want you ta take personal charge o' oor passenger. Make sure he gets into his suit proper. All, sing out as soon as you're zipped up, an' I'll begin despressurizing.

"We sure as hell ain't surrenderin' on their good word that they'll let us goo unharmed. It's true they're a bigger ship an better armed, boot ah'm wagering they willnae have tha stones ta fight ta the end if we make it dead sure they'd take serious damage taking us oot. Davie, we run an' we fight. Keep us ahead o' them as we ken get, boot those manning tha' turrents should feel free ta take some potshots if they slip inta oor range."

Sam stops transmitting, then immediately remembers something and makes an adendum. "Oh, and Isa? Transmit this message back, and quote me precisely, lass."

Sam proceeds to suggest that the captain of the Midnight Wind should take part in an act that is both anatomically improbable and causually impossible. (At least, without access to a time machine and a lot of lube.)

He then starts to don his suit.

David is forced to chuckle "Alright. Punching it." He kicks in the drive, aiming for the slingshot and preparing to start evasive action if they close to weapons range... "Uh... Isa... or someone, I kinda need someone to find me a suit."

Perry Holley

10-11-2005, 06:28 AM

David is forced to chuckle "Alright. Punching it." He kicks in the drive, aiming for the slingshot and preparing to start evasive action if they close to weapons range... "Uh... Isa... or someone, I kinda need someone to find me a suit."[I'm willing to assume that David got a custom-fitted suit while on Tesla as part of the purchasing of supplies. Sam already had one, Mallory brought her own, and Isa and Bill don't need one. That only leaves Andy and the passenger, who will have to make do with the emergency, non-fitted suits that are available across the ship]

Meanwhile, as he begins to put on his vacc suit, Sam receives a message from Mallory over his intercomm. The precise, mechanical nature of the message suggests perhaps a text message sent via a voice broadcast program.

"Captain, do you want them crippled, or destroyed?"

Royal

10-11-2005, 09:05 AM

MatthewC

10-11-2005, 10:16 AM

Meanwhile, as he begins to put on his vacc suit, Sam receives a message from Mallory over his intercomm. The precise, mechanical nature of the message suggests perhaps a text message sent via a voice broadcast program.

"Captain, do you want them crippled, or destroyed?"

Despite the fact that he can be loud, obnoxious, and even on occasion unnecessarily violent, Captain Starfall is not by nature inclined towards killing people. He sends back a direct message to Mallory, not general broadcast. "If we're makin' a choice, cripple them. If you're in a position to choose, mind."

Perry Holley

10-11-2005, 04:07 PM

"Aye Captain!"

Andy sprints up the stairs to the upper level. He stops by his quarters to pick up his guns & his switchblade. Stops by the med lab to grab a medkit. He then grabs two decompression suits & heads up to Mousaki's quarters. He knocks on the door.

"Mr. Mousaki! This is Andy, the ships medic. I need to get you into your decompression suit."The door to Mr. Mousaki's quarters opens, and Andy sees that the sole passenger aboard the Moonshadow is already ahead of him, halfway into the vacc suit that was in his quarters.

"I guess it's time to find out if the crew of this vessel is worth what I'm paying, eh?"

Royal

10-11-2005, 04:50 PM

The door to Mr. Mousaki's quarters opens, and Andy sees that the sole passenger aboard the Moonshadow is already ahead of him, halfway into the vacc suit that was in his quarters.

"I guess it's time to find out if the crew of this vessel is worth what I'm paying, eh?"

"Yes sir." Andy helps Mousaki with his vac suit. "We've got some deadeyes in the turrents & even if they get past them...well...let's just say they'll be second guessing their captain once the day is out."

As soon as everyone is suited, Andy hits the com. "Captain! Suited up and ready to go. Further orders?"

MatthewC

10-11-2005, 06:15 PM

"Yes sir." Andy helps Mousaki with his vac suit. "We've got some deadeyes in the turrents & even if they get past them...well...let's just say they'll be second guessing their captain once the day is out."

As soon as everyone is suited, Andy hits the com. "Captain! Suited up and ready to go. Further orders?"

Sam begins depressurization procedures.

"Noot boot ta strap yerself down an wait fer- Well, wait. Tha ship after us says they're called the Midnight Wind, a Raven-class ship. If you ken find anything on 'em in oor database in say the next thirty seconds... well, that would be grand."

Royal

10-11-2005, 06:26 PM

Sam begins depressurization procedures.

"Noot boot ta strap yerself down an wait fer- Well, wait. Tha ship after us says they're called the Midnight Wind, a Raven-class ship. If you ken find anything on 'em in oor database in say the next thirty seconds... well, that would be grand."

"You got it!!"

Andy runs as fast as he can, almost missing his quarters. He enters, jumps over his chair & straps in. Andy then let's his fingers fly over the keyboard.

Perry Holley

10-11-2005, 06:27 PM

"Noot boot ta strap yerself down an wait fer- Well, wait. Tha ship after us says they're called the Midnight Wind, a Raven-class ship. If you ken find anything on 'em in oor database in say the next thirty seconds... well, that would be grand.""No mention of the Midnight Wind, captain," Isa responds, "but that isn't surprising. Most pirate ships have two names... the ones they use for legal purposes, and the ones they use when doing illegal activity. Besides, many of our files are still 12 years out of date."

Perry Holley

10-11-2005, 06:39 PM

Andy runs as fast as he can, almost missing his quarters. He enters, jumps over his chair & straps in. Andy then let's his fingers fly over the keyboard.Andy finds nothing in the database, but then he remembers something... at one point, when he was helping to act as protection on a cargo run, he heard a couple of people talk about a pirate vessel called the Midnight Wind; it had a particularly bad reputation, in the 'leave no one alive' kind of way.

Granted, it was second-hand hearsay, but still...

Royal

10-11-2005, 07:48 PM

Andy hits the com on the comp.

"Captain! I remember the name now! They're pirates of the worse sort! Take them down! I repeat, TAKE THEM DOWN!"

FBHthelizardmage

10-12-2005, 05:19 PM

David hears that and looks into getting a bit more acceleration out of the drive as he zooms down the slingshot corridor.

[Perry, If possible, David to fit some leeway into the calculation so he can evade when they get close without either spoiling the shot or slamming into the gas giant.]

Perry Holley

10-12-2005, 07:31 PM

David guides/forces the Moonshadow into the desired trajectory, unfortunately, while he's doing so, that leaves his manueverabilty somewhat limited. Despite David's best efforts, one of the laser trurrets from the Midnight Wind scores a hit against the Moonshadow, but it appears to be a glancing blow against the hull. "Hull integrity intact," Isa announces.

Bill Cash, who is in the starboard turret of the Moonshadow, scores a hit against the other ship, although it is not obvious how much damage they suffered as a result.

Mallory Skcynski, opposite Bill in the port turret, takes slightly longer to fire, picking her shot carefully. An arc of light shoots out, connecting with the engine section of the Midnight Wind. "From the way they are using their thrusters against Whitefish's pull, I would surmise that their antigrav engines are no longer funcional," Isa announces.

It is then that the Moonshadow shudders. A beam of enemy light connects, hitting solidly enough to do serious damage. Isa monitors the effects from her position on the bridge, and then announces her readings:

"Captain, our starboard turret has been... destroyed."

To make matters worse, the Wind's third turret, silent until now, makes itself known... not firing a laser beam or another sort of energy weapon, but rather a missile of unknown design, heading straight for the Moonshadow...

FBHthelizardmage

10-13-2005, 08:23 AM

MatthewC

10-13-2005, 05:05 PM

To make matters worse, the Wind's third turret, silent until now, makes itself known... not firing a laser beam or another sort of energy weapon, but rather a missile of unknown design, heading straight for the Moonshadow...

Assuming that Sam can tell this from his current postion in the engine room....

Sam makes a wild guess as to the missile's tracking system. He hits the emergency vent button to expel some of the white-hot hydrogen from the Moonshadow's fusion reactor chamber, then tries to shut off the venting before the ship loses its entire fuel supply. The shunt was designed in case energency loss of reactor containment, but perhaps it can serve a different purpose now.

If the missile is designed to track by heat, a rapidly expanding cloud of hot gas might confuse it. If it's tracking by radar, perhaps the fused metallics in the gas (never more than a few trace amounts, but still) will confuse that system.

(OOC: Er, assuming that's a good idea. Sam would certainly know better than me.)

Perry Holley

10-13-2005, 06:25 PM

As Sam vents the heated hydrogen, David desperately attempts to evade the oncoming missile. The combination of the two actions seem to have the desired result; as the Moonshadow veers off at a different angle, the missile follows the direction of the superheated fuel exhaust, and exploding when it reaches it.

It's a good thing that the Moonshadow was out of the blast radius of the explosion.

The explosion isn't a typical one. It isn't even an atomic weapon, a bad as that would be. "The missile in question appears to be some sort of massive EMP generator," comments Isa. She then rattles off some numbers and figures which mean little to David, but the magnitude thereof impresses and frightens Sam. "The perfect weapon for disabling a ship without destroying it," adds Isa.

Meanwhile, the laser turrets continue to fire from the Midnight Wind, but David's defensive manueverings manage to evade them for the moment. This acts as a reminder to both David and Sam that Mallory hasn't fired from her turret in what seems like an eternity. Is something wrong? Has she just went sparky and lost her marbles?

Finally, a beam of deadly light tears forth from the port turret, angling toward the Wind. It connects with the enemy ship, specifically hitting the third, missile-firing turret...

...just as it prepares to fire another missile.

Now, when a missile is destroyed prematurely by enemy fire, it usually doesn't detonate to full effect.

But when an EMP-generating missile is being primed by an electronically-charged missile-loading device, and said device is hit by an incoming laser beam, well...

The electromagnetic exlplosion engulfs the Midnight Wind; after it dissipates, Isa's reading confirms what Sam already suspects. "All systems aboard the Midnight Wind appears to be dead."

Royal

10-13-2005, 07:11 PM

Andy hits the com as soon as it sounds like the fighting is over. "Everybody gimme a headcount!!"

MatthewC

10-13-2005, 07:49 PM

Andy hits the com as soon as it sounds like the fighting is over. "Everybody gimme a headcount!!"

Sam speaks. "Starfall here! Heh, talk aboot caught in their own-"

He breaks off, suddenly recalling what Isa had said about the starboard turret being destroyed. "Bill!" Sam begins heading to the turret at top speed, hoping there might be something of Bill Cash left to salvage.

FBHthelizardmage

10-14-2005, 03:00 PM

"I'm here." David says... "Do we keep running or?"

Perry Holley

10-14-2005, 09:46 PM

It's a short trip from the area of the engineering section where Sam was to the starboard turret. It's a good thing that Sam is in his vacc suit, and that the Moonshadow has already been depressurized, as the hull integrity to the turret section has been... well, 'compromised' is far too mild a term. More specifically, what remains of the turret is a twisted mass of metal and other debris, with open space no longer held at bay by protective shielding.

In the remains of the turrets, parts of what used to be Bill Cash's body are fused to the gunner's chair... the parts that are still recognizable as what was once Bill that is. The rest of his body is now presumably floating in space along with the rest of the loose debris from the turret.

As much as he might hope otherwise, Sam knows there is no hope that the man he knew as Bill Cash is still in any form 'alive'.

MatthewC

10-15-2005, 11:11 AM

In the remains of the turrets, parts of what used to be Bill Cash's body are fused to the gunner's chair... the parts that are still recognizable as what was once Bill that is. The rest of his body is now presumably floating in space along with the rest of the loose debris from the turret.

As much as he might hope otherwise, Sam knows there is no hope that the man he knew as Bill Cash is still in any form 'alive'.

Sam spots Bill's hat, fused to the headrest of the chair by a spatter of molten metal. He grabs it and yanks it loose, leaving a large quantity of brim behind. That's twice now that Bill Cash has gotten himself blown up trying to save the crew of the Moonshadow.

"Bill Cash is dead... er, destroyed," Sam announces over the radio. Attaching the hat to a belt clip, he moves back to the nearest pressure door and begins to seal it shut, cutting what used to be the turret off from the rest of the ship. This will make it safe to repressurize the ship.

"Isa, what's tha status o' tha Midnight Wind? Is its position stable, or is it goon ta start fallin' into Whitefish pretty soon?"

Perry Holley

10-15-2005, 02:15 PM

"Isa, what's tha status o' tha Midnight Wind? Is its position stable, or is it goon ta start fallin' into Whitefish pretty soon?"Isa checks some calculations. "The Wind is in no danger of being pulled into Whitefish's gravity well... she pulled away from that while trying to follow the Moonshadow. Her current position is following a stable trajectory, based on the forward momentum they had at the time of the EMP detonation."

MatthewC

10-15-2005, 04:36 PM

Isa checks some calculations. "The Wind is in no danger of being pulled into Whitefish's gravity well... she pulled away from that while trying to follow the Moonshadow. Her current position is following a stable trajectory, based on the forward momentum they had at the time of the EMP detonation."

"As see."

Sam takes a moment to make sure he's broadcasting shipwide. "This is Captain Starfall. Th' Midnight Wind has been taken oot by their own pulse weapon. I dinnae think they're goon ta be goin' anywhere soon. So tha question before us is what ta do now. Namely, do we turn tail and leave 'em dead in space, blow them up, or try 'an take tha' crew prisoner? I'm noot saying I'm pooting this to ah vote, but I do want ta hear opinions on tha' matter."

Perry Holley

10-15-2005, 06:05 PM

"As see."

Sam takes a moment to make sure he's broadcasting shipwide. "This is Captain Starfall. Th' Midnight Wind has been taken oot by their own pulse weapon. I dinnae think they're goon ta be goin' anywhere soon. So tha question before us is what ta do now. Namely, do we turn tail and leave 'em dead in space, blow them up, or try 'an take tha' crew prisoner? I'm noot saying I'm pooting this to ah vote, but I do want ta hear opinions on tha' matter."After a minute or so, Sam gets a message from Mallory, via her voice-activation program. "Captain, we may want to check out what we can salvage from them... if nothing else, we have a laser turret to replace."

Royal

10-15-2005, 08:51 PM

Andy speaks up.

"I say attach a beacon on them & let them drift. Let the next ship deal with them. We don't know how many are aboard & I don't think we can risk detaining prisoners for 12+ days."

Andy sits back & thinks a bit.

"If we do need to board, I think our primary concern is disabling their EMF launch system for good."

FBHthelizardmage

10-16-2005, 04:35 AM

"I'm all for salvaging them" David says. "But we should make them flee the ship first... Mal... could you disable their laser turret without making it unsalvagable... what if they fix the system?"

Perry Holley

10-16-2005, 12:46 PM

Isa adds in, "Be aware that their crew may not present that much of a threat. Assuming that they depressurized their ship as we did, they would not be able to get their life support working anytime soon. Moreso, while the electromagnetic pulse would not have most likely affected their crew directly, it would have done so on the vaccum suits they were wearing. Even though most vacc suits have oxygen supplies to last for up to 24 hours, the sensors in those suits that monitor and control the flow of oxygen to the person wearing the suit are most likely not working anymore, nor the temperature controls that regulate the suit's interior to keep it within optimum living conditions. While a crewmember might be able to manually override and control the oxygen controls, it is less likely that they would be able to do so with the more delicate and sensitive life support systems that the suit provides."

"In short, I do not believe that they have very long to live."

MatthewC

10-16-2005, 04:34 PM

"In short, I do not believe that they have very long to live."

Sam rubs his helmet, wishing he could wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Then we had best make oor way o'er there before they're all goon. It's nae likely, boot I suppose they might have captives on there from post raids. Mister Adams, match oor course 'n spin so that we can enter their airlocks. Everyone else, arm yourselves. These will be some deseperate men. Mallory, nice shooting oot there. Ya saved oor booties. Now we need ya on with the rest o' us fer tha boarding action."

FBHthelizardmage

10-17-2005, 06:01 AM

Sam rubs his helmet, wishing he could wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Then we had best make oor way o'er there before they're all goon. It's nae likely, boot I suppose they might have captives on there from post raids. Mister Adams, match oor course 'n spin so that we can enter their airlocks. Everyone else, arm yourselves. These will be some deseperate men. Mallory, nice shooting oot there. Ya saved oor booties. Now we need ya on with the rest o' us fer tha boarding action."

David does as instructed. "note to self, Get EMP proofing on my space suit."

Royal

10-17-2005, 07:05 PM

MatthewC

10-17-2005, 09:02 PM

Andy converts his gunbelt into a utility belt & fills the pouches with lockpick equipment, detective equipment, his switchblade, extra magazines for his guns & other assortied goodies. He then puts on the belt & loads up his arm holsters. After testing the spring actions on both of the holsters, he slides them on, attaches the guns & is ready for action.

"Who's got point?"

Sam has fetched himself a rather large wrench and a gun awkwardly belted across his hips in the fashion of someone who hasn't worn such a thing very often. He looks at Andy's professional kitting, then at his wrench, then back at Andy.

"Er, I'd hav' ta say that's you, lad."

Royal

10-17-2005, 09:20 PM

Sam has fetched himself a rather large wrench and a gun awkwardly belted across his hips in the fashion of someone who hasn't worn such a thing very often. He looks at Andy's professional kitting, then at his wrench, then back at Andy.

"Er, I'd hav' ta say that's you, lad."

"Right. We'll wait for Mal & then we'll be of."

Andy turns around & see how Sam is wearing his gun. He grabs the gunbelt & tugs it till the gun is to Sam's side.

"I can fix legs. Not singing voices."

Perry Holley

10-17-2005, 09:32 PM

"I'm h-h-here," says Mallory. She has a rifle in her hands, a pistol at her side, and a combat knife, magnetically attached to the boot of her vacc suit.

She'll take rear guard, unless either Andy or Sam indicate otherwise.

FBHthelizardmage

10-18-2005, 04:33 PM

David hurries up behind the rest, leaving Isa in charge of the ship.
"It's not as if I can do much over here solo." he says, strapping on another sidearm.

Perry Holley

10-18-2005, 06:38 PM

As Sam, Andy, Mal, and David gather together, Isa's voice comes through on Sam's intercomm. "Captain, I'm detecting three life-signals aboard the Wind, all centered in their common area near the center of the ship."

[Matthew, you've got two hatches (on each side of the ship) and a cargo bay door that you can try to blow through to gain access to the enemy ship. There's also the opened areas through the third turret and the engineering section where Mal's laser cut through their hull. You could try access through other areas, but the hull will be thicker in most of the rest of the ship.]

MatthewC

10-18-2005, 07:33 PM

Perry Holley

10-19-2005, 05:44 PM

The Moonshadow aligns itself on top of the Midnight Wind, and begins the process of boarding the enemy vessel begins. Sam and the rest of the crew must make their way out of the Moonshadow through the cargo bay door, and make their way up to the cargo doors of the Wind. Even with magnetized boots, and magnetic grapples to traverse from ship to ship, the transfer is still a tense one; a mishap could cause an unlucky crewmember to find themselves floating out in space, with possibly no way to get back. Fortunately, the boarding party makes it over with no mishaps.

Outside of the Wind's cargo bay, Sam disables the hinges of the bay door [similar to what they did in the pilot episode of Firefly]; after the door comes off, the boarding party enters into the belly of the enemy vessel. There are no lights on inside, of course, due to teh EMP explosion. A flashlight shows that the cargo bay is mostly empty, with the exception of a small, six-wheeled ATV, that has a machine-gun mounted on top. There are three stairwells going up to the ship's top level (two in the rear corners near where you entered, one in the front), as well as a hatch on each side of the bay, leading off to the wing areas.