'Fallen Stars' play-by-post campaign

[MatthewC]

David nods, forced to agree with the others logic. "Troy's like, one town. Where would he hide?"

He looks over at Sam. "what do you have in mind for a test? We should probably avoid anything too complex... it's likely to go wrong"

Sam looks much put-upon. "I dinnae know. Machines I ken rig however ya please. People.... I'm nae so good with."

He suddenly smirks wickedly. "Of course, I'm goon ta be pretty busy tha next few days with scooting machinery fer salvage and getting' it unhooked prooper-like. Meanwhile, tha ship's pilot and ship's security shouldnae hoove mooch ta do. So I'm makin' it tha two o' your problem."

He points his finger briefly at David, then at Andy. "We hoove three days here. I want you to figure oot a way ta get a read on Jason in thae time. i dinnae care how you do it. Get him droonk, lay a clever troop, steal his diary an' read it... whatever. You're clever lads, you'll figure somewhat oot.

"Boot ah want ta know before we get back ta Tesla if we should kick him off the ship, turn him in ta be hung as a pirate, or what."

[FBHthelizardmage]

Sam looks much put-upon. "I dinnae know. Machines I ken rig however ya please. People.... I'm nae so good with."

He suddenly smirks wickedly. "Of course, I'm goon ta be pretty busy tha next few days with scooting machinery fer salvage and getting' it unhooked prooper-like. Meanwhile, tha ship's pilot and ship's security shouldnae hoove mooch ta do. So I'm makin' it tha two o' your problem."

He points his finger briefly at David, then at Andy. "We hoove three days here. I want you to figure oot a way ta get a read on Jason in thae time. i dinnae care how you do it. Get him droonk, lay a clever troop, steal his diary an' read it... whatever. You're clever lads, you'll figure somewhat oot.

"Boot ah want ta know before we get back ta Tesla if we should kick him off the ship, turn him in ta be hung as a pirate, or what."

"If we're that worried, why don't we just pay the guy his wages and kick him off the ship now. I mean heck. Do we really need another complication?" David asks.

[MatthewC]

"If we're that worried, why don't we just pay the guy his wages and kick him off the ship now. I mean heck. Do we really need another complication?" David asks.

Sam crosses his arms. "I'm nae worried, ah joost want ta take the measure o' the man. Aren't you always talkin' aboot what a great charmer you are? Aboot your big business plans? Well, if you're noot competent to judge a single employee..."

He waves off in a dismissive gesture. "Well, I wouldnae ask ya to go beyond yer talents."

[FBHthelizardmage]

Sam crosses his arms. "I'm nae worried, ah joost want ta take the measure o' the man. Aren't you always talkin' aboot what a great charmer you are? Aboot your big business plans? Well, if you're noot competent to judge a single employee..."

He waves off in a dismissive gesture. "Well, I wouldnae ask ya to go beyond yer talents."

David sighs theatrically, and then seems to concentrate. "Ok then. Lets not mess around with him. Is the guy pilot qualified? If so, just set it up so he's alone on the midnight wind and it seems all fixed up, see if he tries to make a dash in it. put a remote control into it so if he tries to make a fast exit we can reel him in."

David taps his fingers. "Come to think of it, I don't know what he's qualified to do. I should start by interviewing him."

[Royal]

David sighs theatrically, and then seems to concentrate. "Ok then. Lets not mess around with him. Is the guy pilot qualified? If so, just set it up so he's alone on the midnight wind and it seems all fixed up, see if he tries to make a dash in it. put a remote control into it so if he tries to make a fast exit we can reel him in."

David taps his fingers. "Come to think of it, I don't know what he's qualified to do. I should start by interviewing him."

Andy puts down his cup "Well, he called the ATV 'his baby'. He possibly has some mechanical knowledge. He's also selling himself as a heavy gunner. I'm thinking of testing him on that. Definatly a good shot." Andy shrugs. "Other then that, I need to observe further."

[FBHthelizardmage]

Andy puts down his cup "Well, he called the ATV 'his baby'. He possibly has some mechanical knowledge. He's also selling himself as a heavy gunner. I'm thinking of testing him on that. Definatly a good shot." Andy shrugs. "Other then that, I need to observe further."
"Of course, we could just get him drunk and interrogate him. Maybe imply we were looking at piracy, see what he says about it." David ponders. "Ok cap. What are the parameters here? What kind of things would he need to say for you to hang him or throw him off, and what to trust him?"

[MatthewC]

"Of course, we could just get him drunk and interrogate him. Maybe imply we were looking at piracy, see what he says about it." David ponders. "Ok cap. What are the parameters here? What kind of things would he need to say for you to hang him or throw him off, and what to trust him?"

Sam rubs his eyes, looking tired. He mutters, barely audible, "Why'd I ever took on this fooking joob?"

Then he looks David in the eye. "Mr. Rodriguez is a boostard and a murderer. He ken sell whatever soob story he likes, boot he took up with a pirate crew, and I hoold him responsible for Bill's death."

He glances briefly over at Mallory.

"So he's a boostard. Boot it's a tough galaxy oot there, an it may get rougher fer us pretty soon. Aye, it'll be rough indeed. We ken use a bastard o' oor own. An I think it would suit Bill's humor, ta hoove one o' his killers working ta fill his shoes. So there's really only one question."

He slams his hand against the table. "Will Jason be oor boostard? Will he be scared enough or loyal enough or grateful enough to stick with us when tha feces hits the fan? Or will he be lookin' ta sell us oot tha first chance he gets?

"Will he be our boostard? You check him oot howe'er you ken, David and Andy. You tell me what you think, and I'll take your word as tha' holy gospel."

With that, Sam gets up and leaves the room.

[FBHthelizardmage]

(sorry, having a somewhat intresting week. I'll get back to this tommarow after the insomina effects end)

[Royal]

Andy gets up and walks toward Mal

"Mal. Got a minute?"

[Perry Holley]

Andy gets up and walks toward Mal

"Mal. Got a minute?""S-s-sure, wh-what do you n-n-need?"

[Royal]

"S-s-sure, wh-what do you n-n-need?"

"I was wondering if you could run some accuracy drills with Jason on the new turrent. He says he's a heavy. Let's see if he's the real deal. Kill two birds with one stone. I gotta check out a possible "toxic leak" in the ventilation system." Andy gives a wink while saying "toxic leak". He then lowered his voice.

"If you feel uncomfortable about this. It's ok. Just say so. I can come up with something else."

[Perry Holley]

"I was wondering if you could run some accuracy drills with Jason on the new turrent. He says he's a heavy. Let's see if he's the real deal. Kill two birds with one stone. I gotta check out a possible "toxic leak" in the ventilation system." Andy gives a wink while saying "toxic leak". He then lowered his voice.

"If you feel uncomfortable about this. It's ok. Just say so. I can come up with something else.""N-no, n-n-not a p-problem." Mal walks off; a few minutes later, she can be seen walking with Jason to the newly refurbished gunner's turret, to put Jason (and the turret) through its paces. During this time, Andy can investigate the "toxic leak".

[Royal]

Andy waits til Mal and Jason is out of sight. He then goes to Jasons room for a quick, but detailed search.

[Perry Holley]

Andy waits til Mal and Jason is out of sight. He then goes to Jasons room for a quick, but detailed search.A search of Jason's quarters reveals nothing that unusual. There are no weapons [unless Sam has returned the ones that were confiscated from him]. Besides clothing, his vacc suit, and some various personal items and the usual assortment of spacer's paraphanelia, the only things that remotely stand out are a) his large stash of digital pornography, b) a beat-up acoustic guitar, and c) a six-foot length of rope.

[Royal]

Andy makes note of everything, puts them back in their place and sneaks out.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David mean time sits down in his cabbin with a bottle of good brandy and begins thinking how he can talk to the former pirate about loyality without it being to obvious

[Perry Holley]

At some point Mallory stops by and gives Sam her estimation of of Jason's gunnery skill. "H-he's a f-f-fair gunner. Not g-g-great, but f-fair. N-no t-t-training, he's s-self-t-t-taught." She goes on in a bit more detail, until Sam has a frame of reference for where his level of expertise lay.

[In game terms, Jason has Heavy Weapons at 2 and an Intelligence of 3]

[MatthewC]

At some point Mallory stops by and gives Sam her estimation of of Jason's gunnery skill. "H-he's a f-f-fair gunner. Not g-g-great, but f-fair. N-no t-t-training, he's s-self-t-t-taught." She goes on in a bit more detail, until Sam has a frame of reference for where his level of expertise lay.

Sam thanks Mallory for her evaluation.

OOC: It looks like FBH still wants some time to think, so I guess we can proceed to the landing on Ashton, picking the landing site as mentioned in my prior post.

[Perry Holley]

After Sam has done an analysis of where the most likely site to take advantage of any geothermal activity, the Moonshadow lands without incident at the entrance to the settlement/base that was once referred to as 'FunkySV'. The first problem is making one's way through the airlock to get into the undergoround area, as the hinges to the airlock have rusted shut. After a bit of work, Sam is able to get it to open, at which point the crew can make their way into the underground city.

Atmospheric sensor readings indicate that the air underground has been contaminated by the same carcinogenic elements that make the surface air poisonous, which means that vacc suits will have to be worn while exploring the settlement. While it appears that much was taken by the fleeing Ashtonians, there also appears to be a fair amount that they couldn't take with them. Sorting the wheat from the chaff will be a time-consuming process, of course, but that's part-and-parcel of what salvage is all about. In a worse-case scenario, even if the crew of the Moonshadow doesn't find anything of great value, there is plenty of various metals, and raw materials that could be easily sold (albeit not for huge numbers) to mineral-poor worlds like Troy and Rivendale.

[I'd appreciate it if everyone can give me a rough idea of what sort of stuff they're looking for, the types of areas they would be looking (residential, factory, etc.), what weapons they might be carrying, anything unusual they want to do, and any unusual precautions they want to take (beyond the standard ones for a situation like this). Also, give me an idea of what you want Jason and Mal to be doing during this time.]

[FBHthelizardmage]

At whatever pre-salvage meeting is held, David suggests the following.

"Ok. I think we should go in on the ATV first and look around, see how intact everything is, and find a tourist information point or whatever. Something with a map of the city before the collapse so we know where to look... with any luck they'll be a bunch of stuff left. I think we should sweep the banks, just in case anything’s left, then try universities and military and police posts. I doubt they'll have lifted everything out of either of those, or that most people would think to loot them. It's a violent universe so guns and armour would sell anywhere... and so would data unless I miss my guess."

[MatthewC]

At whatever pre-salvage meeting is held, David suggests the following.

"Ok. I think we should go in on the ATV first and look around, see how intact everything is, and find a tourist information point or whatever. Something with a map of the city before the collapse so we know where to look... with any luck they'll be a bunch of stuff left. I think we should sweep the banks, just in case anything’s left, then try universities and military and police posts. I doubt they'll have lifted everything out of either of those, or that most people would think to loot them. It's a violent universe so guns and armour would sell anywhere... and so would data unless I miss my guess."

"Noot bad ideas," approves Sam.

"After tha' first sweep, we should divide oop into three two-person teams. We've goot limited time here, so we hae ta split ta coover as mooch ground as possible. I'm thinking meself and Isa, Andy and Mallory, an David and... Jason." He pauses briefly to see if there are any objections.

"Each team ken spread oot ta a different area. If ya come across somewhat valuable, tag it and noote its location. We'll come back with tha ATV and start picking things oop on tha second day. Meself, I'll start by trying ta trace any remaining active power supplies in tha city. Then I'll head o'er ta the factory area and see what valuable, high-tech tools they may have left behind. Also any high-value computin' systems, AIs, robots, or the like. Somewhat thoot could haul itself ta the cargo bay would be a welcome find.

"David, perhaps you and Jason ken check out tha military posts and universities, since thoose are your thoots."

Sam looks to Andy. "Do ya hoove any preferences as ta where you want ta go? And as oor security consultant, any extra precautions we need ta take?"

[Royal]

"Noot bad ideas," approves Sam.

"After tha' first sweep, we should divide oop into three two-person teams. We've goot limited time here, so we hae ta split ta coover as mooch ground as possible. I'm thinking meself and Isa, Andy and Mallory, an David and... Jason." He pauses briefly to see if there are any objections.

"Each team ken spread oot ta a different area. If ya come across somewhat valuable, tag it and noote its location. We'll come back with tha ATV and start picking things oop on tha second day. Meself, I'll start by trying ta trace any remaining active power supplies in tha city. Then I'll head o'er ta the factory area and see what valuable, high-tech tools they may have left behind. Also any high-value computin' systems, AIs, robots, or the like. Somewhat thoot could haul itself ta the cargo bay would be a welcome find.

"David, perhaps you and Jason ken check out tha military posts and universities, since thoose are your thoots."

Sam looks to Andy. "Do ya hoove any preferences as ta where you want ta go? And as oor security consultant, any extra precautions we need ta take?"

Andy starts kitting as he talks.

"I'm cool with the enforcment areas. Might not find anthing by way of arms, but there could possibly be a good chance in finding maps to public works areas and skeleton keys. I'm also up to back up anyone who's got a larger area then expected. I do have a request though."

Andy look at everyone.

"If you come across anything valuable behind locked doors, especially in the military compounds, back off and ether find information on it or call me. The same goes for anything that looks too good to be true. If you run into those areas by accident, look for any and all detection equipment and sweep the areas for traps. If none is availible, be sure to contact me. I'll come down as soon as possible and assess the situation. It's best to arm yourself just in case, this place might be abandoned, but better safe then sorry. The key phrase here is "look before you leap". I have land salvage experiance and I've seen the worst of it back at Winston, I don't need to see it here."

Andy pauses for a second and then speaks again.

"One more thing. Everybody stick together. Like glue. No wandering off. If you see something of interest, you both go and investigate. You both enter and leave through the same door. You're tied to the hip, understand? I also expect hourly check up until we're back at the ship. David, if you hitting the unis and military, you primary is data discs and any other info. I definatly appreciate it as well as the captain. I'd also would like detection equipment on the list as well. So, be sure to pick it up when you find any."

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Andy. You don't need to give us the newbies guide to combat archaeology. The last time we did a salvage op I had a crazed robotic war machine try to erase my brain. We're all professionals or at the very least experience amateurs. We know the drill. We'll all be careful. We aren’t going to go around unsealing any biohazard vaults or anything…"

David thinks for a moment. "That's another thing boss. Do we have any IR gear? If we find trouble of the human kind then they're going to be leaving thermal traces. Might give us a heads up if we have company."

[MatthewC]

David thinks for a moment. "That's another thing boss. Do we have any IR gear? If we find trouble of the human kind then they're going to be leaving thermal traces. Might give us a heads up if we have company."

Sam considers for a moment. "Aye, your suits come equipped with monitors ta detect unhealthy levels o' UV radiation and higher. I ken adjust them ta lengthen tha wavelengths detected and be directional. There willnae be a visual display, though, so if you pick somewhat oop, you'll have ta play hot-and-cold ta pin it doon precisely."

[OOC: If you think that's fair, Perry. Unless you need anything else from us, I guess we're good to go.]

[Sounds good to me - Perry]

[Perry Holley]

The group drives the ATV into the entrance area of the city, eventually finding the 'Visitor Information Booth'. The automated system at first glance isn't working, but after some jury-rigging, Sam is able to feed some power into it, enough so to download the basic maps and information presented there.

After a few minutes of consulting said information, the crew of the Moonshadow breaks up into three two-person groups...

* * *

Sam and Isa begin by hunting down the power grid for the city-complex. Along the way, Sam notices that in certain less-used areas, as well as certain travelways, the natural underground rockwalls form the borders for various areas, instead of being 'built up' by technological means.

Eventually the two make their way to the power-grid. It takes a bit of time and work, but eventually they are able to reroute some of the remaining juice stored in the city's power supply (with a boost from the area's natural geothermic activity) into what is left working of the the electrical grid. Although by no means consistant throughout the city, in scattered areas lights and various electronic displays flicker on, dimly lighting different areas here and there.

After that, the two make their way to the main factory area. There is a lot of stuff remaining here, a fair amount of it sellable (depending on where you take it), but precious little of it could be described as 'easy to transport', but rather of the 'large and bulky' variety (a few loose handtools prove to be the exception to the rule). Mostly mining equipment of various types, as one might expect.

* * *

Andy and Mallory search through the various enforcement areas that they come across, not finding anything that unusual while doing so. A pistol, a couple of rifles, a shotgun, some ammo of various calibers, a body vest of ballastic cloth, several bullhorns and handcuffs, and a handcomp. There are also several dataports, which may or may not be accessable, should either Andy or Mal decide to take the time necessary to find out.

The two also find what Andy suspects is the entrance to the jail/holding area. Getting in will be a problem, though; the door seems to require both a keycard, as well as a code entered on a datapad. The former might be found with enough time, and the latter might be deduced (again with time), but as electricity doesn't seem to be making it to the door, it may be a moot point...

* * *

As there really isn't a seperate military area set up in FunkySV (the police/enforcement areas seemed to handle any need for that), David and Jason find themselves rummaging through the Education Department. While many of the infodiscs were obviously taken by those Ashtonians leaving the planet, there were still many left behind. There are also a large number of books, although one wonders whether or not the carcinogenic elements in Ashton's atmosphere might permeate the pages and covers of said books. Of course, there are several computer terminals, and a few handcomps are also found along the way.

"I don't get it."

This comes from Jason, as he rummages through one of the storage bins. "I mean, sure, parts break down, and they most likely couldn't get replacements during the war. Yeah, I can see that. But it's not like they all would have broken down at the same time, right? Okay, some people would have to leave over time, but wouldn't they try to consolidate those who stayed behind, moving what parts that could be salvaged to where it would be most useful? There's a couple of dozen underground cities here... if part A breaks down in one area, and part B breaks down in another, that's no reason for both cities to have to evacuate. They could just move some of the remaining working parts to where they were needed, so you would have at least some functional living areas. Of course, there might have been some... disagreement... over who had to move where, but that still seems better than everyone having to leave. Hell, you think they would have tried to hold on long enough to figure out how to replace what was needed by themselves, or at least use that time to rig up something else that would do the job."

"Doesn't make any sense..."

[Royal]

Andy turns to Mal and holds up the handcomp. "I'm going to see if these dataports work. At least see if we can get any info out of them" He motions to the jail door. "I'm thinking about opening that door just for a lark, but I think we should get the captain's input on it first. That cool?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

As there really isn't a seperate military area set up in FunkySV (the police/enforcement areas seemed to handle any need for that), David and Jason find themselves rummaging through the Education Department. While many of the infodiscs were obviously taken by those Ashtonians leaving the planet, there were still many left behind. There are also a large number of books, although one wonders whether or not the carcinogenic elements in Ashton's atmosphere might permeate the pages and covers of said books. Of course, there are several computer terminals, and a few handcomps are also found along the way.

"I don't get it."

This comes from Jason, as he rummages through one of the storage bins. "I mean, sure, parts break down, and they most likely couldn't get replacements during the war. Yeah, I can see that. But it's not like they all would have broken down at the same time, right? Okay, some people would have to leave over time, but wouldn't they try to consolidate those who stayed behind, moving what parts that could be salvaged to where it would be most useful? There's a couple of dozen underground cities here... if part A breaks down in one area, and part B breaks down in another, that's no reason for both cities to have to evacuate. They could just move some of the remaining working parts to where they were needed, so you would have at least some functional living areas. Of course, there might have been some... disagreement... over who had to move where, but that still seems better than everyone having to leave. Hell, you think they would have tried to hold on long enough to figure out how to replace what was needed by themselves, or at least use that time to rig up something else that would do the job."

"Doesn't make any sense..."

David bags the most useful looking books. Maybe they can decontaminate them later.

"I know what you mean..." he fingers his gun. "Maybe they took all the good stuff and staged some kind of mass evacuation. I mean, people did leave, so I'd think if there was anything really radical we'd have heard rumours..."

Assuming there's power he turns on a terminal. "Cover me while I check the computer? Maybe someone left a 'these are the last words I'll ever write' message like in the movies." David's smile is somewhat forced.

[Perry Holley]

Andy turns to Mal and holds up the handcomp. "I'm going to see if these dataports work. At least see if we can get any info out of them" He motions to the jail door. "I'm thinking about opening that door just for a lark, but I think we should get the captain's input on it first. That cool?""S-s-sure," replies Mal.

Andy fiddles with the dataports a bit; there's a bit of electricity coming in, but it's somewhat weak and occasionally sporadic. Getting any info may be dicey... perhaps Sam could rig up some sort of transportable power supply to make such an endeavor go smoother.

[MatthewC]

Sam and Isa begin by hunting down the power grid for the city-complex. Along the way, Sam notices that in certain less-used areas, as well as certain travelways, the natural underground rockwalls form the borders for various areas, instead of being 'built up' by technological means.

Eventually the two make their way to the power-grid. It takes a bit of time and work, but eventually they are able to reroute some of the remaining juice stored in the city's power supply (with a boost from the area's natural geothermic activity) into what is left working of the the electrical grid. Although by no means consistant throughout the city, in scattered areas lights and various electronic displays flicker on, dimly lighting different areas here and there.

After that, the two make their way to the main factory area. There is a lot of stuff remaining here, a fair amount of it sellable (depending on where you take it), but precious little of it could be described as 'easy to transport', but rather of the 'large and bulky' variety (a few loose handtools prove to be the exception to the rule). Mostly mining equipment of various types, as one might expect.

Sam mutters curses and bangs on various machinery, disappointed. He has no one but himself to blame, though. Lacking any mining experience, he had been thinking of the industrial center in terms of a factory or manufacturing plant. Mines are all about size and volume, using economies of scale to move huge quantities of ore through smelters and separators. Not exactly conducive to the sort of small, complex, high-value equipment that makes the best salvage.

He gathers up the hand tools that look valuable, meanwhile having Isa look for a bay where they might park forklifts (or the high-tech equivalents) for moving around mid-size equipment. If she can find one, they can at least ride out in style. (And it might prove useful if someone else needs a little mechanical muscle- Sam drops on a loop of steel cable.)

Just before they head out (with or without a lift), Sam thinks to check for an explosives storage area. They use that sort of thing in mining, right? Might be valuable, to the right customer.

Otherwise, he rides (or walks) over to the administrative/governmental area. Maybe they left a some nice computer systems installed there.

[Perry Holley]

"Cover me while I check the computer? Maybe someone left a 'these are the last words I'll ever write' message like in the movies." David's smile is somewhat forced.Getting the computer to power up takes a bit of time, but eventually David gets to a menu page. Scrolling through the last entries, chronologically, David finds most of the entries to be of little interest, at first glance, although perehaps there is something that might prove useful upon further study.

One short entry near the end catches David's eye. It reads as following:

The ship is coming in tomorrow! Not a moment too soon. Rual reports that the humidity decompressor in A4 has blown. I can't believe it's just happenstance, not with everything else that has gone to hell in the last few years. Too much, too fast. Rual blames it on gremlins, and I think he's only half-joking. Sabotague seems likely, but who would gain by making Ashton unlivable? Son Ti says that breakdowns weren't nearly as common here back in the days before the war.

This is probably my last entry here; fixing the decompressor will take a few hours (and honestly, why should I even bother?), and then I have to get the last of my stuff packed for the ship. I just wish I knew how they were going to decide who stays and who gets left behind for the next ship (assuming there is a next ship). Maybe I can suck up to Leslie; hell, I'm not proud.

Seeya, Ashton! I'd like to say it's been fun, but that would be a lie...

Ayla Bonner, 092.3661

[Perry Holley]

He gathers up the hand tools that look valuable, meanwhile having Isa look for a bay where they might park forklifts (or the high-tech equivalents) for moving around mid-size equipment. If she can find one, they can at least ride out in style. (And it might prove useful if someone else needs a little mechanical muscle- Sam drops on a loop of steel cable.)After a bit of time, Isa does indeed return driving a forklift. It's moving slowly... the battery is undoubtedly weak... but perhaps it will make it as far back as the main entrance area.

Just before they head out, Sam thinks to check for an explosives storage area. They use that sort of thing in mining, right? Might be valuable, to the right customer.Sam has a little bit of experince with explosives; although not an expert, a basic knowledge of it can prove useful to any engineer. Trying to figure out where such a cache might be stored, he looks around a few different areas. He almost gives up, right before running across a reinforced storage cahce area. It's not exactly designed for easy entry, but this only proves to be a minor hinderance to someone with Sam's skills. Opening up the storage area, Sam's diligence is rewarded by finding a couple of small crates of mining explosives, easily transportable on the forklift.

Otherwise, he rides over to the administrative/governmental area. Maybe they left a some nice computer systems installed there.[Are you taking the explosives back to the ship first, or stopping off at the administrative area along the way?]

[Also, did you give Jason back his weapons for this excursion, or is he still unarmed?]

[MatthewC]

After a bit of time, Isa does indeed return driving a forklift. It's moving slowly... the battery is undoubtedly weak... but perhaps it will make it as far back as the main entrance area.

Sam has a little bit of experince with explosives; although not an expert, a basic knowledge of it can prove useful to any engineer. Trying to figure out where such a cache might be stored, he looks around a few different areas. He almost gives up, right before running across a reinforced storage cahce area. It's not exactly designed for easy entry, but this only proves to be a minor hinderance to someone with Sam's skills. Opening up the storage area, Sam's diligence is rewarded by finding a couple of small crates of mining explosives, easily transportable on the forklift.

[Are you taking the explosives back to the ship first, or stopping off at the administrative area along the way?]

Since he actually found some explosives, Sam will take them back to the ship first. He can recharge the lift's battery from the ship's generator.

At that point, we can see if Andy wants to get him to help on the dataport thing. (And maybe we can use the lift + cable to pull open that holding area door.)


[Also, did you give Jason back his weapons for this excursion, or is he still unarmed?]

Yes, unless David objected. (Since he's the one going to be alone with Jason.)

[Royal]

"S-s-sure," replies Mal.

Andy fiddles with the dataports a bit; there's a bit of electricity coming in, but it's somewhat weak and occasionally sporadic. Getting any info may be dicey... perhaps Sam could rig up some sort of transportable power supply to make such an endeavor go smoother.

"Well shoot." Andy sighs. "Alright, lets give this place one final look through and then go find the captain. Put up our feet a bit." Andy starts picking up gear.

"y'know...out all the heavy gunners I know, you're possibly the first I've met that doesn't have much to say. It's interesting."

[FBHthelizardmage]

David clicks on his radio. "hey, this is David to the rest of you. We've found a log entry here that seems intresting. It seems that the cities equipment suffered some form of sudden and quick failer. It's not said out right but it seems like something sabataged it. I think it might be wise for someone to loop back to the Shadow and check we aren't contaminated by anything." he looks over at Jason. "lets get the books loaded and the memory from this thing dumped."

[FBHthelizardmage]

As the two work, David strikes up a conversation with Jason. "So, how you likeing crewing the shadow?" he asks, seeming casual, but listening to Jasons responces.

[David is seeing if he can read Jason well enough to know whether he'll jump ship]

[Perry Holley]

"Well shoot." Andy sighs. "Alright, lets give this place one final look through and then go find the captain. Put up our feet a bit." Andy starts picking up gear.

"y'know...out all the heavy gunners I know, you're possibly the first I've met that doesn't have much to say. It's interesting.""D-d-don't alw-w-ways have m-m-much to s-say," she responds.

Since he actually found some explosives, Sam will take them back to the ship first. He can recharge the lift's battery from the ship's generator.

At that point, we can see if Andy wants to get him to help on the dataport thing. (And maybe we can use the lift + cable to pull open that holding area door.)The two teams arrive back at the Moonshadow at roughly the same time. Sam and Andy can figure out what they want to do next, as Isa and Mallory load and position the forklift in the ship's cargo bay.

[Perry Holley]

As the two work, David strikes up a conversation with Jason. "So, how you likeing crewing the shadow?" he asks, seeming casual, but listening to Jasons responces. There's a pause, long enough for David to think that perhaps Jason didn't hear him. Then Jason laughs ruefully. "I was wondering when you were gonna pump me for information, try to feel me out. Figured you would have done so earlier, maybe even got me drunk in the process."

He finishes tagging one of the storage bins for future retrieval, then continues speaking. "To answer your question, I can't complain, especially given the circumstances of my hiring. As for your unspoken questions... let's put our cards out on the table. What do you want to know?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

There's a pause, long enough for David to think that perhaps Jason didn't hear him. Then Jason laughs ruefully. "I was wondering when you were gonna pump me for information, try to feel me out. Figured you would have done so earlier, maybe even got me drunk in the process."

He finishes tagging one of the storage bins for future retrieval, then continues speaking. "To answer your question, I can't complain, especially given the circumstances of my hiring. As for your unspoken questions... let's put our cards out on the table. What do you want to know?"

"Well Jason, frankly its simple. Do we need to start looking for a replacement gunner the moment we hit somewhere you can make a run for it?" David shrugs. "I could have got you drunk before hand, but well, I'm pretty sure I'd be drunk to then. Not good for the old questioning."

[Perry Holley]

"Well Jason, frankly its simple. Do we need to start looking for a replacement gunner the moment we hit somewhere you can make a run for it?" David shrugs. "I could have got you drunk before hand, but well, I'm pretty sure I'd be drunk to then. Not good for the old questioning.""Oh, I'm pretty certain I would get drunk before you would. I have absolutely zero alcohol tolerance."

"As for leaving..." he adds, "well, I just want to keep moving, keep flying. What with there being fewer and fewer ships with each passing year, I'm guessing the Moonshadow's as good a bet as any to hitch my chances on."

[MatthewC]

The two teams arrive back at the Moonshadow at roughly the same time. Sam and Andy can figure out what they want to do next, as Isa and Mallory load and position the forklift in the ship's cargo bay.

Sam speaks to Andy. "I dinnae get mooch oot of the indoostrial sector. It's all heavy equipment. Tha best ah could come oop with was some mining explosives- and tha forklift, o' course.

"David's broadcast sounded a mite confusin'. If somewhat strange did go on in this city, I'm thinking tha goovernment center would be a good place ta look for records.

"Did you come oop with mooch o' interest searching aboot yourself?"

[Royal]

Sam speaks to Andy. "I dinnae get mooch oot of the indoostrial sector. It's all heavy equipment. Tha best ah could come oop with was some mining explosives- and tha forklift, o' course.

"David's broadcast sounded a mite confusin'. If somewhat strange did go on in this city, I'm thinking tha goovernment center would be a good place ta look for records.

"Did you come oop with mooch o' interest searching aboot yourself?"

Andy shows the handcomp "I found a couple useable dataports, but their not getting enough juice. I was hoping you could rig up a transportable energy source to get them running. Might help give more clues to what went on here. If not, we can always gather information to use or sell.

"We also found the holding facility, but the door's locked and has no power. Even if we get power to it, we still need to find the cardkey and enterance code. There's a chance we can find them, but it'll take a bit of time. I'm not sure anything's in there, but we can try if you want to."

[MatthewC]

Andy shows the handcomp "I found a couple useable dataports, but their not getting enough juice. I was hoping you could rig up a transportable energy source to get them running. Might help give more clues to what went on here. If not, we can always gather information to use or sell.


"Sure, I ken do thoot. It's joost a few wee dataports, noot like we're trying ta power a mining laser."

"We also found the holding facility, but the door's locked and has no power. Even if we get power to it, we still need to find the cardkey and enterance code. There's a chance we can find them, but it'll take a bit of time. I'm not sure anything's in there, but we can try if you want to."

Sam snorts. "If we were trying ta sneak in, aye it'd be hard. Boot we ken do as we please. By tha time I've goot the power source ready, tha lift ken be charged. We'll ride doon in style, and if need be, joost pull 'n push tha door off its hinges. It's joost a jail door, noot tha Empress's vault.

"If tha data says there might be somewhat of interest in there, mind. Sound look a plan?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Oh, I'm pretty certain I would get drunk before you would. I have absolutely zero alcohol tolerance."

"As for leaving..." he adds, "well, I just want to keep moving, keep flying. What with there being fewer and fewer ships with each passing year, I'm guessing the Moonshadow's as good a bet as any to hitch my chances on."
"Alright, so your ours until we get a better offer." David shrugs. "alright then."
he turns back to the computer, is there a way to dump the data into something?

[Royal]

"Sure, I ken do thoot. It's joost a few wee dataports, noot like we're trying ta power a mining laser."



Sam snorts. "If we were trying ta sneak in, aye it'd be hard. Boot we ken do as we please. By tha time I've goot the power source ready, tha lift ken be charged. We'll ride doon in style, and if need be, joost pull 'n push tha door off its hinges. It's joost a jail door, noot tha Empress's vault.

"If tha data says there might be somewhat of interest in there, mind. Sound look a plan?"

"Definatly."

Andy heads into the ship to store all the loot.

[Perry Holley]

he turns back to the computer, is there a way to dump the data into something?David can store the highlights in his handcomp easily enough. If he wants to download all the data, he'll need to go back to the ship to get something that can hold a bit more memory.

[Matthew, Royal, something I'm not entirely clear on... is Sam and Andy going to the jail first, or the government center? Also, will you be going as a group of four, or splitting Isa and Mal off seperately?]

[MatthewC]

David can store the highlights in his handcomp easily enough. If he wants to download all the data, he'll need to go back to the ship to get something that can hold a bit more memory.

[Matthew, Royal, something I'm not entirely clear on... is Sam and Andy going to the jail first, or the government center? Also, will you be going as a group of four, or splitting Isa and Mal off seperately?]

Hmmmm.

How about Sam and Andy go to the jail, and we sent Isa and Mal on ahead to the government center. They can let us know if they find anything interesting.

[Royal]

I'm cool with that.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David can store the highlights in his handcomp easily enough. If he wants to download all the data, he'll need to go back to the ship to get something that can hold a bit more memory.

[Matthew, Royal, something I'm not entirely clear on... is Sam and Andy going to the jail first, or the government center? Also, will you be going as a group of four, or splitting Isa and Mal off seperately?]

David will head back to the ship and get a bigger device after calling into the others to tell him what he and Jason are doing

[Perry Holley]

David and Jason get back to the ship, where they can get omething that can handle larger downloads, datawise. They can then (presumably) return to the university area and do just that.

Meanwhile, Sam and Andy make their way to the law enforcement/jail area, as Mal and Isa go to the government center. Using a small amount of strategically placed explosives, Sam breaks the seal on the door, enough so that with the help of the forklift that can get the door off its hinges.

Advancing inside, the two find the various cells filled with corpses. It would appear that no effort was made to get any prisoners off of Ashton when the time for evacuation came...

[MatthewC]

Meanwhile, Sam and Andy make their way to the law enforcement/jail area, as Mal and Isa go to the government center. Using a small amount of strategically placed explosives, Sam breaks the seal on the door, enough so that with the help of the forklift that can get the door off its hinges.

Advancing inside, the two find the various cells filled with corpses. It would appear that no effort was made to get any prisoners off of Ashton when the time for evacuation came...

For once, Sam is beyond comment. He just wanders up and down the cells, taking it in, trying to compehend why these men would have been left like this. He looks at their corpses, imagining what it would have been like to die trapped and alone, wondering if thirst and starvation or the poisonous air would get you first.

Finally he just turns to Andy and makes an exaggerated shrug, necessary to allow body language to be read through his vacc suit. "Why?" he asks.

[Royal]

For once, Sam is beyond comment. He just wanders up and down the cells, taking it in, trying to compehend why these men would have been left like this. He looks at their corpses, imagining what it would have been like to die trapped and alone, wondering if thirst and starvation or the poisonous air would get you first.

Finally he just turns to Andy and makes an exaggerated shrug, necessary to allow body language to be read through his vacc suit. "Why?" he asks.

Andy looks through the cells, speechless as Sam. Thousands of motives go through his head. "Maybe they couldn't get the door open?" "Maybe the chief was an asshole?" "Maybe Marshal Law was established and it went despot in the end?"

The only thing Andy could do to reply is to shake a lowered head and shrug. "I don't know." He then motioned to the dataports. "Maybe we can get to the bottom of this. See who was at the bottom of this." He then looks around and then gets very stern "This is bull****!! If whoever did this is still alive, I say we hunt his ass down after this mission. He's definatly overdue for a bullet."

[Perry Holley]

As Sam and Andy survey the horror of the jail area, Sam gets a message through his suitcomm from Isa. "Captain, we've reached the government center. I'm beaming the video to your handcomp."

The video is perhaps even more horrific than what Sam and Andy are seeing in the jail cells. Dozens of bodies are strewn about the government center. Even given the decay of the bodies, signs of violent injury can be perceived amongst the corpses. "Mallory surmises that there wasn't enough room on the transport ships when people were leaving Ashton, and that things got ugly when some were told that they would have to be left behind," says Isa. "That, and perhaps more than a few old scores and grudges were settled during this time."

[MatthewC]

As Sam and Andy survey the horror of the jail area, Sam gets a message through his suitcomm from Isa. "Captain, we've reached the government center. I'm beaming the video to your handcomp."

The video is perhaps even more horrific than what Sam and Andy are seeing in the jail cells. Dozens of bodies are strewn about the government center. Even given the decay of the bodies, signs of violent injury can be perceived amongst the corpses. "Mallory surmises that there wasn't enough room on the transport ships when people were leaving Ashton, and that things got ugly when some were told that they would have to be left behind," says Isa. "That, and perhaps more than a few old scores and grudges were settled during this time."

Sam passes this along to Andy, David, and Jason.

"I hoop none o' yourselves are believers in ghosts 'n spooks, fer a charnal hoose like this one is enoof to send a chill doon the spine o' even a man of science like meself," he comments.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David gulps. "I'm still more worried about what caused the equipment fall outs in the first place..." he takes another breath of cool suit air. "I really don't believe in ghost."

[Royal]

Andy grits his teeth and hits his com.

"David! If you're still at the university, I need you to look through the electric engineering branch for any documentation of communication failure. Isa! You and Mal look through the government files and see when the gas came about!"

[MatthewC]

Andy grits his teeth and hits his com.

"David! If you're still at the university, I need you to look through the electric engineering branch for any documentation of communication failure. Isa! You and Mal look through the government files and see when the gas came about!"

"Dinnae you think you're jumping tha gun? We only have tha word o' one diary thoot thinks there was anything suspicious aboot the atmosphere filters failing, tha carcinogenic atmosphere is a nootural prooperty o' tha planet, and as fer the killin'.... a nootural consequence o' too many people needin ta get off-world and noot enough ships ta get them there. Do you see somewhat I doont?" asks Sam.

[Royal]

"Dinnae you think you're jumping tha gun? We only have tha word o' one diary thoot thinks there was anything suspicious aboot the atmosphere filters failing, tha carcinogenic atmosphere is a nootural prooperty o' tha planet, and as fer the killin'.... a nootural consequence o' too many people needin ta get off-world and noot enough ships ta get them there. Do you see somewhat I doont?" asks Sam.

"I sure hope I am captain." Andy starts looking through the corpses for a diary or other documentation "But if what I think is correct, whatever is killing the generators around here also jammed communitcations." Andy stops for a second "Think about it. You're living on the satillite of a large planet and your government doesn't at least send a signal for help when it needs it? You don't see at least a dozen 'fugee ships coming to pick you up to at least take you to Troy and catch another ship out?" He starts looking again "Of course, on the other hand, if they did still have communications...." Andy trails off.

[FBHthelizardmage]

"We're just on our way back to the university with a bigger computer system to download everything." David says.

[MatthewC]

"I sure hope I am captain." Andy starts looking through the corpses for a diary or other documentation "But if what I think is correct, whatever is killing the generators around here also jammed communitcations." Andy stops for a second "Think about it. You're living on the satillite of a large planet and your government doesn't at least send a signal for help when it needs it? You don't see at least a dozen 'fugee ships coming to pick you up to at least take you to Troy and catch another ship out?" He starts looking again "Of course, on the other hand, if they did still have communications...." Andy trails off.

"Nootin' is jamming communiations! There were o'er 800,000 people on this planet when things went kaboom. If every ship ken evacuate a 1000 people, and I guarantee they cannoot, thae would still have required o'er 800 trips ta goot everyone off. That'll take a wee bit more than a doozen ships. And with a war on, whoot government or private concern is goon ta spare a fleet o' ships to evacuate a mining planet? It's nae woonder they- Ah, skip it."

Sam stalks to the door of the cell block. "There's only one way ta settle this prooper. I'm goon ta go doon ta life support and check fer meself what happened. I'll tell you if it was some sabotage that caused power ta blink oot or if it was joost wear 'n tear on that machines. You keep up with wahtever you want in tha mean time, and once we've goot things settled, maybe we ken get book ta our proper work o' finding things here thoot'll be worth cash if we haul 'em away."

[Perry Holley]

"There's only one way ta settle this prooper. I'm goon ta go doon ta life support and check fer meself what happened. I'll tell you if it was some sabotage that caused power ta blink oot or if it was joost wear 'n tear on that machines. You keep up with wahtever you want in tha mean time, and once we've goot things settled, maybe we ken get book ta our proper work o' finding things here thoot'll be worth cash if we haul 'em away."It takes Sam a while to get to the life support section, and when he does get there, it's no short amount of time to go through all the myriad systems there. The native atmosphere now present in the area doesn't make the job any easier, as many of the systems appear to have suffered from exposure to the overly-humid atmosphere.

Eventually, Sam finds the kind of thing that might provide an answer. An oxygen sensor, situated near the ground in what is essentially a side cave area, shows evidence of shorting out due to some sort of power surge. There isn't any evidence of tampering or sabotague. Curiously, the surge seems to have effected only the oxygen sensor, not the rest of the machinery connected to it.

As Sam leans back against the rock wall, examing the fried sensor, he notices something unusual around the base of the wall. There's a small hole, perhaps 15 centimeters in diameter, that looks like the result of something burrowing in the cave area from through the rock wall...

[as noted, this took a bit of time - is Andy dooing anything while this is going on? Besides downloading stuff from the university area, does David have anything else planned for himself and Jason?]

[FBHthelizardmage]

[as noted, this took a bit of time - is Andy dooing anything while this is going on? Besides downloading stuff from the university area, does David have anything else planned for himself and Jason?]

Once the download is done, David looks at Jason. "hey, how do you feel about a little somewhat lower value salvage. If they escaped the atmosphere, I bet their are spirits left in some of the places distillers, they'll be properly aged by now."

He looks out at the city. "plus, I wouldn't mind taking some photos. I mean, we could very well be some of the last humans ever to see this place... It'd be nice to take in the sights while we loot it."

[Royal]

After Andy's done going through the corpses, he trys to hook up the energy source to the dataport.

[Perry Holley]

Once the download is done, David looks at Jason. "hey, how do you feel about a little somewhat lower value salvage. If they escaped the atmosphere, I bet their are spirits left in some of the places distillers, they'll be properly aged by now."

He looks out at the city. "plus, I wouldn't mind taking some photos. I mean, we could very well be some of the last humans ever to see this place... It'd be nice to take in the sights while we loot it.""Sure," says Jason, "it's been a few years, something like that might sell well here and there... especially if you play it up as 'the last spirits of Ashton' or something like that." A slight pause. "Wait, are you wanting this for resell, or your own pricate stock? Guess it doesn't matter... you're in charge. Let's go."

Looking through the citymap, the two eventually find their way to a distellery area. Most of what had been ready is no long gone, taken by the exiting Ashtons, perhaps to drown their sorrows as they left their homeworld for good. Still, not everything was apparently ready for consumption when they left, as there are quite a few bottles of various spirits that are in long-term storage crates. Of course, it's hard to say whether they have aged for too long, or conversely not long enough. David may have to give a taste-test, for purposes of quality control...

"Hey, can this atmosphere eat through fabric over time?" asks Jason. He holds up a bag labeled for holding grains, presumably ones that went into the making of the various alcohols. The bag has several holes in it.

After Andy's done going through the corpses, he trys to hook up the energy source to the dataport.Slowly going through the bodies (so as to find anything unusual), generally most of the deceased appear to have (not surprisingly) suffered various violent deaths, mostly either gunshot or knife wounds, with some blunt trauma thrown in for good measure.

It's hard to say, given the decay of the corpses, but Andy notes that some of the corpse appear as if they had chewed at and bitten by something.

After that, Andy can hook up the energy source to the dataport, and get a full download as he likes.

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Sure," says Jason, "it's been a few years, something like that might sell well here and there... especially if you play it up as 'the last spirits of Ashton' or something like that." A slight pause. "Wait, are you wanting this for resell, or your own pricate stock? Guess it doesn't matter... you're in charge. Let's go."
"both really." David smiles. As they go through the city he snaps anything that looks intresting or pretty.


Looking through the citymap, the two eventually find their way to a distellery area. Most of what had been ready is no long gone, taken by the exiting Ashtons, perhaps to drown their sorrows as they left their homeworld for good. Still, not everything was apparently ready for consumption when they left, as there are quite a few bottles of various spirits that are in long-term storage crates. Of course, it's hard to say whether they have aged for too long, or conversely not long enough. David may have to give a taste-test, for purposes of quality control...

"Hey, can this atmosphere eat through fabric over time?" asks Jason. He holds up a bag labeled for holding grains, presumably ones that went into the making of the various alcohols. The bag has several holes in it.

"... Not as far as I know." David frowns and keys his comm. "hey captain. You have any holes in stuff around you?"

[MatthewC]

"... Not as far as I know." David frowns and keys his comm. "hey captain. You have any holes in stuff around you?"

Sam frowns down at the hole in the rock wall. He taps his com. "Aye. I foond a hole aboot 15 centimeters wide in a rock wall. Looks like somewhat burrowed through the stone. It's root near a burned oot sensor too. Could be tha' cause. I dunno, it's possible they missed some sort o' rock-tunneling animal when surveying this planet. It's a mine, noot a doom zoo."

He considers the hole again, then kneels down and shines his flashlight into it. "Did ya find soom holes yerself?"

[Royal]

Andy hits his comlink.

"I don't know if this might be important, but I found some bite marks on some of the corpses in the holding cell. You want me to look around more, Captain or wait for you?"

[MatthewC]

Andy hits his comlink.

"I don't know if this might be important, but I found some bite marks on some of the corpses in the holding cell. You want me to look around more, Captain or wait for you?"

"Perhoops we'd best meet back up. It occurs thoot anything thoot ken chew through rock ken probably make short work o' our vacc suits," replies Sam. He shines the light into the hole one more time, then backs away.

He tries to rmember if there was any mining equipment that might be useful for scanning for fissures and tunnels in rock.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Sam frowns down at the hole in the rock wall. He taps his com. "Aye. I foond a hole aboot 15 centimeters wide in a rock wall. Looks like somewhat burrowed through the stone. It's root near a burned oot sensor too. Could be tha' cause. I dunno, it's possible they missed some sort o' rock-tunneling animal when surveying this planet. It's a mine, noot a doom zoo."

He considers the hole again, then kneels down and shines his flashlight into it. "Did ya find soom holes yerself?"

"yes. In a grain sack... We'll meet up as soon as we're loaded." David begins swiftly packing up to move out and meet the others

[Royal]

"Perhoops we'd best meet back up. It occurs thoot anything thoot ken chew through rock ken probably make short work o' our vacc suits," replies Sam. He shines the light into the hole one more time, then backs away.

He tries to rmember if there was any mining equipment that might be useful for scanning for fissures and tunnels in rock.

"You got it!"

Andy makes sure his handcomp's memory is full and starts to head out.

[Perry Holley]

"Perhoops we'd best meet back up. It occurs thoot anything thoot ken chew through rock ken probably make short work o' our vacc suits," replies Sam. He shines the light into the hole one more time, then backs away.

He tries to rmember if there was any mining equipment that might be useful for scanning for fissures and tunnels in rock.There may well be such equipment present, but it will most likely take Sam a while to find it, not counting the time it might take to get it working again.

If he doesn't want to spend the time doing so, then Sam can make his way back to the ship fairly quickly. Andy can also make good time returning to the Moonshadow. David and Jason have a slower time of it, carrying what they can, and even then they have to leave a fair amount behind. If they want to make a return trip, they would be best served by taking the newly-acquired forklift with them.

Whenever people are ready to re-enter the ship and shed their vacc suits, they must first undergo a decontamination procedure to help make sure that none of the carcinogenic taint of Ashton's atmosphere enters into the ship's air supply. After that, everyone can meet up and decide what they want to do next.

[FBHthelizardmage]

"So, are we going to make a return trip?" David asks. "I mean, there's still quiet a bit of stuff we could collect... if we don't get killed by burrowing nano weapons or whatever."

(any way of decontaminating the books from the university Perry?)

[Perry Holley]

"(any way of decontaminating the books from the university Perry?)The books may take the most time to de-contaminate. If you ask Isa, she'll recommend putting them in hermetically-sealed storage for the moment, and then just exposing them to vacuum, combined with a bath of low-level radiation, when leaving the planet's orbit.

As for a return trip, are you asking Jason, or Sam (or someone else)?

[MatthewC]

If he doesn't want to spend the time doing so, then Sam can make his way back to the ship fairly quickly. Andy can also make good time returning to the Moonshadow. David and Jason have a slower time of it, carrying what they can, and even then they have to leave a fair amount behind. If they want to make a return trip, they would be best served by taking the newly-acquired forklift with them.

Whenever people are ready to re-enter the ship and shed their vacc suits, they must first undergo a decontamination procedure to help make sure that none of the carcinogenic taint of Ashton's atmosphere enters into the ship's air supply. After that, everyone can meet up and decide what they want to do next.

Sam shrugs and elects to make his way directly back to the Moonshadow. Once everyone is back, he'll a meeting to order in the galley.

"So, are we going to make a return trip?" David asks. "I mean, there's still quiet a bit of stuff we could collect... if we don't get killed by burrowing nano weapons or whatever."

"Aye, I think a return troop is in order. There may be creatures crawling aboot, but there's nae evidence they e'er gave the people living here any direct trooble while alive. It may be they avoid people. Thae is how like, animals act, is it nae?" For a moment, there's real hesitation in Sam's voice. A city boy by birth, an engineer and spacer by trade, he understands animals less than people.

"We'll took precautions o' course. Noo that we've gotten tha lay o' the land, we'll work together ta grab tha valuables. Nae more wandering off in small groups. O', and we should check thae area aboot the ship, make sure there's nae burrows. I dinnae want any critters chewing on oor hull."

[Royal]

Any starts taking off his gear. "If you don't mind, I'd like to look at all the data. See what we're up against. Maybe we can come up with something the others didn't."

[MatthewC]

Any starts taking off his gear. "If you don't mind, I'd like to look at all the data. See what we're up against. Maybe we can come up with something the others didn't."

"Sure, nook yourself oot," approves Sam.

[Perry Holley]

After shucking off his gear, Andy settles down to go through the data now uploaded to the ship's computer. Going through the biology entries, he quickly finds the likely suspect. As mentioned in the Planetary Data writeup that the crew read through before landing [see post #747], one of the native creatures of Ashton is the tarshuu, a rabbit-sized omnivore. Doing a bit of further searching, Andy finds out that tarshuu (the term is appropriate for both the singular and plural use) are indeed burrowing animals. They were not considered a threat in the underground cities, but were considered a hazard for anyone wandering the surface of the planet, as the creatures would occasionally attack someone unlucky enough to encounter them. The early data on them notes that they tend to be more active during Ashton's frequent thunderstorms.

There's a notation on an updated file that includes information on how the tarshuu might have been affected/altered by the planet's aborted terraforming attempt, but said file isn't among the data that Andy acquired.

[Royal]

Andy hits the com "Isa! Is there meterological equipment on board? If there is, what is the analysis of the climate so far?"

[Perry Holley]

Andy hits the com "Isa! Is there meterological equipment on board? If there is, what is the analysis of the climate so far?"After a moment, Isa answers, "North-northwest winds ranging from 25 to 33 kilometers per hour. Current temperature is 3 degrees Celsius. It's currently raining, with intermittent lightning."

[Royal]

Andy stews a bit and then hits the com"You might wanna tell the Capt. we might have a slight problem if he wants to go out again."

[MatthewC]

Andy stews a bit and then hits the com"You might wanna tell the Capt. we might have a slight problem if he wants to go out again."

At That Moment

Sam looks up at Isa, driving the forklift as they head through the city streets towards the university. "What? What's tha lad on aboot now."

He looks around nervously.

(OOC: Heh. I won't presume to put David there unless FBH wants him to be, but when Sam said to 'knock yourself out', he wasn't implying he was going to _wait_ while Andy did so....)

[Perry Holley]

Sam looks up at Isa, driving the forklift as they head through the city streets towards the university. "What? What's tha lad on aboot now."

He looks around nervously."Captain, Andy has some information that he feels is relevant to our current situation." Isa then proceeds to summarize the information regarding the tarshuu, and the planet's current atmospheric conditions.

[MatthewC]

"Captain, Andy has some information that he feels is relevant to our current situation." Isa then proceeds to summarize the information regarding the tarshuu, and the planet's current atmospheric conditions.

"Ah well..." Sam considers, then shrugs. "We're already part way. It seems boot a shame ta turn aboot now. Still, we'll nae tarry. Let's joost go on, pick oop thae load o' books thae was too heavy for Jason and Davie to get alone, and go straight back. Well, almost straight back. If there's more data to be had aboot these critters, it's bound ta be in the university biological databanks. I'll joost hook oop tha' same power module we used at tha' lockoop, and do a quick download."

(Sam would have asked Jason and Mallory to accompany him as well, in support of his earlier comment about no longer going off in small groups. David can be there, or he can be investigating around the ship for tarshuu burrows or whatever else FBH wants him to be up to.)

[FBHthelizardmage]

David will pick up a shotgun and ride with the captain, hoping to snap some more photos, shoot some alien life forms and if possible grab the rest of the booze.

[Royal]

Andy starts to kit up.

"I'll stay with the ship. Make sure we'e not around any burrows"

Andy loads up an Auto rifle, puts a couple of clips in a belt pocket and heads out to patrol around the ship.

[Perry Holley]

Sam, David, Jason and Mallory proceed along on the forklift, making fair time to the various target destinations (it's not overly fast, but it is at least faster than walking or trotting, although someone in a full run could probably outdistance it... well, someone running while not encumbered by wearing a vacc suit, at least). The group gets the books from the library easily enough, and pick up the remaining crates of alcohol from the distellery.

On the return trip, Sam stops by the university biological area, to download any relevant information from their databanks. As he does so, the others stand waiting, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.

Juat as Sam is almost finished, David sees something out of the corner of his eye... a bit of movement, along the ground, near that desk just around the corner...

[FBHthelizardmage]

Sam, David, Jason and Mallory proceed along on the forklift, making fair time to the various target destinations (it's not overly fast, but it is at least faster than walking or trotting, although someone in a full run could probably outdistance it... well, someone running while not encumbered by wearing a vacc suit, at least). The group gets the books from the library easily enough, and pick up the remaining crates of alcohol from the distellery.

On the return trip, Sam stops by the university biological area, to download any relevant information from their databanks. As he does so, the others stand waiting, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.

Juat as Sam is almost finished, David sees something out of the corner of his eye... a bit of movement, along the ground, near that desk just around the corner...

(sorry for not posting, was ill)

"hey! what's that?" David looks at the whatever it is, raising his shotgun to blow it away if it makes any hostile movements.

[Perry Holley]

"Hey! What's that?" David looks at the whatever it is, raising his shotgun to blow it away if it makes any hostile movements."What, are you seeing things now?" says Jason. "Kinda jumpy, aren't we?"

Despite his words, he's moving slowly toward the desk (opposite the side of it where Jason's at), with rifle in his hands pointed forward.

[MatthewC]

Sam puts down what he's doing and picks up his usual over-sized wrench. He takes a step back from the monitor and holds himself ready, like a baseball batter set up to swing.

[FBHthelizardmage]

"What, are you seeing things now?" says Jason. "Kinda jumpy, aren't we?"

Despite his words, he's moving slowly toward the desk (opposite the side of it where Jason's at), with rifle in his hands pointed forward.

"hum... maybe." David flanks him, scanning around over the desk, looking mainly for small killer rabbit critters. As an after thought, he flicks on the IR monitors Sam build into his helmet, looking for a heat trace.

[Perry Holley]

"hum... maybe." David flanks him, scanning around over the desk, looking mainly for small killer rabbit critters. As an after thought, he flicks on the IR monitors Sam build into his helmet, looking for a heat trace.David slowly approaches toward the desk, looking at the IR monitors as he does so. He sees a bit of heat signature as come close to the side of the desk. Getting closer, there seems to be a bit of a spike on the IR reading from the other side of the desk.

At that point what is presumably a tarshuu peeks from around the corner of the desk. It looks somewhat like a cross between a rabbit and a large rat, with its ears resembling that of an old terran bat. As David aims his shotgun, the IR readings on the tarshuu spikes up even further, especially around the creature's head.

At that point, Sam, Mal, and Jason see what for a split-second looks like an arc of electricity come from behind the desk where David is pointing his shotgun, hitting David's IR sensors; the flash of light blinds him momentarily. At that point the tarshuu darts off with frighting speed, trying to escape the room that everyone is in.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David slowly approaches toward the desk, looking at the IR monitors as he does so. He sees a bit of heat signature as come close to the side of the desk. Getting closer, there seems to be a bit of a spike on the IR reading from the other side of the desk.

At that point what is presumably a tarshuu peeks from around the corner of the desk. It looks somewhat like a cross between a rabbit and a large rat, with its ears resembling that of an old terran bat. As David aims his shotgun, the IR readings on the tarshuu spikes up even further, especially around the creature's head.

At that point, Sam, Mal, and Jason see what for a split-second looks like an arc of electricity come from behind the desk where David is pointing his shotgun, hitting David's IR sensors; the flash of light blinds him momentarily. At that point the tarshuu darts off with frighting speed, trying to escape the room that everyone is in.

"Argh!" David screams and fires at the point he was aiming his shotgun at before he went blind. Regaining himself slightly he pulls the IR sensors up, and tries to blink his vision clear.

[Perry Holley]

"Argh!" David screams and fires at the point he was aiming his shotgun at before he went blind. Regaining himself slightly he pulls the IR sensors up, and tries to blink his vision clear.David's shotgun blast misses the tarshuu, instead blowing an impressive-sized hole in the desk.

As the creature darts around the corner, both Jason and Mallory fire a shot at it. One of them hits it (hard to say who hit and who missed). The impact knocks the creature into the wall; it twitches for a second, bleeding heavily, and then is still.

[MatthewC]

David's shotgun blast misses the tarshuu, instead blowing an impressive-sized hole in the desk.

As the creature darts around the corner, both Jason and Mallory fire a shot at it. One of them hits it (hard to say who hit and who missed). The impact knocks the creature into the wall; it twitches for a second, bleeding heavily, and then is still.

Sam approaches and pokes at it cautiously. He's trying to figure out how what looked like a miniature bolt of lightning could have come from something the size of a rabbit.

"Nice shot," is his only comment.

[FBHthelizardmage]

"It seems they don't like electronics." David winces, wishing he could rub his eyes through his helmet.

[MatthewC]

Once back on the ship, Sam opens the floor for discussion.

"Do do we hae a reason in tha world ta be hanging aboot any further with lightning-spitting critters? Because I canne think o' one."

[Royal]

Once back on the ship, Sam opens the floor for discussion.

"Do do we hae a reason in tha world ta be hanging aboot any further with lightning-spitting critters? Because I canne think o' one."

"They shoot electricity?" Andy asks as he opens a bottle of water. "That must of been the problem. Enviromental change mutated the lot of them till they started to affect the equipment on the planet right around the time of the wars." Andy takes a swig of water and caps the bottle "Crafty little buggers."

Andy thinks for a bit and then speaks. "Is there any way to get to another underground city? We might get some more interesting stuff on the way."

[Perry Holley]

Once back on the ship, Sam opens the floor for discussion.

"Do do we hae a reason in tha world ta be hanging aboot any further with lightning-spitting critters? Because I canne think o' one.""Don't see much of a percentage in it myself," says Jason. "We've already got some decent stuff - not high end stuff, but that's the way salvage goes sometimes. Maybe we can trade some of it like that forklift while on Troy in exchange for some of their foodstuffs. Besides, we still need some room left in cargo for whatever Mousaki wants to bring back on the return trip."

[MatthewC]

"Don't see much of a percentage in it myself," says Jason. "We've already got some decent stuff - not high end stuff, but that's the way salvage goes sometimes. Maybe we can trade some of it like that forklift while on Troy in exchange for some of their foodstuffs. Besides, we still need some room left in cargo for whatever Mousaki wants to bring back on the return trip."

Sam's face twists up sourly like it pains him to agree with Jason, but he does so anyway. "I'd like ta think ah'm as greedy as tha next lad and a step above most, boot I think you're right. We found some worthwhile items and avoided gettin' zapped by the wee beasties. Let's quit while we're ahood."

He coughs. "Besides, I'm as mooch of a spacehound as any, boot I wouldn't sneer at tha chance to spend an extra day on one ah Troy's beaches. We've been breathin' canned air an awful long time withoot mooch break.

"Unless anyone ken come oop with evidence it'll be worth it ta stick around, ah say we lift off after we get a night's sleep."

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Uh, why don't we lift and then sleep in orbit?" David suggests. "I mean, if lightning shooting critters are what caused the system drop outs down here do we really want to give them time to infiltrate the shadow?"

[Perry. Did we ever load up that booze? Yep - Perry]

[MatthewC]

"Uh, why don't we lift and then sleep in orbit?" David suggests. "I mean, if lightning shooting critters are what caused the system drop outs down here do we really want to give them time to infiltrate the shadow?"

[Perry. Did we ever load up that booze? Yep - Perry]

"If you're feelin' oop ta piloting through a storm joost now, be my guest. It's been a long day fer us all, boot I'll nae be the joodge o' what you ken handle," replies Sam.

[FBHthelizardmage]

"If you're feelin' oop ta piloting through a storm joost now, be my guest. It's been a long day fer us all, boot I'll nae be the joodge o' what you ken handle," replies Sam.

"It could be a little bumpy but I'd feel a lot better up in orbit." David says.

[Perry, how much of the booze did we get?]

[MatthewC]

"It could be a little bumpy but I'd feel a lot better up in orbit." David says.

[Perry, how much of the booze did we get?]

"Root, let's go then," responds Sam.

[OOC: And, uh, does that conclude this salvage adventure?]

[Perry Holley]

[Perry, how much of the booze did we get?][All of it.]

[OOC: And, uh, does that conclude this salvage adventure?][Yep.]

After everyone has gotten ready, David guides the Moonshadow off from the surface of Ashton. The liftoff is the worst part, as David manipulates the thrusters to counter the buffeting of the winds around the ship. After getting clear of the landing area, it gets a bit easier; the winds are just as rough, but now the ship has some upward momentum, as well as more room to maneuver with. Finally, the Moonshadow breaks free of Ashton's orbit, and begins its return journey to Troy. By the time the crew lands, they should have a couple of days to relax and unwind, before taking Mousaki back to Tesla.

[Perry Holley]

After a couple of days of R&R, the Moonshadow is ready to leave Troy and return to Tesla. Depending on what David tries to sell/trade while on Troy, he's albe to get a fair trade in local goods, although not so much to his favor as previous trades were; it would seem that Anara Tyler is at least David's equal when it comes to bartering.

As the Moonshadow pulls free of Troy's gravity well, the ship continues to accelerrate. Eventually, Sam and Davi get a message from Isa. "We are now ready to exit realspace, either via Anderson space... or otherwise, as you so choose."

[MatthewC]

As the Moonshadow pulls free of Troy's gravity well, the ship continues to accelerrate. Eventually, Sam and Davi get a message from Isa. "We are now ready to exit realspace, either via Anderson space... or otherwise, as you so choose."

Fairly chortling with excitement, Sam opens up a private line to David. "Finally! All root, let's remember hoo' we discussed oot. We'll make tha' joomp ta aboot a half light year ootside Tesla. You play doom fer tha' crew and passenger. 'Nae, we hae no idea how this hoopened Mr. Mousaki. Joost another mystery o' spooce.' Then we fire oop tha regular old Anderson droove and come tha rest o' tha way normal-like."

He cuts off transmission, frowns, and sends one more message to David. "O', um, I'm nae a doctor, so I'm nae quite sure what this'll feel like ta oos. Everything should come book ta normal-like at tha end o' joomp, but fer those fifteen seconds.... Personally, i'm tooking some headache medicine before-han'."

Sam then gulps down a couple of headache tablets.

He'll give David a chance to respond, then work with Isa to initiate the wormhole jump.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Fairly chortling with excitement, Sam opens up a private line to David. "Finally! All root, let's remember hoo' we discussed oot. We'll make tha' joomp ta aboot a half light year ootside Tesla. You play doom fer tha' crew and passenger. 'Nae, we hae no idea how this hoopened Mr. Mousaki. Joost another mystery o' spooce.' Then we fire oop tha regular old Anderson droove and come tha rest o' tha way normal-like."

He cuts off transmission, frowns, and sends one more message to David. "O', um, I'm nae a doctor, so I'm nae quite sure what this'll feel like ta oos. Everything should come book ta normal-like at tha end o' joomp, but fer those fifteen seconds.... Personally, i'm tooking some headache medicine before-han'."

Sam then gulps down a couple of headache tablets.

He'll give David a chance to respond, then work with Isa to initiate the wormhole jump.

"Yeah, good plan." David says. "... just give me a chance to get some and I'll be set."

[MatthewC]

"Yeah, good plan." David says. "... just give me a chance to get some and I'll be set."

After David is in place, Sam activates his machine.

[Perry Holley]

David's voice is heard through the intercomm. "Entering Anderson space in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."

Those expecting the normal momentary wrenching that signals the transition from realspace to Anderson space find themselves in for a shock. The experience that follows is not unlike being in a roller coaster, while being stretched and pulled like a piece of taffy. Furthermore, the experience isn't near-instantaneous, like the transation to Anderson space usually is. Rather, it takes several seconds (about 15, should anyone be counting, but the disorientation makes that highly unlikely). During this time, should anyone attempt to communicate via either the intercomm or through wristcomms, they will find that neither method seems to work.

Finally, the jarring experience comes to an end. A glance out through a viewport seems to indicate that the Moonshadow is back in realspace, although it is not immediately obvious where in realspace that might be...

[FBHthelizardmage]

David shakes his head, then winces and wishes he hadn't. "This is the bridge, all passengers and crew, please check in?" he swallows as he begins to make up some lies

[Royal]

Andy unhooks his harness and trys to fight of nausua(sp?).

"Andy here....I think...I'm gonna be sick."

[Perry Holley]

Jason's voice is heard over the intercomm: "What the holy f*** was that?"

[MatthewC]

David's voice is heard through the intercomm. "Entering Anderson space in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."

Those expecting the normal momentary wrenching that signals the transition from realspace to Anderson space find themselves in for a shock. The experience that follows is not unlike being in a roller coaster, while being stretched and pulled like a piece of taffy. Furthermore, the experience isn't near-instantaneous, like the transation to Anderson space usually is. Rather, it takes several seconds (about 15, should anyone be counting, but the disorientation makes that highly unlikely). During this time, should anyone attempt to communicate via either the intercomm or through wristcomms, they will find that neither method seems to work.

Finally, the jarring experience comes to an end. A glance out through a viewport seems to indicate that the Moonshadow is back in realspace, although it is not immediately obvious where in realspace that might be...


Sam holds his stomach, but a grin threatens to split his face. "It worked!" he whispers to himself. He immediately starts jotting down notes.

- Life processes persisted during transit
- Consciousness persisted during transit
- Apparent mechanical alterations (theory suggests altered physical laws)
- Physics experiments next transit! (look for alteration exploits)

Then he becomes aware of the shouted demands for explanations. He stuffs away the notepad and hovers his hand above the intercom.

Sam forces himself to cough to stifle out the giggles, then hits the com. "This is Sam. Nootin' is exploding. I'll keep David oopdated."

He snaps the com off before the triumph can leak into his voice.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David switches on external view to fix their position against the stars.

[Perry Holley]

David switches on external view to fix their position against the stars.After spending a few minutes doublechecking against the astrogation charts, and a little bit of math, David confirms the Moonshadow's current position as being 0.49 light years away from the Siva system, which is home to the planet Tesla.

[FBHthelizardmage]

After spending a few minutes doublechecking against the astrogation charts, and a little bit of math, David confirms the Moonshadow's current position as being 0.49 light years away from the Siva system, which is home to the planet Tesla.

"This is the pilot. We are currently 0.49 light years away from the Siva system... as for what happened. I have no idea. I was engaging the anderson drive and then... BAMN!" David swallows. "We all seem to be in one piece so we'll contiue the journey as soon as everything is checked."

[MatthewC]

"This is the pilot. We are currently 0.49 light years away from the Siva system... as for what happened. I have no idea. I was engaging the anderson drive and then... BAMN!" David swallows. "We all seem to be in one piece so we'll contiue the journey as soon as everything is checked."

After a decent interval, Sam's voice comes through on a general announcement, the com channel filled with slight static. "This is thae Captain. Whootever happened, it cannae hoove been soley to oor Anderson Drive. Thae seems ta be in current well enough shape. I suggest we try a jump book ta Anderson space, then assemble in that mess fer a short ship's meeting. Ah'll see if I ken come oop with some ideas in the meanwhile."

[FBHthelizardmage]

After a decent interval, Sam's voice comes through on a general announcement, the com channel filled with slight static. "This is thae Captain. Whootever happened, it cannae hoove been soley to oor Anderson Drive. Thae seems ta be in current well enough shape. I suggest we try a jump book ta Anderson space, then assemble in that mess fer a short ship's meeting. Ah'll see if I ken come oop with some ideas in the meanwhile."

David begins calculating another jump, smiling slightly to himself, though wincing at the somewhat sick feeling in his stomach.

[Perry Holley]

David begins calculating another jump, smiling slightly to himself, though wincing at the somewhat sick feeling in his stomach.After David finishes his preparations, the Moonshadow once again shifts out of realspace, but this time into the familiar territory of Anderson space.

The trip to Tesla should be a short one; about half a day in Anderson space, and then another 7-8 hours to land at Tesla downport. In the meantime, everone begins to assemble in the mess hall for the crew meeting that Sam mentioned.

[Matthew, was Sam including Mousaki when he told everyone to assemble?]

[MatthewC]

[Matthew, was Sam including Mousaki when he told everyone to assemble?]

OOC: He did not specifically exclude Mousaki if that is what you mean. Right now, Sam feels rather like a kid trying to shoplift for the first time. Rather nervous, unsure of how to act innocent, and clueless as to how suspicious store security actually is. :)

He would probably find it just as nice if Mousaki were not around to ask uncomfortable questions, but felt it would seem odd to tell him not to show up either.

So, your call.

[Perry Holley]

Everyone shows up for the meeting (unless Andy decides not to). Mousaki is there, on the edge of the meeting area; Sam's announcement called for a 'ship's meeting', not a 'crew meeting'. However, he is obviously uncertain how welcome he is here; should he be told to leave, he will do so.

[MatthewC]

Everyone shows up for the meeting (unless Andy decides not to). Mousaki is there, on the edge of the meeting area; Sam's announcement called for a 'ship's meeting', not a 'crew meeting'. However, he is obviously uncertain how welcome he is here; should he be told to leave, he will do so.

Sam clears his throat. "Er. Upoon entry into Anderson Space this morning, ship's toome, we seem to hoove encountered a phenomenom oov at this time unknoown nature. It's effect was ta droostically accelerate passage through Anderson space, then spit us book out into real space once more. Loocky for us, we ended oop aboot half a light year from Tesla. Our second attempt at transition appears to hoove goon more standard, and we should be able ta hoove a late lunch in the spaceport diner tomorrow.

"I would like ta emphasize that any problems oor moost definitely noot the fault o' my drive maintenance. Even oofter centuries of space travel, tha universe ken still hand us a strange pehnomena every noo' and then. Every year, ships are loost without explanation. Moostly blamed on piray (he glares briefly at Jason), boot perhaps we've foound anoother explanation. Noo doubt we goot more luck than we deserved this time. Ah'll be sure ta send in tha ship's logs ta tha approopriate scientific institution.

"Anyway, thoot's all."

He waits for questions.

[OC: Perry, I realize I may not have made this clear before, because you may be wondering, 'When is Sam going to come clean with the rest of the crew?' Well, it's not going to be very long. Remember that this is very much the first voyage for Andy, Mallory, and Jason, and they all have the option to leave when we get back to Tesla. Sam understandably doesn't want to unload his bombshell until they've made a committment to stay onboard.

After Mousaki's cargo is unloaded and he's gone, Sam will hold another meeting and give everyone the straight scoop. Fair enough?]

[Perry Holley]

"Anyway, thoot's all."

He waits for questions.Jason, Mallory, and Mousaki each look as if they want to say something, but are each (for their own seperate reasons) deciding not to do so. David gets the distinct impression that none of them are buying the 'strange pehnomena' explanation, at least not unquestioningly so.

[Unless David or Andy have anything they want to say, the meeting is effectively over.]

[OC: Perry, I realize I may not have made this clear before, because you may be wondering, 'When is Sam going to come clean with the rest of the crew?' Well, it's not going to be very long. Remember that this is very much the first voyage for Andy, Mallory, and Jason, and they all have the option to leave when we get back to Tesla. Sam understandably doesn't want to unload his bombshell until they've made a committment to stay onboard.

After Mousaki's cargo is unloaded and he's gone, Sam will hold another meeting and give everyone the straight scoop. Fair enough?][Not a problem.]

[Oh, and I never got an answer on which you wanted to do first after the layover on Tesla; going to David's homeworld, or refitting the Midnight Wind for resale?]

[Royal]

Sam clears his throat. "Er. Upoon entry into Anderson Space this morning, ship's toome, we seem to hoove encountered a phenomenom oov at this time unknoown nature. It's effect was ta droostically accelerate passage through Anderson space, then spit us book out into real space once more. Loocky for us, we ended oop aboot half a light year from Tesla. Our second attempt at transition appears to hoove goon more standard, and we should be able ta hoove a late lunch in the spaceport diner tomorrow.

"I would like ta emphasize that any problems oor moost definitely noot the fault o' my drive maintenance. Even oofter centuries of space travel, tha universe ken still hand us a strange pehnomena every noo' and then. Every year, ships are loost without explanation. Moostly blamed on piray (he glares briefly at Jason), boot perhaps we've foound anoother explanation. Noo doubt we goot more luck than we deserved this time. Ah'll be sure ta send in tha ship's logs ta tha approopriate scientific institution.

"Anyway, thoot's all."

He waits for questions.

[OC: Perry, I realize I may not have made this clear before, because you may be wondering, 'When is Sam going to come clean with the rest of the crew?' Well, it's not going to be very long. Remember that this is very much the first voyage for Andy, Mallory, and Jason, and they all have the option to leave when we get back to Tesla. Sam understandably doesn't want to unload his bombshell until they've made a committment to stay onboard.

After Mousaki's cargo is unloaded and he's gone, Sam will hold another meeting and give everyone the straight scoop. Fair enough?]

Andy itches his chin a bit.

"Can you possibly explain this phenomena a bit more in detail? Has it affected the ship in any way?"

[MatthewC]

Andy itches his chin a bit.

"Can you possibly explain this phenomena a bit more in detail? Has it affected the ship in any way?"

"Well, with tha math tooken oot, here's a metaphor thoot might help you. Think oov higher dimensional space as a smooth lake, like they poot in tha middle o' parks. Stick yer oars in and pull, and your drive can pull you across the lake. Boot what if there were a wave on the lake? If you ketch tha crest, you moot be swept along without wetting yer oars."

Sam starts to get enthusiastic, figuring out what might explain such a hypothetical and almost forgetting for the moment that none of it actually happened. "O course, why stoop where we did? Well, there tha metaphor starts ta break doon. What if repeated travel ken actually change tha surface o' the lake? It might 'wear a groove' in spacetime tha' ken actually...."

He trances off for about five seconds then shakes himself awake.

"Er, no effect on tha ship thoot I ken tell."

[FBHthelizardmage]

"anyhow." David says, appearing perfectly calm with the situation. "if you notice anything unusual, holla and we'll check it."

[Perry Holley]

After the short journey in Anderson space, the [i]Moonshadow transitions without incident back into realspace. The ship then heads toward the direction of the Tesla Downport near the capial city of Pae, as David radios in his approach vector. "Request for landing at Tesla Downport approved, Moonshadow," says a clipped female voice in response. "Follow radio beam in to landing strip Gamma... welcome back."

After landing, the crew can get about the business of doing whatever they need to do while on Tesla. As Isa, Mallory, and Jason help to unload Mousaki's cargo, the businessman speaks to Sam. "Captain, I would like to thank you for the professional manner in which you and your crew have conducted yourselves during this journey. It is my hope that we can do business again, at some point in the future. Should you ever be in this part of space again in the near future, give us a call at Hollis Pharmaceuticals, and we'll see if we can come to another mutually beneficial business arrangement." He extends his hand toward Sam as he finishes speaking.

[At this point, Sam can go about whatever business he wants to do on Tesla, as well as deciding how to handle the continued employment of Andy, Mal, and Jason. David can buy and sell cargo, as well as anything else he had planned here. Andy can decide if he wants to continue as part of the crew, and if so, to put his affairs in order while on Tesla. Anything else the crew wants to do while planetside can also be taken care of.]

[Oh, and since it's been only a couple of days since you've left Troy, how long was Sam planning on staying on Tesla?]

[FBHthelizardmage]

David wants to meet with sam to find out what next before heading off world. But he'll also be calling the twins now he's back here...

[MatthewC]

After landing, the crew can get about the business of doing whatever they need to do while on Tesla. As Isa, Mallory, and Jason help to unload Mousaki's cargo, the businessman speaks to Sam. "Captain, I would like to thank you for the professional manner in which you and your crew have conducted yourselves during this journey. It is my hope that we can do business again, at some point in the future. Should you ever be in this part of space again in the near future, give us a call at Hollis Pharmaceuticals, and we'll see if we can come to another mutually beneficial business arrangement." He extends his hand toward Sam as he finishes speaking.


Sam shifts uncomfortably, but he's unwilling to look like, er, the 'smaller man'. He reaches up and gives Mousaki's hand a professional, if brief, shake. "I'll be sure ta keep thoot in mind. You're nae sooch a bad egg yerself, and it was nice noot ta hoove any employer grief my first troy at this captaining business."

[At this point, Sam can go about whatever business he wants to do on Tesla, as well as deciding how to handle the continued employment of Andy, Mal, and Jason. David can buy and sell cargo, as well as anything else he had planned here. Andy can decide if he wants to continue as part of the crew, and if so, to put his affairs in order while on Tesla. Anything else the crew wants to do while planetside can also be taken care of.]

[Oh, and since it's been only a couple of days since you've left Troy, how long was Sam planning on staying on Tesla?]

Andy (of course), Mal, and even Jason are welcome to come back should they choose to renew their employment.

Sam will spend the first day or two restocking supplies and getting the Moonshadow shipshape. After that, and regarding how long we're going to spend planetside....

David wants to meet with sam to find out what next before heading off world. But he'll also be calling the twins now he's back here...

Sam meets with David. "So whoot's next afore heading offworld?" he asks David bluntly. "You had sooch plans ta make soom cash off my invention. No how do we do it? Are we looking fer your family or what?"

(OOC: Yeah, I'm tossing it back to you, FBH. Take the lead here.)

[FBHthelizardmage]

Sam meets with David. "So whoot's next afore heading offworld?" he asks David bluntly. "You had sooch plans ta make soom cash off my invention. No how do we do it? Are we looking fer your family or what?"

(OOC: Yeah, I'm tossing it back to you, FBH. Take the lead here.)

David looks slightly annoyed, he wanted to party a bit before getting down to the serious bussiness of dominating the galaxy economically.

"Well, it'll certainly be a huge money pot, if we can get the resources to fit it on a wide scale, my family was one of the biggest ship building groups in the old empire... so, even if they've fallen on hard times, they've got the experience to know how this stuff works, so yes, we should go look for them. But, on the way I need a list of what you need to put together one of your inventions from a standard Anderson drive."

David pauses. "The more physical infrastructure we have for this, the more likely it is to get stolen. Plus, I don't know about you, but I'm rather enjoying zooming around space. I don't see you as a factory manager, and I'm certainly not, so it might be best to start refitting it on ships on sight as it where."

[MatthewC]

David looks slightly annoyed, he wanted to party a bit before getting down to the serious bussiness of dominating the galaxy economically.

"Well, it'll certainly be a huge money pot, if we can get the resources to fit it on a wide scale, my family was one of the biggest ship building groups in the old empire... so, even if they've fallen on hard times, they've got the experience to know how this stuff works, so yes, we should go look for them. But, on the way I need a list of what you need to put together one of your inventions from a standard Anderson drive."

David pauses. "The more physical infrastructure we have for this, the more likely it is to get stolen. Plus, I don't know about you, but I'm rather enjoying zooming around space. I don't see you as a factory manager, and I'm certainly not, so it might be best to start refitting it on ships on sight as it where."


Sam speaks seriously. "It's nae a matter o' 'refitting' an existing Anderson Drive. My invention is is boosed upoon entirely different physics. O' you ken reuse some of the peripherals. Power cables 'n sooch, since they're booth drawing power from the ship's engine. Boot tha core o' it has ta be different components. You notice I dinnae try ta us oor own Anderson drive fer parts.

"I ken draw you a list o' what's needed. Tha best place ta find sooch tech, unless you ken get equipment meant for hyperspacial research, is in modern computer production. Tha' equipment they use ta create the quantum entanglements ken be modified fer oor purposes. Buying sooch stoof, though, ken be expensive. Very expensive. We're talking what's indoostrial equipment, and it's nae priced doon fer noon-production use. Tha only reason I was able ta get oor drive working was with tha equipment we nicked froom that research center with tha crazy warbot.

"You ken check, boot I'm noot sure we ken afford the equipment fer even one more drive withoot breaking ourselves."

[FBHthelizardmage]

Sam speaks seriously. "It's nae a matter o' 'refitting' an existing Anderson Drive. My invention is is boosed upoon entirely different physics. O' you ken reuse some of the peripherals. Power cables 'n sooch, since they're booth drawing power from the ship's engine. Boot tha core o' it has ta be different components. You notice I dinnae try ta us oor own Anderson drive fer parts.

"I ken draw you a list o' what's needed. Tha best place ta find sooch tech, unless you ken get equipment meant for hyperspacial research, is in modern computer production. Tha' equipment they use ta create the quantum entanglements ken be modified fer oor purposes. Buying sooch stoof, though, ken be expensive. Very expensive. We're talking what's indoostrial equipment, and it's nae priced doon fer noon-production use. Tha only reason I was able ta get oor drive working was with tha equipment we nicked froom that research center with tha crazy warbot.

"Yo