'Fallen Stars' play-by-post campaign

[Perry Holley]

This thread is for a science fiction play-by-post RPG campaign that I will be running here on CBR. I'm asking anyone else who has any comments, questions, etc. re: this campaign to post them in this thread (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=16058) instead.

[Perry Holley]

You find yourself on the starship Moonshadow, a small free merchant vessel that travels the stars of the Kanno subsector, for reasons of your own that vary from passenger to passenger. Specifically, you are leaving the strife-torn world of New Texas, a moon of the gas giant Kalthos in the Tyaa system. New Texas has recently suffered an attempted overthrow of the legal government by anti-Empire terrorists. The result has been predictable - the decimation of the insurgents by the numerically and militarily superior forces of the Empire. Although there are still occasional pockets of resistance scattered across the world, the fighting is mostly over, and New Texas is currently in the process of recovering from the fighting of the last few months. It will take New Texas quite a while to fully recover, and some of the damage done may never be fully healed.

All that is behind you now. After being greeted by Captain Poul Jovanovich and shown to your quarters by the lovely Isa, the Moonshadow lifted off from the starport, and began the customary acceleration necessary to exit the gravity pull of New Texas and Kalthos (trying to enter hyperspace while still within a world’s gravity well is a bad idea), as well as building up the necessary speed required to enter hyperspace. During the roughly 8 ½ hours required to do so, all non-crew members are confined to their rooms for safety’s sake, even though the ship’s antigrav engines automatically compensate for any inconveniences of acceleration. During this time, you unpack your belongings, preparing to make yourself comfortable for the next 4 ½ standard days in your tiny 3.75x4.5x3 mt. quarters, and perhaps watch the view of the Tyaa system from your room’s view screen, as pilot Talia Osgrave provides running commentary over the ship‘s intercomm.

Finally, the warning goes over the ship’s intercomm, warning you that the Moonshadow will be entering hyperspace shortly, and you prepare yourself for the transition. A momentary wrenching of your body as the ship enters the otherworldly dimension of hyperspace (or more properly, ’Anderson space’, but the two terms are interchangeable), and then all is well. A view of hyperspace on your room’s viewscreen shows the universe as a photographic negative, with black stars moving by at faster-than-light speeds against the background of the white void of space. Passengers are now free to wander the upper deck of the tiny starship, and the crew members resume their normal activities.

That was 24 hours ago, with about another 3 days to go in hyperspace, and then another 4 hours or so in realspace needed to approach the colony world of Rivendale in the Marcsfall system. From there, the Moonshadow will travel to the Siva system, and make port at Tesla, the capital of the Kanno subsector.

[Perry Holley]

What you saw on New Texas was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Yes, you were able to save lives there, but not enough, never enough. The images you saw there, as well as similar scenes played out on other worlds, have become too much to bear, and you’ve become painfully aware that corpses all look the same, no matter which side they were fighting on. You’ve requested, and received, medical leave, a much-needed opportunity to go back to your homeworld of Asimmov, to try to forget all the horrors you’ve seen. Unfortunately, all of the military vessels were going to be tied up on New Texas for a while. Fortunately, you were easily able to trade your skills as a doctor in exchange for passage aboard the small merchant vessel Moonshadow. It shouldn’t be any problem to act as ship’s doctor for a little bit, just long enough to get to Tesla, where you shouldn’t have any problem getting passage on a military vessel heading back to the Inner Worlds, and make your way to Asimmov.

You’ve been on private merchant vessels in the past, and truthfully you weren’t expecting much. Many of these smaller ships are lucky to have a spare bed and a first aid kit for any sick or injured. You were pleasantly surprised to find that the Moonshadow not only has a small but reasonably well-stocked medical bay, but it even has an extra room with emergency cryoberths for the crew and passengers, if necessary.

As the temporary ship‘s medic, you’ve been introduced to the rest of the ship’s crew. Jovanovich, the captain and owner of the Moonshadow, strikes you as a stern but competent man. The beautiful woman he shares his quarters with (wife? companion? kept woman? something else?) you know only by the name of Isa. Isa seems to serve many functions aboard the ship, ranging from ship’s steward and cook, backup pilot, gunner, and when necessary, ship’s medic. The likable and perky Osgrave is the ship’s pilot, and seems to be quite good at her job, albeit in an unconventional and freewheeling manner. Jacob ‘Jake’ Konner is a large and imposing man who acts as cargo handler, gunner, and ship’s security. Finally, there is Sam Starfall, a gruff and short heavyworlder whom you’ve gathered has only joined the crew recently, but nonetheless seems extremely capable as ship’s engineer/mechanic.

Your duties so far have been relatively minor and mundane, for which you’ve been thankful. You’ve just finished looking over an older man by the name of Travis Eschen, a manservant for the Baron Vasilokos, who is also traveling aboard the Moonshadow (and what is a Baron doing on such a small ship, anyways?), who was suffering a bit of hyperspace-related nausea. An injection of a mild sedative should easily take care of the problem.

“Thank you, doctor,” says Eschen, as he puts his overcoat back on. “Your prompt and professional manner is much appreciated.” As he walks toward the door of the medbay, he stops, and adds, “I feel obliged to give you some advanced warning. The good Baron is somewhat infamous for his romantic dalliances, and even with both his wife and his mistress on the ship, he tends to get, well, bored rather easily. I suspect any and all females here will find themselves the subject of his advances at one point or another. He is not vindictive, but he can be persistent. Should you not wish such a liaison with the Baron, my advice would be to stop short any advances in a polite but firm manner.” His kindly but practiced manner suggests this is not the first time he has given such advice.

[Perry Holley]

You lie on the bed in your all-too-small quarters, wishing for the thousandth time that you were on one of the luxury vessels you’ve grown used to traveling on, not this tiny little merchant ship that you currently find yourself on. Unfortunately, the Empress Selena had engine troubles, making an emergency stopover at the Tyaa system, and it look like it would be several weeks before it could be properly fixed. To make matter worse, the failed uprising on New Texas meant that it would be highly unlikely that any other luxury vessels would be heading there anytime soon. So you gritted your teeth and took passage upon the first ship heading to Tesla, where you figure you can start your new life. That ship turned out to be the Moonshadow, a small private ship… with the emphasis on ’small’. That said, at least it’s clean, and it should get to Tesla quickly enough, after a quick layover at Rivendale.

As you are checking once again to make sure the monies and valuables necessary for your new life are still safely locked away in your travel safe (one can never be too careful - after all, who knows what unsavory types are on board?), you hear a knocking at your door. Assuming you answer it, you find none other than the Baron Vasilokos standing there. You were surprised to find him as one of your fellow passengers on the Moonshadow, but have not yet had a chance to speak to him “Mr. Adams? I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time?” He stands at the doorway, waiting for you to invite him in.

[Perry Holley]

You’ve just finished checking the gauges for the Anderson drive compressor, and everything seems to be in good shape. You make a notation for your report to give to the captain later (Jovanovich seems to be in a rare good mood - at least on a relative scale- as the ship is filled to capacity with both passengers and cargo). So far, the Moonshadow has only needed general maintenance during your time as ship’s engineer/mechanic. The previous engineer for the ship (some guy named Joss) seemed to be competent enough - not as good as you, of course, but he did his job. You’ve actually spent more time altering various nooks and crannies of the ship into ‘extra cargo compartments’ for those times when the captain doesn’t want to officially declare some small but valuable bit of cargo to customs agents. Hey, it’s not like smuggling hurts anyone, right? Keeps some office bureaucrat from lining his pockets even more than usual, which can’t be a bad thing. As long as no one gets hurt by it, you really don’t care. Even doing that, you’ve had plenty of time to try to noodle out some theories for that special project you’re working on.

Taking a quick break, you wander over to the lounge area for a snack. Isa, who has just finished restocking the area (does that woman ever sleep?), waves to you as she leaves to go back to the galley. For the moment, the lounge is empty, which is just fine with you.

After getting some juice, one of the passengers approaches the lounge from the hallway connecting to the passenger’s rooms. You spoke to her briefly the day before - an attractive young redheaded woman by the name of Ginger Webber. It seems she’s heading to Tesla for engineer’s training, and was curious if you knew anything about what she should expect there. “Hi Sam,” she says, as she sits on the corner of the table. “If you don’t mind me asking, I was wondering… what’s it like being ship’s engineer? What is it that you enjoy about what you do?”

[MatthewC]

After getting some juice, one of the passengers approaches the lounge from the hallway connecting to the passenger’s rooms. You spoke to her briefly the day before - an attractive young redheaded woman by the name of Ginger Webber. It seems she’s heading to Tesla for engineer’s training, and was curious if you knew anything about what she should expect there. “Hi Sam,” she says, as she sits on the corner of the table. “If you don’t mind me asking, I was wondering… what’s it like being ship’s engineer? What is it that you enjoy about what you do?”

Sam snaps his head up, irritated at having his train of thought interrupted. "None of yer-" he starts to snap, then catches himself in mid-sentence as he takes a gander at the person interrupting him.

Though not a ladies man, Sam is by no means immune to the lure of attractive redheads. Since it's a good-looking woman asking the questions, he moderates (somewhat) his first impulse to give her the brush-off and attempts to give Ginger's question a real answer.

"Er- I meant ta say that I've always been a great one for taking widgets apart and putting them back together again, ever since I wuz a lad. So becoming a techie head, why twaz the only natural career fer me. You have to love gadgets, lass, if you want ta be any good as an engineer. Lacking that, ther's no reason ta waste your time in school."

Sam takes a sip of his juice, warming to the topic at hand. "Though being a great engineer instead of a good one, that takes knowin' the science behind your gadgets. Fer instance- ab, but I'm going off topic."

He nods at her. "Some people might say me considerable talents are being wasted doin' fixups on a freighter, but me, I like that freedom. When no alarms are screeching, the captain leaves me be ta set my own schedule fer matters, as I think they should be best attended to. And when somewhat does go wrong, out in space it's usually a bit oh' excitement and challenge instead of just ordering a replacement part from tha local supply depot.

"It takes a bit o' nerve to be nursing a starship from one port to another, but if you got the stomach for it, you get ta shake the planetdust off yer heels and see the empire. _if- ya' end up worth anything at all as an engineer, lass, don't let 'em nail yer feet to some planet, taking care of a damn factory somewhere."

Sam gets up, his juice finished. He's about to leave, not really caring how Ginger takes his advice, when a thought strikes him. "Say Ginger me lass, if you want to take a look at how a ship works, I've got a little... job, I need to take care of with tha ship's gravity system. You could come below with me, take a wee peak at what a freighter looks like below decks. Be good experience."

Sam makes this offer, utterly ignoring the captain's standing orders about not having any passengers on the lower or wing decks. He's more concerned about having a witness to a little trick he wants to play. It's no fun if you don't have anyone to brag to....

[Perry Holley]

"Say Ginger me lass, if you want to take a look at how a ship works, I've got a little... job, I need to take care of with tha ship's gravity system. You could come below with me, take a wee peak at what a freighter looks like below decks. Be good experience."Ginger's eyes light up like a young child opening presents on her birthday. "Sam! You would be willing to do that for me?" Overjoyed, she hugs you... then quickly backs off a little, as if a bit embarrassed by being so overly expressive. "I mean... sure, I've been around and inside ships at the old starport, but taking a look at the drives while she's running, in Anderson space..." She breaks off, as if not having the words for what she wants to say.

You wait until Isa leaves the galley, then slip through that area to get to the stairwell going down to the lower deck. Making sure that neither Talia nor anyone else is on the bridge at the moment, you slip through to the cargo area. Your luck holds as you note that Jake isn't in the cargo hold, as he occasionally is. From there, you go through the doorway to the wing level, where all the engines, drives, and generators are. Going past the fuel purification plants, the Anderson drives, and the life support system, you wind up at your destination, the antigrav generator.

When you look back at Ginger, the look on her face is like that of an acolyte at church.

"Wow."

[BcAugust]

Your duties so far have been relatively minor and mundane, for which you’ve been thankful. You’ve just finished looking over an older man by the name of Travis Eschen, a manservant for the Baron Vasilokos, who is also traveling aboard the Moonshadow (and what is a Baron doing on such a small ship, anyways?), who was suffering a bit of hyperspace-related nausea. An injection of a mild sedative should easily take care of the problem.

“Thank you, doctor,” says Eschen, as he puts his overcoat back on. “Your prompt and professional manner is much appreciated.” As he walks toward the door of the medbay, he stops, and adds, “I feel obliged to give you some advanced warning. The good Baron is somewhat infamous for his romantic dalliances, and even with both his wife and his mistress on the ship, he tends to get, well, bored rather easily. I suspect any and all females here will find themselves the subject of his advances at one point or another. He is not vindictive, but he can be persistent. Should you not wish such a liaison with the Baron, my advice would be to stop short any advances in a polite but firm manner.” His kindly but practiced manner suggests this is not the first time he has given such advice.

Heather puts everything away with practiced ease, not even thinking about the secondary aspects anymore. "Well, I'm not the type for such things. I thank you for the warning, though." She smiles at him, her eyes far away "Now, be careful and come back if you have any other problems. But this should take care of it."

She moves around the sickbay again, almost obsessively checking to make sure everything's in readiness.

[MatthewC]

You wait until Isa leaves the galley, then slip through that area to get to the stairwell going down to the lower deck. Making sure that neither Talia nor anyone else is on the bridge at the moment, you slip through to the cargo area. Your luck holds as you note that Jake isn't in the cargo hold, as he occasionally is. From there, you go through the doorway to the wing level, where all the engines, drives, and generators are. Going past the fuel purification plants, the Anderson drives, and the life support system, you wind up at your destination, the antigrav generator.

When you look back at Ginger, the look on her face is like that of an acolyte at church.

"Wow."

Sam taps the antigrav generator in satisfaction, then opens a panel on the side. He fiddles with the insides a little and begins speaking.

"Ginger, me gal, I don't know how you feel on the matter, but as for meself I've never been too fond of those overbearing wastes of space that tramp about, calling themselves nobility and lording it over all of us just trying to turn an honest credit. So I'm of tha mind ta play a bit of a trick on his Baroninity Vasilokos."

Rather than pause to see how Ginger reacts to this, as perhaps a more cautious man would, Sam merely chuckles at his own cleverness and forges ahead.

"Now I should say that you should _never_ try mucking about like this with a grav system until you know as much as I do, because the middle a' Anderson space is a lousy place ta be slamming folks against the walls with a screw-up. I, ah course, know what I'm doing." Sam makes what he thinks is a reassuring hand gesture.

"My plan is ta set the gravity to go up in the Baron's room- and _only_ the Baron's room, whenever he tries to take him a wee bit of slumber. Not enough ta tip him off what's about, just enough to give 'em a few uncomfortable nights there with his wives and mistresses and all that, and ah doubt he'll be able to put his noble finger on what's wrong. Not in three nights anyway. Ah think 1.15 of standard should do."

Sam leans in closer to the control panel. "The set-up should be easy. Power consumption from his room lights is a known factor in the ship's system. I'll just attach a computerized delayed relay to have the gravity start gradually increasing ten minutes after the room lights go off over a period of thirty minutes or so. Keep it up for about six hours, then automatically shut off. Hmmm, better add a few more analysis factors so it only works if he's in the room when the lights go out, but that should be doable. Add a circuit path for if he turns the lights on before the six hours are up?"

Not only does a large amount of Sam's accent slip away when he's concentrating on a technical problem, but his voice goes into a relaxed sing-song.

"If ya' pay attention while I explain what I'm doing, you might just learn a' few things about how this generator actually works," he remarks to Ginger before slipping totally into technicalese.

[[OOC: Assuming that Ginger doesn't run screaming from the room to alert passengers and crew, Sammy will try to set up precisely the 'joke' described above, using his 'Technical' skill. And true to his word, he'll keep up a low running commentary of how he's doing it, possibly to Ginger's benefit if she can keep up with the jargon.

Feel free to tell me if Sam think he's succeeded. (Or if people suddenly go thumping about the ship.)]]

[FBHthelizardmage]

You lie on the bed in your all-too-small quarters, wishing for the thousandth time that you were on one of the luxury vessels you’ve grown used to traveling on, not this tiny little merchant ship that you currently find yourself on. Unfortunately, the Empress Selena had engine troubles, making an emergency stopover at the Tyaa system, and it look like it would be several weeks before it could be properly fixed. To make matter worse, the failed uprising on New Texas meant that it would be highly unlikely that any other luxury vessels would be heading there anytime soon. So you gritted your teeth and took passage upon the first ship heading to Tesla, where you figure you can start your new life. That ship turned out to be the Moonshadow, a small private ship… with the emphasis on ’small’. That said, at least it’s clean, and it should get to Tesla quickly enough, after a quick layover at Rivendale.

As you are checking once again to make sure the monies and valuables necessary for your new life are still safely locked away in your travel safe (one can never be too careful - after all, who knows what unsavory types are on board?), you hear a knocking at your door. Assuming you answer it, you find none other than the Baron Vasilokos standing there. You were surprised to find him as one of your fellow passengers on the Moonshadow, but have not yet had a chance to speak to him “Mr. Adams? I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time?” He stands at the doorway, waiting for you to invite him in.

"Of course Barron, I'd be delighted..." David smiles slightly and steps aside, allowing the Barron into his quarters. "These long voyages can become a trifle boring can't they?"

[Perry Holley]

She moves around the sickbay again, almost obsessively checking to make sure everything's in readiness.Going through the inventory, you noticed that the medbay really is fairly well stocked for a ship this size. There are, of course, a few items that the inventory is a bit low on, but then, a ship like the Moonshadow probably has to restock their supplies on an erratic basis, depending on which planet is closest at any given moment. You make a note for the Captain that supplies are a bit low for the chloral hydrate and general anesthesia, but otherwise things look okay.

About that time, a light knock interrupts your thoughts. Looking up, you see Osgrave standing at the doorway to the medbay. "You know, Doc, it is okay if you wander out from here to the rest of the deck. I checked with the Captain, just to make sure... mind you, you never know what kind of contract negotiations he can come up with when he's hiring on crew. But honest, he says you're not confined to quarters or anything. So you could actually go out and, I dunno, actually talk to other people without it being a doctor-patient thing."

A slight grin. "Sorry if I'm being a buttinski - wouldn't be the first time I've been accused of that - but it's not like you have to wait here on-call in case anything happens. I mean, it's not a huge ship. If something does come up, we'll find you, don't worry." A pause. "Besides, getting out a bit might help take your mind off whatever it is you've... err... got you mind on."

[Perry Holley]

"Ginger, me gal, I don't know how you feel on the matter, but as for meself I've never been too fond of those overbearing wastes of space that tramp about, calling themselves nobility and lording it over all of us just trying to turn an honest credit. So I'm of tha mind ta play a bit of a trick on his Baroninity Vasilokos."Ginger grins, clearly amused by the idea. She listen intently to you as you describe plan, although she can't seem to help glancing past the antigrav generator to the other nearby engines and drives. Occasionally, she'll ask you what strikes you as a fairly reasonable question. You're guessing she has at least some practical technical knowledge, along with a fair amount of theoretical knowledge. If she actually gets some decent training, she just might become a decent enough technician/engineer someday.

After a while, you think you've got everything set. Of course, you won't know for certain until he takes a nap, most likely later tonight, but you're pretty certain that this should work with no complications.

As you're finishing up, a frown crosses Ginger's face. "Sam, this is just a harmless prank, right? I mean, you wouldn't actually hurt the Baron or someone like him, would you?"

[Perry Holley]

"Of course Barron, I'd be delighted..." David smiles slightly and steps aside, allowing the Barron into his quarters. "These long voyages can become a trifle boring can't they?""Well, it is only a few days, to be fair. Although another ship could get there faster, but then, if another ship was available," he looks around the room, indicating the ship in general, "we wouldn't be here, now would we?" Leaning against the wall, the Baron chuckles slightly. "Needs must when the devil drives, or so they say."

"Although I have my own reasons - urgency being among them - for taking passage on this ship instead of waiting for a better vessel, I confess I'm somewhat curious as to why the son of a wealthy shipping magnate is traveling by himself on this miserable ship here in the Outer Worlds." He pauses, then continues. "Oh yes, I know who you are, although I suspect many of our fellow passengers don't. You see, I make it a habit to know what I can about those who control the pursestrings of the Empire. Your father is a most impressive man, self made and all that. I recall seeing your face on a bio-vid discussing your father and his various business ventures."

"So... are you here at your father's behest, or are you striking out on a venture of your own?"

[MatthewC]

As you're finishing up, a frown crosses Ginger's face. "Sam, this is just a harmless prank, right? I mean, you wouldn't actually hurt the Baron or someone like him, would you?"

"Course not," Sam says dismissively. "Ah bit of fun is one thing, but ah'm not crazy, after all. Ta be honest, the ole' Baron might not even notice if he's been a stars travelin' all his life, always having ta' adjust himself to a new world's gravity every few weeks. But fair enough fer him in such a case."

"Now Ginger me lass, you've been such a patient sort helpin' me out here and all, feel free ta take a quick poke at the engines or other widgets down here, and I'll try ta answer any questions as best I can. After that we'll get ya back ta the upper deck. I've got some real work to get back to."

[BcAugust]

About that time, a light knock interrupts your thoughts. Looking up, you see Osgrave standing at the doorway to the medbay. "You know, Doc, it is okay if you wander out from here to the rest of the deck. I checked with the Captain, just to make sure... mind you, you never know what kind of contract negotiations he can come up with when he's hiring on crew. But honest, he says you're not confined to quarters or anything. So you could actually go out and, I dunno, actually talk to other people without it being a doctor-patient thing."

A slight grin. "Sorry if I'm being a buttinski - wouldn't be the first time I've been accused of that - but it's not like you have to wait here on-call in case anything happens. I mean, it's not a huge ship. If something does come up, we'll find you, don't worry." A pause. "Besides, getting out a bit might help take your mind off whatever it is you've... err... got you mind on."

Heather pauses, then finishes writing the list. "I guess. Sorry, just..needed to make sure everything was in place." She heads to the door, smiling at her, it looking a bit faked, picking up a medkit she has packed without thinking of it, and reaching for something she no longer carries. Heather shakes herself a bit, folding the note and putting it away in a pocket. "Hmm, you mind walking with me to lunch? I'm afraid I skipped breakfast." She says as she finishes fastening the medkit to carry, military style obvious.

[Perry Holley]

"Now Ginger me lass, you've been such a patient sort helpin' me out here and all, feel free ta take a quick poke at the engines or other widgets down here, and I'll try ta answer any questions as best I can. After that we'll get ya back ta the upper deck. I've got some real work to get back to."Ginger looks around a bit, and asks a couple more questions, but seems content with what she has seen. After making sure the coast is clear, you make your way back to the lounge/common area on the upper deck. As you do so, you run into Dr. Glockton and the pilot Talia Osgrave, coming from the other direction. Osgrave smiles, and says, "Hi Sam. Gonna join us for lunch, or are you going to hide back in the engine room again?"

[Perry Holley]

Heather pauses, then finishes writing the list. "I guess. Sorry, just..needed to make sure everything was in place." She heads to the door, smiling at her, it looking a bit faked, picking up a medkit she has packed without thinking of it, and reaching for something she no longer carries. Heather shakes herself a bit, folding the note and putting it away in a pocket. "Hmm, you mind walking with me to lunch? I'm afraid I skipped breakfast." She says as she finishes fastening the medkit to carry, military style obvious.
"Yeah, noticed you weren't there at breakfast. Figured you might have slept late, since you were up so late last night in the medbay. Soooo... is Tesla your end destination, or are you heading on elsewhere after that? If it's the latter, let me know. I can tell you which ships and which pilots to avoid, if you'd like."

As you wander into the lounge area, you see the mechanic/engineer Sam Starfall coming in from the other direction, with a young and attractive redheaded female passenger that you recall seeing the night before following behind him. Osgrave smiles, and says, "Hi Sam. Gonna join us for lunch, or are you going to hide back in the engine room again?"

[BcAugust]

[OOC: Osgrave is female, not male. See above pic/attachment.]

"Yeah, noticed you weren't there at breakfast. Figured you might have slept late, since you were up so late last night in the medbay. Soooo... is Tesla your end destination, or are you heading on elsewhere after that? If it's the latter, let me know. I can tell you which ships and which pilots to avoid, if you'd like."

As you wander into the lounge area, you see the mechanic/engineer Sam Starfall coming in from the other direction, with a young and attractive redheaded female passenger that you recall seeing the night before following behind him. Osgrave smiles, and says, "Hi Sam. Gonna join us for lunch, or are you going to hide back in the engine room again?"

[ooc Sorry. Will correct later]

Heather just smiles briefly, hiding the fact she barely slept at all. "Asmiov, actually. It will be good to get home."

Heather looks them over, a searching gaze that sums them up as threats, then smiles at them, the coldness bleeding away as if it had never been. "Hello."

[MatthewC]

Ginger looks around a bit, and asks a couple more questions, but seems content with what she has seen. After making sure the coast is clear, you make your way back to the lounge/common area on the upper deck. As you do so, you run into Dr. Glockton and the pilot Talia Osgrave, coming from the other direction. Osgrave smiles, and says, "Hi Sam. Gonna join us for lunch, or are you going to hide back in the engine room again?"

"Good day to ya both, Talia, Heather. Sure, I suppose ah could do with joinin' you fer a bit of a meal right now. We're new enough outta New Texas that there ought to be somethin' fresh in the pantry. We might even conjure up a bite fer Ginger here as well, if she's in the mood."

If Sam is nervous at having just come back from setting up his 'practical joke', he doesn't show it. Indeed, it seems to have put him in something of a good mood. He helps make whatever preparations are necessary for a mid-day meal.

"So how long hav' ya been flying on the Moonshadow, Talia? Being tha' new fellow, ah'm not caught up on everybody's stories yet," Sam tosses out as the meal is made.

[Perry Holley]

[ooc Sorry. Will correct later]
[Already taken care of.]

"Good day to ya both, Talia, Heather. Sure, I suppose ah could do with joinin' you fer a bit of a meal right now. We're new enough outta New Texas that there ought to be somethin' fresh in the pantry. We might even conjure up a bite fer Ginger here as well, if she's in the mood."
"Sure, shouldn't be a problem," replies Talia. "You know Isa, she always keeps the pantry well stocked." She helps you prepare the fixings for a light meal. "Probably be just us. I think Jake and the Captain ate a bit earlier. Don't know if any of the other passengers will be wanting to join us."

"So how long hav' ya been flying on the Moonshadow, Talia? Being tha' new fellow, ah'm not caught up on everybody's stories yet," Sam tosses out as the meal is made."Oh, I came on at the beginning, when the captain bought the ship three years ago and advertised for a pilot. Haven't looked back." She takes a sip from the mineral water she has in her hand. "Isa joined us about a year later. Jake came on board relatively recently, not too long before you did, Sam."

As you begin to munch on the salad, sandwiches, and fruit that you've fixed up, you notice the approach of the lovely Teresia, the Baron's mistress. "May I join you?"

[BcAugust]

[Already taken care of.]

"Sure, shouldn't be a problem," replies Talia. "You know Isa, she always keeps the pantry well stocked." She helps you prepare the fixings for a light meal. "Probably be just us. I think Jake and the Captain ate a bit earlier. Don't know if any of the other passengers will be wanting to join us."

"Oh, I came on at the beginning, when the captain bought the ship three years ago and advertised for a pilot. Haven't looked back." She takes a sip from the mineral water she has in her hand. "Isa joined us about a year later. Jake came on board relatively recently, not too long before you did, Sam."

As you begin to munch on the salad, sandwiches, and fruit that you've fixed up, you notice the approach of the lovely Teresia, the Baron's mistress. "May I join you?"


Heather picks at her salad, putting a handful of fruit on her plate, watching them with a slight smile. She looks at Teresia with interest, then nods as she asks, showing no objection.

[MatthewC]

As you begin to munch on the salad, sandwiches, and fruit that you've fixed up, you notice the approach of the lovely Teresia, the Baron's mistress. "May I join you?"

Sam gives an unenthusiastic grunt that could be taken as an affirmative. His mouth is full of sandwich, but he probably would have given the same response if it hadn't been.

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Well, it is only a few days, to be fair. Although another ship could get there faster, but then, if another ship was available," he looks around the room, indicating the ship in general, "we wouldn't be here, now would we?" Leaning against the wall, the Baron chuckles slightly. "Needs must when the devil drives, or so they say."

"Although I have my own reasons - urgency being among them - for taking passage on this ship instead of waiting for a better vessel, I confess I'm somewhat curious as to why the son of a wealthy shipping magnate is traveling by himself on this miserable ship here in the Outer Worlds." He pauses, then continues. "Oh yes, I know who you are, although I suspect many of our fellow passengers don't. You see, I make it a habit to know what I can about those who control the pursestrings of the Empire. Your father is a most impressive man, self made and all that. I recall seeing your face on a bio-vid discussing your father and his various business ventures."

"So... are you here at your father's behest, or are you striking out on a venture of your own?"

"Ah, a bit of both actually." David smiles. "I am doing what is so charmingly called flying the nest. My father believes, and I concur, that it would be best if I made my own way in the universe a bit. What better place to do this out here on the fringe?"

He pauses a second, giving the Baron a speculative look. "If I might make so bold Baron, might I enquire as to your business? It seems rather strange to find two such gentlemen of quality... such as our selves, on the same such lowly ship at the same time. What could be of such concern as to require such haste?"

[Perry Holley]

He pauses a second, giving the Baron a speculative look. "If I might make so bold Baron, might I enquire as to your business? It seems rather strange to find two such gentlemen of quality... such as our selves, on the same such lowly ship at the same time. What could be of such concern as to require such haste?""Well, I suppose it's hardly a state secret. I was investigating the New Texas uprising, and given the delays in other ships arriving in-system, I took passage aboard the Moonshadow so that I can present my findings back on Tesla as quickly as possible."

"Ah, going out on your own, starting your own business ventures, then? I suggest that you then speak to my wife, the Baroness, should the oppurtunity occur. She has many business contacts on Tesla, moreso than I do, as she deals with them on a much more frequent basis."

The Baron seems slightly ansty now, as if upon satisfying his curiousity about you, now is eager to retreat to his own quarters.

[Perry Holley]

Heather picks at her salad, putting a handful of fruit on her plate, watching them with a slight smile. She looks at Teresia with interest, then nods as she asks, showing no objection.

Sam gives an unenthusiastic grunt that could be taken as an affirmative. His mouth is full of sandwich, but he probably would have given the same response if it hadn't been.The brunch goes by with a minimum of conversation. Something that Heather picks up on (but Sam doesn't) is that there seems to be some sort of tension between Ginger and Teresia, even though it appears they've never met before. Occasionally one will look uncertainly at the other, as if neither knows what to make of the other.

[If no one minds, in the interest of speeding things up a bit, I'm going to fast forward a bit to the dinner later that evening, once I get FBH's response to the above post. This will allow all the PC's to interact with each other, as well as with a few NPC's that haven't been introduced yet. Then we can get things rolling, and let the doo-doo hit the rotor blades. :evilsmile ]

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Well, I suppose it's hardly a state secret. I was investigating the New Texas uprising, and given the delays in other ships arriving in-system, I took passage aboard the Moonshadow so that I can present my findings back on Tesla as quickly as possible."

"Ah, going out on your own, starting your own business ventures, then? I suggest that you then speak to my wife, the Baroness, should the oppurtunity occur. She has many business contacts on Tesla, moreso than I do, as she deals with them on a much more frequent basis."

The Baron seems slightly ansty now, as if upon satisfying his curiousity about you, now is eager to retreat to his own quarters.

"Oh, I will be sure to speak to her." David nods slightly still smiling. "Would it be overstepping my self to ask what exactly the reasons for that uprising were?"

[Perry Holley]

"Oh, I will be sure to speak to her." David nods slightly still smiling. "Would it be overstepping my self to ask what exactly the reasons for that uprising were?""Oh, the usual. Self-rule, freedom from the nobilty, that sort of nonsense. I suppose it's in humanity's nature to want more that one can reasonably handle." He laughs, as if at a private joke. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some other matters to attend to." He pauses. "I do hope you will consider making Tesla the base of your new endeavor. I'm sure that, with some hard work, you could find much success there." He stands at the doorway, ready to leave, but waiting to see if you have any final comments or questions before doing so.

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Oh, the usual. Self-rule, freedom from the nobilty, that sort of nonsense. I suppose it's in humanity's nature to want more that one can reasonably handle." He laughs, as if at a private joke. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some other matters to attend to." He pauses. "I do hope you will consider making Tesla the base of your new endeavor. I'm sure that, with some hard work, you could find much success there." He stands at the doorway, ready to leave, but waiting to see if you have any final comments or questions before doing so.

"Of course." David smiles and opens the door. "I look forward to seeing you again later."

[Perry Holley]

[I had a much longer post ready for this... and then my hard drive froze up. Clearly, the 'verse hates me. Here's a somewhat shorter intro for this piece, with other elements to be worked in later.]

As ‘evening’ approaches, the crew and most of the passengers gather for dinner. A long table sits in the middle of the lounge/dining area. Isa is already busy, making the final preparations for the meal. Captain Jovanovich sets at one end of the table, with the rest of the crew members sitting near him. At the other end of the table sits Father Patrick Motter, who says that he is on ‘a bit if a walkabout’ after leaving the abbey for a while. The rest of the passengers flank the Father, at the other end of the table, with the notable exception of the Baron and his manservant. Besides Teresia, Ginger Webber (sitting next to Sam), and David D. Adams, you are joined by the somewhat aloof Galina Biris, and at the last moment, to everyone’s surprise, the Baroness Faiza Vasilokos. She had not dined with the rest of the passengers the night before, and at first most everyone is a bit uneasy, but she seats herself in a casual manner, and shortly everyone becomes a bit more relaxed.

Finally, Isa brings out the food. It’s not fancy by any means, but it’s tasty and it’s filling, and there‘s plenty of it. After Father Patrick says a brief blessing (assuming nobody objects), the meal begins, and shortly thereafter, various conversations between the different people at the table.

[This is the first chance for all the PCs to interact with each other as they see fit, as well as with any NPCs that they want to. This can play out for as long or as quickly as the players want, but I would like to see at least some interaction between the PCs at this point.]

[MatthewC]

[This is the first chance for all the PCs to interact with each other as they see fit, as well as with any NPCs that they want to. This can play out for as long or as quickly as the players want, but I would like to see at least some interaction between the PCs at this point.]

After initially gobbling his food in silence, Sam throws off a line in the general direction of David Adams (someone he doesn't really know much about).

"So Adams, did ya get coot in any of the tail end of tha fightin' on New Texas? Ah'm not mooch fer politics, myself, but I doon't see how those poor bastards e'er thought they could win."

[BcAugust]

Heather freezes at Sam's words, her expression far away for a moment, before looking back down at her plate and mechanically starting to eat again. She looks around the table after a moment, clearly feeling out of place and wishing to be elsewhere.

[Perry Holley]

"My husband was killed on New Texas." This comes from Galina Biris, who had up until this point been fairly quiet. "A terrorist attack. For some reason, they thought blowing up the plant where he worked would somehow advance their cause." Her tone is level, controlled, as if unwilling to show any emotion that might be perceived as weakness.

An uncomfortable silence fills the room, followed by murmurs of sympathy and consolation.

[Perry Holley]

"To answer your question, Sam... it is Sam, correct?... if people believe in something so strongly that they are willing to die for it, no matter how wrong that belief may be, then that is often exactly what they will do." This comes from Father Patrick. "Of course, the recent event on New Texas is something that may be painful to discuss for those of us who were there, you understand." He looks towards Heather. "As I'm certain the good doctor can attest to." As he begins to butter a slice of bread, he adds, "Blessed are the healers, for sometimes they take much suffering upon themselves."

[BcAugust]

Heather appears somewhat embarresed by the attention, choking a bit before taking a drink to clear her throat. "Well.." She begins "I have to admit I don't understand what could lead men to waste away their lives and others, but I imagine that's a question everyone struggles with."

[MatthewC]

Heather appears somewhat embarresed by the attention, choking a bit before taking a drink to clear her throat. "Well.." She begins "I have to admit I don't understand what could lead men to waste away their lives and others, but I imagine that's a question everyone struggles with."

"Tha' answer innit that hard, lass. It's stupidity!" Sam thrusts a finger into the air to emphasize his point, his short, stubby arm quivering.

"Dumb folks makin' dumb plans that get other people killed. Believin' in somewhat is all well 'n good, but it's no excuse fer lack o' sense. Look at New Texas now, all smashed up, people and places, and the Empire going ta' be stepping on 'em extra hard for the next generation. Tha' lads that started tha' rebellion had to be a bunch o' real idiots not ta see that result comin'. So I put tha' blame on stupidity an nothin' else, from all of them."

His piece said, Sam takes a big bite out of his dinner bread and starts chewing in a self-satisfied manner.

[BcAugust]

Heather just looks at Sam, then shakes her head, anger and grief behind the motion. Looking around the table, she decides on the father as a partner to talk to. "By the way, I seemed to have missed your church affiliation. Would you mind talking about it."

[FBHthelizardmage]

"I believe your question has been answered. Ah... Sam." David smiles as charmingly as possible. "I'd only say that I doubt that people who go into these things really believe they're going to die for freedom. Not really... still, this is not really a pleasant subject for a meal... Captain, you must have some amusing and less serious anecdotes from your time in space."

[Perry Holley]

Looking around the table, she decides on the father as a partner to talk to. "By the way, I seemed to have missed your church affiliation. Would you mind talking about it."Father Patrick chuckles. "Getting a priest to talk about his faith is like pushing a boulder over the edge of a precipice. The difficulty isn't in successfully doing so, but finding a way to get them to stop once they get going." He spoons himself some more corn, then continues. "That said, there isn't that much to say. I'm Cathotarian, Solarian branch."

The Cathotarian church, as some of you know, has its beginnings in the early days of the Confederacy, as the merger of the old Catholic and Unitarian faiths. The Solarian branch seperated from the main church in the early days of the Empire, splitting over a schism concerning the divine nature of psychic abilitites (the main church maintaining that psychic abilities were the direct result of divine intervention, and that all such abilities carried with them a duty toward the church; the Solarian branch feeling that, while still the result of a greater divine plan, that psionics were a matter of more mundane biology, and that the church had no special claim to these individuals.

"As I'm approaching my later years, I've felt a calling to wander out amongst the stars, to help those where I can, and to spread the message of faith to those who are ready to listen to it."

"I believe your question has been answered. Ah... Sam." David smiles as charmingly as possible. "I'd only say that I doubt that people who go into these things really believe they're going to die for freedom. Not really... still, this is not really a pleasant subject for a meal... Captain, you must have some amusing and less serious anecdotes from your time in space."The captain cocks an eyebrow, as if not quite certain how to respond to your request. Before he can say anything, Jake Konner quips, "Oh yes, amusing anecdotes are what our good captain is known across the 'verse for."

"I don't see any benefit from sarcasm, Jake." the captain states flatly.

"But captain," Talia adds sweetly, "sometimes sarcasm is its own reward."

"Sorry, Mr. Adams," Jake comments, "I don't think the captain wants to incriminate himself in front of witnesses."

"Surely not all such tales would be considered incriminating, would they?" the Baroness asks, wry amusement in her voice.

"The really good ones are," adds Talia, still grinning. Captain Jovanovich shoots her a half-weary, half-withering glance, and suddenly Talia seems to be concentrating on her plate, perhaps to avoid his gaze. "Oh look, there's food here," she says softly to herself, "where did that come from?"

After a brief pause, the Baroness speaks again. "Mr. Adams, you are travelling to Tesla to begin a business venture, yes? If you don't mind me asking, what type of business will you be starting there?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

Father Patrick chuckles. "Getting a priest to talk about his faith is like pushing a boulder over the edge of a precipice. The difficulty isn't in successfully doing so, but finding a way to get them to stop once they get going." He spoons himself some more corn, then continues. "That said, there isn't that much to say. I'm Cathotarian, Solarian branch."

The Cathotarian church, as some of you know, has its beginnings in the early days of the Confederacy, as the merger of the old Catholic and Unitarian faiths. The Solarian branch seperated from the main church in the early days of the Empire, splitting over a schism concerning the divine nature of psychic abilitites (the main church maintaining that psychic abilities were the direct result of divine intervention, and that all such abilities carried with them a duty toward the church; the Solarian branch feeling that, while still the result of a greater divine plan, that psionics were a matter of more mundane biology, and that the church had no special claim to these individuals.

"As I'm approaching my later years, I've felt a calling to wander out amongst the stars, to help those where I can, and to spread the message of faith to those who are ready to listen to it."

The captain cocks an eyebrow, as if not quite certain how to respond to your request. Before he can say anything, Jake Konner quips, "Oh yes, amusing anecdotes are what our good captain is known across the 'verse for."

"I don't see any benefit from sarcasm, Jake." the captain states flatly.

"But captain," Talia adds sweetly, "sometimes sarcasm is its own reward."

"Sorry, Mr. Adams," Jake comments, "I don't think the captain wants to incriminate himself in front of witnesses."

"Surely not all such tales would be considered incriminating, would they?" the Baroness asks, wry amusement in her voice.

"The really good ones are," adds Talia, still grinning. Captain Jovanovich shoots her a half-weary, half-withering glance, and suddenly Talia seems to be concentrating on her plate, perhaps to avoid his gaze. "Oh look, there's food here," she says softly to herself, "where did that come from?"

After a brief pause, the Baroness speaks again. "Mr. Adams, you are travelling to Tesla to begin a business venture, yes? If you don't mind me asking, what type of business will you be starting there?"

"I'm not entirely sure, I mean, my father is into shipping, so thats possible, but, it's a hard market to break into... Do you have any suggestions?"

[Perry Holley]

"I'm not entirely sure, I mean, my father is into shipping, so thats possible, but, it's a hard market to break into... Do you have any suggestions?"The Baroness seems slightly taken aback, as if by someone travelling the stars to a new world for a business venture that they haven't planned out. "Well... I do have a few suggestions. Perhaps we can duscuss the matter after dinner, so as not to bore our dining companions with such matters."

The rest of the dinner goes relatively smoothly. Heather and Father Patrick have an extended conversation, talking about his faith, as well as other subjects. Ginger is flirting lightly with Sam (does Sam respond?). Others at the table add in some light conversation, and after a while, people begin to leave the table, as Isa cleans everything up.

[MatthewC]

The rest of the dinner goes relatively smoothly. Heather and Father Patrick have an extended conversation, talking about his faith, as well as other subjects. Ginger is flirting lightly with Sam (does Sam respond?). Others at the table add in some light conversation, and after a while, people begin to leave the table, as Isa cleans everything up.

Sam flirts back with Ginger in a slightly clumsy, but earnest manner. The attention puts him in a good mood, and he lingers at the table.

Absentmindedly, he pulls a half-disassembled gizmo out and begins fiddling with it at the table as everyone else starts to drift off. It's a piece of burned-out junk he bought for his own private projects, and even though Sam isn't really paying attention to what he's doing, his fingers work on autopilot, gradually doing the cleaning necessary to bring it back to working order.

[Perry Holley]

Slowly, Sam awakens.

Odd… you seem to find some trouble moving about. Opening your eyes, you see the handcuffs on your wrists, and the chains connecting the handcuffs to the bedposts. Looking down, you realizes your ankles are bound in a similar manner. A curse tries to escape your lips, but is blocked by the gag tied into your mouth.

Looking to the side of the bed, you see Ginger. Her demeanor is now completely different from either the somewhat shy young lady you first met, or the playful seductress who shared your bed last night. Her manner is now cold and efficient, as she checks the ammunition in the pistol she now holds in her hand.

“You’re awake?” she asks, when noticing your movement. “Damn, Sam, I slipped you enough chloral hydrate last night to knock out a horse.” She looks you over. “Which seemed appropriate, by the way.” As she finishes loading her ammo into the pistol, she continues. “Sorry, Sam, last night was fun, but now it’s business. It’s clear you don’t have the stomach for has to come next. Change doesn’t come easily. It requires sacrifice.”

“It requires blood.”

“The nobility will never willing give up the power that they lord over the rest of us with, so we have to take it from them. It’s really that simple. Anyone not willing to help us is just in the way, and has to be… well, even if it’s in their own eventual best interests to change they system, not everyone can see that far ahead, it seems. Therefore, we just have to proactively neutralize any potential complications that someone like yourself might pose. Oh, don’t worry, as long as you don’t actively pose a threat, nothing more than being inconvenienced will happen to you. Which is why, for your own sake, I made sure you didn’t have a say in the matter.”

As she heads for the door, she says, “You might as well get comfortable, you’re not going anywhere. Don’t worry, Sam, it’s all for the best. Trust me, you’ll see.” She opens the door to your quarters, and as she steps out, she blows you a kiss. “Be seeing you…”

[Perry Holley]

Can’t sleep.

The nightmares won’t let you.

After reliving the horrors you seen on multiple worlds in your dreams, and a few fitful hours afterwards trying unsuccessfully to fall back asleep, you finally decide to do some reading, in the hopes that it might relax you enough to fall asleep.

Propped up against a pillow, you’ve got the read-screen in your hands, folded slightly in the middle to help simulate what reading an actual book would be like (and when was the last time you saw a real old-style book, anyways? - not counting technical manuals and medical volumes, of course). The datachip inserted into the side of the read-screen is from some Old Earth authors named Niven and Pournelle; something called The Mote In God’s Eye.

You’re a few chapters into the book, and drawn into the story enough so that you almost didn’t notice the slight tapping sound outside your doorway.

The tapping sound of someone entering a passcode into the keypad outside your doorway. It seems someone is attempting to enter your quarters.

[Perry Holley]

It’s been a long night.

As the dinner wound down, you found yourself talking to the Baroness Faiza. She seems relaxed, at ease, as if discussing pertinent local business matters with an uncertain outsider was the most natural thing in the ‘verse to do. As the others leave, she settles back in her chair with a glass of wine, programming the lounge area to display the landscapes of various planets, as soft music plays in the background.

After a while, Teresia walks out into the lounge and whispers something into the Faiza’s ear. The Baroness nods, and Teresia walks away, nodding to you as she passes by. “It seems I have no other needs on my time this evening, Mr. Adams, so we can continue our discussion at length.”

As the hours pass, you realize just how little you knew about Tesla. Local laws and customs, social mores and economic drives, power plays between various corporations, what resources the planet has, and which ones it needs… a wealth of information in the anecdotes the Baroness passes along to you, while at the same time she asks you for information on what is happening on the Inner Worlds.. If you can remember half of what she’s told you this night, you feel that you can do well starting your new life on Tesla.

As you both find yourself getting ready to head to your respective quarters, fatigue creeping up on both of you, you hear footsteps coming down one of the corridors. At first you pay it little mind; various crewmembers have been walking through the other side of the lounge to get to and from the bridge all evening, and after a while you stopped even bothering to notice the barely noticeable figures moving to and fro in the now dimly-lit lounge, caught up in your conversation with the Baroness.

All that changes as the three figures come out of the hallway into the lounge area. The first two are the Baron Vasilokos and Teresia, both in their night clothes. The Baron has a glassy look in his eyes, as if drugged, while Teresia has a panicked, frightful expression. Behind them stands Galina Biris, a jumpsuit replacing the evening dress she was wearing earlier in the evening, a dangerous-looking pistol now in her right hand.

“I thought I might find you two here,” she says. “I regret to inform you,” she states in a tone that indicates she really doesn’t regret anything, “that you are now both prisoners of the People’s Liberation Movement. Don’t do anything stupid, and you won’t get hurt.”

[BcAugust]

Can’t sleep.

The nightmares won’t let you.

After reliving the horrors you seen on multiple worlds in your dreams, and a few fitful hours afterwards trying unsuccessfully to fall back asleep, you finally decide to do some reading, in the hopes that it might relax you enough to fall asleep.

Propped up against a pillow, you’ve got the read-screen in your hands, folded slightly in the middle to help simulate what reading an actual book would be like (and when was the last time you saw a real old-style book, anyways? - not counting technical manuals and medical volumes, of course). The datachip inserted into the side of the read-screen is from some Old Earth authors named Niven and Pournelle; something called The Mote In God’s Eye.

You’re a few chapters into the book, and drawn into the story enough so that you almost didn’t notice the slight tapping sound outside your doorway.

The tapping sound of someone entering a passcode into the keypad outside your doorway. It seems someone is attempting to enter your quarters.

Heather moves quietly, auto checking the room for anything she could use as a weapon, almost missing her old outfit and her gun, reflex winning out as she ghosts over to the door and turns off the light, preparing to ambush the intruder, adreline humming through her blood.

[FBHthelizardmage]

It’s been a long night.

As the dinner wound down, you found yourself talking to the Baroness Faiza. She seems relaxed, at ease, as if discussing pertinent local business matters with an uncertain outsider was the most natural thing in the ‘verse to do. As the others leave, she settles back in her chair with a glass of wine, programming the lounge area to display the landscapes of various planets, as soft music plays in the background.

After a while, Teresia walks out into the lounge and whispers something into the Faiza’s ear. The Baroness nods, and Teresia walks away, nodding to you as she passes by. “It seems I have no other needs on my time this evening, Mr. Adams, so we can continue our discussion at length.”

As the hours pass, you realize just how little you knew about Tesla. Local laws and customs, social mores and economic drives, power plays between various corporations, what resources the planet has, and which ones it needs… a wealth of information in the anecdotes the Baroness passes along to you, while at the same time she asks you for information on what is happening on the Inner Worlds.. If you can remember half of what she’s told you this night, you feel that you can do well starting your new life on Tesla.

As you both find yourself getting ready to head to your respective quarters, fatigue creeping up on both of you, you hear footsteps coming down one of the corridors. At first you pay it little mind; various crewmembers have been walking through the other side of the lounge to get to and from the bridge all evening, and after a while you stopped even bothering to notice the barely noticeable figures moving to and fro in the now dimly-lit lounge, caught up in your conversation with the Baroness.

All that changes as the three figures come out of the hallway into the lounge area. The first two are the Baron Vasilokos and Teresia, both in their night clothes. The Baron has a glassy look in his eyes, as if drugged, while Teresia has a panicked, frightful expression. Behind them stands Galina Biris, a jumpsuit replacing the evening dress she was wearing earlier in the evening, a dangerous-looking pistol now in her right hand.

“I thought I might find you two here,” she says. “I regret to inform you,” she states in a tone that indicates she really doesn’t regret anything, “that you are now both prisoners of the People’s Liberation Movement. Don’t do anything stupid, and you won’t get hurt.”

"Ah. I return the sentiment." David raises his hands face a mask of calm "Not that we're likely to, you being armed and us being not... might I please ask what your plans for us are? Or will you be hitting and drugging me?"

[MatthewC]

Slowly, Sam awakens.

Odd… you seem to find some trouble moving about. Opening your eyes, you see the handcuffs on your wrists, and the chains connecting the handcuffs to the bedposts. Looking down, you realizes your ankles are bound in a similar manner. A curse tries to escape your lips, but is blocked by the gag tied into your mouth.

(Snip Text)

As she heads for the door, she says, “You might as well get comfortable, you’re not going anywhere. Don’t worry, Sam, it’s all for the best. Trust me, you’ll see.” She opens the door to your quarters, and as she steps out, she blows you a kiss. “Be seeing you…”

Sam holds himself in check until she leaves, a combined rage at her and himself burning in his gut.

Then he begins to test his situation. He pulls the handcuffs to their limits, testing to see if anything at all is within his reach. He tries to dig his fingers into the matress beneath him to see if he could tear out springs or whatever.

And if all else fails, he begins using his high-grav muscles to pull on the handcuffs, trying to snap or bend the bedposts they are attached to.

[Perry Holley]

Heather moves quietly, auto checking the room for anything she could use as a weapon, almost missing her old outfit and her gun, reflex winning out as she ghosts over to the door and turns off the light, preparing to ambush the intruder, adreline humming through her blood.Not finding an easily retrievable weapon (not too many loose items sitting around in most starship quarters, just in case gravity ever goes wonky), you slide next to the door just before it opens. You can't make out who it is, because of the darkness, but the outline is definately female. Your intruder holds a pistol in her right hand, and what might be some sort or rag in her left. A whiff of chloroform fills the air. The intuder seems to notice immediately that no one is in your bed, and is quickly scanning the room. She will no doubt notice your position soon enough, but you can probably get in a shot at her before she does so.

[Let me know how you're attacking her... i.e. a knockout blow to the head, a shot to her gun hand to disable her, etc.]

[Perry Holley]

"Ah. I return the sentiment." David raises his hands face a mask of calm "Not that we're likely to, you being armed and us being not... might I please ask what your plans for us are? Or will you be hitting and drugging me?""Smart lad," Galina says with a humorless smile crossing her face. "Behave and there will be no need for either hitting or drugging. Of course, I won't be sleeping with you first, as I did with the Baron. Distateful as it was... that was what allowed me to drug him to make him less... troublesome."

"The Baron and Baroness are, of course, our real objective, although I suppose it could be argued that an elite rich kid such as yourself no doubt benefits from their rulership almost as much as they do. Still, don't try any foolish heroics, and you'll no doubt live to tell the tale of the overthrow of the corrupt and tyrannical rule of the nobility."

[Perry Holley]

Sam holds himself in check until she leaves, a combined rage at her and himself burning in his gut.

Then he begins to test his situation. He pulls the handcuffs to their limits, testing to see if anything at all is within his reach. He tries to dig his fingers into the matress beneath him to see if he could tear out springs or whatever.

And if all else fails, he begins using his high-grav muscles to pull on the handcuffs, trying to snap or bend the bedposts they are attached to.Not able to get a grip on anything, due to the tightness of the chains and the angle that the handcuffs hold your wrists at, you start to test the strength of the handcuffs, chains, and bedposts. Lots of people underestimate the strength of heavyworlders, due to their short stature. Besides, it's not like you have anything better to do at the moment.

Straining for a few minutes, you almost start to give up hope when you hear one of the chains connecting your wrist to the top bedpost began to break. Redoubling your efforts, the chain does indeed finally snap in two. From there, you have better leverage to break the chain binding your other hand, and eventually do just that. From that point, it takes a few more minutes, but you are able to free your ankles from their their bindings, as well.

Now free, you can remove the handcuffs from your wrists and ankles, as your spare toolkit is still in your room.

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Smart lad," Galina says with a humorless smile crossing her face. "Behave and there will be no need for either hitting or drugging. Of course, I won't be sleeping with you first, as I did with the Baron. Distateful as it was... that was what allowed me to drug him to make him less... troublesome."

"The Baron and Baroness are, of course, our real objective, although I suppose it could be argued that an elite rich kid such as yourself no doubt benefits from their rulership almost as much as they do. Still, don't try any foolish heroics, and you'll no doubt live to tell the tale of the overthrow of the corrupt and tyrannical rule of the nobility."

"... Ok. I'm sure that capturing two nobles out of so many is going to completely over throw the current system." David sighs. "At the risk of getting hit have you really thought this through?"

[BcAugust]

Not finding an easily retrievable weapon (not too many loose items sitting around in most starship quarters, just in case gravity ever goes wonky), you slide next to the door just before it opens. You can't make out who it is, because of the darkness, but the outline is definately female. Your intruder holds a pistol in her right hand, and what might be some sort or rag in her left. A whiff of chloroform fills the air. The intuder seems to notice immediately that no one is in your bed, and is quickly scanning the room. She will no doubt notice your position soon enough, but you can probably get in a shot at her before she does so.

[Let me know how you're attacking her... i.e. a knockout blow to the head, a shot to her gun hand to disable her, etc.]

Heather feels her old reflexes taking over, images of other times starting to play through her vision. Given how this person doesn't seem to want to kill her, Heather gratefully manages to go after her non lethally, focusing on taking her down and taking her weapon away.

(Heather is going to try and go after the gun hand with hers, though after punching the other person in the stomach, trying to drive the air out of her.)

[MatthewC]

Straining for a few minutes, you almost start to give up hope when you hear one of the chains connecting your wrist to the top bedpost began to break. Redoubling your efforts, the chain does indeed finally snap in two. From there, you have better leverage to break the chain binding your other hand, and eventually do just that. From that point, it takes a few more minutes, but you are able to free your ankles from their their bindings, as well.

Now free, you can remove the handcuffs from your wrists and ankles, as your spare toolkit is still in your room.

Sam takes a moment to remove the handcuffs and get dressed. He belts his tool belt around his waist with a quick tug of his hands and loops the strap of his tool kit over one shoulder.

Then he carefully pulls a two foot long spanner wrench off its fittings on one wall and gives it a few test swings. By no coincidence, it's the perfect size and heft to serve as a not-so-makeshift club. A tool for every job, and a job for every tool....

His preparations completed, Sam moves to the door of his cabin and carefully listens at it.

(OOC: Now presenting you with several if-thens.)

Sam will open the door and peer out into the hallway. Looking at the deck plan, I assume he's somewhere along the hallway that contains the row of crew quarters. Sam's priority is to rouse the crew, since they're the only ones he can be sure aren't in on the hijacking.

When the coast seems clear, he'll go quickly along the line of crew quarter doors. If a door has signs of tampering, he'll assume that the hijackers have gotten to them and he will try to open the door and get in to rouse them from drugged slumber and/or release them from being tied up.

If there's no tampering, he'll spend a minute frantically pressing the 'doorbell' (or whatever the rooms have to indicate to someone within that you want them; if all people do is knock on the door, then he'll try to open the door silently without making revealing noise). He wants to round up as many of the crew as he can before they go to take back the ship.

If the crew schedule says someone is supposed to be on duty at this hour, Sam won't bother with their room. If he has a choice, he'll go for Jake Konner first, since he is ship's security. Second choice would be the Captain and Isa's cabin, since they are two for one.

If confronted by Ginger or some other passenger holding a gun, Sam will rush them. He'll try to get in close and grab the gun to force it to one side before the gunwoman can fire, then hit whoever with his wrench.

[Perry Holley]

"... Ok. I'm sure that capturing two nobles out of so many is going to completely over throw the current system." David sighs. "At the risk of getting hit have you really thought this through?""That's for us to know and for you to eventually find out. Don't worry your pretty little head about it too much. After all, if this is a half-assed operation on our part, you really shouldn't have too much to worry about, do you? It'll all be over shortly after the mean ol' terrorists are soundly put in their place by the good and noble Empire." She can't seem to help smirking at you.

Before you can respond, you all hear two lound shots ringing through the ship. It seems to have come from the front part of the lower deck. Galina spins around in the direction from where the shots came. "What the - dammit!" She's definately distracted, but probably not for long. If you're willing to risk it, now's the time to make you move.

[Perry Holley]

Heather feels her old reflexes taking over, images of other times starting to play through her vision. Given how this person doesn't seem to want to kill her, Heather gratefully manages to go after her non lethally, focusing on taking her down and taking her weapon away.

(Heather is going to try and go after the gun hand with hers, though after punching the other person in the stomach, trying to drive the air out of her.)The intruder begins to swing her gun toward Heather, who jabs a punch into the intruder's gut. The gut-punch throws off the intruder's aim just enough, as the near-silent *phut* of the pistol narrowly misses Heather. Heather then manages to twist the intruder's right hand into a painful armlock, causing the pistol to drop to the floor. The intruder responds not by trying to break the hold, but instead pivots and uses her free arm to deliver a nasty elbow strike to Heather's chin. The blow rattles Heather momentarily, causing her to lose her grip on her opponent's arm, and crash to the floor momentarily stunned.

As she attempts to regain her equibrium, Heather thinks she hears a couple of shots from the front of the ship.

[Heather's gut-punch did 5 points of damage to her opponent. The elbow strike did a nasty 12 points of damage in return, knocking Heather's Life Points for the moment down to 18.]

[Perry Holley]

Sam takes a moment to remove the handcuffs and get dressed. He belts his tool belt around his waist with a quick tug of his hands and loops the strap of his tool kit over one shoulder.

Then he carefully pulls a two foot long spanner wrench off its fittings on one wall and gives it a few test swings. By no coincidence, it's the perfect size and heft to serve as a not-so-makeshift club. A tool for every job, and a job for every tool....

His preparations completed, Sam moves to the door of his cabin and carefully listens at it.

Sam will open the door and peer out into the hallway. As Sam looks out into the hallway, he notices several things at once.

The most obvious is that there seems to be a fight that has just started next door in the doctor's quarters. The door is open, and you hear the familiar sounds of grunts, flesh striking flesh, and someone hitting the floor rather hard. You're not certain, but you think you also heard the soft sound of a silenced gun being fired once, as well.

Across the hall from you, in front of the quarters that belong the old man (Eschen?) who acts as the Baron's manservant, you notice a few drops of blood near the closed doorway.

From the direction of the Lounge, you hear multiple voices, but can't make out who it is, or what they're saying.

Finally, as you take this all in, you hear two distinct gunfire shots coming from the direction of the Bridge.

[For clarity's sake, here's the layout of where all the crew and passengers were assinged to, as per the ship's deckplans:

1A - Captain Jovanovich and Isa
1B - Talia Osgrave
1C - Jake Konner
1D - Sam Starfall
1E - Dr. Heather Glockton

2A - Father Patrick
2B - Galina Biris
2C - Ginger Webber
2D - David D. Adams
2E - Baroness Faiza
2F - Baron Vasilokos
2G - Teresia
2H - Travis Eschen

Also, as a reminder to everyone, if you're going to use Drama Points for whatever reason, please be sure to state clearly that you're doing so in your post/response.]

[MatthewC]

As Sam looks out into the hallway, he notices several things at once.

The most obvious is that there seems to be a fight that has just started next door in the doctor's quarters. The door is open, and you hear the familiar sounds of grunts, flesh striking flesh, and someone hitting the floor rather hard. You're not certain, but you think you also heard the soft sound of a silenced gun being fired once, as well.

Across the hall from you, in front of the quarters that belong the old man (Eschen?) who acts as the Baron's manservant, you notice a few drops of blood near the closed doorway.

From the direction of the Lounge, you hear multiple voices, but can't make out who it is, or what they're saying.

Finally, as you take this all in, you hear two distinct gunfire shots coming from the direction of the Bridge.

(locations snipped)

Also, as a reminder to everyone, if you're going to use Drama Points for whatever reason, please be sure to state clearly that you're doing so in your post/response.]

[OOC: Well, I think all three of us players are new to Unisystem Light. Can't speak for the others, but as for myself, I'm still trying to figure out when it's a good idea to use Drama Points and when it's not.]

Sam hesitates a moment in indecision, then heads for the Doctor's quarters. It's tearing him up not to go help his shipmates on the bridge, but he can't just walk away from whatever is going on right next door.

Basically he's going to rush inside and use the advantage of surprise to hit whoever isn't the doctor that's in the cabin. Hit them with his very large wrench.

[Perry Holley]

As Heather tries to move, she sees her opponent has already retreived the pistol that she had dropped. Trying to move forward to keep the intruder from firing at her, Heather realizes she isn't going to be able to do so in time. The intruder raises the pistol, aims at Heather...



...and then collapses to the floor, after the sound of a sickening *crunch* is heard. Looking up, Heather sees the outline of Sam Starfall standing over the downed intruder, holding a large wrench in his hand. As her eyes now adjust a bit better to the darkness, she can make out the features of Ginger Webber lying prone on the floor.



[Sam's blow did a disgusting 24 points of damage to the back of Ginger's head. Ouchie.]

[BcAugust]

Heather goes cold, her eyes distant for a moment, almost disturbing as she checks over Ginger. "Good save, Malhar." As she finishes checking on Ginger, she looks at Sam, then shakes her head a bit, trying to clear it. "... Thanks. Do you have any idea what's going on?"

As she waits for his answer, she heads to the bed, stripping off her pajamas and into day clothes, dressing quickly with a complete unconcern about his presence, then turning back to him, a professional again.

(by the way, if Ginger is still alive, she'll get a dose of the sleeping stuff.)

[MatthewC]

Heather goes cold, her eyes distant for a moment, almost disturbing as she checks over Ginger. "Good save, Malhar." As she finishes checking on Ginger, she looks at Sam, then shakes her head a bit, trying to clear it. "... Thanks. Do you have any idea what's going on?"

As she waits for his answer, she heads to the bed, stripping off her pajamas and into day clothes, dressing quickly with a complete unconcern about his presence, then turning back to him, a professional again.

(by the way, if Ginger is still alive, she'll get a dose of the sleeping stuff.)

There's a somewhat wild look in Sam's eyes as he grips his wrench. He answers in an impatient tone as Heather dresses. "Tha' lass is some kinda anti-imperial loon. Locked me up, but ah wuz able ta bust loose. Ah'm thinking she wuz trying to take over the ship, and it sounded like she wasna working alone. I heard shots fired from tha bridge. We have ta' find who else is in on this an' put a stop to 'em!"

He nudges Ginger's gun, still on the floor, with his foot. "I cannae make a shot wit' one of these things ta save me life, but if ya' know one end from ta' other, you had best take it."

(OOC: Sam is ready to move out towards the bridge as soon as Heather either says she's ready or refuses to go.)

[FBHthelizardmage]

"That's for us to know and for you to eventually find out. Don't worry your pretty little head about it too much. After all, if this is a half-assed operation on our part, you really shouldn't have too much to worry about, do you? It'll all be over shortly after the mean ol' terrorists are soundly put in their place by the good and noble Empire." She can't seem to help smirking at you.

Before you can respond, you all hear two lound shots ringing through the ship. It seems to have come from the front part of the lower deck. Galina spins around in the direction from where the shots came. "What the - dammit!" She's definately distracted, but probably not for long. If you're willing to risk it, now's the time to make you move.

David grabs the nearest heavy object, a large bottle of good brandy he's been thinking of drinking later, steps forward and swings at the back of Galina's head.

[Perry Holley]

Checking for a pulse confirms Heather's initial assenssment after seeing the injury that Webber suffered to the back of her head. She's dead.

[Does Heather take the gun, and does she make any other preperations begore heading out?]

[Perry Holley]

David grabs the nearest heavy object, a large bottle of good brandy he's been thinking of drinking later, steps forward and swings at the back of Galina's head.As David swings, Galina notices his attack enough so to try to dodge out of the way. The bottle connects against her head, but only as a glancing blow.

(How odd... the bottle doesn't break... bottles always break when using them to hit someone in all those holovids you've seen...)

As Galina staggers back, the Baroness leaps forward, trying to wrest the gun away from Galina. For a moment, it seems as if the Baroness might succeed in overpowering her opponent. And then...

*phut*

*phut*

*phut*

The Baroness's body convulses as the three shots from the silenced pistol tear into her abdomen. A momentary pause, and then her body crumbles to the floor.

[David's bottle-shot did 7 points of damage to Galina.]

[BcAugust]

Heather picks up the gun naturally, ignoring the body. "Foolishness. Great." Heather slings the medkit she's kept by the door and motions Sam to lead, moving like she knows what she's doing. "The captian first, I think. Lets go."

[MatthewC]

Heather picks up the gun naturally, ignoring the body. "Foolishness. Great." Heather slings the medkit she's kept by the door and motions Sam to lead, moving like she knows what she's doing. "The captian first, I think. Lets go."

Sam heads towards the bridge... which if I recall the deckplan correctly, necessitates heading through the lounge to get to the stairway to the lower deck.

Though able to shove aside his feelings for the moment, Sam is deeply disturbed by having just killed someone; especially a woman he just.... well, he resolves to maybe try to swing for the gun hand next time.

(OOC: Two comments. First, wow people die easily in this game! Remind me to think twice before having my PC rush into combat. Second, I'm pretty sure that given the timeline, David should have another chance to strut his heroics before Sam and Heather get to the lounge.)

[FBHthelizardmage]

As David swings, Galina notices his attack enough so to try to dodge out of the way. The bottle connects against her head, but only as a glancing blow.

(How odd... the bottle doesn't break... bottles always break when using them to hit someone in all those holovids you've seen...)

As Galina staggers back, the Baroness leaps forward, trying to wrest the gun away from Galina. For a moment, it seems as if the Baroness might succeed in overpowering her opponent. And then...

*phut*

*phut*

*phut*

The Baroness's body convulses as the three shots from the silenced pistol tear into her abdomen. A momentary pause, and then her body crumbles to the floor.

[David's bottle-shot did 7 points of damage to Galina.]

David's eyes widden as some inbuilt animal reflex kicks in he hurls the bottle at Galina's face and throws him self towards the nearest cover.

[Perry Holley]

David's eyes widen as some inbuilt animal reflex kicks in he hurls the bottle at Galina's face and throws him self towards the nearest cover.David's throw is a little low, but manages to clip Galina in the left shoulder, after which the bottle crashes to the floor (now it breaks...). This throws her aim off just enough, as the shot she fired at David goes wide. David then rolls behind one of the tables just as she fires three more shots, each of them hitting the table solidly (part of David's brain can't help but wonder why the shots aren't passing through the table.

Just then, a scream fills the lounge. The Baron, who had been standing nearby in an almost-oblivious state, finally seems to have recognized part of what is going on. His eyes are still glassy as he looks down at his dead wife. He looks for all the 'verse like someone undergoing a bad drug trip.

[Hitting Galina with the bottle did another 5 points of damage to her.]

[Perry Holley]

Second, I'm pretty sure that given the timeline, David should have another chance to strut his heroics before Sam and Heather get to the lounge.)[What the heck, it's TV/film time, so I'm not going to worry about the fine details too much.]

As Sam and Heather advance down the hallway to the opening of the lounge area, they see the chaos that has happened: Davis hiding behind a table, the Baroness dead on the floor, the Baron standing over her screaming his fool head off, Teresia whimpering in the corner, and Galina Biris with a pistol in her hand. It look like Galina had been firing at David, but she seems to notice the movement coming from the hallway, and is swinging her pistol in that direction.

[BcAugust]

Heather doesn't hesitate a moment, bringing the gun up and shooting to shoot her before she shoots them. Her expression is still, almost bored from the outside view, seeming to treat the situation as perfectly normal.

[MatthewC]

As Sam and Heather advance down the hallway to the opening of the lounge area, they see the chaos that has happened: Davis hiding behind a table, the Baroness dead on the floor, the Baron standing over her screaming his fool head off, Teresia whimpering in the corner, and Galina Biris with a pistol in her hand. It look like Galina had been firing at David, but she seems to notice the movement coming from the hallway, and is swinging her pistol in that direction.

Sam runs out, swerving to the side opposite to the side she's turning in from. (If she's turning from his right, he runs to the left and vice versa.) Two targets, and Galina can't fire at both of us at once, is what he's thinking.

He's trying not to block Heather's field of fire, but he'll swing back around as he gets parallel to Galina and lash out with his wrench, trying to hit her gun arm. He figures one solid blow should make her unable to hold a gun.

[Perry Holley]

Heather doesn't hesitate a moment, bringing the gun up and shooting to shoot her before she shoots them. Her expression is still, almost bored from the outside view, seeming to treat the situation as perfectly normal.Sam runs out, swerving to the side opposite to the side she's turning in from. (If she's turning from his right, he runs to the left and vice versa.) Two targets, and Galina can't fire at both of us at once, is what he's thinking.

He's trying not to block Heather's field of fire, but he'll swing back around as he gets parallel to Galina and lash out with his wrench, trying to hit her gun arm. He figures one solid blow should make her unable to hold a gun.Heather's shot narrowly misses Galina, who for an instant can't seem to decide between the two targets in front of her. She then firies a shot at Sam whle backing up toward the direction of the stairwell leading to the lower deck. The shot catches Sam on his left side, and he loses his balance and stubles to the ground momentarily. Galina then fires a short burst at Heather, but those shots all hit against the edge of the wall where Heather stands at the edge of the hallway.

[Sam took 29 points of damage, leaving him temporarily with 16 Life Points - told you guns were nasty.]

[MatthewC]

Heather's shot narrowly misses Galina, who for an instant can't seem to decide between the two targets in front of her. She then firies a shot at Sam whle backing up toward the direction of the stairwell leading to the lower deck. The shot catches Sam on his left side, and he loses his balance and stubles to the ground momentarily. Galina then fires a short burst at Heather, but those shots all hit against the edge of the wall where Heather stands at the edge of the hallway.

(OOC: I guess she _can_ shoot at targets at once! Well, allow me to use the first Drama Point of the campaign for an 'I think I'm Okay' and reduce the damage Sam has taken by half... from 29 points to 14.)

Clutching his side his his left hand, Sam springs to his feet and attempts to tackle Galina and force her gun hand to the side.

[Perry Holley]

(OOC: I guess she _can_ shoot at targets at once! Well, allow me to use the first Drama Point of the campaign for an 'I think I'm Okay' and reduce the damage Sam has taken by half... from 29 points to 14.)
[Well, technically I was thinking of the shot at you as her action in the first round, and then then the burst at Heather as the follow-up in the next round... :)

Expenditure of DP noted.]

Clutching his side his his left hand, Sam springs to his feet and attempts to tackle Galina and force her gun hand to the side.As Sam rises, part of him notices that the toolkit he had strapped to his left side seems to have taken the brunt of the impact, and that the bullet wound isn't nearly as bad as he first feared. Getting his second wind, he leaps up and tackles Galina before she reaches the stairwell. Giving a good squeeze, she grunts, dropping the pistol.

As Heather ruefully notes that she no longer has a clear shot as Galina, she also notices the silhouette of yet another pistol carrying figure through the doorway of the stairwell.

[Sam's grapple attack did 8 points of damage to Galina. She's definately taking a bruising.]

[BcAugust]

Heather takes this in, aiming a bit high to avoid hitting Sam and wanting to make the person duck back before she/he gets a bead on anyone.

[MatthewC]

As Sam rises, part of him notices that the toolkit he had strapped to his left side seems to have taken the brunt of the impact, and that the bullet wound isn't nearly as bad as he first feared. Getting his second wind, he leaps up and tackles Galina before she reaches the stairwell. Giving a good squeeze, she grunts, dropping the pistol.

Sam starts tugging at Galina, attempting to force her further back into the lounge... and away from the gun she just dropped.

He uses circular movments to try to keep her off balance, punctuated by an attempted head butt and elbow jab.

"Ya shot me!" he growls. "Giv' it tup, or ah'll stamp tha' deck plates wit your face!"

Though Sam didn't notice the other figure, it would probably be difficult to take a shot at him without risking hitting Galina.

[Perry Holley]

Heather fires of a couple of shots, which do indeed make the figure at the stairwell duck back for the moment. Unfortunately, she notices that a second figure has appeared at the doorway to the galley (probably coming from the stairwell).

Sam, dragging Galina away from the gun and the stairwell, manages to headbutt her, though not as solidly as he would have liked. As he tries to keep hold on her, he notices that she has finally managed to grab a knife from her boot. Sam can't help but notice that there is already blood on the blade. Before he can react, she jams the knife into his right leg.

Sam can contine holding onto Galina if he likes, doing more damage in the process, but if he does that means she will be able to continue to do more damage to Sam with the knife, tearing even further into his leg.

[Sam's headbutt did 5 points of damage. Galina's knife attack did 10 points of damage, leaving him currently with 21 Life Points.]

[FBHthelizardmage]

In a burst of paniced bravery, David rushes, ducking and dodging, across from his cover towards Galina's dropped gun leaving a stream of curses behind him.

[BcAugust]

Heather takes it all in, and sighs, ducking back. "I don't suppose you'll accept a surrender?" She asks, aiming at the second figure. She's trembling a bit, it not going to her hands, as the carnage starts to call up too many related images, so many, many bodies...

[Perry Holley]

In a burst of paniced bravery, David rushes, ducking and dodging, across from his cover towards Galina's dropped gun leaving a stream of curses behind him.As he rushes forward, David sees the figure of Jake Konner at the doorway of the stairwell. He has his left arm in a makeshift tourniquet. He begins to point his pistol at you, but the shots fired by Dr. Glockton drive him back.

Picking up the Galina's pistol from the floor, David also notices a second pistol-carrying figure at the doorway of the galley - none other than Father Patrick Motter. He swings his pistol away from Dr. Glockton, and toward where David is.

[Perry Holley]

Heather takes it all in, and sighs, ducking back. "I don't suppose you'll accept a surrender?" She asks, aiming at the second figure. She's trembling a bit, it not going to her hands, as the carnage starts to call up too many related images, so many, many bodies..."I could ask you the same question." Heather instantly recognizes the voice as that of Father Patrick Motter. "Had you people not foolishly resisted, then would have been a lot less bloodshed on both sides. Still, despite any tactical setbacks on our part, we still hold the upper hand... specifically, we have access to both the bridge and the engine room, unlike yourselves."

At this point, Jake Konner spins out from the doorway of the stairwell, and fires a few shots at Heather. As she has the corner of the hallway as cover, the shots miss, but if she wants to fire at either Konner or Motter, she'll have to expose herself to getting hit.

[FBHthelizardmage]

As he rushes forward, David sees the figure of Jake Konner at the doorway of the stairwell. He has his left arm in a makeshift tourniquet. He begins to point his pistol at you, but the shots fired by Dr. Glockton drive him back.

Picking up the Galina's pistol from the floor, David also notices a second pistol-carrying figure at the doorway of the galley - none other than Father Patrick Motter. He swings his pistol away from Dr. Glockton, and toward where David is.

David yelps and throws himself aside towards the nearest cover, nearly tripping over his own feet in haste.

[BcAugust]

"Considering your person tried to shoot me first..." Heather's voice trembles a bit. "Anyway, it's gone too far." Heather doesn't pray, but she desperately hopes. "Call your people back and let me take care of the wounded, before we lose anyone else. If you've got control of the ship, it won't cost you anything to leave us be a few hours."

[Perry Holley]

David yelps and throws himself aside towards the nearest cover, nearly tripping over his own feet in haste.Father Motter fires off a couple of shots at David, but they all miss... although one was close enough that David literally felt it go past his arm.

[Where does David go? The hallway where Heather is? The other hallway? Back behind the table (where Teresia has dragged the Baron, BTW)?

BcAugust - I'll need to see Sam's next response before responding to your request to Motter.]

[MatthewC]

Sam, dragging Galina away from the gun and the stairwell, manages to headbutt her, though not as solidly as he would have liked. As he tries to keep hold on her, he notices that she has finally managed to grab a knife from her boot. Sam can't help but notice that there is already blood on the blade. Before he can react, she jams the knife into his right leg.

Sam can contine holding onto Galina if he likes, doing more damage in the process, but if he does that means she will be able to continue to do more damage to Sam with the knife, tearing even further into his leg.

If Sam is close to any sort of cover (say the overturned table that David was hiding behind) then he will try to force Galina away by grabbing a can of lubricant from his toolbelt and spraying it in her face, then getting to somewhere where he's not in the middle of a shooting gallery. (Doing his best to ignore the damage to his leg for one burst of movement.)

If he doesn't think he can make cover, then he'll try to wrestle the knife away from Galina and use it on her (keeping her as cover).

[FBHthelizardmage]

Father Motter fires off a couple of shots at David, but they all miss... although one was close enough that David literally felt it go past his arm.

[Where does David go? The hallway where Heather is? The other hallway? Back behind the table (where Teresia has dragged the Baron, BTW)?

BcAugust - I'll need to see Sam's next response before responding to your request to Motter.]

[The table his was orignally hiding behind.] David dives behind the table, fires a few rounds back at the rebel priest, assuming that Heathers peace offer isn't excepted. If it is, he simple clutches the gun tightly and tries not to throw up.

[Perry Holley]

As Sam tries to grab the can of spray lubricant from his toolbelt, Galina finally manages to work herself free from his grasp. As she stumbles away, she keeps her grip on the knife; the action of her yanking it out only adds to the pain in Sam's leg. Sam then hits her squarely in the face with a spray of lubricant, temporarily blinding her. She stumbles back into the stairwell, as Sam dodges his way toward the hallway where Heather is. For a moment, he's clearly in Father Motter's line of fire, but the few shots that David fires over Sam's head manages to keep the priest back from the doorway of the galley.

As Sam makes it to the doorway, there's a brief lull in the combat, after Heather makes her plea to the priest. There is no verbal response, but after a few moments, both the doorways to the galley and the stairwell slide shut. Both Sam and Heather are aware that Konner has override security codes for all the accessways in the ship (by comparison, Sam has override codes to the passenger quarters, but not elsewhere), and that for the moment you are effectivly barred from going into those areas.

On the floor is the body of the Baroness, and hiding behind the table with David are Tereisa and the still-pretty-much-catatonic Baron.

What do you do now?

[Sam took another 4 points of damage from Galina's knife as she yanked it out. He currently has 16 LP... and hurts like hell.]

[BcAugust]

Heather puts the gun down carefully, safety on, and pulls the medkit forward, immediately starting to work on Sam's leg and checking for other wounds as she does. "Here, this should numb the pain a bit." as she gives him a shot of local. "Are any of you hurt over there? And don't come over unless you have to, the Baron shouldn't be left alone."

She focuses on treating the wound, though Sam can notice she's trembling a bit.

[MatthewC]

Heather puts the gun down carefully, safety on, and pulls the medkit forward, immediately starting to work on Sam's leg and checking for other wounds as she does. "Here, this should numb the pain a bit." as she gives him a shot of local. "Are any of you hurt over there? And don't come over unless you have to, the Baron shouldn't be left alone."

She focuses on treating the wound, though Sam can notice she's trembling a bit.

Sam shifts his tool vest around so that Heather has access to the gunshot to his side as well. "Ah feel lik' hell," he mutters.

As she treats his wounds, Sam grits his teeth, thinking. He speaks quietly. "As soon as yer finished here, we need ta' check tha' cabins for everyone else. I saw blood leakin' out from under tha' butler's door, but mebbe they only drugged the Captain, Isa, n' Talia instead o' killing them, like they tried ta' do with me. Davie-boy o'er there can keep tha' doors covered- give 'em a shot if they show their faces."

[OOC: Sam is thinking of several technical questions here. First, what other possible means of entrance to the lower deck are there, other than the stairway off of the lounge? (And would Jake know about them?) Second, is it possible for Sam to jam the controls on the galley and stairway doors, so that even Jake's override codes can't open them, or contrariwise rewire the doors so that Sam can get through despite his lack of codes? Third, he's wondering if he can gain remote control of the repairbot he uses (see character description) so as to have their own 'agent' on the lower decks.]

[Perry Holley]

[Heather's treatments heal 8 points of damage for Sam, bumping him up to 24 LP, and also recovers 3 LP for herself, bringing her back up to 21.]

[OOC: Sam is thinking of several technical questions here. First, what other possible means of entrance to the lower deck are there, other than the stairway off of the lounge? (And would Jake know about them?) Second, is it possible for Sam to jam the controls on the galley and stairway doors, so that even Jake's override codes can't open them, or contrariwise rewire the doors so that Sam can get through despite his lack of codes? Third, he's wondering if he can gain remote control of the repairbot he uses (see character description) so as to have their own 'agent' on the lower decks.]1) There are a number of access plates that Sam could probably make his way through. You're not certain if Jake would think about that.

2) He could probably mess up the circuitry so that the doors wouldn't open, although that would go both ways, and it would need to be repaired before being used again. He could also try to make a Computer roll (with penalties) to override the entry code. Finally, if he spent a Drama Point, then Sam could have picked up on Jake's override code at some time in the past.

3) I imagine Sam has some sort of remote control for that sort of thing. However, if he tries to use it, he gets a 'no signal' message, indicating that for some reason it isn't responding to his commands.

[MatthewC]

[Heather's treatments heal 8 points of damage for Sam, bumping him up to 24 LP, and also recovers 3 LP for herself, bringing her back up to 21.]

The bandages to keep Sam from bleeding to death are good. The anaesthetic spray so that he can move without agonizing pain all up his left side... even better.

True to his earlier words, Sam limps off down the corridor to quickly check on the cabins of everyone still unaccounted for. That would be Teresia, the Captain, Isa, Talia, and Travis Eschen, unless I'm missing somebody. (Though the blood coming from under Eschen's door bodes ominously.) He uses his codes to open the doors of the two passengers. For the crew cabins he checks to see if the doors are unlocked and goes in if they are; he check to see if the doors have been tampered with and pounds on the doors if they are locked.

Oh, and he takes time for a quick peek in the emergency cryonics bay, just in case they tried to get clever by stashing someone there for safekeeping.

[BcAugust]

Heather moves on herself, though keeping an ear out in case Sam calls, going over to the Baron. She keeps her attitude professional as she exams him, and gives a look over the rest. "I would normally suggest sedating him, but I'm sure you can see the obvious problems with that. Even if I don't, someone has to stay with him at all times. Shock is nasty."

[Perry Holley]

The bandages to keep Sam from bleeding to death are good. The anaesthetic spray so that he can move without agonizing pain all up his left side... even better.

True to his earlier words, Sam limps off down the corridor to quickly check on the cabins of everyone still unaccounted for. That would be Teresia, the Captain, Isa, Talia, and Travis Eschen, unless I'm missing somebody. (Though the blood coming from under Eschen's door bodes ominously.) He uses his codes to open the doors of the two passengers. For the crew cabins he checks to see if the doors are unlocked and goes in if they are; he check to see if the doors have been tampered with and pounds on the doors if they are locked.

Oh, and he takes time for a quick peek in the emergency cryonics bay, just in case they tried to get clever by stashing someone there for safekeeping.
[Note - Teresia is with the Baron in the lounge area.]

Checking Eschen's quarters confirms the worst. You see him dead on the floor, the victim of what appearers to be multiple stab wounds.

No one answers at either the Captain's and Isa's quarters, or Talia's. All of the crew quarters are closed (they lock automatically after someone enters or leaves).

The cryonics bay is empty [nice thought, though].

[Perry Holley]

Heather moves on herself, though keeping an ear out in case Sam calls, going over to the Baron. She keeps her attitude professional as she exams him, and gives a look over the rest. "I would normally suggest sedating him, but I'm sure you can see the obvious problems with that. Even if I don't, someone has to stay with him at all times. Shock is nasty."Teresia finally speaks up, although she is still clearly terrified from the recent chaos. "Can I at least take him to another room, away from all... this?" She motions her hand around the lounge and the aftermath of the fight, specifically the body of the Baron's wife laying prone on the floor.

You know that some drugs used to leave a patient calm and subserviant also often leave them highly susceptible to shock. If such a drug was used on the Baron, after what he's seen, it might take him a long time to recover, assuming that the mental trauma caused doesn't wind up being permanent. Whether temporary or permanent, the best that can be done in many of these cases is to simply keep that patient away from anythng that might further upset them.

[MatthewC]

[Note - Teresia is with the Baron in the lounge area.]

Sorry, must have missed that.

Checking Eschen's quarters confirms the worst. You see him dead on the floor, the victim of what appearers to be multiple stab wounds.

No one answers at either the Captain's and Isa's quarters, or Talia's. All of the crew quarters are closed (they lock automatically after someone enters or leaves).

Sam taps the wall with his recovered wrench for a moment, thinking.

He decides the first priority is finding out just what the (curse words in several languages) is going on around here. With that in mind, he grabs some of his more delicate tools and pries open one of the intercom panels used for the ship's internal communication system.

[OOC: Uh, assuming that there is any such things. I'd like to have Sam use his tech skills to try and activate the recievers in the panels of some of the highjacker-controlled areas of the ship. That way he might be able to listen in on to what they're saying to each other... at least until they notice the panel is active and use a manual shut-off.

If that doesn't work, he'll try and monitor the ship's systems enough to see if they're screwing with anything, even if he can't stop it.]

[BcAugust]

Teresia finally speaks up, although she is still clearly terrified from the recent chaos. "Can I at least take him to another room, away from all... this?" She motions her hand around the lounge and the aftermath of the fight, specifically the body of the Baron's wife laying prone on the floor.

You know that some drugs used to leave a patient calm and subserviant also often leave them highly susceptible to shock. If such a drug was used on the Baron, after what he's seen, it might take him a long time to recover, assuming that the mental trauma caused doesn't wind up being permanent. Whether temporary or permanent, the best that can be done in many of these cases is to simply keep that patient away from anythng that might further upset them.

Heather nods, keeping professional and keeping her body between the Baron and the sight "That will probably be for the best. I can't do anything further for him, are best bet is keeping him calm til we get to a professional in the matter. You might want to try your room, it's the least likely to have anything... disturbing to him."

Heather looks at the young man next to her for a moment "Will you need to go with him?" Her tone is non judgemental.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David also looks like he's in some amount of shock, clutching the gun nuckles white and shaking slightly. "I think I'm going to be sick."

[BcAugust]

David also looks like he's in some amount of shock, clutching the gun nuckles white and shaking slightly. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Heather sighs, reaching out and putting the gun on safety. "It's ok son." She says soothingly, but firmly. "You did good. But right now, I need to know if you can handle it or you need to sit back and relax." Heather has a sudden stab of sharp longing for her troop. If the Seargent was here, he could take care of this.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather sighs, reaching out and putting the gun on safety. "It's ok son." She says soothingly, but firmly. "You did good. But right now, I need to know if you can handle it or you need to sit back and relax." Heather has a sudden stab of sharp longing for her troop. If the Seargent was here, he could take care of this.

David blinks, looking at Heather, then takes a deep breath, face still pale, but some life pushing back into his eyes.

"I... What do you need me to do?"

[Perry Holley]

[Apologies for the delay. It's been a hellish week.]

Sam taps the wall with his recovered wrench for a moment, thinking.

He decides the first priority is finding out just what the (curse words in several languages) is going on around here. With that in mind, he grabs some of his more delicate tools and pries open one of the intercom panels used for the ship's internal communication system.Fiddling with the intercomm system for a few minutes, Sam finally gets it to 'receive' from other parts of the ship, even those not actively using the intercomm at the moment. He cycles through a few different locations, until he hears voices, from what he assumes to be the bridge:

Galina Biris “-ast thing we need is another complication. Bad enough we’ve got Starfall, Glockton, and that snot-nosed Adams trying to be Heroes Of The Empire, but now one of the three people you said you had taken care of is now missing. I thought you said you put four shots into her?”

Jake Konner - “I did, dammit.”

Biris - “And here I though you were a badass marksman.”

Konner - “You’re one to talk. If you had actually plugged Starfall solidly instead of just winging him, we’d have one less complication to deal with. If you’d like, the Father or I can finish him off for you…”

Biris - “Starfall is mine, understood? I’m gonna kill that dwarf for what he did to me. My ribs still hurt like a motherfu-”

Father Patrick Motter - “Language, please.”

Konner - “Father, if you’re gonna go all secular and throw in with revolutionaries, you gotta expect some harsh words now and then.”

Motter - *sighs* “I suppose it’s a small price to pay for finding allies who will actually get their hands dirty, instead of privately bemoaning the injustices of the nobility behind church walls while publicly paying lip service to those same nobles.”

Biris - “Well, anyways, we still got Ginger out there. She’s a professional, probably screwing up any plans they’re making as we spea-”

Motter - “Ms. Webber is dead.”

(long pause)

Konner - “And how do you know that?”

Motter - “I know. That’s all that matters.”

(another long pause)

Konner - “Well, they say no plan survives the enemy.”

Biris - “You mean like your plan to take over the bridge without a fight?”

Konner - “Dammit, it should have worked. We got them completely by surprise, I got the Captain’s gun. How was I supposed to know he was carrying a backup?”

Biris - “Wasn’t part of your job description ‘security’? Aren’t you supposed to think of these things in advance?

Konner - “Oh, shut up.” *grunt* “Damn, my arm still hurts where he shot me.”

Biris - “Just don’t wuss out on us now, Konner.”

Konner - “Excuse me? You wouldn’t have made it this far if not for me. Who smuggled your weapons on board for you? Who got the knockout drugs from the medbay? Who got you the override codes? Sure, none of that wasn’t as exciting as boffing the Baron…”

Biris - “Believe me, it wasn’t that exciting.”

Motter - “Enough. Let’s look to the matter at hand. Who is the most dangerous of our remaining enemies?”

Konner - “Glockton.”

Biris - “The doctor? She couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. It was the runt who did the most damage.” *snorts* “What kind of a name is Starfall, anyways?”

Konner - “Not his real one, obviously. Sure, he‘s good at what he does, and he‘s hell on wheels in a brawl, but that‘s all he is… a brawler. No finesse.”

Motter - “Why do you say Glockton?”

Konner - “She’s ex-military. Even if she wasn’t a soldier, she’s still the most dangerous. Methodical. Analytical. Tactical.”

Motter - “And what about Adams?”

Biris - *laughs* “The rich kid? A wild card who got lucky.” *sound of pistol being cocked* “His luck won’t last long.”

Motter - “Very well. Jake, you search the cargo area and find our errant crewman. Galina, guard the stairwell in case they try something tricky. I need not remind you that there is no room for error here. Either we take control of the ship, or… well, there is no ‘or‘, is there?”

Biris - “Try not to trip over the two remaining bodies, Jake… they are still there, right? Or did they get up and walk away as well?”

Konner - (fading off) “Bitch.”

And then there is silence.

[MatthewC]

[Apologies for the delay. It's been a hellish week.]

Fiddling with the intercomm system for a few minutes, Sam finally gets it to 'receive' from other parts of the ship, even those not actively using the intercomm at the moment. He cycles through a few different locations, until he hears voices, from what he assumes to be the bridge:
(snip conversation)


Sam conveys what he just heard to Heather and David. In summary, that Galina, Jake, and Father Patrick are working together. That they do indeed have more guns. That Jake Konner is supposedly a 'sharpshooter', though he was wounded when taking over the bridge. That of the three remaining crewmembers, Konner has killed two of them and one of the remaining ones, either Isa or Talia, is wounded and loose somewhere on the lower decks. That they know that Ginger Webber is dead.

He concludes. "Two ways ah ken think of ta' get to the lower decks. There's some service shafts ah might be able to fit down on ma own, but ah'm nae too sure either of you'd be able to make it. Tha' other is to get through the stairwell door. They left Galina guarding it. Given enough tim' I might be able ta' rig up something from what ah got here to burn or blow through the door... but that would take a wee while. Or if we could somehow trick her into opening it...."

He shrugs. "Any ideas?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

Sam conveys what he just heard to Heather and David. In summary, that Galina, Jake, and Father Patrick are working together. That they do indeed have more guns. That Jake Konner is supposedly a 'sharpshooter', though he was wounded when taking over the bridge. That of the three remaining crewmembers, Konner has killed two of them and one of the remaining ones, either Isa or Talia, is wounded and loose somewhere on the lower decks. That they know that Ginger Webber is dead.

He concludes. "Two ways ah ken think of ta' get to the lower decks. There's some service shafts ah might be able to fit down on ma own, but ah'm nae too sure either of you'd be able to make it. Tha' other is to get through the stairwell door. They left Galina guarding it. Given enough tim' I might be able ta' rig up something from what ah got here to burn or blow through the door... but that would take a wee while. Or if we could somehow trick her into opening it...."

He shrugs. "Any ideas?"

"What if I were to say I wanted to defect to their side?" David seems to have recovered a little. "I mean, it'd fit my image as a spoiled rich kid... I can say I think the Barron will want revenge on me to for his wife getting shot." David pauses for a second, and sighs. "If she does open the door though, how ill you get a clear shot at taking her out?"

[BcAugust]

"And how would you have taken the two of us out, kiddo?" Heather asks indulgently. She's just been sitting there, thinking through the options. "It's too bad that Konner knows so much, but that can't be helped." She thinks for a few more moments. "Ok, here's what I see are the priorities. We need to get off this deck, take the bridge back, and hopefully manage to save whomever of the command crew survived."

"Ok, the Father is on the bridge, Konner is downdeck, and Biris is stuck on the stairwell. Sam, can you block the stairwell from our side? That will take care of her. And if you can get to the access tubes, you and David here can easily get to another part of the ship." Heather pauses for a moment, and looks like she hates what she's saying. "If you can get to the bridge, head there first and take out the father. I can try and distract him from here. We'll have to count on whomever survived surviving a bit longer."

[MatthewC]

Sam thinks serious upon hearing what they both have to say, his face grimaced in concentration.

"Ah like Davie-boy's idea." He holds up a hand to Heather. "Nae, hear me out. This Biris-girl has a helluva a mad-on fer me right now. Suppose David hits the intercom making up some story as to how... I dunno, I'm coming after him or sumthin', and he's willing to give up if on'y she'll protect him. Say that I already bashed you over the head. He ken tell her he's at the intercom by the door, and I'm coming for him. She might not be able ta' resist the temptation ta stick 'er head in and take ah shot at me."

He nods to Heather. "But yer hiding beside the door, and when she opens it up, *pow*, ya jump out and pop her point blank."

Sam shrugs. "The problem I see wit yer idea, lass, is that it's too small of a ship. One of 'em spots us and yells, then all three can be at us before ya' can say lick-a-daisy. And how're me and David ta' take on a sharpshooter, wit you trapped up here?"

[BcAugust]

Sam thinks serious upon hearing what they both have to say, his face grimaced in concentration.

"Ah like Davie-boy's idea." He holds up a hand to Heather. "Nae, hear me out. This Biris-girl has a helluva a mad-on fer me right now. Suppose David hits the intercom making up some story as to how... I dunno, I'm coming after him or sumthin', and he's willing to give up if on'y she'll protect him. Say that I already bashed you over the head. He ken tell her he's at the intercom by the door, and I'm coming for him. She might not be able ta' resist the temptation ta stick 'er head in and take ah shot at me."

He nods to Heather. "But yer hiding beside the door, and when she opens it up, *pow*, ya jump out and pop her point blank."

Sam shrugs. "The problem I see wit yer idea, lass, is that it's too small of a ship. One of 'em spots us and yells, then all three can be at us before ya' can say lick-a-daisy. And how're me and David ta' take on a sharpshooter, wit you trapped up here?"

Heather just gives Sam a look. "One, both Dave and I are likely to be shot if we go with that. Two, if they pull together that leaves either Biris here, or she leaves and I can attack them from behind. Besides, since we know they've split up, that leaves two against one." Heather thinks for a moment. "If we could get to life support or the controls, even that might not be a problem. After all, they don't know about the access, and we could lock them down quickly and painlessly."

[MatthewC]

Heather just gives Sam a look. "One, both Dave and I are likely to be shot if we go with that. Two, if they pull together that leaves either Biris here, or she leaves and I can attack them from behind. Besides, since we know they've split up, that leaves two against one." Heather thinks for a moment. "If we could get to life support or the controls, even that might not be a problem. After all, they don't know about the access, and we could lock them down quickly and painlessly."

Sam sighs in an over-dramatic fashion, throws up his hands, and assents to doing what Heather wants to do.

[OOC: Out of character, I have grave doubts as to the feasibility of Heather's plan. Especially the part where she's going to "attack them from behind" through a locked door rather than being trapped on the Upper Deck while Daniel and Sam are mercilessly slaughtered by the gun-toting Jake Konner below. But Sam lacks the social skills or the willpower to really keep pushing, and he just heard the hijackers themselves say that Heather was the one most likely come up with a clever plan. So he's just going to give in and hope she knows what she's doing.

And, what the heck, I'm sure we'll make it work somehow or other. I leave it up to Bc to lay out the exact details of the plan, unless FBH wants to have Daniel make further objection.]

[FBHthelizardmage]

David looks from one to the other, not really being able to come up with a better plan, but not liking the sound of this.

"I'll go with what you decide Heather... you seem to know your way around better than I."

[BcAugust]

Heather nods. "Sam, what do you know about the security measures on the ship? They don't seem to have an engineer. How can we use that? And David, what skills do you have that you think can be useful?"

Heather's eyes grow hard. "Remember, these people have nothing left to lose. The only reason we're alive is they need the Baron. If need be, one of us needs to stay here to make sure they don't get him. "

[MatthewC]

Heather nods. "Sam, what do you know about the security measures on the ship? They don't seem to have an engineer. How can we use that? And David, what skills do you have that you think can be useful?"

Heather's eyes grow hard. "Remember, these people have nothing left to lose. The only reason we're alive is they need the Baron. If need be, one of us needs to stay here to make sure they don't get him. "

Sam considers. "Thur's no lasers mounted on the inside walls or the like. It's na a prison ship, afer'all. Tha main means a' security is the doors. They were designed so they ca' seal off tha sections of tha ship in the event of a hull breach, so they're nae too easy to bust through. The locks r' computerized; they have the codes n' we daen't. If one of 'em has locked himself on tha' bridge, tha' ca be a problem.

"If I ken get ta' engineering, I could play wit' the gravity and air controls, section by section. I ken override the bridge controls from there. An my workshop has heavy cutting tools that can get through those doors easy enuff, locked or not."

Something seems to be bothering him, however. "Wha' you said about the Baron.... It's funny, but they dinnae mention him when they were talkin' amongst themselves. Motter talked about securing the ship, securing tha' ship, not securing tha' Baron. And if the Baron wuz so important himself, why not try ta' bargin wit' us to get ahold of him? Is there maybe another reason they want this ship?" He shrugs. "Somthin' ta keep in mind."

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather nods. "Sam, what do you know about the security measures on the ship? They don't seem to have an engineer. How can we use that? And David, what skills do you have that you think can be useful?"

"Well, I'm not the best at anything... I can chat people up at partys really well, not that that helps here. I can shoot and space walk and fly a ship though... not very well, but I can do it"

[BcAugust]

Heather listens to that, not happy. "If that's true, we're even more screwed. They can just take out all the air... Life Support. That's what we need." Heather looks to Sam "Can you get us there? Block the door here, and then we don't need to worry about Biris, we can just go around. And everyone knows the wells are the worst places to be if the ship is locked down."

[MatthewC]

Heather listens to that, not happy. "If that's true, we're even more screwed. They can just take out all the air... Life Support. That's what we need." Heather looks to Sam "Can you get us there? Block the door here, and then we don't need to worry about Biris, we can just go around. And everyone knows the wells are the worst places to be if the ship is locked down."

Sam nods. "Will do!"

[OOC: Perry, Sam will try to disable the door to the stairway so that the hijackers can't get through it to come after the Baron. Then he's going to try to lead Heather and David down through the service ducts and get us all to the Wing Deck and the Life Support or Gravity Generation section (in that order of priority). Sam is short... but he's incredibly heavy-set. If he can make it through, I don't see why either of them wouldn't be able to.

As far as I understand from IMing with Bc and FBH, all three characters are going down.]

[FBHthelizardmage]

David nods at Heathers plan. "Is their an emergency station on this deck? Maybe we should get into presure suits. That'd make us immune to life surport cutting."

[Perry Holley]

There are indeed vacc suits available to you. Sam actually has two, one in his quarters, and one at the engineering level (all of the main crew members have at least one suit individually fitted to them). There are also emergency vacc suits that are available in all the passenger quarters, as well as scattered throughout the rest of the ship; these tend to be a bit more clumsy and bulky, since they're not individually fitted for the person in question.

You probably wouldn't want to put them on until after you squeez through the access panels, if possible.

[BcAugust]

Heather nods at David, then stands up. "I need to inform the Baron and Teresa. I'm leaving them one of the guns. David, you should get the remaining one. Unless Sam has an objection?" She looks at the two of them, her hand resting comfortably on the medkit.

[MatthewC]

Heather nods at David, then stands up. "I need to inform the Baron and Teresa. I'm leaving them one of the guns. David, you should get the remaining one. Unless Sam has an objection?" She looks at the two of them, her hand resting comfortably on the medkit.

Sam shrugs assent. "Best get yer suit outta yer quarters n' take it wit' you," he says.

As Heather goes to see to the Baron, Sam goes to work on the door lock. If possible, he wants to short it out quietly and without affecting the indicator lights, so that Galina doesn't realize anything is wrong until she tries opening the door.

[BcAugust]

(I don't think Heather has a vac suit, since she's a temporary crew member. Perry? And to get things kicked up again...)

Heather walks to the quarters the Baron is being kept in, and knocks. "Teresia? It's Heather, the doctor. We need to talk for a moment."

[FBHthelizardmage]

David goes to get his suit, wondering guiltly if he should go see the barron to.

[Perry Holley]

Sam shrugs assent. "Best get yer suit outta yer quarters n' take it wit' you," he says.

As Heather goes to see to the Baron, Sam goes to work on the door lock. If possible, he wants to short it out quietly and without affecting the indicator lights, so that Galina doesn't realize anything is wrong until she tries opening the door.After a few minutes of fiddling, Sam finds the control mechanism that handles the opening and closing of the doorway. With a barely audible electronic hiss, he shorts the circuit, completely closing off the entrances to the lounge from the galey, as well as from the stairwell.

[Perry Holley]

(I don't think Heather has a vac suit, since she's a temporary crew member. Perry? And to get things kicked up again...)

Heather walks to the quarters the Baron is being kept in, and knocks. "Teresia? It's Heather, the doctor. We need to talk for a moment."[Heather was given one of the non-custom passenger suits.]

After a moment, the door opens. Teresia seems calmer now. "Yes, Doctor?"

[BcAugust]

Heather peers in at the Baron. "Can we talk privately for a moment?"

Heather waits until Terisa comes out. "Listen, we have a chance to deal with the hijackers, but it may go bad. We'll need you to stay with the Baron." Heather pauses for a moment, searching for a way to say this, then deciding to be blunt. "If we fail, they could come in after you. And if that happens... well, it's better not to be taken alive, either of you. We're going to leave you a gun."

Heather waits, watching the girl's reaction, not letting her sympathy show.

[Perry Holley]

We're going to leave you a gun.""No," she says, almost ruefully. "You take it. It will do me no good, no matter how much I might wish otherwise. I come from a long line of slaves and servants, Dr. Glockton. Any form of aggressive behavior was bred out of my lineage many generations ago."

[BcAugust]

"No," she says, almost ruefully. "You take it. It will do me no good, no matter how much I might wish otherwise. I come from a long line of slaves and servants, Dr. Glockton. Any form of aggressive behavior was bred out of my lineage many generations ago."

Heather's eyes flare, with an emotion quickly damped down, taking the gun back. In a reasurring tone. "Would you mind going to your own quarters and putting the passanger suit on? That should help. I'll take care of the Baron."

Dr. Glockton waits til she does, then heads inside, hiding the gun against her body, and looking at the Baron, then walking around behind him, her face still. She stands for a moment, as if thinking about speaking, then simply shoots him clinically in the back of the head, the shot angled to do the most brain damage possibly. She waits, still faced until the death throes cease, doing a deathwatch, then leaves the quarters, putting them under a medical lock.

[Perry Holley]

Heather's eyes flare, with an emotion quickly damped down, taking the gun back. In a reasurring tone. "Would you mind going to your own quarters and putting the passanger suit on? That should help. I'll take care of the Baron.""Of course, Doctor" Teresia takes one final, wistful look at the Baron before leaving.

Dr. Glockton waits til she does, then heads inside, hiding the gun against her body, and looking at the Baron, then walking around behind him, her face still. She stands for a moment, as if thinking about speaking, then simply shots him clinically in the back of the head, the shot angled to do the most brain damage possibly. She waits, still faced until the death throes cease, doing a deathwatch, then leaves the quarters, putting them under a medical lock.The shot kills the Baron instantly; no death-throes.

Of course, an autopsy will make it abundantly clear that the Baron was not killed in the firefight with the terrorists, assuming that a) the Doctor plans on hiding her actions, or b) she gets others to lie about what happened.

[MatthewC]

After finishing his work with the door, Sam moves to one of the bulkheads and begins removing it, apparently confident that there will be a conduit beneath that will provide an access path (however cramped) to the lower decks. He has his suit next to him, tightly bundled up and ready to push on through the shaft ahead of him.

Once Sam has the panel off, he leans against the wall to wait for the others. He doesn't appear to be passing the time in idleness, however, as he pulls out his pocket com and begins fiddling with it.

(OOC: Sam is making preparations for assuming remote control over the ship's systems, once he has physical access to the machines in the lower deck and can can install some sort of remote reciever. Though this might take a bit of work for some of them, he already has most of the job done on the gravity generator. I figured that being able to flick the ship's gravity from 0 g to 3 times normal and back again in the middle of a fight might be slightly advantageous... assuming he can get to the machine to complete the connections.)

[Perry Holley]

After finishing his work with the door, Sam moves to one of the bulkheads and begins removing it, apparently confident that there will be a conduit beneath that will provide an access path (however cramped) to the lower decks. He has his suit next to him, tightly bundled up and ready to push on through the shaft ahead of him.It takes a bit of work - this access panel hasn't been used in quite a while, and had rusted shut a bit- but you do get it to open.

There is no indication of anyone on the other side.

[At roughly which part of the ship are you trying to enter at?]

Once Sam has the panel off, he leans against the wall to wait for the others. He doesn't appear to be passing the time in idleness, however, as he pulls out his pocket com and begins fiddling with it.

(OOC: Sam is making preparations for assuming remote control over the ship's systems, once he has physical access to the machines in the lower deck and can can install some sort of remote reciever. Though this might take a bit of work for some of them, he already has most of the job done on the gravity generator. I figured that being able to flick the ship's gravity from 0 g to 3 times normal and back again in the middle of a fight might be slightly advantageous... assuming he can get to the machine to complete the connections.)Assuming you can get to the controls without any... complications... aligning the various controls to your pocket com shouldn't be any problem.

[MatthewC]

At roughly which part of the ship are you trying to enter at?


Trying to arrive on the Wing Deck at Gravity Generation or the Life Support section, ideally. (I think we're ready to go down whenever you want to start the action. Unless Heather would like to shoot someone else first!)

[BcAugust]

Trying to arrive on the Wing Deck at Gravity Generation or the Life Support section, ideally. (I think we're ready to go down whenever you want to start the action. Unless Heather would like to shoot someone else first!)

[OOC- Nah]

Dr. Glockton comes out, bringing her suit, acting fully professional. She waits for Sam, in a military at ease, warning off David with a glance if he tries to talk.

[Perry Holley]

[All three are you are going down to the wing level, yes? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Also, are you wearing your vacc suits or not?]

Sliding through the access panel, you make your way down to the antigrav generator room. Working quickly and quietly, Sam slaves the controls to the antigrav and the life support to his remote pocket com.

Just as he is finishing up, the sound of an opening hatch comes from down the walkway leading to the lower/cargo area. It seems that someone is trying to enter the engineering level from the cargo bay.

[BcAugust]

(I thought we couldn't wear them inside the access ducts? The doctor will put her's on when they get out of there)

Heather waits, standing back and trying to see who's coming in, hoping it's the injured crewmember and not one of the hijackers.

[FBHthelizardmage]

(I thought we couldn't wear them inside the access ducts? The doctor will put her's on when they get out of there)

Heather waits, standing back and trying to see who's coming in, hoping it's the injured crewmember and not one of the hijackers.

David stays silent but takes up a possition covering the door, gun held down, in a fairly professional way he probabbly got off some holovid.

[MatthewC]

Sam ducks back behind a largish piece of machinery, keeping back from the hatchway. He's not terribly skilled at hiding, but it should at least give him a bit of cover and perhaps delay his being spotted for a few seconds.

The short engineer has clipped his com to his belt, and he fingers the controls with one hand, other hand on his large wrench. He glances back in Heather's direction, as if inviting her to take lead.

(Sam hasn't put on his spacesuit yet, since the three hadn't yet decided exactly how they were going to screw with the environmental controls; also, he's able to work a bit more speedily without it.)

[Perry Holley]

(I thought we couldn't wear them inside the access ducts? The doctor will put her's on when they get out of there)through the access way... once you're through them and into the engineering level, you've got more room to move around.

Should you at some point be wearing the suits, you will have a smal lpenalry on any DEX related actions while doing so: -1 for Sam (because his is custom fitted), and -2 for Heather and David.]

As the hatch to the cargo bay opens, you see the silhouette of a figure holding a pistol in their right hand. Tall, muscular, probably male, the left arm held close to the body. For a second, the right hand holding the pistol goes up in front of the face, as if shielding it - perhaps they didn't expect for there to be lights on in here, unlike the dark cargo bay. Then the individual seems to see you, and begins pointing the pistol in your direction.

[FBHthelizardmage]

through the access way... once you're through them and into the engineering level, you've got more room to move around.

Should you at some point be wearing the suits, you will have a smal lpenalry on any DEX related actions while doing so: -1 for Sam (because his is custom fitted), and -2 for Heather and David.]

As the hatch to the cargo bay opens, you see the silhouette of a figure holding a pistol in their right hand. Tall, muscular, probably male, the left arm held close to the body. For a second, the right hand holding the pistol goes up in front of the face, as if shielding it - perhaps they didn't expect for there to be lights on in here, unlike the dark cargo bay. Then the individual seems to see you, and begins pointing the pistol in your direction.

David points his gun at the guys head, but doesn't shoot yet. "Stop right there if you want to live!" He calls, in a conversational tone.

Edit: (If the guy doesn't stop David shoots)

[MatthewC]

As the hatch to the cargo bay opens, you see the silhouette of a figure holding a pistol in their right hand. Tall, muscular, probably male, the left arm held close to the body. For a second, the right hand holding the pistol goes up in front of the face, as if shielding it - perhaps they didn't expect for there to be lights on in here, unlike the dark cargo bay. Then the individual seems to see you, and begins pointing the pistol in your direction.

Sam tries to keep cover behind the machinery so that the figure can't get a clean shot at him. He starts fingering his grav controls.

Assuming that the figure doesn't yield to David's demand for surrender, Sam will watch its movements for his opportunity. When the figure makes a motion that moves it towards the ceiling (like taking a jump or even just running forward in a bouncy manner), or Heather gives it an uppercut to the jaw or flips him with martial arts or something, Sam will turn the gravity to 0. Hopefully, this should send the figure tumbling towards the ceiling at a high rate.

As soon as it reaches what Sam considers to be maximum height, he'll twist the gravity back up to three times normal... giving it a hard landing against the deck!

[BcAugust]

Heather waits, glad to be in the suit, watching the figure through narrowed eyes, moving so he can't cover both her and David. She's hoping he surrenders, though if he makes a move toward the comm, she'll try and shoot him.

[Perry Holley]

Three shots, all nearly silent, are fired almost simultaneously.

The intruder fired at David, probably because the sound of his voice made it easier to target him. The bullet grazes David's head, which is to say that his head is still in one piece, but there still is a spray of blood where the shot creases against the side of David's forehead. David falls back, crumpling to the ground, not moving.

Both David's and Heather's shots seem to find their target. Two entry wounds become visible on the intruder's chest, who staggers for a second, then collapses forward over the doorway, not moving, but with gun still clenched in hand.

[David took 30 points of damage, knocking his Life Points down to a -4. Unless he spends a Drama Point to reduce the damage he took in half (i.e. "I think I'm okay"), he will have to make an Costitution roll to avoid dying.)

[BcAugust]

Heather curses "Sam, shoot him again and make sure he's dead" as she heads to David's side, immediately glad she remembered to fully stock her med kit, checking the damage the shot did and trying to get it repaired.

[MatthewC]

"Ah got 'em!"

The engineer runs over to the intruder, ready to dive for cover if the guy is playing possum or not as badly wounded as he seems.

Sam will pin the intruder's arm, then grab the guy's gun. Then he'll check to see whom they have shot and if he still seems to be alive.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Three shots, all nearly silent, are fired almost simultaneously.

The intruder fired at David, probably because the sound of his voice made it easier to target him. The bullet grazes David's head, which is to say that his head is still in one piece, but there still is a spray of blood where the shot creases against the side of David's forehead. David falls back, crumpling to the ground, not moving.

Both David's and Heather's shots seem to find their target. Two entry wounds become visible on the intruder's chest, who staggers for a second, then collapses forward over the doorway, not moving, but with gun still clenched in hand.

[David took 30 points of damage, knocking his Life Points down to a -4. Unless he spends a Drama Point to reduce the damage he took in half (i.e. "I think I'm okay"), he will have to make an Costitution roll to avoid dying.)

[spending a drama point. Doesn't the presure helmet help?]

David groans, eyes flicking open. "Oh god... I'm... alive..."

[Perry Holley]

"Ah got 'em!"

The engineer runs over to the intruder, ready to dive for cover if the guy is playing possum or not as badly wounded as he seems.

Sam will pin the intruder's arm, then grab the guy's gun. Then he'll check to see whom they have shot and if he still seems to be alive.There is no resistance as you pin the arm of none other than Jake Konner, the ship's security officer. Taking his gun, you notice a second gun at his belt; this one does not seem to have a silencer attached the way the others guns are.

You're no doctor, but you know enough to check for a pulse... which he doesn't seem to have.

[Perry Holley]

[Doesn't the presure helmet help?]
Wait, David was wearing a vacc suit? I thought Heather was the only one who mentioned wearing a suit. Yes, that would change things, both damage taken, and your accuracy hitting Konner (DEX penalty, remember?).

So, was he wearing a suit, or not?

[MatthewC]

There is no resistance as you pin the arm of none other than Jake Konner, the ship's security officer. Taking his gun, you notice a second gun at his belt; this one does not seem to have a silencer attached the way the others guns are.

You're no doctor, but you know enough to check for a pulse... which he doesn't seem to have.

Sam takes both guns and (after turning on what he presumes to be the safeties) slips them into two of the many tool loops on his belt.

"Ya bastard, ya bastard," he whispers to the dead man. "Tha' others were one thing, but yew betreed your crewmates. You murdered the ones you were supposed to be lukin' out for. Ye' lucky sonnofabitch, dying quick like that. I'd a-"

Sam breaks off and looks away. He starts to get up, then hesitates and uses the silenced gun to put a hole between Jake Konner's eyes. Just to make sure.

Seeing that Heather is busy treating Daniel, Sam takes a cautious peek out through the open hatchway and over Konner's body to make sure there's no one else in sight. If the coast seems clear, he grabs the corpse to pull it inside and out of sight.

[OOC: I don't know why David would be wearing his vac suit before he had to. It's not exactly body armor, and it would only get in the way of his ability to dive for cover.]

[FBHthelizardmage]

Wait, David was wearing a vacc suit? I thought Heather was the only one who mentioned wearing a suit. Yes, that would change things, both damage taken, and your accuracy hitting Konner (DEX penalty, remember?).

So, was he wearing a suit, or not?

[I guess not]

argh the character limit

[Perry Holley]

Seeing that Heather is busy treating Daniel, Sam takes a cautious peek out through the open hatchway and over Konner's body to make sure there's no one else in sight. If the coast seems clear, he grabs the corpse to pull it inside and out of sight.Not seeing anyone in the cargo bay, Sam drags Konner's body into the walkway. As he does so, Heather bandages David's wound, giving him a painkiller, enough so to help numb the pain a bit, but not enough to hinder him or knock him out.

[Spending the DP - David now has 9, reduces the damage done from 30 to 15. Heather's ministrations heal another 4 points, which means that David currently has 15 Life Points - hurt, but functional - his going unconscious apparently more a matter of shock rather than lasting injury...]

[BcAugust]

Heather looks at the body, long experience telling her what it is. "Ok, can you slave life support from here? And cut off the bridge?" To Sam. Heather seems withdrawn, looking around, then giving Sam some numbers to aim for, hoping to induce Nitrogen narcosis, then a CO2 sleep.

[MatthewC]

Heather looks at the body, long experience telling her what it is. "Ok, can you slave life support from here? And cut off the bridge?" To Sam. Heather seems withdrawn, looking around, then giving Sam some numbers to aim for, hoping to induce Nitrogen narcosis, then a CO2 sleep.

Sam nods. "Be easy 'nuff ta physically cu'off bridge control. An I can hit tha' target numbers on tha' air. Course, if they notice what's happen' in time, they'll be able ta' get into their suits, same as us. Which by tha' way, suits on, everyone."

Sam puts on his suit and waits until David and Heather are sealed up as well, then he makes the adjustments to the life support system. (He makes sure to take his tool belt off and put it on outside his suit.)

After the preparations are complete, he says, "Give it a few minutes to go into effect, then I say we head for tha' Biris woman, since we know where she's supposed to be."

(As per Sam's earlier comment, he tries to find a cutting tool in his workshop powerful enough to force the door to the bridge... just in case the priest has sealed himself inside.)

[Perry Holley]

After everyone suits up, Sam punches the desired numbers into his pocket-com. Allowing a few minutes for the desired effect, you then can travel through the darkened cargo bay, maneuvering your way through the various crates of material to be sold at either Rivendale or Tesla.

After a couple of minutes, you arrive at the doorway (currently closed) between the cargo bay and the bridge.

What do you do?

[MatthewC]

Standing in front of the door, Sam suddenly speaks.

"Ah thought occurs. Any bad guys still around 'r still behind that door. Either they're out of it, or they already know that we're here, messin' about wit the life support system. We know somebody on our side is out here in the cargo hold somewhere. So why don't we just go ahead and give a yell for her to come join us? Or, if the air put her out, she should be easy enough to find with a wee trek around the cargo hold."

He looks to Heather. "What do'ya say, lass?"

[BcAugust]

Heather looks almost relieved. "That's a good idea. Let's do so. I wouldn't suggest splitting up, but we can still search fairly well."

[MatthewC]

Heather looks almost relieved. "That's a good idea. Let's do so. I wouldn't suggest splitting up, but we can still search fairly well."

Sam nods and doesn't wait for further permission. He loosens the seals on his helmet, then takes a deep breath.

Popping his helmet briefly, he yells to the cargo bay in general. "Hey, it's Sam! We've taken down two o' the hijackers."

Sam bends his head down to breath air from his suit ventilation. "We heard 'em talking, so we know that one o' you got away clean. Come out and we'll take down tha' rest of these bastards!"

With that, he pushes his helmet back into place, then shrugs to Heather.

"Let's start by checkin' tha boxes o'er there. That's where I woulda' hunkered down if I wanted not ta be seen."

(OOC: Unless there is some reaction, I guess we'll start a search of the cargo bay, Perry.)

[Perry Holley]

Moving slowly through the various cargo crates, you are painfully aware that the layout of the cargo bay would make an ideal place for an ambush. Dark shadows, lots of places to hide at, limited maneuverability for the targets...

"You shouldn't be here."

The voice at first seems to come out from nowhere. Shining a light in it's direction, you see the figure of Isa crumpled in a corner between two crates. At first, it seems as if she is injured, but her voice is strong and clear.

"You should be concentrating on trying to recapture the bridge. All other concerns are secondary."

Upon closer examination, you notice that the fluid leaking from her chest isn't blood. As if to accentuate that fact, a few sparks emanate from that area of her body.

"That being said, assuming you're successful in retaking command of the ship, I would very much like for Sam to see what he can do about repairing me. While most of the bullets that Konner shot me with only did minimal damage - Motter's group appear to be using hollow-point ammunition, more damaging to human flesh, but less effective against harder substances, most likely to avoid damaging the ship - but one shot got through enough to cause damage to inhibit my motor control functions."

As she finishes, you hear the soft but distinct sound of a doorway being opened, from the other sode of the crates. It can only be the door connecting the bridge to the cargo bay...

[BcAugust]

Moving slowly through the various cargo crates, you are painfully aware that the layout of the cargo bay would make an ideal place for an ambush. Dark shadows, lots of places to hide at, limited maneuverability for the targets...

"You shouldn't be here."

The voice at first seems to come out from nowhere. Shining a light in it's direction, you see the figure of Isa crumpled in a corner between two crates. At first, it seems as if she is injured, but her voice is strong and clear.

"You should be concentrating on trying to recapture the bridge. All other concerns are secondary."

Upon closer examination, you notice that the fluid leaking from her chest isn't blood. As if to accentuate that fact, a few sparks emanate from that area of her body.

"That being said, assuming you're successful in retaking command of the ship, I would very much like for Sam to see what he can do about repairing me. While most of the bullets that Konner shot me with only did minimal damage - Motter's group appear to be using hollow-point ammunition, more damaging to human flesh, but less effective against harder substances, most likely to avoid damaging the ship - but one shot got through enough to cause damage to inhibit my motor control functions."

As she finishes, you hear the soft but distinct sound of a doorway being opened, from the other sode of the crates. It can only be the door connecting the bridge to the cargo bay...

Heather is slightly disturbed by the mechanical parts, though not that much so. At hearing the door open, she silently bows her head, then steps out, hopefully drawing attention away from the rest, still wearing her suit. "Hello Father." Her voice is almost too normal, as if she's not facing a man who could easily kill her, her eyes almost too distant.

[MatthewC]

"That being said, assuming you're successful in retaking command of the ship, I would very much like for Sam to see what he can do about repairing me. While most of the bullets that Konner shot me with only did minimal damage - Motter's group appear to be using hollow-point ammunition, more damaging to human flesh, but less effective against harder substances, most likely to avoid damaging the ship - but one shot got through enough to cause damage to inhibit my motor control functions."

As she finishes, you hear the soft but distinct sound of a doorway being opened, from the other sode of the crates. It can only be the door connecting the bridge to the cargo bay...

Sam closes his briefly and mumbles. "Standard humaniform design... puncture wound in that area... motor control reroute."

He opens his eyes and kneels down. "I'm thinkin' we could use yer' help now, not later, me mechanical miss."

Sam takes a laser probe off his belt with one hand and drives it into Isa's chest at particular spot. With his other hand, he removes a set of pliers from his belt and reaches it into the hole in Isa's chest. "Let's see if _this_ gets ya back on yer feet!"

[OOC: Sam is spending a Drama Point to add +10 to his already considerable 'Technical' skill. With this bonus, he is attempting a blatantly superhuman feat of repair. In the space of ten or twenty seconds, he's attempting to jury-rig Isa's motor control system enough so that she can get up and fight... something that would surely take any normal engineer at least an hour in a workshop. Sort of the equivalent of fixing a car engine by banging on it with a wrench. Because he's just that good.

Oh, and if it works, the guns are hanging from Sam's belt, conveniently in Isa's reach.]

[Perry Holley]

Sam closes his briefly and mumbles. "Standard humaniform design... puncture wound in that area... motor control reroute."

He opens his eyes and kneels down. "I'm thinkin' we could use yer' help now, not later, me mechanical miss."

Sam takes a laser probe off his belt with one hand and drives it into Isa's chest at particular spot. With his other hand, he removes a set of pliers from his belt and reaches it into the hole in Isa's chest. "Let's see if _this_ gets ya back on yer feet!""Sam, you're being foolish, dangerously so. There simply isn't time to effect repairs..." Isa's voice trails off as Sam jury-rigs a patch for her motor control functions, temporarily rerouting control to an undmamaged system. She moves her hands, finger, and head, testing them for range of motion, seemingly satisfied with the results. "Thanks you, Sam. Movement capability and fine motor functions register currently at 89%. However, I should warn you that I am not specifically programmed for any sort of combat-related skills... although, should the oppurtunity arise, I would very much like to wrap my hands around Mr. Konner's throat."

[Expenditure of DP noted - Sam's currently down to 8]

Heather is slightly disturbed by the mechanical parts, though not that much so. At hearing the door open, she silently bows her head, then steps out, hopefully drawing attention away from the rest, still wearing her suit. "Hello Father." Her voice is almost too normal, as if she's not facing a man who could easily kill her, her eyes almost too distant."Hello, doctor." Motter stands at the edge of the doorway, wearing a space suit like the ones Heather and David are wearing, a pistol in his right hand. His voice is calm, almost soothing. Looking around, Glockton notes that she can't see Biris anywhere... perhaps she has already found cover in the cargo bay, or perhaps she is still in the bridge.

Motter makes a tsk tsk noise, chuckling slightly. "You've been a bad girl, haven't you, Heather...?"

[BcAugust]

"Hello, doctor." Motter stands at the edge of the doorway, wearing a space suit like the ones Heather and David are wearing, a pistol in his right hand. His voice is calm, almost soothing. Looking around, Glockton notes that she can't see Biris anywhere... perhaps she has already found cover in the cargo bay, or perhaps she is still in the bridge.

Motter makes a tsk tsk noise, chuckling slightly. "You've been a bad girl, haven't you, Heather...?"

Heather smiles at Motter, a slight nod of respect of one professional to another. "I'm surprised by you, father. Admittedly, I wasn't expecting trouble. Foolish of me, I suppose." Heather trails off a moment, though still smiling slightly "And which act of mine could you be refering to, Father? Surely you didn't expect me to remain caged?"

[Perry Holley]

Heather smiles at Motter, a slight nod of respect of one professional to another. "I'm surprised by you, father. Admittedly, I wasn't expecting trouble. Foolish of me, I suppose." Heather trails off a moment, though still smiling slightly "And which act of mine could you be refering to, Father? Surely you didn't expect me to remain caged?""For one who has sworn to heal, you have an awful lot of blood on your hands this day, don't you, Heather? I'd wager you've taken more lives today than you've been able to save."

"And make no mistake, you're still caged... trapped by your misguided loyalty to a decadent and corrupt government. Oh, perhaps you've tried to do your best from inside the system, but as a doctor you of all people should realize that placing a bandage on a major would does little to actually heal the patient. Sometimes, a significant portion of the body must be excised so that the patient may live. In this case, the cancer is too far gone, and any attempts to save that diseased organ only threatens to poison the rest of the body further."

"No amount of mere reform can hope to stop the decay that has overwhelmed the soul of humanity as we know it. The royals must be destroyed, purged, from the face of the universe. Yes, this will require the death of some innocents, but in the end, it will save many, many more, ushering in a new age for humankind. You know I'm right, Heather."

"Join us. It's not too late."

[FBHthelizardmage]

While the conversation contiues, David skulks around the cargo boxes, trying to check if any more of the rebels are in the bay, or, if he doesn't see them, trying to find a good firing possition with some cover.

[BcAugust]

Heather takes a deep breath, shaking almost like he hit her physically. She keeps her eyes on him, training overcoming instinct. After a moment, Heather speaks, her voice broken edged and rough.

"And for someone dedicated to peace, priest, you've certainly got more. When someone shoots at me, I shoot back. I certainly didn't want this. And all this... what did you really think you would get from freaking kidnapping the Baron, and stealing the ship?"

The raw pain and rage makes her voice shake "Damnit, you shot and killed a whole bunch of people who did nothing to you. I took my oaths to save people, regardless of their politics, but you just keep forcing me to shoot you..."

Tears stream down her face, though her arms don't move. "God, I know things aren't perfect, but why this? Why all the blood..."

[MatthewC]

"Sam, you're being foolish, dangerously so. There simply isn't time to effect repairs..." Isa's voice trails off as Sam jury-rigs a patch for her motor control functions, temporarily rerouting control to an undmamaged system. She moves her hands, finger, and head, testing them for range of motion, seemingly satisfied with the results. "Thanks you, Sam. Movement capability and fine motor functions register currently at 89%. However, I should warn you that I am not specifically programmed for any sort of combat-related skills... although, should the oppurtunity arise, I would very much like to wrap my hands around Mr. Konner's throat."


Sam speaks in a low voice that hopefully won't carry. "Konner is dead, 'n quicker than he deserved. Tha' bad guys that're left are Father Motter and Galina Biris."

He hands Konner's gun to Isa, popping off the safety as he does so. "Just point and pull tha' trigger. Even if ya' can't hit a thing, it'll make 'em keep their heads down low."

With that, Sam begins moving around to the edge of the crates, again thumbing the gravity control with one hand and looking for his opportunity. With this right hand, he holds the other gun that Konner had on him. The larger one that wasn't fired.

(OOC: Let me know what he sees when he peeks around the edges of the crates.)

[Perry Holley]

While the conversation contiues, David skulks around the cargo boxes, trying to check if any more of the rebels are in the bay, or, if he doesn't see them, trying to find a good firing possition with some cover.Moving along the shadows, you almost don't see the figure in time to stop. A female figure in a vacc suit, hiding behind a forklift, her pistol apointed in the direction of Heather's voice. She has her pistol aimed and ready, but hasn't yet fired, as if waiting for the right moment to do so. From her vantage point, she has a pretty good field of vision regarding anyone who might be out in the front part of the bay where Heather and Motter are, but she apparently hasn't seen you yet.

Heather takes a deep breath, shaking almost like he hit her physically. She keeps her eyes on him, training overcoming instinct. After a moment, Heather speaks, her voice broken edged and rough.

"And for someone dedicated to peace, priest, you've certainly got more. When someone shoots at me, I shoot back. I certainly didn't want this. And all this... what did you really think you would get from freaking kidnapping the Baron, and stealing the ship?"

The raw pain and rage makes her voice shake "Damnit, you shot and killed a whole bunch of people who did nothing to you. I took my oaths to save people, regardless of their politics, but you just keep forcing me to shoot you..."

Tears stream down her face, though her arms don't move. "God, I know things aren't perfect, but why this? Why all the blood...""Heather, I..." Motter's words trail off for a moment, before he continues. "Don't think me some heartless monster. I never let myself forget each and every soul that I've sent prematurely to a better world. I have to remember them, so that I never lose sight of our goal, and what it will cost. Everything worthwhile has a price, and this is no exception. Thousands may die now, so that billions may live free tomorrow."

He takes a deep breath. "It's not easy... but it's necessary, and it's just."

Sam speaks in a low voice that hopefully won't carry. "Konner is dead, 'n quicker than he deserved. Tha' bad guys that're left are Father Motter and Galina Biris."

He hands Konner's gun to Isa, popping off the safety as he does so. "Just point and pull tha' trigger. Even if ya' can't hit a thing, it'll make 'em keep their heads down low."Isa takes the gun, but stops you briefly before you leave. "Sam... Glockton's body language... she's obviously very vulnerable to what Motter's saying. Having her fall under his sway would be disastrous."

"She's on the precipice. Make certain that she doesn't fall."

With that, Sam begins moving around to the edge of the crates, again thumbing the gravity control with one hand and looking for his opportunity. With this right hand, he holds the other gun that Konner had on him. The larger one that wasn't fired.Rounding the edge of the cargo crates, opposite the direction you saw David head off into, you can see Motter standing at the edge of the doorway to the bridge. From your position, you can hear, but not see, where Heather is.

[MatthewC]

"Heather, I..." Motter's words trail off for a moment, before he continues. "Don't think me some heartless monster. I never let myself forget each and every soul that I've sent prematurely to a better world. I have to remember them, so that I never lose sight of our goal, and what it will cost. Everything worthwhile has a price, and this is no exception. Thousands may die now, so that billions may live free tomorrow."

He takes a deep breath. "It's not easy... but it's necessary, and it's just."

(Rounding the edge of the cargo crates, opposite the direction you saw David head off into, you can see Motter standing at the edge of the doorway to the bridge. From your position, you can hear, but not see, where Heather is.)

"You fooker!" Sam screams, his voice carrying from where he has loosened the seals on his suit.

"There wasnae a crewman on this ship tha' had any love fer the Empire! We all had reasons ta' be out here, and it wasnae because any of us were the Empire's dogs. But you, yoo bastard killed 'em all cuz it was convenient fer you. Ya' had your traitorous piece o' shit Konner kill tha' people he was supposed ta' be lookin' after.

"And now... now thae we've got ya rats cornered, _now_ ya make yer pitch aboot how righteous and just yer cause is! What a' load of troosh. Nothing but a pathetic attempt to evade what you have rightfully coming to ya! What I'm goon ta deliver!"

Sam has made most of this speech crouched behind the cover of the crates. As he says this last line, he peeks around the edge far enough to fire a shot in Father Motter's direction.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Moving along the shadows, you almost don't see the figure in time to stop. A female figure in a vacc suit, hiding behind a forklift, her pistol apointed in the direction of Heather's voice. She has her pistol aimed and ready, but hasn't yet fired, as if waiting for the right moment to do so. From her vantage point, she has a pretty good field of vision regarding anyone who might be out in the front part of the bay where Heather and Motter are, but she apparently hasn't seen you yet.


David quietly moves around behind her, gun aimed ready at her, trying to get into a postion where he can effectively take the rebel prisoner, however, if she makes the slightest move like she's seen him, or her fingers start to squeeze the trigger, he'll shoot.

[BcAugust]

(I'm going to wait till Perry gives us the reaction to Sam's actions. That will determine Heather's.)

[Perry Holley]

Unlike all the other guns currently being used, the gun that Sam got from Konner does not have a silencer on it. The result is predictable: an extremely loud BOOM reverberates through the confined area of the cargo bay. The shot itself narrowly misses Motter, ricocheting off the interior hull inches from Notter's head; Sam can't help but feel that vacc suit he's wearing inhibited in coordination just enough to cause him to miss.

When Sam started yelling at the wayward priest, Biris swirched her aim from Heather to Sam. After Sam takes his shot, Biris prepares to fire at him, only to have David shoot her in the back. Unfortunately for David, her vacc suit seemed to stop the majority of the impact from the hollow-point round he fired. She stumbles forward a bit from the impact, then swings around to take a shot at her assailant.

As Motter backs up into the bridge, and out of Sam's line-of-sight, a rapid succession of six quiet shots come from above, on top of a stack of cargo crates. Sam can see that it's Isa. Four of the six shots find their mark. Again, the vacc suit he is wearing seem to slow down much of the bullets' impact, but the sheer number of rounds hitting him seem to do the job, as Motter collapses backwards onto the floor of the bridge, unmoving.

[BcAugust]

Heather's training kicks in, and at the sounds of shots to her left, she instantly turn, stepping back to the cover of the crates as her upraised gun tracks unto the person in the vac suit, turned away from her and aiming at someone else. Shoving her emotions back, she aims and fires low, hoping to cripple rather then kill.

[Perry Holley]

Heather's training kicks in, and at the sounds of shots to her left, she instantly turn, stepping back to the cover of the crates as her upraised gun tracks unto the person in the vac suit, turned away from her and aiming at someone else. Shoving her emotions back, she aims and fires low, hoping to cripple rather then kill.Heather's shot catches Biris in the back of the right leg, although the doctor can't be certain just how much of the shot got through the vacc suit. Biris falls over behind the forklift that she had been hiding behind, now out of Heather's line-of-sight.

[MatthewC]

Heather's shot catches Biris in the back of the right leg, although the doctor can't be certain just how much of the shot got through the vacc suit. Biris falls over behind the forklift that she had been hiding behind, now out of Heather's line-of-sight.

Sam spots what he knows must be Biris fall from the forklift. Face twisted up in homicidal rage under his vac helmet, he drops Konner's gun to the ground and begins running for the forklift. With one hand, he twists the gravity control up to twice normal, confident in his high-grav body's ability to take it. With his other, he pulls his "clobbering wrench" from his tool belt.

Sam intends to find Biris and hit her with the wrench until she stops moving, hoping the gravity will keep her from effectively resisting.

(OOC: It's been a slow burn, but Sam is really, really angry at the deaths of the captain and Talia, whom he quite liked. He's definitely at the 'anger' phrase of grief.)

[FBHthelizardmage]

Sam spots what he knows must be Biris fall from the forklift. Face twisted up in homicidal rage under his vac helmet, he drops Konner's gun to the ground and begins running for the forklift. With one hand, he twists the gravity control up to twice normal, confident in his high-grav body's ability to take it. With his other, he pulls his "clobbering wrench" from his tool belt.

Sam intends to find Biris and hit her with the wrench until she stops moving, hoping the gravity will keep her from effectively resisting.

(OOC: It's been a slow burn, but Sam is really, really angry at the deaths of the captain and Talia, whom he quite liked. He's definitely at the 'anger' phrase of grief.)

David mean time also see's Biris fall, and rushes towards her with an intent to capture, rather than beat her head in...

[Perry Holley]

David mean time also see's Biris fall, and rushes towards her with an intent to capture, rather than beat her head in...David leaps forward to try to restrain Biris... just in time to get caught in the increased gravity field that Sam triggered. David tumbles to the floor, fortunately only bruising himself a bit in the process.

Biris is on the ground, clearly injured, her faceplate shattered by the hi-grav impact on the floor of the cargo bay. She's actually managed to lift the pistol in her hand, an act of either great strength or fanatical determination. For a moment it looks like she might shoot the fallen David, and then...

"I'll see you all in hell."

With that, she turns the pistol on herself, and fires the gun into her mouth. Her body twitches momentarily, and then is still. For a few seconds, silence fills the cargo bay.

That's when you hear the explosion.

In and of itself, the explosion (which you think came from around the same part of the wing level that you snuck into to get to the cargo bay) is too far away to immediately damage you. It's the sudden, violent, unexpected transition from Anderson space to realspace a split-second later that (literally) throws everyone for a loop. Isa, from atop the cargo crates where she had shot Motter, is thrown violently into the bulkhead, then crashing into the ground with a loud *thud*. Heather and Sam are both thrown forward by the sudden transition; David, being prone, suffers less since he isn't hitting the ground, and is able to roll with the impact better. The cargo crates threaten momentarily to tumble down on the three of you, but their restraints manage to hold them all in place. Emergency klaxons begin blaring throughout the ship.

[Heather takes 9 points of damge, Sam takes 7, and David only takes 2 points of damage.]

[MatthewC]

That's when you hear the explosion.

In and of itself, the explosion (which you think came from around the same part of the wing level that you snuck into to get to the cargo bay) is too far away to immediately damage you. It's the sudden, violent, unexpected transition from Anderson space to realspace a split-second later that (literally) throws everyone for a loop. Isa, from atop the cargo crates where she had shot Motter, is thrown violently into the bulkhead, then crashing into the ground with a loud *thud*. Heather and Sam are both thrown forward by the sudden transition; David, being prone, suffers less since he isn't hitting the ground, and is able to roll with the impact better. The cargo crates threaten momentarily to tumble down on the three of you, but their restraints manage to hold them all in place. Emergency klaxons begin blaring throughout the ship.

For a moment, Sam just lies on the ground, paralyzed by shock and frustration. The emergency klaxons seem to bring him out of it quickly, however.

With the wordless scream of a man who has had just about all he can take, Sam gets to his feet and limps towards the wing level and the source of the explosion. He retains just enough presence of mind to switch the gravity back to normal (assuming his control still works).

Sam's priorities are, in order:

1. Do whatever necessary to prevent any secondary explosions that might further damage the ship.

2. Patch or seal off any hull breaches.

3. Try to stop any continuing damage to whatever it was that blew up and salvage whatever can be salvaged. (He rather suspects it was the FTL drive, given their sudden drop back to normal space.)

[OOC: You sure do know how to kick PCs when they're down, Perry. I like it.]

[BcAugust]

Heather looks away from Biris, sickened, then staggering to her feet, looking around. Knowing she couldn't help Sam much, she steps forward, looking for Father Motter. If he's still alive... well, mayhap he can explain a few things, but he needs to be restrained. And she does have her sedatives with her...

[Perry Holley]

Heather looks away from Biris, sickened, then staggering to her feet, looking around. Knowing she couldn't help Sam much, she steps forward, looking for Father Motter. If he's still alive... well, mayhap he can explain a few things, but he needs to be restrained. And she does have her sedatives with her...Moving carefully over to where Motter is, Heather (after taking the gun out of his hand) exams the still figure. It looks like one if Isa's shots got through the suit enough to penetrate through to the heart area.

He has no pulse, or shows any other life signs. Motter's dead.

[Sam, I'll respond to you later this evening when I have more time - have to go off to work in a few minutes.]

[FBHthelizardmage]

David groans, and pulls himself back up, looking for heather, seeing if there's some way he can help.

[sorry this is short, I've had a migrine]

[BcAugust]

Heather shakes her head, conflicting emotions running through her so fast it's impossible to sort them out. Looking over to David, her voice is fairly soft. "Doing ok, kiddo?" as she gets up, checking over the bridge, wondering if there's anything she could do to help Sam.

[Perry Holley]

As Sam makes his way into the wing level of the ship, his fears are confirmed. The explosion occured in the area of the Anderson drives. Fortunately, a quick survey of the area reveal no hull breaches of any kind, atmospheric pressure is still normal. There is a slight radiation leak, but even if you weren't wearing your vacc suit, it's minor enough that you could be in the area long enough to seal it without taking any serious long-term effects.

Looking at the damage done, Sam's fairly certain that there isn't a danger of any of the other systems exploding or malfunctioning. The actual explosion was fairly small, looking at the blast damage... but it hit the worst possible area. Completely destroyed is the modulator coil - an extremely intricate mechanism interlaced with a latticework of near-microscopic crystals - that allowed the Moonshadow to function in Anderson space. They're hideously expensive, and there isn't a spare on board the ship. Moreso, it's not the sort of thing that even Sam's prodigious technical skill can duplicate, at least not without having access to the necessary materials and equipment.

Staring at the area where the coil used to be, Sam looks at the blast damage for a moment, and then pulls out his scanner. He's worked with explosives before, and this looks like something similar. Sure enough, there's the residue of a common chemical explosive where the coil was. Examing a bit further, Sam finds what's left of what was most likely the trigger for the explosive. It's of a somewhat unusual type; most such triggers are designed to go off if either a signal of some sort is received, or a timer goes off. This trigger appears to be of a type where it would be activated if it didn't receive a signal - in other words, as long as it was receiving a certain signal it was dormant, but as soon as that signal stopped, it activated.

[Perry Holley]

Isa pulls herself (itself?) up from the ground. It's hard to tell how little or how badly she's damaged; she seems to be moving normally. Moving her way over to where David and Heather are, she asks, "Doctor, should I check on the status of the remaining passengers, or would you prefer to do so yourself?"

[BcAugust]

Heather blinks for a moment. "That explosion shouldn't have effected quarters. And we asked the one remaining passenger to suit up, but yes, that would be the best." Heather is a bit blurry, stress catching up with her lack of sleep, nearly falling over and trying to hold it back.

[MatthewC]

As Sam makes his way into the wing level of the ship, his fears are confirmed. The explosion occured in the area of the Anderson drives. Fortunately, a quick survey of the area reveal no hull breaches of any kind, atmospheric pressure is still normal. There is a slight radiation leak, but even if you weren't wearing your vacc suit, it's minor enough that you could be in the area long enough to seal it without taking any serious long-term effects.

Looking at the damage done, Sam's fairly certain that there isn't a danger of any of the other systems exploding or malfunctioning. The actual explosion was fairly small, looking at the blast damage... but it hit the worst possible area. Completely destroyed is the modulator coil - an extremely intricate mechanism interlaced with a latticework of near-microscopic crystals - that allowed the Moonshadow to function in Anderson space. They're hideously expensive, and there isn't a spare on board the ship. Moreso, it's not the sort of thing that even Sam's prodigious technical skill can duplicate, at least not without having access to the necessary materials and equipment.

Sam stares in shock at the destroyed coil for a long moment.

Then, moving mechanically, he switches life support levels back to normal and works to seal the radiation leak. His hands do the work, but there's a blank look to his eyes that indicates that his mind is somewhere else.

When Sam is done, he rips off his suit helmet and stumbles over to one of his storage lockers. Reaching up onto a top shelf (for which he must stand on his toes) and under a cloth, Sam pulls out a full bottle of brandy. He unscrews the top and takes a long drink. Then another.

Sam presses his back to a wall and slowly slides down it, until he's sitting with his back to the wall, looking at the destroyed drive. He continues to sit there until either someone interrupts him or until he falls asleep.

[Perry Holley]

Heather blinks for a moment. "That explosion shouldn't have effected quarters. And we asked the one remaining passenger to suit up, but yes, that would be the best." Heather is a bit blurry, stress catching up with her lack of sleep, nearly falling over and trying to hold it back."Only one?" Isa seems a bit surprised, although that's probably just her programming, duplicating what is supposed to be an expected response. "Very well, doctor, which passenger?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather shakes her head, conflicting emotions running through her so fast it's impossible to sort them out. Looking over to David, her voice is fairly soft. "Doing ok, kiddo?" as she gets up, checking over the bridge, wondering if there's anything she could do to help Sam.

"I'm ok... hurting a bit." David looks a little embrassed. "how are you?"

"Only one?" Isa seems a bit surprised, although that's probably just her programming, duplicating what is supposed to be an expected response. "Very well, doctor, which passenger?"

David waits for Heather to reply, then coughs. "Since we fell out of anderson space, we should probabbly check where we are in normal space... and send out a distress signal."

He waits for a reply before heading towards the bridge.

[BcAugust]

Heather leans back against the wall. "I'm a bit tired. Teresa, I think was her name." Heather leans back a bit, and breathes a bit slowly. "Actually, Isa, would you mind checking? I think I'm too out of it to notice much." Heather sends a slow smile to David, it wavering a bit. "Good idea, kiddo. Go for it."

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather leans back against the wall. "I'm a bit tired. Teresa, I think was her name." Heather leans back a bit, and breathes a bit slowly. "Actually, Isa, would you mind checking? I think I'm too out of it to notice much." Heather sends a slow smile to David, it wavering a bit. "Good idea, kiddo. Go for it."

David nods, frowns a little, then heads for the flight deck. Whatever happened to the barron?

[Perry Holley]

Before heading on to take care of Teresia, Isa leads David to the bridge, turns off the klaxons, unlocks the access codes, and gives him a minute or two to familiarize himself with the controls before leaving. There is blood splattered at various points around the bridge, and the bodies of Captain Jovanovich and Talia Osgrave are heaped uncerimoniously in the corner.

Studying the readouts, David notes that the Moonshadow has a certain amount of forward momentum, a byproduct of coming out of Anderson space. The ship's drift is probably heading in the original planned direction toward Rivendale, albeit at a much, much slower speed. Fortunately, a bit of movement will help to make triangulation a bit easier, as you can compare distances and angles to different stars at different times, and then let the computers crunch the numbers to figure out relative position, flight speed, and so forth, although letting the ship move enough to get a discrete secondary reading for triangulation will probably take at least a few hours.

[Perry Holley]

After a while, as David is working on the bridge, Isa returns to talk to Heather. "Teresia took a bit of a bad fall during our unplanned re-emergence into realspace. She broke her left arm; I've set it in a cast, and given her the necessary medications to ease her pain and speed up the healing process."

"Doctor, would you like me to move the remaining bodies into cryostorage for you? If nothing else, I'm certain the authorities would like to have the bodies of the Baroness preserved, of course, not to mention the hijackers... so that they can braintape them and try to learn who they may have been working with, as well as any other relevant information to their schemes."

After a slight pause, she continues. "Also, I noticed that you had the Baron's quarters locked under a medical seal. Is there anything I should know about his condition, or anything else I can do to help?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

Before heading on to take care of Teresia, Isa leads David to the bridge, turns off the klaxons, unlocks the access codes, and gives him a minute or two to familiarize himself with the controls before leaving. There is blood splattered at various points around the bridge, and the bodies of Captain Jovanovich and Talia Osgrave are heaped uncerimoniously in the corner.

Studying the readouts, David notes that the Moonshadow has a certain amount of forward momentum, a byproduct of coming out of Anderson space. The ship's drift is probably heading in the original planned direction toward Rivendale, albeit at a much, much slower speed. Fortunately, a bit of movement will help to make triangulation a bit easier, as you can compare distances and angles to different stars at different times, and then let the computers crunch the numbers to figure out relative position, flight speed, and so forth, although letting the ship move enough to get a discrete secondary reading for triangulation will probably take at least a few hours.

Sighing slightly, David begins to punch in the numbers... it could take a long time to get home...

[BcAugust]

After a while, as David is working on the bridge, Isa returns to talk to Heather. "Teresia took a bit of a bad fall during our unplanned re-emergence into realspace. She broke her left arm; I've set it in a cast, and given her the necessary medications to ease her pain and speed up the healing process."

"Doctor, would you like me to move the remaining bodies into cryostorage for you? If nothing else, I'm certain the authorities would like to have the bodies of the Baroness preserved, of course, not to mention the hijackers... so that they can braintape them and try to learn who they may have been working with, as well as any other relevant information to their schemes."

After a slight pause, she continues. "Also, I noticed that you had the Baron's quarters locked under a medical seal. Is there anything I should know about his condition, or anything else I can do to help?"


Heather looks up, seemingly not have moved at all. "... do we have enough cryostorage?"

At the question of the Baron, she just nods. "Yes, there is. Who's the remaining senior officer?"

[Perry Holley]

Heather looks up, seemingly not have moved at all. "... do we have enough cryostorage?""Yes," replies Isa. "That was something that Captain Jovanovich was quite adamant about, that there be enough cryoberths available for both crew and passengers - myself excluded, of course - in case of an emergency."

At the question of the Baron, she just nods. "Yes, there is. Who's the remaining senior officer?""At this point, that would be Mr. Starfall."

[BcAugust]

Heather nods, and smiles sadly. "He deserved better then this. Go ahead, Isa. I'm going to talk to Sam, then fall asleep. You might want to watch over the other two, make sure they don't push themselves to hard, especially the kid."

Heather pushes off the wall, hoarding her energy as she makes her way to the bay where Sam is. She stands in the doorway, then looks at him, and shakes her head. "Sam." She says gently, trying to catch his attention. "We need to talk."

[MatthewC]

Heather pushes off the wall, hoarding her energy as she makes her way to the bay where Sam is. She stands in the doorway, then looks at him, and shakes her head. "Sam." She says gently, trying to catch his attention. "We need to talk."

Sam, who had been half-dozing, blinks himself awake. He rubs the palms of his hands up and down his face, as if trying to squeeze out the fatigue. Then he gets to his feet and begins removing the rest of his vacuum suit.

"Yah- Uh, we need ta get everybody gathered up in the galley. Ah've got sum bad news to spread aboot. Things are nae hopeless, but it's goin' ta be a bit tight fer-"

Just as he pulls one leg out of his vac suit pants, Heather's original statement seems to finally make it through Sam's exhaustion and register with him. "Aww... Don' tell me somewhat else has gone wrong?"

[BcAugust]

Heather takes a deep breath, then slips into at ease. "Captain, even though under the current conditions, my skills are valuable, I've discovered that I am not currently fit for duty." Heather pauses again, as if that was hard to say. "Due to my current inability to deal with the current situation, and the resulting deaths, including that of the Baron, I suggest you place me under room arrest until such time as you need my skills or judge me fit for duty again."

Heather waits, trying to stay at easy, but shaking slightly from the combination of everything that's happened this far, and waits for Sam's response.

[MatthewC]

Heather takes a deep breath, then slips into at ease. "Captain, even though under the current conditions, my skills are valuable, I've discovered that I am not currently fit for duty." Heather pauses again, as if that was hard to say. "Due to my current inability to deal with the current situation, and the resulting deaths, including that of the Baron, I suggest you place me under room arrest until such time as you need my skills or judge me fit for duty again."

Heather waits, trying to stay at easy, but shaking slightly from the combination of everything that's happened this far, and waits for Sam's response.

Sam stares blankly for a moment. "What?"

He finishes removing his suit. "If ya need ta go to yer room for a bit ta recover, that's nae a problem for me. But I doon think any of us are exactly 'fit fer duty' right now. We have to keep goin' anyway. Now tell me something...."

Sam shakes his head in an obvious effort to clear his head. He looks at Heather with a penetrating gaze, and he enunciates his words very clearly, making an effort to surpress his accent. "What exactly do you mean by your inability to deal with the situation? And how did that lead to the Baron dying? He was alive enough tha' last time I saw him."

[BcAugust]

Sam stares blankly for a moment. "What?"

He finishes removing his suit. "If ya need ta go to yer room for a bit ta recover, that's nae a problem for me. But I doon think any of us are exactly 'fit fer duty' right now. We have to keep goin' anyway. Now tell me something...."

Sam shakes his head in an obvious effort to clear his head. He looks at Heather with a penetrating gaze, and he enunciates his words very clearly, making an effort to surpress his accent. "What exactly do you mean by your inability to deal with the situation? And how did that lead to the Baron dying? He was alive enough tha' last time I saw him."

Heather just stares blankly at the wall beyond Sam's shoulder for a moment, then looks back at him, her voice soft. "I didn't think this would work, Sam. When I went to talk to the Baron, I offered his compainion my gun, to defend themselves or shoot themselves." Heather pauses again. "Therisa couldn't. She's a genie(gene slave)." Heather's eyes flash there, her anger cold, but not directed at Sam. "That probably effected my next action more then it should have. Then again, maybe not. I shot the Baron."

Heather waits, her face becoming still as she seems half relieved by the confession.

[MatthewC]

Heather just stares blankly at the wall beyond Sam's shoulder for a moment, then looks back at him, her voice soft. "I didn't think this would work, Sam. When I went to talk to the Baron, I offered his compainion my gun, to defend themselves or shoot themselves." Heather pauses again. "Therisa couldn't. She's a genie(gene slave)." Heather's eyes flash there, her anger cold, but not directed at Sam. "That probably effected my next action more then it should have. Then again, maybe not. I shot the Baron."

Heather waits, her face becoming still as she seems half relieved by the confession.

"You what?! Why the hell did ya' do that? If ya' were so worried aboot them getting grabbed, ya could have pumped the Baron up on stims an' given him tha' gun! Or... or something. Tha' man was supposed ta' be in yer care, and ya shot him in cold blood? That's disgustin'!"

[OOC: Does Heather still have a weapon visibly on her, by the way?]

[BcAugust]

"You what?! Why the hell did ya' do that? If ya' were so worried aboot them getting grabbed, ya could have pumped the Baron up on stims an' given him tha' gun! Or... or something. Tha' man was supposed ta' be in yer care, and ya shot him in cold blood? That's disgustin'!"

[OOC: Does Heather still have a weapon visibly on her, by the way?]

Heather just watches the outburst, letting Sam finish. Her voice is calm when she answers. "One, my concern was only for the Baron's status as a captive. It would be against my oaths to let the rebels get a hold of a captive of that rank. The Baron was not capable of recovering in the amount of time, and indeed, any attempt to do so would likely make his condition worse." Heather's voice is even, almost cold. "And yes, I shot him in cold blood, a quick clean death. It's much, much better then the rebels would have given him, Sam. And likely better then the bastard deserved."

(OOC: Yes, but her hands aren't near it, and she hasn't made any moves for it.)

[MatthewC]

Heather just watches the outburst, letting Sam finish. Her voice is calm when she answers. "One, my concern was only for the Baron's status as a captive. It would be against my oaths to let the rebels get a hold of a captive of that rank. The Baron was not capable of recovering in the amount of time, and indeed, any attempt to do so would likely make his condition worse." Heather's voice is even, almost cold. "And yes, I shot him in cold blood, a quick clean death. It's much, much better then the rebels would have given him, Sam. And likely better then the bastard deserved."

Sam steps in close and looks upwards at her. "An I think that's ah load a' crap. Ya' want ta be taken off duty? Fine, yer off duty. Ah don' want ya killing anyone else ta give 'em a 'quick, clean death'. Surrender yer' firearm and report ta the galley. Ah've got ta brief everybody on the situation."

[BcAugust]

Heather smiles almost gratefully, then shrugs, taking off the firearm and handing it to Sam. Careful to make no move that might startle him, she turns around to leave, heading to the galley. She picks up her bag, giving a silent smile to David as she heads up the stairwell. When she gets to the galley, Heather sits with a sigh, leaning her head forward on the table, and drifting off to sleep as soon as it does.

[MatthewC]

Sam takes a few minutes to prepare what he's going to say. Then he hits the shipwide intercom.

"This is Sam Starfall speaking. All remainin' crew an passengers please report to the galley so I ken brief ya' on how things stand."

Sam then goes to the galley and waits for everyone to arrive.

[OOC: Perry, please let me know if all the NPCs show. I assume that Daniel will, unless FBH says otherwise.]

[Perry Holley]

[OOC: Perry, please let me know if all the NPCs show. I assume that Daniel will, unless FBH says otherwise.](Yep, both Teresia and Isa show up.)

[FBHthelizardmage]

David, still wearing his vac suit, reports to the galley.

[I'm afraid I'm still not able to respond much, pretty ill]

[MatthewC]

Sam slams both palms flat on the table to gain everyone's attention.

"Tha' good news first. Leef support 'n power are stable. Tha only system tha has been damaged is our Anderson Drive... which is tha bad news.

"As fer as I ken tell, tha hijackers planted an explosive on the modulator coil, set ta' go off when it stopped recievin' a signal. From tha timin' o' things, I expect it was set ta blow when all of them were dead. They musta been tricked out wit some kinda heart monitors... I dinnae bother figuring it out. It's nae important.

"Witout tha modulator coil, we cannae go into Anderson space, which means we cannae go faster than light. The things 'r expensive and a bitch ta build, so there's nae spare on board. Trying ta rig a replacement... I'd have ta build tha tools ta build tha tools ta build one, and we doon have the proper materials on board fer it anyway. In summary, we're stuck in deep space."

Sam takes a deep breath, then immediately continues. "Things are nae hopeless, though. I ken juice up our transmitter, n' we ken beam a radio signal to Rivendale with our location and have someone come pick us up. We're probably a little over two light years away, so it'll take over two years ta get there at light speed. Tha means we'll have to go into cryogenic sleep ta wait it out. We doon have tha supplies to last two years awake.

"There's also a possibility tha they'll come lookin' for us before they get our signal. Baron Vasilokos and Baroness Faiza 'r pretty high muckety-mucks, so it's possible tha they'll send ships lookin' fer them after they figure they've goon missing. It's still a bit o' a crap shoot on them findin' us, but we're on tha' regular travel route, so there's at least a chance. If they do, we could be rescued in weeks instead a years. Probably best ta go into cryosleep as soon as we ken, though, as we doon want ta' stretch our supplies."

Sam take another deep breath. "Now you'll be wantin' ta discuss this, an I hope one o' you has an idea I missed. Boot before ya do, I want ta' address tha subject of why the Baron Vasilokos innae here. Simply put, Dr. Glockton lost her mind n' killed him earlier, innae misguided attempt ta' stop tha hijackers from capturing him. He's dead. I dinnae think we should put tha' part in tha radio transmission. It might nae encourage a quick rescue."

Sam sits down to await the reactions.

[Perry Holley]

Sam take another deep breath. "Now you'll be wantin' ta discuss this, an I hope one o' you has an idea I missed. Boot before ya do, I want ta' address tha subject of why the Baron Vasilokos innae here. Simply put, Dr. Glockton lost her mind n' killed him earlier, innae misguided attempt ta' stop tha hijackers from capturing him. He's dead. I dinnae think we should put tha' part in tha radio transmission. It might nae encourage a quick rescue."
After a moment of stunned silence, Teresia at first sounds almost like she's choking. Then you realize she's literally having trouble saying anything, due to shock. Finally, the words come out, directed at Heather.

"Why? Why did you... oh God, we trusted you... how could you... I don't understand, it makes no sense. Why did you kill him? I..."

She then flees from the room, gasping for breath.

[BcAugust]

After a moment of stunned silence, Teresia at first sounds almost like she's choking. Then you realize she's literally having trouble saying anything, due to shock. Finally, the words come out, directed at Heather.

"Why? Why did you... oh God, we trusted you... how could you... I don't understand, it makes no sense. Why did you kill him? I..."

She then flees from the room, gasping for breath.

Heather seems dull eyed through Sam's speech, making no response. As Teresia speaks, then leaves, Heather looks after her, then just leans back, shaking her head.

[FBHthelizardmage]

David looks from Sam to Heather to the Android for a moment, then explodes, leaping up from his chair, face red.

"How the hell can you people be so calm?! Don't you have lives?! God! we could be stuck out here for years before rescue comes... if we don't miss the system and end up in cryo forever! I don't want to be stuck out hear years! Why the hell did this have to happen to me!"

David follows Teresia out the door tears running down his cheeks.

[MatthewC]

David looks from Sam to Heather to the Android for a moment, then explodes, leaping up from his chair, face red.

"How the hell can you people be so calm?! Don't you have lives?! God! we could be stuck out here for years before rescue comes... if we don't miss the system and end up in cryo forever! I don't want to be stuck out hear years! Why the hell did this have to happen to me!"

David follows Teresia out the door tears running down his cheeks.

Sam watches him run out the door, then blinks and rubs one eye. He looks at the two remaining people in the room.

"Tha' man does have sommat of a point. Rescue might nae come, or if it does, we lose years in tha' process. I'd be a mite more upset aboot the idea, but I already worked throo it when ah saw tha cracked coil. Not ta mention tha fifth o' brandy I swigged ta calm me nerves, which is makin' it nice n' easy ta ignore unpleasant truths root now."

He shrugs and looks at Isa. "Ah suppose ah should ask, how come nobody told me you were a robot? A bit a the prank on tha new guy, was it? What's the story there, lass?"

[Perry Holley]

He shrugs and looks at Isa. "Ah suppose ah should ask, how come nobody told me you were a robot? A bit a the prank on tha new guy, was it? What's the story there, lass?""The Captain preferred to let everyone assume I was just another crew member. 'Never let them know what you know', as he would say. On more than one occasion, that misconception on the part of others proved advantageous."

"Most others didn't know, Sam. Mr. Konner didn't, for example. Talia did, but then, she was there when I joined up on the crew of the ship. It was a fairly well-guarded secret."

Isa begins to get up. "I'll see to Teresia, make sure she doesn't do something to hurt herself, or anything otherwise foolish... unless you need me to do something else at the moment, Mr. Starfall?"

[MatthewC]

Isa begins to get up. "I'll see to Teresia, make sure she doesn't do something to hurt herself, or anything otherwise foolish... unless you need me to do something else at the moment, Mr. Starfall?"

"Nah, doon't go bothering Teresia. If ah doon't mistake me guess, ah'd say tha' David was heading after her. From his accent 'n the way he was getting cozy wit tha' Baroness, he's probably a wee bit closer ta her type o' people than any o' us. Let 'em lean on each other, while we get ta' work."

Sam considers. "Err, did the Captain or any o' the rest have any wills on file or anything? Any last requests or burial instructions? I doon want ta disrepsect their wishes."

[OOC: FBH informed me in chat that he did intend to have David be going after Teresia, if it wasn't clear from his post.]

[Perry Holley]

Sam considers. "Err, did the Captain or any o' the rest have any wills on file or anything? Any last requests or burial instructions? I doon want ta disrepsect their wishes.""Not as such," Isa replies. "Neither of them really had a home to go to... the Moonshadow was pretty much all either of them had, outside of a few personal possessions."

"I do know that both of them expressed a desre to be 'buried at sea', so to speak, but it would be best to be closer to a star to do that sort of thing properly."

[MatthewC]

"Not as such," Isa replies. "Neither of them really had a home to go to... the Moonshadow was pretty much all either of them had, outside of a few personal possessions."

"I do know that both of them expressed a desre to be 'buried at sea', so to speak, but it would be best to be closer to a star to do that sort of thing properly."

Sam nods. "Makes sense. Ah doon see it being relavant for a while, but did the Captain have any heirs? It seems like it's left ta us ta make sure the ship goes ta whoever will get it. That ship an... an you, ah suppose."

[Perry Holley]

Sam nods. "Makes sense. Ah doon see it being relavant for a while, but did the Captain have any heirs? It seems like it's left ta us ta make sure the ship goes ta whoever will get it. That ship an... an you, ah suppose.""No heirs. At least, none still alive."

"There really is no clear inheritor for the Moonshadow. I suspect it will be auctioned off by one of the local governments."

[BcAugust]

"For no man ever believes he will die." Heather drifts back into the conversation, having been still, her eyes distant, and groggy "Captain, unless you have further need of me...." Heather tries to stand, taking a long while to do so, leaning on the table. "I need to lie down."

[MatthewC]

"For no man ever believes he will die." Heather drifts back into the conversation, having been still, her eyes distant, and groggy "Captain, unless you have further need of me...." Heather tries to stand, taking a long while to do so, leaning on the table. "I need to lie down."


"Go. Go to your cabin." Sam dismisses Heather with a gesture.

He pulls out his datapad and turns to Isa. "Ah doont know how long we're going ta by in cryosleep, but ah'm goon ta plan for tha worst. We're going ta power down every piece o' equipment on this ship, except fer power ta tha' radio transmitter and tha cryo pods. Everything tha could go bad or break down if left sitting for a thousand years, we fix ta last tha duration."

He pauses and looks significantly at Isa. "Yerself included. No matter how well ya were built, I doot your body or yer programming were expected ta go for hundreds of years without human attention. Once I do ah better repair job on ya, I'll fix a way for ya to power doon for long periods, wit' a wake-up signal in case somebody makes contact... or we drift into tha' Rivendale system."

Sam starts punching codes into the datapad. "We'll start with goon down all tha cargo we're carrying fer anything useful or unstable... an tha' includes anything tha' Captain dinnae tell me aboot. After that, we secure tha power circuits...."

[OOC: And so on, and so on... unless whatever David and Teresia do ends up interupting.]

[Perry Holley]

He pauses and looks significantly at Isa. "Yerself included. No matter how well ya were built, I doot your body or yer programming were expected ta go for hundreds of years without human attention. Once I do ah better repair job on ya, I'll fix a way for ya to power doon for long periods, wit' a wake-up signal in case somebody makes contact... or we drift into tha' Rivendale system.""I already have a 'stand-by' mode, which can also be hooked into the ship's computers. I would suggest that the 'wake-up' conditions also include receiving any signal contact, or if anything noteworthy enters ship's scanning range, such as an asteroid, for example."

"My systems are functional for the moment, but a more thorough repair analysis would indeed be advisable before depending upon those systems for long-term survival. If nothing else, slamming into the bulkhead of the cargo bay damaged my chassis."

Sam starts punching codes into the datapad. "We'll start with goon down all tha cargo we're carrying fer anything useful or unstable... an tha' includes anything tha' Captain dinnae tell me aboot. After that, we secure tha power circuits....""The cargo being carried is aluminum - it tends to sell well on lower population worlds like Rivendale. Sam, I stongly suggest you get some sleep. The last few hours have been quite stressful for all of you, and none of you received a full night's rest before everything happened. It would probably be best if you get some more rest before any more important decisions are made. I can keep watch at the bridge."

[MatthewC]

"The cargo being carried is aluminum - it tends to sell well on lower population worlds like Rivendale. Sam, I stongly suggest you get some sleep. The last few hours have been quite stressful for all of you, and none of you received a full night's rest before everything happened. It would probably be best if you get some more rest before any more important decisions are made. I can keep watch at the bridge."

Sam stubbornly persists for a few minutes longer, then surrenders to exhaustion and goes to his cabin to sleep.

[BcAugust]

Heather sits on her bunk, her med bag open at her feet. She's tired, weary, the past three days without sleep and the physical reaction to the fight kicking in. But she can't sleep, seeing the screaming behind her eyes, seeing all the blood. And she's too tired to calculate the right dosage, what amount of sedative would be safe. Safe. what a joke, as she lays on the bed, staring blindly. The ship was supposed to be safe. The planet unsafe. She wasn't supposed to be back in the middle of the war...

[FBHthelizardmage]

Wiping his tears on a sleave of his jacket, David stalks through the ship, looking for Teresia... and something to drink.

[Perry Holley]

Wiping his tears on a sleave of his jacket, David stalks through the ship, looking for Teresia... and something to drink.The main supply of alcohol on the ship is back in the galley that David just left.

Going by Teresia's quarters, where the door is still open, David sees Teresia sobbing on the bed, unaware of his presence. A bottle of wine lays on the corner of the bed.

[FBHthelizardmage]

The main supply of alcohol on the ship is back in the galley that David just left.

Going by Teresia's quarters, where the door is still open, David sees Teresia sobbing on the bed, unaware of his presence. A bottle of wine lays on the corner of the bed.

David certainly isn't going to head back to those people right now, so he'll have to make do with his own liquer when time comes to drink... now though, he needs to be a gentlemen.

Straightening up, David knocks on the door politely, preparing what he's going to say

[Perry Holley]

Straightening up, David knocks on the door politely, preparing what he's going to sayLooking up, Teresia wipes away her tears and says, "Yes, can I help you?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

Looking up, Teresia wipes away her tears and says, "Yes, can I help you?"

"I ... I just wanted to make sure you were alright." David is suddenly tongue-tied, not a state he's used to. He steps in and walks over to sit near her. "I... I didn't know the Baron and Baroness well, but they seemed like wonderful people when I meet them... I'm deeply, deeply sorry for your loss."

[Perry Holley]

"I ... I just wanted to make sure you were alright." David is suddenly tongue-tied, not a state he's used to. He steps in and walks over to sit near her. "I... I didn't know the Baron and Baroness well, but they seemed like wonderful people when I meet them... I'm deeply, deeply sorry for your loss.""Thank you," she says. She seems to be composing herself, somewhat.

"Why? Why did the doctor... I thought she was on our side, not the terrorists'. I don't understand... is she insane? Are we at risk? Will she try to kill us next?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Thank you," she says. She seems to be composing herself, somewhat.

"Why? Why did the doctor... I thought she was on our side, not the terrorists'. I don't understand... is she insane? Are we at risk? Will she try to kill us next?"

"I... I don't think so." David takes a breath, trying to hide his discomfort about this subject. "The doctor was with the military for a long time... I think that can get to a person, but now the crisis is over, I believe she'll do no more harm... plus, Sam took her weapon."

After a moment, David changes the subject away from such uncomfortable matters. "So, once we are rescued, what will you do?"

[Perry Holley]

After a moment, David changes the subject away from such uncomfortable matters. "So, once we are rescued, what will you do?""Well, it will probably be too late for it to matter if... when we are finally rescued, but I will need to pass along what I know of what the Baron and Baroness learned on New Texas. They entrusted me with no small amount of vital information... perhaps they foresaw the dangers they would face on the way back."

"After that, I'm not certain. I'll most likely continue working for the royal family in some capacity, although exactly how is hard to say."

She seems to be doing a bit better now; perhaps talking is helping her. Going over to her travel case, she retreives two wine glasses and places them next to the bottle of wine still on the bed. "Could you do me a favor and pour me a glass? I don't trust myself to do so one-handed, and I very much feel the need not to be sober at the moment."

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Well, it will probably be too late for it to matter if... when we are finally rescued, but I will need to pass along what I know of what the Baron and Baroness learned on New Texas. They entrusted me with no small amount of vital information... perhaps they foresaw the dangers they would face on the way back."

"After that, I'm not certain. I'll most likely continue working for the royal family in some capacity, although exactly how is hard to say."

She seems to be doing a bit better now; perhaps talking is helping her. Going over to her travel case, she retreives two wine glasses and places them next to the bottle of wine still on the bed. "Could you do me a favor and pour me a glass? I don't trust myself to do so one-handed, and I very much feel the need not to be sober at the moment."

"Of course." David pours expertly handing one glass to her and begining to drink from the other, drinking making things feel a better for him to. "What kind of infomation?"

[Perry Holley]

"Of course." David pours expertly handing one glass to her and begining to drink from the other, drinking making things feel a better for him to. "What kind of infomation?""Information regarding the terrorists on New Texas, their plans, and some information regarding possible links to insurgents on other worlds. I don't know how much of it will be useful, but that's for others to compare and coallate the data, finding any connections that may not be readily apparent."

She finishes the glass of wine, and motions for you to refill it. "I suspect I won't be needing as much alcohol as I first anticipated. Now that I'm starting to calm down a bit, fatigue is starting to catch up with me. I hope that you won't think me unkind if I need to retire soon. Was there anything else that you needed to know?"

[FBHthelizardmage]

"Information regarding the terrorists on New Texas, their plans, and some information regarding possible links to insurgents on other worlds. I don't know how much of it will be useful, but that's for others to compare and coallate the data, finding any connections that may not be readily apparent."

She finishes the glass of wine, and motions for you to refill it. "I suspect I won't be needing as much alcohol as I first anticipated. Now that I'm starting to calm down a bit, fatigue is starting to catch up with me. I hope that you won't think me unkind if I need to retire soon. Was there anything else that you needed to know?"

"No. No." David smiles. "I just well, I guess I just needed some company, and I wanted to see if you were alright." David refills her glass, and his own, which he's quickly emptied.

[Perry Holley]

"No. No." David smiles. "I just well, I guess I just needed some company, and I wanted to see if you were alright." David refills her glass, and his own, which he's quickly emptied."I understand. Thank you, David." After finishing the second glass, she retires to her bed to get some sleep.

[OOC - If no one else has anything else they want to play out, we can jump ahead a few hours and get to eveyone making whatever preperations they want to make before going into cryosleep.]

[BcAugust]

OOC: That's fine with me. Heather will likely get an hour or so of sleep.

[MatthewC]

Sam rips the sheets from his bed and throws on a new, clean set. He tosses and turns for a brief while, haunted by images of Jake Konner's dead eyes, Galina Biris's head exploding as she shoots herself, and Ginger... the sick cracking noise as the wrench hit her neck.

He had never killed anyone before. Unless one of those fellows in a so many bar brawls, knocked on the head just like Ginger was.... No. No, he would have noticed, heard something later. Of course he would have.

Soon enough the alcohol does its work, and Sam slips off to sleep.

[OOC: Jumping ahead is fine with me. Sam's first priority when he wakes up the next day will be to fully repair Isa, so that she can assist him in all the other prepatory work that needs doing. Besides, he's kind of curious to take a look at her guts and see what model she is and what she was originally designed for. Not for serving as crew on a freighter, he suspects.]

[Perry Holley]

A few hours later, after everyone has gotten some sleep, Sam sets about to repair/examing Isa. Fiddling with her internals, he notes that she seems to be a standard Xanos 5000 pleasurebot model, although with various non-standard programs added after the fact.

[FBHthelizardmage]

(skipping is fine with me,)

[MatthewC]

A few hours later, after everyone has gotten some sleep, Sam sets about to repair/examing Isa. Fiddling with her internals, he notes that she seems to be a standard Xanos 5000 pleasurebot model, although with various non-standard programs added after the fact.

[OOC: We seem to have had a sudden lull. If there's anything your characters would want to do before going into a cryosleep from which they may never awaken, feel free to do it, people.]

Sam fixes her up as well as he can. Repairs her chassis from when she hit the wall, fixes the holes in her, and does a real repair job on her mobility.

While he does this, he makes various dersive comments about the abilities of her designers and their failures as engineers.

Sam finishes up by installing a radio transmitter/receiver hooked up to her 'brain' so that she can broadcast and receive internally. Not because there is any particular reason to do so or because he even thinks it would prove useful or because they can spare the extra time it takes. Just to prove that he can.

[OOC: I had to have him add something 'extra'. It wouldn't have been IC for him not to.]

As he sweeps aside the pile of 'parts left over', Sam remarks, "There, tha' should be right as rain. I'm still nae sure what some of tha' extra programs stuck in yer head do, but if they've worked so far, I'm nae goin' ta try messing with 'em."

He retrieves his datapad. "Now ta' be aboot securing tha' ship fer a long spacenight's sleep."

[BcAugust]

The doctor stumbles to the galley, pulling down a glass of water, holding a packet of pill. Her eyes bloodshot with the lack of sleep, she pops a couple of mil stims she had. Those things would wake the dead, it's said, and she knows they won't interfere with the cryosleep. Sitting down a moment to let them take effect, then hoping to secure and check the cryobeds and sickbay.

[Perry Holley]

Sam fixes her up as well as he can. Repairs her chassis from when she hit the wall, fixes the holes in her, and does a real repair job on her mobility.

While he does this, he makes various dersive comments about the abilities of her designers and their failures as engineers.

Sam finishes up by installing a radio transmitter/receiver hooked up to her 'brain' so that she can broadcast and receive internally. Not because there is any particular reason to do so or because he even thinks it would prove useful or because they can spare the extra time it takes. Just to prove that he can."Thank you, Sam. Your technical skills are considerable."

As he sweeps aside the pile of 'parts left over', Sam remarks, "There, tha' should be right as rain. I'm still nae sure what some of tha' extra programs stuck in yer head do, but if they've worked so far, I'm nae goin' ta try messing with 'em.""Mostly programs designed to enhance my ability to contribute to the continued well-being of the ship. Medical training, piloting, ship's gunnery, and steward procedures primarily."

He retrieves his datapad. "Now ta' be aboot securing tha' ship fer a long spacenight's sleep.""I will be preparing all the necessary protocols on the bridge, unless you wish otherwise."

[Perry Holley]

Sitting down a moment to let them take effect, then hoping to secure and check the cryobeds and sickbay.Everything seems to be as it should be in both the sickbay and the cryochambers, the latter already partially full with the bodies of those who have died recently.

[MatthewC]

"I will be preparing all the necessary protocols on the bridge, unless you wish otherwise."

Sam beams at the earlier comment regarding his engineering ability. He replies, "You doin' tha bridge work will be fine. I'll give ya a buzz if I need a second pair a' hands for somewhat."

In addition to his other work, Sam makes sure to double-safeguard the power supply to the radio transmitter and the cryo-pods. He also does what he can to boost the radio's transmission power before setting up a continuous loop transmission of their coordinates and situation, and makes sure to have a secondary target of New Texas, just in case Rivendale gets abandoned in the next couple of years or something.

[OOC: Is there any greater level of detail you need from me, Perry, or should we leave it as 'Sam does stuff to prepare' and go to the crypods once Bc and FBH have weighed in? Nah, that's fine - Perry]

[FBHthelizardmage]

David also stumbles down to the galley, pouring water for his anti hang over pills... Suddenly he blinks, noticing the doctor. "uh... hello doc."

[BcAugust]

Heather looks up, still looking slightly like hell, or she's been through hell...

"Oh, good morning, David." She tries to put some energy into her voice, getting him a glass of water. Smiling, a bit of distance in her eyes. "Drinking after a battle, huh? Bad habit to get into, kid." As if she's said it so many times before.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather looks up, still looking slightly like hell, or she's been through hell...

"Oh, good morning, David." She tries to put some energy into her voice, getting him a glass of water. Smiling, a bit of distance in her eyes. "Drinking after a battle, huh? Bad habit to get into, kid." As if she's said it so many times before.

"Drinking all the time Doc." David slams back the pill with most of a glass. "echk. Not much else to do for most of my life." he leans on the counter. "You look worse than I do... that shouldn't be possible considering how much I drunk... are you ok?"

[BcAugust]

Heather traces fingers on the counter, watching the boy and giving him another glass of water. "Drink up, it will help." she pauses for a moment, long enough David wonders if she heard his question "Didn't get much sleep."

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather traces fingers on the counter, watching the boy and giving him another glass of water. "Drink up, it will help." she pauses for a moment, long enough David wonders if she heard his question "Didn't get much sleep."

"No. I realized that." David drinks. "... Terisia is still pretty angry with you... and scared... she doesn't know why you did it... niether do I really." David sighs, wondering if he's just spoiled the mood.

[BcAugust]

Heather's face stills, her eyes looking into a place that David can't follow, her tone soft, and chilling. "You've never seen what the rebels do to our men." She's quiet for a long, long time, looking at something David can't see. "I promised, I'd never let anyone else fall into their hands. Not after Nathenial, not after that..." It's as if she's talking to someone else, asking forgiveness from the air.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather's face stills, her eyes looking into a place that David can't follow, her tone soft, and chilling. "You've never seen what the rebels do to our men." She's quiet for a long, long time, looking at something David can't see. "I promised, I'd never let anyone else fall into their hands. Not after Nathenial, not after that..." It's as if she's talking to someone else, asking forgiveness from the air.

David gulps, wondering whether he should hug her. "... I guess... I guess I should be happy he's with the baroness now." A shadow passes across David's eyes. "I..." he looks up at her, then sighs, "you know... in the holos, if you try something stupid, your suposed to give some speach about how you wanted to be the hero but it just got people killed... I didn't want to be the hero, I just wanted... I just wanted to survive... and hitting her seemed like the best way of doing that."

[BcAugust]

David gulps, wondering whether he should hug her. "... I guess... I guess I should be happy he's with the baroness now." A shadow passes across David's eyes. "I..." he looks up at her, then sighs, "you know... in the holos, if you try something stupid, your suposed to give some speach about how you wanted to be the hero but it just got people killed... I didn't want to be the hero, I just wanted... I just wanted to survive... and hitting her seemed like the best way of doing that."

Heather looks at him. "Yeah, it was stupid. Understandable, but stupid." Her smile is warm and wry "You have to understand, kid, most people don't know how to react. Heck, I've got the training and I still may have done something dumb. But for a spur of the moment move, from an unexperienced kid... you didn't do bad."

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather looks at him. "Yeah, it was stupid. Understandable, but stupid." Her smile is warm and wry "You have to understand, kid, most people don't know how to react. Heck, I've got the training and I still may have done something dumb. But for a spur of the moment move, from an unexperienced kid... you didn't do bad."

"Tell that to the baroness." David hangs his head, then thinks better of it as his hangover slams back into force. "Are you sure your ok?" he asks as he manages to regain his balance. "I've done all nighters before, yours doesn't doesn't look anywhere near a good one."

[BcAugust]

Heather goes and gets him another glass of water. "Keep drinking." She moves back to the counter, then looks at him and sighs. "I haven't been sleeping. Well, the cryo should help me catch up."

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather goes and gets him another glass of water. "Keep drinking." She moves back to the counter, then looks at him and sighs. "I haven't been sleeping. Well, the cryo should help me catch up."

"Right." David keeps drinking. "... I hope it get's me over this hang over."

[Perry Holley]

Isa approaches David and Heather, and says, "I've made all the necessary preparations necessary for your entering cryosleep. Is there anything you need done before we begin?"

[i.e. anything else before we put everybody on ice, and start the next chapter?]

[BcAugust]

Heather shakes her head "Would you mind doing the checklist? I have 150 milligrams of Peterin in my system, you'll need to program the initial injection a bit higher. There should be a chart. Other then that, I'm ready."

(Let's go)

[MatthewC]

Sam shows up at the cryobay after everyone else. He looks a bit rumpled, as if he was working right up until he reminded himself to stop. He probably was. For once, he's left his toolbelt behind, though he does carry two objects with him.

One is a datapad, which he clutches closely to him, as if it were something precious. He carefully stores it within a locker near the pod where he will sleep.

The other is small device while seems to do nothing but emit a flashing red light, at a very regular interval of one every second or so. He takes it in one hand, goes to a wall, and stretches his arm up is high as he can. Adding a little jump, he slams the device against the wall as high as he can, where it sticks.

You notice he's positioned the device so the flashing light will be visible from the cryopods when they open.

Turning to the others, Sam finally deigns to speak to them. "Ah... Ah'm sorry we're all stuck in this loosy situation. Good people died an'- an we didnae. We're nae friends, but I wish ya all tha' best. May yer spiritual figure a' choice be with ya. Now let's get this business done wit'."

Sam goes to his cryopod and patiently awaits his injection.

[FBHthelizardmage]

Heather shakes her head "Would you mind doing the checklist? I have 150 milligrams of Peterin in my system, you'll need to program the initial injection a bit higher. There should be a chart. Other then that, I'm ready."

(Let's go)

"I've got a splitting headache... not sure if Cryo reacts badly to hang overs, but otherwise. I'm good."

[ready]