'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, altho