Travellers - Personal Logs - Calendar - Comms Board - Stepping Stone I Dates - Mikhel's Discovery Table
Personal Log - Mikhel Dromah
Stepping Stone I dates - Dates of important happenings in the lives of the Travellers prior to the start of the campaign.
1090-176 - 1095-306 - 1098-215 - 1104-240 - 1104-261 - 1104-266 - 1104-276 - 1104-294 - 1104-340
Personal log
On a 100T Mining Drone Controller boat, deep in the Belt-9 asteroid field, nowhere near any boat, ship or station, a baby boy pops into the universe...
The gravity plates were on for the birth, to help delivery, but were soon turned off to save power, and therefore fuel.
Date: 1078-???
While growing up on a Belter mining boat with his parents, Mikhel learns to operate and repair mining drones. Contact with other humans, of any type, is rare, other than voices/faces on the communications system. With most of the time spent in Zero-G, he isn't strong, but he has his mother's intelligence and his father's lightning reflexes.
Date: 1082-???
An incident at Quar (Spinward Marches 0808) triggers the Fourth Frontier War. Word of this event arrives in the Trojan Reach 20 weeks later, by X-Boat - JTAS News (J6 Naval Courier speed is 10 weeks).
Date: 1082-???
154th Battle Rider Squadron involved in delaying actions against Zhodani forces in Jewell subsector, Spinward Marches.
Date: 1082-???
During the Fourth Frontier War, the Imperial Navy becomes aware of the level of activity of the Zhodani Consulate in Trojan Reach sector.
Date: 1083-???
Ine Givar agents attempt to recruit the Tanoose Freedom League on Garda-Vilis (Spinward Marches 1119)
Date: 1083-???
Not knowing to what the extent the conflict now raging across the Spinward edge of the Third Imperium will decrease staffing, Sector military branches increase recruiting to fill out ranks, replace current losses and anticipate casualties.
Date: 1084-???
[Imperial Naval Intelligence - Not common knowledge] A Zhodani task force overwhelms the Imperial light cruiser Alchemda, a Imperial Marine garrison and its major munitions stores, killing all life on Ganulph (Trojan Reach 1307) rendering it barren.
Date: 1084-???
154th Battle Rider Squadron is involved in the long-range strike at Chronor (Spinward Marches 0304)
154th Battle Rider Squadron takes part in the Battle of Two Suns, fought in deep space between Yres (Spinward Marches 1802) and Menorb (Spinward Marches 1803) ends the Fourth Frontier War with heavy losses on both Imperial and Zhodani sides.
Date: 1084-079
Personal log
Over several months prior to his 18th birthday, Mikhel researches ways to get out of Belt-9 and see some of the universe besides cold rocks. He applies for, and is accepted, provisionally, by the Imperial Marines. He just has to get to a military base of some sort, after he is of age.
Parting from the only people he really knew, and going out into the universe where there were many, many more people was very daunting. But Mikhel was adamant he wasn't spending his life as a Belter. Mikhel Dromah travels to Corben/Gazulin (Trojan Reach 2704) to commence his journey to the Marine Academy at Pax Rulin. This begins his career in service to the Imperium.
Date: 1084-205
Marine Dromah stands before the Captain's Mast, for not meeting the dress standards of the Academy. Things don't go well...
For the Commandant!
Date: 1084-??? (Latter part of the year)
The Fourth Frontier War concludes with a negotiated armistice between the Imperium and the Zhodani Consulate after the Battle of Two Suns.
Date: 1088-100
Marine Private Mikhel Dromah graduates from the Marine Academy with very high marks. However, there were issues that prevented a commission. Mikhel didn't deal well with others, initially. He took to liquid courage as a coping mechanism, and this didn't do his prospects for commission any good. His background as a Belter, growing up using clothes as a means of protection from drafts and cold, didn't endow him with a lot of social skills or diplomacy. As such, it was deemed he would best serve in the ranks.
Marine Dromah is Taken on Strength in the 6854th Imperial Marine Regiment, in the Gazulin Subsector. He starts seeing more of the universe on 202nd Fleet ships.
Date: 1090-176
Mikhel meets some Marine Academy Cadets on a pub crawl. Love at first sight on James Crockett's BFF, Amanda Parsons.
Date: 1091-077
On a Diplomatic Mission between nobles on Mora/Mora, Spinward Marches - Sir Lt Sultana, Corpsman Dromah and NPC Contact - Vice Admiral Sir Adkhar Urimshik, Count of Intelia (as a young Lieutenant)
Date: 1095-???
A rebellion on Zephyr/Trin's Veil (Spinward Marches 3138) led by the Farm Workers' Revolutionary Party leads to Imperial intervention.
Date: 1095-306
On Zephyr/Trin's Veil, Mikhel is involved in a brutal ground assault, gaining Gun Combat and Medic skills. He did use some of his medic skill on himself at times, as there were a few very, very bad fights, in which Mikhel was rescuing fellow marines in hails of gunfire. And, finally, a promotion!
Note: Sometime during this mess, a pilot, Lt Kiiliani, of an evacuation boat was injured, and Mikhel had to pilot the boat back to orbit. The pilot was supervising, but couldn't sit in the seat and actually operate the craft. Damage to the Hospital Ship docking mounts and near loss of both vessels prevented a medal being awarded.
Supplemental
During this campaign, Mikhel's ethical foundation is seriously rattled. The 'rebellion' was not so much against an armed and organized force, but against unequipped and untrained civilians. Mikhel definitely felt he was on the wrong side, and had serious internal conflicts with his ethics. To save Marine lives, a lot of civilians were killed, and a few by Mikhel's hand.
Date: 1095-???
Imperial Admiralty begins shifting naval assets to support the new "elastic defense" strategy.
Date: 1096-???
Combat Medic (Apprentice) Dromah is transferred to the 6982nd Imperial Marine Regiment under the 204th Fleet in the Tobia Subsector.
Date: 1098-215
On Simok/Tobia, the Marines are sent down on a covert mission to take out some mercenaries preparing a pre-emptive strike on the downport. Stealth being the primary rule of engagement, and trying to leave no evidence of Imperial participation, low-tech weapons were employed. Mikhel defended a few casualties using his scalpel to end, not save lives. It got him a promotion he didn't want. There should have been a medal, but it was a covert mission, and not acknowledged by the Imperium. Medals were, therefore, not awarded.
Supplemental
Mikhel saved almost all the team, but a conflict between beliefs arose that, again, damaged Mikhel's ethical world. Mikhel's goal of saving intelligent lives ran face-first, and painfully, into a sophont's desire not to live.
Date: 1101-003
The first shots fired since the Fourth Frontier War occur at an undisclosed location during an encounter between a "Kinunir"-class cruiser and a pair of Zhodani "Shivva"-class frigates
Date: 1102-???
Imperial Research Station Alpha on Duale (Spinward Marches 2728) damaged; military security remains high in the system.
Date: 1102-036
Kydde, Pax Rulin Trojan Reach 1810
Link-> Map
Your commanding officer takes an interest in your career. Gain Tactics 1
Corpsman Dromah Saves Bravo Company's Reputation!
Note: This brings Dromah's performance vs promotions to the Regimental Commander's attention.
Date: 1103-???
Small rebellion on Garda-Vilis (Spinward Marches 1119) put down by Vilis (Spinward Marches 1119) military council.
During this rebellion, some marine units were involved. Not overtly, but there was some nasty fighting, and combat medics of high skill were needed. Mikhel humped a lot of medical supplies deep into the fighting, and carried none to few casualties out. His presence on the field saved a lot of lives, including keeping the Unit Commander patched up enough to let him lead his troops to victory. As a very experienced combat medic, Mikhel thrived in this conflict. Again, Mikhel's desire to save Marine lives was instrumental in keeping the unit combat effective.
Date: 1103-???
Imperial Ambassador to Chronor (Spinward Marches 0304) assassinated; "Pantheress" (a "Tigress" class dreadnought) dispatched to receive the body.
Date: 1104-???
Navy PR officers dismiss rumors of Zhodani fleet movements, citing reports from forward observation vessels.
Date: 1104-240
Nekrino, Tobia Trojan Reach 2515
Link-> Map
Corpsman Dromah spends two years in the Training Cadre of the Imperial Marine Training Base on Nekrino (Trojan Reach 2515). Many weeks in the field training Officers in leadership, tactics, field craft and weapon skills. Lots of injuries, just from moving about in rough terrain, and bad training mishaps.
The Commandant of the School puts Mikhel in some very triggering situations. This was the Commandant's way of torturing a 'rebel'. It was more than effective.
Date: 1104-261
Personal log
Mikhel Dromah retires from the Imperial Marines. His utter contempt for the trapings of rank and position in the military didn't do him any favors. He wanted to do a good job, and promotions usually meant more paperwork and more boot polishing. He was also getting into more dangerous fire fights, and watching very good fellow Marines die and get permanently messed up for, what he considered, little reason. Drinking his nightmares into oblivion after particularly bad fights was something Mikhel was not going to miss.
Wanting to see more of the universe, but not from a hole blown in the dirt, Mikhel decided to leave the Marines. His supervising officer was not happy to see him leave, despite the lack of respect and refinement expected of an NCO. Mikhel was acknowledged as one of the best Medics in the Marines, and would be missed.
Colonel Kaias Giirkaa, Commanding Officer, 6982nd Imperial Marine Regiment, attached to the 204th Subsector Fleet of Tobia, did the Final Release Interview with Mikhel, and knew him from the fiasco on Kydde. Sorry to see Mikhel go, but understands (both the current PTSD situation, and the ongoing career issues).
Muster-out Benefits:
- Cr15,000
- Weapon: Stunner TL 12, 100rnd Mag 10m Stun, Zero-G
Purchases:
Standard Med Bag. Always carried:
| Equipment | Cost | Qty | Total Cr |
| Field Medical Kit | Cr500 | 1 | Cr500 |
| Medikit | Cr5000 | 1 | Cr5000 |
| Portable MediScanner | Cr2000 | 1 | Cr2000 |
| Trauma Pack | Cr750 | X3 | Cr2250 |
| Assorted Drugs/Chem | Cr? | Var | Lots |
| Total | Cr10,000 | ||
Drugs initially on hand were acquired from the Marines/Navy, but mostly Fast Drug (3 Doses), basic normal pain and antibiotics, with a few doses of Stim (5 doses).
Running Balance:
Cr5,000
Date: 1104-262
Personal log
Mikhel Dromah sees the ad for the Marduk opportunity.
Supplemental
Shopping for gear to enhance employment opportunities and to ensure I can use my skills in any emergency I might encounter. This includes all the medical kit and drugs I can legally carry. I also pick up some alternate Stunners in various concealable configurations.
Date: 1104-266
Personal log
A few days after the 'final release interview', a letter from the local TAS office showed up, with the acceptance to the Society. Mikhel was pretty stunned. He really doesn't know how, but he suspects...
This includes the first High Passage Ticket, as a benefit from the Society (Cr10,000).
Date: 1104-268
Personal log
Lucked into hitching a ride from Imisaa to Exocet on a J6 Fleet Courier (Actually arranged by Marine Col Giirkaa).
Mikhel meets Vice Admiral (O8b) Sir Adkhar Urimshik (Contacts), Lead Naval Attache to Tlaiowaha Aslan Clan Diplomatic Mission in the Tlaiowaha subsector and his partner in negotiations, Rear Admiral(O8c) Countess Nashu Darrashnu. They are very high up in the Naval stratosphere, and in the Noble class, but both are highly competent individuals. Mikhel restrains himself with Vice Admiral Urmshik, but has no problems with Nashu. Both assist with teaching Mikhel Blade skills while on the way to Exocet.
Date: 1104-276
I place a 'Help Wanted' advertisement in the local employment bureau listings, with the idea of getting closer to Marduk, or even all the way to Marduk by 1104-335.
My list of skills is not exclusive to 'Doc'. I can be a back-up small craft pilot (unusual, but true), have a certificate for A/R operation, am familiar with remote drone operation (if a ship has on-board probe or repair drones), and can do some ship security, if desperate.
Looking for temp work to cover bills while I wait for a ride, I use my Doctors Without Borders credentials to assist with a local clinic. It covers the lodgings and food.
DWB Job: Cr100/day, in addition to Lodging
Running Balance:
Cr5,000
Date: 1104-278
I finally find a discrete, but trustworthy supplier of small arms.
He has decent ship weapons, and will provide some non-lethal ammunition.
- Snub Pistol (@ Cr 250, Automatic style, 15 round mags), 4 Extra Mags and 500 rounds each of Tranq and ball ammunition (Cr1,400, a deal, with ammo can). Two mags were painted white, two were painted red.
- Stun Flashlights x4 (@ Cr20), includes charger cables for recharging, and adapters for ship/shore plugs. Spares for loss or damage.
- Pain Pens x4 (@ Cr25), includes charger cables for recharging, and adapters for ship/shore plugs. Spares for loss or damage.
Holster and cleaning/repair kit, all in for Cr2000.
Running Balance:
Cr3,000
Date: 1104-294
Exocet News - Classified Ads
Either Mikhel or Athena sees the 'Help Wanted' or 'Worker Available' ad in the local employment bureau listings, or both, and meet. I'm heading to the same place, for the same reason. It just needs matching up whether we can work for each other, and it turns out the terms are acceptable to me, and the qualifications were satisfactory to Athena.
I hired on to ride from Exocet to Marduk on the "Pioneer" as the Ship's Doctor.
Duct Spiders? I do not like the looks of these things, but they are very unusual. Everyone else kills them on sight. Then, they go looking for the stash/horde they usually have collected and hidden in some inconvenient spot. There is more to these things than acting like jackdaws. They get into places most things can't. And they seem to survive through vacuum purges, too. Smarter than rats.
DWB Job: Cr100/day, in addition to Lodging, gained Cr1900
Spent a few Cr on fun...
Running Balance:
Cr4,000
Date: 1104-295
Exocet System - aboard the Pioneer
There is a Med Bay on the ship wanting a 'Doc'! Cartwheels down the ship's corridor! Wow. I've been on 1000 tonners that didn't have a Med Bay. Score!
Date: 1104-310
Jump between Blue and Torpol
I take every chance to inventory and calibrate the Sick Bay equipment over the week between Exocel and Blue. Then, I start offering the crew the opportunity to have a baseline medical, of which almost everyone takes advantage. Notable exception is Jerdehl, who dodges me. Well, I hope I don't find out why when it is too late.
Date: 1104-319
Torpol
Wandering through a resort area, looking for a good place to pound down intoxicants, there was a row. And I met the most astounding person. I have got to get to know this guy! He is the smallest Vargr I've ever seen, and has an ego that arrives before he does. However, he has some awesome moves, and handles himself very well. This guy is unlike any I have ever met, and I'm going to spend time to learn who he is. So looking forward to this. The ladies in the crowd around the fight also looked like they wanted to get to know the guy, but I think they just couldn't get past the size thing.
Rannogh, or as I'm gonna call him, 'Red Lightning,' will be a very unusual acquaintance.
Spent a few Cr on fun...
Running Balance:
Cr3,500
Date: 1104-326
Torpol
TAS Dividend: High Passage Ticket (Cr10,000).
Running Balance:
Cr13,000
Date:1104-340
Personal log
Jerdehl Nishka was in the galley, cooking up something that made me follow my nose down the corridor from the Med Bay. The food to that point had been dismal. "Some people eat to live. Others live to eat." I'm somewhere in between, but won't pass up good food if it was on offer.
Date:1104-341
Personal log
On arrival at Marduk, once everything was stowed and ship-shape, I was onto the Station to liaise with the local Med Staff. If things go bad, I want to know what resources are available and whether I have help or hindrance when I have to call. Also, it never hurts to let local staff know they have someone to reach out to, for similar reasons. And, I am scrounging for anything I can get. Favours help both ways. Actually, this is just recce in disguise as a social call.
Just what we need. A cat with a pituitary gland syndrome hissing and spitting on video channels, after seeing a public display in the food court. Aslan singer Uiraus Elrotre is getting popular? The galanglic songs aren't bad, though. Objectively, the Aslan accent and songs are exotic, and have a subtle charm.
As the video ended, an ad for a supposed 'popular' anthropologist Maris Enar appeared. "Another Furtherance documentary focused on the mysterious Gods of Marduk" Religion. Right. Time I don't need to waste.
Supplemental 1104-341-15:00
WTF!? Head for the ship and find out who is on board. The Captain and Pilot went to a meeting, so they may not be back yet. Check the Access Log on entering the ship, and find that the Captain and Pilot have not returned, nor has the Steward. Who is this? James Crockett reported in? No. Not the same dude. Could it be? One way to find out...
James Crockett just showed up?
Date:1104-341
Personal log
Marduk Station went nuts, today. Belligerents attacked the station, causing mayhem and injuries. A panicked young lady beseeched the Pioneer to shelter her, which I reluctantly allowed. Crockett was a great assistance in protecting the ship. As a DWB medic, I assisted Marduk Station, only to discover that the belligerents had abducted people, including station medical staff. So, our guest's fears of being abducted were not unfounded.
Running Balance:
Cr13,000
Date:1104-342
Payment from GeDeCo: Cr5000
Running Balance:
Cr18,000
Date:1104-344
Personal log
What the ... I thought the night sweats and shakes were gone. Now I have flashbacks? That was more than scary. So, let's walk through that event. The face was similar, but that can't be the only thing.
What else? Think it through. Stress. What else may have triggered this? The social occasion? Not being comfortable with the situation, and being too much like things I have been trying to avoid?
Didn't I want to do this? Did I want this too badly?
Maybe the drinks? I have been used to drowning out bad events with alcohol. Maybe the two together? I barely had a buzz on.
I didn't have my MediKit. Would that have helped? I was soo cool and collected at Marduk. Nothing phased me there. I was good. There wasn't any threat at the dinner, and all the people were 'safe'. Do I need a 'security blanket'?
Bad words. I need help with this...
Was the face similar to someone deeper in Mikhel's past?
Date:1104-350
Personal log
Holiday Cards (messages) sent. Now looking at where I am, and the speed of messaging, I'm going to have to consider sending messages earlier and earlier. And I need a mail drop box for return messages.
If there is a 'Return Mail Box', I could use that for Duct Spider research submissions, too.
Things done before now, but recording for future systems.
Things to Do on System Entry:
- Check 'Wanted Postings' and Law Alerts;
- Check current legal/illegal perscription drugs (updates to App subscription, but manual check for anomalies);
- Check for DWB Alerts/Notices;
- Check for notices of sales of collectables for specific items;
- Check for Persons of Interest (Contacts/Friends/Enemies);
- Check for Ships of Interest (Flag Tours by Big Navies, big ships, hospital/medical ships); and
- Check for unique/unusual clothing (Nika?).
- On station: check with medical staff (current status and hunches on trends not officially posted), check with Security/Customs (duct spider info, for now)
Things to Do before System Exit: (Based on flight plan and next system we are heading to)
- Check 'Wanted Postings' and Law Alerts;
- Check current legal/illegal perscription drugs (Get substitution drugs, if available. Mitigation plans for perscriptions not substituteable);
- Check for DWB Alerts/Notices;
- Check Health/Safety requirements (and rumors of good/bad staff at new station);
- Check for environmental/gravimetric issues for crew/passengers;
Meal with Rannogh: Cr100 Advocate Retainer for Nicola: Cr5000
Running Balance:
Cr12,900
Date:1104-351
Personal log
This day is a mess. How much will I be spending on clothes? More than I've spent in a decade on my wardrobe, on one suit? I shudder.
Crockett is jumping ship, and I can't blame him. Where are we heading? I'll hang in until Drinax, and see from there.
And what is passing for popular music now-a-days? Who is this 'Uiraus Elrotre' cat?
Date:1104-353
Personal log
Picked up my suit and accoutriments today from Clib. Stars! More money on one ensemble than I've spent in five years on clothes. What a change in circumstance, trying to be 'respectable'. The look is pretty good, though. And the doctor's bag does give a more professional presence. But, this is just judging a book by its cover, isn't it?
Suit from Clib: Cr500
Doctor's Bag: Cr700 (thermal protected, environment sealed)
Dress Boots and custom trim: Cr200
Running Balance:
Cr11,500
Date: 1105-001
Drinax
Marine Pension: Cr10,000/yr
Date: 1105-030
TBD (Drinax?)
TAS Dividend: High Passage Ticket (Cr10,000).
