Main / 1105-018-Harrier

Calendar

1105-017? -- 1105-018 -- 1105-019?

Timing of events
6:00 - Start of Day
11:15 - Arrive in system from Jump
14:00 - Meeting to discuss the Mission

11:15 - Emerge in Marduk system

Silas does a quick visual scan only to verify the Harrier has emerged hidden in the shadow of the gas giant. 

 After arriving in system Harison preforms a sensor sweep. Then set up a continuous sweep looking for ships jump into the vicinity alerting anyone on duty.

 "we need to set up a round the clock watch to make sure we spot the ship when it jumps in."

taking time +2
skill +4
difficulty 8
Roll (1-4) 5
11 average success

14:00 - Meeting to discuss the Mission

Large text dump from Discord to sort and apply formatting to

[Khurn] Khurn shifted in his seat, posture lazy but ears angled forward with interest. “A full brief would be helpful. Easier to ask smart questions before we are in the Rakka

[Sultana] Captain Sultana looked around at his crew. "I apologize for the silence up until now. We decided it would be better to be in-system before going over the plan with you. There's no one here to eavesdrop, and if anyone decides they want out, we're safe from any jump mishaps. We don't really expect any problems of that nature, but we're dealing with a lot of unknowns and uncertainties."

Khurn leaned back, arms crossed. and gave a low grunt. “Not like anyone’s backing out. Closest exit’s the airlock.”

[Rakke] The other vargr, Rakke, sits at the table, a hunting rifle dismantled before him. He lovingly cleans the various parts of the weapon.

TMO (Sir Lt Sultana) — Yesterday at 11:50 AM Technically, I suppose w could lock someone in their room

BOB from the Future/Library — Yesterday at 12:30 PM Use them as a crew swap

Note: because all the players know the plan, it wasn't actually explained in Discord, so I'll insert it here IC.

He waved a hand and gestured at the ship around them. "This ship has been 'commissioned' to help restore the region to its former glory. Our Primary expects us to use piracy as our main method, and has authorized its use. Personally, while we'll no doubt use that tactic, I expect us to be a lot more creative and inventive than that."

He leaned forward toward them. "And also, I think we should be aiming higher than just restoring former glory, but attempting to build a power block of planets capable of standing between the Aslan and the Imperium. To do that will take a lot more than mere piracy." He leaned back in his chair. "That's my own, personal, goal with this. It sounds like an interesting challenge. All of you are welcome to partake in it or not, as you like. You can focus on the more immediate tasks at hand, or contribute how you see fit where you want to a larger idea."

Captain Sultana continued on, "Our Primary has obtained the temporary services of the notorious, and retired, pirate Margaret Blaine to give us advice and guidance in getting started. In return, we are in Marduk to recover some personal property hidden in one of her former ships for her. This will also be a good trial run for us, to see how we handle the basics of the job. If anyone decides this isn't to their liking, we can put you off on the ship when we have what we're after."

Rakke looks up from his cleaning. "It's her property?" Receiving a nod from Sultana he returns to the rifle, "I'm good with that."

“Leave them on the target ship?” Khurn shook his head

from the Future/Library — Yesterday at 12:35 PM Right like a prisoner exchange Not that I expect that this time but to file away for future use

"I highly doubt we'll need to resort to that here. I don't think we'll be crossing anyone's moral horizons here. We're here to retrieve some goods and perhaps do a little piracy, if it seems worthwhile. The target is estimated to arrive within the week, but we all know how variable inter-system travel can be. So we'll refuel and lurk out of sight until the target arrives."

TMO (Sir Lt Sultana) — Yesterday at 11:02 PM I like the stuff Khurn is doing on the ship. Have absolutely no idea what kinds of things Sultana could be doing that would be the least bit interesting to read about though.

Iskavrin looking over the astrogation data for Marduk. A system he has seldom visited. He racks his brain, trying to remember the times he's been in the system. This is the 3rd time? There just sadness in this trio of stars.

[Iskavrin] (Iskavrin) "So, the plan is to just wait in a gas giant for a week?"

Khurn rolled his shoulders. Used his hands to represent the different atmosphere layers

“We don’t sit in it. Upper layers only. Adds to scan difficulty, helps with thermal masking. Harrier’s stealth systems are good, layered gas makes them better.” He added, “So long as we keep our distance, no one’s picking us up unless they’re looking real close.”

Khurn tapped the armrest idly.

“Main risk is letting them get a signal out. You don’t jam comms fast, you shorten your looting window—or worse.”

He added dryly, “If it were me, I’d go in under stealth, clamp down fast, and stay attached until it’s ours.”

“While detection is unlikely, if we are not keeping the ship, which I think we should do. It can take quite a while to strip a ship down.” Khurn replied

While we don't have a forced linkage, with a good enough pilot we can force a dock." Khurn replied.

Rakke speaks without looking up, "Could space walk and jimmy an airlock, cargo hold maybe. Get lost in the diversion."

[Silas] Silas winked at Khurn with a grin, "Don't I know it. Coupled with this ship, I'm not 'good enough', I'm Exceptional."

"Just curious why not take the ship? You just need a pilot and engineer to fly it and your Drinax can strip it down, or break it to fix their fleet. Being such down on their luck traders who will miss the ship?

It was not difficult to guess who the Patron was. Khurn paused briefly to see if anyone reacted.

"Maybe Blaine has some say-so on keeping the ship. Seems like we're working for her at the moment." He picks up the barrel and looks through it holding it up to the light to get a better view.

Khurn’s ears perk up. “Coming in direct also probably is not a terrible choice” Khurn added “At the very least keeping the ship gives Drinax a ship to transport food and supplies from Asim to Drinax.”

“For the crew, no need to space anyone. Put ’em in cold storage, drop ’em off later. Or if we’re short on hands, keep their them, let them earn air. Of course you don't want them putting the Harrier and Drinax together.

"I like your thinking Khurn... but, agree that we shouldn't be unreasonably bloodthirsty." Silas pondered for minute before continuing, "Assuming we can force them to surrender, or overpower them during boarding, Sultana's bladework will help with that, along with Billy and Ryn..? They might be convinced to join our cause. Or coerced to join our cause." He sipped his delicious mixed drink courtesy of their new steward, "Or we keep them in low berths until they change their mind."

Rakke starts twisting the barrel into the breech stock. "Jumped from retrieval to outright piracy pretty quick."

“This is all opinion. It is not my place to decide. Once Sultana and Silas make the decisions, I will shut up and follow orders. Until then I will advocate for what I thinks is best. If we are short on crew, in the future we can manage engineering with a portable computer and some Expert Software. Easy enough. From where I am standing this job can be mega credits by keeping the ship. Give me one guy to ride herd over the Engineer and I will fly that thing back home." Khurns ears flicked in humor. “Although… maybe I’m counting chickens before they’re crated.”

“Why don’t we ask our handler's opinion?” Khurn asked seriously pointing out the compartment door towards where lady Blaine waited.

TMO (Sir Lt Sultana) — 11:26 AM - it's a lot faster to have conversations like this here. But, there's nothing to say we can't then turn the conversation into an IC one on the site. We can copy the whole conversation onto the site and each person go through and edit their points into IC.

BOB from the Future/Library — 11:27 AM Please do

TMO (Sir Lt Sultana) — 11:27 AM if the plan is to explain to the new crew our roles and goals once we get to Marduk, we'll need that page started up for us.

BOB from the Future/Library — 11:29 AM I can start that page this evening

(Iskavrin)"I dont know who we're hiding from. And we can just dock with the ship, directly. Though that would be impossible to really surprise the victim ship... Well, let me amend that. we're hiding from our victim but they arent here yet and dont know were here and don't know we're here for them."

The hunter opens and closes the breech several times to check the action. "Maybe EVA multiple airlocks at the same time before they even see our ship."

TMO (Sir Lt Sultana) — 1:35 PM The incoming target, so we can take them completely by surprise! No one expects the Drinax Sindalarian!

(Iskavrin)"Right now, if I am understanding correctly, we're hiding from everyone, and I dont know why."

"A ship lurking at a 100 Diameter limit without a Transponder on is suspicious and screams pirate. If we don't want a BOLO (Be on the lookout) issued on the ship, we want to remain hidden as long as possible."

(Iskavrin)"Who is gonna issue the bolo and a bolo of what? Marduk is tl5, and a population of 50k. So they dont have any navigtion satlites or the like. Passing merchant ships can probably determine there is a ship without a transponder, but determining there is a ship, and identifying the ship aren't the same thing."

(Iskavrin)"And we're up to no good. I just dont see who would care, and what they can do about it. If a nosy ship wanted to get closer to us, we can just keep distance. Only a militray ship can match the harrier speed. So as far as I can see, someone may pass long a statement that two weeks ago, there was a pirate in marduk. Thats about it."

"I can't say your points aren't valid. Most traffic sticks to the Gas Giant station in Oghama—but traffic does still come through Marduk. And they talk. Just because they can’t pinpoint us doesn’t mean they can’t ping a contact and raise an eyebrow. There are mercs, pirate hunters, pirates, Navy pickets, Oghaman raiders… any of them might stop to sniff around. Our edge is stealth—no reason not to use it. We stay quiet until it’s time to speak, and honestly? That reinforces why we should keep the ship. We’ll probably have time to loot it, and it’s not like we’re jacking a Tukara Liner. Nobody’s going to cry over one more missing tramp freighter"

“I’ll do what Sultana orders. That’s the chain, and I follow it.” He paused, jaw tightening. “This talk of scraping by with the bare minimum? Of just doing what we were told and nothing more?” His ears flattened. “That’s how you survive, sure. But it’s not how you build a name. Not how you earn fear, or respect, or credit.” He turned, gaze sharp now.“You only get one shot to make a a first impression out here. And if we show up acting like second-rate raiders afraid to reach for the prize, then that’s all anyone will ever expect us to be.”

[Harison] "Well Mr. Svikulg I don’t believe that’s true and I really hope it’s not for your sake. Cause your first impression was laughable getting your ship into port only to beg for scraps like a dog at the side of a table, to cover costs you could not pay. That was a great way to get credits, respect and cause fear."

Khurn lip started to curls and he did not answer. He was not going to make excuses to Harison, and deep down he knew he had let his crew die.

Rakke stops cleaning the rifle to look up at Harison, studying the man. The rebuke was unnecessary.

"As for building a name for yourself as a pirate that’s a quick way to get caught. The reason you know of most great pirates is because they were caught. The majority of great pirates were never known cause they kept under the radar and were never caught. You know Sultana and Mr. Lane, so you know there records and what they have done making a name for themselves in there respected fields. Mr. Burke was a Gunnery Sergeant in the marines and an expert marksman and has made a name for himself in the marines. If you want, you can look me up and see what kind of a name I have made for myself. So building a name is not important to us. In fact, it’s the opposite of what we want. We want no one to know of our actions."

In regard to making a name, I am talking about with the people who matter. I agree, there are very few times when a Corsair wants publicity.

(Iskavrin)"There is a sneaker net of sorts, def. That's part of what Traveller Aid Society is for too. Without a transponder, they have to get within eyeball range to identify us. And they can only do that, with extreme incompetence from our end."

Khurn exhaled through his nose, the sound half sigh, half resignation. “Look… my main point is simple. Unlikely ain’t the same as impossible. If we’ve got tools to cut that risk down to nothing, we should damn well use them.” He scratched at his muzzle, eyes distant for a beat. “Yeah, odds are slim. Two Oghaman Raiders just happen to drift by, get curious, and decide to check out the one shadow that isn’t moving? It’s a stretch.” He gave a low grunt. “Truth is… maybe it’s a moot point. We sit quiet, transponder off, not broadcasting heat or noise, we’re practically a ghost. Nobody’s looking for us, and even if they were, they’d need to trip over us to see we’re here.”

A shrug followed, ears relaxed now. “Still… ghosts get seen sometimes. Just depends on who's watching—and how much they care.”

Rakke returns to reassembling his rifle.

"Two Oghman Raiders drift by, and they'll become the raided." Silas was fierce about this. He had a score to settle. "Oghmans deserve no quarter. For they give none to the local folk. Scum of the sector."

Sultana sits and listens to the points being made, paying close attention to whoever is speaking. These are the experts in their fields, and every point is worth consideration.

Leaning forward, Sultana rests his elbows on the table. "This was perfect, thank you. Exactly what I was hoping for from everyone. What we'll do is engage stealth while we wait. Yes, odds are we won't need it, but we can drop it any time we want, while we can't always choose to engage it afterwards if something dangerous does happen to drop in. Plus it'll be good practice for us in learning how the ship feels. We'll engage the target fully as if we were going to take the ship. Again, good practice during a low risk mission. We'll make the call on actually taking it or not after we've gotten what we're there for."

"Also, in order to protect our Normal-Life Reputations, several of us are adopting aliases while we're engaged in 'Questionable Activities'." He grins at them. "I am Captain Slaton. Dawn is Mr. Tusk, and Lane is Goldvane. If you wish to adopt an alias as well, let us know so we have time to practice so we don't slip in public. They don't need to be airtight, just another buffer to make it a bit harder to track us down should someone get curious."

"Patch."

He looks around at them. "Any questions?"

"Well if that’s not more indecisiveness, we are here talking about what to do and your answer is to not make a decision. So your plan is to make a plan in the middle of the mission? I now firmly believe we are not ready to be hijacking ships. If we are taking the ship we need to know how we are splitting up the crew. Who goes on what ship? Where we are going to jump to? We have no ports in jump range that we can bring a stolen ship to that won’t ask questions. After that, what do we do with the ship? We don’t have the facilities to give it a new identity or a ship yard to strip it down. And last, what about its crew? What will we do with them? Kill them? I know that’s a favourite of some on this crew for handling people."

"All this talk and the best plan is to engage the stealth drive that is used when jumping in and out of jump space so it’s no use here and engage them fully."

"If we are taking the ship we need a plan, not whatever that was. If the ship is not worth it as it’s in really bad repair we need a plan for returning back to our ship. If we are not taking the ship then we don’t need to plan for that action."

"First the ship enters space here, how do we engage it, other than fully? Do we plot an intercept course and try and sneak up on them and engage them close range? Or do we place ourselves between the gas giant and them and keep them at long range where our gun should out range them?"

"Next do we jam them so they are in the dark or do we contact them and explain what’s going to happen. If they don’t comply are we going to blow them out of the water or fire a warning shot and how far are we going to go? Can the items be retrieved if the ship is destroyed?"

"If they comply, who boards the ship and who’s stay behind? If we are taking the ship, we will need the people who are going to fly it there too. How many are on board? Will 4 or 7 be needed? Who will be in charge of each group?"

"'''When on the ship where do we round them up and hold the crew in the bridge, living area, cargo bay? Next who guards them? This will depend on there crew size. Does our guest need back up getting her items off the the ship?'''"

"Who checks the cargo manifest against the cargo to decide what's most valuable. Then who starts moving the cargo? How do we move it? We have no cargo bot. Do we space it or turn off gravity and push it?"

"If we are taking the ship, then this does not matter, we just need to decide what we are doing with the crew."

"If taking the ship, is our guest staying on that ship or returning on this? Are we bring her back to where we picked her up or is she going somewhere else? If so, are both ships going? What’s the plan with the crew if they're in stasis. How are we going to get rid of them?"

"If taking the ship, are we giving the other crew funds to cover docking costs and possibly of needing money for bribery? Does the first ship in system wait for the 2nd or does the harrier go a day ahead and clear a private dock for it?"

"We need to have a plan and Sultana, you need to stop acting like a diplomate trying to keep every one happy and not answering the question of are we taking the ship. Start acting like a Captain. Make the decision. People can fall in line or leave the ship. I don’t think we should take the ship, but if we are, I want it to be efficient and everyone knowing what there doing."

Khurn started to rise and opened his mouth to speak.

Rakke holds up the rifle scope as if aiming at Harison.

Sultana frowns and leans back in his chair. "Part of why we are all here is because we each know things the others don't. So please don't talk to me like I'm a fucking idiot just because I don't know everything you already know. Everything you just mentioned are things I didn't know needed answers yet. Now that I've made one call, you've brought up additional issues that need to be decided on, based on that call. So let's go over them now, shall we?"

"First, 'engaging stealth' meant doing what we need to do in-system to keep a low profile. Hiding in the upper layers of the planet was mentioned. So that we avoid notice of others as much as possible until the target arrives."

"Next, how do we engage the ship, other than fully? Intercept, sneak, interpose. The answer is yes, yes, and yes. It all depends on where they arrive in relationship to where we are, and that will determine our course from there. Let's do try to place ourselves to where we're likely to be able to be between them and Marduk though, so we have better odds of cutting them off and jamming their signals. Making detailed plans based on no information is a waste of time unless you have an entire staff of Navy lieutenants with nothing better to do than spend weeks chasing down every single possible option. We're going to be doing a lot of improv as we go. That doesn't mean we don't bring up the questions in advance though. Some we can answer, some we just have to be as prepared for as possible."

"I said we'd approach the ship 'as if' we were going to take it. Doesn't mean we're going to for certain. Valid points though, if we take it, where do we take it to? I don't think we have that yet, unless we want to stash it in deep space storage to come back for later. We don't have the funds or the contacts to properly deal with it. We'll need to develop those. So it's probably not feasible to actually take the ship."

"And, finally, your point of 'quit acting like a diplomat and start acting like a Captain'. What would your reaction be if one of your subordinates spoke to you as rude and disrespectfully as you're speaking to me here? In front of the whole crew? Probably not a pleasant one, unless the Navy has loosened up a Lot since I was in. But there are a few differences between this ship and your old Navy days. Everyone is here by choice, no one has signed any contracts or indentures. As Captain of a free crew, I have to be a bit more diplomatic than your typical Navy or Pirate officer, or risk driving my crew away. Perhaps I'm overdoing it a little, but I think that's the better option. I need all of you onboard and willing to offer your thoughts and opinions, not blindly following my orders. I want to build a Company here, not a personal fiefdom. That being said, I would appreciate it if you'd treat us more as comrades and companions and that you're here by your own choice, and less like a batch of idiot schoolchildren you've been saddled with."

"Did I leave anything out?" 

 Khurn sat back down.

Rakke fits the scope onto the top of the rifle and finishes up by loudly throwing the bolt into place.