Dragonslayer Space | Main / 1105-021

[Amada Cerabu] The ape walks onto the bridge wearing his standard daytime outfit minus the long jacket, the staff, and the cigar, and his boots. His large simian-like feet still quiet against the metal floor. "How far out?"

[Sed / Kalidaren] "4 hours 16 minutes," Sed didn't look up from the Astrogation station, engrossed in calculations of the gravity patterns of the inner planetoid belt.

"Getting more sleep. Check with Captain. Think there're landing restrictions. Remember, low profile."

[Cal Cooper] Cal stands up from the pilot's seat.
I've sent a query for the latest regulations for landing. The latest information we've got is that we need to dock at the highport before proceeding downside, however it's always best to check if regulations have changed. There is apparently an inspection, but it's supposed to be a formality. I imagine that for a small gratuity, it could be even less rigorous.

Cerabu nodded and left the bridge.

"Well my friend, do you want to negotiate the terms of the inspection? Or shall I?" Sed addressed the Captain, thinking of which phrase of words he might utilise.

You take it. Keep it low-key. We're not trying to get something illegal through; we just want to grease the wheels of commerce.

1105-021 - 05:00 - The Free & Clear

[Jeet] Sometime after Emergence, but before arriving at Thebus Highport, Jeet will run the following checks:

Jeet: [SKILL] Engineer (2D+2) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+2 = 9] [+5 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 10 Minutes. Post-Jump Engine Check.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Sensors) (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 6) [2d6+3 = 10] [+4 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 30 Minutes. Sensor scan of Thebus System for Ships of Interest.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comms) (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 6) [2d6+3 = 8] [+2 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 60 Minutes. Looking for Drones accessing publicly available info over Comms, but it shouldn't be obscure. Refer this to Sed, perhaps.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comms) (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 6) [2d6+3 = 6] [+0 Effect] [Marginal SUCCESS] 10 Minutes. Attempting to find info on Aslan ships coming into Thebus in the last month. In particular: 'Ftahteas' or 'Yetahikh'

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comms) (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 8) [2d6+3 = 11] [+3 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 10 Minutes. Run a check for 'names of interest'. Are there BOLOs?

(Thebus Highport Control)"Attention Free & Clear.... Attention Free & Clear... You are advised to dock at Branch 2 Port 10 for your boarding and inspection. "

1105-021 - 07:30 - Thebus Highport

Sed will query the name of the customs/port authority via radio just prior to docking. Then, once landed, he will be the first off the ship to greet the official in person.

Task Chain. Streetwise to determine whether the official might be amenable to a bribe of Cr50. Persuade to convince them to search "lite" and ask few questions about the F&C, their destination, cargo etc.

[SKILL] Streetwise (2D+1) (vs Difficulty 8) [4+3+1=8] [+0 Effect] [Marginal SUCCESS]

[SKILL] Persuade INT (2d6+3) (vs Difficulty 8) [2+2+3=7] [-1 Effect] [Marginal FAILURE]

Jeet ushers Patch and Wrench into the cargo bay, and commences a quick storage routine. The Bots are on standy-by, and not completely shut down. However, they will be out of sight for the inspection. This prevents questions that the Captain doesn't want to answer.

(Thebus Highport Control)"Attention Free & Clear. You are cleared for docking. Commander Riplilion will meet you at your hatch for inspection."

Sed checked with Cal before preparing, "I'll go and meet Commander Riplilion at the dock and assess their amenability to bribery and corruption." The purser had taken time to groom and dress and was eager as usual to be portside and stretch his legs.

Sed stepped off on to the Thebus dock, glad to be off the Trader and into some free space.

07:45 - Inspection of the Free & Clear

Cerabu steps out behind Sed. He is dressed in the same outfit he has worn from the beginning, the color of the day for the base color of his form-fitting suit seems to be blue, though this does not carry to the short trench-coat he seems to almost always wear. And his ever-present cigar and staff-cane are in possession. "Get this taken care off quickly."

Commander Riplilion was there to meet him. The Drinaxian took a moment to take stock of the commander before addressing them, "Hello! I am Sed Lyre, Purser of the Free & Clear, and we are looking to refuel and take some well needed refreshment in your port. Please advise the best place to eat and drink, somewhere a Traveller may be parted from his credits, in exchange for homely hospitality!" he gave the Commander a big wink and his used-car-salesman grin.

I imagine this is where Sed uses Streetwise to assess whether the Commander might be amenable to a bribe.

(Commander Riplilion)"Greetings Travellers! I am Commander Riplilion and I will be your guide today for escorting you through the thicket of problems the Starport Authority has put in your way to stop you from immediately enjoying your time here at Thebus. takes Sed's ID card and manifest, he pockets the 50 credits, hands back the ID card to Sed. "Your papers seem to be in order Sed Lyre. Now onto the ship. I see here on your manifest that you are not carrying any pharmaceuticals on board? How many tons of cargo are you carrying that I need to inspect?"

"Greetings Commander! I am grateful for your attendance, and your assistance with the thicket!" sensing the man's friendliness and apparent eagerness to help him, Sed surreptitiously peeled off another 100 credits, being careful only to show Riplilion, and turned to stand shoulder to shoulder with him and pointed to parts of the manifest, as if to explain parts of it to him. "My friend, there is no cargo that you need to inspect," he slid the credits across the manifest towards the official.

"Do I need to be here for this, or can I go into port?"

(Commander Riplilion) slides the paperwork back over to his hands, palming the credits, looking up at Cerabu, "Of course! Go out and enjoy yourself, I hope you stay for a few days, I can recomend some resturants if you have a craving for anything in particular"

Cerabu walks off while Riplilion is still speaking.

(Commander Riplilion)"Officer Lyre, this paperwork seems in order for staying here at port. We can have the refueling handled for you to start within the hour, one of our tankers will come around to dock for you rather than waiting for a space on the arm. Just be sure to not offload any cargo without the official tax stamps. Have a wonderful visit at Thebus."

Jeet takes a seat at the sensor station on the bridge, flashing up the interior monitoring system. Jeet checks the camera views to get an overview at what Thebus Customs examines. He runs through the views, settling on the view outside the airlock, the connection to Thebus Highport. He gets a view containing Sed and a man he assumes is a Highport official. Amada's back receeds into the distance.

The scans of the surface show that the planet is in the middle of fall, the forests look a mixture of brownish bushes, bright red leaves on some of the native trees, with some clouds swirling across the surface.

1105-021 - 08:30 - Thebus Highport - Cerabu Guide Search

The ape walks into the starport proper trying to look as regal as as he can, a man of leisure and importance, so to speak. He is intent on finding somewhere advertising hunting information planet-side, or at least anyone who looks like they might have an idea of what's below.

Cerabu spots several small offices, more of a counter top for someone to stand behind, advertising guides, some with an image of the Thebian Lion on them. As he steps along he does spot one that looks more promising. Primary Guides of Thebus' the sign says, with a circle of the three primary colors. Under the circle logo is the motto If it moves we can find it''. There is a full office door, rather than just the kiosk desk. Cerabu is intrigued and goes inside.

There is a tall thin human male sitting behind a desk inside of the office. He looks up at Cerabu and smiles. "Welcome to Primary Guides Sir. I take it you are here looking for a guide to take you to the surface. looks Cerabu up and down appreciatively "I can see you need to find something, you need to exercise your skills, you are not here to hunt flowers, you want to go after tougher game. Well I am happy you came to us Sir. Jacobian is the name, here to help you arrange any services you need on the surface. Very reasonable fees, and complete discretion on what you involve yourself in during your stay here on Thebus."

Cerabu ignored the small man’s banter looking around the office to gage the quality and legitimacy of the firm, his face kept in a look of barely on one side of seething into anger. Nostrils flared, eyes narrowed, cigar held securely in his teeth through a blatant sneer. Only when satisfied with the impression, did he look down at Jacobian.

“Hunting . . . game . . . yes. What do we have to do to hunt on Thebus?”

(Jacobian)"We can arrange any type of game you are interested in. Of course the Thebian Lion is the most popular choice for system visitors. They are in rut this time of year which makes them a bit more dangerous but we are used to guiding people and doing our best to ensure their safety. Or if you are not interested in dangerous prey we can take you to some places to discover the flora and other fauna of Thebus. Some things interesting have evolved here."

“Hmmm.” Cerabu makes a very slight upward jerk of his head. "Show me some ranges, some areas we might explore, for game."

The old merchant/archaeologist listens as Jacobian goes through several sites looking for one that is close to the area he wants, the area that matches or is close to the bridge. He lets Jacobian go through a couple more sites before interrupting.

“What's required to go to the surface."

(Jacobian)"We can set that up for you. Permits are reserved for official tour guides, so we have you covered there. Of course you don't have to take a tour guide but without a permit then you are on your own with no one to help if anything goes wrong. That is one of the prey options for the Theban Lions. Permitless travels. he laughs at his joke.

He nods blowing smoke out of his nostrils and then speaking through the last, “Tell me more about this area." Cerabu indicates the area closest to the supposed location of the bridge.''

(Jacobian)"The upland jungles of Holu? Rough territory, at least a dozen klick hike from open land where you can easily land an air raft. Could get closer with luck. We can get you in there. You hunting for flowers? Imagery or samples?"

Cerabu leans in to mentally match up the terrain. "Popular region? Wildlife around? Danger?"

(Jacobian)"That area you are looking at is not that popular no. The jungle area is too tight for a lot of the casual hunters if they are looking for... game. Looking for lions they tend towards more open areas where they can see them coming, at least they hope. I think it makes for a more exciting hunt to be in a natural landscape that lets both sides have a fighting chance. If you are looking for the flora though you should find plenty there."

He stands back up straight, folding his long arms across his broad chest, one hand going up to his mouth and the cigar as he draws in a deep drag. "Okay. Want to set up a basecamp. What is legally required go to surface?"

(Jacobian)"I will do all the paperwork for you, Primary Guides will be the bond holder for you, I can have you in a base camp tomorrow morning, or this evening if I can get expedited processing and you don't mind more rustic set up. How many people are we talking in your party? Just you? Any idea how long you have to stay? I do notice you did not say what you are hunting, that is ok, I understand privacy but I will want to have something general to put on the permit."

Cerabu narrows his eyes and looks off to the side for a moment. His mind races through the different possibilities before he returns his gaze to Jacobian. "Party of five. Heard of the lions. Don't fancy a challenge, but won't pass up a fair one. Depends what shows up. Put down hunting. What's the largest craft basecamp can support? If we do get game, we'll want the trophy. Got a ship that can touchdown if there's room."

(Jacobian)"So five for your group, two of us fair enough. For where to set down a ship, not in the upland there, but we can get an air raft in and out fair enough. We might want to bring two if you think you will be bringing in trophies. Can land a ship, but that will be an extra fee to the starport so I recommend holding off on that until you know you need to."

He bridges his brow and allows a low extended guttural vocalization to escape. "Permits yes. Fees yes, for the ship. Don't need for guides. No offense. We can manage. Sign a waiver. Show me the clearing for the ship."

(Jacobian)"So you will really want guides in that area. You can land an air raft here, or here points out two areas on a display in the desk "but you will need to land your full ship out here points to a different area "if you want to use that as your base camp. That is a good fifteen clicks from the central area of that upland jungle you will be hunting in. I can make sure your permits are for your ship and two air rafts. Without a guide your party would land there, points again to the spot for base camp "Then you hop scotch with your air rafts to find a decent landing spot farther up slope. The gullies and such from the run off make it tricky to find the right clearings for them. It can be done with time, a guide will get you in closer. We know the terrain and how it changes with the seasons. I will start the paperwork as you think it over."

Cerabu can see that the area indicated will be difficult to land the Free & Clear in other than where Jacobian indicated based on terrain. He can guess that if you do find the bridge you can bring in the ship to lift it out, if it cannot be handled by an air raft, but it will take some tricky piloting.

"No guides," Cerabu says flatly and with force allowing his full presence to be felt. "We will manage. We have time."

(Jacobian)"That is your call of course." He enters more data onto the forms "I will add an emergency beacon just in case, did you need any respirators?"

"Backups. Just in case."

Jacobian turns his screen around to Cerabu. The contract is there in simple form. Freedom to move about the planet's surface for 14 days, permission denied to enter an private area without express prior permission, permissions to hunt over the same time frame, not allowed to kill more than 5 Lions {1 per member of the group}, not allowed to remove any vegetation for trophies except those cleared by customs afterward, permissions to land two air rafts on the surface, permission denied to land the Free & Clear on the surface unless prior approval is granted. No gear except the emergency beacon is included in the permits, Primary Guides will not be held responsible for death or dismemberment, etc.

Total cost will be 7,000Cr for the 14 day excursion.

''Cerabu reads the contract in full, then frowns. "Mentioned landing the ship. Using it as a base camp."

(Jacobian)"If you want to land the ship, I can help with the permits but there are two problems. One is that will cost more and two you will not be able to land your ship close enough to where you are hunting. My advice is to use air rafts to go in, do your searching, bag your quarry, then if you really need the ship have it call in as an emergency. You contact me and I will assist with the Highport authorities to make sure they know you are really in need and should get the temporary landing permit. Does that sound good enough for you?"

The simian simply grunts and gives a quick nod of his head.

9:00 - Thebus Highport Commercial area

Sed thanked the Commander, clapping him on the back familiarly, as they were now very good friends. They spoke about the port and arranged refueling, maintenance and resupply. The Commander recommended "rauk", a starchy, high-calorie root vegetable native to the Theban dirt, and Sed included that in the resupply, as he thought it would supplement their non-perishable supplies.

Considering his current mission, he thought it wise to seek a larger weapon, so left the docks to locate a merchant.

Sed enters the main shopping plaza of the Highport.

Jeet realises there won't be an onboard inspection, when the Torpol Officer turns and walks away from Sed, and then, Sed walks further into the Station. OK. Guess we are going to avoid official guests? Well, turn on the Anti-Boarding monitoring, and settle in for some online shopping. Oh. Shut the external hatches, and set up the external call button system routed to his comm.

Free & Clear Ledger

Date	Location	Description	Debit	Credit	Current Balance
1104-359	Torpol Highport	10t Biochemicals	KCr325 (65% base)	x	KCr175
1104-359	Torpol Highport	20t fuel refined	KCr10	x	KCr165
1104-359	Torpol Highport	30t Common Consumables	Cr9750 (65% base)	x	Cr155,250
1105-007	Marduk High	20t fuel refined	KCr10	x	KCr145.250
1105-007	Marduk High	20t fuel unrefined	KCr2	x	KCr143.250
1105-007	Marduk High	Life Support 2 wks	KCr4	x	KCr139.250
1105-007	Marduk High	Ship Maintenance	Cr2,149	x	KCr137.101
1105-021	Thebus Highport	20t fuel refined	KCr10	x	KCr127.101
1105-021	Thebus Highport	20t fuel unrefined	KCr2	x	KCr125.101
1105-021	Thebus Highport	Life Support 2 wks	KCr4	x	KCr121.101
1105-021	Thebus Highport	Ship Maintenance	Cr2,149	x	KCr118.952

Sed: [SKILL] Investigate (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 8) [2d6+3 = 15!] [+7 Effect] [Exceptional SUCCESS] 6 hours. Investigate a small arms dealer, ideally with a warrant outstanding.

Sed considered the intended purchase of a larger weapon: energy or slug? He pulled diagrams and specs of likely weapons and was quite taken with the 'Big Game Rifle' given their location, until he saw the weight ...maybe not... and decided that lightweight should be a criteria. With those search parameters, he shortlisted to four options, an SMG; a Flechette SMG; the Gyrojet rifle; or, the standard issue ACR.
Only TL12 weapons sold here at the listed price in the Core Rule Book or Supply Catalog {both are in FG, after purchase just drag the weapon onto Sed's inventory or the Ship's inventory}

He then took to the port, checking local data, watching passersby, tailing random persons of interest and inconspicuously trying to locate someone that he might purchase a gun from. Protection against a lion.

Sed finds two merchants willing to sell him rifles to hunt lions with. He purchases a lightweight, shorter firearm, the flechette sub machine gun.

1105-021 - 09:30 - Free & Clear

Payday, crew. Funds have been transferred to your account. Just don't go crazy in port, remember we're on a schedule. Keep your comms with you and on, and be ready for recall.

Cal transfers funds; 1000 Cr to Ashe, 3250 Cr to Sed, 2000 Cr to Jeet

Jeet? Ashe? Are you staying with the ship? If one of you is staying, I'm going to get out and stretch my legs; take in the port. I shouldn't be gone long, and I've got my comm. Just message me if anything comes up.

To: Captain, Free&Clear,
Cc: Steward Volare
I can do Brow Watch and Comms for the day, if desired.
Any shopping I would like to do could be done online.
Have a good walk-about.

Marine Terms:
Brow: A ship gangway, also known as a ship brow or accommodation ladder, is a passageway that joins a ship’s quarterdeck to the forecastle. Today’s use of ship gangways is for passengers to safely board and exit a ship, as well as for loading and unloading, and repairing ships.
Link-> Ship Access

10:00 - Thebus Highport Commercial area

Cal heads into port, not looking for anything in particular, just seeing where the day takes him, and keeping an eye out for old shipmates. It's always better to spot them before they spot you; that way you can decide whether to renew the association. There are definitely some former associates that Cal would rather avoid.

As Cal ventures through the larger docks, he is accosted by a young human male. He looks a bit scruffed up, down on his luck. He is wearing a damaged security guard uniform. The young man spots Cal and tries to saunter over in a cool manner, not quite fitting the bill.

"Hey there, you look like a person who knows a thing or two about the universe. Would you be interested in purchasing a used air raft for your ship? Or to use here in system? I have one I am not using, could rent it out to you if you like, or sell it to you for Cr100,000. Are you someone who would be interested in that?"

Cal uses his neural comm link.
Cerabu, I have a lead on an air raft for surface transport. I'll let you know if it pans out.

To: Cal
Fr: Cerabu
Re: Raft
TxT: Could use for scouting close up. Leave ship in low orbit until needed.

Certainly, I'm interested. Is it near by?
Cal follows the young man, and attempts to strike up a conversation.
Are you from Thebus, or just passing through?

Just for the record, Cal is not planning to follow this guy down any dark alleys. He's definitely keeping an eye out for possible ambush.

"Yeah, I am just passing through. Name's Jed by the way. My ship left me here when I was late for duty call. So I figure rent or sell the air raft and use that money to make my way along the Florian Route until I strike it up with another ship. I left it at loading dock when I got stuck here, it was only a quick trip to the surface, not that long, they should have at least radioed or waited."

Cal will respond sympathetically to the young man, encouraging him to open up. If he starts to complain about how he was treated, Cal will take his side. I've put several leading questions here, not necessarily in the order Cal would ask them - they should be interspersed with his responses in a conversational manner, not fired off rapidly like an interrogation, and they would follow a conversational flow.

Cal: [SKILL] Persuade (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 8) (3 rolls) Cal steering the conversation, probing the kid's story
[2d6+2 = 7] [-1 Effect] [Marginal FAILURE]
[2d6+2 = 13] [5 Effect] [Average SUCCESS]
[2d6+2 = 11] [3 Effect] [Average SUCCESS]

Wow. What ship was it? A pause. I'm Calen Cooper, off the Free & Clear. Cal offers his hand to him.

Shakes Cal's hand (Jed)"I was on the Marmot, a ship's tender out of the Laxity Fleet."

As they walk, Cal gently probes the young man's story, expressing sympathy for his plight.

The Laxity Fleet?

(Jed)"They run the Florian Trade Route."

Do they pass through Thebus often?

(Jed)"I have been through Thebus a half dozen times."

Why did you go down to the surface?

(Jed)"Never took shore leave. Never went to any of the casinos. This one time I take the raft down to the surface to win a bet. I got a bit lightheaded, turns out the air is no joke. They must have written me off like they did for that other ship that crashed last week. I never did find it. That was the bet, first to find it without Starport help wins the finders fee. There has to be a finders fee right? No one can just let a starship crash and not want to recover it."

I just got into port, and haven't seen the news yet. What happened with that ship?

(Jed)"No good news yet on who or what. Rumor was a trader of some sort, evaded starport regulations to get to the surface. I think they mistook a yacht for a trader. My hunch is a group went down to hunt and mangled their landing as they tried to evade detection. I made it through a good chunk of the southern continent is an overhead flyby. Hard to do much in the jungles though. "

Cal uses his neural comm link.
Jeet? Can you check the recent port news? Apparently there was a starship that crashed on the planet below within the last two weeks. Find out what you can and get back to me, please?

Huh. A crashed yacht or merchant? I would have expected the port to be buzzing with gossip.

(Jed)"Rumor has it that two months ago a ship was shot down and crashed. No one knows where, the government is covering it up. They know they need to make it go away. If it was a mistake they will have to pay, if they claim it was not a mistake then they need to prove why. So obviously they do not want to admit to anything, not even that it crashed. So a few of my friends found out about the crash but because the government is covering it up there is no official site to find. I went south to cover there, much easier than the northern uplands. But I guessed wrong and lost out on my job, so now I have to either find that crash or sell the air raft so I can have the seed money to hire onto another Fleet."

Cal uses his neural comm link.
Jeet? Update. Crash may have been less recent - check back about 3 months, OK?

How late were you getting back? Did anyone else from your ship go along? Cal's opinion of this kid's intelligence is dropping fast; he's moving from the grifter to mark category.

(Jed)"I was two hours after reporting time to head back to the Marmot. I heard they waited an extra 30 minutes for me from the dockmaster. I did not take anyone with me on the search because I did not want to split up any reward. They will be pissed at me, well I guess they are pissed at me, when they realize they left the system yesterday missing an air raft from the inventory. All the codes still work, so it can be yours free and clear. Or I can just run errands for you with it, escort you for a fee if you don't want to buy it. Why are you here on Thebus?"

Cal can do a check (skill as you see fit) to get a feel for how Jed's story real.

Cal: [SKILL] Streetwise (SOC) (2D+1) +1 = 10] [+2 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] Assessing Jed's story.

Cal looks at Jed, assessing his story. The kid is dodging any time Cal starts probing who else was involved in this little venture, and how he was recruited into it. That's raising his suspicions, but it takes a great deal of stupidity to admit to a potential buyer that the air raft was effectively stolen goods, and Cal suspected that Jed in fact had just that much stupidity.

Cal contemplates warning the kid of the trouble he's setting himself up for, but decides that experience is the best teacher. Perhaps he would further the kid's education.

I'm guessing you're getting short on funds, waiting for another ship?

(Jed)"I have enough to get by for a week or two. If I sell this air raft I can purchase a ticket rather than work the shop. Would be nice to see what that is like once. Or I could stay here and get hired on as a guide. That is a hard racket to get into, they are almost all locals. Any outsider has to pay a stiff buy in. But if I have the air raft that can help me get started. So I am balancing between stay and work or sell and have a vacation. But in the end I have to work so unless I find that crashed ship. That payout would set me up for life.

Cal looks the kid over and thinks to himself, "He's probably having a hard time finding a buyer. I doubt the vehicle is blinged out enough for most of the tourist trade, and the local & through trade find him too suspicious to bite."

There's a buy in for a guide job? How does that work? Is there a guild or something?

(Jed)"There is a group of Guides that are protective of their turf. I do have a taxi permit so as long as I do not provide any guide services they cannot have any problem with me. I am happy to take you where you want to go if you do not want to buy the air raft. He is visibly more energetic "I would be happy to take you anywhere you need. 50Cr for land to land trips, 100Cr for the trip down to the surface, same for the return to highport? giving his tell by the sound of a question near the end "I have it here in a bay, all good to go, easy to change over seats for cargo if you need"

Well, let's see it.

Jed leads Cal down the corridor to the warehouse section. There are several open bays with several high profile paint jobs for the various Guide services. At the end is a Ships Boat that seems ready to ferry larger cargo. Down near that end is a simple plain air raft, looks solid, no visible damage, no logo on it.

Cerabu, I'm looking at that air raft. Looks to be in good shape. The kid seems open to either purchase or hire, but if we don't purchase we're stuck with him as a driver.
I'm assuming you'd rather have as few people as possible knowing where we're going or what we're up to, so I'll try and purchase it.

Cal looks the air raft over, inspecting it for any hidden flaws or, more importantly, extra security or tracking devices.

Cal: [SKILL] Electronics (Sensors) (2D+1) (vs Difficulty 8) [2d6+1 = 8] [+0 Effect] [Marginal SUCCESS] Examine air raft, looking for security or tracking devices.

Cal: [SKILL] Streetwise (SOC) (2D+1) +1 = 5] [-3 Effect] [Average FAILURE] Preparing to haggle for the air raft. (Moved from above, for better context.)

Cal starts talking down the price.We probably don't need an air raft down there - our ship is pretty agile, and is rated for rough surface landing. But it might come in handy. I could give you . . . 50 KCr?

Jed thinks about Cal's offer, and pats the air raft (Jed)"How about you hire me to taxi you back and forth. If you buy her afterwards then I do not get any fees. If you decide it does not work for you then you pay me the normal rates for a taxi. Does that sound like a fair deal?"

If you're still here when your ship comes back through, you could be in a lot of trouble. It seems to me you'd be anxious to avoid that.

(Jed)"I think you make a good point, Calen. I agree that if I stay here another year or two with this air raft and the Marmot returns they might make life difficult for me. But I have a hunch I could just lay low planetside and avoid detection."

What do you need all that money for, anyway? By your own admission, you just need the buy in for your guide position, and you'll be set for life. Wouldn't it be best to move forward with that plan, and not sit around waiting?

(Jed)"I do know that unless you have a permit to land you might be shot down like the ship I was looking for. So if you are just doing some hunting, or scavenging you only need an air raft to haul things back up to your ship. I could sell this to you but not that low. I know 100 KCr is too cheap as it is. But it allows me to purchase any ticket I want to get out of here and off to work someplace else. I hear Torpol System is good for hiring on at tramp traders."

Cal glares at Jed, giving up in disgust.
After a quick check of the Free & Clear's finances, he comes to a decision.
Fine. 100 KCr it is. Bring it to the Free & Clear and you'll be paid.

To: Cal
Fr: Cerabu
Re: Raft
Txt: Buy it.

Cerabu. Already done. Although it would have been nice to have that confirmation a minute sooner.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comp) (2D+4) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+4 = 9] [+5 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 6 Minutes. Research Thebus Traffic in the last month for anomalies in ship movements (entered, but no record of departure).

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comp) (2D+4) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+4 = 9] [+5 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 4 Minutes. Search for name or registrations with the names 'Ftahteas' or 'Yetahikh' within the Thebus system.

For Jeet's scans. *ships in system number in the hundreds, not counting non-jump ships *ships in and out of the system over the last month number in the thousands *there are six ships that have been reported lost on the surface in the last month, one in the last two weeks. All except one were not jump capable by the partial records *the only jump capable ship lost on the surface is reported to be a Yacht, or Merchant, public records do not record a name *Jeet can see that he could purchase more details of various ships at varying prices

Jeet checks the prices, and if the Jump-capable ship data isn't too steep, he'll spend a few credits.

Jeet quickly determines that this type of data is only available to registered brokers in the Thebus system. A simple search determines that Cal (or anyone with the Broker Skill who wants) can take a basic test, pay a 100Cr fee and obtain the license good for 28 days. {a Routine Broker check to pass test, takes 15 minutes} Once that license is obtained they (through Jeet) can do an additional search for all ship information for the past 28 days for 1,000Cr. This results in a huge data dump to search through. A Routine computer check will narrow down to the most recent Jump Ship incidents in system.

Jeet whistles. That is too much work for a bit of information. Jeet considers forging ID documents for a Transportation Safety Agency officer to check Traffic Control Processes in the Thebus System for safety and accuracy. That would probably be more work than it is worth.
Perhaps information from another source?

Jeet: [SKILL] Investigate (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 6) [2d6+3 = 7] [+1 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 20 Minutes. Looking through Local News, using Freelance Journalist sources, as well as local 'News' agencies, for stories about accidents or missing ships.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comp) (2D+4) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+4 = 14] [+8 Effect] [Exceptional SUCCESS] 5 Minutes. Research Thebus Journalists reporting on Thebus shipping traffic and 'unreported' news.

Jeet comes up with a couple of details. 1 There has not been an Aslan ship in system that had landed at the downport as required in over 200 days. 2 A site for betting on finding relics on the planet surface. It contains various categories, including crashed ships. There is a category for starships that has two entries. One over a year old and one from only 62 days ago. (which may be what was throwing off the other searches looking for things more recent than that) 3 Jeet does ferret out that this most recent one matches the signatures of a Eakhau-class Trader. A ship that size would leave a crash site visible from orbit if he can get better coordinates.

Jeet does the mental face-palm. Yeah. How long for someone to go missing, and for word to get back to Marduk, for the Lord to start looking for assistance, and for us to get to Thebus. May not be a rescue mission, but a recovery mission. We should have medical supplies and respirators for Aslan on hand, just in case we find somewhat breathing survivors.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comp) (2D+4) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+4 = 8] [+4 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 6 Minutes. Research Thebus Traffic in the period of 90 to 50 days for anomalies in ship movements (entered, but no record of departure). Jeet will hope to match the names 'Ftahteas' or 'Yetahikh' to a ship.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comp) (2D+4) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+4 = 10] [+6 Effect] [Exceptional SUCCESS] 1 Minute? Search for any applicable info on the Betting Site.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comp) (2D+4) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+4 = 13] [+9 Effect] [Exceptional SUCCESS] 3 Minutes Find public data on Aslan ships, particularly the Eakhau-class Trader.

Jeet believes that having drawings and images of the ship class will help in surface scans, and putting shape recognition data into an algorithm will help speed up the scans. Some of the recon capabilities of the Bots could do the matching, while the scans are being done. Jeet has programmed threat analysis parameters into the Bots for Sophont and vehicle threats. They could be hooked into any surface scans and told to filter for the Eakhau-class ship or similar 'parts'.

Task Chain for Algorithm adjustment:

Jeet: [SKILL] Science (robotics) (2D+6) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+6 = 12] [+8 Effect] [Exceptional SUCCESS] 1 Hour Adjusting programming on Bots for Recon parameters to match Eakhau-class ship or similar 'parts'

Task Chain DM with Exceptional Success: +3

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comp) (2D+4) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+4+3 = 15] [+11 Effect] [Exceptional SUCCESS] 1 Hour Programming and testing of Recon algorithm for Eakhau-class ship searches.

This could be completely routine, as Jeet would have been fiddling with this type of programming over the years, to fine-tune the Recon capabilities and Gunnery of the robots. Identifying threats in crowded spaceports, among normal movements of cargo handling equipment and people, would be done on a regular basis. Identifying races, weapons, and equipment would have to be evolved. How it fits this is new?

How many Aslan ships has Jeet encountered? Perhaps more than just one or two, especially in the Outrim Void? Although, Torpol, Marduk and Thebus are not on the Aslan Trade Route, per se. More than one type of Aslan ship should be in the Gunnery Targeting Reference by now.

Jeet has a few more answers over the next couple of hours.

1 - No transponder signal matching those names in the Thebus system in the last 90 days. He does find a ping on the name from 6 months ago, standard stop for trade, in and out of the system.

2 - The betting site comes up readily, lots of options for things there, the Ship Discovery has not had anyone win anything in over 2 months.

3 - Sensors are fined tuned to typical Aslan ship signatures now

4 - Jeet would need far more time to create the details surface scan searches, on the order of days and weeks. He would need a much more targeted area to search for and even with that will likely take days of detailed scans. There is no publicly available data of the surface other than very basic scans.

''Jeet can make a skill check to try to determine why that would be.

To: Captain, Free&Clear,
Cc: Sed Lyre
Info on ships: Only one jump-ship reported lost on-planet, 62 days ago. Could be Aslan.
More detailed info of ships movements could be obtained by a 'registered' broker.
Fees and a qualification process may be required, if M. Lyre doesn't already hold credentials on Thebus.
More info on your return.

Sed, can you look into this when you get a chance?

On to it.

:Sed researches the Broker registration for Thebus/tries to locate his missing registration. Is he already registered? [SKILL] Admin (2D+4) (vs Difficulty 8) 2 + 4 + 4 = 10 Average Success

:Sed follows up with some haggling or Broker talent demonstration [SKILL] Broker (2D+4) (vs Difficulty 8) 6 + 2 + 4 (+2 task chain) = 14 Exceptional Success

:Sed investigates jump ship report lost on planet [SKILL] Investigate (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 8) 6 + 6 + 3 = 15 Exceptional Success

Was I, or wasn't I, registered on Thebus..? Sed trawled his records looking for the paperwork. What was it again? It was something archaic, unusual for the Reach. Maybe I'll reach out to my friend the Commander...

Having been given this task, Sed couldn't help but search more and more, following on from the lead he'd been given. He researched everything he could regarding ships lost here, possibly Aslan (although he investigated all ships), and ended up reading everything he could find; authority reports, news, dispatches, and then took to the bar to query anything interesting with the locals.

Sed quickly finds this information: anyone with the Broker Skill who wants) can take a basic test, pay a 100Cr fee and obtain the license good for 28 days. {a Routine Broker check to pass test, takes 15 minutes}

Sed suceeded with his rolls, so just deduct the credits

Kalidaren walks through the process of becoming a registered broker. He then gains access to the database of all ships that have entered the Thebian system over the last 28 days. Given his interests there are two things that stand out. One is that there have been no Aslan ships in the past 28 days. Two is that there has been Millions of tons of cargo move through the system in thousands of ships. Given what Kalidaren has seen of the Starport only a very tiny fraction of anything ever makes it off of the ships. Thebus makes all its money from servicing ships and entertaining crews. Not to the extend that Torpol does but there is almost no cargo transfer here at Thebus. It is a way point on the Florian Trade Route without any trickle down to the local system.

Sed asks around Thebus Highport seeking buyers and was soon reminded that the computer interfaces and digital network here weren't sufficient to facilitate quick trade. After muddling through their systems for a short time, Sed decided that he'd physically need to locate a buyer. He began looking around, asking at the bar and following leads. "Talk to Ederest at the Barter Station," Sed was told by one patron. It turned out Ederest wasn't a buyer, and that he couldn't recommend someone. Dead-ends...

Sed, have you sold on our cargo yet? What price did you get? I just bought an air raft for 100 KCr, so our funds are pretty tight until that deal closes.

Cal, there's no digital network here. Low tech. I haven't found a buyer yet but I'll keep trying.

12:00 - Free & Clear Bridge

Working away on the imaging project, waiting for the crew to return, Jeet realizes that more people move through this system in a week than actually live on the planet. 8,000-ish people live on the surface? Some of the liners that move through the system carry more passengers and crew than that! How much is the planet below neglected by the space station? Does the station even get support from the planet for food? Can't see that happening, actually.

01:30 - Free & Clear Docking port The group Reconnects at the Free & Clear docking port. Cerebu has all the documents needed for you to be on the surface for the next 14 days. Cal is double checking the new air raft, Jeet is inside running his searches, Sed is back to report that he still has no leads on a sale.

And Jed is hanging out, just outside of being able to listen in on conversations.

17:00 - Thebus Highport

Cal, still no luck with a buyer. Many dead-ends. Look like it might be tomorrow before I have any luck. Apparently a buyer might be coming through, but we don't have that much time, right?

Cerabu? What's our schedule look like? I was thinking we might have to leave the cargo with an agent, but it sounds like even finding an agent would take just as long. If we need to head to the surface immediately, either Sed stays at the high port with the cargo, or we'll have to store it at the highport indefinitely.

Alternatively, we could just keep the cargo on board, and only worry about off-loading it when/if we find what we're looking for.

We do have the air raft now, so getting Sed down to the surface to meet us once he's done becomes easier.

Pioneer

Free & Clear

1105-020 -- 1105-021 -- 1105-022 ?

System - Emerge from Jump Space at Thebus Sindal Trojan Reach 1919
Message Center - Anchor link to section of Message Center
Ship's Log - Anchor links to Personal Logs & Library Entries
In Character discussions - Anchor links to discussions on this page
Category Tags - Cal, Amada, Ashe, Jeet, Kalidaren, Free & Clear, Vignette 3

Timing of events

00:01 - Jump Emergence Watch

02:15 - Emerge from Jump

9:00 - Start of Crew Day

1105-015 - 02:15 - The Free & Clear

Only two hours after the Jump Emergence watch starts the alarm sounds and the Free & Clear emerges in the Thebus system.

Thebus

1105-020 -- 1105-021 -- 1105-022

System - Thebus
Message Center - Anchor link to section of Message Center
Ship's Log - Anchor links to Personal Logs & Library Entries
In Character discussions - Anchor links to discussions on this page
Category Tags - Thebus, Cal, Amada, Ashe, Jeet, Kalidaren, Free & Clear, Vignette 3