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 - 1104-276 - 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-??? (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: 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
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.
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
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!
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).
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: 1104-263
Personal log
Lucked into hitching a ride from Imisaa to Exocet on a J6 Fleet Courier.
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.
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. Some of this paid for with DWB wages.
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. There is a Med Bay on the ship wanting a 'Doc', so that works out well.
I hired on to ride from Exocet to Marduk on the "Pioneer" as the Ship's Doctor. I take every chance to inventory and calibrate the Sick Bay equipment. And I offer 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:1104-340
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 beseached 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 belligerants had abducted people, including station medical staff. So, our guest's fears of being abducted were not unfounded.
