Steph puts in the request to leave port. When she's given permission she pilots the ship out to jump drive range.
She can't keep the smile off her face as the ship turns and heads back into space under her control. "Being a pilot is kind of for. At least it has been so far."
"Whoah, wait. A month? Like, a MONTH a month?!" Ray exclaims. "How far was the other one again?"
It's obvious Ray has no idea where anything is. You're not entirely sure how she's survived this long while knowing so little. She looks at a map for a while, then grumbles something to herself.
"Blasted dots make no sense. Who can read these anyway."
The fact that everyone seems to be able to read them seems to have little bearing on her continued complaints.
With a sigh she sits down and buckles up.
The week-long wait in J-space accentuates how small, albeit luxurious, is Nemesis. Time wears on and people become engrossed in their work as a way to pass the time. Vid night spreads from one night a week to every other night. The showers continue to cut out at unpredictable times.
Seven days later, the ships lanthanum grid begins to glow. Three hours after that, the tiny bubble of helium contained in Nemesis's artificial universe collapses, depositing the sleek ship some four million kilometers from Tech-World.
Tech-World's sun is a very Sol-like F8 V yellow-white dwarf star, but with no gas giants as a source of frontier fuel. It does have a planetoid belt as well as several sizable rocky planets.
According to library data, the first colony here – a Solomani outpost – was destroyed by the Sindalian Empire’s Punitive Armada. The world lay empty for hundreds of years, until the megacorporation GeDeCo funded the construction of a starport here to encourage Imperium-Hierate trade through the Borderlands. To reduce the costs of constructing the starport, they contracted with renegades from the technologically advanced world of Neumann in Gazulin subsector. While the world of Neumann has the highest level of technology of any world in the whole sector, its use is heavily restricted by the Shield Church. The heretics were eager to take GeDeCo’s offer of a world of their own and funding to develop their science.
The human population of Tech-World is around four thousand. The robot population is around a million and rising, depending on how one tallies distributed intelligence computer with numerous slave bodies. Experiments in using nanotechnology, cloning and other technologies of questionable legality are ongoing, and Tech-world is attracting increasing numbers of researchers who wish to pursue lines of inquiry not permitted in the Imperium. GeDeCo refuses to put pressure on the Tech-World rulers to rein in their scientific experimentation, claiming that its contract with the Tech-World government begins and ends with the starport.
The Tech-World starport is a minor wonder of the subsector – the starport is a huge black ovoid that reconfigures itself dynamically to cope with rising or falling traffic. The interior walls are actually curtains of a smart bioplastic that can move and reshape themselves to create larger or smaller landing bays and warehousing. Every visitor is assigned a guide robot programmed to their needs, and security is assured by keying everything to the user’s genetic code.
Nominally an Imperial client state, Tech-World is nonetheless frequently home to aslan patrol ships. Although by agreement either great power is free to patrol the spacelanes as far as the other's border, by tradition Tech-World is where aslan patrols usually stop (just as Imperial patrols usually stop at Acrid.
At present, the system has more than a dozen starships in it, including two 1200-ton aslan cutters and an 800-ton system defense boat.
"All these robots and junk give me the heebie-jebbies," Ray remarks as they make their approach. "We still a merchant ship? It'd be weird coming in without anything to sell, wouldn't it? What about a transport in between jobs? Or a scavenger ship? Or... I don't know. What's normal in this place?"
"We could be a transport dead-heading. Or a courier for data. Or simply a rich man's toy. How does one of those sound," asks Jerry.
"Make the hull look 'boring'. Dull, maybe a bit dirty looking. Let's say that we are from someplace uninteresting. Or, from no place in particular."
Steph punches in the hull request to make it look dull and uninteresting. Rich Man's toy huh? How about the "Jerah's Wanderer? Nice ring for bored rich man out for a tour of the exciting edge of the galaxy."
"Jerah's Wanderer, this is Tech-World Traffic Control. Come to heading 192.4, -0.02 and remain on glide-path. Hold at Beacon 6 until further instructions."
Some hours later, you are docked inside the amazing (and just slightly creepy) giant black dome of the starport. Robots are pumping in refined fuel and cleaning your sensors. A beautiful yet vaguely genderless face is talking on your screens. "Welcome to the Tech-World starport, a General Development Corporation facility. Did you know that Tech-World welcomes the greatest scientific minds from across the Trojan Reach and beyond? For all your technological and scientific needs, think Tech-World! How may I help you today, Captain?"
Ray curls up her lip in distaste, clearly wary of this place.
Jerry stirs from his thoughts.
"Fuel is our immediate need," is Jerry's response to the automaton.
"Is shore leave for our crew permitted?"
T
Steph keeps an eye on the sensors as she waits for the response. "I'll stay aboard. I'm not particularly interested in becoming part of an experiment."
Jerry stirs from his thoughts.
"Fuel is our immediate need," is Jerry's response to the automaton.
"Is shore leave for our crew permitted?"
"Of course," says the AI. "All guests are welcome to visit our entertainment and relaxation facilities. And GeDeCo will see to all your fuel and resupply needs, Captain."
Steph keeps an eye on the sensors as she waits for the response. "I'll stay aboard. I'm not particularly interested in becoming part of an experiment."
"Oh, no, Miss!" says the AI. "Tech-World takes your safety very seriously. You are perfectly safe at all times."
Jerry thinks for a moment, mentally calculating the ships's accounts and totalling the cost of paying first month's pay to the crew.
Jerry keys the intercom. "All hands meeting in the common area.
Once everyone is assembled, Jerry transfers credits to the crew members.
"That is the first month. Plus some extra, for what we sold on Paal. Shore leave is permitted, but we have to maintain a watch. No going down to planet - we won't be here that long. And stay together, too!"
Careful everyone. I'll stay aboard unless I'm needed. Keep my ears to the wind and the local transmissions." Steph says as she's making notes on pay and loan amounts. "We need a job and fast."
Ray stalks around the ship's dock, but doesn't go far. She stares in paranoia at every passing robot and makes sure no one does anything weird to their ship...
Before his companions leave the ship, Jerry has a quick word with them.
"Finances are tight. Find out what you can about any work available, even courier work."
When he gets his time on the station, Jerry does just that. He heads to a bar hosting non-robots and listens to the gossip around the bar.
Ray scoffs aloud, then nods her head and says sarcastically. "Wow, I'm amazing at that. How did you know?" She rolls her eyes and tries her best to cajole people into giving up some good intel around her...
Which she is clearly amazing at. On the plus side, her uncouth attitude keeps everyone away from the ship!
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As each of you leaves the ship, you are approached by an androgynous humanoid robot. "Hello. I am your personal guide, concierge and companion while you are on Tech-World. How can I help you enjoy your stay?"
The robots do not persist in following you if you command them to leave you alone, but there is always at least one at the end of the dock, ready to help should you require it. They are also ubiquitous throughout the downport.
Jerry, it is easy to find a list of cargoes needing transport to nearby (or not so nearby) worlds. Most of them are not the most lucrative cargoes or they would already have been contracted for by the larger merchant ships that frequent the port. In addition, there is a list of passengers willing to pay for a passage to various ports.
However, Jerry overhears a rather earnest and young-looking couple asking the bartender where they could find "competent smugglers". The bartender just rolls his eyes and moves on to the other end of the bar.
Meanwhile, several tables away, Ray has just head-butted a thickset man half a head taller than her...
Steph stays onboard, and searches for anything interesting to do.
Steph learns that Tech-World offers many new and cutting edge technologies, not least in the areas of cybernetic augmentation and robotics. She learns about the same cargos and potential paying passengers as Jerry.
However, she also learns about a possible job. Something called the Borderland Alliance is seeking a fast ship for cargo delivery from Argona (Trojan Reach/Borderlands 2923) to Tyokh (Trojan Reach/Tlaiowaha 2226) in the Aslan Hierate. The pay is said to be Cr14400 per ton of cargo space, with 25% paid up front at Argona.
Byron will carouse around and listen to rumors about military ships in the area.
Per Captain's orders, Daneel follows Jerry to the bar. While Jerry gathers info, Daneel watches his back.
While the crowd is distracted by the fight triggered by Ray, Jerry will approach the young couple. It never hurts to be friendly and, besides, he might learn something useful.
"Hello, I am Jerry Smith. Have you been here long? I recently arrived here at the station with my ship. Did you want to join me at my table?"
Once they are seated, Jerry will continue. "I hear that you might be looking for a ship. Is that correct?"
Steph punches in asking for more information on the cargo run to Tyokh. "Interesting. Could be a good haul. I'll bring it up with the group when they get back.
Ray comes away from the brawl with a black eye, bloody knuckles, and a split lip spread into a grin.
...Until she remembers where she is.
She scowls and hurries back aboard her ship before any 'helpful' scientists, doctors, or robots try to trick her into some freaky experiment or procedure!
Byron will carouse around and listen to rumors about military ships in the area.
[dice=Carouse+Soc]2d6+0-1
Sadly, Byron hears nothing of value. He does get mildly drunk and has a pretty good time for a bar mostly filled with geeks and pencil-necks.
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Per Captain's orders, Daneel follows Jerry to the bar. While Jerry gathers info, Daneel watches his back.
While the crowd is distracted by the fight triggered by Ray, Jerry will approach the young couple. It never hurts to be friendly and, besides, he might learn something useful.
"Hello, I am Jerry Smith. Have you been here long? I recently arrived here at the station with my ship. Did you want to join me at my table?"
Once they are seated, Jerry will continue. "I hear that you might be looking for a ship. Is that correct?"
The young couple looks startled and they stare at Jerry with artless suspicion.
"Uh, you're not a cop are you?" asks the young lady.
"'Cause we're not doing anything illegal," adds her companion.
Once they settle down and join Jerry, the man says in a lowered voice "We're from the Free Sperle Society. We want someone with a ship to help us sneak some things on and off Sperle. And maybe help us set up a port of our own."
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Steph punches in asking for more information on the cargo run to Tyokh. "Interesting. Could be a good haul. I'll bring it up with the group when they get back.
Steph learns that the cargo job is offered by one Joachim Streussen, an Argona businessman with interests in shipping and heavy industry. He has relatively few solid assets, dealing mainly in shares, buying and selling cargoes, contracting ships for specific jobs, and the like. He is a member of the Borderland Alliance, a loose organisation dedicated to promoting stability and prosperity in the region.
So far as Steph can determine, Streussen is merely the broker for this cargo. She can't find any information about its owner.
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Ray comes away from the brawl with a black eye, bloody knuckles, and a split lip spread into a grin.
...Until she remembers where she is.
She scowls and hurries back aboard her ship before any 'helpful' scientists, doctors, or robots try to trick her into some freaky experiment or procedure!
Ray is intercepted by a lithe-looking robot that moves with the grace of a dancer and the full-throated voice of a singer. "Good evening. May I help you? I can lead you to medical care or to your accommodations for the evening. Or to any number of entertainment and relaxation facilities."
"Incidentally, it may interest you to know that fighting is legal in designated portions of the station, such as that bar, but punishable by expulsion throughout most of Tech-World."
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Ray's eyes widen. "NO! No, I'm good. No medical anythings, thank you! And uh... I'm heading back to my ship now. No need to space me! Go away."
She tries to step around the robot and get back on the ship.
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The robot doesn't stop Ray, but does follow her back to the ship, just to be certain she doesn't need anything. It stops a respectful twenty meters from the berth and allows Ray to finally leave its pleasant and inoffensive gaze.
Jerry meets with his companions when they return to the ship.
"Did either of these potential jobs mention anything about money up front? If not, we have to scrape up some money for fuel," states Jerry.
"I don't have an opinion on either of these jobs - Sperle is closer, though, and we can probably get paid sooner."
Daneel considers, "Hmm, two weeks to Argona, then like a month before we can deliver to Tyokh and get paid. That might be too long to wait, even if the payday is better. But if these Free Sperle people aren't gonna give us anything up front, how do we know they can even pay us once we deliver?"
Jerry was too focused on the impending insolvency of their nascent venture to continue speaking with the couple. He might try to track them down if his companions wish.
"Our immediate need is cash. It's not glamorous, but we can haul goods to Argona in order to get on our feet. What do the rest of you think?"
"Let's haul the goods, but let the couple know we'll be backthis way later if they haven't found someone yet we might be able to help. It would be nice to have a home port in this sector." Steph puts in her suggestion.
"We need to be able to keep moving. If that means doing an errand here or there then that is what we do. We can look for targets in sectors near the drop off as well." Byron tosses out.
You have 29.7 tons of cargo space. That's teensy because you're a commerce raider not a cargo hauler. Hauling regular cargo won't pay for your trip, but it might defray some of the costs. Another option is to purchase expensive high-value materials you think might sell for more at Exe or Argona, although you're too broke to do that. A third option is to take on passengers. Of course, that means letting passengers see your fancy high-tech ship from the inside, so...
Steph arranges for a contract to haul 29 tons of robotic parts from Tech-World to Exe for a fee of cr45,000.
The ship hold 8 standard staterooms and 8 low berth (cryogenic sleep chambers). If you and the Marines double up, you could offer 4 standard staterooms. However, since none of you pirates have any ranks in Steward, you could offer no better than "Basic" passage. You could allow up to 16 (!) people to bunk in the four staterooms for Cr2900 each. However, only seven people are willing to take a Basic passage from Tech-World to Exe.
Four people are willing to take Low Passage. It is generally required to have a doctor on hand for this because it is so dangerous to the passenger. Low Passage from Tech-World to Exe would pay Cr1300 each.
As the officers of the Nemesis debate the best way to make some cash, Daneel chips in, "I don't love the idea of taking on passengers either, but we need cash to get things rolling, and we are already headed to EXE with the robot parts. It's only for a week, and we can keep the ship's specs under wraps for that long. So I vote we take on the passengers for the extra 25K."
Jerry scowls at the accounting software, trying to understand exactly where the credits are going. He is pretty certain that Daneel and Kagni aren't simply pouring credits into the engines, but it certainly seems that way.
Still, with the passengers, the ship can manage to purchase some fuel and get underway, with some cash left over. Even after docking fees.
"Let's get underway. Get the cargo and the passengers on board. Tell the standard passengers to stay in their cabins and keep the low passengers on the dock while the cargo is brought on board."
"Doctor Su - prepare for four low passengers."
Jerry spins back and forth in his command chair, fingering the sword that came with the chair.
"Let's prepare to get underway. Plot a course for Exe. We will re-fuel from the gas giant there after dropping passengers and cargo."
Ray crosses her arms and scowls at the passengers as they board the ship. She stares at them for a long while... Finally she cocks her head toward their rooms. "Come on. This way."
"Stay in your cabin."
"Yes Captain." Stephanie takes her seat at the pilot chair and waits to take the ship out of the docking bay and into orbit. "Let's hope the showers work for the next couple of weeks."
Daneel lifts his head from his readouts and looks at Steph. "The showers will be fine." He looks back at his screen and continues to run through his checklists, while muttering quietly, "They will definitely be just fine."
After completing his checks, Daneel calls out, "All systems check out." He looks over at Byron, "Let me know when you finish the course and I'll start the prep on the j-drive."
Here's a passenger list:
Basic
Christina Wood (F), 41. Mechanic for GeDeCo
Sofia Uleaven (F), 57. Drifter
Jamie Brooks (F), 32. Drifter
Brice Butler (M), 36. Drifter
Zelia Maiden (F), 57. Traveling to meet family
Era Wilson (F), 72. Gambler
Joe George (M), 70. Entertainer (former holo star from Byrni)
Low
Argaas - Vargr (M), 51. War Veteran. Drifter
Bennie Day - (F), 64. Retired engineer.
Franklin Abberton - (M), 71. Retired boxer.
Porter Soto - (M), 34. Very handsome. Almost beautiful. No occupation.
The passengers gawk at the outlandish luxury on the obviously-not-a-passenger-ship.
"Is this a yacht?" asks Sofia Uleaven. "I mean, this ship reminds me of an old theater I once saw. It was kind of beautiful, too. In an old and comfortable sort of way."
Meanwhile, the low passengers look about nervously. Everyone knows that low passage is dangerous.
Byron heads up to start plotting the course, but thoughts of one of the passengers he saw boarding kept popping up as he worked.