Shades of Twilight - Fall of the Third Imperium (Inactive)

Game Master GM Darkblade

dot

Awoooo!!!

Just dotting, still working on skills and such..

Devon leaned back with his hands behind his head, starring at the ceiling as he contemplated his 'retirement'.

Roup - Regina Subsector/Domain of Deneb

Location: Roup Startown Landing Berth
0811 hours median time 034-1116

Aboard the Deneb's Eclipse, a retrofitted commercial GSbAG Support Series Service Gig off the Deneb Rising, awaiting cargo, passengers, and crew boarding before system departure tomorrow after six days of downtime. The Deneb Rising, a Navarro class Far Trader is undergoing final rundown inspections in repair dock for recent improvements to her armaments and weapons platforms, release planned for late afternoon

Flipping switches, uplink secure, connected to network, Eclipse, please show current news headline feeds

TAS Interplanetary News Services Unlimited

Care to know more...

Lodic sits on the gig, awaiting transport to the ship he's agreed to work on. It may turn into a partnership, depending on how things go. As he waits, he pulls up the feeds, looking for news on Darrian worlds, although he doesn't expect to find any this far out of civilization.

He also pulls up the data he was sent by his contacts on interest for the maiden voyage, and a starmap, all inside his visor. His boarding suit made several people in the starport a bit nervous, given it's lethal sleek look, but he wasn't too concerned about it. It was far from illegal this far out in the boondocks.

Seeing that they have plenty of options toward Feri and Enope, he pulls up the news feeds for both planets, especially the survey on what new items might be needed and the crisis. He also pulls up the Roup news and Hefry news. It looks as if they could drop cargo at Feri, and then hop to Enope. He begins making notes on that, as well as notes on Hefry. Only one set of drops in that direction, but, if they're more lucrative, it would be worth it, given the shorter hop time.

His personal computer begins processing data, estimating cargo space, time, cargo numbers.

News feeds for Enope...
Enope

Enope Startown: A recent contamination of canned firefly squid and sparkling enopen ice squid cooked in salty miso has caused some...

Hazi: Today, the Enopen Network on Planetary Empowerment (ENOPE) met to lay out their current progressive platform. ENOPE is a non partisan...

Pike: The Pike Division of the IBI is investigating after an armed bank robbery occurred last evening at the Imperial Finance building...

Shaniira: Cristanni Vargas Castro has announced the lineup for his venue Snowpocalypse 1116, a gathering of indie folk artists from...

Rembrandt City: Works by the celebrated artist Ankrish Kalnapoor will go on show in the Gallery of Honour at the National Arts Museum...

Shudad: Enopen Military Border officials in Shudad have begun preparations for the papal visit of his holiness Jhonns Patrick IV...

Sabarbin: The elder vargr, believed to be Khairiah Sabar, the third wife of the kashrii requested asylum today from official warrants...

Magik Town: When the Magik Town Theatre troupe learned they wouldn't be able to set new events apart from fairs and festivals across town...

Lodic specifically pulls up details on the following :

Enope :

Sabarbin: The elder vargr, believed to be Khairiah Sabar, the third wife of the kashrii requested asylum today from official warrants...

Pike: The Pike Division of the IBI is investigating after an armed bank robbery occurred last evening at the Imperial Finance building...

Feri :
More than 90% of respondents to Feri's annual survey on investment trends suggest which new items...

Crisis at Muzila as hundreds of passengers are stranded after immigration transit talks stall...

Hefry :
Exciting news on the Cavillis Plains Conservation front. It looks like Hefry's next major reclaimation...

Roup :
Renoir: Zhodani Ex-Pats clash with Counter-Protesters at the Metropolitan Museum of Art over a display of...

Shikii City: Roup PMA elite forces discovered the vargr kashrii's last hideout, and the bloody war again came...

News feeds for Feri...
Feri

Feri Startown: More than 90% of respondents to Feri's annual survey on investment trends suggest which new items are most wanted by the...

Falstaff: After the lackluster openings of its 1113–15 seasonal crops, Septem Beach leads an otherwise mediocre harvest with a new Nabucco...

Muzila: Crisis at Muzila as hundreds of passengers are stranded after immigration transit talks stall and liners are held in lockdown...

Khur City: In 1112, local native Ashran Khurrana made his holo-vid debut in Shoojit Sircar's action thriller Vargr Dominion. He now...

Imim: NewGenRest has been formally allowed acquisition rights to a novel gene detection process developed by Feri University School of...

Sabarbin: The elder vargr, believed to be Khairiah Sabar, the third wife of the kashrii requested asylum today from official warrants listing her as a terrorist and fugitive from Imperial justice issued on Roup. A firefight with planetary forces there resulted in the death of the kashrii and many of his clan mates. The vargr extremist and his followers have been raiding isolated shipping lanes for the past year in their continued campaign of ethnic cleansing as espoused by their support for the Church of the Chosen Ones...

Pike: The Pike Division of the IBI is investigating after an armed bank robbery occurred last evening at the Imperial Finance building on Fifth street. The robbers escaped in a modified grav sled after a short standoff with local law enforcement. The bank reports nearly 20 million credits were taken, as well as the contents of at least a dozen high security safety deposit boxes, many blasted open with high energy particle weapons. At this time it is believed the culprits are still on Enope, a manhunt has ensued. All off-world transport has fallen under increased scrutiny for the foreseeable future...

Feri Startown: More than 90% of respondents to Feri's annual survey on investment trends suggest which new items are most wanted by the rich and famous this fashion season. Thanks to a bountiful export of reality vids from Regina, many high tech and textile stocks have soared in recent days as everyone with the money and means has begun redecorating and styling in the latest fads that world has to offer. Everything from Aslan Neo-Impressionist art to Lady Monica blue dresses to Reginan Reformation furniture have begun flowing into the marketplace...

Crisis at Muzila as hundreds of passengers are stranded after immigration transit talks stall and liners are held in lockdown until such time as the contract negotiations are settled. With immigration at an all time high the government trade union has rallied it's members to stage work stoppages, green flus, and chronic issues of misfiled transit documents in support of their brothers across the planet. Travellers are urged to have their documents processed in orbit by Imperial Naval offices when possible to avoid unnecessary delays...

Hefry: Exciting news on the Cavillis Plains Conservation front. It looks like Hefry's next major reclaimation effort will be the site of the crash of the Liris Manns. The Liris was an old Sharurshid transport vessel which suffered a navigation computer malfunction and crashed into the Cavillis Plains with a loss of all hands. Reactor radiation made the site a costly venture to salvage at the time, but over time and the addition of newer technologies, the CPC believes they can finally start cleaning up the site and restoring the area to it's natural state...

Renoir: Zhodani Ex-Pats clash with Counter-Protesters at the Metropolitan Museum of Art over a display of Zhodani cultural and historical artifacts on loan by the Stonjinad family. "Those towel heads have no right to be showing off their filth in our museums, to our children. Not after what their kind did to the Reliant, for what they did on Ruby. My cousin died in the fighting, so I'll be darned if they think they can start their mind-crap here as well. Roup for Roupans I say" stated Exekial Myers of the Roupan Purity League...

Shikii City: Roup PMA elite forces discovered the vargr kashrii's last hideout, and the bloody Fifth Frontier war again came to our planet. The kashrii and about a dozen of his Church of the Chosen packmates were in hiding out in an abandoned service dome under the Eshanni Sea. the PMA breached the dome at 0530 hours yesterday and after a protracted fight reported all vargr terrorists were killed, with minimal losses of their own. They seized a trove of vids, documents, and transit profiles for cell sympathizers and brokers across the planet and into neighboring systems...

Lodic does a check to see if the local market for Regina crafts is going up or down. If it's going down or staying even, he sets an alert on it if it moves more than 4%. If it's going up, he will contact someone about purchasing a few tons of cargo speculatively.

There is a small glut of Reginan products on Roup's speculative market right now after the Ilya Murumets heavy freighter was forced to dump nearly it's entire cargo run at or below cost to cover drive repairs. Their H drive failed mid-jump out of Regina via Hefry and they barely arrived in orbit four days ago. It is a buyer's market on Roup for those goods right now.

Speculative cargo from Regina sold to brokers by the Murumets includes 60 tons of Reginan early colonial period floor rugs, 30 tons of Reginan Royal Blue cloth bolts and related textiles in varying weaves, 10 tons of assorted Fizzerale casks distributed by Corona Brewers RLC, and 30 tons of Reginan Palewood Flooring kits. See the Campaign Tab for a complete list of Speculative Cargos available on Roup.

The Ilya Murumets' captain is looking for takers to deliver on consignment cargo as well, so see Horgus Melns at docking bay H-22 for more information.

Yep, I saw it, wanted to check to see if anyone else in orbit had twigged to the Regina connection yet, looks like they haven't since it's selling below market still

Lodic pulls up an encrypted mail application, and begins typing up a notification to his partners using the encryption key set up by the consortium.

From : Relsanth Kelser
To : Voss Allrianne, Dr. McBride Devon, dLacie Kenneth, Gzegdoug Varkha
Re : Current business opportunities.

In researching potential business opportunities, we have the opportunity for a relatively short and potentially profitable run. There are passengers wanting passage to Feri and Enope, enough to fill our passenger compliment at least 50%.

Feri is currently in the grips of a Regina fervor amongst the upper class, who are attempting to redecorate in Regina fashion. The Ilya Murumets is currently in orbit around Roup with a large cargo of Regina products that they are being forced to sell below cost to pay for a hyperdrive repair. I suggest we purchase at least 50 tons of various Regina products and take them to Feri along with the Feri passengers, on the first leg toward Enope.

It should be noted that there are two potential issues with the passengers. The first is that a terrorist cell was recently decimated on Roup, and the wife of the founder managed to escape to Enope. The terrorist group had a large stash of fake IDs. Any passengers we take off planet should be checked and double checked with planetary immigration to ensure they are legitimate. We should also check all their cargo and luggage for weapons or other things that could be used to take over the ship, and not allow them on if they have anything unusual.

The second issue is that one of the passengers is a Zhodani and his wife, and there is currently a large amount of anit-Zhodani sentiment in the sector, meaning we could have issues carrying such a passenger. Additionally, several of the crew have had... interactions... with the Zhodani worlds that left them as wanted criminals on those worlds.

Additionally, Feri is currently experiencing labor issues with the starports and stalks, and offloading passengers and cargo may be complicated. It is suggested that papers be handled by the Imperial Naval vessels, rather than local government, until the situation is resolved to avoid delays.

Finally, the Ilya Murumets captain is looking for someone to deliver a consignment cargo, and it may be worth talking to him concerning it.

Signed,
Relsanth Kelser

Using Encrypted Mail Server
Kelser et. al.:

Note though we cannot afford to carry this passenger:

58,800 cr

Human male businessman with 40 tons of Ferrocarbide Mining Drills cargo travelling to Feri
Vernon Luthor

The reason for this is that Mister Luthor is bringing cargo and only offering to pay 610 cr per ton per parsec, and even earning the standard 1000 cr per parsec ton for freight we are operating at a loss. We should only accept his offer if we can find nothing at all to fill the holds. His cargo would account for almost half our cargo hold.

The same applies to Mister Grissom:

6,000 cr

Human male shopkeeper with 4 tons of Greenpoint Tobacco Cigars travelling to Feri
Malcolm Grissom

In booking passage he is trying to get a deal on his four tons of cargo, paying only 5000 for 4 tons of cargo space that should cost 8000. However, we are much more likely to have 4 tons of cargo space that we can afford to "give away" so we should see how much cargo space we can fill before accepting him.

We should definitely accept the consignment of mail to Feri.

How much liquid capital do we have for the purpose of speculating? I haven't bothered figuring out Varkha's gear yet but I should have about 15,000 cr left... which is not much.

The Regina products look good but I'm not sure how much we can afford to buy. The carpets and cloth look good; the Palewood Flooring might be too low a base cost to be worth carrying. If something costs 1000 per ton we need to sell it at more than 3000 to make it worth carrying.

@ GM Darkblade: will Lysander get a Broker roll to reduce the purchase cost of these cargoes? He should have Broker-3 and +1 SOC or INT.

I don't see a list of freight cargoes available so we should look into that. Without liquid capital we may have to carry some freight instead of speculating for our whole hold.

Varkha

Human male businessman with 40 tons of Ferrocarbide Mining Drills cargo travelling to Feri

Not sure about your math here...

Human male shopkeeper with 4 tons of Greenpoint Tobacco Cigars travelling to Feri

1,200 cr for Low Passage 2 parsecs and 4,800 cr for 4 tons cargo 2 parsecs which is also average.

How much liquid capital do we have for the purpose of speculating?

It will be up to the players to contribute funds to the brokerage account for the ship. As this is all pretend funds I would hope you folks are not feeling particularly stingy and wanting to keep all your illusionary credits to yourselves.

Whoever you decide will be your brokerage agent will certainly get the appropriate rolls to determine final purchasing and selling rates for anything you trade speculatively for in the game.

I did not generate a list of consignment freight cargos yet as I was not certain in which direction the crew intended to proceed. There seemed little sense in creating a few dozen cargos for each destination and then have the crew decide "Nah, we just wanna go be bad guys..."

Varkha Gzegdoug wrote:

Human male businessman with 40 tons of Ferrocarbide Mining Drills cargo travelling to Feri

Not sure about your math here...

12,000 cr for High Passage 2 parsecs

Oh... was looking at the playtest version which says 5000 per parsec. The prices in the SRD are much more favorable.

and 46,800 cr for 39 tons of cargo 2 parsecs. That's 1200 cr per ton standard stellar average.

Hmmm... I thought that had been fixed. The math of ship operations don't really work at that rate. Under that rate no ship operator can ever afford to carry freight more than one parsec, and only jump-1 ships can afford to carry freight at all.

We need at least 2000 cr per ton of cargo space on average, and that is only possible because 1/3rd of the ship is already paid off.

Varkha Gzegdoug wrote:

How much liquid capital do we have for the purpose of speculating?

It will be up to the players to contribute funds...

I know... I was asking the other players. The stuff in italics represents a message written in character. As I said I should have about 15000 to kick in.

I did not generate a list of consignment freight cargos yet as I was not certain in which direction the crew intended to proceed.

OK... assume we are headed to Feri for now.

Waiting for the transit to take him to the DownPort, Kenneth checks his comm to see he has received messages. He takes a moment to back trace the signal to ensure it has not been spoofed. Once satisfied, he runs his security software over the packet, and then deciders the message.

He types a quick note to the others, basically saying he will be at the port shortly, but he will go along with whatever the group decides. Not being a merchant at heart, many of these decisions he will leave to those who know better. In fact, hi position withing the ship had never really been clarified, not that he cared. He hoped that travelling would help erase some of the bad memories of the last few years.

He hopped on the tram and replaced his comm, but the dark thoughts had been stirred up, and his mood had turned black.

Works the 'net finding trade goods and passengers for a trip.

Works the 'net finding trade goods and passengers for a trip.

I had not intended to create multiple story and passenger options for the cabin spaces, as there were dozens available on Roup. The few examples listed are meant to be a sampling. If the crew is not happy with those first applicants you will need to hold interviews amongst the remaining passengers to cherry pick the lot. I kind of combined the freight and passenger options for a few for story purposes.

Roup population 9 plus 2(high pop, industrial water world) travelling to Feri, also plus 2(rich, pre-ag world) for a score of 13. That would be 6d6 lows (got 22), 4d6 middles (got 11), and 4d6 highs (got 13). I can flesh out the full list if that is desired, but I would likely start using the patrons and similar books to make the work easier.

For cargo I created a sample list of speculative cargos as I assumed the group would want to get underway almost immediately. If you would like to spend about a week in port making inquiries, making contacts, and arranging purchase contracts I can allow your broker to make some rolls to create another, maybe fuller list.

In response to the scan alerts some of you posted, the following additional posting alerts appeared on the Eclipse's internal message board:

Incoming notices received, awaiting replies. Acknowledge or ignore messages?

Message 1
Passenger Charter Notification: Hunting expedition to Feri seeks two cabins for three passengers (High Passage only) plus one week of bodyguard services while on planet from an experienced and bondable crew, prices and rates negotiable. Willing to pay full transit costs in advance and offering a 75,000 credit bonus upon the safe and successful completion of the hunt. Contact Tristan Keeler-Maxwell at the Roup Silver Regency for further information.

Message 2
Bulk Freight Contractor Service: A local cargo broker with good references is offering a lucrative "full hold with freight bonus" contract for anyone en route to Feri. Cargo fees are offered at 1500 credits per ton, full hold preferred. The broker lists a contact number at the offices of Roupan Dockworkers Local #348 for more information.

Message 3
Security Protocol Failure/Message Delivered via Unsecured Relay

Thanks.

Lysander Montague wrote:

Works the 'net finding trade goods and passengers for a trip.

I had not intended to create multiple story and passenger options for the cabin spaces, as there were dozens available on Roup. The few examples listed are meant to be a sampling. If the crew is not happy with those first applicants you will need to hold interviews amongst the remaining passengers to cherry pick the lot. I kind of combined the freight and passenger options for a few for story purposes.

Roup population 9 plus 2(high pop, industrial water world) travelling to Feri, also plus 2(rich, pre-ag world) for a score of 13. That would be 6d6 lows (got 22), 4d6 middles (got 11), and 4d6 highs (got 13). I can flesh out the full list if that is desired, but I would likely start using the patrons and similar books to make the work easier.

For cargo I created a sample list of speculative cargos as I assumed the group would want to get underway almost immediately. If you would like to spend about a week in port making inquiries, making contacts, and arranging purchase contracts I can allow your broker to make some rolls to create another, maybe fuller list.

After having read his 'mail, he responds then shares with the rest of the folks.

To the rest of the group he explains that he's interested in taking on a cargo to Feri that would net us an additional 54k to delivery a cargo rep with 10 tons of cargo to Feri spaceport. But we have to leave pretty much now.

If I dont hear back in 6 hours or so from other folks, I plan to take it.

Kenneth sends a short message to Lysander agreeing to take the contract...good money left on the table does no one any good!

When Lysander calls the contact number for the Roupan Dockworkers his comm call is referred to an affiliated brokerage agent, Sheryl McKinsey of McKinsey, Kline, and Davers. The agency has a good, solid reputation, and does business throughout the Regina subsector. They hold nearly half a dozen offices on the more developed planets, those with type A starports. They have no formal office on Roup but maintain an agency presence to facilitate cargo and contract fulfillment needs.

McKinsey indicates that her company is always looking for experienced and professional crews to handle time sensitive or high value cargos. Reliable ships are usually offered repeat business and more lucrative rates than the market average.

This particular contract is one of a time sensitive nature, perishable goods which have been unfortunately delayed by a rival broker and now in danger of breach if not delivered within the tenday. The bulk of the shipment would require 75 tons of cargo space, but they have incidental freight which would entirely fill the Rising's hold, all at the previously mentioned rate. McKinsey also mentions she has a personal contract she would like to offer as well, a delivery of a more delicate nature which she is only willing to discuss in person. She asks if you would be interested in meeting with her at the dockworkers union tonight, at 1830 hours local time. She suggests the meeting be a private one, no more than three representatives of the crew please.

Security Protocol Failure/Message Delivered via Unsecured Relay

Uh, ok... whats this about security protocol?

I bought a TL 10 comms (Multiple forms of data, computer/1), do I need to put security software on it too? I don't see anything in the computer section dealing with traffic.

Unless otherwise specified, I would suspect the character being high Int (or somewhat) would use the appropriate security protocols for each mail.

Don't know all the rules by heart.

Lodic responds to Lysander. "We have an offer of full hold cargo for 1500 per ton. If you take 10 tons of it, we cannot take that contract, and it's the only contract I see that will pay for our trip. If you wish to take this contract on, we'll need to find additional cargo to make up the difference. The full hold contract would be 146,500 credits, when combined with the mail cargo run to Feri. If you can find more than that via your sources, then I approve the 10 ton passenger. If not, I recommend against it."

Eclipse replies to Lysander: Sir, security protocols are active and engaged on all communications, as requested. Diagnostics do not indicate any failure with my transmission or receiving systems.

I assumed your personal communications would be routed through the ship's "Siri" systems. The Eclipse is linked to the Rising, and would therefore provide you a link to the ship's computer. It would utilize standard security protocols on sensitive materials and communiques, much like the default settings on your email client and antivirus software. However yes, you would need to install security on your personal computer, the programs are included in the core rulebook. Edit: Security is only needed on a personal computer if you wish to protect it when not connected to the ship. While linked to the ship it would be able to access and use the ship's security protocols.

In this instance it would appear your comms traffic may have been hacked after the point of interface with the planetary network. This can be verified by an Average Computer Skill check taking a few minutes of activity. Tracing the hack will require several hours of activity and a Very Difficult Computer Skill check.

Anytime anyone wants to send a message separate from the ship's system, please indicate such so that it will not be considered recorded on the ship's mainframe and backup drives. You will then be limited to whatever access you can link to at your current location.

Does this seem fair?

I do have Security on the computer, fyi

I seek out our computer expert Kenneth and point him at the ship's systems. "What do you make of this?" To Lodic, "The full load will allow us to take the mail and the 'special' cargo, and it gives us our best profit per tonnage." He pauses, "You and Kenneth should join me to meet at our private contacts at 1830."

Works for me, thanks

Eclipse replies to Lysander: Sir, security protocols are active and engaged on all communications, as requested. Diagnostics do not indicate any failure with my transmission or receiving systems.

I assumed your personal communications would be routed through the ship's "Siri" systems. The Eclipse is linked to the Rising, and would therefore provide you a link to the ship's computer. It would utilize standard security protocols on sensitive materials and communiques, much like the default settings on your email client and antivirus software. However yes, you would need to install security on your personal computer, the programs are included in the core rulebook. Edit: Security is only needed on a personal computer if you wish to protect it when not connected to the ship. While linked to the ship it would be able to access and use the ship's security protocols.

In this instance it would appear your comms traffic may have been hacked after the point of interface with the planetary network. This can be verified by an Average Computer Skill check taking a few minutes of activity. Tracing the hack will require several hours of activity and a Very Difficult Computer Skill check.

Anytime anyone wants to send a message separate from the ship's system, please indicate such so that it will not be considered recorded on the ship's mainframe and backup drives. You will then be limited to whatever access you can link to at your current location.

Does this seem fair?

Kenneth gets the message and set about tagging and tracing the hacker.

Computer: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 + 1 = 11 to verify

Using my computer to assist, for the +1 (I think that is correct)

Computer: 2d6 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2, 6) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 9 to trace hacker

Kenneth will miss the meeting with the broker McKinsey while tracing the hack.

Kenneth spends nearly hours: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8 combing through the Eclipse and Rising's databases as well as the local network hubs, looking for signs of the hacker's identity. Who ever it is, as the signs are the tap is still in use, they have hidden themselves well. The trace took him through a series of blinds and hops before routing right back to the first few systems then off in a different direction.

Kenneth will attempt to increase the security on the computers and comm of the crew, specifically against this kind of intrusion (and others as well). He will also continue to try and discover who it is tapping their communications.
When the others return he will sit them down and go over what he has learned. He sweeps the room and crew for bugs and ensure no one is listening in.

"So the long and the short of it is, your friend (he looks to Lysander) is being traced, and now so are we. Who is he? Who would be interested in his communications?"

He turns to Lodic and asks, "Do you have any assets in the area who might be able to shed some light on this? I am going to check mine...I do not like being bugged!"

Communicating with the hunting party you learn they are a group of wealthy business men who have formed a sort of private hunting club. They identify themselves as Tristan Keeler-Maxwell (hunt leader), Karl Hinton (veteran hunter), and Simon Knight (a junior member, this will be his second hunt).

The hunting club owns a series of small retreats and hunting lodges on different planets throughout the sector and are interested in visiting one they have on a small island off Feri's southern continent. This time of year is ideal for hunting a creature known as the dew-backed kraytfisher. The men are hoping to visit the lodge prior to the rest of their club, to bag the first and best kill and to then be gone before the other club members arrive the first of next month.

I know it seems like cheating but the by-laws do allow for a hunt to begin the first of each new seasonal cycle, and only require three members to be present on the hunt. Feri enters it's summer cycle in three days time. My friends and I want to have our hunt before any of the other members get there. The biggest trophy taken from each lodge for each season stands to collect the prize money and bragging rights for that hunt year. If we have the most trophy wins for the year we will get to decide our next lodge purchase. I have wanted to bring a lodge here to Roup for years now but the other members have always refused. They don't consider deep sea hunts very favorably. If we can collect the best for each lodge this year we'll get our black sea orcas added to the hunt lists next year, and our very own lodge in the Eastern Ocean.

The hunters begin by offering as stated normal High passage rates to Feri for each of them, plus the cost for the jump itself up front. They offer a rate of 100 credits per day per bodyguard to accompany them out to the island and for the hunt itself, which they think should take no more than five days. If you help them track and bag the biggest kraytfisher then successfully return it to Feri Startown for proper taxidermy, you will receive the bonus as promised.

Should you get us there and back with our prize before the five days is out we will gladly still pay you for the full 500 credits each. We really want to bag that beast. Last year Johnso... err, one of our members, spotted a silver tip that easily stood 3m at the shoulder. He'd die to find out we got to it first.

Lodic frowns. "No, my... friends... are not in this sector of space." He rubs his chin, and then taps a black dot on his hand. "Micah on Micah. Micah, connect to the ship computer. Monitor the ship's communication ports. If the firewall on the communication port flickers at all, alert the crew. Micah confirm Micah."

A clear voice with no gender inflection responds from the dot. "Micah on. Confirm, connect to Deneb Rising main computer. Perform monitoring of all communications ports. If any intrusion occurs, or is attempted, alert Deneb Rising crew immediately. Micah end."

"Micah confirm Micah. Micah off Micah." Lodic responds.

"Micah off." The dot confirms.

"My personal system will be monitoring the ports as an extra precaution. Unfortunately, Micah is... limited. I have not had time to upgrade him properly. If I still had Linat..." He trails off and shrugs. "I do not like this. I believe we should alert Montague Lysander's contact that this has happened, using code phrases, that we are not going to take the contract. Whoever is doing this has access to technology far beyond what any of us currently have access to."

...a creature known as the dew-backed kraytfisher...

Does Varkha smell a star wars reference?

Varkha logs in to the ship's computer, and searches for a few things, requesting the ship connect to local datanets when available:
* Landing/Takeoff protocols at nearby starports (Particularly Roup and Feri, but might as well get as much stuff in the Library as possible)
* Information on suspected corsairs/pirates operating in the region, including bounties (if any) for their capture or destruction.
* Information on any missing/presumed lost ships formerly operating in the region, including rewards (if any) for their recovery.

He keys into the ship's internal message system, and sends a message to the rest of the crew:

Doc had been monitoring the various cargo searches while he checked that the passenger cabins were ready. He'd spent enough time having a steward that he knew what was going to be needed if they did end up with some first class passengers.

Hey Varkha, are we fueled and ready, assuming the rest of the crew finds some cargo?

Allrianne keeps herself busy, she's not above a bit or bartering, but the others are better at it.
She will instead busy herself checking and rechecking the ship.

Prologue to Adventure...

Doctor Devon McBride sits at his desk at the University of Rhylanor Medical Center. Retirement sounds boring and dull, while continuing to write paper after paper covering ground others are equally treading grows more tedious with each passing year. A change is in order.

He's heard from a friend or two that are looking into starting up a small trading coaster, a sturdy ship, combat ready, venturing into the high value short haul market. A bit of savings, a bit of luck, maybe this is something new to look at. Travelling on the fringe would certainly open up new doors for research, for medical discovery. Alien pathogens, exotic microbes, cross genetic development of transplanted fauna, the opportunities...

Looking over his rolodex, hmmm, nobody around Rhylanor that could help. Wait, here we go, Miles Canton, second vice president of Regina Securities and Trust. That triple cardiac bypass went smoothly, and finding that benign cyst forming along the inner aortic wall, well. Twenty more years of life ought to be worth something, right?

Dialing up the number, Hey Miles, this is Dr. McBride. Good good, and you How's your wife and son. Great, hey do you have a few minutes. There's something I'd like to discuss with you...

Continuing Prologue...

Doc McBride calls up Lysander Montague and let's him in on his plan. His friend at Regina Securities and Trust has a buddy in loans and commercial developments that owes him a favor. The pair discuss their plans a bit further and the next day Lysander follows up with the bank.

Mr. Montague to see James Kain please. I have a 1:30 appointment. The wait is brief and once over the two have hashed out much of the basics for the loan application. Financing and down payment information all checks out, the partnership agreements need a once over the Securities Exchange but all in all a very productive meeting.

Calling up the others, Lysander passes on the good news. They are willing to back our plan, at rates a bit better than the current market points. We don't have long though, this offer may change if we wait out the month. We need to find a ship and iron out the final details. Any ideas?

Prologue ongoing...

Kenneth deLacie is excited by the news, this thing may actually happen. Now all we need is a ship and a little practice as a crew. Fingers crossed we are gonna do this.

Cracking his knuckles as his drives warm up, Kenneth dives into the online databases of a score of shipyards, comparing available or pending deliveries, repair and review documents, foreclosures and forfeitures. He leaves no stone unturned in his search to find a boat which would fulfill all their needs.

Hey this looks promising. The IISS is retiring out a modified escort, still armed and armored, only 15 years old, good service record, just doesn't fit their needs anymore. Now who do I know that can get us a sit down on this baby?

Continuing Prologue...

The vargr kicks around his apartment, frustrated over his troubles finding new work as a commercial or private party pilot. Varkha paces gnawing on a grendle femur as his comms unit chimes, and an old scouting acquaintance, Kenneth, pops up on the vid screen.

Yo there Varkha, long time now buddy. I heard you were looking for a gig as a pilot. Been rough for you too huh. I may be able to help you out, something's come up, provided you can help us in return. Do you know anybody over in IISS procurements and dispersals?

Varkha Gzegdoug tugged at his starched and itchy dress uniform, so rarely worn throughout his career but so very important that today. The
thing was actually feeling tighter than when he first put it on. The attaché finally waved him through the doorway into his old trainer's office.

Former Scout Gzegdoug here to see Retired Senior Scout Kenzan Delmont... Shaking the man's hand Varkha takes a seat. Hello again sir, it's been a long time. Lacking any tact, he jumps right into it. I understand you will be mothballing some of the Navarro class resupply scouts soon. Might I interest you in a deal, one former scout to another?

Lodic sat at his terminal, reviewing the prospectus the others have drafted, analyzing every factor and trying to determine exactly why the deal meant so much to the others. Solomani minds and desires are so strange, not as bad as the Zhodani but still...

The man spent most of the night going over everything that had been put together. The ship was not quite the same as the commercial version, less sturdy perhaps, using it's governmental status to avoid some fights commercial ships could not. It had the range of course, and a bit more cargo space, certainly with room to store his bike. I wonder if I can talk them into allowing me the captain's cabin.

The next morning there was one last thing to accomplish before everything would fall into place. He checked himself in the 3d mirror and made sure he was properly composed and business-like. The solomani don't take nearly as much care with their appearances as they should. He calls out Micah on. Confirm, connect to Roup Central Comms. Locate the contact for Allrianne Voss.

Micah confirms, calling now his system replied. The comms chirp and then a sleepy voice answers, a female one at that. The vid screen was black and the viewer rejected his vid signal. Mumbling she answers Uhh, hello, bit early isn't it. Lodic responds, somewhat miffed at her behavior. Miss Allrianne Voss, good morning. It is promptly 0715 hours. I have found an issue with our deal of which I think should be addressed, and very soon. I believe you are both free today and in closest proximity to our objective. I have reviewed your calendar planner and see you bear no appointments. I am forwarding my requested suggestions to you now. Please see to the matter immediately. I will await your reply. Lodic then presses a button on the comm, muting the call. Micah on. Forward Prospectus Update file 3c to Allrianne Voss. Confirm and end call. Micah off.

"Micah confirms file sent. Call disconnected. Micah off." The dot confirmed.

Finalizing Prologue

Allrianne Voss grumbled at her dead comms and started to get up. Screw it, five more minutes won't hurt anything. She rolled back over and pulled the sheets up over her head to block the rising sun peeking through the shelter blinds.

Scrambling past stacked crates of protalube, ducking under a transom of conduits and fluid piping she made her way across the dockport. A warning alarm sounded at her as she dodged under a raised cargo container, flashing across the loader's path within feet of his cab. I'm gonna be late, drakk it, and I'll never hear the end of it. That pale skinned drip won't let me forget it, "Punctuality is key when presenting a proper image. To be taken seriously you must be serious." Yada yada yada. Ahead was the door to the portmaster's office. Sprinting the last hundred yards the lithe engineer made it with a whole three seconds to spare.

Comms relay chirped around the planet, as Allrianne transmitted her good news. Director Felstein has agreed to our proposal. Through a clerical oversight the Deneb Rising will be landed at Roup Downport pad 7 Alpha this evening local 1930 hours. Her gig is being redirected now, landing within the hour at pad 3 Charlie. Roup may fuss a little but we just saved ourselves a good bit on planetary registration fees and taxes. Good thinking Kelser, adding the last bit even though it left a taste in her mouth. Maybe the Darrian wouldn't turn out to be all that rigid after all.

Roup - Regina Subsector/Domain of Deneb

Location: Roup Startown Landing Berth
1330 hours median time 034-1116

The group has a few situations which will need addressed. Your potential jobs are as follows:

1) Someone needs to meet and negotiate with Sheryl McKinsey regarding the bulk freight contract. (3 persons limit requested)

Bulk Freight Contractor Service: A local cargo broker with good references is offering a lucrative "full hold with freight bonus" contract for anyone en route to Feri. Cargo fees are offered at 1500 credits per ton, full hold preferred. The broker lists a contact number at the offices of Roupan Dockworkers Local #348 for more information... This particular contract is one of a time sensitive nature, perishable goods which have been unfortunately delayed by a rival broker and now in danger of breach if not delivered within the tenday. The bulk of the shipment would require 70 tons of cargo space, but they have incidental freight which would entirely fill the Rising's hold, all at the previously mentioned rate

2) Someone needs to meet and negotiate with Sheryl McKinsey regarding her personal delivery contract if you want to accept it. (3 persons limit requested)

McKinsey has a personal contract she would like to offer as well, a delivery of a more delicate nature which she is only willing to discuss in person. She asks if you would be interested in meeting with her at the dockworkers union tonight, at 1830 hours local time. She suggests the meeting be a private one.

3) Someone needs to meet with the hunters and discuss the particulars of their contract in an hour and a half if you want to accept it.

Passenger Charter Notification: Hunting expedition to Feri seeks two cabins for three passengers (High Passage only) plus one week of bodyguard services while on planet from an experienced and bondable crew, prices and rates negotiable. Willing to pay full transit costs in advance and offering a 75,000 credit bonus upon the safe and successful completion of the hunt. Contact Tristan Keeler-Maxwell at the Roup Silver Regency for further information.

4) Someone needs to meet with Lysander's contact regarding his 10 ton job in the next four hours if you want to accept it. (No more than 2 persons max per SOP)

The company would like to hire your ship to deliver our representative and two five ton cargo containers to Feri, specifically to a warehouse located outside Khur City in the nation of Ishfahlan. The cargo units will have installed power generators and temperature shielding which our man will need to monitor thrice daily while in transit. To compensate you for your time and trouble we are willing to provide upfront the costs of our agent's passage, at a premium, up to 15,000 credits negotiated. Upon successful delivery we are willing to provide above double the market price costs for our containers, 25,000 credits, with a bonus award of 20,000 credits once our man is safely returned to the Feri Spaceport.

5) Someone needs to decide upon any other potential passengers or bulk freight shippers to be carried to either Feri or Enope over the next six hours if you want to accept them. (No maximum for passenger interviews)

Varkha has no particular negotiating skills, so he could "ride shotgun" with any group here. We can't carry guns but Varkha can always bite people. :) So he could accompany a negotiating group as "security."

My feelings about these contracts is: let's take them all. The third one looks a bit like trouble (smuggling maybe) but Varkha doesn't mind that sort of thing very much. Taking the third contract means we can't offer our entire hold to McKinsey, but hopefully she will be satisfied with 95 tons. Then we can take the third contract for 10 and the Mail delivery (if it is still on the table) for 5 tons.

I suppose with his computer skill, Ken could do background checks on the passengers, otherwise he can accompany anyone as a extra. His persuasion might help some in negations. I think we should try to take as many of the offered passengers/cargo as we can!

Lodic has only investigate, not diplomacy or deceive, but he does have leadership, and can show up on a high tech grav bike (assuming they didn't outlaw them on Roup, which if they did, then the air/raft wouldn't be any good either). Given that, he'd probably be a good person to send to talk to the hunters. The job includes bounty hunter work, and he could show up with his bike, armor, and gun, which should be fairly impressive as far as qualifying for bodyguard status. Combined with a leadership roll, he should come off as a pretty good bodyguard leader. BTW: Did we decide on a captain yet?

You would be meeting all potential employers on the grounds of the Roup Downport so your vehicles are acceptable. The current law level on Roup is high, so as a courtesy only blades and personal side arms (ie. pistols and the like) are allowable throughout the Downport, unless specifically employed or licensed by Star Port Authority.

Remember, Gameplay is for actual game posts, discussion is for everything else.