OOC

Nothing new here, just trying to catch up on all the dialogue...

IC
Brenon was lying on his bunk, recovering.  Kah'liss entered and sat
beside him.
"Youseemtoberecoveringwell. Yourarmshouldbewellinabout3weeks."
Brenon's eyes bulged.  He'd never heard Kah'liss speak so quickly.  It
took him a minute to register what was said.  Then he took a hard look at
the Vrusk at his bedside.

"You'reluckytheydidn'tstompyouintothegroundanddanceonyourgrave.  ButIguessthat'swhat
spinsyourgyroswhenyou'reanenforcer.  Iwouldliketolistentoyourthoughtsonthedeath
ofabravewarrior.  Wantsomeicecream?  Humansalwayslikeit.  Ithink.
YournameisTelgarright?  Sowhatdoyouthinkofdeath, hmm?"

No, this was definitely not Kah'liss.  Vrusk, yes.  Dressed like a
medic.  But the voice was different.  And those bug eyes, creepy in a
completely different way.  Brenon sighed and rolled his eyes.

Elsewhere, later that day:
Did those scruffy rock hoppers lose my stunstick?  I've been looking
for it everywhere and all I see is guns, guns, guns.
And I hope Payne has a good memory because I have a feeling that pirate
is answering several of my questions.  Well you can never trust an
enforcer with anything keener than nerf herding.  I'll have to check
him out myself.

Klak finds Payne, tries to get a conversation going about the
pirates. When he confirms that he just interrogated the leader Klak asks
him, "Sowhatdidyoulearnfromhim?"  With that done [assuming Payne 'fesses
up], she heads over to the ex-pirate.

She finds a messy has-been human (or other
race?). "Ohmy. Tskkliktsk.  Aspirin?  Taketwo.
IwishIhadgottentoyouearliersir.  Thisisreallymessy. Tsk."  Klak eases the
pain and tends the bruises with household first aid while probing the
pirate boss. "MynameisKlik'nKlak.
IfyourecallIcameinonamerchantvesselthatmisjumped.  Iwasmaroonedhereby
mycaptainfordrugginghimsotheFirstMatecouldgetawaywithafew
plansofhis.  TheFirstMatewasjustspaced. Youknow,chuckedouttheshipwithoutsomuchas
a'SeeyouonPale.'
ArealshametoobecausetheMatewasagoodbacciplayer.  Sowhereareyoufrom,originallyImean."

The pirate tried to scowl but it pained his face.  The effect was the
same.  He muttered some standard human epithet and something about Klak's
quick speech.
Klak rocked
forward.  "Where.  Are. You. From.  Ortogetitgrammaticallycorrectwhichyouneverseemtodo,
From. Where. Are. You?  AnswerthequestionandI'llgiveyousomepainkiller."  She
waves a spray hypo in his face.
   The pirate boss 'Zippy' muttered something about being from Pale and go
ask the thug, he already knows.

OOC
Klak entices him with more pain relief drugs.  She alternately tries to
calm him and to get him riled to see which produces better
results.  She mixes personal anecdotes with the questions to make the
interrogation more casual.  Does he have any family or friends back on
Pale that would like to hear a good eulogy about him?  Since he won't tell
or doesn't know his boss's name, what race was he?  Or was it a she or an
id?  Did he report directly to the Star Devil?  If not then what is the
chain of command above Zippy?
Is recruitment still ongoing?  Where do the new recruits come from?  If
he knows/tells, were the scispecs from the same place?  How long had this
operation been going before Zippy arrived?
What other business does the Star Devil ply, branching out into what?  And
where?
Is this operation still lucrative?  Does the Star Devil have any other
plans for Volturnus?  Have you seen any other signs of advanced
intelligent life on the planet?  Any other sentient life at all?

IC
"I'llseewhatIcandoaboutgettingyououtofhere.  Imayneedtosneakyouout.  Thosepeanuts
arepoppinangry.  Getsomerestandletmeknowwhenyouneedmorepainkiller."

Klak returns to Payne and reports any new information.
"AreyoufromPaleorNewPale?"
[If so then] "HowlongagowasthePale-NewPalewar? Whendiditbeginandend?"
[If not then] "Doyouknowwhois?"

OOC
I ask whoever when the war was.  I want to construct a rough time
line.  I'm from the Vrusk part of the frontier.  I heard of the war but
don't recall details.  What was it about?  I remember one planet beat the
other and annexed it.  Any players who want to jump up with the info and
save Jeff the work are welcome, I'm sure.

IC
Payne turns to watch this strange Vrusk give his prisoner medical
treatment. "Hey hey Hey...what in space are you doing there Zepo? I
can't interrogate this puke when your playing nurse maid to this peace
of space junk. One more thing there Zepo, talk slower, pause after each
word, its all buzzes and clicks." Payne then walks over to the
prisoner(makeing like the vrusk is not there)grabs the prisoner by the
throat and applies some pressure. "Don't think were done Zippy. You're
going to help me go through all of the records. I will be like being
audited by the tax people on Gollywog, but only more painful." Payne
tuns and leaves the room, giving the new vrusk the look.
 

  As time passes, and more of the prisoners begin to come around in their treatment, Raleigh spends less and less time in medical. It would appear anyway that Kahliss had plenty of help with a new Vrusk, (Was it a female one? He could never tell) and Daelstrom anyway.
  Moving on, he begins to spend more time with the battered robot hulls. Studying the inner circuitry and hydraulics. For the most part the mechanics wasnt alot different than what he already knew, but it would still take time.
  By week one he had pretty much secured the outer perimeter and reactivated the electrical fence. Several times he noticed E watching him from afar and knew they were unhappy with this decision. "To hell with ya!" Raleigh muttered to himself as he watched a pair of the E staring back. "Ungrateful bastards."
  For the rest of his days there in Slave City One, Raleigh keeps to himself for the most part. When Daelstrom approaches him suggesting something about albedo screens and the perimeter fence, Raleigh can only rub his head and walk away. He knew this probably upset the explorer but lately he had been feeling pretty hateful and didnt want to risk blowing up on anyone who didnt deserve it.
  When the last of the defenses are finally on line, Raleigh will approach Brennon briefly and fill him in. He will end the conversation with a hurried "Oh yeah, and I am giving the number two command to Telgar...hope you don't mind."
  For the rest of the days until a plan is put into place, Raleigh will spend his time in the vehicle bay with the robot parts studying and attempting to reassemble, not reactivate, a combot.

Brenon lay in his bed, eyes closed but awake, his thoughts running wild, of
the days  old when he and Zhirrzh fought together and the only people they
could trust was each other....who would watch his back now? Could he trust
the others? Trust them with his own life? He'd have too, he had no
choice....
 Brenon's thoughts were interrupted by the Kah'liss' annoying chatter.
Brenon looked up at the Vrusk but something seemed different. This wasn't
Kah'liss, Kah'liss was working on another patient.....This was a completely
different Vrusk. 'F*ck' Brenon thought to himself...'This must be one of the
prisoners we freed....figures it would be another damned Vrusk'. Given time,
Brenon had warmed up to Kah'liss and even trusted him to some degree... but
this new element introduced to the party...another Vrusk....it was too much.
Brenon's survival instinct kicks in and he flops out of his cot and onto the
floor, opposite side of the Vrusk speaking to him. Brenon totally ignores
the Vrusk and grabs a pair of crutches and leaves the sickbay shaking his
head and mumbling something about "when two Vrusk get together.....". The
thought sickened him and he reached down, comforted that his pistol was
strapped to his hip.
 Brenon begins searching out the people they had freed and first comes upon
Daelstrom....
"Hello, names Brenon. Where you from?"
  "Daelstrom, remember? You must have really been out of it,” Daelstrom says looking
Brenon over as if trying to discern if he is likely to pass out or anything."
Brenon will also ask Daelstrom the following questions:
"What did you do? For a living I mean?"
"What kind of training did you receive?"
"Any other's around here with your type of skills?"
"Do you know how long you've been here?"
After sufficiently answering the questions Brenon then hands Daelstrom the
teams HoloScreen.
"Congratulations, you're now the teams scout and foreward man. Do you know
who Payne is? Good, go report to him for a little recon... Hey, do you know
where I can find Martok?"
  Daelstrom has his own questions to ask:
OOC:
You can assume that this would be handled much more tactfully in character
 but:
 I had asked Jeff a lot of the things you had asked the others to check on
 and to sum up.  Putting the heavy weapons in the guard towers is in my opinion not a good
 idea. We should try to keep them mobile and concealed if possible. I would
 rather have the ability to retreat with them than with out.
 Having every one on the sub space sending messages is a bad idea.
(Daelstrom  would come to blows with anyone who would try to send messages without
 safeguards being made first) With every transmission we run the risk of it
 being picked up by the pirates and the last thing we want is to let the
cat  out of the bag.  A burst type and or tight beam transmission will do for now.

IC
   Brenon listens to Daelstrom as he explains why his idea is a bad one.
"So your saying my idea is 'sh*t'? Is that what I'm hearing? Granted, towers
can be targets but it also provides one with a great vantage point from
which to fire. The weapons right now will do us no good on the ground unless
we're planning on engaging in an all out land war or something of that
nature. We'll defintely be taking the guns with us when we leave, and we'll
probably mount them to the roof the explorer(s). But for now I want that
recoiless rifle up in a tower where it'll do the most damage. The anti
aircraft battery will need to be afixed to the top of a building though...."
"I do agree with you on the transmissions though, we do need to keep sub
space to a minimal and we'll make sure from now on that we use bursts and
tight beam transmissions."
Daelstrom continues with questions for Brenon:
“How long have you all been here”
   Brenon pauses here a moment....thinking..."Today is our 35th day on the
planet."
“Who do you work for?”
   "We're working for the Streel Corporation...."
“What are you guys trying to accomplish?”
"...we were contracted out to survey the lands and find out what happened to
the previous expedition"
“You mean you didn’t come here to rescue us?”
"....are you affiliated with Streel in anyway? Then 'no', you guys just got
lucky...and lucky these damned pirates lit fires under our asses. The skum
have been pestering my men for weeks and then we stumbled upon one of their
operations and saw what kinda garbage they were getting away with on the
planet....just couldn't have that.
“Can I get a look at what you have found thus far?”
"Absolutely....see Kah'liss, he's keeping a detailed Journal of our travels
and things discovered."

 When Brenon finds Martok he questions Martok in a similar fashion:
"Hello, names Brenon. Where you from?"
"What did you do? For a living I mean?"
"What kind of training did you receive?"
"Any other's around here with your type of skills?"
"Do you know how long you've been here?"
"well good, can always need some more muscle on the team, glad to have you.
Do you know who Payne is? Good, go report to him for your first assignment."
   "Well, hello Brenon. I am Martok Gumor. I am from the UPF homeworld. I am a UPF fighter pilot. I received extensive training my whole life, some the best
there is. I don't know if any of the other convoy guards survived, if they
did then you may have a bunch of rowdy punks on your hand. But they are easy
to handle. I cant remember the date when the convoy left, so I wouldn't be
able to tell you how long I've been here. Its been too long put it that way.
Payne? Only pain I know is the one from not being able to take out those
damned pirates myself. Where can I find him? And what's his rank?"
    Brenon comms in with Payne, "Payne, what's your current location?"
A moment later Payne keys back with his location.
"Got that Martok? Good, get over there so Payne can get you equipped with
what you need."
    "Aye, um sir? Thanks, its Brenon right? Well see you later." I take anothe
rlook around and head out to meet Payne. "I hope this guy knows what he's
doing. Better not be like Col. Tyler back home." With that, Matok exits the medical room.
 Last but not least Brenon will see to Payne and give him orders, "Payne,
I'd like you to establish a scouting party and investigate the surrounding
area. I'm sending Martok & Daelstrom over your way. Daelstrom appears to be
more the scouting type, stealthy and what not. Martok appears more the grunt
type. They're both at your disposal...take whatever supplies you'll need and
check in every 30 minutes. I would like everything within a 5 km radius
checked out, radio in anything perculiar. I expect this will probably take
several days. ANy questions?"
 Payne listens to the orders. "So you want me to do some recon, eh? No sweat. Oh, I could some quick medical attention
befroe I go. You and I need to sit down later and talk about what the
ranking prisoner told me(for convience read the info from the latest
turn). I waould also like to sit with him and go through the records
when I return, and keep that new vrusk away from my prisoner. I think it
would be wise to keep the prisoner I have been interrogsating  away from
the general populace until I finish with him.
 You want me to take the new guys with me huh? Thats all well and
good, but I could use Bud, if you can spare him. We maybe able to put
some of his talents to use.  5km radius, report back every half hour.
I'll join up with the others to let them know what the deal is. I'll
need to pick up a few things before we go. We'll leave within the half
hour."
    He reports to Brenon his analysis of this whole Pirate scheme: He tells Brennon that the he belives the head Star Devil guy is
on Truane's Star. Alot of the administraitive types are there as well.
Most of the daily operations can probably be found in the records which
I will go through. I have not been able to find out the exact
organizational flow chart of this little crime family, or what other
"projects" they got going. Payne also tells Brennon if you would like a
crack at the prisoner we can go in again."

 Payne locates Martok and Daestrom. "I assume Brennon told you
about our little recon mission. Gather your gear, we leave within the
half hour."
     "Aye sir. I am at your disposal." Martok says to Payne's order.
    As Payne seeks out Bud, he notices a strange odor wafting from an ajar door of an
empty portion of the compound.  Payne finds BudRREEPboopboopboop on the floor
in the middle of the room with the lighting dimmed.  Atop a computer console
sits a cup of clear fluid which appears to be lit aflame, emitting a strong
scent into the air.  Bud is perfectly still in the center of the room, his
body formed into a limbless mound.  The mound slowly and ever so slightly
rises and falls with his controlled respiration.
    "Bud...," Payne calls.
    At the pinnacle of the mound, a cluster of veins rises to the surface of the
now dull gray membrane, their dark pigment coming into view and forming an
eyespot.
Payne continues, "...me you and a couple of the boys are
going on a recon mission.  We can use a dralisite with some of your
talents. Grab your gear, write a letter to your wife, or whatever you
civilians do.  We leave in the half hour."
    As Payne turns and leaves, Bud gradually rises, stretching.  With painstaking
slowness, pseudopods sprout from his body, and his torso rises from the
floor.  As each pseudopod extends to its full length, Bud uses it to equip
himself and prepare for the exploration mission.  He douses the flame from
the meditation fluid, empties the cup, and heads out to meet Payne.
    Later, as the group begins venturing into the land surrounding the compound,
Bud warns the team, "SCREEEEEEEaaaawwwww URPle."  His polyvox translates in
proper PanGal, "Caution, gentlemen.  Rumour has it that some sort of
unidentified beast has been seen roaming the perimeter.  Since we haven't any
information on the nature of the creature, we should prepare ourselves for an
encounter with a potentially hostile, territorial beast."

OOC: Payne will scrounge up the following items:
 rations
 water
 3 more g-clips
 3 more energy clips
 magna goggles
 sun goggles
 knife
 first aid kit and toxirad gage, and those salt pill thingies

PERIMETER RECON PATROL (by:Referee)
To save myself time, I'll go ahead and tell you that your patrol will be
uneventful. No new Pirate hideouts, nothing. The only thing around is the
Pirate City, the Mines, and the Edestekai village. BudReep will find the
most benefit from the extended recon, as he has the time to study more of
the ecosystem of the area. If you're looking for something to do, read
below. Looks like Brenon was the only one paying attention...

Bud carefully logs in all information gathered on this scouting mission into
his journal for later analysis. He spends the time between the recon mission and the arrival of the
freighter cloistered alone in the room he was using for meditation.  He will
carefully analyze the data collected from the recon, tabulate it, and record
his findings in his journal.  (He'll do this the entire time, unless and
until he is interrupted.)

IC
On his way to the hospital facilities, Payne will seek out Telgar.
"Telgar, what do you think about our Vrusk friend?  I reall do not
apprecitate him performing first-aid on the prisoner during my
interrogation."
 

IC
 Brenon will then sequestor both Raliegh and Telgar to help him hack into
the computers, Brenon will basically be looking for records on the camps
prisoners(Klik n'Klak, Daelstrom & Martok), he will be looking to see if
Martok & Daelstroms stories check out. And Brenon will be looking through
the records to see what he can find on this new Vrusk(Klik N Klak).
       Brenon will now find a restful spot in teh barracks to recover from
now on and will only allow Kah'liss to work on him. When opportunities
arrise Brenon will ask Kah'liss what he thinks of the new Vrusk.
    After everyone is out of earshot Brenon radios Kah'liss...."Kah'liss.....I've got a private transmission for you. Please
move somewhere where it's safe to talk freely." Once Brenon get's the 'ok' from Kah'liss. "Kah'liss, Daelstrom has expressed
interest in seeing our files on the planet. Could you catch him up to speed
on some of our discoveries? Also, I'd prefer that all mineral deposits,
gases, etc... be kept to only members of the Streel team unless there's a
dire need to know otherwise, so if you would, lock down those files.
Daelstrom may be by any minute for the information. Over"
 

Raliegh rounded the corner of the damaged explorer for the third time making
sure he hadn’t forgot anything. He looked at the husk of the vehicle, his
mind going over the systems that he was able to salvage and then jotted down
some possible alternate uses for some of them. When finished he turned back
for the garage which had become his home over the last few days.  As he spun
about he almost crashed into Daelstrom, the startled tech leaped back
“Whoa!” he exclaimed “don’t you have something you should be doing” he
snaped harshly. Daelstrom eyed him intently for a second, his countenance
grim then said, “I need your help.” Raliegh quietly sighed his eyes rolled
and then just walked away. Later back at the garage, as the young explorer
laid out his idea Brennon rubbed his hand over his stubbled jaw, his mind
racing, he had surmised what Daelstrom was getting at before the young
explorer could finish his thoughts aloud. “It just might work” he said,
“lets see…” his voice trailing off as he started going over the idea in his
head to see if he knew anyone who might be able to improve on it.

OOC:

Ingredients:
One Albeo Screen.
One Holo Field with feedback loop.
The highest quality mirrors we can find on the base.
Holo flares (see directions)

Directions:
Make a box of mirrors or other items with high albedo ratings.
Activate Albedo screen (turned to the brightest setting possible) it somehow
senses laser energy and flashes brighter when struck by laser fire.
Increasing its refection/absorption factor. So we would want to simulate
that effect if possible, combined with the reflective nature of the mirrors
the albedo rating should be very high.
Have the Holo Field with its feedback loop record this reflective background
as a surrounding. And there you have it.
This new Albedo Field? Should have some pre-set ability to at least reflect
partial laser damage. If a sensor/adapter could be found/made the amount of
damage would be further reduced if the Holo Field can be adapted like that.
         Serving suggestions:
Maybe the holoflare can be set with a filter so it emits a brighter silvery
light instead of the way it is listed. Kind of like a laser diffusion area
while its going.
 
 

After the "nice cop" chat with Zippy, Klak comes out to find Payne.  But
he's gone, so oh well.  So she looks for Bud.  Strike
two.  Daelstrom?  *click*  She wanders around admiring the landscape for a
while.  She eventually notices Raleigh puttering and cursing.  She balks
for a moment then shoves in.
    Raleigh turns from his pile of robot parts and inspects the new Vrusk with an upturned eye. He had come to admire Kahliss over time but the appearance of Vrusks alone would always be a little unsettling. Nevertheless Raleigh waited patiently, curious as to what the Vrusk may want.
    "Goodday."  Speak sloooowly.  Humans.  *click*  "So this human, a
dralasite and yazirian walk into a bar...  A found a pool table (OK,
Jeff?) over in barracks.  Tell me what you drink and I'll have it ready at
*click* say, 18:00?  But no kinky stuff.  I don't do interracial."
    Raleigh stares back in wonder, his jaw very nearly touching the floor. Was it a joke or a statement? He coulnt tell.
Klik spins away before she has to see his reaction.  She hopes he
understands the humor, but hopes even more that he will calm down and open
up.  She wracks her brain on the psychology of humans for a while but it
hurts too much.
    Raleigh watches the Vrusk depart the room as quickly as she had come. For a moment, all Raleigh could say was "What the h#ll was that!" He gives it a moment and then is quickly overcome with laughter. Rolling for several minutes, he finally gains composure and wipes the tears from his eyes. "Yeah Klak," he chuckles while turning back to his work,"sure, I'll be there."
   Klik heads back to make a few rounds at the hospital.  When Kah'liss seems
to have a moment free, she asks him,
"Doyouknowanygoodhumanjokes?  Imeanjokesthathumanslike,
notjokesabouthumans.  IthinkthatRaleighisdepressed.  Youknowhimalittle.
Howcanwehelp?"
Then Klik chats with Kah'liss about the other team members (which perforce
involves discussing the last month).  She brings up Brenon's hostility
in search of a motive.  She ends with inviting Kah'liss to play pool,
also.  He needs a rest, too.
 If anyone shows up to play, Klik gets around to asking if we can get
everyone together for a "war council" soon.  There is much to do on base,
but a round table discussion might be helpful.
When the scouting team returns, Klik finds Payne.
"Hi Telkar.  I think we should execute the prisoner soon so I don't have
to keep any promises to the slug.  I think he is broken and confessing all
he knows.  He should be handed over to the proper authorities, and
actually I think the proper authorities in this case are the Edestekai.  I
am speaking more slowly, how do you like that?" *buggy grin* "And have you
seen any stunsticks around?"
Payne probably gives one of those human looks that says "open your eyes,
bugbrain" and says to look on the lower shelf across from the gyrojet
ammo.  Klik replies, "Oh THAT shelf.  By the way, did you ever come by
the hospital after the battle?"
    Raleigh will show up at 1800ish and join the Vrusk in a game of pool. He will engage the Vrusk in small talk mostly, glad for the chance to relax knowing he had pushed himself too hard over the last few days. Does Klak have a bio I could read? Maybe you could post it to the list?

OOC
Telgar will brush off any invites to a pool game stating that there's too much to be done.
He will, however, be open to a round table discussion if the rest of the group is up to it
and Brenon is able to attend.
 Telgar also believes it to be important to investigate the whereabouts of those dino things,
but will not advise checking into it until after the shuttle has come and gone.
 RP wise, we might be able to explain the oversight as being due to getting the base running
again. I'm kinda waiting for someone else to bring the dinos up IC cuz Telgar wouldn't have
time to think about it himself. Maybe Bud since he saw em first?
 Just some ideas to toss around...
 BTW Payne, did you notice Klik's continual slip up of your name with "Telkar"? Didn't she do
that with Brenon too? Wonder what that's all about ;)

IC
When Brenon gets wind of the Vrusk's invite for recreation Brenon will decline to go; instead, Brenon will find a spot in one of the towers and rest....looking over the lush landscape below staring at the trees.... and thinking of his lost comrade.
 The following day Brenon will assemble everyone for a meeting, going over what work has been done and what work needs to be done.
 Done:
1) External base structure secured and patched up. Should all appear normal.
2) Will create a small controlled fire on the roof of the communications building to create the illusion of a fire. I'm hoping that if any recon is done this might give them(pirates) an explanation as to why we've been out of communications.
3) Security systems back online/repaired etc....
 "Ok people....here's what we got. No news from Streel yet, we're waiting on that. In some time the pirates are gonna send a supply wagon down full of supplies and perhaps more pirates due to a lack of communications...... Here's what I want. I want some ideas. And here are our objectives..... I want that supply wagon, I want it so we can use it as a potential trojan horse....either we go back with it, or send it back choc full of explosives. Or perhaps we should keep it for transportation? Something. But I want us to device a plan for taking it in one piece. Ideas?"
    BudRREEPboopboopboop says, "BRUP drrrrrrrr ag?"  His polyvox translates,
"What's a Trojan?...For that matter...what's a horse?"
    Seeing no one respond immediately (Klak gives them at LEAST 2
milliseconds), Klak jumps in.
    "Do you really think so?  If the Star Devil has an army at his, her or ids
disposal then maybe expect an army.  How important is this operation to
id?  If it is vital, then we'd best clear out of Dodge.  My intuition
tells me that we may expect a lightly armed supply ship.
    "But they have much more mobility than us.  They can easily escape if they
suspect a ruse.  I suggest we bluff, lull them into a sense of
security.  Bring them down and take them out quietly.
    "I don't think the captive pirates will cooperate.  They should be handed
over to the Edestekai.  We need their goodwill and favor as much as
possible.  They are very bothered that we are harboring the
criminals.  Appease them now.
    "Now having a ship would be nice, but let's not break our necks over
it.  I suspect that Streel will send a rescue ship when they get around to
it.  How soon they get around to it depends on how much money is at
stake.  By the way, I also need to send a transmission.  If Streel drags
their feet then perhaps one of us marooned ones can bring aid more
quickly.
    Raleigh gave some thought to Brennon's comments, not really crazy about any of them. When his chance to speak came along, he did so but with obvious reluctance...
 "I think we need the ship, we shouldnt count on Streel getting a rescue party to us prior to a Pirate invasion. If we are lucky, and maybe even using the pirate prisoners as decoys, we might be able to take the ship without a shot fired." Suddenly Raleigh wished Zhirrzh were still here, knowing that his skills would have come in handy on this one. A moment of remorse washes over Raleigh as he realizes how much the team relied on the Yazirians abilities.
 "Besides, either way you look at it the Star Devil will send a friggin army next time. Weve knocked out his base already and when we take his freighter that will make him think something big. Who knows, if we are lucky he will think it's the UPF and not even get involved."
 As an afterthought, Raleigh brings up one last point. "Did you want me to recover Zhirrz's body for return home?"
    Telgar listens to each person's suggestions and then states his own ideas to be tossed around a well.
"We definitely need that ship, I think we can all agree on that. I think it's best to try to get them to
think everything's fine so they'll land and we can take 'em. Payne, I believe you have obtained a lot of
info from you interrogations with one of the pirates. Why don't we use his cooperation to our
advantage. I say we give the pirates to the E to do with as they please. Payne can tell his pirate what
we are planning to do with them and that if he helps us, we will ensure he makes it out with us.
Maybe then, he will give us details on the landing procedure so we can make it look good.
    Once the ship lands, we can see how long our ruse carries on and hopefully we'll get to see what is
being dropped here and maybe even get most of the passengers and crew to be off-ship. Maybe we
can then stage a mock battle with a few of us shooting the gates or something which will draw
attention away from the ship while Payne, under holoscreen, secures the ship's cockpit. After that is
achieved, another group can secure the rest of the ship while the remainder of us take the dis-oriented
pirate personnel outside the ship by gunpoint. If done right, we should take them all by so much
surprise that there should be no casualties.
    As a back-up, we can have some explosives buried in the ground in strategic areas around the
landing pad that could be radio detonated in the event a pirate army gets rowdy with us in which case
we could use smoke grenades within the ship to provide Payne the cover he needs to get to the
cockpit fast. And of course, if something goes wrong and the ship starts to leave, we could have the
anti-aircraft gun covered up until then and threaten to shoot em back down. What do you guys
think?"

OOC (Daelstrom)
The choices are hope they land and we can take’em or be prepared to run for
the hills. Here are thoughts on both.
Rule number one the more complicated the plan the more that can go wrong
with it (it think- although clever your last assault went awry on many
levels) lets keep it simple. And let’s not go for a plan that will divide us
too much.  (5-10 meters at most so the same grenade doesn’t take us all out)
The benefits are concentrated firepower to take down opponents fast while
giving the opponents multiple targets to fire at (remember Zirrih totally
surrounded and Raliegh pinned down behind the explorer)
And lets not just hope that the pirates land lets look into rigging a way to
disable the engines or lock the shuttle down that won't destoy it(if the
pirate has not said that its a shuttle that comes down we must ascertain for
certain so we know what we should plan for)
We need to think like the “little army” fast, mobile, sneaky, adaptive. I
think that all non-essential people should be moved out maybe to the “E”
encampment or make a habitable place for them out in the wilderness (we
could make some tunnels/cave for them or something.
The bad thing is that if things go wrong the pirates know where find us… so
if things get too thick we should have a plan for leaving in a hurry. Demo’s
are great for this if once we all are out lets leave the bastards something
to remember us by.
IC:
Daelstrom is glad that Brenons team has invited him to discuss the coming
ordeals that will affect them all. In listening to the others he agrees with
Ms Klak in that let’s not lay everything on getting the shuttle saying.
“Combat is a fluid dynamic so we need other options.” then he outlays a fall
back plan based on the maps (he got from the team report) complete with
rally points and suggested fire zones. (From elevated rock outcroppings,
hardcover and the like) he points out those with albedo protection should be
in front and those who don’t try to take soft cover behind them. (Shooting
over the first persons shoulder) and those opponents with laser weapons
should be dealt with first.
He also agrees with Telgar about the diversions and mentions that he has
taken some holo recordings with the holo-projector from star devils room and
we could make some more. Ones of pirates walking around (us in pirate gear)
or of an attacking force (us again) projected in front of a pair stationary
guns or some loud speakers blaring gunfire. (Pointing out the benefits of
concerted firepower while the enemy wastes theirs on mirror tricks.) He
adds. “You know… if done right we could use this to herd them to “kill
zones” you know areas with crossing fields of fire and or demo’s and…” He
pauses and looks to Bud with an apologetic look in his eyes and says. “A
wise man once said, ‘war isn’t about dying for your beliefs its getting that
other poor bastard to die for his.’ Finally he disagrees that the pirates
will be caught off guard and points out that hoping the pirates will all
come out before they realize anything’s amiss is unlikely and we need to try
to control the situation. By saying “disoriented or not we won’t know till
its too late, besides they can always surrender later. We must plan en mass
to fire on them while they are bunched up” (uses a space age “shooting fish
in a barrel” term to drive this point home.
    BudRREEPboopboopboop, listening intently to the dialogue with his three upper
pseudopods folded, merely looks up at Thorne as he directs his words to him,
acknowledging, but not responding to them.
    Payne speaks. "I agree with Telgar. I say we take the ship,
preferably with as many tricks possible so we have lesser casualties.
Boy, I never thought I would here my self say that, but this is a minor
objective and the fewer the casualties the better. There will be other
opportunities for glory. The possession of a ship will allow for an easy
departure from this rock."
    Bud chirps in agreement with Payne.  His polyvox translates, "Perhaps
overtaking their vessel and attaining egress from the planet should be our
primary objective.  We could inform the United Planetary Federation and Star
Law of the pirate operation here once we reach civilization, and leave the
rest to them.  Do any of us here know how to pilot such a large spacefaring
vessel?  Do we have an astrogator among us, or among those convalescing?
Gunners?  Ship Engineers?"  Bud looks from face to face.
    Miss Klak stares at the pudgy dralasite for a moment.
"Perhaps that is the wisest statement I have heard since being here.  In
the case of piracy like this, especially in a new system which could be
the front door to our fuzzy friends the Sathar, Star Law has
jurisdiction.  Streel, I'm sorry to inform you, does not.
    "You (looking to all) certainly have a personal interest. I also would
like to get to the bottom of this.  I am a little worried that we may
close the door to tracing the Star Devil.  I stress that we be
careful.  And I will go ahead and send a message to Star Law when we are
done here.
    "It would be really great if we could fool the supply ship into taking one
of us back with them; you know, plant a mole.  However, none of us are
trained for that and I see no way of pulling it off.  Oh well.  In lieu of
espionage, we should do our best to keep the Star Devil completely in the
dark about who we are and what we have done.
    Klak looks toward Telgar.  "Telkar, you mentioned getting Zippy the pirate
king's cooperation.  In speaking with him I discovered that he is bitter
about the hand life has dealt him.  He did what he thought best to survive
a war and a famine.  This outpost was just a job to him.  I think he knows
that he is going to die and he knows it is your fault.  I tried to give
him a flicker of hope so that he would cooperate more, but becoming your
ally is a bit much to ask.    Frankly, you humans are a bloodthirsty lot
and he sees that.  And you couldn't bluff your mothers out of 20
credits.  I think that the only way to gain his full cooperation is to
make him a part of the team, trust him.  And that, good sirs, is a bad
move.  Therefore, do not rely on his help.
    "Speaking of not relying on help, I have heard intimations of your
disaffection with the concept of Streel overly concerning themselves with
your welfare.  From the little I know of Streel, that mistrust is well
placed.  They will send a ship for you in their own sweet time.  Unless,
of course, you can offer substantial monetary incentive.
    "On the other hand, my uncle is concerned for my wellbeing and he owns the
company.  I can get a rescue ship here fairly quickly, but I am skeptical
that it will be here in time to meet the supply ship.  My point is that
Streel is not the only way off this rock.  What about you
Daelstrom?  Would the Thorne Trading Consortium be so quick to
respond?  They may be even closer.
    "Let me remind you of Daelstrom's words or wisdom.  'The more complicated
the plan the more that can go wrong with it.  Although clever your last
assault went awry on many levels.  Let's keep it simple.'
    "I concur.  Edestekai casualties were atrocious.  I hope you are not
expecting any favors from them in the future.  Especially since you have
rebuilt the symbol of their oppression and harbored the
sacrilegious criminals.  But I've already beat that drum.
    "Let me tell a quick story.  I knew a Ranger called Shades who got wind of
a powerful Sathar agent.  Shades even knew where the agent was.  He and
the team that followed him could have raided the agent's hideout quickly
and quietly.  Instead, Shades went marching through town with his posse in
tow.  They accosted all of the drug dealers that were known to have
contact with Nix, the Sathar agent.  He thought he was so tough and so smart.  He
expected an ambush and placed his men around the building, then went
inside alone.  The building exploded and buried Shades, pride and all.  As
one of the posse later said, 'Nix didn't know we were coming, so we
called ahead.' He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
    "As for taking the ship, I agree that we should dress up as pirates and
learn the landing procedure, not necessarily in that order.  Is this ship
small enough that it descends to the surface or does it send a dropship? I
suspect the former.  And do they land during the day, at night, or
randomly?
    "Let's use that holoscreen to dress up like Zippy.  That could help a
lot.  Perhaps Daelstrom can carry something on board, scout the place, get
numbers.  Does anyone know how to operate those big guns WELL?  I'm not
asking if you can pull a trigger.  One of us can cover the pirates on the
ground while the rest storm the ship.  Concentrate on the bridge then
engineering.  And if asked, remember to introduce yourselves by
nicknames.  On the other hand, I'm not on the Brute Squad, so make your
own plans.  Didn't you say you are a pilot, Telkar?"  Klak looks at
Martok.
    Balou Joetes and the decrepit Dralasite Grynh step up. Balou speaks.
"Hello folks. You forget about us? Damn, we bring you all the way out here
in the great ship /Serena Dawn/ and you're bumbling among yourselves,
wondering who can fly a freighter???" The human Captain of the /Dawn/ beats
his chest. I can pilot a ship. You get me a freighter, I'll get us off this
rock. The human grabs the Dralasite Engineer and pulls him close. "Yeh, we
lost the Dawn to these bastards, but hell, you were there. We were
outgunned. If you capture a ship, we can fly it....
    BudRREEPboopboopboop, standing by with his three upper pseudopods folded,
nods as the pilot and engineer step forward in response to his question.
"SKWAWK," he screeches solemnly.  His polyvox translates, "Oh, we'll capture
the ship...we have to.  We've come to far to fail now."
    Klak has been thinking of research deadlines missed.  She zoned out when her suggestions were not well taken.  Now who is this bombastic human who knows so much about flying?  When she sees the recognition on the faces most of the others, she assumes he is a real pilot.  She makes a mental note to talk to this one later.
    Raleigh listens to the new Vrusk preach her plan. He took the mention of their last plan's failure very personally but decided to say nothing of it for now. It was no secret that many lives were lost, dragging that memory through the dirt again did not help matters at all!
    When Klak was done, and when his turn came, Raleigh only shrugged his shoulders. "I guess Telgar's plan is as good as any. No luck with the combot robots yet so don't count on them being available by the time the Pirates get here. If were lucky I can get a couple repaired in a few more weeks, that way we can finish the mission and leave the others here under a small degree of protection. When do we head off after those dinos by the way?"
    With that said, Raleigh leans back against the wall and waits for the final plan.
    The vrusk clicks again and everyone's bile rises as she prepares to speak
again.  "And building on something Daelstrom said, we should concentrate
our firepower while dividing them.  We can fight them in small bunches,
but facing them all at once is bad odds.  Invite a few of them in for tea
or to take a look at the comm room then quietly silence them, something
like that.
    Brenon listened to all the ideas with great interest with the exception of one; the Vrusk Klak, every time the Vrusk began to speak Brenon showed mild to no interest. Brenon's head popped up occasionally at the Vrusk's mention of 'high casualties'...Brenon wondered if the Vrusk had ever seen a real battle, and the Vrusk's innuendo's set Brenon's blood aflame. 'Does this bug question my leadership? Does it realize the sacrifice we made? Doesn't it realize that there would have been many many more Edestekai casualties without his leadership and his teams work?' Brenon stared at the Vrusk blankly. But inside all he could think of was Zhirrzh, and all the 'bug hunts' they had partaken in together. When Brenon stared at the Vrusk Klak his mind was flooded with images of his lost family and friends....
'Control Brenon, Control....' Brenon thought to himself. 'Control damn it!' Brenon regained control of himself...the bloodlust subsiding... he returned his thoughts back to the group and the ideas spewing forth.
    "I'm also liking these ideas of providing a distraction via projected hologram, I'm not up to speed with how these things work. What are the capabilities of this device?"
    "So where am I gonna be during our plan?" Martok asks egearly

OOC (Daelstrom)
uh...the plan?, what plan the real question should be where have you
been during the planning session?
(From Referee) Qball, I'm a bit disappointed that your only post after all other PCs have
been spilling their guts out about strategy is a simple one liner 'so where
do i stand in this' - please, if you want to be a strong player in the game
please put a bit more effort into your posts. Trust me there are many others
on the waiting list who are willing to give more.
(From Raleigh)I'm all about the holo idea, good thinking! My thought here, and Jeff I only pose it OOC as IC would give me carpal tunnel, is that we should do just as Telgar says...almost. Couple of guys dress up as Pirates and hang out on the launchpad with a bunch of holo pirates. When the shuttle lands, we do our best to make quick work of them and then haul butt up to the freighter. From there, Payne takes the cabin with maybe Daelstrom's help while the rest of us casually round up some prisoners.
That done, we send the walking wounded home with a message to Streel to nab the Star Devil and then go do us some Dino hunting. Of course no good plan ever survives combat so please feel free to adjust accordingly! :)

IC
Daelstrom notices the way everyone is reacting to the ideas? and seems to
like the way things are going so he decides to try get things firmed up abit
"alright listen, no one here is saying that they know best and I'm not
trying to insult any one either but if you don't like an suggestion someone
makes, lets try to make it better, not just throw it away out of hand. We
are all in this together so lets start thinking that way" Daelstrom believes
that his words will have little effect on those assembled and the vague info
about the incoming ship starts to worry him a little he announces,"I'm going
to look into something I'll be back in a bit." he goes back over the radio
logs looking for info on the pirate landing procedure(Jeff did I ever see
the ship that lands during my captivity) on the short walk to the radio room
he has weird feeling about about what Ms Klak mentioned about letting the
star devil go. he didn't know why but it just didn't sit right. he busied
himself with fact finding instead.

OOC (From Referee)
OOC
I've got to answer several Qs, and still have Qs I need answered. I'll start
with mine:
(Answers provided by Daelstrom)
1) Where are you keeping the pirate prisoners?
Answer: I'm not sure but a room we could empty completely and has no windows
would be my suggestion with them bound and only wearing underwear NO SHOES!
they should be guarded 24-7 by us and the E and only be fed enough to
sustain them maybe Darrel's Doc can put mild sedatives in the food to make
them more docile.
2) Subspace - what are you sending, to whom, and what's the message? Your
subspace from Streel is encrypted (as most subspaces are, save for the
public domain frequencies delivering news, etc)
Answer: I don't want to send anything yet I'd like to wait till the pirates
come back and are captured if everyone else would like to send then i'd
suggest that the message be condensed to to burst type tight beam
(directional)and piggybacked to Streel for them to resend (its less of a
risk with only one transmission)
3) The Edestekai are going back to a bit of normalcy. Those that died in the
fight are exonerated as martyrs in the War against the Star Devil, they've
taken their wounded and sick and are trying to carry on in their village
near the base. They understand your wishes to keep the base intact, at least
temporarily, but continue asking, at frequent intervals, for the 3 pirate
prisoners to be handed over to them for trial, with the charge of
blashphemy, defiling the Gods, Defiling the priests, and a long list of
charges.

Now, my turn:
1) The logs show that typically there is just a freighter that comes with
supplies if needed. It says nothing about a large number of guards or
anything. The freighter lands, any requested supplies are unloaded, the ore
is loaded, and it takes off. No time for dilly-dally. Money to make.
Question: what hull size freighter most atmospheric space vessels are pretty
small (I've been trying to go over the Security cameras to see if we can get
a "look" at the ship-one of the original team would recognize the dawn if we
can recover any of the installations recordings.
2) Requisition sheets in the office indicate a request for a new jetcopter.
One should be coming with the next shipment.
3) Additional logs do show the Pirates have reported your existance. When
the Serena Dawn was shot down (it reports to have been repaired and salvaged
- for all you know the /Dawn/ may be the freighter that picks up the ore),
and Balou and Grynh were captured, the Pirates knew about the group - a bit
of 'persuasion' with Balou and Gyrnh gave the Pirates all the info they
needed.
4) Pale/New Pale War. There is no additional info other than what's on my
site. Starvation was New Pale's primary weapon, as most food on Pale, being
a cold planet, was imported from New Pale. There's an uneasy peace going on
now. Lots of big weapons did lots of big damage to both planets, but the
primary front was fought on New Pale - the biggest strategic targets were
the lush farms. Pale forces would take them over and secure the food for
Pale. But Pale had it's share of shock attacks from New Pale forces as well.
5)The Pirate in charge - your prisoner Straub, is not a pilot. Some
references to that have been made. Moot point now of course, since Balue
from the Dawn spoke up...
6) Web page - okay so I'll be moving the whole thing over to the blacklagoon
site. it will now be www.blacklagoon.net/starfront to keep things easy. BUT,
I haven't done that yet, and I'll be busy with setting up a huge party the
rest of the week, but will try and get that Sunday or Monday. And I'll make
sure Jame's character sheet makes it over...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(Re: concerning argument b/n Daelstrom and Bud, previous turn)
Daelstrom looks the Dralasite straight in the eye spots and says as you
approach, “Bud I’m sorry for, well you know…”
    Bud stops, and lowers his pseudopate.  He nods, in approximation of the human
fashion of affirmation and says, "EEEE---EEEEaaaaaaark FLUMP."  His polyvox
translates, "I -- I know.  We both were not without our discretions.  I have
done a lot of meditating on the matter.  I reacted...poorly."
   Daelstrom  then closes with bud and continues. “in any case, I know that what I said the other day must have
seemed ungrateful. I know what you and the others must have gone though,
belive me I won't forget it. he pauses, glancing away for a moment as he
searches for the right words to say.
    Bud continues to nod, "EEEExer OOOOOck DARgoop"  His polyvox repeats in
PanGal, "It was Void, believe me.  Pure Void.   Poor DARgoop."  Bud slumps
and shakes his head as the memory of the fallen Dralasite come to mind.
“We all have family, friends and loved ones we want to get back to and I know how you cherish life and will do
almost anything to avoid unnecessary violence."
    Bud nods again, as his thoughts turn to his beloved wife and children at
Daelstrom's words.  He rubs his eyespots wondering if he will be with them
again...Bud tries to keep his composure, taking solace in the proverbs of the
Great Philosophers he runs through his mind, "All life is sacred, each
individual is a cell in the great Macroorganism of the Universe...Kill not,
for to destroy a single cell harms the greater Lifeform...Every cell is sacred.  Every cell is great.  If a cell is wasted, God gets
quite irate."
   The human continues. "So having the defenses in the
hands of someone like Payne here.” (Gesturing to the enforcer) “It just
makes more sense, its not that your life or mine or any ones else for that
matter is more or less important, its just that he’s going to get shot at a
whole lot more than you.”
    Bud holds up a pseudoextremity, "XERP DUGl blup," he interrupts.  "Please
Dael," his polyvox translates, "I don't want to hear any rationale for your
harsh words."
    Daelstrom lowers his voice and leans down and finishes by
saying, “I didn’t mean what I said the other day about you being a coward
and I’m sorry. I hope we can put this behind us.” With that he offers a
human approximation of a Dralasite “Hand shake”.
    Bud looks up at Thorne.  His eyespots meet the human's eyes.  If Bud were a
human, one could almost swear a faint, forgiving smile were crossing his
lips.  His membrane emits a tranquilizing odor.  Slowly, he raises his
pseudoextremity and presses it against Daelstrom's palm.  "SMARK."  His
polyvox repeats softly, "Of course
.  Friends..."  Bud thinks for a moment and continues, "UUURrrp," finishing
his thought.  The polyvox translates, "...and brothers in arms."

OOC (From Referee)
Talk about the homemade albedo screen from the Holo Screen flooded the listbot and I'm not putting them all here to save space. Bottom line is I accepted this creation - the "Box of Mirrors" can be used to create an albedo screen that will absorb 1/4 the damage from laser weapons...

IC
Brenon had a shrug on his face, he seemed a little confused by the idea
being presented....
"I'm not really seeing the purpose of this 'project', so far what I'm
hearing is that you want to take one of our most prized posessions; our holo
screen, and use it to project an albedo screen...making the wearer as bright
as the forward search light of a cruiser? Do I have this about right?"
    The much vilified vrusk looks up from manicuring her digits.
"Oh that's simple.  We have two choices.  One, we send in Daelstrom with
the holo screen in "inviso mode" and he eliminates the crew in the surest
and quietest method he can devise.  I nominate Daelstrom because the rest
of us tromp around like a thundercat in clogging shoes and he has the
cerebral wherewithal to execute a complex scheme.
    I can easily help him by drawing away a few of the pirates through
brilliant conversation and wit.  I bring them inside, out of sight and
sound of the others at the freighter.  Then the brute squad can handle
them as you see fit.
    The second use of the holo screen is to be the diversion.  Someone who
likes being the subject of interest, that is, one of you Telkars, walks up
to the nearest marks and says, "Hey check this out!".  Then he
starts blazing like a Blue Light Special on Foundation Day.  Then he mops
up.  It's a nice stand-up fight sure to spill a lot of blood.  Consider
the looks on their faces, which none will be able to see because the light
is so blinding.  I will be standing by with my eyes fully shielded,
counting the expletives bellowed.
    Payne upon hearing the Vrusk's unflattering coments shoots her a
dirty look being careful not to say something that would upset the more
polite members of our group. Turning to Brennon, Payne says "Do we
really need these damn screens? If we hit them hard and hit them fast,
and don't leave a damn one of those stinkin' bastards around to tell any
tales we should be fine. We can just take the ship, waite for pilot
friend, here, to recover while check out those "Dino-folks". Then, when
we are finished with our mission we can leave without bothering those
"nice" mega-corp people at Streel."
    The Vrusk regards Payne. "Ah, so we have a volunteer for plan 2."
    Martok sits on a box listening to the plans. Looking around for any weapon he
can get his hands on. "Hey if anyone hears me, I would like some pay back
from those pirate SOBs. Id better get my fair share of kills off these
bastards. Looks off into the horizon Ahh if I only had my ship, those pirates
wouldn't think twice on firing on me again. Damned starlaw slag fighters.
 

While we are all twiddling our digits waiting for someone else to speak
after the most recent altercation, Klik'n klak slides a datapad over to
Raleigh.  "By the way, this is the message I prepared to send to Star
Law.  Look it over and tell what you think."  Anyone who wants to read it
(any of you suspicious/antagonistic types) may take a look.

OOC (From Klak)
I want to wrap up this discussion so I can have another
meeting. (Meetings: the practical alternative to work!)
I'll get that started now to save time.  I wanted to see who spoke up and
said what at this meeting.  Anyone advocating a non-confrontational plan
is invited.  I think this would include Raleigh (good to have one Streel
employee in on the meeting to assuage suspicions of sneaking behind their
backs), BudReep, and Daelstrom.

IC
Klak calls to Raleigh, the dralasite, and Daelstrom, and pulls them
aside.  "I have pondered the identity of this leader called the Star
Devil.  I believe that uncovering ids identity is paramount.  I would like
your input.
    BudRREEPboopboopboop joins the group and listens carefully.
"I reviewed the information on the history of Volturnus that was available
here.  To refresh your memory, Seccite Zebulon discovered it in FY44,
MINER won the charter to settle and develop it in 47, the War of the Pales
was 58 to 63, and now in 65, just 9 months ago, Streel won the charter and
sent a first team here to explore.  We still have the commander of that
exploration team with us, although he is sick and laid up in bed.
    Bud pulls out a notepad and writing implement, and begins taking detailed
notes.

"MINER's owner, H'rrik Sen'tkl was kidnapped by mysterious persons in FY
60, then he was chucked out of some spacecraft.  Obviously, the body was
never recovered.  Whoever spaced him wanted everyone to know because they
took a video and distributed it freely.  That's really sick.

"I find four possible identities of the Star Devil.  One: someone inside
Streel, two: a former employee of MINER, three: some other mining company,
or four: someone connected with New Pale.

"Streel has the charter now and they were rapidly acquiring other mining
companies.  They had a motive to dispose of Sen'tkl, but not for being the
Star Devil.

"Employees of MINER lost their jobs right in the middle of the war.  Some
of them had the knowledge and the motive for setting up shop here.  The
clencher is that whoever hired our fearless pirate leader whom we lovingly
call Zippy knew him personally.  They specifically came to him offering a
job.

"Third is some other company.  The authorities claim that some unknown
company probably killed Sen'tkl.  That sounds like a cop out.  But it is
still a possibility which we cannot dismiss.

"Finally, someone on the New Pale side of the war could be
responsible.  Again, this is not satisfying.  They already had the
resources and they had less access to information on Volturnus.  The only
flag that raises in my mind is the statement that the war started because
of two terrorist bombings.  The instigator of the second one was never
discovered, but that was the bomb that started the war.  I think we have
two separate mysteries, but they just might be related.

"Can you think of other possibilities or any methods of proceeding?"
    Bud screeches, his polyvox translating, "I shall ponder the matter, and try
to devise a plan."
<and here is the message to Star Law>
To Marshall Garnu ap-Gar, Star Law, Pale, Truane's Star
From Klik'n Klak, BudReepboopboopboop of IRFT, Daelstrom Thorne of Thorne
Trading Consortium, 6 Streel employees, et al.

Streel is exploring Volturnus.  Star Devil pirates were
mining/claim jumping.  Streel destroyed both known SD bases.  SD leader's
identity undeciphered, but location off-world. Next SD freighter expected
on date ***.  At least four primitive intelligent races on Volturnus.
</end message>
Bud looks it over and nods his pseudopate in approval.  He bellows, and his
polyvox translates, "Well done.  I suggest we send it post haste."

Payne obviously disgusted at the fact that there is a meeting being
held without the rest of the team, picks up his gear. He carefully puts
a clip in each of his gyrojet weapons, as well as a clip in his laser
rifle. Payne straps on his gun belt, slings his rifle over his shoulder.
Payne now will scrounge up some optical devices(magna-goggles, infra-red
goggels, night vision, depending on what time of day it is (I lost track
of this somewhere). Payne will let either Telgar or Brennon, whomever he
sees first, that he is going to go up one of the towers to scan the
horizon to see if our dino-friends have returned. He will keep his vigil
until he is needed for some other task.

OOC (From Referee)
There is no video camera surveleince, so you can't be sure if it's the
Serena Dawn that's coming down, or some other freighter. Shouldn't matter,
Balou can pilot any other freighter as well.

QBALL, are you still out there? Didn't mean to sound too harsh in your last
post, but it was really random, because it came in the middle of everyone
discussing plans and you simply asked what your role was in the plan...when
there was no plan. Let me know if you are still in the game..

IC

  In the middle of this discussion, Telgar reminds the team that day 35 is
the earliest day to expect a reply from Streel. Telgar and Brenon set up the
team's supspace and begin monitoring. On day 36, a reply is received. Telgar
decrypts the signal and presents the report:

=========================================================================
                     SUBSPACE MESSAGE RECEIVED
                  ~~~ ENCRYPTED TRANSMISSION ~~~
   TO: Sbspc ID#42s.re349xx8
   From: Streel Corp#8d7s..dsc321.e3
=========================================================================
Volturnus Exploration/Rescue Team:

We have received initial report on the unfortunate expiration of team
members
Lyrium and Rolgar. We express our most sincere condolences; their family has

been informed and compensated for their loss.

Concerning request for immediate evacuation:
This request is denied - your Primary mission is to uncover whereabouts of
initial Expedition. Secondary mission is to map and study the Environmental,
Geological, and Atmospheric ecosystem of the planet Volturnus. The hostile
force
you have encountered is no doubt connected with the initial team's
disappearance.
The freighter /Serena Dawn/ which delivered you to Volturnus has not
returned. Investigate and find as much as possible about this
hostile force. Do not to engage this force if they are too strong.
Provide enough information about this force for your extract in 2 months. We
will analyze data and extract your team with enough reinforcement to deal
with
hostile force.

Because of the loss of Lyrium and Rolgar, primary tasks need be re-assigned.
No
doubt you have done this already, but official re-assignments are as
follows:
    Kah'liss - Environmental, Geological, Atmospheric studies (Formally
Lyrium)
    Raleigh  - Primary Techex of team. Vehicle upkeep/repair, etc.
 

Excercise utmost prudence when investigating this hostile force. Do
not assault force unless absolutely sure of success. Your secondary
mission of exploration is extremely important. We do not want more
unnecessary
casualties from the team. If necessary, hold distance until extraction.

Streel out.

Codec 3%%9397)2~~,,dresp033945..se321.-3d9
============================================================================
 

OOC (From Daelstrom):
Great news about the baby, my blessings to you and yours! (Darrel Osgood has a baby!) now about the
meeting My character also preferred a sneaky plan but carried out with the
fire power necessary to succeed. as far as the message to star law
indigenous/native should be added to the description as well as
slavery/murder to the activities of the star devil, and do you think that we
should use this for some potential disinformation (as to our
whereabouts/plans) in case that the message is intercepted. all in all some
good stuff! as far as who or what star devil is the background has that one
big hole in it(that you pointed out)who would tape murder evidence? and your
defiantly on to something with the MINER corp. insider info angle. "the
games afoot my dear Watson"

                                -----------------------
 

Elsewhere, in a solar system far, far from Zebulon (Volturnus)...
(Posted by James Strain (Daelstrom Thorne)
It started as a ripple of unease in the subconscious, building slowly
becoming waves of dread crashing against the instinctual part of the brain
then finally a flood of panic that threatened to drown his every thought
with fear. Captain Derick Thorne shot up in bed gasping for breath. Slowly
his mind adjusted to reality and he collapsed back into the pillows rubbing
his eyes. He rolled out of bed and paced about his room trying to calm his
nerves. He’d had those same dreams of late and he wished the vague
foreboding nightmares weren’t premonitions of things to come. Taking note of
the time on the chronometer he hadn’t slept much at all and it would be
hours before his scheduled duties began. Gazing into a mirror at his
darkened reflection his hand absently went to smooth the tangle of black
hair that had more and more gray shot through it lately, he walked to the
view port and leaned heavily against the portal and spoke his question aloud
to the stars.
“Where are you?”
The silent observation was interrupted in the form of a squawk of the Comm,
“Captain to the Bridge”

Derick Thorne eased himself into the command chair of the C.F.M.S Phoenix
and tapped the access code into the waiting console; it pulsed with light
beneath his hand.
“Identity; Captain, Thorne. Derick. A. Confirmed. Access granted ” The
computer intoned pleasantly.
“Status?” Derick asked of the watch commander Joshua Nevlin, who was
approaching the Navigation terminal.
“Well, you wanted to know if we found anything” The man’s words a preemptive
disclaimer to the rest of his report. “ It’s probably nothing but we did
find what looks to be wreckage of a small craft probably a lost probe in
that asteroid field there.” The commander concluded, gesturing to the
holographic star field displayed over the bridge’s main view port.
“Thank you Mr. Nevlin.” Derick replied tersely.
Turning to the tactical station and the young Vrusk crewman posted there
“What about energy scans?” He asked.
“Inc’k’ clusive sir’k” Issued the clicking Pan-Galactic response.
“Probably too much debris for a clean reading” The commander added
“Why do you believe that Mr. Nevlin? Do you have experience with this
particular asteroid field?”
Thorne asked, taking inventory of the man’s reaction. The question was
ridiculous, both the Phoenix and the asteroid field in question were far off
the normal trade routes.
The commander began “Sir with all due respect there’s…”
Derick’s voice cut through the din of chatter on the bridge “Answer the
question Mr. Nevlin.”
His Grey-green eyes froze the blood in the commander’s veins.
He stammered “Well no…but I do know that most asteroids have large amounts
of heavy metals that interfere with scans.”
Thorne’s gaze held the man immobile.
”I am not interested with most asteroids or most scans”
The Captain began “Nor am I interested in your opinion, in the future when
asked for a status report keep your responses to what is fact and leave your
hypothesizing to your self… Now what do we know?”
“There is nothing to indicate the Far Horizon entered real space at these
coordinates sir.” The commander answered succinctly.
“All right people lets take a closer look at that wreckage.”
Thorne ordered, the crew swiftly making the adjustments in the flights
trajectory, Derick activated the Comm-link to the security deck
“Zy’Tic, I want a recovery team assembled in the cargo launch bay, be
prepared to enter an asteroid field.” The Vrusk head of security responded
at once, “ Yezzz sir’k.”
Thorne then asked of the Ifshnit at the pilot’s controls
“Who has the most hours in asteroid belt flights?”
The helmsman replied and Derick had his pilot for the shuttle and so it
went. Hours later the recovery team came back aboard with what was in fact a
lost probe from ages ago. With no new information regarding the lost ships,
the Captain remained on the bridge well into the ships night cycle, he
dreaded the visions that sleep would visit upon him. It had been over six
weeks since the Far Horizon and her crew were reported missing, over six
weeks and nothing.

Two days later along the news, soap operas and love letters dispatched to
the crew was a most unusual transmission, the communiqué was a “eyes only”
message for the Captain. After listening to the message in his quarters
Derick assumed the bridge and activated a ship wide broadcast.
“Attention all hands, This is the Captain speaking. I’ve just received word
from Capellan H.Q. on Faire, and it seems our industrious little friends
have decided on a more profitable use for the Phoenix. So rather than
continue our search for our friends and colleagues we are to return at once
and turn her over to the Council.”
He paused and stilled the rising clamor on the command deck, patting the air
with his hands and smiling bravely.
“This order, I simply cannot obey. I don’t expect any one who disagrees with
my course of action to be penalized, I’ll duly note your complaints and
you’ll have no arguments from me to persuade you from taking whatever action
you feel necessary.”
Looking around the bridge he saw many smiles, most but not all belonging to
members to the Midnight Thorns. However none were wider than Vrost
Mardiseye’s the Yazarian Second officer.
“But until we rendezvous with a ship bound for Truane Star or until we have
to return there for supplies, I’m afraid you’ll have to stay on board”
He thumbed off the Comm-link and looked about the bridge and confided to
those assembled there.
“I’m serious guys…This is at the very least criminal insubordination, they
could really cook our asses for this!”
"Let them come, we'll see who gets cooked" Vrost replied, bringing those on
the command deck to a hurrah of approval.

Moments later Commander Nevlin asked to have a word with him in private.
The two moved to the corridor just beyond earshot of those on the bridge.
“Captain Thorne, You must return this ship at once, this is an act of
piracy.”
“I’ll record your objection” Derick replied as he started back for the
bridge.
Commander Nevlin stepped in front of him blocking his path, and offered
tactfully.
“ The council understands these are most difficult circumstances; a father
should never have to lose a son, however the Council demands nothing less
than the immediate return of the Phoenix. If you comply, no charges will be
drawn against you.”
“Wonderful, I’m off the hook” Derick said his voice dripping in sarcasm.
Again he started for the command deck and again he was blocked by the
persistent Commander.
Derick spoke, his inflection calm and commanding.
“I know you think you’re just doing your job however your devotion to the
council is misguided. There’s more at stake here than just the lives of the
Far Horizons crew, over the last few years numerous ships have disappeared
within a fifteen light year radius.”
Commander Nevlin responded quickly “Lost in the Lesser Morass, just like the
Horizon.”
Derick shot back, “It’s unlikely in the extreme that a large number of ships
would fly into a Morass that’s been on the star charts for years! and
leading to assumptions like that could get us all killed.” Derick’s words
angered the young man but to his credit the commander kept his calm military
demeanor only a flicker of vehemence in his dark eyes betrayed his thoughts.

Most would have missed the brief telltale sign however Thorne did not and
although he was already aware of the building animosity, he felt relief in
knowing that his instincts were still sharp.
“Josh…right?” Derick began, a sly smile hinting at the corners of his mouth
”I prefer Joshua Sir” The Watch Commander replied, ringing out in military
cadence.
”Okay Mr. Joshua lets try again” Thornes’ smooth baritone voice now a
conspiratorial whisper.
“I’ve good reason to believe that these recent disappearances are all
designed to look random but are actually part of a much more sophisticated
plan.”
A slight nod from Joshua was the only response that the watch commander gave
indicating that he heard or cared about the apparently privileged
information that was being thrust upon him.
Incensed at the lack of interest, “There’s a force at work here, I’m sure of
it! If you would just take your blinders off you’d see it too. ”  Dericks’
voice taking on a hard edge.
The two just stood there in silence. Joshua Nevlin was recently placed on
the Phoenix by the C.F.M. from outside the regular channels and was still
learning the ins and outs of the ship and her crew. Finally the young
commander spoke in soft measured tones “I’ve been ordered to take command of
the Phoenix, I need to ask for the override access codes.”
Derick sighed and said wearily, “Very well Mr. Joshua, now if the council
wants the ship back…”
He looked about to see if any one else was approaching. Leaned in close, his
head cocked at a slightly to the side as if about to whisper in the watch
commanders ear.
“…I guess they’ll just have to come and get it”

Derick drove his fist into the solar plexus of the very startled Joshua,
doubling him over. Before the watch commander could even draw a breath
Thorne launched a vicious series of strikes. First, a sharp right elbow
snapping Joshua’s head back against the bulkhead and followed with a left
hook instantly opening a small cut over his eye and spinning him out into
the center of the companionway. About half of the bridge crew, responding to
the commotion had a clear view as he quickly crossed the short distance to
Joshua with a thundering side thrust kick that sent him sailing nearly three
meters back onto the bridge.
“We Laconians have a saving, “It is good to ask for what you want, but you
must first be prepared to take it.” Derick stated as he slowly approached.
The other crewmembers surrounded Joshua like jungle cats, ready to pounce.
He issued a haggard reply, “I’ll have to keep that in mind Sir.”
As the command deck security officers pushed past the others and roughly
helped him to his feet. Derick said balefully; “Get that piece of scum off
my bridge.”