Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

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Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Samlangdon » Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:19 pm

The government of Truane's Star has hired you to carry out a preliminary exploration of a newly discovered planet. You are to journey by starliner to Volturnus and map as much of the planet as possible. The government is especially interested in contacting and studying any intelligent races living on the planet. If you meet an intelligent race, you are to make friendly contact and learn as much about them as possible. Truane's Star has found itself short of personnel and funds due to colonial troubles and associated police action on Cygnus Omicron IX recently. They have hired you, a team of unknown adventurers, to mount a relief expedition to Volturnus. Your mission is to explore Volturnus, gathering as much information as possible about mineral deposits, life on the planet, and other items of interest to future colonists. You are also to find and rescue the members of the original exploratory mission if possible.

The government has provided you with a minimal amount of equipment, and transportation to Volturnus aboard the starliner Serena Dawn. After dropping you on Volturnus, the Serena Dawn will return in three months to transport you (and, with luck, the original exploration team) back to Truane's Star.

The first expedition to Volturnus disappeared without trace as soon as it entered the Zebulon system. If possible, you are to locate and rescue any survivors of this mission.

As you boarded the starliner that would take you to Volturnus, the steward gave you an interior plan of the starship and urged you to study it carefully (see Jedion's design of the Serena Dawn as this is the map we will be using: http://www.starfrontiers.us/node/3448 ) He also searched your luggage and placed all weapons and power packs in the weapons locker. His assistant placed your other heavy gear, such as the military skein-quits given to you by the government of Truane's Star, in the cargo hold. The only items you were allowed to take to your tiny cabins were your non-weapon tool kits.

During your journey, you have toured the area of the ship not shown on the map. It contains recreation areas, the observation dome, the galley, the first class living quarters, and fuel storage. There is nothing else of interest in that area.

In the event you must evacuate ship, you have been instructed to proceed immediately to the escape bay, where two of the Serena Dawn's lifeboats are stored. Each lifeboat holds up to eight persons. If it becomes necessary to use the lifeboats, you have been instructed not to open the hatch until all persons using the lifeboat are assembled and ready to enter it. This is because the lifeboats automatically launch one minute after the hatch is opened. They then seek the nearest inhabitable planet and land in the first safe spot.

It doesn't take you long to get acclimated to the converted freighter. In a matter of minutes after disembarking from the orbital station, the ship reaches its acceleration of 1 g providing comfortable gravity before jump. This gives you time to explore the ship in detail, and review some vital mission information. On board, in addition to the members of the Dawn's crew, is a cadre of 8 marine types, clad in full polyplate armor bearing the markings of Truane's government. No one said when you signed up that there would be military types aboard. Unlike yourselves, they seem allowed to carry their rifles and mono blades. So far, you've not seen any of their faces, as they are shielded behind combat visors.

Over the next few days as the astrogators do their work and the ship approaches jump velocity, you and the others hired by Truane's government make each other's aquaintenances.

(OOC: feel free to do some background posts in game covering this period of time, pre-starfall).

BIC:
Information you all have access to and review on your holos is as follows:

Planetary Brief Volturnus


PLANET HISTORY: Named after the Greek god of the southwest wind, Volturnus is a hot, dry world with many types of hostile terrain. The endless deserts, rugged mountains, volcanic wastes, and dangerous salt flats are constantly scoured by a strong southwesterly wind. Despite these harsh conditions, rare patches of forest and even a few lakes have managed to maintain a perilous existence.

MOONS: 1.) Leo: Completes one orbit every three days, reddish-orange in color 2.) Lulu: Completes one orbit every 27 hours, bluish-silver in color

CLIMATE RANGE: Hot, arid to humid

ATMOSPHERE: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon

GRAVITY: 1.0013

DIAMETER: 12,895 kilometers
LENGTH OF DAYS: 24 hours, 03 minutes

AVERAGE SURFACE TEMPERATURE: 25 degrees C

COLONIZERS: Unsettled; presently claimed by the government of the Truane's Star.

KNOWN NATIVE POPULATION: 1) The Ul-Mor, desert-dwelling novepi (nine-limbed creatures). Number and range unknown.


BACKGROUND ON ZEBULON STAR SYSTEM: The Zebulon star system was first investigated 20 years ago by an unmanned exploration probe launched by Truane's Star. This probe indicated that Volturnus was the only inhabitable planet in the Zebulon system. It also indicated that great mineral wealth might exist on the planet in the form of molybdenum, tungsten, gold, and other heavy metals. Truane's Star soon made a legal claim to the ownership of Volturnus, and completed exploration of a star route to the Zebulon system one year ago.

The first manned expedition to Volturnus from Truane's Star was launched nine months ago. The four member team of specialists was instructed to set up an outpost, gather data on the possible colonization and mining of Volturnus, and report back.

After passing into the star system, the starship carrying the specialists was never heard from again. The four members' dossiers hang in the air before you along with some boring details about their service records, like holographic ghosts:

Commander Louis V. Jameson


Human, 1.9 meters tall, 88 kilograms weight, 43 years old Skills: Computer 4 Background: 22 years service Truane's Star military forces; combat veteran, Truane's Star Medal of Valor; commander two previous exploration missions



Geeko- sur-Mang

Professor of geology, Capital University

Yazirian, 2.1 meters tall, 50 kilograms weight, 52 years old Skills: Computer 4 Background: Recognized authority in geophysics, specialist in planetary crust formation




Itklikdil

Cartographer, Vrusk Atlas Manufacturing Corporation

Vrusk female, 1.5 meters height, 85 kilograms weight, 32 years old Skills: Environmental 6 Background: Ph.D., experienced explorer and cartographer; loaned to exploration mission by employer in exchange for Volturnus mapping rights.





Grod

Technician, Truan's Star Civil Service

Dralasite, 1.3 meters height, 65 kilograms weight, 85 years old Skills: 5th level all skills Background: Developer, hydro-magnetic stabilization system in Dralasite air cars; author, ''The Metaphysical Foundations of Dralasite Morality''


You wonder what possibly could have happened to them......?



OOC: ok, your all familiar with the above, but I thought its a nice way to begin the module and a good refresher. note there are some subtle changes, so don't go on auto-pilot. i am open to comments or suggestions as well, but in pre-jump i think it would be a good time to get some preliminary posts out of the way about your characters, introductions, etc. We will then pick up just after the jump.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby jedion357 » Sat Dec 29, 2012 5:41 pm

Kahn stood outside the door to the liquor store with a bottle of brandy and two one credit chits in his hands. Nearby stood a shabby looking human in an old jacket that proclaimed him a ground fleet veteran of the Sathar War. Kahn recognized the emblems plain enough from his medical residency back on Hargut. He had heard that humans didn't always care for their wounded warriors like yazirian clans do but then the whole race was essentially clanless anyway.

The old veteran held out a cup begging for money but Kahn misunderstanding poured in some brandy, "Here, a little fire in your belly, honored warrior." The old veteran laughed, straightened his posture, raised the cup in salute and said, "My gratitude good warrior," pronouncing warrior in thickly accented yazirian. After quaffing the brandy he carefully fished a one credit chit out of the cup and wiped it off on his clothes and returned it to the cup to jingle it at other passers by. Kahn suddenly realized the shameless stories of old and wounded veterans cast aside by human society to beg on the streets homeless and destitute may just be true! He tossed the two one credit chits in his hand into the cup and offered the old warrior a drink straight from the bottle.

Later:
Kahn sat cross legged on the card board bedding that Old Zeek was sharing with him. There were another 8 other homeless sleeping on the exhaust grates. The light on his toxyrad gauge flickered like it wanted to light up which probably meant the air quality was bad due to the presence of carbon monoxide but the air coming out of the vent was warm which was no small matter on a cold world like Pale. Kahn had given his priest robes to Zeek for warmeth as he was warm enough in his fur and skeinsuit. They had had gotten drunk and shared stories and songs and when Zeek discovered Kahn had no place to sleep he'd insisted Kahn join him at the vent. Kahn decided that a yazirian as devoid of honor as him could do worse than to share the hospitality of the homeless on Pale and settled down to sleep there on the grates.

Kahn's head pounded but he couldn't go back to sleep. Alcohol had probably loosed his tongue too much and clearly Zeek had had the insight to see the pain in Kahn's sha'ka over his loss of honor and position. "Son, sometimes poop lands on you no matter where you stand. Its not your fault it just happens. All you can do is keep you own conscious clear and carry on," Zeek had told him. He pulled out his med kit and used the sonic scalpel to etch the words, "Carry On" into the hard plastic of the case near the handle. His chronocom alarm beeped reminding him to report for the survey mission briefing. He stood and and pronounced a benediction on the sleeping warrior next to him before quietly departing.

Captain Slag watched the yazirian pray over the sleeping forms on the grate and depart then waved the other members of his party forward. He chuckled to himself to think he trully had become like a pirate of old as he was about to press gang some homeless derelicts that could usually be found sleeping on these heat vents. If they didn't work out for crew they could easily join the rest of the slaves digging in the mine. One of the press gang looked at him at the sound of his laugh but he shook his head and waved him forward toward the heat vents and the sleeping forms. Yes, Slag had well and truly become a pirate and so would these derelicts though they would not be given guns till it was seen if they could be trusted- for the next few missions they'd be limited to melee weapons....
A second year delivery driver who still could not back up his van told me, "Its Not that I Cant back it up a van its that I Dont want to." Funny I use to say the same about sex in high School.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby jedion357 » Sat Dec 29, 2012 5:48 pm

Kahn Gak Harkannon On the Serena Dawn:

The pounding was like a like the great dumra in the Temple of the Ark of Yazira. Kahn had never seen a dumra 2 m in diameter till traveling to Hentz. Its sound reverberated deep within your bones when it was struck but in this case the pounding was in his head. Hangover, or rather a yazirian would call it hung upside down. He was dehydrated from another round of drinking.

The lights were out and despite his excellent night vision he could see nothing. He must be in his cabin. Not only that he could not move much at all. He vaguely remembered the first officer of the Serena Dawn ordering crew members to confiscate the rest of the alcohol he had brought on board under the pretense of medical supplies and to restrain him in his cabin till he sobered.

Great he was tied up in the dark until someone released him!. He struggled foggily against his restraints and discovered that the restraints were just he safety harness of his acceleration couch which released the five point harness with a single slap of his hand. Instantly, he drifted free in zero g.

“I wonder why we’re not under acceleration?”

The intercom answered almost immediately, “Attention all hands starfall in T minus 5 minutes. Secure for starfall in T minus 5 minutes.”

“Crap!” he groaned. He had just released himself form the safety of the acceleration chair and was floating free in total darkness. If he didn’t get back in the chair injuries could result.

He flailed with arms and legs till he hit a wall and shoved himself hard off its surface in the direction he thought the couch was. In the dark he slammed into another wall but his hand brushed a light activator and suddenly he was blinking against the bright lights that made his head ache even more from the hangover.

It took moments to orient himself but his head cleared some when the intercom squawked, “Starfall in T minus 2 minutes.”

He pushed off the edge of the desk and sailed for the acceleration couch and its safety harness. Snagging the harness he swung himself around but bounced off the chair. It took another try to get into the chair but his fingers fumbled the safety harness and it just would not click together.

“T minus 10, 9, 8,7…”

He stopped struggling and took a deep breath and exhaled. Then with calm descending like a blanket he clicked the harness as the intercom voice said, “One.”
he didn’t remember any more till the pounding in his head was just a mild throb.

Later in the galley he was fortifying a cup of kob with blood plasma and barbeque rub spices, an old clan recipe for hangovers, he announced to the members of the expedition present that he would be holding office hours and performing medical exams of all expedition members to get baseline reading on them prior to planet fall. He thought he detected strange looks from them but simply quaffed his kob savoring the burn of the spices at the back of his throat. Well they could find it funny that he spent the trip out drunk and that now he was suddenly doing his job but since the first officer had indeed confiscated his alcohol he might as well stay busy to keep his mind off of gloomier self pitying thoughts. Yeah, work would be the ticket and if he couldn’t find enough to do with compiling baseline readings on the team he might offer to do medical exams of the crew though he suspected they had had enough of him by this point. Well if not medical duties then he’d practice with the zamra and maybe even take to wearing it around his neck.
A second year delivery driver who still could not back up his van told me, "Its Not that I Cant back it up a van its that I Dont want to." Funny I use to say the same about sex in high School.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby jedion357 » Sat Dec 29, 2012 6:38 pm

The ships purser shook his head and stated, "I'm sorry we have no saline solution."

Kahn, frowned knowing the purser was giving him the run around, "Perhaps we could double check as I thought I saw some in the infirmary."

"I'm sorry but we have none to spare for you."

Kahn's lips tightened, the crew of the Serena Dawn had had enough of him and he'd get no favors from them.

It looked like his plan to issue one liter bags of saline solution to each member of the expedition might not work out. It was a pity as even though all of the species present in the expedition did not have the same salinity in their body chemistry they all could receive the lowest common denominator of saline solution which was 2%. 2% saline solution was exactly what was stocked in the Serena Dawn's infirmary. Yazirians, humans and vrusk could take it intravenously and dralasites could just be injected anywhere with it. His plan had been to make each member carry it in a particular cargo pocket on their skein suit so that he could find it immediately if he was treating them in an emergency. Not only that it could be used to stave off dehydration which might not be a small consideration on Volturnus as the planetary brief said it was hot and arid. A liter of saline solution would also work as a acid neutralizer if Kahn was not present with the acid neutralizer from his medkit. Anyone could treat acid or base compounds by simply diluting them with water.

Kahn was angry with the purser for being a vindictive jerk and angry with himself for having burned a bridge with the crew. The saline solution was vital emergency item that might come in handy on Volturnus. He should have requested it back on Pale instead of being focused on drowning out his depression. Now they'd have to do without or he could steal it from from the infirmary just before planet fall. He'd never stolen before in his life as a doctor and priest. Was there any dishonor to stealing if you were clanless? Should the team suffer because he had been so self absorbed in his own depression? He wasn't sure what the answers were to those questions. Perhaps if he played nice he might prevail with someone in the crew over the next few days.
A second year delivery driver who still could not back up his van told me, "Its Not that I Cant back it up a van its that I Dont want to." Funny I use to say the same about sex in high School.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby jedion357 » Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:33 am

Still smarting from the frustrating conversation with the ship's purser Kahn decided to review the mission brief one more time and compile a list of things that if given a chance he might take care of before landing, like raiding the ships infirmary.

Temperature would be a problem and he'd have to guard against dehydration of party members.

The first survey mission disappeared without a trace 9 months ago soon after arriving in system. If he had to guess that sounded like an accident in space and at best they'd be looking for escape pods or lifeboats from the transport vessel. Nine months was a long time, there would be a high likelihood that they would not be rescuing but rather recovering remains. It would fall to him as the team's doctor to identify those remains. He checked the attached personnel files of the first survey mission and uploaded genetic scans of its members to the memory bank of his med scanner. Then it occurred to him that the crew of the transport vessel would still be in system since it never returned but unfortunately their personnel records were not present in the brief. That might complicate things if they recovered remains and could not identify the individual. Hopefully someone survived all this time and would be able to tell them what happened. In the case of the other ship's crew he'd have to just save a scan of the genetic material until it could be indentified back on Pale.

There is a native sapient species which is a desert dweller. How was that fact known? The system was explored by automated probe 20 years ago and by a supposedly failed manned mission 9 months ago how could the government know about a native primitive species? Something was not right here. Twenty years is a long time, there could have been several other missions to the planet in that time that the government is just not telling us about but why? And what's up with these 8 marines in polyplate armor and heavy weapons, Kahn couldn't remember ever seeing their faces, did they even eat food?

A chill went through Kahn's sha'ka as a new thought dawned on him. If there was a prior mission or the mission they were supposed to rescue had not disappeared as the government said then there must be some secret on Volturnus the government doesn't want to become general knowledge. If this survey mission stumbled over that secret and the government wanted to keep that information from getting out then it didn't take much imagination to figure out what heavily armed and armored marines might be doing on the Serena Dawn.

Kahn didn't like where this was going. There were some logical inconsistencies here. He should discuss it with the others. Should he call a general meeting or confide in one member of the party? There wasn't much time left since they already reached Starfall perhaps he should call a general meeting. What about the ships crew, could they be trusted? The captain might be able to listen in on any meeting via intercom. He could use his chronocom to summon each party member under the pretext of discussing their medical record which shouldn't raise any suspicions. Perhaps if he sommoned the dralasite tech, Dalmar Lar, he could disable the intercom and sweep for listening devices.

"I'm being paranoid and I almost can't believe my own conclusions here," he said out loud to the empty room.

I'll com Gideon Pai-jon, he thought, he's from Hargut and if he thinks I'm crazy I'll try to drop it.

Kahn commed Gedion and asked him to come by his cabin to discuss some results from his recent medical exam and laid out his concerns to him.
A second year delivery driver who still could not back up his van told me, "Its Not that I Cant back it up a van its that I Dont want to." Funny I use to say the same about sex in high School.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Terl Obar » Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:41 pm

Dalmar wandered the Serena Dawn in the days leading up to starfall getting to know it's nooks and crannies as only a dralasite could. He was fascinated by the operating of the ship and spent as much time talking to the crew, especially the pilot and engineers, as possible. It was only the second spacecraft he had ever been on (the first was the ship from New Pale to Pale station) but he had already found his new goal in life. He wanted to fly one of these great ships.

Dalmar was excited for the upcoming mission. He had spent all of his life on New Pale and was ready to get out and see more of the Frontier. And this survey mission sounded like a grand adventure and promised to be quite educational.

Not much of a fighter despite his basic skill with laser weapons, Dalmar was glad to see that several of the other members of the team had weapons training. Although he wasn't too sure about the Yazirians as they seemed a bit touchy.

And he was doubly dubious about their medic, that yaz seemed a bit too fond of drink on the trip out. However, he did seem to get down to business once they had made the jump and once Dalmar got over his initial trepidation, he went in for his full physical and found that Kahn was quite professional and seemed to know his stuff.

"You know doc, you've been a bit surly on the way out, but you seem to be over it. I don't mean to pry but was that a one time thing or should we be ready for an occasional repeat? I mean, everyone has a bad week now and then but if it's regular, we should at least be warned."

---

While there were Vrusk on New Pale, Dalmar never really had much interaction with them. Now he was rooming with one and found her quite interesting, especially her coloring, which, although he only saw in black and white, was quite distinctive. The looked forward to talking to her and she seemed interested in socializing as well.

Grekka wrote:Calling out she said, “So what do you prefer to be called?”
"You can call me Dalmar or Dal, which ever's easier. Dal's definitely quicker and I respond to both." Taking the chance, he continued. "You're from Krataar, right? I don't mean to be prying or offensive but I was wondering something. Your coloring seems distinctive from that of the few Vrusk I've met on New Pale. Is that coloring common on Krataar or is it distinct to you? I'll admit I've not met many vrusk but their colors never seemed as vibrant as yours."

Continuing the conversation he says, "I also noticed you had a robocom kit. Looks like between the two of us, we'll be getting everyone around and keeping things running. Good to know I'm not going to be the only grease monkey on this trip. If you ever need an extra hand, let me know. I can get one on demand," he adds, extending out a third hand from his body.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby jedion357 » Mon Dec 31, 2012 6:47 am

IC:

Dalmar went in for his full physical and found that Kahn was quite professional and seemed to know his stuff.

"You know doc, you've been a bit surly on the way out, but you seem to be over it. I don't mean to pry but was that a one time thing or should we be ready for an occasional repeat? I mean, everyone has a bad week now and then but if it's regular, we should at least be warned."

Kahn barely hesitated at the question but kept up the examination to cover his confusion. He was rather startled by the very frank question. Somewhere at the back of his mind was a comment by an old yazirian priest concerning dralasites that if you didn't get the joke it was probably about you. Kahn vaguely remembered seeing this dralasite poking his eye spots into every nook and crannie on the ship and chatting with everyone who would talk. He was just naturally curious. However, Kahn thought the human saying about curiosity and felines appropriate yet he had failed in his honor after being defrocked as a priest and expelled from his clan and perhaps his team might deserve an explanation. Sure he had confided in Old Zeek the homeless veteran but then alcohol had loosed his tongue and Zeek was a warrior and if felt natural to confide to a warrior as all that Kahn had left was 'Warrior son of Hargut'. The focus of his life for the past five years had been service to others and to the Family of One. He was not about to really confide in this dralasite that he didn't know about how much he hurt inside having been cast aside by his religion and clan the two things that he loved more than anything in life. Yet it was an honest question and Kahn owed him and the rest of the team some answer though because his actions had dishonored himself and possibly affected them.

"I was celebrating being dismissed from Inquisitor training, defrocked as a priest and expelled from my clan. So you see I had a lot to celebrate over. I may celebrate some more but not on the mission."

There he said and no doubt now his recent troubles would become general knowledge within the team though his very name "gak Harkannon" declared he was outcast and dishonored of the clan Harkannon. The use of the title Gak implied that a yazirian could work to recover his honor and be restored to his clan but not Kahn his dishonor stemmed from having asked honest intellectual questions of his Inquisitor instructors. There was nothing that he could do to un-ask those questions.

He eyed the dralasite wondering if he would catch the hint of sarcasm in his answer or if his natural curiosity would spawn another question. While he had been busy drowning out the pain in his sha'ka others had become concern. A warrior can live with pain and he'd have to learn to live with this pain.

OOC: Kahn's recently experience a great loss and is essentially heart broken and I've endeavored to play him in the beginning dealing with it in a classic manner. I think Solomon said in one of his proverbs to give wine to him that is depressed. Thus Kahn sought to drown out his sorrow. I dont really plan to play him as a drunk doctor though that might be interesting, especially coming up with drunk talk for role play but then the game is about playing a hero and I wouldn't consider playing a drunk very heroic though having an element of anti hero in my character does have an appeal.
A second year delivery driver who still could not back up his van told me, "Its Not that I Cant back it up a van its that I Dont want to." Funny I use to say the same about sex in high School.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Terl Obar » Mon Dec 31, 2012 11:36 am

"Fair enough, Doc," Dalmar replied, noting the sarcasm dripping from Kahn's voice. "I can't say I understand the extent of your loss but I know how I would feel to be ousted from my stoa. You probably handled it better than I would. I'd just end up a puddle on the floor. If you feel like you need to do any more celebrating once we get back, let me know and I'll make sure you make it there and back in once piece. In the meantime, another word will not be said.

"In other news," Dalmar continues, shifting the topic, "I seem to be the fix-it guy for this outfit so if you're having any trouble with gear let me know. You keep me running and I'll keep your gadgets purring."
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby jedion357 » Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:06 pm

Kahn considered the dralasite for a moment then said, "The tools in my med kit have proven fairly sturdy in a clinical setting but who knows what will happen i was the field with dust and dirt? What I could use is a practice zamra like this one but without the edge. I don't know if you'd be able to obtain a piece of metal from anyone on ship if they knew it was for me but I'd like to practice with the weapon without dinging the blade. Plus practice will help me get my mind off other things."
Last edited by jedion357 on Mon Dec 31, 2012 8:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Terl Obar » Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:54 pm

"I'll see what I can do Doc."

Over the next day or so Dalmar will use his time he's spending in the engineering spaces to chat up the engineers and along the way see if he can use his PER to talk them into giving him a piece of scrap metal and time in the machine shop to cut it into the shape of the Zamira.

OOC: Sam, let me know if he succeeds in getting the piece for Kahn or not and I'll write an appropriate post. Dalmar has been purposely exploring the ship and chatting up the crew trying to make friends for exactly these kinds of "favors", i.e. getting extra gear/equipment as needed if necessary. Plus he just wants to learn about the ship as he plans for starship piloting and and starship engineering as future skills.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Samlangdon » Mon Dec 31, 2012 2:50 pm

Just prior to starfall you met a crew member named Duran Krumm, a talkative and friendly crewman who spends most of his time in engineering. From Pale, originally, he is a rotund human who looks near retirement age. His crew uniform hardly fits him, but he seems handy enough with his tech kit. (Successful PER roll of 53...just under). The two of you found a lot of common ground to talk about...He seems a very competent tech. He even took you with him on a small "emergency" with the life support system. Your third hand played a key part in changing out a failed scrubber. It actually could have been a big deal....

(This was actually a two tiered test...first a dexterity based Tech (25+10 for 35%, roll 24...success.....then a logic based tech 35+10 for 45%....roll of 39. It was a tricky repair but you diagnosed it and was able to reach it. The bad scribber was missed twice in pre-take off diagnostics, as well as missed when the 2nd engineer was monitoring the systems.)

In any event, Krumm very easily scrounged up the scrap metal you were seeking and showed you around the machine and fabrication room. Several sophisticated robots were working in this area--more than you realized were aboard the old vessel. You can count on Krumm among your friends now---along with access to the Machine room, and some very, very interesting equipment....but you would have to wait till after starfall to play around with it.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Shadow Shack » Mon Dec 31, 2012 5:56 pm

Gideon left the Truane's Star Exploration Office in Point True, content in having secured some employment. Things had been rough since his departure from Streel, and he was looking forward to leaving this system. There was some optimism here, for starters he'd heard many rumors in the past about PGC being involved with the disappearance of the first expedition. If he could help the second succeed, perhaps he could somehow leverage this to get Streel off his flaps for good.

He went straight to the starport to catch a shuttle for Pale Station where he could board the independent vessel that would take him to Zebulon. He passed an assortment of rabble that seemed to take an interest in him along the way, they all had a matching tattoo on their arms. He didn't get a good look, but it was red and encircled with numerous silvery splotches. He didn't shoot a glance over his shoulder as he left, but he checked the shoulder strap that secured the daisho (pairing of long and short swords) to his back.

The pessimism started to settle in as the shuttle escaped the atmosphere. He was heading for a predominantly arid desert world. He was surely going to be miserable, perhaps a water pack or two would be in order. At Pale Station, he proceeded to the commercial decks. He had 10 credits left to his name and was destined for an unexplored/uncivilized world. Credits would be worthless there, so he picked up a pair of water packs...leaving two credits in his pocket to rub together for good luck (character sheet adjusted).

Afterwards he boarded the Serena Dawn, an odd ship that began life as a small freight hauler that was converted for passenger transport and scientific research. He thought about the honorable mention of Cygnus Omicron IX from the mission briefing, he had worked on that particular station during his tenure with Streel. It was one of many collector stations orbiting the gas giant Cygnus 12 orbits away from Truane's primary, collection hydrogen for conversion to liquid form for use with ion drives. Streel was busy designing a new star fighter there that would be inexpensive and brutally effective, he never had access to the project but the S-series fighter was destined for notoriety.

Gideon proceeded directly to the environmental lab on the upper deck to bone up on the system brief. 25ºC average surface temperature with 70ºC peaks in the desert regions, he was already beginning to sweat. No doubt those water packs will come in handy. He spent several hours perusing the information on Volturnus, and was interrupted by a ping on the chronocom. It was Kahn, a yazirian scientist from his homeworld that he had seen on the team roster...Kahn was requesting that Gideon come to his cabin to discuss something from an exam. "Be right there," he said in a calm voice. He was looking forward to some good natured inter-clan ribbing after all he'd been through lately, and it might be a good idea to have the doctor determine what Gideon may have to look forward to in this harsh climate.

After a few minutes jockeying through the aft airlock to the main deck, he found himself outside Kahn's cabin. He rapped on the plasti-steel sliding door, and when it opened he saw a red maned yaz standing who was a tad shorter and considerably leaner than Gideon. Harkannon, a clan from Hargut's equatorial region deeply rooted with the Family of One. A dralasite in quadra-ped form was seated at the table behind him.

Gideon extended his pale skinned hand out, "Well, we finally meet. I've been meaning to discuss a few things with you."
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Terl Obar » Mon Dec 31, 2012 8:28 pm

Dalmar was quite impressed by the bots and the machine shop and found Krumm to be a jovial old fellow. After spending a pleasant afternoon with the aging human, he returned to his bunk to see if Grekka was around. He wanted to talk to her a bit about the robots and see if she wanted to wander down and check them out and possibly identify them.

He will also try to get into the shop when it's not busy so he can make the practice zamira.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby jedion357 » Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:09 pm

It was after Starfall and Kahn who had spent his time before Starfall getting drunk and annoying the crew was suddenly throwing himself into his duty. Gideon was dubious about this yazirian from his homeworld.

Shadow Shack wrote:Gideon extended his pale skinned hand out, "Well, I've been meaning to discuss a few things with you."


Kahn realized that his reputation was spotty with the team and perhaps more so with this fellow yaz from his colony. The safest greeting he could think of till he knew for sure where he stood with Gideon was, "Greetings son of Hargut, I too have a desire to discuss some things with you though I must beg your pardon for the deception of claiming a need to discuss your medical exam. There is a matter I need your input on and I'm unsure if I should trust my own judgement. I presume as our resident environmental expert that you have reviewed the mission brief on Volturnus?"

Kahn continued,"Something bothers me about it. Originally the system was surveyed 20 years ago by automated probe then 9 months ago a manned mission was sent which promptly disappeared after arrival in system. Curiously the brief mentions a native sapient species of desert dweller and I can't help but wonder just how that bit of data ended up in the brief? It seems rather mysterious to me unless the automated probe actually had a landing unit otherwise someone had to visit the planet and report this data. Now 20 years is a long time and any number of missions could have come here in that time and if that happened then why were we not told about them? One would have to assume that there is something the government desires to keep secret and if there is something that must remain secret down on Volturnus and we discover it then what action will the government take to keep it secret? And finally just what are these 8 marines in full polyplate armor doing on board the Serena Dawn (see Sams first post this thread)? I cant help but think they must be here as enforcers of the government's will and that makes me nervous. On the other hand I think I sound paranoid unless the government needed sacrificial patsies who are not meant to succeed? Am I crazy or should we share this with the rest of the team?"
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby corkman » Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:33 pm

"Oh my God! If I can just get by security with this new ID card," went through the mind of the young looking man trying to board the Serena Dawn and off to a new life than he was accustomed to. He stepped up in line behind the other people that were boarding the ship and noticed that he wasn't the only human on board as well as other races that were also in line. He stepped up to the steward checking ID's and boarding passes and handed his paperwork over to him. He made brief eye contact and a slight smile was all he could manage because of his personality, or lack there of. It almost seemed like he got along with robots and electronic devices than with living and breathing beings. The, 'BEEP,' was loud as hell and his eyes went wide when the machine denied the boarding pass onto the ship. The steward looked up at Kriss with a questioanry glance and then slid the boarding pass and his ID card through the machine again. 'Oh my God! People are looking at me wondering what's wrong with me and why they're being held up. That ID should work. I paid good credits for it. Wy isn't it working,' Kriss thought as he watched the machine wait for the prompt to let him pass. Seconds seemed like minutes as he waited and he started to obviously sweat profusely. 'DING,' sounded the green light on the machine as his pass was accepted and the steward handed Kriss back his paperwork with a smile. "Enjoy your trip onboard the Serena Dawn sir," was all that he needed to hear and responded with just a nod as he tucked his credentials back into his bag. He made for his room and locked the door behind him and sat on the bed as he stripped off his outer clothing and tried to relax and cool down on the bed. He sighed loudly, and ran his hands through his sweaty hair and stared at the ceiling.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby rattraveller » Tue Jan 01, 2013 6:54 am

"You can call me Dalmar or Dal, whichever's easier. Dal's definitely quicker and I respond to both." Taking the chance, he continued. "You're from Krataar, right? I don't mean to be prying or offensive but I was wondering something. Your coloring seems distinctive from that of the few Vrusk I've met on New Pale. Is that coloring common on Krataar or is it distinct to you? I'll admit I've not met many Vrusk but their colors never seemed as vibrant as yours."

Continuing the conversation he says, "I also noticed you had a robocom kit. Looks like between the two of us, we'll be getting everyone around and keeping things running. Good to know I'm not going to be the only grease monkey on this trip. If you ever need an extra hand, let me know. I can get one on demand," he adds, extending out a third hand from his body.
Grekka cringed internally at Dal’s response. She should have expected this though. Since leaving Kraatar she had found few who went through the proper greeting protocols. In Vrusk society Dal would have answered her question with his full name and titles and a tracing of his parentage back three generations. Of course this short version of a proper opening of conversation was only acceptable since they were working together.
Normally an intermediary would have been necessary to introduce two beings to each other. Since they were employed by the same company this step could be eliminated. But going straight to a nickname and asking personal questions beyond the job at hand was not acceptable until several other interactions had been completed. They had not even shared a cup of brok tea and krinn, the standard introductory meal. Well she had never really liked brok tea.
Grekka took a look inside and decided she would open up a little with her new co-worker. After all the 238th Rule of Acquintanceship was to meet those uninstructed in proper protocol partway in their conversation and lead them to the proper ways of protocol. She did wonder how fast they would move to the Rules of Friendship which had several special rules just for Vrusk/Dralasite interactions.
Grekka said, “Thank you for the opportunity to call you Dal but I will call you Dalmar Lar (Grekka actually pronounces it more like Daccar Car since her mouth is not well suited to some of the softer sounding Pan-Galactic letters) as we are only newly introduced.”
Feeling a little easier over his next question since the 232nd Rule of Acquintanceship allowed her to educate new acquaintances in proper knowledge of her race. First she let out a little giggle which to Dalmar Lar probably sounded more like sharp rapping of knuckles on wood and said, “As to the color of my exoskeleton, like you I grew up without any interaction with Dralasites or Yazirians. I read the Pan-Galactic basic primer of races and thought your entire race was the same shade of grey and all Yazirians were the same shade of tan. Obviously that is not correct. My color comes from ancestors who lived in the desert regions of our homeworld and is not that uncommon among Vrusk.”
“If I can ask you, the Pan-Galactic basic primer of races mentioned that Dralasites only use one gender neutral name. Yet you have two. Is that something of the Dralasites of your planet or something you picked up from Humans?”
Moving on to more comfortable terrain of conversation, Grekka switched to the Rules of Trade House Workers which allowed more intimate conversation even among those who just meet. This was so they could get work done more quickly.
Grekka said, “I am proficient with robots and would be happy to assist you in any tech work we have since I do not think that the robots will occupy much of my time. I have been hired to drive the explorer on this expedition. But I should state my primary training was as a police officer.”
Grekka now turned to the easiest to follow rules, the Rules of Interrogation. “Which leads me to ask you a question; since we have only just been introduced, how did you know I am from Kraatar?” She may not know Dralasites well but she did know they were more in favor of the Kraatar Liberation Corps then the Vrusk Trade Houses. Could this Dralasite be one of their agents sent to kill her?

NOTE Vrusk get a comprehension bonus for having the most complicated society on the Frontier. Thought I should throw some of that in. This may lead others to think Grekka is stuck up or contradictory in her actions and words. I will try and make an effort to justify her actions based on her society and its rules which will of course contradict themselves unless you fully understand them.
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Terl Obar » Tue Jan 01, 2013 12:13 pm

"I guess the Vrusk I had met before must be descended from a forest region or something since they were more greens and browns. I find your coloring much more artistically appealing.

"I guess the name is more a local thing and something we probably picked up from the Humans. Lar is the name of my stoa. Kind of like a vrusk trade house but on a much smaller scale. Or a human family. My stoa runs a collective farm on New Pale and using Lar outside the stoa helps to identify us. So I guess my name really means Dalmar of the Lar stoa. Although I typically just go by Dalmar.

"Police training, huh? That's pretty cool. I knew a couple of officers back on New Pale. It's always a good idea to be on good terms with authority, especially if anything comes up and you need help. Any idea what's up with all these armed goons on the ship? Seems a little odd for a survey mission.

"As to knowing you're from Kraatar, it was in the dossier. There is a short file on each of us in the computer. I think it was to help us get up to speed on the other team members since there wasn't anyone on-board to officially introduce us and we just kind of got thrown in here together. Mine's pretty short. Young dral from New Pale, trained in air vehicle piloting, technical skills, and some skill with laser weapons.

"The doc and the other yaz are apparently from the same planet although I don't think they know each other. I haven't seen either of the humans around yet. We should probably find them and introduce ourselves."
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Shadow Shack » Tue Jan 01, 2013 5:42 pm

Gideon can see by Kahn's body language that he appears to be somewhat uneasy around him. He speaks in his usual calm but confident demeanor, a trait he had honed over the years dealing with the numerous suits at Streel.

"I was curious about the desert dwellers also, but truth be told I hope we don't have to spend too much time in that climate. I have a nagging feeling that I'll be consuming a little extra water if we do." There, he tipped his hand at his own personal weakness...that ought to put his comrade at ease.

Hailing from an arctic climate, Gideon adapted quite naturally space travel. The typical colder nature of ship environmental systems didn't bother him in the least, if anything he felt like he was overdressed. He continues speaking: "Streel and Pale's government are long time bed-mates. It won't surprise me at all if there is a cover up involved with these dwellers. Those guards you speak of? That's Streel supplied body armor they wear, they don't just issue that to anybody. I'd heard several tales that Pan Galactic was behind the disappearance of the prior mission. It's just rumors and speculation at this point though. I'm guessing Streel simply took a few precautions to ensure this one doesn't end up with a similar fate. I don't expect this mission to be a cake walk, there is more at stake here than pre-colonization efforts. I wouldn't be surprised if we find evidence of corporate foul play when we get there."

Catching a glimpse of Kahn's flask, he finishes with "But enough with the semantics. What say we adjourn to the galley and see if this tub has something resembling Athor Ale?"
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby jedion357 » Tue Jan 01, 2013 8:51 pm

Shadow Shack wrote:Catching a glimpse of Kahn's flask, he finishes with "But enough with the semantics. What say we adjourn to the galley and see if this tub has something resembling Athor Ale?"


kahn considered the other yazirian's explanation of the squad or armored marines, "That seems a reasonable explanation for the marines I still wonder about the desert dwellers though."

He tensed at the invite to drink again, he had done quite a bit of that already on the trip out and was not happy with himself over it. Still one glassed raised with a fellow warrior wouldn't hurt. He'd just have to stop at one or two."

"Sure, I've been tense an a glass to put some fire in the blood would be good."

Latter when he had not stopped at one or two but had the "wind under him" (yazirian expression for having a buz) and he ended up talking about the Inquisitors with Gideon.
"My clan has a strong commitment to science and always allows the student to question anything an instructor says. So there I am about half way up the amphitheater and I question the validity of this new wing of theology that is sweeping through the ranks of the Inquisitors concerning yazirians inheriting the galaxy. I got this stock answer that was no answer at all so I persisted with the question. Well! Apparently Inquisitors in training are not suppose to question the prelate. Next thing you know I'm in the prelates office to answer for impertinence and I don't know what I was thinking but I told him the fault was not mine if his logic was poorly reasoned and he could not give a good answer for his assertions."

"You know what that got me, Gideon? Cast out of the ranks of Inquisitors in training- how ironic is that the blasted word inquisitor implies one that asks questions! But the prelate wasn't done there, he pulled strings behind the scene and I was defrocked as a priest altogether. The ecclesiastical court was just a formality as the fix was in and that wyvole of a prelate sitting in the front row of the amphitheater with a sneer on his face. I never felt the urge to choose a life enemy before but I did in that moment. Luckily I didn't or I wouldn't be alive now!"

"Within an hour of being defrock I was escorted to a shuttle and sent packing on the first transport to Hargut. Before I even got home the Inquisitors on Hargut had spread the story that I had insulted, dishonored and threatened that prelate. I wasn't even there to defend myself and there were a good handful of them harassing everyone they saw from my clan and threatening to summon clan leaders before an ecclesiastical court. My clan is not that influential and for the good of the clan I became outcast to appease the the vicious pack of wyvoles. And here I am."

Kahn's cup was empty and had promised the dralasite that he would not do anymore "celebrating" so he fixed a cup of kob and added barbeque spices to it. From the refrigeration unit he asked Gideon, "You need another? I'm going to switch to kob to stay sober."
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Re: Pre-Starfall on Serena Dawn; departure from Truane's

Postby Shadow Shack » Wed Jan 02, 2013 8:00 pm

Gideon knocks back a mug of ale while listening to Kahn's tale. "We had our religious traits in the southern polar regions, mostly prayer for successful hunts. Pollosa* was the only available food and their hides made for decent garb to boot. Moving to civilized society was the best move I made, I grew weary of pollosa meat three times a day."

When Kahn offers a refill, Gideon declines. As much as he enjoyed a thick ale, what passed for it on the Serena Dawn was little better than pollosa piss.


* a native creature found in Hargut's polar caps resembling a bear
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