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Mission 1: Search and RescueModerator: Terl Obar Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueThe trip to New Pale passes uneventfully. Due to your higher speed and constant thrust, your trajectory remains clear of other vessels. You pass several drifting shuttles, obviously running on chem drives making the transit, but they are always on the extreme end of your radar as their coasting flight requires different trajectories. Sebastian's random maneuvers fail to flush any tails so either they are good at hiding or they just aren't there. Once Maria throttles back you complete the modifications on the robots and get some rest as well. You are coming in on the night side of the planet almost directly opposite the base. About 90 minutes before you reach orbit, just after Maria throttles up again to complete your final approach your radio crackles to life:
"In-bound hull size 2 vessel, this is New Pale traffic control. You are coming in awfully hot, please identify and state your destination." At the same time the planet comes into your radar range and your computer starts resolving the trajectories and orbits of the hundred or so vessels in vicinity of the planet. Most don't register any particular concern but there are two hull size 1 vessels boosting at 5 g on an intercept course with your own. After a short moment, the comp identifies them as a pair of UPF fighters. The Laws of Physics will be enforced.
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueOOC: Why isn't the Dart's transponder squawking?
BIC: Maria awakes in a cold sweat just barely in time to start throttling up. Cursing, it's at that point she's challenged by New Pale control and bounced by a pair of fighters rising from the planet. "New Pale Tracking," she says over comms, checking to make sure her planned orbital vector has her well clear of other craft,"this is Dart out of Pale Station, inbound for the Obar Enterprises mining camp on the other side of the planet; we apologize for high decel burn, but our mother ship encountered some troubles inbound from Triad, and, as a result, we're running late on our scheduled delivery. Please forgive the inconvenience. Over." Bang, goes the element of surprise, as if we ever had any to begin with, she bitterly recriminates herself. "So, no more running. I aim to misbehave."
—Malcolm Reynolds
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueWith the robot work complete, Malcom prepares his gear for the mission. First, he trims his med-kit down to the bare essentials, making it effectively a mini-medkit. The remainder he stores in the Explorer and lets Gren know that it's there. He also stores his 1 kg of TD-19 with the timers in the Explorer as well.
He wears his gray digital pattern camouflage coveralls (with new OE patch!) over his albedo suit and stuffs the pockets with 20 power clips, sungoggles, ID card, pocket tool, and pocket flashlight. He connects his inertia screen, power belt pack, and a holster containing his electro-stunner (set to 'stun') to his belt. In his duffel goes the power back pack from the Dart's storage closet, his laser rifle (set to 20), IR goggles, and mini-medkit supplies. (OOC: Total weight: 14.5kg @ 1g - 20.3 at 1.4g.) He takes the duffel and the two parawings to the Flying Bridge and stashes them as well as possible in an out of the way, yet accessible, place and climbs into the gunner's chair. "Not to bad," he thinks as he rests on his back and looks out the window at Pale and Truane's Star. He fishes his sungoggles from their pocket and takes his nap. Maria's maneuvering and the radio chatter wake Mal up. "Oh fubar," he yawns to himself. "My suit is still in it's locker. I'm going to miss the HUD." Not wanting to traverse the ship, he reaches 'up' and switches on the Pod Laser's console controls and sets it to passive tracking mode - no need to make the fighter jocks jumpy with active tracking. He considers offering odds on the possibility that the fighters are rogues too, but he just isn't awake enough to watch the range-to-targets readout and work out a probability estimate with a value likely to draw some interest. Be alert! After all, the galaxy needs more lerts!
Re: Mission 1: Search and Rescue
"Roger that, Dart, we have your transponder codes and registration confirmation coming in from Pale now," the controller responds. You also notice that the fighters throttle back to 2 g and adjust their heading to remain on an intercept course at the new acceleration. "Since this is you're first visit to New Pale we'll be performing a short flyby for visual inspection. Proceed on your current course and deceleration. New Pale Control out." A tense 30 minutes pass as the fighters inexorably draw closer. When they are about 10 minutes out, your comm crackles to life again. "TSSS Dart, this here's Cap'n Mike Hanagin, welcome to New Pale. It's picture day! My wingman and I will be matching your course and taking a few images of your new ship for the record. Don't get twitchy with that Laser Turret or it could be a real uncomfortable day for ya'll." The fighters approach and expertly match course with your ship. The wingman places himself about 2000 m directly behind your ship while Captain Hanagin's fighter flies a couple of loops around the Dart getting a good look at it from every angle. The Laws of Physics will be enforced.
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueSebastian toggles the comm, hoping to put the inbounds' minds at ease. "Greetings Captain Hanagin, co-helmsman Sebastian Rogers here, formerly of the 17th SFC Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Androgeus Station. Copy that on the turret, and no worries there. I'm no stranger to the Vulcan's capabilities, holding steady for your sweep."
Forever Three Hoverfans
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Re: Mission 1: Search and Rescue"Magni-goggles," thinks Malcom as he watches light from Truane's star twinkle off the reflective hull of the tailing fighter. "That's what I forgot."
Be alert! After all, the galaxy needs more lerts!
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueUpon reaching New Pale, Gren readies his gear. He grabs his auto pistol and auto rifle each with a bandolier of ammo (10 clips of ammo each). Straps on his power belt pack with his albedo screen. Grabs his envirokit and one full medkit (Leaving the other in his room) then heads down to the explorer. He stores his envirokit on the explorer and relocates the recoiless with 30 rounds to the explorer as well. Then he grabs several days rats for everyone and stowes them on the explorer as well.
"Anyone have magnigoggles?" Gren asks over the comm. "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
-Albert Einstein
Re: Mission 1: Search and Rescue
B'Looone gets himself and the 'bots ready. He grabs his gyrojet rifle and five clips of ammo and his robcomm kit (I'm sure I'll need to fix something down there). He also takes two each of the grenades that his new benefactors provided and the kilo of explosives with detonators. He stows the explosives on the explorer, but the rest he carries on his person. When he arrives at the explorer with the 'bots he sees Gren stowing his gear. "Where do you want the 'bots?" B'Looone remarks to Gren, "you know, I've felt a great disturbance in the force. I didn't notice it right away, but it's been flitting about in the back of my mind just out of reach. I'd been too busy with the 'bots to try to think about it, but I knew that something wasn't right. When I finally realized what it was that was bothering me, I thought I must be out of my mind. It must be all the excitement from being attacked on the Morning Glory, and the trip here to New Pale... I must be misremembering something, but I could swear that when our hotheaded biker-chick-of-a-pilot asked me to tend to the engines that she said 'please'. That can't be right, can it?" Are we there yet?
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueThe lead fighter finishes his sweep and ends up inverted over the Dart with his cockpit positioned over the windows in to the flying bridge. He gives Malcom a thumbs up and pulls away joining his wingman. "TSSS Dart you are all good t' go. Have fun on the ground. But if this is your first trip dirtside, I gotta warn ya. If your from one of those light gravity planets, you're gonna feel fat. Hanagin out." With that the two fighters pull away and head back to the station.
You are now about 30 minutes out from the planet. The base is on the far side and it's 11:30 local time at the base. Time to finalize your approach plans. The Laws of Physics will be enforced.
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueMal returns the fighter jock's thumbs up and checks his chronocom. "Hm, about half an hour. Might as well grab a quick bite." He climbs out of his seat and into the Mid-deck. A short lift ride later and he arrives on the passenger deck. Raiding the tiny pantry, he discovers several fruit juice pouches, a box of energy bars, another box of chocolate bars, and several single serving squeeze packets of peanut butter. He grabs three of each and makes his way to the bridge. "Breakfast anyone?" He offers the pilots one each of his snacks before continuing back to the flying bridge. Once he's strapped back into his seat, he tilts it as far forward as it is capable of going to better enjoy his high energy meal.
Be alert! After all, the galaxy needs more lerts!
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueOOC --- How many explorers do we have, one or two?
BIC --- Sebastian takes one of the bars Malcom offered to him. "Thanks," he says, ripping the foil open and taking a bite. "Who was asking for the magnigoggles? I have a pair in my quarters." He turns to Maria, "You have the com. I'm heading to the airlock to set up for cover support." He offers a thumbs-up with his left hand, extended at a right angle hoverbiker style. Sebastian retreats to his quarters and opens his footlocker. He begins to don his usual gear: He grabs his crossbelts with bulletclips and pulls them over his shoulders, along with the backpack stowing his tech kit and other miscellaneous gear. He slings the rifle over a shoulder, holsters both pistols, and hangs the sonic sword off his belt ring. Then he grabs his duffle from the closet and unzips it. He retrieves Chatterbox and a pair of belts, and slids the roll back into the closet. The bulky machine gun slows him down (encumbered) but he makes his way to the main airlock, and bolts ol' Chatterbox to the outer hatch swivel mount. He straps in to the bulkhead in preparation for the atmospheric entry, locks and loads a fresh belt, toggles the intercom mike in the airlock and exclaims "Ready at the airlock." Forever Three Hoverfans
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Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueThere is only one explorer. The robots will have to either walk or be lashed to the top
![]() The Laws of Physics will be enforced.
Re: Mission 1: Search and Rescue
"The bots will have ta walk." Gren responds to B'Loone's first question. "I'm thinking about using them as a diversion on one side of the camp while we approach from the other." Gren smiles at B'Loone's second question "I think she is getting used to having companions who's feathers arn't so easily ruffled by her ruff and tumble exterior." Gren sees Sabastion enter the bay, "Ahh, magnigoggles! the one item I forgot." Gren helps stow away the extra belts of ammo for the machine gun where they will be easily accessable. "Going dirt side Sabastion? the machine guns all yours as far as I'm concerned, besides, I have the big gun." Gren smiles and nods his head towards the recoiless rifle. "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
-Albert Einstein
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueSebastain confirms his actions with the rest of the crew. "I'll be providing cover fire from the main hatch as we land. Once the explorer is safely dirtside and ready to roll, I'll drop out of the airlock and join you in the explorer and set up Chatterbox on the explorer's entry hatch."
Just thought of something...we'll be out of contact as soon as the Dart leaves chronocom range. Sebastian toggles the intercom, "Try and land the ship within five clicks of the mining camp in case we need a quick extraction, we'll be out of contact otherwise." Forever Three Hoverfans
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Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueMal toggles the intercom. "You're forgetting the radiophones they gave us. We have two to use to try to contact any remaining base staff. I'll come down and get one, you keep the other. We'll do our best to stay within a thousand clicks of you."
Be alert! After all, the galaxy needs more lerts!
Re: Mission 1: Search and Rescue"Roger on both," Maria replies, as she takes a bite of chocolate bar and a squirt of peanut butter, watching New Pale get that much closer, before unbelting from the pilot's chair and joining Malcom on the flying bridge, transferring all controls there.
"So, no more running. I aim to misbehave."
—Malcolm Reynolds
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueLeo was also gearing up, his suit, his screen, his power pack, and his pistols. He didn't have heavier weapon simply because he wasn't very good with them.
When the subject came up he answered, "I've got goggles" When Mal mentioned getting the radiophone he spoke up, "Let me carry it. Keep your hands free to carry more dangerous stuff. Besides if there is an off chance I might be able to get radio link into the base computer...."
Re: Mission 1: Search and Rescue"Great Leo, here's one of the radiophones," says Malcom as he delivers the com gear to the cargo bay. "I'll have the other since I will be remaining on the Dart to give heavy weapons support from the laser pod. Can I borrow your magnigoggles though? You guys will have Sebastian's set, and Maria and I could use a pair for aerial recon."
Be alert! After all, the galaxy needs more lerts!
Re: Mission 1: Search and Rescue"Malcom, Maria, after you drop us off, get on the radiophone and see if there are any survivors from the attack out there. If so, pick them up and see if they can provide us with any intell on who and why, than relay the info to us." Gren interjects.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
-Albert Einstein
Re: Mission 1: Search and RescueOOC: "Or,"Maria quips, "I can just use the Dart's videocom radio to stay in touch."
BIC: "Will do," she says, as she flips the ship upon the completion of its decel burn. "Coming up on engine shutdown," she adds, getting ready to shut down the engine and deploy aerobrakes."Stand by for weightlessness, followed by ballistic insertion." "So, no more running. I aim to misbehave."
—Malcolm Reynolds
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