Chapter 4:Fast Forward

[Jernau35]

Jrec

Jrec nods at Ringar. "That sounds good."

"Wasn't there a town or a supply base or something we stopped at on the way here? We can go there to let the sub know that we're done with them."

[SpinwardMarch]

There is a bunch of cold weather suits stored in one of the rooms you checked out. You can take whatever you need.

[spanningtree]

Ringar

Will go after a cold weather suit and blankets or similar for Chiree + family. He will rifle around to see if he can drum up some bottled water and something like rations if possible.

Um, do we know where were going in the air raft?

[SpinwardMarch]

Chiree's people live in the northern part of the planet.

According to the book, their home is at least 12 hexes away (9600km) and it will take some time to get there. You may want to plan some stops along the way. The planetary maps are in the Maps thread.

If you need clarification, please ask.

[spanningtree]

OCC: Any luck drumming up some provisions?

[SpinwardMarch]

There are lots of packaged foods in Room 22 (the air/raft maintenance area). They are stored there in boxes and crates, along with containers of office supplies. You should be able to find plenty of various shelf-stable food packages for a long trip.

Feel free to tell me what foods you find, and how much you pack for your travels.

[spanningtree]

OCC: I see the map of the island and research station but where is that hex in relation to the larger maps? Also, what is the scale per hex on the larger maps? With this info we should be able to get a better idea how long the trip should take and the provisions required.

[spanningtree]

Ringer

Hmmm... looks like the trip is about 12800km give or take, if the raft can do 100km/hr and we fly in shifts it will take about five and a half days. Since we don's have super exact location information we may need to look around for two-three days to find where they come from. Then it's about a three day trip back to the city. Does someone want to confirm my calculations?

OCC: is there enough room in the raft for 15 days of provisions for everyone?

[SpinwardMarch]

Had to do some research.

Math(s) time:
Distance in hexes- minimum of 12 (1 hex = 800 km)
... minimum 9600 km
...at fastest air/raft speed (100 km/hr) = ± 96 hours (±4 days travel, minimum)
(likely more like 6-7 days, not including trip )
Food
You found boxes of regular refills for the cafeteria, 3 boxes of Food Bars and 5 large boxes of Combat Rations.

A single package of Combat Rations (MREs) contains enough food for one day for one active person. Food Bar packages are similar.

Combat Rations are 2.25 liters volume, and 2.25 kg in weight
Food Bars are 1.5l./1.15kg

6 days x (4 humans, 3 chirpers)= 24 + 24 = 48 packages of Combat Rations. (wt.108 kg) plus 10 Food Bar packages(11.5kg)= total ~ 119.5 kg

You may want to take more. The air/raft is built for 10 people, so some seats can hold cargo.

Note: You will not be able to travel at top speed if the weather is bad. And it is always bad around the southern islands, where the station is located.

Don't forget to include "pit stops" in distances and time calculations; there are no facilities on the air/raft. You will be traveling in a fast, high tech version of a biplane. Think of the trip as barnstorming, without needing fuel.

What do you do?

[spanningtree]

Ringar


Let's pack for 10 days.... no time like the present. Ringar starts packing the raft.

[Jernau35]

Jrec

"If we really need to, we could stop a little way short of the city and most of us could wait there. Two people could fly in and buy more supplies then fly back and pick up the rest of the group again".

[spanningtree]

Ringar

I think we should stay together if possible, let's see how much room we have after packing.

[ybn1197]

Madox

"I agree with Ringar in that we need to stick together. But we need to be flexible. We pack for 10 days of travel. We stay off the beaten trail and we make our way to Chiree's homeland. IF we have to, a couple of us can head into a city to procure what we need and return as quickly as possible. We now have info that has painted a giant target on our backs. We need to play it safe and not take unnecessary risks till we can get off-planet and put this information in the proper people's hands."

[SpinwardMarch]

So you will be packing enough rations for about 10 days, along with some water. The air/raft has plenty of space for what you brought. Chiree and nest mates will grab some blankets or other warm gear, and get into the enclosed area. They take along a few food bars for snacks.

Where are you going first?
Are you going to contact the sub, so it can move on to its next port of call?

[Jernau35]

Jrec

"Didn't we see some communication gear around here? We could use that to radio the sub and let them know we're leaving. That way we don't have to travel all the way down there and back again."

[spanningtree]

OCC: Ringar has a comm unit, will contact the sub once they egress the station.

Let's be off Chiree's location first and then back to the spaceport.

[SpinwardMarch]

To be continued, in Chapter 5...