Acadie

[Eris]

Ted and Piotr don "working" jumpsuits and spend the morning on the messy and tedious job of tracking down the hydraulic fault in the landing gear. The good news once they get started is the repair seems fairly straightforward.

The lines have been cut at each strut and stains around the landing feet indicate where pools of hydraulic fluid laid until eventually evaporating in the warm Acadie sun. They will have to bleed the system, replace the cut lines and then replace the hydraulic fluids. All of which is easily obtainable from ships stores. (Repair complete by the afternoon).

Meanwhile Becky, Jacko, and Gabe get to started on the Attitude Control systems. Becky and Jacko doing the skilled work and Gabe acting as runner between the 2 and the ships electronics stores. Various control systems between the bridge, engineering and the flight control systems have been intentionally damaged. The repairs are straightforward but tracking all the faults down is going to be time consuming.

"Damn, this is just malicious mischief!" Jacko growls shaking a signal tester, "So far everything is fixable, just time consuming and costly. Whoever did this just wanted to keep Perfect Stranger on the pad for a week or two, nothing more than that."

"Of course, we could run into show stoppers before we're finished." Jacko admits, "We haven't gotten through all of these, and there could be traps hidden, too."

"And then there's Engineering!" Jacko sighs, "I'll be about as helpful back there as Gabe is here."

Adding, "No offense meant, Gabe."

[Hvalreki]

Leaving the rest of the crew to their repairs, Ty and Easy take a shuttle van back to the starport administrator's office. It takes some time to get through the various layers of her underlings but finally about 11 am they are ushered into her office.

"What you again?"

Ty explains the situation inside the ship with Easy pitching in to help keep the temperature from rising.

Successful Admin roll gets Ty and Easy admitted without an appointment.
Reaction Roll+1 for Easy's 5+ terms in the Army
=10, Responsive

"Well, there's no proof Pinkwater had anything to do with this, but that's not to say maybe they looked the other way, or were drunk, or just didn't pay attention. Tell ya what. I'll have her towed over to the repair bay and we can have one of the starport crew check out the engines."

[Thumper]

I agree with that ma’am. Thank you for that offer to make things right. I must consult with the crew, but I think that will be a good solution. May we have a moment and step outside to con to confer with the crew?

He’d like to step out with Easy and ask him:
If we bring an engineering repair team onboard, can we lock and positively guard and secure the “special room” next to engineering? Will repairs require access to that room. Do you think we should do this? Any other alternatives? Do you think it really matters if this configuration becomes known by Acadie or Amondiage authorities?...somebody already knows.

If Easy agrees, he'd want to check with the rest of the crew by making a group call and having the discussion.

[Spearmint]

Aziz 'Easy' Schmidt

Considers a moment, weighing up the possibilities and consequences.

If we bring an engineering repair team onboard, can we lock and positively guard and secure the “special room” next to engineering? Will repairs require access to that room.

Special Room = the Systems Room?

My initial thoughts are the main Engineering problems sit outside of that. We could weld the access door shut. We also have cameras to keep folk in view, for 'health and safety' reasons not just spying on them.

Perhaps we could vet the specialists

the starport crew to check out the engines.

to get a brief on their 'professional' status. Sure we can quote various H&C guidelines for having work done by registered and qualified staff.

Do we have a budget? Repairs can get costly and sourcing alternatives is always worthwhile.

I would agree to the crew coming aboard and being towed over, but we need a day or so to prep any securities.

[Hvalreki]

Aziz 'Easy' Schmidt

Considers a moment, weighing up the possibilities and consequences.

If we bring an engineering repair team onboard, can we lock and positively guard and secure the “special room” next to engineering? Will repairs require access to that room.

Special Room = the Systems Room?

My initial thoughts are the main Engineering problems sit outside of that. We could weld the access door shut. We also have cameras to keep folk in view, for 'health and safety' reasons not just spying on them.

Perhaps we could vet the specialists

the starport crew to check out the engines.

to get a brief on their 'professional' status. Sure we can quote various H&C guidelines for having work done by registered and qualified staff.

Do we have a budget? Repairs can get costly and sourcing alternatives is always worthwhile.

I would agree to the crew coming aboard and being towed over, but we need a day or so to prep any securities.

The two military grade concealed pop-up triple laser turrets in the aft cargo bay hidden by a "fake" cargo door near engineering might be problematic for the local authorities to find...just sayin'.

[Thumper]

Ty will return briefly to the Administrator's office to say:
One of our crew members is working on the landing skids now and doesn't know how long the damage repairs will take. I also am having difficulty raising a couple other crew members who must be away from their comms. I presume they are wedged between some panels or piping or something like that. Can we inform you when we might be ready for a tow and repair work?

Ty will look at the starport's interwebs to see if there's an engineer looking for work. Second, he will ask Easy to accompany him over to the Divine Providence to consult with their Engineer. Perhaps we can hire him for a few days. (Who embarks on a ship recovery without an Engineer in the Crew?)

[subaltari]

Gabe

"Damn, this is just malicious mischief!... Whoever did this just wanted to keep Perfect Stranger on the pad for a week or two, nothing more than that."

"The data thiefs did it ta keep the other crew from chasing them down. Is the reason that make most sense to me."

"Of course, we could run into show stoppers before we're finished," Jacko admits. "We haven't gotten through all of these, and there could be traps hidden, too."

"You tink there's live bombs on board? Then we should search for dem before we start any work," Gabe says in a serious tone.

"And then there's Engineering!... I'll be about as helpful back there as Gabe is here."
Adding, "No offense meant, Gabe."

"None taken, 'mano, I'm still better looking than you." Gabe grins.

[Eris]

Gabe

"Damn, this is just malicious mischief!... Whoever did this just wanted to keep Perfect Stranger on the pad for a week or two, nothing more than that."

"The data thiefs did it ta keep the other crew from chasing them down. Is the reason that make most sense to me."

"Of course, we could run into show stoppers before we're finished," Jacko admits. "We haven't gotten through all of these, and there could be traps hidden, too."

"You tink there's live bombs on board? Then we should search for dem before we start any work," Gabe says in a serious tone.

"And then there's Engineering!... I'll be about as helpful back there as Gabe is here."
Adding, "No offense meant, Gabe."

"None taken, 'mano, I'm still better looking than you." Gabe grins.

"Nah! I doubt there are bombs aboard, short-circuits and such are what I had in mind." Jacko keeps working on the board in front of him as he talks, "Wouldn't hurt to look around though. You got anyway of doing bomb sniffing?"

Later in the conversation, "Better looking? Yeah, in yo' mama's dreams!" Jacko snorts and grins back at Gabe "They tell me I'm a religious experience...in the Church of the King anyway."

[Hvalreki]

Ty will return briefly to the Administrator's office to say:
One of our crew members is working on the landing skids now and doesn't know how long the damage repairs will take. I also am having difficulty raising a couple other crew members who must be away from their comms. I presume they are wedged between some panels or piping or something like that. Can we inform you when we might be ready for a tow and repair work?

Ty will look at the starport's interwebs to see if there's an engineer looking for work. Second, he will ask Easy to accompany him over to the Divine Providence to consult with their Engineer. Perhaps we can hire him for a few days. (Who embarks on a ship recovery without an Engineer in the Crew?)

Ty and Easy take the shuttle over to the Divine Intervention. Checking the spacer's hall site, there are currently no Engineers looking for work listed.

It takes a few minutes but eventually the main hatch opens and a cloud of skunky smoke roils out.

"Hey it one of di pilots! Yuh looking fi passage back tuh Amondiage mon?"

After explaining the situation to Captain Jandala he offers to let his engineer have the afternoon off to go take a look.

"Screwface nuh pretty tuh luk at, but him a gud enginea. He get you right up mon. Yuh pay fi parts an gi him sup'm fi fi him time?"

The Divine Intervention

[Thumper]

Ty to Jandala:

Of course we’ll pay for parts. You say he’s good, man, I believe ya…we’ll hire him. Standard Daily engineer rate is 133cr per day. You were generous to us, we’ll return the favor…200cr per day…cash. Plus a bonus when everything passes diagnostics.

We’ll look for him.

Thanks a lot Jandala!

Ty would want to get right back to the ship and prep the aft sections of the ship to conceal and lock the sections that need it. Then he’d help out with the attitude control system (electronics/mechanics). He’d also order door-dash delivery of food from a starport vendor.

[subaltari]

Gabe

"Better looking? Yeah, in yo' mama's dreams!" Jacko snorts and grins back at Gabe "They tell me I'm a religious experience... in the Church of the King anyway."

"Eh, I neva heard of dis King, but I'm guessin he ain't a starship engineer."

Gabe takes a break from being a parts runner to conducting another sweep of the ship, looking for unusual objects and devices. He has no ability to "sniff" IEDs as Jako asked, but as a grunt marine he's had some training in finding them as part of counter-insurgency and terrorism countermeasures.

When Ty comes back with news about Screwface the engineer, Gabe helps him camouflage the Systems Room and aft turrets as agreed.

[Hvalreki]

When Ty comes back with news about Screwface the engineer, Gabe helps him camouflage the Systems Room and aft turrets as agreed.

We've reached a juncture beyond my expertise.

The question is how hard is it to conceal the pop turrets and the systems room from a cursory inspection?

Situation throw will be 2d6 +2 for the obvious weirdness of the rear cargo bay being blocked, equipment for the turrets and the strange hull section in the aft cargo bay where the systems room is located (in between the crew deck and the 2 story cargo deck).

Any competent engineer (Engineer 1+) will immediately detect the aux power plant and may have some questions about that and the energy connection to the pop ups.

Screwface probably doesn't care much. An Islands custom inspector from one of the subsector powers may care a lot. The systems room full of active and passive military sensors and a very high tech holographic imaging system could lead some to believe the stranger is a spy ship, which of course, she is.

+2 = 9+ to "conceal"

One of the "concealers" gets to make the throw. Whoever posts first.

[Thumper]

My idea was to hang tarps or sheets to conceal the pop out turrets then place someone behind that tarp with mechanic skills to practice welding or conduct actual welding for smaller repairs later. Tell Screwface we’re welding some repairs to the aft cargo door due to the break-in. People shouldn’t be near a welder without goggles or a face shields, and others need to work nearby…hence the tarps/sheets.Should be a believable story.

The Intel Systems Room we’ll just lock and hope he doesn’t ask questions. We have a story for why the ship has aux power plant…Imperial deep space travel regulations…needed by J1 capable ships to be permitted to cross the Rift into the Islands Cluster.

**Disregard the roll below**
Situation +2 [2d6+2]=8+2=10

[Spearmint]

Aziz 'Easy' Schmidt

Cigar smoking and waccy-baccy might be cousin pursuits, so 'Easy' should fit in with mixing with Jandala's crewmen, his concern less what barrack-room off duty pursuits a man casually engages in and more that whilst on 'active duty', each man can be trusted and proficient.

He has some favoured tobacco imports, so sharing them might endear him and will get to work when we get back to the ship on making what needs to be accessible and what needs to be cordoned off.

As far as practical work, he can add his skills to the days physical tasks. I am fine leaving the Engineer once he comes aboard to the major tasks as I see my Mechanics (3) being more a skilled Joat than an expert on specialist J-drives, M-drives and Life Support.

Colonel Aziz 'Easy' Schmidt: Mechanics [2d6+3]=8+3=11

Having said that, agriculturally jury rigging spare parts into bespoke and welding things open or shut will be right up his street.

I have my artisan Toolkit (mechanics) for with enough diagnostic sensors and hand tools neccessary I think. We can purchase welding gear, gas and bow torch, helms and suit up on the way back. I would think any chandlers will have stock available if we are short.

[subaltari]

Situation +2 [2d6+2]=8+2=10

I think the situation bonus was for the Ref, not us. Or is the +2 for Ty's high Intelligence stat?

As long as I'm not being asked to roll to set off an IED, I'm happy

[Thumper]

Situation +2 [2d6+2]=8+2=10

I think the situation bonus was for the Ref, not us. Or is the +2 for Ty's high Intelligence stat?

As long as I'm not being asked to roll to set off an IED, I'm happy

Oh, I see it now. You are right. It was Ref’s throw, not an opposed throw. Mis-read that earlier. Un-regard mine!

Situation throw will be 2d6 +2 for the obvious weirdness of the rear cargo bay

I read this

One of the "concealers" gets to make the throw. Whoever posts first.

[Thumper]

Ty will look up library data on Pinkwater Mercenaries.

[Eris]

OOC: When asked about concealing things aboard ship and whether the ship has already been searched Jacko says...

Yeah, that's what she said, but I don't believe her. You know Star Port Authority searched this ship once they determined the crew was missing. I think they searched it for the missing crew (among other things) and then they secured it with a port lock. That's assuming something a lot more sinister didn't happen involving the government (or other outside agencies) that the Administrator is not going to admit to.

I really don't think the crew did this damage to their ship, or took the data cores away when they left in that Launch. But somebody did wreak these systems!

You know maybe the crew never actually left...alive...and it was their dead bodies that were disappeared, except maybe for the two that tried to get away aboard the Launch and died in "the crash." A lot of things can cause a Launch to crash, sabotage and being shot down are higher up my list than pilot error in this case

I doubt Pinkwater Security actually did any of this. However, they might have looked the other way if someone paid them to look the other way when somebody else took out the crew and stole the data cores. If it was a government job then we probably wouldn't even have made it this far, so I'm guessing it wasn't The Generalissimo's people. If not them, then who?

[Thumper]

Ty:
It’s clear somebody has been onboard and damaged it. Who and why is anybody’s speculation without evidence. Until and unless we know who, I think, like, we should probably try our best to conceal or provide “alternative” explanations about what’s in the tail end of this gnarly boat!

Ty will help Gabe and Easy finish the concealment work. Then he’ll chip in with the electronics work…he has an electronics tool kit…bought with HeC card and his name engraved on all of it.

From the records he can tell the flight logs have been accessed, their top level of encryption easily broken, and someone has taken a download.

Is there a way to correlate the date the flight logs were accessed in relation to when the ship’s boat crashed and the date Pinkwater entered the ship? How about the date of the Systems Room last access date?

[Hvalreki]

Ty will look up library data on Pinkwater Mercenaries.

Added to Library Data - not much publicly available. Battalion sized, based on Acadie. You're assumption is they have access to gear up to Amondiage Tech Level - 12. The troops you've seen so far around the starport are wearing ballistic cloth combat armor and helmets. Most have SMGs and autopistols on patrol. Those in the gard towers have combat rifles.