Chapter 4: Dark Side of the Moon

[jemmus]

Taavi is trying to convey to the group that communicating telepathically might not be safe. It might not be secure communication.

[Marullus]

Oh. Gotcha. In-group communication is fine.

I need actions forward, when you all are ready.

[redwarrior]

Hansel spends his "free" time while we wait for B's eyes to heal focusing on: Checking for any weaknesses in security coverage, chatting up Dantes in code (too lazy to look up lyrics tonight....) about his background and whether there are any other "guests who cannot check out" around, and seeing if there might be any other sympathetic faces, for whom the thrill is gone. I figure one roll for each, but can do more.

Notice [3d6c1+2]=5+2=7

Talk [2d6+3]=9+3=12

Connect [2d6+2]=5+2=7

[jemmus]

Taavi spends the downtime not rocking the boat or causing any trouble. He wants to try telekinesis to explore other decks-- but not until the group is ready to make a move. He plays turn-based strategy games in the game center to keep his mind active. He reads fiction and nonfiction at a terminal, checking to see if there is anything written locally that could give some insight into the people and society of the station. He tries to befriend the waitress at the cafe.

Research
Int 16 (+1) [2d6+1]=6+1=7

Befriend
Charisma 13 (+0) [2d6]=7
Talk 0 [2d6]=7

[Enoch]

Shadrach sits down with a likely-looking group of citizens in the diner and begins to chat them up. He talks up the group's reception, and how appreciative they all are of the welcome they've received. As he talks, he asks casual questions about C Deck, and how extensive the monitoring is on the station.

Connect (Cha): [2d6+1]=6+1=7

[Marullus]

Ambiance: Libella Swing

The group settles in for the week, finding the people polite, the many diversions pleasing, and the meals consistently enjoyable. The residents of the station begin to accostom to your regular presence, no longer watching you like a zoo curiosity everywhere you go, which provides some relief to your nerves. Balygyr loiters, listening to the vaguely electro-French swing that pervades, his eyes healing until the week ends and he can finally remove the bandages - his vision healed. With relief, he blinks his gigantic fish eyes at the mirror in his room and morphs them down into the appropriate orbs for his human disguise.

Each of you thinks at some point that an endless high tech existence without the harsh deprivation typified by life in Kumekhna might not be so bad.
That is, except Emile. Emile remains in his plain white padded cell. Day after day passing without any human contact of any kind. A tray slid into the compartment-box from the other side of the wall twice a day, his trash removed when he sleeps. He can see the empty hallway and other cells but no one comes through there - at least it appears he is the only prisoner here. Do his companions still live? What fate has befallen them? Is he alone now? The space cowboy keeps himself sane through the meditation of his order but as the days pass it looks more and more like he will have to take action himself...
Emile has no contact for a week. Please post if he devises and acts on a plan of his own.

Taavi reads the plentiful material freely available on the laws, norms, and customs of the Exchange of Light and people of the station. He sees the obvious Buddhist influences and makes sense of there all-encompassing drive for consensus and harmony at any cost. With Mandate Portal technology, the Exchange could be harmonious across all of space, which allowed them to provide the basis of the Mandate Credit currency and entire monetary policy and system. With the loss of the portals in the Scream, the local writings show a clear discomfort at the... localness of their harmony. Their desparation for wider connection is almost frantic beneath their calm exteriors, present in every bit of their writing. He remembers the Director mentioning new methods of interstellar communication about to come online, and it makes sense. What technology they may be enabling, though, he cannot fathom.

He then engages himself in the video arcade, enjoying the terminals of Space Diplomacy and Portal Logistics, apparently the most popular games of the Old Mandate, as there are several terminals. He is never there alone, however - Oliver is almost always there when he arrives and still playing when he leaves. So much entertainment is intoxicated and addicting to the youth. Nora comes by every few hours, uncertain in her concern for the boy. "I mean... at least i know where he is and that he's not in trouble," she confides to Taavi, "but is he... ok?" Taavi, able to see the boys thoughts as easily as understanding his own, reassures her. He is under no compulsions or brainwashing, but just a boy with his first video games. Looking at Oliver's mind, he is reminded of the boy's introduction (could it really have been just a few days ago?) Where he told them in the farm kitchen that grandfather only ever allowed him electronic textbooks. Each day she checks back on him less.
On the fifth day, Taavi senses Oliver is disturbed and uncomfortable and goes to check on the boy. On the screen, a first-person character stands in oozing pool of blood in a circular fleshy tunnel. A wooden surface beneath and behind him, a glistening vibrant forest world through the tunnel ahead. "I have been playing this Fantasy Game," Oliver explains uncomfortably, "and this level is the Giant's Drink. I am a mouse and this giant has two cups on his giant table. No matter what i picked, I died. One cup, the other cup, spilling them, drinking them... so..." he looks at the floor, quiet. "So, i wanted to win. I jumped at the Giant's face and chewed my mouse teeth into his eye, burrowed... into his brain, and... well, I won and I don't like it." he points through the now-obvious viscera of an eye socket to the cheerful world beyond.

Hansel and Shadrach work their way into the confidences of other locals. As you become more and more part of the ship, you find the locals own demeanor shifting to harmonize with your own. There is soon a cluster of gruff, hard-drinking locals with troubled backstories centered around the two world-wise men each night. Hansel finds no other spacers beyond Dantes. Talking about the surveillance, the locals wave it off. "Algorithm monitoring, don't even worry about it. Only bothers those who are anomalous anyway. It triggers the VI security they will put deviants in the cells." They order another round of shots, describing the robotic security bots that will respond.

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When Shadrach asks about deck C, they are happy to answer, but don't have much in details. "Never been there. Deck is only for the Directors. We all are on Deck B... never had cause to leave. Deck C is only for emergencies. Never had an emergency." They all chuckle at even the idea of it being unfathomable. One adds, "I've been to D, though. Technician. Got to keep station systems smooth, after all." Pressed for more details about what Deck C offers for emergencies even this wise station traveller shrugs and says, "It's all automated. We'll get directions when it happens."

[jemmus]

Taavi's studies have given him good him some good insights into the Exchange of Light and its aims. As has this week in the station insights into it people and their customs. But-- there is no explanation of their portal in the roadhouse of the fiends. Why the connection?

He replies to Oliver, Well. My thoughts are that, since you are remorseful about what you had the mouse do, you have a good soul and a kind spirit. It seems that the game gives the player only one way to solve the problem. So in a way it is the game that is cruel, by giving the player-- who has invested much time and effort into getting that far-- only a violent way to resolve things. He hesitates a moment, then continues. You have seen many terrible things in the past few days, Oliver. And... experienced great loss as well. Those things could make a different person become bitter, mean... vengeful. But you've stayed a kind and thoughtful person. That takes a special kind of bravery and courage.

Insights about the Sons of Vlodok connection from the study? Know 0 [2d6]=8
To cheer Oliver up. Talk 0 [2d6]=4

[redwarrior]

As the folks around Hansel start growing more friendly, he will share that he is from off world, and has some minor experience being on space stations, with basic skills as a pilot and a mechanic (L0 in each - He'll not highlight the things he's REALLY good at ), and attempt to turn the conversation to where he might be most useful, given that it appears we are going to be here a while, especially in areas that might be undermanned and grant greater access, fewer restrictions, it not being anomalous if he is wandering around in lesser traveled areas of the station. Maybe something like Jeffries Tube Repairman, or Shields Technician!


Notice [3d6c1+2]=12+2=14
Connect [2d6+2]=11+2=13
Talk [2d6+3]=9+3=12
Dang, those are good rolls!

[greyarea]

Emile check the cell to see if there is any means of escape. How is the padding affixed? I imagine it being tufted: can he pull one of the tufting nails out slowly to use as a weapon? Are there other openings besides the door? Is the area of the tray open enough to allow him to crawl through? Can he judge when food is being delivered or trays removed? He schemes…

[cybersavant]

Báleygr Gangleri


once his eyes are healed, he'll check the status of the armed drone - are there any went holes/ slits it can see through?

[Marullus]

Taavi searches all the publicly available literature, but he can find no link - practical or even philosophical - that might justify a relationship with the shadow-aligned werewolves or the despair-feeding strippers. If any such link exists, it must be more secretive.

Oliver nods glumly at Taavi's attempts to reassure him. The boy loses some of his vivacity and becomes more withdrawn. Nora spends more time with him in their room suite, visible worry on her face.

Balygyr puts on his headset and connects to his armed drone. It remains unharmed and untouched, but still locked in the pitch black storage locker. His microphones detect no activity or movement nearby, and its sensors find that the Welcome Center, secured as it is within blast doors, is in standby mode with minimal environmental systems - the atmpsphere thin and the temperature cold.

Emile ponders. He does think he could get out a tufting spike with some effort, and doing so would be difficult to do discretely. (Give me
a Strength + Exert check) The food tray slot is intentionally too small to reach through, let alone crawl through. The servicing of his cell seems to be explicitly timed to when he is asleep, indicating he must be under observation to find when that variable timing is. There is no door - to present a less-claustrophobic confinement, the wall leading to the central hallway between the cells is just an energy barrier - allowing him to see out and feel more spacious while still holding him in. He finds himself watching the light refract off the nanite tattoos which now cover his body... reflective tattoos... that mitigate energy fields...

Hansel tries to make himself useful, offering skills and hoping to get assigned in a way to get him access around the station, but he hits a hard wall. "You are a guest," they all tell him, as if that explains everything. "All tasks are already handled harmoniously." So, he finds himself wandering the Hub and drawn to the armature clockwise from the Guest Services one. On the left there is the Trauma Center and medical services and then there's security doors to the main security hub, which lies on the right. Hansel deftly befriends the guards, and over the course of a few days is playing cards with them in the Security Lounge. There hasn't been a prisoner for a number of years, but they're quite excited to have one now. From the Guard area where they play cards there are two sets of sequential security doors (only one set can open at a time to create a baffle), but beyond is a plasteen hallway lit with pastel hues, enegy shielding along either side. They point out to Hansel the first cell on the left quietly, where he sees Emile sitting crosslegged in meditation, beyond a crackling energy field barrier. This is the armature where Dantes said his ship was docked, too... Hansel works that into conversation as well, eliciting the guards as a trained espianage agent without their suspicion. Yes, beyond the sealed bulkhead on that side the hallway continues to the Docking Station, but there are no longer any ships there. Since the station presents as dark and no ships traffic here, there's no need for that wing and life support is only run at a minimal level. The cold and low-pressure environment is also good for the large refueling talks that line the arm - they still might need the fuel bunkers someday and they're more survivable in those conditions.

[cybersavant]

Báleygr Gangleri will find a time to whisper to the others about the welcoming room.

[greyarea]

Emile decides against prying out the tack tactic. He uses his unusual eyes to scan for where he might be spied upon. He looks for electric impulses of camera equipment. Trying to determine how he’s being watched. He also watches the hall through the energy field, to determine (if he can) the guard schedule.

Notice [2d6+1]=3+1=4

[redwarrior]

At an opportune time, Hansel will look at Taavi and briefly rub his temple, hoping that his hint is subtle enough to not trigger any alerts. Assuming the hint is taken, Hansel will take a drink and focus on his food while mentally sharing his information, especially Emile's location, but the rest as well with his friends.

I couldn't think of any way to stealthily share it by mundane means without seeming "outside of normal operational parameters for the scanning software's algorithm - I mean, when there are cameras everywhere, sneaking looks like.... sneaking. Also, I'm thinking that Hansel has enough info now to put together a good caper scene. But Vince doesn't. At least not without more sleep or caffeine.

While talking to the pilot, I'm spacing on his name - pun intended, He lets the conversation drift to that ancient Earth-that-was band and mentions that whatever a flatbed ford was, which surely was some sort of cargo hauling apparatus, are long gone, whatever they may have been. However, when you think about the inherent message, someone is always slowing down and offering you the Opportunity
to climb in. Much like wonderful folks he run this station. Translation - Your ship, she gone. Still wanna roll with us?

[Marullus]

While talking to the pilot, I'm spacing on his name - pun intended,

Edmond Dantès

Dantès nods solemnly. "I've had enough time making my living off the people's taxes," he quotes, "take the money and run." He seems revitalized, with hope of his escape from this prison. "There's some debts out there, anyway, that i intend to see paid..."

Your previous rolls carry forward. He is still with you.

[Marullus]

Emile decides against prying out the tack tactic. He uses his unusual eyes to scan for where he might be spied upon. He looks for electric impulses of camera equipment. Trying to determine how he’s being watched. He also watches the hall through the energy field, to determine (if he can) the guard schedule.

Notice [2d6+1]=3+1=4

Emile has had, after all, a whole week with nothing to do but observe and test the system. Activating his cyberware-enhanced vision he determines there are two cameras in each cell, where the ceiling meets the wall on each side just inside the energy barrier to avoid visual Interference. In the center hallway they are just inside the two-door baffled entryway.

The guards pretty much never come in for you to determine their schedule. They wait for you to be asleep to service your room, but you see no sensors but the visual cameras used to determine when that is.

The first anomaly in that process happened today - while you pretended not to notice, they opened the security doors and pointed you out to Hansel, who seemed friendly with them. At last, you now know your companions are alive and also that they know you are here, too.

Emile is attempting a break the next turn. No idea where to go from there.

Awesome. Let's roll! Post your action.

[greyarea]

Emile finishes the meager meal he considers "breakfast" and leaves the tray with the dirty dishes in its usual spot. He stands, glances at one of the cameras and gives a half-smile. He replaces his hat upon his head and then calmly walks through the electric barrier, expecting his nanite tattoos to help protect him. If he takes any damage, he doesn't let it show except in a slight twitch of his eye.

Assuming he survives, he looks right and left and then will walk to the security doors where he saw Hansel.

[Marullus]

Ambiance: Dirty Harry

In the Security Station
Emile finishes the meager meal he considers "breakfast" and leaves the tray with the dirty dishes in its usual spot. He stands, glances at one of the cameras and gives a half-smile. He replaces his cowboy hat upon his head and then calmly walks into the plasma field barrier.

Otherwise semi-solid enough to dissuade such action, the barrior sparks and crackles, the nanites patterning Emile's skin glowing a livid silver, and Emile passes through, smoke coming off his charred exposed skin and clothing. (-8, +1 System Strain) His eye twitches and he almost passes out, but his mental fortitude is even stronger than his body. He now stands in the plain plasteel hallway, six cells with similar barriers lining it, three on each side. He turns to the pair of sealed security doors where he saw Hansel and the guards as the lighting begins flashing red, a loud klaxon sounding - EEERT! EEERT! EEERT! - not for the first or last time, Emile flexes his fingers and it whispers in his mind like a song... I need a gun to keep myself among.... The only thing on this side of the thick door is a handprint scanner.
...
Holding three Jacks in his hand, Hansel has a good feeling about this morning's card game in the security station. Then the lights flash and the klaxon sounds. His three card-playing friends jump up, alarm and confusion on their faces, pulling out their non-lethal stun rods as they try to discern what's happening. Through the wavy glass of the two nested security doors he spots the movement first, and then is pretty sure he saw Emile's hat...


In the Diner
Báleygr, Taavi, Shadrach, and Nora are in the diner, finishing up their own breakfast of Kumehkan potato pancakes. A red light begins flashing on the ceiling, a klaxon is heard reverberating through the station. The locals look afraid and confused; they clearly have not experienced this before. The waitress hurries over to a terminal behind the counter and begins pressing buttons...

Station Map:

Security is just past the security door at #8. The Diner is at #7.

...and ACTIONS! We're now effectively in combat rounds. Those in the diner don't know the emergency just yet but they can otherwise react as they wish.

Emile Physical Save (12) [1d20]=1
Emile mental Save (13) [1d20]=13

[redwarrior]

Hansel looks around, clearly startled and jumps back from the table against the wall. In a very loud voice What is it? What's going on?! Are we losing atmosphere?!!? What should I do?! How can I help?

While paying special attention to their security protocol, if they check in with anyone or anything, how they go about manipulating to door especially. Next intent is to sucker punch the last guy through the door, and take his stun rod, but I don't think I can get that into this combat round.

Notice [3d6c1+2]=12+2=14

[Enoch]

Shadrach mutters. "Doubt this is a coincidence. Gotta be Emile." He swings his legs over the bench and sprints toward Security. As he does, he calls out: "Grim, lov. Find Emile and protect him." As he calls out, the beast slides out of the shadow beneath the table and lopes toward the door in a disturbing motion.

Where are our weapons being held?