008: Reunion at Collace

[terrymixon]

Barring any objections, the Lost & Found hops for Collace. The week proceeds normally. Roscoe will help those wanting homesteads to draw up plans, find areas, and start construction. His and Jaelah's home is fully furnished about halfway to Collace and they have a big housewarming bash which Jaelah is wisely in charge of.

At the end of the week, you pop out at Collace and head for the highport. You're just another ship and no one pays you the slightest mind. As anything at 100 parsecs or less uses the 100D limit, you don't have long to wait. Roscoe will arrange a bay, and you are shortly ensconced in it. He'll start the process of selling/buying cargo and you are ready to proceed.

What now?

[joertexas]

Barring any objections, the Lost & Found hops for Collace. The week proceeds normally. Roscoe will help those wanting homesteads to draw up plans, find areas, and start construction. His and Jaelah's home is fully furnished about halfway to Collace and they have a big housewarming bash which Jaelah is wisely in charge of.

At the end of the week, you pop out at Collace and head for the highport. You're just another ship and no one pays you the slightest mind. As anything at 100 parsecs or less uses the 100D limit, you don't have long to wait. Roscoe will arrange a bay, and you are shortly ensconced in it. He'll start the process of selling/buying cargo and you are ready to proceed.

What now?

JAelah contacts her parents when she arrives in-system, saying that she and some new friends would like to take them to dinner on the first available evening after they arrive. She also messages her three closest friends - Delia, a fellow investigator on the Prime police force; Estela - an independent reporter and popular commentator on the local datanet; and Brocklyn, a forensic pathologist who was Jaelah's mentor as an investigator.

[terrymixon]

Barring any objections, the Lost & Found hops for Collace. The week proceeds normally. Roscoe will help those wanting homesteads to draw up plans, find areas, and start construction. His and Jaelah's home is fully furnished about halfway to Collace and they have a big housewarming bash which Jaelah is wisely in charge of.

At the end of the week, you pop out at Collace and head for the highport. You're just another ship and no one pays you the slightest mind. As anything at 100 parsecs or less uses the 100D limit, you don't have long to wait. Roscoe will arrange a bay, and you are shortly ensconced in it. He'll start the process of selling/buying cargo and you are ready to proceed.

What now?

JAelah contacts her parents when she arrives in-system, saying that she and some new friends would like to take them to dinner on the first available evening after they arrive. She also messages her three closest friends - Delia, a fellow investigator on the Prime police force; Estela - an independent reporter and popular commentator on the local datanet; and Brocklyn, a forensic pathologist who was Jaelah's mentor as an investigator.

For the adventures on Collace, I'm going to defer to Tiglath as the lead, with his pending assent. I will assist as needed. That way we don't blow up his game. *looks at Walt, who has a habit of handing out high-tech weapons like candy*

[helvorn]

William will do a search on mercenary units active in the area as well as local Aslan activities.

[terrymixon]

While we're waiting for Tiglath to pick up the threads and drag us all into the Deeps, Roscoe will check on the Dart and report on the fourth system in the small grouping around the pocket universe. "The Dart has seeded probes in Beltene. It is listed as barren with frequent asteroid impacts due to a nearby asteroid belt. In fact, the belt is a safe distance away from the planet, though close enough for easy access. The atmosphere is thin, but not nearly as much as the reports indicate. It is in fact a garden world. It is listed as having no gas giants but does in fact have one. Once again, the records have been altered.

"I have sent the Dart on to look Vichy. It is listed as an icy, barren, vacuum world with no gas giants, very little water, and what is there is frozen. I can conform from the scans we have made that the system has no gas giants, but the rest needs to be confirmed. If it doesn't have accessible water, it is the roadblock keeping others out of the area. While there has been no Sternmetal activity in the habitable systems, I expect we will find at least a refueling facility at Vichy. We'll know in a week."

Then he'll step over to Jaelah. "You haven't really talked about your family and friends here at Collace. Sit and have some coffee and tell me about them."

[joertexas]

Then he'll step over to Jaelah. "You haven't really talked about your family and friends here at Collace. Sit and have some coffee and tell me about them."

Jaelah smiles as her husband serves her. "Thank you, dear. So, my family. My parents, who are a real pair in conversation, I will warn you, still work in mid-Spire Prime. They live comfortably enough, but that's about to change when I get there. I doubt they will leave Collace permanently, but they may be willing to help me with my foundation. That's something I will have to discuss with them. I'm the eldest child of three, with a younger brother, Peytor, and a younger sister, Kimla. They are fifteen and sixteen, respectively, and are still in school. My parents emigrated to Collace, but they never told me from where, now that I think about it. There are so many people who come there from the Imperium and other places that it's not unusual, so I never pressed them to tell me."

[Tiglath]

William will do a search on mercenary units active in the area as well as local Aslan activities.

William will discover there are numerous "freelance" individuals for hire most of whom are junior officers or NCOs from various militaries indigenous to District 268. Most are in the market for close protection/security work.

He learns that mercenaries frequent the bar named the Soldier of Fortune in Collace Downport (actually the less than 1000d ton downport) inside the towering Collace Prime arcology. The bar is situated in a commercial mall adjacent to the downport in Collace's smart upper midspire area.

This area is also adjacent to a smart business/residential area now known colloquially at "Cat Town/The Tiddles". Following the expulsion and destruction of The Purge street gang from lower mid Spire (in a joint Collace PD and Aslan mercenary operation) several tranches of "crime cheapened" properties were bought up and placed under Aslan protection while law and order was re-established. Street battles between the remnant gang members and Aslan "peacekeepers" were brutally one sided. Meanwhile, the heads of various criminal organizations and affiliate gangs were often found... near the rest of them. Collace PD declared the spate of murders "unfortunate but still open enquiries".

Jaelah knows / can find out from police contacts that Collace PD "Strike Team" led by Detective Lieutenant (now) then Sergeant O’Malley turned a blind eye / may have actively assisted with Intel while the Aslan soldiery ruthlessly "cleaned house" on the streets. How various gang leaders were taken out (always with blades) in their own secure headquarters remains a mystery.

Another (possibly related) spate of violent crimes occurred during the brief reign of terror of "The Fing wot 'unts". Whereby a terrifying clawed creature carved a bloody swathe through Downspire gang members contributing directly to the flourishing "Green Zone" of gentrification opposite the SEMC (see below) base called The Bartizan.

William learns that the three main merc units accepting contracts have business contacts on the local comm and info nets. These include 4DC Mercs who operate through the offices of their brokerage Duran Holdings - they don't seem to operate a "pricelist" but offer executive solutions and professional discretion. They are an interstellar capable TL 14/15 (Grav) Mech Infantry battalion battlegroup with integral armoured and ortillery support. They state they have both deep recon and commando/orbital insertion operational capability. They also operate under an Imperial Warrant. In their forthcoming events they have notice of an "All Collace Mercenary Mixer" which seems a little at odds with their slickly understated pitch. It seems you have to enquire regarding invitations to that exclusive event at the Asphyixia Restaurant and Bar but oddly "anyone jumping in" (RV at Collace downport 1200hrs) gets a free table and guaranteed time with mercenary officers (4DC & SEMC).

The next (and comparatively more "accessible") unit is The SEMC (Slightly Ethical Mercenary Company) who operate out of The Bartizan a "Sea Fortress" and another of the arcology's "small vessel" downports near sea level (but with easy grav transfers and transport links Upspire). SEMC are a mid tech interstellar capable battalion sized lift infantry unit operating a TL 13/14 armoured company, a specialist recon drone unit, a scout/sniper unit and an assault section of Marines. Perhaps significantly they also operate a Training Cadre staffed by their garrison in the Bartizan.

By far the glossiest virtual shop front is owned by The Regiment of the Falling Night. A very attractive blond Imperial woman wearing light blue silk gives a polished presentation laying out the capabilities of the interstellar capable Regiment which offers four TL13 (Grav) Mechanised/Lift Infantry Battalions with an armoured battlegroup (Grav Tanks) and a Battalion of SP (Grav) MLRS systems for organic fire support. The whole affair is artistically presented with traditional stylistic touches. Although war footage plays both as background and direct demonstration of this unit's very impressive battlefield achievements and endorsements the fact that the troops are all Aslan and this is the Teahleikhoi Regiment of the Iyhlua Clan is down played.

A fourth option is a two battalion sized mid tech TL 9/10 "leg infantry" Regiment "Siberia" operating from Avastan City under the control of the Utkin Group. The unit states that it operates a Spetsnaz company and is capable of handling "political environments and counter insurgency situations" to the client's satisfaction.

A "near future" option is a TL 14 Infantry Battalion "Lapin" commanded by Col Lapin currently ending out a contract locally (but currently observing their client's wish for discretion). They seem an entirely professional if "vanilla" outfit.

(OOC: Go easy on the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" now... I just can't type as fast as Terry!

A note on unit sizes: a battalion is approximately 600 - 800 troops plus logistic/tech "tail".

EDIT: Added in info about the SEMC Training Cadre).

[terrymixon]

(OOC: Go easy on the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" now... I just can't type as fast as Terry!

Dragon Naturally Speaking. I am a very slow typist (30ish words a minute), but I can dictate like nobody's business (70+ words a minute).

[terrymixon]

Then he'll step over to Jaelah. "You haven't really talked about your family and friends here at Collace. Sit and have some coffee and tell me about them."

Jaelah smiles as her husband serves her. "Thank you, dear. So, my family. My parents, who are a real pair in conversation, I will warn you, still work in mid-Spire Prime. They live comfortably enough, but that's about to change when I get there. I doubt they will leave Collace permanently, but they may be willing to help me with my foundation. That's something I will have to discuss with them. I'm the eldest child of three, with a younger brother, Peytor, and a younger sister, Kimla. They are fifteen and sixteen, respectively, and are still in school. My parents emigrated to Collace, but they never told me from where, now that I think about it. There are so many people who come there from the Imperium and other places that it's not unusual, so I never pressed them to tell me."

"They sound like wonderful people. What makes you think you couldn't talk them into emigrating to whatever we end up setting up? Or, for that matter, accepting any largess you present to them. Are they so attached to this place? Honestly, it sounds like a terrible place."

[joertexas]

"They sound like wonderful people. What makes you think you couldn't talk them into emigrating to whatever we end up setting up? Or, for that matter, accepting any largess you present to them. Are they so attached to this place? Honestly, it sounds like a terrible place."

Jaelah sighs with a sad expression. "I don't know about other sophonts, but humans generally grow attached to the place they see as home. That could be a star nation, a planet, a city, a housing unit, a ship, a one-person mining doodlebug, or a shipping box under a trash conveyor in Downspire. It doesn't matter if the government is good or not, or even how much money or food they have. Of course, while people do emigrate elsewhere to better themselves, only small percentages of populations choose to do that, unless there is a war or other circumstances that trigger a mass migration. That happens because what they consider home is no longer livable."

"Remember, too, that one's personal experience greatly colors how they view their home. Is Collace a terrible place? There are a billion people there, and you'd get a billion different answers to that question. For my parents, it's probably better than what they left behind, and I enjoyed parts of the place, myself. The midspire parks and shops are spacious domes with plenty of fresh air, and there are a thousand restaurants and twice as many shops to frequent. The prices for most things are not too bad these days. So, many people there live well."

"As a cop, I saw the very worst and the very best of people, and it didn't matter how low or how high they lived. There are fantastic people in the worst part of Downspire, and total wastes of life support in the highest Upspire."

[terrymixon]

"They sound like wonderful people. What makes you think you couldn't talk them into emigrating to whatever we end up setting up? Or, for that matter, accepting any largess you present to them. Are they so attached to this place? Honestly, it sounds like a terrible place."

Jaelah sighs with a sad expression. "I don't know about other sophonts, but humans generally grow attached to the place they see as home. That could be a star nation, a planet, a city, a housing unit, a ship, a one-person mining doodlebug, or a shipping box under a trash conveyor in Downspire. It doesn't matter if the government is good or not, or even how much money or food they have. Of course, while people do emigrate elsewhere to better themselves, only small percentages of populations choose to do that, unless there is a war or other circumstances that trigger a mass migration. That happens because what they consider home is no longer livable."

"Remember, too, that one's personal experience greatly colors how they view their home. Is Collace a terrible place? There are a billion people there, and you'd get a billion different answers to that question. For my parents, it's probably better than what they left behind, and I enjoyed parts of the place, myself. The midspire parks and shops are spacious domes with plenty of fresh air, and there are a thousand restaurants and twice as many shops to frequent. The prices for most things are not too bad these days. So, many people there live well."

"As a cop, I saw the very worst and the very best of people, and it didn't matter how low or how high they lived. There are fantastic people in the worst part of Downspire, and total wastes of life support in the highest Upspire."

"I see. Do you intend to at least tell them what we mean to attempt? There will be nothing when we start, but once things get going, these will be excellent places to have a family and the opportunities will be great, particularly for someone who is a close friend or relation to one of the ruling councilors."

He pursed his lips. "Do any of them know trade or manufacturing? I suspect our manufacturing and distribution network in this area of space will also be growing rapidly and have room for dedicated, talented people."

[joertexas]

"I see. Do you intend to at least tell them what we mean to attempt? There will be nothing when we start, but once things get going, these will be excellent places to have a family and the opportunities will be great, particularly for someone who is a close friend or relation to one of the ruling councilors."

He pursed his lips. "Do any of them know trade or manufacturing? I suspect our manufacturing and distribution network in this area of space will also be growing rapidly and have room for dedicated, talented people."

"I will tell them some of it now, I think. I'm not ready to discuss the part about outliving everyone in Charted Space, or the pocket universe. This is the hard part, Roscoe. I don't want to see my family die, but immortality frightens me. No one wants to die, and yet we know it will happen one day. Except now it won't. This is something the rest of us with living family members, or even close friends, will have to confront. Think about Ciencia's people, and her family, too. What about my siblings?" She shakes her head. "I don't know."

Jaelah takes a breath. "My concern about the manufacturing and shipping is how disruptive our presence will be to the local economies. We will cause changes, and some of them will be harmful if we aren't careful. It's different with the pocket universe, and it would be different if we settled other parts of the galaxy, where a bootstrap from virgin star systems would get a new civilization started."

[terrymixon]

"I see. Do you intend to at least tell them what we mean to attempt? There will be nothing when we start, but once things get going, these will be excellent places to have a family and the opportunities will be great, particularly for someone who is a close friend or relation to one of the ruling councilors."

He pursed his lips. "Do any of them know trade or manufacturing? I suspect our manufacturing and distribution network in this area of space will also be growing rapidly and have room for dedicated, talented people."

"I will tell them some of it now, I think. I'm not ready to discuss the part about outliving everyone in Charted Space, or the pocket universe. This is the hard part, Roscoe. I don't want to see my family die, but immortality frightens me. No one wants to die, and yet we know it will happen one day. Except now it won't. This is something the rest of us with living family members, or even close friends, will have to confront. Think about Ciencia's people, and her family, too. What about my siblings?" She shakes her head. "I don't know."

"They don't have to be Ancients to take advantage of what Doctor Metz and Bilis have created. Fredrick, Terresa, and the other Imperial Guards have done so. There is no reason that your family or friends need to die--or even age--unless they want to. That is true human-built technology.

"I spoke to the emperor about it. He said that he and his wife weren't interested in it, but that might change. They are glad their daughter has such robust protections. I would like to see the people you care about protected as well."

Jaelah takes a breath. "My concern about the manufacturing and shipping is how disruptive our presence will be to the local economies. We will cause changes, and some of them will be harmful if we aren't careful. It's different with the pocket universe, and it would be different if we settled other parts of the galaxy, where a bootstrap from virgin star systems would get a new civilization started."

"It will be disruptive," he agreed. "We're taking steps to make sure that it is not destructive, but disruption is natural and happens all the time. Otherwise, civilization would become static, and one only needs to look at the Vilani to see how that turned out. Growth is good and managed disruption is as well. People aren't ants in a bottle. They need challenges to overcome. Worlds to tame. So long as we keep the manufactories small enough, we will force others to grow and change, not consume them.

"While it may seem seductive to flee known space and start fresh, I submit to you that this is better for us and for everyone else. Jaelah, we will continue to watch what we do closely, but I do not want to abandon everything here. Will there be failures in our plans? Undoubtedly. Will we hurt people along the way? Certainly. The key is realizing that we can help so many people and the end result will be better than if we hid in a pocket universe. We aren't Ancients like the old ones. Isolation breeds strange mindsets, and we will be better staying plugged into the rest of humanity."

He sent her an image. "This is a 50-million-ton manufacturing center I designed with Doctor Metz and the people at Yamaguchi. It is scaled down but has the same capabilities. If we spread these out like I mentioned before, we won't dominate trade but will influence it. We can become a major player in high tech goods without running others out of the market. We would be premiere goods, pricy and very advanced, but not the only game in town. Trust me when I say we will be careful.

"They will construct one at Glisten that will service all the worlds within ten parsecs, including Collace. The fabricator in Yamaguchi can build them. I also plan to put one at Mirriam which will also cover Collace and this area because of overlap. We will need trustworthy people to see things over in the covered worlds. Brokerages, trading stations, and even Doctor Metz's shops that can build anything. I'm not saying your family and friends must be involved, but if they have an interest and talents that lend them to the roles, it could be quite lucrative."

[helvorn]

(OOC: Go easy on the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" now... I just can't type as fast as Terry!

Dragon Naturally Speaking. I am a very slow typist (30ish words a minute), but I can dictate like nobody's business (70+ words a minute).

I use Dragon exclusively. It's quite handy!

[terrymixon]

(OOC: Go easy on the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" now... I just can't type as fast as Terry!

Dragon Naturally Speaking. I am a very slow typist (30ish words a minute), but I can dictate like nobody's business (70+ words a minute).

I use Dragon exclusively. It's quite handy!

I don’t speak as clearly as I should and have cleanup, but if never go back.

[joertexas]

"I see. Do you intend to at least tell them what we mean to attempt? There will be nothing when we start, but once things get going, these will be excellent places to have a family and the opportunities will be great, particularly for someone who is a close friend or relation to one of the ruling councilors."

He pursed his lips. "Do any of them know trade or manufacturing? I suspect our manufacturing and distribution network in this area of space will also be growing rapidly and have room for dedicated, talented people."

"I will tell them some of it now, I think. I'm not ready to discuss the part about outliving everyone in Charted Space, or the pocket universe. This is the hard part, Roscoe. I don't want to see my family die, but immortality frightens me. No one wants to die, and yet we know it will happen one day. Except now it won't. This is something the rest of us with living family members, or even close friends, will have to confront. Think about Ciencia's people, and her family, too. What about my siblings?" She shakes her head. "I don't know."

"They don't have to be Ancients to take advantage of what Doctor Metz and Bilis have created. Fredrick, Terresa, and the other Imperial Guards have done so. There is no reason that your family or friends need to die--or even age--unless they want to. That is true human-built technology.

"I spoke to the emperor about it. He said that he and his wife weren't interested in it, but that might change. They are glad their daughter has such robust protections. I would like to see the people you care about protected as well."

Jaelah takes a breath. "My concern about the manufacturing and shipping is how disruptive our presence will be to the local economies. We will cause changes, and some of them will be harmful if we aren't careful. It's different with the pocket universe, and it would be different if we settled other parts of the galaxy, where a bootstrap from virgin star systems would get a new civilization started."

"It will be disruptive," he agreed. "We're taking steps to make sure that it is not destructive, but disruption is natural and happens all the time. Otherwise, civilization would become static, and one only needs to look at the Vilani to see how that turned out. Growth is good and managed disruption is as well. People aren't ants in a bottle. They need challenges to overcome. Worlds to tame. So long as we keep the manufactories small enough, we will force others to grow and change, not consume them.

"While it may seem seductive to flee known space and start fresh, I submit to you that this is better for us and for everyone else. Jaelah, we will continue to watch what we do closely, but I do not want to abandon everything here. Will there be failures in our plans? Undoubtedly. Will we hurt people along the way? Certainly. The key is realizing that we can help so many people and the end result will be better than if we hid in a pocket universe. We aren't Ancients like the old ones. Isolation breeds strange mindsets, and we will be better staying plugged into the rest of humanity."

He sent her an image. "This is a 50-million-ton manufacturing center I designed with Doctor Metz and the people at Yamaguchi. It is scaled down but has the same capabilities. If we spread these out like I mentioned before, we won't dominate trade but will influence it. We can become a major player in high tech goods without running others out of the market. We would be premiere goods, pricy and very advanced, but not the only game in town. Trust me when I say we will be careful.

"They will construct one at Glisten that will service all the worlds within ten parsecs, including Collace. The fabricator in Yamaguchi can build them. I also plan to put one at Mirriam which will also cover Collace and this area because of overlap. We will need trustworthy people to see things over in the covered worlds. Brokerages, trading stations, and even Doctor Metz's shops that can build anything. I'm not saying your family and friends must be involved, but if they have an interest and talents that lend them to the roles, it could be quite lucrative."

Jaelah smiles warmly. "Have I told you lately that I'm so glad you're my husband? I'm good at what I do, but all of this is well outside my experience. I'm grateful that you're here to go through this with me."

[terrymixon]

Jaelah smiles warmly. "Have I told you lately that I'm so glad you're my husband? I'm good at what I do, but all of this is well outside my experience. I'm grateful that you're here to go through this with me."

“I think we compliment one another quite well. There are many things you know how to do that I find fascinating. I am also grateful to stand with you.”

[helvorn]

William will do a search on mercenary units active in the area as well as local Aslan activities.

William will discover there are numerous "freelance" individuals for hire most of whom are junior officers or NCOs from various militaries indigenous to District 268. Most are in the market for close protection/security work.

He learns that mercenaries frequent the bar named the Soldier of Fortune in Collace Downport (actually the less than 1000d ton downport) inside the towering Collace Prime arcology. The bar is situated in a commercial mall adjacent to the downport in Collace's smart upper midspire area.

This area is also adjacent to a smart business/residential area now known colloquially at "Cat Town/The Tiddles". Following the expulsion and destruction of The Purge street gang from lower mid Spire (in a joint Collace PD and Aslan mercenary operation) several tranches of "crime cheapened" properties were bought up and placed under Aslan protection while law and order was re-established. Street battles between the remnant gang members and Aslan "peacekeepers" were brutally one sided. Meanwhile, the heads of various criminal organizations and affiliate gangs were often found... near the rest of them. Collace PD declared the spate of murders "unfortunate but still open enquiries".

Jaelah knows / can find out from police contacts that Collace PD "Strike Team" led by Detective Lieutenant (now) then Sergeant O’Malley turned a blind eye / may have actively assisted with Intel while the Aslan soldiery ruthlessly "cleaned house" on the streets. How various gang leaders were taken out (always with blades) in their own secure headquarters remains a mystery.

Another (possibly related) spate of violent crimes occurred during the brief reign of terror of "The Fing wot 'unts". Whereby a terrifying clawed creature carved a bloody swathe through Downspire gang members contributing directly to the flourishing "Green Zone" of gentrification opposite the SEMC (see below) base called The Bartizan.

William takes a deep breath and considers his options. His three immediate options were to check out the bar and the mixer as well as talk to Jaelah about the goings-on with the Aslan. Perhaps they were from the same unit as advertised so professionally. Certainly the higher end mercenary units looked promising but William also remembered the words of Machiavelli from his studies for diplomacy about mercenary units and their captains. It would be best to have their own military as soon as possible but good mercenaries could fill the gap especially if the Guild owned the Navy. Aslan might provide a counterweight to overly ambitious mercenaries if it came to that.

He sent a message to Jaelah. "Do you know anything about a strike team led by a Lieutenant O'Malley that cooperated with an Aslan mercenary unit to clear out the Cat Town? I'm looking at hiring Aslan as mercenaries and settlers."

Donovan also sent a message to Walt. "Do you want to ask some questions with me in the local mercenary bar? Also if we make a RV we can get the inside scoop on another line of contact. Are you up for it?"

I assume by a RV that you mean reentry using an ablative kit from TNE?

[joertexas]

He sent a message to Jaelah. "Do you know anything about a strike team led by a Lieutenant O'Malley that cooperated with an Aslan mercenary unit to clear out the Cat Town? I'm looking at hiring Aslan as mercenaries and settlers."

"Not specifically," Jaelah replies. "That was a different division, and the whole operation was kept quiet until the Tabbies kicked the gangs' guts out. And, I was on special assignment at the time."

[Tiglath]

I assume by a RV that you mean reentry using an ablative kit from TNE?

I actually meant the abbreviation for Rendez Vous. However, you are absolutely right in that if you attend the downport you would meet a shuttle ready to take you into high orbit and tip you out to re-enter and (hopefully) land in the Restaurant.

Yes and as you describe in TNE (or JTAS 11 in old skool! )The procedure is you spray ablative foam to make a heat shield which you then fire at the atmosphere with a chemical rocket and (if you don't bounce or burn up) then freefall/glide and then parachute to safety/victory.

Screenshot 2024-10-15 062201.png (456.82 KiB) Viewed 1063 times

If any PCs fancy a go (to get you a table and face time with the mercs) the skillset is: Vacc Suit/Battledress, Athletics(Dex), Computer, Navigator, Pilot/Small Craft, Zero G, JoAT (among others). Marine Commandos, Protected Forces specialists and Belters(!) would also get a bonus. NB This is definitively a "dangerous sport" so you want to have enough skills to avoid/mitigate disaster. However, because it's a sport there are safety craft and rescue options throughout the "course".

Garvin might give it a go to get the team an "in" and to try out his new Vac Suit skill (actually reliant on his Athletics(Dex) skill).

The Asphyxia is deliberately named as the air on the roof of the Spire is rather thin but that's why the Up Spire "who's who" go there to dine and "take the air" - because it's as high as you can climb. If you are a participant of the (not cheap) re-entry sport it's also a very convenient place to land and then eat and party (if you don't mind the price tag)!