Episode 0α: Alpha Ursae Majoris

[cybersavant]

Asxerthsis "We have to check up on a mining outpost. Once we locate a suitable pilot we'll get the coordinates."

[Grognardsw]

Isaac C. Heinlein (Ike)
Flanagan’s Tavern
Dubhe V Main Port

Asxerthsis "We have to check up on a mining outpost. Once locate a suitable pilot we'll the coordinates."

My gut told me they knew more, but it was why they were withholding that had me more curious.

"That doesn't tell me much. What quadrant and how much is the pay? Is this a SORAG science mission, or will I need my gun?"

[Dicey]

Evangeline didn't need her telepathy to tell Ike was the suspicious type, but then again she wouldn't like going off on a mystery mission either.

"The mission is highly confidential, even we don't know the full details, but I can say its a quadrant not typically visisted due to radiation. Our ship has shielding. This is a reconnaissance mission so if all goes well, guns shouldn't be needed, but I know you always carry one anyway." She stared into his eyes in that special way. "And I'm sure you have a big gun."

Maintaining eye contact with Ike, Evangeline lit a cigarette with the flame of her Flaming Asteroid drink. The priestess took a drag that could convert heathens.



"On pay, the standard spacer rate of 120 cr/day in addition to a large mission-completion bonus and future opportunities with SORAG."

The flame out, Evangeline took a sip of the drink.

"I think you want to do this."




Blade Runner! A favorite, and inspired me to use a picture from that too! But she will not have a baby

[subaltari]

As he walks he purchases a shuttle fare to Vorak. After the “Crime Stopper” filing, he goes to the shady shopping center near the starport where lots of shops stay open late or all night. It seems like there’s a seedy place near every port he’s ever been to. ”Now, where to find an electronics shop? I hope this pays off for my lost severance, or I have nothing left. Destitute!”

”...At this point, a system charter shuttle pilot out of Vorak or even an atmo-pilot would be something. Or maybe this austere spaceport repair shop could have a use for a telekinetic to change parts in hard-to-reach locations. I’ll have to look into that.”

Dubhe's primary is low in the blighted sky. Its bright lemon light filtering through the polarized dome tells the Main Port occupants it's late afternoon. Out in space, 'day' and 'night' are shifting markers. Skip Wilson learns there is indeed a Dubhe V − Marilith system shuttle departing the following morning, but there's also one tonight, launching at 2321 which is a little over six hours from now.

• Skip finds out the shuttle authority is hiring for flight crew at the moment. As are various mining transport companies. He need only upload his current resume into the kiosk.
• He does indeed find a device shop, "Ansible Shack," which sells all kinds of TL 4 gizmos and provides services, like un-gumming a stuck compad. Maybe this fella knows about jobs too.
• You'd want to use some discretion about asking for someone to work around currency security measures, or outright selling hot goods. Same with bringing up psionics for hire. Until you get to know the how locals feel about psy, its best to be careful.
• Broaching either of these subjects, or anything else questionable, calls for a Connect/Cha or Talk/Cha roll on your part. Though once you find a person willing to deal, your Trade 0 skill will help get you the best value possible.

[Thumper]

Skip will walk into the electronics shop and announce he’s window shopping while waiting on a lift. Maybe something will catch my eye

He doesn’t know anything about hackers outside of the United Package Service company IT Security training. He knows Line Shunts can be used for several networking uses…including hacking. So he keeps an eye out for another shopper picking some up. So, he’ll find that section of merchandise and follow into that aisle when anyone else appears to be buying from there.

Otherwise, he’ll loiter and pretend to be interested in some pilot simulation games, educational and entertainment holos that are commonly sold to passengers and crews, used data pads, and other electronics that he’s familiar with and could actually speak to if need be.

All the while keeping an eye on someone heading into the aisle with the line shunts.

[Grognardsw]

Isaac C. Heinlein (Ike)
Flanagan’s Tavern
Dubhe V Main Port

The flame out, Evangeline took a sip of the drink.

"I think you want to do this."

I breathed in her smoke, not minding at all. My eyes locked on hers, a deep pool inviting me for a swim.

How dangerous could the run be, if she was going herself? The pay was respectable.

This woman had a way. Was it her looks, her words, some psych at play, her god? Admit it Ike, you don’t care. I want more.

“I’m in.”

[Dicey]

“I’m so glad, I know we’ll be a great team,” Evangeline said, raising her glass in toast to Ike and Asxerthsis.

“Our next recruit is a pilot.” She looked at the list on her commpad. Their first two choices weren’t available, so looking further down the list she saw a name - Skip Wilson. Evangeline glanced at his file. That picture, he seemed familiar but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Can we get a location?” she asked Asxerthsis, showing the Pe Choi the commpad.

[cybersavant]

Asxerthsis "We could send him a message, see if he is still looking for a job. Who is next on the list? Or do we need to go to a recruiter?."

[Dicey]

Evangeline saw a comm number in Skip’s file.

“I’ll try reaching him.”

She called his comm.

[Thumper]

Standing in a corner of the electronics store, Skip hears his comm ringer:
”Hello, this is Skip”

[Thumper]

Skip talking a his phone: ”Hello, anybody there? Hello?” and he’s about to tap to hang up…

[Dicey]

Evangeline moved a few yards from the wall. “Can you hear me now?”

“Hello Mr. Wilson, my name is Evangeline Tsaridian. I am an agent of SORAG and we are seeking to hire a pilot. Would you like to meet to discuss the opportunity?”

[Thumper]

Skip-
”Um, yes Ms Tsaridian. I am available. SORAG, I’m not familiar with that company, but I can look them up.

Where and when shall we meet? …Oh yes, I know where O’Flannigan’s is. I can be there in a few minutes.” He’ll give a description of himself. He’ll also leave the cred stick buried under and to the back of some merchandise in the electronics store.

Well, that was unexpected! Skip will head back to the bar and look for Asx (as he’d be the most conspicuous) and Evangeline while also taking notice if Halen and Roth are still there.

[subaltari]

Asxerthsis
" Who is next on the list? Or do we need to go to a recruiter?"

There is a separate list in your shared file, which recommends candidates for an armsman or security specialist. The top suggestions are a human male ex-soldier, a female N'lyss ex-marine, and a Cymek light infantry unit. However, by assessing your other hires (Ike and Skip), you may find they are cross-trained and qualified for combat duties.

Skip-
”Um, yes Ms Tsaridian. I am available. SORAG, I’m not familiar with that company, but I can look them up.

Where and when shall we meet? …Oh yes, I know where O’Flannigan’s is. I can be there in a few minutes.” He’ll give a description of himself. He’ll also leave the cred stick buried under and to the back of some merchandise in the electronics store.

Well, that was unexpected! Skip will head back to the bar and look for Asx (as he’d be the most conspicuous) and Evangeline while also taking notice if Halen and Roth are still there.

Skip Wilson returns to the spacer pub and finds Asxerthsis and Evangeline in their booth, along with another human, Ike. Sure enough, Skip's enemies are no longer to be seen, nor is Ed Halen's tantalizing comm pad. In fact, their seat at the bar is now occupied by an unaccompanied young lady (about Skip's age) in a blue and yellow shipsuit.
.

[Thumper]

Skip thinks to himself: ”Would be something to get to know that cutie spacer at the bar. But, kinda difficult to impress with no money and no job. Maybe if she sticks around. Let’s see what this is all about.

He heads over to the table to meet his prospective recruiter. Holding out his hand, he confidently (as best he can appear given that he knows he’s blackballed by Roth, at least on the Starport…and he’s struck out here all week), and he announces himself:

“Hi. Ms Tsaridian? I’m SKip. Skip Wilson.”

[Dicey]

Hello Skip, nice to meet you, Evangeline said. As she saw Skip the she remembered where she had seen him. He was the telekinetic thief at Flanagan’s lifting the cred stick!

One moment please. Evangeline stepped away to Asxerthsis. She explained what she knew to the Pe Choi. Asxerthis, given this, what do you think about taking him on?

What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive, someone said Does Evangeline’s ethics prevent Skip from the team, or do we ignore such realities? Does wise Pe Choi have words to convince us the ends justify the means? Can we frustrate the GM more?

[subaltari]

What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive, someone said

Haha, I am loving this

On the one hand, we haven't fully defined Evangeline's religion, so we don't know how 'pure' her ethics are.
Also being an intelligence agent for a powerful interstellar empire, she would understand the realities of 'ends and means' and probably see the value of sleight of hand, deception, and the occasional need to obtain things that don't belong to her.

Both she and Asxerthsis know by now that "Scientific Observation, Recording, and Analysis" are only the public facade of what SORAG really does!

So, if only she can obtain some confidence that Skip won't try to steal from his own crew...

And for Skip's part, he's probably forgetting all about the cute girl at the bar the moment he sees the dazzling and elegant Evangeline!

[Thumper]

Nah, Ms Tsaridian is old! Maybe a teacher crush kind of thing…

[cybersavant]

Asxerthsis "Well, now we know he has extra skills. Skills he doesn't know we know. If his piloting checks out, i say we take him. And watch him. We need to get started and searching for another may take a while."

[subaltari]

Nah, Ms Tsaridian is old! Maybe a teacher crush kind of thing…