Chapter Nine: Year 300, 6th Day

[SpinwardMarch]

Maggie

Thanks, Noor. All this is chaotic

[cybersavant]

yeah, but again, he doesn't know that - he knows people are OUTSIDE trying to get in, he doesn't know the computer is compromised; jammed comms and all

[The Bindoner]

Nālani, perturbed by the sound in the elevator shaft, checks that the door is locked and attempts to override computer control to keep it on manual lock. Having done what she can she moves to the cargo hatch and readies herself to exit as soon as it opens enough.

[Stirling]

Tiberius O'Hare

Is there any way we can open up a communication channel to the intruders. At least ask them what they want? Surely they have a better aim than 'blow the ship up and kill everyone aboard'.

[joertexas]

Tiberius O'Hare

Is there any way we can open up a communication channel to the intruders. At least ask them what they want? Surely they have a better aim than 'blow the ship up and kill everyone aboard'.

Indrani nods. "Good idea. See if you can get a comms channel out."

[BackworldTraveller]

Arnwulf and Pranit
Arnwulf finally manages to lift the surprisingly heavy rifle (or is it that his arms are starting to to working?) He can just see the line of people on the bay roof all aiming weapons at him in the open - and pranit soaring up towards the bay roof, but manages to shoot is rifle (rolls from post 205) Whether the bullets strike the crouching, suited figure or just the edge of the bridge isn't clear, but the effect is that the body vanishes from line of sight. His dive back into the shelter of the edge of the bridge does, however, mean that the hail of fire coming towards him misses except for a single glancing blow to the toe of his vacc suit - he pulls his leg in quick!

Pranit, however, is intent on the two that were stalking Arnwulf on the bridge roof and the serried ranks on the roof can be left 'til later. Heading up towards the roof struts, he gets a clear line of fire - admittedly one target is scrambling to avoid Arnwulf's aim, but they seem oblivious to Pranit's position. Both take hits from the auto-shotgun. Both go down instantly leaking air from their vacc suits around ragged holes.

And as Pranit almost reaches the apogee of his arc and the world goes black. Sorry - you just took more damage than your starting END value in one round! You've passed out. - Arnwulf notes an instant of bright glare reflecting from the bay walls from high up - but it is gone again before he can react. EDU+Recon roll please Arnwulf

Crew Deck
Noor + Miya and Maggie spend the time talking through the door of the airlock and establishing identity - (Maggie's side is depressurised). The door unlocks.

Assana is trying to do two things - watch the computer hack and the fight outside Captain Indrani: We've definitely got a hacking deck attached to the ship somewhere on Deck 4. It's better than mine and I can only fight a holding action. Zid is feeling very spare.
Assana and Ulrika watch Pranit's flight up with interest, capturing his shooting and observing the flash of hot gas from this thruster pack as it explodes on his back - his final position (upside down and entangled in the roof-struts with his weapon dangling from its wrist strap) looks very dramatic and precarious. Ulrika and Assana's duet of "Ooohhh" as they wince in sympathy is audible even through the closed cabin door. Pranit's down they relay.

Passenger Deck
Indrani and Tiberius stop to consider the way forward. They have the lift for the top shaft at their level, blocking their visibility down the shaft. The bottom shaft's lift is locked down on the hanger deck - and the blast from that shaft suggests the guys downstairs have the hatch open. Reven reports that the lifts are all locked and that the doors are too - except that those on the Freezer Deck are showing open for maintenance and he can't override.

Cargo Deck
The deck is slowly de-pressurising - Over half the atmosphere is gone. Inside, the fog has mostly cleared as the atmosphere is sucked away. 12 more seconds and the hatch will start to open and Nalani can get out.

Power Deck
Reven is dancing through the start up sequence in his head. Locking the lifts is an unwelcome distraction that those on the bridge should have been capable of doing. but the engine should be going soon. Magnetics start to come on line. (The lights and gravity on the whole ship flicker, but Reven cleverly sequences so the peak load never exceeds the battery capacity and switches the lights and gravity off for the Freezer and Hanger decks to get more power when it's needed). Not long now - but a seeming age in his current engineering dance-trance!

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

Arnwulf firefight assessment (Edu+Recon) [2d6+2]=6+2=8

Assesses the backs to the wall situation. One man down and fire superiority to the enemy. We need more men in the fight or withdraw. Pranit goes suddenly silent, a brief exhale then nothing.

"Maggie, get you ass and medical kit up here. We got a man down. Who is suited up?

Remember breathing, bleeding, burns, bones. I'll give some covering fire. One, two, three, go!"

Arnwulf fires assault rifle on full auto [2d6+2]=12+2=14 [2d6+2]=3+2=5 [2d6+2]=7+2=9
Arnwulf fires assault rifle on full auto [2d6+2]=7+2=9 [2d6+2]=6+2=8 [2d6+2]=8+2=10
Arnwulf damage from assault rifle [3d10]=18

He sprays a staccato of suppressing fire in a line along the bay edge then ducks back down and edges further away from the corner. I want to crawl to the other corner.

[ateno]

Arnwulf and Maggie saw that Pranit had a medikit attached to his fancy vacc suit.

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

I know I am shouting at Maggie but he doesn't realise this had happened either.

Order acknowledged; airlocks secured.

It closed in her face so she can't get out ...

[joertexas]

Indrani

Indrani mutters to herself, and uses her comm to access the port's emergency services line. "We're under attack and being boarded! Bay 13-13!"

[BackworldTraveller]

Indrani

Indrani mutters to herself, and uses her comm to access the port's emergency services line. "We're under attack and being boarded! Bay 13-13!"

This line is out of service. Please contact the control tower for details.

[joertexas]

Indrani

Indrani mutters to herself, and uses her comm to access the port's emergency services line. "We're under attack and being boarded! Bay 13-13!"

This line is out of service. Please contact the control tower for details.

Indrani tries the comm codes for the police inspector, using her personal comm. "Tibbs, see if you can raise anyone outside the ship. We need help."

[BackworldTraveller]

Zid is surprised that the phone is ringing - and answers it. Hello? Chief Inspector Zid Umale

[joertexas]

Indrani opens every channel she has available. "All crewmembers, stand down. I repeat, stand down. Everyone, check in and acknowledge. If anyone else can hear me, we surrender. Stop shooting at us." She turns to Tibbs. "I'm sorry, but I'm not getting us all killed for this damned ship. They want to take it by force, then we get out of the way and let them."

[joertexas]

Zid is surprised that the phone is ringing - and answers it. Hello? Chief Inspector Zid Umale

"What are you doing to stop this crap," Indrani demands. "People are being shot, and my ship is being taken by armed intruders!"

[The Bindoner]

Nālani triggers send on her comm: Assana, if you cannot win against the hack can you cut power to the computer? They are here to steal data. If the Queen hibernates they cannot get it. If you cannot put the Queen to sleep, ask for help. Reven is in the engine room.

Nālani considers how to reach the hacker aboard the ship. Up to the passenger airlock, follow them in. She checks her thrust pistol.

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

Noor hears the queen intercom and looks at Maggie. "I suspect this is a hit squad. No disrespect to the Captain, but if we surrender we die."

She moves to Nālani's room and opens the door. "You're the hacker, right?" She asks of the suited Assana. "Talk to me. Can we archive the Queen? I need the information, but can't let these bastards get it."

To Maggie: "I can't believe I'm saying this, but where are the vacc suits?"

[BackworldTraveller]

Zid is surprised that the phone is ringing - and answers it. Hello? Chief Inspector Zid Umale

"What are you doing to stop this crap," Indrani demands. "People are being shot, and my ship is being taken by armed intruders!"

What I am doing, Captain, is following your orders. My colleagues and their armoury are in the bay or the car I came in. I, Captain, am relying on you for my safety as this is your ship. How would you like me to help? I have no Vacc Suit, and a stunner. No comms to outside. I am in the same trap as you with the door shut. What do you propose I do?

[Stirling]

Tiberius O'Hare

I'm sorry, but I'm not getting us all killed for this damned ship. They want to take it by force, then we get out of the way and let them."

"They are not pirates out to hijack us and fly away. They are raiders intent on crippling the ship and killing everyone in it.

But if you feel that surrender is your only option then let's invite them up so we can negotiate a peaceful settlement."

I notice there is a computer in the library suite do I go into there and log in. I want to put a tannoy announcement from the Queen into the decks below. I am not sure my skill is going to overcome any hackers but the task is an internal not external communication so may be less prohibited.

Tiberius uses Electronics Comms [2d6+1]=5+1=6

"Good morning guests. We are experiencing difficulties with our communications and apologise for the poor welcome. Please enter the lift and our erstwhile Steward will attend your enquiries in good order. Thank you."

[joertexas]

What I am doing, Captain, is following your orders. My colleagues and their armoury are in the bay or the car I came in. I, Captain, am relying on you for my safety as this is your ship. How would you like me to help? I have no Vacc Suit, and a stunner. No comms to outside. I am in the same trap as you with the door shut. What do you propose I do?

"Keep working to get communications back with your people. That's about it."