004: The Mean Streets of Aki

[terrymixon]

The image shows a military bridge and a number of officers at various stations. The one in the command chair is a male human and the woman Garvin met earlier is standing at his side. The man is scowling ferociously as he speaks.

"This is Captain Andrew Wainright of the Imperial Destroyer Avalanche. Lost & Found, you are hereby ordered to return to the starport so I can investigate this situation. Cut your acceleration and respond immediately."

William steps into view radiating what he can of his newfound leadership skills. "Destroyer Avalanche this is Captain William Larsson of Lost and Found. We are in hot pursuit of information uncovered during the attack on Madame Treegarden. We are unable to comply with your request." He leans forward a bit. "The attacker penetrated the security perimeter and critically injured her. We are known associates with Ms. Treegarden and are best suited for this effort. I suggest that you focus your efforts on LT Newkirk your Commo whose corrupt release of the very highest levels of Imperial secrets to an unauthorized civilian led directly to the attack."

Covid vaccine yucky feeling

He starts to respond angrily, but the woman by his side leaned over and spoke in his ear. They seemed to have a brief argument, then he returned his attention to you.

“I can almost catch you before you jump but as I won’t fire on you with her aboard, I suppose I have no choice by let you go. I’m sending a report to Glisten and if they want to deal with you they can. If she doesn’t arrive safely, that will be your responsibility.”

The transmission ends abruptly.

“We are about two hours from jump,” Roscoe reported. “The destroyer has not left the area near the starport.”

Roscoe has changed out of his bloody clothes and recommends Garvin does as well.

What do you do next?

[Tiglath]

A two parter...

Earlier:

"There is one other thing. The assassin tried to attack me mentally. I'm not sure with what or how. We ended up in a brief battle for supremacy and he lost. I didn't attack him. I didn't even try to push his own attack back on him. I think the feedback from the failed attempt killed him, but I wanted you to know that I didn't intend for him to die. I'd have rather questioned him and I remember our last discussion about impulsive actions very well. He died from his own actions, and I want to be sure you know that. He just chose his opponents poorly. A mental attack on a baby Ancient was a bad call."

Garvin replies "I was going to ask you about that. Let's do a post mortem once the medics are free - it might tell us something".

He sighs and gives a smile "Roscoe, you saved Aster. You played a blinder today, son - your judgement was spot on an' yer decisions were sound. As long as you keep askin' yourself the questions you'll be good. As it goes I knocked that poor sod out more because I felt 'e deserved it more than for any tactical reason. I was angry an' scared an' I'd just 'eld my girl dead in my arms. The bloke that caused it was stood right in front of me just after laughin' about what 'e 'ad done. It wasn't legally justifiable - but for me it was. Sometimes what's lawful and what's right aren't the same - that's why I've got me own rules. You just 'ave to 'old yourself to a standard".


Later:

Garvin disarms and gears down post action and freshens up. He logs a (non urgent) post mortem request with the surgeon/autodoc for the dead assassin and as an after thought a treatment cycle for the Captain of Knowledge who he visits in his cell.

"Don't try to talk. First reason - I broke your jaw. Second if I 'ear any more of your drivel I might just start punchin' you an' not be able to stop. Aster Treegarden's in surgery now because your actions caused her assassination so you've crossed the line with me, old son. If she pulls through she gets to decide your fate. If I were you I'd 'old out some positive energy for 'er because if it's left to me I will kill you an' it won't bother me a bit".

Garvin doesn't engage his battery of Persuasion skills here - because this isn't a threat.

(Edit: missed out "of"...).

[Thumper]

Walt visits the auto doc for an update on Aster. Upon hearing Roscoe’s estimate for reaching jump limit, sets down his 3/4 full glass:
”Two hours. Tree garden laid up for a couple days at best. I’ll pray for her. All the time we need in jump to deal with Crunch.

I hate to sound callous and all business, but I’d love to get a map (or as much as we can in less than two hours) through the teleportals of the starport, farm world, and more of the spaceship graveyard than we’ve explored. It’ll give me something to study enroute and access time is limited. Metz, can we launch your subsonic recon drones into the ag world along with a swarm of grav spy bots in farm world, another load of them in the starport, and yet another in the graveyard to map each. In the boneyard, can we get sufficient detail of each wreck to build a catalog of what’s there? Returned with 15 minutes prior to reaching jump? Let’s make sure we have them all back before making the jump.”

[terrymixon]

Walt visits the auto doc for an update on Aster. Upon hearing Roscoe’s estimate for reaching jump limit, sets down his 3/4 full glass:
”Two hours. Tree garden laid up for a couple days at best. I’ll pray for her. All the time we need in jump to deal with Crunch.

I hate to sound callous and all business, but I’d love to get a map (or as much as we can in less than two hours) through the teleportals of the starport, farm world, and more of the spaceship graveyard than we’ve explored. It’ll give me something to study enroute and access time is limited. Metz, can we launch your subsonic recon drones into the ag world along with a swarm of grav spy bots in farm world, another load of them in the starport, and yet another in the graveyard to map each. In the boneyard, can we get sufficient detail of each wreck to build a catalog of what’s there? Returned with 15 minutes prior to reaching jump? Let’s make sure we have them all back before making the jump.”

Metz will print up a bunch of recon probes and send them through. Roscoe will collect the information they have gathered before the jump and make sure they are continuing to work during the jump.

[terrymixon]

A two parter...

Earlier:

"There is one other thing. The assassin tried to attack me mentally. I'm not sure with what or how. We ended up in a brief battle for supremacy and he lost. I didn't attack him. I didn't even try to push his own attack back on him. I think the feedback from the failed attempt killed him, but I wanted you to know that I didn't intend for him to die. I'd have rather questioned him and I remember our last discussion about impulsive actions very well. He died from his own actions, and I want to be sure you know that. He just chose his opponents poorly. A mental attack on a baby Ancient was a bad call."

Garvin replies "I was going to ask you about that. Let's do a post mortem once the medics are free - it might tell us something".

He sighs and gives a smile "Roscoe, you saved Aster. You played a blinder today, son - your judgement was spot on an' yer decisions were sound. As long as you keep askin' yourself the questions you'll be good. As it goes I knocked that poor sod out more because I felt 'e deserved it more than for any tactical reason. I was angry an' scared an' I'd just 'eld my girl dead in my arms. The bloke that caused it was stood right in front of me just after laughin' about what 'e 'ad done. It wasn't legally justifiable - but for me it was. Sometimes what's lawful and what's right aren't the same - that's why I've got me own rules. You just 'ave to 'old yourself to a standard".

"That standard seems pretty amorphous sometimes. Everything you said now could have been applied to what I did to the security officer that assisted in killing Mad Dog almost word for word. I'll keep trying to figure it out, though. I have to be my own person, not inherit someone else's sense of right and wrong."

Later:

Garvin disarms and gears down post action and freshens up. He logs a (non urgent) post mortem request with the surgeon/autodoc for the dead assassin and as an after thought a treatment cycle for the Captain of Knowledge who he visits in his cell.

"Don't try to talk. First reason - I broke your jaw. Second if I 'ear any more of your drivel I might just start punchin' you an' not be able to stop. Aster Treegarden's in surgery now because your actions caused her assassination so you've crossed the line with me, old son. If she pulls through she gets to decide your fate. If I were you I'd 'old out some positive energy for 'er because if it's left to me I will kill you an' it won't bother me a bit".

Garvin doesn't engage his battery Persuasion skills here - because this isn't a threat.

He's rightly terrified and cowers in the corner of the brig. From the smell of things, he might need some alone time in the fresher.

[Tiglath]

"That standard seems pretty amorphous sometimes. Everything you said now could have been applied to what I did to the security officer that assisted in killing Mad Dog almost word for word. I'll keep trying to figure it out, though. I have to be my own person, not inherit someone else's sense of right and wrong."

Garvin smiles "Too true but the point is I've got the experience to make the call an' live with it. You're a good man Roscoe an' you can be a much better man than me but if you're goin' to bend or break the rules you still need to learn 'em first. Then you can rely on yer instincts".

[terrymixon]

"That standard seems pretty amorphous sometimes. Everything you said now could have been applied to what I did to the security officer that assisted in killing Mad Dog almost word for word. I'll keep trying to figure it out, though. I have to be my own person, not inherit someone else's sense of right and wrong."

Garvin smiles "Too true but the point is I've got the experience to make the call an' live with it. You're a good man Roscoe an' you can be a much better man than me but if you're goin' to bend or break the rules you still need to learn 'em first. Then you can rely on yer instincts".

"I'll do my best."

[terrymixon]

This is the official call for actions before and during jump. I have them for Walt.

Arkar, Roscoe picked you up an INT kit so you can start working on INT this time. I'll roll those shortly and update the character sheets.

[Tiglath]

Garvin's going to be pacing and fretting until Aster's health is declared positive and stable. He'll then want to decide on what to do with Nirkha (hoping to "turn" him into being a positive asset), set down our collective and collaborative plan for securing our patron and de-brief the assassination.

He also needs to "sell" her on a Bilis upgrade.

Some if not all of these might need RPing out.

[Thumper]

In addition to the list of things you have that Walt is working on, Walt (with requested assistance from Roscoe and Metz and changing his Neural Jack wafers as required) will collate and CAD out a map of all 3 teleportal-linked worlds/facilities...as much as can be with data received in the short time before jump. He'll study and catalog what he can during time in jump.

You notice, with a captive psi onboard, that he is always armed while onboard...grav static sword and knife, psi dagger, stunner, and heavy handgun.

[terrymixon]

Metz: Working on STR (1/6), END (1/6), and Gun Combat (energy) 0 (1/2). Needs 4+ (no DM) for stats and 8+ (INT & EDU DMs) for the skill.



He made all three and has acquired Gun Combat (energy) 0. May his enemies tremble in fear.

Walt: Working on STR (1/6), Dex (1/6), and Telepathy 1 (1/2). Needs 4+ (no DM) for stats and 8+ (PSI & EDU DMs) for the skill.



He made all three and now has Telepathy 1. No need to congratulate him. He knows how you feel.

Jaelah: Working on STR (1/6), END (1/6), and Electronics (computer) 1 (1/2). Needs 4+ (no DM) for stats and 8+ (INT & EDU DMs) for the skill.



She made all three and now has electronics (computers) 1. Surfing the web has never been easier. She also gets related electronics skills at 0 for free!

Garvin: Working on Str (1/6), End (0/6), and Vacc Suit 0 (0/2). Needs 4+ (no DM) for stats and 8+ (INT & EDU DMs) for the skill.



Failed his STR attempt. Must've been distracted and didn't hit the weights.

William: Working on STR (1/6), Dex (1/6), and Vacc Suit 1 (1/2). Needs 4+ (no DM) for stats and 8+ (INT & EDU DMs) for the skill.



Successes all around. He has Vacc Suit 1. Hal might open the bay doors after all.

Arkar: Working on END (1/6), INT (0/6), and Deception 4 (0/4). Needs 4+ (no DM) for stats and 8+ (INT & EDU DMs) for the skill.



Successes all around.

Spicoli: Working on STR (1/6), END (0/6), and Athletics (dexterity) 0 (1/2). Needs 4+ (no DM) for stats and 8+ (INT & EDU DMs) for the skill.



Successes all around and he now has Athletics (dexterity) 0. Someone ask to see him juggle.

Roscoe: Working on STR (0/6), DEX (0/6), and Broker (0/2).



Successes all around.

For those of you who aquired a new skill, I'll tag up with you before the next jump to see what will be replacing it.

[terrymixon]

In addition to the list of things you have that Walt is working on, Walt (with requested assistance from Roscoe and Metz and changing his Neural Jack wafers as required) will collate and CAD out a map of all 3 teleportal-linked worlds/facilities...as much as can be with data received in the short time before jump. He'll study and catalog what he can during time in jump.

You notice, with a captive psi onboard, that he is always armed while onboard...grav static sword and knife, psi dagger, stunner, and heavy handgun.

Noted. Also, no one has determined the prisoner is a psion. Just in some kind of association thus far.

[terrymixon]

Garvin's going to be pacing and fretting until Aster's health is declared positive and stable. He'll then want to decide on what to do with Nirkha (hoping to "turn" him into being a positive asset), set down our collective and collaborative plan for securing our patron and de-brief the assassination.

He also needs to "sell" her on a Bilis upgrade.

Some if not all of these might need RPing out.

So noted. I'll write up something shortly.

[terrymixon]

Aster won't wake up for a while, but the surgery goes well, and the slow drug is administered to speed her healing. The DocBot declares her stable about the time you jump.

It will be a full day later when Roscoe tells you that she will wake up shortly. The DocBot is administering a shot as you come in. Aster has been moved to one of the beds and is in a gown under a sheet. She looks... alive.

The DocBot will trundle to its corner and go into standby mode, leaving you alone as her eyelids flutter and open. "Wha..."

[terrymixon]

In addition to the list of things you have that Walt is working on, Walt (with requested assistance from Roscoe and Metz and changing his Neural Jack wafers as required) will collate and CAD out a map of all 3 teleportal-linked worlds/facilities...as much as can be with data received in the short time before jump. He'll study and catalog what he can during time in jump.

The recon probes got a fair amount of data but could hardly scan an entire world in a few hours. The spaceport is extensive. The graveyard of ships is even more extensive. There are numerous megastructures in the area around the spaceport, but who knows what they are there for. A general map of the areas around the teleportals is within your grasp. In fact, the probes created that as a matter of course. You can study it but lack detailed information to really know what is there. That takes boots on the ground. Or spybots in the air. Something like that.

Doctor Metz's hypothesis that the teleportal wouldn't work in jump space is confirmed. It stays inactive when attempts are made to access it.

[Tiglath]

Aster won't wake up for a while, but the surgery goes well, and the slow drug is administered to speed her healing. The DocBot declares her stable about the time you jump.

It will be a full day later when Roscoe tells you that she will wake up shortly. The DocBot is administering a shot as you come in. Aster has been moved to one of the beds and is in a gown under a sheet. She looks... alive.

The DocBot will trundle to its corner and go into standby mode, leaving you alone as her eyelids flutter and open. "Wha..."

A relieved Garvin says " 'Ullo, Aster love. It's alright. It wasn't for a bit... but now it is. You died - temporarily. One of Nirkha's mates turned out to be rather more than a little bit psionic. Roscoe detected 'im. This was probably more or less just as the Marines from Avalanche turned up and 'is response was to Teleport right next to you, me an' Roscoe. Roscoe did for 'im but not before 'e stabbed you through the 'eart. You died in me arms but the kid got you aboard quick enough to give the medic 'bots a chance. They brought you back. We're in jump now - bound for Glisten with all the artefacts aboard. The Navy were wantin' to shut everythin' down to investigate after the attack so we legged it. They were a bit put out but let us go. Nirkha's contact was a navy comms officer on the take. The dead assassin's being examined post mortem and Nirkha's in our brig with a sore face. 'E'll be delighted to learn you're on the mend 'cos I promised I'd kill 'im if you didn't pull through. You can decide what to do with 'im when you feel up to it. Sorry it didn't turn out like you planned but we 'ad to improvise".

[Thumper]

The recon probes got a fair amount of data but could hardly scan an entire world in a few hours. The spaceport is extensive. The graveyard of ships is even more extensive. There are numerous megastructures in the area around the spaceport, but who knows what they are there for. A general map of the areas around the teleportals is within your grasp. In fact, the probes created that as a matter of course. You can study it but lack detailed information to really know what is there. That takes boots on the ground. Or spybots in the air. Something like that.

Are the drones still operating on the other sides? Will they have battery power to function when we exit jump? If so, Walt will be prepared to receive all that data upon exiting jump.

Correction: Walt figures there's a possibility the captive was possibly psionic. To verify, he will ask Bilis if she can sense psionics in him. If not, he'll ask Metz if he knows how to make those psi-finder binoculars he's heard about on Glisten (CSC pg 760)

[Tiglath]

The recon probes got a fair amount of data but could hardly scan an entire world in a few hours. The spaceport is extensive. The graveyard of ships is even more extensive. There are numerous megastructures in the area around the spaceport, but who knows what they are there for. A general map of the areas around the teleportals is within your grasp. In fact, the probes created that as a matter of course. You can study it but lack detailed information to really know what is there. That takes boots on the ground. Or spybots in the air. Something like that.

Are the drones still operating on the other sides? Will they have battery power to function when we exit jump? If so, Walt will be prepared to receive all that data upon exiting jump.

Correction: Walt figures there's a possibility the captive was possibly psionic. To verify, he will ask Bilis if she can sense psionics in him. If not, he'll ask Metz if he knows how to make those psi-finder binoculars he's heard about on Glisten (CSC pg 760)

Garvin will reveal in the de-brief that he was able to Read Surface Thoughts from the Captain of Knowledge/Nirkha's mind (thereby exposing the navy comms officer on the take). So, since the information gained compromised Nirkha and his scheme, it's unlikely he's Psionic (barring a highly sophisticated bluff we don't yet fully comprehend).

However, someone alluded that there might be a second (presumed psionic) agent at large but we had no time to confirm or validate that information before making good our "escape/departure".

(OOC: Apologies for any confusion caused by my not mentioning this IC sooner).

[terrymixon]

The recon probes got a fair amount of data but could hardly scan an entire world in a few hours. The spaceport is extensive. The graveyard of ships is even more extensive. There are numerous megastructures in the area around the spaceport, but who knows what they are there for. A general map of the areas around the teleportals is within your grasp. In fact, the probes created that as a matter of course. You can study it but lack detailed information to really know what is there. That takes boots on the ground. Or spybots in the air. Something like that.

Are the drones still operating on the other sides? Will they have battery power to function when we exit jump? If so, Walt will be prepared to receive all that data upon exiting jump.

They only have 192 hours of endurance, so they will be on their last legs but still running. They will be returning to the teleportal but able to transmit the data you want.

Correction: Walt figures there's a possibility the captive was possibly psionic. To verify, he will ask Bilis if she can sense psionics in him. If not, he'll ask Metz if he knows how to make those psi-finder binoculars he's heard about on Glisten (CSC pg 760)

Bilis cannot make that determination. Metz would need to see a psi-finder binoculars to get the details on how they work. You're on your own.

[terrymixon]

Correction: Walt figures there's a possibility the captive was possibly psionic. To verify, he will ask Bilis if she can sense psionics in him. If not, he'll ask Metz if he knows how to make those psi-finder binoculars he's heard about on Glisten (CSC pg 760)

Garvin will reveal in the de-brief that he was able to Read Surface Thoughts from the Captain of Knowledge/Nirkha's mind (thereby exposing the navy comms officer on the take). So, since the information gained compromised Nirkha and his scheme, it's unlikely he's Psionic (barring a highly sophisticated bluff we don't yet fully comprehend).

However, someone alluded that there might be a second (presumed psionic) agent at large but we had no time to confirm or validate that information before making good our "escape/departure".

You have this information.