Voyage 3: Sketchy Notes vers. (pt. 2)
We will start right away statting out these AI-drive interceptors.
Black Market AI Interceptor
Dricen by illegal combat AI, the Interceptor violates the Tau treaty against weapons being controlled by non-sapients. They are designed to operate in swarms more cheaply than starfighters.
HP 40 ▪️ AC 14 ▪️ SPD 7 ▪️ SIZE 1 ▪️ MAN 0
Armament: Dual Plama Bolters (range: 800, Damage 4d6)
Cargo: none
I have no idea how many of these are left. I would imagein in a battle against a capital ship they would fly in swarms of 24 or so. But that would be a guaranteed TPK. Plus, this was a last didtch attack from an exploding ship. I think 2d3 should be challenging.
x3
There are three retrievable interceptors active. Of the other 24, lets roll 3d6 to see how many can be partially salvaged: 9, floating in the hazardous wreck of the Angel's Venture (thanks, Donjon!)
Of course, we also have the joy of flying in an asteroid belt, so let's rule that any shootouts in a debris field or Asteroid Belt gives us the opportunity to hide in the debris for a +2 AC or a +4 after the second consecutive round of hiding, but it requires a DC 10 Pilot Starship check, or the ship takes 5d6 damage. Max speed in an asteroid belt is 4.
And, as I forgot to note it earlier: Chaos Factor 🔻4
Scene 3
Chaos Roll... 8.
The Thuvia bursts out of hyperspace into the space just beond Hathor II and begins N-Space acceleration towards the Asteroid belt, hugging the planet in hopes of evading detection., and trying to use the noise of the planet to scan for the interceptors.
Austin's Stealth Roll... 8, Molly's Perception Roll... 13
Mo: "No sign of the Interceptors on passive. I guess I wasn't really expecting it. But I have enough decaying enerfy signatues that I am pretty sure I have the location of the Angel's Venture. Relaying coordinates."
Au: "Got it. I will try to go in quietly. Any objections to going through the Asteroid belt?"
Mo: "Have at it, flyboy, just don't scratch the paint. I'm trying to sell this bird."
Au: "Fresh paint, aye."
Austin rolls 20 on his piloting. The Thuvia twists and turns elegantly through the asteroid field towards the debris field of the Angel's Venture... giving it a chance to surprise the interceptors. As Molly is watching the scanners for them coming, I will rule the party cannot be surprised.
They get surprisingly close to the Angel's Venture before the first Interceptor's thristers flar to life and it begins weaving its way toward the Thuvia. (on a 6 it wasn't surprised.)
Mo: "Company!"
Oracle:
- Are the Interceptors spread out after the battle? 97... extreme no!
As the vessel starts to approach it suddenly seems to split, the interceptors were interlocked for shared power and maintenance. There is no way they are going to be staggered in their arrival.
Rolling Initiative...
The Interceptors win initiative, cruising towards the Thuvia, they begin accelerating as a team, getting speed up to 3 (the Thuvia is moving at 3 as well. Starting distance for the encounter is 1,100 units) As they are dividing the work, another interceptor collects the necessary targeting data (computer 11) and shares it. The thrid initiates the disconnect sequence.
Austin slows and prepares to take evsive maneuvers in the debris field, turning over to keep out of range for a round.
Molly locks targeting on one of the Interceptors.
Round 2
Distance 1,000
The Interceptors accelerate to Speed 4 each. They begin appraoching through the belt, taking cover of their own: Piloting rolls: 11, 5, and 17. The middle one hits a rock: 23 damage
Molly takes her shot at the closing Interceptor: 15 is not quite enough to hit one in the asteroid field... she blasts a rock into a cloud of molten silicate and metal.
Austin continues to use evasive manouvers and hide in the belt. A 17 keeps the paint job intact.
Round 3
Distance 800
Molly adjusts her aim, gripping the holographic controls and grits her teeth... she gets a 24 on the attack roll... 50 damage: the pulse cannon rips apart the defensive shileding. (20 on the critical hit table... damage is upgraded to 100), and the blast tears through the couplings of the hull, catching fuel lines and reactor, causing it to detonate.)
Austin keeps dodging asteroids and prepares evasive maneuvers: a 10 barely evades an asteroid.
The Interceptors maneuver deeper in. The damaged one rolls a natural 1 and collides with aother asteroid for 24 damage taking a critical hit: it loses shields and takes hull damage (AC-1)
The second one continues to deftly avoid obstacles (22 on piloting roll) and fires on the Thuvia: 15 misses.
Round 4
Distance 600
The damaged interceptor, careening from rock to rock rolls piloting and gets another 1, taking another 18 damage, losing a maneuvering jet (-2 to future rolls), it takes a shot at the Thuvia and misses with a 16.
The second interceptor evades astoeroids with an 11 piloting roll. It fires on the Thuvia and misses with a 14.
Molly takes advantage of the damaged interceptor spinning out and losing cover to target it. Computer 13.
Austin keeps covering behind asteroids with a 20 piloting check and preparing evasive maneuvers.
Round 5
Distance 400
The Damaged Interceptor finally recovers from its deadly pinball game and begins following (10 piloting), It fires on the Thuvia, and misses with a 10.
The Undamaged Interceptor crashes into debris from the last asteroid Molly hit (piloting roll 5... taking 19 damage). It fires on the Thuvia getting a 17... narrowly missing.
Molly targets the damaged Interceptor's maneuvering systems: getting a 20, dealing 70 damage... she ounches a hle where its main ion drive once was, the power surge fires off breakers throughout the ship, shutting it down.
Austin keeps weaving through asteroids (17) and readying evasive meaneuvers.
Round 6
Distance 200
Molly targets the last interceptor (nat 20 on targeting check)
Austin pulls up aiming to be out of the belt in a round, he gets 23 on his check to avoid asteroids.
The Interceptor narrowly evades debris as it angles after them (10 on piloting). It fires on the Thuvia and rolls a 19... Austin rolls to evade... 23. Plasma bolts sail over the Thuvia, and detonate several small asteroids, showering the Thuvia with debris.
Mo: "Oi! Paint job."
Au: "Just shields, I assure you."
Round 7
End of Combat
Molly hp 7/7 11/11 CON | Austin hp 1/1 7/7 CON | Thuvia hp 200/200 |
Mo: "Not a scratch. Not bad, Squire. Now let's go catch that hunk of space trash."
Au: "She's a good ship, Captain. Are you sure you want to sell her?"
Mo: "I want to be out there in space, seeing new things. The Thuvia is too much for a wanderer. Ive been hunting for a big score and the right freight since I got her. Now, I want something that gives me a little more freedom."
Au: "Lone wanderer, type, eh?"
Mo: "Maybe. Until I find the right crew. Recently, though... well, I haven't had a chance to get to know the people I've flown with. Too much danger, not enough time."
Au: "I'm sorry to hear that."
Rolling Morale for Austin: 2! Austin hopes he might be the right crew.
Chaos Factor 🔻3
Scene 4
Chaos Roll...4
Even with the asteroids, the Thuvia easily cleans up the two Interceptors they disable, and collect at least parts of the third.
The wreckage of the Angel's Venture is a hanful of large, recognizable chunks, and a lot of debris floating at the edge of the Asteroid belt. A few flickering lights suggest a still-burning oxygen plant and dying auxiliary power systems. Frozen corpses are ocassionally visible in the wreckage.
Oracle:
- Is there anyone still alive in this mess? No
- Is there other valuable cargo that can be scanned and salvaged? 55 yes... and another unexpected event: PC Negative for Austin: Attach Possessions.
Molly pushes the last interceptor she could find into the cargo bay. 11 and some bits. That should make Mr. Jenkins very happy indeed. As the AG brings it crashing to the floor, she steps over it and grabs hold of the controls for the mechanical arms that will help her lift and strap it in. Austin's voice crackles over the comm.
Au: "Captain, I've just picked up a massive cluster of cargo pods nearby. After I decrypted Gory Jenkin's transceivers, I am seeing Uranium, Cobalt, Chromium, and Platinum. Have we got room?"
Mo: "15 tons or so's worth, I reckon."
Au: "I'll bring us in."
Molly finishes strapping down the last interceptor as the ship slowly pulls up to a shattered hull with a stram of cargo containsers slowly tumbling from it.
Mo: "You can take the belter away from the Belt..."
She jups on the cargo pod... a morotcycle-like rig meant for loading and unleading ships and starts scanning boxes for the best parts. As she loads the last one an hour later, she comms Austin.
Mo: "There. A nice little bonus for Mr. Jenkins."
Au: "Are you sure that's what you want do do with it?"
Mo: "How do you figure?"
Au: "Mr. Jenkins asked you to salvage interceptors, not Platinum. We have hundreds of thousands of credits worth of cargo here."
Mo: "True, and hopefully he will reckon on a bonus for us."
Au: "Listen...Molly, you don't owe that man anything, and I have paid him more than enough. With this cargo, you could just buy yourself an explorer. I know a port close enough we won't seem to be taking too long where we can unload the goods. We can split the cred, then deliver the interceptors. We're clear and we're rich, and we can run off on an adventure well stocked."
Mo: "That sounds plus craic, Austin, it really does. I'd be honored to have a pilot of your calibre on my crew... but I also can't risk making an enemy of Mr. Jenkins. And I can't have a man on my crew who would take that kind of risk.
Au: "I..."
Mo: "Look, we'll have a word with Mr. Jenkins about getting abonus, and we'll split it."
Au: "...Yes, Captain"
On the bridge, Austin curses himself. He put himself out there in a way that reflected badly on him. Crushed, he set in a course back for Agil. And said nothing on the voyage back.
Chaos Factor 🔻3
Scene 5
Chaos Roll... 2 Interrupt! Qath Research Combine: Violate Suffering
As the Thuvia approached Ruuthal, a comm chimed, interrupting the sullen mentations of Austin and Molly. Molly conjured the image on a holographic screen in front of her, but instead of Mr. Jenkins as she expected, a strange Ubul's face appears.
Ub: "I am seeking Molly Hyaline"
Mo: "You found her. You are?"
Ub: "A humble acolyte of the Chrysalis. I have news of Braki Skiee."
Mo: Sits up suddenly alert. "What of him."
Ub: "He was preaching in the cloister when strangers attacked. Mercenaries. They shattered the dome, and wounded many. Disabled our shuttles. They took Braki Skiee and dragged him to a waiting ship. I have scans to send you."
Mo: "Send them." Videos of a brutal attack, then scans of ship telemetry flicker across her screen. She bites her lip for a moment, and then nods. "Braki is a friend... of sorts. I will see what I can do. Thank you."
Ub: "Brother Skiee spoke well of your courage and heroism in his sermons. It is rare to hear a crusade speak of aliens. I hoped you would help him. he is my kin."
Mo: "Can I reach you on this comm channel?"
Ub: "Yes."
Mo: "Then I will call you as soon as I have gathered up some firepower."
Austin tries to speak... but isn't sure what to say.
Chaos Factor 🔺️4
Scene 6
Chaos Roll... 10
Molly climbs into the cockpit of the Intrepid, trying hard to memorize the interface as she goes. The negotiation was brief and simple:
Mo: "I'm afraid, Mr. jenkins, I have just learned that a friend of mine is in danger, and I am going to have to make our negotiations brief." She had showed him the hangar full of Interceptors and valuable materials. "I chose to bring back some of your lost cargo, hoping you might see fit to give us a bonus. But now, I am going to have to ask that we just arrange title on the Intrepid for me, and the Thuvia is yours. If you see fit to offer recompense for the rest of the cargo, and bonuses for the functional craft I have brought back, I ask you give it to Austin, and I will let him arrange what he thinks is fair with me."
Je: "With this, you could have bought your own ship without me. I am impressed with your integrity, Captain. The Intrepid is yours. We shall have to ahve that other conversation whe you have dealt with your pressing affairs."
Mo: "I look forward to it." She then nodded to Austin as Jenkins led her to the Intrepid and began the necessary computing to free command to Molly
Within moments, Molly was in the air, and Austin was left to negotiate with Mr. jenkins on his own.
Scanning a system at a distance takes time. No matter how large the vessel, it is easy to hide. The telemetry data from the ship that took Braki was a start, but the longer they held him the harder it might be to find him. Still, she lit up the system with active sensors, just in case.
System traffic control (Computers 11) told her that there was a Frigate, Triakiee Zephyr along its trajectory, and there have been no hyperjumps detected recently.
After a moment of searching for the comms interface , Molly connected to the Ubul Acolyte.
Ub: "Greetings, Molly Hyaline. Have you learned anything?"
Mo: "I believe Braki Skiee has been taken aboard the Triakiee Zephyr, a registered trade frigate. I'm sending you coordinates. I am in the explorer Intrepid, and en route to see if I can rescue Braki. It might be a trap, but all I have is loyalty. "
Oracle:
- Can Molly expect help from the Ubul? 67 No.
- Will Austin provide Help? 50 Yes.
- Will Mr. Jenkins offer help at a cost? No.
- Is the Triakiee Zephyr heavily armed? 92 No. I will place weapons sensible for a civilian ship.
- Is the Triakee Zephyr QRC operated, rather than just hired? Yes.
- Is it a mobile base? 11. Yes. an event: Move Toward a Thread: Propose Military
CSC Triakiee Zephyr
HP 480 ▪️ AC 16 ▪️ SPD 6 ▪️ SIZE 6 ▪️ MAN -1
Armament: Forward Particle Beam Cannon (range: 2400, Damage 2d10 x10), top and bottom mounted phased particle arrays (range: 800, damage: 6d12), 2 light laser cannons (range: 1600, damage 3d4 x10)
Cargo: 2,464 tons and 8 smaller ships
Oracle
- Does Molly's invisibility to telepathy give her a tactical advantage here? Yes
As Molly steers the intrepid at near-light toward a likely interrupt point, a call comes in on the Intrepid's comms. The woman on the other side of the holographic interface is shorn-headed. Her eyes rolled back in her head, which hands at an odd angle. The voice that pours out of her mouth is guttural, reverberant, and oily.
Vo: "You are most elusive, Molly Hyaline."
Mo: "Taibsiúil. Who are you and what do you want?"
Vo: "I think you would remember me, after you swam in the deep waters."
Mo: "Bollox. Look, I'm a bit busy to be dealing with nightmare psychic consciousnesses right now. What do you want... And if you say 'You' I'll scream and cut this call before the sininster laughter starts."
Vo: "Fulfilment."
Mo: "Do I look like a guidance counselor?"
Vo: "I need help manifesting so that I can explore the Universe."
Mo: "Go hang!"
Vo: "You are about to dive headlong into danger, Molly. I can help."
Mo: "No thanks, I don't want to deal with more telekinetic demons."
Vo: "Would starfighters be more acceptable?"
Mo: "And where did you get starfighters?"
Vo: "There are many who dive deep and drink of our waters, Many who are willing to help and serve."
Mo: "And I return, dare I ask?"
Vo: "There is a device that makes those who are sensitive, suffer. Your particular - injuries - would let you get past its defenses and shut it down. To acquire its technology, and return it to my followers."
Mo: "And if I don't help?"
Vo: "Then you go to a hopeless battle."
Molly bites her lip. She knows too much to want to let this psyche find its way into the world. And she is not keen on battles with demons... but she also knows that she is in great risk if she tangles wih a frigate. It might give her the best chances at rescuing Braki.
Mo: "...No. I will not be taking any bargains with demons today, thank you. Please do not be calling me again."
Vo: "You will die a fool, Molly Hyaline."
Molly closes the call and blocks the number.
Mo: "Probably."
Chaos Factor 🔻4
Scene 7
Chaos Roll... 3 Altered Scene: PC Negative: Overthrow the Public
Molly decellerates to engagement speeds as the Triakiee Zephyr comes into range. And opens comms. She circles hard to flank the vessel, trying to keep out of the arc of the forward particle cannons as she scans the ship's weapon systems.
Mo: "This is the Intrepid to the Triakiee Zephyr. I reason to believe that you have an Ubul by the name of Braki Skiee on board your vessel after he was illegally abducted. I demand you turn him over to my custody."
A Hune appears on the screen. The same QRC representative that briefed her before she met the crew of the Dejah Thoris.
Mo: "Mister V'Emhan. May I presume that you are liaising with me on behalf of Quath?"
Reaction roll 8: V'Ehman is currently sussing Molly out. He is not sure how to approach her. He has, however, bribed local officials. At his say-so, Molly will become a known pirate in any system in Amity with the Agil system, and her bounty would become much more widely known.
Ve: "Indeed. Miz Hyaline, you keep coming back from the dead... And devastating planets. We were surprised to learn that your bounty was paid without proof of your capture."
Mo: "Or death."
Ve: "As you say."
Mo: "For a research organization, the Qath Combine seems to involve themselves in a lot of frightful behavior, Mr. V'Emhan. You can see, after my team was sent to their deaths without warning, and a price was placed on my head, why I might be leery of reporting my status and whereabouts."
Ve: "Your dossier has done a poor job of predicting our current situation."
Mo: "Which means it must be tricky to figure out what I know and what I might do about it."
In secret the Triakiee Zephyr's crew try to target her psionicaly, and cannot get a lock.
Ve: "We are in a difficult position."
Mo: "It is quite simple, if you ask me. I am willing to give you all the notes from C'Alhoon, my records and scans from the Thuvia, where, if you are willing to bargain with Gory Jenkind, you might be able to find trace samples of the drug I found d on Uuthan. "
Ve: "And in return. You leave me the Hell alone. Nothing I know goes public so long as I live a natural span, and you give me Braki Skiee no more harmed than he currently is. And i want to see him right now."
Reaction Roll 8... V'Emhan is open to hearing more. He is feeling cautious.
Oracle:
- Is Braki Skiee still alive after being probed by the QRC? Yes.
- Does V'Emhan believe Molly has set up an assurance already? Yes.
Reaction Roll... 7 V'Emhan is suspicious, and knows things have a chance to go South if this goes wrong.
Suddenly, the Aurora drops to engagement speed, shimmeringfrom within its warp field.
Austin sends an open transmission.
Au: Sorry I'm late, Molly. Rounding up a fighter squad is slow work. They're about ten minutes behind me.
Oracle:
- Is V'Emhan believe the ruse? 77 No... but an event is indicated: Move Away from a thread... Procrastinate the Public
V'Emhan suddly cuts audio, cocking his head in the way that Hune do when they forget to turn it for the convenience of other species.
Molly could not hear as V'Emhan is told that the corrupt official QRC had bribed had just been arrested and all his files frozem.
Morale roll: 4... Lack of the ability to make Molly a pariah doesn't mean that he can't simply vaporize her and take his chances.
Austin has arrived to try and redeem himself in Molly's eyes. The salvage and the number of interceptors retrieved was worth it to Mr. Jenkins to take in trade fot the Aurora and no hard feelings. He wants to see Molly come back safe to explain the ancient Hune AI comment, but he doesn't want to get directly involved.
NPC Reaction roll... 7... they just can't get a good footing with V'Emhan, and he is a very conservative negotiator.
Ve: "What assurances do I have that you will stay away from us and our business, Mz. Hyaline?"
Mo: "Superior firepower. Millions of credits in budget. Underworld contacts. No matter how many times I fake my death you find me in a week or two. I know what I lkie in my enemies, Mr. V'Emhan, and you're not it. But I also only have loyalty out here. And my gaussian flak cannons might damn well give you a few bleeders before I'm done."
Reation Roll... 6. Mr V'Emhan is not impressed, and she is right about the firepower.
Oracle:
This can't go on much longer. I cannot think of how to resolve this, so I am putting it to mythic for a roll. I will give a normally 50/50 chance, modified by Chaos factor. Will Mr. V'Emhan simply open fire? 74 Yes.
Nobody is going to be surprised by this So it goes for initiative.
Rolling Initiative
Molly (Speed 5, Distance 1000) quickly links to Austin's comms, turinging on the incredible sensor systems of the Intrepid. She then grabs a target lock (Computer 23) sparing Austin from needing to aim.
Austin (Speed 7 Distance 1400) dives in at the forward section of the Triakiee Zephyr, targeting the forward cannons using the complex data. (attack 11) particles rain down on the shields of the Triakiee Zephyr,
The Triakiee Zephyr (speed 4) tires again to get a psionic targeting solution on Molly, but her mind is too faded to target.
Round 2
The Triakiee Zephyr targets the Aurora instead (10 on Psionic Focus test)
Molly (Speed 5, distance 900) changes direction and targets the forward guns (25... 70 damage) The gunner takes 14 damage, and is knocked unconscious. It will take 1d4+3 rounds to get a new gunner on the turret.
Austin (Speed 6, distaces 1300) pulls back to pull into formation with Molly and prepares to take shielding actions.
Au: "Keep firing, Molly. I will see how good the defense systems really are on this bird."
Round 3
5 rounds 'til new forward gunner is in place.
Molly (Speed 4, Distance 900) fires her flak cannon (21... 90 damage)
Austin decelerates and moves to screen Molly (Speed 5, Distance 850)
The Triakee Zephyr accelerates (Speed 5) so it can bring the laser cannon to bear.
Mo: "Need a spankin' do yeh?"
Round 4
4 rounds 'til new gunner is in palce
Molly (Speed 5, Distance 900) targets the laser turret (26... 180!!) The turret is not disbled, but the pilot is critically wounded.
Austin (Speed 5, Distance 900) prepares evasive maneuvers.
Morale check... 7 the Triakiee Zephyr is impressed by Molly's luck, but they also know that one good hit and they wll blow her out of the sky.
The Triakee Zephyr (Speed 6) attempts a maneuver to close to distance to allow the Phased Particle arrays into position. The particles rain onto the Aurora (17! Austin rolls 24 on his evasive maneuvers)
Round 5
3 rounds 'til a new foregunner is in place.
5 rounds 'til a new tailgunner is in place
Simultaneous action,
Austin (Speed 6, Distance 900) continues evasive action.
The Triakiee Zephyr (Speed 6, Distance 900) fires on the Aurora (21, 26 on evasion)
Molly (Speed 6, Distance 900) hammers on with the (Flak 17... 90 damage. The TZ has 60hp left.)
Round 6
Simultaneous Action
2 rounds 'til a new foregunner is in place
4 rounds 'til a new tailgunner is in place
The Triakiee Zephyr's helmsman, realizing shields are failing, decides to attempt evasive action.
Austin (Speed 7, Distance 1000) continues evasive action.
Molly (Speed 7, Distance 1000) fires again 15a miss.
Morale 6.
Round 7
1 round until a new foregunner is in place
3 rounds 'til a new tailgunner is in place
Molly (Speed 6, Distance 1000) fires again 25... the TZ's helmsman rolls 15 to evade. 70 damage! Molly breaks down the Triakiee Zephyr's fuel transmission.
Austin (Speed 6, Distance 1000) continues to evade,
Morale roll...2 V'Emhan is furious, and won't surrender.
Round 8
2 rounds 'til a new tailgunner is in place
The TZ's engineer rolls to jury rig the transmission (13)... he fails. This is a 25 hour repair.
A Foregunner cannot bring the guns to bear.
Molly (Speed 6, Distance 1000) keeps firing 21... 90 damage (the TZ is at -100) Molly blasts the belly turret and kills it's gunner.
Austin (Speed 6, Distance 1000) screens and evades.
Molly and Austin can keep looping the belly, tail and foreguns cannot fight. Fighters can be scrambled by round 10. There are 4 on board... but can the TZ last?
A surrender is logical at this point.
End of Combat
Mollyhp 7/7 11/11 CON | Austinhp 1/1 7/7 CON | Intrepid hp 140/140 |
Aurora hp 140/140 |
Mo: "Listen, you bastards, don't make me kill you. It would make my life infinitely easier. Full surrender. Now."
Ve: "Alright. We Surrender!"
Chaos Factor 🔺️5