Voyage 3: Sketchy Notes vers. (pt. 1)
Ur'Agil Station
A trade hub supporting mostly Ubul colonies hidden in a nearby sector. It is high security, especially when dealing with strange Ubul. Molly has taken some time here to drown her sorrows and repair the Thuvia. She has been looking at smaller ships, but even with the Thuvia's substantial trade-in value, she would be hard pressed to get a ship that she would like.
U'Agil is running out of Whuskey and close alien approximates, and she is worried about staying in one place too long. So, I will start by rolling up jobs and potential crew.
Jobs on Ur'Agil
- An Ak'htari named Kh'Vadu needs someone to transport 500 tons of precious minerals to a distant star system. Further, the job must be completed unusually quickly.
- A shady military officer named Raymy Hingte needs someone to explore the A'Markyo System.
- An Elicant named D'Phooni needs someone to salvage a derelict type in the Sulou Maelstrom.
- A Yoc named Fera needs someone to help him escape from a corrupt merchant captain.
- A crystalline alien named Vargi needs someone to escort a group of robot cargo spaceships to a nearby space station.
- An alien academic scholar named Metra needs someone to escort a group of robot cargo spaceships to a local world. Further, the job must be completed without official entanglements.
- A crime lord named Gory Jenkins needs someone to hunt down and destroy a rogue combat robot.
- A Nuhenni named Mauti Ranaii needs someone to salvage a derelict type in the K'Balma Cluster. Further, the job must be completed without official entanglements.
- A Nuhenni named Alan C'Fotti needs someone to explore the V'Andil Sector. In addition, the crew encounters an old enemy on the same job.
- An alien government official named Aubin needs someone to hunt down and destroy a rogue exploration robot. However, the client can't pay them cash, and must owe a favor.
Hireable Crew on Ur'Agil
Scene 1:
Oracle:
- Does Fera from job 4 offer her an opportunity to crew the Thuvia? No
- Do any of the other jobs become pressing? Yes.
- Which one? 7
Molly sighs as another negotiation falls through. That V'Rani is continuing to badmouth her on the station. It had been a simple misunderstanding, a language blip. But she was starting to feel like she would never be able to move the Thuvia, The market assessment of 506,000 cr for the ship was starting to feel like an albatross around her neck.
St: "You seem to be having a hell of a lot of trouble selling that ship, Captain."
Molly turns to see a human, a no-necked man wearing armor even in a peaceful docking bay, and with enough scars and visible cybernetics to suggest he has seen troubles. his smile is not entirely pleasant. She's only seen a few other humans on Ur'Agil, and they have not talked to her until now. They seemed shady.
Mo: "What's it to ya?"
St: "I work for a man who would like to offer you a trade. We're willing to pay fifteen hundred for you to just sit down and listen."
Alarm bells are going off in Molly's head, but she just can't seem to find a crew, or a ship she can afford that would be better suited to her needs.
Mo: "And why not come talk to me himself?"
St: "Mr. Jenkins is not currently on station. I am his go-to guy. He would like to meet you in his private habitat. I can give you the coordinates, or ferry you there myself in my hopper if you prefer."
Mo: "If this Mr. Jenkins wants to trade, I am sure he will want to see the ship. tell me where to go, and I can manage to get there."
The stranger transmits coordinates to a habitat on a nearby moon.
Mo: "See you there."
Chaos Factor ▪️ 5
Scene 2
Chaos Roll... 1 Altered Scene: Move Away from a Thread (Make a Big Score): Praise Outside
The moon Ruuthal orbits a great blue gas giant whose rings shimmer in the light of the binary system Agil. The surface of the moon is covered in shimmering blue crystal growths that are ccovered in climbing, luminous alien vines.) It's atmosphere is too thin for humans, and its gravity too weak, but life finds away here.
As Molly steps out of the Thuvia a kilometer from the Habitat, she is struck by the sheer alien beauty of the vista. She is surprised by the wetness of her cheeks, as this is the first time in weeks that she has allowed herself to cry.
Some spirit rises in her. She has seen miracles, and she wants to see more. Not alone among the Stars, but among them. Not something she can do if she is chasing the almighty credit running a hauler.
She takes in a ragged breath and steels herself. Hopefully this Mr. Jenkins has a trade worth making.
She crests a rise and sees her host's complex. Several domes of class overlooking a river covered in alien lilies. The crowths here are tall and covered in even stranger creeping life.
Molly approaches slowly, taking in the view, trying to steel her surging emotions.
As she approaches the colony a light flares up, and the stranger, in an encounter suit waves a light to draw her attention to an entrance.
The dome's interior is a craden of terrestrial life: Earth cherry trees, a koi pond, fiddlehead ferns, cypress, jasmine. A riot of pinks, greens, and whites - the sound of running water - intense perfumes.
St: "Right this way."
She is led through the garden and through a transparent tunnel to a hangar filled with small, shining starships. The landing pad uses simulated wood, and trees line the outer ridges of the dome.
A man in an elegant white suit sits at a table in the middle, pouring two whiskeys into crystal tumblers. He was handsome once, but his face is a mass of scars under a perfectly coiffed black mane, just turning to grey. One eye is cybernetic, and shimmers a crystalline blues.
Mo: "Mr. Jenkins, I presume."
Je: "Indeed. And you must be the famous Captain Hyaline who has caused a stir on Ur'Agil by insulting half a trassi nomad crew and drinking the space station dry of whiskey. I thought you might like a taste of the real deal."
Mo: "Not the best first impression I have ever made, but you are making a fine one." Molly takes the indicated seat and tastes the Whiskey offered, then gazes around appreciatively at the ships.
Je: "I try."
Mo: "Your home is lovely Mr. Jenkins. And you have chosen a very special location for it. You appreciate beautiful things."
Je: "I see you are admiring my collection. I'm afraid I am a sucker for a pretty starcraft. I have more than I need of pretty craft. And in my line of work, sometimes I find myself needing something more practical."
Mo: "Like the Thuvia."
Je: "Precisely."
Mo: "Dare I ask what your line of work is, Mr. Jenkins?"
Je: "Smuggling. Arms, mostly. Technology. Never drugs or captives. I appreciate you wanting to know who you are dealing with. I assure you, I am not interested in hiring you to run contraband. Will this be a problem?"
Mo: "Not a problem."
Je: "Good. I understand you need to sell the Thuvia, and while she is slow, I recently have recently lost several haulers, and find myself needing to replenish my fleet. Meanwhile you need to sell her in favor of something light and fast."
Mo: "I am liking what I am hearing so far."
Je: "Normally, I would offer to trade you one for one, as you would not get much more than 250,000 to sell the Thuvia used. But these ships are exceptional craft, each one with extraordinary capabilites."
Mo: "I take it this is where the hiring me part comes in."
Je: "Very astute. I have recently lost some very valuable and sizable property. I need someone with experience, courage, and a large ship to help me collect it and bring it here."
Mo: "And if I do this, I get which ship?"
Je: "You can take your pick. I invite you to take your time and appreciate my collection of yachts, explorer craft, shuttles, and gunships. All of them exceptional. Let me know which one you like. My man, Cutler here, will inform me when you are ready to continue negotiations."
An ornate post in front of each ship rises form the floor and projects schematic and systems data.
For this part I am going to design seven size 2 ships, with some randomization, and then choose the one that best suits Molly.
Midnight (gunship)An experimental combat starcraft with complex cybernetics and and neural interface that makes it incredibly responsive to the pilot, feeding them information as intuitive senses rather than readouts. It works, but is incredibly taxing on the pilot. This technology was intended to prove on gunships then be miniaturized for starfighter use. Midnight was considered a failute as its use in combat was too stressful the pilot, and the prtotypes were ordered mothballed. A contact of gory Jenkins in the manufacturer filtered several to Gory Jenkins for resale on the Grey market.  Crew: 1 required (Maximum 2) HP 150 ▪️ AC 13 ▪️ SPD 7 ▪️ SIZE 2 ▪️ MAN +2 Armament: laser cannon (range: 1200, Damage 1d8x10) Cargo: up to 24 tons or 1 small craft Special: Smart skin: allows pilot to react to the ship as if it were part of their own body, +1 perception Value: 310,000cr | Rage (gunship)A "lost" ship from the new ADF Berserker gunship line, this ship is meant for interdiction and pirate hunting, Breaching drones, and a Maser make it possible to stop a ship dead and selectively target the personnel of the ship to disable it without harming materiel. Active camo and cloaking tech allow this gunship to appear out of debrs fields, larger fleets, or planetary rings. It "Fell off a freighter" for Gory Jenkins as a sample for possible future merchandise.  Crew: 1 required (Maximum 2) HP 150 ▪️ AC 13 ▪️ SPD 6 ▪️ SIZE 2 ▪️ MAN +0 Armament: Maser (range: 1200, Damage 1d3x10; crew must save or take 2d6) Cargo: up to 24 tons Special: Active camo, Grapple Drones Value: 305,000cr |
Viking (explorer)A long-range scout designed for exploring uncharted systems, the Viking features SOTA Phase Particle Array tech that automatically fires on incoming missiles and debris. It has a hyperdrive that would not seem out of place on a Frigate four times its size. An unusual design, it was purchased by Gory Jenkins from the designer at a very dear sum.  HP 140 ▪️ AC 15 ▪️ SPD 7 ▪️ SIZE 2 ▪️ MAN +0 Armament: Phased Particle Array (range: 800, Damage 6d12) Cargo: up to 24 tons or 1 small craft Special: Salvage drones, Jump Booster: this vessel takes only 5 rounds to jump to hyperspace, and has a 4-system jump capacity, Advanced navigation computer adds +2 to navigation rolls. Value: 316,000cr | Intrepid (explorer)Heavily armed and equipped with some of the best electronics available, the Intrepid uses equipment previously designed for use in combat by stealthed forward observer ships, and CnC frigates. The Intrepid is in the testing phase in the laboratory, but early release models have been issued to a few wealthy parties on an "Early Access" basis.  Crew: 1 required (Maximum 3) HP 140 ▪️ AC 13 ▪️ SPD 6 ▪️ SIZE 2 ▪️ MAN +1Armament: Gaussian Flak Cannon (range: 1000, Damage 3d6 x10) Cargo: up to 48 tons or 1 small craft ad 24 tons Special: Autopilot can self-fly and take evasive maneuvers at +2, Logistic network allows the Intrepid to share targeting and sensor data to client ships, Exceptional sensors add +3 to perception and computer tests. Value: 348,000cr |
Aurora (explorer)The Aurora is an experiment in defensive technolofy. It is sa Phased Particle Array, which automatically shoots down incoming missiles and debris. It's gravitic system is both an efficient drive and can create a field of warped space that diverts incoming attacks, making it a very hard to damage vessel, It is intended for exploring hazardous systems. It was stolen and resold on the black market several times before it ended up in Gory Jenkins' hands as a payment by a client in arrears.  Crew: 1 required (Maximum 3) HP 140 ▪️ AC 15 ▪️ SPD 7 ▪️ SIZE 2 ▪️ MAN +1 Armament: Point Particle Array (range: 800, Damage 6d12) Cargo: up to 24 tons or 1 small craft Special: Experimental warp field bends timespace to create a 20% chance of objects missing Value: 360,000cr | Freedom (explorer)A vessel constructed to be totally self-sustaining, and have the industrial capacity to survey, claim, and even begin to buold habitats and space stattions. Freedom is not as rare or unsual a design as soem of the others in Gory Jenkins' collection, but it is unique in that it was his own first ship, where he used it for a mix of salvage and illegal harvesting before he established his current syndicate.  Crew: 1 required (Maximum 3) HP 140 ▪️ AC 14 ▪️ SPD 6 ▪️ SIZE 2 ▪️ MAN 0 Armament: Industrial M-Laser (range: 1200, Damage 2d3 x10) Cargo: up to 48 tons or 1 small craft ad 24 tons Special: Drone controller, Nano miners, Advanced processor Value: 274,000cr |
Mischief (shuttle)A tricked out shuttle converted into a mobile electronics warfare and spying platform, Mischief used to be used as an advance scout for a pirate crew. It fell into the hands of Gory Jenkins after he caught it probing his freighters.  Crew: 1 required (Maximum 2) HP 120 ▪️ AC 16 ▪️ SPD 8 ▪️ SIZE 2 ▪️ MAN +1 Armament: Ustable Bottle Plama Cannon (range: 1200, Damage 2d4 x10 + ignition) Cargo: up to 48 tons or 1 small craft ad 24 tons Special: Hacking System, Advanced Probes, Advanced Computer Suite +2 computer tests Value: 462,000cr | |
Molly scrawled through the specifications for Mr. Jenkins' with amazement and a sense of hunger. This was the perfect nswer to all of her problems. She was dying to know the hitch.
After she browsed, sipping a very fine whiskey, she finally nodded to Cutler.
Mo: "Time for the other foot."
She was led again through the garden and into an observation tower where Mr. Cutler was writing with an antique pen into a leather journal. He sat back as she climbed the crystalline stairs and took time to admire the view.
Je: "It was a delight to watch you appreciate my collection. Having fine things means nothing if no one but you appreciates them, and I am afraid I could not have them at all if I were in Alliance space."
Mo: "I am a belter born and bred. I have spent my whole life on and around ships, and there is tech here I had no idea existed. You know how to tempt a lady, Mr. Jenkins... or an unladylike belter girl for that matter. I half wonder if I shouldn't ask you for tips on running contraband." Molly gestures with admiration at his habitation.
Je: "I take it then, that you are interested in my offer."
Mo: "Well, I am witing for that other shoe to drop."
Je: "very well. I have had my eye on you since you arrived in the system, and I have gathered what rumors I could.
Je: "A Mysterious Captain who shows up in Jacinto station last month in a battered hauler last seen in the hands of a mysterious cult, flying it with broken ribs and a cheap companion robot.
Je: "She hasn't even landed before she gets into a dustup with a pirate and nearly destroys his shrike.
Je: The Ak'htari are afraid of her for some reasons, and she offends the local Kitat tribe, which is, in my opinon admirable. Then signs on a band of rogues and scoundrels for some operation in the Taxu sector.
Je: "Before she can lift off, the pirate tries to space her, and she saves her own life using, of all things, a jumpsuit hood and a firearm she allegedly sleeps with under her pillow.
Je: "No one knows what happened in the Taxu sector, except that a probe through there a day ago shows signs of an antimatter bomb and a planet that doesn't match survey reports one bit. but the genocidal Ubul zealot she signed on is singing her praises and getting as close to hugging her goodbye as they get.
Je: "Is everything correct so far?"
Mo: "So far... except that I don't sleep wth my gun. Sounds uncomfortable. And all Ubul are genocidal, so it's a bit superfluous a description."
Je: Chuckles. "It seems you are fairly well acquainted with danger, and not afraid to get your hands very dirty. Also, Mr. Cutler says that he cannot read your mind, which is intriguing."
Mo: "well, a magician never reveals her secrets."
Je: "A magician... perhaps thatis what I am looking for."
Mo: "I will pretend that is not disconcerting and ask you what I can do for you."
Je: "Very well. Not long ago a ship in my fleet was destroyed by a rival operation. They were hoping to sweep my mechandise from the debris field. I am afraid that the joke was on them. The ship was loaded with some experimental combat drones. My man on the frigate decided he was going to make them hurt before he went and turned them on."
Mo: "I am sorry for your loss."
Jenkins takes a strange pause and nods.
Je: "As am I. The captain was a good man, and he led a good crew. But now I have a couple of autonomous combat drones tearing up the shipping lanes in the Hathor system. I need them disabled and brought back to me. Or at least destroyed."
Mo: "Do you have no people in house to handle these sorts of issues."
Je: "Normally, yes. But at the moment, my people are being overwhelmed by a concerted effort by a mix of pirates and rival syndicates. I am strethed thin. Thin enough to give up one of my prized ships."
Mo: "I see one problem with this, and I am going to guess you have a solution for me."
Je: "The Thuvia is undermanned. yes, I have two options. First, I can spare a crewman. Ex-military, and a decent gunner. This is the lower risk option to me."
Mo: "And the higher?"
Je: "I loan you a fighter and an automated hauler. The Thuvia remains here as collateral for the return of my vessels. If you don't make it back, at least I have a slow, but exceptionally well-equipped hauler."
Mo: "Mr. Jenkins, you have yourself a bot hunter, if you answer me a question."
Je: "I will if I can."
Mo: "These drones of yours... they wouldn't happen to be based on 600 year-old Hune technology would they?"
Oracle:
- Are they? No.
Je: "They are not... but I suddenly feel lke we may have to have further conversations, Captain Hyaline."
Mo: Puts out her hand for a shake. "You have yourself a robot hunter. Drop me the specs, and introduce me to your crewman."
Austin Verrill
HP 1 ▪️ AC 14 ▪️ SV 16
Str 5 ▪️ Int 8 ▪️ Wis 18 ▪️ Dex 11 ▪️ Con 7 ▪️ Cha 13
Skills: +1 gambling ▪️ +1 gunnery ▪️ +5 starship piloting ▪️ +3 navigation ▪️ +1 pilot aircraft ▪️ +1 repair ▪️ +1 urban lore
SAVE: +2 vs. area of effects
Reaction: +1 to NPC reaction rolls with Chaotic NPCs
Boost: Once per session add +4 to a roll
Stunt: Once per session add +4 to pilot starcraft or +2 to gunnery attack
Gear: Medium Armor, 6-hour breather, advanced communicator, plaster pistol
Je: Send up, Austin would you, Cutler.
After a few minuts, a feeble looking man, pale and scarred, with a head bristling with cybernetic interfaces, and a respiration system hissing in his neck walked stiffly into the room on a cane, His bionic eyes glowed like amethysts.
Molly had to keep from reflexively crossing herself. She had seen boys come home like this when she was young. the ADF kept patching them up and bringing them back from the brink of death over and over until they were more like a plug-in autopilot than a soldier. Young men would leave from the belt and half of them would come back, with the rest being carbon fibre and computers. Some lived quiet, nervous lives interfaced with labor pods. Some just shut down.
Je: "Captain Hyaline, meet Austin Verrill, an excellent pilot and gunner."
Mo: "No need to give me his qualifications, Mr. Jenkins. I know a comet from the flying fifth when I see him."
Au: "And I know a belter when I hear one."
Mo: "Earth sent the Irish into space because they knew we could lick it savage... or bust up space rocks with our heads. Take your pick"
Je: "Captain Hyaline and her surprisingly well armed hauler are going hunting for my lost drones, Austin. you are going to be her spare hands. and once you do, you and I are even."
Je: "I am sending you the specifics captain. Bring my robots home, and we can finish our business."
Mo: "I'm on it, Mr. Jenkins."
Hathor
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Star System Generator by drow
http://donjon.bin.sh/