Stars Without Number: Scions of the Stars, Ex astris intellectus Options

[JxJxA]

When Ezri sees the crew's lack of input, she smirks. Each of your commlinks beep, notifying you of a data packet.

"I thought something like this might happen. I took the liberty of doing a little bit of research on the areas. Here's what Waypoint had on its network for Ibraheim and Welkin."

[Lain]

Alice opens her compad, and looks at the data packet sent from Ezri. Then appearing in the navigation room, She starts looking at the maps.

"Ok, my understanding is the Saving Grace was traveling from Woswri system to the Welkin system but never arrived. I would assume most search & rescue teams started @ Woswri and heading towards Welkin, with a sweep since that makes the most sense. Assuming we aren’t exactly the first team to sweep across here,
She points to 701 on the map then 0204. That means they would have crossed 0602 (Open space), 0502 (Ibraheim), 0403, 0303 to get to 0204. I’m not really good at navigation, but is there any reason to believe they aren’t in any of that open space? Any certain areas that are more dangerous?
I’m actually inclined to start at the back at Welkin and work our way back, as it’s less likely to have already been searched, and we don’t know how far they got. "

Alice frowns,
“But it really is just a stab in the dark.”

[JxJxA]

Ezri pulls up a sector map on the main viewscreen. She puts markers on the Ibraheim and Welkin systems, and then highlights the expected course from Ibraheim to Welkin. She then overlays a circle with a five-system radius around Ibraheim.

"My understanding is that the Saving Grace checked in at Ibraheim before making the drill to Welkin. She was supposed to make a two system drill to Welkin, and then continue on her way to Bolgium. If she suffered a catastrophic spike drive failure, then the Saving Grace could be in anywhere within a five system radius around Ibraheim. I'm guessing Re would have found her already if she ended up near Wosriwi or Yashiwi.

"I'm guessing that these are the dangerous areas Re is talking about." Ezri highlights the systems around Gariex(0104), and a few systems in the Sirocco Nebula.

"Gariex is a Seyger system, and we're likely not welcome as agents of Re. As for the nebula systems, you never know what to expect flying into them. There are electromagnetic storms, pockets of volatile gas, and who knows what other dangers.

"I'd recommend hitting either Ibraheim or Welkin if only to refuel before searching the other areas. While we're in the area, we can try talking to the locals."

[Buddha72]

Ravenna looks over the displays and listens intently as the two women discuss the options only joining in after Erzi had finishing speaking.

"I agree, as Alice and you both pointed out it if the ship was somewhere obvious and likely they would have been discovered by now by another search team. We need to explore the less likely locations and since we do need to refuel we can use the time to ask around and see what the locals have to say or even pilots more familiar with this region of space. Perhaps they know details astrogation charts don't contain."

[Fenris]

"Sounds like the most likely scenario," Sereth nods in agreement.

"Are we a go, Captain?"

[JxJxA]

"Sounds like we're at an agreement, then," Ezri says to break the silence, fingers flying over the control panels. She shoots a glance towards Harken.

"You know, I think that's the most insightful thing you've ever had to say."

Ezri flips a switch, locking the drill foils into position. Azure waves of energy wash across the ship's hull as the spike drive powers up. Suddenly, you feel the familiar lurch as you are torn from the fabric of realspace and plunged into the metadimensional currents of drillspace. The view of the star field disappears into the strange, bluish ether of drillspace.

Ezri verifies her route, making sure that the Terra Firma's course stays clear of any known metadimensional anomalies. Once satisfied, she stands up and glances at the crew.

"Looks like my part's done. You might want to read up on Ibraheim. In the meantime, I'm going to get drunk on the bottle of swill I was supposed to be enjoying on the station." She pulls out a bottle of reddish liquid to emphasize her point. She walks out of the bridge, and heads towards her quarters.

---

Four days later...

The Terra Firma drops out of drillspace at the edge of the Ibraheim system. The red giant star of the same name burns lazily in the distance. Bands of rocky asteroids and space dust ring the star. Beyond the asteroid belts orbits the planet of Ismaar, a large, greyish-yellow gas giant. As with Kuphon, the Sirocco Nebula looms in the distance. The nebula appears even bigger than before, thanks to Ibraheim being closer to it.

Almost upon arrival, GAIA alerts you of an incoming message.

<<Freemerchant Terra Firma, this is Prospector Station. State your purpose. I repeat, this is Prospector Station. State your purpose.>>

[Fenris]

Thumbing the switch in front of the comm system, Sereth takes a brief moment to glance over the information Ezri had sent them on Ibraheim before he gives the expected response.

<<...Prospector Station, this is Freemerchant Terra Firma. Requesting permission to dock to refuel. We're part of the Re humantiarian S&R mission.>>

[JxJxA]

Once Sereth replies, GAIA alerts you that the station is sending you course information. The AI brings up a window showing a projected course, as well as a large red zone encompassing the asteroid belts.

<<Re business? We're not interested. We don't carry spike fuel on the station in order to save space for foodstuffs and other essentials, but you are welcome to refuel from Ismaar free of charge. Stay out of the red zone. We don't take kindly to claim jumpers here.>>

[Fenris]

Sereth's finger hovers over the key for the comm system for a moment as he grimaces at the stations rebuff, and then he shifts his finger to key the mic for the internal comms.

<<Was there anything else we needed to actually dock at the station for? Despite having a ready supply nearby, apparently they don't keep spike fuel on the station, so if we need to refuel, we're skimming the planet to do it.>>

[JxJxA]

Ezri sends a message over the comm.

<<Well, you guys don't need to be onboard while I refuel. Maybe you can make nice with the freespacers and possibly root up some leads. Who knows, maybe there were some suspicious shriekers lurking on the station while the Saving Grace was there. It's a long shot, but so is finding a ship lost in space.>>

[Buddha72]

Watching the exchange Ravenna chimes in as well, while packing a small bag of things she'd need over the several days they might be on the station.

<I think it's a good idea. There is nothing to be learned staying with the ship. There maybe a lead on the station - some idea of where the Saving Grace went after being here if they were.>

[Lain]

Alice throws her pack on the bed, and starts picking outfits, and gear needed for information gathering on the space station. She frowns briefly at her telekinetic sling and combat field uniform, slips the sling in the backpack and hangs up the uniform.
Can always change if it looks dangerous
Then puts her hand back on the Uniform and frowns

<<Did we get passed the rules on the station yet? Weapons armor and the like?>>

[JxJxA]

Ezri replies to the group over the comlink.

<<Ok, I'll set it up.>>

Ezri walks out of her quarters----the first time you have seen her in four days. Dark circles ring her eyes, and all the telltale signs of a wicked hangover are plastered across her face. Apparently the hooch she bought from Waypoint took a nasty toll on her. Nevertheless, she plops herself down in the pilot's seat, and pulls up the course calculations.

<<Prospector Station, this is Terra Firma requesting permission to dock. Not all of the crew is needed to refuel, and some are looking for some shore leave during the refueling process.>>

<<That's fine. You're welcome as long as you bring creds.>>

Ezri furrows her brow, also a bit taken aback by the abruptness of the reply.

<<Any rules we should follow?>>

<<Just transmit a copy of your prior destinations to make sure you're not a quarantine issue. Other than that, don't start trouble. You're welcome to finish trouble someone else is stupid enough to start it, though.>>

Ezri transmits the information. After a few moments, the station replies.

<<Terra Firma, you are cleared to dock. We're a Model 12, so you'll need to follow these coordinates in order to extend the docking tube.>>

<<Understood. Making our approach now.>> Ezri kicks the ship into shearspace, and sends along the authorized path. She glances over at the group.

"They seem nice. Should be fun."

The approach to Ismaar and Prospector Station takes a few hours. All you can see in the distance is the gas giant---a muted mix of dull color hues tinged with the telltale blue of shearspace. Once you finally drop back into realspace, you can understand why the station does not carry fuel in its stores.

Prospector Station is little more than a few cobbled-together hulls of derelict ships. Layers of cheap metal alloys---likely mined from the star system's asteroids---are welded onto the hull in order to give it a bit of protection. A few smaller ships are sitting in a line, waiting to use the docking tube. Most of them are well-worn freemerchants and a few repurposed cargo lighters.

Once your turn to dock comes up, Ezri maneuvers the ship to the docking tube, aligning it with the Terra Firma's airlock. You hear the dull thud of the docking tube latching onto the airlock, and the hiss of air being pumped between the two. She hitches a thumb towards the airlock.

"This is your stop. Give a shout if you need me to help out."

You walk to the airlock, which snaps open at your approach. The tube is large enough to accommodate several people as well as cargo. At the end of the tube, a man dressed in civilian clothes waits with a dataslab. A laser rifle is strapped across his back. He waves you forward.

"Welcome to Prospector Station. I'm Zax Cyrus, head of security here. Head this way and I'll show you around."

[Lain]

After hearing the lack of rules, Alice throws her sling in her pack and heads to the airlock. She steps into the station looking around her eyes resting on the head of security

"Thank you"

Stepping aside, she patiently awaits the rest of the crew, while scanning the docks for miscreants who might be casing newcomers.

[Lain]

After hearing the lack of rules, Alice throws her sling in her pack and heads to the airlock. She steps into the station looking around her eyes resting on the head of security

"Thank you"

Stepping aside, she patiently awaits the rest of the crew, while scanning the docks for miscreants who might be casing newcomers.

[Buddha72]

Giving her satchel once last look over to make sure she has everything she needs she meets the crew to disembark from the ship. She strides down the tube and pauses to smile briefly at Zax and giving a slight bow.

"I'm Ravenna and thanks for the tour, much appreciated."

[Fenris]

Stepping out behind Alice and Ravenna, Sereth nodding to the man, offering a hand and trying to gauge exactly what it meant that the head of security was coming to meet them personally.

"Sereth," giving the man's hand a firm pump. "Don't know how long we'll be here, but always nice to know our way around."

[Buddha72]

Ravenna watches Sereth give Zax an appraising look. She quickly interacts with her imbedded cyberware and opens a chat log with the other crew members disembarking.

<<Let me know if you want me to set a more secure channel to communicate while here>>

[JxJxA]

Alice, Ravenna, and Sereth

Harken woozily walks down the airlock. Sweat drips off of his face.

"Something in the station food, I think," he grumbles. "I think I need to liedown."

"There's a sickbay on the station, but it's mostly triage. If you're really feeling that bad, it might make sense to send for a shuttle to take you back to Waypoint." Zax frowns as he looks over Harken. He turns to the rest of you.

"You want to arrange for someone to pick him up?"

Iorund

You find yourself sitting in the beat up cargo bay that passes for Prospector Station's bar, drinking away your troubles with a bottle of hooch. It has been a shitty week so far. You had joined up with a group of bounty hunters who had hoped to score big on the Re S&R mission. However, their spike drive crapped out in Ibraheim. To make matters worse, the shriekers were superstitious. They blamed you for the problem, and promptly ditched you on the station. That would have been fine if not for the fact that it takes days---if you're lucky---for a transport or a freespacer merchant to enter the system.

That is precisely why you are so surprised when the station's docking indicator goes off, letting the station know that a new group of passengers are coming aboard. Maybe it is sign that your luck is about to change...

[Buddha72]

Ravenna moves to Harken's side and offers support to keep standing.

"Let's get him back on board at least. I will have Ezri monitor his condition and see if he needs to return to Waypoint. Please continue the tour without me and I will catch up as soon as I see that he's comfortable."

She waves them on and turns to take Harken back to the ship while sending a message to their pilot.

<< I need your assistance at the airlock - the Captain has become ill quite suddenly. >>

[Nemo157]

Deciding that there's no time like the present for meeting new folks Iorund slings back the last of his drink, quickly hiding a grimace before the bartender sees.

Ugh, their moonshiner could do with some time on a deepspace battleship, learn how to hide the meths better.

Paying off his tab he begins a leisurely stroll down the corridors towards the dock to see the latest tourists, hoping this might finally be his chance to leave this rusting pile.

[JxJxA]

Alice, Ravenna, and Sereth

<<@Crew [Ezri]: If he's that sick, he should probably stay on the station until a shuttle can take him to Waypoint. Our ship doesn't have the facilities to care for him, and I need to man the helm while I gather fuel.>>

Iorund

You make your way through station's corridors to the docking area. Zax, the station's chief of security, is talking with four newcomers---two men and two women. One of the men looks deathly ill.

[Buddha72]

A brief look of indecision passes over Ravenna's face before she turns back to Zax.

"On second thought I will take you up on your kind and generous offer to get him on to a shuttle back to Waypoint."

[JxJxA]

Zax nods.

"I figured you might. Easy there, big guy. Let me know if you need a bucket. We'll see what we can do, but if it gets worse we might have to use a cryotube until the shuttle can arrive." Zax throws Harken's arm over his shoulder and begins helping the sick man through the airlock.

"We'll take a quick stop at the medbay, and then I'll show you around."

When he sees Iorund, Zax waves to him.

"Hey there. The new arrivals aren't heading to Waypoint, but we're calling in a med shuttle. I bet you can catch a ride with it and get back to civilization."

[Nemo157]

"Great!"

Turning towards the new arrivals Iorund sticks out his hand.

"Name’s Iorund, been stuck here for a few days since my old crew abandoned me. Good to see some new faces."

At first glance Iorund would appear to be a fairly generic human, slightly taller than average and possessed with a visible wiry strength but nothing out of the ordinary. When in motion or after extended study it’s a different story; his movements have a recognisably predatory grace, invoking memories of great cat’s prowling the savanna in those privileged enough to have studied ancient Earth history; over time you would also come to notice an air of vigilance to him, his eyes never fully resting he's always scanning the area for potential threats.

Currently clothed in his standard outfit of an unmarked combat field uniform it’s apparent that he is completely at ease in it. Adding in the bastard chain-sword across his back and the pair of pistols on his hips his military background is unmistakable.