Session+6+-+Space+Station+No.+9

The Other Side of Nowhere Session 6 – Space Station No. 9 ************ RECAP *********** [17:06] <@ENGM> When last we left our merry band of travelers had just blasted off from Dinom into the void of the Abyss on their way to Ghandi. The trip will require a stop in empty space where you hope (and pray if so inclined) to find the wandering space station, Crazy Ivan's, so you can refuel you ship and complete the journey.... [17:08] <@ENGM> On Dinom you successfully unloaded your passengers, reloaded the ship and blasted off. The only hiccup came when Sam dozed off at the helm while you were skimming Dinom7 for fuel but after Thomas brought him some coffee he pulled the ship out of free fall and you were able to continue refueling before your jump. [17:09] <@ENGM> Sam took the ship to jump with no problem and now you have a week in transit.... [17:10] <@ENGM> You have the coordinates that Bonner gave you as well as the security and passage/access codes to hail the station when you exit jump. [17:10] <@ENGM> (questions?) [17:10] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((None for me at the moment)) [17:10] <+Dirk> ((not here)) [17:10] <+SamuraiHanson> ((good to go here)) [17:11] <@ENGM> In jump you'll need to set a duty routine. [17:11] <@ENGM> i need to know how many/how long your shifts will be using a standard 24 hour day. So you can figure that out and will continue on our way.... [17:12] <+Dirk> Ah, didn't we decide last week to give Dirk morning shift? [17:13] <@ENGM> ((I wasnt sure if you are going to use the same routine)) [17:13] <+Dirk> ((works for me)) [17:14] <@ENGM> ((in transit you need someone watching the bridge and engineering. Since you have no passenfers you dont need an on duty steward)) [17:14] <+SamuraiHanson> right [17:15] <+SamuraiHanson> so that's 4x 12 hour slots [17:16] * +Dirk notes all he'll be doing is watching... [17:17] <@ENGM> Caleb can show Dirk what to do in Engineering. Basically all it will be is monitoring systems and if a red light or claxon sounds you call for him. [17:18] <+SamuraiHanson> I’ll do a day shift in the bridge, do we want to offset the shifts? [17:19] <+Nevka_Bingham> can't hurt. [17:19] * +Dirk nods. [17:19] <@ENGM> so you guys want to pull 12's? [17:19] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((What's there for Tom to do?)) [17:20] <@ENGM> and Sebastian will pull a shift [17:20] <+Dirk> yeah 12s work [17:20] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((heh..ok by me; pilot or nav or engineer or whatever)) [17:20] <+SamuraiHanson> 12's seems more natural than some kind of 10 on-10 off [17:21] <@ENGM> you could have 3 shifts of 8's with Thomas and Sebastian in pilot/engineering [17:22] <@ENGM> whatever fits [17:24] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> Let's go for 3 of 8, let's not burn ourselves, we're not all super qualified [17:24] <+Dirk> ((heh)) [17:24] <@ENGM> what does the captain say? [17:24] <+SamuraiHanson> sounds fine me with if others are [17:26] <+Nevka_Bingham> sounds good to me [17:27] <@ENGM> ok pair up [17:28] <+Dirk> ((me and Thomas!)) [17:28] <+SamuraiHanson> how much do we trust Sebastian? [17:28] <@ENGM> ((ok that puts Thomas on the bridge)) [17:28] <@ENGM> ((you asking me Sam?)) [17:29] <+SamuraiHanson> just in general, the next natural pair off is Nevka and myself, but then that leaves Caleb/Sebastian for the third [17:30] <@ENGM> Sebastian does have helm experience [17:30] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((Well, he is the money man too, so not in his profit to sabotage us going to get his engine for his cruise line ship)) [17:31] <+SamuraiHanson> sounds good to me [17:32] <+SamuraiHanson> just thinking through it out loud [17:32] <+SamuraiHanson> thumbs up, let's do this.

*********** GAME START ***********

[17:51] <@ENGM> ok anything anyone wants to needs to do in jump? [17:52] <+Nevka_Bingham> not atm [17:52] <+SamuraiHanson> ((I'm good)) [17:52] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((I give myself my weekly shot of Symtanol-Neuvosamin)) [17:53] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((and study my language and culture tapes)))) [17:53] <+SamuraiHanson> ((I'll slip Thomas a shot of Vitameatavegemin)) [17:54] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((overdoing on jealousythphim I see)) [17:54] <+Dirk> "Oh, I told Sebastian, but I figured I'd mention it. On some of my shifts the consoles were acting weird. Lights flashing, then stopping, gauges redlining for about 10 seconds then going back to normal." [17:55] <@ENGM> Sam has the last shift before reentry in to normal space. You are all gathered in the lounge preparing for your exit from Jump. [17:55] <+Dirk> ((Dirk will otherwise enjoy his vacation)) [17:55] <+Nevka_Bingham> "That's very odd." [17:56] <+Sebastian`> "Yes that was curious. The bridge was quiet on my shifts, pretty boring really" [17:57]  "They didn’t do any more than that?" [17:59] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "I noticed nothing of the sort myself." [17:59] * +Dirk shakes his head. "Did it a couple of times during the last few shifts." [18:00] Caleb rubs his head thinking. [18:00] <+Sebastian`> 'Anyone else encounter anything odd?" [18:00] <+Nevka_Bingham> "I thought I heard some attempted radio traffic, maybe something like a transponder the first day." [18:01] <+Sebastian`> "Could you make out any of it?" [18:01]  "Engineering was quiet for me" [18:01] <+SamuraiHanson> "I had a few intermittent pings as well, about half sounded like a standard transponder beacon, the rest, who knows?" [18:03] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "A transponder beacon? Could we be followed?" [18:03] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Not through jumpspace." [18:03] <+SamuraiHanson> "But we've been at jump all week. We shouldn't have picked up anything." [18:08] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Then the sensors are defective." [18:08] <+Sebastian`> "They could be what are commonly called Jump Echos. Strange occurrences that happen during jump. Most reports of these occurrences are harmless. Others tales are a little more sinister but those are usually told by starport drunks looking for their next drink or coin." [18:10] <+SamuraiHanson> "Jump Echos?" [18:10] <@ENGM> A warning klaxon sounds indicating everyone to staions, the ship is nearing its exit from jump. [18:10] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Like static, ghosts signals." [18:11] <+Sebastian`> Yes. jump is a weird phenomenon. It'd said that 'voices' from the past can be trapped in it like residue." [18:11] <+Sebastian`> "Yeah static" [18:12] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Fairy tales and hokum." [18:13] * +Sebastian` nods in half agreement [18:13] * +SamuraiHanson gets up and goes to the Bridge, "Fairy tales and Tales of Fairys can be very different." [18:14] * +Thomas_J_Atkins readies himself for the jump back into real space. [18:15] * +Dirk nods and makes his way to the observation area. [18:16] <@ENGM> The crew readies itself for reentry all going to their respective stations. Caleb will head to Engineering and ask Dirk if he wants to lend a hand. Sebastian will find himself a seat in the lounge. Sam goes to the bridge. Thomas will ready himself in the lounge also. [18:16] <@ENGM> ((Nevka going to the bridge?)) [18:17] <+Nevka_Bingham> ((yeah)) [18:18] <@ENGM> ok you all are prepared for reentry [18:20] <@ENGM> Sam with Nevkas help on the bridge, guides the ship out of jump, you all experience a brief sensation, a funny feeling in your stomach as the ship unfolds from its pocket universe and back into normal space. [18:23] <+SamuraiHanson> ((thank you for flying Lucky Strike Airlines, come fly the friendly asteroid fields!)) [18:23] <@ENGM>...you exit jump and everything is black. Your view window is blackness, there's nothing on the comms and your nav sensors are blank. [18:24] <+Nevka_Bingham> "I hate void jumps." [18:24] <@ENGM> You have literally landed in the middle of nowhere. [18:26]  ##Bridge Engineering systmes normal. We're free to proceed## [18:26] <+SamuraiHanson> "We're *here*, wherever that is... Can we boost the receiver at all?" [18:26] * +Dirk looks out the window curiously. [18:27] <@ENGM> All is black, no star shine, no planets, no nothing. [18:28] * +Thomas_J_Atkins gets up from his seat "Well, that was a bit more shaky than usual." [18:28] * +Sebastian` unbuckles as well and starts moving about. [18:31] * +SamuraiHanson double checks their jump path to see how precisely they were on reentry. [18:34] * +Thomas_J_Atkins gets on the comm "Bridge, do you see the Crazy Ivan?" [18:34] <@ENGM> You are definitely in the right sector, Sector 1813. Where exactly in the sector is hard to tell without the help of system beacons. You have the transponder and access codes ready for transmitting. [18:35] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Go ahead and transmit. Let's see if we're in real trouble." [18:37] * +SamuraiHanson activates the Strike's own transponder and turns back to the receiver [18:37] <@ENGM> You start transmitting the codes. They repeat for nearly an hour before the static on your comm is broken up. [18:39]  "Lucky Strike we have received your transmission please proceed to these coordinates. Stand by for further transmissions" [18:40] <@ENGM> ((basically it’s your current path)) [18:40] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Acknowledged, proceeding on path." [18:40] * +SamuraiHanson almost falls out of his chair when the speaker crackles to life and then puts the course into the console. [18:41] <@ENGM> Sam hits the thrusters and the ship is on its way. [18:42] * +Thomas_J_Atkins breathes more easy as the ship begins to move at last. [18:43] <@ENGM> You proceed for around 4 hours before the ship is contacted again. Still you pick up nothing on your sensors [18:44]  ## Lucky Strike prepare to transmit final entry code on my mark.## [18:45] * +Nevka_Bingham looks over at Sam. "We have the code ready, correct?" [18:45] <+SamuraiHanson> "Ready and waiting." [18:45]  ## Lucky Strike, transmit code now.## [18:45] * +Dirk makes inquiries as to what's going on, and keeps an eye out from the observation deck. [18:46] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Transmitting." [18:46]  ##Confirmed. Please hold your position and stand by## [18:47] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Everything is in order. Merely having to go through their own loops." [18:49] <@ENGM> For those of you on the observation deck, you see what seems al ost like an eclipse, slowly a asteroid starts to appear almost like a moon going through it's phases before it becomes full. For those on the bridge, you get intermitant blips on your sensors until about 15 minutes later there is an object on them that wasn't there before. If you're looking out the view screen you get the same view as those on the observation deck. [18:49] <@ENGM> ((thats no moon)) [18:50] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((hey hey what's with stealing puns that our clearing ours to abuse!)) [18:50] <+Dirk> "See, now this is a vacation." [18:51] <@ENGM> The asteroid is maybe between 1 and 2 KM's in diameter. [18:51] <@ENGM> Two more blips appear on the sensors. [18:51] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Yes, not something you see every day." [18:52]  ##Lucky Strike prepare for escort. Proceed on the same path. DO NOT DIVIATE FROM IT !## [18:53] <@ENGM> You can see what appear to be two small fighters come out from behind the asteroid and head towards your position. [18:53] * +Dirk looks over the asteroid. [18:53] <+Nevka_Bingham> "No sudden moves, Sam." [18:54]  #Control we have them on our sensors and are bringing them in. ## [18:54] <+SamuraiHanson> "I wasn't the one who did the last maintenance on the starboard lateral stabilizer, but you got it. No sudden moves, aye." [18:57] * +Dirk looks for the escorts [18:58] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Acknowledge, we will follow you in." [18:58] * +SamuraiHanson follows the escorts right in. [18:59] <@ENGM> The ships look like two Capital fighter jets, neither one matches the other though. They flank the sides of the Strike and lead you in. As you approach the asteroid you can see what looks like a shallow crater start to open. Light flares from the opening and you see what looks like the beginning of a landing strip similar to one on a heavy destroyer. [19:00] <@ENGM>  ##Lucky Strike please follow the landing beacon and lights and proceed to pad 39. ## [19:01] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Pad 39, confirmed." [19:01] <@ENGM> As you get closer to the station the fighters will peel off and disappear. [19:02] * +SamuraiHanson keys in the pad number and adjusts their speed through the entrance, "I had to do this once, a joint operation with the Imperial Navy, we didn't get the nice toys." [19:04] * +Thomas_J_Atkins observes the scene from the observation deck "Quite an interesting set-up they have for themselves. Invisible, and not without means." [19:04] <@ENGM> The Strikes entry is a little jerky, Sam has to let off the gas and pull up to avoid hitting the lower lip of the hanger door. He manages to just pull up in time to avoid scraping the bottom of the ship. [19:05] * +Dirk nods. "Still, interesting to see. Wonder what the shopping is like." [19:05] <@ENGM> He does manage to set down on the pad without further incident. As soon as you touch down the hanger doors will start to close. [19:06] <@ENGM>  ##Lucky Strike, please stand by for recompression ## [19:07] <+Nevka_Bingham> "We understand, standing by." [19:07] <@ENGM> You wait about 15 minutes before you see techs rush out and start to secure the ship. [19:07] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "First to see if we're even allowed to wander out the ship, and even then, one must be cautious." [19:08] <+Sebastian`> "Caution would be prudent." [19:08] <+Nevka_Bingham> "We're here to get fuel and leave. Let's not do anything to make them think we're spying." [19:09] <@ENGM>  ##Lucky Strike you are free to disembark, please proceed to the harbormasters station for station admittance and to process fees ## [19:09] <+Nevka_Bingham> "And there we are." [19:09] <+Dirk> "see, progress." [19:10] <+Sebastian`> "Captain, I may be of assistance to you in the office. My negotiating skills are at your disposal." [19:11] <+Nevka_Bingham> "That does sound like a good idea, Sebastian." [19:12] <@ENGM> ((you drop the ramp?)) [19:12] <+Nevka_Bingham> ((yeah)) [19:13] <@ENGM> The ships ramp drops down on the tarmac with a thud and a hiss of air. You see a lighted path that leads to a door. [19:14] Caleb will stay behind and watch the ship and kids. [19:14] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Let's be about it then." [19:14] * +Nevka_Bingham disembarks [19:15] <@ENGM> Caleb whispers something to Nevka about being careful. [19:15] * +Sebastian` will follow Nevka. [19:16] * +Thomas_J_Atkins returns from his cabin, wearing a sports jacket. [19:16] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Excuse my tardiness" [19:16] * +Dirk follows along. [19:17] * +Thomas_J_Atkins goes out as well. [19:17] <@ENGM> ((Sam whatcha doing?)) [19:17] * +SamuraiHanson leaves the ship with the rest. [19:20] <@ENGM> You all follow Nevka as she follows the lighted path to the door. The metal door will slide open as she nears it revealing a corridor that inverse T's, heading right left and straight ahead. Techs in uniforms shuffle past you in every direction. Information boards flank the entrance to the passage going straight and there is a kiosk on the left side as well. [19:22] * +Nevka_Bingham scans the boards. [19:23] <@ENGM> Looks like arrivals and departures. There is also an entry telling you the harbormaster office is to the left. [19:23] * +Thomas_J_Atkins watches the overall situation; never know what's in store [19:24] * +SamuraiHanson just tries to keep his hands to himself and tries to keep up with the group [19:25] * +Dirk looks over the kiosk. [19:25] <@ENGM> It has a station menu and an interactive station map. [19:25] * +Nevka_Bingham will head to the harbormaster then. [19:26] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((So is Dirk a passenger or part of the crew now?)) [19:27] <+Dirk> ((Crew!)) [19:27] <@ENGM> You walk down the corridor. To your left are windows showing the landing bay you just docked at. As you come to the end of the bay the corridor T's again and ends in a door. [19:29] * +Nevka_Bingham knocks on the door. [19:29] <@ENGM> ((you can just go in.)) [19:30] <+Nevka_Bingham> ((in that case, entre-me)) [19:31] <@ENGM> You enter a large room. It looks like your local DMV. There are people sitting on benches and others are at what look like 4 teller windows. [19:31] <+SamuraiHanson> ((so, we're going to be here a while....)) [19:32] * +Dirk glances around. "Ah. I usually avoid things like this." [19:32] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "I thought we would this time actually." [19:32] * +Sebastian` finds a seat. [19:35] * +Dirk does as well. [19:35] * +Thomas_J_Atkins looks around. Anything looks...dangerous? [19:37] <@ENGM> The clientele comes from all walks of life. Most you don’t think you'd want to mess with. [19:37] * +Dirk attempts to judge how quickly things are going. [19:37] <@ENGM> Most of them look like lifetime spacers [19:38] * +SamuraiHanson finds a seat, and fidgets with a small rubber ball." [19:39] * +Sebastian` gets up and approaches Nevka. "Captain, I suggest we wait in one of the lines." [19:39] * +Thomas_J_Atkins gets in line. [19:40] <+Nevka_Bingham> "I suppose we should." Nevka_Bingham does so. [19:41] <@ENGM> You wait for a while before its finally your turn. A clerk asks you your ships name, landing pad, intended stay and asks your ship’s needs....fuel, repairs etc. [19:43] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Fuel, small food restocking...that should be it." [19:44]  "How much do you require. Refined or Unrefined? Supplies can be purchased on the market deck" [19:45] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Refined, enough for a Jump 2." [19:45] <@ENGM> ((Your tanks hold 50 tons)) [19:45] <+Nevka_Bingham> ((changing)) [19:46] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Fifty tons should suffice." [19:49] <@ENGM>  "Entry fees is 500 credits. It's a hundred a day to dock. Fuel is 50k for 50 tons of refined fuel payable before fueling in credits, precious metals." [19:50]  "How long do you intend to stay?" [19:50] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Long enough to refuel." [19:51] <@ENGM> "I'd give fueling a full day unless you're in a hurry. You can pay extra to go to the front of the line." [19:52] <+Nevka_Bingham> "A day then." [19:53] <@ENGM> "so 600 for docking fees payable before you leave." He taps his screen making notes. [19:54] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Understood." [19:54] * +Nevka_Bingham hopes their expense account covers all of this. [19:54]  "Any failure of payment will result in forfeiture of your ship" [19:54] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Of course." [19:56] <@ENGM> He takes a paper and stamps it a few times then hands it to Nevka with a booklet. "Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of the station, if you arrived here safely it was on the recommendation of a third party. If so please be aware you act for them as well as yourselves" [19:56] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Understood." [19:57] <@ENGM> "The market is on deck 3 you can find almost anything you need there." [19:57] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Thank you." [19:58] <@ENGM> "If that's all have a pleasant stay on Crazy Ivans." [19:59] <+Nevka_Bingham> "I certainly plan to." [20:00] <@ENGM> To paraphrase the booklet it basically says "Keep to yourself and mind your own business. What happens on Crazy Ivan’s stays on Crazy Ivan’s. Have any of you seen John Wick? Well you’re on the space version of the continental. [20:00] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((to the somellier!)) [20:02] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "It appears Deck 3 is our next step." [20:02] *Dirk nods and looks over the pamphlet. "Makes sense." [20:04] <+Nevka_Bingham> "Well, for most of us. I need to set up the fuel transfer." [20:04] <+SamuraiHanson> "That seems to be where the action is. Does Caleb need any spare parts for the Strike?" [20:04] <+Nevka_Bingham> "No, we're stocked there." [20:05] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "I have the list of goods we are missing already written down, it shouldn’t take long to gather everything." [20:06] <Dirk> "We might as well wander together for now." [20:07] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Oh, I do not plan on venturing by myself here." [20:08] <+Sebastian`> "Captain if you don’t need me I'll go with Thomas." [20:08] <+Nevka_Bingham> "That should be fine, yes." [20:09] <@ENGM> ((so Nevka to the ship the others to the market deck?)) [20:09] <+Nevka_Bingham> ((seems so)) [20:10] <@ENGM> Nevka will head back to the Strike to oversee the fueling process. Sam, Sebastian, Thomas and Dirk all head to deck three and the market. (I assume you all have comms)) [20:12] <Dirk> ((yeah))

*********** SESSION END ************