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Story Hour
Traveller T20: Tales of the Bray Keaven [Updated 12-20-05]
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<blockquote data-quote="Shadowdancer" data-source="post: 1398087" data-attributes="member: 515"><p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="font-size: 15px">Chapter XX</span></strong></p><p><strong>Date: 119-993</strong></p><p><strong>Place: Alief System.</strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Saro checks his sources for hints on what would be needed to produce the antivirals. The information is a little sketchy on Wisulix and Karilic, but he suspects that they could be produced with TL-10 facilities. Information on the Derosium is easier to find, and he finds information that one of the compounds used in the production requires a TL-11 molecular site transducer.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">After checking the sources, Saro loads the information onto his data cube, selects the four courses of antivirals, and places everything in a small spare foam box marked "Petri Mice. This Side Up. Do Not Microwave."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">-----</p><p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Shortly after Argent makes his snap decision and communicates it to the slow boat, the slow boat replies, "Thank you for being reasonable and understanding, merchant ship. We are telling the cutter Leader’s Provider to decelerate now. Please turn off your active sensors and we will do the same. We will close with you and dock on your port side. When we dock, my assistant and I will enter your airlock with four briefcases containing 5 million lingdonsallers each. Any attempt to rob us will be met with deadly force."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Almost immediately after the transmission from the slow boat, the lead cutter flips on its tail and starts decelerating rapidly. The lead cutter also comms the Bray Keaven. "Merchant ship. Please don’t shoot. We're decelerating as quickly as we can. The fuel feed to our drives is erratic so we can’t decelerate as quickly as we could previously."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">-----</p><p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Swann tracks the cutter as it begins to decelerate and notes that the cutter is still on a rough intercept course (though decelerating now). Assuming the cutter continues to decelerate, its closest approach will bring it to within 1000 km of the Keaven.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">-----</p><p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Vasilii switches his sensors to the formerly trailing cutter and determines that the cutter is still on a ballistic course out of Alief orbit. The engines still appear to be non-functional.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">-----</span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">On station in the corridor near the port airlock, Darishun watches Saro hustling into the cargo bay to pick up the antivirals and coming back to the airlock. He cocks his head to the side to regard Saro and his little white foam box.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Doctor? Are we sure that delaying our arrival in Bromley in order to reward erratic and mad human behavior is wise? I do not trust these crazy humans, and it seems unwise to reward antisocial behavior. Perhaps it would be wise for us to be ready in case they choose to exhibit additional non-cooperative behavior."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Through the visor of the vacc suit the conflicted expression in Dr. Talbek’s face is evident. "These ships that traverse space are like little islands held together almost by faith. Argent has proven to be a fair and reasonable man, so far. While I am not sure that this is ethical, I am going to follow orders since I believe dissention could do more harm. Once we are planetside I plan on voicing my thoughts to Argent."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Darishun sadly shakes his massive head and continues. "I simply do not understand why humans so often resort to violence to take what they want. A failing of your species, I am afraid."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I know, Darishun, I know. It’s crazy. You have no idea how much pain and damage I’ve seen. How many wounds, radiation, biological weapons — it’s endless. I do what I can, but it’s tiring."</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Saro then offers the Petri Mice box to Darishun. "Speaking of which, I think you are right about being prepared. Maybe I should get my gun. I don’t plan on using it, but maybe if they see it they would be less likely to attempt something funny. Something just feels very wrong here."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">-----</p><p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Vasilii watches the sensor readings on the other ships, looking for any sign that they are not complying with the agreement.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Captain, the one cutter is still headed outsystem. It looks like its maneuver drive is totally shot. The other cutter is decelerating, but hasn’t altered course.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I haven’t run a detailed scan on the slow boat, so I can’t apprise you of any weaponry they may be carrying. Might I suggest that we proceed with caution? These people obviously believe in trading over a gun.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Perhaps we can have them drop the currency out an airlock and move off. When we’re satisfied that it is good, we can do the same with the antivirals and information. That way we don’t have to worry about them attempting to 'trade up' in ships."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Over the comm but in a very low voice Vargas is heard to say, "Wouldn't they be disappointed once they found out what the Bray Kreaven is actually like?"</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Vasilii checks to make sure <span style="color: black">that </span>his scan for the slow boat is still set up, then waits for the Captain’s order to cease active targeting.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="color: silver">"Damn, I just don’t like this," Argent muses. "Vasilii, I’m inclined to take out the cutter’s hardpoint. What do you think?"</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Vasilii thinks for a second. "Captain, that shot would be difficult, but I’m sure Mr. Hellinic would be better able to judge whether that is possible. I seriously doubt whether the computer–controlled port turret could accomplish that task. The cutter is currently decelerating with its stern pointed toward us.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I doubt whether we could continue firing and continue trade negotiations, however."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="color: #000080"><span style="color: silver">"That’s the entire point, Vasilii," Argent counters. "I don’t think these jerks are on the up–and–up. That cutter can flip on its axis on a moment’s notice and come in while we’re docked with the slow boat. And something tells me the slow boat’s captain would rather finish negotiations with the point of his gun to my head.</span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="color: #000080"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="color: #000080"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"So, the question is: do we trust these guys to behave, and let the boat dock?"</span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Shadowdancer, post: 1398087, member: 515"] [center][b][size=4]Chapter XX[/size][/b][/center] [b]Date: 119-993[/b] [b]Place: Alief System.[/b] [font=Verdana][size=2]Saro checks his sources for hints on what would be needed to produce the antivirals. The information is a little sketchy on Wisulix and Karilic, but he suspects that they could be produced with TL-10 facilities. Information on the Derosium is easier to find, and he finds information that one of the compounds used in the production requires a TL-11 molecular site transducer. After checking the sources, Saro loads the information onto his data cube, selects the four courses of antivirals, and places everything in a small spare foam box marked "Petri Mice. This Side Up. Do Not Microwave." [center]-----[/center] Shortly after Argent makes his snap decision and communicates it to the slow boat, the slow boat replies, "Thank you for being reasonable and understanding, merchant ship. We are telling the cutter Leader’s Provider to decelerate now. Please turn off your active sensors and we will do the same. We will close with you and dock on your port side. When we dock, my assistant and I will enter your airlock with four briefcases containing 5 million lingdonsallers each. Any attempt to rob us will be met with deadly force." Almost immediately after the transmission from the slow boat, the lead cutter flips on its tail and starts decelerating rapidly. The lead cutter also comms the Bray Keaven. "Merchant ship. Please don’t shoot. We're decelerating as quickly as we can. The fuel feed to our drives is erratic so we can’t decelerate as quickly as we could previously." [center]-----[/center] Swann tracks the cutter as it begins to decelerate and notes that the cutter is still on a rough intercept course (though decelerating now). Assuming the cutter continues to decelerate, its closest approach will bring it to within 1000 km of the Keaven. [center]-----[/center] Vasilii switches his sensors to the formerly trailing cutter and determines that the cutter is still on a ballistic course out of Alief orbit. The engines still appear to be non-functional. [/size][/font] [center][font=Verdana][size=2]-----[/size][/font][/center] [font=Verdana][size=2]On station in the corridor near the port airlock, Darishun watches Saro hustling into the cargo bay to pick up the antivirals and coming back to the airlock. He cocks his head to the side to regard Saro and his little white foam box. "Doctor? Are we sure that delaying our arrival in Bromley in order to reward erratic and mad human behavior is wise? I do not trust these crazy humans, and it seems unwise to reward antisocial behavior. Perhaps it would be wise for us to be ready in case they choose to exhibit additional non-cooperative behavior." [/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2]Through the visor of the vacc suit the conflicted expression in Dr. Talbek’s face is evident. "These ships that traverse space are like little islands held together almost by faith. Argent has proven to be a fair and reasonable man, so far. While I am not sure that this is ethical, I am going to follow orders since I believe dissention could do more harm. Once we are planetside I plan on voicing my thoughts to Argent." [/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2]Darishun sadly shakes his massive head and continues. "I simply do not understand why humans so often resort to violence to take what they want. A failing of your species, I am afraid." [/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2]"I know, Darishun, I know. It’s crazy. You have no idea how much pain and damage I’ve seen. How many wounds, radiation, biological weapons — it’s endless. I do what I can, but it’s tiring."[/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2]Saro then offers the Petri Mice box to Darishun. "Speaking of which, I think you are right about being prepared. Maybe I should get my gun. I don’t plan on using it, but maybe if they see it they would be less likely to attempt something funny. Something just feels very wrong here." [center]-----[/center] [/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2]Vasilii watches the sensor readings on the other ships, looking for any sign that they are not complying with the agreement. "Captain, the one cutter is still headed outsystem. It looks like its maneuver drive is totally shot. The other cutter is decelerating, but hasn’t altered course. "I haven’t run a detailed scan on the slow boat, so I can’t apprise you of any weaponry they may be carrying. Might I suggest that we proceed with caution? These people obviously believe in trading over a gun. "Perhaps we can have them drop the currency out an airlock and move off. When we’re satisfied that it is good, we can do the same with the antivirals and information. That way we don’t have to worry about them attempting to 'trade up' in ships." [/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2]Over the comm but in a very low voice Vargas is heard to say, "Wouldn't they be disappointed once they found out what the Bray Kreaven is actually like?" [/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2]Vasilii checks to make sure [color=black]that [/color]his scan for the slow boat is still set up, then waits for the Captain’s order to cease active targeting. [/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2][color=silver]"Damn, I just don’t like this," Argent muses. "Vasilii, I’m inclined to take out the cutter’s hardpoint. What do you think?"[/color] [/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2] Vasilii thinks for a second. "Captain, that shot would be difficult, but I’m sure Mr. Hellinic would be better able to judge whether that is possible. I seriously doubt whether the computer–controlled port turret could accomplish that task. The cutter is currently decelerating with its stern pointed toward us. "I doubt whether we could continue firing and continue trade negotiations, however." [/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2][color=#000080][color=silver]"That’s the entire point, Vasilii," Argent counters. "I don’t think these jerks are on the up–and–up. That cutter can flip on its axis on a moment’s notice and come in while we’re docked with the slow boat. And something tells me the slow boat’s captain would rather finish negotiations with the point of his gun to my head.[/color] [/color][/size][/font][font=Verdana][size=2] "So, the question is: do we trust these guys to behave, and let the boat dock?"[/size][/font] [/QUOTE]
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Traveller T20: Tales of the Bray Keaven [Updated 12-20-05]
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