Traveller T20. Tukera Tour of Terror

[jasper]

Ref notes skip IF don't want the mood broken.

This brings the story almost up to last session. But since the next session will deal with various of the ship details I hold over the action to then. Also we had to move the game and folders with all the ship notes were at another gamers house. (yes now I keep full duplicates)
the players threw me for a loop after crash. i was expecting to walk out when one pointed out there would be alot of air rafts in a mning town. And they didn't want to walk out. I was expecting session two being the first march (and chewing up some of the extras) and first coiner meeting. The third the treaty scene and arrival at the port.
Also Rami had problem with rifle stats so we agree to adjust the range on some weapons. I thought I would have to react Zulu when Rami took the shot but he missed by 2. i was hoping to chew up Jesse but we all discovered how deadly combat is in traveller. If the party had arrive one round later Jesse would had been worm food. The worm was just a purple worm. Cr 12. The party is around 7th so standard cr are out the window. Also xp in traveller is given more by hitting goals and not just chewing up the scenery.
The ship plans for the Qbert and most other ships are from
http://homepage.mac.com/vutpakdi/Traveller_Deck_Plans/Menu8.html
ron vutpakdi's traveller deck plans.
Qbert used pride of tripolis plans with addition of one deck plan with two gun mounts. The SSP secret sucker punch. Was to take a 20 ton ship plan and add 3 gun mounts remove most the seats. add gunner postion and fill the rest with fuel.

We are using the Traveller t20 handbook. t20 lite , and gateway domain pdf. Note coin uwp (describe world) has been change. And some of the Reach history. Reach is not allied with imperium.
The maddness was release by the doctor. However i allowed the players roll for the npc. I just wish they would roll that way when their lives were on the line. The players decide they did not want to roll the combat between the npcs so we just flipped a coin (challenge no go coin from recuirter) to see who won the combat. Mom when mad and took out another mad victim before Alice won the combat.

The questions I asked on qli traveller site were cheerfully answered. Check out their freedown loads.

 

[jasper]

Chapter 9 It’s a Ship
Miss Macy collected the hands for the wall of fame and gave every one a shot of Johnny Walker 1000. The group met with the good doctors a half a kilometer passed the line. The line is the official boundary between star port Imperium land and the planets. They were outside of hanger needing painting. The signage of front had been often painted over. The oldest lettering was GenAssist Hang, ending with Gateway Metals Storage hanger seven. The doctor opened the lock on the entrance door and flicked on the lights. The hanger was nearly totally full of various storage containers. Some of the containers were stacked to the ceiling.

“Where is the ship?” asked Frank McQuade.

“Behind the boxes. If you climb up the red stripe containers you could see it”, replied Doctor Hugh and wagged his tail gleefully.

“Bro it is a ship!” yelled down Jesse McQuade after a hasty climb just being Sharnatha who put in, “A 400 dTon one. It could hold up to 150 in cargo maybe.”

“ But it so covered with dust and winter kudzu! It looks like we won a ship and a garden!” griped Sharnatha.

“You not breaking this one brother “called up Frank.

“I telling mom. Your ship is already broken," quipped Jesse.

The doctor handover the papers and help arranged for a crew and equipment to unbury the ship. The crew and rental cost the group a kilo credit.

After inspection Sharnatha called a meeting to list the ship’s shape and inventory. It wasn’t ship shape. Sharnatha started read, “Listing to port. Port air flap flapping. Gyro spun down.
A crack is in front landing skid. Port maneuver engine is out of alignment. Port Lift hydraulics leaked out. Air raft is missing. All external Iris values rotten cracked. Ship locker lock busted.
Swing cabin shower cold only. Starboard cabin shower hot only. No bedding in all cabins.
Sick bay no meds. Low berth number four window painted pink. Swing cabin iris value gaskets old and cracked. Life support filters missing, cracked, old, and fouled. A large blood stain is on crew table. Starboard crew table chairs missing padding. 3 bullet holes in rear chair of crew table.
First starboard crew room wall has been spray painted Maddie loves Kirk on wall in lime green.
Cabin air is foul, full of pollen and other stuff. Sick bay is missing all bedding. Sick bay monitors cords cut. Fuel leak on starboard engine one liter a day. Laser lenses are dirty and fouled.
Rat nest in missile launch tube. Broken still is in air raft berth. Air raft hatch busted. A deck of cards missing 3 of clubs but with 2 aces of spades found in port laser gunner room. Tread/rubber marks length of hold. Communication antenna is missing. The engineer’s tool box has 1 large 2 meter adjustable wrench, 4 pd sledge hammer, 1 match, and 1 bible. Technical manual for jump 2 General Products engine hard copy missing chapters 2, 6,9,13 with Aslan Play girl center fold tuck inside. Technical manual for General Products Fusion engine only contains Chapter 1 and 16. Technical manual for Hercules Pressurized Air Raft Model 1700 Cover only. 7 packs of chewing gum USED under copilot station. 3 laser burns on starboard wing. Port crew cabin is missing window. “

Sharnatha drew another breath, “The following stuff is working or passed power check. Fusion Plant, Water and life support, Purification Plant, Computer flight avionics, sensors and communications, Fuel Scoops, and the computer has copies of all manuals. On the good side the entertainment vids old serials from the 500’s Andy Aslan, Harry Hiver (comedy series), and Killer K’kree including the infamous Killer marries a Hiver and Killer kisses Andy Aslan, and Laddie the Vargr. Biography of Cleon I 10 hours, Julian War opera version 20 hours, Imperial/Aslan peace treaty of 380 33 hours, 2nd frontier saga 600 hours with 100 hours on making of saga. 3 packs of Centaurius Cigars (30), Aslan Playgirl Series years 982-983. Pink shotgun with 3 shells names Gloria, Gale, and Gladys. 1 pt Aslan Catnip Cream de mint 70 proof. 1 pt Emperor Espresso 50 proof. “ She tossed her pad on the table “ I am going to bed. Tomorrow I will check out the names.”

She was talking about what was in place of port missile rack gunner room which had been converted to cargo. However it was sealed. The door had sealed, bolted, and welded shut. The names of Roy, Sixius, and Orin were painted in red over the door with a note. “Do not open turn contents over to Solomani authorities. Rami and Sharnatha did some research and discover those were the names of nursery terrorists. This group murdered a shipload of children and family members on a vacation luxury liner on Day 113-970 by releasing a killer robot into the nursery. A three mega credit was listed for their heads. Other reports had families offering more credits for the terrorist in various states of living.

While they were doing this the McQuades were looking at the ship’s paper. They scratched their heads at the list.

Former owners of Ebon Rapturous Doctor Hugh N. Being Day 300 991- Day 18 993 lost to Frank at poker table. Bob Markland Day 200-990 to Day 300-991, Sue Macy Day 200-989 to Day 200 -990, Fred H. Murphy Day 100-988 to Day 200-989, Long fellows Mining company Day 100 -997 to Day 100-988, Bill Longfellow Day 13-986 to Day 100-987. 2 year blank. Old Worlds Mining 983-985, Ashenusharger-Ngonarz Mercantile Enterprises 977-982 Mantarillion Shipping 955 -977 Jeffers Killady-Stornhaven 931 to 955.

In the afternoon they met with Honest Jasper the star ports only ship repair company. Jasper was eager for the work. The contract with Gateway was ok but it was rare that any other ship landed and here was one that needed a lot of work. His secretary gave him the signal. “Good. I glad you left your weapons home. Now I don’t have to use the bullet proof partition. “ He pointed to the drop down partition. “Ok. My crew has inspected the ship and we have come up with a bill. “

“To make the ship totally space worthy. “He flipped the sheet on the display.

“1,922,109.13 credits. “ Jesse eyes bugged out. Frank gasped. Squish’s jaw dropped. Sharnatha grabbed her tailed and pulled. Jasper waited until they came to.

As he flipped the second sheet he continued, “However we are not able to provide all the need materials and crew to do so, plus we not licensed to certify ships. But the regulations do allow me to issue you a temporary worthiness rating to get you to a class C base. So you don’t have pay that now. The cost to get the ship into space it will cost 274,587.09 credits. Plus 54,000 credits for life support, plus 20,000 credit for various supplies for a total of 348,587.09 credits. “ Jasper waited. A brief discuss occurred and pooling their resources the group would be able to afford it. They started laying down the credits.

Jasper thumbed the intercom, “O’Brian! You have clean and launch job at the hanger eighteen. It will be a few days. “ He shook their hands and led them out.

Three nights later while drinking at Miss Macy’s, Jesse made a smart remark about Himme who was drinking a saucer of milk across the way. Suddenly he felt a bottle bust against his head. “Cat hater!” screamed the attacker. Both tables arose in mayhem. Squish giggled as he tail slapped one of the attackers across the bar, over the bar top and into the mirror behind. The bartender heard bones break as the tail made impact. Just as the fight was getting good, a cloud of pepper gas exploded in the middle of fight.

“Next round is buck shot boys and girls, “ she bellowed as she racked the shotgun. The bartender was busy with first aid when the marines arrived to put down the fight and arrest the brawlers. Jesse and Billy Matson, the one who flew into the mirror, were taken to the hospital. The rest were toss into jail. The judge arrived at jail an hour later and fined all but Squish a hundred credits for brawling. Squish would stay in jail until his trial. Additional charges would be filed depending on the results of surgery. The man was in critical condition and his survival was iffy.

The next day the trial was held. The victim would be tried for deadly assault, brawling, and destruction of private property. Miss Macy dropped the private property charge when Squished agree to pay for the damage. The brawling charge was a hundred credit fine. However the deadly assault charged carrying a prison sentence and or fine. Rami tried with all his might to get the charge dropped. The judge was not listening to who started it, or any other argument. Lucky Rami was able to get Squish off without prison sentence. Squish was fined fifty thousand which he was unable to pay. Jack stepped in with the money but made Squish sign an I.O.U. for forty three thousand five hundred credits. Squish record would hold a felony conviction. Rami pointed out even with it happening on Imperium soil it would take months and years to trickle through all star ports.

On the morning of day twenty two, the group returned. The ship sparkled. Sharnatha discovered the work crew had refilled the tool box to include a full box of matches, a pack of chewing gum and roll of silver duct tape. In the afternoon they received word the QBert cubed was entering parking orbit. Tommy Andrews and Captain Cass Mason were the only survivors. The pirate ship had been destroyed. The Travellers decided to help. So they started cracking fuel.

Tommy had checked the regulations. If he abandoned the ship it could be claim for salvage and the rescue crew would ten percent. If he stayed on board the ship would still be legally under way but in general distress. The passengers could not be taken aboard. With talks with group, ground control, and star port administrator no qualified flight crew could be found. So Andrews decided to reach into the ship’s funds. He would pay the Travellers six hundred credits per dTon of fuel they delivered to orbit. He would allow the remaining eleven passengers back on board to obtain their belongings except for those in the cargo holds. He would pay the Travellers for two middle passages or two low berth passages for the eleven. He would also pay a kilo credit for them to deliver a message to the Tukera company representative in Ranua which would ask for a relief crew.

The remaining passengers, the two surviving marines, the prince and the new crew boarded the ship. On the day 30-993 the Ebon Rapturous rose. It flew out of atmosphere of Coin and sailed into a misjump!

 

[jasper]

Chapter 10 Jump Money
The ship shuttered. The jump field stabilized. Everyone knew something when wrong. Squish had dropped a decimal point badly. The good thing was they were alive. The worry was would the ship break up on returning to normal space, miss the planet, or were they on jump space voyage to nowhere.

Sharnatha woke in the middle of the night. The cabin she had chosen was freezing. She adjusted the temperature and rolled over. Thirty minutes later she woke again the cabin was still freezing. She reset the temperature to normal. A quarter of hour she awoke. The temperature was dropping pass zero C. She left her cabin and climb down to engineering. She flung open the tool box and grabbed various tools and a replacement sensor. A half hour later she returned the tools. She grabbed an extra blanket from stores and adjusted the new thermometer to a nice temperature. Fifteen minutes later she awoke again freezing. She grabbed her bedding and left the cabin. Turning the sick bay temperature to five degrees above normal she deactivated the bed monitors and curled up asleep on one of medical beds.

The trip to Berg was uneventful except for pounding, hissing, and mounting frustration of the Aslan as no matter what she did the temperature in her state room stayed around -12C. Frank suggested they plug the drain in shower and let the water run then she could at least go ice skating to pass the time. Sharnatha did not claw his eyes out only because he was at the far end of crew table. The crew wisely did not tell her the passengers had opened book on which was going to win and the odds were now favoring the stateroom. Prince Andrew only threw three tantrums in public and demanded that Brenda be searched in his presence because she had to be cheating at cards because he always won when he played with the marines. Alice had to body check Brenda when she lunged across the table at the prince. This resulted in Captain Mason ordering Andrew to his cabin and frog marching the prince when he didn’t move. The dressing down Mason gave the Andrew was suppose to private. Unfortunately a faulty circuit caused the speech to be broadcast all over the ship. Curiously the speaker in the prince’s cabin wasn’t working at that time. Mason came out of the cabin and posted a guard on the door. The prince had decided to stay in his room the rest of voyage.

On day 37-993 Squish, Frank, Sharnatha and Rami were on the flight deck as the counter approached zero. The stars snapped into place.

“We are not dead!” spoke Frank.

“We are not where we suppose to be either”, remarked Sharnatha, “We a day away from Berg!”

Jesse smiled, “Hey Squish could have missed the other way and we would hit the planet.”

It was agreed from then on she would astronavigate, and Squish would pilot. But he would stay on the ship until they reach Ranua. The trip to Berg was good for the Aslan. She had finally got the heating fix in her cabin during the day. Berg wasn’t worth the stop except for fuel. They traded the vids for only eighty credits. The Prince let his displeasure be known when he was told he would not be allowed to disembark the ship. Berg was just a fueling stop and only two exports were industrial diamonds and sulfur compounds. He could view the twin volcanoes in the distance from the safely of flight deck. Brenda packed up Himme and rented some filters and was able to talk one of ground crew into taking the passengers sans Prince Smith of an over flight of the volcanoes. Himme seemed interested until she hit the open switch of her carrier and the smell hit her. She spent the rest of flight bouncing her mouse against the window of her carrier. The ship lifted a day later.

Squish was looking over Sharnatha’s shoulder as she plotted the jumped. “But I did all that too“, he rumbled. They enter jump space. When she finally decided to call it a night, a blast of ice cold air hit frosted her muzzle. She grabbed her pillow and marched straight to the sick bay. The trip to Mikkeli was uneventful. Sharnatha had given up on the stateroom controls.

They landed on Mikkeli on the afternoon of fiftieth day of nine hundred ninety three. Frank discussed the money situation unless he would win at poker or they pick up some cargo at the next stop they wouldn’t be able to pay for repairs even if the promise of million credits reward were true. The group agreed to pool the remaining money minus expense and let Frank hit the casinos. Frank would stop if he lost have the stake money. Sharnatha and the belter would poke around for some speculation cargo. Rami and Jesse would be Jesse’s flankers. Squish and the Prince would stay on board. The marines would do guard duty outside. The passengers would be free to roam but had to be back on board an hour before lift off. Frank reminded every one due to centuries of burning hydrocarbons the planet was smog bound so everyone need a filter. Frank paid the ports fees and departed. After she got the ship loaded with fuel she left. Sharnatha quickly found a few dTons of ammo and some dTons of electronics which the shipper would hold free for a day if he didn’t get an offer. She spend the rest of time amusing herself while the ship by dissembling Himme’s cylinder and washing the collar. The electronics were very sophisticated. She hit the data net to do some searching. The cylinder was basic medicinal recorder and neural blocker. It also had a GenAssist logo inside. When she looked up it was pass midnight and only she and Himme were awake on the ship. She grabbed a bar of soap and towel and paid the prince a little visit. She grabbed one of sleeping bags of Marines which was on the floor. She tossed the bag over the prince’s head. She the stood on top of it and started to wail away. Himme helped by swiping at any toes or flesh which became exposed. The prince repeatedly screamed for mercy and bellowed for his marines while thumbing his panic button. When she was satisfied, she and Himme dashed out the door as the Prince feebly struggle to climb out of bed sheets. Two hours later she was abruptly awoken by the racking of a shot gun in her ear. She froze and opened her eyes.

Captain Cass stood over her with his weapon pointed at the ceiling. “You dropped this.” He dropped the fake panic button on her chest. “If I was in another company, I might say good job. But I would also remind certain party goers that we know when he been sleeping, we know where he been bad or good. And some bugs are a jarhead’s best friend. That is if I was in another company“ He turned, hefted a first aid kit then left the bay.

Meanwhile Frank had not wasted time. He sat down to the thousand credit table and won nine thousand in a few hands. He moved to a ten kilo table and sat in. Ten hands later and he was eighty thousand to good. Another ten put him a hundred and sixty thousand credits to good. At this point the casino asked him to leave. He gave the signal to Jesse who eased out first. Buy the time he cash out the winnings, Jesse had a cab waiting to take them to the other casino. Frank asked for a twenty kilo limit table. With three hands he was another sixty grand ahead. After that his luck changed. In another three hands he had lost the sixty. Wisely he cashed out.


The next morning after paying for the cargo the ship lifted. A few hours later they were in jump space and again the temperature was dropping in Sharnatha’s cabin. The stress and the cold in cabin had to getting to her. During the nights she kept dreaming of Himme talking with her. The dreams were vivid. Some times Himme would give her a formula to make a human’s hair fall out. Another time Himme was offering square kilometers of land to toss both Jesse and Squish out the air lock in jump space. Still another was Himme offering to buy her a ship or for her to take out Brenda.


To pass the time the crew took time drilling a hole in the sealed door. A few holes were drilled and a small light cable was pushed through to throw some light on the interior. Inside was a huge birthday present. The paper was faded. It had large yellow ducks, comical Vargr, cute puppies, and muscular Aslan. It was two plus meters tall and about one and half meters square. Everyone even the Prince took turns looking and taking guesses. Frank ruled they would not proceed further until they reached the star port at Ranua. Seven days later the jump clock hit zero.

 

[jasper]

Chapter 11
T.N.S. Day 58-993 Turku (K-2329 Crucis Margin, Gateway Domain)

A twelve year missing ship, a missing sixteen year old, a group of missing passengers and a father missing his son all came together today. The Ebon Rapturous which is own by Ashenusharger-Ngonarz Mercantile Enterprises went missing on day 33-981 on scheduled mail run. Today she returned to port carrying the missing Prince Andrew Sullivan Smith, two marines of his loyal guard and the stranded passengers of the QBert cubed who disappeared into jump space on day 7 in Pokka space. The Emperor Smith was overjoyed.

T.N.S Day 59-993 Turku

The celebration is just being for the band of heroes the McQuade brothers Frank and Jesse, Sharnatha, Squish, Rami, and Jack were awarded a mega credit by Emperor Smith today in a public ceremony. The Emperor did not comment on the call by Trader Jim to resign or the fact of various trade unions are submitting proposals for the disbanding of the emperorship of The Reach. The heroes and other survivors will tomorrow be question by the Reach Rescue association to discover what when wrong. Tukera representative Paul Marks offered all survivors free high passage tickets to Ranua. The families of slain would be notified by the authorities by the next available ship.


T.N.S Day 66-993 Turku

Ashenusharger-Ngonarz Mercantile Enterprises reported they would sell the Ebon Rapturous to our heroes for one credit but the company would claim salvage rights to any old cargo which was aboard the Ebon. CEO Donald Northern claimed with the report from Reach Rescue association was complete. Mr. Northern did put a call out for any reports of any sightings of the Ebon during it twelve year disappearance to be forward to his office.


T.N.S. Day 79-993 Turku

Tomorrow the Ebon will clear dry dock. This reporter wants to know where the new crew will lift for.

Felix Needlemire submitted an official recall bill to the Quilters, Woolens, and Fabric Workers guild to recall the post of emperor this morning.

 

[jasper]

Ok this brings the story up to the end of third session. Yet again they advanced the story line by one session I was planning on the group reaching The Reach at the end of next session.

One thing to remember is combat even a bar room brawl can be deadly. Squish's player giggled when he critical and with a Virushi he can do lots of damage.

Also Frank has a +11 on his gambling rolls even when the npcs match his bonus he generally won. Out of 46 rolls he only missed 9.

Well they got some plot hooks and I got two small scenes ready. let see where they get hooked.

 

[jasper]

Chapter 12 Party Tonight
Chris Cashier took the paper work from Frank McQuade. He reviewed the ship papers. “So Gene Arcbinkel is now the owner of record of Ebon Rapturous. The Captain and sensors is Frank McQuade. The pilot is Squish Squash Squish. The astronavigator and medic is Sharnatha Delian. The steward is Ali Jonkeereen. The engineer is Jesse McQuade. Gunner is Gene Arcbinkel. The Imperium regulations require that you pay the pilot 6000 credits per month. Since Sharnatha is filling two positions her salary would be 6500 credits a month. The engineer gets 4000 credits. The gunner gets 1000 credits. The steward gets paid 3000 credits. You will pay yourself 3000 credits as sensor operator. You will be liable to pay income taxes on these amounts even if the crew swaps off on jobs. So 2,350 credits in taxes should be paid per month. You can pay taxes either monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or yearly by submitting the documentation here are at any other Imperium star port. The income from ship operations is due yearly and that income is total income with no deductions. Vouchers issued to you for expenses while on official Imperium business is not consider income.

Squish read the invitation. “Greetings Squish Squash Squish. The people for the ethical treatment of aliens cordially invite you to attend a banquet in your honor on day seventy nine at seven thirty local. The location is at the Northern Inn on thirteen thirteen thirteen avenue. A vehicle will be sent for you at seven. Signed John Bother.” He mentioned the invitation to banquet to Frank who insisted on back up.

The luxury vehicle pulled up to ship at precisely seven o’clock. It was a pressured air raft converted to carry passengers. The driver seemed unperturbed as Squish and the McQuade brothers entered the raft. The drive to ceremony was quiet. A half hour passed and the raft stopped at mid-price inn. Introductions were made all around. Frank and Jesse were seat at opposite ends of the guest of honor table. Fredrick Douglass was the speaker. Fred droned on for an hour while the McQuade brothers slowly sipped the whiskey and Squish push the food around his plate. As Squish was introduce, Jesse eyes rolled into his head and he slipped out of his seat falling face first into a potted plant.

As the crash echoed to a stop, chaos broke loose from out of nowhere cudgels, brass knuckles, and saw off pool cues appeared in the hands of audience and speakers. Frank smiled it would be a nice brawl especially since they started it. Ten for Squish, ten for Frank and ten for Jesse. Make that ten each as Jesse drooled on foot which was kicking him in the head. Squish clubbed the Fredrick to the ground and grinned. The fight was getting worse. Two groups of five were rushing up the staircases. Frank had render two people unconscious. Squish was finishing off his fourth not noticing a sixth man was pulling a gun.

“GUN!” bellowed Frank as the guy took careful aim at the back of Squish. Three shots rang out. The assassin shot buried itself into the wall as Frank’s second shot tossed the body to the ground. The next minute was a confusion of gun fire, grunts, cussing and running. When the last body dropped three of the party goers were dashing for the exits. Squish and Frank were left standing. Frank was nursing his busted nose and his left eye was beginning to swell shut. Frank check the bodies, two of assassins would live. He heard sirens in the background. He placed his pistol and clips on the table and started first aid on his victims. The cops arrived.

“Oyez! This court of Turku is now in session” proclaimed the judge. “I have read the statements and findings of the investigators. Please stand and proclaim your plea when I call your name. Jesse McQuade you are charge with failure to carry out your security duties. How do you plea? “

Jesse rose, “Not guilty as I was drugged by the so called victims. “

“Squish Squash Squish you are charged with one count of inciting a riot. Seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon aka your fists and tail. One count of manslaughter. How do you plea “, asked the judge.

Squish stood, “not guilty as I was just defending myself.”

The judge look up and then glanced at his paper work, “Frank McQuade you are charged with one count of discharging a weapon in the city limits. One count of assault with a deadly weapon in the second degree and five counts of manslaughter in self defense. How do you plea?”

Frank replied, “Not guilty with an excuse sir!”

The trial was not going well when Inspector Thompson arrived with more information. A private conference was called by the judge involving the lawyers and inspector. A few hours later the judge return.

“I have come to a verdict. The defendants will stand. Due to the new facts presented by the inspector I have reached a swift verdict. Frank McQuade on the charge of discharging a weapon in the city limits this court accepts the self defense plea the charge is dismissed. On the charges of assault with a deadly weapon in the second degree and five counts of manslaughter the charges are dismiss. Squish Squash Squish all your charges are dismissed. Both of you are getting off due to acting in self defense and the fact the group People of the Extermination of Aliens, formally Humans Against Toleration of eTs, is an illegal political body which due to this incident the government has found out all members of this group and they will be serving long prison sentences. However Jesse McQuade on the charge with failure to carry out your security duties you are found guilty. This court sentences you to the maximum punishment available. Your conceal carry permit is revoked for six months. Furthermore the Security Guard Guild Local 339 has black balled you for a period of six months. This court is over.”

T.N.S. Turku Day 88-993.

The heroes of Coin have done it again. This band of brothers was able to break up a secret political group. During the bust six hate mongers were killed. The court dismissed the bogus charges against them.

The local Minister of Justice has announced the downgrading of to Amber in Coin space. The natives of Coin have asked to join the Imperium. The local representative of Gateway Metals reported the contract for sole operations on Coin is still good.

Tukera announced they have put together a relief crew to recover the QBert 3 from Coin’s orbit.

 

[Tickleberry]

Enter the Aslan


I am a striped Aslan, which is quite rare, and thus quite persecuted. Rumors abound that we are either constructs of Geneassist or are corrupted Aslans by Geneassist. Either way, growing up on Kushyu was a holy terror. Things were so difficult because of my advent that I had a human nanny. She was a Scottish lady named Katie McBride. I loved her, but the accent she left me with didn't help. My English is forever hilarious because of her.

I was a social outcast. My physical appearance made me unwelcome, but my skills with engine and body were sought after by many. I nearly didn't make it through college because of my physical defects (fur stripes a defect?!), but my excellent mind pulled me through. I can fix both you and your machine should you crash it.

Being unwelcome on my own home planet, I naturally took to travelling. I am very good at the bargaining table, and more than one merchant rued the day he tried to cheat me. I am a wealthy young Aslan, I have a personal medkit and a standing Traveller's high fare. I thought a luxury cruise on the new Qbert vessel would be fun. Boy, was I wrong.

The ship was attacked by pirates, but not before a turncoat aboard poisoned people into madness. Two of the passengers who weren't too sane to begin with decided to see what was left of the crew, whilst I and the varushi checked on the rest of the passengers.

The crazed McQuade brothers found the turncoat and blew him to smithereens, but then the scuttling charge blew. I was able to juryrigg what was left with the dubious assistance of the ship's engineer to some semblance of working order, but we still had to bail out with the pirates harassing us.

Strangly enough, this ship came equipped with a suicide boat, and a ship's evac boat. there were enough personnel left willing to man the suicide boat to give the passengers a chance to escape to coin. Turns out the snotty noble was a snotty prince in disguise, hence the marines willing to die for him. Unfortunately, we had to bring him along.

If someone was going to have to die in the crash, why not the snotty prince? Noooo, it has to be two nice people. There wasn't enough of them left to save. Then we had a nice long march to the landing base. That is, what was left of it. I've seen abandoned smuggler bases in better repair. There was just enough left to repair to make us uncomfortable. I did get the generator running, and the radio worked. Just fine to tell us that rescue would be delayed.

So now we wait, and meet the natives. They look like huge crickets. Jesse ( the craziest brother) mumbled something about fishbait and Jonah? Here I thought I knew all the earth stories.

The natives are curious about our wrecked ship. What worries us is that the next night, they start digging up the dead. Ali, an Arab, takes exception to this, and fires on the ring leader. He gets knocked down.

We find out the next radio contact that we were lucky we didn't kill him. There's a death sentence for killing one. I think they set a jungle worm on us for it, though. It tries to eat both our generator and Jesse. Jesse doesn't like that, and so fires down its mouth. Both Squish and Gene fire on it, and blast the 60 foot behemoth to bits. Gene and Squish take credit for the kill, though in fairness, we all helped.

We have duly impressed the Coiners. They now want to play nice. They invite us to dinner, not as dinner. Able, one of the three to have traveled off of Coin, speaks for them, and takes the delegates. The prince is not invited, but does not want to wait patiently here with those of us remaining behind.

Squish politely sends him off to la-la land. Alice, the marine who is responsible for the prince, shoves her rifle up Squish's nose. I assure her the prince is fine, and will sedate him enough to keep him out of everyone's hair. She visibly relaxes at that. That spoilt little brat has really rattled her nerves. No loyal subject should be subjected to that much royal treatment. Poor thing. I will have to educate that boy, first chance I get, hmmmm.

Ali, the most urbane of our crew (and most diplomatic) brings back a boatload of news: The Coiners are smarter than anyone gave them credit for: they want Gateway metals gone; They want a treaty with the Imperium, and there is a Hive mother.

Finally, finally, we are rescued, and go to what passes for civilization on Coin. Frank gets wind of a ship up for grabs, and starts sniffing it out. He gets himself into a poker game, and wins a ship. Didn't I hear a rumor about a smuggler. . . .?

Squish gets into a barfight, and nearly kills someone. Maybe he got too much gas from the ship. Varushi are supposed to be gentle. Squish is anything but gentle.

Luckily, Ali is able to settle some of it. In the meantime, I'm busy with the so-called ship. It is a wreck, no a wreck might be flightworthy, this thing is not! What it is, is the Ebon Rapturous. This thing is a legend, a legendary mess that is. it had gone missing quite some time ago, now I have to make it flightworthy. Well, Squish can serve his community service helping me ready this thing. Thank god I'm an engineering genius.

Himme is also an oddity. Her collar is very strange. I've looked at it on a couple of occasions, and I cannot figure it out. Not only that, but her dimensions are strange as well. Her head is too large. If I didn't know better, I'd say she was sentient. Hmmm, maybe I know better than that, even.

 

[jasper]

Chapter 13 Contracts All Around

Captain Frank McQuade rolled out of bed just missing his brother’s head. “Um double bunks. I’m thirty years old and still have bunk beds with my younger brother. I shouldn’t have play cards with Jesse with loser knocking back a shot. I think he was dealing from the bottom the last couple of hands. “He hit the mute button on the message machine and read the text.

“Dear Captain McQuade, Ebon Rapturous. Tukera wishes to offer you first choice at delivering a relief crew to the QBert 3 in Coin’s orbit. The standard fees will be paid. Could come talk at 0800 Day 89 at the Tukera offices Suite 6 12 Starry lane. “

“Dear Captain McQuade, Ebon Rapturous. Gateway Metals wishes to offer you first choice at delivering cargo to our holdings on Coin. Standard shipping rates apply. Please contact us before close of business Day 90-993.”

“To Frank McQuade from Merric Merryway MoJ Turku. Subject Coin Treaty Status. It is desired the presence of your person at the Imperium Ministry of Justice office before 0800 local time Day 89-993 to discuss the status of Coin Treaty. The Imperium may have a contract for you.”

Frank hopped into the shower and then dressed. His brother was still snoring as he headed for the door. He grinned. “Rise and shine! You apes!” he screamed. Jesse tried to jump up and nearly knock himself out as he hit the upper bunk. “Now that you up. Tell everyone staff meeting at three p.m. ship clock. I going to check out some job offers.” He ducked a pillow as he shooed out the door. The pillow continued through the air to land on the conference table.

“Ok. Gateway Metals is paying us to haul 80 dTons worth of freight and air rafts to Coin. Tukera is paying us middle passage for the relief crew to Coin; we lost high passage fees due the MoJ downgrading Coin to an amber zone. The Tukera contract does make us stay on site until the relief crew gives the ok the ship is space worthy. And the MoJ will pay fuel cost to and from Coin for the delivery of temporary treaty to Hive Mother and her Coiners. Since the treaty is going to stir up a hornet’s nest once the Coiners take over stay close to the ship” summarized Frank.

Ali spoke “What does the treaty say?”

Frank replied,” The Imperium has accepted some of conditions. Coin is now an Amber Zone until the archduke of Gateway domain accepts the treaty since he way over Spinward and Coreward of here it is going to take at least six months for the treaty to make it to him and that is if use fast ships. The MoJ has declared Gateway Metals contract null and void. It throws open the planet to any scholars or teaching institutions to aid the Coiners. I just hope someone starts working on a Coin translator program soon. The MoJ will pay low passage fees for any scholar willing to teach on planet for one year. So the Gateway people are not going to be too happy with us after we give them a copy of treaty. Sharnatha we have about twenty tons free, feel free to speculate. Also Ashenusharger-Ngonarz Mercantile Enterprises is claiming salvage rights to any cargo. So they are going to collect the birthday present. It still gives me a bad feeling but it will be their problem. They are planning on picking it up in less than an hour. By six p.m. I want to raise ship so some of you will have to help oversee the loading of cargo and passengers. Squish I urge you to go buy a new mirror worth at least a kilo credit for Miss Macy, I would like to gamble while I on Coin. Lets be about it people. ”

About fifteen minutes to liftoff, Sharnatha sees Brenda waving as she approaches the ship. “We need to talk” Brenda speaks. Sharnatha finishes the lock down check and tries to tell Brenda lift out is nearby and she needs to depart. Brenda begins to beg to go with the crew. Sharnatha is not giving in.

“Please take my caretaker and me with you. The space trip is boring and you are one of the smartest Aslan I have met. Quit twisting your tail. Thanks to you removing the neural block cylinder I can speak “speaks Himme.

“Ship is leaving in five minutes. All crew to their stations. All passengers please seat themselves. The steward will be around after take off. Sharnatha please report to your station.” Frank voice rolls out of intercoms.

Sharnatha smuggles the couple aboard into her stateroom and reports to her station. When the rest of crew discovers Brenda serving drinks to the passengers a quick crew meeting is called. It is loud, long and heated. Gene and Frank agree to let Brenda be a steward as working passage. The Himme debate is short. The order is that Sharnatha is responsible for Himme and keep her out of Squish’s and Jesse’s way.

Three hours after entering Jump space a cold Aslan, human and cat depart from Sharnatha’s stateroom. The temperature has dropped to 0 C. She spends the rest of trip to Mikkeli trying to fix it. The land and refuel at Mikkeli. The crew gets a good deal on industrial acids which they hope to sell for a good profit at Coin to Gateway Metals. On the way to Bergsjo they curse themselves for not picking up some new vids for the star port there. However Sharnatha does discover the reason temperature decreases in her stateroom. The bunk head containing the temperature sensor had a jump space incursion. She immediately sealed off the bunk head and sealed the room. While they were cracking fuel on Bergsjo, she got some the crew and two the QBert’s relief crew to cut out and replace most of the bunk head. The next jump her room only dipped by five degrees from the setting. She was willing to live with it.

They arrived on Coin late in day. Squish took the mirror to Miss Macy and the rest of crew helped unload the equipment to the Gateway warehouses. Sharnatha made an excellence profit on selling the acids. The crew spent a quiet night at Miss Macy’s. Frank won again at the tables but since everyone one knew him he could not get in a high stakes game.

The next morning they take off and dock with the QBert 3. The relief crew takes charge and Tommy bummed a trip planet side for R & R. On the morning of 102, the Travellers refuel and take Tommy back to his ship since the QBert is in the final stages of the flight check. After getting the okay from the QBert they tell ground control they going to do some test flying to include nape of earth navigation. Ground control reminds them not to buzz Coiners. With ground control con, they land near the Coiners hive.

Ali explains the temporary treaty to Able who passes the information on to the Hive mother. The adventurers are force to sit through a celebration feast with repeats of the Imperium anthem. In the morning Abe has a marching armed band of twenty crickets waiting to board ship. On the trip to Starport Frank starts giving orders.

“Ok. Jesse and Ali will go with me. Jesse arm yourself the SMG but cloth armour only. I don’t want anyone catching on to the new power before we present the treaty to manager of the company. The law is with us this time. But since we about to announce the company has just lost exclusive rights, they may shoot first and regret later. Ali you stay outside the building with the air raft. Squish, Sharnatha I want the engines ready to take off. Everyone else man their stations.”

Frank knew things were going wrong the moment the cargo hold open. Able and his band started up with the Imperium anthem again. He finally got Able to listen and not play the march. He was drawing cursory looks as they marched down the lane to headquarters meeting. The got to the company headquarters with out trouble. But then hit a stone wall. None of secretaries or flunkies who admit if Mr. Baker was in the building. Frank got tired of run around the secretaries and punched the intercom. “Mr. Baker, I have important paperwork from the Imperium. And an ambassador from the Hive mother. “

The meeting did not go well with Able quoting the phrase “Facts are Facts, Fiction is Diction, and the Universe is laughing,” which was one of the Coiners favorite sayings. Baker turned red in the face as he read the treaty. As Baker was trying to catch his breath. Frank saluted Able and slipped out. Baker’s angry roar could be heard from the closing door.

The air raft trip back to ship took seconds it appeared. He hit the cycle button on the air raft berth and signaled to take off. Just as they were getting airborne the tower came on.

“Ebon Rapturous! Stand down and return to port by order Administrator Baker.”

Frank, “Sensor lock! We are being painted.”

Squish, “I going evasive!”

“Ebon Rapturous! Stand down and return to port by order Administrator Baker.”

Frank, “Missile launch!”

 

[jasper]

Chapter 14 Fuel, Fools, Fun
Jesse, “I’m tracking it. Come on baby drop into the pocket.”

Frank, “Missile launch. Two birds inbound!”

Sharnatha, “Downloading the treaty to library and spamming everyone’s account. Fur ball. Squish I need you to fly straight for at least three seconds. You nearly broke the laser whisker.”

Squish, “orders! Orders! Everyone blames me for breaking things!”

Sharnatha “Got the marines barracks mail system. Clan pride. They have a general public intercom. Downloading treaty to it and having it repeat over the speakers.”

Jesse, “it’s in the pocket. He aims! Scratch one bird!”

Gene, “Tracking. Tracking the bird. Missed!”

The ship shutters and bucks upward into the atmosphere. Squish guns the engines and notes the ship is sluggish.

Sharnatha, “We venting fuel. Damage control procedures activated. Five tons. Ten tons. Fifteen tons. Sensors passing damage control and navigation to your panel. I am going below!” She locks off her board and dashes toward the stern. As she slips out of bridge she runs down Brenda. She grabs her by the scruff of her collar. “You with me. Damage Control one oh one emergency training. Himme get off my tail and get to your state room.”

Himme, “No!”

Control tower, “Ebon Rapturous. Return to the star port by order of Administrator Baker...”

Frank snaps off the incoming message. “Right fire on me will you. Sixteen tons fuel lost and climbing.”

Squish, “they only have two missile launchers operating. Let’s strafe them and let them see more pretty explosions.”

Jesse, “bro. They started it. We can finish it. “

Frank, “No! Seventeen tons lost. They were just following orders. If we go back and return fire, we will be brought on charges.”

Jesse, “Not the first time brother!”

Frank, “No! They fired on a Imperium ship on Imperium duty while carrying out a Imperium diplomatic mission. Twenty three tons lost. Damage control have you got a fix on the problem? We return to Turku and let the marines handle it.”

Jesse, “But we are marines brother. “

Frank, “Activate duty marines, brother. And it not our fight anymore…”

Jesse, “I am telling mom you ran away from a fight. Plus I promise Squish I shoot him if we return to Turku before my six months blackballing is up.”

Frank snapped off all the intercoms. “He is just grousing Squish. Thirty tons fuel. Sharnatha talk to me.”

Brenda, “She head first into a tube Captain. She said a few more seconds."

The ship yawing slows and stops. The Aslan slides out of tube and hits the intercom. “Leak is stopped. I still got about five minutes of work to do down here. How much did we lose?”

“Forty dTons. How does that affect our jump status?” asked Frank.

“Mother’s cookies. Kill the astronav plot. Our safety margin is gone.
We are going have to refuel," replied Sharnatha.

Frank answered, “We can’t go back to Coin at the moment. They are a might put out with us at the moment.”

“Have Squish head of the gas giant. We can scoop and scoot then," replied Sharnatha.

Squish started,"I haven’t flown this thing into a gas giant before. It could be dangerous."

Himme was mindlessly back scratching at a pipe as if to cover it up. “Smells bad." Himme yowled. Brenda spotted a small leak and turned the pipe off and notified Sharnatha. Sharnatha repaired the leak.

Sharnatha, “We lost forty dTons of fuel. Also someone will have to walk outside to patch the hole."

Frank, “Why can’t you do it?”

Sharnatha, “I don’t have a vac suit. I never needed one till now. “

Frank, “New rule from your Captain. Everyone will have a personal vac suit. Jesse you and Gene get with her for supplies. Sharnatha will talk you both through the procedure."

Sharnatha, “Coin is still pinging us. Can we shut off the responder? I can make it look like an accident."

Frank, “Just shut of the communications to the bridge. They can not get us up here. So let the fools sulk.”

The patch work when well. The whole crew grumbled at the damage. The missile had cracked fuel lines, punch a hole in the port fuel tank and remove some of the armour plating on the wing. The patch would hold but it was going to cost money to replace the armour.

After some smooth piloting from Squish and a few hours of cracking, Sharnatha plotted a course. “Jumping, Captain," she spoke as they entered jump space.

Two days later Jesse hair started falling out in clumps. Sharnatha did some testing and mentioned it wasn’t radiation damage. Jesse discovered someone had slipped something into his shampoo. The quick shakedown revealed Brenda had done the job. Sharnatha talked with Himme about cooling the feud. She reminded Himme not to fight with creatures who out weigh you about ten to one. Himme agreed.

A quick layover in Bergsjo allowed the crew to refuel and pick up some silver to trade at their next port of call. The stop over at Mikkeli allowed Sharnatha to work her trader skills to max. She made a profit on the silver and took almost a full load of freight cargo and fifteen passengers the majority of those in cold sleep. The McQuade brothers built up their reputations in the two casinos. They lifted and broke into Turku space on day 127. A quick download to the MoJ got them priority status to be cleared for a slip.

The next morning a conference was held. Frank began, “The MoJ is sending a ship to Coin with a Marine Peace keeping force and a ship’s boat. The Justice is going to bill Gateway Metals for our damage and has arranged for us to house at a hotel until the repair shop gets done. We got 7,767,072 credits in our account. I have authorized Honest Jasper to bring the ship up to the original specs which I have ear marked five million for this. So we will be getting a new missile alcove in the place of the birthday present hold. Also the current lasers will be replace with higher grade ones. If any one has any suggestion about more changes talk with Squish first. I am going to be hitting some of local yards to see how much they offering if we track down skips. Ali research the local wanted criminal databases and see if the rewards for capture are worth anything. Stick with murders or class three felons, Imperium and planet laws. Sharnatha you may want to scope out the prices for electronic picks. If we are going to be doing repo work we are going to need the tools to get into ships. Jesse check into blanket weapon permits for the ship’s crew. Okay see tonight for dinner at Vlad’s."

 

[jasper]

Sharnartha Delia Traveller Str 13, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 18, Edu 16, Wis 14, Cha 10, Soc 8.
Aslan, Stamina 30, Life blood 13, Age 26,
Feats Light & Med Armour, Vac Suit, Jack of All Trades 3, Gear head, Jury rig, Miracle worker, Vessel Grav.
Skills T/Astronav 12, T/ Communications 10, T/Computers 10, T/Electronics 12, T/Grav 10, T/Mechanical 12, Medic 12, Sensors 12, Pilot 11, Astronav 12, Trader 12

Frank McQuade Marine/Mercenary Str 16, Dex 18, Con 18, Int 17, Edu 16, Wis 15, Cha 17, Soc 14, Human, Stamina 100, Life blood 18, Age 30
Feats Marksman, Swordsman, CBR, Light & Med Armour, Vac Suit, Vessel Grav, Ships Weapons, Tactics I, Brawling, Cutlass special, Quick Draw.
Skills Computer 5, Pilot 5, Interstellar Law 5, Read Lang Hiver, Bribe 5, Electronics 5, Sense Motive 5, Gunner 5, Gather Info 5, Sense Motive 5, Demolitions 5, Gambling 9, Bluff

Jesse McQuade Marine/Mercenary Str 13, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 12, Edu 11, Wis 12, Cha 12, Soc 9, Human, Stamina 78, Life blood 15, Age 30
Feats Marksman, Swordsman, CBR, Light & Med Armour, Vac Suit, Vessel Grav, Vessel Ships boat, Ships Weapons, Heavy Metal, Brawling, Cutlass special,
Skills Demolitions 6, Survival 6, Gunner 6, Gambling 4, Pilot 6

Squish Squash Squish Scout Str 25, Dex 20, Con 18, Int 19, Edu 17, Wis 17, Cha 11, Soc 12
VIRUSHI, Stamina 62, Life blood 24, Age 32
Feats vessel Grav, Starship, Ship Boat, Ship Weapons, Light Armour, Vac Suit, Marksman, Naval Architect, Hacker
Skills Pilot 12, Bribe 11, forgery 5, Gather Info 6, Leader 6, Computer 6, Survival 3, Navigation 9, Survey 9, Trader 6, Driving 6, Gambling 6, Adman 6, Spot 6, Sensor 6

Gene Arbinke Belter Str 10, Dex 6, Con 11, Int 14, Edu 14, Wis 10, Cha 8, Soc 7, Human Stamina 31, Life blood 11 Age 42
Feats Light armour, Marksman, Vac Suit, Zero G Adaptation.


Ali Jokereri, Army, Str 18, Dex 18, Con 18 Int 20, Edu 22, Wis 16, Cha 15, Soc 13, Human Age 42
Feats far Shot, Sniper, Point blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Tracker, Shot on the Run , Natural Compass, CBM, Light & Med Armour, Vac Suit, Weapon Specialization Sniper Rifle.
Skills


Not players for Gene and Ali don’t play much.