Iron Stars - cfr-actual-piracy-hour

@chellyb25 (if you want to help) @St. Lucia @Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt @iumi of Gudrun Iwe will be here, everyone is on Juroli aside from Ian but we can say the transport brought him here after his recent mission within the UNW. I think this mission is probably going to be a bigger one and is broken up into a few phases 1) figuring out where ships we might want to steal are, 2) Learning about the systems they're in 3) The actual heist, be it stealing it somehow, or straight up space combat to disable and board it. There are many avenues to do this. ) Fearghal's (yet unnamed) village is growing,and is calm. The large field next to the barn is now home to a pair of ships, both their own, and the transport shuttle dropping Ian Holt off. Elowen has arrived from town and Radka and some woodsmen companions were also in the area, coming with all speed when the call to action went out. Nora is in her element, making soups and stews and other meals that stretch using both some homegrown produce and whatever she can scrounge from the ration packs not distributed to the townsfolk. Shib is seen constantly seen with a smear of chocolate or jelly on their face as they scam the woodsmen and other soft hearted folks around the town from the deserts that come in the ration pack. A sugar crash sends her to sleep early every night after hours of hyperactivity.

Fearghal greets the new arrivals in his warm, country way. “El me lass! Welcome back! Nora, hide the good silverware - Elowen be back T’ visit! And Doctor Radka - good t’see ye again. Glad the Spike Jump Sickness haven’t gotten ye yet.” He chuckles as he sees the alchemist’s face whiten. “And who be this?” The farmer says, turning towards Ian’s party. Mist, a shaggy gray Irish wolfhound plods over to sniff in investigation. Ultimately, she finds Ian to meet her stringent immigration requirements and promptly plops down, snoring almost immidately, right on top of Ian’s feet.

5

Ian drops to one knee immediately upon seeing the dog approach, and begins thoroughly scratching behind Mist's ears. "You got a good dog here, buddy." "Oh, shit, Sorry!" The glow from a cigarette protruding from Ian's lips suddenly extinguishes, seemingly on it's own, as the smoke drifts conspicuously away from the dog despite a breeze moving in the opposite direction. Ian puts what's left back into his pack, and tucks it away in the inside pocket of his overworn leather riding jacket as he stands to return greeting to his human hosts now that the dog has been placated. "Name's Ian. You?"

"Ahh, dinnae ye worry about Mist girl, I be fairly certain she be able to purify 'er own air. If she even breathes, t'be fair... I be more of a plant guy meself. Tulips, mostly." He scrubs a wrinkled hand through his unkempt gray hair. "Captain Fearghal Mac Tír of The Selkie and, well more recently, Juroli. At yer service." he reaches in his pocket and retrieves his old wooden pipe along with a sachet of fragrant tobacco. "Ye ever tried loose-leaf opposed t'the cheap pre-rolled rubbish?"

(Elowen is on vacation so we can catch them up when they're back)

4

"Nah." Ian absentmindedly places the cigarette back in his mouth and the glow from the end renews. "Cheap rubbish is what I'm used to. Plus, it's, ya know, cheap." He exhales and the smoke forms into a ~dollar~ credit sign. "Had a fancy cigar once, couple of months back. That was pretty nice."

“‘Ere, ‘ave a puff.” He says , wiping the mouthpiece of the pipe with his kerchief and then offering it to Ian. “Juroli’s finest! Well - the finest you can get before breaking into the stuff they send from Libertalia. But that stuff makes you feel wacky sometimes, so I stick to Juroli’s Jewel.”

"Don't mind if I do! I always wanted to try this, thanks Bud!" Ian takes the pipe and immediately inhales too deeply, not used to the technique of pulling lightly from a pipe, and breaks into a choking cough.

Fearghal throws his head back in laughter. “Fear not, rookie. I’ll get ye used to it yet. What brings ye to Juroli?”

"I think we're supposed to be...uhhhh...acquiring interstellar transport at an extreme discount for our mutual employer."

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2

“Aye, well, no sense in doin’ naught on an empty stomach. Come inside, Nora m’love will make sure that’s taken care of.” He starts to walk back towards the farm, then yells over his shoulder. “Shiv, get off the nice man’s transport, don’t go thievin’ from guests now.”

The smell of beef, tallow, carrots, and some other items taken selectively from the pre packaged ready to eat meals hits everyoe as the door opens, as does the pleasant heat inside the farmhouse. It is a welcome respite from the winter temperatures outside. The gentle bang of a wooden spoon on the side of the large stew pot that is really more of a cauldron is the only sound coming from the kitchen aside from a song Nora is half humming under her breath.

Ian smiles warmly as he tries to remember his last warm meal, eaten at a table with friendly people . “Unfortunately, I don’t have much to contribute to this spread, but man does it smell good!” Ian fishes through his bag to see if he at least has a bottle of booze to add to the table

"Oh, sh-should I introduce myself? Or should we wait till everyone is sitting at the table?" The Good doctor asks, looking in better health than before, but still fairly thin.

“Shit!” Ian jumps, startled. “Sorry, I totally didn’t see you there. Come join the party!”

“Doctor Radka be a stealthy one! Heh!” He says, clapping the alchemist on the back before making his way over to his lovely wife. His hand finds the small of her back, and he twirls her around before dipping her into a sweet lil kiss. “Thank ye, my dear lady wife, for takin’ care of me ragtag army like ye always do.”

'Your ragtag army takes care of us too. " she says as the soup begins to bubble. There is a puff of something savory smelling and the meal takes on a new aroma. It is almost done. "Stretch Soup will be ready in a few minutes. Should I take Shiv outside?" she asks, looking at Fearghal. Plans are about to be hatched in this room. Shiv is growing, at the precipice of being a child and a very young woman. Her being present while plans like this are being made is something that has yet to be broached.

Fearghal turns his gaze to Siobhan, who has begun quietly working on a letter, probably to her pen pal Zorcash, while waiting for the adults to do their introductions and finish getting the meal ready. Then, in a flash, she becomes a babe in his arms again, cooing and grabbing for his notably-darker beard hanging down near her face. He looks into her sparkling eyes, the colors of each iris split evenly between blue and gray - just like Nora. The gods knew just one color couldn't do either of them justice. The baby's hand grabs the spectacles from the bridge of Fearghal's nose, then she bursts into contagious baby giggles as she shoves the lense into her tiny, toothless mouth. He can't help but laugh right back at the memory, which fades back to reality of the scene in front of him. "Nora, it's hard t'believe she's so big now. All those years I spent away from ye both... I missed out on so much. The captain's hoard of me memories with 'er are from when she were just a wee babe." His mind wanders to more recent times; laughing at the little scoundrel she began turning into. "Just like 'er pa, she is. No use in fightin' it. Might as well let 'er know what we're gettin' into before she finds out fer 'erself. What do ye say, my love?" he asks his wife.

2

Nora thinks for a long moment. Her habit is one of silence when she is thinking about something complex. The silence always breaks. Sometimes it takes seconds. Other times it takes moments. The silence lasted for close to an hour on the fateful day where Fearghal had received the insanely generous job offer to mine metals in the then- Polychrome system. Nora was never keen about the job but ieven in those days Juroli was struggling, the back end of of nowhere, and with many hard winters brining diminishing crop yields. That was all before the tide of living metal came from the stars. Eventually Nora had relented and agreed taking the job was good for the health of the family, the money would buy better farm equipment and could help her better keep up with the skyrocketing cost of food. Today, the silence lasts only a few moments. "She'll know soon enough. She stays" Nora begins doling out stew into several bowls.

As Nora works to put ladlefulls into bowls, Fearghal pulls her head close to place a kiss on her temple. "Nothin' will bring us apart again, me love." he says, before helping set the table. "So, Ian! What did ye think of the loose leaf?"

“I think I’ll like it more once I get the hang of it”

“Aye, ‘Ave some more! Once we finish eating we can get down to brass tacks with our uocomin’ job.”

(Don't want to get too far ahead of Radka. I can give Elowen an info dump when they get back from their trip)

1

"A-as a doctor, I have to warn that smoking is terrible for you... And the people around you... " Radka pipes in.

"I think that's guidance from a time when way fewer people died from getting their heads exploded, Doc." Ian looks over and sees the kids at the table and immediately feels bad about what he just said. "uhhhh, I mean, hey kids...don't smoke! But hey, watch this!" Ian takes the pipe from Fearghal. This time only pulling gently, with measured small puffs. As he exhales, the smoke forms into two sailing ships, racing alongside each other and exchanging puffs of cannonball fire. "Pretty neat, right kids?" (edited)

Siobhan looks up from her letter and creases it to prepare to put into an envelope. She sees the ships, and her eyes widen with wonder. “Whoa! What a shot! I’m rooting for the caravel! Again, again!!!" Fearghal chuckles as he takes his seat at the table. "Radka, be there any alchemical concoctions 'n' whatnot wot can heal lungs from smoke?"

"I do not believe so, not without some rather intense risk... I'd have to figure out the formulas involved and there are not a lot of Alchemists in this galaxy, to my knowledge... The best method I would have would be to remove the damaged parts and then replace it with an Alchemical Clone of the Organ through a Borrowed Flesh Elixir, but that's also rather risky and invasive..." She clearly starts thinking rather in-depth about it, and quietly takes notes to herself with her ghost-talker, sending Verbal messages to her own Compad.

"Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I for one am starving, and I honestly don't remember the last time food smelled so good. Or, well, smelled good at all. I'd like to move on to the eating part of this little meeting here, if that works for everyone."

"uh... Oh, alright! Yeah, I can always eat, provided there's sufficient food for everyone..."

“We saw to that already friend, you were there!” Fearghal chuckles as he spreads his napkin across his lap

Several bowls have been poured out onto the table and the steam mixed with spices is a pleasant aroma. Raylith has been kind enough to provide the frequency for his data center, and they are on standby for any data gathering you might need.

Ian scoops a chunk of potato onto his spoon and shoves it into his mouth, allowing the flavor from the spices to linger on his tongue for a moment before swallowing. "This might be the best soup I've ever had."

“Aye, that tracks” Fearghal says without taking a break between his own spoonfuls. “Me lady wife be the best cook on Juroli, and I’d wager in the whole sector!” He swallows his mouthful with a giant gulp. “Alright, down to work I suppose. What briefing did ye bring regardin’ our new contract?”

"Briefing? All I know is we're supposed to come back with a ship. Something that has some teeth on it that could be the start of a fleet. Few ways we could do that, I suppose." Ian pauses to gulp down another hearty spoonful of soup. "We could set a trap. Send out a distress signal, then take the suckers by surprise. That's simple, but messy. And dangerous. We could try and swindle one, but my guess is after...uhhhh.....recent happenings, there's gonna be a whole lot of folks out there who are looking out for payments in Joss. And then, I guess, there's buying one right and proper, but we'd have to come by the honest credits for that somehow, probably not so honestly. Then we'd have to find someone willing to sell us a ship." (edited)

(We have Raylith;s comm center 'on call' while we're on Juroli too. We can ask them three questions and they'll pull from Galnet to answer them)

"A lot of my personal conflict avoidance measures are... Uhm... Thwarted... By Vacc-suits... Hmm. Could we find a ship and her crew on the ground... A-and use the potions I can make to disguise ourselves as the crew and take one that way?" The doctor pauses for a second, and scratches her cheek. "I don't know how easy it is to get through ship security, but if we know what they look like we might be able to just t-take what we need from them..."

Ian begins sopping up the leftover bits of stew from his bowl with a heel of bread. "Grounded ship would have less personnel on it, too. That's a pretty good idea."

"Not some somewhere too dangerous!" Nora scolds as she fills two hearty bowls for Fearghal and Shib.

“Aye, ye remember this little one - the crew wot avoids a fight be the crew that won that fight.” Fearghal says, tucking in to the stew. “Any of ye know of a busy spaceport where comings an’ goings be monitored less than a smart man would like?”

)the call center can answer. I’m gonna have the factions roll cunning against the call center and we will go after who’s lowest )

( @Svenka [Tig/M’Ranni] Tig is gonna be joining us , they've got a successful space kill under their belt and a skillset we could use. They're going to enter the scene with who we're stealing from once we see which faction rolls lowest on their cunning score. )

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1:22 PM

(We can still use Raylith's call center for other questions though)

(should we see who loses the roll before we use our questions?)

(I would recommend it. I should have the rest of the results by tomorrow and we can keep it m oving)

(sent the info to Tig so they'll enter the scene next and can fill us in, then we can aks questions)

Tig enters the room, looking around and electing to stand for the time being. She chitters to herself as she approaches. Once at the table she looks over the assembled crew. “Understand you are looking for… a job. I’ve got some information. A shipment. Time sensitive. Aiya Tech. Interested?” She shifts her weight on to one foot, as though looking to lean against something.

1

“Ship….ment, eh? We’re listening”

“Aye, bring yerself on into me home! The door be there just fer decoration!” Fearghal chuckles. “Time sensitive don’t necessarily mean there ain’t time fer supper. Come, ‘Ave a seat Miss Tig. Did ye bring Zorcash with ye? And when ye landed here did ye tell more folk about our ahem covert operations?” He teases the new arrival.

She, notably did not take a seat at the table and seemed to rankle at the comments. With a sound that seemed to express exasperation, Tig clicked and shifted her weight to the other foot. Impatient and not recently accustomed to dealing with people. Especially friendly people. It felt off and she felt out of place. Something like clearing her throat and looking away and then back. Perhaps a slight twinge of paranoia as she resisted the urge to put a hand on her revolver, securely at her hip. “Aiya Tech’s ship, the Dahg Nehedar makes supply runs between Buey and Danae regularly. This is the final month the route is running. If we want to hit it we need to plan and execute in short order.”

(proposed first call center question - which planet has weaker security?)

Danae has the weaker security of the two. Buey is one of the core Greystar worlds and as one of the first to enter the Confederation it has benefitted among the most from years of steady Greystar investment and local development\

"Uhm, H-hiya... I am... uh... R-radka. It's... a pleasure to meet you, by the way." Radka states, being conflicted between staring because Tig was the first Mossk she's seen in person, and Staring at the floor because new people make her feel awkward and nervous.

Mist senses Radka’s hesitation and lopes over, plops down next to her, and puts her scruffy head in Radka’s lap. “Miss Tig be an old friend. ‘Elped us take back Libertalia, she did - and ‘elped me get the spike drive to get back to me home after all them years dead in space.”

(We have two questions left if we want to use them)

"Sounds like you've got the name of the ship, and it's route, and now someone who's capable if it comes down to a fight" Nora says "This plan is shaping up. One of your best Fearg"

“Are ye sayin’ there weren’t anyone knew how to fight before Miss Tig arrived?” He ribs, then chuckles as he pulls his wife in for a cheek kiss.

1

"Well, aren't you two adorable". Ian takes a puff from the pipe Fearghal has lent him. As he exhales, the smoke forms into a heart.

(I'm good to set out if we are ready to get this underway)

(anyone else have questions for the call center?)

Tig takes a step back to lean against the doorway, waiting to see if there is anything else to consider before moving forward with the work. “We plan to hit it mid-route, quickly, and take it over? That the approach? Anything else we need to know? Do we have sources that can get us information on the typical crew complement and armament we are dealing with?”

"Mid route?! Like... In space?!" She tenses, and tries to turn her attention to Mist, though her ears are now perked and keen to listen even more closely to the conversation. (edited)

"From wot I've heard of ye Taros folk, Doctor Radka, I woulda thought ye would be much more keen to be among the stars!"

(We would have to hit it at one planet or the other. You can’t spike into an empty hex )

(I’ve got a couple more questions for the call center if no one else does)

(Ask away imo - I don’t have anything!)

1. How many crew and security are regularly aboard? 2. What cargo are they scheduled to be picking up?

The ship will not have cargo in it, since it will be returning from a humanitarian run. The ship needs a minimum crew of ten to operate, though normally runs with a full crew compliment of 40. Of those, 10 are security

"Ok then, so, we head to Danae, we hopefully get there in time for the ship to be on its routine grounded maintenance, wait for the security to get shitfaced on shore leave, and bing bang boom, we got ourselves a space ship. I'm probably missing a step here or there, but..."

(This is the last month AYT needs for a humanitarian mission there, and I don't want to compound the pain that already comes from losing a ship, we can do another mission to get cargo later, this is just for us to tackle our faction endeavor)

8:57 AM

( but those are our questions!)

Tig thinks for a moment, looking over the assembled team. “So we get on ground quick and hit them before they have much of a chance to call for help or mount a defence. We need to be ready to use lethal force… we ready for that?”

"Better them than us, yeah?"

"I... Am very bad at killing people... But I can make a whole host of explosives... Things that put people to sleep, things that make them afraid of everything that moves... Stuff like that..." She states nervously.

(As a note, it is a Cruiser so it will definitely not be on the ground on Danae) (edited)

(We do have two ships between tigs and fergs , there’s def some things we can do in space )

“I won’t hesitate to end them, but if you can incapacitate them that’s just as good… we board, you do your thing and don’t get in the way of mine.”

“Ending folk??? Gods!” Fearghal interjects. “An ‘ere I thought we was just reallocatin’ resources to those of us wot be less fortunate.”

"Hopefully it won't come to that." Ian absentmindedly lights a new cigarette, the smoke wafting away in tight orbs out the door. "But people in general don't much like it when you take their spaceships."

The two ships outside are both prepared for the dangerous task ahead. Ramps are lowered , tanks are fueled and supplies for the long journey are readied.

Ian finishes the last drag on his cigarette before the red glow at the end extinguishes. "Alright then, I guess we should get going. Anyone know which of these ships has booze in the galley? That's the one I'm hitching a ride with"

The Taros Alchemist, for her part, stays glued to Mist. Occasionally muttering a recipe for one of her potions under her breath as if making sure they're up to snuff.

(the last thing I need before we set out is who is on what ship. We have Tig's ship, and we have Fearghal's ship. We don't necessarily need to take both if the group decides not to, but if we do, I need to know who is where)

11:53 AM

(It will absolutely be important for any space encounters)

(Radka's going on Fearghal's ship)

(Tig is taking her ship definitely.)

(I’ll ride with Tig)

(Fearg, do you want to take your ship?)

(Yes!)

The pair of ships fill with the five person direct team, settling in alongside automated crew or organic ones depending on the vessel. Both ships rise to the heavens heading for confederation space and their target.

5:54 AM

(Two days of downtime to Danae)

telekinetic energy surges up and down Ian's torso as he anxiously paces the crew deck. "So, what's the plan here? Just board in orbit and try to take them by surprise?"

Tig looks up from a datapad, some sort of novel on-screen. “We approach, we attempt to board without opening fire, we incapacitate the crew, and we get out.”

(we will need a program/int check for each vessel if we're doing sneak/hide to try to sneak up on them)

7:32 AM

(but we can certainly attempt. Ordinarily a ship's drive and weapons must be disabled in order to board it. Some thought is going to need to be put into how to get in to their airlock if we're not shooting at them ,since the ships will need to be close to actually get aboard) (edited)

"Crews left aboard orbiting ships tend to get pretty bored with all the waiting around and routine maintenance. Maybe we can get on board if we've got something to offer. Booze, drugs, other fun. Worth a shot?"

“Aye. Mayhap one o’ us should stay back at first, in case the first attempt gets them feelin’ squirrely.”

(of your two ships, Tigs is the most war like)

(Alright, so how's this for plan: Fearghal makes the initial approach, suggests that he's got "special favors" to help orbit maintenance cycles go by faster. Tig hangs back until Fearghal gets permission to dock. Fearghal says that the merchandise is on his "security ship". Bob's-your-uncle, we're aboard)

(mechanically I see no issues as far as this being against the rules of the game)

(Tig remains at your disposal should subterfuge be the first attempt. She is… not good at that. Can absolutely have the Acheron on standby)

(Fergs ship is the more civilian looking of the two)

(are we good with this plan or do we want to try to come up with something else?)

2

(lets go with this plan. We've allowed enough time for other input)

(I had initially said I'd ride with Tig, but could I swap to help with convincing the ship we've got goodies?)

(That works. I’m fine with that. We could have had time to change ships midway or on entering the system)

Tig directs the Acheron to wait at the fringes depending on the outcome of the initial attempt to gain access.

Ian makes his way to the comms array of Fearghal’s ship. “Can this thing send encrypted messages?” He scribbles out a suggested message and hands it to someone who looks like they know what they’re doing

Couldn’t help but notice you fine folks have been in orbit on maintenance duty for a while now. We might have what you need to pass the time. Respond with a Y if you’re interested in seeing the menu

(ships can send tightbeam transmissions to fixed points in space. We know where their ship is so we can send it a message)

(Block text is the message, the lead up was just flavor)

The freighter in orbit banks its engines slightly, delaying its departure from system space and a simple message returns, a small text box with a single letter. Y

Best discussed offline. Permission to dock?

Y . Proceed. Dock, remain unarmed, you will be scanned and under the watch of our security team on arrival

Fearghal looks over Ian’s shoulder at the incoming message. He squints, then clears his throat and looks towards the biopsion. He’s unable to read the message, but doesn’t want to embarrass himself in front of his new companion, so he has to ascertain from Ian’s body language that it’s a positive reception.

“Huh. That was easier than I expected. They must be bouncing off the walls in there. Let’s bring her in before they realize how sketchy this is”

Now that the merchant ship knows you are coming it ignites its running lights and slightly changes course to meet you in high orbit. Its ringed lights around the airlock begin to flash, indicating which one you should connect to.

Fearghal takes a hint from the rest of the boarding party removing their weapons, and unbuckles his holster. “Ye alerted Tig’s ship as to the plan, aye?”

Ian gives a quick nod and thumbs up as a nearly imperceptible surge of telekinetic energy shimmers up his torso (activating telekinetic armor, 5/6 effort remain)

(an enc 1 weapon can be hidden on you. We don't know if they'll scan you somehow or just give you a pat down, up to you if you want to risk it. The TK armory that cant detect)

12:27 PM

(Is Radka part of this team as well? I think the gasses and whatnot could be disguised as something else if we can think of something)

(Radka's coming along, but she's leaving behind the Grenades for now. As for the potions, idk, do you guys think I should bring them? It's doubtful that they'll have an Alchemist aboard, but also mystery bottles might make em' antsy.)

(We can tell them it’s drugs and see if we can get them to take some voluntarily!)

(unfortunately, I prepped 1 Plasmic Molding, and 3 Energetic Impermeability. I can spend time Reconfiguring them if we have the time to do so, but Right now That's what we're looking at).

(Oh, I thought you prepped the one that made them afraid of everything)

Fearghal flicks his fingers and a purple tulip materializes in his hand with a warm golden flourish. He tucks the blossom behind the doctor’s pointy ear, then creaks down to pet Mist. “I think we got plenty o’ protection among all o’ our crew without extra weapons!” He says with a wrinkly smile.

2

(Do I have the time to make anything different? I imagine not, because of the short notice, but if there's a shot I'mma take it.)

(What’s the planned approach for Tig? Backup in the Acheron in case it becomes a ship to ship combat?)

(Yeah if their cover is blown some how you’d have to engage )

7:17 AM

(There’s time to make something different for potions )

(Can you let us know what potions you're making instead Radka? )

(Potions are going to be: 2 Fear Gas, 1 Plasmic Molding, 1 Energetic Impermeability.)

The two ships come alongside one another and the light begins to blink on the airlock door. Both ships maneuver slightly to line up with one another before both airlocks come together with a hiss of equalizing pressure. There is a brief beep as the airlock systems announce a link between the two ships has been established.

Fearghal scritches Mist behind the ears as they approach the entrance bay between the two ships. He looks to his companions and gives a reassuring nod. A warmth blossoms within his core, as he begins focusing his MES towards assessing the situation onboard the new ship. An ocular pat down of the situation, if you will. (Will cast Whispering Wind as soon as the hatch opens, 4/5 effort remaining)

(Whispering Wind has to be used on an area with a stable biosphere, I tried to help you out to see if the ship has a hydroponic garden or something we could use to make a connection somewhere and it doesn't so the effort will be committed but the technique won't reveal anything we could use ) There is a single Aiya Tech security officer in a ship suit standing in the airlock of the other ship, waiting for yours to open so they can welcome you. THeir eyes look tired and bored, they have been making this same run between here and Acastus for months now, and they're eager to have some diversion.

Ian approaches the sec officer and extends a hand. "Looks like we got here just in time. This place is in desperate need of some...distraction"

Nekosmash

(Whispering Wind has to be used on an area with a stable biosphere, I tried to help you out to see if the ship has a hydroponic garden or something we could use to make a connection somewhere and it doesn't so the effort will be committed but the technique won't reveal anything we could use ) There is a single Aiya Tech security officer in a ship suit standing in the airlock of the other ship, waiting for yours to open so they can welcome you. THeir eyes look tired and bored, they have been making this same run between here and Acastus for months now, and they're eager to have some diversion.

(got it, no worries, thanks!) Fearghal follows suit in extending a hand in friendship, as Mist excitedly bounds towards the AYT officer. She sits very politely, tail wagging like wild underneath her, and does her best puppydog eyes at the officer in request of pets.

Radka follows suit, shyly shaking hands with one of the Aiya Tech Officers.

Tig, meanwhile reads her novel onboard the Acheron, menacingly.

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1

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1

"No weapons on any of you. Thanks for listening to directions. Unconventional to meet other spacers like this, but the captain is allowing it, so, behave. I've got my eye on you. So do the other officers aboard."

“Well, ye know, business be business and folk stationed this far out tend to be interested in our line o’ work! Trust me, me ship here were trapped dead in the water after the Scream when the spike drive stopped workin’. Ten years we were driftin’. What I wouldn’t ‘ave given for summat to make the days not run together.” Fearghal says as Mist playfully yips up at the officer who has still not petted her.

The officers reaches down absentmindedly to ruffle Mists fur. “They still run together. Even with port calls on the regular. Way she goes I suppose. The captain would like to meet with you in his quarters to hear your offer and see what you’ve brought”

“Aye, much obliged.” He says with a smile and moves to follow the officer.

Heading into the Aiya Tech ship you can see that boarding countermeasures have been worked into its construction. The hallways are narrow, and there are natural choke points everywhere whicyh would create bottlenecks to trap invaders and allow ship security time to respond. Taking this would have been a bloody operation had you decided to shoot first. you are led past the mess hall and exercise room to the captain's suite, and you are permitted to enter after a moment. They sit behind their desk finalizing some reports to be transmitted before the vessel enters spike space and no longer has those functions available. Wordlessly as he finishes transcribing the last few lines he indicates you should sit on the chairs and couches opposite his desk. A picture of his family and several awards for professionalism, along with a few tokens of thanks from the surface of the planet are displayed here.

Fearghal focuses in on the family photo, trying to glean any personal info on the captain in order to find common ground and establish rapport.

The captain has a daughter about the same age as Shiv, and they also have a white cat with large blue eyes. The cat and the girl seem inseparable.

Taking a seat, Fearghal points towards the photo and remarks, “Reminds me of me little Siobhan back home. She an’ Mist girl here are best o’ friends. I reckon your littlun must be about 10, 11? Right when they start gettin’ hard heads, like their mams!!!” He chuckles.

"She is a chip off the old block. Talking to her is like arguing with a smaller version of myself" he says "Wife died during The Scream, she spends a lot of time with her grandparents, but a few more tours and I can finally hang it up and pick up a desk job at Aiya so I can be around more. How about you? Thinking about hanging it up anytime soon? " (edited)

“Dinnae think I ever could! I love me girls, but I love the stars too much to leave ‘em behind fer good.” He smiles at the captain, then clears his throat and loosens the top button on his shirt. He look to Ian to speak next.

Ian smiles warmly. “Never had kids of my own. Probably for the best. So, to business. We can offer a wide array of your standard recreations. Your booze, your smokes, some off-world entertainment feeds. Blah blah blah. All the stuff your crew is probably already sneaking on and, quite frankly, already bored with.” He pauses for effect. “But if you’re interested in something a little less…pedestrian…the good doctor here has what you’re looking for. “ Ian gestures toward Radka. “It comes on a little strong, but once it evens out…” Ian points upward with an accompanying ascending whistle. “We got samples if you don’t want to take our word for it.”

(talk/cha Ian)

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt

used /roll

Parsnips Jackall | Ian Holt Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [6, 2] Result: 9

(Any way for Fergie to provide a boost to him?)

(If you have at least a 0 in talk he will get a +1)

(I do)

(so that becomes a 10) "I could be tempted. My navigator and sensor officer can handle the spike jump. We're several hours from that anyway. Let me see what you've got"

"Will this be your First time experiencing a recreational Hallucinogen?" The 'Good' Doctor Asks, pulling a Fear-gas bottle out. "For first timers I usually recommend Aerosolizing it, to keep the effects lite, and to start the trip off with your eyes closed as the Change happens... very suddenly." She examines the bottle, and looks to the other members of the ship... "Would the rest of you like to partake? It's usually more fun in a group."

(we can take the earlier talk check of 10 for this too) The security officer that accompanied you is waved in, and instructed to shut the door. "How long is something like this supposed to last? I can't be down for an entire watch, that would have to be reported. This close to full pension I can't afford to lose it" the captain asks, the war between being interested and being smart raging within their mind. (edited)

"About five to ten Minutes per dose." Radka answers, steadying herself. "Would you like to Aerosolize it, and inhale it or do you have a high tolerance and want to go on a journey You won't ever forget?"

"Ten minutes to go to another world? I'll take it. Make it a spray" he says "Shouldn't smoke in here anyway, lit cherries don't play well with the air scrubbers"

The Good Doctor shrugs and mulls over her equipment, quickly piecing together any nozzles she might have around, or scrounging for them from the crew, then hands the bottles of Fear-Gas over to the Captain and the Security Officer after affixing the nozzle.

Ian raises a hand. "Hey, Doc. We don't want our friends to overdo it. Maybe you should hold onto those and administer the doses for them?"

"...Oh! you're absolutely right. That way I can ensure everything works properly." She beams, slightly startled but quickly shifting to the mein of an eager Researcher. If they're willing, she will administer the Fear-Gas. (edited)

(do you mind just posting what fear gas does so i have it for reference?)

Often used to disperse unruly crowds, fear gas releases a fog that causes terror in those who breathe its vapors. As an action, you can throw a flask of fear gas shattering it on impact. Make a ranged attack against a creature. On a hit, the target is exposed to fear gas. A creature exposed to fear gas must succeed on a Mental Saving Throw or be frightened of all other creatures for 1 minute. A creature that fails the saving throw can repeat it at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success

4:49 PM

(Oh, it only lasts one minutes xP Not 15)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20] Roll: [11] Result: 11

(he has failed, barely) The Captain and the guard accompanying take a deep sniff of the fear gas, and both of them begin to cower, lost in whatever visions they are seeing, too frightened to move.

Ian takes advantage of the Captain's temporary paralysis and begins searching his person for access cards or anything else that may be useful in gaining control of the ship, using his telekinetically aided understanding of the shape and weight of objects to make the search go faster. As he works, he points to the security guard. "Someone grab his weapons before he snaps out of it!" (edited)

Fearghal, ever quick to oblige, heads over to the guard and relieves him of his weapons before searching him for the same.

The guard has a void carbine and a small monoblade knife. They have no other weapons on them and don't seem to protest when you relieve them of the weapons. The captain is not armed at all, but does have a keycard to the bridge and a compad with code cyphers on it needed to access the spike drive controls

He offers the weapons to Ian and Radka, then pushes a rush of warmth from his core out to the tips of his finger. A vibrant purple tulip appears between them, fresh with dew on the petals. “Fer the littlun” he says quietly, not really sure if the captain can hear him anyway, before sliding the stem gingerly into the captains breast pocket.

“Shouldn’t we, you know…” Ian whispers as he makes a finger gun motion

Fearghal pulls the team over to the other side of the room to try to get out of earshot, unsure if the alchemist’s fear effect allows the men to hear or remember what is happening during their affliction. “You want to WHAT?” He yell-whispers at Ian. “These fine men ain’t done naught to warrant that. They just be trapped and bored. And, they trusted us and let us onboard. Relievin’ em of some goods, some monetary value - that be one thing. They don’t be needin’ everything they ‘ave. And, they can recover from that. But what did they do t’ deserve an execution?!”

“Survival? These guys are gonna snap out of it soon and probably won’t be too thrilled about this. And they’ll probably alert the others”

“Then we tie ‘em up, do our business, an’ get the hells out o’ dodge lickity-split. These lads done naught t’ us.” The concern in Fearghal’s voice grows as he realizes how serious Ian is. “Listen, ye want to be wanted fer larceny or fer murder? Cuz one of those options be a lot more motivatin’ for the law t’ go after us.”

Ian nods tersely. "Tying 'em down should do it." He tries to hide the relief in his voice that someone had a less grim solution

“Well, if we want this vessel, mayhap we can tie the crew up an’ space ‘em in a life pod or summat.”

11:01 AM

~~(I can’t remember if we want the vessel or its cargo. Halp)~~ confirmed ship (edited)

Ian's face brightens. "Wait! We might be able to get our buddy here to help us with that!" He turns toward Radka. "Doc, how long did you say this stuff lasts? If I've got enough time, I might be able to poke around in the captain's brain and get him to give the evac order for us. But I'd need the time to get in there while his guard was down from the scary juice" (proposing telepathic contact, and then transmit thought. Usually requires a willing connection, but with him being incapacitated from the fear gas I thought his mental barriers might be weakend and more open to suggestion) (edited)

(If he can’t hear us debating killing him, and if he is therefore still not hostile to us, I could use Authority focus to make him want to do that as well. Should have thought about that before we came in blasting, my bad)

(lasts one minute) While the other two had been arguing, Radka had been applying more of the Fear Gas to the two, trying to prolong their disablement from it. "When do we contact The Other ship?" (edited)

(Disregard me) (edited)

Ian kneels beside the incapacitated captain and focuses on his neural pathways, seeking entrance into his mind (I think he'd get a mental save here before I can try transmit thought)

(we're darn close to them snapping out of it, though they're disarmed. There are lifeboats,so we could restrain them for now and chuck everyone overboard later)

(that works too)

(depends on what level of telepathic contact you're going for)

(I’m good scrapping that plan and just tying them up)

(Wanna life boat them)

(The rest of the crew would probably notice that. We should restrain them and leave them here for now, maybe try to block access to the room and high-tail it to the bridge now that we’ve got access cards. We can maybe try to set off some sort of emergency evacuation alarm from there?)

(I have a Plasmic Molding, one of you two could disguise yourselves as the Captain maybe?) (edited)

1

(Brilliant!)

(How about I take the potion and pass Ian off as my visitor that I’m showing around?)

1

Ian hands the keycard and compad he pulled off the captain to Fearghal. "Looks like you'll be the captain now. You get suited up, I'll let Tig know we're almost ready." He digs out his own compad from a jacket pocket, and bangs out a message

We're just about ready for you to get in striking range. Give us about 10 minutes. Try not to bang us up too bad, we need the ship to still be worth something when you're done with it. And also we're still in here. Better yet, maybe just look scary and don't shoot us at all just yet

(edited)

Tig puts down her compad, the novel was getting to a good part where someone was going to get killed, she hoped. She sighed and shifted in her seat, giving the order to start opening fire, poorly, in about 10 minutes on her command. Meanwhile, she instructed the crew to get the ship into firing range and position. Once that was taken care of, she set a 10 minute timer, sent a reply and got back to her novel. I'll aim to not kill you all. Ready in 10.

(one round of ship combat is 15 minutes, and I think even on a max damage hit the weapons can't wreck the freighter in one hit, so that can come together around the same time)

With Tig informed of developements on the ship and announcing their presence soon, the plan quickly moves to the Plasmic Molding liquid, and getting the crew off the ship. The captain and guard are beginning to come to from the fear gas, though they have been restrained.

As the team leaves the room with the restrained captain and security guard, Ian attempts to telekinetically jam the lock to keep them inside and buy more time

(We could bend the pins inside , I think a determined technician would be able to get in after a bit of working on it, but not something he'd be able to do in his present condition inside)

(What about Thermokinesis? Could I try basically welding the pins to the mechanism?)

(sure could if you've got the technique and effort for it)

(Indeed I do!)

(anyone else need to do anything before we take the bridge?)

Radka looks at the two significantly more combat experienced people she's helping, inhales for a second, and then chugs her energetic Impermeability potion, just in case.

“Mist will protect ye, Doc. Just stay with ‘er. Don’t close yer eyes if ye get scared, cuz ye might need to dodge.”

(I'm ready to hit the bridge of you all are)

(I’m gtg)

(Aye)

(Indeedles!)

(I think around now is when Tig would swing into action, the ship coinciding with you bluffing your way onto the bridge)

Tig notes the alarm notifying her that it’s time and puts down her pad. “Bring us to face the ship and fire 2 shots ACROSS their bow. Don’t hit them. Open a channel and communicate the following.” She pauses and waits for the comms to open. “You are caught out without escort and I can and will hull your ship and kill all on board unless you surrender. You have 5 minutes before I really open fire.”

As the message is broadcast to the ship, the group impersonating the captain make it to just outside the bridge. The single Aiya Tech marine armsman stands at attention. "Captain, a pirate vessel is hailing us and they're threatening to open fire. Send the crew to battle stations" he says as he uses his access card to open the bridge doors. Inside, you can see the two pilots are settling into their stations, waiting for orders.

5:51 AM

The navigator is also present, plotting courses that will get the ship to the jump point at the edge of the system in the shortest amount of time.

Clearing his throat, Fearghal begins his best impression of the captain they spoke to earlier. “Are you a fool? Do you see the firepower on that ship? And who knows what pirates will do if they get their hands on us! We need to get the crew in lifeboats NOW! Abort and evacuate!” (edited)

(talk/cha)

(Would my Authority focus apply here? If so I’d like to do my roll against his morale score, but I def could see this qualifying as being “harmful or extremely uncharacteristic” even if he doesn’t know that’s the case lol)

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Marin Request: [2d6+3] Roll: [3, 2] Result: 8

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [3, 2] Result: 5

"TO THE LIFEBOATS YOU SLOBS!" The security officer says as the crew begins packing up their stations. The navigator opens a burn bag and throws their comms codecs and star charts inside before zipping it up. "And you captain, let me escort you there"

Ian notices the nav officer packing and tries to find some neural pathways to get him to leave the bag behind. (Using Suppress Cognition to try to make him forget to bring it with him. I think he gets a saving throw. 3/6 effort remaining)

“What academy did you go to that taught you a captain leaves the bridge before the threat is cleared? Or that you can command a superior officer? If I don’t see the back of your head in three seconds, your personnel file disciplinary record will have a new entry by tomorrow morning.” Fearghal says, trying to increase the urgency with which the officer leaves his station and increase the likelihood of leaving something important behind. “One………. Two……….”

3

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20] Roll: [20] Result: 20

3

The bag is closed and inside there is a puff of air as the contents are rendered down to ashes. The crew begin filing out as Tig's ship comes into range, its cannon deck opening its gunports to fire.

Tig reopens comms as the time counts down. “You have 2 minutes remaining and you have yet to surrender. Comply or die.”

Fearghal responds back to Tig through the captains voice. “10/4. Surrender is imminent as soon as our crew finishes getting into the life pods and evacuates.”

The status screen above the captain's chair shows the status of the lifeboats and one by one the icons go from blue to black, indicating the pod has jettisoned and is heading toward the planet below, their occupants safely inside. There is a single lifeboat remaining, and the actual captain and his bodyguard are tied up in his office.

Slipping back into his normal brogue, Fearghal turns to Ian. “Reckon it’s time t’ get the captain an’ ‘is guard into the last pod?”

Ian looks at Fearghal blankly for a few moments before responding. "oh, right! Them! Yeah, might take me a bit to get 'em out since I basically welded them in there. But no reason to hold onto 'em, right?" Tiny, compact orbs of cigarette smoke follow him as he walks back to the room in which their captives are sealed

“Can’t ye laser right thru it?” He asks, following suit and making laser sounds as they walk.

"...If we can wait a day, I can make another Plasmic Molding and just get them out that way. Though if We're waiting a day we might want to pass them off to an intermediary before we bring the ship to either Port." Radka states...

"That sounds like there'd be an awful lot of paperwork involved, Doc. I should be able to get 'em out of there in a bit. Then we can toss them in that lifeboat and send them on their merry." Ian puts his hands on the door and focuses on the locking mechanism that he welded together, irritating the molecules to undo his previous handiwork

After a moment's concentration the lock is opened and the room can be accessed again. Tig's ship comes into weapon range as another pair of escape pods whiz by. The ship has been emptied except for you, and your last two prisoners.

Fearghal goes for the brute strength route, reaching down to lift the hogtied captain over his own shoulders in a fireman carry.

Ian follows suit, grabbing the security guard

Radka sticks close to Mist, despite the relatively conflict-less take over of the ship her anxiety is at full blast. She double checks any active systems she can see to make sure that the pods are gone, and that there isn't anything nasty waiting for the crew when the ship starts back up.

Both of the surviving members are thrown into the escape pods and from the bridge, Radka sees the light turn from blue to gray, and it is away into the darkness of space, heading toward the planet.

“That went surprisingly well.”Ian extinguishes his cigarette and sends the smoke away. “We should probably head back to the bridge and let Tig know not to blow us up”

No one is on the bridge when you return. The ship Tig is piloting drifts close, its guns tracking to target the escape pods as they eject from the bottom of the ship before Tig breaks the lock, continually targeting between them all on their path down to the planet, The weapons have remained silent, so far.

Ian retrieves the compad with the spike drive ciphers from his pocket and turns it over to Fearghal. "Looks like you really are the captain now!"

“I been a star captain since afore ye were born!” He says, chuckling and slapping Ian across the back. “So, let’s set course for wherever the heck we need to get this bigger to. Where’s that again?”

(where are we taking it to? Libertalia?)

"Oh gosh, that went less frightfully than I imagined... Uhm... Can I be taken straight back to Juroli? I really want to have as few Spikes as possible... Unless Mist can't come with for the journey... Oh! And uhm... Thank you all!"

“We ‘Ave multiple ships. Mayhap Ian could take our newly liberated vessel to port on Libertalia, an’ those who want can come to Juroli on the Selkie?”

(Libertalia would be closest and avoids repeated brushes with polity space)

7:48 AM

(the its 28 days to Juroli from here over about six jumps. )

“Actually, we’ll make our way back to Juroli in due time Doc! All ahead for Libertalia!”

Ian gives a thumbs up. "I'm gonna go check to see if the crew left any booze behind. I'll let you know what I find"

"A-Alright... Uhm... Ugh. We need cryo pods... Does booze help with... S-spike travel?"

Ian shrugs. “Tell you what, help me look for the crew’s stash, and we’ll find out”

“Ave ye never got yerself pissed to Galatea an’ back before? Aye, it’ll help ye deal with the spike travel. Just don’t give any to Mist girl.”

Tig assumes that all is well and doesn’t open fire on the ship. Instead she opens up a comm. “Status?”

All Good. Checking crew quarters for left-behind booze.

Heeding the words of the others, Radka earnestly searches for the booze with Ian.

There are a few bottles of a mushroom based wine from Acastus here in one of the chillers in the captain's room. The crew mess has the naval equivalent of a barrel of Grog, a very lightly alcoholic drink fortified with the vitamins, minerals and small amount of laxitive needed to keep ship crews healthy after long weeks of eating prepackaged meals out of tins and pouches. A lot of it would need to be ingested to get someone drunk, but it does have a nice buzz to it after a few mugs.

"Radka, ye be pretty small.... and gods know ye Taros-like tend to be lightweights... drink a bunch o this will ye?"

4:33 PM

"It's from a mushroom. Tis natural."

Ian grabs three bottles of the wine and hands one to each of his erstwhile crewmates. "Well, cheers. To our health."

(so the Selkie is heading back to Juroli and the new ship and Tig are making a break for Libertalia? )

3:08 PM

(Seems like we've reached a place to get moving)

3

(sorry fro the delay, emojis dont make the channel light up so sometimes I forget to come back anc check. We have 6 days back of downtime for Ian and Tig, and 26 days for the Ferg and Radka. Up to you all what we do from there, could put another group thing together or we can go separate ways for a bit. 6xp, and 150,000 credits for a job well done)

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