Begin a Session: continuing the flashback series from 03 Documenting
 |
| Cavalo 337D |
Hammer had come to Hrybok as he'd learnt that one of the Kenduri who'd survived the initial Arata onslaught was collecting survivors here. But as he got closer, he detected ships in orbit and there was no response from the planet. Parivhan Maru's computer resolved the ships in orbit as Arata vessels and Hammer knew that this was yet another dead end ...
Resolutely, Hammer turned his ship away from the planet and transited to minimum jump distance before the Arata ships could intercept. He made a blind e-jump, not knowing where to go but as the ship reached e-space, an artificial female voice came over the ship's speakers; "Mr Hammedin, or do you prefer Hammer? I believe that we need to talk ..."
Begin a Session: end of flashback
* +1 momentum, now 5
* * * * * * *
Dr Strickland turned to face Hammer; "Mr Hammedin, I'm surprised that you have not encountered Moreaus before? They are quite common in my experience; perhaps we move in different circles ..." he trailed off, before continuing in a lecturing tone. "A Moreau is a human clone that has had animal DNA spliced into it to introduce desired animal traits. The name comes from an ancient novel, I believe. As clones - and genetically engineered ones at that - they have no legal rights and are legally property. As I said my two are dog hybrids, meaning they are more loyal, have faster reactions and have been well-trained as fighters so make excellent guards, something I anticipate that I will need on Vesta. Now if you have no more questions, I would like to rest. I assume we will be leaving soon?"
Unsure what to say, Hammer simply nodded, and Dr Strickland closed his door. As he headed to the bridge, Hammer said, "KOMie, begin departure."
Reaching the bridge, Hammer kept an eye on things as KOMie piloted Retribution out of and away from Bulwark. The run to minimum safe jump distance did not take long and they began to plot the eidolon jump in the direction of Vesta, a place they had not been to before.
Undertake an Expedition: "Travel to Vesta", troublesome, vigilantly; roll +wits : 6 +3 vs 1 & 3 : strong hit
* reach a waypoint, envision the location
* mark progress per expedition rank, now 3 /10
Space Sighting Oracle: outlands 1 & 48 - Precursor vault (remember, I'm using Eric Bright's Starsmith Expanded Oracles, so 1d6 is rolled as well as 1d100)
Ask the Oracle: Is this a known vault? (Likely) 89 - No; some facts about the vault ...
location - deep space; scale 37 - typical site of limited scope; shape 6 & 12 - asteroidal; material 3 & 45 - pitted metallic; outer looks 3 & 49 - Leaking noxious gases, 6 & 58 Malfunctioning cloaking device
The first e-jump completed, they came back to normal space, and, as usual, KOMie swept their surroundings with all their passive sensors.
"Hammer," KOMie began, "There is a previously unknown vault on the sensors."
Hammer snapped out of his doze in the pilot's chair; "Really? Show me,"
KOMie brought up the limited information available on the bridge's display screens. It scrolled through and KOMie announced, "I have it all recorded Hammer, and we can certainly come back here; its trajectory and route are all stored."
"Great KOMie, get the next jump plotted will you and let me know when you're ready."
"Of course, Hammer," the AI said as Hammer left the bridge.
Reaching the galley, Hammer began to prepare a meal and was soon joined by Dr Strickland. "Would you like some? It's imitation rice with an alleged unspecified meat," Hammer asked in a half-hearted attempt at a joke.
Surprisingly, Strickland responded with a weak smile. "Yes please," he said as he sat heavily down onto the galley's bench. "I've allowed the Moreaus access to one of the viewing rooms to keep them entertained. I suggest that you wait until we have concluded our business before you clean it."
"Very well," replied Hammer, continuing to prepare the food. "Do they have names?" he asked
"Do you know." began the Doctor, surprise on his face, "I've never asked. They always know which one I'm addressing, perhaps it is their pack instincts, something else included in their makeup ..."
There was a momentary silence as Dr Strickland apparently considered the question, but he said nothing more. The food ready, Hammer brought the bowls to the table and sat at its end next to the Doctor.
"Well enjoy it if you can, Doctor," he said.
"It's all fuel," Strickland replied as he tucked in with the same gusto that Hammer inflicted upon his own meal. The silence as they ate was companionable, not strained as he had expected ....
Hammer found himself recollecting Dropship's description of Dr Strickland as 'a complete arse - petty, vindictive and complains more than a bankrupt businessman'. Perhaps today was a good day for the Doctor?
Regardless, Hammer enjoyed the meal and the small talk that they exchanged. When they had finished, the Doctor cleared the plates away, while Hammer got a pair of glasses and with the Doctor's agreement poured them both a glass of dessert wine. As the wine was consumed, Hammer tried to steer the conversation toward the Arata and Strickland's recent work on them.
Gather Information: roll +wits : 2 +3 vs 1 & 4 : strong hit
* discover something helpful and specific
* +2 momentum, now 7
Need a location; settlement location: 1 & 78 - Deep space; name: 2 & 12 - Evenfall
Ask the Oracle : Is it in this sector? unlikely: 68 - No, adjacent sector
sector name: 3 & 17 Blatta and 5 & 71 Schism
This is another, although perhaps faltering, step on Hammer's background vow
Reach a Milestone: background vow "I will find the traitor who destroyed our Clan" : learnt the location of the Arata knowledge repository; progress now 2 / 40
Before KOMie announced in Hammer's earpiece that Retribution was ready to jump again, an increasingly loqacious Strickland - or Harry as he said Hammer should call him - had told Hammer that his research had been done on the deep space station 'Evenfall' in the neighbouring sector 'Blatta Schism'. With KOMie's update, Hammer politely disengaged from the conversation and went to the bridge to start the eidolon jump.
Reach a Milestone: formidable vow, "I will take Strickland to Vesta and bring him back to Lodurr" : progress now 1 / 10