Feri

Captain Peytor recovered the cargo jettisoned by the pirates. Four large sealed 10-ton cargo crates (which ultimately had to be mostly stored in empty staterooms) contained firearms. The crew found nearly 30,000 CR worth in each of the four which contained 100 carefully packed semi-auto pistols (200CR ea.) and 1,000 15-round clips (10CR ea.)

As they finished and the corsair jumped out, the four 200-ton Scout ships who sortied from Roup to “protect” them came alongside and one docked. Four bemused veteran Scouts came aboard, not so much to inspect as to gawk. Harvey Jett, Alec Bonner, Boris Tasker, and Alicia Porter introduced themselves, shook hands vigorously, and poked around on the bridge and in the turrets curious to find high tech. Finding none, they expressed their respects.

“You guys are scary lucky or packing some tech that doesn’t show. Either way we’re impressed. Because you are contractors for the ISS we have to file a report. It’ll be a good one; Tilden & Company knows what they are doing. Keep the cargo. You guys earned it.”

The new Engineer, Albert Zweistein, reported aboard and then kept to himself. He was quirky at best and haunted at worst. It would take some time to get to know him…if he was going to last aboard.

Bolivar Hisaki explained that his 50 tons of weapons needed to go to Feri Startown. This is a dangerous area, he warned, but surprisingly not an Amber Zone.

As STARLIT entered the Feri system they saw more military ships than ever before, and a wide variety of ships. Those detected included a 400-ton Type VP Vargr Corsair, a 200-ton Yetsabl-class Zhodani Courier, an Imperial Type T Patrol Cruiser, a Gazelle-class Close Escort, and 800-ton Mercenary Cruiser (probably privately owned), and two 400-ton SDBs, one of which began closing to inspect. (They even detected and reported a pirate corsair hiding in the asteroid belt.)

Between the Library data and Bolivar Hisaki , the crew learned that Count Anicon Javan has imposed high taxes and numerous frustrating laws administered by an uncaring bureaucracy within his own Protectorate and the Aulk Reserve where his preeminence is acknowledged by Sir Mandalitso and to a lesser extent in Minotlands and in North Fields. He had even arrested the popular Baron Holgert Minot for noncompliance with laws that imposed rules on dancing and drinking, yet still had not charged him even though the rules had changed since his arrest…making them moot.

The Count’s rules have been dubbed The Bindings and “binders” include both his supporters (who for some reason love excessive laws) and his bureaucrats (who love both their personal power over the populace and their high salaries). The second largest group is the “easers” who protest in the streets, promote strikes and peaceful non-compliance, and constantly petition for repeals. A third, smaller group, has begun violently protesting resorting to murders, sabotage, and kidnappings. Even threats of bombings have been received. This group is loosely organized without an identifiable leader but is referred to as the terrorist group “Red Sky” by the authorities and identified only as “roughkin” by themselves. At least one Vargr raider was identified assisting the group when it shot up an Armed Yacht belonging to the Count, killing its crew and sending it crashing into his fiefdom near Falstaff.

There are several factions on Feri and several armed terrorist groups. Most issues center around leaving the Imperium or not, but there are other issues that include self-rule and economics.

Pytor went to TAS to contact the Baron or Baroness’s family. He took a suite which was free and had access to the pool. He asked if any trainers were available and learned about Grigan (100CR, charismatic and knowledgeable) who developed a specialized program for Pytor.

At a dinner with Pytor, Sir George Minot (age 35 and dashing) quickly became a friend. “I was born here, raise crops here.” Minot is a nephew of the missing Baron. They discussed George’s uncle’s arrest and Tilden & Co and free trade. George’s family was there before the Count, and George was not happy with the changes. While chatting both could see the seashore…and some TL 8 armored vehicles moving outside the base.

At one point Pytor said, “Weapons maintain the peace,” and mentioned his cargo.

George said he would visit STARLIT the next night.

Meanwhile, in a tavern, Rachel and Tip met with some Roughkins (members of Red Sky). They eventually admitted that weapons are needed (and by the Easers as well). Explosives are especially valuable. “Civil war is coming,” they warned.

The next morning Rolf Tedli, a Feri Customs official, stamped their cargo as “Not cargo,” exempting it from inspections. He gained 10KCR in bribes for that effort and quickly disappeared.

From a recent X-boat, the crew received 5,00CR bonus from Tilden & Company for shooting the pirate and taking no damage in return while on Roup.

Peytor did not immediately tell Bolivar of his contact for the contacts that Rachel and Tip made. Later he did. A rendezvous was arranged at a family beach house where George and his friends were planning a barbeque.

That evening during the barbeque George paid +25% for the handguns (1.25 x 30KCR x 4). While the BBQ was going on, the cargo was dropped from the hold to a waiting cellar below the landing pad. Tilden & Co is in favor of stability, and both Pytor and Bolivar put their names on a contract with George establishing the possibility of future support. Pytor reported the transaction to Blast, uncertain if he would later be told to keep the jettisoned cargo money. But, he was focused on maintaining trust and hopeful of special missions in the future.

Afterward STARLIT refueled at sea and then flew directly out of system, experiencing a control panel failure during takeoff. It was quickly repaired by the quirky new Engineer and the takeoff was successful.

Boughene was next, according to Bolivar, and they were to report to General Products. After a successful jump from Feri Pytor’s approach to the Boughene station resulted in another control panel problem. The Engineer again repaired it but was now suspicious. He had confidence in his previous repairs, and planned to take a deep dive into the controls after docking.

As repairs began and Bolivar looked for the offices of General Products, Pytor expressed an interest in speaking with General Products too. While waiting he received new orders and opened them to learn that his next destination would be Pixie and then Kinorb...but, Kinorb was three parsecs from Pixie and out of reach of STARLIT’s jump drive. Something unusual would be required to get them there.

[Image generated by Traveller Maps - Traveller worlds. Then modified in MS Paint.]